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Fulltext Maternal undernutrition and excessive body weight and risk of birth and health outcomes

Khan MN, Rahman MM, Shariff AA, Rahman MM, Rahman MS, Rahman MA

Arch Public Health, 2017;75:12.
PMID: 28174626 DOI: 10.1186/s13690-017-0181-0

BACKGROUND: Overweight and obesity are increasing in low- and middle-income countries, while underweight remains a significant health problems. However, the association between double burden of nutrition and risk of adverse birth and health outcomes is still unclear in Bangladesh. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of maternal undernutrition and excessive body weight on a range of maternal and child health outcomes.

METHODS: In this study, we used Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) 2011 and 2014 data sets to cover the maternal, child and non-communicable diseases related health outcomes. The study considered a range of outcome variables including pregnancy complication, cesarean delivery, diabetes, hypertension, stunting, and wasting, low birth weight, genital discharge, genital sore/ulcer, stillbirth, early neonatal mortality, perinatal mortality, preterm birth and prolonged labor. The key exposure variable was maternal body mass index. Multilevel regression analysis was performed to examine the association between outcomes and exposure variables.

RESULTS: Maternal overweight and obesity has increased from 10% in 2004 to 24% in 2014, a 240% increase in 10 years. Between 2004 and 2014, maternal undernutrition declined from 33% to 18%, a reduction rate of only 54% in 10 years. Compared to normal-weight women, overweight and obese women were more likely to have experienced pregnancy complication, cesarean delivery, diabetes, and hypertension. Underweight women were 1.3 times more likely to have children with stunting and 1.6 times more likely to experience wasting compared to normal weight women. Maternal BMI was not significantly associated with increased risk of genital sore or ulcer, genital discharge, menstrual irregularities, or low birth weight though in certain cases risk was higher.

CONCLUSIONS: High maternal overweight and obesity were observed to have significant adverse effects on health outcomes, while underweight was a risk factor for newborn health. The findings show that weight management is necessary to prevent adverse birth and health outcomes in Bangladesh.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: Data related to health was collected by following the guidelines of ICF international and Bangladesh Medical Research Council. The registration number of data collection is 132989.0.000 and the data-request was registered on March 11, 2015.
Fulltext Synthesis of Cu and Zr-based coordination polymers with N/O donors and investigation of their photocatalytic activity against dye

Alam MM, Ahmed MF, Arafath MA, Karim MR, Uddin MN, Hossain MS

Heliyon, 2024 Jun 30;10(12):e33440.
PMID: 39015804 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e33440

The coordination polymers (CPs) of Cu and Zr were synthesized by the hydrothermal method. The orotic acid potassium salt (H3KL) was used as a linker, which coordinates via O-O. Whereas, 4,4'-trimethylenedipyridine (4,4'-TMDP) was used as a bifunctional monomer, which coordinates via N-N. The synthesized CPs were characterized by FTIR, P-XRD, TGA, DSC and SEM. The photocatalytic activity was investigated against methylene blue (MB) under sunlight irradiation. Both Cu-CP and Zr-CP exhibited potential activity for the degradation of MB, which was 72 % for Cu-CP and 93 % for Zr-CP. The band gap of the CPs was also investigated, and the observed value was 2.2 eV. The band gap indicates that these compounds could bring breakthroughs as photocatalysts instead of semiconductors. These kinds of CPs could be used for multiple purposes in industry and in a green environment.
Fulltext Intravenous urogram in acute renal failure

Md Ghazali AR, Suleiman AB, Md Alif AK, Thillakanu A

Med J Malaysia, 1981 Jun;36(2):104-7.
PMID: 7343817

Thirty-four case notes of patients in acute renal failure on whom intravenous urograms (IVU) were performed, were reviewed. All patients received high doses of Conray 420 or Urotrast. Delayed films up to 48 hours were routinely done in patients suspected of having obstruction. There were no side effects of the intravenous urogram examination. IVU with high dose contrast material and nephrogram are helpful in differentiating the cause of the acute renal failure, and in excluding outflow obstruction.
Fulltext Community's misconception about COVID-19 and its associated factors in Satkhira, Bangladesh: A cross-sectional study

Bakebillah M, Billah MA, Wubishet BL, Khan MN

PLoS One, 2021;16(9):e0257410.
PMID: 34506614 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257410

