MyMedR

Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 153 in total

Abstract:

Sort:

Fulltext Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection: Results of the Prospective Controlled Multinational GI-COVID-19 Study

Marasco G, Cremon C, Barbaro MR, Salvi D, Cacciari G, Kagramanova A, et al.

Am J Gastroenterol, 2022 Jan 01;117(1):147-157.
PMID: 34751672 DOI: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000001541

INTRODUCTION: Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in coronavirus-19 disease (COVID-19) have been reported with great variability and without standardization. In hospitalized patients, we aimed to evaluate the prevalence of GI symptoms, factors associated with their occurrence, and variation at 1 month.
METHODS: The GI-COVID-19 is a prospective, multicenter, controlled study. Patients with and without COVID-19 diagnosis were recruited at hospital admission and asked for GI symptoms at admission and after 1 month, using the validated Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale questionnaire.
RESULTS: The study included 2036 hospitalized patients. A total of 871 patients (575 COVID+ and 296 COVID-) were included for the primary analysis. GI symptoms occurred more frequently in patients with COVID-19 (59.7%; 343/575 patients) than in the control group (43.2%; 128/296 patients) (P < 0.001). Patients with COVID-19 complained of higher presence or intensity of nausea, diarrhea, loose stools, and urgency as compared with controls. At a 1-month follow-up, a reduction in the presence or intensity of GI symptoms was found in COVID-19 patients with GI symptoms at hospital admission. Nausea remained increased over controls. Factors significantly associated with nausea persistence in COVID-19 were female sex, high body mass index, the presence of dyspnea, and increased C-reactive protein levels.
DISCUSSION: The prevalence of GI symptoms in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 is higher than previously reported. Systemic and respiratory symptoms are often associated with GI complaints. Nausea may persist after the resolution of COVID-19 infection.
Multivariate analysis of PRISMA optimized TLC image for predicting antioxidant activity and identification of contributing compounds from Pereskia bleo

Sharif KM, Rahman MM, Azmir J, Khatib A, Sabina E, Shamsudin SH, et al.

Biomed Chromatogr, 2015 Dec;29(12):1826-33.
PMID: 26033701 DOI: 10.1002/bmc.3503

Multivariate analysis of thin-layer chromatography (TLC) images was modeled to predict antioxidant activity of Pereskia bleo leaves and to identify the contributing compounds of the activity. TLC was developed in optimized mobile phase using the 'PRISMA' optimization method and the image was then converted to wavelet signals and imported for multivariate analysis. An orthogonal partial least square (OPLS) model was developed consisting of a wavelet-converted TLC image and 2,2-diphynyl-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging activity of 24 different preparations of P. bleo as the x- and y-variables, respectively. The quality of the constructed OPLS model (1 + 1 + 0) with one predictive and one orthogonal component was evaluated by internal and external validity tests. The validated model was then used to identify the contributing spot from the TLC plate that was then analyzed by GC-MS after trimethylsilyl derivatization. Glycerol and amine compounds were mainly found to contribute to the antioxidant activity of the sample. An alternative method to predict the antioxidant activity of a new sample of P. bleo leaves has been developed.
Systematic Reviews: Understanding the Best Evidence For Clinical Decision-making in Health Care: Pros and Cons

Memon MA, Khan S, Alam K, Rahman MM, Yunus RM

Surg Laparosc Endosc Percutan Tech, 2020 Dec 04;31(2):234-240.
PMID: 33284258 DOI: 10.1097/SLE.0000000000000889

In the era of evidence-based decision-making, systematic reviews (SRs) are being widely used in many health care policies, government programs, and academic disciplines. SRs are detailed and comprehensive literature review of a specific research topic with a view to identifying, appraising, and synthesizing the research findings from various relevant primary studies. A SR therefore extracts the relevant summary information from the selected studies without bias by strictly adhering to the review procedures and protocols. This paper presents all underlying concepts, stages, steps, and procedures in conducting and publishing SRs. Unlike the findings of narrative reviews, the synthesized results of any SRs are reproducible, not subjective and bias free. However, there are a number of issues related to SRs that directly impact on the quality of the end results. If the selected studies are of high quality, the criteria of the SRs are fully satisfied, and the results constitute the highest level of evidence. It is therefore essential that the end users of SRs are aware of the weaknesses and strengths of the underlying processes and techniques so that they could assess the results in the correct perspective within the context of the research question.
Fulltext Population Genomics of an Anadromous Hilsa Shad Tenualosa ilisha Species across Its Diverse Migratory Habitats: Discrimination by Fine-Scale Local Adaptation

Asaduzzaman M, Igarashi Y, Wahab MA, Nahiduzzaman M, Rahman MJ, Phillips MJ, et al.

