Northern Thailand Research Articles

Assessing Drought Impacts on Gross Primary Productivity of Rubber Plantations Using Flux Observations and Remote Sensing in China and Thailand

Rubber (Hevea brasiliensis Muell.) plantations are vital agricultural ecosystems in tropical regions. These plantations provide key industrial raw materials and sequester large amounts of carbon dioxide, playing a vital role in the global carbon cycle. Climate change has intensified droughts in Southeast Asia, negatively affecting rubber plantation growth. Limited in situ observations and short monitoring periods hinder accurate assessment of drought impacts on the gross primary productivity (GPP) of rubber plantations. This study used GPP data from flux observations at four rubber plantation sites in China and Thailand, along with solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF), enhanced vegetation index (EVI), normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), near-infrared reflectance of vegetation (NIRv), and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) indices, to develop a robust GPP estimation model. The model reconstructed eight-day interval GPP data from 2001 to 2020 for the four sites. Finally, the study analyzed the seasonal drought impacts on GPP in these four regions. The results indicate that the GPP prediction model developed using SIF, EVI, NDVI, NIRv, and PAR has high accuracy and robustness. The model’s predictions have a relative root mean square error (rRMSE) of 0.22 compared to flux-observed GPP, with smaller errors in annual GPP predictions than the MOD17A3HGF model, thereby better reflecting the interannual variability in the GPP of rubber plantations. Drought significantly affects rubber plantation GPP, with impacts varying by region and season. In China and northern Thailand (NR site), short-term (3 months) and long-term (12 months) droughts during cool and warm dry seasons cause GPP declines of 4% to 29%. Other influencing factors may alleviate or offset GPP reductions caused by drought. During the rainy season across all four regions and the cool dry season with adequate rainfall in southern Thailand (SR site), mild droughts have negligible effects on GPP and may even slightly increase GPP values due to enhanced PAR. Overall, the study shows that drought significantly impacts rubber the GPP of rubber plantations, with effects varying by region and season. When assessing drought’s impact on rubber plantation GPP or carbon sequestration, it is essential to consider differences in drought thresholds within the climatic context.

Heavy metal contamination in eggs on poultry farms and ecological risk assessment around a gold mine area in northern Thailand

The aim of this study was to analyze and compare the Hg, Pb, Cd, and Mn levels in egg feed, soil, and water among laying hens, laying ducks, and free-grazing duck farms in contaminated and uncontaminated areas. This study revealed that the Hg concentration in the eggs of free-grazing ducks was significantly greater than that in the eggs of laying hens and ducks in both contaminated and uncontaminated areas. However, the Pb and Mn levels in the eggs of laying ducks and free-grazing ducks were significantly greater than those in the eggs of laying hens in the contaminated area. Unfortunately, the Hg, Pb, Cd, and Mn concentrations in the feed, soil, and water from these three farms in both areas were not significantly different (P > 0.05). Hg and Cd were confirmed to be enriched in the egg albumin fraction, while Pb and Mn were found mainly in the egg yolk. However, egg consumption from free-grazing duck farms was the riskiest to Hg, Pb, and Mn contamination in the contaminated area. Additionally, the ecological risk factor (ER) in the soil revealed that all the farms were at considerable to high environmental risk for Cd except for Hg and Pb. Although the potential ecological risk index (RI) indicated a moderate risk for all farms in both contaminated and uncontaminated areas, these results were not consistent with our hypothesis. Therefore, the information gained in this study could be useful for setting up mitigation strategies and making decisions about public health concerns related to health hazards, especially for ecological risk assessments of heavy metal contamination.

Air pollutants and primary liver cancer mortality: a cohort study in crop-burning activities and forest fires area.

