The facility, housed at the Steve Biko Academic Hospital, is set to advance drug development, clinical research and provide cutting-edge diagnostics and treatment in relation to cancer, tuberculosis and other major diseases that are burdening public health.
Background Patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, possibly due to a chronic inflammatory state.
Objectives The main objective of this study was to investigate the difference in vascular inflammation, measured with 18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/CT (PET/CT), in PsA patients and controls. We conducted a secondary analysis to assess the association between clinical parameters of disease activity with vascular inflammation in PsA.
Methods We included a total of 75 PsA patients with active peripheral arthritis (defined as ≥2 tender and swollen joints) from an ongoing clinical trial (EudraCT 2017-003900-28) and a retrospective group of 40 controls diagnosed with melanoma, without distant metastases and not receiving immunotherapy. The main outcome measure was aortic vascular inflammation which was measured on PET/CT scans using target-to-background ratios. Clinical disease activity in PsA was assessed with joint count
The government has been encouraging Filipino scientists, who are working or living abroad, to return to the country as Balik Scientists for a limited period to serve the country through their respective expertise in research and development (R&D). But many of them are opting to stay and serve in the country longer, if not for
Nuclear medicine expert Dr. Thomas Neil Pascual has highlighted advancements in the Philippines' nuclear medicine technology, which could lead to more affordable diagnosis and treatment of various non-communicable diseases, including cancer and dementia.