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Fulltext Cancer Incidence, Mortality, Years of Life Lost, Years Lived With Disability, and Disability-Adjusted Life Years for 29 Cancer Groups From 2010 to 2019: A Systematic Analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Global Burden of Disease 2019 Cancer Collaboration, Kocarnik JM, Compton K, Dean FE, Fu W, Gaw BL, et al.

JAMA Oncol, 2022 Mar 01;8(3):420-444.
PMID: 34967848 DOI: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2021.6987

IMPORTANCE: The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2019 (GBD 2019) provided systematic estimates of incidence, morbidity, and mortality to inform local and international efforts toward reducing cancer burden.
OBJECTIVE: To estimate cancer burden and trends globally for 204 countries and territories and by Sociodemographic Index (SDI) quintiles from 2010 to 2019.
EVIDENCE REVIEW: The GBD 2019 estimation methods were used to describe cancer incidence, mortality, years lived with disability, years of life lost, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) in 2019 and over the past decade. Estimates are also provided by quintiles of the SDI, a composite measure of educational attainment, income per capita, and total fertility rate for those younger than 25 years. Estimates include 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs).
FINDINGS: In 2019, there were an estimated 23.6 million (95% UI, 22.2-24.9 million) new cancer cases (17.2 million when excluding nonmelanoma skin cancer) and 10.0 million (95% UI, 9.36-10.6 million) cancer deaths globally, with an estimated 250 million (235-264 million) DALYs due to cancer. Since 2010, these represented a 26.3% (95% UI, 20.3%-32.3%) increase in new cases, a 20.9% (95% UI, 14.2%-27.6%) increase in deaths, and a 16.0% (95% UI, 9.3%-22.8%) increase in DALYs. Among 22 groups of diseases and injuries in the GBD 2019 study, cancer was second only to cardiovascular diseases for the number of deaths, years of life lost, and DALYs globally in 2019. Cancer burden differed across SDI quintiles. The proportion of years lived with disability that contributed to DALYs increased with SDI, ranging from 1.4% (1.1%-1.8%) in the low SDI quintile to 5.7% (4.2%-7.1%) in the high SDI quintile. While the high SDI quintile had the highest number of new cases in 2019, the middle SDI quintile had the highest number of cancer deaths and DALYs. From 2010 to 2019, the largest percentage increase in the numbers of cases and deaths occurred in the low and low-middle SDI quintiles.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The results of this systematic analysis suggest that the global burden of cancer is substantial and growing, with burden differing by SDI. These results provide comprehensive and comparable estimates that can potentially inform efforts toward equitable cancer control around the world.
Ongoing efforts to improve the management of patients with diabetes in Bangladesh and the implications

Haque M, Islam S, Kamal ZM, Akter F, Jahan I, Rahim MSA, et al.

Hosp Pract (1995), 2021 Oct;49(4):266-272.
PMID: 33734004 DOI: 10.1080/21548331.2021.1906083

BACKGROUND: Prevalence rates of patients with diabetes are growing across countries, and Bangladesh is no exception. Associated costs are also increasing, driven by costs associated with the complications of diabetes including hypoglycemia. Long-acting insulin analogues were developed to reduce hypoglycemia as well as improve patient comfort and adherence. However, they have been appreciably more expensive, reducing their affordability and use. Biosimilars offer a way forward. Consequently, there is a need to document current prescribing and dispensing rates for long-acting insulin analogues across Bangladesh, including current prices and differences, as a result of affordability and other issues.
METHODS: Mixed method approach including surveying prescribing practices in hospitals coupled with dispensing practices and prices among community pharmacies and drug stores across Bangladesh. This method was adopted since public hospitals only dispense insulins such as soluble insulins free-of-charge until funds run out and all long-acting insulin analogues have to be purchased from community stores.
RESULTS: There has been growing prescribing and dispensing of long-acting insulins in Bangladesh in recent years, now accounting for over 80% of all insulins dispensed in a minority of stores. This increase has been helped by growing prescribing and dispensing of biosimilar insulin glargine at lower costs than the originator, with this trend likely to continue with envisaged growth in the number of patients. Consequently, Bangladesh can serve as an exemplar to other low- and middle-income countries struggling to fund long-acting insulin analogues for their patients.
CONCLUSIONS: It was encouraging to see continued growth in the prescribing and dispensing of long-acting insulin analogues in Bangladesh via the increasing availability of biosimilars. This is likely to continue benefitting all key stakeholder groups.
Fulltext Rapid Assessment of Price Instability and Paucity of Medicines and Protection for COVID-19 Across Asia: Findings and Public Health Implications for the Future

Godman B, Haque M, Islam S, Iqbal S, Urmi UL, Kamal ZM, et al.

