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Endocrine disruptors are molecules that can interfere with the proper functioning of the endocrine system and lead to harmful effects in living organisms. This review focuses on the impact of synthetic fragrances, which are commonly found in personal care and household products, on the endocrine system. The article discusses the different types of hormones in the body and how they interact with receptors to produce signals. It also explores how endocrine disruptors can interfere with hormone signaling and transport, leading to adverse effects in the body. This work underscores the crucial need for further research into the impact of synthetic fragrances on the endocrine system and the importance of using safer alternatives in personal care and household products.

Mycetoma, a neglected infection of subcutaneous tissues, poses a significant health burden, especially in tropical regions. It is caused by fungal (eumycetoma) and bacterial (actinomycetoma) pathogens, with current treatments often providing unsatisfactory outcomes. This study aims to discover novel broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents to circumvent the lengthy and costly diagnostic procedures. Eight essential oils (EOs) from the roots and aerial parts of Geigeria alata, Lavandula angustifolia, Melaleuca alternifolia, Myristica fragrans, Pimpinella anisum, Syzigum aromaticum, and Thymus vulgaris were prepared using steam distillation. The in vitro antimycetomal activity against Madurella mycetomatis and Actinomadura madurae strains was assessed using resazurin assays. The chemical compositions of the EOs were analyzed using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Promising EOs underwent further in vivo toxicity and efficacy testing in Galleria mellonella larvae models. EOs of G. alata roots, M. fragrans, P. anisum, S. aromaticum, and T. vulgaris showed wide-spectrum dual in vitro antimycetomal activity against all tested strains, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging from 0.004 to 0.125% v/v. G. alata aerial parts and L. angustifolia EOs demonstrated activity predominantly against A. madurae, while M. alternifolia EO did not inhibit any tested strains. M. fragrans and P. anisum EOs significantly enhanced the survival of M. mycetomatis-infected larvae without inducing toxicity in uninfected larvae. Notably, P. anisum EO tended to enhance the survival of A. madurae-infected larvae, ranking it as the most promising EO among those tested. The investigated EOs, particularly P. anisum, exhibited promising broad-spectrum antimycetomal activity against fungal and bacterial pathogens responsible for mycetoma. These findings highlight the potential of essential oils as a basis for developing novel antimycetomal agents, offering hope for improved treatment strategies for this neglected disease.

The fatty acid (FA) compositions of thirty-nine vegetable oils and fats, including nangai nut, pili nut, shea butter, tamanu oil, baobab, sea buckthorn berry, Brazil nut, grape seed, black seed, evening primrose, passion fruit, milk thistle, sunflower, pumpkin seed, sesame, soybean, flax seed, kukui, red raspberry seed, walnut, chia seed, hemp seed, rosehip, almond, avocado, carrot seed, moringa, apricot kernel, camellia seed, macadamia, olive, marula, argan, castor, jojoba, pomegranate seed, medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) coconut, roasted coconut, canola, and mustard oil, were analyzed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Vegetable oils and fats have different profiles in terms of their fatty acid composition, and their major constituents vary significantly. However, we categorized them into different classes based on the percentages of different fatty acids they contain. The saturated fatty acids, such as palmitic acid and stearic acid, and the unsaturated fatty acids, including oleic acid, linoleic acid, and linolenic acid, are the main categories. Among them, roasted coconut oil contained the greatest amount of saturated fatty acids followed by nangai nut (45.61%). Passion fruit oil contained the largest amount of linoleic acid (66.23%), while chia seed oil had the highest content of linolenic acid (58.25%). Oleic acid was exclusively present in camellia seed oil, constituting 78.57% of its composition. Notably, mustard oil had a significant presence of erucic acid (54.32%), while pomegranate seed oil exclusively contained punicic acid (74.77%). Jojoba oil primarily consisted of (Z)-11-eicosenoic acid (29.55%) and (Z)-docos-13-en-1-ol (27.96%). The major constituent in castor oil was ricinoleic acid (89.89%). Compared with other vegetable oils and fats, pili nut oil contained a significant amount of (E)-FA (20.62%), followed by sea buckthorn berry oil with a content of 9.60%. FA compositions from sources may be problematic in the human diet due to no labeling or the absence of essential components. Therefore, consumers must cast an eye over some essential components consumed in their dietary intake.

Abstract Objective Although cancer therapy suppresses recurrence and prolongs life, it may be accompanied by strong side effects; thus, there is a strong demand for the development effective treatments with fewer side effects. Cancer therapy using plant-derived essential oils is attracting attention as one promising method. This study investigated the antitumor effects of essential oil volatiles on breast cancer cells and identifies four essential oils that display antitumor activity. Methods Breast cancer cells were cultured in a 96-well plate, then one of twenty essential oils was added dropwise to the central well. The plate was incubated at 37 °C for 48 h and the effect of the volatile components of each essential oil on the surrounding breast cancer cell growth ability was examined using an MTT assay. Gas chromatography was used to investigate the concentration of the transpiration components that may affect cancer cells. Results Of the 20 essential oils, Lemongrass, Lemon myrtle, Litsea, and Melissa displayed strong anti-tumor effects. These essential oils inhibited the growth of nearby breast cancer cells, even when diluted more than 500-fold. The transpiration component of lemon Myrtle showed the strongest antitumor effect, but was the least cytotoxic to mononuclear cells in normal peripheral blood (PBMC). Each of these essential oils contained a very large amount of citral. The IC50 against breast cancer cells when citral was volatilized from each essential oil was 1.67 µL/mL for geranial and 1.31 µL/mL for neral. Volatilized citral alone showed strong anti-proliferation and infiltration-inhibiting effects. Conclusion The transpiration components of Lemongrass, Lemon myrtle, Litsea, and Melissa are thought to inhibit breast cancer cell proliferation due to their high levels of citral.

