Association of the dominant handgrip strength with the hand dimensions of adult Bangladeshi female laborers

The handgrip strength determines the overall physical health and muscle function of the hand. Nowadays in Bangladesh, female laborers are an important source of work force in many industries. Laborers require more handgrip strength to perform their daily work efficiently. Besides, hand is the part of the body that directly related with handgrip strength, so, the hand dimensions are deemed essential to investigate. Therefore this study is to investigate the association of the dominant handgrip strength with the hand dimensions like hand length, hand breadth, hand span, palm length, palm breadth and wrist breadth of adult Bangladeshi female laborers. Hundred (100) adult female laborers aged between 18 to 45 years, residing in different slums in Dhaka city of Bangladesh were the participants of the present research. Six selected hand dimensions of the right side were measured using the digital slide caliper by direct physical procedure and dominant handgrip strength was measured using a digital handgrip dynamometer. The associations of the dominant handgrip strength with the selected six hand dimensions were tested using Pearson’s correlation coefficient test. The mean value of the dominant handgrip strength of the laborers was 25.6 kg. In present research, the dominant handgrip strength was positively associated with the six selected hand dimensions (hand length, hand breadth, hand span, palm length, palm breadth and wrist breadth). However, the association of dominant handgrip strength with the breadth of hand, palm and wrist reached up to significant level individually. Besides, to get desired success in work of a female laborer, it is important to see the hand anthropometry and handgrip strength, because, better handgrip strength lead to better performance in work. Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. 2021, 7 (3), 230-237

Use of smartphones among first year MBBS students during COVID19 pandemic in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Most people infected with the virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. However, some will become seriously ill and require medical attention. The virus after first identification on December 2019 in Wuhan, China spreads very fast all over the world including Bangladesh. To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission among medical students, teachers and staff, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of Bangladesh government implemented home quarantine on first year MBBS students of 2020-21 session and ordered to begin online classes. A cross-sectional study was designed to assess the usage of smart phone in each positive and negative ways among students. Randomly 196 students completed an internet form (mean age 19±2 years). The questionnaire contains socio-economic, academic, quarantine connected data and smartphone usage. The majority of the participants (41.33%) assured that the usage of smartphone has been multiplied to eight to 12 hours per day. Many demographic and quarantine factors are assessed e.g. students' gender, the sector of study additionally to the situation of quarantine (urban, rural) and also the speed of internet speed there showed statistically important associations with smartphone addiction throughout the quarantine. Smartphones are both a curse and a boon to the newer generation as a great way of getting used for education and entertainment purposes, conjointly influences a lot of sick habits within the first year MBBS students like looking adult sites or being obsessed on social or other websites. This study shows the use of smart phone in by the first year medical students of Sir Salimullah Medical College, Dhaka, Bangladesh in both positive and negative ways that also reflects the other first year medical students of 2020-21 session in Bangladesh. Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. 2021, 7 (3), 284-291

Seroprevalence and associated risk factors of mycoplasmosis in layer chickens at southern region of Bangladesh

Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) is the most important pathogenic Mycoplasma spp. causing avian mycoplasmosis and brought about huge economic losses to poultry industry in Bangladesh. The present study was undertaken to know the seroprevalence of MG in layer birds in three different geographical areas of southern Barishal division, Bangladesh. Total 310 sera samples were collected from wing vein of 30 farms for this study. Sera samples were tested with Rapid Serum Agglutination (RSA) for MG using commercial Antigen Kit (manufactured by Lillidale Diagnostic) to detect the presence of antibodies against MG. The overall seroprevalence of MG by RSA was 36.13%. Seroprevalence of MG infection was dominant in winter season (45.54%) and significantly highest occurrence was recorded in age groups from 20-40 weeks of layer chickens (51.79%). Serological investigation in three different upazila of Barishal division showed the highest infection rate (45.26%) in medium scale flocks (1000-3000) in comparison to (21.43%) small (<1000) flocks. The seroprevalence of MG was highest in Swarupkathi (44.38%) than in Barishal Sadar (26%) and Banaripara upazila (28%). Biosecurity and managemental failure is the overall risk factor in all types of farm due to lack of proper knowledge among farmer. This study reveals the current scenario of mycoplasmosis in layer birds of three different areas of Barishal division. Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. 2021, 7 (3), 292-297

