An Integrated Decision Support Toolbox (DST) for the Management of Mountain Protected Areas

New tools and methodologies are required in systemic planning and management of mountain protected areas. Among others we propose here a decision support toolbox (DST) conceived as an integrated collection of both soft and hard system methodologies, consisting of participatory and computer-based modules to provide a set of integrated, self-contained tools and approaches to support decision-making processes in the management of mountain protected areas. The Sagarmatha National Park and Buffer Zone (SNPBZ) in Nepal was taken as a pilot case. A number of participatory exercises such as participatory 3-dimensional modeling, scenario planning, and qualitative modeling were carried out to understand social-ecological processes and generate a systemic view over space and time. The qualitative models were then converted into computer-based system dynamics models. The design and development of DST software were carried out with an incremental and modular approach. This process involved stakeholder analysis and decision-making processes through a series of consultations. The software was developed with the main modules including scenario analysis, spatial analysis, and knowledge base. The scenario analysis module runs system dynamics models built in Simile software and provides functions to link them with spatial data for model inputs and outputs. The spatial analysis module provides the basic geographic information system functions to explore, edit, analyze, and visualize spatial information. The knowledge base module was developed as a metadata management system for different categories of information such as spatial data, bibliography, research data, and models. The development of DST software, especially system dynamics modeling and its linkage with spatial components, provided an important methodological approach for spatial and temporal integration. Furthermore, training and interactions with park managers and concerned stakeholders showed that DST is a useful platform for integrating data and information and better understanding ecosystem behavior as a basis for management decisions

Phytochemical screening, antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity of Nepalese medicinal plants Swertia chirayita and Dendrobium amoenum

Research on medicinal plants are important to Nepal because most of its rural population relies on it as mode of medicine. Medicinal plants namely Swertia chirayita and Dendrobium amoenum were collected from mid hills of Nepal. The present study was undertaken to find the antimicrobial activity, phytochemical presence and their cytotoxicity in different extraction medium. The percentage yield from the plants were highest in warm methanol extraction with 12.6%, followed by ethyl acetate and lowest was for cold methanol. Plant extract showed the presence of antioxidants like alkaloid, terpenoids, flavonoids, tannin, glycosides. The Brine Shrimp Bioassay of methanol and ethyl acetate extract showed cytotoxicity. Chiraito extract showed LC50 of 199 ppm for Dhunche sample, 128.82 ppm for Daman sample and 131.82 ppm of Illam sample. The antibacterial activity of methanol extract of Chiraito and Dendrobium amoenum showed significant bioactivity by inhibiting growth of microbial species selected for the test. The zone of inhibition shown by the extracts was comparable to the standard antibiotics. Similarly, methanol extract of Chiraito also showed significant antifungal activity with the zone of inhibition comparable to amphotericin.Nepal Journal of Biotechnology. Dec. 2015 Vol. 3, No. 1: 48-5

Economics of production and marketing of banana in Chitwan district, Nepal

The study was conducted in several place of Chitwan, Nepal from where 90 representative farmers and 20 traders were selected randomly as sample. The farmers were categorized into small, medium and large farm based on land holding size. The finding showed average productivity was maximum in medium size farm. Total cost of banana cultivation per bigha (1.5 bigha = 1 hector) was NRs. 239031 (106 NRs. = $1) excluding land rent. The share of planting material was 12.66%, manure 13.55%, fertilizer 16.49%, micro-nutrient 2.59%, pesticides 10.54%, labor 19.48%, animal/ machine 19.23%, marketing & transport cost 2%, and miscellaneous 3.46%. The average return rate found to be highest in large farm and lowest in small farm. The average profit of banana cultivation found to be NRs. 131902.3 per bigha. The average benefit cost ratio was 1.55 in the study area. Producer–Collector–Wholesaler–Retailer–Consumer was the most prevalent marketing channel, through which 94.74% volume was traded. Disease and pest infestation was the major production problem and fluctuation in price for marketing. The average share of banana on annual income for farmers found to be 41.34 %, indicating commercial cultivation in study area

A prospective cross-sectional study on prescribing pattern of antibiotics on patients suffering from ENT infections in tertiary care hospital, Pokhara, Nepal

Background: This survey was designed to assess and evaluate the prescribing pattern of antibiotics used in patients suffering from ENT (Eye, Nose, and Throat) infections in ENT outpatient departments (OPD) at Manipal Teaching Hospital (MTH), Phulbari, Pokhara, Nepal.Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted in out-patients of ENT department at MTH for 6 month in which a total of 216 prescriptions were observed randomly and data filled patient profile forms were collected and analyzed.Results: Out of 216 patients, 126(58.33%) were male and 90 (41.67%) were female. Patients of age group 21-30 were maximum (29.16%) followed by age group of 11-20 (22.22%). Only 6.7% of drugs were prescribed from their generic names. Data analysis revealed that about 72.24%, 24.53% and 3.23% of prescription contained one, two and three antibiotic drugs respectively. All together 970 drugs were prescribed in 216 prescriptions out of which 251 (25.87%) were antibiotics drugs. This suggested that the average no. of antibiotics per prescription was 1.16. Among prescribed antibiotics, Amoxicillin (7.56%) of penicillin group, Azithromycin (8.36%) of macrolides, Cefuroxime (9.56%) of 2nd generation cephalosporin followed by Cefpodoxime (32.27%) of 3rd generation cephalosporin and Ofloxacin (6.37%) of quinolones group were frequently prescribed. From analysis, we found that other concomitant medications were also prescribed such analgesics, antihistamines, PPI (Proton Pump Inhibitors) and vitamins, minerals and dietary enzymes. The prescribed antibiotics accounted for large percentage of oral dosage forms (89.90%) followed parental injection dosage forms 5.05%.Conclusions: Prescribing more than one antibiotics was commonly encountered indicating the occurrence of polypharmacy which were based on empirical therapy without any culture and sensitivity test report. Therefore, local hospital culture sensitivity database for ENT infections has to be developed and prescribing with generic name from existing essential drug list or formulary should be encouraged for rational drug therapy

