Purpose Islamic banking (IB) has resulted in abundant cross-border financial flows and diversified economic inter-linkages with over US$2tn in assets that have extended beyond Muslim countries to more established global financial centres and other emerging economies. Despite this remarkable diffusion, numerous developing and least-developed countries are yet to embrace IB. This study aims to examine the factors that determine public intention to adopt IB in Uganda. Design/methodology/approach This study undertook a quantitative approach where the theory of reasoned action (TRA) was used as a theoretical framework and structural equation modelling technique was applied to determine the relationship between attitude, subjective norm and public intention to adopt IB. Thus, a sample of 300 bank customers was surveyed using a questionnaire. Findings Initially, the measurement model did not fit the data well. So, the model was modified by removing an indicator with a lower loading. Finally, the structural model under maximum likelihood estimate analysis confirmed a good model fit for the data. Key findings were as follows: attitude positively influenced intention to adopt IB, whereas subjective norm influence to intention is mediated by attitude. Furthermore, public intention to adopt IB in Uganda can be predicted by attitude (R2 = 0.89) which also mediates the prediction of subjective norm to intention (R2 = 0.58). Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no study has used the TRA on the feasibility and adoption of IB. Thus, the present study is relevant in extending the theoretical body of knowledge by validating the TRA in a new field.

Abstrak: Jangkitan parasit usus adalah salah satu penyakit manusia yang lazimnya menyebabkan masalah kesihatan yang serius dan mengakibatkan isu-isu ekonomi di negara-negara maju dan membangun. Sayur-sayuran mentah dan buah-buahan memainkan peranan yang penting sebagai medium jangkitan parasit ke dalam manusia. Oleh itu, tujuan kajian ini adalah untuk menyiasat pencemaran parasitologi daripada sayur-sayuran berdaun dan buah-buahan yang biasa dimakan serta dipilih penduduk tempatan di Kuantan, Malaysia. Sebanyak satu kilogram sayur-sayuran tempatan yang dimakan mentah dan buah-buahan telah dikumpulkan secara rawak dari pasar basah Kuantan (Pasar Tani) semasa musim tengkujuh (November 2014-Januari 2015) dan musim kering (Februari 2015-April 2015. Prosedur lazim "wet mount" dan teknik perwarnaan Ziehl-Neelsen yang dimodifikasi telah digunakan untuk mengesan parasit. Dalam kajian ini, pemeriksaan sayur-sayuran mendedahkan lima spesies parasite yang berbeza. Sampel sayur-sayuran yang diambil daripada pasar basah Kuantan adalah positif untuk kedua-dua helmin dan protozoa. Walau bagaimanapun, sampel buah-buahan adalah negatif untuk pencemaran parasit. Pegaga merupakan sayuran yang paling tercemar dalam kajian ini dan Strongyloides adalah parasit yang paling kerap ditemui. Tambahan pula, terdapat kepelbagaian yang tinggi dalam jenis parasit yang telah diperhatikan semasa musim kering berbanding musim tengkujuh. Oleh itu, tindakan lanjut perlu diambil untuk mengurangkan berlakunya pencemaran parasit didalam sayur-sayuran dengan melaksanakan prinsip-prinsip amalan pertanian yang baik serta keberkesanan rawatan air perlu dipertingkatkan. 24parasites to humans. Hence, the aim of this study was to investigate the parasitological contamination of select commonly consumed local leafy vegetables and fruits in Kuantan, Malaysia. One kilogram of locally consumed raw vegetables and fruits were collected randomly from the Kuantan wet market (Pasar Tani) during the monsoon season (November 2014-January 2015) and the dry season (February 2015-April 2015. A standard wet mount procedure and modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining were used for the detection of parasites. In the present study, the examination of vegetables revealed five different parasite species. The vegetable samples collected from Kuantan's wet market were positive for both helminthes and protozoa. However, the fruits samples were negative for parasitic contamination. Pegaga was the most contaminated leafy vegetable in this study, and Strongyloides was the parasite found most frequently. Furthermore, there was a high diversity in the type of parasites observed during the dry season compared to the monsoon season. Therefore, further action should be taken to reduce the occurrence of parasitic contamination in vegetables by implementing the principles of good agricultural practice and improving water treatment efficacy.

IntroductionX-linked Alport syndrome (OMIM 301050) is caused by COL4A5 missense variants in 40% of families. This study examined the effects of chemical chaperone treatment (sodium 4-phenylbutyrate) on fibroblast cell lines derived from men with missense mutations.MethodsDermal fibroblast cultures were established from 2 affected men and 3 normals. Proliferation rates were examined, the collagen IV α5 chain localized with immunostaining, and levels of the intra- and extracellular chains quantitated with an in-house enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. COL4A5 mRNA was measured using quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) size was measured on electron micrographs and after HSP47 immunostaining. Markers of ER stress (ATF6, HSPA5, DDIT3), autophagy (ATG5, BECN1, ATG7), and apoptosis (CASP3, BAD, BCL2) were also quantitated by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Measurements were repeated after 48 hours of incubation with 10 mM sodium 4-phenylbutyrate acid.ResultsBoth COL4A5 missense variants were associated with reduced proliferation rates on day 6 (P = 0.01 and P = 0.03), ER enlargement, and increased mRNA for ER stress and autophagy (all P values < 0.05) when compared with normal. Sodium 4-phenylbutyrate treatment increased COL4A5 transcript levels (P < 0.01), and reduced ER size (P < 0.01 by EM and P < 0.001 by immunostaining), ER stress (p HSPA5 and DDIT3, all P values < 0.01) and autophagy (ATG7, P < 0.01). Extracellular collagen IV α5 chain was increased in the M1 line only (P = 0.06).DiscussionSodium 4-phenylbutyrate increases collagen IV α5 mRNA levels, reduces ER stress and autophagy, and possibly facilitates collagen IV α5 extracellular transport. Whether these actions delay end-stage renal failure in men with X-linked Alport syndrome and missense mutations will only be determined with clinical trials.