Microplastics in environment: global concern, challenges, and controlling measures.

Plastic pollution in various forms has emerged as the most severe environmental threat. Small plastic chunks, such as microplastics and nanoplastics derived from primary and secondary sources, are a major concern worldwide due to their adverse effects on the environment and public health. Several years have been spent developing robust spectroscopic techniques that should be considered top-notch; however, researchers are still trying to find efficient and straightforward methods for the analysis of microplastics but have yet to develop a viable solution. Because of the small size of these degraded plastics, they have been found in various species, from human brains to blood and digestive systems. Several pollution-controlling methods have been tested in recent years, and these methods are prominent and need to be developed. Bacterial degradation, sunlight-driven photocatalyst, fuels, and biodegradable plastics could be game-changers in future research on plastic pollution control. However, recent fledgling steps in controlling methods appear insufficient due to widespread contamination. As a result, proper regulation of environmental microplastics is a significant challenge, and the most equitable way to manage plastic pollution. Therefore, this paper discusses the current state of microplastics, some novel and well-known identification techniques, strategies for overcoming microplastic effects, and needed solutions to mitigate this planetary pollution. This review article, we believe, will fill a void in the field of plastic identification and pollution mitigation research.

In young women, a link between childhood abuse and subliminal processing of aversive cues is moderated by impulsivity.

BACKGROUND: Childhood maltreatment is a serious public health concern. The association between child maltreatment, adverse behaviors, mental health outcomes, and alterations to brain function and structure have begun to be characterized. Less is known about the specific associations of maltreatment subtypes with cue-response to evocative cues and the moderating effects of confounding mental health/behavioral variables. METHODS: Fifty-four emerging adult women (aged 18-24) completed assessments for behaviors, mental health, and childhood maltreatment. They participated in a fMRI task featuring passive viewing of evocative (33 ms) cues presented by "backward masking" to prevent conscious processing. Correlations of abuse/neglect scores, behavioral/mental health factors, and brain function were assessed. Follow-up analyses investigated the moderating effects of behavioral/mental health factors on maltreatment and brain relationships. RESULTS: Greater frequency of childhood abuse and neglect were correlated with higher scores of impulsivity, depressive symptoms, and anxious attachment. Childhood abuse was positively associated with increased medial orbitofrontal cortical (mOFC) response to aversive (vs. neutral) cues. Among the behavioral/mental health variables, only impulsivity appeared to have a moderating effect on the relationship between childhood abuse and brain response to aversive cues. CONCLUSIONS: The link between childhood abuse and a heightened mOFC response to "unseen" aversive stimuli, moderated by impulsivity, adds to the growing literature on the impact of prior adversity on brain function. These findings offer further understanding for the way in which childhood maltreatment affects the brain processing of negative stimuli, helping to explain the well-documented link between childhood maltreatment and a variety of adverse outcomes in adulthood.

Perception of Students on Online Assessment: A Descriptive Study among Medical Undergraduates at Basic Sciences.

Background Assessment drives learning. Student assessment cannot be neglected in the long ongoing online learning during COVID-19 pandemic to motivate and assess students' learning. Hence Patan Academy of Health Sciences (PAHS) conducted online assessment to medical undergraduates amidst limitations. Objective To measure the perception of online assessment of students which will provide applicable insights for the further improvement. Method This is a single center, cross-sectional and descriptive study. A Google form containing a semi-structured questionnaire was sent to MBBS students of Basic Science at PAHS who attended online classes and online examination. The responses from close ended questions expressed in percentage and Chi-square test was used to find the association. Open ended questions were analyzed using Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis. Result Of 118 students that responded, 75% passed the online examination. A majority of students (73%) stated that online exam motivated them in learning process and it could be a good alternative during pandemic time. However the most of students (56%) were unsatisfied with the modality of online assessment and reasons that they mentioned were technical problems (89%), inadequate online proctoring (77%), insufficient examination time (58%), lack of orientation to exam, lack of computer skills. Technical problem was worse in rural areas. Conclusion Even though online assessment motivated students' learning during online classes, a large number of students were unsatisfied with assessment modality.

Atomic picture of elastic deformation in a metallic glass.

