These perspectives relate principally to the most recent of the four decades of research on malaria conducted by the Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research. The achievements of the Institute, in both research and training, over this period have been impressive. Innovative leadership, dedicated staff at all levels, collaborative international partnerships and success in obtaining major grant funding have enabled these achievements. The quality and commitment of the Papua New Guinean scientists in training or trained to Masters and PhD levels through malaria research bodes well for the future of medical research and its implementation in Papua New Guinea. The Institute has established close working relationships with institutions such as national and provincial departments of health, the Central Public Health Laboratory, health facilities at different levels, the World Health Organization, international research and training institutions and all the communities engaged in its research. The active involvement of participating communities in the research is an outstanding aspect that upholds a long-standing tradition at the Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research.

BACKGROUND: The secretome of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) offers a unique approach to understanding and treating wounds, including the critical process of epidermal regeneration orchestrated by keratinocytes.However, 2D culture techniques drastically alter the secretory dynamics of ASCs, which has led to ambiguity in understanding which secreted compounds (e.g., growth factors, exosomes, reactive oxygen species) may be driving epithelialization. METHODS: A novel tissue-mimetic 3D hydrogel system was utilized to enhance the retainment of a more regenerative ASC phenotype and highlight the functional secretome differences between 2D and 3D. Subsequently, the ASC-secretome was stratified by molecular weight and the presence/absence of extracellular vesicles (EVs). The ASC-secretome fractions were then evaluated to assess for the capacity to augment specific keratinocyte activities. RESULTS: Culture of ASCs within the tissue-mimetic system enhanced protein secretion * 50%, exclusively coming from the [ 100 kDa fraction. The ASC-secretome ability to modulate epithelialization functions, including migration, proliferation, differentiation, and morphology, resided within the ‘‘[ 100 kDa’’ fraction, with the 3D ASC-secretome providing the greatest improvement. 3D ASC EV secretion was enhanced two-fold and exhibited dose-dependent effects on epidermal regeneration. Notably, ASC-EVs induced morphological changes in keratinocytes reminiscent of native regeneration, including formation of stratified cell sheets. However, only 3D-EVs promoted collective cell sheet migration and an epithelial-to-mesenchymal-like transition in keratinocytes, whereas 2D-EVs contained an anti-migratory stimulus. CONCLUSION This study demonstrates how critical the culture environment is on influencing ASC-secretome regenerative capabilities. Additionally, the critical role of EVs in modulating epidermal regeneration is revealed and their translatability for future clinical therapies is discussed.

Objectives: This study aimed to describe the roles and responsibilities of doctors and nurses in managing conditions like hypertension and diabetes in rural areas. Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional study design using the task analysis methodology. A self-administered questionnaire derived from a national health practice guideline was used. A combination of frequency, criticality, and performance was assessed to identify tasks that needed attention by educators and policymakers. Results: Of the 142 health workers who participated in the study, 81% were nurses and 19% were doctors. The tasks most frequently performed by these professionals were taking vital signs (88.7%), recording patient history (87.3%), and advising patients on regular follow-ups (86.6%). In terms of criticality, the top three tasks were performing diagnostic tests for acute chest pain (50.8%), diagnosing neurological disorders (49.2%), and referring patients for specialized tests at other facilities (43.6%). However, the tasks perceived as most challenging or outside their capability were the Fagerstorm test for assessing nicotine dependence (57.5%), the AUDIT tool for identifying binge drinkers (55.5%), and fundoscopy for diagnosing diabetic retinopathy (54%). Conclusion The primary care practice of the participants typically involved tasks that are centered on health promotion or disease prevention. Many of the tasks are shared by doctors and nurses, with some highly critical tasks performed less frequently due to a lack of training. Pre-service courses may need to be revised to ensure that health professionals have the required skills to carry out shared tasks.
Diabetes Mellitus ; Hypertension ; Primary Health Care ; Delivery of Health Care, Integrated ; Philippines ; Cross-Sectional Studies