Global Poverty and Cultural Issues Essay

Poverty has been a pervasive phenomenon in the world. Hunger, high level of illiteracy, high rates of child morality to mention but a few, all have characterized poverty. In response to fight against poverty, several strategies have been developed globally to help improve the quality of human living which have had different impacts on social, economic and political spheres. The purpose of this presentation is it to discuss the global poverty in the context of globalization, the role played by international monetary agencies in addressing this issue and the resulting effects on culture. Global poverty It has been found that almost half of the people in the world are living on less than $2. 50 in a day and more than eighty percent of the world’s population live in the countries which have a widening income difference. This is reflected by the fact that forty percent of the poorest of the world’s population account for only five percent of the global income while twenty percent of the richest people account for three quarters of the whole world income (Wilson, pp 172). In level of literacy, it has been found that close to one billion people have stepped in twenty first century unable to read a book or even be able to sign in their names (Birdsall, Kelley and Sinding pp 153). Approximately forty million people are living with HIV/AIDS and about five hundred million cases of malaria are witnessed every year. Africa has the highest percentages of these cases and deaths. In the developing countries majority of people do lack adequate access to clean and safe water and still a greater portion lack basic sanitation. Children who are born, one billion live in poverty while about six hundred and forty millon children live without adequate shelter while about four hundred million children lack access to safe water. In rural areas three out of four people are found to earn less than $ 1 and the same proportion of the world population is malnourished. The growth of slums is at alarming rate where out of half of world’s population living in cities and towns, one out of three urban dwellers lives in slum conditions (Otlin, pp67-69). Globalization and Poverty Reduction The term globalization refers to a process of interaction and integration that involves different groups such people, government of different nations and companies. It is driven by international trade and investment and is aided by information technology. It has caused significant effects on culture, environment, political systems, economic development and human physical well being of many societies around world (Lawig, pp15). The ideology of globalization has been made effective by policies that have paved way to economies both locally and internationally. The world has become a global village. Commodities which had been earlier confined in one part of the world are now available across the globe. Both goods and people can reach destinations in a relative short time due to improved infrastructure. Also, work can be outsourced from any part of the world provided there is internet connectivity. Apart from policies, technology has been the great driver of globalization. Information technology has also become an important tool for identifying and perusing economic opportunities in the fastest rate possible in addition to more informed economic trends analysis. In the context of global poverty, globalization is considered to be an approach to boost the poor countries and their citizens to develop economically and improve their living standards. Free trade creates new opportunities for new investments, jobs and enhances more efficient way in resources use that in turn increases productivity. Liberalization of capital flows enables greater access to external resources needed to finance investments. Besides this, foreign direct investment do encourage the transfer of technology , easy accessibility to a wider range of better quality of goods at competitive prices in addition to managerial expertise and skills (Niggle, pp 22-24). World Bank and IMF The World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) are main international financial institutions in the world. In Africa for example, they are the major sources that provide financial support. Over the past the poorest countries in Africa have often turned to World Bank and IMF to request for financial support due to their impoverished situation. To be able to implement this, these agencies have Structural Adjustment Programs/Policies (SAPs). These are economic policies that must be followed by any country that is in need of their loans. These policies in many countries, they have common principles such as export led growth, privatization, liberalization and efficiency of the free market (Winter, pp36). Structural Adjustment Programs demands the countries to devalue their currencies against the dollar. This helps to make goods cheaper for foreigners to buy. Also there is need for the government to balance their budgets and not to overspend, remove price controls and state subsides. Balancing national budgets usually should be through cutting government spending and usually not by raising taxes. The implication of this is deep cuts in government programs such as education, health, social care as well as removal of subsides that are aimed to control prices of basic necessities such as food. These SAPs often emphasis on production and exportation of primary commodities like tea and coffee for earning foreign exchange. However, in practice the Structural adjustment Programs have only result to escalating state of poverty in countries where they are implemented due to various reasons. First, privatization requires governments to sell off the enterprises to private owners and in many cases they are foreign investors. This result to lay-off and pay cuts for employee in these privatized organizations. Secondly, reduction in government spending results to reducing services to the poor especially the critical ones such as health and education. Thirdly, the promotion of exports by countries as required in SAPs is done at the expense of production for domestic needs. This is because the export orientation is often involved with displacement of people who grow food for their domestic own consumption because