Phytochemistry, Biological Activities, and Chemical Profiling of Berberis asiatica

This study focused on chemical profiling and assessed the total phenolic and flavonoid content as well as the antioxidant and antibacterial effect of the medicinal plant Berberis asiatica. The results revealed that this plant has high concentrations of TPC (Total phenol content) and TFC (Total flavonoid content) of 37.686 ± 2.728 mg GAE/g and 115.568 ± 8.012 mg QE/g, respectively. The DPPH free radical scavenging assay demonstrated strong inhibition, with an IC50 of 205.7 ± 5.353 μg/mL, and also showed robust antibacterial properties against Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae with a zone of inhibition (ZOI) of 14 mm and 19 mm, respectively. The extract exhibited an excellent inhibitory potential against S. aureus, and K. pneumoniae with an MIC (Minimum inhibitory concentration) of 0.39 mg/mL, and 3.125 mg/mL respectively, indicating significant inhibitory action. Furthermore, the MBC (Minimum bactericidal concentration) for both S. aureus and K. pneumoniae was found to be 6.25 mg/mL, emphasizing the extract's consistent bactericidal effectiveness against these bacteria. These findings underscore the potential utility of the methanolic extract of Berberis asiatica as a natural antibacterial agent. GC-MS analysis of hexane fraction indicates the plant is rich in secondary metabolites, specifically 2,2-dimethyl-3-pentanol, 2-methyl-2-pentanol, 2,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxy-3-hexanone, 3-hexanol, 4-methyl-2-pentanol are identified. Overall, this study highlights the importance of plant-based natural products as potential sources of antioxidants and antibacterial agents that contributes to the future drug development process

Awareness and Health Beliefs of Osteoporosis Among Middle Aged Women in Selected Municipality of Kathmandu

Introduction: Osteoporosis is a bone disorder characterized by a reduction in bone density accompanied by increasing porosity and brittleness. It is one of the major public health problem globally and its prevalence is rapidly increasing particularly in women.  Osteoporosis causes more than 8.9 million fractures annually, resulting in an osteoporotic fracture every 3 seconds. Therefore the objectives of the study was to assess the existing awareness and health belief of osteoporosis  among middle aged women. Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional research design was used on a sample of 328 middle aged  women residing  in Nagarjun Municipality, Kathmandu. Non probability purposive sampling technique was used to collect the data. Data was collected after informed consent through face to face interview schedule using  Osteoporosis Knowledge Assessment Tool (OKAT) and Osteoporosis Health Beliefs Scale (OHBS). Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics (Chi-Square test) were used for data analysis at 5% level of significance. Results: The overall osteoporosis awareness and  health beliefs mean scores were  9.39 ± 2.93 and 146.18 ±11.58 respectively.  Majority (60.0%) of the respondents were unaware of osteoporosis. Existing awareness of respondents was significantly  associated with age (p=0.000) and level of education (p= 0.038). Based on the OHBS subscale score, the highest perception was on  health motivation ( 22.73 ± 2.81) and the lowest perception was on barriers to calcium intake (mean score 17.71 ± 4.32). Conclusion: Based on the findings, it is concluded  that the middle aged women of  Nagarjun Municipality-6 are unaware about osteoporosis. Therefore, community based awareness campaigns on osteoporosis should be reinforced.

Health Problems of Nepalese Migrant Workers and Their Access to Healthcare Services in three countries of Middle East

Background: Migrants’ health is a global public health issue. Middle East countries are the major destination for abroad job among Nepalese workers. This study carried out to identify the health problems among migrant workers and their access to health care in Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar of Middle East. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study; carried out among 480 returnee migrant workers who have given consent for the study.  Data were collected at Tribhuvan International Airport (October 2018) using pretested structured interview schedule after taking approval from Institutional Review Committee of Pokhara University. Data were analyzed using SPSS 20 version. Percentage, mean/median, standard deviation, Chi square test and logistic regression performed. Results: Majority of the returnee migrants workers were male (95.0%) and their mean age was 32.38±5.54 years. Almost ten percent of the participants suffered from at least one health problem during their stay in Middle East; among them, respiratory problems were common (35.6%). Almost all participants (99.6%) had health policy to take care of migrant workers and 93.5 percent participants had health insurance coverage. Female workers (AOR 4.34; CI: 1.54-12.19), and migrants who worked for additional benefits (AOR 2.17; CI: 1.11-4.25) had significantly higher prevalence of health problems than their counterparts (P<0.05).       Conclusion: Almost ten percent migrant workers had at least one health problem during their stay in Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar. Almost all workers had the access to health care in Middle East countries. Female workers and the workers who performed additional work (over time) were at higher risk of the health problems. Universal coverage of quality health care for migrant workers in abroad and mainstreaming the route of permission for work is recommended.

