bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of gold nanoparticle-based lateral flow immunoassay for detection of pathogenic leptospiral antigen
Authors:   , Lae-ngee Prayoon
Published: September 2023

Leptospirosis, caused by pathogenic Leptospira spp., is a global re-emerging zoonosis and endemic disease in tropical and sub-tropical countries including Thailand. Point-of-care testing (POCT) for rapid diagnosis of leptospirosis is needed for prompt and appropriate treatment particularly in resource-poor settings. Lateral flow immunoassay (LFA)-based POCT devices are rapid, user friendly, cheap, have one-step analysis, and need no sophisticated equipment. LipL32 is a common target for diagnostic tests of leptospirosis because it is the major outer membrane protein (OMP) that is specific and highly conserved among pathogenic Leptospira. This study aimed to develop the gold nanoparticle (AuNP)-based LFA for detection of pathogenic leptospiral antigen. To develop the LFA, this study used two clones of anti-LipL32 mouse monoclonal antibodies (mAb3 and mAb82) and a rabbit anti-LipL32 polyclonal antibody (pAb) that showed specific binding to all 22 reference pathogenic Leptospira serovars found in Thailand and did not bind to 2 non-pathogenic serovars. These mAb3 and mAb82 bind different epitopes on LipL32 as demonstrated by the competitive inhibition-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The lowest limit of detection (LoD) was achieved by the LFA comprising anti-LipL32 mAb82-conjugated AuNPs on the conjugate pad and the anti-LipL32 pAb on the test line. Different sizes of AuNPs including 10, 20, 30 and 40 nm in diameter were successfully synthesized by seeded growth synthesis using citrate reduction. The LoD of 40-nm mAb82-conjugated AuNPs was 100- and 10-fold lower than that of 20-nm and 30-nm AuNPs, respectively, to detect sonicated L. interrogans serovar Pomona spiked in sera. In the present study, the lowest LoD obtained after various optimization of anti-LipL32 mAb82-conjugated AuNP-based LFA was 5 x 103 cells of whole cell lysates in sera. This AuNP-based LFA was evaluated with acute sera from patients with leptospirosis and unrelated diseases. Pretreatment of sera with 4.5% Tween 20 improved the sensitivity of the LFA from 6% (3 of 50) to 24% (12 of 50) to detect acute phase sera from known cases of leptospirosis. Negative detection was observed in all 30 (100%) pretreated and untreated sera of patients with unrelated diseases and healthy person resulting in 100% specificity of this LFA. The new strategies are required to improve the sensitivity of this potential anti-LipL32 mAb82 conjugated AuNP-based LFA for better diagnosis of acute phase leptospirosis in the future.
Characterization of antimicrobial-resistant nontyphoidal salmonella isolated from humans and food animals in Thailand 172252256
Authors:   , Luk-in Sirirat
Published: September 2023

The emergence and increase of resistance to antimicrobial agents, especially to extended-spectrum cephalosporins (ESCs) and fluoroquinolones in nontyphoidal Salmonella have recently become a serious therapeutic problem. The objectives of this study were to characterize antimicrobial resistance mechanisms, the clonality, and plasmid profiles among nontyphoidal Salmonella isolates from human and food animals in Thailand. A total of 897 nontyphoidal Salmonella isolates, 617 isolates from human and 280 isolates from food animal in Thailand during 2005 to 2007 and 2012 to 2016 were included in this study. The significantly higher resistance rates were found in S. Choleraesuis compared with other serotypes to all antimicrobial agents tested (p < 0.0001), except for norfloxacin. S. Choleraesuis showed extremely high rates of resistance to ESCs (56.9%) and ciprofloxacin (19.4%). The results from PFGE and RFLP revealed the predominant antimicrobial resistance clones and plasmids among nontyphoidal Salmonella human isolates. The dissemination of the self-transferable blaCTX-M-14-carrying IncFIIs (E06), IncFII (E20), and IncI1 (E21) plasmids and blaCMY-2-carrying IncA/C (S01) plasmid along with the clonal spread of blaCMY-2-harbouring S. Choleraesuis isolates (C35-01) contributed to the high rates of ESC resistance during 2005 to 2007. Moreover, this study reported the first occurrence of CTX-M-55 in S. Choleraesuis isolates which dramatically increased and became the most abundant CTX-M variant among ESC-resistant isolates during 2012 to 2016. The spread of clone C27-01 was due to the dissemination of IncA/C plasmids carrying blaCTX-M-55 along with qnrS1 among the S. Choleraesuis isolates harbouring D87G in GyrA which was apparently responsible for the high rates of co-resistance to ESCs and ciprofloxacin (44.9%) during 2012 to 2016. The genetically related isolates from human and swine were found in CTX-M-55-producing S. Choleraesuis clone C27-05 isolated in 2014. Interestingly, we found qnrVC4 gene in S. Rissen 166ANSS50 from a swine isolate. This is the first known report of qnrVC in Salmonella enterica. This isolate harbored a ̴17-kb non-conjugative plasmid carrying qnrVC4 within 8.91 kb of a novel In4-like class 1 integron (In805). It contained the multi-drug resistance gene cassettes of qnrVC4-qacH4-aacA4-cmlA7-blaOXA-10-aadA1-dfrA14 and unusual 3’-CS of mobC-IS6100. The results of this study underlines the importance of the action plan to control the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance in nontyphoidal Salmonella since this could be global health threats due to travel and trade in animal food products.
IMMUNE RESPONSE IN PYTHIOSIS PATIENTS TREATED WITH PYTHIUM INSIDIOSUM ANTIGEN (PIA)
Authors:   , Worasilchai Navaporn
Published: September 2023

