Displaying publications 41 - 60 of 70 in total

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  1. Mongkhon P, Dilokthornsakul P, Tepwang K, Tapanya K, Sopitprasan C, Chaliawsin P, et al.
    Int J Cardiol Heart Vasc, 2017 Jun;15:9-14.
    PMID: 28616566 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcha.2017.03.003
    BACKGROUND: Accessibility of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in primary care settings is limited. Referring patients to PCI-capable hospitals might increase cardiac events. Hence, fibrinolytic injection before referring patients to PCI-capable settings decreases cardiac events, however, the effect of fibrinolytic injection before the referral has not been systematically evaluated. This study aimed to systematically review the effect of fibrinolytic injection before referring patients with STEMI to PCI-capable settings.

    METHODS: A systematic search with Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, Google scholar, and PubMed was conducted. Studies conducted in patients with STEMI presented to non PCI-capable settings and compared fibrinolytic injection with no injection before referring patients to PCI-capable settings were included. The primary outcome was the composite outcomes of major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) at 30 days. Meta-analyses were performed using random-effect model.

    RESULTS: Of 912 articles, three RCTs and three non-RCTs were included. Based on RCTs, fibrinolytic injection before the referral has failed to decrease MACEs compared to non-fibrinolytic injection [relative risk (RR) 1.18; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.89-1.57, p = 0.237]. Fibrinolytic injection has also failed to decrease mortality, re-infarction, and ischemic stroke. On the other hand, fibrinolytic injection was associated with a higher risk of major bleeding.

    CONCLUSIONS: In non PCI-capable settings, fibrinolytic injection before referring patients with STEMI to PCI-capable settings has no clinical benefit but could increase risk of major bleeding. Clinicians might more carefully consider whether fibrinolytic injection should be used in patients with STEMI before the referral.

  2. Saokaew S, Prasitsuebsai W, Bibera GL, Kengkla K, Zhang XH, Oh KB, et al.
    Infect Dis Ther, 2019 Sep;8(3):397-415.
    PMID: 31197662 DOI: 10.1007/s40121-019-0246-1
    INTRODUCTION: Rotavirus gastroenteritis is the leading cause of severe diarrhoea among young children < 5 years old. Previous cost-effectiveness analyses on rotavirus (RV) vaccination in Thailand have generated conflicting results. The aim of this current study is to evaluate the economic impact of introducing RV vaccination in Thailand, using updated Thai epidemiological and cost data.

    METHODS: Both cost-utility analysis (CUA) and budget impact analysis (BIA) of human rotavirus vaccine (HRV) under a universal mass vaccination (UMV) programme were conducted. A published static, deterministic, cross-sectional population model was adapted to assess costs and health outcomes associated with RV vaccination among Thai children 

  3. Kengkla K, Wongsalap Y, Chaomuang N, Suthipinijtham P, Oberdorfer P, Saokaew S
    PMID: 34724994 DOI: 10.1017/ice.2021.446
    OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of carbapenem resistance and delayed appropriate antibiotic therapy (DAAT) on clinical and economic outcomes among patients with Enterobacterales infection.

    METHODS: This retrospective cohort study was conducted in a tertiary-care medical center in Thailand. Hospitalized patients with Enterobacterales infection were included. Infections were classified as carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) or carbapenem-susceptible Enterobacterales (CSE). Multivariate Cox proportional hazard modeling was used to examine the association between CRE with DAAT and 30-day mortality. Generalized linear models were used to examine length of stay (LOS) and in-hospital costs.

    RESULTS: In total, 4,509 patients with Enterobacterales infection (age, mean 65.2 ±18.7 years; 43.3% male) were included; 627 patients (13.9%) had CRE infection. Among these CRE patients, 88.2% received DAAT. CRE was associated with additional medication costs of $177 (95% confidence interval [CI], 114–239; P < .001) and additional in-hospital costs of $725 (95% CI, 448–1,002; P < .001). Patients with CRE infections had significantly longer LOS and higher mortality rates than patients with CSE infections: attributable LOS, 7.3 days (95% CI, 5.4–9.1; P < .001) and adjusted hazard ratios (aHR), 1.55 (95% CI, 1.26–1.89; P < .001). CRE with DAAT were associated with significantly longer LOS, higher mortality rates, and in-hospital costs.

