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Cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) is an important spice crop worldwide and its production is hampered by the infection of Alternaria blight. Cultivation of cumin in Bangladesh is very limited due to the lack of appropriate germplasm and adequate scientific information regarding the prevalence of Alternaria blight. Field trials were conducted with four advanced lines of cumin viz. CN026, CN028, CN031 and CN038 in five agro-ecological zones (AEZ) to know the adaptation possibility of these lines against the incidence and severity of Alternaria blight of cumin in Bangladesh. Among all lines, CN026 was found as the best in germination capacity and other yield parameters in all locations. The incidence and severity of the disease was observed as high as 98% and 88%, respectively, however, out of the five locations, the incidence and severity of the disease was the lowest in Bogura for the line CN026. In an attempt to identify the causal organism of the Alternaria blight of cumin by using molecular tools, a total of twenty three isolates were collected from the plants showing Alternaria blight symptoms from different AEZ in Bangladesh. Based on the molecular analysis, the isolates were identified as Alternaria alternata, A. burnsii, A. gaisen and A. tenuissima. A. alternata was the most prevalent species followed by A. tenuissima. The isolates of the identified species were found to have genetic, morphological and pathogenic variation. An isolate of A. alternata was observed as the most virulent among the isolates. This is the first report of A. alternata causing Alternaria blight disease of cumin in Bangladesh. The findings of this experiment will help in selecting suitable cumin germplasm and designing proper management strategies against Alternaria blight of cumin in Bangladesh.

Organic amendments and botanical extracts are considered as some of the eco-friendly alternatives to chemical pesticide in suppressing plant pathogenic nematodes (PPN). Root-knot nematode (RKN) is the most important group of PPN distributed globally causing both qualitative and quantitative damage to many crops. Vermicompost and biogas digestate (BD) are two forms of organic amendments reported to have potential to limit RKN infestation. Likewise, marigold (Tagates spp.) and cabbage (Brassica oleracea) are two widely studied botanicals having shown their potential to control RKN. However, there was not much in vitro research related to organic amendments and botanicals targeting a particular species of RKN to observe their nematicidal effect. An in vitro experiment was undertaken to evaluate the effect of these organic amendments and botanical extracts at different concentrations (10.0%, 25.0%, 50.0% and 100.0%) on the hatching and mortality of Meloidogyne javanica at different time spans. Mortality of J2 and inhibition of hatching of egg mass of M. javanica differed significantly (p

Rhizospheric bacteria Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas fluorescens are two widely tested biological control agents against root-knot nematodes (RKN) of different crops. However, their performance as bio-control agents varies with their place of origin. Culture filtrates of rhizospheric bacteria contain some intermediary metabolites that have nematicidal activity. An in vitro experiment was undertaken to evaluate the functionality of culture filtrates of B. subtilis (MN252542.1) and P. fluorescens (MN256394.1) at different concentrations (1.0%, 2.5%, 5.0%, 7.0%, 10.0% and 25.0%) on the hatching and mortality of Meloidogyne javanica at different time span. Bacterial strains were isolated from rhizospheric soils of Bangladesh. At three days after incubation (DAI), 25.0% concentration of culture filtrates of both B. subtilis and P. fluorescens showed 100.0% mortality of second stage juveniles (J2) of M. javanica. Additionally, 25.0% concentration of culture filtrates of both bacteria showed 100.0% inhibition of hatching at one week after incubation (WAI). A decreasing trend in hatching of M. javanica was observed with the increment of the concentration of culture filtrates and progression of incubation time. The findings of this experiment reveal that culture filtrates of these accessions of B. subtilis and P. fluorescens are effective for controlling M. javanica and would be potential candidates for developing bio-nematicides.

