bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Morphological analysis and morphometry of the occipital condyle and its relation to surrounding structures: implication in craniovertebral junction surgery
Authors:   , Thintharua Pakpoom
Published: September 2023

Anatomical knowledge of the occipital condyle (OC) and its relationships to surrounding structures is important for avoiding injury during craniovertebral junction (CVJ) surgeries such as the far lateral approach (FLA). Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the morphology and morphometry of OC and its relationship to digastric point (DP), foramen magnum (FM), jugular foramen (JF), and hypoglossal canal (HC). The study was performed on 100 dry skulls. Oval-like condyle was the most common OC shape, representing for 33.0% of all samples. The OC protruded into FM in 31.5 %. The average length, width and height of the OC were 21.32 ± 2.44, 10.51 ± 1.41, and 7.39 ± 1.14 mm, respectively. Extracranial orifice of HC (eHC) and intracranial orifice of HC (iHC) were commonly found 74.0% in anterior 1/3 of OC, and 45.0% in middle 1/3 of OC, respectively. The mean distance from posterior edge of the OC (OCPE) to eHC, iHC and JF were 13.70 ± 2.23 mm, 9.00 ± 1.59 mm, and 16.15 ± 2.35 mm, respectively. The most common shape of FM was hexagonal in 27.0%. The mean of anteroposterior diameter (APD) was 34.19 ± 2.46 mm, transverse diameter (TD) was 29.17 ± 2.14 mm and foramen magnum index (FMI) was 1.18. The mean distance between DP and bony landmarks, including Op-DP, OCPT-DP, and JF-DP values, were 54.54 ± 3.50, 36.72 ± 4.07, and 34.18 ± 4.15 mm, respectively. The prevalence of bilateral and unilateral posterior condylar canal (PCC) was 57.0% and 34.0%, respectively. The morphological analysis and morphometry data of OC and its relation to surrounding structures can help surgeons be aware of neurovascular injury and CVJ instability by surgery.
Ultrastructural changes of endothelial cell, pericyte and
vascular basement membrane in cisplatin-induced neuropathy in rats:
correlation with neuropathic changes after treatments
Authors:   , Kobutree Phetnarin
Published: September 2023

Cisplatin is an antineoplastic agent used to treat cancers of several organs. Peripheral neuropathy is one of its major side effects leading to dose reduction or cessation. Underlying mechanisms of cisplatin-induced neuropathy are not fully understood. According to current evidence, vascular dysfunction may play a role. Curcumin is a polyphenol found in the root of Curcuma longa with the anti-oxidant property and neuroprotection. Curcumin has shown effectiveness against experimental cisplatin neuropathy. B vitamins are a class of water-soluble vitamins that play important roles in cell metabolism and maintaining nervous system functions. Increasing evidence suggests the efficacy of vitamin B1-6-12 for several neurological diseases. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine the ultrastructural changes of blood-nerve barrier (BNB) in the peripheral nerve and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) of rats treated with cisplatin and in vitro effects on rat brain vascular pericytes. Furthermore, the effects of curcumin and B vitamins were examined. Cisplatin neuropathy was induced by intraperitoneal injection of cisplatin 2 mg/kg twice a week for 5 consecutive weeks. The cisplatin-treated rats had reduced body weight, decreased heat sensitivity and slow nerve conduction velocity, indicating neuropathy. In the co-treatment group, curcumin or B vitamins was also given by gavage during the cisplatin treatment. Curcumin 200 mg/kg/day or B1-6-12 (100:100:1) 100, 300 and 600 mg/kg/day was given once daily. Curcumin and all doses of B1-6-12 could significantly improve the severity of neuropathy. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) study of capillaries in the sciatic nerve and DRG found that the cisplatin group had significantly higher frequency of separation and wider separation distance between endothelial cells and pericytes than the control group. Moreover, cisplatin significantly reduced viability of cultured pericytes. Curcumin and B1-6-12, especially low (100 mg/kg/day) and medium doses (300 mg/kg/day), could alleviate the cisplatin-induced pericyte detachment. These two agents also significantly improved pericyte viability. Taken together, cisplatin causes pericyte cytotoxicity in vitro and pericyte detachment in vivo. Curcumin and B1-6-12 are effective against these abnormalities and thus potential therapeutic agents for cisplatin-induced neuropathy. More investigations are needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and clinical applications.
A pilot study, randomized control trial on effect of oral calcium carbonate to fecal functional levofloxacin concentration in healthy volunteer taking oral levofloxacin
Authors:   , Janphet Ophat
Published: September 2023

Objective: We conducted a pilot randomized control trial (RCT) to study whether oral calcium carbonate (CaCO3) can lower fecal levofloxacin (LVX) concentration and preserve gut microbiota diversity in healthy volunteers.
Methods: The healthy volunteers received a 5-day course of once-daily 500 mg LVX oral tablet and were randomly assigned to treatment (6-day course of 1,000 mg CaCO3 oral tablet twice daily) and control group (no CaCO3). The primary outcome was fecal LVX concentration by MIC and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) on day 2 and 5. The secondary outcomes were fecal microbiota diversity Shannon index (H) by 16s rDNA analysis, plasma LVX Cmax by HPLC, and drug adverse events (AEs) in 4 weeks period.
Results: Total 20 volunteers were enrolled and randomly assigned to treatment and control group. Mean fecal LVX concentration was higher in treatment than control group, 100.50 (SD=64.88) vs 53.21
(SD =39.57) µg/ml by MIC at day 5 (95% CI 4.912, 89.73; p = 0.0242). No difference in mean fecal LVX concentrations by HPLC, plasma LVX Cmax. Treatment group had significantly declined in H index (p = 0.0019). Only mild AEs included nausea and diarrhea.
Conclusion: CaCO3 is significantly related to higher fecal LVX level by MIC but does not significantly affect the LVX Cmax. However, rather than protecting gut microbiota from LVX, CaCO3 may lower gut microbiota diversity in the presence of LVX. Therefore, co-prescription of LVX and CaCO3 might be cautioned even without the concern about the absorption and further research is needed in the future.
Effects of intrauterine intermittent hypoxia on skeletal muscle in offspring rats
Authors:   , Wongkitikamjorn Wirongrong
Published: September 2023

