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Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles have a high surface-to-mass ratio and rapidly aggregate in water causing great difficulties for toxicity test exposed to aquatic organisms or other cell lines. This study uses a cell viability kit for routine toxicity test of TiO2 as well as other nanoparticles which accumulate in the aquatic environment. Tetrahymena immediately endocytoses TiO2 nanoparticles and stores them in food vacuoles until the particles undergo exocytosis as larger aggregates. However, during the process of endocytosis and exocytosis, TiO2 particles interfere with cell growth and consequently induce acute toxicity. It exerted high cell growth inhibition at 20 h incubation and induces significant cytotoxic effects. Surprisingly, the effect of TiO2 decreases at 40 h incubation, due to the recovery of cell growth and reduction of the cytotoxicity of the particles.

Background: Diarrhoea is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in developing countries. This study observed the influences of nutritional status and age on the outcome of severe diarrhoea in adult male patients. Methods and materials: Data were obtained through interview by arranged questionnaire. It is a prospective longitudinal study, where one group of patient was well nourished and other group was malnourished. Results: Significant differences were found in all study factors between malnourished and well nourished diarrhoea patients. Patients with poor nutritional status had low body weight and muscle mass index than well nourished patients. The stool volume was higher in malnourished patients than well nourished patient. In addition mean duration of diarrhoea for malnourished patients was higher than well nourished patients until discharge from hospital. Conclusion: Therefore, the diarrhoea of malnourished and low socioeconomic status of adult patients is more severe, and the incidence of this disease can be reduced by growing awareness as well as improve nutritional and socioeconomic status of those patient groups. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol. 12 No. 03 July ’13 Page 250-255 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjms.v12i3.15406

Two types dopamine receptor present in the cell membrane of vertebrates. But in this study D1 receptor was identified in the invertebrate ciliates protozoan, Tetrahymena thermop0hila by use of fluorescent ligands. D1 specific agonist SKF-38393 binds specifically to Tetrahymena. The specific binding of SKF-38393 was encountered by equimolar addition of D1 antagonist thus showed no binding of ligands. In addition, it was also proved that the D1 specific agonist did not cross bind with the D2 type receptor due to the equimolar addition of D2 selective antagonist spiperone. Interestingly this study also showed that the dopamine receptor present in the endoplasmic reticulum and endosomes of Tetrahymena as well as cell membrane which was revealed by laser scanning microscope. Therefore, this evidence supports the existence of a D1 receptor in the ciliate protozoan.

The study has demonstrated that anticancer drug 5-fluorouracil causes acute toxicity and interferes with the growth of green microalgae, Scenedesmus vacuolatus. It accumulates in microalgae biomass with bioaccumulation factor of 1.84 × 10(4) and further integrates into the DNA and RNA of microalgae. In addition, the labelled microalgae genome is transferred into protozoan Tetrahymena pyriformis on feeding and is retained in the food vacuoles of predator organisms. This biotransfer of labelled 5-fluorouracil via genomic material was evaluated using radioactivity in Tetrahymena cell pellets though radioactivity did not detect anticancer drug in the genome of the predator organism.

A comparative study was conducted to evaluate quality of Spirulinaplatensis products like powder and tablets that were manufactured by different companies in Bangladesh. The powder form was collected from Bangladesh Spirulina Company Ltd. and was named as SP-1. On the other hand, the tablets were collected from Eureka International, Life Line International and Evergreen Enterprise’s and were as named as SP-2, SP-3 and SP-4, respectively. The parameters investigated in this study were moisture content, ash content, acid insoluble and acid soluble ash content, crude fat content, nitrogen and protein content. Additionally, the amount of different solvent extracts, phytochemical screening, determination of total phenolic and flavonoids contents and antioxidant activity (DPPH radical scavenging activity), reducing power assay and total antioxidant activity and elemental analysis were also investigated. DPPH radical scavenging activity, reducing power assay and total antioxidant activity of all samples extract of four varieties showed significant/good/moderate activity, especially methanol and water extracts showed significant activity. All the four varieties of Spirulinaplatensis possessed good reducing power. Results of elemental analysis of four verities of Spirulinaplatensis showed significant difference. Analysis of mineral composition revealed the presence of sufficient amount of minerals such as sodium, potassium, iron and zinc. High levels of potassium were observed in all the samples. Heavy metals were also analyzed like lead, copper, chromium etc. Some of the samples were found to have contained lead in significant amounts. The reducing powers of the methanol and water extracts of four different samples (Spirulinaplatensis) were found to be significant in comparison with the standard ascorbic acid. The total antioxidant capacities of the methanol and water extracts of four different samples (Spirulinaplatensis) were found to be moderately significant in comparison with the standard ascorbic acid. From the result of this study, it is observed that different samples of Spirulinaplatensis contained different amount of physicochemical, chemical and antioxidant properties. However, among of the four products, SP-3 was found to have the best quality.