Genes (Basel), 2019 12 30;11(1).
PMID: 31905942 DOI: 10.3390/genes11010046

The migration of anadromous fish in heterogenic environments unceasingly imposes a selective pressure that results in genetic variation for local adaptation. However, discrimination of anadromous fish populations by fine-scale local adaptation is challenging because of their high rate of gene flow, highly connected divergent population, and large population size. Recent advances in next-generation sequencing (NGS) have expanded the prospects of defining the weakly structured population of anadromous fish. Therefore, we used NGS-based restriction site-associated DNA (NextRAD) techniques on 300 individuals of an anadromous Hilsa shad (Tenualosa ilisha) species, collected from nine strategic habitats, across their diverse migratory habitats, which include sea, estuary, and different freshwater rivers. The NextRAD technique successfully identified 15,453 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci. Outlier tests using the FST OutFLANK and pcadapt approaches identified 74 and 449 SNPs (49 SNPs being common), respectively, as putative adaptive loci under a divergent selection process. Our results, based on the different cluster analyses of these putatively adaptive loci, suggested that local adaptation has divided the Hilsa shad population into two genetically structured clusters, in which marine and estuarine collection sites were dominated by individuals of one genetic cluster and different riverine collection sites were dominated by individuals of another genetic cluster. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that all the riverine populations of Hilsa shad were further subdivided into the north-western riverine (turbid freshwater) and the north-eastern riverine (clear freshwater) ecotypes. Among all of the putatively adaptive loci, only 36 loci were observed to be in the coding region, and the encoded genes might be associated with important biological functions related to the local adaptation of Hilsa shad. In summary, our study provides both neutral and adaptive contexts for the observed genetic divergence of Hilsa shad and, consequently, resolves the previous inconclusive findings on their population genetic structure across their diverse migratory habitats. Moreover, the study has clearly demonstrated that NextRAD sequencing is an innovative approach to explore how dispersal and local adaptation can shape genetic divergence of non-model anadromous fish that intersect diverse migratory habitats during their life-history stages.
Fulltext The roles of soybean lecithin in aquafeed: a crucial need and update

Wee W, Téllez-Isaías G, Abdul Kari Z, Cheadoloh R, Kabir MA, Mat K, et al.

Front Vet Sci, 2023;10:1188659.
PMID: 37795018 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1188659

Soybean lecithin is extensively used as the dietary supplementation of phospholipids in animal production. Soybean lecithin plays significant roles in aquafeed as growth promoter, feed enhancer, immunity modulator and antioxidant activity stimulator for aquaculture species. Besides, soybean lecithin is also reported to help aquaculture species being resilient to physical and chemical stressors. In this review, common sources, chemical structure and mode of action of lecithin, with highlight on soybean lecithin application in aquaculture over four-decadal studies published between 1983 and 2023, were evaluated and summarized. By far, soybean lecithin is best-known for its beneficial effects, availability yet cost-effective for aquafeed formulation. Findings from this review also demonstrate that although nutritional profile of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and phosphatidylcholine from egg yolk and marine sources are superior to those from plant sources such as soybean, it is rather costly for sustainable application in aquafeed formulation. Moreover, commercially available products that incorporate soybean lecithin with other feed additives are promising to boost aquaculture production. Overall, effects of soybean lecithin supplementation are well-recognized on larval and juvenile of aquaculture species which having limited ability to biosynthesis phospholipids de novo, and correspondingly attribute to phospholipid, a primary component of soybean lecithin, that is essential for rapid growth during early stages development. In addition, soybean lecithin supplementation plays a distinguish role in stimulating maturation of gonadal development in the adults, especially for crustaceans.
Fulltext Exploring the roles of phytobiotics in relieving the impacts of Edwardsiella tarda infection on fish: a mini-review

Goh KW, Abdul Kari Z, Wee W, Zakaria NNA, Rahman MM, Kabir MA, et al.