Shrimp farming in Southwestern Bangladesh: a case study of economic impacts during COVID-19

Bangladesh is endowed with a long coastline and therefore offers the enormous potential of marine wealth. In the coastal part of Bangladesh, shrimp is one of the most important export-oriented aquacultures due to high-profit return on the same value. Shrimp farming contributes significantly to the livelihoods of rural Bangladeshis in the southwestern region. It is critical to be aware of current culture practices and the measures shrimp farmers take to sustain the trend of exporting shrimp around the world. A random sampling was done of shrimp farmers in the Batiaghata Upazila of Khulna district to learn about the current state of shrimp farming and the challenges they are faced during COVID-19. The recent study reveals that most farmers following semi-intensive monoculture practice, application of organic sources in the shrimp pond, selection of PCR tested hatchery-produced Post Larvae (PL) and maintaining good hygiene practice that delivered considerable production of shrimp in this area. But in addition, with these good production farmers also face some difficulties. Some major shrimp diseases were identified in this study including White Feces Disease (WFD), White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV), Eosinophilia-Myalgia Syndrome (EMS), Black Gill Disease and some parasite attacks like Zutharium. Lower market price, flood and mortality are other constraints for shrimp farming. The low market price is the major issue for shrimp farmers nowadays around this pandemic situation. As a result, the government, donor agencies, planners, academics, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) should come forward during the pandemic periods to assist farmers in resolving challenges and ensuring shrimp export revenues of Bangladesh are sustainable. Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. 2021, 7 (3), 273-283

Factors affecting the outcome of the usage of high-flow nasal cannula on severe or critically ill COVID-19 patients: a multicentric study from a developing nation

In resource-constrained settings, High-Flow Nasal Cannula (HFNC) can reduce the burden on mechanical ventilation in COVID-19 induced Acute Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure (AHRF). The aim was to observe the factors those might affect the outcome of the usage of HFNC on severe/critically ill COVID-19 patients. This is a multicentric prospective observational study. We observed rRT-PCR positive severe/critically ill ICU patients requiring HFNC for more than six hours. Statistical analysis was done to correlate between factors and outcome. Weaning from HFNC was successful in 47.5% of patients. The death rate was higher in ≥ 50 years older (56.50%), and patients with asthma (60.57%), COPD (60.00%), and CKD (68.42%). Fever (91.67%), cough (72.5%), and dyspnea (67.5%) were the most common symptoms. Mortality rates were higher for patients with raised blood sugar, creatinine levels. Severely systemic inflammatory response was seen very high for the expired patients. On HFNC, percent saturation of oxygen (SpO2) and partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) progression was significantly high for the surviving patients requiring less inspired fraction of oxygen (FiO2%). The survival rate was higher for the patients using both HFNC and non-rebreather mask (NRM) concomitantly. While after HFNC- SpO2% and FiO2% were significantly related with outcome of the HFNC only treated patients, duration of hospital stay and on HFNC- FiO2% affected the HFNC + NRM treated patients’ outcome. HFNC could save more lives of critically ill AHRF patients who otherwise might need invasive or noninvasive ventilation. Some biochemical tests were observed to have association with the prognosis of the disease though HFNC was given to all. Survival benefit of dual HFNC and NRM therapy needs future study. Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. 2021, 7 (3), 260-272

