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Pampus argenteus and Pampus chinensis form the high-value demersal Pomfret fishery of Bangladesh. But, due to a monotonic decline in catches over the last five years, it is essential to explore the current stock status concerning the removal rate to ensure the sustainability of this fishery. Therefore, given the reliability and minimal data requirements, this study employed an extended Bayesian State-Space Surplus Production Model, JABBA (Just Another Bayesian Biomass Assessment), to assess the stock rigorously. The results revealed that the stock biomass of the Pomfret fishery in the final year of the time series is significantly lower than BMSY, the biomass required to produce MSY. Consequently, this study recommends a yearly catch limit (TAC) of 10,000 metric tons to prevent further depletion of the stock biomass. Furthermore, to avoid growth overfishing by allowing all immature fishes to reproduce at least once before being caught, this study also calculated the optimum length (Lopt) for catch for both species at which biologically maximum yield and revenue can be obtained. The estimated Lopt is 25 cm for P. argenteus and 30 cm for P. chinensis, and not to capture fishes with lengths lower than these limits, this study further calculated the minimum mesh size limits for gill and set bag nets is 7.5 cm. Though the mesh size regulation was estimated using length-based reference points derived from an empirical equation, this regulation can be used as an associate reference point when TAC is applied to assure the sustainability of this fishery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Essential oil (EO) from the sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) grown in the Jhum cultivations located in Bangladesh was screened for chemical composition, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities. EO yield from the Jhumcultivar O. basilicum was 1.55% (v/w). Analysis of EO indicated the presence of several bioactive compounds, among which Geranial (35.5%) and cis-citral (26.2%) are of significant content. The EO showed antioxidant activities inhibiting DPPH radical with a mean value of 45.7% at 2.4 mg mL-1 of EO. The EO has susceptibility against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Salmonella Typhi, Vibrio cholerae, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, and Micrococcus spp.), with a notable activity against the Gram-positive bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research examined the biological reference points (BRPs) and stock status of the sardine fishery in the Bay of Bengal (BoB), Bangladesh, to determine the sustainability of this resource. The Monte Carlo method (CMSY), the Bayesian state-space Schaefer surplus production model (BSM), and the ASPIC (a Stock Production Model Incorporating Covariates) software suite, were used to analyze catch–effort data obtained from the Yearbook of Fisheries Statistics of Bangladesh. All models derived maximum sustainable yields (MSY) ranging from 37,900 to 41,280 t, which is quite near to the catch from the latest year (38,051 t in 2020), indicating the fully exploited status of sardines. The estimated B < BMSY and F > FMSY values from the BSM and Schaefer models indicate a poor biomass and an unsafe fishing status. For Schaefer and BSM, the calculated F/FMSY values were 1.07 and 1.06, and the B/BMSY values were 0.92 and 0.75, which also indicate the overexploited status of the sardine fishery in the BoB, Bangladesh. This information will aid in developing management strategies and conservation policies for the sustainability and rebuilding of this commercially important resource in the BoB on the Bangladesh coast. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The black pomfret (Parastromateus niger) is one of the high-income-generating carangid fish species and the only known member of its genus. This study aims to identify existing gaps in stock status and population demography of this species and provide viable management recommendations to enhance the sustainability of this fishery. Therefore, three methodological approaches have been used in this study; TropFishR to present the current exploitation status, the length-based spawning potential ratio (LB-SPR) to quantify stock spawning biomass, and Froese's sustainability indicators (LBI) to establish a basic standard for sustainable management of the fishery. In the length-weight relationship of black pomfret, an allometric growth pattern (b = 2.19) was found. The VBGF life history parameters for black pomfret were L∞ = 55.25 cm, K = 0.54 year−1, and based on LCCC analysis, the total mortality (Z = 1.61 year−1), natural mortality (M = 0.69 year−1) and fishing mortality (F = 0.91 year−1) are calculated. The result reveals that this fishery is currently suffering from overexploitation and the stock's spawning biomass (SPR = 13%) is below the limit reference point because most of the catch (82%) was found to be under the maturity level. Based on the results, this study recommended strictly maintaining the mesh size of the net to ensure not to catch immature fish with a length smaller than 30.63 cm, recommended the length to catch be between 29 and 35 cm, and reducing fishing pressure by one-third to ensure the sustainability of the black pomfret fishery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: We aimed at the identification of the