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Evaluation of the vitamins, minerals, and phytochemical contents of complementary food blends from pearl millet (pennisetum glaucum), African yam bean (sphenostylis stenocarpa hoechst ex. a. rich), and tiger nut (cyperus esculentus).
Get PDFImprovement and use of complementary food blends are an economic option in an attempt to reduce the risk of chronic diseases usually associated with malnutrition. Ingredients utilized in complementary food blends are normal foods composed of high levels of one or more essential nutrients and low levels of anti-nutrients and are available at comparatively lower cost and underutilized. The aim of this study was to produce complementary food blends from pearl millet, African yam bean, and tiger nut and evaluate the vitamin, mineral, and anti-nutrient contents. Ten complementary food blends were formulated and the vitamins, minerals, and anti-nutrients were evaluated. The data obtained were statistically analyzed using the analysis of Variance (ANOVA) technique with the use of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.0. Means were compared and separated using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT) and LSD at p≤0.05. The results obtained showed that vitamin A ranged from 0.32 – 0.76 mg/ 100g; vitamin B1, 0.13–0.14 mg/ 100g; vitamin B3, 0.12 –0.17 mg/ 100g. Results indicated that calcium contents ranged from 10.00–54.00 mg/ 100g; magnesium 10.50–11.40 mg/ 100g; potassium 25.90–27.00 mg/ 100 g iron 7.30–9.50 mg/ 100g and phosphorus 20.40–26.60 mg/ 100g. For the anti-nutrients, tannin ranged from 32.00–39.00 mg/ 100g; phytate 22.00–37.00 mg/ 100g and oxalate 6.80–11.10 mg/ 100g. These anti-nutrients obtained in this study fall within the permissible limits of 20mg/g, 3–5 mg/kg, and 200–250 mg/ g for tannin, phytate, and oxalate respectively
A review on the use of corticosteroids
Get PDFcorticosteroids [CS] are used to treat various diseased conditions such as inflammatory diseases including allergic diseases and hypersensitivity reactions. Cortisol is produced in the adrenal gland and a variety of other hormones are produced through cholesterol metabolism. They are elaborated in the regulation of different processes such as metabolism electrolyte regulation inflammation, and stress responses based on their major effects. Corticosteroids acts as anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, immunosuppressive and shows vasoconstrictive effects. Prolonged use of corticosteroid leads to hormonal changes within the body which may cause a wide range of side effects. Once corticosteroids are prescribed the patient should be monitored regularly and reviewed to assess the response to the treatment with adjusting the dose at a minimum. When corticosteroids are used thoroughly as intensive therapy or for prolonged courses, a tapering strategy is recommended to prevent signs and symptoms of adrenal insufficiency due to hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis suppression
Cardio-diabetic protective effect of Telmisartan
Get PDFThe antihypertensive drugs that are being used currently were primarily designed and developed to affect cellular and biochemical mechanisms that lead to increased blood pressure and do not address the underlying contributory factors like, disordered carbohydrate and lipid metabolism that often accompanies hypertension as part of the metabolic syndrome. The metabolic syndrome eventually leads to co-morbid conditions i.e., hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Both these conditions mechanistically share the common pathophysiological pathways in people who suffer from metabolic syndrome. PPAR-γ plays an important role in regulating carbohydrate and lipid metabolism and ligands for PPAR γ can improve insulin sensitivity, reduce triglyceride levels, and decrease the risk for atherosclerosis. Telmisartan is a well-established angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1) blocker along with an activator of the PPARγ receptor. Telmisartan has several pharmacological properties that distinguish it from other ARBs, like, the structural resemblance with pioglitazone which is a PPARγ ligand that is approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Thus, telmisartan seems to be a suitable candidate for the management of CV risk reduction in patients with atherothrombotic disease or diabetes mellitus with end-organ damage. This article will discuss the mechanistic aspect of telmisartan that supports its utility in cardiac protection along with the outcome of different clinical trials
Pediatric multiple sclerosis – A case report from Albania
