Mahidol University's Institutional Repository
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Recent Submissions
Polystyrene Microplastic-Induced Cellular Alterations and Their Effects on Viral Entry (RSV, HCoV-OC43, EV-A71) and Viral Persistence
(2026-05-15) Niyomdecha N.; Srimorkun P.; Prasertsopon J.; Suanpan K.; Niyomdecha N.; Mahidol University
Microplastics (MPs) are emerging environmental pollutants with biological impacts extending beyond cytotoxicity, yet their interactions with viruses remain poorly understood. This study systematically investigated the cellular and virological effects of polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) using three medically relevant viruses─human coronavirus OC43 (HCoV-OC43), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and Enterovirus A71 (EV-A71)─across multiple human cell lines under identical experimental conditions. PS-MP exposure induced dose- and time-dependent cytotoxicity, G2/M cell-cycle arrest, and early apoptosis, including effects observed at subcytotoxic concentrations. Coexposure assays revealed increased detectable infection levels and enhanced cold-temperature persistence of enveloped viruses (HCoV-OC43 and RSV), whereas no comparable effect was observed for the nonenveloped EV-A71, suggesting preferential effects on viral stability rather than intrinsic infectivity. Under coexposure conditions, PS-MPs reduced type I interferon (IFN-α/β) expression, indicating impaired innate antiviral signaling, while modulation of IFITM3 expression varied depending on viral species and host cell context. Gene-expression analyses demonstrated virus-specific antiviral modulation with attenuated interferon-mediated antiviral priming during HCoV-OC43 infection and reduced IFITM3 expression in RSV-infected cells. Collectively, these findings indicate that PS-MPs act as environmental and biological cofactors that induce cellular stress, suppress antiviral immune responses, and promote viral stability under low-temperature conditions, with implications for viral persistence in contaminated ecosystems.
Effects of ambient temperature on hospitalizations for intestinal infectious diseases in Northeastern Thailand: Evidence from Health Region 10
(2026-04-01) Chuaykaew T.; Aimyong N.; Phosri A.; Chuaykaew T.; Mahidol University
The influence of ambient temperature on the transmission of intestinal infectious diseases is well established, but evidence from Thailand remains limited. This study aimed to examine the association between ambient temperature and hospitalizations for intestinal infectious diseases in Health Region 10, and to explore differences across age and sex groups. A time-stratified case-crossover design, with distributed lag non-linear model and conditional quasi-Poisson regression was used to estimate province-specific associations between temperature and hospitalizations for intestinal infectious diseases. We then applied a multivariate meta-regression model to pool the province-specific estimates and quantified the burden of hospital admissions for intestinal infectious diseases attributable to temperature. We observed a linear-like exposure–response relationship between ambient temperature and hospital admissions for intestinal infectious diseases at both the current-day exposure (lag 0) and the cumulative 0–7-day lag. Over lag 0–7 days, temperature contributed to 28.95% (95% eCI: 17.02, 47.45) of all intestinal infectious disease hospitalizations. Sex-stratified analyses showed comparable patterns, although the attributable fraction was slightly higher among females (32.80%) than males (24.74%). Age-specific analyses revealed that children had the most immediate temperature response at lag 0, whereas adults and the elderly experienced substantially greater cumulative burdens, with AFs of 42.71% and 41.65%, respectively, over lag 0–7 days. These findings highlight the substantial impact of temperatures on intestinal infectious disease burden in Northeastern Thailand. As climate change continues to intensify temperature extremes, strengthening disease surveillance and early warning systems in Thailand will be essential to mitigate temperature-related health risks in vulnerable populations.
A comparative study of predicting travel mode choice of school children using explainable machine learning techniques
(2026-05-01) Srisurin P.; Ahmad I.; Ali N.; Khan R.S.; Phuksuksakul N.; Hussain Q.; Suparp S.; Srisurin P.; Mahidol University
Prediction of mode choice of school children is an important research topic for transportation planning. Traditionally, mode choice studies of school children are conducted using statistical or simple machine learning techniques. Though statistical techniques provide a good basis for theoretical learning and interpretability, they are mostly based on unrealistic assumptions which might lead to biased predictions. Alternatively, machine learning approaches do not provide any theoretical basis, with poor interpretability and do not provide any insights about factors affecting behavioral aspects. To fill this gap, this research proposes explainable machine learning approaches to comprehend the mode choice prediction of school children in Sahiwal, Pakistan. Data was collected from different schools in Sahiwal district through questionnaire survey and 1,498 completed responses were collected for further analysis. Different explainable machine learning techniques (such as Logistic Regression, Decision Tree, Random Forest, k -Nearest Neighbors, and Light Gradient Boosting) were developed to model the mode choice of school children. Results showed that the Random Forest outperformed as compared to other models. In order to avoid Blackbox criticism of machine learning models and improve their interpretability, variable importance and SHAP dependency analysis were also performed. The results showed that predictors such as travel cost, monthly household income, distance to school, class grade and number of family members were significantly influencing mode choice of school children. These findings can be better used for effective modeling and planning of mode choice preferences of school children.
