Artifact suppression and analysis of brain activities with electroencephalography signals

Brain-computer interface is a communication system that connects the brain with computer （or other devices） but is not dependent on the normal output of the brain （i.e., peripheral nerve and muscle）. Electro-oculogram is a dominant artifact which has a significant negative influence on further analysis of real electroencephalography data. This paper presented a data adaptive technique for artifact suppression and brain wave extraction from electroencephalography signals to detect regional brain activities. Empirical mode decomposition based adaptive thresholding approach was employed here to suppress the electro-oculogram artifact. Fractional Gaussian noise was used to determine the threshold level derived from the analysis data without any training. The purified electroencephalography signal was composed of the brain waves also called rhythmic components which represent the brain activities. The rhythmic components were extracted from each electroencephalography channel using adaptive wiener filter with the original scale. The regional brain activities were mapped on the basis of the spatial distribution of rhythmic components, and the results showed that different regions of the brain are activated in response to different stimuli. This research analyzed the activities of a single rhythmic component, alpha with respect to different motor imaginations. The experimental results showed that the proposed method is very efficient in artifact suppression and identifying individual motor imagery based on the activities of alpha component.

Profiling of Serum Immunoglobulins in Bangladeshi Major Depressive Disorder Patients

Background: Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a mental disorder characterized by a pervasive and persistent low mood which is accompanied by low self-esteem and loss of interest or pleasure in day to day activities that adversely affects a person’s family, work, and personal life. There is no sufficient laboratory test for the diagnosis of MDD and it is expected that this investigation may be helpful for better diagnosis and management of MDD. We aimed to measure serum immunoglobulin levels in MDD patients and control subjects to meet the above demand. Methods: For this purpose, we recruited 88 MDD patients from the department of psychiatry, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka and 89 healthy volunteers from Dhaka city matched with age, sex and socioeconomic status to the patient group. Turbidimetry method was applied to measure serum levels of immunoglobulin A, G, and M where immunoglobulin kit was utilized. Results: The current study revealed that mean serum concentrations of immunoglobulin A, G, and M in patients were found to be 209.07 ± 104.93, 791.50 ± 235.67 and 107.92 ± 47.53 mg/dL while those were 195.34 ± 92.16, 763.81 ± 175.89 and 99.17 ± 48.78 mg/dL in control subjects, respectively. Conclusion: Our result indicates that serum concentrations of immunoglobulin A, G and M were not significant between the groups and further studies are required to establish these findings.

Probiotics: A New Horizon for Treating Childhood Diarrhea in Bangladesh

Objectives: Probiotics are microbial cell preparations or living organisms that have a beneficial effect on the health and well being of the host. Probiotics may offer a safe intervention in acute infectious childhood diarrhea to reduce the duration and severity of the illness. In many places, probiotics are overused or misused and often given without professional jurisdiction. The present study was designed to analyze prescription patterns of probiotics in rural area of Bangladesh and to assess the effects of probiotics in proven or presumed infectious childhood diarrhea. Material and Methods: This study was conducted at Manikganj district hospital of Bangladesh from October to December 2016 to accumulate data from 430 respondents. The data were collected by taking prescription details from patients or their relatives by face to face interview with them who were willing to respond. Statistical analysis was performed using statistical software package SPSS, version 23. Results: According to current study oral rehydration therapy was found as a cornerstone for treating pediatric diarrhea. In addition, it was observed that average 3.2 drugs prescribed per encounter and more than 26.4% prescriptions contained probiotic products. Approximately 35% probiotics were prescribed by pediatricians. Bacillus and Lactobacillus were found to be the most frequently prescribed probiotic species for treating childhood diarrhea in Bangladesh. Both antibiotics and probiotics were prescribed to one-third of pediatric patients suffering from diarrhea. Only oral solid (63.7%) and oral liquid (36.3%) were prescribed as probiotic products for pediatric patients. Conclusion: It is hoped that the outputs of the present study on probiotics will be used as a science-based assessment tool for managerial decisions on probiotics. This study will help to develop the guidelines and a practical model for the industry to scientifically evaluate probiotics in food. As a national priority, it is expected that these outputs will be useful for the government policy makers to evaluate probiotics on health benefits and the study results can also be used as a scientific tool for the assessment of this new therapeutic option.

Association between Socio-Demographic Factors and Blood Sugar Levels in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients in Bangladesh

Background: The aim of the current study was to evaluate the anthropometric and demographic factors and their correlation with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Bangladesh. Methods: One hundred fourteen patients (70 males and 44 females) between 30 and 75 years of age from various areas of Bangladesh were screened for T2DM. Fasting blood sugar (FBS) was analyzed by using laboratory kits and spectrophotometric technique. Anthropometric and socio-demographic data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated from weight (kg) and height (m) of the individual respondents. Physical activity was categorized based on activity during daily work. Economic condition is defined by respective family income and education level is categorized into 3 levels: illiterate, 0 - 12 years of education and graduate or above. Results: According to the current study results, half of the patients were from the middle-class family with low physical activity and their age was within the range of 30 - 45 years. The male and female ratio of the study population was 60:40. Most of the patients were found to be obese and educated. Urban populations were more prone to have DM than the rural population. Age, education, the area of residence (urban and rural), physical activity and co-morbid diseases were significantly correlated with T2DM in Bangladesh (P Conclusion: Our study shows that different socio-demographic factors have a significant correlation with T2DM in Bangladesh. Diabetes awareness, early diagnosis, patient education and life-style modification can be initiated to manage T2DM efficiently.

Socio-Demographic Factors and Their Correlation with the Severity of Major Depressive Disorder: A Population Based Study

Objective: Genetic and neurobiological factors are considered to be the major causes of major depressive disorder (MDD). However, over last few years study results revealed that socio-demographic factors contribute a significant role in abnormal functional activity and recognized as major causative factors to the pathogenesis and severity of MDD. The aim of this study was to assess the socio-demographic characteristics of Bangladeshi MDD patients and to discover their role on the severity of disease. Material and Methods: A retrospective review of the case notes of psychiatry outpatients at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) was carried out between Sep-Nov 2016. A total of 234 MDD patients (aged 18 to 60 years) were randomly recruited. Relevant information was obtained by collection of prescription details from the patients or their relatives by face to face interview. Results: Mean age and body mass index (BMI) were found 34.734 years (SEM ± 0.842) and 22.014 kg/m2 respectively. Among all respondents, 56% (133) were male and 44% (106) were female where mean income was 26.84 KBDT (Kilo Bangladeshi Taka) (SEM ± 0.749). Roughly 46% (111) patients were found to be below secondary level of education. Married people (56%) had a tendency to develop depression compare to unmarried people (36%). Urban residents (64%) are more prone to suffer from depression than rural residents (36%). There was mild depression in 28% (68), moderate in 37% (157), and severe in 14% (34) patients. Correlation analysis shows that age, sex, marital status, education, family income, and area of residence (p-values 0.004, 0.001, 0.000, 0.011, 0.000 and 0.000, respectively) are associated with the severity of disease. Moreover, among all significant correlations age, marital status and area of residence were positively correlated with the severity of MDD (r = 0.184, r = 0.238 and r = 0.256) while sex, education and family income were negatively correlated with the severity of depression (r = ﹣0.207, r = ﹣0.164 and r = ﹣0.722). Conclusion: Current study shows that age, gender, marital status, education, family income, and area of residence are associated with the severity of depression. Age, marital status and residence of MDD patients are positively correlated with the severity of disease while gender, education and family income are negatively correlated with the severity of depression. It is predicted that this study will be helpful for the management and assortment of MDD patients with more accuracy based on their socio-demographic features.