ANTIHYPERGLYCAEMIC AND ANTINOCICEPTIVE ACTIVITY EVALUATION OF METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF WHOLE PLANT OF AMARANTHUS TRICOLOUR L. (AMARANTHACEAE)

Amaranthus tricolor whole plants are used by folk medicinal practitioners of Bangladesh for treatment of pain, anaemia, dysentery, skin diseases, diabetes, and as a blood purifier. Thus far, no scientific studies have evaluated the antihyperglycaemic and antinociceptive effects of the plant. The present study was carried out to evaluate the possible glucose tolerance efficacy of methanolic extracts of A. tricolour whole plants using glucose-induced hyperglycaemic mice, and antinociceptive effects with acetic acid-induced gastric pain models in mice. In antihyperglycaemic activity tests, the extract at different doses was administered one hour prior to glucose administration and blood glucose level was measured after two hours of glucose administration (p.o.) using glucose oxidase method. The statistical data indicated the significant oral hypoglycaemic activity on glucose-loaded mice at all doses of the extracts tested. Maximum antihyperglycaemic activity was shown at 400 mg extract per kg body weight, which was comparable to that of a standard drug, glibenclamide (10 mg/kg body weight). In antinociceptive activity tests, the extract also demonstrated a dose-dependent significant reduction in the number of writhings induced in mice through intraperitoneal administration of acetic acid. Maximum antinociceptive activity was observed at a dose of 400 mg extract per kg body weight, which compared favourably with that of a standard antinociceptive drug, aspirin, when administered at a dose of 200 mg per kg body weight. The results validate the folk medicinal use of the plant for reduction of blood sugar in diabetic patients as well as the folk medicinal use for alleviation of pain. The results suggest that this plant may possess further potential for scientific studies leading to possible discovery of efficacious antihyperglycaemic and antinociceptive components

Trapped in Statelessness: Rohingya Refugees in Bangladesh

The Rohingya people are one of the most ill-treated and persecuted refugee groups in the world, having lived in a realm of statelessness for over six generations, and who are still doing so. In recent years, more than 500,000 Rohingyas fled from Myanmar (Burma) to neighboring countries. This article addresses the Rohingya refugee crisis in Bangladesh, with special emphasis on the living conditions of this vulnerable population. We reviewed several documents on Rohingya refugees, visited a registered refugee camp (Teknaf), collected case reports, and conducted a series of meetings with stakeholders in the Cox’s Bazar district of Bangladesh. A total of 33,131 registered Rohingya refugees are living in two registered camps in Cox’s Bazar, and up to 80,000 additional refugees are housed in nearby makeshift camps. Overall, the living conditions of Rohingya refugees inside the overcrowded camps remain dismal. Mental health is poor, proper hygiene conditions are lacking, malnutrition is endemic, and physical/sexual abuse is high. A concerted diplomatic effort involving Bangladesh and Myanmar, and international mediators such as the Organization of Islamic Countries and the United Nations, is urgently required to effectively address this complex situation

A Review of the Effects of Chronic Arsenic Exposure on Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes

Exposure to arsenic has a number of known detrimental health effects but impact on pregnancy outcomes is not as widely recognized. This narrative review examines existing epidemiological evidence investigating the association between arsenic exposure via drinking water and adverse pregnancy outcomes. We reviewed published epidemiological studies from around the world on impact of chronic arsenic exposure on spontaneous abortion, stillbirth, neonatal death, post neonatal death, low birth weight and preterm baby. Plausible mechanisms of arsenic toxicity causing adverse pregnancy outcomes were also determined through literature review. There is convincing evidence to support the association between high inorganic arsenic exposure (>50 ppb) and spontaneous abortion, stillbirth and low birth weight. Limitations of certain studies include study design, small sample size, recall constraints and exposure assessment. There needs to be further research investigating the dose metered impact of arsenic exposure on pregnancy outcomes. Further research on impact of low–moderate arsenic concentration exposure on pregnancy outcomes will allow for appropriate public health policy recommendations

Isolation of Endophytic Salt-Tolerant Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria From Oryza sativa and Evaluation of Their Plant Growth-Promoting Traits Under Salinity Stress Condition

