cometadata/datacite-titles-descriptions-related-identifiers huggingface dataset:
DOI: 10.14457/cu.the.2011.1710
title: Hospital technical efficiency : comparison of financial and non-financial input variables

description: Data Envelopment Analysis is widely used in the field of hospital efficiency measurement. The result can be influenced by the choice of input variables. Two groups of input variables are applied in the analysis. Group 1 is consisted of financial variables: labor cost, non-labor cost and capital cost. Group 2 are non-financial variables including number of doctors, nurses, other personnel and beds. Input-orientated Data Envelopment Analysis is used to measurement the technical and scale efficiency of three level hospitals (regional, general and community hospital) in Thailand of 2010 with two different groups of input and the same output. The result reveals that for regional hospital, the choice of input variables has no influence on the measurement of efficiency. For general hospital, the choice of input has no influence on the measurement of technical efficiency, but has special impact on the measurement of scale efficiency. The scale efficiency scores come from two models with different inputs of hospitals are different from each other. This reveals that general hospitals have had enough money but not enough labor and bed. They need to increase their scale by hiring more employees and opening more beds. For community hospital, the result of DEA is not steady and the scores change when different input variables is chosen.
DOI: 10.14457/cu.the.2011.1711
title: Prevalence and factors associated with hepatitis B infection in Stieng tribe adults in Binhphuoc Province, Vietnam

description: This cross sectional study was conducted from February to March 2012, involved 357 participants in 3 hamlets in Binhphuoc province. The study had two main purposes: first to determine the sero-prevalence of hepatitis B among Stieng tribe adults; second to identify factor associate with hepatitis B infection among Stieng tribe adults in Binhphuoc province, Vietnam. Data were collected by using a structured questionnaire and blood test. Frequencies, percentage, means, and standard deviation were used to describe the data. Chi-square was used to assess associations between dependent and independent variable. The prevalence of hepatitis B infection (HBsAg positive) was 16.2%. The mean age was 32.42 and nearly half of the participant cannot read and write (45.7%), 66.4% were married. Their occupation were mostly farmer (93.3%), and 37.0% did not have enough money to meet the need. For knowledge on hepatitis B, more than half of the participant never heard about hepatitis B (52.4%), only 23% of them answer correct 1 to 6 questions of knowledge and 24.6% answer correct more than 6 questions. 35.3%, 30% of the participants shared toothbrush and razor with other. Significant association was found between gender and hepatitis B infection. There was not significant association between level of knowledge and hepatitis B infection. For the health behavior was found significant association between visiting community barber (0.01), personal nail-clipper (p= 0.011), multiple sexual partner (p= 0.002) with hepatitis B. Study finding indicate a need for more education on hepatitis B promotion, especially transmission.
DOI: 10.14457/cu.the.2011.1712
title: Factors affecting intention to take pap smear screening among married women in Mandalay, Myanmar

description: The cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted to identify the percentage of married women (age 25-65 years) in Mandalay, Myanmar who have intention to take Pap smear screening and factors affecting their intention to take Pap smear test. The study used Health Belief Model (HBM) and 230 respondents participated in this research. Data were collected by using constructed questionnaire and analyzed by frequency, percentage, Chi-square test and logistic regression. The results showed that 78.3% of respondents had intention to take Pap smear. Age was only significant associated socio demographic factor with intention to take Pap smear screening (p≤0.001). HBM could predicted the intention to take Pap smear screening because so many facilitating factors associated with intention to take Pap smear screening such as knowledge factor (p=0.006), overall perception (p=0.004), perceived severity (p=0.027), perceived benefit (p=0.019), perceived barriers(p&lt;0.001),and cues to action which included ever have discussion with husband or family members (p&lt;0.001) and ever heard about disease and screening information from TV/radio (p=0.031).After controlling other factors, age was strongly positive association with intention to take Pap smear (OR:10.452, 95%CI: 3.08-35.44). Overall findings concluded that the percentage for intention rate was so high but majority of respondents didn’t answer the exact time. Most of the socio-demographic factors were not influenced their intention and husband and family encouragement was an important factor for women’s intend to take Pap test.
DOI: 10.14457/cu.the.2011.1713
title: Effect of CYP3A5 polymorphisms on pharmacokinetic interaction between cyclosporine and diltiazem in Thai renal allograft recipients

