Background:Clostridium perfringens-induced chicken necrotic enteritis(NE)is responsible for substantial economic losses worldwide annually.Recently,as a result of antibiotic growth promoter prohibition,the prevalence ...Background:Clostridium perfringens-induced chicken necrotic enteritis(NE)is responsible for substantial economic losses worldwide annually.Recently,as a result of antibiotic growth promoter prohibition,the prevalence of NE in chickens has reemerged.This study was aimed to reduce NE through titrating dietary deoxycholic acid(DCA)as an effective antimicrobial alternative.Materials and methods:Day-old broiler chicks were assigned to six groups and fed diets supplemented with 0(basal diet),0.8,1.0 and 1.5 g/kg(on top of basal diet)DCA.The birds were challenged with Eimeria maxima(20,000 oocysts/bird)at d 18 and C.perfringens(109 CFU/bird per day)at d 23,24,and 25 to induce NE.The birds were sacrificed at d 26 when ileal tissue and digesta were collected for analyzing histopathology,mRNA accumulation and C.perfringens colonization by real-time PCR,targeted metabolomics of bile acids,fluorescence in situ hybridization(FISH),or terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL)assay.Results:At the cellular level,birds infected with E.maxima and C.perfringens developed subclinical NE and showed shortening villi,crypt hyperplasia and immune cell infiltration in ileum.Dietary DCA alleviated the NE-induced ileal inflammation in a dose-dependent manner compared to NE control birds.Consistent with the increased histopathological scores,subclinical NE birds suffered body weight gain reduction compared to the uninfected birds,an effect attenuated with increased doses of dietary DCA.At the molecular level,the highest dose of DCA at 1.5 g/kg reduced C.perfringens luminal colonization compared to NE birds using PCR and FISH.Furthermore,the dietary DCA reduced subclinical NE-induced intestinal inflammatory gene expression and cell apoptosis using PCR and TUNEL assays.Upon further examining ileal bile acid pool through targeted metabolomics,subclinical NE reduced the total bile acid level in ileal digesta compared to uninfected birds.Notably,dietary DCA increased total bile acid and DCA levels in a dose-dependent ma展开更多
Background: Commercial female sex workers (CFSWs) are considered a high-risk group for HIV/AIDs. The prevalence of HIV/AIDs trends to increase among those groups also in Thailand. An adequate perception of the degree ...Background: Commercial female sex workers (CFSWs) are considered a high-risk group for HIV/AIDs. The prevalence of HIV/AIDs trends to increase among those groups also in Thailand. An adequate perception of the degree to which one is at risk of having HIV is necessary for behavioral change and of safe behaviors. HIV/AIDs risk perception among CFSWs was needed to reduce HIV/AIDs infection. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 141 CFSWs in Bangkok, Thailand. Participants were selected using convenient and purposive sampling methods for January to October 2019. Self-access questionnaire was used for collecting data with the reliability testing of 0.82. Logistic regression employed to identify adjusted odd ratio between demographic data, sexual behaviors and HIV/AIDs risk perception, p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: 51.77% of CFSWs perceived themselves at high risk for HIV/AIDs infection. Most CFSWs reported that they did not consistently use condom (57.45%), factors associated with perception risk of HIV/AIDs including education level (adjusted OR = 2.23, 95% CI = 1.07 - 4.54), knowledge of HIV and STDs (adjusted OR = 3.65 and 3.22. 95% CI = 1.89 - 3.91), Condom use (adjusted OR = 2.56, 95% CI = 1.05 - 2.90) years engaged in sex work, age of initiating in sex work, frequency of sex work in the last month and unplanned sex work were significant with risk perception of HIV/AIDs (adjusted OR = 3.33, 2.71, 2.67, 2.56 and 95% CI = 1.99 - 3.84, 1.72 - 3.32, 1.29 - 3.12, 1.05 - 2.78 respectively), and had HIV/STDs test (adjusted OR = 3.22, 95% CI = 2.11 - 3.95). Other used illicit drugs by injection, smoking and alcohol consumption had a strong association with the high perception of HIV/AIDs among CFSWs. Conclusion: Majority of CFSWs with risky sexual behaviors had a high HIV/AIDs risk perception. Effective educational programmes are necessary to enable CFSWs to correctly assess their own HIV/AIDs risk and change risk behaviors based on self-assessment of actual risk展开更多
Dear editor,Zika virus(ZIKV)crisis,which caught Brazil in 2015,heralded the rapid spread throughout Americas and has imparted catastrophic devastation to human population in the form of severe
