bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Role of central agency in promoting open government in Thailand : the case study of digital government development agency (DGA)
Authors:   , Thongprakob Thanadol
Published: September 2023

The purposes of this research were to (1) understand the role of the Digital Government Development Agency (DGA), the central agency, in applying digital technology for promoting open government in Thailand by studying both related external and internal factors, and (2) to suggest key success factors for promoting open government in the country. The study applied qualitative method using documentary research as well as in-depth interview approach to gather primary information from key informants who are experienced and well-versed in digital technology. The findings were that the role of the DGA in promoting open government, such as the formation of GovChannel for promoting open data, Government Smart Kiosk for promoting open access, and International Open Data Day for promoting open engagement, were a result of both external factors; the advancement of ICTs and implementation of open government in foreign context, and internal factors; digital government transformation plans, related policies and laws, Thai people’s behavior in receiving information, and challenges for open government implementation in Thailand. The key success factors for promoting open government in the country composed of the followings; (1) the government have a clear open government data approaches, (2) the intermediate mechanism bridging between the government policy and public needs to support open government is implemented effectively, and (3) people have awareness of open government values and benefits, and ready to participate in the formation of innovation from the usage of open government data.
Politics of changes in Thailand's university admission policy (1999-2017)
Authors:   , Kitcharern Nitchapat
Published: September 2023

This research aims to study a significant phenomenon, the changes in Thailand’s University Admission system between 1999 and 2017. During this period, the admission system was changed six times. This research focuses on the political factors that led to the changes in admission policy, particularly the relationships among politicians, bureaucracy, schools, civil society and students. 

The purpose of this research is threefold: (1) to understand the causes and procedures of changes in Thailand’s university admission policy, (2) to study and understand the correlation between politics and changes in university admission system, and (3) to understand the impact these changes had on students.

          The research findings indicated that in the process of Thailand’s University Admission policy formation from 1999 – 2017, the Council of the University Presidents of Thailand was the dominant policy maker.  Bureaucracy, the political sector and the social sector had a minimal role in the policy making process.  The Council of the University Presidents of Thailand has consistently monopolized the admission system. The Council is a group of executives from elite universities in Thailand.  The study found that changes in the university admission policy also affected educational opportunities. Every change in the admission policy makes the education system more complex. Although the complex system affects every student, the middle class and elite are able to deal with the process more easily than students with added socio-economic costs. The university admission system in Thailand is another example of social exclusion. The education policy should create more opportunities and options for young people, however the university admission policy in Thailand is more so a system to helps elite universities equalize the number of students due to the oversupply of seats in universities.
The Role of HPV16 E1 in Cervical Carcinogenesis
Authors:   , Baedyananda Fern
Published: September 2023

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the expression profile of HPV-16 E1 in cervical samples and the role of E1 in cervical carcinogenesis. In addition, this work also aimed to determine whether the HPV-16 E1 63bp duplication is present in the Thai population.

Methods: One-hundred and twenty-four HPV16 positive cervical samples ranging from normal, CIN1, CIN2/3, and SCC lesions were studied. E1 mRNA expression was determined by ddPCR. Methylation of promoters p97 and p670 was quantified by pyrosequencing, while PCR and sequencing were used to determine the physical state and variations of HPV16 E1 genome. HEK 293T cells were transfected with pEGFP-C1 containing HPV16 E1. Cell proliferation of transfected cells was measured using cell viability count and cell metabolism assay. Apoptosis and necrosis was determined in transfected cells treated with or without QVD-OPH (pan-caspase inhibitor) by Annexin V and propidium iodide staining and quantitated using flow cytometry. RNA expression Microarray analysis was performed on FACS sorted HPV16 transfected cells. RNA expression was confirmed by Real-time reverse transcription (RT) PCR. Plasmid containing pEGFP-C1 was used as a vector control throughout the experiments.

Results: Increased E1mRNA expression related to disease progression (normal 0.18, CIN 1 0.41, CIN 2/3 0.65 and SCC 0.79) was demonstrated with significant positive correlation (r = 0.661, p =0.019). No association between physical state and E1 expression was found.  Methylation of p97and p670 promoters showed significant elevation in SCC compared to normal samples. Only 4.2% showed genomic variations of HPV16 E1 63 bp duplication. HPV16 E1 transfected HEK293T cells showed a significant decrease in number of viable cells and cell proliferation 24 h post-transfection (p < 0.0001). HPV16 E1 significantly induced both apoptotic and necrotic cell death 48 h post-transfection. Treatment of HPV16 E1 transfected cells with QVD-OPH showed a decreasing trend without statistical significance. Microarray and real-time RT PCR results revealed that E1 dysregulated genes involved in protein synthesis (RPL36A), metabolism (ALDOC), cell proliferation (CREB5, HIF 1A, JMJD1C, FOXO3, NFKB1, PIK3CA, TSC22D3), DNA damage (ATR, BRCA1 and CHEK1), and immune response (ISG20) pathways. Kinetic host gene expression in HPV16 E1 transfected cells indicated that most genes were downregulated after 48 h post-transfection.

