New Approaches for Rehabilitating and Developing Fodder Production from Acid Mountain Soils in Nepal to Alleviate Poverty and Restore the Environment

The approach for the re-integration of degraded areas in the farming system demands methods that are simple, affordable and sustainable. Under the Hills Leasehold Forestry and Forage Development Project (HLFFDP) technologies were trialed for the establishment of pasture legume and nitrogen fixing trees on degraded leased sites. Agrisilvipastoralism (ASP) applied using minimum or zero tillage has considerable untapped potential for simultaneously alleviating poverty and restoring the environment in Nepal. Preliminary results presented here indicate that with the introduction of suitable improved forage species under the application of simple establishment techniques, degraded lands have the potential to produce considerable amounts of fodder in a sustainable way

Rangelands, conflicts, and society in the Upper Mustang Region, Nepal

Rangelands are considered critical ecosystems in the Nepal Himalayas and provide multiple ecosystem services that support local livelihoods. However, these rangelands are under threat from various anthropogenic stresses. This study analyzes an example of conflict over the use of rangeland, involving two villages in the Mustang district of Nepal. This prolonged conflict over the use of rangeland rests on how use rights are defined by the parties, that is, whether they are based on traditional use or property ownership. Traditionally, such conflicts in remote areas were managed under the Mukhiya (village chief) system, but this became dysfunctional after the political change of 1990. The continuing conflict suggests that excessive demand for limited rangelands motivates local villagers to gain absolute control of the resources. In such contexts, external support should focus on enhancing the management and production of forage resources locally, which requires the establishment of local common property institutions to facilitate sustainable rangeland management.<br /

Determination of the Forage Yield and Quality of Native Hay at 3 Different Growth Stages at Syangboche Yak Farm, Nepal

The Syangboche Yak Farm is situated within the Sagarma­tha National Park in the district of Solukhumbu, eastern Nepal. The farm comprises 7 pasture areas stituated at different locations ranging from 3700 m. to 5700 m. The total farm area is 900 ha. and the pastures, situated at different heights, are used for grazing during specific periods of the month extending throughout the year. The size of the pastures varies from 15 to 250 ha. About 80 yaks pass their winters from November to May every year on a small pasture area of 15 ha at the farm proper at 3700 m. The estimated carrying capacity of the pas­ture at Syangboche is 1 yak to 1 ha. The current capacity has exceeded the requirements for the pasture available for the yaks. The bulk of the conserved feed is obtained from a small area of pasture (3 h.) reserved for hay production. 12 ha is reserved for grazing. The major emphasis is on increasing the productivity of pasture reserved for hay-making. The appli­cation of yak dung to increase hay production shows an increase in productivity

Effect of Fertilizer Application on the Productivity of Native Hay at Syanboche Yak Farm, Nepal

The Syangboche Yak Farm is situated at an altitude of 3700 m a.s.l. on the bank of Mount Everest. The annual maximum mean temperature is 7.6°C and minimum tempera­ture 0.5°C. Rainfall is around 1103 mm concentrated between June and September. The soil type is characteristic of the alpine soils in the Himalayan area, lithosols and regosols. The pastures observed in the experiment are located in the highest level of the forest comprising mainly Abies spectabilis, Betula utilis, Juniperus recurva and Rhododendron anthopogon species. The forage resources of that zone are under permanent pressure due to the grazing of yak during winter and migration of buffaloes and cows\u27 herd during part of the summer. The objectives of this experiment were to enhance the pro­ductivity of natural pasture lands reserved for hay-making, increase by that way the availability of winter feed, find out the quantity and quality at different stages of growth, determine the optimum growth stage for hay cutting and the optimum mixture of fertilizer

Gynecological malignancies in pediatric and adolescent group: a ten year experience in a national cancer center of Nepal

