INRODUCTION

The growing misuse of antibiotics and the escalating threat of antibiotic resistance in the Philippines pose significant public health concerns. While various Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) questionnaires on personal antibiotic use have been employed in local studies, none have been fully validated and a standardized, culturally appropriate tool remains lacking.

This study aims to develop a Filipino-translated and culturally adapted KAP questionnaire on personal antibiotic use (KAPQ-PAU-FIL) and evaluate its validity and reliability.

The research consisted of two phases. The first phase is the translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the original questionnaire in collaboration with the UST Sentro sa Salin at Araling Salin. The second phase is the validity and reliability testing of the KAPQ-PAU-FIL using a sample of 176 Filipino adults. This included assessment of its face validity, content validity, construct validity, internal consistency, test-retest reliability and equivalent forms reliability.

Most items were translated without difficulty, though four items were modified to better fit the linguistic and cultural context. The KAPQ-PAU-FIL demonstrates strong psychometric properties, with face validity (SFVI/Ave = 0.99), content validity (SCVI/Ave = 0.99), construct validity (CFI = 0.92, RMSEA = 0.06, SRMR = 0.04; FL = 0.60-0.85; ITC = 0.58-0.71), test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.83), internal consistency (α = 0.929) and equivalent forms reliability (p>0.05; κ = 0.62-0.74).

The KAPQ-PAU-FIL is the first ever, Filipino-translated, culturally adapted questionnaire designed to assess KAPQ-PAU-FIL, demonstrating strong validity and reliability to support public health programs against antibiotic misuse.

Human ; Humans ; Humanities ; Health ; Forecasting ; Algorithms

BACKGROUND

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly transforming various fields, including healthcare. In occupational therapy (OT), Generative AI (GenAI) holds promise for enhancing clinical practice and patient outcomes. However, its successful integration depends not only on technological advancements but also on the perceptions, acceptance, and experiences of clinicians. Despite global interest, limited research exists on the perspectives of OT practitioners in the Philippines.

A qualitative study will be conducted with a theoretical sample of 15 OT clinicians actively working across Metro Manila who are familiar with AI, excluding those in academic roles. The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) will be used as a guiding framework to understand OT clinicians' attitudes towards the usage of GenAI. After a successful pilot test, one-on-one semi-structured interviews will be
conducted online. Data will be thematically analyzed using NVivo 15, following a coding framework

A qualitative study will be conducted with a theoretical sample of 15 OT clinicians actively working across Metro Manila who are familiar with AI, excluding those in academic roles. The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) will be used as a guiding framework to understand OT clinicians' attitudes towards the usage of GenAI. After a successful pilot test, one-on-one semi-structured interviews will be
conducted online. Data will be thematically analyzed using NVivo 15, following a coding framework

The study is expected to provide insights into the familiarity, experiences, attitudes, and intentions of OT clinicians in Metro Manila regarding AI use in clinical practice. Findings may identify perceived benefits, concerns, ethical and practical considerations, and factors influencing the adoption of AI, highlighting opportunities and barriers for its responsible integration into OT practice.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a significant global health issue, affecting over 30% of the population worldwide due to the rising prevalence of metabolic risk factors such as obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. This spectrum of liver disease ranges from isolated steatosis to more severe forms such as steatohepatitis, fibrosis, and cirrhosis. Recent studies highlight the role of gut microbiota in MASLD pathogenesis, showing that dysbiosis significantly impacts metabolic health and the progression of liver disease. This review critically evaluates current microbiome-centered therapies in MASLD management, including prebiotics, probiotics, synbiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation, and emerging therapies such as engineered bacteria and bacteriophage therapy. We explore the scientific rationale, clinical evidence, and potential mechanisms by which these interventions influence MASLD. The gut-liver axis is crucial in MASLD, with notable changes in microbiome composition linked to disease progression. For instance, specific microbial profiles and reduced alpha diversity are associated with MASLD severity. Therapeutic strategies targeting the microbiome could modulate disease progression by improving gut permeability, reducing endotoxin-producing bacteria, and altering bile acid metabolism. Although promising, these therapies require further research to fully understand their mechanisms and optimize their efficacy. This review integrates findings from clinical trials and experimental studies, providing a comprehensive overview of microbiome-centered therapies’ potential in managing MASLD. Future research should focus on personalized strategies, utilizing microbiome features, blood metabolites, and customized dietary interventions to enhance the effectiveness of these therapies.

The prevalence of heart failure (HF) is increasing in many regions of the world, particularly within the context of aging populations in many countries. The Heart Failure Society of America (HFSA) sought to explore areas of global HF innovation with the goal of exchanging ideas and best practices internationally. The HFSA Annual Scientific Meeting included roundtable discussions focused on the challenges faced by each of the participating regions and sharing innovative solutions. Themes identified include the lack of high-quality region-specific HF registry data that is required to accurately define patient needs and to facilitate outcome metrics; the tension between providing care that is accessible to the patient vs. concentrating highly-specialized care within tertiary centers; the need to accredit and coordinate HF care across a spectrum of healthcare delivery centers within regions; opportunities to improve the prevention and timely diagnosis of HF to enhance population outcomes, especially in communities facing healthcare disparities; and the evolution of multidisciplinary team-based care, particularly in optimizing access to guideline-directed medical therapies. This article summarizes the major themes that emerged during the roundtable sessions.

