Clinical status of COVID-19 vaccinated pregnant women: an observational study in a tertiary care hospital in Bangladesh

Background: Pregnancy is a special but often stressful time. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated this stress. Clinical trials have demonstrated the safety of COVID-19 vaccines for pregnant and lactating women, leading to WHO approval. Consequently, the Bangladesh Government has initiated a vaccination campaign for all expectant mothers to protect them from COVID-19. This study aimed to assess the clinical status of COVID-19-vaccinated pregnant women. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out at Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology in Combined Military Hospital, Dhaka Cantonment, Bangladesh, spanning August to November 2021. The study included 50 pregnant women who had received COVID-19 vaccinations, selected through purposive sampling. Data analysis and dissemination were performed using MS Office tools. Results: The study found that the average age was 19.2±10.8 years, with 66% falling into the 25-35 age group. About 50% had a normal BMI, while 22% were overweight (BMI: 25.0-29.9 Kg/m2). Hypertension and diabetes were present in 16% and 12% of cases, respectively. Among the 50 pregnant women, 40% were nulliparous, and 60% were multiparous; in most of the cases (54%), multigravidity (1-5) was found. Vaccination distribution was 28% in the 1st trimester, 54% in the 2nd, and 18% in the 3rd trimester. Conclusions: COVID-19 vaccination rates are notably higher among pregnant women aged 25-35. The frequency of normal BMI among COVID-19-vaccinated pregnant women is satisfactory. Most pregnant women opt for COVID-19 vaccination during their second trimester

SWOT Analysis of Eco-Labels and their Projection on Sustainability Spectrum: A Theoretical Evaluation of Destination India

Most of the organisations in India follow contemporary practices of sustainable development but very few have obtained 'green' certifications, and tourism industry is no exception.  A  booming  economy,  with  a  population  of over  1.2  billion,  India's  infrastructure  constructions  are soaring, resulting in a depletion of rare flora and fauna species  and  an  increase  in  pollution  of  water  bodies. Against  the  backdrop  of  these  three  constituents,  this paper  presents  a  SWOT  analysis  of  three  important ecolabels which covers almost all sectors of the tourism industry.  Further,  an  evaluation  of  this  ecolabel implementation  in  India  is  done  through  sustainability spectrum vis-a-vis sustainability positions

Toward the Development of Post Covid-19 Gender Policy and Accountability Measures to End Modern Slavery in the Bangladeshi Garment Sector : A Policy Brief for the UK Government and Stakeholders

This policy brief is based on findings from the project ‘Toward the Development of Post Covid-19 Gender Policy Measures to End Modern Slavery and Exploitation in the Bangladeshi Garment Sector’. The project was funded by the UK Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) as part of the UK Modern Slavery Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC) call for research on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on modern slavery (AHRC grant Ref: AH/V009788/1).Publisher PD

Response of morphological and biochemical traits of maize genotypes under waterlogging stress

Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most important cereal crops cultivated around the world. Waterlogging stress is a major production constraint of maize production in rain-fed agricultural systems. The main objective of this experiment was to investigate the effect of continuous waterlogging on morphological and biochemical traits of maize genotypes at the vegetative stage. Ten maize genotypes were treated under no waterlogging (control) and continuous waterlogging of five centimeters depth for 10 days. The treatments were applied to the plants at their 45 days of age. Visual leaf injury scores from Leaf 4 (youngest leaf is the reference point) to Leaf 7 separated tolerant and susceptible genotypes. Waterlogging stress significantly reduced the total number of live leaves and chlorophyll content in leaf tissues in susceptible genotypes. The anatomical study revealed that tolerant maize genotypes produce a large number of aerenchyma cells under waterlogging stress compared to susceptible genotypes. The enzymatic activities of ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and peroxidase (POD) exhibited a greater increase in tolerant genotypes than susceptible genotypes whereas the contents of reactive oxygen species (H2O2) greatly increased in susceptible genotypes than tolerant genotypes under waterlogging stress compared to control. Principal component 2 (PC2) indicated that increasing plant height in the genotypes BHM-14, BHM-13 and BHM-9 was associated with waterlogging tolerance. The findings of this experiment will add value to maize breeding to screen out maize genotypes for waterlogging stress tolerance

The Effect Of Umbilical Cord Milking In Reducing ROP Of Preterm Babies.

