Contamination of antibiotics and sul and tet(M) genes in veterinary wastewater, river, and coastal sea in Thailand.

Water systems in Southeast Asia accumulate antibiotics and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) from multiple origins, notably including human clinics and animal farms. To ascertain the fate of antibiotics and ARGs in natural water environments, we monitored the concentrations of these items in Thailand. Here, we show high concentrations of tetracyclines (72,156.

Decreased Serum Adiponectin Reflects Low Vitamin D, High Interleukin 6, and Poor Physical Performance in Knee Osteoarthritis.

Obesity is a major contributor to deterioration of physical function toward sarcopenia in knee osteoarthritis (OA) due to its effect mediated through adipokines-derived molecules that have pro-/anti-inflammatory properties. This study aimed to investigate relationships of serum adiponectin, 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), interleukin (IL)-6, and physical performance in knee OA patients. A total of 175 knee OA patients and 52 healthy controls were recruited.

Vitamin D Supplementation Improves Quality of Life and Physical Performance in Osteoarthritis Patients.

(1) : Lower levels of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) are common in osteoarthritis (OA) patients. However, the effect of vitamin D supplementation on muscle strength and physical performance remains unclear. This study will investigate the effects of vitamin D₂ supplementation on muscle strength and physical performance in knee OA patients; (2) : One hundred and seventy-five primary knee OA patients with low levels of serum 25(OH)D (<30 ng/mL) received 40,000 IU vitamin D₂ (ergocalciferol) per week for six months.

Serum autotaxin levels correlate with hepatic dysfunction and severity in postoperative biliary atresia.

Objective: To investigate correlation of serum autotaxin and disease severity in biliary atresia (BA).

Methods: Eighty postoperative BA patients and 15 controls were recruited. Serum autotaxin levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Association of adiponectin +276G/T polymorphism with knee osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent, degenerative joint disorder leading to the destruction of articular cartilage, osteophyte formation and subchondral bone sclerosis. Genetic and environmental factors are involved in the development of OA. The role of adiponectin gene polymorphisms in OA has not yet been established.

Oxidative stress, vitamin e, and antioxidant capacity in knee osteoarthritis.

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic progressive degenerative joint disorder which is characterised by strongly age-related regressive changes in articular cartilage. The objective of this study was to evaluate oxidative stress and antioxidant parameters in plasma and synovial fluid of patients with primary knee osteoarthritis.

Material And Methods: Thirty-five OA patients and 35 healthy controls were recruited for this study.

Correlation of connective tissue growth factor with liver stiffness measured by transient elastography in biliary atresia.

Aim: Biliary atresia (BA) is a neonatal liver disease defined as chronic progressive fibrotic obliteration of extrahepatic bile ducts. The objective of this study was to determine the association of serum connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) with clinical outcome and liver stiffness measurement.

Methods: Eighty-two BA patients post-Kasai operation and 28 healthy controls were recruited.

+276 G/T single nucleotide polymorphism of the adiponectin gene is associated with the susceptibility to biliary atresia.

Background: Biliary atresia (BA) is an intractable neonatal inflammatory and obliterative cholangiopathy, leading to progressive fibrosis and cirrhosis. Adiponectin, an anti-inflammatory adipokine, is known to play a possible role in liver diseases. The objective of our study was to determine the relationship between adiponectin gene polymorphisms and BA susceptibility.

Plasma and synovial fluid connective tissue growth factor levels are correlated with disease severity in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Background: Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) has been implicated in development of osteoarthritis (OA).

Objective: To determine the correlation between plasma and synovial fluid CTGF levels and the severity in knee osteoarthritis patients.

Methods: A total of 100 subjects were recruited into this study (75 OA patients and 25 controls).

Correlation between plasma and synovial fluid basic fibroblast growth factor with radiographic severity in primary knee osteoarthritis.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate plasma and synovial fluid basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) levels in patients with primary knee osteoarthritis (OA) and to evaluate the correlation between bFGF levels and disease severity.

Methods: Thirty-five patients with knee OA and 15 healthy individuals were recruited into this study. Knee OA grading was performed according to the Kellgren-Lawrence classification.

Ginseng supplementation does not change lactate threshold and physical performances in physically active Thai men.

Background: Ginseng has been one of the most popular herbs said to improve human exercise performance. Unclear and anecdotal information is known about the effect of ginseng on lactate threshold and aerobic performance in humans.

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of ginseng supplementation on lactate threshold in physically active young men.

Effects of cardiac rehabilitation on fibrinolysis in patients with coronary artery disease.

The aim of the present study was to demonstrate the influence of exercise component of a cardiac rehabilitation program on fibrinolysis in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients. Cardiac rehabilitation program was claimed to have an important role for improving quality of life and reducing the incidence of recurrent disease. The program used in the present study included aerobic exercise for 8 weeks, 4 days per week, 30 minutes per day at light to moderate intensity.