High aboveground carbon stock of African tropical montane forests.

Tropical forests store 40-50 per cent of terrestrial vegetation carbon1. However, spatial variations in aboveground live tree biomass carbon (AGC) stocks remain poorly understood, in particular in tropical montane forests2. Owing to climatic and soil changes with increasing elevation3, AGC stocks are lower in tropical montane forests compared with lowland forests2. Here we assemble and analyse a dataset of structurally intact old-growth forests (AfriMont) spanning 44 montane sites in 12 African countries. We find that montane sites in the AfriMont plot network have a mean AGC stock of 149.4 megagrams of carbon per hectare (95% confidence interval 137.1-164.2), which is comparable to lowland forests in the African Tropical Rainforest Observation Network4 and about 70 per cent and 32 per cent higher than averages from plot networks in montane2,5,6 and lowland7 forests in the Neotropics, respectively. Notably, our results are two-thirds higher than the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change default values for these forests in Africa8. We find that the low stem density and high abundance of large trees of African lowland forests4 is mirrored in the montane forests sampled. This carbon store is endangered: we estimate that 0.8 million hectares of old-growth African montane forest have been lost since 2000. We provide country-specific montane forest AGC stock estimates modelled from our plot network to help to guide forest conservation and reforestation interventions. Our findings highlight the need for conserving these biodiverse9,10 and carbon-rich ecosystems.

Asiatic Black Bear-Human Conflict: A Case Study from Guthichaur Rural Municipality, Jumla, Nepal.

Our study assessed patterns of Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus)-human conflicts within the Guthichaur rural municipality, Jumla, Nepal. Through semi-structured interviews with villagers, focus group discussions (FGDs), and key informant interviews (KIIs), we gathered black bear-human conflict information from 2009 to 2019. We identified three primary types of black bear-human interactions: crop damage, livestock depredation, and human injuries. Of these, crop damage (77.03%) emerged as the most prevalent issue. Notably, peak occurrences were observed during autumn (September-October) typically between 9 PM and 3 AM. Livestock depredations were more frequent during nighttime in April-August, with cows/ox (70.12%) being the most depredated animal. Our data also revealed five recorded cases of black bear attacks on humans, which transpired from September to October, primarily in farmland areas in varying years. Despite a prevailing negative perception of bears, a notable level of support exists for their conservation efforts among local communities. Furthermore, these conflicts could be mitigated by reinforcing indigenous crop protection methods and implementing targeted mitigation strategies, as observed in other regions with successful black bear-human interaction management.

Synthesis, characterization, and anticancer activity of chitosan functionalized isatin based thiosemicarbazones, and their copper(II) complexes.

The one-pot synthetic method of condensation of isatin and 5-chloroisatin on to amino group at C2 position of the pyranose ring chitosan in chitosan thiosemicarbazide was employed to get these chitosan thiosemicarbazones (TSCs). The partial incorporation of thiosemicarbazone moiety in chitosan was shown by FT-IR and 13C NMR spectroscopic studies, powder X ray diffraction, and CHNS microanalysis. The NOS tridentate coordination behavior of TSCs with copper(II) chloride to give the square planar complexes was established by FT-IR spectroscopic data, magnetic susceptibility measurement, and EPR spectral analysis. The thermal stability of these biomaterial chitosan derivatives till the commencement of chain disruption at 200C was shown by thermal studies. As revealed by colorimetric MTT assays, the in vitro anticancer activity enhancement accorded with the functionalization of chitosan as isatin based chitosan TSCs, and NOS tridentate coordination of TSCs plus a monodentate coordination of chloride ion with copper(II) ion. Only a marginal activity difference of these compounds was observed against the tumorigenic MDCK and MCF-7 cancer cell lines, irrespective of unit molecular weight (Mw) and degree of deacetylation (DDA) of ring chitosan. The 5-chloroisatin chitosan TSCs showed better activity than isatin chitosan TSCs against both the cell lines.

Habitat Suitability and Conflict Zone Mapping for the Blue Bull (Boselaphus tragocamelus) across Nepal.

