Profil épidémiologique et facteurs associés à l'ictère néonatal chez les nouveau-nés malades, hospitalisés aux Cliniques Universitaires de Kinshasa / Epidemiological profile and factors associated with neonatal jaundice in sick newborns attending Kinshasa University Hospital

Contexte et objectifs. L'ictère néonatal est un symptôme fréquent. L'objectif de la présente étude était d'actualiser le profil épidémiologique et d'identifier les facteurs associés à l'ictère néonatal chez les nouveau-nés malades. Méthodes. Une étude transversale descriptive a été menée de juin 2022 à avril 2023 aux Cliniques Universitaires de Kinshasa. L'étude a concerné les nouveau-nés malades ayant présenté un ictère cutanéomuqueux. Les variables sociodémographiques, périnatales, cliniques et paracliniques ont été recherchées. Résultats. Sur 152 nouveau-nés malades, 102 (67,1%) cas d'ictère ont été identifiés. Les nouveau-nés à terme (72,5%), nés par voie basse (67,6%) et dont les mères avaient présenté des infections uro-génitales (98%) et de groupe sanguin O (53%) rhésus positif (97,1%) étaient les plus représentés. L'ictère s'est manifesté dans la première semaine de vie (85,3 %). La bilirubine sérique totale initiale se situait entre 10 et 15 mmol/L (57,8 %). L'origine infectieuse était notée dans 85 % des cas (Klebsiella pneumoniae dans 50 % des cas). La photothérapie conventionnelle a été utilisée chez 74,5 %. L'accouchement par voie basse était le seul facteur associé (p=0,001). Conclusion : L'ictère néonatal est fréquent chez les nouveau-nés malades. L'étiologie infectieuse doit être recherchée systématiquement. Une prise en charge appropriée permet de réduire la survenue de séquelles neurosensorielles.

Context and objective. Neonatal jaundice is a common symptom. The objective of the present study was to update the epidemiological profile and identify the factors associated with neonatal jaundice in sick newborns. Methods. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2022 to April 2023 at the Kinshasa University Hospital. The study included sick newborns who presented with mucocutaneous jaundice. Sociodemographic, perinatal, clinical and paraclinical variables were sought. Results. Out of 152 sick newborns, 102 (67.1 %) cases of jaundice were identified. Fullterm newborns (72.5 %), born vaginally (67.6 %) and whose mothers had presented with urogenital infections (98 %) and blood group O (53 %) rhesus positive (97.1 %) were the most represented. Jaundice appeared in the first week of life (85.3 %). Baseline total serum bilirubin was between 10 and 15 mmol/L (57.8 %). The infectious origin was noted in 85 % of cases (Klebsiella pneumoniae in 50 % of cases). Conventional phototherapy was used in 74.5 %. Vaginal delivery was the only associated factor (p=0.001). Conclusion. Neonatal jaundice is common in sick newborns. The infectious etiology must be systematically sought. Appropriate management helps reduce the occurrence of neurosensory aftereffects.

Clinical profile and prescribing patterns of therapy in children with bronchial asthma in a rural site in the Philippines: A retrospective cohort study

Background@#Bronchial asthma is one of the most common chronic childhood diseases encountered in the primary care setting. Adherence to recommendations from clinical practice guidelines on asthma can be utilized as an indicator of quality of care when evaluating the implementation of the universal health care in the Philippines.@*Objectives@#To determine the clinical profile of pediatric patients with bronchial asthma; and to evaluate the prescription patterns for asthma treatment in a primary care setting.@*Methods@#This was a retrospective cohort study that involved review of the electronic medical records in a rural site of the Philippine Primary Care Studies (PPCS). All patients less than 19 years old who were diagnosed with asthma from April 2019 to March 2021 were included. Quality indicators for asthma care were based on adherence to recommendations from the 2019 Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) Guidelines.@*Results@#This study included 240 asthmatic children with mean age of 6 years (SD ± 4.9) and a slight male preponderance (55.4%). Majority (138 children or 57.5%) were less than 6 years old. Out of the 240 children, 224 (93.3%) were prescribed inhaled short-acting beta-agonists (SABA) and 66 (27.5%) were prescribed oral SABA. Only 14 children (5.8%) were prescribed inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), with 13 children (5.4%) given ICS with longacting beta-agonists (LABA) preparations, and one child (0.4%) given ICS alone. Quality indicators used in this study revealed underutilization of ICS treatment across all age groups, and an overuse of SABA-only treatment in children 6 years old and above. Moreover, 71.3% of the total patients were prescribed antibiotics despite the current GINA recommendation of prescribing antibiotics only for patients with strong evidence of lung infection, such as fever or radiographic evidence of pneumonia.@*Conclusion@#There were 240 children diagnosed with asthma over a 2-year period in a rural community, with a mean age of 6 years old and a slight male predominance. This quality-of-care study noted suboptimal adherence of rural health physicians to the treatment recommendations of the GINA guidelines, with overuse of SABA and underuse of ICS for asthma control.

