Emotional Development and Nutritional Status of HIV/AIDS Orphaned Children Aged 6–12 Years Old in Thailand

Objective To explore the emotional development and nutritional status of HIV/AIDS orphans by their infection status. Methods A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted during January and December 2005 in four provinces and Bangkok Metropolis where the prevalence of HIV/AIDS among pregnant women was high. The study population consisted of 388 HIV/AIDS orphans who were maternal or paternal or double orphans aged 6–12 years old. The orphans’ main caregivers gave informed consent to the project and assessed the emotional development of their orphaned children. The children were measured for weight, height, and emotional development by standard instruments. They were divided into three groups regarding their HIV/AIDS infection status reported by their caregivers: infected, non-infected, and unknown. The χ² test was used to determine the association between nutritional status and infection status. Results Regarding HIV/AIDS infected children, 19.1% were infected, 57.5% were not infected, and 23.4% were unknown. The main caregivers of all types of orphans were grandparents. Only 13.7% of infected orphans lived with their mothers. Most caregivers were females and more than 40 years old. Infected orphans had mean scores of overall emotional development and for each domain less than other groups. The mean scores of self-control and quick recovery were significantly different between infected and non-infected groups (P-value < 0.05). Nearly 50% of infected orphans were rather short and approximately 42% were under weight and light. The findings revealed a significant association between height for age, weight for age and infection status of orphans at a P-value of <0.001. Conclusions Orphanhood itself is a vulnerable status and HIV/AIDS infected orphans are most vulnerable. Acceptable and friendly services for orphans and their families are crucial. The services should continue and protect stigmatization.     

Molecular docking study on anticancer activity of plant-derived natural products

A variety of compounds from plant sources have been reported to possess substantial anticancer properties; however, their modes of action have not been clearly defined. Selected plant-derived compounds that exhibit anticancer activity were subjected to docking simulations using AutoDock 3.0.5. To preliminarily investigate the potential molecular targets and to confirm the experimental activity testing for these anticancer compounds, the docking was performed using different enzymes and receptor proteins involved with cell cycle, cell growth, and DNA replication, i.e., cyclin-dependent protein kinase 2 (CDK-2), CDK-6, DNA topoisomerases I and II, B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR-2), and the telomere: G-quadruplexes. The docking results revealed that lupeol exhibited better binding interaction to CDK-2 and Bcl-2 than the known CDK-2 and Bcl-2 inhibitors. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) was found to bind to CDK-6 with tighter interaction than several reported CDK-6 inhibitors. Flavopiridol, a synthetic flavonoid, was best bound to DNA topoisomerase I. Green tea catechin was best docked with topoisomerase II and VEGFR-2 and quercetin showed very good binding interaction with telomere: G-quadruplex. The experimental-derived inhibition constant (Ki) against Bcl-2 and Ki calculated from docking energy were well correlated. Therefore, the calculated Ki could be used as a preliminary tool for screening of Bcl-2 inhibitors before performing experimental activity assay.     

Increase in intracellular Cl− concentration by cAMP- and Ca2+-dependent stimulation of M1 collecting duct cells

In the lungs of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, mutations of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) lead to defective Cl^– secretion and hyperabsorption of electrolytes. This may be a an important cause for the defective mucociliary clearance in CF lungs. Previous studies have suggested that inhibition of ENaC during activation of CFTR or by purinergic stimulation could be related to an increase in the intracellular [Cl^–]_i. This was examined in the present study using cultured mouse M1 collecting duct cells transfected with the chloride-sensitive enhanced yellow fluorescent protein YFP_V163S. Calibration experiments showed a linear decrease of YFP fluorescence intensity with increasing [Cl^–]_i (0–100 mM). Activation of CFTR by isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX, 100 µM) and forskolin (2 µM) increased [Cl^–]_i by 9.6±1.5 mM (n=35). Similarly, ATP (100 µM) increased [Cl^–]_i transiently by 9.5±2.2 mM (n=17). The increase in [Cl^–]_i was reduced by the Na⁺/K⁺/2 Cl^–-cortransporter-1 (NKCC1) blocker azosemide (100 µM), the CFTR blocker SP-303 (50 µM), the blocker of Ca²⁺-activated Cl^– channels DIDS (100 µM) or the ENaC blocker amiloride (10 µM). Changes in YFP_V163S fluorescence were not due to changes in cell volume or intracellular pH. The present data thus demonstrate an increase in [Cl^–]_i following stimulation with secretagogues, which could participate in the inhibition of ENaC.     

