The role of cytokines, adhesion molecules, and toll-like receptors in atherosclerosis progression: the effect of Atorvastatin.

Inflammatory cytokines, cell adhesion molecules, and toll-like receptors (TLRs) play an important role in atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to further evaluate the role of inflammatory cytokines, cell adhesion molecules, and toll-like receptors in atherosclerosis. Forty local breed domestic male rabbits were divided randomly into 4 groups, 10 rabbits each.

Using geospatial techniques to develop an emergency referral transport system for suspected sepsis patients in Bangladesh.

Background: A geographic information system (GIS)-based transport network within an emergency referral system can be the key to reducing health system delays and increasing the chances of survival, especially during an emergency. We employed a GIS to design an emergency transport system for the rapid transfer of pregnant or early post-partum women, newborns, and children under 5 years of age with suspected sepsis under the Interrupting Pathways to Sepsis Initiative (IPSI) project.

Methods: A GIS database was developed by mapping the villages, roads, and relevant physical features of the study area.

Interrupting pathways to sepsis: Effectiveness of an intervention to reduce delays in timely care for sick children in rural Bangladesh.

Rationale: The time it takes for a child with suspected sepsis to receive care is critical.

Objective: We evaluated care-seeking practices for sick children under 5 years in rural Bangladesh, following interpersonal communication to inform households of newly introduced supports for quality care. Based on the Delays Framework, we assessed length and source of care-seeking delays, use of formal providers, and autonomous decision-making among mothers.

Transforming maternal and newborn health social norms and practices to increase utilization of health services in rural Bangladesh: a qualitative review.

Background: Since 2008, Participatory Action for Rural Development Innovation (PARI) Development Trust, with the support of Enfants du Monde, has been implementing a maternal and newborn health (MNH) program based on the World Health Organization's (WHO) framework for Working with Individuals, Families and Communities (IFC) to improve MNH in Netrokona district, Bangladesh. This program aims to empower women and families and increase utilization of quality health services, thereby helping women realize their rights related to maternal health. Birth preparedness and complication readiness and working with traditional birth attendants (TBAs) to exercise a new role in MNH and have formed key interventions of this program.

Validating the measurement of social capital in Bangladesh: a cognitive approach.

Despite the growing evidence linking social capital to improvements in health and health behaviors, reliable measures of social capital are lacking in low-income countries. To accurately measure social capital in new contexts, there is a need to validate social capital survey questions in each new cultural setting. In this article, we examine the content validity of the measurement of social capital in Bangladesh using qualitative methods.

Sociocultural factors perpetuating the practices of early marriage and childbirth in Sylhet District, Bangladesh.

Background: The practice of adolescent marriage continues in communities throughout Bangladesh, with adolescent childbearing a common result. This early childbearing is associated with increased medical risks for both mothers and their newborns.

Methods: Because of the need to understand the persistence of these behaviors in spite of the risks, various qualitative research methods were used to identify and better understand the various socio cultural factors perpetuating the practices of early marriage and childbirth.

Local understandings and current barriers to optimal birth intervals among recently delivered women in Sylhet District, Bangladesh.

Background: Sylhet Division in Bangladesh has the highest proportion of births spaced less than 36 months (46.5%) in Bangladesh.

Methods: Formative research was conducted on current fertility-related practices in order to explore how to integrate the promotion of healthy fertility practices into a package of maternal and neonatal care interventions.

Animal husbandry practices in rural Bangladesh: potential risk factors for antimicrobial drug resistance and emerging diseases.

Antimicrobial drug administration to household livestock may put humans and animals at risk for acquisition of antimicrobial drug-resistant pathogens. To describe animal husbandry practices, including animal healthcare-seeking and antimicrobial drug use in rural Bangladesh, we conducted semi-structured in-depth interviews with key informants, including female household members (n = 79), village doctors (n = 10), and pharmaceutical representatives, veterinarians, and government officials (n = 27), and performed observations at animal health clinics (n = 3). Prevalent animal husbandry practices that may put persons at risk for acquisition of pathogens included shared housing and water for animals and humans, antimicrobial drug use for humans and animals, and crowding.

Husbands' involvement in delivery care utilization in rural Bangladesh: A qualitative study.

Background: A primary cause of high maternal mortality in Bangladesh is lack of access to professional delivery care. Examining the role of the family, particularly the husband, during pregnancy and childbirth is important to understanding women's access to and utilization of professional maternal health services that can prevent maternal mortality. This qualitative study examines husbands' involvement during childbirth and professional delivery care utilization in a rural sub-district of Netrokona district, Bangladesh.

Factors affecting recruitment and retention of community health workers in a newborn care intervention in Bangladesh.

Background: Well-trained and highly motivated community health workers (CHWs) are critical for delivery of many community-based newborn care interventions. High rates of CHW attrition undermine programme effectiveness and potential for implementation at scale. We investigated reasons for high rates of CHW attrition in Sylhet District in north-eastern Bangladesh.

Effects of metronidazole, tinidazole, captopril and valsartan on taste and serum levels of zinc and magnesium.

Objective: To study the effect of metronidazole, tinidazole, captopril and valsartan on the levels of zinc and magnesium in the serum of rabbits and humans and the histology of taste buds in rabbits.

Methods: We conducted this study in the College of Medicine and Teaching Hospital, Basrah, Iraq from April 2005 to September 2006. It was in 2 parts: a clinical observational study of 54 patients treated with one of these drugs.

Local understandings of vulnerability and protection during the neonatal period in Sylhet District, Bangladesh: a qualitative study.

Background: Understanding of local knowledge and practices relating to the newborn period, as locally defined, is needed in the development of interventions to reduce neonatal mortality. We describe the organisation of the neonatal period in Sylhet District, Bangladesh, the perceived threats to the well-being of neonates, and the ways in which families seek to protect them.

Methods: We did 39 in-depth, unstructured, qualitative interviews with mothers, fathers, and grandmothers of neonates, and traditional birth attendants.