bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Climatic Influence on the Phytoplankton Communities of the Upper Reaches of the Southern Bug River (Ukraine)
Authors: Bilous Olena , Barinova Sophia , Klochenko Petro
Published: January 2015

A total of 98 taxa of algae were observed in phytoplankton, sampled monthly, from the Khmelnitsky monitoring station in the Southern Bug River, Ukraine, between April 2010 and March 2011. Chlorophyta species are the richest taxonomic group with 46 taxa, followed by Bacillariophyta, Euglenophyta, Cyanoprokaryota, Dinophyta, Chrysophyta, Streptophyta, and Xanthophyta. Seasonal dynamics of species distribution in taxonomic divisions shows that the role of Bacillariophyta in communities was high in January-March, which were replaced by greens in March-September. Euglenoids were developed in February-December and bluegreen algae in summer communities only. Strong positive correlations between temperature and species richness was observed. Abundance and biovolume of phytoplankton were maximal in summer, caused mostly by Dolichospermum flos-aquae (Lyngb.) Wacklin, Hoffmann and Komarek and Ceratium hirundinella (O. Müll.) Bergh. The river ecosystem has two periods of trophic levels - high at summer and low at winter. Bioindication characterizes the river as low alkaline and low mineralized with a moderate organic pollution level, revealed aspects of seasonal changes and revealed the main source of organic pollution as flowing from the catchment area during ice melting and rains. Organic pollution indices fluctuate within narrow limits suggesting relative stability of the river ecosystem that is shown also by Shannon indices. The calculated indices, comparative statistics, CCA, and bio-indication analysis exhibits a low pollution level in the Khmelnitsky monitoring station that can be used as a model of aquatic community dynamics under seasonal fluctuation in the southern boreal province climate, applicable for monitoring of the Southern Bug River.
The Economic and Ecological Potential of Macrophytic Vegetation in Urban Lakes
Authors: Irimia-Hurdugan Oriana
Published: January 2015

This paper considers certain elements relating to the ecological and economic importance of the aquatic macrophytes common in the Câmpia Română/Romanian Plain lakes, especially those species belonging to the genera Myriophyllum and Potamogeton, common in Bucharest’s urban lakes. At present, the macrophytes of the Bucharest lakes are collected by personnel of the Lakes, Parks and Leisure Administration of Bucharest by mechanised and manual methods, which are sun-dried and transported as waste and deposited in a landfill. Thus these macrophytes are merely generating costs through harvest, transport and storage, instead of being a direct revenue source for the City hall. This study presents a review of international literature in support of the economic potential as fertiliser for open field crop, orchard and garden crop application, as well as food for farm animals. The last portion of the paper argues the vital need for the preservation of macrophyte stands in the lacustrine habitat for green, sustainable and integrated management of the urban lakes used for leisure and fishing.
Long- and Short-Term Changes of the Structure of Macrophytes in Lake Piaseczno in Relation to Land Use in the Łęczna-Włodawa Lakeland (Poland)
Authors: Sender Joana , Maślanko Weronika
Published: January 2015

The Łęczna-Włodawa Plain, known also as the Łęczna-Wlodawa Lakeland, lies within the territory of the largest subregion of the Polesie region, covering over 1,300 km2. The main interest of the Łęczna-Włodawa Lakeland is that it is the oldest in the Central European Lowlands group of about 68 lakes. Among such a large number of lakes there exist all trophic types. However, since the late 1950’s, enormous dynamics of change associated with the disappearance of oligo- and mesotrophic lakes and their transformation into eutrophic, even hypertrophic, lakes have been observed. One of the biocenotic elements of the lakes, which are indicators of these changes, is aquatic plants. The aim of this study was to determine the macrophyte structure of Piaseczno Lake and changes of land use in its surroundings. Piaseczno Lake still represents very high natural values. A reduction in the number of macrophyte communities, which occurred especially in 2008, was a consequence of the fast-growing recreation infrastructure.

From 1976 until 2010 an area of recreation infrastructure in the studied area increased more than 3.5 times, and in the built-up area more than five times, as well as a doubling of the total length of the roads. Meanwhile the surface area of wetlands and peatbogs significantly decreased - more than 11 times.

Long-term changes in the structure of the macrophyte communities show that the number of communities has varied in each year, probably as a consequence of changes in landuse. Analysis showed changes to the surfaces inhabited by macrophytes, which have decreased significantly over only four years, by more than 25%. However, the proportion of rush communities has increased.
Analysis of the Microsatellite Variation in the Common Hybrid Between Russian Sturgeon (Acipenser Gueldenstaedtii Brandt and Ratzeburg, 1833) and Siberian Sturgeon (Acipenser Baerii Brandt, 1869) from Aquaculture
Authors: Georgescu Sergiu , Canareica Oana , Dudu Andreea , Costache Marieta
Published: January 2015

Sturgeons such as Acipenser baerii and Acipenser gueldenstaedtii are the most common species farm raised worldwide in aquaculture, because of the dwindling natural sources of caviar and meat. Also, these species can easily participate in the formation of an intraspecific hybrid with a great potential for growth in aquaculture.

