WAR ON TERROR, NATO WITHDRAWAL AND HUMAN RIGHT VIOLATIONS: A REALIST PARADIGM

This paper presents the usage of Information Communication Technology (ICT) tools in Islamabad High Court (IHC) and determine the applications of ICT tools in the court. ICT plays vital role in the court processes. It has been adopted all over the world to enhance the performance of judiciary. The analyses are based on the primary collected data through survey questionnaire from judges, lawyers, clients, IT operators and administrative staff. The findings of the study revealed that ICT tools have been uses, particularly, basic IT tools such as computers etc. Are most commonly uses in the courts, however, it needs to use advance tools. Most of the respondents agreed that overall ICT tools have been adopted in the court. It is suggested for the IHC court to increase the judge’s ratio in the courts and bring judicial reforms in the system. The new findings and recommendations would be helpful for IHC.

Polymorphisms of Interleukin 13 Il13 in Local Asthmatic Population

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder characterized by wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness and cough. The inflammation is responsible for bronchial hyperresponsiveness which renders the patient susceptible to certain environmental stimuli. The environmental factors alone are not responsible for these changes as they have an intricate interaction with genetic factors. In this study we determined the spectrum of symptoms and their correlation with serum IgE levels in asthmatic patients since no such data could be found for indigenous population. Cortisol and ACTH levels were determined to ascertain the status of hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis. Interleukin 13 gene polymorphisms and their association with asthma and serum IgE levels were investigated. For the present study a detailed history was taken and peak expiratory flow measured on 164 asthmatic and 50 controls. Seventy five randomly selected patients underwent serology and SNP genotyping. Serum was analyzed for total IgE, cortisol and ACTH levels. Six SNPs of interleukin 13 gene were studied by PCR-RFLP. Four polymorphisms were from the promoter region C-1512A, T-1112C, A-646G and C-469T, one nonsynonymous polymorphism from the exon 4 A2044 G (Arg to Gln) and a 3’UTR polymorphism A2525G. The results of this research revealed that majority of patients belonged to moderate intermittent to severe persistent group. Exposure to dust was the most common triggering factor in our population. Serum IgE levels were directly proportional to the severity of asthma and were significantly correlated with history of allergy. However, no correlation was found between IgE levels and family history of asthma. Adrenal functions were © Dr Afia Hasnain 2008 xviiPhD Thesis Dr Afia Hasnain normal when compared with the control group. Two SNPs T-1112C and A2044G showed strong association with serum IgE levels and both the presence and the severity of asthma. C-1512A showed association with asthma and its severity and was the only polymorphism that showed an association with the family history of asthma. While A2525G had a weak association with serum IgE levels only. The other two polymorphisms were in very low frequency in our population and hence no association with phenotypes could be ascertained. It could be concluded from the present investigation that exposure to dust could be the most common precipitating factor of asthma in our population. The two previously studied SNPs T-1112C and A2044G are strongly associated with serum IgE levels and both presence and severity of asthma in our population sample.