Physical Inactivity, Sedentary Behavior and Chronic Diseases

Karimé González,Jorge Fuentes,José Luis Márquez 대한가정의학회 2017 Korean Journal of Family Medicine Vol.38 No.3

New research into physical activity suggests that it is no longer sufficient just to meet minimum levels recommend-ed by health guidelines in order to reduce cardiovascular risk. Both physical inactivity and sedentary behavior have their own health hazards and need to be addressed separately, in order to explore their different deleterious mech-anisms. The aim of this review was to define and to characterize both concepts, and their relationship with major non-communicable chronic diseases. A PubMed database search was undertaken, using the following key words: physical activity, physical inactivity, sedentarism, sedentary behavior, and non-communicable chronic disease. This literature review provides an updated view on physical inactivity and sedentary behavior, and reevaluates their prevalence and association with major non-communicable chronic disease.

Amplified Pixel Architectures in Amorphous Silicon Technology for Large Area Digital Imaging Applications

Karim S. Karim,F. Taghibakhsh,G. Sanaie-Fard Sanaie-Fard,M. H. Izadi,T. Ottaviani 한국물리학회 2006 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.48 No.I

On-pixel amplifiers in amorphous silicon (a-Si) technology can offer increased pixel signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) compared to traditional switch based imaging pixels. Experiments reveal a reduction in readout noise and indicate that a-Si pixel amplifiers can meet the stringent requirements for digital X-ray fluoroscopy. However, larger input voltages can introduce non-linearities thereby reducing the pixel dynamic range. In this research, we investigate amplified pixel architectures that exhibit large signal linearity and consequently higher dynamic range. Gain, linearity, noise, metastability and area estimations of the amplified pixels indicate their applicability in large-area medical Xray imaging applications that require switching between low-exposure, real-time fluoroscopy and high-exposure chest radiography modes at a region of interest.

Effect of Pollination Technique on Agronomic and Physicochemical Characteristics of Date Palm Fruits (Phoenix dactylifera L.) cv. ‘Deglet Nour ’

Kadri Karim,Aounallah Karim,Hammadi Hamza,Abdelhafidh Manar,Chahine Karmous,Taoufik Bettaieb 한국원예학회 2022 원예과학기술지 Vol.40 No.2

In Tunisian oases, pollination remains a traditional process and the male’ spikelets are manually inserted into female inflorescences. The drawback of this ancestral practice forced us to look for a new alternative pollination technique for improving date palm productivity. The present investigation aimed to compare agronomic and biochemical characteristics of ‘Deglet Nour’ variety following three pollination techniques: the handmade traditional technique, the dusting (spraying pollen grains by powder) and the water suspension technique. The results affirmed that the dusting technique was the most efficient technique followed by the handmade pollination. Sprinkling showed the highest fruit set rate (82.21%), retention rate (68.34%) and yield per bunch (5.5 kg) with the lowest number of partenocarpic fruits (less than 2%). Besides, data revealed that pollination techniques were not involved in physicochemical and pomological characteristics during the different stages of date maturation. However, other studies can be carried out to explore these different pollination techniques on other varieties growing in different oasis systems.

Development of Click Chemistry in Polymerization and Applications of Click Polymer

Karim, Md. Anwarul The Rubber Society of Korea 2012 고무기술 Vol.13 No.1

Click chemistry had enjoyed a wealthy decade after it was introduced by K.B.Sharpless and his co-worker on 2001. Since there is no optimized method for synthesis of click polymer, therefore, this paper introduced three click reaction methods such as catalyst, non-catalyst and azide-end capping for fluorene-based functional click polymers. The obtained polymers have reasonable molecular weight with narrow PDI. The polymers are thermally stable and almost emitted blue light emission. The synthesized fluorene-based functional click polymers were characterized to compare the effect of click reaction methods on polymer electro-optical properties as well as device performance on quasi-solid-state dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) applications. The DSSCs with configuration of $SnO_2:F/TiO_2/N719$ dye/quasi-solid-state electrolyte/Pt devices were fabricated using these click polymers as a solid-state electrolyte components. Among the devices, the catalyzed click polymer composed device exhibited a high power conversion efficiency of 4.62% under AM 1.5G illumination ($100mW/cm^2$).These click polymers are promising materials in device application and $Cu^I$-catalyst 1, 3-dipolar cycloaddition click reaction is an efficient synthetic methodology.

