12 research outputs found
Financial Reporting, Framing Effects and Successful Investment Decision
The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship of the financial reports and investment decision and framing bias affects the relationship of financial reporting and investment decision. We collected data through 225questionnaires from individual investors of Islamabad stock exchange (ISE). Result shows that financial reporting is significantly positive associated with investment decision and framing bias affects the relationship of financial reporting and successful investment decision. Our study may help the investor to focus on present facts and choices as neutrally and consistently at the time of investment decision and to keep the big picture in mind
Classic virilizing congenital adrenal hyperplasia presenting late: case series from Pakistan
Deficiency of 21 hydroxylase enzyme deficiency (21OH) activity accounts for 90% cases of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). This results in deficient cortisol, increased ACTH, adrenal hyperplasia and increased adrenal androgen secretion. There is marked virilization in genetic females which is the hallmark of this disorder. Genetic heterogeneity in 21 OHD is well recognized, and both severe and mild forms occur. We present three cases of adult females with the disease from a larger study to establish genotype, phenotype correlation of Pakistani patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) and to highlight issues such as diagnostic delay, inappropriate gender assignment at birth, and high degree of consanguinity among parents, psychosexual outcome of 21 OHD females and the need to develop expertise for early case detection. The analysis was done using Amplification Refractory Mutation System (ARMS) PCR. These cases show that CAH frequently remains undiagnosed during the newborn period in our population due to lack of awareness in the society and lack of proper diagnosis by the primary physician. There is a need to develop expertise for early case detection
FOXM1 Induces a Global Methylation Signature That Mimics the Cancer Epigenome in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
The oncogene FOXM1 has been implicated in all major types of human cancer. We recently showed that aberrant FOXM1 expression causes stem cell compartment expansion resulting in the initiation of hyperplasia. We have previously shown that FOXM1 regulates HELLS, a SNF2/helicase involved in DNA methylation, implicating FOXM1 in epigenetic regulation. Here, we have demonstrated using primary normal human oral keratinocytes (NOK) that upregulation of FOXM1 suppressed the tumour suppressor gene p16INK4A (CDKN2A) through promoter hypermethylation. Knockdown of HELLS using siRNA re-activated the mRNA expression of p16INK4A and concomitant downregulation of two DNA methyltransferases DNMT1 and DNMT3B. The dose-dependent upregulation of endogenous FOXM1 (isoform B) expression during tumour progression across a panel of normal primary NOK strains (n = 8), dysplasias (n = 5) and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cell lines (n = 11) correlated positively with endogenous expressions of HELLS, BMI1, DNMT1 and DNMT3B and negatively with p16INK4A and involucrin. Bisulfite modification and methylation-specific promoter analysis using absolute quantitative PCR (MS-qPCR) showed that upregulation of FOXM1 significantly induced p16INK4A promoter hypermethylation (10-fold, P<0.05) in primary NOK cells. Using a non-bias genome-wide promoter methylation microarray profiling method, we revealed that aberrant FOXM1 expression in primary NOK induced a global hypomethylation pattern similar to that found in an HNSCC (SCC15) cell line. Following validation experiments using absolute qPCR, we have identified a set of differentially methylated genes, found to be inversely correlated with in vivo mRNA expression levels of clinical HNSCC tumour biopsy samples. This study provided the first evidence, using primary normal human cells and tumour tissues, that aberrant upregulation of FOXM1 orchestrated a DNA methylation signature that mimics the cancer methylome landscape, from which we have identified a unique FOXM1-induced epigenetic signature which may have clinical translational potentials as biomarkers for early cancer screening, diagnostic and/or therapeutic interventions
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Does Human Capital Reinvigorate the Relationship Between Financial Development and Economic Growth: Evidence from Pakistan
This study examines the threshold level of human capital necessary for the finance-growth nexus in Pakistan. For a deeper understanding of the finance-growth relationship, we have disaggregated financial development into financial institution development and financial market development. To achieve this, we have employed the threshold regression model over the period from 1980 to 2018. The results of this study indicate that economic growth responds negatively to overall financial development when the level of human capital surpasses the threshold of 1.489. Similarly, when financial market development falls below the aforementioned threshold, its impact on economic growth is found negative. This suggests that financial market development does not contribute favorably to economic growth. However, the development of financial institutions contributes positively and significantly to economic growth when conditioned on the level of human capital. Among the other variables, physical capital, trade openness, and government expenditure exert a positive impact on economic growth. In contrast, the inflation rate has an insignificant impact on economic growth. The findings of this study suggest the need for further reforms in the financial sector policies in alignment with international best practices. These policies should also take into consideration the importance of redesigning and strengthening the human capital skills necessary to stimulate the finance-growth nexus
Data_Sheet_1_Principals' leadership styles and its impact on teachers' performance at college level.docx
In this study, we examined the impact of principals' leadership style on the performance of teachers at the college level. For this purpose, we collect data from 300 college teachers via a random sampling approach. A self-administrated questionnaire (five-point Likert Scale) was used to collect data. For detecting relationships and differences among the opinions of the study's participants, correlation and the t-test were used. This study has revealed that the majority of college principals practice a democratic style of leadership at a higher level, Laissez-faire at a moderate level, and autocratic at a low level in their colleges. Moreover, it has been also revealed that when principals increase the use of a democratic leadership style, teacher performance may progress as well. The findings revealed that principals' leadership style had a positive impact on the performance of teachers. The study exposed a strong statistically positive relationship between college principals' leadership style and teacher performance. Thus, the results of this study suggest that college principals' should adopt the leadership style according to the level of teachers. The leadership style should be changed with specific situations in the colleges.</p
