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Perceived Academic Workload and Well-being Among Radiologic Technology Students During Home-Based Learning
No full textIntroduction: COVID-19 disrupted educational delivery worldwide, forcing Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to shift to home-based learning modalities combining synchronous and asynchronous modes. Radiologic technology students\u27 academic workload intensified with digital and non-digital activities, requiring stronger internet connectivity amid barriers like stress and burnout. This study determined the correlation between perceived academic workload and well-being among third-year radiologic technology students at De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute during home-based learning. Methods: A correlational research design was employed with 124 of 136 students (91.18%) participating during A.Y. 2021-2022. Researchers used self-made questionnaires based on Bowyer\u27s (2012) Student Workload Model and Rahim et al.\u27s (2016) workloadstress study, and adopted psychological well-being questionnaires by Dr. Carol Ryff and social well-being measures by Dr. Corey Keyes. Results: Findings showed respondents reported moderate academic workload with particularly heavy assessment activities and average psychological and social well-being. Academic workload showed weak negative correlation with well-being. Conclusions: Radiologic technology students demonstrated average adaptation to home-based learning, though internet connectivity and assessment activities emerged as critical workload factors. Students maintained functional psychological and social well-being despite the weak negative relationship between academic workload and overall well-being
Geophysical Analysis of Volcanic Soils Influencing Microbial Habitat Dynamics on Taal Volcano Island
No full textTaal Volcano Island in Batangas, Philippines, hosts an active post-caldera complex with a large hydrothermal system producing extreme soil environments. This study analyzed the geophysical and geochemical characteristics of shoreline soils to determine their potential as microbial habitats. Soil samples were collected at 14°02′04″N, 121°00′09″E, one meter below the surface of near newly formed vents. Physical parameters, including water content, bulk density, sedimentation, texture, and porosity, were measured alongside pH and temperature data. Results revealed sandy soil texture with 25% moisture, moderate compaction (1.66 g cm⁻³), high surface temperature (50 °C on-site; 72.7 °C PHIVOLCS data), and extreme acidity (pH 0.20). These geophysical factors create niches capable of supporting thermoacidophilic microbial life. The findings demonstrate the interrelationship between volcanic soil properties and microbial colonization potential in extreme environments
The Five-Step Teaching Method vs Demo-Return Demo of Laparoscopic Camera Manipulation on Medical Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial in a Philippine Medical School Curriculum
No full textObjectives: This study aims to examine if laparoscopic camera manipulation, using the five-step teaching method, is more effective than the traditional demoreturn demo method in developing psychomotor and visuospatial skills in fourth year medical students. Methods: Randomization was done to create two groups (n = 129). One group, (n = 70), received training using the five-step method: (1) conceptualization, (2) visualization, (3) verbalization by the preceptor, (4) verbalization by the student, and (5) practice. The other group, (n = 59), followed the traditional demo-return demo method. Psychomotor and visuospatial skills of the students were assessed using a rubric. The subjective comfort level of each participant in performing the skill was also assessed using the 5-point Likert scale. Results: The Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon test demonstrated that verbalization by the student through a skill, translated into a greater ability in handling the camera head properly (p = .021) and in gathering images more accurately (p = .008). There was no significant difference in handling the light cable between the two groups (p = .205). However, a higher overall proficiency level was noted among students who talked through the skill (p = .001). Moreover, the overall comfort level in performing the skill was higher in those who articulated the steps while doing the skill (p = .026). Conclusions: The five-step teaching method is an effective technique in a way that it produces a satisfactory learning experience for the student in a desired amount of time. With the advent of laparoscopy, it has become imperative to include such skills in the medical students’ curriculum. Psychomotor and visuospatial skills were assessed