Microsatellites are nuclear markers consisting of short repetitive sequence, dispersed across the entire genome with characteristics such as relatively small size and high level of polymorphism. The aims of the present study were to optimize a protocol for microsatellite multiplexing and analysis of genetic diversity in hybrid sturgeons farmed in Romania.

Genomic DNA was isolated from fins, and four pairs of primers were designed to amplify microsatellite loci: LS 19, LS 68, Aox 9, and Aox 45. Amplification of the microsatellite loci was carried out in one 3-Plex reaction for LS 19, LS 68, and Aox 9, and monoplex reaction for Aox 45. For an individual locus we obtained four alleles for Aox 45, eleven alleles for Aox 9, six alleles for LS 68, and eight alleles for LS 19. The results will be applied to test the broodstocks at Romanian hatcheries and to increase the efficiency of breeding.
Genetic Diversity of Brown Trout Populations Using Mitochondrial Markers In Relatively Similar Geographical and Ecological Conditions – a Carpathian Case Study
Authors: Popa Gina-Oana , Khalaf Miad , Dudu Andreea , Curtean-Bănăduc Angela , Bănăduc Doru , Georgescu Sergiu , Costache Marieta
Published: January 2015

Among the species of salmonids that exist in Romania, the most common is the brown trout (Salmo trutta, morpha fario, Linnaeus, 1758), with a high commercial potential, being used for aquaculture or fishing. Unfortunately, its natural habitat is disrupted by human activities and in order to avoid local extinction of Salmo trutta fario repopulation strategies are being applied. The repopulation activities must be carefully designed and conducted taking into consideration that there is a high risk of hybridization. Our study aims to analyze the genetic diversity of three Romanian brown trout populations found in rivers in the Făgăraş Mountains using mitochondrial markers.

Standard DNA extraction protocol with phenol-chloroform was applied to the biological material represented by small fin fragments sampled from 80 individuals of brown trout, followed by PCR amplification of D-loop control region and Sanger sequencing. Alignment and editing of all the sequences obtained were carried out with Bioedit, the phylogenetic tree construction was performed by Neighbour Joining method implemented in MEGA v5, and intra- and interpopulational diversity was evaluated with DNAsp v5 and MEGA v5.

For the three brown trout populations, 13 haplotypes were identified for N1, 11 for N2 and 10 for N4, with a haplotype diversity greater than 0.8. The phylogenetic tree topology showed that individuals chosen for this study were placed in the Danubian clade as the other Danubian sequences selected from GenBank.

The study proved that the three Salmo trutta fario populations analyzed were genetically distinct and that in Romania there are still are pure Danubian brown trout populations.
Reproductive Ecology of Mangrove Flora: Conservation and Management
Authors: Raju Aluri Jacob Solomon
Published: January 2015

Mangroves are dynamic and unique inter-tidal ecosystems, common in tropical and subtropical coastal environments. They are among the world’s most productive ecosystems and are important in protecting coasts from erosion by fierce tides, in promoting the diversity of marine organisms and fisheries by contributing a quantity of food and providing favourable habitats for animals. These economic uses of mangroves indicate that they play an important role in the lives and economies in the coastal regions of different countries. Mangrove forests are under immense threat worldwide due to their multiple economic uses and alterations of freshwater inflows by various upstream activities in catchment areas. Mangrove plants with unique adaptations play a crucial role in sustaining life in mangrove forests. Their reproductive biology is central to understanding the structural and functional components of mangrove forests.

The success of sexual reproduction and subsequent population expansion in mangrove plants is linked to flowering timings, pollinators and tidal currents. Viviparous and cryptoviviparous plants are true mangroves while non-viviparous ones are mangrove associates. The dispersal propagule is seedling in viviparous and non-viviparous plants while it is seed in nonviviparous plants. In this study, viviparous and crypto-viviparous species were included for study. These species are self-compatible, self-pollinating and also cross-pollinating; such a breeding system is a requirement for the success of sexual reproduction and subsequent build up and expansion of population. They are entomophilous in the study region. The viviparous plants include Ceriops tagal, C. decandra, Rhizophora apiculata, R. mucronata, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza and B. cylindrica. The non-viviparous plants include Avicennia alba, A. marina, A. officinalis, Aegiceras corniculatum and Aegialitis rotundifolia. Sexual reproduction and regeneration events are annual in these plants and are dependent on local insects, tidal currents and nutrient content in estuarine environment.

