Mercury induced haematological and biochemical anomalies in Ophiocephalus (Channa) punctatus

The effect of LC50 (1.8 mg/l) and a sublethal (0.3 mg/l) concentration of mercuric chloride on the blood of a teleost fish, Ophiocephalus (Channa) punctatus (the freshwater murrel-soley) was observed at 96 h and 15 and 30 days. Haemoglobin and haematocrit decreased after exposure, but no marked alteration was observed in total plasma protein. Glucose, cholesterol, urea, sodium, chloride, calcium and phosphate increased after acute and chronic exposures. Glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase, glutamic-pyruvic transaminase and amylase activities increased after exposure to LC50 for 96 h and to the sublethal concentration for 15 and 30 days. No marked alteration was observed in acid phosphatase activity. Alkaline phosphatase activity decreased in acute exposure, and increased in chronic exposure. Cholinesterase activity decreased after both acute and chronic exposures.

Fine structure of a diffuse undifferentiated small-cell carcinoma of the thyroid

Differentiating diffuse undifferentiated small-cell carcinoma of the thyroid from malignant lymphoma is difficult. A case of small-cell carcinoma was studied by electron microscopy and is reported here to illustrate the value of electron microscopy in separating epithelial thyroid tumor from lymphoma. Ultrastructurally, the tumor was composed of cells possessing occasional intercellularjunctional complexes and spaces with microvilli. There were abundant free ribosomes and well-developed rough endoplasmic reticulum in the cytoplasm. Golgi apparatus, smooth endoplasmic reticulum, membrane-bound cytosomes, and centrioles were also evident. Numerous swollen mitochondria were seen in some tumor cells. A few large tumor cells characterized by abundant cytoplasm containing few mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum and numerous microfibrils were also observed. A few collagen fibers, lymphocytes and plasma cells were present among tumor cells. No basement membranes nor virus-like particles were seen.

A review and analysis of existing legal and policy issues related to land tenure and agriculture in Nepal

This review takes stock of current legislative provisions and policies pursued by the Government of Nepal with regard to agriculture and land tenure. Currently, land tenure issues are primarily governed under the legislations enacted by the Ministry of Land Reform and Management, while there are a number of policies formulated in order to facilitate agricultural production by the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Ministry of Water Resources for irrigation regulation, Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation through Leaseholds forestry programme.The Government of Nepal has already amended the Land Act, 2021 B.S. twice. Each amendment has targeted something other than ceilings. Amendments in regulation and devising other sectoral policies have not adequately discussed nor have encouraged sustainable land management. New and innovative policies are required to prevent degradation and achieve sustainable management of the precious land resource base of the country. DOI: 10.3126/kuset.v6i2.4022Kathmandu University Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology Vol.6. No II, November, 2010, pp.133-141