Study on Re-Growth and Nutritional Potentials of \u3cem\u3eEleusine indica L\u3c/em\u3e in Chitwan, Nepal

The efforts to use exotic fodder species to solve the problem of green roughage scarcity in Nepal, have had only limited success because the species are not persistent. Use of local forage species, such as Eleusine indica, which is widely adapted and tolerant of repeated cutting (Lowry et al., 1992), could be possible solution to the problem. The objective of this study was to understand the re-growth potential of E. indica with respect to nitrogen fertiliser application and cutting management and to determine its feeding value in the dry season

Calibrating Online Survey Sample for Economic Impact Analysis

Online surveys have emerged as low-cost data collection approach in empirical researches; however, the validity of data remains questionable. Therefore, we employed a stochastic frontier estimation method to calibrate online recreational expenditure. Study results suggested the presence of inefficiency on online surveys. Analysis was extended to estimate economic impact of nature based recreation on a local economy.calibration, online survey, onsite survey, stochastic frontier approach, Research Methods/ Statistical Methods, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

Behavioural science principles for scaling-up zero tillage wheat and maize in the Eastern Terai region of Nepal

Farmers have a set of convictions and tend to do what their forefathers had practiced. By identifying their beliefs and designing appropriate ways of upscaling to convince them of new and improved practices, we can improve the adoption of zero tillage technology for maize and wheat. Small and fragmented landholdings that resulted from the cultural system of distributing land to heirs are diverse in their cropping requirements. Moreover, farmers are risk-averse and do not believe easily in new technologies. Traditional extension approaches have not been effective in upscaling these technologies. A new way of thinking based on behavioural science can provide some insights and guidelines for improving the effectiveness of technology adoption. Understanding farmers' socioeconomic circumstances and their decision-making system at the household and society level can help in designing upscaling approaches. Approaches such as capitalising on social bonding, use of established technology leaders, and use of farmers' organizations can improve adoption. Recommended strategies include encouraging a comprehensive contracting system of service provision, using active community influential local leaders in technology expansion, taking group and social identity approaches in technology extension, and capacity building programs for service providers/operators and farmers to help raise confidence and to remove perceived barriers to technology adoption. &nbsp

Probing the SAM Binding Site of SARS-CoV-2 nsp14 in vitro Using SAM Competitive Inhibitors Guides Developing Selective bi-substrate Inhibitors

The COVID-19 pandemic has clearly brought the healthcare systems world-wide to a breaking point along with devastating socioeconomic consequences. The SARS-CoV-2 virus which causes the disease uses RNA capping to evade the human immune system. Non-structural protein (nsp) 14 is one of the 16 nsps in SARS-CoV-2 and catalyzes the methylation of the viral RNA at N7-guanosine in the cap formation process. To discover small molecule inhibitors of nsp14 methyltransferase (MT) activity, we developed and employed a radiometric MT assay to screen a library of 161 in house synthesized S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) competitive methyltransferase inhibitors and SAM analogs. Among seven identified screening hits, SS148 inhibited nsp14 MT activity with an IC50 value of 70 ± 6 nM and was selective against 20 human protein lysine methyltransferases indicating significant differences in SAM binding sites. Interestingly, DS0464 with IC50 value of 1.1 ± 0.2 μM showed a bi-substrate competitive inhibitor mechanism of action. Modeling the binding of this compound to nsp14 suggests that the terminal phenyl group extends into the RNA binding site. DS0464 was also selective against 28 out of 33 RNA, DNA, and protein methyltransferases. The structure-activity relationship provided by these compounds should guide the optimization of selective bi-substrate nsp14 inhibitors and may provide a path towards a novel class of antivirals against COVID-19, and possibly other coronaviruses

Total cardiovascular risk for next 10 years among rural population of Nepal using WHO/ISH risk prediction chart

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally. Primary prevention of CVD based on total CVD risk approach using WHO/ISH risk prediction chart would be more effective to stratify population under different risk levels, prioritize and utilize the scarce resources of low and middle-income countries. This study estimated total 10-year CVD risk and determined the proportion of population who need immediate drug therapy among the rural population of Nepal. METHODS: A community based cross-sectional study conducted among 345 participants aged 40–80 years in rural villages of Lamjung District of Nepal. They were selected randomly from total eighteen wards. Data were collected using WHO STEPS questionnaires. WHO/ISH risk prediction chart for SEAR D was used to estimate total cardiovascular risk. Chi-square and independent t-test were used to test significance at the level of p < 0.05 in SPSS version 16.0. RESULTS: Of the total participants, 55.4% were female. The mean age (standard deviation) of the participants was 53.5 ± 10.1 years. According to WHO/ISH chart proportions of low, moderate and high CVD risk were 86.4%, 9.3%, and 4.3%, respectively. Eleven percent of participants were in need of immediate pharmacotherapy. Age (p = 0.001), level of education (p = 0.01) and occupation (p = 0.001) were significantly associated with elevated CVD risk. CONCLUSION: A large proportion of Nepalese rural population is at moderate and high CVD risk. Immediate pharmacological interventions are warranted for at least one in every ten individuals along with lifestyle interventions. Both population-wise and high-risk approaches are required to minimize CVD burden in the future

