Predicted S and s phenotypes from genotyping results among Thai populations to prevent transfusion-induced alloimmunization risks

Background

S and s antigens of the MNS system are of clinical importance because alloanti-S and -s have usually caused delayed hemolytic transfusion reactions and hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn. Various red cell genotyping has been established to predict the phenotypes to solve serological test limitations.

Anti-adhesive effect of nitric oxide on Plasmodium falciparum cytoadherence under flow

Nitric oxide (NO) is widely known to inhibit platelet and leukocyte adhesion to endothelium through its regulatory effect on adhesion molecule expression. The objective of the present study was to investigate if NO affects the cytoadherence of Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes (IRBCs) to human microvascular endothelium (HDMECs) under flow conditions in vitro. The effect of endogenous NO was studied using the NO synthase inhibitor L-N(G)-nitro-arginine-methyl-ester (L-NAME). Treatment of HDMECs with 3 mmol/L of L-NAME for 4 hours significantly enhanced IRBC adhesion and the effect could be reversed by an anti-P-selectin but not an anti-VCAM-1 antibody. The effect of exogenous NO on cytoadherence was studied by using the NO donor 3-(2-hydroxy-2-nitroso-1-propylhydrazino)-1-propanamine (PPN). PPN (300 micro mol/L) treatment reduced the number of adherent IRBCs on resting HDMECs by down-regulating basal ICAM-1 expression, and on tumor necrosis factor-alpha-stimulated HDMECs by inhibition of VCAM-1 induction and down-regulation of ICAM-1 expression. The inhibitory effect of PPN on tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced VCAM-1 expression at 24 hours was evident when the NO donor was added for as short as 2 hours. These findings suggest that NO may be protective against P. falciparum infection by inhibiting cytoadherence, and underscore the therapeutic potential of NO in the treatment of severe falciparum malaria.     

The molecular basis of mucopolysaccharidosis type I in two Thai patients

Two Thai patients diagnosed with Hurler syndrome (mucopolysaccharidosis type 1, MPS I) were found to have no detectable alpha-iduronidase (E.C. 3.2.1.76) activity in leukocytes, while normal Thai children all had significant activity, with a mean of 135 +/- 30 nmol/mg/18h. One patient was heterozygous for A75T (311G>A) and S633L (1986C>T) mutation, previously reported to cause MPS I, together with 9 other heterozygous polymorphisms also found in normal controls. The other patient had the previously described frameshift mutation 252insert C and a new nonsense mutation E299X (983G>T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">DI*A</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">DI*B</Emphasis> Allele Frequencies Among Southern Thai Blood Donors

Diego (DI) blood group genotyping is clinically important in Asian populations. Data of Diego blood type among southern Thais is still unknown. This study aimed to report DI*A and DI*B allele frequencies in southern Thai blood donors and to estimate potential risk of Di^a incompatibility and alloimmunization in Thai populations. DNA samples obtained from 427 southern Thai blood donors were genotyped for DI*A and DI*B alleles by polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primer. DI*A and DI*B allele frequencies among southern Thais were 0.0047 and 0.9953. Their frequencies were similar to those among American Native, Italian, Filipino, Alaska Native/Aleut and Hawaiian/Pacific Islander populations; while, the frequencies significantly differed from central and northern Thai, Southeast Asian, Brazilian, Southern Brazilian, Brazilian Japanese descendants, Japanese, Han Chinese, Chinese, and Korean populations (P < 0.05). The Di^a incompatibility among southern Thais (0.93%) was lower than among central Thais (3.49%), corresponding to a significantly lower probability of Di^a alloimmunization (P < 0.05). This is the first report of DI*A and DI*B allele frequencies among southern Thais, which is beneficial for not only creating information for estimating risk of alloimmunization, but also providing antigen-negative red cell donors to prevent both alloimmunization and adverse transfusion reactions.     

A Comparative Study of Psychosocial Interventions for Internet Gaming Disorder Among Adolescents Aged 13–17 Years

International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction - The present study is a quasi-experimental, prospective study of interventions for internet gaming disorder (IGD). One hundred four parents and...     

