Five Cases of Non-radiographic Spondyloarthritis (nr-SpA) of Patients from a Tertiary Care Center in the Philippines: A Case Series.

Axial Spondyloarthritis (SpA) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the spine associated with the gene HLA-B27. Non-radiographic spondyloarthritis (nr-SpA), an early stage of axial SpA often goes unrecognized in many settings including the Philippines. We describe five Filipinos from a tertiary health care facility who fulfill the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society (ASAS) 2009 criteria for non-radiographic SpA with the aim of increasing awareness of this disease in the Philippines.

Philippine guidelines on the dietary primary prevention of allergic diseases in children.

Background: In response to the continual increase in the prevalence of pediatric allergic diseases in the Philippines, the Philippine Society of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (PSAAI) and the Philippine Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (PSPGHAN) have published guidelines on the dietary prevention of allergic diseases in children.

Objective: This guideline aims to update the previous guideline recommendations for clinicians on the use of dietary interventions for the prevention of allergic disease in children.

Methods: Following the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach specified in the Department of Health Manual for Clinical Practice Guidelines development, we systematically searched for and appraised clinical practice guidelines and systematic reviews on topics formulated and prioritized by a Steering Committee, which comprised of members of the PSAAI and PSPGHAN.

Initiating or Switching to Insulin Degludec/Insulin Aspart in Adults With Type 2 Diabetes in the Philippines: Results from a Prospective, Non-interventional, Real-World Study.

Objective: Blood glucose levels of the majority of Filipino patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) remain uncontrolled. Insulin degludec/insulin aspart (IDegAsp) is a fixed-ratio co-formulation of the long-acting basal insulin degludec and the rapidacting prandial insulin aspart. The real-world ARISE (A Ryzodeg Initiation and Switch Effectiveness) study investigated clinical outcomes across six countries in people with T2D who initiated IDegAsp.

Better Early: Critical Windows in Brain and Cognitive Development.

The first 3 years of life are when dynamic neurodevelopmental processes unfold. This is marked by sensitive or critical windows of opportunities, during which the young brain is both adaptable and vulnerable. Factors like nutrient deficiencies and inadequate environmental stimulation are more likely to negatively impact early brain development, especially when necessary and timely identification and intervention are not put in place.

Outcome of Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Asian Children: A Multinational One-year Follow-up Study.

Background: Epidemiological data on pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (PIBD) have been reported in Asian countries. However, short-term follow-up data, especially in Southeast Asian countries, are limited.

Purpose: Analyze and compare the baseline and 1-year follow-up (1FU) data for PIBD in Asian children.

Targeting Myeloperoxidase to Reduce Neuroinflammation in X-Linked Dystonia Parkinsonism.

Aims: Although the genetic locus of X-linked dystonia parkinsonism (XDP), a neurodegenerative disease endemic in the Philippines, is well-characterized, the exact mechanisms leading to neuronal loss are not yet fully understood. Recently, we demonstrated an increase in myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels in XDP postmortem prefrontal cortex (PFC), suggesting a role for inflammation in XDP pathogenesis. Therefore, we hypothesized that inhibiting MPO could provide a therapeutic strategy for XDP.

Severe intraprosthetic aortic insufficiency immediately after implantation of a SAPIEN 3 Ultra RESILIA valve with spontaneous resolution: case report.

Background: Aortic insufficiency (AI) is often encountered in transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) but is only rarely haemodynamically significant. Even more uncommon is the occurrence of intraprosthetic AI that often leads to haemodynamic compromise requiring additional therapeutic intervention.

Case Summary: An 85-year-old female with severe aortic stenosis underwent elective TAVR with a size 23 mm SAPIEN 3 Ultra RESILIA (S3UR) valve.

Current Pediatric Endoscopy Training Situation in the Asia-Pacific Region: A Collaborative Survey by the Asian Pan-Pacific Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition Endoscopy Scientific Subcommittee.

Purpose: To date, there is no region-specific guideline for pediatric endoscopy training. This study aimed to illustrate the current status of pediatric endoscopy training in Asia-Pacific region and identify opportunities for improvement.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey, using a standardized electronic questionnaire, was conducted among medical schools in the Asia-Pacific region in January 2024.

Sparing confirmatory testing in primary aldosteronism (SCIPA): a multicenter retrospective diagnostic accuracy study.

Background: The diagnosis of primary aldosteronism (PA) is comprehensive, which includes case-detection testing, case confirmation followed by subtype classification. In certain instances, such as in the setting of spontaneous hypokalemia, suppressed renin activity (PRA) plus plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) of > 15 ng/dL, one may not proceed with confirmatory tests. However, the quality of evidence behind this approach is very low.

A novel method of bilateral biliary decompression by EUS-guided hepaticogastrostomy with bridging stenting using the partial stent-in-stent method for reintervention of multiple metal stent failure.

Video 1A novel method of bilateral biliary decompression by EUS-guided hepaticogastrostomy with bridging stenting using the partial stent-in-stent method for reintervention of multiple metal stent failure.We report a case in which anterior and posterior drainage was performed using the partial stent-in-stent method via the transpapillary approach. The patient had a bismuth type IV biliary obstruction, but only the right hepatic lobe was drained due to obstruction of the left portal vein.

Stability of Mosaic Divergent Repeat Interruptions in X-Linked Dystonia-Parkinsonism.

Background: X-Linked dystonia-parkinsonism (XDP) is an adult-onset neurodegenerative disorder characterized by rapidly progressive dystonia and parkinsonism. Mosaic Divergent Repeat Interruptions affecting motif Length and Sequence (mDRILS) were recently found within the TAF1 SVA repeat tract and were shown to associate with repeat stability and age at onset in XDP, specifically the AGGG [5'-SINE-VNTR-Alu(AGAGGG)AGGG(AGAGGG)] mDRILS.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the stability of mDRILS frequencies and stability of (AGAGGG) repeat length during transmission in parent-offspring pairs.

Incidence and factors associated with stent dysfunction and pancreatitis after gastroduodenal stenting for malignant gastric outlet obstruction.

Endoscopic gastroduodenal stent (GDS) deployment is currently a standard treatment for malignant gastric outlet obstruction (mGOO) in patients with limited life expectancy; however, stent dysfunction (SD) and complicated pancreatitis often occur after GDS deployment. We investigated incidence and contributing factors of SD and complicated pancreatitis. We retrospectively reviewed 203 patients who underwent initial GDS deployment for palliation of mGOO symptoms between October 2017 and July 2022, including 109 who underwent GDS deployment across the duodenal papilla (sub-cohort).