Title of Study: Characterization of Podocarpus costalis (Airus) and its Therapeutic Potential against CANCER and DIABETES-induced Hyperlipidemia

Just in: Director Sancho A. Mabborang approved and committed P3M for funding of a quality research led by Batanes State College President Alfonso Cholo R. Simon.

"This serves as a drive and inspiration to other researches to conduct high-end studies such as this..we expect for good results", the Director said.

September 24, 2018- Ms. Sabrina Arra P. Elechosa, SRS II together with Sylvia N. Ocon, Admin Officer from the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) conducted an institutional visit and orientation to students and thesis adviser of the College of Allied Health Sciences, Cagayan State University- Andrews Campus regarding Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on the Undergraduate Thesis Grant on Natural Products offered by PCHRD.

Included and discussed in the MOA are the Liquidation and Financial Assistance, proper utilization of the budget, and the deadline for the submission of the completed study.

The DOST- PCHRD provides fund support to all undergraduate students who will conduct their thesis on natural products. The program aims to sustain a research culture in natural products to increase the number of researches, eventually building a pool of researchers/experts specializing in the field.

The program supports the Drug Discovery and Development program of DOST-PCHRD which aims to develop safe, effective, and affordable alternative drugs from the country’s natural resources.

Thesis grants will be given to two (2) undergraduate entries per region. A competition will be held to selected qualified students to recognize innovative work on natural products after completion of the project.

Out of the three (3) undergraduate theses submitted to DOST-PCHRD, two (2) were given the grant amounting to P50, 000.

Title of granted undergraduate theses are “Effect of ointment Made from Dugtong Ahas (Parameria laevigata) Aqueous Bark Extract on the Burn Wounds on Sprague Dawley Rats” and “Effect of Don Juan (Andrographis paniculata) Leaf Aqueous Extract to the Glucose Level of Alloxan- Induced Diabetic Sprague Dawley Rats” . 

In pursuit of the Administrative Order 2017-0015, DOH is tasked to articulate the national health research agenda and ensure the provision of sufficient resources and logistics to attain excellence in evidenced-based interventions for health. As co- lead of the Philippine National Health research System (PNHRS) with the Philippine Council for Health research and Development, DOH is mandated to ensure the operation and strengthening of AHEAD with HPSR- Advancing Health through Evidence- Assisted Decisions with Health Policy and System Research.

The Department of Health Region 02 (DOH-R02) thru the Research Management and Development Unit in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology Region 02 (DOST-R02) thru the Cagayan Valley Health Research Development Consortium (CVHRDC), will be conducting its first ever Regional Health Research Summit with the theme “Advancing Health System Strategies through Research” on December 7, 2018.

The program encourages researchers/ research experts to submit their completed health research proposal for Poster Exhibit and Oral Presentation under the Professional and Student Category at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it./ This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. on or before October 12, 2018.

Eligibility

For the Professional Category:

• Research paper form the CVHRDC member- institution and funded by the PNHRS (PCHRD-DOST; DOH; CHED and UP Manila) or from member –institutions of Regional Health Research Development Consortium (RHRDC) and/or other local and other international funding institution.
• Completed research project within the last 3 years

For the Student Category:

• Undergraduate thesis done within the last 2 years
• Research entries from institutions within or outside the consortium

Documentary Requirements:

• Research Presentation – electronic copy of the research paper. It should be presented just like a manuscript for journal submission.
• Poster exhibit – electronic copy of abstract
• Applicable research authorization/ clearance/ permit
• For studies which involved humans

Ethics Clearance

• National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) Permit
• For studies which used biological biological materials where genetic manipulation is involved or introduction of exotic or imported plants, microorganisms, or animals
• Biosafety clearance
• For studies conducted on animals
• Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) authorization
• For studies which covered the protected areas of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
• Gratuitous Permit

The qualified research projects will be selected based on the following set of criteria:

• Provides solution to priority health problems identified in the RUHRA
• Technical soundness
• Research results provided new ideas/knowledge leading to health policies and action
• The output, outcome and the impact of the study have relevant contribution to society and economy
• Notice of Acceptance will be sent out on or before November 2, 2018.

Mechanics for the Oral Research Paper Presentation

• There will be an OPEN FORUM for the presentation of the qualified research projects during the 1^st Regional Health Research Summit
• The time allotted to present the research project is twenty (20) minutes only
• The format of presentation are as follows:
• In PowerPoint presentation with maximum of 10 slides which contains the following:

1. Project Description
2. Objectives of the Project
3. Methodology
4. Results
5. Conclusion
6. Recommendation

• Font Style: BLACK ARIAL FONT
• Font Size: 20
• The principal investigator MUST be the presenter
• There will be a 10-minute question and answer session after each presentation

Mechanics for the Poster Exhibit Contest

• The principal investigator MUST be the presenter

Content

• The poster should include the name of researchers and institution
• It should give brief description of the research in layman’s language
• It should cite reasons why such project was developed or why the study was conducted; the study’s potential benefits in terms of its impact on health and quality of life, science or technology contributions or socio-economic benefits
• The poster may exhibit the highlight of the study in picture or colored presentation ( NOT smaller than 16” x 20”)

 Form

• One poster panel will be allowed per entry
• Poster size should be 2ft width by 4ft height
• Use of tarpaulin is recommended

For clarifications, you may contact the RDMU at No’s (078) 304-6523, 09155588345, and 09298148555 or thru email add: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For the actual attachment coming from the DOH Region 2 just click:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PIix6BadvOW9Ml0jH0tFDtlIPa6ejS7g/view?usp=sharing

Source: Department of Health Regional Office 02 (DOH- R02)

Know the common blood diseases and nutrients for healthy blood

Blood plays important functions for the body. Composed of plasma, white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets, blood circulates through our body and transports oxygen and nutrients to the tissues and removes waste from the cells.