Validation of Bengali Modified Barthel Index in aged patients of Bangladesh

Functional independence is an integral part for reflection of quality of living. Many scales have been utilised for it and the Barthel Index (BI) is one of them, which later modified on 10 activities having the score range of 0-20. English version of the Modified Barthel Index (MBI) is widely used to measure disability also in Bangladesh and an important tool for assessment of activities of daily living in aged patients. However, a validated and culturally adapted Bengali version of MBI has not been produced yet. This study describes the validation and reliability into Bengali of the modified 10-item version of MBI, and reports the procedures for testing its validity and reliability. For validation process a two phased study was conducted based on data from aged patients in out and in patient department of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University. After pre-testing of the Bengali version of MBI (B-MBI) among 30 aged patients in phase-1 of the study whereas total 129 patients were submitted to the adapted scale for testing its acceptability and internal consistency in second phase. The internal consistency by Cronbach’s alpha resulted equal to 0.880. The score was also tested against the Bengali adapted SF-36 (Short Form-36) to compare with physical functioning and mental health domains. It yielded Spearman’s correlation coefficient (rS) 0.787 (p<0.001)), indicating strong positive correlation of B-MBI with physical functioning part and a weak correlation (rs=0.191; p=0.031) was found with mental health domain of SF-36. Reliability was evaluated on 124 cases as 5 participants were missed for re-test; at test-retest was ICC=0.961 (95%IC: p<0.001). This study provides a new tool for professionals in Bangladesh to measure functional disability in aged patients both in inpatient and outpatient department of hospitals and also in the health and social care settings along the continuum of care. Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. 2021, 7 (3), 238-248

Evaluation of an antimalarial herbal mixture and each extract for DNA and chromosomal mutations in Swiss albino mice and Allium cepa cells

Toxicological evaluation of herbal medicines is necessary because of possible adverse effects that may be associated with their consumption. This study screened antimalarial herbal recipe (containing leaves of Azadirachta indica and stem-bark of Alstonia boonei) and its individual plant’s extract for DNA and chromosomes mutation potentials following the DNA fragmentation and Allium cepa assays. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and malondialdehyde (MDA) activity of the recipe and each extract was determined. The kinds of phytochemicals present in them were determined using the FTIR technique. Water extracts of A. indica, and A.boonei at all the tested doses caused significantly lower DNA fragmentations than those of the controls. However, at 25.0% and 50.0% recipe, there was no significant difference in the percentage fragmented DNA compared to the positive control (0.05% sodium azide). Cell division was significantly inhibited by the extracts and recipe, chromosomal aberrations were not dose dependently induced and were significantly lowered than that caused by sodium azide (positive control). The individual extracts and their recipe significantly inhibited Root growth. However, 12.5% recipe promoted root growth that was not significantly different from that of distilled water (negative control). SOD and CAT activities of each of the extracts and their recipe were dose dependent and significantly higher than those of the controls. Water extract of A. indica significantly suppressed generation of malondialdehyde compared to water extract of A. boonei and recipe as well as the control. The individual extracts and their recipe contained phenolic phytochemicals. The obtained results show that extract of A. indica, A. boonei and their recipe have good antioxidant properties with strong mitodepressive and root growth inhibitory effects except at 12.5% recipe. However, A. indica extract seems to have least cyto-muta-genotoxic effects than water extract of A. boonei and the recipe in mice and A. cepa cells. Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. 2021, 7 (3), 249-259

Quality characteristics and hatchability of eggs and serum electrolytes concentration of Gola, Giribaz and Ghiachundi pigeon breed

