Ecotourism as a Tool for Conservation of Coast Redwoods in Santa Cruz County, California

According to the World Tourism Organization, ecotourism is the fastest growing segment of the tourism industry, generating $300 billion in annual revenue. Ecotourism aims to control the damaging effects of conventional mass tourism and tries to overcome tourism\u27s environmental and socio-cultural challenges. In an ideal situation, ecotourism can help conserve fragile biodiversity, build ties between parks and communities, and increase awareness of environmental issues; it also includes a profit impetus for businesses. This research was conducted to evaluate the potential for developing ecotourism as a conservation tool in the four redwoods state parks of Santa Cruz County. The study assessed the tangible and intangible values of coast redwood forests, as well as management policies of California State Parks. The study used a multi-method approach to gather qualitative and quantitative data from tourists and state park officials. Results indicated that, while a foundation for ecotourism existed within the state park framework, there was a disparity in management policies and their implementation, and improvements in tourist education were required. These findings lent support to the idea of true and conservation-oriented ecotourism as well as appropriate management for endangered coast redwood forests

Dimensionality reduction and hierarchical clustering in framework for hyperspectral image segmentation

The hyperspectral data contains hundreds of narrows bands representing the same scene on earth, with each pixel has a continuous reflectance spectrum. The first attempts to analysehyperspectral images were based on techniques that were developed for multispectral images by randomly selecting few spectral channels, usually less than seven. This random selection of bands degrades the performance of segmentation algorithm on hyperspectraldatain terms of accuracies. In this paper, a new framework is designed for the analysis of hyperspectral image by taking the information from all the data channels with dimensionality reduction method using subset selection and hierarchical clustering. A methodology based on subset construction is used for selecting k informative bands from d bands dataset. In this selection, similarity metrics such as Average Pixel Intensity [API], Histogram Similarity [HS], Mutual Information [MI] and Correlation Similarity [CS] are used to create k distinct subsets and from each subset, a single band is selected. The informative bands which are selected are merged into a single image using hierarchical fusion technique. After getting fused image, Hierarchical clustering algorithm is used for segmentation of image. The qualitative and quantitative analysis shows that CS similarity metric in dimensionality reduction algorithm gets high quality segmented image

Etnomedicinska vrijednost ekstrakta biljke Cissampelos pareira u eksperimentalno induciranoj dijareji

The antidiarrhoeal activity of the ethanolic extract of Cissampelos pareira (Menispermaceae) roots was assessed on experimental animals. The hydroethanolic extract (25-100 mg dry extract kg-1 body mass, p.o.) exhibited a dose dependent decrease in the total number of faecal droppings (control 65, reduced to 26-46) and 29.2-60.0% inhibition in castor oil-induced diarrhoea. Further, C. pareira produced a significant (p < 0.01) and dose dependent reduction in intestinal fluids accumulation (26.0-59.0%). The extract showed a greater inhibitory effect on the concentration of Na+ (20.0 and 34.5%) than or the concentration of K+ (6.7 and 9.4%). The extract also reduced dose dependently the gastrointestinal transit from 46.4 and 38.7%, equivalent to 53.6 and 61.3%. However, C. pareira significantly reduced the lipid peroxidation and inhibited the decrease in antioxidant enzyme levels (superoxide dismutase and catalase) on prior administration to castor oil-induced fluid accumulation. The extract of C. pareira had no effect on normal defecation at 25 mg kg-1 in mice. However, 50 and 100 mg kg-1 inhibited defecation by 100% in the initial 2 h and the activity was reduced to 40.0 and 73.0%, respectively, in the third hour.U radu je ispitivano antidijaroičko djelovanje etanolnog ekstrakta korijena biljke Cissampelos pareira (Menispermaceae) na štakorima i miševima. Perooralna primjena ekstrakta u dozi 25100 mg kg-1 izazivala je o dozi ovisno smanjenje količine fekalija ili broja defekacija ??? (26 i 46 u odnosu na 65 u kontrolnoj skupini) i 29,260,0% inhibicije dijareje uzrokovane ricinusovim uljem. Nadalje, Cissampelos pareira je urokovala značajnu (p 0,01) i o dozi ovisnu inhibiciju nakupljanja intestinalne tekućine (26,059,0%). Inhibitorni učinak ekstrakta na koncentraciju Na+ (20,0 i 34,5%) bio je veći nego na koncentraciju K+ (6,7 i 9,4%). Osim toga ekstrakt je reducirao gastrointestinalni tranzit od 46,4 i 38,7%, što je ekvivalentno s 53,6, odnosno 61,3%. Međutim, Cissampelos pareira značajno je smanjila peroksidaciju lipida i inhibirala je snanjenje koncentracije antioksidativnih enzima (superoksid dismutaze i katalaze) ako se primjeni prije ricinusovog ulja. Ekstrakt biljke Cissampelos pareira nije imao učinak na normalnu defekaciju ako je primjenjen na miševima u dozi 25 mg kg-1. Međutim doza od 50, odnosno 100 mg kg-1 inhibirala je defekaciju 100% početna dva sata, dok treći sat smanjila je defekaciju za 40,0, odnosno 73,0%

