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Spent mushroom substrate (SMS), a lignocellulosic waste after mushroom production is generally discarded without proper management. There is increasing interest in the sustainable transformation of lignocellulosic waste into high-value products. Within this context, the present study investigated the potential of the SMS from the cultivation of Pleurotus pulmonarius and Auricularia auricula on rubber tree wood sawdust as substrates for xylooligosaccharides (XOS) production. SMS samples from these two edible mushrooms were extracted using alkaline xylan extraction, producing maximum true recovery amounts of xylan in the range 34.61%–37.49% using 18% NaOH at 70 °C for 3 h. Production of XOS from alkaline-extracted xylan from the SMS samples of both mushroom species using economically crude xylanases from Aspergillus flavus KUB2 resulted in XOS (X2–X5) production of 241.47–249.04 mg/g, with X3 as the predominant XOS product. The produced XOS had excellent prebiotic activity and 2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and contained high total phenolic contents. The combined beneficial bioactivities in terms of prebiotic and antioxidant properties suggested that the XOS produced from sawdust-based SMS samples of P. pulmonarius and A. auricula could be promising ingredients for both food and pharmaceutical applications.

Abstract Background Patients with long COVID may experience various concomitant symptoms caused by inflammation, which affect their lives and well-being. In this study, we aimed to (1) investigate the prevalence of long COVID; (2) explore the levels of symptom severity and functional disability owing to long COVID, overall health, and their relationship; and (3) conduct exploratory factor analysis of long COVID-19 symptoms among experienced infected population in the capital of Thailand. Methods A cross-sectional research design was used and a sample of 337 community members with previously COVID-19 infection in Bangkok, Thailand was recruited for this study. Purposive sampling was used. Data collection was performed using an online and a paper-based questionnaire. Descriptive statistics (number, percentage), odds ratio, exploratory factor analysis, and Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient were used for the data analysis. Results The prevalence of long COVID was 32.9%. The main reported symptoms included anxiety (28.5%), fatigue (26.1%), and dyspnea (13.4%). There was a significant relationship between symptom severity and functional disability (rs=0.385, p value

This research examines the variability in tuber yield, yield component, phenolic compounds, and antioxidant activity of twenty-five Jerusalem artichoke genotypes. The field experiment is arranged using a randomized complete block design with three replications. The plant tubers are harvested at maturity and recorded for tuber dry weight, total phenolic content, and antioxidant activity. The results show significant genetic variations in tuber dry weight, phenolic content, and antioxidant activity determined by FRAP and ABTS methods. Significant and positive correlations are found among individual tuber dry weight, number of tubers per plant, tuber dry weight, including phenolic content, and antioxidant activity determined by the FRAP method. Jerusalem artichoke genotypes are classified into five groups based on tuber dry weight, phenolic content, and antioxidant activity determined by DPPH and FRAP methods. KT504 is identified as the accession with high levels of tuber dry weight, phenolic content, and antioxidant activity, and this genotype might be used as a material source for the pharmaceutical industry. Total phenolic content in the tuber can serve as an index for selecting Jerusalem artichoke genotypes with direct high antioxidant activity.

Abstract Background Open liver resection necessitates a substantial upper abdominal inverted-L incision, resulting in severe pain and compromising patient recovery. Despite the efficacy of epidural analgesia in providing adequate postoperative analgesia, the potential epidural-related adverse effects should be carefully considered. This study aims to compare the efficacy and safety of continuous epidural analgesia and intravenous analgesia in open liver resection. Methods A retrospective study was conducted, collecting data from patients who underwent open liver resection between 2007 and 2017. Propensity score matching was implemented to mitigate confounding variables, with patients being matched in a 1:1 ratio based on propensity scores. The primary outcome was the comparison of postoperative morphine consumption at 24, 48, and 72 hours between the two groups. Secondary outcomes included pain scores, postoperative outcomes, and epidural-related adverse effects. Results A total of 612 patients were included, and after matching, there were 204 patients in each group. Opioid consumption at 24, 48, and 72 hours postoperatively was statistically lower in the epidural analgesia group compared to the intravenous analgesia group (p

Objectives To assess the real-world effectiveness and safety of sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) on cardiovascular outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) and heart failure (HF) and to evaluate the associated risks of adverse events.Design A retrospective cohort study using propensity score analysis to control confounding variables.Setting Data were collected from the electronic health records of two large tertiary care hospitals in Thailand over a 12-year period (2010–2022).Participants Adults aged 18 years and older with a diagnosis of T2D and HF were included in the study. Patients who received SGLT2i for a minimum of 3 months were compared with those in a non-SGLT2i group. Participants with a diagnosis of HF that preceded their diagnosis of T2D were excluded from the analysis.Primary and secondary outcome measures The primary outcome was heart failure hospitalisation (HFH). Secondary outcomes included non-fatal stroke, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), all-cause mortality and adverse events (urinary tract infections, hypoglycaemia and acute kidney injury).Results A total of 11 758 patients were included in the study, with a median follow-up of 2.44 (IQR: 0.72–5.02) years. After applying inverse probability of treatment weighting, covariates were balanced, ensuring the validity of the treatment effect model’s assumptions. SGLT2i use was associated with a 59% reduction in HFH (HR 0.41, 95% CI 0.28 to 0.61), a 54% reduction in stroke (HR 0.46, 95% CI 0.33 to 0.63), a 51% reduction in MI (HR 0.49, 95% CI 0.36 to 0.67) and a 76% reduction in in-hospital all-cause mortality (HR 0.24, 95% CI 0.14 to 0.42). Additionally, SGLT2i use was associated with fewer adverse events, including lower rates of urinary tract infections and hypoglycaemia, compared with the non-SGLT2i group.Conclusions SGLT2i significantly improved cardiovascular outcomes in patients with T2D and HF in a real-world clinical setting. These findings support the incorporation of SGLT2i in the management of high-risk patients with T2D and HF. Further research is warranted to explore long-term outcomes and barriers to SGLT2i prescription in routine practice.

Drought is the one primary issue limiting peanut growth and productivity. The study aimed to investigate the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), rhizobium (Rhi), and their combinations on phenolic content, proline content, growth, and yield of peanut under different soil water regimes. The pot experiments were carried out for two growing seasons under greenhouse conditions and designed based on a 2×3 factorial in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications. Factor A comprised two soil water regimes: field capacity (FC) and 1/3 available soil water (1/3 AW), whereas factor B included three different types of microorganisms: (i) uninoculated control, (ii) arbuscular mycorrhiza (AMF), and (iii) a combination of AMF and rhizobium (Rhi) inoculations. Data were collected for growth, proline content, phenolic content, yield, and yield components. Drought stress significantly reduced in relative water content, leaf area, biomass, yield, and yield components of peanut, whereas leaf phenolic content was increased under drought stress. Higher pod dry weight was achieved under FC conditions (28.87 g plant-1), and it was reduced to 16.06 g plant-1 under 1/3 FC. Interestingly, AMF+Rhi synergistically increased the leaf area compared with non-incubated peanut under 1/3 FC conditions. AMF-inoculated peanut tended to increase biomass, while the combination of AMF+Rhi tended to have higher yield components compared with uninoculated control, especially for the weight of 100 seeds.

