An Empirical Examination of E-Government Virtual Services: Mediating Role of Users’ Perceived Usefulness

Government websites are the repository of information where citizens can timely access substantial and reliable information. It is normal to find antagonism between formulators and users of e-government virtual services (EGS). This study is designed to assess the quality of virtual services provided by Pakistani government websites. Data is collected from 278 university graduates using simple random sampling technique. Results of Smart PLS show that the survey respondents exhibit positive attitude towards perceived system quality (PSQ) and perceived information quality (PIQ) of the websites. They also perceive e-government websites useful and display their satisfaction to e-government virtual services. Finally, findings provide support to mediating role of users’ perceived usefulness (UPU). Policymakers and practitioners can take advantage of the findings to design more citizen centered government websites to optimize their satisfaction with mandatory services

SOCIAL, ORGANIZATIONAL, DEMOGRAPHY AND INDIVIDUALS’ TECHNOLOGY ACCEPTANCE BEHAVIOUR: A CONCEPTUAL MODEL

The main aim of this paper is to propose a conceptual model of technology acceptance that explains how individual, social, organizational factors affect the users’ behavioural intention to use technology by academics for teaching and learning activities. More specifically, the proposed model extends the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to include nine constructs namely, peer influence, superior influence, resource facilitation, technology facilitations; self-efficacy, academic tasks, nonacademic tasks, government support, and finally, institute support. In addition, seven demographic and situational moderators (age, education level, organisation type, academic position, voluntariness and usage experience) are hypothesized to have a moderating effect on individuals’ acceptance behaviour. This model provides valuable insights into the factors that influence the acceptance or resistance of Internet and technology by intended users and offers opportunities for future research in understanding the acceptance of technology

CAPA neuropeptides and their receptor form an anti-diuretic hormone signalling system in the human disease vector, Aedes aegypti

Insect CAPA neuropeptides are homologs of mammalian neuromedin U and are known to influence ion and water balance by regulating the activity of the Malpighian ‘renal’ tubules (MTs). Several diuretic hormones are known to increase primary fluid and ion secretion by insect MTs and, in adult female mosquitoes, a calcitonin-related peptide (DH31) called mosquito natriuretic peptide, increases sodium secretion to compensate for the excess salt load acquired during blood-feeding. An endogenous mosquito anti-diuretic hormone was recently described, having potent inhibitory activity against select diuretic hormones, including DH31. Herein, we functionally deorphanized, both in vitro and in vivo, a mosquito anti-diuretic hormone receptor (AedaeADHr) with expression analysis indicating highest enrichment in the MTs where it is localized within principal cells. Characterization using a heterologous in vitro system demonstrated the receptor was highly sensitive to mosquito CAPA neuropeptides while in vivo, AedaeADHr knockdown abolished CAPA-induced anti-diuretic control of DH31-stimulated MTs. CAPA neuropeptides are produced within a pair of neurosecretory cells in each of the abdominal ganglia, whose axonal projections innervate the abdominal neurohaemal organs, where these neurohormones are released into circulation. Lastly, pharmacological inhibition of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and protein kinase G (PKG) signaling eliminated anti-diuretic activity of CAPA, highlighting the role of the second messenger cGMP and NOS/PKG in this anti-diuretic signaling pathway.York University Librarie

ANALYSIS OF ORAL CANCER AWARENESS AMONG MEDICAL AND DENTAL STUDENTS IN PAKISTAN

Introduction: Squamous cell carcinoma accounts for 95% of oral cancers and is associated with avoidable aetiological risk factors. Smoking tobacco and alcohol use are the main risk factors in the United Kingdom and are associated with approximately 75% of oral cancers. Aims and objectives: The main objective of the study is to analyze the oral cancer awareness among medical and dental students in Pakistan. Methodology: This cross sectional study was conducted in Punjab Dental Hospital, Lahore during January 2018 to October 2018. The data were collected from 500 medical and dental students from different medical colleges of Lahore. For this purpose the data were collected through a questionnaire from both genders. These students were selected as they had received teaching on oral diseases including oral cancer. Results: The mean knowledge percent of the entire population was 63.3± 19.4 (good knowledge). The average knowledge percent was higher in females (64.4±18.6) as compared to males (62.0±20.6) p-value =0.411. The mean knowledge percent was 58.3±19.0 in 3rd year, 65.1±19.6 in 4th year and 64.9±19.6 in 5th year, p-value =0.125. Only 51.1% of the subjects used to examine oral mucosa routinely. Conclusion: It is concluded that overall the mean knowledge of the population about oral cancers among medical undergraduate students was good. The knowledge was higher in females as compared to males but the difference was not significant

