• Molecules and Cells
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.6-19
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• 2016

Redox signalling comprises the biology of molecular signal transduction mediated by reactive oxygen (or nitrogen) species. By specific and reversible oxidation of redoxsensitive cysteines, many biological processes sense and respond to signals from the intracellular redox environment. Redox signals are therefore important regulators of cellular homeostasis. Recently, it has become apparent that the cellular redox state oscillates in vivo and in vitro, with a period of about one day (circadian). Circadian timekeeping allows cells and organisms to adapt their biology to resonate with the 24-hour cycle of day/night. The importance of this innate biological timekeeping is illustrated by the association of clock disruption with the early onset of several diseases (e.g. type II diabetes, stroke and several forms of cancer). Circadian regulation of cellular redox balance suggests potentially two distinct roles for redox signalling in relation to the cellular clock: one where it is regulated by the clock, and one where it regulates the clock. Here, we introduce the concepts of redox signalling and cellular timekeeping, and then critically appraise the evidence for the reciprocal regulation between cellular redox state and the circadian clock. We conclude there is a substantial body of evidence supporting circadian regulation of cellular redox state, but that it would be premature to conclude that the converse is also true. We therefore propose some approaches that might yield more insight into redox control of cellular timekeeping.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.99-107
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• 2016

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Competent renal dietitians are crucial for better patient compliance and clinical outcomes, specifically in critical settings. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate an evidence-based course in renal dietetics for dietitians working in health care systems where dietetic specialization is absent. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Fifteen licensed dietitians working with hemodialysis patients in Lebanon were randomly recruited to participate in the course. The latter was developed by the study's primary investigator, according to evidence-based practice guidelines, and focused on all aspects of renal nutrition. Total course duration was 28 hours spread over a 2 month period. Dietitians' knowledge in renal nutrition was tested pre- and post-training through a 23-item questionnaire; the total score was expressed in percentage (< 60% score indicated insufficient knowledge). Paired-samples t test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Overall knowledge of the dietitians significantly improved post-training and reached satisfactory levels (pre: $38.75{\pm}17.20%$, post: $62.08{\pm}21.85%$). Sub-analysis of the change in the knowledge showed significant and satisfactory improvement only in 3 topics: 1) correct body weight use in calculations, 2) energy estimation method and 3) phosphorus management. Knowledge in the fluid management significantly improved but did not achieve a satisfactory level. CONCLUSION: The course significantly improved dietitians' knowledge in renal nutrition. If adopted as part of the continuing education of dietitians in countries that lack dietetic specializations, it may serve the first step towards improving health care practice.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.35-41
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• 2003

The principal fibers used in constructing the cocoon in the garden spider, Argiope aurantia, are large-diameter fibers developed from tubuliform glands and small-diameter fibers presumed to be spun by the aciniform silk glands. Scanning electron micrographs of the large-diameter fibers on both surfaces of the cocoon clearly reveal their fine structural differences. While the silk fibers on the inner surface have smooth and homogeneous appearances, each fiber on the outer surface represents a multicomponent internal structure. Examination of each fibers using transmission electron microscope also provides additional evidence that the multicomponent fibers contain numerous electron lucent fibrils embedded in an amorphous electron dense matrix. It has been also revealed that two types of secretory granules presumed to be the precursors of tubuliform fibers are closely related to the production of distinct coloration in luminal contents - brownish and yellowish components. Moreover, these electron-dense granules, possibly precursor of fibrillar component, and electron-lucent granules, possibly precursor of matrix component, are densely packed and remain close to each other without fusion. It is critical evidence that the individual tubuliform fiber is not only heterogeneous and multicomponent but also takes place in a variety at manners throughout the length of the gland.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.194-197
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• 2021

End-of-life assessments aim to help dying patients and their families plan clinical interventions in advance and prepare them for a peaceful end of life, in which the patient accepts life and death, and the family accepts the patient's departure. It is important to assess whether death is imminent within a few days, because critical hospice care is provided intensively during that period. The following five changes constitute objective evidence of the end of life: diminished daily living performance, decreased food intake, changes in consciousness and increased sleep quantity, worsening of respiratory distress, and end-stage delirium. As subjective evidence, it is suggested that sensitive perceptions of experienced nurses and the feelings of family members caring for patients should also be considered. When notifying a patient or family members that the end of life is approaching, the members of the multidisciplinary hospice team must communicate with each other, share accurate information, and provide consistent explanations. They must also listen to non-verbal communication in an empathic and supportive manner.

• Journal of Arbitration Studies
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.53-74
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• 2019

Due to the increasingly popular dissatisfaction regarding the inefficiency of arbitral proceedings, the Rules on the Efficient Conduct of Proceedings in International Arbitration, also known as the Prague Rules, was launched in December 2018, with the purpose of increasing the efficiency of arbitral proceedings by encouraging arbitral tribunals to take a more proactive role in conducting their procedures. In this article, the provisions of the Prague Rules are examined, in light of those of the IBA Rules on the Taking of Evidence in International Arbitration, in order to determine the efficacy of the Prague Rules on enhancing the efficiency in arbitral proceedings. The author concludes that more specific and detailed provisions, with respect to what the Rules means by such a "proactive arbitral tribunal," should have been explicitly included in light of the Rules' repeated emphasis on such. Also, the prospective outlook on the Prague Rules is not entirely clear as the text does not appear to fill in the gaps in other widely utilized arbitration rules or to supplement them in a satisfying way. However, given that only a short amount of time has passed since the launch late last year, only time will reveal how effective the Prague Rules will be in increasing the efficiency of arbitral proceedings, in accordance with its intended effect.

