WAGR syndrome is a rare congenital disorder, occurring in approximately 1 in 500,000 to 1,000,000 individuals, often presenting with ocular malformations such as aniridia. Glaucoma frequently develops when the iris and angle structures are affected, posing a significant risk of vision loss. We report a one-year and seven-month-old patient who presented with corneal opacity of the left eye. Examination revealed corneal opacity, aniridia, and markedly elevated intraocular pressure of 65 mmHg, while the fellow eye, also with aniridia, was normotensive. The patient underwent immediate combined trabeculectomy-trabeculotomy. Postoperative follow-up and timely management of complications allowed acceptable pressure control over one year, though visual prognosis remained guarded. This case highlights the challenges of managing glaucoma in WAGR syndrome, particularly in resource-limited settings. Medical therapy alone is often insufficient, making surgical intervention essential. Combined trabeculectomytrabeculotomy proved effective in maintaining pressure control when glaucoma drainage devices were not feasible. Multiple interventions and close monitoring are frequently required due to the risk of scarring and postoperative complications. Our experience emphasizes the need for a multidisciplinary ophthalmology approach to optimize outcomes. Despite pressure control, visual outcomes often remain poor due to structural anomalies and the challenges inherent to pediatric patients with this rare syndrome.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence, clinicopathologic features, and immunohistochemical profile of PTs diagnosed at the Philippine General Hospital – Department of Laboratories from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2022. Methodology: This cross-sectional study reviewed surgical pathology cases of PTs within the study period. Immunoscores for β-catenin, E-cadherin, and CD10 were evaluated, with outcomes including histopathologic grade, stromal cellularity, atypia, overgrowth, tumor margin, and mitotic count. Results: A total of 191 PTs were diagnosed, with the fewest in 2020 (27 cases) and the most in 2018 (51 cases). Benign PTs comprised the majority (52.88%), followed by borderline (34.03%) and malignant (13.09%) types. Most patients (59.16%) were 50 years or older. Tumors commonly measured 5.0–19.99 cm, with the largest proportion ranging from 15.0–19.99 cm. No significant associations were observed between immunoscores and tumor grade or morphologic features, possibly due to limited sample size and uneven group distribution. A weak positive correlation was found between β-catenin and E-cadherin, while other markers showed negligible correlation. Conclusion Larger studies are needed to clarify potential relationships between IHC expression and PT grading. This study contributes to the limited local data on PTs and highlights their possible diagnostic utility, especially in cases with overlapping features.
Phyllodes Tumor ; beta Catenin ; Cadherins

Human ; Research Personnel ; Nurses ; Students

OBJECTIVE

This study compared the demographics, clinical profile, treatment, and outcomes of retinoblastoma patients seen at medical institutions in the Philippines between two time periods: 2010 to 2015 and 2016 to 2020.

This was a multicenter, analytical, cohort study using review of medical charts and databases of retinoblastoma patients seen in 11 medical institutions from 2010 to 2020.

There were 636 patients (821 eyes) included in this study: 330 patients were seen in 2010 to 2015 while 306 in 2016 to 2020. More cases per annum were seen in the latter timeline. The number of patients with unilateral disease was not significantly different between the two time periods (p=0.51). Age at onset of symptom, age at initial consultation, and delay in consult were also not significantly different between the two time periods (p > 0.05). Patients had significantly different distributions of intraocular grades (p < 0.0001) and systemic staging (p < 0.0001) between the two time periods. Enucleation was the most common surgical treatment performed in both timelines. There was significant difference in the status of patients based on the need for systemic chemotherapy (p < 0.01). There was significant difference in outcome between the two time periods, including the proportions of living and deceased patients.

This study compared the most comprehensive data on retinoblastoma patients in the country. There was no improvement in early health seeking behavior based on similar age at initial consult and delay in consult. Enucleation remained the most common treatment mode as opposed to chemotherapy due to similar percentage of patients with unilateral disease, an indication for enucleation rather than chemotherapy.

Objective: We reported a case of Descemet's membrane detachment (DMD) following ripcord removal of a Baerveldt shunt in a post-corneal transplant eye, and the interventions done. Method: This is a case report Results: A 65-year-old male with multiple surgeries (phacoemulsification, two corneal transplants, and Baerveldt shunt implantation) in the right eye developed increased intraocular pressures, prompting removal of the intraluminal stent (ripcord) of the shunt. This was complicated by hypotony and DMD. Ripcord reinsertion and viscoelastic injection were performed to reattach the Descemet's membrane (DM) but failed. 0.1mL of 14% perfluoropropane (C3F8) gas was injected into the anterior chamber that successfully reattached the DM with return to pre-operative best-corrected visual acuity after 1 week. Conclusion Injection of an expansive gas (C3F8) was effective in repairing a corneal graft DMD in an eye with a Baerveldt shunt.
Glaucoma Drainage Implants ; Corneal Transplantation

Bibliometrics ; Publications ; Research

Health Occupations

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to determine whether or not an association exists between leptospirosis-related knowledge and the practices of pedicab drivers in Manila.

METHODS: An analytic, cross-sectional study was done among 174 male pedicab drivers. Face-to-face interviews were conducted using an interview schedule containing 12 questions covering knowledge of transmission and prevention, and 8 questions covering preventive occupation-related practices against leptospirosis. Logistic regression was employed to examine association while controlling for the confounding effects of other variables.

RESULTS: Forty-nine percent were found to have good knowledge on the transmission and prevention of leptospirosis while 21% had satisfactory preventive and health-seeking practice. After controlling for the confounding effect of pedicab ownership, the odds of having unsatisfactory practices among those with low knowledge were found to be 13 times higher than those with good knowledge. Education was found to be an effect measure modifier.

CONCLUSION: The results suggest that a low level of education combined with poor leptospirosis-related knowledge has a magnified effect on practices. Increasing the knowledge of pedicab drivers especially those with a low level of education is necessary to improve their practices. Information dissemination on leptospirosis should be further intensified. Collaboration between health workers and organizations of pedicab drivers can be done to organize health information seminars.

Background: Many proteins released by cells to the blood and other fluids are glycoproteins. One set of glycoproteins carry the ABO blood group determinants and glycoproteins have been shown to be vital in determining the structure and organization of plasma membranes. There is evidence suggesting their important role in cell-to-cell contact, adhesion, hormone interaction and vital transformation. Differences in proteins and glycoproteins in the different human blood groups may influence the invasion process of Plasmodium falciparum. The objectives of the study were to determine whether there are any changes in proteins and glycoproteins of red blood cells upon infection by P. falciparum and whether these protein and glycoprotein changes differ in the various ABO blood groups. Methods: A Malaysian strain of P. falciparum was cultured in vitro in red blood cells from A, B, O and AB blood groups. Protein and glycoprotein profiles of uninfected and P. falciparum- infected red blood cells from the different human ABO blood groups were analyzed by SDS-PAGE. For protein bands, the gels were stained with Coomassie blue while glycoproteins were visualized following staining of gels using GelCode® Glycoprotein Staining Kit. Results: Cell membranes of P. falciparum infected erythrocytes from different ABO blood groups have different glycoprotein profiles compared to uninfected cells. All the infected samples showed a prominent protein band of molecular weight 99 kDa which was not present in any of the uninfected samples while a 48 kDa band was seen in four out of the seven infected samples. The erythrocyte cell membranes of A and AB blood groups showed different glycoprotein profiles upon infection with P. falciparum when compared to those from blood groups B and O. Conclusion: The two glycoproteins of molecular weights 99 kDa and 48 kDa should be further studied to determine their roles in the pathogenesis of malaria and as potential targets for drug and vaccine development