Seizure control after surgical resection of insular glioma

Insular gliomas most commonly present with drug-resistant seizures, irrespective of the tumour grade. Even though surgery is the mainstay of treatment, complex anatomical location and close proximity to eloquent cortex makes surgical resection difficult. Herein the authors have reviewed the literature with regards to seizure control after surgical management of these tumours. The review does not address quality of life, or survival benefits of surgery. In summary, excision of these gliomas significantly improves seizure control, and extent of resection along-with trans-cortical approach are important predictors of seizure outcome

Impact of Openness on Economic Growth in Developing Economies: An Empirical Analysis

A country’s openness has been one of the primary driving forces for stimulating growth. Among researchers, it is still controversial to conclude openness-growth relationship. It might be the result of ignoring the mediation effect of some conditional variables. Although some papers have found that openness has a positive impact on economic growth, others have seriously questioned the significance of this finding. The objective of this study is to empirically explore openness-growth relationship using fixed capital stock as a mediator variable in a panel data set of 19 developing economies spanning 1980 to 2013. The study examines the relationship between trade openness and economic growth. The results outline that the direct impact of trade openness on economic growth is negative, while it tends to exert a positive effect on economic growth when fixed capital formation is taken as a mediating variable and show a threshold. The findings of the study may help policy-makers in selected developing countries to take advantage of increasing international trade by considering domestic development level of fixed capital formation

Emerging Economies' Influence in Shaping Global Governance Structures and Issues

The global economy is transforming from a bipolar structure in which developed nations mainly control the global governance system to a multipolar structure mainly due to fast industrialization and economic growth of emerging economies. These countries, including China, India and Brazil, as they grow economically and politically, are pushing for the reform of international organizations to become more democratic. The emergence of new economic and political actors, for instance BRICS and G20 is an indication of the fact that these countries are working together to redesign new international relations architectures because traditional systems failed to address emerging challenges. This paper aims at analyzing the process of evolution of the emerging economies in the context of their participation in the global governance with a focus on their effects on economic, political and security dimensions. Using China, India and Brazil as the case, the paper shows that these countries are not only demanding changes in existing institutions but are also shaping new governance structures. Finally, the paper looks into the possible future environments for global governance with an emphasis on the necessity to develop a new, fairer model that would correspond to the trends of a multipolar world. Keywords:  Emerging Economies, Global Governance, Political Clout, Multipolar World, Institution

Impact of Openness on Economic Growth in Developing Economies: An Empirical Analysis

A country’s openness has been one of the primary driving forces for stimulating growth. Among researchers, it is still controversial to conclude openness-growth relationship. It might be the result of ignoring the mediation effect of some conditional variables. Although some papers have found that openness has a positive impact on economic growth, others have seriously questioned the significance of this finding. The objective of this study is to empirically explore openness-growth relationship using fixed capital stock as a mediator variable in a panel data set of 19 developing economies spanning 1980 to 2013. The study examines the relationship between trade openness and economic growth. The results outline that the direct impact of trade openness on economic growth is negative, while it tends to exert a positive effect on economic growth when fixed capital formation is taken as a mediating variable and show a threshold. The findings of the study may help policy-makers in selected developing countries to take advantage of increasing international trade by considering domestic development level of fixed capital formation

Technomoral Affordances of Artificial Intelligence in Data-Driven Systems

In a panel session on Data, Platforms, and Policies, participants examined the state of artificial intelligence (AI) in the Arab states and discussed the responsible use of AI in data-driven systems in government, health care, education, and industry

Genotypic and computational sequence analysis of ALADIN gene causing Allgrove syndrome

