The intensive demands of parenting require huge adjustments from both parents. However, the study, Cebu Longitudinal Health and Nutrition Survey, suggests that men undergo extra adjustment to cope better with child rearing. Encompassing three generations of participants in Cebu from the 1980’s up to the present, the survey collected data on various aspects of human health and nutrition including, reproductive health and sexuality.

During the presentation of the results of the study at the Department of Health (DOH) 13th National Health Forum for Action, Dr. Nanette Lee-Mayol, Research Associate at the University of San Carlos (USC) - Cebu City, shared that the level of testosterone in men is affected by courtship, marriage and subsequent fatherhood.

Researchers measured morning and evening salivary testosterone level of the 624 single, adult male participants. Baseline data were first collected in 2005. The test was repeated after four years in 2009 when some of the participants were already married. Study showed that levels of morning and evening salivary testosterone of men who became fathers declined by 26% and 34%, respectively, whereas single non-fathers only experienced a decrease of 12% and 14% in their respective morning and evening testosterone level. Researchers also discovered that the men who spend most time with their kids are likelier to get lower testosterone levels than the others. These fathers whose youngest child was less than a month old experienced the most drastic decline in testosterone levels. Dr. Mayol revealed, “The more involved you are in taking care of the children, especially the very young ones, the lower your testosterone.”

Though there were researches made on primates showing similar results, no other paper has been published yet that links child rearing with decline in testosterone in human males until the Cebu longitudinal study. The study was the first to conclusively connect child rearing to lowered testosterone levels in men.

While traditionally, child rearing has always been designated solely as a woman’s responsibility, the study proves otherwise. The researchers explained that while high testosterone ensures mating success in men, the steep decline in testosterone level showed that men are innately wired to actively help in the child rearing.  Dr. Mayol stressed, “Testosterone is often high during mating periods but then declines to allow for caregiving of the resulting children.”

With certain genetic type involved in heart disease in Filipinos, you can get some idea of which molecular targets should be good for the development of new drugs,” said Ms. Ma. Luisa Daroy, Scientist I, Research and Biotechnology Division of the St. Luke’s Medical Center (SLMC) during the Metro Manila Health Research and Development Consortium (MMHRDC) Research Forum for World Heart Day last October 10, 2012 at the Adamson University.

The genetic uniqueness of each individual is reflected in the different signs of heart disease in a patient. Knowing one’s genetic profile provides deep insight into the biological dynamics of heart disease which can guide the doctors in managing their patients.

"In a disease-focused research, the key component is a combination of medical informatics, systematized specimen archiving, and genetic profiling,” explained Dr. Daroy.

To determine the genetic profile of coronary artery disease (CAD) patients observed at the Heart Institute in SLMC, the Genomics and Cardiovascular Medicine Initiative (GCMI) of SLMC embarked on a long-term program of research that covers Cardiovascular Disease Information System (CVDIS), GCMI Biobank and CVD Genomics Research.

"We integrated this to facilitate our genetic variation profiling where genomics work in response to the lack of genetic data on Filipinos in the web. If we look at the genetic data on the internet, you will see that it is really voluminous and there are very large scale efforts to document the genetic variations in different population. But sadly for Filipinos, it is very sparse,” reported Ms. Daroy.

To address the situation, the SLMC created the first component of this integrated approach which is the CVDIS. This involves the electronic archiving of patient information, clinical symptoms, laboratory results, treatment regimes and clinical outcomes. This informatics accompanies the systematic collection of blood samples from patients who were examined at SLMC for coronary artery disease (CAD).

According to Ms. Daroy, researchers isolated serum, plasma and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) from the blood samples of patients. Specimen quality is assessed periodically to ensure its usefulness for research.

“Our patients were required to sign informed consent prior to enrolment in the GCMI Biobank. We have several review process. All patients were made to understand that they can withdraw their samples from the Biobank at any time,” clarified Ms. Daroy.

Patient DNA is then analyzed for genetic variations, specifically single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), in several genes that have been previously reported to be associated with CAD. Allele and genotype frequencies are calculated and usefulness of a SNP as risk factor for CAD is assessed statistically. Researchers used TaqMan Genotyping System which is a faster, cheaper and more efficient way of doing the genotyping.

Ms. Daroy said, “This is an initial report on the first genomics data generated on Filipinos with CAD. This patient-centered strategy for research produces a wealth of information that enriches evidence-based medicine with previously unforeseen options for health promotion, preventive care, risk reduction and appropriate cure.”

Researchers, using data from the results of the Cebu Longitudinal Health and Nutrition Survey, discovered that breastfeeding is effective in lowering the risk of diarrhea in infants even if environmental sanitation is compromised.