Northern Thailand experiences high levels of air pollution in the dry season due to agricultural waste burning and forest fires. Some air pollutants can enter the bloodstream, and the liver has the role of detoxifying these along with other harmful substances. In this study, we assessed the effects of long-term exposure to air pollutants on liver cancer mortality in this area. A cohort of 10,859 primary liver cancer patients diagnosed between 2003 and 2018 and followed up to the end of 2020 were included in the study. Extended time-varying covariates of the annually averaged pollutant concentrations updated each year were utilized. The associations between air pollutants and mortality risk were examined by using a Cox proportional hazard model. Metastatic cancer stage had the highest adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) of 3.57 (95% confidence interval (CI):3.23-3.95). Being male (aHR = 1.10; 95% CI: 1.04-1.15), over 60 years old (aHR = 1.16; 95% CI: 1.11-1.21), having a history of smoking (aHR = 1.16; 95%CI: 1.11-1.22), and being exposed to a time-updated local concentration of PM2.5 of 40 μg/m3 (aHR = 1.10; 95% CI: 1.05-1.15) increased the mortality risk. We found that air pollution is one of several detrimental factors on the mortality risk of liver cancer.

Echoes of conflict and displacement in maternal health: Life-course violence, timing, and maternal stress after childbirth at the northern Thailand-Myanmar border

Armed conflict, displacement, and related violence is escalating globally, concentrated among civilians and migrants in border areas, and poses grave harms to women and children. The current study investigates how women’s life-course experiences of conflict and displacement are linked to maternal stress and health outcomes after childbirth at the Thailand-Myanmar border, specifically stress, mental health, and cardiometabolic outcomes. Analyses are based on a cross-sectional population-based maternal and child health survey of 701 mothers, collected in 2017–18 in northern Thailand along the Myanmar border, including in camps, worksites, and residential homes. Results suggest that how conflict violence shapes contemporary stress and health depends on the outcome, level and timing of conflict violence exposure, and subsequent contextual threats and deprivation in displacement contexts. Past conflict violence was associated with symptoms of perceived stress (PS) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) but not depression. It was also associated with hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity (hair cortisol concentration) and adiposity (waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio). Additionally, past conflict violence that began in childhood was particularly salient for PS, GAD, and adiposity; and level and timing of violence were salient jointly for HPA activity. Post-displacement factors also independently predicted higher blood pressure and played a potentially partial mediating role in the association between conflict exposure and both PS and GAD symptoms.

Seasonal dynamics, Leishmania diversity, and nanopore-based metabarcoding of blood meal origins in Culicoides spp. in the newly emerging focus of leishmaniasis in Northern Thailand

BackgroundClinical cases of leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania (Mundinia) parasites have been increasingly reported in Southeast Asia, particularly Thailand. Recent evidence has shown that Leishmania (Mundinia) parasites successfully developed into infective metacyclic promastigotes in Culicoides biting midges, strongly supporting their putative role in disease transmission. However, Culicoides diversity, host preference, and Leishmania prevalence in endemic areas remain largely unknown.MethodsWe investigated the seasonal dynamics, infection prevalence, and blood meal identification of Culicoides collected from the emerging focus of visceral leishmaniasis in Lampang Province, Northern Thailand, during 2021–2023. Midge samples were molecularly screened for Leishmania using SSU rRNA-qPCR and ITS1-PCR, followed by Sanger plasmid sequencing, and parasite haplotype diversity was analyzed. Host blood meal origins were comparatively identified using host-specific Cytb-PCRs and a nanopore-based metabarcoding approach.ResultsA total of 501 parous and gravid females and 46 blood-engorged ones belonging to at least 17 species of five subgenera (Remmia, Trithecoides, Avaritia, Hoffmania, and Meijerehelea) and two species groups (Shortti and Calvipalpis) were collected with temporal differences in abundance. Leishmania was detected by SSU rRNA-qPCR in 31 samples of at least 11 midge species, consisting of Culicoides oxystoma, C. guttifer, C. orientalis, C. mahasarakhamense, C (Trithecoides) spp., C. innoxius, C. shortti, C. arakawae, C. sumatrae, C. actoni, and C. fulvus, with the overall infection prevalence of 5.7%. The latter six species represent the new records as putative leishmaniasis vectors in Northern Thailand. The ITS1-PCR and plasmid sequencing revealed that Leishmania martiniquensis was predominantly identified in all qPCR-positive species, whereas L. orientalis was identified only in three C. oxystoma samples. The most dominant haplotype of L. martiniquensis in Thailand was genetically intermixed with those from other geographical regions, confirming its globalization. Neutrality test statistics were also significantly negative on regional and country-wide scales, suggesting rapid population expansion or selective sweeps. Nanopore-based blood meal analysis revealed that most Culicoides species are mammalophilic, with peridomestic and wild mammals (cow, pig, deer, and goat-like species) and humans as hosts, while C. guttifer and C. mahasarakhamense fed preferentially on chickens.ConclusionsThis study revealed seasonal dynamics and sympatric circulation of L. martiniquensis and L. orientalis in different species of Culicoides. Evidence of human blood feeding was also demonstrated, implicating Culicoides as putative vectors of human leishmaniasis in endemic areas. Further research is therefore urgently needed to develop vector control strategies and assess the infection status of their reservoir hosts to effectively minimize disease transmission.Graphical

