INDIA’S GROWING CYBER PARTNERSHIPS AND CHALLENGES FOR PAKISTAN

With the emergence of new technologies, the potential of cyberspace is immense; however, the growing number of cyber-attacks on states’ critical infrastructure has highlighted the need for cyber security. Although it is challenging to achieve foolproof security, states can maximise safety in the cyber domain through cyber partnerships with technologically advanced countries. This study finds that India is maximising its cyber security while enhancing its offensive cyber capabilities by concluding agreements with most cyber-secure states. Furthermore, India’s cyber capabilities are more focused on Pakistan due to longstanding tensions between the two countries. On the other hand, Pakistan lacks focus on cyber security and has yet to take sufficient measures. Pakistan can maximise its cyber security through technological advancements and taking advantage of friendly countries' expertise in the cyber security domain. Cyber security partnerships will strengthen Pakistan against threats emerging from state and non-state actors. Following a qualitative exploratory research design, this study provides a detailed understanding of India’s growing cyber security partnership and cyber posture, besides highlighting Pakistan’s approach towards cyber security.   Bibliography Entry Farooq, Ammad and Ahmad Ali. 2022. "India’s Growing Cyber Partnerships and Challenges for Pakistan." Margalla Papers 26 (2): 49-61

Prostate Cancer: Countdown to Choice between Stitch in Time and Eleventh Hour Begins

Androgen ablation therapy presumed to be an effective treatment for advanced prostate cancer (PCa) is relentlessly challenged. Remissions are impermanent and patients almost inescapably progress to become castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). CRPC is almost invincible and is the major stumbling block in the treatment. It is a dramatic shift of androgen receptor (AR) from normal activities to the oncogenesis. AR signaling is remarkably increased under an androgen-depleted environment. It utilizes a miscellany of mechanisms and pathways to compensate for the decreasing levels of androgens. These range from mutations in the receptor more like a business tactic to attract more clients, to the illegitimate crosstalks which promote the signaling. The review will encompass various mechanistic insights of the AR manipulations. Moreover efficacy of therapeutic interventions recently designed keeping in view the molecular hierarchy will be evaluated

Comparison of intravenous magnesium sulphate versus placebo in the management of women with severe pre-eclampsia.

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of prophylactic intravenous magnesium sulphate in management of pre-eclemptia in terms of prevention from convulsions and developemrnt of eclempsia. Methodology: This prospective randomised trial was conducted in the department of Obtetrical and gynaecology Bahawal Vctoria Hospital, Bahawalpur. From September 2016 to September 2017. Information was entered in SPSS computer software version 23.1 and analyzed for possible results. Mean and SD was calculated and presented for quantitative data like maternal age, Gestational age, Parity and Blood pressure. Frequency (percentages) were calculated and presented for qualitative data such as gender protienurea (Yes/No), C-section, development of eclempsia and maternal death. Post stratification statistical chi square test was used to see effect modification. P value ≤ 0.05 was considered as significant. Results: In this study, a total number of 100% (n=318) patients were included, divided into two equal groups, 159 in each i.e. magnesium sulphate group and placebo group The outcomes were observed as Convulsions 2.5% (n=4) and 8.2% (n=13), maternal death1.3% (n=2) and 6.3% (n=10), adverse reaction 0.6% (n=1) and 8.2% (n=13), anti-hypertensive therapy 73.6% (n=117) and 81.8% (n=130), caesarean Section 59.7% (n=95) and 48.4% (n=77), live births 88.1% (n=140) and 97.5% (n=155) and stillbirths 21.4% (n=34) and 12.6% (n=20) for magnesium sulphate group and placebo group respectively. In Mgso4 group 95% patients have good efficacy and placebo group have 84.3% good efficacy. Conclusion: Relative small incidence of convulsions (2.5%) was found in Mgso4 group, so administration of Magnesium sulphate should considered in management of pre-eclempsia

