Ecological Services of Agroforestry Landscapes in Selected Watershed Areas in the Philippines and Indonesia

This article argues that the practice of agroforestry provides ecological contributions to the smallholder farmers cultivating in the watershed areas. Specifically, this farming system provides contribution to carbon sequestration potential of the woody perennials and the biodiversity conservation of the other components of the system. This argument is based on the research conducted in Molawin-Dampalit Sub-Watershed, Mt. Makiling Forest Reserve in the Philippines and Way Betung Watershed in Indonesia. The research involved an interview session of 106 and 261 smallholder farmers and an assessment of 27 and 14 agroforesty plots for carbon stock assessment and biodiversity assessment, respectively. Results indicated that the total carbon found among the crop components was 52.32 MgC/ha in Molawin-Dampalit Sub-Watershed­ and 244.26 MgC/ha in Way Betung Watershed­, which suggested the high carbon sequestration potential of the woody perennials and understory crops in an agroforestry system. The farm lots being cultivated by the smallholder farmers were found to contribute to biodiversity conservation having a moderate biodiversity index of 2.59 and 2.53, respectively. With these findings, promotion of desired agroforestry systems in suitable portions of the watershed areas should be intensified and heightened to contribute to ecological balance across the landscape. Agroforestry should always be an integral part of all initiatives toward ecological restoration with the cultivators/smallholder farmers as potential partners. The agroforestry system should consider all the technical and socioeconomic considerations toward having diverse components and ensure food security among the smallholder farmers throughout the year

Effect of SGLT2 inhibitors on stroke and atrial fibrillation in diabetic kidney disease: Results from the CREDENCE trial and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Chronic kidney disease with reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate or elevated albuminuria increases risk for ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. This study assessed the effects of sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) on stroke and atrial fibrillation/flutter (AF/AFL) from CREDENCE (Canagliflozin and Renal Events in Diabetes With Established Nephropathy Clinical Evaluation) and a meta-Analysis of large cardiovascular outcome trials (CVOTs) of SGLT2i in type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: CREDENCE randomized 4401 participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease to canagliflozin or placebo. Post hoc, we estimated effects on fatal or nonfatal stroke, stroke subtypes, and intermediate markers of stroke risk including AF/AFL. Stroke and AF/AFL data from 3 other completed large CVOTs and CREDENCE were pooled using random-effects meta-Analysis. RESULTS: In CREDENCE, 142 participants experienced a stroke during follow-up (10.9/1000 patient-years with canagliflozin, 14.2/1000 patient-years with placebo; hazard ratio [HR], 0.77 [95% CI, 0.55-1.08]). Effects by stroke subtypes were: ischemic (HR, 0.88 [95% CI, 0.61-1.28]; n=111), hemorrhagic (HR, 0.50 [95% CI, 0.19-1.32]; n=18), and undetermined (HR, 0.54 [95% CI, 0.20-1.46]; n=17). There was no clear effect on AF/AFL (HR, 0.76 [95% CI, 0.53-1.10]; n=115). The overall effects in the 4 CVOTs combined were: Total stroke (HRpooled, 0.96 [95% CI, 0.82-1.12]), ischemic stroke (HRpooled, 1.01 [95% CI, 0.89-1.14]), hemorrhagic stroke (HRpooled, 0.50 [95% CI, 0.30-0.83]), undetermined stroke (HRpooled, 0.86 [95% CI, 0.49-1.51]), and AF/AFL (HRpooled, 0.81 [95% CI, 0.71-0.93]). There was evidence that SGLT2i effects on total stroke varied by baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (P=0.01), with protection in the lowest estimated glomerular filtration rate (45 mL/min/1.73 m2]) subgroup (HRpooled, 0.50 [95% CI, 0.31-0.79]). CONCLUSIONS: Although we found no clear effect of SGLT2i on total stroke in CREDENCE or across trials combined, there was some evidence of benefit in preventing hemorrhagic stroke and AF/AFL, as well as total stroke for those with lowest estimated glomerular filtration rate. Future research should focus on confirming these data and exploring potential mechanisms