Rapidly changing environmental conditions (bioclimatic, anthropogenic, topographic, and vegetation-related variables) are likely to alter the spatial distribution of flora and fauna. To understand the influence of environmental variables on the Blue bull's distribution and to identify potential conflict zones, the habitat suitability analysis of the Blue bull was performed using ensemble modeling. We modelled the distribution of the Blue bull using an extensive database on the current distribution of the Blue bull and selected 15 ecologically significant environmental variables. We used ten species distribution modeling algorithms available in the BIOMOD2 R package. Among the ten algorithms, the Random Forest, Maxent, and Generalized linear model had the highest mean true skill statistics scores, ensuring better model performance, and were considered for further analysis. We found that 22,462.57 km2 (15.26%) of Nepal is suitable for the Blue bull. Slope, precipitation seasonality, and distance to the road are the environmental variables contributing the most to the distribution of Blue bull. Of the total predicted suitable habitats, 86% lies outside protected areas and 55% overlaps with agricultural land. Thus, we recommend that the future conservation initiatives including appropriate conflict mitigation measures should be prioritized equally in both protected areas and outside protected areas to ensure the species' survival in the region.

Habitat suitability of four threatened Himalayan species: Asiatic black bear, common leopard, musk deer, and snow leopard.

Background: Biodiversity conservation is becoming challenging day by day. For this, it is essential to understand the distribution, habitat, and impact of anthropogenic activities on animals at risk. We assessed the suitable habitats and anthropogenic impacts on Asiatic black bears, common leopards, musk deer, and snow leopards in and outside the protected areas of Gandaki Province, Nepal. Methods: We collected the presence locations of Asiatic black bears, common leopards, musk deer, and snow leopards based on scats and other signs. We employed the Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) tool to identify suitable habitats of our studied species and their anthropogenic impacts on them. Results: The total suitable habitat of the common leopard was found to be 6,052 km2, followed by the Asiatic black bear (5,819 km2), snow leopard (4,447 km2), and musk deer (1,690 km2) in Gandaki Province. Most of the areas of suitable habitat for common leopards and Asiatic black bears were outside the protected areas, and for musk deer and snow leopards were inside the protected areas. Elevation was the most important variable determining habitat suitability of Asiatic black bear, common leopard, and musk deer, whereas the distance to water was the most important variable determining habitat suitability of snow leopard. Asiatic black bears, common leopards, and musk deer face significant anthropogenic impacts, but snow leopards face some anthropogenic impacts. Conclusion: Managing these animals' habitats inside and outside protected areas is essential. Hence, biodiversity conservation and livelihood opportunities should be balanced in the Himalayas on a win-win basis.

Landscape predictors influencing livestock depredation by leopards in and around Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal.

Livestock depredation by leopards is a pervasive issue across many Asian and African range countries, particularly in and around protected areas. Developing effective conflict mitigation strategies requires understanding the landscape features influencing livestock depredation. In this study, we investigated predictors associated with livestock depredation by leopards using 274 cases of leopard attacks on livestock that occurred between 2017 and 2020 in the Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal. We also examined how livestock predation by leopards varied depending on the species, season, and time. A generalized linear model with binary logistic regression was used to test the statistical significance of variables associated with the presence and absence of conflict sites. The results revealed that the area of forest, agricultural land, length of rivers, slope, proximity to settlements and protected areas, and elevation significantly predicted the probability of leopard attacks on livestock. We also observed a significant increase in the incidence of leopard predation on livestock with decreasing slopes and rising elevations. The areas near human settlements and the protected areas faced a higher risk of leopard predation. The incidence of leopard predation on livestock varied significantly depending on the livestock species, season, and time. Goats were the most highly predated livestock, followed by sheep, cow/ox, and buffalo. A total of 289.11 km2 (or around 5% of the research area) was deemed to be at high risk for leopard predation on livestock. This study's comprehensive understanding of human-leopard conflicts provides valuable insights for planning and implementing measures to reduce damage caused by leopard populations throughout their range.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Antibiotic Use and Resistance among Poultry Farmers in Nepal.

