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The aim of this paper is to highlight the activities and observations of some NGOs and some dedicated researchers in the field of psychosocial consequences of disaster in Bangladesh, particularly in the coastal areas and the tornado-affected areas of the district of Tangile and Jamalpur during the last two decades. Some of the advantages of the non-governmental organizations' (NGOs) work in relief and development were their linkages with grass-roots people ensuring access to the community and community participation, the flexible approach of work, ability and willingness to learn from people and ability to connect people's lives with their realities. The most remarkable survey carried out by the Social Assistance and Rehabilitation for the Physically Vulnerable (SARPV-Bangladesh) after the 1996 tornado showed, on average, that women are more affected psychologically than men; 66% of the total sample in the disaster area were psychologically traumatized and required emergency services. The study supports the ideas that any disaster will have mental health consequences. Providing scientific psychological services is essential for real recovery from such a disaster. In developing countries like Bangladesh, limitations of mental health professionals and inadequate knowledge and practice about disaster mental health among the medical and paramedical staff, may lead to delays in the psychosocial management and rehabilitation of the survivors. To respond properly to a serious type of disaster like a cyclone or a tornado or recurrent devastating flood, the disaster mental health team should be aware of the socio-economic status, local culture, tradition, language and local livelihood patterns. Integration of the team with the network of various governmental and non-governmental organizations is essential to provide mental health services effectively.

Formalin is a widely used fixative but there is potential public health risks to exposure. Besides, alcoholic fixation is advantageous over formalin fixation because of faster fixation, optimal preservation and safer workplace environment. Following fixation by EMA and 10% neutral buffered formalin (NBF), we analyzed the tissue morphology, antigenic stability, DNA and RNA quantity with quality (OD value). The findings of EMA fixing on both the tissue morphology and molecular characterization, were satisfactory. Specially, EMA was faster in penetration of tissues than NBF, fixed ideally as early as 8 h of fixation whereas improper fixation was evident for NBF. In Hematoxylin and Eosin (H & E) staining, better cellular details with stronger affinity for staining were observed. In immunohistochemistry, better antigenic stability was reported for EMA-fixed tissues. The nucleic acid analysis revealed that total genomic DNA and RNA yield from EMA fixed tissues were significantly higher ( P < 0.05 ) with superior quality than NBF fixed tissues. Our results suggest that EMA could be a potential alternative to NBF for fixation and preservation of tissues. These data provide new insights into an option for a safer working environment to support study and research.

Lactoferrin (LF), a sialylated iron-binding glycoprotein, performs multiple beneficial functions including modulating immunity and improves neurodevelopment, health and growth performance. Maternal LF intervention for gilts (first parity sows) on the performance of gilts and their offspring remains unknown. In the current study gilts were fed with a commercial pig feed supplemented with 1g LF /day (treatment group) or 1g milk casein/day (control group) from day 1 post mating throughout pregnancy and lactation for about 135 days. The milk production and body weight gain was monitored. The immunoglobulin concentrations in the serum of gilts and piglets were measured using ELISA. Our study showed that maternal LF supplementation to the gilt (1) significantly increased milk production at different time points (day 1, 3, 7 and 19) of lactation compared to the control (p<0.001); (2) significantly increased body weight gain of their piglets during the first 19 days of life compared to the control group (p<0.05); (3) tended to increase pregnancy rate, litter size and birth weight, number of piglets born alive, and decrease the number of dead and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) piglets; (4) significantly increased the concentration of serum IgA in gilt and serum sIgA in piglet (p<0.05). In summary, maternal Lf intervention in gilts can improve milk production, pig production and serum IgA and sIgA levels, and therefore plays a key role in shaping the performance of their progeny.

The widespread and indiscriminate use of antimicrobials in food animals is a key contributor to antimicrobial resistance and antimicrobial residue, which have become a growing public and animal health concern in developing countries such as Bangladesh. This study was aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) of large-animal farmers towards antimicrobial use (AMU), antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and antimicrobial residue (AR) with their correlation. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with a structured and pretested questionnaire in the Mymensingh division of Bangladesh. A total of 212 large-animal farmers (dairy, beef fattening, buffalo, sheep, and goat farmers) were surveyed. Results showed that most of the farmers are male (85.8%) and belong to the 18–30 age group (37.3%). About 20.3% had no formal education, and nearly half of the participants (48.1%) received training regarding antibiotic use and resistance. Penicillin is the most common class of antibiotic used (61.8%) in the study area, followed by other antimicrobials. Only 37.7% of the farmers used antimicrobials on the recommendation of their veterinarian. Overall, 41.5%, 42.5%, and 21.7% of farmers possess adequate knowledge and a satisfactory attitude and perform desirable practices, respectively. Farmers in the 31–40 age group have adequate knowledge, attitude, and ability to implement desired practices compared to farmers in the 18–30 age group. Farmers having a graduate or post-graduate degree scored better in relation to knowledge, attitude, and practice than other farmers. Analysis revealed that farmers who received training on AMU and AMR had 10.014 times (OR = 10.014, 95% CIs: 5.252–19.094), 9.409 times (OR = 9.409, 95% CIs: 4.972–17.806), and 25.994 times (OR = 25.994, 95% CIs: 7.73–87.414) better knowledge, attitude, and performance, respectively, compared to their counterparts. A significant proportion of farmers (97.2%) dispose of leftover antibiotics inappropriately. The findings of the present study will be used to intervene in the education and training of the farmers, which will help to limit the indiscriminate and irrational use of antimicrobials, leading to reducing the chances of developing AMR.

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