Delayed recognition of a case of osteoaritcular infection of left humerus and ipsilateral shoulder joint

Osteoarticular infection of humerus and shoulder joint are uncommon. Prompt diagnosis and management of acute osteoarticular infection with early antibiotic and sometimes surgery is required to prevent chronic osteomyelitis and sequalae of septic arthritis. This case illustrates how a treatable case of acute osteoarticular infection was missed and progressed to chronic osteomyelitis. The aim of reporting this case is to present a rare site of osteoarticular infection of humerus and shoulder joint was complicated due to failure in recognition and management. Keywords: chronic osteomyelitis, humerus and shoulder joint, osteoarticular infection, pediatric

Efficacy of bio agents and fungicides against Colletotrichum blight of large cardamom (Amomum subulatum Roxb.) under field condition in Sankhuwasabha District, Nepal

The field experiment was carried out in five years old Golsai variety of large cardamom (Amomum subulatum Roxb.) at Khandbari-4, Pangma of Sankhuwasabha district between February and April 2022 to evaluate the efficacy of bioagents and fungicides against Colletotrichum blight of large cardamom (A. subulatum). Two bioagents, three fungicides, and control/water were taken as treatments, and the experiment was established in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with an area of 4×3 sqm in each experimental unit having 6 treatments with 4 replications. Treatment wise application of bioagents and fungicides was given by using a high-volume knapsack sprayer with the required concentration. Subsequent sprays were given at seven-day intervals. The result of the study showed that among the tested fungicides, TOPCARE (Azoxystrobin 50% WDG) and bioagent Trichoderma viride significantly reduced blight under field conditions. So, spraying of the fungicide TOPCARE (Azoxystrobin 50% WDG) and bioagent T. viride will be best for controlling Colletotrichum blight on large cardamom in the Sankhuwasabha district

ENERGY USE EFFICIENCY (EUE) FOR HYBRID MAIZE UNDER DIFFERENT TILLAGE SYSTEMS AND PLANT DENSITY IN CHITWAN, NEPAL

To assess energy use efficiency of hybrids maize as influenced by tillage methods and plant density. A field experiment was carried out at research field of National Maize Research Program (NMRP), Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal during winter season of 2015/16. The experiment was laid out in strip-split plot design comprising two hybrids as horizontal factor (Rampur hybrid 4 and Rampur hybrid 6), two tillage methods as vertical factors (zero and conventional tillage) and four plant populations as sub-sub plot factors (55,555, 69,444, 85,470 and 1,01,010 plants ha-1). Zero tillage recorded significantly higher energy output and net energy balance (238.98 and 217.48 MJ ha-1) as compared to conventional tillage (193.65 and 172.22 MJ ha-1, respectively). Similarly, the plant population of 85 thousand plants ha-1 recorded significantly higher energy output and net energy balance (233.98 and 212.45 thousand MJ ha-1) than 55 (184.10 and 162.87 thousand MJ ha-1) but remained at par with 69 (206.63 and 185.24 thousand MJ ha-1) and 101 thousand plants ha-1 (240.55 and 218.83 thousand MJ ha-1).To assess energy use efficiency of hybrids maize as influenced by tillage methods and plant density. A field experiment was carried out at research field of National Maize Research Program (NMRP), Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal during winter season of 2015/16. The experiment was laid out in strip-split plot design comprising two hybrids as horizontal factor (Rampur hybrid 4 and Rampur hybrid 6), two tillage methods as vertical factors (zero and conventional tillage) and four plant populations as sub-sub plot factors (55,555, 69,444, 85,470 and 1,01,010 plants ha-1). Zero tillage recorded significantly higher energy output and net energy balance (238.98 and 217.48 MJ ha-1) as compared to conventional tillage (193.65 and 172.22 MJ ha-1, respectively). Similarly, the plant population of 85 thousand plants ha-1 recorded significantly higher energy output and net energy balance (233.98 and 212.45 thousand MJ ha-1) than 55 (184.10 and 162.87 thousand MJ ha-1) but remained at par with 69 (206.63 and 185.24 thousand MJ ha-1) and 101 thousand plants ha-1 (240.55 and 218.83 thousand MJ ha-1)

Efficacy of various botanical pesticides against leaf eating caterpillar (Artona chorista Jordan) on large cardamom (Amomum subulatum Roxb.) field of Sankhuwasabha District, Nepal