In vitro Anti-Cancer Effect of Polymeric Nanoparticles Encapsulating Caralluma tuberculata in Cancer Cells

Rapidly evolving drug delivery systems employ therapeutic agents (liposomes, polymers, and nanospheres) to achieve optimum therapeutic and targeted effects with declined side effects to cure chronic diseases like cancer. Nano-formulation of a natural product i.e., Caralluma tuberculata (Ct) extract, has been used as an effective combinational therapy with enhanced biocompatibility owing to its strong anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and anti-tumor potential. Ct extract was prepared using three solvents (EtOH, MeOH, and CHCl3) amongst which methanolic Ct extract exhibited the highest percentage yield (9.6%). Qualitative phytochemical screening, thin layer chromatography (TLC), and antioxidant assays (DPPH assay and H2O2 assay) were performed. The percentage free radical scavenging values were found to be 86.25% (IC50=140.1μg/ml) and 88% (IC50=14.22μg/ml) at 1000 μg/ml concentration for both assays respectively. Methanolic Ct extract was then encapsulated in chitosan-tripolyphosphate (CS-TPP) nanoparticles using ionic gelation method with an encapsulation efficiency of 87%. Characterization showed uniform size distribution of 140nm particle size using DLS and encapsulation of Ct extract inside CS-TPP nanoparticles was confirmed by UV spectrophotometry and FTIR. Ct loaded CS-TPP nanoparticles showed less than or equal to 5% hemolytic activity at concentrations of 15.62μg/ml, 31.25μg/ml, 62.5μg/ml, and 125μg/ml, suggesting its safer usage at lower concentration. Rhodamine conjugated Ct loaded CS-TPP nanoparticles showed significant uptake efficiency in breast cancer cells compared to control. Ct extract and the nanoformulation were treated against triple negative breast cancer cell lines (Cal-51) for the evaluation of cytotoxicity exhibiting 30-40% (IC50=122.3μg/ml) and up to 75% (IC50=14.39μg/ml) cytotoxicity respectively. The study paves way for the encapsulation of medicinal plants in polymeric nanoparticles to achieve safer and highly efficient drug delivery systems

A Rare Case of Pneumoperitoneum due to Perforation at Tip of Appendix

Pneumoperitoneum caused by a perforated appendix is extremely rare. We encountered a case of a 24 years old male presented in the emergency department of EAST surgical ward of MAYO Hospital Lahore with a history of epigastric pain for 10 days, which later became generalized. Chest X-ray showed free air under the right hemidiaphragm. On the basis of clinical examination and radiological correlations diagnosis of duodenal ulcer perforation was made. On exploration of abdomen through midline incision it was found to be a perforated appendix at its tip. The body and base of the appendix was normal. No per operative and postoperative complications were encountered and the patient discharged on the second postoperative day. Biopsy of appendix showed acute inflammation of appendix

The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Final Year Medical Students: Single Center Study

Introduction: The COVID-19 health emergency led to adoption of unprecedented measures that have never been seen in recent times. The study examines the effect of COVID-19 on final year medical students’ final professional examination preparedness, transition to house job and earlier assistantship.Methodology: This descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted in September – October 2020 after institutional review board approval at University College of Medicine and Dentistry (UCMD) in Lahore, Pakistan. A total of 112 final year medical students responded to this survey whereas 13 did not. Data was analyzed using SPSS 25. Chi square test was applied to evaluate the impact of COVID 19 on variables of interest (p-value< 0.05 considered significant). Results: Postponement of clinical rotations, written exams, OSPEs and clinical ward tests was reported by 62%, 78%, 71% and 48% students respectively whilst 29%, 13%, 18% and 21% students respectively stated it to be formatted. A statistically significant impact (p<0.05) was observed for final professional examinations preparedness and confidence to assist earlier.Conclusion: The study demonstrated the significant impact of COVID-19 on final year medical students’ examination preparedness and confidence to assist earlier in hospital. Improvised teaching methodology is urgently needed to fill in the lapses in their education.Keywords: COVID-19, Medical Education, Final year MBBS professional examination, OSPE, Earlier Assistantship, House Job

Glyphosate: cancerous or not? Perspectives from both ends of the debate

Glyphosate is non-selective herbicide. Studies published in the last decade, point towards glyphosate toxicity. Shikimic acid pathway for the biosynthesis of folates and aromatic amino acids is inhibited by glyphosate. Glyphosate carcinogenicity is still considered to be a controversial issue. The World Health Organizations’ International Agency recently concluded that glyphosate is “probably carcinogenic to humans.” Some researchers believed that glyphosate is not linked with carcinogenicity