OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine if selenium supplementation for a period of six months can decrease signs and prevent worsening of mild Graves’ ophthalmopathy among Filipino patients.

We conducted an open-label, assessor-masked, randomized controlled trial involving adult patients diagnosed with mild Graves’ ophthalmopathy. Participants were divided into two groups: one group received standard care (eye drops) alone (control group), while the other group received an additional 200 mcg/day oral selenium supplementation alongside standard care. Inclusion criteria encompassed adult patients with Graves’ hyperthyroidism presenting at least one sign of mild ophthalmopathy and a disease duration of less than 18 months. Statistical analyses were performed using independent sample t-test, Mann-Whitney U test and Fisher’s Exact/Chi-square test to compare means, ranks and frequencies between the two intervention groups. Paired sample t-test, Wilcoxon signed rank test and McNemar test were employed to assess changes from baseline to the third and sixth month observations.

A significant difference in clinical activity score (CAS) was observed between the selenium supplementation group and the control group. Initially, 14 eyes (33.33%) in the selenium group exhibited a CAS score of 0, which increased to 27 eyes (64.29%) at the third month of treatment and slightly decreased to 26 eyes (61.9%) at the sixth month. Conversely, the control group had 11 eyes with a CAS score of 0 at baseline, which increased to 16 eyes (38.1%) at three months and decreased to 14 eyes (33.33%) at the sixth month. The improvement in CAS was significantly associated with reductions in caruncle and plica swelling (p = 0.040). Further analysis revealed a statistically significant difference in CAS between the treatment and control groups (p = 0.017) at the sixth month mark.

Selenium supplementation provided significant benefit in reducing the signs and preventing deterioration of mild Graves’ ophthalmopathy, as indicated by improved CAS scores. Future research exploring baseline and end of treatment selenium concentrations in the Philippines is recommended to further substantiate these findings.

BACKGROUND

Skin cancer incidence has risen in recent decades, with excessive ultraviolet radiation exposure being a significant factor, especially among athletes involved in outdoor sports. This study examines differences in knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding sun exposure and protection between urban and rural college track and field athletes.

This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Philippines with 60 college track and field athletes selected through nonprobability convenience sampling. A questionnaire, adapted from two local studies, assessed KAP regarding sun exposure. The final questionnaire was then distributed via Google Forms. Pearson’s correlation assessed the relationships between KAP.

Urban and rural athletes lacked adequate knowledge about sun exposure and protection, though urban athletes had a slightly higher knowledge score. Urban athletes exhibited more desirable attitudes toward sun protection. Both the groups showed inadequate sun protection practices. Social media was the most common source of information.

This study found that while locality does not determine sun protection practices, urban athletes showed more positive attitudes. Greater knowledge was linked to better attitudes but did not always translate into improved practices. Addressing barriers that hinder the application of sun protection knowledge is essential to bridging this gap and promoting consistent sun safety behaviors, especially among athletes who engage in outdoor sports.

OBJECTIVES

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a prevalent sexually transmitted infection linked to cervical and anal cancers. Although there are many studies worldwide on knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding HPV, research in the Philippines is still limited. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of senior high school students in Manila regarding HPV infection and vaccination.

A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 345 senior high school students from a private tertiary school in Manila using a self-administered questionnaire. Frequencies and percentages summarized demographic characteristics and KAP responses

Most respondents demonstrated good knowledge of HPV, with 86.4% recognizing its link to cervical and anal cancer and 86% identifying it as a common sexually transmitted infection. Attitudes toward vaccination were largely positive: 73% expressed willingness to be vaccinated, and 87.8% considered the vaccine safe. However, only 2.6% had been vaccinated. Limited discussions about HPV, misconceptions about gender susceptibility, and low awareness of local vaccine availability contributed to poor uptake. The internet was the primary information source (84.9%).

Most respondents demonstrated good knowledge of HPV, with 86.4% recognizing its link to cervical and anal cancer and 86% identifying it as a common sexually transmitted infection. Attitudes toward vaccination were largely positive: 73% expressed willingness to be vaccinated, and 87.8% considered the vaccine safe. However, only 2.6% had been vaccinated. Limited discussions about HPV, misconceptions about gender susceptibility, and low awareness of local vaccine availability contributed to poor uptake. The internet was the primary information source (84.9%).

