Mental Health Problems and Social Media Exposure during the COVID-19 Pandemic among Adult Population of Nepal.

Background The COVID-19 pandemic is a significant global health crisis that poses a threat to a person's psychological well-being. A very large number of people got exposed to social network sites during this period which can be hazardous and cause psychological difficulties. There is no prior research or limited studies in this area during emergencies in Nepal. Objective To assess the mental health issues and examine their relationship with social media exposure in adults. Method A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted by using a validated scale of Depression, Anxiety, and Stress (DAAS-21) and the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) among 18 years above adult population. Data were collected through an online survey. Descriptive statistics was used to describe sociodemographic data. Binary logistic regression analysis were performed to examine the relationship between psychological problems and social media exposure. Result Out of 422 participants, the overall prevalence of depression, anxiety, stress, and insomnia among the study population were 32%, 28.4%, 24.5%, and 47% respectively. Additionally, 86.5% of individuals said they were frequently exposed to social media. Age, ethnicity, gender, past health problems, and health status were significantly associated with psychological problems. Further, social media exposure was associated with gender and marital status. There was no evidence of an association of psychological problems with social media exposure. Conclusion Depression, anxiety, stress and insomnia are common mental health problems found in the adult population during the time of the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic and highly affected were under 25 years age. Female and unmarried adults are using more social media.

The Risk of COVID-19 in People Having a Particular Set of Gene.

These risk factors of advancing age, male gender and co-existing health conditions like cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and obesity do not fully explain why some people have no or mild symptoms whereas others have severe symptoms. Genomewide association study (GWAS) identify a 3p21.31 gene cluster as a genetic susceptibility locus in patients with COVID-19 with respiratory failure. They also found a higher risk among persons with blood group A and protective effect for blood group O than among patients with other blood groups. The particular haplotype in a region of chromosome 3 is contributed to modern humans by neandertals. Another Neanderthal haplotype on chromosome 12 is associated with a 22% reduction in relative risk of becoming severely ill with COVID-19. The ApoE e4e4 homozygous genotype was found to increase the risk of severe COVID-19. Change in angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) 2 gene was also found to be associated with increased risk of COVID-19, cardiovascular and pulmonary conditions.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice towards COVID-19 among Private School Teachers of Chitwan, Nepal.

Background The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has brought life to a standstill across the world, with nearly 178 countries reporting school closures. As the schools have started reopening slowly, precautions are utmost necessary to prevent the potential spread of COVID-19 in school and community settings. Objective To assess knowledge, attitude and practice towards COVID-19 among private school teachers. Method A web based cross-sectional analytical study design was undertaken. Currently working private school teachers of Chitwan District were included as a unit of analysis. The snowball sampling technique was employed to identify the eligible participant. Collected data was entered in SPSS version 20 and analyzed using the Chi-square test, Pearson correlation, and binary logistic regression. Result Of 344 participants, the majority were male (52.9%), most of the participants were from age group 26-30 years (38.4%). Regarding knowledge, attitude and practice, 57% had good knowledge, 53.2% had favorable attitude and 51.7% had good practice towards COVID-19. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated gender (OR 0.475, 95% CI: 0.256-0.818) and COVID-19 training (OR 25.687, 95% CI 5.354-123.226) were significant with good knowledge. Conclusion Knowledge about COVID-19 among private schools teacher was good, attitudes have been mostly favorable, and the practices were mostly adequate. However, good knowledge is not the only factor for better attitude and good practices. It is necessary to implement massive education campaigns, trainings and information via school authorities and health authorities by developing and adopting appropriate guidelines on COVID-19.

Respiratory Failure in a Neonate with Pierre Robin Syndrome -A Challenging Proposition.

Background Fine needle aspiration (FNA) with radiological assisted tools such as ultrasonography (USG) and computed tomography (CT) are effective in obtaining high yield aspiration of tissues located in technically difficult places such as deep-seated. It is a simple outpatient procedure with low cost as compared to surgical biopsies. Objective To study the cytomorphological features of deep-seated lesions according to the site of occurrence, and to categorize them with respect to age, sex and behavior of lesions. Method This was a descriptive cross-sectional study of 125 patients who underwent imageguided fine needle aspiration cytology of deep-seated lesions. The study was conducted in the Department of Pathology and Department of Radiodiagnosis, Dhulikhel Hospital- Kathmandu University Hospital, between January 2017 and December 2018. Under radiological guidance, aspiration was performed under negative pressure, and adequate material was obtained. Smears were stained with Giemsa and Papanicolaou stain. The prepared slides were examined under a microscope. Result Of the 125 patients who underwent USG and CT-guided fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC), 68(54.4%) were female and 57(45.6%) were male. The age of the patients ranged from 13 to 84 years. The maximum number of patients was above 50 years. The nature of lesions was categorized as malignant 78(62.4%), followed by 23(18.4%) inflammatory and benign 1(0.8%). Conclusion Image-guided fine needle aspiration cytology is a safe diagnostic procedure, as it provides real-time visualization of tip insertion in anatomical structures. It provides high yield and a better representation of the samples.

