Scopus 2001-2005
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Publication Metadata only Quassinoids from Eurycoma harmandiana(2001-08-01) Tripetch Kanchanapoom; Ryoji Kasai; Phannipha Chumsri; Kazuo Yamasaki; Hiroshima University Faculty of Medicine; Khon Kaen University; Mahidol UniversityThree quassinoids, iandonosides A and B and iandonone, were isolated from the root of Eurycoma harmandiana, along with five known quassinoids, casteloside B, 13 β, 21-dihydroeurycomanone, chaparrinone, glaucarubolone and ailanquassin B as well as the coumarin, scopoletin. The structural elucidations were based on analyses of spectroscopic data. © 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.Publication Metadata only Diagnostic utility of CYFRA 21-1 in malignant pleural effusion(2001-10-06) Wanchai Dejsomritrutai; Sansnee Senawong; Bundit Promkiamon; Mahidol University; Thammasat Hospital; Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol UniversityObjective: The diagnostic utility of the tumour marker CYFRA 21-1 in malignant pleural effusion is not yet clear. This study was designed to evaluate the diagnostic utility of serum and pleural fluid CYFRA 21-1 in malignant pleural effusion. Methodology: The validity of serum and pleural fluid CYFRA 21-1 was determined in 62 patients with exudative pleural effusion (27 malignant and 35 benign). The diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion was defined by cytological or histological results. Results: A statistically significant difference between the geometric means of CYFRA 21-1 levels in pleural fluid of benign and malignant aetiologies was observed (11.2 vs 63.3 ng/mL, P<0.0001). In addition, there was a significant difference in the serum levels (0.95 vs 5.55 ng/mL, P<0.0001). The sensitivity and specificity of pleural fluid CYFRA 21-1 in malignant pleural effusion, at the cut-off value of 55 ng/mL, was 74.1% and 97.1%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of serum CYFRA 21-1, at the cut-off value of 2.5 ng/mL, was 81.5% and 97.1%, respectively. Using a combination of serum and pleural fluid CYFRA 21-1 level, the sensitivity increased to 88.9%. Conclusion: Serum and pleural fluid CYFRA 21-1 are useful as measures in differentiating malignant from benign pleural effusion.Publication Metadata only Survey of reverse transcriptase from the heterosexual epidemic of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 CRF01_AE in Thailand from 1990 to 2000(2001-07-20) Sunee Sirivichayakul; Wasan Chantratita; Ruengpung Sutthent; Kiat Ruxrungtham; Praphan Phanuphak; Robert B. Oelrichs; Chulalongkorn University; Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University; Mahidol University; Thai Red Cross AIDS Research Centre; Macfarlane Burnet Institute for Medical ResearchGenetic diversity of the HIV-1 envelope gene has shown a steady increase over time in the Thai and other regional epidemics. A serial survey of subtype CRF01_AE polymerase gene (RT) diversity in Thailand was performed, using 48 novel and 15 reported sequences covering the period 1990-2000. These sequences were gathered from individuals whose sole risk factor for infection was heterosexual contact. By contrast to envelope, diversity was low and, despite a 40% increase early in the epidemic, has remained static since 1996. These results indicate that epidemic HIV-1 may be constrained within defined limits of genetic diversity at least in some genomic regions. © 2001 Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.Publication Metadata only Determination of lidocaine in dental pulp by high-performance liquid chromatography(2001-01-01) Somchart Kanjanawattana; Chutima Mangkornkarn; Prapin Wilairat; Noppakun Vongsavan; Mahidol University; Faculty of Dentistry; Faculty of Science;The purpose of this study was to develop a method for lidocaine detection in dental pulp by high-performance liquid chromatography. The amounts of lidocaine in dog pulps were quantitated after local injection to evaluate lidocaine recovery from pulp tissue with this technique. Comparison was also made between the amount of lidocaine found in upper and lower canines. The high-performance liquid chromatography system was shown to be a reliable and reproducible tool for lidocaine determination. Lidocaine extraction from the tissue showed recovery of 90%. The amount of lidocaine recovered from the upper canine (0.21 μg/mg) was higher than the lower canine (0.17 μg/mg). Copyright © 2001 by The American Association of Endodontists.Publication Metadata only Cerebrospinal fluid analysis in eosinophilic meningoencephalitis(2001-12-01) Thanida Tangwanicharoen; Parnpen Viriyavejakul; Benjanee Punpoowong; Polrat Wilairatana; Jaranit Kaewkungwal; Emsri Pongponratn; Mario Riganti; Mahidol UniversityEosinophilic