The weather and vast areas of crop fields along with housing premises of Bangladesh are suitable for pigeon farming. The experiment was conducted to evaluate the characteristics of eggs and serum electrolyte concentration of Gola, Giribaz and Ghiachundi pigeon squabs. Three pairs of each breed were reared in the cage with commercial feed and water. After laying eggs, the length and width of eggs were recorded. After hatching of eggs, eggshell thickness was recorded. The thickness of the eggshell was 0.15±0.01 mm, 0.15±0.01 mm, 0.15±0.00 mm for Gola, Giribaz and Ghiachundi breeds respectively. The body weights of the squabs were recorded at 7th and 45th day. The squabs were sacrificed on 45th day and the blood sample was collected and serum sodium, potassium, calcium and phosphorus concentration were measured by using appropriate analytical techniques. Serum sodium, potassium, calcium and phosphorus were: 102.93±15.95 (mmol/L), 11.18±2.19 (mmol/L), 6.20±1.11 (mmol/L), 4.53±0.45 (mmol/L) for Gola breed; 101.48±2.12 (mmol/L), 12.15±0.96 (mmol/L), 5.65±1.09 (mmol/L), 4.53±0.36 (mmol/L) for Giribaz breed and 95.18±6.71 (mmol/L), 11.99±0.91 (mmol/L), 5.09±0.75(mmol/L), 4.81±0.24 (mmol/L) for Ghiachundi breed respectively. A positive correlation has been found between thickness of eggshell and phosphorus while there is a negative correlation with calcium for Gola breed; both have been found insignificant for Giribaz breed and only calcium has been found significant for Ghiachundi breed. A strong correlation between the final body weight of the squab and K for the Gola breed; between the final body weight of the squab and Ca, P, K for Giribaz breed and between the final body weight of the squab and Ca, Na, K have been found. It could be concluded that serum electrolytes having an influential effect on egg characteristics and body weight of corresponding pigeon breed. Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. 2021, 7 (2), 107-112

Proximate composition, amino acids, and fatty acids contents of dried shrimp products available in Jashore region, Bangladesh

Dried shrimp has some special advantageous such as long shelf-life, high nutritional content, and ease of transportation considered as a healthy choice of food. The nutritional properties of three common and demandable dried shrimp species available in Jashore, Bangladesh were evaluated. The moisture content of dried Palaemon karnafuliensis, Metapenaeus Monoceros and Ferapenaeus indicus was determined 19.7±0.40%, 20.5±0.25% and 24.9±0.21%, respectively. The protein content was found 57.46±5.88%, 62.5±1.98%, and 55.5±1.85% in Palaemon karnafuliensis, Metapenaeus Monoceros, and Ferapenaeus indicus, respectively. The ash and fat content of Palaemon karnafuliensis, Metapenaeus Monoceros and Ferapenaeus indicus were observed 12.20±0.90% and 1.90±0.15%, 10.20±0.39% and 1.48±0.32%, 8.57±1.43%, and 1.08±0.21%, respectively. Total saturated fatty acids content was found 31.56%, 29.21%, 38.59 in Palaemon karnafuliensis, Metapenaeus monoceros, and Ferapenaeus indicus, respectively. The polyunsaturated fatty acids was found 42.60%, 42.29%, and 37.80% in Palaemon karnafuliensis, Metapenaeus monoceros, and Ferapenaeus indicus, respectively. There were nine non-essential and eight essential amino acids found in the dried shrimp products. Glutamine, proline, glycine and alanine were dominated among the non-essential amino acid. Lysine was found a significant amount in the study. All the three dried shrimp products were considered as highly nutritive and less fat value which is considered healthy for the consumers. Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. 2021, 7 (2), 138-146

People’s knowledge regarding impacts of air pollution on reproductive health: a self-reported study

Air pollution is a major challenge worldwide, particularly in the developing world. This study aimed to revelation people’s perceptions regarding the impacts of air pollution on reproductive health. This study was conducted among107 respondents and a google form was used to create a survey questionnaire. Purposive sampling has been used to select the respondents. A large number of respondents are male and aged less than 30 years. A large number of respondents are from the urban area and depends on Non-Government Job. A satisfactory number of the respondents know about air pollution. Both male and female respondents know smoke inhalation during pregnancy, damage reproductive organs of the male, birth defects due to air pollutions, and delayed brain development of the newborn baby. Most of the respondents gather their knowledge from television and social media. Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. 2021, 7 (2), 147-152