Exploring gender-wise, sector-wise, and grade-wise difference among secondary school students’ reading habits

This study was conducted to examine students’ perceptions regarding reading habits and to explore gender-wise, sector-wise, and grade-wise differences in secondary school students’ reading habits. The students (N=538) who participated in this cross-sectional survey were selected through a non-proportional stratified random sampling technique from district Lahore. The researchers developed a questionnaire comprised of four subscales (perceptions, purpose, preferences, and problems in reading) to measure students reading habits. They ensured the validity of the instrument from experts and calculated the reliability that was Cronbach’s alpha=0.802. Data were analyzed by using different statistical techniques (mean, standard deviation, and independent samples t-tests). The results of descriptive statistics indicated that students gave more preferences to reading than perceptions about reading, the purpose of reading, and problems in reading. However, the least contributing factor was problems in reading. Whereas the findings of independent samples t-tests showed a significant difference in students’ perceptions about reading habits based on gender and class. However, an insignificant difference was found in students’ perception of reading habits based on sector-wise (public and private) schools. Books of students’ interests may be provided in libraries to encourage them to read. Moreover, teachers may also arrange more reading activities to enhance students’ reading skills

Prevalence of raised Alanine Amino transaminase (ALT) in pregnant mothers: A Cross-sectional Study

Objective: To determine the prevalence of raised ALT, common causes, and associated fetomaternal morbidity  in pregnant mothers presenting, at cantonment general hospital Rawalpindi Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at cantonment general hospital Rawalpindi from July 2016 till June 2017. Results: Out of 1924 women, 102 were identified with raised ALT making a prevalence of 5.3%. Sixty-one (59.8%) were booked. The hypertensive group which included severe preeclampsia, chronic hypertension with superimposed preeclampsia/eclampsia were 55(53.9%), intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy(ICP) 32(31.7%), acute viral hepatitis 9(8.8%), Acute fatty liver of pregnancy(AFLP) 2(1.96%), and unknown cause in 4(3.92%). Mean ALT levels were 54.1±6.94, 71.28±23.25, 84.22±27.82, 231.5±47.37 respectively. In four cases no definitive cause could be identified with the available tests were labeled as an unknown group, having a mean ALT level of 79.25±10.07. (p=0.01). Term delivery occurred in 71(69.6%), while 31(30.39%) were preterm. There was one termination of pregnancy. Vaginal birth occurred in 42(42.2%), and 53(51.9%) underwent emergency cesarean. There was one peripartum hysterectomy. Meconium stain of liquor was 19(18.6%). The birth weight of most babies 73(71.5%) was between 2-3 kilograms only three were ≤ 1 kilograms. Eight cases of postpartum hemorrhage, three maternal deaths, and six perinatal/early neonatal deaths were observed. Conclusion: Raised ALT in pregnancy leads to increased fetomaternal complications. Severe preeclampsia and obstetric cholestasis were the commonest causes. Women of younger age groups were having acute viral hepatitis. Timely recognition and diagnosis are essential to institute appropriate management strategies

Spatial Environmental Criteria for Siting Industries

The paper presents the solution for identifying appropriate locations for industrial setup in Lahore districtusing GIS based multi-criteria decision analysis as decision support tool (DST). Several environmental indicators wereused in this study including air quality index, water quality index, landcover, and built-up/settlements. Thematic layerswere developed for these indicators followed by analysis in ArcGIS software’s model builder using various geoprocessing techniques. As a result the study area is divided into four types of zones (e.g., not suitable, less suitablemoderately suitable and suitable) depending on environmental criteria and industrial categorization. The results revealthat 52 % of district area goes to environmentally sensitive zone . In remaining areas possibility of setting industrieswith their pollution index is proposed. The areas are proposed considering the industry categories such as schedule Iindustries which are air emission industries and Schedule II industries which are effluent discharge industries as persectoral guidelines of Pakistan

