DETECTION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF LATENCY STAGE OF EBV AND HISTOPATHOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF PROSTATIC ADENOCARCINOMA TISSUES

The pathophysiology of prostate cancer involves both genetic and acquired factors, including pathogens, such as viruses. A limited number of studies have shown the presence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in prostate cancer tissues. However, there is a dearth of data exploring EBV latency profile in prostate cancer, and the relationship of EBV with histopathological features of prostate cancer. In this study, prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) samples were screened for the presence of EBV, followed by the characterization of the EBV latency profile and analysis of histopathological parameters in EBV-positive and EBV-negative groups. A conventional PCR strategy was employed using virus-specific primers to screen EBV in 99 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) prostate cancer and 33 BPH samples received for histopathological analysis during the years 2019–2020. Subsequently, cDNA samples were used in a qPCR array to analyze the expression of EBV latency-associated genes to map the latency profile EBV maintains in the samples. Finally, statistical analyses were performed to determine the correlation between EBV and several histopathological features of the samples. EBV was detected in 39% of prostate cancer and 24% of BPH samples. The histopathological analysis of prostate cancer samples identified all samples as prostatic adenocarcinoma of acinar type, while statistical analyses revealed EBV-positive samples to exhibit significantly higher (p < 0.05) Gleason major and total Gleason scores as compared to EBV-negative samples. In the EBV-positive samples, variable expression patterns of latency-associated genes were observed, where most of the samples exhibited EBV latency II/III-like profiles in prostate cancer, while latency-II-like profiles in BPH samples. This study suggests a high prevalence of EBV in prostate samples, where EBV exhibited latency II/III-like profiles. Furthermore, EBV-positive samples exhibited a higher Gleason score suggesting a possible link between EBV and the onset/progression of prostate cancers. However, future functional studies are required to understand the role of the EBV gene expression profile in the onset/progression of prostate cancer

Inclusion of target language culture in EFL classrooms in Pakistan: Learners’ perspective

Jabeen F, Zahid S, Sattar A. Inclusion of target language culture in EFL classrooms in Pakistan: Learners’ perspective. Research on Humanities and Social Sciences . 2013;3(18):97-106

AuCu@Pt Nanoalloys for Catalytic Application in Reduction of 4-Nitrophenol

To enhance and optimize nanocatalyst ability for nitrophenol (4-NP) reduction reaction we look beyond Au-metal nanoparticles and describe a new class of Au nanoalloys with controlled composition for core of AuCu-metals and Pt-metal shell. The reduction of 4-NP was investigated in aqueous media spectroscopically on 7.8 nm Au nanospheres (AuNSs), 8.3 nm AuCuNSs, and 9.1 nm AuCu@Pt core-shell NSs in diameter. The rate constants of the catalyzed reaction at room temperature, activation energies, and entropies of activation of reactions catalyzed by the AuCu@Pt core-shell NSs are found to have different values to those of the pure metal NSs. The results strongly support the proposal that catalysis by nanoparticles is taking place efficiently on the surface of NSs. These core-shell nanocatalysts exhibited stability throughout the reduction reaction and proved that heterogonous type mechanisms are most likely to be dominant in nanoalloy based catalysis if the surface of the NSs is not defected upon shell incorporation

Frequency of Thyroid Disorders in a Tertiary Care Hospital of Lahore, Pakistan

Background: Two powerful hormones are produced by thyroid gland, thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). These hormones control all metabolic processes and influence oxygen consumption in nearly all tissues of the body. Objective: To determine the frequency of various thyroid disorders and association of thyroid disorders with age. Methods: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted at Chemical Pathology and Immunology department, of a tertiary care hospital Lahore, Pakistan from October 2020 to April 2021. Reports of thyroid function test (TFT) of patients from 1st October 2020 to 31st December 2020 were included. Thyroid profile includes three parameters i.e. thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free T3 and free T4. Frequency of thyroid disorders was determined according to age and sex. Chi-square was used to determine association between age-groups and vice versa.   Results: Among 239 thyroid profiles of patients, 146 (61%) were found to be within normal range, whereas thyroid profile of 93 (38.9%) patients was disturbed, and they had various thyroid disorders. Frequency of thyroid disorders were significantly associated with age (p value=0.03). Among the patients with disturbed thyroid profile TSH was low in 14 (15.1%) patients and high in 57 (61.30%). Conclusion: More than one-third of the suspected patients were found to have thyroid disorder. Thyroid disorders were significantly associated with age. Thyroid dysfunction was more common among female patients and presentation of hypothyroidism was more common among after 30 years of ag

Role of Physical activity in abating Non-Communicable Diseases: A survey of residents of Central Park Housing Society, Lahore

Objective: Regular physical activity is beneficial to both physical and emotional well-being. The present study goal is to observe how lack of physical exercise leads to various noncommunicable diseases. Methodology:A study was conducted at Central Park Housing Society, Lahore using cross sectional study design. Data was collected from 250 residents of Lahore, Pakistan’s Central Park Housing Society using the structured tool IPAQ-LF. Structured tool used in this study was applicable on age group between 15-69 years, therefore we included participants aged between 15-69 years in this study. While children, adolescences having age between 10-14 years, adults > 69 years old, pregnant women and those with existing non- communicable diseases were excluded from the study. The Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA test was used to determine whether there was a significant relationship between physical activity and non-communicable diseases. Results: About 20.8% participants had family history of hypertension. Greater physical activity is linked to reduce hypertension risk. Lower physical activity is associated with a higher diabetes risk (18%) compared to the higher activity levels (14%). BMI (p-value=0.00) and random blood sugar level (p-value=0.03) is associated with physical activity. Conclusion: Most of the participants were not involved in moderate physical activity. People who participated in physical activities are at a lower risk of developing diabetes and hypertension. In general, physical activity aids in mitigating harmful chronic diseases