Gestational intermittent hypoxia (IH), a hallmark of OSA, alters the offspring's respiratory neural control and diaphragm contractile function. Thus, we aimed to investigate the effects of gestational IH on the muscle development and metabolism of geniohyoid (GH), which is innervated by the respiratory-related hypoglossal nerve and plays a role in tongue traction and suckling, in male offspring rats compared with masseter (MAS), the largest masticatory muscle. Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to IH (3-min periods of 4–21% O2) compared to Normoxia for 8 hours/day during gestational days 7–20. GH and MAS from 35-day-old male offspring (n = 6 /group) were analyzed. Data were statistically analyzed with Welch's t-test. Gestational IH reduced type IIA fiber size in GH, but not in MAS. Western blot analysis showed that gestational IH induced significant downregulation of PGC1ɑ protein in GH, but not in MAS. Moreover, optic atrophy 1 and mitofusin-2 proteins, Mitochondrial ATP synthase subunit alpha, and transcriptional factor A (TFAM) were decreased while mitochondrial fission 1 protein levels were increased in the GH of gestational IH-offspring. Our results suggest mitochondrial metabolism impairment and oxidative myofibers alteration of the GH from gestational IH-preadolescent offspring, owing to the susceptibility of GH mitochondria to gestational IH which might be influenced by hypoglossal nerve innervation.
Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor protein in mRNA-transfected human periodontal ligament cells
Authors:   , Naratippakorn Mana
Published: September 2023

The complete regeneration of periodontal tissues following current periodontal therapy remain challenging and unpredictable. Nucleoside-modified messenger RNA (mRNA) technology can be a promising novel platform in regenerative medicine. The aims of this study were to evaluate whether pseudouridine modified mRNA encoding vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) could induce VEGF production in human periodontal ligament cells (PDLCs) and this translated protein function by promoting in vivo blood vessel formation using chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay. Isolated PDLCs from healthy periodontal tissue were transfected with modified mRNA encoding VEGF (VEGF mRNA) complexed with a transfecting agent, Lipofectamine 2000 (L2000) and L2000 alone (control). Supernatants collected at 24 hours (h) after transfection were evaluated for protein production by ELISA and cell viability by Alamar Blue assay. The supernatants of the VEGF mRNA-L2000, L2000 (L2000 control), and DPBS (negative control) were applied on filter papers, individually placed these grafts on to the CAM surface through the window on day 8 of embryonic development (E8) and incubated for another three days. Angiogenesis assessment, counting number of blood vessels convergence to the grafts, was carried out by photographed with stereomicroscopic on E8 and E11. The result showed that PDLCs, transfected with mRNA encoding VEGF, produced high level of VEGF protein than controls at 24 h (p < 0.001). The transfection of mRNA encoding VEGF showed negligible effect on PDLC viability. When supernatants were applied in CAM assay, translated protein VEGF protein was able to significantly induce blood vessel formation (p < 0.001). In conclusion, modified mRNA encoding VEGF promoted VEGF production and had angiogenic properties, increased blood vessel formation in the CAM. Thus, this mRNA platform technology may allow future application as a novel therapeutic platform for periodontal regeneration.
Production of bio-olefins from oleic acidvia oxidative dehydrogenation using vanadium oxides/sba-15 catalysts
Authors:   , Chaidherasuwet Nattaporn
Published: September 2023

Long-chain olefins (≥C10) are important commodity chemicals, which are primarily used to manufacture everyday products such as plastic packaging, surfactants and detergents in cleaning products, and lubricant oil additives. However, the long-chain olefins are currently synthesized from the petroleum refining process via ethylene oligomerization or thermal cracking of long-chain paraffins. To support the Bio-Circular-Green Economy (BCG) model, the direct synthesis of olefins from renewable feedstocks has become an attractive route to promote overall sustainability. The objective of this research was to study the possibility to transform oleic acid (OA), one of the unsaturated fatty acids in palm oil, to produce the long-chain bio-olefins via oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) using an nVxOy/SBA-15 catalyst.  The effects of various parameters such as vanadium content (0.5, 1.0, 3.0, and 5.0 wt%), reaction temperature (400-550 °C), processing time (2, 6, 8 h), and reusability of the catalyst on the OA conversion and the selectivity to olefins in the liquid and gaseous products was investigates. It was found that the ODH of OA using 1.0%VxOy/SBA-15 catalyst carried on at 450 oC for 2 h provided the best OA conversion (83.7%), whereas the 0.5%VxOy/SBA-15 catalyst obtained the high selectivity to long-chain olefins with carbon atoms in the range of C7-C17 (44.6%). However, the higher reaction temperature at 550 oC promoted the aromatization for producing 25.4% of aromatic compounds. Moreover, the long-time process (6-8 h) and catalyst regeneration above 1st cycle decreased the catalyst performance due to the catalyst’s structure collapse and increases in coke formation, respectively.
Closed-form formulas for conditional moments of generalized cox-ingersoll-ross processes
Authors:   , Sutthimat Phiraphat
Published: September 2023

