bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of SNP barcode for classify carbapenem-resistant enterobacteriaceae (CRE) and non-CRE using Nanopore sequencing
Authors:   , Sangpiromapichai Nicha
Published: September 2023

Background: The continuous increase of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) prevalence has been a serious problem for public health worldwide. In the previous study, 25% of 3864 Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates were carbapenem-resistant. One of the most important risks of bacterial drug resistance is the improper use of antibiotics. The routine antimicrobial-susceptibility test requires overnight and has a turnaround time of approximately 2–3 days which delays the proper antibiotics. This study aims to develop a technique to classify CRE and non-CRE by SNP barcode. Method: Forty Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP) clinical isolates were collected from 2020–2021 at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital. Twenty samples were carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP), and 20 samples were not carbapenem-resistant (non-CRKP). Each isolate was sub-cultured at 37°C overnight for DNA extraction, library preparation, and Nanopore sequencing. Then, we assembled the bacterial whole genomes and analyzed their chromosomes by bioinformatic tools, including Snippy and OrthoFinder. Result: The phylogenetic tree generated by the Snippy tool can classify 40 KP clinical isolates into 3 clades. Most of non-CRKPs are in clades 1 and 2, while the CRKPs are mainly in clade 3. However, none of the SNPs is unique and useful in differentiation of CRKP from non-CRKP. Thus, SNP barcode cannot be defined from this study. In contrast, OrthoFinder, which compares amino acid sequences between orthologous genes, can clearly distinguish KPs into 4 clades, 1–2 for CRKPs and 3–4 for non-CRKPs. Two of twenty CRKPs are members of clades 3–4, while only 1 non-CRKP is in clade 1–2. Conclusion: Different tools generate quite different phylogenetic trees. SNPs from KP chromosomal DNA are not very different between CRKP and non-CRKP. In fact, plasmids and other mobile genetic elements, harboring drug-resistant genes, are frequently found in KPs. These can be horizontal transferred and may weaken the association between SNPs in bacterial chromosome and the carbapenem-resistance in KPs.
Modified pre-PCR protocol for detection of bacteria in blood samples of patients with sepsis
Authors:   , Wanthong Phanni
Published: September 2023

Sepsis and septic shock are leading causes of deaths in hospitals. The most common cause of blood stream infection is bacteria. To reduce mortality, a rapid and accurate bacterial detection in sepsis patients is essential. It is necessary to identify pathogens based on their species for appropriate choice of antibiotics. In this study, we aimed to improve the pre-PCR procedure for detection of bacteria in blood samples and to compare the performance between real-time PCR, conventional PCR and blood culture. Blood samples from 16 sepsis patients were separated into whole blood, plasma, buffy coat and white blood cell. Bacterial nucleic acid was extracted and used to identify whether it is gram-positive or gram-negative bacteria using conventional PCR and real-time PCR with TaqMan probes. Two samples, whole blood and plasma components, were positive by real-time PCR using this protocol but negative by blood culture and conventional PCR. Results were in record with clinical data and therapeutic response. The limit of detection of real-time PCR with probe is 1,000 copies/µl of plasmid DNA. Therefore, blood separation is necessary to improve sensitivity of real-time PCR and TaqMan probe in identifying gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria this may be beneficial for early detection and proper antibiotic selection and may be useful to treat patients with sepsis.
Effects of Strongyloides stercoralis antigens on immune responses in dendritic cells
Authors:   , Sutaveesup Vittawin
Published: September 2023

Strongyloidiasis is a parasitic disease caused by Strongyloides stercoralis. Infection in the immunocompromised hosts such as organ transplants, SLE patients, or HIV and HIPV infected patients can cause severe strongyloidiasis. Infected patients have high levels of Th2, and Treg related cytokines, including IL-4, IL-5, IL-9, IL-10, IL-13, and TGF-β. These cytokines are then decreased to normal levels after the treatments. Parasites have several mechanisms to suppress or evade the host’s immune response, such as suppressing the expression of co-stimulatory molecules on antigen-presenting cells (APCs), stimulating apoptosis of APCs, or stimulating Th2 and Treg responses. Dendritic cells (DCs) play a crucial role in linking the innate and adaptive immune systems against pathogens by engulfing antigens and presenting to naïve T cells with appropriate cytokines. To understand the mechanisms of S. stercoralis to evade the host’s immune responses, we studied the alteration of antigen presentation process and cytokines productions by DCs stimulated with S. stercoralis antigens. We treated DC2.4 cells with S. stercoralis L3s crude antigen (CA) and measured the expressions of genes related with antigen presentation and cytokine productions by quantitative real-time PCR; including MHC-II, CD40, CD80, TLR-2, TLR-4, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, and TGF-β. The results showed that the expression levels of MHC-II, CD40, CD80, TLR-2, TLR-4 after the stimulation by CA were not significantly different from negative controls.  While the expression levels of IL-6 gene were not changed, TNF-α expression levels were significantly increased at 1 hr after CA treatment. Interestingly, the significant up-regulation of IL-10 and TGF-β expression of were detected in DC2.4 treated with CA. Luminex multiplex assays for detection of cytokine productions also showed significantly increased levels of IL-10 and TGF-β in the supernatant collected from DC2.4 treated with CA and excretory-secretory antigens (ES).  Unfortunately, cofactor independent phosphoglycerate mutase (iPGM) antigen could not induced the IL-10 and TGF-β production from DC2.4.  Like CA and ES antigens, iPGM could not induced the TNF-α and IL-6 production from DC2.4. Our results suggested that S. stercoralis modulates the host’s immune responses through induction of Treg response-related cytokines from DCs, including IL-10 and TGF-β.  The antigens that play the crucial roles in regulation mechanism is excretory secretory products of S. stercoralis. The iPGM antigen might involve in the suppression of inflammatory responses, but not involved in the regulatory responses. The immunomodulation of the immune responses in the hosts should be complex and related to several antigens from the parasites. Nevertheless, S. stercoralis may have more than one evasion mechanism. Co-culturing between DCs and T cells will give more information about the immunomodulation of S. stercoralis and lead to the development of novel medical treatment for strongyloidiasis.
Development of a personalized workplace learning program to enhance the cultural intelligence of cabin crew from international airlines
Authors:   , Nopas Dech-siri
Published: September 2023