In recent times, erratic and insufficient rainfall together with industrial pollutants released into rivers is causing negative effects on the growth, development and regeneration of mangrove flora. In effect, there is a gradual decrease in mangrove cover. Added to this is continuous exploitation of mangrove plants for fuel wood, creation of shelters for cattle and changes for industrial establishments and aquaculture development in estuarine regions. As a consequence, the existing mangrove cover is struggling to survive and also not in a position to support local needs and provide livelihood opportunities through fishery resources. Further, reduced mangrove cover is showing catastrophic effects on fishing communities who live along the shore line during the period of cyclonic surges and tsunami events.
Analysing Learning at the Interface of Scientific and Traditional Ecological Knowledge in a Mangrove Ecosystem Restoration Scenario in the Eastern Coast of Tanzania
Authors: Sabai Daniel , Sisitka Heila
Published: January 2015

Records from community-based coastal management initiatives indicate that local communities who are key actors in activities that aim at safeguarding the health status of terrestrial and marine ecosystems face a lot of challenges associated with adapting and applying indicators that are scientifically abstracted and methodologically too reified, given varying social, contextual and technical conditions prevailing amongst them.

This paper brings into view possible challenges of adapting and applying scientific indicators in community-based monitoring of mangrove ecosystem and suggests a new approach that may lead to development of indicators which are less reified, more congruent to users (coastal communities) and likely to attract a wider social learning in the mangrove restoration context. It also sets a bridge for scientific institutions (including universities), to understand various social, cultural and contextual needs that determine epistemological access between them and local communities, which need to be addressed prior to engaging target communities in participatory monitoring programmes.

The paper attempts to analyse learning at the interface of knowledge that scientific institutions produce and the potential knowledge that exists in local context (traditional ecological knowledge) for purposes of widening and improving knowledge sharing and safeguarding the health status of mangrove species and fisheries that use them as key habitats.

The paper stems from a study which employs processes of abstraction and experiential learning techniques such as Experiential Learning Intervention Workshop carried out in 2012, to unlock knowledge that local communities have, as an input for underlabouring existing scientific indicators in the eastern coast of Tanzania.

It brings into view the need to consider contextual realities on ground, the level of education that the participating group has, the minimum level of participation that is required, structures that govern coastal monitoring practices at local level and the need for scientific institutions to consider the knowledge that local people have as an input for enhancing or improving coastal monitoring, especially monitoring of mangrove and fishery resources.

The paper finally comes up with a framework of indicators which is regarded by coastal communities as being less reified, more contextually and culturally congruent and which can easily be used in detecting environmental trends, threats, changes and conditions of mangrove and fisheries resources, and attract wider social learning processes.
Aqueous phase fly-ash catalyzed [4+2] Diels-Alder reaction of aryl enones and cyclopentadiene: Synthesis and insect antifeedant activities of aryl bicyclo [2.2.1] heptene-2-yl-methanones
Authors: Thirunarayanan G.
Published: January 2015

A series containing ten aryl 3-(substituted phenyl) bicyclo [2.2.1] heptene-2-yl-methanone derivatives including 3- (substituted phenyl) bicyclo [2.2.1]hepten-2-yl-(pyren-1-yl)- methanones have been synthesized by aqueous phase fly-ash catalyzed [4+2] Diels-Alder cyclo addition reaction of cyclopentadiene and aryl chalcones. The yields of the methanones are more than 60%. The synthesized methanones are characterized by their physical constants and spectral data. The insect antifeedant activities of synthesized methanones have been studied using Dethler’s leaf-discs bioassay method.
An assessment of factors influencing empowerment levels of females: a case study of Pokhara
Authors: Thapa Arjun Kumar , Gurung Leena
Published: January 2015

This study is an attempt to analyze the association between social, economic and demographic factors on the female teachers’ empowerment level. A cross?sectional data was generated following two stage random sampling. First 20 schools were selected then 189 respondents were randomly selected and interviewed. In this study rather than women’s age, age at marriage, work experience and husband’s education and occupation, women’s self achievement to earn more income, economic status and positive attitude towards job have positive influence in enhancing empowerment. This study underpins the importance of economic interventions to empower and uplift all round condition of women. Along with it this paper again stirs the most heated debate among the activist, academicians and service providers regarding appropriate intervention strategy for upliftment of women.Key words: Empowerment; Women; Economic; Social and demographic factors; PokharaEconomic Journal of Development IssuesVol. 11 & 12 No. 1-2 (2010) Combined IssuePage: 1-8Uploaded date: 10 April, 2012
Corporate social responsibility: evidence from Nepalese financial service and manufacturing sectors
Authors: Chapagain Bal Ram
Published: January 2015

