Science, Engineering and Health Studies

Stability study of blue phycocyanin from spirulina and compatibility evaluation in eye remover solution using Plackett-Burman design

Srisagul Sungthongjeen — 2023-06-23

Phycocyanin is a blue pigment in spirulina that has been used as a colorant in the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries. However, it has a stability problem that is affected by numerous factors, such as light, temperature, and pH. The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of temperature (40°C, 50°C, 60°C, 70°C, and 80°C) and pH (5.0, 6.0, 7.0, and 9.0) on phycocyanin stability. The results showed that the degradation of phycocyanin followed a first-order reaction. The maximum stability of phycocyanin was at pH 6.0 (the lowest degradation rate constant, 0.0480 h^-1). An increase in temperature significantly increased the degradation rate (p < 0.05) and correlated well with an Arrhenius plot of the degradation rate (ln k) against the reciprocal of kelvin (1/T), which showed a linear regression line with an R² value of 0.9656. The compatibility study of phycocyanin with various excipients in eye remover solution, as an example of cosmetic formulation, followed the Plackett-Burman design. The results showed that 47.0% w/w glycerin had a significant destabilizing effect on phycocyanin stability. These results indicate that a pH of 6.0 and lower temperatures increase the stability of phycocyanin.

Bioassay-guided isolation of potential intestinal absorption enhancers from Citrus reticulata Blanco

Nusara Piyapolrungroj — 2023-08-03

Overcoming intestinal P-glycoprotein (P-gp) function is one strategy to enhance the oral bioavailability of P-gp substrate drugs. This study aimed to use bioassay‑guided fractionation to isolate natural bio-enhancers from tangerine (Citrus reticulata Blanco). Isolation of bioactive compounds in cells based on P-gp inhibition activity was conducted. Rhodamine 123 uptake in Caco-2, and calcein acetoxymethyl ester uptake in LLC-PK₁ versus human P-gp overexpressed LLC-GA5-Col300, were employed to identify P-gp inhibitors. The investigation revealed four active polymethoxyflavones: 5-hydroxy-6,7,8,3¢,4¢-pentamethoxyflavone; 6,7,8,4¢-tetramethoxyflavone; 5,6,7,8,4¢-pentamethoxyflavone (tangeretin); and 5,6,7,8,3¢,4¢-hexamethoxyflavone (nobiletin). Nobiletin was found to be the most significant human P-gp inhibitor in tangerine juice. This study also demonstrated the roles of 6,7,8,4¢-tetramethoxyflavone and 5-hydroxy-6,7,8,3¢,4¢-pentamethoxyflavone as P-gp inhibitors, which had not been previously explored. In summary, all isolated polymethoxyflavones demonstrated their potential roles as absorption bio-enhancers. However, their effectiveness should be substantiated by conducting more mechanistic and clinical studies.

Development of isolated panduratin A-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles as a transdermal delivery system for cosmeceutical products

Worranan Rangsimawong — 2023-09-21

Panduratin A (PA), isolated from Boesenbergia rotunda (L.) Mansf., is a cyclohexenyl chalcone derivative with low water solubility, from which a suitable transdermal delivery system could be developed to improve skin penetration. Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) are carriers for lipophilic drugs to penetrate the skin layers. Therefore, the objective of this study was to develop SLN containing PA as a transdermal delivery system. Cytotoxicity studies in skin cells, (normal human fibroblasts (NHFs) and human immortalized keratinocytes (HaCaTs),) were evaluated. The PA-loaded SLN formulations were formulated and characterized. From the results revealed that PA was not toxic to NHF and HaCaT cells at 1 µg/mL concentrations, indicating no cytotoxicity of skin cells. SLN formulation 0.1%w/v of PA-loaded SLN (SLN4) exhibited favorable properties such as the nanometer size, negative zeta potential, and the highest entrapment efficiency at 99.81%. The release and skin permeation study showed that PA from SLN4 was released from and permeated through skin better than oil (control) at all sampling times. In conclusion, PA has no skin cell cytotoxicity and is suitable to be used as a cosmeceutical ingredient. SLN4 plays a ideal role as a transdermal delivery system of PA, resulting from its suitable physicochemical properties and ability to permeate the skin.

Synthesis of chitosan-graft-methacrylate with enhanced antimicrobial activity for improved mucoadhesive properties and controlled drug delivery systems

Peerapat Chidchai — 2023-09-26

Chitosan (CS) is a derivative of chitin that displays antimicrobial effects and has other attributes that make it of interest for use in a variety of applications, including drug delivery systems. This study aimed to synthesize chitosan-graft-methacrylate (CS-g-MA) to improve the antimicrobial activities of CS for use in controlled drug delivery systems. CS-g-MA was synthesized via a nucleophilic acyl substitution reaction by gradually adding methacrylic anhydride (MA) to a CS solution until the ratio of CS to MA achieved the maximum degree of substitution. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and attenuated total reflection-Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy were used to characterize the resulting polymer. Its mucoadhesive capabilities and cytotoxicity toward human fibroblasts were evaluated, as well as its antimicrobial activities against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans using the minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration tests. The optimized CS-g-MA polymer had an optimal weight CS:MA ratio of 3:4 and was combined with sodium fluorescein in tablet form to evaluate drug release. CS-g-MA improved the mucoadhesive capabilities of CS by increasing the number of intermolecular interactions with the grafted moiety. CS-g-MA was non-toxic to normal human fibroblasts and exhibited superior efficacy against S. aureus, E. coli, and C. albicans compared to CS. Furthermore, the CS-g-MA tablet regulated drug release for an extended period of more than 72 h. Thus, CS-g-MA shows significant potential for further development in advanced drug delivery systems.

Simultaneous high-performance liquid chromatography determination of three active compounds in snake fruit peel extracts

Boonyadist Vongsak — 2023-09-26

A high-performance liquid chromatography method was developed to simultaneously quantitatively study neochlorogenic acid (Neo), chlorogenic acid (CGA), and procyanidin B4 (B4), which are the bioactive components of snake fruit (Salacca zalacca [Gaertn.] Voss). Snake fruit is an edible plant in the Arecaceae family with oval fruits resembling snake scales. They are frequently grown in Southeast Asia. To achieve separation, the gradient elution mobile phases used acetonitrile and 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid in water on a reversed-phase (C18) analytical column. The detecting wavelength was changed to 279 nm. Accuracy, precision, linearity, and limits of quantification and detection (LOQs and LODs) were all tested following the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) requirements. Neo, CGA, and B4 were eluted in the proper order under ideal circumstances, and were subjected to chromatogram analysis for 20 min. All bioactive components had linear calibration curves with 0.59–300 µg/mL concentrations. LODs were 0.02–0.13 µg/mL, while LOQs were 0.10–0.44 µg/mL. These three examined chemicals had 83.06%–106.38% recoveries. The precision was <2%, which was within acceptable range. Furthermore, the validated method was performed simply, quickly, and effectively to monitor mixtures of these compounds from 30 extraction processes.

Factors influencing the level of health risks from pesticide exposure among vegetable farmers

Laksanee Boonkhao — 2023-10-18

Thai farmers have been known to extensively use cholinesterase inhibitors, such as organophosphate and carbamate insecticides. This cross-sectional descriptive study examined the factors influencing the level of health risks from pesticide exposure among vegetable farmers. The data were gathered from 195 farmers using the Farmer’s Work Risk Assessment from the Pesticide Exposure form. The study found that over half of the farmers were in the lowest health risk category (65.64%). Some of the risk factors identified were low education level (OR = 0.42, 95% CI = 0.19–0.93, p-value = 0.033), consumption of vegetables possibly containing pesticide residue (OR = 2.88, 95% CI = 1.43–5.79, p-value = 0.003), 8–14 days monthly average use of pesticide (OR = 0.21, 95% CI = 0.07–0.69, p-value = 0.010), and the application of pesticides in agriculture for insect control (OR = 0.30, 95% CI = 0.10–0.87, p-value = 0.027). Therefore, to reduce the health risks associated with pesticide exposure, farmers must be educated and trained to safely use pesticides to continue promoting naturally occurring and ecologically friendly pesticides.

Factors influencing health-related quality of life among post-sepsis patients at a university hospital in Bangkok Metropolitan Region

Napat Rattanahongsa — 2023-11-16

This study aimed to determine the predictive power of neutrophil-lymphocyte ratios (NLRs), comorbidities, fatigue, and social support over health-related quality of life among post-sepsis patients. The sample consisted of 157 purposively selected post-sepsis patients aged ≥18 years who had been treated at the internal medicine ward, Siriraj Hospital. The forms included personal information and illness history, NLRs, Charlson comorbidity index, piper fatigue scale, The multidimensional scale of perceived social support, and the Euro QOL EQ-5D-5L. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis. According to the analysis, the sample had a poor level of health-related quality of life scores (= 0.298, SD = 0.424). Multiple regression analysis showed that all independent variables were able to copredict health-related quality of life among post-sepsis patients at 69.3% (R² = .693, F = 85.953, p< .01). NLRs, fatigue, and social support contributed to health-related quality of life among post-sepsis patients with statistical significance (β = −.131, p< .01, β = −.276, p< .05, β = −.580, p< .01, β = .099, p< .05, respectively).