This research aims to examine the foundation of Christian Religious Education contained in Deuteronomy 30:11-20, with a focus on the perspective of life decisions according to divine teachings. The study is relevant to the context of the Society 5.0 era, characterized by the integration of technology and an increasingly complex human life. The research method to be employed is an exegetical approach. This study takes into account the historical and cultural context of Deuteronomy 30:11-20. Additionally, the research applies contextual analysis to connect divine teachings with the challenges and opportunities of everyday life in the Society 5.0 era. The findings of the research indicate that the Foundation of Christian Religious Education in Deuteronomy 30:11-20 provides a profound insight into life decisions reflected in obedience to God's commandments and offers meaningful guidance in making life decisions amid the dynamics of modern society 5.0. Abstrak Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengeksaminasi fondasi Pendidikan Agama Kristen yang terkandung dalam Ulangan 30:11-20, dengan fokus pada perspektif keputusan hidup menurut ajaran ilahi. Penelitian ini relevan dengan konteks era Society 5.0, yang ditandai oleh integrasi teknologi dan kehidupan manusia yang semakin kompleks. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah pendekatan eksegesis. Kajian ini memperhatikan konteks historis dan budaya saat Ulangan 30:11-20. Selain itu, penelitian ini juga menerapkan analisis kontekstual untuk menghubungkan ajaran Ilahi dengan tantangan dan peluang kehidupan sehari-hari di Era Society 5.0. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa Fondasi Pendidikan Agama Kristen dalam Ulangan 30:11-20 memberikan pandangan mendalam tentang keputusan hidup yang tercermin dalam ketaatan terhadap perintah Tuhan serta memberikan panduan yang berarti dalam pengambilan keputusan hidup di tengah dinamika masyarakat modern 5.0.

IntroductionNorthern Thailand experiences high levels of air pollution in the dry season due to agricultural waste burning and forest fires. Some air pollutants can enter the bloodstream, and the liver has the role of detoxifying these along with other harmful substances. In this study, we assessed the effects of long-term exposure to air pollutants on liver cancer mortality in this area.MethodsA cohort of 10,859 primary liver cancer patients diagnosed between 2003 and 2018 and followed up to the end of 2020 were included in the study. Extended time-varying covariates of the annually averaged pollutant concentrations updated each year were utilized. The associations between air pollutants and mortality risk were examined by using a Cox proportional hazard model.ResultsMetastatic cancer stage had the highest adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) of 3.57 (95% confidence interval (CI):3.23–3.95). Being male (aHR = 1.10; 95% CI: 1.04–1.15), over 60 years old (aHR = 1.16; 95% CI: 1.11–1.21), having a history of smoking (aHR = 1.16; 95%CI: 1.11–1.22), and being exposed to a time-updated local concentration of PM2.5 of 40 μg/m3 (aHR = 1.10; 95% CI: 1.05–1.15) increased the mortality risk.ConclusionWe found that air pollution is one of several detrimental factors on the mortality risk of liver cancer.

Introduction Avoiding patient-prosthesis mismatch (PPM) in patients with small aortic annulus (SAA) during aortic valve replacement (AVR) is still a challenging surgical problem. Among surgical options available, aortic root enlargement (ARE) and stentless valve implantation (SVI) are the two most commonly used strategies. This systematic review will be conducted searching for superiority evidence based on comparative studies between these two options.Methods and analysis This systematic review will include all relevant articles published from 1 January 1946 to 31 March 2024, with available full texts from Medline (Ovid), Embase, Cochrane Library and Web of Science databases, without any language restriction. Observational studies and randomised controlled trials comparing surgical results of ARE versus SVI for AVR in patients with small aortic root will be screened. Studies will be classified into three groups: group 1 for studies that reported SVI or other tissue valve outcomes without comparing them with ARE outcomes; group 2 for studies that reported ARE outcomes without comparing them with SVI outcomes; and group 3 for studies that compared ARE outcomes with SVI outcomes. The quality of the evidence of each study will be evaluated according to Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine criteria.Ethics and dissemination Ethical approval is not required because no primary data are collected. The findings will be presented at scientific conferences and/or reported in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.Trial registration number PROSPERO, CRD42023383793.

Wild boars have a worldwide distribution and also have major economic, veterinary, and medical importance. Due to a small amount of data on the parasitic fauna of wild boars in the Russian Far East, especially in Prymorye territory, a post-mortem parasitic examination of 20 wild boars was provided. The general prevalence was 25%, and a total of six helminth species, including one larva stage, were found. The most prevalent helminth species were Gnathostoma doloresi (25%) and Metastrongylus elongatus (20%). Followed by Trichuris suis and Ascaris suum (15%). The lowest prevalence was registered for Cysticercus tenuicollis (the larvae stage of T. hydatigena). Parasites were found in each region, with the highest prevalence registered in the Chuguevskii region. Totally 100% of adult boars were positive for helminth infections, instead of 60% of young specimens. Some helminthes found (G. doloresi, T. suis, A. suum) have zoonotic potential and can be involved in the circulation of human parasitic diseases, especially in rural areas. Further research work on parasitic infections in wild boars in Prymorye is necessary due to the high prevalence of helminthes in wild boars.

Indigenous people of hilly region have been using Taxus as a medicinal source for various diseases including cancer. Taxol, one of its main constituents, has been recognized and backed by scientific research; it has been used as a cancer cell suppressing biomolecule in chemo therapies. This study was carried out to collect data that would provide information on the influence of altitude on the production of metabolites and to investigate the phytochemicals, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties present in Taxus wallichiana Zucc. found in Nepal. Needles were used for phytochemical extraction by Soxhlet method where methanol was used as a solvent. Some of the primary metabolites including carbohydrate and secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, phenols, saponins, coumarin & steroid were present. Quantitative estimation of the total flavonoid and phenol content of plant extracts were determined. TPC of the plant extract from Dolakha and Jajarkot were 68.745 ± 0.70 and 21.323 ± 1.15GAE/g in 100% concentration respectively. Similarly, TFC from Dolakha and Jajarkot were found to be 5.904 ± 0.024 and 6.275 ± 0.54 Quercetin equivalent per gram. Furthermore, their antioxidant (DPPH) and antimicrobial property was studied. The IC50 value for extract of T. wallichiana from Dolakha was 94.72 µg/mL and Jajarkot was 129 µg/mL, which was comparatively higher than the IC50 (14.54 µg/mL) of Quercetin. Additionally, the plant extract of concentrations of 700 and 950 mg/mL exhibited promising antibacterial properties in E. coli and S. aureus, except K. pneumonia. This study indicates that there is no significant role of altitude in metabolite production of T. wallichiana zucc. Nevertheless, it could be the potential drug due to considerable amounts of phenol and flavonoid contents including natural oxidant and antimicrobial properties.