Databases, Bibliographic ; Evidence-based Practice ; Health Services Needs And Demand

BACKGROUND

Heart rate variability (HRV) is a common tool for assessing autonomic nervous system activity and monitoring training load in athletes. However, limited research has explored how HRV responds to different forms of resistance training, particularly in high-intensity intermittent sports like basketball and football.

This study aims to compare the acute HRV responses between neuromuscular and metabolic training in collegiate athletes involved in high-intensity intermittent sports.

A comparative cross-sectional study with a quasi-experimental crossover design will be employed.

Collegiate athletes will be randomly assigned to undergo both neuromuscular and metabolic training sessions with a one-week wash-out period in between. HRV data will be recorded using the Polar H10 chest strap during each session.

Descriptive statistics will summarize salient participant characteristics and HRV measurements. Inferential analysis will use paired t-tests or Wilcoxon signed-rank tests based on normality, assessed via the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. All statistical analyses will be conducted using the IBM SPSS (ver.25) with a confidence interval set. at 95% and a critical α equal to 0.05.

Neuromuscular training is expected to elicit higher low-frequency (LF) power and an increased LF/HF ratio, reflecting greater sympathetic activation, while metabolic training is expected to show lower LF power and a decreased LF/HF ratio, indicating a more balanced autonomic response. These findings will offer insights into the differential autonomic impacts of these training modalities.

BACKGROUND

Recovery is essential for high-intensity intermittent sports athletes to achieve optimal performance. Heart rate variability (HRV) serves as a marker of the autonomic nervous system, which also measures the parasympathetic regulation that facilitates recovery. Neurofeedback (NBF) intervention, combined with deep breathing and mental imagery, presented positive results in facilitating parasympathetic reactivation. However, limited studies exist in investigating the influence of the NBF intervention on HRV parameters and recovery, specifically in high-intensity intermittent sports athletes.

This pilot study aims to investigate the effects and influence of neurobiofeedback intervention on recovery via the use of HRV of UAAP Collegiate Basketball and Football Athletes.

The research will be done with a Quasi-experimental onegroup pretest-posttest study design.

Participants will undergo a neurobiofeedback intervention following neuromuscular and metabolic training. Data is collected with a Polar H10 HRM Chest Strap connected to an Elite HRV monitoring application and will be analyzed by Kubios HRV software.

Descriptive statistics will be computed for participant characteristics. Kolmogorov-Smirnov test (p >0.05) will assess normality. Two-way repeated-measures ANOVAs will examine NBF effects across exercise types, with Bonferroni-corrected pairwise comparisons and trend analysis for the main effects and non-significant but clinically relevant patterns. All analyses will be done using SPSS v25.

It is expected that the neurobiofeedback intervention will have an effect and influence by eliciting a lower LF/HF ratio and SD1/SD2, suggesting a facilitated reactivation of the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting recovery after undergoing neuromuscular or metabolic training.

An increasing number of neurological conditions may be treated with high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), among which is geared towards the control of tremors as seen in patients with Parkinson’s Disease (PD), X-linked Dystonia Parkinsonism (XDP), and Essential Tremor (ET). HIFU thalamotomy is a noninvasive therapy for neurological conditions with debilitating tremors despite medication. To improve treatment accuracy and patient safety, neurosurgeons, neurologists, and anesthesiologists must work together perioperatively.

A total of 30 patients detailing their demographics, symptoms, and perioperative anesthetic management in a tertiary government hospital in Metro Manila was reviewed from October 2021 to March 2024. Most of the patients were diagnosed as PD tremor dominant, followed by XDP and ET. Majority of the cases were done under minimal sedation with local infiltration on the pin site while the rest were done under monitored anesthesia care combined with local anesthesia. Specific anesthetic agents were given to provide comfort and pain relief and reduce the risk of side effects.

During sonication, an essential element of the procedure, patients were closely monitored for the anticipated effects, such as paresthesia, headache, nausea, and vomiting, and were managed accordingly. Postoperatively, these patients were reported to have decreased tremors, stable vital signs, and adequate pain control. Collaboration among healthcare providers is one of the important elements for a successful outcome. This study highlights the importance of personalized anesthetic management in enhancing patient outcomes and the need for future studies about developing anesthesia protocols and strategies.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a significant global health issue, affecting over 30% of the population worldwide due to the rising prevalence of metabolic risk factors such as obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. This spectrum of liver disease ranges from isolated steatosis to more severe forms such as steatohepatitis, fibrosis, and cirrhosis. Recent studies highlight the role of gut microbiota in MASLD pathogenesis, showing that dysbiosis significantly impacts metabolic health and the progression of liver disease. This review critically evaluates current microbiome-centered therapies in MASLD management, including prebiotics, probiotics, synbiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation, and emerging therapies such as engineered bacteria and bacteriophage therapy. We explore the scientific rationale, clinical evidence, and potential mechanisms by which these interventions influence MASLD. The gut-liver axis is crucial in MASLD, with notable changes in microbiome composition linked to disease progression. For instance, specific microbial profiles and reduced alpha diversity are associated with MASLD severity. Therapeutic strategies targeting the microbiome could modulate disease progression by improving gut permeability, reducing endotoxin-producing bacteria, and altering bile acid metabolism. Although promising, these therapies require further research to fully understand their mechanisms and optimize their efficacy. This review integrates findings from clinical trials and experimental studies, providing a comprehensive overview of microbiome-centered therapies’ potential in managing MASLD. Future research should focus on personalized strategies, utilizing microbiome features, blood metabolites, and customized dietary interventions to enhance the effectiveness of these therapies.