Front Vet Sci, 2023;10:1149514.
PMID: 37476823 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1149514

Edwardsiellosis caused by Edwardsiella tarda resulted in significant economic losses in aquaculture operations worldwide. This disease could infect a wide range of hosts, including freshwater, brackish water, and marine aquatic animals. Currently, antibiotics and vaccines are being used as prophylactic agents to overcome Edwardsiellosis in aquaculture. However, application of antibiotics has led to antibiotic resistance among pathogenic bacteria, and the antibiotic residues pose a threat to public health. Meanwhile, the use of vaccines to combat Edwardsiellosis requires intensive labor work and high costs. Thus, phytobiotics were attempted to be used as antimicrobial agents to minimize the impact of Edwardsiellosis in aquaculture. These phytobiotics may also provide farmers with new options to manage aquaculture species' health. The impact of Edwardsiellosis in aquaculture worldwide was elaborated on and highlighted in this review study, as well as the recent application of phytobiotics in aquaculture and the status of vaccines to combat Edwardsiellosis. This review also focuses on the potential of phytobiotics in improving aquatic animal growth performance, enhancing immune system function, and stimulating disease resistance.
Fulltext Development of an Amperometric Glucose Biosensor Based on the Immobilization of Glucose Oxidase on the Se-MCM-41 Mesoporous Composite

Yusan S, Rahman MM, Mohamad N, Arrif TM, Latif AZA, M A MA, et al.

J Anal Methods Chem, 2018;2018:2687341.
PMID: 29862120 DOI: 10.1155/2018/2687341

A new bioenzymatic glucose biosensor for selective and sensitive detection of glucose was developed by the immobilization of glucose oxidase (GOD) onto selenium nanoparticle-mesoporous silica composite (MCM-41) matrix and then prepared as a carbon paste electrode (CPE). Cyclic voltammetry was employed to probe the catalytic behavior of the biosensor. A linear calibration plot is obtained over a wide concentration range of glucose from 1 × 10-5 to 2 × 10-3 M. Under optimal conditions, the biosensor exhibits high sensitivity (0.34 µA·mM-1), low detection limit (1 × 10-4 M), high affinity to glucose (Km = 0.02 mM), and also good reproducibility (R.S.D. 2.8%, n=10) and a stability of about ten days when stored dry at +4°C. Besides, the effects of pH value, scan rate, mediator effects on the glucose current, and electroactive interference of the biosensor were also discussed. As a result, the biosensor exhibited an excellent electrocatalytic response to glucose as well as unique stability and reproducibility.
A review of oxalate poisoning in domestic animals: tolerance and performance aspects

Rahman MM, Abdullah RB, Wan Khadijah WE

J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl), 2013 Aug;97(4):605-14.
PMID: 22548678 DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0396.2012.01309.x

Published data on oxalate poisoning in domestic animals are reviewed, with a focus on tolerance and performance. Oxalic acid is one of a number of anti-nutrients found in forage. It can bind with dietary calcium (Ca) or magnesium (Mg) to form insoluble Ca or Mg oxalate, which then may lead to low serum Ca or Mg levels as well as to renal failure because of precipitation of these salts in the kidneys. Dietary oxalate plays an important role in the formation of Ca oxalate, and a high dietary intake of Ca may decrease oxalate absorption and its subsequent urinary excretion. Oxalate-rich plants can be supplemented with other plants as forage for domestic animals, which may help to reduce the overall intake of oxalate-rich plants. Non-ruminants appear to be more sensitive to oxalate than ruminants because in the latter, rumen bacteria help to degrade oxalate. If ruminants are slowly exposed to a diet high in oxalate, the population of oxalate-degrading bacteria in the rumen increases sufficiently to prevent oxalate poisoning. However, if large quantities of oxalate-rich plants are eaten, the rumen is overwhelmed and unable to metabolize the oxalate and oxalate-poisoning results. Based on published data, we consider that <2.0% soluble oxalate would be an appropriate level to avoid oxalate poisoning in ruminants, although blood Ca level may decrease. In the case of non-ruminants, <0.5% soluble oxalate may be acceptable. However, these proposed safe levels of soluble oxalate should be regarded as preliminary. Further studies, especially long-term studies, are needed to validate and improve the recommended safe levels in animals. This review will encourage further research on the relationships between dietary oxalate, other dietary factors and renal failure in domestic animals.
Fulltext Artificial neural network with Taguchi method for robust classification model to improve classification accuracy of breast cancer