INTRODUCTION: Misconception related to coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) have been spread out broadly and the the World Health Organization declared these as a major challenge to fight against the pandemic. This study aimed to assess COVID-19 related misconception among rural people in Bangladesh and associated socio-demographic and media related factors.
METHODS: Multistage sampling method was used to collect data (n = 210) from three unions of Satkhira District, Bangladesh. The dependent variable was the presence of COVID-19 related misconception (Yes, No) which was generated based on respondents' responses to a set of six questions on various types of misconception. Exposure variables were respondents' socio-demographic characteristics, mass media and social media exposure. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the characteristics of the respondents. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to determine the factors associated with COVID-19 misconception.
RESULTS: More than half of the study respondents had one or more COVID-19 related misconception. Over 50% of the total respondents considered this disease as a punishment from God. Besides, many of the respondents reported that they do not think the virus causing COVID-19 is dangerous (59%) and it is a disease (19%). Around 7% reported they believe the virus is the part of a virus war (7.2%). The bivariate analysis found the presence of socio-demographic factors of the respondents, as well as the factors related to social and mass media, were significantly associated with the COVID-19's misconception. However, once all factors considered together in the multivariate model, misconception were found to be lower among secondary (AOR, 0.33, 95% CI: 0.13-0.84) and tertiary (AOR, 0.29, 95% CI: 0.09-0.92) educated respondents compared to the respondents with primary education.
CONCLUSION: This study obtained a very higher percentage of misconception about the COVID-19 among the respondents of Satkhira district in Bangladesh. This could be a potential challenge to fight against this pandemic which is now ongoing. Prioritizing mass and social media to disseminate evidence-based information as well as educate people about this disease are necessary.
Fulltext Too many yet too few caesarean section deliveries in Bangladesh: Evidence from Bangladesh Demographic and Health Surveys data

Khan MN, Kabir MA, Shariff AA, Rahman MM

PLOS Glob Public Health, 2022;2(2):e0000091.
PMID: 36962249 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0000091

Caesarean section (CS) use is rising rapidly in Bangladesh, though lack of CS use remains common among disadvantage women. This increases risks of long-term obstetric complications as well as maternal and child deaths among disadvantage women. We aimed to determine the interaction effects of women's disadvantage characteristics on CS use in Bangladesh. For this we have analysed a total of 27,093 women's data extracted from five rounds of Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey conducted during 2004 and 2017/18. The outcome variable was CS use, coded as use (1) and non-use (0). The major exposure variables were individual level, household level, and community level characteristics. Multilevel logistic regression model was used to determine association of CS use with socio-demographic characteristics and the interactions of three variables: working status, wealth quintile, and place of residence. We found a 751% increase of CS use over the last 13 years-from 3.88% in 2004 to 33% in 2017/18. Nearly, 80% of the total CS operation occurred in the private health facilities followed by the government health facilities (15%). Women living in rural areas with no engagement in formal income generating activities showed a 11% (OR, 0.89, 95% CI, 0.71-0.99) lower use of CS in 2004. This association was further strengthened over time, and a 51% (OR, 0.49, 0.03-0.65) lower in CS use was reported in 2017/18. Similarly, around 12%-83% lower likelihoods of CS use were found among rural poor and poorer women. These indicate Bangladesh is facing a double burden of CS use, that is a group of women with improved socio-economic condition are using this life saving procedure without medical necessity while their counterpart of disadvantage characteristics could not access the service. Improved monitoring from the government along with support to use CS services for the disadvantage groups on necessity are important.
Fulltext A study on the removal of propyl, butyl, and benzyl parabens via newly synthesised ionic liquid loaded magnetically confined polymeric mesoporous adsorbent

