Diverse risk factors intercede the outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We conducted this retrospective cohort study with a cohort of 1016 COVID-19 patients diagnosed in May 2020 to identify the risk factors associated with morbidity and mortality outcomes. Data were collected by telephone-interview and reviewing records using a questionnaire and checklist. The study identified morbidity and mortality risk factors on the 28th day of the disease course. The majority of the patients were male (64.1%) and belonged to the age group 25–39 years (39.4%). Urban patients were higher in proportion than rural (69.3% vs. 30.7%). Major comorbidities included 35.0% diabetes mellitus (DM), 28.4% hypertension (HTN), 16.6% chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and 7.8% coronary heart disease (CHD). The morbidity rate (not-cured) was 6.0%, and the mortality rate (non-survivor) was 2.5%. Morbidity risk factors included elderly (AOR = 2.56, 95% CI = 1.31–4.99), having comorbidity (AOR = 1.43, 95% CI = 0.83–2.47), and smokeless tobacco use (AOR = 2.17, 95% CI = 0.84–5.61). The morbidity risk was higher with COPD (RR = 2.68), chronic kidney disease (CKD) (RR = 3.33) and chronic liver disease (CLD) (RR = 3.99). Mortality risk factors included elderly (AOR = 7.56, 95% CI = 3.19–17.92), having comorbidity (AOR = 5.27, 95% CI = 1.88–14.79) and SLT use (AOR = 1.93, 95% CI = 0.50–7.46). The mortality risk was higher with COPD (RR = 7.30), DM (RR = 2.63), CHD (RR = 4.65), HTN (RR = 3.38), CKD (RR = 9.03), CLD (RR = 10.52) and malignant diseases (RR = 9.73). We must espouse programme interventions considering the morbidity and mortality risk factors to condense the aggressive outcomes of COVID-19.

Bangladesh is a country with a high burden of micronutrient malnutrition. Stunting affects 41 % of children aged under 5 years. Zn is one of the key micronutrients that is associated with stunting. The present study, as part of the national micronutrient survey 2011–2012, revealed for the first time the nationally representative prevalence of Zn deficiency and determined the associations of the condition. A cross-sectional ‘nationwide’ survey was conducted in pre-school-age children (6–59 months; PSAC) and non-pregnant non-lactating women (15–49 years; NPNLW). Multistage random sampling was done in 150 clusters; fifty in each of the rural, urban and slum strata. Data were analysed on 662 PSAC and 1073 NPNLW. Serum Zn was assayed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Zn deficiency was defined as serum Zn of <9·9 and <10·1 µmol/l in PSAC and NPNLW, respectively. The national prevalence of Zn deficiency was 44·6 and 57·3 % in PSAC and NPNLW, respectively. In PSAC, it was 29·5, 48·6 and 51·7 %, respectively, in urban, rural and slum strata. Household expenses (β = 0·13; P = 0·007), Hb (β = 0·10; P = 0·005), intake of animal-source Zn (β = 0·096; P = 0·02) and asset score (β = 0·11; P = 0·03) were positively associated with serum Zn in NPNLW. Residence in an urban area (β = 0·33; P = 0·03) and intake of plant-origin Zn (β = −0·13; P = 0·038) determined higher and lower status of Zn in PSAC, respectively. Zn deficiency was highly prevalent in Bangladesh, and it was principally related to inadequate quality of diet. To improve Zn nutrition, Bangladesh needs to strengthen research and programmes related to Zn biofortification, fortification and phytate-reducing technologies in the food system in the short and medium term. In addition, promotion of animal-source Zn for all is important in the long run.

One of the major science goals of the SkyMapper survey of the Southern Hemisphere sky is the determination of the shape and extent of the halo of the Galaxy. In this paper, we quantify the likely efficiency and completeness of the survey as regards the detection of RR Lyrae variable stars, which are excellent tracers of the halo stellar population. We have accomplished this via observations of the RR Lyrae-rich globular cluster NGC 3201. We find that for single-epoch uvgri observations followed by two further epochs of g, r imaging, as per the intended three-epoch survey strategy, we recover known RR Lyraes with a completeness exceeding 90%. We also investigate boundaries in the gravity-sensitive single-epoch two-colour diagram that yield high completeness and high efficiency (i.e., minimal contamination by non-RR Lyraes) and the general usefulness of this diagram in separating populations.