Conclusion: Detection of E1 mRNA and p97 methylation were beneficial as cancer prognostic markers. The presence of 63 bp duplication in HPV16 E1 was observed in the Thai population and related to low grade lesions. The presence of HPV16 E1 protein alone was able to dysregulate many cellular pathways in a time dependent manner. Notable genes disrupted by HPV16 E1 included genes involved in cell proliferation and host DNA damage response. This study suggests that E1 may play a role in cancer development however HPV16 E1 transfection experiments did not provide a definite carcinogenic pathway which warrants further studies.
Significant coronary artery stenosis assessment: diagnostic accuracy of quantitative 4D-MSPECT stress radionuclide myocardial perfusion imaging
Authors:   , Taerakul Tarit
Published: September 2023

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of quantitative assessment of radionuclide myocardial perfusion imaging in indicating significant coronary artery stenosis.
METHODS: Seven hundred and twenty patients with suspicion of coronary artery disease were retrospectively identified. All of them had undergone cardiac catheterization within the 6-month period after having one-day pharmacologic stress radionuclide myocardial perfusion scan. Important parameters were analyzed including myocardial perfusion, wall motion, wall thickening severity scores of 3 coronary artery territories and left ventricular ejection fraction values. These parameters were subsequently compared with the results of gold standard cardiac catheterization. 
RESULTS: Binary logistic regression analysis found that patients who had significant coronary artery stenosis had significantly higher value in all quantitative parameters (mean severity scores in myocardial perfusion, wall motion, wall thickening and left ventricular ejection fraction values in almost all 3 coronary artery territories) than those of the non-significant group (p-value <0.05) except wall motion severity score of the left circumflex artery. Similarly, higher perfusion severity scores had a greater probability of significant coronary artery stenosis in all 3 coronary arteries
CONCLUSION: Quantitative parameters obtained from stress radionuclide myocardial perfusion imaging can indicate significant coronary artery stenosis in all 3 main coronary arteries on a level comparable with that of cardiac catheterization, which is the gold standard method. Higher perfusion severity scores indicated a greater probability of significant coronary artery stenosis.
Simulation Model for Outbound Logistics in Quarry Business
Authors:   , Chawaranggoon Chanyakan
Published: September 2023

The study of outbound logistics is part of quarrying process where final products are being served to customers. It includes all activities begins from when a truck entering weight station to when the truck leaves the system after a final weighing. An increasing of customer demands within limited serving space and limited resources cause a higher total flow time customer spent in the system which also leads to longer queues. The study aims to simulate a current outbound logistics for a quarry business using ARENA simulation model and analyze truck queueing and loader scheduling policy that help reduce total flow time of truck and loader’s travel time. The right policy also allows the system to be able to serve higher number of incoming customers using the same available resources. The results found that the Combined policy of Shortest Processing Time (SPT) policy and Shortest Travelling Time (STT) policy is recommended since it helps reduce 32.33% of the total flow time and reduce 7.53% of the loader’s monthly traveling time. After the suggestion on implementing the Combined policy, the study further investigates different scenarios in the case of increasing number of customers to help the quarry with a future production planning. The result shows that 540 minutes is the maximum daily production run time and 50% increase in number of customers is a maximum number of customers for the current system could handle after the implementation of Combined policy.
Steady-state determination of continuous powder mixing by near infrared spectroscopy as process analytical technology
Authors:   , Wongves Katesaraporn
Published: September 2023

Powder mixing is one of an important unit operation in pharmaceutical manufacturing of solid dosage forms.  Continuous mixing was developed as an alternative method to reduce disadvantages of traditional batch mixing processes.  This process was originally developed using horizontal cylindrical mixer equipped with Process Analytical Technology (PAT) tools for real-time monitoring.  In the present study, a vertical cylindrical mixer was developed and evaluated.  Near Infrared (NIR) spectra obtained by monitoring the mixing process were pretreated with Multiplicative Scatter Correction (MSC), second derivative treatment and Norris-William smoothing in the 6800 - 8700 cm-1 range before a calibration model using PLS was developed using X-ray powder diffractometry (XRPD) as a primary method.  Concentrations of mixtures in steady-state and mixing phases were identified after changing impeller alignments (aligned and opposite) and distances between impellers (0.5 and 1.0 inch).  Blend quality was found to be affected by both the impeller alignment and impeller distance.  Steady-state phases, onset time, mixing performance, measurement robustness and accuracy of final mixture concentrations were evaluated.  It was found that aligned impeller with 0.5-inch distance shows the best mixing set-up leading to higher mixture homogeneity.  However, onset time to reach steady-state was compromised.
CLMV male migrant sex workers in Bangkok : livelihoods and social protection
Authors:   , Utthasit Ob-orm
Published: September 2023