Potassium and Rice with High N under Field Conditions

Karim Bhiah,Chris Guppy,Peter Lockwood,Robin Jessop 한국토양비료학회 2014 한국토양비료학회 학술발표회 초록집 Vol.2014 No.6

Alloxan-induced diabetic thermal hyperalgesia, prophylaxis and phytotherapeutic effects of Rheum ribes L. in mouse model

Karim Raafat,Maha Aboul-Ela,Abdalla El-Lakany 대한약학회 2021 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.44 No.8

Rheum ribes L., known as Syrian rhubarb, isused in traditional Lebanese folk medicine for the treatmentof diabetes. The present study aims to investigate theactivities of R. ribes aqueous extract for glucose homeostasis,in vivo antioxidant and diabetic neuropathy protectionin mice. The acute and the subacute effects of variousdoses of R. ribes on blood glucose and in vivo antioxidantactivity utilizing serum catalase level (CAT) were studiedin alloxan-diabetic mice. The high doses significantlylowered glucose level and increased serum CAT inalloxan-diabetic mice. Pretreatment with the extract priorto alloxination, protected the mice from acquiring diabetesand diabetic neuropathy. Treatment with the extract for8 weeks alleviated hyperalgesia in diabetic mice. Ourfindings provide clinicians with promising drugs intendedfor the management of the symptoms of diabetic complications. The protective activity of R. ribes against acquiringdiabetes and diabetic neuropathy might pave the wayfor preparing a prophylactic treatment for diabetes riskgroups.

Inhibitory Effects of Apium graveolens on Xanthine Oxidase Activity and Serum Uric Acid Levels in Hyperuricemic Mice

Karim Dolati,Hassan Rakhshandeh,Mohsen Golestani,Fatemeh Forouzanfar,Roya Sadeghnia,Hamid R. Sadeghnia 한국식품영양과학회 2018 Preventive Nutrition and Food Science Vol.23 No.2

Celery (Apium graveolens) is traditionally used to treat rheumatism and cardiovascular disorders. Hyperuricemia is considered as a predisposing factor for gout and is also suggested to be associated with coronary artery disease. In the present study, the effect of hydroalcoholic extracts from A. graveolens (AGE) against potassium oxonate (PO)-induced hyperuricemia was investigated in mice. AGE (250, 500, and 1,000 mg/kg) or allopurinol (5 mg/kg, as positive control) were orally administrated 1 h after PO injection (250 mg/kg, ip) for two weeks. After that, the serum uric acid level and hepatic xanthine dehydrogenase (XDH) and xanthine oxidase (XO) activities were measured. In addition, the antioxidant activity of AGE was determined by assessment of hepatic lipid peroxidation, in vivo and the ferric reducing/antioxidant power assay, in vitro. The extract exhibited good capacity to reduce ferric ion to ferrous ion with mean value of 63.8±8.5 μmol/g. The data also showed that oxonate treatment produced a significant increase in serum uric acid level (4.6 vs. 2.3 mg/ dL, P<0.001), liver XO/XDH activities (P<0.01 and P<0.001, respectively), and hepatic lipid peroxides levels (about two fold, P<0.01), compared to the healthy mice. AGE significantly decreased the serum uric acid level, hepatic XO/XDH activities, and lipid peroxidation, in a dose-dependent manner. Oral administration of 1,000 mg/kg AGE for two weeks reversed the elevated serum uric acid level (2.7 vs. 4.6 mg/dL, P<0.001) and significantly inhibited liver XO/XDH activities (P<0.001) and diminished hepatic lipid peroxidation (0.45 vs. 0.82 nmol/mg protein, P<0.05), compared with hyperuricemic mice. AGE (1,000 mg/kg) per se did not significantly modify these parameters. Our results demonstrated that AGE could reduce the serum uric acid level via inhibition of hepatic XDH/XO and indicated its potential utility as an effective hypouricemic bioactive agent or functional food.

