Exosomes: Salivary Biomarkers?

Saliva is a bio-fluid considered similar to blood in that it contains various DNAs, RNAs and proteins. Therefore, it is a fluid with diagnostic potential. In recent time, exosomes are emerging as nano-vesicles which enhance intra-cellular communication. Exosomal content, which is dependent on the cell of origin, reflects physiological status of cells. Exosomes have potentials for use as biomarkers for variant diseases, based on their stability and availability in various body fluids. Current studies have proposed the role of exosomes as immuno-modulators in the etiology of auto-immune diseases and cancers. The present study focused on the role of exosomes as biomarkers and their therapeutic potentials in particular diseases related to the oral cavity. Keywords: Exosomes, Auto-immune, Biomarkers, Saliva, Diagnosi

Boosting Intersubjectivity by Digital Video Recording Project in EFL Classes

One challenge that modern English teachers face is the how effectively design an interface that monitors output, notices weaknesses, and provides accurate feedback. The ephemeral nature of speech obstructs assessment, peer review, and self-reflection of L2 spoken output for both students and teachers. This study sought to determine if the use of video recording would help solve this problem. Using video camera in phone proved to be a great tool that offers direct benefits to learners. These benefits included providing a tangible record of what was said, a great opportunity for peers to watch the video again for detailed online feedback, and an opportunity for students to reflect on how their oral skills for improvement. This study collected data for one academic semester (16 weeks) from undergraduate students at two universities; 48 South Korean university students and 37 Pakistani university students. The data was analyzed using a mixed method approach. The data was collected in the form of participants’ speech recordings, feedback comments to their peers, self-reflection, and responses from interviews. A meticulous comparison was also provided between all of the university students’ attitudes and performances in speech classes using video recording as a pedagogical tool for peer-feedback, self-reflection, and assessment. Additionally, a comprehensive description was also provided that revealed the students’ perceptions towards recording as a tool to enhance speech skills, the effects of video-recorded in-class speeches, reflection tasks, and online peer feedback. The results concluded that learners had their speaking production skills advanced from using video-recorded speeches. This conclusion was bolstered by already existing research supporting the effectiveness and wide applicability of video-recorded speeches in content-based instruction. More importantly, the study offers some practical tools and policies for setting up a video-recording routine for speech classes. The goal of this study was to engage practitioners about collaborative learning, so they could subsequently implement this information in their own respective classrooms.

Static Trade-off theory or Pecking order theory which one suits best to the financial sector. Evidence from Pakistan.

This research is a contribution towards understanding the financial behavior of leasing sector of Pakistan for the period of 2001-2010. It is an attempt to investigate the key factors that influence the capital structure of leasing sector of Pakistan. Financial Leverage is taken as the dependent variable. Whereas, Size of Firm, Capital intensity; Liquidity, Profitability and Tangibility of assets are taken as independent variables. Empirically it has been found that size of assets has a negative and significant impact on leverage. It has also been found that Liquidity, Tangibility, profitability and capital intensity do not significantly influence Leverage. Hence, it is concluded that leasing sector of Pakistan is following Pecking Order Theory in terms of the Size of Firm, Tangibility, liquidity, profitability and capital intensity.   Key words: Leasing, financial sector, Karachi Stock Exchange, Tangibility, Pecking Order Theory, Static Order Theor

Incidentally found metastatic prostatic carcinoma in a therapeutic orchiectomy specimen

Metastatic tumour involving the testis is a rare event. Incidental discovery of metastatic cancer in a therapeutic orchiectomy is even rarer. We report a case of metastatic adenocarcinoma prostate found incidentally in one of the bilateral therapeutic orchiectomy specimens. The patient was a 55-year-old man presenting with back ache and generalized body aches. Clinical examination showed malignant feel of prostate. Bone scan revealed metastatic disease and a serum PSA level of \u3e100 ng/ml. Clinical diagnosis of carcinoma prostate was established and subsequent bilateral orchiectomy for hormonal deprivation was performed. On gross examination of left testis, there was a small 0.7 X 0.6 cm suspicious area. Microscopically, this area showed an infiltrating tumour in the interstitium with entrapped seminiferous tubules. Focal intravascular tumour deposit was also noted. Immunohistochemical stain for prostate-specific antigen was positive in the tumour, which confirmed the diagnosis of metastatic prostate adenocarcinoma

Reservoir Characterization and Modelling with Diagenetic Trends of carbonates of the Kawagarh Formation: A Section exposed in the Kala-Chitta Range, Pakistan

Present study is focused on the diagenetic studies and reservoir characterization of the Cretaceous KawagarhFormation exposed in the Gandab village, Kala-Chitta range, north-western Himalayan Fold-and-Thrust belt, Pakistan.The formation is composed of argillaceous limestone and dark grey marls. A total of thirty-three representativecarbonate rock samples were collected at equal intervals of three meters. Various diagenetic features includingcementation, micritization, pyrite precipitation, neomorphism, fracturing, sparitization and stylolitization were observedin the studied rocks which occur in the marine, meteoric and deep burial diagenetic environments respectively. Suchdiagenetic features control the reservoir quality of the rock unit. Porosity types include mostly vuggy and fracture,while minor stylolitic porosity were noted with quantity ranging from 2.66% to 3.88%. The carbonates of KawagarhFormation are highly fractured, but the filling of these fractures due to precipitation of calcite or micritic mud hasgreatly reduced its reservoir potential, while some unfilled fractures, stylolites and vuggs are the dominant factors thatenhance the reservoir potentiality of the Kawagarh Formation. However, the porosity values still do not mark the levelof reservoir rock. These diagenetic studies revealed very less chances for hydrocarbon accumulation as no significantporosity values have been observed and overall reservoir potential is characterized as poor

Handwashing Practices in Health Care Professionals of allied Hospitals of Rawalpindi Medical University

Objective: To assess the practice of hand washing in the teaching hospitals of Rawalpindi Medical University. Methodology: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted by on-site observations of HCP regarding hand-hygiene compliance in allied hospitals of Rawalpindi Medical University. Health care professionals having any sort of allergy or sensitivity problem of hands were excluded. A predesigned checklist was used to collect the data. In all the hospitals included in our study, a proper technique, provided by the World Health Organization (WHO), is displayed in almost all the wards. Results: A total of 218 respondents (74 doctors, 71 medical students and 73 nurses) were observed. Out of these, medical students had best hand-washing practices when compared to that of doctors and nurses. Basic hand-washing facilities were available in all the hospitals but only 36.6% of health-care professionals (10.58% Doctors, 19.58% Medical students, 6.45% nurses) with p value=0.05 practiced hand-washing. Moreover, out of the 36.6%, only 19.22% (p=0.01) followed WHO technique of handwashing, whereas, 86.7% of them used antiseptic solution. Conclusion: Despite the bedside availability of antiseptic solution in all the three hospitals, inadequate compliance was seen in health-care professionals. A multi-disciplinary, multidimensional approach is required to challenge the problems of non-compliance.&nbsp