34 research outputs found
Community philanthropy: the missing link between local communities and international development
This paper is based on the premise that local populations? engagement in development processes is a key factor to increase chances of sustainable economic and social development. In this context, we present collaboration with community philanthropy organizations as a viable strategy for international development organizations to engage civil society in the advancement and sustainability of development goals. This is done by presenting an overview of the development sector, as well as the added-value of community philanthropy. Then practical lessons and challenges are drawn from stories of different community philanthropy and international development organizations that have experience working together
Community philanthropy: the missing link between local communities and international development
This article is based on the premise that local communities’ engagement in development processes is a key factor to increase the chances of long lasting success. In this context, we present community philanthropy as a viable strategy for international development organizations to engage civil society in the advancement and sustainability of development goals. To this end, we (a.) draw on the available international development and community philanthropy literature to establish background information and examine what makes collaboration feasible, (b.) present three cases of collaboration between community philanthropy and international development organizations, and (c.) conclude with lessons learned and recommendations. Real-life examples demonstrate that there is not a “one-size-fits-all” approach, but rather a set of good practices that can be established
Extracellular mycobacterial DnaK polarizes macrophages to the M2-like phenotype
Macrophages are myeloid cells that play an essential role in inflammation and host defense, regulating immune responses and maintaining tissue homeostasis. Depending on the microenvironment, macrophages can polarize to two distinct phenotypes. The M1 phenotype is activated by IFN-c and bacterial products, and displays an inflammatory profile, while M2 macrophages are activated by IL-4 and tend to be anti-inflammatory or immunosupressive. It was observed that DnaK from Mycobacterium tuberculosis has immunosuppressive properties, inducing a tolerogenic phenotype in dendritic cells and MDSCs, contributing to graft acceptance and tumor growth. However, its role in macrophage polarization remains to be elucidated. We asked whether DnaK was able to modulate macrophage phenotype. Murine macrophages, derived from bone marrow, or from the peritoneum, were incubated with DnaK and their phenotype compared to M1 or M2 polarized macrophages. Treatment with DnaK leads macrophages to present higher arginase I activity, IL-10 production and FIZZ1 and Ym1 expression. Furthermore, DnaK increased surface levels of CD206. Importantly, DnaK-treated macrophages were able to promote tumor growth in an allogeneic melanoma model. Our results suggest that DnaK polarizes macrophages to the M2-like phenotype and could constitute a virulence factor and is an important immunomodulator of macrophage responses
Minimal intervention in dentistry : which is the best approach for silorane composite restoration repairs?
This study aimed to evaluate surface treatments, adhesives and composites for repairing silorane based restorations. One hundred and twenty truncated cones (2 mm smaller diameter and 4 mm larger diameter) made of silorane composite were divided in 12 g
Extracellular polysaccharide production by a strain of Pleurotus djamor isolated in the south of Brazil and antitumor activity on Sarcoma 180
Longer-term effectiveness of a heterologous coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine booster in healthcare workers in Brazil
Abstract
Objective:
To compare the long-term vaccine effectiveness between those receiving viral vector [Oxford-AstraZeneca (ChAdOx1)] or inactivated viral (CoronaVac) primary series (2 doses) and those who received an mRNA booster (Pfizer/BioNTech) (the third dose) among healthcare workers (HCWs).
Methods:
We conducted a retrospective cohort study among HCWs (aged ≥18 years) in Brazil from January 2021 to July 2022. To assess the variation in the effectiveness of booster dose over time, we estimated the effectiveness rate by taking the log risk ratio as a function of time.
Results:
Of 14,532 HCWs, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was confirmed in 56.3% of HCWs receiving 2 doses of CoronaVac vaccine versus 23.2% of HCWs receiving 2 doses of CoronaVac vaccine with mRNA booster (P < .001), and 37.1% of HCWs receiving 2 doses of ChAdOx1 vaccine versus 22.7% among HCWs receiving 2 doses of ChAdOx1 vaccine with mRNA booster (P < .001). The highest vaccine effectiveness with mRNA booster was observed 30 days after vaccination: 91% for the CoronaVac vaccine group and 97% for the ChAdOx1 vaccine group. Vacine effectiveness declined to 55% and 67%, respectively, at 180 days. Of 430 samples screened for mutations, 49.5% were SARS-CoV-2 delta variants and 34.2% were SARS-CoV-2 omicron variants.