A high throughput culture methodology of unicellular eukaryote Tetrahymena pyriformis, strain GL were used for the determination of catecholamines toxicity and their metabolism. Catecholamines exhibited acute toxicity to Tetrahymena cells where dopamine and L-DOPA showed higher toxic potential of EC(10) (0.39 and 0.63 mg/L, respectively) and EC(20) (1.1 and 1.0 mg/L, respectively). All the testing catecholamines were highly degradable in the PPY-medium due to the oxidizing environment during incubation. They were also naturally synthesized and released by Tetrahymena cells into the culture medium and increasingly accumulated with time where as noradrenalin demonstrated significant results. Cells were exposed with physiological concentration (0.12 mg/L) and one higher concentration (8.0 mg/L) of catecholamines, resulting noradrenalin depletion and in vivo generation of a metabolite in response to dopamine with higher concentration treatment. This dopamine metabolite was relatively nonpolar compared with the catecholamines and was eluted later from the reverse phase C-18 column.

A 96-well plate culture methodology for the unicellular eukaryote Tetrahymena pyriformis, strain GL was used for the determination of toxicity and metabolism of catecholamines. Catecholamines exhibited moderate acute toxicity to Tetrahymena cells where dopamine and L-DOPA showed higher toxic potential at EC(10) (0.39 ppm and 0.63 ppm, respectively) and EC(20) (1.1 ppm and 1.0 ppm respectively) after 48 h exposure. All tested catecholamines were highly degradable in the PPY-medium due to the oxidizing environment during incubation. Also the catecholamines were naturally synthesized and released by Tetrahymena cells into the culture medium and increasingly accumulated with time where noradrenalin exhibited the highest degree of accumulation. However, the exogenous exposure of catecholamines to the cells caused the depletion of natural noradrenalin synthesis even with the addition of very low physiological concentration (0.12 ppm). Dopamine caused the higher effect on inhibiting noradrenalin synthesis. Treatment with a higher concentration (8.0 ppm) of dopamine in 96-well plates caused strong excitation of the cells and ascertained a new metabolite in vivo while the other representative catecholamines were not responsible for the production of this metabolite. This dopamine metabolite is relatively non-polar as compared to noradrenalin, adrenaline and dopamine and eluting later through the reverse phase C-18 column.

Breastfeeding practices of mother are effective way for reducing infant morbidity and mortality. Improper breastfeeding along with inadequate complementary feeding are the main reasons for malnutrition among the children in Bangladesh. Therefore, the aim of this study is to assess and find the breast feeding practice in selected areas of Dhaka city with respect to socio-economic and demographic condition. Here, 250 mothers and their 250 infants were considered to asses using a formative questionnaire. Within this sample size 129 (51.6%) were male infants and 121 (49.4%) were female infants respectively. This study found that the privilege of breast feeding practice progressively increases with the mother’s education that has been started from less than high school level (below 10 classes) to bachelor’s level or more than higher. In addition, this study found that about 84.8% lactating mothers have knowledge on what are colostrums. But surprisingly only 58% mothers gave colostrums to their infants. Furthermore, we found that the rate of exclusive breast feeding among three months and six months age infants were 51.2% and 27.2% respectively. Therefore, according to findings of this study it could be concluded that mothers in the Dhaka city should give more attention on breast feeding to her infants and subsequently prevent infant mortality and get a healthy child.

The aim of this study was to find the effect of printex 90 and titanium dioxide nanoparticle on catecholamine homeostasis in Tetrahymena thermophila. These two nanoparticles were exposed for 20 hours and 40 hours respectively. Tetrahymena cell produce catecholamine which was extracted by solid phase extraction and then analyzed by HPLCECD. Nanoparticles cause the stimulation of catecholamine production to the Tetrahymena. Noradrenaline and dopamine were predominantly synthesized in the cell with exposure of nanoparticles. Printex 90 induces strong stimulation of cell for catecholamine synthesis as compared to titanium dioxide. The production level of catecholamine increases with higher doses of nanoparticles with few exceptions. Nevertheless, this study clearly claims that nanoparticle increases catecholamine synthesis and causes subsequent toxicity.

