This study aimed to assess the beneficial influence of the ethanolic extract of Phyllanthus emblica (EEPE) fruit on spatial memory performance and hippocampal oxidative stress in colchicine induced memory impaired male Long-Evans rats. Thirty male rats were distributed into five groups having six rats in each group. On the basis of treatments, all rats were grouped into normal control (NC), sham control (SC), colchicine control (ColC), pre-colchicine Phyllanthus emblica treatment (Pre PE Exp) and post-colchicine Phyllanthus emblica treatment (Post PE Exp). Colchicine was administered intrahippocampally (15 µg, single dose) to induce memory impairment and observed for behavioral changes in Morris water maze (MWM) test in all rats. All rats were thereafter sacrificed for estimation of hippocampal oxidative stress parameters: malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Results showed that there was a significant decrease (p≤0.001) in mean escape latency in Pre PE Exp, Post PE Exp groups compared to memory impaired ColC group for working memory. Moreover, rats in the Phyllanthus emblica groups had significant decrease (p≤0.01) in MDA as well as increase (p≤0.05) in GPx compared to ColC group. However, after trial by trial breakdown reference memory escape latency (EL) revealed that PE treatment following hippocampal damage had the potential to aid in the recovery of reference memory compared to pre-PE treated rats. The study’s findings demonstrate that Phyllanthus emblica (Amloki) is capable of minimizing and preventing intrahippocampal colchicine-induced spatial working memory dysfunction and oxidative stress in male Long-Evans rats, respectively. However, it had no preventative effects and was only found to be effective when spatial reference memory impairment was evident.

Background: Though clinical or pathological pain perceptions increased in heavy smokers, physiologic or protective pain perception after smoking showed diversified results. Besides this chronic Sidestream cigarette smoke has also demonstrated inconsistent observations regarding serum estradiol level alteration. Objective: To evaluate the effect of chronic sidestream cigarette smoke exposure on physiologic pain perception and serum estradiol level in female Long-Evans rats with smoke induced lung injury. Materials and Method: For this experimental study 12 female Long-Evans rats (8 to 10th weeks age; 150±50 gm body wt) were divided into control group (n=6; ambient air for 60 days) and experimental group (n=6; SCS induced lung injury generated by burning of 4 cigarettes for 30 minutes twice daily at morning and evening for 60 days). Von Frey test (paw withdrawal threshold, PWT) for mechanical pain perception, acetone evaporation test (paw withdrawal frequency, PWF) for cold pain perception and hot plate test (paw withdrawal latency, PWL) for hot pain perception, were done as well as measurement of serum estradiol in all rats were done in both before and after intervention. In addition, formalin test (jerking, flexing, licking) was done to assess chemical nociceptive (early phase) and acute inflammatory (late phase) pain, in all rats after intervention. Results: In this study, experimental rats demonstrated significantly lower PWF (p 0.05) in acetone evaporation test, higher PWL (p 0.001) in hot plate test, lowered jerking frequency, flexing duration and licking duration in all (early, inter and late) phases of formalin test while compared to those of control. Furthermore, all 3 variables in both phases of formalin test and serum estradiol showed statistically significant negative correlation with lung injury score in experimental rats. Most strikingly, all these chemical pain variables of our experimental rats were positively correlated with serum estradiol and these relationships were statistically significant. Conclusion: The results of the present study elucidated that, physiologic pain perception and serum estradiol level decrease in chronic SCS exposed female Long-Evans rats. In addition, the decrement in chemical pain perception and serum estradiol level are related to SCS induced lung injury. Moreover, the decrement of chemical pain perception and serum estradiol level are also correlated with each other. J Bangladesh Soc Physiol 2026;21(1):11-24