Cox-Ingersoll-Ross (CIR) process, introduced in 1985, is a one factor model used to describe the evolution of interest rate and pricing the financial derivatives. It was later extended to have time-dependent parameters called the extended CIR (ECIR) process, which is more widely studied and used in a variety of applications. The generalized versions of CIR process are also studied and investigated for more applications in finance. However,  most of these applications rely on the knowledge and properties of conditional expectations and moments, which most of them are not yet fully developed into closed form. In this work, we propose closed-form formulas derived from applying the Feynman--Kac representation for the two generalized CIR processes: the nonlinear drift constant elasticity of variance and the Pearson diffusions which are developed from the ECIR process, as well as further study of their properties such as variance and conditional mixed moments. In addition, we also extending the result of ECIR process by applying it for valuation of interest rate swaps. The formulas derived in this work are numerically verified and validated  based on the Monte-Carlo simulations.
Cholesterol-lowering and probiotic properties of selected lactic acid bacteria
Authors:   , Kingkaew Engkarat
Published: September 2023

Ninety strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from fermented foods and bark of Tamarindus indica were screening cholesterol-lowering effects, selected and identified based on the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic characteristics and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. They were identified as Companilactobacillus farciminis (5 strains), C. formosensis (10 strains), C. futsaii (6 strains), C. pabuli (4 strains), Enterococcus thailandicus (2 strains), Lactiplantibacillus argentoratensis (3 strains), Lactiplantibacillus pentosus (10 strains), Lactiplantibacillus plantarum subsp. plantarum (17 strains), Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis (2 strains), Lentilactobacillus buchneri (8 strains), Limosilactobacillus fermentum (2 strains),  P. pentosaceus (12 strains) and each of En. durans, En. hirae, En. lactis, Lacticaseibacillus paracasei subsp. tolerans, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, Lactococcus lactis subsp. hordniae, Leuconostoc lactis and Pediococcus acidilactici. Strain BCM23-1T isolated from bark of Tamarindus indica was closely related to Terrilactibacillus laevilacticus NK26-11T (98.3 %). The draft genome of BCM23-1T was 3.24 Mb in size and contained 3088 coding sequences with an in silico DNA G+C content of 37.1 mol%. The values of ANIb, ANIm and digital DNA–DNA hybridization between strain BCM23-1T and T. laevilacticus NK26-11T were 89.9, 90.8 and 40.4 %, respectively. The results of phenotypic and chemotaxonomic, 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, phylogenetic tree analysis and whole genome analyses support strain BCM23-1T as representing a novel species of Terrilactibacillus for which the name Terrilactibacillus tamarindi sp. nov. is proposed. Twelve selected strains exhibited bile salt hydrolase activity (BSH activity) and the ability of cholesterol assimilation. Strain L. plantarum LM14-2 showed the greatest cholesterol assimilation ability at 86.07%. From the investigation of fundamental probiotic properties, twelve selected strains could tolerate and survive in the simulated gastric condition for 3 hours and simulated small intestinal condition for 5 hours, and adhere to Caco-2 cells at 82.46 to 31.16%. In addition, all selected strains were evaluated other health-promoting effects. All selected strains showed immunomodulatory effects. Furthermore, only Lc. lactis subsp. lactis NH2-7C could synthesis bacteriocin containing anti-pathogenic activity. Based on the genomic data, bacteriocin NH2-7C was identified as nisin A. The bacteriocin NH2-7C was partially purified through hydrophobic interaction and cation exchange chromatography and characterized. The partially purified bacteriocin NH2-7C was stable at 100 ⸰C for 30 minutes and it showed antimicrobial activity at pH 2 to 7. The partially purified bacteriocin NH2-7C was sensitive to protease-K. Based on the genomic analysis, L. plantarum LM14-2 and Lc. lactis subsp. lactis NH2-7C were safe and they were predicted as non-human pathogen and contained probiogenomic characteristics.
Antioxidant with antimelanogenic activities of sericin hydrolysates optimized by response surface methodology in human melanin-generating mnt-1 cells
Authors:   , Joyjamras Keerati
Published: September 2023

