The Philippine Journal of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgerypreviously co published two guest editorials, on “Reducing the Risks of Nuclear War— the Role of Health Professionals”¹and “Time to Treat the Climate and Nature Crisis as One Indivisible Global Health Emergency”²that addressed dual potentially catastrophic concerns that both place us “on the brink.”³

By co-publishing these guest editorials, the Philippine Journal of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery joined the call for “health professional associations to inform their members worldwide about the threat to human survival and to join with the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW) to support efforts to reduce the near-term risks of nuclear war.”¹As enumerated in the editorial,¹we urged three immediate steps that should be taken by nuclear-armed states and their allies: 1) adopt a no first use policy;⁴2) take their nuclear weapons off hair-trigger alert; and 3) urge all states involved in current conflicts to pledge publicly and unequivocally that they will not use nuclear weapons in these conflicts.It is alarming that noprogress has been made on these measures.

Thus, on our 44th Anniversary, we join over 150 scholarly scientific journals worldwide in co-publishing another Guest Editorial on “Ending Nuclear Weapons, Before They End Us.”⁵We call on the World Health Assembly (WHA) to vote this May on re establishing a mandate for the World Health Organization (WHO) to address the consequences of nuclear weapons and war,6and urge health professionals and their associations (including otolaryngologists – head and neck surgeons, all surgeons and physicians, and the Philippine Society of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Philippine College of Surgeons, Philippine College of Physicians,
Philippine Academy of Family Physicians, Philippine Pediatric Society, Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecologic Society, Philippine Society of Anesthesiology, Philippine College of Radiology, Philippine Society of Pathologists, other specialty and subspecialty societies, and the Philippine Medical Association) to urge the Philippine Government to support such a mandate and support the new United Nations (UN) comprehensive study on the effects of nuclear war.⁷

War ; Atomic Energy ; Radiation ; Nuclear Weapons

Background: Nanotechnology and nanomedicine are rising novel fields in plastic and reconstructive surgery (PRS).The use of nanomaterials often goes with regenerative medicine. Due to their nanoscale, these materials stimulate repair at the cellular and molecular levels. Nanomaterials may be placed as components of nanocomposite polymers allowing enhancement of overall biochemical and biomechanical properties with improved scaffold properties, cellular attachment, and tissue regeneration. They may also be formulated as nanoparticle-based delivery systems for controlled release of signal factors or antimicrobials, for example. However, more studies on nanoparticle-based delivery systems still need to be done in this field. Nanomaterials are also used as frameworks for nerves, tendons, and other soft tissues.Main body In this mini-review, we focus on nanoparticle-based delivery systems and nanoparticles targeting cells for response and regeneration in PRS. Specifically, we investigate their roles in various tissue regeneration, skin and wound healing, and infection control. Cell surface-targeted, controlled-release, and inorganic nanoparticle formulations with inherent biological properties have enabled enhanced wound healing, tumor visualization/imaging, tissue viability, and decreased infection, and graft/transplantation rejection through immunosuppression. Conclusions Nanomedicine is also now being applied with electronics, theranostics, and advanced bioengineering technologies. Overall, it is a promising field that can improve patient clinical outcomes in PRS.