This thesis study employed R&D as a research methodology, and employ a qualitative method to collect the data. It aimed to 1) explore the background of cabin crew from the international airlines concerning cultural intelligence from seven key informants; 2) develop personalized workplace learning programs to enhance the cultural intelligence of cabin crew from the international airlines with seven key informants of the cabin crew and the researcher as a facilitator, and 3) propose a guideline for developing a personalized workplace learning program to enhance the cultural intelligence of cabin crew from the international airlines by developing all the findings into a draft of the guideline submitted to 12 experts from lifelong learning and airline industry to consideration and reflection. The research study found that 1) Cultural intelligence is one of the necessary skills that help individuals deal with diversity and differences from other cultural knowledge and experience. The culture of each individual comes from experiences in life that people have experienced before, learning, failing, fixing, improving, changing, and familiarizing with every culture. 2) The process of a personalized workplace learning program to enhance cultural intelligence for cabin crew consists of a) empowering, b) designing the learning plan (identifying the learning need, identifying the learning objective, identifying the learning strategy, and identifying the learning evaluation), and c) reflecting. And the characteristics of the program consist of flexibility, technology, co-creator, and self-discovery. Furthermore, 3) the researcher analyzed the data, then developed the guidelines for developing a personalized workplace learning program to enhance the cultural intelligence of cabin crew from the international airlines. The guideline was approved by the experts. The guideline consists of a) overview of the program, b) the analysis of background, c) the development of the program, and d) the result after the program employment.
Production of low trans-fatty acid margarine by Plasma Hydrogenation
Authors:   , Puprasit Kunlanan
Published: September 2023

Margarine is a widely used raw material in the food and bakery industry. A successfully novel technique for refined palm olein hydrogenation to free trans-fat margarine production using non-thermal dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma has been demonstrated. The new green method does not use chemicals as a catalyst, thus making it extremely environmentally friendly. This also performs well at room temperature and atmospheric pressure making it easier to manage. Two-electrode arrangement patterns were studied in this research: parallel plate and needle-in-tube. The results showed that using the parallel plate electrodes, 1.44% trans-fat (was detected) and a trans-fat generation rate of only 0.07% per percent reduction in iodine, 6.12 times lower than conventional margarine production methods use chemicals as a catalyst, operated at high temperature and pressure. At the same time, the needle-in-tube electrode arrangement did not detect trans-fats and had a higher reaction rate than the parallel-plate configuration. Zero trans-fat is the main objective of this research study. Thus, the needle-in-tube was more suitable for margarine production by hydrogenation than the parallel-plate configuration. Production estimates were made considering only the cost of raw materials, electricity and H2 gas. The parallel-plate DBD plasma costed 1.56 USD per liter, which was 8.25 times cheaper than the needle-in-tube DBD plasma, which costed 12.87 USD per liter. Consequently, the majority of the cost was electricity. This method was compared to commercially available margarine in Thailand priced at 2.40 – 4.50 USD per liter, demonstrating cost effectiveness. Moreover, the production efficiency can be improved by designing a high voltage, high-frequency power supply with lower power consumption.
The scale development of nursing repositioning practice for bedridden patients, Saudi Arabia
Authors:   , Iblasi Abdul
Published: September 2023

This study aimed to explore, develop and test the psychometric properties of repositioning practice measures among nurses in Saudi hospitals and explores its components' psychometric properties. The study adopted the DeVellis scale development framework. Initially, the study clarifies the concept by literature review and interviewing six experts. Then a pool of 103 items was generated as the first draft. Over two rounds of expert revisions, the experts accept 61 items with content validity index means ( I-CVIs) equal to 0.91 and scale content validity = 0.81. later, the reliability with alpha Cronbach was 0.98. Next, this survey was passed for construct validity. The author distributed it to 306 nurses in Saudi Arabia taking care of bedridden patients at hospitals for the exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and 323 nurses for confirmatory factor analysis (CFA).

