Global health epidemics or pandemics have short and long-term negative psychological impacts, including anxiety, in people everywhere. We thus investigated the prevalence of COVID-19 anxiety among the general population aged ≥18 years. A web-based cross-sectional survey was conducted using a self-selected convenience sampling method among 546 participants. Participants completed a five-item Corona Virus Anxiety Scale, a measure of COVID-19 anxiety. We used SPSS software to perform descriptive and inferential analysis. The majority of the participants were
Abstract Smoking worsens tuberculosis (TB) outcomes. Persons with TB who smoke can benefit from smoking cessation. We report findings of a multi-country qualitative process evaluation assessing barriers and facilitators to implementation of smoking cessation behaviour support in TB clinics in Bangladesh and Pakistan. We conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews at five case study clinics with 35 patients and 8 health workers over a period of 11 months (2017–2018) at different time points during the intervention implementation phase. Interviews were conducted by trained researchers in the native languages, audio-recorded, transcribed into English and analysed using a combined deductive–inductive approach guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research and Theoretical Domains Framework. All patients report willingness to quit smoking and recent quit attempts. Individuals’ main motivations to quit are their health and the need to financially provide for a family. Behavioural regulation such as avoiding exposure to cigarettes and social influences from friends, family and colleagues are main themes of the interviews. Most male patients do not feel shy admitting to smoking, for the sole female patient interviewee stigma was an issue. Health workers report structural characteristics such as high workload and limited time per patient as primary barriers to offering behavioural support. Self-efficacy to discuss tobacco use with women varies by health worker. Systemic barriers to implementation such as staff workload and socio-cultural barriers to cessation like gender relations, stigma or social influences should be dealt with creatively to optimize the behaviour support for sustainability and scale-up.
Depression is a mood disorder which leads to persistent feelings of sadness and loss of interest whereas, anxiety is a feeling of unease. Stress is the feeling of being unable to cope with mental and emotional pressure. Coronavirus Disease 2019 is a highly contagious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. This study aimed to determine depression, anxiety and stress of COVID-19 among graduating students of bachelor degree in public health colleges of Kathmandu valley. The institutional based descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 314 students of five Bachelor in Public Health colleges of Kathmandu valley under Purbanchal University through convenience sampling method. Data was collected by using DASS-21 items through self-administration technique. Data was analyzed with IBM SPSS 20 version. The study found that out of 314 respondents, 73.2% of the respondents were in the 20-25 years age group with 67% female. Out of them, 30% were infected by COVID-19 and around 10% were hospitalized due to infection. It revealed that the prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress among public health students were 45.5%, 60.7% and 29.6% respectively. There is significant association between depression, anxiety and stress with COVID-19 infected respondents, respondents hospitalized due to infection as well as to those respondents whose family members were infected by COVID-19. The prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress of COVID-19 among graduating public health students was relatively high and shows that mental health is affected by COVID-19 pandemic.
Basilar tip aneurysm is the commonest aneurysm in posterior circulation. It comprises of about 5% of total aneurysms of cerebral circulation. Giant basilar tip aneurysm is rare and is technically challenging. Bigger is the aneurysm more complex is its structure leading to technical difficulty in its treatment, may it be surgical clipping or endovascular coiling.We present 50-year-old male patient presented with sudden and severe headache with altered consciousness. CT head showed sub arachnoid hemorrhage and CT angiography showed giant basilar tip aneurysm measuring more than 23 mm in length. Moreover basilar tip bifurcation and both the posterior cerebral artery arose from posterior aspect of lower part of the trunk of aneurysm. Because of the huge size and origin of the major branches from aneurysm trunk surgical clipping seemed highly risky. Patient was planned for coil embolization in India. But due to cost factor surgical clipping was planned.Successful clipping was done through right frontotemporal transtentorial approach. Small residual aneurysm was noted in the anterior lower part of aneurysm trunk which was wrapped with hemostatic agents. Complete resection of the aneurysm was done showing complete obliteration of the aneurysm. Post operatively patient was neurologically intact except ipsilateral oculomotor nerve palsy.Patient was discharged on 6th post operative day.Nepal still lacks endovascular coiling facility. Cost factor is a major hindrance for this. Surgical clipping is still the fi rst choice of treatment for any aneurysm in Nepal. There is no alternative to skill development and successful clipping for treating aneurysm in Nepal.Nepal Journal of Neuroscience 12:40-42, 2015
Agriculture, the oldest human activity, is the livelihood for millions, especially in developing countries where it drives economic growth and poverty reduction. However, the informal agricultural sector lacks poor working conditions, low wages, lack of legal protection, and significant gender-based discrimination. Women often face unequal access to resources, training, and fair wages, perpetuating a cycle of poverty. This review paper examines decent work and equal pay in the informal agricultural sector, focusing on gender disparities, and offers recommendations to promote gender equality, empowerment, and sustainable development through targeted interventions and policy improvements. The study used the PRISMA model for a systematic literature review. The study highlighted the five dimensions of decent work identified by the ILO, providing a comprehensive framework for understanding and addressing challenges in achieving decent work. The review also identified several factors influencing decent work and equal pay, including government policies, market dynamics, social norms, power dynamics, and social security programs. The review further discussed the gender dimension of decent work and equal pay, highlighting the gender wage gap and the challenges faced by women in accessing decent work and fair compensation in the sector. Innovative approaches to promoting decent work and equal pay were also discussed, including social protection programs, collective bargaining, microfinance initiatives, vocational training, and digital tools.
