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Traditional teaching practices lack student-focused learning, critical thinking, interactivity, creativity and student’s engagement in the classroom, which results in boredom and low motivation among students. Moreover, these practices disregard diversification or variability in learners in a classroom. To engage such learners and create better conceptual understanding and interest in the subject, a research study was conducted in which inclusive Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework infused Project Based Learning (PBL) approach was used. The study was conducted on the students of grade 5 of NUST Creative Learning School (NCLS) Pakistan. On experimental group (grade 5 class), self-made questionnaires (MCQs based) both in pre and post-test was conducted for General Science subject. A quantitative case study was conducted for an in-depth investigation of the case and to understand the process and its effects on students’ learning. Data collection tools were predominantly quantitative tools with some qualitative aspects. This study proposed an idea for designing of evidence-based solutions to substitute the traditional teaching methods with UDL infused project-based learning lesson designs. Findings suggest that UDL complained PBL is an effective approach and framework to design adaptable and accessible learning content through research-based testing. It also recommends that such flexible lessons can approach a wide mix of different learner needs, abilities, prior knowledge, and learning styles to increase learning effectiveness and connect learner Knowledge to the real-world application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common form of lung cancer. Despite the existence of various therapeutic options, NSCLC is still a major health concern due to its aggressive nature and high mutation rate. Consequently, HER3 has been selected as a target protein along with EGFR because of its limited tyrosine kinase activity and ability to activate PI3/AKT pathway responsible for therapy failure. We herein used a BioSolveIT suite to identify potent inhibitors of EGFR and HER3. The schematic process involves screening of databases for constructing compound library comprising of 903 synthetic compounds (602 for EGFR and 301 for HER3) followed by pharmacophore modeling. The best docked poses of compounds with the druggable binding site of respective proteins were selected according to pharmacophore designed by SeeSAR version 12.1.0. Subsequently, preclinical analysis was performed via an online server SwissADME and potent inhibitors were selected. Compound 4k and 4m were the most potent inhibitors of EGFR while 7x effectively inhibited the binding site of HER3. The binding energies of 4k, 4m, and 7x were −7.7, −6.3 and −5.7 kcal/mol, respectively. Collectively, 4k, 4m and 7x showed favorable interactions with the most druggable binding sites of their respective proteins. Finally, in silico pre-clinical testing by SwissADME validated the non-toxic nature of compounds 4k, 4m and 7x providing a promising treatment option for chemoresistant NSCLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: to determine the admission pattern and outcomes of neonatal admissions to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in a tertiary care hospital of Quetta Pakistan. Study Design: Prospective longitudinal study. Place and Duration of Study: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Combined Military Hospital Quetta Pakistan from Jan to Dec 2020 Methodology: All neonates admitted to the NICU Indoor or Outdoor Department during study duration were included. The disease pattern of the admission was noted, along with information regarding gender, gestational age, birth weight, diagnosis, duration of NICU stay, and outcome. Results: Of 424 neonates, respiratory-related disorders were predominantly higher 185 (43.6%) followed by infection/ sepsis-related disorders 105 (24.8%), care of prematurity 81 (19.1%), whereas 53(12.5%) had miscellaneous disorders. The overall mortality rate was observed in 34(8.0%) babies. A significant mean difference in gestational age (p<0.001), birth weight (p<0.001), and duration of stay (p=0.003) was observed for reasons for admissions. Furthermore, a significant association of reasons for admission was observed with gender (p=0.013), route of admission (p<0.001), and respiratory support (p<0.001). Conclusion: The pattern of the disease admission showed that respiratory-related disorders were predominantly higher, followed by infection/sepsis-related disorders and care of prematurity. Though the mortality rate was low, however, low birth weight, prematurity and caesarean delivery are common risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microwave and conventional techniques were employed to synthesize a novel array of compounds 7a-g with 1,2,4-triazole and piperidine rings having great biological importance. The microwave assisted method has a better operational scope with respect to time and yield comparative to the conventional method. 'H-NMR, l3C-NMR and IR techniques were employed to justify the structure of synthesized compounds. The antioxidant, butyrylcholinesterase inhibition and urease inhibition potential of every synthesized compound was evaluated. Every member of the synthesized series was found potent against mentioned activities. Compound 7g was the most active anti-urease agent having IC50(pM) value 16.5±0.09 even better than the thiourea with an IC50 (pM) value of 24.3±0.24. The better urease inhibition potential of 7g was also elaborated and explained by docking and bovine serum albumin (BSA) binding studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of mortality and the most lethal gynecologic malignancy among females. It may arise from atypical borderline tumors (Type I) or serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma (Type II). The diagnosis of cancer at its early stages is difficult because of non-specific symptoms, most patients are diagnosed at the advanced stage. Several drugs and therapeutic strategies are available to treat ovarian cancer such as surgery, chemotherapy, neoadjuvant therapy, and maintenance therapy. However, the cancer cells have developed resistance to a number of available therapies causing treatment failure. This emerging chemoresistance in ovarian cancer cells is becoming an obstacle due to alterations in multiple cellular processes. These processes involve altered drug target response, drug pumps, detoxification systems, lower sensitivity to apoptosis, and altered proliferation, and are responsible for developing resistance to anticancer medicines. Various research reports have evidenced that these altered processes might play a role in the emergence of resistance. This review addresses the recent advances in understanding the underlying mechanisms of ovarian cancer resistance and covers sophisticated alternative pathways to overcome these resistance mechanisms in patients., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Microwave and conventional techniques were employed to synthesize a novel array of compounds 7a-g with 1,2,4-triazole and piperidine rings having great biological importance. The microwave assisted method has a better operational scope with respect to time and yield comparative to the conventional method. 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR and IR techniques were employed to justify the structure of synthesized compounds. The antioxidant, butyrylcholinesterase inhibition and urease inhibition potential of every synthesized compound was evaluated. Every member of the synthesized series was found potent against mentioned activities. Compound 7g was the most active anti-urease agent having IC50 (μM) value 16.5±0.09 even better than the thiourea with an IC50(μM) value of 24.3±0.24. The better urease inhibition potential of 7g was also elaborated and explained by docking and bovine serum albumin (BSA) binding studies.