Background/aim: Few studies have reported on the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of glaucoma in south Asia. This project aimed to determine the prevalence of glaucoma of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Method: A multistage, stratified, clustered sample was drawn from Dhaka Division, Bangladesh, using systematic sampling to identify individual subjects aged 35 years and older. Examination of all subjects included Snellen visual acuity, slit lamp examination (including gonioscopy and applanation tonometry) and a stereoscopic assessment of the vertical cup:disc ratio (CDR). In selected subjects, a threshold visual field examination was performed. Glaucoma was diagnosed on the basis of statistical abnormality of the vertical CDR combined with an abnormal visual field test, or in subjects with advanced glaucoma who could not complete field testing, a grossly abnormal CDR. If it was not possible to examine the optic discs and the subject was blind, glaucoma was diagnosed on the basis of a raised intraocular pressure. Results: Of 3562 eligible subjects, 2347 were examined (66%). Among people aged 40 years and older, the prevalence of definite glaucoma was 2.1% (95% confidence interval: 1.5 to 2.9; 39 people). The prevalence of definite and probable glaucoma was 3.1% (95% CI: 2.4 to 4.0; 58 people) in subjects of the same age. Primary open angle glaucoma was the most common form of glaucoma, accounting for 75% of the total. Among cases of blindness not attributable to refractive error, 5% were caused by glaucoma. Glaucoma prevalence was higher in men than women, but did not show the typical increase with age. Conclusion: Glaucoma prevalence is relatively high in Bangladesh, although it accounts for only a small proportion of blindness in the community. It is estimated that there are approximately 586 000 people 40 years and older with definite or probable glaucoma in Bangladesh.

Syphilis in pregnancy remains an important medical condition due to its consequences. We present two cases of young pregnant women who were diagnosed syphilis during their antenatal visit. The first case was a 29-year-old Malay lady diagnosed with syphilis during the first trimester of pregnancy, while the second case was a 21-year-old Chinese lady diagnosed with syphilis during the third trimester of pregnancy. The diagnosis and management of the syphilis in pregnancy are discussed.

Dyslipidemia is one of the complications of diabetes mellitus (DM) that can lead to elevated total cholesterol, TG, and LDL. Increased SGOT-SGPT indicates damage of hepatic cells. Black garlic extract (Allium sativum L.), which contains polyphenol, flavonoid, and anthocyanin is thought to improve blood glucose, lipid profile, and SGPT-SGOT in human. This study aimed to observe the effect of black garlic extract on blood glucose, lipid profile, and SGPT-SGOT of Wistar Rats Diabetes Mellitus Model. This study was held in 2017 at Biomedical Lab Medical Faculty of Muhammadiyah Malang University. This was a true experimental study with post test only control group design. The rats were assigned to a positive control group and 3 treatment groups consisting of 6 experimental animals each and treatment was given for 25 days. Blood glucose lipid profile, and SGPT-SGOT levels were measured by a spectrophotometer. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA, Post Hoc Bonferroni, and Linear Regression tests. Differences were between different groups of rats (p=0,000) with a significant difference seen between all treatment groups and the control group based on the Post Hoc Bonferroni test results (p=0.000). Black garlic extract reduced blood sugar by 91.4%, total cholesterol by 79.1%, TG by 69.5%, LDL by 81.3%, SGPT by 91.4%, and SGOT by 70.6%. This effect is seen across doses starting from 1.5 mg/200gBW to the highest dose of 6 mg/200gBW. It can be concluded that Black garlic extract (Allium sativum L.) affects blood glucose, lipid profile, SGPT, and SGOT positively in male wistar (Rattusnorvegicus) rats diabetes mellitus model by decreasing blood sugar, lipid profile, SGPT, and SGOT levels.

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