Front Public Health, 2020;8:585832.
PMID: 33381485 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2020.585832

Background: Countries have introduced a variety of measures to prevent and treat COVID-19 with medicines and personal protective equipment (PPE), with some countries adopting preventative strategies earlier than others. However, there has been considerable controversy surrounding some treatments. This includes hydroxychloroquine where the initial hype and misinformation lead to shortages, price rises and suicides. Price rises and shortages have also been seen for PPE. Such activities can have catastrophic effects on patients where there are high co-payment levels and issues of affordability. Consequently, there is a need to investigate this further. Objective: Assess changes in the availability, utilization and prices of relevant medicines and PPE during the pandemic among a range of Asian countries. Our approach: Narrative literature review combined with interviews among community pharmacists to assess changes in consumption, prices and shortages of medicines and PPE from the beginning of March 2020 until end of May 2020. In addition, suggestions on ways to reduce misinformation. Results: 308 pharmacists took part from five Asian countries. There was an appreciable increase in the utilization of antimicrobials in Pakistan (in over 88% of pharmacies), with lower increases or no change in Bangladesh, India, Malaysia and Vietnam. Encouragingly, there was increased use of vitamins/immune boosters and PPE across the countries, as well as limited price rises for antimicrobials in India, Malaysia and Vietnam, although greater price rises seen for analgesics and vitamin C/immune boosters. Appreciable price increases were also seen for PPE across some countries. Conclusion: Encouraging to see increases in utilization of vitamins/immune boosters and PPE. However, increases in the utilization and prices of antimicrobials is a concern that needs addressing alongside misinformation and any unintended consequences from the pandemic. Community pharmacists can play a key role in providing evidence-based advice, helping to moderate prices, as well as helping address some of the unintended consequences of the pandemic.
Correction to: Heavy metals in popularly sold branded cigarettes in Bangladesh and associated health hazards from inhalation exposure

Hasan M, Hossain MM, Abrarin S, Kormoker T, Billah MM, Bhuiyan MKA, et al.

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2023 Oct;30(46):103364.
PMID: 37723402 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-29946-z
Heavy metals in popularly sold branded cigarettes in Bangladesh and associated health hazards from inhalation exposure

Hasan M, Hossain MM, Abrarin S, Kormoker T, Billah MM, Bhuiyan MKA, et al.

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2023 Sep;30(45):100828-100844.
PMID: 37644270 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-29491-9

Tobacco products are widely recognized as a major contributor to death. Cigarette smoke contains several toxic chemicals including heavy metals particulate causing high health risks. However, limited information has been available on the health risks associated with the heavy metals in cigarettes commonly sold in the Bangladeshi market. This study evaluated the concentrations and potential health risks posed by ten concerned heavy metals in ten widely consumed cigarette brands in Bangladesh using an atomic absorption spectrometer. The concentration (mg/kg) ranges of heavy metals Pb, Cd, Cr, As, Co, Ni, Mn, Fe, Cu, and Zn vary between 0.46-1.05, 0.55-1.03, 0.80-1.2, 0.22-0.40, 0.46-0.78, 2.59-3.03, 436.8-762.7, 115.8-184.4, 146.6-217.7, and 34.0-42.7, respectively. We assume that the heavy metals content among cigarette brands is varied due to the differences in the source of tobacco they use for cigarette preparation. The carcinogenic risks posed by heavy metals follow the order of Cr > Co > Cd > As > Ni > Pb, while the non-carcinogenic risks for Cu, Zn, Fe, and Mn were greater than unity (HQ > 1), except for Fe. The existence of toxic heavy metals in cigarette tobacco may thus introduce noticeable non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health impacts accompanying inhalation exposure. This study provides the first comprehensive report so far on heavy metal concentration and associated health risks in branded cigarettes commonly sold in Bangladesh. Hence, this data and the information provided can serve as a baseline as well as a reference for future research and have potential implications for policy and legislation in Bangladesh.
Fulltext Resveratrol treatment modulates several antioxidant and anti-inflammatory genes expression and ameliorated oxidative stress mediated fibrosis in the kidneys of high-fat diet-fed rats

Chowdhury FI, Yasmin T, Akter R, Islam MN, Hossain MM, Khan F, et al.

