OBJECTIVETo investigate the pro-angiogenic effects of several multiple myeloma (MM) cell line culture supernatants on human bone marrow endothelial cell (HBMEC) proliferation, migration, and capillary formation, and the anti-angiogenic effects of thalidomide.

METHODSHBMEC was cultured in the presence of MM cell lines (IM9, XG1, U266 and MOLP-5) supernatants. Proliferation and migration of HBMEC were determined, capillary-like tubule formation of HBMEC was examined in fibrin and Matrigel. The inhibiting effect of thalidomide was investigated by adding it into myeloma cell line culture supernatants. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was measured by ELISA.

RESULTS(1) MM cell lines culture supernatants promoted HBMEC proliferation and migration. (2) In fibrin and Matrigel, capillary-like tubule network formation promoted by the supernatants. (3) All of these effects could be inhibited by thalidomide. (4) This effect was not related to VEGF in the supernatants.

CONCLUSIONSMM cell line promote proliferation, migration and tubule formation by secreting VEGF or other several cytokines. Thalidomide can inhibit these effects.

Angiogenesis Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Bone Marrow ; blood supply ; Cell Division ; drug effects ; Cell Movement ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Culture Media, Conditioned ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Endothelial Growth Factors ; metabolism ; Endothelium, Vascular ; cytology ; drug effects ; physiology ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; metabolism ; Lymphokines ; metabolism ; Multiple Myeloma ; pathology ; secretion ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; drug effects ; Thalidomide ; pharmacology ; Tumor Cells, Cultured ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors

Background: The Philippines was renowned for its reputation as one of the leading countries in the world, holding notable contributions for supplying the global laborers including occupational therapists alongside other healthcare professionals. The importance of occupational therapists in the healthcare industry was progressively being acknowledged, as they offer rehabilitative care to Filipinos in need within the country. With the continual advancement of knowledge, occupational therapists were fast becoming in-demand professionals locally. However, there appeared to be a dearth of practicing registered occupational therapists in the Philippines, owing to their inclination towards overseas employment as seen by their migration to affluent countries driven by push factors, which are unfavorable circumstances in the place of origin that reinforce migration, and pull factors, which are things that attract the migrant to move to the destination country. Objectives: This study explored the factors influencing the Filipino occupational therapists towards selecting a working environment, prevailing factors that contributed to the decision of Filipino occupational therapists to work overseas, and significant differences between the working conditions domestically and internationally. Methods: The study utilized a qualitative descriptive study to conduct a comprehensive exploration, studying the subtleties and complex nature of Filipino occupational therapists' migration. Researchers conducted semi-structured online interviews with 10 participants currently working as occupational therapists abroad across four countries including Australia, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, and United States of America. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data, resulting in the identification of seven themes that described the factors on why Filipino occupational therapists went beyond the borders. Results: There are seven themes that describe factors why occupational therapists work abroad. These factors include (a) Labor Provisions, (b) Financial Motivations, (c) Organizational Camaraderie, (d) Presence of Career Progression, (e) Vast Resource Modalities, (f) Individualized Gains, and (g) Political Apathy. Conclusion The study stipulated the parameters aimed at improving occupational therapy working conditions and encouraging proactive initiatives to alleviate the shortage and reverse the brain drain among occupational therapists in the Philippines’ healthcare system.
health workforce

Introduction: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have spread globally and reached the Philippines in late January 2020. This study is the first local and nationwide research on admitted COVID-19 adult patients: their clinic-demographic profiles, managements, and clinical outcomes. We aim to determine the associated factors with mortality among COVID-19 patients. Methods: This was a retrospective, multicenter, observational cohort study of rt-PCR confirmed and admitted COVID-19 adult patients in 89 hospitals in the Philippines from February to July, 2020. The data on admission of patient’s demographic, clinical, laboratory, pre-hospital and during hospital treatment management and in-hospital clinical outcomes were gathered. The data were described and analyzed using multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: There were 2884 rt-PCR confirmed and admitted COVID-19 adult patients included in the study. Majority were Filipinos (99·4%), with slightly more males (54.4%) than females. 21% were healthcare workers (HCWs). Mortality was higher among non-HCWs at 16% versus 2% among HCWs. 63% of the patients had a co-morbidity, which included hypertension (69%), diabetes mellitus (48%) and chronic kidney disease (26%). The significantly associated factors with mortality in this Philippine cohort were: age >60 years, hypertension as co-morbidity, tachypnea (> 22/minute), WBC count > 10 x 109 /L, and elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (all p<0.05). Elevated serum LDH was the strongest factor associated with mortality (OR of 8.74, p=0.004). Conclusion This study identified that age, hypertension, tachypnea, elevated WBC count, and elevated serum LDH were associated with mortality among COVID-19 adult patients and results were consistent with results from studies done in other countries. We recommend that early detection and awareness of exposures and symptoms will improve the management and clinical outcomes of COVID-19 adult patients. Also, a long follow-up of the outcomes of COVID-19 to determine the effectiveness of treatment is recommended for further study.
Philippines ; Mortality