Background: Ardisia serrata (Aunasin) is an endemic Philippine plant of the family Primulaceae, with several studiesshowing the genus Ardisia as having potential antibacterial, antiangiogenic, cytotoxic, and antipyretic properties. Objective: This study aims to determine the antibacterial and antibiofilm-forming activity of Ardisia serrata ethanolic and aqueous extracts on Escherichia coli, Methicillin-Sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), and Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Methods: This is an experimental study testing the activity against bacterial strains of E. coli, MSSA, and MRSA using ethanolic and aqueous extracts of A. serrata leaves. Microtiter susceptibility and biofilm inhibition assays were done with two-fold dilutions of the extract against the selected strains using spectrophotometry with optical density (OD) at 600 nm and 595 nm, respectively, to quantify bacterial growth and biofilm inhibition. The bacterial susceptibility and biofilm inhibition activity was reported as percent inhibition (PI). Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and minimum biofilm inhibition concentration (MBIC) values were obtained using logarithmic regression of the PI values. Results: A. serrata ethanolic extracts showed weak growth inhibitory activity against MSSA and MRSA with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of 2.6192 and 3.2988 mg/mL, respectively, but no biofilm inhibition activity was noted, while the aqueous extracts exhibited negligible biofilm inhibition activity against MSSA and MRSA with minimum biofilm inhibition concentration (MBIC) values of 13.5972 and 8964.82 mg/mL, respectively, and with no growth inhibition activity. Both ethanolic and aqueous extracts showed no growth inhibition and biofilm inhibition activities against E. coli. Conclusion Staphylococcus aureus is susceptible to the bioactivity of the leaf extracts of A. serrata and has potential to be used as an antibacterial in the treatment of infectious diseases.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus ; Escherichia coli ; natural product ; biological products

BACKGROUND

Many neonates are started on antibiotics even if they are well-appearing due to presence of risk factors. The Early Onset Sepsis (EOS) calculator is a web-based tool that calculates for composite risk scores for sepsis and limits empiric antibiotic therapy only as necessary.

This study aims to determine if there is a significant difference between the proportion of neonates recommended for antibiotics using the EOS calculator and AAP guidelines for neonatal sepsis.

This is a retrospective hospital-based cohort study where review of charts of neonates ≥34 weeks age of gestation (AOG) who were started on intravenous antibiotics within 72 hours of life for the period of 2019 to 2023 was done. Peripartum risk factors were used to calculate for EOS risk score and categorize those to be recommended for treatment using the score as well as the AAP guidelines. Newborns with growth on blood culture were identified. McNemar’s test was used to determine if there is a significant difference between the two proportions. Sensitivity and specificity of both tools were calculated.

Out of 916 neonates, 345 (38%) and 469 newborns (51%) were advised empiric antibiotic therapy by the EOS calculator and AAP 2018 guidelines respectively. A McNemar Test revealed a significantly lower proportion of neonates recommended for antibiotic treatment using the EOS calculator (p < 0.001). Blood culture was taken from 208 newborns and six had positive isolates. Both the EOS calculator and AAP guidelines had 100% sensitivity and recommended antibiotics for these culture-proven sepsis cases. EOS calculator had a higher specificity (45% vs 32%).

The EOS calculator as a risk assessment tool could significantly reduce use of antibiotics. The proportion of those who were recommended for antibiotics using the EOS calculator was significantly lower by 13% (p value =
Sepsis ; Infant, Newborn

Childhood cataract is a common cause of visual impairment. Familial types are uncommon among Filipinos. Furthermore, it is not common to have one that follows an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance but with associated syndromic presentation like Roberts syndrome which is an autosomal recessive disorder. This is a case of a 9-year-old Filipino boy with cataract in the left eye associated with low-set ears, facial asymmetry, underdeveloped nasal ala, cleft lip and palate, macroglossia, micrognathia, short right shin, and absent feet. Patient was clinically diagnosed with Roberts syndrome. We present a clinically diagnosed Roberts syndrome (RS), the first reported RS in a Filipino in local and international literature to our knowledge with an autosomal dominant childhood cataract. Genetic testing can assist in the confirmation of this case.

Background and Objective: Epidemiological studies have shown that Filipinos have a higher prevalence of welldifferentiated thyroid cancer and a higher rate of recurrence. The BRAF V600E mutation has been proposed as a potential prognostic marker in aggressive papillary thyroid cancers. In this study, we determined whether this mutation is a risk factor for tumor recurrence in papillary thyroid cancer among Filipinos. Methods: We conducted an age and sex-matched case-control study of patients with papillary thyroid cancer; we had two groups – with and without tumor recurrence – of 14 patients each, with at least a 5-year follow-up. We extracted the DNA samples from the patients’ (paraffin-embedded) tumor biopsy tissue blocks from thyroidectomy specimens, then detected the BRAF V600E mutation using polymerase chain reaction. The McNemar’s test for difference of proportions in paired data was used to determine the association of BRAF V600E mutation with recurrence. Results: The BRAF V600E mutation was found in 57.14% of all cases. We found a prevalence of 64.29% among those with recurrence and 50.00% among those without recurrence, with no significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.688). Conclusion Our study showed the BRAF V600E mutation was not associated with recurrence. We encountered several limitations: we had limited data regarding molecular methodologies in the Philippine setting, we had a small sample size, and therefore we could not study other parameters (e.g., tumor characteristics, lymph node metastasis, stage of disease). We hope that this paves the way for future studies and collaborations to establish the role of BRAF V600E in Filipinos with papillary thyroid tumor recurrence.
papillary thyroid cancer ; molecular diagnostics ; tumor recurrence