Conclusions:
Heterologous COVID-19 vaccines were effective for up to 180 days in preventing COVID-19 in the SARS-CoV-2 delta and omicron variant eras, which suggests the need for a second booster
Tamponamento intrauterino induzido por vácuo para hemorragia pós-parto: uma revisão sistemática
A hemorragia pós-parto (HPP) é uma complicação grave e uma das principais causas de mortalidade materna global, respondendo por aproximadamente 25% de todos os óbitos maternos. A busca por intervenções eficazes e seguras é crítica para melhorar os desfechos maternos. O tamponamento intrauterino induzido por vácuo (VHD) surgiu como uma abordagem promissora, oferecendo potencial para rápido controle do sangramento e redução da necessidade de procedimentos invasivos. Nesse sentido, o presente estudo tem como objetivo analisar a eficácia, segurança e aplicabilidade na prática clínica moderna. Foi realizada uma revisão sistemática da literatura de 2016 a 2024 nas bases de dados PubMed (Medline), Cochrane Library e SciELO. A seleção dos estudos foi baseada em critérios de inclusão e exclusão rigorosos, focando na eficácia, segurança e aplicabilidade do VHD para tratamento da HPP. Três estudos chave foram analisados, com pacientes submetidos ao tratamento com VHD para HPP. Os resultados demonstraram uma taxa de sucesso no tratamento variando de 73% a 94%, com um controle do sangramento alcançado em uma média de 3 minutos. Foi observada uma redução significativa na necessidade de transfusões maciças de sangue e na perda de sangue estimada quando comparado com o tamponamento com balão uterino. Eventos adversos foram relatados, mas todos resolveram-se sem sequelas graves. O tamponamento intrauterino induzido por vácuo apresenta-se como uma opção promissora no tratamento da hemorragia pós-parto, com resultados consistentes indicando eficácia no controle do sangramento e redução na necessidade de transfusões sanguíneas. Embora os resultados sejam encorajadores, mais estudos são necessários para confirmar essas descobertas e explorar plenamente o potencial do VHD na prática clínica. O VHD emerge como uma alternativa eficaz e segura, com potencial para melhorar significativamente os desfechos maternos e reduzir a morbimortalidade associada à HPP
COVID-19 symptoms at hospital admission vary with age and sex: results from the ISARIC prospective multinational observational study
Background:
The ISARIC prospective multinational observational study is the largest cohort of hospitalized patients with COVID-19. We present relationships of age, sex, and nationality to presenting symptoms.
Methods:
International, prospective observational study of 60 109 hospitalized symptomatic patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 recruited from 43 countries between 30 January and 3 August 2020. Logistic regression was performed to evaluate relationships of age and sex to published COVID-19 case definitions and the most commonly reported symptoms.
Results:
‘Typical’ symptoms of fever (69%), cough (68%) and shortness of breath (66%) were the most commonly reported. 92% of patients experienced at least one of these. Prevalence of typical symptoms was greatest in 30- to 60-year-olds (respectively 80, 79, 69%; at least one 95%). They were reported less frequently in children (≤ 18 years: 69, 48, 23; 85%), older adults (≥ 70 years: 61, 62, 65; 90%), and women (66, 66, 64; 90%; vs. men 71, 70, 67; 93%, each P < 0.001). The most common atypical presentations under 60 years of age were nausea and vomiting and abdominal pain, and over 60 years was confusion. Regression models showed significant differences in symptoms with sex, age and country.
