Although air pollution is well known to be harmful to the lung and airways, it can also damage most other organ systems of the body. It is estimated that about 500,000 lung cancer deaths and 1.6 million COPD deaths can be attributed to air pollution, but air pollution may also account for 19% of all... cardiovascular deaths and 21% of all stroke deaths. Air pollution has been linked to other malignancies, such as bladder cancer and childhood leukemia. Lung development in childhood is stymied with exposure to air pollutants, and poor lung development in children predicts lung impairment in adults. Air pollution is associated with reduced cognitive function and increased risk of dementia. Particulate matter in the air (particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter < 2.5 μm) is associated with delayed psychomotor development and lower child intelligence. Studies link air pollution with diabetes mellitus prevalence, morbidity, and mortality. Pollution affects the immune system and is associated with allergic rhinitis, allergic sensitization, and autoimmunity. It is also associated with osteoporosis and bone fractures, conjunctivitis, dry eye disease, blepharitis, inflammatory bowel disease, increased intravascular coagulation, and decreased glomerular filtration rate. Atopic and urticarial skin disease, acne, and skin aging are linked to air pollution. Air pollution is controllable and, therefore, many of these adverse health effects can be prevented.
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Background
The core clinical symptoms of addiction include an enhanced incentive for drug taking (craving), impaired self-control (impulsivity and compulsivity), emotional dysregulation (negative mood) and increased stress reactivity. Symptoms related to impaired self-control involve reduced activi...ty in anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), adjacent prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and other brain areas. Behavioral training such as mindfulness meditation can increase the function of control networks including those leading to improved emotion regulation and thus may be a promising approach for the treatment of addiction.
Methods
In a series of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), we tested whether increased ACC/mPFC activity is related to better self-control abilities in executive functions, emotion regulation and stress response in healthy and addicted populations. After a brief mindfulness training (Integrative Body-Mind Training, IBMT), we used the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) and Profile of Mood States (POMS) to measure emotion regulation, salivary cortisol for the stress response and fMRI for brain functional and DTI structural changes. Relaxation training was used to serve as an active control.
Results
In both smokers and nonsmokers, improved self-control abilities in emotion regulation and stress reduction were found after training and these changes were related to increased ACC/mPFC activity following training. Compared with nonsmokers, smokers showed reduced ACC/mPFC activity in the self-control network before training, and these deficits were ameliorated after training.
Conclusions
These results indicate that promoting emotion regulation and improving ACC/mPFC brain activity can help for addiction prevention and treatment.
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The article "An Official ATS Workshop Report: Issues in Screening for Asthma in Children" summarizes discussions from a workshop organized by the American Thoracic Society (ATS) on the challenges of asthma screening in children. The report reviews the effectiveness of population-based asthma screeni...ng programs, highlights the limitations of current methods, and discusses case detection as an alternative. It assesses asthma's impact as a public health issue, explores the feasibility of screening tests, and examines the economic and practical challenges. The workshop concludes that broad population-based screening may not be justified without better evidence and targeted efforts to improve follow-up care and treatment access.
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The article discusses the success of the Global Alliance against Chronic Respiratory Diseases (GARD) in Brazil. It details the initiatives launched to address chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) like asthma and COPD, emphasizing the development of national programs and collaborative efforts with the... World Health Organization (WHO). Key achievements include successful advocacy, education campaigns, and pilot projects for asthma control, which have led to improved access to treatment and better management of CRDs. Despite challenges such as limited government priority, GARD Brazil has made significant progress in awareness and care for respiratory conditions. The article highlights the need for continued support to sustain these efforts and develop a formal national action plan.
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Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B (2010) 365, 2959–2971; doi:10.1098/rstb.2010.0143.
Agricultural ecosystems provide humans with food, forage, bioenergy and pharmaceuticals and are essential to human wellbeing. These systems rely on ecosystem services provided by natural ecosystems, including pollination, b...iological pest control, maintenance of soil structure and fertility, nutrient cycling and hydrological services. Preliminary assessments indicate that the value of these ecosystem services to agriculture is enormous and often underappreciated. Agroecosystems also produce a variety of ecosystem services, such as regulation of soil and water quality, carbon sequestration, support for biodiversity and cultural services. Depending on management practices, agriculture can also be the source of numerous disservices, including loss of wildlife habitat, nutrient runoff, sedimentation of waterways, greenhouse gas emissions, and pesticide poisoning of humans and non-target species. The tradeoffs that may occur between provisioning services and other ecosystem services and disservices should be evaluated in terms of spatial scale, temporal scale and reversibility. As more effective methods for valuing ecosystem services become available, the potential for ‘win–win’ scenarios increases. Under all scenarios, appropriate agricultural management practices are critical to realizing the benefits of ecosystem services and reducing disservices from agricultural activities.
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To support its R&D activities on Chagas disease, DNDi launched the Chagas Clinical Research Platform (CCRP). The platform brings together partners, experts, and stakeholders to provide support for evaluation and development of new treatments for Chagas disease. The patient-centred platform aims to f...acilitate clinical research, provide a forum for technical discussions, develop a critical mass of expertise, and strengthen institutional research capacities. In addition, it identifies and reviews priority needs, works towards standardization of methodology to assess drug efficacy and reviews alternatives for using current approved drugs (new schemes, doses, combination) and special scenarios (resistance).