Immunotherapy using Pythium insidiosum antigen (PIA) is one of the combination treatment for P. insidiosum infected patients along with amputation and certain antifungal agents. The protocol of first prime (day0) after diagnosis and six booster doses (at 0.5, 1, 1.5, 3, 6, 12 months; mo.) along a year period were performed based on previous study. The switching of T-helper2 (Th2) to Th1 after immunotherapy along with the clinical improvement in equine and rabbit models were revealed whereas studies in human are very limited. To investigate the immune response in PIA treated pythiosis patients, cytokine profile (CMI response), P. insidiosum specific antibody; Pi-Ab (HMI response) and (1->3)-β-D-glucan (polysaccharide found in P. insidiosum’s cell wall component and PIA) in serum were examined before prime dose and each booster. Here, vascular and ocular pythiosis treated with immunotherapy during January 2011- July 2016 was recruited in this study. Among fifty vascular cases recruited in this study, the correlation between the tested parameters and the clinical outcome was found. The switching of Th2 (IL-4, IL-5) to Th1 (IFN-γ) cytokines along with the increasing of IL-10, IL-17 after PIA immunotherapy were found in patients with no sign of disease recurrent. Regarding HMI aspect, all of them demonstrated high constant level (ELISA value; EV>6) of Pi-Ab together with the decreasing trend of (1,3)-β-D-glucan level. Regarding, thirty ocular pythiosis, local infection, were enrolled in this study. Very less immune response was showed after infection. However, it clearly showed that both CMI and HMI were activated after PIA treatment even no correlation was found between the tested parameters and the clinical outcome.
Induction of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) by porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV)
Authors:   , Nedumpun Teerawut
Published: September 2023

Porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus (PRRSV) is one of the major pathogens affecting pig production industry worldwide. Impaired innate and adaptive immune responses are evidenced through the course of PRRSV infection. Several evidences indicate that PRRSV suppresses host immune responses via several immune evasion strategies. Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) is known as an early inhibitory cytokine that suppresses innate immune functions and T lymphocyte responses. The aims of this study were to explore the induction of IL-1Ra by PRRSV and the negative immunomodulatory effects of PRRSV-induced IL-1Ra on porcine immune responses.

In this study, the previous monocytes-derived dendritic cells (MoDC) generation protocol was modified, based on the human and mouse primary DC culture system. The modified protocol required fewer monocytes, but generated higher numbers of CD1+ MoDC. The MoDC from the modified protocol also exhibited increased antigen uptake and IFN- production. Therefore, the modified protocol is expedient and reliable for generating potent MoDC. The induction of IL-1Ra by PRRSV was determined both in vitro and in vivo. Type 2 PRRSV increased both IL1RA gene expression and IL-1Ra protein production in the cultured porcine leukocytes. The enhanced production of IL-1Ra was further confirmed in the pigs immunized with a modified-live PRRSV vaccine. Myeloid cell population appeared to be the major IL-1Ra producer in the system. In contrast to the type 2 PRRSV, the highly pathogenic (HP) PRRSV did not induce IL1RA gene expression. The immunomodulatory roles of type 2 PRRSV-induced IL-1Ra on porcine immune responses were further explored using an in vitro IL-1Ra neutralization assay. The findings demonstrated that PRRSV-induced IL-1Ra was responsible for inhibition of phagocytosis, expressions of MHC II (SLA-DR) and CD86 molecules, as well as down regulation of IFNA and IL1 gene expression. Furthermore, IL-1Ra obtained from PRRSV-infected MoDC also interfered with effector T lymphocyte differentiation and proliferation. Interestingly, although PRRSV-induced IL-1Ra was not directly linked to the IL-10 production, it contributed to the differentiation of porcine regulatory T lymphocytes (Treg).

Our findings demonstrated that PRRSV could enhance IL-1Ra production in infected pigs. Moreover, PRRSV-induced IL-1Ra possessed negative immunomodulatory effects on porcine innate immune functions and T lymphocyte responses. The elucidated roles of IL-1Ra from this study help completing the understanding in mechanism of PRRSV immunopathogenesis and may eventually lead to better disease intervention
CADAVERIC EVALUATION OF THE LOCATION OF ARTERIES AND THEIR ANASTOMOTIC TERRITORIES ON THE FACE: THE FEASIBILITY DETERMINATION OF RISKY SEVERE COMPLICATIONS REGARDING TO THE FILLER INJECTIONS SITES
Authors:   , Jitaree Benrita
Published: September 2023

