The high prevalence of underweight among children is a serious health concern in Bangladesh. Nutritional status influences students' academic performance directly or indirectly. This study aimed to determine factors that affect the academic performance of students in primary schools. Methods: Data were collected from several schools and madrasahs in Chapainawabganj district, Bangladesh using multistage stratified sampling with proportional allocation technique. Results: The prevalence of underweight children was 32.3%, with 43.0% of them being girls and 21.4% boys. Multiple logistic regression analysis demonstrated that normal weight children were more likely (p<0.05) to obtain good results (GPA >3.50) than underweight children. Children with gestational age of 39 to 41 weeks were more likely to obtain good results than those whose gestational age was 37 and 38 weeks. Children who were breastfed for <24 months were less likely (p<0.01) to perform well academically (GPA>3.50) compared to their counterparts. Children whose parents had a higher income or higher education had a significantly better chance of obtaining good results compared to their counterparts. Conclusion: These results suggest that childhood nutritional status, parents' education and economic level are significant common factors which affect children's academic performance. Consequently, under-nutrition and poverty can be considered as the major problems for good academic performance of Bangladeshi children and requires attention
Thinness ; Nutritional Status ; Schools ; Child ; Bangladesh

N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) and cysteine have been implicated in a number of human neutrophils' functional responses. However, though Ca²⁺ signaling is one of the key signalings contributing to the functional responses of human neutrophils, effects of NAC and cysteine on intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca²⁺]ᵢ) in human neutrophils have not been investigated yet. Thus, this study was carried out with an objective to investigate the effects of NAC and cysteine on [Ca²⁺]ᵢ in human neutrophils. We observed that NAC (1 µM ~ 1 mM) and cysteine (10 µM ~ 1 mM) increased [Ca²⁺]ᵢ in human neutrophils in a concentration-dependent manner. In NAC pre-supplmented buffer, an additive effect on N-formyl-methionine-leucine-phenylalanine (fMLP)-induced increase in [Ca²⁺]ᵢ in human neutrophils was observed. In Ca²⁺-free buffer, NAC- and cysteine-induced [Ca²⁺]ᵢ increase in human neutrophils completely disappeared, suggesting that NAC- and cysteine-mediated increase in [Ca²⁺]ᵢ in human neutrophils occur through Ca²⁺ influx. NAC- and cysteine-induced [Ca²⁺]ᵢ increase was effectively inhibited by calcium channel inhibitors SKF96365 (10 µM) and ruthenium red (20 µM). In Na⁺-free HEPES, both NAC and cysteine induced a marked increase in [Ca²⁺]ᵢ in human neutrophils, arguing against the possibility that Na⁺-dependent intracellular uptake of NAC and cysteine is necessary for their [Ca²⁺]ᵢ increasing activity. Our results show that NAC and cysteine induce [Ca²⁺]ᵢ increase through Ca²⁺ influx in human neutrophils via SKF96365- and ruthenium red-dependent way.
Acetylcysteine* ; Calcium Channels ; Calcium* ; Cysteine* ; HEPES ; Humans* ; Neutrophils* ; Ruthenium ; Ruthenium Red

Objectives: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a prevalent mental health condition that impacts daily life. It is thought to be associated with genetic, biological, and structural brain changes, serotonergic abnormalities, altered neuromodulation, and environmental factors.Limited observational studies have examined cytokines in Bangladeshi patients with OCD. This study aimed to assess the levels of eotaxin-1 and interleukin (IL)-34 in individuals with this disorder. Methods: This case-control observational study included 58 patients with OCD and 30 healthy controls (HCs) matched for age, sex, and body mass index. The severity of OCD was assessed using the Yale-Brown obsessive-compulsive scale (Y-BOCS). Psychiatrists evaluated participants according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. Serum levels of eotaxin-1 and IL-34 were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Results: Patients with OCD exhibited significantly higher serum eotaxin-1 levels (121.13 ± 7.84pg/mL) than HCs (85.52 ± 9.42 pg/mL). Conversely, IL-34 levels were considerably lower in patients than in HCs (119.02 ± 14.53 pg/mL vs. 179.96 ± 27.88 pg/mL). The Cohen d values for eotaxin-1 and IL-34 were 0.55 and −0.48, respectively. Among patients with OCD, a significantpositive correlation was found between serum eotaxin-1 level and Y-BOCS score, along with a negative correlation between serum eotaxin-1 and IL-34 levels. Conclusion The findings suggest that altered eotaxin-1 and IL-34 levels may be associated withOCD. These chemokines and cytokines could serve as primary tools for assessing the risk of OCD, warranting further clinical investigation. This could potentially support more extensive research and the development of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies targeting these pathways.