Background: Association of Vitamin D receptor gene single nucleotide polymorphism and its association with various diseases have been previously researched, but its association with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has not been investigated yet. Objective: To evaluate the association between vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism (ApaI) and COPD. Methods: This study was conducted in the Department of Physiology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, from March 2019 to February 2020. For research, pulmonologists diagnosed 15 (fifteen) COPD patients with age 40 to 80 years (post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC <0.70 and FEV1 <80% predicted) and 15 (fifteen) apparently healthy age-matched individuals (for comparison), were selected. The genetic assessment of (ApaI) was assessed by PCR-RFLPs. Data were stated as mean ± SD and percentage. The Independent sample‘t’ test and chi-square test were done for statistical analysis. In the interpretation of the results, ≤ 0.05 level of probability (p) was accepted as significant. Results: The frequency distribution of the ApaI VDR SNP was 20% (AA), 80% (Aa), 0% (aa) and 46.67% (AA), 40% (Aa), 13.33% (aa) COPD patients and healthy subjects, respectively. Furthermore, the AA (OR 0.28, 95% Cl 0.05-1.44, p = 0.12) and aa (p=0.14) were not associated with COPD. However, the heterozygous SNP of ApaI, Aa (OR 6, 95% CI 1.17-30.72, p = 0.02) was significantly associated with COPD. Conclusion: This study showed that ApaI of VDR SNP is associated with COPD. Eastern Med Coll J. July 2025; 10 (1): 33-39

Background: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of vitamin D3 supplementation on ventilatory function in vitamin D3 deficient patients with COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease). Materials and Method: A double blinded randomized controlled trial was carried out on 40 vitamin D3 deficient [serum vitamin D (25(OH) D) <30 ng/ml], male, smoker (>4 pack years), stable COPD (post bronchodilator FEV1/FVC<0.70) patients (age 40 to 80 years), and randomly allocated as study (n=20) and control (n=20). Their baseline ventilatory (FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC%, PEFR, FEF 25-75) were measured. Then oral capsules of vitamin D3 [80,000 IU /week for 13 weeks, followed by 40,000 IU per one to six weeks for further 13 weeks, according to serum 25(OH)D and calcium levels] and placebo were provided to ‘Study’ and ‘Control’ patients, respectively, for consecutive 26 weeks. Additionally, all patients of both groups were also advised to have sunlight exposure (within 11 to 14 hours) at least for 5 to 15 minutes daily on 26th week of follow up, and all the ventilatory variables were again measured. Results were expressed as mean±SD and percentage. The data were statistically analyzed by SPSS (Version 16), using independent sample ‘t’ test and paired Student’s ‘t’ test, where p≤0.05 level was accepted as significant. Results: None of ventilatory variables were improved, in our vitamin D3-supplemented patients than those with placebo after 26 weeks of follow up. Conclusion: Vitamin D3 supplementation cannot improve ventilatory variables in vitamin D3 deficient stable patients of COPD. J Med Coll Women Hosp.2025; 21 (1):13-22

Background: Spatial memory is one of the necessary components of our typical day-to-day life. Therefore, its impairment should be alleviated or prevented. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of swimming exercise on spatial memory performance and hippocampal oxidative stress in male Long-Evans rats with colchicine-induced memory impairment. Methods: Thirty male aged 8 standard deviation (2) weeks; weight 225 (75) gm Long-Evans rats were assigned to normal control, sham control, colchicine control, pre colchicine swimming exercise and post colchicine swimming exercise groups. A memory-impaired rat model was established by administering colchicine intrahippocampally. Swimming exercise was performed before and after spatial memory impairment. For spatial reference and working memory performance evaluation, the Morris water maze test was used. Hippocampal malondialdehyde and glutathione peroxidase were estimated for oxidative stress assessment in all rats. Results: Intrahippocampal colchicine administration significantly impaired spatial memory, and elevated malondialdehyde, decreased glutathione peroxidase level in the hippocampus of colchicine control rats. In contrast, both pre- and post-treatment with swimming exercise significantly improved learning and spatial memory retention and attenuated oxidative damage to nearly normal levels. Conclusion: Swimming exercise prevents as well as alleviates colchicine-induced spatial memory impairment along with hippocampal oxidative stress in male Long-Evans rats. Moreover, this swimming exercise schedule is sufficient to reverse these alarming consequences to almost normal.

