Current Challenges in Understanding the Story of Skin Pigmentation — Bridging the Morpho-Anatomical and Functional Aspects of Mammalian Melanocytes

Melanocytes are specialized dendritic melanin producing pigment cells, which have originated from the pluripotent embryonic cells and are termed as neural crest cells (NCC). The primary locations of these cells are basal layer of epidermis and hair follicles. Besides this, they are also found in the inner ear, nervous system, and heart with spatial specific functions. There are other cells able to produce melanin but of different embryonic origin (pigmented epithelium of retina, some neurons, and adipocytes). Melanocytes of the epidermis and hair are cells which share some common structural features but in general they form biologically different populations living in unique niches of the skin. Ultra structurally, melanocytes differ from each other on the basis of their locations and function. Principal function of epidermal melanocytes is photoprotection and thermoregulation by packaging melanin pigment into melanosomes and delivering them to neighboring keratinocytes. It is unfair to think that melanocytes reap all the glory for their role in pigmenting the skin and providing it critical protection against UV damage. They probably play a significant role in diverse physiological functions and their particular functions in all target places are much wider than the melanin synthesis only. Alternation in any structure and function of these pigmentary cells affects the process of pigmentation/melanogenesis which leads to pigmentary disorders like hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation

The Void

Translation of a story by novelist, playwright and short story writer, Ali Mohammad Lone, born in 1927 in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India. He worked as Assistant Producer in Radio Kashmir, and as Deputy Secretary of Cultural Academy of Jammu and Kashmir. He began his literary career by writing in Urdu but soon turned to his mother tongue Kashmiri. Lone has authored many novels, plays and short stories. Asi Ti Chi Insaan (We Too Are Humans) is his famous novel in Kashmiri. His play Suyya, which has been translated in a number of Indian languages, bagged the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award in 1972. Lone has also translated Maxim Gorky’s famous novel Mother into Kashmiri. He has been honoured with Soviet Land Nehru Award. Though influenced by left-oriented Progressive Writers’ Movement in India, Lone skilfully uses modernist elements in his work. He died in an accident on 22 December 1987 while returning home in Indira Nagar, Srinagar

Biological movement of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae in Pakistan; A pioneer project of CEMB, Punjab, Pakistan

Background: In Asia, germ plasm exchange in different ecosystems, has been observed. This exchange causes movement of different pathogens. In present study, we worked on movement of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) causing bacterial blight of rice. In 1976, this disease was first recorded from Punjab (Pakistan) but the cultivars of that time showed resistance against bacterial blight. Then in 1984, the disease was seen on IRRI9. Tremendous increase of this pathogen has become prevalent due to increase in demand of Basmati 385 (cultivar), and now it is one of the most important rice diseases in Pakistan. Hypothesis of present study is “there is genetic diversity of Xoo in different rice growing areas of Punjab, Pakistan.”Methods: By fingerprinting; the movement pattern of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae were searched out in present study. The IS1112; a repetitive element of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae was used to fingerprint twenty-one bacterial strains.Results: We compared local strains with that of provided by IRRI Philippine (International Rice Research Institute, Philippine). The obtained clusters were correlated with regional differentiation.Conclusion: Present reported work is the pioneer study (1998-2000) which clued the occurrence of regional movement of pathogen via germ plasm exchange. This study may also provide help to forensics to watch the bioterrorism.Keywords: Bacterial blight; Xanthomonas oryzae; Germ plasm; Genetic diversity; SAARC

Non-Operative Management of Acute Uncomplicated Appendicitis in Children

Objective: To compare the efficacy of non-surgical conservative management with surgical management in cases of uncomplicated acute appendicitis in children. Study design: Prospective comparative study. Settings: Pediatric surgery Department, --removed for blind review---- Study duration: 1st February 2020 to 31st May 2021. Methodology: Ninety patients of either gender with age range from 5-12 years, diagnosed as uncomplicated acute appendicitis, were divided in two groups. Group C patients were managed conservatively with antibiotics (ceftriaxone 100 mg/kg/day, amikacin 10mg/kg/day and metronidazole 22.5 mg/kg/day) and maintenance fluids were started. Patients were observed for improvement or any signs of deterioration. Those who deteriorated within 24 hours were management with surgical management immediately. Follow ups were carried out after discharge at 7th day, 1 month and six months. Patients reporting with recurrence of symptoms were managed with appendicectomy. Group S patients were managed with appendicectomy with open technique. Patients were observed for post-operative complications. Results: Demographic data of both groups was comparable. In group C, 34 (75.56%) patients were successfully treated with conservative management, whereas in group S, 39 (86.67%) were successfully treated with surgical management. The difference was insignificant with a p-value of 0.114. In group C, 5 (11.11%) patients did not respond to conservative management and they were managed with appendicectomy and recurrence of symptoms was seen in 6 (13.33%) patients in group C, they were also managed with appendicectomy. In group S, 6 (13.33%) patients suffered post-operative complications. Mean length of stay in hospital was 4.31±1.20 and 4.09±1.12 days in group C and S respectively. This difference was statistically insignificant with a p-value of 0.368. Conclusion:     It is concluded in our study that uncomplicated acute appendicitis in children can be successfully managed with non-surgical conservative management. Keywords: Acute appendicitis, Appendicectomy, Conservative management, Non-surgical management, Pediatric surgery, Uncomplicated acute appendicitis