The abuse and misuse of antibiotics is one of the main drivers of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Globally, AMR in food-producing animals is a significant public health concern. This study, therefore, assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to antibiotic usage (AMU) and AMR among poultry farmers in Nepal. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 605 poultry farmers from six districts of Nepal from May to June 2022 to assess the status of knowledge, attitude, as well as practices toward prudent antibiotic usage (AMU) and AMR. The majority of the participants in our study were from the Chitwan district (31.6%; n = 191/605), aged 30-44 (54.2%; n = 328/605), males (70.4%; n = 426/605), and farmers with a higher secondary (28.76%; n = 174/605) level of education. The tetracyclines (28%, n = 228/828), aminoglycosides (23%, n = 188/828), and fluoroquinolones (15%, n = 126/828) were the most used antibiotics classes among poultry farmers. Although 87.8% (n = 531/605) of poultry farmers used antibiotics, 49.8% (n = 301/605) of them were aware of AMR, and 55.7% (n = 337/605) knew that the misuse of antimicrobials could affect human and environmental health. There were significant differences in the knowledge, attitude, and practices toward prudent AMU and AMR among farmers who reared different birds. The mean knowledge, attitude, and practice score of the respondents were 7.81 ± 3.26, 5.8 ± 2.32, and 7.59 ± 3.38 when measured on a scale of 12, 10, and 15, respectively. Based on a cut-off of 75% of the maximum score, 49.4% (n = 299/605), 62.8% (n = 380/605), and 12.73% (n = 77/605) of the respondents had good knowledge, attitude, and practices toward prudent AMU and AMR, respectively. The multivariable logistic regression analyses revealed that the positive predictors of good knowledge and attitude were male gender, higher level of education, district, and the types of birds (layers). Similarly, those of the male gender (OR: 3.36; 95% CI: 1.38-8.20; p = 0.008) and those that rear layers (OR: 4.63; 95% CI: 1.75-12.25; p = 0.003) were more likely to practice prudent usage of antimicrobials. The findings of this study show poor practice toward prudent antibiotic usage despite good knowledge of AMR. This study provides essential baseline data on the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of poultry farmers in Nepal and offers valuable insights that could help in the design of interventions and policies aimed at addressing illicit AMU and AMR in poultry in Nepal.

Pyridine-Based NNS Tridentate Chitosan Thiosemicarbazones and Their Copper(II) Complexes: Synthesis, Characterization, and Anticancer Activity.

Chitosan-functionalized pyridine-based thiosemicarbazones and their copper(II) complexes have been found to own a substantial antiproliferative activity against the tumorigenic Madin Darby canine kidney (MDCK) and MCF-7 cancer cell lines. In the current study, chitosan oligosaccharide (CS) (87% DDA, Mw < 3000 Da) and crab shell chitosan (CCS) (67% DDA, M w 350 kDa) were functionalized as chitosan pyridine-2-thiosemicarbazones and chitosan 2-acetyl pyridine-2-thiosemicarbazones, and their copper(II) complexes were synthesized. The formation of chitosan thiosemicarbazones and their NNS tridentate behavior to give the square planar copper(II) chitosan thiosemicarbazone complexes were established by spectroscopic studies, powder X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, and magnetic moment measurements. The thermal study showed a marked stability of these derivatives before the outset of chitosan backbone degradation at 200 °C. The colorimetric MTT assay revealed a higher activity of CS thiosemicarbazones, viz., CSTSC series (IC50 375-381 µg mL-1 in the MDCK cell line and 281-355 µg mL-1 in the MCF-7 cell line) than that of high-molecular-weight CCS thiosemicarbazones, viz., CCSTSC series (IC50 335-400 µg mL-1 in the MDCK cell line and 365-400 µg mL-1 in the MCF-7 cell line), showing an enhanced activity with a decrease in Mw and an increase in DDA of constituent chitosan, a higher activity of both of these series of thiosemicarbazones than that of their native chitosan, viz., CS (IC50 370 µg mL-1 in the MCF-7 cell line and >400 µg mL-1 in the MDCK cell line) and CCS (IC50 > 400 µg mL-1 in both cell lines), and a higher activity of the Cu-CSTSC complexes (IC50 322-342 µg mL-1 in the MDCK cell line and 278-352 µg mL-1 in the MCF-7 cell line) and Cu-CCSTSC complexes (IC50 274-400 µg mL-1 in the MDCK cell line and 231-352 µg mL-1 in the MCF-7 cell line) than that of their respective ligands.

Hybridization may aid evolutionary rescue of an endangered East African passerine.