    CONCLUSION: CRE and DAAT are associated with worse clinical outcomes and higher in-hospital costs among hospitalized patients in a tertiary-care hospital in Thailand.

  4. Kanchanasurakit S, Santimaleeworagun W, McPherson CE, Piriyachananusorn N, Boonsong B, Katwilat P, et al.
    Infect Chemother, 2020 Dec;52(4):516-529.
    PMID: 33124216 DOI: 10.3947/ic.2020.52.4.516
    BACKGROUND: Infections by Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) remain a leading cause of death in critically ill patients. Fosfomycin has been regarded as an alternative therapy for treatment of infections caused by CRE organisms. The purpose of this study is to evaluate clinical outcomes amongst patients with CRE infection who are receiving a fosfomycin dosing regimen using a Monte Carlo simulation and fosfomycin minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC).

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fosfomycin MIC was defined by the E-test method. We used Fosfomycin pharmacokinetic parameters from a previously published study. The percent of the time period in which the drug concentration exceeded the MIC, or %T>MIC, used in this study were determined to be 70% of T>MIC and 100% of T>MIC, respectively. All dosing regimens were estimated for the probability of target attainment using a Monte Carlo simulation.

    RESULTS: In this study, we found the MIC's of fosfomycin against CRE isolates ranged from 8 mg/L to 96 mg/L. The total daily dose of fosfomycin ranged from 16 - 24 g and was administered utilizing various fosfomycin dosing regimens to achieve the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) target in pathogens with a MIC of 32 mg/L for 70%T>MIC and a MIC of 12 mg/L for 100%T>MIC, respectively. For the twelve patients who received the recommended fosfomycin dosing regimen, eleven achieved bacterial eradication for a microbiological cure rate of 91%; and of those patients achieving eradication, two died despite having negative cultures for CRE; the one remaining patient had bacterial persistence. The most commonly observed adverse drug reactions were hypernatremia (3 cases) and hypokalemia (3 cases) and acute kidney injury (3 cases).

    CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest fosfomycin has tended to good efficacy when using dosing regimens that achieve the PK/PD target. Nonetheless, further validation of these regimens in larger populations is needed.

