Background: The management of chronic diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) poses a great challenge to the treating physician and surgeon. The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors, clinical presentation, and outcomes associated with chronic DFU. Objective: To determine the various risk factors for diabetic foot ulcers and study their associations. To study the grades of diabetic foot ulcers at presentation. Method: Purposive sampling. This study was done in the Surgery department of Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital (SZMCH), Bogura for period of twelve (12) months. 100 cases were selected after informed consent. Study group (A) comprises of 50 cases of type 2 diabetes with diabetic foot ulcer and control group (B) comprises of 50 cases of age and gender matched type 2 diabetics without foot ulcers. Patients having serious systemic illness, type I diabetics and non-diabetic patients presenting with foot ulcer were excluded. Age, gender, duration of diabetes, duration of ulcer, glycemic control, presence of neuropathy and vascular disease were documented. Grading and Staging of ulcer was done according to New University of Texas Diabetic Wound Classification. Various risk factors were compared between the two groups. Data analyzed via SPSS version 17 with significant p-value < 0.05. Results: Among 100 cases (64 % males & 36 % females); mean age was 58.50 ± 9.8 (group A) versus 50.40 ± 10.5 (group B). Mean duration of diabetes was longer in group A (10.49 ± 7.06 years) vs. group B (8.34 ± 4.83 years) (p = 0.019). Glycemic control was poor in group A (72 %) vs. group B (56 %) (p = 0.045). There was significantly more peripheral vascular disease in group A (50 %) vs. group B (32 %) (p= 0.005). Sensory neuropathy was more in group A (90 %) vs. group B (38 %) (p < 0.0001). Grade-I ulcer was present in 16 % cases, Grade-II in 38 % and Grade-III in 46 %. Conclusion: Neuropathy carries highest risk for diabetic foot ulcer, followed by peripheral vascular disease and poor glycemic control. Therefore, diabetic patient must be educated about these risk factors, foot care and self-examination and to have regular screening by clinician. Appropriate glycemic control and timely medical and surgical intervention may reduce morbidity in diabetics.

This article provides an overview of Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT), also known as noninvasive prenatal screening. It is a technique for estimating the likelihood that the fetus will have specific genetic defects at birth for pregnant women. The content is specifically tailored for pregnant women and ncompasses a detailed exploration of topics such as Genomics-based noninvasive prenatal tests, sample details for noninvasive prenatal testing, factors influencing test results, the interpretation of test results, limitations associated with the test, and the content included in the Declaration of Consent Form for Noninvasive Prenatal Testing.

Introduction: Ovarian cancer presents a significant challenge in oncology due to its high mortality rates primarily stemming from late-stage diagnoses. Early detection through reliable biomarkers such as CA-125 and IL-6 is crucial for improving patient outcomes. Aim of the study: This study aimed to compare the accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of CA-125 and IL-6 in detecting malignant ovarian tumors. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted at the Department of Gynecological Oncology, BSMMU, and NICRH, Dhaka, Bangladesh. A total of 94 women with suspected ovarian tumors underwent preoperative assessment of CA-125 and IL-6 levels. Receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) curves were utilized to determine optimal cut-off values. Result: In this study of 94 women with ovarian tumors, we evaluated the diagnostic performance of CA-125 and IL-6 biomarkers. CA-125 showed a sensitivity of 83.0% and specificity of 51.2% at a cut-off of ≥89.0 u/ml, while IL-6 exhibited 84.9% sensitivity and 80.5% specificity at ≥9.5 pg/ml. Combining CA-125 and IL-6 improved specificity to 95.1%, maintaining a sensitivity of 77.4%. These findings underscore the potential of biomarker combinations in enhancing diagnostic accuracy for detecting malignant ovarian tumors. Conclusion: IL-6 exhibited higher sensitivity and specificity compared to CA-125 in detecting malignant ovarian tumors. The combined use of both biomarkers improved specificity while maintaining reasonable sensitivity, suggesting their potential utility in clinical practice for early detection and management of ovarian malignancies.