This study, first, aims to trace the evolutionary path of definitions and perspectives on corporate social responsibility (CSR) particularly during the last fifty years or soand then examine the Nepalese financial service and manufacturing sector managers’ strategic and moral views on CSR. Besides, it also seeks to measure the CSR performanceof companies and examine the relationship between management views on CSR and actual CSR performance. The study finds that the trend on CSR thinking has movedfrom philanthropy to better stakeholder relations and competitive/strategic advantage of organizations and even nations. In Nepalese context, however, the moral view onCSR is stronger than strategic view on CSR. Likewise, the actual CSR efforts are not as greener as the views are. Responsibility towards government seems to be highest and the responsibility towards society is the lowest in both the sectors. Analysis also reveals that overall CSR performance of companies is much more correlated to the moral view on CSR than to the strategic view on CSR. In this context, the government, pressure groups and other stakeholders are also required to further encourage socially responsible corporate behaviour for more equitable and just society.Key words: Corporate social responsibility;strategic view; Moral view; CSR performance; Financial service sector; Manufacturing sector; NepalEconomic Journal of Development IssuesVol. 11 & 12 No. 1-2 (2010) Combined IssuePage:9-20Uploaded date: 10 April, 2012
Land and natural resources: central issues in the peace and democratisation process in Nepal
Authors: Khadka Keshab
Published: January 2015

Land has been the central issue to human society since the dawn of civilization. Primitive society took it as free gift of nature. Land and livelihood has become the intertwined focal issues in the epochal social transformation processes famous in different era of human civilizations which gave birth to the problem of ownership entitlement, the milestone of turning land as source of state power. Actually, review and reappraisal of land relations has remained always a hot issue in all revolutionary changes and Nepal could not be an exception to this trend. Nepal needs, in fact, a package programme of infrastructure facilitations widening rural access along with strengthening farm input hardware such as full season irrigation, all weather transportation network, cheaper electrification, mechanization with technical supports, cooperatives extending in both output increment and marketing promotions for landless and marginal farmers based on participatory approach. The environment friendly management of water and forest resources to boost up bio-diversity based farming technology is urgently feltneed for which they fought lifelong and supported the peoples’ movement.Key words: Land and natural resources; Peace and democratisation process; Package programme; NepalEconomic Journal of Development IssuesVol. 11 & 12 No. 1-2 (2010) Combined IssuePage:47-68Uploaded date: 10 April, 2012
Sexual and reproductive health of low income adolescence girls in Nepal: can education be a catalyst?
Authors: Hamal Prabha Kumari
Published: January 2015

Using data from five districts of Mid-Western and Far-Western Development Region, this paper reaches to conclusion that education has significant and influential roles in determining the sexual and reproductive health of adolescence girls, particularly of those who are from low income families. A rough ‘U’ shaped relationship between education and reporting of health problems and gender-based violence was observed.Key words: Sexual and reproductive health; Low income adolescence; Girls; Nepal; Education; CatalystEconomic Journal of Development IssuesVol. 11 & 12 No. 1-2 (2010) Combined IssuePage: 92-98Uploaded date: 10 April, 2012
The Little Book of Economics: How the Economy Works in the Real World
Authors: Khadka Chakra Bahadur
Published: January 2015

Economic Journal of Development IssuesVol. 11 & 12 No. 1-2 (2010) Combined IssuePage: 158-160Uploaded date: 10 April, 2012
Tapping talents in India through diasporas network: Opportunities and challenges
Authors: Sudan Falendra Kumar
Published: January 2015

India had a strong cultural emphasis on education both at private and government level. Since 1990s, government spending on education has been growing at 12% a year, of which roughly a fifth goes towards higher education. By 2030, share of skilled labour in working population will be just 6.2% compared to 14% for world as a whole and 40% in high income countries. While India has made rapid strides in expanding higher education systems, she still faces a number of challenges in terms of effectively utilizing existing supply of talent as well as increasing it sufficiently to meet demands of rapidly growing economy. How to leverage expertise and knowledge of Diasporas for benefit of India is main issue the paper addresses and emphasizes beginning of a new agenda of promoting policy reform and institutional innovation in collaboration with Diasporas networks, which can be crucial bridges between policy, technological and managerial expertise and local scenarios. The public policy reform, educational innovations and promotion of a knowledge-based private sector are few areas where Diasporas members could team up with local governments and external funding agencies to tap Indian talents and promote equitable development.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ejdi.v13i0.7195 Economic Journal of Development Issues Vol.13 & 14 2011, pp.15-33
Public private partnerships in urban wastewater management: The Adelaide experience and lessons for Developing Countries
Authors: Keremane Ganesh
Published: January 2015

The concerns about the availability of freshwater to meet the demands of a growing population while sustaining a healthy natural environment are based on several factors: uncertainties as to the availability of supplies; the high costs of developing additional water supplies; the vulnerability of the resource and the problems of restoring and protecting valued surface and groundwater resources; the importance of reliable supplies of high-quality water for human and environmental health and economic development; and the shortcomings of our institutions for allocating scarce supplies in response to changing supply and demand conditions. Therefore water management authorities around the world are challenged with ensuring the quantity, quality, and allocation among the various uses of water are sustainable.This paper is based on the household survey of the irrigators using recycled water from the scheme to irrigate their crops in Virginia. The paper elicits their point of view on various issues related to wastewater usage and the rules-in-use governing wastewater management related to the scheme.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ejdi.v13i0.7207 Economic Journal of Development Issues Vol.13 & 14 2011, pp.34-50
Skills and HRD in the emerging global market perspective: A case of India
Authors: Awasthi I. C.
Published: January 2015

