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Staurogyne argentea Wall. (Family: Acanthaceae) is an important medicinal plant that has many traditional uses in tribal areas of Bangladesh. The current study emphasizes the pharmacological investigations of n-hexane, chloroform and aqueous soluble fractions of ethanol extract of leaves of S. argentea to justify the traditional uses of this plant species in Bangladesh. In vitro anti-inflammatory activity of S. argentea was confirmed by inhibition of egg albumin denaturation and erythrocyte membrane stabilizing methods. In both experiments, the aqueous fraction at concentration of 160 μg/ml exhibited significant inhibition of egg albumin denaturation by 76.91% with IC50 value of 24.22 μg/ml compared to standard Diclofenac-Na. In membrane stabilization assay, the aqueous fraction showed prominent anti-inflammatory activity by protecting the human erythrocyte membrane against hypotonic solution induced lysis. In addition, among all the aqueous fraction at 100 μg/ml also showed maximum antioxidant potential via the inhibition of DPPH scavenging by 75.05% (IC50= 42.92 μg/ml). The test materials were subjected to evaluate for the anti-diabetic activity by both in vitro starch iodine method as well as by oral glucose tolerance test in Swiss albino mice. In both experiments, the aqueous fraction showed maximum blood glucose lowering activity which is comparable to standard glibenclamide. The chloroform fraction (Conc. 500 mg/kg bw) exhibited moderate inhibition of both acetic acid-induced writhing reflex and yeast-induced pyrexia in mice. During sedative activity screening, different solvent fractions produced mild to moderate activity in comparison with standard diazepam. These findings revealed that S. argentea is a valuable source of bioactive compounds with diverge pharmacological actions, which validates its use in Bangladesh folk medicinal practices. Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Journal 26(1): 89-98, 2023 (January)

1. Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that involves multiple organ systems. Lipid profile is a panel of blood test that serves as an initial broad medical screening tool for abnormalities in lipid such as cholesterol and triacylglycerol. The result of this test can identify certain genetic diseases and can determine approximate risk for cardiovascular diseases, cerebrovascular diseases and certain form of pancreatitis and other diseases. Premature cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of morbidity in lupus which may be directly associated with altered lipid metabolism in systemic lupus erythematosus patient. Objective: To find out the relation of serum lipid profile with systemic lupus erythematosus patients. Methodology: This cross sectional study was conducted in the Department of Biochemistry, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka from January 2017 to December 2017. In this study, fifty diagnosed patients of SLE (Group A) and fifty apparently healthy individuals (Group B) of both sexes were selected according to the selection criteria from Department of Medicine, Dhaka medical college hospital, Dhaka (Group A) and by personal contact (Group B). Baseline parameters (body mass index, blood pressure and fasting plasma glucose) of both groups were measured. Serum lipid profile was estimated by enzyme immune assay, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and high density cholesterol (HDL-c) was estimated by enzymatic method. Results: Among the parameters of lipid profile serum TC, TG and LDL-C were significantly higher (p

The concept of death rate is very momentous for development planning in a country. Bangladesh has largely extended its demographic transition from Death Rate (DR). Death Rate observes the economic growth and the standard of living in a country and sometimes controls the country classification defined by the World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP). This paper looks into numerous social and economic factors responsible for determining the DR in Bangladesh and builds a prediction model that discloses many unexplored and useful observations. The World Bank data repository, based on the World Development Indicator (WDI) – 2015, has been inquired for the investigation and model building process. Primarily, a multiple stepwise linear regression-based method has been applied to build various models, and their performances are measured using MAE, RMSE, and RAE under the shed of k-fold cross-validation. Experimental results show that the final identified model forecasts the DR convincingly.

