Northeastern Area Of Thailand Research Articles

The effect of salinity on soil chemical characteristics, enzyme activity and bacterial community composition in rice rhizospheres in Northeastern Thailand

Saline soil is one of the major problems limiting rice productivity in the Northeastern area of Thailand. Thus, the aims of this study were to determine soil physicochemical analysis and soil enzyme activities, and bacterial communities in the rhizosphere of ‘RD 6’ rice grown in salt-affected rice fields. The Ban Thum sample showed the highest electrical conductivity (EC; greater than 6 dS m−1) and total Na, while the EC in other fields were at non- or slightly saline levels. The principal component analysis revealed that soil chemical characteristics and soil enzymes activities explained 73.4% of total variation. Soil enzyme activities including dehydrogenase and fluorescein diacetate (FDA) hydrolysis, and soil characteristics including organic matter (OM) and organic carbon (OC) were significantly negatively correlated to EC. This indicated that these soil properties were adversely impacted by salts. Interestingly, activities of all hydrolytic enzymes were not affected by soil salinity. Bacteria that were able to colonize the rhizosphere soils were Achromobacter cholinophagum, Rhizobium tarimense, and unculturable bacteria. In this regard, study on the relationship of soil chemical characteristics and soil enzyme activities together with bacterial communities provided promising data for assessing rice field soil quality in the future.

Diversity of fermentative yeasts with probiotic potential isolated from Thai fermented food products.

This research aimed to evaluate the diversity of yeasts recovered from fermented foods gathered from some areas of Northeastern Thailand. The fermented food items included Pla-som, Nham-pla, Kem-buknud, Isan-sausage, Pla-ra, Mhum-neu, Mhum-Khai-pla, Nham-neu, Nham-mu, Kung-joom, Som-pla-noi, and Poo-dong. Their probiotic characteristics were also investigated. A total of 103 yeast isolates of nine genera were identified using 28S rDNA sequencing. The yeast genera were Candida (20.3%), Diutina (2.9%), Filobasidium (1.0%), Kazachstania (33.0%), Pichia (3.9%), Saccharomyces (1.0%), Starmerella (28.2%), Torulaspora (2.9%), and Yarrowia (6.8%). Based on probiotic characteristic analysis of ten selected yeast strains, Kazachstania bulderi KKKS4-1 showed the strongest probiotic characteristics in terms of hemolytic activity, antimicrobial activity against pathogenic bacteria, tolerance to low pH and bile salt and hydrophobicity. Isolated yeasts with probiotic characteristics may be useful in fermented food and animal feed production to improve their nutritional values.

Decision-making on loan services of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in agrarian areas of North-Eastern Thailand

The purpose of this research was to study the quality and standards of work that influence the operational efficiency of Small and Medium Enterprises in the construction business in Thailand. The data was gathered from 400 construction business entrepreneurs, 342 of which were respondents of an online questionnaire and the other 58 were out of 80 respondents to a questionnaire sent by post. The result revealed that quality and standards of work had effects towards the efficiency of the business. Having been granted permission to do construction from a provincial office of public works was found to affect their benefits and customers’ satisfaction with statistical significance. It was also found that the use of good-quality construction materials and having construction completed on the requested schedule had an effect towards the business’s revenue at the statistical significance level of 0.05.

Petrology and Alteration of Calcium Sulphate Deposits in Late Paleozoic Rocks of Wang Saphung Area, Loei Province, Thailand

The gypsum-anhydrite deposit in Loei-Wang Saphung (LWS) area of northeastern Thailand is a small evaporite sediment deposit with up to 50 m thick gypsum-anhydrite beds. The evaporite deposits are overlain by cross-laminated and fine-grained siliciclastic and carbonate rocks of the Carboniferous to Permian ages. This paper documents some characteristics of the deposits, including lithologies, textures, and structures of gypsum-anhydrite and associated rocks, based on the stratigraphic core logging of boreholes and lithofacies analysis of selected samples. Morphological and textural mineralogical relationships reveal 10 textures of the evaporite formation viz. alabastrine gypsum, satin spar gypsum, selenite gypsum, gypsarenite, porphyroblastic gypsum, fine lenticular gypsum, crystalloblastic or blocky anhydrite, prismatic anhydrite, epigenetic anhydrite, and felty epigenetic anhydrite. The results also indicate that the LWS sulfate deposit has passed through at least 4 evolutionary alterations; (1) original precipitation as gypsum deposit, (2) gypsum-to-anhydrite transformation resulting from burial diagenesis in response to basinal subsidence, (3) rehydration of anhydrite-to-gypsum, indicated by distorted gypsum rocks, resulting from the increase of volume due to the rehydration from anhydrite to gypsum, and recrystallization of anhydrite and/or primary gypsum to secondary gypsum (4) uplift and re-expose of gypsum, indicated by the karstification and dissolution cavities and gypsarenite veins. The gypsum-anhydrite beds with associated carbonate and mud rocks suggest that these sedimentary sequences form in a subaqueous, probably shallow marine marginal setting during Late Carboniferous.