Background: Total Abdominal Hysterectomy (TAH) is a common surgical procedure for treating various gynecological conditions. This study aims to evaluate the demographic characteristics, comorbidities, and clinical indications for TAH at Holy Family Red Crescent Medical College Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Methods: This retrospective study included all TAH cases performed from January 2018 to August 2019. Data on patient age, comorbidities (hypertension and diabetes), and indications for TAH were collected from hospital records. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. Results: A total of 320 TAH cases were reviewed. The most common age group was 41-50 years (43.13%), followed by patients aged ≤40 years (31.56%). Hypertension was present in 36.25% of the patients, and diabetes was observed in 30.94%. The most frequent indication for TAH was fibroid uterus (55.63%), followed by adenomyosis (18.75%) and post-menopausal bleeding (14.38%). Other indications included ovarian cysts (5.63%), endometrial hyperplasia (5.00%), and pelvic mass (6.25%). Conclusion: The findings highlight uterine fibroids, adenomyosis, and post-menopausal bleeding as the primary indications for TAH, with a significant prevalence of hypertension and diabetes among the patients. Effective management strategies for these conditions and considerations of comorbidities are crucial in optimizing surgical outcomes. Further research into minimally invasive techniques may enhance patient care in gynecological surgery.

Background: The increasing consumption of fast food and junk food among adolescents is a growing public health concern, particularly in urban areas of developing countries like Bangladesh. This study aims to explore the relationship between knowledge of fast food and junk food consumption and sociodemographic characteristics among high school students in Bogura Town, Bangladesh. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at the Department of Community Medicine, Rajshahi Medical College, from January 2023 to December 2023. A total of 384 high school students from various schools in Bogura were selected using purposive sampling. Data were collected using a pretested semi-structured questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 26. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were employed to assess associations between variables. Result: The majority of participants were aged 14-16 years (58.07%) and female (66.15%). Most students resided in urban areas (95.31%) and came from nuclear families (87.24%). Parental education levels were high, with 56.77% of fathers and 37.76% of mothers being graduates or having higher education. Despite this, only 23.70% of students had complete knowledge about the nutritional value of fast food and junk food. Significant associations were found between knowledge levels and gender, parental education, economic status, and BMI (p < 0.05). Fast food consumption was prevalent, with 74.48% consuming it at school and 78.13% consuming instant foods at home. Knowledge gaps were notable in areas such as the effects of saturated fats, metabolism, and chronic disease risks. Conclusion: The findings highlight significant gaps in nutritional knowledge among adolescents, despite high rates of fast food consumption. Sociodemographic factors play a crucial role in influencing nutritional knowledge. There is an urgent need for targeted educational programs to address these gaps and promote healthier eating habits among adolescents to improve long-term health outcomes.

This paper develops a mobile hydraulic lifting machine for lifting heavy automobile engines in the central workshop of Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa. It was fabricated using locally sourced materials for economic viability and affordability. Full welding was applied to all parts to avoid failure during lifting operation and avert accidents or injuries. The maximum designed load of the machine is 500 kg, and the minimum force produced by the hydraulic cylinder is 22.22 KN. The pressure generated by the Ram force with a piston area of 8.495 x 10-3 m2 was 2.616 MPa and the effort required to overcome the force produced by the cylinder was 2103 N. The maximum circumferential stress and the allowable bending stress of the cylinder were 54.413 x 106 N/m2 and 108.8 MPa which are far below the AISC recommended, this shows the beam is safe to lift without failure. The maximum shear force and the bending moment of the cantilever were found to be 17222 N and 6200 Nm respectively, and the maximum shear stress developed at the pivots were 17.54 MPa and 22.63 MPa respectively, which are far below the allowable stress. This shows that the developed machine is safe to use without failure.