The tensile behavior of a Ni60Nb40 metallic glass (MG) has been studied by using ab initio density functional theory (DFT) calculation with a large cell containing 1024 atoms (614 Ni and 410 Nb). We provide insight into how a super elastic limit can be achieved in a MG. Spatially inhomogeneous responses of single atoms and also major polyhedra are found to change greatly with increasing external stress when the strain is over 2%, causing the intrinsically viscoelastic behavior. We uncover the origin of the observed super elastic strain limit under tension (including linear and viscoelastic strains) in small-sized MG samples, mainly caused by inhomogeneous distribution of excess volumes in the form of newly formed subatomic cavities.

Opportunities for NanoTheranosis in Lung Cancer and Pulmonary Metastasis.

Malignancies of the lungs, both primary and metastatic, are the leading cause of death worldwide. Over 1.5 million new cases of primary lung cancer are diagnosed annually worldwide with a dismal five-year survival rate of approximately 15%, which remains unchanged despite major efforts and medical advances. As expected, survival for patients with lung metastases is even worse at about 5%. Early detection and staging are fundamental in improving survival rates and selecting the most effective treatment strategies. Recently, nanoparticles have been developed for imaging and treating various cancers, including pulmonary malignancies. In this work, three different examples of nanoparticle configurations for cancer theranosis are presented, namely conventional spherical polymeric nanoparticles with a diameter of ~ 150 nm; and discoidal mesoporous silicon nanoconstructs and discoidal polymeric nanoconstructs with a diameter of ~ 1,000 nm and a height of 400 and 500 nm, respectively. The spherical nanoparticles accumulate in tumors by means of the well-known enhanced permeation and retention effect, whereas sub-micrometer discoidal nanoconstructs are rationally designed to adhere firmly to the tortuous tumor vasculature. All three nanoparticles are characterized for their in vivo performance in terms of magnetic resonance, positron-emission tomography (PET), and optical imaging. Preliminary data on the in vivo and ex vivo PET/CT imaging of breast cancer metastasis in the lungs using discoidal nanoconstructs is presented. In conclusion, opportunities for nanoparticle-based theranosis in primary lung cancer and pulmonary metastasis are presented and discussed.

Occurrence of amino acid mutation (Ala98Val) of HNF1α in association with type II diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Maturity onset diabetes of the young type 3 is a monogenic form of diabetes. Gene defects in the Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor -1 alpha (HNF1a) causes MODY3. HNF1a gene located in the chromosome (12q24.2) codes for a transcription factor which helps in signalling of insulin exocytosis in pancreatic Beta cells. A prevalent amino acid polymorphism at codon 98-Ala98Val (exon 1) of the HNF1a was shown to be associated with diabetes in the South Indian population. Since Nepal shares the ancestral origin with India and people have been sharing similar lifestyles for a long period of life it was relevant to check the occurrence of same mutation in diabetic population of Nepal as well. The study was carried out to identify the occurrence of amino acid mutation (Ala98Val) of HNF 1 alpha in association with type 2 diabetes in diabetic population of Kathmandu. METHODS: DNA samples were randomly collected from 12 non-diabetic and 56 diabetic patients. The DNA samples were amplified using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) was carried out to identify the occurrence of the mutation. RESULTS: During the study, out of 12 non-diabetic samples, nine were normal while three samples showed heterozygous Ala98Val mutation. Whereas, eight diabetic patients were found to have Ala98Val mutation and rest 48 had normal genotype. The study thus showed 16.17% occurence of Ala98Val mutation among 68 samples. CONCLUSIONS: The study showed the occurrence of Ala98Val amino acid mutation in diabetic samples that were taken under study.

Can stormwater harvesting restore pre-development flows in urban catchments in South East Queensland?

