Cardiovascular (CV) disease is the leading cause of mortality in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The risk of myocardial infarction (MI) in SLE is twice the incidence and ten years earlier in onset than in the general population. We present the first known case in the Philippines of acute MI from triple vessel coronary artery disease (CAD) in a young female patient with SLE. This aims to increase recognition and improve preventive strategies for this rare lupus complication. A 31-year-old female with SLE for thirteen years, antiphopspholipid syndrome (APS) and controlled hypertension (HTN) presented with acute chest pain, diaphoresis, and dyspnea. She was a non-smoker with quiescent lupus and nephritis, maintained on low-dose aspirin, mycophenolate mofetil and hydroxychloroquine for the past four years. The physical examination revealed hypertension, bradycardia, normal heart sounds without murmurs, and no signs of lupus flare. The troponin level was elevated, and the electrocardiogram showed inferior wall ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Coronary angiography revealed triple-vessel disease, with 80-90% stenosis of the left circumflex artery, and total occlusion of the left anterior descending and right coronary artery. There were segmental wall motion abnormalities and a low ejection fraction of 44% on echocardiography. The complete blood count, urinalysis, and serum C3 were within normal range. The anti-dsDNA was low and lipid levels were abnormal. The patient refused coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Medical management consisting of anti-platelets, beta-blockers, statin, and warfarin was maximized. The patient completed one year of follow-up without any lupus flares or cardiovascular events. This case illustrates the complex interaction of disease-related and traditional cardiovascular risk factors leading to premature coronary artery disease in a young female with SLE. The case demonstrates favorable one-year outcomes after optimized post-MI medical management. Aside from optimized lupus control and reduced glucocorticoid use, proactive screening and aggressive management of modifiable CV risk factors and antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL), are necessary.
Human ; Female ; Adult: 25-44 Yrs Old ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; Myocardial Infarction ; Literature ; Infarction ; Female

Academic publishing is at a critical juncture. The challenges faced by the academics are mired in controversy. Among theseare three hotly debated concerns. First is the issue of whether technological innovations such as artificial intelligence (AI)improves research efficiency or if its use sacrifices research integrity.Another is the controversy between paywall publishingand open access. Lastly, adapting an appropriate business model for sustainability is a contentious issue and the choice betweena commercial or a university-based publishing platform is a difficult one.

Traditional models of scientific investigation relied on tedious intellectual calisthenics in all aspects of research —identifying research gaps, reviewing of published literature, devising valid methodology, collecting data, analysing results, and,finally, drawing conclusions. With the advent of powerful tools employing artificial intelligence, these heavy tasks are efficientlycarried out. The dilemma lies in determining which parts of the work can be attributed to the authors and which are ascribedto the output of large language models (LLMs) and other automated assistance employed.Despite requiring adequate vettingby experts of these AI-aided output, many in the scientific community still question these methods. Can research employingAI be considered honest work? Will full disclosure answer doubts as to the integrity of the scientific work?

Indeed, LLMs just gather information that is already out there, albeit more efficiently. After all, science progresses bystanding on the shoulder of giants. AI makes such work comprehensive and efficient. Standing on those proverbial shoulders,however, require access to prior work, hence our next challenge in academic publishing--open access versus paid access.Paywalls limit the benefits of valuable research to institutions and universities with the capacity to pay. Excluded from these arethose from low resourced countries, with nations from the global south being affected disproportionately. Additionally, whilenumerous authors appreciate the features of open access as it improves their impact and visibility, many feel unduly burdenedsince the cost of publishing in this format is passed on to them.

This brings us to our third issue: who bears the cost of academic publishing? Indeed, it is a lucrative industry, generatingan annual revenue of US$19 billion and an estimated 40 percent profit margin. Many, however, find fault in this businessmodel as concerns about the profit motives of the commercial publishers far overshadow their sustainability goals.

How do we navigate this landscape of controversies? We, at the ACTA, as part of the community of scholars, would needto clarify our mission. Our goals for this publication should be consistent with our values. These values, such as scientific rigor,integrity, and accountability, should be reflected in our policies. We should be cognizant of the role we play in national scientificdiscourse while we endeavor to make an impact in the global scene. We are accountable to our stakeholders — nurturingearly career scholars, supplying evidence to health policymakers, and being accountable to those who provide resources tosustain us. This stewardship is essential so that ACTA will stand shoulder to shoulder with the giants on which science buildsupon to benefit future generations.