Reliability of National Data Sets: Evidence from a detailed Small Area Study in Rural Kathmandu Valley, Nepal

Researchers often rely on Census data to provide us with information for local areas. In a study in rural Nepal we came across major discrepancies between the number of women with a child under the age of two as estimated from the national Census and the prevalence rate of this population in our local in-depth household survey. This Research Notes highlights why Census data might not be as reliable as one would hope. In summary, researchers using Census data in developing countries should include an element of quality control of the national dataset. We advise researchers to conduct a small survey from a random sample to provide an estimate of the likely population in the area under study

Prevalence and clustering of cardiovascular disease risk factors in rural Nepalese population aged 40-80 years

Abstract Background Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the main cause of mortality in low- and middle-income countries like Nepal. Different risk factors usually cluster and interact multiplicatively to increase the risk of developing acute cardiovascular events; however, information related to clustering of CVD risk factors is scarce in Nepal. Therefore, we aimed to determine the prevalence of CVD risk factors with a focus on their clustering pattern in a rural Nepalese population. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among residents aged 40 to 80 years in Lamjung District of Nepal in 2014. A clustered sampling technique was used in steps. At first, four out of 18 wards were chosen at random. Then, one person per household was selected randomly (n = 388). WHO STEPS questionnaires (version 2.2) were used to collect data. Chi-square and independent t-test were used to test significance at the level of p < 0.05. Results A total 345 samples with complete data were analyzed. Smoking [24.1% (95% CI: 19.5–28.6)], harmful use of alcohol [10.7% (7.4–13.9)], insufficient intake of fruit and vegetable [72% (67.1–76.6)], low physical activity [10.1% (6.9–13.2)], overweight and obesity [59.4% (54.2–64.5)], hypertension [42.9% (37.6–48.1)], diabetes [16.2% (14.0–18.3)], and dyslipidemia [56.0% (53.0–58.7)] were common risk factors among the study population. Overall, 98.2% had at least one risk factor, while 2.0% exhibited six risk factors. Overall, more than a half (63.4%) of participants had at least three risk factors (male: 69.4%, female: 58.5%). Age [OR: 2.3 (95% CI: 1.13–4.72)] and caste/ethnicity [2.0 (95% CI: 1.28–3.43)] were significantly associated with clustering of at least three risk factors. Conclusions Cardiovascular risk factors and their clustering were common in the rural population of Nepal. Therefore, comprehensive interventions against all risk factors should be immediately planned and implemented to reduce the future burden of CVD in the rural population of Nepal

Shifting from Seedling Mandarin Trees to Grafted Trees and Controlling Huanglongbing and Viroids: a Biotechnological Revolution in Nepal

Poverty in Nepal, largely a rural phenomenon, is widespread, with 30.8% of the population living below the poverty line. Agriculture is the main source of livelihood of the Nepalese people who are living below poverty. Citrus, the first cash crop, is grown in small to very small orchards producing less than 10 tons/ha. More than 90% of the trees are seedlings of a local mandarin and therefore they are essentially free of most graft-transmissible diseases. Huanglongbing (HLB) and the Asian psyllid vector, Diaphorina citri, were reported in Nepal in the mid-1960s and, in the absence of any control measures, have continued to spread ever since. Here we report the information available regarding the presence of HLB in several important citrus-growing areas (Armalakur, Bandipur, Dhankuta/Karmitar, Kathmandu, Lamjung, Paripatle, Pokhara, Sindulimadi and Syangja) and the identification of four citrus viroids (Citrus exocortis viroid, Hop stunt viroid, Citrus viroid-III, and Citrus viroid-V) in the experimental citrus station of Pokhara. Citrus rehabilitation, as part of a program to improve food security for the Nepalese population, was started in 2004, and is based on (I) producing disease-free citrus trees, grafted on adequate rootstocks, in covered, insect-proof nursery facilities, (II) demonstration orchards with grafted trees, (III) control of HLB by trunk applications of systemic insecticides and/or guava interplants, (IV) selection of viroid-free budwood sources, and (V) transfer of technology to the farmers