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic disease with multiple pathologies that can affect every organ system of the body including central nervous system. Intracerebral aneurysms and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) are one of comparatively rarer manifestations of central nervous system SLE. Here we present a case of known SLE complicated by the rupture of intra cerebral aneurysm at basilar artery tip which was successfully treated with endovascular coiling.
Keywords: cerebral aneurysm, endovascular surgery, SAH, SLE
Glioblastoma is characterised by invasive growth and a high degree of radioresistance. Survivin, a regulator of chromosome segregation, is highly expressed and known to induce radioresistance in human gliomas. In this study, we examined the effect of survivin suppression on radiosensitivity in malignant glioma cells, while focusing on centrosome aberration and chromosome instability (CIN). We suppressed survivin by small interfering RNA transfection, and examined the radiosensitivity using a clonogenic assay and a trypan blue exclusion assay in U251MG (p53 mutant) and D54MG (p53 wild type) cells. To assess the CIN status, we determined the number of centrosomes using an immunofluorescence analysis, and the centromeric copy number by fluorescence in situ hybridisation. As a result, the radiosensitisation differed regarding the p53 status as U251MG cells quickly developed extreme centrosome amplification (=CIN) and enhanced the radiosensitivity, while centrosome amplification and radiosensitivity increased more gradually in D54MG cells. TUNEL assay showed that survivin inhibition did not lead to apoptosis after irradiation. This cell death was accompanied by an increased degree of aneuploidy, suggesting mitotic cell death. Therefore, survivin inhibition may be an attractive therapeutic target to overcome the radioresistance while, in addition, proper attention to CIN (centrosome number) is considered important for improving radiosensitivity in human glioma.
Spinal abscess in pediatric age group is a rare entity. Tubercular type is even rarer and it has been found to be associated with patent dermal sinus. Very few cases have been reported so far.We present a 2-month-old baby with gradually progressing paraparesis. There was a small dermal sinus in the lower area of right buttock which was discharging pus. MRI was done which showed intramedullary fluid collection at the level of lower lumbar and sacral spine suggesting abscess formation. Patient party was suggested for surgical exploration and histopathological evaluation. However, they denied and thus baby was put on steroid therapy. The baby gradually improved. However he started having paraparesis again and even worse than before. Repeat MRI showed intramedullary collection more than the previous MRI. Again surgical option was given and finally surgery done. Right hemilaminectomy was done from L3-4-5-S1and dura exposed. Dura was incised and spinal cord, conus and cauda equina exposed which were swollen and congested. Midline myelotomy was done opening the intramedullary. Free flow of thick pus was observed. Dermal sinus was excised and closed.Pus and small pieces of granulation tissue was sent for culture and cytological examination which showed features of tuberculosis. Antitubercular treatment was started and the baby became much better.Nepal Journal of Neuroscience 12:43-45, 2015
It has already been proved by many studies that surgical revascularization definitely helps in curing the symptoms of moyamoya vasculopathy. In this regard, we present a case of moyamoya disease which was cured by concurrent multiple anastomotic procedures, namely superficial temporal artery (STA), middle cerebral artery (MCA) anastomosis, encephalomyosynangiosis (EMS) and encephalogaleosynangiosis (EGS). A 24-year-old woman presented with symptoms of cerebral ischemia. Thorough investigation with MRA and MRI revealed moyamoya vasculopathy and was confirmed by cerebral angiogram. Multiple concurrent combined anastomotic procedures on both sides relieved the symptoms, which was also confirmed angiographically. A Combination of multiple direct and indirect procedures covers the whole ischemic cortical area and provides effective neovascularization.