As we celebrate Blood Diseases Month by virtue of the Proclamation No. 1833 declared by the former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in 2009, here are some common blood diseases and ways to keep your blood healthy:

Common blood diseases

• Anemia, the most common blood disorder in the general population, is a condition in which the body lacks enough healthy red blood cells or hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is an iron-rich protein inside the red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body.

A person with anemia experiences shortness of breath, fatigue, irregular heartbeat, headache, chest pain, dizziness, pale skin, and insomnia.

In treating anemia, the primary aim is to increase the number of healthy red blood cells in the body. Depending on the type of anemia, common treatment for anemic persons includes iron supplements intake, change of diet, blood transfusions, and chemotherapy or bone marrow transplant.

• Hemophilia is a genetic disorder which affects the blood's ability to clot due to low levels of blood-clotting proteins.

Signs and symptoms of hemophilia varies on the levels of clotting factor. People with mild deficiency may bleed after a surgery or trauma, while in severe cases, spontaneous bleeding occurs.

There is no cure yet for this condition. The only treatment available for hemophilia is replacement therapy wherein, concentrates of clotting factor VIII (for hemophilia A) and IX (for hemophilia B) are slowly dripped or injected into the vein. This helps in replacing the defective clotting factor of the blood.

• Leukemia is a type of cancer which affects the blood and bone marrow. The cancer happens when the bone marrow produces abnormal white blood cells. These cells overpower the healthy blood cells and continue to increase and occupy more space, making it hard for healthy white blood cells to function normally.

Leukemia comes with two different types- acute and chronic.  Acute leukemia grows rapidly while chronic leukemia grows slowly.  

The causes of leukemia are still unknown. However, there are some factors that increases the risk of developing the cancer such as exposure to radiation and chemicals like benzene, cigarette smoking, hair dyes, family history of the same case, and genetic disorders such as down syndrome. Early signs of this condition include weight loss, fevers or chills, frequent infections, bone and joint pain, bleeding and bruising problem, tiredness, and weight and appetite loss.

Treatment for this condition depends on the type of leukemia and the person's health treatment capability. Types of treatment involves chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immune therapy, stem cell therapy, and surgery.

Nutrients for healthy blood

Changing your lifestyle especially your diet could help keep your blood on track and healthy.  Foods rich in iron, vitamin B-12, vitamin B6, vitamin A, and vitamin B-9 are essential in order for your blood to function well.

Iron is an important nutrient that increases the production of red blood cells. Food rich in iron are red meat, organ meat, beans, cereals, tofu, dark chocolate, and dark green leafy vegetables such as spinach and cabbage.

Vitamin A is essential in normal development of stem cells into red blood cells. It is also needed for the immune system to function normally and actively. Foods rich in vitamin A include carrots, tuna fish, sweet potatoes, bell peppers, and dark leafy green vegetables such as kale and lettuce.

Vitamin B6 or pyridoxine is a water-soluble vitamin which supports glucose and protein metabolism. It also supports the production of hemoglobin, a protein molecule in red blood cells that carries oxygen. Vitamin B6 is essential in nurturing and maintaining blood health. This vitamin can be found in chicken, bananas, tomatoes, whole grains, nuts, green beans, liver, and fish.

Vitamin B-9 or folic acid helps in protein metabolism and RNA/DNA production and repair. It is vital in making red blood cells. Best sources of folate include nuts, dark leafy green vegetables such as spinach, broccoli, lettuce, and edible greens such as asparagus, beans, and breads.

Vitamin B12 keeps nerve tissues healthy and sustain blood cell production. Animal products such as fish, red meat, eggs, and dairy products like milk and cheese naturally contains vitamin B-12

Blood diseases could be very dangerous especially if not treated properly and immediately. Celebrating Blood Diseases Month serves as an avenue to raise people’s awareness and understanding of blood-related diseases.

In support with its advocacy of disseminating health research information, the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development invites medical and research institutions and practitioners, universities, laboratories, and other partner institutions to publish their researches and other health-related information in Health Research and Development Information Network (HERDIN), an online database that enables online publishing, exchanging, and dissemination of quality health information in the Philippines.

For more information HERDIN and other blood-related researches, visit HERDIN’s website at http://www.herdin.ph/

Source:  American Society of Hematology (As written by Basierto, L.( 2018, September 18). September is Blood Diseases Month. Retrieved from http://www.pchrd.dost.gov.ph/index.php/news/6404-september-is-blood-diseases-month)