meningoencephalitis (EME) remains an important neurological disease and is widely distributed in Thailand. We analyzed the cytological specimens of 56 EME cases. Pertinent clinical data were analyzed retrospectively and correlated with the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)analysis. Headache was the commonest symptom seen in all EME cases. History of raw or partially cooked Pila snail ingestion was elicited from most patients. There was a marked seasonal occurrence between July to January. Patients received specific treatment as supportive therapy, which included spinal taps, analgesics and corticosteroids, was adequate. No fatal cases were seen. The CSF specimens were sorted into two categories: fresh CSF and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stained centrifuged CSF sediment. There was a statistically significant difference between the number of eosinophils and lymphocytes of fresh CSF and the H&E stained centrifuged CSF sediment (p = 0.001 and 0.001 respectively). The CSF glucose and the number of eosinophils in both methods were significantly correlated (p = 0.000, p = 0.008 for fresh CSF and the H&E stained centrifuged CSF sediment respectively). Moreover, the number of eosinophils was statistically significant with the protein in the CSF (p = 0.013), and intracranial pressure (ICP) (p = 0.025). Higher yields of eosinophils, especially in the early course of the disease, can readily be detected in the H&E stained centrifuged CSF sediment, whereas fresh specimens were negative. Further tests may increase the sensitivity and specificity of EME diagnostic results.Publication Metadata only A non-stop, single-tube, semi-nested pcr technique for grading the severity of white spot syndrome virus infections in penaeus monodon(2001-12-05) Wansika Kiatpathomchai; Vichai Boonsaeng; Anchalee Tassanakajon; Chainarong Wongteerasupaya; Sarawut Jitrapakdee; Sakol Panyim; Mahidol UniversityA single-tube, non-stop, semi-nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique was developed for simultaneous detection and severity grading of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) infections in the black tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon. The test uses 1 sense primer and 3 anti-sense primers that produce up to 3 PCR products (1100, 526 and 250 base pairs [bp]) depending upon the severity of infection. Specifically, heavy infections (≥2 × 104viral particles) of WSSV produce all 3 fragments, while moderate infections (around 2 × 103viral particles) produce 2 (526 and 250 bp) and light infections (20 to 200 viral particles) produce 1 (250 bp). In addition, the technique uses internal control primers that yield a shrimp characteristic fragment for non-infected samples and samples with a low quantity of viral target in order to assure integrity and reproducibility of the PCR assays. The non-stop, single-tube, semi-nested PCR technique is simple and convenient and can detect as little as 5 fg WSSV DNA (20 viral particles) in crude extracts of postlarval samples or extracts of pleopods and haemolymph from larger shrimp.Publication Metadata only Molecular and phenotypic characteristics of neurotropic HIV-1 subtype E(2001-12-01) Surangrat Srisurapanon; Kwonchit Samransurp; Somsith Tunsupasawasdeekul; Uchara Chaowanich; Paijitr Warachit; Ruengpung Sutthent; Srisin Khusmith; Mahidol University; Thailand Ministry of Public HealthAlthough HIV-1 subtype E associated with neurological dysfunction is common, the virological characteristics of HIV-1 isolated from the CNS for this subtype have not yet been identified. In this study, paired blood and CSF isolated from patients with AIDs-defining illnesses were cultured, sequenced and aligned. Phylogenetic tree and nucleotide-distances from both blood and CSF were investigated. Cytopathicity and co-receptor usage of paired blood and CSF isolates were compared to define the specific characteristics of CNS isolates. The results confirmed that CSF isolates showed less cytopathicity. It was found that both blood and CSF isolates used either CXCR4 or CXCR4 and CCR5 as co-receptors. Interestingly, one CSF isolate using CCR3 as a co-receptor was identified. By sequence analysis, the pair-wise distances of envelope gp 120 sequence and those of all variable regions (except V3 region) between blood and CSF isolates were significantly different. The genetic distances in V1/V2 regions of CSF isolates showed more diversity than those of blood isolates. These findings suggest that the evolution of V1/V2 regions of CSF isolates seems to be an advantage for HIV-1 in CNS infection. In contrast, the genetic distance in V4 and V5 regions of CSF isolates showed less diversity, suggesting that conservation in these regions might be necessary during the process of