Hypercholesterolemia is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease and metabolic disorders. Probiotics are the essential constituents of the gastrointestinal microbiota that provide health-promoting effects. Cholesterol-lowering activity is a specific property of probiotics, improving the cholesterol metabolism without adverse effects. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the hypocholesterolemic effect of single and mixed cholesterol-lowering probiotic strains (including Limosilactobacillus reuteri TF-7, Enterococcus faecium TF-18, and Bifidobacterium animalis TA-1) in high-cholesterol diet (HCD)-induced hypercholesterolemic rats. The results showed that the administration of single probiotics contributed to a reduction in the body weight gain, visceral organ indexes, hyperlipidemia, and hepatic steatosis and also an improvement in the gastrointestinal microbiota. Besides the effect of single cholesterol-lowering probiotics, three probiotics strains could also synergize their hypocholesterolemic effect when administered simultaneously. These findings indicate that three cholesterol-lowering probiotic strains are suitable for development as probiotic supplements to reduce the risk of diseases caused by cholesterol and exert health benefits with synergistic effect when administered simultaneously.

Pigeon excreta can cause environmental and public health issues, particularly in urban and public areas. They are reservoirs of several human pathogens including fungi, bacteria, and viruses. Epidemiological data of pathogenic and opportunistic yeasts in pigeon droppings in Chon Buri, one of the most reputable tourist cities of Thailand, are scarce. The present study aimed to identify yeasts in pigeon droppings by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, and to study their prevalence in Chon Buri, Thailand. A total of 200 pigeon fecal samples were collected randomly from all 11 districts of Chon Buri. A sum of 393 yeast-like colonies were isolated on Sabourand’s dextrose agar and CHROMagar media. These isolates were further confirmed for their species by MALDI-TOF MS. Twenty-four yeast species belonging to 11 different genera were identified in pigeon fecal samples. Candida spp., predominantly C. krusei (14.32%), were the most prevalent yeast species. Other yeast species, including C. glabrata (12.73%), C. metapsilosis (11.93%), Lodderomyces elongisporus (10.87%), C. tropicalis (7.16%), C. albicans (5.83%), and Cryptococcus neoformans (4.77%) were identified. This study provides valuable epidemiological data and diversity of yeasts in pigeon droppings in Chon Buri, Thailand, and also supports the use of MALDI-TOF MS for yeast identification and epidemiological surveillance.

Background: Juvenile SLE (JSLE) is a complex autoimmune disorder that predominantly affects children and adolescents with several unique challenges, and microRNA-146a (miRNA-146a) might be an interesting anti-inflammatory molecule. Because exosomes in the blood might protect miRNAs, the association between circulating exosomal miRNA-146a and lupus proinflammatory genes, such asIRAK1andTRAF6, was studied in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from people with JSLE.Methods: Blood samples from 12 patients were collected every 3 months until 1 year with the recorded disease activity, and quantitative real-time PCR was used to determine the circulating exosomal miRNA-146a and the gene expression (IRAK1andTRAF6).Results: The mean age was 12.60±0.43 years at diagnosis and all patients had a complete response at 12 months. According to the nanoparticle tracking analysis, the abundance of exosomes was significantly lower at 3, 6 and 12 months compared with 0 months, while the level of circulating exosomal miRNA-146a was significantly higher at 12 months than at diagnosis (p<0.001). There was a negative correlation between the level of circulating exosomal miRNA-146a expression and the level ofTRAF6mRNA (r=−0.30, p=0.049). Moreover, there were correlations between circulating exosomal miRNA-146a and disease severity such as SLE Disease Activity Index 2000 score, anti-double-stranded DNA antibody and proteinuria (urine protein–creatinine ratio), respectively. Therefore, increasing the level of circulating exosomal miRNA-146a, which might controlTRAF6mRNA expression, could have an effect on the production of inflammatory cytokines.Conclusion: This suggests that miRNA-146a might serve as a non-invasive biomarker to evaluate the response to treatment in patients with juvenile lupus nephritis.

