Rayong Province Research Articles

The Study of Relationship between Burnout Symptoms and International Labour Organization Occupational Groups among Hospital Workers of a Private Hospital in Rayong Province.

OBJECTIVES: To study the relationship between burnout symptoms and International Labour Organization (ILO) occupational groups among hospital workers of a private hospital in Rayong province. Burnout symptoms are included in the Eleventh Revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) as an “occupational phenomenon” defined as: “Burn-out is a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. It is characterized by three dimensions: Emotional Exhaustion, Depersonalization and Low Personal Accomplishment. Burnout symptoms can affect an individual’s physical and psychological perception, but this phenomenon can be prevented. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The population of the study consisted of 913 hospital workers. The data obtained from questionnaires completed by research participants were collected via electronic system over 2 weeks. Every hospital worker completed the questionnaire, results were classified by ILO Data analysis using descriptive statistic and regression analysis. RESULTS: Most of the hospital workers were female, aged 25-44 years old, non smokers, exercising 1-3 times a week, have worked in hospital around 1-5 years, all full-time employees working 41-50 hours per week. The occupational group codes of the three highest numbers of the study population were 322 [modern health associate professionals (except nursing)], 223 (nursing and midwifery professionals) and 123 (departmental managers) at a ratio of 39.21%, 29.24%, and 7.01%, respectively. The relationship between burnout symptoms and ILO occupational groups among hospital workers was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: This study proposes we better communicate, promote health and well-being in hospital workers. Recommendations for the corporate workplace are to promote health promotion programs, education about work-life balance, sleep hygiene, and basic stress management to create an effective and happy workplace.

A new species of Cletocamptus Schmankevitsch, 1875 (Copepoda, Harpacticoida, Canthocamptidae) from Rayong Province, Eastern Thailand.

Cletocamptusthailandensissp. nov. was discovered in a water body at the base of a small mountain near the Phang Rat River Delta in Rayong Province, Eastern Thailand. The new species resembles C.goenchim Gómez, Ingole, Sawant & Singh, 2013 and C.koreanus Chang, 2013, but it can be distinguished from these two species based on the armament of the endopodal lobe of the male P5, ornamentations of the abdominal segments, the caudal ramus, the male P3Endp-3, and the relative length of the aesthetasc on the fourth segment of the female antennule. According to the combinations of certain female characteristics, including the number of setae on the P3Endp-2, the relative length of the caudal ramus, the relative length of the inner apical seta on the P3Endp-2, the shape of the P5, and the number of setae on the P3Exp-2, five groups of the Cletocamptus species can be defined.

Streptomyces macrolidinus sp. nov., a novel soil actinobacterium with potential anticancer and antimalarial activity.

A novel actinomycete, strain RY43-2T, belonging to the genus Streptomyces, was isolated from a peat swamp forest soil collected from Rayong Province, Thailand. The strain was characterized by using a polyphasic approach. The cell-wall peptidoglycan contained ll-diaminopimelic. Ribose and glucose were detected in its whole-cell hydrolysates. The strain contained anteiso-C15:0, iso-C14:0 and iso-C16:0 as the predominant fatty acids, and MK-9(H4), MK-9(H6) and MK-9(H8) as the major menaquinones. The phospholipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol mannoside, three unidentified ninhydrin-positive phospholipids and two unidentified phospholipids. Strain RY43-2T showed the highest 16S rRNA gene similarity to Streptomyces misionensis JCM 4497T (98.9 %) and Streptomyces lichenis LCR6-01T (98.9 %). The draft genome of RY43-2T was 6.7 Mb with 6078 coding sequences with an average G+C content of 70.8 mol%. Genomic analysis revealed that the average nucleotide identity (ANI) values based on blast (ANIb) and MUMmer (ANIm) between strain RY43-2T and S. misionensis JCM 4497T were 80.1 and 86.1%, respectively. The ANIb and ANIm values between strain RY43-2T and S. lichenis LCR6-01T were 77.0 and 85.5%, respectively. The digital DNA-DNA hybridization values were 25.2 and 23.0% in comparison with the draft genomes of S. misionensis JCM 4497T and S. lichenis LCR6-01T, respectively. The results of taxonomic analysis suggested that strain RY43-2T represented a novel species of the genus Streptomyces for which the name Streptomyces macrolidinus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is RY43-2T (=TBRC 7286T=NBRC 115640T). Strain RY43-2T exhibited antimicrobial activity against Enterococcus faecium ATCC 51559, Colletotrichum capsici BMGC 106 and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides BMGC 107 with the minimum inhibitory concentration values of 25.0, 12.5, and 6.25 µg ml-1. It also exhibited potent antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum K1 with IC50 of 0.0031 µg ml-1. In addition, it showed cytotoxicity against Vero, KB, MCF-7 and NCI-H187 with IC50 values of 0.0347, 6.15, 3.36 and 0.0352 µg ml-1, respectively.