The study was conducted to explore factors associated with condom use of young Thai men conscripts. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Participants were 159 conscripts in second year who served in the Roy...The study was conducted to explore factors associated with condom use of young Thai men conscripts. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Participants were 159 conscripts in second year who served in the Royal Thai Army by lottery method. Demographic data, sexual history including condom use, HIV and STDs and knowledge were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Logistic regression was used to analyze the data. Results: Condom use at the last sex was 41.18% of the conscripts aged 20 - 27 years and secondary school education completed of 74.2%. 25.78% had experience with drugs used but injection was rare (6.9%). Age at the first sex was reported lowest at 11 years, 9.4% reported first sex with men and 21.38% were married. The participants have sexual history (last six months) with female only of 83.2%, male only of 4.1% and both of 14.6%. Among these only 12.6% reported every time of condom use and 19.5% never used condom. Older age, higher education, drinking alcohol, drugs use and higher knowledge were associated with condom use with statistical significance. Conclusions: Condom use among male Thai conscripts was low. Education and a condom use program are urgently needed to prevent future spread of HIV and STDs.展开更多
Background: Men who have sex with men (MSM) are highly vulnerable to HIV infection, but this population can be particularly difficult to reach in Thailand. This study aimed to estimate the number of MSM in Chiang Mai ...Background: Men who have sex with men (MSM) are highly vulnerable to HIV infection, but this population can be particularly difficult to reach in Thailand. This study aimed to estimate the number of MSM in Chiang Mai Thailand, in order to plan HIV control and prevention. Methods: The total of 348 potential MSM were identified at eight contact locations, including two public parks, two bars, two massage parlors and two pubs in Chiang Mai. Trained 16 research enumerators and 16 enumerators were trained to extend a recruitment of brooches to MSM. The MSMs were captured one week apart. A record was kept of when, where and by whom the invitation was extended and received, and of refusals. The total estimate of MSM was derived from capture-recapture calculation. Results: The total MSM in Chiang Mai Thailand estimated by capture and recapture method was 733 (95%CI = 480 - 948) or the estimate was 7.3% (95%CI = 7.1% - 14.1%). Conclusions: Capture and recapture method can be used to enumerate and provide accurate and reliable estimates of the MSM population in any area, provided that certain conditions are controlled. MSM who are engaged in personal community represent a sizeable population who urgently need to be targeted by HIV and STDs prevention strategies.展开更多
Transgenic crops having alien genes from different sources are getting popularity. A Rice （Oryza sativa L.） containing gene from Bacillus thuringiensis, a soil bacterium, was assessed to study the potential risks of...Transgenic crops having alien genes from different sources are getting popularity. A Rice （Oryza sativa L.） containing gene from Bacillus thuringiensis, a soil bacterium, was assessed to study the potential risks of transgenic plants on environment. The crop was found resistant to target insect pests. Rice variety Basmati-370 transformed with two insecticidal genes, crylAc and cry2A, was grown under field conditions for several years. Data were collected at different stages of the plant growth. Fate of Cry protein in soil, effect of Bt protein on non-target insects, risks of vertical and horizontal gene flow were evaluated. No potential hazard was found at all levels. Bt protein was unstable and degraded significantly in soil within 30 days after harvesting the crop. No harmful effects were found on non-target insects （insects other than order lepidoptera）. Maximum gene flow of 0.02% was observed at close spacing and no evidence of horizontal gene transfer to Rhizobium spp. was found. In conclusion, the transgenic rice plants transformed with Bt genes have no harmful effects on the environment.展开更多
RNA interference(RNAi) is a powerful tool for functional gene analysis which has been successfully used to downregulate the expression levels of target genes.The goal of this research was to provide a highly robust an...RNA interference(RNAi) is a powerful tool for functional gene analysis which has been successfully used to downregulate the expression levels of target genes.The goal of this research was to provide a highly robust and concise methodology for in-vitro screening of efficient siRNAs from a bulk to be used as a tool to protect potato plants against PVY invasion.In our study,a 480bp fragment of the capsid protein gene of potato virus Y(CP-PVY) was used as a target to downregulate PVY mRNA expression in-vitro,as the CP gene interferes with viral uncoating,translation and replication.A total of six siRNAs were designed and screened through transient transfection assay and knockdown in expression of CP-PVY mRNA was calculated in CHO-k cells.CP-PVY mRNA knockdown efficiency was analyzed by RT-PCR and real-time PCR of CHO-k cells co-transfected with a CP gene construct and siRNAs.Six biological replicates were performed in this study.In our findings,one CP gene specific siRNA out of a total of six was found to be the most effective for knockdown of CP-PVY mRNA in transfected CHO-k cells by up to 80%-90%.展开更多
基金This research was supported grants of Arkansas Biosciences Institute,USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture(NIFA)Hatch project 1012366USDA NIFA Hatch/Multi State project 1018699,USDA NIFA project 2018–06686 to X.
