Osteoporosis is a major public health concern leading to significant morbidity and mortality, especially in the elderly population. However, this disease is underdiagnosed and, as a result, undertreated. This cross-sectional study aims to determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of physicians in the diagnosis and management of osteoporosis, which would help identify key areas of improvement in the care of patients with this disease. One hundred and nine physicians answered an online questionnaire looking at their KAP on the diagnosis and management of osteoporosis, and their answers were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation and the Chi-square test. More than half of the participants obtained satisfactory scores on knowledge, and majority had neutral to positive attitude regarding osteoporosis. A statistically significant correlation was seen between having low knowledge and negative attitudes on osteoporosis screening and management.

Humans ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/pathology* ; Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone/genetics* ; Ear, Middle/pathology* ; Poly-ADP-Ribose Binding Proteins ; Nuclear Proteins

Objective: This pilot study investigated whether serum B-type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP), bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) can be used to predict fluid overload and clinical outcomes in pediatric sepsis. Methods: Pediatric sepsis patients were enrolled. BNP, BIA, and LVEDD were obtained on admission and on Day 3. Diagnostic performances of BNP, BIA, LVEDD and correlation with fluid status were obtained. Results: Twenty-two patients were enrolled. Day 3 BNP was higher in non-survivors (9241 vs. 682.2 pg/mL, p=0.04) and day 3 LVEDD Z-score was lower in non-survivors (-3.51 vs. -0.01, p=0.023). There was no difference in the fluid balance between survivors and non-survivors. Admission BNP >670.34pg/mL predicted vasopressor use with a sensitivity of 85.71% and specificity of 86.67% while ΔBNP>5388.13pg/mL predicted mortality with 100% sensitivity. Day 3 LVEDD <22mm predicted mortality with a sensitivity of 94.74%. Cumulative fluid balance was strongly correlated with BIA and LVEDD (r=0.65, p=0.001; r=0.74, p<0.001 respectively). The median length of stay in hospital days for non-survivors was not significantly different from survivors (4 [1-12] vs. 8 [6-12] days,p=0.21). Conclusion Rise in BNP levels appear to be independent of fluid status and is a good predictor of mortality, vasopressor, and mechanical ventilator use but not of length of hospital stay. LVEDD and BIA are good estimates of cumulative fluid balance but not as predictors of mortality, vasopressor, mechanical ventilator use, and length of hospital stay. Significance of the outcomes of the study was limited due to the small sample size.
Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; Echocardiography

INTRODUCTION: Dengue continues to be a major health concern in the Philippines. This study aimed to establish trends and correlations between the incidence of dengue and rainfall, humidity and temperature, respectively, in the different regions. METHODS: Using 2018 records obtained from DOH and PAGASA, correlations were made between monthly measurements of climatic factors and the incidence of dengue using Pearson’s r, while maps and interpolations were generated using quantum geographical information system software. RESULTS: There was a significant positive but weak correlation between the incidence of dengue and rainfall (r = 0.379, 95% CI 0.255, 0.491; p < 0.001) and humidity (r = 0.215, 95% CI 0.080, 0.342; p = 0.002). There was a significant negative but weak correlation between the incidence of dengue and temperature (r = -0.145, 95% CI -0.277, -0.008; p = 0.039). A strong positive correlation was noted between the incidence of dengue, and rainfall and humidity, respectively, in several regions. Multiple regression indicates that rainfall, humidity and temperature are poor predictors of the incidence of dengue (R2 = 0.1436, 0.0461 and 0.0209, respectively). CONCLUSION This study showed overall a significant but weak correlation between an increased incidence of dengue and heavy rainfalls and high relative humidity, and a weak negative correlation for temperature. A high positive correlation of an increased incidence of dengue and heavy rainfalls and high relative humidity was observed in several regions.
Dengue ; humidity ; temperature