The impact of farm practices and wild carriers on white spot disease in marine shrimp in Rayong Province, Thailand.

White spot disease (WSD) is a highly lethal and contagious viral disease in marine shrimp caused by the white spot syndrome virus (WSSV). White spot disease impacts the worldwide crustacean aquaculture sector, including Thailand. This study aimed to investigate the effect of farm management practices and wild carriers on WSD occurrence in grow-out marine shrimp farms in Rayong Province, Thailand. A longitudinal study was conducted using a structured questionnaire from June 2018 to June 2020. A total of 186 questionnaires for 186 ponds were collected from 15 shrimp farms. Univariate and multivariable analyses using generalized estimating equations were used to determine the risk factors associated with WSD. In addition, possible carrier samples (wild shrimp and wild crabs) were collected inside and outside farms to test for the presence of WSSV. Direct discharge of treated wastewater into farm ponds was statistically significant in the final model (p < 0.01), with an odd ratio (OR) factor of 0.097 (95% confidence interval [CI] of OR = 0.007-0.242). Pooled sampling for WSSV in wild shrimp and crabs showed that 48 out of 936 (5.13%) samples tested positive for WSD using nested polymerase chain reaction. The samples from banana shrimp, jinga shrimp, banded snapping shrimp, dwarf prawn, whiteleg shrimp, green tidal crabs, and mangrove crabs tested positive. Based on the findings of this study, we infer that the environment plays an important role in the spread of this disease. The results of this study will provide insights into the effective planning of disease control.

Local wisdom and culture-based health tourism in Ranong province Thailand

The study, Local Wisdom and Culture-based Health Tourism in Rayong Province aims to develop a model of local wisdom and culture-based health tourism in Ranong Province through a qualitative study for Ban Hat Som Pan Community, Ranong Province, because of suitable potential for connecting with other health tourism routes in Ranong Province. Data were collected from relevant persons in health and cultural tourism as well as local stakeholders through in-depth and group interviews (four groups: public and private persons relevant to health tourism; experts; local leaders and wise people; and Thai and foreign tourists). The data was put through a content analysis process and triangulation to verify data reliability. The study found that Ban Hat Som Pan Community had natural tourist attractions that facilitated health tourism route creation, as well as health-promoting local wisdom that could be included in the health tourism route. Furthermore, the community cooperations with private and public agencies to connect to the larger tourism route in Ranong Province, diversifying the tourism route as the health route could start from the community and then cover other attractions. The identity of community tourism such as the “Shape Ore, Sift Ore, Soak Ore” was developed alongside the three main activities developed by this study, consisting of 1. Make – Eat, Delicious Medicine through health-promoting local food wisdom and cooking for visitors; 2. Make – Beauty, as the use of local herbs in a traditional cosmetic or skin care spa; 3. Make – Body, as a relaxing or therapeutic massage using locally-produced herbal oil and spring bath to promote health holistically. Along this route, the tourists will be able to spend time traveling and engaging in activities with the locals for recreation and health promotion along the guideline of health tourism.

Streptomyces humicola sp. nov., a novel actinobacterium isolated from peat swamp forest soil in Thailand.