Computational Comparative Genome Analysis Reveals the Characteristics of Acinetobacter baumannii C123 Strains
No full textAcinetobacter baumannii is a Gram-negative, aerobic and multi-drug resistant bacterial pathogen commonly associated with nosocomial infections. This species has several strains and is known to cause pneumonia, septi cemia, meningitis, urinary tract infection and wound infection which are associated with high mortality rates. This study focused on a genome-wide compari son among target C123 strain and 15 other reference strains to predict the overall properties, and resistance mechanisms of the C123 strain. A total of 16 whole genome sequence strains were retrieved from NCBI database for analysis. The selected strains were assem bled and annotated using computational tools. Further more, comparative genomic analysis, resistance mecha nism prediction, and phylogenetic tree construction were conducted. The analysis revealed significant sim ilarities between the target strain and the reference strains. Most of the selected strains of A. baumannii contained virulence factors and transporters. Most strains exhibited efflux pumps as an antibiotic re sistance mechanism; however, all strains showed the highest affinity for resistance against aminoglycosides and peptide antibiotics. After observing the result of analysis, this study concluded that the target strain C123 will also be pathogenic and multi-drug resistant bacteria
Development of Research Productivity Appraisal Tool (ReProdApT): Validity and Reliability
No full textObjectives: The aim of this study is to develop a research productivity appraisal tool (ReProdApT) and determine its validity, reliability/reproducibility, feasibility, and usability for De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute. Methods: The ReProdApT has a set of indicators and an academic relative value unit as recommended by several authors for measuring academic research productivity [1-3]. Through a non-experimental, crosssectional design, the tool underwent content validation by experts, inter- and intra- rater reliability testing and assessment of feasibility and usability. Results: Of the 22 faculty members from different colleges who participated in the study, 13 were females and nine were males. The length of service ranges from one year to 30 years with an average of 8.45 years. Content Validation Index (CVI) of the three experts is 1.0, the intra- rater reliability coefficient is 0.883 (95% CI 0.743, 0.949) and the inter- rater reliability is equal to 0.939 (95% CI 0.875, 0.973). Both coefficients fall under the excellent category (between 0.75 to 1.0) for reliability. The feasibility (level of satisfaction as they answer the tool) has a pretest mean of 3.14 and 3.23 for the post-test which both signified satisfactions. The usability (level of satisfaction for the time required) has a pretest mean of 3.27 and 3.23 for the re-test, indicating responses ranging from very satisfied to satisfied. Conclusions: The ReProdApT is a valid and reliable tool that can be used to assess the research productivity of faculty members. It is further recommended that the Academics Service may come up with a standard form as evidence of student supervision in research. Lastly, a committee may be formed to assess the documents of the research productivity
The Efficacy and Safety of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy for Acute Cholecystitis: A Descriptive Study
No full textObjectives: Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy (LC) is gaining traction to become a safe and effective surgical option for Acute Cholecystitis (AC). In our institution, the trend toward laparoscopic management of AC has only recently gained traction. The objective of this study is to describe the early experience of our institu tion utilizing LC. Methods: This descriptive study involved a retrospec tive analysis of early institutional cases of LC. Included were cases with both pre- and post-operative diagnoses of AC, as well as cases admitted for non-AC conditions but found to have incidental AC postoperatively. Cases were further categorized into severe (SAC) and non severe AC groups. Primary outcomes included in traoperative adverse events (IAE), mortality, and con version rates. Secondary outcomes included timing of surgery, mean operative time, postoperative visual ana logue scale (VAS) scores, and length of postoperative hospital stay. Results: Among 596 cases, 14.6% (87 cases) were op erated on for AC. Of these, 19.5% (17 cases) were for severe acute cholecystitis (SAC), the remaining (80.46%) were for non-SAC. Majority (65.5%) were females with a mean age of 42 years old. Over-all rate of intraoperative events was 11.5 % ranging from cyst ic artery bleed, bleeding from liver bed, and uninten tional GB perforation. There were no bile duct or bowel injuries. There were no mortalities in this series. Con version rate was 1.1% (n=1, from the non-SAC group) due to difficult anatomy. Majority (88.5%) were oper ated on within 72 hours from admission. Mean opera tive time was 108 minutes, mean post-op stay was 53 hours. Mean VAS score at 6 hours post-op was 3.23 with further decrease to 2.76 and 2.15 at 12 and 24 hours post-op. Conclusions: Our institution’s first three years of expe rience with LC for AC demonstrate that the procedure is both feasible and safe, with low IAE and conversion rates and no associated mortality. Additionally, LC pro vides the benefit of reduced postoperative pain
