ZnO Incorporated Acrylamide Grafted Chitosan Based Composite Film for Advanced Wound Healing Applications

This study was carried out to prepare ZnO nanoparticles incorporated acrylamide grafted chitosan composite film for possible biomedical application especially drug loading in wound healing. ZnO nanoparticles were prepared by co-precipitation method from zinc acetate di-hydrate and incorporated in acrylamide grafted chitosan. FT-IR and TGA of the prepared composite film confirmed the successful incorporation of ZnO nanoparticles in the acrylamide-grafted polymer matrix. SEM images showed that the ZnO nanoparticles were homogeneously distributed on the porous matrix of the composite film. Water uptake and buffer uptake analysis revealed that the composite film could hold water and buffer sufficiently, which facilitated the absorption of exudate from the wound site. Amoxicillin was loaded in the prepared composite film and the maximum loading efficiency was found to be 67.33% with drug concentration of 300 ppm. In vitro studies showed greater antimicrobial activity of drug-loaded composite film compared to both pure film and standard antibiotic disc. Finally, the In vivo mouse model showed maximum healing efficiency compared to conventional gauge bandages because the loading of antibiotic in the film produced a synergistic effect and healing time was reduced.

Detection of Pathogenic Microorganisms from Burn Patients Admitted in Tertiary Medical College Hospital and Their Antimicrobial Patterns

Object: To isolate and identify the microorganisms from the burn patients admitted to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery Unit in Tertiary Medical College Hospital, Bangladesh. A total number of fifty wound surface swab samples of first and second-degree burn patients were collected and the microbial analysis as well as the study of antibacterial susceptibility was conducted. The study showed the bacterial isolates were found. 45 (90%) of wound swab were positive among 50 and only 5 samples (10%) were negative in bacterial growth, which presented invasive burn wound infection from both sex age groups marked 12 - 60 years. The total viable count TVC-11651 CFU/plate was found and the highest amount in the second-degree burn patients. The results showed that Pseudomonas aeruginosa was common in all positive samples 6636 CFU/plate (57%) followed by Staphylococcus aureus 4070 CFU/plate (35%), Klebsiella spp. 450 CFU/plate (5%), Proteus spp. 243 CFU/plate (2%), and E. coli 162 CFU/plate (1%). Most of the pathogens were found to be drug-resistant while several isolates were noted to be multi-drug resistant. The growth of multidrug-resistant organisms should be considered as a serious risk factor in a burn unit. Aggressive infection control measures should be applied to limit the emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant pathogens.

High Resolution Computed Tomography Scan Findings of Chest among Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients at a Dedicated Hospital in Dhaka City during the First Wave of Pandemic

Background: The use of chest imaging in COVID-19 can be especially useful for patients with moderate to severe symptoms or comorbidities. Objective: This study aimed to demonstrate the high resolution computed tomography (CT) findings observed among the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients presented with pneumonia and to reveal the most frequent infiltration and distribution patterns of the disease. Methodology: This was a retrospective study. This study was performed in the Department of Radiology & Imaging at Kurmitola General Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh. This was the first dedicated COVID-19 hospital with a bed capacity of 500 and well-equipped ICU facilities. The recorded HRCT scan data were collected in the period from April 2020 up to May 2020 during the first wave of COVID-19 in Bangladesh. As this was a retrospective study, verbal or written consent was not obtained from all potential participants or guardians. The available demographic data as well as the medical history of all data were collected and thoroughly reviewed from the record book. These patients were RT-PCR confirmed cases of COVID-19 patients presented with pneumonia and were admitted to Kurmitola General Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh. All these patients underwent HRCT scans of the chest. Result: A total number of 155 COVID-19 patients with HRCT scan were evaluated. The mean age with SD of the study population was 58.03 ± 14.08 years with the range of 22 to 97 years. The male and female ratio was 2.04:1. Fibrosis of the lungs and thickening of pleura were found in 38 (24.5%) cases and 33 (21.3%) cases respectively. The involvement of both lungs was found in 32 (20.6%) cases. The presence of pneumonitis and bronchiectasis were detected in 77 (49.7%) cases and 5 (3.2%) cases respectively. Left-sided mild pleural effusion was also noted in 6 (3.9%) cases. Ground glass opacity was found in different forms. The most common form was the presence of only ground glass opacities which was 63 (40.6%) cases. Bilateral ground-glass opacities were detected in 63 (40.6%) cases. Conclusion: In conclusion, HRCT scan of the chest shows the bilateral ground-glass opacities and fibrosis of the lungs with pneumonitis in most of the COVID-19 hospital admitted patients.

