Diversity Oriented Strategy (DOS) for the Efficient Synthesis of Benzofuro[2,3-b]pyridine Derivatives with Anticancer Activity.

Benzofuropyridines (BFP) are polycyclic compounds with known applications in neuronal diseases. However, its derivatization patterns and anticancer potential remains unexplored. Leveraging the idea of diversity-oriented synthesis (DOS), we developed a highly efficient synthetic route for BFP, to increase the library of available analogs producing three compounds in one reaction set up, including the 2O-, 6O-, and the 1 N-substituted species, also synthesizing the unusual 2-pyridone derivatives.

Safety and immunogenicity of a modified mRNA-lipid nanoparticle vaccine candidate against COVID-19: Results from a phase 1, dose-escalation study.

This phase 1, open-label, dose-escalation, multi-center study (NCT05477186) assessed the safety and immunogenicity of a booster dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (CV0501) encoding the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.1 spike protein. Participants aged ≥ 18 years previously vaccinated with ≥ 2 doses of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine received CV0501 doses ranging from 12 to 200 μg.

Experiences of Sexual and Gender Minorities with Health Care in the Philippines: A Qualitative Study.

Background: There is limited availability and accessibility of health care facilities and services tailored to the specific health care needs of sexual and gender minorities (SGMs) in the Philippines.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to describe SGMs' experiences with health care services in the Philippines.

Methods: Using a phenomenological design, interviews were conducted with participants recruited online through SGM networks and organizations.

Long-term COVID-19 sequelae by Theta and SARS-CoV-2 variants in a Philippine cohort.

Introduction: Millions have been infected with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) since its emergence in 2019, but most patients make a full recovery. The long-term consequences of the infection are anticipated to unravel in the succeeding years with reports of patients experiencing chronic, debilitating sequelae post-infection commonly referred to as Long COVID. Various Variants of Concern (VoCs) have emerged as the SARS-CoV-2 virus evolved displaying increased infectivity and immune evasiveness.

Physicians' knowledge, attitudes and practices on advance care planning for patients with advanced cancer in a National University Hospital in the Philippines.

Purpose: Advance care planning (ACP) is generally part of patients' rights and decision-making processes. It is a component of the patient-physician care dynamics, especially in the context of life-threatening illness. Little is known about ACP and the utilisation of advance directives in the Philippines, a country of 110 million people.

Acceptability of dried blood spot collection by primary caregivers of Filipino patients with maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) and phenylketonuria (PKU).

MSUD and PKU require lifetime management hence, regular monitoring of amino acid levels is needed to achieve good metabolic control. Ideally, plasma amino acid analysis (PLAA) is used to monitor concentrations but is expensive and not widely available in local laboratories. The newborn screening program in the Philippines uses dried blood spot (DBS) analysis as an alternative where only trained healthcare providers are allowed to perform the collection at selected facilities.

Variation in Leaf Functional Traits of Ldb and L. Across Five Contrasting Urban Sites in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

Amid urbanization, studying leaf functional traits of woody plants in urban environments is essential for understanding how urban green spaces function and how they can be effectively managed sustainably. In this study, we investigated the effects of different growing conditions on the morpho-physiological traits of and across five contrasting urban sites. The leaf area (LA), leaf length (LL), leaf width (LW), leaf biomass (LB), specific leaf area (SLA), leaf chlorophyll concentration, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, leaf water potential at predawn (Ψ) and midday (Ψ), leaf performance index (PI), and phenotypic plasticity index (PPI) were compared across five contrasting urban sites.

Utility of cell index in the diagnosis of healthcare-associated ventriculitis and meningitis: an analytical cross-sectional study.

Background: The diagnosis of healthcare-associated ventriculitis and meningitis (HCAVM) can be complex because multiple factors confound the interpretation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tests. The cell index (CI) may help in the diagnosis of HCAVM. It does not incur additional medical cost and it avoids delays from the turnaround time of CSF cultures.

Factors influencing the intention to use e-wallet among generation Z and millennials in the Philippines: An extended technology acceptance model (TAM) approach.