A polyphasic approach was used to describe strain RB6PN25T, an actinobacterium isolated from peat swamp forest soil in Rayong Province, Thailand. The strain was a Gram-stain-positive and filamentous bacterium that contained ll-diaminopimelic acid, mannose and ribose in whole-cell hydrolysates. MK-9(H8) was the major menaquinone. The major fatty acids were iso-C16 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0 and iso-C15 : 0. The polar lipid profile consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, two unidentified glycophospholipids, two unidentified aminolipids and an unidentified phospholipid. The 16S rRNA gene sequences analysis indicated that it was most closely related to Streptomyces rubrisoli DSM 42083T (97.6 %) and Streptomyces palmae TBRC 1999T (97.4 %). Strain RB6PN25T exhibited low average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values with S. rubrisoli DSM 42083T (78.6 %, 23.2 %) and S. palmae TBRC 1999T (76.0 %, 22.6 %). The DNA G+C content of strain RB6PN25T was 69.9%. The results of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, genotypic and phylogenetic analyses reveal that strain RB6PN25T represents a novel species of the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces humicola sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is RB6PN25T (=TBRC 14819T=NBRC 115204T).

Factors Affecting Community Participation in Environmental Corporate Social Responsibility Projects: Evidence from Mangrove Forest Management Project

Community participation in an environmental corporate social responsibility (CSR) project can help business enterprises effectively develop projects that respond to the actual demands of the community and effectively utilize a firm’s resources. This study aims to investigate factors that affect community participation in each stage of environmental corporate social responsibility project development. The environmental corporate social responsibility project explored in this study is a sustainable mangrove forest management project in the Pakprasae sub-district of Rayong province in Thailand. This study has tested whether enterprise-related factors (such as perceived CSR credibility and organization–public relationship (OPR) quality) and participant-related factors (such as ecological knowledge, perceived ecological values, and expected benefits from participation in the project, both monetary and non-monetary related benefits) could predict community participation in an environmental corporate social responsibility project development initiated by a business enterprise. Questionnaire surveys were administered to 355 community members who were the target group of this environmental corporate social responsibility project from June to July 2022. The collected data were inspected and analyzed using an inferential statistical technique. Multiple regression analyses were performed to test significant factors that affected community members’ participation in planning, implementing, and monitoring the project. The results revealed that perceived ecological values were the strongest predictor of participation in all stages of the project, including planning, implementing, and monitoring the project. Perceived CSR credibility and OPR quality also significantly affected participation in all stages, whereas ecological knowledge significantly affected participation only in the monitoring stage. These findings suggest that to promote community participation in each stage of environmental corporate social responsibility project development, it is important to enhance community members’ perceived ecological values, and community members should be educated in ecology to enhance participation in the monitoring stage.

Study on the Potential for Biodiesel Production of Microalgal Consortia from Brackish Water Environment in Rayong Province, Thailand

Microalgae are photoautotrophic microorganisms that can be grown in a wide variety of water environments. They are the most promising biodiesel source, with the potential to replace fossil diesel. In this study, microalgae samples were collected from the brackish water environment of three locations in Rayong province, Thailand including Phra Chedi Klang Nam (PKC), Noen Kho Canal (NKC), and Raksamae Bridge (RSM), and induced to form multi-algae communities or microalgal consortia (MC). All consortia were cultured and analyzed for their ability to produce biomass and lipid. The result was found that the biomass concentration of MC-RSM was 0.65 ± 0.05 mg.L-1, which is higher than 1.2 and 1.5-times of MC-PCK and MC-NKC, respectively. The most common microalgae species found under all cultures were green algae (Chlorophyta) and diatom (Bacillariophyta), and the dominant species was the green algae, Chlorella sp. The lipid content of all samples ranged from 28.07 ± 0.60 to 33.21 ± 0.79% of dry weight, and the highest value was noticed in the MC-RSM sample. The fatty acid composition of fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) was also evaluated as feasibility for biodiesel production. FAME profiles of each sample showed high amounts of saturated fatty acids (SFAs) ranging from 67.82%-71.31% of total fatty acids. The majority of the SFAs in all were palmitic acid (C16:0) followed by myristic acid (C14:0, and stearic acid (C18:0). Therefore, all microalgal consortia showed great fatty acid profiles and these have the potential for use as feedstock for biodiesel production.

