Development of the School of Nursing, Midwifery, and Public Health at Siriraj, Thailand 1896-1971: a historical study

This study examined the history and development of the first nursing school in Thailand. Data were collected using a historical methodology through a review of related literature, as well as interviews with senior nurses. All data were clustered and categorized by using content analysis and an historical lens. The results revealed that the School development was divided to three periods: the School development in 1896-1925 (the foundation of modern Thai nursing); 1926-1955 (the influence of American medical and nursing education); and 1956-1971 (the transfer of a hospital-based training to university-based nursing education). In the final period, there was recognition that was associated with the professionalization of nursing, as the School initiated a bachelor degree in nursing and became the Faculty of Nursing. Through this long development, the School has progressively assisted Thai nursing to become a strong profession with international standards and recognition. The results of this study add significantly to the history of nursing in Thailand, and help nurses internationally to appreciate the efforts that have continued to sustain their noble profession.     

Clinical and molecular findings in Thai patients with isolated methylmalonic acidemia

Isolated methylmalonic acidemia (MMA) is a genetically heterogeneous organic acid disorder caused by either deficiency of the enzyme methylmalonyl-CoA mutase (MCM), or a defect in the biosynthesis of its cofactor, adenosyl-cobalamin (AdoCbl). Herein, we report and review the genotypes and phenotypes of 14 Thai patients with isolated MMA. Between 1997 and 2011, we identified 6 mut patients, 2 cblA patients, and 6 cblB patients. The mut and cblB patients had relatively severe phenotypes compared to relatively mild phenotypes of the cblA patients. The MUT and MMAB genotypes were also correlated to the severity of the phenotypes. Three mutations in the MUT gene: c.788G>T (p.G263V), c.809_812dupGGGC (p.D272Gfs*2), and c.1426C>T (p.Q476*); one mutation in the MMAA gene: c.292A>G (p.R98G); and three mutations in the MMAB gene: c.682delG (p.A228Pfs*2), c.435delC (p.F145Lfs*69), and c.585-1G>A, have not been previously reported. RT-PCR analysis of a common intron 6 polymorphism (c.520-159C>T) of the MMAB gene revealed that it correlates to deep intronic exonization leading to premature termination of the open reading frame. This could decrease the ATP:cobalamin adenosyltransferase (ATR) activity resulting in abnormal phenotypes if found in a compound heterozygous state with a null mutation. We confirm the genotype-phenotype correlation of isolated MMA in the study population, and identified a new molecular basis of the cblB disorder.     

Prevalence of Blastocystis hominis infection in asymptomatic individuals from Bangkok, Thailand

Fresh stool examination was performed from 2,230 participants who enrolled in annual check-up programs of the Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University in 1999-2000 and 2004. In this study, Blastocystis hominis infection was diagnosed by culturing in Jones' media. A total of 21% of fecal specimens (in 1999-2000) and 13.7% (in 2004) were positive for B. hominis. The vacuolated form was the predominant form found in culture solution after 48 hours of incubation. The distribution of infection was highest between the ages of 21-30 years (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in infection between male and female groups. Other parasites, eg Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba histolytica, Entamoeba coli, Endolimax nana, Trichomonas hominis, Strongyloides stercoralis, Opisthorchis viverrini and Taenia species, were also found by fresh stool examination.     

Galectin-3 expression in human papillary thyroid carcinoma

Previous studies have suggested that galectin-3 expression was markedly elevated in papillary thyroid carcinoma compared to other thyroid diseases. In order to better understand this protein, galectin-3 from papillary thyroid carcinoma was partially purified by affinity chromatography on lactose-agarose. Proteins eluted from the column were separated by SDS-PAGE, and galectin-3 was detected with antibodies against the N-terminus and C-terminus of galectin-3. Some protein bands from the lactose binding fraction were also selected for identification by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). Seven protein bands, with molecular weights ranging from 16 kDa to 31 kDa, were identified as galectin-3. The antibody raised against the C-terminus of galectin-3 gave a strong band for one of the bands detected by the N-terminal antibody and weak bands for the other three. One additional dark immunoreactive band with an approximate molecular weight of 20 kDa, was also detected by the C-terminal galectin-3 antibody. To determine the structural differences of each protein band, N-terminal amino acid sequencing of the seven protein bands was conducted. The three upper bands were N-terminally blocked, while the other bands had N-terminal amino acid sequences starting at positions Gly35, Gly65 (2 bands) and Ala100, respectively. Further studies are necessary to determine whether these are due to nonspecific proteolysis or post-translation modification.     

Novel mutations in a Thai patient with methylmalonic acidemia

A Thai patient with methylmalonic acidemia (MMA) and no methylmalonyl-CoA mutase (MCM, EC 5.4.99.2) activity in leukocytes in the presence of deoxyadenosyl cobalamin (mut(0)) was found to be heterozygous for two novel mutations: 1048delT and 1706_1707delGGinsTA (G544X), inherited from her mother and father, respectively. The proband was also heterozygous for the polymorphism, A499T, which did not affect the activity of recombinant MCM.     

Decreased paraoxonase 1 activity and increased oxidative stress in low lead-exposed workers

Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) has been proposed as an antioxidant enzyme. Although lead-inhibited PON1 activity has been demonstrated mostly based on in vitro experiments, it is uncertain whether this phenomenon is relevant in pathogenesis of lead-induced oxidative stress in the lead exposure. We examined associations of blood lead levels (BLL) and PON1 activity along with oxidative stress parameters in lead exposure workers. We determined malondialdehyde (MDA), conjugated diene (CD), total peroxides (TP), total antioxidant status (TAS), the oxidative stress index (OSI), and PON1 activity in earthenware factory workers (n = 60) and control subjects (n = 65). The lead-exposed group significantly increased lipid peroxidation parameters and OSI compared to the control group (p < 0.001). The lead-exposed group had significantly decreased PON1 activity and TAS levels compared to the control group (p < 0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that BLL were significantly correlated with decreased TAS (r = -0.496) and PON1 activity (r = -0.434), but with increased CD (r = 0.694), TP (r = 0.614), MDA (r = 0.788), and OSI (r = 0.722). Interestingly, BLL at 10 μg/dL significantly decreased PON1 activity and increased oxidative stress parameters with insignificant changes in other biochemical and hematological parameters. Altogether, the reduction of PON1 activity may associate in an imbalance in pro-oxidants and antioxidants, leading to oxidative damage in lead-exposed workers even at low BLL.