Digital Commons Network^™

Surface Proteomics Of Leptospira Interrogans Serovar Pomona, Praparat Thaibankluay

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Leptospirosis is a re-emerging zoonosis of global distribution including Thailand. It caused by pathogenic Leptospira. The pathogenesis is not clear. Surface-exposed proteins (PSEs) are first part for interactions with host cells, immune system and should be potential targets for vaccine development. To date, many researches study only individual PSEs but the studies of surface proteomic is less. The study of surface proteomic will be important information for pathogenesis studies and search for vaccine candidate. This study aimed to identify surface proteomics of pathogenic Leptospira by surface biotinylation and surface shaving using proteinase K that has been used to identify surface …

Oral Lichen Planus: A 4-Year Clinical Follow-Up Study, Arunas Rimkevicius, Jolanta Aleksejuniene, Alina Puriene, Dmitrij Seinin, Ruta Rasteniene

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: This study aimed to examine oral lichen planus (OLP) cases histopathologically and cytologically, describe different clinical aspects of OLP manifestations, and associate different OLP clinical forms with self-reported oral health and with local and systemic risk factors. Materials and methods: All patients with a referral diagnosis of OLP received biopsies. The histological evaluation assessed infiltration with lymphocytes, epithelial hyperplasia, and hyperkeratosis. Histology was used to validate the OLP diagnosis and to evaluate the malignant transformation of OLP lesions. Clinical manifestations of OLP and potential local oral environment-related risks were clinically assessed. Systemic risks were evaluated by a structured questionnaire. …

The Clinical Features And Outcomes Of Turkish Patients With Igg4-Related Disease:A Single-Center Experience, Ömer Karadağ, Abdulsamet Erden, Emi̇ne Arzu Ayhan, Ertuğrul Çağri Bölek, Umut Kalyoncu, Berkan Armağan, Alper Sari, Levent Kiliç, Ali̇ Akdoğan, Tuncay Hazirolan, Bülent Akdoğan, Şazi̇ye Şule Apraş Bi̇lgen, Di̇lek Baydar, Sedat Ki̇raz, Ali̇ İhsan Ertenli̇

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Since the majority of the IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) patients in the literature are from the Far East and the United States, there is a lack of large series from other parts of the world. We aimed to identify the clinical characteristics and outcome of Turkish IgG4-RD patients from a tertiary center.Materials and methods: Fifty-two patients classified as having definite IgG4-RD according to comprehensive diagnostic criteria were included in the study. Patients not fulfilling the definite criteria due to lack of pathologic specimen and/or serum IgG4 levels were excluded (n = 47). Clinical, laboratory, and histopathological features and treatment approaches …

Does Fibromyalgia Have An Effect On Hearing Loss In Women?, Zeli̇ha Kapusuz Gencer, Özlem Balbaloğlu, Mahmut Özkiriş, Levent Saydam

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Fibromyalgia (FM) patients may have several neuroendocrine dysfunctions, resulting in a hypervigilant sensory output that may be responsible for sensorineural complaints. In this study, we evaluated the audiological findings of a cohort of female fibromyalgia patients. Materials and methods: Between 1 September 2012 and 1 June 2013, 35 female FM patients, followed by the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Bozok University, were recruited for the study. The patients were referred to the Department of Otolaryngology for routine otolaryngological and audiological evaluations. Age range was between 30 and 65 years, with a mean age of 48.10 …

Vanishing Endometrial Carcinoma In Hysterectomy Specimens: Probable Implications For Fertility Sparing Management, Murat Öz, Mustafa Alper Karalök, Ali̇ Levent Şi̇rvan, Tolga Taşçi, Reyhan Öçalan, Ahmet Taner Turan, Tayfun Güngör, Mehmet Mutlu Meydanli

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The vanishing cancer phenomenon was first reported in radical prostatectomy specimens in the absence of neo-adjuvant treatment. Reported cases are mostly well-differentiated and low-volume tumors. A similar entity was described for hysterectomy specimens of patients with biopsy proven endometrial cancer (EC). In this study, we discuss the probable reasons for vanishing EC and long-term follow-up results of EC patients without residual tumors in hysterectomy specimens. Materials and methods: This study was carried at two institutions in Ankara, Turkey, in a retrospective design. The computerized databases of both institutions were searched for endometrioid type EC patients whose final pathological specimens …

The Perceived Utility Of Personalized Genomic Medicine In Individuals With A Family History Of Heart Disease: A Pilot Study, Dana Margaret Mittag

