ABSTRACT
The impact of a changing climate, particularly global warming, often harms the distribution of pheasants, particularly those with limited endemic ranges. To effectively create plans of action aimed at conserving species facing threats such as the Western Tragopan, (Tragopan melanocephalus; Gray, 1829; Galliformes, found in the western Himalayas), it is crucial to understand how future distributions may be affected by anticipated climate change. This study utilized MaxEnt modeling to assess how suitable the habitat of the targeted species is likely to be under different climate scenarios. While similar studies have been conducted regionally, there has been no research on this particular endemic animal species found in the western Himalayas throughout the entire distribution range. The study utilized a total of 200 occurrence points; 19 bioclimatic, four anthropogenic, three topographic, and a vegetation variable were also used. To determine the most fitting model, species distribution modeling (SDM) was employed, and the MaxEnt calibration and optimization techniques were utilized. Data for projected climate scenarios of the 2050s and 2070s were obtained from SSPs 245 and SSPs 585. Among all the variables analyzed; aspect, precipitation of coldest quarter, mean diurnal range, enhanced vegetation index, precipitation of driest month, temperature seasonality, annual precipitation, human footprint, precipitation of driest quarter, and temperature annual range were recognized as the most influential drivers, in that order. The predicted scenarios had high accuracy values (AUC-ROC > 0.9). Based on the feedback provided by the inhabitants, it was observed that the livability of the selected species could potentially rise (between 3.7 to 13%) in all projected scenarios of climate change, because this species is relocating towards the northern regions of the elevation gradient, which is farther from the residential areas, and their habitats are shrinking. The suitable habitats of the Tragopan melanocephalus in the Himalayan region will move significantly by 725 m upwards, because of predicted climate change. However, the fact that the species is considered extinct in most areas and only found in small patches suggests that further research is required to avert a further population decline and delineate the reasons leading to the regional extinction of the species. The results of this study can serve as a foundation for devising conservation strategies for Tragopan melanocephalus under the changing climate and provide a framework for subsequent surveillance efforts aimed at protecting the species.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To determine the immunohistochemical expression of CD10, BCL6 and MUM1 in differentiating diffuse large B cell lymphoma subtypes. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive, cross-sectional study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Department of Histopathology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Rawalpindi, from November 2014 to May 2015. METHODOLOGY: Newly diagnosed cases of DLBCLon H&E stain as well as IHC markers, according to WHO blue book 2008, were included in the study. Patients' gender, age and site of lymphoma were noted. DLBCLsubtypes (GCB and activated type or non-GCB) were assessed based on IHC expression of CD10, BCL6 and MUM1 and the results were recorded. The data were analyzed by using computer software program SPSS version 20. Descriptive statistics, frequencies and percentages were calculated. RESULTS: Out of 96 patients, 79 (82%) were male and 17 (18%) were female. Mean age was 54.66 ±16.73 years. Thirty-six (37.5%) cases showed positivity for CD10 and BCL6 both (GCB type), whereas MUM1 was positive in 60 (62.5%) cases (non-GCB type or activated type). Asignificant statistical association was seen between expression of IHC markers (CD10, BCL6 and MUM1) and DLBCLsubtypes (GCB and non-GCB type, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: In Pakistani population, the frequency of non-GCB type expressing MUM1 is 62.5%, which is quite high as compared to western countries. It needs to be further explored, because it represents high-risk subsets in which alternative strategies for diagnosis and management should be planned.