The facial aging features are most concerns; therefore, the filler injection procedures are selected to provide the youthful face. However, the several complications following arterial devastating have been reported continually. Therefore, this study objectively evaluated the arterial location relative to filler injection sites. Furthermore, the arterial anastomoses and arterial supply of each injection site were also studied to verify the filler embolic pathways. This dissection was performed on 62 hemi-faces Thai embalmed cadavers to investigate nearest artery and its location of all injection sites. While, the 20 hemi-faces Thai embalmed cadavers were employed with Sihler’s staining procedure to examine the anastomotic pathways. The most of nearest artery of forehead landmark was supratrochlear artery (48.4%). For the eyebrow injection site, the most nearest artery was brow branch of supraorbital artery (46.8%). The most nearest artery was lateral rim branch (35.5%) at upper eyelid injection site. At the glabellar area, the main nearest artery was left central artery (32.3%). For the temple injection sites, the closest artery was descending branch of superficial temporal artery (50.0%). At the tear trough, the major nearest artery was angular branch of ophthalmic artery (43.5%). Moreover, the main nearest artery to mid cheek was infraorbital artery (29.0%), whereas transverse facial artery was locating nearest to lateral hollowness injection site. However, facial artery located nearest to nasolabial injection sites (58.1%). The superior labial artery was found mostly locating closest to upper lip injection sites (88.7%). The closest artery to chin and jawline injection sites was right submental (61.3%) and facial artery (88.7%), respectively. To summarize our finding, the upper face may provide highest risk of severe complications when compares with the middle and lower face regions. However, the middle face may confront with the risk of severe complication due to it has anastomosis to the branch of ophthalmic artery.
COMBINATION EFFECT OF CEPHARANTHINE AND 5-FLUOROURACILON HUMAN COLON CANCER IN A MOUSE XENOGRAFT MODEL
Authors:   , Kongsaden Chanaporn
Published: September 2023

Cepharanthine (CEP), an alkaloid isolated from the root of Stephania cepharantha Hayata, was reported to possess anticancer activity in various cancers, including colon cancer. Recently, it has been shown to enhance anti-cancer activity of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) against human colon cancer in vitro. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of CEP alone and CEP in combination with 5-FU in a colon cancer xenograft model. HT-29 tumors were established in the right flank of nude mice. Then, HT-29 tumor bearing mice were treated with either 5-FU or CEP alone or 5-FU combined with CEP by intraperitoneal injection every other day for three weeks. The results showed that CEP alone or in combination with 5-FU significantly delayed tumor growth when compared with the control group. Real-time RT-PCR and western blot analysis revealed that treatment with CEP alone significantly up-regulated the expression of p21 and Bak at both mRNA and protein levels. Remarkably, the combination treatment of CEP and 5-FU increased expression of Bak and p21 mRNAs and proteins as well as reduced expression of Bcl-xl mRNA. In addition, treatment with CEP and5-FU could prevent 5-FU-induced expression of MRP1 and BCRP mRNAs. Moreover, downregulation of COX-2 mRNA was also detected in tumor tissues of animals receiving CEP alone or CEP combined with 5-FU. Taken together, it is likely that synergistic antitumor effect of 5-FU and CEP is mediated through upregulation of p21 and Bak and downregulation of COX-2 in a mouse xenograft model. Therefore, the result of this study suggest that CEP may potentially be used as a single agent or in combination with 5-FU for colon cancer treatment.
Molecular epidemiology of human enterovirus in various clinical specimens with suspected enterovirus infection
Authors:   , Chansaenroj Jira
Published: September 2023

Many infectious diseases have been well recognized caused by several genotypes of human enterovirus species which significantly in public health. Publications worldwide have reported on the emerging and re-emerging of enteroviruses. Until now, epidemiological surveillance data, clinical complication and evolutionary history regarding these viruses in actual on the Asia continent are still limited. To address these concerns, this study aimed to establish comprehensive population-based surveillances, and provided evidence for the evolution in many diseases such as acute haemorrhagic conjunctivitis, herpangina, hand foot mouth disease, acute gastroenteritis, poliovirus and meningitis caused by enteroviruses. Employing reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and sequencing approaches for detection, our study revealed that each enterovirus has a specific to cause different disease. Results displayed that infections by coxsackie A24 caused acute haemorrhagic conjunctivitis, enterovirus species A caused herpangina and hand foot mouth disease, enterovirus species B caused meningitis, various of enterovirus species associated with acute gastroenteritis. These represent the surveillance data of multiple enteroviruses circulate in Thailand. Moreover, this study also investigated the evolutionary relationship based on the analysis of the VP1 gene of poliovirus vaccine strain and meningitis. For poliovirus surveillance, this study did not found positive selective pressure and evolution rate is 3.7x10-4 s/s/y which lower than rate of vaccine derived poliovirus strain. This study supported that transition of oral to inactivated poliovirus vaccine is effective and nearly complete eradication. For meningitis cases, the evolution rate is 1.33x10-3 s/s/y. The phylogeographic analysis revealed that this virus transmitted from Europe and did not found strain from Asia. This study revealed the potential of etiologic agent and transmission pattern that circulated worldwide.
Doxorubicin-conjugated dexamethasone induced MCF-7 apoptosis without entering the nucleus and able to overcome MDR-1-induced resistance
Authors:   , Chaikomon Kamontip
Published: September 2023

