Subjects In Bangladesh Research Articles

English Language and Literature as an Academic Subject in Bangladesh

English Language and Literature as an Academic Subject in Bangladesh

Difference of Clinical Parameters and Correlation between Type-1 and Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM) Subjects in Bangladesh

Type I and Type 2 diabetes are the two main types with types diabetes accounting for the majority (>85%) of total diabetes prevalence. Both forms of diabetes can lead to multisystem complications of microvascular endpoints including retinopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy and microvascular endpoints including is cadmic heart disease, stroke and peripheral vascular disease. The premature morbidity, mortality, reduced life expectancy and financial and other others costs of diabetes make if an important public health condition. The aim of this study was to observe the clinical condition and consequences patients with diabetes mellitus in Bangladesh. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted for the study. Data are collected from BIHS General Hospital. The results showed that, among 100 patients 20% patient was affected by Type-1 Diabetes Mellitus (DM) and 80% patient was affected by Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM). In comparison between Type-1 and Type-2 DM patient’s result showing that Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG) and 2 hour ABF plasma Glucose range is slightly high in Type-1 DM than Type-2 DM. On the other hand, Creatinine, HbA1C, TSH, Total cholesterol (TC), Triglycerides (TG), HDL ranges are increased in Type-2 DM patient. In this study males are affected 62% and females are 32%. So the ratio between male and female is 2:3. More patients were found in the age between 50-60 years and has risk among 40-50 years. Eating the right foods and adopting other life style behaviors that promotes healthy blood sugar and insulin levels will give you the best chance at avoiding diabetes.

Queering Bangladeshi Blogging Networks: Legal Rights, Religious Fundamentalism, and the Politics of Blog Publics in Bangladeshi LGBTQ+ Activism

Abstract LGBTQ+ activism in Bangladesh is a comparatively less explored avenue in queer Asia studies. Although academic and socio-political conversations around hijra and transgender communities in Bangladesh are more often foregrounded, scholarly discussions around gay, lesbian, and bisexual experiences and identities are rarely pursued. This is partly due to the vitriolic and brutal treatment of gay, lesbian, and bisexual subjects and allies in the Bangladeshi nation-state where both socio-cultural ideology and legislative principles are dominated by pro-Islamic religious doctrines and colonial-time legislature that make non-normative sexual identities and acts invalid and punishable. Currently, the gay, lesbian, and bi-sexual queer communities of Bangladesh exist as “enclave publics” in the Bangladeshi online and networked media-spheres, particularly after the 2016 killings of Xulhaz Mannan and Mahbub Rabbi, leaders of the first organized Bangladeshi LGBTQ+ activist community. However, certain queer and decolonial counter-public formation around specific alternative Bangladeshi blogs and archival websites have opened new avenues for a more sustained LGBTQ+ resistance. In this article, I problematize the approach of Bangladeshi LGBTQ+ activism and critically analyze how adopting Western frameworks of queer activism, primarily based on pro-visibility, coming-out strategies, and pride rallies, presented itself with extreme existential challenges for gay, lesbian, and bi-sexual individuals in key digital platforms. I also re-evaluate liberal narratives around progressive digital activism in Bangladeshi blogging networks to argue how blog-publics in progressive and secular platforms like Somewhere in . . . fail to protest queer oppression and advocate for queer rights. The examination observes that so-called secular blogging communities in Bangladesh is only selectively progressive, and regarding questions around the rights of LGBTQ+ subjects, makes increasingly clear that conservative and religious doctrines continue to undergird its discursive and affective logics. Finally, I closely analyze Mondro (2019), an enclave queer digital archive and alternative blogging platform for LGBTQ+ subjects in Bangladesh, created in response to the oppression and hate queer subjects face in traditional blogging communities. Predominantly centering Bengali culture, heritage, and tradition, the Mondro community secretly arranges workshops for LGBTQ+ peers on issues around mental-health, healing, and suicide prevention. Here, I claim that alternative queer communities like Mondro, that remain hidden from traditional blogging networks and mainstream media, where queer bloggers and allies mostly post anonymously, is not necessarily a move backwards into the closet, rather a timely tactical intervention for queer identities and narratives to survive and possibly thrive within the digital networks of the Bangladeshi blogosphere. This is an approach that takes the issues around queer survival in Bangladesh seriously, acknowledging and reconciling both its own cultural historicities and its situatedness in a religious sectarian nation-state. To this end, I usefully investigate Mondro through Ahmed Sofa (আহমেদ ছফা) (1981) and Kuan-Hsing Chen's (2010) decolonial frameworks of placing Asia at the center of any conceivable model of networked queer resistance and LGBTQ+ world-making in Bangladesh.