Sericin, a protein presenting in the wastewater from silk industry, causes water pollution and ecological problem. To increase economic value to this waste product, the optimum enzymatic condition that could create sericin hydrolysates with high antioxidant and antimelanogenic capacities was generated through response surface methodology (RSM). Response surface plots demonstrate the major role of temperature on scavenging capacity of sericin hydrolysates assessed via DPPH, FRAP and ORAC assays. Alcalase®-hydrolyzed sericin consisted of sericin-related peptides in differing amounts and smaller sizes compared with unhydrolyzed sericin, as respectively demonstrated by peptidomic and SDS-PAGE analysis. Pre-incubation with 20 mg/mL sericin hydrolysates digested by Alcalase® at RSM-optimized condition (enzyme/substrate ratio: 1.5, pH: 7.5, temperature: 70°C) exhibited higher antioxidant activity against 1 mM hydrogen peroxide in human HaCat keratinocytes and melanin-generating MNT-1 cells when compared with 5 mM N-acetyl cysteine. The lower half maximum inhibitory concentration was 9.05 ± 0.66 mg/mL compared with unhydrolyzed sericin (24.54 ± 0.17 mg/mL) indicated a potent effect of Alcalase®-hydrolyzed sericin on inhibiting melanin production in MNT-1 cells. Not only inhibiting enzymatic activity but also downregulated expression of tyrosinase was evident in MNT-1 cells incubated with 20 mg/mL sericin hydrolysates. Quantitative RT-PCR revealed the decreased mRNA level of MITF, a tyrosinase transcription factor, which correlated with the reduction of pCREB/CREB, an upstream cascade, as assessed by western blot analysis in MNT-1 cells cultured with 20 mg/mL sericin hydrolysates for 12 h. Interestingly, treatment with Alcalase®-hydrolyzed sericin for 6-24 h also upregulated pERK, a molecule that triggers MITF degradation in human melanin-producing cells. The acquired information would facilitate the recycling of waste products from silk industry as an effective antioxidant and antimelanogenic compound.
Development of plant-produced subunit vaccine and therapeutic protein for COVID-19
Authors:   , Siriwattananon Konlavat
Published: September 2023

Due to the rapid transmission of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) causing serious public health problems and economic burden, the development of effective therapeutic interventions is urgently needed for controlling the ongoing pandemic disease. In this study, we have transiently produced recombinant SARS-CoV-2 RBD and human ACE2 fused with the Fc region of human IgG1 in Nicotiana benthamianain in order to use as a preventive subunit vaccine and therapeutic against SARS-CoV-2. The recombinant SARS-CoV-2 RBD-Fc subunit vaccine was formulated with different commercially available adjuvants including aluminium hydroxide gel (Alum), AddaVaxTM (MF59), monophosphoryl lipid A from Salmonella Minnesota R595 (mPLA-SM), and polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly(I:C)) and intramuscularly immunized in mice to appraise the immunogenicity as well as potent anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity of recombinant ACE2-Fc protein was assessed in vitro using Vero E6 cells. Importantly, the plant-produced recombinant SARS-CoV-2 RBD-Fc could exhibit effective immunogenicity profiles in terms of and specific potent antibodies vaccine-specific T-lymphocyte responses in mice. Additionally, plant-produced ACE2-Fc proteins could efficiently inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection in vitro. Altogether, our results demonstrated that the plant-produced recombinant SARS-CoV-2 RBD-Fc and ACE2-Fc proteins have the potential to be used as an alternative subunit vaccine and therapeutic for COVID-19, which are possibly presented in the clinical trials for human uses in the near future.
α-glucosidase inhibitors from dendrobium delacourii, dendrobium gibsonii and aerides multiflora
Authors:   , Thant May
Published: September 2023

In this study, three plants from the Orchidaceae family, i.e., Dendrobium delacourii, Dendrobium gibsonii, and Aerides multiflora, were investigated for their chemical constituents and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities. A total of thirty compounds were isolated and structurally characterized. Eleven known compounds were identified from Dendrobium delacourii, including hircinol, ephemeranthoquinone, densiflorol B, moscatin, 4,9-dimethoxy-2,5-phenanthrenediol, gigantol, batatasin III, lusianthridin, 4,4',7,7'-tetrahydroxy-2,2'-dimethoxy-9,9',10,10'-tetrahydro-1,1'-biphenanthrene, phoyunnanin E, and phoyunnanin C. Two new compounds, i.e., dihydrodengibsinin and dendrogibsol, were isolated from Dendrobium gibsonii, along with seven known compounds including ephemeranthol A, dengibsinin, nobilone, aloifol I, lusianthridin, denchrysan A, and 4-methoxy-9H-fluorene-2,5,9-triol. Four new compounds, i.e., aerimultins A-C and dihydrosinapyl dihydroferulate, and six known compounds, which include methoxycoelonin, gigantol, imbricatin, agrostonin, dihydroconiferyl dihydro-p-coumarate and 5-methoxy-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene-2,3,7-triol, were obtained from Aerides multiflora. All the isolated compounds were evaluated for α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. When compared with the drug acarbose (IC50 value 514.4 ± 9.2 µM), eight dimeric compounds showed potent activity: 4,4',7,7'-tetrahydroxy-2,2'-dimethoxy-9,9',10,10'-tetrahydro-1,1'-biphenanthrene, phoyunnanin E, phoyunnanin C, dendrogibsol, aerimultins A-C and agrostonin) (IC50 values 5.2 – 77.0 µM). Seven monomeric compounds exhibited moderate activity: moscatin, gigantol, lusianthridin, 6-methoxycoelonin, imbricatin, dihydroconiferyl dihydro-p-coumarate, and 5-methoxy-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene-2,3,7-triol (IC50 values 115.2 - 390.1 µM). The other compounds displayed no activity, including hircinol, ephemeranthoquinone, densiflorol B, 4,9-dimethoxy-2,5-phenanthrenediol, batatasin III, dihydrodengibsinin, ephemeranthol A, dengibsinin, nobilone, aloifol I, dechrysan A, 4-methoxy-9H-fluorene 2,5,9-triol, and dihydrosinapyl dihydroferulate (less than 50 % inhibition at 100 µg/ml). The kinetic studies on the most potent compounds, i.e., phoyunnanin C, phoyunnanin E, dendrogibsol, and aerimultin C revealed that all were non-competitive inhibitors with a higher affinity to the α-glucosidase enzyme than the drug acarbose.
Production and characterization of escherichia coli outer membrane vesicles displaying anti-muc1 single-chain variable fragment via spytag/spycatcher system
Authors:   , Laotee Sedthawut
Published: September 2023

Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) secreted from Gram-negative bacteria have been discovered for a decade. Special features like high stability, ease of production, and intrinsic adjuvanticity highlight the use of OMVs in diverse applications such as vaccination, bioimaging, and multifunctional delivery systems. Synthetic biological approaches can functionalize OMVs to present heterologous proteins by expressing genetic fusion of target protein to outer membrane proteins. However, complex proteins cannot be incorporated into the OMVs due to lack of some post-translational modifications in bacteria. Herein, we demonstrated a convenient method for presentation of versatile proteins in OMVs with the implementation of the bio-ligation system called SpyTag/SpyCatcher system. OMVs derived from Escherichia coli were generated to anchor SpyCatcher via Lpp’OmpA surface display system (OMVs:Lpp’OmpA-SpyCatcher). To test the proof-of-concept, anti-MUC1 single-chain variable fragment (scFv) clone SM3 which previously used in targeting MUC1-presenting tumor cells was chosen and produced as a fusion with SpyTag (SpyTag-SM3) in CHO-based expression system. This system provides disulfide linkage processes to maintain its function. Upon mixing, SpyTag simultaneously performs an irreversible isopeptide bond with SpyCatcher resulting in coupling of SpyTag-SM3 onto the surface of OMVs:Lpp’OmpA-SpyCatcher. The conjugation of two proteins on OMVs was confirmed by Western blotting. Physiochemical characterizations of conjugated OMVs were also analyzed by Dynamic light scattering and Transmission electron microscope. Despite attachment of anti-MUC1 scFv SM3, the morphology of conjugated OMVs was spherical lipid vesicles with the size of 103.77 nm. In addition, the localization of scFv SM3 was observed on the surface of the OMVs as evaluated by proteinase K protection assay. Furthermore, the result of binding analysis towards MUC1-presenting cell (MCF-7) indicated the binding of anti-MUC1 scFv SM3 displayed on the conjugated OMVs. As a result, this study provides a flexible protein decoration system in OMVs that can be used in targeted drug delivery system.
Anti-addictive activity of quinuclidine derivatives in nicotine-induced conditioned place preference test in mice
Authors:   , Nianpanich Saranda
Published: September 2023

Quinuclidine derivatives (s)-T1, (s)-T2, and (s)-T6 are the ligands of α3β4 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR). α3β4 nAChRs are highly expressed in medial habenula (MHb). The MHb connects to the brain rewarding pathway and mediates nicotine induce rewarding effect. Various α3β4 nicotinic acetylcholine antagonists have been investigated for their anti-addictive effect in animal models of nicotine addiction. The present study was aimed to evaluate the anti-addictive effects and mechanisms of quinuclidine derivatives, (s)-T1, (s)-T2, and (s)-T6 in nicotine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) in mice. In the first experiment, mice received either nicotine (0.5 mg/kg, s.c.), (s)-T1 (1, 3, or 10 mg/kg, s.c.), (s)-T2 (1, 3, or 10 mg/kg, s.c.), or (s)-T6 (1, 3 or 10 mg/kg, s.c.) and performed locomotor activity and CPP. Nicotine and (s)-T6 (10 mg/kg) reduced locomotion time (P < 0.05). In CPP model, nicotine significantly increased CPP score compared to control (P < 0.05), while (s)-T1, (s)-T2, and (s)-T6 significantly decreased CPP scores compared nicotine-treated mice (P < 0.05). In the second experiment, mice received either varenicline (1 mg/kg, s.c.), (s)-T1 (1, 3, or 10 mg/kg, s.c.), (s)-T2 (1, 3, or 10 mg/kg, s.c.), or (s)-T6 (1 or 3 mg/kg, s.c.) 30 min prior to nicotine administration. CPP and locomotor activity were performed. Varenicline, (s)-T1 (1, 3, and 10 mg/kg), (s)-T2 (1 and 3 mg/kg) and (s)-T6 (1 and 3 mg/kg) significantly decreased CPP scores compared to nicotine treatment alone (P < 0.05, P < 0.001, P < 0.05, P < 0.05, P < 0.01, P < 0.05, P < 0.05, P < 0.05, respectively). All doses of (s)-T1, (s)-T2, and (s)-T6 plus nicotine treatment had no effect on locomotion time. In the third experiment, mice received the same treatment as in the second experiment, nucleus accumbens (NAc), striatum, hippocampus and prefrontal cortex (PFC) were collected 40 min after nicotine administration. Dopamine and DOPAC levels were determined using LC/MS/MS. (s)-T1 (1, 3 and 10 mg/kg), (s)-T2 (3 and 10 mg/kg) and (s)-T6 (1 and 3 mg/kg) block nicotine-induced dopamine elevation in the striatum. In addition, (s)-T1 (3 mg/kg) and (s)-T6 (1 and 3 mg/kg inhibited nicotine-induced dopamine elevation in PFC. In conclusion, (s)-T1, (s)-T2, and (s)-T6 can prevented nicotine-induced CPP. The mechanism of action involved the prevention of nicotine induced dopamine elevation in the brain areas involving cue-associate learning of rewarding effect of nicotine.
A study of work ability and associated factors in aging office workers with non-communicable diseases and musculoskeletal disorders
Authors:   , Rawdeng Sara
Published: September 2023