The article focuses on the age old concept of Ayurveda where it is advised to start eating with the rising sun & to stop eating with the setting sun. Thus, a fasting of 8 hours per 24 hours is advised. With the modern day life style, night eating & drinking came back & thus the comeback of Non Communicable Diseases (NCD). As the NCDs surged, the concept of Intermittent Fasting (IF) emerged since the process of IF led to weight loss & positive changes in the body. The current article sees the role of Homoeopathy of the AYUSH system in the process of IF. Those adopting the process of IF may use the therapeutic system of homeopathy to optimize the benefits of IF. After discussing the various modalities of IF, a homoeopathic treatment protocol is suggested on the lines of the markers mentioned above. The article aspires that this integration will help the nation to deal with the current menace of NCDs.

Proximate and phytochemicals are chemical components that are derived from plants through metabolic activities, Polyalthia longifolia is a very important plant. The phytochemical analysis results obtained for the bark for alkaloid, saponins, flavonoid, total phenol, hydrogen cyanide and terpenoid are as follows; 8.13, 9.31, 9.41. 42.7, 0.01 and 4.47 and for the leaves. 4.84, 3.21, 7.14, 2.96, 1.73 and 4.11 respectively. the proximate results carried out on its bark using standard procedures shows it contains (%) carbohydrate 51.7, moisture content 12.8, ash content 10.52, crude fibre 15.31 and crude protein 7.22 and the proximate results for leaves 4.48, 3.21, 7.14, 2.96 and 4.11 respectively for carbohydrate, moisture content, ash content, crude fibre and crude protein. This result shows that the plant is a good source of saponin, alkaloid, phenols, and terpenoids which contribute to the nutritive and medicinal potency of the plant. The concentration of hydrogen cyanide in the plant leaves and bark is not significant and therefore will have no lethal effect and can easily be detoxified but comparatively the leaves contain more cyanide than the bark which could be related to the moisture content, the total penol in the bark is also significantly higher than the leaves which show its effectiveness as an anti microbial agent. The high percentage of carbohydrate shows that the plant can be a good source of energy for both humans and animals. This plant has several benefits like anti-cancer, anti-oxidants and anti-haemohorrds and can be used to reduce fibroid, it is applicable industrially as food preservatives, cosmetics and sweetners,

Presented in this paper is Automatic Voltage Regulator (AVR) Control System for Synchronous Generator. A nonlinear model of synchronous generator was developed in Simulink and was later linearized as a single input single output (SISO) transfer function model. A Proportional Integral and Derivative (PID) controller was designed and by using the MATLAB/Simulink PID tuner, the gains of the proportional, integral and derivative parameters were obtained. A Low Pass Filter, F(s) was designed and introduced as part of the input signal to eliminate any noise effect that may be introduced into the AVR control system through the input. Simulations were carried out considering basically three scenarios viz: the AVR control system without the proposed PIDf + F(s) control scheme, the AVR with the proposed technique, and the AVR with the PIDf + F(s) with the introduction of disturbance in form of load variation at 25 seconds. The performance of the proposed scheme was compared with conventional PID control AVR system without F(s). The results of the comparison indicated that the proposed technique provided superior performance in terms of percentage overshoot and settling time. Generally, the PIDf with F(s) control scheme was more stable than the conventional PID controller as indicated by the percentage overshoot, which was 4.58% for PIDf and 4.28% for PIDf + F(s).

In many places around the world, indigenous communities use traditional medicine as a big part of their culture and understanding of health. Guava leaves have been traditionally used to treat various illnesses like rheumatism, diarrhea, diabetes, and cough. This study looks at how guava leaves can fight fungi and bacteria. Making a herbal mouthwash with guava leaves could be a good idea for keeping our mouths clean. To make the mouthwash, we boil guava leaves to get the helpful compounds. We can also add other herbs like mint to make it even better at killing germs. After brushing your teeth, you can use this mouthwash twice a day for about 30 seconds each time to keep your mouth healthy and fight off common mouth bacteria. Herbal mouthwash is made from plant extracts instead of chemicals. It's better because it doesn't irritate or stain, and it doesn't have alcohol [1]. Guava leaves have many helpful compounds that fight bacteria, like Flavonoids, Eugenol, Terpenoids, and Linalool. These compounds help make guava leaves a good choice for a mouthwash. Making this herbal mouthwash involves a lot of steps: researching, understanding, developing, extracting, testing, refining, consulting experts, packaging, and storing.