An Optimum Technique for Renewable Power Generations Integration to Power System Using Repeated Power Flow Technique Considering Voltage Stability Limit

This paper presents an optimum location definition and technique for a better placement location of renewable power generations in a wide area power system using repeated power flow technique considering voltage stability limit. In this study, for a better understanding, the author have implemented the newly proposed idea on Thailand's power system especially focusing on renewable generation support plan from the government policy under the current Power Development Plan (PDP 2015). The study results have compared between: 1) installation the renewable generation at the newly recommendation area and 2) installation the renewable generation facilities throughout into distribution system in the Northeastern area of Thailand. The study results focus on impaction to voltage stability when system has load demand increasing and generation capacity decreasing. This study, a Modified-Thailand's power system during peak load in 2013 was used as a system base case with generation capacity around 27,400 MW and load demand around 26,810 MW while system losses 590 MW. The results found that the newly proposed technique can define optimum location for install renewables generation in wide area to enhance system security in term of voltage stability impaction. This technique may also carry to define the installation of other equipment as FACTS devices or define generation dispatch for Automatic Generation Control system (AGC) for power system stability enhancement.

Abstract LB-173: The Thailand initiative in genomics and expression research for liver cancer (TIGER-LC): Defining novel subtypes of hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma

Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) represent two major histological cancer subtypes confined within the liver. They are clinically and biologically heterogeneous, and are highly resistant to treatment, which makes them the second most lethal cancer for men in the world. In Thailand, liver cancer represents the primary cause of cancer-related death and is a major health problem, especially in north-eastern area of Thailand where liver fluke (O. viverrini) is endemic and approximately 70% of liver cancers are CCA. While HBV and HCV are major etiological factors for HCC globally, liver fluke infection is a major etiological factor for CCA in Thailand. These unique risk factor patterns provide an opportunity to study cancer heterogeneity and its unique tumor biology. The Thailand Initiative in Genomics and Expression Research for Liver Cancer (TIGER-LC) consortium was established to identify genomic and expression factors that may modify HCC and CCA susceptibility and progression. In a Phase I study, we determined molecular subtypes of HCC and CCA. We performed genomic profiling of 398 surgical specimens derived from 199 liver cancer patients. We employed the Affymetrix Human Transcriptome Array 2.0 to examine transcriptome profiles. Unsupervised Consensus Clustering (cCluster), Subclass Mapping (SM) and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) algorithms were used to analyze transcriptome data. The results were validated in 247 Asian HCC cases and 104 Caucasian CCA cases. We found that the Thai HCC cases consisted of 3 stable subgroups (C1-C3), while the Thai CCA cases contained 4 stable subgroups (C1-C4) based on gene expression patterns determined by cCluster. SM analysis revealed that CCA-C1 and HCC-C1 subtypes shared a similar gene expression matrix, as did CCA-C2 and HCC-C2 for a separate pattern. Interestingly, patients in both CCA-C1 and HCC-C1 had a poor prognosis, while those in CCA-C2 and HCC-C2 had a good prognosis. These prognostic subtypes were validated in an independent Asian HCC cohort but not in a Caucasian CCA cohort. GSEA revealed that among 17 significantly altered canonical pathways in the C1 subtype, 8 are related to mitotic checkpoint signaling. In contrast, the main signaling pathways associated with the C2 subtype were related to cytokine and chemokine signaling. We found that certain mitotic checkpoint genes are highly activated only in C1, but not in the C2 subtype. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that CCA and HCC from Asian populations consist of molecularly-similar tumor subgroups with similar prognostic impacts and unique tumor biology and that the C1 subtype may be sensitive to mitotic checkpoint blockage. Our ability to rigorously classify and validate both HCC and CCA using these tools may represent a new avenue for the development of targeted therapeutic interventions. Citation Format: The TIGER-LC Consortium, Jittiporn Chaisaingmongkol, Anuradha Budhu, Hien Dang, Siritida Rabibhadana, Benjarath Pupacdi, Marshonna Forgues, Vajarabhongsa Bhudhisawasdi, Nirush Lertprasertsuke, Anon Chotirosniramit, Chawalit Pairojkul, Chirayu U. Auewarakul, Thaniya Sricharunrat, Kannika Phornphutkul, Suleeporn Sangrajrang, Maggie Cam, Ping He, Stephen M. Hewitt, Xiaolin Wu, Snorri S. Thorgeirsson, Paul S. Meltzer, Christopher A. Loffredo, Robert H. Wiltrout, Curtis C. Harris, Chulabhorn Mahidol, Mathuros Ruchirawat, Xin W. Wang. The Thailand initiative in genomics and expression research for liver cancer (TIGER-LC): Defining novel subtypes of hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-173. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-LB-173

