Effect of Macronutrients Combination with Plant Spacing on the Growth and Yield of Black Cumin (Nigella sativa L.)

An experiment was conducted into the Horticulture Farm of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka from October 2019 to March 2020 this study the effect of macronutrients combination and plant spacing on growth and yield of black cumin (Nigella sativa L.). Black cumin variety BARI Kalozira-1 was used as planting material in this study. The experiment consisted of two factors: Factor-A: macro nutrient combinations (4 levels): T1= N0P0K0 kg ha-1 (control), T2= N90P50K40 kg ha-1, T3= N135P75K60 kg ha-1; Factor-B: plant spacing (3 levels): S1= 20 cm × 10 cm, S2= 20 cm × 15 cm and S3= 20 cm × 20 cm. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with factorial with three replications. Data on different growth, yield and yield contributing parameter of black cumin were recorded and significant variation was observed from different treatments. In case of nutrient combinations, the tallest plant (54.86 cm) was observed from T3 (N135P75K60 kg ha-1) treatment. The maximum primary branch plant-1 (8.62) and secondary branch plant-1 (12.18), flower plant-1 (22.20), capsules plant-1 (19.69) and 1000 seed weight (2.99 g) was observed from T2 (N90P50K40 kg ha-1) treatment. The highest seed yield ha-1 (1.18 t) was observed from T2 (N90P50K40 kg ha-1) treatment. In case of plant spacing the tallest plant (48.34 cm) was observed from S1 (20 cm × 10 cm) treatment. The maximum primary branch plant-1 (7.80) and secondary branch plant-1 (11.23) flower plant-1 (20.26), capsules plant-1 (18.81), 1000 seed weight (2.99 g) were observed from S3 (20 cm × 20 cm) treatment. The highest seed yield ha-1 (1.09 t) was recorded from S1 (20 cm × 10 cm) treatment. It can be concluded that, sowing of black cumin providing 90 kg N, 50 kg P and 40 kg K nutrient combination with 20 cm × 10 cm plant spacing was recorded to be more suitable practice for getting higher amount and quality of seed yield of black cumin.

Effect of Oral Zinc Supplementation on the Growth of Preterm Infants.

Objective: To compare the effect of oral zinc supplementation on growth of preterm infants. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Setting: Dhaka Shisu Hospital (Tertiary care hospital). Subjects: 100 appropriate for date preterm infants weighing between 1000 to 2500g were randomized to receive zinc and multivitamin supplement (Group I; n=50) or only multivitamin supplement (Group II). Intervention: Zinc supplementation was given 2mg/kg/ day for 6 weeks along with multivitamin in Group I and only multivitamin to Group II. Primary outcome variable: Increment of weight and length. Results: At enrollment, serum zinc (62.1±12.4μg/dL in Group I and 63.1±14.6μg/dL in Group II) and hemoglobin levels (14.9±2.4g/dL in Group I and 14.4±1.7g/dL in Group II) were almost similar in both groups. Serum zinc levels were in lower limit of normal range. After supplementation, serum zinc and hemoglobin levels were significantly higher in Group I (105±16.5μg/dL) than Group II (82.2±17.4μg/dL) (P<0.05). Weight, length and head circumference were comparable in both groups at enrollment. Significant differences in weight gain and increment in length were found in first and second follow up between two groups but OFC increments were not significant (P>0.05). Reduction of morbidity was apparent in zinc supplemented group. No serious adverse effect was noted related to supplementation therapy. Conclusion: Zinc supplementation for preterm low birth weight babies is found effective to enhance the growth in early months of life.

Role of Micro-ESR and I/T Ratio in the Early Diagnosis of Neonatal Sepsis.

This prospective study was undertaken in Dhaka Shishu Hospital from 15th March 2005 to 15th October 2006 to determine the role of micro-ESR and immature and total neutrophil (I/T) ratio in early diagnosis of neonatal septicaemia. Eighty suspected cases of septicaemia admitted in neonatal ward of Dhaka Shishu Hospital were included in this study. Patients those who had history of perinatal asphyxia, infant of diabetic mother, congenital cyanotic heart disease etc. were excluded from the study. Thirty neonates without sign symptoms of septicaemia admitted for other causes like jaundice, feeding problems etc. were taken as a control group. After taking informed consent data were collected in structured questionnaire. Following hematological investigations like total WBC count, differential count, absolute neutrophil count, band cell count, platelet count, CRP, blood culture were done. Micro-ESR was done as bed side test. I/T ratio detected from total neutrophil and band form count. Patients with positive blood culture were categorized as definite sepsis. Patients with negative blood culture but abnormal hematological report suggestive of sepsis were categorized as probable sepsis. Those who had no signs of sepsis were categorized as control group. Micro-ESR more than age of the patient in days + 3mm in 1st hour were considered significant for sepsis. I/T ratio more than 0.2 was considered positive for sepsis. Sensitivity and specificity of micro-ESR was 63.3% and 60% respectively. Sensitivity and specificity of I/T ratio was 70% and 56% respectively. Combination of micro-ESR and I/T ratio showed high sensitivity (80%) and specificity (70%).

