Single-arm Cohort Study on the Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Radiation Treatment of Cancer Patients Referred to the Radiation Oncology Division of a Tertiary Hospital.

Objective: This study aimed to identify the effects of COVID-19 pandemic on radiation treatment delays, interruptions, and cancer outcomes if any, in a Philippine tertiary hospital.

Methods: A retrospective observational cohort study was conducted among patients living with cancer who were referred for radiation therapy from March to July 2020. Data on treatment delays, treatment interruptions, and average treatment times were collected and analyzed.

BIOTECH 1766 Attenuates Oxidative Stress and Histopathological Changes following Aluminum Poisoning in ICR Mice.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of BIOTECH 1766 against oxidative damage in the brain, liver, and kidneys induced by aluminum (Al) poisoning in ICR mice.

Methods: Twenty mice were divided into four groups (n = 5): (I) control, (II) Al, (III) citric acid (CA), and (IV) BIOTECH 1766 group. A 14-day treatment period was implemented, wherein groups I and II received sterile water, while groups III and IV received 10 mg/kg bw of CA and 1 x 10 cfu/kg bw of BIOTECH 1766, respectively.

Periodontal Status of Filipino Older Adults in the Focused Interventions for FRAIL Older Adults Research and Development Program (FITforFRAIL): A Cross-sectional Study.

Introduction And Objective: Periodontitis is highly prevalent worldwide, and previous investigations have reported increased prevalence and severity among elderly. Regular monitoring of dental health, which includes periodontal conditions, has been recommended by the Philippine Department of Health, as basis for the development and updating of policies and laws that will address the public health problem of periodontal disease among the ageing Filipino population. Therefore, this present study aimed to determine the prevalence and severity of periodontal disease among Filipino older adults who participated in the Focused Interventions for Frail Older Adults Research and Development Program (FITforFRAIL) study.

Effects of Honey on the mRNA Expression of Selected , Pro-apoptotic, and Anti-apoptotic Genes during Induced Cytotoxicity in Cyclophosphamide-treated Human Lung Carcinoma (A549) Cells.

Introduction: One of the novel strategies in cancer treatment is the combination of conventional chemotherapeutic drugs and natural products. In a previous study, co-treatment of the anti-cancer drug cyclophosphamide (CP) with honey from giant honey bee () resulted to a dose-dependent increase in its cytotoxic effect in human lung carcinoma (A549) cells. However, the molecular mechanism of this combinatorial effect remains unknown.

Perceptions of Clients on a University-based Drug Information Service affecting Medication Safety.

Objectives: To assess the clients' perceptions of the UP College of Pharmacy (UPCP) Telepharmacy Service on their knowledge, decision-making, and medication safety.

Methods: The study employed a cross-sectional design administered through guided voice-call interviews using an online survey questionnaire as the data collection instrument. The inclusion criteria of the study were as follows: (1) must be at least 18 years old, (2) with no cognitive impairment, (3) must have sent a medication-related query in the UPCP Telepharmacy Service between October 2020 and July 2022, and (4) must be contacted through voice call platforms.

Liver Transplantation in the Philippines: Light at the End of the Tunnel.

End-stage liver disease is arguably one of the leading burdensome diseases among developing countries such as the Philippines. Although liver transplantation is considered the treatment of choice for decompensated cirrhosis, the establishment of a robust transplant program locally has been protracted as numerous obstacles continue to plague our transplant landscape. Issues on cost, options of having the transplant done overseas, and low rates of deceased donation are some of the difficulties that hamper our program's progress and development.

A Critical Exploration of the Total Flavonoid Content Assay for Honey.

This study critically investigates the aluminium chloride-based colorimetric determination of the total flavonoid content (TFC) of honey. Following a comprehensive review of the recent literature reporting the use of the assay in the determination of TFC in honey, 10 honeys of different botanical origins were investigated using the colorimetric method alongside an artificial honey that was used as a control. Using spiking experiments, this study demonstrates that the flavonoid concentrations commonly found in honey are too low for a direct measurement and thus some of the TFC data reported in the literature might more likely be a reflection of the honey's inherent colour rather than a product of the coordination complex formed specifically between flavonoids and Al ions.

A qualitative study of type 2 diabetes mellitus outpatients' perspectives on readiness, acceptance and barriers of mobile apps for medication adherence.

Objectives: This qualitative phenomenological study explored the perspectives of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) outpatients in adopting mobile apps for medication adherence management.

Methods: Through 25 semi-structured in-depth interviews, themes were identified using thematic analysis, guided by the Technology Readiness and Acceptance Model (TRAM).

