The Response of Gossypium spp. to Biotic and Abiotic Stresses in Louisiana and the Modeling of Yarn Performance

Developing improved cotton cultivars depends on how cotton cultivars perform the best when under stresses. Reniform nematode is a major plant pathogen, causing 4-6% yield loss in southern United States. A variation in reproduction and pathogenicity across reniform isolates collected from Louisiana on susceptible cotton was reported. This study was conducted to determine the response of resistant/tolerant cotton genotypes to multiple reniform isolates by inoculating 10,000 juveniles into seven days old seedlings. Across genotypes, the Evan and Avoyelles isolates had significantly higher vermiform nematodes (33,793 and 27,800/250 g soil, respectively) than other isolates. Across isolates, the number of juveniles on A2-190 and Lonren-2 (5,573 and 6,013, respectively) were significantly lower than that on other genotypes. There was a significant interaction between the genotypes and isolates suggesting that the response of genotypes to reniform isolates was different. Salt stress is a major abiotic stress, affecting cotton production in the Macon Ridge and Red River regions in Louisiana. In a preliminary study, 150 day neutral primitive cotton accessions were screened at 0, 125, 250 mM NaCl under hydroponics. A promising subset was rescreened for salt tolerance in pot culture. MT11 had the lowest reduction in plant height and dry shoot weight (32% and 47%), significantly less than FM958 (43% and 66%) across salt concentrations. MT1219 had the lowest accumulation of Na+ (1,026.37 mM) at 250 mM NaCl, and significantly lower than FM958 (2,135.39 mM). Based on reduction in plant parameters, MT11, MT1219, MT45, and MT245 performed better than other genotypes. This study also showed that both hydroponics and pot culture are effective in the screening of a large number of cotton genotypes against elevated salt concentrations. In addition to stresses, cotton breeders are interested to develop a selection index, which aids in an efficient selection of multiple fibers traits. Using the data mining techniques, all developed models agreed that fiber length and strength are the most important fiber properties in determining the spinning consistency index (SCI). This study showed that SCI can be used as alternative selection index for combining the multiple fiber traits to enhance yarn spinning

Integrated approach for the management of common bean rust (Uromyces appendiculatus) under field conditions

A field experiment was conducted to test the efficacy of different management practices and fungicide application timings for common bean rust management in Chitwan, Nepal. It was conducted in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with two factors: management practices (Azoxystrobin, Trichoderma viride, maize intercropping + Trichoderma viride, Neem + Garlic extracts, and inoculated and untreated controls) and fungicide application timings (8 days after inoculation and 3 days after inoculation), each with three replications. The minimum disease severity was found with azoxystrobin, which was at par with neem + garlic extract and maize intercropping + Trichoderma at 50 days after inoculation (DAI). The maximum number of rust pustules per cm2 was observed in the control plots (7.56), followed by Trichoderma (4.79) at 50 DAI. The maximum necrotic colonies (%) were observed with the control (36.88%), followed by Trichoderma (25.15%), while the effects of other treatments were at par at 40 DAI. Maize intercropping with Trichoderma resulted in a maximum plant height (201.56 cm), which was at par with azoxystrobin (197.81 cm). The plants treated with azoxystrobin showed maximum green pod yield at one picking (2411.35 g) which was at par with maize intercropping + Trichoderma and neem + garlic extracts. Rust was controlled more effectively when the fungicides were sprayed at 4 DAI than 8 DAI. The maximum disease control was observed with Azoxystrobin; however, as other treatments also had comparable effects, an integrated approach could be adopted for the sustainable management of common bean rust

Outcome of Laparoscopic Nephrectomy in Benign Renal Disease

Introductions: Laparoscopic surgery is rapidly emerging option in urology. With the advances in technology and instruments currently this is viable alternative to treat complex surgical diseases as well as reconstructive surgery. Methods: This is a prospective observational study to analyze the outcome of laparoscopy nephrectomy. A total of 51 patients’ had undergone laparoscopy nephrectomy over the period of five years. The variables analyzed were, age, sex, operative time, estimated blood loss, length of hospital stay, conversion rate and complication. Results: The mean patient's age was 41.1 years (range 15 - 71 years). Indications of nephrectomy were non-functional kidney secondary to stone disease in 26 (50.98%). Mean operative time was 1.43 hours. Median hospital stay was 2.3 days. Conclusions:  Laparoscopy surgery is a safe and feasible treatment option for the benign renal disease with comparable outcomes. Non functional kidney secondary to renal stone was the major cause of nephrectomy in this study. Keywords: benign renal disease, laparoscopic nephrectomy, nonfictional kidney, nephrolithiasi

Prospect of Protected Agricultural Structure and its Constraints for Utilizing in Nepal

Protected agricultural structures have been adopted by commercial farmers throughout the world including Nepal to cope with climate change and its adverse effects on agriculture. Technology based production system is important for sustainable agricultural development. It could be the tool for low-income countries like Nepal where agriculture is the priority of income generation for the rural people. A field study was conducted in 2021 and 2022 to understand the prospects of protected agriculture structures adaptation by farmers and agricultural entrepreneur in Nepal. The study was traversed with both physical observation and the user’s interviews. The opportunities and the constraints have been critically analysed based on these field study along with the review of different policy documents and success stories published. This study found that the protected cultivation practice has been rapidly increased with increasing number of protected structures like plastic house or tunnel framed with bamboo or GI pipe, Agri-net house, naturally ventilated poly house and semi or hi-tech green house. In contrary, the import of horticulture products has also been increased more than 200% in last 10 years. This study finds the gap mismatching between technology enhancement, production and import of horticulture crops

