Sulphur mustard (SM) is a bifunctional alkylating agent that causes cutaneous blisters in human and animals. Remedies to SM-induced dermatotoxicity are still in experimental stage. Due to inevitable requirement of a wound-healing formulation against SM-induced skin lesions, efficacy of formulations including povidone iodine, Aloe vera gel, betaine or framycetin sulphate was evaluated in present study. SM was applied percutaneously (5 mg/kg) once on back region of Swiss albino mice; and after 24 hours, DRDE/WH-02 (Defence Research and Development Establishment/ Wound Healant- 02, containing polyvinylpyrrolidone [PVP], A. vera gel and betaine), Ovadine, Soframycin or A. vera gel were applied topically, daily for 3 or 7 days in different groups. Skin sections were subjected to histopathology, histomorphologic grading, tissue leukocytosis, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL) assay and immunohistochemistry of inflammatory-reparative biomarkers. DRDE/WH-02 treated mice received highest score on the basis of histomorphologic scale and lowest number of TUNEL-positive cells compared to other groups. DRDE/WH-02 showed better wound healing as evidenced by widespread re-epithelialization, homogenous fibroplasias well supported by the expression of transforming growth factor-α, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and fibroblast growth factor. Upregulation of interleukin 6 in DRDE/WH-02-treated mice skin resulted in increased tissue leukocytosis and an early removal of tissue debris that initiated reparative process at faster rate compared to other groups. In conclusion, DRDE/WH-02 provided better healing effect and can be recommended as an effective wound healant against SM-induced skin injury.

Comparative inhalation toxicity studies of aerosols of insect repellents N,N-diethylbenzamide (DEB), N,N-diethylphenylacetamide (DEPA), and N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide (DEET) were carried out in mice. The respiratory pattern was monitored using a computer program that recognizes the modifications of the breathing pattern. Exposure to the aerosols caused a dose-dependent decrease in normal breath, with an increase in airway obstruction. All the three insect "sensilla irritants" showed no significant mammalian sensory irritation. The acute LC(50) value for a 4-h exposure of DEB, DEPA, and DEET aerosols in male mice was found to be >2.5 g/m(3), 1714 mg/m(3), and 1369 mg/m(3), respectively. Irreversible depression in respiratory frequency was observed after exposure to DEB aerosol at a concentration of 277 mg/m(3) and above, which did not revert back to normal level even after aerosol exposure was stopped. At a concentration of 156 mg/m(3) of DEB, no respiratory depression was observed. DEPA and DEET caused no depression in respiratory frequency up to a concentration 1292 and 950 mg/m(3), respectively. Hence the two insect repellents DEET and DEPA do not cause any harmful effect to the respiratory parameters in acute exposure, showing that they are more suitable chemicals to be used as insect repellents as compared to DEB.

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Background : Adolescence is particularly a transition period of human development which has profound influence on a person’s future. In Bangladesh adolescents usually gather their knowledge about reproductive health from their family and surroundings and therefore their knowledge remains incorrect and insufficient. Government increases the provision of schooling for girls but there is no provision of sex education. Objective : To assess the knowledge of adolescent girls about pregnancy and antenatal care. Methods : A cross sectional study was done during the period of January ’15 to June ’15 among 143 students of class 1X and X of 2 rural private schools of Rupganj and Narayanganj. Simple random sampling method was applied for enrolling the study population and data was collected by interview method using pretested questionnaire. Finally, data was analyzed by SPSS version 17. Result : Most of the respondents had average knowledge about pregnancy and antenatal care. Nearly three-forth (61.5%) of the respondents had incorrect knowledge about pregnancy period and majority (76.3%) do not know about the correct mother’s organ for developing baby during pregnancy. Maximum respondents (95%) had good knowledge about extra care of a pregnant mother. Although 74.8% mentioned about TT vaccination of a pregnant mother but majority (65%) did not know detail about the vaccines’ dose and schedule. Statistically significant difference found in knowledge on pregnancy and antenatal care among married and unmarried girls. (P=<0.05) Conclusion : Knowledge of adolescent girls about pregnancy and ANC was average in our rural area. Northern International Medical College Journal Vol. 11 No. 1 July 2019, Page 423-426

Background: Osteoarthritis of knee joint is one of the most common problem which cause pain, loss of function even joint disability and increases misery and morbidity in old age. Now a day’s intra-articular injection of single Hyaluronic acid or corticosteroids (Methylprednisolone) are using for knee osteoarthritis cases. But the combined therapy by injection of both Hyaluronic acid and Methyl prednisolone are not so much practiced and still under debate. Objectives: To compare the efficacy of intra-articular injection of combined Hyaluronic acid and Methyl prednisolone with single Hyaluronic acid alone. Methods: A prospective, comparative study was done in Northern International Medical College Hospital, Dhaka, during May 2017 to April 2018 at Out Patient Department with 80 patients (132 knees). Patients were randomized into two groups: Group-A with 40 patients with 15 unilateral and 25 bilateral knee cases (65 knees) were treated with combined Hyaluronic acid and Methyl prednisolone and Group-B with 40 patients with13 unilateral and 27 bilateral knee cases (67 knees) were infiltrated with single Hyaluronic acid. Results were evaluated with Knee Society Score (KSS) and Visual analogue score (VAS) at the 1st week, 1st month and 3rd month after injection. Result: In both Group (A and B) patients of age 61–70 years were highest, 50% and 45% respectively. Male and female ratio was 1:2.2. At the 1st week KSS for pain in Group-A (mean 65.6) was better than Group-B (mean 57.4). At the 1st month mean pain scores (Group-A 72.4, Group-B 64.4) and the 3rd month (Group-A 81.4, Group-B 75.6) and mean function scores at 1st week (Group-A 61.3, Group-B 49.6)), 1st month (Group-A65.1, Group-B 53.6) and 3rd month (Group-A68.4, Group-B 59.4). The KSS for pain and function improved in combination therapy group.VAS decreased in both groups. Conclusion: As combination therapy by Hyaluronic acid and Methyl prednisolone showed better efficacy than single Hyaluronic acid. Therefore, combination of these two drugs in a single vial can be used as an effective and easy nonoperative treatment of knee osteoarthritis. Northern International Medical College Journal Vol.10 (2) Jan 2019: 366-369