Life-Cycle Theory of Corporate Dividend Policy in Jordan

Fawzi A,AL SAWALQA 한국유통과학회 2021 The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Busine Vol.8 No.6

The study examines the effect of book value per share, retained earnings per share, asset turnover ratio, and age on dividend per share of non-financial Jordanian listed companies for the period from 2015 to 2019. The research hypotheses were formulated and evaluated based on the related dividend policy theories, in addition to prior empirical findings. Based on cross-section time-series data, a panel data model with 110-firm-year observations was developed. Both Random Effect Model (REM) and REM with Robust Standard Errors were employed to test the study hypotheses. Consistent with the life-cycle theory argument of dividend policy, the results of REM with Robust Standard Errors show that book value per share and retained earnings per share have a positive and significant relationship with dividend per share, while the relationship between asset turnover ratio and dividend per share is insignificant. With respect to the firm age, the results show an insignificant relationship with dividend per share. The findings of the current study show that both assets and stockholders’ equity of balance sheet are critical items in explaining the dividend policy of Jordanian non-financial firms. Thus, policy-makers, investors, financial analysts, and researchers are invited to employ and consider the current study model in any possible relevant contexts.

Microarray Analysis of Oral Mucosal Epithelial Cell Sheet

Fawzia Bardag-Gorce,Joan Oliva,Hope Niihara,Andrew Makalinao,Sean Sabino,Derek Pan,Jacquelyn Thropay,Hiroyuki Sota,Yutaka Niihara,Andrew Wood 한국조직공학과 재생의학회 2013 조직공학과 재생의학 Vol.10 No.6

Corneal epithelium regeneration using autologous oral mucosal epithelial cell sheet is a successful new approach in corneal therapy. In the present study, gene expression profiling was performed to characterize engi-neered cell sheets. Cell sheets were obtained by culturing isolated rabbit oral mucosal epithelial cells on a thermo-responsive cultureware (UpCell®, CellSeed Inc. Japan). H&E staining of cell sheets showed a multistratified epi-thelium, similar to corneal epithelium. DeltaN-p63 stained positive in the basal cells, indicating that cell sheets have renewal capacity. Microarray analysis of these cell sheets showed that only 160 genes out of 43,000 rabbit probes listed on the microarray chip were identified. We first identified the extracellular matrix group of genes and found that matrix metalloproteinase MMP-1, MMP-3 and MMP-12, known to promote angiogenesis, were down regu-lated, while MMP-13 and collagen type VIII alpha 1 (COL8A1), proteins involved in wound healing, were up reg-ulated. Tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase TIMP-1 and TIMP-3, anti-angiogenic factors, were also identified. Gap junction protein A7 (GJA7 or Connexin 45) was found up regulated, indicating that cell sheets have developed well preserved cell-cell interactions. Alcohol dehydrogenase 5 (ADH class III) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH1A1), involved in protecting the cornea against oxidative stress induced by UV radiation, were also found up regulated. In conclusion, microarray analysis has led us to identify new target molecules and their subsequent biochemical analysis indicated how the composite cell sheets are advantageous to the original isolated cells in terms of the integrity and potency of corneal epithelial grafts without any scaffolds.

In vitro antioxidant activity and phytochemical analysis of Teucrium pseudo-Scorodonia Desf. Collected from Algeria

Karima Belarbi,Fawzia Atik-Bekkara,Imad Abdelhamid El Haci,Ilhem Bensaid,Fawzia Beddou,Chahrazed Bekhechi 경희대학교 융합한의과학연구소 2017 Oriental Pharmacy and Experimental Medicine Vol.17 No.2