Angiostrongylus cantonensis (Rat Lungworm) is a major pathogen of Eosinophilic Meningitis in humans worldwide. A. cantonensis completes its life-cycle in two hosts: the rodent definitive and the gastropod intermediate hosts. Among the wide range of intermediate gastropod hosts, the invasive Pomacea canaliculata (Golden apple snails), which have caused numerous outbreaks of neuroangiostrongyliasis worldwide, especially China and Taiwan. While there have been numerous surveys on the prevalence of A. cantonensis larvae in P. canaliculata in China, there are an inadequate number of studies in Taiwan. This review gives an overview of the current status of A. cantonensis prevalence and infection in general, along with focusing on the status and developments regarding neuroangiostrongyliasis in Taiwan. Additionally, the present study concentrated on the implications of a well-known invasive vector of the parasite, Pomacea spp. and its effects on disease transmission to humans. Results show that P. canaliculata has been the source of approximately 15.5% infections in Taiwan. Furthermore, due to rapidly growing invasive Pomacea spp. populations in waterlogged areas, disease transmission through water cannot be neglected. Thus, as a precautionary measure, we suggest that environmental DNA-based monitoring should be implemented to detect parasites.

Snake fruit is rich in vitamin C, carotene, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and monoterpenoids - bioactive constituents known for their potent antioxidant properties. Based on these components, the present study investigated the potential effects of snake fruit jelly ingestion on glycemic control, endurance performance, alongside its impact on antioxidant status, inflammatory responses, and metabolic biomarkers in healthy individuals. A randomized crossover design was used in two separate experiments involving 48 healthy sedentary men and women aged 19-35 years. All participants ingested 140 g of both control jelly and snake fruit jelly on separate occasions. Experiment 1 (n = 25): Blood glucose (BG) concentrations were measured at baseline and every 30 minutes for 2 hours post-ingestion. Experiment 2 (n = 23): Following each jelly ingestion, participants performed leg cycling at 60% of peak oxygen consumption until exhaustion. Blood samples were collected before and after exercise to measure BG, insulin, cortisol, and biomarkers of antioxidant status and inflammation. In Experiment 1, BG concentrations at 30 and 60 minutes post-ingestion, as well as the incremental area under the BG curve at 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes, were significantly lower following snake fruit jelly ingestion compared with control (all p < 0.05). In Experiment 2, post-exercise superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was significantly increased, while tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and cortisol concentrations were significantly decreased after snake fruit jelly ingestion (all p < 0.05). Between-group analysis revealed that endurance time and SOD activity were significantly higher, whereas BG, insulin, and TNF-α concentrations were significantly lower following snake fruit jelly ingestion compared with control jelly ingestion (all p < 0.05). Cortisol and interferon-gamma concentrations showed no significant differences between conditions. Acute ingestion of snake fruit jelly enhances glycemic control, endurance performance, and antioxidant activity, while reducing blood glucose, insulin, and pro-inflammatory markers in response to endurance exercise. Retrospectively registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier: NCT06227260).

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder in which blood glucose levels remain abnormally high (fasting plasma glucose ≥126 mg/dL). Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) represents the most common form of diabetes which frequently causes kidney inflammation that results in severe complications. Probiotics, which are live beneficial microbes, have been recognized for their supportive role in human health. This work examined three Thai probiotic strains, Limosilactobacillus reuteri TF314, Lacticaseibacillus paracasei MSMC39-1, and Bifidobacterium animalis TA1, for their ability to protect the kidneys in Wistar rats fed a high-fat diet and treated with streptozotocin (STZ) to induce T2DM. Experimental animals were randomly divided into six groups: control, T2DM, TF314, MSMC39-1, TA1, and a mix group (TF314, MSMC39-1, and TA1). All the experimental rats received oral probiotic supplementation for four months. The probiotic treatments given to STZ-induced rats reduced fasting blood glucose and HbA1c levels and improved glucose tolerance. They also helped to reduce kidney injury by decreasing blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine concentrations and by suppressing pro-inflammatory markers such as TNF-α while raising IL-6. Moreover, changes in gut microbiota were observed, particularly the restoration of gut symbionts Akkermansia muciniphila and an increase in L. reuteri that may underlie better glycemic control and renal protection. The histological examination revealed that probiotic-treated rats experienced reduced kidney tissue damage. This study demonstrates that Thai probiotic strains show potential to minimize kidney problems which occur in T2DM patients.