Rahman MA, Muniyandi RC, Albashish D, Rahman MM, Usman OL

PeerJ Comput Sci, 2021;7:e344.
PMID: 33816995 DOI: 10.7717/peerj-cs.344

Artificial neural networks (ANN) perform well in real-world classification problems. In this paper, a robust classification model using ANN was constructed to enhance the accuracy of breast cancer classification. The Taguchi method was used to determine the suitable number of neurons in a single hidden layer of the ANN. The selection of a suitable number of neurons helps to solve the overfitting problem by affecting the classification performance of an ANN. With this, a robust classification model was then built for breast cancer classification. Based on the Taguchi method results, the suitable number of neurons selected for the hidden layer in this study is 15, which was used for the training of the proposed ANN model. The developed model was benchmarked upon the Wisconsin Diagnostic Breast Cancer Dataset, popularly known as the UCI dataset. Finally, the proposed model was compared with seven other existing classification models, and it was confirmed that the model in this study had the best accuracy at breast cancer classification, at 98.8%. This confirmed that the proposed model significantly improved performance.
Fulltext Raising awareness of antimicrobial resistance in rural aquaculture practice in Bangladesh through digital communications: a pilot study

Thornber K, Huso D, Rahman MM, Biswas H, Rahman MH, Brum E, et al.

Glob Health Action, 2019;12(sup1):1734735.
PMID: 32153258 DOI: 10.1080/16549716.2020.1734735

One of the key strategic objectives of the World Health Organisation's global antimicrobial resistance (AMR) action plan is to improve public awareness and understanding of this issue. Very few AMR awareness campaigns have targeted the animal production sector, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where rural communities can be geographically difficult to access via traditional face-to-face community engagement methods. Aquaculture is a major food production industry in Bangladesh and across Asia, an area which poses a significant risk to global AMR dissemination. In this pilot study, we sought to investigate the potential for digital communication materials to rapidly and effectively communicate AMR messages to rural aquaculture farmers in Bangladesh. Working with stakeholders from the Bangladesh aquaculture industry, we developed a 4-minute digital animation designed specifically for this audience and assessed its capacity to engage and communicate AMR messages to farmers. We then conducted a small-scale social media campaign, to determine the potential for rapidly disseminating AMR awareness materials to a large audience across Bangladesh, where there is an extensive 4 G internet network and an ever-increasing proportion of the population (57% as of December 2019) have mobile internet access. Thirty-six farmers were surveyed: all of them liked this method of communication and 97% said it would change the way they use antibiotics in the future. Through the social media campaign, the animation received 9,100 views in the first 2 weeks alone. Although preliminary, these results demonstrate the huge potential for digital communication methods for the rapid and widespread communication of AMR awareness materials to rural aquaculture communities in Bangladesh and across Asia. Our results support the need for more research into the most appropriate and effective content of AMR awareness campaigns for aquaculture communities and question the need for explaining the science underlying AMR in such communication materials.
Emerging IBD demographics, phenotype and treatment in South Asia, South-East Asia and Middle East: Preliminary findings from the IBD-Emerging Nations' Consortium

Banerjee R, Pal P, Hilmi I, Ghoshal UC, Desai DC, Rahman MM, et al.