land is occupied by plantations for growing crops for foreign markets. The fourth factor is that increased interest rates that are recessionary are bound to affect national economies in that small businesses where women are the main actors find it hard to access to affordable credit which make it hard to survive. This leads to unemployment. Lastly, trade liberalization requires elimination of tariff protections for industries. When this happens in developing countries, it causes mass layoff of employees. For instance in Mozambique World Bank and IMF ordered for removal of export tax on cashew nut that caused about ten thousand workers to loose their jobs (Udayagiri & Walton, pp101-102). Effects of World Bank and IMF Aids on Zimbabwe: A Cultural Perspective Culture can be defined as the perspectives, practices and products of a social group. It is shared patterns of behaviors and interactions, cognitive constructs and affective understanding that are acquired through socialization process. It is through these shared patterns that identify the members of a particular culture group and also it distinguishes those of another group. The following is a cultural perspective discussion on the effects of international monetary funds and globalization in Zimbabwe. Since Zimbabwe sought aid from IMF and World Bank and adopted their Structural Adjustment Programs, the situation has been deteriorating. The negative effects of Structural Adjustment Programs have not been felt on economy levels alone but also in the Zimbabwean culture. Zimbabwe was a choice in this presentation because of its current worrying socio-economic trends which have been catalyzed by high inflation rates than any other African country and has also witnessed tight IMF/World Bank screws (Mumbengegwi, pp 22-26) When IMF demanded adoption of SAPs by Zimbabwean government they were not tailored to address the local needs of common man. Rather they were in favor of foreign investors through trade liberalization. One of SAPs required Zimbabwe government to privatize state owned enterprises. This is culturally because most of Zimbabweans have been known, for instance, to be small-holder dairy farmers as their livelihood. As result of privatization, for instance of dairy cooperatives through floatation of share, majority of the farmer experienced a cultural crisis. This is because they were unable to continue with their selling of milk. They could no longer enjoy relatively cheap and affordable credit facilities as before making it impossible to continue with dairy farming. Also the issue of privatization provoked alterations in land tenure system. It has been a tradition to own land on communal basis as opposed to private land ownership. However, this tradition has been broken through issuing of freehold title to male landholders which never used to exist before. This anticipated productivity crisis particularly in farming system in many small scale commercial farming. SAPs had effect on the Zimbabwean culture of maize farming. Before implementation of SAPs in Zimbabwe, the country was used to grow maize in large scale which made it to have enough to feed its population and have stock piles. But due to the demands of World Bank and IMF for the country to be export oriented to increase if foreign exchange, it forced the country to sell all of its stockpiles in obedience. Due to unfavorable climatic conditions, now Zimbabwe does not have any maize reserves to feed it population as it was its culture. It now relies on importation which is scarcely enough to meet food needs of it starving citizens. Before, introduction of export-oriented concept in Zimbabwe, it practiced traditional farming that focused on growing of indigenous crops for local consumption. This has gradually phased out because of SAPs demand for growing crops that are export oriented. Instead of improving on indigenous crops that will enhance attainment of food sufficiency , community has ended up suffering from extreme hunger because growing the local foods have been abandon for cash crop growing. To facilitate cash crop growing, most of land was commercialized. This privatization and commercialization of land have suppressed women rights in regard to land control. In the past when communal land system was practiced, women had access and control over the land. But commercialization and privatization of the land in the country have adversely affected land rights of most of the women because they now have limited access and control of the land despite the fact that they are the main contributors in agricultural production (Wod, pp 122). World and IMF policies further demanded the Zimbabwean government to reduce its national budget by retrenching certain number of employees and strict wages control. In addition to this, it was expected to cut down social spending on health, health and public services and charge them some fee. To make matter worse apart from privatization of state owned enterprises, Value Added Tax was to be introduced. This resulted to high cost of living which altogether affected the normal way of living of Zimbabwean citizens. This led to high rate of unemployment. In response to this family ties started loosening as many men migrated in search for jobs causing increased rate of female headed household in the country which is contrary to existing culture. Thorough keen scrutiny, one would clearly see that globalization ideology is Structural Adjustment Policies in disguise. This is because it also lobbies for trade liberalization. Because the majority of Zimbabwe citizens are small scale entrepreneurs, trade liberalization has severely affected them. Women being the major actors in agriculture production, trade liberalization have failed them to acquire credit and other farming inputs because of their high cost. This has resulted to increased rural urban migration, great number of squatters in urban areas and high crime rate which has now become a new cultural phenomenon. There has been increased moral decay. Significant numbers of women have resorted to cross border trade whereby there have been several reported cases of extramarital affairs while the husbands who have been left at home indulge in the same (Schweiker, pp11). Children are no longer seen by fires side listening to counsel that instill