Scopus 2016-2017
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Publication Metadata only Accelerated triacylglycerol production and altered fatty acid composition in oleaginous microalga Neochloris oleoabundans by overexpression of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2(2017-04-12) Paeka Klaitong; Sirirat Fa-aroonsawat; Wipa Chungjatupornchai; Mahidol University© 2017 The Author(s). Background: Microalgae are promising sources of lipid triacylglycerol (TAG) for biodiesel production. However, to date, microalgal biodiesel is technically feasible, but not yet economically viable. Increasing TAG content and productivity are important to achieve economic viability of microalgal biodiesel. To increase TAG content, oleaginous microalga Neochloris oleoabundans was genetically engineered with an endogenous key enzyme diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 (NeoDGAT2) responsible for TAG biosynthesis. Results: The integration of NeoDGAT2 expression cassettes in N. oleoabundans transformant was confirmed by PCR. The neutral lipid accumulation in the transformant detected by Nile red staining was accelerated and 1.9-fold higher than in wild type; the lipid bodies in the transformant visualized under fluorescence microscope were also larger. The NeoDGAT2 transcript was two-fold higher in the transformant than wild type. Remarkably higher lipid accumulation was found in the transformant than wild type: total lipid content increased 1.6-to 2.3-fold up to 74.5 ± 4.0% dry cell weight (DCW) and total lipid productivity increased 1.6- to 3.2-fold up to 14.6 ± 2.0 mg/L/day; while TAG content increased 1.8- to 3.2-fold up to 46.1 ± 1.6% DCW and TAG productivity increased 1.6- to 4.3-fold up to 8.9 ± 1.3 mg/L/day. A significantly altered fatty acid composition was detected in the transformant compared to wild type; the levels of saturated fatty acid C16:0 increased double to 49%, whereas C18:0 was reduced triple to 6%. Long-term stability was observed in the transformant continuously maintained in solid medium over 100 generations in a period of about 4 years. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate the increased TAG content and productivity in N. oleoabundans by NeoDGAT2 overexpression that may offer the first step towards making microalgae an economically feasible source for biodiesel production. The strategy for genetically improved microalga presented in this study can be applied to other microalgal species possessing desired characteristics for industrial biofuel production.Publication Metadata only Effect of partial ozonation and thermal pretreatment on biogas production from palm oil decanter cake(2017-01-01) Chonticha Rongwang; Supawadee Polprasert; Suwimon Kanchanasuta; Mahidol University; Center of Excellence on Environmental Health and Toxicology© Copyright 2017, AIDIC Servizi S.r.l. In the present work, the effect of partial ozonation and thermal pretreatment on the CH4 production by the anaerobic digestion of palm oil decanter cake was studied. Decanter cake is an attractive feedstock because of high biodegradable organic contents (50 and 31 %ww-1cellulose and hemicellulose). Partial ozonation with 250 mg/hr O3loading for 20 and 60 minutes increased total sugar releasing and finally improved the performance of anaerobic fermentation based on the CH4yield and maximum biogas production potential (P). Xylose was the main pentose sugar hydrolyzed on hemicellulose structure for the partial ozonation pretreatment. Thermal pretreatment achieved higher total sugar releasing compared with the partial ozonation pretreatment for most cases. Besides, thermal pretreatment displayed strong effect on short lag time (1.8 d) for microbial adaptation in the fermentation system compared with ozonation pretreatment and nonpretreatment (2.6 and 4.3 d). However, the maximum methane yield (581 mL CH4/g TSadded) and energy recovery (2.9 kJ) were obtained from the partial ozonation pretreatment for 60 min. Similarly, the maximum waste reduction based on TS removal was about 33% observed from the partial ozonation pretreatment for 60 min. Therefore, to improve the biogas production in overall process and enhance the waste utilization, integrating ozonation pretreatment with two stage fermentation would be suggested.Publication Metadata only Shear bond strength and ARI score of chemically cured orthodontic adhesive resins(2017-01-01) Pacharapilai Nidhiritdhikrai; Niwat Anuwongnukroh; Surachai Dechkunakorn; Wassana Wichai; Mahidol University© 2017 Trans Tech Publications. The purpose of this study was to compare shear bond strength and to evaluate Adhesive Remnant Index (ARI) score among three chemically cured orthodontic adhesive resins, namely Unite (3M Unitek, USA), Rely-a-Bond (Reliance, USA) and Ortho-Force (China). Materials and methods: Ninety extracted human maxillary premolars were randomly divided into 3 groups (30 teeth/group). Upper premolar metal brackets (Ormco, USA) were boned by using the following adhesive systems: Unite, Rely-a-Bond and Ortho-Force. After 24 hours, shear bond strength was tested by using a Universal Testing Machine with a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min. After debonding, all teeth and brackets were examined under 10-times magnification and scored by using Image-Pro Plus 7.0 software program. Results: One-way ANOVA followed by post-hoc Tukey HSD multiple comparison test showed a statistically significant (P<0.05) difference among groups. Ortho-Force had the lowest shear bond strength (17.53±3.60 MPa) and demonstrated statistically significant difference (P<0.05) from the other groups. The difference between Unite (22.40±3.11 MPa) and Rely-a-Bond (20.67±2.70 MPa) was not statistically significant. The bond failure sites were categorized according to the ARI, and the Chi-square test showed significant differences in the ARI scores (P<0.05) among all sample groups. The ARI score of 3 was found to be the most prevalent in Ortho-force (73.33%), followed by Unite (66.67%), and Rely-a-Bond (0%). In Rely-a-Bond group, ARI score of 1 was the most prevalent (66.67%). Only Unite had no residual adhesive left on tooth surface after debonding (6.67%). Conclusions: Unite and Rely-a-Bond produced greater shear bond strength than Ortho-Force. According to ARI score, Unite and Ortho-Force had a high frequency of all the adhesive remained on the tooth surface but Rely-a-Bond had high frequency of less than half the adhesive remained on the tooth surface.Publication Metadata only Synergistic effect of forbesione from Garcinia hanburyi in combination with 5-fluorouracil on cholangiocarcinoma(2017-12-01) Parichart Boueroy; Chariya Hahnvajanawong; Thidarut Boonmars; Sunitta Saensa-ard; Wareeporn Wattanawongdon; Charuphan Kongsanthia; Kanin Salao; Suwin Wongwajana; Natthinee Anantachoke; Vichai Reutrakul; Khon Kaen University; Liver Fluke and Cholangiocarcinoma Research Center; Mahidol UniversityBackground: Chemotherapy for advanced cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is largely ineffective; thus innovative combinations of chemotherapeutic agents and natural compounds represent a promising strategy. This study aimed to investigate the synergistic effects of forbesione combined with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in hamster cholangiocarcinoma (Ham-1) cells both in vitro and in vivo. The anti-tumor effects of 5-FU combined with forbesione in vitro were determined using the Sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay and the effects in vivo were assessed in transplanted Ham-1 allograph models. Using ethidium bromide/acridine orange (EB/AO) staining, the morphological changes of apoptotic cells was investigated. The expressions of apoptosis-related molecules after combined treatment with forbesione and 5-FU were determined using real-time RT-PCR and western blot analysis. Forbesione or 5-FU alone inhibited proliferation of Ham-1 cells in a dose-dependent manner and their combination showed a synergistic proliferation inhibitory effect in vitro. In vivo studies, forbesione in combination with 5-FU exhibited greater inhibition of the tumor in the hamster model compared with treatment using either drug alone. Forbesione combined with 5-FU exerted stronger apoptotic induction in Ham-1 cells than did single drug treatment. The combination of drugs strongly suppressed the expression of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) and procaspase-3 while enhancing the expression of p53, Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), apoptotic protease activating factor-1 (Apaf-1), caspase-9 and caspase-3, compared with single drug treatments. These results explained the decreased expression of cytokeratin 19 (CK19) positive cells and proliferation cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) positive cells in Ham-1 cell tumor tissues of the treated hamsters. There was no apparent systemic toxicity observed in the treated animals compared with the control groups. Forbesione combined with 5-FU strongly induced apoptosis in Ham-1 cells. The growth inhibitory effect of combined treatment using these two drugs was much greater than treatment with either drug alone, both in vitro and in vivo.Publication Metadata only Therapeutic trial of doxycyclin plus ivermectin for the treatment of Brugia malayi naturally infected cats(2017-10-15) Ladawan Khowawisetsut; Patsharaporn T. Sarasombath; Suwich Thammapalo; Sumart Loymek; Therayot Korbarsa; Hathai Nochote; Achinya Phuakrod; Wej Choochote; Sirichit Wongkamchai; Mahidol University; Thailand Ministry of Public Health; Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University© 2017 Elsevier B.V. Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is one of the neglected tropical diseases which causes permanent and long term disability worldwide. LF is caused by filarial nematode parasites, i.e. Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, and B. timori. All available antifilarial drugs currently being used have shown a limited adulticidal activity. Discoveries of endosymbiont rickettsia-like bacterium, Wolbachia in filarial nematodes provided a novel approach for antibiotic use in eradication of filarial diseases. The earlier studies revealed the macrofilaricidal efficacy of doxycycline against filarial nematodes. Chemotherapeutic efficiency of doxycycline has been studied against many filarial parasites, but there are still no therapeutic trials of the drug regimens for B. malayi treatment in naturally infected cats. Thus, this study would be the first attempt to study the efficiency of doxycycline (DOXY) alone or in combination with ivermectin (IVM) for treatment of B. malayi in naturally infected cats. A total of 26 B. malayi-infected cats in the endemic areas were recruited and divided into 3 groups, receiving different treatment regimens; a single dose of ivermectin only (IVM), doxycycline only (DOXY) and a combination of ivermectin and doxycycline (DOXY-IVM). The efficacy of each therapatic regimen was evaluated by detecting the presence of microfilaria using parasitological and molecular techniques monthly up to 2 years after starting the treatment. The IVM treated group had a significant rapid reduction of microfilariae in the first month; however, recurrence of microfilaraemia was observed in some cats. By contrast, the DOXY and DOXY-IVM groups showed a better result with a gradual decrease in microfilariae with no recurrence. These 2 groups were not only virtually deprived of infection but also sustained the sterility of infection through the course of study. These results revealed the advantages of using in B. malayi treatment in cats. Doxycycline showed to have both microfilaricidal and adulticidal effects on lymphatic filariae which maintained the long-term response to control of B. malayi infection in cats.Publication Metadata only The LXCXE Retinoblastoma Protein-Binding Motif of FOG-2 Regulates Adipogenesis(2017-12-19) Olivier Goupille; Tipparat Penglong; Zahra Kadri; Marine Granger-Locatelli; Raphaël Denis; Serge Luquet; Cécile Badoual; Suthat Fucharoen; Leila Maouche-Chrétien; Philippe Leboulch; Stany Chrétien; Universite Paris-Saclay; Mahidol University; Universite Paris 7- Denis Diderot; Hopital Europeen Georges-Pompidou; Inserm; Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School© 2017 The Author(s) GATA transcription factors and their FOG cofactors play a key role in tissue-specific development and differentiation, from worms to humans. Mammals have six GATA and two FOG factors. We recently demonstrated that interactions between retinoblastoma protein (pRb) and GATA-1 are crucial for erythroid proliferation and differentiation. We show here that the LXCXE pRb-binding site of FOG-2 is involved in adipogenesis. Unlike GATA-1, which inhibits cell division, FOG-2 promotes proliferation. Mice with a knockin of a Fog2 gene bearing a mutated LXCXE pRb-binding site are resistant to obesity and display higher rates of white-to-brown fat conversion. Thus, each component of the GATA/FOG complex (GATA-1 and FOG-2) is involved in pRb/E2F regulation, but these molecules have markedly different roles in the control of tissue homeostasis. Goupille et al. find that a mutation of the FOG-2 LXCXE pRb-binding site decreases cell proliferation and affects adipogenesis in vitro and in vivo. Fog2Rb−/Rb−mutant mice are resistant to obesity, and they present abnormal WAT/BAT conversion and lactate production. Oxamate treatment results in phenotype reversion in these mice.Publication Metadata only The activation of B cells enhances DC-SIGN expression and promotes susceptibility of B cells to HPAI H5N1 infection(2017-09-02) Prasit Na-Ek; Jutarat Thewsoongnoen; Maytawan Thanunchai; Suwimon Wiboon-Ut; Noppadol Sa-Ard-Iam; Rangsini Mahanonda; Arunee Thitithanyanont; Mahidol University; Vajira Hospital; Chulalongkorn University© 2017 Elsevier Inc. The interplay between highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus and immune cells has been extensively studied for years, as host immune components are thought to play significant roles in promoting the systemic spread of the virus and responsible for cytokine storm. Previous studies suggested that the interaction of B cells and monocytes could promote HPAI H5N1 infection by enhancing avian influenza virus receptor expression. In this study, we further investigate the relationship between the HPAI H5N1 virus, activated B cells, and DC-SIGN expression. DC-SIGN has been described as an important factor for mediating various types of viral infection. Here, we first demonstrate that HPAI H5N1 infection could induce an activation of B cells, which was associated with DC-SIGN expression. Using CD40L and recombinant IL-4 for B cell stimulation, we determined that DC-SIGN expressed on activated B cells was able to enhance its