Measurement of the ν_{e}-Nucleus Charged-Current Double-Differential Cross Section at ⟨E_{ν}⟩=2.4 GeV Using NOvA.

The inclusive electron neutrino charged-current cross section is measured in the NOvA near detector using 8.02×10^{20} protons-on-target in the NuMI beam. The sample of GeV electron neutrino interactions is the largest analyzed to date and is limited by ≃17% systematic rather than the ≃7.4% statistical uncertainties. The double-differential cross section in final-state electron energy and angle is presented for the first time, together with the single-differential dependence on Q^{2} (squared four-momentum transfer) and energy, in the range 1 GeV≤E_{ν}<6 GeV. Detailed comparisons are made to the predictions of the GENIE, GiBUU, NEUT, and NuWro neutrino event generators. The data do not strongly favor a model over the others consistently across all three cross sections measured, though some models have especially good or poor agreement in the single differential cross section vs Q^{2}.

Research progress on the role of melatonin and its receptors in animal reproduction: A comprehensive review.

Melatonin and its receptors play a crucial role in the regulation of the animal reproductive process, primarily in follicular development. However, the role that melatonin performs in regulating hormones related with reproduction remains unclear. Melatonin and its receptors are present both in female and male animals' organs, such as ovaries, heart, brain and liver. Melatonin regulates ovarian actions and is a key mediator of reproductive actions. Melatonin has numerous effects on animal reproduction, such as protection of gametes and embryos, response to clock genes, immune-neuroendocrine, reconciliation of seasonal variations in immune function, and silence or blockage of genes. The growth ratio of reproductive illnesses in animals has raised a remarkable concern for the government, animal caretakers and farm managers. In order to resolve this challenging issue, it is very necessary to conduct state-of-the-art research on melatonin and its receptors because melatonin has considerable physiognomies. This review article presents a current contemporary research conducted by numerous researchers from the entire world on the role of melatonin and its receptors in animal reproduction, from the year 1985 to the year 2017. Furthermore, this review shows scientific research challenges related to melatonin receptors and their explanations based on the findings of 172 numerous research articles, and also represents significant proficiencies of melatonin in order to show enthusiastic study direction for animal reproduction researchers.

Medical abortion versus manual vacuum aspiration in a hilly district hospital of eastern Nepal: a comparative study.

BACKGROUND: Nepal government has approved medical abortion and manual vacuum aspiration for early first trimester pregnancy. Both the procedures have been approved by World Health Organization for use in early first trimester. OBJECTIVES: The study aims to compare efficacy and safety of medical abortion with surgical abortion in a district hospital of rural eastern Nepal. METHOD: An observational study conducted in district hospital, Dhankuta from July 2010 to January 2011. Clients for abortion services were counseled about methods of abortion and were allowed to make decision on their own and classified as medical abortion group (N=48) (receiving 200 milligram Mifepristone followed by 800 microgram misoprostol sublingually or vaginally on day two)and manual vacuum aspiration group (N=36). The two groups were compared for rate of complete abortion and other complications and contraception use after procedure. RESULTS: Rate of complete abortion was similar in both groups, 95.8% among medical abortion and 97.2% in manual vacuum aspiration. Moderate to severe expulsion bleeding was reported in 91.6% of cases after medical abortion but none required medical attention for hemorrhage. Condom was the most preferred contraceptive in medical abortion group and depo provera in manual vacuum aspiration group. CONCLUSION: Medical method of abortion using mifepristone and misoprostol is equally safe and effective as manual vacuum aspiration in rural setting district hospitals of Nepal.

Unilateral retinitis pigmentosa.

OBJECTIVE: To report a rare case of unilateral retinitis pigmentosa and to present the clinical features, and findings of multifocal ERG and visual field of this case. CASE: A 70-year-old-female diagnosed as Retinitis Pigmentosa in right eye 7 years back, presented with further gradual painless diminution of vision in the very eye and without any similar symptoms in left eye. On examination, the findings (including multifocal ERG and visual field) suggested the features of retinitis pigmentosa in her right eye, while the other eye being unaffected. CONCLUSION: In this rare case, the distinct features of retinitis pigmentosa are seen only in one eye, and this can be further confirmed from multifocal ERG and visual field.

Catalysis of the arsenic(III)-potassium bromate reaction-I: titrimetric determination of arsenic(III) in the presence of osmium tetroxide.

The range of acid concentration available for the titration of arsenic(III) with bromate is considerably extended by the use of osmium tetroxide as catalyst in preference to the use of hydrochloric acid or hydrochloric acid-potassium bromide media. The acid concentration range over which reaction is stoichiometric has been established by potentiometric titration.

Knowledge attitude and practice on contraception in village women in Khotang.