Due to the lucrative business of sex industry in Thailand, it welcomes not only Thai sex workers to engage in sex industry, but also migrant sex workers from neighboring countries including Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Vietnam. The high incomes of sex industry convince not only the female migrants, but also male migrants either heterosexual or homosexual identified to engage in sexual services. These migrant sex workers are experiencing more barriers that the local due to their migrants’ legal status. Because sex work is not considered a legitimate form of employment, these migrant sex workers are unable to exercise their rights and protections under Thai Labor Protection Act. They are subject to vulnerabilities facing triple legal barriers including labor, immigration, and sex-work laws.

The purpose of this research is thus to investigate to what extent does (il)legal status of CLMV male migrant sex workers affect their livelihoods, and to analyze how do they manage their coping strategies and their accessing to social protection. The concepts applied in this research are sustainable livelihood approach, coping strategies, and social protection. This research is in qualitative method conducted through the use of in-depth interviews with 14 CLMV male migrant sex workers, and 5 key informant interviews from government and NGOs. The research is also adopted non-participant observation to observe their activities and interaction amongst sex-work colleagues, captains, and clients in three types of establishments: go-go bars, massage/ spa shops, and beer bars.

From the study, it finds that CLMV male migrant sex workers’ livelihoods and their coping strategies of accessing to social protection in Thailand are confined by their (il)legal status from engaging in illegal sex industry, working using tourist visa, and carrying out work without a work permit or carrying out work differently specified in work permit.

With that, the paper concludes that (il)legal status of CLMV male migrant sex workers has the effects on their livelihoods and their coping strategies of accessing to social protection in Thailand in different degree. Migrant sex workers who depend on tourist visa are more vulnerable than ones who are employed. However, the degree of vulnerability depends on one’s capacity to cope. CLMV male migrant sex workers adopt loophole strategy (invisibility) and protective strategy as a response to their vulnerabilities. Their accessing to social protection is based on migrants’ employment status. Employment status allows migrant sex workers to get access to social protection. Visa tourist holders cannot get social protection in terms of state policies but can access to social protection through their social network from the community in the form of occupation support to maintain their sex-work career.
Internal migrant children and their access to education : a case study of Hlaing Thar Yar township, Yangon, Myanmar
Authors:   , Maw Thazin
Published: September 2023

This research explores the accessibility of primary education for children of migrant families within Myanmar, focusing on children who accompanied their families when they have to move to a new location. In doing so, this research analyzes the issues faced by rural-to-urban migrant children in the process of primary school enrollment. The study also reviews Myanmar’s National Education Strategic Plan (2016-2021) to understand the provisions and practices implemented by the government to address the challenges of migrant children’s access to primary education. The research was conducted in Hlaing Thar Yar Township in Yangon, Myanmar, which is an area characterized by settlements of migrant groups. Using qualitative methodology, a total of twelve in-depth interviews were conducted with migrant families in the study area, selected on the basis of being recent migrants with primary school aged children. In addition, another ten key informant interviews were conducted with government officials from the Department of Basic Education, local administrators, teachers, and representatives of INGO/NGOs. The main research findings are that while there is a state policy of free and compulsory education in Myanmar, the number of available schools does not fill the demand. For registered students, the government subsidizes school fees, textbooks, and a school uniform. However, many migrants do not possess the necessary documents to practice their legal rights, including school enrollment, in their new settlement. Some schools accept a recommendation from the local administration, but this is often not possible because parents do not possess their own identity papers. Also, for migrant children to continue their education in a new location, a school transfer certificate must be submitted, which is a major challenge. In addition, the enforcement of documentation requirements are interpreted and practiced in various ways, which has created confusion regarding the standard acceptable documents. This paper concludes that the implementation of free and compulsory education at the primary level in Myanmar is failing to meet the needs of the migrant community. Other than economic barriers there are multiple administrative challenges that make it nearly impossible for children of migrant communities to access primary education.
Coping with drug abuse in Shan State
Authors:   , Thiri Thiri
Published: September 2023

As we look around the study area, especially in the mountain areas and control over the ethnic armed groups areas, it is not hard to see the drug users and the other chemical substances selling and opium cultivation in the mountain areas. According to the drug dependents the opium cultivation can earn more money and easier than the other crops. As Lashio situated on the China- Myanmar Border Highway Road, China is the main producer of the chemical substances and importer to Myanmar. Because of the geographical situation, the study area is abundant in drug substances and chemical tablets. Heroin and amphetamine are the most popular moreover the number of drug dependents increasing according to the conversations and surrounding justice.