Thyroid Disorders in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the common endocrinopathies of women in the reproductive age group. Thyroid hormones have various effects on the reproductive system of female. PCOS and thyroid dysfunction are linked to each other since several years. Objective: To evaluate and detect the thyroid dysfunction in patients with PCOS attending in a tertiary care hospital in Bangladesh. Methodology: This was a prospective cross sectional study conducted from November 2018 to October 2019 at Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh on one hundred and fifty (150) PCOS women of reproductive age (15 - 45 years). All data of the study subjects regarding socio-demographic, anthropometric and clinical manifestations were recorded accordingly. Their thyroid function tests (serum level of FT3, FT4, TSH) were done at the hospital laboratory and results were recorded. Result: Mean (±SD) age of the study subjects was 24.57 ± 4.27 years. The maximum numbers [108 (72.0%)] of PCOS women were between 18 - 25 years age group. Among total (150) study population, 51 (34.0%) were overweight, 36 (24.0%) were obese and 63 (42.0%) were within normal weight level. Hirsutism was found in 87 (58%) study subjects while 24 (16%) subjects had acne in their face, 54 (36%) subjects had oligomenorrhea and 45 (30%) subjects had irregular periods. Among 150 PCOS women, 120 (80%) were married and 30 (20%) were single;of them primary infertility was detected in 58 (48.33%) women followed by the normal fertility status [51 (42.5%)] and 11 (9.17%) had secondary infertility. Among total (150) study subjects, 105 (70%) were in euthyroid state, hypothyroidism was found in 33 (22.0%) subjects and hyperthyroidism was detected in 12 (8%) subjects. Conclusions: Present study demonstrated that, thyroid disorders are prevalent in 30.0% of PCOS patients. Hypothyroidism is almost three-fold more prevalent than hyperthyroidism.

Navigating the genomic instability mine field of osteosarcoma to better understand implications of non-coding RNAs

Osteosarcoma is one of the most genomically complex cancers and as result,it has been difficult to assign genomic aberrations that contribute to disease progression and patient outcome consistently across samples.One potential source for correlating osteosarcoma and genomic biomarkers is within the non-coding regions of RNA that are differentially expressed.However,it is unsurprising that a cancer classification that is fraught with genomic instability is likely to have numerous studies correlating non-coding RNA expression and function have been published on the subject.This review undertakes the formidable task of evaluating the published literature of noncoding RNAs in osteosarcoma.This is not the first review on this topic and will certainly not be the last.The review is organized with an introduction into osteosarcoma and the epigenetic control of gene expression before reviewing the molecular function and expression of long non-coding RNAs,circular RNAs,and short non-coding RNAs such as microRNAs,piwi RNAs,and short-interfering RNAs.The review concludes with a review of the literature and how the biology of non-coding RNAs can be used therapeutically to treat cancers,especially osteosarcoma.We conclude that non-coding RNA expression and function in osteosarcoma is equally complex to understanding the expression differences and function of coding RNA and proteins;however,with the added lens of both coding and non-coding genomic sequence,researchers can begin to identify the patterns that consistently associate with aggressive osteosarcoma.

An Evaluation on Antioxidant Activity, Total Phenolic and Total Flavaonoid Contents of Extracts from <i>Adina cordifolia</i>(Roxb.)

