The prevalence and persistence of human parvovirus B19 infection in thalassemic patients

Human parvovirus B19 infection was studied in 60 thalassemic patients in Thailand. Seroprevalence, persistence of parvovirus B19 and their genotypes were identified in blood samples. Prevalence of anti-parvovirus B19 IgG and DNA found in thalassemic patients were 38% and 13%, respectively. Anti-parvovirus B19 IgM could be detected in 4% of these positive anti-parvovirus B19 IgG patients. The seroprevalence and parvovirus B19 DNA in patients with a history of blood transfusion were not significantly higher than those without such a history (44% vs. 34% and 20% vs. 9%, respectively). Phylogenetic analysis of NS1 nucleotide sequences of three parvovirus B19 samples revealed that they were parvovirus B19 genotype 1. They showed low genetic diversity from prototype (Au) strain. We concluded that acute and chronic persistent parvovirus B19 infection were found in the thalassemic Thai patients. Chronic persistence of parvovirus B19 infection might play important clinical role in thalassemic patients because of the high prevalence of parvovirus B19 DNA. Blood transfusion had no significant influence to increase the prevalence of parvovirus B19 infection in thalassemic patients.     

Prevalence and genotypes of hepatitis C virus infection among drug addicts and blood donors in Thailand

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is an infectious agent that has the potential to cause chronic liver disease, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. We determined the prevalence and genotypes of HCV infection among groups of drug addicts: intravenous drug users (n = 134), methamphetamine users (n = 100), inhaled-drugs users (n = 19) and alcoholics (n = 50); a group of blood donors acted as a control. The control group consisted of 179 randomly-selected anti-HCV positive samples: these were subjected to HCV RNA screening and genotyping. The anti-HCV test was performed by ELISA: HCV RNA screening was by nested RT-PCR that employed primers from the 5' noncoding region. The genotype assay was based upon analysis of the 5' NCR amplified sequences and RFLP. Hepatitis C virus was highly prevalent among all groups of drug addicts (12-70%). In 2000. among the new blood donors (n = 66,340) at the National Blood Center, Thai Red Cross, anti-HCV prevalence amounted to 0.98%. The HCV genotype distribution showed that the most prevalent genotype was 3a, followed by 1b and 6a. Our data demonstrated the very high prevalence of HCV infection in IVDUs, a finding that is consistent with the blood-borne nature of the virus. In order to curb HCV infection, a determined effort to educate both the general population and high-risk groups is required; such a program of education would address both general and particular methods of transmission, especially the use of non-sterile needles etc.     

Prevalence of neural tube defect in southern Thailand: a population-based survey during 2009–2012

Background

Neural tube defects (NTDs) are a group of congenital malformation of the central nervous system that leads to permanent physical disability and requires lifelong treatment. In Thailand, there have been three published articles on NTDs, all hospital-based studies, which found prevalence of NTDs of 4.8–6.7 per 10,000 live births.

Objective

It was our purpose with this study to determine the prevalence and type of NTDs in southern Thailand through a population-based survey.

Method

Data were obtained through the population-based surveillance during 2009–2012 in three provinces (Songkhla, Phatthalung, Trang) in southern Thailand. Entries in the birth defects registry included all live births, all stillbirths after 24-week gestational age, and termination of pregnancy following the prenatal diagnosis at any gestational age of all congenital anomalies.

Results

During 2009–2012, 148,759 births were registered in the three provinces. Twenty-eight NTD cases were identified, giving an average of 1.88 per 10,000 births (95 % CI 1.20–2.51): 12 cases with anencephaly (42.8 %), 5 with occipital encephalocele (17.9 %), and 11 with myelomeningocele (39.3 %). The birth prevalence per 10,000 births of anencephaly, encephalocele, and myelomeningocele were 0.81, 0.33, and 0.74, respectively. Sixteen (57 %) were detected in live births, and 12 (43 %) were detected by prenatal diagnosis which later resulted in termination of pregnancy.

Conclusions

The prevalence of NTDs based on the population-based study in southern Thailand was low. About 40 % of NTD cases were detected prenatally and later terminated. Hence, examining only registry live births will result in an inaccurately low NTD prevalence rate.     

Graft-versus-host disease can be separated from graft-versus-lymphoma effects by control of lymphocyte trafficking with FTY720

Graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) mediated by donor T cells recognizing host alloantigens is associated with beneficial graft-versus-tumor effects in recipients of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplants. Since leukemias and lymphomas reside largely within the lymphohematopoietic system, we have proposed that the desired graft-versus-leukemia or graft-versus-lymphoma effect can be separated from the complication of GvHD by confinement of the graft-versus-host alloresponse to the lymphohematopoietic tissues. Since the new sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor agonist immunosuppressive drug FTY720 leads to trapping of T cells in secondary lymphoid tissues, we evaluated the possibility that this drug could diminish GvHD, a disease involving epithelial target tissues, while permitting a beneficial alloresponse to take place within the lymphohematopoietic system, leading to graft-versus-lymphoma effects. We demonstrate here that FTY720 markedly reduces GvHD in a clinically relevant, haploidentical strain combination, while permitting antitumor effects against a T cell lymphoma of unshared host MHC haplotype to proceed unhindered. These results establish a potential new immunotherapeutic approach to separating graft-versus-leukemia effects from GvHD.     

Surveillance of subtype and genetic variation of the circulating strains of HIV-1 in Thailand

Two HIV-1 strains, CRF01_AE and subtype B', were reported in Thailand during the early years of the epidemic. Recently, an intersubtype recombination of HIV-1 strain was found in Thailand. Eight-hundred and twenty-eight samples collected during years 1995-2004 from high-risk groups in Bangkok, northern, northeastern, and southern region of Thailand were studied. HIV-1 env nucleotide sequences were used for phylogenetic analysis of the circulating HIV-1 strain. By single HIV-1 region (env) genotyping, CRFO1_AE was found in 97.3% and HIV-1 subtype B was found in 2.7%. A predominance of CRF01_AE was found in all geographic regions. Parallel analysis of the HIV-1 gag and env genes demonstrated that 2.1% and 4.0% of recombinant HIV-1 strains were found using p17 and p24 region sequences, respectively. The recombinant gag gene was also found in one southern isolate. Phylogenetic analysis of HIV-1 isolated from 20 provinces in 2002 suggested the northern and northeastern isolates were more related than the southern isolates which had the lowest genetic diversity of 0.13. The GPGQ V3 loop tip was also present in isolates from all regions. The molecular epidemiological data from this study may be useful for surveillance design as well as targeting prevention efforts. It also provides information regarding new antigenic regions of circulating strains responsible for the HIV-1 epidemic in Thailand.     

Toxicity of copper in butterfish (Poronotus triacanthus): tissues accumulation and ultrastructural changes

The present study investigated the accumulation of copper in various tissues and ultrastructural alterations in butterfish, Poronotus triacanthus. In acute toxicity test, butterfish were exposed to 250 microg/L copper for 24 h. In subacute toxicity test, fish were exposed to 25 microg/L copper for 7 days and then returned to normal water for 48 h. The levels of copper accumulation in the tissues were determined by using an atomic absorption spectrometer. After the 7 day exposure, the highest level of copper was found in the liver, followed by kidney, gills, and muscle tissues (3.64, 0.62, 0.59, and 0.34 microg/L, respectively). The recovery group has shown some reduction in copper level in these tissues when compared with those of the 7 day exposure group (3.09, 0.34, 0.30, and 0.27 microg/L, respectively). In gills, the major changes such as filament cell proliferation, increase in intercellular spaces, epithelial lifting, and thickening of the filament and lamellar epithelium were observed. In liver, the major changes such as swollen mitochondria, fragmented in rough endoplasmic reticulum, increases in number and size of lysosomes and lipid droplets. Infiltration of leukocytes, increasing hepatocyte size with pyknotic nuclei, and presence of vacuoles were also observed. In kidney, the changes included alterations of the first proximal tubules, as well as vacuolization of the cytoplasm, proliferation of lysosomes and mitochondria, dilation of endoplasmic reticulum, and finally, cell necrosis. The transmission electron microscopic analysis revealed that the 7 day exposure group had more severe effect in tissue alterations than the 24 h exposure group. Tissue regeneration was also observed in the 48 h recovery group.     

