Health Science, Science and Technology Reviews

Coumarins and other secondary metabolites isolated from Micromelum minutum and their biological activities

Thanatcha Samsee — 2024-08-29

Micromelum minutum (G. Forst.) Wight & Arn.) is a medicinal plant commonly found in Thailand. The roots, stems, barks, leaves and flowers have been used in folk medicine to treat various ailments. The study of the chemical constituents revealed that the interesting pharmacologically active coumarins were the secondary metabolites isolated from different parts of the M. minutum. In this review article provides a comprehensive overview of the coumarins and other secondary metabolites found in M. minutum, as well as their biological activities.

Effects of oxygen micro/nano bubble water on growth of baby cos lettuce Twitty variety in hydroponics

Jarrumon Tuikhom — 2024-08-29

The effect of oxygen micro/nanobubbles in water on plant growth of baby cos lettuce Twitty variety in hydroponic cultivation were investigated. The experiment design was a completely randomize design (CRD). There are 4 treatments and 4 replications: 1) tap water (control), 2) macrobubbles (MBs), 3) micro/nanobubbles (MNBs), and 4) nanobubbles (NBs). The experiment was conducted between August and September 2023 for 28 days. There was no statistical difference in stem height, stem diameter, leaf width, leaf chlorophyll fluorescence, leaf nitrate, root fresh weight, and root dry weight. Whereas, the use of macrobubble and micro/nanobubble water had higher leaf width and root length than tap water and nanobubbles use. Nanobubble water use had the highest leaf length, leaf fresh weight, leaf dry weight, and total fresh weight per plant. In addition, the use of macrobubble water, micro/nanobubble water, and nanobubble water had a higher number of leaves, stem fresh weight than tab water. While, the use of micro/nanobubble water and nanobubble water enhanced the leaf greenness index and total dry weight per plant, which was higher than tap water and macrobubbles use.

Antibacterial activity of Murdannia loriformis (Hassk.) on Staphylococcus aureus isolated from the surface of instruments used in kindergarten classrooms

Rattiporn Kosuwin — 2024-08-29

This study aimed to examine the antibacterial activity of Murdannia loriformis (Hassk.) leaf ethanol extract. In this study, 72 samples from the surface of instruments used in kindergarten classrooms, such as student desks, wooden toys, and plastic toys, were collected and isolated as types of bacteria, i.e., S. aureus, S. epidermidis, and E. coli. All samples were contaminated with S. aureus (70.8%) and S. epidermidis (62.5%). However, E. coli was not contaminated by the samples. The results of antibacterial activities from M. loriformis leaf ethanol extract at concentrations of 10, 20, and 30 mg/mL using the agar well diffusion method revealed that all concentrations of M. loriformis leaf ethanol extract could inhibit S. aureus with a mean diameter of inhibitory effects at 4.5, 15.17, and 17.50 mm, respectively. Moreover, the result showed that M. loriformis leaf ethanol extract against S. aureus had a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC). MIC values are 6.25 mg/mL, and MBC values are 100 mg/mL.

Keywords: Murdannia loriformis (Hassk.), Staphylococcus aureus, Antibacterial activity, Kindergarten classrooms

Effects of feeding patterns on growth rates and hematology in fattening swamp buffaloes

Nikom Kanyana — 2024-08-29

This study aimed to investigate the effects of the feeding pattern on growth efficiency and hematological properties of fattening buffaloes. A Completely randomized design was conducted over a period of 120 days at a farmer’s farm in Phayao province. The experimental groups were divided into four groups, each consisting of four individuals. Group 1: was fed with concentrated feed 100% + rice straw. Group 2 was fed with concentrated feed + rice straw 75% and 25% TMR (DM basis), Group 3 concentrated feed rice + straw with 50% and 50% TMR (DM basis), and Group 4 with 100% TMR (DM basis). The results of a 120-day study in terms of body weight gain (BWG) and average daily gain (AGD) revealed that the buffalo group with the highest BW and ADG was Group 1 (501.50±38.83 Kg. and 0.97±0.21 Kg., respectively). Following that was Group 2 BWG and ADG (485.50±25.09 Kg. and 0.90±0.17 Kg., respectively) then Group 4 BWG and ADG (471.75±15.52 Kg. and 0.74±0.14 Kg., respectively). Experimental Group 3 had the lowest BWG and ADG (468.00±23.62 Kg. and 0.70±0.20 Kg., respectively). There was no statistically significant change (P>0.05). Hemoglobin, Hematocrit, Red distribution width, and Mean Cell Hemoglobin Concentration values and Platelet have a normal function. There was no difference in the fattened buffalo's growth and hematology based on feeding pattern.

