Scabies in the Philippines: A Secondary Analysis of Local Patient Registries.

Background: Scabies is the second most common cause of disability among skin diseases in the Philippines as of 2019. There is no large nationwide study describing the epidemiologic profile of scabies in the country.

Objective: This study aimed to describe the demographic, seasonal, and geographic profile of scabies in the Philippines.

Single cell analysis in head and neck cancer reveals potential immune evasion mechanisms during early metastasis.

Profiling tumors at single-cell resolution provides an opportunity to understand complexities underpinning lymph-node metastases in head and neck squamous-cell carcinoma. Single-cell RNAseq (scRNAseq) analysis of cancer-cell trajectories identifies a subpopulation of pre-metastatic cells, driven by actionable pathways including AXL and AURK. Blocking these two proteins blunts tumor invasion in patient-derived cultures.

Distribution of pericellular matrix molecules in the temporomandibular joint and their chondroprotective effects against inflammation.

The objectives of this study were to (1) determine the distribution and synthesis of pericellular matrix (PCM) molecules (collagen VI, collagen IV and laminin) in rat temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and (2) investigate the effects of PCM molecules on chondrocytes against inflammation in osteoarthritis. Four zones (fibrous, proliferating, mature and hypertrophic) of condylar cartilage and three bands (anterior, intermediate and posterior) of disc were analysed by immunohistochemistry for the presence of PCM molecules in rat TMJs. Isolated chondrocytes were pre-treated with PCM molecules before being subjected to interleukin (IL)-1β treatment to stimulate inflammation.

Erosive esophagitis in the Philippines: a comparison between two time periods.

Background: In Asia, the incidence of gastroesophageal reflux disease diagnosed through endoscopy has increased from 3-9% to 14-16% in the last decade. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of erosive esophagitis (EE) over a span of 10 years in a tertiary care facility in the Philippines.

Methods: All patients diagnosed with EE from 1994 to 1997 (period A) and from 2000 to 2003 (period B) were included in the study.

Changing trends in peptic ulcer prevalence in a tertiary care setting in the Philippines: a seven-year study.

Background And Aims: The declining global prevalence of peptic ulcer disease (PUD) might be because of the decreasing prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection. The aims of the present study were to determine the prevalence of PUD during a 7-year period and to investigate its relationship with the prevalence of Hp infection during the same period.

Methods: All upper gastrointestinal endoscopies carried out at Santo Tomas Hospital in Manila from January 1996 to December 2002 were evaluated.