Health

The Philippines has recently passed a law on Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health after several decades of controversy and public debate. This article summarizes the elements of the Reproductive Health Law, as well as the arguments for and against its enactment.
Reproductive Health ; Family Planning Services ; Sex Education ; Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Aims: Candida albicans is a diploid yeast which interacts with the host in a complex nature involving several fungal virulence factors and host’s response. In this study, we investigated the different ABC genotypes of 26 clinical C. albicans isolates which is based on the presence of absence of transposable intron in the 25S rDNA, and the phenotypic expression of their virulence factors: phospholipase production, esterase production, haemolytic activities, biofilm formation, and white-opaque switching. Methodology and results: In this study, we investigated the ABC genotypes of 26 clinical C. albicans isolates, and the phenotypic expression of their virulence factors. The C. albicans isolates were tested for their in vitro abilities in exhibiting the following virulence factors: phospholipase, biofilm, esterase, hemolysin and phenotypic switching. Phospholipase activities and biofilm formation were detected in 57.7% and 65.38% of the isolates, respectively. All of the isolates showed phenotypic white-type colony, while none showed esterase and hemolytic activities. ABC genotyping revealed that 50% of the isolates were grouped under Genotype A, followed by Genotype C (42.3%), and B (7.69%). Conclusion, significance and impact of study This study provides information in regard to virulence potential and the ABC genotype of C. albicans from the Philippines.

Savant syndrome was described before autism. However, they soon became closely associated, as many of their symptoms (intellectual disability, repetitive behaviors, alterations in social communication, and islets of abilities) overlap. Only a few women with autism have been diagnosed with savant syndrome. The theories or hypotheses that attempt to explain savant syndrome, which are common in autism, present differential treatment according to sex. We postulate that savant syndrome associated with autism as well as autism in general is underdiagnosed in women.

No abstract available.
Electric Impedance ; Manometry ; Pathology

Objective: To explore cytotoxicity of Synsepalum dulcificum (S. dulcificum) Daniell (Sapotaceae) on human colon cancer (HCT-116 and HT-29), human monocytic leukemia (THP-1) and normal (HDFn) cell lines, and its effect on the expression of early apoptotic genes, c-fos and c-jun. Methods: Leaf, stem and berry of S. dulcificum were separately extracted by using 2 solvents, 10% ethanol (EtOH) and 80% methanol (MeOH). PrestoBlue® cell viability assay and qRT-PCR assay were conducted to examine the above objectives respectively. Results: Stem MeOH, stem EtOH, and berry EtOH extracts of S. dulcificum were cytotoxic to HCT-116 and HT-29 human colon cancer cells. For HCT-116, IC

AIM: To investigate the chemical constituents of Cinnamomum cebuense, an endemic and critically endangered tree found only in Cebu, Philippines. METHODS: The compounds were isolated by silica gel chromatography. The structures of the isolates were elucidated by NMR spectroscopy. RESULTS: The dichloromethane (DCM) extract of the bark of C. cebuense afforded a new monoterpene natural product 1 and a new sesquiterpene 2, along with the known compounds, 4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamaldehyde (3), 4-allyl-2-methoxyphenol (4), α-terpineol (5) and humulene (6). The DCM extract of the leaves of C. cebuense yielded 6, β-caryophyllene (7), squalene (8), and a mixture of α-amyrin (9), β-amyrin (10) and bauerenol (11). The structures of 1-7 were elucidated by extensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, while the structures of 8-11 were identified by comparison of their (13)C NMR data with those reported in the literature. CONCLUSION The bark of C. cebuense afforded monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes and phenolics, while the leaves yielded sesquiterpenes and triterpenes.
Cinnamomum ; chemistry ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Philippines ; Plant Bark ; chemistry ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Triterpenes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

Background: Currently, Mexico ranks third worldwide in mortality due to coronavirus disease pandemic 2019 (COVID-19) and reliable information is scarce, with the available data focused on epidemiological characteristics. This study aimed to identify the risk factors associated with mortality and outcomes in hospitalized Mexican patients with COVID-19. Methods: We prospectively assessed patients admitted to a COVID-19 reference center in southeast Mexico between March 28 and June 30, 2020. Mortality was defined as survivors or non-survivors and univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to explore the association of the clinical characteristics and laboratory parameters with mortality. Results: We included 200 patients with a mean age of 55 years, 69% were men and 72% had at least one chronic comorbidity. Eighty-six patients required invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) with an overall mortality rate of 82.5%. Only 51% of the patients with IMV were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), with a survival rate of 27.3%, but only 7.2% for patients without ICU admissions (p=0.014). The multivariate analysis found that a neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio ≥9 (odds ratio [OR], 4.64; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.05–10.53) albumin <3.5 g/dL (OR, 3.76; 95% CI, 1.56–9.07), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level ≥725 U/L (OR, 5.45; 95% CI, 2.36–12.57), and IMV (OR, 64.7; 95% CI, 15.20–275.39) were independent risk factors associated with mortality. Conclusion Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, LDH, albumin, and IMV were independent risk factors for mortality in Mexican patients with COVID-19. Also, the availability of ICU resources is invaluable for better outcomes in critically ill patients. Our results could provide clinical information for timely decision-making in low-and-middle income countries to overcome the pandemic.

Background: Currently, Mexico ranks third worldwide in mortality due to coronavirus disease pandemic 2019 (COVID-19) and reliable information is scarce, with the available data focused on epidemiological characteristics. This study aimed to identify the risk factors associated with mortality and outcomes in hospitalized Mexican patients with COVID-19. Methods: We prospectively assessed patients admitted to a COVID-19 reference center in southeast Mexico between March 28 and June 30, 2020. Mortality was defined as survivors or non-survivors and univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to explore the association of the clinical characteristics and laboratory parameters with mortality. Results: We included 200 patients with a mean age of 55 years, 69% were men and 72% had at least one chronic comorbidity. Eighty-six patients required invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) with an overall mortality rate of 82.5%. Only 51% of the patients with IMV were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), with a survival rate of 27.3%, but only 7.2% for patients without ICU admissions (p=0.014). The multivariate analysis found that a neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio ≥9 (odds ratio [OR], 4.64; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.05–10.53) albumin <3.5 g/dL (OR, 3.76; 95% CI, 1.56–9.07), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level ≥725 U/L (OR, 5.45; 95% CI, 2.36–12.57), and IMV (OR, 64.7; 95% CI, 15.20–275.39) were independent risk factors associated with mortality. Conclusion Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, LDH, albumin, and IMV were independent risk factors for mortality in Mexican patients with COVID-19. Also, the availability of ICU resources is invaluable for better outcomes in critically ill patients. Our results could provide clinical information for timely decision-making in low-and-middle income countries to overcome the pandemic.