University of the Philippines Manila

About: University of the Philippines Manila is a education organization based out in Manila, Philippines. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Medicine. The organization has 2218 authors who have published 2357 publications receiving 88781 citations. The organization is also known as: UPM.

Interaction of Bovine Serum Albumin and Metallothionein

Abstract: Far UV circular dichroism (CD) and fluorescence spectroscopy were used to investigate the interaction between bovine serum albumin (BSA) and metallothionein (MT). Both spectroscopic probes gave proofs on the interaction of the two proteins. At pH 4.0, 7.0 and 9.0, BSA showed a negative increase in ellipticity at the far-UV range in the presence of MT indicating an increase in α-helical content and a decrease in β-sheet structure. In the presence of MT at pH 4.0 and 9.0, a decrease in fluorescence intensity was observed. Tryptophan fluorescence quenching experiments were also performed using acrylamide and KI as quenchers. Under acidic conditions, a four-fold increase in Stern-Volmer constant (KSV) was observed for BSA + MT. At neutral and basic conditions, a decrease in KSV values were observed which indicates conformational changes in BSA upon binding MT. These changes are close to the region where the tryptophan residues are located in the protein.

2018 update of the APLAR recommendations for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract: Aim: To update recommendations based on current best evidence concerning the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), focusing particularly on the role of targeted therapies, to inform clinicians on new developments that will impact their current practice. Materials and methods: A search of relevant literature from 2014 to 2016 concerning targeted therapies in RA was conducted. The RA Update Working Group evaluated the evidence and proposed updated recommendations using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) approach, to describe the quality of evidence and strength of recommendations. Recommendations were finalized through consensus using the Delphi technique. Results: This update provides 16 RA treatment recommendations based on current best evidence and expert clinical opinion. Recommendations 1-3 deal with the use of conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. The next three recommendations (4-6) cover the need for screening and management of infections and comorbid conditions prior to starting targeted therapy, while the following seven recommendations focus on use of these agents. We address choice of targeted therapy, switch, tapering and discontinuation. The last three recommendations elaborate on targeted therapy for RA in special situations such as pregnancy, cancer, and major surgery. Conclusion: Rheumatoid arthritis remains a significant health problem in the Asia-Pacific region. Patients with RA can benefit from the availability of effective targeted therapies, and these updated recommendations provide clinicians with guidance on their use.

Finite element analysis of the influence of implant inclination, loading position, and load direction on stress distribution.

Abstract: The selection of the appropriate alignment of an implant and the position of implantation are vital for its longterm success. Excessive load is generated around inclined implants, causing microcracks in the bone, which result in implant loosening and eventual failure. This study was designed to analyze the stress distribution caused by varying the degree of inclination of an implant body and varying the loading position and direction, using the finite-element method of stress analysis. Buccal and lingual two-dimensional simulation models of a cylinder implant, embedded in the first molar edentulous cross-section of the mandible, were prepared, and the stress distribution and maximum principal stresses were recorded. Regardless of the point and direction of loading, compressive stresses were relatively greater when the implant was inclined. This tendency became more pronounced when a 45 degrees loading direction and eccentric loading were tested. For the inclined model, with a 45 degrees loading direction, the compressive stress was observed on the cortical bone adjacent to the direction of inclination, while tensile stress was observed on the opposite side.