A Rapid Stability Indicating HPLC Method for Determination of Quetiapine Fumarate in Tablets and Extemporaneous Formulations

Pharmaceutical Chemistry Journal - Quetiapine fumarate is an atypical antipsychotic drug, which is clinically used for the treatment of depression and bipolar disorders. A stability indicating...     

Viable metacercariae of Opisthorchis viverrini in northeastern Thai cyprinid fish dishes—as part of a rational program for control of O. viverrini-associated cholangiocarcinoma

Among the various types of chronic helminthic infections, only schistosomiasis hematobium, opisthorchiasis, and clonorchiasis in a long-standing inflammation are found to be causative agents of cancer. Opisthorchiasis and Opisthorchis viverrini-associated bile duct cancer are prevalent among the residents in northeastern Thailand, who prefer consuming raw or improperly cooked cyprinid fish. Although numerous studies have reported on the presence of O. viverrini metacercariae in freshwater cyprinid fishes, none of the data has been derived directly from cyprinid fish dishes. Here, we have demonstrated the presence of viable metacercariae in a number of cyprinid fish dishes that are among the favorite foods of northeastern Thais. Traditional salt-fermented and grilled cyprinid fish were found to be safe to consume, but not raw fish salad or cyprinid fish fermented in sticky rice for 69 h. This information could be used as part of a rational and sustainable control program for O. viverrini-associated bile duct cancer     

Criteria for high-risk medication use in Thai older patients

Many older patients have multiple diseases that require high-risk drug use, which may cause serious adverse effects. Criteria for the use of these drugs in older people are vital to the prevention of adverse events. This study aimed to develop explicit criteria for determining high-risk medication use in Thai older patients. It was conducted using a Delphi technique with the three-round survey of 16 geriatric medicine (GM) experts. A structured questionnaire with 56, 93, and 95 statements were devised for Rounds 1, 2, and 3, respectively. In each statement, the panelists were requested to confirm a high-risk drug in Round 1, and to rate on a 5-point Likert scale and classify the high-risk medication use in Rounds 2 and 3. The results showed that 77 practice statements (81.1%) that embraced the use of high-risk medications with potential adverse reactions, drug-disease interactions, and drug-drug interactions were agreed by the expert panel. A total of 23 statements (29.9%) were categorized as Groups 1-3 and the rest remained unclassified. Most high-risk medications were utilized in the central nervous system, musculoskeletal system, and cardiovascular system. Further studies are warranted to evaluate the criteria in terms of prescribing and monitoring medication use in older patients.     

Clinical factors predictive of PCR positive in pandemic H1N1 2009 influenza virus infection

Please cite this paper as: Phungoen et al. (2011) Clinical factors predictive of PCR positive in pandemic H1N1 2009 influenza virus infection. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses 5(6), e558–e562. Objective Pandemic H1N1 2009 influenza virus (H1N1) has been spreading globally. Clinical features might be predictive and may be different among countries. Even though the PCR test is a confirmatory test for this viral infection, it is expensive and limited in most Thai health care facilities. We studied predictive factors of PCR positive in H1N1 suspected patients. Methods Consecutive patients who had influenza‐like illness less than seven days and had been tested for H1N1 by the real‐time PCR method between May and July 2009 were enrolled. Clinical data was collected and compared between those who had positive and negative PCR tests. Results There were 6494 patients had flu‐like symptoms. Of those, 166 patients were done PCR test and 75 patients (45·18%) had positive PCR test. There were four predictors for positive PCR test including history of contact with confirmed H1N1 patients, headache, body temperature, and coryza with the adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of 2·84 (1·09–7·40), 6·25 (1·42–27·49), 1·69 (1·08–2·66), and 0·31 (0·12–0·79), respectively. Conclusions Clinical factors can be both suggestive and protective factors for H1N1 infection. These factors may be helpful in clinical practice to assess the possibility of the H1N1 infection in people who are at risk; particularly in resource‐limited health care facilities.