Abstract Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a significant global public health concern. Each component of MetS is linked to various non-communicable chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), coronary artery disease (CAD), cerebrovascular disease, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which collectively are major causes of mortality worldwide. Aims: This study aimed to investigate the association between serum gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels and the risk of MetS and insulin resistance (IR) in a sample of adults, exploring how GGT levels correlate with MetS components and IR markers. Additionally, we examined whether these associations vary by gender. Methods: A total of 440 participants were selected for this study, including 196 individuals diagnosed with MetS and 244 without. Participants were selected based on predefined criteria from those attending the outpatient department of a biochemistry clinic in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Logistic regression analysis was conducted, adjusting for potential confounders, including age, sex, body mass index (BMI), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), uric acid, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), to assess the odds ratios (95% CI) for MetS across GGT tertiles. Results: Logistic regression analysis indicated that, after adjusting for confounders, the odds ratios for MetS increased significantly across GGT tertiles (1, 1.22 (0.36-4.12), p=0.738; 5.09 (2.06-12.58), p

Abstract Bacterial infections remain a major global health concern, contributing significantly to morbidity and mortality. While antimicrobials have been effective in treating these infections, the rising threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has complicated management strategies. Methodology: This study investigates the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) patterns of bacterial isolates from clinical specimens at Nova Diagnostics and Research in Mogadishu, Somalia, over a three-year period from June 2021 to July 2024. Result: A total of 650 patient specimens were analyzed, with bacterial growth identified in 647 samples. Among these, 98.2% were Gram-negative and predominantly aerobic, while 1.4% were Gram-positive, all aerobic. The most frequently isolated pathogens were Staphylococcus spp. (43.4%), followed by Escherichia coli (17.2%), Klebsiella (13.1%), and Pseudomonas (7.2%). Antimicrobial resistance was particularly concerning among Gram-negative bacteria. Staphylococcus exhibited high resistance to erythromycin (66.6%) and tetracycline (50.7%). Escherichia coli showed 84.8% resistance to ampicillin, while Klebsiella demonstrated 90.5% resistance to ampicillin. Gram-positive bacteria commonly exhibited resistance to Erythromycin, Trimethoprim/Sulfamethoxazole, Rifampicin, and Vancomycin. Conclusion: The high prevalence of resistant strains, particularly among Gram-negative bacteria like Staphylococcus spp. and Escherichia coli, presents significant challenges to effective treatment. The widespread resistance to multiple antibiotics underscores the urgent need for enhanced infection control, improved surveillance systems and researches, and comprehensive antimicrobial stewardship programs.

Abstract Background: Catha edulis, commonly known as khat, is prominent for its stimulating effects and is widely chewed in regions such as eastern and western Africa, the Middle East, and the Arabian Peninsula. Although some perceive khat to have certain benefits, its consumption has been linked to various negative health effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the rate of hypertension among khat users and assess how demographic factors, smoking, and patterns of khat consumption contribute to the risk of developing hypertension. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in Mogadishu, Somalia, between August 2018 and June 2019, involving 192 participants. The study population included individuals aged between 20 and 70 years who had the habit of khat chewing. Blood pressure measurements were taken following standard protocols. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were analysed using SPSS software with statistical significance defined as p

Abstract Background: Bakery products play an important part in the diet of daily life and provide vital nutrients to human. Ready-to-eat foods made from wheat and flour are rich in essential nutrients such as proteins, fats, minerals, and carbohydrates which may increase exponential microbial proliferation in these products when kept under improper storage conditions or through unhygienic handling and as a result cause mild to-severe illnesses when consumed. Objective: This study aims to assess the bacteriological value of bread, doughnut, cake, and snacks sold in Jashore town. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted to determine the bacteriological value of bakery products sold in Jashore, Bangladesh. A total of 20 samples were collected from different bakeries and hawkers and examined using the conventional bacterial isolation, identification, biochemical tests, and enumeration. Results: The total viable bacterial number of the samples demonstrated the highest (32×106) count in sample (cake), while the lowest (2×106) count was observed in bread factory. On the other hand, the total yeast & mold number of the samples demonstrated the highest (33×104) count in sample (bread), while the lowest (2×104) count was observed in doughnut factory. Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus was detected. On the other hand, Escherichia coli was totally absent in all the samples. Conclusion: This result indicated that bakery products prepared under unhygienic environments and which may serve as a reservoir of various pathogenic bacteria and most of them were showed resistance against common antibiotics. To ensure the health safety of consumer’s government should take necessary actions to educated food handlers.

Abstract Background: Imipenem, a broad-spectrum carbapenem antibiotic, is essential for treating severe bacterial infections, particularly in hospitalized patients. However, the rising emergence of resistance among various bacterial pathogens presents a significant challenge to effective treatment strategies, highlighting the need for ongoing surveillance of antibiotic susceptibility. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the susceptibility of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria to Imipenem among 160 hospitalized patients in Bangladesh, with a focus on the relationship between bacterial isolate types, patient demographics, and resistance patterns. Methods: A total of 160 bacterial isolates were collected from clinical samples, including urine, blood, wound, sputum, tracheal tube secretions (TTS), and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Standard microbiological methods were used for bacterial identification and Imipenem susceptibility testing. Statistical analyses, including correlation assessments, were performed to evaluate the relationship between sample type and resistance patterns. Results: The predominant bacterial isolates were Escherichia coli (25%), Klebsiella species (20%), and coagulase-negative Staphylococci (15%). High Imipenem susceptibility rates were observed in Escherichia coli (95%) and Proteus spp. (100%), while moderate resistance was noted in coagulase-negative Staphylococci (79%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (81%). The highest susceptibility was observed in urine (94%) and CSF (92%) samples, with statistically significant correlations (p

Abstract Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most prevalent infections worldwide, with Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus saprophyticus being the most common causative agents. However, the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is becoming a growing concern, undermining the effectiveness of standard treatments. Objective: This study aimed to identify common bacteria causing UTI and determine their antibiotic susceptibility pattern in a Bangladeshi tertiary care hospital, aiding clinicians in selecting appropriate antibiotics for empirical treatment. Methodology: The study, conducted from May 2022 to December 2023, involved collecting urine samples from patients with suspected UTIs and testing them against a range of antibiotics. The bacterial isolates were analyzed for growth patterns, Gram staining, and antimicrobial susceptibility. The findings were reported using frequencies and percentages, and statistical analysis was performed with SPSS version 22.0. Results: The study collected 1146 samples, with 838 (73.12%) from females and 308 (26.88%) from males. The prevalence rate of urinary tract infections (UTIs) was 71.72%, with 87.82% among females and 27.92% among males. UTIs were most prevalent in the 21-40 year age group, accounting for 54.98% of the samples. E. coli was the most commonly identified urinary pathogen, accounting for 37.95% of cases. Klebsiella and Acinetobacter were the most common, accounting for 21.41% and 10.94% respectively. E. coli demonstrated high sensitivity to Nitrofurantoin and Amikacin, but showed significant resistance to Ampicillin and Nalidixic acid. Klebsiella and Acinetobacter were highly sensitive to Imipenem and Amikacin, respectively. The study also provided details on the sensitivity patterns to other antibiotics. The percentage of in vitro antibiotic-sensitive patterns of most frequently isolated microorganisms was found to be high. The study highlights the importance of understanding the sensitivity patterns of various antibiotics in managing urinary tract infections. Conclusion: UTIs are prevalent in females aged 21-40 and males in older age groups, primarily due to Gram-negative bacteria, E. coli, causing resistance to antibiotics. Assessing susceptibility and avoiding indiscriminate use is crucial.