            This research also examines what is happening in actuality concerning on drug abuse regarding with the instability of political situations in Myanmar. Furthermore, this research analyses some beliefs and myths of drug use in local community, the weakness of knowledge (their practices), education level and the other internal factors which is called social factors influenced the causes of drug abuse. In the study area, it is not hard to find out the drug addicted person not only adult but also teenager in everywhere the meaning of drug use and why they became addicted to drug substances are also included. One of the key priorities of this research include how the Narcotic Drug Control policy 2018 is working during 1 year in actuality and the perceptions change under the mechanism of the new policy also discussed.

            The analysis of this field research concluded with the findings according to the conversations with 6 drug dependents who registered at the methadone clinic and 2 key informants with health provider and community leader using qualitative method design, consisting of in- depth interviews. This research showing greater focus on the causes of drug addiction, the role of drugs on drug dependents, moreover as the drug abuse is the trigger problems in Myanmar not only the community but also the government have to participate in harm reduction and demand reduction processes under the mechanism of the new policy to change the perceptions of the local people.
Effect of major triterpenoids of centella asiatica on neurite outgrowth in neuro-2a cells
Authors:   , Nalinratana Nonthaneth
Published: September 2023

Centella asiatica has been reported to demonstrate neuroprotection and memory improvement in various animal models. Triterpenoid glycosides, madecassoside (MS), asiaticoside (AS), and their aglycones, madecassic acid (MA) and asiatic acid (AA) are considered as major neuroactive constituents in C. asiatica. In this study we aimed to compared MS, AS, MA and AA for their neurite outgrowth activities and mechanisms in Neuro-2a cells. Immunofluorescent staining against ßIII-tubulin showed that MS and AS significantly increased the percentage of neurite-bearing cells and neurite length with higher potency than MA and AA. Our mechanistic studies revealed the differences in signal activation between glycosides and aglycones. Neurite outgrowth activities of MS and AS were found to be regulated by activation of TrkA receptor signaling, resulting in sustained ERK1/2 activation coupled with cAMP response element binding (CREB) phosphorylation which involved with neuronal differentiation. Activation on TrkA receptor also triggered Akt phosphorylation, resulting in inhibitory effects on glycogen synthase kinase (GSK) 3ß and RhoA, which controlled cytoskeleton dynamic, resulting in allowing neurite extension. Translocation of nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (Nrf2) was also regulated by Akt signaling, which might be associated with neurite outgrowth. On the contrary, MA and AA induced neurite outgrowth with different mechanisms by ERK1/2-independent activation of CREB and Akt-independent inhibition on GSK3ß, while Nrf2 translocation and RhoA inhibition were also mediated by Akt signaling. These differences between glycosides and aglycones might be associated with neurite outgrowth potency that glycosides exhibited higher potency than aglycones. Taken together, our findings have provided the evidence to support the neuroprotection and memory improvement activity of active constituents in C. asiatica and might be useful for drug design.
Key Success Factors Of Starbucks Coffee In South Korea
Authors:   , Sawangnate Chandhit
Published: September 2023

Food and beverage is one of the industries that have been contributing economic growth toward South Korea economy for a decades; however, coffee market due to a relatively high competition and fierceness, coffee war, between international brands and local brands. This paper is trying to find the key success factors of Starbucks through various dimensions in South Korea market. This study is in order to find competitive advantages of Starbucks internationally and domestically. Observation is also held to find an insight data. The outcome shows that Korean coffee market has strength in it character conditions. The coffee quality and coffee experience with Americanization, third place, reward and class, and familiarity are key success factor of Starbucks in South Korea.
Factors affecting employment generation rate and sales growth rate : a case study of Bangladeshi firms
Authors:   , Islam Sakhawat
Published: September 2023

Bangladesh has shown significant improvement to develop its economy over the past decades. It is one of the developing countries which is an excellent example to the policymakers and specialists working in development sectors. Moreover, the significant contribution was made by firms running the business in Bangladesh to gain this success. This study examines few factors which include the gender of the owner of the organizations, the characteristics of the organizations, possible obstacles faced by and the preferred sources of capital to run the business by the firms, employees employed in the year of 2002 and 2005, and their annual sales in few fiscal years. This study aims to analyze these factors and the impact on the employment generation and sales growth rate from these factors in the firms in Bangladesh in several years. This study uses the data from the enterprise survey conducted in Bangladesh by World Bank in 2007 and 2013. The descriptive analysis shows that 29.2% and 18.1% of the firms had at least one female owner, participated in the survey in 2007, 2013 respectively. Political instability was considered as one of the significant obstacles and finance from the internal funds/ retained earnings was considered as one of the significant sources of capital to run business in both surveys conducted in 2007 and 2013.  Linear regression was conducted to find out the impact on the employment generation and sales growth rate from the factors. 2007 dataset shows that Female owners, customs and trade regulation, and company size have a positive impact on employment generation. Labor regulation has a negative impact and Chittagong and Rajshahi region have a negative impact on employment generation compare to the Dhaka region. Both 2007 and 2013 surveys show that gender of owners, three obstacles out of six (minor), the source of capital for business, the region for conducting business, business sector and company size have a significant impact on the sales growth rate between 2003 & 2006 and between 2009 & 2012 respectively.
Statelessness and human rights
Authors:   , Liu I
Published: September 2023