Get PDFMultiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most debilitating diseases with a considerable financial burden and deteriorating effect on the quality of life for the affected individual, the family and the entire society. Although MS affects young adults, it can develop in children as well. In these cases, the diagnosis of MS could be rather challenging but it should be timely done in order to start the appropriate treatment and avoid unfavorable outcomes. We present the case of multiple sclerosis in a 13-year-old boy in Albania who initially was suspected to be affected by acute disseminated encephalomyelitis and describe the diagnosis procedure challenges
Assessment of echocardiographic left ventricular dimensions with several clinical findings among healthy people
Get PDFBackground: The echocardiographic measurement of left ventricular dimensions and the changes of left ventricular dimensions may be important to assess cardiac as well as the cardiovascular conditions of patients. On the other hand, the QRS duration signifies the time for ventricular depolarization. Aim of the study: The aim of this study was to assess the echocardiographic left ventricular dimensions with several clinical findings among healthy people. Methods: This was an observational cross-sectional study which was conducted in the Department of Cardiology, University Cardiac Centre, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka over a period of 2 years from July 2008 to June 2010. In total 92 apparently healthy people without heart failure (HF) or myocardial infarction (MI) were included as the study population. Among them, 22 were in Referent (QRS duration <100 ms), 40 in Incomplete BBB (QRS duration 100 – 119), and 30 in Complete BBB (≥ 120 ms) groups. Proper written consent was taken from all the participants and this study was approved by the ethical committee of the mentioned university. All data were processed, analyzed, and disseminated by MS Office and SPSS version as per need. Results: In this study, the left ventricular (LV) mass, left ventricular diastolic dimension, septal wall thickness, posterior wall thickness and left atrial size were significantly higher in complete BBB group than those in referent and incomplete BBB group (143.0 ± 30.2 vs. 182.6 ± 37.9 vs. 222.0 ± 61.0, p < 0.001; 4.6 ± 0.3 vs. 4.9 ± 0.3 vs. 5.2±0.4, p< 0.001; 0.9±0.1 vs. 1.0 ± 0.1 vs. 1.1± 0.1, p<0.001; 0.9 ± 0.1 vs. 1.0 ± 0.1 vs. 1.1± 0.1, p<0.001; and 3.3 ± 0.3 vs. 3.6±0.3 vs. 3.7±0.3, p<0.001 respectively). However, fractional shortening and left ventricular ejection fraction were found to decrease significantly with the increase in QRS duration (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001 respectively). In this study the QRS duration was observed to be linearly correlated with LV mass, LV diastolic dimension, septal wall thickness, posterior wall thickness and left atrial size (r=0.577, p<0.001; r=0.480, p<0.001; r=0.583, p<0.001; r=0.521, p< 0.001 and r= 0.418, p<0.001 respectively). However, QRS duration was found to maintain a negative correlation with fractional shortening and LVEF (r =- 0.637, p<0.001 and r =- 0.701, p<0.001 respectively). Conclusion: The present study revealed that longer electrocardiographic QRS duration was correlated with the increase in LV mass, LV diastolic dimensions, septal wall thickness, posterior wall thickness, and left atrial size. The association was most striking in individuals with complete BBB compared with a normal QRS duration. Meanwhile, the presence of prolonged QRS in a patient’s ECG can serve as a bedside clue to the presence of decreased fractional shortening and left ventricular ejection fraction
Application of fluorescent microscopy for improved detection of acid fast bacilli in sputum smear preparation
Get PDFBackground: Tuberculosis remains a global health problem with an enormous burden of disease. Ziehl-Neelsen stain is the most commonly used method worldwide to detect tuberculous lymph node aspirates, however, Auramine – O Staining is being preferred owing to its high sensitivity, rapidity, and ease of screening. The aim of the present study was to compare the efficacy of fluorescent microscopy using Auramine O stain with conventional microscopy using Ziehl- Neelsen stain as a screening method to detect clinically suspected cases of pulmonary tuberculosis.
Method: A total of 100 clinically suspected cases of pulmonary tuberculosis referred to RNTCP laboratory from chest and TB OPD Medicine and Surgery and all other inpatient and out-patient departments were studied with detailed clinical history and sputum examination using Ziehl–Neelsen and Auramine O staining.
