Ocular manifestations among the professional computer workers attending the out patient department of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University : a cross sectional study

The computer vision syndrome has become a burning issue in this modern world with the advancement of the technology and its wide use. This study was planned to determine the prevalence of computer vision syndrome among professional computer workers as well as it’s associated risk factors. The cross-sectional study was conducted in the Departments of Community Ophthalmology and Ophthalmology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka from September 2017 to February 2020. The professionals using computer on an average 4 hours per day for a duration of at least 1 year attending out patient department for having treatment for their ocular problems were the study population. A total of 77 such subjects were consecutively included in the study. In this present study, the preva- lence of computer vision syndrome (CVS) was 46.8%. The present study demonstrated that middle class and upper-middle class professionals were more likely to be associated with CVS than the lower-middle class computer professionals with risk of developing CVS in former cohort was observed to be almost 3-fold (95% CI=1.1–7.5) higher than that in the latter cohort (p = 0.027). The duration of working on computer predisposes the development of CVS with mean duration of working was on an average 1.2 years higher in subjects with CVS than that in subjects without CVS. Subjects who maintained their level of personal computer(PC) at or above their eye level (while working on computer) were more prone to develop CVS with odds of developing the condition in them being 3.6(95% CI = 1.3-9.7) times higher than the subjects who maintained the level of PC below their eye level (p = 0.010). Glare display also emerged as significant predictor of CVS with odds having the condition being 9.8(95% CI = 1.1-88.6) times higher than that with PCs without glare display (p = 0.016). Seating posture at computer also have its impact on the development of CVS. Computer workers with inappro- priate seating posture are more often associated with the development CVS. The study concluded that over one-quarter of the computer professionals suffer from computer vision syndrome (CVS). The predominant symptoms of CVS are eye strain, irritation of eye, blurred vision and headache. The factors that contribute to the development of CVS are middle class and upper-middle class professionals, prolonged working exposure to computer, level of PC at or above the eye level of the workers, glare display on the screen and inappropriate seating posture. BSMMU J 2021; 14(3): 31-3

Comparison of intraocular pressure and retinal nerve fibre layer thickness in pre-menopausal and post-menopausal women attending outpatient department of BSMMU

In a menopausal lady, a reduced level of estrogen hormone leads to changes in the intraocular pressure (IOP) and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in the eyes. This comparative study was carried out in the Outpatient Departments (OPD) of the Community Ophthalmology and Ophthalmology of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, from April 2017 to June 2019 to identify any difference in IOP and RNFL thickness in pre-menopausal and post-menopausal women aged 40-65 years. In this study, 60 pre-and post-menopausal women were included. Participants 40-50 years old with irregular menstruation were classified as group A, while those 51-65 years old with no menstruation for at least 12 months were classified as group B. More than one-fourth (26.7%) of participants had HTN in group A and 53.3% in group B. HTN was significantly associated with group B. The rise in menopausal age had a significant impact on the mean IOP and RNFL. The mean IOP in right eye (RE) was 11.80 (3.31) mm of Hg in Group A and 15.63 (3.01) mm of Hg in Group B. The mean IOP in left eye (LE) was 12.27(3.78) mm of Hg and 15.47(2.84) mm of Hg in Group A and Group B, respectively. The mean IOP of both eyes was 12.03±3.48 mmHg in Group A and 15.55±2.82 mmHg in Group B. The mean difference of IOP in RE, LE and both were statistically significant between the two groups. The mean RNFL in RE was 103.97±7.42 μm in Group A and 98.90±}6.21 μm in Group B. The mean RNFL in LE was 101.87±6.69 μm and 97.97±6.65 μm in Group A and Group B, respectively. The mean RNFL of both eyes was 102.92±7.77 μm in Group A and 98.45±7.86 μm in Group B. The mean RNFL was statistically significant between the two groups. Post-menopausal women are at an increased risk of developing elevated IOP and thin RNFL than premenopausal women. BSMMU J 2022; 15(2): 61-6