Canagliflozin and Renal Outcomes in Type 2 Diabetes and Nephropathy

BACKGROUND Type 2 diabetes mellitus is the leading cause of kidney failure worldwide, but few effective long-term treatments are available. In cardiovascular trials of inhibitors of sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2), exploratory results have suggested that such drugs may improve renal outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS In this double-blind, randomized trial, we assigned patients with type 2 diabetes and albuminuric chronic kidney disease to receive canagliflozin, an oral SGLT2 inhibitor, at a dose of 100 mg daily or placebo. All the patients had an estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of 30 to 300 to 5000) and were treated with renin–angiotensin system blockade. The primary outcome was a composite of end-stage kidney disease (dialysis, transplantation, or a sustained estimated GFR of <15 ml per minute per 1.73 m 2), a doubling of the serum creatinine level, or death from renal or cardiovascular causes. Prespecified secondary outcomes were tested hierarchically. RESULTS The trial was stopped early after a planned interim analysis on the recommendation of the data and safety monitoring committee. At that time, 4401 patients had undergone randomization, with a median follow-up of 2.62 years. The relative risk of the primary outcome was 30% lower in the canagliflozin group than in the placebo group, with event rates of 43.2 and 61.2 per 1000 patient-years, respectively (hazard ratio, 0.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.59 to 0.82; P=0.00001). The relative risk of the renal-specific composite of end-stage kidney disease, a doubling of the creatinine level, or death from renal causes was lower by 34% (hazard ratio, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.53 to 0.81; P<0.001), and the relative risk of end-stage kidney disease was lower by 32% (hazard ratio, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.54 to 0.86; P=0.002). The canagliflozin group also had a lower risk of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke (hazard ratio, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.67 to 0.95; P=0.01) and hospitalization for heart failure (hazard ratio, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.47 to 0.80; P<0.001). There were no significant differences in rates of amputation or fracture. CONCLUSIONS In patients with type 2 diabetes and kidney disease, the risk of kidney failure and cardiovascular events was lower in the canagliflozin group than in the placebo group at a median follow-up of 2.62 years

Canagliflozin and renal outcomes in type 2 diabetes and nephropathy

BACKGROUND Type 2 diabetes mellitus is the leading cause of kidney failure worldwide, but few effective long-term treatments are available. In cardiovascular trials of inhibitors of sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2), exploratory results have suggested that such drugs may improve renal outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS In this double-blind, randomized trial, we assigned patients with type 2 diabetes and albuminuric chronic kidney disease to receive canagliflozin, an oral SGLT2 inhibitor, at a dose of 100 mg daily or placebo. All the patients had an estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of 30 to &lt;90 ml per minute per 1.73 m2 of body-surface area and albuminuria (ratio of albumin [mg] to creatinine [g], &gt;300 to 5000) and were treated with renin–angiotensin system blockade. The primary outcome was a composite of end-stage kidney disease (dialysis, transplantation, or a sustained estimated GFR of &lt;15 ml per minute per 1.73 m2), a doubling of the serum creatinine level, or death from renal or cardiovascular causes. Prespecified secondary outcomes were tested hierarchically. RESULTS The trial was stopped early after a planned interim analysis on the recommendation of the data and safety monitoring committee. At that time, 4401 patients had undergone randomization, with a median follow-up of 2.62 years. The relative risk of the primary outcome was 30% lower in the canagliflozin group than in the placebo group, with event rates of 43.2 and 61.2 per 1000 patient-years, respectively (hazard ratio, 0.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.59 to 0.82; P=0.00001). The relative risk of the renal-specific composite of end-stage kidney disease, a doubling of the creatinine level, or death from renal causes was lower by 34% (hazard ratio, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.53 to 0.81; P&lt;0.001), and the relative risk of end-stage kidney disease was lower by 32% (hazard ratio, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.54 to 0.86; P=0.002). The canagliflozin group also had a lower risk of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke (hazard ratio, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.67 to 0.95; P=0.01) and hospitalization for heart failure (hazard ratio, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.47 to 0.80; P&lt;0.001). There were no significant differences in rates of amputation or fracture. CONCLUSIONS In patients with type 2 diabetes and kidney disease, the risk of kidney failure and cardiovascular events was lower in the canagliflozin group than in the placebo group at a median follow-up of 2.62 years

A microbioological study on the detection of bacteria before and after handwashing on the Palmar surface of the hands among Grades 1 and 2 pupils in Tierra Santa School Imus City, Cavite

Hand hygiene is any action of cleaning hands to reduce microroganisms. Global research shows that almost half of diarrheal diseases and 16% of respiratory infections are preventable by proper hand washing. A study showed that poor hand-hygiene has a high prevalence among students. The purpose of this study was to detect the presence of bacteria before and after hand washing in palmar surface of the hands among Grades 1 and 2 pupils in Tierra Sana Montesoori School. Forty (4) randomly selected students performed the traditional and medical handwashing. Swabbing method was done to take sample. Serial dilution was done to dilute the bacteria and Spread Plate method was performed. While Standard Plate Counter was used to count the CFU and the data was subjected to statistical analysis. Restuls showed taht there is a 25% decrease in the proportion of agar plates with CFU in traditional hand washing while, 22% decrease in medical hand washing. The data suggests that traditional handwashing can reduce more bacteria in our hands than in medical handwashing. There are several factors identified that may have affected the presence of bacteria. It was concluded that traditional handwashing is more effective compared to medical handwashing