OBJECTIVE: To compare the visual, refractive, and patient-reported outcomes of eyes implanted with one of 3 trifocal intraocular lenses (IOLs). METHODS: This is a cross-sectional, comparative, non-interventional study wherein subjects implanted with FineVision Micro F, AT LISA tri 839MP or AcrySof IQ PanOptix trifocal IOL after phacoemulsification were recruited. Manifest refraction, uncorrected and corrected visual acuity (VA) at distance, intermediate and near vision, contrast sensitivity, modulated transfer function (MTF) values and questionnaire answers were compared among the 3 groups using analysis of variance (ANOVA). RESULTS: Fifty-seven (57) eyes were included in the study: 21 eyes with FineVision (group A), 21 eyes with LISA tri (group B), and 15 eyes with PanOptix IOL (group C). The post-operative mean manifest spherical equivalent was -0.01D, -0.07D, and 0.05D, respectively (p=0.083). Uncorrected distance VA and best-corrected distance VA were similar among the groups. Groups A and C had better uncorrected and corrected intermediate VA at 80 cm and at 60 cm compared to group B. Group A had significantly better uncorrected near visual acuity than groups B and C (p=0.032). Mesopic contrast sensitivity testing showed group C had higher contrast sensitivities without glare in at the spatial frequency of 6 CPD (p=0.038) and with glare at 3 CPD (p=0.039) and at 12 CPD (p=0.009). MTF average height analysis showed that the group A had significantly superior resolution in far targets compared to groups B and C (p=0.001). At near targets, groups A and C had better resolutions compared to group B (p=0.017). There was no significant difference in patient satisfaction for far, intermediate and near VA among the groups. CONCLUSION: Eyes implanted with any of the 3 trifocal IOL designs achieved excellent uncorrected and bestcorrected distance, intermediate and near vision. FineVision and PanOptix provided significantly better intermediate vision than LISA tri at both 80 cm and 60 cm testing distance. FineVision had better near visual outcomes than PanOptix and LISA tri. Patient satisfaction was high in all 3 trifocal IOLS
Lenses, Intraocular ; Vision, Ocular

Esophageal achalasia is a primary motility disorder characterized by insufficient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation and loss of esophageal peristalsis. Achalasia is a chronic disease that causes progressive irreversible loss of esophageal motor function. The recent development of high-resolution manometry has facilitated the diagnosis of achalasia, and determining the achalasia subtypes based on high-resolution manometry can be important when deciding on treatment methods. Peroral endoscopic myotomy is less invasive than surgery with comparable efficacy. The present guidelines (the “2019 Seoul Consensus on Esophageal Achalasia Guidelines”) were developed based on evidence-based medicine; the Asian Neurogastroenterology and Motility Association and Korean Society of Neurogastroenterology and Motility served as the operating and development committees, respectively. The development of the guidelines began in June 2018, and a draft consensus based on the Delphi process was achieved in April 2019. The guidelines consist of 18 recommendations: 2 pertaining to the definition and epidemiology of achalasia, 6 pertaining to diagnoses, and 10 pertaining to treatments. The endoscopic treatment section is based on the latest evidence from meta-analyses. Clinicians (including gastroenterologists, upper gastrointestinal tract surgeons, general physicians, nurses, and other hospital workers) and patients could use these guidelines to make an informed decision on the management of achalasia.

During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, practices of gastrointestinal procedures within the digestive tract require special precautions due to the risk of contraction of severe acute respiratoy syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Many procedures in the gastrointestinal motility laboratory may be considered moderate to high-risk for viral transmission. Healthcare staff working in gastrointestinal motility laboratories are frequently exposed to splashes, air droplets, mucus, or saliva during the procedures. Moreover, some are aerosol-generating and thus have a high risk of viral transmission. There are multiple guidelines on the practices of gastrointestinal endoscopy during this pandemic. However, such guidelines are still lacking and urgently needed for the practice of gastrointestinal motility laboratories. Hence, the Asian Neurogastroenterology and Motility Association had organized a group of gastrointestinal motility experts and infectious disease specialists to produce a position statement paper based-on current available evidence and consensus opinion with aims to provide a clear guidance on the practices of gastrointestinal motility laboratories during the COVID-19 pandemic. This guideline covers a wide range of topics on gastrointestinal motility activities from scheduling a motility test, the precautions at different steps of the procedure to disinfection for the safety and well-being of the patients and the healthcare workers. These practices may vary in different countries depending on the stages of the pandemic, local or institutional policy, and the availability of healthcare resources. This guideline is useful when the transmission rate of SARS-CoV-2 is high. It may change rapidly depending on the situation of the epidemic and when new evidence becomes available.

