bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Solid-state modification of tapioca starch using non-thermal plasma
Authors:   , Srangsomjit Natchanon 
Published: September 2023

The objective of this research was to investigate the physical, chemical, and functional properties of tapioca starch subjected to solid-state modification by using nonthermal dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma treatment using different gases (helium and argon), voltage levels (10 kV and 15 kV), and treatment times (5, 10, and 15 minutes). After treatment, an increase in L* value and a marginal decrease in pH value of all treated samples were noted. Scanning electron micrographs showed dented starch granules after the plasma treatment but showed birefringence. From XRD measurement, all samples showed a characteristic C-type diffraction pattern but a reduction in the relative crystallinity after plasma treatment. Native tapioca starch contained 99.06% carbohydrate, 0.15% crude fiber, 0.18% fat, 0.14% ash, and 0.46% protein on a dry weight basis. There was no significant difference in the moisture content of argon plasma-treated samples (P≥0.05), but a reduction in moisture content was found after using helium plasma treatment (P<0.05). The modified starch samples tended to have higher amylose content and reducing sugars with increasing voltage levels and times. However, increasing the treatment time from 5 to 15 minutes at 15 kV for helium plasma caused the amylose content to reduce (P<0.05). Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectra did not show the new formation of functional groups after treatments. No significant change in the intensity ratio of 1047/1022 cm-1 compared to native samples (P≥0.05) except for the treatment at 10 kV for 5 min of argon plasma (P<0.05). After treatment, the weight-average molecular weight of amylopectin was smaller than that of native starch. A significant reduction in peak viscosity, breakdown, and setback was observed (P<0.05). However, no significant change in the pasting temperature of treated samples was found compared to the native sample. The samples with lower breakdown and setback percentages were found for 5 minutes treatment using argon plasma (P<0.05). After increasing voltage levels and times of modification, an increase in solubility and water binding capacity was observed, while swelling power was reduced. The frequency sweep rheological test revealed that 6% (w/w) starch paste samples had higher G' than G", indicating dominant elastic behavior. The higher G' value of starch pastes was observed when using 5 minutes of argon and helium plasma treatment with lower tan δ. However, G' decreased with increasing treatment time due to depolymerization. Flow tests on 6% gelatinized modified starch pastes showed a lower thixotropy and consistency index (K) value after increasing both gas types' voltage levels and treatment time. The results confirmed the effectiveness of DBD plasma treatment in modifying tapioca starch properties.
Utilization of rain tree (Samanea saman) residue as modified adsorbent to treat oil and grease in canteen wastewater
Authors:   , Puteri Elga 
Published: September 2023

The utilization of waste materials as adsorbent precursors is gaining intention to treat fats, oils, and greases (FOG), especially in wastewater treatment. Tree residue, an abundant waste, provides a potential feedstock to be converted into valuable materials. This research aimed to develop modified adsorbent prepared from rain tree (Samanea saman) residue for FOG treatment. The synthesis process of modified adsorbent was conducted by chemical pretreatment using different chemical agents (i.e., NaOH, ZnCl2, and H3PO4­). The pre-treated twigs and leaves (1:4 ratio) were continued by pyrolysis process at different temperatures (i.e., 350, 550, and 750oC) using a heating rate of 10oC min-1 for 2 h. A batch sorption screening test was initially conducted for removing FOG from synthetic oily wastewater, and the ANOVA was employed to define the best-modified adsorbent among treatments. The result confirmed that modified adsorbent by H3PO4-treated and produced at 350oC had the highest net efficiency of FOG removal, with a yield and removal percentage of 55.87±1.40 and 79.77±1.17%, respectively. The adsorption studies of the best-modified indicated that the pseudo-second-order kinetic and Langmuir isotherm models were well-fitted to the experiment data. The maximum adsorption capacity of FOG was found to be 6.89 mg g-1. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) result exhibits the present carbonyls, hydroxyls, and aliphatic groups. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) image showed the porous structure on the surface. The subsequent identification of the best-modified adsorbent was carried out by fixed-bed column test and performed optimum condition for canteen wastewater treatment by setting 10 cm bed height and flow rate 5 ml min-1. However, the breakthrough point could not be identified due to the column clogging (12 h). Overall, modified adsorbents produced had the ability to remove FOG, which indicated that rain tree residue could be utilized as an alternative adsorbent precursor for FOG treatment.
The Karen diaspora : transnational sense of belonging and practices after the 2021 Myanmar Coup
Authors:   , Phuc Thinh 
Published: September 2023