Bangladesh hosts most of what is left of Indian Skimmer ( Rhynchops albicollis) populations, a globally endangered species. Each October-March from 2015-2020, 21 surveys of nonbreeding birds were made in Nijhum Dweep National Park, Bangladesh. High tide or evening roosts were counted from vantage points whenever a buildup or breakdown of skimmer concentrations was noticed, and site use noted by marking all observations of presence and activity on maps. The largest single count was 3,108 skimmers on 18 February 2020, constituting 30-50% of the known global population. Indian Skimmers mostly occurred in Damar Char West and at the tip of the Majher Char. Throughout the day with incoming tide, skimmers moved between preferred roosting areas to forage in the shallows. We describe a unique group-foraging strategy in which skimmers chase fish from deep water to shallow water along the shoreline. Circling high over the tidal channel, the flock of skimmers dives down in unison to just above the water surface, then spreading like a net towards the shore. Raptors caused disturbances to roosting skimmers, and we observed one instance ofpredation of a skimmer by a White-bellied Sea Eagle ( Haliaeetus leucogaster). Human fishing activities disturbed nearshore foraging and shoreline roosting skimmers. We suggest protecting Damar Char West by regulating human activities to minimize disturbance from December to March.

Recently, there has been growing interest in exosomal biomarkers for their active targeting and specificity for delivering their cargos (proteins, lipids, nucleic acids) from the parent cell to the recipient cell. Currently, the clinical diagnosis of Parkinson's disease (PD) is mainly based on a clinician's neuropsychological examination and motor symptoms (e.g., bradykinesia, rigidity, postural instability, and resting tremor). However, this diagnosis method is not accurate due to overlapping criteria of other neurodegenerative diseases. Exosomes are differentially expressed in PD and a combination of types and contents of exosomes might be used as a biomarker in PD. Here, we systematically reviewed and meta-analyzed exosomal contents, types and sources of exosomes, method of isolation, and protein quantification tools to determine the optimum exosome-related attributes for PD diagnosis. Pubmed, Embase, and ISI Web of Science were searched for relevant studies. 25 studies were included in the meta-analysis. The Ratio of Mean (RoM) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) was calculated to estimate the effect size. Biomarker performances were rated by random-effects meta-analysis with the Restricted Maximum Likelihood (REML) method. The study protocol is available at PROSPERO (CRD42022331885). Exosomal α-synuclein (α-Syn) was significantly altered in PD patients from healthy controls [RoM = 1.67, 95% CI (0.99 to 2.35); p = 0.00] followed by tau [RoM = 1.33, 95% CI (0.79 to 1.87); p = 0.00], PS-129 [RoM = 0.97, 95% CI (0.54 to 1.40); p = 0.00], and DJ-1/PARK7 [RoM = 0.93, 95% CI (0.64 to 1.21); p = 0.00]. Central nervous system derived L1CAM exosome [RoM = 1.24, 95% CI (1.04 to 1.45); p = 0.00] from either plasma [RoM = 1.35, 95% CI (1.09 to 1.61); p = 0.00]; or serum [RoM = 1.47, 95% CI (1.05 to 1.90); p = 0.00] has been found the optimum type of exosome. The exosome isolation by ExoQuick [RoM = 1.16, 95% CI (0.89 to 1.43); p = 0.00] and protein quantification method by ELISA [RoM = 1.28, 95% CI (1.15 to 1.41); p = 0.00] has been found the optimum isolation and quantification method, respectively for PD diagnosis. This meta-analysis suggests that α-Syn in L1CAM exosome derived from blood, isolated by ExoQuick kit, and quantified by ELISA can be used for PD diagnosis.

Nanotechnology and nanomaterials engineering have played a crucial role in the recent development of energy conversion and storage systems. Huge efforts have been made for advancing energy storage technologies particularly battery technologies including lithium-ion, sodium-ion, potassium-ion, and lithium–sulfur batteries. As electrodes (anodes and cathodes) are the key components of these rechargeable batteries, any improvement in electrode materials can effectively enhance the performance of these devices. The combination of nanotechnology and nanomaterials engineering has been proven to meet this challenge through the discovery or development of new materials chemistry, especially frontier materials at the nanoscale. In this review article, we briefly summarize our battery research based on the application of a wide range of nanomaterials over the last decade. The major goal of this review is to highlight various strategies to tackle problems associated with electrode materials and to discuss different approaches for the synthesis of nanomaterials with improved electrochemical performance. To achieve high performance rechargeable batteries, various design and synthesis strategies as well as new material properties are discussed. A number of future research directions are also suggested in this review article.

The Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa is a globally Near Threatened species but a common winter visitor to Bangladesh. Although the total wintering population size and trend are unknown, we suspect it is declining due to habitat degradation. Nijhum Dweep National Park is one of the most important sites for Black-tailed Godwits in Bangladesh. Here we report on the site use of Black-tailed Godwits in this national park and adjacent Char Birbira. From October to March 2016–2017 to 2019–2020, we performed 17 winter counts. High-tide roosts were counted from vantage points in these tidal areas, whereas foraging activities were observed from boats during low tide. Black-tailed Godwits were always present, with counts ranging from 735 in January 2020 to 8,269 in December 2017 with a mean of 3,304. The uncertainty of these counts and population estimates for this area in general suggest that better assessment methods, such as simultaneous high-tide counts undertaken at the same time each year, are needed. Our study area met the Ramsar 1% threshold population criterion for the species for 13 of the 17 counts, demonstrating the international importance of this area for Black-tailed Godwits. A local decline of >80% from 9,000 to 1,707 birds over the last decade was apparent on Damar Char West. Over the decades, the landscape of Damar Char has changed, with increased numbers of households, more land converted to agricultural fields, and increased fishing effort. These changes call for better assessments of bird movements and disturbance and more effective conservation actions to help birds and people coexist. We suggest that there should be a monitoring and protection scheme in the Nijhum Dweep management plan that focuses on waterbirds, and restricts and regulates access to Damar Char West, East and Char Birbira. An urgent attempt to create awareness among the main stakeholders, fishers and crab hunters, to provide context and engage them in conservation action, should be a priority.

Objective: Lockdown and other measures, including the closure of universities, introduced by Governments across countries in response to the COVID-19 pandemic have appreciably impacted on the education of dental and medical students across countries. Key challenges included the need to rapidly move to e-learning as well as instigate new approaches to practicals for health science students. This involves lecturers and students necessarily needing to rapidly adapt to e-learning and other approaches. There have also been affordability issues among students to regularly access the Internet, and purchase the necessary equipment, particularly among those from low- and middle-income countries such as Bangladesh. Consequently, there is an urgent need to assess current challenges among senior level physicians and educators in Bangladesh regarding the education of dental and medical students arising from the current pandemic, and how these are being addressed, to provide future direction. This is particularly important in Bangladesh with high rates of both infectious and non-infectious diseases. Materials and Methods: Pragmatic investigation involving a purposely developed questionnaire based on previous studies and the experience of the co-authors. The questionnaire was distributed to 15 senior-level educators with the findings analysed by themes. Results: Key issues included little experience with e-learning at the start of the pandemic among both staff and students, poor internet access and cost of internet bundles. In addition, fear and anxieties among both students and staff. The colleges responded by instigating teaching classes for educators on e-learning and providing adequate personal protective equipment for staff and students during teaching and practical sessions. These formed the basis of future recommendations. Other recommendations included increased flexibility among staff and students. Conclusion: The pandemic posed appreciable challenges to both staff and students attending dental and medical colleges in Bangladesh. Some of the key issues are starting to be addressed. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol. 21 No. 02 April’22 Page : 444-454

Sixteen channel wavelength-division-multiplexed passive optical network (WDM-PON) based on one Mach-Zehnder modulator and carrier suppressed return to zero differential quadrature phase-shift keying (CSRZ-DQPSK) transmitter is designed and evaluated for various bit rates (20 Gbps to 80 Gbps). The effect of changes in transmission distance with increased bit rate is also discussed and hence quality factors and bit error rates are analyzed to evaluate their performances. The relation between transmission distance, quality factor (Q factor) and bit error rate (BER) have been focused to determine optimized result.

