Showing papers by "University of the Philippines published in 1998"

Users' Guides to the Medical Literature XIV. How to Decide on the Applicability of Clinical Trial Results to Your Patient

Abstract: You are the attending physician on duty when a poor, 45-year-old man presents to the emergency department of a general hospital in the Philippines. He has severe chest pain for 2 hours, associated with clammy perspiration. Physical examination reveals a blood pressure of 110/70 mm Hg, a pulse rate of 92 beats per minute, a normal first heart sound, and clear lungs. An electrocardiogram discloses 3-mm ST-segment elevation in the inferior leads. As intravenous lines are placed, and the patient is prepared for admission to the coronary care department, you consider whether you should offer this patient a thrombolytic agent. Though your response is that the impecunious patient cannot afford the treatment, you ponder the right course of action in a richer patient. As your duty ends that night, you resolve to prepare forthenextpatientadmittedforanacute myocardial infarction (MI) by retrieving the best evidence on the use of thrombolytics.

μ-Conotoxin PIIIA, a New Peptide for Discriminating among Tetrodotoxin-Sensitive Na Channel Subtypes

Abstract: We report the characterization of a new sodium channel blocker, μ-conotoxin PIIIA (μ-PIIIA). The peptide has been synthesized chemically and its disulfide bridging pattern determined. The structure of the new peptide is: where Z = pyroglutamate and O = 4- trans -hydroxyproline. We demonstrate that Arginine-14 (Arg 14 ) is a key residue; substitution by alanine significantly decreases affinity and results in a toxin unable to block channel conductance completely. Thus, like all toxins that block at Site I, μ-PIIIA has a critical guanidinium group. This peptide is of exceptional interest because, unlike the previously characterized μ-conotoxin GIIIA (μ-GIIIA), it irreversibly blocks amphibian muscle Na channels, providing a useful tool for synaptic electrophysiology. Furthermore, the discovery of μ-PIIIA permits the resolution of tetrodotoxin-sensitive sodium channels into three categories: (1) sensitive to μ-PIIIA and μ-conotoxin GIIIA, (2) sensitive to μ-PIIIA but not to μ-GIIIA, and (3) resistant to μ-PIIIA and μ-GIIIA (examples in each category are skeletal muscle, rat brain Type II, and many mammalian CNS subtypes, respectively). Thus, μ-conotoxin PIIIA provides a key for further discriminating pharmacologically among different sodium channel subtypes.

Human Parvovirus B19: Prevalence of Viral DNA in Volunteer Blood Donors and Clinical Outcomes of Transfusion Recipients

Abstract: Background and Objectives: Blood donor units are not screened for human parvovirus B19 (B19) even though it can be acquired via blood products. We estimated the prevalence of B19 in a US volunteer blood donor population and determined the clinical outcomes of transfusion recipients. Materials and Methods: Donor units were screened for B19 DNA by PCR, and positive units analyzed by EIA for B19 Ig. Unit usage was determined and recipient chart review conducted. Results: B19 DNA was detected in 11/9, 568 allogeneic units (0.1%), of which 3 had no measurable B19 Ig. One individual developed anemia consistent with B19 infection after receiving a DNA+ unit lacking B19 Ig. Conclusions: The apparent low incidence of disease in patients transfused with B19 DNA+ components may be due to coexistence of neutralizing antibodies in donors and/or recipients.

Indigenous Personality Measures: Philippine Examples

Abstract: After noting the need for indigenous scale construction efforts in the Philippines, the current article focuses on the development and current status of two multidimensional measures of Filipino personality constructs, plus two projects that are investigating indigenous Filipino personality structure. In a final section, we note apparent convergences between the personality dimensions identified and assessed by these four projects and consider how these dimensions might relate to purported universal dimensions of personality (i.e., the "Big Five" dimensions).

Allozyme electrophoresis as a tool for distinguishing different zooxanthellae symbiotic with giant clams

Abstract: The taxonomy of zooxanthellae in marine invertebrate symbioses is not well understood owing mainly to their lack of reliable morphological differences. Nevertheless, previous work using protein and DNA electrophoreses has set the stage for advancing our taxonomic understanding of cnidarian zooxanthellae. Here we present the use of allozymes as genetic markers for distinguishing algal isolates from tridacnid hosts. Zooxanthellae from seven Tridacna and Hippopus species were isolated and maintained in axenic clonal cultures over many generations. Of 16 enzyme systems, α- and β-esterase (EST), esterase-F (EST-F), glucose phosphate isomerase (GPI), and malate dehydrogenase (MDH) were found suitable polymorphic markers of genetic differences among clonal cultures. Of 39 clonal isolates, 97% were found to be genetically distinguishable. This high extent of genetic variation in zooxanthellae within and between clam species was unexpected, and is difficult to explain based solely on the general notion of asexual reproduction in symbiotic zooxanthellae. Our results are also consistent with the occurrence of sexual reproduction in clam zooxanthellae. The close genetic similarity of the symbionts of Tridacna gigas, the largest and fastest-growing clam species, and the difficulty of initiating their clonal cultures in the given nutrient medium, compared with the symbionts of other clam species, are further indicative of possibly distinct algal symbionts in T. gigas. These findings are discussed in light of current taxonomic understanding of these organisms.