J Gastroenterol Hepatol, 2022 Feb 17.
PMID: 35178742 DOI: 10.1111/jgh.15801

Background and aims Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is emerging in the newly industrialized countries of South Asia, South East Asia and the Middle East, yet epidemiological data are scarce.
METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study of IBD demographics, disease phenotype and treatment across 38 centers in 15 countries of South Asia, South-East Asia and Middle East. Intergroup comparisons included gross national income (GNI) per capita.
RESULTS: Among 10,400 patients, ulcerative colitis (UC) was twice as common as Crohn's disease (CD), with a male predominance (UC 6678, CD 3495, IBD-Unclassified 227, 58% male). Peak age of onset was in the third decade, with a low proportion of elderly onset IBD (5% age >60). Familial IBD was rare (5%). The extent of UC was predominantly distal (proctitis/left sided 67%), with most being treated with mesalamine (94%), steroids (54%), or immunomodulators (31%). Ileocolic CD (43%) was commonest, with low rates of perianal disease (8%) and only 6% smokers. Diagnostic delay for CD was common (median 12 months; IQR 5-30). Treatment of CD included mesalamine, steroids and immunomodulator (61%, 51% and 56% respectively), but a fifth received empirical anti-tubercular therapy. Treatment with biologics was uncommon (4% UC,13% CD) which increased in countries with higher GNI per capita. Surgery rates were 0.1 (UC) and 2 (CD)/100 patient/years.
CONCLUSIONS: The IBD-ENC cohort provides insight into IBD in South-East Asia and the Middle East, but is not yet population-based. UC is twice as common as CD, familial disease uncommon and rates of surgery are low. Biologic use correlates with per capita GNI.
Fulltext Predicted changes in future precipitation and air temperature across Bangladesh using CMIP6 GCMs

Kamruzzaman M, Wahid S, Shahid S, Alam E, Mainuddin M, Islam HMT, et al.

Heliyon, 2023 May;9(5):e16274.
PMID: 37234666 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e16274

Understanding spatiotemporal variability in precipitation and temperature and their future projections is critical for assessing environmental hazards and planning long-term mitigation and adaptation. In this study, 18 Global Climate Models (GCMs) from the most recent Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 6 (CMIP6) were employed to project the mean annual, seasonal, and monthly precipitation, maximum air temperature (Tmax), and minimum air temperature (Tmin) in Bangladesh. The GCM projections were bias-corrected using the Simple Quantile Mapping (SQM) technique. Using the Multi-Model Ensemble (MME) mean of the bias-corrected dataset, the expected changes for the four Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, SSP3-7.0, and SSP5-8.5) were evaluated for the near (2015-2044), mid (2045-2074), and far (2075-2100) futures in comparison to the historical period (1985-2014). In the far future, the anticipated average annual precipitation increased by 9.48%, 13.63%, 21.07%, and 30.90%, while the average Tmax (Tmin) rose by 1.09 (1.17), 1.60 (1.91), 2.12 (2.80), and 2.99 (3.69) °C for SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, SSP3-7.0, and SSP5-8.5, respectively. According to predictions for the SSP5-8.5 scenario in the distant future, there is expected to be a substantial rise in precipitation (41.98%) during the post-monsoon season. In contrast, winter precipitation was predicted to decrease most (11.12%) in the mid-future for SSP3-7.0, while to increase most (15.62%) in the far-future for SSP1-2.6. Tmax (Tmin) was predicted to rise most in the winter and least in the monsoon for all periods and scenarios. Tmin increased more rapidly than Tmax in all seasons for all SSPs. The projected changes could lead to more frequent and severe flooding, landslides, and negative impacts on human health, agriculture, and ecosystems. The study highlights the need for localized and context-specific adaptation strategies as different regions of Bangladesh will be affected differently by these changes.
Fulltext Bioremediation of malachite green dye by two bacterial strains isolated from textile effluents

Roy DC, Biswas SK, Sheam MM, Hasan MR, Saha AK, Roy AK, et al.