A comparative study on the functional outcomes of patients who underwent internal versus external fixation for Tibial Plateau fractures two years post-surgery

Introduction@#Tibial plateau fractures are due to high energy trauma brought about by axial compression forces and associated varus or valgus component. @*Objective@#Patients diagnosed with tibial plateau fractures from January to December 2018 treated with internal vs. external fixation will be described according to their Schatzker classification. The study further aims to compare the functional outcomes between the two groups in terms of surgery done. @*Methods@#A chart review determined the distribution of demographics. The Modified Rasmussen Score (MRS) was used to determine the clinical and radiographic parameters after taking a new knee radiograph and assessment from the rehabilitation department. The MRS determined the functional outcomes of the said patients. Ethical considerations and proper informed consent were upheld after being reviewed by the hospital’s research committee. @*Results@#Out of 48 patients, 35 underwent internal fixation via open reduction using plates and/or screws, while 13 underwent external fixation using hybrid external fixator. The demographic profile showed mostly males between ages 20 to 49 years old. Most cases were due to vehicular accidents affecting the left lower extremity. In terms of Schatzker classification, the most common was type VI. The computed mean MRS of the internal fixation group was 30.43 while the external fixation group was 30.00, generally showing no significant difference. @*Conclusion@#Surgical intervention of tibial plateau fractures aims for anatomic reduction using internal or external fixation. There was no significant difference on the functional outcome of the two groups despite classifying the respondents according to Schatzker type, hence we can conclude that external fixation be chosen as the treatment of choice for tibial plateau fractures when properly indicated.

Role of polymerase chain reaction–based viral detection in pterygia

Purpose: Pterygium is a fibrovascular disease that originates in the conjunctiva and commonly spreads to the corneal surface, thereby posing a threat to eyesight. Despite intensive research, the pathophysiology of this disease remains unclear. Recent research suggests that oncogenic viruses, such as human papillomavirus (HPV), cytomegalovirus, and Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), may play a role in pterygia development. Although there are questions concerning the function of oncogenic viruses in pterygium pathogenesis, existing research shows a lack of consensus on the subject, demonstrating the heterogeneity of pterygium pathophysiology. Therefore, we aimed to simultaneously detect the three common viral pathogens that have been reported in pterygium tissue obtained after excision. Methods: Thirty?five tissue specimens of pterygium from patients undergoing pterygium surgery (as cases) were analyzed for evidence of viral infection with multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and virus?specific real?time quantitative PCR was used for the samples that were detected positive by multiplex PCR. Results: Of the 35 patients, one sample was positive for EBV and two samples were positive for HPV. Further PCR?based DNA sequencing of the HPV PCR?positive product showed identity with HPV?16. Real?time quantitative PCR on samples that showed EBV or HPV positivity did not yield any detectable copy number. Conclusion: Our study results confirmed that PCR positivity could be due to transient flora, but it was not quantitatively significant to conclude as the causative factor of pterygium pathogenesis. However, additional studies with larger sample populations are warranted to fully determine the role of the virus in pterygium.

Nutritional profile of indigenous children under five years of age in the Upper Solimões River, Amazonas, Brazil (2013) / Perfil nutricional de crianças indígenas menores de cinco anos de idade no Alto Rio Solimões, Amazonas, Brasil (2013)

Abstract Objectives: to characterize the nutritional status of indigenous children underfive years of age living in rural communities in the Upper Solimões River region, inhabited by seven ethnic groups, based on data of december 2013. Methods: weight and height data extracted from SISVAN-I (Indigenous Food and Nutritional Surveillance System) forms filled in 2013 for 7,520 children (86.0% of the estimated children in this age group). The indices height-for-age (H/A), weight-for-age (W/A), weight-for-height(W/H), and body mass index-for-age (BMI/A) were calculated. Growth reference curves proposed by the World Health Organization were used to calculate z-scores. Results: the height-for-age (H/A) index presented the lowest mean z-score values, reaching -1.95 among children between 36 and 60 months. Mean z-score values for the weight-for-age (W/A) index also remained below zero. Mean z-score values for the indices weight-for-height (W/H) and body mass index-for-age (BMI/A) remained slightly above zero, reaching a maximum value of 0.5. Of all children, 45.7% presented low H/A, 9.6% presented low W/A, 4.5% presented low W/H, and 10.7% presented overweight based on BMI/A. Conclusion: our analysis show that in 2013 poor nutritional status persisted as an important health issue among these rural indigenous children.