Evaluation of chemopreventive effect of Fumaria indica against N-nitrosodiethylamine and CCl4-induced hepatocellular carcinoma in Wistar rats

AbstractObjectiveTo investigation the chemopreventive potential of Fumaria indica (F. indica) extract (FIE) on N-nitrosodiethylamine and CCl4-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in Wistar rats.MethodsThe experimental animals were divided into six groups (n=6). Hepatocellular carcinoma was induced by single intraperitoneal injection of N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) in normal saline at a dose of 200 mg/kg body weight followed by weekly subcutaneous injections of CCl4(3 mL/kg/week) for 6 weeks, as the promoter of carcinogenic effect. After administration of the carcinogen, 200 and 400 mg/kg of FIE were administered orally once a day throughout the study. At the end of 20 weeks, the body weight, liver weight and relative liver weight were measured. The percentage of nodule incidence and liver cancer markers such as aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), γ-glutamyl transferase (γ-GT), total bilirubin level (TBL), α-feto protein (AFP) and carcinoembryonic antigen were estimated along with histopathological investigation in experimental groups of rats.ResultsObtained results demonstrated that the cotreatment with FIE significantly prevented the decrease of the body weight and also increased in relative liver weight caused by NDEA. The treatment with FIE significantly reduced the nodule incidence and nodule multiplicity in the rats after NDEA administration. The levels of liver cancer markers such as AST, ALT, ALP, γ-glutamyl transferase, TBL, AFP and carcinoembryonic antigen were substantially increased by NDEA treatment. However, FIE treatment significantly reduced the liver injury and restored the entire liver cancer markers. Histological observations of liver tissues too correlated with the biochemical observations.ConclusionsThese finding powerfully supports that F. indica exert chemopreventive effect by suppressing the tumor burden and restoring the activities of hepatic cancer marker enzymes on NDEA and CCl4-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in Wistar rats

Liječenje površinskih rana štakora biljkom Anogeissus latifolia

Wound healing potential of etnanolic extract of Anogeissus latifolia bark (ALE) for treatment of dermal wounds in rats was studied on excision and incision wound models. HPTLC of the total extract was recorded for the purpose of standardization. Various parameters of incision wound, viz. epithelization period, scar area, tensile strength and hydroxyproline measurements along with wound contraction, were used to evaluate the effect of A. latifolia on wound healing. The results obtained indicate that A. latifolia accelerates the wound healing process by decreasing the surface area of the wound and increasing the tensile strength. Nitrofurazone ointment was used as a positive control. Complete epithelization was observed within 15 days with ALE. Measurements of the healed area and the hydroxyproline level were in agreement. Antibacterial activity of ALE was studied against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae) compared to erythromycin and tetracycline. Moderate activity was observed against all organisms. The present study provides a scientific rationale for the traditional use of Anogeissus latifolia in the management of skin diseases such as sores, boils and itching.Ispitivan je potencijal liječenja alkoholnog ekstrakta kore biljke Anogeissus latifolia (ALE) na površinskim ranama štakora. U svrhu standardizacije snimljen je HPTLC kromatogram ekstrakta. Da bi se odredio učinak na zacjeljivanje oljeda praćeni su različiti parametri: vrijeme potrebno za epitelizaciju, površina ožiljka, sila naprezanja, kontrakcija rane i određivanje hidroksiprolina. Dobiveni rezultati ukazuju da A. latifolia ubrzava proces zacjeljivanja rana jer smanjuje površinu rane i povećava silu naprezanja. Mast nitrofurazona je upotrebljena kao pozitivna kontrola. Unutar 15 dan primjene ekstrakta zapažena je potpuna epitelizacija rane. Mjerenja zacjeljene površine i količine hidroksiprolina bila su u skladu. Antibakterijsko djelovanje ALE proučavano je na Gram-pozitivnim (Staphylococcus aureus) i Gram-negativnim bakterijama (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa i Klebsiella pneumoniae) i uspoređeno s djelovanjem eritromicina i tetraciklina. Primjećeno je umjereno djelovanje protiv svih ispitivanih bakterija. Istraživanja su pokazala znanstvenu opravdanost tradicionalne primjene biljke Anogeissus latifolia u liječenju različitih bolesti kože kao što su rane, gnojni čirevi i svrbež

