Increased platelet reactivity in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is mediated by a plasma factor

Introduction Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive, incurable fibrotic interstitial lung disease with a prognosis worse than many cancers. Its pathogenesis is poorly understood. Activated platelets can release pro-fibrotic mediators that have the potential to contribute to lung fibrosis. We determine platelet reactivity in subjects with IPF compared to age-matched controls. Methods Whole blood flow cytometry was used to measure platelet-monocyte aggregate formation, platelet P-selectin expression and platelet fibrinogen binding at basal levels and following stimulation with platelet agonists. A plasma swap approach was used to assess the effect of IPF plasma on control platelets. Results Subjects with IPF showed greater platelet reactivity than controls. Platelet P-selectin expression was significantly greater in IPF patients than controls following stimulation with 0.1 µM ADP (1.9% positive ±0.5 (mean ± SEM) versus 0.7%±0.1; p = 0.03), 1 µM ADP (9.8%±1.3 versus 3.3%±0.8; p<0.01) and 10 µM ADP (41.3%±4.2 versus 22.5%±2.6; p<0.01). Platelet fibrinogen binding was also increased, and platelet activation resulted in increased platelet-monocyte aggregate formation in IPF patients. Re-suspension of control platelets in plasma taken from subjects with IPF resulted in increased platelet activation compared to control plasma. Conclusions IPF patients exhibit increased platelet reactivity compared with controls. This hyperactivity may result from the plasma environment since control platelets exhibit increased activation when exposed to IPF plasma

Knowledge, attitude and practice of private practitioners regarding TB-DOTS in a rural district of Sindh, Pakistan

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis is prevailing in both urban and rural areas of Pakistan. Knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of private practitioners (PPs) regarding tuberculosis management have been reported only in urban areas of Pakistan. This survey was conducted for the first time in a rural area of Sindh, Pakistan.METHODS: This survey was conducted in January 2007 at Thatta, a rural district of Sindh, Pakistan. Study subjects were twenty-two allopathic qualified (MBBS) doctors of district Thatta, who were practicing in private setups for at least last one year. Before TB-DOTS training PPs had filled the KAP questionnaire regarding tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis and management through DOTS. Survey data was analysed through SPSS version 11.05 software.RESULTS: On average, five TB suspects per month were seen by each PP. Only 14% of PPs advised sputum microscopy solely for pulmonary TB diagnosis, while 86% of PPs used different combination of tests (chest x-ray/sputum microscopy/ESR/tuberculin test) for TB diagnosis. Over 40% PPs did not prescribe TB treatment regimen according to TB-DOTS category. Majority PPs (85%) did not follow the treatment through sputum microscopy and instead relied on clinical improvement and x-ray clearance. Nearly 60% of TB patients at PPs clinic did not show compliance to the TB treatment and none of PPs were following the retrieval of default cases.CONCLUSIONS: A gross lack of PPs knowledge and right practice regarding TB diagnosis and management through DOTS was identified and needed to be addressed through providing DOTS training

Development of Media Policies and Reforms during In Pakistan With Reference To the Democratic and Dictatorship Regime

This article studies the comparison between democratic and dictatorship regime in Pakistan, primarilyfocusing on creation of media policies and laws. It is said that development of any society is dependent on number of factors and progressive areas in which media has a vital role. The progressive role of mass media in any society does not only educate and inform the general public but also helps in the formulation of national identity. For the developing countries like Pakistan, the role of media especially becomes crucial when it has to fulfill the requirements of watchdog and simultaneously promotes the national interest and builds positive image of society all around the world. This responsibility of media becomes more difficult when the society has several powerful and influential people, having power to distort, manipulate and biased the opinions of mass media to favor their own good.The article also studies about the opportunities that were present for the media industry and how the new laws and regulations have welcomed the investments with arms wide open. This article, in detail, studies the role of mass media and its growth in democratic and dictatorship regime. Although the general public opinion of the state is always in the favor of the democracy, yet it is quite astonished to know that media’s success was noticeably documented rather in military eras and to be more specific in General Pervez Musharraf’s era. This advancement of mass media resulted in freedom of speech which lately became a trouble for Retired General himself. Political pressure on media is an unavoidable factor in Pakistan that is mostly done indirectly. One handy tactic frequently used by the government is to cut off ‘unfriendly’ media from governmental advertising. Also with the use of strict laws the government has also directly banned or officially silenced popular television channels. The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) which was initially created for the support and flourishing of the mass media industry, has also been used by the influential and dominating playersa number of times to quiet the broadcast media by either suspending licenses or by simply threatening to do so. In addition to this, media has also been exposed to propaganda from state agencies, pressured by powerful political elements and even non-state actors that are either affected or involved in the conflicts. However, keeping in mind these numbers of distortions, it is also being said that in spite of political pressure and direct bans, to a larger extent, the media still enjoys freedom of expression and freedom of speechand plays a phenomenal role that was the need of the hour in certain circumstances

Anemia in a middle aged female with aortitis: a case report.

