L’industrie Financière Islamique : Quel Est Son Rôle Dans La Moralisation Des Marchés Financiers?

Le présent article tente de présenter, l’importance de l’éthique de l’industrie financière islamique dans les marchés financiers, afin d’essayer de voir en quoi celle-ci peut contribuer à rendre les pratiques des marchés financiers classiques occidentaux plus éthiques. L’industrie financière islamique s’est diversifiée pour influencer de nombreux secteurs de la finance moderne, introduisant une série de réformes et de techniques financières au cœur du système économique classique. De parses principes sur lesquels repose son système institutionnel, qui prend en compte l’aspect éthique et social dans le monde des affaires ; cette industrie a la capacité qui lui permet de faire face aux phénomènes de crises et de fluctuations, en empêchant les monopoles, la fraude et la tromperie, en favorisant les comportements rationnels contre la spéculation. Ce qui fait des marchés financiers, un facteur de stabilité, un outil de développement et un moyen d’accumuler de l’épargne, et de financer des projets. En effet, si l’industrie financière islamique dite éthique permet d’introduire une dimension éthique rationnelle dans la moralisation des marchés financiers, elle n’en est pas particulièrement exempte de défauts et de limites

Overcoming Resistance to Combination Radiation-Immunotherapy: A Focus on Contributing Pathways Within the Tumor Microenvironment

Radiation therapy has been used for many years to treat tumors based on its DNA-damage-mediated ability to kill cells. More recently, RT has been shown to exert beneficial modulatory effects on immune responses, such as triggering immunogenic cell death, enhancing antigen presentation, and activating cytotoxic T cells. Consequently, combining radiation therapy with immunotherapy represents an important area of research. Thus far, immune-checkpoint inhibitors targeting programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) have been the focus of many research studies and clinical trials. The available data suggest that such immunotherapies are enhanced when combined with radiation therapy. However, treatment resistance, intrinsic or acquired, is still prevalent. Various theories as to how to enhance these combination therapies to overcome treatment resistance have been proposed. In this review, we focus on the principles surrounding radiation therapy's positive and negative effects on the tumor microenvironment. We explore mechanisms underlying radiation therapy's synergistic and antagonistic effects on immune responses and provide a base of knowledge for radio-immunology combination therapies to overcome treatment resistance. We provide evidence for targeting regulatory T cells, tumor-associated macrophages, and cancer-associated fibroblasts in combination radio-immunotherapies to improve cancer treatment

Perspectives on mental health recovery from Egyptian mental health professionals: A qualitative study

Introduction: Recovery-oriented mental health practice is an emerging approach that aims to empower individuals to define their goals and take responsibility for their own recovery. However, mental health practice in Egypt is still custodial. Aim: To explore perspectives of Egyptian mental health professionals on recovery. Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 mental health professionals identified through snowball sampling. Results: The current study identified that functional recovery outweighed other definitions. Four facilitators of mental health recovery were identified: therapeutic relationship; family engagement; cultural sensitivity; and professionals’ self-awareness. Six barriers to recovery were found, comprising mental health stigma and lack of awareness, seeking traditional healers, shortage of psychiatrists, cost of treatment, lack of training and effective rehabilitation programs. Discussion: The concept of functional recovery predominates amongst nurses and other mental health professionals, which may be due to limited training and the historical lack of service user involvement in Egypt. Lack of support from family and society, inadequate training MHPs and perceived system inefficiencies are also major impeding factors for recovery. Implications for Practice: There is a need nurses to be involved in designing intervention programs targeting the general public, and to support increased involvement of people with mental health issues

