Background: Respiratory tract infections, especially pneumonia and tuberculosis, remain significant public health problems in Bangladesh. This information alone is critical to manage local pathogen distributions, antibiotic susceptibility, and response plans. Objectives: To evaluate the frequency of bacterial pathogens in sputum samples, test their antibacterial sensitivity, and relate them to various demographic factors among patients in Sylhet, Bangladesh. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in the Chest Disease Clinic, Sylhet from January to June 2024.Sputum samples were taken from 120 patients diagnosed with lower respiratory tract infections. Colony and bacterial identification was done microbiologically, and antibiotic susceptibility was determined by using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Results: The cocci were the most prevalent, with gram-positive bacteria constituting 75% of all isolates: Staphylococcus aureus 29. Co-amoxiclav had the highest sensitivity of 23 percent, while the highest resistance was recorded for linezolid at 50 percent. Tobacco use was described in 79. Overall, there was a significant association between TB-positive status and the isolation of Klebsiella pneumoniae (p = 0.032). Most participants were of lower SES, and this was observed in 59.32% of the study’s participants. Conclusions: This research found that gram-positive organisms are the most frequent cause of respiratory infections in Sylhet, with S. aureus being the most dominant isolate. The high tobacco use and the link to S. aureus colonization indicate that interventions could and should be targeted. Concerning antibiotic susceptibility patterns, the need to exercise reasonable use of antibiotics and constant monitoring of antimicrobial resistance cannot be overemphasized. These findings may help the local clinicians, help set up empirical antibacterial therapy, and facilitate the design of some targeted health interventions.

Antinuclear antibodies (ANA) are significant biomarkers that are used to detect and classify autoimmune connective tissue disorders more efficiently. This paper provides a thorough overview of all the ANA profiling procedures, their testing advancements, clinical significance, and future directions. This study aimed to analyze the ANA profiles along with the prevalence of specific antibodies in patients presumed to have been diagnosed with autoimmune disorders in an Eastern Indian tertiary care hospital. The results were correlated with demographic data to conclude. ANA profiles of 48 patients from Peerless Hospitex Hospital, Kolkata were evaluated between January 24 to June 15, 2024. Out of them, 13 patients (27%) had positive ANA profiles. The most prevalent autoantibodies detected were SS-A and SS-B, which occurred in 7 patients (53.85%), followed by PM-Scl in 4 patients (30.77%). The study demonstrates how the ANA profile varies among different age groups, with the highest prevalence of 6 patients (46.15%) seen in the 60–75 age range. The clinical symptoms of diseases like autoimmune hepatitis, polymyositis, dermatomyositis, PSS (progressive systemic sclerosis), SLE (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus), and Sjogren's syndrome align with the ANA profile findings. This study offers insights into the distribution of autoantibodies targeting antigens present in ANA profiles, using clinical samples collected from a 550-bed tertiary care hospital in Eastern India. The findings underscore the need for comprehensive diagnostic approaches to autoimmune disorders.

Background: Pressure injuries rank among the top five most frequent causes of patient injury worldwide. Usually, these ulcers develop in the body's bony regions where there is a higher chance of pressure and tissue deformation. Pressure injuries are still a common and severely incapacitating ailment, even with advances in medical understanding and the development of efficient therapies and preventative measures. They result in large socioeconomic consequences since they place a heavy load on the healthcare system and the affected individuals. Objectives: To assess the occurrence rate, identify correlated risk factors, and analyze additional indicators related to pressure injuries diagnosed within the care units of King Saud Medical City throughout the study period. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was undertaken at King Saud Medical City in Riyadh during the months of August and September 2023. The study focused on patients with newly identified pre-existing pressure injury lesions. Demographic information and associated risk factors were recorded in the study's data extraction sheet after obtaining participants' consent to engage in the research. The study commenced following approval from the institutional review board of king Saud medical city research and Innovation center, Riyadh. The gathered data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 26. Descriptive statistics, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression were computed to assess the statistical association, using odds ratio. Significance of statistical association was assured and tested using 95% confidence interval and P-Value of < 0.05 is considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 250 patients with pressure ulcers were identified during the study period. Most of the study participants were male, and the mean age of the participants was 59.2 years. The prevalence of pressure injuries in the hospital units included in the study was 18.8%. The sacral region was the most affected site, with 121 patients (48%) having pressure injuries in that area, while 83 patients (33%) had pressure injuries in the gluteal area. The most frequently associated comorbidities were hypertension, present in 140 patients (56%), and diabetes mellitus, present in 123 patients (49.2%). Conclusion: The prevalence of pressure ulcers was high among admitted patients at King Saud Medical City, Riyadh. Primary prevention health promotion programs should be implemented to prevent the occurrence of pressure injuries in our healthcare facilities and the community at large.