Doxorubicin is a common chemotherapeutic drug that generally uses in many solid and hematologic malignancies. The main mechanism of doxorubicin is inhibition of topoisomerase II that occurs in the nucleus. Currently, doxorubicin resistant cancer cells which have decreased accumulation of intracellular doxorubicin resulting from an efflux pump, P-glycoprotein encoded by multidrug resistant gene. Several studies reported many different ways to overcome doxorubicin resistance. In this study, we conjugated 3’amino group of doxorubicin to dexamethasone molecule. Despite of lower cytotoxic activity in MCF-7 cells, the conjugated product, DexDOX, exerted its actions in the different fashion to doxorubicin. DexDOX rapidly induced MCF-7 cells apoptosis without entering to the nucleus. Further analysis showed that DexDOX increased cytosolic oxidative stress and did not interfere with cell cycle. In addition, DexDOX retained cytotoxicity in MDR-1 over-expressed MCF-7 cells which had ≈16-folds resistance to doxorubicin. We here synthesized a new derivative of doxorubicin, DexDOX, which can overcome MDR-1 induced resistant. This molecule might be useful for future therapy.
Generation and characterization of HLA-Universal, iPSC-derived platelets
Authors:   , Norbnop Phatchara
Published: September 2023

Platelet demand has been increased around the world resulting from many factors including the rise of aging population, hematological malignancy incidence, and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. In addition, inadequacy of donors or matched donors, time consuming, cost, the risk of transfusion-transmitted infections and transfusion-associated reactions, and platelet transfusion refractoriness are limits of this approach. To solve these problems, here we propose to generate platelets in vitro which do not induce alloimmunity to HLA class I, a major cause of immune factors in platelet transfusion refractoriness. In this study, we have knocked out β2-microglobulin gene (β2m) in iPSCs using paired CRISPR/Cas9 nickases then differentiated to hematopoietic stem cells, megakaryocytes (MKs) and platelets via ES-sac method. Silencing of HLA class I expression on cell surface of β2m-knocked out iPSCs, iPSC-derived HSCs, MKs and platelets were observed. Moreover, all lines of iPSC-derived MKs showed large size with multilobed nucleus, polyploidy with higher than 4n of DNA contents, proplatelet formation and they gave rise to functional platelets with lower activity when compared with peripheral blood-derived platelets using platelet activation and platelet aggregation assay based on flow cytometry. In summary, we generated in vitro functional iPSC-derived platelets with HLA class I deficiency by knocking out β2m gene using paired CRISPR/Cas9nickases. The genome editing system which is highly efficient on target and barely detected off-target, can be applied for regenerative medicine field. Further studies to produce large-scale iPSC-derived platelets and tests about safety profile are needed before the practical use of this approach to prevent or treat the patients of all HLA class I type from risk of life-threatening hemorrhage.
Effect of stapled α-helical mastermind like 1 (SAHM1) peptide conjugated with gold nanoparticles toward notch signaling pathway in human leukemia Jurkat cell
Authors:   , Subkod Chonnicha
Published: September 2023

Currently, cancer is the top cause of death in Thailand and caused by the growth and spreading of abnormal cells in an uncontrolled manner. For T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), it was found that gene of encoding protein Notch is often mutated. In T-ALL, Notch signaling pathway is hyperactivated resulting in uncontrolled cell division. There are many types of cancer treatment such as surgery and chemotherapy but both approaches have serious side effects. Therefore, development of target drug delivery system is needed. In this study, the objective was to develop specific target drug delivery system by using gold nanoparticle (AuNP) as a vector of stapled α-helical peptide from Mastermind-like1 (SAHM1) for inhibition of Notch signaling pathway in T cell leukemia cell line (Jurkat), SAHM1 is smaller than its original protein and rapidly absorbed into cells. In cytotoxicity test by MTT assay, the 50% inhibition concentration (IC50) of SAHM1 against Jurkat cell was 17.54±5.17 µM at 72 h. Conjugation of SAHM1 to AuNP linked by polyethylene glycol (SAHM1-PEG-AuNP) at the concentration of 16.25, 31.3 and 62.5 µM was characterized by UV-Visible spectroscopy. The result showed the shift peak of the conjugate at 527 nm, when compared with the 523 nm peak of 40 nm AuNP. This result indicated that SAHM1 was successfully conjugated to AuNP. In the cytotoxicity test by MTT assay, the cytotoxicity of SAHM1-PEG-AuNP was increased significantly when compared with unconjugated SAHM1. Cellular uptake and localization was detected by transmission electron microscope (TEM). The result demonstrated that SAHM1-PEG-AuNP localized in the cytoplasm of Jurkat cell line, while unconjugated AuNP was found outside of Jurkat cell line. The effect of SAHM1-PEG-AuNP on Notch signaling pathway was measured by qPCR of the Notch target genes (HES1, HEY1 and MYC). The result showed that the mRNA level of Notch target genes in SAHM1-PEG-AuNP treated cells did not significantly decrease. Collectively, these results indicated that AuNP could be used as the cell-penetrating carrier of SAHM1 in order to kill cancer cell lines. This result opens a new way for drug and new cancer treatment in the future.
Development of data acquisition technique for computed tomography of simplified distillation column model as used in petroleum and petrochemical plants
Authors:   , Saengchantr Dhanaj
Published: September 2023