Effect of PM2.5 on burden of mortality from non-communicable diseases in northern Thailand.

Particulate pollution, especially PM2.5from biomass burning, affects public and human health in northern Thailand during the dry season. Therefore, PM2.5exposure increases non-communicable disease incidence and mortality. This study examined the relationship between PM2.5and NCD mortality, including heart disease, hypertension, chronic lung disease, stroke, and diabetes, in northern Thailand during 2017-2021. The analysis utilized accurate PM2.5data from the MERRA2 reanalysis, along with ground-based PM2.5measurements from the Pollution Control Department and mortality data from the Division of Non-Communicable Disease, Thailand. The cross-correlation and spearman coefficient were utilized for the time-lag, and direction of the relationship between PM2.5and mortality from NCDs, respectively. The Hazard Quotient (HQ) was used to quantify the health risk of PM2.5to people in northern Thailand. High PM2.5 risk was observed in March, with peak PM2.5concentration reaching 100 µg/m3, with maximum HQ values of 1.78±0.13 to 4.25±0.35 and 1.45±0.11 to 3.46±0.29 for males and females, respectively. Hypertension significantly correlated with PM2.5levels, followed by chronic lung disease and diabetes. The cross-correlation analysis showed a strong relationship between hypertansion mortality and PM2.5at a two-year time lag in Chiang Mai (0.73) (CI [-0.43-0.98], p-value of 0.0270) and a modest relationship with chronic lung disease at Lampang (0.33) (a four-year time lag). The results from spearman correlation analysis showed that PM2.5concentrations were associated with diabetes mortality in Chiang Mai, with a coefficient of 0.9 (CI [0.09-0.99], p-value of 0.03704). Lampang and Phayao had significant associations between PM2.5 and heart disease, with coefficients of 0.97 (CI [0.66-0.99], p-value of 0.0048) and 0.90 (CI [0.09-0.99], p-value of 0.0374), respectively, whereas Phrae had a high coefficient of 0.99 on stroke.

Material Characterisation of 19–20th Century Manuscripts from Northern Thailand

Abstract Material analysis was carried out on four manuscripts from Northern Thailand, which included two palm-leaf manuscripts and two paper manuscripts. The two palm-leaf manuscripts MS 6 and MS 7 were found to have been written in the traditional method, wherein text was incised on the surface of the leaves, and then soot applied to the surfaces, confirmed by the identification of carbon ink. MS 7 additionally showed the presence of trace levels of iron in the ink, either from soot paste or from the stylus used for inscribing. The paper manuscript MS 3 was written in iron-gall ink, with sections written using a methyl-violet based ink while MS 4 was written in carbon ink. The paper used in the case of MS 3 was found to be machine made, while khoi fibres (Streblus asper) were used for making the paper used for MS 4. A combination of traditional and modern pigments, like molybdenum orange, was used for decorating the edges and cover. The results improved our understanding of these manuscripts in particular, and also provided us with insights about the rapid adoption of modern materials and their incorporation into the production of written artefacts from Northern Thailand in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Differential impacts of ambient PM2.5 exposure on sperm quality in northern Thailand.