This research examines the Karen diaspora’s transnational sense of belonging, ideological transition and tactics embodied in transnational activities after the 2021 Myanmar military coup. Looking at young Karen people in 5 host countries including the United States, Australia, Canada, Norway and Thailand, it is evident that those people in the diaspora still perceive the notion of homeland and maintain an emotional sense of belonging to their homeland after a long period of resettlement in host countries. In the context of the 2021 coup, those young people have engaged actively in transnational activities with various tactics used both on-site and online. Quantitative methods were applied including semi-structured interviews and online participant observations to understand how those young refugees feel connected to their homeland, as well as how and why those young refugees have engaged in transnational practices. After examining the narratives and ethnographic work, I argue that the transnational sense of belonging of young Karen people were shaped by narratives, memories, and Karen cultural practices in refugee camps; and those camps also become their memorial places. In addition, after the Myanmar military coup, those young Karen people expressed an ideological transition from ethno-nationalism to democracy and cosmopolitan orientation when engaging in transnational activities.
A comparative study of gut microbiota in the healthy elderly and the elderly with colorectal cancer
Authors:   , Iadsee Nutta 
Published: September 2023

Colorectal cancer is one of the third most common cancer worldwide. Dysbiosis of the human gut microbiota has been linked to sporadic colorectal cancer (CRC). This study aimed to compare the gut microbiota profile of a total of 80 Thai volunteers, who were above 50 years old, among 25 CRC patients, 33 adenoma patients, and 22 healthy controls (HC). The 16S rRNA sequencing was utilized to characterize the gut microbiome in both mucosal tissue and stool samples. Moreover, absolute quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay was conducted to quantify six CRC-associated bacteria including Fusobacterium nucleatum (FN), Parvimonas micra (PM), colibactin positive strains (EC), Streptococcus gallolyticus (SG), Blautia spp. (Bla) and Fusicatenibacter saccharivorans (FS), in both sample types, and these bacteria were evaluated the performance in CRC and adenoma detections. The results suggested that the fecal microbiota only partially reflected gut microbiota on the mucus layer. The mucosal microbiota of the CRC patients and HC group differed significantly but no difference between adenoma and HC groups was observed. The stepwise increase of Bacteroides and Parabacteroides according to adenomas-carcinomas sequence were found whereas the butyrate-producing genus Faecalibacterium was significantly less abundant in CRC patients. Linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) showed a higher level of Erysipelatoclostridium ramosum, an opportunistic pathogen, in both sample types of CRC patients. The findings indicated the imbalance of gut microorganisms might be involved in CRC tumorigenesis. In addition, the qPCR assays revealed FN and PM were significantly overrepresented in both sample types of CRC subjects. The combined test of fecal FN and PM with qualitative fecal immunochemical test (FIT) could predict CRC with a sensitivity of 93.8% and a specificity of 95.2%. In a combined test of five fecal bacteria without SG together with the FIT, adenoma was detected with a sensitivity of 83.3% and a specificity of 64.7%. These results indicated E. ramosum may serve as a population-specific biomarker for CRC screening and the quantity of fecal bacteria could complement the current FIT in CRC and adenoma screening. Larger sample size is required for the validation of these candidate biomarkers in CRC and adenoma detections.
Production and characterization of mannanase from aureobasidium sp. For mannooligosaccharide preparation from spent coffee ground
Authors:   , Ibrahim Syahriar 
Published: September 2023

