Chitosan oligosaccharide and high molecular weight crab shell chitosan were functionalized as imidazole-2-carboxaldehyde chitosan thiosemicarbazones and their copper(II) complexes were synthesized. The synthesized compounds were characterized by FT-IR, 13C NMR, EPR spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) analysis, elemental analysis and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The low molecular weight chitosan thiosemicarbazones showed higher in vitro inhibitory activity as studied by MTT assay against the tumorigenic epithelial Madin-Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) cell line than the corresponding high molecular weight chitosan derivative. The antitumorigenic enhancement upon the complex formation was revealed by the better inhibitory activity of copper(II) chitosan thiosemicarbazone chelates.

Nepal is an endemic country for dengue infection with rolling of every 3 year’s clear cyclic outbreaks with exponential growth since 2019 outbreak and the virus gearing towards the non-foci temperate hill regions. However, the information regarding circulating serotype and genotype is not frequent. This research discusses on the clinical features, diagnosis, epidemiology, circulating serotype and genotype among 61 dengue suspected cases from different hospitals of Nepal during the window period 2017–2018 between the two outbreaks of 2016 and 2019. E-gene sequences from PCR positive samples were subjected to phylogenetic analysis under time to most recent common ancestor tree using Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) and BEAST v2.5.1. Both evolution and genotypes were determined based on the phylogenetic tree. Serotyping by Real-time PCR and Nested PCR showed the co-circulation of all the 3 serotypes of dengue in the year 2017 and only DENV-2 in 2018. Genotype V for DENV-1 and Cosmopolitan Genotype IVa for DENV-2 were detected. The detected Genotype V of DENV-1 in Terai was found close to Indian genotype while Cosmopolitan IVa of DENV-2 found spreading to geographically safe hilly region (now gripped to 9 districts) was close to South-East Asia. The genetic drift of DENV-2 is probably due to climate change and rapid viral evolution which could be a representative model for high altitude shift of the infection. Further, the increased primary infection indicates dengue venturing to new populations. Platelets count together with Aspartate transaminase and Aalanine transaminase could serve as important clinical markers to support clinical diagnosis. The study will support future dengue virology and epidemiology in Nepal.

Nepal is an endemic country for dengue infection with rolling of every three year’s clear cyclic outbreaks with exponential growth since 2019 outbreak and the virus gearing towards the non-foci temperate hill regions. However, the information regarding circulating serotype and genotype is not frequent. This research discusses on the clinical features, diagnosis, epidemiology, circulating serotype and genotype among 61 dengue suspected cases from different hospitals of Nepal during the window period 2017–2018 between the two outbreaks 2016 and the then expected 2019 outbreak along with the challenges of DENV infection in Nepal. E-gene sequences from PCR positive samples were subjected to phylogenetic analysis under time to most recent common ancestor tree using Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) and BEAST v2.5.1. Both evolution and genotypes were determined based on the phylogenetic tree. Serotyping by Real-time PCR and Nested PCR showed the co-circulation of all the 3 serotypes of dengue in the year 2017 and DENV-2 in 2018. Genotype V for DENV-1 and Cosmopolitan Genotype IVa for DENV-2 were detected. The detected Genotype V of DENV-1 in Terai was found close to Indian genotype while Cosmopolitan IVa of DENV-2 found spreading to geographically safe hilly region (now gripped to 9 districts) was close to South-East Asia. The genetic drift of DENV-2 is probably due to climate change and rapid viral evolution which could be a representative model for high altitude shift of the infection. Further, the increased primary infection indicates dengue venturing to new populations. Platelets count together with Aspartate transaminase and Aalanine transaminase could serve as important clinical markers to support clinical diagnosis. The study will support future dengue virology and epidemiology in Nepal.

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This study aims to document the traditional knowledge on medicinal use of plants by Kathariya (Tharu) community in Kailali district. Kathariya is one of the sub-group of the Tharu community whose culture and language is slightly different from other sub-groups. Traditional healers Guruwa of Kathariya community from five study sites viz. Sisaiya, Tappa, Udasipur, Pawera and Joshipur of Kailali were identified as key informants. Exploratory research design was adopted and interview method was used to collect the primary information through Semi-structured open-ended questionnaire. Altogether 70 species of plants used for medicinal purposes were documented. Sixteen species were found useful in cuts, wounds and swelling which is one of ten health issues categorized in the present study. Thirteen and Twelve species were recorded to be used in abdominal disorders and skin diseases respectively. The community usually mixes powder in measurement of two and half grains of each Barley and Black Pepper during preparations of medicine for oral route of consumption. Based on habit, highest number of plant species belongs to herbs (30 species). Among five study sites, highest number of species was recorded in Udasipur with 35 species. Regarding the parts of plant used, roots and leaves were found to be used often  equally, which were represented by 24 species each. Achyranthes aspera, Euphorbia hirta, Azadirachta indica and Clerodendrom infortunatum were the most frequently used species. This study generated preliminary but crucial information which may open the avenue for utilization of biological resources. Further research leading to bio-prospecting is needed to utilize these resources.