Mining Extracellular Vesicles for Clinically Relevant Noninvasive Diagnostic Biomarkers in Cancer

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nanosized vesicles secreted by virtually all cell types into the extracellular milieu. EVs transport bioactive molecules between cells and play multifaceted roles in cell-to-cell communications and in the pathogenesis of various human diseases including cancer. EVs are currently a focus of intensive interest, mainly because they hold a wealth of biological information in the form of differentially expressed nucleic acids and proteins, including DNA and cancer-related mutated genes, microRNAs, and a variety of transcriptional factors. Both the mutational content and any differentially expressed RNA are highly stable in patient blood or urine because they are encapsulated in EVs. This protects them against nuclease activity, pH change, temperature fluctuations, and multiple free-thaw cycles. Therefore, EVs isolated from patient fluids may serve as an ideal source of liquid biopsy for mining cancer signatures through mutation screening and genetic profiling. However, the methods for obtaining pure and intact EVs from patient samples, as well as the optimized characterization of tumor-derived EVs are still not rigorously defined for routine clinical use. High-throughput genomic or proteomic platforms may aid in the identification of novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers that collectively could lead to cancer monitoring and improved patient outcome

Self-Esteem among Orphans and Non- orphans: A Comparative Study

The study's goal was to look at the connection between orphans and non-orphans' autonomy, social, physiological, and consciousness, and learners’ self. This study is designed as a quantitative research, cross sectional used for data collection through simple random sampling technique. The sample consisted of 199 orphans and non-orphans. Boys and girls ranging in age from 7 to 18 years old were selected from various schools and neighborhoods in Bahawalpur and Ahmadpur East. The results show that there are no changes in self between boys and girls. There are no differences in self-esteem among urban and rural pupils. There is no change in self-esteem based on orphan and non-orphans. In terms of selfesteem, there is no substantial variation in education grade. This study will help to focus on other reasons of high or low self-esteem except orphans

Risk factors leading to pulmonary exacerbation in patients with cystic fibrosis: A systematic review

Objective: To ascertain major risk factors associated with pulmonary exacerbation and pulmonary function decline in cystic fibrosis.Methods: The systematic review was conducted at Aga Khan University, Karachi, in September 2018, and comprised electronic search of PubMed, Ovid, Science Direct and Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature databases of studies conducted from January 1990 to September 2018 which were categorised into 3 sets; 1990-98, 1999-2007 and 2008-18. Studies included for review focussed on articles with pulmonary exacerbation as the health outcome indicator, and had diagnosis of cystic fibrosis as the inclusion criteria, while risk factors were the exposure terms used in the search process. References in bibliographies of the included studies were also systematically searched for relevant documents.Results: Of the 60 studies obtained, 31(51.7%) were selected; 2(6.45%) from 1990-98, 7(22.58%) from 1999-2007 and 22(70.96%) from 2008-18. Overall, 17(54.83%) were cohort studies, 7(22.5%) were cross-sectional studies, 3(9.6%) were case-control studies, 3(9.6%) were randomised controlled trials and 1(3.2%) was systematic review and meta-analysis. In terms of major risk factors, genetic mutations were cited by 4(12.9%) studies, infections and inflammatory biomarkers by 15(48.4%), nutritional deficiencies by 9(29%) and geographical and socioeconomic status by 3(9.6%) studies.Conclusions: Early identification and recognition of risk factors associated with pulmonary exacerbation can have an explicit impact on its management, leading to decreased morbidity and mortality burden in cystic fibrosis cases

Feminine and Masculine Brand Personalities and Consumer-based Brand Equity: An Explanation through Dual Mediation Model

Currently, it is difficult for marketers to excel by virtuously focusing on traditional marketing approaches. Thus, marketing managers are relying more on the gender of the brand, as individuals are more attracted towards those brands which are consistent with their personalities. It has been proposed that brand personality is a crucial source of consumer-based brand equity, but empirical research on the relationship between perceptions of brand personality and brand equity is sparse. Considering the importance of brand gender, this study has analyzed the effect of brand gender on consumer-based brand equity through two mediators (i.e., consumer-brand engagement and emotional brand attachment) through an empirical investigation of 299 respondents. The model was shadowed under self-congruity theory. Structural equation modelling was utilised to test hypotheses. Results show that if managers position their brands based on gender and when there is a match between consumer gender and brand gender, it will engage the customers more and attract them, which helps build consumer-based brand equity

Un análisis empírico de los factores que influyen en el emprendimiento social: Un enfoque de género

[EN] Purpose: This study examines how entrepreneurial ecosystem factors (entrepreneurial finance, entrepreneurial education, physical and commercial infrastructure, culture, and R&D transfer activities) shape social entrepreneurial activities (SEA) of men and women. Design/methodology/approach: Panel data from 35 countries are examined through General Methods of Moments (GMM) with Arellano Bond tests for the period of ten years (2005-2014). Findings: Our results indicate that women are more likely to get involved in creation of social ventures. Further, the selected six entrepreneurial factors modify SEA in a significantly different manner for both genders. Originality/value: Based on this analysis, this study is the first to provide deeper insights for improving the assessment of social entrepreneurial activities in efficiency and innovation driven economies within the entrepreneurial ecosystem.[ES] Finalidad: Este estudio examina el modo en que los factores del ecosistema empresarial (financiación empresarial, educación empresarial, infraestructura física y comercial, cultura y actividades de transferencia de I+D) dan forma a las actividades empresariales sociales (AES) de hombres y mujeres. Diseño/metodología/enfoque: Para un periodo de diez años (2005-2014) se examinan datos de panel de 35 países mediante los Métodos Generales de Momentos (GMM), empleando el test de Arellano Bond. Hallazgos: Nuestros resultados indican que las mujeres son más propensas a involucrarse en la creación de empresas sociales. Además, los seis factores empresariales seleccionados modifican las AES de una manera significativamente diferente para ambos géneros. Originalidad/valor: Sobre la base de este análisis, el presente estudio es el primero en ofrecer una visión más profunda para mejorar la evaluación de las actividades empresariales sociales en economías impulsadas por la eficiencia y la innovación dentro del ecosistema empresarial

