Role of Der p 1–specific B cells in immune tolerance during 2 years of house dust mite–specific immunotherapy

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Cost savings by reagent reduction in flow cytometry-based CD4+ T cell counts: an approach to improve accessibility for HIV management

In Thailand, the cost of antiretrovirals has recently been reduced more than 10 fold. Likewise strategies for a cost reduction in laboratory monitoring are warranted. This study was designed to explore if the most expensive reagent in flow cytometry based CD4+ cell monitoring, the CD4+/CD8+ monoclonal antibodies, can be reduced without a loss of accuracy. Blood samples from 55 HIV seronegative (HIV-) and 76 HIV+ subjects were analyzed for %CD4+ and %CD8+ T cells using a two color monoclonal antibody panel (BD Biosciences, CA, USA) with 3 different amounts of the recommended reagents for staining: 1) standard, 2) half, and 3) one-fourth. A significant Spearman correlation of 0.987 was shown for the % CD4+ T cell test results for one half as well as one-fourth of the recommended amount compared to the standard staining according to the manufacturer's instruction (p < 0.0001). For the % CD8+ T cell test results, the correlation between the standard and the half or one-fourth reduced staining was 0.972 (p < 0.0001). Bland-Altman analysis showed no significant bias between the results from one half or one-fourth of the recommended amount versus the standard. The sensitivity and specificity of the two methods at the CD4+ T cell count cut-off of 200 cells/microl were 93% and 100%; and 96% and 99%, respectively. Our study indicates that a reduction of the reagents to half or one-fourth of the amount recommended by the manufacturer was still able to generate reliable results for CD4+ and CD8+ T cell counts. Such an approach will significantly reduce the cost of CD4+ monitoring for resource limited settings where a flow cytometer is available.     

Identification of Possible Virulence Marker from Campylobacter jejuni Isolates

A novel protein translocation system, the type-6 secretion system (T6SS), may play a role in virulence of Campylobacter jejuni. We investigated 181 C. jejuni isolates from humans, chickens, and environmental sources in Vietnam, Thailand, Pakistan, and the United Kingdom for T6SS. The marker was most prevalent in human and chicken isolates from Vietnam.     

A specific haplotype in the 3′ end of estrogen-receptor alpha gene is associated with low bone mineral density in premenopausal women and increased risk of postmenopausal osteoporosis

It is well established that the development of postmenopausal osteoporosis is under genetic influence. We have recently identified a synonymous single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in exon 8 of estrogen receptor- (ER) gene in the vicinity of the stop codon (G2014A) that is associated with an increased risk of postmenopausal osteoporosis. In the present study, we attempted to locate SNPs in the 3-unstranslated region (3UTR) of the ER gene that are in linkage disequilibrium with the exon 8 SNP and assessed their utilization in the risk assessment of postmenopausal osteoporosis in 352 Thai postmenopausal women. The association with bone mineral density (BMD) in premenopausal women was also investigated in 202 premenopausal women. A C to A SNP 1,748 nucleotides distal to the end of the stop codon (C3768A) was identified. The C3768A SNP was not overrepresented in subjects with osteoporosis. However, the presence of the A-C haplotype allele based on the A2014 and C3768 alleles was significantly related to the risk of osteoporosis independently of age, body weight, the G2014A and C3768A SNPs (odds ratio 2.36, 95% CI 1.42–3.91). Moreover, the presence of the A-C haplotype allele was associated with lower femoral neck BMD in premenopausal women ( P =0.05). We concluded that a specific haplotype in the 3 end of the ER gene is associated with lower BMD in premenopausal women and is associated with a higher risk of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. It is likely that the haplotype allele exerts its influence on bone as early as during young adulthood to increase the risk of osteoporosis later in life.     

Effects of a dietary modification on 2 h postprandial blood glucose in Thai population at risk of type 2 diabetes: An application of the Stages of Change Model

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a dietary modification intervention programme by applying the Stages of Change Model in 2 h postprandial capillary glucose reduction among Thai population. A randomized control trial was conducted for people at risk of type 2 diabetes for a period of 8 weeks. The intervention programme consisted of evaluating an individual's stage of change after being provided dietary information regarding kind of food and portions, discussion with a role model, and keeping a food diary record. By the end of the intervention programme, most participants in the experimental group were in the action stage (n = 36), whereas those in the control group were in the preparation stage (n = 32). Body mass index, blood pressure, food consumption behaviour and the 2 h postprandial blood glucose (PPG) in the experimental group had improved (P < 0.05). When performing regression analysis, intervention participation and the 2 h PPG at the baseline accounted for approximately 54% of total variance in predicting the 2 h PPG. This study yielded evidence for the benefits of using the Stages of Change Model as a framework in a dietary modification programme among people at risk of type 2 diabetes.     

Quality indicators to compare accredited independent pharmacies and accredited chain pharmacies in Thailand

International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy - Background Quality indicators determine the quality of actual practice in reference to standard criteria. The Community Pharmacy Association (Thailand),...