The prevalence of typhoid in the Papua New Guinea (PNG) highlands region increased rapidly in the mid-1980s, and now remains endemic. In this study ribotyping has been used to examine the number and types of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi strains present during the 1977-1996 period. The ribotyping banding pattern results were based on Cla I and Eco RV digests. The 57 PNG isolates were divided into 11 different ribotypes. Comparison of ribotypes using coefficient of similarity values revealed a diverse group of ribotypes. Several strains appear to be endemic in PNG For instance, ribotypes 1, 2 and 3 were most commonly found among PNG isolates and isolates with these ribotypes have been cultured over a period of at least 11 years (1985-1996). Ribotype 3 was also observed in isolates from Malaysia and Thailand. Also found in PNG were ribotypes 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 16 and 17. The ribotyping suggests that serovar Typhi strains present in PNG include unique strains of serovar Typhi and also strains that are common to other countries.
Salmonella enterica ; Papua New Guinea ; Ribotyping ; Ribotype ; 1980s

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a malignantneoplasm of the skeletal muscle. Skeletal musclescan be found in all parts of the human body andthus such type of tumor occurs in almost any partof the body.1 In the pediatrics. It is the mostcommon soft tissue sarcoma and the third mostcommon solid tumor among pediatric patients. Inreport in the United States, on 350 cases, 15 to 20percent of this type of tumor were found in thegenitourinary system, and only 5 to 10 percentwere found in the bladder and prostate.2 With theadvent of multimodality treatment approach,patients with RMS of the bladder/prostate had asignificant improvement in terms of survival overthe past 30 years.This report presents a treatment strategy inwhich an initial unresectable tumor was managedwith neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed byorgan preservation surgery. This is the firstreported case at this institution of a one year oldwho had prostate rhabdomyosarcoma withbladder extension treated with neoadjuvantchemotherapy followed by bladder preservationsurgery.The study aimed to report a case of prostaterhabdomyosarcoma with bladder invasion in a pediatric patient, and describe the managementapproach, bladder preservation, and follow-up.
Rhabdomyosarcoma ; Urinary Bladder

BACKGROUND: The Clinic for the Therapy Services (CTS) has considered reverting to face-to-face service delivery due to the downward trend in COVID-19 cases in the Philippines. However, the clinic has yet to investigate the willingness of the clients to this mode as a basis for its effective implementation. OBJECTIVES: The study described the readiness of CTS clients in returning to face-to-face therapy amidst the pandemic. It also discussed the factors affecting readiness based on a survey. METHODOLOGY: Fifty-five screened survey responses on the readiness of clients in returning to face-to-face therapy were gathered from January 30 to February 28, 2021. These underwent retrospective data analysis. Eight prospective online key informant interviews were conducted for clarifications in May 2022. This study utilized a descriptive analysis of quantitative categorical variables and a thematic content analysis of qualitative data. RESULTS: The majority of the respondents (35) stated readiness to attend face-to-face therapy followed by those who answered “No” (11), “Maybe” (5), and others (4). Factors that may have affected readiness included travel, characteristics of face-to-face therapy, health conditions, vaccine, and COVID-19 concerns. Frequently preferred health and safety strategies were the provision of hygiene products, disinfection, limited people inside the clinic, separate therapy areas, and ventilation. CONCLUSION Most of the respondents expressed willingness to receive face-to-face therapy in April or May of 2021. Feasibility of travel and decreased number of COVID-19 cases may have encouraged willingness to attend. Those who were hesitant reported concerns with traveling, characteristics of face-to-face therapy, health conditions, the COVID-19 situation, and the vaccine.
rehabilitation ; COVID-19