Response of potato clones to planting dates in Pokhara, Kaski, Nepal

A field trial was conducted to optimize the planting date and appropriate clone for ware potato production at Horticulture Research Station, Malepatan, Pokhara from October 2015 to March 2016. The trial was laid out in two factors Factorial Randomized Complete Block Design. There were nine treatments with three replications. The treatments comprised of three dates of planting (30th October, 14th and 29th November) and three potato clones (Janakdev, Lbr 40 and PRP 266264.1). The results showed that the main effects of planting dates and potato clones significantly (P<0.05) affected most growth, yield and yield attributing parameters of the crop. Interaction effect of planting dates and potato clones also significantly influenced the number of above-ground stems per plant, ground cover percentage, number of tubers per plant, number and weight of small size tuber (<25 g), weight of medium or seed size (25-50 g) tuber and large size (>50 g) tuber, number and yield of tubers per plot, and yield t/ha. The highest yield (37.05 t/ha) was obtained from 14th November planting. The clone Lbr 40 produced a higher yield (36.05t/ha). The clone PRP 266264.1 planting on 30th October planting produced significantly a higher yield (41.34t/ha). The clone Lbr 40 produced significantly highest number and weight of large size (>50 g) tuber. Number of small size (<25 g) tuber per plot or unmarketable tuber significantly increased on delayed planting

Multiplex Ligation Dependent Probe Amplification Based Mutation Analysis of Dystrophin Gene in Nepalese Patients with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is X-linked recessive neuromuscular disorders caused due to mutation in dystrophin gene, leading to progressive muscle weakness. This study was done to identify mutation in dystrophin gene in Nepalese patients with DMD using Multiplex Ligation Dependent Probe Amplification (MLPA) assay in Nepal. Twenty one patients from different regions of Nepal, who were clinically diagnosed as DMD were enrolled in the study. Peripheral blood samples were collected in EDTA vials, gDNA was extracted, and deletion mutation in the dystrophin gene was analysed using Multiplex Ligation Dependent Probe Amplification (MLPA) assay.Exon deletion mutation in the dystrophin gene was observed in 14 (66.6%) out of 21 DMD cases. The most common exon deletion was observed and confined in exon 7-14 and 45-53 of dystrophin gene. The location of deletion in dystrophin gene is apparently non-random with a preponderance found in the hot spot regions. Use of MLPA is useful in detecting copy number changes in DMD proband and suspected carriers in Nepal

A Short Note on Linkage of Climatic Records between Terai and Mid-mountain of Central Nepal

The steep North to South (N-S) gradient and complex topography markssignificant variations in the spatial and temporal patterns of climatic variation surrounding within a few distances in the Nepal Himalayas. Hence,to validate climatic linkages between the stations under two distinct topographic conditions, the study examines the observational climatic data from 106m a.s.l. and 1801m a.s.l., as a representative station from a plain and hilly area. Different statistical tools including Pearson correlation analysis and a best-fit regression model were applied to analyze climate data. The analysis of 13129 daily average temperature records and 13147 daily total precipitation records showed that the variation in their sum and average of daily, five days, ten days, and monthly values between the stations in the different elevations marked significantly.Despite these variations, temperature records are measured to be consistent in different altitudes and strongly correlated. The precipitation data showed a comparatively weaker correlation. The coefficients (0.85-1.6) with R2 >0.50 in the regression models for the lower elevation and higher elevation station in the mid-mountain region except for the monsoon season. It indicated a similar fluctuation of temperature between these two stations in the respective area. The strong degree of association and the change of climatic parameters in different range and elevations indicate the possibilities of using climatic data from Terai to represent the Mid-mountain region of central Nepal

Incidental Intraoperative Diagnosis of Term Conjoined Twins: A Case Series

Conjoined twins (Siamese twins) represent the rarest form of twin pregnancy. Reported here are two rare cases of conjoined term twins presented to the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology within 3 months. The first case, 32 years of gravida 6 parity 5 referred from periphery after full trial of labour following multi-organ dysfunction and term intrauterine dead twins. Intraoperatively it was dead conjoined thoraco-omphalopagus females. The patient died after 3 days following multiorgan dysfunction syndrome and disseminated intravascular coagulation. The second case, 22 years gravida 2 parity 1 also referred from periphery in second stage of labour with diagnosis of 39 weeks intrauterine dead twins with obstructed labour, delivered by caesarean with intraoperative conjoined dead females of thoracophagus type. Twins are high-risk pregnancy. This rare diagnosis with complications could have been prevented by regular antenatal checkups, ultrasonography performed by radiologists and early referral antenatally in labour along with multidisciplinary approach

A novel ciprofloxacin-resistant subclade of H58 Salmonella Typhi is associated with fluoroquinolone treatment failure.