Aging workers has been linked with high prevalence of both musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Health status has a significant impact on work ability. This study compared work ability, using the Work Ability Index (WAI), among aging office workers with and without MSDs and NCDs and determined factors associated with WAI scores. A cross-sectional study was conducted among office workers aged between 45-60 years. An online questionnaire was adopted to collect data. Analyses were conducted using Mann-Whitney U test and multivariable logistic regression model. The results of 689 workers, 34%, 13%, 12%, and 41% reported MSDs, NCDs, MSDs + NCDs, and no MSDs / NCDs, respectively, in the past year. Median scores (interquartile range) of WAI were 37.0 (6) for MSDs, 37.0 (4) for NCDs, 34.5 (6) for MSDs + NCDs, and 40.0 (4) for no MSDs / NCDs. Significant difference in WAI scores was found between the MSDs and MSDs + NCDs (p < 0.05); and between the NCDs and MSDs + NCDs (p < 0.05). Female (ORadj 1.77, 95% CI: 1.2 – 2.6), high work experience (ORadj 1.04, 95% CI: 1.0 – 1.1), and low job control (adjusted OR 0.95, 95% CI: 0.9 – 1.0) were associated with reduced WAI scores (WAI ≤ 36). Aging office workers with either MSDs or NCDs had reduced work ability compared to healthy workers. Having MSDs + NCDs further reduced work ability. Attention is needed to develop interventions to reduce the impact of MSDs and NCDs on work ability in aging office workers.
Towards explainable sentiment analysis for written reviews via quantum tensor network states
Authors:   , Mangkang Chanatip
Published: September 2023

Recurrent Neural Networks (RNNs) have shown an incredible performance in supervised machine learning tasks such as Natural Language Processing (NLP). However, theoretical understanding of RNNs' performances in NLP are still limited due to intrinsically complex non-linear computations of RNNs. This thesis explores a class of RNNs called Recurrent Arithmetic Circuits (RACs), possessing a dual mathematical representation as a Matrix Product State (MPS) widely used in many-body quantum physics. The duality allows us to compute the entanglement entropy of an MPS, which can be used as a proxy for information propagation in the dual neural networks, to phenomenologically explain the RNNs-based model prediction accuracy's behaviors in NLP. We found that the entanglement entropy saturates when the accuracy saturates in the fixed word embedding case. The unfixed word embedding experiments also reveal that the entanglement entropy of the RACs is decaying as the word embedding becomes more meaningful, as reflected by the behaviors of cosine similarity between word embeddings. This thesis sheds light on more transparent and explainable behaviors of RNNs-based machine learning in NLP, using tools from many-body quantum physics.
A study of massive neutron stars with holographic multiquark cores
Authors:   , Pinkanjanarod Sitthichai
Published: September 2023

Up to now, the state of matter inside a massive neutron star (NS) is still unclear. In the core of the massive NS, density and pressure become large until the matter inside could turn into deconfined matter e.g. quark-gluon plasma (QGP). Recently, results from a model-independent analysis [1] from a combination of perturbative theoretical calculations with observational data [2, 3] shows that quark matter could exist in the cores of massive NS with masses above 2.0 M. However, the QGP exists at a very high temperature. Compared to the relatively low temperature of the NS, the exotic quark matter might not be the free QGP but instead, the deconfined and chiral symmetry broken bound state called “multiquark’’. Due to the non-perturbative nature of the multiquark state, the usual description of the multiquark state as based on QCD faces many difficulties and becomes unreliable. In this thesis, we use a holographic QCD approach to describe the multiquark [4, 5] based on the Sakai-Sugimoto (SS) model and implement the equation of states (EoS) of multiquark matter to interpolate between the two known limits: the pQCD EoS at high densities, and the nuclear CET EoS at low densities. The multiquark EoS is relatively stiff at low densities and becomes softer at high densities. Thermodynamically, we found that the multiquark phase is more preferred over the extended CET nuclear matter above the transition points. From our study, the massive NS with a holographic multiquark core could have masses in the range between 1.96 − 2.23 (1.64 − 2.10)M. and radii between 14.3 − 11.8 (14.0 − 11.1) km for s = 26 (28) GeV fm−3 respectively. Effects of proton-baryon fractions are also studied for a certain type of baryonic EoS. We found that larger proton fractions could reduce the radius of the NS with the multiquark core by less than a kilometre. Additionally, we calculate the tidal Love number and dimensionless deformation parameter, k2 and, and they are found to be within the limit of the physically viable range under the present constraints. Finally, we calculate radial pulsation frequencies of the multiquark core for n = 0−5 modes for the entire mass range. As a result, for Mcore 2M!, the fundamental-mode frequency is around 2.5 kHz given that the energy density scale of the holographic SS model !s = 23.2037 GeV fm−3, this frequency is proportional to "!s.
Effects of integrin subtypes on migration and invasion in primary lung cancer cells in advanced stage and inhibitory effect of Millettocalyxin B
Authors:   , Lafauy Pennapa
Published: September 2023