Theses and Dissertations

According to the World Health Organization (2005), cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the number one cause of death in most countries. Assessing a patient’s risk for heart disease may include incorporating factors such as their gender, age, weight, tobacco history, cholesterol, blood pressure, family history, and more recently, genetics. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have made it possible to identify risk loci for many of the common, complex disorders, including coronary artery disease (CAD). As the medical genetics community undergoes a shift from a genetics focus to a genomics oriented focus, genomic medicine is becoming more accessible. Research has begun to examine …

Exercise Recommendations For Active Adults At Risk For Sudden Cardiac Death: “Can I Continue To Exercise?”, Kacie Lynn Baker

Theses and Dissertations

Sudden arrhythmic death syndrome (SADS) is due to genetic conditions associated with cardiac ion channelopathies and cardiomyopathies. Many of these conditions have exercise guidelines regarding eligibility and disqualification recommendations for competitive athletes through the American Heart Association and the American College for Cardiology. This study investigates how medical professionals communicate these exercise recommendations to patients, and in turn, how well patients understand these recommendations. The study also explores motivations for either continuing or discontinuing an exercise practice after a diagnosis. A questionnaire was distributed through cardiac disease-focused support groups and organizations. Data from 67 individuals with a SADS condition were …

Evaluation Of Oral Nutritional Supplement Use In Elderly Patients Admitted With Heart Failure, Geri L. Sipe

DNP Projects

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of enhanced ordering privileges among registered dieticians (RD) on oral nutritional supplement (ONS) ordering frequency and prevalence of oral nutritional supplement use among elderly patients admitted with heart failure (HF).

METHODS: This study was a single facility, retrospective pre-post implementation evaluation of the impact of expanded ONS ordering privileges among elderly patients (age ≥ 65 years old) hospitalized with heart failure at Frankfort Regional Medical Center (FRMC). The sample consisted of 105 patients for the pre-evaluation period and 259 for the post-evaluation period.

RESULTS: There were …

Development Of Parkinson’S Glove For Detection And Suppression Of Hand Tremor At Rest Among The Tremor-Dominant Parkinson’S Disease Patients With Medically Intractable Tremor., Onanong Jitkritsadakul

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

The objectives of this study were to determine the efficacy of an electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) as a treatment for drug resistant tremor in PD patients by identifying of the most suitable stimulation protocols for tremor reduction and to seek out for the best location for placement of the surface electrodes (phase 1) and developing the Parkinson's glove and test for its efficacy in suppression of hand tremor at rest among the tremor-dominant Parkinson's disease patients with medically intractable tremor (phase 2). From phase 1 study, 34 PD patients with classic resting tremor was recruited. The suitable stimulation protocol and …

Implication Of Alpha-Synuclein Transcriptional Regulation And Mutagenesis In The Pathogenesis Of Sporadic Parkinson's Disease, Sambuddha Basu

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Parkinson's disease (PD) is an age-related neurodegenerative disorder characterized by selective loss of dopaminergic neurons (DA neurons) from the substantia nigra (SN) of the mid-brain. PD is classically associated with cytoplasmic inclusion of aggregated proteins called Lewy bodies. alpha-synuclein (α-SYN) coded by the gene SNCA, is one of the major components of Lewy body and neurite along with several other proteins like ubiquitin, neurofilament to name a few. PD is broadly categorized into two groups based on their incidence of occurrence. First is the familial form that occurs due to known genetic aberrations like mutation, gene duplication/triplication in important PD …

Targeted Therapy Development For Neurofibromatosis Type 2, Marisa Fuse

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) is a debilitating disease characterized by the formation of bilateral vestibular schwannomas, which compress the vestibulocochlear nerve and cause deafness. Additional peripheral schwannomas, meningiomas and ependymomas may also form. NF2 is caused by mutations in the NF2 gene, resulting in the loss of function of the merlin tumor suppressor. Merlin functions in multiple signaling pathways and its absence in Schwann cells yields increased cell survival and proliferation, thereby causing schwannoma formation. First line treatment for NF2 is watchful waiting and surgical removal of tumors, potentially resulting in facial paralysis and deafness. To date, there are no …

The Actin-Severing Protein Cofilin Is Downstream Of Neuregulin Signaling, Is Regulated By The Tumor Suppressor Merlin, And Is Essential For Schwann Cell Myelination, Nicklaus Sparrow

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Myelination is a complex process requiring coordination of directional motility and an increase in Schwann cell (SC) size to generate a multi-lamellar myelin sheath. Regulation of actin dynamics during myelination is poorly understood. However, it is known that myelin thickness is related to the abundance of neuregulin1-type III (NRG) expressed on the axon surface. NRG binding to ErbB2/3 receptors on the Schwann cell surface initiates signaling cascades necessary for myelination. We identify cofilin1, an actin depolymerizing and severing protein, as a downstream target of NRG-ErbB2/3 signaling in rat SC. A five minute exposure of SCs to NRG triggers phosphorylation of …