Resumo Objetivos: caracterizar o estado nutricional de crianças indígenas menores de cinco anos, de comunidades rurais na região do Alto Solimões, habitada por sete etnias, com base em dados de dezembro de 2013. Métodos: foram extraídos dos formulários do SISVAN Indígena dados de peso e estatura, coletados em 2013, de 7.520 crianças (86,0% das crianças estimadas nesta faixa etária). Foram calculados os índices estatura-para-idade (E/I), peso-para-idade (P/I), peso-para-estatura (P/E) e índice de massa corporal para idade (IMC/I). Curvas de referência para crescimento propostas pela Organização Mundial da Saúde foram utilizadas para calcular escores z. Resultados: o índice estatura-para-idade (E/I) apresentou os menores valores médios de escore z, chegando a -1,95 nas crianças entre 36 e 60 meses. Os valores médios do escore z do índice peso-para-idade (P/I) também permaneceram abaixo de zero. Os valores médios do escore z para os índices P/E e índice de massa corporal para idade (IMC/I) mantiveram-se ligeiramente acima de zero, atingindo valor máximo de 0,5. Do total de crianças, 45,7% apresentaram baixa E/I, 9,6%, baixo P/I, 4,5% baixo P/E e 10,7% de excesso de peso de acordo com o IMC/I. Conclusão: em 2013 a desnutrição persistia como um importante agravo à saúde nessas crianças.

Apport de la technique combinée gingivectomie-frénectomie dans la prise en charge d'un accroissement gingival associé à un frein pathologique: à propos d'un cas / contribution of the combined gingivectomy-frenectomy technique in the management of gingival growth associated with a pathological frenulum: about a case

Introduction : La prise en charge de l'accroissement gingival repose sur un entretien médical bien mené, un examen clinique rigoureux, un diagnostic bien posé et une exérèse chirurgicale. Cependant, une récidive de la lésion peut être observée avec un rendu gingival souvent inesthétique. L'objectif de ce travail était d'illustrer, à travers un cas clinique, l'apport de la gingivectomie et de la frénectomie dans la prise en charge d'un accroissement gingival associé à un frein pathologique. Observation : Il s'agissait d'un patient âgé de 27 ans, venu consulter pour un problème esthétique lié à une excroissance gingivale. L'examen exo-buccal a mis en évidence, une asymétrie faciale dans le sens horizontal. La lésion gingivale était visible au sourire et évoluant depuis plus de 5 ans. L'examen endo-buccal a relevé la présence d'une gingivite induite par le biofilm, d'un frein de type 4 de Placek associés à un accroissement gingival pédonculé saignant au contact et siégeant entre la 11 et la 21. Après la thérapeutique initiale et une réévaluation, une gingivectomie à biseau interne (GBI) associée à une frénectomie ont été réalisées. L'examen anatomo-pathologique a mis en évidence un épulis fibreux ou fibrome périphérique avec absence de signes histologiques de malignité. L'évolution après 6 mois est marquée par une muqueuse gingivale cliniquement saine avec absence de récidive. Conclusion : L'apport de la gingivectomie et de la frénectomie est un atout important en termes de résultat clinique et de limitation de récidives dans l'exérèse des excès gingivaux combinés à un frein labial pathologique.

Introduction: Gingival growth is a change in the size and/or multiplication of cells, the gingival vascular system and the extracellular matrix. Management is based on a wellconducted medical interview, a rigorous clinical examination, a well-made diagnosis and surgical excision. However, a recurrence of the lesion can be observed with an often unsightly gingival rendering. The objective of this work was to illustrate, through a clinical case, the contribution of gingivectomy and frenectomy in the management of gingival growth associated with a pathological frenulum. Observation: It was a patient aged 27 who came to consult for an aesthetic problem related to a gingival growth. The exo-oral examination highlighted, a facial asymmetry in the horizontal direction. The gum lesion was visible on the smile and had been evolving for more than 5 years. The endooral examination noted the presence of biofilm-induced gingivitis, a type 4 Placek frenulum associated with pedunculate gingival growth bleeding on contact and sitting between 11 and 21. After initial therapy and reassessment, an internal bevel gingivectomy (IGG) combined with frenectomy was performed. The anatomo-pathological examination revealed fibrous epulis or peripheral fibroid with absence of histological signs of malignancy. The evolution after 6 months is marked by a clinically healthy gingival mucosa with no recurrence. Conclusion: The contribution of gingivectomy and frenectomy is an important asset in terms of clinical outcome and limitation of recurrence in the excision of excess gingival combined with a pathological labial frenulum.