The COVID-19 epidemic has created unprecedented challenges for global economies, affecting every industry, including the building construction industry in Nepal as well. This research aims to examine the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on the building construction industry in Nepal. This study examines institutional, psychological, individual, operational, contractual, and financial factors. To achieve the objective, data were collected from 330 Nepalese construction professionals using a structured Likert scale questionnaire and analyzed with Smart PLS version 3 software for partial least squares structural equation modeling. The reliability and validity of both the measurement and structural models were tested and found satisfactory. All six factors were found to be significant at a 5% level of significance. Among all factors, the institutional factor was found as the most significant factor with a t-value of 7.654 and a beta value of 0.679, emphasizing the crucial role of institutional support in Nepal's building construction industry. The psychological factor also emerged as the second most significant influential factor (t value: 6.087, beta value: 0.463), underscoring the profound effect on the mental well-being of professionals in the field. The finding highlights the critical importance of institutional support and the profound influence of psychological factors on the well-being of construction professionals, necessitating targeted interventions to support the industry's recovery and resilience.

Anthracycline is one of the chemical drugs commonly used worldwide for the treatment of various types of cancer. The high doses of it cause unwanted toxic side effects on the tissues. Our study designed to demonstrated the physiological and histopathological effect of the drug on the heart organ of experimental animals. For this purpose, twenty adults male rats were used in this study and were divided into four main groups. Control group, Azoxymethane treated group, Azoxymethane qrand anthracycline treated group, and anthracycline treated group only. Blood of the experimented animals was collected in order to measure biochemical parameters such as glutathione, lactate dehydrogenase, malondialdehyde, peroxynitrite, Creatinine Kinase, C-reactive protein Creatine kinase –myocardial band, and Myoglobin concentrations. In this study a significant increase and decrease was observed in biochemical parameters. Histological examination on the heart shown that rats treated with AOM have been revealed only hypertrophy of cardiac muscles, while other groups were observed hypertrophy of cardiac muscles furthermore. Aorta in AOM group have been revealed Adverse histological changes and transformation in the thickness aortic wall layers. The tissue sections of the groups treated with Anthracyclin showed a negative effect on the aortic wall layers, the endothelial layer and the middle layer, as well as the outer layer in the sections prepared from these groups.

Background: Sepsis remains a significant health concern, particularly in resource-limited regions like Bangladesh. Despite available diagnostic methods, identifying bacterial infections in septic patients proves challenging, prompting the exploration of biomarkers. Procalcitonin (PCT) has emerged as a promising biomarker for bloodstream infections like sepsis. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the utility of measuring serum PCT levels in diagnosing and assessing the severity of sepsis, with a focus on enhancing early treatment in intensive care units (ICUs). Method: A prospective study was conducted on 50 patients admitted to the Combined Military Hospital, Dhaka ICU, exhibiting clinical manifestations of sepsis between April and September 2015. Patients of all ages and genders were included, while those with recent major surgery, trauma, or burn history were excluded. Detailed clinical assessments and laboratory investigations were performed, with data recorded on a standardized proforma. Result: Of the 50 patients evaluated, 64% were male, and 36% were female, with a mean age of 56.11±10.89 years. Sepsis was more prevalent in patients aged >50 years (60%) and in males (64%). Respiratory tract infection (RTI) was the most common source of sepsis (40% of cases), with Klebsiella pneumonia being the predominant organism. Higher Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores correlated significantly with elevated serum PCT concentrations. Serum PCT demonstrated a significant difference between non-septic and septic groups (p-value <0.001), exhibiting sensitivity and specificity of 91% and 83.3%, respectively. Conclusion: Serum PCT emerges as a promising marker for sepsis in critically ill patients, enhancing diagnostic certainty and informing patient management. Its addition to routine work-ups could improve outcomes and patient care in ICUs.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a prevalent condition affecting adult men globally, characterized by the inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse. Neurological causes, including multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, ischemic stroke, congenital spinal abnormalities, and spinal cord injuries, disrupt neural pathways essential for erectile function. Additionally, chronic conditions such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and cardiovascular diseases, along with lifestyle factors like smoking and alcohol consumption, exacerbate ED by compromising vascular health. Psychological stressors further complicate the etiology of ED. Pelvic surgeries, cavernous nerve injuries, and certain medications, including antihypertensives and antidepressants, contribute to ED progression. Effective management requires addressing these neurological, vascular, hormonal, and psychological factors, necessitating a multidisciplinary approach involving specialists such as neurologists, urologists, endocrinologists, and mental health professionals. This review highlights the complex interplay between neurological disorders, systemic conditions, and lifestyle factors in the pathophysiology of ED, emphasizing the need for tailored treatment strategies targeting the underlying contributors to improve patient outcomes.