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Esta publicación está dirigida a profesionales en formación o con práctica en salud mental y no para el público general. Las opiniones vertidas en este libro son de responsabilidad de sus autores y no representan necesariamente el punto de vista del Editor o de IAC...APAP. Esta publicación busca describir los mejores tratamientos y las prácticas basadas en la evidencia científica disponible en el tiempo en que se escribió, tal como fueron evaluadas por los autores, y éstas pueden cambiar como resultado de una nueva investigación. Los lectores deberán aplicar este conocimiento a los pacientes de acuerdo con las directrices y leyes de cada país en el que ejercen profesionalmente. Algunos medicamentos puede que no estén disponibles en algunos países por lo que los lectores deberán consultar la información específica del fármaco debido a que ni se mencionan todas las dosis ni todos los efectos no deseados. Las citas de organizaciones, publicaciones y enlaces de sitios de Internet tienen la finalidad de ilustrar situaciones o se enlazan como una fuente adicional de información; lo que no significa que los autores, el editor o IACAPAP
avalen su contenido o recomendaciones, que deberán ser analizadas de manera crítica por el lector. Los sitios de Internet, a su vez, también pueden cambiar o dejar de existir.
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One of the 16 Pledge commitments asked CEOs to “[r]ecognize the immediate and long-term effects sexual abuse, exploitation, and harassment have on [NGO] staff and the people [they] serve, and [to] … ensure [their] organizations have robust policies and funded mechanisms to provide the necessary ...support.”
However, there has been no standard to date in the provision of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (SEAH) survivor support across organizations. In practice, this means that a survivor may receive a different level and standard of care depending on which organization employed the perpetrator. Additionally, the lack of clear standards has resulted in confusion among humanitarian and development organizations regarding an organization’s responsibility to a survivor of SEAH.
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Dieser Film ist ein Informationsfilm für Flüchtlinge in Deutschland. Es geht um die Anhörung beim Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge. Die Anhörung ist ein Gespräch während dem man seine Fluchtgeschichte erzählt. Es ist der zentrale Moment eines*r jeden Asylsuchenden. Denn danach wird ...entschieden, ob man als Flüchtling anerkannt wird, oder nicht. Du kannst das Video frei nutzen, teilen und jeder*m zeigen, dem es hilfreich sein könnte. Es steht dir in 14 Sprachen zur Verfügung. Weiterführende Links zu Beratungsstellen findest du auf der nächsten Seite. Der Film ersetzt keine ausführliche rechtliche Beratung und ist eine Erstinformation.
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n light of the potential risk posed by SARS-CoV-2 variants, in January 2021 WHO organized an ad hoc consultation to discuss the development of an R&D agenda in response to existing and emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants.
The key objectives were to identify the critical research questions related to var...iants and agree on a research approach to address them. Six breakout groups covered a range of specific issues related to COVID-19 variants: Epidemiology and mathematical modelling; evolutionary biology; animal models; assays and diagnostics; clinical management and therapeutics; and vaccines.
This report is a summary of presentations and panel discussions.
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The website for the COPD Foundation in South Africa provides information and resources dedicated to raising awareness, improving education, and supporting individuals affected by Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Managed by the C.A.R.E.S. Group (COPD Advocacy, Research, Education, Suppor...t), the site aims to advocate for better COPD management and care. It includes guidance for patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals, along with updates on research, events, and programs to enhance COPD treatment and support throughout South Africa.
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The World Health Organization was requested by Member States to develop a global priority pathogens list (global PPL) of antibiotic-resistant bacteria to help in prioritizing the research and development (R&D) of new and effective antibiotic treatments. To date, the selection of pathogens for R&D ac...tivities has been largely guided by small and large pharmaceutical companies according to a variety of parameters, such as perceived/unmet medical need, pressure of investors, market size, scientific discovery potential, and availability of specific technologies. Previous PPLs, issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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Im Ausland zu leben und zu arbeiten, ist eine Gelegenheit, eine vollkommen andere Lebens-weise kennenzulernen. Als zurückgekehrte/-r Freiwillige/-r der Entwicklungszusammenarbeit kannst du diesen Erfahrungsschatz nutzen, um zu Hause bei anderen Menschen ein Bewusstsein für globale Themen zu schaff...en. Durch die Mit-arbeit an einem Projekt während deines Freiwilli-gendienstes hast du eine praktische Sichtweise auf die Auswirkungen und Ursachen von Armut und sozialer Ungerechtigkeit gewonnen, die viele andere nicht haben. Das macht dich als Vermitt-lerIn zwischen dem globalen Süden und Norden glaubwürdig und als BerichterstatterIn authen-tisch. Worin entwicklungspolitisches Engagement von Deutschland aus bestehen kann, dazu möchte dieses Handbuch Anregungen geben.
