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Background: Contraception discontinuation often leads to unintended pregnancies with subsequent increases in risks of abortion-related morbidity and mortality and reduced effectiveness of family planning programs. Objectives: To identify the factors influencing the decision to discontinue the use of long-acting reversible contraceptives among selected women in Bangladesh. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 146 women of reproductive age seeking family planning services from two well-known clinics operated by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The respondents were selected through purposive sampling and data were collected by semi-structured questionnaire and face-to-face interviews. Results: More than half of the participants used injectable contraceptives and the majority reported discontinuation of the contraceptive method within one year. Nearly half (50.7%) of participants faced complications after using long-acting reversible contraceptives. Abdominal pain was the most common complaint among respondents (60.6%). The common causes of discontinuation included husband pressure (36.5%), family pressure (16.2%), and religion (2.7%). The association between participants’ age (P = 0.004), marital status (P = 0.004), and family income (P = 0.01) with discontinuation of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) were statistically significant. The association between injectable and intrauterine device contraceptive methods with discontinuation of LARC was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Appropriate counseling, follow-up care, and management of side effects could help to reduce the discontinuation rate of long-acting reversible contraceptives.

Introduction: Retropharyngeal abscess is a fatal infection that is uncommon, yet serious, especially in young children below 5 years. Oropharyngeal infections, in particular, can cause it as a complication of upper respiratory infections. They can also lead to respiratory depression and acute upper airway blockage and other complications. Case presentation: The unusual case of large retropharyngeal abscess in a 2-year-old child, secondary to mumps infection who presented to us with impending airway compromise is reported. Discussion: Retropharyngeal abscess secondary to mumps is a rare occurrence.The child initially had a bilateral parotid enlargement with fever and upper respiratory tract infection, which was diagnosed clinically as mumps by primary care physician and later confirmed by IgM antibody testing. The child was initially treated conservatively as the symptoms were mild at the beginning, however, the child worsened progressively and presented o our institute with acute retropharyngeal abscess in stridor. Emergency tracheostomy and intraoral abscess drainage were done under general anesthesia followed by appropriate intravenous antibiotics therapy. Conclusion: A dramatic recovery was observed following the treatment approach. Although it is rare to see such a large RPA in this antibiotic era, it is imperative to maintain a high index of suspicion.

Background: Primary or essential thrombocytosis in children is very rare but reactive thrombocytosis occurs in children and respiratory tract infection is the commonest cause. The study aimed to determine the association of thrombocytosis with severity of lower respiratory tract infection; and the association of degree of thrombocytosis with severity of pneumonia. Materials and methods: This observational study was conducted in the Department of Paediatrics of Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Medical College & Hospital, Barpeta in Assam. This study was done on 120 children aged between 2 months and 5 years who were admitted with lower respiratory tract infection and classified according to WHO guidelines. Complete general physical examination and systemic examination with special orientation towards respiratory system was done. Complete blood count was performed with automated system sysmex xs800i cell counter. Thrombocytosis was noted and severity of thrombocytosis was classified. Results: Among 120 cases of lower respiratory tract infections, 48 children had thrombocytosis. 13 (48.1%) children with very severe disease, 29 (46.1%) children with severe pneumonia and 6(20%) children with pneumonia had thrombocytosis. Thus it was seen that there was significant association between platelet count and severity of pneumonia (p value=0.018). Two children had severe thrombocytosis (9.01-10.00L/mm3) and both of them had very severe disease. It indicates that degree of thrombocytosis increases as severity of pneumonia increases. Conclusion: There is a significant relationship between thrombocytosis and severity of pneumonia. Also degree of thrombocytosis increases as severity of pneumonia increases.

Probiotics, prebiotics, and immunomodulators like β-glucan have become popular feed additives. Thus, this study examined the effects of a β-glucan product fortified with dietary biomaterials (fats, proteins, and minerals) on broiler chicks' growth, carcass features, immunological response, white blood cell (WBC) count, and viable count (number of living cells) of lactobacilli. Day-old Ross-308 (n=250) were randomly assigned to 1 of 5 dietary treatments; A= basal diet, B= basal diet + 40 mg/kg of avilamycin, C= basal diet + 250 g/ton β-glucan product, D= basal diet + 500 g/ton β-glucan product, and E= basal diet + 750 g/ton β-glucan product. The starter diet was administered from days 1 to 14, the grower diet from days 15 to 21, and the finisher diet from days 22 to 35. Each treatment had 5 repetitions of 10 birds. On days 7 and 20, all birds were eye-drop inoculated against the Newcastle disease (ND) vaccine. Three chickens from each replication of all treatments were slaughtered on day 35 to examine carcass features and collect ileal digesta. White blood cell and viable lactobacilli counts at the end of the trial showed the effect of β-glucan supplementation. Throughout the trial, β-glucan administration did not increase average daily weight gain. The treatments did not change WBC or viable count; however, lactobacilli count increased (p≤0.05) in treatment group E. Treatment E increased (p≤0.05) ND-vaccination antibody-titers but did not affect immunological organ development. Treatment diet E (base diet +750 mg/t β-glucan product) improved broiler immunity and gut microbiota. In conclusion, the addition of β-glucan to broiler feed enhanced the beneficial gut flora, particularly Lactobacilli and immune response, and may serve as an alternative to antibiotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a disruptive force with the potential to transform various industries, and the field of higher education is no exception. This critical review paper aims to examine the emerging role of AI in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) higher education. The article explores the impact of AI on teaching and learning methodologies, curriculum design, student engagement, assessment practices, and institutional strategies. The review also highlights the potential benefits and challenges associated with integrating AI into STEM education and identify key areas for future research and development. Overall, this article provides insights into how AI can revolutionize STEM higher education and offers recommendations for harnessing its full potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]