To estimate oxidative stress and DNA damage in postCOVID patients

Title: To estimate oxidative stress and DNA damage in Post COVID patients. Background There are a subset of COVID-19 patients who develop sequelae to the disease and oxidative stress is a less studied factor in the development of the sequelae. Aims and Objectives: We have estimated levels of lipid peroxidation (LPO) via malondialdehyde assay kit and DNA damage via alkaline comet assay in hospitalized post-COVID patients symptomatic 4 weeks after testing RT-PCR positive and studied their clinical radiological correlation as a means of estimating the oxidative stress in them. Method(s): It was a single-center, hospital-based comparative case-control pilot study in which 40 post-COVID-19 patients and 40 healthy controls were enrolled. The residual symptoms and baseline clinical and radiological profile of the subjects were also assessed and lipid peroxidation and DNA comet analysis were performed in the blood samples of patients and controls. Result(s): Mean value of LPO was increased (1155.9 +/- 204.82 nmol/ml) in post COVID subjects as compared to controls (715.5 +/- 85.51nmole/ml (P=0.0405). Values were directly proportional to the Severity of COVID (P=0.0317) and X-ray severity score(P=0.009) and were found higher in patients with comorbidities (P=0.0320) and multisystem involvement specifically in those developing a neurological sequela (P=0.0083). Damaged DNA tails and the tailing is directly proportional to DNA damage. The comet parameters measured in our study were Tail length, Tail DNA (%), and Olive tail moment. All these comet parameters were found elevated in Post COVID subjects as compared with healthy controls. Conclusion(s): Oxidative stress and DNA damage, has a role in the development of post-COVID sequelae as seen by high levels of LPO and tail DNA in these subjects.

Supporting Ultra-poor Children with Cerebral Palsy and Their Families with Integrated Microfinance/ livelihood and Community-based Rehabilitation Program -A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial

Background and Objective(s): Poverty is a key contributor to delayed diagnosis and limited access to early intervention and rehabilitation for children with cerebral palsy (CP) in rural Bangladesh. Earlier studies suggested that efforts to improve outcomes for children with disabilities in low-and middle-income countries should include combined measures to improve service provision and family economic/ social capital. This trial aimed to test the efficacy of an integrated microfinance/livelihood and community-based rehabilitation (CBR) (IMCBR) program in improving health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and motor function of children with CP from ultra-poor families and social capital gain to those families from such intervention in rural Bangladesh. Study Design: Cluster randomised controlled trial. Study Participants & Setting: Children with CP aged <=5 years from ultra-poor families in rural Bangladesh. Materials/Methods: Children with CP were randomly allocated in three arms;Arm-A: livelihood support and CBR (IMCBR), Arm-B: CBR only, and Arm-C: care-as- usual. Livestock (e.g. goat, lamb, chicken, etc.) or sewing machines were provided as livelihood support. As part of CBR, group-based goal directed training sessions and parent training sessions were organised weekly and home visits were made fortnightly. The CBR was stopped 2.5 months post-enrollment due to the COVID-19 pandemic and was replaced with phone follow-up. The primary outcome was HRQoL of children while Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level of children and social capital of their families were the secondary outcomes. Intention-to- treat analysis was performed. Result(s): Twenty-four clusters including 251 children-primary caregivers' dyads were assigned to three arms;Arm-A= 80, Arm-B= 82, and Arm-C= 89. Between baseline and endline, the percentage change in mean HRQoL was highest in Arm-A (30.0%) with significant mean differences between Arm-A and Arm-B (p=0.015). The GMFCS level significantly changed both in Arm-A (p=0.007) and Arm-C (p=0.011). Also, the improvement in mean total social capital score was significantly higher in Arm-A compared to Arm-B (p<0.001) and Arm-C (p<0.001). Conclusions/Significance: The findings suggest that IMCBR could improve HRQoL and motor functions of children with CP and the social capital of their ultra-poor families. Long-term follow-up of the trial participants and/ or future exploration of such interventions is essential.