Md Yusoff M, Yahaya N, Md Saleh N, Raoov M

RSC Adv, 2018 Jul 16;8(45):25617-25635.
PMID: 35539765 DOI: 10.1039/c8ra03408g

This study investigated the effectiveness of ionic liquids (ILs) loaded onto the surface of a polymeric adsorbent (βCD-TDI) grafted with modified magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) via an analysis of water treatment, which resulted in high removal of selected endocrine-disrupting chemicals (parabens). The syntheses of MNPs, MNP-βCD-TDI, and IL-MNP-βCD-TDI were characterised and compared using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, carbon-hydrogen-nitrogen (CHN) analysis, vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) method, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results of SEM and TEM indicated that the pore size distribution exhibited mesoporous characteristics with a small surface area (BET analysis: 42.95 m2 g-1). Furthermore, a preliminary sorption experiment demonstrated the ability of IL-MNP-βCD-TDI to enhance not only the sorption capacity, but also the removal of propyl paraben (PP), butyl paraben (BP), and benzyl paraben (ArP). The adsorption process appeared to be pH-dependent, and hence the optimum pH of 6 was selected for a subsequent batch adsorption study of all the studied parabens with an equilibrium time of 80 min. Next, in an attempt to investigate the interactions that occur between the adsorbent and the adsorbates, adsorption kinetics and isotherm studies were performed. All the studied parabens were found to best fit pseudo-second-order kinetics and the Freundlich isotherm with R 2 > 0.98 at room temperature (298 K). The interaction of the host-guest inclusion complex and the π-π interaction between βCD and a selected paraben compound (ArP) were identified by performing 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), together with ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopic analysis. Finally, the adsorption efficiency of the developed material was practically tested on tap water, drain water, and industrial wastewater, which revealed a significant removal of parabens of up to 60-90% in comparison with a prior analysis.
Fulltext The Desire for Multiple Pregnancy among Patients with Infertility and Their Partners

Md Latar IL, Razali N

Int J Reprod Med, 2014;2014:301452.
PMID: 25763396 DOI: 10.1155/2014/301452

Objective. To study the predictors for desire for multiple pregnancies and the influence of providing information regarding the maternal and fetal complications associated with multiple pregnancies on their preference for multiple pregnancies. Methods. Couples attending an infertility clinic were offered to fill up a questionnaire separately. Following this, they were handed a pamphlet with information regarding the risks associated with multiple pregnancies. The patients will then be required to answer the question on the number of pregnancies desired again. Results. Two hundred fifty three out of 300 respondents completed the questionnaires adequately. A higher proportion of respondents, 60.3% of females and 57.9% of males, prefer singleton pregnancy. Patients who are younger than 35 years, with preexisting knowledge of risks associated with multiple pregnancies and previous treatment for infertility, have decreased desire for multiple pregnancies. However, for patients who are older than 35, with longer duration of infertility, and those patients who have preexisting knowledge of the increased risk, providing further information regarding the risks did not change their initial preferences. Conclusion. Providing and reinforcing knowledge on the risks to mother and fetus associated with multiple pregnancies did not decrease the preference for multiple pregnancies in patients.
Fulltext Ranging patterns of critically endangered colobine, Presbytis chrysomelas chrysomelas

Ampeng A, Md-Zain BM

ScientificWorldJournal, 2012;2012:594382.
PMID: 22536146 DOI: 10.1100/2012/594382

Presbytis chrysomelas chrysomelas endemic only in Sarawak and Kalimantan was categorized by IUCN as a critically endangered primate that require special attention from research and conservation perspectives. A qualitative study on ranging patterns of P. c. chrysomelas was conducted in the Samunsam Wildlife Sanctuary, Sarawak. The study was conducted over a period of 13 months from December 2004 to December 2005 with 213 days of observation. Behavioural observation covered 17 groups with special emphasis on two main groups and 1 subadult group. Scanning and focal sampling were employed as the observation methods. Results indicated that P. c. chrysomelas had vertical, straight horizontal, and cross-horizontal types of movement patterns. P. c. chrysomelas was recorded to have a short movement distance (31.8-54.3 m). Distribution, abundance types, and food resources might be the factors that shaped the patterns of movement and distance in P. c. chrysomelas.
Travel itinerary uncertainty and the pre-travel consultation--a pilot study

Flaherty G, Md Nor MN

J Travel Med, 2016 Jan;23(1).
PMID: 26782127 DOI: 10.1093/jtm/tav010

Risk assessment relies on the accuracy of the information provided by the traveller. A questionnaire was administered to 83 consecutive travellers attending a travel medicine clinic. The majority of travellers was uncertain about destinations within countries, transportation or type of accommodation. Most travellers were uncertain if they would be visiting malaria regions. The degree of uncertainty about itinerary potentially impacts on the ability of the travel medicine specialist to perform an adequate risk assessment, select appropriate vaccinations and prescribe malaria prophylaxis. This study reveals high levels of traveller uncertainty about their itinerary which may potentially reduce the effectiveness of their pre-travel consultation.
Cyclooxygenase-2 expression in clear cell renal cell carcinoma