Hémopathies malignes de l'adulte à Kinshasa: analyse documentaire d'une série des cas de 2011 à 2021 / Hematological malignancies in adults in Kinshasa: retrospective serial cases from 2011 to 2021

Contexte et objectif. Les hémopathies malignes (HM) constituent un problème majeur de santé publique en Afrique sub-saharienne où les moyens de prise en charge sont limités. L'objectif de l'étude était de décrire les aspects diagnostiques, thérapeutiques et évolutifs observées dans la prise en charge des HM en milieu hospitalier de Kinshasa. Méthodes. Etude observationnelle historique de type suivi des cas d'HM hospitalisés, dans formations sanitaires de Kinshasa entre les 1er janvier 2011 et 31 décembre 2021. Seuls les patients âgés de plus de 18 ans ont été inclus. Les paramètres d'intérêt étaient englobés les données sociodémographiques, cliniques, biologiques, d'imagerie, du myélogramme, de l'analyse histopathologique des pièces biopsiques ganglionnaires ou extra ganglionnaires, le type de chimiothérapie et de la survie à 6 mois. Les tests de chi-carré et de Student ont comparé respectivement les proportions et les moyennes. L'analyse de Kaplan Meier et la régression de Cox ont respectivement décrit la survie et recherché les facteurs associés à la mortalité à 6 mois. Résultats.Sur 2678 patients suspects d'HM, seuls de 250 patients (9,3%, âge moyen 47,6 ± 15,8 ans, 62,4% d'hommes) ont eu un bilan de confirmation. Les adénopathies périphériques (54 %), la fièvre au long cours (48 %) et la poly transfusion (29 %) étaient les principaux motifs de consultation. Les perturbations hématologiques rencontrées étaient l'anémie (72 %), la thrombopénie (50 %), l'hyperleucocytose ( 0 %) et la leucopénie ( 0 %). Les syndromes lymphoproliferatif (68 %) étaient plus fréquents et répartis en lymphomes non hodgkiniens (50 %), Lymphome hodgkinien (27%) et myélome multiple (15 %). Les leucémies aigues venaient en deuxième position (12 %) suivi des syndromes myélodysplasiques (11 %) et des syndromes myéloprolifératifs (8 %). 61 % des patients ont bénéficié de la chimiothérapie. Durant les 6 premiers mois de prise en charge, la létalité globale était de 58,4 %. Conclusion. En milieu hospitalier de Kinshasa, très peu de patients suspects d'HM bénéficient d'une mise au point complète et de la chimiothérapie. Les adultes jeunes, surtout les hommes, sont très affectés et plus de la moitié d'entre eux décèdent endéans 6 mois. L'amélioration de l'accessibilité à la chimiothérapie et du plateau technique permettra une réduction de la létalité.

Tends of "Zero-dose" children aged 12-23 months in Togo from 2000 to 2017 and predictions for 2030

Guided by the principle of leaving no one behind by improving equitable access and use of new and existing vaccines, the Immunization Agenda 2030 aims, among other things, to halve the incidence of "zero-dose" at the national level. This study aimed at studying the tends of the prevalence of "zerodose" children from 2000 to 2017 and making predictions for 2030. The study consisted of secondary data analyses from the Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS) conducted in Togo. The study population consisted of children aged 12-23 months surveyed during MICS2 in 2000, MICS3 in 2006, MICS4 in 2010 and MICS6 in 2017. The dependent variable was the "zero-dose" vaccination status (1=Yes vs 0=No). The explanatory variables were related to the child, mother, household and environment. The study generated the overall annual percentage changes (APC) and by the independent variables. As a result, the prevalence of children with "zero-dose" expected for 2030 was estimated using Excel 2013 and Stata 16.0 software. In total, 636, 864, 916 and 952 children aged 12-23 months were included for MICS2, MICS3, MICS4 and MICS7, respectively. The prevalence of "zerodose" children decreased from 37.15% in 2000 to 31.72% in 2006, then 30.10% in 2010 and 26.86% in 2017, with an overall APC= - 1.89%. The highest relative annual decrease was from 2000 to 2006. If the historical rate of decrease remains unchanged, we predict that percentage of "zero-dose" children aged 12-23 months will be 20.96% in 2030, with a decrease of 22% compared to 2017, against a target of 50%. We suggest that strengthening strategies to increase full immunization coverage of children will contribute to reducing the percentage of zero dose children. A prerequisite will be a better understanding of the predictors of the "zero-dose" phenomenon in children

Determinants of COVID-19 infection prevention practices among employees of a medical center in NCR, Philippines

