Genomic analysis and virulence of human Streptococcus suis serotype 14.

Purpose: Streptococcus suis serotype 14 is the second most prevalent serotype being highly prevalent in Southeast Asia. This study aimed to characterize genetic background, population structure, virulent genes, antimicrobial-resistant genes, and virulence of human S. suis serotype 14.

Accuracy of Preliminary Maxillary Canine and Anchorage Tooth Movement in Premolar Extraction Cases Using 12 In-House Clear Aligners: A Randomised Control Trial Comparing Power Arm and Control.

Objectives: To investigate maxillary canine movement accuracy and anchorage during space closure in first premolar extraction cases (maximum anchorage) using In-House Clear Aligners (IHCAs).

Materials And Methods: A randomised controlled trial with a split-mouth design recruited 16 adults in university setting. Each patient was randomly assigned by side for canine retraction using 12 IHCAs to both the experimental palatal power arm (Pa) and non-Pa control (C).

Performance of A-DROP, NEWS2, and REMS in predicting in-hospital mortality and mechanical ventilation in pneumonia patients in the emergency department: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Pneumonia is a potentially life-threatening respiratory tract infection. Many Early Warning Scores (EWS) were developed to detect patients with high risk for adverse clinical outcomes, but few have explored the utility of these EWS for pneumonia patients in the Emergency Department (ED) setting. We aimed to compare the prognostic utility of A-DROP, NEWS2, and REMS in predicting in-hospital mortality and the requirement for mechanical ventilation among ED patients with pneumonia.

Comparison of the effectiveness of a serious game and pre-recorded lecture in diagnosis and treatment planning of oral lesions for dental students.

This research evaluated the effectiveness of an online simulation-based serious game as a learning tool in diagnosis and treatment planning for oral lesions (SimOL) in comparison to a pre-recorded lecture-based approach and to determine its appropriate integration into the undergraduate dental curriculum. A crossover randomized control trial was conducted with a cohort of 77 dental undergraduates. They were randomly assigned into two groups.

Effectiveness of the modified TaWai mobile application for reporting adverse drug reaction in Lao PDR: a cluster randomized controlled trial.

Spontaneous adverse drug reactions (ADRs) reporting by health care professionals (HCPs) plays a vital role in pharmacovigilance (PV). However, under-reporting remain a major challenge worldwide, especially in low and middle-income countries, including Lao PDR. This cluster-randomized controlled trial evaluated the effectiveness of the modified TaWai mobile app for ADR reporting compared with the usual practice in hospitals.

Prevalence and clinical associations of relative anterior microphthalmos assessed with an optical biometer.

Relative anterior microphthalmos (RAM) is a rare ocular condition characterized by disproportionately small anterior segments but normal axial length (corneal diameter < 11 mm and axial length > 20 mm). This study aimed to determine the prevalence of RAM and its association with glaucoma utilizing IOL Master 700 data (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Jena, Germany). A retrospective analysis was conducted of the biometric parameters of 6,407 eyes, and 115 cases of RAM were identified.

Genetic factors regulating Plasmodium falciparum gametocytogenesis identified by phenotypic screens.

Successful transmission of Plasmodium falciparum from one person to another relies on the complete intraerythrocytic development of non-pathogenic sexual gametocytes infectious for anopheline mosquitoes. Understanding the genetic factors that regulate gametocyte development is vital for identifying transmission-blocking targets in the malaria parasite life cycle. Toward this end, we conducted a forward genetic study to characterize the development of gametocytes from sexual commitment to mature stage V.

Comparative evaluation of spatiotemporal methods for effective dengue cluster detection with a case study of national surveillance data in Thailand.

Dengue fever poses a significant public health burden in tropical regions, including Thailand, where periodic epidemics strain healthcare resources. Effective disease surveillance is essential for timely intervention and resource allocation. Various methods exist for spatiotemporal cluster detection, but their comparative performance remains unclear.

Bee pollen peptides as potent tyrosinase inhibitors with anti-melanogenesis effects in murine b16f10 melanoma cells and zebrafish embryos.

One important functional food ingredient today, valued for its health properties and ability to prevent disease, is bee pollen, which comprises a combination of nectar, pollen from plants, and the secretions of bees. In this research, the tyrosinase (TYR) inhibiting abilities of the peptides derived from bee pollen protein hydrolysates are investigated. Various proteases were utilized to generate these peptides, followed by testing at different concentrations.

Temporal dynamics in the composition of metabolically active bacteria and fungi in the ileo-cecal lymph nodes of suckling and newly weaned piglets.

The early microbial colonization of the porcine gut is an important priming factor for gut and immune development. Nevertheless, little is known about the composition of microbes that translocate into the ileo-cecal lymph nodes (ICLN) in the neonatal phase. This study aimed to characterize age- and nutrition-related changes in the metabolically active bacterial and fungal composition of the ICLN in suckling and newly weaned piglets.

Urban Water-Energy consumption Prediction Influenced by Climate Change utilizing an innovative deep learning method.

The growing global demand for water and energy has created an urgent necessity for precise forecasting and management of these resources, especially in urban regions where population growth and economic development are intensifying consumption. Shenzhen, a rapidly expanding megacity in China, exemplifies this trend, with its water and energy requirements anticipated to rise further in the upcoming years. This research proposes an innovative Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) technique for forecasting water and energy consumption in Shenzhen, considering the intricate interactions among climate, socio-economic, and demographic elements.

Phosphorylation of SNW1 protein associated with equine melanocytic neoplasm identified in serum and feces.

Equine melanocytic neoplasm (EMN) represents a form of skin tumor observed predominantly in grey horses aged over 15 years. Despite its prevalence, current therapeutic and preventive strategies for EMN have been subject to limited investigation. This study endeavors to shed light on potential phosphoproteins present in equine serum and fecal samples, potentially linked to EMN, with a specific focus on functional interactions in EMN pathogenesis.