Curr Res Microb Sci, 2020 Sep;1:37-43.
PMID: 34841300 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmicr.2020.06.001

Globally, water pollution from the textile industries is an alarming issue. Malachite Green dye of the triphenylmethane group is an extensively used dye in the fabric industries that is emitted through textile wastewater. This study aimed to isolate and characterize potential Malachite Green (MG) dye degrading bacteria from textile effluents. Different growth and culture parameters such as temperature, pH and dye concentration were optimized to perform the dye-degradation assay using different concentrations of MG dye in the mineral salt medium. A photo-electric-colorimeter was used to measure the decolorizing activity of bacteria at different time intervals after aerobic incubation. Two potential bacterial strains of Enterobacter spp. CV-S1 (accession no: MH450229) and Enterobacter spp. CM-S1 (accession no: MH447289) were isolated from textile effluents exhibiting potential MG dye decoloring efficiency. Further, the RAPD analysis and 16S rRNA sequencing confirmed the genetic differences of the isolated strains. Enterobacter sp CV-S1 and Enterobacter sp CM-S1 can completely decolor MG dye up to 15 mg/L under shaking condition without any requirement of sole carbon source. Thus, these two bacteria have the potency to be utilized in the textile wastewater treatment plant.
Fulltext Antibody dynamics post-Comirnaty and CoronaVac vaccination in Malaysia

Tan CS, Noni V, Melina WUHU, Abdorahman US, Bimbang JN, Malik NMA, et al.

Sci Rep, 2022 09 19;12(1):15665.
PMID: 36123431 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-19776-3

Several vaccines have been fast-tracked through clinical trials to mitigate the progression of the SARS‑CoV‑2 pandemic. We analyzed sequential blood samples from 314 recipients of Comirnaty and CoronaVac in East Malaysia for the spike-binding IgG (IgG-S), nucleocapsid-binding IgG (IgG-N), spike-binding IgM (IgM-S) and serum vitamin D (VitD). A subset of samples was analyzed for the neutralizing antibodies (Ig-RBD). Results showed that IgG-S due to Comirnaty was significantly higher than CoronaVac. IgM-S was detected in 80.0% Comirnaty and 69.5% CoronaVac recipients, while IgG-N was detected in 58.1% CoronaVac but not in Comirnaty recipients. All IgG-S-positive vaccines possessed detectable Ig-RBD after the second dose but with a weak to moderate correlation. The serum VitD levels did not influence the antibody magnitude in both vaccines. In essence, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination is an IgG-S-dominant event, Comirnaty was more effective than CoronaVac in mounting IgG-S and Ig-RBD responses, independent of the patient's VitD level.
α-Glucosidase Inhibitory Activity of Selected Malaysian Plants

Mohd Bukhari DA, Siddiqui MJ, Shamsudin SH, Rahman MM, So'ad SZM

J Pharm Bioallied Sci, 2017 Jul-Sep;9(3):164-170.
PMID: 28979070 DOI: 10.4103/jpbs.JPBS_35_17

Diabetes is a common metabolic disease indicated by unusually high plasma glucose level that can lead to major complications such as diabetic neuropathy, retinopathy, and cardiovascular diseases. One of the effective therapeutic managements of the disease is to reduce postprandial hyperglycemia through inhibition of α-glucosidase, a carbohydrate-hydrolyzing enzyme to retard overall glucose absorption. In recent years, a plenty of research works have been conducted looking for novel and effective α-glucosidase inhibitors (AGIs) from natural sources as alternatives for the synthetic AGI due to their unpleasant side effects. Plants and herbs are rich with secondary metabolites that have massive pharmaceutical potential. Besides, studies showed that phytochemicals such as flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, anthocyanins, glycosides, and phenolic compounds possess significant inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase enzyme. Malaysia is a tropical country that is rich with medicinal herbs. In this review, we focus on eight Malaysian plants with the potential as AGI to develop a potential functional food or lead compounds against diabetes.
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 Impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on irritable bowel syndrome

Quek SXZ, Loo EXL, Demutska A, Chua CE, Kew GS, Wong S, et al.