Factors affecting the colony count of oral Candida albicans of electronic cigarette users among young adults in Dasmariñas, Cavite
No full textElectronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) emerged and were marketed as a more viable alternative to traditional tobacco smoking, especially among the youth. While there is insufficient evidence clearly explaining the effects of e-cigarette use on human health, recent literature has shone light on its various adverse effects on the body, particularly on oral health and its possible contribution to oral microbial dysbiosis. This study explored the potential factors that may have affected the colony counts of oral Candida albicans—the causative agent of thrush. The study participants (N = 40) comprised 22 male and 18 female e-cigarette users aged 18 to 22 from Dasmariñas, Cavite. All the participants had oral C. albicans counts above the threshold values postulated by various literature ( = 3.41 x 1010 CFU/mL). No significant relationship was found between the participants’ age (ρ = 0.0909), sex (ρ = 0.6934), frequency of e-cigarette usage (ρ = -0.1127), duration of e-cigarette usage (ρ = -0.1561), and exposure to active ingredient (ρ = 0.0112) to the oral C. albicans colony counts. Nevertheless, adequate knowledge and awareness of e-cigarette usage presents valuable information to users and non-users alike to avoid its potential adverse effects and empower those who are susceptible to it
Association of Short Interpregnancy Interval Among Multigravid “Pregnant Youth” in a Tertiary Hospital
No full textIntroduction: Pregnancy among the youth is in creasing not only in the Philippines but worldwide. Studies have shown that a short interpregnancy inter val of 18 months or less is associated with an in creased risk of fetal and maternal complications. However, limited data are available regarding fetal and maternal outcomes among pregnant youth with short interpregnancy intervals, particularly in the Philippines. Objectives: The objective of the study was to deter mine the association between a short interpregnancy interval of \u3c18 months and adverse fetomaternal out comes among pregnant youth aged 15 to 24 years who had their first pregnancy at De La Salle Univer sity Medical Center (DLSUMC) from 2017 to 2019. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study in volving 130 participants who delivered at DLSUMC from 2017 to 2019 either by vaginal spontaneous delivery, assisted vaginal delivery, or cesarean sec tion. Results: Of these, 84 (66.15%) were 22 to 24 years old and the majority had their first pregnancy at the age of 18 to 21 years (59 [45.38%]). This study demonstrated that preterm delivery, postpartum hem orrhage, and hypertension were significantly associ ated with a short interpregnancy interval. Conclusions: Short interpregnancy interval is associ ated with an increased risk of preterm delivery, hy pertension, and postpartum hemorrhage among mul tiparous pregnant youth. Counseling and proper edu cation, including family planning, are important for both maternal and fetal health. The use of different family planning methods should be discussed and made accessible to young women
Environmental Detection and Genetic Profiling of Staphylococcus sp. at Taal Volcano Island
No full textTaal Volcano Island’s hydrothermal environment supports extremophilic microbial communities. This study isolated, biochemically characterized, and genetically profiled Staphylococcus sp. from shoreline soils. Soil samples were collected near active vents and cultured on acidified gelatin agar (pH 5.0). Biochemical tests—Methyl Red, Spirit Blue Agar, Motility, and Acrolein—were performed. DNA extraction and 16S rRNA sequencing identified Staphylococcus candidatus, with 99 % sequence similarity to GenBank entries JN794602.1 and KX250303.1. Phylogenetic analysis clustered the isolate with S. ureilyticus, S. cohnii, and S. equorum. The organism’s presence in volcanic soils demonstrates adaptation to acidic, thermophilic conditions and suggests potential applications in bioremediation and enzyme biotechnology
