Growth and Yield of Tomatillo as Influenced by Planting Time and Macronutrients

With the use of a strategic pairing of planting time and macronutrients, tomatillo growth and yield can be boosted. Due to their complementing effects, the ideal combination of different planting times and macronutrients may significantly boost tomatillo growth and yield. The experiment was set by taking two treatment factors. Our treatment factors were: (1) Planting time (three time’s viz. T1 = 02 November, T2 = 12 November, and T3 = 22 November); and (2) Macro nutrients (four levels viz. F0 = N0P0K0 Kg/ha, F1 = N200P60K100 Kg/ha, F2= N250P90K120Kg/ha, F3 = N300P120K140 Kg/ha). The two factors experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. In case of planting time, the sharp increase of fruits per plant (37.06), fruit weight (42.7 g), yield per plant ( 2.04 kg) and per hectare ( 85.06 t) were obtained from T3 (22 November). In case of macronutrients, the maximum number of fruits per plant (47.26), fruit weight ( 48.47 g), yield per plant ( 2.75 kg) and per hectare ( 114.59 t) were obtained from F1 (N200P60K100 Kg/ha). Combined effect (T3F1) had improved the number of fruits per plant (49.66), fruit weight ( 55.64 g), yield per plant ( 2.94 kg) and per hectare ( 122.84 t), vitamin C content (25.92 mg) and noted from T1F0 (02 November with N0P0K0Kg/ha) treatment combination that minimum number of fruits per plant (14.0), fruit weight ( 24.69 g), yield per plant ( 0.5 kg) and per hectare ( 20.85 t), vitamin C content (16.63 mg). So, the T3F1 treatment combination appeared to be the best for achieving the higher growth and yield of tomatillo.

Effect of Sowing Date and Phosphorus on Growth, Seed Yield and Quality of Fenugreek

The effect of sowing date (three sowing dates viz., S1= 01 November, S2= 15 November and S3= 30 November) and phosphorus levels (four phosphorus fertilizer levels viz., P0= Control, P1= 35 kg P ha-1, P2= 45 kg P ha-1 and P3= 55 kg P ha-1) on growth, seed yield and quality of fenugreek was investigated at Horticulture Farm, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, Bangladesh, during 10 October 2020 to April 2021. Growth-related data was maximum on S1 (01 November) treatment but S2 (15 November) treatment showed the best result in case of seed yield. In case of growth characters, P3 (55 kg ha-1) revealed the best result but in case of seed yield, P2 (45 kg ha-1) treatment showed the best effect. Under this investigation, it was revealed that the maximum growth was obtained by S1P3 (01 November with 55 kg P ha-1) and the minimum growth was obtained by S3P0 (30 November with control) treatment combination. The maximum pods per plant (52.61), seeds per pod (12.87), weight of individual pod (147.11 mg), the weight of seeds per plant (7.67 g) and weight of 1000-seed (13.86 g), seed yield per plot (306.72 g), seed yield per hectare (2.13 t) and vigor index (570.27) was observed from the treatment combination S2P2 (15 November with 45 kg P ha-1). It was concluded that the combination of sowing date S2 (15 November) along with phosphorus application P2 (45 kg P ha-1) were given the better performance of all the yield contributing parameters and seed yield of fenugreek. So, S2P2 (15 November with 45 kg P ha-1) treatment combination can be repeated in different agro-ecological zones of Bangladesh.

Antimicrobial Sensitivity Pattern of Helicobacter pylori Isolates among Subgroup of Bangladeshi Patients.