Increases in the impervious area due to urbanisation have been shown to have negative impacts on the physical and ecological condition of streams, primarily through increased volume and frequency of runoff. The harvesting and detention of runoff has a potential to decrease this impact. This paper describes the effects of urbanisation on catchment flow and of stormwater harvesting on reducing those adverse impacts on a stream in South East Queensland (SEQ), Australia. A largely undeveloped catchment located southeast of Brisbane city was calibrated and validated using the Stormwater Management Model (SWMM). This model was used to investigate the effect of a range of future increases in urbanisation (represented by impervious area) on stream hydrology as well as the potential of stormwater harvesting to return the catchments to predevelopment flow conditions. Stormwater harvesting was modelled according to flow frequency measures specified in current SEQ development guidelines. These guidelines stipulate the capture of the first 10 mm of runoff from impervious areas of 0-40% and the first 15 mm from impervious areas of 40% or greater for urban developments. We found that increases in the impervious area resulted in increases in the mean, frequency and duration of high flows, and an increase in the mean rate of rise and fall for storm events in the catchment. However, the predevelopment (non-urbanised) flow distribution was very flashy in comparison with all urbanised scenarios; i.e. it had the quickest response to rainfall indicated by a high rate of rise to and fall from peak flow volume, followed by a return to zero flow conditions. Capturing the runoff according to the development guidelines resulted in a reduction in flow towards the flow distribution of a lower impervious area, however this was insufficient to meet predevelopment conditions. This suggests a stronger influence of impervious areas in this catchment on the volume of runoff than flow frequency measures are able to ameliorate.

Strengthening national health systems for improving efficiency of health service delivery in Nepal.

The success of Nepal's community-based health programmes in promoting maternal and child health has been achieved due to an overall improvement in service delivery facilities and health support systems. This article assesses the progress made by the Government of Nepal in improving health service delivery by introducing three key components: an improved health logistics management, facility-based maternal and neonatal health services, and decentralized health facility management.

Stigma related to tuberculosis among patients attending DOTS clinics of Dharan municipality.

BACKGROUND: The patients suffering from tuberculosis are receiving shame and unfair treatment from the people living around them within their own society attending DOTS clinic of Dharan municipality. OBJECTIVE: To assess the stigma experienced by tuberculosis patients and to find out the association between stigma experienced by Tuberculosis patient and the selected variables (socio-demographic characteristics, clinical profile and illness experience). METHODS: Descriptive Cross Sectional study was done among sixty tuberculosis patients. Stratified random sampling was used to select the main center and sub center of Tuberculosis treatment and population proportionate simple random sampling using lottery method was done. Data was collected using predesigned, pretested performa from Explanatory Model Interview Catalogue developed by World Health Organization. RESULTS: The study revealed that 63.3% of the subjects were stigmatized. There was association between stigma and variables such as occupation, monthly family income and past history of Tuberculosis. There was also association of stigma with treatment phase, category of the patient and past outcome of illness. CONCLUSION: Due to lack of knowledge and awareness about Tuberculosis, many patients were stigmatized. Efforts should be made to educate the public about Tuberculosis to reduce stigma experienced by Tuberculosis patients and improve the compliance of the patient.

Changing trends in idiopathic retinal vasculitis in a tertiary eye care centre of Nepal over a ten-year period.

OBJECTIVES: To study the demographic profile, clinical presentations, management and visual outcome of retinal vasculitis in a tertiary eye care center of Nepal MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective, record based study of retinal vasculitis cases in the retina clinic of a tertiary care centre in Nepal from January 2009 to January 2011 was carried out. Results of the study were compared to those from the study conducted in a similar set- up between 1998 and 2000. RESULTS: Sixty-nine eyes of 51 affected patients were evaluated in the study. The male/female ratio was 2.64:1 vs 19:1 a decade ago (p=0.0027). The mean age of the patients was 33.53 ± 12.29 years in the present study. Bilateral ocular involvement was present in 18 cases (35.3%) vs 56.14% in the past decade (p=0044).The common symptoms were dimness of vision (29.4%), floaters (25.5 %) and flashes of light (3.92%). Seventy-one eyes (69.6%) had the best corrected visual acuity of 6/18 or better. Four eyes (3.92 %) had no light perception. Vascular sheathing was the most common finding (32.35%), followed by vitritis (30.39%). Corticosteroids were primarily used to manage retinal vasculitis (39.21%). No association of retinal vasculitis with tuberculosis was found. CONCLUSION: The demographic pattern and clinical presentation of idiopathic retinal vasculitis has changed over a decade period in Nepal.