Skills are regarded an important growth driver in knowledge based globalised economy. In most of the developed nations and fast growing economies have very high proportion of skilled work force, while the skill levels among the Indian work force is abysmally low and probably among the lowest in the world. One of the reasons for the low skill trained manpower is terribly low institutional training capacity and the vocational education and training systems as being too supply driven and far-removed from market demand. India has distinct advantage of young age-population with declining dependency ratio which is termed as ‘population dividend’ while the industrialized nations have ageing population with rising dependency ratio. This precisely gives India an advantage with huge competitive edge internationally. While industrialized nations will be facing acute shortage of skills with increasing dependency ratio, India can harness this huge potential if skill development initiatives fructifies in right direction which will then be in real sense a ‘population dividend’. If this opportunity is missed then it may well turn in to ‘demographic nightmare’The paper aims at examining the skill issues in the context of globalization and seeks to scrutinize how the skilling efforts have moved on to central stage in order to reap the benefits. The paper explores the theme both from the demand and supply perspectives in a complex yet exciting global environment.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ejdi.v13i0.7210Economic Journal of Development Issues Vol.13 & 14 2011, pp.51-64
Measuring the price of labour in agricultural economies: the shadow wage rate
Authors: Sharma Bishnu Prasad
Published: January 2015

Labour market imperfections are one of the leading causes of economic backwardness that result in under utilization of labour, the most important input in production process. Labour markets are shallow in subsistence agricultural economies which causes problem in determining the wage rate. The household production function provides an alternative to estimating the shadow wage rate such that it reflects the opportunity cost of labour. The most important deductions of the household production function are: the marginal productivity of labour is its shadow wage rate and; at equilibrium, the marginal returns from labour are exactly equal across all activities. This paper uses data collected in 2008 in course of a leasehold forestry study from 297 households from Makwanpur district of Nepal using a multi stage sampling. This paper estimates the marginal productivity of labour in maize production, the most common form of economic activity, for male and female labour. It examines how the money wage rate and the actual wage rate may differ from the shadow wage rate reflected by marginal productivity of labour in agriculture. The findings reveal that the actual wage rate for male labour is inflated and exceeds its marginal productivity while female wage rate slightly understates its marginal productivity. The paper concludes with policy recommendation of ensuring institutional mechanisms to correct for these imperfections. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ejdi.v15i1-2.11860 Economic Journal of Development Issues Vol. 15 & 16 No. 1-2, pp. 24-35
Economic impact of microfinance in Nepal: a case study of the Manamaiju Village Development Committee, Kathmandu
Authors: Adhikari Dipak Bahadur , Shrestha Jayanti
Published: January 2015

The concept of micro-credit was developed to mobilize small savings of poor people to create deposit, which may be accessible to unreachable and un-bankable poor, especially women. The study has highlighted that microfinance is an effective tool for bringing positive impact on the economic status of the respondents along with their family members. It has helped to generate extra income for their family and their own use. The extra income allows the respondents family to buy nutritious food, access to modern health care services and they can afford to send their children to the school.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ejdi.v15i1-2.11861Economic Journal of Development Issues Vol. 15 & 16 No. 1-2, pp. 36-49
Does higher education affect total factor productivity in Nepal? An exploration through the lens of ARDL bounds test
Authors: Dahal Madhav Prasad
Published: January 2015

Education-centered human capital is one of the variables extensively used to model growth equations with the resurgence of growth theories in the 1980s primarily with the publication of Romer’s 1986 and Lucas’ 1988 seminal papers. Education contributes growth through its direct benefits to the individual and positive externality to the society. Theory claims that education enhances economic growth by working as an input of production and by being an agent of technological innovation, dissemination, and imitation. Previous empirical evidence on the effect of education on growth is mixed. This paper empirically examines the effect of higher education on total factor productivity in the aggregate level of the economy of Nepal employing time series data of the period 1975-2011 applying the ARDL method of cointegration. The findings are not encouraging on the issue.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ejdi.v15i1-2.11869Economic Journal of Development Issues Vol. 15 & 16 No. 1-2, pp. 76-102
Payment and settlement system development in Nepal: hurdles and way out
Authors: Giri Pralhad
Published: January 2015

