Long bone fractures are common orthopedic conditions. There are numerous ways to repair these fractures. Bone grafting becomes necessary when a broken bone has a significant gap. However, due to insufficient donor volume and donor site morbidity, substitutes are required. In veterinary orthopaedics, calcium carbonate from cockle shells could be used as a bone biomaterial. We investigated its efficacy as a bone biomaterial repair for goat femoral fractures. The study included 10 healthy adult male Black Bengal goats weighing 8 kg and aged 12–13 months. The study includes control and treatment groups. Intramedullary pinning stabilized an 8-mm right femur diaphyseal fracture in the treatment and control groups. The treated group received 2 ml of bone paste in the fractured gap, whereas the control group left it empty. We examined all goats with X-rays on the 7th, 45th, and 60th days, followed by gross and histological findings. Due to callus bridging, radiographs revealed faster bone growth in the treated group than in the control group. Gross examination demonstrates the treated group had a larger fracture callus than the control group. Histopathology showed that bone formed faster and included more osteocytes, osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and bony spicules than in the control group. The treated group had more periosteum osteoblasts, while the control group had fibroblasts. These results showed that the treated group had more osteogenic activity than the control group. This study demonstrates the potential of cockle shell-based calcium carbonate bone paste as a synthetic biomaterial for healing long bone fractures in goats.

Fifteen varieties of mungbean were evaluated for resistance against major insect pests i.e., leaf folder (Cnaphalocrocis medinalis), flea beetle (Phyllotreta nigripes), thrips (Megalurothrips distalis), gram pod borer (Helicoverpa armigera) and legume pod borer (Maruca vitrata). Screening was done on the basis of incidence of insect pests from first incidence upto harvest. Statistically significant variation on recorded data was observed at different days after sowing. The lowest leaf folder population was recorded on variety BARI Mung-4 (1.08 larvae per plot) while the highest (2.05) on variety BARI Mung-6. The flea beetle population was the lowest on variety BARI Mung-4 (1.67 flea beetles per plot) while the highest (3.04) was recorded on variety BARI Mung-6. The lowest population of thrips was observed on variety BARI Mung-4 (1.43 thrips per 10 opened flowers) and the highest population (2.67) was observed on variety BINA Moog-7. The lowest gram pod borer population was observed on variety BARI Mung-4 (1.03 caterpillars per plot) while the highest gram pod borer population was observed on variety BARI Mung-6 (2.24). The lowest population of legume pod borer was observed on variety BINA Moog-4 (1.18 larvae per plot) while the highest population (2.75) was recorded on variety BARI Mung-6. Among the tested varieties, BARI Mung-4 was proven comparatively the least pest infested and highest resistant variety. On the contrary, BARI Mung- 6 showed least resistance. Rest of the varieties expressed moderately resistance to major insect pests. The results showed that none of the tested varieties was completely resistant to major insect pests. SAARC J. Agric., 19(2): 207-217 (2021)

We studied the bones of forelimb of four adult lions ( Panthera leo) of both sexes to record the gross anatomical and morphometrical features of the scapula, humerus, radius and ulna. We observed some unique anatomical features that will be helpful for radiographic interpretation and forensic investigations. The lateral surface of scapula was unequally divided into supraspi nous (fossa supraspinata) and infraspinous fossa ( fossa infraspinata ) by a well developed spine ( spina scapulae ). The acromion process was subdivided into suprahamate process ( processus suprahamatus )and hamate process ( processus hamatus ); the later one was over hanged the glenoid cavity (cavitas glenoidalis ), but the supraglenoid tubercle ( tuberculum supraglenoidalis ) was absent. The shaft ( diaphysis) of humerus was compressed craniocaudally in proximal part, rounded to oval in middle part and compressed mediolaterally in distal part. A long, narrow supracondyloid foramen was found at distal limb just above the medial epicondyle ( epicondylus medialis ) which didn’t connect the radial fossa ( fossa radialis) with the olecranon fossa ( fossa olecrani ). The radius and ulna were twin bones where radius was articulated craniolateral to the ulna proximally and craniomedial to the ulna distally. However, the ulna was the longest bone in the forelimb of lion. The olecranon tuberosity of this bone had three prominences two were cranially, whereas the caudal one was the largest and rounded. Distally projected styloid processes ( processus styloideus ) were found in the distal limb of both radius and ulna.