Teucrium pseudo-Scorodonia Desf., is one of many Mediterranean plants widely used in Algerian folk medicine for their medicinal properties. This study represents the first antioxidant investigation of Teucrium pseudo-Scorodonia with different analytical methods. Total phenolic, flavonoid, and condensed tannin contents were determined using spectrophotometric techniques. In vitro antioxidant and radical scavenging profiling was determined through total antioxidant capacity (TAC), DPPH radical-scavenging, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and β-carotene bleaching assays. Leaf extracts exhibited high total phenolics (266.36 ± 0.14 mg GAE/g DW), flavonoids (161.23 ± 0.18 mg CE/g DW) and condensed tannins (5.00 ± 0.08 mg CE/g DW) contents. The greatest antioxidant activity was founding in the butanolic fraction of leaves (IC50.DPPH = 0.05 ± 0.00 mg/ml) followed by crude methanolic extract and ethyl acetate fraction. These values were to some extent high in comparison to the positive control (0.07 ± 0.01 mg/ml). The same tendency was observed with ferric reducing power. A strong correlation of IC50 values of antioxidant assays with total phenolics and total flavonoids content of T. pseudo-Scorodonia was exhibited in this study. Thin layer chromatographic (TLC) screening using DPPH radical, AlCl3 and FeCl3 as detection reagents led to the identification of potent antioxidant compounds: methylated flavonoids or hydroxyflavonols. These results indicate that flavonoids and phenolics can be the major contributors to the antioxidant activity observed for the T. pseudo-Scorodonia leaf extracts. Further study is necessary for isolation and characterization of the active antioxidants, which may serve as a potential source of natural antioxidants.

Phytochemical analysis and antioxidant properties of organic extracts obtained from Cynoglossum cheirifolium L.

Ilhem Bensaid,Fawzia Atik Bekkara,Imad Abdelhamid El Haci,Karima Belarbi,Fawzia Beddou,Chahrazed Bekhechi 경희대학교 융합한의과학연구소 2017 Oriental Pharmacy and Experimental Medicine Vol.17 No.4

The valorization of the local flora is the goal of the laboratory of Natural Products from the University of Tlemcen (Algeria). In this work, we report the scientific study of a medicinal plant Cynoglossum cheirifolium L. The crude methanol and tannin extracts of C. cheirifolium were preliminary analyzed for their phenolic contents (total phenolics, total flavonoids and total tannins). These extracts were evaluated for their antioxidant properties using different methods. The results showed that crude methanolic extract of the leaves part revealed high phenolic (134.93 ± 9.76 mg Gallic Acid Equivalent/g Dry Weigth), flavonoid (99.99 ± 0.72 mg Catechin Equivalent/g Dry Weigth) and condensed tannin contents (1.65 ± 0.05 mg Catechin Equivalent/g Dry Weigth). Furthermore, the results obtained from the study of the antioxidant activity showed that tannin extract of stems displayed the highest DPPH• scavenging ability with the inhibition concentration of 50% (IC50) value of 70 ± 1 μg/mL, it was comparable to the Vitamin E with an IC50 value of 60 ± 1 μg/mL. The vitamin E concentration required to reduce the ferric iron was lower (242 ± 6 μg/mL) than tannins extracted from leaves (214 ± 4 μg/mL). Hence, using an RP-HPLC-PDA (Reverse Phase-High Pressure Liquid Chromatography-PhotoDiode Array Detector) analysis, it was possible to identify phenolic acids and flavonoid like rutin; naringenin; rosmarinic acid; sinapic acid; p-coumaric acid; ferulic acid; caffeic acid and syringic acid.

Direct Labeling of 19F-Perfluorocarbon onto Multilayered Cell Sheet for MRI-Based Non-Invasive Cell Tracking

Joan Oliva,Fawzia Bardag-Gorce,Andrew Wood,Hiroyuki Sota,Yutaka Niihara 한국조직공학과 재생의학회 2015 조직공학과 재생의학 Vol.12 No.5

Autologous stem cell transplantation for eye diseases is immunologically preferable to avoid allograft rejection. However, the fate of the grafted cells has never been studied. Here, we propose to use 19F-perfluorocarbon magnetic resonance imaging tracer agent, to label cell sheet in vitro. This labeling enables non-invasive visualization of possible migration of grafted cells. Oral mucosal epithelial cells were isolated from rabbit oral mucosal epithelium and were cultivated in a thermo-responsive surface to engineer a multilayer cell sheet. Different concentrations of 19F-perfluorocarbon were added to the cell sheet culture media, one or two times. Cells were analyzed in a 7 T nuclear magnetic resonance to determine the labeling efficiency. We found that 10 mg/mL and two incubations with 19F-perfluorocarbon were the optimal condition for labeling. H&E and immunocytochemistry showed that labeling did not affect the expression of cell sheets specific markers (CK4, CK13, connexin43, E-cadherin). Furthermore, no significant effects were observed on the number of cells and the cell viability, making 19F-perfluorocarbon suitable for cell tracking, with no side effects.

