Representation of Women in Mann O Salwa: A Case Study through Feminist Stylistic Analysis

This descriptive study makes an attempt to analyze Mann o Salwa from the perspective of feminist stylistics to investigate how Pakistani female author represents women in her novel Mann o Salwa by utilizing analysis of transitivity choices. This paper argues that the prevailing image of women in Pakistani society and literature is passive, negative, distorted, submissive, and dependent. This research aims to explore whether female authors have succeeded in abolishing the unenthusiastic negative and passive image of women in Pakistani society or their writings are also socially influenced because it is commonly believed that it is always a male author who portrays negative and distorted image of women, in this paper the researcher has tried explore whether female authors present a positive image of women or not. Analysis of mental and material process of female protagonists has proved to be useful in answering the question of negativity and passivity of women. The result revealed that female authors’ writings to some extent are socially influenced. They partially portray them passive and dependent on man. Their actions are actually the reaction of men’s action on them as they are equally exploited by men and other women in society. They are oppressed as well as oppressors. Being a feminist research this study enhances the awareness of the society. Most of the women in the novel are portrayed negative and oppressors.

Textbook Evaluation of English for Academic Purposes by British Council

The present study evaluates the course book English for Academic Purposes recommended by British Council in Pakistan. It is a collaborated effort of British Council and Higher Education Commission of Pakistan to enhance the English language skills of Pakistani students. The researcher has evaluated the effectiveness of this book that is it fulfilling the theoretical needs of International standards? Bloom’s taxonomy (1956) of Learning Domains is used because it is most appropriate for the evaluation the textbooks. The researcher has evaluated the course book on different levels e.g. cognitive, affective and psycho-motor with the help of Blooms taxonomy. This is a qualitative research basically though the frequencies of the certain words (verbs) are also find out. The researcher has used find out that which areas of learning process are focused and which are ignored in the textbook. The research is important as it will find out the strapping as well as frail areas of the course book and this information may be helpful for the improvement of the course book. Moreover this research has opened new horizons for further studies in the field of textbook evaluation

The Selection of Maxillary Anterior Teeth Width in Kashmiri Population

Introduction: Determining the width of maxillary anterior teeth is a difficult aspect in complete denture fabrication. The width of maxillary anterior teeth is determined by taking various anatomical landmarks on the face as a guide, such as the interpupillary, interalar, intercommissure and interzygomatic distance, etc. The present clinical study was carried out to evaluate the relationships between maxillary anterior teeth measurements (canine to canine and central incisor width) and various horizontal facial parameters. Materials and methods: The facial and dental measurements were obtained directly from 60 Kashmiri  undergraduate dental students by using vernier calliper and dental floss. Result: Correlation analysis was done using Pearson’s correlation analysis and it was determined that the incisor width and canine to canine distance show positive correlation with some of the facial measurements. Conclusion: This study inferred that while most of the measurements showed a positive correlation with the incisor width and canine width in the different face forms none of them were found to be significant.&nbsp

Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus Due to Urinary Tract Obstruction: A Systematic Review

Background: Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI) due to obstructive uropathy is not widely known by physicians and hence not well represented in the literature. To better understand its presentation, clinical course, and available treatments, we conducted a systematic review of case reports on NDI due to urinary tract obstruction.Methods: This observational study was a systematic review of 19 human cases found in the literature. It was done retrospectively to focus on whether NDI can occur due to obstruction of the urinary tract and, if so, what the mechanism (pathophysiology) is.Results: We found that the most common symptom of NDI due to urinary tract obstruction was polyuria. The most common cause of NDI due to urinary tract obstruction was cancer. The most common site for obstruction was the ureter. And the most common test used to confirm the diagnosis was failure to concentrate urine after the administration of desmopressin. Surgical intervention was the most common treatment to relieve obstruction.Conclusion: We found that urinary tract obstruction can cause NDI. With early diagnosis and timely relief of the obstruction, NDI can be reversible

Identification of recurrent and novel mutations in TULP1 in Pakistani families with early-onset retinitis pigmentosa

Contains fulltext : 108208.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)PURPOSE: To identify the genetic defects underlying retinitis pigmentosa (RP) in Pakistani families. METHODS: Genome-wide high-density single-nucleotide-polymorphism microarray analysis was performed using the DNA of nine affected individuals from two large families with multiple consanguineous marriages. Data were analyzed to identify homozygous regions that are shared by affected sibs in each family. Sanger sequencing was performed for genes previously implicated in autosomal recessive RP and allied retinal dystrophies that resided in the identified homozygous regions. Probands from both families underwent fundus examination and electroretinogram measurements. RESULTS: The tubby-like protein 1 gene (TULP1) was present in the largest homozygous region in both families. Sequence analysis identified a previously reported mutation (c.1138A>G; p.Thr380Ala) in one family and a novel pathogenic variant (c.1445G>A; p.Arg482Gln) in the other family. Both variants were found to be present in a homozygous state in all affected individuals, were heterozygous present in the unaffected parents, and heterozygous present or absent in normal individuals. Affected individuals of both families showed an early-onset form of RP. CONCLUSIONS: Homozygosity mapping, combined with candidate-gene analysis, successfully identified genetic defects in TULP1 in two large Pakistani families with early-onset retinitis pigmentosa