This prospective study was done to determine fetomaternal outcomes of pregnancy in women with Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) and carried out in two centres especially in the care of patients with adult congenital heart disease (CHD) from January 2005 to December 2009. Clinical, haemodynamic and obstetric data were reviewed for pregnant women with TOF. Ten (10) pregnant women were identified in the age range 18 to 47 years. Most of the patients were in the age group of 18 to 27 years, 34 to 36 weeks gestational age (in week) and primi gravida (60%). Right-sided aortic arch (20%) and major anomalies of pulmonary collaterals (30%) were common anomalies anatomical association. Normal vaginal delivery was the mode of delivery (70%) in the majority of the patients. Spontaneous abortions were occurred in 3(30%) patients. Primary maternal cardiac events complicating pregnancies were congestive heart failure (20%), arrhythmias and cardiovascular events (10%). Premature labor (40%) was the most common obstetric complication. Premature birth (40%), fetal demise (20%), neonatal death (10%) and cardiac anomaly at birth (10%) were the offspring complications in the study. Women with TOF can go through pregnancy with a low risk to themselves with frequent treatable complications, but there is a high incidence of miscarriage, premature births and low birth weight. An incidence of congenital anomaly in the fetus is higher than that found in the normal population.

| A histomorphological study was conducted to observe the growth and development of intestinal mucosaassociated lymphoid tissues (MALTs) and Peyer’s patches (PPs) in native chicken of Bangladesh. A total of 120 chicks were reared up to 180 days and subsequently different segments of intestine were collected at day 1 (D1), day 30 (D30), day 90 (D90) and day 180 (D180). Tissues were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE). In the present study, intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) were abundantly found in all segments of the intestine except colo-rectum. The highest number of IELs were found at D180 duodenum (194.6 ± 4.50), jejunum (188.8 ± 7.61) and cecal tonsil (176.6 ± 5.52), whereas the lowest number was found at D1 colo-rectum (2.0 ± 0.70). The lamina propria of different segments of intestine contained isolatory and aggregated lymphocytes. The isolatory and aggregated lymphatic nodules were also found in lamina propria and the highest number was observed at D90 and D180. Moreover, the lymphocytes were scatteredly distributed in the submucosa in all stages of development. These results suggest that the postnatal growth and development of MALTs and PPs varies in different intestinal segments and these are greatly influenced by the aging of scavenger native chicken of Bangladesh. This variation of lymphocytes also indicates the size of microbial load and level of immune status, acquired due to the presence of antigens.

The experiment was conducted to find out effective control measure against thrips and pod borers of mungbean by various means, including chemicals, botanicals and biopesticide. The mungbean variety, BARI Mung-6 was grown in the field and six treatments viz., T1 [Azadirachtin (Bioneem plus 1EC)], T2 [Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt. powder)], T3 [Spinosad (Tracer 45SC)], T4 [Chlorpyrifos + Cypermethrin (Nitro 505EC)], T5 [Thiamethoxam + Chlorantraniliprole (Voliam flexi 300SC)] and T0 [Untreated control (water spray)] were set in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The insecticidal treatment options showed significantly different performance against thrips (Megalurothrips distalis), gram pod borer (Helicoverpa armigera) and legume pod borer (Maruca vitrata) on mungbean. The lowest population of thrips, gram pod borer and legume pod borer was found in Voliam flexi 300SC treated plot which showed maximum percent reduction of these pests. The lowest percent pod infestation by pod borers observed by the same treatment. Bioneem plus showed the intermediate results considering all the parameters. The maximum yield (1254.50 kg ha-1) and the highest marginal benefit cost ratio (MBCR) (6.68) were obtained from Voliam flexi 300SC. Considering effectiveness and marginal benefit cost ratio, Voliam flexi 300SC was more effective among treatments for controlling thrips and pod borers of mungbean followed by Nitro 505EC. SAARC J. Agri., 17(2): 79-91 (2019)

