Toxicity Potential of Aqueous Kava Extracts on Liver Function Tests in Rats

Kava, prepared as the traditional aqueous infusion, was tested in the rat for possible effects on liver function tests. Extracts were administered in dosages containing 200 or 500 mg of the active kavalactones per kg for two or four weeks. Sera were assayed for four enzymes that are markers of liver toxicity and liver homogenates for malondiadehyde formation that indicates changes in lipid peroxidation. The data showed that none of the enzymes, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and lactate dehydrogenase, nor malondialdehyde levels were elevated, in fact in some cases they were significantly reduced, suggesting the lack of a toxic effect on the liver by kava

Impact of Fiscal Decentralization on Economic Growth in the Districts of Nepal

This paper focuses on the evolving pattern of fiscal decentralization and its impact on the growth of per capita GDP of the districts in Nepal. The dependent variable is the growth of the per capita district agricultural GDP, which is, used as a proxy for the annual growth of per capita district GDP growth. The revenue and expenditure indices have been used as the fiscal decentralization variables. The paper also uses a dummy variable for the Local Self Governance Act (LSGA) as a fiscal decentralization variable. From the various regressions, it is found that fiscal decentralization has positively influenced the per capita district GDP growth. The coefficient of fiscal decentralization variables and dummy variable for the LSGA are statistically significant and positive. The relationship is robust. It is conclude that, ceteris paribus, fiscal decentralization is supportive to district per capita GDP growth in Nepal

Maximizing Resource Effectiveness of Highway Infrastructure Maintenance Inspection and Scheduling for Efficient City Logistics Operations

AbstractThe safe and efficient movement of people and cargo on roadways is dependent on a well functioning highway system which requires effective maintenance policies focused on the maximum use of invested resources. For efficient city logistics operations various components of highway infrastructure, such as pavements, guardrails, and roadside signs must be maintained and kept in acceptable operating condition as elements of an integrated highway network. Due to the shrinking budget for undertaking infrastructure inspection and maintenance activities Resource Effectiveness (RE) becomes paramount. Theoretically, Resource Effectiveness (RE) is intended to get the optimum performance out of a project or investment. Instead of adding more resources (like labor, equipment, etc.), it will concentrate on the prudent utilization of resources or investment. Thus, RE in a broader sense, is concerned with the prudent use of labor, equipment, and material. In this paper we develop an optimization approach for maximizing resource effectiveness of highway infrastructure maintenance investments, subject to budget constraints, based on the concept of the well-known Cobb-Douglas production function. Several examples are presented

Superior sagittal sinus thrombosis presenting as a continuous headache: a case report and review of the literature

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis is a rare but dangerous condition, occurring with an incidence of 3-4 cases/million/year. Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis presents a diagnostic challenge due to its varied presentation patterns. We report a case of a 42 year old Nepali man diagnosed with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis after presenting with a week long history of continuous headache. He improved rapidly following prompt anticoagulation. Despite thorough investigation no discernable underlying cause could be found. Our report highlights the value of prompt diagnosis of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis through neuroimaging and the importance of immediate anticoagulation as part of patient management

Outcome of tibial diaphyseal fracture fixation with Surgical Implant Generation Network (SIGN) nail

Introductions: Fractures of diaphyseal region of the tibial bone are amongst the most commonly seen extremity injuries in the developing countries. The surgical implant generation network (SIGN) intramedullary (IM) nail was designed for the treatment of long bone fractures in the developing nations. Methods: From March 2008 to December 2018, a total of 104 patients with 104 tibial diaphyseal fractures were treated with SIGN IM nail. The followup visits were arranged at 6, 12, 24 weeks and one-year post operatively. During followup visits, the signs of fracture union clinically as well as radiologically and the presence of complications any were recorded and analyzed. Results: The mean age of the patients was 32.81 (16 – 65) years, male 74 (71.2%) and  female 30 (28.8%). Majority of the patients 70 (67.3%) had fractures after road traffic accidents. The mean time of surgery was 13.58 (1 – 463) days. Six (5.8%) patients had delayed union and no non-union was detected. We had 10 cases (9.6%) of mal-alignment but were on acceptable range. Conclusions: In the developing country like Nepal, the SIGN nail is an effective surgical implant for the management of the tibial diaphyseal fractures with good result of fracture union and low rates of nonunion, mal-alignment and manageable complications. Keywords: diaphyseal fracture, intramedullary nailing, SIGN nail, tibial fractur

Participatory research approaches rapidly improve household food security in Nepal and identify policy changes required for institutionalisation

The introduction, testing, promotion and release of a rice variety, BG 1442, in Nepal were examined in relation to existing policies governing these procedures and to how more participatory approaches could benefit food security. From 1998 to 2006, participatory varietal selection (PVS) was used to test BG 1442 and other candidate rice varieties in the spring (Chaite) rice-growing season (February to June) and in the main season (June to November). The testing of BG 1442 commenced 11 years after it was first introduced into Nepal in 1987 by the national rice research programme (NRRP). Following its initial acceptance by farmers, it was widely disseminated from 1998 by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the low altitude region of Nepal called the terai in projects funded by the Department for International Development (DFID), UK. This dissemination was done using a method termed informal research and development (IRD) where many small packets of seed were distributed without fertiliser or pesticides, the only additional input being a description of varietal characteristics on an enclosed leaflet. From 2001 to 2008, various assessments were made of its extent of adoption and its impact on livelihoods. In a randomised survey of households in 10 districts, BG 1442 increased from not being used at all in 1997 to being grown by about 20% of the surveyed rice farmers by 2008. It was grown both in the Chaite and the main season and was well adapted to the rainfed-upland and medium-land rice ecosystems. The variety was grown from the far west to the far east of low-altitude Nepal by resource-poor farmers. IRD was important in accelerating adoption and improving food security as it was by far the most important external source of seed for farmers. Prior to the adoption of BG 1442, farmers who did not harvest sufficient rice to last their households for 12 months increased rice self sufficiency by over 2 months (25% more). Those households that sold surplus grain and who grew BG 1442 increased grain sales by 600 kg (25% more) in the Chaite season and by 370 kg (24% more) from main season cultivation

Adoption of improved wheat varieties in eastern and western Terai of Nepal

The research was conducted from March to May 2019 for assessment on adoption of improved wheat varieties in two major wheat growing districts of Nepal, Sunsari, and Kailali; one representing eastern and another western Terai. A pre-tested interview schedule was used to collect the primary information; in addition, two Key Informant Surveys were performed. Furthermore, relevant literatures were reviewed for secondary information. The simple random method of sampling was used within the selected areas that were identified in consultation with Agriculture Knowledge Centre and agricultural officials of the local government. Altogether, 194 samples were taken for the purpose of the study, omitting the outliers and incomplete responses. Descriptive statistics, probit regression, and indexing were used for data analysis. Probit econometric model revealed that membership dummy (1% level), age (1% level) number of family members involved in agriculture (1% level), subsidy dummy (5% level), number of schooling years (5%) and loan dummy (10% level) significantly determined the adoption of improved wheat varieties developed after NARC establishment. Furthermore, indexing identified- lack of availability of quality improved seeds (I= 0.80) as the major problem associated with the wheat production followed by poor availability of fertilizers (0.77), labour shortage (0.57), lack of proper irrigation (0.46) and lack of agricultural machines (0.39). The government agricultural institutions should assure access to quality seeds and fertilizers to the farmers; in addition, subsidy on irrigation and agricultural machines allied with agricultural loan to the educated youths could be the point of attraction  for wheat cultivation which leads to increased wheat productivity