The University of Northern Philippines (UNP; Filipino: Pamantasan ng Kahilagaang Pilipinas) is a university in Barangay Tamag, in the City of Vigan in the province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines. It is the first and oldest state university in Northern Luzon which offers low tuition fee, tracing its roots to 1906, which is older than the University of the Philippines by two years. It is the only state university in the province aimed for less-fortunate people and one of three state-owned educational institutions of higher learning operating in Ilocos Sur (with the Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College and the Northern Luzon Polytechnic State College, a former branch of the university)..
Oysters are cultured using various methods, each with a distinct effect on growth and yield. Understanding the efficacy of these culture methods is essential for optimizing production and ensuring sustainable aquaculture practices. This study aims to compare the growth increment of oysters (Crassostrea spp.) in terms of body weight, shell length, and weight of oyster meat over four months using three culture methods—floating bag, suspended tray, and hanging oyster shell employing a complete randomized design model (CRD) consisting of three treatments with three replications. Findings show that the hanging oyster shell method produces oysters with the highest body weight (21.2 g), indicating that this method might encourage ideal growth conditions. On the other hand, the floating bag method yielded a considerable size of oyster shell length (32.3 mm) and the highest meat weight (6.92 g), indicating that it can produce oysters that are sizeable. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences among the three culture methods for both total body weight (F(2, 42)=11.40 P<.001), and oyster meat weight (F(2,42)=8.056, P=.001. In contrast, there was no significant difference observed in oyster shell length across the different methods (F(2,42)=1.64, P=.206). The findings demonstrate that the hanging oyster shell method yielded the highest overall growth increment, while the floating bag method proved most effective for producing heavier oyster meat. However, as environmental variables were not directly measured during the study, these results should be interpreted as method-specific performance outcomes within the local estuary rather than a definitive assessment of optimal environmental conditions.
Background: Pulmonary heart disease (PHD), often driven by chronic pulmonary vascular remodeling (ICD-10: I27), represents a critical and under-recognized cause of cardiopulmonary mortality in the U.S. While aggregate national trends show a slow rise, this masks acute, multi-level socio-geographic inequalities in risk. Method: U.S. mortality data (ICD-10: I27) for 2018–2023 was extracted from CDC WONDER to estimate PHD deaths. Racial disparities were quantified using Average Annual Percent Change (AAPC) via log-linear regression, stratified by race, age, gender, Hispanic origin, education attainment, U.S. Census region, and 2013 urbanization classification Results: Overall AAPC acceleration was driven by Asian and Pacific Islander (API) populations: Filipino (+12.82%), Vietnamese (+9.44%), and Asian Indian (+6.91%), contrasting sharply with overall declines for White (–4.84%) and Black (–3.60%) groups. Intersecting disparities were stark. By Region/Urbanization, the steepest rises were among Western Other Pacific Islanders (+50.0%), Southern Filipinos (+19.98%), and Asian Indians in large central metros (+14.85%), while Blacks in non-core rural areas declined (–0.92%). By Age/Education, the highest AAPC was found in Asian Indians aged 65–74 (+15.39%) and Non-Hispanic Filipinos with some college (+30.93%). Conversely, Black adults aged 85+ (–13.28%) and Chinese with bachelor’s degrees (–27.78%) showed significant mortality compression. Conclusions: PHD mortality is not uniformly increasing; it is sharply accelerating in structurally marginalized API communities, younger age bands, and those in lower educational strata. These findings underscore the profound role of structural racism, differential care access, and urban-environmental exposure. Urgent disaggregation of national metrics and targeted, upstream preventive strategies for at-risk race-region-education cohorts are required.
This poem reflects on the Christian understanding of health and care through the example of Christ’s ministry of healing. Drawing from Acts 10:38, which describes Jesus as one who “went about doing good and healing all,” the poem explores the continuing presence of illness, suffering, and inequality in today’s world. It acknowledges that health is not only physical but also emotional, social, and spiritual. While modern systems of care aim to respond to these needs, many people remain unseen and underserved. The poem points to the simple yet profound model of Christ, who met people where they were, touched their wounds, and restored dignity. It suggests that true healing involves compassion, presence, and love, beyond clinical treatment alone. Grounded in Christian faith, the poem invites health workers, scholars, and communities to see care as both a responsibility and a calling. It affirms that while knowledge and systems are important, healing ultimately finds its deepest meaning in acts of mercy and in the enduring command to love one another
Abstract Introduction Pneumoconiosis, an occupational lung disease caused by inhalation of mineral dust, poses a significant public health challenge in India due to the country’s large workforce in mining, construction, and related industries. Poor workplace regulations, coupled with limited awareness and screening measures, have contributed to an escalating burden over the past decades. Method: This study is the first to comprehensively estimate burden of pneumoconiosis by age-, sex-, year-, and location in India and its territories from 1990-2021. Fatal health outcomes were evaluated using the cause of death ensemble model(CODEm), while non-fatal outcomes were assessed through DISMOD-MR 2.1. Result: From 1990-2021, the total percentage change(TPC) in the incidence count of pneumoconiosis in India increased by 93%(79-110%), while deaths rose by 116%(61-214%), and the disability-adjusted life years(DALY) count increased by 92%(45-167%). Among pneumoconiosis subtypes, silicosis accounted for the highest proportion (46.25%), followed by asbestosis (13.12%) and coal worker’s pneumoconiosis (CWP) (6.32%). The highest increase in death count was observed in asbestosis (192%), followed by silicosis(113%) and CWP(96%). Regarding TPC in DALYs, the greatest rise was noted in asbestosis(163%), silicosis(91%), and CWP(72%). State-wise, the highest increase in incidence was recorded in Delhi(169%), Mizoram(167%), Manipur(136%), Meghalaya(136%), and Rajasthan(135%). The highest TPC in deaths was observed in Gujarat(168%), Uttarakhand(168%), Mizoram(163%), and Madhya Pradesh(152%). In terms of DALYs, the Union Territories showed the highest increase (197%), followed by Uttarakhand (142%), Mizoram (132%), and Gujarat(131%). Age-wise, the highest increase in incidence was recorded in the 20-54 years age group (103%), followed by those aged 55 years and above (90%), and individuals under 20 years (37%). The TPC in deaths was highest in individuals aged 55 years and above (128%), followed by the 20-54 years group (33%), while deaths in individuals under 20 years decreased by 1%. Gender-wise, females experienced a greater increase in disease burden over the past three decades. The TPC in incidence count was higher in females (113%) than in males (89%), while deaths showed a significantly greater rise in females (252%) compared to males (103%). Similarly, the TPC in DALYs was higher in females (189%) than in males (83%). Conclusion Pneumoconiosis has seen a pronounced rise in India from 1990 to 2021, with notable increases in incidence, deaths, and DALYs across key subtypes, particularly asbestosis. Older adults and females bear a higher burden, while certain states and regions—such as Delhi, Mizoram, and Gujarat—show disproportionately high rates, underscoring the urgent need for targeted, region-specific interventions. This abstract is funded by: None
