Issue 4

The Bengal delta coast harboring the famous Sundarban mangroves is extremely vulnerable to climate change. Already, salinity intrusion, increasing cyclones and anomalies in rainfall, and temperature, are causing many social and livelihood problems. However, our knowledge on the diversified climate change impacts on Sundarban ecosystems services, providing immense benefits, including foods, shelters, livelihood, and health amenities, is very limited. Therefore, this article has systematically reviewed the major functional aspects, and highlights on biodiversity, ecosystem dynamics, and services of the Sunderban mangroves, with respect to variations in climatic factors. The mangrove ecosystems are highly productive in terms of forest biomass, and nutrient contribution, especially through detritus-based food webs, to support rich biodiversity in the wetlands and adjacent estuaries. Sundarban mangroves also play vital role in atmospheric CO2 sequestration, sediment trapping and nutrient recycling. Sea level rise will engulf a huge portion of the mangroves, while the associated salinity increase is posing immense threats to biodiversity and economic losses. Climate-mediated changes in riverine discharge, tides, temperature, rainfall and evaporation will determine the wetland nutrient variations, influencing the physiological and ecological processes, thus biodiversity and productivity of Sundarban mangroves. Hydrological changes in wetland ecosystems through increased salinity and cyclones will lower the food security, and also induce human vulnerabilities to waterborne diseases. Scientific investigations producing high resolution data to identify Sundarban‟s multidimensional vulnerabilities to various climatic regimes are essential. Sustainable plans and actions are required integrating conservation and climate change adaptation strategies, including promotion of alternative livelihoods. Thus, interdisciplinary approaches are required to address the future climatic disasters, and better protection of invaluable ecosystem services of the Sunderban mangroves.

Tinospora cordifolia is commonly known as Gulancha in Bangladesh is belongs to Menispermaceae family and it is also available all over the world. It is widely used as a unique ingredient of various natural medicine and traditionally use for numerous aliment like fever, vomiting, diabetes, jaundice, anaemia, polyuria and skin diseases etc. It has hypoglycemic, antipyretic, anti-allergic, Antineoplastic, anti inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and immuno modulatory properties. A variety of constituents have been isolated from different parts of Tinospora cordifolia, mainly contains alkaloids like Aporphine alkaloids, clerodane diterpenes, berberine, palmatine, tembertarine, tinosporin, magniflorine, choline, Berberine, Palmatine, Tembetarine, Magnoflorine Choline, Tinosporin etc. and Glycoside like Tinocordiside, Tinocordifolioside, steroids, essential oils, mixture of fatty acids and polysaccharides are found in Gulancha plant. This review presents a detailed survey of the literature on traditional and modern knowledge of Tinospora cordifolia for health benefit.

This study is carried out to determine the level of three common heavy metals i.e. mercury (Hg), lead(Pb) and cadmium (Cd) from different branded frozen shrimp samples from different processing plants in Chittagong Metropolitan Area, Bangladesh. The level of heavy metals is investigated by using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) in twenty different frozen shrimp samples from four different processing plants. The range of mean level of concentration (mg/kg) of mercury (Hg), lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) are 0.011-0.042 mg/kg, 0.065-0.087 mg/kg and 0.024-0.081 mg/kg respectively. Lead (Pb) has the highest mean concentration of 0.087 mg/kg while mercury has the lowest mean of 0.011 mg/kg. The mean concentration of mercury (Hg), lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in shrimps was observed within the range of BSTI (Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution) standards for aquatic foods.

With the advancement of science and technology, the worldwide market of cell phone is growing rapidly and the average lifespan of these equipment is shortening. These electronic equipment, containing toxic elements, imposes high risks leading to health complications. This survey based study is an endeavor to observe public awareness towards cell phone use and its correlation to health complications such as hearing impairment, back pain, problems in eye, headache etc. Remarkably this pilot study implies that adverse health effects for using cell phones are greater in male than in female which can be a great concern for our public health.

Cycloartenyl ferulate (CAF) is a major bioactive phytosteryl ferulate purified from rice bran γ-oryzanol. Previously we reported that CAF ameliorates DSS-induced colitis in mice. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of CAF on LPS (lipopolysaccharide) stimulated murine RAW 264.7 macrophages. Immunohistochemistry analysis demonstrated that LPS (10ng/mL) treatment exhibited nuclear translocation of NF-κB-p65 in RAW macrophages, which was markedly inhibited CAF (30μM). LPS (10ng/mL) stimulation for 1-4 hours significantly upregulated iNOS and COX-2 mRNA in RAW 264.7 macrophages, but COX-2 mRNA was faster than that of iNOS mRNA. Macrophages pretreated with CAF greatly inhibited the LPS stimulated iNOS mRNA in a dose dependent manner (1-30μM), but CAF weakly inhibited COX-2 mRNA. Interestingly, CAY 10404 (COX-2 inhibitor) inhibited LPS stimulated iNOS mRNA, but not COX-2. In addition, PGE2 (1μM) upregulated iNOS mRNA but did not show any remarkable effects on NF-κB-p65 nuclear translocation in RAW macrophages. PD98059 (p44/42 MAP kinase inhibitor) inhibited iNOS mRNA, but not COX-2. On the other hand, PD169316 (p38 MAP kinase inhibitor) neither inhibited iNOS mRNA nor COX-2. Our results suggest that iNOS mRNA expression by LPS is mediated via p44/42 MAP kinase pathway in RAW 264.7 macrophages, which depends on the preceding expression of COX-2 expression. CAF downregulates iNOS mRNA via an inhibition of nuclear translocation of NF-κB with different mode of action on COX-2 gene expression.

