AIM: To determine the degrees of agreement of TSH, FT3 and FT4 by chemiluminescence enzyme immunoassay (CLEIA) versus conventional immunoradiometric assay (TSH-IRMA) and Radioimmunoassay (FT3, FT4-RIA) in hyperthyroid, euthyroid and hypothyroid adult Filipino patients.Methods: One hundred ninety-five consecutive out-patients (Euthyroid, N=144; Hyperthyroid, N=36; Hypothyroid, N=15) aged 20 to 60 years from November 1, 2010 to January 31, 2012 were included based on their history, clinical features, and clinical thyroid function testing (FT4, FT3, TSH), and were classified as hyperthyroid, hypothyroid and euthyroid. Blood samples were collected and sent simultaneously for TSH, FT4 and FT3 determination by CLEIA and IRMA/RIA. Cohen's Kappa coefficient and Pearson Product Moment Correlation coefficient was used to assess the degrees of agreement and strength of association between CLEIA vs. IRMA/RIA.Results: There is substantial agreement between TSH IRMA and Chemiluminescence, with a K = 0.7823. On the other hand, a moderate agreement with FT4 RIA (K=0.5956), and only a slight agreement with FT3 RIA (K=0.1577). The two instruments are significantly correlated in the euthyroid (TSH r=0.891; FT3 r=0.420; FT4 r=0.647; p
Thyroid Function Tests

INTRODUCTION: Methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin ? has been shown to be effective in the treatment of anemia among chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients on dialysis or pre-dialysis. This study evaluated the effectiveness and safety of this drug in the treatment of renal anemia among Filipino patients, demonstrating relevant clinical experiences in drug administration and dose adjustment.

METHODS: This was an open-label, one-arm prospective clinical series conducted in five renal clinics in Metro Manila, which enrolled 28 (27 evaluable) CKD patients, 18 years old and above with ESA-naive renal anemia who fulfilled the eligibility criteria. All patients gave their informed consent. The protocol was approved by the Philippine Council for Research & Development-National Ethics Committee. Methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin ? was given as a subcutaneous injection beginning at 0.6 ug/kg body weight once every two weeks with dose adjustment (25% increments/decrements per month) to keep hemoglobin at 11 to 12 g/dL (not to exceed 13 g/dL), and then maintained once every four weeks on a dose equal to twice the previous once-everytwo-weeks dose, over a 24-week study period. Data analysis was done using STATA version 10.

RESULTS: Across the 24 weeks of methoxy polyethylene glycolepoetin ? treatment, there was a mean increase in hemoglobin of >1.0 g/dL from baseline; >60% of patients achieved hemoglobin levels >11 g/dL starting at week 8 (mean time to first target hemoglobin 5.7 weeks) with variability, no blood transfusion, and mean of 1.52±1.25 SD dose adjustments per patient. The manner of dose adjustment can be the main driver of hemoglobin variability. Common adverse events were sudden rise in blood pressure (6 patients), back pain (3), and fever (3). 

CONCLUSION: Methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin ? administered once monthly after an initial once every two weeks correction phase can improve hemoglobin levels at target 11 to 12 g/dL, with hemoglobin variability and safety events as expected for a CKD population. 

Human ; Male ; Female ; Aged 80 And Over ; Aged ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Polyethylene Glycols ; Polyethylene ; Blood Pressure ; Epo Protein, Human ; Erythropoietin ; Anemia ; Hemoglobins ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; Injections, Subcutaneous ; Renal Dialysis

BACKGROUND: Total sialic acid determination has been show as an inflammatory marker for type 2 diabetes. No Local study has been done characterize the levels of TSA in gestational diabetes.

OBJECTIVES: To determine inflammatory markers predictive of gestational diabetes; to be able to describe the clinical profile of subjects enrolled in this study and determine the odds ratio for each inflammatory marker

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY: Sixty two pregnant patients in their first trimester were included in this study. Inflammatory markers wre measured at 12 weeks and repeated at 24-28 weeks AOG together with screening glucose tets include random sugar at 12 weeks and 75-gram oral glucose tolerance test at 24-28 weeks. Factors independently associated with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM) were determined using logistic regression stepwise model technique.

