Effect of Different Doses of Sulfur on Growth and Yield of Rapeseed (Brassica campestris var. Lumle Tori)

Sulfur plays an important role in the growth and yield of rapeseed plants. A field experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with seven levels of sulfur (60 kg/ha, 50 kg/ha, 40 kg/ha, 30 kg/ha, 20 kg/ha, 10 kg/ha, and 0 kg/ha in three replicates) to evaluate the effect of different doses of sulfur on the growth and yield of rapeseed (Brassica campestris var. Lumle Tori) in Khairahani, Chitwan. Plant height, number of branches per plant, number of pods per plant, pod length, grain per pod, pod weight, fresh weight, dry weight, stover weight, harvest index, and grain yield were recorded.  Significant differences were observed in plant height, yield-related traits, and grain yield. The results showed significant differences between the growth and yield-related traits of the different treatments. Plant height and number of branches increased with increasing sulfur dose, reaching a maximum of 60 kg/ha. The maximum number of pods per plant was observed at 20 kg/ha, and the maximum pod length and grain per pod were observed at 60 kg/ha. Grain yield and harvest index were maximum at 20 kg/ha. The results showed that the maximum grain yield could be obtained by applying 20 kg/ha of sulfur. These findings provide valuable guidance for optimizing agricultural practices to meet the increasing global demand for oilseeds

Butterfly species diversity and their floral preferences in the Rupa Wetland of Nepal

Floral attributes often influence the foraging choices of nectar-feeding butterflies, given the close association between plants and these butterfly pollinators. The diversity of butterflies is known to a large extent in Nepal, but little information is available on the feeding habits of butterflies. This study was conducted along the periphery of Rupa Wetland from January to December 2019 to assess butterfly species diversity and to identify the factors influencing their foraging choices. In total, we recorded 1535 individuals of 138 species representing all six families. For our examination of butterfly-nectar plant interactions, we recorded a total of 298 individuals belonging to 31 species of butterfly visiting a total of 28 nectar plant species. Overall, total butterfly visitation was found to be significantly influenced by plant category (herbaceous preferred over woody), floral color (yellow white and purple preferred over pink), and corolla type (tubular preferred over nontubular). Moreover, there was a significant positive correlation between the proboscis length of butterflies and the corolla tube length of flowers. Examining each butterfly family separately revealed that, for four of the families (Lycaenidae, Nymphalidae, Papilionidae, and Pieridae), none of the tested factors (flower color, plant category, and corolla type) were shown to significantly influence butterfly abundance at flowers. However, Hesperidae abundance was found to be significantly influenced by both flower color (with more butterflies observed at yellow flowers than purple) and flower type (with more butterflies observed at tubular flowers than nontubular flowers). Our results reveal that Rupa Lake is a suitable habitat for butterflies, providing valuable floral resources. Hence, further detailed studies encompassing all seasons, a greater variety of plants, and other influential factors in different ecological regions are fundamental for creating favorable environments to sustain important butterfly pollinators and help create balanced wetland ecosystems.Peer reviewe

Rheumatic Heart Disease among Pregnant Women with Cardiac Diseases in a Tertiary Care Center of Nepal: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiac disease in pregnancy is a major cause of maternal mortality and morbidity in women, particularly in resource limited countries like Nepal. Rheumatic Heart Disease is the commonest cardiac disease complicating pregnancy. There is very limited data and evidence from Nepal regarding rheumatic heart disease complicating the pregnancy. The study aims to find out the prevalence of rheumatic heart disease among cardiac disease patients in a tertiary care hospital. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 41 women with cardiac disease who delivered babies at Chitwan Medical College from 1st January 2018 to 31st December 2019, after taking ethical approval from the Institutional Review Committee. A convenient sampling method was used. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences was used for data analysis. Point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was calculated along with frequency and proportion for binary data. RESULTS: Among 41 pregnant women with cardiac disease, 32 (78%) (95% Confidence Interval = 65.32-90.68) had rheumatic heart disease. The mean age of the affected pregnant women was 24.9±4.49 years. Out of 32 patients with rheumatic heart disease, postpartum haemorrhage was the most common maternal complication 5 (15.6%) followed by hypertension 4 (9.7%). CONCLUSIONS: Rheumatic Heart Disease was highly common among pregnant women with cardiac disease

Challenges and opportunities for nurses during COVID-19 pandemic

Background: Pandemic of COVID-19 coincided with the year of Nurses and Midwives 2020. In war against invisible that has been ongoing during this pandemic, nurses play crucial role. As of June 2020, more than 600 nurses have lost their lives due to COVID-19. Nursing practice takes patients’ safety at paramount through continuum of testing, quarantine and isolation. Thus, there is need to review challenges that pandemic has posed as well as the avenues of opportunities that it has opened for nurses. Method: Review of existing literature on nurses, their challenges and opportunities during COVID-19 was done using electronic database. Freely accessible literatures in English language that clearly mentioned on challenges and opportunities of nurses during COVID-19 were included in the study. Result: One of thechallenges that nurses face during COVID-19 is workforce shortage. With increasing number of people infected with COVID-19, it outstretches the existing nursing health workforce, and disproportionately in the low and middle incomes countries. They are at risk of infection and have high job demand. The incidents of suicide among nurses are representation of physical distress and psychological trauma. Role of nurses in patients care during COVID-19 can be under-rated and stigmatized. Internationally trained nurses and minorities nurses are at increased risk of discrimination. Despite these challenges, COVID-19 puts forward opportunities for nurses on implementing humanistic theory in practice, self-esteem and sharing of real time stories, contingency management and creativity. It opens platform for leading infection prevention measures and advocacy of profession. Conclusion: Being the pertinent stakeholders in patient care, nurses’ faces different challenges as well as some opportunities. COVID-19 has opened avenues for advocacy of nursing profession to get acknowledged for their dedication, perseverance, high morale and contribution during the pandemic management

Association between severe retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and poor motor neurodevelopmental outcome

During the final (third) trimester outside of the womb, the retina develops significantly and is vulnerable to problems. Similar to how the cerebral cortex does, the cerebellum also grows quickly during this time and is susceptible to upsetting environmental influences. The only factors that show promise for lowering the incidence and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) severity among high-risk infants are prematurity prevention, preeclampsia control, and prudent use of oxygen therapy and ventilation. The third trimester is when the cerebral cortex, cerebellum, and retina develop. These areas are vulnerable to environmental influences if their development is interrupted. Throughout childhood and adolescence, neurodevelopmental defects have been linked to impaired cortical development and smaller brain volumes. Reduced cerebellar volumes have been linked to an increased risk of autism spectrum disorder, lower motor performance, impaired executive functioning, and poorer cognitive outcomes. The complete avascular retina, as well as the peripheral retina, should be treated during retinal ablation with laser photocoagulation (using a transpupillary diode, 11 argon, and three FD-YAG) or cryoablation as failing to do so promotes disease progression and results in unfavorable anatomical and refractive outcomes