Although the Universal Declaration of Human Rights has expressed that human rights are guaranteed to everyone, however, the reality is that millions of people still remain stateless and their human rights are denied. Under the 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons, the Contracting States have attempted to guarantee quasi-national and quasi-alien status to the rights of the stateless persons. However, many of these rights have not adequately specified or in lacking an affirmative protective mechanism. This leads to the re-examination of the human rights that are developed after the 1954 Convention relating to the Status of the Stateless Persons. Therefore, this dissertation aims to examine how the subsequent human rights have contributed in strengthening the rights and protections of the stateless persons under the international law. I argue that the subsequent human rights instruments are not just applicable to stateless persons but also have contributed in affirming, clarifying, maximizing and supplementing the rights as guaranteed under the 1954 Convention relating to the Status of the Stateless Persons. Thus, this dissertation illustrates the following: 1) The disadvantaged status, rights and protections of the stateless persons as comparative to the nationals and aliens; b) The status, rights and protections as guaranteed under the 1954 Convention relating to the Status of the Stateless Persons; and c) The relevance of the human right instruments and stateless persons and how these instruments have contributed in affirming, clarifying, maximizing and supplementing the rights and protections under the 1954 Convention relating to the Status of the Stateless Persons.
Closed-form formula for pricing discretely-sampled moment swaps on one-dimensional Ito process
Authors:   , Chumpong Kittisak
Published: September 2023

Moment swaps are essentially forward contracts on realized higher moments of log-returns of a specified underlying asset, which play an important role in protection against different kinds of market shocks. Variance, skewness, and kurtosis swaps are examples of moment swaps currently traded in markets. To facilitate market practitioners, this work provides a simple and easy-to-use pricing formula of moment swaps on discrete sampling under the Ito process, extended Black-Scholes model for stock prices and Schwartz model for commodity prices. Furthermore, the interesting topics of the fair prices are also investigated. Finally, Monte Carlo simulations are performed to support the accuracy of the pricing formulas and numerical examples are provided to check the sensitivity of the parameters.
A numerical investigation of augmented heat transfer in rectangular ducts with ribs
Authors:   , Tangyotkhajorn Warissara
Published: September 2023

The application of roughness structure of ribs inside a smooth channel is one effective way of heat transfer augmentation, but the accompanied pressure drop could be high. A novel V-rib design with branches was introduced and numerical simulations on the thermo-fluid impact of heat transfer and pressure drop were investigated. The parameters of investigation include the branching number and the pitch ratio of the V-ribs. It appears that increasing the relative pitch ratio serves to improve the overall performance of a roughened channel. The effect of the branching number is only experienced at low pitch ratio. At high pitch ratio, varying the branching number only serves to lower the pressure drops. Optimization was found at the branching number of 6 and the relative pitch ratio of 15. At optimal conditions, the Nusselt number ratio, friction factor ratios, and the thermohydraulic performance were 2.15, 2.85, and 1.39 times the plane channel, respectively.
Systems biology of human cells responded to influenza B virus infection
Authors:   , Sirivassanametha Kritsada
Published: September 2023

Influenza B virus is a member of Orthomyxoviridae family which can cause influenza in human and affect to worldwide health problem. Systems biology is the computational modeling of molecular systems which is useful to predict how these biological systems change over time and under different conditions. In this study the multiomics was used to study human cellular response to influenza B virus infection. The transcriptome including mRNAs, lncRNAs and miRNAs and proteome were investigated by high-throughput technologies such as next-generation sequencing and mass spectrometry. The results showed that in human cells infected with influenza B virus, transcriptome including mRNAs, lncRNAs and miRNAs and proteome were changed. Some genes were up-regulated responding to the influenza B virus infection for both Victoria and Yamagata lineages. Some were lineage specific. Whereas there was no similar down-regulated genes for both lineages. The MX1 genes was found to be up-regulated in both mRNAs and protein level in both Victoria and Yamagata lineages. For lncRNAs, the response to influenza B virus infection seems to be lineage specifically. The miRNAs profiling also showed the up-regulated and down-regulated miRNAs which were predicted to target several of human genes. In addition, the up-regulated miR-30e-3p was selected for functional study and found that it can directly target viral NA and NP inhibiting influenza B virus production.
Dosimetric comparison between using daily cone beam CT and planning CT in volumetric modulated arc therapy technique for prostate cancer therapy
Authors:   , Chanayota Julaluck
Published: September 2023

