The role of a conserved membrane proximal cysteine in altering αPS2CβPS integrin diffusion

Cysteine residues (Cys) in the membrane proximal region are common post-translational modification (PTM) sites in transmembrane proteins. Herein, the effects of a highly conserved membrane proximal α-subunit Cys1368 on the diffusion properties of αPS2CβPS integrins are reported. Sequence alignment shows that this cysteine is palmitoylated in human α3 and α6 integrin subunits. Replacing Cys1368 in wild-type integrins with valine (Val1368) putatively blocks a PTM site and alters integrins\u27 ligand binding and diffusion characteristics. Both fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) and single particle tracking (SPT) diffusion measurements show Val1368 integrins are more mobile compared to wild-type integrins. Approximately 33% and 8% more Val1368 integrins are mobile as measured by FRAP and SPT, respectively. The mobile Val1368 integrins also exhibit less time-dependent diffusion, as measured by FRAP. Tandem mass spectrometry data suggest that Cys1368 contains a redox or palmitoylation PTM in αPS2CβPS integrins. This membrane proximal Cys may play an important role in the diffusion of other alpha subunits that contain this conserved residue

FREQUENCY AND PREDICTORS OF COPD AND RESTRICTIVE LUNG DISEASE IN PRIMARY CARE

ABSTRACT Background: To determine the frequency and risk factors of COPD and Restrictive Lung Diseases in a Primary Care Center in Karachi. Methods: All patients coming to Primary Health Care Center presenting with cough were enrolled in the study. They were seen by Consultant Family Physician who filled the questionnaires after informed consent. Chest was examined and the patients underwent PEF. If PEF was <70% then office based spirometry test was done. Those who did not achieve reversibility in FEV1 after bronchodilation were labeled COPDers. Data was analyzed using SPSS 20. Mean and standard deviation were taken out for numerical data. Categorical data was shown in frequency and percentage. Chi-square was taken out to see association of risk factors with the outcome. P-value <0.05 was considered significant. Results: In our study, 54 (35.7%) participants had obstructive lung pathology. Prevalence of COPD came out to be 6.62% whereas7 subjects (4.7%) had restrictive lung disease. COPD was seen more in females as compared to males (84.6% vs 15.4% p-value<0.00). Also smoking had statistically significant association with COPD (42.5% p-value <0.00). All those who had COPD, smoked more than 11 years. Manifestation of the disease with cough (63.3%) and wheeze (33.9%)came out to be statistically significant .Past history of exacerbation of restrictive lung disease(1.3%, p-value 0.054) and MRC dyspnea score of stage 2 (25%, p-value 0.001) revealed statistically significant association with restrictive pathology. Conclusion: The prevalence of COPD and restrictive lung diseases are soaring at an alarming rate owing to smoking and industrial pollution. It’s important to give smoking cessation advice to patients in primary care. A multidisciplinary approach with close cooperation of primary care physician, pulmonologist and cardiologist is imperative to put a halt to these ailments and thus reduce morbidity and mortality. Keywords: COPD, Bronchodilation, Spirometry, Restrictive Lung Disease, MRC, Dyspnea score

Level of conus medullaris termination in adult Kashmiri population: a magnet resonance imaging-based study

Background: The spinal cord is considered as the principle content of vertebral canal. It begins as a downward extension of medulla oblongata at the level of upper border of first cervical vertebrae (C1). The terminal part of spinal cord is conical and is termed as conus medullaris. In adults the level of termination of conus medullaris varies between T12 to L3 vertebrae. The level of termination of conus medullaris is clinically important to avoid injuries during spinal anaesthesia and lumber puncture. Methods: The saggital magnetic resonance images of 168 patients were reviewed in the Department of Radiodiagnosis, Government Medical College, Srinagar from January 2022 to June 2022. The most caudal point of the cord was considered as the tip of conus medullaris. A line was drawn through the tip perpendicular to the long axis of spinal cord to determine its location with adjacent vertebra. Results: The level of conus medullaris termination was most commonly located at T12-L1 intervertebral disc level. The results revealed a significant statistical difference in levels of termination of conus medullaris with respect to age and sex. Conclusions: In literature, the highest level of conus medullaris termination is stated to be at T11-T12 Intervertebral disc and the lowest level at the body of L3 vertebra. Therefore, spinal anaesthesia and lumber puncture procedure should be done below L3 vertebral body in order to avoid iatrogenic complications

How do skills influence the students’ employability in a developing economy?