The study was conducted at farmers’ field of Itbaria, Patuakhali sadarupazila under Patuakhali district during January to April 2016under the agro ecological zone AEZ-13 (Ganges Tidal Flood plain). This site was located in between 22°14' and 22°29' North latitudes and in between 90°12' and 90°28' East longitudes of Bangladesh. Fifteenmungbean varieties viz., BARI Mung-1, BARI Mung-2, BARI Mung-3, BARI Mung-4, BARI Mung-5, BARI Mung-6, BINA Moog-4, BINA Moog-5, BINA Moog- 6, BINA Moog-7, BINA Moog-8, BU Mug-1, BU Mug-2, BU Mug-4 and Patuakhali local Mung were tested to select best suitable variety for costal region.The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with threereplications. Significant variation was observed among the different mungbeanvarities in respect of majority of the observed parameters.BU Mug-1 showed the tallest plant height while the tallest pod length was observed in BARI Mung-5. The highest number of branches per plant was found in BINA Moog-4 whereas the highest number of leaves per plant found for BARI Mung-6. The highest seed yield and yield attributes like number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod and 1000 seed weight was recorded in BARI Mung-6 followed by BINA Moog-8 while Patuakhali local Mung produced the lowest yield and attributes. Most of the yield contributing factors of BARI Mung-6 wasfavorable for better yield in coastal region of Bangladesh. Hence the mungbean production can be increased by introducingBARI Mung-6 in costal region. SAARC J. Agri., 18(1): 161-172 (2020)

In this article, the effects of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) nanoparticles (NPs) and chitosan (CS) content on the properties of PLA/CS/CaCO3 composites were reported. Additional factors affecting on the properties of composites were also reported. PLA/CS/CaCO3 composites biomaterials were prepared through a solution casting method. Solution casting method has been focused for the preparation of PLA/CS/CaCO3 composites biomaterials. The morphological properties of PLA/CS and PLA/CS/CaCO3 composites were investigated with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and found to be extensively transformed with CS and CaCO3 content. Furthermore, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) revealed that CaCO3 interacted between PLA and CS in the composites. The mechanical properties of both composites in terms of tensile strength and tensile modulus were significantly improved by the addition of CaCO3 into the matrix. Moreover, both tensile strengths and tensile modulus of the composites showed an increasing trend with increasing CS and CaCO3 content. However, whilst the CS content was increased to 15 wt%, the tensile strength and tensile modulus reduced slightly. The fracture surfaces of blend composites were also recorded using SEM and it was indicated smooth and homogeneous texture throughout the surface of composites. Thermal stability of PLA/CS composites was decreased when CaCO3 NPs was added.

A gross and histomorphometric study was undertaken to evaluate the development of small intestinal morphology on the basis of growth and absorption rate in broiler chicken (Cobb 500) in Chattogram, Bangladesh from June to July, 2017. A total of 60 different ages (day 1, day 7, day 14, day 21 and day 28) broiler chickens were collected from a standard local broiler farm in Chittagong, Bangladesh. The live weight, gross length and diameter, villi length and diameter, thickness of tunica muscularis and the number of goblet cells of small intestinal segments (duodenum, jejunum and ileum) were studied. The tissue samples were fixed, processed and stained with Hematoxylin and eosin stain and image measurement software was used for histomorphometric study. The average length and diameter of duodenum, jejunum and ileum were significantly higher in chicken at day 28 than that of others (day 21, day 14, day 7 and day 1). The villi of the duodenum, jejunum and ileum were lined by simple columnar epithelium. The length, width and goblet cells of villi and thickness of tunica muscularis of the duodenum, jejunum and ileum of broiler chicken were increased with the age significantly (P<0.05). The highest mean value of villi length (282.39 ± 4.90 μm), width (38.49 ± 9.68 μm), goblet cells (1291.20 ± 26.10 per mm2) and thickness of tunica muscularis (75.34 ± 1.67 μm) were found in jejunum at 28 days old broiler chickens. These results indicate that the highest growth and absorption of broiler chicken (Cobb 500) occur in the jejunum at 21 to 28 days. So, it is suggested that the longer and wider villi as well as large number of goblet cells increase the growth and absorption rate of broiler chicken (Cobb 500).

