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Health consequences arising from unsafe drinking water and water insecurity lead to increased reliance on usage of bottled water. Biofilm-producing antibiotic-resistant bacteria in bottled water may pose a risk to public health. This study aims to assess the quality of bottled drinking water with a focus on biofilm-producing and drug-resistant coliform. We analyzed 60 bottled water samples of 30 different brands purchased from Kathmandu for physicochemical and microbial analysis. The parameters pH, iron, total coliform count, Escherichia coli count, and fecal coliform count exceeded National Drinking Water Quality Standards, 2022 in 30.00%, 16.67%, 66.67%, 23.33%, and 16.67% of samples, respectively. Water quality index measurement showed 36.67% and 6.67% of bottled water samples were categorized as grade A and grade B indicating excellent and good water quality, respectively. However, 56.67% of bottled water samples fall under grade E meaning unsuitable for drinking. Among 14 coliform isolates, 85.71% and 14.29% were identified as E. coli and Klebsiella spp, respectively. The antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed that 28.57% of the isolates were multidrug-resistant and Gentamicin resistant isolates comprised 71.43%. However, none of the isolates were carbapenem (meropenem) resistant. In this study, 42.87% of the isolates were found biofilm producers with 14.29% each of strong, moderate, and weak biofilm producers. The genetic potential of biofilm-producing capacity of the isolates was assessed by Polymerase Chain Reaction amplification of bcsA and csgD genes. Our results showed that 66.67% and 50.00% of the isolates harbored bcsA and csgD genes, respectively. This study highlights potential public health hazards associated with the consumption of bottled water containing biofilm-producing and drug-resistant bacteria in Nepal. [Display omitted] • Bottled drinking water available in the market isn't as safe as it is perceived for drinking. • The antibiotic test found that 28.57% of the bacterial isolates were multidrug-resistant. • E. coli produced the most biofilms than Klebsiella spp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Reports on the roadside particulate levels at several locations throughout the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. Number of sampling cycles from January to December 1999; Range of particulate levels; Absence of consistent trend in particulate levels with respect to monitoring cycle.

We describe a clinical grading system for the assessment of neonatal encephalopathy developed for a large prospective study in Kathmandu. Inter-observer variability testing of our system on 27 infants showed high agreement (kappa value 0.87). Validity for the prediction of major neurodevelopmental impairment at 1 y of age was tested using a cohort of 57 survivors of encephalopathy, all of whom were assessed using a combination of the Denver Developmental Screening Test and Bailey 2 at 1 y. We compared this with a modification of a scoring system previously validated in Cape Town. Both schemes converted a pretest probability of 31% (the prevalence of major impairment at 1 y of age in this cohort) to a post-test probability of 55%. This showed only marginal improvement over the traditional risk marker of neurological abnormality at discharge (post-test probability 51%). At 6 wk of age acquired microcephaly increased the probability of major impairment to 79%. Conclusions: It seems to make little difference both in practical or predictive terms whether one describes the neurological condition of the neonate using a descriptive or scoring system. The important thing is to perform repeated systematic neurological examinations on a daily basis during the neonatal period. Many clinicians will justifiably continue to use the discharge examination as the deciding factor for the need for continued neurodevelopmental surveillance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reports on the sources of atmospheric particle-bound mercury (HgP) in less studied regions of Nepal based on the analysis of stable mercury (Hg) isotopes in aerosol samples from two neighboring areas with high and low anthropogenic emissions (Kathmandu and Dhulikhel, respectively) during 2018. Although the Indian monsoon and westerlies are generally regarded as the primary carriers of pollutants to this region via the heavily industrialized Indo-Gangetic Plain, the concentrations of total suspended particles (TSP) and HgP in Kathmandu were higher than those in Dhulikhel, thus suggesting a substantial contribution from local sources. Both isotopic (δ200Hg and Δ199Hg) and non-isotopic evidence indicated that dust, waste burning, and industrial byproducts (without Hg amalgamation) were the major sources of Hg in Kathmandu during the study period. Mercury may have been transported via air masses from Kathmandu to Dhulikhel, as indicated by the similar organic carbon/elemental carbon ratios and seasonal trends of TSP and HgP in these two locations. Local anthropogenic sources were found to contribute significantly to atmospheric Hg pollution through dust resuspension. Therefore, dust resuspension should be considered when evaluating the long-range transport of air pollutants such as Hg, particularly in anthropogenically stressed areas. [Display omitted] • Soil, traffic and industrial emissions are the primary sources of HgP in the Himalayas. • Dust resuspension could increase the atmospheric Hg concentrations. • Severely polluted urban valley transport Hg in the rural atmosphere of Dhulikhel. • There is a need to track regional/local Hg pollution dynamics throughout the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]