Mohtarrudin N, Ghazali R, Md Roduan MR

Malays J Pathol, 2018 Dec;40(3):313-318.
PMID: 30580362

INTRODUCTION: Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) promotes carcinogenesis by inducing proliferation and angiogenesis while decreasing apoptosis and immunosuppressive activity. It is overexpressed in many malignancies including renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The aim of this study was to investigate COX-2 expression in clear cell RCC and its association with tumour grades and demographic parameters.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-six clear cell RCC cases were selected. There were 21 (58.3%) men and 15 (41.7%) women with median age of 56.6 years (range: 16-74 years). Chinese constituted 16 (44.4%) of the cases; Malays 14 (38.9%) cases and Indian 6 (16.7%) cases. There were 6 (16.7%) grade 1, 20 (55.6%) grade 2, 10 (27.8%) grade 3 and none was grade 4. The paraffin embedded tissues were cut at 4 μm thick and stained with COX-2 monoclonal antibody.
RESULTS: Eighteen (50%) of the RCC cases were immunopositive, of which all showed strong positivity. The immunopositive cases showed cytoplasmic membrane positivity.
CONCLUSION: There was no significant association between COX-2 expression with grade, age, sex and ethnicity (p=0.457, p=0.054, p=0.389 and p=0.568 respectively). Strong positivity of COX-2 suggest that COX-2 may play a role in cell proliferation and in carcinogenesis.
Fulltext Cardiac A-lines in fast scan as a sign of pneumopericardium

Md Noor J, Eddie EA

Ultrasound J, 2019 Apr 25;11(1):7.
PMID: 31359168 DOI: 10.1186/s13089-019-0123-x

BACKGROUND: Traumatic pneumopericardium is rare and usually results from blunt injury. Diagnosis through clinical and chest X-ray is often difficult. Ultrasound findings of A-line artifacts in the cardiac window may suggest pneumopericardium.
CASE PRESENTATION: A young man involved in a car accident and sustained blunt thoracic injuries, among others. As part of primary survey, FAST scan was performed. Subxiphoid view to look for evidence of pericardial effusion showed part of the cardiac image obscured by A-lines. Other cardiac windows showed only A-lines, as well. A suspicion of pneumopericardium was raised and CT scan confirmed the diagnosis.
CONCLUSIONS: Although FAST scan was originally used to look for presence of free fluid, with the knowledge of lung ultrasound for pneumothorax, our findings suggest that FAST scan can also be used to detect pneumopericardium.
Trends and advances in edible biopolymer coating for tropical fruit: A review

Md Nor S, Ding P

Food Res Int, 2020 08;134:109208.
PMID: 32517939 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2020.109208

Nowadays, many of the tropical fruits have been commercialized worldwide due to increasing demand. In 2018, global tropical fruit has reached an unprecedented peak of 7.1 million tonnes. As such, a lot of large scale farming has been initiated to cultivate the fruit for commercialization. The nature of tropical fruit is perishable make the fruit easily undergo post-harvest losses especially when the fruit travels in a long distance for distribution. Losses of tropical fruit is estimated around 18-28% after harvesting. Then, the losses will continually develop during the trading process. Applying fruit coating on the fruit can minimize substantial privation. This article compendiously reviews the needs of coating and discuss different types of coating materials. The efficiency of different coating materials; polysaccharide, protein, lipid and composite based coating on tropical fruit is highlighted. There are various types of coating available for major fruit such as banana, mango, pineapple and avocado that can effectively extend the post-harvest life, minimize water loss, reduce chilling injuries and fight against post-harvest disease. Coating from minor fruit such as durian, rambutan, passion-fruit and mangosteen are still limited especially made from lipid and protein coating. In choosing the most appropriate coating for tropical, the nature of fruit needs to be understood. In addition, the chemistry of coating components and techniques of application is important in modulating the fruit quality.
Fulltext Prevalence of underweight and effect of nutritional status on academic performance of primary school children in Chapainawabganj district, Bangladesh

Md Galam, H., Md Saimul, I., Kazi Enamul, H., Md Ashraful, I., Asma, Mamun, Kamruzzaman, M., et al.