Protein C is one of the most important factors that prevent blood from clotting. Protein C deficiency usually leads to venous thrombosis. We intend to report a male of 38 years admitted in coronary care unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital, who suffered recurrent episodes of myocardial infarction, whose traditional risk factors were well controlled. Ultimately he was diagnosed with protein C deficiency, which is not commonly implicated in arterial thrombosis. Protein C deficiency can rarely cause severe life threatening arterial thrombosis, like myocardial infarction. Many more cases are reported in recent literature. It can happen sporadically. A high degree of suspicion should be maintained if traditional risk factors are absent in instances of arterial thrombosis, to look for protein C deficiency.

A cross-sectional comparative study was carried out to investigate the productive and reproductive performances of different genetic groups of crossbred cows at three different farming conditions in Bangladesh. Crossbred cows (n=90) those already completed third lactations, were selected randomly from three different dairy farms (e.g. Jarip, Mullah and Nahar) located in Chittagong, Bangladesh. The numbers of animals of each of the genetic groups were 30 for 50% Holstein Friesian (HF) x 50% Sahiwal (SL) cross, 30 for 62.5% HF x 37.5% SL cross and 30 for 75% HF x 25% SL cross. Different productive and reproductive traits of crossbred cows such as age at first heat, calving interval, gestation length, service per conception, days open, lactation length and milk yield, etc., were measured in this study. Results demonstrated that gestation length of 50% HF x 50% SL, lactation length of 62.5% HF x 37.5% SL, gestation and lactation length of 75% HF x 25% SL crossbred cows between the farms were significantly influenced (P<0.05). Other parameters of crossbred cows such as age at first heat, age at first calving, service per conception, average daily milk yield, days open and calving interval of different genotypes were not influenced (P>0.05) by different farms. The highest (282.00 +/- 0.00 days) and lowest (276.43 +/- 0.92 days) gestation length were found in crossbred cows of the Jarip and Nahar dairy farm, respectively. The highest (297.50 +/- 3.50 days) and lowest (282.00 +/- 0.00 days) gestation length were found in crossbred cows of Mullah and the Jarip dairy farm, respectively. The overall productive and reproductive performance of different crossbred cows of the Nahar and Mulla dairy farm were superior to that of the Jarip dairy farm.

Kenaf/empty fruit bunch/polylactic acid (kenaf/EFB/PLA) hybrid biocomposites were prepared using hot press technique. The ratio of fiber to polylactic acid was set at 60:40 with 1:1 ratio between kenaf and empty fruit bunch fibers. Physical, mechanical and thermal properties of hybrid biocomposites were subsequently characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, tensile and water absorption tests. Test results indicated that mechanically stronger fiber was able to support the weaker fiber. Hybrid fiber biocomposite had higher crystallinity as compared to single fiber biocomposite. Water absorption of hybrid composite was higher as compared to single fiber composite. Thermal result revealed that hybridization of fiber was not significantly influence the thermal properties of composites. However, the presence of two different fibers proposed good wettability properties, which could reduce the formation of voids at the fibers-polymer interface and produce composites with high stiffness and strength.

