Showcasing New Tourism Destination by Using Gis: a Study of Sikkim

Purpose: The main purpose of this research is to find out new tourist destinations and suggest developmental strategies through scientific ways for solving overtourism-related problems.   Theoretical framework: In this research paper, the researchers emphasized finding new tourist spots and analyzing their potential both in touristic and infrastructural value was assessed by the researcher with the help of a most modern tool like Geographic Information System. The researchers have explained a scientific process of exploring new tourist destinations or tourist spots by using GIS and have shown how to develop proper infrastructure around those spots.   Design/methodology/approach: A “Multicriteria Spatial Decision Support System modeling” was used to find out and validate the existing and new tourist spots. In the pair-wise comparison method, a criterion versus criteria was created to compare each pair of criteria and assign relative ratings using the scale of pair-wise comparison. In this research, the Simple Additive Weighting (SAW) method is used because it gives the “most acceptable results for majority of single-dimensional problems”. The researcher has created this map to support the ‘Destination Fetching Model’, and it can also be used for promoting sustainable tourism in the area. If the entire land cover is visible to the planners with an aerial view, they can plan for tourism infrastructure and superstructures from anywhere. GIS-based layer data has created an "all covered" aerial map with the help of advanced GIS technology, which not helped the planners to understand the current land condition, but also showed the open area which can be utilized for new tourism set-up. Manmade and natural resources are also classified through this LULC model.   Findings: These new tourist spots will help planners and stakeholders to distribute excessive crowds to comparatively new destinations. It is observed that most of the Indian tourism destinations suffer from “over Tourism” in peak season. This research will help spread the flow of tourists to the nearest newly added destinations.   Research, Practical & Social implications: Scientific tourism planning through GIS will also help tourism service providers and planners to add infrastructure to the new destinations, and would also help local people to generate income through tourism. Originality/value: This research will solve the “over tourism” problem of any destination or state, and help generate more visitor’s day at the destination which is proportionate to extra revenue generation for the local, regional and national tourism stakeholders

Cd2+-induced Conformational Change Of A Synthetic Metallopeptide: Slow Metal Binding Followed By A Slower Conformational Change

A two-stranded a-helical coiled coil was prepared having a Cys(4) metal-binding site within its hydrophobic interior. The addition of Cd2+ results in the incorporation of 2 equiv of metal ion, which is accompanied by a conformational change of the peptide, as observed by circular dichroism (CID) spectroscopy. Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) shows that the addition of Cd2+ is accompanied by two thermodynamic events. A comparison of the time dependence of the ITC behavior with those of the UV absorption and CID behavior allows the assignment of these events to a preliminary endothermic metal-binding step followed by a slower exothermic conformational change

Inflammation: A protagonist in development of carcinogen induced cervical cancer in mice

158-166Inflammation- induced systemic stress plays an essential role in neoplastic progression. Chronic exposure to chemical carcinogens can induce persistent inflammatory changes which further augment loss in physiological hormesis of an organism thereby favouring carcinogenesis. The present study investigated the role of inflammation and associated systemic stress in the development of cervical carcinoma in a 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC; a chemical carcinogen) induced in vivo cervical cancer model. When the cervix of 5-6 weeks old virgin female Swiss Albino mice (Mus musculus) was treated with 3-MC (0.6 mg/mL), remarkable alteration in its cervical cytopathology was observed. An increase in duration of 3-MC treatment caused an outburst in the number and variety of infiltrating granulocytes and agranulocytes in mice cervix. Thus, a high leukocyte index was indicative of prevalent cervical inflammatory changes. Elevated activities of SGPT, SGOT, serum alkaline phosphatase enzymes along with the presence of elevated serum creatinine levels suggested liver and renal dysfunctions. These observations were supported by alterations in hepatic histopathology of 3-MC treated mice. Surged activities and expression profiles of inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and IL-8) in cervix tissue had conclusively established the crucial role played by inflammation- mediated systemic stress in favouring the development of cervical cancer in a carcinogen-induced in vivo model

Inflammation: A protagonist in development of carcinogen induced cervical cancer in mice

