Endometriosis is a relatively common gynecological condition in women of reproductive age. The rectosigmoid region is the most commonly affected segment when the gastrointestinal tract is involved. A differential diagnosis of colorectal neoplasia is difficult because of the similar clinical, endoscopic, and radiology findings. A 42-year-old female presented with abdominal distention and was subsequently diagnosed with a large bowel obstruction in the rectum. A temporary colostomy was performed, and endoscopy revealed a rectal mass obstructing the rectum. The biopsy showed normal mucosa, and it was difficult to exclude rectal malignancies even after the imaging workup. Endoscopic ultrasound demonstrated a hypoechoic lesion below the rectal mucosa, and fine needle aspiration confirmed the diagnosis of bowel endometriosis. Bowel endometriosis is a challenging diagnosis. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration is useful for acquiring adequate samples for histological confirmation and a definitive diagnosis of bowel endometriosis.

Much of medical research relies on animal models to deepen knowledge of the causes of animal and human diseases, as well as to enable the development of innovative therapies. Despite rodents being the most widely used research model worldwide, in recent decades, the use of the zebrafish (Danio rerio) model has exponentially been adopted among the scientific community. This is because such a small tropical freshwater teleost fish has crucial genetic, anatomical and physiological homology with mammals. Therefore, zebrafish constitutes an excellent experimental model for behavioral, genetic and toxicological studies which unravels the mechanism of various human diseases. Furthermore, it serves well to test new therapeutic agents, such as the safety of new vaccines. The aim of this review was to provide a systematic literature review on the most recent studies carried out on the topic. It presents numerous advantages of this type of animal model in tests of efficacy and safety of both animal and human vaccines, thus highlighting gains in time and cost reduction of research and analyzes.

Objective: To validate WINROP, a web-based screening tool for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), in the detection of any-stage ROP or treatment-requiring ROP among Filipino preterm infants screened for ROP from January 2013 to April 2017. Methods: Charts of preterm infants who were screened for ROP at a tertiary hospital from January 2013 to April 2017 were reviewed. Birth date, gestational age, birth weight, and weekly postnatal weight measurements were collected and entered into WINROP. The number of infants that were tagged by WINROP with alarm signals for any-stage ROP or treatment-requiring ROP were noted and compared with actual ROP screening findings. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values (PPV), and negative predictive values (NPV) of the WINROP application in predicting any-stage ROP and treatment-requiring ROP were computed. Results: Charts of 138 preterm infants were included in the study. Sixty-four (64) had a chart diagnosis of anystage ROP and 13 had treatment-requiring ROP. WINROP tagged 77 and 10 preterm infants with any-stage ROP and treatment-requiring ROP, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity rates of WINROP for detecting any-stage ROP were 63.5% (95% CI: 51.5% - 74.2%) and 78.1% (95% CI: 65.7% - 87.1%), respectively. While the sensitivity and specificity rates at identifying treatment-requiring ROP were 76.9% (95% CI: 45.9% - 93.8%) and 46.4% (95% CI: 37.5% - 55.5%), respectively. Conclusion WINROP is fairly sensitive and specific in predicting any-stage ROP but has fair sensitivity and poor specificity in predicting treatment-requiring ROP. WINROP may aid in ROP prediction, but regular screening of preterm infants at risk for ROP based on current criteria remains to be the standard of care.
Retinopathy of Prematurity

Objective: To determine the outcomes of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) screening at a tertiary government hospital. Method: Medical records of premature infants who underwent ROP screening at a tertiary government hospital from January 2008 to July 2012 were obtained. Eventual outcomes of the ROP screening were collated and analyzed. Results: A total of 194 premature infants (388 eyes) were included in the study. Forty six (23.71%) infants developed some form of ROP of which 41 (90.21%) had bilateral disease. Of the 388 eyes, 92 (23.71%) were diagnosed with ROP. Thirty-five eyes (38.08%) with ROP were classified as stage 2, 23 (25.00%) stage 1, and 13 (14.13%) stage 3. Twelve eyes (13.04%) diagnosed with ROP received treatment that included laser therapy in 4 eyes (33.33%), intravitreal bevacizumab injection in 4 eyes (33.33%), cryotherapy in one eye (8.33%), and laser therapy plus intravitreal bevacizumab injection in 3 eyes (25%). Seven eyes (7.60%) required treatment but parents did not comply. Sixteen patients (10.81%) without ROP and 27 patients (57.61%) with ROP had follow-up examinations. Of the 54 eyes with ROP that were followed up, only 26 eyes had refraction. Twelve eyes (46.15%) were hyperopic, 12 (46.15%) myopic, and two (7.69%) emmetropic. Among 16 eyes without ROP with follow-up examination, 14 eyes (87.50%) had hyperopia and two (12.50%) myopia. The follow-up rate for this study was 22.16%. Conclusion There was a low follow-up rate for premature babies screened for ROP at a tertiary government center. No association was found between presence of ROP and refractive outcomes, and between refractive outcomes and treatment received.
Retinopathy of Prematurity ; Prevalence

BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis is considered a public health problem with high worldwide prevalence. One approach to prevention is through the promotion of physical activity, especially exercise, during adolescence. METHODS: This study compared bone variables in different body segments in adolescents according to participation in track and field. The study included 34 adolescents (22 boys), of whom 17 were track and field athletes and 17 were control subjects. Bone mineral density (BMD, g/cm2) and bone mineral content (BMC, g) were analyzed using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (total body stratified by body segments). Peak height velocity was used to estimate somatic maturation. RESULTS: Athletes had higher BMD (P=0.003) and BMC (P=0.011) values in the lower limbs and higher whole body BMD (P=0.025) than the control group. However, when adjusted for confounding factors, the difference was not maintained. The groups had similar lean soft tissue values (P=0.094). Training overload was positively correlated with BMD in the upper limbs (r=0.504; 95% confidence interval, 0.031-0.793). Although track and field athletes had higher BMD and BMC values in the lower limbs, these differences were not significant when adjusted for confounding factors. CONCLUSIONS: Track and field participation in adolescence appears to influence BMD and BMC in lower limbs, and fat-free mass seems to mediate this effect. Also, higher training loads were found to be positive for bone health in upper limbs.
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Adolescent ; Athletes ; Bone and Bones ; Bone Density ; Child ; Humans ; Lower Extremity ; Motor Activity ; Osteoporosis ; Pilot Projects ; Prevalence ; Public Health ; Sports ; Track and Field ; Upper Extremity

Objective: (1) To determine if preterm babies with ROP are missed with the existing Philippine Pediatric SocietyPhilippine Academy of Ophthalmology 2005 screening criteria of ≤32 weeks gestational age (GA) and ≤1,500 grams birth weight (BW), (2) to determine the incidence (missed-out rate) of these babies with ROP (>32 weeks GA, >1,500 grams BW), (3) to describe their profile, and (4) to determine the appropriate upper limit for GA and BW that can provide safe and efficient screening for severe ROP. Methods: This is a multicenter, retrospective cohort, observational study using data on ROP screening from the medical records of preterm babies from 4 institutions. All babies born ≤36 weeks GA, regardless of BW, who previously underwent ROP screening in 2011-2013, were included. Outcome measures were: (1) missed-out rate, (2) profile of missed babies with ROP (GA, BW, and risk factors), and (3) the proposed new criteria. Results Of the 762 babies screened, 105 (13.8%) had ROP. Of these, 13 (12%) had severe ROP, 28 (27%) was born at 33-36 weeks GA, and 32 (30%) with >1,500 grams BW. The oldest and heaviest of these missed babies with type 1 ROP was almost consistently reported at <35 weeks GA and <2,000 grams BW. Associated significant risk factors seen among missed babies were sepsis, respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), oxygen supplementation, and blood transfusion. There were 45 babies (43%) with ROP but with no risk factors. Among these were babies with GA >32 weeks and BW >1500 grams with ROP. The incidences of ROP, with and without risk factors, in the 4 institutions were not statistically significant. Seventeen (16.2%) preterm babies were missed with the existing criteria. Two of these had no risk factors but had type 1 and type 2 ROP. When <35 weeks GA and <2,000 grams BW as the new criteria were applied, the missed-out rate was reduced to 2% and was further reduced to zero with the inclusion of risk factors.
Retinopathy of Prematurity ; Mass Screening