This cross sectional study was carried out at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) and International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B) from July 2008 to September 2009. Aim of the study was to find out the antimicrobial susceptibility profile of Helicobacter pylori isolates from dyspeptic patients. Total 224 dyspeptic patients from Out Patient Department (OPD) of BSMMU were initially enrolled after informed written consent. After upper GI endoscopy 157 patients were finally included who had erosions, ulcers or atrophic changes in the stomach or duodenum. Two biopsy samples were taken from each of them. Samples were incubated at 370C in a double gas incubator with 5%O2, 10%CO2 and 85%N2. Total 82 (52.23%) samples were found positive for H. pylori. Isolated organisms were then tested for sensitivity to Amoxicillin, Clarithromycin, Tetracycline, Levofloxacin and Metronidazole by Agar dilution method. Among 82 patients 51(62.2%) were male and 31(37.8) were female with a male:female ratio 1.6:1. Patients were categorized into two groups one having gastric or duodenal ulcer (30.5%) and other having no ulcer (69.5%). Among these isolates 92.7% were sensitive to Amoxicillin, 89% to Clarithromycin, 81.7% to Tetracycline, 80.5% to Levofloxacin and only 26.8% to Metronidazole. Beside these, 81.7% isolates were sensitive to both Amoxicillin and Clarithromycin, 74.4% to Amoxicillin and Tetracycline, 73.2% to Amoxicillin and Levofloxacin, 72% to Clarithromycin and Tetracycline, 59% to Clarithromycin and Levofloxacin and 51% to Tetracycline and Levofloxacin.

Efficacy of Different Laboratory Tests to Diagnose Helicobacter pylori Infection.

Helicobacter pylori is a Gram negative bacteria which causes chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, primary B-cell gastric lymphoma, and adenocarcinoma of the stomach. There are a set of laboratory tests to diagnose H. pylori infection with a variable accuracy, they are divided into non-invasive tests and invasive tests. Non-invasive tests include serology, urea breath test (UBT) and stool antigen test (SAT). Invasive tests include rapid urease test (RUT), histology and culture. This cross sectional study was carried out in the Department of Gastroenterology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) and H. pylori laboratory of International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B) from July 2008 to September 2009 to evaluate the efficacy of RUT, SAT and Culture as a diagnostic tool for H. pylori. Dyspeptic patients were collected from outpatient department of BSMMU. Out of 224 dyspeptic patients 149 patients had ulcers or erosions in the stomach or duodenum. Stool sample could be collected from 139 patients. RUT has sensitivity of 100%, specificity 80.28%, positive predictive value 85% and negative predictive value 100%. Regarding culture, sensitivity is 100%, specificity 94.37%, positive predictive value 95% and negative predictive value 100%. Stool antigen test has sensitivity 95.94%, specificity 92.31%,positive predictive value 93% and negative predictive value 95%.

Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome in Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Background- People with metabolic syndrome are twice as likely to die from, and three times as likely to have a heart attack or stroke compared with people without the syndrome. People with metabolic syndrome have a five-fold greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes. We investigated the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in patients with newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus. Methods- It was a cross sectional study. The study was conducted in Department of Biochemistry, Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College, Sylhet & Diabetic Hospital, Sylhet. The study was conducted From July 2008 to June 2009 among 200 patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients with age >20 years. Along with blood glucose, different components of metabolic syndrome was assessed, i.e. serum triglyceride level, serum HDL level, blood pressure and waist circumference. Results- Prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 73.5% according to NCEP-ATP III criteria, 81.0% according to modified NCEP-ATP III criteria, 82.5% according to modified WHO criteria and 61.0% according to IDF criteria. All variables other than waist hip ratio and fasting blood sugar had statistically significant higher mean values among patients with metabolic syndrome than patients without metabolic syndrome. Conclusion- It may be concluded that prevalence of metabolic syndrome is considerable in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients in our population. The considerable prevalence of metabolic syndrome in our population is implicative of an alarming risk of cardiovascular disease in future.

A Comparative Study Among Different Invasive Methods For The Diagnosis Of Helicobacter Pylori.

H. pylori infection occurs worldwide. Approximately 50% of the world population is infected with this organism. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 81 dyspeptic patients attending at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, for diagnostic endoscopy. H. pylori infection was measured by three invasive methods: culture, rapid urease test & histopathology. Among study patients maximum (34.57%) H. pylori infected were in 21-30 years age group, bearing male female ratio 1: 92.86. Forty four (54.32%) out of 81 were culture positive, 61 (75.31%) were rapid urease test positive and 62 (76.54%) were histopathology positive. By using ‘gold standard’ definition, 64 (79.02%) were H. pylori infected, 17 were un-infected. Finally comparing among three invasive methods, all are highly sensitive and specific to diagnose H. pylori infection.

