The role of sonic hedgehog signaling in the oropharyngeal epithelium during jaw development.

Sonic hedgehog (Shh) is expressed in the oropharyngeal epithelium, including the frontonasal ectodermal zone (FEZ), which is defined as the boundary between Shh and Fgf8 expression domains in the frontonasal epithelium. To investigate the role of SHH signaling from the oropharyngeal epithelium, we generated mice in which Shh expression is specifically deleted in the oropharyngeal epithelium (Isl1-Cre; Shh). In the mutant mouse, Shh expression was excised in the oropharyngeal epithelium as well as FEZ and ventral forebrain, consistent with the expression pattern of Isl1.

Secondary organizing pneumonia after infection.

This editorial explores the clinical implications of organizing pneumonia (OP) secondary to pulmonary tuberculosis, as presented in a recent case report. OP is a rare condition characterized by inflammation in the alveoli, which spreads to alveolar ducts and terminal bronchioles, usually after lung injuries caused by infections or other factors. OP is classified into cryptogenic (idiopathic) and secondary forms, the latter arising after infections, connective tissue diseases, tumors, or treatments like drugs and radiotherapy.

Developing a Mobile Application for Estimating Patient's Radiation Dose.

In diagnostic radiology, entrance surface air kerma (ESAK) is one of the patient radiation dose quantities, and the effective dose is used as an estimator of possible risk for radiation exposure level. Calculation of the ESAK and effective dose requires both X-ray machine parameters and patient exposure parameters. Due to the high performance of smartphones and the increase in mobile applications, this study aimed to develop a mobile application to estimate the ESAK and effective dose in general radiography.

A chromosome-scale genome assembly of mungbean ().

Background: Mungbean () is one of the most socio-economically important leguminous food crops of Asia and a rich source of dietary protein and micronutrients. Understanding its genetic makeup is crucial for genetic improvement and cultivar development.

Methods: In this study, we combined single-tube long-fragment reads (stLFR) sequencing technology with high-throughput chromosome conformation capture (Hi-C) technique to obtain a chromosome-level assembly of cultivar 'KUML4'.

The Impact of Surfactant Structures and High-Speed Mixing Dynamics in Achieving Nano-Sized Emulsions with Simple High-Speed Homogenization.

Purpose: This study investigates the impact of various mixing parameters and surfactant combinations on the physical characteristics of nanoemulsions produced using high-speed homogenization. Nanoemulsions are explored for their capacity to enhance transdermal drug delivery in pharmaceutical and cosmetic contexts.

Methods: Employing a standard high-speed homogenizer typical in the cosmetic industry, we tested different combinations of Polysorbate (Tween®) and Sorbitan ester (Span®) surfactants under single and intermittent process configurations.

Hotspots and status of Fetal Alpha-Thalassemia from 2009 to 2023: a bibliometric analysis.

Objective: to evaluate the research status and development hotspots of fetal α-thalassemia by quantitatively analyzing the diagnostic status, key areas, related management measures and prospects of the disease by bibliometrics.

Methods: The global literature on fetal α-thalassemia and severe α-thalassemia from 2009-2023 in the Web of Science Core Collection (WOSCC) was visually analyzed by VOSviewer and CiteSpace.

Results: (1) The examination of the quantity of publications concerning fetal α-thalassemia indicates a rising tendency prior to 2018, followed by a decrease after 2018.

Thermally Stable Anthracene-Based 2D/3D Heterostructures for Perovskite Solar Cells.

Bulky organic cations are used in perovskite solar cells as a protective barrier against moisture, oxygen, and ion diffusion. However, bulky cations can introduce thermal instabilities by reacting with the near-surface of the 3D perovskite forming low-dimensional phases, including 2D perovskites, and by diffusing away from the surface into the film. This study explores the thermal stability of CsFAPbI 3D perovskite surfaces treated with two anthracene salts─anthracen-1-ylmethylammonium iodide (AMAI) and 2-(anthracen-1-yl)ethylammonium iodide (AEAI)─and compares them with the widely used phenethylammonium iodide (PEAI).

Effective Control of Parasitic Diseases through Local Narratives: Lessons from Thailand and Laos.

In recent decades, technological advancements and scientific progress have significantly improved disease control strategies. However, the exclusive focus on these aspects often overlooks the crucial role of social and cultural factors. Local narratives, reflecting community traditions and beliefs, offer valuable insights that can influence the success of public health interventions.

Asia-Pacific Survey on the Management of Helicobacter pylori Infection.

Background And Aim: Gastric cancer (GC)-related incidence and mortality rates remain high owing to Helicobacter pylori infection in Asia, and the importance of primary and secondary prevention of GC has been well recognized. We aimed to investigate the extent of overall agreement among clinicians in the Asia-Pacific region regarding the management of H. pylori infection.

Changes in heart rate variability at rest and during exercise in patients after a stroke: a feasibility study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using a biofeedback-enhanced robotics-assisted tilt table (RATT) to investigate time- and intensity-dependent changes in heart rate variability (HRV) at rest and during heart rate-controlled exercise in patients recovering from a stroke. Twelve patients (age 55.3 years ± 15.

Distribution and gender-specific differences of coronal plane alignment of healthy knee.

Background: Understanding optimal prosthesis alignment in TKA remains crucial despite ongoing debate. While current research focuses on osteoarthritic knees, a gap exists in characterizing healthy young adult knees in Asians. This study aims to fill this gap by identifying the distribution of CPAK phenotypes in this population, including potential gender variations and individual differences.