Formulation and characterization of piroxicam/cyclodextrin taste masked oral lyophilisates

Phennapha Saokham — 2023-11-20

Oral lyophilisates are one of the orodispersible tablets produced by lyophilization technique. Due to their porous structure, they instantly disintegrate when contacting saliva. Generally, they are suitable for drugs with a short onset of action, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Therefore, formulations of piroxicam lyophilisates and their properties were investigated. Because piroxicam is classified as a low solubility but high permeability drug, a solubility enhancing agent should be included in the formulation. The influence of β-cyclodextrin (βCD) and hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPβCD) on disintegration time and morphology of piroxicam lyophilisates was studied. Furthermore, the satisfactory taste-masking efficiency of HPβCD in piroxicam lyophilisates was studied by sensory test. The effect of matrix polymer mixtures on disintegration time was previously evaluated. The appropriate ratio of polymer mixture, i.e., gelatin and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), provided lyophilisates with the fastest disintegration time (<30 s) was designated for further studies. The presence of both CDs decreased disintegration time and modified the surface and matrix of lyophilisates. With the theoretical study based on molecular mechanics methods and the investigation through the chemical shift of protons using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), piroxicam formed inclusion complexes with both βCD and HPβCD. Dissolution profiles of piroxicam/HPβCD lyophilisates revealed improved piroxicam solubility by inclusion complex formation. Finally, the piroxicam/HPβCD lyophilisates demonstrate the bitterness suppression in healthy volunteers.

Streptokinase and premedication strategies: Incidence of type I hypersensitivity reactions associated with streptokinase in clinical practice

Narisa Ruenroengbun — 2023-12-15

Type I hypersensitivity reactions are observed following the administration of streptokinase, resulting in poor outcomes and increased mortality. Premedication serves as a strategy to prevent these reactions in clinical practice. This study aimed to determine the incidence of type I hypersensitivity reactions associated with patients who received streptokinase and premedication. This retrospective descriptive study collected data from the electronic medical records of Nakhon Pathom Hospital covering the period from January 1, 2019 to July 31, 2021. Seventy-four participants were identified. The incidence of type I hypersensitivity reactions was 459 cases/1,000 patients. The most common type I hypersensitivity reaction was hypotension, followed by anaphylactic shock and respiratory complications. All patients with hypotension fully recovered with appropriate management; however, all patients experiencing anaphylactic shock did not survive. An inferior wall infarction was significantly associated with these reactions. In conclusion, type I hypersensitivity reactions occurred despite the administration of premedication in patients who received streptokinase. Healthcare professionals should closely monitor and carefully manage these cases for desirable clinical outcomes.

Mother pregnancy age association with the incidence of low birth weight infants

Rita Kartika Sari — 2023-12-20

This analytical observational study aimed to determine the association between maternal age at childbirth and the incidence of low birth weight at Sultan Agung Islamic Hospital, Semarang, Indonesia. The study period was from January to December 2019. The research design used cross-sectional with total sampling on medical records. These data included those of 46 non-low birth weight (LBW) and 32 LBW infants and were analyzed using SPSS version 17. During the study period, six incidents of LBW babies were recorded compared to six incidents of non-LBW babies from mothers aged <20 and >35 years, while the incidence of LBW babies to parents aged 20–35 years was 26 births compared to 40 births for non-LBW babies. There was a very high incidence (41%) of LBW in this period compared with the global average, although Pearson’s correlation coefficient exhibited no association between maternal age at childbirth and the prevalence of LBW (P-value = 0.498; odds ratio = 1.538; 95% confidence interval = 0.448–5.288).

Pharmacy practices and services in Myanmar: How stakeholders perceived and expect them?

Saw Thi Dar — 2023-12-21

Guidelines for Good Pharmacy Practice (GPP) were established by the Republic of the Union of Myanmar in 2017, aiming to implement them in neighborhood retail pharmacies by 2020. GPP encompasses a diverse range of stakeholders, and establishing mutual understanding among them is pivotal for the program's success. The purpose of this study was to explore stakeholders’ perspectives on pharmacy functions and their valuation of GPP. Employing a qualitative approach, this study assessed stakeholders’ opinions and expectations to depict current pharmacy services and practices. From July to September 2018, the study was carried out in three selected regions in Upper Myanmar. Sixty-two informants from verious stakeholder groups participated in one-on-one interviews, and content analysis was used to examine their responses. The findings revealed four key characteristics shaping the pharmacy landscape: (a) shared socially significant values between pharmacies and the general public, (b) diverse opinions amoung stakeholders regarding the effectiveness of pharmacy practices and services, (c) personal experiences of stakeholders with drug-related issues, and (d) a preference among stakeholders for a reductionist approach rather than a holistic one for improving pharmacy services. Overall, the study emphasized the varying and sometimes conflicting opinions among stakeholders, posing challenges to the rapid and successful adoption of GPP. Therefore, the establishment of a comprehensive understanding of the GPP is deemed crucial, specifically for the involved stakeholders.

Phytochemical content, thin layer chromatographic profile, and pharmacologic activities of the Philippine native Melastoma malabathricum Linn. from Benguet

Regina Lourdes Hipol — 2023-12-31

Melastoma malabathricum Linn. is a traditional medicinal plant used to treat wounds, infections, and diabetes. We investigated the phytochemical content, thin–layer chromatography (TLC) profile, and pharmacological properties of M. malabathricum. An ethanolic extract of M. malabathricum was prepared and subjected to phytochemical screening and analysis of the total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC). TLC was performed to characterize the constituents. Antioxidant activity was measured using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. Antibacterial activities against antibiotic-resistant bacterial pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter cloacae, Enterococcus faecium, and Klebsiella pneumoniae) were determined using a resazurin-based assay. Hypoglycemic activity was determined using the alpha-glucosidase inhibition assay. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of tannins, polyphenols, flavonoids, triterpenoids, and saponins. TPC was 298.68±7.79 mg GAE/g, and TFC was 37.34±1.87 mg QE/g. The ethanolic extract inhibited DPPH free radical formation by 82.59% (IC50, 57.98±2.80 μg/mL) and was active against the gram-positive pathogens E. faecium and MRSA (MICs, 4 mg/mL and 8 mg/mL, respectively). In addition, the extract inhibited alpha-glucosidase activity more potently (99.35%) than the positive control, acarbose (93.57% inhibition). Overall, this study demonstrates M. malabathricum contains bioactive compounds with antioxidant, antibacterial, and potent hypoglycemic activities. These pharmacologic activities support the traditional use of this plant in the management of infections and diabetes.

Mediating role of job satisfaction in the impact of work-life balance on turnover intentions of hospital nurses: A case study of government hospital in Free town, Sierra Leone

Grace Maddie Kamara — 2023-12-28

Hospitals are facing intense competition as a result of worldwide privatization in the healthcare sector. They face a multitude of obstacles posed by the corporate environment. Work-life balance is known to increase employees’ focus at work. However, when there is an imbalance, employees feel pressured, which may influence absenteeism. There has been little research on the mediating effect of job satisfaction on the relationship between work-life balance and turnover intentions among nurses in Sierra Leone. The study aimed to evaluate its role on turnover intention among nurses in Connaught Hospital, Sierra Leone and the mediating role of job satisfaction in the relationship. A quantitative approach was employed in the research. Data was collected online via Google Forms and a total of 230 responses were used for analysis. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 20. Regression analysis was conducted to test the hypothesis. The findings revealed a partial mediation between the constructs. Hospital administrators and policy-makers should focus on strategies to improve job satisfaction among nurses, beyond solely addressing work-life balance concerns. Fair salary, recognition, career development opportunities, and a supportive work culture should all be prioritized to increase nurse satisfaction and minimize turnover intentions.

Design and manufacture of gelatin-alginate scaffolds for tissue engineering based on three-dimensional extrusion bioprinting

Dung Quoc Nguyen — 2023-12-28

Scaffolds play an important role in tissue engineering because they can provide the framework for cell proliferation, tissue creation, and organ regeneration. In this study, we used extrusional three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting technology to generate three scaffolds from gelatin, alginate, and CaCl₂, where F6 was a scaffold made from 10% gelatin, 10% alginate, and 60 mM CaCl₂; F7 was a scaffold made from 10% gelatin, 10% alginate, and 70 mM CaCl₂; and F8 was a scaffold made from 10% gelatin, 10% alginate, and 80 mM CaCl₂. They were crosslinked with CaCl₂ at 100 mM, aiming to enhance their stiffness. The 3D-printed scaffolds were evaluated for four properties: mechanical testing, FTIR analysis, in vitro cytotoxicity, and cell viability. The results showed that the stiffness of the F8 scaffold was the greatest compared with the other two scaffolds. In general, the crosslinked scaffolds were better than the uncrosslinked scaffolds. For in vitro cytotoxicity test, all the scaffolds showed non-cytotoxic. Moreover, cell viability within the scaffolds printed from cell-laden bio-inks was observed 24 hours after printing and returning to culture conditions. Designing and generating 3D-printed scaffolds is fundamental to future research applications in tissue engineering.

