Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Presenting as Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: Experience from Bangladesh

Background: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the most common paediatric malignancy, is a heterogeneous hematologic disease. ALL patients may present with isolated and persistent osteo-articular complaints, lower incidence of hepatomegaly, splenomegaly or lymphadenopathy without clear laboratory features, and misdiagnosed as systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA). Methods: This was a single center cross sectional study over a period of 4 years. Clinic laboratory profiles of 39 ALL children were compared with 39 age and sex-matched sJIA cases. Result: Among 39 ALL patients 89.7% were initially misdiagnosed as sJIA upon clinical presentation. Majority (66.7%) of ALL patients had oligo-articular joint involvement. In sJIA, small joints of the hands were most commonly involved. The total WBC count was significantly higher in ALL patients (p-value 0.0065). CRP and LDH values between the two groups showed significant differences (p-value 0.00006 and 0.00001 respectively). Conclusion: The presentation of leukemia with arthralgia or arthritis makes the diagnosis difficult for the physicians. The diagnosis of sJIA must be made with caution keeping the possibility of haematological malignancy in mind.

Galerkin-Bernstein Approximations for the System of Third-Order Nonlinear Boundary Value Problems

This paper is devoted to find the numerical solutions of one dimensional general nonlinear system of third-order boundary value problems (BVPs) for the pair of functions using Galerkin weighted residual method. We derive mathematical formulations in matrix form, in detail, by exploiting Bernstein polynomials as basis functions. A reasonable accuracy is found when the proposed method is used on few examples. At the end of the study, a comparison is made between the approximate and exact solutions, and also with the solutions of the existing methods. Our results converge monotonically to the exact solutions. In addition, we show that the derived formulations may be applicable by reducing higher order complicated BVP into a lower order system of BVPs, and the performance of the numerical solutions is satisfactory. .

Legendre-Weighted Residual Methods for System of Fractional Order Differential Equations

The numerical approach for finding the solution of fractional order systems of boundary value problems (BPVs) is derived in this paper. The implementation of the weighted residuals such as Galerkin, Least Square, and Collocation methods are included for solving fractional order differential equations, which is broadened to acquire the approximate solutions of fractional order systems with differentiable polynomials, namely Legendre polynomials, as basis functions. The algorithm of the residual formulations of matrix form can be coded efficiently. The interpretation of Caputo fractional derivatives is employed here. We have demonstrated these methods numerically through a few examples of linear and nonlinear BVPs. The results in absolute errors show that the present method efficiently finds the numerical solutions of fractional order systems of differential equations.

Biological Evaluation of New Schiff Bases: Synthesized from 4-Amino-3,5-dimethyl-1,2,4-triazole, Phenathroline and Bipyridine Dicarboxaldehydes

Four new Schiff bases with promising anticancer activity have been synthesized from 4-amino-3,5-dimethyl-1,2,4-triazole and di-pyridyl-aldehydes. Structures have been established by various spectroscopic methods. The compounds were tested in vitro to study their cytotoxicity and anti-oxidative activity in human lung carcinoma (A549), breast carcinoma (BT549), prostate adenocarcinoma (PC3) and mouse preadipocytes (3T3-L1) cells. Compound 1 was found to increase Glutathione (GSH) level slightly in all four cell lines. Compound 4 showed better selectivity and cytotoxicity against both BT549 and A549 cells compared to the anticancer drug tamoxifen. With the exception of compound 4 which reduced GSH levels in A549 and BT549, all other compounds maintained GSH levels in comparison to their respective controls.

