Objective: On 2 September 2023, the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit of the Department of Health’s Center for Health Development in Calabarzon, Philippines, received a report of foodborne illness due to the ingestion of tuba-tuba (Jatropha curcas) seeds in Talao Talao Village, Lucena City. The objective of this study was to describe the public health event. Methods: A descriptive study was conducted. Cases were defined as previously well individuals who developed at least one of the following symptoms after eating tuba-tuba seeds: vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, headache or dizziness. Health records were reviewed, and key informant interviews and environmental surveys were conducted. Results: Ten cases were identified, ranging in age from 10 to 12 years. The onset of symptoms ranged from 1 to 4 hours after consumption. Six of the cases were taken to the hospital, although two went home before being admitted; all recovered after 3 days. The most common symptom was vomiting (100%); other symptoms included abdominal pain, diarrhoea, dizziness and headache. Discussion: This investigation confirmed that tuba-tuba seeds were the cause of symptoms among school-aged children in Lucena City. To prevent similar events in the future, we recommend intensifying educational campaigns at both the community and school levels, as tuba-tuba is common in the area.

Objective: To prospectively evaluate the feasibility, accuracy, and safety of multiparameter MRI-guided percutaneous biopsy using a 1T open MRI scanner for evaluating suspicious centrally located lung lesions with associated post-obstructive atelectasis. Materials and Methods: In this single-center study, MRI-guided percutaneous coaxial cutting biopsy was performed for 107 suspicious central lung lesions with associated post-obstructive atelectasis in 107 patients between July 2015 and December 2020. A fast T2-weighted imaging (T2WI)-turbo spin echo (TSE) sequence and an enhanced fast T1-weighted imaging (T1WI)-TSE sequence were used to identify, localize, and biopsy lung lesions, and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) was used as a supplementary sequence for identifying the lesion location. The final diagnosis was confirmed by surgical histopathology or clinical follow-up for a minimum of 24 months. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for diagnosing lung malignancies were calculated, and the complications were recorded for each case. Results: Using multiparameter MRI, central lung lesions could be clearly distinguished from post-obstructive atelectasis in 96 patients (89.7%). The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of MRI-guided percutaneous biopsy for diagnosing lung malignancy was 97.0% (98/101), 100% (6/6), and 97.2% (104/107), respectively. Self-limited hemoptysis occurred in three patients. Pneumothorax occurred in five patients, of which none required pleural drainage. No serious procedure-related complications were observed. Conclusion As a technology that does not involve ionizing radiation, multiparameter MRI-guided percutaneous coaxial cutting biopsy is a safe and accurate diagnostic technique for evaluating centrally located lung lesions associated with post-obstructive atelectasis.

Objective: To prospectively evaluate the feasibility, accuracy, and safety of multiparameter MRI-guided percutaneous biopsy using a 1T open MRI scanner for evaluating suspicious centrally located lung lesions with associated post-obstructive atelectasis. Materials and Methods: In this single-center study, MRI-guided percutaneous coaxial cutting biopsy was performed for 107 suspicious central lung lesions with associated post-obstructive atelectasis in 107 patients between July 2015 and December 2020. A fast T2-weighted imaging (T2WI)-turbo spin echo (TSE) sequence and an enhanced fast T1-weighted imaging (T1WI)-TSE sequence were used to identify, localize, and biopsy lung lesions, and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) was used as a supplementary sequence for identifying the lesion location. The final diagnosis was confirmed by surgical histopathology or clinical follow-up for a minimum of 24 months. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for diagnosing lung malignancies were calculated, and the complications were recorded for each case. Results: Using multiparameter MRI, central lung lesions could be clearly distinguished from post-obstructive atelectasis in 96 patients (89.7%). The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of MRI-guided percutaneous biopsy for diagnosing lung malignancy was 97.0% (98/101), 100% (6/6), and 97.2% (104/107), respectively. Self-limited hemoptysis occurred in three patients. Pneumothorax occurred in five patients, of which none required pleural drainage. No serious procedure-related complications were observed. Conclusion As a technology that does not involve ionizing radiation, multiparameter MRI-guided percutaneous coaxial cutting biopsy is a safe and accurate diagnostic technique for evaluating centrally located lung lesions associated with post-obstructive atelectasis.

