Increased therapeutic efficacy of a newly synthesized tyrosinase inhibitor by solid lipid nanoparticles in the topical treatment of hyperpigmentation

Al-Amin, Md,Cao, Jiafu,Naeem, Muhammad,Banna, Hasanul,Kim, Min-Soo,Jung, Yunjin,Chung, Hae Young,Moon, Hyung Ryong,Yoo, Jin-Wook Dove Medical Press 2016 Drug design, development and therapy Vol.10 No.-

<P>Hyperpigmentation caused by melanin overproduction is a major skin disorder in humans. Inhibition of tyrosinase, a key regulator of melanin production, has been used as an effective strategy to treat hyperpigmentation. In this study, we investigated the use of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) as a highly effective and nontoxic means to deliver a newly synthesized potent tyrosinase inhibitor, MHY498, and to target melanocytes through the skin. MHY498-loaded SLNs (MHY-SLNs) were prepared by an oil-in-water emulsion solvent-evaporation method, and their morphological and physicochemical properties were characterized. MHY-SLNs showed a prolonged drug-release profile and higher skin permeation than that of MHY solution. In an in vivo evaluation of antimelanogenic activity, MHY-SLNs showed a prominent inhibitory effect against ultraviolet B-induced melanogenesis, resulting in no change in the skin color of C57BL/6 mouse, compared with that observed in an MHY solution-treated group and an untreated control group. The antimelanogenic effect of MHY-SLNs was further confirmed through Fontana–Masson staining. Importantly, MHY-SLNs did not induce any toxic effects in the L929 cell line. Overall, these data indicate that MHY-SLNs show promise in the topical treatment of hyperpigmentation.</P>

Customer's Attitude toward Mobile Banking Usage: A Case Study in Bangladesh

AL AMIN, Md.,SULTANA, Nahida,SAHA, Trina,ISLAM, S.M. Nazrul,KASHEM, Md. Abul 한국유통과학회 2021 The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Busine Vol.8 No.2

Mobile banking brings about a progressive change in the field of banking sectors in Bangladesh. To create a sustainable banking environment, technological implementation is important. As a part of this, many organizations as well as modern banks propelled mobile banking systems in Bangladesh. The customers' attitudes towards mobile banking are fascinating in Bangladesh. So, it is important for mobile banking authority to know what factors influence customers' positive attitude towards mobile banking usage and whether they are facing problems in using mobile banking. To evaluate the customers' attitude toward mobile banking usage in Bangladesh is the main objective of this study. People who use mobile banking have been considered for the study. Respondents were reached out based on their online activities. Around 400 questionnaires have been sent to respondents, but only 200 were returned with responses. A quantitative research design was used for this study. As regards statistical analysis tools, descriptive statistics, factor analysis, and regression analysis have been adopted for analyzing the research study. The results revealed that usage benefits, shopping benefits, and psychological factors influence customers' positive attitude toward mobile banking usage in Bangladesh. Besides, some problems with mobile banking usage are identified by the respondents.

Agency, empowerment and intra-household gender relations in Bangladesh: Does market-oriented microcredit contribute?

Md. Al-Amin,Golam M. Mathbor 이화여자대학교 아시아여성학센터 2019 Asian Journal of Women's Studies(AJWS) Vol.25 No.2

This article seeks to probe the influence of microcredit on the development of agency and empowerment of poor women in rural Bangladesh. The study was conducted on the clients of two leading NGOs—Grameen Bank (GB) and Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee (BRAC)—in Bangladesh. The qualitative findings of the ethnographic study confirmed that poor women’s involvement in microcredit programs does not contribute to the development of their agency and empowerment in a transformative sense due to structural problems in the programs and the patriarchal social structure of Bangladesh. It is true that microcredit has increased the mobility of women through group networks and organizations, but it has not added to their broader empowerment by easing their access to market transactions, unlike their male counterparts. An overwhelming majority of women do not have control over loans and credit-driven activities, although repayment responsibility rests entirely with them. In some instances, microcredit leads to spousal conflicts regarding repayments. Therefore, microcredit has not been very effective in promoting rational economic choices by women that would lead to their empowerment in the true sense of the term.

Effects of sintering temperature and zirconia content on the mechanical and microstructural properties of MgO, TiO2 and CeO2 doped alumina–zirconia (ZTA) ceramic

Al-Amin Md.,Mumu Homayra Tabassum,Sarker Saugata,Alam Md. Zahangir,Gafur M. A. 한국세라믹학회 2023 한국세라믹학회지 Vol.60 No.1

The effects of sintering temperature and ZrO2 addition on the hardness and fracture toughness of zirconia toughened alumina (ZTA)–MgO–TiO2 composite was investigated. 5 wt.% CeO2 was added to ZTA containing 5 wt.% of MgO and 5 wt.% of TiO2. Two sets of composition A5ZMTC and A15ZMTC were used consisting of 5 wt.% and 15 wt.% of 3YSZ, respectively, to analyze the effect of CeO2 on the base composition. The powders were pressed into pellets and sintered at different temperatures of 1450 °C, 1500 °C, 1600 °C and 1650 °C for 3 h. Density, hardness and fracture toughness increased to a maximum value and then decreased. From the XRD analysis, Ce0.7Zr0.3O2 in only A5ZMTC and CeAl11O18 in only A15ZMTC are evident. The highest fracture toughness of 12.03 MPam1/2 (Casellas) was achieved at 1500 °C in A15ZMTC and maximum hardness of 14.15 GPa was obtained in A5ZMTC sintered at 1450 °C.

