Human ; Research Personnel ; Nurses ; Students

Repair of complex aortic aneurysms such as those involving the thoracoabdominal and pararenal aorta presents a formidable challenge for surgeons with significant perioperative morbidity and mortality. A hybrid procedure combining renovisceral debranching with endovascular aneurysm exclusion has been developed as an alternative approach for high-risk patients. This paper reports our initial experience with hybrid repair for these complex aortic diseases in three high-risk patients.

Background: This research assesses the training needs of employees at the University of the Philippines Manila (UPM) to prepare a comprehensive plan and program intervention for the 2023 training calendar. Objectives: This study specifically examines the reaction of the employees to the training program (Level 1), changes in the level of learning (Level 2), and transfer of training in the workplace or behavioral changes (Level 3). This TNA survey is essential to identify skill gaps, set priorities, and tailor training programs suitable to the needs of UPM employees. Methodology: The study employed a quantitative survey method in assessing employees’ needs across different colleges, units, and offices using a training needs assessment (TNA) survey. A total of 382 employees were surveyed regarding their needs to enhance their core, technical, leadership, and job-specific competencies. Results: Results showed that based on the varying degree of necessity, all the training programs in the training needs assessment survey were considered needed by the employees. Twelve training programs were proposed in the 2023 training calendar as a result of this TNA including three programs for improving core competencies, four programs for technical competencies, two programs for leadership competencies, and three programs for job-specific competencies. Specifically, the training focus on Stress Management, Handling Complaints and Grievances, and Safety and Emergency for core competency; Written and Spoken Communication, Google Workspace/Microsoft Office Applications, Data/Records Management for technical competency; Succession Planning and Managing People for leadership competency; and Procurement, Research Skills, and Creative Design Training for job-specific competency. Conclusion The Training Needs Assessment conducted at the University of the Philippines Manila revealed crucial areas where tailored training programs can play a transformative role in boosting workforce competence and effectiveness. The findings highlight the importance of training in areas such as stress management, decision-making, safety protocols, ethical leadership, and conflict resolution.
Education

Background and Objective: Retinoblastoma is one of the most common intraocular cancers among children usually caused by the loss of retinoblastoma protein function. Despite being a highly heritable disease, conventional diagnostic and prognostic methods depend on clinical examination, with limited consideration of cancer genetics in the standard of care. CD133, KRT19, and MUC1 are commonly explored genes for their utility in liquid biopsies of cancer including lung adenocarcinoma. To date, there are few extensive molecular studies on retinoblastoma in Filipino patients. To this end, the study aimed to describe the copy number of CD133, KRT19, and MUC1 in retinoblastoma samples from a Filipino patient and quantitate the respective expression level of these genes. Methods: Hematoxylin & Eosin (H&E) staining was utilized to characterize the retinoblastoma tissue while fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using probes specific to CD133, KRT19, and MUC1 was performed to determine the copy number of genes in retinoblastoma samples from a Filipino patient (n = 1). The gene expression of CD133, MUC1, and KRT19 was quantitated using RT-qPCR. Results: The H&E staining in the retinoblastoma tissue shows poorly differentiated cells with prominent basophilic nuclei. CD133 was approximately 1.5-fold overexpressed in the retinoblastoma tissue with respect to the normal tissue, while MUC1 and KRT19 are only slightly expressed. Multiple intense signals of each probe were localized in the same nuclear areas throughout the retinoblastoma tissue, with high background noise. Conclusion These findings suggest that CD133 is a potential biomarker for the staging and diagnosis of retinoblastoma in Filipino cancer patients. However, further optimization of the hybridization procedures is recommended.
Retinoblastoma ; Biomarkers ; In Situ Hybridization

Repair of complex aortic aneurysms such as those involving the thoracoabdominal and pararenal aorta presents a formidable challenge for surgeons with significant perioperative morbidity and mortality. A hybrid procedure combining renovisceral debranching with endovascular aneurysm exclusion has been developed as an alternative approach for high-risk patients. This paper reports our initial experience with hybrid repair for these complex aortic diseases in three high-risk patients.
Human ; Male ; Aged: 65-79 yrs old ; Middle Aged: 45-64 yrs old ; aorta ; aortic aneurysm ; endovascular procedures

BACKGROUND

Accurate diagnosis of onychomycosis is important because its treatment is long-term, costly, and sometimes with complications. KOH test is quick and cheap but has low sensitivity. Hence, the need for additional tests such as culture and/or PAS. However, these two tests are not readily available and expensive. Dermoscopy is an emerging tool for the diagnosis of nail conditions.

This study aims to evaluate the accuracy of dermoscopy as a point-of-care tool in diagnosing distal subungual onychomycosis (DSO).

