Digital disruption or crisis capitalism?:Technology, power and the pandemic

This report explores how technology firms used the pandemic to expand their reach, change their business strategies and capture new public functions and market positions in Europe. While some of the fundamental shifts we identify predate the start of the public health emergency, the crisis context has amplified the encroachment of tech firms across a range of different sectors and enabled a rapid expansion of commercial technological power in areas where public service provision and private-sector business models are not aligned, and in ways that current regulatory frameworks are ill-equipped to deal with. We argue, using the concept of ‘sector transgressions’ - the involvement of commercial actors in spaces where their business models, practices and ethics are misaligned with established actors in those spaces - that we need to understand and contest the far-reaching ramifications of the increased presence and power of tech firms in all areas of public and private life. We document how tech firms have strategised to move into the health, education, security, transportation, payments and identity sectors during the pandemic. We identify both a supply-side problem of opportunistic moves and a demand-side problem where the emergency has made possible new forms of privatisation and the delegation of key public functions. In response to these changes, we call for a more holistic perspective on the problems of technological power, and propose ways for civil society organisations and their funders to tackle them. We offer a framework of naming, blaming and claiming to show how civil society has confronted — and can continue to reckon with — transgressions by tech firms. We offer tools for identifying sector transgressions; analysing and attributing responsibility to those causing them; and finally establishing claims through strategic litigation, documentation and campaigns to raise public awareness and to ensure accountability of tech firms

Biological activity of ethylic acetate, ethanolic and aqueous extracts of timbo (Lonchocarpus floribundus) on cattle tick

Ethylic acetate, ethanolic and aqueous roots extracts of Lonchocarpus floribundus were used to evaluate their biological activity on cattle tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus. Adult ticks were collected in artificially infested cattle, separated into groups of ten individuals, weighed and immersed separately in the extracts of L. Floribundus roots at concentrations of 5, 25, 50, 75 and 100 mg mL-1. For biological evaluation 14-21-day-old larvae were used, which were immersed in the extracts at concentrations of 1, 5, 10, 15 and 20 mg mL-1. After treatment, each group was placed in a Petri dish and maintained at 27 ± 1 ºC and 80 ± 5% relative humidity. The extracts evaluated were not effective to induce mortality of over 50%-engorged female. The ethylic acetate and ethanolic extracts induced 100% mortality of larvae. The ethanolic extract was more toxic (median lethal concentration, LC50, of 2.1 mg mL-1) than the ethylic acetate extract (LC50 = 4.1 mg mL-1). For the ethanolic extract it was estimated a median inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 3.0 mg mL-1 and it was more toxic than the other extracts on this parameter. Among the three extracts evaluated, the ethylic acetate and ethanolic extracts showed the highest potential for the control of reproduction of R. (B.) microplus, reaching 100% at concentration of 5 mg mL-1. The L. Floribundus root extracts showed biological activity on cattle tick.Os extratos acetato de etila, etanólico e aquoso de raízes de Lonchocarpus floribundus foram utilizados, a fim de avaliar a atividade biológica sobre carrapato bovino. Carrapatos adultos foram coletados em bovinos infestados artificialmente, separados em grupos de dez indivíduos, pesados e imersos, separadamente, nos extratos de raízes de L. Floribundus, nas concentrações de 5, 25, 50, 75 e 100 mg mL-1. Para a avaliação em larvas, foram utilizados indivíduos de 14 a 21 dias, os quais foram imersos nos extratos nas concentrações de 1, 5, 10, 15 e 20 mg mL-1. Após o tratamento, cada grupo foi colocado em placa de Petri e incubado a 27 ± 1 ºC e umidade relativa de 80 ± 5%. Os extratos avaliados não foram eficazes para induzir, acima de 50%, a mortalidade de fêmeas ingurgitadas. Os extratos acetato de etila e etanólico induziram 100% de mortalidade de larvas. Entretanto, quanto aos valores de concentração letal mediana (CL50), o extrato etanólico (CL50 = 2,1 mg mL-1) foi mais tóxico que o extrato acetato de etila (CL50 = 4,1 mg mL-1). O extrato etanólico estimou concentração inibitória mediana (CI50) de 3,0 mg mL-1 e foi mais tóxico que os demais extratos quanto a este parâmetro de avaliação. Entre os três extratos avaliados, os extratos acetato de etila e etanólico apresentaram os melhores resultados quanto ao controle de reprodução de R. (B.) microplus, atingindo 100% na concentração de 5 mg mL-1. Os extratos de raízes de L. Floribundus apresentaram atividade biológica sobre carrapato bovino

