Exploring the nexus between green innovations and green growth in G-7 economies: evidence from wavelet quantile correlation and continuous wavelet transform causality methods.

There are numerous studies on the nexus between technology and economic growth. However, the recent paradigm shift toward achieving green economic growth calls for divulging the important drivers of green growth to derive the salient policies for triggering the green growth process. In this context, the recent study claims green technologies (GT) as the crucial determinant of green economic growth (GG) and extends the prior literature by examining the dynamic effects of GT on GG for G-7 nations. To do so, the recent study relies on the two novel econometric methods of wavelet quantile correlation (WQC) and continuous wavelet transform causality (CWC) for robust findings. The WQC's results determine that the rise in the GT significantly triggers the GG of G7 economies. More specifically, with the exception of a few quantiles that show no significant effects of GT, Canada, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom enjoy significant benefits from GT across all quantiles. The remaining G-7 countries also benefit from GT, but a few quantiles show that GT has negative effects. Interestingly, the application of the CWC test supports the QWC's outcome, such that the CWC test confirms the causal nexus that runs from GT to GG for each economy. Based on the results, the study derives some salient policies for local and global authorities.

Demographic variation and risk factors regarding breast cancer among females in Southern Punjab, Pakistan.

OBJECTIVE: To explore epidemiology, clinical profiles and contribution of reproductive and non-reproductive risk factors in breast cancer development. METHODS: The case-control study was conducted from October 2017 to March 2018 at Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan, and comprised breast cancer patients and age-matched controls recruited from the Bahawalpur Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Oncology, and the Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Bahawalpur. Socio-demographic data, family history of cancer, reproductive health and lifestyle factors were recorded using a structured questionnaire. Data was analysed using SPSS 21 and Stata/IC 14.1. RESULTS: Of the 326 women, 163(50%) each were cases and controls. The mean age for both the groups was identical at 46.04±10.62 years. Positive family history and hypertension were significantly linked to increased breast cancer risk (p<0.05), while intense physical activity, increased anthropometric measurements and breastfeeding per child in months were inversely associated with the risk (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Established risk factors for breast cancer were reaffirmed.

Quality of life and symptoms control in brain metastasis after palliative whole brain radiotherapy using two different protocols.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the quality of life and symptomatic improvement after palliative radiotherapy to brain metastasis using two different treatment protocols. STUDY DESIGN: Comparative study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Bahawalpur Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Oncology, Bahawalpur, from January 2009 to November 2010. METHODOLOGY: Patients presenting with brain metastasis referred to Bahawalpur Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Oncology, Bahawalpur for whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) were included. Patients were divided in two groups. In group A WBRT 30 Gys in 10 fractions were given. While in group B 30 Gys in 15 fractions to whole brain followed by 20 Gys in 10 fractions boost to primary metastatic site with 2 cm margins were given. Follow-up was done at 1 and 3 months. RESULTS: A total of 46 patients with brain metastasis were enrolled with median Karnofsky performance score 50. Median age was 64 years. Most common presenting symptoms were headache, weakness, balance problem and early fatigability. Fifty percent of patients had improvement in their presenting symptoms after completion of palliative radiotherapy at one month and three months follow-up. There was a statistically significant improvement in headache, nausea or vomiting, focal weakness, dizziness, balance problem and problems with smell, hearing and tingling sensation in group B patients as compared to group A. CONCLUSION: More controlled and better quality of life was observed in patient given 30 Gys in 15 fractions followed by a boost of 20 fractions to primary metastatic site versus WBRT with 30 Gys in 10 fractions and in patients with metastatic sites are less than three and having difference not more than 2 cm apart between two metastatic sites.

Evaluation of paclitaxel and carboplatin versus combination chemotherapy with fluorouracil, doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide as a neoadjuvant therapy in patients with inoperable breast cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the results of patients with locally advanced breast cancer receiving two different regimens Fluorouracil, Doxorubicin and Cyclophosphamide (FAC) and Paclitaxel and Carboplatin. STUDY DESIGN: Comparative study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: The Oncology Department, Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Oncology (INMOL), Lahore, from March 2007 to September 2008. METHODOLOGY: Patients with inoperable locally advanced breast cancer of stage were included. Sixteen patients were given FAC regimen and 9 patients were given Paclitaxel and Carboplatin, each combination was cycled after 21 days for four times. Before enrollment, detailed medical histories, physical examinations and performance status assessments were done as well as postchemotherapy evaluation with regular follow-up visits was done. Complete Response (CR, ¯100%) is defined as the disappearance of all known disease parameter i.e. disappearance in detectable tumour size, node free disease and surgery is possible. Partial Response (PR, ¯ > 50%) was defined by 50% or greater decrease in the sum of the areas of bidimensionally measured lesions i.e. change of N2 to N1 or no status and some surgical procedure is possible to downstage the disease. Minor Response (MR) was defined as a decrease in the tumour insufficient to quality for partial response. Static disease or no evaluable reflected no significant change in disease and no evidence of new disease. Progression of disease (> 25%) was defined as a 25% or greater increase in the area of any lesion > 2 cm or in the sum of the products of the individual lesions or the appearance of new malignant lesions, surgery not possible. RESULTS: Twenty five patients completed neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Sixteen (66%) patients received FAC and 9 (37%) patients received PC chemotherapy. Overall CR (breast and axilla) was 54%, PR was 16% and minor response (MR) was 8%. FAC treatment induced more emesis, mucositis, alopecia and cardiotoxicity. No death occurred. CONCLUSION: The Paclitaxel and Carboplatin regimen was better tolerated; both regimens were effective in improving disease and overall survival.