Role of Scaffolding in Bandwidth of Learning: A Gendered Perspective

Following Vygotskian concept of socio-cognitive developmental theory, the current study analyses the role of scaffolding in learning English grammatical skills in an L2 scenario with a critical eye on the gender of the students. Two sections of class 8th all-female students & all male students in Inter College Islamabad, Pakistan- have been selected to determine the gender sensitivity of ZPD and scaffolding in language learning skills. The study was experimental in its nature. Pre and post test was conducted. Descriptive and inferential statistics such as mean, standard deviation and T-value were used. The result of the post-test indicated that female students almost gained the double of male students after being provided with appropriate language scaffolding. Keywords: ZPD, Scaffolding, grammar, gende

Comparative efficacy of melatonin in attenuation of endotoxin/LPS induced hepatotoxicity in BALB/c mice

Background: Sepsis is characterized by overwhelming surge of cytokines and oxidative stress to one of many factors, gram negative bacteria commonly implicated. Despite major expansion and elaboration of sepsis pathophysiology and therapeutic approach; death rate remains very high in septic patients due to multiple organ damage including hepatotoxicity. The present study was aimed to ascertain the adequacy of melatonin (10mg/kg i.p), and its comparability with dexamethasone (3mg/kg i.p), delivered separately and collectively in endotoxin induced hepatotoxicity.Methods: The number of animals in each group was six. Endotoxin/LPS induced hepatotoxicity was reproduced in mice by giving LPS of serotype E. coli intraperitoneally. Preventive role was questioned by giving the experimental agent half an hour prior to LPS injection whereas therapeutic potential of the experimental agent was searched out via post LPS delivering. The extent of liver damage was adjudged via serum alanine aminotransferases (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) estimation along with histopathological examination of liver tissue.Results: Melatonin was prosperous in aversion (Group 3) and curation (Group 4) of LPS invoked hepatotoxicity as evident by lessening of augmented ALT (≤0.01) and AST (≤0.01) along with restoration of pathological changes on liver sections (p≤0.05). Dexamethasone given before (Group5) and after LPS (Group 6) significantly (p≤0.05) attenuated LPS generated liver injury. Combination therapy with dexamethasone in conjunction with melatonin (Group 7) after LPS administration tapered LPS evoked hepatic dysfunction statistically considerably, however the result was comparable to single agent therapy.Conclusions: Melatonin set up promising results in endotoxin induced hepatotoxicity and can be used therapeutic adjuncts to conventional treatment strategies in sepsis induced liver failure. Combination therapies however generated no synergistic results

ANALYSIS OF EFFECT OF LEVOCARNITINE ON MUSCLE GLYCOGEN CONTENT IN TYPE 2 DIABETIC PATIENTS IN PAKISTAN

Introduction: Glucose and lipid metabolism are inter related phenomenon in the human body. The number of people with T2DM is spiking worldwide, thus efficient management is required to improve the quality of life of diabetics. Objectives of the study: The main objective of the study is to analyze the Effect of Levocarnitine on Muscle Glycogen Content in Type 2 Diabetic patients in Pakistan. Material and methods: This case control study was conducted at Central Park Medical College during January 2017 to June 2017. Serum creatine phosphorkinase (CPK) levels were measured to exclude skeletal muscle disorder. There were 100 diabetic patients which were selected for this study. For this study we analyze the effect of levocarnitine on muscle glycogen content in type 2 diabetic patients. The data was collected through a detailed blood biochemical analysis. Fasting glucose levels were measured for further analysis. Results: Statistical analysis showed significant (p <0.001) increase in weight (268.40 ± 14.65 gm), fasting serum plasma glucose level (404.05 ± 59.65 mg/dl), fasting serum TG (132.17 ± 6.25mg/dl), fasting serum HDL (62.28 ± 1.25mg/dl) and TG:HDL ratio (2.12) due to high fat diet. The serum free carnitine was measured by terminal sampling and glycogen content of the EDL muscle of both groups were calculated. An increase in glycogen content was observed in in diabetic group (82.55±10.30 mg/100 gm muscle). Conclusion: It is concluded that Levo carnitine increases the glucose uptake by the skeletal muscle and hence improves the skeletal muscle glycogen stores in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Adequacy of phosphodiesterase inhibitor in prevention and treatment of LPS induced organ failure in BALB/c mice

