Solvent‐Assisted Orientation of Poly(3‐hexylthiophene)‐Functionalized CdSe Nanorods Under an Electric Field

The synthesis of high‐aspect‐ratio (AR) CdSe (NRs) nanorods and their ordered assembly over large areas are reported. Long‐range ordering of hexagonal arrays of high‐AR NRs is achieved by a combination of controlled solvent evaporation and the use of an applied electric field. Vertically oriented assemblies of CdSe NRs functionalized with oligo‐ and polythiophene are also obtained. Aligned and oriented polythiophene CdSe NRs have potential applications in organic–inorganic hybrid bulk‐heterojunction photovoltaic devices.

     

Progress towards Achieving the Recommendations of the Commission on Ending Childhood Obesity: A Comprehensive Review and Analysis of Current Policies,Actions and Implementation Gaps in Thailand

Despite a significant commitment to tackling childhood overweight and obesity, questions remain about the progress the Thai Government has made in implementing childhood obesity prevention policies and actions. This study aimed to review and assess the implementation of the government’s policies and actions for childhood obesity prevention in Thailand compared with the recommendations of the Commission on Ending Childhood Obesity and to identify the implementation gaps. Policy data were collected from governmental and NGO websites and publications and via direct contact with government officials. Stakeholder meetings were held to seek further information and advice on implementation gaps and to give recommendations. The analysis of each policy was conducted against pre-determined criteria formulated from literature assessments and stakeholder consultations. The policies and actions that were implemented by the Government were consistent with 33 broad policy actions and 55 specific policy actions. Preconception and pregnancy care was the policy area that was most implemented. Six broad policy actions were assessed as ‘high’ performance, these were: sugar-sweetened beverage taxation, nutrient labeling, nutrition guidance for preconception and pregnancy care, the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes, regulatory measures for supporting maternal breastfeeding, and regulations on the marketing of complementary foods and beverages. Policy coherence and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) were identified as major implementation gaps. Increasing the effectiveness of childhood obesity prevention in Thailand will require national immediate attention towards building infrastructure to enhance coherence among the policies and to put in place M&E mechanisms for each policy.     

An 11‐country study to benchmark the implementation of recommended nutrition policies by national governments using the Healthy Food Environment Policy Index, 2015‐2018

The Healthy Food Environment Policy Index (Food‐EPI) aims to assess the extent of implementation of recommended food environment policies by governments compared with international best practices and prioritize actions to fill implementation gaps. The Food‐EPI was applied in 11 countries across six regions (2015‐2018). National public health nutrition panels (n = 11‐101 experts) rated the extent of implementation of 47 policy and infrastructure support good practice indicators by their government(s) against best practices, using an evidence document verified by government officials. Experts identified and prioritized actions to address implementation gaps. The proportion of indicators at “very low if any,” “low,” “medium,” and “high” implementation, overall Food‐EPI scores, and priority action areas were compared across countries. Inter‐rater reliability was good (GwetAC2 = 0.6‐0.8). Chile had the highest proportion of policies (13%) rated at “high” implementation, while Guatemala had the highest proportion of policies (83%) rated at “very low if any” implementation. The overall Food‐EPI score was “medium” for Australia, England, Chile, and Singapore, while “very low if any” for Guatemala. Policy areas most frequently prioritized included taxes on unhealthy foods, restricting unhealthy food promotion and front‐of‐pack labelling. The Food‐EPI was found to be a robust tool and process to benchmark governments' progress to create healthy food environments.     

Epidemiology of oral and pharyngeal cancers in Khon Kaen, Thailand: a high incidence in females

Background: This study was aimed to describe incidence, trends, and survival of oral and pharyngeal cancers in Khon Kaen, the province situated in the northeast of Thai-land. Methods: Data on oral and pharyngeal cancer cases diagnosed during 1985 - 2001 were retrieved from the population-based cancer registry of Khon Kaen. The final status of the patients was verified by database linkage and follow-up using postcards. Results: Of 1,038 cases, 62.6% were female and 37.4% were male, with a mean age of 63 years. The age-standardized incidence rate (ASR) in females (6.2 per 100 000; 95%CI 5.7-6.7) was significantly higher than in males (3.9 per 100 000; 95%CI 3.5-4.4). Annual percent changes in ASR were 1.7 in females (p<0.05), but 1.2 in males. Lip and buccal cancers were the most common sites respectively; however, the incidence of tongue cancer was increasing in the last period. Eighty five percent of all cases were diagnosed in advanced stage (stage III and IV). The overall five-year relative survival was 43.1%. We found stage distribution and survival did not change during the study period. Conclusion: The considerably high incidence in female suggests a need for research on specific risk factors. Moreover, attempts should be made to detect oral cancers earlier in order to improve the outcomes of cancer control.     

