Allograft rejection remains a major hurdle in successful transplantation despite improved immunosuppressive drugs and clinical care. The molecular changes in the renal allograft that lead to graft rejection need to be investigated. In the present work, polymorphisms in chemokine receptors and urinary chemokine levels were investigated for association with rejection. This study includes; (a) gene polymorphisms of chemokine receptors of CCR2 and CCR5 (CCR2V64I and CCR5-59029G>A and CCR5Δ32), (b) urinary levels of interferon induced protein-10 (IP-10), (c) urinary levels of monokine induced by interferon-gamma (MIG) and (d) urinary levels of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1). This is the first study on chemokine receptor polymorphisms and the urinary chemokine levels (IP-10, MIG and MCP-1) in cohorts of Pakistani renal transplant patients. The project was approved by the Institutional Ethical Review Committee and informed consent was taken from all the participants. Briefly, the gene polymorphisms CCR2V64I, CCR5-59029G>A and CCR5Δ32 were investigated in 606 renal transplant patients and their donors by amplified fragments length polymorphisms (RFLP). The results showed that the G/G genotype of CCR2V64I was associated with a high frequency of allograft rejection (P=0.009). The Kaplan-Meier curve also indicated a significant reduction in the overall time to rejection-free allograft survival for patients with the G/G genotype of CCR2V64I as compared to the A/A or G/A genotype (59.2±1.4 vs. 68±2.6 weeks, P=0.008) showing that individuals with the A allele, either in the homozygous or heterozygous state, have a greater chance to accept the graft. ix Human IP-10 is classified as the CXC chemokine sub-family. A total of 206 urine samples of (a) rejection (n=96), (b) non-rejection (n=22) and (c) controls (n=88) were quantified for IP-10 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for association with rejection. The results showed statistically significant differences in the urinary IP-10 levels between the rejection vs. non-rejection groups (P=0.004). The Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) of IP-10 showed area under the curve (AUC) of 0.70±0.06 with 72% sensitivity and 64% specificity, at a cut-off value of 27pg/ml. Human MIG also belongs to the CXC chemokine sub-family. A total of 266 urine samples from (a) rejection (n=108), (b) non-rejection (n=70), (c) stable grafts (n=42) and (d) control groups (n=46) were quantified for MIG and analyzed for association with rejection. The results indicated that although urinary MIG levels were higher in patients with rejection the association was not statistically significant (P>0.05). The ROC curve also showed AUC of 0.54±0.04 with low sensitivity (46%) and specificity (55%) at cut-off value of 6pg/ml. Human MCP-1 belongs to the CC chemokine sub-family. A total of 409 urine samples of (a) rejection (n=165), (b) non-rejection (n=93), (c) stable grafts (n=42) and (d) controls (n=109) were quantified for urinary level of MCP-1 by ELISA. The results showed that MCP-1 levels were different between the rejection and other groups (P<0.05). The ROC curve illustrated the area under curve of 0.83±0.04 with a sensitivity and specificity of 84% and 74% respectively, at a cut-off value of 214pg/ml. In conclusion, this work shows the usefulness of chemokine receptor CCR2V64I polymorphism as a marker for the increased possibility of an x immune response against an allograft. Urinary levels of MCP-1, the ligand of CCR2, and IP-10 were increased and show good correlation with rejection. While urinary MIG did not show any association with rejection. These findings may help in developing new therapeutic strategies in renal transplantation based on patient genetic makeup. Additionally, non-invasive screening tests based on urinary levels of IP-10 and MCP-1 would help in the assessment of the immune status of the graft