Diabetes is currently a growing concern of the age. Prevention and treatment of diabetes is a global health priority. Adiponectin is an adipocyte derived protein hormone that enhances insulin sensitivity and ameliorates diabetes by enhancing fatty acid oxidation and glucose uptake in skeletal muscle and reducing glucose production in the liver. Low serum adiponectin concentrations are associated with diabetes, central obesity, insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. Adiponectin gene is located on chromosome 3q27, where a locus of susceptibility to diabetes was mapped. Several cross-sectional studies showed that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in adiponectin gene (ADIPOQ) were associated with diabetes. SNPs in ADIPOQ help in assessing the association of common variants with levels of adiponectin and the risk of diabetes. Two common SNPs, rs2241766 and rs1501299, have been linked significantly to type 1 diabetes mellitus which endow the world with a block of haplotypes. Experimental evidences also suggest that rs1501299, rs2241766, rs266729, rs17366743, rs17300539, rs182052, rs822396, rs17846866, rs3774261 and rs822393 are significantly associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus which is the predominant form of the disease. In addition, rs2241766 and rs266729 are extensively associated with gestational diabetes, a condition that develops in women during pregnancy. Therefore not a particular single mutation but a number of SNPs in adiponectin gene could be a risk factor for developing diabetes among the individuals worldwide. This study firmly suggests that adiponectin plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes mellitus., Adiponectin, ADIPOQ gene, Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP).

Safety of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) is a current serious and challenging issue threating large-scale energy storage application as well as every day usage of mobile devices. Initial overheating of the cell is one of the factors responsible for the failure of LIB safety, which is caused by short circuit under high temperature and high current environment. As separator is the main component to prevent short circuit, thermal stability of the separator is crucial in this regard. In this study, boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) are synthesized and used for the first time as a new type of high performance inorganic nanomaterials to prevent short-circuit. We provide a new configuration strategy for the modification of conventional polyolefin separator by simply incorporation of appropriately engineered long and fine BNNTs without blocking the porous channels of the conventional separator for Li+ ion diffusion. This new BNNT separator exhibits improved thermal stability up to 150 °C, ensuring the safe operation of LIB cells at elevated temperatures. The high rate capability of the cell with BNNT separator is also improved dramatically due to absorb extra heat and spread it through BNNTs during the cycling process. The BNNTs demonstrate an exciting new nanomaterials in improving thermal stability of the polyolefin separator by protecting thermal shrinkage at high temperature and high current operation, which eventually prevent battery short-circuit.

Antimony-carbon nanocomposites are known anode materials for lithium- and sodium-ion batteries that can display an attractively stable cyclic behaviour in half-cells. They can also be used for potassium-ion batteries but a similar stability is not achieved, and electrode failure (abrupt capacity decay) is noted. Here, we probe the failure mechanism in potassium cells using samples with varied Sb particle sizes and weight fractions. A smaller particle size and extra carbon result in a failure in a later cycle. Mechanical degradation is the main reason for capacity drop; the phenomena associated with unstable solid electrolyte interphase are less critical. A number of strategies (an electrolyte additive, the type of a binder and adding an extra alloying element to composites) are explored. The choice of a binder affects the nature of decay and may lead to longer cycling. The inclusion of phosphorus in the nanocomposite coupled with an alternative binder appears to be more effective in improving the cyclic stability; a capacity of above 400 mAh g−1 is achieved in the first 50 cycles. The results demonstrate that the stability of alloying-dealloying anode materials in potassium-ion batteries can be influenced by optimising the composition of these materials and altering a binder.

The present study was designed to evaluate the preliminary phytochemical profiles and pharmmacological activities of different extractives (methanol and chloroform) of the leaves and stems of Gynura procumbens (Lour.) Merr. Preliminary phytochemical screenings demonstrated the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, steroids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, gums and amides and reducing sugar in leaves and stems. Significant α-amylase inhibitory activities were found by the methanol (66.67%) and chloroform (70.63%) extracts of leaves of G. procumbens as compared to the standard drug acarbose (95.45%) at a concentration of 400 μg/ml. In the castor oil-induced diarrhea, the maximum inhibition of defecation was found by the chloroform fraction. During the anxiolytic activity test which was performed by open field and hole cross method, different extractives of leaves and stems of G. procumbens (500 mg/kg bw) reduced the total count of square crossed and hole crossed to a considerable extent in comparison to the control groups. In antipyretic assay, both extracts reduced the temperature to a significant extent in comparison to the standard group. Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Journal 22(1): 79-84, 2019