The activity concentrations of soil, water and fertilizersamples were determined by using high-resolution gamma spectrometry(HPGe detector: 40% relative efficiency) with a PC-based MCA system.The samples were collected from the area of a urea fertilizer factory,lagoon and Shitalakhya river in Narsingdi, Bangladesh. The activityconcentrations of 226Ra ranged from 3.16 ± 0.32 to 10.28 ± 0.55Bq.kg-1, 1.22 ± 0.41 to 7.36 ± 0.42 Bq.L-1 and 3.55 ± 0.33 to 90.65± 3.17 Bq.kg-1 for soil, water and fertilizer samples, respectively.The 232Th activity concentrations ranged from 4.89 ± 0.45 to 15.82± 0.45 Bq.kg-1, 1.21 ± 0.06 to 8.59 ± 0.37 Bq. L-1 and 4.76 ± 0.25to 26.38 ± 1.40 Bq.kg-1 for soil, water and fertilizer samples, respectively.The 40K activity concentrations ranged from 24.96 ± 0.23 to 60.49± 0.56 Bq.kg-1, 7.48 ± 0.53 to 35.48 ± 0.24 Bq.L-1 and 3.55 ± 0.05to 3051.71 ± 19.53 Bq.kg-1 for these samples, respectively. Theradium equivalent activity, the hazard indices, the gamma activityconcentration index, the indoor absorbed dose rate and the correspondingannual effective dose were estimated for the potential radiological hazardof the collected samples. The calculated values of the representativelevel index values (Igr) for all samples of the study area are lowerthan unity except the MOP sample. The activity ratios were alsomeasured. These values are compared with reported values for othercountries of the world. The results of the comparison studies showthat the radioactivity concentrations and other radioactive indicesof the samples of the study area are below the internationally acceptedmaximum permissible values. Therefore, this region is safe fromany radiation hazard and no significant radiological threat was observedto the population of the study area.

Asparagus racemosus roots have been shown to enhance insulin secretion in perfused pancreas and isolated islets. The present study investigated the effects of ethanol extracts of A. racemosus roots on glucose homeostasis in diabetic rats, together with the effects on insulin action in 3T3 adipocytes. When administered orally together with glucose, A. racemosus extract improved glucose tolerance in normal as well as in two types of diabetic rats. To investigate the possible effects on carbohydrate absorption, the sucrose content of the gastrointestinal tract was examined in 12 h fasted rats after an oral sucrose load (2·5 g/kg body weight). The extract significantly suppressed postprandial hyperglycaemia after sucrose ingestion and reversibly increased unabsorbed sucrose content throughout the gut. The extract also significantly inhibited the absorption of glucose during in situ gut perfusion with glucose. Furthermore, the extract enhanced glucose transport and insulin action in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Daily administration of A. racemosus to type 2 diabetic rats for 28 d decreased serum glucose, increased pancreatic insulin, plasma insulin, liver glycogen and total oxidant status. These findings indicate that antihyperglycaemic activity of A. racemosus is partly mediated by inhibition of carbohydrate digestion and absorption, together with enhancement of insulin secretion and action in the peripheral tissue. Asparagus racemosus may be useful as a source of novel antidiabetic compounds or a dietary adjunct for the management of diabetes.

Maternal mortality is a serious public health concern in Bangladesh. However, most deaths could be prevented through proper and timely care seeking and adequate management. Unfortunately, fewer than half of pregnant women in Bangladesh seek antenatal care, and only one in eight receive delivery care from medically trained providers. The specific objectives of this research are to examine the socioeconomic differentials of maternity care seeking, and to determine whether accessibility of health services reduces the socioeconomic differentials in maternity care seeking. A multi-level logistic regression method is employed to analyse longitudinal data collected from a sample of 1019 women from all over Bangladesh. The study finds significant socioeconomic disparities in both antenatal and delivery care seeking. Service accessibility, however, significantly reduces the socioeconomic differentials in delivery care seeking. Services need to be made accessible to reduce the inequality in maternity care seeking between rich and poor, empowered and non-empowered.

Trigonella foenum-graecum (fenugreek) seeds have been documented as a traditional plant treatment for diabetes. In the present study, the antidiabetic properties of a soluble dietary fibre (SDF) fraction of T. foenum-graecum were evaluated. Administration of SDF fraction (0·5 g/kg body weight) to normal, type 1 or type 2 diabetic rats significantly improved oral glucose tolerance. Total remaining unabsorbed sucrose in the gastrointestinal tract of non-diabetic and type 2 diabetic rats, following oral sucrose loading (2·5 g/kg body weight) was significantly increased by T. foenum-graecum (0·5 g/kg body weight). The SDF fraction suppressed the elevation of blood glucose after oral sucrose ingestion in both non-diabetic and type 2 diabetic rats. Intestinal disaccharidase activity and glucose absorption were decreased and gastrointestinal motility increased by the SDF fraction. Daily oral administration of SDF to type 2 diabetic rats for 28 d decreased serum glucose, increased liver glycogen content and enhanced total antioxidant status. Serum insulin and insulin secretion were not affected by the SDF fraction. Glucose transport in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and insulin action were increased by T. foenum-graecum. The present findings indicate that the SDF fraction of T. foenum-graecum seeds exerts antidiabetic effects mediated through inhibition of carbohydrate digestion and absorption, and enhancement of peripheral insulin action.

