Appropriate complementary feeding practice and associated factors among mothers of children aged 6-23 months in Bhimphedi rural municipality of Nepal.

BACKGROUND: Appropriate complementary feeding plays a crucial role in the enhancement of child survival; and promotes healthy growth and development. Evidence has shown that appropriate complementary feeding is effective in preventing malnutrition and child mortality. Thus, the main objective of this study is to assess the prevalence of appropriate complementary feeding practice and associated factors among mothers of children aged 6-23 months. METHODOLOGY: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from August to December 2018. A total of 259 mothers who had children aged 6-23 months were selected randomly from the 714 eligible mothers. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the data from the respondents. The data were collected in a tablet phone-based questionnaire using the Open Data Kit mobile application by face-to-face interview. Data analysis was done in SPSS version 21. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify the factor associated with appropriate complementary feeding practice. RESULT: The prevalence of appropriate complementary feeding practice was 25%. Mother and father with formal education (AOR 6.1, CI: 1.7-22.4 and AOR 5.6 CI: 1.5-21.2 respectively), counseling on IYCF (AOR 4.2, CI: 1.5-12.3), having kitchen garden (AOR 2.4, CI: 1.1-5.2) and food secured family (AOR 3.0, CI: 1.0-8.9) had higher odds of appropriate complementary feeding practice. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that a significant proportion of mothers had inappropriate complementary feeding practice for their children aged 6-23 months. This study highlights the need for behavior change communication and promotion of kitchen garden to address the associated factors and promote appropriate complementary feeding practice.

Comparative analysis of supra-orbital keyhole approach and pterional approach for surgical clipping of intracranial anterior circulation aneurysms in patients with favorable Hunt and Hess grades.

INTRODUCTION: Traditional large craniotomies have been the standard for aneurysm surgery. However, minimally invasive "keyhole" approaches have gained popularity for aneurysm clipping in recent years. This study focuses on Supra-Orbital Keyhole Approach (SOKHA),its use in clipping of aneurysms of the anterior Circle of Willis. Here we share the experiences of a tertiary care center regarding aneurysm clipping using SOKHA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 166 cases involving aneurysm clipping, with 62 patients undergoing SOKHA and 104 patients undergoing the pterional approach. Factors evaluated included patient demographics, aneurysm characteristics, incidence of intraoperative complications, temporary-clipping usage, and postoperative clinical outcomes. Glasgow Outcome Scale scores were utilized to assess clinical outcomes. RESULTS: The study found that both the SOKHA and pterional approaches were similar in terms of age distribution, Hunt and Hess grades, and the incidence of hydrocephalus. The majority of aneurysms in both groups were anterior communicating artery aneurysms.Hydrocephalus was observed in 14.5 % of SOKHA cases and 13.5 % of pterional cases. Intraoperative aneurysm rupture occurred in 8.1 % of SOKHA cases and 7.7 % of pterional cases. There were no mortalities in the SOKHA group, while the pterional group had 1.92 % mortality rate. At the last follow-up, 77.4 % of SOKHA cases and 75.9 % of pterional cases had a favorable outcome (Glasgow Outcome Scale IV and V), with no significant difference. CONCLUSION: SOKHA offers the advantage of potential cosmetic benefit with neurological outcomes comparable to those of the traditional pterional approach, in properly selected patients.

Remodeling of Rotational Malunion of Femoral Shaft in Children.

Background: The degree of expected rotational remodeling in femoral shaft fractures is poorly understood, partly because of the difficulty in accurately measuring rotational alignment radiographically before and after treatment. This study aimed to assess the degree of rotational remodeling in the short-term following post-traumatic fracture shaft of the femur with > 10° rotational malunion in children under 15 years. Methodology: We carried out an observational study with a prospective follow-up on 18 children aged < 15 years with isolated, unilateral, oblique, or spiral, closed femur shaft fracture treated with closed reduction and immobilization with hip spica or internal fixation with elastic stable intramedullary nails or minimal invasive plate osteosynthesis. Only those with an initial axial malalignment measured on postoperative reduction radiographs of more than 10° by Ozel et al. technique were included. We evaluated the residual rotational malunion outcome using the ultrasound technique of Terjesen et al. by assessing the difference in femoral torsion as a guide to rotational malunion. The difference between the initial malreduction and the torsional difference between the hips at follow-up was deemed the extent of rotational change or remodeling. Results and Conclusion: The mean axial malalignment was 21.6° (10°-32°). The mean rotational remodeling was 13.6° (range 7°-21°), with an SD of 3.9. This study shows that a significant amount of rotational remodeling occurs in children up to 14 years of age within 2 years of injury. It is higher in younger patients (r = 0.786; p < 0.001), and the extent of remodeling is proportional to the magnitude of the initial deformity (r = 0.81, p < 0.001).

