Determinants of Profitability of Commercial Bank in Afghanistan

Over the past two decades, the global financial sector, particularly the banking industry, has undergone significant transformations impacting its performance. Recognizing the pivotal role of the financial sector in economic growth, this study focuses on Afghanistan\u27s banking sector, tracing its roots to the establishment of the first commercial banking institution, Bank Millie Afghan, in 1933. Following decades of war, the banking sector experienced revitalization after 2001, marked by the emergence of a new government, international aid inflow, and increased business activities. Despite remarkable growth, Afghanistan\u27s banking sector faces challenges such as security concerns, cultural issues, and a developing banking culture. The sector comprises 15 banks, with growth attributed to market economy reforms. However, the sector\u27s vitality poses opportunities and challenges, necessitating attention to technology, experience, and regulatory frameworks. The 2010 Kabul Bank crisis underscored weaknesses in banking regulation and international standards enforcement. This study addresses the problems and gaps in the literature concerning Afghanistan\u27s banking sector, focusing on factors influencing bank profitability. The research questions explore determinants of profitability, the Central Bank\u27s role, and factors affecting bank performance. The study aims to investigate these factors for 11 Commercial Banks from 2015 to 2019, examining internal and external elements and their impact on profitability ratios. The significance of the study lies in its contribution to identifying determinants of profitability, benefiting bank managers, regulators, depositors, investors, and policymakers. Findings may guide policies to stabilize, profit, and make the banking system investor-friendly. Additionally, the study is a reference for future research on the relationship between risks and bank profitability in Afghanistan, offering insights into research procedures and unexplored areas. The banking sector in Afghanistan, with both Islamic and commercial banks, provides a choice between risk and security, catering to diverse preferences for stability and potential profits

Intense Pulsed Light and Red Light Photo Rejuvenation for Skin Rejuvenation: A Split Face Clinical Trial

INTRODUCTION: Intense pulsed light (IPL) has long been used for skin rejuvenation. Photo rejuvenation with red light (with or without photo sensitizer) is a newer noninvasive way for this purpose; but, until now few comparative studies between these modalities have been performed. The aim of this study was to compare efficacy, adverse effects, and compliance of intense pulsed light rejuvenation and red light photo rejuvenation in a homogeneous group of women.METHODS: In this clinical trial, ten female volunteers with Fitzpatrick skin types I, II, and III were enrolled. Patients underwent 6 sessions of IPL rejuvenation at 4-week intervals on one side, and 30 photo rejuvenation sessions (twice a week) with red light on the other side of their face. Improvement of the skin texture and reduction in the wrinkles were determined in two ways. Firstly, by comparing the photographs, and secondly, by measuring the skin elasticity with Reviscometer MPA 9 system, before and after the procedure.RESULTS: Both treatments were associated with improvement in the skin texture and wrinkle depth, but red light was more effective on the nasolabial fold and IPL was more effective on the fine wrinkles.CONCLUSIONS: Red light photo rejuvenation without the use of photosensitizer can be a new, effective and safe procedure for rejuvenatio

Treatment of a Pigmented Hypertrophic Scar by Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT): a Case Report

A hypertrophic scar is defined as an excess healing response that is a dilemma for physicians. Several therapies are available: intralesional corticosteroids, topical treatments, cryotherapy, surgery, radiation, silicone gel dressing and laser therapy.Pulsed-dye, Nd-Yag and CO2 lasers have been used for treatment of keloids and hypertrophic scars but recurrence is common. Recently Low-Level Laser Therapy(aluminum-gallium-arsenide (AlGaAs) Diode 980nm, red light (Mustung, KLO4,Helium Neon 630 nm) and blue light LED lasers have been used for closure of wounds. The aim of this report is to show the effectiveness of these lasers for the treatment of a hypertrophic scar on the forearm of a 40 year-old woman due to burning by gas explosion

Possible immunological mechanisms in COVID-19 patients with immune thrombocytopenic purpura