Malays J Nutr, 2014;20(1):71-81.
MyJurnal

Introduction: The high prevalence of underweight among children is a serious health concern in Bangladesh. Nutritional status influences students' academic performance directly or indirectly. This study aimed to determine factors that affect the academic performance of students in primary schools. Methods: Data were collected from several schools and madrasahs in Chapainawabganj district, Bangladesh using multistage stratified sampling with proportional allocation technique. Results: The prevalence of underweight children was 32.3%, with 43.0% of them being girls and 21.4% boys. Multiple logistic regression analysis demonstrated that normal weight children were more likely (p
Fulltext Congenital cholesteatoma: Different clinical presentation in two cases

Abdul Jalil S, Md Daud MK

Malays Fam Physician, 2016;11(2-3):30-32.
PMID: 28461856

INTRODUCTION: Congenital cholesteatoma (CC) of the middle ear is a rare entity that may be undiagnosed for years. The lesion can grow undetected until it produces symptoms such as reduced hearing or otalgia.

METHOD: Case report.

RESULTS: We report two cases of young ladies with CC who presented with different otological symptoms. The first case complained of recurrent unilateral ear pain while the second case presented with unilateral reduced hearing. Examination of both cases revealed a whitish mass seen behind an intact tympanic membrane. Both cases underwent surgery and histopathological examinations; findings were consistent with cholesteatoma.

CONCLUSION: There are varieties of clinical presentations of CC and the diagnosis is based on clinical findings.
Effects of stocking density on survival, growth and production of Thai climbing perch (Anabas testudineus) under fed ponds

Khatune-Jannat M, Mohammad Mustafizur Rahman, Md. Abul Bashar, Md. Nahid Hasan, Ferdous Ahamed, Md Yeamin Hossain

Sains Malaysiana, 2012;41:1205-1210.

An experiment was carried out in 6 earthen ponds to investigate the effects of stocking density on growth, survival and production of Thai climbing perch (Anabas testudineus). Three stocking densities (treatments) were compared: ponds with 350, 400 and 550 individuals per decimal (0.01 acre). All treatments were randomly assigned and in duplicate. Artificial feed containing 34% crude protein was applied initially 20% of total fish weight per day. Gradually the feeding rate was reduced to 15, 12, 10, 8 and 5% of total fish weight per day. Feeding rates per pond were adjusted fortnightly after weighing minimum 20% of the fish stocked. The duration of the experiment was 90 days. Results showed that all growth parameters were higher in ponds with lower stocking density than the ponds with higher stocking density, while total fish yield was higher in ponds with higher stocking density than in the ponds with lower stocking density. Cost-benefit analysis revealed that all three systems were economically profitable. However, the ponds with a stocking density of 550 individuals per decimal were the most profitable system. More research is still needed to further optimize stocking density of Thai climbing perch in aquaculture ponds. Until then, stocking 550 individuals of Thai climbing perch per decimal will yield a good production to fish farmers in the South and South-East Asian regions.
Biological aspects of the critically endangered fish, Labeo boga in the Ganges River, Northwestern Bangladesh

Md. Yeamin Hossain, Sharmin Jahan, Md. Abu Sayed Jewel, Md. Mosaddequr Rahman, Mst. Monira Khatun, Saleha Jasmine

Sains Malaysiana, 2015;44:31-40.

The present study reports the first complete and inclusive description of some biological parameters including length-frequency distribution (LFD), sex ratio (SR), length-weight relationship (LWR), condition factors (allometric, KA; Fulton’s, KF; relative, KR and relative weight, WR) and form factor (a3.0) of Labeo boga in the Ganges River, northwestern Bangladesh. Sampling was conducted using traditional fishing gears during April 2011 to March 2012. For each specimen, total length (TL) was measured to the nearest 0.01 cm using digital slide calipers and total body weight (BW) was measured using an electronic balance with 0.01 g accuracy. The LWR was calculated using the expression: W= a Lb, where W is the BW and L is the TL. A total of 211 specimens ranging from 9.78-27.50 cm TL and 10.00 to 276.10 g BW were studied. BW of females was significantly higher than that of males (Mann-Whitney U-test, p>0.001). However the overall sex ratio did not differ significantly from the expected value of 1:1 (χ2 = 0.12, p<0.05). The calculated b for the LWR indicated isometric growth (» 3.00) in males, females and combined gender and there were significant differences in the intercepts but not in the slopes between the sexes of L. boga in the Ganges River. KF of females was significantly higher than that for males (p<0.001). In addition, the Wilcoxon signed rank test showed that the WR did not differ from 100 for males and females in this study indicating good condition of habitat for L. boga. The results of this study would be an effective tool for fishery specialists to initiate early management strategies and regulations for the sustainable management of the remaining stocks of this species within the Padma River and surrounding ecosystems.
Population structure, length-weight and length-length relationships, and condition- and form-factors of the pool barb Puntius sophore (Hamilton, 1822) (Cyprinidae) from the Chalan beel, north-central Bangladesh

