Plant species are distributed in different types of habitats, forming different communities driven by different sets of environmental variables. Here, we assessed potential plant communities along an altitudinal gradient and their associations with different environmental drivers in the unexplored Manoor Valley (Lesser Himalaya), Pakistan. We have implemented various ecological techniques and evaluated phytosociological attributes in three randomly selected 50 m-transects within each stand (a total of 133) during different seasons for four years (2015–2018). This phytosociological exploration reported 354 plant species representing 93 different families. The results revealed that the Therophytic life form class dominated the flora, whereas Nanophyll dominated the leaf size spectra. There were a total of twelve plant communities identified, ranging from the lowest elevations to the alpine meadows and cold deserts. The maximum number of species were found in Cedrus–Pinus–Parrotiopsis community (197 species), in the middle altitudinal ranges (2292–3168 m). Our results showed that at high altitudes, species richness was reduced, whereas an increase in soil nutrients was linked to progression in vegetation indicators. We also found different clusters of species with similar habitats. Our study clearly shows how altitudinal variables can cluster different plant communities according to different microclimates. Studies such as ours are paramount to better understanding how environmental factors influence ecological and evolutionary aspects.

The Land use Land cover (LULC) change due to rapidly growing population is a common feature of urban area. This research aims to detect the variations in LULC from 1991-2017 of Malakand Division in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. The study relies on secondary dataset downloaded from United State Geological Survey (1991, 2001, 2011 & 2017 imageries) and UN OCHA website. Maximum Likelihood technique under supervised image classification was adopted to analyze the LULC changes in between 1991 and 2017. Total six land use classes were generated including agriculture built-up area, vegetation cover, water bodies, snow cover and barren land. The results from 1991 to 2017 show a substantial reduction in snow cover and barren land which is consequence of climate change. Whereas the areas underbuilt-up, vegetation cover, and water bodies were increased. The vegetation cover increased from 28.89% to 44.67% while barren land decreased from 45.68% to 40.29 of the total area. Furthermore, the built-up area increased from 1.02% to 6.2%, whereas water covers increased from 0.63% (1991) up to 0.86% (2017) of the total area. The study concludes that there is immense need of planning to preserve natural habitat for sustainable development in the area.

Objective: To compare mean hemoglobin levels of neonates after early and late cord clamping. Study Design: Randomized Controlled Trial. Setting: Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at Nishtar Hospital Multan. Period: June 2019 to December 2019. Material & Methods: A total of 60 women booked and unbooked were included in study. Selected patients randomized into group A and B, each group comprising of 30 patients depending upon the envelope with assigned treatment (either early or delayed cord clamping) picked up by the patient. Results: In present study, two groups were made. Group A consisted of 30 neonates in whom early cord clamping was done while in group B delayed clamping was done in 30 neonates. Mean age of mothers was 28.4±0.4 vs. 28.6±0.5 years in group A and B respectively. There were 25 mothers (83.3%) in group A and 21 mothers (70%) in group B between 25–30 years. There were 5 mothers (16.7%) in group A and 8 mothers (26.7%) in group B between 31–35 years of age. While none of the mother in group A and 1 mother (3.3%) in group B was between 36–40 years of age. Mean parity of the mothers was 1.1±0.2 vs. 1.4±0.2 in group A and B respectively. Eight mothers (85.4%) in group A and 7 mothers (82.5%) in group B were primipara. While 22 mothers (14.6%) in group A and 23 mothers in group B (17.5%) were para 1–3. Gestational age was 37–38 weeks in 13(43.3%) vs. 19(63.3%) women in group A and B respectively. While there were 17(56.7%) vs. 11(36.7%) women in group A and B respectively of the gestational age 39–40 weeks. Pre-delivery maternal mean hemoglobin levels was 11.9±0.1 gm/dl vs. 12.3±0.1 gm/dl in group A and B respectively. Pre-delivery maternal hemoglobin levels were 10–10.9 g/dl in 2 mothers (6.7%) vs. 1 mother (3.3%) in group A and B respectively. Neonatal mean hemoglobin levels were 16.8±0.2 g/dl vs. 17.7±0.1 g/dl in group A and B respectively. Out of the 31 booked mothers, neonatal mean hemoglobin level was 16.8±0.2 g/dl vs. 17.9±0.1 g/dl in group A and B respectively. While out of the 29 unbooked mothers, neonatal mean hemoglobin level was 16.7±0.2 g/dl vs. 17.5±0.1 g/dl in group A and B respectively. When compared the neonatal mean hemoglobin levels, there was significant difference between mean hemoglobin levels of neonates between the two groups (p=0.000). Conclusion: Delayed cord clamping in term neonates for a minimum of 2 minutes at birth is beneficial to the newborn in terms of improved hemoglobin levels. There is no significant difference seen in pre-delivery maternal hemoglobin levels and neonatal hemoglobin either in delayed cord clamping group or in early cord clamping group.

Objectives: To determine the frequency of pre-eclampsia among pregnant ladies with abnormal uterine artery Doppler at 22- 24 weeks of gestation at a tertiary care hospital. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Setting: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nishtar Medical University / Hospital Multan. Period:  All the women (n=160) with abnormal uterine artery from 01-07-2018 to 30-06-2019 were included. Material & Methods: The pulsatility index (PI) of uterine artery Doppler was taken by taking average of 3 consecutive waveforms to determine the abnormal uterine artery Doppler. These study cases were followed till delivery to document pre-eclampsia. Results: Of these 160 study cases, 89 (55.6 %) had gestational age up to 23 weeks while 71 (44.4 %) had gestational age more than 23 weeks having mean age of 25.44 ± 4.77 years. Of these 160 pregnant ladies with abnormal uterine artery Doppler, 72 (45.0 %) were resident of rural areas and 88 (55.0 %) were resident of urban areas and family history of pre-eclampsia was 42 (26.3%). Previous history of pre-eclampsia was noted in 41 (25.6%). Mean parity was 2.24 ± 1.06 and 113 (70.6%) had parity up to 3. Mean gravidity of our study cases was 3.87 ± 1.16 and 89 (55.6%) had gravidity up to 4. Obesity was present in 30 (18.8 %) having mean body mass index 25.23 ± 1.92 kg/m2. Mean interpregnancy interval was 14.19 ± 6.82 months and 83 (51.9 %) had interpregnancy interval more than 1 year and pre-eclampsia was noted in 125 (78.1%). Conclusion: Very high frequency of pre-eclampsia was noted in our study in pregnant women presenting with abnormal uterine artery Doppler at 22 – 24 weeks of gestation. Pre-eclampsia was significantly associated with age, family history of pre-eclampsia, previous history of pre-eclampsia and interpregnancy interval.