HIV-1 CNS infection.Publication Metadata only Comparison of High-Frequency Flow Interruption ventilation and Hyperventilation in Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn(2001-12-01) Kriang Sak Jirapaet; Pakaphan Kiatchuskul; Thrathip Kolatat; Pimol Srisuparb; Mahidol University; Khon Kaen UniversityINTRODUCTION: Because of the high mortality, potential limitations, and inherent adverse effects associated with conventional therapies, as well as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, for persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN), alternative modes of ventilatory support have been researched. There is anecdotal evidence that high-frequency flow interruption ventilation (HFFI) benefits neonates with severe air leak and lung diseases unresponsive to conventional ventilation, so we conducted a study to compare the hospital course, survival rate, and incidence of chronic lung disease of neonates with PPHN treated with hyperventilation (HV) and HFFI. METHODS: Enrolled in the study were 36 neonates who (1) were treated with HV and a fraction of inspired oxygen of 1.0 for PPHN, (2) had arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) values ≤ 60 mm Hg, and (3) met the inclusion criteria. Neonates were assigned to either HV or HFFI treatment and there were 18 neonates in each treatment group. RESULTS: HFFI did not statistically increase survival (78% vs 44%, p = 0.087). Compared to the HV group, the HFFI group had: (1) fewer neonates requiring vasopressor support (7 vs 14, p = 0.042); (2) lower mean pH (7.37 vs 7.52, p < 0.001) and higher mean PaCO2 (37.7 vs 22.1 mm Hg, p < 0.001) for neonates with PaO2 ≥ 120 mm Hg; (3) shorter mean time to PaO2 ≥ 120 mm Hg (13.5 vs 50.2 h, p = 0.001); (4) shorter mean time to reduced fraction of inspired oxygen (16 vs 84 h, p < 0.001); (5) shorter mean time to fraction of inspired oxygen 0.70 (53 vs 187 h, p < 0.001); (6) shorter mean time to extubation (8.1 vs 18.7 d, p = 0.033); (7) shorter length of hospitalization (22.7 vs 50.6 d, p = 0.025); and (8) fewer neonates with chronic lung disease (1 vs 5, p = 0.018). CONCLUSIONS: HFFI with the ventilation strategy we describe accomplishes sustained hyperoxygenation without hypocarbia and alkalosis, and response to HFFI can predict outcomes. HFFI does not significantly reduce mortality, but it does reduce the length of mechanical ventilation, the length of hospitalization, and the incidence of chronic lung disease in neonates with PPHN. The nonrandomized design of our study precludes firm conclusions about the potential benefits of HFFI. The results may be biased by practice variations. Additional randomized controlled trials are warranted to determine the efficacy of HFFI in neonates with PPHN.Publication Metadata only Scanning Electron Microscopy of Aedes lineatopennis (Diptera: Culicidae) Eggs(2001-01-01) W. Choochote; A. Jitpakdi; K. Sukontason; T. Suntaravitun; S. Wongkamchai; K. Sukontason; B. Pitasawat; Chiang Mai University; Mahidol UniversityThe eggs of Aedes lineatopennis (Ludlow) are described by means of a scanning electron microscopy. The Ae. lineatopennis egg has a rather boat-shaped, fragmented micropylar collar, and membrane-like wall enclosing many tubercles of exochorionic sculpture.Publication Metadata only Production of transgenic plants of the Liliaceous ornamental plant Agapanthus praecox ssp. orientalis (Leighton) Leighton via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of embryogenic calli(2001-07-05) Sakae Suzuki; Kanyaratt Supaibulwatana; Masahiro Mii; Masaru Nakano; Niigata University; Mahidol University; Chiba UniversityA system for producing transgenic plants was developed for the Liliaceous ornamental Agapanthus praecox ssp. orientalis (Leighton) Leighton via Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation. Leaf-derived embryogenic calli were inoculated with A. tumefaciens strain EHA101/pIG121Hm or LBA4404/pTOK233, both of which harbored the binary vector carrying the neomycin phosphotransferase II (NPTII), hygromycin phosphotransferase (HPT) and intron-containing β-glucuronidase (GUS-intron) genes in the T-DNA region. Following co-cultivation, the calli were transferred to a medium containing 1 mg 1-1picloram (PIC), 50 mg 1-1hygromycin and 500 mg 1-1cefotaxime, on which several hygromycin-resistant (Hygr) cell clusters were obtained 5-6 weeks after transfer. Agrobacterium strain, co-cultivation period and acetosyringone (AS) treatment during co-cultivation affected the number of Hygrcallus lines produced: the best result was obtained when embryogenic calli were co-cultivated with LBA4404/pTOK233 for 7 days in the presence of 20 mg 1-1AS. Hygrcalli were transferred to the same medium, but lacking PIC, for inducing somatic embryos. Somatic embryos thus obtained