Many of the medicinally active molecules in the flavonoid class of phytochemicals are being researched for their potential antiviral activity against various DNA and RNA viruses. Quercetin is a flavonoid that can be found in a variety of foods, including fruits and vegetables. It has been reported to be effective against a variety of viruses. This review, therefore, deciphered the mechanistic of how Quercetin works against some of the deadliest viruses, such as influenza A, Hepatitis C, Dengue type 2 and Ebola virus, which cause frequent outbreaks worldwide and result in significant morbidity and mortality in humans through epidemics or pandemics. All those have an alarming impact on both human health and the global and national economies. The review extended computing the Quercetin-contained natural recourse and its modes of action in different experimental approaches leading to antiviral actions. The gap in effective treatment emphasizes the necessity of a search for new effective antiviral compounds. Quercetin shows potential antiviral activity and inhibits it by targeting viral infections at multiple stages. The suppression of viral neuraminidase, proteases and DNA/RNA polymerases and the alteration of many viral proteins as well as their immunomodulation are the main molecular mechanisms of Quercetin’s antiviral activities. Nonetheless, the huge potential of Quercetin and its extensive use is inadequately approached as a therapeutic for emerging and re-emerging viral infections. Therefore, this review enumerated the food-functioned Quercetin source, the modes of action of Quercetin for antiviral effects and made insights on the mechanism-based antiviral action of Quercetin.

This study aimed to develop simple diagnostic guidelines which would be useful for the early detection of severe dengue infections. Retrospective data of patients with dengue infection were reviewed. Patients with diagnosed dengue infection were categorized in line with the International Statistical Classification of Diseases (ICD-10): A90, dengue fever; A91, dengue hemorrhagic fever; and A910, dengue hemorrhagic fever with shock. A total of 302 dengue-infected patients were enrolled, of which 136 (45%) were male and 166 (55%) were female. Multivariate analysis was conducted to determine independent diagnostic predictors of severe dengue infection and to convert simple diagnostic guidelines into a scoring system for disease severity. Coefficients for significant predictors of disease severity generated by ordinal multivariable logistic regression analysis were transformed into item scores. The derived total scores ranged from 0 to 38.6. The cut-off score for predicting dengue severity was higher than 14, with an area under the receiver operating curve (AUROC) of 0.902. The predicted positive value (PPV) was 68.7% and the negative predictive value (NPV) was 94.1%. Our study demonstrates that several diagnostic parameters can be effectively combined into a simple score sheet with predictive value for the severity evaluation of dengue infection.

Helicobacter pylori infects approximately 50% of the world’s population and is considered the major etiological agent of severe gastric diseases, such as peptic ulcers and gastric carcinoma. Increasing resistance to standard antibiotics has now led to an ever-decreasing efficacy of eradication therapies and the development of novel and improved regimens for treatment is urgently required. Substantial progress has been made over the past few years in the identification of molecular mechanisms which are conducive to resistant phenotypes as well as for efficient strategies to counteract strain resistance and to avoid the use of ineffective antibiotics. These involve molecular testing methods, improved salvage therapies, and the discovery of novel and potent antimicrobial compounds. High rates of prevalence and gastric cancer are currently observed in Asian countries, including Japan, China, Korea, and Taiwan, where concomitantly intensive research efforts were initiated to explore advanced eradication regimens aimed at reducing the risk of gastric cancer. In this review, we present an overview of the known molecular mechanisms of antibiotic resistance and discuss recent intervention strategies for H. pylori diseases, with a view of the research progress in Asian countries.

Water dispensers are commonly used in educational institutions in developing countries. Assessment of factors influencing drinking water quality from this source is important due to its potential to cause waterborne diseases and other health risks. This study aimed to assess microbial contamination and the factors affecting drinking water quality from water dispensers at Walailak University, Southern Thailand. Drinking water samples from 60 water dispensers of different type-brands were collected and tested for physicochemical and microbiological parameters by following WHO Drinking Water Quality guidelines. Also evaluated by questionnaires were hygienic standards and maintenance of water dispensers. The physicochemical analysis of all water samples did not exceed the reference values of the drinking water standard; the hardness value in only 13.3% of samples was slightly higher than the reference limit. The microbiological results indicated that total coliform and fecal coliform bacteria were found in 16.67% and 8.33% of total samples, respectively. Escherichia coli was not detected in any of the water samples. The assessment of factors influencing drinking water quality, location and pathogen source around water dispensers, hygienic environment, and maintenance of water dispensers had a significant effect on drinking water quality.

Although tap water in Bangkok has met international standards, some consumers do not trust that it is safe to drink. The demand for bottled water is still increasing. This may result in infrastructure investments and the production of waste. This study aimed to explore factors that influence the acceptance of drinkable tap water among Bangkok residents. Data for this cross-sectional study were collected via an interview of 374 participants using a structured questionnaire. There was a significant prevalence (51.87%) of the acceptance of drinkable tap water among Bangkok residents. Among them, 82.99% selected tap water to drink and 9.79% drank water directly from the tap. Factors that affected the acceptance of drinkable tap water were occupation, monthly income, campaign perception, personal belief, unacceptable sensory appearance, risk perception, knowledge, and attitude. This study found that drinking water selection was not associated with self-reported diarrhea. While we recognize that the cross-sectional study has some limitations, our data may provide additional insight into factors which affect consumers' behavior and may offer several benefits for water suppliers and public health decision-makers. This would eventually increase public awareness for economic benefits associated with the use of tap water and finally would reduce pollution by plastic waste.