Manuka essential oil has long been used in traditional medicine, though the effects of the oil on cancer cells have limited studies. The goal of this project was to treat cancer cell lines with manuka essential oil at different concentrations and to ascertain the effects on the cell proliferation of normal fibroblast (CUA-4) and on fibrosarcoma (HT-1080) cells. Cell lines were grown on 24-well plates, and subconfluent cultures were treated with varying concentrations of manuka oil for 24 h. The effect of the oil on proliferation and viability was measured through direct cell counting using trypan blue dye exclusion and through the use of an MTT assay. As the concentration of oil increased, proliferation of all cell lines tested decreased with increasing dosage, concurrently with a decrease in MTT activity. To determine if the decrease in cell numbers observed from manuka oil treatment is the result of apoptosis, PARP cleavage assays were performed, confirming that the treatment caused apoptosis in both normal fibroblasts and fibrosarcoma cells. The stress-activated MAPK protein, JNK, was activated by manuka essential oil treatment, occurring synergistically with a decrease in MKP-1 expression.

Carrier oils are used with essential oils to dilute and enhance skin penetration. They are composed of fatty acids, triglycerides, monoterpenes, and sesquiterpenes and are added to reduce potency and odor. Carrier oils have pharmaceutical applications and reduce cytotoxicity. Solvent extraction is a common practice in the production of industrial-scale carrier oils, but harmful to the environment, so new eco-friendly methods are being researched. This review documents the available characteristics of various carrier oils and identifies knowledge gaps for future studies.

The oral microbiome is a diverse and complex ecosystem essential for maintaining oral and systemic health. Our study is the first to define the oral microbial community in Egyptian young adults and investigate the effects of natural antimicrobials on the oral microbiome. SuperMint (SM) is a proprietary blend of peppermint, Japanese mint, bergamot mint, and spearmint essential oils encapsulated in a tiny soft beadlet. This work aimed to evaluate the effects of SM beadlets on the oral microbiome. This study recruited twenty healthy participants. A baseline investigation of the oral microbiome of the selected participants was performed by collecting saliva and swab samples before treatment. Treatment included chewing four SM beadlets twice a day for 7 days, and then, post-administration saliva and swab samples were collected at the end of treatment. The oral microbiome samples were analyzed by the high-throughput amplicon sequencing of 16S rRNA gene fragments, and the community composition was determined. The results showed that the abundance of some microbial genera and families decreased after using SM, including Prevotella, Streptococcus, Neisseria, and Haemophilus. However, some genera showed inconsistent patterns. We also found that the subject’s gender and SM usage were significantly associated with diverse microbial composition. The results suggest that SM treatment decreased the abundance of several bacteria associated with halitosis and periodontal diseases, such as Actinomyces and Streptococcus. Furthermore, Corynebacterium species increased and Streptococcus decreased after SM usage. More research is needed to fully understand the antimicrobial effects of mint oils and their potential applications in maintaining good oral health.

Essential oils (EOs) from Citrus sinensis (Rutaceae) possess diverse biological activities. However, a comprehensive comparison of their chemical composition and bioactivity across different plant parts has not been studied yet. The current research comparatively assesses the yield, chemical composition, chiral distribution, antioxidant properties, and larvicidal activity of EOs extracted from the peels, leaves, and flowers of C. sinensis. EOs extracted via hydro-distillation (HD) and steam distillation (SD) were analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and chiral GC-MS to explore their chemical composition and enantiomeric distribution. In addition, their larvicidal and antioxidant potentials were evaluated following standard protocols. Peels of C. sinensis exhibited significantly higher oil content (1.75–2.25%) compared to its leaves (0.75–0.78%) and flowers (0.20–0.25%). The GC-MS analysis identified around 60 compounds, including terpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, and oxygenated terpenoids in the HD and SD extractions. Higher concentrations of sabinene were found in flower extract (38.05–39.89%) and leaf extract (32.30–36.91%), while peel extract contained more than 90% limonene. The larvicidal activity of peel oil was primarily attributed to limonene, with an LC50 value of 0.0031 µL/mL. The current study reports the first chiral (GC-MS) analysis in the essential oil of the leaves and flowers of C. sinensis, paving the way for authenticity and purity. Furthermore, the chemical profiling of citrus EOs, particularly from the peel, demonstrates a safe and promising candidate for diverse biological applications.

Abstract Solid waste segregation plays a critical role in effective waste management; however, the practice remains at a low level in developing countries like Ethiopia. Despite the persistent nature of the problem, there are limited studies to date that can provide sufficient empirical evidence to support appropriate efforts by policy makers and practitioners, particularly in the context of the developing world. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to analyze household practices and determinants of solid waste segregation in the urban areas of Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia. To achieve this objective, data were generated through a household survey, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and field observations. The collected quantitative data were cleaned, encoded, and statistically analyzed using descriptive statistics in SPSS, while thematic analysis was undertaken to evaluate and describe the qualitative data. The data analysis revealed that only 21.3% of respondents reported frequent solid waste segregation, while about half (45.5%) segregated solid waste rarely. Conversely, a considerable proportion (28.7%) of the respondents reported not segregating solid waste, and the remaining 4.5% of respondents were unsure about the practice. This implies that only one-fifth of the total sampled respondents actually implement solid waste segregation practices at the household level. The chi-square test showed that respondents’ awareness/training (P = 0.000) and use of social organizations to discuss waste management (P = 0.001) are significantly associated with the practice of solid waste segregation. This highlights the need to focus on awareness-raising efforts among the general public in order to improve the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of individual households and residents toward solid waste segregation practices. Additionally, enabling policies, sufficient infrastructure, and incentive mechanisms can also help enhance wider adoption of the practices.

ObjectiveDissociation is a conscious state characterized by alterations in sensation and perception and is thought to arise from traumatic life experiences. Previous research has demonstrated that individuals with high levels of dissociation show impairments in cognitive-emotional processes. Therefore, using the Competing Neurobehavioral Decisions System (CNDS) theory, we used statistical modeling to examine whether dissociative experience and trauma symptoms are independently predicted by impulsivity, risk-seeking, affective state (i.e., anxiety, depression, stress, and negative affect), and trauma history.MethodIn this cross-sectional study design, data were collected via Amazon Mechanical Turk from a total of n = 557 English-speaking participants in the United States. Using Qualtrics, participants answered a series of self-reported questionnaires and completed several neurocognitive tasks. Three independent multiple linear regression models were conducted to assess whether impulsivity, risk seeking, affective state, and trauma history predict depersonalization, trauma symptoms, and PTSD symptoms.ResultsAs hypothesized, we found that depersonalization and other trauma symptoms are associated with heightened impulsivity, increased risk-seeking, impaired affective states, and a history of traumatic experiences.ConclusionWe demonstrate that an imbalanced CNDS (i.e., hyperimpulsive/hypoexecutive), as evidenced by decreased future valuation, increased risk seeking, and impaired affective states, predicts heightened depersonalization and other trauma and PTSD symptomatology. This is the first time that dissociation has been connected to delay discounting (i.e., the tendency to place more value on rewards received immediately compared to farther in the future). Interventions that positively impact areas of the CNDS, such as episodic future thinking or mindfulness meditation, may be a target to help decrease dissociative symptoms.

