Regeneration Ecology of Chrysopogon aucheri and Cymbopogon jwarancusa in Grasslands of Upland Balochistan , Pakistan

Field experiments were conducted to investigate the seed attributes, movements and fates of dispersal units, and seedling establishment of Chrysopogon aucheri and Cymbopogon jwarancusa in a representative grassland ecosystem in upland Balochistan, Pakistan. Cymbopogon jwarancusa had more filled and viable caryopses than Chrysopogon aucheri. Seeds (spikelets) of both species had similar morphological features. Chrysopogon aucheri had one dispersal unit, a triplet spikelet. Cymbopogon jwarancusa had four types of dispersal units: a paired spikelet, a partial raceme, an entire raceme, and a partial inflorescence comprised of two racemes. Paired spikelets and partial racemes of Cymbopogon jwarancusa had greater mean dispersal distances (94 and 101 cm) from the edge of the basal crown of marked plants to the ground surface than triplet spikelets of Chrysopogon aucheri (79 cm). Spikelets of Cymbopogon jwarancusa and Chrysopogon aucheri moved mean distances of 26 and 32 cm, respectively, on the ground surface before becoming trapped in a microhabitat. The mean angle of dispersal for both species was toward the northeast, according to the prevailing wind direction. An ant (Tica verona) was the only detected seed (spikelet) predator for Chrysopogon aucheri. Both species had a weakly persistent soil seed bank, with higher amounts of seeds found under plant canopies compared to open interspaces. The recruitment of Chrysopogon aucheri and Cymbopogon jwarancusa seedlings from the natural seed bank was monitored in seven different microhabitats under natural and above-normal precipitation regimes . Above-normal precipitation increased seedling recruitment for both species in all microhabitats. Cymbopogon jwarancusa had higher seedling densities than Chrysopogon auchfiri. Seedling survival and tiller development for both species were greatest in the gravel microhabitat in the natural precipitation treatment. Monsoon rains in late July enhanced emergence of both species from recently dispersed seeds but emerged seedlings did not survive to the end of the growing season. The field studies indicate that Cymbopogon jwarancusa has a greater regeneration potential than Chrysopogon aucheri in this grassland ecosystem in upland Balochistan. It may be difficult to increase the composition of Chrysopogon aucheri, the more desirable species in these grasslands, when using management techniques that rely on natural regeneration

Clinical outcomes of the patients with pulmonary aspergillosis underwent bronchial arterial embolization for life-threatening hemoptysis.

<p>Clinical outcomes of the patients with pulmonary aspergillosis underwent bronchial arterial embolization for life-threatening hemoptysis.</p

Flow chart of the study population with CPA who underwent BAE for life-threatening hemoptysis.

<p>CPA, chronic pulmonary aspergillosis; BAE, bronchial artery embolization. * One case of clinical failure of the first BAE is included.</p

Comparison of characteristics between patients with chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) and simple aspergilloma (SA) underwent bronchial artery embolization for life-threatening hemoptysis.

<p>Comparison of characteristics between patients with chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) and simple aspergilloma (SA) underwent bronchial artery embolization for life-threatening hemoptysis.</p

Association of IS<i>Mav6</i> with the Pattern of Antibiotic Resistance in Korean <i>Mycobacterium avium</i> Clinical Isolates but No Relevance between Their Genotypes and Clinical Features

<div><p>The aim of this study was to genetically characterize clinical isolates from patients diagnosed with <i>Mycobacterium avium</i> lung disease and to investigate the clinical significance. Multi-locus sequencing analysis (MLSA) and pattern of insertion sequence analysis of <i>M</i>. <i>avium</i> isolates from 92 Korean patients revealed that all isolates were <i>M</i>. <i>avium</i> subspecies <i>hominissuis</i>. In <i>hsp65</i> sequevar analysis, codes 2, 15, and 16 were most frequently found (88/92) with similar proportions among cases additionally two isolates belonging to code N2 and an unreported code were identified, respectively. In insertion element analysis, all isolates were IS<i>1311</i> positive and IS<i>900</i> negative. Four of the <i>M</i>. <i>avium</i> subsp. <i>hominissuis</i> isolates did not harbor IS<i>1245</i> and 1 of the <i>M</i>. <i>avium</i> isolates intriguingly harbored DT1, which is thought to be a <i>M</i>. <i>intracellulare</i>-specific element. <i>M</i>. <i>avium</i> subsp. <i>hominissuis</i> harboring IS<i>Mav6</i> is prevalent in Korea. No significant association between clinical manifestation and treatment response has been found in patients with the <i>hsp65</i> code type and IS<i>Mav6</i>, indicating that no specific strain/genotype among <i>M</i>. <i>avium</i> subsp. <i>hominissuis</i> organisms was a major source of <i>M</i>. <i>avium</i> lung disease. Interestingly, the presence of IS<i>Mav6</i> was correlated with greater resistance to moxifloxacin. Conclusively, the genotype of Korean <i>M</i>. <i>avium</i> subsp. <i>hominissuis</i> isolates is not a disease determinant responsible for lung disease and specific virulent factors of <i>M</i>. <i>avium</i> subsp. <i>hominissuis</i> need to be investigated further.</p></div

Univariate and multivariable analyses of risk factors for development of CPA.

<p>Univariate and multivariable analyses of risk factors for development of CPA.</p

Development of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis in a patient with NTM-LD.

<p>Chest computed tomography images are shown for a 69-year-old female patient with <i>Mycobacterium intracellulare</i> lung disease. (A) At the time of initiation of antibiotic therapy for <i>M</i>. <i>intracellulare</i> lung disease, there was a large cavitary consolidation in the right upper lobe. Serum <i>Aspergillus</i> precipitin antibody was negative. (B) After 12 months of antibiotic therapy for <i>M</i>. <i>intracellulare</i> lung disease, cavitary consolidation in the right upper lobe was improved, and sputum cultures for NTM were negative. (C) After 18 months of antibiotic therapy for <i>M</i>. <i>intracellulare</i> lung disease, the patient’s respiratory symptoms and the consolidation in the right upper lobe were aggravated. Sputum cultures for NTM were negative. However, serum <i>Aspergillus</i> precipitin antibody was strongly positive, and chronic pulmonary aspergillosis was diagnosed.</p

Cumulative recurrence rates following BAE in patients with CPA (solid line) and patients with SA (dotted line) (<i>P</i> = 0.061, log-rank test).

<p>BAE, bronchial artery embolization; CPA, chronic pulmonary aspergillosis.</p

Angiographic findings and bronchial artery embolization in patients with pulmonary aspergillosis.

<p>Angiographic findings and bronchial artery embolization in patients with pulmonary aspergillosis.</p

Survival curves in study patient groups using Kaplan-Meier analysis.

<p>Survival curves in study patient groups using Kaplan-Meier analysis.</p