Who is Jesus? Reflections on S. Endo\u27s A Life of Jesus

In lieu of an abstract, below is the essay\u27s first paragraph. Shusaku Endo was a Japanese author born in Tokyo in 1923. He was raised by his single mother who became a fervent believer in Christianity. With her influence, Endo himself was baptized by the age of twelve. Having grown up in Japan, Endo was obviously very knowledgeable about Japanese religion and customs and most especially Japanese ideals. He claimed that “the Japanese have a traditional saying to the effect that the four most dreadful things on the earth are fire, earthquakes, thunderbolts, and fathers” (4). Obviously, as this quote illustrates, the image of a strict father is not very appealing to the Japanese; instead, according to Endo, the Japanese prefer the image of a maternal figure. This is precisely why, Endo argues, that the Christian religion is such a minority in Japan. Because God has always been depicted as a stern father in western cultures, Christianity has never caught on in Japan. So to help his Japanese audience better understand his beloved religion, Shusaku Endo wrote the novel called A Life of Jesus. To accomplish this purpose, Endo depicted God and Jesus in a very different way from which western readers are used to seeing. Because the Japanese identify more with the maternal side of things and are more “responsive to one who „suffers with [them]‟”, Endo decided to depict God as a caring maternal figure and Jesus as a man who had such great love that he was willing to die even for those who did not yet believe (1). In this way Endo is able to greatly bring out the humanity of Jesus. When A Life of Jesus is read with this perspective in mind, it makes a lot more sense in terms of the arguments made, the type of soft language used, and the tear jerking metaphors presented. Overall, this book serves its purpose, which is to present and in a way to “sell” Christianity to a Japanese based audience who know very little, if anything, about Jesus

The Parent Child Connection

In lieu of an abstract, below is the essay\u27s first paragraph. The parent and child relationship is a very unique and interesting one. It is also a topic that has been highly researched and written on. It is one that has puzzled many since such a relationship was first established and it has been exemplified time and time again in various religious texts. Why is this relationship so unique and different than others? Why is it one that demands so much attention? Why is it important enough to have religious significance in the Bible, the Quran, the Torah and many other religious texts? The reason is simple, the parent child relationship, whether it be father or son, mother or daughter, is one that is necessary for human sustenance. In other words without an adequate parent child relationship, neither party can hope to live fulfilling lives. This is precisely the reason why this connection is so heavily emphasized in various religious texts and documents (story of the Prodigal son and Abraham and his son). And adequate parent child relationship is thus a template for a more fulfilling human divine relationship. In other words, these two relationships feed off of each other. An ample parent child relationship sets the precedence for a pleasing human divine relationship in the same way that the human divine relationship sets precedence for a gratifying parent child relationship. There are many things to be learned from the investigation of such a correlation; and in turn this analysis can lead to the revealing of many religious and worldly truths. These truths then help one to become more spiritual and strengthen his or her connection with the divine

CPEC Becomes a Game-Changer for Pakistan

China invested billions of dollars in Pakistan and made this project based on thebenefit of both countries. China tried to abandon trade through the Malacca Straitfrom South China Sea because there was too much risk of terrorism and the routewas too long. China chose South Asia because there was less competition for theirproducts, low labor wages and then China saw no other country in South Asia ascredible except Pakistan. Pakistan accepted China's offer because at that timePakistan's economic condition was very bad, because of the proxy war fought fromthe United States after the 9/11 attack. Other countries were afraid to invest inPakistan because of the rule of terrorism. Both countries faced problems beforeand after starting this project and are still facing problems but the benefitsoutweigh the problems due to which both countries are running this project tillnow. Many people are talking that CPEC can become the East India company inthe future. No one has seen the future but CPEC will never become East IndiaCompany because China wants to see itself as a super power in the future and thisproject is a ladder on their way to super power. China will never want risk its pathto becoming a superpower for a country whose economy is already in dire straits.Developed countries are against the project, because it has the potential tocompete with Dubai, Singapore and Hong Kong port in the future. If the twocountries continue to work for the development of this project with mutualcooperation, this project can become back bone in improving the economiccondition of both countries

Sacrohysteropexy Using Mesh for Uterovaginal Prolapsed in Women Who Wish to Retain Uterus