Impact of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) on Aspects of Personal and Professional Life

Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is officially a pandemic now. With around 30-40 % workforce working from home and around 30% unemployment expected, so far by analysts, it is becoming very important to understand the personal and professional impact that this pandemic is having on professionals.In the last weeks, alone many ICT companies have downsized, reduced pay, or stopped benefits in order to handle the economic strain caused by the pandemic while factories and manufacturing concerns have come to a halt. On a personal level, staying at home, isolation, unemployment, financial strain occurs that can cause numerous behavioral concerns. The aim of this paper is to do an exploratory study with a mix of auto ethnographic view and identify professional and personal effects both positive and negative due to the COVID-19 pandemic and repercussions for professionals. As COVID-19 is an ongoing pandemic, thereby to the best of our knowledge, no study has been conducted which explain the impact of COVID-19 on personal and professional lives with the qualitative context we adopted

Students’ interpersonal skills and its association with their academic achievement in secondary school of Pakistan

The educational productivity theory directed that students’ variables affect their performance. Therefore, this descriptive correlational study was designed to examine students’ interpersonal skills and its association with their achievement. There were 3,200 high school students participated in this study, selected from 80 high schools of Punjab through multistage random sampling technique. The Interpersonal Skills Scale (ISS) was adapted from DiPerna and Elliott’s Academic Competence Evaluation Scales-Student form (ACES-Student). ISS demonstrated a good internal consistency (coefficient alphas=0.819 and composite reliability=0.845). The results exhibited that students have a competent level of interpersonal skills. Moreover, a statistically significant difference was found in female and male students’ perceptions about interpersonal skills, while female have more interpersonal skills than male. Furthermore, ANOVA results concluded that administrative division (location) influences students’ perception of interpersonal skills. It is concluded from the correlational analysis that students’ interpersonal skills are indirectly associated with their achievement because a negative weak relationship was found in students’ interpersonal skills and their achievement as r=0.031, p=0.081. It is suggested that teachers may promote interpersonal skills by integrating cooperative and collaborative learning strategies into their classrooms

Frequency of Common Chromosomal Abnormalities in Patients with Idiopathic Acquired Aplastic Anemia