Predicting the mental health of rural Bangladeshi children in coronavirus disease 2019

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) current pandemic is a worldwide health emergency like no other. It is not the only COVID-19 infection in infants, children, and adolescents that is causing concern among their families and professionals;there are also other serious issues that must be carefully detected and addressed. Major things are identified due to COVID-19, some elements are affecting children’s healthcare in direct or indirect ways, affecting them not just from a medical standpoint but also from social, psychological, economic, and educational perspectives. All these factors may have affected children’s mental development, particularly in rural settings. As Bangladesh faces a major challenge such as a lack of public mental health facilities, especially in rural areas. So, we discovered a method to predict the mental development condition of rural children that they are facing at this time of COVID-19 using machine learning technology. This research work can predict whether a rural child is mentally developed or mentally hampered in Bangladesh and this prediction gives nice feedback. © 2022 Institute of Advanced Engineering and Science. All rights reserved.

Supporting ultra-poor children with cerebral palsy and their families with integrated microfinance/livelihood and community-based rehabilitation program -a cluster randomized controlled trial

Introduction: This trial aimed to test the efficacy of an integrated microfinance/livelihood and community-based rehabilitation (CBR) (IMCBR) program in improving health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and motor function of children with cerebral palsy (CP) from ultra-poor families and social capital gain to those families from such intervention in rural Bangladesh. Patients and Methods: This was an open-label cluster randomized controlled trial among children with CP aged ≤5 years randomly allocated in three arms;Arm-A: livelihood support and CBR (IMCBR), Arm-B: CBR only and Arm-C: care-as- usual. The CBR was stopped 2.5 months post-enrollment due to the COVID-19 pandemic and was replaced with phone follow-up followed by home-based CBR. The primary outcome was HRQoL of children while Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level of children and social capital of their families were the secondary outcomes. Intention-to- treat analysis was performed. Results: Twenty-four clusters including 251 children-primary caregivers' dyads were assigned to three arms;Arm-A = 80, Arm-B = 82 and Arm-C = 89. Between baseline and endline, the percentage change in mean HRQoL was highest in Arm-A (30.0%) with significant mean differences between Arm-A and Arm-B (p = 0.015). The GMFCS level significantly changed both in Arm-A (p = 0.007) and Arm-C (p = 0.011). Also, the improvement in mean total social capital score was significantly higher in Arm-A compared to Arm-B (p <0.001) and Arm-C (p <0.001). Conclusion: The findings suggest that IMCBR could improve HRQoL and motor functions of children with CP and social capital of their ultra-poor families. Long-term follow- up of the trial participants and/or future exploration of such interventions are essential.

Supporting ultra-poor children with cerebral palsy and their families with integrated microfinance/livelihood and community-based rehabilitation: A cluster randomized controlled trial