Occupational stress and environmental impact among traffic police officers in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal: A qualitative study.

Policing is considered an extremely stressful, physically demanding, and mentally challenging occupation. The growing population with an increasing number of vehicles and the harsh working environment has made the work of traffic police even more stressful. This qualitative study aims to examine work and environment-related stressful factors among traffic police officials of Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. This qualitative study used a thematic analysis approach. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with different cadres of 15 traffic police personnel working in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal for at least six months. The study adhered to the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Studies (COREQ) guideline. The findings of this study are structured around five major themes- workload, work-life balance, basic amenities, work environment and occupational health problems, and possible solutions and suggestions. Most of the participants (10 out of 15) reported having work stress due to the heavy workload and hazardous working conditions that had a significant impact on their job performance and mental well-being. This study highlights the challenges faced by traffic police officers in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. The findings suggest that efforts should be made to improve the working environment of traffic police officers to reduce the physical as well as mental burden among them. The occupational health and safety (OHS) and mental well-being of traffic enforcers' is a critical public health issue, therefore, it should be on the agenda of policymakers, organizational leaders, and stakeholders.

Bridging Development and Disruption: Comprehensive Insights into Focal Cortical Dysplasia and Epileptic Management.

Focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) is a prominent neurological disorder characterized by disruptions in localized brain cell organization and development. This narrative review delineates the multi-faceted nature of FCD, emphasizing its correlation with drug-resistant epilepsy, predominantly in children and young adults. We explore the historical context of FCD, highlighting its indispensable role in shaping our comprehension of epilepsy and cortical anomalies. The clinical spectrum of FCD is broad, encompassing diverse seizure patterns, cognitive impairments, and associated neuropsychiatric disorders. We underscore the importance of differential diagnosis, with techniques ranging from electroencephalogram (EEG) interpretations to microscopic evaluations, and discuss advanced diagnostic modalities, such as the 3T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) epilepsy protocols. Therapeutically, while anti-seizure medications are often first-line interventions, surgically refractory cases necessitate more invasive procedures, underscoring the importance of individualized treatment. Furthermore, the review touches upon the prognostic aspects of FCD, highlighting the importance of personalized care regimens, and provides insights into emerging therapeutic avenues, including the potential of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. Conclusively, this review accentuates the complex relationship between brain development and epileptogenicity inherent to FCD and underscores the promise of future research in enhancing patient outcomes.

Intensive Care Unit-Acquired Weakness in Patients With Acute Kidney Injury: A Contemporary Review.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) and intensive care unit-acquired weakness (ICU-AW) are 2 frequent complications of critical illness that, until recently, have been considered unrelated processes. The adverse impact of AKI on ICU mortality is clear, but its relationship with muscle weakness-a major source of ICU morbidity-has not been fully elucidated. Furthermore, improving ICU survival rates have refocused the field of intensive care toward improving long-term functional outcomes of ICU survivors. We begin our review with the epidemiology of AKI in the ICU and of ICU-AW, highlighting emerging data suggesting that AKI and AKI treated with kidney replacement therapy (AKI-KRT) may independently contribute to the development of ICU-AW. We then delve into human and animal data exploring the pathophysiologic mechanisms linking AKI and acute KRT to muscle wasting, including altered amino acid and protein metabolism, inflammatory signaling, and deleterious removal of micronutrients by KRT. We next discuss the currently available interventions that may mitigate the risk of ICU-AW in patients with AKI and AKI-KRT. We conclude that additional studies are needed to better characterize the epidemiologic and pathophysiologic relationship between AKI, AKI-KRT, and ICU-AW and to prospectively test interventions to improve the long-term functional status and quality of life of AKI survivors.

De-oiled palm kernel cake for stall-fed buffaloes: effect on milk constituents, nutrient digestibility, biochemical parameters, and rumen fermentation.