developed into complete plantlets following their transfer to a medium without PIC and antibiotics. All of them were verified to be stable transformants by GUS histochemical assay, PCR and Southern blot analyses. © 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.Publication Metadata only Inexpensive, rapid and convenient PCR-minigel SSCP protocol for polymorphisms and mutations analyses of LDL receptor gene(2001-12-01) Klai Upsorn S. Pongrapeeporn; Pikun Thepsuriyanon; Wattana Leowattana; Sompong Ong-Ajyooth; Sudcharee Kiartivich; Preyanuj Yamwong; Lumpoon Kasemsuk; Kwandoa Kerdsaeng; Wilairat Nuchpramool; Sivadee Laungsuwan; Anchalee Amornrattana; Mahidol University; Amersham Pharmacia Biotech.Hypercholesterolemia has been recognized as a major risk factor of atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease. The elevation in plasma low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is frequently due to genetic alteration at the genetic locus specifying the LDL receptors, leading to defective catabolism of LDL. In order to facilitate the molecular diagnosis of LDL receptor disorder, single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplified genomic DNA fragments has become a simple and sensitive screening method for identification of DNA polymorphisms and mutations in LDL receptor gene prior to DNA sequencing. In addition, SSCP patterns can be detected by silver staining to avoid hazardous radioactive material or other costly nonradioactive detection techniques. However, the original SSCP protocol is generally large-formatted, which is both time and reagents consuming as well as cumbersome. Minigel SSCP protocols have thus been devised but they involve, although commercially available, costly precast gels. We describe here a nonradioactive PCR-minigel SSCP protocol which is sensitive, inexpensive, rapid, reproducible and manually convenient. The results in this study demonstrate that minigel-SSCP (gel size: 10 cm × 7.3 cm × 0.075 cm) can detect conformation polymorphisms in PCR-fragments with a comparative sensitivity to large gel SSCP (gel size: 30 cm × 40 cm × 0.04 cm) as exemplified by the SSCP analyses of exon 13 of the LDL receptor gene. For minigel SSCP, the reagents for gel components and silver staining are reduced approximately 9 times and 10 times, respectively. For electrophoresis, electrical power is also reduced 10 times. This improved technique can become routinely used for molecular diagnosis of LDL receptor defect as well as for other genetic disorders.Publication Metadata only Surgical treatment for congenital duodenal obstruction(2001-06-01) Ravit Ruangtrakool; Mongkol Laohapensang; Akkrapol Mungnirandr; Chana Sathornkich; Mahidol UniversityThirty-four congenital duodenal obstructions (19 duodenal atresia, 7 duodenal web, 7 annular pancreas and one duodenal stenosis) were surgically treated in Siriraj Hospital between 1990 and 1999. Eleven per cent of duodenal atresia had no bile-stained vomiting. Duodenal web which received web excision and duodenoplasty in 43 per cent of cases, also presented with bile-stained vomiting. Duodeno-duodenostomy, duodeno-jejunostomy and web excision with duodenoplasty were performed in 29, 2 and 3 patients respectively. Duodeno-duodenostomy and web excision with duodenoplasty had no difference in the feeding capability. There was no statistically significant difference in duration of TPN, ability to be early fed, post-operative onset of full feeding and hospital stay between diamond-shaped (n = 18) and side-to-side (n = 11) duodeno-duodenostomy. Although transanastomotic feeding tube (n = 4) decreased a percentage of TPN requirement and made early feeding possible, the onset of full feeding, duration of TPN and hospital stay were not different from those who had no transanastomotic tube (n = 30).Publication Metadata only Roles of larval supply and behavior in determining settlement of barnacles in a temperate mangrove forest(2001-06-01) S. Satumanatpan; Michael J. Keough; University of Melbourne; Faculty of Environment and Resource Studies, Mahidol UniversityRecruitment is often a major influence on the spatial distribution of populations of benthic marine invertebrates, but the contributions of different components of recruitment are not well known, with the added complication that the relative importance of various life-history processes may be scale-dependent. Previously, we have shown that over a large scale across a mangrove (Avicennia marina) forest in southeastern Australia, settlement of the barnacle Eliminius covertus explained its patterns of recruitment, which in turn explained the distribution of adults on mangrove pneumatophores. Post-settlement mortality had little influence on this pattern. In contrast, small-scale vertical distributions