The use of E-wallets in the Philippines experienced remarkable growth in recent years. This study investigated the key factors influencing the intention to use E-wallets among Generation Z and Millennials in the country, employing an extended Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) framework. A total of 500 respondents from these demographic groups participated in an online survey featuring 24 indicators, selected through a stratified sampling method.

Hypertonic Saline Induces Host Protective Immune Responses against Infection in Mice.

Hypertonic saline (HTS) resuscitation can enhance immune responses against various pathogens, however, the effect of HTS on brucellosis is yet to be defined. In this study, we found that HTS inhibited infection in mice by augmenting Th1 immunity. HTS treatment enhanced the serum cytokines production and the expression of nitric oxide synthase (NOS2) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-ĸB) p50 and p65, crucial anti- effectors in splenocytes.

Draft genome of DFR01, the inactivated bacterial agent in a fish oral vaccine against motile aeromonad septicemia.

DFR01 was isolated from Nile tilapia () infected with motile aeromonad septicemia and has been developed as an oral vaccine. We report a 4.538-Mb draft genome with 99.

Dementia diagnostic and treatment services in the Western Pacific: challenges, preparedness and opportunities in the face of amyloid-targeting therapies.

Here we first review the limited available literature addressing the current landscape of specialist assessment services for dementia and cognitive decline and the preparedness for new amyloid-targeting therapies for Alzheimer's disease across the Western Pacific region. Considering the scarcity of literature, as national representatives of Western Pacific nations we were then guided by the World Health Organization's Global Action Plan on Dementia to provide country-specific reviews. As a whole, we highlight that the existing diverse socioeconomic and cultural landscape across the region poses unique challenges, including varying access to services and marked differences among countries in their preparedness for upcoming amyloid-targeting therapies for Alzheimer's disease.

Antimicrobial Consumption and Resistance of Restricted Antibiotics in a Level III Government Hospital.

Objectives: The objectives of the study were to determine the antibiotic consumption of restricted antibiotics and to correlate this with resistance rate.

Methods: A retrospective review of pharmacy dispensing records was conducted in the adult internal medicine wards of a tertiary level teaching hospital in the Philippines between March 2019 to February 2020. Antibiotic consumption was determined using Defined Daily Dose (DDD) per 1000 patient-days (PD).

Indocyanine Green (ICG) Fluorescence in the Assessment of Vascularity of Anastomotic Margins in Colorectal Surgery in a Lower Middle-Income Country (LMIC) Hospital.

Background And Objective: One of the uses of indocyanine green (ICG) in the surgical field is the evaluation of the anastomotic margins in colorectal surgery. This is of particular importance because fluorescence imaging may aid in detecting vascular compromise, allowing the surgeon to change the resection margin thereby decreasing the chance of an anastomotic leak. To date, there has been no study with its use locally.

Nurse Empowerment in a Tertiary University Hospital during Pandemic Crisis.

Objectives: Nurse empowerment is essential to ensure delivery of the best quality patient care and attaining positive nurse outcomes. Studies describe its relationship to retention, patient safety, commitment, productivity, job satisfaction, and positive outcomes. The study aimed to determine the level of empowerment of nurses in a tertiary university hospital during the pandemic crisis.

Health Benefit Utilization and Out-of-Pocket Expenses in Outpatient Care and Hospitalizations: Baseline Surveys of Three Primary Care Sites in the Philippines.

Background: The Philippine Primary Care Studies (PPCS) is a network of pilot studies that developed, implemented, and tested strategies to strengthen primary care in the country. These pilot studies were implemented in an urban, rural, and remote setting. The aim is to use the findings to guide the policies of the national health insurance program (PhilHealth), the main payor for individualized healthcare services in the country.

A Comparison of Psychological Distress and Coping Styles among Physicians and Nurses in a COVID-19 Referral Hospital in Manila: A Cross-sectional Study.

Objectives: This study aimed to compare the levels of depression, anxiety, and stress, and the coping styles among physicians and nurses in a COVID-19 referral hospital in Manila from June to July 2020.

Methods: A cross-sectional study among medical residents and nurses selected via convenience sampling was employed. Data were obtained through COVID Stressors and Stress Reduction Questionnaire, Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21, and Filipino Coping Strategies Scale.