Antibody Response to SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Asymptomatic Bangladeshi Female Garment Workers

Antibody titer study is very important to assess the degree of undetected transmission in the community. This study aimed to estimate the antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 infection in a group of asymptomatic female workers and compare the clinical and socio-demographic parameters of seropositive and seronegative subjects in Bangladesh. This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 285 female workers who had come to BIRDEM General Hospital for the COVID-19 test in November 2021 from different areas of Bangladesh. RBD-specific antibody responses against SARS-CoV-2 were measured by using Chemiluminescent Microparticle Immunoassay (CMIA) for all participants. Overall antibody positivity was estimated at 91.9% (262), and only 8.1% of participants had a negative IgG antibody response. Of the 262 participants 96.18% were asymptomatic. In the age group, the highest seropositivity was between 21-30 years (58%). The median IgG titer of the antibody was estimated at 578.50 AU/ml. The participants of Khulna had the highest median IgG titer of 3966 AU/ml followed by other areas (p=0.043). There was no significant difference in median IgG titer in symptomatic, asymptomatic, and vaccinated, non-vaccinated participants. Based on the geographical area Dhaka and Barisal had significantly more seropositive subjects than seronegative subjects (p = 0.001) and (p = 0.011). The high number of undiagnosed COVID-19 patients in the population is reflected in the percentage of seropositive people. Our findings will assist academics in better understanding immune status and policymakers in taking proactive measures during pandemic situations and future health emergencies.

Nucleotide oligomerization domain polymorphism confers no risk to Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Nucleotide oligomerization domain (NOD) proteins are cytoplasmic receptors that play important roles in host innate immune responses to pathogens by recognizing self or non-self-molecules and have been implicated in many autoimmune diseases including Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). The current study investigated whether NOD polymorphisms (NOD1-Glu266Lys, rs2075820, and NOD2- [Arg702Trp, rs2066844 and Gly908Arg, rs2066845]) contribute to ligand sensing and thus affect the susceptibility and/or severity of GBS. We determined single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of NOD gene (NOD1-Glu266Lys and NOD2-[Arg702Trp; Gly908Ar]) in 303 patients with GBS and 303 healthy controls from Bangladesh by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and Sanger sequencing. Genotypes and allele frequencies were compared by performing chi-squared or Fisher's exact test with Yates' continuity correction. Serology for Campylobacter jejuni and anti-GM1 antibodies were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) techniques. NOD variants (NOD1-Glu266Lys and NOD2- [Arg702Trp; Gly908Arg]) were not associated with susceptibility and severity of GBS when compared with healthy controls and mild or severe form of disease. Moreover, NOD2 polymorphisms showed wild-type NOD2 C2104 and NOD2 G2722, respectively, with homozygous Arg/Arg genotype of NOD2 (Arg702Trp) polymorphism and homozygous Gly/Gly genotype of NOD2 (Gly908Arg) for all study subjects in Bangladesh. Homogenous distribution of NOD1 genotypes was observed in patients with axonal and demyelinating form of GBS. NOD variants confer no risk to the susceptibility and severity of GBS. Moreover, NOD2 polymorphism is rare or absent in patients with GBS as well as in the healthy individuals of Bangladesh.

