MPhil Thesis

Impact of knowledge, attitude and practice on rural women and children with soil-transmitted helminths infections in Rangpur

2025-11-06T04:23:14Z

Impact of knowledge, attitude and practice on rural women and children with soil-transmitted helminths infections in Rangpur Liza, Fahmida Tasnim A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) among school-age children (ages 6–12 years) and rural women (ages 15–49 years) from the Bengali and Santal communities in Rangpur, Bangladesh. A total of 352 women responded to the questionnaire on knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) related to STH infections. Socio demographic data reveals differences in religion, marital status, income, education, profession, and toilet facilities between the Bengali and Santal populations. Income, education, occupation, and the type of toilet user with STH infections correlate significantly with KAP (p < 0.05). Out of the 234 stool samples that were collected and examined, 81.9% and 100% of the samples from women (N = 188) and children (N = 46), respectively, were determined to be infected. A. lumbricoides was the most common STH (78.72% and 78.26%), whereas T. trichiura was the least prevalent parasite (3.19% and 4.3%) in both groups respectively. Women with low or no knowledge of the importance of eating well-cooked food, maintaining good hygiene, and receiving basic health education were shown to be substantially more likely to have high rates of STHs (p < 0.05). In this study, two categories — nail trimming and use of anthelmintic drugs by women from both populations were found to be positively associated with STH infections (p < 0.05). There was no discernible correlation (p > 0.05) between the prevalence of STHs and physical conditions such as diabetes, body mass index (BMI), COVID-19, and upset stomach. Interventions like deploying health extension workers, upgrading hygienic facilities, and promoting improved personal hygiene should be considered throughout the community. The results indicate the need for health education and improvement in community socioeconomic status. This thesis is submitted for the degree of Master of Philosophy.

EXPERIMENTAL APPLICATION OF L-HISTIDINE FOR IMPROVEMENT OF MICROBIOLOGIC AND PATHOLOGIC FEATURES OF SHIGELLOSIS

2025-09-03T05:32:44Z

EXPERIMENTAL APPLICATION OF L-HISTIDINE FOR IMPROVEMENT OF MICROBIOLOGIC AND PATHOLOGIC FEATURES OF SHIGELLOSIS Shigellosis is one of Ihe major diarrheal diseases related lo morbidity, hospitalization, and death in many developing countries like Bangladesh. The management of shigellosis lias become more complicated in these countries with the alarmingly increasing rate of plasmid mediated antibiotic resistance among Shigella organisms due lo inappropriate and excessive use of different antimicrobials and drugs. Antibiotic therapy is very expensive lor mass use besides having some side effects. In the race of the development of resistance of Shigella, we lace the future of having no effective drugs. So this study is for a search of an alternatives. As Shigellosis is an acute inflammatory diarrheal disease and because of the anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties of L-histidine , the in vivo effects of L-histidine was evaluated in a rabbit model of acute shigellosis induced by S. Jlexneri 2a infection. After 24 hour of infection, rabbits (n=102) were given two hourly, 10 mL of 3.8% solution of L-histidine (n=5I) by intraperitoneal injection or a L-histidine-free solution that means placebo (n=51). Rabbits were sacrificed after 24 hour of bacterial inoculation, and at 24, 48, 72 hours of post treatment for histologic, bacteriologic and biochemical evaluation. L-histidine concentrations in scrum reached at the highest level after 15 minutes of administration (809 nM/mL) which declined over 120 minutes. S. Jlexneri induced typical dysentery characterized by fecal blood, mucus, leukocytosis and severe colonic inflammation. L-histidine significantly (p<0.05) reduced fecal blood, mucus and improved diarrhea, fever, leukocytosis and weight loss. L-histidine significantly (p<0.05) rcduccd mucosal congestion, cellular infiltration and necrotic changes. Improvement of inflammation indicated by histopathologic grading scores from mild lo severe which were significantly lower in L-histidine treated groups compared to placebo groups at 48h and 72h respectively (1.71 ± 0.21 vs 2.36 ± 0.28; 1.02 ± 0.16 vs 2.11 ± 0.20, p<0.05). Macroscopic scores of inflammation ranging from mild to severe were significantly lower in Ihe in L-histidine treated groups compared lo placebo groups at 24h, 48h and 72h respectively (8.8 ± 2.8 vs 10.6 ± 3.1; 4.7 ± 2.2 vs 8.7 ± 2.9, p<0.05; 5.0 ± 1.3 vs 8.1 ± 2.8). Mucosal myeloperoxidase activity and bactcrial counts has a positive correlation with resolution of inflammation due to L- histidine treatment. From this study it may be considered that L-histidine has the potential effects in reducing inflammation and clinical severity of infection with acute shigellosis and further studies should be earned out to evaluate it’s role in the treatment of shigellosis in humans. This may be contributed in the therapeutic fight against the multi-drug resistant Sltigella-induccil infections on millions of people around the world, particularly in Bangladesh This thesis is submitted for the degree of Master of Philosophy.