description: Cyclosporine (CsA) is frequently coadministration with Diltiazem (DTZ) because the latter has possible beneficial effect on the economic impact associated with reduction of the daily dose of CsA. The interaction between CsA and DTZ results in increased CsA blood concentration due to the CYP3A5 inhibitory effect of DTZ. Studies about the effect of CYP3A5 polymorphism on CsA pharmacokinetics when comedication with DTZ have not been clearly defined. In Thailand there has never been study about the effect of CYP3A5 polymorphism on CsA blood level at 2 hour post dose (C₂) either in patient using CsA alone or concurrently use with DTZ. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of DTZ on CsA level-to-dose ratio (dose-adjusted C₂) in patients with different CYP3A5 genotype. The outcome was to determine the difference in CsA C₂ before and after coadministration with DTZ 30mg/day for 1 month (without any change in CsA dosage regimen). The results indicated that dose-adjusted C₂ showed the trend increased in CYP3A5*1/*1 patients (N=5) even though this increment was not reaching the statistically significant level which might due to the small sample size (188.10±87.93 vs 217.88±58.67 ng/ml per mg/kg/day, p= 0.107). In contrast, dose-adjusted C₂ in CYP3A5*1/*3 and CYP3A5*3/*3 patients were less affected, dose-adjusted C₂ before and after DTZ used were 349.63±158.36 vs 304.12±105.89 ng/ml per mg/kg/day respectively, p=0.367 in CYP3A5*1/*3 patients (N=13) while in CYP3A5*3/*3 patients (N=20) dose-adjusted C₂ before and after DTZ used were 298.91±131.37 vs 316.61±120.73 ng/ml per mg/kg/day, p=0.535. In conclusion, the effect of DTZ as CsA-sparing agent show more prominent effect in patients carrying CYP3A5*1/*1 as compared to the others; the dose-adjusted C₂ were higher when the drug was concurrently used even with low dose of DTZ (30mg/day). CsA level must be closely monitored and CsA daily dose should be adjusted accordingly to prevent toxicity of CsA overdose, especially when DTZ is coadministered in a higher dosage.
DOI: 10.14457/cu.the.2011.1714
title: Characteristics of multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli isolated from fattening pigs

description: Three hundred and forty-four Escherichia coli isolates from clinically healthy fattening pigs were evaluated for susceptibilities to 8 antimicrobials, class1 integrons, antimicrobial resistance genes, mutation in Quinolone Resistance-Determining Regions (QRDRs), virulence genes and phylogenetic groups. E. coli isolates were resistant to tetracycline (96.2%) and followed by ampicillin (91.6%). Seventy-three percent contained intI1 gene, of which 22.3% carried inserted gene cassettes, i.e., incomple sat, aadA22, aadA1, dfrA12-aadA2, and sat-psp-aadA2. Two most commonly observed gene cassettes were aadA2 (42.9%) and aadA1 (26.8%). Horizontal transfer of class 1 integrons was detected in 8 E. coli isolates with class1 integrons carrying dfrA12-aadA2 gene cassettes. Sixteen resistance genes were detected in E. coli isolates and their presence was correlated to resistant phenotype. The amino acid substitutions Ser-83-Leu, Asp-87-Asn and Gln-94-Pro were observed in GyrA and Ser-58-Ile in ParC. Ten virulence genes including elt, estA, estB, astA, faeG, fasA, fedA, eseA, paa and sepA were detected, of which fasA (98.3%) was most commonly observed. Eighty-two percent of the E. coli isolates were assigned to group B1 followed by group A (8%), B2 (7%) and D (3%). Statistically-significant associations were found among the specific virulence genes, the specific resistance phenotypes and genotypes (P&lt;0.05). The results supported the significant role of commensal E. coli as reservoirs for antimicrobial resistance determinants and virulence factors.
DOI: 10.14457/cu.the.2011.1715
title: Effects of a video game on cognitive function in older adults with mild cognitive impairment at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital

description: The purpose of this quasi-experimental research was to study the effects of a cognitive-specific video game in older adults with MCI. Twenty volunteers aged 54-74 years fulfilling diagnosis criteria for MCI were enrolled. The screening instruments include Thai Mental State Examination (TMSE) and Thai version of Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA-Thai). The samples were divided into 2 groups, the Video game Group and Control Group. The Video game Group received 12 session of speed-attention type video game training. Cognitive functions in areas of attention, visual memory, processing speed and executive functions were assessed using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Battery (CANTAB) at baseline and after 6 weeks or 12 sessions of training. The results showed that at 6 weeks, the Video game Group had significant improvement in executive function in an area of working memory compared to Control Group (p &lt; 0.05). The significant within group effects of pre- and post training for the Video game group showed improvement in processing speed and executive function test outcomes of problem solving and visual learning tasks (CANTAB OTS and PAL). The result indicated that there is a possibility which the elderly with MCI could improve executive functions from cognitive training. Although the present study is a pilot study with small samples, nevertheless, the results are promising for the further investigation and development of cognitive-specific video games in larger, more diverse samples.
DOI: 10.14457/cu.the.2011.1716
title: Thai attitude towards Vietnam as shown in contemporary travel writing

