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Sharing the outputs of R&D

Monday, November 19, 2018

THE Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) aims to share its research and development (R&D) outputs joining this year’s celebration of the Central Visayas S&T Week which was held in Tagbilaran City, Bohol.

Through its different exhibits and displays, the PCAARRD-DOST featured the technologies and information on coffee depulper, biological-based approaches for cacao pest management, enhancing mungbean productivity through carrageenan plant growth promoter, and Itik Pinas.

The village-level coffee depulper is an improved highly efficient prototype, which can depulp different varieties of coffee berries of varied sizes.

It consists of two separate depulpers for smaller and bigger coffee berries.

Depulper 1 has a depulping efficiency of 96 percent for small coffee berries and 95 percent for medium coffee berries.

For large coffee berries, Depulper 2 has a depulping efficiency of 91.5 percent.

On the average, the depulping system has a combined capacity of 302.3kg/hour with pulp separation efficiency of 96 percent and depulping efficiency of 92 percent.

While the display on carrageenan highlights its positive effect on mungbean production.

Carageenan is a product extracted from seaweeds, irradiated with a very small dose of gamma radiation, and acts as a plant growth promoter (PGP) when applied as foliar spray.

Foliar application of carrageenan PGP on mungbean can boost yield by more than 400 percent due to its bio-stimulant properties.

The carrageenan PGP is an environment-friendly alternative to other kinds of fertilizers as it does not harm beneficial insects and can enhance crop resistance to pests.

The display on biological-based approaches for cacao pest management aims to promote research efforts to develop biological-based pest management program for the control of major insect pests and diseases of cacao such as the cacao pod borer (CPB), cacao mirid bug (CMB), cacao pod rot, and vascular streak disease.

Biological control is a very promising alternative to the more traditional use of chemical pesticides.

It uses natural enemies or biological pathogens of pest species to bring down infestations to levels with minimal to no impact on productivity.

It is also sustainable as it allows reproduction of the biological control agents when the host or prey (the pest) is present.

Itik Pinas (IP), on the other hand, highlights the three different strains – IP Itim and IP Khaki, which are both purelines, and IP Kayumanggi, a crossbreed of the two purelines.

These strains are the first and only Philippine layer duck breeds developed through organized breeding and selection to address the industry problem of low and inconsistent egg production performance and product quality of the traditional mongrel ducks.

Among the benefits of IP include an increased predictability in egg production performance with consistent product quality; increased average egg produced per duck per year from 201 eggs to 266 eggs; and stable supply and accessibility of breeder ducks and duck egg products.

The regional celebration of the S&T week is an event aimed at promoting the role and significance of S&T in regional and national development. (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it./PN)

DLSU hosts workshop on water management and resource recovery

In support of developing sustainable cities around the globe, De La Salle University recently held the NexCities Annual Workshop, funded by the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology, and in partnership with the University of Surrey, University of Nottingham, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne, Paul Scherrer Institut and Maynilad Water Services Inc.

DANGAL NG BAYAN AWARDEE Dr. Merian P. Catajay-Mani (3rd from right), president of the Marinduque State College, Boac, Marinduque, has been accorded recently with the ‘Dangal ng Bayan Award’ (Outstanding Public Official) by the Civil Service Commission, Regional Office 4. The rites coincided with the 118th Anniversary of Philippine Civil Service with its theme ‘Lingkod Bayani, Maka-Diyos, Makatao, Makabayan.’ The award is conferred to an individual performing an extraordinary act or public service and consistently demonstrating exemplary ethical behavior on the basis of her observance of the eight norms of behavior provided under Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY AG Papa–MSC Media Bureau

Now on its second year, the workshop aimed to strengthen the network among members of the academic, private, government and civil sectors. In addition, it also served as a platform for the exchange of ideas about the state-of-the-art science, technology, and innovation on resource recovery. It envisions to develop a joint research program on the area of Water-Energy-Food-Environment Nexus that will be particularly relevant to the cities of the future (NexCities).

In order to foster a dialogue on the practice, policy options, risks, and opportunities for resource recovery from wastewater, the Nexcities workshop also delved on the management of municipal wastewater by transforming sewage or septage treatment plants into resource recovery facilities. The workshop focused on the water management and resource recovery systems of the Philippines, United Kingdom, and Switzerland.

Surviving colon cancer

November 15, 2018 at 12:30 am by Jenny Ortuoste

"Let’s take better care of our own health, not only for ourselves but for our family."