This study aimed to explore the correlation between ambient particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) concentration and sperm quality among northern Thai men exposed to the seasonal air pollution from the agricultural burning process. The demographic data and semen analysis of Thai men living in Chiang Mai, Thailand, who visited the infertile clinic were collected. The correlation test between the monthly amount of PM2.5 and sperm quality was carried out. From 2017 to 2021, 1,109 Thai men visited the Infertile Clinic. The correlation test between PM2.5 and sperm quality in years with a better climate revealed a weak positive correlation between the mean PM2.5 and percentage of progressive motile sperm and normal morphology (r=0.08, p=0.05 and r=0.1, p=0.02). However, there was a negative correlation between the mean PM2.5 and sperm concentration, progressive motility and normal sperm morphology during the years with a higher amount of ambient PM2.5, and especially PM2.5 exposure 3 months before semen collection (r=-0.12, p=0.01, r=-0.11, p=0.003, r=-0.15, p=0.004). Exposure to a high amount of PM2.5 air pollution negatively affects sperm quality.

Factory Logistics Improvement: A Case Study Analysis of Companies in Northern Thailand, 2022–2024

Background: Thailand’s logistics costs significantly exceed global averages. This study examines the novel application of a triple-helix model in factory logistics improvement projects in Northern Thailand from 2022 to 2024, addressing industrial logistics inefficiencies. Methods: The project involved 30 factories across various sectors, employing a case study methodology to analyze improvement initiatives in transportation, warehouse/inventory management, and logistics administration. Results: Transportation management interventions yielded up to 25% cost savings and improved delivery performance. Warehouse and inventory management upgrades led to inventory cost reductions of up to 55%. Logistics administrative improvements resulted in up to 20% cost savings and enhanced planning capabilities. Conclusions: The project demonstrates the effectiveness of the triple-helix model in facilitating knowledge transfer and practical improvements in industrial logistics. These findings are valuable for Thai industries, policymakers, and logistics managers globally, offering a blueprint for similar initiatives in developing economies. The success of this approach provides practical insights for optimizing logistics operations, potentially benefiting supply chain stakeholders, economic planners, and researchers seeking to enhance logistics efficiency and reduce costs in various industrial contexts.

Factors influencing the third COVID-19 vaccine booster dose acceptance among older adults in northern Thailand

BackgroundCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) causes more deaths in older adults than in younger adults. Older adults are a vulnerable group with a high need for coronavirus vaccines to decrease the severity of the disease. The aim of this analytical cross-sectional study was to determine the factors influencing third COVID-19 vaccine booster dose acceptance among older adults in northern Thailand.MethodsThe study samples were composed of 2,155 older adults living in Kamphaeng Phet Province, northern Thailand. They were randomly selected by multistage random sampling. Data were collected in a self-administered questionnaire consisting of 7 parts: (1) personal factors, (2) knowledge about COVID-19, (3) perceived susceptibility to COVID-19 infection, (4) perceived severity of COVID-19, (5) perceived benefits of the third COVID-19 vaccine booster dose, (6) perceived barriers to the third COVID-19 vaccine booster dose vaccination, and (7) the third COVID-19 vaccine booster dose acceptance. Data were analyzed via frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and binary logistic regression. All the significance levels were set to 0.05.ResultsThe results indicated that only 28.5% of older adults accepted the third COVID-19 vaccine booster dose. The factors influencing third COVID-19 vaccine booster dose acceptance among older adults included 5 variables. The participants aged ≥ 70 years was 1.37 times (95%CI = 1.12–1.69) greater than those aged < 70 years who accepted the vaccine. Participants who were married were more likely to accept the vaccine by 1.39 times (95%CI = 1.09–1.79) compared with single individuals. Those with underlying diseases tended to accept the vaccine by 1.56 times (95%CI = 1.26–1.92) more than those without underlying diseases. Those who had high perceived benefit from the COVID-19 vaccine possibly accepted the vaccine by 1.50 times (95%CI = 1.10–2.04) more than those with low perceived benefit, and those who had a low perceived barrier to the third COVID-19 booster dose vaccination seemed to accept the vaccine by 1.29 times (95%CI = 1.01–1.52) more than those with a high perceived benefit.ConclusionOlder adults should receive health education regarding the perceived benefit of the COVID-19 vaccine and the perceived barrier to COVID-19 vaccination, especially older adults aged < 70 years, those who are single, and those who are free of underlying diseases.

