Effects of integrated nutrient management in early season cauliflower production and its residual effects on soil properties

This experiment was conducted in the farmer’s field at Khajrauta, Gadhawa-4, Dang, Nepal to evaluate the effect of integrated nutrient management on growth and yield of cauliflower as well as their residual effects on soil properties. The cauliflower variety silvercup-60 was grown under eight different treatments; T1: 50% N through RDF + 50% N through FYM; T2: 50% N through RDF + 50% N through PM; T3: 50% N through RDF + 50% N through VC, T4: 50% N through RDF + 25% N through FYM + 25% N through PM; T5: 50% N through RDF + 25% N through VC + 25% N through PM; T6: 50% N through RDF + 25% N through VC + 25% N through FYM; T7: 50% N through RDF + 25% N through  VC +25% N through FYM; T8: 50% N through RDF + 50% N  through FYM,VC and poultry manure. The experiment was laid out in RCB design with three replications. The result revealed that the  highest plant height (36.40 cm), number of leaves (15), plant spread (31.72 cm), leaf area (526.5 cm2), curd weight (207.3g) and curd yield (12.85 t/ha) were found under 50% N through RDF +50% N through VC. The root length, root diameter and root density were better under all INM treatments as compared to 100% N through RDF. INM treatments showed lesser bulk density, lesser particle density, greater infiltration rate and greater organic matter content than application of 100% N through RDF. Soil total nitrogen was increased in all INM treatments while soil available phosphorus decreases in all treatments except 100% N trough RDF and 50% N through RDF +50% N through PM. Thus, farmers are suggested to apply 50% N through VC along with 50% N through RDF to increase cauliflower yield.  &nbsp

Successful Management of Quadruplet Pregnancy following Spontaneous Conception

Introduction: When more than two fetuses simultaneously develop in the uterus, it is called higher order multiple pregnancy. The incidence of such pregnancies ranges from 0.01% to 0.07%. Case report: We report a case of 26-year-old G2P1L0D2 with previous history of preterm vaginal twin delivery, diagnosed to have quadruplet pregnancy. She was admitted at 28 weeks of gestation for safe confinement. At 33 weeks of gestation, emergency cesarean section was conducted with outcome of two female and two male babies with quadriamniotic and quadrichorionic placenta, without any intra and post-operative complications. Conclusion: A multidisciplinary approach with good neonatal care facilities is warranted for a better outcome in higher order multiple pregnancies

Evaluation of Phytochemical, Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities of Selected Medicinal Plants

Medicinal plants are important reservoirs of bioactive compounds that need to be explored systematically. Because of their chemical diversity, natural products provide limitless possibilities for new drug discovery. This study aimed to investigate the biochemical properties of crude extracts from fifteen Nepalese medicinal plants. The total phenolic contents (TPC), total flavonoid contents (TFC), and antioxidant activity were evaluated through a colorimetric approach while the antibacterial activities were studied through the measurement of the zone of inhibition (ZoI) by agar well diffusion method along with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) by broth dilution method. The methanolic extracts of Acacia catechu and Eupoterium adenophorum showed the highest TPC (55.21 ± 11.09 mg GAE/gm) and TFC (10.23 ± 1.07 mg QE/gm) among the studied plant extracts. Acacia catechu showed effective antioxidant properties with an IC50 value of 1.3 μg/mL, followed by extracts of Myrica esculenta, Syzygium cumini, and Mangifera indica. Morus australis exhibited antibacterial activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae (ZoI: 25mm, MIC: 0.012 mg/mL), Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 (ZoI: 22 mm, MIC: 0.012 mg/mL), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ZoI; 20 mm, MIC: 0.05 mg/mL), and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (ZoI: 19 mm, MIC: 0.19 mg/mL). Morus australis extract showed a broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, followed by Eclipta prostrata, and Hypericum cordifolium. Future study is recommended to explore secondary metabolites of those medicinal plants to uncover further clinical efficacy

Digital learning Initiatives, Challenges and Achievement in Higher Education in Nepal Amidst COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected higher education institutions (HEIs) worldwide and reshaped the existing educational system. Due to travel constraints and physical separation, there has been a global shift toward distance learning, and Nepal is no exception. This research intends to assess the practicality of online education by evaluating learners' experiences amidst COVID-19. A cross-sectional study was directed among HEIs students in Nepal using self-structured questionnaires. Our study revealed that 64.6% of the respondents were unsatisfied with online classes. More than half of the respondents (53.4%) use cell phones for online studies. Online education was reported to be unappealing to 28.8% of respondents. Variables such as age group (p = 0.05), enjoying class (p < 0.001), hours spent for an online class in a day (p = 0.05), and period for educational work using an electronic device (p = 0.1) were found significant with satisfaction level using both bivariate test and inferential test of univariate binary logistics regression. The challenges and opportunities encountered among students and faculties are highlighted along with the recommendations for fortifying communication in online-based teaching/learning

