Association of serum zinc and vitamin E levels with Acne vulgarisin Bangladeshi acne patients

The serum level of zinc and vitamin E were measured to understand the association of various nutrients on acne pathogenesis. Both zinc and vitamin E are antioxidants used as a supplement in acne treatment. However, their effect and status in acne patients are not fully understood. This study included 48 acne patients and 48 sex- and age-matched healthy controls. The zinc and vitamin E concentration was measured in the serum by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) and HPLC methods. Compared to the healthy control, a significant deficiency of serum vitamin E level in acne patients (p<0.001) was found, although the patients were not deficient in serum zinc level (p=0.22). In addition, female acne patients had a slightly lower zinc level than male patients (p=0.06). The low serum vitamin E level suggests that supplementation of vitamin E might be helpful in acne treatment. However, further studies are required to understand the dose and mechanism of vitamin E supplements in acne treatment. J. Bangladesh Acad. Sci. 45(1); 49-58: June 2021

Orcein and DAPI-stained karyotype analysis of Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G. Don

Karyotype analyses are required for the identification, characterization, and genetic improvement of any organism. Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G. Don. was investigated cytogenetically to determine the karyotypic features. Complex chromocenter type, of interphase nuclei, and gradient type of prophase chromosomes were found in this study. Alocasia macrorrhizos was found to possesses 2n=28 chromosomes. The total length of the 2n chromosome complement was recorded as 98.83±1.39 μm. The range of chromosomal length was 2.50±0.10-4.70±0.10 μm. A gradual decrease in chromosomal length was observed. The total form (TF%) value was found to be 43.58%, Karyotype symmetry index (Syi %) was 77.00 % and karyotype asymmetry index (AsK %) was 56.66%. The centromeric formula was 18m+4sm+2ac, representing asymmetric karyotype. In DAPI banding, the 1.48% positive banded region indicates the lower amount of AT rich repeats in this material. Therefore, Alocasia macrorrhizos could be authentically characterized through karyotype analysis. J. Bangladesh Acad. Sci. 45(1); 27-35: June 2021

The effect of flight state parameters on the performance of photovoltaic modules in solar aircraft

Based on the power generation model of photovoltaic modules, the effects of flight speed, altitude, time and area in solar aircraft on the performance of photovoltaic modules have been studied. As the flight speed increases, the power generated by the module increases but tends to saturate. When the conversion efficiency of photovoltaic modules is improved, the required power of the solar aircraft and the power generated by the photovoltaic modules are balanced at a faster flight speed. The power generated by the modules increases with the flight altitude but tends to saturate due to the drop of air temperature and the surface temperature of the module. The higher the altitude, the smaller is the atmospheric density, and atmospheric permeability, and the greater is the solar radiation intensity, and thus the power generated by the module increases. The power generated by the components is the strongest at noon. Battery performance is the strongest in summer and the weakest in winter, as the module’s performance is mainly determined by the intensity of solar radiation. Finally, the energy distribution of solar aircraft and long-time space flight has been discussed. J. Bangladesh Acad. Sci. 45(1); 73-83: June 2021

Late Professor Dr. M.A.M. Muhtasham Hussain (1929-2021)

Not Available J. Bangladesh Acad. Sci. 45(1); i: June 2021

Synthesis and characterization of a solid solution series of the type Bi2MxMn4-xO10 (M = Cr3+, Co3+ and 0.0 ≤ x ≤ 2.0.)

Bi2Mn4O10 was synthesized from corresponding metal salts in glycerin by using an organic precursor-based glycerin nitrate method. The precursor was heated at various temperatures (300 – 800 °C) for about 18 hours to determine the lowest synthesis temperature for the formation of Bi2Mn4O10. The XRD patterns of the calcined samples revealed that the desired mullite type phase started to form at 600 °C, which became more crystalline with further increase of calcination temperature. Attempts were also taken to prepare chromium and cobalt incorporated solid solution series with nominal composition Bi2MxMn4-xO10 (M = Cr3+ and Co3+) by the same procedure. The XRD data of these series exhibited mullite type single phase up to x = 0.7 and 0.1 compositions for chromium and cobalt, respectively. For further insertion of M, an extra phase appeared along with the mullite type phase. J. Bangladesh Acad. Sci. 45(1); 13-26: June 2021

