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Antibiotics are vital in combating infectious diseases, yet their increasing use fosters resistance. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is rising in Nepal due to factors such as indiscriminate, inappropriate, and inadequate antibiotic usage. This study aims to explore the association between demographic factors and the prevalence of specific bacterial strains within the surveyed population. Additionally, it seeks to determine the antibiotic resistance patterns of these bacteria. Antibiotic susceptibility or resistance data were retrieved from the Medical Records Department (MRD) of the Manmohan Memorial Medical College and Teaching Hospital (MMMCTH) in Kathmandu. Samples from patients with certain types of bacterial infections were included, with 56 from sputum reports, 46 from urine, and 8 from blood samples out of 110 retrieved. Analysis revealed that sputum samples were mostly from older males, while urine samples were mostly from females. Yet, gender did not significantly influence bacterial presence across sample types. Overall, Escherichia coli was the most prevalent bacterium (74%), followed by Salmonella typhi (25%), Staphylococcus aureus (25%), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (23%) isolated from different type of clinical samples. Altogether, 6-15 antibiotics were assessed for sensitivity, with 2–6 antibiotics showing sensitivity to blood bacteria, 1-6 antibiotics demonstrating sensitivity to sputum bacteria, and 3–8 antibiotics exhibiting sensitivity to urine bacteria. Many investigated antibiotics were resistant, only gentamicin exhibited sensitivity for all types of bacteria found in blood, sputum and urine. These findings underscore the importance of discerning bacterial resistance patterns for effective antimicrobial treatment selection.

Abstract: We report the findings of a survey for otters along a major river in central Bhutan. The river bears various names in different stretches along its run, including Mochhu, Phochhu, Punatsangchhu and Sunkosh. We report: 1) the distribution and density of otter sign, including tracks, scats, latrines and dens, 2) the correlation between sign abundance and vegetation and substrate characteristics, and 3) the correlation of otter sign with human disturbance. Five of the six 5.5 km transects sampled were positive for otter sign. The one transect with no otter sign was the site of a recent severe flood event. Linear sign density was 9.4 sign km-1 along one bank of the river, with a mean of 45% of two sample rounds positive for presence of otter sign in sample plots. The Kamichhu site possessed the highest percentage of positive plots at 95%, and the Sunkosh site the lowest at 35%. The number of otter sign was positively correlated with bankside vegetation and with sandy beaches with large boulders. Human disturbance also influenced the density of otter sign, with proximity of settlements, represented by the presence of footpaths, grazing and trash, apparently deterring otter presence. Three species of otters likely occupy the rivers of Bhutan (Lutrogale perspillata, Lutra lutra, and Aonyx cinereus) but since altitudinal niche partitioning by these species is not understood in the study area, we make no attempt to predict distribution by species. Only one otter species, a smooth-coated otter (L. perspicillata) was directly sighted.

Background: The invasive weed Chromolaena odorata has been pronounced in dry habitats in Nepal, where a threatened native tree Aegle marmelos prefers to grow. It is known that the allelochemicals from C. odorata can harm native species differently, however, the impact may depend on environmental factors such as soil moisture in the invaded habitats. This study evaluates how the native tree responds to leaf and root products (leachates) of C. odorata and how water stress influences this interaction. For evaluating these facts, field survey to know the A. marmelos seedling status in C. odorata invaded and uninvaded sites was carried out. The seedlings were also grown in pots by treating the pot soil with C. odorata root and leaf leachates under water-stressed and unstressed conditions. Morphological and biochemical traits (root and shoot length, seedling biomass, leaf and root number, specific leaf area (SLA), photosynthetic pigments and proline) were measured. Results: A significant decrease in A. marmelos seedling population was found within its habitat under the canopy of C. odorata. Root length, biomass, and SLA of A. marmelos seedlings were decreased by water stress (frequent drought). Addition of C. odorata leaf and root leachates further increased the toxic effects. Similarly, the content of photosynthetic pigments (chlorophylls and carotenoids) was decreased under drought conditions, with C. odorata leachates contributing more to the reduction in chlorophyll amount. The increment of the osmolyte proline in the native seedlings shows the seedlings are experiencing stressful environment. Conclusions: Seedlings of A. marmelos are facing a stressful environment in their habitat invaded by C. odorata. Frequent dryness and exposure of the native seedlings to invasive leachates together can significantly decline the population of threatened native species. Hence, removal of C. odorata from the invaded habitat is recommended before the onset of monsoon season to prevent leaching from its aerial or underground parts to minimize the negative impacts on the growth and development of such a threatened native tree.

