Lumbini Buddhist University

Lead poisoning is rarely seen in clinical practice nowadays. However, the widespread promotion of dietary supplements can lead to cases of lead toxicity, presenting with symptoms such as abdominal colic, neuropsychiatric issues, and anemia. Here, we present a case of a 28-year-old male who developed lead poisoning after consuming Garcinia cambogia for weight loss. Any unexplained symptom, such as abdominal pain, may be attributable to lead poisoning. The cornerstone of diagnosis of lead poisoning lies in meticulous history taking of any supplements and confirmation with blood lead levels. Discontinuing the offending supplement is the mainstay of management. Lead chelation with penicillamine should be considered for blood lead levels above 50 μg/dL.

AimThis cross-sectional study aimed to investigate histological, immunohistochemical, and histomorphometric differences in gingival epithelial thickness, vascular elements, and connective tissue in smokers vs. non-smokers with Stage II Grade B generalized periodontitis.MethodsSixty gingival tissue samples [smokers (n = 30) and non-smokers (n = 30)] were harvested from patients undergoing modified Widman flap surgery. All participants were systemically healthy, with probing pocket depth (PPD) ≤ 5 mm and clinical attachment loss of 3–4 mm. Histological analysis was performed using hematoxylin & eosin staining, Masson’s trichrome staining, and immunohistochemical staining with CD34 and CD105. Morphometric evaluations, including epithelial thickness, epithelial cell and nuclear area, collagen fibre density, and microvascular density, were conducted using an image analysis software. Statistical comparisons between groups were analyzed using unpaired t-tests, Pearson correlation and multivariate linear regression with p-values < 0.05 considered significant.ResultsSmokers exhibited significantly increased gingival epithelial thickness (p = 0.001), epithelial cell area (p < 0.001), and nuclear area (p < 0.0001) compared with non-smokers. The collagen fibre density was reduced in smokers (p < 0.0001). Microvascular density (MVD) was did not differ in smokers (p = 0.001), but vascular calibre [CD34, (p = 0.89)] and neovascular potential [CD105, (p = 0.99)] were comparable between groups.ConclusionSmoking induces significant histological and vascular changes in the gingiva, including epithelial thickening, reduced collagen density, and decreased microvascular density, while maintaining the neovascular potential. These findings highlight smoking as a critical modulator of periodontal tissue pathogenesis, and reinforce the importance of smoking cessation in mitigating periodontal disease progression.Graphical The study identified increased epithelial thickness, decreased microvascular density, and changes to collagen morphology in smokers compared to non-smokers with periodontitis. Nevertheless, potential neovascularization is similar to that of non-smokers, indicating a restoration of wound healing capacity following smoking cessations, as it remains important in periodontal therapySupplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12903-025-07233-2.

Farmland abandonment is increasingly prevalent, especially in the Central Himalaya. Precise mapping of abandoned areas is crucial for understanding their status and socioecological impacts. However, distinguishing abandoned farmland from transitional classes like fallow land and barren land is challenging without high-resolution satellite imagery and field verification. In this context, this work analyzes farmland abandonment in three ecological villages of the Nepal Himalaya using high-resolution satellite imagery and a people-to-pixel approach. First, the study villages were divided into grids based on their areas, and satellite imagery was printed for ground truthing. Second, ground truthing was conducted to identify active and abandoned farmland areas using the Field Area Measure App and satellite imagery. We measured the extent of abandoned farmland and assessed its current conditions. Third, the measured abandoned farmland shapefiles were exported for precise on-screen mapping using the Geographic Information System, alongside detailed land-cover mapping. Next, the accuracy assessment was performed using Google Earth satellite imagery, and the overall mapping accuracy was found to be 95.8%. Mapping results show that the highest areas of abandoned farmland were found in the Mountain region with 19.2% of total farmland, followed by the Hill region (12.7%) and the Tarai region (2.6%). Out of the total abandoned farmland, 49.2% is currently covered with bushes and shrubs, 42.9% with weeds and grasses, and the remaining 7.9% with woodlands. The findings emphasize the importance of integrating satellite technology with people engagement to address complex land-use challenges and offer critical insights for sustainable land management in the Nepal Himalaya and similar regions worldwide.