Background Unani concept of therapeutic interchange, despite having immense practical aspect, has not been touched upon in a coherent way by most of the Unani scholars except Razi (Rhazes 865–925 AD), who took the concept plausibly and framed rules for alternate drug prescription at the time of unavailability of the drugs of choice. Objective The Unani concept of therapeutic interchange is based on similarity in action, temperament and physical properties of drugs mainly botanicals, which are already established and need no further discussion; however, phytochemistry has not been considered a basis for substitution. Therefore, objective of this study was evaluation of the concept on phytochemical parameters as actions of most drugs are due to phytoconstituents. Material and methods Classical Unani literature pertaining to therapeutic interchange and ethnobotanical literature for uses and phytoconstituents of three botanicals and their respective substitutes were reviewed. Ethnobotanical literature was collected from well known search engine viz., PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus and Science direct. In view of exploring the concept on scientific basis, physicochemical, phytochemical and analytical (HPLC, GC–MS) studies were also conducted. Results The study exhibited similarity in phytoconstituents in main and substitute botanicals with insignificant differences. Direct relation between doses, actions, intensity of actions, temperament and chemical constituents of main and substitute botanicals was observed. Conclusion The study, however, seemed to validate the concept on the basis of phytoconstituents, further pharmacological studies on the basis of properties and activities is required to strengthen the concept.

Background: Presently, Diabetes mellitus (DM) is categorized as an epidemic disease due to its high prevalence of mortality rate and morbidity, and is also considered as the main threat to the global population. Synthetic drugs used alone for the treatment of DM cause serious adverse effects and insufficiently minimize diabetic complications. Meanwhile, the use of herbal drugs as standalone or along with synthetic drugs is quite common. Hence, the present study was carried out to evaluate the antidiabetic effects of Safūf-i-Dhayābītus as standalone and along with glibenclamide in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Methods: In this study, a total of 30 albino Wistar rats of 150–200 g b. w. were randomly divided into 5 groups of 6 animals each. Diabetes was induced in all groups except in group I by administering a single dose of streptozotocin (STZ) at 55 mg/ kg b. w. Group I served as plain control while group II as disease control. Group III was treated with glibenclamide at 0.6 mg/ kg. b. w. and served as standard control while group IV received Safūf-i-Dhayābītus at 500 mg/ kg b. w. and served as test group A. Group V administered Safūf-i-Dhayābītus at 500 mg/ kg b. w. along with glibenclamide at 0.6 mg/ kg b. w. for 21 days. The FBS of rats above 250 mg/ dl was considered as diabetic, tested after induction of DM. The biochemical parameters such as FBS, ALP, TBR, SGOT, SGPT, blood urea and serum creatinine, total cholesterol and triglyceride; and histopathological examination of the liver and kidney specimens were carried out at the end of the study. Results: The FBG, ALP, SGPT levels in test group B were reduced significantly as compared to that of standard control, and test group A. The SGOT, TBR and b. urea levels in test groups A & B were significantly reduced as compared to that of standard control. The s. creatinine level in test groups A & B, and standard control was significantly reduced as compared to that of disease control. The total cholesterol level in test groups A & B was promisingly decreased as compared to the standard control. Histopathological studies of the liver and kidney specimens of the rats belonging to test groups A & B reduced hepato-nephrotoxicities in diabetic rats. Conclusions: The present study revealed that Safūf-i-Dhayābītus as standalone and in combination with glibenclamide possesses significant hypoglycaemic, hepatoprotective, nephroprotective and hypocholesterolemic effects in STZ-induced diabetic rats.

Background Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) aims to cure Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) through reestablishing a healthy microbiome and restoring colonization resistance. Although often effective after one infusion, patients with continued microbiome disruptions may require multiple FMTs. In this N-of-1 study, we use a systems biology approach to evaluate CDI in a patient receiving chronic suppressive antibiotics with four failed FMTs over two years. Methods Seven stool samples were obtained between 2016-18 while the patient underwent five FMTs. Stool samples were cultured for C. difficile and underwent microbial characterization and functional gene analysis using shotgun metagenomics. C. difficile isolates were characterized through ribotyping, whole genome sequencing, metabolic pathway analysis, and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) determinations. Results Growing ten strains from each sample, the index and first four recurrent cultures were single strain ribotype F078-126, the fifth was a mixed culture of ribotypes F002 and F054, and the final culture was ribotype F002. One single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) variant was identified in the RNA polymerase (RNAP) β-subunit RpoB in the final isolated F078-126 strain when compared to previous F078-126 isolates. This SNV was associated with metabolic shifts but phenotypic differences in fidaxomicin MIC were not observed. Microbiome differences were observed over time during vancomycin therapy and after failed FMTs. Conclusion This study highlights the importance of antimicrobial stewardship in patients receiving FMT. Continued antibiotics play a destructive role on a transplanted microbiome and applies selection pressure for resistance to the few antibiotics available to treat CDI.