Aetiology Of Pyrexia With Hepatosplenomegaly: Study Of 50 Cases In MMCH (Bangladesh).

Pyrexia with hepatosplenomegaly is a common problem in medical practice globally, specially in tropical countries. In Bangladesh several tropical diseases as well as hematological malignancies are responsible for such clinical syndrome. Again different tropical diseases vary in endemicity in different regions in Bangladesh. In Present study 50 hospitalized cases of pyrexia with hepatosplenomegaly of 15-50 years of age are included from 01.01.2002 to 30.06.2002 in MMCH to find out their aetiologies. Fever with only hepatomegaly, or with only splenomegaly or hepatosplenomegaly without fever was not included in this study. Duration of fever was two weeks to three months. 35(70%) cases were male and 15(30%) were female. 27(54%) cases were visceral leishmaniasis (kala-azar), 8 (16%) malaria, 6 (12%) Acute leukemia (ALL, AML), 3 (6%) Lymphoma, 3(6%) Enteric fever, 2(4%) CML, 1(2%) Disseminated TB. Although kala-azar and malaria are tow common causes of fever with hepatosplenomegaly, haematological malignancies and tuberculosis should be in mind.

Contraceptive prevalence among adolescent married women in rural Bangladesh.

Although contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR) has increased over the last decade it has not yet reached the desired level. This cross sectional study aimed at exploring the current use of the modern methods of contraception and some related issues among the adolescent married girls residing in two rural areas of Faridpur district. A total of 426 girls were interviewed. The mean age of marriage was found to be 15.5+/-1.5 years among the respondents and 57.5% of them had secondary level education. Majority of the women (97.7%) were housewives and 41% of the households had a monthly income of Taka. 2001-4000. It was found that only 41% of the couples were currently practicing a modern method of contraception, oral pill being the most popular method (69.9%). In seventy one percent of the respondents, husband and wife jointly took the decision regarding contraceptive use. The main reasons for use were for spacing purpose (50.3%) and for delaying of first pregnancy (42.2%). Increasing female literacy rate, improving their socio economic condition and providing family planning services at the doorstep could help in improving the situation.

Hypoglycemic effect of Catharanthus roseus in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

The effects of crude juice (at 0.5 and 1 ml/kg b.w.) and aqueous extract (at 0.30 and 0.45 gm/kg b.w.) of leaves of Catharanthus roseus on serum glucose level in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats were examined at 8 hours, 12 hours and 24 hours following single oral administration. The administration of crude juice at 1 ml/kg b.w. continued for another 9 doses (total 10 single morning doses given) and its effect was examined on the 4th and 11th day. The rats were made diabetic by single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin at 45 mg/kg b.w. Glibenclamide was used in the study for comparison. The crude leaf juice at 0.5 and 1 ml/kg b.w. reduced the serum glucose level in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats throughout the 24-hour period significantly (P varies between 0.05 and 0.001 at different times). The aqueous extract at 0.30 and 0.45 gm/kg reduced the serum glucose level in streptozotocin diabetic rats at 8 and 12 hour significantly (P varies between 0.05 to 0.01 at different times) but not at the 24 hour. Glibenclamide, at 500 mug/kg, also reduced the serum glucose level in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats throughout the 24-hour period (P<0.001).The crude leaf juice at 1 ml/kg also significantly reduced the serum glucose level in the streptozotocin induced diabetic rats on the 4th and 11th day (P<0.001 on both occasions). The effect of crude leaf juice at 1 ml/kg b.w administered daily orally over a 10 day period was also examined on a group of normal rats at different times. The study showed significant reduction at 8 hr (P<0.05), 12 hr, 24 hr and on the 4th day (P<0.01 on these 3 occasions) and also on the 11th day (P<0.001).