Effect of Salinity Stress on Growth and Yield of Forage Genotypes

Salinity is the major limiting factor for forage productivity in southwestern coastal region of Bangladesh. Some introduced forage cultivars have been shown promising adaptability in saline conditions. The objective of this study was to assess the productivity and measure the agronomic characteristics of several introduced grass species with different created soil salinity levels. This study was conducted at the net house of Dr. Purnendu Gain Field Laboratory, Agrotechnology Discipline, and Khulna University during the period from December 2017 to February 2018. The experiment was laid out in a factorial randomized complete block design with seven replications. The experiment consisted of two factor viz. soil salinity levels (S1 = 0.48, S2 = 5.8, S3 = 7.9, S4 = 9.4, S5 = 15 d·Sm−1) and thirteen forage genotypes. Salinity levels and forage genotypes significantly (p < 0.05) influence all the growth parameters and biomass yield. The growth parameters and yield gradually decreased with the advance of soil salinity level. The tallest plant height (109.85 cm) was found in S1 at 90 DAS while the shortest plant (24.53 cm) was obtained in S5 at 90 DAS. Soil salinity had a significant difference (p < 0.001) on plant height at 90 DAS. The highest numbers of tillers (3.36) were found in S1, whereas the lowest (0.48) was in S5 at 75 DAS. Soil salinity had a significant difference (p < 0.001) on Number of tillers at 75 DAS. The highest biomass wt. (29.14 g) was found in S1, while the lowest biomass wt. (3.52 g) was obtained in S5 at 60 DAS. Soil salinity had a significant difference (p < 0.001) on biomass wt. at 60 DAS. The highest dry matter% (DM%) (21.24%) was found in S4, while the lowest DM (18.74%) was obtained in S1 at 60 DAS. Soil salinity had a significant difference (p < 0.001) on dry matter% (DM%) wt. at 90 DAS. The tallest plant height (81.93 cm) was found in Pakchong, while the shortest plant (20.13 cm) was obtained in Endropogan at 60DAS. Soil salinity had a significant difference (p < 0.001) on plant height at 60 DAS. The highest numbers of tillers (3.07) were also found in Napier-3, whereas the lowest (0.80) was in H. Jaumbo at 75 DAS (S1 + S2 + S3 + S4 + S5). Soil salinity had a significant difference (p < 0.001) on Number of tillers at 75 DAS. The highest biomass wt. (38.60 g) was found in Pakchong, while the lowest biomass wt. (4.49 g) was obtained in Oats at 60 DAS. Soil salinity had a significant difference (p < 0.001) on biomass wt. at 60 DAS (S1 + S2 + S3 + S4 + S5). The highest (DM%) was found in Endropogan (24.68%), while the lowest DM (18.37%) was obtained Spelindida. Soil salinity had a significant difference (p < 0.001) on DM at 90 DAS. It can be concluded that Pakchong appears to be highly salt tolerant.

Some Novel Schiff Bases from Pyruvic Acid with Amines Containing N &S Donor Atoms: Synthesis, Spectral Studies and X-Ray Crystal Structures

Four Schiff bases, from pyruvic acid (1) with amines containing N and S donor atoms, thiocarbohydrazide (2, 61%), 2-methyl-3-thiosemicarbazide (3, 26%), S-benzyldithiocarbazate (4, 51%) and S-n-octyldithiocarbazate (5, 63%) have been successfully synthesized. The conventional method was used and a series of novel linear and cyclic Schiff bases were obtained with or without catalyst. All the Schiff bases were fully characterized by CHN elemental analysis, FT-IR, 1H & 13C NMR, EI-MS and two of the Schiff bases were further characterized by X-ray crystallographic structure analysis. Compound 2 crystallizes in the triclinic space group P-1 and unit cell dimensions are: a = 4.1777(8), b = 5.9538(11), c = 13.458(3) &ARING;, α = 92.759(6), β = 90.813(6), γ = 100.040(6)°, R1 = 0.0439. Compound 3 crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group P n a 2(1) and unit cell dimensions are: a = 5.5992(2), b = 11.3962(5), c = 10.6473(5), α = 92.759(6), β = 90.813(6), γ = 100.040(6)°, R1 = 0.0285. Compounds 2 and 3 were obtained as cyclic Schiff bases which are triazine derivatives.

Numerical Solutions of a Class of Second Order Boundary Value Problems on Using Bernoulli Polynomials

The aim of this paper is to find the numerical solutions of the second order linear and nonlinear differential equations with Dirichlet, Neumann and Robin boundary conditions. We use the Bernoulli polynomials as linear combination to the approximate solutions of 2nd order boundary value problems. Here the Bernoulli polynomials over the interval [0,1] are chosen as trial functions so that care has been taken to satisfy the corresponding homogeneous form of the Dirichlet boundary conditions in the Galerkin weighted residual method. In addition to that the given differential equation over arbitrary finite domain [a,b] and the boundary conditions are converted into its equivalent form over the interval [0,1]. All the formulas are verified by considering numerical examples. The approximate solutions are compared with the exact solutions, and also with the solutions of the existing methods. A reliable good accuracy is obtained in all cases.

