Prevalence of Puccinia abrupta var. partheniicola and its impact on Parthenium hysterophorus in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal

Maharjan, Seerjana,Devkota, Anjana,Shrestha, Bharat Babu,Baniya, Chitra Bahadur,Rangaswamy, Muniappan,Jha, ramod Kumar The Ecological Society of Korea 2020 Journal of Ecology and Environment Vol.44 No.4

Background: Parthenium hysterophorus is a noxious invasive weed in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, including Nepal. Among 11 species of biological control agents released to control P. hysterophorus in Ausrtalia, winter rust Puccina abrupta var. partheniicola arrived fortuitously and has established in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal, nearly a decade back. However, the prevalence and effectiveness of this rust as a biological control agent in Kathmandu remain unknown. To address this knowledge gap, a roadside survey was done at an interval of 2 ± 0.25 km in Kathmandu Valley to assess the P. abrupta var. partheniicola incidence and its impacts on P. hysterophorus. Infested individuals of P. hysterophorus were further divided into four severity classes (very low, low, medium, and high), and rust incidence was calculated. The impact of the winter rust on the growth of P. hysterophorus was assessed by comparing biomass and seed output of infested and non-infested individuals. Results: Among 81 locations where P. hysterophorus was present in the Kathmandu Valley, winter rust infestation was observed at 98% locations. At some locations within Kathmandu Valley such as Tinkune, Kirtipur, Chabahil, Buddha Chowk, and Dhobighat, the impacts of the rust on P. hysterophorus were medium to high. Aboveground biomass and seed output of P. hysterophorus were reduced by 47% and 73%, respectively, due to winter rust infestation. The study indicates that winter rust incidence is widespread in Kathmandu Valley with very low to high levels of damages to P. hysterophorus depending on the localities. Conclusion: The rust has, therefore, a potential to reduce the growth performance of P. hysterophorus, and it can be used as a component of integrated management of P. hysterophorus by introducing to other suitable areas in Nepal.

Association of Oxidized LDL and High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein with Elevated Liver Enzymes in Hypertensive Subjects

( Rojeet Shrestha ),( Madhav Khanal ),( Sunil C Jha ),( Bharat Jha ) 대한간학회 2017 춘·추계 학술대회 (KASL) Vol.2017 No.1

Aims: Hypertension is frequently associated with the development of non-alcoholic liver disease (NAFLD). Although the pathogenesis of NAFLD is poorly understood, there is a considerable amount of evidence that it is associated with abnormal lipid metabolism and dyslipidemia. Therefore, NAFLD not only increases the risk of advanced liver diseases but also associated with future coronary events. Hence, we aimed to examine the association of oxidize-LDL (oxLDL), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) in the hypertensive individuals with elevated liver enzymes. Methods: 150 newly diagnosed hypertensive subjects, aged between 30-74 years (male/female:71/79), were recruited. As a control, 150 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers were also included. Fasting blood samples were analyzed for blood glucose, eGFR, lipid profile, liver function test (bilirubin, ALT, AST, ALP, γ-GT, LDH, albumin, globulin), oxLDL, and hsCRP. Urine samples were analyzed for albumin- creatinine ratio (UACR). Results: Hypertension is significantly associated with elevated serum ALT compared to control. 32.0%, 27.3% and 12.6% of hypertensive individuals have elevated ALT, AST, and γ-GT, respectively. In contrast, only 6.0%, 8.7%, and 2.6% of healthy control have elevated ALT, AST, and γ-GT, respectively. Interestingly, we found significant elevation of oxLDL and hsCRP among the hypertensive individuals with elevated ALT compared to normal ALT level (44.8±24.7 vs 30.65±12.6 U/L, p<0.001 for oxLDL and 4.85±6.6 vs 2.65±3.2 mg/L, p=0.023 for hsCRP). No such association was observed with serum γ-GT. In addition, the level of ALT is significantly correlated with oxLDL in the subjects with elevated ALT (p=0.031). Although the mean of serum triglyceride, total and LDL-cholesterol, UACR, and eGFR is significantly increased in hypertensive subjects compared to controls, no such difference was observed between hypertensive subjects with normal and elevated liver enzymes. Conclusions: Hypertensive subjects with elevated liver enzymes are associated with increase in oxidative and inflammatory markers but not with other traditional cardiac risk factors.