Effectors of income-child health gradient: Role of dietary diversity on child nutritional status in selected slums of Dhaka city

Child dietary diversity (CDD) is an important nutritional outcome measuring the economic ability of a household to access a variety of foods during a determined period. Relating household income to CDD and child anthropometric failure, a cross-sectional study was conducted among 275 selected Dhaka city slum children of 6-12 years. Prevalence of stunting (18%), wasting (19.4%), and underweight (22%) among them were found similar to the current national figure. However, a sizable number of households showed increased DDS (>5), thereby indicating an increased household purchasing power (PP). Bivariate regression analysis showed that children from lower family income (≤6000 BDT) were 3 times more likely to be stunted as compared to children with greater family income [Unadjusted OR=3.097, 95% CI (1.578-6.077), p=0.001]. Furthermore, logistic regression showed that children who had <5 DDS were 2 times more likely to be stunted than children who had ≥5 DDS [Adjusted OR=2.127, 95% CI (1.051- 4.305), p=0.036]. Therefore, an inverse association has been found between CDD and their anthropometric failure. J. Bangladesh Acad. Sci. 45(1); 85-94: June 2021

On the Diophantine equations z2 = k(k2 + 3) and z2 = k(k2 + 12)

This paper provides an analytical method of finding all the (positive, integral) solutions of the Diophantine equation z2 = k(k2+3). We also prove analytically that the Diophantine equation z2 = k(k2+12) has no positive, integer solution. J. Bangladesh Acad. Sci. 45(1); 127-129: June 2021

Biodegradation of azo dyes and dyes present in textile wastewaters using Bacillus sp. az28, obtained from industrial effluents

The bacterial isolate Bacillus sp. AZ28, obtained from industrial effluent, demonstrates a great capacity to degrade various azo dyes (methyl orange (MO), magneson I (MI), novacron dark blue (NDB), and novacron red FN 3GF (NRF3)), and azo dye-containing textile effluent (TE). The degradation was evident by decolorization of dyes, and the decolorization efficiency of 84-95% was achieved within 14-72 h under optimum conditions, such as 37˚C, pH 7, inoculation size 8%, 1% glucose, and 1% beef extract. The extent of decolorization of individual dye was determined by UV–Vis spectroscopy, and products of biodegradation were analyzed by FTIR spectroscopy and TLC analyses. Chemical analysis showed that the COD and BOD values were significantly reduced after treatment. Thus, the biodegradation ability under mild conditions suggests that Bacillus sp. AZ28 has potential in textile effluent treatment. J. Bangladesh Acad. Sci. 45(1); 117-122: June 2021

Late Prof. Dr. Md. Anwar Hossain (August 19, 1944 - May 27, 2021)

not available J. Bangladesh Acad. Sci. 45(1); 1-11: June 2021

Measurement of natural radioactivity and its health hazards associated with the use of different branded cement samples collected from different manufactures in Dhaka city using gamma spectrometry

The radioactivity of naturally occurring radionuclides 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K was determined in thirteen cement samples collected from different manufactures of Dhaka city. The measurement was performed by gammaray spectrometry system using high purity germanium (HPGe) detector. The average activity of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in cement samples are fon und to be 30.23±15.04 Bqkg-1, 20.10±11.76 Bqkg-1 and 145.27±24.14 Bqkg-1, respectively. The average values of radium equivalent activity (Raeq), absorbed dose rates (D), internal hazard and external hazard index (Hex), and annual effective dose equivalent are 370 Bqkg-1, 0.27, 0.18, and 27.99 nGyh-1, respectively. The average annual effective dose is found 0.13 mSvy-1, which is less than the recommended value (1 mSvy-1) by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP-60, 1990), as the maximum permissible annual effective dose to the members of the public. The present study results are discussed and compared with those reported in similar studies and with internationally recommended values. No artificial radioactivity was found in the present study. The results show that the analyzed cement samples do not pose any significant radiation hazard from naturally occurring radionuclides 226Ra, 232Th and 40K reported here and also considered safe for use in buildings construction. J. Bangladesh Acad. Sci. 45(1); 95-104: June 2021