Study has been made on manufactured wood polymer nanocomposites (WPNC) from Sesendok wood through impregnation of Styrene (ST), Ethyldimethylamine (EDA) and Montmorillonite (MMT) nanoclay. The impregnation process of the wood samples by vacuum-pressure method with in-situ polymerization of prepolymer mixture was used. The wood samples structural properties were investigated with Dynamic Mechanical Thermal Analysis (DMTA), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) found to be extensively changed upon ST-co-EDA/MMT impregnated. The mechanical properties of the WPNC samples were significantly increased by ST-co-EDA/MMT treatment. Thermal properties of WPNC samples were also evaluated using themogravimetric analysis (TGA) and an improvement in thermal stability was found for WPNC. WPNC has shown excellent resistance against weathering effect while exposed to surrounding. WPNC can be used to replace plastic and synthetice materials for its excellent properties and high market demand of the modern society.

This study was planned to investigate some aspects of the morphometric characteristics of the occipital bone and foramen megnum in domestic cat (Felis catus). Twenty adult domestic cat including 10 males and 10 female cats were euthanized using diazepam (@ 20 mg/kg) and their skulls were macerated to give morphometric parameters. Student t-test with level of significance set at 5% (p < 0.05) was used to analyze the obtained values. The height of occipital triangle, width of occipital condyles, width of jugular process were significantly larger in male than female. The mean height and width of the foramen magnum were 1.32 ± 0.09 cm and 1.35 ± 0.08 cm, respectively, while the foramen index was below 100 at 90.72 ± 4.93. Parameters for the foramen magnum index showed significant difference between both sexes at p < 0.05. The foramen magnum showed shape variations and there were multiple hypoglossal foramina in over 80% of the cats. The morphometric values of the occipital bone and foramen magnum and clinical anatomy of the occipital region of the domestic cats provide an important baseline for further research in this field and could help in the better diagnosis, classification, and treatment of diseases related to this region and serve as a future reference defining an anatomic range.International Journal of Natural Sciences (2013), 3(1-4) 18-21

Blood donation results in a substantial iron loss and subsequent mobilization from body stores. Chronic iron deficiency is a well-recognized complication of regular blood donation. The present study conducted to compare the level of serum ferritin, serum iron, total iron binding capacity (TIBC) and percentage transferrin saturation in different ABO and Rhesus type blood groups among the voluntary blood donors of Bangladesh. The present prospective study included 100 healthy voluntary donors attending at Department of Blood Transfusion, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka between the periods of July 2013 to Jun 2014. From each donor 10mL venous blood sample was taken and divided into heparinized and non-heparinized tubes for determination of hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), serum iron (SI), total iron binding capacity (TIBC) and serum ferritin by standard laboratory methods. Percentage of transferrin saturation (TS) calculated from serum iron and TIBC. Data were analyzed with SPSS (version 16) software and comparisons between groups were made using student's t-test and one way ANOVA. In the present study mean±SD of age of the respondents was 27.2±6.5 years with a range of 18 to 49 years and 81.0% were male and 19.0% were female. Among the donors 18.0% had blood group A, 35.0% had blood group B, 14.0% had blood group AB and 33.0% had blood group O. Among the donors 91.0% had rhesus positive and 9.0% had rhesus negative. Donors with blood group O had lowest haemoglobin, serum iron and transferring saturation levels. Donors with blood group A had highest TIBC level. Donors with blood group B had lowest serum ferritin level. An independent samples 't' test showed statistically significant difference in serum ferritin and percentage transferrin saturation between blood group AB and blood group O and in percentage transferrin saturation between blood group B and blood group O. One way ANOVA showed that there is no significant difference in haemoglobin, serum iron, serum ferritin and percentage transferring saturation in different ABO and Rh blood grouping categories. Blood donors with blood group O had lowest haemoglobin, serum iron and transferring saturation levels and donors with blood group A had highest TIBC level. Blood donors with blood group B had lowest serum ferritin level. The understanding of the different blood groups ability to retain iron in their system can give an insight into their ability to handle the disease iron deficiency anaemia.

