A brief survey of research on Pine Wilt Disease under various climatic conditions around the globe

Pine wilt disease (PWD), caused by the pinewood nematode (PWN) Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, causes significant losses in coniferous forests in eastern Asia, including Japan, China, and South Korea, as well as western Europe, including Portugal. The results of the research papers given at the International Symposium on Pine Wilt Disease (IUFRO Working Party Meeting 4.04.03) in Nanjing, China, in July 2009 are summarised in this article. The basic themes discussed included pine wilt disease (PWD), the pinewood nematode (PWN) Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, and other PWN-associated microorganisms that play a significant role in PWD, such as bacteria (e.g., Pseudomonas fluorescens). The majority of the papers are based on PWD-PWN research in East Asia and Russia. The following are some of the specific topics covered: 1) fundamental concepts of PWD development, 2) pathogenicity, 3) host-parasite relationships, including histopathology of diseased conifers and the role of toxins from bacteria-nematode ecto-symbionts, 4) PWN life cycle and transmission, 5) B. xylophilus dissemination models, 6) associations (with other nematodes), 7) diagnostics, 8) quarantine and control of the PWN and 9) biocontrol of the PWN.Keywords: Review; A brief survey of research on Pine Wilt Diseas

A Study of the Morphology, Anatomy, and Function of Conifer Root-Nodules, with Particular Reference to Those of Podocarps

It has been shown that nodules develop in completely aseptic cultures of Podocarpus falcatus. and hence that they are a normal feature of the root system, developing in response to internal stimuli. A comparative study has shown that nodules differ markedly from short roots in their development, structure, and mode of regeneration. The nodules are fully differentiated structures with no root cap or apical meristem, and with an endodermis completely surrounding and overarching the vascular strand

Discourse and Corpus based Analysis of Doctor-Patient Conversation in the Context of Pakistani Hospitals

This study undertakes the analysis of the communicative patterns between doctors and patients by applying Sinclair and Coulthard’s (1975) IRF (Initiation, Response and Follow-up) Model. The focus of this study is to investigate the discourse features of the language used between the doctors and the patients in a hospital setting. It further explores how doctors and patients make sense of each other’s talk. The data was electronically recorded and then transcribed in terms of Dijk’s transcription key with the modification. IRF structural patterns of the original model were applied with modification due to change in the context in which the communication between the participants of the discourse took place. The discourse structure found in the data varied from that of the classroom discourse investigated by Sinclair and Coulthard. This study showed significant difference in the use of language in spoken and written form between the doctors and the patients. It also revealed that commonality, solidarity and familiarity in exchange structure was lacking in the communication between the doctors and patients which resulted in misunderstanding of the talk

Discourse and Corpus based Analysis of Doctor-Patient Conversation in the Context of Pakistani Hospitals

This study undertakes the analysis of the communicative patterns between doctors and patients by applying Sinclair and Coulthard’s (1975) IRF (Initiation, Response and Follow-up) Model. The focus of this study is to investigate the discourse features of the language used between the doctors and the patients in a hospital setting. It further explores how doctors and patients make sense of each other’s talk. The data was electronically recorded and then transcribed in terms of Dijk’s transcription key with the modification. IRF structural patterns of the original model were applied with modification due to change in the context in which the communication between the participants of the discourse took place. The discourse structure found in the data varied from that of the classroom discourse investigated by Sinclair and Coulthard. This study showed significant difference in the use of language in spoken and written form between the doctors and the patients. It also revealed that commonality, solidarity and familiarity in exchange structure was lacking in the communication between the doctors and patients which resulted in misunderstanding of the talk

Mathematical Modeling and Review of Pine Wilt Disease

Pine Wilt Disease (PWD), caused by the pinewood nematode (PWN) Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, causes significant losses in coniferous forests in eastern Asia, including Japan, China, and South Korea, as well as western Europe, including Portugal. The results of the research papers given at the International Symposium on Pine Wilt Disease (IUFRO Working Party Meeting 4.04.03) in Nanjing, China, in July 2009 are summarized in this article. The basic themes discussed included pine wilt disease (PWD), the pinewood nematode (PWN) Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, and other PWN-associated microorganisms that play a significant role in PWD, such as bacteria (e.g., Pseudomonas fluorescens). The majority of the papers are based on PWD-PWN research in East Asia and Russia. The following are some of the specific topics covered: 1) fundamental concepts of PWD development, 2) pathogenicity, 3) host-parasite relationships, including histopathology of diseased conifers and the role of toxins from bacteria-nematode ecto-symbionts, 4) PWN life cycle and transmission, 5) B. xylophilus dissemination models, 6) associations (with other nematodes), 7) diagnostics, 8) quarantine and control of the PWN and 9) biocontrol of the PWN

Analysis of Primary Surgery and Medical Treatment in the Management of Primary Open Angle Glaucoma