Characterization of phage φ O139, a Vibrio cholerae O139 temperate bacteriophage with cohesive DNA termini

A temperate bacteriophage isolated from Vibrio cholerae O139, the new epidemic strain of cholera, was found to have a polyhedral head 65 nm in diameter and a rigid contractile tail 120 nm in length. The phage chromosome was a double-stranded DNA of 35 kb, with unique cohesive ends and had a G + C content of 58.8%. A restriction map of the phage DNA was constructed using the restriction endonucleases AvaI and BstEII. The phage, whose presence could be detected in nine out of 13 V. cholerae O139 isolates tested, was found to have identical chromosomal integration sites in all the strains. The phage attachment site (attP) was found to be located very close to one end of the genome

Emerging two-dimensional nanomaterial and its modifications for enhanced antiviral applications: a review

Highly resilient pathogens, especially viruses and antibiotic-resistant bacteria, present formidable challenges to public health due to their ability to evade conventional treatments. Traditional microbial disinfection methods, such as chemical deactivation and physical filtration, often fail to effectively neutralize viruses, thus leading to harmful by-products. In light of these limitations, there is a growing need for innovative solutions to address viral disinfection. Photocatalytic microbial disinfection has emerged as a promising approach, primarily explored for bacterial pathogens. However, its antiviral potential remains underinvestigated. Two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials, with their unique physico-chemical properties, represent a breakthrough in photocatalytic technology, offering advantages such as high surface area, tunable optical characteristics and enhanced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). This review assesses the photocatalytic properties of emerging 2D materials—such as graphene, transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4), black phosphorus (BP) and MXenes—focusing on their potential for antiviral applications. While much of the current research emphasizes antibacterial activity, this review explores how functionalization, doping and composite formation of these materials could enhance their antiviral capabilities, offering a novel avenue for combating viral pathogens and addressing global health challenges

Wilson disease in a Bangladeshi child: A case report

Wilson disease, also known as hepatolenticular degeneration results from improper metabolism of copper due to deficiency or low level of caeruloplasmin which causes excessive accumulation of copper in liver, brain, eyes and different organs. This is not a curable disease. The patient needs a lifelong treatment but early diagnosis can prevent significant damage to the critical organs. This article presents a case study on Wilson disease and the role of radiology in helping to diagnose the disease and monitor patients with this condition.Bangladesh Med J. 2016 Jan; 45 (1): 54-56</jats:p

Amino terminus of Plasmodium falciparum acidic basic repeat antigen interacts with the erythrocyte membrane through band 3 protein

The acidic basic repeat antigen (ABRA) of Plasmodium falciparum is localised in the parasitophorous vacuole, and associates with the merozoite surface at the time of schizont rupture. By virtue of its protease-like activity, it is implicated in the process of merozoite invasion and schizont rupture, and therefore, possibly interacts with erythrocyte membrane proteins to execute its function during these events. In this study, using Escherichia coli expressed recombinant fragments of ABRA, we have demonstrated that ABRA interacts with red blood cells through its N-terminus. Out of the four human erythrocyte proteins tested, namely, band 3, glycophorin A and B and spectrin, ABRA showed dose-dependent and saturable binding with the band 3 protein. This binding was lost on chymotrypsin treatment of erythrocytes or their membrane extract. Studies with the deletion constructs of the N-terminus revealed that the binding domain lies in the cysteine-rich N-proximal region of ABRA. In addition to the recombinant fragments, native ABRA derived from the P. falciparum-infected erythrocytes also showed binding to band 3 protein. Sequencing of the cysteine-rich 528 bp region, amplified from fifteen field isolates of P. falciparum, showed that not only the five cysteines of mature ABRA but also the whole sequence is fully conserved, even at the nucleotide level. This sequence conservation of the N-terminus and its role in RBC binding suggests that this region may be crucial for any putative function of ABRA, therefore emphasising its importance as a vaccine/drug target