association of comorbidities with the COVID-19 severity and hospitalization. Methods: It is a retrospective cross-sectional study to investigate the variation in age, sex, dwelling, comorbidities, and medication with the COVID-19 severity and hospitalization by enrolling 1025 recovered individuals while comparing their time of recovery with or without comorbidities. Results: COVID-19 patients mostly suffered from fever. The predominant underlying medical conditions in them were hypertension (HTN) followed by diabetes mellitus (DM). Patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) (54.3%) and hepatic disorders (HD) (43.6%) experienced higher severity. The risk of symptomatic cases was higher in aged (odds ratio, OR = 1.04, 95% CI = 1.02–1.06) and comorbid (OR = 1.87, 95% CI = 1.34–2.60) patients. T-test confirmed the differences between the comorbid and non-comorbid patients’ recovery duration. The presence of multiple comorbidities increased the time of recovery (15–27 days) and hospitalization (20–40%). Increased symptomatic cases were found for patients having DM+HTN whereas CVD+Asthma patients were found with higher percentage of severity. Besides, DM+CKD (chronic kidney disease) was associated with higher hospitalization rate. Higher odds of severity were found for DM+CVD (OR = 4.42, 95% CI = 1.81–10.78) patients. Hospitalization risk was also increased for them (OR = 5.14, 95% CI = 2.02–13.07). Moreover, if they had HTN along with DM+CVD, they were found with even higher odds (OR = 6.82, 95% CI = 2.37–19.58) for hospitalization. Conclusion: Our study indicates that people who are aged, females, living in urban area and have comorbid conditions are at a higher risk for developing COVID-19 severity. Clinicians and health management authorities should prioritize these high-risk groups to reduce mortality attributed to the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Halda River, the lone natural carp breeding ground in Bangladesh as well as in Southeast Asia is an economically important river and its water quality is deteriorating due to unplanned industrialization and various anthropogenic activities. The present research work has been conducted to assess the characteristics of HR water. Eighteen water quality parameters were studied including pH, temperature, Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Total Dissolved Solids, Electrical Conductivity, Hardness, Turbidity, Total Alkalinity, SO4 2-, PO4 3-, NO3 -, Cl-, NH4 +, Cr (VI), Mn (II) and Arsenic. This study shows that water in HR is regularly alkaline and its pH lies between 7.08-7.65. The DO value varies from 5.9-8.4 mgL-1, BOD ranged from 0.3-2.8 mgL-1 and COD from 24-96 mgL-1. According to the Water Quality Index study, the river is being intensely polluted due to the unscrupulous industrial wastes discharge into the HR through various canals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ship breaking and recycling industry (SBRI) loops back scarce ferrous and non-ferrous materials from dismantled ships and also renews the global shipping fleet by treating the end-of-life (EoL) ships. Currently, SBRIs in Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan are dismantling the majority of the EoL ships by open beaching method. Accordingly, ship dismantling carries the blame of releasing potentially toxic elements (PTEs) to the coastal and marine environment risking the food chain through potential bioaccumulation and biomagnification. Health risk assessment associated with PTEs from open beach ship dismantling is scarce. This study aimed at assessing concentrations and seasonal variations of PTEs in soils exposed to the activities of SBRIs for their source apportionment by using contamination factor (CF) and multivariate statistical analysis, while carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risks due to the PTEs have also been determined. Soil samples were collected twice—during pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons—from three working zones of each of the 15 different ship breaking yards spanning the entire SBRI zone in Bangladesh. Soil contamination was assessed by using the CF, and inverse distance weighting interpolation mapping showed the spatial distribution of metals at SBRI zone in Bangladesh. Multivariate statistical analysis, principal component analysis, and correlation matrix yielded the source apportionment of PTEs. Subsequently, carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risks were assessed following the approach recommended by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) with uncertainty estimation through Monte Carlo simulation. Contamination levels of PTEs followed Cd > Zn > Cr > Cu > Pb > Ni > Mn > As. Concentrations of Cd, Cr, Mn, and Zn were higher than the maximum allowable regulatory limits at storage zone and also higher as compared with the beaching and cutting zones in general. The contamination index indicated extreme Cd contamination in the area with elevated levels in pre-monsoon. Two principal components (PC) were identified—PC1 (Cd, Cu, Mn, Pb, Zn) and PC2 (As, Cr, Ni) inferring their source segmentation. Indirect soil ingestion is the major possible exposure path to PTEs. The health index indicated the absence of any obvious health effects on the people active at SBRI yards in Bangladesh. The carcinogenic risk was for 6 to 7 persons per 100,000 people which was within the USEPA acceptable