STRESSING the importance of research in the academe, Fr. Jose Antonio Aureada, O.P., vice-rector for academic affairs, urged a renewed commitment to graduate research during the opening of the Graduate Research Colloquium at the Tanghalang Teresita Quirino of the Benavidez building (UST Graduate School Bldg.) last Sept. 21.
Individual presentations of various researches in the fields of Business, Economics, Finance, Enterprises, Marketing, Education, Science, Pharmacy and Medical Technology, Psychology, Health Science, Humanities, Music, Law, and English and Literature were held simultaneously at the seminar-workshop rooms of the Thomas Aquinas Research Complex and the Graduate School.
The Varsitarian focuses on three health science researches that may guide students and faculty members in conducting their own studies. The studies were done with the help of a foreign expert from the University of Strathclyde, in United Kingdom.
Breast watch
The increasing number of breast cancer patients led Susan P. Graido and Irma Bustamante to conduct a study entitled “Knowledge of Breast Cancer and Breast Self-Examination Among Women of Two Different Background”. The study was based on women’s age, educational background, and basic knowledge of breast self-examination. With two sets of samples, one from the health related group A and the other from the non-health related group B, the researchers assessed the vulnerability of the respondents in practicing breast self-examination (BSE).
Regular BSE can prevent the occurrence of cancer cells since the bulge or swelling can be recognized before it becomes malignant. Early detection and treatment can extend the life of women who test regularly.
Initial findings as to age, knowledge, and intention showed that most of the respondents aged 30 to 40 have not been diagnosed of breast cancer and only practice BSE when they are reminded about it.
Anti-epilepsy drug
Carbamazepine, one of the most widely used anti-epileptic or anti-convulsion drug, shows some signs of polymorphism, according to the study of Daisy Grata Cauilan and Norman Shankland on “Solid State Characterization of Carbamazepine: Tablet Formulation and Quality Control.” Polymorphism is the property of a substance to assume several forms and value from other substances. Polymorphism can have a wide range of implications, particularly in the formulation and manufacturing of dosage form. Carbamazepine, when subjected to laboratory tests, can therefore contain more essential elements contained in other anti-epileptic drugs that makes it more practical and whole.
Using direct compression method, a tablet containing 200mg of Carbamazepine was prepared and a batch of tablets was produced. The prepared tablets were subjected to quality-control testing to determine weight, hardness, thickness, diameter, disintegration time, and dissolution profile. After some technical tests using solid-state characterization techniques such as DRIFTS (Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier Transform Spectroscopy) and XRPD (X-Ray Powder Diffraction), the tablets were found to satisfy the pharmacopeial requirements for uniformity of the characteristics, suggesting that the drug is effective in the treatment of epilepsy.
On osteoporosis
According to the study of “Pre-menopausal Rural Women’s Knowledge of Osteoporosis: Its Implication to Nursing Intervention” by Grace Melanie B. Rigor and Irma Bustamante, osteoporosis is a medical condition characterized by a reduction of total bone mass and a change in bone structure. It is a “silent disease” that only becomes evident upon the occurrence of fracture. Women, especially those in their pre-menopausal years, are at most risk to develop this disease.
A total of 250 pre-menopausal rural women in Santiago City, Albay in this study have moderate level of knowledge regarding risk factors and behaviors for osteoporosis, making them more susceptible to acquiring the disease because of demographic profile, educational background and financial status. However, the study revealed that the respondents have high level of knowledge in terms of preventive measures, treatment, and management for osteoporosis because they are exposed enough to information sources like the television, radio, health advice given by doctors and midwives, and books.
