Economics of production and marketing of fish in Dang district of Nepal

A study was carried out to analyze the economics of fish production and marketing in Dang district of Nepal. Structured survey was done with 75 respondents (45 producers, 5 wholesalers, 10 retailers, and 15 consumers) in three different sites of Dang district (viz: Lamahi Municipality, Rapti Rural Municipality and Gadhawa Rural Municipality). The initial investment, cost of production and returns, production function, price spread,and marketing margin, and ranking of production and marketing problems of fish were done by index ranking techniques. Financial analysis showed that the total initial investment per hectare of fishpond was found to be NRs. 9, 68,394 with the annual production cost of NRs. 6, 93,483. The total return was found to be NRs. 932,088 and net profit realized per hectare was NRs. 238,604. Out of total cost, about 73.70% was variable cost and the remaining 26.30% was fixed cost. Of the total variable cost, the cost of feed (58.63%) was significantly higher followed by the cost of fingerlings (12.94%), labor (11.37%), manure and fertilizer cost (8.33%) fuel/ energy (4.46%) and maintenance cost (4.27%) respectively. The benefit cost ratio (B/C ratio) was found to be 1.82 which implies that the fish enterprise was found to be profitable in the study area. The research also revealed that the producer’s share was 78.17% with price spread of 71.57 and marketing efficiency of 90.81%. The value sum of the estimated parameters associated with all the inputs is 0.52 which indicates the decreasing return to scale. Lack of technological know-how and unavailability of inputs on time are the major production problems. Inefficient price information system and competition with the Indian fish are the major marketing problems. Thus, for sustainable production and marketing of fish government should focus primarily on technological dissemination and better pricing policy

Detection of Anti- Leptospira

Leptospirosis is a globally distributed zoonosis with varied clinical outcomes and multiorgan involvement in humans. In this study conducted from July 2011 to December 2011, 178 serum samples from patients suspected of leptospirosis were tested by Panbio IgM ELISA at National Public Health Laboratory, Kathmandu, out of which 51 (28.65%) were positive for anti-Leptospira IgM antibody. Leptospirosis was more common in people in their 2nd and 3rd decades of their life which together comprised 56.86% of the total positive cases. Most of those tested positive were farmers followed by students and housewives. Both animal contact and water contact seemed to play significant roles in disease transmission. Symptoms were vague with the most common being fever, headache, myalgia, abdominal pain, vomiting, jaundice, and diarrhoea. Life style heavily dominated by agronomical and farming activities in Nepal is conducive to leptospirosis transmission. Leptospirosis seems to be a significant public health problem in Nepal but is underestimated. In resource poor countries like Nepal where laboratories performing MAT or maintaining cultures are rarely available, serological test like ELISA could well depict the scenario of the disease prevalence

Formulation and In-vitro Evaluation of Tolterodine Tartrate Tablets by Using High Performance Liquid Chromatographic (HPLC)

Tolterodine tartrate, is a new, potent and competitive muscarinic receptor antagonist in clinical development for the treatment of urge incontinence and other symptoms of unstable bladder. The purpose of this study is to formulation and invitro evaluation of Tolterodine tartrate by high performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection (HPLC-UV). A simple, rapid, and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic method was developed and evaluated for invitro formulation of Tolterodine tartrate Tablets. Tablets were analysed by measuring different parameters: lubricated granules content of Tolterodine tartrate having bulk density, tap densities and angle of r content uniformity, assay and related substances. Separation of Tolterodine tartrate was achieved within a single chromatographic run on 5µm 4.6x250mm with UV detection at 280 nm, under isocratic conditions, using Acetonitrile and A mixture of 65 volumes of buffer solution prepared by mixing 2.2 ml of orthophosphoric acid to 1000 ml with water, adjusted to pH 3.0 with triethylamine in 35:65 ratio with a flow rate of 1.5 ml/min. From the results, it was clear that designed formulations among f7 displayed drug release in the range of 55.66% to 102.067% in 10 min, which showed improved invitro dissolution rate compared to other formulations as well as others parameters were found to be good as compared to other formulations. Similarly, the average content of formulation f7 was found to be 104.58% and Related substances should comply the test. Assays of f7 were found to be 96.04%, the limit is 90% - 110% of the label claim having weight variation range from  82.50 mg-91.50 mg. epose And flim coated Tolterodine tartrate tablets having friability, thickness, hardness, weight variation, invitro dissolution