Artificial Intelligence ; Commerce ; Costs And Cost Analysis ; Disclosure ; Drawing ; Efficiency ; Family Characteristics ; Forecasting ; Goals ; Gymnastics ; Health ; Health Resources ; Industry ; Intelligence ; Inventions ; Language ; Literature ; Methods ; Play And Playthings ; Policy ; Publications ; Publishing ; Research ; Residence Characteristics ; Role ; Science ; Shoulder ; Social Responsibility ; Universities ; Ursidae ; Volition ; Work ; World Health Organization

OBJECTIVES

The increasing prevalence of Kawasaki disease in Southeast Asia (SEA) and its potential relation with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection resulted in heightened interest in KD in the region, thus, this paper aimed to determine the trend and the socioeconomic facilitators of scientific productivity of KD research within the region. Specifically, this article determined the number of publication and citations related to KD per country, institution, and journal. We also explored the networks of countries within the region to the rest of the world and the keywords mostly associated with KD research in the region. Lastly, correlation of these bibliometric indices with socioeconomic factors in the region was analyzed.

METHODS

A literature search of KD papers in SEA was performed using Scopus database. We obtained bibliographic data from the available literature and visualized network of existing collaborations and keywords using VOSviewer software.

RESULTS

A total of 196 papers were included in the study. Bibliometric analysis showed a rising trend in publication within the region, most of which were from institutions in Singapore and Thailand. The most common topics on KD studies included clinical features, complications, treatment, and comorbidities. 

Country characteristics such as gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, research and development (R&D) expenditure (% GDP), and number of physician and R&D researchers were positively correlated with bibliometric indices of KD research in SEA. Moreover, number of international linkages was significantly associated with KD research productivity in the region. 

CONCLUSION

In summary, we showed an increasing trend of KD research in SEA. Funding allocation and capacity building are necessary to strengthen research productivity within the region.

Asia ; Asia, Southeastern ; Bibliometrics ; Capacity Building ; Coronavirus ; Covid-19 ; Database ; Disease ; Efficiency ; Gross Domestic Product ; Guanosine Diphosphate ; Infection ; Infections ; Literature ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome ; Paper ; Physicians ; Prevalence ; Publications ; Research ; Research Personnel ; Rest ; Singapore ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Software ; Thailand ; Therapeutics

BACKGROUND

The Ifontok people are an ethnolinguistic group in the Mountain Province of the Philippines, for whom constructing and occupying a new house symbolizes the fulfillment of personal aspirations and reflects cultural traditions and beliefs that shape community life, worldviews, and social behavior.

OBJECTIVE

This study examined the house construction rituals of the Ifontok people and their influence on health beliefs, highlighting the interconnectedness of culture, environment, and well-being.

METHODS

A qualitative ethnographic design was employed. Six participants were interviewed between February 2021 and June 2022 until data saturation was reached. Colaizzi’s seven-step method was used for the systematic analysis of cultural experiences.

RESULTS

The Ifontok perform rituals before, during, and after house construction, as well as upon occupying a new home. Rooted in traditional beliefs, these rituals aim to ensure structural stability, invite prosperity, and safeguard holistic health. Beyond their symbolic function, the rituals serve as rites of passage that foster psychological reassurance, emotional resilience, and social cohesion. They frame health as a balance of physical, mental, and spiritual well-being, while adaptive strategies address challenges in sustaining these practices amid modern influences.

CONCLUSION

Ifontok house construction rituals integrate practical building practices, spiritual beliefs, and communal welfare. They promote mindful living, psychological well-being, and environmental awareness, offering insights for educators and healthcare practitioners working with Indigenous communities.

Human ; Health ; Ceremonial Behavior ; Rituals ; Holistic Health

Human ; Humans ; Humanities ; Health ; Forecasting ; Algorithms

Introduction: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common pregnancy complication associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes, including hypertensive disorders, caesarean delivery, macrosomia, and increased lifetime risk of type 2 diabetes. Despite its clinical importance, considerable international variation exists in GDM screening and diagnostic criteria. Multiple frameworks are currently used, including those from the World Health Organization (WHO), International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups, Carpenter and Coustan, and the National Diabetes Data Group. Differences in glucose thresholds, testing protocols (one-step versus two-step), and universal versus risk-based screening contribute to heterogeneity in reported prevalence and healthcare burden. In multi-ethnic, middle-income settings such as Malaysia, identifying an evidence-informed and contextappropriate diagnostic approach is critical. Methodology: This scoping review follows the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and will be reported in accordance with the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect will be searched for English-language studies, reviews, guidelines, and consensus statements reporting GDM diagnostic criteria. Two reviewers will independently screen and select studies. Results: Data will be charted on country, study type, diagnostic criteria, gestational age at screening, and reported challenges. Findings will be synthesized descriptively and presented in tables and figures. No formal risk-of-bias assessment will be conducted. Conclusion This review will provide a comprehensive overview of global diagnostic practices, highlight variations and gaps, and support evidence-based selection of a suitable GDM screening and diagnostic strategy for Malaysia.
Diabetes, Gestational ; Malaysia ; Policy ; Review Literature as Topic