Determination of Heavy Metal Residues in Tropical Fruits near Industrial Estates in Rayong Province, Thailand: A Risk Assessment Study

This study determined the extent of heavy metal contamination of local fruit in Rayong, Thailand, an area where an industrial base is adjacent to agricultural areas. Dietary exposure to agricultural products grown in contaminated areas can cause multiple adverse effects to the human body. In order to avoid such undesirable effects, concentrations of heavy metals [arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn)] were investigated in popular tropical fruits from three districts of Rayong, namely Wang Chan, Klang and Mueang. The levels of heavy metals were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and cold vapor-atomic absorption spectrometry (CV-AAS). Levels of the six heavy metals in sampled fruits (durian, jackfruit, pineapple, rambutan, long kong, and mangosteen) were in the range of 0.0004-6.7095 mg/kg; 16.7% of fruit samples exceeded maximum permissible limits of Pb. Based on health risk assessments, values of estimated daily intake (EDI) were less than those of maximum tolerable daily intake. However, for non-carcinogenic risks, high hazard index (HI) values were found in some markets while for carcinogenic risks (CRs), CR values of three fruits (durian, jackfruit, and mangosteen) exceeded acceptable levels. Therefore, long-term fruit consumption could impact health of local consumers. These results provided insight into the need for regular monitoring of heavy metal concentrations in potentially contaminated fruits and for prevention of its potential effects.

Health status and factors influencing access to healthcare services by workers in petrol stations in Rayong province, Thailand.

Petrol station (PS) workers are categorized as "unskilled labor", which leads to low wages, economic instability, and a lack of adequate access to healthcare services (HCS) despite exposure to dangerous chemicals. A lack of information on the HCS access of PS workers is concerning. This study was undertaken to elucidate factors that influenced access to health care for fuel station workers in gas stations in Rayong province, Thailand. Two-hundred PS workers (100 serving at fuel dispensers and 100 working at other locations) were interviewed to evaluate their health conditions and factors affecting HCS access. The study cohort comprised 137 (68.5%) women and 63 (31.5%) men. The mean age was 30.29±10.97 years and the average monthly salary was 341.16 ± 124.72 USD. The average distance between a respondent's residence and government hospital was 10.49 ± 8.571 km. Most respondents (63.5%) were in good physical health, and 79.5% reported having "positive mental health". However, 73% reported neurological disorders and 57% reported respiratory symptoms. During the previous 12 months, 44.5% of respondents had HCS access; 80.9% of participants reported that they had accessed HCS to obtain treatment for an illness, and 18% went for a health checkup. Government centers were rated as "satisfactory" by 78.8% of PS workers, and 75.5% received medical coverage under a social-security scheme. Moreover, 38.5% obtained HC information from their colleagues. HCS access was attributed to the cost of receiving HCS as well as the sex, marital status, illness severity of PS workers. Workers should have access to comprehensive HCS. Policy frameworks and systems for HCS should take account of employees' sex, marital status, and the type and severity of their illnesses.

Factors influencing the hematological parameters among laborers at a gas service station in Rayong Province, Thailand