Non-Operative Management of Acute Uncomplicated Appendicitis in Children

Objective: To compare the efficacy of non-surgical conservative management with surgical management in cases of uncomplicated acute appendicitis in children. Study design: Prospective comparative study. Settings: Pediatric surgery Department, --removed for blind review---- Study duration: 1st February 2020 to 31st May 2021. Methodology: Ninety patients of either gender with age range from 5-12 years, diagnosed as uncomplicated acute appendicitis, were divided in two groups. Group C patients were managed conservatively with antibiotics (ceftriaxone 100 mg/kg/day, amikacin 10mg/kg/day and metronidazole 22.5 mg/kg/day) and maintenance fluids were started. Patients were observed for improvement or any signs of deterioration. Those who deteriorated within 24 hours were management with surgical management immediately. Follow ups were carried out after discharge at 7th day, 1 month and six months. Patients reporting with recurrence of symptoms were managed with appendicectomy. Group S patients were managed with appendicectomy with open technique. Patients were observed for post-operative complications. Results: Demographic data of both groups was comparable. In group C, 34 (75.56%) patients were successfully treated with conservative management, whereas in group S, 39 (86.67%) were successfully treated with surgical management. The difference was insignificant with a p-value of 0.114. In group C, 5 (11.11%) patients did not respond to conservative management and they were managed with appendicectomy and recurrence of symptoms was seen in 6 (13.33%) patients in group C, they were also managed with appendicectomy. In group S, 6 (13.33%) patients suffered post-operative complications. Mean length of stay in hospital was 4.31±1.20 and 4.09±1.12 days in group C and S respectively. This difference was statistically insignificant with a p-value of 0.368. Conclusion:     It is concluded in our study that uncomplicated acute appendicitis in children can be successfully managed with non-surgical conservative management. Keywords: Acute appendicitis, Appendicectomy, Conservative management, Non-surgical management, Pediatric surgery, Uncomplicated acute appendicitis

Prevalence, incidence and molecular identification of root-knot nematodes of tomato in Pakistan

Tomato is a widely grown vegetable in Pakistan. However, its production is severely constrained by root knot nematodes (RKNs). Accurate identification of RKNs is essential for an appropriate control program. The current study evaluated the prevalence, incidence and diversity of RKNs of tomato crops grown in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province and their identification using molecular tools. A field survey, including 30 commercial tomato fields, was conducted in ten major tomato growing areas of Swat and Malakand divisions during spring 2010. The overall prevalence and incidence in the study area was 83.3 and 52.0%, respectively. Three species of RKNs, Meloidogyne arenaria, M. incognita and M. javanica were found alone or in mixed populations. Disease incidence ranged from 10% in Malakandher to 100% and 90 to 100% in Jabban and Malakand, respectively. The greatest galling index (GI) (5.0) and egg mass index (EMI) (5.0) was recorded in samples from Jabban, whereas the lowest GI and EMI were recorded in samples from Malakandher and Peshawar. The population density of RKNs was highest in roots (633.0 eggs and second-stage juveniles) and soil (533.0 eggs and second-stage juveniles) samples of Jabban. DNA amplification with rDNA (D2A-D3B) and (194 to 195) primers amplified 750 and 720 bp products for M. arenaria, M. incognita and M. javanica, respectively. Amplification with sequence characterized amplified regions (SCAR) primers produced characteristic products of 420 bp for M. arenaria (Far/Rar), 1200 bp for M. incognita (Finc/Rinc), and 670 bp for M. javanica (Fjav/Rjav). DNA amplification of mtDNA with C2F3/1108 primers yielded a 1700 bp size product for all three species of RKNs in comparison with 520 and 750 bp for M. chitwoodi and enterolobii, respectively, which were utilized as control. Sequencing the 28S rDNA product generated with the D2A-D3B primers did not differentiate among the three Meloidogyne spp. from the study area.Key words: Meloidogyne, species identification, perineal pattern, sequence characterized amplified regions (SCAR) primers

Phytobiocidal management of bacterial wilt of tomato caused by Ralstonia solanacearum (Smith) Yabuuchi

Phytobiocides are a good alternative to chemicals in managing bacterial diseases including bacterial wilt of tomato caused by Ralstonia solanacearum. In the present research study, finely ground dried powders of seven widely available medicinal plants/weeds species viz., Peganum harmala (esfand or wild rue), Calotropis procera (sodom apple), Melia azedarach (white cedar), Allium sativum (garlic), Adhatoda vasica (malabar nut), Tagetes patula (marigold) and Nerium oleander (oleander) were assessed for their anti-microbial activity, both in-vitro (10% w/v) and in-vivo (10, 20, 30, and 40 g/kg of potted soil) against R. solanacearum. Aqueous extracts (prepared as 10% w/v, soaking for 48-72 h and filtering) of C. procera, A. vasica, and T. patula inhibited the in-vitro growth of the bacterial pathogen over 60% of that produced by the standard antibiotic streptomycin. A. sativum, N. oleander and P. harmala aqueous extracts were less effective while M. azedarach showed no effect against R. solanacearum. The higher dose (40 g/kg of soil) of C. procera, A. vasica and T. patula decreased disease severity quite effectively and increased yield and plant growth characters as much as the standard antibiotic did. No phytotoxicity of medicinal plants powder was observed on tomato plants. Alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins and terpenoids were detected in the aqueous extracts of T. patula and A. vasica whereas C. procera was found to have only alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins and saponins. Our data suggest that dried powders of T. patula, C. procera and A. vasica (40 g/kg of soil) could be used as an effective component in the integrated disease management programs against bacterial wilt of tomato