of adult barnacles along individual pneumatophores were determined by the pattern of recruitment, which differed from the pattern of settlement, so post-settlement mortality determined the vertical patterns of adults. In this study, we tested whether larval supply and/or settlement behavior influence the observed settlement patterns of E. covertus across a forest (from seaward to landward zones). We also tested whether larval supply could explain the vertical settlement patterns along the pneumatophores. A pumping system was used to collect cypris larvae from seaward, mid and landward zones of a mangrove forest and an adjacent, unvegetated shore and from three heights above the sediment surface. We also used transplantation of wooden stakes bearing microbial films and barnacle recruits between horizontal zones of the forest to determine whether settlement was influenced by these films or recruits. Both cyprid supply and cyprid behavior were important factors in determining the patterns of settlement of E. covertus across the forest. Cyprid supply was a result of three-fold differences in immersion times of different (landward, mid and seaward) zones across the forest and a decrease in density of cyprids in the water column from the seaward zone of the forest to the landward sections. In the absence of mangroves immediately adjacent to the forest, there was no temporally consistent difference in cyprid density across the shore and even the differences in immersion time did not produce consistent differences in cyprid supply across the shore. Wooden substrata that had been immersed at seaward sections of the forest attracted consistently more settlers than substrata immersed initially at other sections of the forest and settlement could be induced beyond the normal distribution of adults of E. covertus by stakes transplanted from the seaward zone. The vertical settlement pattern could not be explained by the supply of cyprids, suggesting that larval behavior must determine the vertical settlement pattern. © 2001 Elsevier Science B.V.Publication Metadata only The IQCODE : An alternative screening test for dementia for low educated Thai elderly(2001-05-01) Vorapun Senanarong; Nopwan Sivasiriyanonds; Piyanuj Jamjumrus; Niphon Poungvarin; Sirichai Assavisaraporn; Thipawan Printarakul; Suthipol Udompunthuruk; Mahidol UniversityObjective : To explore an alternative method of screening for dementia in Thai elderly people who have a low educational level. The Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the elderly (IQCODE) is used as the screening test. Material and Method : A community based population of elderly subjects in Bangkok including 87 normal subjects and 73 demented elderly people were studied. Their ages ranged from 52 to 85 years old. The majority of the elderly people had had four years or less of primaryeducation. Dementia was diagnosed independently by DSM IV criteria. A short form of the Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE), a short form, was administered to informants of the elderly by trained medical personnel. The Thai Mini Mental State Examination (TMSE) was also administered to these subjects and compared with the IQCODE. SPSS 9.0 was used for statistical analysis. Results : The IQCODE showed a negative correlation with the TMSE (n=160, r=-0.679, p<0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) of the IQCODE was larger than that of TMSE (0.928 vs 0.814). On logistic regression analysis, there were only three questions that contributed to the diagnosis that showed statistical significance. These questions are remembering what day and month it is, learning how to use a new gadget and handling other everyday arithmetic problems. Applying the new formula (z-score), these three questions showed a sensitivity of 84.90 per cent, and a specificity of 92 per cent for the diagnosis of dementia. Conclusion : Informants' perceptions of cognitive impairment of the elderly can be reliably applied as a screening instrument for dementia in the Thai population with a variety of educational levels. A short form of the IQCODE using selected questions can be administered with good diagnostic sensitivity and specificity.Publication Metadata only Roxithromycin, in prevention of acute coronary syndrome Associated with Chlamydia pneumoniae infection: A randomized placebo controlled trial(2001-12-01) Wattana Leowattana; Kieartijai Bhuripanyo; Lily Singhaviranon; Surank Akaniroj; Nithi Mahanonda; Manoon Samranthin; Sasikant Pokum; Mahidol UniversityThe role of Chlamydia pneumoniae infection in precipitating acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is unclear. Some studies have indicated that intervention with macrolide antibiotics might reduce coronary events in patients with ACS. A double