Four treatments (Dadaguard Plus (0.05%), mugwort (Titepati) Oil (0.05%), azadiractin (Neem) Oil (0.25%), and tobacco extract (1%) of different botanicals and an absolute control) were evaluated in a field experiment against a lepidopteran pest, the leaf eating caterpillar infesting large cardamom, in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with an area of 4.2× 3.88 m2 in each experimental unit having 5 treatments with 4 replications at Khandbari, Sankhuwasabha, Nepal. Leaf-eating caterpillars cause a white papery thin epidermis-like structure at the primary stage and defoliation of the plant, leaving the midrib of the leaves, symptoms at the severe stage. Treatment-wise application of botanicals was done by using a high-volume knapsack sprayer, and the number of larvae per plant was counted at different time intervals, viz., 3, 5, and 7 days after spraying (DAS), to access the effectiveness of the treatments. The botanical pesticides caused significant differences in their effects against the leaf-eating caterpillar. Among the different botanicals, Dadaguard Plus (0.05 %) was found highly effective in managing the leaf-eating caterpillar in large cardamom, followed by neem oil (0.25%), tobacco extract (1%), titepati oil (0.05%), and untreated control, respectively. Dadaguard could be considered an effective botanical in the successful management of the pest leaf eating caterpillar due to its efficacy.

Effect of meteorological factors on the development of lentil stemphylium blight at different sowing dates in rampur, chitwan, Nepal

Stemphylium species are pathogenic to a number of crops under broad geography and diverse environments. Stemphylium blight of lentil (Lens culinaris Medik) caused by Stemphylium botryosum Walr is becoming a serious emerging threat to lentil cultivation and become widespread throughout major legume growing areas in Nepal. Lentil was sown in different dates to observed incidence and severity of stemphylium blight in Rampur, Chitwan during two consecutive years 2012-2014. Lentil seeds sown up to middle of November escaped the disease severity and also resulted higher yield compared to other dates. Disease severity increased with the advancement of sowing date from November 1 to December 21 with decreased yields. The trends of disease development were similar in both years. The maximum and minimum temperatures, total rainfall and sunshine hour ranging from 22.42-24.23°C (mean 23.32°C), 4.12-13.00°C(mean 8.56°C), 9.6-30.5mm (mean 24.85mm) and 200.05-309.85 hour (mean 254.95 hour) respectively were favorable for disease development. A multiple linear regression model with temperature, rainfall and sunshine hours was developed to predict stemphylium blight disease severity on lentil plants

Morphological characterization and evaluation of soybean genotypes under rainfed ecosystem of Nepal

Morphological description of soybean genotypes useful in soybean improvement program. The objective of this research was to identify genotypes with high grain yield and desirable agronomic traits as well as stability across environments. A set of 25 soybean genotypes were used to evaluate under alpha lattice design with two replications at research farm of National Oilseed Research Program, Nawalpur, Sarlahi; National Grain Legumes Research Program Khajura, Banke, and Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, Sundarbazar, Lamjung during July to November of 2018. Result showed that soybean accessions exhibited morphological variation in qualitative traits. The soybean landrace Kailali-3 had a significantly higher grain yield (1.7 ton ha-1). The result of GGE biplots indicated Kavre, Kailali-3 and Lekali Bhatta as the most stable genotypes in all environments. CO 164 was the highest-yielding genotype with above mean average yield at all tested environments. On the other hand, additive main-effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) Analysis revealed Chitwan-9 and Palpa white as the most stable due to the low IPC1 scores and moderate mean yield

Prevalence and socio-demographic factors associated with overweight and obesity among adolescents in Kaski district, Nepal

Background: The occurrence of overweight and obesity is at increasing level in low income and developing countries and is not limited to high income countries only. Adolescent is at high risk for its development. Rationale: To find out the prevalence and associated socio-demographic factors responsible for overweight and obesity which are unrecognized health problems and are risk factors for non-communicable disease. To date no study has been done focusing overweight and obesity in Kaski district, Nepal and very few in context of Nepal. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity and their association with socio demographic factors among higher secondary school level adolescents in Kaski district, Nepal. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in Kaski district among 838 adolescents randomly selected from 12 schools using multistage cluster sampling from 24th October to 4th December, 2013 using self-administered questionnaire and anthropometric assessment. BMI for age was calculated using WHO Anthroplus software v.1.0.4 using cut off value of 85th percentile and 95th percentile for overweight and obesity respectively. Statistical analysis was done using SPSSv. 16.  Results: The study revealed 8.1% prevalence of overweight and obesity of among higher secondary level school adolescents with 5.8% overweight and 2.3% obese. Urban respondents were found significantly more overweight/obese than village respondents (p=0.001, OR=2.360). Adolescents of ethnic/indigenous group (p<0.001, OR=2.56), fathers’ with government job (p=0.011, OR=2.08), mothers’ with teaching job (p=0.038, OR=2.57) and average monthly family income more than or equal to NRs.25, 000 (p=0.007, OR=1.97) were found significantly more overweight and obese. But, other socio demographic factors like gender (p=0.26), birth order (p=0.404) and parents’ education (p=0.121 for fathers’ and p=0.282 for mothers’ education) weren’t significantly associated. Conclusion: Overweight and obesity among adolescents was found high with significant association with permanent residence, ethnicity, parents’ occupation and average monthly family income