Love as a Commitment Device : Evidence from a Cross-Cultural Study across 90 Countries.

Given the ubiquitous nature of love, numerous theories have been proposed to explain its existence. One such theory refers to love as a commitment device, suggesting that romantic love evolved to foster commitment between partners and enhance their reproductive success. In the present study, we investigated this hypothesis using a large-scale sample of 86,310 individual responses collected across 90 countries.

First Report of Causing Leaf Blight on in China.

Peacock plant (Calathea orbifolia (Linden) H.A.Kenn.

Association between exposure to gender and sexual diversity in media (GSDM) and Thai adolescents' attitude towards LGBT individuals: a cross-sectional study in Bangkok schools.

Objective: In recent years, global media has increasingly represented lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals, contributing to greater societal acceptance of diverse sexualities and gender identities. However, in Thailand, negative attitudes towards LGBT individuals remain prevalent, and media portrayals, both positive and negative, play a critical role in shaping public perceptions. These portrayals can significantly influence how different groups, particularly adolescents, view LGBT individuals.

CRISPR-Cas12a-based detection and differentiation of Mycobacterium spp.

Mycobacterium species cause several vital human diseases, including tuberculosis and non-tuberculous mycobacterial infections which are treated with different drug regimens Therefore, accurate and rapid diagnosis is essential for effective treatment and controlling the spread of these pathogens. This study aims to develop the isothermal method combining RPA and CRISPR-Cas12a techniques, named as MyTRACK, to detect and differentiate major clinical mycobacteria at the species level. The assay has no cross-reactivity with limit of detection of 1 to 100 copies/reaction for various targeted mycobacteria.

Optimizing the Appropriate Mode of the Pulse-Modulated Holmium Laser in a Pop-Dusting Benchtop Model.

Objectives: To investigate the effectiveness of different holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Ho:YAG) laser modes for lithotripsy in the "dusting era" and identify the optimal laser mode for producing stone fragments measuring ≤0.5 mm.

Methods: We used plaster of Paris-made artificial stones crushed into 2-3 mm pieces, weighing 1 g in total.

NDM-5-plasmid diversity in multiple international high-risk Escherichia coli clones associated with canine and feline extraintestinal infections.

NDM-5-producing Escherichia coli are the predominant carbapenemase producers of medical and public health importance. The global spread of bla-containing plasmids in high-risk E. coli clones has been primarily documented in humans and increasingly reported in animals and the environment.

In silico prediction and experimental evaluation of LIP3228 of pathogenic Leptospira as a potential subunit vaccine target against leptospirosis.

A protein subunit vaccine comprising conserved surface-exposed outer membrane proteins (SE-OMPs) is considered a promising platform for leptospirosis vaccine. The search for novel vaccine candidates that confer high protective efficacy against leptospirosis is ongoing. The LIP3228 protein was previously identified as a conserved and abundant SE-OMP with the potential to serve as an effective vaccine candidate.

Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of High-dose Sulbactam in Pediatric Patients: Preliminary Data From a Prospective Observational Pharmacokinetic Study.

Background: Rates of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii are rising in Thailand. Although high-dose (HD) sulbactam is recommended for treating carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii infections, data on plasma sulbactam concentrations in children are limited.

Three-Dimensional Changes of Alveolar Ridges and Nasolabial Structures Following a Digital Nasoalveolar Molding Therapy With a Novel Nasal Stent Activation Protocol.

Digital orthodontics has been integrated into NasoAlveolar Molding (NAM) therapy to overcome challenges in the conventional NAM method. This study introduced an individualized Digital NAM (iDNAM) and evaluated the changes in the alveolar ridges and nasolabial morphology after iDNAM treatment. Prospective data were collected from 15 infants with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate who underwent iDNAM therapy.

Optimizing Drug Selection in Children with Multiple Sclerosis: What Do We Know and What Remains Unanswered?

Pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis (POMS) refers to multiple sclerosis with onset before 18 years of age. It is characterized by a more inflammatory course, more frequent clinical relapses, and a greater number of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) lesions compared with adult-onset MS (AOMS), leading to significant impacts on both disability progression and cognitive outcomes in affected individuals. Managing POMS presents distinct challenges due to the unique needs of pediatric patients and the limited number of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) approved for pediatric use.

Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Thai version of the core outcome measures index for the back (COMI-back) in patients with low back pain.

Purpose: To translate and culturally adapt the Core Outcome Measures Index for the back (COMI-back) into Thai and to evaluate its psychometric properties in Thai-speaking patients with low back pain (LBP).

Methods: The translation process followed a standardized forward-backward method with two independent translators, followed by synthesis and back-translation. An expert committee reviewed the translations for cultural and conceptual equivalence.

Improved environmental DNA detection sensitivity of Opisthorchis viverrini using a multi-marker assay.

Opisthorchiasis, caused by the liver fluke Opisthorchis viverrini, is endemic to Southeast Asian countries and constitutes a major health problem as it increases the risk of cholangiocarcinoma. However, owing to the complicated life cycle of O. viverrini, there is no rapid method for monitoring the risk of infection in the environment.

Association between serum endocan levels and organ failure in hospitalized patients with cirrhosis.

Background & Aims: Acute-on-chronic liver failure is a syndrome characterized by organ failure and high short-term mortality. The lack of reliable biomarkers for the early detection of acute-on-chronic liver failure is a significant challenge. Endothelial dysfunction plays a key role in the development of organ failure.