Palm kernel cake, the main by-product of the palm kernel oil extraction process, is a highly available and low-priced agro-industrial by-product. However, several concerns exist to arriving at a safe inclusion level, especially for buffaloes. Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of feeding de-oiled palm kernel cake (DPKC) to tropical buffaloes. In trial I, four fistulated Murrah buffaloes arranged in a 4 × 4 Latin square design were fed diets containing DPKC inclusions at 0, 15, 30, and 45% levels of compound feed to study their effects on rumen fermentation parameters. Trial II involves feeding twelve lactating buffaloes with DPKC inclusion levels at 0 or 15% of the compound feed to evaluate the effect of DPKC on the nutrient digestibility, serum biochemical constituents, rumen fermentation patterns, and lactation profile. The DPKC diets did not affect rumen pH, TCA-ppt nitrogen, and TVFA proportion; nevertheless, the NH3-N data revealed a decreased trend (P = 0.076). The acetate fraction decreased linearly (P < 0.05) with increased DPKC diets. Replacing the conventional protein sources with DPKC at a 15% level did not influence the nutrient intake and digestibility coefficients. No significant effects were observed for serum biochemical and mineral profiles of the lactating buffaloes fed the DPKC diet. Neither milk yield nor milk constituents (SNF, total solids, density, lactose, protein) were altered with the diets fed, except for milk fat%, which tended to increase (P = 0.092) on feeding DPKC diets. All the lactation parameters varied with time of collection, and diet × time interactions were noticed for fat, density, protein, 6% FCM yield, and butterfat yield. The feed efficiency tended to increase (P = 0.070) in the buffaloes fed DPKC diets. The profit margins were ₹6.07 and ₹1.63 for the DPKC included diets and feed cost per Kg 6% FCMY, respectively. In  conclusion, the inclusion of DPKC in the diet decreases feed cost without affecting the nutrient intakes, digestibility coefficients, serum biochemical and mineral profile, and lactation parameters.

Clinical utility of serum glial fibrillary acidic protein in glial neoplasm.

Background: Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) is a member of the cytoskeletal protein family and is widely expressed in astroglial and neural stem cells, also in glial tumors such as astrocytoma and Glioblastoma (GBM). Increased GFAP expression and disruption of the blood-brain barrier are the characteristic features of GBM. Higher serum GFAP levels can help differentiate GBM from GBM mimics (such as primary central nervous system lymphoma, metastasis, or demyelinating lesions). Methods: This prospective study was carried out in a tertiary care center in the department of neurosurgery on newly diagnosed glioma patients who underwent surgery from January 2018 to July 2019, excluded patients with history of the previous surgery for glioma, traumatic brain injury, and ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke. The blood sample was obtained at admission before undergoing invasive procedure. Pathological examination of the tumor biopsy sample was carried out using classical hematoxylin-eosin and immunohistochemical staining. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 24.0. Results: The mean preoperative tumor volume was 40 cm3 (range 17.19-65.57 cm3; standard deviation [SD] = 9.99 cm3) which showed 98.25% mean reduction in volume postsurgery (mean tumor volume = 0.7 cm3; SD = 0.19 cm3). Preoperative serum GFAP measurements show higher levels (spearman's rho coefficient = 0.610 with P = 0.000) with increasing grade of tumor. GFAP levels also demonstrated higher value with increasing preoperative tumor volume. Conclusion: Increasing serum GFAP levels in the preoperative period correlate with higher tumor grade, especially grade III and grade IV tumors. The serum GFAP levels showed relation to tumor volume, both before and after surgery.

Low birth weight and its associated risk factors: Health facility-based case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Low birth weight is a preventable public health problem. It is an important determinant of child survival and development, as well as long-term consequences like the onset of non-communicable disease in the life course. A large number of mortality and morbidity can be prevented by addressing the factors associated with low birth weight. The main objective of this study was to identify associated risk factors of low birth weight. METHODOLOGY: A health facility-based unmatched case-control study was carried out from July 2018 to March 2019 among the mothers who delivered in health facilities of Dang district of Nepal from 17th August to 16th November 2018. The total sample size for the study was 369; 123 cases and 246 controls. Cases and controls were randomly selected independent of the exposure status in the ratio of 1:2. Information regarding exposure status was assessed through interviews and medical records. Mothers who delivered outside Dang districts were excluded from the study. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Institutional Review Committee (IRC) of the Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University and written consent was taken from each participant after explaining the objectives of the study. RESULTS: Multivariate logistic regression found that having the kitchen in the same living house (AOR 2.7, CI: 1.5-4.8), iron intake less than 180 tablets (AOR 3.2, CI: 1.7-5.7), maternal weight gain during second and third trimester less than 6.53 kg (AOR 2.6, CI: 1.5-4.7), co-morbidity during pregnancy (AOR 2.4, CI: 1.3-4.5), preterm birth (AOR 2.9, CI: 1.4-6.1) were the risk factors associated with low birth weight. CONCLUSION: Having the kitchen in the same living house, iron intake less than 180 tablets during pregnancy, maternal weight gain less than 6.53 kg during the second and third trimester, co-morbidity during pregnancy and preterm birth were the risk factors associated with low birth weight.

First Direct Isolation of Stable α-Form Crystals of Mirabegron, a Selective ß3-Adrenoceptor Agonist.