FOOD AND FEEDING HABITS OF FRESHWATER ELASMOBRANCHS

2025-09-01T08:15:37Z

FOOD AND FEEDING HABITS OF FRESHWATER ELASMOBRANCHS Quamruzzaman, A.S.M. Extensive study program has been conducted on the Matamuhuri River System of the Cox’s bazar and the Shibsa River System, Khulna to explore the possibility of occurrence, collect and to identify freshwater clasmobranch from the waterbeds of Bangladesh. Two species of fresh water elasmobranch have been identified during the present study. These are Dasyatis bennetti and Dasyatis zugai. Food and feeding analysis indicated that these fishes are predominantly carnivorous. During the study, ecological aspects of the study area were also studied. Two parasites, viz. Argulus sp. and Ergaslus sp. have been identified. It has been assumed that these clasmobranch Fishes arc not fully of freshwater but they are merely visitors of freshwater ecosystem. The presence of premature specimens indicates that these fishes use freshwater ecosystem as their breeding or feeding or growing ground This thesis is submitted for the degree of Master of Philosophy.

ESTERASE ISOZYME VARIATION AND POLYTENE CHROMOSOME ANALYSIS IN THE MELON FLY, BACTROCERA CUCURBITAE {DIPTERA: TEPHRITIDAE)

2025-09-01T06:14:09Z

ESTERASE ISOZYME VARIATION AND POLYTENE CHROMOSOME ANALYSIS IN THE MELON FLY, BACTROCERA CUCURBITAE {DIPTERA: TEPHRITIDAE) Hasanuzzaman, Md. The melon fly Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett) is well known as a destructive pest of fleshy fruits and vegetables in many parts of the world including Bangladesh. Esterase (EST) isozyme banding patterns were observed on 5% Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (PAGE) during the different life stages (i.e. egg, larva, pupa and adult) and also sweet gourd, which was used as larval food. Two bands, EST-1 and EST-2, showing seven allelomorphs were found. There were four electromorphs in EST-1 (Est-104*’, Est-10'"’8, Est-10X7 and List-11 00), had a high mobility and close to the anode and EST-2 had three allelomorphs (Est-2017, Est-20"7 and Est- 20'37), showed a low mobility and close to the cathode. The standard photographic maps of salivary glands polytene chromosomes were also observed in the different larval stages (lsl and 2"(l instar larvae) of B. cucurbitae. In second instar larvae, the whole polytene genome had been mapped by dividing it into 100 sections and the sub sections were lettered. The banding pattern was moderately developed here. The left end of the chromosome is characterized by dark bands in 4A. 6 and 14A. Sections 9 and 14B, each bears one pair faint bands. On the other hand, 15 comprises one pair moderately dark bands. The expanded regions in sections 3, 16 and 20 are not typical puff, rather section 16 bears a dotted band. The tip (section 1) has faintly stained two bands. Weak points are VIII found in 2 and 19. Deeply stained bands occur in sections 30, 31 and 41. Sections 33 and 40 are characterized by dotted bands; 39 and 42 comprise two moderately developed pulTregions. Breakage occurs at 26. Sections 52, 55- 57 are characterized by a series of dark bands. Sections 48 and 50 have similar single band. There is a poorly developed puff region in section 58. Lightly stained two pairs of bands present in section 68. Sections 72, 73, 74 and 79 possess single band. One pair lightly stained bands occurs at 77 and 78. There is a prominent puff in section 80 together with a dark band immediately proximal to it. Weak points arc found in 63, 76 and 81. Section 83 possesses three clear bands. A scries of lightly stained and deeply stained bands are found in the sections 87 and 95. Section 100 appears only as a well-developed puff in the total polytene chromosome complement. Three weak points are found in 91, 97 and 98. In the case of Ist instar larvae, salivary gland cells were at early stages of maturity. So the banding pattern of polytene genome was not developed at this stage. This observation showed that B. cucurbitae is an excellent genetical material for esterase isozyme and polytene chromosome analysis. The investigation has been proved to be very useful for obtaining more detailed genetic information on the natural populations of this pest This thesis is submitted for the degree of Master of Philosophy.