Integrin-targeting compounds have shown clinically significant benefits in many patients. Here, we examined the activity of millettocalyxin B, extracted from the stem bark of Millettia erythrocalyx, in lung cancer cells. The viability of human lung cancer cell was investigated by the 3-(4,5- dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5diphenyl tetrazoliumbromide (MTT) assay. Migration and invasion assays were performed. Phalloidin-rhodamine staining was used to determine the formation of filopodia. Western blot analysis was used to identify the signaling proteins involved in migration regulation. Non-toxic concentrations (0-25 μM) of millettocalyxin B reduced migration and invasion of lung cancer A549 cells. Filopodia were significantly reduced in millettocalyxin B treated cells. The migration regulatory proteins including integrin α5, active FAK, active Akt, and Cdc42 were significantly decreased in Millettocalyxin B-treated cells. Our findings revealed a novel anti-migration and anti-invasion effects and the underlying mechanism of millettocalyxin B, which may be exploited for cancer treatment.
A multi-time-point study of newborn self-regulation and child self-regulation in the first two years of life: the mediating effects of child anger temperament and quality of mother-child interaction
Authors:   , Nimmapirat Pimjuta
Published: September 2023

Studies on the development of child self-regulation during the first two years of life are limited. This study examined the association between newborn self-regulation at 1 month old and child self-regulation at 2 years old, with the child anger temperament and quality of mother-child interaction at 1 year and 2 years of age as the nature and nurture mediators for child selfregulation. The participants were 322 mother-child dyads in Chomthong and Fang districts, Chiangmai. The study was a multiple time-point design with a longitudinal data collection from the mothers and children at 1 month, 1 year, and 2 years of age. The direct observational measurements to assess behaviors of children and mothers were the main method of assessments in this study. Newborn self-regulation was measured by the NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale (NNNS), while child self-regulation at 2 years of age was measured by the battery tests of Crayon delay, Snack delay, and Prohibited toy task. Child anger temperament at 1 year, and 2 years were measured by Attractive toy behind a barrier episode of the Laboratory Temperament Assessment Battery (LabTAB), and the Early Childhood Behavior Questionnaire short form (ECBQ-sf), respectively. Quality of mother-child interaction was measured by maternal dimensions of the Emotional Availability Scale. Results from the structural equation model, taking into account biomarkers of prenatal pesticide exposure, mother’s education, and study location as covariates, revealed that anger temperament of 1-year-old child and quality of mother-child interaction at 2 years were not mediators but were direct predictors of the 2-year-old self-regulation. Newborn self-regulation at 1 month, however, had no association with child self-regulation, child anger temperament, or quality of mother-child interaction during the first two years of life. The coefficient of determination (R2 ) indicated that 25.7% of the variance in self-regulation of 2-year-old children could be explained by its predictors and covariates in this study. The findings highlight the importance of lower child anger temperament and high quality mother-child interaction for development of child self-regulation during the first two years of life. Thus, our study suggests that early intervention emphasizing effective parenting strategies for child anger control as well as high quality parent-child interaction practices should be evaluated to determine if these interventions can improve child self-regulation in the earlier years of life.
Comparison between the prevalence of probable post-traumatic stress disorder among different flood types in Thailand
Authors:   , Ritbunyakorn Natakorn
Published: September 2023

Floods are one of the most common natural disasters in Thailand. Floods may have a long-term psychological impact on survivals. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) usually diagnosed among flood victims. However, there is limited information on PTSD from different flooding events in Thailand. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of having probable PTSD among different flood types in Thailand. A secondary data analysis was performed using a dataset from previous cross-sectional survey conducted from 2019 to 2020 in Nakhon Sawan and Nakhon Si Thammarat provinces selected from the expert reviews’ discussion. The analysis was performed on 376 respondents experienced river flood, and 376 respondents experienced flash flood. Primary Care PTSD 5 (PC-PTSD-5) was used to detect probable PTSD. Chi-square and multiple logistic regression were used for determining the differences and associated factors among the two flood types. The prevalence of probable PTSD was 12.6% in total sample, 20.2% for river flood, and 5.1% for flash flood. The associated factors with probable PTSD in river-flooded areas are income, sickness (no treatment needed), and level of flood concern. While age, education, income, underlying disease, years of living in areas, migration, and sickness (treatment needed) were associated with flash flood. The associated risk factors in flash flood were migration (AOR:  6.06; 95% CI: 1.85 - 19.88), sickness (no treatment needed) (AOR: 5.08; 95% CI:1.68 - 15.38). While in river flood, monthly household income more than or equal to 6,001 Baht (AOR: 0.57; 95% CI: 0.33 - 0.99) and sicked (no treatment needed) (AOR: 0.12; 95% CI: 0.02 - 0.93) which showed 43% reduction in having probable PTSD, and 2) sicked (no treatment needed) reduced the chance of having probable PTSD. In conclusion, PTSD was detected in both flood types in Thailand. Therefore, public health authorities should not only focus on physical injuries or damages after flood events but also must address mental health issues. In addition, more attention and support are needed in areas affected by river floods compared to those affected by flash floods.
Effect of line application on action and coping plans on exercise adherence and functional performance for older adults with knee pain in suburban area of Bangkok Metropolis, Thailand : a Quasi experimental study
Authors:   , Piwong Pattaraporn
Published: September 2023

