Knowledge and attitude of ethics committee (EC) members on bioethics and structure & function of EC in Bangladesh: A pilot study

Having scandalous unethical research practices in the mid and late 20th century, study protocols of biomedical research reviewed by the Ethics Committee (EC) has become the accepted international standard. The Declaration of Helsinki uniformly requires that all biomedical research involving human participants, including research on identifiable human material or data, should be approved by the EC. Today, concerns over the quality of the EC functions worldwide. There are research globally in this regard but no data are available from Bangladesh. Hence, we conducted a questionnaire based pilot study on knowledge and attitude of EC members on bioethics and structure & function of EC in Bangladesh

Congenital Goitre in Goats

One full-term, dead foetus was successfully removed from a 5-year old, crossbred black and white goat. The goat was stall-fed with green fodder and it delivered two dead foetuses in the previous pregnancy. The foetus had a large swelling in the cranio-ventral neck region. Upon cutting skin, the swelling revealed extremely enlarged thyroid gland having two asymmetrical lobes with the right lobe was 8.10 x 15.0 cm and the left 5.5 x 8.6 cm in size. The skin was devoid of hair, pale-white and thickened with myxedema. Histologically, the enlarged thyroid consisted of colloid goitre and the lungs were oedematous. This case of congenital goitre was unusual and differed from the reported cases in two aspects viz 1) the two lobes were enlarged but unequal and 2) histologically goitre was colloid instead of usual hyperplastic type

Correlation Of Hematocrit And Hemoglobin With Obesity, Serum Lipids And Aldosterone In Newly Diagnosed Hypertensive Patients

To determine the relationship of obesity indicators with certain hemodynamic and metabolic cardiovascular risk factors, at the initial diagnosisof hypertension in a random population, in search of a treatable causeMethods: A case control study was conducted on 201 subjects aged between 25-60 years, diagnosed primarily as prehypertensive or hypertensive stage Iand II , selected from five general practitioners clinics in Karachi. Estimated of hematocrit, hemoglobin, triglycerides, low density lipoproteins, serumpotassium level and aldosterone was done. Their body mass index and waist hip ratio were calculated by measuring body weight, height, waist and hipcircumference. The values obtained were compared with 75 controls with normal blood pressure.The mean and standard deviation were computed. Analysis was done by SPSS version 15.LSD test was applied to compare pair-wise group. Pearson’scorrelation was applied to find out association of different variables with one another, within each of the four groupsResults: The overall percentages of overweight and obese subjects were higher in all four groups. The mean hematocrit and hemoglobin levels werehighest in HTN stage –I (44.7±5.25 and15.4±2.20 respectively). Hemoglobin was strongly correlated to systolic blood pressure and waist hip ratio in bothhypertension stages-I and II (p<0.01). Whereas hematocrit was positively correlated to body mass index, triglycerides, serum potassium and aldosteronelevels in both stages of hypertension (p<0.01)Conclusion: High hematocrit, hemoglobin, triglyceride levels, visceral fat accumulation and aldosterone secretion are important and independent riskfactors for hypertension

Wide-Range Optical CMOS-Based Diagnostics

Colorimetric, chemiluminescence and refractive index based diagnostics are some of the most important sensing techniques in biomedical science and clinical medicine. Conventionally laboratories and medical clinics rely on bulky and dedicated equipment for each diagnostic technique independently. In this paper, we present CMOS sensor based solutions, comprising a single photon avalanche detector array and photodiode array. The CMOS platform offers low cost integration and wide range of light-based diagnostic techniques, leading to development of point-of-care devices

Microstructure and compressive behavior of Al-Y2O3 nanocomposites prepared by microwave-assisted mechanical alloying

In this study, Al–Y2O3 nanocomposites were synthesized via mechanical alloying and microwave-assisted sintering. The effect of different levels of yttrium oxide on the microstructural and mechanical properties of the Al–Y2O3 nanocomposites were investigated. The density of the Al–Y2O3 nanocomposites increased with increasing Y2O3 volume fraction in the aluminum matrix, while the porosity decreased. Scanning electron microscopy analysis of the nanocomposites showed the homogeneous distribution of the Y2O3 nanoparticles in the aluminum matrix. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed the presence of yttria particles in the Al matrix. The mechanical properties of the Al–Y2O3 nanocomposites increased as the addition of yttria reached to 1.5 vol. % and thereafter decreased. The microhardness first increased from 38 Hv to 81 Hv, and then decreased to 74 ± 4 Hv for 1.5 vol. % yttria. The Al–1.5 vol. % Y2O3 nanocomposite exhibited the best ultimate compressive strength and yielded a strength of 359 ± 7 and 111 ± 5 MPa, respectively. The Al–Y2O3 nanocomposites showed higher hardness, yield strength, and compressive strength than the microwave-assisted mechanically alloyed pure Al.This publication was made possible by NPRP Grant 7-159-2-076 from the Qatar National Research Fund (a member of the Qatar Foundation).Scopu