As part of our continuing interest in the essential oil compositions of gymnosperms, particularly the distribution of chiral terpenoids, we have obtained the foliar essential oils of Chamaecyparis lawsoniana (two samples), Thuja plicata (three samples), and Tsuga heterophylla (six samples) from locations in the state of Oregon, USA. The essential oils were obtained via hydrodistillation and analyzed by gas chromatographic techniques, including chiral gas chromatography—mass spectrometry. The major components in C. lawsoniana foliar essential oil were limonene (27.4% and 22.0%; >99% (+)-limonene), oplopanonyl acetate (13.8% and 11.3%), beyerene (14.3% and 9.0%), sabinene (7.0% and 6.5%; >99% (+)-sabinene), terpinen-4-ol (5.0% and 5.3%; predominantly (+)-terpinen-4-ol), and methyl myrtenate (2.0% and 5.4%). The major components in T. plicata essential oil were (−)-α-thujone (67.1–74.6%), (+)-β-thujone (7.8–9.3%), terpinen-4-ol (2.7–4.4%; predominantly (+)-terpinen-4-ol), and (+)-sabinene (1.1–3.5%). The major components in T. heterophylla essential oil were myrcene (7.0–27.6%), α-pinene (14.4–27.2%), β-phellandrene (6.6–19.3%), β-pinene (6.4–14.9%; >90% (−)-β-pinene), and (Z)-β-ocimene (0.7–11.3%). There are significant differences between the C. lawsoniana essential oils from wild trees in Oregon and those of trees cultivated in other geographical locations. The essential oil compositions of T. plicata are very similar, regardless of the collection site. There are no significant differences between T. heterophylla essential oils from the Oregon Coastal Range or those from the Oregon Cascade Range. Comparing essential oils of the Cupressaceae with the Pinaceae, there are some developing trends. The (+)-enantiomers seem to dominate for α-pinene, camphene, sabinene, β-pinene, limonene, terpinen-4-ol, and α-terpineol in the Cuppressaceae. On the other hand, the (−)-enantiomers seem to predominate for α-pinene, camphene, β-pinene, limonene, β-phellandrene, terpinen-4-ol, and α-terpineol in the Pinaceae.

In the search for new bioactive agents against the infectious pathogen responsible for the neglected tropical disease (NTD) mycetoma, we tested a collection of 27 essential oils (EOs) in vitro against Madurella mycetomatis, the primary pathogen responsible for the fungal form of mycetoma, termed eumycetoma. Among this series, the EO of Santalum album (Santalaceae), i.e., East Indian sandalwood oil, stood out prominently with the most potent inhibition in vitro. We, therefore, directed our research toward 15 EOs of Santalum species of different geographical origins, along with two samples of EOs from other plant species often commercialized as “sandalwood oils”. Most of these EOs displayed similar strong activity against M. mycetomatis in vitro. All tested oils were thoroughly analyzed by GC-QTOF MS and most of their constituents were identified. Separation of the sandalwood oil into the fractions of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons and alcohols showed that its activity is associated with the sesquiterpene alcohols. The major constituents, the sesquiterpene alcohols (Z)-α- and (Z)-β-santalol were isolated from the S. album oil by column chromatography on AgNO3-coated silica. They were tested as isolated compounds against the fungus, and (Z)-α-santalol was about two times more active than the β-isomer.

Myoporum sandwicense A. Gray (naio) is one of the characteristic trees of Hawaiian montane–subalpine mesic forests. In this study, lab-distilled oils of M. sandwicense leaves, wood, and twigs growing on the island of Hawaii, as well as industrially produced wood oils, were characterized by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The lab-distilled oils were screened for antimicrobial activity. M. sandwicense leaf essential oil was rich in β-caryophyllene (15.1%), α-humulene (12.8%), germacrene D (7.9%), bicyclogermacrene (12.5%), brigalow ketol (9.6%), and myoporone (16.8%), while the wood essential oils were dominated by α-bisabolol and trans-α-bisabolol oxide B. The sapwood oil was dominated by palmitic acid (35.5%), linoleic acid (19.7%), oleic acid (31.9%), and stearic acid (5.7%), whereas the oil from twigs was rich in tricosane (77.3%) and pentacosane (13.1%). M. sandwicense essential oils were screened for antimicrobial activity against a panel of potentially pathogenic bacteria and fungi. The leaf essential oil of M. sandwicense showed excellent antibacterial activity against S. pyogenes and antifungal activity against A. fumigatus. The wood essential oil showed notable activity against S. pyogenes, A. fumigatus, A. niger, and M. gypseum. The twig oil was remarkably active against mold species. This work is the first report we are aware of on the composition and antimicrobial properties of naio essential oils.

As part of our interest in the volatile phytoconstituents of aromatic plants of the Great Basin, we have obtained essential oils of Ambrosia acanthicarpa (three samples), Artemisia ludoviciana (12 samples), and Gutierrezia sarothrae (six samples) from the Owyhee Mountains of southwestern Idaho. Gas chromatographic analyses (GC-MS, GC-FID, and chiral GC-MS) were carried out on each essential oil sample. The essential oils of A. acanthicarpa were dominated by monoterpene hydrocarbons, including α-pinene (36.7–45.1%), myrcene (21.6–25.5%), and β-phellandrene (4.9–7.0%). Monoterpene hydrocarbons also dominated the essential oils of G. sarothrae, with β-pinene (0.5–18.4%), α-phellandrene (2.2–11.8%), limonene (1.4–25.4%), and (Z)-β-ocimene (18.8–39.4%) as major components. The essential oils of A. ludoviciana showed wide variation in composition, but the relatively abundant compounds were camphor (0.1–61.9%, average 14.1%), 1,8-cineole (0.1–50.8%, average 11.1%), (E)-nerolidol (0.0–41.0%, average 6.8%), and artemisia ketone (0.0–46.1%, average 5.1%). This is the first report on the essential oil composition of A. acanthicarpa and the first report on the enantiomeric distribution in an Ambrosia species. The essential oil compositions of A. ludoviciana and G. sarothrae showed wide variation in composition in this study and compared with previous studies, likely due to subspecies variation.