RESULTS: Of the 62 pregnant patients in their first trimester enrolled in study, five were diagnosed to have GDM based on the American Diabetes Association criteria(ADA), four with IGT and 53 with normal glucose tolerance. At 12 weeks gestation, total sialic acid (TSA) was higher among those with IGT and GDM compared to those with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) (mean=241.5 vs 175 vs 161. p=.030). However it was higher in GDM than those with IGT and NGT at 24-28 weeks (mean= 244.8 vs 229.7 vs 177, p = .025). Deranged total sialic acid performed at 24-28 weeks showed a trend for association with gestational diabetes (RR = 3.6, 95% CI 0-4.53, p=0.96). Other factors correlated, include a higher mean age (>26) and a family history of diabetes mellitus . Factors associated with impaired glucose tolerance, include a deranged TSA at 12 weeks, deranged CRP at 24-28 weeks , a deranged ESR both at 12 and 24-28 weeks gestation and a family history of diabetes mellitus.

CONCLUSION: Deranged levels of TSA at 24-28 weeks AOG seem to be associated wuth gestational diabetes. TSA determination at this gestational age can be utilized to screen gesttional diabetes.

Total Sialic Acid ; Gestational Diabetes ; Inflammatory Markers

BACKGROUND: From different researches. It was learned that virgin coconut oil (VCO) has the following chemical properties; It is a saturated fat, chemically a medium chain fatty acid (MCFA), which is uniquely different from other fatty acids in that it has the lowest caloric value gram per gram but still provides the highest energy expenditure. Another special feature of MCFA, is that they circulate as fatty acids, not as triglyceride, therefore are not deposited in fat tissues. Furthermore, they raise the body's metaolic rate giving a termogenic effect and like animal fats, induce satiety and make one stop eating, hence can lead to weight loss. Several human studies done from 1965 to 1994 suggested that lauric, myristic, and palmitic acids have cholesterol-raising action but of different potential levels. A meta analysis of 60 controlled trials by Mensink et al 2003 (13) showed that lauric acid greatly increased total cholesterol, but much of its effect was on high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Another randomized control trial done in India also showed that low density lipoprotein levels were lower and HDL levels were higher in the serum and tissues of patients given VCO for 45 days compared with those given ground nut and copra oil.

OBJECTIVES: The general objective is to determine the effects of virgin coconut oil on weight, total cholesterol, triglyceride among overweight otherwise healthy individuals.

METHODS: This is an open-label, randomized control trial, a pilot study on the effects of virgin coconut oil on weight, total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL, HDL, among overweight otherwise healthy individuals, with a computed sample size of 50.

RESULTS: Thirty one patients met the inclusion criteria. Sixteen subjects (52%) were randomized to oral intake of virgin coconut oil (n=16) while 15 subjects (48%) to diet and exercise only (control). Four dropped out, one from the VCO group and three from control group. At baseline, the two groups were comparable in terms of age (p=.67), sex (p=.94), height (p=.59), weight (p=.77), abdominal circumference (p=,80), and body mass index (p=.08) Within-Group Comparison. After 45 days of local intake of virgin coconut oil, a statistically significant reduction in the mean weight was noted from baseline (64 kg to 59.9 kg, p=.001). This finding was also seen with the control group. (65.1 to 61.8 kg, p=.002). A statistically significant decrease in the serum HDL was noted in the control after the trial (56.9 mg/dl to 51.7 mg/dl, p=.021). A non-statistically significant reduction was seen in the VCO group (54.8 to 54.2, p=.69). No significant change was noted in terms of the total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL. Between-group comparison After 45 days, no observable statistical difference was noted in the mean weight between the VCO group and the control group (VCO=59.9 vs. Control=61.8 kg, p=43). Likewise, total cholesterol (176.8 vs. 181.5, p=.79); triglycerides (66.5 vs. 65.9, p=.91), LDL (107 vs 113.4, p=.61), HDL (54.2 vs 51.7, p=65) were not statistically different.

CONCLUSION: The demonstrated serum lipid-reducing effects in this trial are inconclusive. Although, total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL showed a decreasing trend from baseline, the effect size was small and statistically insignificant. Large scale trials that rigorously control for variation in serum lipids among the healthy population are still warranted.variation in serum lipids that

Human ; Virgin Coconut Oil