The study shows findings as are followed:

1. The EFA presents four underlying factors with 50 items (preparing 13 items, posturing 18 items, evaluating 6 items, and documenting 13 items) explained around 80.637% of variance.

2. The CFA showed the statistical needs to modified the model to show fit parameters (Chi-square ratio = 1.82, CFI = 0.968, TLI = 0.959, RMSEA = 0.051, SRMR = 0.023).  The tool shows Omega reliability = 0.89.

The Findings exhibited that the repositioning practice scale supports clinical and administrative nursing care in Saudi Arabia. The study found that repositioning practice measurement tools consist of four components: preparing (13 items), posturing (18 items), evaluating (6 items), and documenting ( 13 items).
The effects of a recurrent stroke prevention program on blood pressure, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, and blood glucose among patients with first ischemic stroke
Authors:   , Jullmusi Orapin
Published: September 2023

This cluster randomized control trial research with control group and repeated measure. The objectives of this study were to explore the effect of a recurrent stroke prevention program on blood pressure, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, and blood glucose among patients with first ischemic stroke. The participants were the patients who have been diagnosed with first ischemic stroke. They were recruited from two stroke units from two tertiary hospitals in public health region 2, Thailand. Sixty participants were randomly recruited and divided into experimental group (n=30) and control group (n=30). The participants in the experimental group received the recurrent stroke prevention program including 1) providing knowledge about eating healthy diet, limiting salt intake, increasing physical activities, quit smoking and avoiding secondhand smoke, and taking medication regularly, 2) performing continuous exercise for 12 weeks including fast walking for 40 minutes/ 3 times a week and doing resistance exercise for 20 minutes/ 3 times a week, and 3) ensuring adherence to behavior changes using telephone follow-up for 20 minutes for each participant at week 8 and 12. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and repeated measure MANOVA.

Major findings revealed that the combined mean scores of systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, and blood glucose of experimental group after receiving the recurrent stroke prevention program were significantly different from the control group at .05 level in four different points of time. In addition, the mean scores of systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and blood glucose of experimental groups were statistically decreased over time at .01 level in week 4, week 8, and week 12.
Epiphytic microbiota of kai Cladophora sp. from Nan River, Nan Province, Thailand
Authors:   , Ruen-pham Karnjana
Published: September 2023

Cladophora is a cosmopolitan green algal genus in northern Thailand, commonly known as Kai or Sa Rai Kai, which the local people use for culinary and medicinal purposes. In nature, Cladophora acts as an ecological engineer in the ecosystem by creating, modifying, and maintaining the habitat by providing oxygen and microhabitats for several organisms, including prokaryotes and eukaryotes, namely epiphytic microbiota. These epiphytic microbiota living on the algal host's surface might exhibit crucial roles in the ecosystem. However, most understandings of the Cladophora microbiota were from the USA. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the Cladophora microbiota collected from Nan River, Nan Province, Thailand, by using amplicon-based metagenomic analysis. Results revealed a total of 575 eukaryotic genera and 698 bacterial genera, which were present variedly in the study sites. Among the identified bacterial taxa, 227 genera were shared taxa, taxa commonly present in all sites. Some were highly abundant taxa, which might be involved in various processes, e.g., cellulose degradation, vitamin B12 biosynthesis, and nitrogen fixation. Among the shared taxa, 17 genera were core taxa, taxa present in Cladophora microbiota of this and other previous studies. Some were bioinformatically inferred to play crucial roles in freshwater Cladophora microbiome, e.g., vitamin B12 biosynthesis (Flavobacterium and Pseudomonas), extracellular polymeric substance secretion (Terrimonas), and denitrification (Acidovorax and Methylotenera). These findings allow us to understand more of the taxonomic composition and the putative ecological functions of Cladophora sp. microbiome.
Predictors of time to hospital among people with colorectal cancer
Authors:   , Tumwijit Saimai
Published: September 2023

This retrospective, cross-sectional study aims to describe time to hospital, relating factors, and determine predictors of time to hospital among people with colorectal cancer. Multistage random sampling was used to yield a probability of 240 people with colorectal cancer visiting medical and surgical outpatient departments, oncology units, radiology units, endoscopic units, and inpatient departments.  Research instruments consisted of personal information sheet, time to colorectal cancer diagnosis questionnaire, knowledge about colorectal cancer questionnaire (KR-20 = .786), The modified illness perception questionnaire-revised (a = .674 - .836), health care seeking behavior questionnaire (a = .706), and perceived seriousness of warning signs and symptoms questionnaire (a =.803).  Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, and Stepwise multiple regression analysis.

The results revealed that time to hospital, starting from symptoms perceived to the date of first presentation to a physician in the hospital, ranged from 1 to 632 days, with the median of 32 days (IQR=77). Moreover, knowleadge of colorectal cancer in sub-scale of colorectal cancer screening method (B = -0.243), some sub-scales of cognitive illness perception, including consequence (sub-scale) (B = -0.163), timeline cyclical (sub-scale) (B = 0.176), and healthcare seeking behavior in dimension of self-medicating (B= 0.149) could collectively predict time to hospital among people with colorectal cancer with 48.70 % of the variance.