Abstract Western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis; Thysanoptera: Thripidae), or WFT, are a global pest of commercial crops, particularly those grown in greenhouses. Current management recommendations often involve judicious use of pesticides to which WFT have evolved multiple resistance phenotypes. Essential oils (EOs) have shown promise as a less toxic alternative for WFT greenhouse management. However, challenges remain in predicting which EOs are most likely to be insecticidal to WFT and ensuring that the efficacy of EOs under bioassay conditions reflect performance in whole-plant application scenarios. To address these challenges, 9 EOs were tested for contact toxicity against WFT in small container assays, then gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy (GC–MS) profiles of each EO were used to quantify concentrations of 22 chemicals shared by at least 5 or more of the plant species. Of these, 13 compounds were positively correlated with thrips mortality. Effective compounds were a mixture of sesquiterpenes, cyclic monoterpenes, and noncyclic monoterpenes. Interestingly, no bicyclic monoterpenes shared among the essential oils tested correlated with thrips mortality. Whole-plant assays of the four best EOs from the container assay showed significant reduction in the number of thrips per plant, although mortality in EO treatments in the whole plant assay was lower than in the container assay. In addition, all four EOs were as efficacious as the conventional insecticide flonicamid. Identifying other EOs with high concentrations of the efficacious compounds that were identified in this study and using container assays to screen these oils for WFT thrip mortality and phytotoxicity could help integrated pest management (IPM) practitioners and greenhouse staff to more rapidly accumulate a suite of EOs as low toxicity alternatives for management of WFT in greenhouse settings. Graphical Abstract

Breast is an uncommon site of extra nodal lymphoma accounting for 2.2% of all extra nodal lymphomas. B cell lymphomas are more common than T cell types. The most common subtype is Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma. Breast lymphoma is very challenging to diagnose as it has nonspecific clinical and radiological features. We report a rare case of primary T cell lymphoma in a 20-year-old female. It was misdiagnosed as abscess on ultrasound and as suppurative mastitis on fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). However, excisional biopsy was suggestive of lymphoma and immunohistochemistry confirmed it as ALK positive, anaplastic large cell lymphoma. Even though FNAC is a part of the diagnostic triad for breast lesions, potential pitfalls cannot be overlooked and must be correlated with biopsy.

# Background Despite significant progress in Nepal's health indicators over the past three decades, regional disparities in public health centre (PHC) provision and accessibility remain severe. It has been reported that rural dwellers prefer and place more trust in outreach centres (ORCs) run by the Dhulikhel Hospital. However, the reasons behind this remain unclear. We aimed to examine the determinants of Nepalese rural dwellers’ choice of first-contact health facility. # Methods This was a cross-sectional survey among 1,098 adult rural dwellers in Nepal. The study sample was first divided into PHC and ORC groups, and intergroup differences were tested using Pearson chi-square test and independent sample t-test. Then, binary logistic regression was performed to analyse first-contact health facility decision-making. # Results Sex, education level, importance of health care satisfaction, importance of free health care, diagnosis of hypertension, diagnosis of diabetes, insurance coverage, savings, community-level cooperation, and distance to the health facility were significant factors affecting the choice of the first-contact health facility. Most significantly, people who were unconcerned about receiving free health care were 19.417 times more likely to use ORCs. Additionally, it was observed that rural dwellers perceived ORCs as providing higher quality health care. # Conclusions The government must promote cooperation between PHCs and ORCs, as it is essential to understand consumer demand, supply-side issues, and institutional aspects of health care in rural areas to achieve universal access to health care.

Background and Study Aims In the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, patients undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and colonoscopy on the same day (bidirectional endoscopy [BDE]) have increased. The aims of the study were to compare the procedure times, benefits, and safety of same-day BDE and conventional serial endoscopic examination (SEE). Patients and Methods All the patients undergoing evaluation with either BDE or SEE were prospectively enrolled at Ramaiah Medical College and Hospitals, Bangalore, from 1st December 2020 to 31st May 2021. EGD was immediately followed by colonoscopy in BDE. In SEE, EGD was followed by colonoscopy in 1 or 2 days. Clinical data and results were collected and evaluated. Results Two hundred consecutive patients who consented for BDE were enrolled in the study. The mean ± standard deviation (range) age of the patients was 45 ± 14.5 (22–60) years. Majority (124 [62%]) were men. The outcome measures of Boston Bowel Preparation Scale with the excellent/good preparation score and polyp detection rate were similar in both groups (p = 0.4). The total procedure time was significantly higher in the SEE group than in the BDE (p

Pimenta dioica L. is one the most recognized species with diverse biological activities. In this study, in vitro activity and in vivo efficacy of essential oil from P. dioica (EO-Pd) was evaluated. The main compound was also included in the animal studies and its in silico prediction related to biological activities, molecular ligands, drug likeness, and ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion) properties are listed. The chemical composition analyzed by GC-MS retrieved 45 components, which the most abundant compound was the eugenol (80.1%). The EO-Pd was able to inhibit the growth of L. amazonensis (IC50 = 9.7 ± 0.7 and 11.3 ± 2.1 µg/mL, promastigotes and amastigotes, respectively). The cytotoxicity assay showed a CC50 of 104.5 ± 0.9 µg/mL and a selectivity index of 9. In the model of cutaneous leishmaniasis in BALB/c mice, the effect of EO-Pd and eugenol was observed after treatment at 30 mg/kg by intralesional route with 5 administrations every 4 days. In the in silico predictions, some targets that justified the antileishmanial activity of eugenol and good drug like properties for this compound, were obtained. This study showed for first time the potential of EO-Pd to inhibit L. amazonensis, which could be linked to the activity of major compound eugenol.

Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench is a medicinal plant commonly used for the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections, the common cold, sore throat, migraine, colic, stomach cramps, and toothaches and the promotion of wound healing. Based on the known pharmacological properties of essential oils (EOs), we hypothesized that E. purpurea EOs may contribute to these medicinal properties. In this work, EOs from the flowers of E. purpurea were steam-distilled and analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS), GC with flame-ionization detection (GC–FID), and chiral GC–MS. The EOs were also evaluated for in vitro antimicrobial and innate immunomodulatory activity. About 87 compounds were identified in five samples of the steam-distilled E. purpurea EO. The major components of the E. purpurea EO were germacrene D (42.0 ± 4.61%), α-phellandrene (10.09 ± 1.59%), β-caryophyllene (5.75 ± 1.72%), γ-curcumene (5.03 ± 1.96%), α-pinene (4.44 ± 1.78%), δ-cadinene (3.31 ± 0.61%), and β-pinene (2.43 ± 0.98%). Eleven chiral compounds were identified in the E. purpurea EO, including α-pinene, sabinene, β-pinene, α-phellandrene, limonene, β-phellandrene, α-copaene, β-elemene, β-caryophyllene, germacrene D, and δ-cadinene. Analysis of E. purpurea EO antimicrobial activity showed that they inhibited the growth of several bacterial species, although the EO did not seem to be effective for Staphylococcus aureus. The E. purpurea EO and its major components induced intracellular calcium mobilization in human neutrophils. Additionally, pretreatment of human neutrophils with the E. purpurea EO or (+)-δ-cadinene suppressed agonist-induced neutrophil calcium mobilization and chemotaxis. Moreover, pharmacophore mapping studies predicted two potential MAPK targets for (+)-δ-cadinene. Our results are consistent with previous reports on the innate immunomodulatory activities of β-caryophyllene, α-phellandrene, and germacrene D. Thus, this study identified δ-cadinene as a novel neutrophil agonist and suggests that δ-cadinene may contribute to the reported immunomodulatory activity of E. purpurea.

Blue lotus, also known as Nymphaea caerulea (Nymphaeaceae), is a water lily found globally in lakes and rivers. With its long history of use in Egyptian culture, blue lotus has been associated with spiritual rituals and health benefits. Nowadays, blue lotus is still consumed as a tea or tincture to induce relaxation and heightened spiritual awareness. In this study, six authentic N. caerulea extracts from trusted sources and eleven commercial products were analyzed using gas chromatography−mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Authentic blue lotus extracts were produced in industrial settings. Overall, the extracts were a mixture of aliphatic hydrocarbons, aromatic alcohols, fatty acids, phenyl derivatives, diterpenoids, phytosterols, and stigmastanes. Apomorphine and nuciferine, which are responsible for psychoactive effects of the blue lotus flower, were virtually absent from the authentic blue lotus extract. Although blue lotus has a long history of use, the safety data on the plant and its extracts is limited; however, together with the analytical data, the available information does not indicate major safety concerns for the topical application of authentic blue lotus flower concrete or absolute when diluted as a fragrance ingredient.

Mindfulness is the psychological state of staying attuned to the present moment, without ruminating on past or future events, and allowing thoughts, feelings, or sensations to arise without judgment or attachment. Previous work has shown that heightened dispositional mindfulness is associated with the awareness of the importance of exercise, exercise self-efficacy, exercise motivation, and self-reported exercise level. However, more methodologically rigorous studies are needed to understand the relationship between mindfulness and the psychological mechanisms related to exercise motivation, including the identification of why individuals are motivated to engage in exercise, the subjective experience of exercise, and the propensity for exercise dependence and addiction. In this cross-sectional investigation, we utilized the framework of the Self-Determination Theory to examine the hypothesis that heightened dispositional mindfulness (as measured by the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale) would be associated with increased levels of exercise motivation that were derived by higher levels of autonomous self-regulation. Individuals were recruited from urban areas who self-reported either low (exercising 2 or fewer times per week for 20 min or less; n = 78) or moderate (exercising 1 or 2 times per week for 20 min or more; n = 127) levels of exercise engagement. As hypothesized, heightened dispositional mindfulness was significantly associated with heightened levels of exercise self-determination as measured by the Behavioral Regulations in Exercise Questionnaire, with this effect being driven by negative associations with amotivation, external regulation, and introjected regulation. Additionally, we found that heightened dispositional mindfulness was associated with lower levels of psychological distress upon exercise and decreased exercise dependence/addiction. Overall, increased dispositional mindfulness may support a healthy relationship with exercise. These findings have implications for the utility of mindfulness interventions to support the regulation of exercise behaviors in service of enhancing exercise motivation and engagement.

Diseases transmitted by mosquitoes and snails cause a large burden of disease in less developed countries, especially those with low-income levels. An approach to control vectors and intermediate hosts based on readily available essential oils, which are friendly to the environment and human health, may be an effective solution for disease control. Guava is a fruit tree grown on a large scale in many countries in the tropics, an area heavily affected by tropical diseases transmitted by mosquitoes and snails. Previous studies have reported that the extracted essential oils of guava cultivars have high yields, possess different chemotypes, and exhibit toxicity to different insect species. Therefore, this study was carried out with the aim of studying the chemical composition and pesticide activities of six cultivars of guava grown on a large scale in Vietnam. The essential oils were extracted by hydrodistillation using a Clevenger-type apparatus for 6 h. The components of the essential oils were determined using gas-chromatography–mass-spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. Test methods for pesticide activities were performed in accordance with WHO guidelines and modifications. Essential oil samples from Vietnam fell into two composition-based clusters, one of (E)-β-caryophyllene and the other of limonene/(E)-β-caryophyllene. The essential oils PG03 and PG05 show promise as environmentally friendly pesticides when used to control Aedes mosquito larvae with values of 24 h LC50-aegypti of 0.96 and 0.40 µg/mL while 24 h LC50-albopictus of 0.50 and 0.42 µg/mL. These two essential oils showed selective toxicity against Aedes mosquito larvae and were safe against the non-target organism Anisops bouvieri. Other essential oils may be considered as molluscicides against Physa acuta (48 h LC50 of 4.10 to 5.00 µg/mL) and Indoplanorbis exustus (48 h LC50 of 3.85 to 7.71 µg/mL) and with less toxicity to A. bouvieri.

