Rights, shares and claims: realising women’s rights in South Asia, working paper: resource mapping for women’s human rights work in Sri Lanka

"Majority of Sri Lanka's aid (to the tune of roughly 80%) has been in the form of either bilateral or multilateral aid, with the major donors being Japan, ADB and the World Bank. There was widespread consensus across the board, that funding opportunities are largely limited for smaller regional organisations, unless they work in tandem with bigger national NGOs. There are several women's rights organisations that are working with communities or on issues that are not considered mainstream and therefore, go unnoticed and unfunded. Moreover, several multilateral funders prefer to work either through the government or a consortium of organisations. This leads to little funds trickling down to smaller organisations with limited focus and ambit of operations.

Rights, shares and claims: realising women’s rights in South Asia, working paper: resource mapping for women’s human rights work in Pakistan

"The study indicates that there are a significant number of NGOs working on women issues in the country. However, the majority has an omni-focused approach – of working with the entire community, rather than exclusively with women issues. Fund raising was a prime concern for majority of the organisations, especially due to the changing funding environment. The limited donor engagement with NGOs working on women issues, especially those at the local level, is the biggest challenge to carrying forward work on women issues. There is a visible change in the last two to three years in the international donors’ approach and strategy towards Pakistan, which could also be a reflection of global trends. Although, there is continuing aid flow for women’s development and human rights in the country, there has been a palpable shift in the donors funding trends towards the NGOs and private sector at large. Donors are shifting focus to more consolidated efforts, to avoid overlap with growing concerns about performance-based output and accountability.

Molecular-receptor-specific, non-toxic, near-infrared-emitting Au cluster-protein nanoconjugates for targeted cancer imaging

Molecular-receptor-targeted imaging of folate receptor positive oral carcinoma cells using folic-acid-conjugated fluorescent Au25 nanoclusters (Au NCs) is reported. Highly fluorescent Au25 clusters were synthesized by controlled reduction of Au+ ions, stabilized in bovine serum albumin (BSA), using a green-chemical reducing agent, ascorbic acid (vitamin-C). For targeted-imaging-based detection of cancer cells, the clusters were conjugated with folic acid (FA) through amide linkage with the BSA shell. The bioconjugated clusters show excellent stability over a wide range of pH from 4 to 14 and fluorescence efficiency of ~5.7% at pH 7.4 in phosphate buffer saline (PBS), indicating effective protection of nanoclusters by serum albumin during the bioconjugation reaction and cell-cluster interaction. The nanoclusters were characterized for their physico-chemical properties, toxicity and cancer targeting efficacy in vitro. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) suggests binding energies correlating to metal Au 4f7/2˜83.97 eV and Au 4f5/2~87.768 eV. Transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy revealed the formation of individual nanoclusters of size ~1 nm and protein cluster aggregates of size ~8 nm. Photoluminescence studies show bright fluorescence with peak maximum at ~674 nm with the spectral profile covering the near-infrared (NIR) region, making it possible to image clusters at the 700-800 nm emission window where the tissue absorption of light is minimum. The cell viability and reactive oxygen toxicity studies indicate the non-toxic nature of the Au clusters up to relatively higher concentrations of 500 µg ml-1. Receptor-targeted cancer detection using Au clusters is demonstrated on FR+ve oral squamous cell carcinoma (KB) and breast adenocarcinoma cell MCF-7, where the FA-conjugated Au25 clusters were found internalized in significantly higher concentrations compared to the negative control cell lines. This study demonstrates the potential of using non-toxic fluorescent Au nanoclusters for the targeted imaging of cancer

A novel small diameter nanotextile arterial graft is associated with surgical feasibility and safety and increased transmural endothelial ingrowth in pig

Globally, millions of patients are affected by myocardial infarction or lower limb gangrene/amputation due to atherosclerosis. Available surgical treatment based on vein and synthetic grafts provides sub-optimal benefits. We engineered a highly flexible and mechanically robust nanotextile-based vascular graft (NanoGraft) by interweaving nanofibrous threads of poly-L-lactic acid to address the unmet need. The NanoGrafts were rendered impervious with selective fibrin deposition in the micropores by pre-clotting. The pre-clotted NanoGrafts (4 mm diameter) and ePTFE were implanted in a porcine carotid artery replacement model. The fibrin-laden porous milieu facilitated rapid endothelization by the transmural angiogenesis in the NanoGraft. In-vivo patency of NanoGrafts was 100% at 2- and 4-weeks, with no changes over time in lumen size, flow velocities, and minimal foreign-body inflammatory reaction. However, the patency of ePTFE at 2-week was 66% and showed marked infiltration, neointimal thickening, and poor host tissue integration. The study demonstrates the in-vivo feasibility and safety of a thin-layered vascular prosthesis, viz., NanoGraft, and its potential superiority over the commercial ePTFE. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT: [Image: see text] SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12951-022-01268-1

Clinical efficacy and safety of a light mask for prevention of dark adaptation in treating and preventing progression of early diabetic macular oedema at 24 months (CLEOPATRA): a multicentre, phase 3, randomised controlled trial