Use of parenteral magnesium sulphate in eclampsia and severe pre-eclampsia cases in a rural set up of Bangladesh.

This was a quasi-experimental interventional study to see the role of injection magnesium sulphate in eclampsia and severe pre-eclampsia patients at community level in a rural set up before referral to the hospital. This study was conducted on 265 cases of eclampsia and severe pre-eclampsia over a period of six months from July 2001 to December 2001. Among 265 cases, 133 were in intervention group who had received loading dose of injection magnesium sulphate before referral and the rest 132 were in non-intervention group, had not received injection magnesium sulphate before admision in hospital. The number (mean +/- SD) of convulsion before treatment in intervention and non-intervention groups were 4.7 +/- 2.64 & 6.86 +/- 2.97 respectively. Recurrence of fits observed more in non-intervention group and the difference was statistically significant (p<.001). Mean (+/- SD) time taken to regain full consciousness was 12.0+9.6 and 17.4+7.4 hours in the intervention and non-intervention group respectively (p<.05). Control of convulsion by loading dose of 10 gm of injection magnesium sulphate was achieved in 94.0% of the intervention group and 74.0% in non-intervention group. There was only 3(2.3%) maternal death in study group whereas in non-intervention group maternal death was 14(10.4%) and the difference was highly significant (p<.005). Fourteen (13.7%) babies were still born in intervention group and 21(20%) in non-intervention group. The difference was statistically highly significant (p<.001). Remarkable achievements were obtained through use of magnesium sulphate at the community level at rural setting among the eclampsia and severe pre-eclampsia cases.

Effects of cervical traction and exercise therapy in cervical spondylosis.

A randomised clinical trial was conducted in the Department of Physical Medicine, Chittagong Medical College Hospital from July, 2001 to June, 2002. The objectives of the study were to find out the effects of cervical traction (CT) and exercise on the patients with chronic cervical spondylosis. A total of 199 patients with cervical spondylosis were included in the clinical trial. One hundred patients were treated with cervical traction plus exercise and 99 patients were treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Posture correction advice was given to all patients. The patients were treated for 6 weeks. There was a marked improvement in both the groups after treatment (P<0.001). But there was nearly significant difference regarding improvement in treatment with CT plus exercise than with NSAID (P = 0.06). The results indicate that the improvement of the patients with chronic cervical spondylosis was more in CT plus exercise than analgesics. So, CT & neck muscle strengthening exercise may have some more beneficial effects than NSAIDs on chronic cervical spondylosis.

Vegetarian diet in the treatment of fibromyalgia.

Brain tryptophan is low in fibromyalgia. Intake of protein rich in large neutral amino acids is reported to lower brain tryptophan. This study was undertaken to assess whether any reduction of such proteins by exclusion of animal protein from the diet reduced pain and morbidity in fibromyalgia patients. It was an open, randomized controlled trial. 37 subjects with fibromyalgia were enrolled in the vegetarian diet and 41 in the amitriptyline groups. The outcome was assessed with the help of frequencies of fatigue, insomnia & non-restorative sleep, pain score on a 10-point VAS and tender point count. Fatigue, insomnia and non-restorative sleep were present in 41, 26 and 32 subjects before and in 3, 0 and 0 subjects respectively at six weeks of treatment in the amitriptyline group. The pain score and tender point count were 6.2 +/- 1.9 & 16.1 +/- 2.3 before and 2.3 +/- 1.3 & 6.4 +/- 3.0 after treatment. All these differences were significant (P < 0.001). In the vegetarian diet group, fatigue, insomnia and non-restorative sleep were present in 36, 24 and 27 subjects before and in 34, 29 and 29 subjects at six weeks of treatment. The pain score and tender point count were 5.7 +/- 1.8 and 15.7 +/- 2.4 before and 5.0 +/- 1.8 & 14.7 +/- 3.6 after treatment. All these differences were insignificant except that in the pain score. The decrease in the pain score, though significant, was much smaller than that in the amitriptyline group. So, it may be concluded that vegetarian diet is a poor option in the treatment of fibromyalgia.