The variations of shape and size of organs inside, especially bladder and rectum, in prostate cancer patient are mainly factors of external beam radiation therapy that may impact to disease control and normal tissue toxicity. The purpose of this study was to investigate the dosimetric comparison between using daily CBCT and planning CT in Volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) technique for prostate cancer therapy. The HU and electron density between CBCT and planning CT were verified by using Catphan® 600 phantom. Treatment planning system was verified by dose distribution comparison between plans on CBCT and planning CT images of Anthropomorphic RANDO® phantom. The dose on both images at central axis plan were transferred to Sun Nuclear Patient software to compare in terms of gamma index. Image registration software were also verified. The CBCT image were registered to CT image and the phantom was move to the known couch shifted. The CBCT was repeated and registered with CT. The registration errors were repeated. In clinical part, the total of seven cases with 299 daily CBCT images dataset were performed in this study. The patients were selected from selection criteria as follows with patients whom were diagnosed prostate cancer and already finished the course of VMAT prostate cancer treatment with 6 MV, 79.2 Gy prescription dose, 44 total factions. The structures of Clinical Target Volume (CTV), Planning Target Volume (PTV), bladder, and rectum on daily CBCT were contoured. The CTV was delineated in whole prostate including seminal vesicle and 8 mm margin in all directions except posterior that used 5 mm margin were expended to PTV following by RTOG 0815. The original plans were transferred into daily CBCT images and recalculated by EclipseTM TPS. The volume difference of CTV V100%, PTV V95%, bladder and rectum at V75Gy, V70Gy, V65Gy and V60Gy were analyzed. For results, the HU and electron density was not significant between two imaging modalities. Treatment planning system and image registration showed good agreement on acceptable criteria. The volume differences of CTV at V100% on average from all 7 patients were only -0.1 ± 3.6% that were not significantly different while the volume differences of PTV at V95% was -6.7 ± 5.3%. The bladder volume difference were -23.6 ± 22.8% on average, while the average volumes difference of rectum was more than planning CT of 16.8 ± 58.6%. In conclusion, during course of prostate cancer treatment, organs inside always daily change. The changing is not impacts to dosimetric effect of CTV that means the CTV to PTV margin is enough expansion to disease control. However, the bladder and rectum show significant difference and large variations, especially rectum that have impact on normal tissue toxicity increased.
Eye lens dose measurement in patients during brain arteriovenous malformation interventional neuro-radiology procedure
Authors:   , Thana Rasalin
Published: September 2023

Brain arteriovenous malformation (AVM) interventional neuroradiology (INR) is a complicated procedure which the patients may receive the high radiation dose exceeding the threshold level for detectable eye lens opacities and cataracts (ICRP, 2012). The objectives of this study are to measure the patient eye lens dose using optically stimulated luminescence dosimeter, OSLD, during AVM INR procedure at Interventional Radiology Unit, Department of Radiology, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital (KCMH) and to study the factors affecting the patient eye lens dose.

NanoDot OSLDs were attached on the transparent radiation thin film eyewear and closed to the patient eyelids during the procedure. Philips Allura Clarity Xper FD20/15 biplane system has been used and parameters related to acquisition protocol were recorded. The size and site of brain AVM lesion and experience of interventional neuroradiologists were included.

32 AVM INR patients include 15 therapeutic and 17 diagnostic procedures were studied from August to December 2018. The results show that: therapeutic procedure, the average and range of patient left and right eye lens doses were 65.14 (17.88 – 111.70) and 29.62 (11.63 – 56.81) mGy, KAP at PA and lateral X-ray tubes were 112.05 (41.62 – 305.44) and 57.42 (19.73 – 102.99) Gycm2, AK at PA and lateral tubes were 1.80 (0.50 – 5.17) and 1.26 (0.38 – 2.98) Gy, and the exposure time was 77.15 (26.52 – 186.56) minutes. The average left eye lens dose was higher than the right eye. KAP, AK and total exposure time were correlated to patient eye lens dose by r = 0.60, 0.58, 0.44. The beam collimation, frame rate, angular and rotation of X-ray tube, the experience of specialist and complexity index of the procedure influence the patient eye lens dose.

