Tissue Engineering in Clinical Research

 

On April 21, 2021, the third online Joint-Institute Forum (JIF) on the topic of Tissue Engineering in Clinical Research was held in a collaboration between the Departments of Biochemistry, Surgery, and Cholangiocarcinoma Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University (MDKKU) ,the Thai National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC) and Department of Pharmacology, UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, UK.

The welcome speech “Learning and sharing insight of Tissue Engineering in Clinical Research” was given by Dr. Jutarop Phetcharaburanin- Assistant to the Dean for Research and International Relations Affairs, MDKKU.

Following the opening ceremony, there was a talk, Professor James Phillips, Department of Pharmacology, UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, UK presented on ‘Nervous system tissue engineering and regenerative medicine’ ,‘Multi-Omics of Weight-Loss Surgery’ ,and “CNS tissue engineering and regenerative medicine”, followed by,

Dr. Papon Muangsanit, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), a member of National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), on ‘Aligned endothelial cell and Schwann cell structures in 3D hydrogel for peripheral nerve tissue engineering’,

Dr. Sinobol Chusilp, Department of Surgery, on ‘Intratumoral Microbiome in Cholangiocarcinoma’,

Dr. Kanokrat Thaiwatcharamas, Department of Surgery, on ‘Intestinal organoid as an ex vivo model to study necrotizing entero-colitis in infants’, and, finally by

Dr. Poramate Klanrit, Department of Biochemistry, on ‘Modeling of Cholangiocarcinoma through three-dimensional (3D) cell culture’.

The webinar spurred knowledge exchange to improve the quality of research and practice in the future.

 

 

Written by Miss Taksaporn Vongsa-Nga

A One Health Approach to End Neglected Tropical Diseases

 

The Tropical Medicine Graduate Program and the Tropical Diseases Research Center (TDRC), Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University jointly organized a Special Webinar on “A One Health Approach to End Neglected Tropical Diseases” by Professor Darren Gray, Head of the Department of Global Health, Australian National University, Acton, Australia, on May 28, 2021.

 

 

 

It highlighted the problem of neglected tropical diseases that affect populations living in poverty and in close contact with disease vectors, such as, animals/livestock, and unclean water sources and poor sanitation.  These provide breeding grounds for pathogens such as Guinea parasites, blood flukes, etc.  Drug treatment are available but the infections can come back again if risky behavior continues.   The One Health approach is required to overcome the impact of tropical diseases. Integrated interventions for disease control are needed to -advance the WHO 2030 roadmap for the control and elimination of NTDs. New holistic evidence-based approaches should combine human, animal, and environmental health practices and disciplines to lead to overall good health. “One Health” approaches are key to overcoming the impact of tropical disease and achieving elimination targets.  A successful Chinese example of a multi-component integrated (One Health) approach is in schistosomiasis control and is now a high priority for the Chinese Government for addressing HIV/AIDs and TB.

 

 

 

 

 

Written by Miss Taksaporn Vongsa-Nga

Mister Adisorn Tadsakorn

Edited by  Miss Kanokphorn Hinthao

Professor John Smith 

 

Congratulations to our latest MDKKU Professorial promotions

 

Three more Associate Professors from our Faculty of Medicine, have been promoted to full professor status, in the latest announcement from the Office of the Prime Minister on June 15, 2021. They are:

  1. Professor Songsak Kiatchoosakun, Department of Medicine
  2. Professor Jintana Sattayasai, Department of Pharmacology
  3. Professor Tipaya Ekalaksananan, Department of Medical Microbiology

The Faculty of Medicine warmly congratulates them on this great acknowledgment of their outstanding career achievements.

 

Written by Yada Lertkhajornsak

Edited by John Smith

Srinagarind Hospital Covid-19 Vaccination Center Opens

 

The government’s nationwide Covid-19 vaccination rollout started on June 7, 2021 beginning with the first two priority registered groups; the elderly, and persons with any of seven underlying disease risks.

June 7, 2021 – Khon Kaen Province officially opened the Srinagarind Hospital Covid-19 Vaccination Center at Khon Kaen Hall, 5th Floor, Central Plaza Shopping Center, Khon Kaen.

 

 

Dr. Somsak Jungtrakoon, Khon Kaen Governor; Dr. Somchaichot Piyawatwela, M.D., Khon Kaen Provincial Public Health Office; Associate Professor Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University; Associate Professor Apichat Jirawutthipong, M.D., Dean of the Faculty of Medicine; and, Professor Songsak Kiatchusakul, M.D., Director of Srinagarind Hospital visited and oversaw the vaccination service.

