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- ItemAmelioration of ovalbumin-induced lung inflammation in a mouse model by Trichinella spiralis novel cystatin(2023-11-01) Thammasonthijarern N.; Boonnak K.; Reamtong O.; Krasae T.; Thankansakul J.; Phongphaew W.; Ampawong S.; Adisakwattana P.; Thammasonthijarern N.; Mahidol UniversityBackground and Aims: Asthma, a chronic disease affecting humans and animals, has recently become increasingly prevalent and steadily widespread. The alternative treatment of asthma using helminth infections or helminth-derived immunomodulatory molecules (IMs) has been evaluated and demonstrated significant amelioration of disease severity index in vitro and in vivo. Trichinella spiralis, a parasitic nematode and its IMs, elicits a potential to relieve asthma and other immune-related disorders. In this study, we investigated the immunomodulatory function of recombinant T. spiralis novel cystatin (rTsCstN) in ameliorating acute inflammatory asthma disorders in a murine model. Materials and Methods: Female BALB/c mice were sensitized using intraperitoneal injection of ovalbumin (OVA)/alum and subsequently challenged with intranasal administration of OVA alone or OVA + rTsCstN for 3 consecutive days, producing OVA-induced allergic asthma models. To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of rTsCstN, the inflammatory cells and cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and OVA-specific immunoglobulin E levels in serum were assessed. Histological alterations in the lung tissues were determined by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and eventually scored for the extent of inflammatory cell infiltration. Results: The asthmatic mouse models challenged with OVA + rTsCstN demonstrated a significant reduction of eosinophils (p < 0.01), macrophages (p < 0.05), and cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α (p < 0.05) and interferon (IFN)-γ (p < 0.05) in BALF when compared with the mice challenged with OVA alone. However, the levels of interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-10 remained unchanged. Histological examination revealed that mice administered OVA + rTsCstN were less likely to have inflammatory cell infiltration in their perivascular and peribronchial lung tissues than those administered OVA alone. Conclusion: Recombinant T. spiralis novel cystatin demonstrated immunomodulatory effects to reduce severe pathogenic alterations in asthma mouse models, encouraging a viable alternative treatment for asthma and other immunoregulatory disorders in humans and animals in the future.
- ItemA Case Study of Factors of Soft Leadership in Higher Education Institutions of Yunnan Province, China(2023-01-01) Yang C.; Chanseangsee S.; Yang C.; Mahidol UniversityThis research employed an exploratory sequential research design, commencing with a qualitative phase followed by a quantitative phase. The initial qualitative segment utilized a semi-structured research design to investigate the determinants of soft leadership exhibited by leaders within Chinese Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). The study enlisted 12 key informants, comprising presidents and deans, and an additional 24 minor key i nformant s, consi st i ng of t eachers. Data analysis involved content analysis, leading to the identification of six objective factors and six subjective factors that contribute to the configuration of soft leadership. The objective factors encompassed gender, age, working experience, lifelong learning,education and training, and working environment, while the subjective factors encompassed effective communication and consideration, triggering self-reflection of subordination, forward-looking based on past experience, acceptance of others' abilities, staying attuned to the younger generation, and introspective self-assessment. Following the initial phase findings, a 30-question questionnaire derived from the six subjective factors was administered. Five hundred questionnaires were distributed to presidents, deans, administrators, and teachers, with 422 returned and subjected to exploratory factor analysis. The results demonstrated that all factors scored around 90%, affirming the significant contribution of each of the six factors to the development of soft leadership. Consequently, this study concludes that these six factors are imperative for embodying the traits of a soft leader.