Usage of soil amendment to increase fragrance of Khao Dawk Mali 105 and reducing methane emissions in rice fields

Nittaya Thongpoon — 2024-08-29

This research aimed to study the influence of fertilizer management on rice in three different regimes: chemical fertilizer alone, chemical fertilizer combined with sulfur, and the use of soil amendments containing biochar components to mitigate methane emissions in rice fields and improve rice yield. The study was conducted in experimental plots located in Mueang Sri Kai Sub-district, Warinchamrab District, Ubon Ratchathani Province. The experimental design comprised four treatments: 1) C (Control), without soil amendments and any type of fertilizer, 2) F (Fertilizer), conventional method, using only chemical fertilizer, 3) FS (Fertilizer/Sulfur), using chemical fertilizer combined with sulfur, and 4) FBS (Fertilizer/Biochar/Sulfur), using soil amendments containing chemical fertilizer, biochar, and sulfur. Methane emissions were monitored throughout the growing season. Results showed that when comparing the F, FS, and FBS treatments with different fertilizer management practices, the FS and FBS treatments reduced methane emissions in rice fields compared to the F treatment by 19.06% and 5.68%, respectively. Additionally, the FS and FBS treatments resulted in the highest rice yields, with average grain yields of 91.13 and 91.00 grams per pot, respectively. Analysis of 2-Acetyl-1-pyrroline (2AP) content revealed significant differences (P<0.05) among the treatments, with the FBS treatment producing the highest 2AP content compared to the other treatments. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of soil amendments in reducing methane emissions in rice fields compared to using chemical fertilizer alone, while also increasing 2AP content in rice grains. These findings highlight the importance of soil amendments in enhancing agricultural value and addressing environmental challenges.

A comparative study of palliative care service outcomes for cancer and non-cancer patients at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital

Ampawan Jaipear — 2024-08-29

The objective of this study was to compare the outcomes of palliative care services for cancer and non-cancer patients. Methods : This research is a retrospective analytical study. Participants included individuals aged 20 years and above, with a Palliative Performance Scale; PPS - Adult Suandok score from 10% to 30%, with 62 individuals in each group. Data were collected from 1^stOctober 2021 to 31^stAugust 2022 by the palliative care case manager unit, Nursing department at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital. The collected data included outcomes such as general information, Edmonton Symptom Assessment System : ESAS, advance care planning, family meetings with healthcare providers, living will completion, and good death. The results found that after participated the program, both groups were decreased symptom scores lower than before with statistical significant. Regarding palliative care outcomes, a statistically significant difference (p<.05) was observed in living will completion between the two groups. However, no significant differences were found in advance care planning, family meetings with the palliative care team, or good death.
Conclusion : Palliative care adopts a holistic approach to alleviate all aspects of patient suffering. The research findings could inform the development of palliative care services in Thailand, emphasizing comprehensive access to palliative care for patients and families, irrespective of the underlying condition, to alleviate suffering effectively.

Perceptions of healthcare workers regarding the ethical climate in the workplace, Specifically in the Private Nursing Section, Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital

Busarapan Yotchai — 2024-08-29

Aim of this descriptive research study were: 1) to investigate the ethical climate in the workplace as perceived by healthcare workers and 2) to compare level of perceptions regarding the ethical climate in the workplace at each level of healthcare workers in the Specific Private Nursing Section, Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital from October 1, 2022 to September 30, 2023. The participants include 107 healthcare workers. The research instruments were a general information questionnaire and an ethical climate assessment questionnaire. Data were analyzed using frequency distribution, percentage, mean, and standard deviation. The levels of perception of the ethical climate in the workplace among nurses and non-nursing staff were compared using Chi-square test.

The research result found that the levels of perception of the ethical climate in the workplace among healthcare workers is positive. (x̅ = 3.63, S.D. = 0.74). The highest average score was related to fidelity (x̅ = 3.97, S.D. = 0.84), followed by beneficence (x̅ = 3.88, S.D. = 0.64). There was no significant difference in the perceptions of the ethical climate in the workplace between nurses and non-nursing staff (p< 0.05).

The ethical climate in the workplace indicates good relationships between personnel within an organization and with the customers. Therefore, an annual workplace assessment of the ethical environment is advisable. Findings of this study, organization leaders use to develop guidelines for enhancing the ethical environment in the workplace, ensuring high-quality service for customer and personnel have positive, productive relationships with each other.