Unani Medicine, an age old system of medicine which is widely practiced in south Asia, draws on the ancient traditional systems of medicine in China, Egypt, India, Iraq, Persia and Syria. It uses remedies of plant, animal and mineral origin which can treat a number of diseases successfully. These remedies, whose efficacy is evident mainly from observation, have been prized for centuries. Although some of the medicines have been examined to investigate their efficacy and possible mechanism of action, many have not yet been documented. It is therefore timely to look at these unexplored remedies in order to understand and make best use of their acknowledged effects. Urolithiasis (the development of kidney calculi or stones) is a complex process resulting as a consequence of an imbalance between promoters and inhibitors in the kidney. The etiology is multifactorial, but strongly related to dietary habits and lifestyle. Calculi in the urinary tract have been mentioned in the literature of Unani medicine under the headings Hasate Kulliyah (kidney stone), Hasate Masana (bladder stone) and Hasate Kulliya wa Masana (kidney and bladder stone). The calculi are treated mainly by Mufattite Hasat (lithotriptic) and Mudir (diuretic) drugs effectively. The etiology, pathogenesis, clinical features and the properties of medications used in the treatment of urolithiasis have been discussed by Unani physicians in a comprehensive manner. A number of remedies used for urolithiasis and studied scientifically in different in vitro and in vivo models have shown activity against urolithiasis. In this paper, we have attempted to collect and analyze information available on urolithiasis, the medications used in Unani Medicine for treating this disorder, and possible correlation between Unani and modern concepts of urolithiasis, if any.

The Crystal structure, comparative DFT study and phytochemical investigation of atisine type C-20 diterpenoid alkaloid ajaconine (1) and lycoctonine type C-19 diterpenoid alkaloid delectinine (2) is reported here. These compounds were isolated from Delphinium chitralense. Both the natural products 1 and 2 crystallize in orthorhombic crystal system with identical space group of P212121. The geometric parameters of both compounds were calculated with the help of DFT using B3LYP/6-31+G (p) basis set and HOMO-LUMO energies, optimized band gaps, global hardness, ionization potential, electron affinity and global electrophilicity are calculated. The compounds 1 and 2 were screened for acetyl cholinesterase and butyryl cholinesterase inhibition activities in a dose dependent manner followed by molecular docking to explore the possible inhibitory mechanism of ajaconine (1) and delectinine (2). The IC50 values of tested compounds against AChE were observed as 12.61 μM (compound 1) and 5.04 μM (compound 2). The same experiments were performed for inhibition of BChE and IC50 was observed to be 10.18 μM (1) and 9.21 μM (2). Promising inhibition activity was shown by both the compounds against AChE and BChE in comparison with standard drugs available in the market such as allanzanthane and galanthamine. The inhibition efficiency of both the natural products was determined in a dose dependent manner.

The study is an endeavor to investigate the empirical and significant association between working capital and the profitability of pharmaceutical companies operating in Bangladesh. To serve the analysis mostly secondary level data have been employed. The study has been used balanced panel data of 16 selected pharmaceutical companies listed in Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) and covering seven years annual data from 2011 to 2017. To diagnosis the ties between working capital management on profitability the study have been used return on assets and gross profit margin (proxy variable of profitability) as dependent variable and days sales outstanding, days payable outstanding, days inventory outstanding, cash conversion cycle, working capital turnover, current ratio, quick ratio, debt ratio and size as independent variable. Fisher Type Unit root test has been employed to check stationary properties of panel data and found that there are no unit roots in taken panels at the 1% statistical significance level. Breusch-Pagan/Cook-Weisberg test has been employed to investigate the degree of heteroscedasticity and the significant evidence suggests that the data of the study is out of heteroscedasticity problem. Cameron & Trivedi's decomposition of IM-test also suggests that the variance is homogenous. Variance inflation factor (VIF) has been investigated the degree of multicollinearity and revealed that all variable except quick ratio (QR) and current ratio (CR) has a lower degree of multicollinearity. To analyses balanced panel data, the study has been employed two multiple regression model and used fixed and random effect model for proper estimation. Hausman specification test has been used to detect the alternative panel analysis methods. Results indicate that out of 9 independent variables only day’s cash conversion cycle (CCO), current ratio (CR), quick ratio (QR) and working capital turnover (WCT) shows a significant relationship with return on assets of the taken sample of pharmaceutical companies. Results also indicate that out of 9 independent variable only days sales outstanding (DSO), quick ratio (QR) and debt ratio (DR) shows a significant relationship with gross profit margin of the taken sample.