Abstract BACKGROUND: Idiopathic aortitis is among the most common causes of non-infectious aortitis, which rarely presents with anemia. CASE PRESENTATION: Here we report a case of a 49-year-old muhajir female who presented with shortness of breath and easy fatigability for the past 6 months. Physical examination revealed pallor and a diastolic murmur in the aortic region. Echocardiography showed thickened and calcified aortic and mitral valves, severe aortic regurgitation and dilatation of ascending aorta. She was advised aortic valve replacement and was referred to a haematologist due to concomitant anemia. Complete blood counts revealed haemoglobin: 7.7 gm/dl, mean corpuscular volume (MCV): 78 fl, mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH):23 pg, total white cell count: 9.0 × 10(9)/L and platelet count: 227 × 10(9)/L. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was 100 mm/hr. There was suspicion of myelodysplastic syndrome, but could not be confirmed as the patient refused bone marrow and cytogenetic studies. She was given erythropoietin, folic acid and ferrous sulphate. Following relatively prolonged therapy, her haemoglobin level increased to approximately 9.0 gm/dL. She was transfused with packed red cells and underwent aortic valve and ascending aorta replacement. The ascending aorta was dilated and aortic wall markedly thick and irregular. Histopathology of the resected aorta revealed granulomatous aortitis. She was prescribed prednisolone, which resulted in further incremental rise of haemoglobin to 13.1 gm/dL. One month later, she developed complaints of blurred vision in the right eye and was diagnosed with central retinal vein occlusion. She was treated with antiplatelet agents and her vision improved. After 3 months, she was asymptomatic and her haemoglobin level rose to 11.2 gm/dL without hematinic therapy or blood transfusion. She was begun on anticoagulant therapy and remains clinically stable. CONCLUSION: We report a case of idiopathic aortitis with presumed diagnosis of anemia of chronic disease exhibiting a transient response towards steroid therapy post-valvuloplasty

Hormone Signaling Networks Open Multiple Routes for Immunity and Disease in Plants

Plant hormones are small signaling molecules that regulate almost every aspect of plant life cycle. Plant pathogens alter hormonal balance of the host to cause disease. In response, host redefines hormone signaling networks to cope with the invading pathogen. Biotrophic pathogens are generally sensitive to salicylic acid mediated defense responses, whereas necrotrophic pathogens are deterred through jasmonate/ethylene pathways. Interaction between these pathways is regarded as central backbone of plant immunity. Classic hormones such as auxin, gibberellin, and cytokinin either promote salicylic acid or jasmonates mediated networks of immunity in plants. Here, we advocate a network biology perspective and emphasize the application of systems biology approaches for a comprehensive understanding of plantpathogen interactions

Impact of COVID 19 on Rhinology Practice: The Way Forward

Introduction COVID-19 has been labelled as pandemic that has spread across many countries in 2020. Otorhinolaryngologists are considered high risk for contracting disease, as the virus resides in the nasal cavity,nasopharynx, and oropharynx. There is an urgent need of safety measures regarding rhinologic practice that need to be clarified both for the current epidemic as well as for future expected “waves”. In this study significant decline was seen in patients viewed physically during pandemic. Nasal endoscopy also became rarer with maximum rhinologists preferring RTPCR before any procedure. Imaging was substituted for endoscopy frequently to adhere to safety protocols relating to OPD rhinologic procedures. We need to discuss these aspects of rhinology as well as practical concerns relating to telemedicine, as these issues take on increasing importance for Rhinologists both in the present and the future. Material and Methods A 27 question survey was designed to assess the present scenario of rhinology practise. The survey was electronically transmitted to rhinologists from 1st November 2020 and their responses were recorded. Result A total of 117 rhinologists responded to the survey. There was significant drop in the number of patients seen by each specialist in the Covid era. There was significant reduction in the number of diagnostic nasal endoscopies performed in clinic daily by the specialists. This study provides an overview of how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected Rhinologic practice. Conclusion Rhinologists need to develop standardized guidelines for their practise. These include protocols pertinent to safety, the substitution of imaging for endoscopy when appropriate, RTPCR test prior to rhinologic procedures, donning of proper PPE and liberal use of telemedicine

Learning-Based Routing in Cognitive Networks

Intelligent Routing can influence the overall performance of a communication network’s throughput and efficiency. Routing strategies is required to adapt to changing network loads and different topologies. Learning from the network environment, in order to optimally adapt the network settings, is an essential requirement for providing efficient communication services in such environments. Cognitive networks are capable of learning and reasoning. They can energetically adapt to varying network conditions in order to optimize end-to-end performance and utilize network resources. In this paper we will focus machine learning in routing scheme that includes routing awareness, a routing reconfiguration

Targeting cAMP Signalling to Combat Cardiovascular Diseases Platelet myosin light chain phosphatase: keeping it together

Abstract MLCP (myosin light chain phosphatase) regulates platelet function through its ability to control myosin IIa phosphorylation. Recent evidence suggests that MLCP is a de facto target for signalling events stimulated by cAMP. In the present mini-review, we discuss the mechanisms by which cAMP signalling maintains MLCP in an active state to control platelet contractile machinery

Attitudes of Students of Sports Participants about Doping in Sports

The main objective of the research was to test the level of knowledge and to identify students' attitudes about the use of prohibited substances (drugs) in sports. The study included a total of 100 students, of Department of Physical Education and Sports in AMU, Aligarh. M.P.E.d and B.P.E.d students participated. As a way of gathering the necessary information an a questionnaire was used, with 13 clearly defined questions (11 closed type questions and 2 open-ended type questions) which were related to the specific knowledge and attitudes about the use of doping substances in sports. It is important to note that 80% of the participants involved in any sport (sport games, athletics, martial arts, skiing, tennis), different ranks of competition. The obtained results are relevant for the global indicator of awareness, knowledge and attitudes of students about the increasing problem of today's modern sport that is called doping. Keywords: Attitudes; Prevention; Students; Questionnaire; Doping;