  5. Koh YS, Wong SK, Ismail NH, Zengin G, Duangjai A, Saokaew S, et al.
    Front Plant Sci, 2021;12:791205.
    PMID: 35003181 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.791205
    Glutathione (GSH; γ-glutamyl-cysteinyl-glycine), a low-molecular-weight thiol, is the most pivotal metabolite involved in the antioxidative defense system of plants. The modulation of GSH on the plant in response to environmental stresses could be illustrated through key pathways such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging and signaling, methylglyoxal (MG) detoxification and signaling, upregulation of gene expression for antioxidant enzymes, and metal chelation and xenobiotic detoxification. However, under extreme stresses, the biosynthesis of GSH may get inhibited, causing an excess accumulation of ROS that induces oxidative damage on plants. Hence, this gives rise to the idea of exploring the use of exogenous GSH in mitigating various abiotic stresses. Extensive studies conducted borne positive results in plant growth with the integration of exogenous GSH. The same is being observed in terms of crop yield index and correlated intrinsic properties. Though, the improvement in plant growth and yield contributed by exogenous GSH is limited and subjected to the glutathione pool [GSH/GSSG; the ratio of reduced glutathione (GSH) to oxidized glutathione (GSSG)] homeostasis. Therefore, recent studies focused on the sequenced application of GSH was performed in order to complement the existing limitation. Along with various innovative approaches in combinatory use with different bioactive compounds (proline, citric acid, ascorbic acid, melatonin), biostimulants (putrescine, Moringa leaf extract, selenium, humic acid), and microorganisms (cyanobacteria) have resulted in significant improvements when compared to the individual application of GSH. In this review, we reinforced our understanding of biosynthesis, metabolism and consolidated different roles of exogenous GSH in response to environmental stresses. Strategy was also taken by focusing on the recent progress of research in this niche area by covering on its individualized and combinatory applications of GSH prominently in response to the abiotic stresses. In short, the review provides a holistic overview of GSH and may shed light on future studies and its uses.
  6. Tan HL, Chan KG, Pusparajah P, Saokaew S, Duangjai A, Lee LH, et al.
    Front Pharmacol, 2016;7:191.
    PMID: 27445824 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2016.00191
    Epimedium (family Berberidaceae), commonly known as Horny Goat Weed or Yin Yang Huo, is commonly used as a tonic, aphrodisiac, anti-rheumatic and anti-cancer agent in traditional herbal formulations in Asian countries such as China, Japan, and Korea. The major bioactive compounds present within this plant include icariin, icaritin and icariside II. Although it is best known for its aphrodisiac properties, scientific and pharmacological studies suggest it possesses broad therapeutic capabilities, especially for enhancing reproductive function and osteoprotective, neuroprotective, cardioprotective, anti-inflammatory and immunoprotective effects. In recent years, there has been great interest in scientific investigation of the purported anti-cancer properties of icariin and its derivatives. Data from in vitro and in vivo studies suggests these compounds demonstrate anti-cancer activity against a wide range of cancer cells which occurs through various mechanisms such as apoptosis, cell cycle modulation, anti-angiogenesis, anti-metastasis and immunomodulation. Of note, they are efficient at targeting cancer stem cells and drug-resistant cancer cells. These are highly desirable properties to be emulated in the development of novel anti-cancer drugs in combatting the emergence of drug resistance and overcoming the limited efficacy of current standard treatment. This review aims to summarize the anti-cancer mechanisms of icariin and its derivatives with reference to the published literature. The currently utilized applications of icariin and its derivatives in cancer treatment are explored with reference to existing patents. Based on the data compiled, icariin and its derivatives are shown to be compounds with tremendous potential for the development of new anti-cancer drugs.
  7. Tan LT, Chan KG, Khan TM, Bukhari SI, Saokaew S, Duangjai A, et al.
    Front Pharmacol, 2017;8:276.
    PMID: 28567016 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2017.00276
    Reactive oxygen species and other radicals potentially cause oxidative damage to proteins, lipids, and DNA which may ultimately lead to various complications including mutations, carcinogenesis, neurodegeneration, cardiovascular disease, aging, and inflammatory disease. Recent reports demonstrate that Streptomyces bacteria produce metabolites with potent antioxidant activity that may be developed into therapeutic drugs to combat oxidative stress. This study shows that Streptomyces sp. MUM212 which was isolated from mangrove soil in Kuala Selangor, Malaysia, could be a potential source of antioxidants. Strain MUM212 was characterized and determined as belonging to the genus Streptomyces using 16S rRNA gene phylogenetic analysis. The MUM212 extract demonstrated significant antioxidant activity through DPPH, ABTS and superoxide radical scavenging assays and also metal-chelating activity of 22.03 ± 3.01%, 61.52 ± 3.13%, 37.47 ± 1.79%, and 41.98 ± 0.73% at 4 