This paper aims to identify the factors that can affect the overall graduate employability (OGE) of private university graduates in a developing economy. Many economies are facing substantial issues in job markets. Moreover, many young people are unemployed and barely get a good job. Hence, it is necessary to examine how skills set influence the employability in a developing economy like Pakistan. The authors carefully selected six such employable factors after searching the existing literature. Those six factors: academic performance (AP), technical skills (TS), communication skills (CS), personality (PE), leadership & motivational skills (LMS); and teamwork and problem solving skills (TPSS), had been considered as the independent variables while OGE had been considered as the single dependent variable. Design/methodology/approach – The authors collected the primary data from a valid sample of 200 employers through a structured questionnaire working as the hiring managers. Those respondents were selected on a random basis. The authors used exploratory factor analysis to validate the items under those independent variables and structural equation modeling with AMOS (24) to test the hypothesized relationship between each independent variable and the dependent one. Research limitations/implications – Based on the findings, this paper can help scholars in further investigating the employability factors. Practical implications – This explorative study will guide the fresh graduates in developing their required employability skills while assisting the employers in recruiting suitable candidates with the required skills and performance

Antioxidant and anti-diabetic potential of rebaudioside A and a mixture of steviol glycosides in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

391-399Diabetes mellitus, a metabolic disorder rapidly spreading worldwide affects multiple organs and body functions. Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni), belonging to the Asteraceae family is a herb with medicinal and commercial importance to cure chronic diseases like diabetes mellitus. The present study was aimed to explore the antidiabetic effect of two reference standards like Steviol Glycosides System Suitability (SGSS, a mixture of nine steviol glycosides) and Rebaudioside A in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. In this regard, diabetes was induced in rats by administration of a single intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of alloxan monohydrate (150 mg/kg body weight). After exposure to alloxan monohydrate, the overall intracellular antioxidant functions get disturbed which significantly increase the blood glucose levels, plasma malondialdehyde and sialic acid content. The oral administration of SGSS and Reb A at a dose of (20 and 30 mg/kg b.wt.) for a period of 21 days to diabetic rats significantly (P ˂0.05) reduced the blood glucose levels when compared with alloxan-induced diabetic control (DC) rats of group II and restore the antioxidant potential by decreasing the oxidative damage and also normalizes hyperlipidemic indices. The study demonstrated that bioactive components (steviol glycosides) of S. rebaudiana have potential therapeutic prospects to attenuate diabetes and its related complications

Antioxidant and anti-diabetic potential of rebaudioside A and a mixture of steviol glycosides in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Diabetes mellitus, a metabolic disorder rapidly spreading worldwide affects multiple organs and body functions. Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni), belonging to the Asteraceae family is a herb with medicinal and commercial importance to cure chronic diseases like diabetes mellitus. The present study was aimed to explore the antidiabetic effect of two reference standards like Steviol Glycosides System Suitability (SGSS, a mixture of nine steviol glycosides) and Rebaudioside A in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. In this regard,  diabetes was induced in rats by administration of a single intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of alloxan monohydrate (150 mg/kg body weight). After exposure to alloxan monohydrate, the overall intracellular antioxidant functions get disturbed which significantly increase the blood glucose levels, plasma malondialdehyde and sialic acid content. The oral administration of SGSS and Reb A at a dose of (20 and 30 mg/kg b.wt.) for a period of 21 days to diabetic rats significantly (P ˂0.05) reduced the blood glucose levels when compared with alloxan-induced diabetic control (DC) rats of group II and restore the antioxidant potential by decreasing the oxidative damage and also normalizes hyperlipidemic indices. The study demonstrated that bioactive components (steviol glycosides) of S. rebaudiana have potential therapeutic prospects to attenuate diabetes and its related complications

Factors That Motivates Fake News Sharing Among Social Media Users: A Case of an Emerging Economy