Ocular manifestations among the professional computer workers attending the out patient department of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University : a cross sectional study

The computer vision syndrome has become a burning issue in this modern world with the advancement of the technology and its wide use. This study was planned to determine the prevalence of computer vision syndrome among professional computer workers as well as it’s associated risk factors. The cross-sectional study was conducted in the Departments of Community Ophthalmology and Ophthalmology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka from September 2017 to February 2020. The professionals using computer on an average 4 hours per day for a duration of at least 1 year attending out patient department for having treatment for their ocular problems were the study population. A total of 77 such subjects were consecutively included in the study. In this present study, the preva- lence of computer vision syndrome (CVS) was 46.8%. The present study demonstrated that middle class and upper-middle class professionals were more likely to be associated with CVS than the lower-middle class computer professionals with risk of developing CVS in former cohort was observed to be almost 3-fold (95% CI=1.1–7.5) higher than that in the latter cohort (p = 0.027). The duration of working on computer predisposes the development of CVS with mean duration of working was on an average 1.2 years higher in subjects with CVS than that in subjects without CVS. Subjects who maintained their level of personal computer(PC) at or above their eye level (while working on computer) were more prone to develop CVS with odds of developing the condition in them being 3.6(95% CI = 1.3-9.7) times higher than the subjects who maintained the level of PC below their eye level (p = 0.010). Glare display also emerged as significant predictor of CVS with odds having the condition being 9.8(95% CI = 1.1-88.6) times higher than that with PCs without glare display (p = 0.016). Seating posture at computer also have its impact on the development of CVS. Computer workers with inappro- priate seating posture are more often associated with the development CVS. The study concluded that over one-quarter of the computer professionals suffer from computer vision syndrome (CVS). The predominant symptoms of CVS are eye strain, irritation of eye, blurred vision and headache. The factors that contribute to the development of CVS are middle class and upper-middle class professionals, prolonged working exposure to computer, level of PC at or above the eye level of the workers, glare display on the screen and inappropriate seating posture. BSMMU J 2021; 14(3): 31-37</jats:p

Comparison of intraocular pressure and retinal nerve fibre layer thickness in pre-menopausal and post-menopausal women attending outpatient department of BSMMU

In a menopausal lady, a reduced level of estrogen hormone leads to changes in the intraocular pressure (IOP) and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in the eyes. This comparative study was carried out in the Outpatient Departments (OPD) of the Community Ophthalmology and Ophthalmology of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, from April 2017 to June 2019 to identify any difference in IOP and RNFL thickness in pre-menopausal and post-menopausal women aged 40-65 years. In this study, 60 pre-and post-menopausal women were included. Participants 40-50 years old with irregular menstruation were classified as group A, while those 51-65 years old with no menstruation for at least 12 months were classified as group B. More than one-fourth (26.7%) of participants had HTN in group A and 53.3% in group B. HTN was significantly associated with group B. The rise in menopausal age had a significant impact on the mean IOP and RNFL. The mean IOP in right eye (RE) was 11.80 (3.31) mm of Hg in Group A and 15.63 (3.01) mm of Hg in Group B. The mean IOP in left eye (LE) was 12.27(3.78) mm of Hg and 15.47(2.84) mm of Hg in Group A and Group B, respectively. The mean IOP of both eyes was 12.03±3.48 mmHg in Group A and 15.55±2.82 mmHg in Group B. The mean difference of IOP in RE, LE and both were statistically significant between the two groups. The mean RNFL in RE was 103.97±7.42 μm in Group A and 98.90±}6.21 μm in Group B. The mean RNFL in LE was 101.87±6.69 μm and 97.97±6.65 μm in Group A and Group B, respectively. The mean RNFL of both eyes was 102.92±7.77 μm in Group A and 98.45±7.86 μm in Group B. The mean RNFL was statistically significant between the two groups. Post-menopausal women are at an increased risk of developing elevated IOP and thin RNFL than premenopausal women. BSMMU J 2022; 15(2): 61-64</jats:p