Exploring Bangladeshi university students\u2019 willingness to communicate (WTC) in English classes through a qualitative study

English is regarded as a compulsory subject in Bangladesh, which learning starts at the very early stage of a learner. However, after spending almost 12 years in learning English, learners’ oral skill is not seen up to the mark when they enter the university for tertiary education. Sometimes, they are noticed to have their unwillingness to communicate with others. Hence, the current study aims to explore the experiences of Bangladeshi university students’ willingness to communicate (WTC) by employing a multiple case study method. 10 undergraduate students from a private university were interviewed. Apart from semi-structured interview, classroom observations were also carried out for data collection. The obtained data were analysed through the content analysis process. The findings show that students’ earlier experiences of learning English have been positive; however, they think grammar-based English learning is an obstacle in the development of their oral communication. The study also reveals that learners’ WTC is greatly influenced by classroom environment that enhances or declines their interest to communicate with others. Based on the findings, the study suggests that incorporating more drills in English classes by engaging learners with real-life based conversations, dialogues and so forth can enhance learners’ WTC. Hence, learners’ real voice would help the policymakers and language instructors to take the issue into consideration and way-out timely measures.

Overweight and obesity among the urban and rural type 2 diabetic subjects in Bangladesh

Overweight and obesity among the urban and rural type 2 diabetic subjects in Bangladesh

Assessing the effect of pregnancy intention at conception on the continuum of care in maternal healthcare services use in Bangladesh: Evidence from a nationally representative cross-sectional survey.

The Continuum of Care (CoC; defined as accessing the recommended healthcare services during pregnancy and the early postpartum period) is low in lower-middle-income countries (LMICs). This may be a major contributor to the high rates of pregnancy-related complications and deaths in LMICs, particularly among women who had an unintended pregnancy. With a lack of research on the subject in Bangladesh, we aimed to examine the effect of unintended pregnancy on CoC. Data from 4,493 mother-newborn dyads who participated in the cross-sectional 2014 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey were analysed. Women's level of CoC was generated from responses to questions on the use and non-use of three recommended services during the course of pregnancy: four or more antenatal care (ANC) visits, skilled birth attendance (SBA) during delivery, and at least one postnatal care (PNC) visit within 24 hours of giving birth. Global recommendations of service use were used to classify CoC as high (used each of the recommended services), moderate (used at least two of the three recommended services), and low/none (no PNC, no SBA, and ≤3 ANC visits). Women's pregnancy intention at the time of conception of their last pregnancy (ending with a live birth) was the major exposure variable, classified as wanted, mistimed, and unwanted. Unadjusted and adjusted (with individual-, household-, and community-level factors) multilevel multinomial logistic regression models were used to assess the association between unintended pregnancy and level of CoC. In Bangladesh, the highest level of CoC occurred in only 12% of pregnancies that ended with live births. This figure was reduced to 5.6% if the pregnancy was unwanted at conception. The antenatal period saw the greatest drop in CoC, with 65.13% of women receiving at least one ANC visit and 26.32% having four or more ANC visits. Following the adjustment of confounders, an unwanted pregnancy was found to be associated with 39% and 62% reduced odds of women receiving moderate and high levels of CoC, respectively, than those with a wanted pregnancy. Having a mistimed pregnancy was found to be associated with a 31% reduction in odds of women achieving a high CoC than women with a wanted pregnancy. Almost nine in ten women did not achieve CoC in their last pregnancy, which was even higher when the pregnancy was unintended. Given that the ANC period has been identified as a critical time for intervention for these women, it is necessary for policies to scale up current maternal healthcare services that provide in-home maternal healthcare services and to monitor the continuity of ANC, with a particular focus on women who have an unintended pregnancy. Integration of maternal healthcare services with family planning services is also required to ensure CoC.