BACKGROUND: Contraceptive prevalence in remote districts of Nepal like Khotang is still low despite a high unmet need in the population. The study aims to estimate the contraceptive prevalence, knowledge, attitude and practice on contraception among women in Khotang. METHODS: A cross sectional study designed to find the contraceptive prevalence, knowledge, attitude and practice of contraceptive use, conducted at four health facilities at Khotang district during reproductive health camp in January 2011 by interviewing using a predesigned questionnaire. RESULTS: The mean age of 112 women who participated in the study was 25.3±6.1 and most were predominantly Mongolians and multipara. The knowledge of family planning was wide spread with clients listing 5±1 methods on average. Depo povera was the most commonly listed. Total 87 (77.7%) women had positive attitude towards family planning were positive in using contraceptives if needed. Other 22 (19.6%) were indecisive and wanted to consult husband and a very few did not want any contraception. Implant was preferred by most followed by Depo Provera. Seventy eight (69.6%) had ever used modern temporary method contraceptive devices and 41 (31.6%) were currently using them. Depo povera was the most common method ever used or currently in use. Commonest cause of discontinuation for past users was husband working abroad, followed by side effects. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of contraceptive is high in Nepal even in remote area, however use of contraception is low; male participation in family planning may reduce the unmet need.

Effects of traumatic brain injury on intestinal contractility.

BACKGROUND: Patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) often suffer from gastrointestinal dysfunction including intolerance to enteral feedings. However, it is unclear how TBI affects small intestinal contractile activity. The purpose of this study was to determine if TBI affects intestinal smooth muscle function. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to controlled cortical impact injury (TBI). Sham animals underwent a similar surgery but no injury (SHAM). Animals were sacrificed 1, 3, and 7 days after TBI and intestinal smooth muscle tissue was collected for measurement of contractile activity and transit, NF-kB activity, and cytokine levels. Brains were collected after sacrifice to determine volume loss due to injury. KEY RESULTS: Contractile activity decreased significantly in ileum, but not jejunum, in the TBI group 7 days after injury compared with SHAM. Brain volume loss increased significantly 7 days after injury compared with 3 days and correlated significantly with the contractile activity 1 day after injury. In the intestinal smooth muscle, NF-kB activity increased significantly in the TBI group 3 and 7 days after injury vs SHAM. Wet to dry weight ratio, indicating edema, also increased significantly in the TBI group. Interleukin-1α, -1ß, and -17 increased significantly in the TBI group compared with SHAM. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: Traumatic brain injury causes a delayed but significant decrease in intestinal contractile activity in the ileum leading to delayed transit. The decreased intestinal contractile activity is attributed to secondary inflammatory injury as evidenced by increased NF-kB activity, increased edema, and increased inflammatory cytokines in the intestinal smooth muscle.

Utilization of primary eye health services by people from a rural community of Nepal.

INTRODUCTION: Preventable and treatable eye diseases are still major causes of blindness in rural communities. OBJECTIVE: To find the factors influencing utilization of primary eye health services among the people in a rural community of Nepal. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a population-based study with a cross-sectional and descriptive design. Lete Ilaka in Mustang District of Nepal was the study site. Data of knowledge on eye diseases, availability of services and utilization of available services were obtained from female care takers. Association among variables was observed by bivariate analysis. RESULTS: A total of 216 female care takers participated in the study. The median age of the respondents was 39 years. Almost 80 % of the respondents had agriculture as their major occupation and more than a quarter were from lower castes (dalit) community. Low level of educational attainment (OR = 3.1, 95 % CI = 1.6-6.1) and poverty (OR = 2.0, 95 % CI = 1.13-3.43) among respondents were found to be significantly associated with a low level of awareness on eye diseases. The risk of not knowing about eye diseases increased more than 3.5 times when people were illiterate. Locally available eye health services and skills amongst the health workers were found inadequate. CONCLUSION: Low level of education, poor knowledge of eye diseases and great distance from home to health facilities were found to be factors on the demand side while inadequacy of eye health services and perceived inadequate skills among health workers were identified as factors in the supply side affecting utilization of eye health services among people of Mustang District.

Blood pressure in inhabitants of high altitude of Western Nepal.

INTRODUCTION: Studies conducted amongst the inhabitants of high altitude suggested that systolic and diastolic blood pressures are lower in the high than in low altitude population. So a study was designed to look at the blood pressure values among permanent residents of high altitudes of rural Western Nepal. METHODS: This is a descriptive cross sectional study conducted at two different altitudes (2670 and 2950 meters) of Humla District, Nepal, looking at the blood pressure values among the permanent inhabitants at these altitudes. RESULTS: Total number of 137 subjects with 73 (53.3%) from 2950 meters and 64 (46.7%) from 2670 meters altitude were enrolled. Mean age of the study population was 35.29 years. Male were 57 (41.6%) and female 80 (58.4%). The difference in systolic blood pressures (118.59 and 114.66 mmHg, P=0.01) and mean arterial pressures (92.0 and 89.5 mmHg, P=0.02) at the altitudes of 2670 and 2950 meters were statistically significant whereas the difference in diastolic BP at these altitudes were not statistically significant. There was no significant correlation of BMI with blood pressure values and no difference was noted in the blood pressure values among the two different ethnic groups at the given altitudes. CONCLUSIONS: Lower rate of hypertension was observed among the inhabitants of high altitude of rural western Nepal. Blood pressure was found to decreases with increase in altitude among permanent inhabitants of high altitude.