MyACR: A Point-of-Care Medical Device for Determination of Albumin-Creatinine Ratio (uACR) in Random Urine Samples as a Marker of Nephropathy.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive condition that affects more than 10% of the world's population. Monitoring urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR) has become the gold standard for nephropathy diagnosis and control. The objective of the present study was to develop a simple, accurate, sensitive, and rapid point-of-care test (PoCT) device, MyACR, for uACR measurement, intended for use in community healthcare to screen for the risk and monitor the progress of CKD.

Analysis of the Effector Functions of Vδ2 γδ T Cells and NK Cells against Cholangiocarcinoma Cells.

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a rare disease characterized by malignant cells derived from the epithelial cells of the biliary duct system. Despite extensive treatments, the prognosis for CCA remains poor, emphasizing the critical need for the development of novel treatments. Considerable attention has been directed towards innate immune effector cells, which can recognize tumor cells independently of the major histocompatibility complex, laying the foundation for the development of off-the-shelf drugs.

Interleukin-6 and Lymphocyte-to-Monocyte Ratio Indices Identify Patients with Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma.

Background And Aims: Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) is a fatal biliary tract cancer with a dismal prognosis due to ineffective diagnostic tools with limited clinical utility. This study investigated peripheral blood indices and cytokine levels to diagnose iCCA.

Methods: Blood samples were collected from healthy subjects ( = 48) and patients with advanced-stage iCCA ( = 47) during a phase I and then phase II trial, respectively.

Distribution patterns of molecular markers of antimalarial drug resistance in Plasmodium falciparum isolates on the Thai-Myanmar border during the periods of 1993-1998 and 2002-2008.

Background: Polymorphisms of Plasmodium falciparum chloroquine resistance transporter (pfcrt), Plasmodium falciparum multi-drug resistance 1 (pfmdr1) and Plasmodium falciparum kelch 13-propeller (pfk13) genes are accepted as valid molecular markers of quinoline antimalarials and artemisinins. This study investigated the distribution patterns of these genes in P. falciparum isolates from the areas along the Thai-Myanmar border during the two different periods of antimalarial usage in Thailand.

Pharmacokinetic Analysis of Prognostic Factors in Patients With Advanced-Stage Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Following the Administration of Capsule Formulation of the Standardized Extract of (Thunb) DC.

Background: A statistical model is essential in determining the appropriate predictive indicators for therapies in many types of cancers. Predictors have been compared favorably to the traditional systems for many cancers. Thus, this study has been proposed as a new standard approach.

Overexpression of microRNA-205-5p promotes cholangiocarcinoma growth by reducing expression of homeodomain-interacting protein kinase 3.

The microRNA miR-205-5p has diverse effects in different malignancies, including cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), but its effects on CCA progression is unclear. Here we investigated the role and function of miR-205-5p in CCA. Three CCA cell lines and human serum samples were found to have much higher expression levels of miR-205-5p than seen in typical cholangiocyte cell lines and healthy controls.

Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) -308G >a promoter polymorphism (rs1800629) promotes Asians in susceptibility to Plasmodium falciparum severe malaria: A meta-analysis.

The multifactorial pathogenesis of severe malaria is partly attributed to host genes, such as those encoding cytokines involved in complex inflammatory reactions, namely tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). However, the relationship between TNF-α -308G >A gene polymorphism (rs1800629) and the severity of Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) malaria remains unclear, which prompts a meta-analysis to obtain more precise estimates.

The roles of CYP2C19 and CYP3A4 in the in vitro metabolism of β-eudesmol in human liver: Reaction phenotyping and enzyme kinetics.

β-eudesmol is a major bioactive component of Atractylodes lancea (AL). AL has been developed as the capsule formulation of standardized AL extract for treating cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). However, the complex constituents of herbal products increase the risk of adverse drug interactions.

Antiproliferative and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Deprungsith Formulation and Its Bioactive Compounds Against Mild Psoriasis and Potential of Metabolic Herb-Drug Interactions.

Psoriasis is an incurable, chronic and auto-immune skin disorder with a global prevalence rate of approximately 2-3%. The study investigated the antipsoriasis activities of Deprungsith formulation and its bioactive components and their potential for inhibitory activities on human cytochrome P450 (CYP450). HaCaT and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy volunteers (n = 9) and psoriasis patients (n = 10) were exposed to Deprungsith formulation (Thai traditional medicine for psoriasis consisting of 16 plants), ethyl p-methoxycinnamate (EPMC), ligustilide and cyclosporin for 24 and 48 h.

Validation of an electrochemical sensor based on gold nanoparticles as a point-of-care test for quantitative determination of glycated hemoglobin.

