Rangamati Medical College (RmMC) is a public medical school located in Rangamati, Bangladesh. The college is established in 2014. It admits 51 students every year. It offers 5 years course on Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery which is directed under Chittagong Medical University.
OBJECTIVES:This study investigated the prevalence of carbapenem and colistin resistance among Gram-negative bacilli (GNB) isolated from clinical specimens in Rangamati, Bangladesh, and characterized major carbapenemase genes (blaNDM, blaVIM, blaKPC, blaOXA-48, blaIMP) and colistin resistance determinants (phoP, phoQ, pmrA, pmrB, pmrC, mcr-1) to support local antimicrobial stewardship and infection control efforts. METHODS:A cross-sectional study was conducted on 305 clinical specimens obtained from 305 admitted patients, processed by using standard microbiological methods. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by modified Kirby Bauer disc diffusion, while colistin minimum inhibitory concentrations were determined by MIC testing. Carbapenemase production was assessed phenotypically using the modified carbapenem inactivation method. Polymerase chain reaction assays were used to detect carbapenemase and colistin resistance genes. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26, and ethical approval was obtained. RESULTS:Of the 305 specimens, 190 (62.3%) were culture positive, yielding 198 isolates. Gram-negative bacilli accounted for 163(82.3%) of isolates. The most frequently identified pathogens were Klebsiella spp. (29.3%), Pseudomonas spp. (27.8%), Escherichia coli (17.2%), and less frequently isolated GNB included Enterobacter spp. (4.0%), Proteus spp. (2.5%), Salmonella spp. (1.5%). Among GNB, carbapenemase genes were detected in 39 (23.9%) isolates by molecular methods, while 37 (22.7%) were positive by phenotypic testing. Colistin resistance was observed in 9 (5.5%) isolates. blaNDM was the predominant carbapenemase gene, whereas blaIMP was not detected. Among colistin-resistant isolates, phoQ was the only resistance determinant identified. Co-resistance to carbapenems (associated with blaNDM) and colistin was found in 3.2% of isolates. CONCLUSION:Carbapenem resistance among Gram-negative bacilli in Rangamati is substantial and largely driven by blaNDM. Although colistin resistance remains low, the presence of co-resistant isolates highlights the need for ongoing molecular surveillance and strengthened antimicrobial stewardship.
BACKGROUND:Nomophobia, characterised by the dread or anxiety of being without access to a mobile phone, has become an increasing behavioural issue among young adults, especially university and medical students. Excessive reliance on smartphones has been linked to psychological suffering, impaired everyday functioning, and negative academic results. Nonetheless, information about the prevalence and determinants of nomophobia among medical and university students in Bangladesh is scarce. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of nomophobia and investigate its associated sociodemographic traits and smartphone-related behaviors among medical and university students in Bangladesh. MATERIALS AND METHODS:A cross-sectional study was performed with 436 undergraduate medical and non-medical students from eight districts of Bangladesh from September 2023 to July 2025 to encompass diversity throughout academic cycles and guarantee wider geographic representation, using an online structured questionnaire. Participants were recruited using non-probability snowball sampling through peer networks and institutional connections. Nomophobia was evaluated via the validated Nomophobia Questionnaire (NMP-Q). The questionnaire was pilot-tested (n = 60) and showed good reliability (Cronbach's α = 0.82). Information on socio-demographics, mobile phone usage trends, and application preferences was collected. Data was processed using STATA version 16. Descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regression analyses were used to ascertain factors related to nomophobia. Effect sizes were reported as β coefficients with 95% confidence intervals. Reporting of effect sizes alongside p-values allows better interpretation of the practical significance of findings beyond statistical significance. RESULTS:The average age of participants was 20.70 ± 1.52 years. 46.79% of students exhibited moderate nomophobia, whereas 25.69% had severe nomophobia. Elevated nomophobia scores were significantly associated with female gender, moderate household income, usage of social media and communication applications, prolonged daily mobile phone usage (>7 hours), frequent phone checking, and instant phone checking upon awakening (effect sizes from adjusted models: > 7 hours usage β = 13.20; 95% CI: 1.31-25.10; social communication application use β = 8.25; 95% CI: 2.63-13.86; immediate phone checking β = 7.09; 95% CI: 0.67-13.52). Multiple linear regression indicated that extended phone usage, engagement with social communication applications, middle-income position, and early-morning phone checking were associated with elevated nomophobia scores. CONCLUSION:Nomophobia is significantly common among medical and university students in Bangladesh. Behavioural patterns such as prolonged daily smartphone use, frequent phone checking, immediate phone use upon waking and extensive engagement with social communication and media applications are associated with excessive smartphone usage and the development of nomophobia; however, causality cannot be inferred due to the cross-sectional study design. These findings underscore the necessity for awareness initiatives, early detection, and focused interventions to alleviate the adverse psychological and behavioural effects of nomophobia in students within the socio-cultural and digital context of Bangladesh, where rapid smartphone penetration may contribute to these patterns.