Plantago ovata has been reported to reduce postprandial glucose concentrations in diabetic patients. In the present study, the efficacy and possible modes of action of hot-water extracts of husk of P. ovata were evaluated. The administration of P. ovata (0·5g/kg body weight) significantly improved glucose tolerance in normal, type 1 and type 2 diabetic rat models. When the extract was administered orally with sucrose solution, it suppressed postprandial blood glucose and retarded small intestinal absorption without inducing the influx of sucrose into the large intestine. The extract significantly reduced glucose absorption in the gut during in situ perfusion of small intestine in non-diabetic rats. In 28d chronic feeding studies in type 2 diabetic rat models, the extract reduced serum atherogenic lipids and NEFA but had no effect on plasma insulin and total antioxidant status. No effect of the extract was evident on intestinal disaccharidase activity. Furthermore, the extract did not stimulate insulin secretion in perfused rat pancreas, isolated rat islets or clonal β cells. Neither did the extract affect glucose transport in 3T3 adipocytes. In conclusion, aqueous extracts of P. ovata reduce hyperglycaemia in diabetes via inhibition of intestinal glucose absorption and enhancement of motility. These attributes indicate that P. ovata may be a useful source of active components to provide new opportunities for diabetes therapy.

Previous studies (El Shaer, Omed and Axford, 1987; Akhter, Owen, Fall, O'Donovan and Theodorou, 1994) with the two-stage in vitro procedure of Tilley and Terry (1963) have shown a high correlation between digestibilities of forages as determined using either sheep rumen liquor, sheep faeces or cow faeces as the microbial inoculum. In the first study of the of the present investigation one objective was to examine the repeatability of these digestibility measurements when made on different occasions. A second objective was to assess whether the correlations between faecal and rumen fluid based inocula could be improved if microorganisms were obtained from pairs rather than individual animals. The objective in the second study using forages of known in vivo digestibility, was to investigate the effect of freezing or freeze-drying of faeces on the repeatability of digestibilities of forages determined in vitro using micro-organisms from cow faeces.

Current techniques for in vitro digestion of forages depend on the use of rumen fistulated animals to supply microbial suspensions in rumen liquor. The objective of the present study is to develop a noninvasive alternative to rumen liquor as a source of micro-organisms in the two-stage, in vitro digestion technique of Tilley and Terry (1963).

EL Shaer, Omed, Chamberlain and Axford (1987) showed a high correlation between digestibility in vitro determined using micro-organisms from rumen liquor and from freshly-voided sheep faeces. The disadvantages of using sheep faeces are (a) the need for fresh faeces, (b) the small quantities voided at any given time and (c) the difficulty of enticing sheep to defaecate at a specific time.

Cow faeces as a source of micro-organisms was investigated in the present study because of the ease of collecting a large quantity of freshly-voided faeces at a given time. Another objective of the present study was to investigate whether faeces could be frozen and stored for future use as a source of micro-organisms for the in vitro digestibility assay. A further objective was to investigate whether rumen liquor could be frozen and stored for future use.

Temperature programmed desorption (TPD) and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) have been used to study the chemisorption properties of carbon monoxide on potassium predosed Pt. SIMS cluster ions (such as K+, K2 +, KO+ and KCO+) were monitored to probe, K-CO interactions. Large changes in the SIMS yields are observed as the potassium coverage is varied. The SIMS results are correlated with previous work function change and TPD studies. Temperature programmed secondary ion mass spectrometry of potassium-containing ions indicates a local interaction between potassium and CO molecules.

As typically observed on transition metal surfaces, two different CO TPD states are observed. The lower temperature state shifts to higher temperatures with increasing potassium coverage and to lower temperatures with increasing CO exposure. The high temperature CO state builds in with increasing potassium coverage and is accompanied by simultaneous potassium desorption. Evidence for the occurrence of both long-range (indirect) and short-range (direct) potassium effects on adsorbed CO is presented.