Cymbopogon species essential oil (EO) carries significant importance in pharmaceuticals, aromatherapy, food, etc. The chemical compositions of Cymbopogon spp. Viz. Cymbopogon winterianus (citronella) Cymbopogon citratus (lemongrass), and Cymbopogon martini (palmarosa) were analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), enantiomeric distribution by chiral GC-MS, and antimicrobial activities of some selected pure major compound and root and leaves EOs of citronella. The EO of leaves of Cymbopogon spp. showed comparatively higher yield than roots or other parts. Contrary to citral (neral and geranial) being a predominant compound of Cymbopogon spp., α-elemol (53.1%), α-elemol (29.5%), geraniol (37.1%), and citral (90.4%) were detected as major compounds of the root, root hair with stalk, leaf, and root stalk with shoot of citronella EO, respectively. Palmarosa leaves’ EO contains neral (36.1%) and geranial (53.1) as the major compounds. In the roots of palmarosa EO, the prime components were α-elemol (31.5%), geranial (25.0%), and neral (16.6%). Similarly, lemongrass leaves’ EO contains geraniol (76.6%) and geranyl acetate (15.2%) as major compounds, while the root EO contains a higher amount of geraniol (87.9%) and lower amount of geranyl acetate (4.4%). This study reports for the first time chiral terpenoids from Cymbopogon spp. EOs. Chiral GC-MS gave specific enantiomeric distributions of nine, six, and five chiral terpenoids in the root, root stalk with a shoot, and leaves of citronella EOs, respectively. Likewise, four and three chiral terpenoids in the root and leaves of lemongrass oil followed by two chiral terpenoids in the leaves and root of palmarosa EOs each. Additionally, the root and leaves’ EOs of citronella exhibit noticeable activity on bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Streptococcus pyogenes and fungus such as Candida albicans, Microsporum canis, and Trichophyton mentagrophytes. So, geranial-, neral-, geraniol-, and citronellal-rich EOs can be used as an alternative antimicrobial agent.

Regular physical exercise can decrease the risk for obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, increase life expectancy, and promote psychological health and neurocognitive functioning. Cross-sectional studies show that cardiorespiratory fitness level (VO2 max) is associated with enhanced brain health, including improved mood state and heightened cognitive performance. Interventional studies are consistent with these cross-sectional studies, but most have focused on low-fit populations. Few such studies have asked if increasing levels of physical activity in moderately fit people can significantly enhance mood, motivation, and cognition. Therefore, the current study investigated the effects of increasing aerobic exercise in moderately fit individuals on psychological state and cognitive performance. We randomly assigned moderately fit healthy adults, 25–59 years of age, who were engaged in one or two aerobic exercise sessions per week to either maintain their exercise regimen (n = 41) or increase their exercise regimen (i.e., 4–7 aerobic workouts per week; n = 39) for a duration of 3 months. Both before and after the intervention, we assessed aerobic capacity using a modified cardiorespiratory fitness test, and hippocampal functioning via various neuropsychological assessments including a spatial navigation task and the Mnemonic Similarity Task as well as self-reported measures including the Positive and Negative Affect Scale, Beck Anxiety Inventory, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Perceived Stress Scale, Rumination Scale, Eating Disorders Examination, Eating Attitudes Test, Body Attitudes Test, and Behavioral Regulation of Exercise Questionnaire. Consistent with our initial working hypotheses, we found that increasing exercise significantly decreased measures of negative affect, including fear, sadness, guilt, and hostility, as well as improved body image. Further, we found that the total number of workouts was significantly associated with improved spatial navigation abilities and body image as well as reduced anxiety, general negative affect, fear, sadness, hostility, rumination, and disordered eating. In addition, increases in fitness levels were significantly associated with improved episodic memory and exercise motivation as well as decreased stress and disordered eating. Our findings are some of the first to indicate that in middle-aged moderately-fit adults, continuing to increase exercise levels in an already ongoing fitness regimen is associated with additional benefits for both psychological and cognitive health.

Frankincense is an oleo-gum-resin collected from wild Boswellia spp. trees, and widely used in perfumery, cosmetics, aromatherapy, incense, and other industries. Boswellia rivae, growing in Ethiopia, Somalia, and Kenya, is one source of frankincense, but is little-commercialized compared to species such as B. sacra, B. frereana, and B. papyrifera. In this study, we examine the resin essential oil chemistry and harvesting systems of B. rivae in order to evaluate its potential for increased trade and potential positive livelihood benefits. Boswellia rivae produces an essential oil rich in α-thujene (0.1–12.4%), α-pinene (5.5–56.4%), β-pinene (0.3–13.0%), δ-3-carene (0.1–31.5%), p-cymene (1.4–31.2%), limonene (1.8–37.3%), β-phellandrene (tr-5.6%), trans-pinocarveol (0.1–5.0%), trans-verbenol (0.1–11.2%), and trans-β-elemene (0–5.7%), similar to major commercial species, although it is difficult to detect mixing of B. rivae and Commiphora africana resins from chemistry alone. The B. rivae trees are not actively tapped, so resin collection has a neutral impact on the health of the trees, and resin production is unaffected by drought. Consequently, collecting resins acts as a key income supplementing livestock herding, as well as a safety net protecting pastoral communities from the severe negative effects of climate change-exacerbated drought on livestock. Therefore, Boswellia rivae is well positioned chemically, ecologically, and socially to support expanded trade.

Grindelia squarrosa is an arid lands herb that has been used in Native American traditional medicine, is a potential source of pharmacologically active compounds, and has been explored as a source of biofuel. The purpose of this work was to examine the essential oil composition of G. squarrosa from southern Idaho. Gas chromatographic methods revealed the essential oil of G. squarrosa var. serrulata to be rich in monoterpenoids, α-pinene (21.9%), limonene (17.1%), terpinolene (10.6%), and borneol (6.5%). The essential oil composition of G. squarrosa from Idaho is similar to that previously reported from specimens collected from Montana and confirms the volatile phytochemistry of plants growing in North America. The major essential oil components were screened for antimicrobial activity against respiratory and dermal pathogens. (–)-β-Pinene showed strong antibacterial activity against Streptococcus pneumoniae (MIC 39.1 μg/mL) and (–)-borneol showed strong activity against Staphylococcus aureus (MIC 78.1 μg/mL).