Introduction: Gynecological malignancies in pediatric and adolescent group are common. Germ cell tumors and gestational trophoblastic neoplasia are the most frequently found malignancies which are highly chemosensitive. With prompt and appropriate treatment higher cure rate is attainable in such malignancies even in resource constraints country like Nepal.&#x0D; Objective: To study the clinicopathological profile and treatment outcome of gynecological malignancies among pediatric and adolescent group seeking treatment at B.P. Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital (BPKMCH), Nepal.&#x0D; Methodology: Descriptive study was done at BPKMCH Nepal. All available case records of pediatric and adolescent girls diagnosed to have gynecological malignancies from 2002 to 2011 were collected and analyzed in terms of age, clinical features, malignancy types, treatment modalities and outcome.&#x0D; Results: Total 60 girls were eligible for the study. There were five patients (8.3%) below five years, 14 (23.3%) between 6-12 years and 41 (68.4%) patients between 13-19 years. Gynecological malignancies observed among the study group were: ovarian cancer in 46 (76.66%), gestational trophoblastic disease in 11 (18.33%), uterine cancer in two (3.33%) and vaginal cancer in one (1.66%). Among the ovarian cancers, 42 had malignant germ cell cancer (91.3%), three had epithelial ovarian cancer (6.5%) and one had juvenile granulose cell tumor. The commonest presentation was abdominal distension and pain in 70%. Onset of symptoms ranged from three days to 730 days (mean 95 days). Early stage disease was noted in 18 (30%) and advanced disease in 42 (70%). Eight (13.33%) underwent fertility sparing surgery only, 21(35%) underwent chemotherapy only and 31(51.66%) underwent multimodality treatment. Twenty (33.33%) defaulted and 40 (66.66%) completed treatment among which progressive disease and mortality was recorded in seven (17.5%) patients and 33 (82.5%) attended cure.&#x0D; Conclusion: Malignant germ cell cancer is the commonest gynecologic malignancy among pediatric and adolescent girls. In country where childhood marriage is still prevalent, GTT is also more common among adolescent girls. Early presentation and prompt appropriate treatment would offer chances of cure even with preservation of fertility.</jats:p

Pediatrics Germ Cell Tumors: A Ten Year Audit in a Cancer Center of Nepal

Introduction: Pediatric Germ cell tumors are rare disease in pediatric and adolescent age group. Germ cell tumors are the most frequently found malignancies which are highly chemo sensitive. GCTs are curable if diagnosed and treated adequately even in resources poor setting in resource constraints countries like Nepal.&#x0D; Objective: To study the clinic pathological profile and treatment outcome of Pediatrics Germ cell tumors (GCTs) among children and adolescent group seeking treatment at B.P. Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital (BPKMCH), Nepal.&#x0D; Methodology: Descriptive study was done at BPKMCH Nepal. All available case records of pediatric and adolescent girls diagnosed to have GCTs from 2002 to 2011 were collected and analyzed in terms of age, clinical features, malignancy types, treatment modalities and outcome.&#x0D;  Results: Total 70 girls were with female gynecological malignancy. There are 46 (76.66%) with ovarian malignancies. Among the ovarian cancers, 42 had malignant germ cell cancer (91.3%) among all ovarian malignancies which are enrolled in the study. The commonest presentation was abdominal distension and pain in70%. Onset of symptoms ranged from three days to 730 days (mean 95 days). Disease stage at presentation was early stage 18 (30%) and advanced disseminated disease 42 (70%). In treatment modality, 8 (13.33%) underwent fertility sparing surgery only, 21(35%) underwent chemotherapy only and 31(51.66%) underwent multimodality treatment. 82.5% patients who were completed recommended treatment were cured.&#x0D; Conclusion: Malignant germ cell cancer is the commonest ovarian malignancies among pediatric and adolescent girls. Early presentation and prompt appropriate treatment would offer chances of cure even with preservation of fertility.</jats:p

Female Salamanders Experience Higher Parasitism Compared to Males: A Cost of Female Reproduction?

Males tend to experience higher rates of parasitism compared to females, a phenomenon associated with ecological factors, the fact that males engage in risky behaviors, and because testosterone is known to be immunosuppressive. However, females could experience higher rates of parasitism if energy is allocated from costly immune responses towards producing eggs. We used pooled data sets from laboratory experiments to investigate sex-specific differences in salamander (Plethodon cinereus) resistance to the emerging fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). Contrary to our predictions, we found that female salamanders had a higher prevalence of infection (similar to 56%) and carried a higher Bd infection burden (455 zoospores equivalents per sample) compared to male salamanders (which had a Bd infection prevalence of similar to 24% and an average infection burden of 58 zoospore equivalents per sample). We also found that female reproductive investment (i.e., mass of eggs) positively correlated with Bd infection burden, suggesting that females who previously invested more into reproduction carried a higher Bd infection burden. Collectively, our findings might indicate that female salamanders experience a cost of reproduction in the form of decreased disease resistance.Published articl