A further nursing intervention to reduce time to hospital should improve knowledge about the symptoms and screening method, enhance positive illness perceptions, and enhance appropriate healthcare seeking behaviors by early visiting a physician.
Effect of different placement methods on voids formationin class ii cavity restored with bulk-fill resin composite
Authors:   , Siyoputhawong Parinthorn
Published: September 2023

The aim of this study was to evaluate void formation by micro-computed tomography in two-surface Class II cavities restored with two bulk-fill resin composites using different placement methods. Standardized Class II cavities were prepared in forty intact human maxillary first premolar teeth. The teeth were randomly divided into four groups and restored with (n=10): 1) one bulk placement with hand instrument; 2) two-bulk placement with hand instrument; 3) one bulk placement with injectable dispenser; 4) one bulk placement with injectable dispenser and sonic-activated handpiece. Percentage of void formation in the entire restoration was evaluated. Welch's ANOVA and Games-Howell post hoc analyses were performed with a significance level of 0.05. One bulk placement with hand instrument (group 1) and two-bulk placement with hand instrument (group 2) had significantly higher percentage of void formation than one bulk placement with injectable dispenser (group 3) and one bulk placement with injectable dispenser and sonic-activated handpiece (group 4). There was no significant difference in percentage of void formation between the hand instrument placement groups (group 1 and group 2) and also between the injectable dispenser groups (group 3 and group 4). In conclusion, different placement methods affected void formation in two-surface Class II cavity restored with bulk-fill resin composite. Placement with hand instrument had significantly higher void formation than placement with injectable dispenser.
The impact of an alkasite restorative material on the ph of a streptococcus mutans biofilm and dentin remineralization: an in vitro study
Authors:   , Wiriyasatiankun Pawinee
Published: September 2023

This study investigated the effect of an alkasite material on the pH of Streptococcus mutans biofilm and dentin hardness. S. mutans biofilms were formed on a resin composite (FZ) and an alkasite (CN) materials and their pH determined after 24 h. Hydroxide, fluoride and calcium ions released from the materials were determined at 6 h, 1, 3, 7, 14, and 28 d. Fourteen human molar teeth were cut horizontally across the middle third of the crown, bisected mesio-distally into two sections and each section divided into two, yielding four quadrants. Quadrant 1 was a sound dentin control, quadrants 2-4 were chemically demineralized, a cylinder of FZ and CN placed on the surfaces of quadrants 2 and 4, respectively. The microhardness of quadrants 1 and 3 were measured at depths of 20, 40, and 60 µm from the occlusal surface, and similarly of quadrants 2 and 4 after 30 days. Independent t-tests, Mann-Whitney-U, and repeated-measure-ANOVA tests were used for data analysis.The pH of the biofilm on CN (4.45) was significantly higher(p<0.05) than that on FZ (4.06).The quantity of all ions released from CN was significantly higher than from FZ. The hardness of demineralized dentin under CN was significantly higher than that of demineralized dentin at all depths, and higher than that of demineralized dentin under FZ at 20 and 40 µm. In conclusion, CN released hydroxide, fluoride, and calcium ions, which was associated with raising the biofilm pH and the hardness of demineralized dentin.
A retrospective study in comparison of skeletal stability and pharyngeal airway changes in mandibular prognathism after correction with mandibular setback surgery using two different types of osteofixation materials
Authors:   , Thet Phu
Published: September 2023

Objectives: This study compared the skeletal stability and pharyngeal airway changes after mandibular setback procedure using the titanium and resorbable plate and screws fixation.

Materials and Methods: 28 patients with mandibular prognathism being treated with bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy (BSSRO) were randomly selected from titanium and resorbable fixations. Analyses of lateral cephalometric x-rays were performed according to preoperative (T0), 1st week post-surgery (T1), 3-6 months post-surgery (T2) and 1-year post-surgery (T3). The horizontal measurement (BX), vertical measurement (BY), and angle measurement (SNB and Mandibular Plane Angle; MPA) were studied for skeletal stability. The pharyngeal airway changes were observed by nasopharynx (NOP), uvula (UOP), tongue (TOP) and epiglottis (EOP).

Results: There were no significant difference of mandibular setback in titanium (6.61±3.97 mm.) and resorbable groups (5.08±3.21 mm.). Significant MPA changes were found in both titanium and resorbable groups in 3-6 months post-surgery, but MPA still expressed significant changes in the resorbable group in 1-year post-surgery (2.29±0.59; p-value=0.006). The resorbable group was found significant EOP changes (-1.21±0.3 mm; p-value=0.02) in 3-6 months post-surgery, then gradually returned to no significant changes in 1-year post-surgery.