Parkinson disease: identifying different players sharing a common principle

Parkinson disease is a multifactorial molecular disorder. Miscellaneous regulators have been characterized to date and their implication in disease progression is well documented. Compromised neuromuscular activity is a serious threat posed by malfunctioning of various regulators. The integrity and maintenance of neural architecture underpins neural activities. Despite the fact that various breakthroughs have been made, yet many proteins are unidentified while some unaddressed. Furthermore, miRNA pathway impairment results in subversion of core biological system and draws attention towards novel miRNA-based therapeutic strategies. Thus proteins and mitrons work in collaboration with various cellular organelles to ensure normal dynamics of neural circuitry. In this review we will emphasize the derailed activities of proteins at molecular level that might help in getting a step closer to personalized medicine

Methylation and loss of Imprinting: Unending rivalries unleashed between “kneaded erasers†and “fate writersâ€Â

Genome is a complex barcode that is interpreted at molecular level. There are various proteins which are modulating the expression or repression of the genes. Miscellaneous proteins work in collaboration to stimulate or repress the gene expression. Chromatin remodeling factors are the artists which chisel, carve and mould the sculpture of genome. In this review we will emphasize on exemptions and extensions which trigger genomic instability in broad range of molecular anomalies. Doubtlessly therapeutic interventions have shown tremendous promise in cancer therapy, but the selectivity profiles of these compounds have largely relied on serendipity or 'off-target' activities rather than rational drug design. Purposefully designed compounds with activity against methyltransferase, demethylase and HDAC will bring us a step closer to personalized medicine

Frequency of raised red cell distribution width in acute exacerbation of COPD patients

Objective: objective of our study is to investigate and establish the frequency of raised red cell distribution width in acute exacerbation of COPD patients. Study design: Cross sectional study Place and Duration of study: This study was conducted in pulmonology department of Nishtar Hospital Multan from January 2016 to December 2017. Methods: Total 384 patients were selected by non-probability consecutive sampling and approval of study was taken from ethical committee of the institution. Written permission of study was signed by every patient enrolled in study. Numerical variables like age, weight, white blood cells, platelets, MCV, hemoglobin (Hb) and duration of COPD were analyzed statically by taking their mean and standard deviation and t-test was applied to test their significance. Non numerical variables like gender, anemia, thrombocytopenia, income and area of living were statistically analyzed by taking their frequency and chi square test was applied to test their significance. While the outcome variable red cell distribution width was assessed by 3-part hematology chamber. Results: Overall, there were 100% (n=384) patients were included, in this study, both genders. There were 60.7% (n=233) males and 39.3% (n=151) females. 72.1% (n=277) patients belonged to urban areas while 27.9% (n=107) belonged to rural areas. 69% (n=265) had good income and 31% (n=119) had low income. The mean age and BMI of the patients was 65.22±6.45 years and 26.21±2.18 kg/m2 respectively. There were 26% (n=100) patients between 40-60 years while majority of the patients i.e. 74% (n=284) between 61-80 years of age. The distribution of BMI of the patients observed as; 39.3% (n=151) patients between 18-25 kg/m2 and 60.7% (n=233) patients between 26-32 kg/m2. The main outcome variable of this study was red cell distribution width. The Mean±S.D of red cell distribution width was 14.03±1.62%. While, red cell distribution width noted as normal and raised; 54.9% (n=211) and 45.1% (n=173) respectively. Conclusion: Study concluded that there was significant prevalence of raised red cell distribution width (RDW) in acute exacerbation of COPD patients. This easy, inexpensive and quick parameter should be investigated further. So it can be used as prognostic marker and predictor of mortality in acute exacerbation of COPD patients. Key words: Acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD), red cell distribution width (RDW), COPD, Inflammation

Critical Molecular and Genetic Markers in Primary Brain Tumors with Their Clinical Importance

Classification of primary brain tumors is based mainly on histopathological characteristics. Due to the peculiarity of the central nervous system (CNS), the location of the tumor is also used in the naming of the CNS tumors. These features, histopathology, and location determine the main prognostic factors in these tumors. Updated molecular and genetic findings in the last two decades accumulated vast amount of knowledge about the biological behavior, response to the treatment, and consequently the prognosis of CNS tumors. After the clinical use of these data, a recent classification is proposed by the International Society of Neuropathology named as “integrated diagnosis.