Liječenje površinskih rana štakora biljkom Anogeissus latifolia

Wound healing potential of etnanolic extract of Anogeissus latifolia bark (ALE) for treatment of dermal wounds in rats was studied on excision and incision wound models. HPTLC of the total extract was recorded for the purpose of standardization. Various parameters of incision wound, viz. epithelization period, scar area, tensile strength and hydroxyproline measurements along with wound contraction, were used to evaluate the effect of A. latifolia on wound healing. The results obtained indicate that A. latifolia accelerates the wound healing process by decreasing the surface area of the wound and increasing the tensile strength. Nitrofurazone ointment was used as a positive control. Complete epithelization was observed within 15 days with ALE. Measurements of the healed area and the hydroxyproline level were in agreement. Antibacterial activity of ALE was studied against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae) compared to erythromycin and tetracycline. Moderate activity was observed against all organisms. The present study provides a scientific rationale for the traditional use of Anogeissus latifolia in the management of skin diseases such as sores, boils and itching.Ispitivan je potencijal liječenja alkoholnog ekstrakta kore biljke Anogeissus latifolia (ALE) na površinskim ranama štakora. U svrhu standardizacije snimljen je HPTLC kromatogram ekstrakta. Da bi se odredio učinak na zacjeljivanje oljeda praćeni su različiti parametri: vrijeme potrebno za epitelizaciju, površina ožiljka, sila naprezanja, kontrakcija rane i određivanje hidroksiprolina. Dobiveni rezultati ukazuju da A. latifolia ubrzava proces zacjeljivanja rana jer smanjuje površinu rane i povećava silu naprezanja. Mast nitrofurazona je upotrebljena kao pozitivna kontrola. Unutar 15 dan primjene ekstrakta zapažena je potpuna epitelizacija rane. Mjerenja zacjeljene površine i količine hidroksiprolina bila su u skladu. Antibakterijsko djelovanje ALE proučavano je na Gram-pozitivnim (Staphylococcus aureus) i Gram-negativnim bakterijama (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa i Klebsiella pneumoniae) i uspoređeno s djelovanjem eritromicina i tetraciklina. Primjećeno je umjereno djelovanje protiv svih ispitivanih bakterija. Istraživanja su pokazala znanstvenu opravdanost tradicionalne primjene biljke Anogeissus latifolia u liječenju različitih bolesti kože kao što su rane, gnojni čirevi i svrbež

Nephroprotective activity of Solanum xanthocarpum fruit extract against gentamicin–induced nephrotoxicity and renal dysfunction in experimental rodents

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate nephroprotective potential of Solanum xanthocarpum (S. xanthocarpum) fruit extract(SXE) against gentamicin (GM) induced nephrotoxicity and renal dysfunction.MethodsTwenty-four Wistar rats were divided into four groups (n=6). Control rats that received normal saline (i.p.) and 0.5% carboxymethyl cellulose (p.o.) per day for 8 d. Nephrotoxicity was induced in rats by intraperitoneal administration of GM (100 mg/kg/d for 8 d) and were treated with SXE (200 and 400 mg/kg/d (p.o.) for 8 d). Plasma and urine urea and creatinine, kidney weight, urine output, blood urea nitrogen, renal enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants and lipid peroxidation was evaluated along with histopathological investigation in various experimental groupsof rats.ResultsIt was observed that the GM treatment induced significant elevation (P<0.001) in plasma and urine urea, creatinine, kidney weight, blood urea nitrogen, renal lipid peroxidation along with significant decrement (P<0.001) in urine output, renal enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. SXE 200 and 400 mg/kg treatment to GM treated rats recorded significant decrement (up to P<0.001) in plasma and urine urea and creatinine, renal lipid peroxidation along with significant increment (up to P<0.001) in renal enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. Histological observations of kidney tissues too correlated with the biochemical observations.ConclusionsThese finding powerfully supports that S. xanthocarpum fruit extract acts in the kidney as a potent scavenger of free radicals to prevent the toxic effects of GM both in the biochemical and histopathological parameters and thus validates its ethnomedicinal use

PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF ACACIA NILOTICA (BARK) AGAINST ANTI TUBERCULAR DRUG INDUCED HEPATIC DAMAGE AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY

Objective: Protective Effect of Acacia nilotica (Bark) against anti tubercular drugs induced hepatic damage an experimental study. Methods: Rats were divided into five different groups (n=6), the group I served as a control, Group II received Isoniazid-INH and rifampicin-RIF(50mg/kg) in sterile water, group III and IV served as treatment and received 200,400 mg/kg of 50% ethonolic extract of A. nilotica, and group V served as standard group and received silymarin (100mg/kg). All the treatments were given for 10-28 days and after rats were euthenised, blood and liver was collected for biochemical and histopathological studies, respectively. Results: The 50% ethanolic bark extract of A. nilotica (200, 400 mg/kg p. o.) showed the remarkable hepatoprotective effect against Isoniazid-INH and rifampicin-RIF induced hepatic damage, and observed that it shows no any significant change in a normal posture, behavior and body weight in Wistar rats. The degree of protection was measured by biochemical and antioxidant parameters such as serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin, and the histopathological profile of liver also indicated the hepatoprotective nature of this drug. Conclusion: The bark extracts of A. nilotica has showed dose dependent activity, among which at the dose level of 200 &amp; 400 mg/kg. The further investigations, the bark extract of Acacia nilotica identify the active constituents responsible for hepatoprotection

Etnomedicinska vrijednost ekstrakta biljke Cissampelos pareira u eksperimentalno induciranoj dijareji

The antidiarrhoeal activity of the ethanolic extract of Cissampelos pareira (Menispermaceae) roots was assessed on experimental animals. The hydroethanolic extract (25-100 mg dry extract kg-1 body mass, p.o.) exhibited a dose dependent decrease in the total number of faecal droppings (control 65, reduced to 26-46) and 29.2-60.0% inhibition in castor oil-induced diarrhoea. Further, C. pareira produced a significant (p < 0.01) and dose dependent reduction in intestinal fluids accumulation (26.0-59.0%). The extract showed a greater inhibitory effect on the concentration of Na+ (20.0 and 34.5%) than or the concentration of K+ (6.7 and 9.4%). The extract also reduced dose dependently the gastrointestinal transit from 46.4 and 38.7%, equivalent to 53.6 and 61.3%. However, C. pareira significantly reduced the lipid peroxidation and inhibited the decrease in antioxidant enzyme levels (superoxide dismutase and catalase) on prior administration to castor oil-induced fluid accumulation. The extract of C. pareira had no effect on normal defecation at 25 mg kg-1 in mice. However, 50 and 100 mg kg-1 inhibited defecation by 100% in the initial 2 h and the activity was reduced to 40.0 and 73.0%, respectively, in the third hour.U radu je ispitivano antidijaroičko djelovanje etanolnog ekstrakta korijena biljke Cissampelos pareira (Menispermaceae) na štakorima i miševima. Perooralna primjena ekstrakta u dozi 25100 mg kg-1 izazivala je o dozi ovisno smanjenje količine fekalija ili broja defekacija ??? (26 i 46 u odnosu na 65 u kontrolnoj skupini) i 29,260,0% inhibicije dijareje uzrokovane ricinusovim uljem. Nadalje, Cissampelos pareira je urokovala značajnu (p 0,01) i o dozi ovisnu inhibiciju nakupljanja intestinalne tekućine (26,059,0%). Inhibitorni učinak ekstrakta na koncentraciju Na+ (20,0 i 34,5%) bio je veći nego na koncentraciju K+ (6,7 i 9,4%). Osim toga ekstrakt je reducirao gastrointestinalni tranzit od 46,4 i 38,7%, što je ekvivalentno s 53,6, odnosno 61,3%. Međutim, Cissampelos pareira značajno je smanjila peroksidaciju lipida i inhibirala je snanjenje koncentracije antioksidativnih enzima (superoksid dismutaze i katalaze) ako se primjeni prije ricinusovog ulja. Ekstrakt biljke Cissampelos pareira nije imao učinak na normalnu defekaciju ako je primjenjen na miševima u dozi 25 mg kg-1. Međutim doza od 50, odnosno 100 mg kg-1 inhibirala je defekaciju 100% početna dva sata, dok treći sat smanjila je defekaciju za 40,0, odnosno 73,0%