An experiment was conducted to evaluate thirty one NERICA mutant rice genotypes (twenty eight NERICA mutant lines along with three parental lines) of advanced (M₄ and M₅)generations for morphological characters and genetic parameters assessment in aus season, 2014 at the experimental field of Biotechnology division, BINA, BAU Campus, Mymensingh-2202 following Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The genotypes differed significantly for all the traits viz., days to flowering (1^st, 50%, 80%), days to maturity, plant height, total tillers and effective tillers hill^-1, filled and unfilled grains panicle^-1, 100-seed weight (g) and yield plant^-1(g).N₁/300/P-9-5 had maximum yield plant^-1 and N₄ parent had minimum yield plant^-1. All the parental lines showed less yield compared to other mutant lines. The phenotypic co-efficient of variations (PCV) were higher than genotypic co-efficient of variations (GCV) for all the traits studied indicating that they all interacted with the environment to some extent. All the traits studied expressed moderate to high heritability estimates ranging from 43.68 to 92.87%. High heritability along with high genetic advance was noticed for the traits, number of filled grains panicle^-1, number of unfilled grains panicle^-1 and plant height.

The present study was designed with a view to study the effects of enrofloxacin antibiotic on ISA brown layer performance. A total of 1,80,000 laying hens (ISA brown) received and supplied enrofloxacin antibiotic in the dose of 0 mg, 10mg and 20 mg/kg BW with normal diet. Each layer was fed 120 g feed/day from 42 to 48 weeks of age. Antibiotic made significant differences in egg production (p<0.05) and especially on mortality (p<0.01). The different doses of enrocin (0 mg, 10mg and 20mg/kg BW) had no significant effect on feed conversion efficiency and egg weight. Therefore, it can be suggested that a lower dose (10mg/kg BW) of antibiotic may be benefited in commercial layer diet.

The study was conducted to determine the effect of antiprolactin drug (Bromergon®) and Peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) on broodiness, laying performance and egg quality in indigenous hens. The effect of modulation of prolactin concentration on egg production, sequence length and inter sequence pauses were studied by analyzing the oviposition records. Total sixty indigenous laying hens (30-40 weeks of age), were assigned for treatment with peppermint solution and Bromergon®. Sixty laying hens were randomly divided into 4 groups (A, B, C and D) and each group remained 15 hens. Group A was kept for control, Group B was treated with bromocriptine (Bromergon® SANDOZ) orally @ 640 μg per bird per day, Group  C with 50% peppermint solution @ 10 g per bird orally and Group D was with peppermint and Bromergon® combined at previous dose. Over the course of trial, incremental dietary peppermint (Group C) significantly (p˃0.05) increased egg production, body weight of treated indigenous hens than other groups. Egg shell percentage, thickness and haugh unit of hens fed diets supplemented with peppermint were greater than that of hens fed the control diet. However, peppermint supplementation did not influence other egg quality characteristics like albumen and yolk percentages and albumen height. The treated birds had comparatively longer sequences and fewer pauses. It is concluded that the physiological pauses occur during ovulatory sequences can be disrupted effectively using Bromergon® and peppermint. Prolactin levels modulated which may interfere with follicular recruitment and subsequent oviposition thereby improves egg laying potential of the indigenous hens.

The aim of this study was to know the epidemiologic characteristics of contagious ecthyma and molecular characterization of the contagious ecthyma virus or ORF virus (ORFV). Sixty four households having 293 goats in Chuadanga district of Bangladesh were surveyed and 30 scab materials were collected from ORF affected goat. Virus detection by PCR was attempted. Sequencing was done for characterization. Goats (n=70) in 15 out of 64 (23.44%) households were found to be infected with ORF. The overall morbidity, mortality and case fatality was 23.89 (70/293), 1.02 (3/293) and 4.29% (3/70), respectively. A proliferative lesion in mouth, lips and gum was found in 100.00% affected goats. Besides, proliferative lesions were also found in legs (19.00%), body (13.00%), and ears (10.00%) of goats. Highest morbidity (29.00%) was found in goats of 7 months-1years aged group and lowest (2.05%) in goats of 2-3 years or more. About 79.00% goats were affected during January-March, 2011 and 21.00% during October–December, 2010. About 93.33% (28/30) scab samples were found positive by PCR. For molecular characterization PCR amplified viral interlukin-10 (vIL10) gene of 5 different ORFV were sequenced. One virus obtained from sheep and four from goat. Goat isolates were found very closely related (97.20-98.60%) to each other while sheep virus has 95.20-97.20% homology with goat viruses and clustered separately. Our isolates were closely related to Norwegian sheep isolates. It is concluded that ORFV is circulating in Bangladesh with high morbidity but low mortality and all age group of goats are susceptible to this disease. Circulating viruses are closely related to each other.

An experiment was carried out in the pot-house of botanical garden of Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh, during June to November, 2014 to investigate the effect of NaCl on growth, Na⁺ accumulation and K⁺: Na⁺ ratio in maize. Four maize genotypes namely BARI Maize 5, BARI Maize 7, Plain maize line and Mosaic maize line were tested against control, without providing any NaCl and salt stress, with NaCl to reach the soil salinity of 10 dS m^-1. The experiment was laid out following CRD with four replicates. Under salt stress, relative reduction in shoot fresh masses  were 22 and 77% in BARI Maize 5 and BARI Maize 7, whereas the magnitude of reduction  was 136 and 155% in  Mosaic maize line and Plain maize line, respectively. Seven days exposure to moderate salinity (10 dS m^-1) seemed to have significantly reduced total fresh masses with the concomitant increase in Na⁺ concentrations but decrease in K⁺ concentrations and K⁺: Na⁺ ratios in both young and old shoots of BARI Maize 5, Plain maize line and Mosaic maize line. In contrast, BARI Maize 7 showed significant reduction in shoot fresh mass under salinity with the concomitant increase in shoot Na⁺ content but no significant changes in K⁺ concentrations and K⁺: Na⁺ ratios were observed under salinity. It seemed that young leaf of BARI maize 7 showed unaffected growth despite of higher accumulation of Na⁺. It may likely that BARI maize 7 sequestered incoming excess Na⁺ ions in the vacuole from the cytosol to combat deleterious effect of this ion to the cytoplasmic enzymes.