Background: Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (AECOPD) is a common cause of hospitalization, leading to rises in mortality and morbidity in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), including Bangladesh. Therapeutic benefits have been seen in acute Asthma patients nebulized with magnesium sulfate. So the aim of this study was to investigate the role of nebulized magnesium sulfate as an adjuvant treatment in AECOPD. Objectives: To evaluate the role of nebulized magnesium sulfate in the management of AECOPD. Methods: It was a randomized controlled trial where 324 subjects were enrolled and allocated into two groups with 162 in each group. Then each group received either 2.5 mg salbutamol mixed with 2.5 ml magnesium sulfate or 2.5 mg salbutamol mixed with 2.5 ml isotonic normal saline on three occasions at 30-minute intervals via nebulizer. The role of magnesium sulfate was investigated by measuring PEFR (Peak Expiratory Flow Rate) as the primary outcome parameter at 30, 60, and 90 minutes after nebulization. The secondary outcome measure was to assess Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission for ventilator support, mortality, changes in respiratory rate and oxygen saturation. Results: The mean PEFR in the magnesium sulfate group at 30, 60 and 90 minutes were 91.36±16.66, 129.44±33.13 and 163.78 ±66.30. Also mean PEFR in normal saline group at 30, 60 and 90 minutes were 72.16±16.66, 85.49±24.80 and 97.81±33.66. PEFR was higher in the magnesium group than in the normal saline group (p < 0.001), which was statistically significant. A total of 15.4% of patients were admitted to the ICU, and 4.9% died among patients nebulized with magnesium sulfate. But 27.2% were admitted to the ICU and 13% died among patients nebulized with normal saline. The p-value was <0.0146, which was statistically significant. Conclusions: Nebulized magnesium as an adjuvant to bronchodilators in the setting of AECOPD resulted in significant improvement of PEFR. J MEDICINE 2026; 27: 62-66
Background: The occurrence of brain metastasis represents a critical event in the progression of malignant disease. Whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) with 20 Gray administered in 5 fractions (short course) is a commonly employed treatment protocol for metastatic brain cancer. Given the limited survival associated with brain metastasis, a shorter WBRT regimen of 12 Gray in 2 fractions (ultra-short course) has been proposed as an alternative. Aim of the study: This study aimed to compare the efficacy, including response rates and toxicities, of ultra-short-course versus short-course whole-brain radiotherapy in patients with brain metastasis. Method: This quasi-experimental study included 118 patients who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria between January 2018 and June 2019. Participants were enrolled using convenience and purposive sampling and were allocated equally into two groups (n=59 each). Group A received ultra-short-course, and Group B received short-course WBRT. Follow-up assessments were conducted at one, two, four, and eight weeks after completion of radiotherapy. Each follow-up included clinical examination and relevant laboratory investigations. Data were compiled and analyzed using SPSS (Version 24.0) employing the chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test. Results: The most common symptoms associated with brain metastases were headache, nausea, vomiting, convulsions, and cognitive dysfunction. For Grade 3 headache, response rates were 76.19% in the ultra-short-course group and 75.00% in the short course group (p-value <0.05). For Grade 2 nausea, response rates were 54.55% in Arm A and 56.25% in Arm B (p-value <0.05). Therapeutic response rates for vomiting, convulsions, and cognitive dysfunction were similar between both groups. Fatigue, skin reactions, and alopecia were identified as common acute toxicities of whole brain radiotherapy, with comparable frequencies in both arms. These toxicities were manageable with appropriate supportive measures. Conclusion: Ultra-short-course whole brain radiotherapy demonstrates comparable effectiveness to short course radiotherapy for palliation of symptoms in metastatic brain cancer. This approach may facilitate treatment of a greater number of patients using existing resources, with manageable toxicities. J MEDICINE 2026; 27(2): 86-93
Background: Learning strategies are systematic steps that students use to achieve specific learning objectives. Use of effective learning strategies enables the students to efficiently manage large amount of information pertaining to preclinical subjects in medical schooland ensures better academic outcome. This study aims to explore the relationship between learning strategy and academic scores of preclinical medical students in Bangladesh. Materials and methods: This was a cross sectional study conducted during the period from January to December 2024. Data were collected from 192 1 st and 2 year students of two medical colleges through a questionnaire. The 50 items of the questionnaire were divided in nine subscales. SPSS was used for analysis.Unpaired t-test and ANOVA were used to compare means. Pearson’s correlation coefficients were calculated between each subscale score and academic performance. Results: Female students, students who study for longer hours and those living in hostel displayed significantly higher scores. In terms of correlation, critical thinking showed moderate but significant correlation (r=0.42, p=0.00) while metacognitive self regulation (r=0.22, p=0.03) time and study management (r=0.31, p=0.00) revealed small though significant correlations with the academic score. Conclusion: The results of the study will enable the educators to guide the students on efficient learning practices to ensure better academic outcome. JCMCTA 2025 ; 36 (2) : 59-64
