ABSTRACT The importance of understory vegetation cannot be denied as an integral component of forest ecosystems, but there is a dearth of studies to explore the effects of environmental variables and canopy species on its diversity and composition. Here we investigated the effects of environmental variables and overstory stand structure on the understory vegetation in old-growth Monotheca buxifolia dominated forests with considerable co-dominance of other broadleaved by using ecologically standardized data collection methods across Pakistan. Multivariate analyses were used to examine the vegetation composition and different species assemblages with multiple influencing variables. We found a total of 58 understory species belonging to 55 genera and 30 families mostly representing pluriregional (33.89 %) chorological affinities with therophytic (17 species) life-form dominance and microphyll (34.48 %) leaf-size spectrum. Likewise, significant differences were observed in species richness and diversity indices between different understory community types. Attributes such as elevation, aspect, soil properties, and tree canopy structure were most strongly correlated with the Redundancy Analysis (RDA-ordination), indicating that several factors exert the strongest influence and explained the spatial pattern of understory vegetation. The findings of this research can assist forestry resources managers, forest biologists and ecologists in restoration and conservation plans for understory vegetation in the region.

ABSTRACT This study aims to investigate the importance of biomass allocation in the invasive success of Xanthium strumarium, an alien invasive species across an elevation gradient in Pakistan. This plant was selected as a model due to its lowland invasion capacity and going up the elevation gradient. Sites were sampled in three different elevation groups, ≤ 200m, ≤ 600m, and ≤ 1000m while ≥ 1400m above sea level, to analyze X. strumarium biomass allocation, related environmental variables, and community diversity. Root/Below ground, stems, leaves, fruits, total dry biomass and, its ratios were found to vary with elevation (P < 0.05). The total dry biomass and density of the species had a significant negative effect on community diversity, where the crown cover was the main contributing factor to total biomass accumulation. Environmental factors such as elevation, sand, clay, nitrogen, organic matter, phosphorus, and pH were most strongly correlated in CCA-ordination, which indicates that several topographic, edaphic, and soil variables influence the spatial pattern of biomass allocation in this invasive species. It was concluded that X. strumarium invasion continues at a higher elevations, adapting to new environmental conditions, particularly reproductive dry biomass.

Introducción: Helmand cuya capital es Lashkar-Gah es una de las provincias más volátiles entre las más afectadas por conflictos en Afganistán. Médicos sin Fronteras empezó a trabajar en el Hospital Boost en 2009. Método: Revisión retrospectiva de procedimientos quirúrgicos en Médicos sin Fronteras-Centro Operacional de Bruselas del 11 de febrero de 2010 al 30 de septiembre de 2012. Resultados: Se realizaron 5719 cirugías a 4334 pacientes, siendo de urgencia un 47% y primera intervención un 75%. 39.7% (n = 1721) de pacientes fueron de género femenino. En relación al área Gineco-obstétrica (G), la edad media fue de 31.3 años. Se realizaron 848 cesáreas (76%) de las cuales el 95% fueron urgentes. De estas pacientes (n = 598) el 64% era ASA II. En cuanto al tipo de anestesia, se administró Anestesia espinal (SA) en un 44.4% (n = 415), seguido de anestesia general sin intubación (GA-) en un 39.3% (n = 367), y en un 16% (n = 151) se administró anestesia general con intubación endotraqueal (GA+); con una mortalidad transoperatoria de 0.8% (n = 7). Conclusiones: El Hospital Boost brinda un servicio quirúrgico de relevancia en el sur de Afganistán. Dicho hospital es apoyado por Médicos sin Fronteras (MSF), lo cual ha ayudado a reducir la mortalidad materna en esa región con la provisión de asistencia de calidad en emergencias obstétricas. Con la aplicación de estándares de salud, equipo, y material médico, MSF ha logrado que la población afgana, y particularmente las gestantes, mejore su salud, logrando una mortalidad transoperatoria de intervenciones por Cesáreas de < 1%.

Introduction: Helmand province, whose capital is Lashkar-Gah, is one of the most volatile provinces affected by the conflict in Afghanistan. Doctors without Borders began to work in Boost Hospital in 2009. Method: Retrospective review of surgical procedures at the Doctors without Borders Operational Center in Brussels, February 11, 2010 to September 30, 2012. Results: 5719 surgeries were performed on 4334 patients. 47% were emergency interventions and 75% were first interventions. 39.7% (n = 1721) of patients were female. In the Gyneco-obstetric (G) area, the average age was 31.3 years. 848 Cesarean operations (76%) were performed and 95% of these were urgent. Of these patients (n = 598) 64% were at ASA II. Spinal anesthesia (SA) was administered in 44.4% (n = 415) of patients, followed by general anesthesia without intubation (GA-) in 39.3% (n = 367). In 16% (n = 151), general anesthesia was administered with endotracheal intubation (GA+). Transoperatory mortality was 0.8% (n=7). Conclusions: The Boost Hospital offers a surgical service of relevance in the south of Afghanistan. This hospital is supported by Doctors without Borders (MSF) and has helped to reduce the maternal mortality in that region through the provision of quality care in obstetric emergencies. By applying health standards, and medical teams and material, MSF has helped the Afghan population, particularly gestating mothers, to improve its health while achieving a transoperatory mortality in Cesareans of <1%.