Friedewald's formula (FF) is the most widely used formula in clinical practice to calculate low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) from total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC). But this formula frequently underestimates LDLC. The aim of this study was to derive a regression equation (RE) to abolish the underestimation and to compare the performance of RE and FF in Bangladeshi population. RE was derived from 531 lipid profiles (equation derivation group) for the calculation of LDLC by multiple linear regression analysis. The RE was then used to calculate LDLC in another 952 subjects (equation validation group). LDLC calculated by RE and FF were compared with measured LDLC by appropriate statistical analyses. In equation validation group, measured LDLC, LDLC calculated by RE and FF were 2.97±0.81, 2.91±0.80 and 2.72±0.93 mmol/L respectively. Precision (r) was 0.9525 for RE and 0.9193 for FF. Passing & Bablok linear regression equations against measured LDLC were y = 0.9792x + 0.007 for RE and y = 1.1412x -0.6781 for FF. Accuracy within ±12% of measured LDLC was 79% and 57% for RE and FF, respectively. The derived RE is more accurate than FF for the calculation of LDLC in Bangladeshi population.

A pot experiment was conducted to study the uptake of 137Cs by wheat grown in five representative soils of Bangladesh having different soil characteristics. Artificial application of 137Cs increased the activity in soils up to 45.9 Bq/kg soil, measured at the end of the harvest of wheat crop. Different plant parts had different ability to accumulate 137Cs. Grains had the least activity and transfer factor, while the highest activity and lowest transfer factor were measured in roots, which restricted translocation of 137Cs to wheat straw. The result showed that the transfer factors (mean value) varied from 0.05 to 0.114 in wheat straw, 0.066-0.133 in roots and 0.011-0.043 in wheat grains. The activity and transfer factor of radioactive cesium in wheat plants were found to be greatly influenced by soil properties, i.e. clay content, K, organic matter, CEC, pH, exchangeable ions, etc. Cation exchange capacity and calcium in soils influenced positively, while clay minerals, exchangeable K and organic matter, negatively affected the 137Cs activity concentrations in wheat plants.

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Neonatal asphyxia is characterized by discrepancy of oxygen during perinatal period that can lead to severe hypoxic ischaemic organ damages followed by a fatal outcome including neurodegenerative diseases, mental retardation, and epilepsies. According to world health organization, four million neonatal deaths occurred each year due to birth asphyxia. Therefore, our study was designed to evaluate the status of serum glucose, calcium, electrolytes, and their correlation with the fetal risk factors associated with birth asphyxia.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> Neonates diagnosed with birth asphyxia were considered as “cases” while neonates birth either normal or by cesarean with having no abnormality were considered as “control”. Demographics and possible risk factors of both the mother and neonate were noted. All asphyxiated neonates and controls were chosen to examine for serum glucose, calcium and electrolytes. Automated analyzers were used to estimate serum glucose, calcium, sodium and potassium.  </p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> We found that the mean serum glucose level was significantly lower in the asphyxiated neonates compared with controls, and consequently showed very strong positive correlation with the Apgar score. Furthermore, significant reduction levels were observed in serum calcium and sodium in the asphyxiated neonates, showing a linear correlation with the Apgar score. Moreover, higher serum potassium was detected in the asphyxiated neonates than in controls, showing a negative correlation with the Apgar score.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> We validated that the examined biochemicals of asphyxiated neonates was strongly correlated with the Apgar score. Our study reinforces for adequate clinical evaluation and biochemical monitoring for early diagnosis to prevent adverse neurodevelopmental outcome.</p>

A modification of Friedewald’s formula to estimate serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) up to serum triglyceride (TG) level of 11.3 mmol/L in Bangladeshi population has recently been published. The aim of this study was to compare the modified formula with direct measurement of LDLC in Bangladeshi population in a different setting. One thousand and fifty two specimens from adult subjects were analyzed. Serum total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC), LDLC and TG were measured by standard methods. The modified Friedewald’s formula was applied to estimate LDL cholesterol concentration. Results were expressed as mean ± SD and calculated LDLC was compared with measured LDLC by two-tailed paired t test, Bland-Altman plot for absolute bias, Pearson’s correlation coefficients of calculated LDLC with measured LDLC and Passing & Bablok regression equation of calculated LDLC against measured LDLC. The mean ± SD of measured LDLC was 2.98±0.82 mmol/L. LDLC calculated by modified Friedewald’s formula was 2.77±0.86 mmol/L. The mean absolute bias was –0.20±0.32 mmol/L, Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r) was 0.9293 (P<0.0001) and Passing & Bablok regression equation was y= – 0.3856+1.0597x for modified formula up to serum TG?11.3 mmol/L. Compared to original Friedewald’s formula, performance of the modified Friedewald’s formula was better up to serum TG?4.52 mmol/L. The study reveals that the modified Friedewald’s formula may be used to calculate LDLC approximately in Bangladeshi population. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bmrcb.v39i3.20312 Bangladesh Med Res Counc Bull 2013; 39: 120-123

Background: Friedewald’s formula (FF) is used worldwide to calculate low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-chol). But it has several shortcomings: overestimation at lower triglyceride (TG) concentrations and underestimation at higher concentrations. In FF, TG to very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-chol) ratio (TG/VLDL-chol) is considered as constant, but practically it is not a fixed value. Recently, by analyzing lipid profiles in a large population, continuously adjustable values of TG/VLDL-chol were used to derive a novel method (NM) for the calculation of LDL-chol. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of the novel method compared with direct measurement and regression equation (RE) developed for Bangladeshi population. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional comparative study we used lipid profiles of 955 adult Bangladeshi subjects. Total cholesterol (TC), TG, HDL-chol and LDL-chol were measured by direct methods using automation. LDL-chol was also calculated by NM and RE. LDL-chol calculated by NM and RE were compared with measured LDL-chol by twotailed paired t test, Pearson’s correlation test, bias against measured LDL-chol by Bland-Altman test, accuracy within ±5% and ±12% of measured LDL-chol and by inter-rater agreements with measured LDL-chol at different cut-off values. Results: The mean values of LDL-chol were 110.7 ± 32.0 mg/dL for direct measurement, 111.9 ± 34.8 mg/dL for NM and 113.2 ± 31.7 mg/dL for RE. Mean values of calculated LDL-chol by both NM and RE differed from that of measured LDL-chol (p<0.01 for NM and p<0.0001 for RE). The correlation coefficients of calculated LDL-chol values with measured LDL-chol were 0.944 (p<0.0001) for NM and 0.945 (p<0.0001) for RE. Bland- Altman plots showed good agreement between calculated and measured LDL-chol. Accuracy within ±5% of measured LDL-chol was 49% for NM, 46% for RE and within ±12% of measured LDL-chol was 79% for both NM and RE. Inter-rater agreements (?) between calculated and measured LDL-chol at LDL-chol <100 mg/dL, 100–130 mg/dL and >130 mg/dL were 0.816 vs 0.815, 0.637 vs 0.649 and 0.791 vs 0.791 for NM and RE respectively. Conclusion: This study reveals that NM and RE developed for Bangladeshi population have similar performance and can be used for the calculation of LDL-chol. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jemc.v5i1.21491 J Enam Med Col 2015; 5(1): 10-14