Silliman University

Long-term local tumor control by endoscopic radiofrequency ablation for ampullary carcinoma with biliary extension in a patient with familial adenomatous polyposis

Abstract Background Hyperuricemia, defined as elevated serum uric acid (SUA), has emerged as a significant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, particularly in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Although SUA is widely recognized for its role in gout and renal dysfunction, its potential as a predictive marker for cardiovascular events remains underexplored. Given its association with oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, and inflammation—key contributors to atherogenesis—this study aims to assess the relationship between elevated SUA levels and clinical outcomes in ACS patients in a local setting, including mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Methods This retrospective, cross-sectional study analyzed data from 219 patients admitted with ACS (STEMI or NSTEMI) between January 2018 and December 2022. Inclusion criteria required a confirmed diagnosis of ACS, with SUA levels measured during hospitalization. Hyperuricemia was defined as SUA ≥ 6.8 mg/dL. The primary outcomes were in-patient mortality and MACE (including reinfarction, cardiogenic shock, and varying degrees of heart failure). Descriptive statistics were used to summarize demographic and clinical characteristics. Pearson chi-square and independent t-tests assessed differences in outcomes, while Pearson correlation determined the relationship between SUA levels and cardiovascular outcomes. A significance level of p < 0.05 was used for all analyses. Results The mean age of the patient cohort was 68.1 years, with a nearly balanced gender distribution (53% male, 47% female). The study found that 62% of ACS patients had hyperuricemia, with a mean SUA of 9.48 mg/dL. Significant associations were observed between elevated SUA levels and poorer clinical outcomes. Patients with hyperuricemia had longer hospital stays (9.48 vs. 8.79 days), higher mortality (18% vs. 10%), and greater rates of reinfarction (9% vs. 5%) compared to those with normal uric acid levels. In addition, hyperuricemic patients had more severe heart failure, with 31.3% experiencing mild heart failure (Killip Class II) and 12.8% presenting with severe heart failure (Killip Class III), compared to 16.4% and 5.9%, respectively, in those with normal SUA. Furthermore, hyperuricemia was associated with a higher incidence of cardiogenic shock (11.4% vs. 8.2%). All differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Conclusions This study demonstrates that elevated uric acid levels are independently associated with worse clinical outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndrome, including increased mortality, higher reinfarction rates, more severe heart failure, and prolonged hospital stays. The findings suggest that SUA could serve as a useful prognostic marker in ACS, offering potential value in risk stratification and patient management.

Seed germination is vital for agricultural productivity and ecological sustainability.Orthodox seeds, while resilient, often exhibit dormancy and reduced germination rates, necessitating innovative enhancement techniques.This study examines and evaluates ultrasonic treatment's effectiveness (40 kHz) in enhancing the germination rate and early seedling growth of upland kangkong (Ipomoea reptans).Seeds underwent ultrasonic exposure for 0, 5, 10, and 15 minutes, and germination percentage, root and shoot lengths, root-shoot ratio, and seedling vigor index (SVI) were evaluated.Results revealed that ultrasonic treatment significantly improved germination, root elongation, and SVI in upland kangkong.These findings highlight ultrasonic treatment as a promising, non-chemical approach for enhancing germination, though optimization is necessary for broader application.Further research should explore the physiological mechanisms underlying these effects.