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Context and impact of the crisis
A year after the signing of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS),1 the ceasefire holds in most parts of the country. Armed conflict between State security forces and opposition armed groups has been contained to a sma...ll number of areas in the Equatorias where Government forces continue to clash with non-signatories to the agreement. Many areas are seeing intra- and inter-communal violence, enabled by small-arms proliferation and weak rule of law. This is often driven by resource scarcity in areas that have experienced years of severe food insecurity.
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In 2021 ACT-Accelerator will intensify its drive for equity and scale in the delivery of essential COVID-19 tools, while managing emerging viral risks. To address these major shifts and maintain momentum, ACT-Accelerator has defined four strategic priorities for 2021: Rapidly scale up the delivery o...f at least 2 billion doses of vaccines. Bolster R&D, evaluations & regulatory pathways to optimize products and address variants. Stimulate rapid and effective uptake and use of COVID-19 tests, treatments, and PPE. Ensure a robust pipeline of essential tests, treatments, and PPE.
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Elsevier Provides Free Online Access to Medical Information for West African Countries Stricken with Ebola Outbreak
To support healthcare professionals in West Africa battling the Ebola outbreak, Elsevier [http://www.elsevier.com/] will provide free access to its primary online clinical infomation ...and reference tool, ClinicalKey. The African countries that are part of this free r-
ClinicalKey access program include the four in West Africa currently affected –Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Guinea –plus other African countries where the outbreak has the potential to spread, including Cameroon, Central African Republic, Ghana, Angola, Togo, United Republic of Tanzania, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Burundi, Equatorial Guinea, Madagascar and Malawi. All IPs originating from these countries will be granted free access for the next two months
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Im November 2016 verabschiedete die deutsche Bundesregierung den Klimaschutzplan 2050. Ziel dieser Langfriststrategie ist es, bis zum Jahr 2050 weitgehend treibhausgasneutral zu sein. BildungsCent e.V. entwickelte im Auftrag des Bundesministeriums für Umwelt, Naturschutz und nukleare Sicherheit... Aus- und Fortbildungseinheiten für Lehrer*innen zum Klimaschutzplan.
Die Materialien enthalten eine Vielzahl an handlungsorientierten Vorschlägen, wie der Klimaschutzplan 2050 mit Schüler*innen behandelt werden kann. Es geht sowohl um den Kontext internationaler und nationaler Klimapolitik wie auch den Klimaschutz auf allen gesellschaftlichen Ebenen bis zur individuellen Ebene.
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Le Cadre de compétences en réadaptation (CCR) est un modèle qui présente les
performances attendues ou souhaitées pour les effectifs de réadaptation dans les
différentes professions, spécialisations et les différents contextes afin d’offrir des soins
et une prestation de services de qu...alité. Il inclut un certain nombre de composantes
complémentaires et interconnectées, en particulier :
• les valeurs et les croyances essentielles ;
• les compétences et les comportements à travers lesquels elles s’expriment ;
• les activités et les tâches qu’elles comprennent ; et
• les connaissances et les habilités.
À l’exception des valeurs et des croyances essentielles, ces composantes sont organisées
en cinq domaines : pratique (P), professionnalisme (PM), apprentissage et développement
(AD), management et leadership (ML) et recherche (R), et couvrent la vaste portée du travail
de réadaptation
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The slow global response to the Ebola crisis in west Africa suggests that important gaps exist in donor financing for key global functions, such as support for health research and development for diseases of poverty and strengthening of outbreak preparedness. In this Health Policy, we use the Intern...ational Development Statistics databases to quantify donor support for such functions. We classify donor funding for health into aid for global functions (provision of global public goods, management of cross-border externalities, and fostering of leadership and stewardship) versus country-specific aid. We use a new measure of donor funding that combines official development assistance (ODA) for health with additional donor spending on research and development (R&D) for diseases of poverty.
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WHO convened the fifth stakeholders meeting on the elimination of HAT due to infection with Trypanosoma brucei gambiense (g-HAT) and Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense (r-HAT) in Geneva, Switzerland, on 7–9 June 2023. The meeting was held again in person after the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandem...ic and jointly for both forms of the disease. The previous meetings on g-HAT held in 2014, 2016 and 2018, as well as on r-HAT in 2015, 2017 and 2019, and jointly for g-HAT and r-HAT in 2021 (8) reinforced the partnership and commitment for HAT elimination and structured the mechanisms of collaboration within the WHO network for HAT elimination. The network includes NSSCPs, groups developing new tools, international and nongovernmental organizations involved in disease control, and donors.
Fewer than 1000 cases of HAT annually have been reported over the past 5 years, which is a historic achievement. The area at risk has been substantially reduced. The elimination of HAT as a public health problem at the global level has been achieved.
The new road map for neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) 2021−2030 (“the road map”) with the target to interrupt the transmission of g-HAT requires the strengthened and sustained efforts of all stakeholders, national authorities and partners, under WHO coordination. It will take disproportionally high efforts and innovative strategies to find the last cases of g-HAT and neutralize its transmission. Given the limited resources and other competing public health priorities, this is a challenge that requires our joint commitment.
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