Assessment of Anti-TNF-α Activities in Keratinocytes Expressing Inducible TNF- α: A Novel Tool for Anti-TNF-α Drug Screening.

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine important in normal and pathological biological processes. Newly synthesized pro-TNF-α is expressed on the plasma membrane and cleaved to release soluble TNF-α protein: both are biologically active. Secreted TNF-α signals through TNF receptors and the membrane-bound TNF-α acts by cell contact-dependent signaling.

Neuroprotective effect of Amaranthus lividus and Amaranthus tricolor and their effects on gene expression of RAGE during oxidative stress in SH-SY5Y cells.

Amaranthus plants, or spinach, are used as food sources worldwide. Amaranthus leaves are rich in antioxidant compounds, which act as free radical scavengers. Oxidative stress caused by the aberrant production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) represents an important mechanism for neuronal dysfunction and cell loss in different neurodegenerative disorders.

Progesterone receptor (PR) polyproline domain (PPD) mediates inhibition of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling in non-small cell lung cancer cells.

Recent evidence has suggested a possible role for progesterone receptor (PR) in the progression of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, little is known concerning roles of PR in NSCLC. PR contains a polyproline domain (PPD), which directly binds to the SH3 domain of signaling molecules.

Gene expression profile in breast cancer comprising predictive markers for metastatic risk.

Quantitative multiplex reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction was developed for the simultaneous detection of multiple-gene expression levels of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded breast cancer samples. Candidate genes were selected from previous microarray data relevant to breast cancer markers that had the potential to serve as predictive markers for metastatic risk. This multiplex gene set included 11 candidate and 3 housekeeping genes, and the aim was to predict breast cancer progression based on lymph node involvement status.

Effect of Amaranthus on Advanced Glycation End-Products Induced Cytotoxicity and Proinflammatory Cytokine Gene Expression in SH-SY5Y Cells.

Amaranthus plants, or spinach, are used extensively as a vegetable and are known to possess medicinal properties. Neuroinflammation and oxidative stress play a major role in the pathogenesis of many neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) cause cell toxicity in the human neuronal cell line, SH-SY5Y, through an increase in oxidative stress, as shown by reducing cell viability and increasing cell toxicity in a dose-dependent manner.

Selective label-free electrochemical impedance measurement of glycated haemoglobin on 3-aminophenylboronic acid-modified eggshell membranes.

We propose a novel alternative approach to long-term glycaemic monitoring using eggshell membranes (ESMs) as a new immobilising platform for the selective label-free electrochemical sensing of glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), a vital clinical index of the glycaemic status in diabetic individuals. Due to the unique features of a novel 3-aminophenylboronic acid-modified ESM, selective binding was obtained via cis-diol interactions. This newly developed device provides clinical applicability as an affinity membrane-based biosensor for the identification of HbA1c over a clinically relevant range (2.

The role of ovarian sex steroids in metabolic homeostasis, obesity, and postmenopausal breast cancer: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic implications.

Obese postmenopausal women have an increased risk of breast cancer and are likely to have a worse prognosis than nonobese postmenopausal women. The cessation of ovarian function after menopause results in withdrawal of ovarian sex steroid hormones, estrogen, and progesterone. Accumulating evidence suggests that the withdrawal of estrogen and progesterone causes homeostasis imbalances, including decreases in insulin sensitivity and leptin secretion and changes in glucose and lipid metabolism, resulting in a total reduction in energy expenditure.

Antihyperglycemic effects of Pandanus amaryllifolius Roxb. leaf extract.

Background: Diabetes mellitus is one of the leading chronic diseases worldwide. In patients with poor glycemic control, high blood glucose level may lead to other life-threatening complications. Pandanus amaryllifolius Roxb.

A novel paper-based assay for the simultaneous determination of Rh typing and forward and reverse ABO blood groups.

We propose a new, paper-based analytical device (PAD) for blood typing that allows for the simultaneous determination of ABO and Rh blood groups on the same device. The device was successfully fabricated by using a combination of wax printing and wax dipping methods. A 1:2 blood dilution was used for forward grouping, whereas whole blood could be used for reverse grouping.

Effect of Moringa oleifera on advanced glycation end-product formation and lipid metabolism gene expression in HepG2 cells.

In Thai traditional medicine, Moringa oleifera is used for the treatment of diabetes and hyperlipidemia. Oxidative stress plays a major role in the pathogenesis of many degenerative diseases, such as hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular disease. We evaluated the antioxidant effect of M.

Trends in prevalence of HIV-1 drug resistance in Thailand 2009-2010.

