Cancer morbidity in rheumatoid arthritis: role of estrogen metabolites

Estrogen metabolites have been implicated in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and cancer, although the mechanism remains unestablished. Some estrogen metabolites, which are used for the assessment of cancer risk, play an important role in RA. The pathways by which malignancies associated with RA remain elusive. Possible mechanism involves enzymatic or nonenzymatic oxidation of estrogen into catecholestrogen metabolites through semiquinone and quinone redox cycle to produce free radicals that can cause DNA modifications. Modifications of DNA alter its immunogenicity and trigger various immune responses leading to elevated levels of cancer and RA antibodies. However, the role of different estrogen metabolites as a mediator of immune response cannot be ruled out in various immune-related diseases

Autoantibodies and Cytokines in Pathogenesis of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder in which increased autoantibody production and enhanced secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines are the hallmark of the disease. A strictly controlled balance of antibody production and proinflammatory cytokines is the key to the healthy state. A slight tilt in this balance causes proinflammatory diseases. In RA there is an increased production of autoantibodies such as rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-citrullinated protein antibody (ACPA), anti-cartilage type II antibodies, and etc., which have a prominent clinical significance. Furthermore, there is increased secretion of proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1 (IL-1) which have an impact of great magnitude on the RA disease progression and severity. A better understanding of the mechanism of autoantibody production and secretion of cytokines together with crosstalk between immune cells and cytokines can provide us a better insight into the disease pathogenesis as well disease prognosis and management

ANALYSIS OF INVISIBLE CHILD LABOUR IN HAYATABAD, PESHAWAR

This study was undertaken in Hayatabad Town, Peshawar. The study investigates socio-economic factors affecting invisible child labour. The study was based on a sample of 95 households and the data were collected in July 2006. The study found that although the wages of working children were small but they contributed significantly to their households’ income. More than half of the working children were not satisfied with their present job and their employers and more than half of working children reported that their employers were harsh with them. The regression results showed that household income, landholdings and parents’ education were significant determinants of invisible child labour in the study area.Invisible child labour, poverty, Hayatabad, Pakistan

Effect of Peer Assessment on English Writing Mechanics and Writing Apprehension of Undergraduate Students

Writing as communicative skill plays significant role in human life. Writer can communicate well by incorporating writing mechanics properly. Writing apprehension hinders the writers to write what they want to communicate. An experimental study was conducted to find out the effect of peer assessment as an instructional technique on English writing mechanics and English writing apprehension of undergraduate students. Pre-and post-test control group experimental design was used to measure the effect of peer assessment. Researchers selected forty (40) undergraduate students randomly from a public sector associate college from district Lahore. The sample was divided into two equal groups. Peer assessment was used as intervention with the experimental group for 12 weeks. English writing mechanics were assessed through a test with three extended response items. English writing apprehension was measured through Likert type scale of English writing apprehension inventory. Data were analyzed by applying paired and independent samples t-test statistics. Findings reveal that peer assessment is effective to improve English writing mechanics and to reduce English writing apprehension of undergraduate students. Undergraduate level English teachers are recommended to use peer assessment as an instructional technique to improve students English writing mechanics and to reduce English writing apprehension

MTHFR gene C677T and A1298C polymorphisms and homocysteine levels in primary open angle and primary closed angle glaucoma

Contains fulltext : 79920.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)PURPOSE: To investigate the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T and A1298C genotypes and plasma concentrations of total homocysteine (tHcy) in Pakistani patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) and primary closed angle glaucoma (PCAG). METHODS: This was a prospective case-control study. A total of 295 patients (173 POAG, 122 PCAG) and 143 age- and sex-matched controls were subdivided into two ethnic groups, Punjabis (Punjab province, central Pakistan) and Pathans (North-West Frontier Province, northern Pakistan). Genotypes of the MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms were detected by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine the total serum homocysteine (tHcy) levels. Associations were determined by logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Frequency distributions of genotypes and combined genotypes as well as homocysteine levels were obtained. The overall distribution of the C677T genotype was found to be significantly associated with PCAG (CC 69%, CT 21%, TT 10%; p=0.001, chi(2)=12.6), but not with POAG (CC 71%, CT 28%, TT 1%; p=0.98, chi(2)=0.02) as compared to the controls (CC 71%, CT 29%, TT 1%). The Pathan cohorts revealed no association with the disease; however, the Punjabis demonstrated a significant association with PCAG (CC 75%, CT 11%, TT 13%; p<0.001, chi(2)=17.2). PCAG in the Punjabi subjects was also significantly associated with the A1298C polymorphism (AA 43%, AC 54%, CC 3%; p<0.001, chi(2)=33.9) as compared to the controls. Combined genotype data showed no association with POAG; however, a significant association with all combined genotypes was observed in the overall PCAG subjects (p<0.05, chi(2)=20.1). This difference was particularly apparent in the TTAA and TTAC combinations that were completely absent in the control groups (p<0.05. chi(2)=49.6). Mean serum tHcy levels were found to be significantly increased in the POAG (15.2+/-1.28 micromol/l, p<0.001) and PCAG (20.8+/-4.8 micromol/l) groups as compared to the controls (10.0+/-0.97 micromol/l). The tHcy levels in the TT and AC genotype were significantly elevated in the PCAG group (67+/-12.39 micromol/l, p<0.001; 23+/-5.94 micromol/l, p=0.027) as compared to the controls. CONCLUSION: The TT and AC genotypes of MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms and the combined genotype TTAC were associated with PCAG in Punjabi subjects of Pakistani origin and correlated with the high serum tHcy levels seen in these patients