Arsenicosis is common among villagers as they drink more contaminatedwater since the arsenic-crisis in Bangladesh. Supplementation of vitamins and micronutrients in counteracting arsenic toxicity has been proved for arsenic treatment. This study was intended to assess protective and beneficial roles of some commonly eaten vegetables on the development and severity of arsenicinduced skin lesions. A case-control study among (N=122) adult rural-women (62 cases had various forms of arsenical skin-lesions e.g. melanosis/keratosis/ mixed-lesions and 60 sex-age-matched healthy-controls) was conducted in Shaharstee Upazilla of Chandpur district, Bangladesh. Socio-demographic data recorded in a pre-tested-questionnaire, ‘per-day vegetables ingestion’ of cases and controls were measured qualitative and quantitatively (24-hour recall-methods, food-frequency/week and food history-record/week). Multiple logistic regression/MLR analyses were performed to find out protective roles of some dietary leafy-vegetables/LVs and non-leafy vegetables/NLVs on arsenicosis and their influences on the degree of severity of arsenicosis also determined. Abstinence from taking some LVs/NLVs among cases than controls is associated with increased risk for arsenicosis (P<0.05). Amongst all most-frequently eaten vegetables (n=17) per day Momordica diocia has the highest skin protective role on arsenicosis [Adjusted odds ratio/AOR 8.2, 95% CI (2.11-31.9), P=<0.01], followed by Ipomoea acquatica (AOR:7.3), Basella alba (AOR:6.2), Solanum tuberosum (AOR:4.0), Vigna unguiculata sesquipedalis (AOR:3.2), Trichosanthes anguina (AOR:1.2) and Abelmoschus esculentus (AOR:1.2). Moreover, severe skin lesion was observed as compared to non-severe cases (mild/moderate) for less intake frequencies of vegetables. This study outlined that commonly eaten vegetables have protective and beneficial roles on arsenic-induced skin lesions. Large samples longitudinal study of this important field of therapeutic-intervention is warranted

Rotavirus (RV) is the single most important causative agent for severe dehydrating childhood diarrhea worldwide. RV diarrhea is a tremendous social and economic burden upon the people in developing countries. In Bangladesh, the proportion of RV diarrhea in children is increasing compared to other infectious diarrheal agents primarily because of improvements in water sanitation. This hospital-based cross sectional study was carried out in a children's hospital of Bangladesh to highlight the clinical presentations and seasonal predilection of RV diarrhea. A total of 601 children under the age of 5 years presenting with acute watery diarrhea were enrolled, with collected stools tested for presence or absence of RV antigen by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Forty-two percent of the samples were ELISA positive for RV antigen; 72% of those RV+ children were under 12 months of age and 92% were under 24 months. Nausea, vomiting and large families ( 5 members) showed significant association with RV+ diarrhea compared to RV-diarrhea (P = 0.004, 0.001 and P = 00.006 respectively). In RV+ diarrhea, the purging rate was also significantly higher (P = 0.043). Mild to moderate fever and dehydration were noted in 82% and 84% cases of RV+ diarrhea respectively. RV+ diarrhea peaked during winter months (January through March). The vulnerable age group, seasonality and clinical presentations of childhood RV diarrhea observed in our study are expected to assist the Bangladeshi health care professionals confidently dealing with this health problem; even if there is little or no laboratory support.