Population and conservation threats to the vulnerable Sarus crane Grus antigone in Nepal.

Globally, biodiversity is declining due to habitat loss and degradation, over-exploitation, climate change, invasive species, pollution, and infrastructure development. These threats affect the populations of large waterbird species, such as Sarus crane (Grus antigone), which inhabits agricultural-wetland ecosystems. Despite the burgeoning built-up areas and diminishing agricultural and wetland spaces, scant research investigates the impact of these changing land uses on the globally vulnerable Sarus crane in Nepal. During the pre-breeding season from April to June 2023, our comprehensive study meticulously scrutinized Sarus crane population status and factors associated with the occurrences and conservation challenges across 10 specific districts of Nepal. Our study documented a total of 690 individuals of Sarus cranes in five districts. The Lumbini Province has 685 individuals, occupying 11 roosting sites. Conversely, the remaining five districts have no Sarus cranes presence during this period. Wetland, farmland and built-up areas exhibited a significantly positive influence on Sarus crane occurrences in the Lumbini Province. Additionally, we recorded 47 fatalities of Sarus cranes over the past 13 years in the Lumbini Province due to electrocution and collisions. Our study provides a baseline dataset crucial for developing conservation policies, particularly during the dry season when Sarus crane populations tend to congregate in larger flocks. The adaptation of the Sarus crane to urbanized landscapes exposes them to several anthropogenic threats in the coming days. Therefore, protecting wetlands and farmland areas and adopting transboundary conservation approaches are imperative for the long-term conservation of the Sarus crane and its habitat.

Mean Micronuclei Score in Fine-Needle Aspiration Cytology of Patients with Malignant Breast Lump in the Department of Pathology in a Tertiary Care Centre: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

Introduction: Micronucleus is used as a biomarker of chromosomal instability, which is one of the hallmarks of neoplastic transformation. As micronuclei score increases with malignancy, it can be an effective and inexpensive adjunct to breast fine needle aspiration cytology, in diagnosing breast lumps, especially detecting grey lesions between benign and malignant tumours. The aim of this study is to find out the mean micronuclei score in fine-needle aspiration cytology of patients with malignant breast lumps in the Department of Pathology in a tertiary care centre. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among patients with malignant breast lumps in the Department of Pathology in a tertiary care centre between 1 May 2020 to 31 May 2021 after receiving ethical approval from the Institutional Review Committee (Reference number: IRC/2139/021). The fine-needle aspiration cytology of breast lumps was diagnosed as per National Health services breast screening program guidelines. The mean micronuclei score was calculated. Convenience sampling was done and data were collected from the hospital records in the Department. Point estimate and 95% Confidence Interval were calculated. Results: Among 20 malignant breast aspirates, the mean micronuclei score was found to be 8.30±3.75 (3-19, 95% Confidence Interval). Conclusions: The mean micronuclei score in fine-needle aspiration cytology of malignant breast lumps was found to be similar when compared to similar studies conducted in similar settings. Keywords: biomarker; breast neoplasm; chromosomal instability; fine-needle aspiration.