Md. Mosaddequr Rahman, Md. Yeamin Hossain, Md. Abu Sayed Jewel, Mohammad Mustafizur Rahman, Saleha Jasmine, Elgorban M. Abdallah, et al.

Sains Malaysiana, 2012;41:795-802.

The present study describes the length-frequency distribution, length-weight (LWR) and length-length relationships (LLR), and condition- and form-factors of Puntius sophore wild population from the Chalan beel, north-central Bangladesh. Sampling was done using traditional fishing gears including jhaki jal (cast net), tar jal (square lift net), and dughair (conical trap) during March 2010 to February 2011. For each individual, the total length (TL), fork length (FL) and standard length (SL) were measured by digital slide calipers. Individual body weight (BW) was also taken by a digital balance. A total of 185 specimens ranging from 3.62-9.02 cm TL and 0.70-13.20 g BW were analyzed in this study. The length-frequency distribution showed that the 6-7 cm TL size group was numerically dominant and constituted 43% of the total population. The coefficient b of the LWRs indicated positive allometric growth (b>3.00) for P. sophore in the Chalan beel. The results also indicated that the LWRs were highly correlated (r2 > 0.945). The calculated Fulton’s condition factor (K) values ranged from 0.69-2.35, with a mean value 1.64±0.30. The relative weight (Wr) was not significantly different from 100 for (p=0.074), indicating the balance habitat with food availability relative to the presence of predators for P. sophore. The estimated values of form factor (a
3.0) were as 0.0138, 0.0345 and 0.0435 for TL, FL and SL of P. sophore, respectively. These results will be useful for fishery biologists and conservationists to suggest adequate regulations for sustainable fishery management and conservation its numerous stocks in the region.
Life-history traits of the freshwater garfish Xenentodon cancila (Hamilton 1822) (Belonidae) in the Ganges River, Northwestern Bangladesh

Md. Yeamin Hossain, Md. Abu Sayed Jewel, Md. Mosaddequr Rahman, A.B.M. Mohidul Haque, Heba Allah M. Elbaghdady, Jun Ohtomi

Sains Malaysiana, 2013;42:1207-1218.

The freshwater garfish, Xenentodon cancila (Hamilton 1822), is one of the commercially important, nutritionally valuable food fish in Asian countries, but the natural populations are seriously decreasing due to high fishing pressure and other factors. This study describes the life history traits, including sex ratio (SR), length-frequency distributions (LFDs), length-weight relationships (LWRs), length-length relationships (LLRs), condition factors (Allometric, KA; Fulton’s, KF; relative condition, KR; relative weight, WR) and form factor (a3.0) of X. cancila in the Ganges (Padma) River, northwestern Bangladesh. A total of 175 specimens ranging from 10.50-21.00 cm TL (total length) and 1.44-20.67 g BW (body weight) were investigated in this study. Sampling was done using traditional fishing gears from April 2011 to March 2012. The overall sex ratio showed no significant differences from the expected value of 1:1 (df = 1, χ2 = 0.28, p<0.05), whereas significant difference was found in the LFD (TL) between the sexes (Two tailed, p<0.001). The allometric coefficient b for the LWR indicated positive allometric growth in males, females and combined sexes. The results further indicated that the LLRs were highly correlated. Both KR and KF showed significant variations (Two tailed, p<0.001) between male and female. Also, WR was significantly different from 100 for both sexes (p<0.01), indicating the imbalance habitat with food availability relative to the presence of predators for X. cancila. The calculated values of a3.0 were as 0.0304, 0.0268 and 0.0252 for males, females and combined sexes of X. cancila. This study reports the first complete and comprehensive description of life-history traits for X. cancila from Bangladeshi waters. The data should be useful for the sustainable conservation of this critically endangered fishery in Bangladesh and neighboring countries.
Life-history traits of the threatened freshwater fish Cirrhinus reba (Hamilton 1822) (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) in the Ganges River, Northwestern Bangladesh

Md. Yeamin Hossain, Mst. Monira Khatun, Saleha Jasmine, Md. Mosaddequr Rahman, Sharmin Jahan, Md. Abu Sayed Jewel, et al.