Introgressive hybridization is a process that enables gene flow across species barriers through the backcrossing of hybrids into a parent population. This may make genetic material, potentially including relevant environmental adaptations, rapidly available in a gene pool. Consequently, it has been postulated to be an important mechanism for enabling evolutionary rescue, that is the recovery of threatened populations through rapid evolutionary adaptation to novel environments. However, predicting the likelihood of such evolutionary rescue for individual species remains challenging. Here, we use the example of Zosterops silvanus, an endangered East African highland bird species suffering from severe habitat loss and fragmentation, to investigate whether hybridization with its congener Zosterops flavilateralis might enable evolutionary rescue of its Taita Hills population. To do so, we employ an empirically parameterized individual-based model to simulate the species' behaviour, physiology and genetics. We test the population's response to different assumptions of mating behaviour and multiple scenarios of habitat change. We show that as long as hybridization does take place, evolutionary rescue of Z. silvanus is likely. Intermediate hybridization rates enable the greatest long-term population growth, due to trade-offs between adaptive and maladaptive introgressed alleles. Habitat change did not have a strong effect on population growth rates, as Z. silvanus is a strong disperser and landscape configuration is therefore not the limiting factor for hybridization. Our results show that targeted gene flow may be a promising avenue to help accelerate the adaptation of endangered species to novel environments, and demonstrate how to combine empirical research and mechanistic modelling to deliver species-specific predictions for conservation planning.

Butterfly species diversity and their floral preferences in the Rupa Wetland of Nepal.

Floral attributes often influence the foraging choices of nectar-feeding butterflies, given the close association between plants and these butterfly pollinators. The diversity of butterflies is known to a large extent in Nepal, but little information is available on the feeding habits of butterflies. This study was conducted along the periphery of Rupa Wetland from January to December 2019 to assess butterfly species diversity and to identify the factors influencing their foraging choices. In total, we recorded 1535 individuals of 138 species representing all six families. For our examination of butterfly-nectar plant interactions, we recorded a total of 298 individuals belonging to 31 species of butterfly visiting a total of 28 nectar plant species. Overall, total butterfly visitation was found to be significantly influenced by plant category (herbaceous preferred over woody), floral color (yellow white and purple preferred over pink), and corolla type (tubular preferred over nontubular). Moreover, there was a significant positive correlation between the proboscis length of butterflies and the corolla tube length of flowers. Examining each butterfly family separately revealed that, for four of the families (Lycaenidae, Nymphalidae, Papilionidae, and Pieridae), none of the tested factors (flower color, plant category, and corolla type) were shown to significantly influence butterfly abundance at flowers. However, Hesperidae abundance was found to be significantly influenced by both flower color (with more butterflies observed at yellow flowers than purple) and flower type (with more butterflies observed at tubular flowers than nontubular flowers). Our results reveal that Rupa Lake is a suitable habitat for butterflies, providing valuable floral resources. Hence, further detailed studies encompassing all seasons, a greater variety of plants, and other influential factors in different ecological regions are fundamental for creating favorable environments to sustain important butterfly pollinators and help create balanced wetland ecosystems.

Pain Perception in Cataract Surgery: Topical versus Peribulbar Anaesthesia.

INTRODUCTION: The requirement for very deep akinesia has decreased with the use of modern phacoemulsification technique for cataract surgery. The use of topical anesthesia has increased as a way to reduce complications associated with anaesthesia with injection and to allow the most rapid visual recovery. The objective of this study was to assess the patient reported pain in phacoemulsification cataract surgery under topical anaesthesia versus peribulbar anaesthesia administered using an injection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The subjects for this study were the patients undergoing phacoemulsification cataract surgery at HEH. Subjects were divided into two groups, one having topical anaesthesia for phacoemulsification and the other having peribulbar anaesthesia with injection. The data for the study was collected in a ten point visual analogue graphic pain scale. After the surgery was over the patients reported on the felt pain wherein the scale zero was assigned for no pain at all, 1 to 3 for mild pain, 4-6 for moderate pain and 7-10 for severe pain. RESULTS: In total, 366 subjects received peribulbar anaesthesia and 336 subjects received topical anaesthetic drops. The mean pain score between the two groups was found to be higher in the peribulbar injection group (p <0.001). The mean pain score for both males and females was found to be higher in the peribulbar injection group (p<0.001 for both genders). CONCLUSION: Topical anaesthesia for phacoemulsification cataract surgery tends to cause less pain and discomfort for patients.

The case of the grass-eating suids in the Plio-Pleistocene Turkana Basin: 3D dental topography in relation to diet in extant and fossil pigs.