Diseases, drugs and dust

From 1 January to 20 June 2024, there were 186,900 reported flu cases resulting in 14 deaths in various regions of Thailand and on 21 August 2024 Thailand confirmed the first case of a new lethal variant of mpox. Thailand's Ministry of Public Health has announced plans to reclassify cannabis and hemp as illegal narcotics starting 1 January 2025. Vaping bans were emphasized on 31 May, the World No Tobacco Day. The organized Lung Cancer Screening program was started in the Northern Thailand where the prevalence of lung cancer and the level of PM 2.5 were high.

Latent class analysis of polysubstance use and association of various risk factors with polysubstance use among vocational students in Northern Thailand by sex differences and factors association

Latent class analysis of polysubstance use and association of various risk factors with polysubstance use among vocational students in Northern Thailand by sex differences and factors association

Gastrointestinal Helminthic Infection among the Population in Northern Thailand.

Gastrointestinal (GI) helminthic infections pose substantial public health threat, particularly in northern Thailand, with a heightened concern in Nan province. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of GI helminthic infections in Nan province and identify associated risk factors in local population. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2022. Fecal specimens were collected and examined using Kato-Katz technique and Formalin Ethyl-Acetate Concentration Technique (FECT). Univariate analysis employed the Chi-square test to explore correlations, while logistic regression was defined risk factors associated with parasite infections. Among 739 individuals surveyed, 14.34% were revealed GI helminthic infections. Notably, infection rates were higher in males (20.40%) compared to females (8.95%), with a notable prevalence among individuals aged ≥ 60 (17.78%) and high infection rate was demonstrated in Kiew Chan village (21.67%). The most commonly detected helminths were minute intestinal flukes (MIFs) (10.01%) and Capillaria spp. (3.11%). Males were significantly associated with GI helminthic infections, while individuals aged 40-49 and aged 50-59 commonly displayed of parasite infections. Additionally, Kiew Chan village exhibited a significant association with GI helminthic infections, followed by Sop Puen village. Furthermore, fecal specimens of 13 rodent specimens were frequency revealed Strongyloides spp. (92.30%) and mostly exposed Ancylostoma caninum (41.93%) among 93 canines. These findings highlight the imperative for immediate public health interventions in Nan province and analogous areas in northern Thailand. Implementing strategies to enhance sanitation infrastructure and promote hygiene education can significantly contribute for reducing the prevalence of GI helminthic infections and improve overall community health.

Agricultural Health and Safety: Evaluating Farmers’ Knowledge, Attitude, and Safety Behavior in Northern Thailand

BackgroundAgriculture is vital for economic growth and livelihoods in northern Thailand, yet it is challenged by hazardous practices such as improper chemical use and machinery accidents. This study aimed to evaluate the risk and determine the relationship between pesticide exposure and knowledge, attitudes, and safety behaviors. MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted between October and December 2017 in the San Pa Tong district of Chiang Mai, Thailand. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and face-to-face interviews with 280 farmers. ResultsThe findings indicated that knowledge and safety behavior scores varied significantly with educational attainment and training received. Farmers with higher education levels or those who had undergone training exhibited better knowledge and safer behavioral practices, whereas income levels did not significantly affect knowledge or safety behaviors. The pesticide exposure risk level was associated with the study variables, with those recognizing a ‘normal’ risk level demonstrating greater knowledge and safer behaviors than those who reported the risk level as safe or at risk. A strong positive correlation between knowledge and safety behavior was observed, indicating that increased awareness can result in more cautious practices. These findings suggest that educational and training programs are crucial for promoting safer pesticide use among farmers. Although attitudes toward pesticide safety varied based on income, education, and training positively influenced knowledge and behavior. ConclusionThe study concludes that understanding farmers’ perceptions of pesticide risks is essential for designing and implementing effective educational interventions.

Morpho-molecular characterization of phoma-like fungi from Morus alba in northern Thailand; a novel species (Boeremia albae) and a new host record (B. maritima)