Results: Among 100 cases, 28% of cases were detected sputum smear-positive by Ziehl-Neelsen staining, and 30% cases were detected by Auramine O stain using a fluorescence microscope. Maximum sputum smears positive (36.6%) cases were in the age group of 31-40 years with male predominance (75%). Auramine O stain showed higher grading in 4 cases in which one case was scanty on Ziehl-Neelsen smear showed positive 1+ by Auramine O and other 2 cases which were negative by Ziehl-Neelsen stain were showed 1+ result on Auramine O stain. One case which showed 2+ grading on Ziehl-Neelsen stain showed 3+ grading with Auramine O stain. Fluorescence microscopy using Auramine O showed better grading than the Ziehl-Neelsen stain.
Conclusion: Fluorescence microscopy is more superior in detecting sputum smear-positive cases over Ziehl-Neelsen stain
Clinical characteristics and outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention in acute St-Elevation MI: A study in AFC Fortis Escort Heart Institute, Khulna, Bangladesh: OUTCOMES OF PERCUTANEOUS CORONARY INTERVENTION IN ACUTE ST-ELEVATION MI
No full textBackground: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is an emergent percutaneous catheter intervention in the setting of ST-segment elevations myocardial infarction (STEMI), without previous fibrinolytic treatment. Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention has emerged as the therapy of choice in STEMI and selected cases of Non-ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (NSTEMI). As Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) enters its fourth decade of use, it is now the most commonly performed revascularization therapy worldwide. Objective: To find out the clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in ST-Elevation Myocardial Infraction. Methods: In this retrospective study, performed at the Cardiology department AFC Fortis Heart Institute, Khulna, Bangladesh. All patients who underwent PCI for STEMI from January 2018 to December 2019 were enrolled in this study. All the data were collected from the hospital registry and cath lab records. Results: The study showed that out of 175 patients who presented with STEMI, 74.5% were male with an average age of 56.38 years. The mean time of presentation after the onset of symptom/s was 17.5 hours. About 68% of patients presented in less than 12 hours of symptoms onset, 21.7% presented at 12-24 hours of symptoms onset, and 10.3% patients presented late. PCI was done in 88.5% of patients. Almost all patients (98.3%) underwent coronary artery stenting with drug-eluting stents. Multivessel PCI during the index procedure was done in 7 patients. TIMI III flow following PCI was achieved in 97% of cases. The average LVEF at discharge was 44.73%. Among the traditional cardiovascular risk factors, smoking was the commonest. Nearly 50% of the patients smoked while 36% were hypertensive, 27.2% diabetic, 2.6% had known dyslipidemia and 3.6% had a family history of MI. 88.4% of patients presented in Killip class I while 5.6% patients presented in Killip class IV. Anterior wall STEMI was commonest accounting for 53% followed by Inferior wall, 41.8%. Angiography revealed SVD in 36%, DVD in 32.3%, TVD in 28.1%. Left Main Coronary Artery involvement was seen in 5 cases and 1, Left Main angioplasty was done. There were 7 deaths, all after Primary PCI. In-hospital mortality rates for patients presenting with and without cardiogenic shock were 38.46% and 1.59% respectively. The overall mortality rate was 3.98%. Conclusion: This study has reemphasized that PCI is effective in the management of STEMI cases in Bangladesh with improving mortality rates and decreasing complications. Minimizing the delayed presentation after the onset of symptoms should be one of the primes focuses for effective management of STEMI
Post recovery Covid-19 patients: Factor affecting oxygen saturation and complication in them.