Monitoring the level of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) has become the gold standard measure for diabetes mellitus (DM) diagnosis and control, used in conjunction with fasting blood glucose (FBG) and oral glucose tolerance test. This study aimed to investigate the applicability of a newly developed nanoparticle-based electrochemical sensor-multiwalled nanotubes incorporated with gold nanoparticles (POCT-HbA1cMWCNTs/AuNPs)-used as a routine point-of-care test (POCT) for detection of HbA1c for the diagnosis of DM. Finger-prick and venous blood samples were collected from 108 DM and 98 non-DM subjects to determine HbA1c and total hemoglobin by POCT-HbA1cMWCNTs/AuNPs compared with the standard HPLC method.

Simulation of optimal dose regimens of photoactivated curcumin for antimicrobial resistance pneumonia in COVID-19 patients: A modeling approach.

Background: Secondary antimicrobial resistance bacterial (AMR) pneumonia could lead to an increase in mortality in COVID-19 patients, particularly of geriatric patients with underlying diseases. The comedication of current medicines for AMR pneumonia with corticosteroids may lead to suboptimal treatment or toxicities due to drug-drug interactions (DDIs).

Objective: This study aimed to propose new promising dosage regimens of photoactivated curcumin when co-administered with corticosteroids for the treatment of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) pneumonia in COVID-19 patients.

Preclinical studies of toxicity and anti-cholangiocarcinoma activity of the standardized capsule formulation of Atractylodes lancea (Thunb.) DC.

Background: Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), the adenocarcinoma of the biliary duct, is commonly reported in Asia, with the highest incidence in northeastern Thailand. Chemotherapy of CCA has been limited by the lack of effective chemotherapeutic drugs. A series of previous in vitro and in vivo studies support further research and development of Atractylodes lancea (Thunb.

Monitoring antimalarial drug-resistance markers in Somalia.

The use of an effective antimalarial drug is the cornerstone of malaria control. However, the development and spread of resistant Plasmodium falciparum strains have placed the global eradication of malaria in serious jeopardy. Molecular marker analysis constitutes the hallmark of the monitoring of Plasmodium drug-resistance.

Modulatory Effects of Atractylodin and β-Eudesmol on Human Cytochrome P450 Enzymes: Potential Drug-Drug Interactions.

Atractylodin and β-eudesmol, the major bioactive compounds in , are promising candidates for anti-cholangiocarcinoma. The inhibitory effects of both compounds on human rCYP1A2, rCYP2C9, rCYP2C19, rCYP2D6 and rCYP3A4 enzymes were investigated using luminogenic CYP450 kits. The modulatory effects were investigated in mouse livers following a daily oral dose of atractylodin or β-eudesmol at 100 mg/kg body weight for 1, 7, 14, and 21 days.

Molecular Targets and Signaling Pathways in Cholangiocarcinoma: A Systematic Review.

Background: Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is the second most frequent hepatobiliary cancer after hepatocellular carcinoma with a poor prognosis and limited treatment options. This study aimed to review existing knowledge on the genetic basis of CCA, molecular targets/signaling pathways involved in the pathogenesis, disease progression and prognosis, including potential targets for targeted therapies of CCA.

Methods: The systematic review was performed in compliance with PRISMA guidelines.

Bioassay for total serum bioactivity of .

The study aimed to establish a bioassay for total bioactivity of (AL) in human serum samples. Inhibition of bacterial growth ( ATCC 25923) was assessed using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. The calibration curve (0, 0.

Atractylodin and β-eudesmol from Atractylodes lancea (Thunb.) DC. Inhibit Cholangiocarcinoma Cell Proliferation by Downregulating the Notch Signaling Pathway.

Objective: Notch signaling pathway has been reported to be involved in the development and progression of various types of cancer, including cholangiocarcinoma (CCA).  Compounds that modulate this signaling pathway could be promising candidates for CCA treatment and control. The study investigated the antiproliferative activities and modulatory effects of atractylodin and β-eudesmol, the two bioactive compounds of Atractylodes lancea (Thunb.

Prediction of improved antimalarial chemotherapy of artesunate-mefloquine in combination with mefloquine sensitive and resistant Plasmodium falciparum malaria.

Background: Declining in susceptibility of Plasmodium falciparum to mefloquine is reported in South-East Asia. A revisiting on mefloquine pharmacokinetics-pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) could assist in finding new appropriate dosage regimens in combination with artesunate as a three-day course treatment.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate promising alternative artesunate-mefloquine combination regimens that are effective for the treatment of patients with mefloquine-sensitive and resistant P.

Effects of β-eudesmol and atractylodin on target genes and hormone related to cardiotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, and endocrine disruption in developing zebrafish embryos.

commonly known as in Thai, a traditional medicinal herb, is being developed for clinical use in cholangiocarcinoma. β-eudesmol and atractylodin are the main active components of this herb which possess most of the pharmacological properties. However, the lack of adequate toxicity data would be a significant hindrance to their further development.

Atractylodes lancea for cholangiocarcinoma: Modulatory effects on CYP1A2 and CYP3A1 and pharmacokinetics in rats and biodistribution in mice.

Atractylodes lancea (Thunb.) DC. (A.