Objective: To determine the frequency of common chromosomal aberrations in local population idiopathic determine the frequency of common chromosomal aberrations in local population idiopathic determine the frequency of common chromosomal aberrations in local population idiopathic determine the frequency of common chromosomal aberrations in local population idiopathic determine the frequency of common chromosomal aberrations in local population idiopathic determine the frequency of common chromosomal aberrations in local population idiopathic determine the frequency of common chromosomal aberrations in local population idiopathic determine the frequency of common chromosomal aberrations in local population idiopathic determine the frequency of common chromosomal aberrations in local population idiopathic determine the frequency of common chromosomal aberrations in local population idiopathic determine the frequency of common chromosomal aberrations in local population idiopathic determine the frequency of common chromosomal aberrations in local population idiopathic determine the frequency of common chromosomal aberrations in local population idiopathic determine the frequency of common chromosomal aberrations in local population idiopathic determine the frequency of common chromosomal aberrations in local population idiopathic determine the frequency of common chromosomal aberrations in local population idiopathic determine the frequency of common chromosomal aberrations in local population idiopathic determine the frequency of common chromosomal aberrations in local population idiopathic determine the frequency of common chromosomal aberrations in local population idiopathic determine the frequency of common chromosomal aberrations in local population idiopathic determine the frequency of common chromosomal aberrations in local population idiopathic determine the frequency of common chromosomal aberrations in local population idiopathic determine the frequency of common chromosomal aberrations in local population idiopathic determine the frequency of common chromosomal aberrations in local population idiopathic determine the frequency of common chromosomal aberrations in local population idiopathic determine the frequency of common chromosomal aberrations in local population idiopathic determine the frequency of common chromosomal aberrations in local population idiopathic determine the frequency of common chromosomal aberrations in local population idiopathic determine the frequency of common chromosomal aberrations in local population idiopathic determine the frequency of common chromosomal aberrations in local population idiopathic determine the frequency of common chromosomal aberrations in local population idiopathic determine the frequency of common chromosomal aberrations in local population idiopathic determine the frequency of common chromosomal aberrations in local population idiopathic determine the frequency of common chromosomal aberrations in local population idiopathic determine the frequency of common chromosomal aberrations in local population idiopathic determine the frequency of common chromosomal aberrations in local population idiopathic determine the frequency of common chromosomal aberrations in local population idiopathic determine the frequency of common chromosomal aberrations in local population idiopathic determine the frequency of common chromosomal aberrations in local population idiopathic determine the frequency of common chromosomal aberrations in local population idiopathic determine the frequency of common chromosomal aberrations in local population idiopathic determine the frequency of common chromosomal aberrations in local population idiopathic determine the frequency of common chromosomal aberrations in local population idiopathic determine the frequency of common chromosomal aberrations in local population idiopathic determine the frequency of common chromosomal aberrations in local population idiopathic determine the frequency of common chromosomal aberrations in local population idiopathic determine the frequency of common chromosomal aberrations in local population idiopathic determine the frequency of common chromosomal aberrations in local population idiopathic determine the frequency of common chromosomal aberrations in local population idiopathic determine the frequency of common chromosomal aberrations in local population idiopathic determine the frequency of common chromosomal aberrations in local population idiopathic determine the frequency of common chromosomal aberrations in local population idiopathic determine the frequency of common chromosomal aberrations in local population idiopathic determine the frequency of common chromosomal aberrations in local population idiopathic determine the frequency of common chromosomal aberrations in local population idiopathic determine the frequency of common chromosomal aberrations in local population idiopathic determine the frequency of common chromosomal aberrations in local population idiopathic determine the frequency of common chromosomal aberrations in local population idiopathic determine the frequency of common chromosomal aberrations in local population idiopathic determine the frequency of common chromosomal aberrations in local population idiopathic determine the frequency of common chromosomal aberrations in local population idiopathic acquired aplastic anemia