During her study presentation, Dr. Nanette Lee-Mayol, Research Associate at the University of San Carlos (USC), shared, “We know that breastfeeding is protective of infants against infectious disease, especially diarrhea. In this study, we see the relationship of exclusive breastfeeding and sanitation with decrease or increase in the probability of getting diarrhea.”

Covering 2,355 infants less than six months of age, the study gathered information on breastfeeding practices in 17 communities in Cebu in a span of one year. On their second month after birth, 19% of the infants were completely weaned from breastfeeding, 38% were mixed-fed, and 20% received nonnutritive liquid substitutes in addition to breast milk. Researchers then compared the effects of full breastfeeding, mixed feeding and weaning on the chances of infants to acquire diarrheal disease at different levels of sanitation.

Study confirmed that breastfeeding provides protection to infants against diarrheal infection. It was also revealed that regardless of the sanitary conditions of the environment, breastfeeding was consistent in providing protection against diarrhea in children. Upon comparison of fully breastfed and mixed-fed infants, scientists observed that fully breastfed infants had lower risks of contracting diarrheal infections. Dr. Mayol explained that mixed fed infants are twice as likely to get diarrhea as exclusively breastfed babies because other food substances, such as water or tea, may have diarrhea-inducing pathogens. On the other hand, children who were completely weaned from breastfeeding showed the least protection from diarrheal infection in all levels of environmental sanitations.

 In order to protect children from diarrhea, Dr. Mayol advised mothers to stick to exclusive breastfeeding. She said, “I always push for exclusive breastfeeding. Especially, for infants living in environment with poor sanitation, exclusive breastfeeding is the best protection you can provide.”

The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a measure seeking to institutionalize the Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS).

The authors of House Bill 6735 are Reps. Juan Edgardo Angara (Lone District, Aurora), Joseph Emilio Abaya (1st District, Cavite), Angelo Palmones (Party-list, Agham), Lani Mercado-Revilla (2nd District, Cavite), Rufus Rodriguez (2nd District, Cagayan de Oro City) and Maximo Rodriguez, Jr. (Party-list, Abante Mindanao).

Angara said it is important to build the country's capability for research and development because it can fuel the necessary innovation that will lead to a responsive and efficient health care system.

"The country must provide for a favorable research environment wherein government agencies, non-government organizations, public and private hospitals, academic institutions and private agencies can optimize their research activities," Angara said.

Palmones said the PNHRS is a framework of cooperation and resource sharing of the core agencies and stakeholders in health research anchored on the principles of inclusiveness, participation, quality, equity, efficiency and effectiveness.

"The bill will promote good governance in research towards high performing and ethical health research organizations and to establish a realistic system that shall strengthen national and international networking partnerships for health research development," Palmones said.

Under the measure, the PNHRS is institutionalized within the mandate of the Philippine Council for health Research and Development (PCHRD), the national coordinating body for health research.

The PNHRS was initiated through a Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Science and Technology and the Department of Health in 2003 and 2007. 

The regional health research system shall be created in all regions and will address concerns relating to health research agenda, development of human resource in health research, conduct of researches, dissemination of research results, research utilization, resource mobilization, leadership and management.

The DOST - Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD), Department of Health (DOH), Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the University of the Philippines, Manila-National Institutes of Health (UPM-NIH) shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations of under the proposed act.

Other authors of the bill are Reps. Maranon III, Romeo Acop (2nd District, Antipolo), Randolph Ting ((3rd District, Cagayan), Deogracias Ramos, Jr. (2nd District, Sorsogon), Philip A. Pichay (1st District, Surigao del Sur), Eufranio Eriguel (2nd District, La Union), Monique Yazmin Lagdameo (1st District, Makati City), Imelda Calixto Rubiano (Lone District, Pasay City), Daisy Fuentes (2nd District, South Cotabato), Romero Federico Quimbo (2nd District, Marikina City), Benhur Salimbangon (4th District, Cebu), Herminia Roman (1st District, Bataan), Anthony Rolando Golez, Jr. (Lone District, Bacolod City), Mary Mitzi Cajayon (2nd District, Caloocan City), Linabelle Ruth Villarica (4th District, Bulacan), Irvin Alcala (2nd District, Quezon), Susan Yap (2nd District, Tarlac), Ma. Carmen Zamora (1st District, Compostela Valley), Jeci Lapus (3rd District, Tarlac), Bernadette Herrera-Dy (Party-list, Bagong Henerasyon), Jane Castro (2nd District, Capiz), and Ako Bicol Party-list Reps. Alfredo Garbin, Jr., Christopher Co and Rodel Batocabe.