Risk modeling of non-communicable diseases using socio-demographic characteristics,lifestyle and family disease history among university students in Bangladesh

Aim

The objective of this study was to determine risk factors for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) on the basis of socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle-related determinants, environmental and psychological characteristics, and individual and family disease history among university students in Bangladesh.

Study design

Cross-sectional survey.

Methods

Using the WHO STEPwise approach for NCDs, a cross-sectional study was conducted among 1,140 students. The collected data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software, version 22.

Results

In all, 29.2% of the respondents (BMI?≥?23.00 kg/m²) were overweight and/or obese, and almost two-thirds (65%) of them did not take part in any physical activity (PA). A third (33.3%, p?=?0.002) of male smokers reported health problems and it was found that environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) was significantly responsible for developing asthma (OR?=?0.55; CI?=?0.33–0.93). Individual and family history of NCDs was statistically significant for obesity and asthma and considerably increased the odds ratio for heart disease.

Conclusion

This study shows that the number of students suffering from different types of NCDs is not negligible. Their lifestyle and family history of NCDs are responsible for this to a significant extent. Urgent initiatives should be taken to rein in the spread of NCDs among the youth of Bangladesh.

     

Artificial plaque removal with Carisolv system: a clinical approach

In the present study, removal of artifcial plaque in pits and fissures with the Carisolv system was compared with that of conventional bristle brush methoda in vitro. The results indicate that in the dental clinic, complete plaque removal with the Carisolv is possible, and in addition to acid etching, treated cavity was almost free of debris which might increase sealant retention.     

Statistical Evaluation of the Material-Source Effects on the DSR Rheological Properties of Plant-Mix Extracted Asphalt-Binders

The work presented in this paper was carried out to statistically evaluate and quantify the material-source effect on the asphalt-binder’s rheological properties using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s Honestly Significant Difference (Tukey´s HSD) test. The study focused on the Asphalt-Binders’ high-temperature rheological properties, namely, the G*, δ, G*/Sin(δ) and G*/(1 − (1/Tan(δ)Sin(δ))) parameters, measured using the Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR) device. The DSR data analyzed in the study were extracted from the Texas flexible pavements and overlays database, namely, the Texas Data Storage System (DSS), covering two Asphalt-Binders (ABs), performance grade (PG) 64-22 and PG 76-22 plant-mix extracted ABs that were treated as rolling thin film oven (RTFO) residue, and sourced from 14 different suppliers. The study findings substantiate that material-source has an effect on the high-temperature rheological properties of ABs. Additionally, it was also concluded that in as much as performance superiority and costs are crucial issues in deciding the AB source/provider, consistency and quality aspects cannot be disregarded. Therefore, material-source effects should be inclusively evaluated from both performance (rheological properties) and quality (consistence) standpoints as well as cost considerations when choosing a supplier. In general, the study contributes to the state-of-the-art enrichment on aspects of material-source effects on RTFO residue ABs’ high-temperature rheological properties, consistency, variability, and data quality.     

Effect of metal doping on the visible light absorption,electronic structure and mechanical properties of non-toxic metal halide CsGeCl3

Non-toxic metal halide perovskites have become forefront for commercialization of the perovskite solar cells and optoelectronic devices. In the present study, for the first time we show that particular metal doping in CsGeCl₃ halide can considerably enhance the absorbance both in the visible and ultraviolet light energy range. We have carried out DFT based first principles calculations on Mn-doped and Ni-doped CsGeCl₃ halide. We investigate the detailed structural, optical, electronic and mechanical properties of all the doped compositions theoretically. The study of the optical properties shows that the absorption edge of both Ni and Mn-doped CsGeCl₃ is shifted toward the low energy region (red shift) relative to the pristine one. An additional peak is observed for both doped profiles in the visible light energy region. The study of the mechanical properties demonstrates that both the doped samples are mechanically stable and ductile as the pristine CsGeCl₃. The study of the electronic properties shows that the excitation of photoelectrons is easier due to the formation of intermediate states in Mn-doped CsGeCl₃. As a result Mn-doped CsGeCl₃ exhibits higher absorptivity in the visible region than the Ni-doped counterpart. A combinational analysis indicates that CsGe_1−xMn_xCl₃ is the best lead free candidate among the inorganic perovskite materials for solar cell and optoelectronic applications.