Background: Allgrove syndrome is autosomal recessive disorder, the gene involved in this syndrome is known as ALADIN located close to type 2 keratin gene cluster on chromosome 12q13 whose function is to control the nucleocytoplasmic trafficking and also affects the nuclear pore complexes. Mutation in this gene cause triple A syndrome. The aim of research was to analyze the mutational changes in ALADIN gene, formation of 3D Structure of normal and mutated protein and differentiation of normal and mutated protein.Methods: Genotyping by using tetra arm PCR and Sequence analyses of coding region of ALADIN gene was done in two families having affected children with Allgrove’s syndrome.Results: Point mutation in exon 1 and alteration in 3D structure of protein was observed by using VMD (Visual molecular dynamics) that shows truncation, absence of few amino acid and structural modification of proteins which alters in transportation ability.Conclusion: It is concluded from the study that proper structure and function of NPC (nuclear pore complex) binding protein is necessary in normal body function and if any mutation is present in ALADIN gene it can cause symptoms of rare Allgrove’s syndrome.Keywords: ALADIN gene; 3D protein structure; Triple A syndrom

Conocimiento, actitud y conciencia de COVID-19 entre estudiantes de odontología preclínica y clínica: Una encuesta transversal en línea.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the understanding and perception of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) among the undergraduate preclinical and clinical dental students within Pakistan. Material and Methods: An online survey was developed by the researchers and conducted amongst the undergraduate students at various dental colleges of Pakistan. A pretested questionnaire was used and distributed using social media platforms. The questionnaire consisted of demographics, health status, perception related to general hygiene, understanding and learning attitudes of dental students. Knowledge scores and the attitude responses were compared with the demographics using independent t-test, one-way ANOVA and chi-square, as appropriate. Results: A total of 800 undergraduate dental students responded to the survey, out of which 304(38%) were males and 496(62%) were female students. Students in pre-clinical years were 600(75%), while 200(25%) students were in the clinical years. The knowledge of clinical students regarding COVID-19 was statistically higher (4.71/6), compared to the students in pre-clinical years (4.49/6) (p=0.004). Both groups showed adequate knowledge regarding the route of transmission, symptoms and origin of COVID-19, and COVID-19 being a threat to life. Clinical students did not want to re-use the face mask (75%), compared to the preclinical students (68%) (p-0.048). Students in clinical years reported more awareness regarding the recommended hand washing technique during COVID-19 (p-<0.001). Conclusion: It can be concluded that dental students in clinical years have adequate knowledge regarding the COVID-19 as compared to the preclinical students. The study identifies all areas where preclinical and clinical students lack basic knowledge. This should be compensated by arranging different webinars and online courses to increase the understanding of both clinical and preclinical students during the pandemic.Objetivo: El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la comprensión y la percepción de la enfermedad por coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) entre los estudiantes de pregrado de odontología clínica y preclínica en Pakistán. Material y Métodos:  Los investigadores desarrollaron una encuesta en línea que se llevó a cabo entre los estudiantes de pregrado de varias facultades de odontología de Pakistán. Se utilizó y distribuyó un cuestionario, previamente probado, a través de plataformas de redes sociales. El cuestionario comprendía datos demográficos, estado de salud, percepción relacionada con la higiene general, comprensión y actitudes de aprendizaje de los estudiantes de odontología. Las puntuaciones de conocimiento y las respuestas de actitud se compararon con los datos demográficos mediante la prueba t independiente, ANOVA de una vía y chi-cuadrado, según corresponda.  Resultados: Un total de 800 estudiantes de odontología de pregrado respondieron a la encuesta, de los cuales 304 (38%) eran hombres y 496 (62%) eran mujeres. Los estudiantes en los años preclínicos eran 600 (75%), mientras que 200 (25%) estaban cursando años clínicos. El conocimiento de los estudiantes de clínica sobre COVID-19 fue estadísticamente mayor (4.71/6), en comparación con los estudiantes en años preclínicos (4.49/6) (p=0.004). Ambos grupos mostraron un conocimiento adecuado sobre la vía de transmisión, síntomas y origen de COVID-19, y que COVID-19 es una amenaza para la vida. Los estudiantes en fase clínica no querían reutilizar la mascarilla (75%), en comparación con los estudiantes preclínicos (68%) (p-0.048). Los estudiantes en años clínicos informaron más conciencia sobre la técnica de lavado de manos recomendada durante COVID-19 (p<0,001). Conclusión: Se puede concluir que los estudiantes de odontología en años clínicos tienen un conocimiento adecuado sobre el COVID-19 en comparación con los estudiantes en años preclínicos. El estudio identifica todas las áreas donde los estudiantes clínicos y no clínicos carecen de conocimientos básicos. Esto debe compensarse organizando diferentes seminarios web y cursos en línea para aumentar la comprensión de los estudiantes clínicos y no clínicos durante la pandemia