Endometriosis of Groin Mimicking Neoplasm.

Endometriosis is principally a disease of women in active reproductive life. Although it is rare, foci of endometrial tissue may be seen in the bowel, the umbilicus, abdominal surgical scars and in the lungs. Inguinal endometriosis is challenging to the clinicians and pathologist and often diagnosed accidentally. We present a case of inguinal endometriosis mimicking neoplasm. A 40 year old woman presented with a swelling in the right inguinal region associated with cyclical pain. In view of presence of atypical cells in fine needle aspiration cytology, metastatic carcinoma was rendered as diagnosis. Histopathological examination revealed endometrial glands and stroma which was further confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Diagnosis of inguinal endometriosis is difficult and often challenging because of unusual site. The clinician must have high index of suspicion with any patient who has cyclical symptoms. A good history and physical examination can guide clinical diagnosis of endometriosis.

Prevalence and Clinical Manifestations of Helicobacter Pylori with Reference to Histopathological Diagnosis.

Background Helicobacter pylori infection is on a steep decline in most of the developed countries; however, in developing countries like Nepal such steep decline is not seen. This may be due to failure of treatment regimens and emergence of drug resistance. Our previous study done in 2004/2005 showed 38% prevalence of Helicobacter pylori. The present study has been conducted to review the prevalence and clinical diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori with reference to histo-pathological diagnosis. Method This was retrospective study done at Dhulikhel Hospital, Kathmandu University Hospital over a period of 13 years from January 2006 to December 2018. Helicobacter pylori proven cases were retrospectively analyzed with clinical features and endoscopy findings. The clinical picture were categorized into antral gastritis, gastroduodenits, erosive duodenitis, acid peptic disease, reflux esophagitis, hiatal hernia, polyp, ulcer (gastric and duodenal), acute abdomen, upper gastrointestinal bleeding and malignancy. Result A total of 1624 upper gastrointestinal endoscopy biopsies were taken during the study period. Helicobacter pylori infection was seen in 618 (38.0%) cases out of 1624 cases. Helicobacter pylori were seen in 349 male and 269 female patients with male to female ratio of 1.29:1. Clinically, gastritis 210 (41.4%), acid peptic disease74 (42.7%), gastroduodenitis 46 (37.7%), reflux esophagitis 38 (52.7%), gastric ulcer 48 (28.4%), duodenal ulcer 34 (53.1%) and acute abdomen 50 (42.3%) cases were seen respectively. Conclusion Most commonly Helicobacter pylori cause chronic gastritis in our context. There is no significant change in prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection as compared to our previous study (2004/05). This needs proper management of Helicobacter pylori infection to prevent serious complication such as gastric cancer in our part of the world.

Clinico-Pathological Correlation of Colorectal Diseases by Colonoscopy and Biopsy.

Background Colonoscopy is a simple, safe and well tolerated procedure, the visualization of the mucosa of the entire colon and terminal ileum to detect intestinal abnormalities and obtain biopsy leads to the early detection of the pathologic process and institution of appropriate therapy. Objective To find out the correlation between clinical and histopathological diagnosis of colorectal diseases. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted at Department of Pathology, Dhulikhel Hospital, Kathmandu University Hospital from Jan. 2015 - Jan. 2016. Altogether, 95 colonoscopic biopsies were examined and recorded clinical data using pre-designed pro forma. The specimens were grossed, processed and embedded using standard procedures, stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin stain and were analyzed using light microscope. Special stains Ziehl Neelsen, and Periodic Acid-Schiff were used whenever necessary. Result Analyses of 95 cases of colonoscopic biopsies were done. The most common clinical diagnosis was polyp in 49 cases (51.57%) and the common histopathological diagnosis was non-neoplastic polyps 31(32.63%). There was no correlation in cases for suspected infectious colitis, microscopic colitis and hemorrhoids. Conclusion Colonoscopy is incomplete without biopsy and histopathology is the gold standard for the diagnosis of colorectal lesions. The clinico-pathological correlation for neoplastic lesions was excellent. However, correlation was poor in non-neoplastic lesion.