Red Blood Cells Aggregation in the Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and T2D Associated Anemia, a Case Control Study in Bangladesh

Abstract Background and Aims: Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) is a chronic metabolic disorder. Nowadays the number of people with diabetes mellitus is quadrupling in the world as well as in Bangladesh. It is related to different types of disease morbidity and sociodemographic parameters. The present study aimed to investigate the association of RBC aggregation (measured by ESR level) with T2D and T2D associated anemia. Material and method: A total of 234 subjects were included in the study. Sociodemographic and anthropometric information about study subjects were collected using a standard questionnaire. Blood samples were tested for random blood glucose levels, Hb percentage, and ESR. Association of these data with metabolic disorders was analyzed by statistical analysis software, SPSS. Results: This study provides a piece of evidence that anemia is highly prevalent in T2D patients than the healthy control subjects in Bangladesh (59.1% vs 22.5%; P value <0.001). The ESR values were significantly elevated in T2D patients as well as anemic and aged subjects (P value <0.001). Conclusion: The study thus suggests that anemia was prevalent in T2D patients in Bangladesh. The RBC aggregation was significantly elevated in patients with T2D as well as anemia, indicating increased inflammatory response in these diseases.

Peripheral neuropathy among Bangladeshi Type 2 diabetic subjects

To determine the prevalence of DPN among a group of type 2 diabetic (T2DM) subjects, Bangladesh. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 640 urban (M/F, 244/396; age in years, 52.23611.8; BMI, 25.9563.9 Kg/m2) and 560 rural (M/F, 244/396; age in years, 50.89611.9; BMI, 24.1364.6). T2DM subjects, selected purposively from various health care facilities in Dhaka and Northern Districts of Bangladesh. Diagnosis of T2DM and DPN was done by WHO Study Group Criteria (following a 2-sample OGTT) and IWGDF recommendation respectively. DPN was assessed by using 5.07 (10-g) Semmes-Weinstein monofilament, 128 Hz tuning fork (for vibration sense), and two types of sensation test (fine, crude touch). DPN was present among 21.1% (95% CI, 18.8–23.4) of T2DM subjects. Regarding the sex specific, women (24.1%; CI, 21.0–27.2) showed about 1.5 times higher prevalence compared to that of men (16.0%; CI, 12.6–19.4) and the difference was highly significant (p < 0.001). The prevalence of DPN was much higher among rural subjects (24.5%; CI, 20.9–28.1) compare to the urban subject (18.1%; CI, 15.1–21.1) and the difference was highly significant (p < 0.001) between the two demographic locations. A large proportion of T2DM subjects in Bangladesh, both men and women, irrespective of urban or rural origin, suffer from neuropathy.

Assessment of clinical and biochemical profile of prediabetic subject in Bangladesh, attending in BIRDEM and results of intervention by lifestyle modification, metformin, and DPP4 inhibitor

Prediabetes increases an individual's risk for progress to diabetes. The aim of the study is to assess prediabetic profile before and after life style modification only, lifestyle with metformin and lifestyle with DPP-4 inhibitor. This study was carried out at BIRDEM. The subjects were IGT, IFG or combined. In Group A 50 subjects were advised with lifestyle, 42 were follow up with the results showed that highly significant change in BMI, Fasting & 2 h plasma glucose, serum triglyceride, and reduced HbA1c level, reduction rate of DM is 43%. In Group B 50 subjects were advised with lifestyle plus metformin, 44 were follow up with the results showed that significant change in BMI, Fasting, 2 h plasma glucose, triglyceride, and reduced HbA1c, reduction rate of DM is 58%. In Group C 50 subjects were advised with lifestyle plus DPP4i, 37 were follow up with the results showed that significantly change in BMI, Fasting, 2 h plasma glucose, triglyceride and reduced HbA1c level, reduction rate of DM is 43%. There is significant outcome difference in BMI in between A vs. B and A vs. C group. More mean changed in 2hrs after blood glucose level in group A vs. group B and B vs. C group. There is significant outcome difference in TG level in A vs. B, B vs. C group but no difference in A vs. C group.

Biomarkers of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases in otherwise healthy overweight subjects in Bangladesh

Biomarkers of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases were assessed in Bangladeshi overweight subjects categorized by Asian BMI criteria. After screening 300 people, 90 apparently healthy subjects were enrolled and grouped into normal weight, overweight and obese. Compared to normal weight, the overweight and obese groups showed significant elevation of serum triglyceride, insulin, homocysteine, insulin resistance/sensitivity, and atherogenic index of plasma. Cardiometabolic biomarkers did not differ between overweight and obese groups. Some biomarkers showed correlation with BMI in overweight but not in obese group. It was concluded that cardiometabolic biomarkers are elevated in Bangladeshi overweight subjects categorized by Asian BMI criteria.