Abstract Primary liver cancer (PLC), which includes intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), has the highest incidence of all cancer types in Thailand. Known etiological factors, such as viral hepatitis and chronic liver disease do not fully account for the country’s unusually high incidence. However, the gut-liver axis, which contributes to carcinogenesis and disease progression, is influenced by the gut microbiome. To investigate this relationship, fecal matter from 44 Thai PLC patients and 76 healthy controls were subjected to whole-genome metagenomic shotgun sequencing and then analyzed by marker gene-based and assembly based methods. Results revealed greater gut microbiome heterogeneity in iCCA compared to HCC and healthy controls. Two Veillonella species were found to be more abundant in iCCA samples and could distinguish iCCA from HCC and healthy controls. Conversely, Ruminococcus gnavus was depleted in iCCA patients and could distinguish HCC from iCCA samples. High Veillonella genus counts in the iCCA group were associated with enriched amino acid biosynthesis and glycolysis pathways, while enriched phospholipid and thiamine metabolism pathways characterized the HCC group with high Blautia genus counts. These findings reveal distinct landscapes of gut dysbiosis among Thai iCCA and HCC patients and warrant further investigation as potential biomarkers.

Cassava serves as a crucial raw material and sustenance staple in developing countries, extensively used in the production of starch, bioethanol, and various bioproducts. However, the cultivation of cassava is increasingly challenged by diseases, particularly the cassava mosaic virus. Therefore, efficient propagule systems are needed to provide disease-free plants to sustain production. This study aimed to develop a rapid propagation method to increase the production of planting material. Various propagation media were assessed for their impact on root formation and plantlet vigour using a 3 × 4 factorial in a Randomized Complete Block Design during April 2023 to September 2023. Three cassava cultivars (KU50, RY9, and HB60) were tested against four media (distilled water, 250 mg·L−1 IBA, SAH solution, and IBA + SAH combination). Subsequently, the optimal medium was used to compare three propagation techniques (leaf bud, mini, and normal cutting) across the cassava cultivars. Aeroponic systems were then employed for further shoot multiplication, evaluating growth and survival metrics. In the first experiment, RY9 had better growth parameters, while KU50 had the highest survival rate at 82%. Applying the SAH was the optimal solution when compared to other media tested. It significantly enhanced the plantlet height (7.30 cm), survival percentage (71.61%), plantlet vigour index (1513.60), and allometric coefficient (0.55). The leaf bud technique had the highest multiplication trait values, whereas the mini-cutting method had the highest survival rate, and normal cutting had superior performance compared to leaf bud and mini-cutting for the plant growth parameters. Plantlets produced through mini-cutting (93%) and leaf bud propagation (92%) had a higher survival rate than those produced using normal cutting (46%) in the aeroponic system under greenhouse conditions. The study revealed a homogeneity in growth and survival traits across the cassava cultivars evaluated in aeroponic cultivation. These findings demonstrated the potential of using leaf bud or mini-cutting propagation techniques for multiplication in aeroponic cultivation to produce high-quality plantlets on a large-scale production.

Abstract The current COVID-19 situation has forced many tourism businesses to close. Tourism workers have suffered chronic stress, discouragement, despair, and failure to find solutions for their businesses, resulting in deteriorating mental health. A psychological capital intervention (PCI) is therefore deemed necessary as it promotes the mental well-being of tourism workers. This article reports the development of a web-based PCI for the mental well-being of tourism workers and an investigation of its effectiveness using a mixed-methods intervention design. A qualitative approach was used to develop the intervention by conducting interview techniques with 20 tourism entrepreneurs. A content analysis was carried out. The intervention was tested through an experimental research design. The sample comprised 600 tourism workers who undertook a web-based PCI. Data on their mental well-being were collected before the intervention and 1 month afterward and analyzed using ANCOVA. The research revealed that 4 themes are needed for the intervention: having a goal, tolerance of difficulties, inspiration from a role model, and the appropriate way of thinking. An effectiveness examination showed that the web-based PCI improves mental well-being scores significantly. In conclusion, this web-based PCI, which focuses on developing strengths, effectively improves the mental well-being of tourism workers facing difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Abstract Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can develop into a long-term COVID in some cases, which can have a major impact on various health systems requiring appropriate treatment involving multi-disciplinary healthcare. The COVID-19 Yorkshire Rehabilitation Scale (C19-YRS) is a standardized tool widely used for screening the symptoms and severity of long-term COVID. Translation of the English version of the C19-YRS into the Thai language and testing it is essential for the psychometric evaluation of the severity of the long-term COVID syndrome prior to providing rehabilitation care for community members. Methods Forward-and back-translations including cross-cultural aspects were conducted in order to develop a preliminary Thai version of that tool. Five experts evaluated the content validity of the tool and produced a highly valid index. A cross-sectional study was then conducted on a sample of 337 Thai community members recovering from COVID-19. Assessment of internal consistency and individual item analyses were also performed. Results The content validity resulted in valid indices. The analyses showed that 14 items had acceptable internal consistency, based on the corrected item correlations. However, five symptom severity items and two functional ability items were deleted. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of the final C19-YRS was 0.723, indicating acceptable internal consistency and reliability of the survey instrument. Conclusions This study indicated that the Thai C19-YRS tool had acceptable validity and reliability for the evaluation and testing of the psychometric variables in a Thai community population. The survey instrument also had acceptable validity and reliability for screening the symptoms and severity of long-term COVID. Further studies are warranted in order to standardize the various applications of this tool.

Receptor binding is one of the crucial steps to exhibit the insecticidal activity of Cry toxins. In addition, binding to receptors is a determining step for the specificity of toxins. In this work, receptor binding domain II was cloned from the full-length Cry4Ba toxin and heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli. The 21 kDa purified protein was characterized as Cry4Ba domain II using Western blotting and tandem mass spectrometry coupled to liquid chromatography. Circular dichroism revealed the correct folding of the isolated domain II fragment, similar to that found in the Cry4Ba protein. Binding analysis using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay revealed that the purified Cry4Ba-domain II had bound to the 54 kDa alkaline phosphatase cloned from Aedes aegypti (Aa-mALP) with a dissociation constant of approximately 116.27 ± 11.09 nM. The binding affinity of Cry4Ba-domain II to Aa-mALP was comparable to that of Cry4Ba domain III, suggesting that both domains II and III of the Cry4Ba contributed equally in binding to the Aa-mALP protein. Our findings should provide more valuable insight on the molecular mechanisms in the toxin-receptor interaction of the Cry4Ba toxin.

