Introduction and objective: Nasopharyngeal carcinomas differ from other head and neck tumors. Patients have a higher rate of survival and thereby have a higher chance of presenting late toxicity, affecting their quality of life. We have tried to evaluate the most relevant late toxicities. Material and methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis in a series of 58 patients diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma between 1987 and 2014. The non-epithelial histological types were excluded from the study. We analyzed late toxicity and survival using SPSS version 19. Results: We included 58 patients, 93,1% of whom presented locally advanced disease at the time of diagnosis. The predominant subtype was found to be undifferentiated carcinoma. The treatment response rate was 91,2% (75,4% complete response and 15,8% partial response). The relapse rate was 35,1% (35% local relapse and 65% systemic relapse). The median disease-free survival was 150 months and the mean global survival was 224 months (168-279). Conclusions:Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is usually diagnosed in a locally advanced stage. Treatment is based on the use of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, obtaining a high response rate. Currently, there is large group of survivors, whose quality of life is severely affected by late toxicity.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the frequency of abnormalities in the newborn oral cavity and to evaluate the association with prenatal and perinatal factors. METHODS: This cross-sectional study evaluated 2,216 newborns. Oral findings were assessed in the first 24 hours of life using visual examination. Sex, weight, length, gestational age, and medical disorders at birth were recorded. Maternal demographic and medical information was also obtained. RESULTS: The most common oral findings were Bohn’s nodules, Epstein’s pearls, and dental lamina cysts. Other intraoral findings included odontogenic cysts, ankyloglossia, and natal teeth, among others. In logistic regression analyses, folic acid consumption during pregnancy was significantly associated with Bohn’s nodules (odds ratio [OR], 1.79; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.23–2.55; P=0.002), Epstein’s pearls (OR, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.14–2.33; P=0.007), and dental lamina cysts (OR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.02–2.05; P=0.038). Moreover, preterm births were negatively associated with prevalence of Bohn’s nodules (OR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.50–0.80; P≤0.0001). Comparison between newborns with and without oral inclusion cysts showed that maternal folic acid and iron intake were significantly different (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Maternal folic acid and iron intake were associated with the prevalence of oral inclusion cysts.
Cross-Sectional Studies ; Folic Acid ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn* ; Iron ; Logistic Models ; Mouth ; Mouth Abnormalities ; Natal Teeth ; Odontogenic Cysts ; Parturition ; Pregnancy ; Premature Birth ; Prevalence

INTRODUCTION: Physical therapy students, who train on how to handle patients, also experience burnout due to social, academic, and personal factors. The study aimed to determine the prevalence of burnout among third year physical therapy students of UERM and the factors that contribute to it. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional research design was used to determine the prevalence of burnout and its perceived contributing factors. Eligible students answered the Maslach Burnout Inventory General Survey for Students (MBI-GS(S)) and a self-developed questionnaire regarding academic, social, and personal factors of burnout. Microsoft Excel was used to compute the standard (z) values and prevalence rate. RESULTS: None of the 26 respondents fit the criteria to be classified as “burnout”, however 42.3% were “overextended”, 34.6% were “ineffective” and 23.1% were “engaged”. The top factors reported by the participants were too much workload to handle, being left behind academically compared to peers, and pushing oneself too hard for the academic, social, and personal categories, respectively. CONCLUSION None of the limited number of respondents met the criteria for “burnout”. The most perceived academic reason contributing to their burnout is the volume of workload. The feeling of being left behind academically compared to their peers was shown to be the most perceived social factor. The tendency to push themselves too hard to accomplish their task perfectly/completely was seen as the most perceived personal factor in this study.

BACKGROUND: Sacral nerve stimulation is a therapeutic option with demonstrated efficacy for conditions presenting with perineal pain caused by different etiologies. We aimed to assess whether a sacral electrode (InterStim(R), Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA) inserted through the caudal pathway is able to offer an acceptable level of sacral stimulation and rate of catheter migration. METHODS: We present 12 patients with pelvic pain who received sacral neuromodulation via the sacral hiatus with the InterStim electrode. We evaluated patient satisfaction as well as migration and removal of the electrode, if necessary. RESULTS: Our experience included 12 patients, 10 women and two men, with a mean age of 60 years. In eight of the 12 patients, the initial therapy was effective, and the final system implantation was performed. During subsequent follow-up, patient satisfaction was good. To date, there have been no cases of electrode displacement or migration. CONCLUSIONS: The caudal insertion of the InterStim electrode, with its own fixation system, and initially designed for transsacral insertion, appears in our experience to be a satisfactory option which can minimize electrode displacements, achieving similar results in therapeutic efficacy and causing no difficulties in removal.
Catheters ; Electrodes* ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Implantable Neurostimulators ; Male ; Pain Clinics* ; Patient Satisfaction ; Pelvic Pain ; Perineum ; Sacrococcygeal Region ; Sacrum ; Spinal Cord Stimulation

