19 research outputs found
L'ombra della libertà. Corpo e materia nel pensiero di Origene
No full textA partire da un'analisi della terminologia riguardante il corpo e la materia in Origene, se ne individuano e descrivono le caratteristiche dal punto di vista filosofico. Viene proposta una soluzione al problema dell'incorporeità finale delle creature a partire dalla discussione dei testi. Le creature saranno incorporee, le funzioni corporee fondamentali saranno assunte dal Figlio e la materia esisterà solo come potenzialità insita nella libertà creaturale.
Starting with an analysis of Origen's terms for "body" and "matter", their main philosophical characters are described. A solution to the problem of the final incorporeality of creatures is put forth based on the discussion of relevant texts. Creatures will be incorporeal, the Son of God will provide them with fundamental bodily functions and matter will exist only as a potentiality inherent to creatures' freedo
Poems on Bishops by Gregory of Nazianzus and Ephrem the Syrian
No full textThis study is the first extensive comparison of poems by Gregory of Nazianzus and Ephrem the Syrian focused on their form, imagery and literary strategies. The poems selected have historical significance thanks to their common theme: Gregory and Ephrem are the first to write verse on bishops in Greek and Syriac respectively. A new English translation of the texts is appended to the study
Vita di mor Augin
No full textLa "Vita di mor Augin" è una leggenda agiografica, patrimonio delle Chiese cristiane orientali di lingua siriaca, che narra le vicende del santo e dei suoi compagni, facitori di miracoli e fondatori di monasteri. Mor Augin, ovvero sant’Eugenio, vissuto secondo la tradizione nel IV secolo, nacque in Egitto. Dapprima pescatore di perle, divenne monaco presso il cenobio di san Pacomio, da dove poi migrò con settanta discepoli diretto verso la regione dell’alta Mesopotamia, intorno alla città di Nisibi, ora Nusaybin (Turchia). Con la sua compagnia risanò miracolosamente malati, risuscitò defunti, ebbe a che fare con santi ed empi, deboli e potenti, sovrani amici e nemici. Si meritò l’appellativo di “secondo Cristo” e un suo sedicente discepolo ne scrisse la "Vita" in lingua siriaca, un racconto che divenne la tradizione fondante del monachesimo nella regione chiamata Tur ʿAbdin, la “montagna dei servi”, ovvero la regione della Turchia sud-orientale che è tuttora patria di cristiani di lingua aramaica siriaca. Questa traduzione in italiano della "Vita" siriaca, opera di un gruppo di studenti e docenti di lingua siriaca e storia dell'arte che hanno viaggiato nella regione nel 2020, è presentata in forma semplice, cioè senza apparato di introduzioni storiche e letterarie, né annotazioni, confidando che così com’è, avvincente e anacronistica, possa servire da chiave d’ingresso nell’agiografia siriaca. Il libretto contiene in appendice una breve guida storico-artistica del monastero di Mor Augin, sulla Montagna di Izlo, a nord-est di Nusaybin, fondato secondo la tradizione dal santo e tuttora abitato da monaci
Vaccination and Antiviral Treatment Reduce the Time to Negative SARS-CoV-2 Swab: A Real-Life Study
No full textClinical trials demonstrated the role of vaccines and antiviral treatments against SARS-CoV-2 in reducing the likelihood of disease progression and death. However, there are limited data available regarding the time to negativity of people who received these treatments. Further, several comorbidities and risk factors might affect the impact of vaccines and antiviral treatments. To this end, we aimed to evaluate and disentangle the impact of anti-SARS-CoV-2 treatments and that of underlying clinical factors associated with a shortened length of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Hence, we recorded the timeframe of positive nasopharyngeal swab in people infected while being hospitalized for reasons other than SARS-CoV-2 infection. All patients who died or were discharged with a positive swab were excluded from the study. A total of 175 patients were included in this study. Clinical conditions encompass malignancies, immunological disorders, cardiovascular, metabolic, neurodegenerative, and chronic kidney disease. Most of the participants (91.4%) were vaccinated before admission to the hospital, and 65.1% received antiviral treatment within three days after the symptom’s onset. Unvaccinated patients had a longer median time to negativity than people who received at least two doses of vaccine (18 vs. 10 days). Concerning the clinical conditions of all patients, multivariate analysis highlighted a lower probability of 14-day conversion of antigenic test positivity in patients with hematological malignancy, including those vaccinated and those exposed to antiviral therapies. In conclusion, our data showed that prompt administration of antiviral treatments accelerates the clearance of SARS-CoV-2. Further, in the elderly patients under study, previous vaccination and antiviral treatment synergize to reduce time to negativity. This translates into a shorter hospitalization time and a lower risk of transmission through patients and connected healthcare workers in a hospital ward setting, with considerable improvement in cost-effective care management
Is the 4C Score Still a Valid Item to Predict In-Hospital Mortality in People with SARS-CoV-2 Infections in the Omicron Variant Era?
