Composition and structure of plant communities in the Moist Temperate Forest Ecosystem of the Hindukush Mountains, Pakistan.

Here, we investigated the relationship between Plant communities and the environment from the moist temperate vegetation of Lakoo mountainous forest District Swat. We sampled data from 162 sampling units (Quadrates) using 1x1m2 for herbs 5x5m2 and shrubs, while 10 x10m2 for trees, systematically considering six elevation gradients between the altitudinal from 1970m to 3095m. We performed statistical analysis like Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) and TWINSPAN (two-way indicator species analysis) for ecological assessment and clustering of plant communities. To check upon the correlation of species (CR) with topographic and edaphic variables we used statistical software PC-ORD version 7. We recognized 264 species plants belonging to thirty families. We recorded key sampling measurements of density, frequency, and cover for all these species which are vital for community description. The results showed Shannon-Winner,s, and Simpson diversity values as 19.18 and 3.17 respectively. The importance value indexes (IVI) were used to identify the leading and rare species of plant in each community or cluster group. In total we recognized eleven different communities as: Berberis- Abies- Bergeni, Picea - Indigofera- Poa,Abies- Parrotiopsis- Poa, Quercus- Viburnum- Poa, Picea- Salix- Primula, Abies- Viburnum- Poa, Viburnum- Taxus- Poa, Pinus- Viburnum- Lithospermum, Abies-Berberis- carex, Pinus- Viburnum- Poa and Parrotiopsis- Picea- Poa through hierarchical cluster analysis (TWINSPAN). CCA analysis revealed that of all studied edaphic and topographic variables altitude, silt, calcium carbonate, and organic matter were the strongest factors determining plant community diversity and composition in each microclimate of the eleven communities. Visually the vegetation of the forest was dominated by small-sized trees followed by shrubs, and regenerates indicating the stage of secondary regeneration. We found severe human interference in disturbing the existing biodiversity, which requires immediate conservation to ensure sustainable management and utilization of natural resources of the Lalkoo moist temperate forest.

Artonin I inhibits multidrug resistance in Staphylococcus aureus and potentiates the action of inactive antibiotics in vitro.

AIMS: The emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Staphylococcus aureus is a challenge for the treatment of infections. We report here the antimicrobial activity of artonin I against MDR Staph. aureus, its mechanism of reversal of resistance and synergistic effects by combinational therapy. METHODS AND RESULTS: Artonin I, a flavonoid obtained from Morus mesozygia Stapf., inhibited the bacterial efflux pump and induced depolarization of the cell membrane. To study the dose-dependent production of reactive oxygen species in MDR cells by artonin I, lucigenin chemiluminescence assay was employed. Reversal of multidrug resistance by artonin I, in combination with antibiotics, was measured by a fractional inhibitory concentration index assay. The effect of artonin I on ultrastructural features was studied by microscopy. Artonin I increased the penetration of ethidium bromide by blocking the efflux mechanism. It also helped anionic probe DiBAC4 (3) to bind with the lipid-rich cellular components by causing depolarization of the cell membrane. Artonin I reversed multidrug resistance and increased the susceptibility of existing antibiotics by lowering their minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs). CONCLUSIONS: Artonin I was identified both as a new antibacterial agent and a helper molecule to potentiate the action of otherwise inactive antibiotics. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Artonin I can be developed as potential antimicrobial and resistance reversal agent.

Acute poisoning in southern part of Bangladesh--the case load is decreasing.

This retrospective study was carried out in the Medicine Department of Khulna Medical College, the biggest tertiary hospital in the southern part of Bangladesh to observe the trends of poisoning in southern part of Bangladesh over four years including age and sex variation, mode of poisoning, type of poison used and outcome of poisoning. The hospital medical records of all patients, aged 10 years and above with history of acute poisoning from January, 2003 to December, 2006 were enrolled. Patients were categorized into four age group including Group (Gr.) I, Gr. II, Gr. III & Gr. IV having age range of 10-20, 21-30, 31-40 & >40 respectively. Underlying causes of poisoning were also observed totally and individually in different mode with male, female ratio and the percentage. Death cases according to mode of poisoning with demographic alignment were also observed. Statistical analysis were done using epi-info version 3.5.1 and measures were presented as proportion and percentage. Among 1903 cases, 1012 (53.1%) were male and 891 (46.8%) female with a ratio of 1.4: 1. The year wise total number of cases were progressively decreased from 627 (2003) to 353 (2006). Most commonly found toxic agent was Organo-Phosphate compound (526; 27.64%) with a very little sexual variation & this trend remained same in all study years. Poisoning with unknown substance was the second leading cause (16.03%) followed by Copper-sulphate (14.03%), Sedative (13.35%), Snakebite (12.93%) etc. Incidence of unknown poisoning, sedatives, snake-bite and corrosives were found to be gradually decreased over the study years. Male were found mostly affected in majority type of poisoning except Copper-sulphate, kerosene, puffer fish, paracetamol and other drugs category. Age group II (710; 37.3%) was the most vulnerable group with male (57.89%) preponderance followed by group I (643; 33.7%), III (329; 17.2%) and IV (221; 11.6%) respectively. Highest 1308 (68.7%) cases were suicidal in mode followed by 304 (15.9%) accidental and 291 (15.2%) homicidal. Out of 1903, 140 (7.3%) patients died. Death rate was highest in OPC poisoning (52.1%) followed by unknown substance (13.5%), snakebite and copper-sulphate (11.4%) etc. In an agro-based country like Bangladesh, it's very difficult to reduce the poisoning cases and mortality. Prospectively designed multi-centered studies are needed to reflect the epidemiological properties of poisonings throughout Bangladesh, and would be very valuable for the determination of preventive measures.