Background: Polypharmacy, the concurrent use of multiple medications by an individual, presents challenges in medication management, patient safety, and healthcare outcomes, particularly among older adults. In Saudi Arabia, the prevalence of polypharmacy is increasing due to the aging population and the burden of chronic diseases. Understanding healthcare providers' awareness and practices regarding medication switching is crucial for optimizing medication use and improving patient outcomes. Study Aim: This systematic review aims to synthesize and analyze existing literature on healthcare providers' awareness of medication switching for polypharmacy patients in Saudi Arabia. The study focuses on pharmacists and physicians, exploring their knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to medication management, deprescribing, pharmacovigilance, and Medication Therapy Management (MTM) services. Methodology: A systematic search was conducted across major databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, using predefined search terms related to polypharmacy, medication switching, healthcare providers' awareness, and Saudi Arabia. Eligible studies were selected based on inclusion criteria, including study design, setting, participants, and relevance to the study aim. Data extraction and synthesis were performed to analyze key findings and themes related to healthcare providers' awareness of medication switching. Results: Six eligible studies were included in the systematic review, encompassing survey-based investigations, cross-sectional studies, and qualitative studies conducted in various healthcare settings across Saudi Arabia. The findings revealed gaps in pharmacists' and physicians' knowledge regarding Potentially Inappropriate Medications (PIMs), Drug-Drug Interactions (DDIs), pharmacovigilance practices, and deprescribing strategies. Recommendations for improving pharmacists' education, enhancing pharmacovigilance practices, and promoting collaborative care models were highlighted. Conclusion: Healthcare providers in Saudi Arabia demonstrate varying levels of awareness and practices regarding medication switching for polypharmacy patients. There is a need for targeted educational interventions, standardized pharmacovigilance practices, and collaborative efforts among healthcare providers to optimize medication use, reduce polypharmacy-related risks, and improve patient outcomes.

Corrosion of steel reinforcement is a major factor affecting the durability and strength of reinforced concrete structures. This study investigated the influence of plant-derived corrosion inhibitors, applied as coatings, on the bond strength between reinforcing steel and concrete. Thirty-six 150 mm concrete cubes with 12 mm diameter embedded steel bars were prepared and divided into uncoated, corrosion inhibitor coated, and control groups. The samples were immersed in 5% sodium chloride solution over 360 days to accelerate corrosion. Pull-out testing measured the bond strength and failure load. The corroded samples showed 31-26% lower bond strength and 82-87% higher maximum slip than controls, indicating corrosion damage at the steel-concrete interface. However, inhibitor-coated samples displayed 24-36% higher bond strength and 42-43% lower maximum slip versus corroded samples. Although the coatings did not fully restore original bond strength, this demonstrates their effectiveness at protecting bond properties. Microscopic analysis revealed non-uniform, localized corrosion preferentially initiated at steel defects. Statistical correlations confirmed the direct relationship between steel weight loss and reductions in post-corrosion rebar weight due to material loss. While nominal rebar diameters showed minimal differences between sample types, localized diameter reductions and cross-sectional area increases in corroded samples highlighted discrete corrosion effects. These were mitigated in coated samples. Together with direct weight loss measurements, this proves corrosion occurred in unprotected samples. Overall, the significant recovery of bond strength, slip resistance, diameter, area, and weight in coated samples validates the success of the natural corrosion inhibitors in reducing steel deterioration and interface degradation. The results provide new insights on optimizing inhibitor coatings to maximize corrosion protection for reinforced concrete structures.

