Background/Objectives Dengue fever is an important public health concern in most tropical and subtropical countries, and its prevention and control rest on vector surveillance and control. However, many aspects of dengue epidemiology remain unclear; in particular, the relationship between Aedes vector abundance and dengue transmission risk. This study aims to identify entomological and immunological indices capable of discriminating between dengue case and control (non-case) houses, based on the assessment of candidate indices, as well as individual and household characteristics, as potential risk factors for acquiring dengue infection. Methods This prospective, hospital-based, case-control study was conducted in northeastern Thailand between June 2016 and August 2019. Immature and adult stage Aedes were collected at the houses of case and control patients, recruited from district hospitals, and at patients’ neighboring houses. Blood samples were tested by RDT and PCR to detect dengue cases, and were processed with the Nterm-34 kDa salivary peptide to measure the human immune response to Aedes bites. Socioeconomic status, and other individual and household characteristics were analyzed as potential risk factors for dengue. Results Study findings showed complex relationships between entomological indices and dengue risk. The presence of DENV-infected Aed es at the patient house was associated with 4.2-fold higher odds of dengue. On the other hand, Aedes presence (irrespective of infectious status) in the patient’s house was negatively associated with dengue. In addition, the human immune response to Aedes bites, was higher in control than in case patients and Aedes adult abundance and immature indices were higher in control than in case houses at the household and the neighboring level. Multivariable analysis showed that children aged 10–14 years old and those aged 15–25 years old had respectively 4.5-fold and 2.9-fold higher odds of dengue infection than those older than 25 years. Conclusion DENV infection in female Aedes at the house level was positively associated with dengue infection, while adult Aedes presence in the household was negatively associated. This study highlights the potential benefit of monitoring dengue viruses in Aedes vectors. Our findings suggest that monitoring the presence of DENV-infected Aedes mosquitoes could be a better indicator of dengue risk than the traditional immature entomological indices.

: Thymoquinone (TQ) is one of the leading phytochemicals, which is abundantly found in Nigella sativa L. seeds. TQ exhibited various biological effects such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anti-tumoral in several pre-clinical studies. Parkinson's disease (PD) is a long-term neurodegenerative disease with movement difficulties, and the common feature of neurodegeneration in PD patients is caused by dopaminergic neural damage in the substantia nigra pars compacta. The neuroprotective activity of TQ has been studied in various neurological disorders. TQ-mediated neuroprotection against PD yet to be reported in a single frame; therefore, this review is intended to narrate the potentiality of TQ in the therapy of PD. TQ has been shown to protect against neurotoxins via amelioration of neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, thereby protects neurodegeneration in PD models. TQ could be an emerging therapeutic intervention in PD management, but mechanistic studies have been remained to be investigated to clarify its neuroprotective role.

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Background: The prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has increased in Bangladesh. This paper reviewed published studies on HTN and T2DM from 2010 to 2020 in Bangladesh and conducted a meta-analysis on these diseases. Methods: The PubMed database was used for systematic search. Hypertension (HTN) and T2DM were considered for measuring pooled prevalence by meta-analysis. The random-effects model was used to calculate the pooled prevalence of HTN (n=30) and T2DM (n=21) relevant studies. The quality of the reviewed studies was determined by sampling strategy, sample size and outcome assessment. The protocol of the meta-analysis has been registered at PROSPERO (CRD42020206315), and the study is not funded by any organizations. Results: The pooled HTN and T2DM prevalence were 21.6% (95% CI: 18.8%−24.4%) and 13.6% (95% CI: 10.8%−16.5%), respectively. Females were more hypertensive than males (M vs. F: 18.6% vs.24.8%), and T2DM was higher in females (M vs. F: 12.4% vs. 13.3%). Urban dwellers were more hypertensive and diabetic than rural people (urban vs. rural: 28.5% vs. 20.3% and 18.8% vs. 14.2%, respectively). A total of 8% increase in the total prevalence of HTN and T2DM became more than double compared to the 1995-2010 period. Conclusion: Future research should focus on the underlying factors that increase the prevalence of these diseases and prevention strategies to reduce the trend of increasing prevalence.

ObjectivesThe number of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases is increasing in Bangladesh. Many people have suffered from symptoms like COVID-19 during this pandemic, and some people have cured without taking any treatment or taking minor pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments. However, they might be spreading their infections among their family members and perhaps in the community. It is unsure that individuals with COVID-19-like symptoms are positive with COVID-19, but our concern is, during this pandemic, any types of symptoms such as flu-like symptoms should have been taken seriously. This study was observed in the cases from three families with COVID-19 like symptoms.Case presentationThis observational study was done between May 20 and Jun 2, 2020, in Bangladesh. The members of the inspected families shared COVID-19 like symptoms that were lasted for 3-10 days.ConclusionsCOVID-19 might be spread and cured silently in Bangladesh, which recommends that awareness is needed throughout the country to prevent the spreading of the disease.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is presently the most important topic worldwide. However, no vaccine or specific anti-viral treatment for the disease has been shown to be effective. In this emergency, identifying risk factors, preventive measures and estimating challenges which control available drug options for COVID-19 are key to mitigating the severity of the pandemic until specific drugs or vaccines become available. Therefore, this study aims to identify possible factors which affect these drug options. This study searched PubMed database using necessary Boolean operators from December 31st to March 31st 2020 in order to identify common risk factors, preventive measures, information regarding control challenges & evidence on the available drug options against COVID-19. Risk factors were found to be human-animal interactions, males, aged peopleand people with co-morbidity. Furthermore, protective factors comprised of personal hygiene etiquette maintenance, rapid identification, isolation and informing (3I tools) of the COVID-19 cases and media coverage on COVID-19. Till date, anti-viral drugs like remdesivir, chloroquine, lopinavir/ritonavir and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) are available options to fight against COVID-19. More research is needed to determine other how to control the disease until specific treatment options are available as well as risk factors, and preventive measures.