Evaluation of waiting time and associated factors influencing patient satisfaction levels in an outpatient department: A case study of government hospital in Sierra Leone

Abdulai Alpha Jalloh — 2023-12-28

The issue of waiting time has received little attention in the delivery of healthcare services in Sierra Leone. The time spent waiting in the hospital has been considered a major indicator in measuring healthcare quality and patient satisfaction with services. However, long waiting time have constituted a substantial impediment to maximizing healthcare quality. This quantitative study employed data collected from 347 patients in an outpatient department using an online survey. The data collected was analyzed using SPSS version 20. Correlation and regression analyzes were conducted to test the relationship and impact among the variables. The findings revealed an overall dissatisfaction with the waiting time to see a doctor, the behavior and professional competency of medical staff, and the service delivery. Furthermore, significant values were obtained for the correlation and effect between the constructs (p<0.05). Therefore, it is recommended that training on effective communication skills should be provided to address perceptions of ill behaviors from hospital staff and aid better working relationships among caregivers, patients and families. The government and hospital administrators should also introduce an online appointment booking system to minimize waiting time.

Comparison of fish skins as alternative biological skin models for skin permeability study

Kritsanaporn Tansathien — 2023-12-29

Animal skins are generally used instead of human skin to evaluate drug percutaneous permeation due to ethical and practical reasons. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of using fish skins, including trout (Salmo trutta), Norwegian salmon (Salmo salar), BIO salmon (Salmo salar), and bighead catfish (Clarias macrocephalus) as alternatives. Caffeine was selected as a model drug. The Franz-diffusion apparatus was used for in vitro skin permeation test, evaluating parameters such as cumulative permeation profile, permeation flux, permeation coefficient, and lag-time. Skin composition was determined using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The results revealed that bighead catfish skin exhibited the highest cumulative caffeine permeation, while Norwegian salmon skin closely matched the skin permeability parameters of Strat-M®. Based on the permeability parameters and barrier compositions, Norwegian salmon skin demonstrated characteristics similar to Strat-M^®.

Effect of fermented cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) on maternal development and fetal teratogenicity in mice (Mus musculus L.)

Mesa Sukmadani Rusdi — 2023-12-29

Fermented cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is one of the traditional foods favored by the community, including pregnant women, but it has been reported to have various adverse effects. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the effect of fermented cassava on maternal development and fetal teratogenicity in mice (Mus musculus L.). A total of 36 pregnant female white mice were divided into three main groups representing different pregnancy periods (first, second, and third). Each main group was subdivided into four subgroups, including a control group and three treated groups. The treated groups received doses of 0.075 g/kg, 0.15 g/kg, and 0.3 g/kg body weight of fermented M. esculenta Crantz. Furthermore, the treatment was orally administered for five consecutive days, with daily measurements of maternal body weight. On the 18th day of pregnancy, mice were laparatomized to evaluate the morphological and skeletal teratogenic effects of fermented cassava on the fetus. Statistical analysis of maternal body weight, number of fetuses, and fetal body weight during pregnancy was conducted. The administration of fermented cassava significantly affected maternal body weight. The results showed that there was no significant difference between the number of fetuses and fetal body weight. However, the intake of fermented cassava in a dose-dependent manner tended to reduce the number of fetuses and fetal weight, compared to the control group in all gestation periods. Based on the results, fermented cassava exhibited a potential teratogenic effect on certain fetuses, leading to spontaneous abortion and fetal death in all treated groups and gestation periods, particularly in the second period. Therefore, its consumption is deemed unsafe and must be prohibited for pregnant women.

Alteration in cardiac autonomic activity during listening to Thai classical music in male subjects

Onkanya Butsen — 2023-12-29

Relaxing music, such as classical music, could improve autonomic nervous system function by reducing sympathetic activity and increasing parasympathetic activity, as indicated by an increase in heart rate variability (HRV). However, it is unknown whether Thai classical music, which is considered to be relaxing music, could induce autonomic alterations. This study investigated the effects of classical, heavy metal, and Thai classical music on cardiac autonomic activity, as determined by HRV, using a crossover design methodology. All subjects were exposed to the three music stimulations. Electrocardiograms (ECGs) were recorded before, during, and after music listening. The results showed that the standard deviation of normal-to-normal R-R intervals (SDNN) and low frequency (LF) power were significantly decreased during listening to Thai classical music. The decreased SDNN might be due to a reduction in parasympathetic activity, as indicated by the reduction in root mean square successive difference (RMSSD) and percentage of subsequent R-R intervals with a duration difference longer than 50 ms (PNN50). However, the decrease in parasympathetic activity was not large enough to induce autonomic imbalance as shown by an insignificant change in high frequency (HF) power. A positive correlation between LF power and HF power was also observed during listening to Thai classical music. This suggests that HF power functioned to counterbalance the change in LF power during the listening session. In conclusion, only Thai classical music affected cardiac autonomic function by decreasing sympathetic activity without altering cardiac autonomic balance.

Pumpkin seed oil protects SH-SY5Y cells against amyloid-beta 42-induced oxidative stress and neuronal cell death

Chonticha Areebambud — 2023-12-29

Amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptide causes neuronal oxidative stress and eventual neuronal cell death. Pumpkin seed oil (PSO) contains fatty acids with antioxidant properties. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of PSO on amyloid-beta 42 (Aβ42) peptide-induced oxidative stress and neuronal cell death in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. SH-SY5Y cells were pretreated with 0.001 and 10 μg/mL of PSO, following exposure to 1.25 μM of Aβ42 peptide. Aβ42-induced neuronal toxicity was characterized by decreased cell viability and Bcl-2 level and increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), Bax, and procaspase-3 levels. PSO pretreatment attenuated the Aβ42-induced loss of cell viability and neuronal cell death. The mechanisms by which PSO protects neuronal cells from oxidative stress include reducing levels of intracellular ROS, Bax, and procaspase-3, and increasing Bcl-2 levels. Based on our findings, the beneficial properties of PSO could be explored in future studies on co-treatment with modern medicine to prevent or slow cognitive impairment progression in Alzheimer's disease.

Association of occupational noise exposure and stress in automotive parts manufacturing workers

Nutthajit Onmek — 2023-12-30

The objective of this study was to study occupational noise exposure and personal factors associated with health outcomes, stress, and cortisol levels. This study included 148 automotive parts manufacturing workers. Questionnaires were used to collect general data and assess stress levels. Noise measurements and samples of cortisol in the urine were taken. It is found that the workers exposed to noise ≥80 dBA had more anxiety, concern, phobias, and depression than those exposed to lower levels. Individuals with mental illnesses had higher cortisol levels. Some stress symptoms were associated with higher cortisol levels. People exposed to noise ≥80 dBA showed a higher prevalence of comorbidities related to obesity, cardiovascular disease, and hypertension than those exposed to noise <80 dBA. In conclusion, noise at work has a lower impact on workers than factors such as sex or stress level. However, this study found an association between stress symptoms and perceived stress with loud noise levels. Our findings point to occupational noise exposure as a potential stressor, with its effects exacerbating stress. Caution should be exercised, especially for workers who have personal traits that make them susceptible to stress.

Food consumption, culture, and living environment's impact on stunting cases: A systematic review

Maria Loihala — 2023-12-30

Stunting is a long-term nutritional problem in children, with many causal factors. This study aimed to review the role of food intake, culture, and living environment in Stunting cases. Narrative studies were conducted using scientific journal database sources originating from PubMed, Proquest, Science Direct, and Google Scholar. The keywords used in the search were culture, region, food intake, and stunting. The search included research published within the last five years, from 2017 to 2023. After the article was obtained, it was tabulated in an Excel table. A total of 168 articles were identified based on the search titles. Six articles focused on the impact of food Intake on stunting, and seven articles explored the relationship between living area and culture on the incidence of stunting. Factors influencing stunting, such as inadequate nutrition for pregnant women and limited access to supplements, as well as issues related to exclusive breastfeeding, were not optimally addressed. Among children, food restrictions were observed during their growth and development stages. Stunting was found to be more prevalent in rural areas compared to urban ones. In rural areas, the occurrence of stunting was linked to limited food availability and specific dietary practices within families. Conversely, in urban areas, stunting was associated with unhealthy snacking habits in children. The maternal diet during pregnancy and the dietary habits of children during their formative years exert significant influences on child development. Certain culture practices, such as lack of support for exclusive breastfeeding, and restrictions on certain foods for children, persist in some areas.