Amplification of <Emphasis Type="Italic">EGFR</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">cyclin D1</Emphasis> genes associated with human papillomavirus infection in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is associated with several genetic alterations including oncogene amplification, leading to increased aggression of tumors. Recently, a relationship between HPV infection and oncogene amplification has been reported, but this finding remains controversial. This study therefore investigated relationships between HPV infection and amplification of genes in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling cascade in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Extracted DNA from 142 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) OSCC tissues was performed to investigate the copy number of EGFR, KRAS, c-myc and cyclin D1 genes using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and compared with calibrators. A tissue microarray of OSCC tissues was used for detection of c-Myc expression and HPV infection by immunohistochemistry and HPV E6/E7 RNA in situ hybridization, respectively. HPV infection was also investigated using PCR and RT-PCR. Of the 142 OSCC samples, 81 (57%) were HPV-infected cases. The most frequently amplified gene was c-myc (55.6%), followed by cyclin D1 (26.1%), EGFR (23.9%) and KRAS (19.7%). Amplification of c-myc was significantly associated with levels of its protein product. EGFR amplification was also significantly associated with amplification of genes in the signaling cascade: KRAS (50.0%), c-myc (34.2%) and cyclin D1 (46.0%). Interestingly, HPV infection was significantly associated with amplification of both EGFR (76.5%) and cyclin D1 (73.0%). Only cyclin D1 amplification was significantly associated with severity of OSCC histopathology. HPV infection may play an important synergistic role in amplification of genes in the EGFR signaling cascade, leading to increased aggression in oral malignancies.     

Understanding the Complexities of Eliminating Trans Fatty Acids: The Case of the Trans Fatty Acid Ban in Thailand

Trans fatty acids (TFAs) have no known health benefits and are linked to an increased risk of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). To eliminate TFAs from the food supply, the government of Thailand imposed a ban on partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs) in 2018. This study was aimed at analyzing the government policies and actions to eliminate TFAs in Thailand, focusing on policy content, context, process, and actors. This single-case qualitative study used a documentary review and interviews with 20 key policy actors. The data analysis was guided by thematic analysis based on the policy triangle framework. The results reveal that policy actors—government organizations, academics, civil society organizations, and the food industry—have different roles, interests, and influences with regard to eliminating TFAs in Thailand. Both formal and informal communication among policy actors aided in the policymaking process and the actions that followed. Changing perceptions of TFAs, the low intake of PHOs in Thailand, hype around trans fats, and trade dynamics shaped the government’s decision to impose the ban. As a result, the ban was selected to avoid the technical components of TFA elimination. This study suggests that eliminating TFAs in Thailand could be further enhanced by strengthening government actions in terms of enforcement and creating consumer awareness.     

Reinforcement of Simulated Immature Permanent Teeth after Mineral Trioxide Aggregate Apexification

Objectives

The objectives of this study were to compare the fracture resistance of simulated human immature teeth that have undergone mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) apexification and have been root-filled with fiber post, composite resin, MTA, or gutta-percha.

Comparative study of anti-double stranded DNA detection by ELISA and Crithidia luciliae immunofluorescence

Two commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and two commercial Crithidia luciliae immunofluorescence tests (CLIF) were reevaluated as to the efficiency and degree of correlation of anti-double stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA) detection in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The two ELISAs exhibited an overall agreement of 95% and significantly correlated with each other (r=0.91, p<0.001). They were comparable in sensitivity (64%, 61%) and had the same specificity (95%, 95%). The sensitivity of the two CLIFs was 39% and 29% with corresponding specificities of 100% and 97%, and an overall agreement with each other of 94%. The two ELISAs had comparable specificity to the CLIFs with good agreement (84%, 79%) while they had a much greater sensitivity than the CLIFs. These findings suggest that ELISA is a useful laboratory test for anti-dsDNA detection of SLE due to its simplicity, quantitative results, sensitivity, specificity and cost, as compared to CLIFs.