Salinity-induced changes in the morphology and major mineral nutrient composition of purslane (Portulaca oleracea L) accessions

This study was undertaken to determine the effects of varied salinity regimes on the morphological traits (plant height, number of leaves, number of flowers, fresh and dry weight) and major mineral composition of 13 selected purslane accessions. Most of the morphological traits measured were reduced at varied salinity levels (0.0, 8, 16, 24 and 32 dS m-1), but plant height was found to increase in Ac1 at 16 dS m-1 salinity, and Ac13 was the most affected accession. The highest reductions in the number of leaves and number of flowers were recorded in Ac13 at 32 dS m-1 salinity compared to the control. The highest fresh and dry weight reductions were noted in Ac8 and Ac6, respectively, at 32 dS m-1 salinity, whereas the highest increase in both fresh and dry weight was recorded in Ac9 at 24 dS m-1 salinity compared to the control. In contrast, at lower salinity levels, all of the measured mineral levels were found to increase and later decrease with increasing salinity, but the performance of different accessions was different depending on the salinity level. A dendrogram was also constructed by UPGMA based on the morphological traits and mineral compositions, in which the 13 accessions were grouped into 5 clusters, indicating greater diversity among them. A three-dimensional principal component analysis also confirmed the output of grouping from cluster analysis.

Histopathological Alterations Induced by Naja naja Crude Venom on Renal, Pulmonary and Intestinal Tissues of Mice Model.

Aim: Snake bite causes a significant number of mortality and morbidity throughout the world. So, the current study was carried out to estimate the extinct of damage caused by intraperitoneal introduction of cobra venom on kidney, lung and intestinal tissues of mice model using histological technique. Place and Duration of Study: The entire study including the treatment along with preparing histological slide was conducted in protein science laboratory, Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh between December 2013 to July 2014. Methods: Twenty five mature female albino mice were divided mainly into two groups as control and envenomated group. Lyophilized Naja naja venom was dissolved in 0.9% NaCl solution and injected intraperitoneally into the mice of the envenomated group at dosages equivalent to LD50 (0.25 mg/kg). Whereas the animals from control group were not received any venomous component. Both groups of animal were sacrificed for histological study and visualized under light microscope. Results: Injection of cobra venom induced a range of histological changes in all envenomated mice comparing with their control. Results from the histopathological examination showed mainly inflammatory cellular infiltration, vacuolation in renal tubules, shrinking of glomeruli, raising space between the walls of Bowman’s capsule in renal tissue and alveolar haemorrhage, inflammatory cellular infiltration and edema in pulmonary tissue. No significant histopathological alterations in intestinal tissue were observed without infiltration and mild hemorrhage. Conclusion: The findings from the current study revealed that, cobra venom at lethal dose causes multiple organ failure in experimental animal which could be considered among the factors that lead to death. By observing the site and the mode of action on tissue level, these findings may help to allay the severity of damage by discovering novel anti venom drug.

Plant stature of aromatic rice genotypes in the environment of Bangladesh.

Plant stature of a rice crop is an important selection criterion. As plant height is a quantitative trait it is influenced by environmental conditions. A field experiment was conducted with 40 rice genotypes to assess the fluctuation and stability of plant height in a series of 16 environmental situations. The effects of genotype (G), environment (E) and all the components of G×E interaction were highly significant. Among the genotypes, Jamai sohagi was extremely sensitive (bi = 1.37) to environmental changes, and indicating lowest adaptability over the environments. Plant height of seven genotypes viz. Basmati PNR346, Benaful, BRRIdhan28, BRRIdhan38, BRRIdhan39, Gandho kasturi and Neimat, having the bi values between 0.59 and 0.72, showed high stability against environmental changes. The other seven genotypes viz. Badshabhog, Basmati Tapl-90, Kamini soru, Khazar, Laljira, Sarwati and Ukni madhu expressed only nonlinear sensitivity (S2 di = 90 – 181)) and thus unpredictable fluctuation. Twenty one genotypes indicated their average stability (bi = 0.91 -1.15) over the environments.

Studies on seed germination and growth in weed species of rice field under salinity stress.