Vascular and perfusion density in superficial capillary plexus of macula as a biomarker for appearance of diabetic retinopathy

Darina Koseva — 2023-12-31

Diabetic alteration of the retinal microenvironment causes damage to the retinal vessels. Biomarkers such as vessel density and perfusion density, measured using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A), may help detect early signs of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and track disease progression. In our study, we categorized 212 individuals into 2 groups: Group I (75 healthy individuals) and Group II (137 people with diabetes). All participants underwent comprehensive eye examinations, including OCT-A with AngioPlex™ system. The measurements taken of the superficial retinal capillary plexus included vessel and perfusion density. Our findings showed that vessel and perfusion densities in the central, inner, and outer ETDRS fields, as well as the full macular area, decreased with age. Notably, vessel and perfusion densities in the inner, outer, and full ETDRS macular areas in diabetic patients with mild DR were significantly lower, compared to those in healthy subjects. In conclusion, this study emphasizes the importance of vessel and perfusion densities as biomarkers for early diabetic retinopathy. However, it is important to note that their reduction does not precede clinical signs of diabetic retinopathy.

DI-QC: A tool for assessing the quality of drug information websites

Somphop Thammarungsri — 2023-12-31

Given that the quality of drug information on the World Wide Web varies greatly, it is essential to evaluate websites and their information before use. While various tools exist for evaluating health information websites, most are either not specific to drug information or are tailored to a particular group of drugs. This study aimed to develop a tool to evaluate drug information websites for both pharmacists and consumers, and to assess its validity, reliability, and applicability. We drafted a conceptual framework for drug information website evaluation, leading to the creation of a user-guidance type evaluation tool, named DI-QC, which exists in two versions: one for pharmacists and one for consumers. Each version comprises 26 items. The validity of DI-QC was confirmed with an S-CVI/Ave of 0.86 for the pharmacist version and 0.87 for the consumer version. The reliability of DI-QC was also assessed in terms of inter-rater agreement, with results showing consistent agreement across items. To demonstrate the applicability of DI-QC, forty-four drug information websites were evaluated. Using the pharmacist and consumer versions of DI-QC, 38.64% and 34.09% of the websites, respectively, were rated as ‘Good’. In conclusion, the DI-QC assessment tool was developed through a reliable process and is applicable and beneficial for evaluating drug information websites for both pharmacists and consumers.

Analytical method development and validation for simultaneous determination of triamcinolone acetate, betamethasone valerate and clobetasol propionate in cream formulation by RP-HPLC

Naphatson Chanthathamrongsiri — 2023-12-31

Topical steroids are usually used for the treatment of inflammation and irritation of the skin; however, their inappropriate use results in serious side effects. Thus, the Thai Food and Drug Administration regulation forbade the use of corticosteroids in cosmetics. In this study, a method of high-performance liquid chromatography with a photodiode array detector was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of three corticosteroids in cream formulation: triamcinolone acetonide (TA), betamethasone valerate (BV), and clobetasol propionate (CP). Chromatographic separation was performed on ACE® C18 (4.6 mm × 150 mm, 5 μm particle size) using a mobile phase consisting of water and acetonitrile in gradient elution. The detection wavelength was set at 254 and 240 nm. The validation results revealed the specificity and linearity of the proposed method with r≥0.999 within the concentration range of 2.5–50 μg/mL. The relative standard deviation (%) of the repeatability and intermediate precision of all corticosteroid samples at three different concentration levels were in the range of 0.04%–2.04% and 0.41%–4.93%, respectively, and the recovery (%) was 98.72 %–105.41%. The detection limits of TA, BV, and CP were 0.69, 0.46, and 0.48 μg/mL, respectively, and their quantitative limits were 2.08, 1.39, and 1.47 μg/mL, respectively. The validated method can be applied to quantify the amount of active compounds in commercial formulations and to determine the corticosteroid adulterants present in cream samples from online shops.

Clinically relevant drug-drug interactions of tacrolimus in the first week post-kidney transplantation recipients

Agil Bredly Musa — 2023-12-31

This retrospective observational study aimed to investigate the prevalence and associated risk factors of clinically relevant drug-drug interactions of tacrolimus in kidney transplantation (KT) recipients during the first week post-transplantation. Medical records of tacrolimus-treated KT recipients were reviewed and DDIs were determined using two drug interaction programs. The presence of clinically relevant DDIs was confirmed by evaluating tacrolimus levels (C₀) and adverse drug events through the drug interaction probability scale. This study enrolled 142 eligible KT recipients with mean potential DDIs in each patient of 7.8 and a standard deviation of 2.4. The majority type of potential DDIs was in the moderate category (84.0%). The prevalence of clinically relevant DDIs of tacrolimus was 18.6% (95% confidence interval: 11.4%–27.7%). Logistic regression analysis revealed that the number of potential DDIs significantly affected the likelihood of clinically relevant DDIs with tacrolimus, increasing the odds of experiencing clinically relevant immunosuppressant DDIs by 56%. These results provided compelling evidence for the substantial prevalence of clinically relevant DDIs of tacrolimus one-week post-KT and emphasized the importance of a comprehensive understanding of associated risk factors.

Mediating role of patient trust in the impact of perceived physician communication on treatment adherence and its implication in healthcare industry

Laurine Chikodiri Nwosu — 2023-12-31

This study investigated the relationship between perceived physician communication and treatment adherence and the mediating role of patient trust in the relationship. Although various studies on the influence of modifiable factors on treatment adherence have been carried out, the specific pathways via, which such communication promotes adherence, are less known. Data was collected from 231 outpatients via an online survey and analyzed through regression analysis using Hayes process macro. Although the results showed no statistically significant direct effect between perceived physician communication and treatment adherence, patient trust was shown to fully mediate the indirect effect of the relationship. The study highlighted the importance of trust in patient–physician relationships and how it influenced treatment adherence. The findings emphasized the need for patient-centered communication approaches that enhance mutual understanding and shared decision-making. It also underscored the need for further research on the ways through which patient trust is influenced by physician communication and how to develop and implement effective communication interventions that enhance trust and improve treatment adherence among patients. Patients’ feedback on their perceptions of physician communication could be gathered and used to identify areas for improvement and target training efforts.

Oral biofilm: Systemic and psychiatric implications

Rina Rani Ray — 2023-12-31

The oral cavity, being an excellent residence for a plethora of microbes, forms biofilm in various compartments. Acting as a preferable habitat with rich nutrients and other facilities, it hosts an array of bacteria, along with members of fungi, archaea, protozoa, and viruses that naturally or accidentally reside in the oral cavity. The dysbiosis of oral microbiota induces diseases and disorders in various physiological systems, including cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, excretory, reproductive, immune, and neurological systems, leading to various diseases and even cancer. Neurological and other disorders contribute to several psychiatric ailments. Hence, oral ill health not only leads to diseases such as periodontitis and tooth loss but might also result in unpredictable diseases, including carcinogenesis. Oral problems also lead to cognitive dysfunction, dementia, and other psychosocial embarrassments. The induction of these deadly diseases might be predicted by analyzing the oral microbial composition; therefore, the overabundance of microbes such as Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium in the oral microbiome might be used as the bioindicator of various diseases, proving the unequivocal role of oral biofilm in the onset of various systemic and psychiatric ailments.

Chitosan as floating-mucoadhesive polymers in gastroretentive drug delivery

Ahmad Ainurofiq — 2023-12-31

Oral drug delivery is limited by incomplete absorption in the digestive tract. The absorption of oral drugs in the stomach is affected by several factors, including gastric residence time, which causes the drug to be unable to be retained in the stomach for a long time, causing suboptimal drug absorption. One of the drug delivery systems that can prolong contact duration within the stomach is gastroretentive drug delivery system (GRDDS). GRDDS has various advantages, notably in improving the bioavailability of drugs. Several systems are involved in the GRDDS, including the floating and mucoadhesive systems. The floating system makes the drug float so it can be retained longer in the stomach. There are two mechanisms in the floating system: the effervescent and non-effervescent mechanisms. The mucoadhesive system works by adhering to the mucus or epithelial cells of the stomach. The mechanisms of mucoadhesive systems involves two stages: the contact and consolidation stages. The combination of the floating and mucoadhesive systems is aimed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of a preparation for prolonged retention in the stomach. The choice of polymer is one of the crucial factors affecting this system. Chitosan is a natural polymer that has been evaluated for its potential in a gastroretentive floating beads delivery system. It has various advantageous properties, such as non-toxicity, biocompatibility, and biodegradability.

