Speak to awaken: Revitalising Kusunda

In the mid-19th century, when first described to western science, the Kusunda people and their language were already in a precarious position. Since then, the language has been described as ‘dying’, ‘moribund’, ‘dead’ and ‘extinct’ on several occasions. Remarkably, though, Kusunda speakers survived right into the 21st century when changes to the political and social situation in Nepal inspired renewed ethnic and cultural consciousness among minority groups. In this context, the small remaining Kusunda community expressed their wish to document and describe whatever was still known about their language and culture and create a vibrant speech community once again. In this chapter, we describe and critically examine the ongoing efforts to teach the Kusunda language to community members again. While it is still too early to judge the success of the efforts to awaken the Kusunda language, we will show that its initialisation and continued progress depend on the interest of the community, the support of the government, and the efforts of a dedicated community linguist. We also briefly discuss the main limitations to the awakening efforts, including factors affecting attendance in and operation of language classes; we also present how traditional gender roles, marriage patterns, seniority relations, socioeconomic conditions, and scattered residence of the Kusunda community affect awakening effortsIn this chapter, we describe and critically examine the ongoing efforts to teach the Kusunda language to community members again. While it is still too early to judge the success of the efforts to awaken the Kusunda language, we will show that its initialisation and continued progress depend on the interest of the community, the support of the government, and the efforts of a dedicated community linguist. We also briefly discuss the main limitations to the awakening efforts, including factors affecting attendance in and operation of language classes; we also present how traditional gender roles, marriage patterns, seniority relations, socioeconomic conditions, and scattered residence of the Kusunda community affect awakening efforts. Cuando el pueblo Kusunda y su lengua fueron descritos por primera vez para la ciencia a mediados del siglo XIX, estos se encontraban ya en una situación precaria. Desde entonces y en varias ocasiones, a la lengua se le ha calificado de ‘moribunda’, ‘muerta’ o ‘extincta’. Sin embargo, los hablantes de Kusunda siguen presentes en el siglo XXI en un momento en el que los cambios políticos y la situación social en Nepal ha inspirado una nueva conciencia étnica y cultural entre grupos minorizados. En este contexto, la comunidad Kusunda que se conserva ha expresado su deseo por documentar y describir todo aquello que aún se conoce sobre su lengua y cultura, y por crear una nueva y dinámica comunidad de habla. En este capítulo se describe y se examina de manera crítica los esfuerzos actuales por volver a enseñar la lengua Kusunda a los miembros de la comunidad de herencia. A pesar de que cualquier evaluación de los logros de estos esfuerzos sería prematura, se muestra que el que hayan surgido estos esfuerzos y que se hayan mantenido depende del interés de la comunidad, del apoyo del gobierno, y del compromiso de un lingüista comunitario. También abordamos las limitantes principales de los esfuerzos por despertar una lengua incluyendo los factores que afectan la asistencia a las clases y la organización de estas; también explicamos cómo los roles de género, las prácticas culturales en torno al matrimonio, las relaciones en base a edad y estatus socioeconómico, y lo dispersa que está la comunidad Kusunda afectan a la evolución de los esfuerzos por despertar la lengua

CRISPR- Cas9 Technology: Mechanism and Its Application in The Field of Entomology

The field of life science research has undergone a revolution thanks to the CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) and CRISPR-associated protein (CRISPR/Cas) system, which provides a multitude of opportunities for modifying, identifying, visualising, and annotating particular DNA or RNA sequences in diverse organisms. In this technique, foreign DNA pieces, known as spacers, are inserted into CRISPR cassettes. These spacers are then transcribed into CRISPR arrays and processed to produce guide RNA (gRNA). The Cas proteins that the CRISPR arrays encode serve as the enzymatic machinery required to obtain new spacers that specifically target invasive genetic elements. Several Cas proteins, such as Cas9, Cas12, Cas13, and Cas14, have been used to create novel tools for genome engineering due to their programmable sequence specificity. The ability to manipulate and edit nucleic acid sequences in living cells from a wide variety of organisms has been made possible by these Cas variants, which have greatly advanced genetic research and the CRISPR/Cas tool. The CRISPR Cas-9 technology has applications in many areas of entomology, including the genetics of honeybees and plants that produce insecticidal compounds. CRISPR/Cas9 technology has transformed entomology by providing precise tools for gene editing and genetic manipulation in insects. This has enabled advancements in fundamental research, disease vector control, and pest management, with the potential to reduce the environmental and economic impact of insect pests in agriculture and public health

Menopausal Transition and the Development of Rheumatoid Arthritis An Overview

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory illness caused by an accumulation of inflammatory infiltration in the synovial membrane, which leads to the progressive deterioration of joint architecture. Women are three times more likely than men to have RA, with more severe functional loss and disability. The purpose of this review is to study the shifts in the hormonal system brought on by menopause and their potential links with RA. Females are more likely to develop RA as a result of hereditary and environmental interactions of sex hormones and their effects on the immune system. Rapid declines in ovarian function and systemic estrogen have been linked to postmenopausal increases in proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β. The majority of the data from the literature review imply that female hormone characteristics that can be influenced by hereditary and environmental variables impact the development of autoimmune illnesses, including RA.&nbsp

Development and validation of new analytical method for the estimation of fluoxetine in bulk and dosage form by UV spectrophotometry

A simple, rapid and precise method is developed for the quantitative determination of Fluoxetine in combined pharmaceutical-dosage forms. The method was based on UV Spectrophotometric determination of Fluoxetine drug using Beer-Lamberts Law. It involves absorbance measurement at 224 nm (λmax of Fluoxetine) in water. For UV Spectrophotometric method, linearity was obtained in concentration range of 5-30 mcg/ml with regression 0.999 for Fluoxetine respectively. Recovery was in the range of 98 -102%; the value of standard deviation and %R.S.D was found to be < 2 shows high precision of the method.