at the time of diagnosis, using Gacquired aplastic anemia at the time of diagnosis, using G acquired aplastic anemia at the time of diagnosis, using Gacquired aplastic anemia at the time of diagnosis, using G acquired aplastic anemia at the time of diagnosis, using Gacquired aplastic anemia at the time of diagnosis, using Gacquired aplastic anemia at the time of diagnosis, using G acquired aplastic anemia at the time of diagnosis, using Gacquired aplastic anemia at the time of diagnosis, using Gacquired aplastic anemia at the time of diagnosis, using Gacquired aplastic anemia at the time of diagnosis, using G acquired aplastic anemia at the time of diagnosis, using Gacquired aplastic anemia at the time of diagnosis, using Gacquired aplastic anemia at the time of diagnosis, using Gacquired aplastic anemia at the time of diagnosis, using G acquired aplastic anemia at the time of diagnosis, using Gacquired aplastic anemia at the time of diagnosis, using G acquired aplastic anemia at the time of diagnosis, using G acquired aplastic anemia at the time of diagnosis, using Gacquired aplastic anemia at the time of diagnosis, using G acquired aplastic anemia at the time of diagnosis, using G acquired aplastic anemia at the time of diagnosis, using Gacquired aplastic anemia at the time of diagnosis, using Gacquired aplastic anemia at the time of diagnosis, using Gacquired aplastic anemia at the time of diagnosis, using G acquired aplastic anemia at the time of diagnosis, using Gacquired aplastic anemia at the time of diagnosis, using G acquired aplastic anemia at the time of diagnosis, using Gacquired aplastic anemia at the time of diagnosis, using Gacquired aplastic anemia at the time of diagnosis, using G acquired aplastic anemia at the time of diagnosis, using G acquired aplastic anemia at the time of diagnosis, using Gacquired aplastic anemia at the time of diagnosis, using Gacquired aplastic anemia at the time of diagnosis, using Gacquired aplastic anemia at the time of diagnosis, using G-banding cytogenetic analysisbanding cytogenetic analysisbanding cytogenetic analysisbanding cytogenetic analysisbanding cytogenetic analysisbanding cytogenetic analysisbanding cytogenetic analysisbanding cytogenetic analysis banding cytogenetic analysisbanding cytogenetic analysisbanding cytogenetic analysisbanding cytogenetic analysisbanding cytogenetic analysisbanding cytogenetic analysis banding cytogenetic analysisbanding cytogenetic analysisbanding cytogenetic analysis banding cytogenetic analysis.Patients and Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted in Department of Haematology, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, and Islamabad and Department of Genetics, Children Hospital, Lahore from June 2015 to July 2017. Sample size was calculated using WHO sample size calculator. A total of sixty cases of peripheral blood pancytopenia having clinical suspicion of acquired aplastic anemia and diagnosed on bone marrow examination with aplastic anemia were included in the study. Bone marrow or peripheral blood samples were also processed for cytogenetics by G-banding and karyotyping according to International System for Human Cytogenetic Nomenclature (ISCN) to determine frequency of chromosomal abnormalities in the patients of acquired aplastic anaemia.Results: Sixty cases diagnosed to have acquired aplastic anaemia using bone marrow examination as gold standard were included in the study based on inclusion criteria. Forty-five out of 60 patients (75%) had successful karyotyping whereas 15 out of 60 patients (25%) had inconclusive cytogenetics due to culture failure, inadequate metaphase cells and contamination. G-banding revealed normal karyotyping in 40 out of 45 patients (88.9%) while 5 out of 45 patients (11.1%) were found to have abnormal karyotyping. Chromosomal abnormalities revealed by abnormal karyotyping included three numerical abnormalities i.e. monosomy 7, trisomy 8, trisomy 14 and two structural abnormalities i.e. deletion of 11q, deletion of 13q. The frequency of chromosomal abnormalities in patients with acquired aplastic anaemia in this study was found to be 11.1%.Conclusion: Cytogenetic analysis may be beneficial in differentiating acquired AA from other haemopoietic ytogenetic analysis may be beneficial in differentiating acquired AA from other haemopoietic ytogenetic analysis may be beneficial in differentiating acquired AA from other haemopoietic ytogenetic analysis may be beneficial in differentiating acquired AA from other haemopoietic ytogenetic analysis may be beneficial in differentiating acquired AA from other haemopoietic ytogenetic analysis may be beneficial in differentiating acquired AA from other haemopoietic ytogenetic analysis may be beneficial in differentiating acquired AA from other haemopoietic ytogenetic analysis may be beneficial in differentiating acquired AA from other haemopoietic ytogenetic analysis may be beneficial in differentiating acquired AA from other haemopoietic ytogenetic analysis may be beneficial in differentiating acquired AA from other haemopoietic ytogenetic analysis may be beneficial in differentiating acquired AA from other haemopoietic ytogenetic analysis may be beneficial in differentiating acquired AA from other haemopoietic ytogenetic analysis may be beneficial in differentiating acquired AA from other haemopoietic ytogenetic analysis may be beneficial in differentiating acquired AA from other