Catalytic pyrolysis of plastic waste for the production of liquid fuels for engines

Catalytic pyrolysis of waste plastics using low cost binder-free pelletized bentonite clay has been investigated to yield pyrolysis oils as drop-in replacements for commercial liquid fuels such as diesel and gasohol 91. Pyrolysis of four waste plastics, polystyrene, polypropylene, low density polyethylene and high density polyethylene, was achieved at a bench scale (1 kg per batch) to produce useful fuel products. Importantly, the addition of binder-free bentonite clay pellets successfully yielded liquid based fuels with increased calorific values and lower viscosity for all plastic wastes. This larger scale pyrolysis study demonstrated that use of a catalyst in powder form can lead to significant pressure drops in the catalyst column, thus slowing the process (more than 1 hour). Importantly, the use of catalyst pellets eliminated the pressure drop and reduced pyrolysis processing time to only 10 minutes for 1 kg of plastic waste. The pyrolysis oil composition from polystyrene consists of 95% aromatic hydrocarbons, while in contrast, those from polypropylene, low density polyethylene and high density polyethylene, were dominated by aliphatic hydrocarbons, as confirmed by GC-MS. FTIR analysis demonstrated that low density polyethylene and high density polyethylene oils had functional groups that were consistent with those of commercial diesel (96% similarity match). In contrast, pyrolysis-oils from polystyrene demonstrated chemical and physical properties similar to those of gasohol 91. In both cases no wax formation was observed when using the bentonite clay pellets as a catalyst in the pyrolysis process, which was attributed to the high acidity of the bentonite catalyst (low SiO₂ : Al₂O₃ ratio), thus making it more active in cracking waxes compared to the less acidic heterogeneous catalysts reported in the literature. Pyrolysis-oil from the catalytic treatment of polystyrene resulted in greater engine power, comparable engine temperature, and lower carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions, as compared to those of uncatalysed oils and commercial fuel in a gasoline engine. Pyrolysis-oils from all other polymers demonstrated comparable performance to diesel in engine power tests. The application of inexpensive and widely available bentonite clay in pyrolysis could significantly aid in repurposing plastic wastes.

Catalytic pyrolysis of waste plastics using low cost binder-free pelletized bentonite clay has been investigated to yield pyrolysis oils as drop-in replacements for commercial liquid fuels such as diesel and gasohol 91.     

Amniocentesis in twin pregnancies

Objective  To describe the experiences in diagnostic amniocentesis in twin pregnancies. Methods  The computerized database and medical records of pregnant women attending Maternal Fetal Medicine Unit of the hospital for diagnostic amniocentesis at 16–20 weeks gestation between January 1992 and December 2006 were retrospectively reviewed. Results  During 15 years of experience, 7,890 amniocenteses at 16–20 weeks gestation were performed for prenatal diagnosis, including 174 procedures in 87 twin pregnancies. The mean gestational age at the time of amniocentesis was 17.13 ± 3.35 weeks. Preterm birth rate defined as the delivery before 36 gestational weeks was 36.24%. The total fetal loss rate was 5.17%, however, the procedure related fetal loss within 2 weeks after the procedure was 1.15%. Conclusion  Based on our limited data and previous studies, we can counsel patients undergoing twin amniocentesis at mid-trimester that the fetal loss rate may be slightly higher than that of singleton amniocentesis.     

Health status of diabetes type 2 patients in Thailand contradicts their perception and admitted compliance

A nationwide data set about the health status of diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM) patients and a questionnaire of a sub-sample of the DM patients about their know-how, behavior and perception about health care had been re-assessed. Laboratory results revealed that in average 70% of the patients had been over nourished, over 50% had abnormal cholesterol-, over 55% had high triglyceride levels and 51% had high density lipid (HDL) values below 45 mg/dl. Sixty percent of patients had glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels over 7%. About 60% of study participants answered a questionnaire. In contrast to the laboratory findings about 90% claimed to take the medicine as the doctor advised, 60% said that they adjusted their food intake as advised and more than 80% said that they know well how to take care of themselves. They were only superficially informed about the complications of DM. Almost 95% were satisfied with the health service they receive and over 70% were satisfied with their health status. The results are discussed in connection with the need to control DM on the basis of primary health care (PHC). It is argued that the assessment of health programs solely through questionnaires might be misleading, if the findings are not confirmed by clinical and biochemical parameters.