Building a solid relationship between a brand and customers has become increasingly prevalent in a firm’s marketing strategy. It has led to a broader and deeper exploration of developing customer relationships by industry practitioners and academic researchers. Drawing on the marketing literature, this empirical study speculates on the possible mechanism underlying the process of building brand advocacy with consumers in online food delivery services. The data were collected from 562 respondents through online questionnaires from consumers of food delivery platforms in Bangkok and Metropolitan areas, Thailand. The survey data were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to verify the model. The findings indicated the relationship between customer experience quality (brand experience, service experience, and post-purchase experience), brand leadership (perceived quality, perceived innovativeness, perceived value, and perceived popularity), relationship quality (trust, satisfaction, and commitment), and brand advocacy (recommendation, purchase intention, and brand defending). Regarding the investigation, customer experience quality positively affects brand leadership and relationship quality, which, in turn, mediated the pathway from customer experience quality to brand advocacy. The model explained 72% of the variance in brand advocacy. The study recommends that practitioners consider these findings when designing marketing strategies for online platforms.

Introduction The age-standardised suicide mortality rate in Thailand has been stable at a high level in recent years, highlighting the need for suicide prevention interventions. In Thailand, community involvement plays a key role in health promotion. The aim of this ongoing trial is to evaluate the efficacy of a community participatory intervention in two subdistricts in Thailand for reducing suicidality symptoms among individuals considered at high risk for suicide and compare the outcomes to two control subdistricts.Methods and analysis In this cluster (subdistrict) randomised controlled trial, we randomised two districts to either the community participatory intervention arm or the control arm. From each district, we selected one large and one small subdistricts. We estimated that we need 235 participants per study arm, who were recruited from subdistrict health centres. The primary outcome is suicidality symptoms. Secondary outcomes are depression symptoms, quality of life, stress level and health and community service accessibility.Ethics and dissemination This trial has been approved by the Research Ethics Committee, Faculty of Nursing, Chiangmai University (number 050/2022). All participants were required to provide informed consent. The findings of the study will be disseminated in peer-reviewed journals and via conferences.Trial registration number TCTR20220620003; the Thai Clinical Trials Registry.

Poverty is one of the fundamental issues that mankind faces. To solve poverty issues, one needs to know how severe the issue is. The Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) is a well-known approach that is used to measure a degree of poverty issues in a given area. To compute MPI, it requires information of MPI indicators, which are binary variables collecting by surveys, that represent different aspects of poverty such as lacking of education, health, living conditions, etc. Inferring impacts of MPI indicators on MPI index can be solved by using traditional regression methods. However, it is not obvious that whether solving one MPI indicator might resolve or cause more issues in other MPI indicators and there is no framework dedicating to infer empirical causal relations among MPI indicators.In this work, we propose a framework to infer causal relations on binary variables in poverty surveys. Our approach performed better than baseline methods in simulated datasets that we know ground truth as well as correctly found a causal relation in the Twin births dataset. In Thailand poverty survey dataset, the framework found a causal relation between smoking and alcohol drinking issues. We provide R CRAN package‘BiCausality’ that can be used in any binary variables beyond the poverty analysis context.

Background of the study: The increasing number of archive services with the implementation of online archive services. This increase services needs to work with excellence service in university archive. The Kanban method is a potential service management approach. This study examines the application of kanban in university archive services and what needs to be considered for its successful implementation. Purpose: This study aims to evaluate and provide recommendations for improving the implementation of the kanban system in university archive services. Method: This study uses a qualitative method (Action research). Collecting data by direct observation and experience of researchers while work as an archivist. Findings: Kanban method helps service coordinators to more easily monitor archive service requests through the kanban board. It is necessary to determine the WIP according to the capacity of the service team. There is a redundant task basket that needs to be integrated into a single process. Improvement of electronic-based work culture for service division archivists in the application of digital kanban. Conclusion: Improving the quality of university archive services can be done with a kanban approach. Kanban flexibility can be applied to a variety of archive service processes. Periodic evaluation needs to be done so that the applied kanban method is more perfect.

Wireless electric vehicle (EV) charging is an important operation for valuable EV options in modern life. Inductive wireless EV charging needs constant current and voltage (CC–CV) charge controllers. This paper presents 750 W variable frequency CC–CV inductive wireless charging for an e-golf cart 50 Ah 72 V Li-ion battery. Due to this system’s low power, the system’s efficiency may be weak; the secondary-side (SS) maximum efficiency-controlled (MEC) converter was validated. The golf cart’s battery characteristics were evaluated to design and experiment with inductive wireless power transfer (IPT) coils and an integration system for a 42 kHz resonant frequency. The CC–CV charged control is an infrastructural part of the H-bridge inverter at varied frequencies from 50 kHz to 56 kHz when the DC input voltage is 310 V, and in the range of 44 kHz to 46 kHz at the 155 V input. The results found the charging of 9 A CC, 82 V CV and 730 W. The 310 V input voltage system without the SS MEC converter’s efficiencies was 62% to 72% and it was improved to 65% to 81% using the SS MEC converter. Finally, the best cases were validated at the 155 V DC input voltage and the system with the SS MEC converter had 76% to 86% efficiency.

Abstract Background Pure laparoscopic donor right hepatectomy (PLDRH) can provide better operative outcomes for the donor than conventional open donor right hepatectomy (CODRH). However, the complexity of the procedure typically makes transplant teams reluctant to perform it, especially in low-volume transplant centers. We compared the outcomes of PLDRH and CODRH to demonstrate the feasibility of PLDRH in a low-volume transplant program. Methods We carried out a retrospective study of adult living donor liver transplantation in Chiang Mai University Hospital from January 2015 to March 2021. The patients were divided into a PLDRH group and a CODRH group. Baseline characteristics, operative parameters, and postoperative complications of donors and recipients were compared between the two groups. Results Thirty patients underwent donor hepatectomy between the dates selected (9 PLDRH patients and 21 CODRH patients). The baseline characteristics of the 2 groups were not significantly different. The median graft volume of the PLDRH group was 693.8 mL, which was not significantly different from that of the CODRH group (726.5 mL) The PLDRH group had a longer operative time than the CODRH group, but the difference was not statistically significant (487.5 min vs 425.0 min, p = 0.197). The overall complication rate was not significantly different between the two groups (33.3% vs 22.2%, p = 0.555). Additionally, for the recipients, the incidence of major complications was not significantly different between the groups (71.3 vs 55.6%, p = 0.792). Conclusion Even in the context of this low-volume transplant program, whose staff have a high level of experience in minimally invasive hepatobiliary surgery, PLDRH showed similar results to CODRH in terms of perioperative outcomes for donors and recipients.

