تڑپ رہا ہوں بُلاوا مگر نہیں آتا
مدینے جاؤں پہ اِذنِ سفر نہیں آتا
تری ثنا سے نہ جب تک حروف تر ہوں مرے
سُخن کی شاخ پہ تب تک ثمر نہیں آتا
دلوں کا حال بدلتا ہے میرا ربّ لیکن
بغیر تیری دُعا کے عمرؓ نہیں آتا
کرم کہ ذات تری افصح العرب ٹھہری
کہ نعت لکھنے کا مجھ کو ہُنر نہیں آتا
درود گر نہ پڑھیں اِس کے اوّل و آخر
دُعائے نیم شبی میں اثر نہیں آتا
The relationship between English (in what this term comes to mean as a language, as a discipline of studies, and as a synecdoche of Western culture) and our culture as Muslim Pakistanis has developed over a period of time since the British colonization. The history of this cultural interaction may be divided into three broad phases: the initial, the middle, and the present. The strategy adopted in this paper is based upon the argument that this relationship may be traced through some of the most representative figures of our culture, such as, Shibli, Iqbal, Faiz etc. In each phase of this interaction. The present essay on Shibli deals with the first phase of our cultural interaction with English. It adopts what may be termed as an analogical approach to the issue as it intends to engage with what I think to be rather unwarranted psychoanalytic forays of some of our critics into the psycho-dynamics of such culturally representative figures like Shibli in their relationship with English. The paper exploits the analogy first used by Sheikh Muhammad Ikram, and later employed by Nasir Abbas Nayyar that Shibli’s attitude towards English was the same as his attitude towards his step-mother at home. English, in other words, was a step-mother for Shibli, and for the generations represented through his figure in this early phase of our cultural interaction with the language. Shibli’s terms of engagement with his step-mother, and analogically with English, is the subject of this essay.
Thalassemia is a hereditary quantitative deficiency of functional α and β like globin chains synthesis that leads to ineffective erythropoiesis and reduced hemoglobin synthesis. Increased gastrointestinal iron absorption, following frequent blood transfusions in the absence of proper chelation therapy, builds iron overload leading to increased morbidity and mortality and shorten life expectancy. It is manifested by chronic anemia, hepatosplenomegaly, bone deformities especially for facial bones and improper growth rate. Regular blood transfusion and iron chelation therapy becomes essential for lifelong time. The geographical distribution of thalassemia can be divided broadly into four regions: Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, Indian Asia and Mediterranean device. Migration from these affected areas into non-malarial areas results in heterogeneous diversity of thalassemia at global level. A multicentre study (including four cities in Pakistan) was aimed to investigate the frequency and spectrum of alpha and beta thalassemia genetic mutations and XmnI polymorphism of the Gamma Globin gene. Beta thalassemia individuals identified on the ground of haematological parameters were screened for mutations of the Alpha (HBA2 and HBA1) and Beta (HBB) Globin genes as well as Gamma (HBG2) Globin gene, -158 Gg XmnI polymorphism, using a combination of multiplex GAP polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Sanger sequencing and restriction fragment length polymerase (RFLP) based PCR respectively. Among 16 identified mutations in the beta gene by Sanger sequencing, NM_000158.4:c.27_28insG (p. Ser10ValfsTer14) was the most prevalent. In alpha thalassemia mutation, multiplex GAP-PCR run for seven most common deletion mutation showed that α-3.7 and α-4.2 deletions were coinherited with beta thalassemia mutations. Additionally, presence of rare mutations and novel variants has portrait the diversity of thalassemia mutations in Pakistani population. Moreover, NM_000184.2:c.-211C>T base-pair substitution (historically described as -158 GγXmnI polymorphism) was present in 36% of the patients. The hemolysis markers (red blood cell incidences), oxidative stress (lipid peroxidation, hemoglobin oxidation, carbonyl protein oxidation, and catalase activity), antioxidative level (glutathione reduced and oxidised, scavenging assays) and biochemical parameters were also analysed. Low copper, potassium, magnesium and phosphate levels and high AST, ALK and ALT levels which were observed importantly represent the iron overloaded peroxidative state in thalassemia. Not only these parameters but high values of lipid peroxidation, carbonyl contents and catalase activity and low values of glutathione reduce and scavenging assay also marked the oxidative damage caused mainly due to iron overload and its associated complications. Additionally, three plants namely Curcuma longa (locally known as Haldi), Nigella sativa seeds (locally known as Kalonji), and Camellia sinensis (green tea) were studied to identify natural alternatives to treat disorders associated with hemolysis by reducing oxidative stress and to determine the effect of extraction systems on the functionality of phytochemicals. Based on Camellia sinensis and Curcuma longa well known bioactivities, it was assumed that they would significantly ameliorate the activities of oxidative markers and hence help in reducing the oxidative damage in beta thalassemia. However, treatment with both plant extract did not sufficiently improve the condition. This could be due to insufficient ameliorating effect as well as use of whole extract instead of isolated compound from plants was used. The psychological stress and its associated experiences were studied in index and their caregivers that duplicated the previous findings of low quality of life scores. The chronic nature of disease with enduring treatment has drastically affected their wellbeing. However, these changes vary between and within countries due to different health infrastructures, socioeconomic status and cultural and social norms. With advancement in reducing the thalassemia associated mortality and morbidity, some attention has now move into designing of improved and healthy lifestyles. Heterogeneity in clinical and haematological parameters in thalassemia major, show that monogenic disorders can present with a wide spectrum of disease severity. Present study will be useful in the prevention of highly prevalent disease of thalassemia in Pakistan following nationwide awareness campaign.