Hippo Pathway Activity Influences Liver Cell Fate

SummaryThe Hippo-signaling pathway is an important regulator of cellular proliferation and organ size. However, little is known about the role of this cascade in the control of cell fate. Employing a combination of lineage tracing, clonal analysis, and organoid culture approaches, we demonstrate that Hippo pathway activity is essential for the maintenance of the differentiated hepatocyte state. Remarkably, acute inactivation of Hippo pathway signaling in vivo is sufficient to dedifferentiate, at very high efficiencies, adult hepatocytes into cells bearing progenitor characteristics. These hepatocyte-derived progenitor cells demonstrate self-renewal and engraftment capacity at the single-cell level. We also identify the NOTCH-signaling pathway as a functional important effector downstream of the Hippo transducer YAP. Our findings uncover a potent role for Hippo/YAP signaling in controlling liver cell fate and reveal an unprecedented level of phenotypic plasticity in mature hepatocytes, which has implications for the understanding and manipulation of liver regeneration

Edible Coatings Fortified With Carvacrol Reduce Campylobacter jejuni on Chicken Wingettes and Modulate Expression of Select Virulence Genes

Campylobacter jejuni, a leading cause of foodborne disease in humans, associate primarily with consumption of contaminated poultry and poultry products. Intervention strategies aimed at reducing C. jejuni contamination on poultry products could significantly reduce C. jejuni infection in humans. This study evaluated the efficacy of gum arabic (GA) and chitosan (CH) fortified with carvacrol (CR) as an antimicrobial coating treatment for reducing C. jejuni on chicken wingettes. Aforementioned compounds are generally recognized as safe status compounds obtained from gum arabic tree, crustaceans and oregano oil respectively. A total of four separate trials were conducted in which wingettes were randomly assigned to baseline, saline control (wingettes washed with saline), GA (10%), CH (2%), CR (0.25, 0.5, or 1%) or their combinations. Each wingette was inoculated with a cocktail of four wild-type strains of C. jejuni (∼7.5 log10 cfu/sample). Following 1 min of coating in aforementioned treatments, wingettes were air dried (1 h) and sampled at 0, 1, 3, 5, and 7 days of refrigerated storage for C. jejuni and total aerobic counts (n = 5 wingettes/treatment/day). In addition, the effect of treatments on wingette color was measured using a Minolta colorimeter. Furthermore, the effect of treatments on the expression of C. jejuni survival/virulence genes was evaluated using real-time quantitative PCR. Results showed that all three doses of CR, CH or GA-based coating fortified with CR reduced C. jejuni from day 0 through 7 by up to 3.0 log10 cfu/sample (P < 0.05). The antimicrobial efficacy of GA was improved by CR and the coatings reduced C. jejuni by ∼1 to 2 log10 cfu/sample at day 7. Moreover, CH + CR coatings reduced total aerobic counts when compared with non-coated samples for a majority of the storage times. No significant difference in the color of chicken wingettes was observed between treatments. Exposure of pathogen to sublethal concentrations of CR, CH or combination significantly modulated select genes encoding for energy taxis (cetB), motility (motA), binding (cadF), and attachment (jlpA). The results suggest that GA or CH-based coating with CR could potentially be used as a natural antimicrobial to control C. jejuni in postharvest poultry products

Development of Methodologies and Tools—The HKKH Partnership Project

High mountains have sensitive social-ecological systems (SESs) characterized by fragility, complexity, and marginality. The local economies of these environments mainly rely on primary production, tourism, and leisure activities; thus human-ecosystem interactions are intricately linked. Many authors stress that this strict relationship must be assisted with a participatory approach involving interested stakeholders in the conceptualization, specification, and synthesis of knowledge and experience into useable information for the express purpose of addressing a problem complex. This paper presents experience garnered with a participatory modeling framework combining hard and soft methodology in 2 case studies: the Sagarmatha National Park and Buffer Zone (Nepal) and the Central Karakoram National Park (Pakistan). The modeling framework was developed based on local stakeholders' demands and needs; it consists of 5 modules, briefly presented here along with their conceptual background. In developing the framework, particular emphasis was given to considering the needs of decision-makers at the local level, rather than simply providing technical solutions to abstract problems. From the development of this modeling process, a need emerged to structure a management-oriented research module in order to generate management knowledge that is both stakeholderrelevant and evidence-based. The application of the framework in the 2 cases studies showed that the modeling can trigger valuable discussion among stakeholders as well as guidance for management-oriented research and feedback loops ensuring validation of knowledge. In addition, the resulting scenarios can help decision-makers in defining pathways for sustainable development in mountain areas, where people's livelihoods are closely dependent on ecosystems. The framework was developed in such a way that it can be replicated in other mountain areas with similar challenges