Objective To assess the facilities and challenges encountered in the clinical laboratories, satisfaction of the medical laboratory staff (MLS) toward their profession and their views on the role of related health institutions during the first wave of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Nepal. Methods A web-based cross-sectional study was conducted among registered MLS in Nepal. Data were collected using a structured self-reported questionnaire on the Google Docs platform. Results A total of 301 respondents were enrolled in the study; of which 180 were male and 121 were female. Of the 301 respondents, a lack of infrastructure was reported by 241 (80.1%), a lack of skill development training by 204 (67.8%), limited availability of diagnostics kits by 151 (50.2%), overburdened by the workload by 142 (47.2%) and difficulty in sample management by 129 (42.9%). A total of 244 of 301 respondents (81.1%) believed that stakeholder institutions should collaborate with the government during the pandemic. The level of satisfaction during the pandemic (130 of 301; 43.19%) was found to have decreased compared with before the pandemic (203 of 301; 67.4%). Conclusion MLS were not fully satisfied with the available resources during the pandemic.

The problem of whether, where, when, and what types of transmission facilities to build in terms of minimizing costs and maximizing net economic benefits has been a challenge for the power industry from the beginning-ever since Thomas Edison debated whether to create longer dc distribution lines (with their high losses) or build new power stations in expanding his urban markets. Today?s planning decisions are far more complex, as grids cover the continent and new transmission, generation, and demand-side technologies emerge.

This study was conducted to examine the chemical constituents of Origanum majorana L. essential oils (EOs) that originate in Nepal, as well as their biological activities, antioxidant properties, and enantiomeric compositions. The EOs were extracted by the hydro-distillation method using a Clevenger-type apparatus and their chemical compositions were determined through gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Chiral GC-MS was used to evaluate the enantiomeric compositions of EOs. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the essential oils were determined by the micro-broth dilution method, and the antioxidant activity was evaluated by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl scavenging assay and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). GC-MS analysis showed the presence of 50 and 41 compounds in the EO samples, (S1) and (S2), respectively, representing the Kathmandu and Bhaktapur districts. The oxygenated monoterpenoids, along with terpinen-4-ol, were predominant constituents in both EO samples. However, the EOs from two locations showed some variations in their major components. The chiral terpenoids for two EO samples of marjoram have also been reported in this study in an elaborative way for the first time in accordance with the literature review. A hierarchical cluster analysis based on the compositions of EOs with 50 compositions reported in the literature revealed at least 5 different chemotypes of marjoram oil. The antioxidant activity for the sample (S2) was found to be relatively moderate, with an IC50 value of 225.61 ± 0.05 μg/mL and an EC50 value of 372.72 ± 0.84 µg/mL, as compared to the standard used. Furthermore, with an MIC value of 78.1 µg/mL, the EO from sample (S2) demonstrated effective antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans. Moreover, both samples displayed considerable antimicrobial activity. The results suggest that EOs of Origanum majorana possess some noteworthy antimicrobial properties as well as antioxidant activity, and hence can be used as a natural preservative ingredient in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

A comparative analysis of the chemical constituents present in twenty-one commercial and two lab-distilled frankincense (Boswellia carteri) essential oils was carried out using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and chiral gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (CGC-MS) for authentication. Out of the twenty-one commercial samples, six were adulterated with synthetic limonene, three were contaminated with synthetic octyl acetate, three were adulterated with castor oil, and two samples each were contaminated with frankincense resin and Boswellia occulta species, respectively, and one was contaminated with the Boswellia serrata species. Additionally, one sample was contaminated with phthalates as well as a cheap essential oil with similar compositions. Furthermore, one sample was adulterated with copaiba resin and frankincense resin in combination with synthetic octyl acetate. Additionally, one was contaminated with Boswellia serrata species, which was further adulterated with castor oil and frankincense resin. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report to compare the enantiomeric distribution of chiral terpenoids present in commercial frankincense essential oil with lab-distilled frankincense oil for authentication. The CGC-MS analysis showed the presence of a total of eight chiral terpenoids in lab-distilled frankincense essential oils, which can be used as chemical fingerprints for the authentication of frankincense essential oil.

The genus Curcuma, composed of 93 species mainly originating from Asia, Australia, and South America, has been used for medicinal purposes, aromatic, and nutritional values as well as cosmetic. It plays a vital role in flavoring and coloring as well as exhibiting therapeutic agents against different diseases. Nepalese farmers are unaware of the essential oil compositions of Curcuma species, viz. C. aeruginosa, C. zedoaria, and C. longa. The investigation of these three essential oils provides insight into their potential as cash crops and earns a reasonable return from their production. The essential oils were obtained from the rhizomes of each plant by hydrodistillation and subjected to Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis to identify its volatile chemical constituents as well as chiral GC-MS to identify the enantiomeric distribution of chiral terpenoids. The order of extraction yields were C. longa (0.89%) > C. zedoaria (0.74%) > C. aeruginosa (0.37%). In total, the presence of 65, 98, and 84 compounds were identified in C. longa, C. zedoaria, and C. aeruginosa, representing 95.82%, 81.55%, and 92.59% of the total oil, respectively. The most abundant compounds in C. longa essential oils were ar-turmerone (25.5%), α-turmerone (24.4%), β-turmerone (14.0%), terpinolene (7.2%), β-sesquiphellandrene (5.1%), α-zingiberene (4.8%), β-caryophyllene (2.9%), ar-curcumene (1.6%) and 1,8-cineole (1.3%). The most dominant compounds in C. zedoaria were curzerenone (21.5%), 1,8-cineole (19.6%), curzerene (6.2%), trans-β-Elemene (5.1%), camphor (2.6%), and germacrone (2.3%). The major components in C. aeruginosa were curzerenone (59.6%), germacrone (5.3%), curzerene (4.7%), camphor (3.6%), trans-β-Elemene (2.6%), and β-eudesmol (1.6%). C. zedoaria, and C. aeruginosa essential oil from Nepal for the very first time. This study reports for the first time chiral terpenoids from C. aeruginosa, C. zedoaria, and C. longa essential oil. A chemical blueprint of these essential oils could also be used as a tool for identification and quality assessment.