A detailed cross-sectional study was carried out to investigate the prevalence and associated risk factors of theileriosis and anaplasmosis in cattle of Dinajpur district over a period of six months from January to June 2014. A total of 200 samples were randomly collected from the cattle. A pretested questionnaire was implemented to collect data on different risk factors. Blood smears were prepared and examined under microscope (100 xs) with Giemsa’s stain. The study revealed proportional prevalence was 10% for theileriasis and 18.5% for anaplasmosis. The percentages of theileriasis and anaplasmosis 12.61% and 22.52% were higher in female than in male animal 6.74% and 13.48% respectively. In both cases, female showed higher positivity in compare with male. The univariate logistic regression analysis revealed cattle with a herd size >10 (OR=4.3), temperature (≥ 103ºF) (OR=3.27), presence of tick in the body surface (OR=3.09) and record of Ivermectin treatment (OR=4.47) were found significantly associated with theileriasis prevalence (p<0.05) and irregular bathing history was found significantly associated in the case of anaplasmosis prevalence (OR=0.23). However, in multivariate analysis, temperature (≥ 103ºF) (OR=2.89), presence of tick in the body surface (OR=2.80) and animal with a record of Ivermectin treatment (OR=4.24) showed significant association with theileriasis and herd size >10, deep brown; white colour and bathing history were significantly associated (P < 0.05) with the anaplasmosis. Good husbandry practice and adoption of hygienic measures are needed among the high risk group or individuals to minimize the spread of the disease.

Interlukin-33 (IL-33) is a novel cytokine of the IL-1 superfamily that is expressed mainly in stromal cells, such as epithelial and endothelial cells. It is believed to be involved in inflammation and carcinogenesis. Recently we have reported that IL-33 is up regulated in azoxymethane-dextran sulfate sodium salt (AOM/DSS)- induced in colitis in mice. In this study we have investigated the biological activity of IL-33 in cells migration in IEC-6 epithelial cells. Our wound healing assay demonstrated that IL-33 significantly enhanced cell migration towards the wound edges compared with the untreated control cells. Trans-well migration assay in presence of cells culture and wound stimulation in the lower chamber, IL-33 exhibited significant chemoattractant activity for the cells migration. On the other hand, in absence of cells culture and wound stimulation in the lower chamber, IL-33 neither produced remarkable chemokine, nor chemoattractant activity for the cells migration. These findings indicate that IL-33 interacts with wound-stimulated soluble cellular product(s) in the lower chamber to accelerate cell migration.

Tenascin-C, an extracellular matrix glycoprotein, expresses high level during embryogenesis and almost absent during the normal postnatal life. However, it is re-appeared in a diverse condition such as tissue injury and in the stroma of various carcinomas. In this study, we investigated the appearance of tenascin-C in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice. DSS induced colitis mice demonstrated severe mucosal damage, with distortion and loss of crypts, depletion of goblet cells and infiltration of macrophages particularly F4/80 positive macrophages, granulocytes and lymphocytes in the colon tissues. These DSS inflamed colon expressed a high and dense level of tenascin-C in the severe damaged areas, whereas, moderate staining was observed in the moderate inflamed areas. DSS-induced colitis mice significantly increased macrophages infiltration in the colon tissues. These results suggested that tenascin-C extracellular matrix re-appeared in the colon tissues during inflammation.

The present research work was undertaken to find out the passive causes of occurrences of diarrhoea in terms of age, sex, season and location differences through isolation and identification of the E. coli and Salmonella spp. using cultural, biochemical and molecular from the field samples of the diarrhoeic cattle and to study the antibiogram profiles of the isolated bacterial species. Considering above purposes, a total of 57 rectal swab samples were collected from the diarrhoeic cattle of Mymensingh sadar, Trishal, Valuka, Natore sadar and Gomostapur, Chapai Nawabganj. Different types of cultural media like Nutrient agar, MacConkey`s (MC) agar, Eosin Methylene Blue (EMB) agar, Salmonella-Shigella (SS) agar, Xylose-Lysine-Deoxycholate (XLD) agar and Blood agar were used to isolate and to study the cultural properties of the E. coli and Salmonella spp. Finally Gram’s staining and different biochemical tests were performed to identify those two bacterial species. Out of 57 samples, 27 were positive for E. coli and 8 were positive for Salmonella spp. On the basis of information from cattle owners and clinical signs the prevalence of diarrhoea was recorded as 30.99% and the p-value was calculated as 0.001 (p<0.01) which was noted as highly significant. The prevalence percentages of the E. coli and Salmonella spp. were differed depending on different epidemiological parameters like age, sex, season and location. Moreover, the molecular identifications were further confirmed by means of PCR assay using specific primers for E. coli and Salmonella spp. This was done targeting 16S rRNA gene where they were found to be positive showing amplification of 585 bp for E. coli and 574 bp for Salmonella spp. From the study of the antibiogram profiles, it was revealed that E. coli were susceptible to ciprofloxacin, gentamicin and norfloxacin but resistant to tetracycline, erythromycin, amoxicillin and streptomycin whereas Salmonella spp. were susceptible to ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, amoxicillin and streptomycin but resistant to azithromycin, tetracycline and erythromycin. The findings of this research work would certainly help to select the proper antibiotics against diarrhoea in cattle of Bangladesh and to overcome the multi-drug resistant problem of the bacteria.