The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the factors that influenced the hematological parameters among gasoline station service workers. The sample comprised a total of 200 people split between those working at a fuel dispenser and those working outside the fuel dispenser. Interview forms, urine sample collection devices, and blood analysis samples were used to analyze Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, and Xylene (BTEX) metabolites and hematological parameters. The study showed that the employees had been exposed to metabolites of benzene (t,t-MA) exceeding the standard, which was 29.5 percent. The metabolites of toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene were all within the standard limit. Information concerning hematology found that MCV was below the standard level, which was 37.5 percent, while the mean cell hemoglobin (MCH) and hematocrit (HCT) were also below the standard limit (36.5 and 32.0 percent, respectively). The results of the logistic regression analysis revealed that the factors influencing hematology parameters were statistically significant (p&lt;0.05). Affected females were reported as having abnormal MCH (OR=2.94; 95% CI=1.58, 5, 47), mean cell hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) (OR=2.68; 95% CI= 1.03, 6.98) and red cell distribution width (RDW) (OR=2.16; 95% CI=1.04, 4.49). Body mass index (BMI) affected MCH (OR=1.86; 95% CI=1.03, 3.35) and MCHC (OR=1.89; 95%CI=1.04, 3.43). Gasohol refueling affected red blood cells (RBC) (OR=2.35; 95% CI=1.19, 4.67) and hemoglobin (HB) (OR=1.95; 95% CI =1.01, 3.79). White blood cell count (WBC) was also affected by the refueling of more than 11 vans per day (OR=3.59; 95% CI=1.25, 12.48). In conclusion, personal factors as well as employment at gas stations put workers at risk for RBC, HB, and WBC abnormalities. This study identified groups of workers who were at high risk of hematology effects, particularly female workers and those with a BMI greater than the average. Furthermore, gasohol refueling should be carried out carefully to minimize any potentially negative effects on the blood system when exposed to vapors.

Health Risk Assessment of Ambient Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations in Urban and Industrial Area in Rayong Province, Thailand

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is a hazardous gas and an air pollutant that is released from a variety of sources, including fossil fuel mining and burning, automobile emissions and other sources. The inhalation of NO2 has been linked to the exact causes of a variety of health issues, including respiratory disorders and a variety of other maladies. The largest source of NO2 exposure is through traffic density emissions. The concentrations of ambient NO2 in Rayong province’s urban, industrial and background areas were measured during rainy, winter and summer seasons. Samples of NO2 were collected with the use of passive samplers during September 2017 to April 2018. The result of the analysis revealed that NO2 concentration of urban area, industrial area and background area were 13.9 - 43.0, 10.4 - 34.0 and 5.8 - 35.2 µg/m3, respectively. It is to be noted that NO2 concentrations in urban and industrial areas were significantly higher than those in background areas (p &lt; 0.05). The dominant source is located nearby high traffic density and industrial establishments. However, the NO2 values obtained from seasonal variations were not significantly different (p &gt; 0.05). A weak correlation was observed between NO2 concentrations and total precipitation (r = −0.237). The low wind speed has no effect on NO2 dispersion. As a result of the geographical and seasonal variation of NO2 concentrations, it was determined that local activities such as traffic density had a much greater impact on NO2 levels than meteorological factors. The hazard quotient (HQ) values from NO2 exposure in Rayong province were less than 1, indicating that the risk was negligible. The inhalation of NO2 by residents who live near the roadside and highway, on the other hand, may endanger their health.&#x0D; HIGHLIGHTS&#x0D; &#x0D; NO2 concentrations in Rayong province related to traffic density and industrial establishments&#x0D; The ambient NO2 levels in urban and industrial areas were approximately 1.4 times higher than those in background areas (p &lt; 0.05)&#x0D; Residents of Rayong province who live near the roadside and highway road may put their health at risk due to NO2 inhalation&#x0D; &#x0D; GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

A standalone photovoltaic/battery energy-powered water quality monitoring system based on narrowband internet of things for aquaculture: Design and implementation