Prediction and Factor Extraction of Drug Function by Analyzing Medical Records in Developing Countries.

The World Health Organization has declared Bangladesh one of 58 countries facing acute Human Resources for Health (HRH) crisis. Artificial intelligence in healthcare has been shown to be successful for diagnostics. Using machine learning to predict pharmaceutical prescriptions may solve HRH crises. In this study, we investigate a predictive model by analyzing prescription data of 4,543 subjects in Bangladesh. We predict the function of prescribed drugs, comparing three machine-learning approaches. The approaches compare whether a subject shall be prescribed medicine from the 21 most frequently prescribed drug functions. Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) were selected as a way to evaluate and assess prediction models. The results show the drug function with the best prediction performance was oral hypoglycemic drugs, which has an average AUC of 0.962. To understand how the variables affect prediction, we conducted factor analysis based on tree-based algorithms and natural language processing techniques.

LBPS 03-18 PREVALENCE OF HYPERTENSION AMONG URBAN AND RURAL TYPE 2 DIABETIC SUBJECTS IN BANGLADESH

Objective: Hypertension is known to be more common among people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), but the prevalence and risk factors of the comorbidity vary from population to population. The present study was undertaken to estimate the proportion of hypertension among urban and rural Bangladeshi Type 2 diabetic subjects. Design and Method: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 640-urban (M/F, 244/396; age in years, 52.23 ± 11.8; BMI, 25.95 ± 3.9 Kg/m2) and 560-rural(M/F, 244/396; age in years, 50.89 ± 11.9; BMI, 24.13.89 ± 4.6) subjects, selected purposively from various health care facilities in Dhaka and Northern Districts of Bangladesh. Results: Hypertension was present among 45.5% urban (95% CI, 41.6-49.4) and 43.6% rural(CI, 39.5-47.7) subjects. There was no significant difference in the proportion of hypertension between the two demographic locations. Males and females did not differ in the proportion of hypertension either in the urban or in the rural region. The trend in the proportion did not vary when the data were analyzed for systolic and diastolic hypertension separately. Urban hypertensive subjects had higher age compared to their normotensive counterparts (age in years, 53.85.89 ± 10.5 vs 50.88.89 ± 12.7; p< 0.001). The rural hypertensive subjects showed similar difference in age (54.7.89 ± 11.4vs48.0.89 ± 11.5; p < 0.001). The BMI of the hypertensive subjects (25.56 ± 4.1Kg/m2) was higher compared to normotensive (24.73 ± 4.4Kg/m2) and the difference was significant (p < 0.001). The waist circumference (WC) of the hypertensive subjects (90.11 ± 13.1 cm) was similarly higher compared to normotensive subjects (86.30 ± 14.2 cm) and difference was significant (p < 0.001). Physical activity was significantly less in hypertensive compared to the normotensive subjects (p = 0.032). On Pearson correlation analysis hypertension correlated positively with WC(r = 0.092, p < 0.001), and duration of DM(r = 0.122, p < 0.001). On multiple regression analysis higher age (p < 0.001, OR = 1.036, CI, 1.025-1.048), greater WC (p < 0.001, OR = 1.014, CI, 1.004-1.025) and less physical activity (p < 0.001, OR = 1.396, CI, 1.098-1.775) were found as the main predictors of hypertension. Conclusions: A large proportion of Type 2 diabetic subjects in Bangladesh, both males and females, irrespective of urban or rural origin, suffer from hypertension. Higher age, central obesity and reduced physical activity are the major predictors of hypertension in this population.