Effect of zinc on growth of preterm babies.

Zinc is being recognized increasingly as an important element in human growth, development and immunological function. It is probably the most intensely studied microelement in newborn nutrition. Zinc deficiency is common in young infants in the developing world and is associated with reduced immunocompetence and increased rates of serious disease. Preterm neonates are especially vulnerable because of preterm delivery and low birth weight. The preterm baby has very limited stored energy and needs an adequate supply of nutrient. Preterm infant have high zinc dietary requirements as 60% fetal zinc is acquired during third trimester of pregnancy. Low concentration of zinc was found in pre-term low birth weight babies in different studies. Studies showed that before supplementation serum zinc level in perterm low birth weight babies were 62+/-12.4mugm/dl, 65mugm/dl, 54+/-14.4mugm/dl and after supplementation serum zinc level were 105.8+/-16.6mugm/dl, 86.4+/-24.7mugm/dl respectively. At the same time mean weight & length of supplementation and without supplementation group were 6084 gm vs. 5280gm, 2779+/-638.7gm vs. 2474.6+/-441.8gm and length 23.7cm vs. 21.4cm, 46.49+/-2.6cm vs. 44.1+/-2.8cm respectively. So supplementation of zinc in preterm babies causes improved growth and development. Various reports showed beneficial effect of long supplement in early growth of pre-term babies. However long term follow up studies are needed to evaluate the beneficial effect of zinc supplementation on growth of preterm babies.

Serum zinc level in preterm low birth weight babies and its comparison between preterm AGA and preterm SGA babies.

Low birth weight (LBW) is a major child health problem in Bangladesh and continuing to great threat to child health and child survival in Bangladesh. LBW is a silent emergency but crisis is real and its persistence has profound and frightening impact on neonatal mortality. This observational study was conducted in Dhaka Shishu Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh during July 2004 to June 2005. Serum zinc levels were estimated between two groups: group-I preterm AGA (n=50), group II preterm SGA (n=50) babies. Blood samples were collected from the study population in neonatal unit and serum zinc levels were measured by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry in Atomic Energy Center, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Observed data were made comparison among groups by Students 't' test. It was observed serum zinc level (60.2+/-15.2) in group I and (62.1+/-12.4) in group II. Serum zinc level was in lower limit of normal range in both groups with more lower level in preterm AGA babies but their difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05). So zinc supplementation may enhance the growth of preterm LBW babies in their early months of lives.

Efficacy of azithromycin in the treatment of childhood typhoid Fever.

An intervention study was carried out in Paediatric wards for a period of one year from January 2003 to December 2003 to determine the efficacy and safety of azithromycin in the treatment of uncomplicated childhood typhoid fever. A total of 50 cases were enrolled in the study. The inclusion criteria of the cases were: documented fever for more than 7 days plus two or more of the following clinical features: toxic appearance, abdominal tenderness, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, diarrhoea, constipation and coated tongue plus positive Widal test and/or blood culture positivity. Patients who had complication like gastrointestinal tract (GIT) haemorrhage; intestinal perforation and/or shock were excluded from the study. Data were collected in a structured questionnaire. Azithromycin was given at a dose of 10mg/kg /day for a period of 07 days. The time to defervescence was 3.82+/-1.49 days. The minimum defervescence time was 02 days and maximum was 07 days. Clinical cure rate was 94%. No serious adverse effect was noted related to azithromycin therapy except nausea, vomiting, and jaundice. Prior treatment with antibiotics did not affect defervescence time (P>0.05). Pre-treatment febrile period has got positive and linear correlation with clinical response (r = +0.593). It was found that once daily administration of oral azithromycin for seven days in the treatment of uncomplicated typhoid fever was effective and reasonably safe.