As stipulated in Nepal Rastra Bank Act, 2002 under article 4 (C), one of the prime objectives of the central bank is to develop a secure, healthy and efficient system of payment, where the function of the same has been given in Article 5 (i) as to establish and promote the system of payment, clearing and settlement and to regulate these activities. Advent of new payment gateway backed by technology has prompted Nepal to develop an efficient national payment system to regulate all the electronic payment mechanism in the country and help integrate small businesses and consumers in the economy. This paper is an attempt of deriving the assessment of payment system of Nepal, with a view to modernize its scope for smooth functioning of financial system. The study suggests that central bank should act on promulgating solid legal and regulatory framework by establishing separate Payment and Settlement Division in order to carry out the function of oversight and operations. It is further recommended to harmonize relations with different government authorities to liberalize infrastructure services; thus ensures smooth execution different payment and settlement services.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ejdi.v15i1-2.11871Economic Journal of Development Issues Vol. 15 & 16 No. 1-2, pp. 116-127
Public Policy Analysis and Design
Authors: Panta Laxmi
Published: January 2015

N/ADOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ejdi.v15i1-2.11875Economic Journal of Development Issues Vol. 15 & 16 No. 1-2, pp. 165-167
Thirteen-year follow-up of parasellar intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia successfully treated by surgical excision: case report
Authors: Sim Sook Young , Lim Yong Cheol , Won Keun Soo , Cho Kyung Gi
Published: January 2015

Intracranial intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia (IPEH) is very rare, and to our knowledge long-term follow-up results have not been previously published. An 11-year-old boy presented with a 6-month history of progressive visual impairment in the right eye. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a well-enhanced, large parasellar mass involving the cavernous sinus, right frontal skull base, and ethmoid and sphenoid sinuses. Frontotemporal craniotomy and subtotal resection were performed, and the diagnosis of IPEH was confirmed. The mass increased in size during the following 3 months. A second operation was performed via frontotemporal craniotomy combined with a transsphenoidal approach, and gross-total resection of the tumor was achieved. Adjuvant radiotherapy (5040 cGy) and chemotherapy with interferon were administered. The patient's visual symptoms improved, and there was no recurrence during a 13-year follow-up period. The results of this case indicate that intracranial IPEH can recur with subtotal resection; however, optimal resection with multimodal adjuvant treatment can control the disease for many years, if not permanently.
Denervation of the infraspinatus and release of the posterior deltoid muscles in the management of dyskinetic external shoulder rotation in cerebral palsy
Authors: Blaszczyk Izabela , Granström Anna Cecilia , Wiberg Mikael
Published: January 2015

OBJECT

The dyskinetic subtype of cerebral palsy is difficult to manage, and there is no established gold standard for treatment. External rotation of the shoulder(s) is often managed nonsurgically using injections of botulinum toxin A into the external rotator muscles. This article reports a new surgical technique for managing external rotation when botulinum toxin A treatment is not sufficient or possible.

METHODS

Six patients with dyskinetic cerebral palsy underwent denervation of the infraspinatus muscle and release of the posterior part of the deltoid muscle. Postoperative questionnaires were given to the patients/caregivers, and video recordings were made both pre- and postoperatively. Preoperative and postoperative Assisting Hand Assessment was possible in only 1 case.

RESULTS

Five patients were very satisfied with their outcome. Four patients' video recordings showed improvement in their condition. One patient developed postoperative complications.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicate that denervation of the infraspinatus muscle and posterior deltoid release can be an option for patients with dyskinetic cerebral palsy to manage external rotation of the shoulder when other treatment alternatives are insufficient.
Practice of Informed Consent, Confidentiality and Privacy by Physicians at a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital
Authors: Rafique Zoheb Rafique , Bhatti Urooj
Published: January 2015

Objective: The aim of this paper was to assess the practice of medical ethics by the physicians at a public sector hospital in Jamshoro Sindh. Material and methods: This survey was conducted at four medical units of tertiary care hospital at jamshoro in the month of august 2014. Participants were randomly selected from patients aged over 18 years. A structured questionnaire was designed and the participants were asked about their demographic profile and their physicians practice regarding informed consent, maintaining confidentiality, privacy and other treatment formalities. Written consent was taken from all the participants before interview.Results: A total of 100 patients were randomly selected for this study. The majority of patients reported that informed consent was taken from them. The patients also responded that privacy and confidentiality is maintained during their treatment. However, many patients agreed that they were not properly informed about the laboratory findings, role of proposed drugs and also side effects of drugs. Conclusion: There is marked improvement in the practice of medical ethics by physicians of this tertiary care hospital. However, awareness workshops should be conducted to update and improve the knowledge of medical ethics among physicians. This will surely help them translate the knowledge into practice. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bioethics.v5i3.21531 Bangladesh Journal of Bioethics 2014 Vol.5 (3): 1-5.
Editorial Vol.5(3)
Authors: Ahmed Tahera
Published: January 2015

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bioethics.v5i3.21537Bangladesh Journal of Bioethics 2014; vol 5 issue 3
Frequency of Diabetes and Prediabetes in Heart Failure Patients and Their Association with In-Hospital Outcome
Authors: Begum Noortaj , Abdullah Abu Sadique , Khan Md. Aminul Haque , Sultana AN Wahida , Osmany DMMF , Mollah Forhadul Hoque
Published: January 2015