Inflammation- induced systemic stress plays an essential role in neoplastic progression. Chronic exposure to chemical carcinogens can induce persistent inflammatory changes which further augment loss in physiological hormesis of an organism thereby favouring carcinogenesis. The present study investigated the role of inflammation and associated systemic stress in the development of cervical carcinoma in a 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC; a chemical carcinogen) induced in vivo cervical cancer model. When the cervix of 5-6 weeks old virgin female Swiss Albino mice (Mus musculus) was treated with 3-MC (0.6 mg/mL), remarkable alteration in its cervical cytopathology was observed. An increase in duration of 3-MC treatment caused an outburst in the number and variety of infiltrating granulocytes and agranulocytes in mice cervix. Thus, a high leukocyte index was indicative of prevalent cervical inflammatory changes. Elevated activities of SGPT, SGOT, serum alkaline phosphatase enzymes along with the presence of elevated serum creatinine levels suggested liver and renal dysfunctions. These observations were supported by alterations in hepatic histopathology of 3-MC treated mice. Surged activities and expression profiles of inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and IL-8) in cervix tissue had conclusively established the crucial role played by inflammation- mediated systemic stress in favouring the development of cervical cancer in a carcinogen-induced in vivo model

PEITC by regulating Aurora Kinase A reverses chemoresistance in breast cancer cells

167-177Development of acquired chemoresistance renders a challenge in breast cancer therapy. Aurora kinases, a family of serine/threonine mitotic kinases play pivotal roles in the acquirement of chemoresistance. Aurora A is intricately associated with mitotic events and is overexpressed in different cancers including breast cancer. Amplification or overexpression Aurora A confers chemoresistance and are considered as a promising therapeutic target in cancers. Therefore, targeting Aurora A by natural means particularly by using Phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC), a natural isothiocyanate might be an effective strategy for reversing resistance towards chemotherapeutics. The present study investigated the modulatory role of PEITC on Aurora A and their downstream target proteins in breast adenocarcinoma cell line (MCF-7) and its paclitaxel-resistant counterpart; designated as MCF-7Pacli/R. Paclitaxel resistance was warranted by P-gp1, MRP1, Ki-67 overexpression, rhodamine 123 accumulations and upregulation of Aurora-A along with phospho-IκBα. Multidrug resistance was confirmed by MTT assay. Western blotting, RT-PCR analysis revealed overexpression of Aurora-A in MCF-7Pacli/R cells; which was eventually diminished by PEITC. PEITC by targeting Aurora A and their downstream proteins (phospho-p53, phospho-IκBα) acted as a resistance-modifying agent and ultimately led to paclitaxel- induced apoptosis. These findings demonstrated that PEITC reverses chemoresistance by regulating Aurora A and restores chemosensitivity towards paclitaxel

PEITC by regulating Aurora Kinase A reverses chemoresistance in breast cancer cells

Development of acquired chemoresistance renders a challenge in breast cancer therapy. Aurora kinases, a family of serine/threonine mitotic kinases play pivotal roles in the acquirement of chemoresistance. Aurora A is intricately associated with mitotic events and is overexpressed in different cancers including breast cancer. Amplification or overexpression Aurora A confers chemoresistance and are considered as a promising therapeutic target in cancers. Therefore, targeting Aurora A by natural means particularly by using Phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC), a natural isothiocyanate might be an effective strategy for reversing resistance towards chemotherapeutics. The present study investigated the modulatory role of PEITC on Aurora A and their downstream target proteins in breast adenocarcinoma cell line (MCF-7) and its paclitaxel-resistant counterpart; designated as MCF-7Pacli/R. Paclitaxel resistance was warranted by P-gp1, MRP1, Ki-67 overexpression, rhodamine 123 accumulations and upregulation of Aurora-A along with phospho-IκBα. Multidrug resistance was confirmed by MTT assay. Western blotting, RT-PCR analysis revealed overexpression of Aurora-A in MCF-7Pacli/R cells; which was eventually diminished by PEITC. PEITC by targeting Aurora A and their downstream proteins (phospho-p53, phospho-IκBα) acted as a resistance-modifying agent and ultimately led to paclitaxel- induced apoptosis. These findings demonstrated that PEITC reverses chemoresistance by regulating Aurora A and restores chemosensitivity towards paclitaxel

A Mechanistic Approach for Modulation of Arsenic Toxicity in Human Lymphocytes by Curcumin, an Active Constituent of Medicinal Herb Curcuma longa Linn

