Comprehensive HIV knowledge, stigma and associated sexual risk behaviors among sexually active adolescent girls and young women in the Philippines.

This study aims to investigate how comprehensive HIV knowledge, stigma and sociodemographic factors relate to sexual risk behaviors among sexually active young women in the Philippines. Using the 2022 Philippine National Demographic and Health Survey data, a cross-sectional quantitative approach analyzed 2494 sexually active young women aged 15-24 years. Logistic regression models examined associations, controlling for sociodemographic factors.

Disease phenotypic and outcome of very-early onset inflammatory bowel disease in Asian children: an understudied population.

Background: There is a paucity of knowledge on disease phenotype and outcome of very early-onset (VEO) inflammatory bowel disease (VEO-IBD) from recently developed and developing countries, including from Southeast Asia. We studied disease phenotype, clinical characteristics, management and outcome of VEO-IBD in South and Southeast Asian children.

Materials And Methods: We extracted data from a multicentre Asian pediatric (onset <18 years) IBD registry.

Patterns and factors associated with healthcare utilisation in Cambodia: a cross-sectional study based on the World Health Survey Plus 2023.

Background: The Cambodian government aims to boost healthcare utilisation in public facilities and reduce the spending burden for disadvantaged households. This study aims to describe patterns of public and private outpatient and inpatient healthcare use and investigate the factors associated with public healthcare usage in Cambodia.

Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted in all provinces in Cambodia, including the capital, Phnom Penh.

Injury risk reduction programs including balance training reduce the incidence of anterior cruciate ligament injuries in soccer players: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are exceedingly common among soccer players and severely impact their careers and health. This study evaluates the effects of injury risk reduction programs, including balance training exercises, on the incidence of ACL injuries in soccer players through a meta-analysis. The aim is to promote the health of soccer players, enhance their athletic performance, and provide valuable insights for further research in the field of sports medicine.

Changes in chemical speciation and mobility of arsenic during the mixing of arsenic-bearing "snow-melting" system effluent and river water in the Ishikari Plain, Japan.

An effective and ingenious method called "snow-melting" system was widely implemented for snow management in the Ishikari Plain, Japan. In this system, groundwater is pumped up, mixed with snow, and discharged into a nearby river. Since the groundwater in the Ishikari Plain is contaminated with arsenic (As), the impacts of directly discharging As-bearing groundwater into the river were assessed and monitored.

Aspartame Consumption Linked to Delayed Puberty and Mitochondrial Dysfunction: Evidence from Human and Animal Studies.

This study investigates the impact of aspartame consumption on pubertal timing in females. The research employs both human and rat models to explore underlying mechanisms. In the Taiwan Pubertal Longitudinal Study (2018-2022), 858 girls aged 6-12 were assessed for aspartame intake and puberty outcomes.

Spatiotemporal patterns and risk factors for African swine fever-affected smallholder pig farms in Davao Region, Southern Philippines.

African swine fever (ASF) has severely disrupted the Philippine pig industry, necessitating a thorough understanding of its local epidemiology to develop effective mitigation strategies. The outbreak has particularly impacted smallholder farmers, who face substantial economic losses, livelihood threats, and psychological distress due to ASF. This study examined the ASF outbreak in Davao Region, Southern Philippines, by analyzing its spatiotemporal patterns and identifying risk factors.

An optimized machine learning framework for predicting and interpreting corporate ESG greenwashing behavior.

The accurate prediction and interpretation of corporate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) greenwashing behavior is crucial for enhancing information transparency and improving regulatory effectiveness. This paper addresses the limitations in hyperparameter optimization and interpretability of existing prediction models by introducing an optimized machine learning framework. The framework integrates an Improved Hunter-Prey Optimization (IHPO) algorithm, an eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) model, and SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) theory to predict and interpret corporate ESG greenwashing behavior.

Hearing loss configurations in low- and middle-income countries.

Objective: The majority of individuals with hearing loss worldwide reside in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), but there is limited information regarding the characteristics of hearing loss in these regions. This descriptive study aims to address this knowledge gap by analysing audiogram patterns in LMIC populations. Greater knowledge about the properties of hearing loss in LMICs allows for improved planning of interventions.

Preventable cancer cases and deaths attributable to tobacco smoking in Korea from 2015 to 2030.

Objectives: Tobacco smoking is a major public health concern worldwide. This study aimed to assess its impact on cancer incidence and mortality by estimating the population attributable fraction (PAF) in the Korean population for 2015 and 2020 and by projecting future trends until 2030.

Methods: The Korean relative risk (RR) was calculated via a meta-analysis of RRs for individual cancers attributed to tobacco smoking, based on primary data analysis from the Korean Cohort Consortium.

Prevalence of Hypochloremia in Patients With Heart Failure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Aim: The intersection of heart failure (HF) and serum chloride is of increasing interest; however, estimates of the global prevalence of hypochloremia in HF were inconsistent. This paper aimed to quantify the current prevalence of hypochloremia in patients with HF.

Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

'Just a Midwife': A qualitative study on perceived barriers and facilitators facing Filipino midwifery students in reaching ICM standards.

Background: The Philippines is struggling to lower its maternal mortality rate and while midwives are nationally recognized as autonomous maternal health care providers, research suggests they may not receive adequate training or support to fulfill their functions.

Aim: To gain deeper understanding of the lived experiences of student midwives in the Philippines with the intent to make recommendations that may assist midwifery programs to meet international standards for midwifery education.

Method: A qualitative research project with a realist constructivist approach, using semistructured interviews to explore perceived barriers and facilitators of a group of Filipino student midwives in achieving International Confederation of Midwives' standards during training.

Monotropein inhibits epithelial-mesenchymal transition in chronic colitis via the mTOR/P70S6K pathway.

Introduction: Patients with chronic colitis are at risk of developing intestinal fibrosis through epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Monotropein (MON) is the main active ingredient in the traditional Chinese medicine . It has been reported that monotropein can improve ulcerative colitis, but the mechanism remains unclear.

Draft genome of the endangered visayan spotted deer (, a Philippine endemic species.

The Visayan Spotted Deer (VSD), or , is an endangered and endemic species in the Philippines. Despite its status, genomic information on , and the genus in general, is missing. This study presents the first draft genome assembly of the VSD using the Illumina short-read sequencing technology.

Barriers to human remains identification using forensic odontology in resource-constrained settings.

An effective strategy for human remains identification with a high success rate and low cost is vital for low to low-middle-income countries. Prompt identification of human remains is essential for the swift recovery of families and communities affected by large-scale disasters. However, the systematic integration of forensic disciplines into standard practice remains to be implemented in many areas.

Neuroschistosomiasis presenting as recurrent seizures: A case report.

Background: Cerebral pseudotumoral schistosomiasis is an uncommon and underreported condition, posing significant diagnostic challenges due to its ability to mimic other neurological conditions, especially in patients presenting with persistent seizures and imaging findings indicative of an infectious etiology.

Case Description: We report the case of a 16-year-old male who presented with persistent headaches and recurrent seizures despite adherence to antiseizure medications. Neuroimaging findings suggested an infectious process but were inconclusive in differentiating between a tuberculoma and cerebral schistosomiasis.

Transforming plant-based alternatives by harnessing precision fermentation for next-generation ingredients.

Global levels of critical food insecurity continue to rise as the projected population is expected to reach approximately 10 billion in 2050. Meeting the growing demands for food protein, improved nutritional quality, and environmental sustainability requires transitioning from animal-sourced products. Plant-based products have emerged as the most prominent and major alternative solution toward improving the current food production system; however, plant-based products come with their flaws.

Temporal trends from HIV diagnosis to ART initiation among adults living with HIV in the Asia-Pacific (2013-2023).

Introduction: Data on the impact of World Health Organization (WHO)'s guideline changes and COVID-19 on ART initiation in the Asia-Pacific remain scarce. This study described temporal trends from HIV diagnosis to ART initiation from 2013 to 2023 and its associated factors.

Methods: Adults (≥ 18 years) diagnosed with HIV after 2013 in a regional observational cohort were included.

A case report of palatal tremor in progressive supranuclear palsy.

Introduction: Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a sporadic, adult-onset neurodegenerative disease and the second most common form of neurodegenerative parkinsonism after idiopathic Parkinson's disease. Palatal tremor (PT), characterized by brief, involuntary, rhythmic contractions of the soft palate, is a rare movement disorder and an even more exceptional finding in PSP.

Case Report: We present an 85-year-old, Filipino male who manifested with progressive gait imbalance, postural instability leading to multiple falls, ocular motor dysfunction, axial rigidity, bradykinesia, and cognitive impairment.

Liver Disease Trends in the Asia-Pacific Region for the Next 50 Years.

Liver disease has emerged as a critical and escalating public health concern worldwide, with the Asia-Pacific region at the forefront of this challenge due to its vast population and diverse socioeconomic landscape. Over the coming five decades, this region will experience profound changes in liver disease patterns, shaped by rapid urbanization, lifestyle modifications, advancements in medical technologies, and evolving public health strategies. This article offers an in-depth analysis of six transformative areas defining the trajectory of liver disease in the region.

Levels of depression, anxiety, and stress among emerging adults in the Philippines: an exploratory spatial analysis.

Background: Despite the enactment of the mental health law, mental illness in the Philippines is the third most prevalent form of morbidity; hence, screening is warranted, especially among Filipino emerging adults. This exploratory spatial analysis study aimed to identify spatial clusters of depression, anxiety, and stress among Filipino emerging adults.

Methods: A convenience sampling online self-administered survey was used to collect data from 18 to 29 Filipinos (n = 2729) in the Philippines.