Clinicomorphological Spectrum of Ovarian Cystic Lesions.

Background Ovarian cysts, which present as neoplastic and non-neoplastic lesions, are the most common gynaecological cause of hospital admissions. Early diagnosis is difficult due to asymptomatic nature. Clinical, radiological and gross examination alone cannot distinguish benign from malignant lesions, hence, histopathological examination is important for diagnostic, therapeutic and prognostic approach. Objective The objective of the study is to analyze the spectrum of ovarian cystic lesions with their clinico-morphorgical features. Method This is a prospective study done in between July 2014 and July 2015 in Dhulikhel Hospital-Kathmandu University Hospital. Clinical data of patients were obtained from hospital records and requisition submitted along with the tissue specimens received in the department. Result A total 84 cases of ovarian cystic lesions were studied. Among these, 47 (55.9%) were non-neoplastic lesions, 33 (39.3%) were benign neoplasms, two (2.4%) were borderline and two (2.4%) were malignant neoplasms. The most common nonneoplastic lesions were follicular cysts, 26 (55.3%) followed by simple cysts 14 (29.8%), hemorrhagic cysts five (10.6%) and corpus luteal cysts two (4.3%). Among all neoplasms, 19 (51.4%) were mature cystic teratoma followed by 10 (27.0%) cases of mucinous cystadenoma and four (10.8%) cases of serous cystadenoma. Between two (5.4%) malignant cases, one was immature cystic teratoma and the other was mucinous cystadenocarcinoma. Besides these, two (5.4%) cases of borderline mucinous cystadenoma were also present. Conclusion Ovarian cystic lesions are difficult to categorize on the basis of clinical and radiological findings. Histopathological examination plays a significant role to differentiate benign lesion from malignant as well as for the proper management.

Failure of primary atovaquone prophylaxis for prevention of toxoplasmosis in hematopoietic cell transplant recipients.

The efficacy of primary prophylaxis with atovaquone in preventing Toxoplasma reactivation and disease in hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients is unknown. We describe 2 cases of atovaquone prophylaxis failure in pre-HCT Toxoplasma-seropositive (pre-HCTSP) recipients who underwent allogeneic HCT (allo-HCT) and review the literature on atovaquone prophylaxis in HCT recipients.

Correlation of Cervical Pap Smear with Biopsy in the Lesion of Cervix.

Background Cervical cancer can be controlled to a greater extent by screening to improve morbidity and mortality. Pap smear is important screening method, which has proven to be highly effective in reducing the number of cases and the mortality from cervical carcinoma. Any abnormality detected in pap smear has to be confirmed with cervical biopsy, which remains the reference investigation. Objective To find the changes of cervical cytology by pap smear, to classify cervical lesions into malignant and benign groups on cytological and histopathological basis and to correlate the changes observed in cervical cytology with cervical biopsy. Method This is a prospective cross sectional study done in between July 2014 and July 2015 in Dhulikhel Hospital, Kathmandu University Hospital. During the period, all the samples requested for pap smear were studied. The cases who had undergone both pap smear and cervical biopsy were compared. Clinical data were obtained from requisition submitted along with the cytology and tissue specimens received in the department. Result During the study period, total 1922 pap smears were performed and out of them 75 patients were advised to do cervical biopsy. On cytology, out of total 1922 number of cases, 67.90% were normal, 27.90% were inflammatory smears, 3.80% were unsatisfactory (inadequate) and 0.40% were high grade intraepithelial lesions. Highest numbers of patients screened for pap smear ranged from 31 to 40 years. On histopathology, 78.70% had chronic cervicitis, 8% had normal findings, 1.30% had moderate and 6.70% had severe squamous intraepithelial lesions. The frank malignancy was found in 5.30%. The mean age ± SD for carcinoma was 52.75±6.29. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value of pap smear were 77.80%, 100%, 100% and 97% respectively considering cervical biopsy as the gold standard Conclusion This study revealed a good correlation of cervical cytology with cervical biopsy. Pap is a cost effective screening method for early detection of premalignant and malignant cervical lesions. However, biopsy is considered as the gold standard for the confirmation of abnormalities detected in cervical smear.