Background: Asthma- COPD) overlap ACO is a new phenotype in the world of respiratory ailments. Though it has been shown that this group of morbid patients might possess vitamin D3 deficiency, but its association with vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphism has not been investigated yet. Objective: To assess the association of VDR gene polymorphism (FokI) with ACO. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in the Department of Physiology of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, from January 2018 to July 2018 on 23 (twenty three) patients (aged ≥40 years) with ACO. For comparison, 24 (twenty four) age, smoking duration and BMI matched apparently healthy subjects were selected. For all participants single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of VDR gene FokI (rs10735810) was done by DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Results were expressed as frequency distribution in percentage and data were statistically analyzed by Graphpad prism (Version 7) using Chi-square test. In the interpretation of results, ≤0.05 level of probability (p) was accepted as significant. Results: The frequency distribution of FokI genotype was 86.95% (FF), 8.69% (Ff), 4.35% (ff) and 91.66% (FF), 4.17% (Ff), 4.17% (ff) in ACO patients and healthy subjects, respectively. However, difference between groups in regard to the frequencies in both VDR genotypes were statistically non-significant. Furthermore, the association of FokI [FF, OR 1•65 (95% Cl 0•25–10.91], p=0•6; Ff, OR 0•46 (95% Cl 0•04–5.41], p=0•53; ff, OR 0•96 (95% Cl 0•06–16.26], p=0•98;] VDR SNP with ACO was statistically non-significant. Conclusion: Results of the present study reveals that, FokI VDR SNP is not associated with ACO.

Background: Asthma-COPD overlap is a new phenotype in respiratory ailments. It has been shown that this group of patients might possess vitamin D3 deficiency. The association of vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphism with serum vitamin D status in ACO patients has not been investigated yet. Objective: To assess the association of VDR gene polymorphism (FokI) with serum vitamin D status in patients with Asthma-COPD overlap. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in the Department of Physiology of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, from January 2018 to July 2018 on 23 (twenty-three) patients (aged ≥40 years) with ACO. For comparison, 24 (twenty-four) apparently healthy age, smoking duration and BMI matched subjects were selected. For all participants single nucleotide polymorphism of VDR gene FokI (rs10735810) was done by DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Vitamin D3 was measured by using automated analyzer: ARCHITECT Plus ci4100. The results were expressed as mean with standard error (mean±SEM) and frequency distribution. The data were statistically analyzed by Graphpad prism (Version 7) using independent sample ‘t’ test, two sample proportion test, Fisher exact test and ANOVA test. In the interpretation of results, ≤0.05 level of probability (p) was accepted as significant. Results: The mean±SEM of serum 25(OH)D were 16.37±0.78 and 18.46±1.01 ng/ml in control and study groups, respectively. The frequency distribution of FokI genotype was 86.95% (FF), 8.69% (Ff), 4.35% (ff) and 91.66% (FF), 4.17% (Ff), 4.17% (ff) in ACO patients and healthy subjects, respectively. When FoKI VDR SNP was analyzed with serum vitamin D status in patients with ACO, statistically no association was seen. Conclusions: FokI VDR SNP is not associated with serum vitamin D status in patients with ACO. J Rang Med Col. March 2024; Vol. 9, No. 1: 22-27

Background: Various adverse effects have been reported with conventional treatments of neuropathic pain. Nigella sativa (N. sativa), a medicinal herb, has been shown to possess several beneficiary effects. Objective: To assess the effects of N. sativa oil on neuropathic pain and ATP sensitive potassium channel (KATP) in Wistar rats. Methods: This experimental study was conducted on 120 Wistar rats (200±50gm). On the basis of treatments, all rats were grouped into Group I [normal control (NC) normal saline (NS) 5 ml/kg]; Group II [sham control (SC) {sham surgery + NS}], Group III [CCI control (CCIC) {Chronic constriction injury to sciatic nerve (CCI) + NS}]; Group IV [N. sativa oil experimental (NSOexp) {CCI + N.sativa (400 mg/kg)}], Group V [Glibenclamide experimental (Gliexp) {CCI + N. sativa (400 mg/kg) + glibenclamide (15 mg/kg)}] groups. Both the NSO and NS were administered orally once daily for consecutive 21 days and single dose of glibenclamide was given intraperitoneally on the day of experiment, to the respective rats. Then on the basis of neuropathic pain evaluation tests, all the groups were subdivided into ‘a’ [for sciatic functional index (SFI) in walking track analysis], ‘b’ [for tail flick latency (TFL) in cold tail immersion test], ‘c’ [for paw withdrawal threshold (PWT) in von Frey test], and ‘d’ (for rection time in hot plate test). The statistical analysis was done by one way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni post hoc test. Results: In this study, significantly (pd”0.001) higher SFI, TFL, PWT and reaction time were found in NSO exp rats when compared to those of CCIC rats. In addition, there were significant (pd”0.001) differences in the above-mentioned variables between rats of NSO exp group and Gliexp group. Conclusion: From the present study it might be concluded that, N. sativa prevents worsening of neuropathic pain in Wistar rats by blocking KATP channel. J Bangladesh Soc Physiol 2023;18(1): 35-45

