This paper discusses nutritional values and importance of pineapple in the health aspects. Thailand, Philippines,

Background and Objective. Oxidative stress is intimately associated with many diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Study objectives include a comparison of the oxidative stress, antioxidant status, and lipid profile between COPD patients and controls and evaluation of the effect of spirulina intervention on oxidative stress, antioxidant status, and lipid profile of COPD patients. Methods. 30 patients with COPD and 20 controls with no respiratory problems were selected. Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease criteria were served as the basis of COPD diagnosis. The serum content of malondialdehyde (MDA), lipid hydroperoxide, glutathione (GSH), vitamin C, cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), and high density lipoprotein (HDL) was measured. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione-s-transferase (GST) was also measured. Two different doses, (500 × 2) mg and (500 × 4) mg spirulina, were given to two groups, each of which comprises 15 COPD patients. Results. All targeted blood parameters have significant difference (P = 0.000) between COPD patients and controls except triglyceride (TG). Spirulina intake for 30 and 60 days at (500 × 2) mg dose has significantly reduced serum content of MDA, lipid hydroperoxide, and cholesterol (P = 0.000) while increasing GSH, Vit C level (P = 0.000), and the activity of SOD (P = 0.000) and GST (P = 0.038). At the same time, spirulina intake for 30 and 60 days at (500 × 4) mg dose has favorable significant effect (P = 0.000) on all targeted blood parameters except for HDL (P = 0.163).

Background: Increased suicide literacy and reduced stigma toward suicide facilitate the care-seeking for suicidal behavior. However, no attempt has been identified to determine these two vital aspects in Bangladesh. Objectives:We aimed to validate the literacy of suicide scale and stigma of suicide scale into Bangla along with the determination of the level of suicide literacy and stigma toward suicide. Methods:We conducted this study between April and June 2021. Data were collected from medical school and university students by Google form. We used a questionnaire consisting of four segments (i.e., sociodemographic questionnaire, a questionnaire for suicidal behavior, Bangla literacy of suicide scale [LOSS-B], and Bangla stigma of suicide scale [SOSS-B]) for data collection. We tested the psychometric properties of the scales in a sample of 529 students and examined factors associated with suicide stigma and literacy. Results:The mean age of the students was 22.61 ± 1.68 (range 18-27) years, 274 (51.8%) were males, 476 (89.9%) were graduate students, and 490 (92.6%) were unmarried. The mean score of LOSS was 4.27 ± 1.99 ranging from 0 to 10. Factor analysis revealed acceptable psychometric properties of SOSS-B. The literacy was significantly higher in females, students of medicine, having a family history of suicidal attempts, and a history of student nonfatal attempts, while stigma was significantly lower among the females and a history of past attempts. Conclusions:This study revealed the level of literacy and stigma and culturally tested the psychometric properties of the LOSS-B and SOSS-B among university students in Bangladesh.

A database of lightning-related deaths and injuries in Bangladesh was developed from 1990 to mid-2016 from a variety of sources that contains a total of 5468 casualties, composed of 3086 fatalities and 2382 injuries. Spatial, temporal, and demographic aspects of these lightning casualties are evaluated in order to aid relevant entities in effective management of lightning-related meteorological hazards. The annual averages for Bangladesh are 114 fatalities and 89 injuries over the entire period. Weighting by population reveals a fatality rate of 0.92 per million people per year and an injury rate of 0.71. In contrast, the latest 6 years have a fatality rate of 1.6 and injury rate of 1.4. The rural portion of lightning fatalities is 93%. Most fatalities occurred between early morning (0600 LST) and early evening (2000). Through the year, more fatalities occur during the premonsoon season of March through May than during the monsoon season (June–September). The interannual time series of fatalities indicates an increase since the late 2000s, which is a result of greatly improved communications leading to better media reporting of lightning casualties. Bangladesh has also become much more populous in recent years. As a result, the most recent 6 years have 251 fatalities per year, which may be considered as the current estimate. The majority of lightning-related deaths occurred to males. Farming is the major activity at the time of lightning fatalities followed by being inside a dwelling and returning home or walking around homesteads/courtyards.

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Stevia [Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni; Family Asteraceae] is a natural sweetener plant that is grown commercially in many parts of Brazil, Paraguay, Central America, Thailand, Korea, China and India. The leaves of stevia are the source of sweet glycosides. It is mainly used as a sweetener and flavor enhancer in the food and beverage industry. The chemical compound obtained from stevia is considered to be the best alternative source of sugar especially for diabetes patients. Climatic factors and agronomical practices affect the quality and quantity of yield. The concentration of stevioside in the leaves is higher when the stevia plants are grown under long days and when these plants are harvested just prior to flowering. Time of harvesting depends on land type, type of stevia and growing season. The first harvest can be done four months after planting and subsequent harvest once after every 3 months. Such medicinal plants are becoming fairly popular for the treatment of different diseases all over the world. It could be suitable for diabetic and obese persons. It also showed antibacterial, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, anti-fertility, hypotensive, diuretic and cardiotonic properties. Stevia is a small perennial shrub that has been used for centuries as a bio-sweetener and for other medicinal purposes. In addition, alternative sweeteners offer another benefit in maintaining good dental health. S. rebaudiana sweeteners are used sparingly and there seems to be no threat to public health. Stevia has been introduced to the Kenyan market as one of the cash crops for agro-based industry. The changes in leaf yield and accumulation of stevioside in response to different environmental conditions and nutritional variations might provide some leads to develop strategies for increasing the productivity of the stevia. Quality of the stevia product depends on drying temperature; high temperatures negatively affect quality, diminishing medicinal and commercial value. Multiple global regulatory organizations have determined that consumption of high quality stevia products within recommended doses is safe for all.

Natural colorants are important alternatives to synthetic colorants. They are considered harmless and positively affect biological activities owing to their antioxidant potential. The present study deals with the assessment of the extraction processes and the effects of pH (1.0, 3.0, and 5.0), extraction media (water and 50% ethanol) and storage condition (ambient and refrigeration) on betacyanin content, color values, as well as degradation kinetics of total betacyanins in red amaranth. Betacyanin content was more stable at higher than at lower pH. The degradation rate constant (K) was higher and the half-life (t 1/2) was lower at ambient temperature compared to refrigeration temperature. Betacyanin degradation was higher at ambient temperature (30 ± 2°C) than at refrigeration temperature (4°C). The pH, storage time, and temperature affected the stability of the color attributes. Therefore, this work suggests that water and lower temperature (4°C) could be applied to extract more betacyanins from red amaranth and betacyanins might be used as an alternative to synthetic color.

This review paper discusses the production, uses and importance of Nipa palm (Nypa fruticans Wurmb., Arecaceae). It is a mangrove palm that grows well in 'Sundarbans' mangrove forest of Bangladesh. Nipa palm is locally called 'Golpata' used for multipurpose such as roof thatching, partitioning, foods, medicinal purposes and as a source of fuel wood. The sugary sap from the inflorescence stalk is used as a source of treacle (molasses), amorphous sugar, vinegar and alcohol. Newly developed shoots are to be used as a vermicide. Ash from Nipa palm is used as an analgesic against tooth pain and headache. Dry leaves, petiole, stem wood, fruit residues etc. are used as fuel. In fishing, rhizomes of Nipa palm are extensively used, facilitating the fishing net to float over the water surface. This palm helps stabilizing soils, protecting against erosion, reducing the forces of cyclones and high sea waves in the coastal zones. The demand of Nipa palm products is increasing day by day in the different countries of the world including Bangladesh.