Objectives: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a prevalent mental health condition that impacts daily life. It is thought to be associated with genetic, biological, and structural brain changes, serotonergic abnormalities, altered neuromodulation, and environmental factors.Limited observational studies have examined cytokines in Bangladeshi patients with OCD. This study aimed to assess the levels of eotaxin-1 and interleukin (IL)-34 in individuals with this disorder. Methods: This case-control observational study included 58 patients with OCD and 30 healthy controls (HCs) matched for age, sex, and body mass index. The severity of OCD was assessed using the Yale-Brown obsessive-compulsive scale (Y-BOCS). Psychiatrists evaluated participants according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. Serum levels of eotaxin-1 and IL-34 were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Results: Patients with OCD exhibited significantly higher serum eotaxin-1 levels (121.13 ± 7.84pg/mL) than HCs (85.52 ± 9.42 pg/mL). Conversely, IL-34 levels were considerably lower in patients than in HCs (119.02 ± 14.53 pg/mL vs. 179.96 ± 27.88 pg/mL). The Cohen d values for eotaxin-1 and IL-34 were 0.55 and −0.48, respectively. Among patients with OCD, a significantpositive correlation was found between serum eotaxin-1 level and Y-BOCS score, along with a negative correlation between serum eotaxin-1 and IL-34 levels. Conclusion The findings suggest that altered eotaxin-1 and IL-34 levels may be associated withOCD. These chemokines and cytokines could serve as primary tools for assessing the risk of OCD, warranting further clinical investigation. This could potentially support more extensive research and the development of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies targeting these pathways.

Objectives: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a prevalent mental health condition that impacts daily life. It is thought to be associated with genetic, biological, and structural brain changes, serotonergic abnormalities, altered neuromodulation, and environmental factors.Limited observational studies have examined cytokines in Bangladeshi patients with OCD. This study aimed to assess the levels of eotaxin-1 and interleukin (IL)-34 in individuals with this disorder. Methods: This case-control observational study included 58 patients with OCD and 30 healthy controls (HCs) matched for age, sex, and body mass index. The severity of OCD was assessed using the Yale-Brown obsessive-compulsive scale (Y-BOCS). Psychiatrists evaluated participants according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. Serum levels of eotaxin-1 and IL-34 were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Results: Patients with OCD exhibited significantly higher serum eotaxin-1 levels (121.13 ± 7.84pg/mL) than HCs (85.52 ± 9.42 pg/mL). Conversely, IL-34 levels were considerably lower in patients than in HCs (119.02 ± 14.53 pg/mL vs. 179.96 ± 27.88 pg/mL). The Cohen d values for eotaxin-1 and IL-34 were 0.55 and −0.48, respectively. Among patients with OCD, a significantpositive correlation was found between serum eotaxin-1 level and Y-BOCS score, along with a negative correlation between serum eotaxin-1 and IL-34 levels. Conclusion The findings suggest that altered eotaxin-1 and IL-34 levels may be associated withOCD. These chemokines and cytokines could serve as primary tools for assessing the risk of OCD, warranting further clinical investigation. This could potentially support more extensive research and the development of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies targeting these pathways.

Objectives: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a prevalent mental health condition that impacts daily life. It is thought to be associated with genetic, biological, and structural brain changes, serotonergic abnormalities, altered neuromodulation, and environmental factors.Limited observational studies have examined cytokines in Bangladeshi patients with OCD. This study aimed to assess the levels of eotaxin-1 and interleukin (IL)-34 in individuals with this disorder. Methods: This case-control observational study included 58 patients with OCD and 30 healthy controls (HCs) matched for age, sex, and body mass index. The severity of OCD was assessed using the Yale-Brown obsessive-compulsive scale (Y-BOCS). Psychiatrists evaluated participants according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. Serum levels of eotaxin-1 and IL-34 were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Results: Patients with OCD exhibited significantly higher serum eotaxin-1 levels (121.13 ± 7.84pg/mL) than HCs (85.52 ± 9.42 pg/mL). Conversely, IL-34 levels were considerably lower in patients than in HCs (119.02 ± 14.53 pg/mL vs. 179.96 ± 27.88 pg/mL). The Cohen d values for eotaxin-1 and IL-34 were 0.55 and −0.48, respectively. Among patients with OCD, a significantpositive correlation was found between serum eotaxin-1 level and Y-BOCS score, along with a negative correlation between serum eotaxin-1 and IL-34 levels. Conclusion The findings suggest that altered eotaxin-1 and IL-34 levels may be associated withOCD. These chemokines and cytokines could serve as primary tools for assessing the risk of OCD, warranting further clinical investigation. This could potentially support more extensive research and the development of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies targeting these pathways.