haemopoietic ytogenetic analysis may be beneficial in differentiating acquired AA from other haemopoietic ytogenetic analysis may be beneficial in differentiating acquired AA from other haemopoietic ytogenetic analysis may be beneficial in differentiating acquired AA from other haemopoietic ytogenetic analysis may be beneficial in differentiating acquired AA from other haemopoietic ytogenetic analysis may be beneficial in differentiating acquired AA from other haemopoietic ytogenetic analysis may be beneficial in differentiating acquired AA from other haemopoietic ytogenetic analysis may be beneficial in differentiating acquired AA from other haemopoietic ytogenetic analysis may be beneficial in differentiating acquired AA from other haemopoietic ytogenetic analysis may be beneficial in differentiating acquired AA from other haemopoietic ytogenetic analysis may be beneficial in differentiating acquired AA from other haemopoietic ytogenetic analysis may be beneficial in differentiating acquired AA from other haemopoietic ytogenetic analysis may be beneficial in differentiating acquired AA from other haemopoietic ytogenetic analysis may be beneficial in differentiating acquired AA from other haemopoietic ytogenetic analysis may be beneficial in differentiating acquired AA from other haemopoietic ytogenetic analysis may be beneficial in differentiating acquired AA from other haemopoietic ytogenetic analysis may be beneficial in differentiating acquired AA from other haemopoietic ytogenetic analysis may be beneficial in differentiating acquired AA from other haemopoietic ytogenetic analysis may be beneficial in differentiating acquired AA from other haemopoietic ytogenetic analysis may be beneficial in differentiating acquired AA from other haemopoietic ytogenetic analysis may be beneficial in differentiating acquired AA from other haemopoietic ytogenetic analysis may be beneficial in differentiating acquired AA from other haemopoietic ytogenetic analysis may be beneficial in differentiating acquired AA from other haemopoietic ytogenetic analysis may be beneficial in differentiating acquired AA from other haemopoietic ytogenetic analysis may be beneficial in differentiating acquired AA from other haemopoietic ytogenetic analysis may be beneficial in differentiating acquired AA from other haemopoietic ytogenetic analysis may be beneficial in differentiating acquired AA from other haemopoietic ytogenetic analysis may be beneficial in differentiating acquired AA from other haemopoietic ytogenetic analysis may be beneficial in differentiating acquired AA from other haemopoietic ytogenetic analysis may be beneficial in differentiating acquired AA from other haemopoietic ytogenetic analysis may be beneficial in differentiating acquired AA from other haemopoietic ytogenetic analysis may be beneficial in differentiating acquired AA from other haemopoietic ytogenetic analysis may be beneficial in differentiating acquired AA from other haemopoietic ytogenetic analysis may be beneficial in differentiating acquired AA from other haemopoietic ytogenetic analysis may be beneficial in differentiating acquired AA from other haemopoietic ytogenetic analysis may be beneficial in differentiating acquired AA from other haemopoietic ytogenetic analysis may be beneficial in differentiating acquired AA from other haemopoietic ytogenetic analysis may be beneficial in differentiating acquired AA from other haemopoietic ytogenetic analysis may be beneficial in differentiating acquired AA from other haemopoietic ytogenetic analysis may be beneficial in differentiating acquired AA from other haemopoietic ytogenetic analysis may be beneficial in differentiating acquired AA from other haemopoietic ytogenetic analysis may be beneficial in differentiating acquired AA from other haemopoietic ytogenetic analysis may be beneficial in differentiating acquired AA from other haemopoietic ytogenetic analysis may be beneficial in differentiating acquired AA from other haemopoietic ytogenetic analysis may be beneficial in differentiating acquired AA from other haemopoietic ytogenetic analysis may be beneficial in differentiating acquired AA from other haemopoietic ytogenetic analysis may be beneficial in differentiating acquired AA from other haemopoietic ytogenetic analysis may be beneficial in differentiating acquired AA from other haemopoietic ytogenetic analysis may be beneficial in differentiating acquired AA from other haemopoietic ytogenetic analysis may be beneficial in differentiating acquired AA from other haemopoietic ytogenetic analysis may be beneficial in differentiating acquired AA from other haemopoietic disorders of bone marrow failure, which may be missed, based on cell morphology alone. It also guides in disorders of bone marrow failure, which may be missed, based on cell morphology alone. It also guides in disorders of bone marrow failure, which may be missed, based on cell morphology alone. It also guides in disorders of bone marrow failure, which may be missed, based on cell morphology alone. It also guides in disorders of bone marrow failure, which may be missed, based on cell morphology alone. It also guides in disorders of bone marrow failure, which may be missed, based on cell morphology alone. It also guides in disorders of bone marrow failure, which may be missed, based on cell morphology alone. It also guides in disorders of bone marrow failure, which may be missed, based on cell