Background: Recent advances in neonatal care in the last decade have improved the survival rates for premature infants. Consequently, the incidence of ROP has increased in parallel. ROP is under constant epidemiological study around the world. Prematurity, low birth weight, respiratory distress syndrome, mechanical ventilation, prolonged oxygen treatment and blood transfusion increase the risk of ROP. Umbilical cord milking reduces the incidence of ROP in preterm infants by reducing the need for blood transfusions in preterm infants. Objective: To observe effect of ROP with umbilical cord milking. Methodology: This prospective observational study was carried out on neonates, in the Department of Neonatology, BSMMU after approval from IRB. Neonates admitted into neonatal intensive care unit of BSMMU satisfying the inclusion and exclusion criteria was enrolled for the study. A written informed consent was taken from parents and assurance about confidentiality was given. Neonates born before 37 weeks of gestation was assigned to either umbilical cord milking or non-milking group at a 1: 1 ratio according to a computer generated randomized sequence. After delivery of a baby umbilical cord milking was performed by holding the infant at the level of the placenta. First eye evaluation for ROP was done at 20 days of age for gestational age less than 30weeks & weight below 1200gm & at 30 days of age for gestational age more than 30 weeks & above weight 1200gm. Follow-up was continued until retinal vascularization was completed. The follow-up schedules were organized depending on the retinal findings. The retinal finding was evaluated according to the International Classification of Retinopathy of Prematurity. The patients were grouped as no ROP, mild ROP (stages I-II ROP without plus disease, showed regression), and severe ROP (zone 1 or zone 2, stage III, aggressive ROP without stages, stage II with plus disease who required treatment). Data were recorded in a preformed questionnaire and data were analyzed by statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 20. Results: 114 newborns were enrolled in this study. Then among 114 preterm neonates 57 were randomized to umbilical cord milking group and 57 were randomized to no milking group. Baseline characteristics were almost similar between the two groups. There were significant increase is hematocrit level 57.3 ±3.5 V 47.4 ± 4.5 (P value less than 0.001), reduction in need of blood transfusion 3.5% V 42.1% (P value less than 0.001) & reduction in ROP 3.5% V 19.3% (P 0.007). Conclusion: This study concluded that umbilical cord milking after delivery improves hematocrit level, reduces need of blood transfusion & reduces the incidence of ROP in preterm infant

Knowledge Regarding Sexual Abuse of Selected University Students of Dhaka City

Introduction: Sexual harassment involves an assortment of coercive behaviors, including physical force, intimidation, and various forms of compulsion, including verbal harassment and forced penetration [1]. Sexual abuse can happen to both men and women. In the United Kingdom(UK), the problem of child sexual abuse (CSA) has epidemic proportions and is a global public health issue [2]. 53,874 incidents were reported under the 2012 Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act as of 2021 [3]. to their ignorance about puberty, sexuality, and fundamental human biological changes, adolescents have a very difficult time addressing their SRH demands. These underlying causes contribute to high rates of teen pregnancy, STIs, sexual assault, poor negotiating skills, forced marriage, and high fertility rates [4]. Methods: The study used a quantitative technique and a descriptive cross-sectional design. Students at Jahangir Nagar University and the American International University of Bangladesh were the intended target group. Jahangir Nagar University and American International University of Bangladesh served as the study locations. The six-month trial period ran from January 2022 through June 2022. For this investigation, primary sources of data were used. The study unit was the individual student. Non-probability (purposive) sampling techniques were used for the investigation. Results: The majority of survey participants (N=81) 62.2% were aged between 19 and 21 years old, and there was a statistically significant difference in age between students at public and private universities. None of our study participants suffered from any kind of sexual abuse, though they mentioned hearing about it. Regarding the view of sexual abuse, public universities 23% of those polled claimed sexual abuse as a justification for sharing inappropriate photos. At private universities, the response rate for crude jokes is 32.5%. Only the least number of public (2%) and private university (10%) students took part in sexual abuse-related awareness or training programs. Regarding the rights to receive training for prevention and safeguarding from sexual abuse, only 28% of the public and 40% of the private university students replied in affirmative. Conclusion: Sexual harassment is a sensitive issue, though due to various reasons, the rate of reporting and providing justice to the victims is delayed all over the world including Bangladesh. There social, religious, and policy lacking in this context

Genetic variations of CYP2R1 (rs10741657) in Bangladeshi adults with low serum 25(OH)D level—A pilot study

BACKGROUND: Some studies revealed that despite having sufficient sun exposure and dietary supply, the level of serum 25(OH)D in Bangladeshi adults is lower than its normal range. Genetic pattern of an individual is also an essential factor that regulates the level of serum 25(OH)D. However, the genetic variations of CYP2R1 (rs10741657) and their association with low serum 25(OH)D level in Bangladeshi adults are yet to be explored. OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to determine the frequency of variants of rs10741657 of CYP2R1 gene and its association with low serum 25(OH)D level among Bangladeshi adults. METHOD: This pilot study was conducted among thirty individuals with low serum 25(OH)D level as the study population and ten subjects with sufficient serum 25(OH)D level as controls based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Genetic analysis of rs10741657 of CYP2R1 including primer designing, DNA extraction, PCR of target region with purification and Sanger sequencing of the PCR products were done accordingly. For statistical analysis, One-way ANOVA followed by LSD test, Freeman-Halton extension of Fisher’s exact test, Chi-square test (χ(2)) test and unpaired student t-test were performed. RESULTS: In this study, genetic variants of CYP2R1 (rs10741657) among the study population were genotype GG (63.30%), GA (30%) and AA (6.7%). Minor allele frequency of the study population was 0.217. The association between GG and GA genotypes of CYP2R1 (rs10741657) with low serum 25(OH)D level among the study population was found and it was statistically significant. Statistically significant differences were also observed between the genotypes and alleles of the study population and controls. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of ‘GG’ and ‘GA’ genotypes of rs1041657 in CYP2R1 gene is associated with low serum 25(OH)D level among Bangladeshi adults in this pilot study

Psilocybin’s Effects on Neuritogenesis in Cancer Associated Neurons

https://openworks.mdanderson.org/sumexp23/1034/thumbnail.jp