susceptibility to HPAI H5N1 infection. Our findings uncover the interplay between this H5N1 virus and B cells and provide important information in understanding how the virus overcomes our immune system, contributing to its unusual immunopathogenesis.Publication Metadata only Protocols for sperm cryopreservation in the domestic cat: A review(2017-08-01) K. Buranaamnuay; Mahidol University© 2017 Elsevier B.V. The main objectives of sperm cryopreservation in domestic cats are to preserve these gametes for future use, especially in valuable domestic cat breeds and to use knowledge-gained for developing sperm preservation techniques in wild felids that are threatened with extinction. To achieve acceptable quality of post-thaw sperm and results after insemination, sperm samples must be properly handled, cryopreserved and thawed by using appropriate protocols. In this paper, cryopreservation protocols of domestic cat sperm that have been reported previously are described. The subtopics include sources of sperm, freezing extenders, methods of sperm dilution, freezing storage vessels, methods of sperm cryopreservation, thawing temperature, and thawing extenders. In addition, comparisons of sperm quality results for different treatments within the same studies and between different studies are also presented.Publication Metadata only Sericin-binded-deprotenized natural rubber film containing chitin whiskers as elasto-gel dressing(2017-08-01) Anyarat Watthanaphanit; Ratana Rujiravanit; Mahidol University; Chulalongkorn University© 2017 Elsevier B.V. Here, we aims to demonstrate a simple concept in biomaterials design by using natural resources solely as raw materials to fabricate elastic wound care dressing. Elasto-gel films comprise of silk sericin (SRC), natural rubber (NR), and chitin whisker (CTW) were developed. A glue-like protein SRC found in silk cocoons is beneficial for the treatment of wounds due to its superior skin moisturizing ability. However, the pure SRC film is generally difficult to be fabricated because of its weak structural feature. This limitation was overcome by using NR as a binder which consecutively rendered elasticity and strength of the films. CTW was chosen as another component to promote ability of the films for tissue restoration. Before the film formation, protein in the natural rubber latex (NRL) was removed to avoid allergic and cytotoxic problems. The enzyme-treated NR/SRC (ETNR/SRC) films having different blend compositions were fabricated by solution casting technique. The highest amount of the SRC to gain an easy to handle ETNR/SRC film was 30%. The ETNR/SRC/CTW films having 20% SRC were fabricated and studied in comparison. Essential properties of the films as elastic wound care dressings were investigated and effect of the materials chemistry on the observed properties were discussed.Publication Metadata only Desktop tower defense is NP-hard(2017-01-01) Vasin Suttichaya; Mahidol University© Springer International Publishing AG 2017. This paper proves the hardness of the Desktop Tower Defense game. Specifically, the problem of determining where to locate k turrets in the grid of size n × n in order to maximize the minimum distance from the starting point to the terminating point is shown to be NP-hard. The proof applied to the generalized version of the Desktop Tower Defense.Publication Metadata only Polymerization efficacy affects the long-term mini-interfacial fracture toughness(2017-01-01) Pong Pongprueksa; Jan de Munck; Bruno C. Barreto; Bart van Meerbeek; KU Leuven– University Hospital Leuven; Mahidol UniversityPurpose: To evaluate the effect of the type and concentration of photo-initiator on the long-term bonding efficacy to dentin in terms of mini-interfacial fracture toughness (mini-iFT). Materials and Methods: The bonding efficacy of the one-step self-etch (SE) adhesive Clearfil S3 Bond Plus and four derivative experimental adhesives (Leuven University Bond [LUB]), which were similar in composition except for the (co)photo-initiators (all prepared by Kuraray Noritake), containing 2.0 wt% camphorquinone (CQ) and 2.0 wt% EDMAB (LUB-CQ/amine_high), 0.35 wt% CQ and 0.35 wt% EDMAB (LUB-CQ/amine_low ), 2.0 wt% TPO (LUB-TPO_ high), and 0.35 wt% TPO (LUB-TPO_low), was measured using a mini-iFT approach after being aged for 6 months and 1 year by water storage at 37°C (control: 1 week mini-iFT). The mini-iFT specimens were loaded until failure in a 4-point bending device to determine the interfacial fracture toughness (KIc). All fractured specimens were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results: The mini-iFT of Clearfil S3Bond Plus and the adhesives with high photo-initiator concentrations was not significantly different at 6 months, although it dropped significantly at 1 year. For each storage period, the mini-iFT of the adhesives with high photo-initiator concentrations was not significantly different from that of the commercial adhesive, in