Optimization of nanocrystalline cellulose particle size using one-factor-at-a-time method under different acid hydrolysis parameters

Chu Yong Soon — 2023-11-16

This study explores the production of nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) from corn cob (Zea mays), aiming to overcome the challenges of carbonization and reduced yield typically associated with the use of highly concentrated and corrosive sulfuric acid. A systematic approach was adopted employing one-factor-at-a-time analysis to optimize the hydrolysis process, focusing on three key parameters: sulfuric acid concentration, hydrolysis temperature, and duration. The determination of optimized conditions was based on the desired particle size of the NCC produced and the absence of carbonization. The produced NCC was thoroughly characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to determine its chemical structure, X-ray diffraction for crystallinity, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) for thermal properties. The results highlighted that the optimal conditions for NCC production involve a sulfuric acid concentration of 40 wt% at a temperature of 70 °C, with a hydrolysis duration of 150 min. These conditions yielded NCC with a uniform particle size of 225.07 nm, no signs of carbonization, and a significantly lower inorganic content at 6.73 w/w% after heating to 590 °C in the TGA. This study thereby offers valuable insights for producing NCC with reduced carbonization and increased yield.

An integrative bioinformatics approach in microRNA data analytics of Alzheimer’s disease

Jill Ann Chia — 2023-12-28

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common type of dementia clinically recognized by cognitive function impairment. Recently, the blood-based biomarkers relating to AD have been intensively investigated due to the minimum invasiveness and relatively low cost in the collection of blood samples compared to the cerebrospinal fluid in the brain. In line with this, the study of the deregulation of microRNA (miRNA) levels in the blood of AD patients is also rising. In this study, data analysis was performed on the miRNA expression profiling dataset using an integrative bioinformatics approach. K-nearest neighbor imputation and quantile normalization were carried out as the data pre-processing step to remove outliers and reduce bias in the dataset. Differential expression analysis was performed to identify 10 significant dysregulated miRNAs. Subsequently, 16 pathways were determined to be involved by the selected 10 miRNA signatures, and 7 genes were predicted as the common target genes. The roles of these target genes in AD were substantiated through a review of the existing literature. Expansion of the current work on a larger scale of data analysis is needed to further validate and understand the mechanism of miRNAs in AD development.

Effect of process parameters on immobilization of recombinant Escherichia coli on pineapple peel

Rohaida Che Man — 2023-12-15

Cyclodextrin can be produced from the degradation of starch using the enzyme cyclodextrin glucanotransferase (CGTase). Its favorable characteristics have seen its use in industries such as cosmetics, personal care, textiles, and pharmaceuticals. The production of CGTase by wild-type Bacillus sp. is low, so recombinant Escherichia coli has been used for higher enzyme yields. Cell lysis and plasmid instability are among the challenges that emerge during recombinant enzyme excretion that hinder the production of recombinant CGTase in E. coli. In this study, a cell immobilization technique using pineapple peel was employed to overcome this problem. The effects of changing process parameters such as pH, contact time, and temperature on the immobilization of recombinant E. coli were studied, one parameter at a time. The optimal conditions for the production of cyclodextrin were pH 8 leading to a 55.95% immobilization yield, a contact time of 24 h for a 55.16% immobilization yield, and a temperature of 25 ℃ for 53.11% immobilization yield. In brief, pineapple peel was determined to be a suitable supporting matrix and optimized process parameters increased the immobilization of recombinant E. coli, improving CGTase production while maintaining low cell lysis.

Purification of bromelain enzyme from MD2 hybrid pineapple core by ultrafiltration and its antioxidative potential

Nur Hazirah Tarmizi — 2023-12-28

Bromelain, a protease enzyme found in pineapple, is commonly recognized for its therapeutic applications. This study aimed to investigate the antioxidant activity of bromelain from MD2 pineapple core using the ultrafiltration method and assess bromelain antioxidant activities in correlation with its purity. A partially purified bromelain (PPB) was obtained using ammonium sulfate (50%), followed by centrifugal ultrafiltration as a purifying step for ultrafiltrate bromelain (UFB). The antioxidant activities of bromelain were evaluated by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay and ferric ions reducing antioxidant power methods. Using the protein content of crude extract as a reference, the purification fold of PPB was 0.20-fold, while UFB was 3.25-fold. PPB and UFB showed DPPH scavenging activities with IC50 values of 67.60±9.55 μg/mL and 42.11±2.55 μg/mL, respectively. At a concentration of 1000 μg/mL, the reducing power of PPB and UFB was 30.89%±2.03% and 35.09%±1.59%, respectively, which were lower than that of ascorbic acid. The result shows an increase in bromelain antioxidant activities after the ultracentrifugation, concluding that ultrafiltration effectively preserves antioxidant potentials in bromelain. Bromelain is a medium antioxidant with medium potential as a free radical scavenger but has poor reducing power.

Antiandrogenic and estrogenic characteristics of oleic acid: Experimental design incorporating endocrinal, testicular, and sperm analysis

Oluwakemi Tinuolaoluwa Oyelowo — 2023-12-31

This research was to investigate whether in utero exposure to oleic acid (OA) could modify the antiandrogenic and estrogenic endocrine functions of the testis during puberty. Pregnant rats were grouped into four groups, with five rats in each group, as follows: control was given 1 mL/kg of olive oil; pretreatment was given 1000 mg/kg OA for seven days before mating; D7 was given 1000 mg/kg OA at gestation day (GD)1–7; and D14 was given 1000 mg/kg of OA at GD8–14. The male offspring delivered were studied into puberty. Hormone levels, age of puberty, and oxidative parameters were determined. The estrogenic properties of oleic acid observed in this study included decreased serum testosterone and a reduction in the epididymis, prostate, and testis weights. Decreased sperm motility and viability, decreased testosterone synthesis, reduced weight of androgen-dependent organs, and delayed onset of puberty were reported as anti-androgenic properties. Testicular MDA levels were significantly higher in OA-exposed rats, compared to control rats. In conclusion, although OA possesses both estrogenic and antiandrogenic properties, the estrogenic characteristics were less pronounced. The antiandrogenic characteristics, steroid hormone inhibition, decrease in sperm variables, and increase in oxidative stress were more distinct.

Efficacy and application study of lipid stain by chromic acid techniques for determining the cause of death from a fat embolism

Yasudama Chaimad — 2023-12-31

Fat embolism is a common cause of death after trauma or non-traumatic cases as fat droplets may block blood vessels. It can be identified during autopsy through the microscopic examination of the lungs using Oil Red O (ORO) conducted on frozen tissue, including formalin-fixed tissue. Fat can also be identified using the chromic acid technique. Consequently, in order to increase forensic pathologists' confidence and reduce the cost of delivering ORO stains to other units, the researcher aimed to compare the effectiveness of commercial ORO (ORO-C) and homemade ORO (ORO-HM) in the chromic acid technique for steatosis tissue. We separated the samples into two groups: one stained with ORO-C stain sets and the other with ORO-HM stains. Three experts evaluated the effectiveness of chromic acid stained tissue for both types of ORO using a blind test method. The results were then compared using the SPSS program. The results showed that chromic-ORO-HM of liver had quality and efficiency in interpreting the steatosis detection, similar to the chromic-ORO-C stain sets. Histopathology findings found that fat was paler than chromic-ORO-C stain sets but showed better staining on the background. In addition, chromic acid was able to preserve fat tissue and identify fat-positive results in three victims, who died from fat emboli, suggesting it potential application in forensic medicine.

Effect of soil composition in copper (II), lead (II), and zinc (II) ion adsorption capacity

Wei-Hsiang Tan — 2023-07-24

The ability of soil to bind with heavy metals is related to soil adsorption capacity. Different soil compositions have different adsorption capabilities for heavy metal ions. In this study, the excess adsorption isotherm of binary adsorption by individual heavy metals (Cu²⁺, Pb²⁺, and Zn²⁺) onto different clay–sand ratios was investigated. Five different ratios were examined (1:0, 9:1, 7:3, 1:1, and 0:1). The excess adsorption isotherm was measured using a typical batch adsorption approach, and the experimental data were interpreted using the pseudo-ideal monolayer adsorption model. The adsorption capacities ranged from 0.003 to 1.83 × 10^-3 mg/g (Cu²⁺), 0.007 to 1.62 × 10^-2 mg/g (Pb²⁺), and 2.0 to 1.71 × 10^-5 mg/g (Zn²⁺). The results revealed that increasing the clay composition in the admixture increased the selectivity of Pb²⁺ more than Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺. The sequence of adsorption capacity in the non-competitive adsorption of different compositions of clay and sand showed the following heavy metal adsorption pattern: Pb²⁺ > Cu²⁺ > Zn²⁺.