range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The perception of choosing bottled water over tap water for drinking is based on the expectation that it will be of superior quality, more palatable and free from health hazards. The quality of bottled drinking water of 14 different brands as sold in Bangladesh market are evaluated in the current work in terms of the physical and aggregate properties, non-metal inorganic constituents, metal concentrations and microbial contents. The experimental values are compared with the information printed on the labels and regulatory recommendations from the national and international authorities. The experimental values for physical and aggregate properties and non-metal inorganic constituents are either lower or within the range of regulatory limits ( p < 0.05). The heterotrophic plate count and total coliform count confirms that the bottled waters are microbiologically safe. A total of 24 elements are checked and the content of Al, which is an aesthetic hazard, is found higher than the permissible range, while the concentration of Pb, which is a potentially toxic element, is not significantly different ( p < 0.05) from the guideline values. The data printed on the bottle labels are inconsistent and not informative enough and does not correspond to the real scenario of constituents in the packaged water. A comparison to the tap water quality confirms that the bottled waters possess better quality regarding aesthetic considerations, microbial hazards, and Pb contaminations. The experimental data of the bottled waters are further compared with the mineral water classification system. The characteristics are matched with the very low or low mineral content category with a hint of saline character and very soft water-hardness in most, followed by a suitability for low-sodium diets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The two economically important shrimp species in Bangladesh are the tiger shrimp, Penaeus monodon, and the brown shrimp, Metapenaeus monoceros. However, a continuous decline in the landing of these species from the industrial trawling made it critical to assess their stock biomass status to explore their response to the present degree of removal. Given the minimum data requirement and robustness, this study employed the depletion-based stock reduction analysis (DB-SRA) to assess these fisheries rigorously. For the industrial fishing zone (beyond the 40 m depth in the EEZ of Bangladesh), the estimated historic mean carrying capacity (K) was 5015 metric tons for the Penaeus monodon and 35,871 metric tons for Metapenaeus monoceros. The estimated overfishing limits (OFL), which were much smaller than the reported catches throughout the time series, indicate the overfishing status of these fisheries. As a result, the estimated biomass for the reference year (B2020) for both species was lower than BMSY, indicating that these fisheries are not producing MSY. Therefore, for the rebuilding and sustainable management of these stocks, this study recommended a catch limit of 100 metric tons for P. monodon and 750 metric tons for M. monoceros for the next ten years from biomass projections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Bombay duck (Harpadon nehereus) forms the second-largest single-species marine fishery in Bangladesh and therefore has a significant impact on the local economy, providing employment, food, and nutrition to thousands of people. Despite the immense importance, this fishery has never been a priority for the relevant regulatory authorities. To enhance the sustainability of this fishery, an effective management policy based on the scientific evaluation of the current stock's status is urgently required. Therefore, this study used three methodological approaches (traditional size structure-based stock assessment to reveal current exploitation status; the length-based spawning potential ratio (LB-SPR) to evaluate the stock's spawning biomass; and Froese's sustainability indicators for sustainable fishing) to conduct a thorough assessment of the Bombay duck stock to establish basic standards for the sustainable management of this fishery. The results revealed that this fishery is presently suffering from overexploitation and the stock's spawning biomass (SPR = 8%) is below the limit reference point because of the juvenile-oriented fishing behavior of the fishery. Based on the outputs, this study recommended the mesh size regulation of the set bag nets (SBNs) (5 cm mesh size for the codend) to ensure not to catch immature fishes with a length equal to or smaller than 17.95 cm; and reduce the existing number of SBNs by half to reduce fishing pressure on the stock to ensure the sustainability of this fishery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract In Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan the ship breaking (SB) sector dismantles end-of-life ships on open beaches, exposing the environment to the resulting pollution, especially the soil and water. Because SB occurs in the vicinity of other poorly-regulated activities in industrial zones (IZ) in these countries, there is some ambiguity concerning the relative roles played by SB and IZ in the accumulation of hazardous materials in the soil. In the absence of comparative studies, this study investigated the relative levels of soil contamination due to SB or IZ in the same geographic region by taking soil samples from SB