 

 

Srinagarind Hospital, KKU-MD are following the national vaccination plan, with the first two priority registered groups: the elderly, and those with any of the following underlying diseases;

  1. Severe Chronic Respiratory Diseases (CRDs)
  2. Coronary artery disease (CAD)
  3. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) (5th stage)
  4. Stroke
  5. Cancer patients receiving chemotherapy
  6. Diabetes
  7. Obesity (weight > 100 kg or BMI > 35 kg/m²).

The COVID-19 vaccines available in Thailand include:

  • SinoVac vaccine, an inactivated vaccine recommended for the 18-59-year sage group.
  • AstraZeneca vaccine, a viral vector vaccine recommended for those over 60 years.

The Srinagarind Hospital Covid-19 Vaccination Center initially plans to administer 1,500 shots per day and eventually up to 4,000 people daily.

Starting October 1, 2021, foreigners arriving in Thailand who have received both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine will not be required to quarantine if they are entering the 5 provinces: Phuket, Krabi, Phang Nga, Chiang Mai and Pattaya, Chonburi.  Starting January 1, 2022, foreigners arriving in Thailand will not need to quarantine as long as they are fully vaccinated.

 

 

 

Written by: Kanokphorn

Edited by: John Smith

 

 

 

 

Joint-Institute Forum: Helminth vaccines: from pre-clinical concepts to human efficacy trials

 

We are excited to invite you to join the Joint-Institute Forum 4/2021 via ZOOM on the topic “Helminth vaccines: from pre-clinical concepts to human efficacy trials” by Professor Alex Loukas, Distinguished Professor Australian Institute of Tropical Health & Medicine, Centre for Molecular Therapeutics James Cook University, Cairns, Australia.

Date: 22 June 2021

Time: 09.30 AM (Bangkok Time)

Online by ZOOM

Join Zoom Meeting

https://kku-th.zoom.us/j/91510228967?pwd=Qy8vbmg2VWtzUUVPY0F1Yy9rbGlKZz09

Meeting ID: 915 1022 8967

Passcode: 694952

Or qr code

 

Register today

https://forms.gle/TBGg6J2eDLuPSY4P8

 

 

Queen Sirikit Heart Center: Autopsy Medicine International Standards Certification: ISO 15189:2012 and ISO 15190:2003

The Queen Sirikit Heart Center, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University was registered as an Autopsy Medicine Laboratory according to international standards ISO 15189: 2012 (Medical Laboratory) and ISO 15190: 2003 (Safety of Medical Laboratory) by the Bureau of Laboratory Standards, Department of Medical Sciences, Ministry of Health on May 3, 2021.

International standards ISO 15189: 2012 and ISO 15190: 2003 are laboratory safety standards, to ensure customer confidence and satisfaction in the services received. The standards focus on quality management to deliver quality laboratory results that are accurate, fast, timely, and beneficial for patient care.  The   laboratory will now become a reference laboratory for other agencies in the country as well.

International treatment standard JCI

The Queen Sirikit Heart Center, Northeastern Region focus is on providing medical services to both national and international service standards. The service is also expanding to meet the needs of foreign patients.   The quality of patient care has now been certified as of international standard by the Joint Commission International (JCI) in the United States from 2017 – 2023.

 

 

 

Written by Adisorn Tadsakorn

Edited by John Smith

Home delivery of outpatient medications from Srinagarind Hospital pharmacies

 

Srinagarind Hospital pharmacies provide a wide  range of medications to hospital outpatients.  In some cases, these medications are only available from hospitals.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, hospital pharmacies can courier your hospital medications to your home free of charge. This will help you to avoid travel to the  hospital.

You can also continue to collect your medications from your usual hospital pharmacy in person.

Are there any exclusions?

Most, but not all, medications can be sent by post or courier. Some chemotherapeutic agents or psychotropic drugs cannot be delivered.

Options for getting your medication delivered:

  1. Contact the hospital pharmacy via Line ID: @925lcmck, or,
  2. Click the link https://lin.ee/MEu0QWX, or,
  3. Scan the QR code below.

 

Available on workdays (Monday to Friday except public holidays), 08:30am – 15:00.

 

 

Written by Adisorn Tadsakorn