مولانا معین الدین اجمیرؔی ۱۰؍ محرم الحرام ۱ ۱۳۵۹ھ عین عاشورہ کے دن علم و عمل فضل و کمال، مجاہدہ و استقامت وطہارت کی ایک ایسی مسند خالی ہوئی جو غالباً عرصۂ دراز تک خالی رہے گی، اِنَّا لِلّٰہِ وَاِنَّا اِلَیْہِ رَاجِعُوْنَ۔ اس سے ہماری مراد حضرت مولانا معین الدین اجمیری رحمۃ اﷲ علیہ کا سانحۂ ارتحال ہے، یہ حادثہ محض مولانا کے اہل خاندان یا مسلمانانِ اجمیر ہی کے لئے نہیں ہے، بلکہ سارا اسلامی ہند اس سے متاثر اور اپنی کم نصیبی پر نوحہ کناں ہے۔ وَمَا کَانَ قَیْس’‘ ھَلَکَ ھُلَکَ وَاحِدٍ وَلٰکِنَّہٗ بُنْیَان قُوْمٍ تھَدّما مولانا ایک نومسلم گھرانے میں پیدا ہوئے تھے، والد ماجد مولانا عبدالرحمن صاحب مرحوم بلیاؔ کے رہنے والے نومسلم راجپوت تھے اور والدہ بھی داخل اسلام ہوئی تھیں اور دانا پور (بہار) ان کا گھر تھا تعلق راجپوتانہ سے اس طرح پیدا ہوا کہ مولانا عبدالرحمن صاحب ریاست ٹونک میں سیکریٹری کونسل تھے، چار یا پانچ سو روپیہ ماہوار تنخواہ تھی، اسی علاقہ میں دیولی (راجپوتانہ) میں ۲۵؍ صفر ۱۲۹۹ء کو پیدا ہوئے اور باپ کے زیر سایہ زندگی کی ابتدائی منزلیں طے ہوئیں، بچپن ہی سے سعادت و فیروز مندی کے آثار نمایاں تھے، چنانچہ دولت و ثروت کی گود میں پلنے والے اس نوجوان نے ہمیشہ طالبعلموں میں مساوات ہی کی زندگی بسر کی، امیرانہ ٹھاٹھ اور رئیسانہ شان کا کبھی مظاہرہ نہ کیا۔ قسمت کی خوبی اور نصیب کی بلندی نے خاتم المحققین حضرت مولانا سید برکاتؔ احمد صاحب (بہاری، ثم) ٹونکی سے تلمذ کا رشتہ قائم کرایا، اس تعلق سے مولانا کا سلسلۂ تلمذ یہ ہے۔ حضرت مولانا معین الدین صاحب اجمیری رحمۃ اﷲ علیہ حضرت مولانا سیّد برکات احمد صاحب ٹونکی رحمۃ اﷲ علیہ حضرت مولانا عبدالحق صاحب خیرآبادی رحمۃ اﷲ علیہ حضرت مولانا فضل حق صاحب خیرآبادی رحمۃ اﷲ علیہ حضرت مولانا...
This study aims to identify the significance of driver’s socioeconomic demographics (SEDs) in the decision to speed and crash involvement. A questionnaire was designed consisting of a driver’s SEDs, speeding propensity, and crash experience. This questionnaire was conducted with the students and employees of the University of Nizwa and other drivers at the selected locations. A total of 604 usable samples were obtained. Simple frequency distribution and discriminant multivariate analysis were conducted on the driver’s responses. Survey results revealed that about 47.7% of the drivers have experienced a crash. The driver’s gender nationality, profession, age, type of vehicle drive, driving experience, and past crash experience are significant attributes of the driver’s speeding behavior. Ordered probit analysis for speeding behavior and simple probit regression analysis for crash involvement was conducted. The male drivers and those who are under the age of 30 years and have driving experience of more than 3 years have more likelihood to exceed the speed limits than other drivers. Similarly, the driver’s gender, age (≤ 30 years), and those who are employees have a significant correlation with the propensity of crash involvement. Male and young drivers have more likelihood to be involved in a crash.
Role of Institutions and Economic Variables on Tax Revenue of Selected Asian Developing Countries Tax revenue is an important factor to finance different sectors of any country. The role of institutional and economic factors is considered to be most influencing to generate more revenue for a country through taxes. This study explores the positive and significant relationship between institutional factor and tax revenue of seven Asian developing countries such as Pakistan. India, China, Bangladesh, Srilanka, Indonesia and Thailand for the period of 1996-2014. To examine the existence of long run relation among variables Pedroni (1999, 2004) and Kao panel cointegration technique have been used and after confirmation of long run relation among variables Fully Modified Ordinary Least Square (FMOLS) has been applied to attain long run elasticities of the variables. Further Engle and Granger (1987) test has applied to check the direction or way of causation between these two variables. The results of this study show that there is long run and positive relationship between Institutions and Tax revenue. Fair and transparent governing system, effective rule of law, control of corruption in tax collecting authorities tremendously increase the tax revenue of the country. Furthermore among economic trade (as a percentage of GDP) and inflation are positively affecting the tax revenue whereas agriculture share in GDP is negatively affecting the tax revenue. All the Coefficients through FMOLS are statistically significant and explaining the long run changes in tax revenue. Moreover these results suggest that institutional factors have a major role in tax revenue. The findings of this study have some important implications such as simplifying rules on tax payment, internal audit of tax administration, provision of incentives to tax administration staff to overcome the corruption problem are given that provide a road map to increase the tax revenue in of Selected Asian developing countries.