Conclusion: This study could be demonstrated that osteofixation with resorbable plates and screws was comparable to titanium in long-term pharyngeal airway dimension, but a tendency to relapse, particularly mandibular plane angle.
Anti-inflammatory and regeneration properties of iloprost on inflamed human dental pulp cells model: an in vitro study
Authors:   , Wahyudi Rahman
Published: September 2023

In the clinical situation, pulp exposure can happen during caries removal procedures. Inflammation can occur on the pulp of the exposed area because of infiltration of bacteria from caries or as a result of pulp reaction to caries removal drilling.  When the pulp was exposed during the caries removal procedure, traditional methods to preserve the pulp such as pulp capping and pulpotomy were performed. The ideal treatment outcome of the pulp exposure is to regain the primary structure of tubular dentin as well as maintain the vitality and healthiness of the dental pulp Thus, good dental materials or drugs used for vital tooth therapy should have properties of antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and dentin-pulp tissue regenerative capability. Previous studies suggested that iloprost, the analog of prostacyclin, could induce tertiary dentin, boost angiogenesis, increase blood flow, and promote neovascularization, both on healthy human dental pulp cells, and in rat models. However, the role of iloprost on inflammatory control in dental pulp has not been investigated before.This study aimed to develop an inflamed human dental pulp cell model in vitro and employ the model to investigate the anti-inflammatory and promoting tissue regeneration effect of iloprost. To create the inflammation model in vitro, HDPCs were treated by the cocktail of three cytokines; IL-1β, IFN γ, and TNF α. With three different doses of these cytokines in the ratio of 1:10:100 (IL-1β:1ng/ml, TNF α:10 ng/ml, and IFN γ: 100 ng/ml), the viability of the cells was examined by MTT assay and the level of IL-6 and IL-12 was assessed by RT-qPCR. After 6h and 24h, the expression of IL-6 protein was assessed by ELISA assay. After the mimicked inflamed HDPCs model was obtained, iloprost treatment was performed, using iloprost solution with concentrations of 10-6 mol for 6h and 24h. Then, the viability of the cells was examined by MTT assay and the expression level of IL-6 and IL-12 was measured by RT-qPCR, and IL-6 protein expression was assessed by ELISA assay. The results were compared to the control sample which was treated by cytokines cocktail only.  The comparison was analyzed using GraphPad Prism 9, either with one-way ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis method. The results of this study showed that cytokine cocktail that consist of IL-1β:1ng/ml, TNF α:10 ng/ml, and IFN γ: 100 ng/ml, was not toxic, and could induces the expression of IL-6 robustly and IL-12 on HDPCs.  Iloprost treatment was capable to downregulate the expression of IL-6 and IL-12 mRNA but had no significant impact as a cytoprotective agent on HDPCs. In conclusion: This study suggested that cytokine cocktail creates a better acute inflammation model than LPS induced model, and iloprost was capable as an anti-inflammatory agent on inflamed HDPCs. Hence, open the possibility of iloprost to be used as additional vital pulp therapy material.
Efficacy of cannabidiol (cbd) for the treatment of recurrent aphthous ulcers
Authors:   , Umpreecha Chalapinyo
Published: September 2023

The objectives of this research were 1) To investigate the allergic reactions to cannabidiol (CBD) when used on human skin. 2) To assess local and systemic side effects of CBD when used on normal oral mucosa. 3) To compare the efficacy among 0.1% CBD, 0.1% triamcinolone acetonide (TA), and placebo (pure oral paste) in recurrent aphthous ulcer (RAU) treatment. This project was composed of 3 phases. Phase 1, a skin patch test was performed on 100 healthy subjects. Phase 2, CBD was applied to normal oral mucosa of 50 healthy subjects 3 times/day for 7 days. Oral examination, vital signs, and blood tests were performed before and after CBD application. No subject had an allergic reaction or side effects to CBD. The vital signs and blood tests were similar before and after CBD administration. Phase 3, 69 RAU patients at the Oral Medicine Clinic, Faculty of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University randomly received one of three treatments: CBD, TA, or placebo. The medications were applied to the ulcers 3 times/day for 7 days. The pseudomembranous ulcer and erythematous border size were measured before treatment and on day 2, 5, and 7. Pain ratings were recorded daily. The subjects rated their satisfaction at the last visit and completed a quality of life questionnaire (OHIP-14) at the first and last visit. CBD and TA significantly reduced the pseudomembranous ulcer size more than placebo at all evaluated time points. However, the erythematous border size reduction was significantly higher in the CBD group compared with the placebo group only on day 2, while TA significantly reduced the erythematous border size at all evaluated time points. Pain scores in the CBD group were significantly lower than the placebo group on day 5, whereas TA significantly reduced the pain level more than placebo on day 4, 5, and 7. The subjects receiving CBD reported higher satisfaction compared with placebo, however, the differences were not significant. The OHIP-14 scores among the patients using the three medications were similar. CBD reduces ulcer size and accelerates ulcer healing without side effects. It exerts an anti-inflammatory effect at the early stage and an analgesic effect at the late stage of RAU.
Inhibitory effects of propiconazole on rice root development and abilities of brassinosteroid and auxin in alleviating its effects
Authors:   , Wimonchaijit Watcharapong
Published: September 2023