Gastrointestinal and Hepatic manifestations of COVID-19 in patients attending tertiary care hospital

Introduction: To evaluate the frequency of Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms and elucidate the association of GI symptoms and hepatic injury markers with the severity of COVID-19 and mortality.Methodology: Single-centered observational study recruited 160 confirmed COVID-19 positive patients who were admitted in Medical Unit-1/C1 of Civil hospital Karachi, Pakistan from 21 February to 30 April 2021. Data was ana-lyzed using SPSS version 23.0.Objective: To evaluate the frequency of GI symptoms and elucidate the as-sociation of GI and hepatic abnormalities with the severity of COVID-19 and its mortality.Results: Among 160 patients, 20% presented with digestive symptoms; ab-dominal pain (33.1%), and nausea (33.1%) being the most common. GI symptoms and liver injury markers notably ALT, AST, and GGT were signifi-cantly associated with severity of disease (p value<0.05), ICU admissions (p value<0.01), and poor outcomes (p value<0.01).Conclusion: COVID-19 infected patients presenting with GI symptoms and liver dysfunction have a worse prognosis and needs to be addressed on ur-gent basis to avoid complications and reduce mortality.Key words: Covid-19, Hepatic injury, Gastrointestinal symptoms, Liver dysfunction

Impact of PUBG Game Addiction on Social Isolation and Narcissistic Tendencies among Gamers

The current research aimed to explore the relationship of PUBG game addiction with narcissistic tendencies and social isolation in gamers. For this correlation survey based research the data was conveniently collected from PUBG gamers (N= 101) age ranging from 13-30 years through online response method. The instruments included Online Game Addiction Scale (Kim, Namkoong, Ku, & Kim, 2008) Narcissistic Personality Inventory (Raskin & Hall, 1981) and Measures of Social Isolation (Zavaleta, Samuel, & Mills, 2017) for testing the hypothesis. According to the yielded results, an excellent reliability of these measures was established. The results also indicated that online game addiction, social isolation and narcissistic tendencies among PUBG game players are negatively correlated (<.05). It was concluded that online games do carry positive aspects of enhancing social skills and interactions among the players, while helping them exhibit behaviors and emotions that are not coherent with narcissistic tendencies. This paper also carries implications for families, friends, teachers and therapists of online gamers, who may use the findings to understand some of the positive aspects of playing online games

Job Embeddedness: Factors and Barriers of Persons with Disabilities

Addressing the employment problems facing persons with disabilities (PWDs) is complicated as it depends on the presence of certain core values of others such as non-discrimination, in order to recognise their capabilities. PWDs can engage in many economic activities in Pakistan, however, in general, the employment rate for PWDs is relatively low. Qualitative research was used to ascertain insight into a central phenomenon. Data was collected through interviews and observation from five different workplaces through purposive sampling, and a thematic analysis technique was used to analyse the data. The participants were 50 years or less and were mainly men who had worked with people with disabilities for 2-5 years The study revealed that the major issue of employers was their perception that PWDs were less productive than those employees without a disability.  The study reported that the responsibility to create a positive image and to think inclusively about PWD’s working capabilities was the responsibility of the persons with disabilities

Characteristics of micro-propagated banana (Musa spp.) cultures stressed with NaCl and polyethylene glycol

The effect of NaCl and PEG was assessed on plant micro-propagation rate in banana (Musa spp.) cv., Basrai. Well micro-propagated plantlets were cultured on four different stresses of NaCl and PEG-4000 including control level: MS2b (MS0 + 3.0 mg l-1 BAP), MS2c (MS0 + 100 mol m-3 NaCl), MS2d (MS0 + 5% PEG) and MS2e (MS0 + 100 mol m-3 NaCl + 5 % PEG) for 6-weeks. Efficiency of plant micro-propagation was reduced significantly among the stressed cultures. Similarly, photosynthetic pigments like chl a was decreased non-significantly but chl b, chl ab were decreased significantly. Total carotenoids were increased in the saline as well as PEG stressed cultures. Cell size of epidermis and aerenchyma was increased (p < 0.05), while parenchyma decreased. Proline and glycinebetain contents were increased (p < 0.05) in each stressed culture but were high in MS2 than in MS3 and MS4 cultures. Meanwhile, proteins, sugars, phenolics and nitrates were observed to be in the reversed (p < 0.05) phenomena. In conclusion, NaCl treatment was observed to be most toxic than the PEG or PEG with NaCl on the banana micro-propagation.Key words: Musa spp., micro-propagation, NaCl (sodium chloride), PEG (polyethylene glycol), chlorophyll contents, proline, reducing sugars