Human Papilloma Virus Related Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma-an updated review

Human papilloma virus (HPV) related head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) has varying etiology, genetic as well as environmental factors involved and differential clinicicopathological features. HNSCC came in the limelight recently due to increased incidence rate and insufficient diagnostic methods. This review will comprehensively focus on the characteristics of HPV associated HNSCC.  It will provide an updated review of our understanding of HPV role in Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) known to date. Curruntly, three vaccines are available (Gardasil, Gardasil 9 and Cervarix). These vaccines prevent infections with HPV types 16 and 18 HPV-16 is most common type associated with HNSCC. HPV related HNSCC has better prognosis, does not mutate  but inactivatestumor suppressor genes and therefore has comparatively better treatment options. However, there is still a need to improve our methods of sampling, HPV molecular assay and type of specimen to be used.

Punjabi Language: A Study of Language Desertion

Pakistan is a land of linguistic diversity having more than sixty languages. Punjabi, along with its numerous mutually intelligible dialects, is an ancient language. It is mainly spoken in the Pakistani province of Punjab and Indian Punjab in the subcontinent. It is a member of the Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European language family. The aim of this ethnographic study is to explore the status of Punjabi language in our society by looking at the language usage and linguistic practices of Punjabi native speakers residing in selected urban and rural areas. Ten families, five from urban area and five from rural area, participated in the study. The participants were selected on the basis of their educational level, marital status, monthly income, occupation, family background and the size of land owned by them. The theoretical framework which informs this research is the constructivist qualitative paradigm. The tools of data collection include semi structured interviews and recordings of informal conversation of the research participants. The analysis of the collected data reveals that in the urban areas, Punjabi language is not the dominant medium of communication among the research participants. The participants do not consider it important and worthwhile to maintain Punjabi language, as they do not see it as economically advantageous and profitable to them. It is just a part of their cultural heritage, but they do not use it for communicative purposes. In the rural areas, however, the research participants expressed a strong sense of association and affiliation with Punjabi language; Punjabi language is their dominant medium of communication with others; they consider Punjabi an inevitable part of their cultural heritage and identity; they support the idea of learning English and Urdu languages but not at the cost of Punjabi language. These findings suggest that language desertion is an urban phenomenon, as Punjabi language is not maintained by the urban research participants due to certain wider socio-political factors which have disrupted and distorted the status of Punjabi language while consolidating the role of English and Urdu in the society.