No full textSince the start of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, several scores have been proposed to identify infected individuals at a higher risk of progression and death. The most famous is the 4C score. However, it was developed in early 2020. Our study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of the 4C score during the wave in which the Omicron variant was prevalent. An observational study was conducted at an Italian University Hospital between 1 January and 31 July 2022. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to evaluate the ability of the 4C score to predict mortality. Overall, 1186 people were recruited, of which 160 (13.5%) died. According to the 4C score, 177 (11.6%) were classified as having a low risk of mortality, 302 (25.5%) were intermediate, 596 (50.3%) were high, and 151 (12.7%) were very high. The ROC curve of the 4C score showed an AUC (95% CI) value of 0.78 (0.74–0.82). At the criterion value of > 10, the sensitivity was 76.2% and the specificity was 62.67%. Similar to previous studies, the 4C mortality score performed well in our sample, and it is still a useful tool for clinicians to identify patients with a high risk of progression. However, clinicians must be aware that the mortality rate reported in the original studies was higher than that observed in our study
Impact of Early SARS-CoV-2 Antiviral Therapy on Disease Progression
No full textSince the start of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, several treatments have been proposed to prevent the progression of the disease. Currently, three antiviral (molnupiravir, nirmaltrevir/r, remdesivir) and two monoclonal antibodies (casirivimab/imdevimab and sotrovimab) are available in Italy. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the presence of risk factors associated with disease progression. We conducted a retrospective cohort study, including all patients with a confirmed diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 evaluated between 01/01/2022 ad 10/05/2022 by our Unit of Infectious Diseases in Sassari. We defined disease progression as the necessity of starting O2 therapy. According to AIFA (Italian Medicines Agency) indications, preventive treatment was prescribed in patients with recent symptoms onset (≤five days), no need for oxygen supplementation, and risk factors for disease progression. Subgroup differences in quantitative variables were evaluated using Student’s t-test. Pearson chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests were used to assess differences for qualitative variables. Multivariate logistic regression modelling was performed to determine factors associated with progression. A two-tailed p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. All statistical analyses were performed with STATA version 17 (StataCorp, College Station, TX, USA). We included 1145 people with SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis, of which 336 (29.3%) developed severe disease with oxygen supplementation. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, age, dementia, haematologic tumors, heart failure, dyspnoea or fever at first evaluation, having ground glass opacities or consolidation at the first CT scan, and bacteria coinfection were associated with an increased risk of disease progression. Vaccination (at least two doses) and early treatment with antiviral or monoclonal antibodies were associated with a lower risk of disease progression. In conclusion, our study showed that vaccination and early treatment with antiviral and/or monoclonal antibodies significantly reduce the risk of disease progression
Reduced risk of death in people with SARS-CoV-2 infection treated with remdesivir: a nested case-control study
No full textIntroduction Since the start of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, several treatment options have been proposed (e.g. steroids, heparin, antivirals and monoclonal antibodies). Remdesivir was the first antiviral approved for the treatment of COVID-19, even though controversial evidence exists concerning the efficacy. Therefore, we aimed to conduct a study to evaluate whether the use of remdesivir was associated with lower mortality in patients with COVID-19. Methods We conducted a nested case-control study of a retrospective cohort collecting medical records of people with SARS-CoV-2 infection admitted in the infectious Disease Unit of Sassari University Hospital (S.C. Clinica di Malattie Infettive, AOU di Sassari, Italy), or in the Infectious Disease Unit of Foggia (AOU "Ospedali Riuniti" Foggia), between 1 July 2020 and 10 November 2021. The outcome considered was death; thus, we matched death (cases) to survivors (controls) by sex and age (1:1). Results We included in the study 342 patients, with 171 deaths (cases) and 171 survivors (controls). Remdesivir was administered to 60 people in the control group and to 18 people in the case group (35.1% vs. 10.5%, p < .0001). In the multivariate analysis, treatment with remdesivir and heparin was associated with lower mortality (OR: 0.19 [95% CI :0.10-0.38], p p = .004, respectively). On the contrary, diabetes, oxygen therapy and CPAP/NIV were associated with higher mortality. Conclusion Our study showed lower mortality in people with SARS-CoV-2 infection treated with remdesivir
Incidence and burden of long COVID in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis
No full textLong COVID, also known as "post-acute sequelae of COVID-19," affects at least 65 million individuals worldwide with a wide spectrum of symptoms that may last weeks, months, or permanently. Its epidemiology and burden in Africa are unclear. This meta-analysis examines long-term COVID-19 effects in the WHO African Region. A systematic search in several databases was carried out up to 12 February 2023 including observational studies from African countries reporting the cumulative incidence of long COVID signs and symptoms. Only studies conducted in African countries were included. Several sensitivity and meta-regression analyses were performed. Among 1547 papers initially screened, 25 were included, consisting of 29,213 participants. The incidence of any long COVID symptomatology was 48.6% (95% CI 37.4-59.8) as psychiatric conditions were the most frequent, particularly post-traumatic stress disorder reaching a cumulative incidence of 25% (95% CI 21.1-30.4). Higher age (p = 0.027) and hospitalization (p = 0.05) were associated with a higher frequency of long COVID. Long COVID poses a significant burden in Africa, particularly concerning psychiatric conditions. The study recommends identifying at-risk people and defining treatment strategies and recommendations for African long-COVID patients. High-quality studies addressing this condition in African setting are urgently needed
O controle social da adolescência brasileira: gênese e sentidos do Estatuto da Criança e do Adolescente
No full textTese (doutorado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro de Filosofia e Ciências Humanas, Programa de Pós-Graduação Interdisciplinar em Ciências Humanas, Florianópolis, 2009O Estatuto da Criança e do Adolescente é o instrumento jurídico que fixa os direitos e os deveres de seres humanos de 0 a 18 anos de idade. Promulgado em 1990, no Brasil, veio substituir o Código de Menores de 1979. O presente trabalho propõe uma reflexão sobre a gênese e os sentidos do Estatuto, buscando identificar as origens históricas dos preceitos estabelecidos na lei, com destaque para as concepções de proteção e punição, nas quais se fundamentam as justificativas e as ações de controle social da adolescência brasileira. Para tanto, num primeiro momento se estabelece uma análise crítica da construção do sistema penal juvenil brasileiro a partir de breve descrição histórica das leis sobre infância e juventude, desde seus antecedentes no Brasil-colônia, sua consolidação no período republicano, até a formulação do Estatuto da Criança e do Adolescente, da qual se destacam o controle da pobreza e o caráter tutelar da legislação menorista. Num segundo momento se discutem os paradoxos presentes tanto no texto legal, quanto nos discursos que acompanharam a sua formulação. Parte-se da construção do conceito de adolescência na modernidade ocidental, para entender sua relação com as idéias de desenvolvimento e cuidado e a conseqüente biopolítica relativa a essa população. Com as aproximações de uma definição sobre o que seja adolescência surge um discussão do conceito de transgressão que, desde os primeiros estudos, aparece associado a essa fase da vida humana. Tais discussões tomam por base as formulações teóricas da psicanálise sobre a estruturação do psiquismo. Segue-se uma análise do processo de elaboração do Estatuto da Criança e do Adolescente, tomando por base documentos obtidos nos arquivos do Senado Federal e da Câmara dos Deputados, nos quais estão registrados os debates ocorridos durante a tramitação do Projeto de Lei SF PLS 00193/1989 e do Projeto de Lei PL 5172/1990 que resultaram, no final de suas tramitações, na lei 8069, o Estatuto da Criança e do Adolescente. O estudo realizado permite concluir que, para além do que apregoa o discurso hegemônico, que considera essa Lei um grande avanço jurídico e social na proteção da infância e da adolescência brasileiras, e representa uma mudança legislativa no que se refere a direitos e garantias processuais a essa faixa da população, se deve afirmar que o Estatuto da Criança e do Adolescente não constitui, de fato, uma ruptura com os ideais modernos, caracterizáveis como biopoder, nos quais se fundamentaram as legislações menoristas brasileiras anteriores a ele, mantendo-se como instrumento jurídico de controle social da adolescência
How Little Do We Know about HIV and STIs Prevention? Results from a Web-Based Survey among the General Population
No full textBackground: Prevention campaigns have led to a significant decrease in new HIV diagnoses in Western Europe, while other sexual transmitted infections (STIs) have shown an opposite trend. Several educational programs are promoted among young students, whereas informational campaigns addressing the general population are scarce. We aimed to investigate the level of awareness regarding STIs among the general population. Methods: We proposed a questionnaire regarding STIs and HIV to the general population in Italy. We assigned 1 point to correct, 0.5 point to partially correct, and 0 point to wrong answers. We collected data about age, sex, region of origin, level of education and whether they were health workers. Results: Overall, 2183 people answered the questionnaire, of which 555 aged over 50 years old. Being male, older than 50 years old, retired or unemployed, not educated, and no regular use of condoms were associated with lower scores. Only 16% of participants knew the Undetectable = Untransmittable (U = U) campaign. Overall, 2131 (97.6%) people think more educational campaigns should be offered. Of interest, 80% said the questionnaire led them to learn more about HIV and STIs. Conclusion: Our study reveals several gaps in general population awareness about HIV and STIs, especially among people aged over 50 years old. Most participants stated that the questionnaire was a learning opportunity. These data suggest that improvement of knowledge could start from easy-to-dispose medium, such as surveys and questionnaires delivered through social media. Furthermore, particular attention should be paid to population segmentation and campaign tailoring to enhance interventions effectiveness. Our data reinforce the need for more informational and educational campaigns tailored to the specific segments of the population