Atividade motora em camundongos submetidos a tratamento prévio com Cloreto de magnésio (MgCl2) e Clonazepam

Objetivos: verificar o efeito do MgCl2, associado ou não ao clonazepam, sobre a atividade motora e relaxamento muscular esquelético em camundongos Swiss. Métodos: Camundongos Swiss foram submetidos a tratamento com diferentes doses de MgCl2 de forma única e combinadas com clonazepam no sentido de se determinar em diferentes tempos a resposta motora através do “teste de campo aberto”. O teste de campo aberto consiste em quantificar (através de piso quadriculado) o deslocamento do animal em uma “caixa de conduta”. Além disso, verificou-se nos animais de experimentação o relaxamento muscular mediante o teste da “grade metálica vertical” a fim de observar a conduta postural, locomoção na decida e sua fixação ou não à grade. Resultados: o MgCl2 em doses de 24,4 e 27,7mg de Magnésio/Kg de peso provocaram aumento da atividade motora na caixa de conduta. O MgCl2 (100 e 130mg/Kg) combinado com clonazepam (0,066mg/Kg) provocou redução na velocidade de queda da atividade motora em animais submetidos pela segunda vez à prova de “campo aberto” se opondo, em parte ao fenômeno normal de habituação ao ambiente. Provavelmente, a ação despolarizante do magnésio (Mg+2) seja responsável pelos resultados observados. No teste de miorelaxamento a resposta de todos os animais foi semelhante não apresentando, portanto, diferenças estatísticas. Conclusões: o MgCl2 (24,4 e 27,7mg de Magnésio/Kg de peso) bem como as doses de 100 e 130mg de MgCl2 /Kg de peso corporal combinadas com clonazepam, conduziram ao aumento da atividade motora. Provavelmente a ação despolarizante do íon Mg+2 seja o responsável por esses resultados. Não houve alterações na coordenação motora, no equilíbrio corporal nem da força muscular e tônus muscular esquelético

Pre-Operative Scapular Rehabilitation for Arthroscopic Repair of Traumatic Rotator Cuff Tear: Results of a Randomized Clinical Trial

# Background Pre-operative rehabilitation aims to improve the functional capacity of the individual to enable him/her to prepare for the period of inactivity associated with the surgical procedure. # Objective To evaluate the impact of preoperative scapular rehabilitation before arthroscopic repair of traumatic rotator cuff injury, regarding pain, range of motion of the shoulder, and functional activity. # Study Design Randomized Clinical Trial (RCT) – pilot. # Methods Twenty adult individuals (age range: 47-69 years), with a diagnosis of traumatic rotator cuff tear and arthroscopic surgical repair, were randomized and allocated into two groups: experimental (EG) (n = 10) and control group (CG) (n = 10). All participants underwent preoperative rehabilitation for six weeks, consisting of mobility exercises of the cervical spine, elbow, wrist, and hand, and analgesics education. The EG also performed scapular and core stabilization exercises, which were not performed by the CG. Exercise instruction was performed by the same physiotherapist and the surgical team was blinded to group participation in the preoperative period. After arthroscopic repair, the patients followed the same protocol of postoperative rehabilitation for 16 weeks, and functional evaluation was conducted after three months and in a follow-up of at least one year. # Results Compared to the CG, the EG presented with a significant decrease in pain between the preoperative period and after one year (p < 0.05). In relation to the preoperative period, flexion and external rotation increased significantly in both groups after three months (p<0.05), and abduction was significantly higher in the EG (p < 0.05). Compared to CG, the EG presented a significantly higher SF-12 physical component after three months (48.47 vs. 40.33, p < 0.05), and a significantly lower Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index (WORC) total after one year (85.00 vs. 1130.00, p < 0.05). # Conclusion Preoperative scapular rehabilitation had a positive impact on recovery after arthroscopic repair of traumatic rotator cuff injury, in the assessment of pain, range of motion of the shoulder, and quality of life. # Levels of Evidence Level

Cabozantinib Versus Mitoxantrone-prednisone in Symptomatic Metastatic Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer: A Randomized Phase 3 Trial with a Primary Pain Endpoint