Maculosin, a non-toxic antioxidant compound isolated from Streptomyces sp. KTM18

Context Streptomyces species are prolific sources of bioactive secondary metabolites known especially for their antimicrobial and anticancer activities. Objective This study sought to isolate and characterize antioxidant molecules biosynthesized by Streptomyces sp. KTM18. The antioxidant potential of an isolated compound and its toxicity were accessed. Materials and methods The compound was purified using bioassay-guided chromatography techniques. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments were carried out for structure elucidation. The antioxidant potential of the isolated compound was determined using DPPH free radical scavenging assay. The toxicity of the isolated compound was measured using a brine shrimp lethality (BSL) assay. Results Ethyl acetate extract of Streptomyces sp. KTM18 showed more than 90% inhibition of DPPH free radical at 50 mu g/mL of the test concentration. These data were the strongest among 13 Streptomyces isolates (KTM12-KTM24). The active molecule was isolated and characterized as maculosin (molecular formula, C14H16N2O3 as determined by the [M + H](+) peak at 261.1259). The DPPH free radical scavenging activity of pure maculosin was higher (IC50, 2.16 +/- 0.05 mu g/mL) than that of commercial butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) (IC50, 4.8 +/- 0.05 mu g/mL). No toxicity was observed for maculosin (LD50, <128 mu g/mL) in brine shrimp lethality assay (BSLA) up to the compound's antioxidant activity (IC50) concentration range. The commercial standard, berberine chloride, showed toxicity in BSLA with an LD50 value of 8.63 +/- 0.15 mu g/mL. Conclusions Maculosin may be a leading drug candidate in various cosmetic and therapeutic applications owing to its strong antioxidant and non-toxic properties

Encapsulation of Fe3O4 in gelatin nanoparticles: effect of different parameters on size and stability of the colloidal dispersion

Encapsulation of magnetite (IOPs) in gelatin nanoparticles has been carried out by in situ precipitation of the particles in presence of gelatin, followed by desolvation and cross-linking of the composite nanoparticles. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of various formulation parameters (viz; desolvating agent, cross-linking agent and percentage of IOPs) on the hydrodynamic size of the gelatin-coated magnetic iron oxide composite nanoparticles (GIOPs) and stability of the colloidal dispersion. Extensive characterization by dynamic light scattering, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy shows complete encapsulation of IOPs of size below 8 nm into gelatin nanoparticles of varying size. Size as well as stability of the colloidal dispersion of the GIOPs was found to be dependent on the investigated parameters. Furthermore, the nanoparticle dispersion was found to be stable in pH ranges from 2–12. Thus, obtained composite nanoparticles could hold promise as a carrier system in biomedical applications

Gelatin stabilized iron oxide nanoparticles as a three dimensional template for the hydroxyapatite crystal nucleation and growth

Inspired by the structural similarity of gelatin (and collagen) linked to a mineral phase based on Ca-phosphates compounds with natural bone and increasing application of magnetic iron oxides in hyperthermia, gelatin coated iron oxide (GIO) was synthesized and hydroxyapatite (HAp) crystal nucleation and growth in the nanoparticles was explored. A series of GIO/HAp nanocomposites with various amount of GIO were synthesized by co-precipitation technique using calcium hydroxide and phosphoric acid as precursor. Various physico-chemical analysis showed that the HAp crystal nucleation and growth occurred at acidic group of gelatin, while magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (\u3c 8nm) were bound to the amide groups of the gelatin chain. Moreover, the growth of HAp nanocrystals in aq. GIO solution was highly influenced by the GIO contents in the solution. The mineralized composite with magnetic properties could have great scope in biomedical field as a thermoseed to kill the cancerous cell in bone side by side for the bone reinforcement

LC-HRMS-Based Profiling: Antibacterial and Lipase Inhibitory Activities of Some Medicinal Plants for the Remedy of Obesity