<jats:p>The application of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) as vital components for plant growth promotion against biotic and abiotic stresses could be a promising strategy to improve crop production in areas vulnerable to increasing salinity. Here, we isolated Seventy-five endophytic bacteria from roots of healthy <jats:italic>Oryza sativa</jats:italic> grown in a saline environment of the southern coastal region of Bangladesh. The endophytes in a culture of ~10<jats:sup>8</jats:sup> CFU/ml showed arrays of plant growth-promoting (PGP) activities: phytohormone (Indole acetic acid) production (1.20–60.13 μg/ ml), nutrient (phosphate) solubilization (0.02–1.81 μg/ml) and nitrogen fixation (70.24–198.70 μg/ml). Four genomically diverse groups were identified namely, <jats:italic>Enterobacter, Achromobacter, Bacillus</jats:italic>, and <jats:italic>Stenotrophomonas</jats:italic> using amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis followed by their respective 16S rDNA sequence analyses with that of the data available in NCBI GenBank. These four specific isolates showed tolerance to NaCl ranging from 1.37 to 2.57 mol/L in the nutrient agar medium. Under a 200 mmol/L salt stress <jats:italic>in vitro</jats:italic>, the bacteria in a culture of 10<jats:sup>8</jats:sup> CFU/ml exhibited competitive exopolysaccharide (EPS) production: <jats:italic>Stenotrophomonas</jats:italic> (65 μg/ml) and <jats:italic>Bacillus</jats:italic> (28 μg/ml), when compared to the positive control, <jats:italic>Pseudomonas</jats:italic> spp. (23.65 μg/ml), a phenomenon ably supported by their strong biofilm-producing abilities both in a microtiter plate assay, and <jats:italic>in soil</jats:italic> condition; and demonstrated by images of the scanning electron microscope (SEM). Overall, the isolated endophytic microorganisms revealed potential PGP activities that could be supported by their biofilm-forming ability under salinity stress, thereby building up a sustainable solution for ensuring food security in coastal agriculture under changing climate conditions.</jats:p&gt

Prevalence and correlates of smokeless tobacco consumption among married women in rural Bangladesh

Objective: To estimate the prevalence and identify correlates of smokeless tobacco consumption among married rural women with a history of at least one pregnancy in Madaripur, Bangladesh. Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey using an interviewer administered, pre-tested, semistructured questionnaire. All women living in the study area, aged 18 years and above with at least one pregnancy in their lifetime, who were on the electoral roll and agreed to participate were included in the study. Information on sociodemographic characteristics and smokeless tobacco consumption was collected. Smokeless tobacco consumption was categorized as ‘Current’, ‘Ever but not current’ and ‘Never’. Associations between smokeless tobacco consumption and the explanatory variables were estimated using simple and multiple binary logistic regression. Results: 8074 women participated (response rate 99.9%). The prevalence of ‘Current consumption’, ‘Ever consumption but not current’, and ‘Never consumption’ was 25%, 44% and 31%, respectively. The mean age at first use was 31.5 years. 87% of current consumers reported using either Shadapata or Hakimpuree Jarda. Current consumption was associated with age, level of education, religion, occupation, being an income earner, marital status, and age at first use of smokeless tobacco. After adjustment for demographic variables, current consumption was associated with being over 25 years of age, a lower level of education, being an income earner, being Muslim, and being divorced, separated or widowed. Conclusion: The prevalence of smokeless tobacco consumption is high among rural women in Bangladesh and the age of onset is considerably older than that for smoking. Smokeless tobacco consumption is likely to be producing a considerable burden of non-communicable disease in Bangladesh. Smokeless tobacco control strategies should be implemented

Treatment of Epizootic Ulcerative Syndrome (EUS) in Anabas testudineus with an Alkali-Soluble Fraction from Paddy Husk

Epizootic ulcerative syndrome (EUS) is a fish disease characterized by the presence of severe, open dermal ulcers on the head, mid-body, and dorsal regions of the fish. The disease is widely prevalent throughout Bangladesh, the major species of fish reportedly affected being carps, Anabas testudineus, Heteropneustes fossilis and fish belonging to the Channa and Puntius species. We investigated the effect of feeding an alkali-soluble fraction from paddy husk (ASFPH) to Anabas testudineus manifesting symptoms of EUS, and report that symptoms of EUS start reducing within 72 hours and totally disappear within 60 days of oral administration of a diet containing 0.1% ASFPH to EUS-affected Anabas testudineus

Smokeless tobacco consumption by demographic factors (n = 8074).

<p>Smokeless tobacco consumption by demographic factors (n = 8074).</p

Unadjusted and adjusted odds of current STC (n = 4515).

<p>*The odds ratio presents the odds of using smokeless tobacco among current users compared to never users.</p><p>**Excluded from the multivariate model because of high collinearity with age.</p