Background@#The COVID-19 pandemic became a severe public health threat to the Philippines, overwhelming the health system and its healthcare workers. As infections spread globally, it became imperative to understand the infection prevention practices (e.g., face mask-wearing, handwashing, social distancing) to better understand the pandemic and its effects on the healthcare workforce.@*Objective@#The study aims to describe the sociodemographic and medical profile and the COVID-19 infection prevention practices, and the correlation between both among employees of a medical center in the National Capital Region (NCR), Philippines,@*Methods@#The analytic cross-sectional study utilized an online survey administered to employees of a medical center in NCR, Philippines. A total of 112 responses were analyzed. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze respondents’ sociodemographic and medical characteristics and summarize their COVID-19 infection prevention practices. Spearman’s rank correlation and Pearson’s chi-square tests were performed to determine the association of the respondents’ sociodemographic and medical profiles with their corresponding infection prevention practices.@*Results@#Majority of respondents were between ages 30-50 (52.68%), female (71.43%), with college (83.93%) as their highest educational attainment, single (70.54%), and without comorbidities (66.07%). 76.5% (72/94) of respondents living in multi-person households lived with familial ties, and 59.6% (56/94) of respondents living in a multi-person household lived with at least one member considered a high-risk individual (i.e., a senior citizen with comorbidities). The respondents practiced face mask-wearing (4.92) and respiratory etiquette (4.90) the most, whereas reduction of unnecessary outings (3.81), not drinking alcohol (3.81), and sleeping at least 7 hours per day (3.42) were least practiced. Results showed that only age and having chronic kidney disease correlated with infection prevention practices with a p-value of <0.05, showing that people with chronic kidney disease and those aged 30-50 were more likely to engage in infection prevention practices.@*Conclusion@#The study findings provide insight into sociodemographic and medical factors that may contribute to adherence to infection prevention practices among the hospital-based workforce. Recommendations for further research were discussed.

Self-reported confidence in general competencies and skills of clinical clerks of a private medical school for SY 2021-2022: A cross-sectional study / The Health Sciences Journal

Introduction@#During the COVID-19 pandemic, medical schools shifted to blended learning. This study aimed to determine the demographic and level of confidence of a private medical school’s clinical clerks of School Year 2021-2022 on general competencies and skills. @*Methods@#The study aimed to identify the skills that exhibited the highest and lowest levels of confidence among a group of 139 clinical clerks. Additionally, it sought to examine whether there were significant differences in confidence levels based on sex and prior clinical experience. An analytical cross-sectional study design was employed using a Google Form as the data collection tool.@*Results@#The clerks were most confident in handwashing, and least in NGT insertion, performing digital rectal examination (DRE), and suturing. Females were more confident in history taking of obstetric and gynecologic, surgical, and medical patients, physical examination of pediatric patients, and preparing a discharge summary, while males were more confident in performing digital rectal examination. Clerks with prior medical experience were significantly more confident in foley catheter insertion, intravenous insertion, blood extraction, suturing, and performing essential intrapartum and newborn care (EINC) than those without. The results aligned with previous studies since clerks with prior experience were able to practice the skills in a psychomotor sense.@*Conclusion@#The study revealed significant differences in the confidence level on the competencies and skills for medical practice between sex and prior medical experience.

Isolated fallopian tube torsion in an early adolescent / Philippine Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

@#Isolated fallopian tube torsion is a rare but significant gynecological cause of lower abdominal pain in adolescent females with or without risk factors. A 12-year-old female was initially treated as urinary tract infection, acute appendicitis, and a possible ovarian pathology. Intraoperatively, it was isolated fallopian tube torsion. The entity is difficult to recognize preoperatively because of its vague clinical presentation and lack of specific laboratory and imaging findings, and diagnosis is done ultimately during surgery. Isolated tubal torsion should be considered in cases of acute lower abdominal pain since awareness and early detection of the condition, especially in children and adolescents, allows early surgical intervention that may render preservation of the tubes.

Family members’ experiences as simulated patients in physical therapy performance-based assessments: A phenomenological exploration protocol

BACKGROUND@#The Covid-19 pandemic caused educational institutions to shift from traditional to distance learning. Higher educational institutions offering bachelor’s degrees in Physical Therapy (PT) adapted to the situation by employing various strategies to facilitate learning online. One of the strategies employed is inviting family members as simulated patients in various performance-based assessments (PBA). In the Philippines, the PT department at the University of Santo Tomas made similar changes in the delivery of its courses. Given that family members are one of the primary stakeholders of PT education, it is important to know their experience, insights, and knowledge gained about the profession of PT after playing as a simulated patient (SP) during online performance-based assessments.@*OBJECTIVES@#This study aims to explore how family members describe their experiences playing the role of patients in PT PBAs.@*METHODS@#This study will utilize a phenomenological explorative research design. Family members, including parents, siblings, grandparents, cousins, and household helpers who played the role of a patient in any PT PBAs such as case presentation, case discussion, and practical examination, will be invited to participate. Semi-structured one-on-one interviews will be used for data gathering. Qualitative data from interview transcriptions will be analyzed using thematic analysis using NVivo 12 plus program.@*EXPECTED RESULTS@#Family Members will offer experiences in role-playing as patients in PBAs. Main themes and findings will be generated from their sharing that will provide insights regarding the improvement of remote PT PBAs.

