Methods used in microbial forensics and epidemiological investigations for stronger health systems

Establishing and maintaining a national microbial forensic system to strengthen capacities in conducting forensic and epidemiological investigations should be prioritised by all countries, accompanied by a national policy that sets the legislative framework and provides for the system’s financial requirements.

Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in genes of lupus: A Philippine study (SIGLA-PH)

Eight SNPs were found to be associated with the development of SLE among Filipinos. Similar to previous genetic studies in lupus patients, majority of the SNPs were found in the major histocompatibilty complex genes in the HLA region. Our study identified two unique SNPs that will be validated as potential diagnostic markers for SLE. The findings of this study may contribute to the development of a polygenic risk score in determining susceptibility to SLE among Filipinos.

The Novel Phosphatase Domain Mutations Q171R and Y65S Switch PTEN from Tumor Suppressor to Oncogene

Phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10, or PTEN, is a well-characterized tumor suppressor with both lipid and protein phosphatase activities. PTEN is often downregulated by epigenetic mechanisms such as hypermethylation, which leads to constitutive activation of the PI3K–Akt pathway.

High rates of tenofovir failure in a CRF01_AE-predominant HIV epidemic in the Philippines

The Philippines has the fastest growing HIV epidemic in the Asia-Pacific. This increase was accompanied by a shift in the predominant HIV subtype from B to CRF01_AE. Increasing evidence points to a difference in treatment responses between subtypes. We examined treatment failure and acquired drug resistance (ADR) in people living with HIV (PLHIVs) after one year on antiretrovirals (ARVs).

Nutritional properties and phenolic acid profile of selected Philippine pigmented maize with high antioxidant activity

Ten (10) accessions of pigmented maize collected from the various regions in the Philippines with the highest antioxidant activity were evaluated for several chemical and nutritional parameters such as proximate composition, carbohydrate profile (starch, amylose and amylopectin contents), phenolic acid, mineral (iron and zinc) and food energy contents.

Genetic Structure and Diversity of Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV) in the Philippines

Banana bunchy top virus (BBTV) is an important disease of banana in the Philippines and in other banana-producing countries. This study was conducted to investigate the genetic structure and diversity of Philippine BBTV isolates which remain unexplored in the country. BBTV-infected plant tissues were sampled from banana-growing provinces (i.e., Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, Batangas, Laguna, Rizal, Quezon, Palawan, Cebu, Leyte, and Davao del Sur) and the partial DNA-R gene of BBTV was sequenced.

Detection and Genome Sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 Variants Belonging to the B.1.1.7 Lineage in the Philippines

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease that has gained pandemic status from the World Health Organization, with millions of cases and deaths recorded worldwide. This global health crisis is caused by the virus referred to as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a member of the genus Betacoronavirus (Coronaviridae), together with the causative agents of the first SARS outbreak in 2003 and the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) in 2012.

In Vitro Lipid-lowering Properties of the Fruits of Two Bignay [Antidesma bunius (L.) Spreng] Cultivars as Affected by Maturity Stage and Thermal Processing

Bignay [Antidesma bunius (L). Spreng] fruit contains an array of polyphenols and information on how these bioactive compounds vary with cultivar type, maturity stage, and process treatment are unclear. Also, the effects of these variations on the lipid-lowering potential of this Philippine indigenous berry have not been reported.