Background: A rise in the number of immunocompromised patients has increased the risk of opportunistic fungal infections. Identifying novel sources of antifungal agents from commonly discarded materials (i.e. potato peelings) can provide a cheaper alternative for antifungal drugs.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine the antifungal activity of crude glycoalkaloid extract from Solanum tuberosum L. (white potato) peelings against opportunistic fungi Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Aspergillus flavus.

Methods: The glycoalkaloid content from dried potato peelings were extracted using ethanol and confirmed using colorimetric tests.The extract had a concentration 833.33 microgram/mL. Determination of the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the extract via two-fold broth dilution was performed for the five fungi with amphotericin B and fluconazole as the reference antifungal drugs.

Results: MICs of the crude extract for C. albicans, C. glabrata, A. fumigatus, and A. niger were not found within the concentration range of the studies and would thus need further experiments using a broader range of glycoalkaloid concentrations. The extract was found to have a MIC of 104.17microgram/mL for A. flavus, thereby verifying the antifungal effect of glycoalkaloid against A. flavus at said concentration.

Conclusion: Glycoalkaloids from Solanum tuberosum are a potential source of antifungals against certain opportunistic fungi.

Objective: This study aimed to understand the herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2) infection and related factors among female drug abusers in the women's compulsory drug rehabilitation center of Shandong province and to provide reference for the prevention and control of HSV-2 in these settings. Methods: We screened all of 451 female drug abusers in the women's compulsory drug rehabilitation centers in of Shandong province and conducted a study using both questionnaire investigation and serological tests for HSV-2, HIV and syphilis. We also used EpiData 3.1 software to establish a database and SPSS 20.0 software to conduct the χ(2) test and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: A total of 451 female drug abusers were under study. We noticed that the rates for HSV-2 infection, HIV infection and syphilis infection appeared as 72.1% (325/451), 2.2% (10/451) and 33.5% (151/451) respectively. Results from univariate analysis showed that factors as: awareness on AIDS, having temporary sex partner after using the drug, having multiple sex partners after using the drug, providing commercial services or having temporary sex practice before being detained, with syphilis infection etc., were associated with HSV-2 infection. Data from the multivariate analysis showed that the OR (95%CI) value of HSV-2 infection was 2.90 (1.19-7.06) for those who providing commercial service, when comparing to those who did not. Compared to those who did not suffer from syphilis infection, the OR (95%CI) value of HSV-2 infection for those with syphilis infection was 2.75 (1.63-4.63). Conclusions: The rate of HSV-2 infection was high in the women's compulsory drug rehabilitation center of Shandong province. We should enhance measures and promote condom use to prevent from HSV-2 and other sexually transmitted diseases among them.
Drug Users ; Female ; HIV Infections/epidemiology* ; Herpes Genitalis/epidemiology* ; Herpes Simplex/epidemiology* ; Herpesvirus 2, Human/isolation & purification* ; Humans ; Opiate Substitution Treatment ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Serologic Tests/methods* ; Sexual Behavior ; Sexual Partners ; Substance Abuse Treatment Centers ; Substance-Related Disorders/rehabilitation* ; Syphilis/epidemiology*

Shanghai Diet and Health Survey (SDHS) was designed to prospectively access local residents' food consumption, energy and nutrient intake, related chemical contaminant exposure, and the seasonal change trend to explore the relationship of diet with health. Data from SDHS can be used as fundamental information and scientific evidences for the development of local nutrition and food safety policies.
China ; Diet ; Energy Intake ; Health Surveys ; Nutrition Policy ; Nutrition Surveys