The cult of Phaya Narin Songkhram: Spirit mediums and shifting sociocultural boundaries in northeastern Thailand

Sociocultural boundaries come in many forms, and crucially, are responsive to power and constantly in flux. This article focuses on the production of space and unmarked sociocultural boundaries linked to spirit mediums in a historically contested area of northeastern Thailand who are possessed by the spirits of Phaya Narin Songkhram — a key ‘Lao’ military leader of Chao Anou's famous Vientiane revolt against Siam between 1826–28 — and those of his subordinates. Spirit mediums linked to ethnic ‘Thai’ leaders are also found to the south of this area. Through channeling and performing these historical persons, spirit mediums keep alive and reproduce group memories with space-making implications. This article also shows how the mediums' positioning has shifted over time and varies in relation to contemporary power relations, altering the sociocultural boundaries between ethnic Lao and Thai.

Induction of cholangiocarcinoma cells apoptosis by an andrographolide analog

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a malignant tumor derived from bile duct epithelial cells that has high incidence in the Northeastern area of Thailand. It is associated with the infection of liver fluke (Opisthorchis viverrini). Chemotherapeutic treatment of CCA is often ineffective due to its resistance to drugs. Therefore, new effective agents for treatment of CCA are urgently required. RSPP 050 analog is a modified compound of andrographolide which has previously been reported to potently inhibit proliferation in many cancer cell lines. In the present study, we aim to investigate the anti-proliferative effect of RSPP 050 on cholangiocarcinoma cells (KKU-M213). Cell viability of KKU-M213 was evaluated using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The IC50 values were 9.4±3.12 µM, 3.47±0.75 µM, and 3.44±0.5 µM at 24, 48 and 72 h, respectively. To investigate the induction of apoptosis in KKU-M213 cells by RSPP 050, APO-BrdU™ TUNEL assay was conducted. RSPP 050 markedly increased the number of apoptotic cells compared to the untreated control. By using 4'-6-diamidino-2-phenylindole(DAPI) staining, RSPP 050 at 10 µM for 24 h, increased the chromatin condensation about 25±0.12% compared with 0.1% DMSO treated cells (2±0.04%) and the percentage of nuclear fragmentation of 50±0.33% compared to 0.1% DMSO treated cells (4±0.01%). These results suggest that RSPP 050 potently inhibited proliferation of KKU-M213 cells by inducing apoptosis. It would be useful for further development as the therapeutic agent for treatment of cholangiocarcinoma. Key words: Andrographolide analog, apoptosis, cholangiocarcinoma.

Development of an Item Bank of Order and Graph by Applying Multidimensional Item Response Theory

This study aimed to develop an item bank of Order and Graph of Mattayomsuksa 1 level (grade 7). The samples were 4,800 lower secondary students from 34 schools in northeastern area of Thailand, academic year 2011 chosen through multi-stage random sampling. The research tool used in the study was a multiple choicetest of an Order and Graph lesson by applying multidimensional item response theory. Parameter were analyzed by confi rmatory factor analysis by applying multidimensional normalogive model with guessing of the program normalogive harmonic analysis robust method (NOHARM). Discrimination power and Easiness intercept were equated through non–orthogonal procrustes method. The study results indicated that there were 59 items out of 140 passed the test standard. Key words: Item bank; Cognitive process; Multidimensional item response theory (MIRT)

Medicinal parasitic plants on diverse hosts with their usages and barcodes

Medicinal properties of parasitic plants were investigated by means of ethnobotanical study in some areas of northeastern Thailand. Important traditional usages are: Scurrula atropurpurea nourishes blood, Dendrophthoe pentandra decreases high blood pressure, and Helixanthera parasitica treats liver disease. Their systematics were also determined. The research is based on findings obtained from 100 parasite-host pairs. Of these, eight parasitic species were recorded; they are members of two families, viz. family Loranthaceae, namely D. lanosa, D. pentandra, H. parasitica, Macrosolen brandisianus, M. cochinchinensis and S. atropurpurea, and family Viscaceae, namely Viscum articulatum and V. ovalifolium. In addition, each parasitic species is found on diverse hosts, indicating non-host-parasitic specificity. Species-specific tagging of all species studied was carried out using the rbcL and psbA-trnH chloroplast regions. These tag sequences are submitted to GenBank databases under accession numbers JN687563-JN687578. Genetic distances calculated from nucleotide variations in a couple of species of each genus, Dendrophthoe, Macrosolen, and Viscum, were 0.032, 0.067 and 0.036 in the rbcL region, and 0.269, 0.073 and 0.264 in the psbA-trnH spacer region, respectively. These variations will be used for further identification of incomplete plant parts or other forms such as capsule, powder, dried or chopped pieces.