Globally, obesity is a serious health concern that causes numerous diseases, including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, etc. Medicinal plants have been used to aid in weight loss since ancient times. Thus, this research is focused on the exploration of pancreatic lipase inhibitory activity and secondary metabolite profiling of Bergenia ciliata, Mimosa pudica, and Phyllanthus emblica, selected based on an ethnobotanical survey. The lipase inhibition was investigated using 4-nitrophenyl butyrate (p-NPB) as a substrate. To uncover further therapeutic potentials of these medicinal plants, antimicrobial activity and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the extracts were also determined. The ethyl acetate plant extracts showed higher antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, and Shigella sonnei. The MIC of ethyl acetate extracts of medicinal plants considered in this study ranges from 1.56 to 6.25 mg/mL. The hexane fraction of Mimosa pudica and Phyllanthus emblica showed a higher lipase inhibitory activity as compared to others, with IC50 values of 0.49 ± 0.02 and 2.45 ± 0.003 mg/mL, respectively. In the case of Bergenia ciliata, the methanolic extract inhibited lipase more effectively than others, with an IC50 value of 1.55 ± 0.02 mg/mL (IC50 value of orlistat was 179.70 ± 3.60 µg/mL). A mass spectrometry analysis of various solvent/solvent partition fractions (extracts) revealed 29 major secondary metabolites. The research offers a multitude of evidence for using medicinal plants as antiobesity and antimicrobial agents

Antidiabetic, Antimicrobial, and Molecular Profiling of Selected Medicinal Plants

Natural products have been the center of attraction ever since they were discovered. Among them, plant-based natural products were popular as analgesics, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and cosmetics and possess widespread biotechnological applications. The use of plant products as cosmetics and therapeutics is deep-rooted in Nepalese society. Although there are few ethnobotanical studies conducted, extensive research of these valuable medicinal plants has not been a priority due to the limitation of technology and infrastructure. Here, we selected 4 traditionally used medicinal plants to examine their bioactive properties and their enzyme inhibition potential. α-Glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory activities were investigated using an in vitro model followed up by antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. The present study shows that ethyl acetate fraction of Melastoma melabathrium (IC50 9.1 ± 0.3 µg/mL) and water fraction Acacia catechu (IC50 9.0 ± 0.6 µg/mL) exhibit strong α-glucosidase inhibition. Likewise, the highest α-amylase inhibition was shown by crude extracts of Ficus religiosa (IC50 29.2 ± 1.2 µg/mL) and ethyl acetate fractions of Shorea robusta (IC50 69.3 ± 1.1 µg/mL), and the highest radical scavenging activity was shown by F. religiosa with an IC50 67.4 ± 0.6 µg/mL. Furthermore, to identify the metabolites within the fractions, we employed high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) and annotated 17 known metabolites which justify our assumption on activity. Of 4 medicinal plants examined, ethyl acetate fraction of S. robusta, ethyl acetate fraction of M. melabathrium, and water or ethyl acetate fraction of A. catechu extracts illustrated the best activities. With our study, we set up a foundation that provides authentic evidence to the community for use of these traditional plants. The annotated metabolites in this study support earlier experimental evidence towards the inhibition of enzymes. Further study is necessary to explore the clinical efficacy of these secondary molecules, which might be alternatives for the treatment of diabetes and pathogens

Technological Advancements for the Detection of Antibiotics in Food Products

Antibiotics, nowadays, are not only used for the treatment of human diseases but also used in animal and poultry farming to increase production. Overuse of antibiotics leads to their circulation in the food chain due to unmanaged discharge. These circulating antibiotics and their residues are a major cause of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), so comprehensive and multifaceted measures aligning with the One Health approach are crucial to curb the emergence and dissemination of antibiotic resistance through the food chain. Different chromatographic techniques and capillary electrophoresis (CE) are being widely used for the separation and detection of antibiotics and their residues from food samples. However, the matrix present in food samples interferes with the proper detection of the antibiotics, which are present in trace concentrations. This review is focused on the scientific literature published in the last decade devoted to the detection of antibiotics in food products. Various extraction methods are employed for the enrichment of antibiotics from a wide variety of food samples; however, solid-phase extraction (SPE) techniques are often used for the extraction of antibiotics from food products and biological samples. In addition, this review has scrutinized how changing instrumental composition, organization, and working parameters in the chromatography and CE can greatly impact the identification and quantification of antibiotic residues. This review also summarized recent advancements in other detection methods such as immunological assays, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)-based assays, and biosensors which have emerged as rapid, sensitive, and selective tools for accurate detection and quantification of traces of antibiotics