Millions of people around the world were, or are still involved with COVID-19 due to infection with SARS-CoV-2. In addition to hallmark symptoms, thrombotic problems, lymphopenia, and thrombocytopenia have also been reported in COVID-19 patients, of which ITP is the most common and occurs in more than one-third of COVID-19 patients. Hyperinflammation, cytokine storms, and generally immune dysregulation in a percentage of patients develop the main consequences of diseases such as ALI, ARDS and multiple organ failure. Some of the important events in the immunopathogenesis of this disease are disruption of T-cell effector differentiation and the destructive role of Th17 lymphocytes, neutrophil function and inflammatory macrophages. NLRP3-inflammasome hyperactivity causes serious dysfunction of innate immune cells and, consequently, T lymphocytes in many inflammatory disorders, most notably in the COVID-19. A closer look at the immunopathogenesis of ITP and COVID-19 brings us to common ground. The purpose of this study was to review and summarize the findings of various studies on the immunopathogenesis of ITP and its possible causes in COVID-19. Finally, enhanced differentiation of Th17 and Th1, the cell death called as pyroptosis, hyperinflammation and dysfunction of inflammatory neutrophils and macrophages, and NLRP3- inflammasome hyperactivity are important factors in the development of thrombocytopenia in patients with COVID-19. Further studies are needed to better understand immunopathogenesis and effective treatments for ITP, especially in inflammatory disorder

The Effect of Stretching Exercises and Caffeine Tablets on Reducing Headache after Spinal Anesthesia; A Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract Introduction: We performed this study to compare the effect of Caffeine and stretching exercise on Post Dural Puncture Headache (PDHP). Methods: In this Randomized Clinical Trial, 160 candidates for elective inguinal hernia surgery or varicocele surgery in Shahid Modares Hospital in Tehran, were assigned into the following groups using a computer-generated randomization table: caffeine group received Caffeine tablet (200 mg TDS); exercise group received stretching exercise; caffeine combine exercise group received Caffeine tablet (200 mg TDS ), and stretching exercise and control group received placebo tablets. After the end of the surgery, up to 48 h, the Visual analog scale (VAS) was recorded every 6hours by the same clinician. Results: The occurrence of PDPH was less in the caffeine and exercise combined group than in the control group. Also, the headache was more severe in the control group than in the caffeine group. Furthermore, the need for rescue analgesics was more in the control group than in the caffeine group. Conclusion: caffeine and exercise combined had better outcomes than placebo regarding PDHP. &nbsp

Computerized cognitive training for improving cochlear-implanted children's working memory and language skills

Abstract Sensory deprivation, including hearing loss, can affect different aspects of a person’s life. Studies on children with hearing impairment have shown that such patients, especially those with cochlear implants (CIs), suffer from cognitive impairments, such as working memory problems and poor language skills. The present study aimed to examine the efficacy of cognitive computer training in improving working memory and language skills in children with a CI.This research was a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test-post-test design and a control group. Fifty-one children with a CI aged 6-12 years were recruited through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to the control and treatment groups. The Wechsler Working Memory Subtest and the Test of Language Development (TOLD) were used to evaluate children’s working memory and language skills pre- and post-treatment. The treatment group attended twenty 50-60-minute cognitive computer training sessions three times a week.Sina-Working Memory Training was used to provide the treatment group with working memory training, whereas no intervention was provided to the control group. Univariate and multivariate analysesof covariance were used to analyze data.The results demonstrated the efficacy of cognitive computer training in improving the performance of cochlear-implanted children’s working memory (auditory and visual-spatial) (P < 0.01). The results also pointed to improved performance in sentence imitation (P < 0.01), word discrimination (P < 0.01), and phonemic analysissubtests (P < 0.01).Overall, the findings indicated that cognitive computer training might improve working memory and language skills for children with CI. Therefore, the development and execution of such programs for children with CIs seem to improve their cognitive functions, such as working memory and language skills