The aims of this study are to produce and characterize mannanase from the selected Thai Aureobasidium strain and use the enzyme for hydrolysis of spent coffee ground extract (SCGE) to prepare mannooligosaccharide (MOs). The optimum condition for SCGE extraction by hot water was 1:30 solid to liquid ratio with 60 min incubation time at 121°C 15 lbs per in2. The maximum yield was 9.5 g/100 g substrate. The second dominant composition of SCGE was hemicellulose at 28 %. Aureobasidium pullulans NRRL 58524 was selected as the best mannanase producer with 8.07 U/mL. The mannanase production medium was optimized by using SCGE and ammonium sulphate without L-asparagine at a C/N ratio of 1.15. The highest enzyme yield was obtained after 72 hours. The optimal condition for mannanase was at 55 °C in 50 mM citrate buffer (pH 4.0). The enzyme was highly thermostable at 50 and 55 °C, retaining most of its activity after 6 h incubation. It was also stable in 50 mM citrate buffer (pH 4.0) with more than 80 % of initial activity remained after 6 h. The mannanase was highly specific to glucomannan and galactomannan, and its activity was enhanced by Cu2+, Ca2+ and Mg2+. The enzyme was inhibited by mannose and galactose at 40 mM and 30 mM, respectively. The optimal MOs preparation was by using the enzyme at 66.7 U/g substrate and incubating for 5 days 9 h and 36 min which yielded the maximal reducing sugars at 0.66 g/g substrate. The produced SCG MOs failed to enhance the growth of all probiotic bacteria tested.
Morphological analysis and morphometry of the occipital condyle and its relation to surrounding structures: implication in craniovertebral junction surgery
Authors:   , Thintharua Pakpoom 
Published: September 2023

Anatomical knowledge of the occipital condyle (OC) and its relationships to surrounding structures is important for avoiding injury during craniovertebral junction (CVJ) surgeries such as the far lateral approach (FLA). Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the morphology and morphometry of OC and its relationship to digastric point (DP), foramen magnum (FM), jugular foramen (JF), and hypoglossal canal (HC). The study was performed on 100 dry skulls. Oval-like condyle was the most common OC shape, representing for 33.0% of all samples. The OC protruded into FM in 31.5 %. The average length, width and height of the OC were 21.32 ± 2.44, 10.51 ± 1.41, and 7.39 ± 1.14 mm, respectively. Extracranial orifice of HC (eHC) and intracranial orifice of HC (iHC) were commonly found 74.0% in anterior 1/3 of OC, and 45.0% in middle 1/3 of OC, respectively. The mean distance from posterior edge of the OC (OCPE) to eHC, iHC and JF were 13.70 ± 2.23 mm, 9.00 ± 1.59 mm, and 16.15 ± 2.35 mm, respectively. The most common shape of FM was hexagonal in 27.0%. The mean of anteroposterior diameter (APD) was 34.19 ± 2.46 mm, transverse diameter (TD) was 29.17 ± 2.14 mm and foramen magnum index (FMI) was 1.18. The mean distance between DP and bony landmarks, including Op-DP, OCPT-DP, and JF-DP values, were 54.54 ± 3.50, 36.72 ± 4.07, and 34.18 ± 4.15 mm, respectively. The prevalence of bilateral and unilateral posterior condylar canal (PCC) was 57.0% and 34.0%, respectively. The morphological analysis and morphometry data of OC and its relation to surrounding structures can help surgeons be aware of neurovascular injury and CVJ instability by surgery.
Ultrastructural changes of endothelial cell, pericyte and
vascular basement membrane in cisplatin-induced neuropathy in rats:
correlation with neuropathic changes after treatments
Authors:   , Kobutree Phetnarin 
Published: September 2023

Cisplatin is an antineoplastic agent used to treat cancers of several organs. Peripheral neuropathy is one of its major side effects leading to dose reduction or cessation. Underlying mechanisms of cisplatin-induced neuropathy are not fully understood. According to current evidence, vascular dysfunction may play a role. Curcumin is a polyphenol found in the root of Curcuma longa with the anti-oxidant property and neuroprotection. Curcumin has shown effectiveness against experimental cisplatin neuropathy. B vitamins are a class of water-soluble vitamins that play important roles in cell metabolism and maintaining nervous system functions. Increasing evidence suggests the efficacy of vitamin B1-6-12 for several neurological diseases. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine the ultrastructural changes of blood-nerve barrier (BNB) in the peripheral nerve and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) of rats treated with cisplatin and in vitro effects on rat brain vascular pericytes. Furthermore, the effects of curcumin and B vitamins were examined. Cisplatin neuropathy was induced by intraperitoneal injection of cisplatin 2 mg/kg twice a week for 5 consecutive weeks. The cisplatin-treated rats had reduced body weight, decreased heat sensitivity and slow nerve conduction velocity, indicating neuropathy. In the co-treatment group, curcumin or B vitamins was also given by gavage during the cisplatin treatment. Curcumin 200 mg/kg/day or B1-6-12 (100:100:1) 100, 300 and 600 mg/kg/day was given once daily. Curcumin and all doses of B1-6-12 could significantly improve the severity of neuropathy. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) study of capillaries in the sciatic nerve and DRG found that the cisplatin group had significantly higher frequency of separation and wider separation distance between endothelial cells and pericytes than the control group. Moreover, cisplatin significantly reduced viability of cultured pericytes. Curcumin and B1-6-12, especially low (100 mg/kg/day) and medium doses (300 mg/kg/day), could alleviate the cisplatin-induced pericyte detachment. These two agents also significantly improved pericyte viability. Taken together, cisplatin causes pericyte cytotoxicity in vitro and pericyte detachment in vivo. Curcumin and B1-6-12 are effective against these abnormalities and thus potential therapeutic agents for cisplatin-induced neuropathy. More investigations are needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and clinical applications.
A pilot study, randomized control trial on effect of oral calcium carbonate to fecal functional levofloxacin concentration in healthy volunteer taking oral levofloxacin
Authors:   , Janphet Ophat 
Published: September 2023