description: Historically the relationships between Thailand and Vietnam have often been difficult. The Vietnam War was only one among several periods of time in which those relations were extremely bad. In 1986, however, with the implementation of “Đoi Moi”, the renovation policy of the Vietnamese government, official relations improved and laid one of the foundations, which years later made it possible for many Thai tourists to visit Vietnam. Thai travel writing on Vietnam has consequently developped and now there is a large amount of such publications available. This thesis analyses a representative number of them in order to find out about the Thai attitude towards Vietnam. This thesis has two objectives, namely firstly to analyze Thai travel writings on Vietnam and to investigate Thai people's attitude towards Vietnam and the Vietnamese and secondly to examine to what extent tourism can contribute to the improvement of Thai-Vietnamese relations and the view of Thai people towards Vietnam. It appears that most writers' attitudes towards Vietnam or towards the Vietnamese people do not change much during their journeys. Depictions of negative experiences with the Vietnamese even indicate that some authors' attitudes worsen. Coining for the Thai attitude towards Vietnam is an awareness of Vietnam's long history, the Vietnam War and the difficulties in the relationships between Thailand and Vietnam. Regarding the Vietnamese people, some writers distance themselves from negative attitudes against the Vietnamese, which they have come across in Thailand. Despite the fact that some experiences have a negative impact on the attitude towards the Vietnamese, also positive remarks on them are made, most prominently by saying that they work very hard. In general, however, given the lack of in-depth contacts between the Vietnamese and many writers, it can be said that many authors do not have much interest in getting to know the Vietnamese. This thesis therefore argues that though tourism now provides an unprecedented chance to improve the Thai attitude towards Vietnam, there are also certain problems and risks in Thai tourism to Vietnam and consequently suggests that tourism on its own is very unlikely to improve those attitudes significantly.
DOI: 10.14457/cu.the.2011.1717
title: Limonoids from the seeds of Xylocarpus granatum and Xylocarpus moluccensis, Suratthani province

description: The present study is to isolate and characterize the bioactive limonoids from the seeds of Xylocarpus granatum Koeing. and Xylocarpus moluccensis Roem. collected in Suratthani province. Chromatographic fractionation of EtOAc crude extract of X. granatum led to the isolation of ten known compounds, namely xyloccensin K (1), 6-acetoxycedrodorin (2), andirobin (3), methylangolensate (4), methyl-6-β-hydroxy angolensate (5), gedunin (6), 7-deacetylgedunin (7), kihadalactone A (8), toonaciliatavarin E (9) and protoxylocarpin G (10). Likewise, the isolation of EtOAc crude extract of X. moluccensis provided a new mexicanolide, named as thaimoluccensin D (14), and additional three known compounds including protoxylocarpin H (11), moluccensin I (12), 2-hydrofissinolide (13) and hispidone (15), other than compounds 3, 4, 6 and 7 also found in X. granatum. The structures of isolated compounds were established mainly by analysis of spectroscopic data and by comparison with data in the literature for known compounds. Furthermore, the complete assignments of NMR and the crystal structure of andirobin (3) obtained from both species were herein reported for the first time. Isolated compounds were further tested for their anti-inflammatory effects by monitoring the inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) production in activated macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. Only a gedunin type limonoid, 7-deacetylgedunin (7), showed the most potent activity with an IC₅₀ value of 4.75 µM.
DOI: 10.14457/cu.the.2011.1718
title: Expression, purification and characterization of neuraminidase from avian flu virus (H5N1) in Pichia pastoris

description: The avian influenza A (H5N1) virus is highly contagious in both wild bird populations and domestic poultry flocks in various continents posing a serious threat to human health. Previous studies revealed that the major surface glycoprotein of the virion namely, neuraminidase (NA) plays an important role in viral replication and infection. The NA is a mushroom-shaped spike protein composed of a single polypeptide chain with three distinct domains: head domain containing the enzyme active site, a highly variable stalk region, and N- terminal signal anchor domain by which the enzyme is embedded in the viral envelope. The function is to hydrolyze the terminal sialic acids of sialoglycans and promotes the release of progeny virus from an infected host cell by destroying receptors on the host cell and the virus itself. The inhibition of NA activity will limit the spread of viral infection thereby suppressing the onset of disease. In this research, the full length and globular head domain of NA were expressed in Pichia pastoris. The induction for the expression was optimal at 30℃ for 5 days in the presence of 4% methanol. From SDS-PAGE and western blot analysis, the sizes of both expressed proteins were approximately 47 kDa. Purification process was carried out for both recombinants. However, only the head domain could be partially purified at 1.28 folds. The kinetic studies revealed the values of K[subscript m] and V[subscript max] at 20.64 ± 2.13 µM and 81.85 ± 2.37 µmol/min/mg protein, respectively. The recombinant activities were competitively inhibited by the antiviral drug, oseltamivir with K[subscript i] and IC₅₀ at 84.15 nM and 30.03 nM respectively. Finally, the effect from the extracts of 10 types of Thai medicinal plants was investigated in comparison. It was found that Vernonia cinerea exhibited nearly complete inhibition at 99.86 ± 0.01% similar to oseltamivir. On the contrary, the lowest inhibition at 25.62 ± 2.21% was obtained from Rhizophora mucronata. The results obtained appear advantageous towards the search for the new antiviral drug for the avian influenza virus H5N1 in the future.
DOI: 10.14457/cu.the.2011.1719
title: Development of the novel scaffolds from gelatin, chitooligosaccharide, and demeneralized bone matrix for bone tissue engineering application