Objective: This study aimed to test the effectiveness of an 'integrated microfinance/livelihood and community-based rehabilitation (CBR)' (IMCBR) program in improving quality of life and physical ability of children with cerebral palsy (CP), mental health of primary caregivers and social/economic capital of ultra-poor families of children with CP in rural Bangladesh. Design: Open-label pragmatic randomized controlled trial (registration: ACTRN12619001750178). Method: Children with CP aged ≤5 years were recruited in three arms: Arm-A: IMCBR, Arm-B: CBR, and Arm-C: control (i.e. care as usual). Each arm had eight clusters of 10-14 child-caregiver dyads. Caregivers recruited in the Arm-A received livelihood support (e.g., goat/lamb/poultry) and their children with CP received CBR once a week. The child-caregiver dyads in Arm-B received CBR only. The control Arm did not receive any intervention. However, CBR was stopped at 2.5 months of intervention due to COVID-19 pandemic and weekly phone follow-up was completed for home-based CBR. TNO-AZL Preschool children Quality of Life (TAPQoL), Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) and Communication Function Classification System (CFCS) were used to assess quality of life, motor function and communication of children, respectively. Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale-Short Form-21 (DASS-21) was used to assess depression, anxiety and stress of primary caregivers. Results: Out of 251 children with CP and their caregivers recruited at baseline, 233 children and primary caregivers (Arm-A: n = 74, Arm-B: n = 77, and Arm-C: n = 82 dyads) completed the 12 month trial. The mean values of livelihood items given per family in Arm A increased from ∼USD66 to ∼USD79 between 0month(m) and 12m (p = 0.066), respectively. The mean TAPQoL score for physical functioning significantly increased between 0m and 12m in all three Arms (p < 0.001, p = 0.017 and p < 0.001 in Arm A, Arm B and Arm C, respectively), however, the improvement in the score was highest in Arm A. Similarly, significant improvement in the GMFCS level was observed between 0m and 12m in all three Arms with the highest improvement in Arm A (p < 0.001). Children's CFCS levels deteriorated slightly at 12m follow up in all three Arms. The depression, anxiety and stress levels among primary caregivers of children reduced significantly between the 0m and 12m in all three Arms (p ≤ 0.001 for all). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the IMCBR is effective in enhancing quality of life and motor functions of children with CP, mental health of primary caregivers and economic status of ultra-poor families.

Evaluating the customers' dining attitudes, e-satisfaction and continuance intention toward mobile food ordering apps (MFOAs): evidence from Bangladesh

Purpose - This study was designed to specifically explore confirmation and perceived usefulness associated with mobile food ordering apps (MFOAs) in consideration of their impacts upon attitudes, satisfaction and intention to continuously use. Design/methodology/approach - The research utilized the convenience sampling to gather data from 250 respondents having prior experience with MFOAs during COVID-19 pandemic period in Bangladesh. The Structural Equation Modeling technique was applied to analyze the data using SmartPLS 3 software. Findings - This study's results showed that customers' perceived confirmation and usefulness were significant in determining their dinning attitudes. Besides, customers' dining attitudes were positively related to e-satisfaction. Finally, the customers' continuance intention to use MFOAs was significantly influenced by their e-satisfaction. Research limitations/implications - Restaurants managers should focus on online sales through MFOAs during the pandemic period since social distancing is a key strategy to manage COVID-19. Customers should be assured that the safety measures are undertaken while delivering the food. Originality/value - This study incorporated the expectation-confirmation theory and technology acceptance model and tested it in the context of MFOAs.

Machine Learning based Book reading level Prediction in Bangladesh

Bangladesh is called the most densely populated country. The most potent weapon for changing a person and the planet is a book. The majority of Bangladeshis read a variety of literature. The habit of reading has an impact on one's development as well as social progress in general. Now a days in Bangladesh, the rising of book reading among students is become growing. The paper's key is to identify the reading level of students that started during the Covid-19 pandemic period. This study looked at the reading levels of Bangladeshi students using machine learning techniques. The Xgb boost algorithm's closeness was determined to play the most important function in predicting reading level detection in this paper. © 2021 IEEE.

Hydroxychloroquine as Therapeutic Option in COVID-19: Analysis of Suspected Cardiovascular Adverse Drug Events Reported in the VigiBase

Background: Hydroxychloroquine(HCQ), one of the repurposed drugs in COVID-19, has several known cardiovascular(CVS) toxicities. Methods: VigiBase data were used to analyze the reported ADEs linked to HCQ. The data were analyzed based on age, gender, and seriousness of ADEs at the System Organ Classification level and the individual Preferred Term level. Results: The majority were above 18 years(91.6%) and from Europe(41.6%). A total of 5,315 ADEs were associated with HCQ use in COVID-19. Of these, 918 ADEs were attributed to CVS and reported from 773 patients. Grossly, CVS ADEs were associated with concomitant use of HCQ and azithromycin(AZM), and only 40 ADEs were solely due to HCQ. The majority were serious (69.3%) and resolved afterward (51%). In CVS ADEs, there were 366 cardiac disorders, 38 vascular disorders, and 514 ADEs under investigation. Among the cardiac disorders, palpitation was the most typical (N=65), followed by bradycardia(N=44) and tachycardia(N=33). Among arrhythmias, QT prolongation (N=469), atrial fibrillation (N=25), and ventricular tachycardia(N=16) were common. The odds of developing serious CVS ADEs increased with age, patients aged 45-64 years(OR=1.75;p=0.015) and >65 years(OR=1.93, p=0.003) as compared to younger ones. Conclusion: Hydroxychloroquine with known CVS toxicities and increased risk with co-administering AZM makes physicians cautious while prescribing in COVID-19 patients.