values and norms that hold society together because every one is struggling for survival as living standard has skyrocketed in the country Conclusion World Bank and IMF policies have caused more evil than good in the countries which they have been implemented. SAPs have not been tailored to address the poverty situation in developing countries but are only to cater the interest of those formulated them. They do not attempt to address poverty using local context perspective but are generalized to favor the international corporations from developed countries. But because aid can not be given without compliance to these polices, the needy countries end up falling being their preys. Both SAPs and globalization is one and the same thing and their effects are not only felt in spheres of political or economies alone but also deeply felt at cultural sphere. Their effects alter practices and perspectives of community by imposing a change in tradition way of doing things and because of the essence for survival some practices are dropped while others are adopted to cope with the present challenges that are threat to human living such as hunger. References Birdsall, N. Kelley, A. C. , Sinding, S. ; Population Matters: Demographic Change, Economic Growth, and Poverty in the Developing World. ISBN 0199244073, 9780199244072, Oxford University Press, 2001. Mumbengegwi, C. ; Macroeconomic and Structural Adjustment Policies in Zimbabwe. ISBN 1403914419, 9781403914415. Palgrave, 2002. Lawig, K. ; Overcoming Globalization: The Root of Violence. The Ecumenical Review Journal, Vol. 55, 2003. Otlin, Josh; The Causes of Poverty: Thinking Critically about a Key Economic Issue. Social Education Journal, Vol. 72, 2008. Niggle, C, J. ; Globalization, Neoliberalism and the Attack on Social Security. Review of Social Economy Journal, Vol. 61, 2003. Schweiker, W. ; Whither Global Ethics? Moral Consciousness and Global Cultural Flows. Journal of Ecumenical Studies, Vol. 42, 2007. Winter, C. A; The Globalizes: The IMF, the World Bank and Their Borrowers. Journal of Economic Issues, Vol. 41, 2007. Wilson, S. ; The Struggle over Work: The ‘End of Work† and Employment Options for Post-Industrial Societies. ISBN 0415305500, 9780415305501, Routledge, 2004. Wod, B. ; Re-evaluating Socioeconomic Conditions and the Continuing Spread of HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa. The Western Journal of Black Studies, Vol. 29, 2005. Udayagiri, M. & Walton, J. ; Global Transformation and Local Countermovements: The Prospects for Democracy under Neoliberalism. International Journal of Comparative Sociology . Vol. 44, 2003.

The History of Scissors

The History of Scissors Leonardo da  Vinci has often been credited with inventing scissors, but they predate his lifetime by many centuries. Nowadays, it’s hard to find a household these days that doesn’t have at least one pair. Ancient Scissors The ancient Egyptians used a version of scissors as long ago as 1500 B.C. They were a single piece of metal, typically bronze, fashioned into two blades that were controlled by a metal strip. The strip kept the blades apart until they were squeezed. Each blade was a scissor. Collectively, the blades were scissors, or so rumor has it. Through trade and adventure, the device eventually spread beyond Egypt to other parts of the world. The Romans adapted the Egyptians  design in 100 A.D., creating pivoted or cross-blade scissors that were more in line with what we have today. The Romans also used bronze, but they sometimes made their scissors from iron as well. Roman scissors had two blades that slid past each other. The pivot was situated between the tip and the handles to create a cutting effect between the two blades when they were applied to various properties.  Both Egyptian and Roman versions of scissors had to be sharpened regularly. Scissors Enter the 18th Century Although the actual inventor of scissors is hard to identify, Robert Hinchliffe, of Sheffield, England, should be rightfully acknowledged as the father of modern scissors. He was the first to use steel to manufacture and mass-produce them in 1761 more than 200 years after da  Vinci’s death. Pinking shears  were first invented and patented in 1893 by Louise Austin of Whatcom of Washington to facilitate pinking and scalloping and as a marked improvement over ordinary pinking irons and tools.† Here are some mentions of scissors in print publications over the years, as well as a bit of folklore. From Emar, Capital of Astata, in the 14th  Century BCE By Jean-Claude Margueron Besides ceramics, occasionally collected in large quantities, the houses produced stone and metallic objects illustrating both day-to-day needs and the activities of city merchants: beer filters,  containers, arrow and javelin heads, scales of armor, needles and  scissors,  long nails,  bronze scrapers, millstones, mortars, many kinds of grindstones, pestles, various tools and stone rings. From  The Story of Scissors  by J. Wiss Sons, 1948 Egyptian bronze shears of the Third Century B.C., a unique object of art.  Showing Greek influence although with decoration characteristic of Nile culture, the shears are illustrative of the high degree of craftsmanship which developed in the period following Alexanders conquest of Egypt.  Decorative male and female figures, which complement each other on each blade, are formed by solid pieces of metal of a different color inlaid in the bronze shears.Sir Flinders Petrie ascribes the development of cross-bladed shears to the First Century. In the Fifth Century, the scribe Isidore of Seville  describes cross-bladed shears or scissors with a center pivot as tools of the barber and tailor. Folklore and Superstition More than one expectant mother has placed a pair of scissors beneath her pillow at night somewhere toward the end of her ninth month of pregnancy. Superstition says that this will â€Å"cut the cord† with her baby and prompt labor. And heres another tall tale: Don’t hand those scissors to your best friend. Place them on any available surface and let your friend pick them up. Otherwise, you risk severing your relationship. Some say that those scissors languishing in your catch-it-all drawer can help keep evil spirits out of your home. Hang them by one handle near your door so they form a version of a cross.

Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky Essay

Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky - Essay Example The old woman is crazy, deaf, sick, greedy, and evil. She charges scandalous rates of interest, devours the well-being of others, and, having reduced her younger sister to the state of a servant, oppresses her with work. She is good for nothing. "Why does she live" "Is she useful to anyone at all" These and other questions carry the young man's mind astray. He decides to kill and rob her so as to make his mother, who is living in the provinces, happy; to save his sister from the libidinous importunities of the head of the estate where she is serving as a lady's companion; and then to finish his studies, go abroad and be for the rest of his life honest, firm, and unflinching in fulfilling his humanitarian duty toward mankind. This would, according to him, "make up for the crime," if one can call this act a crime, which is committed against an old, deaf, crazy, evil, sick woman, who does not know why she is living and who would perhaps die in a month anyway. (Notes 2007) The story is basically the struggle between Raskolnikov's Napoleon-bermensch theory and his conscience which make him confess to his crime. According to Tanguay (1997), the novel is an expos of the evil system which forced upon Raskolnikov the choice between crime and death by starvation. However, as the epilogue goes, the novel suggests the brighter side of man's connection to his creator as its more important theme. A repentant man can still hope for his benevolent creator waiting to hear him confess. This paper discusses how Fyodor Dostoevsky tries to present his message through many techniques. Basically, he tackles the issue of poverty and tries to show how an intelligent university student goes about in solving his financial problems. With it is the bermensch theory which he puts in the mind of Raskolnikov, thinking an ordinary man can become extraordinary - jumping from one level to another. The problem is that it has to be done with a crime and to come off it clean. The novel shows that the thinking of the protagonist, Raskolnikov, comes from great men like Napoleon who made history. From here, he uses dreams to foreshadow what is to come or make flashbacks on the past to register well a point. The novel throughout speaks of poverty as a theme as the different characters portray how they each respond to their problem of making both ends meet. As the characters go about their business, especially with Raskolnikov, Dostoevsky tries to go deep into the workings of the mind and present the progression of the psychological struggles. Dostoevsky also utilizes character contrasts to magnify other characters, such as the employ of the oversexed Svidrigalov trying to express regret for his dastardly acts by expressing charity after every wild act. He is contrasted against Raskolnikov who looks up to him as the extraordinary man who can commit crime without any pangs of regret. Dostoevsky finally ends his novel with a meaningful epilogue about man's redemption and his final association with his creator. The discussions that follow deal deeper with these elements to show how Dostoevsky tries to communicate his message. Communicating the message The social issue of poverty. Dostoevsky portrayed the contemporary social reality. Raskolnikov's murdering of the old moneylender resulted apparently from his dire poverty. He had no alternative but murder and robbery if he were to survive. From a thesis

Grammar and Syntax Resource Guide Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Grammar and Syntax Resource Guide - Essay Example It will also describe the emphasis offered by each site regarding grammar and illustrate how the lesson ideas would be incorporated in my own teaching. ESL Flow http://www.eslflow.com/grammarlessonplans.html/ This site gives the learner random English words and asks them to construct sentences using each word at least once. After creating a minimum of five sentences, the learner is then asked to pick words from the sentences and categorize them into provided columns with different headings. The headings are labeled verbs, nouns, adverbs and adverbs. It also offers effective memorizing tips. Brain Pop http://www.brainpop.com/english/grammar/capitalization/preview.weml/ This website lays emphasis on the rules of capitalization. They format their lessons on a game show that explain how common nouns differ from proper nouns. They also explain whether or not and why pronouns should be capitalized. They use examples of days and months of the calendar to show what should be capitalized. Fur ther examples include peoples’ names, movie and book titles. At the end of the exercise the learners know that every first word of a sentence should be capitalized, including major words in titles of books. Learners also get to know that proper nouns, which include places, specific objects and people, are always capitalized. Fun Easy English http://funeasyenglish.com/new-american-english-grammar-topic-parts-of-speech.htm/ This site begins by introducing the eight parts of speech in the English language in a video clip. It then defines them (noun, pronoun, verb, adverb, adjective, preposition, conjunction