description: This research aimed to study the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) isolated from human periosteal primary cells. The study found that periosteum-derived cells expressed MSC surface markers but did not express hematopoietic cell surface markers. They could be induced to osteoblasts, chondroblasts, and adipoblasts as indicating by the expression of bone, cartilage, and fat cell indicator genes and specific histological staining. After that, the influences of particle size of demineralized bone (D) that was use to blend with collagen in order to fabricate three dimensional scaffolds were studied. The physical properties and biological properties of the scaffolds were evaluated. The results demonstrated that MSCs could attach and proliferate on collagen/ demineralized bone powder scaffold better than on pure collagen scaffold. Furthermore, collagen scaffolds blended with D at the particle size of 250-500 mm had excellent osteoblastic differentiation when compared to the ones with smaller D. The D having the size of 250-500 mm was further blended with gelatin and chitooligosaccharide (GCD) to form novel scaffold compared to gelatin/chitooligosaccharide (GC) scaffold, and pure gelatin (G) scaffold. It was found that biomaterial type did not affect their physical properties. Also, GCD scaffold could best promote osteoblastic differentiation. Finally, for in vivo study, all scaffolds were implanted in subcutaneous of male Wistar rats. After 2-weeks implantation, new collagen and new osteoid formation was found. After 8-weeks implantation, more bone formation was noticed. Comparing the potential of biocompatibility and osteoinductivity, GCD scaffold exhibited remarkably higher osteogenic differentiation potential than the other two scaffolds.
DOI: 10.14457/cu.the.2011.1720
title: Effect of moringa oleifera leaves on glucose tolerance in impaired fasting plasma glucose and type 2 diabetic patients

description: This study examined the hypoglycemic effect of Moringa olieifera leaves in the subjects with impaired fasting glucose or mild type 2 diabetes using an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Seventeen participants (six males and eleven females) participated in the study. The mean age of participants was 54.12 ± 5.85 years. The mean levels of fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) of the participants were 118.18 ± 12.97 mg/dL nd 6.10 ± 0.53% respectively. The participants twice took an OGTT, at baseline (1st visit) and after taking four capsules of M. oleifera leaves 450 mg (2nd visit). Blood samples were drawn to measure plasma glucose levels at 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180 minutes after taking 75 g of glucose. The results showed that plasma glucose levels at 90, 120, and 180 minutes after the oral administration of M. olieifera were significantly lower than those at baseline (p = 0.026, p = 0.047, and p = 0.028 respectively). However, M. oleifera also decreased peak plasma glucose levels at 60 minutes but not significantly (p = 0.142). In conclusion, the results indicated that M. oleifera influences levels of blood sugar; consequently it may be beneficial for diabetic patients as an alternative in the control of blood glucose levels.
DOI: 10.14457/cu.the.2011.1721
title: Arsenic removal from contaminated water over iron oxide impregnated on activated alumina

description: Activated alumina (AA) and Iron oxide impregnated on activated alumina (FeAA) by wet impregnation method were investigated in arsenate (As (V)) removal from synthetic water. Box-Behnken Design was utilized to reveal the optimization of FeAA performance to adsorb the toxic pollutant. The result from the pre-test indicated that FeAA provided better percent removal than AA for both arsenite (As (III)) and arsenate (As (V)). Therefore, merely FeAA was further experimented under various conditions obtained from Box-Benhken design. There were 30 analytical sets of FeAA in total conducted in batch tests based on three independent variable that are pH (3, 6 and 9), % Fe loading per alumina (2, 4 and 6%), and initial As (V) concentration (100, 300 and 500 µg/L). The dependent variable was percentage of As (V) removal. The calculation result from Box-Benhken design at 15th minute revealed that the optimal condition was pH of 3, %Fe loading per alumina weight of 2.57 and As (V) initial concentration of 100 µg/L provided the highest percentage removal of 77.64. At neutral pH which is the pH of groundwater, %Fe loading per alumina weight of 4.53 and As (V) initial concentration of 100 µg/L provided the optimal condition with a percentage removal of 62.50, at 15th minute.