Propiconazole is commonly used as a fungicide to minimize crop loss caused by various fungal diseases in many crop plants, including rice. Propiconazole has the potentials to deteriorate the environmental problems due to its chemical properties that it is highly persistent in soil after application, suggesting that the constant use of propiconazole could be problematic. Hence, the evaluation of its effects on plant growth and development is necessary for the assessment of future use of propiconazole. Here, we demonstrated that propiconazole had inhibitory effects on plant growth. Treatments of propiconazole resulted in shoot dwarfism, abnormal leaf morphology, reduced plant biomass, and inhibited root growth, further supporting the importance of brassinosteroid for regulating optimal plant growth and development due to the ability of propiconazole to inhibit brassinosteroid biosynthesis. In addition, propiconazole reduced emerged lateral root density by inhibiting the emergence of lateral root primordia and lateral root elongation. Treatments of 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), a synthetic auxin, could rescue lateral root density in the propiconazole-treated plants to the untreated level, suggesting that auxin-mediated regulation of lateral root development was defective in the propiconazole-treated plants.
The designs of miniscrew-assisted transpalatal arch affect molar intrusion
Authors:   , Pooktuantong Ornnicha
Published: September 2023

Abstract: An anterior open bite is one of the most difficult malocclusions in orthodontic treatment. For such malocclusion, orthodontic miniscrews insertion into both buccal and palatal alveolar regions has been indicated for molar intrusion, but it involves a risk of tooth root injury. To solve the problem, midpalatal miniscrew-attached extension arm (MMEA) is adopted. However, this method causes palatal tipping of the molar because intrusive loads were applied only from palatal side. Currently, transpalatal arch is added to avoid tipping movement, but it induces patient's discomfort. Hence, the objective of this study was to evaluate the loading conditions for maxillary molar intrusion without tipping movement only by MMEA through finite element (FE) analysis. FE models of maxillary right first molar and surrounding tissues were created. Three hook positions of MMEA were set at 6.0-mm perpendicular intervals in the occluso-apical direction along the mucosal contour. An intrusive unit load was applied from the palatal side of the molar, and various counter loads were applied from the buccal side. An optimal counter load for molar intrusion without palatal tipping was observed in each hook position. In conclusion, an ideal maxillary molar intrusion can be achieved only by MMEA with an optimal counter load.
Determination of adsorption and separation of CO2/N2 and H2S/CH4 mixtures in porous materials by molecular simulation
Authors:   , Ploymeerusmee Tanawut
Published: September 2023

The major resources of power plant in the world rely on coal and natural gas which are economical for generating electricity. Flue gases, mainly N2 and CO2, are produced and released into the atmosphere. The zeolitic imidazolate framework-90 (ZIF-90) obtains a high potential as being a candidate for several applications. Consequently, the basic knowledge of adsorption and diffusion of gases in this material is the key factor of improving this gas separation technique. The effect of adsorbed CO2 molecules on the lattice structure of ZIF-90 can lead to gate opening depending on the amount of adsorbed guest molecules and the temperature but this is not observed for N2 molecules. The window diameter is increased up to 4.43 Å with increasing temperature. The separation factors of the CO2/N2 mixture in form of adsorption and diffusion selectivity show the highest values of about 6 and 12 at 298 K, respectively. In addition, the second major feedstock for power plants is natural gas which must be freed from H2S before using. All investigated materials are suited for the separation, but with different efficiency. For MIL-127(Fe) the CH4/H2S selectivity reaches values of about 250 at 2 bar and 250 K. The results can be initially concluded that the potential energy of each gas/material pair, free space inside the material and metal oxide are important keys for adsorption and separation of H2S from CH4.
Production optimization of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (prrs) virus nucleocapsid protein in nicotiana benthamiana
Authors:   , Porngarm Boonyasit
Published: September 2023

Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome virus (PRRSV) is a considerable pathogen to occur disease in pigs and effect to economic on the swine industry around the world including Thailand. Routine observation, rapid diagnosis of PRRSV infection is essential for effective monitoring and disease control. The serological assays using highly conserved viral nucleocapsid (N) protein are widely used for the detection of antibodies to the PRRSV. Accordingly, this study was aimed to produce the N-protein of the PRRSV in the plant system by using Nicotiana benthamiana. The N-protein gene was designed into four constructs that contained with and without the plant signal peptide including the different locations of poly His-tag and cloned in a geminiviral vector, pBYR2e-K2Md, for transient expression in N. benthamiana. The conditions of expression such as effective gene construct, leaf harvesting time (dpi), and Agrobacterium cell density (OD600) were optimized for maximal protein production. Further, by using a western blot assay, the results of protein expression of all constructs indicated N-protein size with an approximate molecular weight of 38 kDa. However, the construct that consists of the plant signal peptide with poly his-tagged in the N-terminus shows a higher-level expression compared to the other constructs. Subsequently, this construct was optimized for the high-level expression at 4 dpi and 0.6 of the Agrobacterium cell density. Therefore, this proof-of-concept study indicated that plant-produced N-protein can be used as an alternative production platform to produce recombinant PRRSV antigens for the diagnosis of PRRSV infection.
Performance of memory function based on naturalistic data
Authors:   , Kumpeerakij Chanin
Published: September 2023