Histopathological Changes in the Chorionic Villi and Endometrial Decidual Tissues in the Product of Conception of Spontaneous Abortion Cases.

Background Spontaneous abortion refers to a pregnancy that ends spontaneously before the fetus has reached a viable gestational age or expulsion or extraction of an embryo or fetus weighing 500 g or less from its mother. The Maternal Mortality Morbidity Survey of Nepal 2008/09 reported that 7% of maternal deaths in Nepal were due to complications related to abortion. Objective The main objective of this study was to examine the histopathological changes in the chorionic villi and endometrial decidual tissue in products of conception obtained from women with spontaneous abortion. Method This is a retrospective study of 111 patients admitted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Dhulikhel Hospital, Kathmandu University Hospital (DH-KUH) with the diagnosis of spontaneous abortion during the period of January 2013 to January 2014. Result Among 111 cases of spontaneous abortions, products of conception was seen in 73 (65.77%) and with only one cases of choriocarcinoma. Majority of cases belongs to age group 21-30 years. The most common decidual changes were inflammation (41.4%) followed by fibrin deposition 29.7%. Majority of the cases shows hydropic changes as histopathological changes in chorionic villi. In the present study, minimum age of lady was 15 years and the maximum age was 45 years and the mean age was 25.09±5.58 years at the time of abortion. Among the cases, maximum 69 (62.2%) of them belonged to age group 21-30 years. Correlating the age group with number of abortions was found to be significantly different (Chi-square= 92.35, df= 3, p < 0.001) among four different age groups. Conclusion The histopathological diagnosis of spontaneous abortion will help in further management of the patient. Further study is required to know the cause of different histopathlogical changes in villi as well as in the decidua.

Correlation between Endoscopic and Histopathological Findings in Gastric Lesions.

Background Stomach is a common site for wide variety of lesions. The visualisation of the site with biopsy leads to the early detection of the pathologic process and appropriate therapy. Objectives The objective of this study is to correlate the histopathological pattern of endoscopic biopsies with distribution of gastric lesions according to age and sex. Method The retrospective study was carried out among 50 cases with endoscopic biopsies and histopathological assessment, received at Department of Pathology, Dhulikhel Hospital- Kathmandu University Hospital. Result Out of 50 cases majority of cases were of male gender with male: female ratio was 1.3:1. Our study showed a poor correlation between endoscopic and histopathological evidence of inflammation in the stomach. Two cases were diagnosed as intestinal metaplasia which were diagnosed as ulcer and erosion endoscopically. Out of 32% of cases diagnosed endoscopically as ulcer, only one case was confirmed histopathologically. Our study showed good correlation in the cases of carcinoma. Out of 17 cases diagnosed endoscopically as gastric carcinoma correlated histopathologically as gastric adenocarcinoma. Majority of carcinoma cases showed ulcerating fungating growth followed by ulcero-proliferative growth. Conclusion Endoscopy is incomplete without biopsy and histopathology is the gold standard for the diagnosis of endoscopically detected lesions. Endoscopic examination and histopathological examination of suspected gastric lesions should go parallel and neither should be a substitute of each other.

A reusable robust radio frequency biosensor using microwave resonator by integrated passive device technology for quantitative detection of glucose level.

A reusable robust radio frequency (RF) biosensor with a rectangular meandered line (RML) resonator on a gallium arsenide substrate by integrated passive device (IPD) technology was designed, fabricated and tested to enable the real-time identification of the glucose level in human serum. The air-bridge structure fabricated by an IPD technology was applied to the RML resonator to improve its sensitivity by increasing the magnitude of the return loss (S21). The resonance behaviour, based on S21 characteristics of the biosensor, was analysed at 9.20 GHz with human serum containing different glucose concentration ranging from 148-268 mg dl(-1), 105-225 mg dl(-1) and at a deionised (D) water glucose concentration in the range of 25- 500 mg dl(-1) for seven different samples. A calibration analysis was performed for the human serum from two different subjects and for D-glucose at a response time of 60 s; the reproducibility, the minimum shift in resonance frequency and the long-term stability of the signal were investigated. The feature characteristics based on the resonance concept after the use of serum as an analyte are modelled as an inductor, capacitor and resistor. The findings support the development of resonance-based sensing with an excellent sensitivity of 1.08 MHz per 1 mg dl(-1), a detection limit of 8.01 mg dl(-1), and a limit of quantisation of 24.30 mg dl(-1).