Effects of Antipsychotics on the Inflammatory Response System of Patients with Schizophrenia in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell Cultures

Md. Mamun Al-Amin,Mir Muhammad Nasir Uddin,Hasan Mahmud Reza 대한정신약물학회 2013 CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE Vol.11 No.3

Objective: We investigated the effects of antipsychotics on immune-challenged peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC)cultures. Methods: Blood samples were collected from twelve patients with first-episode schizophrenia. The PBMCs were separated and cultures were prepared and stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (poly[I:C]), and then separately treated with a typical antipsychotic (haloperidol) or atypical antipsychotic (clozapine, quetiapine, or risperidone). Pro-inflammatory (interferon gamma [IFN-γ]) and anti-inflammatory (interleukin [IL]-4 and IL-10) cytokine levels were measured in the LPS- or poly(I:C)-stimulated PBMC cultures treated with antipsychotics. Results: Haloperidol and quetiapine significantly increased the IL-4 levels (p<0.05) in LPS-stimulated PBMC cultures, while clozapine and quetiapine significantly enhanced the IL-4 levels (p<0.05) in poly(I:C)-stimulated PBMC cultures. Only treatment with haloperidol resulted in a significant increase in IL-10 production (p<0.05) in LPS-stimulated PBMC cultures, whereas clozapine,quetiapine, and risperidone treatment significantly increased IL-10 production (p<0.05) in poly(I:C)-stimulated PBMC cultures. All of the antipsychotics reduced the IFN-γ level significantly (p<0.05) in LPS- and poly(I:C)-stimulated PBMC cultures. Conclusion: Antipsychotic treatment altered immune function by raising the levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4 and IL-10)and suppressing the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IFN-γ).

A Comparative Study of Twist Property in KSS Curves of Embedding Degree 16 and 18 from the Implementation Perspective

Khandaker, Md. Al-Amin,Park, Taehwan,Nogami, Yasuyuki,Kim, Howon The Korea Institute of Information and Commucation 2017 Journal of information and communication convergen Vol.15 No.2

Implementation of faster pairing calculation is the basis of efficient pairing-based cryptographic protocol implementation. Generally, pairing is a costly operation carried out over the extension field of degree $k{\geq}12$. But the twist property of the pairing friendly curve allows us to calculate pairing over the sub-field twisted curve, where the extension degree becomes k/d and twist degree d = 2, 3, 4, 6. The calculation cost is reduced substantially by twisting but it makes the discrete logarithm problem easier if the curve parameters are not carefully chosen. Therefore, this paper considers the most recent parameters setting presented by Barbulescu and Duquesne [1] for pairing-based cryptography; that are secure enough for 128-bit security level; to explicitly show the quartic twist (d = 4) and sextic twist (d = 6) mapping between the isomorphic rational point groups for KSS (Kachisa-Schaefer-Scott) curve of embedding degree k = 16 and k = 18, receptively. This paper also evaluates the performance enhancement of the obtained twisted mapping by comparing the elliptic curve scalar multiplications.

Interventional Pain Management in Rheumatological Diseases - A Three Years Physiatric Experience in a Tertiary Medical College Hospital in Bangladesh

Md Abu Bakar Siddiq,Suzon Al Hasan,Gautam Das,Amin Uddin A Khan 대한통증학회 2011 The Korean Journal of Pain Vol.24 No.4

Background:Interventional pain management (IPM) is a branch of medical science that deals with management of painful medical conditions using specially equipped x-ray and anatomical landmarks. Interventional physiatry is a branch of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation that treat painful conditions by intervention in peripheral joints, spine, and soft tissues. Methods:A cross - sectional study was conducted using three years hospital records (2006 to 2008) of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department, Chittagong Medical College Hospital, Bangladesh with a view to highlight current interventional pain practice in a tertiary medical college hospital. Results:Maximum intervention was done in degenerative peripheral joint disorders (600, 46.0%) followed by inflammatory joint diseases (300, 23.0%), soft tissue rheumatism (300, 23.0%), and radicular or referred low back conditions (100, 8.0%). Knee was the most commonly intervent peripheral joint. Motor stimulation guided intralesional injection methylprednisolone into piriformis muscle was given in 10 cases of piriformis syndrome refractory to oral medications and therapeutic exercises. Soft tissue rheumatism of unknown etiology was most common in the form of adhesive capsulitis (90, 64.3%) and discussed separately. Epidural steroid was practiced in different causes of lumbar radiculopathy except infective discitis. Conclusions:All procedures were performed using anatomical landmark as there was no facilities for c-arm/diagnostic ultrasound required for accurate and safe intervention. Dedicated IPM set up is required in all PMR departments for better pain management and reduce burden on other specialities. (Korean J Pain 2011; 24: 205-215)