Acro-osteolysis in a Filipino male with Vinyl chloride exposure: A case report

@#Occupational acro-osteolysis pertains to bone resorption of the distal phalanges of the hands and feet among workers with vinyl chloride exposure. We report the case of a Filipino man with osteolysis of the distal phalanges of the hands initially considered to have systemic sclerosis. The patient had gradual shortening of the fingers, thickening of the skin over the extremities, and hypopigmented patches over a span of more than 20 years. His lower extremities presented with non-pitting edema, skin thickening, and neuropathy, without shortening of the digits. Difficulty of ambulation was apparent due to the development of feet inversion. Radiographic findings of the hands and feet included resorption of distal phalanges, erosive and sclerotic changes, and narrowed joint spaces. Other conditions considered were Hansen’s disease, skeletal tuberculosis, and diabetic neuropathic arthropathy, which were eventually ruled out. The final diagnosis was occupational acro-osteolysis secondary to vinyl chloride exposure. The patient underwent serial total contact casting of the bilateral lower extremities to relieve bipedal edema and to reposition the feet. This case emphasizes the significance of investigating a patient’s occupational history and highlights a rare sequela of exposure to a commonly used chemical agent in the manufacture of polyvinyl chloride products.

Prevalence of Somatic BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations in ovarian cancer among Filipinos using next generation sequencing

INTRODUCTION@#Ovarian cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality in women. In 2020, 5,395 (6.2%) of diagnosed malignancies in females were ovarian in origin. It also ranked second among gynecologic malignancies after cervical cancer. The prevalence in Asian /Pacific women is 9.2 per 100,000 population. Increased mortality and poor prognosis in ovarian cancer are caused by asymptomatic growth and delayed or absent symptoms for which about 70% of women have an advanced stage (III/IV) by the time of diagnosis. The most associated gene mutations are Breast Cancer gene 1 (BRCA1) which is identified in chromosome 17q21 and Breast Cancer gene 2 (BRCA2) identified in chromosome 13. Both proteins function in the double-strand DNA break repair pathway especially in the large framework repair molecules. Olaparib is a first-line drug used in the management of ovarian cancer. It targets affected cells by inhibition of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) activity which induces synthetic lethality in mutated BRCA1/2 cancers by selectively targeting tumor cells that fail to repair DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs).@*OBJECTIVE@#The study aims to determine the prevalence of pathogenic somatic mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 among patients diagnosed of having ovarian cancer, to characterize the identified variants into benign/ no pathogenic variant identified, variant of uncertain significance (VUS), and pathogenic, and to determine the relationship of specific mutations detected with histomorphologic findings and clinical attributes.@*METHODOLOGY@#Ovarian cancer tissues available at the St. Luke’s Medical Center Human Cancer Biobank and formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue blocks diagnosed as ovarian cancer from the year 2016 to 2020 were included. Determination of the prevalence of somatic BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations using Next Generation Sequencing (NGS).@*RESULTS@#A total of 60 samples were processed, and three samples were excluded from the analysis due to an inadequate number of cells. In the remaining 57 samples diagnosed ovarian tumors, pathogenic BRCA1/2 variants were identified in 10 (17.5%) samples. Among the BRCA1/2 positive samples, 3 (5.3%) BRCA1 and 7 (12.3%) BRCA2 somatic mutations were identified.@*CONCLUSION@#Identification of specific BRCA1/2 mutations in FFPE samples with NGS plays a big role in the management of ovarian cancer, particularly with the use of targeted therapies such as Olaparib. The use of this drug could provide a longer disease-free survival for these patients. Furthermore, we recommend that women diagnosed with ovarian cancer should be subjected to genetic testing regardless of the histologic subtypes or clinical features. Lastly, genetic testing should be done along with proper genetic counseling, especially for patients who are susceptible to these mutations.

Validation of low anterior resection syndrome score in Brazil with Portuguese

Purpose@#This study was performed to investigate the convergent validity, discriminative validity, and reliability of the Brazilian version of the low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) score in a population with low educational and socioeconomic levels. @*Methods@#The LARS score was translated into the Portuguese language by forward- and back-translation procedures. In total, 127 patients from a public hospital in Brazil completed the questionnaires. The convergent validity was tested by comparing the LARS score with the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire Core Module 30 (QLQ-C30) and with patients’ self-reported quality of life. For the discriminative validity, we tested the ability of the score to differentiate among subgroups of patients regarding neoadjuvant radiotherapy, type of surgery, and tumor distance from the anal verge. The test-retest reliability was investigated in a subgroup of 36 patients who responded to the survey twice in 2 weeks. @*Results@#The LARS score demonstrated a strong correlation with 5 of 6 items from the EORTC QLQ-C30 (P<0.05) and good concordance with patients’ self-reported quality of life (95.3%), confirming the convergent validity. The score was able to discriminate between subgroups of patients with different clinical characteristics related to LARS (P<0.001). The agreement between the test and retest showed that 86.1% of the patients remained in the same LARS category, and there was no significant difference between the LARS score numerical values (P=0.80), indicating good reliability overall. @*Conclusion@#The Brazilian version of the LARS score is a valid and reliable instrument to assess postoperative bowel function in a population with low educational and socioeconomic levels.