Bilateral congenital cryptorchidism and unilateral Leydig cell tumor in an adult presenting with gynecomastia and primary infertility: A case report
Introduction and importance: The neoplasms of the testis are sporadic tumors among men. Furthermore, the rarest subset of these is neoplasms belonging to the stromal tumors of the sex cord. Leydig cell tumors are the most common form among the testicular stromal tumors. In our case, the underlying risk factor associated with the development of Leydig cell tumors was cryptorchidism. While mostly unilateral, cases of bilateral cryptorchidism may be present and have been rarely reported. Case presentation: We report a 36-year-old gentleman who presented to us with the inability to carry off intercourse without difficulty attaining erection on stimulation for the past two years. He had a history of left undescended testis since birth, for which he underwent left orchidopexy 20 years ago. An ultrasound of the pelvis showed an oval hypoechoic-shaped heterogeneous mass in the right mid-inguinal canal. Relevant blood investigations showed a deranged hormonal profile. He then underwent an uneventful right radical orchiectomy, histopathology of which was consistent with Leydig cell tumor. Clinical discussion: CT with a history of bilateral cryptorchidism has rarely been reported. This case highlights its clinical presentation, management, and further follow-up in such patients. Conclusion: Bilateral congenital cryptorchidism may be associated with Leydig cell tumor years later in life hence long-term follow-up is required for these patients. The clinical presentation of these tumors may vary among individuals. Any change in physical appearance, hormonal assay, and imaging studies should promptly be followed for possible surgical resection and close monitorin
An exploration of student perception toward interprofessional high-fidelity clinical simulation
OBJECTIVES: Interprofessional education is recognized for its potential for collaboration and teamwork, reflecting clinical practice; however,
existing literature for simulation-based interprofessional education does not include Physician Associate (PA) students. This initiative aimed to
explore the students’ perception of interprofessional clinical simulation for PA students and allied health professional (AHP) students as part
of our program development.
METHODS: A high-fidelity simulation session was designed and conducted for volunteering students from the PA, paramedic science, and
physiotherapy courses. We used a mixed-method electronic questionnaire consisting of 15 statements rated on a numerical rating scale (0-5)
and four open-ended questions with unlimited free-text responses to explore student perceptions. Inductive thematic analysis was used for qualitative analysis. The session design was underpinned by Allport’s (intergroup) contact hypothesis with an emphasis on mutual intergroup differentiation.
RESULTS: Forty-six students participated in the simulation teaching, with 48% (n=22) providing feedback. Overall student perception was
mainly positive toward the interprofessional simulation; however, some barriers to learning were recognized. Based on the evaluation of our initiative and existing literature, we propose 5 top tips to promote an effective learning experience for students. (1) Understand the importance of
interprofessional collaboration. (2) Establish clear roles. (3) Plan the scenarios in advance. (4) Maintain equal status between groups. (5) Provide
clear instructions and expectations.
CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first study of high-fidelity interprofessional simulation involving PA and AHP students. We successfully explored student perception which highlighted aspects that can impact learning. This pilot study demonstrated that interprofessional simulation is a feasible and acceptable form of learning for our students and highlighted how to improve future interprofessional simulation teaching
sessions
sj-docx-1-mde-10.1177_23821205241249594 - Supplemental material for An Exploration of Student Perception Toward Interprofessional High-Fidelity Clinical Simulation
Supplemental material, sj-docx-1-mde-10.1177_23821205241249594 for An Exploration of Student Perception Toward Interprofessional High-Fidelity Clinical Simulation by Michael Hannides, Rameez Tariq, Mark Holland, Polykarpos Angelos Nomikos, Rory McKelvin and Michelle Powell in Journal of Medical Education and Curricular Development</p
sj-docx-2-mde-10.1177_23821205241249594 - Supplemental material for An Exploration of Student Perception Toward Interprofessional High-Fidelity Clinical Simulation
Supplemental material, sj-docx-2-mde-10.1177_23821205241249594 for An Exploration of Student Perception Toward Interprofessional High-Fidelity Clinical Simulation by Michael Hannides, Rameez Tariq, Mark Holland, Polykarpos Angelos Nomikos, Rory McKelvin and Michelle Powell in Journal of Medical Education and Curricular Development</p
<i>FOXM1</i> induces promoter hypermethylation of <i>p16<sup>INK4A</sup></i> gene in primary human oral keratinocytes.
<p>(<b>A</b>) Bisulfite modification and methylation specific absolute qPCR for the quantification of <i>p16<sup>INK4A</sup></i> promoter methylation status. Genomic DNA was first treated with sodium bisulfite prior to PCR pre-amplification of the promoter region of <i>p16<sup>INK4A</sup></i> (PCR<sup>BS</sup>, 273 bp). Methylation specific (p16M-R/F) and methylation-independent (p16U-F/R) primers were then used to quantify the relative levels of methylated and unmethylated products within the PCR<sup>BS</sup> sample using standard-curve based absolute qPCR method for each product, respectively. Melting analysis was performed to validate the qPCR specificity in detecting the two M and U products. (<b>B</b>) Bisulfite conversion and methylation specific qPCR were performed to measure the relative levels of unmethylated (U, melting temperature at 85.8°C) and methylated (M, 91.2°C) in either EGFP- or FOXM1-transduced primary NOK treated with either vehicle (DMSO) or 5Aza (1 µM, 3-day incubation with fresh drug replenishment daily). A total of n = 11 replicates from at least 4 independent experiments were performed. Statistical t-test significance notations *P<0.05 and ***P<0.001.</p