Assessment of the Diversity of Fungal Community Composition Associated With Vachellia pachyceras and Its Rhizosphere Soil From Kuwait Desert.

This research examined the general soil fungi and AM fungal communities associated with a Lonely Tree species (Vachellia pachyceras) existing in the Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve located at the Kuwait desert. The goals of the study were to describe the general fungal and AM fungal communities present in the rhizospheric, non-rhizospheric soils and roots of V. pachyceras, respectively, as well as local and non-local V. pachyceras seedlings when grown under standard nursery growing environments. Soil and root samples were analyzed for an array of characteristics including soil physicochemical composition, and culture-independent method termed PCR-cloning, intermediate variable region of rDNA, the large subunit (LSU) and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region sequence identifications. The results reveal that the fungal phylotypes were classified in four major fungal phyla namely Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, Chytridiomycota, and Zygomycota. The largest assemblage of fungal analyses showed communities dominated by members of the phylum Ascomycota. The assays also revealed a wealth of incertae sedis fungi, mostly affiliated to uncultured fungi from diverse environmental conditions. Striking difference between rhizosphere and bulk soils communities, with more fungal diversities and Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) richness associated with both the field and nursery rhizosphere soils. In contrast, a less diverse fungal community was found in the bulk soil samples. The characterization of AM fungi from the root system demonstrated that the most abundant and diversified group belongs to the family Glomeraceae, with the common genus Rhizophagus (5 phylotypes) and another unclassified taxonomic group (5 phylotypes). Despite the harsh climate that prevails in the Kuwait desert, studied roots displayed the existence of considerable number of AM fungal biota. The present work thus provides a baseline of the fungal and mycorrhizal community associated with rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soils and roots of only surviving V. pachyceras tree from the Kuwaiti desert and seedlings under nursery growing environments.

Evaluating the diversity and composition of bacterial communities associated with Vachellia pachyceras - the only existing native tree species in the Kuwait desert.

We investigated the diversity and composition of bacterial communities in rhizospheric and non-rhizospheric bulk soils as well as root nodule bacterial communities of Vachellia pachyceras - the only native tree species existing in the Kuwait desert. Community fingerprinting comparisons and 16S rDNA sequence identifications were used for characterization of the bacterial population using specific primers. The bacterial characterization of soil samples revealed four major phyla: Acidobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria. In situ (desert) samples of both rhizospheric and non-rhizospheric bulk soil were dominated by the bacterial phyla Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes, whereas the phylum Betaproteobacteria was present only in non-rhizospheric bulk soil. Ex situ (nursery growing condition) V. pachyceras resulted in restricted bacterial communities dominated by members of a single phylum, Bacteroidetes. Results indicated that the soil organic matter and rhizospheric environments might drive the bacterial community. Despite harsh climatic conditions, data demonstrated that V. pachyceras roots harbor endophytic bacterial populations. Our findings on bacterial community composition and structure have major significance for evaluating how Kuwait's extreme climatic conditions affect bacterial communities. The baseline data obtained in this study will be useful and assist in formulating strategies in ecological restoration programs, including the application of inoculation technologies.

Performance evaluation of Chrysopogon zizanoides under urban conditions of Kuwait.

Plant physiological and morphological attributes should be critically evaluated for selecting any species for landscaping projects. The selection of a species should be based on the evaluation of its adaptability, noninvasiveness, growth potential, and performance under the prevailing local arid conditions for their aesthetic looks, soil stabilization, and afforestation values. Chrysopogon zizanoides (Vetiver), is suitable for Kuwait because it can withstand fluctuating temperatures ranging from -14 to 55 °C with unique physical and physiological characteristics. Despite the successful growth performance of Vetiver in landscaping projects mostly in several tropical countries, it has not been utilized and evaluated in the Arabian Gulf region. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the performance of selected ten cultivars of Vetiver (ODV-1, 8, 9, 13, 17, 21, 23, Silent Valley, Urlikal, and Pannimedu) in the deficient soil and environmental conditions of Kuwait in urban landscape at minimal maintenance. It is suggested that based on visual greenery effect and overall growth performance cultivars, Pannimedu, Silent Valley, ODV-13, ODV-8 and ODV-9 can be considered for landscaping projects in Kuwait. To obtain the superior crown volume (which considers height and canopy) cultivar Pannimedu is suggested and to get a bushy growth (considering the number of tillers) cultivar ODV-13 and ODV-8 is found to be suitable.