Contaminated street food has been linked to food-borne illness and food-borne outbreak. Chotpoti is a popular street food in Bangladesh. This study was conducted to identify enteric bacteria in chotpoti sold in different parts of the capital city Dhaka. From July to October, 2012 we purposively selected 18 sites where chotpoti was sold in Dhaka city. From each site we randomly selected six chotpoti stalls for sample collection. At each stall we aseptically collected approximately 100 gm of a combined sample of chotpoti, chili sauce and water used for cleaning utensils. The combined sample was homogenized and was serially diluted in a sterile test tube with normal saline to obtain a dilution up to 10^-5. From each test tube 0.1 ml of dilution was plated on to MacConkey and Blood agar plates under aerobic conditions at 37˚C for 24 to 48 hours. Bacterial growth was identified by the colonial morphology, Gram stain, and biochemical tests. Of the 108 samples we analyzed, 84 (78%) were contaminated with bacterial pathogens. Among isolated organisms Acinetobacter (66%) was the most dominant followed by Klebsiella spp. (54%), E. coli (3%) and Proteus spp. (0.9%). Two different organisms were present in 47 (44%) samples. In half of the study sites, every sample was contaminated; in only one site bacterial contamination was absent in all samples. Contaminated street food like chotpoti may cause food borne illness and pose risk of food borne epidemics. Further studies are required for quantitative assessment of pathogens to detect potential sources of contamination and to develop interventions that can effectively reduce street food contamination.

Malnutrition is a common problem in patients with end stage kidney disease (ESKD) undergoing hemodialysis that increases morbidity and mortality rate in Bangladesh. The main objective of this cross sectional study was carried out to compare the nutritional status between urban patients with rural patients undergoing hemodialysis. End-stage renal-failure outpatients who underwent hemodialysis were recruited from Sono Hospital Limited, Kushtia, Bangladesh. Direct method of nutritional assessment including anthropometric measurement, biochemical measurement, clinical assessment and dietary method was carried out. Socio economic data were also collected. The result reveals that 69.0% of the total participants were male and 31.0% were female. The mean age of male was 46.10±13.23 years and that of female was 43.11±16.47 years. Among 142 cases 50.0% were from urban area and 50.0% were from rural area. 53.5% of the total participants were economically satisfied and 46.5% were non-satisfied. 76.3% of high socioeconomic group consisted of urban area and 23.7% consisted of rural area. Again 19.7% of low socioeconomic group consisted of urban area and 80.3% consisted of rural area. According to WHO classification for BMI 15.5% had BMI below 18.5kg/m² in urban and 18.3% had BMI below 18.5kg/m² in rural area. Of the total participants 97.2% were anemic, 66.9% had anorexia, 69.7% had depression, 63.4% had nausea, 58.5% had vomiting, 30.3% had heartburn, 47.2% had constipation, 38.0% had dizziness, 19.7% had chest pain, 5.6% had dysphagia, 34.5% had fatigue, 48.6% had headache, 26.1% had diarrhea, 50.7% had pruritus and 13.4% had shortness of breath. Mean±SD hemoglobin level of urban participants was 8.37±1.46 and that of rural participants was 8.12±1.85. The result shows that malnutrition was more prevalent among rural hemodialysis patients than that of urban. The cause of malnutrition was related to low socioeconomic condition and inadequate nutrient intake.

This study aimed to examine nurses‟ job satisfaction at Sadar Hospital, Naogaon, Bangladesh. It also examines the relationships between nurses‟ assessment, satisfaction, attitude, and practice with respect to job satisfaction. The descriptive cross sectional study design was used to explore the job satisfaction among the staff nurses. Total number of nurses working in this hospital was 121. A total number of fifty nurses were recruited into this study in order to overcome non-response subjects. The age group 30-39 years were 40%, 40-49 years were 46% and 50+ above were 14% nurses. Male nurses were only 6% and the female were 94%. Marital status single 12%, married 80%, widow 8%. Muslim nurses were 58%, Hindu 38% and Christian 4%. Academic qualification of them was SSC 66% and H.S.C 34%. Professional qualification was Diploma in Nursing /Diploma in Midwifery 92%, B.Sc. in public Health Nursing 6% and MPH 2%. Length of service 1 to 10 years 22%, 11 to 20 years 50%, 21 to 25 years 24%, 31+ years 4%. Regarding maintaining therapeutic relationship; facing problem in duty; keeping records; receiving complicated patient; attend in duty time; maintaining aseptic techniques; maintaining work; carryout admission and discharge the results for all above questions were 100% yes. But regarding satisfy to give care 30% respondent were not satisfied; whole for job salary 68% nurses were not feel enough and remaining 32% were satisfied. Again in case of promotion to the next post most of the respondent 16% were satisfied and 84% were not satisfied.