mg/mL, respectively. Moreover, MUM212 extract was demonstrated to inhibit lipid peroxidation up to 16.72 ± 2.64% at 4 mg/mL and restore survival of Vero cells from H2O2-induced oxidative damages. The antioxidant activities from the MUM212 extract correlated well with its total phenolic contents; and this in turn was in keeping with the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis which revealed the presence of phenolic compounds that could be responsible for the antioxidant properties of the extract. Other chemical constituents detected included hydrocarbons, alcohols and cyclic dipeptides which may have contributed to the overall antioxidant capacity of MUM212 extract. As a whole, strain MUM212 seems to have potential as a promising source of novel molecules for future development of antioxidative therapeutic agents against oxidative stress-related diseases.
  8. Tan HL, Chan KG, Pusparajah P, Duangjai A, Saokaew S, Mehmood Khan T, et al.
    Front Pharmacol, 2016;7:362.
    PMID: 27774066
    Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in both the developed and developing world. Rhizoma coptidis (RC), known as Huang Lian in China, is the dried rhizome of medicinal plants from the family Ranunculaceae, such as Coptis chinensis Franch, C. deltoidea C.Y. Cheng et Hsiao, and C. teeta Wall which has been used by Chinese medicinal physicians for more than 2000 years. In China, RC is a common component in traditional medicines used to treat CVD associated problems including obesity, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia and disorders of lipid metabolism. In recent years, numerous scientific studies have sought to investigate the biological properties of RC to provide scientific evidence for its traditional medical uses. RC has been found to exert significant beneficial effects on major risk factors for CVDs including anti-atherosclerotic effect, lipid-lowering effect, anti-obesity effect and anti-hepatic steatosis effect. It also has myocardioprotective effect as it provides protection from myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. These properties have been attributed to the presence of bioactive compounds contained in RC such as berberine, coptisine, palmatine, epiberberine, jatrorrhizine, and magnoflorine; all of which have been demonstrated to have cardioprotective effects on the various parameters contributing to the occurrence of CVD through a variety of pathways. The evidence available in the published literature indicates that RC is a herb with tremendous potential to reduce the risks of CVDs, and this review aims to summarize the cardioprotective properties of RC with reference to the published literature which overall indicates that RC is a herb with remarkable potential to reduce the risks and damage caused by CVDs.
  9. Kositamongkol C, Kanchanasurakit S, Auttamalang C, Inchai N, Kabkaew T, Kitpark S, et al.
    Front Pharmacol, 2021;12:786596.
    PMID: 34966282 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.786596
    Background: The effects of coffee consumption on hepatic outcomes are controversial. This study investigated the associations between coffee consumption and the incidence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in the general population and the reduction of liver fibrosis among patients with NAFLD. Methods: The study consisted of two parts: an umbrella review and a systematic review and meta-analysis (SRMA). The searches for each part were performed separately using PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, Scopus, and CINAHL databases. All articles published up to September 2021 were reviewed. To be eligible, studies for the umbrella review were required to report outcomes that compared the risks of NAFLD in the general population and/or liver fibrosis in patients with NAFLD who did and did not drink coffee. Our SRMA included primary studies reporting the effects of coffee consumption on NAFLD-related outcomes. The outcomes were pooled using a random-effects model and reported in both qualitative and quantitative terms (pooled risk ratio, odds ratio, and weighted mean difference). Results: We identified four published SRMAs during the umbrella review. Most studies showed that individuals in the general population who regularly drank coffee were significantly associated with a lower NAFLD incidence than those who did not. Our SRMA included nine studies on the effects of coffee consumption on NAFLD incidence. Pooled data from 147,875 subjects showed that coffee consumption was not associated with a lower NAFLD incidence in the general population. The between-study heterogeneity was high (I 2, 72-85%). Interestingly, among patients with NAFLD (5 studies; n = 3,752), coffee consumption was significantly associated with a reduction in liver fibrosis (odds ratio, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.55 to 0.80; I 2, 3%). There were no differences in the coffee consumption of the general population and of those with NAFLD (4 studies; n = 19,482) or by patients with no/mild liver fibrosis and those with significant fibrosis (4 studies; n = 3,331). Conclusions: There are contrasting results on the effects of coffee on NAFLD prevention in the general population. Benefits of coffee consumption on liver fibrosis were seen among patients with NAFLD. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42021226607, identifier CRD42021226607.
  10. Duangjai A, Saokaew S, Goh BH, Phisalprapa P
    Front Nutr, 2021;8:724591.