and interjection) and explains how they are used in construction of sentences. It summarizes by demonstrating how to punctuate sentences. At the end of the exercise, there is a test whereby sentences are given and the learner is asked to answer a question on them. One word is printed in bold and the learner needs to decide which part of speech it belongs to. It is challenging because multiple choices are provided, and the learner who did not pay attention may easily get confused. It also tests the learner’s listening ability by the video presentation at the beginning. Ms Hogue’s Online English Resource http://www.mshogue.com/beyond-another-brick-in-the-wall/ This website teaches learners an analytical approach to writings like essays, poems, narratives and music. Students are given either written or audio material. After going through them, they are required to write a summary within a specified number of words, reflecting their understanding of what they just read or heard. The exercise tests their reading and listening ability and knowledge of compressing sentences on top of their comprehension of the message delivered. Grammar Monster http://www.grammar-monster.com/ This website lays emphasis on punctuations and abbreviations. It gives instructions on the use of apostrophes, brackets, commas, full stops, question marks and many more. It also has a section on abbreviating words and use of punctuation marks to shorten words. However, it is not a recommended site for beginners because it takes an advanced knowledge of the language before one can embark on shortening words. In general, all the websites on teaching English language share the same concepts, with a slight difference depending on the target group that ranges from elementary to advanced and basic communication skills for temporary

The Relationship between Rationality of Investors and Market Essay

The Relationship between Rationality of Investors and Market Efficiency - Essay Example In an efficient market, significant information is freely accessible to all participants. Researchers argue that with the current availability and utilization of complicated modeling in capital markets and with substantiality superior revelation and analysis, superior approximations of returns may be made by expert investors (Keim & Ziemba, 2000, p. 255). These computations of returns approximations are possible where there are efficient market mechanisms. Therefore, there is a positive relationship between market efficiency and rationality of investors. (Jones, 2009, p. 329).The Efficient Market Hypothesis   In 1900, Louis Bachelier developed hypotheses of investment payoffs. Keim & Ziemba The Efficient Market Hypothesis is one of these theories of investment payoffs. The Efficient Market Hypothesis hypothesizes that, at any given time, equity prices fully replicate all accessible information. The propositions of the efficient marketplace hypothesis are profound (Fama, 1995, p. 4) . Most traders who sell and buy equities do these under the postulation that the equities they are selling are worth below the selling price while equities they are purchasing are worth in excess of the price that they are disbursing. However, if there is an efficient market and current prices fully replicate all information, then selling and purchasing in an endeavor to outperform the marketplace will efficiently be a game possibility rather than expertise (Jones, 2009, p. 329).... 5) notes, Simon suggested three ways which a resolution maker can endeavor to optimize their returns. First, using max-min rule of the game theory, every investor deems the worst possible result for every investment and builds a portfolio, which will generate the biggest value when made up of a mixture of these minimum values. However, it is worth noting that there is no rational investor who would select securities, given that the worst likely result for equities is loss. Secondly, an investor can build a mixture of investment alternatives where the likelihood of every outcome is maximized. The combination of these investment alternatives will depend of the risk profile of every portfolio. Jones (2009, p. 325) observes that investment risk is positively related to the returns of that investment, implying that the investment with high risks generates higher returns. Rational investors will undertake investments which correspond to their risk tolerance categories. Thirdly, Simon visua lizes the investor selecting one entire portfolio from a set of alternatives which will maximize the value. This may be selecting a portfolio containing bonds only, equities only, from accessible investment alternatives. Simon deems that the complexity of computation in relation to real human choice circumstances is beyond the average investor; however, with market efficiency these calculations can be performed. In an efficient market, significant information is freely accessible to all participants. Researchers argue that with the current availability and utilization of complicated modeling in capital markets and with substantiality superior revelation and analysis, superior approximations of returns may be made by expert investors (Keim & Ziemba, 2000, p. 255). These

Over the next several decades multinationals from emerging economies Essay

Over the next several decades multinationals from emerging economies are likely to become a key force in the shaping of the glob - Essay Example However, over a certain period of time, the emergence of a significant number of rising markets as well as ostensible deterioration in developed markets have been observed. Nowadays, a huge exodus of MNCs from developed economies to emerging economies has been observed. A majority of MNCs have found favourable working conditions and are establishing themselves in the developing economies. In this effect, MNCs from developing economies are bound to become a major force in determining the international competitive landscape (Roach, 2007). Considering this aspect, the discussion is based on evaluating the validity of the statement that in next several decades, MNCs from emerging economies are likely to become a key force for shaping the global competitive landscape. ... MNCs from emerging economies usually obtain leverage from inexpensive labour, favourable trade principles and overall inducements to expand the business itself. Apparently, not just the MNCs are impacted by international expansion, the host nation’s economic environment and organisational experience are also impacted by MNCs. A proliferation of MNCs from emerging economies can lead to increased competition, augmented innovation in markets, better rearrangement of resources and increased job opportunities (Ernst & Young Global Limited, n.d.). MNCs of Emerging Economies as Key Force in Shaping Global Competitive Landscape In present days, emerging markets serve as an inducer of economic growth for entire world. The emerging economies have stronger potentiality of growth in terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at Purchasing Power Parity (PPP). According to the estimation of World Bank, the market size of E7 economies will become 64% larger in comparison to present G7 (Pricewater houseCoopers LLP, 2011). A significant convergence has been observed between E7 and G7 in recent times, which was accelerated by international economic recession of 2007. In 2007, the total GDP at PPP of G7 nations was almost 60% bigger than E7 nations. In 2010, it has been observed that the gap between GDP at PPP had shrivelled by 35%. The major drivers for growth of E7 nations are China and India (PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 2011). The following table shows the GDP at PPP in 2009 and estimation at 2050: Rank in 2009 Country GDP at PPP in US$ billion Rank in 2050 Country GDP at PPP in US$ billion 1 US 14256 1 China 59475 2 China 8888 2 India 43180 3 Japan 4138 3 US 37876 4 India 3752 4

Cutaneous Myoepithelioma | Case Study

Cutaneous Myoepithelioma | Case Study TITLE: Cutaneous myoepithelioma: A case report of an unusual and recently recognized entity ABSTRACT: Myoepitheliomas and mixed tumors were only recently recognized to occur primarily in soft tissue, and only small case numbers have been described. The present case is of 25-year-old male who had solitary, painless mass over right middle finger, measuring 3cm in greatest dimensions and light microscopy revealed a tumor composed of a mixed population of spindle, epithelioid and plasmacytoid cells arranged around a central chondromyxoid stroma. No definite diagnosis could be reached on this morphology and initial diagnosis of benign mixed stromal tumor was considered. Immunohistochemistry(IHC) was performed and the tumor showed strong positivity for Calponin and SMA, Ki-index showed low index, weak and focal positivity for S-100 and negative for Pan-CK. The final diagnosis of benign myoepithelioma was entertained. Keywords: Myoepithelioma, Cutaneous, Soft tissue INTRODUCTION: Myoepithelioma of the skin and soft tissue is a newly recognized entity only ten years ago with fewer than 50 case reports. It has characteristic histopathologic and immunohistochemical features, which need to be differentiated from a variety of tumors CASE REPORT: Case history: A 25-year-old male presented with a solitary, painless mass over right middle finger, measuring 3cm in greatest dimension since 6months. There is no increase in size and overlying skin is smooth and unremarkable. The mass is firm, non- tender and mobile. X-ray showed a soft tissue mass with underlying bone unremarkable. Gross: Multiple tissue bits aggregate measuring 3Ãâ€"2Ãâ€"1cm and skin flap measuring 2Ãâ€"1cm. Light microscopy: Revealed a tumor in the superficial dermis composed of a mixed population of spindle , epithelioid, and plasmacytoid cells arranged around a central chondromyxoid stroma. No definite diagnosis could be reached on this morphology and diagnosis of benign mixed stromal tumor was considered. Immunohistochemistry(IHC): IHC was performed and showed strongly positive Calponin and SMA. S-100 was weak and focally positive. Pan CK was negative. Ki 67 revealed low index (2%). The final diagnosis of Benign myoepithelioma was entertained. DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS The primary differential diagnoses considered were extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma (EMC) and ossifying fibromyxoid tumor (OFMT). EMC typically shows a multinodular growth pattern with cords of cells in a myxoid matrix. The tumor cells in EMC are more spindled than those of myoepitheliomas. S-100 protein and epithelial markers are expressed in a minority of EMC and usually only focally, while both the markers are often extensively expressed in myoepitheliomas. OFMT is a lobulated tumor surrounded by a rim of metaplastic bone. The tumor cells are mostly pale-staining ovoid to round cells. Approximately 70% of OFMT show positivity for S-100 protein and vimentin and 50% of tumor cells are positive for desmin. The tumor cells in OFMT are rarely positive for epithelial markers and GFAP. Myoepitheliomas are generally negative for desmin, nearly half positive for GFAP, and nearly always show positivity for keratin and S-100 protein.[1] Other tumors that should be differentiated are, Epithelioid benign fibrous histiocytoma that usually shows a superficial dermal tumor with a well-developed epidermal collarette. Spitz nevus is characterized by a junctional component, nesting and maturation of tumor cells. In epithelioid sarcoma, multiple tumor nodules around central necrosis or even myxoid degeneration are often seen. More morphologic uniformity is observed in epithelioid sarcoma over myoepithelioma. Moreover, approximately 90% of epithelioid sarcoma are positive for vimentin, cytokeratin, and EMA, and around 60% are positive for CD34, but are generally negative for other markers typical myoepithelial differentiation (S-100 protein, GFAP, myogenic markers). Cellular neurothekeoma consists of nesting of tumor cells, and are consistently S-100 negative.[2] COMMENT Tumors comprised mostly of myoepithelial cells without obvious epithelial differentiation are designated myoepitheliomas.[1] Neoplasms of myoepithelial cells can occur in a pure form as myoepitheliomas or in association with glandular structures as mixed tumors.[2] Myoepitheliomas of the skin and soft tissue were recognized only 10 years ago.[3] Myoepithelial cells can exhibit dual epithelial and myoid differentiation. They may also show divergent metaplasia, including squamous, adipocytic, bone and cartilaginous differentiation.[4,5] As a consequence, proliferating myoepithelial cells in neoplasms display a variety of histologic and immunohistochemical expression patterns. It has been postulated that cutaneous myoepitheliomas are related to mixed tumors of skin and that soft tissue myoepitheliomas are derived from deeply located adnexal structures. Cutaneous myoepitheliomas of the head and neck may be derived from salivary gland tissue, as has been reported in two parotid gland myoe pitheliomas presenting as infra- auricular subcutaneous masses.[6] Therefore, the possibility of an underlying primary salivary gland neoplasm should be considered in myoepitheliomas presenting in the head and neck. Myoepithelial tumors were described only recently in soft tissue, and, to date, fewer than 50 cases have been reported. Kilpatrick et al [3] reported a study of 19 patients with mixed tumors and myoepitheliomas of soft tissue in 1997. Michal et al [7] reported 12 additional cases of myoepitheliomas of the skin and soft tissues in 1999, Hornick and Fletcher conducted a study of 14 cutaneous myoepitheliomas. There were 11 males and 3 females. The study indicated that cutaneous myoepitheliomas occur with peaks in childhood (7 patients were between 10 and 20 years of age) and middle age and are most common on the extremities, in contrast to mixed tumors of the skin, which typically occur on the head and neck in middle aged or elderly adults.[1,3,4] Myoepitheliomas of soft tissue are often lobulated, and the most frequent architectural pattern is reticular or trabecular with chondromyxoid or hyalinized stroma. These lesions display the same wide range of histologic features as those of salivary gland origin. Many tumors are heterogeneous, containing an admixture of epithelioid and spindled cells, reticular areas merging with solid areas, at least focally prominent stroma, and occasional foci of cartilaginous or osseous differentiation. [8] A small subset of tumors approximately 10% are predominantly solid proliferations of spindled or plasmacytoid myoepithelial cells. Occasional tumors display features of so-called parachordoma, namely, large epithelioid cells with eosinophilic epitheliomas. Initially, myoepitheliomas were only recognized to contain spindled or plasmacytoid cells growing in solid sheets. [9]Current classifications therefore include all of these patterns within the spectrum of myoepithelioma, simply separating those tumors with ductal differentiation into the mixed tumor category.[10,11] Whereas some investigators allow up to 5% or 10% ductal differentiation in myoepitheliomas, others classify tumors with any ducts as mixed tumors. In any event, it is now widely thought that myoepitheliomas and mixed tumors fall along a spectrum of tumors with overlapping histologic appearances and similar clinical behavior. Because the immunophenotype of these lesions overlaps with myoepithelioma, and otherwise typical myoepithelioma s can show focal areas with â€Å"parachordoma†-like features, it is becoming increasingly clear that parachordoma probably falls within the spectrum of myoepithelioma of soft tissue, as is reflected in the new WHO classification.