文摘Background:Clostridium perfringens-induced chicken necrotic enteritis(NE)is responsible for substantial economic losses worldwide annually.Recently,as a result of antibiotic growth promoter prohibition,the prevalence of NE in chickens has reemerged.This study was aimed to reduce NE through titrating dietary deoxycholic acid(DCA)as an effective antimicrobial alternative.Materials and methods:Day-old broiler chicks were assigned to six groups and fed diets supplemented with 0(basal diet),0.8,1.0 and 1.5 g/kg(on top of basal diet)DCA.The birds were challenged with Eimeria maxima(20,000 oocysts/bird)at d 18 and C.perfringens(109 CFU/bird per day)at d 23,24,and 25 to induce NE.The birds were sacrificed at d 26 when ileal tissue and digesta were collected for analyzing histopathology,mRNA accumulation and C.perfringens colonization by real-time PCR,targeted metabolomics of bile acids,fluorescence in situ hybridization(FISH),or terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL)assay.Results:At the cellular level,birds infected with E.maxima and C.perfringens developed subclinical NE and showed shortening villi,crypt hyperplasia and immune cell infiltration in ileum.Dietary DCA alleviated the NE-induced ileal inflammation in a dose-dependent manner compared to NE control birds.Consistent with the increased histopathological scores,subclinical NE birds suffered body weight gain reduction compared to the uninfected birds,an effect attenuated with increased doses of dietary DCA.At the molecular level,the highest dose of DCA at 1.5 g/kg reduced C.perfringens luminal colonization compared to NE birds using PCR and FISH.Furthermore,the dietary DCA reduced subclinical NE-induced intestinal inflammatory gene expression and cell apoptosis using PCR and TUNEL assays.Upon further examining ileal bile acid pool through targeted metabolomics,subclinical NE reduced the total bile acid level in ileal digesta compared to uninfected birds.Notably,dietary DCA increased total bile acid and DCA levels in a dose-dependent ma
文摘Background: Commercial female sex workers (CFSWs) are considered a high-risk group for HIV/AIDs. The prevalence of HIV/AIDs trends to increase among those groups also in Thailand. An adequate perception of the degree to which one is at risk of having HIV is necessary for behavioral change and of safe behaviors. HIV/AIDs risk perception among CFSWs was needed to reduce HIV/AIDs infection. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 141 CFSWs in Bangkok, Thailand. Participants were selected using convenient and purposive sampling methods for January to October 2019. Self-access questionnaire was used for collecting data with the reliability testing of 0.82. Logistic regression employed to identify adjusted odd ratio between demographic data, sexual behaviors and HIV/AIDs risk perception, p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: 51.77% of CFSWs perceived themselves at high risk for HIV/AIDs infection. Most CFSWs reported that they did not consistently use condom (57.45%), factors associated with perception risk of HIV/AIDs including education level (adjusted OR = 2.23, 95% CI = 1.07 - 4.54), knowledge of HIV and STDs (adjusted OR = 3.65 and 3.22. 95% CI = 1.89 - 3.91), Condom use (adjusted OR = 2.56, 95% CI = 1.05 - 2.90) years engaged in sex work, age of initiating in sex work, frequency of sex work in the last month and unplanned sex work were significant with risk perception of HIV/AIDs (adjusted OR = 3.33, 2.71, 2.67, 2.56 and 95% CI = 1.99 - 3.84, 1.72 - 3.32, 1.29 - 3.12, 1.05 - 2.78 respectively), and had HIV/STDs test (adjusted OR = 3.22, 95% CI = 2.11 - 3.95). Other used illicit drugs by injection, smoking and alcohol consumption had a strong association with the high perception of HIV/AIDs among CFSWs. Conclusion: Majority of CFSWs with risky sexual behaviors had a high HIV/AIDs risk perception. Effective educational programmes are necessary to enable CFSWs to correctly assess their own HIV/AIDs risk and change risk behaviors based on self-assessment of actual risk
文摘Dear editor,Zika virus(ZIKV)crisis,which caught Brazil in 2015,heralded the rapid spread throughout Americas and has imparted catastrophic devastation to human population in the form of severe