The study was made on testing purity of different marketed brands of three insecticide groups such as quinalphos, malathion and fenitrotion in the Pesticide Analytical Laboratory under Division of Entomology, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Gazipur using suitable protocols GC-FID. Nineteen marketed brands of these insecticides collected form dealers or retailers of Jessore, Gazipur and Rangpur region were analyzed and estimated their purity in two seasons of 2006-2007 and 2007-2008. In these two seasons, among five marketed brands of Malathion, only one brand (MTF) had 98.95-100% purity which was collected from Jessore in 2007-08 and Gazipur in both the seasons and considered to be standard or acceptable product, but in other regions, this brand contained less AI and was found to be <95% pure which was considered as substandard product. The remaining brands contained 22-92% purity including SRL and MTX having small amount of AI (22-44% purity) and all these were unacceptable and impure. Fenitrothion with five marketed brands showed ≥ 96% purity only in SMT brand in Gazipur and Jessore in 2006-07 and in all the three locations in 2007-08 seasons and this brand considered as standard product. The other four brands of this insecticide had purity at substandard level in all locations in two seasons. Quinalphos with 8 marketed brands, only MLX in 2006-07 and BLX in 2007-08 seasons in all locations had ≥ 95 % purity which was standard product. ALX and CRX in 2006-07 were almost similar and close to MLX except one location, CRX in Gazipur and ALX in Jessore but these two brands were substandard and impure (65-86%) in next season in all locations. The other brands (KNX, QNP, VNR and SLX) were also substandard and impure having 59% to 87% purity.

Green manures can enrich soils with organic matter and nitrogen. An experiment was conducted at the Soil Science Field Laboratory of Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh to evaluate the residual effects of different green manures on the growth and yield of wheat (BARI Gom-26). The experiment containing nine treatments were laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The treatments were T₁ [No green manure + 100% Recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN)], T₂ (Sesbania aculeata + 75% RDN), T₃ (Sesbania aculeata + 50% RDN), T₄ (Sesbania rostrata + 75% RDN), T₅ (Sesbania rostrata + 50% RDN), T₆ (Vigna radiata + 75% RDN), T₇ (Vigna radiata + 50% RDN), T₈ (Vigna mungo + 75% RDN), and T₉ (Vigna mungo + 50% RDN). Residual effects of green manures with RDN significantly increased the yield attributes as well as grain and straw yields of wheat. Further, green manures exerted significant residual effects on grain, straw and total N uptake of wheat. Among various treatments with green manures, the performance of T₄ (Sesbania rostrata + 75% RDN) was the best as it produced the highest grain yield (4.28 t ha^-1), straw yield (4.74 t ha^-1) and total N uptake (108.02 kg ha^-1). The use of green manures slightly increased the organic matter content, total N and available P, K, and S contents of the post-harvest soils. As regards to the contribution of various green manures on yield contributing characters and yield of wheat, performances of  two Sesbania species viz., S. aculeata and S. rostrata in association with 75% N fertilizer were effective.

Individual selection is particularly indispensable in selection experiments for body weight in quail. Body weight is highly heritable trait. The study was conducted with the objective to assess the productive and reproductive performance and expected response to selection of second generation (G₂) of four quail varieties conserved at Bangladesh livestock Research Institute. At 5^th week of age, quails of first generation (G₁) were selected on the basis of breeding value according to their 5^th week body weight.  A total of 1953-day-old chicks were hatched in two batches for producing second generation (G₂). Diet containing 24% crude protein and 3000 kcal ME/kg were provided to the birds. The data were analyzed in a CRD factorial arrangement by General Linear Model (GLM) Univariate Procedure in SPSS Computer Program. The highest fertility was observed in White (98.31%) variety and hatchability was in Japanese (97.75%) variety. Differences in chick weight at hatch between White and Brown, Brown and Japanese, Japanese and Black, Black and White were approximately 6.90%, 2.74%, 6.20% and 10.51% respectively. The effect of variety and batch on 5^th week body weight was significant (p<0.001) but interaction effect of variety and batch was not significant (p>0.05). Black quail had significantly (χ² = 25.00; p<0.01) higher (17.62%) chick mortality than that of other three varieties. As a result of selection, body weight at 5^th weeks of age was expected to improve by 4.34g vs. 6.51g; 1.21g vs. 4.33g, 1.68g vs. 3.77g and 1.02g vs. 2.40g respectively for Japanese, White, Brown and Black males and females quail genotypes. It is therefore can be concluded that the White variety is superior in terms of higher body weight and higher fertility and medium chick mortality among the four quail varieties. In each generation, slight response was obtained for selection.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of simethicone against bloat in ruminants. The investigation was conducted in Potiya Upazila under the Chittagong district where routine veterinary services were in operation by the Community-based Dairy Veterinary Foundation (CDVF), Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh. The diagnosis of bloat in animals was done based on clinical history, clinical signs and examination of animals. A total of 90 ruminants (60 cattle, 10 sheep and 20 goats) affected with bloat were treated with simethicone containing two commercial products marketed in Bangladesh (One product such as Bloat Stop®, marketed by ACME Laboratories, Bangladesh and another imported product by other pharmaceutical company). For treatment, 1 gm simethicone in 100 ml solution in cattle and 200 mg simethicone in 20 ml solution in sheep and goats were administered once at a time. The efficacy of simethicone from two commercial products was evaluated on the basis of recovery rate of affected animals. The overall recovery rates in ruminants after treatment with Bloat Stop® and other commercial product were 80% and 76%, respectively. In cattle recovery rate was numerically higher (83%) when treated with commercial product than that of other product (80%). In sheep, recovery rate was numerically higher (80%) when treated with Bloat Stop® than that of imported product (60%). In goats, the recovery rate was 70% after treatment of bloat with both products. However, the recovery rates in ruminant did not differ statistically between two drugs used for treatment of bloat (p>0.05). In conclusion simethicome is an effective drug for clinical treatment of bloat in ruminants.