Background: Effective communication between primary healthcare centers (PHCCs) and referral hospitals is critical for ensuring the continuity and quality of patient care. Referral letters and feedback reports are essential for this communication, yet their quality is often inconsistent, potentially impacting patient outcomes. Study Aim: To assess the standard of feedback reports from referral hospitals and the quality of referral letters from PHCCs within the first health cluster in Riyadh. Methodology: This cross-sectional study randomly selected 360 referral letters and feedback reports from nine PHCCs in the first health cluster in Riyadh. Systematic sampling was employed to select approximately 55 documents from each center. Each document was evaluated based on 16 key components as per the Quality Assurance Manual of the Ministry of Health, using an author-developed scoring system. Results: The study included 360 referral letters and feedback reports, with an average quality score of 13.2 ± 1.5 out of 16. A majority of the documents (253, 70.3%) scored 13 or higher. Key components such as general information and patient file numbers were present in all documents (100%). Vital signs were documented in 351 cases (97.5%), and the reason for referral in 327 cases (90.8%). However, investigation results and current treatment details were included in only 142 (39.4%) and 150 (41.7%) of the documents, respectively. Clear handwriting was observed in 262 reports (72.8%), while 98 (27.2%) had legibility issues. Conclusion: The overall quality of referral letters and feedback reports in the first health cluster in Riyadh is relatively high. However, significant gaps were identified in the documentation of investigation results, current treatment details, and clinical examination findings. Addressing these gaps through targeted training, standardized documentation practices, and the adoption of electronic health records can enhance the quality of patient referrals and improve care continuity and outcomes.

Introduction: Placenta previa (PP) is a significant cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality worldwide. However, there is limited data from developing countries on the maternal and fetal outcomes and complications associated with placenta previa. Aim of the study: The aim of this study was to evaluate maternal and perinatal outcome in preterm placenta praevia. Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted in the Department of Gynae and Obstetrics of Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh during the period from March 2010 to August 1010. Result: Total 66 patients were diagnosed with placenta previa. We found, the majority (42%) of participants were aged between 26-30 years and with lower socio-economic status significantly associated with higher prevalence due to lack of regular antenatal care. The majority were admitted at 35-37 weeks gestation, with the highest perinatal loss occurring before 30 weeks. Initial bleeding was generally small, and many presented with labor pain and anemia. Ultrasonography diagnosed 55% of cases, with cesarean sections frequently used, leading to better outcomes compared to vaginal deliveries. Severe postpartum complications like hemorrhage and urinary tract infections were common in more severe cases. Conclusion: Placenta previa is a major cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Early registration, regular antenatal care, early detection of high-risk cases, and timely referral to higher centers with good NICU services and blood bank facilities can help prevent these adverse outcomes.

This research aims to carry out fraud detection efforts through the implementation of a whistleblowing system. In this case, whistleblowing is a system where the public can report various indications of fraudulent practices in both the business and public sectors. This whistleblowing system was designed as the main step for early detection and prevention of fraudulent practices in both the business and public sectors. However, the implementation of whistleblowing still requires the role of whistleblowers who report anonymously. Where the reporter gets guarantees from the recipient of the report for various fraudulent practices (fraud). This article uses a literature study approach (literature review). This article states that whistleblowing channels are very effective in detecting and preventing various fraudulent practices in all public and business sectors.

Background: Although most of human life is spent inside, where bacteria are always present on things, little is known about the microbial variety of indoor habitats. Objectives: The major objective of this study was to determine the rate and types of bacterial contaminants in female and male student dormitory of Al-Kufa university campus, and to explore the inhibitory effect of certain disinfectants. This study was conducted for the period from October 2022 to Jun 2023. A total of 400 bacteriological swabs were collected aseptically from different sites of male and female student dormitory of Al-Kufa university. Swabs were streaked as soon as possible on blood agar and MaConkey agar plates and incubated overnight. Identification of bacterial species was based on standard bacteriological criteria. The inhibitory effect of 40% and 60% concentrations of three commercially available disinfectants; dettol (chloroxylenol), Al-Emlaq (Alkyl benzene sulfonate), and the house bleach (sodium hypochlorite) were explored by agar diffusion method. Data were statistically analyzed. Results: The results revealed that the overall bacterial contamination rate in student’s dormitories of Al-Kufa university campus was 78%. Male dormitory unit had significantly higher contamination rate compared to female dormitory unit (57.5% vs 42.5%). Bacillus spp. Was the most predominant contaminant in both male and female units. Al-Emlaq super gel (Alkyl benzene sulfonate) was found as the most effective disinfectant against the majority of bacterial isolates. Conclusion: Authorized and public awareness toward bacterial contamination in student's dormitories is recommended. The selection of an effective disinfectant should be based on its active ingredient and concentration.