The research observes the practice of annual sraddha within the Jyapu Community, an ethnic group in Kathmandu known for its rich cultural heritage, arts, and rituals. The research examines the attitude of the general public towards sraddha ritual. The research findings show that annual sraddha rituals are still regularly practiced in Kathmandu. However, the core philosophy behind these rituals appears to have significantly deteriorated over time. The confusion has been clearly observed among the laities. For example, 91% of the respondent prefers Bajracharya priest for performing rituals including sraddha,however, 57% only accepted them as a Buddhist. Hence, if majority of the Buddhist respond themselves as a Buddhist by knowing themselves correctly in the census then data wise alsoBuddhist population will be increased in Nepal.

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Task sharing is endorsed as one of the strategies to address the treatment gap in common perinatal mental health conditions. There is a well-established body of evidence on the effectiveness of psychological interventions delivered by nonspecialist health workers (NSHWs); however, there is a dearth of evidence documenting factors determining the feasibility, acceptability and sustainability of integrating and implementing these interventions. This systematic review aims to synthesize the implementation outcomes and implementation process of NSHWs-delivered psychological interventions for the management of perinatal depression and anxiety using Proctor’s implementation science framework outlining eight constructs: feasibility, acceptability, appropriateness, adoption, cost, fidelity, penetration and sustainability. We searched PubMed, Web of Science and Cochrane Center Register of Controlled Trials for studies published in English and between 2000 and 2022 using search terms under five broad categories: (a) “perinatal”; (b) “common mental disorders”; (c) “psychological interventions”; (d) “nonspecialist” and (e) “implementation outcomes.” Secondary publications were also hand-searched for data extraction. Two authors independently reviewed abstracts and full-text articles. Data for included articles were extracted using a standard data extraction sheet. A narrative synthesis of qualitative evidence was conducted. Initial searches identified 885 articles of which full text of 128 articles were screened for eligibility, with 56 studies meeting the inclusion criteria. Out of the eight constructs of Proctor’s framework, “feasibility,” “acceptability,” “appropriateness” and “fidelity” were the most evaluated outcomes. None of the studies reported “penetration” and very few reported “sustainability,” “adoption” or “cost.” None of the studies used any implementation science framework for the study evaluation. Despite the well-established evidence on the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions for perinatal depression and anxiety by NSHWs, these interventions are rarely adopted into the health system. More studies applying systems thinking are needed to explore facilitators, barriers and mechanisms for integrating interventions in the health system. Using implementation science frameworks to design, plan, execute and evaluate psychosocial interventions by NSHWs can address this gap in evidence.

The Lumbini Crane Sanctuary (LCS) within the New Lumbini Village located in the north block of the Lumbini Master Plan Area (LMPA) under the jurisdiction of the Lumbini Development Trust (LDT), is a vital ecological site harboring diverse mammal and herpetofauna species. This study, conducted in the Lumbini Crane Sanctuary during September and October 2022, documented mammals, reptiles, and amphibians, and analyzed mammal activity patterns in relation to human and livestock activity. The study documented 16 mammalian species and 12 herpetofaunal species (8 reptiles and 4 amphibians), utilizing both direct methods, such as camera traps, and line transects and indirect approaches such as sign surveys and key informant interviews. Five mammal species- Blue Bull (Boselaphus tragocamelus), Golden Jackal (Canis aureus), Indian Hare (Lepus nigricollis), Indian Grey Mongoose (Herpestes edwardsi), and Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) exhibited distinct activity patterns. The Blue Bull displayed consistent daytime activity, peaking in the late afternoon, while the Golden Jackal and Wild Boar showed bimodal patterns, avoiding peak human activity hours. The Indian Hare and Wild Boar were most active in the early morning when human and livestock presence was minimum. These activity patterns suggest possible behavioral adaptations to human pressures, highlighting conservation challenges such as habitat destruction, pollution, and impacts from feral livestock in the area. Promoting sustainable tourism is crucial and future research should prioritize long-term studies to better understand the biodiversity and behavior of mammals and herpetofauna in the Lumbini Crane Sanctuary.

Small states face significant challenges in the global system due to their limited economic and military capacities. However, they can overcome these obstacles by employing philosophical and ethical concepts. This article analyses the translation of Buddha's Panchsheel (Five Precepts) into the Panchsheel (Five Principles) of international relations. These principles, which emphasise non-violence, compassion, and peaceful coexistence, impact small states' foreign affairs. The article examines how these principles contribute to preserving these states' autonomy in contemporary geopolitics. Case studies conducted in Nepal, Bhutan, the Maldives, and other nations provide evidence of how these principles influence diplomatic strategy, promote regional stability, and foster international collaboration.