Glycemic control and the psychosocial benefits gained by patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus attending the diabetes camp

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of diabetes camp on glycemic control, knowledge, and psychosocial benefits among patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Glycemic control among patients with infrequent and frequent self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) was also compared. METHODS: During a 5-day camp, 60 patients were taught diabetes self-management education (DSME). After camp, patients were divided into two groups based on frequency of SMBG (<3 versus 3-4 times/day) and were followed up until 6-month post-camp. Patients' HbA1c levels and knowledge were assessed at baseline, 3- and 6-month post-camp. Patients' impressions towards camp were assessed. RESULTS: In both SMBG groups, HbA1c levels decreased significantly at 3-month post-camp but did not sustain at 6-month monitoring. The patients with frequent SMBG had a lower mean HbA1c level. A significant improvement in knowledge was noted and sustained up to 6-month post-camp. The patients found diabetes camp of benefit and felt they could better cope with diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: Although the effect of the diabetes camp on glycemic control was short-lived, an improvement in knowledge and a better attitude towards having diabetes were seen among participants. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The psychosocial benefits and knowledge gained by patients attending diabetes camp underline the importance of including a camp in a diabetes management plan. To improve patients' long-term glycemic control, a continuous education is required.     

Partial Substitution of Glucose with Xylitol Prolongs Survival and Suppresses Cell Proliferation and Glycolysis of Mice Bearing Orthotopic Xenograft of Oral Cancer

Many types of cancer have metabolic alterations with increased glycolysis. Identification of alternative sweeteners that do not fuel cancer is a novel approach to cancer control. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of xylitol on tumor growth and survival of mice bearing orthotopic xenograft of tongue cancers. The results showed that partial substitution of glucose with xylitol (glucose 0.35 g plus xylitol 2.06 g/kg body weight) non-significantly reduced tumor volume, and significantly prolonged the median survival time from 19 days in the control to 30.5 days in the xylitol group. Immunohistochemical data of the tongue tissue shows significantly lower intense-to-mild staining ratios of the proliferation marker Ki-67 in the xylitol than those of the control group (p = 0.04). Furthermore, the xylitol substitution significantly reduced the expression of the rate-limiting glycolytic enzyme, phosphofructokinase-1 (PFK-1) (p = 0.03), and showed a non-significant inhibition of PFK activity. In summary, partial substitution of glucose with xylitol at the equivalent dose to human household use of 10 g/day slows down tumor proliferation and prolongs survival of mice bearing an orthotopic oral cancer xenograft, possibly through glycolytic inhibition, with minimal adverse events. The insight warrants clinical studies to confirm xylitol as a candidate sweetener in food products for cancer survivors.     

Effect of varying the onset of exposure to DDT on its modulation of AFB1-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in the rat

We have previously reported that p, p'-dichlorodiphenyl-trichloroethane(DDT) inhibited the hepatocarcinogenicity of aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁)if given to rats 1 week prior to AFB₁ but could enhance thecarcinogenesis when given 1 week after the completion of AFB₁treatment. However, simultaneous administration of DDT withAFB₁ resulted in a slight reduction in the incidence of livertumours. In the present experiment in which the dose of AFB₁was reduced to about half of that used previously, we observedthat DDT markedly inhibited the hepatocarcinogenesis if givento animals starting at the same time with AFB₁. On the otherhand, giving DDT to animals starting in the middle of AFB₁ treatmentresulted in a significant enhancement of hepatocarcinogenesis.DDT exhibited a maximal tumour promoting effect when given either1 or 3 weeks after completion of AFB₁ treatment. It enhancedthe number of animals bearing liver carcinomas as well as thenumber of carcinomas per animal. Determination of gammaglutamyltranspeptidasein the serum revealed that the activity increased only in animalsbearing big and/or a number of carcinomas in the livers especiallyin those promoted by DDT. These results therefore demonstratedthat DDT will act as an inhibitor of AFB₁-induced hepatocarcinogenesisif it is given to animals starting either prior to or at thesame time as carcinogen. On the other hand, it will act as atumour promoter if given to animals starting either in the middleof or after the completion of AFB₁ treatment.