Evaluation of Magnetic Micro- and Nanoparticle Toxicity to Ocular Tissues

Purpose: Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) may be used for focal delivery of plasmids, drugs, cells, and other applications. Here we ask whether such particles are toxic to ocular structures. Methods: To evaluate the ocular toxicity of MNPs, we asked if either 50 nm or 4 mm magnetic particles affect intraocular pressure, corneal endothelial cell count, retinal morphology including both cell counts and glial activation, or photoreceptor function at different time points after injection. Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 44) were injected in the left eye with either 50 nm (3 ml, 1.65 mg) or 4 mm(3ml, 1.69 mg) magnetic particles, and an equal volume of PBS into the right eye. Electroretinograms (ERG) were used to determine if MNPs induce functional changes to the photoreceptor layers. Enucleated eyes were sectioned for histology and immunofluorescence. Results: Compared to control-injected eyes, MNPs did not alter IOP measurements. ERG amplitudes for a-waves were in the 100–250 mV range and b-waves were in the 500–600 mV range, with no significant differences between injected and noninjected eyes. Histological sectioning and immunofluorescence staining showed little difference in MNP-injected animals compared to control eyes. In contrast, at 1 week, corneal endothelial cell numbers were significantly lower in the 4 mm magnetic particle-injected eyes compared to either 50 nm MNP- or PBS-injected eyes. Furthermore, iron deposition was detected after 4 mm magnetic particle but not 50 nm MNP injection

Non prescribed sale of antibiotics in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A Cross Sectional Study

Background Antibiotics sales without medical prescriptions are increasingly recognized as sources of antimicrobial misuse that can exacerbate the global burden of antibiotic resistance. We aimed to determine the percentage of pharmacies who sell antibiotics without medical prescriptions, examining the potential associated risks of such practice in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, by simulation of different clinical scenarios. Methods A cross sectional study of a quasi-random sample of pharmacies stratified by the five regions of Riyadh. Each pharmacy was visited once by two investigators who simulated having a relative with a specific clinical illness (sore throat, acute bronchitis, otitis media, acute sinusitis, diarrhea, and urinary tract infection (UTI) in childbearing aged women). Results A total of 327 pharmacies were visited. Antibiotics were dispensed without a medical prescription in 244 (77.6%) of 327, of which 231 (95%) were dispensed without a patient request. Simulated cases of sore throat and diarrhea resulted in an antibiotic being dispensed in (90%) of encounters, followed by UTI (75%), acute bronchitis (73%), otitis media (51%) and acute sinusitis (40%). Metronidazole (89%) and ciprofloxacin (86%) were commonly given for diarrhea and UTI, respectively, whereas amoxicillin/clavulanate was dispensed (51%) for the other simulated cases. None of the pharmacists asked about antibiotic allergy history or provided information about drug interactions. Only 23% asked about pregnancy status when dispensing antibiotics for UTI-simulated cases. Conclusions We observed that an antibiotic could be obtained in Riyadh without a medical prescription or an evidence-based indication with associated potential clinical risks. Strict enforcement and adherence to existing regulations are warranted

PD-L1 and PD-L2 expression levels are low in primary and secondary adenoid cystic carcinomas of the orbit: Therapeutic implications

To determine if there is a biologic rationale for using checkpoint inhibitor drugs targeting programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) and PD-L2 in the treatment of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the orbit. Methods: Twenty-three cases of adenoid cystic carcinoma involving the orbit (13 primary lacrimal gland, 5 secondarily extending into the orbit, and 5 unspecified) were examined histopathologically. Immunohistochemistry for PD-L1, PD-L2, and CD8 was performed. Charts were reviewed for clinical correlations. Results: Expression of PD-L1 and of PD-L2 was overall low in adenoid cystic carcinoma (mean expression 1.4 ± 0.9 of 5 for PD-L1, mean 0.83 ± 1.1 of 5 for PD-L2), and tumor-infiltrating CD8-positive T-lymphocytes were sparse (mean 1.1 ± 0.51 of 3). Only 13 of the 23 (57%) cases expressed PD-L1 as a combined positive score ≥1 of cells. No associations were found between expression levels of these markers and patient sex, tumor site of origin, Tumor, Node, Metastasis stage, or patient outcome

A novel preclinical model of craniospinal irradiation in pediatric diffuse midline glioma demonstrates decreased metastatic disease