Weill- Marchesani syndrome: a rare case report.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the presenting features of Weill-Marchesani syndrome CASE: A 22-year-old man presented with high myopia and progressive visual disturbance. He was of short stature and had brachydactyly. His initial Snellen best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 6/24 in his right eye and 6/12 in his left eye. Slit lamp examination revealed a sub-luxated micro-spherophakic lens. The patient was diagnosed with Weill-Marchesani syndrome. CONCLUSION: Weill-Marchesani syndrome can present wwith progressive myopia in a person of short stature and brachydactyly.

Van Gogh syndrome.

Self injury is the intentional and direct injury to self that include bite, burn, ulceration and head banging. These injuries are rarely fatal and are usually not suicidal in nature. This behavior is common among adolescents, psychiatric patients and in females. Bipolar disorder, drug abuse and metabolic syndromes like LeschNyhan and Munchausen's syndrome are often associated with this disorder. Repetitive self mutilation is termed the Van Gogh syndrome after the famous painter who cut off his ear and gave it to a prostitute. We describe two such cases of self mutilation in schizophrenic patients.

Developing community-based intervention strategies and package to save newborns in Nepal.

In Nepal, the proportion of under 5 deaths that are neonatal (0-28 days) has been increasing in the last decade, due to faster declines in infant and child mortality than in neonatal mortality. This trend is likely due to a focus on maternal and child survival programs that did not adequately address newborn health needs. Policy and actions to save newborn lives resulted from increased attention to newborn deaths in 2001, culminating in the endorsement of the National Neonatal Health Strategy in 2004, a milestone that established newborn health and survival as a national priority. Operationalization of the National Neonatal Health Strategy took place in 2007 with the development of the Community-Based Newborn Care Package (CB-NCP). This paper describes how national stakeholders used global, regional and in-country research and policies to develop the CB-NCP, thus outlining key ingredients to make newborn health programming a reality in Nepal. A technical working group was constituted to review existing evidence on interventions to improve newborn survival, develop a tool to prioritize neonatal interventions, and conduct program learning visits to identify key components appropriate to the Nepal context that should be included in the Community Based Integrated Newborn Care Package. The group identified interventions based on the evidence of impact on newborn survival, potential mechanisms within the existing health system to deliver the interventions, and linkages with existing programs and different tiers of the health system. Not only was Nepal one of the first countries in south-east Asia where government adopted a national strategy to reduce neonatal deaths, but it was also one of the first to endorse a package of neonatal interventions for pilot testing and scaling up through existing community-based health systems that provide basic health services throughout the country. CB-NCP was designed to be gradually scaled up throughout the country by integration with Safe Motherhood and Child survival programs that are currently operating at scale. Under Ministry of health and Population leadership, a network of academia, professional bodies and partners developed a common vision for improving newborn health and survival, and launched district-level pilot programs to demonstrate and learn how newborn health interventions could be effectively and efficiently delivered and scaled up in Nepal.

Fitting Community Based Newborn Care Package into the health systems of Nepal.

Community-based strategies for delivering effective newborn interventions are an essential step to avert newborn death, in settings where the health facilities are unable to effectively deliver the interventions and reach their population. Effective implementation of community-based interventions as a large scale program and within the existing health system depends on the appropriate design and planning, monitoring and support systems. This article provides an overview of implementation design of Community-Based Newborn Care Package (CB-NCP) program, its setup within the health system, and early results of the implementation from one of the pilot districts. The evaluation of CB-NCP in one of the pilot districts shows significant improvement in antenatal, intrapartum and post natal care. The implementation design of the CB-NCP has six different health system management functions: i) district planning and orientation, ii) training/human resource development, iii) monitoring and evaluation, iv) logistics and supply chain management, v) communication strategy, and vi) pay for performance. The CB-NCP program embraced the existing system of monitoring with some additional components for the pilot phase to test implementation feasibility, and aligns with existing safe motherhood and child health programs. Though CB-NCP interventions are proven independently in different local and global contexts, they are piloted in 10 districts as a "package" within the national health system settings of Nepal.

Reassignment of fundamental vibrational modes of cyclic S4N3 cation.

MP2/6 31G* calculations were carried out to investigate the vibrational spectrum of cyclic S4N3+. The results indicate that previous assignments of several fundamental vibrational modes are in error. On the basis of the calculated results, reassignments of these modes are proposed.