Background: There are an increasing number of hospital admissions due to heart failure with diabetes or prediabetes in different hospitals in Bangladesh. But very little is known about the frequency of diabetes and prediabetes and the effect of its presence on the characteristics and outcome in patients hospitalized for heart failure. The objective of this study was to find out the frequency of diabetes and prediabetes in heart failure patients and to assess their association with in-hospital outcome.Methods: This cross sectional analytical study was done in the department of Biochemistry and Cardiology of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University in collaboration with department of Cardiology of National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, and Dhaka Medical College Hospital from July 2010 to June 2011. After proper ethical consideration a total two hundred and fifty heart failure patients were enrolled in the study by nonrandom sampling. Fasting blood sugar was done in all patients and oral glucose tolerance test was done in patients with impaired fasting glycaemia. Results: The frequency of prediabetes among the total population was 12.8% (95% CI, 8.7-16.8) and that of diabetes was 37.2% (95% CI, 31.2-43.2%). Improvement was achieved in 27 (84.4%) cases in prediabetic group, 75 (80.6%) cases in diabetic group and 105 (84.0%) cases in nondiabetic group. Mortality rates in prediabetes, diabetes and nondiabetes were 5 (15.6%); 18 (19.4%) and 20 (16.0%) respectively. The differences found among the three groups were not statistically significant (p>0.05). Length of hospital stay was also similar in all groups of study subjects. Conclusion: Frequency of diabetes among heart failure patients is high and pre-diabetes is not negligible in our country. Future studies in this field should focus on all types of glucose abnormalities rather than previously diagnosed diabetes only.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/cmoshmcj.v13i1.19409
Clinical Study of Snakebite Cases Admitted in Dhaka Medical College Hospital
Authors: Chakraborty Prabal , Deb Nath Jishu , Faiz MA , Das Anannya , Chowdhury Abdul Qayum
Published: January 2015

Background: Snake bite is an important health hazard which may lead to fatality in rural areas of Bangladesh. An epidemiological study estimated the incidence of snake bite in Bangladesh about 8,000 per year with 22% mortality. In majority of cases the victims die before entrance to hospital because of their treatment seeking behavior from Ohzas. Present study is to see the clinical profile of snake bite cases admitted in Dhaka Medical College Hospital and also to find out problems in diagnosis and management and outcomes.Methods: Fifty patients of snake bites treated in Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh between July 2005 and December 2006 were studied. A questionnaire, containing information on bite, physical examination and identification of snake brought was used.Results: Among the patients venomous snake was 6 (50%) with cobra and 6 (50%) with suspected krait bite. Males were bitten more frequently than females 42(82%) versus 9(18%). Regarding occupation, 28 (56%) was farmer. Majority 37(74%) came from rural areas. Highest number of bite occurred in evening 20(40%). Most snake bite occurred during rural foot walking (30%) followed by sleeping (14%).Total 54% of bite occurred during outdoor activities. Most common site of bite is lower limb 35(70%). Tight tourniquet used in 45(90%) cases and in 8(16%) cases limb was immobilized. Twenty eight (56%) of the patients received treatment from Ohzas. All venomous bites (12) presented with features of neurotoxicity with local envenoming in 6(50%) cases. In 6(50%) cases there were only neuroparalysis. Four (33.34 % of venomous snake) patients required respiratory support and 10(83% of venomous bite) patients required antivenom. There were no anaphylactic reactions and only 2 patients suffered pyrogenic reaction. The outcome was excellent with only one death and only one case of residual effects.Conclusion: To develop an appropriate prevention and control strategy, reliable and timely information has a crucial role. A functional mechanism should be developed to gather information not only about the cases and deaths but other aspects of the snakebite epidemiology.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/cmoshmcj.v13i1.19410
PAP-Smear Study and its Utility in Cervical Cancer Screening in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Chittagong, Bangladesh
Authors: Yeasmin Sabina , Begum Tahera , Begum Lutfun Naher , Ahmed A.S.M. Mostaque , Osman Babul
Published: January 2015