文摘The study was conducted to explore factors associated with condom use of young Thai men conscripts. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Participants were 159 conscripts in second year who served in the Royal Thai Army by lottery method. Demographic data, sexual history including condom use, HIV and STDs and knowledge were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Logistic regression was used to analyze the data. Results: Condom use at the last sex was 41.18% of the conscripts aged 20 - 27 years and secondary school education completed of 74.2%. 25.78% had experience with drugs used but injection was rare (6.9%). Age at the first sex was reported lowest at 11 years, 9.4% reported first sex with men and 21.38% were married. The participants have sexual history (last six months) with female only of 83.2%, male only of 4.1% and both of 14.6%. Among these only 12.6% reported every time of condom use and 19.5% never used condom. Older age, higher education, drinking alcohol, drugs use and higher knowledge were associated with condom use with statistical significance. Conclusions: Condom use among male Thai conscripts was low. Education and a condom use program are urgently needed to prevent future spread of HIV and STDs.
文摘Background: Men who have sex with men (MSM) are highly vulnerable to HIV infection, but this population can be particularly difficult to reach in Thailand. This study aimed to estimate the number of MSM in Chiang Mai Thailand, in order to plan HIV control and prevention. Methods: The total of 348 potential MSM were identified at eight contact locations, including two public parks, two bars, two massage parlors and two pubs in Chiang Mai. Trained 16 research enumerators and 16 enumerators were trained to extend a recruitment of brooches to MSM. The MSMs were captured one week apart. A record was kept of when, where and by whom the invitation was extended and received, and of refusals. The total estimate of MSM was derived from capture-recapture calculation. Results: The total MSM in Chiang Mai Thailand estimated by capture and recapture method was 733 (95%CI = 480 - 948) or the estimate was 7.3% (95%CI = 7.1% - 14.1%). Conclusions: Capture and recapture method can be used to enumerate and provide accurate and reliable estimates of the MSM population in any area, provided that certain conditions are controlled. MSM who are engaged in personal community represent a sizeable population who urgently need to be targeted by HIV and STDs prevention strategies.
文摘Transgenic crops having alien genes from different sources are getting popularity. A Rice （Oryza sativa L.） containing gene from Bacillus thuringiensis, a soil bacterium, was assessed to study the potential risks of transgenic plants on environment. The crop was found resistant to target insect pests. Rice variety Basmati-370 transformed with two insecticidal genes, crylAc and cry2A, was grown under field conditions for several years. Data were collected at different stages of the plant growth. Fate of Cry protein in soil, effect of Bt protein on non-target insects, risks of vertical and horizontal gene flow were evaluated. No potential hazard was found at all levels. Bt protein was unstable and degraded significantly in soil within 30 days after harvesting the crop. No harmful effects were found on non-target insects （insects other than order lepidoptera）. Maximum gene flow of 0.02% was observed at close spacing and no evidence of horizontal gene transfer to Rhizobium spp. was found. In conclusion, the transgenic rice plants transformed with Bt genes have no harmful effects on the environment.
文摘RNA interference(RNAi) is a powerful tool for functional gene analysis which has been successfully used to downregulate the expression levels of target genes.The goal of this research was to provide a highly robust and concise methodology for in-vitro screening of efficient siRNAs from a bulk to be used as a tool to protect potato plants against PVY invasion.In our study,a 480bp fragment of the capsid protein gene of potato virus Y(CP-PVY) was used as a target to downregulate PVY mRNA expression in-vitro,as the CP gene interferes with viral uncoating,translation and replication.A total of six siRNAs were designed and screened through transient transfection assay and knockdown in expression of CP-PVY mRNA was calculated in CHO-k cells.CP-PVY mRNA knockdown efficiency was analyzed by RT-PCR and real-time PCR of CHO-k cells co-transfected with a CP gene construct and siRNAs.Six biological replicates were performed in this study.In our findings,one CP gene specific siRNA out of a total of six was found to be the most effective for knockdown of CP-PVY mRNA in transfected CHO-k cells by up to 80%-90%.