This study investigated the performance of Garcinia kola exudates in preventing mild steel exposed to acid concentrated water and soil. The study was performed in order to find an alternative coating substance that can reduce the corrosion of mild steel pipes exposed to corrosive water and soil media. Various mild steel specimens were cut into portions and coated with the exudates at 25 - 50µm thickness. To accelerate the rate of corrosion, 0.5M hydrochloric acid (HCl) was added to tap water in a container. Also, the same concentration of HCl was equally added to soil samples. Uncoated mild steel specimens were immersed in the acid concentrated water and soil, servicing as control sample. The rate of corrosion was monitored for 30 days (720 hours). The inhibition efficiency of the exudates for both corrosive media was compared. Results showed that the weight loss and corrosion rate of mild steel decreased with increase in coating thickness. Comparatively, weight loss and corrosion rate in the uncoated specimens were higher than the coated specimens. For uncoated specimens, the corrosion rate was 0.2793mm/yr and 0.4150mm/yr for specimen immersed in water and soil respectively, but at 25µm coating thickness, it decreased to 0.01369mm/yr and 0.2870mm/yr for specimens in water and soil. Also, at 50µm coating thickness, corrosion rate decreased to 0.0052mm/yr and 0.0318mm/yr for specimens in water and soil, respectively. The inhibition efficiency increased with coating thickness, ranging from 51.00 – 98.15% for specimens immersed in water and 30.84 – 92.33% for specimens buried in soil at 25µm – 50µm coating thickness. The results demonstrated that Garcinia kola exudates can be used as corrosion inhibitor for mild steel exposed to corrosive media.

Corrosion of steel reinforcement is a major cause of deterioration in reinforced concrete structures. The corrosion process is influenced by the concrete-steel interface, with the alkaline concrete pore solution initially providing passivation. However, ingress of aggressive substances like chlorides can disrupt the passive layer, initiating active pitting corrosion above a threshold level often taken as 0.4% chloride by cement weight. Once the chloride threshold is exceeded, corrosion propagation depends on oxygen and moisture availability. The resulting rust formation causes expansive cracking and spalling of the concrete cover. Corrosion damage can be mitigated through use of inhibitors like calcium nitrite though high dosages impair concrete strength. Recently, plant-based organic compounds have shown promise as green corrosion inhibitors. The corrosion behavior of steel in concrete can be evaluated through impressed accelerated corrosion testing along with electrochemical techniques like half-cell potential mapping and resistivity measurements. These allow assessment of the probability of corrosion and corrosion rate. Techniques like linear polarization resistance and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy can also quantify instantaneous corrosion rate. Proper structural condition assessment and repair using both conventional and green inhibitors is crucial to control steel corrosion, maintain service life and ensure safety. Further research is needed on green corrosion mitigation methods and advanced non-destructive testing techniques.

This study investigated the performance of Celtis zenkeri exudates in preventing galvanised steel exposed to acid concentrated water and soil. The study was performed in order to find an alternative coating substance that can reduce the corrosion of galvanised steel pipes exposed to corrosive water and soil media. Various steel specimens were cut into portions and coated with the exudates at 25 - 50µm thickness. To accelerate the rate of corrosion, 0.5M hydrochloric acid (HCl) was added to tap water in a container. Also, the same concentration of HCl was equally added to soil samples. Uncoated steel specimens were immersed in the acid concentrated water and soil, servicing as control sample. The rate of corrosion was monitored for 30 days (720 hours). The inhibition efficiency of the exudates for both corrosive media was compared. Results showed that the weight loss and corrosion rate of galvanised steel decreased with increase in coating thickness. Comparatively, the weight loss and corrosion rate in the uncoated specimens were higher than the coated specimens. With 25 - 50µm coating thickness, the decrease in corrosion rate ranged from 0.01272 to 0.0027mm/yr for specimens immersed in water and from 0.2226 to 0.0185mm/yr for specimens buried in soil, while for uncoated specimens, the corrosion rate was 0.2793mm/yr and 0.4150mm/yr for specimen immersed in water and soil respectively. The inhibition efficiency of Celtis zenkeri exudates increased with coating thickness, which ranged from 54.46 – 99.03% for specimens immersed in water and 46.36 – 95.54% for specimens buried in soil at 25µm – 50µm coating thickness. The results demonstrated that Celtis zenkeri exudates can be used as corrosion inhibitor for steel exposed to corrosive media.