Selenium is a micronutrient mineral found mainly in soils. Studies on selenium have increased rapidly worldwide especially after it has been shown to reduce the risk of certain types of cancer in humans and animals. The exact mechanism of action on how selenium inhibits diseases, in particular cancer, is still unknown. To date, the use of selenium in preventing or treating diseases is limited. However, many aspects about the biochemistry of selenium have been identified. This article reviews a number of key clinical, experimental and epidemiological studies on selenium as an anti-carcinogenic agent for some types of cancers. Some nutritional information on selenium and its recommended intake are also included. More clinical and experimental studies are needed to confirm previous findings on the role of selenium as an anticarcinogenic agent.
The purpose of the study is to explore the shadow economy of violent extremism through charity lenses and factors associated with misuse of charitable giving in a global financial system. It reviews the emergency response situations like COVID-19 when financial needs are urgent with lacked monitoring and control over payment disbursement to vulnerable groups. It highlights several governments' significant steps to counter the illicit finance flow through 'public-face' charity organizations. Descriptive research was used to gather secondary data insights using published reports, articles, news portals, and policy briefs from renowned institutions. The findings depict four factors known as economic and capacity, socio-cultural, politico-legal, and global networks support in misuse of charitable giving to finance violent extremism. This study claims not all charitable giving misused for extremism and violence. However, there is a possibility that extremist groups could take advantage of using humanitarian organizations' face to finance violent extremism. Two possible recommendations have been made to overcome this issue by adopting digital payment mechanisms and community engagement to design and deliver the COVID-19 response recovery programs.
This study explores the mechanism for timely and equitable distribution of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination among the various communities in Pakistan. It examines the factors that support and/or impede peoples' access and response towards COVID-19 vaccination in Pakistan. The study uses a literature synthesis approach to examine and analyze the situation of the COVID-19 vaccination in Pakistan. The research results show "hesitancy" and "inequality" as two fundamental challenges that hinder the successful delivery of COVID-19 vaccination in Pakistan. People are reluctant to use vaccines due to conspiracy theories and religious beliefs. However, inequality, especially unequal accessibility to all social groups appears to be a more significant barrier to getting a vaccine. We argue that there is a need to mobilize community influence, social media, and mass media campaigns for public education on vaccination programs along with the engagement of religious leaders to endorse the vaccination for the masses. The area of this study is underdeveloped; thereby, future studies are recommended to investigate the possible way for equitable distribution of vaccines in multiple regions.