    PMID: 34490333 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2021.724591
    Ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) is an effective tool for the extraction of natural antioxidants. Thus, differentially roasted Arabica-coffee beans known as light (LC), medium (MC), and dark coffee (DC) were prepared and extracted under the influence of UAE. Following that, they were examined specifically on theirs physicochemical and biological characteristics: nutritional values, pH, °Brix, antioxidant activities, polyphenol content, caffeine, and chlorogenic-acid levels. Various parameters, such as extraction temperatures (20, 40, and 80°C) and extraction time periods (5, 10, and 20 min), were examined. DC extract was less acidic than those on MC and LC extracts. LC showed higher moisture content than the MC and DC (1.56, 1.3, and 0.92%, respectively). MC displayed the highest polyphenol content and potent antioxidant activity. Caffeine and chlorogenic acid contents trend to decrease during roasting. The maximum caffeine level was found in MC at 80°C for 5 min (27.65 mg/g extract). The highest chlorogenic acid content was in LC at 80°C for 10 min (16.67 mg/g extract). The caffeine and chlorogenic acid contents were related to the polyphenol content and depended on the roasting and extraction conditions. These results suggest that the UAE at various temperature and extraction time period may alter the physicochemical and biological characteristics of different coffee roasts.
  11. Law JW, Ser HL, Duangjai A, Saokaew S, Bukhari SI, Khan TM, et al.
    Front Microbiol, 2017;8:877.
    PMID: 28559892 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.00877
    Streptomyces colonosanans MUSC 93JT, a novel strain isolated from mangrove forest soil located at Sarawak, Malaysia. The bacterium was noted to be Gram-positive and to form light yellow aerial and vivid yellow substrate mycelium on ISP 2 agar. The polyphasic approach was used to determine the taxonomy of strain MUSC 93JT and the strain showed a range of phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic properties consistent with those of the members of the genus Streptomyces. Phylogenetic and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that closely related strains include Streptomyces malachitofuscus NBRC 13059T (99.2% sequence similarity), Streptomyces misionensis NBRC 13063T (99.1%), and Streptomyces phaeoluteichromatogenes NRRL 5799T (99.1%). The DNA-DNA relatedness values between MUSC 93JT and closely related type strains ranged from 14.4 ± 0.1 to 46.2 ± 0.4%. The comparison of BOX-PCR fingerprints indicated MUSC 93JT exhibits a unique DNA profile. The genome of MUSC 93JT consists of 7,015,076 bp. The DNA G + C content was determined to be 69.90 mol%. The extract of strain MUSC 93JT was demonstrated to exhibit potent antioxidant activity via ABTS, metal chelating, and SOD assays. This extract also exhibited anticancer activity against human colon cancer cell lines without significant cytotoxic effect against human normal colon cells. Furthermore, the chemical analysis of the extract further emphasizes the strain is producing chemo-preventive related metabolites. Based on this polyphasic study of MUSC 93JT, it is concluded that this strain represents a novel species, for which the name Streptomyces colonosanans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is MUSC 93JT (= DSM 102042T = MCCC 1K02298T).
  12. Letchumanan V, Chan KG, Pusparajah P, Saokaew S, Duangjai A, Goh BH, et al.
    Front Microbiol, 2016;7:1114.
    PMID: 27486446 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.01114
    Bacterial infections from various organisms including Vibrio sp. pose a serious hazard to humans in many forms from clinical infection to affecting the yield of agriculture and aquaculture via infection of livestock. Vibrio sp. is one of the main foodborne pathogens causing human infection and is also a common cause of losses in the aquaculture industry. Prophylactic and therapeutic usage of antibiotics has become the mainstay of managing this problem, however, this in turn led to the emergence of multidrug resistant strains of bacteria in the environment; which has raised awareness of the critical need for alternative non-antibiotic based methods of preventing and treating bacterial infections. Bacteriophages - viruses that infect and result in the death of bacteria - are currently of great interest as a highly viable alternative to antibiotics. This article provides an insight into bacteriophage application in controlling Vibrio species as well underlining the advantages and drawbacks of phage therapy.
  13. Ser HL, Tan LT, Law JW, Chan KG, Duangjai A, Saokaew S, et al.
    Front Microbiol, 2017;8:2065.
    PMID: 29163380 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.02065
    Human life expectancy is rapidly increasing with an associated increasing burden of chronic diseases, such as neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. However, there is limited progress in finding effective treatment for these conditions. For this reason, members of the genus Streptomyces have been explored extensively over the past decades as these filamentous bacteria are highly efficient in producing bioactive compounds with human health benefits. Being ubiquitous in nature, streptomycetes can be found in both terrestrial and marine environments. Previously, two Streptomyces strains (MUSC 137T and MUM 256) isolated from mangrove sediments in Peninsular Malaysia demonstrated potent antioxidant and cytotoxic activities against several human cancer cell lines on bioactivity screening. These results illustrate the importance of streptomycetes from underexplored regions aside from the terrestrial ecosystem. Here we provide the insights and significance of Streptomyces species in the search of anticancer and/or chemopreventive agents and highlight the impact of next generation sequencing on drug discovery from the Streptomyces arsenal.