Widespread Occurrence of Possible Antibiotic Efflux Mechanism in Multidrug Resistant Intestinal E. coli Strains Isolated from Healthy Human Subjects in Bangladesh

A total of 50 isolates of Escherichia coli obtained from healthy adult human subjects were studied and tested for possible presence of efflux mechanism in resistance determination and possible correlation of plasmids with resistance.Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the antibiotics amoxicillin, azithromycin, ciprofloxacin, chloramphenicol and tetracycline were determined by agar dilution method with or without the H+/K+ proton pump inhibitor omeprazole. Plasmids were extracted by rapid alkaline plasmid extraction method and analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis. Many strains showed 5 – 10 fold reduction of MIC values in the presence of omeprazole; a few strains showed up to 100-fold MIC reduction. Plasmid analysis of these 50 isolates revealed the presence of both plasmidless and plasmid containing strains, the latter with plasmid number varying from one to seven. However, the plasmids apparently had no relationship with high level antibiotic tolerance as indicated by the observation that some plasmidless strains had very high MIC values, while other strains containing several plasmids had very low MIC. Decrease in MIC in the presence of omeprazole apparently indicates existence of an efflux mechanism. Evidence of the efflux of ethidium bromide was noted in some strains that had been grown in ethidium bromide containing agar plate with and without omeprazole. These results suggest that reduction of MIC caused by omeprazole may be related to possible inhibition of efflux pump activity by omeprazole in the isolates studied.Bangladesh J Microbiol, Volume 30, Number 1-2,June-Dec 2013, pp 55-59

Study of Lipid Profile in Newly Diagnosed Hypertensive Patients

Back ground: Hypertension is one of the most important modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and stroke. Dyslipidemia is closely associated with hypertension. Dyslipidemia and hypertension are the commonest risk factors for CVD. The aim of the present study was to compare different lipid parameters among newly diagnosed hypertensive patients with normotensive subjects in Bangladesh and find out the relationship. Methods: This study was a cross sectional study in which 42 newly diagnosed hypertensive patients who were on no antihypertensive medication and 42 subjects with normal blood pressure (normotensive) were enrolled for compare. Lipid parameters total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein ( LDLc) and high density lipoprotein (HDLc) were estimated by Enzymatic colorimetric test. Results: The mean systolic blood pressure of hypertensive and normotensive were 154.6±22.5 vs111.50±3.42 mmof.Hg and mean diastolic blood pressure were 93.2±5.20 vs 71.44± 3.21mm of Hg. The mean of SBP and DBP of hypertensive patients was found to be higher than normotensive (p&lt; 0.05). There was significant increase in different lipid levels namely TC 199.4±44.5 vs188.7±37.9 mg/dl, TG155.9±88.8 vs 121.9±73.2 mg/dl and LDLc 119.8±35.6 vs112.7±28.6 mg/dl in hypertensive patients as compared to normotensive (p&lt;0.05). However there was no significant difference in HDLc level. BMI and waist circumference showed significant association in hypertensive patients (p&lt;0.001). Conclusion: Analytical results of the study revealed that hypertensive patients have been found to have close association with dyslipidemia, BMI and waist circumference. Hypertension and dyslipidemia can be modified either by proper life style changes or medical management or by the combination of the both. This study suggests that hypertensive patients need measurement of blood pressure and lipid profile at regular interval to prevent heart diseases and stroke. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/cardio.v6i2.18350 Cardiovasc. j. 2014; 6(2): 112-115