Effect of oil palm fiber on mechanical properties of sandwich-structured glass

Syarifah Fazilah Yuhari — 2023-09-21

The aim of this study was to develop a sandwich-structured glass using a conventional stacking method. The sandwich-structured glass comprised two facesheets of silicate glass, and the interlayer part was made up of different core elements, which are epoxy and oil palm fiber, to yield impact resistance features on the glass structure. Scanning electron microscopic image showed a modification in surface morphology of spikelet and stalks fibers, with a formation of fibrils in helical spirals and an appearance of a rougher surface after chemical treatment during extraction process. Mechanical properties of the sandwich-structured glass increased from 280.60 MPa to 402.46 MPa after the incorporation of oil palm fiber and epoxy in the interlayer part. The interlayer part acted as a platform to distribute applied stresses and enhanced the compressive strength of the glass. The generation of cracks on the glass surface varied significantly, depending on the type of fibers used as fillers and the interfacial bonding in the interlayer part of the sandwich-structured glass. The current design of sandwich-structured glass showed the desired mechanical properties and moderate appearance of glass fractures, which can be used as an impact-resistant glass in the construction field.

Characterization of Kappaphycus sp. and Padina sp. as biosorbents for heavy metal ions removal

Nazirah Mingu — 2023-11-24

The determination of iron, copper and zinc metal ions removal has been conducted using seaweeds (Kappaphycus sp. and Padina sp.) as biosorbents. The seaweed was dried using two different drying techniques: oven drying (60 °C, 80 °C and 100 °C) and sun drying. The main functional groups responsible for the metal bindings in seaweed were identified using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. It showed that carboxyl, ether, alcoholic, and amino groups participated in the ionic exchange by functional groups on the surface area of metal-treated and untreated seaweed. Phytochemical analysis was conducted to determine the total phenolic content of the samples, as polyphenols are well known for metal binding. In comparison to the other drying techniques, oven-dried (60 °C) for Padina sp. (0.2133±0.0125 mg GA/g DS) and Kappaphycus sp. (0.0882±0.0071 mg GA/g DS) had the highest phenolic content. Inductively coupled plasma – optical emission spectrometry was also used to measure the reduction of heavy metal concentration in the biosorption process. Sun drying for both biosorbents, Kappaphycus sp. (86.08%) and Padina sp. (72.75%), achieved high metal adsorption levels for copper ions. According to the results, the rank of metal adsorption abilities of the samples by drying method is oven-dried (60 °C) < oven-dried (80 °C) < oven-dried (100 °C) < sun-dried.

Landslide susceptibility assessment in Sabah, Malaysia: A bivariate frequency ratio approach

Rodeano Roslee — 2023-12-31

A statistical bivariate model, frequency ratio, was used to assess the susceptibility of Pekan Nabalu to Kundasang area to landslides, using a geographic information system as a tool because the number of reported landslide cases rises annually. A total of 564 landslides (0.27 km²) were detected from field observations, Google Earth satellite imagery, and IFSAR imagery, creating a landslide inventory map (dependent factor). To determine landslide susceptibility, eight landslide causative factor maps (independent factor) were considered: slope angle, slope aspect, slope curvature, drainage proximity, lineament proximity, lithology, land use, and soil series. The integration of these dependent and independent factors resulted in a regional-scale spatial landslide susceptibility analysis (LSA) map with five susceptibility classes. Approximately 11.39% (12.99 km²), 25.56% (29.14 km²), 29.67% (33.82 km²), 23.6% (26.9 km²), and 9.78% (11.15 km²) are classified as very low, low, moderate, high, and very high susceptibility classes, respectively. Using the area under the curve validation method, the prediction and success rates were 82.63% and 82.6%, respectively. The LSA map is considered reliable because 239 landslides (0.14 km²) were classified as high to very high susceptibility classes. Therefore, this study provides valuable insights for stakeholders, researchers, and professionals, facilitating the proposal of suitable mitigation measures and the development of robust landslide management plans.

Biobased plastic films from cogon grass cellulose

Sabrina Soloi — 2023-12-15

The study of using natural resources such as cellulose as an alternative to synthetic polymers for manufacturing biobased plastic packaging is currently on going amongst numerous researchers to achieve sustainable goals as well as the need to replace petroleum feedstock that are getting depleted by years. Cogon grass is one of the most problematic grasses globally, and it has been observed that cogon grass grows abundantly along the roadside and open areas in Malaysia. Since the said grass is high in cellulose content (64%) it is a suitable candidate for raw material in manufacturing biobased plastics. Hence, the objective of this study was to produce a thin biobased film from cogon grass cellulose. In this study, cogon grass cellulose was extracted using sodium hydroxide before being acetylated to yield cellulose acetate (CA). Solvent casting with dichloromethane (DCM) was performed on the synthesized CA to produce a biobased thin film with different CA concentrations (1%–5%) to study the properties of the thin films. The film with 5% CA had the highest tensile strength (10 MPa). The surface morphology of the thin film was smooth, even and homogenous indicating that the acetylation process during cellulose acetate formation successfully occurred and that the DCM used can penetrate the cellulosic fibre very well.

Association rule mining framework for financial credit-risk analysis in peer-to-peer lending platforms

Tanatorn Tanantong — 2023-12-21

This study demonstrates a comprehensive framework for financial credit-risk analysis in the context of peer-to-peer (P2P) lending, which is a rapidly expanding industry that enables people to lend and borrow money not using conventional financial institutions. However, the considerable default risk associated with P2P lending shows serious difficulties for investors. Difficulties can be overcome through a framework based on feature selection and data discretization approaches for mining association rules from P2P lending data. Providing useful information for credit-risk analysis in P2P lending, obtained association rules can be used to identify trends and connections in the data that indicate a borrower’s creditworthiness and likelihood of payback.

Utilization of various time series models forecasting gold prices in Thailand

Korakot Wichitsa–nguan Jetwanna — 2023-12-27

This work develops an interactive dashboard integrating various time series models to forecast gold prices in Thailand, enabling investors to make better decisions more efficiently and effectively manage their investments. The study used monthly data from 2009 to 2021, separated the data series into in- and out-samples, and found that the gold price dataset did not have an autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (ARCH) effect. The process consumed the autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) best model without passing through the generalized autoregressive conditionally heteroskedastic (GARCH)/ARIMA best model. The highest-performance model for forecasting was the ARIMA (1,1,1) model. This research extends the implementation scope of previous research on gold price forecasting with developer fulfillment in Thailand by developing a business intelligence dashboard for users to utilize the predictions. The dashboard is interactive, allowing users to filter the data and predictions based on their needs. Integrating various time series models for forecasting gold prices in Thailand on a single dashboard will enable investors to make better decisions and manage their investments efficiently and effectively. The authors are also developing an automatic utilization script to further improve the dashboard usability.

Process formulation and utilization of fertilizer admixture on the reduction of petroleum hydrocarbon polluted soil leachate

Ufuoma Ugbune — 2023-12-27

Petroleum hydrocarbon leachate alters the physiochemical properties of ground water especially in areas with a higher water table. Failure to mitigate hydrocarbon polluted soils with the right fertilizer leads to ground water pollution. In this research, weathered crude oil was used as the soil polluter, and the biostimulants of pig manure (PM), pig manure biochar (PMB), inorganic fertilizer (IF) and their admixtures were used to examine their soil treatment capabilities. The effects of these biostimulants on pH, nitrate, phosphate and total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) levels in petroleum hydrocarbon polluted soil leachate were also investigated. The results obtained in this study indicate that as the percentage of petroleum hydrocarbon contamination increases, the pH, nitrate and phosphate contents of the soil leachate decreases. The results also revealed that there was a slight reduction in the levels of pH, nitrates, and phosphates as the incubating contact time increased. Furthermore, combined amendments, particularly PM+PMB application showed a remarkable reduction in the residual (<95%) TPH leachate levels. Therefore, this study has demonstrated that the biostimulant application of PM+PMB combinations is eco-friendly and more effective in the reduction of TPH, nitrates and phosphates in petroleum hydrocarbon soil leachate for agricultural and ground water security.

Low salinity waterflooding investigation using radioactive tracer in different sand pack configurations

Nini Syaheera Jasni — 2023-12-28

Waterflooding is a simple secondary oil retrieval method practiced worldwide to assist and improve oil recovery. Consequently, understanding the flow behavior of the injected water is essential to ensure an efficient waterflooding process. Nevertheless, literature on utilizing radiotracers to investigate fluid flow behavior in oil reservoirs is limited. The current study observed and compared horizontal and vertical fluid flows in simulated sandstone reservoirs. Low salinity water of 500 ppm sodium chloride solution was injected into vertically and horizontally sand-packed columns at a flow rate of 3.5 mL/min. Subsequently, technetium-99m radioisotopes with a half-life of six hours were injected into the columns as tracers. The residence time distribution for both setups fitted the perfect mixer in the series model. Nonetheless, the calculated sweep efficiency and overall oil recovery percentage were higher for the horizontal than the vertical configuration, demonstrating that gravitational forces affect the flow behavior of fluids in oil reservoirs.

