15 research outputs found
Corrigendum: Performance evaluation of five commercial assays in assessing seroprevalence of HEV antibodies among blood donors
No full textThe affiliation for author Lukman Thalib was incorrectly listed as number 5. It should have been listed as number 3. Please see corrected author and affiliation list below:
Enas S. Al-Absi,1,2 Duaa W. Al- Sadeq,1 Manaf H. Younis,3 Hadi M. Yassine,2 Omnya M. Abdalla,1 Areej G. Mesleh,1 Tameem A. Hadwan,1 Joshua O. Amimo,4,5 Lukman Thalib,3 and Gheyath K. Nasrallah1,2,*
1 Department of Biomedical Science, College of Health Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
2 Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
3 Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
4 Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
5 Biosciences of Eastern and Central Africa-International Livestock Research Institute (BecA-ILRI), Nairobi, Kenya
The authors apologize for any inconvenience caused.
© 2019 The AuthorsNo Full Tex
Analisis pelaksanaan konsep hisbah dalam pentadbiran audit syariah di Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad / Sanusi Abdul Manaf
No full textShariah audit administration of Islamic Financial Institutions (IFIs) face several challenges when addressing various issues related to the implementation of Shariah compliance. Key issues include auditor qualifications, Shariah compliance in the development and promotion of products and services, and policies for addressing the issue of Shariah non-compliance. Addressing these issues requires consideration of the concept of Íisbah in the history of Islamic administration. In relation to this, the primary purpose of this study is an examination of theories of Íisbah found in both classical and modern references. Additionally, the study aims to compare elements of contemporary Shariah audit practices in such contexts as the Shariah Governance Framework for Financial Institutions (SGF) to determine similarities and differences among such frameworks to assist in the proposed consolidation of Shariah audit administration in IFIs. The importance of this study is in helping strengthen elements of Íisbah to act as a value-added feature of Shariah administrative audit systems in Malaysia. A qualitative methodology was adopted for this qualitative field study. To obtain information and data, the author examined a number of classic and modern works, as well as examining documentation and conducting interviews. Data from these three methods were analysed to accurately address the research questions. The study found that within the concept of Íisbah, elements of muÍtasib, muÍtasab fih, muÍtasab alaih and nafs al-iÍtisab are considered in the audit system of Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad (BIMB) and the SGF framework. It is hoped that the presence of elements of Íisbah will lead BIMB to seriously promote a Sharia administrative audit system which correctly carries out the functions of Íisbah elements in the context of the Íisbah concept
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
No full textTo my advisor and professor, Dr. Clyde Martin, for all the guidance of his profession and for the prodigious opportunity which he has bestowed upon me, I offer my honest gratitude. Also, I hold a deep appreciation for Dr. Elmus Beale, for his exalted supervision of yours truly, throughout the biological aspects of my undertaking, and furthermore for the forbearance he has granted in these past months. Conjointly, residing on the committee is, Dr Lance Drager, a cogent body in the reconstruction of the department into a beneficial environment for application. Never have I been in lack of reinforcement, individuality or affection owing to Sina Hamza and Osama Al-Hashmi. My ardent mother and father’s equable chivying is a significant factor in my success to this point. I truly believe, without a shadow of a doubt that it will continue to be a prominent staple throughout. Another of the cardinal colonnades of abutment in my academic pursuits is my older cousin, Mohamed Manaf Shihab; thank you for your bearing, courtesy and sustenance. Last but definitely not least, a former diabetes patient, my uncle Farook Hamza 1943
Effect of a pedometer-based walking challenge on increasing physical activity levels amongst hospital workers
No full textBackground: More than 50% of Qatari adults are physically inactive. The workplace is an excellent environment to implement cost-effective, efficient behavioural physical activity (PA) interventions to increase PA. This study evaluated whether a pedometer-based walking challenge would increase PA levels amongst hospital workers. Methods: A pedometer-based workplace walking intervention was implemented in April-August 2017. Amongst 800 recruited full-Time hospital workers, a cross-sectional sample of 212 workers completed the online questionnaires Quality of Life Questionnaire, International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), and Workforce Sitting Questionnaire. A sub-sample of participants (n = 54) wore a pedometer for 3 months. They recorded their daily step count through an online web platform linked to the pedometer. Another cross-sectional sample (n = 194) in the same target population completed online questionnaires at post intervention. Results: The IPAQ assessed physical activity at post-intervention was higher compared to pre-intervention. In a sub-sample (n = 54) that provided pedometer data, workers' step count during intervention was significantly higher (9270) from pre-intervention (7890) (p = 0.048). Conclusions: Although self-reported PA was higher post-intervention, the subsample showed objectively assessed physical activity did not exceed the threshold recommended for optimal health. Therefore, encouraging participation and maintaining motivation amongst workers in a work-based PA programme is challenging. - 2019 The Author(s).The publication of this article was funded by the Qatar National Library. We would like to acknowledge, Mr. Manaf Kamil, Application Architect in assisting us to extract pedometer data for analysis. Also we would like to thank Mr. Christopher Mengelt, Director of planning and performance for his assistance in dissemination of e-surveys. Finally, we are grateful to Dr. Nathan Riding for English language editing.Scopu
Unravelling Syria's Entho-Sectarian Politics
No full textGoaded by the regional repercussions of the Syrian crisis sectarian tensions are emerging as the key threat to Middle Eastern and Syrian stability. Sectarianism has had a big impact on politics in Syria, it is implicated in the maintenance of authoritarianism, and sectarian dynamics are escalating the intensity of the uprising against the Assad regime. Prior to the civil war communal bonds between regime members and minority sect insecurity were key to the survival of the regime. Political power and control was maintained through fear and this was not just fear of the powerful security forces but also fear of sectarian conflict with the regime highlighting the risk of sectarian conflict, minority persecution and instability should the regime fall. As a result many supported or tolerated the Assads out of fear of the alternative.
This thesis aims to analyse the extent and the manner in which political players in Syria have used religious narratives and manipulated sectarian identities in their pursuit of power. It concludes that sectarian tactics have been intensified within the Syrian uprising by both the regime and within the opposition. Religious narratives for mobilising support have become widespread and an emphasis on dangers from the ‘other’ is prevalent. Given Middle Eastern history of intolerance towards other religious and ethnic groups this emphasis on confessional narratives is intensifying the dangers of sectarian violence within the civil war and creating rifts that will be hard to heal.
The use of religious narratives for political goals is a feature of the religious and political landscape and this is analysed through the lens of Ethnic Conflict Theory. With radical Islam heavily featuring narratives that emphasise opposition to other, an entitlement to dominate and an admiration of religious warrior characteristics alongside the cultural importance of nested communal groups, Islam has served as a readymade construct for mobilising sectarian groups against political foes.
However although many sectarian narratives refer heavily to history the current confessional tensions relate specifically to the present. With Middle Eastern autocratic regimes under threat due to the Arab Spring many groups perceive that political power is up for grabs and are finding it expedient – and religiously justifiable - to mobilise through the established channels of confessional loyalties and networks particularly along Sunni versus Shia lines. Plus given the importance of religion to the region it is a clear front runner as justification for political and/or armed action.
Advances in communications technology, specifically social media, and the breakdown of regime authority has allowed for voices to be heard from within an autocratic state that had otherwise been silenced, thus providing an unprecedented opportunity to analyse sectarian politics within a civil war
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Disruptive environmental chemicals and cellular mechanisms that confer resistance to cell death
No full textCell death is a process of dying within biological cells that are ceasing to function. This process is essential in regulating organism development, tissue homeostasis, and to eliminate cells in the body that are irreparably damaged. In general, dysfunction in normal cellular death is tightly linked to cancer progression. Specifically, the up-regulation of prosurvival factors, including oncogenic factors and antiapoptotic signaling pathways, and the down-regulation of proapoptotic factors, including tumor suppressive factors, confers resistance to cell death in tumor cells, which supports the emergence of a fully immortalized cellular phenotype. This review considers the potential relevance of ubiquitous environmental chemical exposures that have been shown to disrupt key pathways and mechanisms associated with this sort of dysfunction. Specifically, bisphenol A, chlorothalonil, dibutyl phthalate, dichlorvos, lindane, linuron, methoxychlor and oxyfluorfen are discussed as prototypical chemical disruptors; as their effects relate to resistance to cell death, as constituents within environmental mixtures and as potential contributors to environmental carcinogenesis.The publisher and the author(s) have made this article open access.
This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by the author(s) and published by Oxford University Press. The published article can be found at: http://carcin.oxfordjournals.org
Epidemiology of facial fractures: incidence, prevalence and years lived with disability estimates from the Global Burden of Disease 2017 study.
No full textLalloo R, Lucchesi LR, Bisignano C, et al. Epidemiology of facial fractures: incidence, prevalence and years lived with disability estimates from the Global Burden of Disease 2017 study. Injury prevention : journal of the International Society for Child and Adolescent Injury Prevention. 2020:injuryprev-2019-043297.BACKGROUND: The Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) has historically produced estimates of causes of injury such as falls but not the resulting types of injuries that occur. The objective of this study was to estimate the global incidence, prevalence and years lived with disability (YLDs) due to facial fractures and to estimate the leading injurious causes of facial fracture.; METHODS: We obtained results from GBD 2017. First, the study estimated the incidence from each injury cause (eg, falls), and then the proportion of each cause that would result in facial fracture being the most disabling injury. Incidence, prevalence and YLDs of facial fractures are then calculated across causes.; RESULTS: Globally, in 2017, there were 7 538 663 (95% uncertainty interval 6 116 489 to 9 493 113) new cases, 1 819 732 (1 609 419 to 2 091 618) prevalent cases, and 117 402 (73 266 to 169 689) YLDs due to facial fractures. In terms of age-standardised incidence, prevalence and YLDs, the global rates were 98 (80 to 123) per 100 000, 23 (20 to 27) per 100 000, and 2 (1 to 2) per 100 000, respectively. Facial fractures were most concentrated in Central Europe. Falls were the predominant cause in most regions.; CONCLUSIONS: Facial fractures are predominantly caused by falls and occur worldwide. Healthcare systems and public health agencies should investigate methods of all injury prevention. It is important for healthcare systems in every part of the world to ensure access to treatment resources. © Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2020. Re-use permitted under CC BY. Published by BMJ
The burden of unintentional drowning: global, regional and national estimates of mortality from the Global Burden of Disease 2017 Study.
No full textFranklin RC, Peden AE, Hamilton EB, et al. The burden of unintentional drowning: global, regional and national estimates of mortality from the Global Burden of Disease 2017 Study. Injury prevention : journal of the International Society for Child and Adolescent Injury Prevention. 2020:injuryprev-2019-043484.BACKGROUND: Drowning is a leading cause of injury-related mortality globally. Unintentional drowning (International Classification of Diseases (ICD) 10 codes W65-74 and ICD9 E910) is one of the 30 mutually exclusive and collectively exhaustive causes of injury-related mortality in the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study. This study's objective is to describe unintentional drowning using GBD estimates from 1990 to 2017.; METHODS: Unintentional drowning from GBD 2017 was estimated for cause-specific mortality and years of life lost (YLLs), age, sex, country, region, Socio-demographic Index (SDI) quintile, and trends from 1990 to 2017. GBD 2017 used standard GBD methods for estimating mortality from drowning.; RESULTS: Globally, unintentional drowning mortality decreased by 44.5% between 1990 and 2017, from 531956 (uncertainty interval (UI): 484107 to 572854) to 295210 (284493 to 306187) deaths. Global age-standardised mortality rates decreased 57.4%, from 9.3 (8.5 to 10.0) in 1990 to 4.0 (3.8 to 4.1) per 100000 per annum in 2017. Unintentional drowning-associated mortality was generally higher in children, males and in low-SDI to middle-SDI countries. China, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh accounted for 51.2% of all drowning deaths in 2017. Oceania was the region with the highest rate of age-standardised YLLs in 2017, with 45434 (40850 to 50 539) YLLs per 100000 across both sexes.; CONCLUSIONS: There has been a decline in global drowning rates. This study shows that the decline was not consistent across countries. The results reinforce the need for continued and improved policy, prevention and research efforts, with a focus on low- and middle-income countries. © Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2020. Re-use permitted under CC BY. Published by BMJ
Global trends of hand and wrist trauma: a systematic analysis of fracture and digit amputation using the Global Burden of Disease 2017 Study.
No full textCrowe CS, Massenburg BB, Morrison SD, et al. Global trends of hand and wrist trauma: a systematic analysis of fracture and digit amputation using the Global Burden of Disease 2017 Study. Injury prevention : journal of the International Society for Child and Adolescent Injury Prevention. 2020:injuryprev-2019-043495.BACKGROUND: As global rates of mortality decrease, rates of non-fatal injury have increased, particularly in low Socio-demographic Index (SDI) nations. We hypothesised this global pattern of non-fatal injury would be demonstrated in regard to bony hand and wrist trauma over the 27-year study period.; METHODS: The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2017 was used to estimate prevalence, age-standardised incidence and years lived with disability for hand trauma in 195 countries from 1990 to 2017. Individual injuries included hand and wrist fractures, thumb amputations and non-thumb digit amputations.; RESULTS: The global incidence of hand trauma has only modestly decreased since 1990. In 2017, the age-standardised incidence of hand and wrist fractures was 179 per 100000 (95% uncertainty interval (UI) 146 to 217), whereas the less common injuries of thumb and non-thumb digit amputation were 24 (95% UI 17 to 34) and 56 (95% UI 43 to 74) per 100 000, respectively. Rates of injury vary greatly by region, and improvements have not been equally distributed. The highest burden of hand trauma is currently reported in high SDI countries. However, low-middle and middle SDI countries have increasing rates of hand trauma by as much at 25%.; CONCLUSIONS: Certain regions are noted to have high rates of hand trauma over the study period. Low-middle and middle SDI countries, however, have demonstrated increasing rates of fracture and amputation over the last 27 years. This trend is concerning as access to quality and subspecialised surgical hand care is often limiting in these resource-limited regions. © Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2020. Re-use permitted under CC BY. Published by BMJ
Controversy and consensus on the management of elevated sperm DNA fragmentation in male infertility: A global survey, current guidelines, and expert recommendations
No full textPurpose
Sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) has been associated with male infertility and poor outcomes of assisted reproductive technology (ART). The purpose of this study was to investigate global practices related to the management of elevated SDF in infertile men, summarize the relevant professional society recommendations, and provide expert recommendations for managing this condition.
Materials and Methods
An online global survey on clinical practices related to SDF was disseminated to reproductive clinicians, according to the CHERRIES checklist criteria. Management protocols for various conditions associated with SDF were captured and compared to the relevant recommendations in professional society guidelines and the appropriate available evidence. Expert recommendations and consensus on the management of infertile men with elevated SDF were then formulated and adapted using the Delphi method.
Results
A total of 436 experts from 55 different countries submitted responses. As an initial approach, 79.1% of reproductive experts recommend lifestyle modifications for infertile men with elevated SDF, and 76.9% prescribe empiric antioxidants. Regarding antioxidant duration, 39.3% recommend 4–6 months and 38.1% recommend 3 months. For men with unexplained or idiopathic infertility, and couples experiencing recurrent miscarriages associated with elevated SDF, most respondents refer to ART 6 months after failure of conservative and empiric medical management. Infertile men with clinical varicocele, normal conventional semen parameters, and elevated SDF are offered varicocele repair immediately after diagnosis by 31.4%, and after failure of antioxidants and conservative measures by 40.9%. Sperm selection techniques and testicular sperm extraction are also management options for couples undergoing ART. For most questions, heterogenous practices were demonstrated.
Conclusions
This paper presents the results of a large global survey on the management of infertile men with elevated SDF and reveals a lack of consensus among clinicians. Furthermore, it demonstrates the scarcity of professional society guidelines in this regard and attempts to highlight the relevant evidence. Expert recommendations are proposed to help guide clinicians