Background: Treatment failure of antiretroviral therapy in HIV-1 infection is increasing due to development of viral resistance. Trends of resistance-associated mutation lead to the ineffective treatment in HIV-infected individuals.

Methods: Extracted viral RNA from HIV-infected subjects in 2009 to 2010 was performed.

Electrochemical detection of glucose from whole blood using paper-based microfluidic devices.

Electrochemical paper-based analytical devices (ePADs) with integrated plasma isolation for determination of glucose from whole blood samples have been developed. A dumbbell shaped ePAD containing two blood separation zones (VF2 membranes) with a middle detection zone was fabricated using the wax dipping method. The dumbbell shaped device was designed to separate plasma while generating homogeneous flow to the middle detection zone of the ePAD.

Inhibitory effect of alternatively spliced RAGEv1 on the expression of NF-kB and TNF-α in hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

Binding of specific ligands to the receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) can trigger a series of signal transductions, which leads to pathogenesis in many chronic degenerative diseases, including cancer. Alternative splicing of RAGE mRNA has resulted in many variants, including RAGE variant 1 (RAGEv1). This particular splice variant of RAGE can provide a major soluble form of RAGE in blood circulation, which can neutralize deleterious ligands, thus diminishing signaling that can lead to inflammation and pathogenesis in cancer cells.

Blood separation on microfluidic paper-based analytical devices.

A microfluidic paper-based analytical device (μPAD) for the separation of blood plasma from whole blood is described. The device can separate plasma from whole blood and quantify plasma proteins in a single step. The μPAD was fabricated using the wax dipping method, and the final device was composed of a blood separation membrane combined with patterned Whatman No.

Semi-quantitative detection of gene expression using bisbenzimide dye.

An electrochemical biosensor, using a disposable electrochemical printed chip aggregation by the bisbenzimide dye (Hoechst 33258), was used for detecting the expression of β-actin and RAGE genes. Using linear sweep voltammetry, the expression of these two genes in HeLa and HepG2 cell lines was determined based on anodic peak current, and the results were compared with conventional agarose gel electrophoresis. Total cellular RNA was reverse transcribed to complementary DNA, and amplification by PCR was carried out.

Modulation of human serotonin transporter expression by 5-HTTLPR in colon cells.

Serotonin (5-HT) is a monoamine neurotransmitter and plays important roles in several of the human body's systems. Known as a primary target for psychoactive drug development, the 5-HT transporter (5-HTT, SERT) plays a critical role in the regulation of serotonergic function by reuptaking 5-HT. The allelic variation of 5-HTT expression is caused by functional gene promoter polymorphism with two principal variant alleles, 5-HTT gene-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR).

Novel, simple and low-cost alternative method for fabrication of paper-based microfluidics by wax dipping.

Paper-based microfluidic devices are an alternative technology for fabricating simple, low-cost, portable and disposable platforms for clinical diagnosis. Hereby, a novel wax dipping method for fabricating paper-based microfluidic devices (μPADs) is reported. The iron mould for wax dipping was created by a laser cutting technique.

Effects of Thai medicinal herb extracts with anti-psoriatic activity on the expression on NF-κB signaling biomarkers in HaCaT keratinocytes.

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder characterized by rapid proliferation of keratinocytes and incomplete keratinization. Discovery of safer and more effective anti-psoriatic drugs remains an area of active research at the present time. Using a HaCaT keratinocyte cell line as an in vitro model, we had previously found that ethanolic extracts from three Thai medicinal herbs, namely Alpinia galanga, Curcuma longa and Annona squamosa, possessed anti-psoriatic activity.

Association of C/T polymorphism in intron 14 of the dopamine transporter gene (rs40184) with major depression in a northeastern Thai population.

Several lines of evidence suggest that the dopaminergic system is involved in the pathophysiology of major depressive disorder (MDD). Since the dopamine transporter (DAT1, also known as SLC6A3), mediates the active reuptake of dopamine from the synapses and thereby plays a vital role in the regulation of dopaminergic neurotransmission, we looked for a possible association between the C/T single nucleotide polymorphism in intron 14 of the DAT1 gene (also referred to as rs40184) and MDD in a northeastern Thai population. One hundred and seventy-eight patients with MDD and 205 unrelated healthy controls were included in our study.

Portable microfluidic system for determination of urinary creatinine.

A simple, low cost and portable microfluidic system based on a two-point alkaline picrate kinetic reaction has been developed for the determination of urinary creatinine. The creatinine reacts with picric acid under alkaline conditions, forming an orange-red colour, which is monitored on PDMS microchip using a portable miniature fibre optic spectrometer at 510 nm. A linear range was displayed from 0 to 40 mg L(-1) creatinine (r2 = 0.