Objective: We conducted a pilot randomized control trial (RCT) to study whether oral calcium carbonate (CaCO3) can lower fecal levofloxacin (LVX) concentration and preserve gut microbiota diversity in healthy volunteers.
Methods: The healthy volunteers received a 5-day course of once-daily 500 mg LVX oral tablet and were randomly assigned to treatment (6-day course of 1,000 mg CaCO3 oral tablet twice daily) and control group (no CaCO3). The primary outcome was fecal LVX concentration by MIC and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) on day 2 and 5. The secondary outcomes were fecal microbiota diversity Shannon index (H) by 16s rDNA analysis, plasma LVX Cmax by HPLC, and drug adverse events (AEs) in 4 weeks period.
Results: Total 20 volunteers were enrolled and randomly assigned to treatment and control group. Mean fecal LVX concentration was higher in treatment than control group, 100.50 (SD=64.88) vs 53.21
(SD =39.57) µg/ml by MIC at day 5 (95% CI 4.912, 89.73; p = 0.0242). No difference in mean fecal LVX concentrations by HPLC, plasma LVX Cmax. Treatment group had significantly declined in H index (p = 0.0019). Only mild AEs included nausea and diarrhea.
Conclusion: CaCO3 is significantly related to higher fecal LVX level by MIC but does not significantly affect the LVX Cmax. However, rather than protecting gut microbiota from LVX, CaCO3 may lower gut microbiota diversity in the presence of LVX. Therefore, co-prescription of LVX and CaCO3 might be cautioned even without the concern about the absorption and further research is needed in the future.
Effects of intrauterine intermittent hypoxia on skeletal muscle in offspring rats
Authors:   , Wongkitikamjorn Wirongrong 
Published: September 2023

Gestational intermittent hypoxia (IH), a hallmark of OSA, alters the offspring's respiratory neural control and diaphragm contractile function. Thus, we aimed to investigate the effects of gestational IH on the muscle development and metabolism of geniohyoid (GH), which is innervated by the respiratory-related hypoglossal nerve and plays a role in tongue traction and suckling, in male offspring rats compared with masseter (MAS), the largest masticatory muscle. Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to IH (3-min periods of 4–21% O2) compared to Normoxia for 8 hours/day during gestational days 7–20. GH and MAS from 35-day-old male offspring (n = 6 /group) were analyzed. Data were statistically analyzed with Welch's t-test. Gestational IH reduced type IIA fiber size in GH, but not in MAS. Western blot analysis showed that gestational IH induced significant downregulation of PGC1ɑ protein in GH, but not in MAS. Moreover, optic atrophy 1 and mitofusin-2 proteins, Mitochondrial ATP synthase subunit alpha, and transcriptional factor A (TFAM) were decreased while mitochondrial fission 1 protein levels were increased in the GH of gestational IH-offspring. Our results suggest mitochondrial metabolism impairment and oxidative myofibers alteration of the GH from gestational IH-preadolescent offspring, owing to the susceptibility of GH mitochondria to gestational IH which might be influenced by hypoglossal nerve innervation.
Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor protein in mRNA-transfected human periodontal ligament cells
Authors:   , Naratippakorn Mana 
Published: September 2023