Counselor Education Admissions: A Selection Process that Highlights Candidate Self-Awareness and Personal Characteristics

This article describes an experiential model for applicant selection in a master‟s level counselor education graduate program. While nonintellectual aspects are emphasized in the model, some traditional measures are also considered. The program‟s emphasis on counselor self-awareness and personal characteristics is articulated. A discussion of the model\u27s rationale, the interpersonal aspects of candidate selection and a discussion of the group- oriented interviewing process is provided. Contemporary and future challenges for application selection models in Counselor Education programs are articulated

Computational Fluid Dynamic Simulation and Validation Bed Expansion of Three-Phase Co-Current Fluidized Bed

قد تمت دراسة الخصائص الهايدرودينامكية لعملية التميع لثلاثي أطوار في هذا العمل. أجري العمل التجريبي في عمود البرسبيكس بقطر 0.092 م وارتفاع (2). تم استخدام الكيروسين كطور مستمر والهواء كطور مشتت. استخدامت خرز الزجاج بقطر 0.0038 (م)، وكثافة 2247 كغ / م 3، والعامل المساعد المأخوذ من مفاعل معالجة الكيروسين الذي يقع في مصفاة الدورة بقطر 0.0025 (م)، وكثافة 2070 كغم / م 3 كمادة صلبة. قد تم التحقق من نتائج CFD)) من الخصائص الديناميكية التي تم الحصول عليها من المحاكاة مع النتائج التجريبية باستخدام أنسيز فلوئنت 16.0. أستخدم نهج التدفق الحبيبي لمتعدد المراحل يولريان والقادر على التنبؤ بالأداء العام لنظام ثلاثي اطوار من الغاز-السائل-الصلب. أوضحت النتائج أن ارتفاع الطبقة الموسعة للمادة الصلبة يتأثر أكثر من تغييرات سرع السائل، فإنه يزيد مع زيادة سرعة السائل.The bed expansion of gas-liquid-solid co-current fluidized bed is studied in the present work. Experimental work is carried out using Perspex column having 0.092 m inner diameter, 2 m height. Kerosene and air are used as continuous and dispersed phases, respectively. Glass beads having 0.0038 m diameter and 2247 kg/m3 density and catalyst particles having 0.0025 m diameter and   2070 kg /m3 density, which were taken from the kerosene hydrotreating reactor that is located in Al-Daura Refinery, are used as the solid phase. The Computational fluid dynamic CFD results of dynamic characteristics were obtained based on simulation using commercial CFD codes and ANSYS FLUENT 16.0 have been used for validation, by comparing the simulation and experimental results. Eulerian approach for flow of granular multiphase is utilized to predict the performance of the three-phase co-current fluidized bed. The results are indicated that the height of the expanded bed is having a strong function of liquid velocity, which increases as the liquid velocity increases too

Mediastinal mass diagnosed as a benign schwannoma

Neurogenic tumours of the mediastinum are most commonly present in the posterior mediastinal compartment. Schwannomas, being the most frequently encountered type, can be either benign or malignant, although the former is more common. They typically appear as an asymptomatic mass on radiographic imaging. These tumours with spindle-shaped cells are often asymptomatic, and are routinely detected on standard pulmonary radiography. However, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, especially for posterior mediastinal tumours, provide additional information and help to determine its possible extension to adjacent structures. Therefore, radiographic and histopathological examinations are vital diagnostic tools in the detection of these silent tumours. Complete surgical resection using video-assisted thoracic surgical technique is the mainstay of treatment, and offers an excellent prognosis

Screening for hen’s egg and chicken meat specific IgE antibodies in Saudi patients with allergic disorders

Background: Allergy to hen’s egg and meat contributes significantly to the manifestations of food allergy all over the world.Objectives: This study was performed to assess the presence of hen’s egg and meat specific IgE antibodies among patients investigated for various allergic disorders.Methods. This is a retrospective study performed at King Khalid University Hosptial, Riyadh. Data from 421 patients with allergic disorders screened for food specific IgE antibodies between January 2009 and March 2011 were analyzed. Sixty (14.25%) patients including 42 males and 18 females with the mean age (sd) of 7.5 (7.4) years were found to have specific IgE antibodies against hen’s egg and chicken meat. There were 56 (93.3%) children and 4 (6.7%) adult patients. Specific IgE antibodies were measured by radioallergosorbent test (RAST) using Pharmacia ImmunoCAP 250 analyzer.Results: Atopic dermatitis was the most common (55%) clinical condition. Out of the total 60 patients harboring hen’s egg and chicken meat specific IgE antibodies high levels of egg white, yolk and chicken meat specific IgEs were detected in 58 (96.6%), 37 (61.6%) and 6 (10%) patients respectively. Both the egg white and yolk antibodies coexisted in 35 (58.3%) patients.Conclusion: Sensitization against hen’s egg was higher compared to the chicken meat. Egg white sensitization higher than the egg yolk particularly in Saudi children with food related allergic disorders.Key words: Allergy, atopic dermatitis, chicken meat, hen’s egg, IgE antibodie