Background: Vitamin D receptor gene (VDR) polymorphism and its association with various diseases have been previously investigated. But the association of vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism with COPD has not been investigated yet. Objective: To assess the association between vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism (FokI) and COPD. Methods: This cross sectional study was carried out in the Department of Physiology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka from March 2019 to February 2020. For this study, 15 (fifteen) pulmonologists diagnosed COPD patients with age 40 to 80 years (post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC<0.70 and FEV1<80% predicted) and 15 (fifteen) apparently healthy age-matched individuals (for comparison), were selected. The single nucleotide polymorphism of vitamin D receptor gene (FokI) of all subjects was assessed by PCR-RFLPs. Data were expressed as mean ± SD and percentage. Statistical analysis was done by independent sample ‘t’ test and chi-square test. In the interpretation of the results, ≤0.05 level of probability (p) was accepted as significant. Results: The frequency distribution of FokI genotype was 13.33% (FF), 73.34% (Ff), 13.33% (ff) and 13.33% (FF), 80% (Ff), 6.66% (ff) COPD patients and healthy subjects, respectively. Associations of FokI [FF (OR 1,95% CI 0.12-8.21, p=1.00); Ff (OR 0.68,95% CI 0.12-3.78, p=0.66); ff (OR 2.15,95% CI 0.17-26.67, p=0.54)] VDRSNP with COPD was statistically non-significant. Conclusion: The present study reveals that the FokI of VDR SNP is not associated with COPD. Central Medical College Journal Vol 6 No 1 January 2022 Page: 14-21

Background: Diabetic neuropathic pain exerts strong as well as negative influence on both survival and quality of life of the patient. This pain is difficult to treat with conventional analgesics. Now a days, different medicinal herbs are highlighted due to their wide range of beneficial application with less side effects. In this regards Spirulina platensis is well known for its wide range of biological activities. Objective: To assess the effects of oral administration of Spirulina platensis on cold allodynia and chemical allodynia in diabetic neuropathic pain in Long Evans rats.Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in the Department of Physiology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Shahbag, Dhaka from March 2017 to February 2019. Twenty four (24) Long Evans rats, having 150 to 200 grams body weight (on the basis of treatments), the rats were divided into Group I (normal saline 5 ml/kg body weight) and Group II (Spirulina platensis 400 mg/kg body weight). All the supplementations were given once daily for consecutive 21 days orally and last doses were given one hour before the pain evaluation tests. Further on the basis of experiments, previously grouped rats were divided into subgroup ‘a’(cold tail immersion test), and ‘b’ (formalin test). Data were expressed as mean±SEM and were statistically analyzed by SPSS (Version 16) using independent sample ‘t’ test to compare mean value between two groups. (p 0.05 was considered as the level of significance).Results: Spirulina platensis showed significantly higher tail flick latency (p 0.001) in cold tail immersion test. S. platensis demonstrated significantly lowered jerking frequency (p 0.001,p 0.01,p 0.001, respectively); the duration of licking (p 0.001,p 0.05,p 0.001, respectively) and the duration of flexing (p 0.001, non-significant 0.01, respectively) in early, inter and late phases of formalin test in compared to those of control. Conclusion: S. platensis attenuates cold allodynia and chemical allodynia diabetic neuropathic pain in rat model. KYAMC Journal Vol. 13, No. 04, January 2023: 208-213