contrast to the significantly lower mini-iFT measured for adhesives with low concentrations of photo-initiator. SEM fracture analysis revealed that the adhesives with high concentrations of photo-initiator most frequently failed at the top of the hybrid layer at 1 week, while this failure pattern shifted to the bottom of the hybrid layer after aging. Conclusion: A one-step self-etch adhesive should contain photo-initiator in a sufficiently high concentration, as this directly improves its immediate and long-term bonding efficacy to dentin. While the mini-iFT remained stable up to 6 month of aging for both the commercial and the adhesive with a high concentration of photo-initiator, the mini-iFT was found to decrease after 1 year of aging.Publication Metadata only β-Adrenergic receptor and insulin resistance in the heart(2017-01-01) Supachoke Mangmool; Tananat Denkaew; Warisara Parichatikanond; Hitoshi Kurose; Mahidol University; Kyushu University© 2017 The Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology. Insulin resistance is characterized by the reduced ability of insulin to stimulate tissue uptake and disposal of glucose including cardiac muscle. These conditions accelerate the progression of heart failure and increase cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with cardiovascular diseases. It is noteworthy that some conditions of insulin resistance are characterized by up-regulation of the sympathetic nervous system, resulting in enhanced stimulation of β-adrenergic receptor (βAR). Overstimulation of βARs leads to the development of heart failure and is associated with the pathogenesis of insulin resistance in the heart. However, pathological consequences of the cross-talk between the βAR and the insulin sensitivity and the mechanism by which βAR overstimulation promotes insulin resistance remain unclear. This review article examines the hypothesis that βARs overstimulation leads to induction of insulin resistance in the heart.Publication Metadata only Photorhabdus luminescens subsp. Namnaonensis subsp. nov., isolated from Heterorhabditis baujardi nematodes(2017-04-01) Stefanie P. Glaeser; Nicholas J. Tobias; Aunchalee Thanwisai; Narisara Chantratita; Helge B. Bode; Peter Kämpfer; Justus Liebig University Giessen; Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main; Mahidol University© 2017 IUMS. A lightly yellowish-pigmented, oxidase-negative bacterial strain (PB45.5T) isolated from the Nam Nao district of Phetchabun in central Thailand was investigated to determine its taxonomic position. Cells of the isolate showed a rod shaped appearance. The strain stained Gram-negative. Strain PB45.5Tshared highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with the type strains of Photorhabdus luminescens subsp. akhurstii (99.2 %) and Photorhabdus luminescens subsp. hainanensis (99.1 %) and lower similarities to all other Photorhabdus luminescens subspecies (<98.0 %). Multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) based on concatenated partial recA, dnaN, gltX, gyrB and infB gene sequences confirmed the affiliation obtained by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis but showed a clear distinction of PB45.5Tfrom the closest related type strains. Strain PB45.5Tshared only 96.9% sequence similarity (concatenated nucleotide sequences) with P. luminescens subsp. akhurstii FRG04Tand 96.8% with P. luminescens subsp. hainanensis C8404T. The fatty acid profile of the strain consisted of the major fatty acids C14: 0, C16: 0, C17: 0cyclo, C16: 1ω7c and/or iso-C15: 02-OH, and C18: 1ω7c. The MLSA results and the differential biochemical and chemotaxonomic properties showed that strain PB45.5Trepresents a novel P. luminescens subspecies, for which the name Photorhabdus luminescens subsp. namnaonensis subsp. nov. (type strain PB45.5T=LMG 29915T=CCM 8729T) is proposed.Publication Metadata only Thailand national guidelines for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV 2016(2017-04-01) Rangsima Lolekha; Kulkanya Chokephaibulkit; Nittaya Phanuphak; Surasith Chaithongwongwatthana; Sasisopin Kietiburanakul; Pleonchan Chetchotisakd; Sarawut Boonsuk; Thailand Ministry of Public Health; Mahidol University; Thai Red Cross AIDS Research Centre; Chulalongkorn University; Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University© 2017, Asian Biomedicine. All rights reserved. Background: Thailand validated the elimination of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV in June 2016 (meeting World Health Organization target < 2%). The Thailand National HIV Guidelines Working Group issued a new version of its national Prevention of MTCT guidelines in December 2016 aimed to reduce MTCT rate to less than 1% by 2020. Objectives: To organize national stakeholders for a new MTCT of HIV to further reduce MTCT of HIV Methods: The US CDC, Division of Global HIV/AIDS, medical scores, the Thai Red Cross AIDS Research Centers, and the Ministry