Objective: to study the ongoing results of sacrohysteropexy with Teflon mesh for treatment of uterovaginal prolapse in women who desire to preserve their uterus.Study Design:Cross sectional study.Place and Duration:Study was conducted in Gynacology department of Nishtar hospital, Multan, POF Hospital Rawalpindi and Holy Family Hospital Rawalpindi in one year duration from April 2016 to April 2017.Methodology: A total number of three hundred and eighty two(n=382) patients.Patients who desired to retain their uterus were evaluated by standard questionnaire, general physical examination and opturodynamic techniques. Six main outcome variables were assessed: Stress incontinence, urgency, urge incontinence, prolapse symptoms, constipation and dyspareunia. All these variables were assessed on basis of their severity. Data was analysed by using SPSS version 24. P value ≤ 0.05 was considered as significant.Results:in our study we observed outcome variables as stress incontinence, urgency, urge incontinence after sacrohysteropexy, observation was made on basis of relief from symptoms as mild and moderate 28.5% and 0.3%, 15.2% and 8.4%, 8.6% and 9.2% respectively. Constipation was noted as mild, moderate and severe 32.2%, 7.6% and 8.9% respectively.  Dyspareunia was noted as mild and moderate 24.1% and 0.5% respectively. All of these values are lessen when compared with pre-operative baseline values.Conclusion:Results of our study revealed that sacrohysteropexywith Teflon mesh is an effective and successful procedure for patients who were facing uterovaginal prolapse symptoms but desired to retain their uterus for fertility or childbearing. Keywords: Sacrohysteropexy, Uterivaginal prolapse, Teflon mesh, Stress incontinence, Constipation

Outcome of Lateral Internal Sphincterotomy in the Management of Chronic Fissure in Ano

Objective: to assess the outcome of lateral internal Sphincterotomy in the management of chronic fissure in ano.Study Design: Cross sectional StudyStudy Place and Duration: Department of General Surgery Nishtar hospital, Multan, POF Hospital Rawalpindi and Holy Family Hospital Rawalpindi from 12th January 2018 to 15th July 2018.Material and methods: A total number of 140 patients were enrolled in the study. Data regarding age, sex, day of operation, duration of postoperative hospital stay, position of the fissure in ano and mean follow up period was measured and recorded in the form of a performed performa. A designed questionnaire was provided to the patients, which contained questions regarding the level of satisfaction, need of further treatment, leakage of gas, fluid or feces and development of symptoms consistent with the symptoms of the previous fissure in ano. Data analysis; the data thus obtained was subjected to statistical analysis using computer software SPSS version 23. Frequency and percentages were calculated for qualitative variables while mean and standard deviation was calculated for quantitative variables.Results: Postoperatively, 17 (12.1%) patients complained of painful defecation and 9 (6.4%) patients complained of bleeding and only 12 (8.6%) needed medical treatment for these complaints. Postoperative incontinence to flatus was seen in 11 (7.8%) patients and 8 (5.7%) patients complained of incontinence to flatus and fluids. Only 2 (1.4%) patients complained of incontinence to feces. Overall new incidence of incontinence was seen in 5 (3.6%) of the patients.Conclusion: Outcome of lateral internal sphincterotomy are excellent as it is associated with a very low rate of incontinence, bleeding or painful defecation postoperatively and thus it improves the quality of life among the patients of chronic fissure in ano. It can be suggested that lateral internal Sphincterotomy is a safe and effective procedure for chronic fissure in ano. Keywords: Outcome, Lateral, Internal, Sphincterotomy, Management, Chronic, Fissure, Ana

Chronic tension-type headache as a risk factor of myofascial trigger points in upper trapezius muscle fibers in neck pain patients

Chronic tension type headache (CTTH) is one of the very common neurological conditions which have striking impact on daily functional activities. In tension type headaches the myofascial TrP\u27s are frequently examined .It is observed that myofascial pain syndrome is frequent determinant of chronic nonspecific neck pain

T-cell Imbalance or Decreased Th:Tc Ratio in Immune Thrombocytopenia: Is it Clinically Significant?

Background: Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by low platelet count and various contributing factor. The imbalance in T cells may also cause ITP. Therefore, the present study was planned to assess the role of  T-cells in pathogenesis of ITP and also to evaluate any possible link of Th:Tc imbalance to disease severity.Methods: The present study was conducted  with 111 patients of ITP and similar number of controls as case control study with 1:1 ratio of from January 2017 to July 2019. The patients were grouped according to the guideline of ASH as  newly diagnosed/persistent ITP(ND-ITP/P-ITP) and chronic/refractory ITP(C-ITP/R-ITP).The blood samples were obtained, and CBC parameters were observed using advanced hematology analyzer XN-1000.The T cells subset analysis was evaluated by BD FACS Calibur flow cytometer. The Fisher exact test was done to evaluated the difference among the groups with (p=<0.05) by using SPSS version 19.Results: Significantly reduced levels of hemoglobin, platelet counts with elevated IPF were observed in ND-ITP/P-ITP and C-ITP/R-ITP patients (p=<0.001).The significantly low Th:Tc ratio (p=<0.001) predicts imbalance of T cells in ND-ITP/P-ITP (0.86±0.47) as compared to control group (1.73±0.46).The mean of 0.84±0.34 Th:Tc ratio was observed in C-ITP/R-ITP children with ≤16 years. An insignificant difference (p= 0.89) was linked between children with non-severe chronic (0.84±0.42), severe chronic (0.82±0.49) and refractory ITP (0.85±0.51).Conclusion: In ITP patients’ low levels of Th:Tc ratio was observed suggesting dysregulation of immune system. The chronicity of the disease may be linked to elevated production of Tc in children (≤16 years) with C-ITP/R-ITP.Keywords: Immune thrombocytopenia; Platelets counts; Helper T-cells (Th); Cytotoxic T-cells (Tc) 