Factors associated with neonatal deaths in Chitwan district of Nepal

Background: Neonatal mortality has remained unchanged since 2006 in Nepal. Reducing neonatal mortality is indispensable to reduce child mortality. The objective of this study was to investigate the factors associated with neonatal mortality. This study assesses socio-demographic factors, maternal health care and newborn care practices contributing to neonatal deaths in Chitwan district of Central Nepal. Methods: A case–control study was conducted during April–July 2012. The study used a mixed-method approach, in which records of neonatal deaths were obtained from the District Public Health Office and a comparison group, survivors, was obtained from the same community. A total of 198 mothers (of 99 neonatal deaths and 99 survivor neonates) were included in the survey. Focus group discussions, in-depth interviews and case studies were also conducted. Maternal characteristics were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Mc Nemar’s Chi square test and multivariable backward conditional logistic regression analysis. Qualitative data were analyzed by narrative analysis method.Results: More than four-fifth of mothers (86 %) had antenatal check-up (ANC) and the proportion of four or more ANC was 64 %. Similarly, the percentage of mothers having institutional delivery was 62 %, and postnatal check-up was received by 65 % of mothers. In multivariable analysis, low birth weight [adjusted odds ratio: 8.49, 95 % CI (3.21–22.47)], applying nothing on cord [adjusted odds ratio: 5.72, 95 % CI (1.01-32.30)], not wrapping of newborn [adjusted odds ratio: 9.54, 95 % CI (2.03–44.73)], and no schooling of mother [adjusted odds ratio: 2.09, 95 % CI (1.07–4.11)] were significantly associated with an increased likelihood of neonatal mortality after adjusting for other confounding variables. Qualitative findings suggested that bathing newborns after 24 h and wrapping in clean clothes were common newborn care practices. The mothers only attended postnatal care services if health problems appeared either in the mother or in the child. Conclusion:L Results of this study suggest that the current community based newborn survival intervention should provide an even greater focus to essential newborn care practices, low birth weight newborns, and female education

Role of remittance in rural poverty reduction : a case study of Budhabare VDC ward no 9, Jhapa

To fulfill the objective of the present study, Budhabare VDC ward no. 9 of Jhapa district was selected area, and a sample survey was conducted during 2015. The sample size was 100 households were chosen by proportional random sampling method, and data were collected through questionnaire method. Some secondary data were used to show and compare the composition of foreign employment and remittance of the national level as well as of the local level in the study. Data are analyzed by using simple statistical tools like mean, percentage and ratio.M-D

Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia and Role of Nurses in Its Prevention

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is one of the most frequent nosocomial infections among ventilated patients in ICUs, associated with an increase in days of ICU stay, morbidity, and mortality. Its prevention is a significant concern in every hospital. Most of the interventions and prevention strategies are part of routine nursing care. Nurses have different vital roles such as care provider, manager, educator, coordinator, and evaluator in preventing VAP. Lack of knowledge of infection prevention and proper nursing care among nurses may become a barrier in adhering to evidence-based guidelines for preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia. This study will help nurses to know about VAP and its prevention in detail so that they can apply the knowledge in clinical practice. Understanding pathophysiology of VAP, its risk factors, and care bundle is vital for the proper prevention and treatment of VAP. There must be specific protocols, strategies and active surveillance in every ICU regarding the care bundle. Keywords:  Mechanical ventilation; Nosocomial infections; Nurses role; Ventilator-associated pneumonia; VAP Prevention

High blood levels of lead in children aged 6-36 months in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal: A cross-sectional study of associated factors.

Young children are at greatest risk of exposure to lead and its effects. Although lead is one of the most widely used elements with known health hazard, there is little data on the blood lead level (BLL) of children in the Kathmandu Valley. Thus, this study aimed to assess factors associated with high BLL in children who were 6-36 months of age and resided in the Kathmandu Valley. In this hospital-based cross-sectional study 6-36 month-old children visiting the Paediatrics Outpatient Department of Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Patan Hospital, and Siddhi Memorial Hospital were enrolled. All three hospitals are located in different areas inside the Kathmandu Valley. Written informed consent was obtained from the parents, and exposure data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Portable Anodic Stripping Voltammetry (ASV) was used to determine BLLs in children. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16. Of 312 children enrolled in the study, 64.4% had BLLs ≥5μg/dl. A significant association was found between BLL and exposure to enamel paints in the household in the form of painting materials used in different parts of the house like walls, windows and doors (p = 0.001). Furthermore, multivariate analyses showed that BLLs were 4.5 times higher in children playing with dirt and dust (p = 0.006) and that children belonging to the community of lower caste/ethnicity groups had significantly higher BLLs compared to those from the upper caste groups (p = 0.02). Our study demonstrated that children living in households that have used enamel paints, children belonging to lower caste/ethnic groups, and children frequently playing with dirt and dust had significantly higher BLLs. The results of this study highlight the importance of policy decisions to limit environmental lead contamination, and to roll out awareness building measures designed to limit lead exposure and break the poverty cycle associated with chronic lead poisoning

Correction: High blood levels of lead in children aged 6-36 months in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal: A cross-sectional study of associated factors.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0179233.]

Background characteristics of the study population.

<p>Background characteristics of the study population.</p

Blood lead levels of the study population.

<p>Blood lead levels of the study population.</p