- ItemTrackability of proteins from probiotic Bifidobacterium spp. in the gut using metaproteomics(2023-01-01) Hendrickx D.M.; An R.; Boeren S.; Mutte S.K.; Wopereis H.; Belzer C.; Chatchatee P.; Nowak Wegrzyn A.; Lange L.; Benjaponpitak S.; Wee Chong K.; Sangsupawanich P.; Van Ampting M.T.J.; Oude Nijhuis M.M.; Harthoorn L.F.; Langford J.E.; Knol J.; Knipping K.; Garssen J.; Trendelenburg V.; Pesek R.; Davis C.M.; Muraro A.; Erlewyn-Lajeunesse M.; Fox A.T.; Michaelis L.J.; Beyer K.; Noimark L.; Stiefel G.; Schauer U.; Hamelmann E.; Peroni D.; Boner A.; Hendrickx D.M.; Mahidol UniversityBeneficial effects of Bifidobacterium spp. on gut microbiota development and infant health have been reported earlier. Therefore, supplementation of infant formulas with probiotic bifidobacteria, as well as prebiotics stimulating bifidobacterial growth, has been proposed. Here, we studied the faecal microbiome of infants supplemented with specialized nutrition, of which some received a standard amino acid-based formula (AAF) and others an AAF with a specific mixture of prebiotics and a probiotic (synbiotics) using metaproteomics and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Faecal samples were taken at baseline, as well as after 6 and 12 months fed with the specialized formula. The aim was to compare microbial differences between infants treated with the standard AAF and those who received the additional synbiotics. Our findings show that infants who received AAF with synbiotics have significantly higher levels of Bifidobacteriaceae DNA as well as significantly increased levels of Coriobacteriaceae proteins, over time. Moreover, at visit 12 months higher levels of some bifidobacterial carbohydrate-active enzymes, known to metabolize oligosaccharides, were observed in the synbiotic group compared to the non-synbiotic group. The results indicate that the synbiotics provided in our study are trackable in faecal samples on the DNA and protein level during the intervention period.
- ItemHematological Evaluation of Three Common Teleosts in Relation to The Environmental Changes from Trang Province, Thailand(2023-09-30) Jeamah A.; Senarat S.; Kong-Oh S.; Sudtongkong C.; Wirachwong P.; Charoenphon N.; Kawjaeng N.; Kosiyachinda P.; Kenthao A.; Boonyoung P.; Jeamah A.; Mahidol UniversityHematological evaluation of fish is essential to the assessment of their physiological status. This study describes the morphometric analysis and comparison of blood cell characteristics in Zanarchopterus sp., Gerres filamentosus Cuvier, 1829 and Leiognathus decorus (De Vis, 1884). The species were collected at two locations off the coast of Trang Province, Thailand. A comparative hematological evaluation was made to assess the effects of environmental conditions on the blood of the fish. Ten individuals of each species were collected from a seagrass bed at Libong Island, where human activities are increasing, and from a secluded sandy beach. Their blood samples were analysed using the blood smear technique. Erythrocytes of all the studied fishes were either elliptical or oval. The morphometric data from both locations showed that erythrocytes were of similar size, except for those of Zanarchopterus sp. Fish from both stations showed several types of leukocytes, including neutrophils and lymphocytes.The highest proportion of leukocytes was made up of lymphocytes, followed by neutrophils. However, monocytes were only observed in fish from Libong Island and the erythrocytic nuclei of fish collected from Libong Island were both reniform and lobate. Our results show the potential of hematological evaluation as an early warning signal of environmental impacts on aquatic animals. The determination of baseline parameters could provide a tool for the monitoring of environmental quality.
- ItemAn introduction to legal, regulatory and intellectual property rights issues in biotechnology(2023-01-17) Stasi A.; Chiang David T.W.; Stasi A.; Mahidol UniversityBiotechnology, a branch of science and a fast-growing source of developing technologies, has shown immense potential for its utility across all the dimensions of our lives. Its applications range from drugs and therapeutics, industrial, household applications, biofuels, and information technology to almost all resource-based sectors, such as manufacturing, aquaculture, agriculture, and forestry. Biotechnology offers outstanding potential to meet the growing demand for food and energy production in a sustainable way. Recognizing its economic and strategic value, countries have implemented several measures to generate a homegrown biotechnology sector and help science-based companies develop. This book covers some of the most important legal issues arising in relation to biotechnology. Topics covered in chapters include 1) the historical development of a legal framework sufficient to protect public safety, 2) the current biotechnology regulatory system and the rules directing the primary agencies that regulate the products of biotechnology (namely the FDA, USDA and EPA), 3) the regulation of human genome editing and its impact on health research, 4) law and emerging genome editing technologies from recombinant DNA technology to CRISPR/Cas9 editing, 5) the development of legal principles to protect property rights in the human body and allow the efficient use of human tissue, organs, DNA, and cell-lines in medical research, and 6) legal issues arising from the use of genetic engineered plants and animals. The authors have ensured that the contents are easy to understand, making this an accessible reference for a broad range of readers. This book, therefore, serves as a quick summary of the prominent legal and regulatory issues in the biotech industry for professionals, as well as scholars in legal study programs.