Despite being an Ecologically Critical Area (ECA) and a key attraction place for its uniqueness and unique bird fauna to the bird watchers and researchers, a method-based, scientific checklist on the avifauna of the Saint Martin’s Island is still lacking. This study was attempted to fill in this gap and produced an annotated bird checklist for the St. Martin’s island. A total of 112 species of birds belonging to 36 families under 15 orders was listed. Of these, 37 (33%) species were passerine and 75 (67%) species were nonpasserine. Eleven (9.82%) species were found to be very common, 12 (10.72%) species common, nine (8.04%) species uncommon and 80 (71.43%) species rare. Asiat. Soc. Bangladesh, Sci. 44(2): 149-158, December 2018

In this paper, performance of 32 channel wavelength-division-multiplexed passive optical network having 60 Gbps bit rate is discussed and optimized by focusing bit error rate and optical signal to noise ratio. This Mono stage hybrid Mach-Zehnder modulation based scheme is evaluated for the highest 120 km covering distance with enhanced performance.

GDP per capita is a key indicator for every country to measure the economic growth and standard of living. Recently, Bangladesh has gained a prospective rise in GDP per capita and it is, therefore, worth identifying influential factors associated with such an increase. This paper investigates various factors to find their significance towards this GDP growth and builds a prediction model to forecast the future. The significance analyses and model building processes are conducted on the World Bank data repository, based on the World Development Indicator (WDI)-2019. In this paper, we use multiple stepwise linear regression processes to build various models at first attempt, and their performances are measured using Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) and Relative Absolute Error (RAE) under the shed of k-fold cross-validation technique. Later, we compare these results with other popular classifying techniques such as Gaussian Process, Decision Table, Random Tree, Multilayer Perceptron and Random Forest. Finally, the regression-based model yields significant performance with greater accuracy in forecasting the GDP per capita of Bangladesh and provides insight into the determinants for the potential increase.

Bangladesh has largely extended its demographic transition from high Birth Rate. Birth Rate (BR) observes the economic growth and the standard of living in a country and sometimes controls the country classification defined by the World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP). Despite the BR is greatly motivated by the women’s fertility rate found in various studies, some other influential factors may have effects which requires close examination. This paper investigates numerous social and economic factors responsible for determining the BR in Bangladesh and builds a prediction model that announces many unexplored and useful observations. The World Bank data repository, based on the World Development Indicator (WDI) - 2015, has been examined for the investigation and model building process. Primarily, a multiple stepwise linear regression-based method has been used to build various models, and their performances are measured using MAE, RMSE, and RAE under the shed of k-fold cross-validation. Experimental results show that the final identified model forecasts the BR convincingly. Due to the absence of such a typical model for comparison, we compare the regression-based model with other models evaluated by popular methods such as Gaussian Process, Decision Table, Random Forest, Random Tree, Multilayer Perceptron and SMOreg, and found the linear regression performs considerably better with greater accuracy.

Carbon dioxide is immensely increasing in Bangladesh between the last few decades. The use of fossil fuel is one of the reasons for carbon dioxide emission which is rapidly increasing because of the industrial revolution. The burning of fossil fuels, manufacturing of cement, and the burning of solid, liquid, gas fuels and gas flaring are often responsible for Carbon dioxide emissions. In this paper, we established an emerging model that helps to predict the amount of carbon dioxide emission in upcoming years where the model variables are the reasons to create such emissions. The experiment has been conducted on a data repository named WDI-2015 consisting of the development indicators of Bangladesh produced by the World Bank. At first, we separated the vital indicators from the data source and used multiple stepwise linear regressions to build many regression models. Later, the best model was chosen and evaluated using the acceptable standards of Mean Absolute Error, Relative Absolute Error, and Root Mean Square Error under the capability of k-fold cross-validation. Further, we proved the model significance and performance by comparing it with other classifying methods like Gaussian Process, Decision Table, and Random Forests.