Danish Validation of a Retronasal Olfactory Powder Test and Development of a Novel Quick Retronasal Olfactory Test

Abstract Introduction Quality of life is closely linked to retronasal olfactory function. Familiarity with odors vary, so tests need validation. Testing can be time-consuming, so a quick test and a thorough test are needed for clinical and research settings. Objectives The objectives of this study were to validate the original retronasal powder olfactory test in a Danish population and to develop a novel quick retronasal test for easy application. Methods Ninety-seven participants were included in the study, 59 healthy controls and 38 patients with olfactory impairment. The retronasal test was modified by substituting unfamiliar odors and descriptors and validated with a criterion of correct identification rate of 50% in the original test and 90% in the quick test. Items with over 90% correct identification rate in the modified original test were included in the quick test, resulting in a 10-item test. Results The modified retronasal olfactory test achieved good test characteristics, with a 10th percentile cut-off value of 13: sensitivity was 88.9%, specificity 83.0%, positive predictive value 78%, negative predictive value 91.7%, and the receiver operating characteristics area under the curve (ROC-AUC) was 0.86. The quick test achieved acceptable test characteristics, with a 10th percentile cut-off value of 8.2: sensitivity was 72.2%, specificity 90.6%, positive predictive value 83.9%, negative predictive value was 82.8%, and ROC-AUC 0.81. Conclusion Validation of both tests demonstrated satisfactory accuracy. We recommend the quick test for screening purposes, and the modified original version for a thorough evaluation. The tests are easily implemented as they are easy to understand and very affordable.

Effects of Mucuna Milk (Mucuna pruriens L.) on Body Weight and Serum Biochemistry in Rats Fed Hyperlipidaemic Diet

Aims: to investigate the potential of Mucuna milk to influence weight gain, blood lipid levels and redox status in a rat model on a high-fat diet. Study Design: 42 healthy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 7 groups of 6 rats. Group I received a standard diet; Group II was fed a high fat diet only; Group III was fed a high fat diet and treated with Atorvastatin (10 mg/kg per day) orally for 4 weeks; Group IV, V, VI and VII were tests groups fed a high fat diet and given orally 20 mL of vegetable milk. Methodology: Mucuna milks were produced from two varieties of Mucuna seeds. Three controls (I, II, III) made of normal rats fed with standard diet, rats fed with high fat diet and rats fed with high fat diet received orally atorvastatin (10 mg/kg/day). In addition, four test groups (IV, V, VI, VII) consisting of rats fed a high fat diet received oral administration of 20 mL of vegetable milk per day (10 mL at morning and 10 mL in the afternoon). Results: After four weeks, rats on a high-fat diet had an increase in their initial body weight of about 224%, with higher abdominal fat. A significant increase (P<0.05) in lipid peroxidation (MDA) in the liver and heart was also observed. However, oral administration of Mucuna milk inhibited weight gain (about 66% reduction) and abdominal fat (54.53 – 55.60% reduction). The reduction of LDL, VLDL, Triglycerides and Total cholesterol was remarkable in the groups of rats treated with vegetable milk, as about 67% of reduction was observed with dehulled Mucuna milks (DCM, DVM) and 69 % of reduction with whole Mucuna milks (WCM, WVM). The hyperlipidaemic group of rats had higher levels of ASAT (134.17 UI/L) and ALAT (101.72 UI/L). However, Mucuna milks improved the ASAT and ALAT levels in rats. The reduction of MDA (70-50%) was related to phenolic content of Mucuna milks. Moreover, significant and negative correlations was observed between catalase and MDA (r= -0.86; P =0.05); MDA and SOD (r= - 0.60; P=0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that treatment with Mucuna milks has anti-hyperlipidaemia properties and can increase the activity of antioxidant enzymes.

