Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a complex genetic disease involving many fusion oncogenes having prognostic significance. The frequency of various fusion oncogenes can vary in different ethnic groups, with important implications for prognosis, drug selection and treatment outcome. We studied fusion oncogenes in 101 pediatric ALL patients using RT-PCR and interphase FISH, and their associations with clinical features and treatment outcome. Five most common fusion genes i.e. BCR-ABL t (22; 9), ETV6-RUNX1 (t 12; 21), MLL-AF4 (t 4; 11) TCF3-PBX1 (t 1; 19), and SIL-TAL1 (del 1p32) were found in 88.1% (89/101) patients. Frequency of BCR-ABL was 44.5% (45/101). BCR-ABL positive patients had a significantly lower survival (43.7±4.24 weeks) and higher white cell count as compared to others, except patients with MLL-AF4. The highest relapse-free survival was documented with ETV6-RUNX1 (14.2 months) followed closely by those cases in which no gene was detected (13.100). RFS with BCR-ABL, MLL-AF4, SIL-TAL1 and TCF3-PBX1 was less than 10 months (8.0, 3.6, 5.5 and 8.1 months, respectively). This is the first study from Pakistan correlating molecular markers with disease biology and treatment outcome in pediatric ALL. It revealed the highest reported frequency of BCR-ABL fusion gene in pediatric ALL, associated with poor overall survival. Present data indicated an immediate need for incorporation of tyrosine kinase inhibitors in the treatment of BCR-ABL+ pediatric ALL in this population and the development of facilities for stem cell transplantation.
This study examines the concept of globalisation in its characteristics ramifications. The research used empiricism or an empirical method of data collection and analysis. The research used feasibility and affordability in gathering of data for the work using empirical approach in which statistics and figures from credible sources are relied on. The data obtained were discussed using empirical methodological analysis where some themes are identified and discussed from the topic of the study using scientific tools such as tables, charts, bars and figures where necessary. The research discovered that globalisation is not a good phenomenon in African continent owing to slow economic growth, trade disequilibrium and parallel development comparatively because of disadvantages in terms of export, volume of trade exchange and low level of technological development. The research recommends that there is an urgent need for the African countries to restrategise and reshape their economic and political interest at the global level through the creation of a competitive means of relevance at the global centre-stage of world economy and politics.
Higher female labor force participation (FLFP) is one of contributing factors in achieving economic growth, poverty reduction and women empowerment. Though FLFP has increased from 14 % in 2001-02 to 22 % in 2017-18 but still Pakistan is lagging behind in FLFP rate as compared to other developing countries in the world including those in the South Asian region. The present study has explored four important dimensions of labor market by looking into: a) the contributing factors of low FLFP in Pakistan b) the important factors associated with different employment statuses of women c) the high share of unpaid family workers in total employment of women and d) the issue of out of labor force educated women. For addressing, the first three objectives we have used latest micro data set of Labor Force Survey (LFS) of Pakistan 2017-18. For the out of labor force analysis of educated women we have used individual and household data set of Pakistan Social and Living Standards Measurement (PSLM) Survey 2013-14. We found very important insights from our empirical analysis of nature and causes of low FLFP in Pakistan. The empirical evidence for the contributing factors of FLFP indicates that women residing in urban areas are less likely to be the part of labor force activities. Higher secondary and above levels of education are positively associated with FLFP in Pakistan. Women who have never migrated, living in joint family systems, and those who have ever received technical or vocational trainings are also more likely to participate in labor force activities. In order to observe the quality of employment we have analyzed different factors associated with different employment statuses of women. According to the empirical analysis urban women are more likely to be engaged either as paid employees or employers as compared to their rural counterparts, whereas women who are residing in rural areas are more likely to be engaged in employment statuses such as own account workers or unpaid/contributing family workers. As the level of education increases then there is more probability for women to be engaged as paid employees or employers. Number of children at home (age 5 years or below) is seen to be negatively affecting a woman’s employment status as a paid employee, and as an unpaid/contributing family worker. The study also highlighted the issue of high share (52%) of unpaid/contributing family workers in total employment of women. According to our study the young girls (10 to 15 years) are more likely to work as unpaid/contributing family workers than the women of other age groups. At the same time the empirical evidence also suggests the presence of disguised unemployment in unpaid/contributing workers category. Besides that, women who are residing in urban areas and who have migrated from other provinces are less likely to work as unpaid/contributing family workers. The issue of out of labor force women is another important reason of low FLFP in Pakistan. According to the empirical evidence women who decide for themselves to opt for paid employment are more likely to the part of the labor force. The study provides important insights for policy makers to improve the FLFP profile of Pakistan.