This study presents a standalone photovoltaic (PV)/battery energy storage (BES)-powered water quality monitoring system based on the narrowband internet of things (NB-IoT) for aquaculture. (1) A PV/BES system was used as the main energy system of the monitoring system. The PV and BES capacities were optimized to provide uninterrupted electrical energy to the monitoring system, taking into account two techno-economic criteria: a maximum reliability index (RI) and a minimum levelized cost of energy (LCOE). Additionally, sensitivity analyses were conducted to investigate the effects of changes in PV generation and system consumption on the RI to improve the resilience of the PV/BES system. (2) The NB-IoT-based remote monitoring system was developed to aggregate water quality parameters such as dissolved oxygen, potential of hydrogen, temperature, turbidity, and salinity in order to provide early warning of severe water quality. Subsequently, the water quality data were used to calculate the water quality suitability index (WQSI). In addition, electrical measuring devices were installed to measure relevant electrical parameters such as PV power, system consumption, BES power, and state of charge. Grafana was then used to process and visualize these water quality and electrical parameters in real-time for the end-users. The proposed system was tested at an aquaculture pond in Rayong Province, Thailand. From the energy system viewpoint, the optimal techno-economic size of the PV/BES system was determined to be a PV capacity of 50 Wp and a BES capacity of 480 Wh, with an RI of 100% and a minimum LCOE of 0.61 $/kWh. The experimental results revealed that the system could operate continuously and stably without losing power supply. Furthermore, the results demonstrated that the proposed system achieved adequate communication reliability, with a packet loss rate of 0.89%, thereby allowing for reliable near real-time monitoring of the WQSI.

Ethnobotany and Ecosystem Services in a Tidal Forest in Thailand

Ecosystem services from ecosystems have been providing different kinds of goods to people living in and around them. Here, the ecosystem services of the tidal forest in Thailand were investigated using the ethnobotanical research method. A total of 101 informants living around a tidal forest in Rayong Province, Thailand was interviewed using the free-listing technique. Totally, 48 species and 992 uses were recorded. Among these, the highest use value species included Cratoxylum cochinchinense, Garcinia cowa, Melientha suavis, and Nelumbo nucifera. Half of the informants received income from selling plant products which varied from 75 to 4000 USD annually without a significant difference between male and female informants. We found a significant correlation between economic value and the number of use-reports. Most economic species are food plants except one which was weaving material. Gender equality is supported by the ecosystem services since the difference in knowledge and generated income were not observed. Significantly, our results support that economic value is one of the most important factors to promote the recognition of traditional uses of local plants or on the other hand, the service from the ecosystem. Therefore, to conserve the existence of traditional knowledge, efforts from various stakeholders, e.g., the communities and the local and central governments, are required.

Kitasatospora humi sp. nov., isolated from a tropical peat swamp forest soil, and proposal for the reclassification of Kitasatospora psammotica as a later heterotypic synonym of Kitasatospora aureofaciens.

A polyphasic approach was used to describe strain RB6PN24T, a novel actinobacterium isolated from peat swamp forest soil collected from Rayong province, Thailand. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the strain belonged to the genus Kitasatospora and showed the highest sequence similarities to Kitasatospora kifunensis IFO 15206T (98.7 %) and Kitasatospora acidiphila MMS16-CNU292T (98.5 %). Strain RB6PN24T contained major amounts of meso-diaminopimelic acid, galactose, mannose and ribose in the whole-cell hydrolysates. MK-9(H6) and MK-9(H8) were the predominant menaquinones of the micro-organism. The polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol mannosides, an unidentified lipid, four unidentified aminolipids and six unidentified phospholipids. Mycolic acids were not present. The major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C17:0, anteiso-C17 : 0 and C16 : 0. The draft genome size of strain RB6PN24T was 8.09 Mbp, with 72.1 mol% G+C content and predicted to contain at least 44 biosynthetic gene clusters encoding diverse secondary metabolites. Furthermore, the strain exhibited low average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values with K. acidiphila MMS16-CNU292T (89.1 %, 42.4 %) and K. kifunensis DSM 41654T (79.5 %, 25.5 %). The results of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, genotypic and phylogenetic analyses revealed that strain RB6PN24T represents a novel species of the genus Kitasatospora, for which the name Kitasatospora humi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is RB6PN24T (=TBRC 14818T=NBRC 115116T). In addition, the comparison of the whole genome sequences and phenotypic features suggested that Kitasatospora aureofaciens and Kitasatospora psammotica belong to the same species. Therefore, it is proposed that K. psammotica is reclassified as a later heterotypic synonym of K. aureofaciens.

Streptomyces sennicomposti sp. nov., an actinomycete isolated from compost of Senna siamea (Lam.).