  14. Saokaew S, Kanchanasurakit S, Kositamongkol C, Chaiyo K, Jirapisut T, Aomsin N, et al.
    Front Med (Lausanne), 2021;8:723790.
    PMID: 34490309 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.723790
    Background: Little is known of the efficacy of telemedicine on the clinical outcomes of the high-risk group of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients, such as those with obesity. This study aimed to determine the effects of telemedicine vs. usual care for the management of obese patients with NAFLD. Methods: Literature searches were performed from inception to 1st June 2021 in the following databases: Cochrane CENTRAL, ScienceDirect, PubMed, and Scopus. Prospective trials assessed the effects of telemedicine on obese patients with NAFLD were included. The outcomes of interest were alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, and body mass index, which were reported as weighted mean difference (WMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: Four studies were examined in the systematic review, one was excluded from the meta-analysis due to an inappropriate group-comparison. In all, 285 obese patients with NAFLD were included in the meta-analysis (70% of those received telemedicine intervention). The mean ages of the patients in the telemedicine and usual-care groups were 51.78 ± 5.91 and 47.30 ± 8.14 years, respectively. Telemedicine significantly decreased ALT levels compared with usual care (WMD = -18.93 U/L [95%CI: -25.97, -11.90]; I 2 = 53.8%), and it significantly decreased AST levels (WMD = -10.24 U/L [95%CI: -13.43, -7.05]; I 2 = 0.0%). However, telemedicine did not show significant benefits for the remaining outcomes. Conclusion: Compared with usual care, telemedicine significantly reduced the AST and ALT levels of obese patients with NAFLD. Further long-term studies with clinical endpoints are needed to determine the best characteristics of telemedicine and to confirm the benefits. Systematic Review Registration: PROSPERO [CRD42020207451].
  15. Chaomuang N, Khamnuan P, Chuayunan N, Duangjai A, Saokaew S, Phisalprapa P
    Front Med (Lausanne), 2021;8:719830.
    PMID: 34869417 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.719830
    Background: Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a life-threatening infection of the skin and soft tissue that spreads quickly and requires immediate surgery and medical treatment. Amputation or radical debridement of necrotic tissue is generally always required. The risks and benefits of both the surgical options are weighed before deciding whether to amputate or debride. This study set forth to create an easy-to-use risk scoring system for predicting the risk scoring system for amputation in patients with NF (ANF). Methods: This retrospective study included 1,506 patients diagnosed with surgically confirmed NF at three general hospitals in Thailand from January 2009 to December 2012. All diagnoses were made by surgeons who strictly observed the guidelines for skin and soft tissue infections produced by the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Patients were randomly allocated to either the derivation (n = 1,193) or validation (n = 313) cohort. Clinical risk factors assessed at the time of recruitment were used to create the risk score, which was then developed using logistic regression. The regression coefficients were converted into item scores, and the total score was calculated. Results: The following four clinical predictors were used to create the model: female gender, diabetes mellitus, wound appearance stage 3 (skin necrosis and gangrene), and creatinine ≥1.6 mg/dL. Using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AuROC), the ANF system showed moderate power (78.68%) to predict amputation in patients with NF with excellent calibration (Hosmer-Lemeshow χ2 = 2.59; p = 0.8586). The positive likelihood ratio of amputation in low-risk (score ≤ 4) and high-risk (score ≥ 7) patients was 2.17 (95%CI: 1.66-2.82) and 6.18 (95%CI: 4.08-9.36), respectively. The ANF system showed good performance (AuROC 76.82%) when applied in the validation cohort. Conclusion: The developed ANF risk scoring system, which includes four easy to obtain predictors, provides physicians with prediction indices for amputation in patients with NF. This model will assist clinicians with surgical decision-making in this time-sensitive clinical setting.
  16. Yap BJM, Lai-Foenander AS, Goh BH, Ong YS, Duangjai A, Saokaew S, et al.
    Front Cardiovasc Med, 2021;8:732369.
    PMID: 34621800 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.732369