Evaluating The Genotype Phenotype Correlations In Cleidocranial Dysplasia, Stephen Lamar Greene

All ETDs from UAB

Cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD, OMIM 119600) is a rare (1 in 1,000,000) human autosomal dominant skeletal disorder with unique craniofacial and dental features caused by mutations the gene coding for transcription factor RUNX2. RUNX2 is a key master regulator of osteoblast differentiation, chondrocyte maturation and tooth formation. CCD is commonly diagnosed based on bone defects with ~90% of cases presenting with supernumerary teeth or a “third dentition”. Mouse Runx2 null models (Runx2+/-), although having similar CCD skeletal defects, do not mimic the human dental phenotype of supernumerary teeth. Instead, Runx2-/- mouse have arrested tooth formation at the cap stage. Furthermore, based …

Comparison Of Atypical Bacteriophages That Infect Caulobacter Crescentus, Doreen Nguyen

Theses and Dissertations

Several Caulobacter bacterial genomes have been recently sequenced, and all of the genomes contained one or more clusters of genes with phage origins. This observation indicates that bacteriophages contribute to the Caulobacter gene pool, so in order to understand bacteria genomes we will need to understand phage genomes as well. As part of understanding the phage genomes, we want to isolate novel bacteriophages and study their genomics. This study resulted in the isolation of 12 new phages, including four that differ from the well-studied CbKlike phages. Two of these novel phages are Podoviruses with icosahedral heads and small tails, and …

Environmental Relationships And Predator-Prey Interactions Within The Snapper-Grouper Complex In The Southeastern U.S. Atlantic – Implications For Fisheries Management, Dawn M. Glasgow

Theses and Dissertations

Stock assessments indicate many valuable fish species are declining, or are considered overfished and/or are undergoing overfishing. Fisheries scientists and managers in the southeastern U.S. typically have utilized a single-species approach, and relied on catch per unit effort data derived from fishery-independent surveys to determine indices of abundance for economically important reef fish. However, catchability for these surveys vary for many reasons including environmental and predator-prey relationships. This research was developed to elucidate environmental influences on reef fish assemblages and distribution of reef-associated marine predators, and examine predator-prey dynamics that may influence relative abundance of large predators based on chevron …

Applications Of Multimedia Resources Developed As Part Of The Virtual Cell Animation Collection In Undergraduate Introductory Biology, Eric Edward Goff

Theses and Dissertations

Calls for reform in undergraduate STEM education have arisen from an increased need for well-trained biology graduates in the future scientific workforce. To address this need, many institutions have focused on a pedagogical restructuring of instructional practices to promote deeper conceptual understanding of core biological concepts. This study investigates the implementation of multimedia resources as a possible reliable supplement to undergraduate introductory biology and aims to provide empirical evidence on the instructional best practices of their use. As a central part of this study, we focus on one specific multimedia package, the Virtual Cell Animation Collection, due to its developmental …

Adoptees’ Experiences With Direct-To-Consumer Genetic Testing: Emotions, Satisfaction, And Motivating Factors, Anna Childers

Theses and Dissertations

Public awareness of the role of genetics in disease continues to expand along with the use of direct-to-consumer genetic testing (DTC-GT). One subset of customers taking advantage of the growing DTC-GT market is adoptees. Prior research has shown that adoptees appear to be more motivated than non-adoptees to learn about their genetic disease risk but have similar responses to health-related information acquired through DTC-GT. In this exploratory qualitative study, fourteen adoptees were asked about their motivations for pursuing DTC-GT; satisfaction with results; emotions throughout the process; and interest in meeting with a genetic counselor. Motivations for pursuing DTCGT fell into …

Mast Cells And Lipid Cross-Talk In Skin Inflammation, Piper Alexandra Wedman

Theses and Dissertations

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an inflammatory skin disease whose pathogenic mechanisms remain unclear. Using a validated human AD-like mouse model, we observed that skin remodeling started at a pre-symptomatic stage of AD that included cellular infiltration of the hypodermis, accompanied with activated/degranulated mast cells (MC). Local MC activation was quantified using a novel method of computer-assisted image analysis we developed and reported. Using a variation of this method, we defined morphometric parameters allowing for quantitation rather than scoring of cellular infiltration. Cell recruitment correlated with MC activation, chemokine production and increased levels of sphingolipid sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), produced by sphingosine kinase-1 …