Patterns of treatment for malaria in Tayabas, The Philippines: Implications for control

Abstract: This paper describes local understandings of illness and documents treatment-seeking behaviour in Tayabas, Quezon, The Philippines. Data were collected using focus group discussions and narrative interviews with adults and with mothers of children, who had had confirmed malaria during a two-month surveillance period. Signs and symptoms of malaria are important in directing individual diagnosis, treatment-seeking and therapy. Household therapy with antimalarials, and more commonly antipyretics and herbs, as used before seeking care from either the formal or informal sector. Care outside the home was sought where symptoms continued and/or worsened, with an average period of time from onset of symptoms to presentation to a clinic of six days. Accessibility to clinics is not a problem in the study area and hence the primary reason for delay was propensity to self-treat first and to discontinue medication when feeling better. These factors affect the control of malaria and the potential to reduce transmission. Better advice to the community regarding the importance of diagnosis and compliance with antimalarial therapy is indicated.

Napier grass strips and livestock: a bioeconomic analysis

Abstract: Napier grass strips are gaining some acceptance in Southeast Asia as a vegetative means of soil erosion control, due to the relative ease of establishment and management. In addition, the napier grass strips aid productivity of agroforestry systems by providing mulch or by being fed to livestock. In this paper, a bioeconomic comparison of different ways of utilising the napier grass cuttings is undertaken. The three uses examined for the cuttings were: as mulch in the alley areas, sold as fodder, and fed to animals with manure applied back to the system. The analysis linked the soils-oriented SCUAF model with economic and animal component models. SCUAF was parameterized using field data based on farmer interviews and field visits. Farmer interviews and field visits were conducted at Claveria, Misamis Oriental to gather additional data regarding costs and returns associated with animal production, and also to obtain the farm gate price of napier. Predicted biophysical results produced by the SCUAF model showed that application of napier grass cuttings, back into the system, directly as mulch or indirectly as animal manure resulted in higher maize and napier yields, lower soil erosion rates, and less of a reduction in soil mineral nitrogen and soil labile carbon levels. The comparison was made with the case where napier was sold off-farm as fodder. Cost-benefit analysis showed that higher economic returns were gained when napier grass cuttings were fed to animals, rather than applied directly as mulch. This economic benefit was attributed to the draught and transport services rendered by the animal and to a change in the value of the animals. This analysis highlights the value of utilizing animals within a napier grass strip system for control of erosion.

The new DTPw-HBV-Hib combination vaccine can be used at the who schedule with a monovalent dose of hepatitis B vaccine at birth.

Abstract: An open, randomized, clinical trial was conducted in order to assess the reactogenicity and immunogenicity of DTPw-HBV and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccines when given either as a mixed administration or as separate concomitant injections using the WHO schedule at 6, 10 and 14 weeks of age, following a dose of HBV at birth. There were no clinically relevant differences in the immune response to any component between the mixed and separate administrations. In fact the anti-tetanus GMTs were significantly higher (p=0.002) in mixed administration (3.9 IU/ml) compared with the separate administration (1.9 IU/ml). However although all subjects achieved anti-PRP titers > or = 0.15 microg/ml, higher anti-PRP GMTs were seen in the group receiving the separate administration. Importantly, the addition of Hib did not adversely alter the reactogenicity profile of DTPw-HBV. This report which demonstrates that this novel combination can be used in WHO recommended schedule.

The Coupling between Harbor Seiches at Palawan Island and Sulu Sea Internal Solitons

Abstract: Between 1989 and 1991 the authors made observations that confirm and elucidate the coupling between harbor seiches at Puerto Princesa on Palawan Island in the Philippines and tide-generated internal solitons in the Sulu Sea. Published tidal current predictions for Basilan Strait in the Sulu Archipeligo were used to produce an index to the daily ebb tidal flows near Pearl Bank where the solitons originate. The coherence between predicted maximum ebb tidal current speed and observed seiche activity was 0.60 and the phase lag between the two quantities closely matched published estimates of the time required for solitons to cross the Sulu Sea. Arrival of the Sulu Sea waves immediately offshore of Puerto Princesa in the form of internal bores corresponded in time to the initiation of harbor seiche activity. A more precise estimate of soliton travel time was determined from the time difference between predicted maximum ebb current and the initiation of seiche activity, and it was found to have a remar...