Nonlinear dynamical systems, such as well-tuned recurrent neural networks, have proved a powerful tool for modeling temporal data. However, tuning such models to achieve the best performance remains an outstanding challenge, not least because of the complex behaviors that emerge from interacting microscopic constituents. Here, we consider a minimal model of two interacting phase oscillators coupled to a thermal bath and driven by a common signal. We quantify the memory and predictive capability of the system with the mutual information between the phases of oscillators and the signals at different times. We show that the interaction and heterogeneity between oscillators can increase the information between the system and the movement. We attribute this behavior to an increase in the effective signal-to-noise ratio, resulting from a stronger correlation between the oscillators. Our work offers the first step toward a systematic approach to optimizing interacting nonlinear dynamical systems for memorizing and predicting temporal patterns.
Stability and electronic structure of magnesium hydride and magnesium deuteride under high pressure
Authors:   , Boonchot Chayaphon
Published: September 2023

Metal polyhydrides have attracted interest because some of them transform
into metals under high pressure, while others initiate a phase transition to become
superconductors. It was recently discovered that some superconducting metal
polyhydrides have a high critical temperature (Tc
) under pressure. We calculate the
structures of MgH2
(FCC), MgH2
(HCP), and MgH3
under pressures ranging from 0-300
GPa in order to determine the formation enthalpy and electronic properties under high
pressure. We also replaced the hydrogen atoms with deuterium (D). The convex hulls
of MgH2
(FCC), MgH2
(HCP), and MgH3
(FCC) calculated at pressures from 0 to 300
GPa. At all pressures, MgH2
(HCP) is unstable, whereas MgH3
is stable between 100
and 300 GPa. MgH2
(FCC) is thermodynamically stable between 0 and 200
GPa. MgH3
is dynamically stable at high pressure, according to phonon calculations,
while MgD3
's phonon frequencies are 1/√2 times lower than MgH3
's due to the
isotope effect. The MgH2
and MgD2
results are unstable under pressures ranging from
0 to 200 GPa. The band structures and density of states of MgH3
and MgD3 were also
described, which appear to be similar, as well as MgH2
and MgD2.
Evaluation and assessment of the near field behind 3D printed-modulators for proton beam therapy
Authors:   , Charuchinda Warisara
Published: September 2023

A 3D-printed modulator is an innovation developed for particle therapy delivery systems that enables a highly conformal and homogeneous dose distribution around the tumor within a very short irradiation time. In normal cases, the modulators are positioned far from the patient in order to avoid the field inhomogeneity resulting from the periodic structure of the modulators on patient’s skin. However, a smaller distance between the modulator and patient would provide a better dose conformation in the target volume. In this thesis, the FLUKA Monte Carlo simulation program was used to investigate the fluence distributions of protons penetrating through 3D-printed modulators and to determine the minimum distance at which the dose is homogeneous on patient’s skin. To implement the complex geometry of the 3Dprinted modulator in FLUKA, a dedicated FLUKA user routine with a shorter run time was developed. The sensitivity of the fluence ripple was also tested and found to be strongly dependent on the initial beam energy and the pin period of the modulator. The results of radiochromic film and dose measurements show a qualitatively good agreement with the FLUKA simulations. Furthermore, this thesis introduces the idea of the short distance of the modulator setup which could exploit strong dose inhomogeneities induced by the 3D-printed modulator for normal-tissue sparing. The minimum energy, which can utilize the advantages of the small distance setup without the interference of the dose inhomogeneity in the tumor, is 150 MeV for a tumor with a maximum width of 5 cm.
Ab initio calculations on superconducting metal-hydride and perovskites for energy applications
Authors:   , Sukmas Wiwittawin
Published: September 2023

Superconducting hydrides and photovoltaic perovskites for energy applications are studied by means of the density functional theory-based calculations. First of all, the new decoration of Mg0.5Ca0.5H6 is confirmed thermodynamically stable over the pressures ranging from 200 to 400 GPa. The electronic properties reveal the possibility for this very material of becoming a superconductor under pressures. As a result, by performing electron-phonon coupling (EPC) calculations, Mg0.5Ca0.5H6 is found to superconduct at a maximum critical temperature of 288 K at 200 GPa, which completely exceeds those of its parent compounds, i.e. MgH6 and CaH6. Secondly, the van de Waals (vdW) interaction is incorporated in the DFT calculations to determine the preferred orientations of the organic CH3NH3 (MA) cation embedded at the centre of MAPbI3 perovskite. The well-developed vdW-DF-cx functional is selected to evaluate the total energies of different MA dipolar configurations in a cubic supercell of MAPI under pressures. Finally, due to its lead-free contents, MABiSeI2 perovskite is applied the Eulerian angles to its MA cation is three-dimensional space to determine its corresponding total energies. The complexity of angle-energy relationship is alleviated with the help of a high-fidelity simulation based on deep learning.
Prediction of coke formation over a catalyst particle for dry reforming of methane
Authors:   , Rojanarungruengporn Chananun
Published: September 2023