Design and fabrication of low-cost capacitive sensors for salinity level detection in water

Chayanika Sharma — 2023-12-29

The salinity of water has a negative impact on both climate change as well as human health. Therefore, the in situ monitoring of water salinity is important. Numerous approaches, including electromagnetic inductive sensing, remote sensing, methods based on optical fiber sensors, conductive sensing (capacitive or resistive), can be used to measure the salinity of the water. This work focuses mainly on the design and fabrication of low-cost co-planar interdigitated (IDT) sensors with sensitive fringing field measurement capabilities. IDT sensors with configurations 1-1-1, 1-3-1, 1-7-1, and 1-15-1 were designed and fabricated in this work. The capacitance values for all four configurations decrease proportionally with water salinity, demonstrating a negative linear response in sensors that utilize water salinity levels as the dielectric media.

Evaluation of teaching quality in mathematical courses using relative important index: A case study in Neijiang Normal University

Ya Qin — 2023-12-29

Evaluation of teaching quality is an essential part of classroom teaching. The key to evaluation is to choose an appropriate evaluation tool and assign reasonable weights to its evaluation indexes. This study chooses reformed teaching observation protocol (RTOP) as an evaluation instrument to measure the relative importance of RTOP factors in mathematical courses. To achieve this goal, the relative importance index method was adopted to determine the values of relative importance among items. The indexes were ranked according to values. The sample of this study consisted of 30 mathematics teachers and students. All relative importance values were greater than 0.5, which indicates that items are medium to high level in importance. Furthermore, the ranking results showed that the factor lesson design and implementation ranked first, followed by propositional knowledge and procedural knowledge, while factor communicative interactions ranked last. The findings also show that lesson design and implementation are the most important factors in ensuring the teaching quality of mathematical courses among the respondents.

A computational analysis of honeybee colony collapse prediction model and simulations

Thawin Serivivatanavongse — 2023-12-31

Honeybees play a critical role as natural pollinator and are essential to global food production. Monitoring honeybee population densities can provide valuable insights into the environmental status of a given region, although effectively carrying out such monitoring is challenging. To address this issue, this study focused on the development of a mathematical model to predict population density and detect potential colony collapse. The model utilized a set of effective arrays of differential equations that consider crucial parameters. Analyzing actual data using the model revealed that regions with higher flower densities experienced reduced vulnerability to unnatural deaths or diseases, while those with lower flower densities tended to have smaller populations. Furthermore, numerical simulations showed that unnatural death rates exerted the most significant impact on the model. In adverse environmental conditions, forager populations decline first, leading to decreased food availability and potential colony collapse. This model, as a highly practical tool, holds immense value for environmentalists seeking precise predictions of honeybee population density within their respective regions.

Development of a low-cost reverse vending machine for clear plastic bottles and aluminum cans

Naratorn Sangprasert — 2023-09-28

The trend of environmental conservation has become an interesting topic over the past decade; a lot of waste has been recycled to preserve the environment. The objective of this research was to design and develop a low-cost reverse vending machine to support solid waste management in Khao Rup Chang Municipality, Songkhla province, Thailand. For the first step, clear plastic bottles and aluminum cans were classified using a color sensor and a proximity sensor. Next, coupon slips and earned points could be printed out for customers to exchange for money or rewards under the project. All of the mentioned steps were controlled by a microcontroller. The experiments were conducted using 1280 samples. The results showed that the accuracy of sorting three types of materials: clear plastic bottles, aluminum cans, and both materials, was 96.50%, 100%, and 95.25%, respectively. The processing time for each container was 5.52 s on average.

Convolutional neural network for wearable fall detection systems

Uttapon Khawnuan — 2023-10-24

Fall accidents are a common cause of critical injuries among older adults. Therefore, fall detection systems have garnered considerable attention in research and industry. Feature extraction is the key for detecting falls, but it is time-consuming and tedious process. Deep learning can autonomously extract features from raw sensor data. In this study, we proposed a fall detection algorithm for wearable devices using a convolutional neural network (CNN) to differentiate falls from activities of daily living. The proposed model achieved over 99% metrics (sensitivity, specificity, precision, accuracy, and F1 score) by evaluating two different public datasets and provided better classification performance compared to other fall detection models in the same dataset. The higher CNN performance was recognized without requiring complex data preparation and manual feature extraction. Results from this study could induce CNN through the application of classification problems in technological environments.

Reforming time measurement of hydrophobic and hydrophilic insulator surface via centroid tracking

Poohthip Sonkaeo — 2023-10-26

Flashover between insulator surfaces is the most serious issue impacting power system stability related to power failures. It is caused by insulator surface degradation, which causes a flashover loss in insulation efficiency due to a change in the hydrophobicity class (HC) described in IEC TS 62073. The surface tension method is one of the measurement techniques used in this study. This study aimed to research an algorithm for transitioning from conventional measurement methods to a suggested approach for classifying surface tension based on the reforming time that applies to the centroid tracking technique. This research provides manual input for the automated image processing method. The main method is centroid tracking segmentation in a wet area (CTSWA). The comparative timing between adjacent manual frames was examined, yielding results known as ground truth (GT), and our approach (CTSWA) was demonstrated. Most results had a reforming time variance of less than 3% compared to GT. The use of the studied method yields three benefits, including automatic reforming time verification, which can produce acceptable results from more sensitive and reliable insulator inspections. It can also be applied to preventive maintenance planning (PM). Additionally, it reduces the limitations of human decision-making.

IoT-based device for water quality monitoring with mealworm feeding for vannamei shrimp

Yasser Abd Djawad — 2023-11-14

The growth of vannamei shrimp is influenced by several factors, including feed and water quality. The type of feed provided can affect the quality of water in which white shrimp live. In this study, feeds with 20%, 40%, and 60% mealworms were used as three feeding treatments for vannamei shrimp. The main goal of this study was to determine whether mealworm feeding affects water quality. Temperature sensors, pH sensors, and total dissolved solid (TDS) sensors were used in this study by utilizing internet of things (IoT) technology to monitor the water quality. The sensors were placed in four tanks with three types of mealworm feed at different percentage levels. Readings were taken from the sensors every hour and monitoring was conducted for 14 days. This was performed to evaluate the system capabilities. ANOVA was used to compare the effects of the three feeding regimens. The findings indicated that the temperature variances in all tanks were generally similar. However, notable variances were observed in the pH and TDS values. This study revealed that feeding mealworms at any feed dose had no discernible effect on water quality.

Feasibility and kinetic study of electrocoagulation with enhanced flocculation-flotation in removal of color from synthetic dye

Rose Artika Simbuluk — 2023-11-15

In electrocoagulation, the gas bubbles develop as bubble nuclei, grow in size, break off from the electrode surface and rise in the liquid. Unfortunately, over time, the gas bubbles tend to adhere and accumulate on the electrode surface, deactivate the parts of the electrode surface that reduce the mass transfer of ions. This paper aimed to investigate the feasibility of electrocoagulation with enhanced flocculation-flotation to remove color from synthetic dye. Vibration of plates was utilized in electrocoagulation treatment, with the variables studied including pH (pH 5 and pH 9), vibration intensity (1.5 – 3.5 Volts), current intensity (0.5 – 2.5 A) and operating time (15 – 60 min). From the results, the optimum color removal percentage was 74.76%, achieved at a pH of 9 with optimum vibration and current intensities of 2.5 V and 2.5 A, respectively. For the kinetic study, the rate obtained for the highest R² value was the first-order reaction with a rate constant of 0.0037 min⁻¹ at acidic pH and 0.0022 min⁻¹ at alkaline pH. The vibration of plates enhanced the rate of coagulant ions as well as bubbles dispersion during the treatment due to the oscillation of plates, which generated a stirring mechanism around the electrode plates.

Toward traceability model between ISO/IEC 29110 artefacts and agile process

Waraporn Jirapanthong — 2023-12-01

This paper presents the efficacy of the traceability model in the development of artefacts related to pre-defined activities in the ISO/IEC 29110 process and ones related to agile process. This efficacy is demonstrated through a study of very small entities (VSEs) in Thailand who applied a development script based on the traceability model for various software projects. Six VSEs, with their respective software development projects, participated in the study with comparable time constraints and budgets. The VSE development teams utilized the traceability model to establish connections between the artifacts of the agile process and the ISO/IEC 29110 standard. The results show the potential benefits for VSEs in the application of the traceability model in such processes and what the teams learned from their participation. Each team’s productivity differed only slightly. The average figure of productivity with the traceability model was 1.416. However, the average figure of productivity without the traceability model was 1.3045. It is found the agile process can be facilitated and less effort by applying the traceability model.