Demodex mites are common ectoparasites of human pilosebaceous units that do not cause any skin symptoms. However, when there is an abnormal increase in Demodex mite density, it can cause multiple skin disorders which are grouped under the term demodicosis. During the COVID-19 outbreak, public health authorities worldwide recommend people to wear face masks when in public places to reduce respiratory transmission. Wearing face mask can cause changes in microenvironment, skin barrier function, and microbiome on human skin. There are several reports of facial skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, acne vulgaris, and rosacea provoked by wearing masks for long periods of time. This is the first case report of demodicosis associated with wearing a face mask. A 46-year-old female presented with dry, itchy erythematous to purpuric patches with fine follicular scales on both cheeks and chin under the mask. Clinical symptoms started slowly with warm, slightly burning, and periodically itching sensation on both cheeks after 3 weeks of wearing surgical face mask for more than 8 h a day. Even after switching to a cloth mask and using topical steroid, the rash improved slightly and recurred after discontinuation of the treatment. The diagnosis of demodicosis was made by relevant correlation of clinical skin lesions, along with standardized skin surface biopsy results that detected abnormal proliferation of Demodex mites and clinical cure after oral ivermectin therapy.

This study investigated the effects of the plant growth-promoting endophytic bacterium Cupriavidus taiwanensis KKU2500–3 on the growth of KDML105 rice plants and cadmium (Cd) accumulation in grains. The rice plants were cultivated in soils with 20 and 50 ppm Cd under greenhouse conditions for two consecutive years. At both levels, Cd reduced rice growth and development. Under Cd stress, KKU2500–3 colonized the root surface and interior of rice plants at the early growth stage, and this colonization remained until the late stage. The colonized bacteria increased the pigment contents but reduced the root-to-aboveground translocation of Cd. In soil with 20 ppm Cd, the phytochelatin content of the bacteria-inoculated rice was lower (32.3–89.3%) than that of uninoculated rice. In soil with 50 ppm Cd, the bacteria-inoculated rice exhibited higher glutathione reductase (5–63%) and proline (5–115%) levels, a higher reduced glutathione (GSH)/0.5 oxidized glutathione (GSSG) ratio (4–212%) and decreased lipid peroxidation (1–19%) compared with uninoculated rice. The root-to-grain translocation factor of inoculated rice in soil with 50 ppm Cd was significantly lower than that of inoculated rice in soil with 20 ppm Cd, and this finding was consistent with the 38.6% and 75.1% reductions in Cd accumulation observed in grains from soils with 20 and 50 ppm Cd, respectively. The Cd content of KDML105 grains grown in soil with 50 ppm Cd was 0.36 ppm, which is below the Codex standard for polished rice (0.4 ppm). The levels of available P, Zn, and SO42- also affect Cd availability in soil, and colonized KKU2500–3 showed varying responses to different Cd levels. Thus, bacterial inoculation, the Cd level and soil properties play important roles in Cd accumulation in KDML105 rice grains. The role of C. taiwanensis KKU2500–3 on the production of low-Cd-accumulating rice in paddy fields contaminated with a range of Cd levels should be further investigated.

Drought severely limits sugarcane productivity in many regions of the world. This study characterized physiological responses to different drought durations in a diverse set of sugarcane genotypes in two crop cycles (plant and ratoon cane). A split-plot design was used where three drought treatments, namely, no drought (SD0), short-term drought (SD1), and long-term drought (SD2), were assigned to main plots and six diverse sugarcane genotypes to subplots. Drought reduced photosynthesis, leaf area index, and biomass yield. However, the study found significant differences in physiological responses to drought among genotypes in both crops. F03-362 (F1), KK09-0358 (BC1), and KK3 (cultivar) demonstrated greater tolerance to drought by maintaining comparatively higher photosynthetic activity, while KK09-0939 (BC2) and TPJ04-768 (BC1) were more sensitive. KK3 and UT12 (cultivar) consistently maintained comparatively higher levels of photosynthesis under drought in the ratoon crop, although stomatal conductance values were comparable to those of other genotypes. Drought significantly reduced dry matter in all genotypes, but more so in the two cultivars. The study demonstrated variable levels of sensitivity to drought among diverse genotypes with different physiological responses being induced by different drought treatments. This information is useful for sugarcane production management and breeding programs.

Background: A pyogenic granuloma (PG) is a common benign vascular lesion found in the oral cavity. The gold standard treatment of this lesion, comprising surgical excision and the elimination of etiological factors, cannot avoid tooth loss in the case of an aggressive pyogenic granuloma. Because of the prominent properties of 980 nm and 635 nm diode lasers in photocoagulation and photobiomodulation, we applied these wavelengths in the treatment of a large pyogenic granuloma with alveolar bone loss. Case presentation: Our objective was to use a combination of interstitial-intralesional laser therapy, photocoagulation and laser-assisted new attachment procedure (LANAP) to preserve the teeth and periodontal tissue in a case of an aggressive pyogenic granuloma. Results: The patient was a 13-year-old Thai male with a pyogenic granuloma involving the interdental papilla and lingual gingiva of the lower left first and second molars. The teeth were also displaced by the lesion. After treatment with three sessions of photocoagulation, three sessions of interstitial-intralesional laser therapy and two sessions of LANAP, the lesion was completely resolved. The periodontal status of the teeth was improved at the six-month follow-up. Conclusion: The combination of interstitial-intralesional laser therapy, photocoagulation and LANAP was able to treat an aggressive pyogenic granuloma with tooth preservation.

Background: A pyogenic granuloma (PG) is a common benign vascular lesion found in the oral cavity. The gold standard treatment of this lesion, comprising surgical excision and the elimination of etiological factors, cannot avoid tooth loss in the case of an aggressive pyogenic granuloma. Because of the prominent properties of 980 nm and 635 nm diode lasers in photocoagulation and photobiomodulation, we applied these wavelengths in the treatment of a large pyogenic granuloma with alveolar bone loss. Case presentation: Our objective was to use a combination of interstitial-intralesional laser therapy, photocoagulation and laser-assisted new attachment procedure (LANAP) to preserve the teeth and periodontal tissue in a case of an aggressive pyogenic granuloma. Results: The patient was a 13-year-old Thai male with a pyogenic granuloma involving the interdental papilla and lingual gingiva of the lower left first and second molars. The teeth were also displaced by the lesion. After treatment with three sessions of photocoagulation, three sessions of interstitial-intralesional laser therapy and two sessions of LANAP, the lesion was completely resolved. The periodontal status of the teeth was improved at the six-month follow-up. Conclusion: The combination of interstitial-intralesional laser therapy, photocoagulation and LANAP was able to treat an aggressive pyogenic granuloma with tooth preservation.

The use of fetal bovine serum (FBS) in animal cell culture media is widely spread since it provides a broad spectrum of molecules that are known to support cell attachment and growth. However, the harvest and collection procedures of FBS raise ethical concerns and serum is an ill-defined and expensive component. This is especially problematic when it comes to regulatory approval for food applications like cultured meat. The aim of this study is to develop a chemically defined, cost efficient serum-free and animal-free medium that supports the attachment and expansion of bovine myoblasts while maintaining their differentiation capacity. Bovine satellite cells were harvested and isolated from a fresh sample of skeletal muscle tissue and cultured in planar systems. The efficacy of the tested formulations was assessed with metabolic assays and cell counting techniques. Optical microscopy was used to observe cellular morphology and statistical analysis was applied. Based on a comprehensive literature analysis, a defined serum-free medium (SFM) composition was developed consisting of DMEM/F12 as basal medium, supplemented with L-ascorbic acid 2-phosphate, fibronectin, hydrocortisone, GlutaMAX™, albumin, ITS-X, hIL-6, α-linolenic acid, and growth factors such as FGF-2, VEGF, IGF-1, HGF, and PDGF-BB. To our knowledge, this is the first defined serum-free and animal free medium formulation specific for bovine myoblasts to date. We conclude that the SFM formulation supported exponential cell growth up to 97% of the serum—containing golden standard growth medium. All reagents used in this study are chemically defined.