Investigation of intrinsic electrical properties of cerium doped lithium cobalt oxide, nanostructured materials

Cerium doped lithium cobalt oxide LiCo1−xCexO2 (0≤x≤0.08) compositions have been synthesized by a modified ‘Pechini’ process. The structural and electrical properties of the doped compositions were investigated through XRD, FTIR, EDX, Raman, and (EIS) experiments. X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis established the formation of single phase crystalline nature of the synthesized powders. Ce doped samples crystallized in the R3m space group, with expansion along the ‘c’ lattice. Whereas scanning electron microscopic (SEM) analysis revealed that due to Ce doping the microstructure has altogether changed, with the presence of grains and grain boundaries. Raman and FTIR (Fourier transform infra-red) studies assisted to attribute ordered crystalline realms within the lattice. Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) confirmed the presence of no additional peak thus ruling out the presence of impurities. In order to discover the effects of the altered microstructure and existence of the crystalline domains on the resistive and dielectric properties all the compositions were exposed to EIS (electrical impedance spectroscopy) study at room temperature and in wide frequency range. Electrical properties demonstrated that LiCo1−xCexO2 (x = 0.04 and 0.06) had more resistance in comparison to x = 0 and 0.08 compositions. According to crystal field splitting theory, incoming electron from the doped metal created an insulating phase responsible for the enhanced resistance. Modified Debye behavior was exhibited by frequency dependent dielectric measurements at room temperature. As a result of tailored properties LiCo1−xCexO2 compositions can be used in high frequency devices

Sol-Gel Synthesized High Entropy Metal Oxides as High-Performance Catalysts for Electrochemical Water Oxidation

Hexanary high-entropy oxides (HEOs) were synthesized through the mechanochemical sol-gel method for electrocatalytic water oxidation reaction (WOR). As-synthesized catalysts were subjected to characterization, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transforms infrared (FTIR) analysis, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). All the oxide systems exhibited sharp diffraction peaks in XRD patterns indicating the defined crystal structure. Strong absorption between 400&ndash;700 cm&minus;1 in FTIR indicated the formation of metal-oxide bonds in all HEO systems. WOR was investigated via cyclic voltammetry using HEOs as electrode platforms, 1M KOH as the basic medium, and 1M methanol (CH3OH) as the facilitator. Voltammetric profiles for both equiatomic (EHEOs) and non-equiatomic (NEHEOs) were investigated, and NEHEOs exhibited the maximum current output for WOR. Moreover, methanol addition improved the current profiles, thus leading to the electrode utility in direct methanol fuel cells as a sequential increase in methanol concentration from 1M to 2M enhanced the OER current density from 61.4 to 94.3 mA cm&minus;2 using NEHEO. The NEHEOs comprising a greater percentage of Al, ([Al0.35(Mg, Fe, Cu, Ni, Co)0.65]3O4) displayed high WOR catalytic performance with the maximum diffusion coefficient, D&deg; (10.90 cm2 s&minus;1) and heterogeneous rate constant, k&deg; (7.98 cm s&minus;1) values. These primary findings from the EC processes for WOR provide the foundation for their applications in high-energy devices. Conclusively, HEOs are proven as novel and efficient catalytic platforms for electrochemical water oxidation

Differential analysis of histopathological and genetic markers of cancer aggressiveness, and survival difference in EBV-positive and EBV-negative prostate carcinoma

Several studies have shown an association between prostate carcinoma (PCa) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV); however, none of the studies so far have identified the histopathological and genetic markers of cancer aggressiveness associated with EBV in PCa tissues. In this study, we used previously characterized EBV-PCR-positive (n = 39) and EBV-negative (n = 60) PCa tissues to perform an IHC-based assessment of key histopathological and molecular markers of PCa aggressiveness (EMT markers, AR expression, perineural invasion, and lymphocytic infiltration characterization). Additionally, we investigated the differential expression of key oncogenes, EMT-associated genes, and PCa-specific oncomiRs, in EBV-positive and -negative tissues, using the qPCR array. Finally, survival benefit analysis was also performed in EBV-positive and EBV-negative PCa patients. The EBV-positive PCa exhibited a higher percentage (80%) of perineural invasion (PNI) compared to EBV-negative PCa (67.3%) samples. Similarly, a higher lymphocytic infiltration was observed in EBV-LMP1-positive PCa samples. The subset characterization of T and B cell lymphocytic infiltration showed a trend of higher intratumoral and tumor stromal lymphocytic infiltration in EBV-negative tissues compared with EBV-positive tissues. The logistic regression analysis showed that EBV-positive status was associated with decreased odds (OR = 0.07; p-value \u3c 0.019) of CD3 intratumoral lymphocytic infiltration in PCa tissues. The analysis of IHC-based expression patterns of EMT markers showed comparable expression of all EMT markers, except vimentin, which showed higher expression in EBV-positive PCa tissues compared to EBV-negative PCa tissues. Furthermore, gene expression analysis showed a statistically significant difference (p \u3c 0.05) in the expression of CDH1, AR, CHEK-2, CDKN-1B, and CDC-20 and oncomiRs miR-126, miR-152-3p, miR-452, miR-145-3p, miR-196a, miR-183-3p, and miR-146b in EBV-positive PCa tissues compared to EBV-negative PCa tissues. Overall, the survival proportion was comparable in both groups. The presence of EBV in the PCa tissues results in an increased expression of certain oncogenes, oncomiRs, and EMT marker (vimentin) and a decrease in CD3 ITL, which may be associated with the aggressive forms of PCa