A meta-analysis and experimental data for multidrug resistance genes in breast cancer

Background: Increasing trend of breast cancer incidence worldwide is a known fact. This curable disease may become fatal if drug resistance is developed leading to metastatic cancerous tissue. Objective: This is a two parts study; a meta-analysis exploring association of drug resistance (mdr1 and ABCG2) genes with breast cancer and mutational association with molecular subtypes of cancer. Methods: PCR-SSCP for genomic polymorphisms and RT-PCR for expression analysis were performed. Results: C3435T polymorphism of mdr1 gene was most commonly studied mutation with contradictory results. Association of ABCG2 gene mutations with untreated breast cancer was reported only by one study so far. Regarding current genomic analysis of mdr1 gene, three novel mutations were found in exon 12 and 2 mutations were found in exon 26. In ABCG2 gene, addition of C and T were found in intron 8 at the intron-exon junction. A positive correlation was observed between these mutations and tumor grade. Levels of mRNA expression revealed that they were over expressed in cancerous tissues compared with controls. Conclusion: These findings suggest that these genes are associated with breast cancer. Keywords: Expression; mutations; mdr1; ABCG2; breast cancer

Effect of Casting Technique on the Compressive Behaviour of Fully Recycled Aggregate Concrete

The research work presented in this contribution investigated the impact of Compression Casting Technique (CCT) on the compressive behavior of fully Recycled Aggregates Concrete (RAC). RAC mix containing 30% fine aggregates, 70% coarse aggregates and 15% cement by weight of total aggregates was prepared under two different casting pressures (i.e., 25 & 35 MPa). For the purpose of comparison, Natural Aggregate Concrete (NAC) mix was also prepared under same casting pressures. Samples of RAC mix were also made by compaction through vibration. Recycled concrete aggregates required for this study were prepared by crushing of damaged concrete samples having compressive strength in the range of 21 to 28 MPa. Compressive response was evaluated in terms of compressive strength and modulus of elasticity (MOE). Ultrasonic pulse velocity test was employed to check the quality of internal matrix of concrete samples prepared by CCT and vibration. The results demonstrated positive effect of CCT on the properties of concrete resulting in higher compressive strength and MOE compared to properties of concrete prepared by compaction through vibration. With the increase in casting pressure from 25 to 35 MPa, compressive strength and MOE of RAC was increased by 21% and 29%, respectively. It was found that RAC mix exhibited inferior properties (i.e., compressive strength and MOE) compared with NAC mix

Sleep Disturbances in Healthcare Professionals During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Objectives: To determine the incidence of sleep disturbances, including insomnia in healthcare professionals dealing with COVID-19 patients. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted at inpatient infectious disease units, emergency department and ICU (for COVID-19 patients), at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) from February 2022 to April 2022. All the individuals participating in the study were healthcare professionals. Insomnia Severity Index was used for the questionnaire. The scores of the surveyed subjects were calculated and the characteristic demographics of the subjects were analyzed. Results: An upward trend in the incidence of poor sleep quality was noted among the healthcare professionals who participated in this study. Out of 160 healthcare professionals, 93(58.1%) of the population was females, while 67(41.9%) were males. The majority of participants (p<0.05) were between the ages of 20 and 30 years, followed by 31 to 40 years and 41 to 50 years. A significant proportion of the population (p<0.05) belonged to the unmarried group, followed by the married, separated, and divorced with a percentage of 60.6, 36.2, 2.5 and 0.6%, respectively. Moreover, 84.4% (135/160) of healthcare professionals (p<0.05) had a previous history of sleep disorders. Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) score system was used to analyze the intensity of sleep disorders and insomnia in the affected persons and it was found that most of the participants were diagnosed with subthreshold insomnia (38.8%). Conclusion: The study elucidated that there was a significantly higher incidence of sleep disturbances and insomnia, in healthcare professionals working in Covid-19 care units

(Cyano­meth­yl)triphenyl­phospho­nium chloride

In the mol­ecule of the title compound, C20H17NP+·Cl−, the coordination around the P atom is slightly distorted tetra­hedral. In the crystal structure, inter­molecular C—H⋯N and C—H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds link the mol­ecules. There is a π–π contact between the phenyl rings [centroid–centroid distance = 3.702 (3) Å]

A CRITICAL DISCOURSE ANALYSIS OF MUNSHI PREMCHAND’S ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS

This paper discusses the significance of Munshi Premchand in Urdu literature. It studies the language employed by the writer and the underlying causes for the development of his stories. Its central focus, however, is to trace the epistemological development of Urdu literature towards the ultimate formation of the short story. The research is a qualitative classroom research. The discourse analysis model applied to describe interpret and explain the short stories is Fairclough’s critical discourse analysis model. The research indicates that it was originally Premchand who introduced realism into Urdu literature and also that the passing of a century has not done much to significantly change the customs and belief system of rural India

Allocation of Tutors and Study Centers in Distance Learning Using Geospatial Technologies

Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) is Pakistan’s largest distance learning institute, providing education to 1.4 million students. This is a fairly large setup across a country where students are highly geographically distributed. Currently, the system works using a manual approach, which is not efficient. Allocation of tutors and study centers to students plays a key role in creating a better learning environment for distance learning. Assigning tutors and study centers to distance learning students is a challenging task when there is a huge geographic spread. Using geospatial technologies in open and distance learning can fix allocation problems. This research analyzes real data from the twin cities Islamabad and Rawalpindi. The results show that geospatial technologies can be used for efficient and proper resource utilization and allocation, which in turn can save time and money. The overall idea fits into an improved distance learning framework and related analytics

Impact of Compression Casting Technique on the Mechanical Properties of 100% Recycled Aggregate Concrete

The research work presented in this manuscript focused on the comparative examination of the influence of the Compression Casting Technique (CCT) and the conventional casting method (i.e., compaction through vibration) on the performance of 100% Recycled Aggregate Concrete (RAC). The minimum target compressive strength of 100% RAC was 15 MPa keeping in view its application in the manufacturing of load-bearing concrete masonry units. A total of 28 concrete compositions were prepared by varying the coarse to fine aggregates ratio (i.e., 70:30 and 60:40), cement content (10% and 15%) by weight of total aggregates, casting technique, and applied pressure for compression casting (i.e., 25, 35, and 45 MPa). The concrete compositions were tested to determine their density, compressive strength, Elastic Modulus (EM), and Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity (UPV). For comparison, samples of Natural Aggregate Concrete (NAC) were also tested for the same properties. The results highlighted the positive impact of CCT on the properties of 100% RAC. The compressive strength and EM of fully RAC was increased by 20–80% and 15–50%, respectively, by changing casting method from vibration to CCT. At casting pressure of 35 MPa and 15% cement, compressed 100% RAC exhibited compressive strength higher than vibrated NAC. The UPV value exhibited by 100% RAC was increased by changing the casting technique. The analytical models were proposed using regression analysis of experimental results to predict compressive strength and EM of compressed 100% RAC and NAC. These proposed models were evaluated using statistical parameters, i.e., average absolute error (AAE) and mean (M) and found to be able to predict the compressive strength and EM of RAC with reasonable accuracy as compared to the analytical models already existing in the literature. This study finally concluded that through CCT, 100% RAC with low cement content could achieve minimum target compressive strength of 15 MPa. The development and use of compressed load-bearing 100% RAC construction units would help to achieve sustainability in construction