Backgrounds: Problem-based learning (PBL) is a learner-centered pedagogical approach in which a person learns about a subject by working in groups to solve an open-ended problem. The objective of the present study was to assess students' perceptions and attitudes toward Problem-based learning and the role of tutors in Problem-based learning. Methods: This quantitative study was conducted among second-year medical and dental undergraduate students from November 2022 to November 2023. The students were divided into eight groups, and each group was facilitated by tutors. A Problem-based learning tutor guide, with a case on the topic of diarrhea/dysentery, was designed as a module with six triggers and given to the groups. At the end of nine days of PBL sessions, feedback from students on the process of Problem-based learning and tutors was received using the 'Dolmans and Schmidt' and 'Dolmans and Ginns' questionnaires, respectively. The level of attitude of the students based on their feedback toward the Problem-based learning process and the tutors were also assessed. The data were entered into Microsoft Excel, and descriptive analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), version 21. Results: Among the 79 responses received, 72 (92.4%) students gave a good rating of the process of Problem-based learning, indicating a favorable attitude. The participants agreed with the themes based on the influence of discussion, content tested, course objectives, lectures, tutors, and reference literature. Similarly, 63 (81%) students gave a good rating of the tutorials’ performance, suggesting a favorable attitude. They agreed that tutors facilitated active, self-directed, contextual, and collaborative learning. Conclusions: This study revealed the positive perceptions and attitudes of medical and dental undergraduate students regarding the PBL process and the role of tutors in Problem-based learning. The outcomes of this study have provided a foundation for implementing Problem-based learning in Nepal's medical and dental undergraduate curricula. Keywords: Dental education; diarrhea; dysentery; medical education; problem-based learning.

Monkeypox Virus (MPXV), a zoonotic orthopox DNA virus related to the smallpox virus, was first identified in humans in 1970. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared monkeypox an "evolving hazard of moderate public health concern" on 23 June 2022. Case reports included in this study showed that all patients with typical rashes and risky sexual behaviour should be encouraged to seek immediate medical attention. If a patient has had sexual contact, a diagnosis of monkeypox should be considered even if the patient does not travel to other countries. According to authentic proof from Africa, smallpox immunization is at least 85% successful at avoiding monkeypox. Given the inadequate health infrastructure in Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMIC), it would be extremely challenging to implement vaccination as a regular component of immunization programs. Patients with monkeypox may experience complications, including bacterial superinfection, encephalitis, pneumonia, and conjunctivitis/keratitis. Seldom-recorded complications incorporate bronchopneumonia, spewing, and corneal scarring, leading to lasting visual deficiency. Lowering the risk of transmission from person to person, reducing the risk of zoonotic transmission, preventing monkeypox by limiting the trade in animals, engaging the LGBTQIA community, and vaccination may reduce and control monkeypox.

Abstract Large cardamom (Amomum subulatum Roxb.) is an economically important cash crop that provides a livelihood option for the rural communities in Sikkim Himalaya. However, its production has declined drastically over the past few decades due to climate change and other factors affecting the livelihood of marginal cardamom-dependent farmers in the region. Climate change causes a shift in elevational distributions of mountain species, and it is pivotal to understand its effect on yield and yield-related traits for economically important plant species like large cardamom. For this, we randomly studied 41 large cardamom cultivation sites in Sikkim (India) with elevations ranging between 975 and 2069 m asl and evaluated the yield-related traits (number of capsules per spike, capsule length, capsule width, fresh capsule weight, dry capsule weight, number of seeds per locule, fresh seed weight, and dry seed weight) in five cultivars (Dzongu Golsey, Sawney, Seremna, Ramsey, and Varlangey). We observed a significant variability (P 1515 m), while cultivation of high-elevation Ramsey cultivar (suitable in elevation > 1515 m) has shifted downward ( 1515 m) and showed moderate to high negative correlation between elevation and yield-related traits, indicating the negative effect of elevation on their yield. Likewise, Ramsey and Varlangey cultivated in high elevation (> 1515 m) performed better than the one cultivated in mid-elevation (975–1515 m) and depicted moderate to high positive correlation between elevation and yield-related traits, suggesting a positive influence of elevation on their yield. Although there is an elevational shift in the cultivation of large cardamom cultivars, the elevation influences the performance of the large cardamom cultivars, and it also suggests cultivating the cultivars in their suitable elevation range for better productivity.

Bhutan primarily relies on land transportation; hence, diverse technologies are crucial for ensuring the safety of the drivers. Dust, fog, smoke, and other dry particles often obstructs the road visibility. Furthermore; complex mountainous terrain and steep topography increase fog formation, while winding winds heighten accident risks. This study aims to reduce weather-related accidents by introducing an IoT-centric system designed to enhance visibility and provide timely alerts to drivers. The system employs the Dark Channel Prior (DCP) algorithm for real-time foggy video processing and refining of dehazed video using the Guided Filtering method. This research also focuses on developing an alert system using a time-of-flight (ToF) sensor with detection range of 15 m. Real-time testing and validation were conducted along the fog-prone Thimphu-Phuentsholing highway, specifically in the Jumja region. To evaluate the performance of the system; validation metrics, including the peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) and Structural Similarity Index Measure (SSIM) were determined for quantitative analysis, and the original and dehazed videos were compared on the same screen for visual analysis. The effectiveness of obstacle detection system was evaluated by comparing the actual measured distance to the distance displayed on the screen. The results depicts that the proposed system significantly improves visibility and effectively sirens drivers to impending obstacles within the sufficient stopping sight distance through display of clear video in the dehazing system. The study highlights the potential of advanced IoT and computer vision technologies to enhance road safety and reduce accident rates under low-visibility conditions.