Simplified Point-of-Care Testing for Human Pythiosis: Development of a Whole-Blood-Based Lateral Flow Immunoassay
(2026-03-01) Szekely J.; Saelai K.; Youngchim S.; Chongkae S.; Chanchay P.; Rakchang W.; Rattanaphan P.; Kositpantawong N.; Szekely J.; Mahidol University
Background/Objectives: Human pythiosis, caused by Pythium insidiosum, is associated with severe morbidity and high mortality when diagnosis is delayed. Culture-based diagnosis is time-consuming and may be insensitive in clinical specimens, highlighting the need for rapid point-of-care serodiagnostic tools. Here, we developed and clinically evaluated the Anti-Pin Antibody Test Strip, a whole-blood-compatible lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) for detecting anti-P. insidiosum antibodies. Methods: Secretory protein antigens of P. insidiosum were prepared and conjugated to gold nanoparticles for LFIA development. Analytical performance was assessed by determining the limit of detection (LOD) using serial dilutions of pythiosis serum and by evaluating cross-reactivity with sera from patients with other infections. Interference testing examined common anticoagulants and adverse sample conditions (hemolysis, lipidemia, and icterus). Clinical performance was evaluated using 258 serum samples, comprising 48 pythiosis-positive and 210 pythiosis-negative specimens confirmed by immunoblotting and/or culture. Test results were read at 5 min. Results: The assay LOD was a serum titer of 1:1000. No cross-reactivity was observed across the tested infectious and immunologic panels, and no interference was detected from anticoagulants or adverse sample conditions. Whole-blood testing showed no red blood cell interference. In clinical evaluation, sensitivity was 100.00% (48/48), specificity was 95.24% (200/210), and accuracy was 96.12%, with a PPV of 82.76% and an NPV of 100.00%. Conclusions: The Anti-Pin Antibody Test Strip provides rapid (5 min), operationally simple serodiagnosis and may support screening/triage of suspected pythiosis, particularly where laboratory methods are limited.
Osteoprotective effects of partially defatted house cricket (Acheta domesticus) powder in spontaneously hypertensive rats
(2026-05-01) Tudpor K.; Wongprachum K.; Nilkamheang T.; Namyota C.; Toontom N.; Nghiep L.K.; Chaimongkolnukul K.; Chantip S.; Choovattanapakorn N.; Suntornsaratoon P.; Wongdee K.; Teerapornpuntakit J.; Charoenphandhu N.; Siriamornpun S.; Tudpor K.; Mahidol University
Clinical evidence suggests that essential hypertension is linked to oxidative stress and inflammatory infiltration, which can complicate osteoporosis. Edible house crickets (Acheta domesticus) are novel functional foods rich in proteins, fat, dietary fibers, and micronutrients. This research investigated the effects of a partially defatted house cricket powder (PDCP) on bone microarchitecture and strength in the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) model. Fourteen female SHRs were divided into the experimental group receiving 300mg/kg/day PDCP and the control group receiving the vehicle for 4 weeks. Blood pressure was determined by the CODA® non-invasive blood pressure system. Femoral bone microarchitecture and strength were determined by micro-computed tomography (µCT) and three-point bending, respectively. Immune cells were counted using an automated machine. Results showed that in the control group, systolic blood pressure (SBP) at baseline (166.6±3.7 mmHg) increased to 182.4±4.7 mmHg (P=0.016). In contrast, the PDCP-treated group showed no significant change from baseline (168.1±3.9 mmHg) to post-intervention (176.9±5.6 mmHg) (P=0.156). PDCP had no effects on bone microarchitecture but improved bone strength. The post-intervention yield load (a proxy for strength) of the control group was 77.55±1.88N, compared to the PDCP-treated group of 83.58±1.26N (P<0.009). Similarly, post-intervention yield displacement was 307.72±29.78 in the control vs. 395.93±40.98 µm in the PDCP-treated group. White blood cell counts in the PDCP-treated group (7.91±0.27×103/µL) were significantly higher than those in the control (6.91±0.31×103/µL). Specifically, lymphocyte counts in the PDCP-treated group (6.66±0.22×103/µL) were significantly higher than those in the control (5.75±0.28×103/µL). In conclusion, the 4-week PDCP had osteoprotective effects, presumably mediated by dietary proteins and fibers that modulate immune-vascular homeostasis, thereby potentially mitigating immune system-related hypertension and bone mechanical impairment.