Undoubtedly, in the modern age of digitalization, Millennials, who are considered digital natives, have become a massive target market for salespersons. Changes in the way Millennials think accompanied by an explosion of social media have led to an increased focus on social media influencer marketing in the company sector. To help establish a new marketing paradigm that accounts for these changes, this research aims to conceptualize and investigate the process of building consumer-brand relationships with Millennial consumers through social media micro-influencers. Findings based on structural equation modeling revealed that four core characteristics of social media micro-influencers (i.e., authenticity, the meaning of the influencer, specific content, and secret sharing) were a significant antecedent of brand engagement and brand love, which, in turn, mediated the pathway from social media micro-influencer characteristics to brand evangelism. Understanding what social media micro-influencers mean to Millennials offers the promise of improving brand evangelism through more precise market analysis and market strategy. In the discussion, the paper introduces a three-stage building method towards brand evangelism through social media micro-influencer, including: (1) the stage of selecting influencers; (2) the stage of constructing intense emotional responses to the brand (brand engagement and brand love); and ultimately (3) the stage of becoming a brand evangelist. Lastly, limitations and future directions were discussed.

Lignocellulosic wastes, rice straw, sugarcane bagasse, rice bran and sawdust, and pure commercial carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and xylan were used as substrates to cultivate cellulolytic fungus, Aspergillus flavus KUB2, in submerged fermentation at 30°C. Of all the substrates, sugarcane bagasse was a good source for the production of cellulolytic and also hemicellulolytic enzymes. The maximum activities of endoglucanase (CMCase), total cellulase (FPase) and xylanase using sugarcane bagasse as substrate were 8%, 75% and 165%, respectively, higher than those of the commercial substrates. The time course determination of enzyme production revealed that the highest CMCase (1.27 U/ml), FPase (0.72 U/ml) and xylanase (376.81 U/ml) activities were observed at 14 days of fermentation. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses confirmed the efficient structural alteration of sugarcane bagasse caused by enzymatic actions during A. flavus KUB2 cultivation. Based on the results of the hydrolytic enzyme activities, FTIR and SEM, A. flavus KUB2 is suggested as an efficient hydrolytic enzymes producer and an effective lignocellulose degrader, while sugarcane bagasse can be applied as a low-cost carbon source for the economical production of lignocellulose hydrolytic enzymes by A. flavus KUB2.

Background: A longitudinal cohort study performed in Cebu City, Philippines found that the presence of pre-existing chikungunya virus (CHIKV) neutralizing antibodies (NAb) was associated with a decreased risk of symptomatic CHIKV infection. However, the relationship between pre-existing NAb and the risk of subclinical seroconversion has not been well described. Methods: Data were analyzed from a longitudinal cohort aged 6 months to 83 years who underwent active fever surveillance in Cebu City, Philippines from 2012 to 2014. Participants with a history of fever underwent acute and 3-week convalescent visits with blood collection, and annual visits at baseline, 12 months, and 24 months. Symptomatic CHIKV infections were detected by PCR of acute illness sera. Subclinical seroconversion was defined as a ≥8-fold rise in 80% plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT80) titer between annual visits without intervening symptomatic infection. Results: Among 854 participants who completed the 12-month visit (year 1) and 765 who completed the 24-month visit (year 2), 25 symptomatic CHIKV infections and 104 subclinical seroconversions occurred among 615 individuals with no detectable pre-year NAb in year 1 and 444 in year 2, while no symptomatic infections and one subclinical seroconversion occurred in those with a pre-year PRNT80 titer ≥1:10. Pre-year PRNT80 titer ≥1:10 was associated with zero relative risk of symptomatic CHIKV infection and 0.018 risk of subclinical seroconversion. Conclusions: The presence of detectable pre-existing CHIKV NAb correlated with a decreased risk of both symptomatic CHIKV infection and subclinical seroconversion. These findings support the potential use of CHIKV NAb titer as a surrogate endpoint of protection from infection for vaccine development.

Mental well-being is a state of positive mental health, but there is currently no valid tool for assessing mental well-being in the Thai population. The purpose of this research was to develop and validate a mental well-being scale for Thai people. Data from 2000 Thai citizens were analyzed to explore the structural components of mental well-being. Exploratory factor analysis (n = 1000) was conducted and determined a mental well-being factor structure consisting of three factors: 1) positive emotion and thinking, 2) positive relationship and 3) positive functioning. Confirmatory factor analysis of a validation group (n = 1000) identified 10 items within these three factors of mental well-being. Psychometric analyses supported internal consistency reliability, as well as convergent and discriminant validity of the scale. The findings suggest that the construction of this new mental well-being scale for Thai people is reliable and valid. This scale will be a useful tool for addressing and identifying mental health problems among the Thai population.

Demodex mites are common ectoparasites of the human pilosebaceous units. Most adults are infested with Demodex mites without clinical symptoms. Demodex mite will only become a pathogenic organism when there is an abnormal increase in the number of Demodex mite density. This situation happens when the equilibrium between Demodex mites, skin microenvironment and human immunity system changes. Demodex infestation can cause multiple skin disorders, which are grouped under the term demodicosis or demodicidosis. Clinical manifestations of demodicosis can mimic other known skin diseases such as folliculitis, rosacea, perioral dermatitis, which is why it is often misdiagnosed. Diagnosis criteria consists of relevant correlation of suspected clinical skin lesions, confirmed by the presence of abnormal proliferation of Demodex mites and by clinical cure after acaricidal treatment together with normalization of Demodex mite density. Dermatologists should be aware that demodicosis is not an uncommon skin disease, and there are still many unknowns about it that should be researched further.

The rapid increases in fuel ethanol demand and food security concerns have driven the need for diverse feedstocks in the ethanol production process. Energy cane is an energy crop that is an ideal sustainable biofuel feedstock. The present study evaluated ethanol production of the juice and bagasse of two newly developed energy cane clones, TByEFC08-0035 and TByEFC10-0004. The results of the chemical composition analyses of the juice and bagasse samples revealed that the two energy cane clones contained high contents of both sucrose (15.36–17.95%) and fiber (13.44–24.16%). The maximum ethanol concentrations from the juice on a laboratory scale (87.10 g/L) and on an agronomic scale (1211.76 kg/ha) were recorded for TByEFC10-0004 fermented with a new isolate Kluyveromyces marxianus SJT83, whereas the maximum ethanol concentrations from bagasse on a laboratory scale (9.81 g/L) and on an agronomic scale (790.68 kg/ha) were reached with TByEFC08-0035 fermented with Scheffersomyces shehatae TTC79. The total ethanol yields from the juice and bagasse samples per cultivation area of both energy cane clones were in the range 1294.23–1469.14 kg/ha, being 1.70–1.93 and 1.08–1.23 times higher than the control energy cane Biotec2 variety and the commercial sugar cane Khon Kaen3 variety, respectively. This study revealed the potential of the energy cane clones TByEFC08-0035 and TByEFC10-0004 currently being developed as sugar and lignocellulose substrates for first- and second-generation ethanol industry applications.