An investigation was made to see the salt tolerance of 10 weed species of rice. Properly dried and treated seeds of weed species were placed on 9 cm diameter petridishes lined with Whatman No. 1 filter paper under 6 salinity regimes, viz. 0 (control), 4, 8, 16, 24 and 32 dS m-1. The petri dishes were then kept in germinator at 25±1.0oC and 12 hr light. The number of germinated seeds were recorded daily. The final germination percentage, germination index (GI), seedling vigour index, mean germination time and time for 50% germination were estimated. Root and shoot lengths of the weed seedlings were measured at 20 days after salt application and relative growth values were calculated. Results revealed that salinity decreased final germination percentage, seed of germination as measured by GI, and shoot and root length in all the species. Germination of most of the weed seeds was completely arrested (0) at 32 dS m-1 salinity except in E. colona (12%) and C. iria (13.9%). The species C. iria, E. colona, J. linifolia and E. crusgalli showed better germination (above 30%) upto 24 dS m-1 salinity level and were regarded as salt-tolerant weed species. J. linifolia, F. miliacea, L. chinensis and O. sativa L. (weedy rice) were graded as moderately tolerant and S. zeylanica, S. grosus and C. difformis were regarded as least tolerant weed species.

Neonatal bacteremia in a neonatal intensive care unit: analysis of causative organisms and antimicrobial susceptibility.

Background: Bangladesh has a neonatal death rate that is substantially high and demands urgent attention. Objective: This retrospective study was performed to determine the incidence of bacterial neonatal sepsis condition in the Chittagong area of Bangladesh with focus on various demographic characteristics of neonates, causative organisms and their antibiotic susceptibility. Methodology: Blood culture was performed on all neonates with risk factors or signs of suggestive sepsis. Blood samples were cultured using tryptone soya broth (TSB- blood broth) according to standard method. Results: From the 1400 neonates 104 had positive blood culture for neonatal sepsis infection. Among the infected children 40 (38.46%) were born in the hospital and 64 (61.54%) were born at home. The EONS (Early Onset Neonatal Sepsis) accounted for 68 (65.38%) and LONS (Late Onset Neonatal Sepsis) accounted for 36 (34.62%). Among the isolated organism Klebsiella pneumoniae accounted for 79 (75.96%), Serratia marcescens 19 (18.27%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa 04 (3.85%) and Staphylococcus aureus accounted for 02 (1.92%). Among the isolated species 102 were attributed to G (-ve) bacteria and 02 were attributed to G (+ve) bacteria. Most of the G (-ve) bacteria showed resistance to commonly used antibiotics such as ampicillin, ceftriaxon and gentamicin. In this study all isolates showed sensitivity to the imipenem. Conclusion: Collection of up-to-date data is mandatory for appropriate use of antibiotics.

Cost- Effective Management of Venous Ulcer.

Background: Venous disorders are very common. About 20% of the population suffer from varicose veins, 2% have skin changes which may precede venous ulceration1. Venous ulcers represent a common and debilitating condition associated with significant financial loss for the patients as well as the society. Treatment options for these patients are costly and time consuming. In this study we tried to find out cost -effective measures for treating this group of patients. Method: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of superficial and perforating leg venous surgery along with pharmacotherapy 66 patients with chronic venous leg ulcers are prospectively studied. After proper history taking and clinical examination all patients underwent venous duplex ultrasonography. Patients were divided into two groups. Group I (n=30) includes patients undergoing saphenofemoral ligation and stripping of the great saphenous vein (GSV). In group II (n=36) patients underwent saphenofemoral and incompetent leg perforator ligation along with stripping of the GSV. Conservative measures, local ulcer care and pharmacotherapy were common in both groups. Result: Postoperative complications, total hospital stay and ulcer healing were studied. Ulcer healing was earlier in group II. Remarkable complications were similar in both the groups. Conclusion: For effective and economic care of venous leg ulcers, combination of standard surgical procedures including incompetent perforator and saphenofemoral ligation with great saphenous vein stripping and standard physio-pharmacotherapeutic care is essential. This combined modality of treatment is highly effective in early and complete ulcer healing in patients suffering from venous ulcers.

Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with dyspepsia referred for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy to Ibn-Sina clinic, Benghazi

Helicobacter pylori [H. pylori] has acquired great importance during the last two decades, after being recognized as an important pathogen that infects a great portion of the human population. This microorganism is recognized as the main causal agent of chronic gastritis and duodenal ulcers, and it is associated with the subsequent development of gastric carcinoma. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of H. pylori among patients with dyspepsia referred to Ibn-sina polyclinic for upper gastrointestinal tract [GIT] endoscopy. One hundred and twenty five Libyan patients presented with dyspeptic symptoms referred for upper GIT endoscopy were evaluated retrospectively over a period of 24 months from January 2003 to December 2004. The following data were collected from medical records of Ibn-sina polyclinic [age, sex, indication of endoscopy, upper GIT endoscopic findings, and the histopathology report]. The main endoscopic findings were gastritis [34.3%], hiatal hernia [14.5%], reflux esophagitis [12.5%], erosive gastritis [12.5%], and duodenal ulcer [8.5%]. The main symptom for all patients was abdominal pain [97.6%]. The frequency of H. pylori infection was high among studied patients [84 out of 125, 67.2%].H. pylori infection is common in patients with dyspeptic symptoms referred to Ibn-Sina clinic in Benghazi for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with high prevalence of gastritis, reflux esophagitis, duodenal ulcer, duodenitis and hiatus hernia

Cellular and humoral immune responses to recombinant Smp17.7 Schistosoma mansoni antigen

To determine the immunological responses to S. Mansoni antigen rSmp 17.7, a total of 184 subjects [174 patients from a schistosomiasis endemic area and 10 controls] was used. Proliferation, cytokine profile in culture supernatants from antigen-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells and specific IgG1, IgG3, IgG4, IgA, IgM and IgE levels were assessed. The highest stimulation index to rSmp 17.7 was detected in S. mansoni patients. The evaluation of the cytokine profile [IL-2, IL-4 and IFN-gamma] in response to this antigen showed a significant increase as demonstrated by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA]. Specifically, IFN-gamma and IL-2 were significantly detected by flow cytometry. IgG1 and IgM were significantly increased. These results highlighted the importance of rSmp 17.7 as a candidate vaccine for schistosomiasis. The results facilitate to understand the mechanism of schistosome vaccine efficacy

Prevalence of home deliveries and antenatal care coverage in some selected villages.

A cross sectional study was conducted in 14 selected villages of Gazipur Thana with the aim to find the prevalence of home deliveries and ante natal care coverage. All those females who delivered in the recent past (within last three months) from the selected villages were the study population Data were collected by two trained interviewers with a semi-structured interview schedule. Study result shows that 83% of the respondents received ante natal check-up throughout their last pregnancy. Most of this group (88.5%) received this care from "Health Assistant or 'Family Welfare visitor's while only 3.1% received care from graduate doctors. Out of 505 respondents 91.3% of the respondents was found to have delivered at home while only 8.7% at institutions. Study findings also suggested that there was association of place of delivery with level of education and family income of the respondents. Also there was associations of utilisation of antenatal care with level of education and family income of the respondents.

Impact of intestinal helminth infection on anemia and iron status during pregnancy: a community based study in Indonesia.

A cohort study was carried out in Purworejo District, Central Java, Indonesia to investigate prevalence of anemia and low iron stores during pregnancy in relation to intestinal helminth infection. 442 pregnant women were followed until 5-10 weeks postpartum, during the period of April 1996 - August 1998. Information on intestinal helminths, hemoglobin and serum ferritin was collected each trimester. Highest prevalence of anemia in pregnancy (37.1%) was found in the second trimester, while the highest prevalence of low iron stores (49.5%) was found in the third trimester. Most pregnant women (69.7%) were infected with at least one species of pathogenic intestinal helminths. The most common helminth detected was Trichuris trichiura followed by Necator americanus (hookworm) and Ascaris lumbricoides. A significant negative association was found between hookworm infection and serum ferritin at the first trimester (p = 0.010). It is concluded that hookworm infection can interfere iron stores. Other causes of anemia among pregnant women should be considered. Anthelminthic therapy could be given to infected women before conception as public health strategy to improve iron status.