The capital market is the crucial place for institutions to deploy stocks and rise fund. If there are listed public institutions, then they can deploy their shares in the market to gather more funds to enlarge the business. This study focus to investigate the consequence of some influential factors on market stock price such net asset value per share, interest rate, dividend per share, book to market ratio, price earnings ratio (P/E ratio), leverage, earning per share, return on equity (roe), total number of share outstanding, book value per share, total size of the company and total age of the company.etc. To achieve the stetted objective, the study uses 30 Dhaka stock exchange (DSE) listed commercial bank of Bangladesh during the period 2007 to 2016.For the purpose of estimating the effects of independent variables on the share price, three estimation models were used such as pooled ordinary least squares (OLS), the random effects, and the fixed effects. The study used Stata version 12 software to analyze the raw data. The study also employed descriptive statistics, correlation statistical test, Levin -Lin- Chu Unit- Root Test, normality test, heteroscedasticity test and multicollinearity test. From the Levin -Lin- Chu Unit- Root Test we find that all the variables were stationary at level. Also, they are significant at 1%. From the normality test we find that the P-value of the taken variable less than 0.05. So, this model is violating by normal distributions. To check the heteroscedasticity, we run Breusch-pagan test that result is found P-value is 0.000which is less than 5% of level of significance. Hence, we reject the H0. From the multicollinearity test we find that the values tolerance (TOL) less than 10 indicates high degrees of collinearity or multicollinearity among the independent variables. prove that the data is free of multicollinearity. From the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) test we find that that dividend per share, net asset value per share, return on equity, leverage, earnings per share, book value per share, book to market ratio and price to earnings ratio proved to be significant in confidence level of five percent. But we avoid this result because Heteroscedasticity and multicollinearity are the crucial problems that might be occurring in the regression model. From the Fixed effects model we find that dividend per share, net asset value per share, return on equity, leverage, earnings per share, book value per share, book to market ratio, price to earnings ratio, total size of the bank and total age of the bank proved to be significant in confidence level of five percent. From the Random effect model we find that that dividend per share, net asset value per share, return on equity, leverage, earnings per share, book value per share, book to market ratio and price to earnings ratio, proved to be significant in confidence level of five percent. From the Hausman specification test we find that P value is not significant that is chi-square value is less than 0.05. Consequently, we accept fixed effect model as our appropriate model for estimation.

The current study has been conducted in the year 2017 to explore the determinants of export diversification strategies of Bangladesh during 1976-2016 using Vector Error Correction Method (VECM). Annual time series data ranging from 1976 to 2016 on total exports, Foreign direct investment (FDI), national savings, industry value added in percentage of GDP, growth of GDP and official development assistance (US currency) has been taken from data storage of world bank. Augmented Dickey Fuller (ADF) test has been employed to check the stationary properties of the raw data. Moreover, the Johenson Cointegration test has been employed to discover the long-term relationship among the data series the result showed that taken data have long ran relationship. At next step, VECM model was used to investigate the dynamic association between the variables and the result showed that there is long run causality running from the FDI, GDP Growth, savings, official development and industry value to Export and there is long run causality running from the export, FDI, GDP growth, saving and official development to industry value. Granger causality test has been run to check the short run relationship among the variable. The Lagrange Multiplier (LM) test ensures that our model is out of serial correlation problem. At last Jarque-Bera test also ensure that all model except FDI and GDP growth, the residual are normally distributed.

