Faculty ; Medicine

Faculty ; Medicine

BACKGROUND: With the increase of life expectancy, the number of nursing homes accommodating institution-based older adults has also increased. It is important to determine the link between functional decline and cognition among elderlies to assist health care professionals in providing the necessary care to ameliorate the living conditions of elderlies in home institutions. METHODS: This descriptive observational study with correlational design recruited 30 institution-based older adults from three nursing homes in Leyte, Philippines. The researchers used Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Timed-Up, and Go Test (TUG) and 10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT) to assess the functionality of the participants and Pearson Product Moment Coefficient Correlation to determine the association between functional mobility and cognitive function. Simple linear regression analysis was employed to determine the level of significance of functional mobility and cognitive function while multivariate linear regression analysis was used to examine the relationship of adjusted covariates. Statistical significance was set at (p˂0.05). RESULTS: The prevalence of probable cognitive impairment was 90%, which was predominant in ≥ 70 years old and male (91.6%). The common functional problems were impairment in dynamic balance and mobility at 70% and gait speed at 73.3%. The result showed significant correlation between the cognition and functional mobility. CONCLUSION Cognitive impairment is highly prevalent in nursing homes. Institution-based older adults showed impaired dynamic balance and slow speed. Significant correlation between functional mobility problems and cognitive decline in institution-based older persons was established.

Objectives. Several studies have demonstrated that genetic variants of certain DNA repair genes such as the RAD51 and XRCC1 increase cancer risk substantially. The results were also observed to be race- and tumor site specific. Hence, this study aimed to determine the possible association of XRCC1 Arg399Gln and RAD51 135G>C polymorphisms combined with risk factors of colorectal cancer (CRC) among selected Filipinos.

Methods. Genomic DNA isolated from peripheral blood samples of histologically confirmed CRC patients (n=70) and their age- and sex-matched clinically healthy controls (n=70) were analyzed for polymorphisms of XRCC1 and RAD51 genes by polymerase chain reaction.

Results. The genotypic distribution pattern of RAD51 135G>C (p?0.05) was not significantly different between the CRC cases and controls. Significantly higher incidence (p=0.016) of the XRCC1 GG genotype was noted among the cases (n=34, 49%) compared with controls (n= 20, 29%). Individuals carrying the XRCC1 AG genotype have a lower risk of developing CRC (OR=0.42, 95% CI=0.21-0.85) than the XRCC1 GG genotype. XRCC1 AG genotype combined with alcohol drinking, smoking, or family history of cancer also showed a lower risk of developing CRC. There was no significant association between the genetic variants of RAD51 135G>C and CRC risk. Carriers of both XRCC1  GG and RAD51 CC genotypes showed a 5x higher risk (OR=5.02; 95%; CI=1.0429-24.1283) compared to those carrying other genotype combinations (p=0.028).

Conclusions. XRCC1 Arg399Gln but not RAD51 135G>C may be associated with CRC development among Filipinos. Individuals who drink alcohol, smoke tobacco and have a family history of cancer have a lower risk of developing CRC when they are also carrying the XRCC1 AG genotype. The findings may have significant impli cations in designing personalized methods for screening, diagnosing, and treating CRC.

Polymorphism, Genetic ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJECTIVES: The study aims to assess the dietary habits and nutritional knowledge of selected Philippine national combat sports athletes and determine the correlation of demographics and sources of nutrition information with participants' dietary habits and nutrition knowledge. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included assessing boxing and taekwondo Philippine national athletes using the Dietary Habits and Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire: Filipino Version. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics between sports comparison and exploratory correlation and regression analyses. Alpha was set at 0.05. RESULTS: A total of 44 participants aged 21+ 3.4 years were able to participate in the study. Responses revealed that 69.44% have fair dietary habits and 73.54% have good nutritional knowledge. Results indicated no significant difference between the two sports in dietary habits and nutritional knowledge (p>0.05). Further analyses revealed that years in playing (r= 0.32, p= 0.04), and sources of nutrition information, precisely strength and conditioning coach (r= 0.36, p= 0.02), and peers (r= 0.39, p= 0.01) have a significant correlation with good dietary habit and nutritional knowledge, respectively. CONCLUSION Overall, Filipino national athletes of boxing and taekwondo have fair dietary habits and sound nutritional knowledge. Furthermore, nutritional knowledge sources are possible relevant factors that may affect the dietary habits and nutritional knowledge of combat sports athletes.

OBJECTIVE: Measurement of kidney size by ultrasonography is an important parameter in the renal evaluation of patients. This study aims to establish the average size of kidneys of healthy adult Filipinos and examine the factors that influence it.
DESIGN: Cross-sectional, observational study
SETTING: Section of Nephrology, Department of Medicine and Department of Radiology, UP-PGH Medical Center, a tertiary government hospital
PARTICIPANTS: 264 healthy Filipino adults underwent kidney ultrasound after preliminary screening by history, physical examination, urinalysis, and serum creatinine
RESULTS: Renal sizes and volume were measured by ultrasound in 105 males and 159 females, with ages ranging from 18 to 75 years old. The left kidney was significantly larger than the right for mean length but not for width or thickness. Except for cortical thickness, renal length (L=98 mm, R=96mm vs. L=95mm, R=93mm), width (L=48mm, R=49mmvs. L=46mm,R=46mm), and thickness (L=43mm, R=42 mm vs. L=39 mm, R=39 mm) were significantly larger in males compared to females. While the gender differences persisted when corrected for age and body mass index, this disappeared when corrected for total body area. With advancing age, there was minimal shortening but significant increases in width and thickness (renal shape index)
CONCLUSION: Our study provides estimates of the average kidney size for normal adult Filipinos. The average kidney size of Filipinos is smaller than that of Caucasians for length (L=96mm vs. 112 mm, R=94mm vs. 109mm) and for width (L=47mm vs. 58mm, R=48mm vs. 57mm). Males have larger kidneys than females but the gender difference disappeared when corrected for total body area. Height but not weight has a significant influence on kidney size. With advancing age, kidneys tend to increase in width and thickness with no significant decrease in length or volume.

Human ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Young Adult ; Kidney ; Radiology ; Adult ; Ultrasonography ; Patients

Objectives. The Association of Philippine Medical Colleges (APMC) responded to the global call for transformative learning by conducting a series of Faculty In-service Training. This study was commissioned to determine faculty trainees' perceptions of the program in terms of relevance, comprehensiveness, and quality. It also described their applications of the program in their delivery of instruction, assessment, organization, and management skills.

Methods. This is a sequential explanatory mixed-method research. The quantitative phase refers to the analysis of the rating scale accomplished by participants as feedback. The qualitative phase includes analysis of focus group discussion results and actual course syllabi used by selected participants, including medical schools' documents. Both data were integrated using a combination of descriptive statistics, measures of central tendency and dispersion, as well as joint displays.

Results. APMC conducted six in-service trainings from 2015 to 2018. Themes focused on medical teachers' roles as instructional designers, facilitators, assessors of learning, and as leaders and managers. Respondents perceived the programs as most relevant, comprehensive, and interesting. The syllabi, instructional resources, and assessment instruments and practices were consistent with the standards of the Commission on Higher Education. Medical teachers showed that they use innovative teaching and assessment strategies, and are dealing with medical education's continuous challenges.

Conclusion. Faculty participants perceived the APMC in-service training programs most favorably for capacitating them to enhance their teaching skills and inculcate the culture of quality in medical schools. APMC's training also reflects the organization's commitment to social accountability.

Education, Medical