This dissertation propose the development of data acquisition technique for computed tomography of simplified distillation column model as used in petroleum and petrochemical industries. The aim of this dissertation is to apply the computed tomography technique to inspect the internal structure of distillation column regardless of complex system to move radiation detectors and source. The developed data acquisition technique allows the operator to move radiation detectors and radiation source by follow designed algorithm. The scanning data are reconstructed using filtered back projection algorithm to evaluate internal structure at the region of interest from cross sectional reconstructed image. In this dissertation, simulation using MCNP was assisted in order to obtain the transmitted gamma radiation profiles through different size pipe objects and use them as prior knowledge information. Three data acquisition techniques were designed afterward using same diameter and thickness of pipes which lead to results that all three data acquisition techniques had similar results which maximum error less than 15% when measuring the pipe diameter. However, the reconstructed image could not display a thickness of pipe objects. Moreover, the designed data acquisition algorithms were extended to other experiments which successfully provided consistency results compared to the real situation in model. This developed data acquisition technique is useful and can be applied to scanning of large object in industries..
FACTORS RELATING TO METHAMPHETAMINE RELAPSE RISK AMONG CLIENTS IN THE SUBSTANCE REHABILITATION CENTER OF NATIONAL NARCOTICS BOARDS IN WEST JAVA, INDONESIA
Authors:   , Hendianti Gian
Published: September 2023

The purposes of this descriptive correlational research were to describe methamphetamine relapse risk and examine the relationship between self-efficacy, outcome expectancy, motivation, coping, emotional state, craving, social support, and methamphetamine relapse risk among methamphetamine users. The purposive sample of 165 who met the inclusion criteria were recruited from clients admitted to a primary phase treatment in the Substance Rehabilitation Center of National Narcotics Board in West Java, Indonesia. The research instruments were: 1) the demographic characteristic questionnaire, 2) Drug Taking Confidence Questionnaire, 3) Stimulant Effect Expectancy Questionnaire, 4) Stage of Change Readiness and Treatment Eagerness Scale version 8.0 for Drug, 5) Coping Strategies Inventory Short Form, 6) Positive Affect and Negative Affect Schedule, 7) Desire for Speed Questionnaire, 8) Social Support Questionnaire, and 9) Stimulant Relapse Risk Scale. The 2nd to 9th instruments were translated to Indonesian language using back translation technique. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient reliability of the 2nd to 9th instrument was .98, .92, .90, .90, .90, .94, .92 and .87 respectively. Descriptive statistic was used to analyze the data; meanwhile Pearson’s product moment correlation was used to test the relationship among variables. Major findings of this study were the methamphetamine relapse risk among clients in the Substance Rehabilitation Center of National Narcotics Board in West Java, Indonesia was in the moderate level (mean = 56.33, SD = 10.54); outcome expectancy, negative emotional state, positive emotional state and craving are significantly and positively related to relapse risk, whereas self-efficacy is significantly and negatively related to relapse risk (r = .261, .370, .380, .509, and -.316, respectively; p < .01); lastly motivation, coping and social support are not related to relapse risk. The nursing intervention for early detection of methamphetamine relapse risk by using standardized instrument should be conducted in rehabilitation setting treatment.
A development of Thai moral integrity scale for professional nurses
Authors:   , Nunthawong Jinda
Published: September 2023

The purpose of this study was to develop the Thai Moral Integrity Scale (TMIS), and to test its psychometric properties. The construct definition and content domains of the TMIS were developed through the intensive literature reviews and test the content validity by experts. This used to guide the conceptual framework in this instrument. The content validity was examined using the panel of five experts. The content validity index (S-CVI) was 1.00. The Moral Integrity Scale was consists 27 items with five Likert scale. The result of psychometric properties from 502 professional nurses by using exploratory factor analysis indicated that there were four dimensions that can explain the moral integrity in professional nurses that consists; 1) adhere to Code of Professional Conduct, 2) express action according to Code of Professional Conduct, 3) continue to act on Code of Professional Conduct and 4) have courage to act on Code of Professional Conduct, even have difficult condition. There are 55.98% of the total variance. The construct validity was tested by using confirmatory factor analysis. The results indicated that the measurement model had good fit the data with (χ2 = 266.32, df = 242, p = 0.136), χ2/df = 1.10, GFI = 0.96, AGFI = 0.95, CFI = 0.96, and RMSEA = 0.01). The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of the total scale was 0.92. The Thai Moral Integrity Scale demonstrated the good internal consistency reliability with evidence to support the content and construct validity. This instrument should be useful for develop the instrument for assess moral integrity for Thai professional nurses in the future.
FACTORS INFLUENCING ON NURSING CARE QUALITY PERCEIVED BY PROFESSIONAL NURSES IN GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS, KINGDOM OF CAMBODIA
Authors:   , Koy Virya
Published: September 2023

