We present a comprehensive spectral analysis of the high-mass X-ray binary (HMXB) pulsar Centaurus X-3 with the Suzaku observatory covering nearly one orbital period. The light curve shows the presence of extended dips which are rarely seen in HMXBs. These dips are seen up to as high as ∼40 keV. The pulsar spectra during the eclipse, out-of-eclipse, and dips are found to be well described by a partial covering power-law model with high-energy cutoff and three Gaussian functions for 6.4 keV, 6.7 keV, and 6.97 keV iron emission lines. The dips in the light curve can be explained by the presence of an additional absorption component with high column density and covering fraction, the values of which are not significant during the rest of the orbital phases. The iron line parameters during the dips and eclipse are significantly different compared to those during the rest of the observation. During the dips, the iron line intensities are found to be lesser by a factor of 2-3 with a significant increase in the line equivalent widths. However, the continuum flux at the corresponding orbital phase is estimated to be lesser by more than an order of magnitude. Similarities in the changes in the iron line flux and equivalent widths during the dips and eclipse segments suggest that the dipping activity in Cen X-3 is caused by an obscuration of the neutron star by dense matter, probably structures in the outer region of the accretion disk, as in the case of dipping low-mass X-ray binaries.

A 6‐month feeding trial was conducted in field condition using 10 farm ponds (400–600 m2) to investigate the effect of mixed feeding schedules on the growth of sutchi catfish, Pangasius hypophthalmus with silver carp, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix. Fish were stocked at a ratio of 80:20 (sutchi catfish, 4.9±0.5 g: silver carp, 12.0±0.8 g) at the total rate of 25 000 ha−1. Two diets of high protein (30%, HP) and low protein (16%, LP) were prepared using locally available feed ingredients. Five different feeding schedules of high‐protein diet continuously (HP), low‐protein diet continuously (LP), 1‐day low–protein/1‐day high‐protein diet (1LP/1HP), 7 days low–protein/7 days high‐protein diet (7LP/7HP) and 14 days low–protein/14 days high‐protein diet (14LP/14HP) were tested. The fish were fed twice daily at the rate of 15%, 10%, 8% and 5% of their body weight for first, second, third month and rest of experimental period respectively. Feeding rate was calculated only on the basis of sutchi catfish weight only and was adjusted every 2 weeks according to weight gain. Fish fed LP and HP on alternate day (1LP/1HP) resulted in significantly (P<0.05) higher growth rate, feed utilization and production among the treatments. However, there were no significant differences (P>0.05) between the growth rates and production of fish fed HP regularly and fish fed 7 days LP followed by 7 days HP (7LP/7HP). Fish maintained on LP grew the least. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) values for sutchi catfish ranged between 2.04 and 2.79 with feeding schedule 1LP/1HP showing the best FCR. The total production of fish (including silver carp) ranged between 8310 and 12 422 kg ha−1 6 months−1 with 1LP/1HP feeding schedule resulting in the highest production and net profit. The study demonstrated that feeding fish continuously with HP is less economical. Thus, for profitable sutchi catfish culture with silver carp, farmers can use the mixed feeding schedule of alternate day feeding of LP and HP as a means of reducing feed costs.

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a major burden upon health-care facilities in all countries. Electrolyte imbalances (EI) are very common in admitted patients with diabetes which leads to substantial morbidity and mortality. Every patient with diabetes needs thorough evaluation for the etiology and precipitating factors responsible for EI and therefore rational management. Data regarding the incidence of EI in DM in our country is limited. There is no existing record for profiling of EI in Bangladeshi diabetic subjects. The objective of this study was to find out the common types of EI in hospitalized diabetic patients and to determine the influencing factors responsible for them. Samples were selected from all adult nonpregnant diabetic patients admitted in the indoor, department of Medicine with electrolyte disturbances irrespective of their cause of admission. A total number of 150 admitted diabetic patients with electrolyte imbalance were interviewed, examined physically and laboratory specimen taken for biochemical analysis. Information was collected in a semi structured data collection form for analysis. Hyponatremia was found to be the most common EI in admitted diabetic patients. Electrolyte imbalance was found to be more common in the aged and female populations. Common factors influencing EI were vomiting, diarrhea, sweating, uncontrolled diabetes with severe hyperglycemia and certain drugs especially diuretics. Among the other well established complications of diabetes like acute metabolic complications, microangiopathy and macroangiopathy, EI should also be considered especially in the admitted patients.KYAMC Journal Vol. 5, No.-1, Jul 2014, Page 458-466

Abstract:Background: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) has been reported to be high among maintenance dialysis patients. There is a paucity of data on the incidence and prevalence of pulmonary hypertension in chronic kidney disease (CKD)

Introduction: Cardiac myxoma is a benign neoplasm that represents the most common primary tumour of the heart. Because of nonspecific symptoms, early diagnosis may be a challenge. Although the left atrium is the most commonly involved site of origin in 75% of cases, it can arise from any of the cardiac chambers. Symptoms from a cardiac myxoma are more pronounced when the myxomas are left-sided, racemosus, and over 5 cm in diameter. Symptoms are produced by mechanical interference with cardiac function or embolization. Being intravascular and friable, myxomas account for most cases of tumor embolism. The site of embolism is dependent upon the location (left or right atrium) and the presence of an intracardiac shunt. Most atrial myxomas are benign and can be removed by surgical resection.Objectives: To see clinical presentation and echocardiographic profile of cardiac myoxomas.Methods: 90 cardiac myxoma patients who admitted both in cardiology and cardiac surgery departments of National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD), Dhaka from August 2003 to July, 2014 were studied clinically and by echocardiogram. Clinical histories were reviewed, noting age, gender, and clinical presentation.Results: There were 30 males and 60 females, ages ranged from 17 to 76 years. The commonest clinical feature was dyspnoea (94.44%), followed by palpitation (76.67%), chest discomfort (74.44%), constitutional symptoms (50%), pedal oedema (20%), syncope (14.44%), and embolization (7.7%). The mean duration of symptoms was 09.7 months.Conclusion: The clinical presentation of cardiac myxoma is often nonspecific, so high index of clinical suspicion is important for its early and correct diagnosis. The size and appearance of the myxomas correlated with the presenting symptoms.Bangladesh Heart Journal 2016; 31(1) : 18-22