Comparative studies on hematological and plasma biochemical parameters in different types of venomous snakes in Thailand

Reference values were established for some plasma biochemical and hematological profiles of venomous snakes in Thailand. The studies were performed on three groups of adult, captive born elapids, including 20 Siamese cobra, Naja kaouthia; 20 king cobra, Ophiophagus hannah; and 9 Malayan krait, Bungarus candidus. The study parameters included complete blood count, plasma aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), plasma creatinine, uric acid, total protein, and sodium, potassium, and chloride ions. The results obtained were compared among groups of snakes. Comparative studies among groups showed statistical significant differences of some parameters among species including heterophils, eosinophils, basophils, AST, ALP, creatinine, and potassium and chloride ion levels. The differences of these parameters indicate the necessity of establishing referential data for hematological and biochemical parameters in venomous snakes. The results obtained will be useful in routine diagnostics as the hematological and metabolic profiles of venomous snakes.     

Pharmacokinetics of oral contraceptive steroids after morning or evening administration

An oral contraceptive containing ethynyloestradiol and norethisterone was administered to six women in the morning and in the evening using a cross-over design. Serum levels of ethynyloestradiol and norethisterone were measured at various times' after administration. There was no significant difference in a number of pharmacokinetic parameters between the two times of administration, suggesting that morning or evening administration of the contraceptive are equally effective.     

Novel anhydrous emulsions: formulation as controlled release vehicles

Novel anhydrous emulsions, which may offer some advantages as depot or reservoir vehicles for lipophilic drugs in controlled delivery systems, were formulated using castor oil as the disperse phase and dimethicone or cyclopentasiloxane as the continuous phase. Among the emulsifiers studied only silicone surfactants (cyclomethicone/dimethicone copolyols) which were miscible in silicone oil stabilized the emulsions. Cyclomethicone/PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone and Cyclopentasiloxane/PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone were more effective in lowering the interfacial tension between castor oil and both dimethicone and cyclopentasiloxane. Emulsions formulated using either of these two surfactants were found to be stable against phase separation and exhibited least globule growth over 168 h. The average particle size was found to be 2-6 microm in these systems formed by probe sonication. Slow release patterns of 3H-dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and 3H-dexamethasone solubilized in the disperse castor oil phase into an aqueous dialyzing medium were observed over 48 h.     

Significance of endothelin on volume homeostasis in obese Zucker rats

1. The present study explored the impact of endothelin (ET) and its interaction with renal sympathetic nerves in the control of volume homeostasis in obesity. 2. Groups of lean and obese Zucker rats with innervated and denervated kidneys were subjected to an acute isotonic saline volume expansion (VE), 10% bodyweight and renal haemodynamics and excretory function were evaluated following administration of SB209670 (a non-selective ET antagonist) or UK 350 926 (a selective ETA receptor antagonist). 3. Volume expansion in untreated obese rats resulted in a blunted cumulative urine sodium excretion (CuUNaV) after 40 min, VE compared with untreated lean rats being 36 and 51% in the denervated and innervated kidneys, respectively (both P < 0.001). 4. In lean rats, both SB209670 and UK 350 926 caused a depressed ability to excrete the saline load and CuUNaV after 40 min, VE compared with untreated being decreased by 51 and 60% in the denervated and innervated kidneys, respectively (both P < 0.001). 5. SB209670 and UK 350 926 given to obese rats reduced (both P < 0.001) CuUNaV after VE by 43% in denervated kidneys compared with untreated obese rats, whereas they were without effect on the magnitude of the excretory response in innervated kidneys. 6. These findings show that the blunted renal excretory responses to VE present in obese rats were not mediated by ET. Conversely, ET, acting through ETA receptors, plays a role as a diuretic and natriuretic factor in maintaining volume homeostasis by, at least in lean rats, renal nerve-independent mechanisms.     

Cross neutralization of the lethal activities of Myanmar and Thai Russell's viper venoms by Thai and Myanmar antivenoms.

The efficacy of homologous neutralization of the lethal activity of Myanmar Russell's viper venom (MRV) and Thai Russell's viper venom (TRV) by Myanmar antivenom (MAV) and Thai antivenom (TAV), respectively, were studied and compared with the heterologous neutralization of the lethal activity of MRV and TRV by TAV and MAV, respectively, in experimental mice. Although MRV and TRV were the same subspecies, their lethal activities and protective efficacy of MAV and TAV were apparently different from each other. However, there was some extent of cross reactivities between MRV and TAV, and TRV and MAV. The findings of this study suggested that it is necessary to administer heterologous antivenom in dosage of 1.7-4 times greater than that of homologous antivenom to achieve an equal potency.     