A member of the genus Streptomyces, designated RCPT1-4T, was isolated from compost of Senna siamea (Lam.), collected from an agricultural area in Rayong province, Thailand. The spore morphology and the presence of ll-diaminopimelic acid in the peptidoglycan indicate that RCPT1-4T shows the typical properties of members of the genus Streptomyces. On the basis of the results of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the strain should be classified as representing a member of the genus Streptomyces and was most closely related to Streptomyces fumigatiscleroticus NBRC 12999T with the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 99.2 %, followed by Streptomyces spiralis NBRC 14215T (99.0 %). In addition, RCPT1-4T shared the highest average nucleotide identity by blast (ANIb) (86.0 %), and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) (32.1 %) values with S. spiralis NBRC 14215T. Furthermore, several physiological and biochemical differences were observed between RCPT1-4T and the closely related type strains of species with validly published names. These taxonomic data indicated that RCPT1-4T could be considered to represent a novel species of the genus Streptomyces and the name Streptomyces sennicomposti sp. nov. is proposed for this strain. The type strain is RCPT1-4T (=TBRC 11260T=NBRC 114303T).

Factors affecting prevalence of neurological symptoms among workers at gasoline stations in Rayong Province, Thailand.

This cross-sectional study was aimed at assessing the exposure to organic solvents and the factors affecting prevalence of neurological symptoms among workers at gas stations in Rayong Province. The sample included 200 workers at gas stations, including refueling staff, cashiers, food shop, coffee shop, and convenience store employees. Interview questionnaire included general information, work history, and neurological symptoms. Urine collection devices were used to detect organic solvents metabolized in urine, including t,t-muconic acid (t,t-MA), hippulic acid (HA), mandelic acid (MA), and methylhppuric acid (MHA). The results showed that the workers’ medians (interquartile range: IQR) of the metabolized organic solvents were as follows: t,t-MA was 393.62 (244.59) μg/g Cr, HA was 0.32 (0.14) g/g Cr, MA was 0.06 (0.02) g/g Cr, and MHA was 0.40 (0.13) g/g Cr. For prevalence of neurological symptoms, top three symptoms were headache (49.0%), dizziness (42.5%), and stress/irritability (38.5%). Working at a gas station present was neurological symptoms more than in the past was 32.5%. According to the assessment of exposure to metabolized organic solvents and factors affecting the prevalence of neurological symptoms, overtime work ≥ 6 hours and HA content greater than quartiles Q3 had an effect on neurologic symptoms (OR=2.17; 95%CI=1.23–5.10 and OR=2.15; 95%CI=1.18–4.76, respectively). In summary, time spent working in gas stations and exposure to toluene organic solvents can cause neurological symptoms. It is recommended to reduce overtime or add breaks during work shifts or shift changes. In addition, workers should be away from the solvent.

Energy Demand Modeling for the Eastern Economic Corridor of Thailand: A Case Study of Rayong Province

This paper assesses long-term energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Rayong Province which is one of the three provinces in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) of Thailand. LEAP (the Low Emissions Analysis Platform) is used to project final energy demand for each economic sector by using the 2019 data as a base year. In the model, we defined the energy consumption into two scenarios; a business-as-usual (BAU) scenario and a low carbon scenario (LCS), to see different energy demand and CO2 emissions up to the year 2050. There are different assumptions between BAU and LCS in each sector such as energy efficiency improvement, shift to modern energy, the share of high energy-efficient vehicles, etc. In the BAU scenario, the final energy consumption needed by Rayong Province will increase with an average annual growth rate (AAGR) of 3.49%, while only 1.52% for the LCS. CO2 emissions in the LCS will be reduced by 41.7% by 2050 when compared with the BAU scenario. Most interestingly, even though energy demand in Rayong Province will be increasing up to 2050, CO2 emissions will peak about 2035 and then reduce. The industry and transport sectors are the most final energy consumption and the highest CO2 emissions. This is because EEC is driven by a production-based economy. The solution for this is to transform to alternative energies sourcing, shift all productions to sustainable ones, restructure the industrial estate to become the eco-industrial and GHG emissions management, which will also result in obvious carbon reduction. This kind of information will be beneficial to energy demand conservation and GHG emission mitigation at the provincial level which will depend on the energy policies initiated and implemented in the future.