J Gastroenterol Hepatol, 2021 Aug;36(8):2187-2197.
PMID: 33615534 DOI: 10.1111/jgh.15466

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Gastrointestinal manifestations of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may mimic irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and social distancing measures may affect IBS patients negatively. We aimed to study the impact of COVID-19 on respondents with self-reported IBS.
METHODS: We conducted an anonymized survey from May to June 2020 in 33 countries. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices on personal hygiene and social distancing as well as psychological impact of COVID-19 were assessed. Statistical analysis was performed to determine differences in well-being and compliance to social distancing measures between respondents with and without self-reported IBS. Factors associated with improvement or worsening of IBS symptoms were evaluated.
RESULTS: Out of 2704 respondents, 2024 (74.9%) did not have IBS, 305 (11.3%) had self-reported IBS, and 374 (13.8%) did not know what IBS was. Self-reported IBS respondents reported significantly worse emotional, social, and psychological well-being compared with non-IBS respondents and were less compliant to social distancing measures (28.2% vs 35.3%, P = 0.029); 61.6% reported no change, 26.6% reported improvement, and 11.8% reported worsening IBS symptoms. Higher proportion of respondents with no change in IBS symptoms were willing to practice social distancing indefinitely versus those who deteriorated (74.9% vs 51.4%, P = 0.016). In multivariate analysis, willingness to continue social distancing for another 2-3 weeks (vs longer period) was significantly associated with higher odds of worsening IBS.
CONCLUSION: Our study showed that self-reported IBS respondents had worse well-being and compliance to social distancing measures than non-IBS respondents. Future research will focus on occupational stress and dietary changes during COVID-19 that may influence IBS.
Fulltext Factors associated with high compliance behaviour against COVID-19 in the early phase of pandemic: a cross-sectional study in 12 Asian countries

Chua CE, Kew GS, Demutska A, Quek S, Loo EXL, Gui H, et al.

BMJ Open, 2021 08 09;11(8):e046310.
PMID: 34373296 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-046310

INTRODUCTION: Regardless of having effective vaccines against COVID-19, containment measures such as enhanced physical distancing and good practice of personal hygiene remain the mainstay of controlling the COVID-19 pandemic. Countries across Asia have imposed these containment measures to varying extents. However, residents in different countries would have a differing degree of compliance to these containment measures potentially due to differences in the level of awareness and motivation in the early phase of pandemic.
OBJECTIVES: In our study, we aimed to describe and correlate the level of knowledge and attitude with the level of compliance with personal hygiene and physical distancing practices among Asian countries in the early phase of pandemic.
METHODS: A multinational cross-sectional study was carried out using electronic surveys between May and June 2020 across 14 geographical areas. Subjects aged 21 years and above were invited to participate through social media, word of mouth and electronic mail.
RESULTS: Among the 2574 responses obtained, 762 (29.6%) participants were from East Asia and 1812 (70.4%) were from Southeast Asia (SEA). A greater proportion of participants from SEA will practise physical distancing as long as it takes (72.8% vs 60.6%). Having safe distancing practices such as standing more than 1 or 2 m apart (AdjOR 5.09 95% CI (1.08 to 24.01)) or more than 3 or 4 m apart (AdjOR 7.05 95% CI (1.32 to 37.67)), wearing a mask when they had influenza-like symptoms before the COVID-19 pandemic, preferring online news channels such as online news websites/applications (AdjOR 1.73 95% CI (1.21 to 2.49)) and social media (AdjOR 1.68 95% CI (1.13 to 2.50) as sources of obtaining information about COVID-19 and high psychological well-being (AdjOR 1.39 95% CI (1.04 to 1.87)) were independent factors associated with high compliance.
CONCLUSIONS: We found factors associated with high compliance behaviour against COVID-19 in the early phase of pandemic and it will be useful to consider them in risk assessment, communication and pandemic preparedness.
An ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used by tribal and native people of Madhupur forest area, Bangladesh

Islam MK, Saha S, Mahmud I, Mohamad K, Awang K, Jamal Uddin S, et al.

J Ethnopharmacol, 2014 Feb 3;151(2):921-30.
PMID: 24342778 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2013.11.056

Madhupur forest area, Tangail is one of early human settlements in Bangladesh. Having abode in the vicinity of the forest, a strong ethnobotanical practice has prevailed in this area since ancient time. Due to the rapid deforestation during the last few decades, many plants have already disappeared or are facing extinction. Thus we attempted to document the medicinal plant use of Madhupur forest area with a view to preserve the ethnobotanical knowledge and in order to protect the biodiversity of this area.

Filters

Please provide feedback to Administrator (afdal@afpm.org.my)

External Links