Background We aimed to assess 24-month outcomes of wearing an organic light-emitting sleep mask as an intervention to treat and prevent progression of non-central diabetic macular oedema. Methods CLEOPATRA was a phase 3, single-blind, parallel-group, randomised controlled trial undertaken at 15 ophthalmic centres in the UK. Adults with non-centre-involving diabetic macular oedema were randomly assigned (1:1) to wearing either a light mask during sleep (Noctura 400 Sleep Mask, PolyPhotonix Medical, Sedgefield, UK) or a sham (non-light) mask, for 24 months. Randomisation was by minimisation generated by a central web-based computer system. Outcome assessors were masked technicians and optometrists. The primary outcome was the change in maximum retinal thickness on optical coherence tomography (OCT) at 24 months, analysed using a linear mixed-effects model incorporating 4-monthly measurements and baseline adjustment. Analysis was done using the intention-to-treat principle in all randomised patients with OCT data. Safety was assessed in all patients. This trial is registered with Controlled-Trials.com, number ISRCTN85596558. Findings Between April 10, 2014, and June 15, 2015, 308 patients were randomly assigned to wearing the light mask (n=155) or a sham mask (n=153). 277 patients (144 assigned the light mask and 133 the sham mask) contributed to the mixed-effects model over time, including 246 patients with OCT data at 24 months. The change in maximum retinal thickness at 24 months did not differ between treatment groups (mean change −9·2 μm [SE 2·5] for the light mask vs −12·9 μm [SE 2·9] for the sham mask; adjusted mean difference −0·65 μm, 95% CI −6·90 to 5·59; p=0·84). Median compliance with wearing the light mask at 24 months was 19·5% (IQR 1·9–51·6). No serious adverse events were related to either mask. The most frequent adverse events related to the assigned treatment were discomfort on the eyes (14 with the light mask vs seven with the sham mask), painful, sticky, or watery eyes (14 vs six), and sleep disturbance (seven vs one). Interpretation The light mask as used in this study did not confer long-term therapeutic benefit on non-centre-involving diabetic macular oedema and the study does not support its use for this indication. Funding The Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation Programme, a Medical Research Council and National Institute for Health Research partnership

Rights, shares and claims: realising women’s rights in South Asia, working paper: resource mapping for women’s human rights work in Sri Lanka

"Majority of Sri Lanka's aid (to the tune of roughly 80%) has been in the form of either bilateral or multilateral aid, with the major donors being Japan, ADB and the World Bank. There was widespread consensus across the board, that funding opportunities are largely limited for smaller regional organisations, unless they work in tandem with bigger national NGOs. There are several women's rights organisations that are working with communities or on issues that are not considered mainstream and therefore, go unnoticed and unfunded. Moreover, several multilateral funders prefer to work either through the government or a consortium of organisations. This leads to little funds trickling down to smaller organisations with limited focus and ambit of operations.

Rights, shares and claims: realising women’s rights in South Asia, working paper: resource mapping for women’s human rights work in Pakistan

"The study indicates that there are a significant number of NGOs working on women issues in the country. However, the majority has an omni-focused approach – of working with the entire community, rather than exclusively with women issues. Fund raising was a prime concern for majority of the organisations, especially due to the changing funding environment. The limited donor engagement with NGOs working on women issues, especially those at the local level, is the biggest challenge to carrying forward work on women issues. There is a visible change in the last two to three years in the international donors’ approach and strategy towards Pakistan, which could also be a reflection of global trends. Although, there is continuing aid flow for women’s development and human rights in the country, there has been a palpable shift in the donors funding trends towards the NGOs and private sector at large. Donors are shifting focus to more consolidated efforts, to avoid overlap with growing concerns about performance-based output and accountability.

Nanofibrous Polydioxanone Depots for Prolonged Intraperitoneal Paclitaxel Delivery

Background: Prolonged chemodrug delivery to the tumor site is a prerequisite to maintaining its localised therapeutic concentrations for effective treatment of malignant solid tumors. Objective: The current study aims to develop implantable polymeric depots through conventional electrospinning for sustained drug delivery, specifically to the peritoneum. Methods: Non-woven electrospun mats were fabricated by simple electrospinning of Polydioxanone solution loaded with the chemodrug, Paclitaxel. The implants were subjected to the analysis of morphology, mechanical properties, degradation and drug release in phosphate buffer and patient-derived peritoneal drain fluid samples. In vivo studies were conducted by surgical knotting of these implants to the peritoneal wall of healthy mice. Results: Non-woven electrospun mats with a thickness of 0.65±0.07 mm, weighing ~ 20 mg were fabricated by electrospinning 15 w/v% polymer loaded with 10 w/w% drug. These implants possessing good mechanical integrity showed a drug entrapment efficiency of 87.82±2.54 %. In vitro drug release studies in phosphate buffer showed a sustained profile for ~4 weeks with a burst of 10 % of total drug content, whereas this amounted to &gt;60% in patient samples. Mice implanted with these depots remained healthy during the study period. The biphasic drug release profile obtained in vivo showed a slow trend, with peritoneal lavage and tissues retaining good drug concentrations for a sustained period. Conclusion: The results indicate that non-woven electrospun mats developed from biodegradable Polydioxanone polymer can serve as ideal candidates for easily implantable drug depots to address the challenges of peritoneal metastasis in ovarian cancer. </jats:sec

Rights, shares and claims: realising women’s rights in South Asia, working paper: resource mapping for women’s human rights work in Pakistan

"The study indicates that there are a significant number of NGOs working on women issues in the country. However, the majority has an omni-focused approach – of working with the entire community, rather than exclusively with women issues. Fund raising was a prime concern for majority of the organisations, especially due to the changing funding environment. The limited donor engagement with NGOs working on women issues, especially those at the local level, is the biggest challenge to carrying forward work on women issues. There is a visible change in the last two to three years in the international donors’ approach and strategy towards Pakistan, which could also be a reflection of global trends. Although, there is continuing aid flow for women’s development and human rights in the country, there has been a palpable shift in the donors funding trends towards the NGOs and private sector at large. Donors are shifting focus to more consolidated efforts, to avoid overlap with growing concerns about performance-based output and accountability.