Hepatitis B Virus and Behavioural Risk among Blood Donors, Gabon

Background: In resource-limited setting, co-infection between HIV and hepatitis B virus (HBV) poses important public health considerations. This cross-sectional study was undertaken with the aim of determining HBV seroprevalence patterns in urban blood banks.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at an urban blood bank setting. A total of 1610 blood donors were enrolled, and 283 consecutive plasma samples with unknown HBsAg status were selected for risks factors. HBV seroprevalence was based on the Chemiluminescence method (Cobas® e601, Roche). Potential risk factors associated with overt HBV infection were assessed by calculating the crude and adjusted odds ratio, 95% confidence intervalley (95% CI) and p values.Results: Of 1610 participants, overall rate seroprevalence of HBsAg was 5.5% (95% CI: 4.36%–6.58%) ranging from 0.06% (95% CI: 0-0.18) (HCV) to 0.12% (95% CI: 0-0.30)(Syphilis). Seroprevalence of infection increased in older age groups (20-39 years) but men had a statistically significant higher prevalence of overt HBV infection than women (P=0.0001). The multivariate model showed the following to be predictors of HBV infection: male gender (OR=2.5 (95% CI 1.14-5.58), P= 0.02), first-time donor status (OR = 11.06, (95% CI 5.34-22.9), P= 0.01) andresidence outside of Libreville (OR = 2.52, 95% CI 1.09-5.83), P=0.03).Conclusion: HB and co-infection are n o t common in Gabon. Intermediate seroprevalence was associated with male gender, first-time donor status and residence outside of Libreville. HCV andHBV infection among the younger age groups are becoming an alarming issue. Prevention and control of HBV infection are needed to reduce HBV transmission

An outcomes-based evaluation of the mindfulness for safe schools program

Objectives@#The objective of this evaluation was to assess the effectiveness of Mindfulness for Safe Schools, a mindfulness-based intervention adapted for sexual abuse prevention during peer-to-peer dating among Filipino public school children in Grades 7 and 8. It was hoped that through the intervention, children would be able to regulate their emotions so that they do not react impulsively to emotionally stimulating events, especially during peer dating. The study consists of four levels of evaluation: reaction, learnings, and behaviors of teachers toward the program, as well as effect of the intervention on emotion regulation and peer conformity among students. @*Methods@#This study utilized a mixed methods design using a concurrent embedded method. For teachers, quantitative surveys and focused group discussions were conducted to determine their reactions to the training, their learnings, and behaviors after the program, as well as their observations of students’ responses to the intervention. Focused group discussions were analyzed through thematic analysis. Effect of the program on emotion regulation and peer conformity among students were determined mainly through a pre and post-test survey and analyzed through paired samples t-test. Video content analysis of the classroom delivery was also conducted to determine student engagement during the program. @*Results@#Teachers reacted favorably to the training workshops and were able to use what they learned from the workshops to increase their patience and understanding towards themselves, their job, and their students. Students also reacted favorably to the Mindfulness for Safe Schools modules and were observed to use the skills taught in the modules to regulate their emotions. Emotion regulation improved (t=3.47, significant with p=0.00) and susceptibility to peer pressure decreased (t=8.94, significant with p=0.00) for Grade 8 students (n=950) after the modules were delivered. However, teachers reported implementation issues, such as conflicting requirements of the program with their official workload, which may have affected program effects. @*Conclusion@#Our findings indicate that Mindfulness for Safe Schools was associated with improvements in emotional awareness, management of negative emotions, and showing care and respect for student peers. It also suggests that integrating mindfulness interventions in schools requires close coordination with all stakeholders: teachers, schools, and appropriate government divisions to ensure fidelity and reaching desired effects.

Association of dietary calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium intake and hypertension: a study on an 8-year dietary intake data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES@#There has been an increased interest in determining calcium magnesium, sodium, and potassium's distinct effects on hypertension over the past decade, yet they simultaneously regulate blood pressure. We aimed at examining the association of dietary calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium independently and jointly with hypertension using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data from 2007 to 2014.MATERIALS/METHODS: The associations were examined on a large cross-sectional study involving 16684 US adults aged>20 years, using multivariate analyses with logistical models. @*RESULTS@#Sodium and calcium quartiles assessed alone were not associated with hypertension. Potassium was negatively associated with hypertension in the highest quartile, 0.64 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.48–0.87). When jointly assessed using the high and low cut-off points, low sodium and corresponding high calcium, magnesium, and potassium intake somewhat reduced the odds of hypertension 0.39 (95% CI, 0.20–0.76). The sodiumto-potassium ratio was positively associated with hypertension in the highest quartile1.50 (95% CI, 1.11–2.02). When potassium was adjusted for sodium intake and sodium-topotassium ratio assessed among women, increased odds of hypertension were reported in the highest quartile as 2.02 (95% CI, 1.18–3.34) and 1.69 (95% CI, 1.12–2.57), respectively. The association of combined minerals on hypertension using dietary goals established that men meeting the reference intakes for calcium and exceeding for magnesium had reduced odds of hypertension 0.51 (95% CI, 0.30–0.89). Women exceeding the recommendations for both calcium and magnesium had the lower reduced odds of 0.30 (95% CI, 0.10–0.69). @*CONCLUSIONS@#Our results suggest that the studied minerals' association on hypertension is stronger when jointly assessed, mostly after gender stratification. As compared to men, women increased their risk of hypertension even with a low sodium intake. Women would also reasonably reduce their risk of developing hypertension by increasing calcium and magnesium intake. In comparison, men would somewhat be protected from developing hypertension with calcium intake meeting the dietary goals and magnesium exceeding the nutritional goals.