Chronic exposure of humans to high concentrations of arsenic in drinking water is associated with skin lesions, peripheral vascular disease, hypertension, blackfoot disease and a high risk of cancer. Arsenic induces single strand breaks, DNA-protein crosslinks and apurinic sites in DNA, which are prerequisites for induction of cancer. Amelioration of such damages with natural compounds could be an effective strategy to combat arsenic toxicity. Curcumin is the active ingredient of turmeric, a common household spice, which is a rich source of polyphenols and this compound has been extensively studied as a chemopreventive agent against many types of cancer. The present study investigates whether curcumin could counteract the DNA damage caused by arsenic as assessed by single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) using peripheral blood lymphocytes, from healthy donors. It was observed that DNA damage induced by arsenic could be efficiently reduced by curcumin and the effect was more pronounced when lymphocytes were pre-incubated with curcumin prior to arsenic insult. Arsenic caused DNA damage by generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and enhancement of lipid peroxidation levels. Curcumin counteracted the damage by quenching ROS, decreasing the level of lipid peroxidation and increasing the level of phase II detoxification enzymes like catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase. Curcumin also enhanced the DNA repair activity against arsenic induced damage. The expression of polymerase, a repair enzyme, was found to be highly elevated when arsenite induced damaged cells were allowed to repair in presence of curcumin. Results indicate that curcumin has significant role in confronting the deleterious effect caused by arsenic, which could be an economic mode of arsenic mitigation among rural population in West Bengal, India

Phytoreclamation of Abandoned Acid Mine Drainage Site After Treatment with Fly Ash

Acid mine drainage and coal fly ash both are the sibling products from man’s increasing demand for power. Mining of coal from coal mines generates acid mine drainage (AMD), and burning of coal for thermal power generation produces fly ash (FA). Although both are hazardous to the ecosystem and human health, reunion of them into one would reduce their toxic effect on nature. Mining causes exposure of hidden rock materials containing an abundance of sulphide to the atmosphere. Oxidation of the metal sulphides (pyrite, as iron sulphide) within the surrounding rock and overburden generates acidity. Subsurface mining that pumps out water to prevent flooding releases acidic water to nearby areas, known as acid mine drainage. Tailings piles, mine waste rock dumps, and coal spoils contribute in AMD. Improper disposal of the fly ash contaminates the soil, water and air by leaching of the pollutants or air borne particulate matters. However filler properties and presence of macronutrients makes fly ash an excellent filler material for mine sites, and its soil-like properties help in plant growth if provided with organic carbon and nitrogen. This chapter proposes development of a green cover into AMD site after treatment of the AMD site with FA

Sensory Evaluation of Antioxidant Enriched and Iron Based Prebiotic Milk Cake

The main objective of this research study was to develop antioxidant enriched and iron based prebiotic milk cake and to evaluate sensory analysis of newly prepared milk cake. In this research study, control milk cake was developed without prebiotics and experimental milk cake was prepared by different percentage of prebiotics. As a prebiotics kiwi fruits powder was used. The nutritional value of bakery goods and their potential for use in feeding programmes and emergencies captured the attention of customers. After sensory analysis, it was found that T3 treatment combination was showed higher overall acceptability

Nanometer To Millimeter Scale Peptide-porphyrin Materials

AQ-Pal14 is a 30-residue polypeptide that was designed to form an alpha-helical coiled coil that contains a metal-binding 4-pyridylalanine residue on its solvent-exposed surface. However, characterization of this peptide shows that it exists as a three-stranded coiled coil, not a two-stranded one as predicted from its design. Reaction with cobalt(III) protoporphyrin IX (Co-PPIX) produces a six-coordinate Co-PPIX(AQ-Pal 14)(2) species that creates two coiled-coil oligomerization domains Coordinated to opposite laces of the porphyrin ring. It is found that this species undergoes a buffer-dependent Self-assembly process: nanometer-scale globular materials were formed when these components were reacted in unbuffered H(2)O, while millimeter-scale, rod-like materials were prepared when the reaction was performed in phosphate buffer (20 mM, pH 7). It is suggested that assembly of the globular material is dictated by the conformational properties of the coiled-coil forming AQ-Pal14 peptide, whereas that a the rod-like material involves interactions between Co-PPIX and phosphate ion