Pharmacogenomic landscape of the Thai population from genome sequencing of 949 individuals.

Inter-individual variability in drug responses is significantly influenced by genetic factors, underscoring the importance of population-specific pharmacogenomic studies to optimize clinical outcomes. In this study, we analyzed whole genome sequencing data from 949 unrelated Thai individuals and conducted an in-depth analysis of 3239 genes involved in drug pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, or immune-mediated adverse drug reactions. We identified 43 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), 134 diplotypes, and 15 human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles, all with moderate to high clinical significance.

Analysis of complete genomes of Mycobacterium tuberculosis sublineage 2.1 (Proto-Beijing) revealed the presence of three pe_pgrs3-pe_pgrs4-like genes.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex (MTBC), the etiological agent of tuberculosis (TB), demonstrates considerable genotypic diversity with distinct geographic distributions and variable virulence profiles. The pe-ppe gene family is especially noteworthy for its extensive variability and roles in host immune response modulation and virulence enhancement. We sequenced an Mtb genotype L2.

Effect of Mechanical Force Stress on the Inflammatory Response in Human Periodontal Ligament Cells.

Human periodontal ligament (hPDL) is continuously exposed to mechanical forces that can induce inflammatory responses in resident stem cells (hPDLSCs). Here, we review the impact of mechanical force on hPDLSCs, focusing on the activation of inflammatory cytokines and related signalling pathways, which subsequently influence periodontal tissue remodelling. The effects of various mechanical forces, including compressive, shear, and tensile forces, on hPDLSCs are discussed.

Mutations in Cholangiocarcinoma: Prevalence, Prognostic Value, and G12/G13 Detection in Cell-Free DNA.

Background/aim: Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is an aggressive hepatobiliary malignancy characterized by genomic heterogeneity. KRAS mutations play a significant role in influencing patient prognosis and guiding therapeutic decision-making. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and prognostic significance of KRAS mutations in CCA, asses the detection of KRAS G12/G13 mutations in plasma cell-free DNA (cfDNA), and evaluate the prognostic value of KRAS G12/G13 mutant allele frequency (MAF) in cfDNA in relation to clinicopathological data and patient survival.

Evaluation of HMGB1 Expression as a Clinical Biomarker for Cholangiocarcinoma.

Background/aim: Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is an epithelial malignancy that is most prevalent in Southeast Asia, particularly in the northeast of Thailand. Identifying and establishing specific biomarkers of CCA is crucial for ensuring accurate prognosis and enabling effective treatment. High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is a damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) molecule that can be released by dead or injured cells and is associated with tumor progression.

Development of a New Score Based on Image Defined Risk Factors to Standardize Surgical Risk in Neuroblastoma Resection - A SIOPEN Collaborative Study.

Background And Aims: Image Defined Risk Factors (IDRFs) assess surgical risk in neuroblastoma (NB) and guide neoadjuvant therapy. Despite chemotherapy IDRFs may persist in 70 % of cases. Several studies have suggested that not all IDRFs hold equal significance and that the presence of an IDRF does not inherently signify unresectability.

Review of mercury pollution research in Southeast Asian marine environments.

Mercury (Hg) is a global pollutant of widespread concern, and modern Hg levels have been much elevated compared to pre-industrial levels. The majority of environmental Hg assessment has occurred in the developed world within the temperate region, but recent years we have witnessed increases in research activities in polar, subtropical, and tropical biomes. East Asia is currently the biggest emitter of anthropogenic Hg, while intense research is ongoing in China, Korea, and Japan, relatively little has been done in the neighboring regions.

Ligand docking in the sigma-1 receptor compared to the sigma-1 receptor-BiP complex and the effects of agonists and antagonists on C. elegans lifespans.

Model organisms are commonly used to study human diseases; we set out to understand the relevance of several model organisms with relation to the σ1R protein. The study explored the interactions of σ1R with various agonists, antagonists across different species. Ligand and protein-protein (σ1R-BiP) docking approaches were used to understand the significance of σ1R in modulating neuroprotective mechanisms and its potential role in Alzheimer's.

Positioning of the Inferior Alveolar Nerve and Surgical Implications: A Study on Thai Mandibles.

Background: The inferior alveolar nerve (IAN), a crucial branch of the trigeminal nerve, innervates the mandible. Precise knowledge of IAN positioning ensures surgical safety.

Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed head and neck computed tomography scans from Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital.

Identifying the sources of mercury exposure in dental workers.

Dental professionals who handle dental amalgam are at risk of mercury exposure, though the prevalence and severity of elevated mercury levels from non-occupational sources are not well characterized. We report two dental workers who had elevated urinary mercury levels (37 and 25.6 mcg/L) during routine health screenings.

Determining an optimal case definition using mid-upper arm circumference with or without weight for age to identify childhood wasting in the Philippines.

In resource-limited areas, where accurate weight-for-height Z-scores are hard to obtain, Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) is a simple tool to identify wasted children. MUAC alone, however, may miss identification of many wasted children, leading to untimely intervention and potentially death. Our study aimed to identify the best-performing case definition to detect wasting by Weight-for-Height z-scores (WHZ) in Filipino children aged 6-59 months.

Recent Advances in the Diagnosis and Management of Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency.

This concise review focuses on the latest advancements in the diagnosis and management of limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD). Ensuring the standard of care for individuals affected by LSCD involves the crucial task for physicians to meticulously and accurately diagnose the condition and determine its specific stage. A standardized diagnostic approach forms the foundation for formulating and delivering customized therapeutic interventions to maximize treatment outcomes for each patient.