Anticancer Activity of Cobra Venom Polypeptide, Cytotoxin-II, against Human Breast Adenocarcinoma Cell Line (MCF-7) via the Induction of Apoptosis

Karim Ebrahim,Farshad H. Shirazi,Hosein Vatanpour,Abas zare,Farzad Kobarfard,Hadi Rabie 한국유방암학회 2014 Journal of breast cancer Vol.17 No.4

Purpose: Breast cancer is a significant health problem worldwide,accounting for a quarter of all cancer diagnoses in women. Current strategies for breast cancer treatment are not fully effective,and there is substantial interest in the identification of novelanticancer agents especially from natural products includingtoxins. Cytotoxins are polypeptides found in the venom of cobrasand have various physiological effects. In the present study,the anticancer potential of cytotoxin-II against the human breastadenocarcinoma cell line (MCF-7) was investigated. Methods:The cytotoxic effects of cytotoxin-II were determined by morphologicalanalysis and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazoliumbromide assay. The mode and mechanism of celldeath were investigated via acridine orange/ethidium bromide(AO/EtBr) double staining, flow cytometric analysis of cell death,detection of mitochondrial membrane potential, measurement ofintracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), annexin V/propidiumiodide staining, and caspase-9 activity assays. Results: The halfmaximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of cytotoxin-II in MCF-7cells was 4.18±1.23 μg/mL, while the value for cisplatin was approximately28.02±1.87 μg/mL. Morphological analysis and AO/EtBr double staining showed typical manifestations of apoptoticcell death (in doses lower than 8 μg/mL). Dose- and time-dependentROS generation, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential,caspase-9 activation, and cell cycle arrest were observed in theirrespective tests. Conclusion: In conclusion, cytotoxin-II has potentanticancer effects in the MCF-7 cell line, which are inducedvia the intrinsic pathways of apoptosis. Based on these findings,cytotoxin-II is a suitable choice for breast cancer treatment.

Profitability and Stability of GCC Islamic Banks

Karim Ben KHEDIRI,Asma ABIDI,Sonia SAYARI 한국유통과학회 2021 The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Busine Vol.8 No.6

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of corporate governance on profitability and stability of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) banking sector using panel data for Islamic banks over the period from 2003 to 2018. We estimate equations employing the pooled ordinary least square (OLS), the panel generalized least square (GLS) random effect (RE), the two-step system generalized method of moments (GMM), and the robust estimation approach to control for heterogeneity, endogeneity and outliers in the data. We find clear evidence that bank corporate governance matters in explaining the financial performance of Islamic GCC banks. We find a positive association between Shari’ah board and bank profitability and stability. We also find that board size loads positively on Z-score and negatively on bank profitability. The evidence also shows that CEO power has a negative impact on profitability and stability. However, board independence and shareholders independence do not exhibit a significant effect on both bank profitability and stability. These findings have implications for the authorities to establish several regulations related to Islamic finance in order to enhance the performance and soundness of Islamic banking industry as well as the stability of the whole financial system in the GCC region.

POWER REGULARITY OF ISOMETRIC N-JORDAN OPERATORS

( Karim Hedayatian ),( Saeed Yarmahmoodi ) 호남수학회 2016 호남수학학술지 Vol.38 No.2

In this paper, we show that for every N 2 N, isometric N-Jordan operators on Hilbert spaces are power regular. More- over, the only normaloid or 2-isometric, N-Jordan operators are isometries.