blind, randomized, placebo-control trial was conducted on 84 ACS patients. Patients were randomized to 30 days of treatment with roxithromycin (150 mg, twice daily) or matching placebo. The follow-up period was 90 days, and the primary clinical end point included cardiovascular death, unplanned revascularization and recurrent angina/MI. Anti-C. pneumoniae IgG positive in 24 of 43 (55.8%) patients in the roxithromycin group and 23 of 41 (56.1%) patients in the placebo group. Anti-C pneumoniae IgA positive in 20 of 43 (46.5%) patients in the roxithromycin group and 13 of 41 (31.7%) patients in the placebo group. Thirty-three cardiac events occurred (2 cardiovascular deaths, 9 CABG, 12 PTCA and 10 recurrent angina/MI) with 17 events in the roxithromycin group and 16 events in the placebo group. There was no significant difference of cardiac events between the roxithromycin and placebo groups. The present study suggests that antibiotic therapy with roxithromycin is not associated with reduction of cardiac events as reported by other investigators. However, therapeutic interventions may need to be specifically targeted to a group of patients who are confirmed with chronic C. pneumoniae infection.Publication Metadata only Hair removal using a long-pulsed Nd:YAG Laser: Comparison at fluences of 50, 80, and 100 J/cm2(2001-05-24) David J. Goldberg; Sirunya Silapunt; Skin Laser and Surgery Specialists of NY and NJ; Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; Mahidol University;BACKGROUND. Unwanted hair is a widespread cosmetic problem. Many temporary methods of hair removal have proved unsatisfactory. A variety of laser systems with varying wave-lengths, pulse durations, and energy fluences are currently utilized for hair removal. Optimal laser parameters continue to require further investigation. OBJECTIVE. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a long-pulse millisecond Nd:YAG hair removal laser utilizing fluences of either 50, 80, or 100 J/cm2. METHODS. Fifteen subjects were treated with a contact cooled 50 msec Nd:YAG laser at fluences 30, 50, or 100 J/cm2. Reduction in hair regrowth was measured at 3 months after treatment by comparing the terminal hair count to the baseline values. Potential complications were also evaluated. RESULTS. Average hair reduction at 3 months after treatment was 29%, 29%, and 27% in areas treated with a 50-msec Nd:YAG laser at fluences of 50, 80, and 100 J/cm2, respectively. Although short-term blistering was noted in two subjects, no hyperpimentation, hypopigmentation, or scarring was observed at 3 months after treatment. CONCLUSION. Long-pulse millisecond Nd:YAG laser hair removal with fluences of either 50, 80, or 100 J/cm2leads to similar efficacy with no significant adverse effects.Publication Metadata only Respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function among traffic police in bangkok, thailand(2001-01-01) Kanae Karita; Eiji Yano; Wanida Jinsart; Doungrutai Boudoung; Kenji Tamura; Teikyo University School of Medicine; Chulalongkorn University; Mahidol University; National Institute for Environmental Studies of JapanThe authors undertook a cross-sectional study of the potential adverse health effects of air pollution in Bangkok, Thailand. During 1998 and 1999, the authors administered lung function spirometry tests and a Thai version of the American Thoracic Society's Division of Lung Diseases (ATS-DLD) respiratory questionnaire to 78 male traffic police and 60 male nontraffic police in Bangkok, as well as to 68 male general police in Ayutthaya province, a rural area in Thailand. No consistent trend of decreased pulmonary function was observed in traffic police. The authors controlled for age, height and smoking index, after which mean levels of forced expiratory volume in 1 sec and maximal expiratory flow rate in 25% of vital capacity ([Vdot]25) were significantly lower in Bangkok police than in Ayutthaya police. The prevalence of respiratory symptoms among Bangkok police was slightly higher than among Ayutthaya police. Multiple regression analysis identified age and workplace as statistically significant factors that contributed to the values of forced expiratory volume in 1 sec and [Vdot]25This study provided some evidence of an increase in prevalence of obstructive changes in the peripheral airways among traffic police in Bangkok. © 2001 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.Publication Metadata only Application of quantitative salt iodine analysis compared with the standard method(2001-06-01) Siriporn Chongchirasiri; Chaveevan Pattanachak; Supong Pattanachak; Napaporn Tojinda; Nucharee Putrasreni; Rudee Pleehachinda; Romsai Suwanik; Mahidol UniversityLaboratory investigation of 50 iodated salt samples (from producers, households, markets