Prevalence and study of lipid abnormalities in nephrotic syndrome attending a tertiary hospital, Nepal

Background: The nephrotic syndrome is a common presentation of adult or pediatric kidney diseases characterized by proteinuria, dyslipidemia, edema and hypoalbuminemia. Mainly, two types of dyslipidemia are observed: elevated serum cholesterol alone (hypercholesterolemia) and elevation of serum cholesterol along with triglyceride (combined hyperlipidemia). Therefore, majority of patients could predispose for the development of coronary artery disease and other related complications.Methods: This was the prospective hospital-based study conducted in Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH), Nepal. Total sixty patients who meet the inclusive criteria were selected and enrolled from Nephrology outpatient department (OPD) and ward, attending from May 2009 till August 2010.Results: In this study, total sixty patients were enrolled who was diagnosis as primary nephrotic syndrome that was established by clinical parameters supported by renal biopsy. Minimal change glomerulonephritis was common diagnosis by renal biopsy followed by Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). The total serum cholesterol, TG and HDL was normal in 25%, 15%, 83.3% whereas, it is high among 75%,85% and 1.7% of the study populations. Similarly, 24hour urinary protein was >3.5gm/day in all patients. Total serum protein and albumin was normal in 18.3% and 8.3% respectively whereas, rest of the patients had low serum protein and albumin levels. TC/HDLc ratios were and among them, 70% had moderate to high risk value. Similarly, in this study, the serum cholesterol, TG and TC/HDL level was inversely correlated with low protein and albumin.Conclusions: Majority of patients have derangement of lipid profile among nephrotic syndrome patients, which could also predispose for the development of coronary artery disease

Word Sense Disambiguation using WSD specific Wordnet of Polysemy Words

This paper presents a new model of WordNet that is used to disambiguate the correct sense of polysemy word based on the clue words. The related words for each sense of a polysemy word as well as single sense word are referred to as the clue words. The conventional WordNet organizes nouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs together into sets of synonyms called synsets each expressing a different concept. In contrast to the structure of WordNet, we developed a new model of WordNet that organizes the different senses of polysemy words as well as the single sense words based on the clue words. These clue words for each sense of a polysemy word as well as for single sense word are used to disambiguate the correct meaning of the polysemy word in the given context using knowledge based Word Sense Disambiguation (WSD) algorithms. The clue word can be a noun, verb, adjective or adverb

NMR chemical shift and relaxation measurements provide evidence for the coupled folding and binding of the p53 transactivation domain

The interaction between the acidic transactivation domain of the human tumor suppressor protein p53 (p53TAD) and the 70 kDa subunit of human replication protein A (hRPA70) was investigated using heteronuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. A (1)H–(15)N heteronuclear single quantum coherence (HSQC) titration experiment was performed on a (15)N-labeled fragment of hRPA70, containing the N-terminal 168 residues (hRPA70(1–168)) and p53TAD. HRPA70(1–168) residues important for binding were identified and found to be localized to a prominent basic cleft. This binding site overlapped with a previously identified single-stranded DNA-binding site, suggesting that a competitive binding mechanism may regulate the formation of p53TAD–hRPA70 complex. The amide (1)H and (15)N chemical shifts of an uniformly (15)N-labeled sample of p53TAD were also monitored before and after the addition of unlabeled hRPA70(1–168). In the presence of unlabeled hRPA70(1–168), resonance lineshapes increased and corresponding intensity reductions were observed for specific p53TAD residues. The largest intensity reductions were observed for p53TAD residues 42–56. Minimal binding was observed between p53TAD and a mutant form of hRPA70(1–168), where the basic cleft residue R41 was changed to a glutamic acid (R41E), demonstrating that ionic interactions play an important role in specifying the binding interface. The region of p53TAD most affected by binding hRPA70(1–168) was found to have some residual alpha helical and beta strand structure; however, this structure was not stabilized by binding hRPA70(1–168). (15)N relaxation experiments were performed to monitor changes in backbone dynamics of p53TAD when bound to hRPA70(1–168). Large changes in both the transverse (R(2)) and rotating frame (R(1ρ)) relaxation rates were observed for a subset of the p53TAD residues that had (1)H–(15)N HSQC resonance intensity reductions during the complex formation. The folding of p53TAD upon complex formation is suggested by the pattern of changes observed for both R(2) and R(1ρ). A model that couples the formation of a weak encounter complex between p53TAD and hRPA70(1–168) to the folding of p53TAD is discussed in the context of a functional role for the p53–hRPA70 complex in DNA repair

Phenotypic characterization of beta-lactamases producing Gram-negative bacteria in a tertiary hospital, Nepal

Infections caused by beta-lactamases producing Gram-negative bacteria are increasing, thus posing a challenge to the management of such infections. The surveillance data of such bacteria is limited in Nepal so this study aimed to detect the beta-lactamase producing Gram-negative bacteria in a tertiary setting. A total of 604 clinical samples, including urine, blood, sputum and body fluids, were cultured and identified by the routine standard laboratory protocols. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was done by Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method following Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute guidelines (2014). Extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) producers were identified by combined disk method and metallo-beta-lactamases (MBL) producers were identified by Imipenem- EDTA combined disk method. Out of 604 samples, 282 (46.7%) samples showed significant growth, of which 229 (81.2%) were Gram-negative bacteria. Of 229 Gram-negative bacteria, 200 (87.3%) were multidrug resistant, 67 (29.3%) were ESBL producers and 16 (7.0%) were MBL producers. Klebsiella pneumoniae were among higher ESBL producers and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were among higher MBL producers. The findings suggest higher antibacterial resistance among Gram-negative bacteria with the added burden of beta-lactamase production. Imipenem was effective against 125 of 229 Gram-negative bacteria tested. Thus, imipenem can be the drug of choice for empirical management. The higher multidrug resistance and higher beta-lactamases production among Gram-negative bacteria warrant the continuous monitoring, surveillance, early detection, and infection control practices of such bacteri

