A REVIEW ON IMMUNOPATHOGENESIS OF VTILIGO

Vitiligo is an acquired depigmenting disease of the skin and mucosa caused due to the destruction of the melanocytes. The white patch leads to social stigma in society and psychological stress in vitiligo patients. The etiopathogenesis of vitiligo is complex interplay of multiple genetic risk factors, environmental factors, neural factors, auto cytotoxicity, oxidative stress by reactive oxygen species, immunological factors, anti-melanocytes and organ-specific auto-antibodies mediated by autoreactive T lymphocytes in a genetically susceptible person. Hence, it is termed polygenic and multifactorial. All these factors, either alone or mixed leads to melanocytes death in a susceptible person leading to formation of depigmented patch. This review is an overview of the different pathomechanism involved in vitiligo

CRUCIAL IMPORTANCE OF VOCABULARY IN THE PROCESS OF SECOND LANGUAGE LEARNING: AN EXPLORATORY STUDY

This paper focuses on the role of vocabulary in second language learning with reference to the teaching of English language to learners at tertiary level in Saudi Arabia. As we are well aware that English language is the demand of the contemporary times, a large number of people around the world are rather bound to learn English for different reasons. The learning of any second language hugely relies on vocabulary. Keeping the relevance of English in view, the Saudi government implemented English language courses in almost all the levels and domains of education. Therefore, it is expected from the language instructors that they will provide an environment within the classrooms in which learners can acquire the targeted language easily. Therefore, this paper also explores the perception and role of English teachers in the attainment process of Vocabulary learning goals in English language classrooms. The study is exploratory in nature, and it utilizes qualitative analysis. The finding will lead to improvement on the curriculum design, contents selection and teaching styles.   Article visualizations

Sustainability of Urban Regions and Migration in Pakistan: A GIS Analysis

The concept of sustainable migration has emerged recently after realizing the potential of migration in framing and altering the social, economic and environmental structures at destination, especially in the context of sustainable development goals (SDGs). An empirical investigation on the link between regional sustainability and sustainable migration is rare in literature, especially in the context of Pakistan’s urban areas. Present study aims at analysing the relationship between the two by geographic information system (GIS) spatially. This study shows that out of thirteen urban regions, hosting above-average migration along with positive in-migration growth, the migration towards nine regions is unsustainable. Two mega cities namely, Karachi and Lahore are included. This highlights the sustainable growth of regions, specifically and the nation generally. Therefore, in the national policy framework, migration policies should appear as an integral part

Curriculum Framework of Library and Information Science Education In the United States, the United Kingdom and India

In the present study researchers have made an analysis of the courses offered by the Schools of Library and Information Science in the United States. An effort is also made to compare the curriculum of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Syracuse University and University of Washington is compared with that of American Library Association’s (ALA) Core Competencies. Most of the core courses recommended by ALA were covered in the courses of the curriculum followed at the library and information schools. Furthermore, the comparison of the core curriculum is made with the curriculum recommended by the American Library Association in United States, Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) in United Kingdom and University Grants Commission (UGC), India

Increased body mass index may lead to hyperferritinemia irrespective of body iron stores

Objective: Obesity causes subclinical inflammation which results in the secretion of various bioactive peptides that are key players in metabolic regulation of iron homeostasis. We sought to establish correlation of one such peptide (ferritin) with marker of subclinical inflammation (CRP) in various BMI.Methods: Total 150 subjects between the ages of 20-60 years were included in the cross-sectional study conducted at Basic Medical Sciences Institute, Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre, Karachi, Pakistan. Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated by weight (kg) /height (m(2)). The given values were used as reference for Group A: normal weight (18.0-22.9 kg/m2), Group B: overweight (23.0-24.9 kg/m2), Group C: obese ( \u3e 25.0 kg/m2) according to South Asian criteria. Serum Iron, Total Iron Binding Capacity, serum Transferrin Saturation, serum Ferritin and C-reactive protein were measured by commercially available kits. ANNOVA with Tukey\u27s minimum significant difference and Spearman Rho correlation were used considering p \u3c 0.05 significant.Results: The results identified an increased serum Ferritin and CRP in obese versus lean subjects (p \u3c 0.001). BMI showed significantly positive correlation with serum CRP (r = 0.815; p-value \u3c 0.01) and Ferritin (r = 0.584; p-value \u3c 0.01). However, serum Iron levels and Transferrin saturation decreased in obese versus normal weight individuals (p \u3c 0.001).Conclusion: This integrated new data reveals that individuals with high BMI had high levels of Serum Ferritin despite low levels of iron with high levels of C- reactive protein. This might be caused due to inflammatory conditions prevailing in the presence of increased adipose tissue

