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The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on multiple levels of society. Not only has the pandemic completely overwhelmed some health systems but it has also changed how scientific evidence is shared and increased the pace at which such evidence is published and consumed, by scientists, policymakers and the wider public. More significantly, the pandemic has created tremendous challenges for decision-makers, who have had to implement highly disruptive containment measures with very little empirical scientific evidence to support their decision-making process. Given this lack of data, predictive mathematical models have played an increasingly prominent role. In high-income countries, there is a long-standing history of established research groups advising policymakers, whereas a general lack of translational capacity has meant that mathematical models frequently remain inaccessible to policymakers in low-income and middle-income countries. Here, we describe a participatory approach to modelling that aims to circumvent this gap. Our approach involved the creation of an international group of infectious disease modellers and other public health experts, which culminated in the establishment of the COVID-19 Modelling (CoMo) Consortium. Here, we describe how the consortium was formed, the way it functions, the mathematical model used and, crucially, the high degree of engagement fostered between CoMo Consortium members and their respective local policymakers and ministries of health.

The periodic collection of parasitologic and morbidity indicators is recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) to monitor schistosomiasis (SCH) and soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) control programs. In 2017, the DOH-CHD VIII (Department of Health-Center for Health Development Region 8 Office) - in collaboration with UP-NTDSG (the University of the Philippines Neglected Tropical Diseases Study Group) - conducted a monitoring activity aimed at determining [1] the prevalence and intensity of SCH and STH; [2] seroprevalence of SCH; and [3] prevalence of stunting, underweight, wasting, and anemia in pre-school-age children (PSAC) and school-age children (SAC) in selected municipalities in the province of northern Leyte, the Philippines as part of monitoring the local implementation of SCH and STH control programs. Stool samples were collected, processed using the Kato-Katz technique, and examined through microscopy. Blood specimens collected from SAC were tested for the presence of Schistosoma japonicum antibody using the IgG ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) kit. Data on anthropometric measurements and hemoglobin levels were collected with adherence to WHO guidelines. Secondary analysis of the gathered data showed that SCH prevalence in SAC was 3.1%, but SCH seroprevalence was 83.1%. Although STH prevalence met the national target of < 50%, heavy-intensity STH prevalence remained higher than the global target of < 2%. The overall prevalence of underweight, stunting, and wasting were 19.2, 38.0, and 10.6%, respectively. STH was significantly associated with stunting in PSAC (p = 0.030) and anemia in SAC (p = 0.033). The monitoring activity demonstrated the utility of an integrated monitoring scheme for SCH and STH control programs and nutrition programs at the local level. This model can be adopted for optimization and utilization by national programs for monitoring and may likewise benefit local government units for purposes of policy and planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of breast is a rare type of breast cancer, which belongs to the triple-negative breast cancer associated with aggressive behavior and poor prognosis. Despite being classified as triple-negative breast cancer, ACC of breast is an indolent subtype with good biological behavior, less aggressive course, good response to treatment and clinical outcomes. It has generally a good overall survival with no propensity for metastasis. Thus, a correct diagnosis could be of great importance for providing proper and adequate treatment. Method: Published literature was reviewed to determine differentially expressed genes that could be used as biomarkers for this disease and to elucidate the biology and carcinogenesis of ACC of breast according to this genetic profile. Results: Several genes were differentially expressed and were found to belong to a wide range of biological processes. The most prevalent genetic alteration is a gene translocation that produces the MYB-NF1B fusion gene and the overexpression of MYB, which initiates tumorigenesis. This crucial genetic aberration is the hallmark of adenoid cystic carcinoma. The rest of the genes are involved in cell proliferation, apoptosis, stable epithelial phenotype, tumor suppression, and keeping an intact basement membrane, evasion of epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and prevention of metastasis. Conclusion: This gene expression is responsible for various biological processes that reflect the biology of ACC of breast with an indolent course and good clinical outcomes. This genetic profile impacts biomarker research and could be used to refine patient diagnosis and selection for appropriate and less aggressive treatment options. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a breast cancer subtype with uncertain causation except for some subtypes with known genetic etiology. It is associated with heritability and is considered a genetically heterogeneous disease. TNBC is associated with a poorer prognosis, is more aggressive in clinical course, has poorer treatment response, and has poorer survival. This study was done to review the differentially somatically mutated genes in published literature according to the frequency of articles cited, GO and STRING analyses performed, and comparison done with the genetic profile of the BRCA-UK Project TNBC cohort. A literature search was done in PubMed using specified mesh words. The top 54 frequently reported genes were characterized using GO and STRING protein-protein interaction (PPI) analyses. The set of genes cited in literature was compared with the top 50 somatically mutated genes in the BRCA-UK Project cohort. The top ten most frequently reported mutated genes in the literature were TP53, PIK3CA, PTEN, PALB2, RB1, ATM, AKT1, CDH1, EGFR, and KMT2C. GO analysis showed enrichment in themes associated with cell proliferation and enhanced cellular metabolism. STRING PPI analysis further showed involvement in proto-oncogene activation, cell proliferation, cell cycle regulation, evasion of apoptosis, loss of tumor suppression, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and metastasis. It also suggested involvements in interacting signaling pathways such as P13K/AKT/mTOR, NOTCH, BRCA2, RAS/MAPK, and PK pathways. Interestingly, upon comparison with the BRCA-UK Project cohort, the number of dissimilar genes were more than the shared genes, which include TP53, TTN, SYNE1, and USH2A. The genetic profile of TNBC from literature provides a tumor microenvironment that reflects the aggressive biological behavior and poor clinical outcomes of TNBC. This can be used to elucidate the cancer biology of TNBC and provides biomarkers for possible prognosticators and targets for drug development and future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Philippines is at risk in developing a Zika Virus (ZIKV) Disease Outbreak. One of the possible interventions is health education because students are potential health advocates and influencers to their communities through the knowledge transfers from their teachers. The competency of Filipino teachers on ZIKV Disease is yet to be described. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of public secondary school teachers on ZIKV Disease. A modified version of the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Survey Tool on Zika Virus Disease from the World Health Organization—Pan American Health Organization (WHO-PAHO) was used to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of teachers of eight public secondary schools in five villages in Quezon City, Philippines. Out of the 609 respondents, 87.3% reported that their main source of information about ZIKV is tri-media, which includes television, print, and radio. Majority of the respondents mentioned that ZIKV is transmitted through a mosquito bite (80.3%). However, only half of the participants identified vector control as a preventive strategy. Moreover, only 54% admitted to have cleaned their water containers or water sources within the last week. Only a few identified mother-to-child (23%) and sexual intercourse (8%) as other means of transmission. Half (49.8%) of the respondents felt that it is possible to acquire ZIKV in their community, while 90% perceived that a private doctor (90%) or a public hospital (88%) can effectively treat the disease. Perceived stigma is high at 50%. This study showed there was good knowledge among teachers on vector transmission of ZIKV but poor knowledge on other aspects of the disease. Also, there was a low level of perceived susceptibility and severity of ZIKV which can be explained by the absence of a personal encounter with a Zika patient and the low number of cases in the Philippines. Half of the respondents said that they cleaned the possible mosquito breeding sites within the last week, followed by those who cleaned their water source more than a week ago (19%). None of the socio-demographic characteristics is significantly associated with respondents’ knowledge on Zika. Only income and location of residence were found to be significantly associated with attitudes towards Zika. These findings call for a comprehensive training program that includes development of teaching materials for public secondary school teachers on ZIKV Disease based from this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]