Objectives: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a prevalent mental health condition that impacts daily life. It is thought to be associated with genetic, biological, and structural brain changes, serotonergic abnormalities, altered neuromodulation, and environmental factors.Limited observational studies have examined cytokines in Bangladeshi patients with OCD. This study aimed to assess the levels of eotaxin-1 and interleukin (IL)-34 in individuals with this disorder. Methods: This case-control observational study included 58 patients with OCD and 30 healthy controls (HCs) matched for age, sex, and body mass index. The severity of OCD was assessed using the Yale-Brown obsessive-compulsive scale (Y-BOCS). Psychiatrists evaluated participants according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. Serum levels of eotaxin-1 and IL-34 were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Results: Patients with OCD exhibited significantly higher serum eotaxin-1 levels (121.13 ± 7.84pg/mL) than HCs (85.52 ± 9.42 pg/mL). Conversely, IL-34 levels were considerably lower in patients than in HCs (119.02 ± 14.53 pg/mL vs. 179.96 ± 27.88 pg/mL). The Cohen d values for eotaxin-1 and IL-34 were 0.55 and −0.48, respectively. Among patients with OCD, a significantpositive correlation was found between serum eotaxin-1 level and Y-BOCS score, along with a negative correlation between serum eotaxin-1 and IL-34 levels. Conclusion The findings suggest that altered eotaxin-1 and IL-34 levels may be associated withOCD. These chemokines and cytokines could serve as primary tools for assessing the risk of OCD, warranting further clinical investigation. This could potentially support more extensive research and the development of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies targeting these pathways.

Extracellular nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) cleaving activity of a particular cell type determines the rate of the degradation of extracellular NAD with formation of metabolites in the vicinity of the plasma membrane, which has important physiological consequences. It is yet to be elucidated whether intact human neutrophils have any extracellular NAD cleaving activity. In this study, with a simple fluorometric assay utilizing 1,N6-ethenoadenine dinucleotide (etheno-NAD) as the substrate, we have shown that intact peripheral human neutrophils have scant extracellular etheno-NAD cleaving activity, which is much less than that of mouse bone marrow neutrophils, mouse peripheral neutrophils, human monocytes and lymphocytes. With high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), we have identified that ADP-ribose (ADPR) is the major extracellular metabolite of NAD degradation by intact human neutrophils. The scant extracellular etheno-NAD cleaving activity is decreased further by N-formyl-methionine-leucine-phenylalanine (fMLP), a chemoattractant for neutrophils. The fMLP-mediated decrease in the extracellular etheno-NAD cleaving activity is reversed by WRW4, a potent FPRL1 antagonist. These findings show that a much less extracellular etheno-NAD cleaving activity of intact human neutrophils compared to other immune cell types is down-regulated by fMLP via a low affinity fMLP receptor FPRL1.
Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose ; Animals ; Bone Marrow ; Cell Membrane ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Humans ; Lymphocytes ; Mice ; Monocytes ; NAD* ; Neutrophils* ; Receptors, Formyl Peptide

Objective: This study aims to isolate and identify aerobic and anaerobic bacterial species in the feces of wild KWD. Methods: Fecal samples were collected from 55 wild KWD of varying age and sex.Aerobic bacteria were cultured at 37°C for 24–48 h under standard conditions, whereas anaerobic bacteria were cultured at 37°C for 48–72 h in an anaerobic environment. Bacterial identification was conducted using DNA extraction and polymerase chain reaction amplification targeting the 16S rRNA gene. Results: The predominant aerobic bacteria identified belonged to the Firmicutes (58.18%) and Proteobacteria (41.82%) phyla, with Escherichia coli (31.82%) and Bacillus cereus (31.82%) being the most common species. Among anaerobic bacteria, most belonged to the Firmicutes (71.03%), Proteobacteria (27.10%), and Fusobacteriota (1.87%) phyla, with Paraclostridium bifermentans (28.97%) and E. coli (22.43%) being the most prevalent species.Other frequently identified anaerobic species were Fusobacterium varium, Lactococcus garvieae, Terrisporobacter glycolicus, Enterococcus faecalis, and Clostridium sporogenes. Conclusions and Relevance: Our findings indicate a diverse microbial community in the feces of water deer, offering valuable insights into their gut microbiota and its potential implications for health and ecology.

Objective: This study aims to isolate and identify aerobic and anaerobic bacterial species in the feces of wild KWD. Methods: Fecal samples were collected from 55 wild KWD of varying age and sex.Aerobic bacteria were cultured at 37°C for 24–48 h under standard conditions, whereas anaerobic bacteria were cultured at 37°C for 48–72 h in an anaerobic environment. Bacterial identification was conducted using DNA extraction and polymerase chain reaction amplification targeting the 16S rRNA gene. Results: The predominant aerobic bacteria identified belonged to the Firmicutes (58.18%) and Proteobacteria (41.82%) phyla, with Escherichia coli (31.82%) and Bacillus cereus (31.82%) being the most common species. Among anaerobic bacteria, most belonged to the Firmicutes (71.03%), Proteobacteria (27.10%), and Fusobacteriota (1.87%) phyla, with Paraclostridium bifermentans (28.97%) and E. coli (22.43%) being the most prevalent species.Other frequently identified anaerobic species were Fusobacterium varium, Lactococcus garvieae, Terrisporobacter glycolicus, Enterococcus faecalis, and Clostridium sporogenes. Conclusions and Relevance: Our findings indicate a diverse microbial community in the feces of water deer, offering valuable insights into their gut microbiota and its potential implications for health and ecology.