The known advantage of exercise for older adults who had knee pain is limited by low adherence to an exercise program. LINE application on action and coping plans do improve exercise adherence, knee functional performance and reduce knee pain. This quasi-experimental study determined the effect of LINE application on action and coping plans on exercise adherence, self-efficacy for exercise (SEE) , specific self-efficacy (task, maintenance, recovery), functional performance including knee range of motion (ROM), time up and go (TUG), 30-second chair stand (30CST) , knee outcome for activities of daily living (KOS-ADLS) and knee pain scale among older adults with knee pain in suburban area of Bangkok Metropolis, Thailand after implementation program. Total participants were 86 at aged 50-65 years and they were divided into 2 groups: intervention group (received action and coping plans with LINE application program) and control group (received usual care) with 43 participants in each group. Participants undertook 14 weeks period of the study program. All outcomes were measured at baseline and post-test except exercise adherence was collected after finishing the intervention program via exercise diary. Data were analyzed statically. The results demonstrated that there was a significant difference between 2 groups in all outcomes ( P<0.05). Also, the study findings revealed that an intervention group improved significantly in all outcomes within-group after completed the study program while the control group has only one measure (SEE) was significantly difference within-group (P<0.05). Moreover, applying technology from application on a smartphone as LINE combination with action and coping plans was found effective to enhance older adults’ adherence, motivate and encourage them to become adherer to exercise and decrease knee pain which it advantages to prevent them from knee pain and disability.
Effectiveness of a pharmacist-led expert system for medication adherence and blood pressure control of adults with hypertension in the Philippines: a randomized controlled trial
Authors:   , Gutierrez Margarita
Published: September 2023

In the Philippines, the Hypertension control rate is only 20% due to low medication adherence.  The author proposes an intervention to supplement government program. The aim of the study is to assess the effect on medication adherence and blood pressure control of patients.

A randomized control trial was conducted at ten study sites in Region IV-A of the Philippines between May 2021 and January 2022.  Outcomes are measured at enrollment as well as at three different time intervals. A total of 417 patients were eligible for the study with 203 in the control group and 214 in the intervention group. The intervention group were 430.40% (OR = 5.30, p = 0.0001) more likely to be adherent. Medication adherence (OR = 2.53, p = 0.000), BMI (OR = 0.939, p = 0.016), and perceived knowledge (OR = 1.2023, p = 0.000) have been found to significantly predict blood pressure control.

The research concludes that a pharmacist-led expert system intervention significantly improved patients' medication adherence and perceived knowledge and persisted for six months but only indirectly on blood pressure.  The author proposes policy recommendation to use the Pharmacist-Led Expert System in conjunction with PhilPEN as a complementary patient education program.
Effect of CoB Loading Amount in gC3N4 Nanosheet in Photocatalytic Hydrogen Generation
Authors:   , Prapaitrakool Chayathorn
Published: September 2023

Noble metals, such as Pt, Ru, and Ir, have been widely used as expensive catalyst promoters to enhance the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). In contrast, other cheaper catalyst promoters that can also promote high HER performance have been developed, such as metal phosphides, and metal borides. Recently, nickel boride (NiB) loaded on graphitic carbon nitride nanosheet (gCNS) has exhibited promising HER performance under visible light. Thus, this research attempted to investigate HER performance of cobalt boride (CoB) as a cocatalyst on gCNS and compare to the HER performance of NiB. The amount of CoB loading was varied from 1-11 wt%CoB-gCNS (1-11CoB-gCNS). The reaction was carried out under 300W Xenon lamp equipped with visible light filter. Triethanolamine was employed as a sacrificial agent. The best HER performance was observed for 9CoB-gCNS at 60.71 µmole/g/h of H2 evolved. This result showed a significant enhancement in HER performance, compared with that of pure gCNS, which was attributed to better photoelectrochemical properties of the photocatalyst. The light absorbance and band gap energy (from UV-Vis spectra) of 9CoB-gCNS were significantly enhanced. Additionally, the recombination rate from PL and mobility of electron from EIS were lower which support the superior HER performance of 9CoB-gCNS which was better than that of 7NiB-gCNS (51.29 µmole/g/h).
Impacts of Bandwagon Effect and Product Type in Instagram Native Advertising on Generation Z Consumer's Behavior
Authors:   , Kaltbeitzer Leiv
Published: September 2023

The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of bandwagon effect and product type in Instagram native advertising on consumer behavior (i.e., ad intrusiveness, attitude towards the ad, attitude towards the brand, purchase intention and intention to share). Using an experimental method, a 2 (bandwagon effect: high and low) x 2 (product type: utilitarian and hedonic) factorial design was employed to collect data from 129 undergraduate students at Chulalongkorn University. The results indicated that bandwagon effect as well as product type have main effects on consumer behavior, in terms of intention to share and purchase intention, respectively. No interaction effect between bandwagon effect and product type was found in this study, however.
Development of teaching activities based on online easa instructional model to enhance speaking ability of Thai EFL students
Authors:   , Sayasonti Yosakorn
Published: September 2023

This study aimed to 1) explore the effects of the online EASA instructional model on the speaking ability of Thai EFL students and 2) investigate the students’ perceptions toward learning through the online EASA instructional model. Thirty eleventh grade students in the first semester of the academic year 2021 at a public school in Nakhon Pathom province, Thailand, were selected as participants for this study by using the convenience sampling method. This study employed a single group pretest and posttest design. The research instruments included 1) English speaking pretest and posttest 2) close-ended questionnaire and 3) interview questions about participants’ perceptions towards learning through the online EASA instructional model. The data analysis employed the statistics of paired-sample t-test, mean, standard deviation, and content analysis. The results indicated that 1) students’ posttest mean score after learning through the online EASA instructional model was higher than the pretest mean score at a significant level of .001, and the results of the questionnaire and semi-structured interview revealed that 2) students had positive perceptions towards learning through the online EASA instructional model.