The main objective of the study is to critically examine the macroeconomic determinants of economic growth of World Bank newly categorized lower middle income countries. In specific, the study try to find out the relationship between the key macroeconomic indicators namely foreign direct investment, current account balance, exports of goods and services, imports of goods and services, government total investment, inflation, total population, unemployment rate, life expectancy at birth, total remittances received and economic growth among lower middle income countries. To achieve the objective, the study employed panel data approach and run multiple regression analysis. The study use different type of regression model to describe the relationship and deployed Hausman Specification Test and Breusch and Pagan Lagrangian multiplier test for random effects to find best model for estimation. After a rigorous analysis, the study select random effect model is the best model for our estimation. Empirical results show that current account balance, total investment, total population, life expectancy at birth and remittance received is proved to be significant in confidence level of five percent. It also deduced from study that export performance, import performance and inflation are found insignificant while FDI, interest rate and unemployment rate are found highly insignificant. Empirical results also suggest that export performance, total investment, inflation, total population, unemployment rate and remittance have positive coefficient on economic growth of lower middle income country.

Adiantum capillus veneris Linn has been recommended in ancient literature of Unani system of medicine as an important ingredient of many formulations for the treatment of urolithiasis. Its decoction has long been used for the same purpose by several Unani physicians.To investigate the antiurolithiasic effect of the hydro alcoholic extract of Adiantum capillus veneris Linn in male Sprague Dawley rats.The effects of oral administration of hydro alcoholic extract of test drug were studied on calcium oxalate urolithiasis. A total of 48 rats were used for the study. The animals were divided into six groups of eight animals each. Plain control rats were treated with distilled water only, throughout the study period, whereas in other groups nephrolithiasis was induced by providing drinking water containing 0.75% ethylene glycol and 1% ammonium chloride for 7 days. Thereafter, urine was examined for the presence of crystals. Negative control group A rats were sacrificed after 7 days, whereas negative control group B was left untreated up to the end of study. Test groups were treated with 127.6 mg/kg and 255.2 mg/kg of test drug and standard control with Cystone (750 mg/kg) for 21 days. At the end of experiment, number of crystals in urine and levels of calcium, phosphorus, urea and creatinine in serum were observed. Histopathological study of the kidney was done by light microscopy.Urine microscopy showed significant reduction (p0.001 and p0.01) in the number of crystals in test groups A and B respectively. Serum levels of calcium, phosphorous, and blood urea were found to be decreased significantly in all the groups. In both the test groups, serum creatinine level was found to be similar as in plain control. The animals treated with test drug showed much improvement in body weight. Histopathology of kidney showed almost normal kidney architecture in treated groups.The above findings indicate the antiurolithic activity of Adiantum capillus veneris Linn, and thus, validate the claims of Unani physicians for its medicinal use in urolithiasis.

Summary Experimental impact evaluation methods have recently emerged as a dominant force within the development effectiveness movement. Although these methods have improved understanding of what works, their “gold standard” status threatens to exclude a large body of alternative evidence. This paper evaluates the impact of CARE’s SHOUHARDO project in Bangladesh, which employed a rights-based, livelihoods approach. Using a mixed-methods protocol, we find plausible evidence that the project led to an extraordinarily large reduction in child malnutrition. While offering valuable policy lessons, we illustrate how rigorous evaluation can be undertaken even without the randomization and control groups required by the experimental methods.

Among the financial service industry, the banking sector was one of the first to embrace rapid globalization and benefit significantly from IT development. Recently the private banks of Bangladesh are trying to imitate the banking structure of developed countries. There are 30 commercial banks listed in Dhaka Stock Exchange. The research is based on the data that was available in the annual report and websites of those banks. The study of the impact of technology on the performance of commercial banks in Bangladesh will provide us about the positive and negative impact of technology to the earnings of banking sector. Recently automation has become a trend for commercial banks of Bangladesh, at least it have to be automated at head-office level. The study includes ATM number, online branch number, mobile banking and online banking percentage. From the analysis, we can see that Basic Earning Power of commercial banks is declining from 2010. ATM number is growing rapidly than automating branch services. Mobile banking is a recent topic in our country, and it has positive impact on return. In the earlier period, adoption of technology was not essential to sustain in the market. But now-a-days, analysis shows that technologically advanced banks get higher return compare to others. The empirical model for the panel data analysis is fixed effect and random effect model. To determine which model is giving best result for the study, Hausman test has been done. In the panel data analysis, random effect model has given a good result than fixed effect model. Where we can see that, customers are more concerned about ATM number and online banking.