Naturally available seaweeds has not been utilized significantly in Bangladesh. In order to make a way for effective utilization of seaweeds, this study was focused on manufacture of different value added seaweed products and their acceptance to consumers. Four value added seaweed food products; namely, seaweed jelly, soup, ice-cream, curd; two functional food products, namely, seaweed singara, samucha/samosa, and two cosmetic products, namely, seaweed face pack, shampoo were prepared at Fish Processing Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh. Hypnea sp. seaweed powder was used in manufacture of all the products. For seaweed jelly, soup, ice-cream and curd consumer acceptance was 66.67%, 50%, 41.67% and 83.34%, respectively. For seaweed singara and samucha/samosa, 100% acceptance was found. Seaweed face pack and shampoo got 100% and 66.67% consumer’s acceptance, respectively. Thus, all these products have potential to be produced commercially.

The investigation was conducted on traditional fish drying activities of the Atrai upazila under Naogaon district from July 2011 to December 2011. There was only one fish drying point was found in study area. The observed fish drying points are seasonal (from July to December). There are sixteen fish species were identified for drying among study area. Most of the raw fish collect from local market or Atria River. Transportation of raw fish was done by non-mechanized van or by head load of the labour. Price of the raw fish varied according to the species, size and availability. It is observed that September-October peak period for drying. The rate of mixing salt in the study area was found as 1kg salt for 12 kg of raw fish. At normal weather condition drying duration recorded to be varied from 2-5 days depend on the size of the raw fish. Plastic, jute sack and sometimes bamboo baskets were used for packaging purpose. The marketing channel is too small here. It was found that all the dried fish product in study areas, carried to the Sayadpur dry fish wholesale market in Nilphamary district directly by producers. The annual production of dried fish range 6000-8000 Kg. The highest price per kg dried fish was found as 400-550 Tk (Baim) and the lowest was found as 90-120 Tk (Punti, Darkina, Colisa). The cost benefit ratio for fish drying activities of study area was 1:0.671. The dry fish trader faced some problem such as insufficient credit, lack of raw fish insect infestation, storage and marketing facilities. From the present study some recommendations were also formulated to minimize the problem.

The present study was conducted on the rural dairy cows to detect the bacterial species from clinical mastitis in dairy cows with their antibiogram studies during the period from January 2015 to June 2015. For this purpose two upazilla were selected under the Nilphamari district. On the basis of morphology, staining, cultural and biochemical characteristics, the isolated organisms were classified as, Staphylococcus spp., Streptococcus spp., E. coli, and Bacillus spp. .For this study, a total of 48 samples were collected from affected mastitis cows.  Out of 48 milk samples, 17 were positive for Staphylococcus spp. (35.42%), 9 were positive for Streptococcus spp. (18.75%), 7 were positive for E. coli (14.58%), 5 were positive for Bacillus spp.(10.41%),5 were positive for mixed organisms (10.41%) and 5 were unidentified organisms (10.41%). Antibiogram studies revealed that all of the isolates of Staphylococcus spp. were sensitive to gentamicin and were resistant to streptomycin.  Gentamicin was sensitive to all of the isolates of Streptococcus spp. and was resistant to streptomycin. The isolates of Bacillus spp. were sensitive to ciprofloxacin and Bacillus spp. was resistant to streptomycin. All of the isolates of E. coli were sensitive to ciprofloxacin the isolates were resistant to ampicillin and amoxicillin. Over all sensitivity revealed that ciprofloxacin, gentamicin and enrofloxacin were most efficacious. Thus, it may be recommended that ciprofloxacin, gentamicin and enrofloxacin in optimum doses would resolve most cases of clinical mastitis in dairy cows.

An experiment was conducted to examine the physicochemical properties of soil at Habla union under Basail upazila in Tangail based on the BINA (Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture) laboratory analysis of physical and chemical parameters during January to March, 2014. Total 30 soil samples from 10 points of Habla union were collected from 0-15 cm, 15-30 cm, and 30-40 cm depth of the soil respectively. To determine the soil texture the results were compared with the standard value of SRDI and BARC. Among the 30 soil samples, 25 soils texture classes were found sandy clay loam, 4 were sandy clay and rest one was clay loam. The comparative analysis showed that the average texture class is sandy clay loam. The bulk density ranged from1.23 to 1.91 g/cm3 for the total samples which leads to decide that bulk density is gradually increasing with soil depth. The moisture percentage at different depth of soil were 39.23 to 57.23 % (for 0-15 cm), 43.02 to 58.35 % (for 15-30 cm) and 42.08 to 58.24% (for 30-45 cm).The pH obtained from soil samples of the study area were 4.66 to 5.55 (for 0-15cm), 5.37 to 6.18(for 15-30cm), 6.33to 6.60 (for 30-45 cm). The percentage of organic matter of the soil samples were 0.55 to 3.97 % (for 0-15cm), 0.55 to 3.24 % (for 15-30cm), 0.69 to 2.28 % (for 30-45cm).The organic matter content in the surface soil is relatively low compared to standard level that decreases steadily with depth. The percentage of nitrogen (N %) was observed in different depth of the soil were 0.078 to 0.126 % (for 0-15 cm), 0.049 to 0.126 % (for 15-30 cm), to 0.074 % (for 30-45 cm) which revealed that the percentages of total nitrogen were fall with the depth compared to standard level. In different depth of soil, it was observed that the level of phosphorus (P) was very low compared to standard level where the phosphorus (P) concentration of the soil samples were 1.18 to 2.90 mg/kg (for 0-15 cm), 1.30 to 9.95 mg/kg (for 15-30 cm), 1.58 to 10.92 mg/kg (for 30-45 cm). On the other hand, it was observed that the sulfur (S) concentration was increased with the depth of soil compared to standard level. The sulfur (S) concentration of the soil samples were 5.21 to 11.98 mg/kg (for 0-15 cm), 5.37 to 14.16 mg/kg (15-30 cm), 9.03 to 15.09 mg/kg (30-45 cm). The potassium (K) concentration of the soil samples were 0.038 to 0.102 mg/kg (for 0-15 cm), 0.031 to 0.90 mg/kg (for 15-30 cm) 0.055 to 0.171 mg/kg (for 30-45 cm), which indicated that the low K content compared to the standard level. The overall physicochemical parameter of soil samples were not optimum for good agricultural production. As we know all the parameters either directly or indirectly influence the soil fertility and productivity. This was probably the reason for low productivity of soil in the study area.

