Determinants of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Infection Among University Students in Central Bangladesh

This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence and determinants of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection among university students in Bangladesh. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 614 students from five universities in central Bangladesh. Data were collected on demographic information, immunization history, medical and blood transfusion history through the face-to-face interview. Blood samples were collected and screened for anti-HBsAg using ELISA, HBsAg Rapid Test-cassette, and immune chromatographic test. The overall seroprevalence of HBV infection was 5.0%, and vaccination coverage was 19.2% among the participants. Students having a history of surgery (OR 11.004, 95% CI 3.211–37.707), blood transfusion (OR 5.651, 95% CI 0.965–33.068), being married (OR 4.776, 95% CI 1.508–15.127), and not being vaccinated (OR 9.825, 95% CI 1.130–85.367) were at higher risk of being infected by HBV. This study showed the endemicity of HBV infection among the Bangladeshi population. Marriage, surgical or blood transfusion history, not being vaccinated were the determinants of HBV infection within the study population. Public health initiatives for preventing HBV infection at the university levels should be envisaged.

     

Bmi-1 is useful as a novel molecular marker for predicting progression of myelodysplastic syndrome and patient prognosis

The International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS) has been widely used to predict the prognosis of patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). However, IPSS does not always provide a sufficiently precise evaluation of patients to allow the appropriate choice of clinical interventions. Here, we analyzed the expression of Bmi-1, which is required to regulate the self-renewal in CD34+ cells from 51 patients with cases of MDS and acute myeloid leukemia preceded by MDS (MDS-AML). Higher positivity rate of Bmi-1 was preferentially seen in refractory anemia with excess blasts (RAEB), RAEB in transformation (RAEB-T), and MDS-AML compared with refractory anemia (RA) and RA with ringed sideroblasts (RARS). IPSS score was positively correlated with the percentage of Bmi-1 expression. Patients with RA and RARS with a higher percentage of Bmi-1+ cells showed disease progression to RAEB. Here, we propose Bmi-1 as a novel molecular marker to predict the progression and prognosis of MDS.     

Relaxing music reduces blood pressure and heart rate among pre‐hypertensive young adults: A randomized control trial

Prevalence of pre‐hypertension is higher among young adults and may increase the risk for hypertension and cardiovascular morbidity. Music therapy has been investigated to reduce the blood pressure in the hypertensive population; however, its efficacy on blood pressure in pre‐hypertensive young adults is not known. Thirty pre‐hypertensive (systolic blood pressure [SBP] = 120‐139 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure [DBP] = 80‐89 mmHg) young adults were recruited and randomly assigned into two groups. Music group (N = 15) received music therapy by passive listening to music for 30 minutes/day, 5 days/week for 4 weeks, along with Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan (a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, low‐fat dairy or unsaturated fat) and limit the daily sodium intake less than 100 mmol/day. The control group (N = 15) practiced only DASH eating plan and sodium restriction. The SBP, DBP, and heart rate (HR) were measured before and after 4 weeks of intervention. There was a significant reduction in SBP (8.73 mmHg, p < .001) and HR (6.42 beats/minute, p = .002); however, the reduction in DBP (1.44 mmHg, p = .101) was not statistically significant in the music group. Control group did not exhibit any significant reduction in SBP (0.21 mmHg, p < .836), DBP (0.81 mmHg, p < .395) and HR (0.09 beats/minute, p < .935). In conclusion, music therapy reduced significantly SBP and HR suggesting that it could be a promising tool to prevent the progression of pre‐hypertension toward hypertension among young adults.