Background & Purpose: In developing countries, cervical cancer is the most common gynecological cancer and one of the leading causes of cancer death. Cervical cancers can be prevented through early detection and cervical smear is a sensitive test for it.Materials & Methods: This retrospective study was carried out at Chattagram Maa- Shishu O General Hospital, between July 2012 and June 2013. Total 500 patients were screened having complaints of vaginal discharge, irregular bleeding per vagina, post coital bleeding or something coming out per vagina. History and symptoms along with parity were recorded. Smears were taken by trained Doctor using modified Ayres wooden spatula and plastic endocervical cytobrush which were inserted and rotated 360 over cervix. Both ectocervix and endocervix were sampled. Slides were prepared, labeled, fixed in 95% ethyl alcohol immediately and subsequently stained by pap stain. After staining, slides were mounted with DPX (distren dibutyl phthalate xylene), screened and reported by two Cytopathologist according to The 2001 Bethesda system.Results: Age ranged from 20 to 50 and 50 to75 years with an average age of 37 years. Four hundred sixty five (93%) cases showed inflammatory lesions, 15 (3%) showed atrophy, 8 (1.6%) showed metaplasia and others showed ASCUS, AGUS, LSIL, HSIL, SCC. Eighty percent of all the epithelial abnormalities were found in the age group of 40 years and above. Average age of patients for all the epithelial abnormalities was 49 years.Conclusion: Cervical cancer is one of the most common malignancies in the women of Bangladesh. Pap smear cytology is a useful screening tool to detect pre-invasive cervical epithelial lesions. Based on the findings of this study we recommend at least a single life-time Pap screening cytology of the uterine cervix of all the women aged 40 to 50 years.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/cmoshmcj.v13i1.19412
Study of Association of Primary Vesicoureteric Reflux in Children Suffering from Urinary Tract Infection
Authors: Saha Bablu Kumar , Haque Md. Mahfuzul , Paul Swapan Kumar , Alam Mohammed Shadrul , Karim Md. Shahid
Published: January 2015

Purpose: The retrograde flow of urine from the bladder to the upper urinary tract is known as vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). The association between VUR and UTI represents a significant threat to the kidney in the form of pyelonephritic scarring. Early diagnosis of reflux and identification of the pyelonephritic aggression are important for successful therapy. Purpose of this study is to find out the association between primary VUR and urinary tract infection.Objective: Early diagnosis of VUR presenting as UTI to prevent renal damage and also to asses the result of initial management of primary VUR. Materials and methods: From April 2004 to April 2005, 40 patients of documented UTI were evaluated with VCUG to demonstrateVUR in Dhaka Shishu Hospital. VUR grade III and above were further evaluated with DMSA renal scan to demonstrate renal scarring. Among reflux patients 6 patients underwent surgery (Cohen ureteric reimplantation), 8 patients were treated non-operatively and one patient died of renal failure. Non- VUR grouped patients were treated with antibiotic according to culture sensitivity report for 10 days. VUR patients were followed up for 12 weeks.Results: E.coli was the commonest organism causing UTI. Fifteen patients (38%) having different grades of primary VUR and it was more in male child and in below 1- year age group. Episodes of fever were the predominant clinical scenario followed by failure to thrive, loss of appetite, cloudy urine and frequent voiding. ARM was the commonest associated anomaly (27%).Conclusion: UTI especially in male child was associated with VUR in 38% of this study population. ARM was the common associated anomaly. Renal scarring was noted in higher grade of reflux.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/cmoshmcj.v13i1.19413
A Study on Prevalence of Reproductive Tract Infections Amongst Women Attending in an Urban Clinic
Authors: Khan Kabir Ahmed , Islam Sk Md. Jaynul , Akhter Shirin
Published: January 2015

Introduction: One element of reproductive health that directly concerns human well being is reproductive tract infections (RTI). The magnitude of the problem of RTIs is a growing public health concern in developing countries like Bangladesh. Aim: A study was carried out in the out patient department of a busy urban clinic with an attempt to study the Reproductive Tract Infections (RTIs).Materials and Methods: A descriptive type of cross sectional study was carried out in the Gynaecology OPD of an urban clinic at Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh during the period from July 2007 to December 2007. The study population includes the women of reproductive age group (15-49 years). Among 1061 reported women 176 respondents were selected for the study with a systematic purposive sampling technique. Data were collected from prescription sheets of the concerned gynecologist, laboratory investigation reports and questionnaires used for interview.Results: Mean age of the respondents was 30.56+6.1. Among 176, 174 (98.86%) were married. Depending on clinical symptoms 32 (18.19%) were diagnosed as RTI, after clinical examinations 39 (22.16%) and while after laboratory investigations 42 (23.9%) were diagnosed as RTI. Among 39 provisionally diagnosed RTI cases 13 (33.33%) were diagnosed as PID, 10 (25.64%) as mixed infection and 05 (12.82%) as vulvovaginitis clinically. Among 42 confirmed RTI cases 16 (38.09%) were confirmed as bacterial vaginosis, 04 (9.52%) as trichomoniasis, 07 (16.66%) as candidiasis, 06 (14.28%) as mucopurulent cervicitis while 01 (2.38%) was diagnosed as syphilis. Among 28 abortion cases 10 (35.71%) developed RTI while among 38 MR cases 18 (46.36%) developed RTI. Among 34 IUD users 22 (64.7%) developed RTI while for other contraceptive method users only 19 (15.8%) developed RTI.Conclusion: Although the study was in a limited scale and the findings of it will not only serve as a guideline for taking preventive measures, but can be used as a basis for futureresearch and planning.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/cmoshmcj.v13i1.19415