Overweight and Obesity among Children of Primary Schools of Mymensingh Municipal Area.

Obesity is now recognized as a major cause of morbidity and mortality throughout the world. The relative percentage of change is higher in developing countries. Childhood obesity has become a serious public health emerging problem because of its strong association with adulthood obesity and related adverse health consequences. The main objective of the study was to find out the status of overweight and obesity among primary school children of Mymensingh municipal area. This cross sectional descriptive study was carried out among primary school children of Mymensingh municipal area from September 2016 to February 2018. Total 1450 students were enrolled from 6 schools. Schools were selected by random lottery method. Data was collected in predesigned case record forms by investigator with the help of students, teachers and parents. Anthropometry was measured by principal investigator. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated and plotted by using Center for disease control (CDC) BMI growth charts for age and sex. Children were categorized as obese, overweight, normal and underweight. Data analysis was done by computer software SPSS version 20.0. Mean age of children was 9.0±1.124 years. There was 47.4% male and 52.6% female. Among the 1450 children 18.6% obese, 17.5% overweight, 53.5% normal and 10.4% underweight. So, total 36.1% children had BMI above normal limit. Obesity was found more common among male children (p<0.001). Obesity and overweight was significantly associated with fast food consumption (p<0.001), playing computer and mobile games (p<0.001), watching TV (p<0.001), higher parent's education (p<0.001), higher parent's income (p<0.001), service holder father (p<0.001), family history of overweight or obesity (p<0.001), single child in family (p<0.001) and increased birth weight (p<0.001). A large number of primary school children in Mymensingh municipal area were overweight and obese. Childhood obesity and overweight varies from school to school. Childhood obesity and overweight is an emerging and growing health issue in municipal area.

Design of an exoskeleton as a finger-joint angular sensor.

Estimation of joint angles for human joints is important for many applications in Bioengineering. Most of the existing angular joint sensors rely on the assumption of the knowledge of the type of motion and location of the joint. This paper presents a new design for the measurement of finger joint angular motion. The design presented here consists of an exoskeleton, designed to fit the finger motion, in which we can relate the angular displacement of its links to the change in orientation of the phalanx under consideration. Unlike other designs, the exoskeleton does not need any information about the actual anatomy and dimensions of the hand in order to provide with the angular information. The design is to be used in myoelectrical signal identification.

Adsorption, desorption, and conformational changes of lysozyme from thermosensitive nanomagnetic particles.

Adsorption of globular protein, lysozyme, on thermosensitive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) coated nanomagnetic particles was studied at different temperatures and pHs. It was observed that a maximum amount of lysozyme was adsorbed at a temperature above the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) (32 degrees C ) of the polymer and at the isoelectric point (pI=11) of lysozyme. Desorption was carried out using either NaH2PO4 (pH 4) or NaSCN (pH 6) as the desorbing agents. Conformational changes in lysozyme on desorption from nanomagnetic particles was studied by circular dichroism and intrinsic fluorescence spectroscopy. Lysozyme desorbed by NaH2PO4 showed very little conformational changes while lysozyme desorbed by NaSCN showed significant conformational changes, and 87% enzymatic activity was retained in the desorbed enzyme for desorption by NaH2PO4.

Thermosensitive polymer (N-isopropylacrylamide) coated nanomagnetic particles: preparation and characterization.

Thermosensitive polymer coated nanomagnetic adsorbents were synthesized by seed polymerization using surface modified nanomagnetic particles as the seeds. The Fe3O4 nanomagnetic particles were prepared by chemical precipitation of Fe2+ and Fe3+ salts in the ratio of 1:2 under alkaline and inert condition. The surface of these particles was modified by surfactants to achieve stability against agglomeration. These stable particles were then polymerized using N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) as the main monomer, methylene-bis-acrylamide as the crosslinker and potassium per sulfate as the initiator. The thermosensitive adsorbents were characterized by using transmission electron micrography (TEM) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). TEM showed that the particle remained discrete with a mean diameter of 12 nm. Magnetic measurements revealed that the particles are superparamagnetic only with a decrease of magnetism after binding with the polymer due to the increase in surface spin disorientation. Pure Fe3O4 spinel structure of these nanoparticles was indicated by the X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns. The polymerization of NIPAM with the surface modified nanomagnetic particles was confirmed by Fourier transform spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). In addition, the adsorption/desorption of BSA molecule on these thermosensitive nanoparticles was investigated as a function of temperature. More than 60% desorption efficiency was achieved under appropriate condition.

Thermosensitive-polymer-coated magnetic nanoparticles: adsorption and desorption of bovine serum albumin.

Adsorption and desorption behavior of Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) on surface-modified magnetic nanoparticles covered with thermosensitive polymer (PNIPAM) was investigated as a function of temperature, pH, and ionic strength. Functionalization of surface-modified magnetic particles was performed by seed polymerization using N-isopropylacrylamide (PNIPAM) as the main monomer. Characterization of these particles was carried out using transmission electron micrography (TEM), and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). The adsorption results exhibited both pH and temperature sensitivity. The results showed that the temperature effect on adsorption/desorption behavior was mainly dependent on the properties of the particles' surface. The effect of pH was also investigated and it was observed that a smaller amount of protein was adsorbed at higher pH because of the electrostatic repulsive force between protein molecules and latex particles. The maximum amount of protein was adsorbed near the isoelectric point of BSA. Desorption results showed that more protein was desorbed when adsorption was done at lower temperatures and desorption efficiency was found to be higher than 80%.

Use of Norplant in Pakistan: two years experience.

The acceptability and efficacy of norplant (levonorgestrel sub- dermal implants) was assessed over a period of two years among 445 married women aged 19 to 45 years. Twenty women were lost to follow-up while the remaining 425 were regularly followed-up. At the end of two years, 388 women were still continuing with norplant (91.2%). During this period, there was only one pregnancy (0.26%). There was no significant change in mean systolic or diastolic blood pressure. However, there was a significant increase (P < 0.001) in mean weight and decrease (P < 0.001) in the mean duration of menstrual cycle. Thirty-seven women (8.7%) got the implant removed. The major reason for removal (67.6%) was menstrual disturbances. Nine acceptors (18.59%) developed side effects, which were related to the type of symptoms often associated with steroid contraception. These findings are similar to those reported from other countries. The high efficacy (99.74%) and acceptability (continuation rate of 91.29%) as well as long acting (5 years) nature of norplant suggest that this method of contraception can safely be promoted in Pakistan.