The average patient eye lens dose in a single procedure was less than 0.5 Gy, the threshold dose level of eye lens opacities and cataracts. The collimated irradiation area, reduce frame rate, speed and the short distance from flat panel detector to patient have been commonly selected, especially in patients with multiple procedures.
The pharmacokinetic model of 18F-FDOPA in PET brain imaging for early Parkinson’s disease
Authors:   , Buratachwatanasiri Wirunpatch
Published: September 2023

Parkinson’s disease (PD) symptom usually appears when over half of all dopaminergic neurons have died. Early detection and treatment approach are; therefore, very important. The 18F-FDOPA PET scan is extensively examined to differentiate the normal and pathological dopamine metabolism in the human brain. The purpose of this study was to investigate the transfer rate constants of 18F-FDOPA in PET brain imaging based on compartmental model in early Parkinson’s disease. The retrospective data from five early PD patients who underwent 18F-FDOPA PET brain scan at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital (KCMH) were collected. After 18F-FDOPA was administered intravenously, PET images were acquired for 90 min using 3D list-mode and reconstructed into 5-min interval for obtaining each time-point image dataset. PET image data were co-registered and normalized with PET brain template on Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM) software for segmenting the striatum, caudate and putamen. The activity concentration was subsequently measured at each side of the regions. Compartmental model and time-activity curve were generated using SAAM II simulation software to estimate transfer rate constants in each side. Regions at contralateral side to patient’s predominant symptoms were considered as PD and the ipsilateral side as control. A pharmacokinetic model consisting of 3 compartments and 3 transfer rate constants could adequately describe the kinetics 18F-FDOPA and its metabolites. By model fitting to the tissue kinetics, the mean FDOPA forward and reverse transport constant across the blood-brain barrier (K1 & k2), and the mean FDOPA decarboxylation rate constant (k3) in the contralateral striatum were K1 = 0.0231 ± 0.0081 ml min-1 g-1, k2 = 0.0196 ± 0.0054 min-1, and k3 = 0.0112 ± 0.0043 min-1 while the ipsilateral striatum were K1 = 0.0245 ± 0.0078 ml min-1 g-1, k2 = 0.0178 ± 0.0061 min-1, and k3 = 0.0152 ± 0.0053 min-1 respectively. For the contralateral caudate, K1 = 0.0094 ± 0.0030 ml min-1 g-1; k2 = 0.0237 ± 0.007 min-1; and k3 = 0.0203 ± 0.0077 min-1 while the ipsilateral, K1 = 0.0091 ± 0.0022 ml min-1 g-1; k2 = 0.0228 ± 0.0031 min-1; and k3 = 0.0215 ± 0.0094 min-1. In the contralateral putamen, K1 = 0.0116 ± 0.0037 ml min-1 g-1; k2 = 0.0268 ± 0.0057 min-1; and k3 = 0.0112 ± 0.003 min-1, while the ipsilateral, K1 = 0.0131 ± 0.0044 ml min-1 g-1; k2 = 0.0254 ± 0.0072 min-1; and k3 = 0.0176 ± 0.0025 min-1. Furthermore, K1 and k3 rate constants at the contralateral side of striatum and putamen were significantly lower than the another (p-value < 0.05). In contrast, there was no statistically significant difference in any transfer rate constants of caudate. The biokinetic data obtained in this study will be used as an initial reference report in Thai PD patients. Both K1 and k3 seemed to be the predictor parameters to distinguish between PD and normal patients.
Comprehensive proteomics identification of IFN-λ3-regulated antiviral proteins in HBV-transfected cells
Authors:   , Makjaroen Jiradej
Published: September 2023

Interferon (IFN)-λ is a relatively unexplored, yet promising anti-viral agent. IFN-λ has recently been tested in clinical trials of chronic hepatitis B, with the advantage that side effects may be limited compared with IFN-α, as IFN-λ receptors are found only in epithelial cells. To date, IFN-λ downstream signaling pathway remains largely unelucidated, particularly via proteomics methods. Here, we report that IFN-λ3 inhibits HBV replication in HepG2.2.15 cells, reducing levels of both HBV transcripts and intracellular HBV DNA. Quantitative proteomic analysis of HBV-transfected cells was performed following 24-hour IFN-λ3 treatment, with parallel IFN-α2a and PBS treatments for comparison using a dimethyl labeling method. The depth of the study allowed us to map the induction of anti-viral proteins to multiple points of the viral life cycle, as well as facilitating the identification of anti-viral proteins not previously known to be elicited upon HBV infection. This study also shows up-regulation of many effectors involved in antigen processing/presentation indicating that this cytokine exerted immunomodulatory effects through a number of essential molecules for these processes. Interestingly, immunoproteasome caps were up-regulated while cap components of the constitutive proteasome were down-regulated upon IFN-λ3 treatment, suggesting coordinated modulation towards the antigen processing/presentation mode. Furthermore, we reveal that IFN-λ3 restored levels of RIG-I and RIG-G, proteins known to be suppressed by HBV. Enrichment analysis demonstrated that several biological processes including RNA metabolism, translation, and ER-targeting were differentially regulated upon treatment with IFN-λ3 vs. IFN-α2a. Our proteomic data suggests that IFN-λ3 regulates an array of cellular processes to control HBV replication.
Detection of flagellated protozoa belonging to the trypanosomatidae family in sand flies collected from Songkhla province, Southern Thailand
Authors:   , Chinwirunsirisup Komson
Published: September 2023

