The sunflower seed is the seed of the sunflower (Helianthus annuus). The methanol extract of seeds of Helianthus annuus were screened for analgesic activity in mice model to systematically explore the medicinal values of the plant. Acetic acid induced writhing and hot plate methods were used to confirm the central and peripheral analgesic action. In case of acetic acid-induced writhing test the extract showed significant (P <0.05) analgesic potential at doses 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight (50.35 and 57.85% inhibition, respectively). In the hot plate method, increase (p < 0.05) of latency period was also observed in comparison to standard aspirin. At 60 minutes, the latency period of two different doses (100 and 200 mg/kg body weight) was found at 13 ± 0.91 and 16.5 ± 1.55 second. The results obtained support the use of Helianthus annuus seeds in painful conditions acting both centrally and peripherally.Islam et al., International Current Pharmaceutical Journal, March 2016, 5(4): 38-40http://www.icpjonline.com/documents/Vol5Issue4/02.pdf

Background: Tuberculosis is among the major causes of illness and death worldwide especially in Asia. Smoking is associated with recurrent tuberculosis and its related mortality. Also, it could affect clinical manifestations, bacteriological conversion and outcome of treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the pattern of tobacco smoking, history of previous quit attempts and attitude towards quitting in tuberculosis patients. Materials and Methods: It was a cross-sectional study done amongst tuberculosis patients presented to DOTS corner of Rajshahi Medical College Hospital. 315 patients entered the study as "First Come First Serve". Selfreported questionnaires were designed according to the standard questionnaires of smoking pattern. Results: Sixty one percent (61%) patients (n=192) were smoker before the diagnosis of tuberculosis. 51.1% were current smokers at the time of interview and were continuing smoking after the diagnosis of tuberculosis. Only 10.2% discontinued smoking after diagnosis. 68.2% smokes less than 10 cigarettes per day. 53.1% was between 31-50 age group. 21-30 is the commonest age group (62%) to start smoking is and 66.1% smoked less than 10 years before diagnosis. To reduce stress was the most common cause to continue smoking (48.9%). 71.9% smokers showed keen interest to stop smoking. Conclusion: Considering the prevalence of smoking in tuberculosis patients, evaluation of tobacco smoking status in such patients and motivating them to quit smoking could be considered as important steps in their treatment process.

Helianthus annuus seeds contain various chemical components and evaluate different biological activities. The present study was carried out to investigate the central nervous system (CNS) activity of methanolic extract of Helianthus annuus seeds in mice model. General behaviour, antidepressant activity and anxiolytic activity was observed. The results revealed that the methanol extract of Helianthus annuus seeds at 100 and 200 mg/kg caused a significant increase in the spontaneous activity (general behavioural profile), moderate increase in anxiolytic activity (light-dark box and elevated plus maze test) and remarkable increase in antidepressant activity (tail suspension test). The results suggest that methanol extract of Helianthus annuus exhibit significant antidepressant and moderate anxiolytic activity in tested animal models.Islam et al., International Current Pharmaceutical Journal, December 2015, 5(1): 1-4

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is a rare form of brain stroke which is often misdiagnosed. We present a case of CVST due to cerebellar tuberculous abscess. A 41-year female patient was admitted with chronic occipital headache, diminished vision, and fever. The initial brain CT scan was negative, but subsequent imaging (MRI with MRV) showed cerebellar abscess with sigmoid sinus thrombosis. Fundoscopy revealed bilateral optic atrophy. Marked improvement (subjective and objective) was noted after 4 weeks with anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy and anticoagulants. Vision loss was irreversible due to optic atrophy. The case is extremely rare due to the location, rare causative organism (tuberculosis) and complex clinical presentation (occipital headache with vision loss).