Background: Bone metastases in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) are associated with debilitating pain and functional compromise. Objective: To compare pain palliation as the primary endpoint for cabozantinib versus mitoxantrone-prednisone in men with mCRPC and symptomatic bone metastases using patient-reported outcome measures. Design, setting, and participants: A randomized, double-blind phase 3 trial (COMET-2; NCT01522443) in men with mCRPC and narcotic-dependent pain from bone metastases who had progressed after treatment with docetaxel and either abiraterone or enzalutamide. Intervention: Cabozantinib 60 mg once daily orally versus mitoxantrone 12 mg/m2 every 3 wk plus prednisone 5 mg twice daily orally. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis: The primary endpoint was pain response at week 6 confirmed at week 12 (≥30% decrease from baseline in patient-reported average daily worst pain score via the Brief Pain Inventory without increased narcotic use). The planned sample size was 246 to achieve ≥90% power. Results and limitations: Enrollment was terminated early because cabozantinib did not demonstrate any survival benefit in the companion COMET-1 trial. At study closure, 119 participants were randomized (cabozantinib: N =61; mitoxantrone-prednisone: N = 58). Complete pain and narcotic use data were available at baseline, week 6, and week 12 for 73/106 (69%) patients. There was no significant difference in the pain response with cabozantinib versus mitoxantrone-prednisone: the proportions of responders were 15%versus 17%,a −2%difference(95%confidenceinterval:−16%to11%, p = 0.8). Barriers to accrual included pretreatment requirements for a washout period of prior anticancer therapy and a narcotic optimization period to maximize analgesic dosing. Conclusions: Cabozantinib treatment did not demonstrate better pain palliation than mitoxantrone-prednisone in heavily pretreated patients with mCRPC and symptomatic bone metastases. Future pain-palliation trials should incorporate briefer timelines from enrollment to treatment initiation. Patient summary: Cabozantinib was not better than mitoxantrone-prednisone for pain relief in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer and debilitating pain from bone metastases

T-Cell Lymphomas in South America and Europe

Peripheral T-cell lymphomas are a group of rare neoplasms originating from clonal proliferation of mature post-thymic lymphocytes with different entities having specific biological characteristics and clinical features. As natural killer cells are closely related to T-cells, natural killer-cell lymphomas are also part of the group. The current World Health Organization classification recognizes four categories of T/natural killer-cell lymphomas with respect to their presentation: disseminated (leukemic), nodal, extranodal and cutaneous. Geographic variations in the distribution of these diseases are well documented: nodal subtypes are more frequent in Europe and North America, while extranodal forms, including natural killer-cell lymphomas, occur almost exclusively in Asia and South America. On the whole, T-cell lymphomas are more common in Asia than in western countries, usually affect adults, with a higher tendency in men, and, excluding a few subtypes, usually have an aggressive course and poor prognosis. Apart from anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma, that have a good outcome, other nodal and extranodal forms have a 5-year overall survival of about 30%. According to the principal prognostic indexes, the majority of patients are allocated to the unfavorable subset. In the past, the rarity of these diseases prevented progress in the understanding of their biology and improvements in the efficaciousness of therapy. Recently, international projects devoted to these diseases created networks promoting investigations on T-cell lymphomas. These projects are the basis of forthcoming cooperative, large scale trials to detail biologic characteristics of each sub-entity and to possibly individuate targets for new therapies.424

Maintaining a balance: a focus group study on living and coping with chronic whiplash-associated disorder

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>There is little qualitative insight into how persons with chronic Whiplash-Associated Disorder cope on a day to day basis. This study seeks to identify the symptoms persons with Whiplash-Associated Disorder describe as dominating and explore their self-initiated coping strategies.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Qualitative study using focus groups interviews. Fourteen Norwegian men and women with Whiplash-Associated Disorder (I or II) were recruited to participate in two focus groups. Data were analyzed according to a phenomenological approach, and discussed within the model of Cognitive Activation Theory of Stress (CATS).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Participants reported neck and head pain, sensory hypersensitivity, and cognitive dysfunction following their whiplash injury. Based on the intensity of symptoms, participants divided everyday life into good and bad periods. In good periods the symptoms were perceived as manageable. In bad periods the symptoms intensified and took control of the individual. Participants expressed a constant notion of trying to balance their three main coping strategies; rest, exercise, and social withdrawal. In good periods participants experienced coping by expecting good results from the strategies they used. In bad periods they experienced no or negative relationships between their behavioral strategies and their complaints.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Neck and head pain, sensory hypersensitivity, and cognitive dysfunction were reported as participants' main complaints. A constant notion of balancing between their three main coping strategies; rest, exercise, and social withdrawal, was described.</p