B-GIS: A Baguio geographical information system

A Baguio Geographical Information System (B-GIS) is a system that benefits the tourists frequenting the Summer Capital of the Philippines. It gives information regarding the tourist spots in the city. The system also shows a part of the geographical information system of the city. The system adapts a point to point system. Additional features of the system include information regarding each landmark and the route going to the landmark. This project is done in cooperation with the Department of Tourism and aims to promote the Summer Capital of the Philippines. The guide will be strategically located at the hotels and inns since these places are the most accessible to the travelers

Upregulation of distinct collagen transcripts in post-surgery scar tissue : a study of conjunctival fibrosis

Excessive accumulation of collagen is often used to assess the development of fibrosis. This study aims to identify collagen genes that define fibrosis in the conjunctiva following glaucoma filtration surgery (GFS). Using the mouse model of GFS, we have identified collagen transcripts that were upregulated in the fibrotic phase of wound healing via RNA-seq. The collagen transcripts that were increased the most were encoded by Col8a1, Col11a1 and Col8a2. Further analysis of the Col8a1, Col11a1 and Col8a2 transcripts revealed their increase by 67-, 54- and 18-fold, respectively, in the fibrotic phase, compared with 12-fold for Col1a1, the most commonly evaluated collagen gene for fibrosis. However, only type I collagen was significantly upregulated at the protein level in the fibrotic phase. Type VIII and type I collagens colocalized in fibrous structures and in ACTA2-positive pericytes, and appeared to compensate for each other in expression levels. Type XI collagen showed low colocalization with both type VIII and type I collagens but can be found in association with macrophages. Furthermore, we show that both mouse and human conjunctival fibroblasts expressed elevated levels of the most highly expressed collagen genes in response to TGFβ2 treatment. Importantly, conjunctival tissues from individuals whose GF surgeries have failed due to scarring showed 3.60- and 2.78-fold increases in type VIII and I collagen transcripts, respectively, compared with those from individuals with no prior surgeries. These data demonstrate that distinct collagen transcripts are expressed at high levels in the conjunctiva after surgery and their unique expression profiles may imply differential influences on the fibrotic outcome.NRF (Natl Research Foundation, S’pore)NMRC (Natl Medical Research Council, S’pore)MOH (Min. of Health, S’pore)Published versio

From Bench-Top to Bedside: A Prospective In Vitro Antibiotic Combination Testing (iACT) Service to Guide the Selection of Rationally Optimized Antimicrobial Combinations against Extensively Drug Resistant (XDR) Gram Negative Bacteria (GNB).

Combination therapy is increasingly utilized against extensively-drug resistant (XDR) Gram negative bacteria (GNB). However, choosing a combination can be problematic as effective combinations are often strain-specific. An in vitro antibiotic combination testing (iACT) service, aimed to guide the selection of individualized and rationally optimized combination regimens within 48 hours, was developed. We described the role and feasibility of the iACT service in guiding individualized antibiotic combination selection in patients with XDR-GNB infections.A retrospective case review was performed in two Singapore hospitals from April 2009-June 2014. All patients with XDR-GNB and antibiotic regimen guided by iACT for clinical management were included. The feasibility and role of the prospective iACT service was evaluated. The following patient outcomes were described: (i) 30-day in-hospital all-cause and infection-related mortality, (ii) clinical response, and (iii) microbiological eradication in patients with bloodstream infections.From 2009-2014, the iACT service was requested by Infectious Disease physicians for 39 cases (20 P. aeruginosa, 13 A. baumannii and 6 K. pneumoniae). Bloodstream infection was the predominant infection (36%), followed by pneumonia (31%). All iACT recommendations were provided within 48h from request for the service. Prior to iACT-guided therapy, most cases were prescribed combination antibiotics empirically (90%). Changes in the empiric antibiotic regimens were recommended in 21 (54%) cases; in 14 (36%) cases, changes were recommended as the empiric regimens were found to be non-bactericidal in vitro. In 7 (18%) cases, the number of antibiotics used in combination empirically was reduced by the iACT service. Overall, low 30-day infection-related mortality (15%) and high clinical response (82%) were observed. Microbiological eradication was observed in 79% of all bloodstream infections.The iACT service can be feasibly employed to guide the timely selection of rationally optimized combination regimens, and played a role in reducing indiscreet antibiotic use

30-day In-Hospital All-Cause and Infection-Related Mortality, Clinical Response, and Microbiological Eradication Associated with the Type of Infections and Responsible Pathogens.

<p>30-day In-Hospital All-Cause and Infection-Related Mortality, Clinical Response, and Microbiological Eradication Associated with the Type of Infections and Responsible Pathogens.</p

Summary of the Work Process of the Prospective <i>i</i>ACT Service.

<p>Combination antibiotic regimens recommended by the <i>i</i>ACT service take into account both the <i>in vitro</i> bactericidal activity of the combinations and the probability of PK/PD target attainment, and are recommended to the attending ID physician within 48h from request. Abbreviations used in <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0158740#pone.0158740.g001" target="_blank">Fig 1</a>: GNB = Gram-negative bacteria, <i>i</i>ACT = <i>in vitro</i> antibiotic combination testing, ID = Infectious Diseases, MIC = minimum inhibitory concentration PDR = pan-drug resistant, PK = pharmacokinetic, XDR = extensively-drug resistant.</p