of Public Health collaborated to develop Thailand National Guidelines for prevention of MTCT of HIV Results: The guidelines included recommending initiation antepartum highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) containing tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) plus lamivudine (3TC) plus efavirenz (EFV) regardless of CD4 cell count as soon as HIV is diagnosed for antiretroviral treatment (ART) naïve HIV-infected pregnant women. An alternative regimen is TDF or zidovudine (AZT) plus 3TC plus lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r) for the HIV-infected pregnant woman suspected to have NNRTI resistance. Treatment should be started immediately irrespective of gestational age and continue after delivery for life. Raltegravir is recommended in addition to HAART regimen for HIV-infected pregnant women who present late at ANC (gestational age (GA) ≥ 32 weeks) or those who have viral load (VL) > 1000 copies/mL at GA > 32 weeks. HIV-infected pregnant women who conceive while receiving HAART should continue this effective treatment regimen during pregnancy. HIV-infected pregnant women who present in labor and do not receiving HAART should receive single-dose nevira pine (SD-NVP) immediately along with oral AZT, initiate and continue HAART for life. Infants born to HIV-infected mothers are categorized into two groups (high risk vs. standard risk) based on their risk for MTCT. High MTCT risk is defined as an infant whose mother has VL > 50 copies/mL at GA > 36 weeks or has received HAART less than 12 weeks prior to delivery, or has poor ART adherence. These infants should be initiated AZT plus 3TC plus NVP for six weeks after delivery. Infants with standard MTCT risk should receive AZT syrup for 4 weeks. Exclusive formula feeding is recommended for all HIV-exposed infants. Conclusions: In addition to ARV therapy, other coordinated care are essential to further reduce MTCT of HIV in Thailand.Publication Metadata only Agomelatine, venlafaxine, and running exercise effectively prevent anxiety- and depression-like behaviors and memory impairment in restraint stressed rats(2017-11-01) Sarawut Lapmanee; Jantarima Charoenphandhu; Jarinthorn Teerapornpuntakit; Nateetip Krishnamra; Narattaphol Charoenphandhu; Mahidol University; Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University; Naresuan University© 2017 Lapmanee et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Several severe stressful situations, e.g., natural disaster, infectious disease out break, and mass casualty, are known to cause anxiety, depression and cognitive impairment, and preventive intervention for these stress complications is worth exploring. We have previously reported that the serotonin-norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor, venlafaxine, as well as voluntary wheel running are effective in the treatment of anxiety- and depression-like behaviors in stressed rats. But whether they are able to prevent deleterious consequences of restraint stress in rats, such as anxiety/depression-like behaviors and memory impairment that occur afterward, was not known. Herein, male Wistar rats were pre-treated for 4 weeks with anti-anxiety/anti-depressive drugs, agomelatine and venlafaxine, or voluntary wheel running, followed by 4 weeks of restraint-induced stress. During the stress period, rats received neither drug nor exercise intervention. Our results showed that restraint stress induced mixed anxiety- and depression-like behaviors, and memory impairment as determined by elevated plus-maze, elevated T-maze, open field test (OFT), forced swimming test (FST), and Morris water maze (MWM). Both pharmacological pre-treatments and running successfully prevented the anxiety-like behavior, especially learned fear, in stressed rats. MWM test suggested that agomelatine, venlafaxine, and running could prevent stress-induced memory impairment, but only pharmacological treatments led to better novel object recognition behavior and positive outcome in FST. Moreover, western blot analysis demonstrated that venlafaxine and running exercise upregulated brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression in the hippocampus. In conclusion, agomelatine, venlafaxine as well as voluntary wheel running had beneficial effects, i.e., preventing the restraint stress-induced anxiety/depression-like behaviors and memory impairment.Publication Metadata only Characterising private and shared signatures of positive selection in 37 Asian populations(2017-04-01) Xuanyao Liu; Dongsheng Lu; Woei Yuh Saw; Philip J. Shaw; Pongsakorn Wangkumhang; Chumpol Ngamphiw; Suthat Fucharoen; Worachart Lert-Itthiporn; Kwanrutai Chin-Inmanu; Tran Nguyen Bich Chau; Katie Anders; Anuradhani Kasturiratne; H. Janaka De Silva; Tomohiro Katsuya; Ryosuke Kimura; Toru Nabika; Takayoshi Ohkubo; Yasuharu Tabara; Fumihiko Takeuchi; Ken Yamamoto; Mitsuhiro Yokota; Dolikun Mamatyusupu; Wenjun Yang; Yeun Jun Chung; Li