Assessment of the cytotoxic activity and the reduction power of Limoniastrum feei Girard (Batt.): a medicinal plant from Algerian Sahara

Imad Abdelhamid El Haci,Wissame Mazari,Fawzia Atik-Bekkara,Fayçal Hassani,Mohamed Gherib 경희대학교 융합한의과학연구소 2017 Oriental Pharmacy and Experimental Medicine Vol.17 No.2

This scientific work involves a phytochemical study of a medicinal plant endemic to the south of Algeria: Limoniatrum feei Girard (Batt.). The study of the antioxidant effects and the evaluation of the cytotoxicity were reported. Polar organic extracts: methanol, ethanol and acetone of L. feei presented considerable levels of phenols and flavonoids. These levels were ranged from 127.07 to 262.11 mg GAE/g and 84 to 157.88 mg CEQ/g, respectively. Considerable antioxidant activity of polar organic extracts of L. feei was revealed. In the DPPH scavenging method, methanolic extract expressed an IC50 of about 3.2 μg/mL which is comparable to that of the ascorbic acid (2.48 μg/mL). The same extract expressed strong antioxidant power against hydroxyl radical with an IC50 of about 36.33 μg/mL, which is higher than that of the ascorbic acid (61.83 μg/mL). In the test of the β-carotene bleaching, acetone extract expressed a remarkable antioxidant power comparable to the positive control (IC50: 5.85 μg/mL and 4.26 μg/mL, respectively). A low cytotoxic activity against human red blood cells was exerced by the methanol extract of L. feei, this could explaine the safety uses of this plant by indigenous populations.

Feeder Cells Free Rabbit Oral Mucosa Epithelial Cell Sheet Engineering

Joan Oliva,Ken Ochiai,Arjie Florentino,Fawzia Bardag-Gorce,Andrew Wood,Yutaka Niihara 한국조직공학과 재생의학회 2018 조직공학과 재생의학 Vol.15 No.3

The optimal cell culture method of autologous oral mucosal epithelial cell sheet is not well established for a safe transplantation on to the patients’ ocular surface. Animal serum and 3T3 mouse feeder cells are currently being used to stimulate the growth of the epithelial cells. However, the use of animal compounds can have potential side effects for the patient after transplantation of the engineered cell sheet. In the present study, we focused on engineering a rabbit oral mucosal epithelial cell sheet without 3T3 mouse feeder cells using a mix of Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle Medium/Bronchial Epithelial Cell Growth Medium culture media (DMEM/BEGM). Autologous oral mucosal epithelial cell sheets, engineered with DMEM/BEGM feeder cell free culture media, were compared to those cultured in presence of serum and feeder cells. Using a DMEM/BEGM mix culture media, feeder cell free culture condition, autologous oral mucosal epithelial cells reached confluence and formed a multilayered sheet. The phenotype of engineered cell sheets cultured with DMEM/BEGM were characterized and compared to those cultured with serum and feeder. Hematoxylin and eosin staining showed the formation of a similar stratified multilayer cell sheets, in both culture conditions. The expression of deltaN-p63, ABCG2, PCNA, E-cadherin, Beta-catenin, CK3, CK4, CK13, Muc5AC, was similar in both culture conditions. We demonstrated that rabbit autologous oral mucosal epithelial cell sheet can be engineered, in feeder cell free conditions. The use of the DMEM/BEGM culture media to engineer culture autologous oral mucosa epithelial cell sheet will help to identify key factors involved in the growth and differentiation of oral mucosal epithelial cells.

Influence of harvest season and different polarity solvents on biological activities, phenolic compounds and lipid-soluble pigment contents of Spirogyra sp. from Algeria

Belyagoubi Larbi,Belyagoubi-Benhammou Nabila,Atik-Bekkara Fawzia,Abdelouahid Djamel Eddine 경희대학교 융합한의과학연구소 2022 Oriental Pharmacy and Experimental Medicine Vol.22 No.2

Effects of extraction solvent and harvest period on phytochemical analysis and antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of extracts obtained from the freshwater macroalga, Spirogyra sp. were evaluated. The experiment lasted five months, where five crude extracts were obtained by maceration using different solvents: hexane, chloroform, dichloromethane, acetone and methanol. Higher values of yields were recorded in methanolic extracts on February (7.304%) and March (4.812%). All extracts were rich in proanthocyanidins compared to total phenolics and flavonoids. The total amounts of carotenoids were very low (0.060 ± 0001 to 0.171 ± 0.005 mg/g) compared to chlorophylls which were higher in February (6.365 ± 0.075 mg/g) and in March (5.501 ± 0.118 mg/g). The antioxidant activities indicated that the chloroformic and dichloromethanic extracts of February and March exhibited a good activity. The correlation using the Pearson test of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity tests have confirmed the strong contribution of flavonoids and proanthocyanidins. The greatest antimicrobial activity was found in hexanic extracts at 0.1 to 1 mg/disk. The present findings suggest that Spirogyra sp. can be exploited not only for human health, but also for screening new economic natural antioxidants that could be used in foods, cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries.