Mid-Holocene Underwater Jomon Sites along the West Coast of Kyushu, Japan, Hydro-isostasy and Asthenospheric Viscosity

Abstract: Mid-Holocene underwater Jomon sites typically observed along the west coast of Kyushu, Japan, are reasonably explained by the hydro-isostatic adjustment due to the last deglaciation. The distribution of these underwater Jomon sites is very sensitive to the rheological structure above 250km depth, and comparisons between observations and predictions of sea-level variations indicate a lithospheric thickness of 30-50km and an effective asthenospheric viscosity (-200km thickness) of (8-20)×1019Pa s. The viscosity contrast between the asthenosphere and the underlying upper mantle is less than 10, and a well defined low-viscosity asthenosphere may not exist even in the island arc regions such as the Japanese Islands. Thus regional postglacial sea-levels are spatio-temporally variable and dependent on crustal tilting caused by hydro-isostatic adjustment, and they might have constrained the development of prehistoric human settlements and the way of lives.

Measurement of weak transmittances by stochastic resonance

Abstract: We use stochastic resonance to measure weak transmittance amplitudes that are below the instrumental detection limit. Gaussian noise is added to the subthreshold (chopped) transmittance signal Tt before detection by a crossing detector that uses a dc reference signal B>0. Without noise, no measurement is possible because Tt

Total Food Duplicate Study on Nutrient Intake of Working Women in Manila, the Philippines

Abstract: Intakes of various nutrients by working women in Manila, the Philippines, was surveyed by the total food duplicate method, with foci to elucidate relative weight of three meals and snack in addition to quantitative evaluation of nutrient intakes. In practice, 45 women (average age; 37.2 years) volunteered, who were all nonsmokers and nonhabitual drinkers, and mostly married. In parallel, hematology, serum biochemistry, anthropometry and clinical examinations were conducted. On average, the women took 1787 kcal energy, 57 g protein, and 54 g lipid daily. Comparison with the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) for Filipinos showed that intakes of energy and major nutrients were adequate, whereas that of minerals (e.g., 15 mg Fe/day vs. 26 mg Fe/day as RDA) and vitamins (e.g., 0.65 mg vitamin B1/day vs. 1 mg/day as RDA) were generally insufficient. Prevalence of anemia was however rather low with an average hemoglobin concentration of 12.9 g/100 ml blood. Rice was the staple source of energy for daily life, and beef rather than fish and shellfish was the leading source of protein. Lunch was the richest meal of a day (with the largest intake of energy, protein and lipid), and snacks rather than dinner appeared to be next substantial.

Growth, yield and leaf NPK concentrations in crop-covered squash

Abstract: A field crop cover experiment for squash was conducted to determine its effects on disease incidence and spread, vegetative growth, fruit yield and quality, harvest index and leaf NPK concentrations and the best coverage period. Results of the study showed that crop cover delayed the onset of viral disease incidence and spread, improved vegetative growth, increased fruit yield and quality as well as harvest index but reduced leaf NPK concentrations in squash. Meanwhile, uncovered plants had stunted growth, lower total fruit yield, quality and harvest index but higher leaf NPK concentrations. The best coverage period was 21 days as shown by high total fruit yield in terms of weight per plant and better quality in terms of mean fruit weight per fruit.

Privatization and Government Reform in the Philippines

Abstract: Privatization in the Philippines has gained legitimacy in the light of two factors: 1) the inefficiencies and politicization of state-owned enterprises and 2) the perennial problem of low revenues and growing spending. However, privatization is also being advanced as part of an ideological offensive to reduce the size and scope of government. This paper raises the privatization level of principle in a quite distinct view of treating privatization as a policy instrument. It addresses contextual issues relating to efficiency, public revenue, and social welfare. But it is also a truism that privatization is not a panacea. It concludes that dogmatic view that the state and parastatals are inherently inefficient.

U.S. imperialism in the Asia‐Pacific

Abstract: The hundredth anniversary of the United States’ bursting into the Asia‐Pacific as an imperial power provides an opportunity to look more deeply at an imperialism that continues to be extremely dynamic. When the U.S. erupted into Asia, grabbing the Philippines from Spain in 1898, it was clear that this was not an old‐style imperial power. The U.S. had itself emerged from an anti‐colonial war against Great Britain a little over a century earlier, and this fact of its birth would greatly determine its ideology and practice of imperialism. Ideology would play an important role in the U.S. imperial enterprise, far greater than it did with the European colonial powers where mission civilatrice, as in the case of France, was an afterthought, an obvious fig leaf for economic interests. Imperialism had to be legitimized to the American people. The emergence of the “Anti‐Imperialist League” in the late 1800s—with which Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain) was associated—served as a warning that neither the rationale of chri...