and unrelated IZs in Chittagong, Bangladesh. The technogenic input of sixty-four chemical elements into the soil at the SB or IZ were compared with off-site reference values or the natural content of these elements in the Earth's crust and surface. The magnitude of soil contamination by ecotoxic elements, the corresponding bioavailability, and the ecological risks were assessed based on the regulatory reference values (RRVs) and with other approaches using data aggregation. Among the different potentially toxic elements, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn were found to be above the maximum allowable concentration (p < 0.05) in both SB and IZ. Moderate-to-high soil contamination from SB and moderate-to-considerable soil contamination in the IZ were observed. However, the element-bioavailability as ascertained via solid-phase speciation or weak-acid induced leaching, and the evaluation of associated ecological risk both indicated a low hazard quotient for soils from both SB and IZ. The outcome of the current research marked both SB and IZ soils as contaminated but not polluted, yet remediation is suggested. The level of contamination in SB soils was relatively higher than that of IZ. The comparative results presented in this study for the first time will hopefully be useful as a reference for future ecological and geochemical studies concerning the environmental contamination associated with both ship recycling on open beaches and other typical industrial activities. Highlights • Impact of open-beach ship-breaking or typical industrial activities on soils. • Study of technogenic inputs of sixty-four chemical elements in soils. • Ship-breaking induces higher element accumulation in soils than typical industries. • Extent of soil contamination due to the ecotoxic element accumulation was assessed. • Bioavailability and the ecological risks thereof have been evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ship-breaking yards are recognized for releasing hazardous polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), leading to severe environmental pollution in the sediment of ship-breaking areas. This study assessed the concentrations of 16 priority PAHs in surface sediments collected from the intertidal zone adjacent to the Sitakund ship-breaking yards. The samples underwent Soxhlet extraction and detection using PerkinElmer GC-Clarus 690 and MS-Clarus SQ8C with an Elite-5MS capillary column (30 m × 0.25 mm ID × 0.25 µm). The study utilized PAH concentrations to reveal spatial distribution patterns, identify point sources, and assess potential toxicity. The total PAH concentration ranged from 1899.2 to 156,800.08 ng g -1 dw, while the concentration of 7 carcinogenic PAHs ranged from 822.03 to 1899.15 ng g -1 dw. High molecular weight PAHs dominated among the 16 PAHs, whereas low molecular weight PAHs, such as 2-ring PAHs, were negligible. Source characterization based on different molecular ratios suggested that PAHs in the area originated from pyrolytic processes related to ship dismantling, fishing activities, and water transportation for people. The observed PAH concentrations exceeded both national and international standards for sedimentary PAH levels, indicating significant ecological risks. The total TEQcarc values of sediment samples varied from 564.41 to 10,695.12 ng g -1 , with a mean value of 3091.25 ng g -1 . The study's findings underscore the immediate biological damage that PAH contamination in the Sitakund ship-breaking area could cause, emphasizing the need for effective control measures to ensure ecological and human safety., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Background: It was assumed that dietary habits might influence the status of COVID-19 patients. Aim: We aimed at the identification of association of dietary habits with the COVID-19 severity and hospitalization. Methods: It was a retrospective cross-sectional study (n = 1025). We used bivariate and multivariate analyses to correlate the association between self-reported dietary patterns and COVID-19 severity and hospitalization. Results: Dietary habits (black tea, milked tea, pickles, black caraway seeds, honey, fish, fruits, vegetables, garlic, onion and turmeric) were identified with lower risk of COVID-19 severity and hospitalization. Interestingly, the consumption frequency (one-, two- or three-times/day) of rice - the staple food in Bangladesh - was not associated with COVID-19 severity and hospitalization for comorbid patients. In contrast, a moderate rice-eating habit (two times/day) was strongly associated with the lower risk of severity and hospitalization for non-comorbid patients. However, for both comorbid and non-comorbid patients, consumption of black tea, milked tea, pickles and honey were associated with a lower likelihood of severity and hospitalization. Overall, a high consumption (three-times/day) of fish, fruits and vegetables, a moderate consumption of garlic, onion and turmeric spices and a daily intake of black/milked tea, and honey were associated with reduced risk of COVID-19 severity and hospitalization. Conclusions: To reduce the severity of COVID-19, a habitual practice of intaking black tea, milked tea, black caraway seeds and honey along with dietary habit (rice, fish and vegetables) and with a moderate consumption of ginger, garlic, onion, mixed aromatic spices (cinnamon + cardamom + cloves) and turmeric might be suggested.