- ItemBibliometric Review Methodology and State of the Science Review of Research on Problem-based Learning, 2017-2022(2023-12-31) Hallinger P.; Hallinger P.; Mahidol UniversityBibliometric reviews of research have gained increased popularity since the mid-2010s. Yet, many readers may be uncertain as to the purpose and method of bibliometric reviews. This article provides an introduction to bibliometric reviews, clarifies their purpose, and elaborates on methods of data collection, analysis, and interpretation. The latter half of the article is devoted to an illustrative, state-of-the-science, bibliometric review of research on problem-based learning (PBL). In this illustrative review, the author applied descriptive statistics, citation analysis, and co-citation analysis to a database of 5,764 Scopus-indexed documents on problem-based learning published between 2017 and 2022. The analyses found increasing diversity of the PBL knowledge base with respect to geographical sources, subject area origins, and focus of the research compared with findings reported in past reviews. Author co-citation analysis visualized the intellectual structure of the recent PBL literature revealing four dominant schools of thought: Interdisciplinary PBL Theory and Practice, Active Learning, Social and Experiential Learning, and PBL Process. The findings highlight the continuing growth and spread of PBL, as well as a trend of integration with other methods of experiential and active learning.
- ItemDevelopment and validation of UPLC-TQD/MS method for quantification of six bioactive constituents in Thai herbal Benjakul formula(2023-01-01) Trakoolsilp B.; Vannabhum M.; Akarasereenont P.; Booranasubkajorn S.; Trakoolsilp B.; Mahidol UniversityIntroduction: Thai herbal Benjakul formula (BKF) is a Thai traditional medicine for balancing and nourishing body elements in unhealthy persons. It is composed of five pungent plants, namely fruits of Piper retrofractum Vahl., roots of Piper sarmentosum Roxb., stems of Piper wallichii (Miq.) Hand.-Mazz., roots of Plumbago indica L., and rhizome of Zingiber officinale Roscoe. There was no efficient method for quantification of the bioactive constituents in BKF using UPLC-TQD/MS. Objective: The objective of the study was to establish a method for quantification of some constituents of BKF, namely pellitorine (PE), piperine (PI), piperlonguminine (PLM), plumbagin (PG), 6-gingerol (GI), and 6-shogaol (SG) using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer (UPLC-TQD/MS) and determine six bioactive constituents amount in Ayurved Siriraj® (AVS) and five brands of BKF randomly selected from the market. Materials and Methods: Six bioactive constituents were determined using UPLC-TQD/MS. The chromatographic separation was performed on a Waters ACQUITY UPLC® HSS T3 column using gradient elution with water and methanol. The method was fully validated in terms of the limit of detection, the lower limit of quantification precision, and recovery. Results: The method was a good linearity (R2 > 0.995) in the range of 1–75 ng/mL for all six bioactive constituents. The precision, accuracy, and recovery are in an acceptable range. The maximum concentrations of PE, PI, PLM, PG, GI, and SG in all samples were 0.342 ± 0.009%, 1.396 ± 0.020%, 0.080 ± 0.001%, 0.055 ± 0.003%, 0.165 ± 0.003%, and 0.175 ± 0.003%, w/w, respectively. Conclusion: This is the first study for quantification of the six standards in BKF using UPLC-TQD/MS. This method is useful in the quality control of BKF and can be used routinely in the manufacturing unit.