morphology alone. It also guides in disorders of bone marrow failure, which may be missed, based on cell morphology alone. It also guides in disorders of bone marrow failure, which may be missed, based on cell morphology alone. It also guides in disorders of bone marrow failure, which may be missed, based on cell morphology alone. It also guides in disorders of bone marrow failure, which may be missed, based on cell morphology alone. It also guides in disorders of bone marrow failure, which may be missed, based on cell morphology alone. It also guides in disorders of bone marrow failure, which may be missed, based on cell morphology alone. It also guides in disorders of bone marrow failure, which may be missed, based on cell morphology alone. It also guides in disorders of bone marrow failure, which may be missed, based on cell morphology alone. It also guides in disorders of bone marrow failure, which may be missed, based on cell morphology alone. It also guides in disorders of bone marrow failure, which may be missed, based on cell morphology alone. It also guides in disorders of bone marrow failure, which may be missed, based on cell morphology alone. It also guides in disorders of bone marrow failure, which may be missed, based on cell morphology alone. It also guides in disorders of bone marrow failure, which may be missed, based on cell morphology alone. It also guides in disorders of bone marrow failure, which may be missed, based on cell morphology alone. It also guides in disorders of bone marrow failure, which may be missed, based on cell morphology alone. It also guides in disorders of bone marrow failure, which may be missed, based on cell morphology alone. It also guides in disorders of bone marrow failure, which may be missed, based on cell morphology alone. It also guides in disorders of bone marrow failure, which may be missed, based on cell morphology alone. It also guides in disorders of bone marrow failure, which may be missed, based on cell morphology alone. It also guides in disorders of bone marrow failure, which may be missed, based on cell morphology alone. It also guides in disorders of bone marrow failure, which may be missed, based on cell morphology alone. It also guides in disorders of bone marrow failure, which may be missed, based on cell morphology alone. It also guides in disorders of bone marrow failure, which may be missed, based on cell morphology alone. It also guides in disorders of bone marrow failure, which may be missed, based on cell morphology alone. It also guides in disorders of bone marrow failure, which may be missed, based on cell morphology alone. It also guides in disorders of bone marrow failure, which may be missed, based on cell morphology alone. It also guides in disorders of bone marrow failure, which may be missed, based on cell morphology alone. It also guides in disorders of bone marrow failure, which may be missed, based on cell morphology alone. It also guides in disorders of bone marrow failure, which may be missed, based on cell morphology alone. It also guides in disorders of bone marrow failure, which may be missed, based on cell morphology alone. It also guides in disorders of bone marrow failure, which may be missed, based on cell morphology alone. It also guides in disorders of bone marrow failure, which may be missed, based on cell morphology alone. It also guides in disorders of bone marrow failure, which may be missed, based on cell morphology alone. It also guides in disorders of bone marrow failure, which may be missed, based on cell morphology alone. It also guides in disorders of bone marrow failure, which may be missed, based on cell morphology alone. It also guides in disorders of bone marrow failure, which may be missed, based on cell morphology alone. It also guides in disorders of bone marrow failure, which may be missed, based on cell morphology alone. It also guides in disorders of bone marrow failure, which may be missed, based on cell morphology alone. It also guides in disorders of bone marrow failure, which may be missed, based on cell morphology alone. It also guides in disorders of bone marrow failure, which may be missed, based on cell morphology alone. It also guides in disorders of bone marrow failure, which may be missed, based on cell morphology alone. It also guides in disorders of bone marrow failure, which may be missed, based on cell morphology alone. It also guides in disorders of bone marrow failure, which may be missed, based on cell morphology alone. It also guides in disorders of bone marrow failure, which may be missed, based on cell morphology alone. It also guides in disorders of bone marrow failure, which may be missed, based on cell morphology alone. It also guides in disorders of bone marrow failure, which may be missed, based on cell morphology alone. It also guides in disorders of bone marrow failure, which may be missed, based on cell morphology alone. It also guides in disorders of bone marrow failure, which may be missed, based on cell morphology alone. It also guides in disorders of bone marrow failure, which may be missed, based on cell morphology alone. It also guides in disorders of bone marrow failure, which may be missed, based on cell morphology alone. It also guides in disorders of bone marrow failure, which may be missed, based on cell morphology alone. It also guides in disorders of bone marrow failure, which may be missed, based on cell morp