Rajina Shakya,1 Sunil Shrestha,2,3 Roshani Gautam,4 Lalita Rai,4 Sabindra Maharjan,5 Gita Kumari Satyal,6 Bhuvan KC,7 Mana Kumari Rai4 1Department of Nursing, Nobel College, Pokhara University, Sinamangal, Kathmandu, Nepal; 2Department of Pharmacy, Nepal Cancer Hospital and Research Center, Lalitpur, Nepal; 3Department of Pharmaceutical and Health Service Research, Nepal Health Research and Innovation Foundation, Lalitpur, Nepal; 4Maharajgunj Nursing Campus, Tribhuvan University, Institute of Medicine Maharajgunj, Kathmandu, Nepal; 5Central Bureau of Statistics, Kathmandu, Nepal; 6Female Surgical Ward, Department of Nursing, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal; 7School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia, Subang Jaya 47500, Selangor, MalaysiaCorrespondence: Rajina Shakya Email rajishakya47@gmail.comBhuvan KC Email Bhuvan.kc@monash.eduIntroduction: Hypertension (HTN) is a silent killer, accountable for life-threatening complications. An individual’s illness perception may affect adherence to treatment which is crucial to prevent complications of HTN. The objective of this study was to identify illness perception and treatment adherence among patients with HTN in a tertiary hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal.Methods: Descriptive correlational study was conducted in the out-patient department of Manmohan Cardiothoracic Vascular and Transplant Center, Kathmandu Nepal. Non-probability purposive sampling was used. A face-to-face interview was conducted from September to December 2018, using a structured questionnaire that included socio-demographic variables, illness perception questionnaire (revised) and Hill bone compliance to high blood pressure therapy scale. Data analysis was done by using descriptive and inferential statistics (chi-square test, Spearman rank correlation).Results: Among 204 participants, 51% were male, 77% were literate, mean ± S.D. age was 60± 12. About 72% experienced headache and 88% said that headache is related to HTN. Behavioural factors and psychological factors were regarded as the leading cause of HTN. Almost 63% participants believed HTN as highly threatening illness. Higher scores in timeline (acute/chronic), personal control, and treatment control revealed that patients believed HTN as a chronic disease with a higher rate of personal and treatment control. Regarding treatment adherence, the mean score was 16.58 (SD = 2.08), and only 14.7% had perfect adherence. Participants were more adherent to medication and appointment keeping rather than reduce salt intake. Duration of HTN diagnosis (p=0.027) and duration under HTN medication (p= 0.021) were found to be significantly associated with treatment adherence. There was a significant positive correlation between illness perception and treatment adherence (ρ = 0.282, p< 0.01).Conclusion: Illness perception and treatment adherence are correlated. Hence, it is beneficial to improve illness perception to achieve perfect treatment adherence. Reinforcement is essential to maintain adherence to both medications and behaviour therapy.Keywords: hypertension, illness perception, Nepal, treatment adherence

Abstract Grass pea (Lathyrus sativus) is widely cultivated and consumed in Ethiopia, where its overconsumption has caused cases of lathyrism. Despite this fact, there are limited empirical studies carried out in Ethiopia on the factors driving household decision to grow grass pea and intensity of land allocation to its production. Therefore, this study was focused on exploring the determinants of smallholder farmers’ land allocation to grass pea production in two districts of Ethiopian highlands. Household survey, focus group discussions and key informant interviews were used as data collection methods. These were followed by statistical analysis of quantitative data with SPSS and thematic analysis of qualitative data. The study used the Heckman selection model to investigate the determinants of household’s intensity of land use for grass pea production. The data revealed that farmers in the study area annually allocated about 26% of their farm plots size to grass pea production. Household’s landholding size, age of household head and the head’s primary school attendance have statistically significant and positive effect on the size of land allocation to grass pea production. Farmers also switched to grass pea production due to its tolerance to drought and waterlogged soils. These all encouraged grass pea production and consumption by humans, which has resulted in lathyrism in the study area. Household access to health and farm extension services had negative and statistically significant effect on land allocation to grass pea production. Based on the findings, it is concluded that better access to markets, educational opportunities, credit facilities, family planning and farm extension services are needed to increase household awareness on crop diversification and enhance technology uptake and financial capacity. Consequently, this can help local people reduce allocation of land to grass pea production and decrease its consumption, thereby preventing the risk of lathyrism incidence.

It is an incredibly formidable as well as meritorious task to plan and implement a successful medical conference. Organizing a medical conference requires a tremendous amount of planning, preparation, lots of pre conference works, and working on logistics to achieve its vision and goal. The two most important aspects for the success of any event is planning and implementation which requires a plenty of brainstorming sessions and meetings, and for medical practitioners and academicians, we are confronted with the dual role of organizing the conference as well as regular work juggling. Despite the fact that medical conferences play a major role in ongoing professional development, academic growth, and networking, there is little guidance in form of literature for those who want to hold a conference inbound or outbound. This paper seeks to incorporate all the possible steps, plans and procedures in order to organize a successful conference.

Introduction Despite several attempts to control COVID-19, there was a continuous rise in the number of cases, and this has left questions unanswered on the availability of health resources in Nepal. Here, we tried to assess the level of knowledge, practice and psychological symptoms among medical laboratory staff. Methods An online survey was conducted in February 2021. A total of 301 completely filled responses were used to assess knowledge, practice and psychological distress. R-language software was used for data analysis and p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Of the total 301 respondents, 180 (59.8%) were male and 121 (40.2%) were female. The average score of knowledge obtained in this study was 32.4 ± 5.7 on a 56-point scale. Knowledge level was significantly different among age-groups (p-value – 0.034). The average practice score obtained was 2.25 ± 0.91 on a 4-point scale. More than one psychological distress symptom was observed in nearly half (41.5%) of the participants. Conclusion We conclude that medical laboratory staff in Nepal has satisfactory levels of knowledge and practice and, larger number of them has psychological distress. The study recommends further improvement in an effective information flow system, regular training, social security and psychological support.