‘Nothnagel Syndrome' is a brainstem syndrome which is often underdiagnosed by the physicians due to rarity of the disease and complex clinical presentation. We present a case of brainstem midbrain syndrome caused by ischemic stroke. The male hypertensive diabetic patient presented with sudden onset of diplopia, ptosis and gait imbalance. Right-sidedgaze palsy with nystagmus and ataxic gait were the clinical findings. Brain imaging (MRI and DWI) showed high signal intensity at upper midbrain. The patient was finally diagnosed as ischemic stroke in the brainstem called Nothnagel syndrome. Up to now, there was no case reported as Nothnagel Syndrome due to ischemic stroke. J MEDICINE JAN 2020; 21 (1) : 62-64

Background: The incidence of tuberculosis is very high in Bangladesh. There is a high prevalence of psychiatric illness among tuberculosis patients. But primary care physicians and specialists do not screen this association. The aims of this study were to evaluate the incidence and pattern of psychiatric illness in tuberculosis patients.Methodology: The study population included those patients who were coming for treatment in DOTs corner of Rajshahi Medical College Hospital between July 2014 - February 2015 (Eight months). Each patient underwent a detailed psychiatric evaluation by a consultant psychiatrist once they were medically stable. Details included socio-demographic data, psychiatric diagnosis and treatment outcome. All data was tabulated and analyzed using SPSS-16.Result: Among the total 350 tuberculosis patients, total 108 patients (31%) were diagnosed with psychiatric problems. Most of them are male (71%), less than 40 years of age (70%) with no previous psychiatric illness (98%). Depression (n=43, 40%) and Anxiety (n=33, 31%) were the commonest psychiatric illness diagnosed. Fear of disease outcome was the commonest precipitating factor found (66%). After the psychiatric treatment, 94% improved clinically.Conclusion: Detecting the level of psychiatric illness among tuberculosis patients at early stage will improve continuation and adherence to treatment. A referral system` to psychiatrists by physicians needs to develop to screen the mental disorder symptoms to treat these co morbidities.Anwer Khan Modern Medical College Journal Vol. 6, No. 2: July 2015, P 25-29

Background: Herpes zoster infection (shingles) is a common painful disease in Bangladesh. Changing pattern of the disease presentation can cause delayed diagnosis, inappropriate treatment, prolongation of the disease with debilitating symptoms and post herpetic neuralgia. Objective: The study was done to evaluate the different changing clinical and dermatome pattern of shingles among tribal community in Hill tracts of Bangladesh. Materials and method: This descriptive hospital based study was carried out among 74 shingles patients using simple, direct, standardized questionnaire with history, clinical and dermatological examination from July 2015 to July 2016 in Rangamati General Hospital, Rangamati, Bangladesh. Results: August to October was the vulnerable period for Shingles (75.7%) with highest number of cases found in September (32.4%). Rural area (70.2%) is vulnerable than urban area. Lumbar region (39.1%) is the commonest dermatome involved during examination. Itching was the commonest complaint (41.9%) for physician consultation and 15% cases suffered reactivation within six months in the same dermatome region. Conclusion: As changing and different pattern of manifestations are common in shingles in Hill Tracts, these are to be considered by local and consultant physicians in the total management to decrease delayed complications and reactivation. Delta Med Col J. Jul 2019 7(2): 56-60

Objectives  The aim of this study is to find out the prevalence and outcome of falciparum malaria with neurological manifestations. Materials and Methods  A prospective cross-sectional hospital-based study of 318 falciparum malaria patients using simple, direct, standardized questionnaire with history, lab investigations and neurological examination from January 2014 to December 2014. Results  July was the most vulnerable month for falciparum malaria causing the highest hospital admission (48.8%) and death (29.3%). The commonest age group affected was 15-30 years (49.2%). Prevalence of neurological manifestations was 41.2%. Altered sensorium (48.7%) was the most frequent neurological manifestation, followed by abnormal behavior (19.8%) and convulsions (15.5%). Case fatality rate was very high with neurological manifestations, highest with altered sensorium (31.3%). Perception of neurological manifestations among tribal was very poor. Primary health care providers also failed to diagnose most of the cases (69%) which presented with neurological features. Conclusion  Falciparum malaria with neurological involvement is associated with increased mortality. By documenting different neurological patterns of falciparum malaria and by trained health care personnel, mortality and morbidity rates can be reduced by early diagnosis and management. CBMJ 2015 January: Vol. 04 No. 01 P: 18-21