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

Severity and Clinical Outcome of COVID-19 Patients Admitted at a Provincial Infectious and Communicable Disease Hospital of Nepal: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: This study provides information regarding severity and clinical outcome of people admitted with the diagnosis of COVID-19 infection during the global pandemic at a provincial infectious disease hospital in Gandaki Province in Nepal. The evidence from this study will be helpful to compare the clinical outcome of people admitted with COVID-19 during the outbreak. Methods: Cross-sectional study was conducted from March 2023 to August 2023 after approval from NHRC (ref. no. 1448) with sample size of 1366 at the hospital. Structured questionnaire was used to collect secondary data (electronic and paper records) retrospectively from hospital records with a diagnosis of COVID-19 infection. Total enumeration technique was used with enlisting of all cases of COVID-19 to the hospital. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS version 11.5. Results: The hospital admitted the highest number of cases between April to September 2021. Among the 1366 admitted cases, 791 (57.91%) were males and 575 (42.09%) were females, the most common age group affected was 31 to 40 years (22.99%); 1092 (79.94%) were from Kaski district. As per disease severity, 884 (64.71%) were moderate cases followed by 391 (28.62%) mild cases and 91 (6.67%) severe cases. A total of 1205 (88.21%) patients were discharged, 105(7.69%) patients were referred and 56 (4.10%) patients died of COVID -19. Conclusions: Almost 3/4th of the admitted cases came from same district, majority had moderate disease and the hospital cure rate was almost 8/9th. As the majority of cases are from active age group (21 years to 60 years old), public health measures can be targeted to these groups including surrounding population to stop transmission and spread of COVID-19 or similar infectious diseases. The information from this study can guide for the preparation and planning of in-patient and isolation departments of similar other provincial infectious disease hospitals

Occipital Encephalocele with Multiple Birth Defects: A Case Report

A full-term female baby presented at 24 hours of life at the emergency department with occipital encephalocele, bilateral cleft lip, and cleft palate. She was born to a second gravida mother with no consanguinity between the parents. On examination, encephalocele was 10centimeters x 7centimeters in size with bilateral cleft lip and palate. It presents the opportunity for healthcare professionals to learn about a group of congenital neurological disorders in the content of a rare case presentation and highlights the importance of ultrasonography in the antenatal period for the detection of neural tube defects in the early stage for proper counselling and management. A compulsory prenatal diagnosis of the suspected family should be done by the intervention of the public sector of any country so that we can prevent and avoid abnormal birth

Efficacy of Potassium Fertilizer and Certain Pesticides for the Management of Brinjal Fruit Infection by Shoot Borer [Leucinodes Orbonalis (Guenée)]

The research aims to evaluate the efficacy of different levels of potassium fertilizer (8 g/plant K2O) as well as the insecticides neemix, spinosad, and imidacloprid at the rates of 6 ml, 0.33 ml, and 0.33 g/L water, respectively,  for the management of brinjal fruits and shoot borer. The two-factor randomized complete block design with three replications was used. Significant minimum shoot damage was recorded in the plots treated with imidacloprid (0%), spinosad (1.67%) and neemix (5.0%) at 81 days after planting. Similarly, a significant minimum fruit infestation (2.90%) was recorded with imidacloprid, which was lower than those of spinosad (15.16%) and neemix (19.63%). The application of potassium fertilizer at a rate of 8 g/plant showed a significant reduction in shoot infestation (2.50%) 81 days after planting. The minimum percentage yield of infested fruit was reported with spinosad (1.03%), which was at par with other insecticidal treatments. Considering the negative impacts of chemical pesticides, neemix 6 ml/L water in combination with potassium fertilizer at 8 g/plant is recommended

Atypical presentation of an elderly male with autoimmune encephalitis: anti-LG1 limbic encephalitis

Introduction We present a case of an elderly male with anti-LG1 limbic encephalitis involving hypothalamus presenting with acute changes in mental status and persistent hyperthermia. Case report A 74-year-old male presented to the hospital with fever and chills. He had also been evaluated by his PCP for changes in his mental status, trouble remembering things, and following directions while driving. A lumbar puncture was performed, and empiric meningitis coverage was initiated. His LP results were not suggestive for any infectious process. An MRI showed bilateral hippocampal edema. As an infectious workup was non-revealing and other causes were ruled out, with the concern for paraneoplastic or autoimmune encephalitis, patient was started on high dose steroids and plasma exchange while results of antibodies for autoimmune and paraneoplastic encephalitis were awaited. After plasmapheresis and a course of steroids, the patient’s mental status began to slowly improve. He was discharged from the hospital and on subsequent neurology office visit, his serum autoimmune encephalitis panel returned positive for anti-LGI 1 antibodies. Further management consisted of outpatient rituximab infusion. Discussion Diagnosis of limbic encephalitis can be challenging and can present with symptoms of limbic dysfunction. A modest index of suspicion of limbic encephalitis should be kept in adults with altered mental changes. Early recognition and initiation of therapy can be crucial in the management of patients with autoimmune encephalitis and can prevent permanent cognitive impairment and damage