Objective: To identify the effects of the consumption of non-nutritive sweeteners on memory retention and on the histology of the hippocampus. Methods: In this study, 20 mice were used to determine if there is an effect of consuming the maximum allowable dose of the non-nutritive sweeteners on the memory retention and on the histology of the hippocampus. The mice were distributed into four groups and the treatments were given via oral gavage: Group 1 (water), Group 2 (aspartame: 1. 000 mg/kg), Group 3 (stevia: 1. 000 mg/kg) and Group 4 (sucralose: 16. 000 mg/kg). Treatments were administered to the different experimental groups for 32 days, after which memory retention was tested using the two-day water maze protocol. After the tests, the mice were sacrificed and the brain was analyzed histologically for neurotrophic effects. Results: Based on the results of the two-day water maze protocol, there were no differences between the non-nutritive sweeteners and the control group. However, stevia showed high cellular apoptosis followed by aspartame, sucralose and control group. Conclusions: There was no significant effect on the memory of the mice. It showed histologically however, that stevia had a significant neurotropic effect compared to the other sweeteners.

INTRODUCTION: Since there are limited studies about the return-to-work experiences of Filipino amputees, this study will be able to contribute to studies that delve deeper into the lower extremity amputees’ experiences and put into light the factors that may be present in relation to their return to work. METHODS: This study utilized a qualitative phenomenological design. Participants who were willing to join the study were all gathered for a focus group discussion conducted by a hired interviewer. The researchers adapted Colaizzi’s descriptive phenomenological method for analyzing the data. RESULTS: Factors that allowed amputees to have a successful return to work experience were motivation to continue with life, positive impact of lower extremity prosthesis, and rehabilitation. Factors that hindered the successful return to work of amputees were social barriers, work environment, negative self-image, discrimination from the community, and ft of prosthesis. CONCLUSION Employment was possible after amputation among amputees who were provided with prosthesis at UERMMMCI, since most of the respondents of this study were employed. Positive and negative factors that infuenced their return to work were also identifed. Non-compliance to rehabilitation limited the usage of prosthesis resulting in not being able to return to work.
Bioprosthesis

Introduction: Prostate cancer is the third most common cancer among Filipino males. Ga-68 PSMA PET-CT and Lu-177 PRLT have been introduced in the Philippines for the diagnostics and therapy of prostate cancer. Objective: The aim of this study is to compare treatment outcomes of standard therapy plus Lu-177 PSMA radioligand therapy and standard therapy alone among patients with prostatic cancer status-post castration using Ga-68 PET-CT as an outcome indicator. Methodology: This is an ambispective cohort study on Ga-68 PSMA PET-CT scans performed between January 1, 2018 and July 31, 2021. Serum PSA data taken within one month of the PET-CT scans were also collected when available. The PET-CT images were reviewed by a radiologist for RECIST response, and by a nuclear medicine physician for PERCIST response . Results: A total of 11 participants were included in the study. Six participants (55.5%) received standard therapy, while five participants (45.5%) received Lu-177 PSMA radioligand therapy plus standard therapy. There was no significant difference in the baseline and follow-up CT as shown by all p values > 0.05. A trend towards higher number of participants with non-complete/non-progressive RECIST response was noted in the control group than the treatment group, as well as higher number of participants with progressive or stable disease using the PERCIST response. Conclusion There were no significant differences noted in the clinical outcomes of participants who received Lu-177 PRLT and those with standard therapy alone. A trend towards decreasing serum PSA, CT and PET measurements were noted among patients given Lu-177 PRLT than those with standard therapy.
Prostatic Neoplasms

BACKGROUND: The Covid-19 pandemic caused educational institutions to shift from traditional to distance learning. Higher educational institutions offering bachelor’s degrees in Physical Therapy (PT) adapted to the situation by employing various strategies to facilitate learning online. One of the strategies employed is inviting family members as simulated patients in various performance-based assessments (PBA). In the Philippines, the PT department at the University of Santo Tomas made similar changes in the delivery of its courses. Given that family members are one of the primary stakeholders of PT education, it is important to know their experience, insights, and knowledge gained about the profession of PT after playing as a simulated patient (SP) during online performance-based assessments. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to explore how family members describe their experiences playing the role of patients in PT PBAs. METHODS: This study will utilize a phenomenological explorative research design. Family members, including parents, siblings, grandparents, cousins, and household helpers who played the role of a patient in any PT PBAs such as case presentation, case discussion, and practical examination, will be invited to participate. Semi-structured one-on-one interviews will be used for data gathering. Qualitative data from interview transcriptions will be analyzed using thematic analysis using NVivo 12 plus program. EXPECTED RESULTS Family Members will offer experiences in role-playing as patients in PBAs. Main themes and findings will be generated from their sharing that will provide insights regarding the improvement of remote PT PBAs.