[11] The only apparent difference in immunophenotype is GFAP and SMA negativity in parachordomas, because few cases of parachordoma have been studied and only about 50% of otherwise convincing soft tissue myoepitheliomas are GFAP positive and only around 40% are SMA-positive, then this distinction seems very questionable. Awareness of the wide morphologic range of myoepitheliomas is necessary to perform confirmatory immunohistochemical stains and thereby to arrive at the correct diagnosis.[12] In salivary glands, myoepitheliomas are generally positive for cytokeratins and S-100 protein, whereas immunostaining for actin and GFAP is variable. We therefore required immunoreactivity for either keratin or EMA, in conjunction with detection of S-100 protei n or myogenic markers, for the diagnosis of myoepithelioma and inclusion in this series. Neoplastic myoepithelial cells of all morphologic types often expressed myogenic markers.[13] As has been reported in the salivary gland, we found calponin to be the most sensitive myogenic marker, staining 86% of tumors, whereas SMA stained 36% and desmin only a small subset (14%). Interestingly, the basal cell/myoepithelial marker p63, which has shown utility in the differential diagnosis of carcinoma of breast and prostate due to the staining of myoepithelial or basal cells in in situ lesions, appears to be detectable in only one fourth of soft tissue myoepithelial tumors. Immunostaining for p63 is not specific for myoepithelial tumors, however, as this antigen has also been reported in other neoplasms, especially squamous cell and urothelial carcinomas.[13,14] Nonetheless, detection of p63 expression may provide helpful supportive evidence of myoepithelial differentiation in the proper morph ologic context. CONCLUSION: Cutaneous myoepitheliomas are relatively rare. Pathologists play an important role in reaching to accurate morphological diagnosis. Myoepitheliomas should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cutaneous and soft tissue tumors. Immunohistochemical study may aid in the diagnosis. Although most cutaneous and soft tissue myoepitheliomas behave in a benign fashion, there is a significant risk for local recurrence and a low metastatic potential. Wide excision with safe surgical margins and regular follow-up are crucial for the management of cutaneous and soft tissue myoepitheliomas. References: 1. Hornick JL,Fletche CDM. Myoepithelial tumors of soft tissue a clinicopathologic and Immunohistochemical study of 101 cases with evaluation of prognostic parameters. Am J Surg Pathol. 2003;27:1183–1196. 2. Hornick JL, Fletcher CD. Cutaneous myoepithelioma: a clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical study of 14 cases. Hum Pathol. 2004;35:14-24. 3. Kilpatrick SE, Hitchcock MG, Kraus MD, Calonje E, Fletcher CD. Mixed tumors and myoepitheliomas of soft tissue: a clinicopathologic study of 19 cases with a unifying concept. Am J Surg Pathol. 1997;21:13-22. 4. Mentzel T, Requena L, Kaddu S et al. Cutaneous myoepithelial neoplasms: clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical study of 20 cases suggesting a continuous spectrum ranging from benign mixed tumor of the skin to cutaneous myoepithelioma and myoepithelial carcinoma. J Cutan Pathol. 2003;30:294-302. 5. Fernà ¡ndez-Figueras MT, Puig L, Trias I, Lorenzo JC, Navas-Palacios JJ. Benign myoepithelioma of the skin. Am J Dermatopathol. 1998;20:208-12. 6. Lewin MR, Montgomery EA, Barrett TL. New or unusual dermatopathology tumors: a review. J Cutan Pathol. 2011;38:689-96. 7. Kutzner H, Mentzel T, Kaddu S et al. Cutaneous myoepithelioma: an under-recognized cutaneous neoplasm composed of myoepithelial cells. Am J Surg Pathol. 2001;25:348-55 8. Dix BT, Hentges MJ, Saltrick KR, Krishnamurti U. Cutaneous myoepithelioma in the foot: case report. Foot Ankle Spec. 2013;6:239-41. 9. Michal M, Miettinen M. Myoepitheliomas of the skin and soft tissues. Report of 12 cases. Virchows Arch. 1999;434:393-400. 10. Franklin G, Chen S, Sznyter LA, Morgenstern NJ. Cutaneous myoepithelioma with a plexiform pattern of growth: a case report. J Cutan Pathol. 2009;36:42-5. 11. Jo VY, Antonescu CR, Zhang L et al. Cutaneous Syncytial Myoepithelioma: Clinicopathologic Characterization in a Series of 38 Cases. Am J Surg Pathol. 2013 ; 37: 710–718. 12. Jakate K, Wong K, Sirbovan J, Hanna W. Cutaneous myoepithelioma arising within hidradenoma of the scalp. J Cutan Pathol. 2012;39:279-85. 13. Stojsic Z, Brasanac D, Boricic I, Bacetic D. Clear cell myoepithelial carcinoma of the skin. A case report. J Cutan Pathol. 2009;36:680-3. 14. Tanahashi J, Kashima K, Daa T, Kondo Y, Kuratomi E, Yokoyama S. A case of cutaneous myoepithelial carcinoma. . J Cutan Pathol. 2007;34:648-53. LEGENDS Figure 1:Myoepithelioma(100X): composed of a mixed population of spindled, epithelioid, and plasmacytoid cells arranged around a central chondromyxoid stroma. Insert shows 400X view and reveals mild nuclear atypia (coarse chromatin and prominent nucleoli) . Figurer 2:Myoepithelioma(400X): (a)shows SMA positivity in the cytoplasm of myoepithelial cells.(b) shows strong positivity for Calponin in the cytoplasm of spindle cells.(c) shows PAN CK negativity(d) showsS100 negativity. Figure 3 :Myoepithelioma(400X): shows Low Ki 67 index.