Forest and agro-ecosystem productivity in Bangladesh: a climate vegetation productivity approach

Md. Siddiqur Rahman,Salena Akter,Mohammed Al-Amin 한국산림과학회 2015 Forest Science And Technology Vol.11 No.3

The aim of the study was to assess spatial and temporal variation in productivity with respect to climate factors in Bangladesh in different forest ecosystems and agro-ecological zones. A climate vegetation, and productivity index (CVPI) for different vegetation types of Bangladesh were measured for years ranging between 1990 and 2010. Data were gathered from 11 meteorological stations sporadically distributed throughout the country. The range of CVPI at different vegetation zones of the country shows values between 1223 and 2800 (this index has no unit). Spatial distribution of values indicates that CVPI is lower in northwestern and southwestern agro-ecological zones of the country, whereas it is higher in eastern zones. This may be due to less rainfall and higher atmospheric temperature in the western part than the eastern part. CVPI in the central part of Bangladesh also decreases while the temporal scenario also varies significantly. There was a peak in the index during the year 1998 when the country faced extreme precipitation followed by devastating floods. Both spatial and temporal variation depicts that vegetation productivity would increase or decrease with respect to climatic parameters such as mean monthly temperature, precipitation, and solar radiation received at the site. For major types of forested woodland, tropical evergreen and semi-evergreen types cover the range of 21502800, moist Sal forest covers 12231896, dry Sal forest covers 12771280, Sundarbans covers 1307, and coastal plantations cover 19462531 CVPI. This value greatly depends on the spatial coordinates of the meteorological stations. From Paterson’s regression, forest timber productivity was calculated which was found to be higher for evergreen, semi-evergreen, and coastal plantation (about 1011 m3 ha ¡1 yr ¡1), where deciduous Sal and Sundarbans has lower productivity (about 89 m3 ha ¡1 yr ¡1) than hill forests. Thus, climatic factors, as well as altitudinal and latitudinal differences, may pose divergence in forest productivity. Hence, climate is the key factor in forest productivity and distribution.

Macroeconomic and Firm-specific Factors Influencing Non-Performing Loans in Bangladesh: A Panel Data Regression Approach

Md. Iftekharul AMIN,Aumit AHSAN,Mahmud Al MUKTADIR,Muntasir AZAD,Razib Hasan Bin REZANUR 한국유통과학회 2021 The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Busine Vol.8 No.12

A prerequisite of a sound financial system is effective channeling of financial resources to efficient users; hence maximizing economic and societal welfare. To that end, the prevalence of bad loans in banks in emerging economies is a major policy concern. In an attempt to add to the growing body of literature explaining the interrelationship between macroeconomic and firm-specific factors, and non-performing loans (NPL), this paper examines data from 24 scheduled commercial banks in Bangladesh from 2008 to 2019. Macroeconomic factors as well as firm-specific factors related to profitability, capital strength, and efficiency are considered. Panel data regression analysis is performed to estimate pooled OLS, fixed effects, and random effects models. Following the necessary testing, it was found that the fixed effects model with robust standard error is appropriate. Results show that return on assets and inflation have a negative influence on NPL, but GDP growth has a favorable impact. The paper concludes by asserting that the evidence supports similar findings from studies both in Bangladesh and elsewhere and it is noted that a combination of these macroeconomic and firm-specific factors explains only a small portion of the total variation in NPL

Artocarpus chaplasha: Establishment and Initial Growth Performance at Elevated Temperature and Saline Stresses

Md. Siddiqur Rahman,M. Al-Amin,Salena Akter 강원대학교 산림과학연구소 2012 Journal of Forest Science Vol.28 No.1

Like any other natural resources, forest flora may experience the extreme threat of elevated temperature and saline water submergence at different stages of their lives i.e. from germination to maturity due to climate change effects. The overall aim of the study was to measure the effect of higher temperatures along with saline water irrigation on survival and initial growth during seedling stage of Artocarpus chapalasha. The experiment was conducted in temperature-humidity-photoperiod regulated plant growth chamber during stipulated period to measure the growth performance of randomly selected seedlings. Within three different elevated temperatures viz. 30oC, 32oC and 34oC, the seedlings were given three different saline conditions such as 0.5 g/L, 1.5 g/L and 2.5 g/L NaCl concentrations. Results found from the experiment was that, seedlings of Artocarpus chaplasha reared at different temperatures and saline water treatments showed stunted growth than reared at existing outdoor temperature (26.31°C) irrigated with regular fresh water. Seedling growth at three different parameters such as height, collar diameter and number of leaves showed that with increasing temperature individuals respond negatively to increasing saline condition. The seedling’s growth occurred at every day in height, collar diameter and leaf. However, growth rate reduced later during the observation. The combined effect of high salinity and higher elevated temperature results in seedling mortality. Therefore, Artocarpus chaplasha may not thrive at higher temperature and salinity intrusion at its early growing period in plantation and natural forest areas.