Boeremia was established to accommodate phoma-resembling fungi. Its species occur in terrestrial ecosystems as endophytes, saprobes and pathogens, except one species reported from a marine ecosystem. Boeremia species are characterized by hyaline, thin-walled, and aseptate (occasionally 1(–2)-septate) conidia that are variable in shape, and hyaline, straight or slightly curved, thick-walled, and 1-septate ascospores that are usually constricted at the septum. In the past, host associations were used to delimit Boeremia species. However, since Boeremia taxa have overlapping morphological characters and are cryptic, it renders taxonomic identification arduous. Therefore, the use of other approaches including multi-gene phylogenetic analyses are imperative. Recommended DNA markers for species delineation are the internal transcribed spacer (ITS, nuclear rDNA consisting of ITS1-5.8S-ITS2) and large subunit (28S, D1–D2 domains of nuclear 28S rDNA) loci, and the genes for actin (ACT1), beta-tubulin (TBB1), RNA polymerase 2 (RPB2) and translation elongation factor 1α (TEF1). Here, we applied morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses to establish a new taxon (B. albae), and a new host and geographical record for B. maritima associated with leaf spots of Morus alba (Moraceae) in northern Thailand. By providing sequence data for three additional gene regions, our phylogenetic analyses impart a stable phylogenetic placement of the ex-type strain of B. maritima, as illustrated. This is the first study that reports Boeremia species from M. alba, and B. maritima from a terrestrial habitat.

Mental health, fall prevention behaviors, and home environments related to fall experiences among older adults from ethnic groups in rural Northern Thailand

Accidental falls pose significant threats to older adults' health and safety. This study investigates the associations between mental health, fall prevention behaviors, home environments, and yearly falls among older adults of various ethnicities. Conducted in rural ethnic areas of two provinces in northern Thailand, this cross-sectional study utilized multi-stage sampling to survey 462 older adults aged 60 and above, including Mien, Hmong, Karens, and indigenous people. Participants self-reported their history of accidental falls and provided mental health (GHQ-28) data. Univariate logistic regression highlighted associations between falls and mental health problems (OR = 14.87, 95%CI = 7.51–29.43) and the score of fall prevention behaviors (OR = 0.37, 95%CI = 0.31–0.45). Home environment factors, including floor type, floor risk factors, and stair safety features, were significantly related to falls (p < .05). Multivariable analysis identified gender, financial status, underlying disease, vision impairment, mental health problems, and fall prevention behaviors as independent predictors of past-year falls among ethnic older adults (p < .05), explaining 84.7 % of the variation in log odds of falling. This study underscores the heightened fall risks among ethnic minority older adults with mental health issues while emphasizing the protective role of fall prevention behaviors.

On the status of the genus-group name Cragandhara Volynkin with description of a new species from Thailand and Laos (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae: Lithosiini)

The recently described genus Cragandhara Volynkin, 2023 is downgraded to subgenus of the genus Gandhara Moore, 1878. A new species, Gandhara (Cragandhara) riparia Volynkin &amp; Černý, sp. n. is described from Northern Thailand and Northern Laos. Two new combinations are introduced: Gandhara (Cragandhara) himalaya (Volynkin, 2023), comb. n. and Gandhara (Cragandhara) khasia (Volynkin, 2023), comb. n. The hitherto unknown female of G. (C.) khasia is illustrated and diagnosed. The complete checklist of the genus Gandhara is provided. Adults as well as male and female genitalia are illustrated.

External validation of the CARDOT score for predicting respiratory complications after thoracic surgery

BackgroundThe CARDOT scores have been developed for prediction of respiratory complications after thoracic surgery. This study aimed to externally validate the CARDOT score and assess the predictive value of preoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) for postoperative respiratory complication.MethodsA retrospective cohort study of consecutive thoracic surgical patients at a single tertiary hospital in northern Thailand was conducted. The development and validation datasets were collected between 2006 and 2012 and from 2015 to 2021, respectively. Six prespecified predictive factors were identified, and formed a predictive score, the CARDOT score (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status, right-sided operation, duration of surgery, preoperative oxygen saturation on room air, thoracotomy), was calculated. The performance of the CARDOT score was evaluated in terms of discrimination by using the area under the receiver operating characteristic (AuROC) curve and calibration.ResultsThere were 1086 and 1645 patients included in the development and validation datasets. The incidence of respiratory complications was 15.7% (171 of 1086) and 22.5% (370 of 1645) in the development and validation datasets, respectively. The CARDOT score had good discriminative ability for both the development and validation datasets (AuROC 0.789 (95% CI 0.753–0.827) and 0.758 (95% CI 0.730–0.787), respectively). The CARDOT score showed good calibration in both datasets. A high NLR (≥ 4.5) significantly increased the risk of respiratory complications after thoracic surgery (P < 0.001). The AuROC curve of the validation cohort increased to 0.775 (95% CI 0.750–0.800) when the score was combined with a high NLR. The AuROC of the CARDOT score with the NLR showed significantly greater discrimination power than that of the CARDOT score alone (P = 0.008).ConclusionsThe CARDOT score showed a good discriminative performance in the external validation dataset. An addition of a high NLR significantly increases the predictive performance of CARDOT score. The utility of this score is valuable in settings with limited access to preoperative pulmonary function testing.