Background: Even though with immense improvement and extensive understanding of pathophysiology of sepsis induced organ failure and affected population, it continues to put hundreds of people worldwide to eternal sleep due to lack of targeted therapy. Newer treatment modalities is the dire need of time. The present study was aimed to ascertain the adequacy of phosphodiesterases inhibitor - pentoxifylline (75mg/kg i.p) in endotoxin/LPS induced hepatotoxicity in BALB/c mice.Methods: The number of animals in each group was six. Endotoxin/lipopolysaccharides induced hepatotoxicity was reproduced in mice by giving lipopolysaccharide of serotype E. coli intraperitoneally. To ascertain the Preventive role, pentoxifylline was administered forehand LPS injection whereas therapeutic potential adjuged via post LPS delivering. The extent of liver damage was evaluated through serum alanine aminotransferases (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) estimation along with histopathological examination of liver tissue.Results: Results set forth that serum ALT, AST levels and histological alteration abated considerably (p ≤0.05) both in animals subjected to pentoxifylline pre and post-treatment.Conclusions: Pentoxifylline set up promising results in endotoxin induced hepatotoxicity and can be used therapeutic adjuncts to conventional treatment strategies in sepsis induced liver failure

In-situ synthesis of 3D ultra-small gold augmented graphene hybrid for highly sensitive electrochemical binding capability

The fascinating properties of graphene can be augmented with other nanomaterials to generate hybrids to design innovative applications. Contrary to the conventional methodologies, we showed a novel yet simple, in-situ, biological approach which allowed for the effective growth of gold nanostructures on graphene surfaces (3D Au NS@GO). The morphology of the obtained hybrid consisted of sheets of graphene, anchoring uniform dispersion of ultra-small gold nanostructures of about 2-8 nm diameter. Surface plasmon resonance at 380 nm confirmed the nano-regimen of the hybrid. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy indicated the utilization of amine spacers to host gold ions leading to nucleation and growth. The exceptional positive surface potential of 55 mV suggest that the hybrid as an ideal support for electrocatalysis. Ultimately, the hybrid was found to be an efficient receptor material for electrochemical performance towards the binding of uric acid which is an important biomolecule of human metabolism. The designed material enabled the detection of uric acid concentrations as low as 30 nM. This synthesis strategy is highly suitable to design new hybrid materials with interesting morphology and outstanding properties for the identification of clinically relevant biomolecules

Evaluation of liver function test abnormalities in patients having COVID-19 according to severity of disease

Background: COVID-19 infection affects all major organs of body in addition to lungs. Damage done to liver varies from being hepatocellular, obstructive or mix pattern. The aim of the study was to evaluate abnormalities of LFTs, in COVID-19 patients according to disease severity in our population.Methods: A cross sectional study, conducted at GTTH and Surgimed Hospital Lahore, on 100 patients who presented with COVID-19 in between October 2020 and September 2021. According to Symptoms, patients were marked as having mild, moderate or severe disease. Bilirubin, Albumin, ALP, ALT, AST, GGT, LDH and prothrombin time were checked at admission and subsequently. Data was analyzed using SPSS v23.  Laboratory values were computed in each severity category and SD values, odds ratio, 95% confidence intervals were studied in logistic regression models. P value<0.05 were considered statistically significant.Results: Among studied patients, 66% were male, 34% were female, mean age of 44.68±9.36 and range of 29-68 years. 29% were with mild disease, 40% with moderate disease, and 21% with severe disease level. 80% cases with rural background had moderate/severe disease levels while only 14.3% cases with severe levels were from urban areas. Only direct bilirubin showed a statistical significance with p value<0.05 in all severity groups. Other LFT’s didn’t show any significance between different severity groups.Conclusions: Among Liver function markers only bilirubin was related to COVID-19 disease and proportional to severity of disease.