We have studied the optical, electronic and mechanical properties of Ni and Mn-doped CsGeCl₃ using DFT calculations.     

Evaluation of residual stress and texture in isotope based Mg11B2 superconductor using neutron diffraction

Magnesium diboride (MgB₂) superconducting wires have demonstrated commercial potential to replace niobium–titanium (NbTi) in terms of comparable critical current density. Its higher critical temperature makes MgB₂ wire suitable for liquid-helium-free operation. We recently reported boron-11 isotope-based low-activation Mg¹¹B₂ superconducting wire with decent critical current density appropriate for low-cost superconducting fusion magnets. In this study, we have mainly focused on the neutron diffraction technique to measure the residual stress in Mg¹¹B₂ superconducting wire for the first time. The residual stress state was given qualitative and quantitative interpretation in terms of micro- and macrostress generation mechanisms based on the isotropic model confirmed by neutron texture measurements. The relationship between the stress/strain state in the wire and the transport critical current density is also discussed. This investigation could pave the way to further enhancement of the critical current density of low-activation Mg¹¹B₂ superconducting wires suitable for next-generation fusion grade magnets.

Magnesium diboride (MgB₂) superconducting wires have demonstrated commercial potential to replace niobium–titanium (NbTi) in terms of comparable critical current density.     

Diversity of carbapenemases in clinical isolates: The emergence of blaVIM-5 in Bangladesh

Global emergence and dissemination of carbapenemases are clinically threatening, notably in countries with endemic bla_NDM. To analyze the extent of carbapenemases in Bangladesh, 71 isolates were collected from 7 different clinical sources: wound swab (n = 38), pus (n = 13), urine (n = 9), blood (n = 4), tracheal aspirate (n = 3), pleural fluid (n = 1) and vaginal swab (n = 3) from Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Bangladesh. Among the isolates, 25 were resistant to at least one of the three carbapenems (imipenem, meropenem and doripenem), including 15 being resistant to all. These resistant isolates were identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, Klebsiella pneumoniae, P. hibiscicola, Proteus mirabilis, Providencia stuartii and Citrobacter sedlakii. Carbapenemase detection among these 25 isolates varied in individual phenotypic assays (83% in Modified Hodge Test, 50% in Combined Disk Test for Metallo-β-lactamase prediction) as compared with the genotypes observed (96% prevalence of various carbapenemases including bla_OXA-1,48, bla_NDM-1,5, bla_VIM-2,5). bla_OXA-48 was the most prevalent gene (84%) followed by bla_NDM (72%). Coexistence of multiple gene combination such as bla_NDM+bla_OXA-48+bla_OXA-1 was prevalent (48%). Harborage of bla_VIM-5 (n = 1) was characterized for the first time, while bla_NDM-5 (n = 5) was reported contemporarily with a recent study in Bangladesh. Presence of plasmids (64%) and integron class 1 (100%) signifies the transferable potential of resistant traits. The emergence of such new variants along with the presence of the mobile genetic elements demands strict surveillance and combating strategies.     

Risk Factors for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Commercial Layer Chicken Farms in Bangladesh During 2011

A case–control study conducted during 2011 involved 90 randomly selected commercial layer farms infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza type A subtype H5N1 (HPAI) and 175 control farms randomly selected from within 5 km of infected farms. A questionnaire was designed to obtain information about potential risk factors for contracting HPAI and was administered to farm owners or managers. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify significant risk factors. A total of 20 of 43 risk factors for contracting HPAI were identified after univariable logistic regression analysis. A multivariable logistic regression model was derived by forward stepwise selection. Both unmatched and matched analyses were performed. The key risk factors identified were numbers of staff, frequency of veterinary visits, presence of village chickens roaming on the farm and staff trading birds. Aggregating these findings with those from other studies resulted in a list of 16 key risk factors identified in Bangladesh. Most of these related to biosecurity. It is considered feasible for Bangladesh to achieve a very low incidence of HPAI. Using the cumulative list of risk factors to enhance biosecurity pertaining to commercial farms would facilitate this objective.