Performance Analysis of Optical Wireless Communication System Employing Neuro-Fuzzy Based Spot-Diffusing Techniques

The spot-diffusing technique provides better performance compared to conventional diffuse system for indoor optical-wireless communication (OWC) system. In this paper, the performance of an OW spot-diffusing communication system using Neuro-Fuzzy (NF) adaptive multi-beam transmitter configuration has been proposed. The multi-beam transmitter generates multiple spots pointed in different directions, hence, forming a matrix of diffusing spots based on position of the receiver and receiver mobility. Regardless of the position of the transmitter and receiver, NF controller target the spots adaptively at the best locations and allocates optimal power to the spots and beam angle are adapted in order to achieve better signal-to-noise plus interference ratio (SNIR). Maximum ratio combining (MRC) is used in the imaging receiver. The proposed OW spot-diffusing communication system is compared with other spot-beam diffusion methods proposed in literature. Performance evaluation revels that the proposed NF based OW spot-diffusing communication system outperforms other spot-beam diffusion methods.

Parameter Sensitivity and Qualitative Analysis of Dynamics of Ovarian Tumor Growth Model with Treatment Strategy

In this paper, we are interested to find the most sensitive parameter, local and global stability of ovarian tumor growth model. For sensitivity analysis, we use Latin Hypercube Sampling (LHS) method to generate sample points and Partial Rank Correlation Coefficient (PRCC) method, uses those sample points to find out which parameters are important for the model. Based on our findings, we suggest some treatment strategies. We investigate the sensitivity of the parameters for tumor volume, y, cell nutrient density, Q and maximum tumor size, ymax. We also use Scatter Plot method using LHS samples to show the consistency of the results obtained by using PRCC. Moreover, we discuss the qualitative analysis of ovarian tumor growth model investigating the local and global stability.

Comparison of Classical Method, Extension Principle and α-Cuts and Interval Arithmetic Method in Solving System of Fuzzy Linear Equations

The system of linear equations plays a vital role in real life problems such as optimization, economics, and engineering. The parameters of the system of linear equations are modeled by taking the experimental or observation data. So the parameters of the system actually contain uncertainty rather than the crisp one. The uncertainties may be considered in term of interval or fuzzy numbers. In this paper, a detailed study of three solution techniques namely Classical Method, Extension Principle method and α-cuts and interval Arithmetic Method to solve the system of fuzzy linear equations has been done. Appropriate applications are given to illustrate each technique. Then we discuss the comparison of the different methods numerically and graphically.

Anterior Chamber Depth Changes in Narrow Iridocorneal Angles after Phacoemulsification

Background: The burden of cataract and glaucoma has been increasing. Primary angle closure occurs as a result of crowded anterior segment anatomy causing appositional contact between peripheral iris and trabecular meshwork. Lens extraction has been proposed as a method of deepening anterior chamber and managing intraocular pressure. Purpose: To assess changes in anterior chamber depth after phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation in narrow angle eyes. Design: Prospective controlled trial (before-after) study. Method: The study was conducted from March 2015 to August 2017 among the patients of department of Ophthalmology of BSMMU who were diagnosed as cataract with narrow angles. Anterior chamber angle grading of 2 or less (Shaffer grading) in 3 or more quadrants was considered narrow angle (NA). The purposive type sampling technique was applied to collect sample from the study population, as per inclusion and exclusion criteria. Complete clinical evaluation including history, physical examination, relevant ocular examinations and systemic examinations were performed. In this prospective study, subjects underwent phacoemulsification with foldable lens implantation. A scan ultrasonography was performed preoperatively and 10th and 30th postoperative days of surgery. Results: Thirty eyes of 29 patients included in the study, male: female ratio was 1:1, with an overall mean age of 62.03 ± 8.95 years. The mean preoperative central ACD was 2.95 ± 0.35 mm. At 10th and 30th POD mean central ACD were 3.94 ± 0.32, and 3.92 ± 0.28 mm respectively. Mean of increase in central ACD at final follow-up was 0.96 mm (p Conclusion: Phacoemulsification with posterior chamber in bag lens implantation can deepen the anterior chamber depth in patients with narrow angles. Based on these findings, it is concluded that phacoemulsification with foldable intraocular lens implantation is an effective tool in deepening the anterior chamber.