I am a colon cancer survivor.

For more than a year I’d been experiencing untoward symptoms related to my gastro-intestinal tract but chalked it up to hemorrhoids. I was living in the United States then and didn’t have the means to seek medical care. When I returned to Manila earlier this year, the symptoms intensified and I went to gastroenterologist Dr. Ernesto Olympia at Makati Medical Center for a colonoscopy.

He told me I had colon cancer. We then discussed next steps, particularly surgery to remove the tumor he had seen in my sigmoid. That was on March 22. He referred me to colorectal surgeon Dr. Ramon Estrada, who, taking pity on my distress and terror, scheduled me for surgery on the 29th. That was Maundy Thursday.

Coincidentally, March is Colon and Rectal Cancer Awareness Month in the Philippines.

* * *

According to the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development, as of 2017 colorectal cancer (CRC) is the number one gastrointestinal cancer in the country, overtaking liver cancer. The agency said that Philippine Society of Gastroenterology data at the time showed there are over 3,000 new cases of CRC among Filipinos annually. Some 2,000 of them die of it.

Risk factors for the disease include age, family history, smoking and alcohol practices, diet high in processed meat and/or high fat but low in fiber, and inherited genetic mutation. Symptoms include changing stool patterns, blood in stool, sudden weight loss, anemia and appetite loss.

An alarming trend is that CRC incidence is rising in younger adults (below 55). I was way below that age when diagnosed. Reasons for the trend? “Excess body weight, high intake of processed meat, low intake of dietary fiber, and low levels of physical activity,” according to a 2018 column by Dr. Charles C. Chante.

CRC starts with a polyp (kuntil) or precursor lesion. If left unaddressed, they can turn malignant. The disease can be prevented if polyps are detected early. To aid in prevention, the PCHRD recommends that you always examine your stool, get screened, and choose a healthier diet and lifestyle.

* * *

I was fortunate that I had a dream team of doctors to care for me—my primary physician, Dr. Olympia; Dr. Estrada; oncologist Dr. Maria Belen Tamayo; cardiologist Dr. Edwin Wenceslao; anesthesiologist Dr. Karen Alcantara; and vascular surgeon Dr. Jeffrey Chua.

The colon resection surgery performed by Dr. Estrada was flawless. My anesthesiologist and a junior doctor present expressed their admiration for Dr. Estrada’s skill in excising the tumor, which had contorted itself into an odd position that was tricky to remove. His skill also meant I did not require a colostomy bag, though it is usually indicated in many similar circumstances.

After the surgery I recovered quickly, and was walking laps around the ward the next day, and the day after that around the entire floor. I felt great, better than I had the past year.

But since some lymph nodes taken tested positive, chemotherapy was indicated. Dr. Olympia referred me to Dr. Chua for implantation in the chest of a porta-catheter, a device that accommodates IV and obviates the need to punch holes in one’s hands. He performed the surgery well, and nurses at the Cancer Center always commented favorably upon knowing Dr. Chua installed the porta-cath.

Dr. Tamayo directed my chemotherapy treatment every step of the way. As with my other doctors, she took time to explain everything she was doing and the possible effects of the medication on me. She listened to my problems with side effects and tweaked my medicine dosage to give me comfort while still delivering maximum benefits.

A month after my last chemo session, I had CT scans done and Drs. Tamayo and Estrada told me I was okay. They drew up a regime of follow-up and monitoring tests, and it’s up to me to stick to it and to maintain a healthy lifestyle, because recurrence is always a possibility with any type of cancer.

What helped me recover well was thinking positive all the time (advice reiterated many times by Dr. Estrada), excellent medical care, and the support of family and friends. It’s during crises like this that you realize who your true friends are.

It also helped that all my doctors have a great sense of humor! Laughter is the best medicine.

I was aided financially by my former employers in the horseracing industry, particularly directors of the Metropolitan Association of Race Horse Owners and Klub Don Juan de Manila. Without their kindness and generosity, I could not have afforded the treatment. Gentlemen, I can’t thank you enough.

* * *

Takeaways from my experience: Health is wealth. Quit smoking and drinking, and eat more plants. Exercise regularly. In your 20s or 30s and onwards, go for all the screenings - mammogram, pap smear, ultrasound, colonoscopy, prostate check, the works. Life is precious. Let’s take better care of our own health, not only for ourselves but for our family.

Dr. Ortuoste, a writer and researcher, has a PhD in Communication. FB and Twitter: @DrJennyO.