Saudi Pharm J, 2022 Oct;30(10):1454-1463.
PMID: 36387333 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsps.2022.07.006

Objective: Resveratrol is a polyphenolic compound that possesses strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. This study evaluated the effects of resveratrol on oxidative stress, fibrosis and multiple genes regulation in the kidneys of high fat (HF) diet-fed rats.
Methods: Wistar rats were fed with HF diet for eight weeks. These rats were also treated with resveratrol for eight weeks. Finally, kidney tissue samples were isolated from all sacrificed rats. The histological changes, creatinine and uric acid levels, oxidative stress parameters such as malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide, and advanced oxidation protein product (AOPP) levels were analyzed. The antioxidant enzymes such as catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels; gene expression of inflammatory and fibrosis-related genes namely, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-β1), and collagen-1 were assessed. Moreover, gene expression of oxidative stress-related genes such as nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2), SOD, catalase, and glutathione reductase, were also assessed.
Results: HF diet-fed rats showed increased creatinine and uric acid levels in plasma which were lowered by resveratrol treatment. The study findings also revealed that resveratrol counterbalanced the oxidative stress and prevented the expression of the inflammatory genes; restored the catalase and SOD activities followed by the up-regulation of antioxidant genes expression in the kidneys of HF diet-fed rats. HF diet caused the Nrf-2 down-regulation followed by the decreased expression of HO-1 and HO-2 genes, which was restored by resveratrol treatment. Moreover, the histological assessment showed lipotoxicity and increased fibrosis in the kidneys of HF diet-fed rats. Resveratrol prevented the kidney fibrosis probably by limiting oxidative stress, inflammation, and down-regulating TGF-β1 mediated signaling pathway.
Conclusion: In conclusion, resveratrol treatment showed beneficial effects in preventing oxidative stress and fibrosis in the kidneys of HF diet-fed rats probably by modulating the gene expression of oxidative stress and inflammation related factors and enzymes.
Immunoinformatics study on highly expressed Mycobacterium tuberculosis genes during infection

Nguyen Thi le T, Sarmiento ME, Calero R, Camacho F, Reyes F, Hossain MM, et al.

Tuberculosis (Edinb), 2014 Sep;94(5):475-81.
PMID: 25034135 DOI: 10.1016/j.tube.2014.06.004

The most important targets for vaccine development are the proteins that are highly expressed by the microorganisms during infection in-vivo. A number of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) proteins are also reported to be expressed in-vivo at different phases of infection. In the present study, we analyzed multiple published databases of gene expression profiles of Mtb in-vivo at different phases of infection in animals and humans and selected 38 proteins that are highly expressed in the active, latent and reactivation phases. We predicted T- and B-cell epitopes from the selected proteins using HLAPred for T-cell epitope prediction and BCEPred combined with ABCPred for B-cell epitope prediction. For each selected proteins, regions containing both T- and B-cell epitopes were identified which might be considered as important candidates for vaccine design against tuberculosis.
Fulltext Knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward the novel coronavirus among Bangladeshis: Implications for mitigation measures

Paul A, Sikdar D, Hossain MM, Amin MR, Deeba F, Mahanta J, et al.

PLoS One, 2020;15(9):e0238492.
PMID: 32877449 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0238492

The current novel coronavirus (nCoV) pandemic, COVID-19, was first reported in December 2019 in Wuhan, China, and has spread globally, causing startling loss of life, stalling the global economy, and disrupting social life. One of the challenges to contain COVID-19 is convincing people to adopt personal hygiene, social distancing, and self-quarantine practices that are related to knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of the residents of respective countries. Bangladesh, a densely populated country with a fast-growing economy and moderate literacy rate, has shown many hiccups in its efforts to implement COVID-19 policies. Understanding KAP may help policy makers produce informed decisions. This study assessed KAP in relation to COVID-19 in Bangladesh. An online survey using a pre-tested questionnaire conducted in late March 2020 attained 1,837 responses across Bangladesh. Ultimately, 1,589 completed responses were included in a statistical analysis to calculate KAP scores and their interrelations with sociodemographic variables. The overall KAP was poor, with only 33% of the participants demonstrating good knowledge, whereas 52.4% and 44.8% of the subjects showed good attitudes and practices, respectively. Sociodemographic factors had strong bearings on the KAP scores. Significantly higher KAP scores were evident in females over males, among aged 45 years and older over younger participants, and among retired workers and homemakers over students and public service employees. This study indicated a panic fuelled by poor understanding of COVID-19 associated facts and the need for the government to ensure more granular and targeted awareness campaigns in a transparent and factual manner to foster public confidence and ensure more meaningful public participation in mitigation measures. This study provides a KAP baseline regarding COVID-19 among Bangladeshis.
Concentration of heavy metals in seafood (fishes, shrimp, lobster and crabs) and human health assessment in Saint Martin Island, Bangladesh