Preoperative Mental Health Influences Patient-Reported Outcome Measures and Satisfaction After Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty

BackgroundA higher prevalence of mental health conditions has been reported in patients undergoing revision total knee arthroplasty (rTKA). This study investigated the effect of preoperative mental health on patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and satisfaction after rTKA.MethodsA total of 245 patients who underwent rTKA in 2004-2018 were identified from our institutional joint registry. The most common indications were aseptic loosening (n = 111), infection (n = 70), and instability (n = 35). 36-item Short-Form health survey (SF-36) mental component summary (MCS) was used to stratify the cohort into: Low-MCS (SF-36 MCS <50; n = 112) and control (SF-36 MCS ≥50; n = 133) groups. Knee Society score, Oxford knee score, SF-36 physical score, and a satisfaction questionnaire were used to compare the low-MCS and control at 6 months and 2 years.ResultsAll PROMs were poorer in the low-MCS group at 6 months and 2 years. However, both groups demonstrated a comparable improvement in each PROM and a similar proportion attained the minimal clinically important difference. Fewer patients in the low-MCS group were satisfied at 2 years (72.2% vs 84.5%, P = .045). Lower preoperative SF-36 MCS was independently associated with increased odds of dissatisfaction (OR 1.037, 95% CI 1.004-1.070, P = .027). Although the change in SF-36 MCS was greater in the low-MCS group, the final value remained lower at 2 years.ConclusionWhile patients with poor mental health had inferior PROMs preoperatively and postoperatively, a similar percentage experienced a clinically meaningful improvement at 2 years. Perioperative optimization of psychological factors should still be emphasized as these patients were at a higher risk of dissatisfaction after rTKA.     

Job strain and family well-being among public health nurses in Bangkok metropolitan administration, Thailand

This study aimed to examine job strain and family well-being among public health nurses. A total of 239 public health nurses participated in the study. Data were collected using a questionnaire. One-way ANOVA and Pearson's correlation coefficients were used to assess the association of each factor with family well-being. It was found that there was a correlation between job strain and family well-being. Individual and family factors were also associated with family well-being. In all, 67% of nurses had a high rating for family well-being. A large portion of nurses belonged to the category of "active job" (51.5%). More than 50% of nurses were exposed to high "job demand" and 97.5% were in high "job control." The study suggests that nurses should be promoted with the ability to be in authority and display decision-making skills and should receive support and encouragement from supervisors and coworkers in order to improve family well-being.     

Memory T cell subsets in healthy gingiva and periodontitis tissues

1 Background

In the gingival sulcus, effective and balanced innate and adaptive immune responses against subgingival plaque microbiome are crucial to maintain immune homeostasis. In this study, we investigated the memory T cell subsets in healthy gingiva and periodontitis tissues.

2 Methods

Anatomical localization of T cells (CD3⁺, CD4⁺, and CD8⁺) in healthy gingiva and periodontitis tissues were examined immunohistochemically. Subsets of memory T cells from isolated gingival cells were analyzed by flow cytometry using a cocktail of monoclonal antibodies (anti‐CD69, anti‐CD103, anti‐CD45RA, anti‐CCR7, anti‐CD28, and anti‐CD95). Intracellular cytokine staining of interleukin (IL)‐17 and interferon (IFN)‐γ expression on memory T cells in periodontitis tissues was also investigated.

3 Results

We found that healthy gingiva contains two memory T cell populations; a CD69^? recirculating population and a CD69⁺ gingiva‐resident memory T cell population. CD4⁺ T cells with transitional memory (T_TM) phenotype (CD45RA^?CCR7^?CD28⁺CD95⁺) constitute the major subset within these two populations. A significant increase in the proportion of CD4⁺CD69⁺CD103^? memory T cells was observed in periodontitis tissues compared with healthy gingiva. CD4⁺ memory T cells from periodontitis tissues produced either IL‐17 or IFN‐γ whereas CD8⁺ memory T cells produced only IFN‐γ.

4 Conclusions

Our findings suggest that recirculating and gingiva‐resident memory T cells could represent an important part of the immune surveillance network in the connective tissue, maintaining periodontal homeostasis. Imbalance of subgingival bacterial communities could damage gingival barrier allowing bacterial antigens to get access to the deeper connective tissue where they activate memory T cells leading to deleterious inflammation; a hallmark of periodontitis.