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The green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using plants has grown in significance recently. The present investigation involved the synthesis of AgNPs utilizing Tabebuia rosea (TR) seeds as a reducing agent. The bioactive potential of the synthesized AgNP was evaluated through antibacterial, antioxidant, and cytotoxicity assays. The confirmation of the formation of AgNPs was achieved through the utilization of UV–vis spectroscopy. The spectroscopic analysis revealed the presence of absorption maxima at 450 nm, which is a distinctive feature of AgNPs. The optimization process for the synthesis of nanoparticles was conducted by varying the pH levels, metal ion (AgNO _3 ), and substrate (Seed extract). The size range of the synthesized nanoparticles was found to be less than 100 nm through the use of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The profile obtained through energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis of AgNPs exhibited a characteristic optical absorption peak at approximately 3 keV. Further investigation using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy revealed the involvement of O–H stretching in phenolic compounds and O–H and C=O stretching in carboxylic acids forming AgNPs. The results of the antimicrobial activity assay indicate that the bacteria K. pneumonia exhibited the maximum inhibition zone of 20 ± 0.48 mm, followed by E. faecalis , P. aeruginosa , P. mirabilis , and S. aureus at the highest concentration of 100 mg ml ^−1 , respectively. The DPPH assay findings suggest that the maximum concentration of 500 μ g ml ^−1 of AgNPs exhibited a unique scavenging ability, with a value of 80.98%. Additionally, the application of biologically synthesized AgNPs to treated cells resulted in a cytotoxic effect. The inhibitory concentration (IC _50 ) value of 45 μ g ml ^−1 was determined following a 24 h treatment with human fibroblast cells (L929). Using T. rosea seed to produce AgNPs holds promise for their potential application as nano drugs.

Receptor binding is a prerequisite process to exert the mosquitocidal activity of the Cry4Ba toxin of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis. The beta-sheet prism (domain II) and beta-sheet sandwich (domain III) of the Cry4Ba toxin have been implicated in receptor binding, albeit the precise binding mechanisms of these remain unclear. In this work, alanine scanning was used to determine the contribution to receptor binding of some aromatic and hydrophobic residues on the surface of domains II and III that are predicted to be responsible for binding to the Aedes aegypti membrane-bound alkaline phosphatase (Aa-mALP) receptor. Larvicidal activity assays against A. aegypti larvae revealed that aromatic residues (Trp327 on the β2 strand, Tyr347 on the β3–β4 loop, and Tyr359 on the β4 strand) of domain II were important to the toxicity of the Cry4Ba toxin. Quantitative binding assays using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) showed similar decreasing trends in binding to the Aa-mALP receptor and in toxicity of the Cry4Ba mutants Trp327Ala, Tyr347Ala, and Tyr359Ala, suggesting that a possible function of these surface-exposed aromatic residues is receptor binding. In addition, binding assays of the Cry4Ba toxin to the mutants of the binding residues Gly513, Ser490, and Phe497 of the Aa-mALP receptor supported the binding function of Trp327, Tyr347, and Tyr359 of the Cry4Ba toxin, respectively. Altogether, our results showed for the first time that aromatic residues on a side surface of the Cry4Ba domain II function in receptor binding. This finding provides greater insight into the possible molecular mechanisms of the Cry4Ba toxin.

An infestation of a Cimicidae (Hemiptera: Cimicidae) member, especially the bed bug, can cause economic loss and impact health. A cost-effective and user-friendly method for identifying the infesting species will help with the early detection and control of infestations. A linear morphometric method is often used, but it requires the examination of many characters and a highly preserved specimen. We conducted a comparative morphometric study of the effectiveness of Cimicidae classification using a single organ, the pronotum, through outline-based and linear morphometric methods. Bat (Stricticimex parvus), human (Cimex hemipterus), and bird (Paracimex sp.) ectoparasites were subject of the study. With both methods, the properties of size and shape were compared and used separately to classify the specimens. Classification analyses of the two methods provided similar results, but more informative variables of size and shape were obtained with the outline-based approach. Size, as analyzed with the outline-based method, could detect sexual dimorphism, and produced better reclassification. The shape variables obtained from the linear measurements were strongly influenced by size variation, much more than the ones obtained from coordinates describing the pronotum contours. Our data suggest that the outline-based approach provides better characterization variables, thus we recommend them for a wider use in other Cimicidae family members.

Stemona collinsiae exhibits insecticidal resistance against various pests and insect vectors. However, insecticidal activity of S. collinsiae roots has not been tested for some insect vectors, including the American cockroach, Periplaneta americana. The synanthropic insect P. americana is a reservoir of pathogenic and non-pathogenic microorganisms and a cause of infectious diseases and cockroach allergy. This important vector transmits microorganisms to animals and humans to cause vector-borne diseases. This research involved detection of the nymphicidal and adulticidal activities of S. collinsiae root extracts against P. americana through oral administration. The effects of hexane, dichloromethane, ethanol, and water crude extracts were tested on final instar nymphs and adult P. americana. After P. americana ingested bait containing hexane and dichloromethane crude extracts, signs of toxicity occurred, such as hind leg shaking, whole-body tremor, immobility, abdomen swelling, and death. At 48 h, the nymphs and adult P. americana that ingested dichloromethane crude extract-containing bait showed corrected mortality of 65%–100% and 20%–100%, respectively. Whereas none of the nymphs and adult P. americana that ingested the water crude extract-containing bait died (0% corrected mortality). When we dissected alimentary canals of the dead P. americana that had ingested dichloromethane and hexane crude extract-containing baits, the foreguts were found to be swollen. TLC analysis showed the dichloromethane and hexane crude extracts contained the alkaloid didehydrostemofoline and unknown fluorescent substances. Phytochemicals from crude extracts were detected in extracts of dissected alimentary canals using thin-layer chromatography, and didehydrostemofoline alkaloid and unknown fluorescent substances were found in cockroaches that ingested dichloromethane- and hexane-containing baits. The cause of death of P. americana may be attributed to alkaloids and synergistic effects of other substances in S. collinsiae root extract. Mechanisms of action might include several pathways involved in nervous system function. Thus, dichloromethane and hexane crude extracts can be developed as alternative active ingredients in a natural insecticide for cockroach control.

