Enhancement of Intracellular Cholesterol Efflux in Chondrocytes Leading to Alleviation of Osteoarthritis Progression.

Objective: Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common degenerative disease worldwide, with no practical means of prevention and limited treatment options. Recently, our group unveiled a novel mechanism contributing to OA pathogenesis in association with abnormal cholesterol metabolism in chondrocytes. In this study, we aimed to establish a clinical link between lipid profiles and OA in humans, assess the effectiveness of cholesterol-lowering drugs in suppressing OA development in mice, and uncover the cholesterol-lowering mechanisms that effectively impede OA progression.

Disruption of cholesterol homeostasis triggers periodontal inflammation and alveolar bone loss.

Oral diseases exhibit a significant association with metabolic syndrome, including dyslipidemia. However, direct evidence supporting this relationship is lacking, and the involvement of cholesterol metabolism in the pathogenesis of periodontitis (PD) has yet to be determined. In this study, we showed that high cholesterol caused periodontal inflammation in mice.

Avenanthramide-C Shows Potential to Alleviate Gingival Inflammation and Alveolar Bone Loss in Experimental Periodontitis.

Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory disease that leads to the gradual destruction of the supporting structures of the teeth including gums, periodontal ligaments, alveolar bone, and root cementum. Recently, interests in alleviating symptoms of periodontitis (PD) using natural compounds is increasing. Avenanthramide-C (Avn-C) is a polyphenol found only in oats.

Avenanthramide C as a novel candidate to alleviate osteoarthritic pathogenesis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative disorder that can result in the loss of articular cartilage. No effective treatment against OA is currently available. Thus, interest in natural health products to relieve OA symptoms is increasing.

Pathways to care: a case study of traffic injury in Vietnam.

Background: Traffic injuries place a significant burden on mortality, morbidity and health services worldwide. Qualitative factors are important determinants of health but they are often ignored in the study of injury and corresponding development of prehospital Emergency Medical Services (EMS), especially in developing country settings. Here we report our research on sociocultural factors shaping pathways to hospital care for those injured on the roads and streets of Vietnam.

Putting Culture into Prehospital Emergency Care: A Systematic Narrative Review of Literature from Lower Middle-Income Countries.

Background: Prehospital emergency care is cost-effective for improving morbidity and mortality of emergency conditions. However, such care has been discounted in the public health system of many lower middle-income countries (LMICs). Where it exists, the Emergency Medical Service (EMS) system is grossly inadequate, unpopular, and misrepresented.

Psychological Distress following Injury in a Large Cohort of Thai Adults.

Introduction: Injury and psychological distress are public health priorities because of their high occurrence in the population. This study examines the longitudinal effects of injury characteristics on psychological distress.

Methods: Study participants were enrolled distance learning Thai adults (N = 42,785 at 2013 follow-up) residing nationwide.

Environmental tobacco smoke exposure and health disparities: 8-year longitudinal findings from a large cohort of Thai adults.

Background: In rich countries, smokers, active or passive, often belong to disadvantaged groups. Less is known of tobacco patterns in the developing world. Hence, we seek out to investigate mental and physical health consequences of smoke exposure as well as tobacco-related inequality in transitional middle-income Thailand.

Health-Risk Factors and the Prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease: Cross-Sectional Findings from a National Cohort of 87,143 Thai Open University Students.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is becoming a major health challenge worldwide as its aetiology has transferred from predominantly infectious disease to emerging chronic diseases, especially diabetes and hypertension. A rapid health-risk transition driven by economic development is transforming Thailand which is now becoming an ageing country where chronic diseases are a major health burden.

Methods: This study used the 2005 baseline cross-sectional dataset of 87,143 Thai Cohort Study members to investigate risk factors associated with CKD.

Social sustainability of Mesocyclops biological control for dengue in South Vietnam.

Copepod Mesocyclops as biological control agents for dengue was previously proven to be effective and sustainable in the Northern and Central provinces of Vietnam. We aim to study social sustainability of Mesocyclops intervention in south Vietnam. Both quantitative and qualitative approaches were used.

Statistical experimental design of protein crystallization screening revisited.

A statistical experimental design approach was used to prepare a set of solutions for the screening of protein crystallization conditions. This approach is shown to be amenable to quantitative evaluation and therefore to the rational optimization of the screening results. All solutions contain a cryoprotectant, thus eliminating the need for subsequent optimization of crystal freezing conditions.