BackgroundDiffuse midline glioma (DMG) is an aggressive pediatric central nervous system tumor with strong metastatic potential. As localized treatment of the primary tumor improves, metastatic disease is becoming a more important factor in treatment. We hypothesized that we could model craniospinal irradiation (CSI) through a DMG patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model and that CSI would limit metastatic tumor.MethodsWe used a BT245 murine orthotopic DMG PDX model for this work. We developed a protocol and specialized platform to deliver craniospinal irradiation (CSI) (4 Gy x2 days) with a pontine boost (4 Gy x2 days) and compared metastatic disease by pathology, bioluminescence, and MRI to mice treated with focal radiation only (4 Gy x4 days) or no radiation.ResultsMice receiving CSI plus boost showed minimal spinal and brain leptomeningeal metastatic disease by bioluminescence, MRI, and pathology compared to mice receiving radiation to the pons only or no radiation.ConclusionIn a DMG PDX model, CSI+boost minimizes tumor dissemination compared to focal radiation. By expanding effective DMG treatment to the entire neuraxis, CSI has potential as a key component to combination, multimodality treatment for DMG designed to achieve long-term survival once novel therapies definitively demonstrate improved local control

FoxP3+ T regulatory cells in cancer : prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets

T Regulatory cells (Tregs) can have both protective and pathological roles. They maintain immune homeostasis and inhibit immune responses in various diseases, including cancer. Proportions of Tregs in the peripheral blood of some cancer patients increase by five-to ten-folds, compared to those in healthy individuals. Tregs contribute to cancer development and progression by suppressing T effector cell functions, thereby compromising tumor killing and promoting tumor growth. Highly immunosuppressive Tregs express upregulated levels of the transcription factor, Forkhead box protein P3 (FoxP3). Elevated levels of FoxP3+ Tregs within the tumor microenvironment (TME) showed a positive correlation with poor prognosis in various cancer patients. Despite the success of immunotherapy, including the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors, a significant proportion of patients show low response rates as a result of primary or acquired resistance against therapy. Some of the mechanisms which underlie the development of therapy resistance are associated with Treg suppressive function. In this review, we describe Treg contribution to cancer development/progression, and the mechanisms of Treg-mediated immunosuppression. We discuss the prognostic significance of FoxP3+ Tregs in different cancers and their potential use as prognostic biomarkers. We also describe potential therapeutic strategies to target Tregs in combination with other types of immunotherapies aiming to overcome tumor resistance and improve clinical outcomes in cancer patients. Overall, understanding the prognostic significance of FoxP3+ Tregs in various cancers and their contribution to therapeutic resistance could help in the development of more effective targeted therapeutic strategies to enhance the clinical outcomes in cancer patients

Targeting resistance to radiation-immunotherapy in cold HNSCCs by modulating the Treg-dendritic cell axis.

BACKGROUND: Numerous trials combining radiation therapy (RT) and immunotherapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) are failing. Using preclinical immune cold models of HNSCC resistant to RT-immune checkpoint inhibitors, we investigate therapeutic approaches of overcoming such resistance by examining the differential microenvironmental response to RT. METHODS: We subjected two HPV-negative orthotopic mouse models of HNSCC to combination RT, regulatory T cells (Treg) depletion, and/or CD137 agonism. Tumor growth was measured and intratumorous and lymph node immune populations were compared among treatment groups. Human gene sets, genetically engineered mouse models DEREG and BATF3-/-, flow and time-of-flight cytometry, RNA-Seq, Treg adoptive transfer studies, and in vitro experiments were used to further evaluate the role of dendritic cells (DCs) and Tregs in these treatments. RESULTS: In MOC2 orthotopic tumors, we find no therapeutic benefit to targeting classically defined immunosuppressive myeloids, which increase with RT. In these radioresistant tumors, supplementing combination RT and Treg depletion with anti-CD137 agonism stimulates CD103+ DC activation in tumor-draining lymph nodes as characterized by increases in CD80+ and CCR7+ DCs, resulting in a CD8 T cell-dependent response. Simultaneously, Tregs are reprogrammed to an effector phenotype demonstrated by increases in interferonγ+, tumor necrosis factorα+, PI3K+, pAKT+ and Eomes+ populations as well as decreases in CTLA4+ and NRP-1+ populations. Tumor eradication is observed when RT is increased to an 8 Gy x 5 hypofractionated regimen and combined with anti-CD25+ anti-CD137 treatment. In a human gene set from oral squamous cell carcinoma tumors, high Treg number is associated with earlier recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Regulating Treg functionality and DC activation status within the lymph node is critical for generating a T cell effector response in these highly radioresistant tumors. These findings underscore the plasticity of Tregs and represent a new therapeutic opportunity for reprogramming the tumor microenvironment in HNSCCs resistant to conventional radioimmunotherapy approaches