This descriptive cross-sectional research design for causal modeling aimed to examine factors influencing on nursing care quality in government hospitals, Cambodia. The conceptual framework were modified from the Nurse Work Environment, Nurse Staffing, and Outcome Model and empirical studies. A multi-stage sampling was used for data collection, which conducted from October 2016 to April 2017. Three hundred and seventy five RNs represented twelve tertiary general hospitals were invited for the study. All of participants completed five questionnaires, including demographic data and nurse staffing, nurse practice environment, nursing work index, Copenhagen burnout inventory, Index work satisfaction, and Cambodian nursing care quality scale. The results specified that the hypothesis model fit the empirical data and explained 12% of the variance about nursing care quality (χ2 = 266.78, df = 187, χ2/df = 1.42, p-value = .001, GFI = .94, RMSEA = .034, SRMR = .042, and CFI = .99, AGFI = .92, NFI = .96). The structural equation modeling resulted nurse work satisfaction had negative directly affected nursing care quality, nurse staffing had positive directly affected on nurse work satisfaction (r = -.26 and .22, p < .05 respectively). However, nurse practice environment had no affected nursing care quality, burnout, and nurse work satisfaction. In addition, nurse staffing had no affected on nursing care quality and burnout. The results indicated that the nurse work satisfaction was negatively impacted on nursing care quality, and nurse staffing was positively impacted on nurse work satisfaction.
THE EFFECT OF UNCERTAINTY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM ON QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG VIETNAMESE WOMEN WITH POST MASTECTOMY
Authors:   , Nhu Xuan
Published: September 2023

The aim of this study was to test the effect of the Uncertainty Management Program (UMP) on quality of life among Vietnamese women at 3-weeks post mastectomy. The quasi-experimental design with posttest only was conducted in 115 women with post mastectomy who were assigned in experimental group (n=57) and control group (n=58). The experimental group received the UMP and routine care while the control group received only routine care. Participants were assessed at 3-weeks post mastectomy using the modified Quality of Life Index Scale Vietnamese version with Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of .81. It was found that at 3-weeks post-mastectomy, the mean score of QOL in the experimental group was significantly higher than the mean score of QOL in the control group (t=7.71, p <.001). In addition, it was found that 4 dimensions of QOL in the experimental group, namely psychological well-being, physical wellbeing, body image and social concerns, were significantly higher than those of the control group (t=7.48, 8.83, 4.37, and 6.25, p < .001). However, the treatment responses of women in both groups were not different at 3-weeks post-mastectomy. In summary, the UMP could improve quality of life of breast cancer patients at 3-weeks post mastectomy.
In vitro Effect of L-ascorbic acid on gingival fibroblast to regulate wound healing.
Authors:   , Chaitrakoonthong Tatcha
Published: September 2023

Background and Objective: Besides closing the wound by intrinsic properties like migration and proliferation, gingival fibroblasts produce a major source of extracellular matrix especially collagen and play a major role in oral wound healing. Vitamin C or L-ascorbic acid has diverse functions in the body, including an essential role in hydroxylation reactions which is necessary for collagen formation. Whether L-ascorbic acid can promote gingival wound healing through inducing proliferation of fibroblasts is of our interest. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of L-ascorbic acid on gingival fibroblasts behaviors to promote wound healing in vitro.

Materials and Methods: Primary human gingival fibroblasts isolated from gingival tissue from healthy volunteers were rinsed 3 times a day with medium containing L-ascorbic acid of various concentrations. Local effect of L-ascorbic acid rinsing on in vitro wound healing was assessed by mean of Scratch-test assay. Cell migration, cell proliferation and extracellular matrix production were analyzed by transwell-migration assay, MTT assay and real-time RT-PCR respectively.

Result: Rinsing with vitamin C at concentration of 10 and 20 µg/ml accelerated fibroblast migration in transwell-migration assay but no significant effect on cell proliferation and in vitro wound closure. However, rinsing with vitamin C at higher concentration (50 µg/ml) significantly delayed wound closure comparing with the control group (p value=0.05).  This data was in accordance with cell viability assessed by MTT assay demonstrating that Vitamin C at concentration above 50 µg/ml significantly reduced fibroblasts proliferation. However, real time PCR demonstrated that vitamin C at 50 µg/ml significantly increased expression of COL1, FN, IL-6 and bFGF, molecules related to wound healing.

Conclusion: Vitamin C at various concentrations differentially affect wound healing capability of gingiva fibroblast. Vitamin C is safe and can be prescribed to patients after oral surgery. However, suitable duration and appropriate drug administration method should be adjusting to maximize it benefit and further clinical study is required.
Comparative study of in vivo bone regeneration using chitosan/dicarboxylic acid scaffold implanted with human periodontal ligament cells
Authors:   , Sukpaita Teerawat
Published: September 2023

After tooth loss, a consequent atrophy of the alveolar process always takes place and adversely affect the reconstruction process especially by dental implant.  A novel chitosan/dicarboxylic acid scaffold (CS/DA scaffold) has been developed and proven to be an excellent candidate material in bone tissue engineering. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a CS/DA scaffold with and without seeded primary human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs) in mouse calvarial defect model. Eighteen mice were divided into 3 groups of 6 each. Four-millimeter calvarial defects were created on both side of parietal bone and implanted with either CS/DA scaffold or CS/DA scaffold with hPDLCs. The empty bony defects were kept as control. New bone formation was assessed using microcomputed tomography and histological analyses 6 and 12 weeks after surgery. Results showed that In vivo bone regeneration at 6 and 12 weeks was significantly enhanced by CS/DA scaffold alone and CS/DA scaffold implanted with hPDLCs (P <0.05). Histological staining confirmed these findings and impressive new bone formation was observed in CS/DA scaffold and CS/DA scaffold with hPDLCs compared with control.