Interpretation:
This international collaboration has allowed us to report reliable symptom data from the largest cohort of patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19. Adults over 60 and children admitted to hospital with COVID-19 are less likely to present with typical symptoms. Nausea and vomiting are common atypical presentations under 30 years. Confusion is a frequent atypical presentation of COVID-19 in adults over 60 years. Women are less likely to experience typical symptoms than men
Doações verdes: o cenário e as motivações da filantropia ambiental norte-americana para o Brasil
From the start of the new millennium, the role of philanthropic actors in international development cooperation has been gaining increasing visibility. A growing body of literature on the international activities of foundations has identified several premises connected to these organisations behaviour. For instance, they are thought to take more innovative and riskier approaches than state actors. However, there is limited knowledge about who they give to and how a lack of empirical and systematic analyses to corroborate those premises and demonstrate how foundations actually work. When it comes to environmental philanthropy there is an even bigger gap in knowledge, as much of the extant literature is based on issue areas such as health. The aim of this research is to investigate the trends and patterns in the distribution of international environmental grants by philanthropic organisations, as well as the approaches to giving utilised by these organisations and whether they are motivated by the needs of their grantees. It does so through an in-depth, project-level analysis of the grantmaking practices of three foundations in the United States funding environmental projects in Brazil: Charles Stewart Mott Foundation; Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation; The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. The objectives are to (i) systematically describe and categorise the foundations studied; (ii) understand the stated priorities and strategies of international foundations supporting environmental issues in Brazil (what foundations say they do); (iii) examine the main practices of these organisations through an in-depth analysis of their grantmaking to Brazilian organisations (what foundations do); (iv) analyse how foundations stated priorities, strategies and practices relate to the assumptions made in the international development cooperation about their behaviour; (v) determine to what degree the needs of grantees motivate foundations giving. The research found that the behaviour of large philanthropic organisations has a lot more in common with the behaviour expected of traditional donors than the literature suggests, including a tendency to risk-aversion. It also found that foundations are acting upon the needs of its grantees, but through a paternalistic altruism that exerts a high level of control over what is done and how it is done. To maintain a relationship with the foundations, recipient organisations need to constantly monitor the strategic and structural changes made by them, which are frequently evolving.Desde o início do novo século, o papel de atores filantrópicos na cooperação internacional para o desenvolvimento tem ganhado visibilidade. Um crescente corpo de literatura sobre as atividades das fundações identificou diversas premissas conectas ao comportamento dessas organizações. Por exemplo, elas seriam mais inovadoras e se arriscariam mais do que atores estatais. Contudo, há um conhecimento limitado sobre para quem as fundações doam e como elas o fazem uma falta de análises empíricas e sistemáticas que corroborem aquelas premissas e demonstrem como fundações realmente atuam. Quando se trata de filantropia para o meio ambiente, há uma lacuna de conhecimento ainda maior, uma vez que boa parte da literatura existente se baseia em temas como saúde. O objetivo desta pesquisa é investigar as tendências e padrões na distribuição de doações internacionais para o desenvolvimento do meio ambiente feitas por organizações filantrópicas, assim como, as abordagens utilizadas por essas organizações; e se elas são motivadas pelas necessidades de seus recipientes. Esta pesquisa faz isso por meio de uma análise das práticas de doação aos projetos ambientais de três fundações norte-americanas atuantes no Brasil: Charles Stewart Mott Foundation; Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation; The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. Os objetivos são (i) descrever sistematicamente e categorizar as fundações estudadas; (ii) compreender as prioridades e estratégias adotadas por essas fundações internacionais quando apoiam causas ambientais no Brasil; (iii) examinar as principais práticas das fundações por meio de uma análise das suas doações para organizações brasileiras (o que as fundações fazem); (iv) analisar como as prioridades, estratégias e práticas das fundações se relacionam aos pressupostos sobre o seu comportamento encontrados na literatura sobre cooperação para o desenvolvimento internacional; (v) determinar até que ponto as necessidades dos recipientes motivam as doações das fundações. A pesquisa descobriu que o comportamento de grandes organizações filantrópicas tem muito mais em comum com o comportamento de doadores tradicionais do que a literatura sugere, incluindo uma tendência a aversão ao risco. Também foi descoberto que, apesar de as fundações levarem em conta a necessidade dos seus recipientes, elas o fazem por meio de um paternalismo altruísta que exerce um alto nível de controle sobre o que é feito e como é feito. Para manter um relacionamento com as fundações, organizações recipientes devem constantemente monitorar as mudanças estratégicas e estruturais das fundações, que evoluem frequentemente