Evaluation of the impact of the agricultural insurance program of PCIC on agricultural producers in region IV-A

The evaluation of the impact of agricultural insurance program of the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation on coconut farmers in Region IV-A (CALABARZON) was conducted from October 2015 to July 2016. The main instrument for conducting impact evaluation was the Coconut Farmers Survey which covered the provinces of Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, and Quezon with a random sample of 500 coconut farmers. The 500 samples comprised the random sample of 250 matched pairs of coconut farmers. Each pair was composed of a farmer with insurance and a farmer without insurance. Farmers with insurance were classified further into two groups, namely, those with claims and those without claims. A proportional allocation scheme with groups and farm size as stratification variables was used. For each of the two insurance groups, three strata were formed defined according to farm size: Stratum 1 - 0.5 ha and below; Stratum 2 - greater than 0.5 to 1 ha; and Stratum 3 - greater than 1 ha.Farmer, farm, and household characteristics were obtained by interviewing the farmers using a structured survey questionnaire. The farmers cited the following: 1) adverse weather conditions, 2) low farm gate prices, and 3) pests and diseases as the three most important problems. Although the study was conducted to assess the impact of agricultural insurance, it was worth noting that a significant proportion of coconut farmers were not aware of existing programs such as crop insurance. The study revealed that lack of awareness among coconut farmers on the availability of insurance products was a big problem. Some of the farmers who have been granted free insurance were not aware that they were insured. Among the most common and important reasons for non-availment of crop insurance were the lack of awareness on the availability of crop insurance products, lack of information on how to process insurance documents, and the belief that there was no need for insurance.No significant differences in mean income from coconut production were observed between the two groups with insurance, with claims and without claims, across farm sizes 0.5 ha and below and greater than 0.5 to 1 ha. Significant differences were detected only for farmers with farm sizes greater than 1 ha. The results were consistent across 2014 and 2015. When pooled, no differences were obtained between the group with insurance and the group without insurance. Results showed that the only characteristic associated with whether or not the farmer is insured is if the farmer is keen on joining farmers' organizations. Although the farmers think that having insurance is advantageous, most farmers were not willing to pay any premium

Relationship between Philhealth membership and health-seeking behavior of senior citizens of Barangay Langkaan I and II, Dasmariñas, Cavite, School Year 2014-2015

Using a retrospective cohort research design, 278 senior citizens from Barangay Langkaan I and II were selected through stratified random sampling. The two strata used were PhilHealth members and non-PhilHealth members. Risk ratio was computed to determine the relationship between PhilHealth membership and health-seeking behavior. Data was collected through the use of questionnaires, inferential analysis of data was done through Chi-square, while descriptive analysis noted the frequency of visits to healthcare facilities relative to occurrence of illness and number of PhilHealth and non-PhilHealth covered subjects. Factors that may affect health-seeking behavior such as financial status and availability of healthcare facilities were noted and considered in the analysis of data. The computed risk ratio was 1.65 showing increased health seeking behavior for respondents with PhilHealth membership. The p-value obtained was 0.017757, showing significant relationship between PhilHealth membership and health seeking behavior. The confounding variable that was likely to affect the health seeking behavior of the respondent was smoking, with a p-value of 0.002447

A cost-benefit analysis of hedgerow intercropping in the Philippine uplands using the SCUAF model

Soil erosion in the Philippine uplands is severe. Hedgerow intercropping is widely advocated as an effective means of controlling soil erosion from annual cropping systems in the uplands. However, few farmers adopt hedgerow intercropping even in areas where it has been vigorously promoted. This may be because farmers find hedgerow intercropping to be uneconomic compared to traditional methods of farming. This paper reports a cost-benefit analysis comparing the economic returns from traditional maize farming with those from hedgerow intercropping in an upland community with no past adoption of hedgerows. A simple erosion/productivity model, Soil Changes Under Agroforestry (SCUAF), is used to predict maize yields over 25 years. Economic data were collected through key informant surveys with experienced maize farmers in an upland community. Traditional methods of open-field farming of maize are economically attractive to farmers in the Philippine uplands. In the short term, establishment costs are a major disincentive to the adoption of hedgerow intercropping. In the long term, higher economic returns from hedgerow intercropping compared to open-field farming are realised, but these lie beyond farmers' limited planning horizons