The complete regeneration of periodontal tissues following current periodontal therapy remain challenging and unpredictable. Nucleoside-modified messenger RNA (mRNA) technology can be a promising novel platform in regenerative medicine. The aims of this study were to evaluate whether pseudouridine modified mRNA encoding vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) could induce VEGF production in human periodontal ligament cells (PDLCs) and this translated protein function by promoting in vivo blood vessel formation using chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay. Isolated PDLCs from healthy periodontal tissue were transfected with modified mRNA encoding VEGF (VEGF mRNA) complexed with a transfecting agent, Lipofectamine 2000 (L2000) and L2000 alone (control). Supernatants collected at 24 hours (h) after transfection were evaluated for protein production by ELISA and cell viability by Alamar Blue assay. The supernatants of the VEGF mRNA-L2000, L2000 (L2000 control), and DPBS (negative control) were applied on filter papers, individually placed these grafts on to the CAM surface through the window on day 8 of embryonic development (E8) and incubated for another three days. Angiogenesis assessment, counting number of blood vessels convergence to the grafts, was carried out by photographed with stereomicroscopic on E8 and E11. The result showed that PDLCs, transfected with mRNA encoding VEGF, produced high level of VEGF protein than controls at 24 h (p < 0.001). The transfection of mRNA encoding VEGF showed negligible effect on PDLC viability. When supernatants were applied in CAM assay, translated protein VEGF protein was able to significantly induce blood vessel formation (p < 0.001). In conclusion, modified mRNA encoding VEGF promoted VEGF production and had angiogenic properties, increased blood vessel formation in the CAM. Thus, this mRNA platform technology may allow future application as a novel therapeutic platform for periodontal regeneration.
Production of bio-olefins from oleic acidvia oxidative dehydrogenation using vanadium oxides/sba-15 catalysts
Authors:   , Chaidherasuwet Nattaporn 
Published: September 2023

Long-chain olefins (≥C10) are important commodity chemicals, which are primarily used to manufacture everyday products such as plastic packaging, surfactants and detergents in cleaning products, and lubricant oil additives. However, the long-chain olefins are currently synthesized from the petroleum refining process via ethylene oligomerization or thermal cracking of long-chain paraffins. To support the Bio-Circular-Green Economy (BCG) model, the direct synthesis of olefins from renewable feedstocks has become an attractive route to promote overall sustainability. The objective of this research was to study the possibility to transform oleic acid (OA), one of the unsaturated fatty acids in palm oil, to produce the long-chain bio-olefins via oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) using an nVxOy/SBA-15 catalyst. The effects of various parameters such as vanadium content (0.5, 1.0, 3.0, and 5.0 wt%), reaction temperature (400-550 °C), processing time (2, 6, 8 h), and reusability of the catalyst on the OA conversion and the selectivity to olefins in the liquid and gaseous products was investigates. It was found that the ODH of OA using 1.0%VxOy/SBA-15 catalyst carried on at 450 oC for 2 h provided the best OA conversion (83.7%), whereas the 0.5%VxOy/SBA-15 catalyst obtained the high selectivity to long-chain olefins with carbon atoms in the range of C7-C17 (44.6%). However, the higher reaction temperature at 550 oC promoted the aromatization for producing 25.4% of aromatic compounds. Moreover, the long-time process (6-8 h) and catalyst regeneration above 1st cycle decreased the catalyst performance due to the catalyst’s structure collapse and increases in coke formation, respectively.
Closed-form formulas for conditional moments of generalized cox-ingersoll-ross processes
Authors:   , Sutthimat Phiraphat 
Published: September 2023

Cox-Ingersoll-Ross (CIR) process, introduced in 1985, is a one factor model used to describe the evolution of interest rate and pricing the financial derivatives. It was later extended to have time-dependent parameters called the extended CIR (ECIR) process, which is more widely studied and used in a variety of applications. The generalized versions of CIR process are also studied and investigated for more applications in finance. However, most of these applications rely on the knowledge and properties of conditional expectations and moments, which most of them are not yet fully developed into closed form. In this work, we propose closed-form formulas derived from applying the Feynman--Kac representation for the two generalized CIR processes: the nonlinear drift constant elasticity of variance and the Pearson diffusions which are developed from the ECIR process, as well as further study of their properties such as variance and conditional mixed moments. In addition, we also extending the result of ECIR process by applying it for valuation of interest rate swaps. The formulas derived in this work are numerically verified and validated based on the Monte-Carlo simulations.