This is a prospective, cross-sectional study of 22 clinically diagnosed DSO patients selected via convenience sampling in a tertiary hospital from November 2019 to March 2021. Participants had gross nail examination, dermoscopy, KOH and PAS tests. Measures of diagnostic accuracy for the different dermoscopic patterns were obtained, with KOH and PAS results as reference standard.

Fifty-one nail samples were submitted for processing with only 49 nails accepted for analysis. The most common pattern was jagged edge with spikes (65.3%). Combining all 5 dermoscopic patterns increased the sensitivity to 91.2% (95% CI: 76.3, 98.1).

Dermoscopy may be used as a first-step, point-of-care tool in the diagnosis of DSO. Addition of mycological and histopathological tests is still warranted for confirmation.

BACKGROUND: Microplastics pose a significant environmental and health threat, yet the understanding and response of young adults to this issue remain underexplored. There is an increasing amount of microplastics in our environment and as the numbers grow, the danger that comes with it is still not fully understood. This study aimed to explore the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of young adults in Muntinlupa, particularly students of a public university regarding microplastics and their health implications. METHODS: Employing a quantitative cross-sectional design, the research targeted college students aged 18 and older. RESULTS: Findings revealed that while students were knowledgeable about microplastics—particularly their harmful effects on health—attitudes and practices related to plastic disposal and recycling could be improved. Although the majority engaged in proper garbage disposal, only 41.5% consistently separated plastic waste from biodegradable materials. However, a weak positive correlation between knowledge and attitudes was observed, suggesting that increased awareness may enhance positive attitudes toward reducing microplastic pollution. CONCLUSION These results suggest that while students are aware of microplastics and generally responded positively, there remains a gap in the translation of knowledge into practices, highlighting the need for enhanced educational interventions.
Microplastics ; knowledge ; attitudes ; young adult

Background: The prone position has been seen to benefit patients experiencing acute respiratory distress syndrome. However, performing this position in pregnant patients has been difficult and raises safety concerns. Objective: The current study aimed to test the use of a supportive pillow (Prone Pillow for Pregnant Patients or 4P) to address concerns regarding pregnant patients in prone position. Methods: The study prospectively evaluated the use of the prone pillow for patient comfort and usability among healthcare workers with qualitative and quantitative measures. Results: A total of three patients were recruited alongside 16 healthcare workers assisting pregnant patients to the prone position. Overall, awake pregnant patients found the pillow to be comfortable while healthcare workers perceived the pillow to be useful in improving quality of care among awake and intubated pregnant patients. Conclusion The 4P is a potentially useful and beneficial product in placing pregnant patients in the prone position during episodes of acute respiratory distress. However, due to the limited sample size, more clinical trials are needed to evaluate the impact of this innovation in improving patient and healthcare worker safety.
Covid-19

BACKGROUND: School-aged children bear a lot of difficulties and discomforts brought about by the new normal during the COVID-19 pandemic. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to examine the general well-being of children during the pandemic, how the children are coping with all the challenges, and parents' strategies to help their children cope METHODOLOGY: This study utilized a descriptive correlational research design with purposive sampling. Data was collected through an online survey. The standardized Kidcope-Child version was utilized to measure children's coping, while the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL)™ 4.0 Short Form 15 Generic Core Scales was utilized to measure the children's well-being. RESULTS: A total of 134 parents participated in the study. No significant relationship was found between the age, sex, and coping strategies of the children, as well as between the age and well-being of children. Male children experienced more difficulty in physical functioning (p-value= 0.028), social functioning (p-value= 0.017), and overall well-being (p-value= 0.031) compared to female children. The computed mean for parents' helping strategies was between 2.67 to 2.78, which lies between the categories of sometimes (2) to always (3). CONCLUSION School-aged children were found to be using more positive coping strategies than negative coping strategies during the pandemic. They have “sometimes” to “almost no” experience of difficulty in terms of the five functions of well-being. Parents used the six fundamental tasks of parenting to help their children cope.
coping strategies ; well-being ; COVID-19 pandemic

Objectives: This study aims to develop a Filipino translation of the University of Washington Quality of Life Questionnaire (UW-QOL) version 4, and determine its internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Methods: This was a cross sectional mixed methods study comprised of two parts. The first part consisted of Filipino translation of the UW-QOL version 4 questionnaire. The second part validated the internal consistency and testretest reliability through statistical analysis. Results: The Cronbach’s coefficient was high (0.88) which denotes good internal consistency. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was obtained to determine the test-retest reliability of the translated questionnaire. A p value of <0.05 indicates that the questionnaire has good test-retest reliability. The p value was high in most of the items of the questionnaire. Conclusion The internal consistency of the translated questionnaire is high and comparable to other translations of the same questionnaire. The test-retest reliability is low owing to the interventions done between the test and retest.
Quality of Life ; Surveys and Questionnaires