The direct substitution of the OH group of stereogenic alcohols are reported rarely in literature. Here, the authors demonstrate direct substitution of both secondary and tertiary alcohols with chirality transfer leading to enantioenriched 5-membered, 6-membered and aryl-fused 6-membered heterocyclic compounds.

Memory T cells resulting from primary dengue virus (DENV) infection are hypothesized to influence the clinical outcome of subsequent DENV infection. However, the few studies involving prospectively collected blood samples have found weak and inconsistent associations with outcome and variable temporal trends in DENV-specific memory T cell responses between subjects. This study used both ex-vivo and cultured ELISPOT assays to further evaluate the associations between DENV serotype-cross-reactive memory T cells and severity of secondary infection. Using ex-vivo ELISPOT assays, frequencies of memory T cells secreting IFN-γ in response to DENV structural and non-structural peptide pools were low in PBMC from multiple time points prior to symptomatic secondary DENV infection and showed a variable response to infection. There were no differences in responses between subjects who were not hospitalized (NH, n=6) and those who were hospitalized with dengue hemorrhagic fever (hDHF, n=4). In contrast, responses in cultured ELISPOT assays were more reliably detectable prior to secondary infection and showed more consistent increases after infection. Responses in cultured ELISPOT assays were higher in individuals with hDHF (n=8) compared to NH (n=9) individuals before the secondary infection, with no difference between these groups after infection. These data demonstrate an association of pre-existing DENV-specific memory responses with the severity of illness in subsequent DENV infection, and suggest that frequencies of DENV-reactive T cells measured after short-term culture may be of particular importance for assessing the risk for more severe dengue disease.

In the latest World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation for Dengvaxia implementation, either serological testing or a person's history of prior dengue illness may be used as supporting evidence to identify dengue virus (DENV)-immune individuals eligible for vaccination, in areas with limited capacity for laboratory confirmation. This analysis aimed to estimate the concordance between self-reported dengue illness histories and seropositivity in a prospective cohort study for dengue virus infection in Kamphaeng Phet province, a dengue-endemic area in northern Thailand. The study enrolled 2,076 subjects from 516 multigenerational families, with a median age of 30.6 years (range 0-90 years). Individual and family member dengue illness histories were obtained by questionnaire. Seropositivity was defined based on hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) assays. Overall seropositivity for DENV was 86.5% among those aged 9-45 years, which increased with age. 18.5% of participants reported a history of dengue illness prior to enrollment; 30.1% reported a previous DENV infection in the family, and 40.1% reported DENV infection in either themselves or a family member. Relative to seropositivity by HAI in the vaccine candidate group, the sensitivity and specificity of individual prior dengue illness history were 18.5% and 81.6%, respectively; sensitivity and specificity of reported dengue illness in a family member were 29.8% and 68.0%, and of either the individual or a family member were 40.1% and 60.5%. Notably, 13.4% of individuals reporting prior dengue illness were seronegative. Given the high occurrence of asymptomatic and mild DENV infection, self-reported dengue illness history is poorly sensitive for prior exposure and may misclassify individuals as 'exposed' when they were not. This analysis highlights that a simple, highly sensitive, and highly specific test for determining serostatus prior to Dengvaxia vaccination is urgently needed.

Silver/silver chloride nanoparticles (Ag/AgCl NPs) are an alternative approach to control the larvae of Aedes aegypti, a vector of mosquito-borne diseases. However, the molecular mechanisms of Ag/AgCl NPs to A. aegypti have not been reported. In this work, Ag/AgCl NPs were synthesized using supernatant, mixed toxins from Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis (Bti), and heterologously expressed Cry4Aa and Cry4Ba toxins. The images from scanning electron microscopy revealed that the Ag/AgCl NPs were spherical in shape with a size range of 25–100 nm. The larvicidal activity against A. aegypti larvae revealed that the Ag/AgCl NPs synthesized using the supernatant of Bti exhibited higher toxicity (LC50 = 0.133 μg/mL) than the Ag/AgCl NPs synthesized using insecticidal proteins (LC50 = 0.148–0.217 μg/mL). The proteomic response to Ag/AgCl NPs synthesized using the supernatant of Bti in A. aegypti larvae was compared to the ddH2O-treated control. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis analysis revealed 110 differentially expressed proteins, of which 15 were selected for identification using mass spectrometry. Six upregulated proteins (myosin I heavy chain, heat shock protein 70, the F0F1-type ATP synthase beta subunit, methyltransferase, protein kinase, and condensin complex subunit 3) that responded to Ag/AgCl NP treatment in A. aegypti were reported for NP treatments in different organisms. These results suggested that possible mechanisms of action of Ag/AgCl NPs on A. aegypti larvae are: mitochondrial dysfunction, DNA and protein damage, inhibition of cell proliferation, and cell apoptosis. The findings from this work provide greater insight into the action of green synthesized Ag/AgCl NPs on the control of A. aegypti larvae.

Dengue human infection studies present an opportunity to address many longstanding questions in the field of flavivirus biology. However, limited data are available on how the immunological and transcriptional response elicited by an attenuated challenge virus compares to that associated with a wild-type DENV infection. To determine the kinetic transcriptional signature associated with experimental primary DENV-1 infection and to assess how closely this profile correlates with the transcriptional signature accompanying natural primary DENV-1 infection, we utilized scRNAseq to analyze PBMC from individuals enrolled in a DENV-1 human challenge study and from individuals experiencing a natural primary DENV-1 infection. While both experimental and natural primary DENV-1 infection resulted in overlapping patterns of inflammatory gene upregulation, natural primary DENV-1 infection was accompanied with a more pronounced suppression in gene products associated with protein translation and mitochondrial function, principally in monocytes. This suggests that the immune response elicited by experimental and natural primary DENV infection are similar, but that natural primary DENV-1 infection has a more pronounced impact on basic cellular processes to induce a multi-layered anti-viral state.

Given a dataset of careers and incomes, how large a difference of incomes between any pair of careers would be? Given a dataset of travel time records, how long do we need to spend more when choosing a public transportation mode A instead of B to travel? In this paper, we propose a framework that is able to infer orders of categories as well as magnitudes of difference of real numbers between each pair of categories using an estimation statistics framework. Our framework not only reports whether an order of categories exists, but it also reports magnitudes of difference of each consecutive pair of categories in the order. In a large dataset, our framework is scalable well compared with existing frameworks. The proposed framework has been applied to two real-world case studies: 1) ordering careers by incomes from 350,000 households living in Khon Kaen province, Thailand, and 2) ordering sectors by closing prices from 1,060 companies in NASDAQ stock market between years 2000 and 2016. The results of careers ordering demonstrate income inequality among different careers. The stock market results illustrate dynamics of sector domination that can change over time. Our approach is able to be applied in any research area that has category-real pairs. Our proposed Dominant-Distribution Network provides a novel approach to gain new insight of analyzing category orders. A software of this framework is available for researchers or practitioners in an R CRAN package: EDOIF.