Background: Vitamin D3 supplementation showed significant improvement in lung functions and exercise tolerance in both of asthma and COPD patients. Objectives: To evaluate the effects of vitamin D3 supplementation on lung functions and exercise tolerance in D3 deficient, stable patients with ACO. Methods: A double blinded randomized placebo controlled trial was carried out on 60 (sixty) D3 deficient [serum 25-hydroxycholecalciferol, 25(OH)D<30 ng/ml], male, smoker, stable ACO patients of age 40 to 80 year, selected according to selection criteria. After the final selection, all the patients were randomly allocated as ‘Study’ (n=30) or ‘Control’ (n=30) and their baseline spirometric lung functions (FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC ratio, PEFR, FEF25-75) and exercise tolerance represented by 6Minute Walk Distance (6MWD), peripheral capillary oxygen saturation (SpO2) at rest, SpO2 after 6MWT, dyspnea scale and fatigue scale variables were measured. All the ‘Study’ patients received 80,000 IU (2 oral capsules) of vitamin D3 per week for first 13 weeks. Subsequently, according to their serum 25(OH)D or calcium, they got 40,000 IU (1 oral capsule) of D3 per 1 week or per 2 weeks or per 6 weeks or no further supplementation, for following 13 weeks. Whereas, all the ‘Control’ patients received two oral capsules of placebo weekly for consecutive 26 weeks. After 26 weeks of follow up, spirometric lung functions and exercise tolerance variables were again measured and compared with their corresponding baseline value. Data were analyzed by independent and paired sample t test, where p£0.05 was accepted as significant. Results: There was significant improvement in 6MWD (p<0.05), SpO2 after 6MWT (p<0.001), dyspnea scale (p<0.001) and fatigue scale (p<0.001), in patients with vitamin D3 supplementation in comparison to those of placebo on 26th week of follow up. However, there was no improvement in ventilatory variables in the D3 supplemented group in comparison to those of placebo group. Conclusion: The present study reveals that vitamin D3 supplementation improves exercise tolerance but not ventilatory variables in vitamin D3 deficient stable ACO patients. Further multi centered trials with different dose as well as duration schedule on both male and female ACO patients are recommended. J Bangladesh Soc Physiol. 2022, June; 17(1): 21-33

COPD = Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ACO = Asthma-COPD overlap FeNO

Objective:The research was designed to assess the consequences of Azadirachta indica aqueous leaf extract (AILE) on neuropathic pain in Wister rats and the role of the ATP-dependent potassium channel (KATP) as an underlying mechanism.Materials and Methods:This experimental layout was conducted on Wistar rats (n = 120) having 150 to 200 gm of body weight. On the foundation of the experimental design, rats were divided into group I (normal saline, 5 ml/kg/body weight) and group II (sham surgery and treatment with NS), group III [chronic constriction injury (CCI) in the sciatic nerve; and treated with NS], group IV (CCI and treated with AILE 400 mg/kg body weight), Group V (CCI, pretreated with Glibenclamide 15 mg/kg followed by treated with AILE 400 mg/kg). All the treatments were given once daily for a consecutive 21 days via the oral route, except Glibenclamide. Glibenclamide was given once through the intraperitoneal route on the day of the experiment.Results:Based on the neuropathic pain evaluation test, all groups were again sub-divided into subgroup "a" (walking tract analysis), "b" (cold tail immersion test), "c" (Von Frey test), and "d" (hot plate test). AILE showed a significantly higher sciatic functional index (p < 0.05) in walking track analysis, tail flick latency (p ≤ 0.05) in the cold tail immersion test, and paw withdrawal threshold (p ≤ 0.05) in the Von Frey test compared to CCI control. In addition, a nonsignificant difference in all these above-mentioned variables between the rats with CCI plus AILE and the CCI plus AILE plus glibenclamide group indicated that the KATP channel was not involved in the beneficial analgesic effects of AILE.Conclusions:The outcome of the present study indicates that AILE prevented worsening of neuropathic pain after chronic constriction injury in the sciatic nerve of Wistar rats in which the KATP channel was not involved.

Background: In treatment of neuropathic pain, conventional analgesics showed various adverse effects. Spirulina platensis (Sp), a medicinal herb, shown to possess several beneficiary biological activities including analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcerogenic potential. Objectives: To assess the effect of Sp on neuropathic pain in Wistar rats and also to assess the involvement of ATP sensitive potassium channel (KATP) as its possible underlying mechanism of action. Methods: For this experimental study 120 Wistar rats of both sexes (200±50 gm body weight) were grouped into control [normal saline (NS) 5 ml/kg/day], sham control [sham surgery + NS], CCI control [Chronic constriction injury to sciatic nerve (CCI) + NS], Sp experimental [CCI + Sp 400 mg/kg/day], Gli experimental [CCI + Sp (400 ml/kg/day) + glibenclamide (15 mg/kg)] groups. Sp and NS were administered orally once daily for consecutive 21 days and single dose of glibenclamide was given intraperitoneally. Then again on the basis of neuropathic pain evaluation tests, all the groups were subdivided into ‘a’ (for walking track analysis), ‘b’ (for cold tail immersion test), ‘c’ (for von Frey test), ‘d’ (for hot plate test). The statistical analysis was done by one-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni post hoc test, where P£0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: In this study, Sp showed significantly (P£0.001) higher sciatic functional index, tail flick latency, paw withdrawal threshold and reaction time in Sp experimental rats compared to those of CCI control rats. In addition, there were significant (P£0.001) differences in the above-mentioned variables between rats of Sp experimental group and Gli experimental group. Conclusion: From the present study it could be concluded that, Spirulina platensis prevents the development of neuropathic pain in Wistar rats through opening of KATP channel. J Bngladesh Soc Physiol 2021;16(1): 1-10