Comparison of hepatoprotective effect of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Berberis lycium Royale (Sumbloo) in isoniazid induced hepatotoxicity in male mice model

Background: The objective of the study was to compare the hepatoprotective effect of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of stem bark of Berberis lycium Royle in isoniazid (INH) induced hepatotoxicity in mice model.Methods: This randomized controlled in-vivo study conducted in male mice model from 10th April 2014 till 10th May 2014 at National Institute of Health, Islamabad. Group (C) was given normal diet and water. Group (D) was given isoniazid (50 mg/kg BW) to produce hepatotoxicity. Group (LA) and (HA) were given isoniazid (INH) plus low and high dose of aqueous extract of stem bark of Berberis lycium Royle respectively. Group (L.E) and (H.E) were given INH plus low and high dose of ethanolic extract of stem bark of Berberis lycium Royle respectively.Results: Hepatotoxicity produced by INH was shown by raised serum liver function tests (LFT’s), marked hepatocytic ballooning, significant steatosis and inflammation. Mice receiving simultaneous treatment of INH, low and high dose of aqueous extract of Berberis lycium Royle showed decrease serum LFT’s and their liver sections showed improved histological picture but more significant reduction in hepatotoxic effects were observed in animals receiving low and high doses of ethanolic extract.Conclusions: Hepatotoxicity of INH can be more fully reversed by simultaneous use of INH with ethanolic extract as it has better hepatoprotective potential in dose dependent manner as compare to aqueous extract of stem bark of Berberis lycium Royle

Colonizer to Drug Resistant isolate, What is Happening to our Staphylococcus Aureus?

Objective: To evaluate resistant trend of multiple antimicrobial agents against Staphylococcus aureus isolates along with its prevalence.&nbsp; Material and Methods: This prospective descriptive study was carried out in the department of microbiology Allama Iqbal Medical College Lahore from 1st January 2015 to 25 may 2016. Simple random technique was used, and 4570 clinical samples (Pus, blood, pleural fluid, tracheal aspirate, urine, sputum, HVS) were received from ICU, Surgical Unit, Medical Unit and OPD for culture sensitivity testing, antimicrobial resistant trend was tested according to CLSI guidelines&nbsp; Results: Maximum isolates were recovered from surgical unit 31.9%, sample-wise maximum isolates were recovered from pus samples 26.8%. age group and genderbased distribution showed among male’s high isolation rate was observed in 21-40 years while in females 41-60-year age group. Every isolate was (100%) susceptible to linezolid, vancomycin and teicoplanin, cotrimoxazole also showed very low rate of drug resistance only 8.3%, while penicillin Doxycycline, Ciprofloxacin, Erythromycin showed 95.9%,69.8%55.4% and 48.2% drug resistance respectively, 43-45% drugresistant rate observed in case of Co-amoxiclave, Methicillin, Gentamicin, Fusidic Acid, Amikacin, and Clindamycin&nbsp; Conclusion: Linezolid, Vancomycin, and Teicoplanin are best therapeutic Choices against Staphylococcus aureus associated infections

Cyberbullying Detection and Abuser Profile Identification on Social Media for Roman Urdu

In today’s digital era, the escalating phenomenon of cyberbullying is a pervasive and growing concern. With the increasing prevalence of social media platforms, such as Twitter, online abusive behavior has become a significant issue that often leads to unpleasant experiences for users. Manual detection of abnormal and bullying behavior within the realm of social media is inherently not scalable. Moreover, most existing studies on cyberbullying detection have been predominantly conducted in English and very limited work has been done on Urdu (a widely used language in Asia). This paper presents an approach for detecting cyberbullying in Roman Urdu tweets and identifying abuser profiles on Twitter. Firstly, we develop a text corpus of Roman Urdu tweets with user profile data. Subsequently, we employ Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU) model coupled with the application of word2vec technique for word embedding to develop a cyberbullying detection model. Furthermore, we present temporal abusive tweet probability analysis method to provide a nuanced analysis of the number of bullying and non-bullying tweets sent by individuals within a specific time interval. To evaluate the performance, we compare the GRU-based approach with other machine learning models. The results show that the GRU model with lexical normalization gives the best results with an accuracy of 97% and F1-measure of 97%