Buserelin Acetate Added to Boar Semen Enhances Litter Size in Gilts in Tropical Environments.

The use of exogenous hormones has long been of interest for improving reproductive performance in swine production. Enhancing litter size directly impacts the economic efficiency of pig production. Various strategies, including nutritional, genetic, and hormonal approaches, have been explored with varying degrees of success. Administering a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist, such as buserelin, at the onset of estrus can induce ovulation and reduce the variation in ovulation timing among sows. This study assessed the impact of GnRH agonist supplementation in boar semen doses on the litter size of inseminated gilts. The research was conducted on a commercial swine herd in northern Thailand. A total of 231 Landrace × Yorkshire crossbred gilts, aged 224.5 ± 16.2 days at the onset of estrus synchronization, participated in the experiment. The gilts' estrus was synchronized with oral altrenogest supplementation at a dosage of 20 mg/day for 18 days. After exhibiting standing estrus, the gilts were randomly divided into three groups. Control group: gilts were inseminated at 0 and 12 h post standing estrus onset with a conventional semen dose (n = 94). Treatment 1: similar to the control group, but with an added 5 µg (1.25 mL) of buserelin acetate to the boar semen dose during the first insemination (n = 71). Treatment 2: similar to the control group, but with 10 µg (2.5 mL) of buserelin acetate added to the boar semen dose during the first insemination (n = 66). All gilts were inseminated twice during their standing estrus using the intrauterine artificial insemination method. Each semen dose contained 3.0 × 109 motile sperm in 80 mL. The farrowing rate averaged 78.8% and did not significantly differ between the groups (p = 0.141). The total number of piglets born per litter in the treatment 2 group was greater than in the control group (14.0 ± 0.3 vs. 13.2 ± 0.3, respectively, p = 0.049), but was not significantly different from the treatment 1 group (13.3 ± 0.3, p = 0.154). Similarly, the number of live-born piglets in the treatment 2 group was greater than in the control and treatment 1 groups (13.2 ± 0.4 vs. 12.3 ± 0.3 and 12.0 ± 0.4, respectively, p < 0.05). Moreover, the live-born piglets' litter birth weight in the treatment 2 group was greater than in the control group (17.0 ± 0.4 vs. 15.6 ± 0.3 kg, respectively, p = 0.008) and the treatment 1 group (15.7 ± 0.4 kg, p = 0.025). In conclusion, adding a GnRH agonist to boar semen appears to enhance the litter size of gilts. Further research should focus on understanding the underlying mechanisms and determining the optimal dose and timing for GnRH agonist supplementation.

Siam folk tune “Lanna” for string orchestra

This article discusses the compositional materials and process of “Lanna” for string orchestra based on folk tunes from Northern Thailand (Lanna). The composition comprises 6 movements for a duration of 50 minutes. The composer carefully selected folk tunes and rendered a balance between the borrowed ones and the newly composed materials through the careful mix of musical elements, including keys, melodies, rhythmic patterns, idioms, and re-created the sound to imitate the performance techniques of the original instruments. Certain Western compositional techniques were adapted to fit the original melodies in order to retain the identity of the work and provide a balanced blend of the original Eastern and the new Western melodies, thereby creating a new perspective of sound as well as an inspiration for other composers to continue crafting music in this genre. Traditional Lanna tunes, including Fon Phang, Pan Fai, Noi Chai Ya, and Lao Duang Dokmai are presented partly in multi movements to convey traditional melodies. Imitations of certain singing and playing techniques are also transcribed via selections of instruments in the ensemble, especially the violin solo, to portray both the authentic Lanna atmosphere and the blend of the two cultures.