Gyani Maiya (2019 documentary)

No community can express the pain of losing an elder, especially when she was the last fluent speaker of their language. Gyani Maiya Sen-Kusunda died on January 25, 2020 in Kulmor village of Dang district in western Nepal, a year and half before this documentary was filmed. From leaving behind the life of a nomad to getting married to a non-nomad to raising a family that could not speak her language, Sen-Kusunda wished that the Kusunda language is taught to the newer generation. In her own words, "now none of the Mihaqs (Kusunda people) speak the language. The girls have got married and have left for the villages. Boys are getting married in villages. We left our language and started speaking other languages. It should be taught to others." The plot of this film follows the story of the Kusunda people - narrated by Sen-Kusunda - who were once a nomadic community and are currently settled in villages. Over the years almost all the Kusundas have left speaking their language. This documentary arguably contains the most detailed video interviews of Sen-Kusunda. Her younger sister Kamala Sen Khatri is the sole fluent speaker of the Kusunda language at the moment. Uday Raj Aley, who plays a key role in this film has researched about the Kusunda language over the years and has published a trilingual Kusunda-Nepali dictionary

Review of gynaecological cancer among Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people in Australia

Gynaecological cancers bear a significant burden on the health of Australians. Whilst Australia has made great strides in reducing the overall gynaecological cancer burden nationally, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women continue to experience disproportionately high rates of gynaecological cancers. This review focuses on the social, cultural, and historical contexts that contribute to inequitable gynaecological cancer rates among Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women. An in-depth discussion on cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, and uterine cancer are described; including the incidence, mortality, survival, and management of these diseases for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women. It highlights both the persistent barriers and facilitators relating to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women’s uptake of preventative measures and treatments, including their use of services and programs relating to the management of gynaecological cancers. This review summarises past and current policies and strategies implemented by the Australian Government and other cancer related peak bodies that aim to address this health issue. It recommends that critical attention be given to risk reduction, participation in cancer screening programs, and improved access to culturally appropriate, high quality primary health care and tertiary specialist services. This would address inequitable differences faced by Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people and reduce the overall burden of gynaecological cancers

Perceived fear of COVID-19 and its associated factors among Nepalese older adults in eastern Nepal : a cross-sectional study

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has affected all age groups worldwide, but older adults have been affected greatly with an increased risk of severe illness and mortality. Nepal is struggling with the COVID-19 pandemic. The normal life of older adults, one of the vulnerable populations to COVID-19 infection, has been primarily impacted. The current evidence shows that the COVID-19 virus strains are deadly, and non-compliance to standard protocols can have serious consequences, increasing fear among older adults. This study assessed the perceived fear of COVID-19 and associated factors among older adults in eastern Nepal. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted between July and September 2020 among 847 older adults (?60 years) residing in three districts of eastern Nepal. Perceived fear of COVID-19 was measured using the seven-item Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S). Multivariate logistic regression identified the factors associated with COVID-19 fear. Results The mean score of the FCV-19S was 18.1 (SD = 5.2), and a sizeable proportion of older adults, ranging between 12%-34%, agreed with the seven items of the fear scale. Increasing age, Dalit ethnicity, remoteness to the health facility, and being concerned or overwhelmed with the COVID-19 were associated with greater fear of COVID-19. In contrast, preexisting health conditions were inversely associated with fear. Conclusion Greater fear of the COVID-19 among the older adults in eastern Nepal suggests that during unprecedented times such as the current pandemic, the psychological needs of older adults should be prioritized. Establishing and integrating community-level mental health support as a part of the COVID-19 preparedness and response plan might help to combat COVID-19 fear among them

Unveiling transfusions: Analyzing blood product utilization patterns in a leading tertiary care center in Madhya Pradesh, India

Background: Blood transfusions play a pivotal role in medical care, saving millions of lives annually. The timely provision of safe blood is critical in various clinical scenarios, necessitating a careful balance between supply and demand. Despite advanced blood banking facilities globally, challenges persist in ensuring appropriate blood component utilization, prompting a need for clinical audits and optimization strategies. Aims and Objectives: This study aims to analyze the patterns of blood product utilization in a tertiary care hospital in Madhya Pradesh over 1 year, focusing on transfusion requests, cross-match-to-transfusion (C/T) ratios, transfusion indices (TIs), and indications for transfusions. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted at Shyam Shah Medical College from January 01, 2023, to December 31, 2023. Data from transfusion and cross-match requests in various departments were collected. C/T ratios, TI, and non-usage probability were computed to assess blood utilization efficiency. Results: Out of 16,682 cross-matched units, 71.93% were transfused. The overall C/T ratio was 1.39. The department of medicine demonstrated the most efficient blood usage with a C/T ratio of 1.16. Obstetrics and gynecology had the highest TI (1.06), while surgery had the lowest (0.71). Indications for transfusion included anemia (29.9%), pre-operative (17.2%), intraoperative (21.8%), and post-operative (31.1%). Conclusion: This study provides valuable insights into blood utilization patterns, offering a foundation for refining transfusion practices and enhancing the efficiency of blood management in the studied tertiary care hospital