Jin; Boon Peng Hoh; Ananda R. Wickremasinghe; Ricktwee Hee Ong; Chiea Chuen Khor; Sarah J. Dunstan; Cameron Simmons; Sissades Tongsima; Prapat Suriyaphol; Norihiro Kato; Shuhua Xu; Yik Ying Teo; National University of Singapore; Shanghai Institute for Biological Sciences Chinese Academy of Sciences; Thailand National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology; Mahidol University; University of Oxford; Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine; University of Kelaniya; Osaka University; University of the Ryukyus; Shimane University; Teikyo University; Kyoto University; National Center for Global Health and Medicine; Kurume University; Aichi Gakuin University; Xinjiang University; Ningxia Medical College; The Catholic University of Korea; Fudan University; UCSI University; A-Star, Genome Institute of Singapore; University of Melbourne; ShanghaiTech University; Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development© 2017 Macmillan Publishers Limited, part of Springer Nature. All rights reserved. The Asian Diversity Project (ADP) assembled 37 cosmopolitan and ethnic minority populations in Asia that have been densely genotyped across over half a million markers to study patterns of genetic diversity and positive natural selection. We performed population structure analyses of the ADP populations and divided these populations into four major groups based on their genographic information. By applying a highly sensitive algorithm haploPS to locate genomic signatures of positive selection, 140 distinct genomic regions exhibiting evidence of positive selection in at least one population were identified. We examined the extent of signal sharing for regions that were selected in multiple populations and observed that populations clustered in a similar fashion to that of how the ancestry clades were phylogenetically defined. In particular, populations predominantly located in South Asia underwent considerably different adaptation as compared with populations from the other geographical regions. Signatures of positive selection present in multiple geographical regions were predicted to be older and have emerged prior to the separation of the populations in the different regions. In contrast, selection signals present in a single population group tended to be of lower frequencies and thus can be attributed to recent evolutionary events.Publication Metadata only Comparisons of the outcomes between early and late tocilizumab treatment in systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis(2017-02-01) Thita Pacharapakornpong; Sakda Arj Ong Vallibhakara; Butsabong Lerkvaleekul; Soamarat Vilaiyuk; Mahidol University© 2016, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg. Around 40% of systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SJIA) in Thailand is steroid dependent or fails to respond to conventional therapy; therefore, tocilizumab (TCZ), a humanized anti-IL-6 receptor antibody, was indicated in these patients. Due to financial problems, some patients cannot receive TCZ treatment immediately following failure of the conventional treatment occurs, leading to disability and poor quality of life. Therefore, this study focused on the outcomes between early and late TCZ treatment in SJIA patients. This was an observational study. Baseline characteristics and disease severity were collected. Patients were divided into the early TCZ treatment group and the late TCZ treatment group. The outcomes of this study were the remission rates by the end of the study and treatment response using the American College of Rheumatology Pediatric (ACR Pedi) 30, 50, 70 criteria at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after TCZ initiation. Descriptive analyses were conducted to determine the outcomes. Twenty-three SJIA patients were included in this study. At the end of this study, patients in the early TCZ treatment had a remission rate of 54.5%, whereas none in the late TCZ treatment achieved remission. At the 12-month follow-up, 10 patients (91%) in the early TCZ treatment group and 6 patients (50%) in the late TCZ achieved ACR Pedi 70. The outcomes of TCZ treatment in SJIA patients depend on the time to start TCZ treatment. In the early TCZ treatment, SJIA patients had a higher remission rate and better treatment response than patients who received TCZ treatment late.Publication Metadata only Production and characterization of a monoclonal antibody specific to 16 kDa antigen of Paramphistomum gracile(2017-01-01) Panat Anuracpreeda; Amaya Watthanadirek; Runglawan Chawengkirttikul; Prasert Sobhon; Mahidol University; Faculty of Environment and Resource Studies, Mahidol University© 2016, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg. A number of monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) against the 16 kDa antigen of Paramphistomum gracile (16 kDaAgPg) were produced in vitro by hybridoma technique. Reactivity and specificity