Yield Interactions of Wheat Genotypes to Dates of Seeding in Eastern Mid Hills of Nepal

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the major cereal crops and staple food sources in Nepal. Wheat varieties being popular in mid hill regions are still in the early stages of adoption. Identification of appropriate date of seeding plays important role in enhancing the adoption rate ensuring the sustainable production. Therefore, three dates viz 15th November, 1st and 15th December for seeding and twenty eight wheat genotypes were evaluated in a split plot design with two replications for two consecutive seasons in 2011/12 and 2012/13 at an altitude of 2200 masl of eastern Nepal. The results showed genetic differences and interaction effect of genotypes with the dates of sowing on grain yield, panicle length and effective tillers per square meter. The wheat sown on 1st December showed the highest yield as compared to other sown dates. Similarly, WK1907, WK1911, WK1803, WK1915, WK1909, WK1714 and WK1803 produced highest yield among the tested genotypes with retaining maximum number of effective tillers and posed suitable maturity across all sowing date

Population and conservation threats to the vulnerable Sarus crane Grus antigone in Nepal

Abstract Globally, biodiversity is declining due to habitat loss and degradation, over‐exploitation, climate change, invasive species, pollution, and infrastructure development. These threats affect the populations of large waterbird species, such as Sarus crane (Grus antigone), which inhabits agricultural–wetland ecosystems. Despite the burgeoning built‐up areas and diminishing agricultural and wetland spaces, scant research investigates the impact of these changing land uses on the globally vulnerable Sarus crane in Nepal. During the pre‐breeding season from April to June 2023, our comprehensive study meticulously scrutinized Sarus crane population status and factors associated with the occurrences and conservation challenges across 10 specific districts of Nepal. Our study documented a total of 690 individuals of Sarus cranes in five districts. The Lumbini Province has 685 individuals, occupying 11 roosting sites. Conversely, the remaining five districts have no Sarus cranes presence during this period. Wetland, farmland and built‐up areas exhibited a significantly positive influence on Sarus crane occurrences in the Lumbini Province. Additionally, we recorded 47 fatalities of Sarus cranes over the past 13 years in the Lumbini Province due to electrocution and collisions. Our study provides a baseline dataset crucial for developing conservation policies, particularly during the dry season when Sarus crane populations tend to congregate in larger flocks. The adaptation of the Sarus crane to urbanized landscapes exposes them to several anthropogenic threats in the coming days. Therefore, protecting wetlands and farmland areas and adopting transboundary conservation approaches are imperative for the long‐term conservation of the Sarus crane and its habitat

Health system gaps in cardiovascular disease prevention and management in Nepal

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of deaths and disability in Nepal. Health systems can improve CVD health outcomes even in resource-limited settings by directing efforts to meet critical system gaps. This study aimed to identify Nepal's health systems gaps to prevent and manage CVDs. METHODS: We formed a task force composed of the government and non-government representatives and assessed health system performance across six building blocks: governance, service delivery, human resources, medical products, information system, and financing in terms of equity, access, coverage, efficiency, quality, safety and sustainability. We reviewed 125 national health policies, plans, strategies, guidelines, reports and websites and conducted 52 key informant interviews. We grouped notes from desk review and transcripts' codes into equity, access, coverage, efficiency, quality, safety and sustainability of the health system. RESULTS: National health insurance covers less than 10% of the population; and more than 50% of the health spending is out of pocket. The efficiency of CVDs prevention and management programs in Nepal is affected by the shortage of human resources, weak monitoring and supervision, and inadequate engagement of stakeholders. There are policies and strategies in place to ensure quality of care, however their implementation and supervision is weak. The total budget on health has been increasing over the past five years. However, the funding on CVDs is negligible. CONCLUSION: Governments at the federal, provincial and local levels should prioritize CVDs care and partner with non-government organizations to improve preventive and curative CVDs services.</p