This Perspective is written by participants and a training faculty member in the GOARN Tier 2 outbreak scenario training held in New Delhi, India, in 2022, hosted by WHO’s Regional Offices for South-East Asia and the Western Pacific. It provides a general overview of the GOARN outbreak scenario training programme, participants' perspectives and suggestions for future programmes.

Purpose: The F3II cell line is a highly invasive variant of mammary carcinoma. Although it is frequently used as a model to evaluate the efficacy of immunotherapy, its impact on the immune system remains poorly understood. The main objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of F3II tumors on the development of chronic inflammation and to characterize tumor-associated immunosuppression. Methods: Following the experimental implantation of F3II tumors in BALB/c mice, alterations in the liver and spleen anatomy and the numbers of circulating leukocytes, myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), and regulatory T cells were measured using hematological techniques, histopathological analysis, and flow cytometry. The capacity of the F3II tumor-bearing mice to reject MB16F10 allogeneic tumor transplantation was also evaluated. In addition, the restoration of immune parameters in tumor-bearing mice was evaluated after standard breast cancer chemotherapy and surgical tumor excision. Results: F3II tumor implantation increased the levels of chronic inflammatory markers, such as the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratios, and caused myeloid alterations, including extramedullary granulopoiesis and megakaryopoiesis, along with the recruitment of MDSCs to the spleen. Chemotherapy or surgical F3II tumor removal completely rescued the tumor-associated extramedullary granulopoiesis and megakaryopoiesis. Notably, the presence of F3II tumors reduced the capacity of BALB/c mice to reject MB16F10 allogeneic tumor transplantation. Conclusion These results support the occurrence of F3II tumor-mediated immune cell dysfunction, which mimics the immune alterations characterized by chronic systemic inflammation and immunosuppression observed in breast cancer in clinical settings.Thus, the F3II tumor model is relevant for evaluating novel breast cancer immunotherapies and combinations in preclinical studies. This model could also be useful for identifying appropriate therapeutic targets and developing proof-of-concept experiments in the future.

Sulodexide was evaluated in an investigator-initiated, multi-center, randomized, controlled, open-labeled study to determine its safety and tolerability profile, and effect on the neurological recovery and functional outcome of patients with acute ischemic stroke. Sixty-five (65) patients were randomized to Standard care group and 46 to Standard care plus Sulodexide Treatment group. Sulodexide was observed to be safe and well-tolerated among patients included in this study. Although not statistically significant, Modified Rankin Scale Responder Analysis consistently showed higher proportions of functionally improved patients in the Sulodexide group than in the Standard Care group on treatment days 10, 30, and 90 respectively.

Human ; Male ; Female ; Aged ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Glucuronyl Glucosamine Glycan Sulfate ; Research Personnel ; Stroke ; Glycosaminoglycans

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) remains as the most common cutaneous neoplasm in the Philippines consisting of more than 60% of all skin cancers. Anacardium occidentale (Linn.) cashew extract, which had been used successfully in the removal of warts and moles in previous studies, is presented as a therapeutic option in BCC.
METHODS: An open-label prospective study was conducted on 36 patients (mean age of 65 years) with documented BCC lesions on middle third of the face. Cashew nut extract (DeBCC) application was offered to these patients as an alternative option to very unacceptable extirpative surgery offered by general and plastic surgeons as treatment for their lesions. Lesion size ranged from 7.5- 64 mm. (26.26 mm). Topical treatment was applied every 1-2 weeks, as needed. Follow-up examinations with photographic documentation were made every week to evaluate success of the treatment.
RESULTS: After a mean of 7 treatment applications (range of 1-20) all the lesions were undetectable on clinical examinations. Mild tingling sensation, which was reported by all patients during the treatment applications, was tolerable on all occasions. With follow-up ranging from 5-60 months (38.72 months), 16 patients completed the planned 5 - year post-treatment follow-up period. There were no recurrences detected.
CONCLUSIONS: Anacardium occidentale (Linn.) cashew extract (DeBCC) presents a viable and acceptable treatment option in primary BCC. The importance of this treatment option could be stressed in patients with lesions not amenable to the prescribed wide margin of resection needed in surgery.

Human ; Male ; Female ; Aged 80 And Over ; Aged ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Young Adult ; Aged ; Anacardium ; Carcinoma, Basal Cell ; Humans ; Moles ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Nevus ; Nevus, Pigmented ; Nuts ; Philippines ; Prospective Studies ; Recurrence ; Sensation ; Skin Neoplasms ; Surgeons ; Warts ;

Background: While the standard lumbar epidural analgesia technique has often been described as the gold standard for pain relief during labor, its disadvantages of delayed onset and the presence of motor blockade to a certain degree pose several constraints to pain burdened mother who also may not want to be confined in the supine position during the entire labor process. An alternative which may address these issues is the combined spinal epidural or walking epidural technique. We embarked on this study to compare both techniques in terms of onset and degree of analgesia and the outcome of labor. Methods: Eighty (80) nulligravid ASA 1-2 term patients were randomly assigned to receive labor pain relief either using the standard continuous lumbar epidural analgesia (CLEA) using .125 percent bupivacaine with fentanyl or the combined spinal epidural analgesia (CSE) technique using intrathecal fentanyl and bupivacaine followed by bupivacaine boluses with fentanyl as needed. Outcome measures studied were Visual Analogue Pain Scores, onset degree and duration of pain relief and the progress and outcome of labor including neonatal outcome. Side effects were also noted. Results: Very significant was the rapid onset of action, denser, and longer duration of pain relief in the CSE group. Likewise a faster rate of cervical dilation resulting in a shorter first stage of labor was noted. Second stage duration and mode of delivery in both groups however did not differ significantly. Maternal satisfaction during the first stage was greater in the CSE group, although overall maternal satisfaction was comparable in both groups. Pruritus, although a significant occurrence in the CSE group did not need any intervention for treatment. No adverse effects on both the neonate and mother were noted. Conclusion: Based on the results of our study, the CSE or walking epidural is a encouraging alternative to laboring mothers, especially those in severe pain requiring rapid and profound relief. Our results show that compared the standard epidural technique, it hastens the rate of first stage labor - but whether ambulation plays a significant role in this aspect needs to be further investigations
Human ; LABOR PAIN ; OBSTETRIC LABOR ; ANALGESIA, EPIDURAL ; PAIN

The second national survey on blindness in 1995 yielded the following pieces of information: 1) The 10 most common microorganisms frequently isolated in the healthy conjunctivae among Filipinos; 2) There is no regional variations in the flora of the healthy eye; 3) There is no difference in the flora obtained among healthy eyes of males and females of all ages; 4) For ages 50 and above, a rise in the incidence of diphtheroids was observed, other than this, the bacterial flora was not modified by the age of the subjects; and 5) Among the different working and nonworking groups, only the professionals showed isolates that are normally found in the gastrointestinal tract. (Author)
Human ; Male ; Female ; Aged 80 and over ; Aged ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Young Adult ; Adolescent ; Child ; Child Preschool ; Infant ; Infant Newborn ; DATA COLLECTION ; PHILIPPINES ; CONJUNCTIVA ; HUMAN ; MALE ; FEMALE