Socio-economic analysis of open pollinated improved and hybrid maize production in Sindhupalchok district of Nepal

The study was conducted from April to June, 2020 for comparative analysis of socioeconomic factors and profitability between Open Pollinated Improved (OPI) varieties and Hybrid varieties on maize production in Sindhupalchok district of Nepal. A structured questionnaire was administered to 80 randomly selected households i.e. 48 HHs cultivated OPI and 32 HHs cultivated hybrid maize varieties.  Descriptive statistics, unpaired t-test, multiple linear regressions and indexing were used for data analysis using statistical tools- SPSS version 25 and MS-Excel. Linear regression model revealed that area under maize (5% level), education (5% level), age of household head (1% level), training (1% level), access to credit (5% level) and choice of seed (1 % level) significantly influenced maize production. In addition, unpaired t-test revealed that the productivity of hybrid maize varieties was significantly higher (1% level) than OPI varieties. Fall Armyworm infestation was found to more severe in OPI varieties (5% level) than hybrid. Furthermore, B: C ratio of hybrid varieties (1.59) indicated hybrid maize to be more profitable than OPI (1% level). However, the total cost of cultivation along with the cost of seed per hectare of OPI was found to be lower than hybrid varieties (1% level) thereby significantly increasing the area under maize production for OPI varieties (1% level).  Indexing identified- lack of availability of quality seeds and fertilizers (I= 0.78) as the major problem associated with maize production. Ensuring access to quality seeds and fertilizer at subsidy, mechanization and efficient extension services focused on development of affordable hybrid maize varieties or high yielding OPI and its adoption among the farmers in order to increase maize productivity is recommended

Socio-economic analysis of open pollinated improved and hybrid maize production in Sindhupalchok district of Nepal

The study was conducted from April to June, 2020 for comparative analysis of socioeconomic factors and profitability between Open Pollinated Improved (OPI) varieties and Hybrid varieties on maize production in Sindhupalchok district of Nepal. A structured questionnaire was administered to 80 randomly selected households i.e. 48 HHs cultivated OPI and 32 HHs cultivated hybrid maize varieties.  Descriptive statistics, unpaired t-test, multiple linear regressions and indexing were used for data analysis using statistical tools- SPSS version 25 and MS-Excel. Linear regression model revealed that area under maize (5% level), education (5% level), age of household head (1% level), training (1% level), access to credit (5% level) and choice of seed (1 % level) significantly influenced maize production. In addition, unpaired t-test revealed that the productivity of hybrid maize varieties was significantly higher (1% level) than OPI varieties. Fall Armyworm infestation was found to more severe in OPI varieties (5% level) than hybrid. Furthermore, B: C ratio of hybrid varieties (1.59) indicated hybrid maize to be more profitable than OPI (1% level). However, the total cost of cultivation along with the cost of seed per hectare of OPI was found to be lower than hybrid varieties (1% level) thereby significantly increasing the area under maize production for OPI varieties (1% level).  Indexing identified- lack of availability of quality seeds and fertilizers (I= 0.78) as the major problem associated with maize production. Ensuring access to quality seeds and fertilizer at subsidy, mechanization and efficient extension services focused on development of affordable hybrid maize varieties or high yielding OPI and its adoption among the farmers in order to increase maize productivity is recommended.</jats:p

Loss of Consciousness and Cardiac Arrest as an Atypical Presentation of Tubercular Meningitis: A Case Report

Tubercular meningitis is a devastating presentation of extra pulmonary tuberculosis, with fatality in each case without treatment. A 39 years male, a regular consumer of alcohol and a known case of major depressive disorder, presented with the alleged history of using an electric heater in a closed room, and presented to emergency with unconsciousness and cardiac arrest. As his neurological status didn’t improve over 72 hrs, a magnetic resonance imaging brain was done which was non-conclusive. Electroencephalogram revealed diffuse right fronto-parietal seizure activity ceasing with midazolam injection, hence levetiracetam was started. Lumbar puncture revealed increased adenosine deaminase and nil white blood cells. Repeat lumbar puncture showed lymphocytic–predominant pleocytosis, elevated protein and low glucose. The patient was started on anti-tubercular therapy and an injection of dexamethasone was added. Repeat electroencephalogram didn’t show any seizure-like activity. It is important to be aware of variety of presentations of tubercular meningitis. Delay in treatment leads to irreversible neurological damage and even death.</jats:p

Loss of Consciousness and Cardiac Arrest as an Atypical Presentation of Tubercular Meningitis: A Case Report