Hepatitis B and C Virus Infections among Blood Donors in Blood Transfusion Center, Pokhara, Nepal: Seroprevalence and its Associated Risk Factors

Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infections lead to chronic diseases and are the most common causes of liver cirrhosis and cancer in developing countries like Nepal. The study is carried out to determine the seroprevalence of HBV and HCV by using a Rapid kit method and Elisa Method to find out its risk factors. The cross-sectional study was done among blood donating people from 16th August 2016 to 19th November 2016. Blood donors in Pokhara Valley were screened for anti-HCV antibodies, anti-HBV antibodies using third generation ELISA kits and automated ELISA Processor in serology laboratory at Central Blood Transfusion Service (CBTS) of Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS) in Pokhara, Nepal. 1777 (87.2%) units were male blood donors and 260 (12.6%) units were female donors out of 2037 participants. Gender wise, the ratio between male and female was 1:0.1. HBV and HCV infection rate in blood donors were detected at 0.7% (15/2037) and 0.5% (8/2037) respectively. HBV infection rate in volunteer blood donor people was 0.7% (14/1881) which was higher than the replacement donors i.e. 0.6% (1/156). Similarly, in HCV infection rate in volunteer donor were 0.4% (8/1881). HBV infected people are detected higher than the HCV infected people among the blood donors. In addition, there was no significant relationship between positive results of HBV and HCV tests with the gender, age, tattoo, donor type

Fecal carriage of Extended Spectrum β-Lactamases (ESBL) Producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp. among School Children in Pokhara, Nepal

Extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL) producing microbes in recent years have been a major problem in developing countries like Nepal, with limited treatment options. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of ESBL producing E. coli and Klebsiella spp. in school children in Pokhara, Nepal. The study was conducted from June to October, 2015 at the microbiology laboratory of Manipal Teaching Hospital, Pokhara, Nepal. Antibiotic Susceptibility Test (AST) was done after isolation and identification of bacterial isolates. Then, presence of ESBL enzymes in E. coli and Klebsiella spp. were tested by combination disc diffusion test using cefotaxime and ceftazidime alone and with clavulanic acid. Out of total 309 school children, 211 (68%) bacterial isolates were detected from stool samples. Among them, E. coli and Klebsiella spp. were detected in 97 (46%) and 39 (19%) stool samples respectively. Bacteria isolated from 14 (5%) stool samples were multi-drug resistant (MDR) positive. After applying combined disk method, 88 (29%) isolates were found to be ESBL producer. Emerging prevalence rate of ESBL producing E. coli and Klebsiella spp. are major problem in medical history. Therefore, rapid need of surveillance for effective management of such MDR-strain is required

Development of a Patient-Centred, Psychosocial Support Intervention for Multi-Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) Care in Nepal

Multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) poses a major threat to public health worldwide, particularly in low-income countries. The current long (20 month) and arduous treatment regime uses powerful drugs with side-effects that include mental ill-health. It has a high loss-to-follow-up (25%) and higher case fatality and lower cure-rates than those with drug sensitive tuberculosis (TB). While some national TB programmes provide small financial allowances to patients, other aspects of psychosocial ill-health, including iatrogenic ones, are not routinely assessed or addressed. We aimed to develop an intervention to improve psycho-social well-being for MDR-TB patients in Nepal. To do this we conducted qualitative work with MDR-TB patients, health professionals and the National TB programme (NTP) in Nepal. We conducted semi-structured interviews (SSIs) with 15 patients (10 men and 5 women, aged 21 to 68), four family members and three frontline health workers. In addition, three focus groups were held with MDR-TB patients and three with their family members. We conducted a series of meetings and workshops with key stakeholders to design the intervention, working closely with the NTP to enable government ownership. Our findings highlight the negative impacts of MDR-TB treatment on mental health, with greater impacts felt among those with limited social and financial support, predominantly married women. Michie et al's (2011) framework for behaviour change proved helpful in identifying corresponding practice- and policy-level changes. The findings from this study emphasise the need for tailored psycho-social support. Recent work on simple psychological support packages for the general population can usefully be adapted for use with people with MDR-TB

The International Natural Product Sciences Taskforce (INPST) and the power of Twitter networking exemplified through #INPST hashtag analysis

Background: The development of digital technologies and the evolution of open innovation approaches have enabled the creation of diverse virtual organizations and enterprises coordinating their activities primarily online. The open innovation platform titled "International Natural Product Sciences Taskforce" (INPST) was established in 2018, to bring together in collaborative environment individuals and organizations interested in natural product scientific research, and to empower their interactions by using digital communication tools. Methods: In this work, we present a general overview of INPST activities and showcase the specific use of Twitter as a powerful networking tool that was used to host a one-week "2021 INPST Twitter Networking Event" (spanning from 31st May 2021 to 6th June 2021) based on the application of the Twitter hashtag #INPST. Results and Conclusion: The use of this hashtag during the networking event period was analyzed with Symplur Signals (https://www.symplur.com/), revealing a total of 6,036 tweets, shared by 686 users, which generated a total of 65,004,773 impressions (views of the respective tweets). This networking event's achieved high visibility and participation rate showcases a convincing example of how this social media platform can be used as a highly effective tool to host virtual Twitter-based international biomedical research events

Track D Social Science, Human Rights and Political Science

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/138414/1/jia218442.pd