AHSG rs4918 Polymorphism poses a weak predisposition to insulin resistance during pregnancy

Objective: To identify the association between Fetuin-A levels and genetic polymorphism with gestational diabetes mellitus among pregnant women visiting a tertiary care centre. Methods: This cross-sectional case-control study was conducted at Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from December 2015 to September 2016, and comprised pregnant women in their second trimester. Those with gestational diabetes mellitus were considered the cases while the rest acted as controls. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to quantify Fetuin-A levels while genotyping for alpha-2-Heremans-Schmidglycoprotein rs4918 was performed using restriction fragment length polymorphism technique. Blood samples were collected and serum and deoxyribonucleic acid were extracted and stored at -80°C. SPSS 21 was used to analyse the findings. Results: Of the 88 subjects, there were 44(50%) in each group. Serum Fetuin-A concentration was higher in cases compared to the controls (p\u3c0.01). The genotype data for the cases was 0.668 and for the controls 0.840 (p\u3e0.05). However, the G allele showed a weak risk or predisposition towards gestational diabetes mellitus (p=0.038). Conclusion: Increased Fetuin-A levels were found to be related to the occurrence of gestational diabetes mellitus, indicating that Fetuin-A possibly contributes towards insulin resistance

Giant juvenile ossifying fibroma from diagnosis to management: A rare case

Juvenile aggressive ossifying fibroma is a rare, benign tumor of the maxillofacial region that is aggressive and recurrent leading to multiple surgeries causing maxillofacial defect and deformities. The management of patients with ossifying fibroma is controversial.  The aim was to report a case of huge ossifying fibroma involving maxilla, zygoma, and orbit in a young female with a duration of 15 years. The patient was operated multiple times but the lesion recurred. Patient-specific implant was fabricated to replace the defect area which would be created after surgery but with meticulous intraoperative decision the high morbid surgery was changed to conservative surgery. No recurrence was seen after two year follow up. The patient aesthetic has also improved. In conclusion it can be said in huge benign ossifying fibroma morbid surgery should be avoided

Stages of chronic kidney disease and soluble Transferrin Receptor (sTfR), Ferritin, ratio

Objective: To assess the ratio of soluble transferrin receptor to ferritin in different stages of chronic kidney disease.Methods: This case-control study was conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital and the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, from January to September 2014, and comprised chronic kidney disease patients and healthy controls. Group 1 comprised controls, whereas groups 2, 3 and 4 had patients based on their mean glomerular filtration rate. SPSS 19 was used for data analysis.Results: Of the 170 participants, 126(74.1%) were cases and 44(25.9%) were controls. The overall mean age was 55.87±3.48 years and the mean body mass index was 24.25±2.9 kg/m2. Decreased levels of iron and haemoglobin were observed in cases compared to controls (p\u3c0.001), while high serum ferritin was seen in cases compared to the controls (p\u3c0.001). Correspondingly, the soluble transferrin receptor-to-ferritin ratio was significantly decreased in groups 2, 3 and 4 (p\u3c0.001).Conclusions: The ratio of soluble transferrin receptor to ferritin was lower in higher stages of chronic kidney disease

Numerical Solution of System of Fractional Differential Equations in Imprecise Environment

Fractional calculus and fuzzy calculus theory, mutually, are highly applicable for showing different aspects of dynamics appearing in science. This chapter provides comprehensive discussion of system of fractional differential models in imprecise environment. In addition, presenting a new vast area to investigate numerical solutions of fuzzy fractional differential equations, numerical results of proposed system are carried out by the Grünwald‐Letnikov\u27s fractional derivative. The stability along with truncation error of the Grünwald‐Letnikov’s fractional approach is also proved. Moreover, some numerical experiments are performed and effective remarks are concluded on the basis of efficient convergence of the approximated results towards the exact solutions and on the depictions of error bar plots