Glass ceiling, a widely practiced but unrevealed obstacle for the development of women and minorities towards executive and upper level of managerial hierarchy in the organizations. At the present time this issue is drawing more attention from human resource practitioners around the globe. In developed and developing countries, women's empowerment is the burning issue as the economy can reach its peak through the participation of all genders. In Bangladesh also women are engaging more in jobs specifically in the financial sector and contributing to the economy at large volume. But the disparity between male and women participation at the decision-making level raises the question of the presence of a glass ceiling and the factors contributing to the glass ceiling in the financial sector of Bangladesh. Based on the survey by using structured questionnaires from the commercial banks of Dhaka City Corporation, this study explores organizational factors, explicitly the absence of human resource practices responsible for creating glass ceilings and its presence at the workplace. Using factor analysis and multiple regressions among the six factors, the study found five factors have a significant contribution to the presence of glass ceiling and thus creating barriers to women's advancement. The factors include recruitment practices, performance appraisal, promotion policy, maintenance issues and equal employment opportunities. Policy implications are discussed in light of the findings to minimize glass ceiling effect to contribute gender parity, women's advancement and reducing gender discrimination.

A large variety of herbal elements are employed in the treatment of diabetes for their better efficacy and safety compare to synthetic drugs. In this experiment Spirulina platensis was used to evaluate the antidiabetic, kidney & pancreas injury protective potential in alloxan induced diabetic rats. Male Long Evans rats having six weeks of age were used for the experiment. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of alloxan @ 150 mg/kg and experiment was carried out for a period of six weeks. The study was conducted by dividing the animal into three groups (n=7 rats in each group) indicated as with Group-A (healthy control); Group-B (diabetic control); Group-C (Diabetic rats treated with Spirulina platensis @ 400 mg/kg). Spirulina platensis reduced blood glucose significantly (P<0.01) and improved the body weight losses significantly (P<0.05) compared to diabetic rats after six weeks treatment. The histopathological alteration was observed in the kidney of diabetic rats which was characterized by glomerular hypertrophy, tubular necrosis and interstitial fibrosis. Marked improvements in the histopathological change were noticed in the kidneys of diabetic rats treated with Spirulina platensis. Pancreatic injury was produced by alloxan induction in rats characterized by destruction of the pancreatic β cells mostly in the central portion of the islets of langerhans and lymphocytic infiltrations, atrophy, and interstitial fibrosis, which were suppressed by Spirulina platensis. In addition, alloxan induced diabetic rats showed increased plasma lipid peroxidase level which was ameliorated by Spirulina platensis treatment. Along with previous report the anticipated results would concluded that Spirulina platensis having antioxidant compounds could protect renal tissues damage, stimulate regeneration and reactivation of pancreatic β- cells in alloxan induced diabetic rats.

Career selection is one of the most crucial decision made by potential incumbents and graduates in the business world.This decision is generally influenced by the factors like internal (cognitive ability, emotional ability, psychomotor skills) and external environmental (socio-economic condition, academic orientation, motivational factors, urban-rural background, etc.).Little studies have been done on the employment market, job situations, the process and the factors affecting career preferences of business graduates in Bangladesh.The proposed study aims at gaining a better understanding about the career preferences of business graduates in our country.It also intends to identify and analyze the determinants of career choices and find out the relevant major determinants with particular focus on the private and public sectors of Bangladesh.More specifically the study will focus on whether career preferences by the business graduates of Bangladesh are dependent on their family income level, gender, age, educational background, geographical location, individual cognitive ability, emotional intelligence, ethics, values, types of organization and employer's characteristics.It is further intended to focus on the pattern of variation in career preferences by the business graduates vary due to educational institutional orientation.The study is exploratory in nature.The extensive literature review suggests that, the career preferences of graduates are influenced by their family orientation, educational level, emotional attachment, cognitive ability, organization's reputation, age, gender.