Baki MA, Hossain MM, Akter J, Quraishi SB, Haque Shojib MF, Atique Ullah AKM, et al.

Ecotoxicol Environ Saf, 2018 Sep 15;159:153-163.
PMID: 29747150 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2018.04.035

A contaminated aquatic environment may end up in the food chain and pose risks to tourist health in a tourist destination. To assess the health risk for tourists that visit St. Martine Island, which is a popular domestic and foreign tourist destination in Bangladesh, a study is undertaken to analyse the level of heavy metal contamination from chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg) and iron (Fe) in six of the most consumed fish (L. fasciatus, R. kanagurta, H. nigrescens, P. cuneatus, P. annularis and S. rubrum) and five crustacean species, which consist of a shrimp (P. sculptilis), a lobster (P. versicolor) and three crabs (P. sanguinolentus, T. crenata and M. victor) captured. The samples were analysed for trace metals using atomic absorption spectrometer, and the concentrations of the metals were interpreted using the United State Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) health risk model. The muscle and carapace/exoskeleton of shrimp, lobster and crabs were analysed and contained various concentrations of Pb, Hg, As, Cr, Cd, Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn. The hierarchy of the heavy metal in marine fish is Fe > Cd > Zn > Pb > Cu > Cr > Mn > Hg. The concentrations of Pb in the species R. kanagurta, H. nigresceus and S. rubrum were above the food safety guideline by Australia, New Zealand and other legislations in most marine fish and crustaceans. Crabs showed higher mean heavy metal concentrations than shrimp and lobster. Acceptable carcinogen ranges were observed in three fish species (R. kanagurata, H. nigresceus and S. rubrum) and one crustacean species (P. sculptilis) samples.
Application, monitoring and adverse effects in pesticide use: The importance of reinforcement of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs)

Leong WH, Teh SY, Hossain MM, Nadarajaw T, Zabidi-Hussin Z, Chin SY, et al.

J Environ Manage, 2020 Apr 15;260:109987.
PMID: 32090796 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2019.109987

This review intends to integrate the relevant information that is related to pesticide applications in food commodities and will cover three main sections. The first section encompasses some of the guidelines that have been implemented on management of pesticide application worldwide, such as the establishment of a value called Maximum Residue Level (MRL) through the application of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) into daily agricultural activities. A brief overview of the methods adopted in quantification of these trace residues in different food samples will also be covered. Briefly, pesticide analysis is usually performed in two stages: sample preparation and analytical instrumentation. Some of the preparation methods such as QuEChERs still remain as the technique of choice for most of the analytical scientists. In terms of the instrumentation such as the gas chromatography-mass spectrophotometry (GC-MS) and high performance-liquid chromatography (HPLC), these are still widely used, in spite of new inventions that are more sustainable and efficient such as the capillary electrophoresis (CE). Finally, the third section emphasizes on how pesticides can affect our health significantly whereby different types of pesticides result in different adverse health implications, despite its application benefits in agriculture in controlling pests. To date, there are limited reviews on pesticide usage in many agricultural-based nations; for the purpose of this review, Malaysia is selected to better illustrate pesticide regulations and implementation of policies. Finally, the review aims to provide an insight on how implementation of GAP and food safety assurance are inter-related and with this established correlation, to identify further measures for improvement to enable reinforcement of optimised agricultural practices specifically in these countries.
Increased serum vascular endothelial growth factor is associated with acute viral encephalitis in Bangladeshi children

Mori D, Khanam W, Sheikh RA, Tabib SMSB, Ikebe E, Hossain MM, et al.

