The pattern and problem of poultry consumption by the rural and urban families of Fulbaria upazilla were studied. Data were collected through interview schedule from 100 respondents (50 from rural area and 50 from urban area). Problem confrontation index (PCI) in urban area 27 to 143 against the possible range of 0 to 150 and in rural area 33 to 138 against the possible 0 to 150. Overall area PCI was 60 to 281 against the possible range of 0 to 300. Nonavailability of day old chicks, lack of optimum amount of feed, unbalanced diets and fluctuating prices of eggs and meat were the acute problems hampered the consumption of poultry. The average farm size in urban and rural areas was 167.84 and 233.94 decimal. Livestock population consisted of 80% poultry and 20% large animal. Poultry contributed 4% of the total income in the rural area and 3% in the urban area. Rural people have less knowledge on health and nutrition than that of urban people. Poultry consumption in both rural and urban area is certainly very low. A positive correlation of age with poultry consumption implies that per capita poultry consumption is higher for older people. Reverse case is expected to build a healthy society. From correlations it can be concluded that in urban area increased farm size, increased livestock population, increased income, better knowledge on health and nutrition and decreased family size should increase per capita poultry consumption. Correlations also indicate that decreased family size and better knowledge on health and nutrition could minimize problems of poultry consumption. In rural area correlations computed impress that increased literacy, increased farm size, increased livestock population, increased income and better knowledge on health and nutrition should increase per capita poultry consumption. Whereas, increased income could remove problems of poultry consumption.

Objectives Overexpression of human trophoblast cell surface antigen 2 (Trop2) has been observed in many cancers; however, its roles in proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain unclear. Thus, this study aimed to characterize the function of Trop2 in HCC. Methods Trop2 protein expression was detected by immunohistochemistry in HCC tissues. Cell proliferation, apoptosis, and invasion were respectively measured by CCK-8, flow cytometry, Transwell, and wound healing assays. Expression levels of epithelial–mesenchymal transition-related proteins and Trop2 protein in HCC cell lines were detected by western blotting after silencing of the TROP2 gene. Results Trop2 protein was highly expressed in HCC tissues and HCC cell lines. Trop2 mRNA and protein expression levels decreased in HepG2 and HCCLM3 cells after transfection with Trop2 siRNA. Silencing of the TROP2 gene in HepG2 and HCCLM3 cells strongly inhibited cell proliferation and migration, while enhancing cell apoptosis. Investigation of the molecular mechanism revealed that silencing of the TROP2 gene suppressed epithelial–mesenchymal transition of HepG2 and HCCLM3 cells. Conclusions The results of the present study may improve understanding of the role of Trop2 in regulation of cell proliferation and invasion, and may aid in development of novel therapy for HCC.

End stage renal disease (ESRD) patients receiving haemodialysis (HD) are frequently associated with anaemia. Zinc, being an important nutrient for haemoglobin synthesis, was studied for it's effect, if any, on renal disease associated anaemia among patients in the HD unit of BSMMU (formerly IPGMR), Dhaka. Surprisingly, a tow plasma zinc level and a high corpuscular (RBC) zinc level was observed. All of our subjects were found anaemic. A significant correlation was observed between plasma zinc level on one hand and haemoglobin level as well as RBC counts on the other hand. There are several suggestions for this low plasma and high corpuscular zinc level. However, this altered zinc level in plasma and red blood corpuscles might interfere with haemoglobin synthesis and might be one of the factors for renal disease associated anaemia.

The changes on packed cell volume (PCV) and haemoglobin (Hb) in zebu cattle infected with Fasciola gigantica were studied in two age and two season groups during the period from November 1999 to June 2000. Eighty-eight selected cattle were divided into two age groups, 2.5 to 5.5 years (n = 44; 22 infected & 22 uninfected control) and 6.0 to 9.0 years (n = 44; 22 + 22 cattle), and similarly two seasons, winter (n = 22 + 22) and summer (n = 22 + 22) were used for this study. Blood samples were collected in glass vials contained EDTA anticoagulant for each age group of all animals in summer and winter seasons. PCV was determined using microhematocrit and Hb concentration by cyanomethemoglobin methods. The PCV of F. gigantica infected cattle were significantly (p < 0.01) lower than the non-infected control animals. The average PCV obtained were 24.43% and 32.33% for F. gigantica infected and non-infected cattle, respectively. The Hb concentrations of infected cattle were significantly (p < 0.01) lower than the non-infected control animals. The average Hb values found were 7.59 and 10.13 g% for F. gigantica infected and noninfected cattle, respectively. There was no significant effect of age and season on the values of PCV and Hb concentrations in infected and non-infected cattle.Key words: Zebu cattle; Fasciola gigantica; packed cell volume; haemoglobin concentrationdoi: 10.3329/bjvm.v2i2.2553Bangl. J. Vet. Med. (2004). 2 (2): 125-127

15100 Background: Pancreatic cancer is one of the cancers with very poor prognosis because of its diagnosis at an advanced or metastatic stages. There is no consensus on the optimal management of locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer. This phase II study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of CapGem in patients (Pts.) with pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Methods: From January 2001 to December 2004, 30 pts with; histologically / cytologically proven, bidimensionally measurable locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma, age 18∼75 years with ECOG performance status 0∼3, no prior chemotherapy, life expectancy >3 months, adequate bone marrow, renal, hepatic and haematological values were enrolled. It was an open - labeled, non-randomized, single - centered and prospective study. The pts received Capecitabine 750mg/m2 twice dailly,days 1–14,orally and Gemcitabine 1000mg/m2 days 1 & 8, intravenous infusion at an interval of 21 days.The efficacy was measured by response rates, CA-19.9 & pain status and safety was measured by adverse events and laboratory blood values. Results: This study consisted of 16 (53.33%) male and 14 (46.67%) female pts. Median age was 52 years. 18 (60%) pts were inoperable locally advanced and the remaining 12 (40%) were metastatic diseases where 8 hepatic and 4 pulmonary. In total, 152 cycles chemotherapy were administered with a median of 5.06 cycles per pt and 28/30 pts were evaluated for responses. The overall response was 9 ( 32.14%) with 2 complete and 7 partial responses. 14 pts (50%) had stable diseases and 5 (17.86%) had progressive diseases. There was 55% decrease in CA-19.9 and pain reduction was 60%. Overall survival was10 months. Grade 3 haematological toxicities were observed as follows: neutropenia 30% and anaemia 18%. Some non- haematological toxicities including nausea & vomiting 30%, diarrhoea 20% and hand foot syndrome 10% were observed. Conclusions: This phase II study supports the use of CapGem combination in chemo naive locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma due to its promising anti-tumor activity with well-tolerated toxicities in Bangladeshi pts. No significant financial relationships to disclose.