Role of Piezo2 in Schwann Cell Volume Regulation and Its Impact on Neurotrophic Release Regulation.

Background/aims: Tactile perception relies on mechanoreceptors and nerve fibers, including c-fibers, Aβ-fibers and Aδ-fibers. Schwann cells (SCs) play a crucial role in supporting nerve fibers, with non-myelinating SCs enwrapping c-fibers and myelinating SCs ensheathing Aβ and Aδ fibers. Recent research has unveiled new functions for cutaneous sensory SCs, highlighting the involvement of nociceptive SCs in pain perception and Meissner corpuscle SCs in tactile sensation.

Delivery of bFGF for Tissue Engineering by Tethering to the ECM.

Delivery of growth factors to target cells is an important subject in tissue engineering. Towards that end, we have developed a growth factor-tethered extracellular matrix (ECM). Here, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) was tethered to extracellular matrix noncovalently.

Human leptospirosis trends: northeast Thailand, 2001-2012.

The objective of this study was to determine the changing trend of leptospirosis over time in Thailand using two prospective hospital-based studies conducted amongst adult patients with acute undifferentiated fever (AUFI) admitted to Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Thailand between July 2001 to December 2002 and between July 2011 to December 2012. During the first period, leptospirosis (98 patients, 40%) and scrub typhus (59 patients, 24.1%) were the two major causes of AUFI.

Performance of SD Bioline Tsutsugamushi assays for the diagnosis of scrub typhus in Thailand.

Objective: To assess the diagnostic capacity of a commercially available test (SD Bioline Tsutsugamushi assay) to aid with the diagnosis of scrub typhus in febrile patients in Thailand.

Material And Method: A commercially available lateral-flow-format immunochromatographic test (ICT) for the detection of O. tsutsugamushi IgM, IgG and IgA antibodies was evaluated, using archived serum samples from 102 laboratory confirmed scrub typhus patients and from 63 patients with other causes of fever as the negative control.

Performance of Leptospira immunoglobulin M ELISA and rapid immunoglobulin G immunochromatographic assays for the diagnosis of leptospirosis.

Using archived samples, we assessed the diagnostic capacity of two commercially available tests (an ELISA IgM and a rapid immunochromatographic test, ICT) for the detection of Leptospira spp. IgM and IgG antibodies to aid with the diagnosis of acute leptospirosis in febrile patients in Thailand. The sensitivities of the ELISA for the detection of IgM and the rapid immunochromatographic test for the detection of IgG were 60.