Results: Anticipated convenience and benefits, openness to new technologies acted as drivers, while limited digital literacy and concerns about data privacy and security served as inhibitors of readiness to adopt health apps.

Magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound in dystonia: a scoping review.

Background: Magnetic resonance guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) is a non-invasive therapeutic technique that utilizes focused ultrasound waves to generate heat at specific tissue targets within the brain. This emerging technology holds promise for its precision and potential benefits in comparison to traditional surgical interventions. This investigation involves a scoping review, summarizing insights from various studies that explore the advantages, limitations, and outcomes associated with MRgFUS in the treatment of dystonia.

Adverse events associated with the delivery of telerehabilitation across rehabilitation populations: A scoping review.

Objective: This scoping review aimed to map existing research on adverse events encountered during telerehabilitation delivery, across rehabilitation populations. This includes identifying characteristics of adverse events (frequency/physical/non-physical, relatedness, severity) and examining adverse events by different modes of telerehabilitation delivery and disease states.

Introduction: Telerehabilitation, a subset of telemedicine, has gained traction during the COVID-19 pandemic for remote service delivery.

Fetal microchimeric cells influence maternal lung health following term and preterm births.

Fetal microchimerism, the presence of fetal cells in maternal tissues, has garnered interest for its potential role in maternal physiology. In this study, we aimed to explore the impact of fetal microchimeric cells on maternal lung health following term and preterm delivery, particularly in the context of infection-induced preterm birth and subsequent allergic challenges. We characterized the immune cells in maternal lungs using a transgenic mouse model (mT+ Ve, Td Tomato) and high dimensional mass cytometry (CyTOF) techniques.

Selective protease inhibitors from secondary metabolites of Philippine medicinal plants against porcine epidemic diarrhea virus: A computational veterinary drug discovery approach.

Background: Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) is a recurring coronavirus that causes severe diarrhea in pigs with high mortality and morbidity rates, especially in neonatal pigs. Despite the availability of vaccines, their efficacy is limited owing to antigenic differences between the vaccine and field strains, which poses a challenge to infection control. Antiviral drugs targeting conserved PEDV proteins show promise for complementing vaccination strategies.

Nasopharynx Cancer in the United States: Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Stage at Presentation.

Introduction: Although nasopharynx cancer (NPC) is rare in the United States, global epidemiology varies greatly. Therefore, understanding NPC disparities in the diverse US setting is critical.

Methods And Materials: Data from the National Cancer Database (NCDB, 2004-2021) identified patients with NPC; NCDB allows disaggregation by Asian American (AA) subgroups.

Greater smoking intensity may be linked to early smoking initiation among Filipinos: Evidence from the 2021 Global Adult Tobacco Survey Philippines.

Introduction: Understanding the relationship between age at smoking initiation and later smoking intensity is crucial for assessing future health consequences of smoking early and informing strategies to prevent and reduce tobacco use. This study explores the relationship between the two smoking-related behaviors among Filipino daily smokers.

Methods: Secondary data analyses from the 2021 Global Adult Tobacco Survey Philippines were performed.

Enhanced Recovery After Craniotomy: Global Practices, Challenges, and Perspectives.

The global demand for hospital care, driven by population growth and medical advances, emphasizes the importance of optimized resource management. Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols aim to expedite patient recovery and reduce health care costs without compromising patient safety or satisfaction. Its principles have been adopted in various surgical specialties but have not fully encompassed all areas of neurosurgery, including craniotomy.

Vitamin D prophylaxis in persons with epilepsy?

Limited guidelines exist regarding osteoporosis prevention in the general population. Despite being a subject of controversy, the majority of research suggests that decreased vitamin D levels correlate with increased bone turnover, that is, an important risk factor for osteoporosis development. In most guidelines, daily vitamin D supplementation is recommended.

Filipino Translation and Validation of the University of Washington - Quality of Life Questionnaire (Version 4) for Patients with Head and Neck Tumors in the Philippine General Hospital.

Objectives: This study aims to develop a Filipino translation of the University of Washington Quality of Life Questionnaire (UW-QOL) version 4, and determine its internal consistency and test-retest reliability.

Methods: This was a cross sectional mixed methods study comprised of two parts. The first part consisted of Filipino translation of the UW-QOL version 4 questionnaire.

A Dysfunctional Larynx Dilemma: Carcinoma Recurrence or Radiation-induced Damage?

A 61-year-old male diagnosed with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma presented with hoarseness, progressive dysphagia leading to aspiration, and dyspnea one month after definitive radiation therapy. Examination revealed a diffusely swollen glottis, paralyzed vocal cords, and post-radiation fibrosis. Several glottic biopsies yielded results negative for malignancy and favored radiation-induced changes.