Conclusion: Our study proposes CS/DA scaffold as a novel bone regenerative material with good osteoinductive/osteoconductive properties.
Development Of Immunoassay On Paper-Based Microfluidic Devices For Determination Of Ractopamine, Alpha-Fetoprotein, Human Thyroid Stimulating Hormone
Authors:   , Preechakasedkit Pattarachaya
Published: September 2023

In this dissertation, immunoassays on paper-based microfluidic devices have been developed using different types of label for various applications in agriculture safety and medical diagnosis, which can be divided into three parts. In the first part, the conjugation method of ractopamine (RAC) and protein carrier is developed for fabricating paper-based lateral flow strip test of RAC using gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as a label. The developed conjugation method provided a simple and one-step method with the use of less chemicals. The strip test for RAC determination in animal feed offers a linearity of 0.075-0.750 ng g-1 and a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.1 ng g-1. In the second part, a wax-printed paper-based lateral flow device using enzyme label is developed to determine alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in human serum by one-step sample loading. The proposed devices under the optimal conditions can be used for the AFP determination with the LOD of 1 ng mL-1 and a linearity of 1-100 ng mL-1. In the third part, the lateral flow immunoassay of human thyroid stimulating hormone (hTSH) is developed using a novel fluorescent label. The hybrid nanocomposite of the AuNPs and fluorophores of europium (III) doped silica (AuNPs@SiO2-Eu3+) was synthesized and used as the novel fluorescent label with dual signal readout through a colorimetric and a fluorescent signals. The LOD of 0.1 µIU mL-1 of the fluorescent signal with a linear range of 0.05-50 µIU mL-1 provided 50-fold lower than the LOD of colorimetric signal (5 µIU mL-1), which could be used for screening both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism in human serum. The above results demonstrate that the proposed devices using different types of label provide simple and rapid analysis, portability, high sensitivity and specificity, precision, reproducibility and low cost.
Investigation of asphaltene aggregation kinetics in the presence of water-in-oil emulsion
Authors:   , Roengsamut Penpitcha
Published: September 2023

Asphaltene is a component of the petroleum liquid defined operationally. It represents the most refractory (or the heaviest fraction). It is well-known that changes in temperature, pressure, or composition can destabilize asphaltenes and cause aggregation and deposition in porous formations, production lines, and processing facilities (Sheu and Mullins 1995). This leads to the study of the behavior of asphaltene aggregation and parameters that could affect the rate of aggregation which, in this case, is water-in-oil emulsion. In addition, the asphaltene aggregation model derived by Haji-Akbari (2013) is applied as a framework in this study which explains the correlation between the time when asphaltene starts aggregating and the important parameters such as viscosity, collision efficiency and initial concentration of asphaltene nanoparticles. The experimental procedure developed by Tabish (2009) is also utilized as a standard procedure for every detection time experiment (the addition of heptane in oil and the aging method) and able to plot the aging time as a function of heptane concentration. As a consequence, the graph shows the rate of asphaltene aggregation comparing between the oil and water in oil. From this graph, it is shown that there are 2 controversial trends regrading 2 different water concentrations in oil. At lower water concentration (1wt% water), the rate of asphaltene aggregation becomes faster but, on the other hand, the rate is slowed down with higher water content (10wt% water). With these results, it can be concluded that water has effect on the rate of asphaltene aggregation.
Study on Energy Storage Ability of ZnO/TiO2 for Photocatalytic Degradation of Isopropanol
Authors:   , Jarumanee Ratchawan
Published: September 2023

The photocatalytic degradation of isopropanol under UV irradiation was studied by using p-n junction of ZnO/TiO2 photocatalysts prepared by sol-gel technique. Their energy storage ability was tested with their photocatalytic activity where there was no UV illumination. That was investigated by illumination the system with UV light for 2 h and off for 2 h until 8 h. The composition and surface structure of the catalyst were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), surface area analysis, and particle size analysis. The change in the isopropanol concentration was observed by using gas chromatography. The result showed that the degradation efficiency of the ZnO doped on TiO2 layer films was higher than the single-TiO2 thin film, about 74.0% and 48.0%, respectively. Moreover, acetone was found during the photocatalytic degradation process of isopropanol. The effects of isopropanol solution pH, ZnO loading, and ZnO calcination temperature were studied. ZnO calcined at 600ºC and 15 mol% at unadjusted pH was suitable for both photocatalytic activity and energy storage. The photocatalytic degradation rates of isopropanol for the first and second illumination were about 21.0% and 20.8%, respectively. With no illumination, the highest degradation of isopropanol was about 14.8%.
Vegetable Oil Based Microemulsion Biofuels
Authors:   , Peson U-Larak
Published: September 2023