Sains Malaysiana, 2013;42:1219-1229.

The threatened Reba carp, Cirrhinus reba is a freshwater fish species found in ponds, rivers, canals and tanks of Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Nepal and Pakistan. The present study describes the first complete and inclusive description of life-history traits including sex ratio, length-frequency distributions (LFD), length-weight relationships (LWR), condition factors (Allometric, KA; Fulton’s, KF; Relative condition, KR; Relative weight, WR), form factor (a3.0) and size at first sexual maturity of C. reba in the Ganges River, NW Bangladesh. Sampling was done using traditional fishing gears including cast net, square lift net and conical trap from April 2011 to March 2012. The total length (TL), fork length (FL) and standard length (SL) were measured to the nearest 0.01 cm using digital slide calipers and total body weight (BW) was measured using an electronic balance with 0.01 g accuracy. The LWR was calculated using the expression: W= a Lb, where W is the BW, L the TL. The size at first sexual maturity of C. reba was estimated using the empirical equation by Binohlan and Froese (2009) for male and female, separately. A total of 250 specimens ranging from 8.00 cm – 23.40 cm TL and 4.30 g – 200 g BW were analyzed in this study. The overall sex ratio did not differ significantly from the expected value of 1:1 (χ2 = 3.38, p< 0.05), but there was significant differences in the TL-frequency distributions (Mann-Whitney U-test, p< 0.001) between male (median = 12.00 cm) and female (median = 15.80 cm). The calculated b for the LWR indicated positive allometric growth (> 3.00) in male and female and there was significant differences in the intercepts (ancova, p< 0.001) and in the slopes (ancova, p< 0.001) between the sexes. In addition, the Mann-Whitney U-test showed significant differences in the Fulton’s condition factor between male and female (p< 0.001). The one sample t-test showed that the mean WR (actual mean = 99.50) did not differ from 100 for male (p= 0.523) and female (p= 0.197) in this study, indicating the habitat was still in good condition for C. reba. Moreover, the size at sexual maturity of male and female C. reba were estimated as 11.50 cm TL and 13.50 cm TL, respectively. The results of this study would be useful for the sustainable conservation of this threatened carp fishery in Bangladesh and also neighboring countries.
Fulltext Differential diffusion of pharmaceutical innovations in a mixed market middle - income economy

Md Hamzah N, See KF

BMC Health Serv Res, 2021 Oct 19;21(1):1119.
PMID: 34663311 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-021-06786-6

BACKGROUND: Policymakers are faced with the challenge of balancing patient's access for effective and affordable medicines to sustain the rising healthcare costs. In a mixed healthcare market such as Malaysia, coverage decisions of new medicines are different: public funded health system has a formulary listing process whereas for private sector, which is a market-based economy, depends on patient's willingness to pay and insurance coverage. There is little overlap between public and private healthcare service delivery with access to new innovative medicines, as differentiated by sources of funding. The objectives of this study were to examine the diffusion of New Chemical Entities (NCEs) into the public and private healthcare market between 2010 and 2014, and determine the factors explaining the diffusion.
METHODS: We matched medicines from the product registration database by medicine formulation to medicines in IQVIA National Pharmaceutical Audit database for each year. The price per Defined Daily Dose (DDD), market concentration and generic utilization share variables were calculated. A panel fixed effect model was performed to measure diffusion of NCEs for each year and test possible determinants of diffusion of NCEs for overall market and sector specifics.
RESULTS: The utilization of NCEs was larger in the private sector compared to the public sector but the speed of diffusion over time was higher in the public sector. Price per DDD was negatively associated with diffusion of NCEs, while generic utilization share was significantly regressive in the public sector. Market concentration was negatively associated with utilization of NCEs, however result tends to be mixed according to sector and Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) category.
CONCLUSIONS: Understanding key aspects of sectoral variation in diffusion of NCEs are crucial to reduce the differences of access to new medicines within a country and ensure resources are used on cost effective treatments.

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