The Himalayan region faces escalating challenges due to climate change, particularly dwindling springs leading to water scarcity. This study examines water access, economic well-being, and ecosystem resilience in Sikkim's Himalayan region in India, using the Dhara Vikas initiative (implemented in 2008) as a case study. Fieldwork conducted from 2013 to 2015 surveyed 339 households across eight villages, representing 47.56 % of the total households reliant on approximately 63 perennial springs. The survey revealed significant economic disparities in water usage, with higher consumption among affluent groups at lower altitudes. Only 24.1 % of households had year-round water access, highlighting widespread scarcity. The initiative increased spring discharge by 30–40 %, improved water access, and diversified local economies through poultry and dairy farming. Land use and land cover (LULC) analyses from 1989, 2002, and 2013 indicated positive changes in ecosystem resilience. The study also highlights the paradoxical relationship between spring revival initiatives and increased water demand, linking this to livelihood diversification.A roadmap for spring revival is recommended, integrating nature-based solutions with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and IUCN criteria to ensure effectiveness, biodiversity gains, and economic viability.Conclusions emphasize the need for rigorous data collection, collaborative partnerships, and innovative financing to bolster and expand nature-based solutions, ensuring the resilience of mountain communities amidst climate challenges. Recent extreme events, like the Teesta River flooding and glacial lake outburst floods (GLOF), underscore the urgency of such initiatives. Future research should build on this data to develop climate adaptation strategies.

Barley stripe or yellow rust (BYR) caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. hordei (Psh) is a significant constraint to barley production. The disease is best controlled by genetic resistance, which is considered the most economical and sustainable component of integrated disease management. In this study, we assessed the diversity of resistance to Psh in a panel of international barley genotypes (n = 266) under multiple disease environments (Ecuador, India, and Mexico) using genome-wide association studies (GWASs). Four quantitative trait loci (QTLs) (three on chromosome 1H and one on 7H) associated with resistance to Psh were identified. The QTLs were validated by mapping resistance to Psh in five biparental populations, which detected key genomic regions on chromosomes 1H (populations Pompadour/Zhoungdamei, Pompadour/Zug161, and CI9214/Baudin), 3H (Ricardo/Gus), and 7H (Fumai8/Baronesse). The QTL RpshQ.GWA.1H.1 detected by GWAS and RpshQ.Bau.1H detected using biparental mapping populations co-located were the most consistent and stable across environments and are likely the same resistance region. RpshQ.Bau.1H was saturated using population CI9214/Baudin by enriching the target region, which placed the resistance locus between 7.9 and 8.1 Mbp (flanked by markers sun_B1H_03, 0.7 cM proximal to Rpsh_1H and sun_B1H_KASP_02, 3.2 cM distal on 1HS) in the Morex reference genome v.2. A Kompetitive Allele Specific PCR (KASP) marker sun_B1H_KASP_01 that co-segregated for RpshQ.Bau.1H was developed. The marker was validated on 50 Australian barley cultivars, showing well-defined allelic discrimination and presence in six genotypes (Baudin, Fathom, Flagship, Grout, Sakurastar, and Shepherd). This marker can be used for reliable marker-assisted selection and pyramiding of resistance to Psh and in diversifying the genetic base of resistance to stripe rust.

An infectious agent affecting both domestic and wild birds may cause avian influenza. All of them can be transmitted by coming into contact with tainted food, drink, or bird emissions, particularly feces. Numerous clades of H5N1 infections have been circulating since 2003, including one introduced to the United States in 2014 by wild birds, which persisted until 2016. There were 2,240 wild birds found in 45 states and 519 counties in the United States alone by September 14, 2022. According to the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), the predominant Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) A (H5) virus subtype causing poultry outbreaks worldwide from late 2021 to early 2022 is A (H5N1). Most notifications from wild birds across multiple countries and regions suggest that the virus may have been introduced and spread via uncontrolled bird migration. The primary instance of a goose/Guangdong/1/96-lineage H5 HPAI infection inside the Americas since June 2015 was checked by the later disclosure of an H5N1 HPAI outbreak in Newfoundland, Canada. The avian flu Type A viruses, or bird flu viruses, rarely cause human infection; some bird flu viruses have done so in the past. The HPAI (H5) virus has been persistent in wild bird populations in Europe since the 2020-21 epidemic wave, according to the paper titled “Avian Influenza Overview: March-June 2022.” Even regions like Antarctica had avian influenza cases in 2023-24. Prevention and control can be done by monitoring and reporting outbreaks, preventing avian influenza at its source in animals, banning chicken farms, controlling methodologies, remuneration for ranchers, and vaccination.