An experiment was carried out from November, 2014 to February, 2015 at Dinajpur, Bangladesh to quantify the total water requirement of Strawberry for three indigenous cultivars RU-1, RU-2 and RU-3by using 12'' × 11.5'' Bucket-Type Lysimeter. Water requirement in zero evaporation condition for RU-1, RU-2 and RU-3 were 86.25 ± 0.23, 49.22 ± 0.31 and 73.42 ± 0.42mm respectively, which were significantly different (p< 0.01). After adding field evaporation total water requirement RU-1, RU-2 and RU-3 were 351.45 ± 0.23, 324.42 ± 0.31 and 338.61 ± 0.42mm respectively.ET₀(Potential evapotranspiration)value ranged between3.21-4.56 (mm/day) while seasonal ET₀ was approximately 457 (mm/season).ET_c (Evapotranspiration) value measured by using K_c (Crop coefficient) value and equations provided by FAO, (2016a, b) viz. 324.24 (mm/season). As plant only uses less than 1% of its total water uptake for metabolic use, Crop water requirement (CWR) can be easily represented by ET_c. However our CWR value is in line with the theoretical ET_c which clearly indicates level of accuracy. Therefore, it is highly recommendable for the local Commercial Strawberry growers to get robust yield.

Study was conducted to identify the changes in nutritional and microbiological aspects of fresh, smoked, salt-smoke-dried (SSD: treated with salt, smoke and sunlight), Control dried (CD: treated only with sunlight) tengra (Mystus tengara) during storage at ambient temperature (26-28^oC) and refrigeration temperature (4⁰C). The study was done to investigate the effect of natural preservatives salt and smoke on the shelf life of the product over the storage period. The moisture content of fresh tengra was 76.06% whereas 18.80 and 18.36% for SSD and CD respectively. Fresh tengra had 13.45% protein, 7.46% lipid and 2.80% ash. The initial value of protein, fat and ash content of SSD tengra was 63.40, 19.95 and 16.55% respectively on dry matter basis. During 60 days storage period moisture increased whereas protein, fat, and ash content decreased considerably. After two month storage at ambient temperature the protein, lipid and ash content for SSD tengra were 62.75, 19.07 and 15.99% respectively whereas the values of the same parameters stored at refrigeration temperature were 62.54, 19.54 and 16.12% respectively on dry matter basis. The initial TVB-N and SPC value for SSD tengra was 5.86 mg/100g and 1.02×10⁴ CFU/g respectively. During storage period the TVB-N and SPC value slowly increased and the values reached to 18.21 mg/100g and 3.32×10⁴ CFU/g respectively for salt-smoke-dried tengra stored at ambient condition whereas 11.81mg/100g and 2.14×10⁴ CFU/g respectively for the products stored at refrigeration temperature. The overall quality of salt-smoke-dried product was better than control dried product on the basis of organoleptic, nutritional and microbial aspects. Information obtained from this study it is cleared that, combination of salting, smoking and drying is efficient method of fish processing which could be useful to consumers, processors, and nutritionist at national and global basis.

Estimating profitability and yield gap between research station and farm level of Binamoog-8 was conducted in five major Binamoog-8 growing areas of Bangladesh, namely Ishwardi, Magura, Natore, Jessore and Meherpur. The average cost of production in farm level of Binamoog-8 is Tk. 47373.55ha^-1 and higher in Ishwardi (Tk. 53454.92 ha^-1) followed by Meherpur, Magura, Natore and Jessore of Tk. 45160.28, Tk. 44300.14, Tk. 45232.95 and Tk.  48719.47 per hectare, respectively .The major shares of total cost were human labour, power tiller and irrigation. The net returns were Tk.  41160, Tk. 42902.30, Tk. 53603.18, Tk. 47494.60 and Tk. 40437.16 per hectare followed in Ishwardi, Meherpur, Magura, Natore and Jessore, respectively. The highest net return (Tk. 53603.18 ha^-1) comes from Magura district for Binamoog-8.The undiscounted average benefit cost ratio over full cost basis were 1.77, 1.95, 2.21, 2.05 and 1.83 for Binamoog-8 in field level for Ishwardi, Meherpur, Magura, Natore and Jessore, respectively. The average yield gap of Binamoog-8 in farm level and research station was 129.05 kg per hectare. The yield gap between research station and farm level were 102.97 kg, 185.50 kg, 45.85 kg, 128.50 kg and 182.45 kg per hectare for Binamoog-8 in Ishwardi, Meherpur, Magura, Natore and Jessore, respectively. The highest yield gap between research station and field level was in Meherpur (185.50 kg per hectare) and lowest in Magura (45.85 kg per hectare).  Farmers were facing various constraints in Binamoog-8 cultivation. Different strategies, such as lack of quality seed and fertilizer in appropriate time, lack of credit facilities, rainfall during germination period, insect infestation and pathogen infection, pod maturity in different times have been discussed as strategies to minimize yield gaps.