As possible precursors of PFOA, fluorotelomer alcohols are a class of highly fluorinated and volatile compounds. Although they are widespread in the environment, little toxicity data is available. The present study focused on testing the population growth impairment potential of FTOH. Moreover, certain efforts were made to find the possible effect mechanism of these compounds.The growth inhibition test was made both in an open system (96-well microplates) and in a closed system (closed flasks). In addition, cells were stained with acridine orange and observed under fluorescence microscopy at 488 nm. Furthermore, direct membrane damage was checked by measuring LDH leakage.For 8:2 FTOH and 10:2 FTOH, no growth inhibition was found in either of the systems. In contrast, 4:2 FTOH interfered with population growth in the closed system (EC(50) = 276.1 mg/L), whereas, 6:2 FTOH had an influence on population growth both in the closed system (EC(50) = 64.3 mg/L) and in the open system. Macronucleus destruction was observed with 6:2 FTOH. No direct membrane damage was detectable.With a closed system, 4:2 and 6:2 FTOH were found to be capable of impairing population growth. However, this potential was to a certain extent underestimated. With the help of the air-water distribution coefficient, the real EC(50) was estimated within the interval [203.2, 276.1] mg/L and [14.7, 64.3] mg/L for 4:2 and 6:2 FTOH, respectively. Some evidence, such as the absence of direct membrane or macronucleus damage, indicate that certain FTOH could likely cause apoptosis. But the exact effect mechanism could not be determined on the basis of the present results.Comparing the results from the two test systems, tests in a closed system are more reliable for testing these volatile compounds with Tetrahymena thermophila than in an open system.The present study has highlighted several future research directions. For ecotoxicological risk assessment of FTOH, their distribution and environmental fate should be determined. To understand the effect mechanism, more tests could be conducted to test whether apoptosis is caused. Finally, in order to standardize test procedure in a closed system, more compounds should be investigated in the closed system to clarify the sensitivity of the test procedures.

This study has been conducted to assess the present scenario of spraying insecticides/fungicides during the whole cultivation period of mango in Shibgonj upazilla of Chapainawabgonj district. A total number of 250 mango growers were randomly selected and interviewed by structured questionnaires from December, 2014 to June, 2015. The data were collected with respect to their educational level, cultivating land, times and types of insecticides/fungicides spray, and farmer’s consciousness about the excessive use of insecticides/fungicides. Out of the 250 mango growers, 184 were illiterate which accounts almost 74% followed by under HSC, 51 (20%) and higher educated, 15 (6%). Around 1-3 acre of land was used by 145 (58%) mango growers for cultivation followed by 3-7 acre by 85 (34%) and more than 7 acres by 20 (8%). Eight insecticides and seven fungicides under different trade names were most commonly sprayed at 2, 3, 4, and even more than 7 times in the stage of mango flowering, green mango, and finally, in mature stages. Most importantly, 151 (60%) growers do not have any, while 99 (40%) have very little knowledge about the negative effects of using excessive amounts of insecticides/fungicides. The mango growers are randomly using same pesticides under different brand name. Additionally, they frequently use fungicides instead of insecticides that cause no death of mango pest. As a result, they could not protect early dropping of mangoes. Furthermore, 103 (41%) and 147 (59%) growers have little and no knowledge regarding the side effects of spraying of formalin and calcium carbide that are used for preservation and early ripening of mango, respectively. Therefore, necessary actions should be taken immediately keeping in mind not only to reduce the early fall out of mangoes but also to produce safe mangoes for consumption.

Objectives: Children under-five years are more vulnerable and susceptible to malnutrition especially in the coastal region. Therefore, this study sought to find out the contributing factors of malnutrition among under-five children in coastal region of Bangladesh.Study Design: It is descriptive type cross-sectional study.Methods: Anthropometric methods and structured questionnaires were used to collect required data. Nutritional status was measured using Z score according to WHO classification.175 children (6-59 months) and their householdin Barguna district was considered for study subjects. Results and discussion:Only 5.7% children were introduced with colostrum and 25.71% followed exclusive breast feeding. The rate of literacy was found to be higher in father (85.1%) as compared to mother (39.4%). 68.6% children are suffering from underweight whereas the percentage of wasting and stunting children were found to 40.6% and 60% respectively. Breastfeeding practice and monthly family income were significantly associated with wasting, stunting and underweight. Children who were not exclusively breast fed had higher rate of moderate wasting (59.5%), stunting (70.5%) and underweight (74.6%). Children with illiterate father were found to have more odd value of having wasting, stunting and underweight compared to literate father. Furthermore, early age (6-24 month) of children are more susceptible for malnutrition as compared to the age (25-59 months) of children. Conclusions: Children are underweight and stunting due to the insufficient breast feeding practice, father’s education, monthly income of families and sanitary practices. Therefore, community nutrition and public health education are early demands for the people in the coastal area.

This study deals with the nutritional profile of adolescent girls on the basis of data collected from sample survey of 300 respondents from Khagrachhari district in Chittagong hill tracts region of Bangladesh by cross sectional method. This study found that about 66.00% of adolescent girls lived in rural and only 34.00% lived in urban area of Khagrachhari district. About 93.00% of adolescent girls were tribes and only 7.00% were Bengali. According to the BMI level 41.33% of adolescent girls were underweight, 35.00% normal, 8.33% overweight and 6.67% obese. Their nutritional status were very poor because 65% adolescent girls intake low food, 15.67% undergo married during adolescent period. Among the adolescent girls the percentage of non school going was 11.60 and above class eight were only 21.67. The light spark of this study is 28.34% of the adolescent girl's intake diet more than the normal (1900 kcal. per day), 63.40% maintains hygienity. Study also shows that nutritional awareness developed 43.33% through mass media such as Television, Radio and Newspaper. Friends and family members also play a vital role to improve their nutritional awareness.