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between heel pain and specific footwear characteristics, as well as the duration of footwear usage, among allied healthcare interns at Silliman University. Heel pain, a common condition exacerbated by prolonged standing and walking, is particularly prevalent in healthcare professionals and students. Despite existing literature suggesting footwear as a contributing factor, the relationship between footwear characteristics—heel height, sole thickness, and insole material—and heel pain, especially in healthcare interns, remains underexplored. This study contributes to the field of healthcare ergonomics by highlighting the complexity of heel pain etiology and emphasizing the need for a broader, holistic approach to preventing foot discomfort in healthcare settings. Methodology: A quantitative, non-experimental design with a correlational approach was employed, involving 70 interns from various allied health programs. Data were collected through a self-designed, validated questionnaire assessing the level of heel pain, footwear characteristics, and footwear usage duration. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests were used to analyze the data. Results: The level of heel pain among the 70 allied healthcare interns was assessed using a numerical pain rating scale, with the mean pain score calculated at 3.243, indicating a moderate level of discomfort. The majority of participants reported mild to moderate pain, highlighting the common nature of heel pain within this group. Footwear characteristics, including heel height, insole material, and sole thickness, were also evaluated. Most participants wore shoes with a medium heel height (81.43%), cushioned or flexible insoles (81.43%), and medium sole thickness (57.14%). These findings reflect a preference for footwear that may provide some comfort, though variability was observed in the types of insoles and sole thicknesses. The duration of footwear usage was examined, revealing that 58.57% of participants had been using their current footwear for more than four months. Despite the extended footwear usage, no significant relationship was found between heel pain and any of the footwear characteristics or the duration of footwear usage, based on Chi-square analysis. These results suggest that factors other than footwear characteristics and usage duration may be contributing to heel pain among the interns. Further research with a larger sample size may help clarify these relationships. The results revealed that the majority of participants experienced mild to moderate heel pain, with no significant relationship found between heel pain and the examined footwear characteristics or the duration of footwear use. Specifically, no significant associations were identified between heel height, insole material, sole thickness, and the level of heel pain, nor between the duration of footwear usage and heel pain. Discussions: These findings suggest that factors other than footwear characteristics may play a more prominent role in the development of heel pain among healthcare interns. The study highlights the complexity of heel pain etiology and calls for further research to explore additional factors, such as activity levels, posture, and ergonomic conditions, that may contribute to foot discomfort. The findings underscore the need for a more holistic approach to preventing heel pain, considering both footwear and other potential contributors to foot health among healthcare interns.

Retirement is no longer a fixed endpoint in one's career but a transitional phase increasingly characterized by continued engagement in the workforce. This literature review examines the phenomenon of bridge employment, particularly among retirees from higher education institutions, and explores the motivations, benefits, challenges, and coping strategies associated with this post-retirement work trajectory. Drawing from global and Philippine contexts, the review situates bridge employment within broader discussions of aging, identity, work engagement, and economic necessity. For academics, continued employment post-retirement is often driven by intrinsic motivations such as fulfillment, teaching enjoyment, and intellectual stimulation, alongside financial and psychosocial considerations. The paper also reviews policy developments in the Philippines regarding retirement age and discusses their implications. Overall, the literature suggests that bridge employment not only enhances well-being and financial security but also facilitates a redefinition of retirement as an opportunity for growth, contribution, and continued relevance—especially in academia where age and expertise remain valued.

The Quark-Meson Coupling (QMC) model establishes a self-consistent relationship between the quark structure dynamics of a nucleon and the relativistic mean fields that arise within the nuclear medium. The model has been successful in calculating the ground-state observables of finite nuclei and in predicting the properties of dense nuclear matter, as well as cold, nonaccreting neutron stars. This paper focuses on the latest predictions from the model for the superheavy region, encompassing energies and deformations. Despite utilizing significantly fewer model parameters, the results have consistently improved as the model evolved, yielding better predictions for binding energies.

This study utilized a scoping review to provide an overview of empir-ical studies on the implementation of the MATATAG curriculum in the Philippines. The review covered eleven studies published in 2024 that qualified in the inclusion and exclusion criteria . The majority of the studies were qualitative in nature and were subjected to descriptive and content analyses. The results of this review revealed five themes: teachers’ perspectives, school heads’ perspectives, training experi-ences, challenges encountered and teaching and leading with resilien-cy. The findings express that the successful implementation of the MATATAG curriculum in the Philippines depends on teachers' and school heads' experiences, effective training programs, and ongoing professional development, emphasizing the need for policy support and adaptive strategies to enhance resilience and sustain curriculum reforms in a supportive educational environment.