Objective: To prospectively evaluate the feasibility, accuracy, and safety of multiparameter MRI-guided percutaneous biopsy using a 1T open MRI scanner for evaluating suspicious centrally located lung lesions with associated post-obstructive atelectasis. Materials and Methods: In this single-center study, MRI-guided percutaneous coaxial cutting biopsy was performed for 107 suspicious central lung lesions with associated post-obstructive atelectasis in 107 patients between July 2015 and December 2020. A fast T2-weighted imaging (T2WI)-turbo spin echo (TSE) sequence and an enhanced fast T1-weighted imaging (T1WI)-TSE sequence were used to identify, localize, and biopsy lung lesions, and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) was used as a supplementary sequence for identifying the lesion location. The final diagnosis was confirmed by surgical histopathology or clinical follow-up for a minimum of 24 months. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for diagnosing lung malignancies were calculated, and the complications were recorded for each case. Results: Using multiparameter MRI, central lung lesions could be clearly distinguished from post-obstructive atelectasis in 96 patients (89.7%). The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of MRI-guided percutaneous biopsy for diagnosing lung malignancy was 97.0% (98/101), 100% (6/6), and 97.2% (104/107), respectively. Self-limited hemoptysis occurred in three patients. Pneumothorax occurred in five patients, of which none required pleural drainage. No serious procedure-related complications were observed. Conclusion As a technology that does not involve ionizing radiation, multiparameter MRI-guided percutaneous coaxial cutting biopsy is a safe and accurate diagnostic technique for evaluating centrally located lung lesions associated with post-obstructive atelectasis.

Objective: To prospectively evaluate the feasibility, accuracy, and safety of multiparameter MRI-guided percutaneous biopsy using a 1T open MRI scanner for evaluating suspicious centrally located lung lesions with associated post-obstructive atelectasis. Materials and Methods: In this single-center study, MRI-guided percutaneous coaxial cutting biopsy was performed for 107 suspicious central lung lesions with associated post-obstructive atelectasis in 107 patients between July 2015 and December 2020. A fast T2-weighted imaging (T2WI)-turbo spin echo (TSE) sequence and an enhanced fast T1-weighted imaging (T1WI)-TSE sequence were used to identify, localize, and biopsy lung lesions, and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) was used as a supplementary sequence for identifying the lesion location. The final diagnosis was confirmed by surgical histopathology or clinical follow-up for a minimum of 24 months. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for diagnosing lung malignancies were calculated, and the complications were recorded for each case. Results: Using multiparameter MRI, central lung lesions could be clearly distinguished from post-obstructive atelectasis in 96 patients (89.7%). The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of MRI-guided percutaneous biopsy for diagnosing lung malignancy was 97.0% (98/101), 100% (6/6), and 97.2% (104/107), respectively. Self-limited hemoptysis occurred in three patients. Pneumothorax occurred in five patients, of which none required pleural drainage. No serious procedure-related complications were observed. Conclusion As a technology that does not involve ionizing radiation, multiparameter MRI-guided percutaneous coaxial cutting biopsy is a safe and accurate diagnostic technique for evaluating centrally located lung lesions associated with post-obstructive atelectasis.

Objective: To prospectively evaluate the feasibility, accuracy, and safety of multiparameter MRI-guided percutaneous biopsy using a 1T open MRI scanner for evaluating suspicious centrally located lung lesions with associated post-obstructive atelectasis. Materials and Methods: In this single-center study, MRI-guided percutaneous coaxial cutting biopsy was performed for 107 suspicious central lung lesions with associated post-obstructive atelectasis in 107 patients between July 2015 and December 2020. A fast T2-weighted imaging (T2WI)-turbo spin echo (TSE) sequence and an enhanced fast T1-weighted imaging (T1WI)-TSE sequence were used to identify, localize, and biopsy lung lesions, and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) was used as a supplementary sequence for identifying the lesion location. The final diagnosis was confirmed by surgical histopathology or clinical follow-up for a minimum of 24 months. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for diagnosing lung malignancies were calculated, and the complications were recorded for each case. Results: Using multiparameter MRI, central lung lesions could be clearly distinguished from post-obstructive atelectasis in 96 patients (89.7%). The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of MRI-guided percutaneous biopsy for diagnosing lung malignancy was 97.0% (98/101), 100% (6/6), and 97.2% (104/107), respectively. Self-limited hemoptysis occurred in three patients. Pneumothorax occurred in five patients, of which none required pleural drainage. No serious procedure-related complications were observed. Conclusion As a technology that does not involve ionizing radiation, multiparameter MRI-guided percutaneous coaxial cutting biopsy is a safe and accurate diagnostic technique for evaluating centrally located lung lesions associated with post-obstructive atelectasis.