In this study, in vitro antioxidant activity, total phenolic content and concentration of flavonoids of four different extracts of Adina cordifolia (Roxb.) were determined using spectrophotometric methods. Antioxidant activity of extracts was expressed as percentage of DPPH radicals’ inhibition and IC50 values (μg/ml). IC50 values ranged from 20.39 to 38.96 μg/ml. The total phenolic content ranged from 17.48 to 20.83 mg/g of dry weight of extract, expressed as gallic acid equivalents. The total flavonoid concentrations varied from 17.49 to 22.48 mg/g, expressed as quercetin equivalents. The significant linear correlation was confirmed between the values for the total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of plant extracts. Adina cordifolia (Roxb.) can be regarded as promising candidates for natural plant sources of antioxidants with high value.

Prevalence, Identification and Antibiotic Susceptibility of <i>Enterococcus</i>Species Isolated from Chicken and Pigeon Meat in Gazipur Area of Bangladesh

Aims: The aims of this work undertaken to investigate and identify the prevalence of Enterococcus spp isolated from Chicken and pigeon meat and determine the using antibiotics sensitivity against isolates for human safety. This study was conducted in center of excellence lab in Microbiology Department of Primeasia University, Banani, Dhaka-1213, Bangladesh during August, 2017 to March, 2018. Methodology and Results: Twenty four samples were collected in pre-sterilized zip-lock bags from different Gazipur area in different local meat vendors. All samples were transported to the Microbiology Laboratory of Primeasia University and analyzed according to standard analysis methods. Total viable count (TVC) and Total Enterocooci count (TEC) were estimated by using plate count agar (PCA) and Bile Esculineagar plates respectively. Various Selective media and Biochemical tests were used for presumptive isolation and identification. Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method on Mueller Hinton agar media was used for the determination of sensitivity of the isolated strains to commonly prescribe antibiotics. A total of 24 meat samples were examined of which 92% were positive to Enterococcus spp whereas 62.5% were Chicken and 32.5% pigeon. The counts of enterococci range of 0 - 6.49 log CFU/gm in chicken and 4.4 - 6.4 log CFU/gm in pigeon. 22 isolates of enterococci, 77.27% were resistance to Azithromycin, 54.55% to Nalidixic acid and 50% to Sulfamethoxazole. We found high sensitivity of antimicrobial agent against to Imipenem (100%), Ciprofloxacin (81.81%) and (77.27%) both Tetracycline and Erythromycin. Conclusion: Significance and Impact of the study: The study result expressed that awareness of the meat pathogen and when consumption of meat was well cooked of our daily life.

Utility of convalescent plasma for addressing the COVID-19 infection: brief review and case reports

Novel coronavirus,SARS-CoV-2 is responsible for causing a pandemic that has affected individuals worldwide,over 192 million people and about 4.1 million people died so far.The spread is ongoing and the numbers are still increasing.Numerous therapeutic approaches have been explored and developed during this pandemic.Immunotherapy with virus-specific antibodies in convalescent plasma(CP)has shown potential benefits for various pathogenic diseases.In many instances,it is the only available and safe management option for the COVID-19 patients.Here we describe two confirmed cases of COVID-19 from two different geographical areas that were managed with standard treatment modalities initially.Both of the patients were presented with high-grade fever,dry cough,and sore throat.Lab reports showed increased values of D-dimer,serum ferritin,leukocyte count(LC),Lactate dehydrogenase(LDH),and C-reactive protein(CRP).Chest X-ray showed bilateral infiltration(multifocal and bilateral ground-glass opacities and consolidations with peripheral and basal predominance),consistent with the previous reports on COVID-19 infection.The patients received conservative treatment according to the hospital's protocol.The convalescent plasma(from recovered patients)infusion was the last treatment given to both patients.After the convalescent plasma transfusion,both patients showed a reduction of viral load,an increase of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG and IgM antibodies,reduction in lung infiltration,with no adverse events.However,further randomized controlled trials are needed to investigate the full scope of safety and efficacy(both short and long-term)of convalescent plasma therapy for COVID-19 and other related infections.