of these MoAbs were evaluated by ELISA and immunoblotting assays. Seven MoAb clones were selected from the stable hybridoma clones, namely 1D10, 2D7, 3B10, 3D9, 4F1, 4G4, and 5G12. It was found to be IgM and kappa light chain isotypes. By immunoblotting and ELISA, all MoAbs reacted with purified 16 kDaAgPg at molecular weight (MW) of 16 kDa and with the native 16 kDa antigen at MW of 16 kDa in the whole body (WB) and excretory-secretory (ES) fractions, but not with tegumental antigens (TA) of adult fluke. All of these MoAbs showed no cross-reactions with antigens of other parasites commonly found in ruminants, including Eurytrema pancreaticum, Gigantocotyle explanatum, Schistosoma spindale, Moniezia benedeni, Avitellina centripunctata, Haemonchus placei, Trichuris sp., and Setaria labiato-papillosa. Localization and distribution of the native 16 kDaAg in adult P. gracile by immunohistochemistry, using MoAbs as probes, showed that the native 16 kDaAg was present in high concentration in the cytoplasm of vitelline cells, eggshell globules, and the shells of eggs, but not in the tegument, muscle, parenchymal cells, and cecum of adult fluke. This finding indicated that the 16 kDaAg is a copiously expressed parasite protein that is released into the ES; thus, 16 kDaAg and its MoAb could be a good candidate for immunodiagnosis of paramphistomosis in ruminants.Publication Metadata only Prediction of asbestos cement water pipe aging and pipe prioritization using Monte Carlo simulation(2017-01-01) Wonsiri Punurai; Davis, Paul; Mahidol University. Faculty of Engineering. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering; Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization© 2017, Chulalongkorn University 1. All rights reserved. For buried Asbestos cement (AC) pipes in service, internal and external surface degradation occur by dissolution or leaching of cement-based components leading to loss of pipe strength. Since water quality and soil environment cannot be completely specified along a pipeline, a management methodology for AC water pipelines is required to estimate the probability of pipe failure as ageing proceeds. The paper describes the technique and its application to experimental data, which illustrates in three parts. First, the degradation rates in AC pipes are computed from 360 aggregated independent pipe segments residual strength test data taken from different pipe diameter sizes used in various water utilities locations in Thailand. Second, the predictions of service lifetime for AC pipes are estimated using Monte Carlo simulation in conjunction with the physical failure state formulations. Output from the simulation provides a number of failures recorded over time, which then allows the economic analysis for optimal pipe replacement scheduling. All is described in the third part. The end results can be used for water utilities to allocate government funds for future pipe maintenance activities.Publication Metadata only Occurrence of heavy metals and radionuclides in sediments and seawater in mangrove ecosystems in Pattani Bay, Thailand(2017-03-01) Pungtip Kaewtubtim; Weeradej Meeinkuirt; Sumalee Seepom; John Pichtel; Prince of Songkla University; Mahidol University; Ball State University© 2017, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg. Mangrove ecosystems in Pattani Bay, Thailand are considered representatives for monitoring the occurrence of anthropogenic and natural pollution due to metal and radionuclide contamination. Sediments and seawater were collected from five locations to determine metal (Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Zn, and Pb) and radionuclide (226Ra, 232Th, and 40K) concentrations. Spatial variations in metal and radionuclide concentrations were determined among the sampling sites. A geoaccumulation index (Igeo) and enrichment factor (EF) were used to classify the impacts of metals from anthropogenic point sources. Significant values for Igeo and EF were measured for Pb in site 4 (Igeo 0.65; EF 28.2) and Cd in site 1 (Igeo 1.48; EF 46.2). EF values in almost all sampling sites were >1 which indicates anthropogenic pollution. To assess the potential public hazard of radioactivity, the average radium equivalent activity (Raeq), the external hazard index (Hex), the internal hazard index (Hin), the absorbed dose rate in air (D), and the annual effective outdoor dose rate (E) were determined. Based on these measurements, it is concluded that the probability of human health risk from radionuclides is low. However, the absorbed dose in air (D) values in sites 4 and 5 were greater than the global average value of 55 nGy h−1, indicating that sediments in these locations pose a radiological hazard. The data obtained in this study provides useful information on metal and radionuclide background levels in mangrove sediments and seawater, and can be applied toward human health risk assessment and metal and radionuclide mapping.