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.

Field evaluation of malaria rapid diagnostic tests for the diagnosis of P. falciparum and non-P. falciparum infections.

Abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate various malaria rapid diagnostic tests as a tool in the detection of P. falciparum and non-P. falciparum infections in field conditions. Four field sur- veys were conducted in malaria-endemic areas of Palawan and Davao del Norte, Philippines to validate the various rapid diagnostic tests, namely Diamed OptiMAL 48 (DiaMed AG, Switzerland), ParaHIT f (Span Diagnostics, India), Orchid OptiMAL, and Paracheck Pf (both from Orchid Biomedi- cal Systems, India). The results of the various rapid diagnostic tests were compared to those of microscopy. Sensitivity, specificity and detection rates according to the level of parasitemia were used as parameters to describe the performance of the various rapid diagnostic tests in the field. Practical and operational assessments were also done. The results of the study show that the sen- sitivity and detection rates were generally lower than previously reported, with sensitivities ranging from 4.8% to 20.6%, except for Diamed OptiMAL 48, which had sensitivities of 78.8% to 96.8%, and detection rates of 50.0% to 96.8%. The rest had detection rates ranging from 0.0% to 50.0%. All the specificities ranged from 18.2% to 100.0%. Improper conditions at the time of manufactur- ing, storage, transport, and utilization may affect the validity of the results. Rapid diagnostic tests for malaria provide practical means of detecting malarial infections, especially in endemic areas. How- ever, issues regarding variability in performance must to be addressed before they can be used as mainstream diagnostic tools.

Research evidence uptake in a developing country: a survey of attitudes, education and self‐efficacy, engagement, and barriers among physical therapists in the Philippines

Abstract: Rationale and objective Use of evidence from systematic research is critical in evidence-based physical therapy, yet this has not been described well in developing countries where its purported benefits are most needed. This study explored research evidence uptake among physical therapists in the Philippines. Method A probability survey of practitioners in tertiary hospitals in the Philippines' National Capital Region was conducted. Results Of the 188 questionnaires distributed, 152 were returned for an 81% response rate. Positive attitudes were consistently reported (78–93%), although education and self-efficacy related to key dimensions such as searching, appraising and integrating evidence were varied (53–82%). Less than 50% reported using research evidence routinely in five of six dimensions of clinical practice, except in selecting treatments (53%). Textbooks, own observations and expert opinion were consistently relied upon (74–96%) while average-month approximations of engagement in relevant activities such as searching, reading, appraising and applying research literature were low (10–18%). Participants faced a number of barriers such as lack of time, resources, skills, access to research literature, supporting administrative policies, in-service training and authority in decision making. Conclusions The low research evidence uptake and heavy reliance on potentially biased evidence sources strongly indicate the need for effective professional education for practitioners to address current barriers as well as early intensive undergraduate education for students to ensure adequate preparation on being effective research evidence consumers. Given the profile of Filipino physical therapists, alternatives to ‘from scratch’ evidence searching and appraisal are required if widespread uptake is envisaged.

Infection Characteristics of Schistosoma japonicum in Mice and Relevance to the Assessment of Schistosome Vaccines

Abstract: Publisher Summary Animal species used for vaccine assessment include inbred mice and rats, monkeys and, to a lesser extent, rabbits and guinea pigs, with the bulk of experiments being performed with Schistosoma rnansoni. The mouse and rat models of S. mansoni and/or S. japonicum find wide application because of the ready availability at low cost of genetically defined mouse and rat strains, the potential for detailed immunological dissection of vaccine-based resistance, and the possibility of identifying clearly the sites of worm attrition in resistant individuals. Infection characteristics in these small laboratory hosts are generally regarded to be reasonably well defined; from examination of the extensive literature. Several groups have pursued the objective of a defined-antigen vaccine against S. japonicum with emphasis on mice for assessment of the vaccinating effects of antigens expressed in Escherichia coli. The importance of the mouse model for all these studies has increased the need to clearly identify characteristics of infection with Philippines isolates of S. japonicum and to identify any “peculiarities” relative to other geographical isolates (“strains”) of this human schistosome and relative to the better studied parasite, S. mansoni. This chapter focuses on the differences between S. juponicum (Philippines) and S. munsoni in particular, in regard to lung stages and the potential contribution of inflammatory responses in this organ to the expression of resistance.

Ratiometric Detection of Nerve Agents by Coupling Complementary Properties of Silicon-Based Quantum Dots and Green Fluorescent Protein.

Abstract: Ratiometric photoluminescent detection of the toxicologically potent organophosphate ester nerve agents paraoxon (PX) and parathion (PT) using the complementary optical and chemical properties of t...