Iron stores in the body exist primarily in the form of ferritin. Small amounts of ferritin secreted into the plasma and plasma ferritin is positively correlated with the size of the total body iron stores. The present study conducted to determine the iron status using the serum ferritin level among healthy Bangladeshi blood donors. The present cross sectional study was conducted in the Department of Transfusion Medicine, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka, Bangladesh from July 2011 to June 2012. Blood donor signed informed consent and has satisfactory pre-donation health assessment and satisfactory post-donation blood test results were included in the study. Full blood counts were performed within 4 hours of collection using an automated haematology analyzer. Serum ferritin was measured using a validated enzyme immunoassay. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16 (SPPS Incorporation, Chicago, IL, USA). P value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Total 100 blood donors were included in the study, among them 88 were male and 12 were female. Mean±SD of the age of the respondents was 26.8±5.9 years with a range of 19 to 45 years. Mean±SD of heamoglobin level (gm/dl) and total count of Red Blood Cell (million/cmm) were 14.1±1.4 and 5.1±0.4 respectively. Mean±SD of serum ferritin level (ng/ml) was 96.4±69.0ng/ml with a range of 4.1ng/ml to 298.7ng/ml. Among the respondents 9.0% had depleted iron store, 7.0 reduced iron store and 84.0% had normal iron store. Among the respondents 5.0% had iron deficiency anaemia in term of serum ferritin level. Statistically significant difference of serum ferritin level observed between male and female and donors with and without history of previous blood donation. Among the healthy blood donors of Bangladesh abnormal serum ferritin is highly prevalent among blood donors specially among female. Monitoring of iron stores by serum ferritin seems justified in order to identify those with depleted iron stores who will benefit from iron supplementation.

Chemical treatment is an often-followed route to improve the physical and mechanical properties of natural fiber reinforced polymer matrix composites. In this study, the effect of chemical treatment on physical and mechanical properties of jute fiber reinforced polypropylene (PP) biocomposites with different fiber loading (5, 10, 15, and 20 wt%) were investigated. Before being manufactured jute fiber/PP composite, raw jute fiber was chemically treated with succinic anhydride for the chemical reaction with cellulose hydroxyl group of fiber and to increase adhesion and compatibility to the polymer matrix. Jute fiber/PP composites were fabricated using high voltage hot compression technique. Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) tests were employed to evaluate the morphological properties of composite. Succinic anhydride underwent a chemical reaction with raw jute fiber which was confirmed through FTIR results. SEM micrographs of the fractured surface area were taken to study the fiber/matrix interface adhesion and compatibility. Reduced fiber agglomeration and improved interfacial bonding was observed under SEM in the case of treated jute fiber/PP composites. The mechanical properties of jute/PP composite in terms of Tensile strength and Young’s modulus was found to be increased with fiber loading up to 15 wt% and decreased at 20 wt%. Conversely, flexural strength and flexural modulus increased with fiber loading up to 10 wt% and start decreasing at 15 wt%. The treated jute/PP composite samples had higher hardness (Rockwell) and lower water absorption value compared to that of the untreated ones.

For the first time, we report here a novel top down catalytic approach for the synthesis of aragonite nanoparticles with spherical morphology from cockleshells. Cockle shell is a natural reservoir of aragonite which is a biogenic polymorph of calcium carbonate. Aragonite polymorph is widely used in the repair of fractured bone, development of advanced drug delivery systems, and tissue scaffolds. The method involves an easily performable and low-cost mechanical stirring of the micron-sized cockle shell powders in presence of a nontoxic biomineralization catalyst, dodecyl dimethyl betaine (BS-12). It produces spherical shaped aragonite nanoparticles of 35±5nm in diameter with a good reproducibility and without any additional impurities at room temperature. The findings were verified with a variable pressure scanning electron microscopy (VPSEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM),Fourier transmission infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), and thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA).The reproducibility, low-cost and simplicity of the method suggested its potential applications in large scale synthesis of aragonite nanoparticles with spherical morphology in an industrial set up.