Transmucosal buccal drug delivery system is considered as a future drug delivery technology, always assist to enhance patient compliance mainly for paediatric and geriatric community. The studies aim to develop buccal delivery for delivering a hydrophilic drug, flucloxacillin sodium, across the mucosal route. The buccal films are comprised of a bio-adhesive polymer, plasticizer and drug. Optimised films were characterised by measurement of weight, length and width, hardness, thickness, surface pH, moisture content and uptake, swelling study, folding resilience, hydration and entrapment efficiency. Drug release studies were performed for different polymer-plasticizer-drug ratios. Concentration of polymer and plasticizer were influenced on the development, evaluation and release rate of flucloxacillin sodium from the buccal films. In conclusion, these studies reveal that buccal delivery of flucloxacillin sodium can be an alternative route in comparison to conventional route for patient compliance.IIUC Studies Vol.14(1) June 2017: 09-20

To examine polyamines (PAs) effect in modulating the drought induced by polyethylene glycol (PEG) in maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings (variety Khoibhutta, 8 day seedlings grown in petri dish in incubator) were subjected to 20% PEG (polyethylene glycol) followed by 20 µmol PAs, Putrescine (Put), Spermidine (Spd) and Spermine (Spm) with PEG solution for 48 hours. Sharp decrease in Relative Water Content (RWC), Chl a, Chl b, carotenoid (Car) and total pigment content was observed under drought compared to control condition, while PAs application reversed their decreasing trends. PEG significantly increased Reactive Oxidative Species (ROS) [superoxide (O2•âˆ’) and H2O2], Methyl Glyoxal (MG), Melondialdehyde (MDA) and Lipoxigenase (LOX) activity, while Pas decreased the contents considerably (except MG) as compared to those under drought. Drought increased proline content, which was further augmented in PA treatments. PAs failed to incline glyoxalase‘s (Gly-I and Gly-II) activities, reduced under PEG. The activity and western blot confirmed the accumulation of Glutathione S-Transferase (GST) under drought, but PAs failed to augment the activity. Ascorbic Acid (AsA) and Glutathione (GSH) got oxidized into Dehydroascorbate (DHA) and oxidized Glutathione (GSSG) under drought but PAs effectively maintained homeostasis. Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Peroxidase (POD), Ascorbate Peroxidase (APX), Glutathione Peroxidase (GPX), Monodehydroascorbatereductase (MDHAR), Dehydroascorbatereductase (DHAR), and Glutathione Reductase (GR) inclined in drought stressed seedlings, while Catalase (CAT) activity decreased under drought. PAs addition increased SOD, POD, GPX, CAT, MDHAR, and GR activities, but declined DHAR activity. These findings suggested important role of PAs in increasing tolerance under short term drought by modulating antioxidant effect.

Nanocomposites of carbon and molybdenum disulfide have attracted much attention due to their significant potential in energy conversion and storage applications. However, the preparation of these 0-D MoS2/carbon composites with controllable structures and desirable properties remains a major manufacturing challenge, particularly at low cost suitable for scaling-up. Here, we report a facile solution-based method to prepare porous hierarchical 0-D MoS2/carbon nanocomposites with vertical MoS2 growth on a hollow carbon support, suitable for the electrochemical storage of lithium and sodium ions. The vertically aligned MoS2/hollow carbon material shows excellent performance in the storage of a series of alkali-metal ions (e.g. Li+, Na+, and K+) with high capacity, excellent rate capacity, and stable cyclability. When used for the storage of Li+ ions, it possesses a high capacity of over 800 mA h g−1 at a rate of 100 mA g−1, with a negligibly small capacity decay as low as 0.019% per cycle. At a substantially higher rate of 5 A g−1, this MoS2/carbon nanocomposite still delivers a capacity of over 540 mA h g−1, showing its excellent performance at high rates. Remarkably, this material uniquely delivers high capacities of over 450 mA h g−1 and 300 mA h g−1 for Na+ and K+ ion storage, respectively, which are among the highest values reported to date in the literature. These excellent characteristics confirm the hollow MoS2/carbon nanocomposites to be a primary contender for next generation secondary batteries.