Protein Profiling Analysis Of Platelets In Hypercoagulable State Of Β-Thalassemia/Hbe Patients, Puangpaka Chanpeng

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

β-thalassemia/HbE is an inherited hemolytic anemia caused by defect in β-globin synthesis resulting in accumulation of excess α-globin chains in red blood cells. A hypercogulable state leading to high risk of thromboembolic event is one of the most common complications observed in this disease, particularly in patients with splenectomy. Previous studies suggested that increased platelet activation and coagulation factors in β-thalassemia/HbE intermediate patients promote the hypercoagulable state. However, the hypercoagulable state as well as the molecular mechanism regarding this pathogenesis in β-thalassemia/HbE is not yet well understood. This study aimed to identify proteins related to platelet activation and to hypercoagulable …

Comparison Between Digital Image Analysis And Visual Assessment Of Immunohistochemical Her2 Expression In Breast Cancer, Morten Ragn Jakobsen

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Background: Assessment of HER2 status is considered standard of care in the histopathologic workup of breast cancer and conveys prognostic and predictive information used to guide treatment decisions. The assessment is often carried out in a two-step approach where immunohistochemical expression of HER2 protein is first evaluated by conventional microscopy and equivocal cases are further analyzed by in-situ hybridization techniques to assess gene amplification status. Methods: In this study we compared conventional manual assessment of immunohistochemical HER2 expression with digital image analysis (DIA) and consensus manual assessment by a panel of three pathologists. From our archive we retrieved sections of …

Histopathologic Difference Between Sinonasal Mucosa And Polyp Tissue For Diagnosing Eosinophilic Chronic Rhinosinusitis, Wanrawee Thaitrakool

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This study aims to assess the appropriate site for diagnosing eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis (ECRS) by histopathology. Patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with polyps (CRSwNP) were enrolled. Specimens were collected from polyp apex, polyp pedicle, polyp scraping and ethmoid mucosa. Number of tissue eosinophil of the four samples was assessed with intrapersonal comparison for diagnosing ECRS. Correlations with clinical characteristics of ECRS were assessed for each site. Results showed that thirty patients with CRSwNP were enrolled. Polyp apex, polyp pedicle and ethmoid mucosa gave similar results for diagnosing ECRS in 16 patients (53.3%). Median tissue eosinophil was greater in polyp apex (84, …

Pretreatment Prognostic Factors To Predict Survival Outcome In Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer With First Line Treatment In Thailand: A Retrospective Cohort Study, Sureerat Jaruhathai

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Background: Tumor genetic information and biologic markers are often used as prognostic factors. However, these have limited applicable in real daily practice due to their high cost . Objective: To evaluate which inexpensive, convenient simple prognostic factors are associated with survival outcome with first line treatment among patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: Retrospectively reviewed the charts of patients diagnosed with having advanced NSCLC with no previous treatment seen at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital and Police General Hospital during 1 January 2008-31 Dec 2013. Results: A total of 301 patients were included in the study; 68.1% males. …

Involvement Of Notch Signaling In Interleukin-4-Stimulated Human Macrophages, Naunpun Sangphech

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Macrophages respond to various stimuli, resulting in distinct effector phenotypes that range from LPS-stimulated proinflammatory to IL-4-activated pro-healing phenotype. The regulatory mechanism of this polarization is not fully understood. Notch signaling pathway is a conserved signaling pathway involved in polarization of macrophages, especially proinflammatory macrophages. However, the role of Notch signaling in IL-4 stimulated macrophages (M(IL-4)) is not well defined. PPARgamma is a signature nuclear receptor in M(IL-4) that function mainly in regulating lipid metabolism. There are many reports that revealed the interaction of Notch signaling and PPARgamma in various cells but not in macrophages. In this study, the interaction …

Ctl-Mediated Immune Evasion In Hiv Viraemic Controllers And Non-Controllers, Prathanporn Kaewpreedee

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Objective: To compare T cell response and to identify the mechanism of escape in HIV-infected volunteers. Methods: HIV-infected volunteers (CD4>450 cells/µL) were enrolled from the anonymous clinic. Volunteers were classified into two groups based on HIV plasma viral load; viraemic controllers (VC) (VL<2000 cp/mL) and non-controllers (NC) (VL>2000 cp/mL). EDTA-whole blood was collected and determined the response against Gag p24 by IFNγ ELISpot assay. Population sequencing within the Gag p24 region was performed to identify escape mutations. Results: Demographic data [age, gender, sexual preference and the presence of protective alleles (HLA-B27, -B57 and –B58)] between VC (n=23) and NC (n=41) were no statistical …