Marine organisms are a rich source of natural products with potential secondary metabolites that have great pharmacological activity. Starfish are known as by-catch products in the worldwide fishing industry and most of starfish have been got rid of by fire destruction without any utilization. On the other hand, starfish are considered as extremely rich sources of biological active compounds in terms of having pharmacological activity. In the present study, molecular identification of starfish species, micronutrient content and hemolytic activity from Luidia quinaria, Astropecten scoparius, and Patiria pectinifera were examined. Nucleotide sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA gene fragment of mitochondrial DNA indicated that partial sequences of PCR products of the species was identical with that of L. quinaria, A. scoparius, and P. pectinifera. From the results of micronutrient contents, there were no great differences on the micronutrient among species. However, Cd, Cu, and as contents had species-specificity. The crude extract of three starfish showed hemolytic activity against 2% rabbit erythrocytes with 50% hemolytic concentration of 10-1000 µg/mL. The findings of the present study provided some basic information about identification of starfish species, potentialities of starfish which could be utilized in food and pharmaceutical industry.

A trial was conducted with 175 day old Ross broiler chicks to evaluate the effectiveness of Alisma canaliculatum (Water plantain or Theksa), Laminaria japonica (Sea tangle or Dashima) and Cornus officinalis (Cornelain cherry or Sansuyu) medicinal plants treated with probiotics in replacing antibiotic. Three medicinal plants were prepared in dry and flour form with treatment of probiotics.  The groups were control (basal diet), antibiotic (basal diet + 0.05% OTC, oxytetracycline), Water plantain treated with Probiotics (WPP) 0.5%, Sea tangle treated with Probiotics (STP) 0.5% and Cornelian cherry treated with Probiotics (CCP) 0.5% in basal diet. The broilers were distributed in a completely randomized design having 5 replications with 7 chicks per replication in wire cage. The data were analyzed by SAS package program. Addition of three medicinal plants in broiler diets didn’t show negative effect on growth and feed conversion efficiency in broilers. Significantly highest protein percentage in broiler meat was found in groups fed the three medicinal plants treated with probiotics (WPP, STP and CCP) compared with other groups (P<0.05). Crude ash also increased significantly by the three medicinal plants addition compared to control especially in breast meat (P<0.05). Addition of probiotics treated with medicinal plants had similar beneficial effects on most of the observed parameters to those found in antibiotic-fed groups, so it implies that these three medicinal plants can be the possible alternatives to antibiotic for broiler production.

Nosocomial infections and antibiotic resistance are serious and growing phenomenon in contemporary medicine and has emerged as one of the public health concerns. A total of seventy isolates of bacteria were collected from patients. The selected isolates include 33 (56.9%) from males and 25 (43.1%) from females. All bacteria were susceptible to imipenem followed by amikacin, ceftazidime, ciprofloxacin and tobramycin, respectively. The multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacterial isolates (33 isolates) divided into four groups named Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus were selected to be identified according to the keys of different identification protocols. Escherichia coli found to be the most frequent pathogen within MDR isolates followed by Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumonia, respectively. The MICs and MBCs of (Imipenem, Amikacin, Ceftazidime and ciprofloxacin) against the most resistant isolates were determined. Generally, P. aeruginosa (Strain No. 55) was found to be the highest resistant bacteria. Plasmid profile of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was carried out, after incubation at 37^oc for 24hr recorded no changes in plasmid and compared with incubation at 43^oc (plasmid curing) which showed complete removal of plasmid bands and the tested bacteria became more sensitive to antibiotics. This study therefore determined the prevalence, anti-biotic susceptibility and plasmid patterns of P. aeruginosa strains from clinical specimens obtained from the intensive care units of Zagazig University Hospital in Egypt.

The Patharghata Fishery Ghat in Chittagong is one of the largest fish landing centers in Bangladesh. The study aimed to explore different types of gears and crafts used from the landing center, fish species caught by the gears, and certain degree of socio-economic condition of the fishermen. Data were collected from local fishermen through on the spot inspections, Personal Interview (PI), and Focus Group Discussion (FGD). The gears used from the landing center were classified as Large Mesh Drift Gill Nets (DGNs), Marine Set Bag Nets (MSBNs), and Trammel Nets. Mainly 7 types of DGNs having the mesh sizes ranging from 2.5 to 16 inches had been used by the fishermen of which Lakkha Jal, Lal jal and Char Shuta Jal were the most commonly used DGNs to catch Hilsha, Lakhua, Pomfret etc. Hilsha Shad (Tenualosa ilisha) was the most dominant species and about 60% of different nets were used to catch this species. Only single type of artisanal fishing craft (trawlers) was found in the landing center and is propelled by inboard engine. The capacity of the trawlers varied from 8 to 22 metric tons. In case of socio-economic condition, most of the fishermen belonged to the age groups of 21-30 and 31-40 years; each represented 31% of the total fishermen. About 91% of fishermen were found to be Muslim and rest 9% were Hindu. The average members of the nuclear and joint families were 3.78 and 7.83 per household, respectively; however, these groups of people were being deprived in their society. The study also revealed that about 67% of fishermen had no formal education and 27% had primary and rest 6% had secondary level of education. The annual income of the fishermen ranged from BDT 50,000 to 100,000 and the main expenditure of their earnings were for food (80%), followed by physical treatment (10%) of their family members. They had hardly any savings. Lack of knowledge and government support, and illiteracy were the major problems of the fishermen in the landing center.