Relationships among students’ reading habits, study skills, and academic achievement in English at the secondary level

IntroductionReading is an attempt to comprehend the writer’s message for personal growth and success in the relevant fields. Thus, psychologists consider it a multifaceted cognitive process of constructing meanings from texts. The present study was conducted to determine the relationships among students’ reading habits, study skills, and academic achievement in English at the secondary level in Punjab, Pakistan.MethodsThe (n = 1614) students enrolled in the science section for the academic year 2019–2020 participated in this descriptive correlational survey, selected from 40 high schools in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan, through a non-proportionate stratified random sampling technique. The Reading Habits Questionnaire (RHQ) and the Study Skills Scale (SSS) were used to collect data about students’ reading habits and study skills. At the same time, academic achievement was the students’ grades obtained in the ninth class in the subject of English that were determined by the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE) Lahore in 2019. Students’ responses were analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics.ResultsThe results indicated that students have competent reading habits and study skills. The correlational findings showed a strong positive relationship among reading habits, study skills, and academic achievement in English, while moderate positive relationships between reading habits and academic achievement in English. However, regression analysis results were significant, while reading habits and study skills moderately predicted academic achievement.DiscussionIt is implicated that teachers should plan such assignments and tasks based on reflective thinking by considering the role of study skills in academic achievement. Moreover, teachers and school administrators could mutually create timetables for library lessons to build reading habits and study skills among learners