Get PDFOxygen saturation is a measure of how much hemoglobin is currently bound to oxygen compared to how much remains unbound. Oral steroids rapidly reduce the inflammation and are associated with rapid rise in oxygen saturation. The post recovery complications vary from Relapsing fever to wakefulness to tiredness. Proning has been found effective in increasing the oxygen saturation of the patient. The objectives of this study is to determine the effect of steroids, antifungals, proning and breathing exercises on post recovery oxygen saturation in COVID- 19 patients and to find the common post recovery complaints/complications in the COVID-19 patients. It was a cross- sectional study. The study had 34 participants. All the participants had history of COVID-19 infection. 31 reported post recovery tiredness. 13 practiced proning in the recovery period while, 12 practiced breathing exercises. The oxygen saturation was compared with those who took oral steroids by Pearson Chi-Square test the P value was found to be 0.000 thus there is a significant difference between the oxygen saturation of those who received oral steroids and those who did not. There is a significant association between use of antifungal and oxygen saturation post recovery with Pearson Chi- square p value 0.003. The Pearson Chi-Square test gives a p value of 0.000 thus there is a significant association between post recovery oxygen saturation and proning. The Pearson Chi-Square test gives a P value of 0.003 thus there is a significant association between post recovery oxygen saturation and breathing exercises
The influence of processing conditions on proximate, mineral and phytochemical properties of tiger nut (Cyperus esculentus) flour
Get PDFProcessing of agricultural produce is carried out to improve its nutritional value and consumer acceptability. Different processing operations are used to process cereals and legumes and these include fermentation, germination and roasting. These techniques are important in improving the nutritive values, palatability, digestibility and shelf life. Data on the influence of these processing conditions on nutrients and anti-nutrients of tiger-nut are scanty. The influence of these processing techniques on proximate composition, mineral and anti-nutritional contents of tiger nuts were determined using standard procedures. Fermentation germination and roasting caused significant (p≤0.05) increases in protein from 2.69% to 18.65%, sodium from 6 to 12 mg/100g, potassium from 402 to 517 mg/100g, calcium from 6 to 16 mg/100g and iron from 5 to 12 mg/100g and a significant (p≤0.05) decrease in ash contents. There were also significant decreases in tannin from 0.76 to 0.22 mg/g, phytate from 0.46 t0 0.15 mg/g, saponin from 2.04 to 1.18 mg/g and alkaloids from 1.93 to 1.29 mg/g in fermentation, 1.74mg/g in germination and 1.77 mg/g in roasting, but there occur marginal increases in alkaloids and saponin in freshly germinated and dry roasted samples. Increases or decreases were not observed in magnesium and zinc contents in any of the processing techniques. 
Spectrum of clinicopathological and biochemical variations among severe plasmodium vivax malaria cases: a vision from eastern India
Get PDFBackground: Plasmodium vivax (P. vivax) is geographically widely distributed with up to 2.5 billion people at risk and an estimated 70-80 million cases every year. India contributes 77% of total malaria in Southeast Asia. Retrospective analysis of the burden of malaria showed that disability-adjusted life years due to malaria were 1.86 million years. According to a recent study, West Bengal contributes 11% of total malaria cases in the country.
Aim and objective: This study tends to focus on severe and non-severe vivax malaria, the complications and outcome of P. vivax malaria infections as there is very limited information on age- and sex-specific seasonal prevalence of malaria in different paradigms in the country with most of the point prevalence studies in India have been carried out for outbreak/epidemic investigations.
Materials and Methods: A hospital-based prospective study was conducted over a period of one and half years in a medical college and hospital comprising of 138patients with fever (≥37.5˚C), peripheral smear, and/or rapid diagnostic tests positive for P. vivax. Previously established cases of CKD, hematological abnormalities, chronic liver diseases, neuropsychiatric disorders were excluded from our study. Demographical, clinical and laboratory parameters including liver function test, renal function test were documented and were presented in tabular, graphical, and statistical means.
Observation and Results: 138 hundred patients were taken up for the study, which included males and females. The majority of the patients were in the second decade. Jaundice was present in 22% of patients and vomiting in 32% of the patients. Hepatomegaly was seen in 16 % of cases and 33% of cases had splenomegaly. ARDS was seen in 16% of severe malaria cases. Acute kidney injury was seen in 8% and cerebral malaria was seen in 12 % of severe malaria cases. Multi-organ dysfunction has seen in12 % of cases. There was 1 death in the study due to multi-organ dysfunction.
Conclusion: Life-threatening complications such as ARDS, AKI, cerebral malaria, and MODS can be seen in P. vivax mono infections