DNA Damage in Lymphocytes in Hypertensive Subjects in Bangladesh

Oxidative stress due to imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species and their dismutation is claimed to be higher in hypertensive subjects than normotensive subjects. In hypertensive subjects oxidative stress may damage deoxy-ribonucleic acids (DNA). In this study plasma superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, protein carbonyl contents (PCCs) and extent of DNA damage in lymphocytes were measured in specimens obtained from 86 subjects to compare oxidative stress and oxidative DNA damage between normotensive and hypertensive subjects and to assess their relationship with the degree of blood pressure. Results were expressed as mean±SD. Two-tailed unpaired t test and Pearson’s correlation test were done to compare or to determine the relationship between groups or variables. SOD activities were 2.85±0.12 unit/mg protein and 3.84±0.45 unit/mg protein (p&lt;0.05) in hypertensive and normotensive groups respectively. PCCs were 4.77±0.36 nmol/mg protein and 3.75±0.23 nmol/mg protein in hypertensive and normotensive groups respectively. Olive tail moments (OTM) were 124.7±11.69 units and 108.9±9.27 units in hypertensive and normotensive groups respectively. The correlation coefficient of OTM was 0.3924 (p&lt;0.05) for diastolic blood pressure and 0.3618 (p&lt;0.05) for systolic blood pressure. Oxidative stress and DNA damage was higher in hypertensives than normotensives and DNA damage correlated positively with blood pressure. Keywords: Superoxide dismutase, Protein carbonyl content, Oxidative stress, Oxidative DNA damage, Hypertension, Bangladeshi population. © 2013 JSR Publications. ISSN: 2070-0237 (Print); 2070-0245 (Online). All rights reserved. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jsr.v5i3.15022 J. Sci. Res. 5 (3), 535-543 (2013)

Age Related Change in Thyroid Function

Background: Thyroid hormones play a vital role in metabolism, sensitivity of tissues to other hormones and also in oxygen consumption of almost all cells of the body. However, mild to moderate decrease in function of thyroid gland may occur with advancing age even in apparently healthy elderly subjects. Objectives: To observe age related change in thyroid function status in apparently healthy elderly subjects in Bangladesh. Methods: This cross sectional study was carried out in the Department of Physiology, Sir Salimullah Medical College, Dhaka between 1st January 2011 and 31st December 2011. Sixty apparently healthy elderly subjects of both sexes aged 50 to 75 years were taken as study group. They were collected from Probin Nibash Hitoishi Shangha, Agargaon, Dhaka. In addition, 30 apparently healthy young adult subjects aged 20-40 years were included as control. For assessment of thyroid function, serum free thyroxine (FT4), free triiodothyronine (FT3) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels were estimated by ELISA method. Statistical analysis was done by one way ANOVA, Bonferroni test and Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient test as applicable. Results: In this study, mean serum free thyroxine (FT4) and free triiodothyronine (FT3) levels were significantly (p&lt;0.001) lower and serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level was significantly (p&lt;0.001) higher in apparently healthy elderly subjects in comparison to those of the healthy young subjects. Again, serum FT4 and FT3 levels were negatively correlated whereas serum TSH level was positively correlated with age of the subjects. Conclusion: The present study revealed a progressive decrease in thyroid function with advancement of age. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbsp.v7i2.14453 J Bangladesh Soc Physiol. 2012, December; 7(2): 72-77

Differences in Urinary Arsenic Metabolites between Diabetic and Non-Diabetic Subjects in Bangladesh

Ingestion of inorganic arsenic (iAs) is considered to be related to the development of diabetes mellitus. In order to clarify the possible differences in the metabolism in diabetics, we measured urinary iAs metabolites in diabetic cases and non-diabetic control subjects in Faridpur, an arsenic-contaminated area in Bangladesh. Physician-diagnosed type 2 diabetic cases (140 persons) and non-diabetic controls (180 persons) were recruited. Drinking water and spot urine samples were collected. Mean concentrations of total arsenic in drinking water did not differ between cases (85.1 μg/L) and controls (85.8 μg/L). The percentage of urinary iAs (iAs%) was significantly lower in cases (8.6%) than in controls (10.4%), while that of dimethylarsinic acid (DMA%) was higher in cases (82.6%) than in controls (79.9%). This may have been due to the higher secondary methylation index (SMI) in the former (11.6) rather than the latter (10.0). Adjusting for matching factors (sex and unions), and the additional other covariates (age and water arsenic) significantly attenuated the differences in iAs%, SMI, and DMA%, respectively, though the difference in monomethylarsonic acid% was newly significant in the latter adjustment. Our study did not suggest any significant differences in urinary arsenic metabolites between diabetic and non-diabetic subjects.

Reflection of the Key Aspects of Curriculum in the Newly Revised Secondary School Curriculum of English and other Subjects in Bangladesh

Reflection of the Key Aspects of Curriculum in the Newly Revised Secondary School Curriculum of English and other Subjects in Bangladesh