Pollination of Grewia asiatica (Malvaceae) by Megachile cephalotes (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae): Male vs. Female Pollination

Phalsa, Grewia asiatica is a multi-purpose crop while cross-pollination can significantly improve its reproductive success. Megachile bees (Megachilidae) are the most important group of pollinators of G. asiatica. In this study we observed the foraging behavior of Megachile cephalotes and its ultimate impact on reproductive success of phalsa at Bahawalpur (Punjab), Pakistan. Although visitation rate and stay time were statistically similar in both the sexes but visitation frequency (2.06±0.14 individuals/120 seconds) and pollen deposition (39.35±3.17 pollen grains /stigma/visit) of females were significantly higher than that of males (0.44±0.06 individuals/120 seconds and 12.05±1.19 pollen grains/stigma/visit, respectively). The environmental factors (i.e. ambient temperature, relative humidity, sunlight intensity and wind speed) greatly influenced -either positively or negatively- both the sexes (Pearson’s correlation). Female pollinated fruits were significantly greater in weight (0.41±0.017 g) followed by open (0.31±0.012 g) and male (0.27±0.011 g) pollinated fruits. Percent weight loss remained significantly lower in female pollinated fruits than open and male pollinated fruits until12 hours after harvest. Fruit wrinkling significantly increased with the increase in post-harvest intervals in open, female and male pollinated fruits while fruit color changed only in female pollinated fruits. The results of present study suggest female M. cephalotes as the efficient pollinators of G. asiatica in terms of it reproductive success and post-harvest parameters. Future studies should focus biology and ecology of M. cephalotes with special focus on its artificial nesting

Nanomedicine for the delivery of RNA in cancer

The complexity, and the diversity of the different types of cancers allied to the tendency to form metastasis make treatment efficiency so tricky and often impossible due to the advanced stage of the disease in the diagnosis. In recent years, due to tremendous scientific breakthroughs, we have witnessed exponential growth in the elucidation of mechanisms that underlie carcinogenesis and metastasis. The development of more selective therapies made it possible to improve cancer treatment. Although interdisciplinary research leads to encouraging results, scientists still have a long exploration journey. RNA technology represents a promise as a therapeutic intervention for targeted gene silencing in cancer, and there are already some RNA-based formulations in clinical trials. However, the use of RNA as a therapeutic tool presents severe limitations, mainly related to its low stability and poor cellular uptake. Thus, the use of nanomedicine employing nanoparticles to encapsulate RNA may represent a suitable platform to address the major challenges hampering its therapeutic application. In this review, we have revisited the potential of RNA and RNA-associated therapies to fight cancer, also providing, as support, a general overview of nanoplatforms for RNA delivery.This work received financial support from PT national funds (FCT/MCTES, Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia and Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Ensino Superior) through project UIDB/50006/2020

Role of Nanotechnology and Gene Delivery Systems in TRAIL-Based Therapies

Since its identification as a member of the tumour necrosis factor (TNF) family, TRAIL (TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand) has emerged as a new avenue in apoptosis-inducing cancer therapies. Its ability to circumvent the chemoresistance of conventional therapeutics and to interact with cancer stem cells (CSCs) self-renewal pathways, amplified its potential as a cancer apoptotic agent. Many recombinant preparations of this death ligand and monoclonal antibodies targeting its death receptors have been tested in monotherapy and combinational clinical trials. Gene therapy is a new approach for cancer treatment which implies viral or non-viral functional transgene induction of apoptosis in cancer cells or repair of the underlying genetic abnormality on a molecular level. The role of this approach in overcoming the traditional barriers of radiation and chemotherapeutics systemic toxicity, risk of recurrence, and metastasis made it a promising platform for cancer treatment. The recent first Food Drug Administration (FDA) approved oncolytic herpes virus for melanoma treatment brings forth the potency of the cancer gene therapy approach in the future. Many gene delivery systems have been studied for intratumoural TRAIL gene delivery alone or in combination with chemotherapeutic agents to produce synergistic cancer cytotoxicity. However, there still remain many obstacles to be conquered for this different gene delivery systems. Nanomedicine on the other hand offers a new frontier for clinical trials and biomedical research. The FDA approved nanodrugs motivates horizon exploration for other nanoscale designed particles\u27 implications in gene delivery. In this review we aim to highlight the molecular role of TRAIL in apoptosis and interaction with cancer stem cells (CSCs) self-renewal pathways. Finally, we also aim to discuss the different roles of gene delivery systems, mesenchymal cells, and nanotechnology designs in TRAIL gene delivery