Comparison between Visual Inspection of Cervix and Cytology Based Screening Procedures in Bangladesh

Nessa, Ashrafun,Nahar, Khadiza Nurun,Begum, Shirin Akhter,Anwary, Shahin Ara,Hossain, Fawzia,Nahar, Khairun Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.12

Background: Cervical cancer continues to be a major problem in Bangladesh with approximately 18,000 new cases annually of which over 10,000 women die from it. Visual inspection of the cervix after 3-5% acetic acid (VIA) application is a simple and easy to learn method for cervical cancer screening, although cytology-based screening is more often applied in developed countries where it has successfully reduced the prevalence of cervical cancer. Objective: To compare the efficacy of VIA and cytology-based primary methods for cervical cancer screening in Bangladesh. Materials and Methods: This hospital based comparative study was conducted at the VIA centre and Colposcopy Clinic of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) from October 2008 to October 2010. Results: Among 650 women, 74 (11.4%) were VIA+ve and 8 (1.2%) had abnormalities in their Pap smear reports. During colposcopy, 38 (7.7%) women had different grades of CIN and 4 (0.6%) had cervical cancer. The gold standard histology findings proved 20 women had CIN I, 14 had CIN II/II and 4 had cervical cancer. Among the 38 histology diagnosed abnormalities, VIA test could identify 30 abnormalities including two cervical cancers. However, Pap smear could detect only 8 cases of histological abnormalities (2 low grade and 6 had high grade lesion) and it missed all the cervical cancer cases. The sensitivity and specificity of VIA were 88.9% and 52.1%. The positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were 41.0%, and 92.6% respectively. Moreover, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of Pap smear were 33.3%, 95.8%, 75.0% and 79.3%, respectively. Conclusions: VIA test should be used as the primary screening tool even with its low sensitivity and specificity in low resource countries like Bangladesh. False positive results may be greater, but overtreatment can be minimized by colposcopy evaluation of the VIA positive women.

Assessment of antioxidant potential and phytochemical analysis of Pituranthos scoparius crude extract and its fractions

Nabila Belyagoubi-Benhammou,Larbi Belyagoubi,Nadjat Bechlaghem,Nacéra Ghembaza,Fawzia Atik-Bekkara 경희대학교 융합한의과학연구소 2017 Oriental Pharmacy and Experimental Medicine Vol.17 No.1

The antioxidant activity of the crude hydroalcoholic extract (PSMW) and its derived fractions n-hexane (PSH), diethylic ether (PSDE), chloroforme (PSC), ethyl acetate (PSEA), n-butanol (PSB) and residual aqueous fraction (PSA) of aerial part of endemic plant Pituranthos scoparius was performed using three in vitro tests : phosphomolybdate assay, reducing power and DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging capacity. The total yield, total phenolic (TPC), flavonoid (TFC), flavonol (TF) and condensed tannin contents (TCT) of all the fractions were also determined. This plant was also subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening test for various constituents. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, coumarins, saponins and steroids in the extracts. Amongst the extracts, PCMW showed the highest TPC (8.40 ± 0.01 mg gallic acid equivalent/g of dry matter), TFC (2.25 ± 0.01 mg catechin equivalent/g), TF (1.19 ± 0.04 mg quercetin equivalent/g) and TCT (1.07 ± 0.16 mg catechin equivalent/g). The Total Antioxidant Capacity (CAT) was found to be varied in different fractions from 0.11 ± 0.00 to 10.02 ± 0.02 mg ascorbic acid equivalent/g). Therefore, PSEA showed the highest antioxidant activities to reduce iron (IC50 = 1.19 ± 0.00 mg/mL) and to scavenge DPPH (IC50 = 0.91 ± 0.02 mg/mL).