A 3-minute step test provides a feasible, low cost procedure with minimal risk to the participant for assessing physical fitness compared to maximal exercise testing. Test assessing the autonomic function (sympathetic wing) evaluates the cardiovascular reflex like increased blood pressure triggered by performing specific stimulating maneuvers such as Isometric Hand Grip Test (IHGT). We assessed & categorized the fitness level using a 3 min step test and its association with sympathetic activation during IHGT in university level students with sound health. There is increasing evidence of an association between Physical Fitness and academic performance. Two hundred consenting healthy students studying at Pokhara University (largest in western region of Nepal) aged 17-25 years underwent sub-maximal exercise as per the protocol of 3 min-step test given by Young Man's Christian Associations (YMCA) to categorize as good & poor being based on recovery heart rate. Each groups undertook IHGT & changes in Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP) were noted. About two third of the study participants were female and 70% of total students were of poor fitness level. Fitness level and sex was significantly associated (P=0.041, OR=1.92, CI=1.024-3.606). More of the male participants had good fitness in comparison to that of the female participants (38.9% vs 24.8%). Differences in Diastolic Blood Pressure during IHGT and at rest (assess sympathetic activation during stress) was significantly associated with fitness level (P<0. 001, OR=1.32,. Majority of university level students had poor fitness with high proportion in female. Students with good fitness level had good sympathetic activation to physical stress as compared to those with poor fitness level. Physical fitness (Cardiorespiratory fitness) is proven to induce angiogenesis in the motor cortex and increases blood flow, improving brain vascularization which could affect cognitive performance. So measuring physical fitness of university students at the time of admission or during the study period could help to predict their academic achievements through their reasoning function and ability of coping various stresses that they might encounter during academic journey. Those with poor physical fitness would be advised to improve the fitness by promoting physical activity.

Background: Breast cancer is the second most common malignancy among Nepalese women with prevalence of 28.5 per 100,000 population.  In Nepal due to lack of uniform health resources and awareness, breast cancer cases reporting is different in three geographical regions. This study aims to look at the difference in prevalence of breast cancer in different geographical regions. Materials and Methods: A single center descriptive retrospective study to analyze the prevalence of breast cancer in different geographical regions among patients visiting BPKMCH from January 2014 to December 2018 was designed and patients’ information available at medical record were obtained. Analysis was completed with SPSS Statistics. Results: During the period of 5-year total 2115 cases of breast cancer were seen at the Department of Surgical Oncology at BPKMCH. These cases comprised of 2052 female and 63males. The mean age of presentation was 48 years. Maximum number of cases 65% (1376) were from terai region of Nepal. Conclusions: This study provides clue regarding higher cases of breast cancer among individuals from terai region of Nepal.

Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) constitute a group of hematologic clonal diseases that affect one or more myeloid lineages with abnormal proliferation. It is rare disease entity and incidence is about 1.15 to 4.99/100 000 person-years among hematological neoplasms for all subtypes of MPNs combined. Patients who present with hepatosplenomegaly, hyperleukocytosis with monocytosis should have routine tests along with bone marrow morphology possibly biopsy, quantiferon TB Gold in tube test, Dengue fever IgM, IgG, NS-1 antigen, cytogenetics t(9;22), BCR cABL fusion gene, JAK-2 V617F, MPL mutations, CALR gene test done along with karyotyping and flowcytometry to evaluate and establish diagnosis towards management.

Background: Carcinoma stomach is a multifactorial disease accounting for second most common cancer among male and fifth most common cancer among Nepalese population. The prevalence of stomach cancer is partially influenced by geographical variation, social and cultural factors that significantly affect disease reporting and seeking medical care. In this study we have analyzed geographical trends in prevalence of stomach cancer among patients visiting BPKMCH. Materials and Methods: A single center descriptive retrospective study to analyze the geographical trends among stomach cancer patients visiting BPKMCH from January 2013 to December 2017 was designed and patients’ information available at medical record were obtained. Analysis was completed with SPSS Statistics. Results: During the period of 5-year total 832 cases of stomach cancer were seen at the Department of Surgical Oncology at BPKMCH. These cases comprised of 349 female and 483 males with male to female (M: F) ratio of 1.4:1. The mean age of presentation was 55 years. Maximum number of cases 57.3% (477) were from terai region of Nepal. Conclusions: This study provides clue regarding higher cases of stomach cancer among male patients and from terai region of Nepal. 

Mainly in developing nations poultry is one of the rapid growing segments of agricultural economy; it has not only the nutritive value but also the short payback period; high benefit cost ratio. Regarding overall economics of production and marketing, only few research activities has been conducted. This study was conducted in Tulsipur Municipality of Dang district of Nepal within which Ashwar and Gahatey Khola with ward no. 08 and 09 respectively were studied as they host many poultry raisers. The objective was to scrutinize the socio-economic status, production efficiency, problems and supporting factors for poultry production and marketing. Benefit cost analysis, gross margin were statistically analyzed in order to determine the production efficiency. In terms of poultry loan utility, loan takers were higher as compared to non-loan taker in the study area. In terms of gross margin, there was no any significant difference between the per bird (layers) gross margin of Gahatey Khola and the Ashwar. Per bird and per kg gross margin of broilers of Ashwar was found significantly higher than the Gahatey Khola. The benefit cost ratio of Ashwar was found higher than Gahatey Khola in terms of layers production. The benefit cost ratio of broiler production per bird as well as per Kg body weight was found higher in Ashwar than Gahatey Khola respectively which signifies good profitability of broiler production in Ashwar area as compared to Gahatey Khola. Broilers or layers in terms of enterprise, numbers of labors and amount of loan taken have been found to significantly affect the level of revenue garnered from the business. The study finally asserted that layers were the most lucrative enterprise in both the study area.