INTRODUCTION: The landscape of work has changed since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic as more companies shifted from face-to-face to the work-from-home (WFH) setup. This change has affected several aspects of human life especially the motivation to WFH. The study aimed to determine the motivation of WFH among office workers in the National Capital Region (NCR) from March 2020 to February 2022 METHODS: Using a descriptive cross-sectional study design, an online survey of WFH office workers around the NCR, Philippines was conducted. A 26-item questionnaire on motivation covering dimensions of availability (flexibility), safety (work-life balance), and meaningfulness (work performance) was used. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 24. RESULTS: A total of 252 respondents were included in the study, with a majority identifying as females aged 21 to 30, never married, and college graduates. Additionally, respondents reported having one to five years of work experience and were employed in professional/technical/managerial fields. Regarding the impact of remote work, the findings indicated that most individuals who worked from home (WFH) felt motivated by this setup due to its positive effects on availability, time and cost savings from reduced commuting, and the flexibility it provided for managing their schedules according to personal preferences. Furthermore, in terms of safety and conducive work environment, WFH office workers expressed agreement that the remote work setup contributed to a favorable work environment, leading to increased job satisfaction. This setup allowed them to effectively balance work responsibilities with personal and family commitments. The study also revealed that WFH office workers perceived a sense of meaningfulness in their work, as they felt trusted and valued by their employers. This sentiment contributed to their overall well-being, both physically and mentally CONCLUSION Work-from-home office workers are generally always motivated in terms of availability (flexibility), safety (work-life balance) and meaningfulness (work performance).
motivation ; flexibility ; work-life-balance ; work performance

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic forced Philippine medical schools to adapt their curriculum design to fit an online setup. This study aimed to analyze and interpret the lived experiences of medical students who experienced online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic and to explore the adaptations to online learning. METHODS: This is an interpretive phenomenological study using purposive sampling. Participants were 1st to 3rd year medical students enrolled for Academic Year 2020-2021. Participants were interviewed online by a psychologist who was not part of the research team using a 13-question guide. The interviews were recorded and transcribed. Interview data were analyzed and interpreted using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). RESULTS: Nine medical students were interviewed. The IPA identified six superordinate themes: 1) positive adaptations through positive reframing; 2) resulting mental health concerns; 3) intrinsic and extrinsic concerns encountered; 4) self-awareness as a first step towards adjustment; 5) dual role of family; and 6) perceptions on systemic response. CONCLUSION Online medical education during the pandemic resulted in problems and mental health concerns among participants, and many developed self-awareness and positive adaptations specific to the online setup. Participants’ families helped some adjust, while others posed an additional challenge. Both positive and negative perceptions of the systemic response of the school also arose.

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic caused traumatic events among health care workers. They are the ones who are exposed to the virus as frontliners. The study aimed to explore the experiences and impact of the pandemic on the physical, psychological and emotional aspects of both nurses and nursing aides. METHODS: This was a qualitative interpretative phenomenological study, focused on describing the individual nurse’s and nursing aide’s lived experiences as stay-in personnel in a private hospital in Quezon City catering to COVID-19 patients. Participants were selected by purposive sampling. They were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire on how the pandemic affected their physical, psychological and emotional well-being. The qualitative data collected was coded and categorized according to themes that described their lived experiences. RESULTS: The three themes derived were: impact of a pandemic, strategies and coping, and psychological outcome for the three interview questions. Impact of a pandemic included isolation from the family (loneliness/sadness and lack of family interaction) and adequate preparation for a pandemic (preparation for COVID-19, pandemic restrictions, health protocol compliance). Strategies and coping included comfort and convenience (living conditions, independent living), adapting to new normal (coping mechanisms, strategies; exploration), and family safety. Psychological outcome included the emotional impact (fear, anxiety). CONCLUSION The nurses and nursing aides had both negative and positive experiences, with different outcomes depending on the participant. Most of the experiences were positive, thus the investigators concluded that a change in the participants’ current lives has led to a voluntary decision to be separated from their loved ones while still being happy and content because of the assurance that their families were safe at home.