An efficient and scalable method for the direct isolation of stable α-form crystals of Mirabegron (1) is developed. The developed method negates transformation of metastable ß-form crystals into α-form crystals thereby overcoming the limitations of reported methods and avoids additional processing steps during its manufacture. The developed method directly provides stable α-form crystals of Mirabegron (1) with yield of around 84% and purity of >99.77% by HPLC in a single step.

Burden and predictors of hypertension in India: results of SEEK (Screening and Early Evaluation of Kidney Disease) study.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension (HTN) is one of the major causes of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The objective of the study was to investigate the burden and predictors of HTN in India. METHODS: 6120 subjects participated in the Screening and Early Evaluation of Kidney disease (SEEK), a community-based screening program in 53 camps in 13 representative geographic locations in India. Of these, 5929 had recorded blood pressure (BP) measurements. Potential predictors of HTN were collected using a structured questionnaire for SEEK study. RESULTS: HTN was observed in 43.5% of our cohort. After adjusting for center variation (p < 0.0001), predictors of a higher prevalence of HTN were older age ≥ 40 years (p < 0.0001), BMI of ≥ 23 Kg/M2 (p < 0.0004), larger waist circumference (p < 0.0001), working in sedentary occupation (p < 0.0001), having diabetes mellitus (p < 0.0001), having proteinuria (p < 0.0016), and increased serum creatinine (p < 0.0001). High school/some college education (p = 0.0016), versus less than 9th grade education, was related with lower prevalence of HTN. Of note, proteinuria and CKD were observed in 19% and 23.5% of HTN subjects. About half (54%) of the hypertensive subjects were aware of their hypertension status. CONCLUSIONS: HTN was common in this cohort from India. Older age, BMI ≥ 23 Kg/M2, waist circumference, sedentary occupation, education less, diabetes mellitus, presence of proteinuria, and raised serum creatinine were significant predictors of hypertension. Our data suggest that HTN is a major public health problem in India with low awareness, and requires aggressive community-based screening and education to improve health.

N-Substituted-2-butyl-5-chloro-3H-imidazole-4-carbaldehyde derivatives as anti-tumor agents against Ehrlich ascites tumor cells in vivo.

A new series of N-substituted 2-butyl-5-chloro-3H-imidazole-4-carbaldehyde derivatives were synthesized by using the different bioactive heteroaralkyl halides with 2-butyl-4-chloro-1H-imidazole-5-carbaldehyde in presence of powdered potassium carbonate in DMF medium. These compounds were screened for their antitumor activity. Our results show that treatment of imidazole derivatives inhibit proliferation EAT cells, decreases the ascites volume and increases the survivability of the animals in vivo. These compounds also inhibited the cellular proliferation of HUVEC cells in vitro by MTT assay. Further, these compounds could induce apoptosis, which is evident by the nuclear condensation of imidazole derivatives treated EAT cells in vivo by the cytological analysis. We have identified that pyrrolidine substituted imidazole derivative as potent anti-tumor compound. These inhibitors could represent as promising candidates for anticancer therapies, where the formation of peritoneal malignant ascites is a major cause of morbidity and mortality.

Pro-apoptotic activity of imidazole derivatives mediated by up-regulation of Bax and activation of CAD in Ehrlich Ascites Tumor cells.

In this study we report that, imidazole derivatives can induce apoptosis in Ehrlich ascites tumor (EAT) cells, which is clearly evident from annexin-V staining, flow cytometric analysis of cell cycle phase distribution and DNA fragmentation. Delineating further into molecular mechanisms leading to apoptosis of EAT cells, we observed that imidazole derivatives induce tumor cell death by the up-regulation of proto-oncoprotein Bax, release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria which activates caspase-3 and activated caspase-3 activates CAD (Caspase Activated DNase) causes DNA fragmentation. The status of Bcl-2 remains unaltered in EAT cells, and the under expression of Bcl-2 and up-regulation of Bax resulted in the increase of Bax: Bcl-2 ratio suggesting that Bcl-2 family involved in the control of apoptosis. These results suggest a further possible clinical application of imidazole derivatives as pro-apoptotic agent in association with conventional chemotherapeutic agents.

Removal of a permanent IVC filter.

Inferior vena cava (IVC) filters are increasingly used for prevention of life-threatening pulmonary emboli in patients who have contraindications to anticoagulation therapy. We report a case of the removal of a permanent IVC filter, which was inadvertently inserted due to an incorrect ultrasound report.

Failed retrieval of potentially retrievable IVC filters: a report of two cases.

Retrievable inferior vena cava filters are being increasingly used for the prevention of life-threatening pulmonary emboli in patients who have temporary contraindications to anticoagulation therapy. We report two cases of failure to remove these devices.