False news is not new but it is becoming more common, it has become a serious issue as a result of social media's expansion, which has permitted individuals to engage and share thoughts. The primary aim of the research is to investigate those factors that influence fake news sharing on social media in an emerging economy. It is necessary to target emerging economy as fake news create a massive panic in such challenging economies that ultimately affect various sectors. For this purpose, Uses and Gratification theory (U&G) is used. In this research, the independent variable is False information and dependent variables are Altruism, Information sharing, Socialization, Entertainment and Pass time. In this research, quantitative method is used to investigate concepts to find relationships between variables and forecast results. In this research, the correlation research approach is used. A survey was conducted with local students via questionnaire (n=150). For data analysis, SPSS and smart PLS-SEM is used in this research. According to the findings of the study, altruism is the foremost imperative indicator of fake news distribution among Pakistanis. We have come to the conclusion that Altruism, Entertainment and Pass the Time foresee the spread of bogus news positively while Sharing of Information and Socialization impacts negatively. We recommend that online platforms users must verify the veracity of the information they have encounter and then post on social media websites

Climate resilient development pathways in the Hindu Kush Himalayan region

Communities throughout the world face substantial challenges in the face of climate change. This is of particular concern in climate change hotspots, especially where extreme climate effects coincide with large numbers of vulnerable and poor people. The Hindu Kush Himalayan region is one such climate change hotspot. For development to be sustainable in the Hindu Kush Himalayan region, interventions need to include choices and actions that improve livelihoods and alleviate poverty, counteract climate change, are inclusive for the most vulnerable and resilient over time. Climate resilient development pathways present an option to bring together these goals, by consolidating climate action and development choices to generate pathways towards sustainable development.UK Government’s Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO

Effects of antiplatelet therapy on stroke risk by brain imaging features of intracerebral haemorrhage and cerebral small vessel diseases: subgroup analyses of the RESTART randomised, open-label trial

Background Findings from the RESTART trial suggest that starting antiplatelet therapy might reduce the risk of recurrent symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage compared with avoiding antiplatelet therapy. Brain imaging features of intracerebral haemorrhage and cerebral small vessel diseases (such as cerebral microbleeds) are associated with greater risks of recurrent intracerebral haemorrhage. We did subgroup analyses of the RESTART trial to explore whether these brain imaging features modify the effects of antiplatelet therapy

Prevalence of stunting among under-five children in refugee and internally displaced communities: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundA pooled estimate of stunting prevalence in refugee and internally displaced under-five children can help quantify the problem and focus on the nutritional needs of these marginalized groups. We aimed to assess the pooled prevalence of stunting in refugees and internally displaced under-five children from different parts of the globe.MethodsIn this systematic review and meta-analysis, seven databases (Cochrane, EBSCOHost, EMBASE, ProQuest, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) along with “preprint servers” were searched systematically from the earliest available date to 14 February 2023. Refugee and internally displaced (IDP) under-five children were included, and study quality was assessed using “National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)” tools.ResultsA total of 776 abstracts (PubMed = 208, Scopus = 192, Cochrane = 1, Web of Science = 27, Embase = 8, EBSCOHost = 123, ProQuest = 5, Google Scholar = 209, and Preprints = 3) were retrieved, duplicates removed, and screened, among which 30 studies were found eligible for qualitative and quantitative synthesis. The pooled prevalence of stunting was 26% [95% confidence interval (CI): 21–31]. Heterogeneity was high (I2 = 99%, p &lt; 0.01). A subgroup analysis of the type of study subjects revealed a pooled stunting prevalence of 37% (95% CI: 23–53) in internally displaced populations and 22% (95% CI: 18–28) among refugee children. Based on geographical distribution, the stunting was 32% (95% CI: 24–40) in the African region, 34% (95% CI: 24–46) in the South-East Asian region, and 14% (95% CI: 11–19) in Eastern Mediterranean region.ConclusionThe stunting rate is more in the internally displaced population than the refugee population and more in the South-East Asian and African regions. Our recommendation is to conduct further research to evaluate the determinants of undernutrition among under-five children of refugees and internally displaced populations from different regions so that international organizations and responsible stakeholders of that region can take effective remedial actions.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=387156, PROSPERO [CRD42023387156]