Background: To evaluate and compare the efficacy of medical and surgical treatment for management of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG). Methods: Study included a total of 32 patients with 60 eyes, who were divided into two groups. 31 eyes were included in group A and were given medical treatment. 29 eyes were included in group B and were managed with primary surgery (Trabeculectomy). Results: The IOP was controlled in group A with one drug in 62.5% (n=10), with two drugs in 25% (n=4)and with three drugs in 6.25% (n=1). The IOP of group B patients was controlled by surgery alone in 81.25% (n=13) and with surgery and drugs in 18.75% (n=3). P values were found to be constantly less than 0.001. Conclusion: Primary surgery i.e. trabeculectomy is a superior modality of treatment for POAG as compared to medical therapy as it is cost-effective, IOP control is uniform and compliance is not a problem

A Case Study on Distribution of Gemstone in Bela Ophiolite, District Khuzdar, Balochistan

Bela Ophiolite and suture zone host several types of gemstones in the underlain and overlain rocks such as garnet (demantoid and almandine), quartz, brucite, malachite, chrysocolla, azurite, calcite, natrolite, green chert, jasper, serpentine, agate, epidote, augite and prehnite. However, the rare gemstones including demantoid garnet are found as dodecahedron green crystals associated with the altered peridotite rocks such as serpentinite. Brucite is found in the botryoidal habit in the ultramafic rocks of Bela Ophiolite associated with the chromite mines in the Baran Lak and Amorzai area of Wadh in the host rock dunite. The serpentine is found in several locations associated with the altered ultramafic rocks formed after the serpentinization of peridotite. Furthermore, one of the rare gemstones such as petroleum and diamond quartz is formed due to the hydrothermal intrusion in the sedimentary rocks such as limestone; calcite also occurs in limestone as dogtooth crystals. While azurite, malachite and chrysocolla are formed as secondary deposits in the oxidized zone of copper and sulphide mines in the Manjawi, Nal and Sonaro associated adjacent to basalt. Moreover, epidote is found as green crystals having porphyritic texture in the host rock granite mainly in the Bakhalo area, Wadh. Agate, jasper, green chert and several other kinds of chert are found associated with the basalt chert unit in the mélange and gossan. In addition to that natrolite is found in the Nal ophiolite mainly in the Hazarghanji town found associated with the cracks and vugs of dolerite dykes as fibrous and cylindrical crystals. In metamorphic sole rocks of Bela Ophiolite in the Sonaro area, marble and quartzite are associated with the metamorphic rocks such as greenschist and amphibolite facies that are formed during the e volution period of the ophiolite. In pegmatite gabbro, the elongated and prismatic black crystals of augite are found in the host rock gabbro near the Ornach cross area, and the prehnite gemstone is found associated with the basalt and gabbroic rocks transition zone in the Ornach area

Novel Stimuli-Responsive Pectin-PVP-Functionalized Clay Based Smart Hydrogels for Drug Delivery and Controlled Release Application

Stimuli-responsive drug delivery systems are urgently required for injectable site-specific delivery and release of drugs in a controlled manner. For this purpose, we developed novel pH-sensitive, biodegradable, and antimicrobial hydrogels from bio-macromolecule pectin, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), 3-aminopropyl (diethoxy)methyl silane (3-APDEMS), and sepiolite clay via blending and solution casting technique. The purified sepiolite (40 um) was functionalized with 3-APDEMS crosslinker (ex-situ modification) followed by hydrogels fabrication. FTIR and SEM confirmed crosslinked structural integrity and rod-like morphology of hydrogels respectively. The swelling properties of hydrogels could be controlled by varying the concentration of modified clay in pectin/PVP blends. Moreover, the decrease in pH increased the swelling of hydrogels indicating the pH-responsiveness of hydrogels. All hydrogels were degraded after 21 days in phosphate buffer saline pH 7.4 (human blood pH). In-vitro cytotoxicity against 3T3 mouse fibroblast cell line analysis confirmed cytocompatibility of all hydrogels. Ceftriaxone sodium (CTX-S) was selected as a model drug. The release profile of the hydrogel showed 91.82% release in PBS for 2 h in a consistent and controlled manner. The chemical structure of the drug remained intact during and after release confirmed through UV-Visible spectroscopy. Overall, these hydrogels could be used as potential scaffolds for future biomedical applications

Giraffa punjabiensis (Giraffidae: Mammalia) from middle Siwaliks of Pakistan.

Abstract.-Giraffa fossils constitute rare findings in the Dhok Pathan Formation of the Middle Siwaliks. The described remains comprise two maxillar fragments of Giraffa punjabiensis. This paper deals with the study of the upper dentition of G. punjabiensis, recovered from the Padhri outcrops of the Pakistani Middle Siwaliks (Late Miocene). The giraffid suggests a woodland habitat with swamps