Nowadays, global warming is a significant environmental problem causing various impacts across the globe. Dry reforming of methane (DRM) is one of the reactions that can utilize CO2 effectively. However, the major problem of DRM process is the deactivation of catalysts caused by coke formation over the catalyst particle which mainly occurs from CH4 decomposition reaction. Coke formation leads to a decrease in catalytic performance by blocking the pores and active sites. In this study, the spatial catalyst deactivation caused by coke formation over a spherical alumina-supported nickel catalyst (Ni/Al2O3) particle in dry reforming of methane (DRM) was investigated using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Firstly, a spherical geometry was developed as the simulation domain to replicate the shape of an actual catalyst. The validation result indicated that both coke accumulation and deactivation on a catalyst particle showed a good agreement with the experimental data. The coke was initially formed at the surface of the catalyst and gradually formed at the center. As the reaction progressed, the concentration of coke at the center was higher than at the surface. Secondly, the effect of CH4/CO2 ratio and temperature on the coke formation was considered. These developed concentration profiles can be further used for a better understanding of coke formation behavior, leading to an improvement of the overall efficiency for the DRM process.
Assessment of pharmacovigilance system of new drugs in Thailand
Authors:   , Polkot Nisittra
Published: September 2023

Previous studies evaluated pharmacovigilance (PV) system in term of passive surveillance in only post-marketing phase and did not specify new drugs. None study reviewed PV system of new drugs from pre-marketing phase to post-marketing phase. In addition, the situation of new safety monitoring program (SMP) risk-based approach integrated with risk management plan (RMP) was unknown. The objectives of the study were to review pharmacovigilance system of new drugs in targeted countries and to assess pharmacovigilance system of new drugs in Thailand. Method of the first objective was systematic review and primary data sources were drug regulatory authority websites in 83 high income countries and 56 upper-middle income countries. Method of the second objective was in-depth interview. Results of the first objective, a total of 139 countries, 87 countries had performed PV of new drugs. Thirty countries (34.48%) required new drugs with condition to conduct post-authorization safety studies within pre-specified monitoring period and processed risk assessment to remove new drugs from condition. Of these, 28 countries were high-income countries and 2 countries were upper-middle income countries (Bulgaria and Thailand). Results of the second objective, a total of 36 key informants were interviewed including 6 pharmacists from Thai FDA, 6 pharmacists from drug companies, 16 pharmacists and 8 physicians from hospitals. The achievable issues of RMP were that the compliance of drug companies was good in RMP submission as well as RMP update. The unachievable issue of RMP was that there was no PV inspection. The achievable issues of SMP were that the compliance of drug companies and hospitals was good in reporting complete ADR information, reporting all types of ADR following timetable. The unachievable issue of SMP was that the local data source was insufficient to process signal detection and support to remove new drugs from SMP. Risk communication did not reach all healthcare professionals. Conclusions: Performance of PV new drugs in Thailand was equal to high income countries. Overall, Thai FDA and drug companies understood RMP, SMP and could comply following guideline. Hospitals did not understand SMP guideline. The importance of differentiation of new drugs from non-new drugs was less emphasized.
Antivenom cross-neutralization and neutralization: a systematic review of non-clinical studies in Asia region
Authors:   , Soopairin Sutinee
Published: September 2023

Background: Cross-neutralizing strategy has been applied to improve access to antivenoms which is a key to reduce mortality and disability of snakebite envenoming. However, preclinical studies have been conducted to discover antivenom’s cross-neutralizing ability when clinical studies may not be ethically applicable. This study aimed to identify and summarize scattered evidence regarding Asia antivenom’s preclinical efficacy.

Methods: We performed a systematic review to search for articles published up to May 30, 2022, in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase. Reference searching of eligible articles was done. Preclinical studies reported the available Asia antivenom’s neutralizing ability against Asia snake lethality were included. Quality assessment was performed using the SYRCLE’s risk of bias tool and the adapted ARRIVE guideline. Cross-neutralizing and neutralizing ability were summarized. Availability of Asia antivenoms was analyzed by comparing data from included studies with Snakebite Information and Data Platform developed by the World Health Organization. 

Results: Forty-eight studies were included. Most studies assessed antivenom efficacy against snakes from Southeast Asia (56%), followed by South Asia (36%) and East Asia (19%). Twenty-two (49%) medically important snakes had antivenom(s) with confirmed neutralizing ability against their lethality. Situation analysis of availability of effective antivenom in Asia demonstrated that locally produced antivenoms did not cover all medically important snakes in each country. Among countries without local antivenom production, preclinical studies were conducted only in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia. Husbandry, total number of animals used, group outcome reporting, and adverse events were not reported in any studies which limited risk of bias assessment. 

Conclusions: Cross-neutralizing of antivenoms against some medically important snakes in Asia was confirmed. This strategy may improve access to geographically effective antivenoms and bypass investment in new antivenom development, especially in countries without local antivenom production. Database should be developed to fulfill a lacking snakebite-information system.