Sci Rep, 2017 Nov 23;7(1):16181.
PMID: 29170534 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-16474-3

Encephalitis causes significant global morbidity and mortality. A large number of viruses cause encephalitis, and their geographic and temporal distributions vary. In many encephalitis cases, the virus cannot be detected, even after extensive testing. This is one challenge in management of the encephalitis patient. Since cytokines are pivotal in any form of inflammation and vary according to the nature of the inflammation, we hypothesized cytokine levels would allow us to discriminate between encephalitis caused by viruses and other aetiologies. This pilot study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Viral detection was performed by polymerase chain reaction using patient cerebrospinal fluid. Acute phase reactants and cytokines were detected in patient serum. Of the 29 biomarkers assessed using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test, only vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was significantly higher (P = 0.0015) in viral-positive compared with virus-negative encephalitis patients. The area under the curve (AUC) for VEGF was 0.82 (95% confidence interval: 0.66-0.98). Serum VEGF may discriminate between virus-positive and virus-negative encephalitis. Further study will be needed to confirm these findings.
Fulltext Silicene Quantum Capacitance Dependent Frequency Readout to a Label-Free Detection of DNA Hybridization- A Simulation Analysis

Rahman MS, Naima RL, Shetu KJ, Hossain MM, Kaiser MS, Hosen ASMS, et al.

Biosensors (Basel), 2021 Jun 01;11(6).
PMID: 34205927 DOI: 10.3390/bios11060178

The use of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) hybridization to detect disease-related gene expression is a valuable diagnostic tool. An ion-sensitive field-effect transistor (ISFET) with a graphene layer has been utilized for detecting DNA hybridization. Silicene is a two-dimensional silicon allotrope with structural properties similar to graphene. Thus, it has recently experienced intensive scientific research interest due to its unique electrical, mechanical, and sensing characteristics. In this paper, we proposed an ISFET structure with silicene and electrolyte layers for the label-free detection of DNA hybridization. When DNA hybridization occurs, it changes the ion concentration in the surface layer of the silicene and the pH level of the electrolyte solution. The process also changes the quantum capacitance of the silicene layer and the electrical properties of the ISFET device. The quantum capacitance and the corresponding resonant frequency readout of the silicene and graphene are compared. The performance evaluation found that the changes in quantum capacitance, resonant frequency, and tuning ratio indicate that the sensitivity of silicene is much more effective than graphene.
Fulltext Histopathological Study of the Lungs of Mice Receiving Human Secretory IgA and Challenged with Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Alvarez N, Infante JF, Borrero R, Mata D, Payan JB, Hossain MM, et al.

Malays J Med Sci, 2014 May;21(3):31-7.
PMID: 25246833 MyJurnal

Humoral and cellular immune responses are associated with protection against extracellular and intracellular pathogens, respectively. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of receiving human secretory immunoglobulin A (hsIgA) on the histopathology of the lungs of mice challenged with virulent Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Genetic study of Japanese encephalitis viruses isolated in Malaysia

Tsuchie H, Oda K, Vythilingam I, Thayan R, Vijayamalar B, Sinniah M, et al.

Jpn. J. Med. Sci. Biol., 1994 Apr;47(2):101-7.
PMID: 7853748

Two hundred and forty nucleotides from the pre-M gene region of 10 Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus strains isolated in Malaysia in 1992 were sequenced and compared with the other JE virus strains from different geographic areas in Asia. Our JE virus strains belong to the largest genotypic group that includes strains isolated in temperate regions such as Japan, China, and Taiwan. Our Malaysian JE virus strains differed in 32 nucleotides (13.3%) from WTP/70/22 strain isolated from Malaysia in 1970, which belonged to another distinct genotypic group.
Fulltext Prevalence and factors associated with early initiation of breastfeeding among Bangladeshi mothers: A nationwide cross-sectional study

Islam MA, Mamun A, Hossain MM, Bharati P, Saw A, Lestrel PE, et al.