Development Of Gold Nanoparticle-Based Lateral Flow Immunoassay For Detection Of Pathogenic Leptospiral Antigen, Prayoon Lae-Ngee

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Leptospirosis, caused by pathogenic Leptospira spp., is a global re-emerging zoonosis and endemic disease in tropical and sub-tropical countries including Thailand. Point-of-care testing (POCT) for rapid diagnosis of leptospirosis is needed for prompt and appropriate treatment particularly in resource-poor settings. Lateral flow immunoassay (LFA)-based POCT devices are rapid, user friendly, cheap, have one-step analysis, and need no sophisticated equipment. LipL32 is a common target for diagnostic tests of leptospirosis because it is the major outer membrane protein (OMP) that is specific and highly conserved among pathogenic Leptospira. This study aimed to develop the gold nanoparticle (AuNP)-based LFA for detection of …

Characterization Of Antimicrobial-Resistant Nontyphoidal Salmonella Isolated From Humans And Food Animals In Thailand 172252256, Sirirat Luk-In

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

The emergence and increase of resistance to antimicrobial agents, especially to extended-spectrum cephalosporins (ESCs) and fluoroquinolones in nontyphoidal Salmonella have recently become a serious therapeutic problem. The objectives of this study were to characterize antimicrobial resistance mechanisms, the clonality, and plasmid profiles among nontyphoidal Salmonella isolates from human and food animals in Thailand. A total of 897 nontyphoidal Salmonella isolates, 617 isolates from human and 280 isolates from food animal in Thailand during 2005 to 2007 and 2012 to 2016 were included in this study. The significantly higher resistance rates were found in S. Choleraesuis compared with other serotypes to …

Characterization Of T Cell Secreted Cytokines And Cytotoxic Mediators Profiling In Knee Osteoarthritis Patients, Thitiya Sae-Jung

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic disease associated with morphological joint changes that results in the breakdown of joint cartilage and underlying bone with erosive inflammation. Factors of OA are intrinsic factor and extrinsic factor. The pathogenesis of OA relates with immune responses and immune cells, T cells, B cells, and macrophages etc., T cells both CD4+ and CD8+ T cell are immune cells that have been suggested to play a role in OA. However, we found many finding in CD8+ T cells such as a high proportion of CD8+ T cell was observed in tissue of knee joint. In addition, …

Antimicrobial Effect Of High Dose Ascorbate In Mouse Model With Bacterial Infection, Chulamartd Wirapakorn

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Ascorbate or Vitamin C is a vitamin that is important to the body. It contributes to the immunity, involves the collagen formation, acts as an antioxidant and has the ability to destroy cancer cells and bacteria. These abilities depend on the concentration of ascorbate. Bactericidal properties of ascorbate were interesting, especially in the high concentrations. Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Escherichia coli are a common etiologies of nosocomial infection in Thailand and worldwide. These bacteria have developed mechanisms of antibiotics resistance and cause more violence in the disease. Hence, the time-killing assay was used to explore the bactericidal …

Immune Response In Pythiosis Patients Treated With Pythium Insidiosum Antigen (Pia), Navaporn Worasilchai

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Immunotherapy using Pythium insidiosum antigen (PIA) is one of the combination treatment for P. insidiosum infected patients along with amputation and certain antifungal agents. The protocol of first prime (day0) after diagnosis and six booster doses (at 0.5, 1, 1.5, 3, 6, 12 months; mo.) along a year period were performed based on previous study. The switching of T-helper2 (Th2) to Th1 after immunotherapy along with the clinical improvement in equine and rabbit models were revealed whereas studies in human are very limited. To investigate the immune response in PIA treated pythiosis patients, cytokine profile (CMI response), P. insidiosum specific …

The Antiviral Activity Of Phenolic Lipids Group Against Dengue Virus, Parichat Kanyaboon

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Dengue virus causes a global burden that specific chemotherapy has not been established in a clinical setting. A previous report suggested that anacardic acid saturated (C15:0), a member of phenolic lipids, inhibited hepatitis C virus infection. Here, we explored structure activity relationship of phenolic lipids homologues with anti-DENV properties in the cell-based system. Our results indicated that Cardol triene (C15:3) expressed DENV1-4 inhibition, but not to Zika virus (SV0010/15) with the EC50s of 5.35 ± 1.16 µM, 7.13 ± 0.72 µM, 8.98 ± 1.77 µM, and 8.21 ± 0.34 µM, respectively. Also, the compound showed good CC50s to Vero cells …