Critical Care in the Philippines: The "Robin Hood Principle" vs. Kagandahang Loob

Abstract: Practical medical decisions are closely integrated with ethical and religious beliefs in the Philippines. This is shown in a survey of Filipino physicians' attitudes towards severely compromised neonates. This is also the reason why the ethical analysis of critical care practices must be situated within the context of local culture. Kagandahang loob and kusang loob are indigenous Filipino ethical concepts that provide a framework for the analysis of several critical care practices. The practice of taking-from-the-rich-to-give-to-the-poor in public hospitals is not compatible with these concepts. The legislated definition of death and other aspects of the Philippine Law on Organ Transplants also fail to be compatible with these concepts. Many ethical issues that arise in a critical care setting have their roots outside the seemingly isolated clinical setting. Critical care need not apply only to individuals in a serious clinical condition. Vulnerable populations require critical attention because potent threats to their lives exist in the water that they drink and the air that they breathe. We cannot ignore these threats even as we move inevitably towards a technologically dependent, highly commercialized approach to health management.

Immunity provided by haemorrhagic septicaemia-subunit vaccine in ruminants.

Abstract: A subunit vaccine against haemorrhagic septicaemia (HS), the principal killer disease in ruminants, especially cattle and carabao, in the Philippines, has been developed. Using capsules of Pasteurella multocida Group B as an active component of the vaccine, it gave solid protection against challenge with live organism in mice. An active calf protection test showed that in 24 hours, animals vaccinated with plain saline died after challenge compared to those given the subunit vaccine which survive the challenge dose. Using 104 cattle from a farm, the field trial of the HS subunit vaccine showed that the antibody titre was high for up to 14 months. A high titer is an indication of protection.

An Efficient Method for Computing Resultant Systems

Abstract: A resultant system of a finite set of polynomials in two homogeneous variables is a finite set of polynomials in the coefficients of the original polynomials whose vanishing is a necessary and sufficient condition for the original polynomials to have a common non-trivial zero. We present an efficient general method for computing resultant systems. If there are s polynomials and each has degree at most d, the resultant system will have O(s 2 d) polynomials, each of which will have degree at most d 2 .

East Asia: On the brink of depression

Abstract: Almost a year after the Asian financial crisis began with the floating of the Thai baht, economic analysts, including World Bank officials, talk about the region being on the brink of depression. A central reason, in the eyes of many observers, is the International Monetary Fund (IMF) which had earlier been counted on to arrest the sudden deterioration of the economics of the region. The reasons for this deterioration, the underlying dynamics arising from the nature of the economies involved and an alternative program are suggested here.

Growth Hormone Therapy:A Survey

Abstract: This article is also accessible online at: http://BioMedNet.com/karger Although growth hormone (GH) has been used as a therapy for GH deficiency for more than 20 years, access to this drug has been a recent occurrence in the Philippines. However, GH therapy has increased rapidly in the last 5 years as it became more available and there was increased awareness of the drug. A recent survey on the use of GH among pediatric endocrinologists in the Philippines showed that an estimated 60 patients are currently receiving GH therapy for various indications. The most common indication by far is idiopathic GH deficiency. The other etiologies for short stature for which GH injections are also being administered include panhypopituitarism, brain tumor (craniopharyngioma, teratoma), partial GH deficiency, Turner syndrome, achondroplasia and intrauterine growth retardation (fig. 1). The use of GH in patients with chronic renal disease or asthma has not yet gained acceptance. Thus, GH therapy in the Philippines is limited primarily to GH-deficient patients. Although GH therapy has been approved for other uses not involving the GH-deficient state, financial constraints serve to limit its use to those who can afford the price of the drug. Our survey showed that 259 short children were screened for possible GH deficiency, and 93 were found to lack the hormone. The most frequently used GH stimulation tests were L-dopa and clonidine, but insulin and glucagon were also used for GH stimulation. Arginine is not available in the Philippines. Of the 259 children screened, 60 had complete GH deficiency, 33 had partial deficiency, and 166 were not GH-deficient. The general criteria for diagnosis of pathologic short stature was a patient who was at least 2 standard deviations below normal for age in height, and a Fig. 1. 14-year-old female with idiopathic GH deficiency.

Use of rep-PCR to fingerprint the genome of Azospirillum spp.

Abstract: The repetitive sequence based polymerase chain reaction (rep-PCR) was used to fingerprint the genomes of differentAzospirillum strains. Amplification products were produced using primers based on the repetitive element BOX (BOX-AIR), ERIC (ERIC IR, ERIC 2: Enterobacterial Repetitive Intergenic Consensus) and REP (REP IR, REP 2: Repetitive Extragenic Palindromic). The patterns of the resulting PCR products were analyzed on agarose gels. Band patterns generated with ERIC primers were unique for each strain and may be useful for the identification and classification of Azospirillum strains.