COVID-19, Remittance Inflows, and the Stock Market: Empirical Evidence from Bangladesh

This study's motivation is to investigate the association between the stock market, remittance, and the pandemic of COVID-19 for the period from March 3, 2020, to December 14, 2020. For evaluating the impact of COVID-19 and remittances on stock market behaviour during the pandemic, the study applies Autoregressive Distributed lagged (ARDL) for magnitudes estimation and directional association through the Toda-Yamamoto causality test. Study findings from ARDL estimation revealed that COVID-19 measured by detecting new cases negatively influences the stock market both in the long-term and short-term. Remittance positively influences the stock market behaviour, particularly in the long-term. Furthermore, the directional causality test disclosed unidirectional causal effects between COVID-19 and the stock market behaviour, which establishes all proxy measures for the equation's stock market. The hypothesis results explain the causal relationship between remittance inflows and the stock market in Bangladesh. The study's application will help policymakers rethink the policies for channelizing remittances for productive investment areas. Furthermore, the study's findings will reinstate the widely perceived notions, which is the critical role of remittance in the economy even though the economy passes through a great pandemic.

Fetomaternal Outcome of Pregnancy with COVID-19: An Observational Study in A Tertiary Care Hospital of Bangladesh

Introduction: Corona virus is a new pathogen of high contagious abilities. Pregnant women are at an increased risk due to physiologic changes in their immune, cardiopulmonary and coagulation systems. This study was designed to evaluate the fetomaternal outcome of the pregnant patients with COVID-19. Methods: This retrospective observational study was conducted in CMH Dhaka from May 2020 to July 2020. Total 81 hospitalized pregnant patients with confirmed COVID-19 were enrolled. Relevant data were recorded in a preformed data collection sheet and analyzed by SPSS version 20. Results: Total patients were 81 with a mean age of 27 years;49.1% were in third trimester, 83% were in 35-40 weeks of gestation and 48% were asymptomatic. Common symptom severe cough (26%) and fever(14%);7.4% patients had multiorgan failure, 81% hadlymphopenia, 7.4% patients under went chest CT and had in filtrates in both lungs. Mild to moderate disease was common and 7.4 % had severe disease, 3.7% needed mechanical ventilation. There was a single maternal death. Most (92.6%) patients were treated in Corona ward and 7.4% in Corona HDU and ICU. There were 3 spontaneous abortions;64.2% delivered during the study period, 80.8% underwent a Caesarean section, 2.4% had hysterotomy, 15.1% underwent normal vaginal delivery (NVD), 15.4% patients underwent premature termination of pregnancy. Ongoing pregnancy was 26 (32.1%).Four neonates were found COVID-positive. There was 47 livebirths, 3 intrauterine deaths (IUD) and 2 neonatal deaths. Their hospital stay was 13.1 days (SD±6.37).Mean interval of breastfeeding was 13.3 days (SD±6.44). Conclusion: From the study findings, it can be concluded that, COVID-19 had adverse fetomaternal outcomes. COVID-19 pandemic has exerted immense stress on health care system. With this study we can further modify our treatment strategy and reduce the load on our health system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Journal of Bangladesh College of Physicians & Surgeons is the property of Bangladesh College of Physicians & Surgeons and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)