The Surface Water Resources of Otamiri-Nworie Watershed within the Owerri Metropolis were studied with the prime aim of developing a Non-Point Source Event-Based Model to Contamination of the water bodies. Clean, safe, and sufficient water is essential for both human existence and the health of ecosystems, communities, and economies (Fubara and Kpormon, 2023). As human populations increase, industrial and agricultural production increases, and climate change pose a threat of significant disruption of the hydrologic cycle, and as such, declining water quality has emerged as a major global problem (Ogbonna and Orinya, 2023). Human-drinking water must be free of organisms and chemical substances, as high amounts might be harmful to one’s health (Adeyi et al., 2021). This study aimed at comparatively assessing the physicochemical and biological indices of Otamiri and Nworie Rivers, and the Piper diagram model was employed for the analysis. Fifteen water samples were collected along the course of the two rivers and analyzed for physical, chemical and microbial parameters. Physical, chemical, and biological parameters were analyzed. The analytical results of the samples were compared with notable standards like the World Health Organization [WHO], etc. It was observed that all the parameters analyzed for the rivers fall below the acceptable standards except for pH (6.5-8.5) indicating the acidic nature of these water bodies. Similarly, the colour value of the two rivers ranges between 21.5 to 229 PCU and observed to be decreasing downstream within Nworie and Otamiri rivers. Within the river Nworie axis, both the total dissolved solids (TDS) and the total suspended solids (TSS) were observed to be increasing downstream. Along Otamiri river before confluence, total dissolved solids increased downstream whereas the reverse was the case for the total suspended solids, just after the confluence. There is a noticeable increase in dissolved oxygen (DO) downstream within the Nworie axis. The biological oxygen demand (BOD) values for the rivers were below the WHO standard. Finally, the major sources of contamination within the study area revealed that they are mainly from agricultural practices, dumpsites, and human defecation. The quality can be improved by applying appropriate treatment to the water before its use for various purposes.

Most developing countries in the world are working hard to attract more foreign direct investment. Identifying the key determinants of foreign direct investment is therefore seen as an essential task for policy makers. Compared to other parts of the world, the performance of ASEAN countries in attracting foreign direct investment is still poor. This study deals with identifying the determinants of foreign direct investment inflow in ASEAN 4 (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam) countries. This study estimates the panel data sample with pooled OLS and fixed and random effect models. The analyzed data covered for the period 2000 to 2020. The empirical results indicate that market size and natural resources are the most robust determinants for FDI inflows into Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam. Furthermore, the presence of labor costs, infrastructure, and exchange rate exerts a favorable influence on the inflow of FDI to CLMV countries. On the contrary, the findings of the paper reveal that the inflation rate has a detrimental effect on inward FDI. This partly reflects the fact that most of the world’s FDI is market-seeking. This study provides a clear understanding of the scope of the research in the field of FDI determinants as the practical implication for future research.

Anorectal malformations are one of the common congenital anomalies with an incidence of 1-3000 to 5000. Up to 70% of the patients have associated anomalies. Forty to seventy percent of ARM patients have one or more additional defects of other organ systems. The etiology of ARM is multifactorial, it includes both genetic and environmental. This study was done to determine the structural and numerical chromosomal associated with anorectal malformations. 150 patients were included in the study. A full physical examination of the child was conducted followed by an infantogram, echocardiogram, and spinal ultrasound scan was done to investigate different associated anomalies. The patients were classified according to the Krickenbeck classification. Karyotyping was done to determine the structural and numerical chromosomal anomalies. ARM with perineal fistula was the common type of ARM. Out of 150 karyotypes done, only two patients had abnormal karyotypes. Both patients had Downs syndrome. Consanguinity was found in 22% of the cases. Karyotyping plays a vital role in the comprehensive evaluation of patients with anorectal malformations by identifying chromosomal abnormalities, guiding management decisions, providing prognostic information, and enabling genetic counseling.

In this present investigation, seasonal distribution of micro algae in Konam reservoir (Visakhapatnam district, Andhra Pradesh) was studied for a period of one year from November 2022 to October 2023. A total of 61 species were reported which belongs to four groups of algae such as Chlorophyceae (26), Bacillariophyceae (15) Cyanophyceae (15) and Euglenophyceae (5). In post monsoon season higher number (57) of micro algal forms were recorded and lower number (41) of microalgae were reported during monsoon season.