Nucleotide identity and variability among different Pakistani hepatitis C virus isolates

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The variability within the hepatitis C virus (HCV) genome has formed the basis for several genotyping methods and used widely for HCV genotyping worldwide.</p> <p>Aim</p> <p>The aim of the present study was to determine percent nucleotide identity and variability in HCV isolates prevalent in different geographical regions of Pakistan.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Sequencing analysis of the 5'noncoding region (5'-NCR) of 100 HCV RNA-positive patients representing all the four provinces of Pakistan were carried out using ABI PRISM 3100 Genetic Analyzer.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The results showed that type 3 is the predominant genotypes circulating in Pakistan, with an overall prevalence of 50%. Types 1 and 4 viruses were 9% and 6% respectively. The overall nucleotide similarity among different Pakistani isolates was 92.50% ± 0.50%. Pakistani isolates from different areas showed 7.5% ± 0.50% nucleotide variability in 5'NCR region. The percent nucleotide identity (PNI) was 98.11% ± 0.50% within Pakistani type 1 sequences, 98.10% ± 0.60% for type 3 sequences, and 99.80% ± 0.20% for type 4 sequences. The PNI between different genotypes was 93.90% ± 0.20% for type 1 and type 3, 94.80% ± 0.12% for type 1 and type 4, and 94.40% ± 0.22% for type 3 and type 4.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Genotype 3 is the most prevalent HCV genotype in Pakistan. Minimum and maximum percent nucleotide divergences were noted between genotype 1 and 4 and 1 and 3 respectively.</p

Antigenic Peptide Prediction From E6 and E7 Oncoproteins of HPV Types 16 and 18 for Therapeutic Vaccine Design Using Immunoinformatics and MD Simulation Analysis

Human papillomavirus (HPV) induced cervical cancer is the second most common cause of death, after breast cancer, in females. Three prophylactic vaccines by Merck Sharp &amp; Dohme (MSD) and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) have been confirmed to prevent high-risk HPV strains but these vaccines have been shown to be effective only in girls who have not been exposed to HPV previously. The constitutively expressed HPV oncoproteins E6 and E7 are usually used as target antigens for HPV therapeutic vaccines. These early (E) proteins are involved, for example, in maintaining the malignant phenotype of the cells. In this study, we predicted antigenic peptides of HPV types 16 and 18, encoded by E6 and E7 genes, using an immunoinformatics approach. To further evaluate the immunogenic potential of the predicted peptides, we studied their ability to bind to class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC-I) molecules in a computational docking study that was supported by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and estimation of the free energies of binding of the peptides at the MHC-I binding cleft. Some of the predicted peptides exhibited comparable binding free energies and/or pattern of binding to experimentally verified MHC-I-binding epitopes that we used as references in MD simulations. Such peptides with good predicted affinity may serve as candidate epitopes for the development of therapeutic HPV peptide vaccines

Effect of Berberine Phytosome on reproductive, dermatologic, and metabolic characteristics in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a controlled, randomized, multi-centric, open-label clinical trial

Background: Berberine is a poorly absorbed natural alkaloid widely used as nutraceutical to counteract diarrhoea and to lower cholesterol and hyperglycaemia. It has also been reported to reduce signs and symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).Objective: To explore, through a multi-centric, randomized, controlled and prospective study, the possible role played by a form berberine that is more easily absorbed (Berberine Phytosome®, BP) in 130 Pakistani women with a diagnosis of PCOS and fertility problems due to menstrual and ovary abnormalities.Results: Ninety days of supplementation with BP, administered at 550 mg x2/die, determined (i) resumption of regular menstruation in about 70% of women (versus 16% in the control group; p &lt; 0.0001), (ii) normalization of the ovaries anatomy in more than 60% of women (versus 13% in the control group; p &lt; 0.0001), (iii) acne improvement in 50% of women (versus 16% in the control group; p = 0.0409) and (iv) hirsutism reduction in 14% of women (versus 0% in the control group; p = 0.0152). The metabolic and the hormonal profiles of the women in the two groups did not significantly differentiate at the end of the study. BP was well-tolerated and no specific side-effects were registered. Respectively after one, two and 8 years of trying, three women supplemented with BP became and are currently pregnant.Conclusion: Our study showed the positive effects of BP supplementation in women with PCOS and confirmed the high safety profile of this nutraceutical.Clinical Trial Registration:https://clinicaltrials.gov/, identifier NCT0548067