Hydro-chemical characteristics of Biring and Tangting Rivers (Nepal) and evaluation of water quality for drinking and irrigation purposes.

Although river water is vital for drinking, irrigation and domestic needs, it faces threats from natural processes and human activities. Small and medium-sized rivers, especially in Nepal, remain understudied despite their vital importance in providing water to densely populated areas. This study evaluated the suitability for drinking and irrigation and the hydro-chemical characteristics of the Biring and Tangting rivers in Koshi province, Nepal.

Platelet Storage-Problems, Improvements, and New Perspectives.

Platelet transfusions are routine procedures in clinical treatment aimed at preventing bleeding in critically ill patients, including those with cancer, undergoing surgery, or experiencing trauma. However, platelets are susceptible blood cells that require specific storage conditions. The availability of platelet concentrates is limited to five days due to various factors, including the risk of bacterial contamination and the occurrence of physical and functional changes known as platelet storage lesions.

Budgeting and Advocacy to Improve Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene in Health Care Facilities: A Case Study in Nepal.

Barriers to achieving and sustaining access to water, sanitation, hygiene, cleaning, and waste management (WASH) in health care facilities include a lack of supportive policy environment and adequate funding. While guidelines exist for assessing needs and making initial infrastructure improvements, there is little guidance on how to develop budgets and policies to sustain WASH services. We conducted costing and advocacy activities in Thakurbaba municipality, Nepal, to develop a budget and operations and maintenance policy for WASH in health care facilities in partnership with the municipal government.

Building Data Triangulation Capacity for Routine Immunization and Vaccine Preventable Disease Surveillance Programs to Identify Immunization Coverage Inequities.

The Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) and Vaccine Preventable Disease (VPD) Surveillance (VPDS) programs generate multiple data sources (e.g., routine administrative data, VPD case data, and coverage surveys).

Biphasic dose-response and effects of near-infrared photobiomodulation on erythrocytes susceptibility to oxidative stress in vitro.

The effect of simultaneous application of tert-butyl hydroperoxide (tBHP) and polychromatic near-infrared (NIR) radiation on bovine blood was examined to determine whether NIR light decreases the susceptibility of red blood cells (RBCs) to oxidative stress. The study assessed various exposure methods, wavelength ranges, and optical filtering types. Continuous NIR exposure revealed a biphasic response in cell-free hemoglobin changes, with antioxidative effects observed at low fluences and detrimental effects at higher fluences.