- ItemAnti-inflammatory activity of propolis extract from the stingless bee, Tetragonula pagdeni, in mangosteen orchard(2023-01-01) Parichatikanond W.; Mangmool S.; Chewchinda S.; Hirunpanich V.; Vongsak B.; Parichatikanond W.; Mahidol UniversityIn Thailand, Tetragonula pagdeni (TP) Schwarz is one of the most common and abundantly cultured stingless bee species in mangosteen orchards. The propolis extract of TP has been used as a traditional medicine to treat inflammation. TP propolis extract also exhibited antioxidant, antiproliferative, and antimicrobial properties in scientific reports. However, the anti-inflammatory effect of TP propolis extract has been limited. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of TP propolis extract through alteration of mRNA expression of genes involved in inflammatory processes, including cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and cytokines (e.g., tumor necrosis factor-α [TNF-α], interleukin-6 [IL-6], and interleukin-10 [IL-10]). High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis was used to quantify the amount of major compounds, α-and γ-mangostin. TP propolis extract suppressed mRNA levels of COX-2, iNOS, TNF-α, and IL-10 in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages and had no effect on IL-6 expression. HPLC quantification of α-and γ-mangostin yielded values of 36 and 34 μg/g extract, respectively. Therefore, we herein demonstrate that TP propolis extract exhibited an anti-inflammatory effect associated with the downregulation of genes involved in the inflammatory cascade. These findings suggest that TP propolis extract is a promising candidate as a nutraceutical or pharmaceutical product to relieve inflammation.
- ItemCURCUMA IGNEA (ZINGIBERACEAE), A SPECTACULAR NEW SPECIES FROM THAILAND(2023-02-16) Ruchisansakun S.; Jenjittikul T.; Ruchisansakun S.; Mahidol UniversityCurcuma ignea Ruchis. & Jenjitt., a new species in Curcuma subg. Ecomatae from Thailand, is described here. This species is distinct from others by the combination of open flowers and L-shaped anthers. It is most similar to Curcuma glans but differs by having anther spurs pointing outwards (vs divergent), remotely pilose corolla lobes (vs glabrous), and vivid red, green, to white bracts (vs pale green to green, with red veins). It is assessed as Endangered using IUCN categories and criteria.
- ItemClinical Manifestations(2023-12-01) Senanarong V.; Piyaamornpan N.; Srisuwannanukorn S.; Tangthamrongthanawat K.; Mekhasingharak P.; Rattanabannakit C.; Wongkom N.; Hunnangkul S.; Senanarong V.; Mahidol UniversityBACKGROUND: Tools for web-based testing to detect cognitive impairment are still underdeveloped in Thailand. Our aim was to generate a web-based instrument to assess cognitive and functional abilities and to explore its ability for diagnosis of dementia and MCI. METHOD: We have developed a web application for cognitive and functional assessment to detect cognitive impairment. We hoped that subjects or family members could use this web-based tests at home as self-screening. These web-based tests included an electronic version of the Thai Mental State Examination (e-TMSE), a clock drawing test, a category verbal fluency test, a short form of the Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE), and Thai activities of daily living scale (Thai ADL). Correlations, receiver operator curves (ROCs), sensitivity, and specificity were analyzed using SPSS (version 18). RESULT: A total of 198 participants (69% female, mean age 66.7 ± 10 years). 57.1% had education of more than 6 years. Forty-four were Major Neurocognitive Disorder, fifty-eight were Mild Neurocognitive Disorder (MCI), and ninety-six were normal controls. The e-TMSE correlated with both paper-pencil based TMSE(r = 0.80,p<0.001) as well as clock drawing test (r = 0.470 p<0.001). There were also statistically significant high correlations between digital and paper & pencil tests (e.g, category verbal fluency test, A short form of the IQCODE, and ADL). For diagnosis of dementia, e-TMSE achieved an AUC of 0.84 (95% bootstrapped CI [0.78, 0.90]. The cut-off score ≤23 offered sensitivity and specificity of 88.6% and 70.1% respectively. For diagnosis of dementia with the combination of 5 e-tests, the AUC was 0.832 (p<0.001), while for MCI diagnosis, the AUC was 0.615 (p = 0.013). The area under the ROC of the IQCODE combined with ADL scale test was 0.907 (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: We demonstrated that our web application that included: e-TMSE, clock drawing test, category verbal fluency test, IQCODE and Thai-ADL scale showed good correlation between digital vs paper-pencil tests. Individual e-test and combination of them can offer self screening for MCI and dementia.