Association of Serum Lipids, Oxidized LDL Antibody and High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein with Elevated Liver Enzymes in Subjects with Metabolic Syndrome

( Rojeet Shrestha ),( Suraj Parajuli ),( Puja Neopane ),( Madhav Khanal ),( Sunil C Jha ),( Bharat Jha ) 대한간학회 2018 춘·추계 학술대회 (KASL) Vol.2018 No.1

Aims: The presence of multiple metabolic disorders such as diabetes mellitus, obesity, dyslipidemia, and hypertension is associated with non-alcoholic liver disease (NAFLD) that can potentially progress to severe liver disease. Although the pathogenesis of NAFLD is poorly understood, there is a considerable amount of evidence that it is associated with abnormal lipid metabolism and dyslipidemia. Therefore, NAFLD not only increases the risk of advanced liver diseases but also associated with future coronary events. Hence, we aimed to examine the association Serum lipids, anti-oxidized-LDL Antibody (Anti-oxLDL Ab), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) in the metabolic syndrome (MetS) patients with and without elevated liver enzymes. Methods: A total of 82 individuals (male/female:35/47) with MetS as defined by NCEP ATP III, and 68 healthy control (male/ female:36/32), were recruited for this study. Fasting blood samples were analyzed for blood glucose, eGFR, lipid profile, liver function test (bilirubin, ALT, AST, ALP, γ-GT, LDH, albumin, globulin), anti-oxLDL Ab, and hsCRP. Urine samples were analyzed for albumin-creatinine ratio (UACR). Results: MetS is significantly associated with elevated serum ALT compared to control. 22.0%, 17.8% and 10.3% of individuals with MetS have elevated ALT, AST, and γ-GT, respectively. In contrast, only 6.0%, 4.7%, and 2.6% of healthy control have elevated ALT, AST, and γ-GT, respectively. Interestingly, we found significant elevation of anti-oxLDL Ab and hsCRP in MetS with elevated ALT compared to normal ALT level (38.7±24.7 vs 20.35±10.6 U/L, P<0.001 for anti-oxLDL Ab and 5.55±7.6 vs 2.15±1.2 mg/L, P<0.001 for hsCRP). No such association was observed with serum AST and γ-GT. In addition, the level of ALT is significantly correlated with anti-oxLDL Ab and hsCRP in the MetS with elevated ALT (P=0.021). Although the mean of serum triglyceride, total and LDL-cholesterol, UACR, and eGFR is significantly increased in MetS compared to controls, no such difference was observed between MetS with normal and elevated liver enzymes. Conclusions: MetS is associated with elevated liver enzymes. The individuals with MetS with elevated liver enzymes are associated with increase in hsCRP and anti-oxLDL Ab. The oxidative and inflammatory process might involved in progressive deterioration of liver functions in the MetS.

Pattern of Liver Enzymes in Alcohol Dependence Syndrome Patients

( Mithileshwer Raut ),( Binod Kumar Yadav ),( Vijay Kumar Sharma ),( Eans Tara Tuladhar ),( Aseem Bhattarai ),( Bharat Jha ) 대한간학회 2018 춘·추계 학술대회 (KASL) Vol.2018 No.1

Aims: Alcohol dependence syndrome (ADS) has become a global public health challenge because of its high prevalence and the concomitant increase in risk of liver disease, cardiovascular disease and premature death. Influence of alcohol use on liver metabolism is well recognized. This study was aimed at examining the association of liver enzymes like γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and aminotransferase, with alcohol dependence syndrome patients. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital. ADS patients were screened by the consultant psychiatrist using the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) questionnaire. A total of 89 patients scored positive on the AUDIT as having alcohol-related problems and were included in the study. Blood Pressure and other anthropometric parameters were measured while blood samples were analyzed for liver enzymes and serum protein. Results: Mean age of cases and controls was 35.42 ± 5.6 & 34.53 ± 3.5 years respectively. The mean values of Gamma GT, SGOT and SGPT were largely elevated in cases as compared to the controls with a statically significance (P<0.001). Among the ADS cases serum GGT level was elevated in 97% patients. The SGOT/SGPT ratio was also significantly higher in cases (2.02 ± 0.39) and control (1.45±0.62). It was found that 15.1 % cases had low serum protein level and 32.9% cases were low serum albumin level. Albumin to globulin ratio was also significantly decreased in cases (1.16 ±0.29). Conclusions: These findings support the hypothesis that, alcohol may affect the pattern of liver enzymes and also damage the liver cells. Decrease in serum albumin and elevation of SGOT to SGPT ratio more than two is suggestive of development of liver cirrhosis in alcohol dependence patients.

Effects of Long-term Use of Depo-medroxyprogesterone Acetate on Lipid Metabolism in Nepalese Women

Binod Kumar Yadav,Rajesh Kumar Gupta,Prajwal Gyawali,Rojeet Shrestha,Bibek Poudel,Manoj Sigdel,Bharat Jha 대한진단검사의학회 2011 Annals of Laboratory Medicine Vol.31 No.2

Various synthetic progestogens that are used as contraceptives have been reported to influence lipid and lipoprotein fractions differently. Depo-medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA), a synthetic progestogen, is used by Nepalese women as a contraceptive agent. Our study aims to determine the effects of long-term use of DMPA on lipid metabolism. We performed this study on 60 healthy Nepalese women who had been using DMPA for more than 2 yr and age- and weight-matched control subjects who were not using hormonal contraceptives. Fasting blood samples were collected from the subjects for the estimation of total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) levels, and the levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were estimated using the Friedewald’s equation. TC and LDL-C levels in DMPA users were significantly higher than those in non-users. Our study concluded that DMPA use induces lipid metabolism changes that can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases.