Allogenic human serum,a clinical grade serum supplement for promoting human periodontal ligament stem cell expansion

Exposing human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs) to animal proteins during cell expansion would compromise quality and safety of the hPDLSCs for clinical applications. The current study aimed to evaluate the replacement of animal‐based serum by human serum for the expansion of hPDLSCs. hPDLSCs were cultured in culture media supplemented with four types of serums: Group A: fetal bovine serum (FBS); Group B: allogeneic human male AB serum (HS); Group C: in‐house autologous (Auto‐HS); and Group D: in‐house allogeneic human serums (Allo‐HS). Exhibitions of mesenchymal stem cell characteristics of hPDLSCs were examined. Then, growth and osteogenic (OS) differentiation potential of hPDLSCs in FBS and HS at passages 5 and 15 were compared to investigate the effects of serum supplements on growth and expansion stability of the expanded hPDLSCs. After that, growth and OS differentiation of hPDLSCs in Auto‐ and Allo‐HS were investigated. Flow cytometrical analyses, functional differentiations, cell growth kinetic, cytogenetic analysis, alkaline phosphatase and calcium content assays, and oil red O and von Kossa staining were performed. Results showed that at passage 5, HS promoted growth and OS differentiation of hPDLSCs and extensive cell expansion, decreased growth and differentiation potential of the expanded hPDLSCs, particularly in HS. Growth and OS differentiation of hPDLSCs in Auto‐HS and Allo‐HS were not different. In summary, allogeneic human serum could be a replacement to FBS for hPDLSC expansion. In vitro cell expansion of hPDLSCs should be minimal to ensure optimal cell quality. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The epidemiology of patients with severe malaria who died at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, 1991-2004

This study is a retrospective case series of the causes of death among patients with severe malaria. Data from the medical records of patients who were admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand between 1991 and 2004 were analyzed. The overall hospital mortality rate was 0.2% and the ICU mortality rate was 1.8% for patients with malaria. Thirty-five patients died of malaria in the ICU during the study period, while a total of 1,866 patients were treated for malaria in the ICU during the study period. The most common complication of malaria was cerebral malaria (77.1%). The socioeconomic and demographic characteristics of those who died are examined here, as well as the cost of their treatment.     

Generalized eruption accompanied by hepatitis in two Thai metal cleaners exposed to trichloroethylene

Two female workers, aged 23 and 24, engaged in cleaning metal straps with trichloroethylene (TCE) in a watch manufacturing plant, experienced generalized eruption, mucosal lesion, fever and hepatitis. The first case suffered fulminant hepatitis and died from liver failure in two weeks after the first symptom appearance. The second case, whose onset of generalized eruption, mucosal lesion and hepatitis without jaundice was nine days after that of the first case, however, recovered in 2 wk. Because the result of working environment measurement suggested heavy exposure to TCE, we deemed that there would be a causal relationship between TCE exposure and the illness. Although there have been considerable number of papers describing the above-mentioned relationship, the fact is not well recognized even among medical personnel in Thailand. Taking the wide use of TCE into account, the prevention of this illness would be very important especially in rapidly industrializing countries.     

Social support among elderly in Khon Kean Province, Thailand

The purpose of this research was to assess perceived social support and its factors among the elderly. The study group included 734 elders who were aged 60 years old or more, and living in eight villages in Khon Kaen Province, Thailand. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the information, and perceived social support was measured by PRQ85. This study found a high level of social support was perceived among the elderly. According to the PRQ85, the highest dimension of social support was the availability of information, emotional, and material support; while the lowest dimension was being an integral part of a group. Results from multiple regressions indicate that education level, number of close friend, knowing community health staff, working status, elderly club member, and religious activities were statistically significantly related to perceived social support. In conclusion, the elderly had a high level of social support. Close friends and community health staff are important sources of support among the elderly.     