Purification and characterization of Heteroscorpine-1 (HS-1) toxin from Heterometrus laoticus scorpion venom

Crude venom from Thai giant scorpion, Heterometrus laoticus, most commonly found in the northeastern area of Thailand, was evaluated for PD 50 (paralytic dose 50) activities from abdominal injection to cricket ( Gryllus sp.) and activities against various kinds of microorganisms. It exhibited good results in disc diffusion assay for Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. After purification, toxin showed acceptable results for PD 50 determination in entrapped cricket as well as inhibitory activity against B. subtilis, K. pneumoniae, and P. aeruginosa with activities over 300 times higher than that of the crude venom. The purified fraction was showed to contain a single band in SDS-PAGE. MALDI-TOF-MS/MS analysis showed one peak of major protein with 8293 Da. Partial amino acid sequence show high homology to Scorpine—a polypeptide toxin family with potassium channel blocking and defensin activity. The novel toxin was named “Heteroscorpine-1” (HS-1) as the first Scorpine from genus Heterometrus. After full length determination by PCR, HS-1 gene was found to be composed of two exons, separated by an intron. Deduction revealed 95 amino acid residues with 19 residues as the leading sequence. It showed about 80% similarity to Panscorpine and Opiscorpine.

Genetic Characterization of Rabies Field Isolates from Thailand

We sequenced 512 nucleotides in two variable regions of the N gene of 23 rabies isolates from the northeastern part of Thailand by direct sequencing of PCR-amplified products. The sequencing data revealed two new lineages in these rabies isolates. Based on the results of this study together with the findings of our earlier study, the rabies isolates in Thailand were divided into two genogroups, designated as T1 and T2, which were predominantly localized in the northern and northeastern areas, respectively. Each of these two genogroups consisted of four lineages. There was a correlation between these eight lineages and the geographical origins of the isolates. Two lineages belonging to the T2 genogroup from the northeastern area of Thailand were newly identified in this study. The isolates in both genogroups were also prevalent in the central area of Thailand. Each lineage in the T1 and T2 genogroups was found independently in dogs in the upper and lower southern areas of Thailand, respectively. These genetic data and the historical background suggest that rabies viruses belonging to the T2 genogroups were prevalent many years ago in the central and northeastern areas of Thailand and were later transferred to the lower southern parts of Thailand.

Isolation and characterization of isomaltulose- and trehalulose-producing bacteria from Thailand soil.

The bacterial screening to get the strains that produce isomaltulose (palatinose, 6-O-α-D-glucopyranosyl-D-fructose) and trehalulose (1-O-α-D-glucopyranosyl-D-fructose) from sucrose, were carried out in Thailand. Many samples such as soil, fruits, etc., were obtained mainly from the northeastern area of Thailand. And several strains named MX-2, -4, -10, -11, and -13 were isolated from these samples. These strains, which were facultative anaerobic, gram-negative and rod-shaped bacteria, belonged to the genus Klebsiella: K. planticola (MX-2, -4, -10, and -11), and K. terrigena (MX-13) The strain MX-10 produced isomaltulose and trehalulose from sucrose, and the yields of isomaltulose and trehalulose were 65 and 30% as against sucrose, respectively, when 98% of sucrose was transformed. It is interesting that the trehalulose yields were higher in the reactions by the strain MX-10 than those by Protaminobacter rubrum (9% of trehalulose and 86% of isomaltulose). The results obtained by using immobilized cells of MX-10 were described.

The Role of the Environment in Limiting the Adoption of New Rice Technology in Northeastern Thailand

This paper investigates the role that the environment can play in limiting the adoption of the technology of the 'Green Revolution'. Two communities cultivating wet-rice in a marginal rain-fed area of Northeastern Thailand are studied. It is demonstrated that high yielding varieties of rice are unsuited to the physical conditions in which farmers are operating. They are seen to be neither flexible enough to deal with the variable climate nor specialized enough to cope with the specific conditions of soil and water found in each field. Instead the inhabitants chose to cultivate local or 'improved' varieties which were carefully selected with respect to the physical characteristics of each paddy but which also embodied a large degree of ecological flexibility. Similarly, the low rate of chemical fertilizer use is shown to be due, primarily, to limitations imposed by the environment rather that any socio-economic constraint(s). The complexity of the cultivation strategy that the farmers have developed is contrasted with the simplicity of government recommendations. It is suggested that the agricultural development policies of the Thai government, founded as they are on the technology of the 'Green Revolution', have failed to recognize the special problems facing farmers cultivating wet-rice in marginal rain-fed conditions.