• International Journal of Computer Science & Network Security
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• v.21 no.11
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• pp.59-66
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• 2021

Many incidents of Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning have occurred because of people being unaware of its presence. There are currently available systems on the market, but they are limited to measuring CO in a certain area and lack vital functions. Additionally, little to no evidence-based information on their quality was available. Thus, a mobile application for detecting CO gas leakage in a vehicle and critical features to assist victims was developed. A usability and functionality test were conducted to determine the product's quality utilizing nine usability and six functionality task scenarios (n=5). Then, a System Usability Scale test was performed to obtain system satisfaction, usability, and learnability (n=50). The usability and functionality test shows that all the tasks given for both tests were 100% successful. The overall score obtained for SUS was 71.4, which indicates good acceptance and usability. Around 20% of respondents claimed that they would need the support of a technical person to be able to use the application and that they needed to learn a lot of things before they could use the application, which indicates the overall high learnability of the application. The result provides empirical evidence that the CO gas leakage detection mobile application is successful and receives good usability, functionality, acceptability, learnability, and satisfaction assessments. DetGas could benefit automobile owners and other stakeholders by mitigating the risk and harm associated with gas leaking that exceeds the safe limit.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.39-52
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• 2022

This study examines whether accounting conservatism can support real earnings management by reducing accrual earnings management techniques. The net impact of conservative reporting on earnings management is also analyzed. It is assumed that moderating the role of conservative financial reporting during uncertainty can mitigate earnings management practices. For our analysis, 5354 firm-year observations for the period 2007-2020 of nonfinancial companies listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange are applied. To measure conservatism in the non-financial sector of Pakistan, Khan and Watts' (2009) model is used to provide evidence that conservatism is a way to restrict earnings management during uncertainty. "Prospector" and "Defender" Business strategy is applied for measuring firm-level uncertainty. To measure accrual earnings management Modified Jones (1995) model and Dechow and Dichev (2002) approach and Kasznik (1999) model are applied, and for real earnings management Roychowdhury model is applied which follows three approaches to measure real earnings management i.e. cash flow manipulation, Overproduction, and discretionary expenses. The estimations support our hypothesis by providing statistically significant proof that conservative financial reporting in a developing economy like Pakistan may be used to overcome the net impact of earnings management during uncertainty. Our results provide critical and practical implications for investors, researchers, and standard setters.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.200-205
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• 2023

DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs), a member of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-related kinase family is a well-known player in repairing DNA double-strand break through non-homologous end joining pathway. This mechanism has allowed us to understand its critical role in T and B cell development through V(D)J recombination and class switch recombination, respectively. We have also learned that the defects in these mechanisms lead to the severely combined immunodeficiency (SCID). Here we highlight some of the latest evidence where DNA-PKcs has been shown to localize not only in the nucleus but also in the cytoplasm, phosphorylating various proteins involved in cellular metabolism and cytokine production. While it is an exciting time to unveil novel functions of DNA-PKcs, one should carefully choose experimental models to study DNA-PKcs as the experimental evidence has been shown to differ between cells of defective DNA-PKcs and those of DNA-PKcs knockout. Moreover, while there are several DNA-PK inhibitors currently being evaluated in the clinical trials in an attempt to increase the efficacy of radiotherapy or chemotherapy, multiple functions and subcellular localization of DNA-PKcs in various types of cells may further complicate the effects at the cellular and organismal level.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.387-396
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• 2020

Objectives: The lack of advance planning in a public health emergency can lead to wasted resources and inadvertent loss of lives. This study is aimed at forecasting the needs for healthcare resources following the expansion of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in the Republic of Kazakhstan, focusing on hospital beds, equipment, and the professional workforce in light of the developing epidemiological situation and the data on resources currently available. Methods: We constructed a forecast model of the epidemiological scenario via the classic susceptible-exposed-infected-removed (SEIR) approach. The World Health Organization's COVID-19 Essential Supplies Forecasting Tool was used to evaluate the healthcare resources needed for the next 12 weeks. Results: Over the forecast period, there will be 104 713.7 hospital admissions due to severe disease and 34 904.5 hospital admissions due to critical disease. This will require 47 247.7 beds for severe disease and 1929.9 beds for critical disease at the peak of the COVID-19 outbreak. There will also be high needs for all categories of healthcare workers and for both diagnostic and treatment equipment. Thus, Republic of Kazakhstan faces the need for a rapid increase in available healthcare resources and/or for finding ways to redistribute resources effectively. Conclusions: Republic of Kazakhstan will be able to reduce the rates of infections and deaths among its population by developing and following a consistent strategy targeting COVID-19 in a number of inter-related directions.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.9
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• pp.3639-3644
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• 2015

Oral, cervical and breast cancers, which are either preventable and/or amenable to early detection and treatment, are the leading causes of cancer-related morbidity and mortality in India. In this paper, we describe implementation science research priorities to catalyze the prevention and control of these cancers in India. Research priorities were organized using a framework based on the implementation science literature and the World Health Organization's definition of health systems. They addressed both community-level as well as health systems-level issues. Community-level or "pull" priorities included the need to identify effective strategies to raise public awareness and understanding of cancer prevention, monitor knowledge levels, and address fear and stigma. Health systems-level or "push" and "infrastructure" priorities included dissemination of evidence-based practices, testing of point-of-care technologies for screening and diagnosis, identification of appropriate service delivery and financing models, and assessment of strategies to enhance the health workforce. Given the extent of available evidence, it is critical that cancer prevention and treatment efforts in India are accelerated. Implementation science research can generate critical insights and evidence to inform this acceleration.