A comparative clinical study on the effect of Tagara (Valeriana wallichii DC.) and Jatamansi (Nardostachys jatamansi DC.) in the management of Anidra (primary insomnia).

INTRODUCTION: The World Health Organization's 2004 Global Burden of Disease report indicated 3.6 million years of productive, healthy life is lost worldwide as a result of primary insomnia. Approximately 30-35% of people meet diagnostic criteria for primary insomnia characterized by impairment resulting from problems of falling and staying asleep. AIMS: To evaluate the effect of Tagara (Valeriana wallichii DC.) and Jatamansi (Nardostachys jatamansi DC.) in the management of Anidra. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 34 patients were selected fulfilling the criteria for inclusion for primary insomnia were randomly selected from Out Patient Department and In Patient Department of Manasa Roga and assigned into two groups, wherein 30 patients completed the study (15 in each). Tagara Churna (powder of V. wallichii) and Jatamansi Churna (powder of N. jatamansi) in the dose of 4 gm with milk was administered three times a day for a period of 1 month. RESULTS: Tagara provided significant improvement in initiation of sleep (76.00%; P < 0.001), duration of sleep (55.17%; P < 0.001), disturbed sleep (69.58%; P < 0.001), and disturbances in routine work (73.95%; P < 0.001). Jatamansi provided improvement in initiation of sleep (61.34%; P < 0.001), duration of sleep (48.25%; P < 0.001), disturbed sleep (53.08%; P < 0.001), and disturbance in routine works (43.85%; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Both the groups showed good results, but Tagara group showed better results in comparison to Jatamansi group.

Frenulum Sparing Circumcision: Step-By-Step Approach of a Novel Technique.

OBJECTIVE: Circumcision, by most conventional methodologies, involves division of the frenulum and excision of the entire foreskin covering the glans. This seemingly simple procedure is occasionally associated with dreadful and devastating complications. We describe a new frenulum-sparing technique that circumvents some of the potential complications of conventional techniques and could also potentially help preserve preputial role in sexual function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An initial dorsal slit, three fourths of the way up to the corona is extended laterally and obliquely on either side, to meet the preputial edge, 3-4 mm from the frenulum. A broad sleeve of sub-coronal mucosa is thus preserved. The frenulum is left untouched, leaving a wide skin bridge connecting the mucosal sleeve with the shaft skin. The raw area is closed with interrupted, synthetic absorbable sutures. Over a three year period, 42 patients were circumcised using this technique. RESULTS: No significant complications like frenular bleed, painful postoperative erections, chordee, meatal stenosis, or urethra-cutaneous fistula were observed in any patient. The cosmetic results were pleasing. CONCLUSION: The frenulum-sparing technique of circumcision is a promising modification to the various existing techniques. The method described is technically easier to perform than conventional frenulum-dividing procedures and has an acceptable cosmesis. Further randomised controlled studies on larger cohorts are necessary to establish the true benefits of this technique over established procedures.

Imprint cytology of pancreatoblastoma: a case report and review of the literature.

Pancreatoblastoma is a rare tumor with approximately 60 cases described in the English literature and only five case reports illustrating the cytologic findings, four by fine-needle aspiration cytology and one by imprint cytology. We herein report the sixth case diagnosed by imprint cytology. Both the cytologic and histopathologic literatures are reviewed, and the pathologic variations observed in our case are also documented.

Necrotizing fasciitis with chickenpox.

Necrotizing fasciitis can be observed in a wide variety of clinical settings in the pediatric age group. But necrotizing fasciitis as a complication of chickenpox is rare. Five cases of necrotizing fasciitis following chickenpox were treated in the authors' institutions. Clinical signs like fever, tachycardia, pallor, erythema, marked edema of the affected area and patchy areas of discoloration or gangrene of the skin were present and were the important clues to the seriousness of infection. Patients were treated with aggressive surgical debridement, frequent dressings, broad-spectrum antibiotics, nutritional support, and split skin grafting. Early diagnosis and aggressive surgical therapy are critical. Literature search showed necrotizing fasciitis following chickenpox has not been reported in India. We feel early suspicion and aggressive management can decrease the morbidity and mortality in this rare complication.