Changing Pattern of Dengue Virus Serotypes in Thailand between 2004 and 2010

Dengue virus infection is a major concern in several countries, and more than 50 million people are infected worldwide each year. Thailand is one of the countries where people are susceptible to infection due to favourable geographical and environmental conditions. In this retrospective study, we reported the changing pattern of dengue virus serotypes during the period between 2004 and 2010. The following percentage prevalence showed different serotypes of dengue virus (DENV) predominant in respective years: DENV1 in 2004 (56.41%), DENV4 in 2007 (50%), DENV1 in 2008 (57.41%), and DENV3 in 2010 (38.7%). Moreover, the major serotypes were not stable as they showed a shift from one serotype to another. We also found co-infection with two different serotypes and reported the clinical manifestations, which were not different from infection with a single serotype. Co-infection with various serotypes may not necessarily cause more severe disease.Key words: Co-infection, Dengue virus, Prevalence, Serotype, Thailand     

Severe Disability Among Elderly Community Dwellers in Rural Thailand: Prevalence and Associated Factors

The Thai population structure is changing, with the growing number of elderly people leading to a higher dependency ratio. Particularly, the dependency resulted from aging related disability becomes a critical problem in rural Thailand. This study was designed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with severe disability among community dwelling elderly people in rural Thailand. The findings imply that the prevalence of severe disability in the elderly was 11.9 % (95 % CI, 9.23–15.07). The factors associated with severe disability were, according to strength of association, co-morbidity (AOR 3.63; 95 % CI 1.78–7.41), fall (AOR 3.21; 95 % CI. 1.53–6.73), age (over 75 years) (AOR 2.78; 95 % CI 1.33–5.80), and dementia (AOR 2.29; 95 % CI 1.01–5.20), while participation in social activities was a protective factor for severe disability (AOR 0.13; 95 % CI 0.06–0.27). Therefore, to improve care for the community dwelling elderly people in Thailand, the government should focus on health promotion, enhancing the elderly people’s social participation in the society activities for the risk group, and providing long-term care for the elderly with severe disability.     

Evaluation of rapid immunochromatographic NS1 test, anti-dengue IgM test, semi-nested PCR and IgM ELISA for detection of dengue virus

Dengue virus (DENV) causes various clinical symptoms of differing severity based on time of infections. The existing laboratory methods, semi-nested PCR and Dengue IgM ELISA, still have limitations for diagnosis. A commercially available rapid immunochromatographic dengue NS1 antigen and IgM antibody tests in comparison with semi-nested PCR and IgM ELISA for confirmation of DENV infection were evaluated. In total, 237 single acute serum specimens and 50 paired sera of dengue patients were examined using the rapid dengue NS1 antigen test, IgM antibody test, semi-nested PCR and Dengue IgM ELISA. The NS1 and IgM rapid tests showed sensitivity of 70.6%, and 75.6%, respectively, and specificity of 73.4% and 97.1%, respectively. The combination of NS1 and IgM tests enhanced diagnosis. Thus rapid dengue NS1 antigen and IgM antibody tests are highly appropriate for diagnosis of dengue infection as it is rapid, easily applicable, sensitive and highly specific.     

Multiplex real-time RT-PCR for detecting chikungunya virus and dengue virus

ObjectiveTo develop diagnostic test for detection chikungunya virus (CHIKV and Dengue virus (DENV) infection.MethodsWe have performed a rapid, accurate laboratory confirmative method to simultaneously detect, quantify and differentiate CHIKV and DENV infection by single-step multiplex real-time RT-PCR.ResultsThe assay's sensitivity was 97.65%, specificity was 92.59% and accuracy was 95.82% when compared to conventional RT-PCR. Additionally, there was no cross-reaction between CHIKV, DENV, Japanese encephalitis virus, hepatitis C, hepatitis A or hepatitis E virus.ConclusionsThis rapid and reliable assay provides a means for simultaneous early diagnosis of CHIKV and DENV in a single-step reaction.     

Evaluation of the KAT-Quick Malaria Rapid Test for rapid diagnosis of falciparum malaria in Thailand

In recent years, several rapid diagnostic tests for falciparum malaria have been developed. KAT test results were compared with microscopy on 90 consecutive patients hospitalized at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Bangkok, Thailand. Fifty-one patients had P. falciparum infections while 49 had malaria due to other plasmodium species. For a geometric mean +/-SD (Min;Max;range) parasitemia of 11,481 +/- 5.0 (88;713,838;713,750), the sensitivity of the KAT test was 96% (95% CI = 86-99.5), the specificity was 92% (95% CI = 80-99), the accuracy was 94% and the reliability was 85%. These findings suggest that the KAT test is of potential interest in the diagnosis of falciparum malaria in Thailand.