PLoS One, 2019;14(4):e0215733.
PMID: 31022237 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0215733

BACKGROUND: Early initiation of breastfeeding (EIBF) is associated with better health of the mothers and reduced risk of neonatal mortality. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of EIBF and associated factors among Bangladeshi mothers.
METHODS: The data was extracted from the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS)-2014. A total of 4,092 married non-pregnant Bangladeshi mothers who had at least one child aged 2 years or younger were included in this study. A two-level logistic regression model was used to remove the clustering effect for finding the impact of socio-economic and demographic factors on EIBF.
RESULTS: The prevalence of EIBF among Bangladeshi mothers was 51.4% (urban: 47.1% and rural: 53.4%). A two -level logistic regression model showed that mothers living in the Sylhet division (p<0.01) and rural environment (p<0.05) were more likely to practice EIBF. Mothers who were obese or overweight (p<0.01), had secondary (p<0.05) or higher education (p<0.01) were less likely to provide early breastfeeding to their newborn babies compared to their counterparts. Those who delivered by caesarian-section (p<0.01) were less likely to perform EIBF while those who attended an antenatal care clinic more than 3 times (p<0.05) were more likely to do so.
CONCLUSIONS: About half of the Bangladeshi mothers did not start breast-feeding within one hour after birth. This study identified several geographical and socio-demographic factors that were associated with EIBF, and hope that this information will help the government to focus their resources to promote early breastfeeding.
Fulltext Road traffic accidents in Bangladesh: Why people have poor knowledge and awareness about traffic rules?

Islam MR, Ali Khan MM, Hossain MM, C Mani KK, Min RM

Int J Crit Illn Inj Sci, 2020 06 08;10(2):70-75.
PMID: 32904453 DOI: 10.4103/IJCIIS.IJCIIS_65_19

Purpose: The study aimed to identify the characteristics of road traffic accident (RTA) and to determine the role of different socioeconomic and demographic factors on the knowledge and awareness about traffic rules among people in Bangladesh.
Study Design: This was a cross-sectional study.
Methods: To conduct this study, 700 primary data were collected from respondents who were involved in RTA by interviewing in medical college hospitals and several private clinics of Dhaka, Rajshahi, and Khulna division in Bangladesh. For the achievement of the objective, the Chi-square test, Cramer's V correlation, and the logistic regression model have been applied in this study.
Results: Traffic rules violation was identified as the second-most important reason behind RTA. Respondent's age, gender, residence, education, occupation, awareness about RTA, etc., were significantly associated with having knowledge and awareness about traffic rules. The result of multivariate analysis showed that respondent's age (<30: odds ratio [OR] = 2.019, confidence interval [CI]: 1.377-2.960); residence (rural: OR = 0.288, CI: 0.193-0.431); education (literate: OR = 5.064, CI: 3.332-7.698); and categories of victims (driver: OR = 2.731, CI: 1.676-4.450 and passenger: 1.869, CI: 1.198-2.916) were the vital predictors of having knowledge and awareness about traffic rules.
Conclusions: By imposing strict traffic act, increasing public awareness through various types of education and awareness/outreach about traffic rules-related program, especially in rural areas, by strictly prohibiting the license giving to unskilled drivers or unfit vehicles, RTA can be minimized.
Health risk estimation of metals bioaccumulated in commercial fish from coastal areas and rivers in Bangladesh

Bristy MS, Sarker KK, Baki MA, Quraishi SB, Hossain MM, Islam A, et al.

Environ Toxicol Pharmacol, 2021 Aug;86:103666.
PMID: 33895355 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2021.103666

Metal contaminations in commercial fish have become a great public health concern worldwide including Bangladesh. The current study was conducted to provide preliminary evidence of nine metals in three commercially significant fish namely Pampus argenteus, Sardinella longiceps and Tenualosa ilisha collected from four coastal stations- Kuakata, Pathorghata, Cox's Bazar, and Pirojpur, and eight stations of five rivers- Padma, Meghna, Jamuna, Katcha, and Nobogonga in Bangladesh. High magnitudes of Pb (0.74-4.59 mg/kg ww), Cd (0.07-0.24 mg/kg ww), and Mn (0.45-2.03 mg/kg ww) were recorded in the sampling stations that exceeded the maximum permissible limits (MPL) proposed by different recognized organizations. Significant mean differences of metal concentrations were observed (p 
Demographics of healthcare professionals' knowledge and attitude toward deceased organ donation: Survey of critical care areas in a tertiary hospital

Foong JW, Ong JS, Oo WL, Hossain MM, Baskaran ND, Haron H, et al.