    Leukocytoclastic vasculitis (LCV) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by the inflammation of the vascular endothelium. Cutaneous small vessel vasculitis (CSVV) and anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) are two examples of LCV. Advancements in genomic technologies have identified risk haplotypes, genetic variants, susceptibility loci and pathways that are associated with vasculitis immunopathogenesis. The discovery of these genetic factors and their corresponding cellular signaling aberrations have enabled the development and use of novel therapeutic strategies for vasculitis. Personalized medicine aims to provide targeted therapies to individuals who show poor response to conventional interventions. For example, monoclonal antibody therapies have shown remarkable efficacy in achieving disease remission. Here, we discuss pathways involved in disease pathogenesis and the underlying genetic associations in different populations worldwide. Understanding the immunopathogenic pathways in vasculitis and identifying associated genetic variations will facilitate the development of novel and targeted personalized therapies for patients.
  17. Ontawong A, Saokaew S, Jamroendararasame B, Duangjai A
    Expert Rev Respir Med, 2020 05;14(5):527-531.
    PMID: 32156169 DOI: 10.1080/17476348.2020.1740089
    Background: Air pollution is a global problem and also linked to respiratory diseases. Wildfire smog is a major cause of air pollution in the upper northern area of Thailand. Thus, in the current study, we examined whether long-term exposure to wildfire smog induces lung function changes in a population from the upper northern area of Thailand.Methods: The lung function of 115 participants with long-term exposure smog was determined using peak flow meter.Results: Long-term smoke exposure participants decreased FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in 1 second)/FVC (forced vital capacity) ratio (56.49 ± 23.88 in males and 56.29 ± 28.23 in females) compared with general Thai population. Moreover, the reduction of FVC, FEV1, and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) values also showed in both male and female subjects. These results suggest that long-term smoke exposure induces obstructive lung abnormality. Moreover, itchy/watery nose, cough, phlegm, and chest pain also reported in these subjects.Conclusion: Wildfire smog could be induced respiratory pathway inflammation and easily collapsible respiratory airways.
  18. Dhippayom T, Kongkaew C, Chaiyakunapruk N, Dilokthornsakul P, Sruamsiri R, Saokaew S, et al.
    PMID: 25861373 DOI: 10.1155/2015/942378
    Objective. To determine the clinical effects of Thai herbal compress. Methods. International and Thai databases were searched from inception through September 2014. Comparative clinical studies investigating herbal compress for any indications were included. Outcomes of interest included level of pain, difficulties in performing activities, and time from delivery to milk secretion. Mean changes of the outcomes from baseline were compared between herbal compress and comparators by calculating mean difference. Results. A total of 13 studies which involved 778 patients were selected from 369 articles identified. The overall effects of Thai herbal compress on reducing osteoarthritis (OA) and muscle pain were not different from those of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, knee exercise, and hot compress. However, the reduction of OA pain in the herbal compress group tended to be higher than that of any comparators (weighted mean difference 0.419; 95% CI -0.004, 0.842) with moderate heterogeneity (I (2) = 58.3%, P = 0.048). When compared with usual care, herbal compress provided significantly less time from delivery to milk secretion in postpartum mothers (mean difference -394.425 minutes; 95% CI -620.084, -168.766). Conclusion. Thai herbal compress may be considered as an alternative for osteoarthritis and muscle pain and could also be used as a treatment of choice to induce lactation.
  19. Wilairat P, Kengkla K, Kaewpanan T, Kaewthong J, Ruankon S, Subthaweesin C, et al.
    Eur J Hosp Pharm, 2020 Mar;27(2):103-110.
    PMID: 32133137 DOI: 10.1136/ejhpharm-2018-001649
    OBJECTIVE: To examine the comparative efficacy and safety of interventions for preventing chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis (OM) in adult cancer patients.

    METHODS: We searched PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Central systematically for the randomised control trials (RCTs) of interventions for preventing OM. Network meta-analysis (NMA) was performed to estimate risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) from both direct and indirect evidence. The primary outcome was any grade of OM. Secondary outcomes were mild-moderate OM, severe OM and adverse events, such as taste disturbance and gastrointestinal adverse events. This study was registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016052489.

    RESULTS: A total of 29 RCTs with 2348 patients (median age, 56.1 years; 57.5% male) were included. Cryotherapy was associated with a significantly lower risk of OM than control (RR 0.51, 95% CI 0.38 to 0.68), and zinc sulphate (RR 0.47, 95% CI 0.23 to 0.97), but not significantly lower than sucralfate and palifermin. No significant differences were observed between cryotherapy and control for taste disturbance and gastrointestinal adverse events. Palifermin was associated with the highest risk of taste disturbance.

    CONCLUSIONS: This NMA suggests that cryotherapy was the most effective intervention for preventing chemotherapy-induced OM with a safety profile similar to control, but not significantly lower than sucralfate and palifermin. Large RCTs are needed to confirm these findings.

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