Severe aortic stenosis has increased exponentially as a result of the aging of the population. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedures increase by 20%-30% per year in Spain. Referred patients are increasingly older, have comorbidities, and frailty. TAVR cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs significantly improve both functional capacity and quality of life of patients. However, there are no guidelines on how to carry out them and few elderly patients are referred to CR. Furthermore, mortality in women who undergo TAVR is higher than in men and even fewer are referred to CR programs. Multidisciplinary patient care, including comorbidities and frailty, is essential. It is necessary to ensure exquisite continuity of care during TAVR, CR, and the rest of the patient's life. Telerehabilitation could be an option in some lower-risk patients to include more patients in CR programs after TAVR, given the high demand. This article reviews the evidence on why CR should be performed in post-TAVR patients and proposes a practical and novel approach to the care process and the recommended aspects and components of the CR program.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to produce a Transfemoral residual limb model as an alternative learning material for the education of the Physical Therapy and Prosthetics and Orthotics students.

To evaluate the effectiveness of the Pelvic-Femoral Learning Model, the researchers utilized an instructional sheet comprising an "Effectiveness-Survey Questionnaire" and a Measurement Chart. The former captured responses from PT-PO evaluators, while the latter collected measurements from PO evaluators. Every participant received an individual copy of the instructional sheet.

An overall score of 3.25 out of 5.00 (65%, Neutral Attitude) was achieved by both the PT and PO evaluators, indicating a passing grade for the model. Moreover, comparing the data analysis from the PO evaluators' measurements to the Baseline Measurements reveals that the discrepancies are not statistically significant, confirming the model's consistency in measurements. Lastly, most participants found the model highly beneficial, observing that the tissue consistency and bony prominences closely resemble those of a real transfemoral residual limb.

Through the results of the study, the Pelvic-Femoral Learning Model was deemed as an effective, alternative educational tool for students in Physical Therapy, Prosthetics and Orthotics programs in the UERMMMCI.

Objective: The event-based surveillance and response report from the municipality of Buguias in the Philippines covering the period 1 January to 29 October 2022 indicated an unusual increase in the number of typhoid cases that surpassed the epidemic threshold for consecutive weeks. An investigation was conducted to confirm the existence of an outbreak, identify the source(s) of transmission and recommend prevention and control measures. Methods: The investigation employed a descriptive design. Medical records were reviewed to verify diagnoses and to identify cases that met case definitions. Key informant interviews were conducted to identify possible sources of transmission and investigate the reporting of cases in the Philippine Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (PIDSR) system. Results: A total of 220 cases of typhoid fever were captured by the PIDSR system. Of the 208 suspected cases that were reviewed, only 15 (7.2%) met the case definition used in this investigation. Fourteen of these 15 verified cases were interviewed; five (35.7%) were farmers and 13 (92.8%) reported using springs as their main water source and source of drinking water. Reporting of cases in the PIDSR system was largely based on the final chart diagnosis or a positive Typhidot or Tubex rapid diagnostic test result. The PIDSR case definition was not followed in the reporting of cases. Discussion: This study provides evidence of endemicity of typhoid fever in Buguias, Benguet, Philippines. However, from January to October 2022, cases were overreported by the surveillance system. Medical record reviews showed that most reported suspected cases did not meet case definition criteria. This finding emphasizes the need to improve typhoid guidelines with regards to diagnosis using rapid diagnostic tests and to investigate the cost-effectiveness of making confirmatory laboratory tests for typhoid available in the Philippines.

On 12 September 2022, a 10-year-old female in Paracelis municipality, Mountain Province, the Philippines, without travel history outside the municipality, experienced acute onset of fever and a change in mental status with disorientation, an altered level of consciousness and new onset of seizures. She was hospitalized at the district hospital from 1 to 3 October 2022, before being transferred to the regional hospital. As diphtheria was originally suspected, the investigation team reviewed records and reports and interviewed key informants to gather additional information and organize case finding and contact tracing. The patient’s condition was laboratory-confirmed for Japanese encephalitis virus infection. An environmental survey was carried out at the patient's residence to check for the presence of vectors and contributing factors. Exemplifying inadequate vaccination coverage for Japanese encephalitis virus in Mountain Province, the patient had not been vaccinated against the disease. It is recommended that vaccination campaigns be immediately implemented in the affected area and the surveillance system be strengthened for early detection and prompt response to the emergence of cases and outbreaks. Overall, the investigation highlighted the importance of strong surveillance and response systems for early detection and control of diseases, such as Japanese encephalitis virus. It also underscores the need for comprehensive vaccination programmes to prevent outbreaks and protect vulnerable populations.