Med J Malaysia, 2019 04;74(2):109-115.
PMID: 31079120

INTRODUCTION: Organ donation rate in Malaysia is amongst the lowest in the World. Healthcare professionals (HCPs) working in critical care areas play an important role in the deceased organ donation (DOD) process. This study seeks to identify the demographics of HCPs working in the critical care areas and their knowledge and attitudes toward the DOD process.
METHOD: A cross-sectional survey on the demographics, knowledge and attitudes of the doctors and nurses working in critical care areas was undertaken by the random sampling method, using a validated, structured questionnaire. HCP's knowledge and attitudes towards brain death (BD), DOD, organ transplantation (OT), and possession of organ donor card were compared against their demographics.
RESULTS: Four hundred and twelve (72.9%) out of the total 565 HCPs in critical care areas responded of whom 163 (39.6%) were doctors and 249 (60.4%) were nurses. After adjusting for other factors, department of work and profession were highly correlated with the overall knowledge score (p<0.001 and p=0.003 respectively) and knowledge about BD (p<0.001 and p=0.013 respectively). HCPs from the neurosurgical intensive care unit (p<0.001) and doctors (p<0.001) had higher mean knowledge scores compared to their counterparts. Profession was most significantly correlated with having a positive attitude towards BD (p<0.001) and OT (p<0.001).
CONCLUSION: Department, profession and ethnicity were the demographic characteristics that correlated with knowledge and attitudes of HCPs on organ donation. Efforts to improve DOD rates in Malaysia should include targeted interventions to address the knowledge and attitudes of HCPs working in critical care areas.
Fulltext On the Utilization of Pozzolanic Wastes as an Alternative Resource of Cement

Karim MR, Hossain MM, Khan MNN, Zain MFM, Jamil M, Lai FC

Materials (Basel), 2014 Dec 05;7(12):7809-7827.
PMID: 28788277 DOI: 10.3390/ma7127809

Recently, as a supplement of cement, the utilization of pozzolanic materials in cement and concrete manufacturing has increased significantly. This study investigates the scope to use pozzolanic wastes (slag, palm oil fuel ash and rice husk ash) as an alkali activated binder (AAB) that can be used as an alternative to cement. To activate these materials, sodium hydroxide solution was used at 1.0, 2.5 and 5.0 molar concentration added into the mortar, separately. The required solution was used to maintain the flow of mortar at 110% ± 5%. The consistency and setting time of the AAB-paste were determined. Mortar was tested for its flow, compressive strength, porosity, water absorption and thermal resistance (heating at 700 °C) and investigated by scanning electron microscopy. The experimental results reveal that AAB-mortar exhibits less flow than that of ordinary Portland cement (OPC). Surprisingly, AAB-mortars (with 2.5 molar solution) achieved a compressive strength of 34.3 MPa at 28 days, while OPC shows that of 43.9 MPa under the same conditions. Although water absorption and porosity of the AAB-mortar are slightly high, it shows excellent thermal resistance compared to OPC. Therefore, based on the test results, it can be concluded that in the presence of a chemical activator, the aforementioned pozzolans can be used as an alternative material for cement.
Fulltext Knowledge and attitudes of healthcare professionals and the impact on willingness to donate organs: a tertiary hospital survey

Oo WL, Ong JS, Fong JW, Hossain MM, Baskaran ND, Haron H, et al.

Singapore Med J, 2019 Jul 22.
PMID: 31328238 DOI: 10.11622/smedj.2019080

INTRODUCTION: Healthcare professionals (HCPs) working in critical care areas play an important role in the organ donation (OD) process. We studied HCPs' own willingness to be organ donors and its association with sociodemographic factors as well as their knowledge and attitudes about OD and transplantation.

METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of HCPs working in four critical care units in a major transplant centre in Malaysia was undertaken using a validated structured questionnaire. Responses were analysed using multivariable analysis with willingness to donate as the dependent variable.

RESULTS: Of the 412 respondents (response rate 98.1%), the majority were nurses (60.4%), Malay (71.1%) and female (77.2%). Overall, 68.0% were willing to donate. The independent predictors of willingness to donate were profession (p < 0.001) and the Hindu religion (p = 0.001). Ethnicity (p = 0.003), religious belief (p < 0.001), knowledge (p = 0.016), belief in brain death (p = 0.018) and confidence in transplantation (p < 0.001) also independently correlated with willingness to donate, while attitudes to OD did not. Of those willing to donate, only 37.3% were carrying a donor card and only 63.1% had informed their family of their intention to donate.

CONCLUSION: Although willingness to donate was higher in critical care HCPs than HCPs in general, significant knowledge gaps as well as certain beliefs and perceptions that could pose a barrier to OD were identified in this group. Measures to improve OD rates in Malaysia should include targeted educational programmes for HCPs working in critical care areas.

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