Two separate subfamilies of Plio-Pleistocene African pigs (suids) consecutively evolved hypsodont and horizodont molars with flat occlusal surfaces, commonly interpreted as an adaptive trait to a grazing diet, similar to that of the present warthogs (Phacochoerus spp.). To investigate this in detail, we studied the 3D-dental topography of fossil specimens from the Turkana Basin, using geographic information systems-based methods. To establish baselines for interpretation of the Turkana Basin suids, topography of third molars of extant suids with known diets were analyzed: grazing warthog (Phacochoerus africanus), herbivorous mixed-feeder forest hog (Hylochoerus meinertzhageni), omnivorous generalist wild boar (Sus scrofa), omnivorous fruit and tuber eater bush pig (Potamochoerus spp.), and omnivorous fruit eater babirusa (Babyrousa spp.) In addition, we analyzed supposedly browsing Miocene suids, Listriodon spp. The same topographic measures were applied to Plio-Pleistocene specimens from the Turkana Basin, Kenya: Notochoerus euilus, Notochoerus scotti, Kolpochoerus heseloni, and Metridiochoerus andrewsi. With some differences between techniques, 3D-dental topography analysis of extant suid molars mostly predicts the dietary differences between the species correctly. The grazing P. africanus differs from both the omnivorous suids and the herbivorous mixed-feeder H. meinertzhageni in all except one metrics. The omnivorous mostly tropical suids, Potamochoerus and Babyrousa, primarily differ from the generalist, S. scrofa, in the orientation patch count analysis, showing higher occlusal complexity in the latter. Although, there might be significant gaps between the morphological changes and the ecological changes, we conclude that based on comparison of dental topography with the present-day suids, N. scotti and M. andrewsi were most likely highly specialized grazers, while N. euilus and K. heseloni retained more of their ancestral, omnivorous heritage, but consumed grasses more than the extant omnivorous suids. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: Dental topography can predict different diets in present-day wild pigs. The Plio-Pleistocene pigs in the Turkana Basin had dental topography mostly similar to extant grazing warthog, although some species also had resemblances to omnivorous forest pigs.

Climatic impacts of bushland to cropland conversion in Eastern Africa.

Bushlands (Acacia-Commiphora) constitute the largest and one of the most threatened ecosystems in East Africa. Although several studies have investigated the climatic impacts of land changes on local and global climate, the main focus has been on forest loss and the impacts of bushland clearing thus remain poorly understood. Measuring the impacts of bushland loss on local climate is challenging given that changes often occur at fragmented and small patches. Here, we apply high-resolution satellite imagery and land surface flux modeling approaches to unveil the impacts of bushland clearing on surface biophysical properties and its associated effects on surface energy balance and land surface temperature. Our results show that bushland clearing leads to an average reduction in evapotranspiration of 0.4 mm day-1. The changes in surface biophysical properties affected the surface energy balance components with different magnitude. The reduction in latent heat flux was stronger than other surface energy fluxes and resulted in an average net increase in daytime land surface temperature (LST) of up to 1.75 K. These results demonstrate the important impact of bushland-to-cropland conversion on the local climate, as they reveal increases in LST of a magnitude comparable to those caused by forest loss. This finding highlights the necessity of bushland conservation for regulating the land surface temperature in East Africa and, at the same time, warns of the climatic impacts of clearing bushlands for agriculture.

Comparative evaluation of microleakage after root-end resection by erbium, chromium: Yttrium-scandium-gallium-garnet (Er, Cr:YSGG) laser and carbide bur with or without placement of mineral trioxide aggregate: An in vitro study.

BACKGROUND: Root-end resection followed by retrofilling is one of the prime requisites to avoid apical microleakage. AIM: It comparatively evaluated the microleakage after root-end resection by erbium, chromium:yttrium, scandium, gallium, and garnet laser and carbide bur with or without placement of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, 60 maxillary central incisors were decoronated and biomechanically prepared. Out of 60 samples, 48 were included in the experimental group while the rest 12 were in the control group. The samples in the experimental group were obturated, whereas the samples in the control group were not obturated. The experimental group samples were divided into two: one group resected with the laser and the other half resected with carbide bur. These groups were further subdivided into two - one group retrofilled with MTA and the other half without MTA. The control group had both laser- and carbide bur-resected samples with positive and negative controls. All the samples were dyed, decalcified, and cleared. Digital photograph of each sample was taken, and the area of dye penetration was measured with the help of ImageJ software. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Analysis of variance and Tukey's test were done. RESULTS: The highest microleakage was seen in carbide without MTA and the least was seen with laser with MTA. CONCLUSION: Laser-resected MTA-retrofilled samples showed minimum leakage.

Assessing Profile and Treatment Outcome in Patients of Ocular Surface Squamous Neoplasia (OSSN).