Anticonvulsant activities of the FS-1 subfraction isolated from roots of Delphinium denudatum.

Delphinium denudatum Wall. (Ranunculaceae) is a medicinal herb used for the treatment of epilepsy in the subcontinent. The present study reports the anticonvulsant activities in the maximal electroshock test (MEST) and subcutaneous pentylenetetrazole (PTZ), bicuculline (BIC), picrotoxin (PIC)-induced seizures of the FS-1 subfraction (FS-1) that was obtained by purification of an aqueous fraction isolated from the roots of D. denudatum. In CF 1 mice, FS-1 (600 mg/kg i.p.) exhibited very potent anticonvulsant activity that was comparable to the effects of the well-known antiepileptic drug phenytoin (20 mg/kg) in MEST and protected 100% animals from hind limb tonic extension phase of this model. FS-1 also suppressed PTZ-induced threshold seizure and the loss of the righting reflex with tonic fore and hind limb extension by 100%, similar to the antiepileptic drug valproic acid (350 mg/kg). BIC-induced seizures were suppressed in 80% of the animals. FS-1 exhibited weak anticonvulsant effect on PIC-induced seizures, however, it significantly reduced mortality and delayed the onset of seizures. FS-1 had no effect on strychnine (STN)-induced extensor seizures. The results demonstrate the broad and potent anticonvulsant activity of the compounds in FS-1 of D. denudatum.

The inferior vena caval conduit--a neglected technique in transplantation of the right cadaveric kidney?

A short right renal vein may reduce access or compromise optimal positioning during transplantation of the right cadaveric kidney. This difficulty could be overcome by using the inferior vena cava (IVC) as a venous conduit to lengthen the short right renal vein. This manoeuvre would also facilitate training by ensuring safe tension-free vascular anastomoses since the kidney can be lifted up a comfortable distance, thus improving exposure of the operative field. In a postal survey, only a third of UK renal transplant units utilised the IVC conduit. Despite 81.5% of units claiming that they harvest the IVC during organ retrieval, a 2-year retrospective audit revealed that only 4.3% of imported right kidneys had the IVC. The IVC remains a much under-utilised resource in the UK despite its potential benefit as a venous conduit in transplanting the right cadaveric kidney. We urge all retrieving surgeons to routinely harvest the IVC with right cadaveric kidneys during organ procurement.

Two new quinones from Iris bungei.

Two new benzoquinone derivatives, bungeiquinone (1) and dihydrobungeiquinone (2), and two known derivatives, 3-hydroxyirisquinone (3) and 3-hydroxydihydroirisquinone (4), were isolated from the roots of Iris bungei. The structures of the new compounds were established on the basis of spectroscopic methods.

Quinolizidine alkaloids from Sophora alopecuroides.

A new matrine-type alkaloid, 7alpha-hydroxysophoramine (1), was isolated from the aerial parts of Sophora alopecuroides together with eight known alkaloids, 12beta-hydroxysophocarpine (2), sophoramine (3), 14beta-hydroxymatrine, matrine, sophoridine, sophocarpine, adenocarpine, and baptifoline. The structures of compounds 1-3 were confirmed through single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.

Preliminary antifungal and cytotoxicity studies of extracts of Ritchiea capparoides var. longipedicellata.

Crude extracts obtained from the leaves, stem bark and roots of Ritchiea capparoides var. longipedicellata were screened for in vitro antifungal activity using the agar tube dilution method. The leaf hexane, leaf methanol, stem bark methanol and root methanol extracts were tested using ten clinical strains of fungi at a concentration of 200 and 400 microg/ml, respectively. At 400 microg/ml, all four extracts inhibited the growth of six of the ten test fungi used in the study. Inhibition of the growth of Aspergillus niger by the extracts was also seen but the activity was low and the leaf hexane and root methanol extracts inhibited the growth of Drechslera rostrata. Only the leaf hexane extract was active against Curvularia lunata, while the growth of Candida albicans was not inhibited by any of the extracts. The inhibition of growth of almost all the microorganisms decreased at 200 microg, griseofulvin was included as a reference compound and methanol as the control. Preliminary cytotoxicity tests were done with the four extracts using the larvae of the brine shrimp, Artemia saline. The extracts were however found to be relatively non-toxic as each extract had an LD50 value greater than 1000 microg/ml.