Factor analysis and prediction of startups and ways to exit based on decision tree classification models with adaptive k with SMOTE method for imbalance problem

Wararat Songpan — 2023-12-19

This paper focuses on factor analysis to combine the information of startups with an synthetic minority over-sampling technique (SMOTE) method via an aspect of the decision tree algorithms that assist investors in project screening for describing important features.However, the investment of a startup company has characteristics of imbalanced data. Improvements in the handling of imbalanced data based on the SMOTE method has been developed by sampling from the minority class. The problem is how to set optimized k-nearest neighbors among the most common feature values. This work purposed a method to fit data in the startup’s information that is designed to handle the data value by adaptive k with SMOTE, which manages the problem with an imbalance class label for robustness of evaluation metrics for balancing the portion of multi-class. The adaptive k experimental results can solve the k parameter setting and produce a high accuracy rate of startup companies’ class as closed, operating, and acquired status of investment at 0.84, 0.87 and 0.97 respectively. The overall accuracy rate is 0.99; that is the best outcome compared with other methods for handling imbalance. In addition, the results and discussion shown that can meet the needs of investment startup are designed and discussed of business views and machine learning views to work co-operation.

Optimal screw configurations of broad and curved broad locking compression plates for femoral shaft fractures

Nakarin Jullapram — 2023-12-21

The optimal configuration and number of screws used in a broad locking compression plate (B-LCP) and a curved broad locking compression plate (CB-LCP) to stabilize a femoral shaft fracture were determined using finite element (FE) analysis. A three-dimensional model of the femur and its transverse fracture at the mid-shaft region was created with widths of 10, 20 and 30 mm. The B-LCP and CB-LCP were attached to the femur model to retain the fracture using 3 to 5 screws placed equally and symmetrically for the proximal and distal segments. There were 16 screw fixation configurations for each B-LCP and CB-LCP, producing a total of 96 FE cases. The B-LCP screw configuration without secured screws at a position close to the fracture presented lower stress compared to the other configurations, while for CB-LCP, implant stress reduced when screws were secured close to the fracture. For both B-LCP and CB-LCP, elastic strain at the fracture site increased at greater working length. Bone stress using 6 screws in B-LCP was higher than when using 8 and 10 screws, with slight differences between bone stress values of 8 and 10 screws. Bone stresses in CB-LCP were in the same range, regardless of the number of screws. Three consecutive screws in CB-LCP at positions adjacent to the fracture produced lower bone stress than the other configurations. Fracture gap width had a slight influence on implant stress, elastic strain and bone stress. Results suggested that both LCPs should have four screws on each fragment, while screws on B-LCPs at positions close to the fracture without other adjacent screws should be avoided. Screws located close to the fracture gave best results for CB-LCP.

Detection of mealybug infestation on the Khasi Mandarin orange plant using electronic nose

Sudipta Hazarika — 2023-12-28

Mealybugs pose a serious threat to fruit crops leading to premature leaf and fruit drops which severely affects the yield as well as the quality. Primarily pest detection is done with the help of human/animal scouting, which is cumbersome and prone to error. This paper studies the feasibility of using an electronic nose (E-Nose) for detecting mealybug infestation in Khasi Mandarin orange plants. Plants normally release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which can act as biomarkers for specific stresses affecting the plant. These VOCs can be analyzed to diagnose the plant. VOCs emanating from leaf samples of both infested and healthy plants were analyzed using a custom-made E-Nose system containing an array of commercially available gas sensors. Dimensionality reduction techniques using principle component analysis, and linear discriminant analysis and optimized classification algorithms like support vector machine and random forest were employed to check for the discriminating capability of the E-Nose system. The technique successfully classified samples belonging to infested and healthy categories in both the classifiers with accuracies of 95.66% and 96.70%.

Development and simulation of deactivation process of favipiravir in a pharmaceutical wastewater system

Kananan Thongsubsai — 2023-12-30

Favipiravir (FPV) has been widely used to treat COVID-19 patients in many countries, including Thailand, owing to its potent antiviral activity. Consequently, the wastewater discharged from the formulation process contains a significant amount of active pharmaceutical ingredients that could be harmful to humans and animals if released into the environment without proper treatment. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a deactivation process for FPV present in wastewater using SuperPro Designer Version 10 program. The deactivation processes were classified as two cases: case I (base case) using sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) at 10% v/v and case II using ozone at 16 g/L. Each case was separated into a subcase A, representing the lack of a filtration unit, and subcase B, representing the use of a filtration unit. The operations used in this study can be characterized as the deactivation unit, neutralization unit, and filtration unit, selected from the equipment available at CRPMF. The simulation results showed that case IIA (with ozone and without filtration) provided the greatest deactivation of FPV per year (65,661 kg/year) but required higher annual investment and operating costs. Meanwhile, case IA (with NaOCl and without filtration) demonstrated an FPV deactivation of 49,243 kg per year, with a cost seven times lower than that of case IIA. In summary, the simulation and cost analysis information were provided to assist CRPMF and other pharmaceutical manufacturers in selecting the scenario that is best suited for the annual capacity of antiviral drug formulation.

Feasibility of stone slurry powder and admixtures in cement mortar

Kiran Devi — 2023-12-31

The present study has focused on altering the properties of its composites to achieve robustness in concrete with high speed of construction. The different types of chemical admixtures are used to produce mortar/concrete with an accelerated setting time and early-age strength. Stone waste can be converted into mortar and concrete as an alternative to cementitious materials to overcome their ill effects, resulting production of sustainable end products. The present study investigated the influence of the stone slurry powder, calcium nitrate, and triethanolamine at various proportions in the different mortar mixes. The viability of using the additional materials in cement mortar based on strength, cost and environmental aspects was also investigated. The results demonstrated that incorporation of stone slurry powder in mortar enhanced the strength by 6–17%, which may be due to its pore filling ability. The cost of mortar construction also declined by 7% due to its free availability. The cost index and carbon emission index of mortar mix containing stone waste declined by 24% and 26%, respectively, compared to other mixes, due to reduced cement content.

Walking pattern analysis using the gait cycle to classify a healthy and an unhealthy form

Piyapon Suntikan — 2023-12-31

This study proposed an algorithm to classify normal and abnormal forms of walking patterns by identifying the swing and stance phases, known as the gait cycle. The walking patterns were examined by collecting data using Razor IMU sensors. The Wi-Fi transmitter was utilized to transfer raw data for further analysis, representing the gait cycle using a linear graph. The data were preprocessed and transformed into phase graphs using the polar coordinate equation. To identify areas of density, data were incorporated into K-mean clustering. A k-value of 2 groups represented the major walking phases and classified patterns based on a regional model. The experimental results enable us to define healthy and unhealthy forms. This algorithm conveniently assists in diagnosing basic physical conditions, and the dataset is efficient for monitoring the medical treatment process among recipients.

Effect of aluminum hybrid additive on water absorption of fiber-cement composites

Juthamat Nithipaiboon — 2023-12-31

Moisture movement and aggressive ions being transferred into a fiber-reinforced cement composite structure have negative effects in terms of mechanical properties and durability. When an aluminum hybrid additive (AHA) is incorporated into a fiber-reinforced cement composite composition, its reaction product provides a water-repellent layer along the capillary pores, resulting in a damp-proofing effect. In this study, the influences of AHA on the hydration reaction kinetics and microstructural features were characterized by isothermal calorimetry and thermogravimetry analysis. The percentages of AHA added to the mixtures varied from 0 to 5% w/w. The samples were formed by a filter-pressing process. After the sample forming process, the green samples were cured in air for 7, 14 and 28 days. The addition of 3% w/w AHA, based on the weight percent of cement, shortened the setting time of cement paste by almost 40%. Microstructural analysis of the cement matrix showed packing efficiency of the crystalline phase was improved when adding 3% w/w AHA to the mixture. This AHA mixture showed integral hydrophobicity, with contact angles greater than 140° on the surface and 16.51% porosity. These results corresponded to a decrease in water absorption of almost 50%, compared to the reference composition. Moreover, the enhancement of the mechanical properties of the samples, including modulus of elasticity, modulus of rupture and impact strength, surpassed the requirements for wallboard applications.

Development of an e-exhibition in conjunction with a game-based learning communication activity

Akarachai Kaewsomnues — 2023-12-31

This study aimed to study and develop of an e-exhibition in conjunction with a game-based learning communication activity in order to raise the perception of green nudges for undergraduate students. The sample group was selected using simple random sampling by drawing 50 students who follow the Energy Environment Safety and Health’s Facebook page from the undergraduate students at King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi in the 1/2022 academic year. It is found that the needs of the sample groups were at the highest level. The expert evaluation showed that the content quality was at the highest level, as was the quality of the presentation media. The perception of the sample group, after viewing the e-exhibition in conjunction with a game-based learning communication activity, was higher than beforehand, and their satisfaction level was at the highest level.