PURPOSE: This study has attempted to assess the profile and treatment outcome of patients with OSSN and report the recurrence rate following treatment of primary OSSN. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective, non-comparative hospital based observational study. The case files of OSSN patients from Jan 2010 to Dec 2017were assessed. The study site was Himalaya Eye Hospital, Gharipatan, Pokhara. This hospital is the only eye hospital in province 4, Nepal. All the files of suspicious cases of conjunctival mass or OSSN were reviewed. Data regarding demographic characteristics, vision acuity, involved eye, clinical features, conjunctival lesion type, duration of symptoms, preoperative clinical diagnosis, history, other eye disease, associated systemic diseases, occupation as well as treatment modalities of the patients and its outcome were taken. RESULTS: Out of 40 cases, females were 21(52.5%) vesus 19(47.5%) male. Amongthem, 19 patients had keratinized stratified squamous epithelium, 17 had conjunctiva intraepithelial squamous neoplasia and 4 had invasive squalors cell carcinoma. Predominance age group was 15-59 age (25/40, 62.5%), among which 12 had keratinized stratified squamous epithelium, 11 conjunctival intraepithelial squamousneoplasia and 2 had invasive squamous cell carcinoma conjunctival lesion. The mean duration of symptoms was about nine months (S.D. = 5.972). The mean size of lesion mass was 3.28 mm (SD=1.569). More than half of the cases (55%, 22/40) had the mass located at nasal limbus. 95% (38/40) cases underwent lesion total excision and direct closure and 5% (2/40) underwent lesion excision followed by Amniotic Membrane grafting. Only 5% (2/40) cases, those who had undergone lesion excision, the lesion recurrence was observed during follow up period of 31 months. CONCLUSION: The outcome of the OSSN following the treatment was found to be satisfactory. Further studies with prolonged follow-up are recommended to evaluate the risk of recurrence and other adverse effects.

Anticancer Activity of Chitosan, Chitosan Derivatives, and Their Mechanism of Action.

Tailoring of chitosan through the involvement of its amino, acetamido, and hydroxy groups can give derivatives of enhanced solubility and remarkable anticancer activity. The general mechanism of such activity is associated with the disturbances in normal functioning of cell cycle, interference to the central dogma of biological system from DNA to RNA to protein or enzymatic synthesis, and the disruption of hormonal path to biosynthesis to inhibit the growth of cancer cells. Both chitosan and its various derivatives have been reported to selectively permeate through the cancer cell membranes and show anticancer activity through the cellular enzymatic, antiangiogenic, immunoenhancing, antioxidant defense mechanism, and apoptotic pathways. They get sequestered from noncancer cells and provide their enhanced bioavailability in cancer cells in a sustained release manner. This review presents the putative mechanisms of anticancer activity of chitosan and mechanistic approaches of structure activity relation upon the modification of chitosan through functionalization, complex formation, and graft copolymerization to give different derivatives.

Co morbidities among cataract- operated patients in Rural Nepal.

INTRODUCTION: Himalaya Eye Hospital (HEH), established in 1993, is providing eye care services in Gandaki, Dhaulagiri and Karnali zones. It has been providing surgical and nonsurgical eye camps in rural areas of Gandaki, Dhaulagiri and Karnali zones. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of ocular and systemic co morbidities among the persons treated in rural Asian setting. METHOD: This is the prospective non-interventional study. Patients who came to take services in surgical eye camp in rural area of Nepal were included. Data were collected by interviewing the patients. They were interviewed by local volunteers with he questionnaires prepared in English language. The volunteers were explained about the medical terminology and they interviewed the patients in native language. RESULT: Out of 675 patients 401(59%) had systemic co morbidities. Back pain and arthritis being the most common with 321(48%) and 260(38%) respectively. CONCLUSION: This study shows the systemic co morbidities among the patients who came to seek ocular treatment in eye camp in rural area of Nepal. We should do this kind of studies in different area of Nepal. These kinds of study give us total burden of systemic morbidity and help to treat accordingly.

Penetrating head injury with bilateral eye avulsion due to Himalayan bear bite.

The Himalayan black bear (Ursus thibetanus or Selenarctos thibetanus), although an omnivore, is more carnivorous than its American counterpart. It is also more aggressive towards humans and is a threatened species because of the deforestation in the Himalayas. Furthermore, poverty, encroachment of the forest, extensive deforestation, lack of education and living near the forest are factors that increase the probability of such animal injuries. We report the case of a 35-year-old woman who suffered a severe penetrating head injury with scalp and bilateral eye avulsion, which was managed successfully.