Exploring the immunomodulatory effects of Ajuga bracteosa and Atropa accuminata towards understanding of the their Anti-Arthritic potential

Rheumatoid Arthritis poses a major health concern with an ever rising global burden. Owing to the chronic nature of the disease and limitations and risks of conventional therapy, the past decade has witnessed use of herbal medicines as potent therapeutic agents. Atropa acuminata and Ajuga bracteosa have been widely used in folk medicine for rheumatism and other related inflammatory disorders. Our aim was to study immunomodulation of autoimmune arthritis by these two herbs and to delineate their possible mode of action using several animal models. Since Rheumatoid arthritis has a strong T-cell based immune mediated pathogenesis, our first aim was to investigate the possible immunoregulatory effects of the herbs if any on systemic T helper immunity in SRBC immunized Balb/C mice. Circulating antibody titers, DTH responses and spleenocyte proliferation were monitored as markers of Th1 and Th2 immune responses. Lymphocyte immunophenotying (CD4/CD8 cell counts) and intracellular Th1/Th2 cytokine concentrations were determined using flow cytometry. Our results indicated a unique immunomodulatory profile for each herbal extract. A.accuminata demonstrated mixed biphasic modulation of effector T-helper immunity. At lower doses, significant up regulation of Th1 immunity was observed. However, contrastingly at higher doses significant Th2 upregulation was observed. It was therefore considered that A.accuminata at higher doses induces and stimulates Th2 immune response and concomitantly inhibits the Th1 pathway at the same dose via inhibition of Th1 cytokines and the T-cell proliferation. Contrastingly, A.bracteosa exhibited dual Th1/Th2 immunopotentiating effects at lower doses with significant down regulation at higher doses. Also, since both the test extracts were found to downregulate T- cell immune responses in the higher dose range, this premised evaluation of extracts for anti- inflammatory properties on in vitro and in vivo acute inflammatory models. Our findings summarized novel anti-inflammatory mechanisms for both A.accuminata and A.bracteosa based on dual in vitro Cycloxygenase 1&2/5-Lipoxygenase inhibitory activities and also significant downregulation of nitric oxide (NO) and pro- inflammatory cytokine (TNF-α and Il-1 β) release in LPS-stimulated RAW 246.7 macrophage cell line . In acute inflammatory models in vivo (carrageenan induced edema, carrageenan induced pleurisy in rats and vascular permeability in mice), the test extracts exhibited an extensive diverse mechanism for anti-inflammatory properties. This was indicated on the basis of dose dependent suppression of multi targeted inflammatory mediators., NO,TNF-α and IL-1β, eicosanoids (PGE2) and leukotriene s (LTB4) along with significantly decreased leucocyte migration , ex udation and decreased vascular permeability .These effects were more potent and prolong ed than traditional NSAIDS, thereby indicating fewer side effects .Both test ex tracts were found to be safe for long term administration, as confirmed by the result s of acute toxicity studies and MTT assay. The complex mode of action of the herbs was attributed possibly due to the high polyphenolic, flavanol and flavonoid content present in the extracts as observed by means of qualitative and quantitative screening for phytochemicals. To study y further the effects of the test extracts on the progression of the disea se and to explore the underlying mechanisms of action in view of immunological responses, we evaluated the extracts for their effectiveness against the Mycobacterium tubercull i - induced model of arthritis in male Wistar rats. The polyarthiritis test reve aled a significant anti-arthritic activity both in the developing and developed phase of the disease. This was associated with significant suppression of the array of pro-inflammatory mediators (PGE2 , NO and LTB4 ) and Th1 cytokines (IL -2, TNF-α, I FN-γ, IL-6) as measured in arthritic paw tissue homogenate, slpeenocytes and serum of AA & AB treated animals . Significant upregulation of Th2 cytokines (IL-4 and IL -10) was observed only for A.accuminata. This finding strongly indicated that the test e xtract not only inhibited the T cells and Th1 cytokines but also elevated the natural capacity of the immune system to keep the Th1 cytokines under control by increa sing IL-4 and IL-10. Both the test extracts were also observed to protect rats against the primary and secondary arthritic lesions, body weight changes and haematolo gical perturbations (Hb, ESR, WBC and RBC) induced by CFA. The serum markers of inflammation and arthritis, such as C-reactive protein and rheumatoid factor, were also reduced in the AA & AB treated arthritic rats. The overall severity of arthrit is as determined by radiological analysis and pain scores indicated that the extra cts quite potently decelerated the progression of arthritis in rats. Histopathological assessment and biochemical parameters (SOD, GSH , GRX) further xconfirmed the reduced signs of chronic inflammatory response and cartilage damage. The study indicates a possiblility of using Atropa accuminata and Ajuga bracteosa as promising therapeutic agents in the treatment of Rheumatoid arthritis.The diverse set of properties might be due to the additive / antagonistic effects of bioactive constituents present in the extracts. The multipronged attack on the inflammatory mediators and Th1 /Th2 cytokines and strong potency of these extracts may have relevance for inhibition of the acute and chronic inflammatory responses in arthritis and other related diseases. It is further suggested that for an insight into the molecular mechanism of such effects, bioassay guided fractionation and isolation of active constituents and in depth studies on transcripiton factors for cytokines, iNOS, COX 1/2, 5-LOX and others is required. This could provide us with novel immunostimulatory /anti-arthritic leads for newer and safer therapeutic options in the management of arthritis and related disorders