The growth of energy demand increases dramatically which has resulted in an increase of exhaust emissions to air quality deterioration. Therefore, there are driving forces in the development of renewable energy production technologies. Vegetable oils based reverse micelle microemulsions have been increased in attention for biofuel production. This work aims to formulate microemulsion biofuel containing palm oil/diesel blend as nonpolar phase, and ethanol/butanol, as a polar phase. The nonionic alcohol ethoxylate surfactant with the different numbers of EO groups, EOn (n=1, 3, 5, and 9) were selected as a stabilizing agent. A pseudo-ternary phase diagram was conducted to determine an isotropic region in the phase behavior of microemulsion systems. The ability of butanol added for reducing the phase separation and amount of surfactant required to form the microemulsified fuels was explored. Together with, the effects of surfactant structures and cosurfactant structures, straight chain (1-octanol) and branch chain alcohol (2-ethyl-1-hexanol) were investigated systematically through their phase behaviors. The fuel properties (i.e., kinematic viscosity, droplet size, density, heating value) were examined and compared with neat biofuels. The results suggest that the percentage of surfactant used to stabilize the microemulsion decreased with increasing butanol fraction in the mixture of butanol/ethanol blend. The microemulsion with branching structure in cosurfactant required more surfactant to formulate the microemulsions. The addition of butanol to palm oil/diesel blended with ethanol affecting fuel properties was noted.
METAL-SALEN DERIVATIVES FOR ELECTRO-REDUCTION OF CARBON DIOXIDE
Authors:   , Chitchak Kantima
Published: September 2023

Copper(II) salen, salophen-based ligands, and their corresponding copper complexes were prepared and utilized for the electrocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide. Controlled-potential electrolysis of copper(II) salen electrocatalyst with carbon dioxide in non-aqueous solution was investigated to obtain the optimized electrolysis condition including the applied potential and proton donor quantity. With the applied potential of –2.10 V, carbon monoxide (3.50-16.30%) was obtained as the only product in gas phase. Methane was additionally found with the addition of proton donor and its maximum percentage (0.39 ± 0.00%) were obtained from the electrolysis with 25.00 mM proton donor and 2.00 mM copper(II) salen. Moreover, salophen and its derivatives as well as corresponding copper complexes were successfully synthesized, characterized, and applied as homogeneous electrocatalysts for the electro-reduction of carbon dioxide. Salophen-based ligands and complexes presented possibilities in electrochemically catalyzing the carbon dioxide reduction. Among all salophen-based compounds, copper(II) bromo-salophen showed the best electrocatalytic efficiency with the highest current enhancement (360%) in cyclic voltammetric experiment. Similar to the copper(II) salen–carbon dioxide electrolysis, the electrolysis of carbon dioxide by electrogenerated copper(I) salophen and its derivatives gave carbon monoxide as gaseous product (5.90-8.87%), whereas methane was additionally found (0.57 ± 0.00%) when a proton donor was added.
Ammonium Removal And Biomass Production By Unicellular Cyanobacterium Synechococcus Sp.
Authors:   , Srimongkol Piroonporn
Published: September 2023

Using microalgae as a biofuel feedstock has played more attention over a decade. The cultivation of microalgae requires high water use and high initial investment that can make the process still not economically appealing. This study attempted to examine the potential for using brackish shrimp aquaculture effluents as culture medium for algal biomass production. To investigate whether algae could be used to remove ammonium from brackish shrimp aquaculture wastewater, marine cyanobacterium, Synechococcus sp. was cultured in BG-11 medium supplemented with Turks Island salt solution and different concentrations of NH4Cl (10-40 mg N L-1) for 18 days. The results showed that, the cell density of the Synechococcus sp. cultures increased in medium containing 10 mg N L-1 of NH4Cl, while ammonium concentrations greater than 20 mg N L-1 had a negative effect on growth. Glutamine synthetase and glutamate synthase activities were also examined, and were found to increase with cell density. Meanwhile, glutamate dehydrogenase activity increased in response to high NH4Cl concentrations (20-40 mg N L-1). The cellular response to ammonium excess was confirmed by measuring gene expression levels using quantitative PCR. Expression of both glnA and gltB was down-regulated compared with the control, while that of gdhA was up-regulated. At an initial concentration of 10 mg N L-1, 98% of the ammonium was removed by day 6 of cultivation. Then, Synechococcus sp. was cultured under different conditions in medium containing varying concentrations of NH4Cl. Response surface methodology (RSM) was then used to build a predictive model of the combined effects of independent variables (pH, inoculum size, ammonium concentration). At the optimum conditions of initial pH 7.4, inoculum size 0.15 (OD730) and ammonium concentration 10.62 mg N L-1, the maximum ammonium removal and biomass production were about 90% and 75.5%, respectively, after seven days of cultivation. Further, analysis of expression of glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase (GPAT) gene by quantitative PCR revealed that transcripts of GPAT were up-regulated by 2.87-folds with a significant increase in unsaturated fatty acid of 14.25% under optimal conditions. The result of biodiesel quality, in terms of cetane number almost attained the European Standards EN14214 criteria; hence, this strain shows promise for use in biodiesel production. Overall results indicate that Synechococcus sp. has the potential for use for concurrent water treatment and production of biomass that can be applied for biodiesel feedstock.