Tubercular meningitis is a devastating presentation of extra pulmonary tuberculosis, with fatality in each case without treatment. A 39 years male, a regular consumer of alcohol and a known case of major depressive disorder, presented with the alleged history of using an electric heater in a closed room, and presented to emergency with unconsciousness and cardiac arrest. As his neurological status didn’t improve over 72 hrs, a magnetic resonance imaging brain was done which was non-conclusive. Electroencephalogram revealed diffuse right fronto-parietal seizure activity ceasing with midazolam injection, hence levetiracetam was started. Lumbar puncture revealed increased adenosine deaminase and nil white blood cells. Repeat lumbar puncture showed lymphocytic–predominant pleocytosis, elevated protein and low glucose. The patient was started on anti-tubercular therapy and an injection of dexamethasone was added. Repeat electroencephalogram didn’t show any seizure-like activity. It is important to be aware of variety of presentations of tubercular meningitis. Delay in treatment leads to irreversible neurological damage and even death

Bio-Floc Technology: Prospects &amp; Challenges in Fish Farming of Nepal

Bio-floc technology is the blue revolution in aquaculture &amp; new technique of enhancing water quality &amp; utilizing feed wastes in the aquaculture system. It follows the concept of conversion of ammonium in addition to organic nitrogenous wastes into bacterial biomass in where heterotrophic bacterial growth is stimulated &amp; nitrogen uptake through the production of microbial proteins is promoted by the addition of carbohydrates to the pond. Nitrogen generated by uneaten feed and excreta of cultured organisms is converted into proteinaceous feed available for those same organisms. This technique recycles nutrients &amp; nitrogenous wastes by maintaining a high carbon: nitrogen ratio and provides essential &amp; higher quality nutrition to the shrimps &amp; fishes in achieving fast growth, lesser FCR &amp; possibility to prevent diseases. Water requirement in BFT is extremely less &amp; it is advantageous than the conventional system where there is continuous water &amp; nutrient recycling, lower FCR. On the other hand, many challenges are existing in practicing bio-floc in Nepal as it requires frequent pond monitoring by the technical manpower. The choice of carbon source should be made wisely and correctly as the performance of fish and water quality in the bio-floc ponds depend highly upon carbon source. Further, vitamins required for fish may not be produced by microbes thus needed to identify them and supply through the feed. However, the practice of bio-floc technology will be proven worth for farmers in Nepal.&#x0D; Int. J. Appl. Sci. Biotechnol. Vol 8(2): 140-145&#x0D;  </jats:p

Adverse events with ayurvedic medicines- possible adulteration and some inherent toxicities

Ayurvedic medicine, a traditional system of medicine practiced in the Indian subcontinent is considered to be devoid of adverse events. We report three cases which highlight the possibility of adverse events related with the use of ayurvedic products. A 35 year old woman with hepatitis took ayurvedic powder medicine and swarnabhasma (gold salt) and had her liver injury worsened, possibly due to alkaloids, and developed nephrotic syndrome, possibly due to gold salt. A 57 year old hypertensive man was taking ayurvedic medicine containing reserpine which had long been withdrawn from the allopathic system of medicine due to wide range of side effects. A 47 year old woman with rheumatoid arthritis was taking an unknown tablet containing steroid as an adulterant for 2 years and developed side effects typical of steroid excess. We would like to highlight the fact that ayurvedic medicines do have propensity to cause adverse events due to adulteration or inherent constituents like alkaloids, and hence may not always be completely safe.</ns4:p

Adverse events with ayurvedic medicines- possible adulteration and some inherent toxicities

Ayurvedic medicine, a traditional system of medicine practiced in the Indian subcontinent is considered to be devoid of adverse effects. We report three cases which highlight the possibility of adverse events related with the use ofwith the use of ayurvedic products. A 35 years old woman with hepatitis took ayurvedic powder medicine and with swarnabhasma (gold salt)s and had her liver injury worsened, possibly due to alkaloids, and developed nephrotic syndrome, possibly due to and gold salt. A 57 years old hypertensive man was taking ayurvedic medicine containing reserpine which had long been withdrawn from the allopathic system of medicine due to wide range of side effects. A 47 years old woman with rheumatoid arthritis was taking an unknown tablet containing a steroid as an adulterant for 2 years and developed side effects typical of steroid excess. We like to highlight the fact that ayurvedic medicines do have propensity to may cause adverse effects due to adulterations or inherent constituents like alkaloids, and hence are may not always be completely safe.</ns4:p