The philosophical basis of nursing research is simply about increasing our knowledge and addressing everyday challenges through reflective thinking. This article explored the fundamental principles that inform nursing research and stresses nurse researchers' vital role in meeting everyday challenges. By employing classic philosophical concepts and contemporary ways of knowing, this article explained how individual beliefs, conceptions about truth, and reflections on self had contributed to knowledge development. To put it plainly, this article is about the story of a nurse researcher and the illustration of how a nurse's philosophy impacts research and consequently contributes to the development of nursing science. Instead of regarding this process as a quest for the ultimate truth, this article recognized the evolving process of interacting with fluid knowledge to advance nursing practice and do well in society.

Human ; Philosophy, Nursing ; Nursing Research ; Qualitative Research

practice guideline ; literature ; diagnosis ; endometriosis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Stigma remains a profound barrier to public health, particularly in managing diseases such as Hepatitis B, which is highly prevalent in hyperendemic regions like the Philippines. The social stigma associated with such health conditions can severely limit access to care and hinder adherence to treatment, exacerbating the overall disease burden. Despite the critical impact of stigma on health outcomes, there is a notable gap in the systematic evaluation of the tools used to measure stigma related to health conditions like Hepatitis B. This study aims to fill this gap by reviewing existing instruments for their methodologies, reliability, and validity to inform the development of a refined tool tailored to the Philippine context.

METHODS

A systematic search was conducted across six databases, including PubMed, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Open Grey, DissOnline, Philippine Health Research Registry (PHRR), and Health Research and Development Information Network (HERDIN), following PRISMA guidelines. The search strategy focused on identifying quantitative and mixed-methods studies using questionnaires to measure HBV-related stigma and discrimination. Studies published between January 1, 1992, and December 31, 2023, were considered. The selection process involved screening for duplicates, reviewing titles and abstracts, and performing a full-text review based on predetermined eligibility criteria.

RESULTS

The initial search yielded 1,198 articles, with 24 duplicates removed. After title and abstract screening, 28 articles were considered for full-text review, resulting in 17 relevant articles in the final analysis with 15 unique instrumentations. The majority of studies employed cross-sectional designs (n=8), with a significant concentration in Asian countries (n=11), indicating a regional focus in HBV stigma research. The review identified a range of questionnaire methodologies, but most studies lacked specificity regarding the type of stigma measured. The Likert Scale was the most commonly used measurement tool, yet few studies provided cut-off values for stigma levels. Validity and reliability testing was reported in 12 articles, including pilot studies, Cronbach’s alpha, and factor analysis.

CONCLUSION

The lack of a universal methodology and specificity in existing instruments underscores the importance of developing a refined tool that can accurately capture the nuances of stigma and discrimination associated with HBV. The urgent need for standardized, reliable, and culturally sensitive questionnaires is evident, underscoring their importance in developing effective public health strategies and improving treatment outcomes for individuals living with HBV, especially in the Philippines.

Human ; Social Stigma ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; State-of-the-art Review ; Review Literature As Topic

BACKGROUND

The relationship between pandemics and climate change has emerged as a critical area of study, particularly underscored by the COVID-19 pandemic, which exposed vulnerabilities in global health systems and environmental governance. Although direct evidence linking climate change to the spread of COVID-19 remains limited, rising global temperatures and ecosystem disruptions have intensified human–wildlife interactions, increasing the risk of zoonotic disease emergence.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:

This study aims to synthesize existing research on the interconnections between climate change and emerging infectious diseases, identify key knowledge gaps, and provide insights to guide integrated health and environmental policy development.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic literature review was conducted using peer-reviewed articles published within the past two decades. Relevant studies were identified through scientific databases, focusing on evidence linking climate variability, ecosystem shifts, and zoonotic transmission dynamics.

RESULTS

Findings indicate that climate-induced changes—such as rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and habitat disruption—affect vector ecology and wildlife migration, facilitating conditions for pathogen spillover. However, existing research remains fragmented, with limited longitudinal analyses and region-specific data to quantify these associations.

CONCLUSION

The interconnectedness of human health, environmental health, and biodiversity underscores the need for a holistic One Health approach. Strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration and integrating climate resilience into public health strategies are vital to addressing the multifaceted challenges posed by climate change and emerging pandemics.

Human ; Climate ; Climate Change ; Literature ; Pandemics ; Review