Life satisfaction, disease management attitudes and nutritional status of diabetes mellitus patients in Azad Kashmir, Pakistan: a hospital based cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: The life satisfaction of diabetes mellitus patients in association with the disease management attitudes and nutritional status have never been investigated yet in Pakistani administered Azad Jammu &amp; Kashmir. AIM: The purpose of this study is to analyze the patient satisfaction about life with diabetes mellitus in association with disease management and nutritional status. METHODS: A cross sectional survey was conducted among 496 patients in DHQ hospital, Mirpur Azad Jammu &amp; Kashmir. The questionnaire comprised of two sections: 1) Diabetes Attitude Scale (DAS-3); 2) Patient profile, DM history, nutritional status and dietary habits. The findings are generated by binary logistic regression and multivariate regression analyses. RESULTS: Overall, 64% of the patients interviewed reported dissatisfaction with their life with DM. Majority of the patients were females (66%), BMI value above 25.0 (56%). Gender male (AOR=1.82; 95%CI=1.15-2.88) and low income (AOR=3.16; 95%CI= 1.13-8.80) and middle income (AOR=4.70; 95%CI=1.52-15.5) were significantly associated with life dissatisfaction. There was higher likelihood of life dissatisfaction among patients with low food intake (AOR=1.82; 95%CI= 1.20-2.76); patients&rsquo; belief on: no need of taking insulin to treat their diabetes have a mild disease (AOR=1.56; 95%CI= 1.01-2.41); not much use in trying to have good blood sugar control because complications of diabetes happen anyway (AOR= 1.63; 95%CI= 1.18-2.23); emotional effects of diabetes are small (AOR=1.47; 95%CI= 1.02-2.14); decisions regarding daily diabetes care should be made by the patient (AOR= 2.15; 95%CI= 1.19-3.88). CONCLUSION: Findings implied the need of organizing counselling sessions for DM patients that promote regular physical activity to improve health and disease management. The consultation and regular visits of a nutritionist may help the patients in achieving better health outcomes

Ameliorative effects of Vitamin E and Urtica dioica against thiamethoxam-induced teratogenicity in embryonated chicken eggs

Background: The purpose of this study was to explore the defensive effects of Vitamin E (Vit. E) and Urtica dioica (UD) in the mitigation of developmental anomalies induced by thiamethoxam (TMX) in chicken embryos.Methods: For this purpose, a total of 140 fertile eggs were equally divided into seven experimental groups (A-G); Groups A and B were kept as negative and sham control, respectively. Group C was exposed to TMX while groups D and E were supplemented with Vit. E and U. dioica, respectively along with TMX. Group F received Vit. E and group G U. dioica, only. The eggs were examined on days 10th and 20th of incubation for the assessment of developmental flaws and musculoskeletal anomalies.Results: The mortality rate was highest (40%) in group C (TMX) followed by groups D and E (20 and 15%), respectively. Developing embryos were exposed to TMX for retarded growth weight and crown-rump length (CRL) were significantly decreased as compared to the control group. The highest survival rate was recorded in negative control group A. The teratogenic defects recorded in this study include growth retardation, decreased crown-rump length, shortened beak, exencephaly, feather scantiness, and limb deformities. Morphometric analysis revealed improved growth by all parameters in Vit. E and U. dioica supplemented groups.Conclusion: It was concluded that developmental defects are due to induced TMX, can be counteracted with Vit. E and U. dioica and have no phytochemicals negative effects

Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformation from Classification to the Management

Cerebral arteriovenous malformations (cAVMs) are the rare neurosurgical emergency. cAVM is an abnormal vascular web, composed of nidus, feeding artery and draining veins. It commonly occurs in the supratentorial area of the brain. The common grading system used in cAVM is Spetzler-Martin grading, which takes into consideration the size of nidus, the location of cAVM and the venous drainage. The cAVMs may develop flow and pressure-related aneurysms, which will increase the morbidity and mortality in these patients. cAVMs vary in size and undergo growth, remodeling and rarely regression. Most of the cAVMs are asymptomatic, but the common presentation are headache, seizure, intracerebral hemorrhage or focal neurological deficit. The cerebral angiography remains the gold standard for the diagnosis of cAVM. Management of the cAVM includes medical therapy, surgical excision, radiosurgery and embolization