Background: Asthma COPD overlap (ACO) is a new disease entity where respiratory tract is continuously exposed to oxidants. Supplementation of vitamin D3 have shown evidence of increasing antioxidant enzymes level which neutralize these oxidants. Objectives: To evaluate the effects of vitamin D3 supplementation on two antioxidant enzyme levels in D3 deficient ACO patients. Methods: A double blinded placebo controlled randomized clinical trial (RCT) was carried out on 60 (sixty) D3 deficient [serum 25-hydroxycholecalciferol, 25(OH) D<30 ng/ml], male, smoker, stable ACO patients of age 40 to 80 years. This RCT was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT03931889. After the final selection, all the patients were randomly allocated to vitamin D3 supplemented ‘Study’ group (n=30) or placebo treated ‘Control’ group (n=30). Two antioxidant enzyme levels [plasma superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT)] were measured at their baseline. Subsequently, along with standard pharmacological treatment of ACO, ‘Study’ patients received 80,000 IU (2 oral capsules) of vitamin D3 per week for first 13 weeks. Thereafter, according to their serum 25(OH)D or calcium concentration, they received 40,000 IU (1 oral capsule) of D3 per 1 week or per 2 weeks or per 6 weeks or no further supplementation, for another 13 weeks. Whereas, all the ‘Control’ patients received two oral capsules of placebo weekly, for consecutive 26 weeks. All patients of both groups were also advised to have sunlight exposure (within 11 am to 4 pm) only for 20 minutes daily. After 26 weeks of follow up, both enzyme levels of all patients were again measured. Both enzymes were measured by ELISA method using spectrophotometry. Data were analyzed by Student’s paired and unpaired ‘t’ test, where p≤0.05 was accepted as significant. Results: Initially a total 60 patients were enrolled and randomized, but ultimately 40 of them completed the trial. The baseline antioxidant enzymes levels of two groups were not significantly different. However, the mean level of both enzymes increased in both groups after 26 weeks of follow up but it was statistically significant (p<0.001) only in ‘Study’ patients. In addition, SOD (p<0.05) and CAT (p<0.01) were significantly higher in the vitamin D3 supplemented patients than those of placebo treated patients after 26 weeks of follow up. Conclusion: The present study reveals that vitamin D3 supplementation increases the antioxidant enzyme level in vitamin D3 deficient stable ACO patients. J Bangladesh Soc Physiol. 2019, December; 14(2): 89-98

Background: Some clinical and spirometric features are common to both COPD and asthma-COPD overlap (ACO), causing difficulties in distinguishing these airway diseases from each other. Since, both of them are characterized by airway inflammation, any inflammatory biomarker as blood neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and serum total IgE can be used for this purpose. Objectives: To assess the role of blood neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and serum total IgE in the diagnosis of ACO among patients with COPD. Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted in the Department of Physiology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka from March 2019 to February 2020. For this, 63 male stable patients (age 40 to 80 years) of COPD were enrolled and 51 of them were finally selected according to exclusion criteria. Then these 51 COPD patients were divided into ACO and COPD-alone groups, based on criteria from the joint document by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) and the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD). Blood neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and serum total IgE of all patients were measured by standard lab procedure. For statistical analysis, Chi-Square test, Fisher exact test, Shapiro Wilk test, Mann-Whitney U test and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were done, as applicable. Results: Among the 51 COPD patients, 26 patients were diagnosed with ACO and 25 patients were with COPD-alone. Here, NLR was significantly lower (median 2.09 vs 3.43, respectively; p<0.001) in ACO patients than that of COPD-alone. In addition, NLR showed ‘very good’ (area under ROC curve 0.815) diagnostic accuracy. Conclusion: The present study reveals that, blood neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, but not serum total IgE can play substantial role in diagnosis of ACO among the patients with COPD J Bangladesh Soc Physiol. 2020, December; 15(2): 54-60