Extended spectrum beta-lactamase producing multidrug resistant urinary isolates from children visiting Kathmandu Model Hospital.

A study was conducted to analyze the status of the multidrug resistant (MDR) isolates producing Extended Spectrum of beta-lactamase (ESBL) among the uropathogens infecting children less than 15 years from November 2010 to April 2011 in the Bacteriology laboratory, Kathmandu Model Hospital. Urine samples received in the laboratory were processed for routine culture. The antimicrobial susceptibility of bacterial isolates was determined following Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI) recommended Kirby-Bauer Disc Diffusion method. The defining criterion in this study for an isolate to be multidrug resistant was resistance to two or more drugs of different structural classes. Isolates were confirmed for ESBL-production by performing the Inhibitor Potentiated Disk Diffusion (IPDD) Test/ Combined Disk Assay for ESBL confirmation. Out of 252 urine samples received in the laboratory, 59(23.41%) showed significant growth of which 54.23% (32/59) were MDR isolates. Additionally, 25 isolates (21 Escherichia coli and 3 Citrobacter freundii and single Enterobacter aerogenes) among them were ESBL producers. Among the first line drugs used against gram negative isolates, Nitrofurantoin was drug of choice; meanwhile among the second line drugs Cefoperazone/Sulbactum was drug of choice, whereas, Cephotaxime, Ciprofloxacin, Norfloxacin and Gentamicin were the drug of choice for Gram positive isolates. Significant association was found between ESBL production and spectrum of drug resistance (p < 0.05).

Addressing the challenges to health sector decentralization in Nepal: an inquiry into the policy and implementation processes.

The objective of the study was to analyze the status and explore the challenges to decentralization policy implementation in Nepal. Thirty seven key informants rich in experience and knowledge, seven focus group discussions, observation of six health facilities and analysis of about 25 key policy documents provided the data for this study. The study identified the challenges to the implementation of decentralization reforms in the public health sector as: (i) centralised and weak management and programming practices of the government; (ii) weak legal and institutional framework; (iii) conflicting policy objectives; (iv) lack of implementation strategy; (v) poor financial and human resource management system; (vi) lack of adequate preparation for managing the reform; (vii) weak capacity at all levels; (viii) political instability. It was revealed that the implementation of the policy in Nepal was extremely poor as many of the important policy measures were either never initiated or they were only partially implemented. The challenges lie both at - policy design and implementation phase. Clear policy objectives, appropriate structure, sound planning, financing and human resources policy, adequate capacity, responsive information system, defined service packages, active participation of stakeholders and a conducive socio-political environment are considered imperative for successful implementation of the policy. Preparation for managing reform implementation at national and district levels is prerequisite for decentralization to work. Pushing for decentralization in a politically fragile environment may rather lead to further fragmentation, instead of strengthening government legitimacy.

Enteric fever: diagnostic value of clinical features.

OBJECTIVES: to evaluate the diagnostic value of clinical symptoms and signs in enteric fever and to propose a clinical diagnostic criterion. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: Kathmandu Medical College, Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal. MATERIALS AND METHODS: febrile patients with clinical diagnosis of enteric fever were included in the study with the aim of confirming diagnosis with blood culture, or bone marrow culture and evaluating the diagnostic accuracy of various clinical signs and symptoms. RESULTS: 64% of the clinically diagnosed cases had blood/ bone marrow culture positive. The diagnostic accuracy of the various symptoms and signs excluding fever was between 42%-75.5%. Majority of the symptom and sign did not have very high diagnostic accuracy. Hence a diagnostic criterion was proposed and clinical features with diagnostic accuracy more than 50% were taken into consideration. Major criteria included fever with diagnostic accuracy of 64%, headache with accuracy of 75.5% and relative bradycardia with an accuracy of 66%. Minor criteria included vomiting, diarrhoea, Splenomegaly, chills and abdominal pain /discomfort with diagnostic accuracy of 57%, 55%, 55%, 53% and 51% respectively. Finally after combination of various major and minor criteria a final diagnostic criterion was proposed having an accuracy of 66% and including both major and minor clinical symptom and sign. CONCLUSION: clinical diagnosis of enteric fever will be very helpful in a country like ours. Though none of the clinical symptoms and sign have very high diagnostic accuracy a diagnostic criteria may be helpful. Criteria including both major and minor signs and symptoms would be the most appropriate diagnostic tool as it includes the important abdominal symptoms and signs of enteric fever.