The interplay between bacterial antimicrobial susceptibility, phylogenetics and patient outcome is poorly understood. During a typhoid clinical treatment trial in Nepal, we observed several treatment failures and isolated highly fluoroquinolone-resistant Salmonella Typhi (S. Typhi). Seventy-eight S. Typhi isolates were genome sequenced and clinical observations, treatment failures and fever clearance times (FCTs) were stratified by lineage. Most fluoroquinolone-resistant S. Typhi belonged to a specific H58 subclade. Treatment failure with S. Typhi-H58 was significantly less frequent with ceftriaxone (3/31; 9.7%) than gatifloxacin (15/34; 44.1%)(Hazard Ratio 0.19, p=0.002). Further, for gatifloxacin-treated patients, those infected with fluoroquinolone-resistant organisms had significantly higher median FCTs (8.2 days) than those infected with susceptible (2.96) or intermediately resistant organisms (4.01)(pS. Typhi clade internationally, but there are no data regarding disease outcome with this organism. We report an emergent new subclade of S. Typhi-H58 that is associated with fluoroquinolone treatment failure

APPLICATION OF HIGH CAPACITY CONDUCTORS FOR UPRATING OF EXISTING TRANSMISSION LINES IN NEPAL

Due to high power losses and relieve transmission line from overload operation, Nepal has to upgrade its transmission system. The main objective of this research paper is to investigate technical and financial aspects of uprating existing 132 kV line of Nepal by re-conductoring it with High Temperature Low Sag conductor. For this purpose, electrical, mechanical and financial aspectsare evaluated using Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)-738-SA model for conductor capacity derating, Hybrid numerical method for sag calculation and Monte Carlo simulation for sensitivity analysis respectively. The derated capacity of existing conductor and proposed High Temperature Low Sag (HTLS) conductors are calculated which are less than manufacturer’s rating. The sag of Aluminium Core Steel Supported (ACSS)-Dove, Thermal-Resistant-Aluminium Conductor Steel Reinforced (TACSR)-Dove and Super Thermal Resistant Aluminium Conductor Invar Reinforced (STACIR) is found to be greater than maximum permissible sag, while Aluminium Conductor Composite Core (ACCC)-Amsterdam, Gap Type-Super thermal Resistant ACSR (GZTACSR)-Hen and Aluminium Conductor Composite Reinforced (ACCR)-Oswego with permissible limit. ACCC is evaluated to be the most profitable conductor for re-conductoring. The result shows that capacity of existing line can be increased upto 290% with additional profit

Microbiological burden in Nepalese hospital air culture

Background The environmental matrices (water, air, and surfaces) play a vital role as reservoirs of Legionella spp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pseudomonas spp.). Hence, hospital environment control procedures are effective measures for reducing nosocomial infections. Aims This study was carried out to explore the profiles of microorganisms in air culture at various wards/units of a tertiary care hospital in Nepal. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out at various wards/units of a tertiary care hospital in Nepal between January and September 2015 to explore the microbiological burden in inanimate objects. Each week one ward or unit was selected for the study. Bed, tap, the entire room, trolley, computer, phone, rack handles, table, chair, door, stethoscope, oxygen mask, gown, cupboard handles, and wash basins were selected for air culture testing. Ten different wards/units and 77 locations/pieces of equipment were selected for air culture by employing a simple random sampling technique. Information about the organisms was entered into the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 22 (IBM: Armonk, NY) and descriptive analyses were carried out. Results Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), Micrococcus, coagulase negative staphylococcus (CONS), Bacillus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, yeast, and Acinetobacter were the most commonly detected organisms. In the postoperative ward, S. aureus was the most frequently detected microorganism. Micrococcus was detected in four out of 10 locations. In the x-ray unit, S. aureus was detected in three out of four locations. Conclusion S. aureus, Micrococcus, CONS, Bacillus, Pseudomonas, yeast, and Acinetobacter were the most common organisms detected

Population status, distribution and potential threats of the Blue Bull Boselaphus tragocamelus (Mammalia: Cetartiodactyla: Bovidae) along the Tinau River of Rupandehi District, Nepal

The status and conservation of the Blue Bull Boselaphus tragocamelus is becoming one of the prominent discourses of wildlife research.  The study was carried out along the Tinau River at Rupandehi District in western Nepal to ascertain the population status, distribution and potential threats to the Blue Bull.  The study was conducted along six transect lines in the forest.  A total of 40 Blue Bulls were recorded in different transects.  The average group size was five.  The average population density was 0.228 Blue Bulls per ha and the sex ratio was 1 male: 3 females.  The potential threats of the Blue Bull along the Tinau River were habitat destruction, overgrazing, conflict, flooding and accident.  </div