Structure, composition and above ground standing phytomass of some grass dominated communities of Karachi: summer aspect

Some 120 species [83 dicotyledons and 37 monocotyledons] were seen growing naturally to make summer aspect of 22 grass dominated sites of Karachi, Pakistan. They have high percentage of therophytes [43.3%] followed by chamaephytes [30%]. Legumes were present invariably in all sites except that of Urochondra setulosa. The number of species in a site varied with the nature of site and its salinity status. The above ground standing biomass [AGSP] varied with species dominating the site [49.6 to 908 g/m[2]]. On phytomassbased quantitative spectrum, hemi-cryptophytes and sometimes geophytes [protected forms] were the dominant. The number of legume species varied as a function of number of grasses in a site. The litter component related positively with AGSP [r = 0.7175] and the percent proportion of legume biomass [PPLB] associated inversely with percent proportion of grass biomass [PPGB] [r = -0.6566] The more diverse communities of non-saline habitats appeared to be approaching to log-Normal distribution of biomass among the species whereas the distribution of biomass in less diverse communities of saline habitats was distinctly geometric. Twelve community types, recognized on the basis of 40% biomass-based compositional similarity, in accordance with the decreasing AGSP magnitude may be arranged as follows: Cenchrus setigerus > Desmostachya bipinnata=Urochondra setulosa > Lasiurus scindicus > Dichanthium annulaturn = Sporobolus arabicus > Aeluropus lagopoides > Sporobolus halvolus > Chrysopogon aucherii > Dactyloctenium scindicum > Aristida mutabilis > Sporobolus coromendelianus. Edapho-topographic relations of these communities are described. When stability was evaluated through life-span consideration of species, diversity-stability relations appeared to be negative. Salt marsh communities were more stable than those of the salt free habitats. The results are discussed in ecological context

Assessment of the clinical utility of transcranial doppler in acute stroke patients

The aim of this work is to correlate clinical features of stroke progression with transcranial Doppler findings of arterial reperfusion, and to define the prevalence and time course of Doppler emboli signals after acute stroke Transcranial Doppler [TCD] as a non-invasive, simple, cheap, and repeatable gives on-line information about recanalisation of obstructed vessels. An increase in TCD velocity can be due to stenosis, vasospasm, or hyperemia. The microemboli signals are transient, unidirectional, 3 to 60 decibels in amplitude, and have a clicking sound. Their duration is inversely proportional to their velocity. They are randomly distributed within the cardiac cycle. The overall prevalence of microemboli in acute stroke patients depends on patient population, treatment regimens, study protocols, and prior stroke or TIA. One hundred and fifteen stroke patients [61 females and 54 males], with mean age 66.7+1-15.4, were valuated clinically on admission using National Institute of Health Stroke Scale [NIHSS], TCD study was done on admission and repeated for patients who stayed more than one day in the hospital. Patients were classified according to the perfusion patterns, CT appearance and risk factors of stroke. Eighty-eight patients [49 men and 39 women] with mean age 67.2 +/- 13.9 years were successfully monitored for microemboli signals [MES]. Clinically, 18[20%] patients were diagnosed as TIA and 70[80%] as complete stroke. There were 11 with atrial fibrillation [AF], 17 with myocardial infraction [MI] 14 with internal carotid artery stenosis [CS], and 46 patients with other risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption. The overall prevalence MES was 10.2% [12% in MI patients, 0% in AF patients, and 50% in CS patients]. Carotid stenosis patients had significantly [p=0.04] higher prevalence of embolic signals than the other groups. There was a significant difference [p=0.001] in the mean velocities [MV] between the four groups in the healthy hemisphere, but not in the diseased one. There was a significant difference [p=0.05] in healthy sides between AF and other risk factors group. Also there was a significant difference [p=0.01] in both healthy and diseased sides between CS and AF patients. There was a significant difference [p=0.01] between four groups in the pulsatility indices [P1] in the diseased sides but not in the healthy sides. Also positive correlation was obtained between perfusion pattern and NIHSS in each group of stroke subtype. It was higher in both lacuner infarcts and normal CT groups and lower in territorial group. The perfusion patterns evolved from hypoperfusion, normal perfusion, and then hypoperfusion side with time. A negative correlation was established between the time and asymmetry indices [Al], more significant [p=0.02] in hypoperfusion group. Conclusions: In conclusions TCD is a helpful method for studying the pathophysiological mechanisms in stroke. IT is recommended to early, prolonged monitoring, and strict setting of TCD machine. Cerebral embolism is the likely mechanism of stroke in MI patients, while haemodynamic insufficiency may be cerebral haemodynamic state. Perfusion patterns in the acute stage are indicators for the clinical condition and should be combined with CT results and clinical scoring

Antihypertensive effect of safoof khashkhash and sharbat bazoori moatadil in essential hypertension a clinical study

Sustained rise of systemic blood pressure beyond its normal limit is known as hypertension. It is classified into primary and secondary types. Primary hypertension whose cause is not definitely known, affects approximately 90% of the general population. Hence it is the major cause of morbidity and mortality. Tremendous advancement in the understanding of its aetiopathogenesis and management has taken place in recent past. However, most of the drugs used are not without side effects. In the present study antihypertensive effect of Safoof Khashkhash and Sharbat Bazoori Moatadil [Unani Drugs Composition] has been observed in the cases of essential hypertension