Autochthonous leishmaniasis cases in Thailand are increasing dramatically, the disease is caused by two major of Leishmania species; L. orientalis and L. martiniquensis. Leishmaniasis is transmitted to the vertebrate hosts through the bite of the infected female sand fly. Moreover, other trypanosomatid protozoa have also been reported in this insect vector. In 2016, Trypanosoma sp. has been detected in sand fly from Songkhla province, where the leishmaniasis case has been reported. The aims of this study are to investigate the potential vectors of trypanosomatids in this area using morphological and molecular identification based on the Cytb gene. The parasites were screened by using ITS1 and SSU rRNA-PCR based methods. Five species of female sand flies were found in this study. Among 349 samples tested, DNA of trypanosomatids was detected in Sergentomyia (Parrotomyia) barraudi (0.9%), Se. (Grassomyia) indica (1.4%), Se. khawi (3.7%), Phlebotomus stantoni (1.1%), and non-sand fly (0.3%). Based on retrieved SSU rRNA sequences, phylogenetic analysis reveals that 96.2% of the detected parasites belong to anuran trypanosomes.  Twenty-three were the anuran Trypanosoma spp. of clade Frog 1, and the other two were novel species of clade Frog 2. Moreover, Leishmania infantum DNA was detected in a Ph. stantoni (3.8%) based on ITS1-PCR. Since 2008, there had never been reported the detection of L. infantum in any leishmaniasis cases from Thailand or in sand flies. Therefore, this present study demonstrates for the first time that L. infantum DNA can be detected in Ph. stantoni collected from Songkhla, Thailand.
The study of nerves and arteries of upper face: implication for cosmetic procedures
Authors:   , Chinnawong Dawinee
Published: September 2023

The study of nerves and arteries of upper face for avoiding injury during the forehead lift procedure was conducted to investigate the anatomical landmark and histological plane of the nerve and artery of the upper face for reduce some injuries during a consequence of forehead lift procedure. Thirty adult soft embalmed cadaveric head were dissected. The distances between the frontal branches of the facial nerve and the mid-point of zygomatic arch, lateral canthus and lateral brow were 10.52±2.41, 39.82±7.09 and 24.10±8.92 mm, respectively. The distances between the superficial temporal artery the mid-point of zygomatic arch, lateral canthus and lateral brow were 61.72±14.09, 65.79±5.99 and 60.45±3.64 mm, respectively. For the supratrochlear and supraorbital nerve and artery, measured the distance from the nerves and arteries pierced through the frontalis muscle. The distances between the point that supratrochlear nerve and artery pierced through the muscle and the midline and orbital rim were 20.20±5.04, 22.93±5.28, 13.64±2.2 and 18.24±6.55 mm, respectively. The point that supraorbital nerve and artery pierced through the muscle locate from the midline and the orbital rim about 38.22±8.92, 27.07±7.35, 37.55±9.76 and 26.14±8.78 mm, respectively. Precise information of this study can help to reduce for reduce some injuries during the consequence of forehead lift procedure.
Diagnostic performance of the FAAS stroke screening tool FAAS stroke screening tool in patients who presented to the emergency room with neurological symptoms
Authors:   , Phuenpathom Warongporn
Published: September 2023

Background: Rapid screening and intervention are the keys to successful early treatment of stroke. In Thailand, the conventional FAST stroke screening tool has generally been used by triage nurses to promptly detect acute stroke. However, the FAST score has a limitation in detecting posterior circulation stroke. Previous studies showed that adding ataxia could increase the sensitivity of posterior circulation stroke detection. Therefore, we studied the performance of a new stroke screening tool, the FAAS score, among acute ischemic stroke patients. Objectives: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of the FAAS score and compare the diagnostic performance between FAAS and the conventional FAST score. Study design: Multicenter cross-sectional study. Materials and methods: The new FAAS and conventional FAST scores were used by triage nurses in patients who presented with acute neurological symptoms within 7 days at the emergency department of King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Nopparatrajathanee Hospital and Surin Hospital. Final diagnosis was made by a neurologist using clinical and neuroimaging information. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio and the ROC curve were calculated using STATA version 14. Results: In total, 146 patients were enrolled. Of these, 127 (86 %) had acute ischemic stroke and 19 (14%) had other diagnoses. We found that the sensitivity of the FAAS stroke screening tool was higher than conventional FAST (96.85% vs 95.28%, p = 0.125). The FAAS stroke screening tool detected posterior circulation ischemic stroke better than conventional FAST (94.12% vs 82.35%, p=0.063). Conclusions: The FAAS stroke screening tool is sensitive for detecting acute stroke, especially posterior circulation stroke.