Optimized conditions for high-level solubilization and purification of recombinant camel growth hormone in Escherichia coli

In this report, we describe the cloning, over-expression, efficient solubilization, purification and evaluation of bioactivity of camel growth hormone (cGH). The total cellular RNA was extracted from pituitary glands of freshly slaughtered animals and cDNA of cGH was synthesized by a pair of sequence specific primers with a product of 576 base pairs (bps). Amplicons was cloned into T/A cloning vector and positive clones were subjected to sequencing. After sequencing, cDNA was cloned in the prokaryotic expression vector system pET23b+. Conditions for cGH expression were optimized by varying the concentration of isopropyl-L-thio-β D-galactopyronoside (IPTG) and induction time. It was observed that 100 μM concentration of IPTG and 3 h post-induction produced the highest amount of cGH. Expressed GH was sequestered as inclusion bodies (IBs), and was therefore, solubilized using denaturant (urea) and detergents (SDS, CTAB, Tritin X-100, Tween-20). The best solubilization was obtained with 8.5 mM SDS in 100 mM Tris buffer at pH 8.5. The solubilized cGH was purified by gel filtration chromatography using Sephadex G-50 column. The purified protein was refolded by dialysis, analyzed on 12% sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and confirmed by Western blot. Further biological activity of purified product was confirmed by efficient growth of rat Nb2 lymphoma cells. This study provided the method for the efficient solubilization of cGH (r-cGH) with comparable bioactivity with commercially available bovine growth hormone (bGH) and could be further used for solubilization of other proteins expressed in prokaryotic system.Key words: Recombinant growth hormone, somatotropin, cloning, expression, inclusion bodies, solubilization, purification, bioactivity

Mechanistic insights of Cucumis melo L. seeds for gastrointestinal muscle spasms through calcium signaling pathway–related gene regulation networks in WGCNA and in vitro, in vivo studies

Background: In addition to the nutritional benefits of Cucumis melo L., herbalists in Pakistan and India employ seeds to treat various ailments. This study aimed to determine the regulatory role of C. melo seeds in calciummediated smooth muscle contraction. Methods: We identified and quantified the phytochemicals of C. melo with LC ESI–MS/MS and HPLC, then conducted in vitro and in vivo tests to confirm the involvement in smooth muscle relaxation. Then, diarrheapredominant irritable bowel syndrome gene datasets from NCBI GEO were acquired, DEGs and WGCNA followed by functional enrichment analysis. Next, molecular docking of key genes was performed. Results: The quantification of C. melo seeds revealed concentrations of rutin, kaempferol, and quercetin were 702.38 μg/g, 686.29 μg/g, and 658.41 μg/g, respectively. In vitro experiments revealed that C. melo seeds had a dose-dependent relaxant effect for potassium chloride (80 mM)–induced spastic contraction and exhibited calcium antagonistic response in calcium dose-response curves. In in vivo studies, Cm.EtOH exhibited antidiarrheal, antiperistaltic, and antisecretory effects. The functional enrichment of WGCNA and DEGs IBS-associated pathogenic genes, including those involved in calcium-mediated signaling, MAPK cascade, and inflammatory responses. MAPK1 and PIK3CG were identified as key genes with greater binding affinity with rutin, quercitrin, and kaempferol in molecular docking. Conclusions: The bronchodilator and antidiarrheal effects of C. melo were produced by altering the regulatory genes of calcium-mediated smooth contractionUniversidade de Vigo/CISU

Scientific trends on research on denture stomatitis based on Scopus database : a bibliometric analysis

Denture stomatitis is a clinical condition that affects people who wear removable maxillary dentures. It causes redness, soreness, and erythema and ultimately affects the general condition of the patient. The objective of this study was to analyze the le