Formulation and Comparative in-vitro Evaluation of Mucoadhesive Buccal Tablets of Furosemide

This study was conducted to develop mucoadhesive buccal tablet of Frusemide. A Mucoadhesive buccal tablet of Frusemide were prepared by using wet granulation method using dfferent polymer such as HPMC k 100, Carbopol-940 in different ratio. Tablets were analysed by measuring different parameters thickness, hardness weight uniformity, drug content uniformity, LOD, sweeling index, invitro dissolution study and solubility. The tablets were evaluated for in vitro release in pH 6.8-phosphate buffer for 12 hr in standard dissolution apparatus. Mucoadhesion strength was increased with increase in the concentration of carbopol. In order to determine the mode of release, the data was subjected to Zero order, first order, Higuchi and Peppas diffusion model

An online survey of factors associated with self-perceived stress during the initial stage of the COVID-19 outbreak in Nepal

Background: The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is global challenge humankind has ever witnessed in recent times. After its outbreak in late December in Wuhan China, it has expanded to affect the entire world. In as much as it is a new disease, there is dearth of evidence. Aim: The aim of this study is to find and assess the factors associated with self-perceived stress during the COVID-19 outbreak in Nepal. Method: We evaluated 374 respondents from an online survey, using the Sheldon Cohen Perceived Stress Scale, to assess stress levels during the COVID-19 outbreak in Nepal. Results: Nearly three-quarters of the respondents rated their self-perceived stress as moderate to high, and about one quarter reported to have low self-perceived stress. Age and employment status were associated with a greater psychological impact of the outbreak. Conclusions: There is a need to carry out psychological intervention activities through various mediums to help people become more resilient during the COVID-19 epidemic. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 2020; 34(2):84-89] Keywords: COVID-19, psychological response, stress, Nepa

Infodemic Monikers in Social Media During COVID-19 Pandemic

Social media is a common platform that enables its users to share opinions, personal experiences, perspectives with one another instantaneously, globally. It has played a paramount role during pandemics such as COVID-19 and unveiled itself as a crucial means to communicate between the sources and the individuals. However, it also has become a place to disseminate misinformation and fake news rapidly. Infodemic, a plethora of information, some authentic some not makes it even harder to general people to receive factual and trustworthy information when required, has grown to be a major risk to public health and social media is developing as a trendy platform for this infodemic. This commentary aims to explore how social media has affected the current situation. We also aim to share our insight to control this misinformation.  This commentary contributes to evolving knowledge to counter fake news or health-related information shared over various social media platforms

Factors associated with nutritional status of women of reproductive age group in rural, Nepal

Background: Maternal nutrition is one of the most important health and welfare problems among women in developing countries.In women of reproductive age, malnutrition can result in adverse pregnancy outcomes. Maternal nutrition is the major publichealth problem in Nepal. Objective: The main purpose of the study was to establish the factors influencing the nutritional statusof non-pregnant and non-lactating women of reproductive age in Shree Kedar VDC, Baitadi of Nepal. Methodology: A descriptive,cross-sectional study involving 229 non-pregnant and non-lactating women of reproductive age (15-49) was carried out in Baitadidistrict of Nepal. Results: In a total of 229 women, 45.4% of women were of age group 20-29 years. A significant proportion 32.3%was underweight with a mean body mass index of <18.5% and 4.8% were either overweight or obese. Women of all age groups werevulnerable to undernutrition. There was an indication of insufficient food availability at the household level. 22.7% of the studypopulation reported of food inadequacy. Educational status and marital status were statistically significant in the determination ofnutritional status. The study showed that the nutrition status of the study population in Shree Kedar VDC was poor. Conclusion:Food inadequacy, inadequate information/knowledge, low educational levels, caste, income, and family size were the key contributorsto poor nutritional status. Furthermore, nutritional interventions are highly needed to improve the nutrition status of women