etc) were studied at the Research Nuclear Medicine Building, Siriraj Hospital. Two methods for the determination of iodine in salt are herein described. The standard method as recommended by The Programme Against Micronutrient Malnutrition (PAMM) / The Micronutrient Initiative (MI) / The International Council for Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders (ICCIDD) was the iodometric titration method. The starch-KI salt iodine quantitative method was developed in our laboratory for validation purposes. This method is high in precision, accuracy, sensitivity as well as specificity. The coefficient of variation (%CV) for intra and inter assay was below 10. Iodine contents as low as 10 ppm, could be detected. The proposed starch-KI method offered some advantages : e.g. not complicated, easier to learn and easier to perform competently, could be applied for spot qualitative test and readily performed outside the laboratory. The results obtained by the starch-KI method correlated well with the standard method (y = 0.98x - 3.22, r = 0.99).Publication Metadata only Continuous and stopped flow injection for catalytic determination of total iodine in urine(2001-03-12) D. Nacapricha; S. Muangkaew; N. Ratanawimarnwong; J. Shiowatana; K. Grudpan; Mahidol UniversityThis paper describes the use of flow injection (FI) techniques for the determination of iodine in urine, based on the catalytic effect of iodide in the redox reaction between Ce(IV) and As(III). The proposed procedures minimize errors in the conventional batch method arising from the reading of absorbance at a fixed time after addition of Ce(IV) reagent. Two FI systems, for the continuous and stopped modes of operation were assembled. In the continuous-FI system, a thermostated bath was used to increase the sensitivity. However this is not necessary for the stopped-FI system. The two systems are comparable in terms of sensitivity, sample throughput and detection limit. The continuous-Fi and the stopped-FI exhibited detection limits (3σ) of 2.3 and 3 μg I 1respectively. Both systems have equal sample throughputs of 35 samples h-1. Calibration plots for both techniques are linear. The FI procedures provide very short analysis times compared to the batch procedure. Using the linear regression test, there is no significant difference between the results from the four methods, i.e., continuous-FI, stopped-FI, conventional method and ICP-MS. The proposed methods are readily applicable for automation and can be an alternative to the conventional procedure for the survey of the iodine deficiency disorder. A condition for sample digestion is also proposed to reduce the amount of chloric acid required for complete digestion. Kinetic information of the reaction can also be obtained from the stopped flow mode.Publication Metadata only Ingestion of insoluble dietary fibre increased zinc and iron absorption and restored growth rate and zinc absorption suppressed by dietary phytate in rats(2001-11-01) Kumiko Hayashi; Hiroshi Hara; Patchana Asvarujanon; Yoritaka Aoyama; Pairojana Luangpituksa; Hokkaido University; Mahidol UniversityWe examined the effects of ingestion of five types of insoluble fibre on growth and Zn absorption in rats fed a marginally Zn-deficient diet (6.75 mg (0.103 mmol) Zn/kg diet) with or without added sodium phytate (12.6 mmol/kg diet). The types of insoluble fibre tested were corn husks, watermelon skin, yam-bean root (Pachyrhizus erosus) and pineapple core, and cellulose was used as a control (100 g/kg diet). Body-weight gain in the cellulose groups was suppressed by 57 % by feeding phytate. Body-weight gain in phytate-fed rats was 80 % greater in the watermelon skin fibre and yam-bean root fibre group than that in the cellulose group. Zn absorption ratio in the cellulose groups was lowered by 46 and 70 % in the first (days 7-10) and second (days 16-19) measurement periods with feeding phytate. In the rats fed the phytate-containing diets, Zn absorption ratio in the watermelon skin, yam-bean root and pineapple core fibre groups was 140, 80 and 54 % higher respectively than that in the cellulose group, in the second period. Fe absorption was not suppressed by phytate, however, feeding of these three types of fibre promoted Fe absorption in rats fed phytate-free diets. The concentration of soluble Zn in the caecal contents in the watermelon skin fibre or yam-bean root fibre groups was identical to that in the control group in spite of a higher short-chain fatty acid concentration and lower pH in the caecum. These findings indicate that ingestion of these types of insoluble fibre recovered the growth and Zn absorption suppressed by feeding a high level of phytate, and factors other than caecal fermentation may also be involved in this effect of insoluble fibre.