Streptomyces corallincola and Kineosporia corallincola sp. nov., two new coral-derived marine actinobacteria.

Two new marine actinobacteria, designated as J2-1T and J2-2T, were isolated from a coral, Favites pentagona, collected from Rayong Province, Thailand. The taxonomic positions of the two strains were identified based on polyphasic taxonomy. Based on morphological characteristics and chemotaxonomy, strains J2-1T and J2-2T were identified as members of the genus Streptomyces and Kineosporia, respectively. Strains J2-1T and J2-2T showed the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Streptomyces broussonetiae T44T (98.62 %) and Kineosporia babensis VN05A0415T (98.08 %), respectively. Strain J2-1T had chemotaxonomic properties resembling members of the genus Streptomyces. ll-Diaminopimelic acid, glucose and ribose were detected in the whole-cell hydrolysate. Diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositolmannoside, unidentified aminolipid and five unidentified phospholipids were detected as the polar lipids. The major cellular fatty acids were C16 : 0 iso, C15 : 0 anteiso, C15 : 0 iso, C16 : 0, C17 : 0 anteiso, C14 : 0 iso and C17 : 0 iso. Strain J2-2T a showed similar cell composition to members of the genus Kineosporia. Both isomers of ll- and meso-diaminopimelic acid were detected in the peptidoglycan. Arabinose, galactose, madurose and xylose were observed in the whole-cell hydrolysate. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol mannoside, phosphatidylcholine, an unidentified phospholipid and an unidentified glycolipid. The major cellular fatty acids were C16 : 0, C18 : 1 ω9c, C18 : 0 10-methyl, tuberculostearic acid, C18 : 0 and C17 : 0. Both strains could be distinguished from their closely related type strains according to their phenotypic characteristics. Comparative genome analysis indicated the delineation of two novel species based on digital DNA-DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity values, which were below 70 and 95 %, respectively. The names proposed are Streptomyces corallincola sp. nov. (J2-1T=TBRC 13503T=NBRC 115066T) and Kineosporia corallincola sp. nov. (J2-2T=TBRC 13504T=NBRC 114885T).

Development of Health Tourism Route Model base on Local Wisdom and Culture, Ranong Province, Thailand

This study aims to 1) Examine health tourism route in Ranong Province, 2) Examine local wisdom and culture in Ranong Province for modeling the health tourism route, 3) Develop a health tourism route model based on local wisdom and culture in Rayong Province. This study is qualitative research on Hat Som Pan to turn the community into a health tourist attraction, in connection with other health tourist attractions in Ranong Province. Data is collected through in-depth interview and group talk with the persons involved in health and cultural tourism, or stakeholders in the studied area. The sampled persons were divided into four groups (1) Public and private organization staff members involved with tourism promotion, (2) experts, (3) Thai and foreign tourists, and (4) local leaders and wise people, for the total of six. Content analysis was performed, and triangulation was done for result verification to keep the data reliable and factual. The study revealed that Ban Hat Som Pan Community had several natural attractions and local wisdom and culture that could be used to promote health tourism. The Community had potential for networking with the outside service business, so it was able to handle the diversity entailing the tourism route based on health tourism, and local wisdom and culture. The effort was made on three traditional pillars upheld by the community “Mold, Sift and Soak Ores”. There were three main activities, the first being Do – Eat as Medication, which was a food-related local wisdom activity where food was provided, and cooking was demonstrated to tourists. The second was Do-Beauty which was the use of local herbs in therapeutic spa to promote both appearance and health. The third one was Do-Body, which focused on therapeutic and relaxing body massage and mineral bath. The massage was done using local-made massage oil to promote holistic health. The three activities were holistic health promotion through eating, care of internal health through local-made product, and mineral bath and massage to promote health. In this model route, the tourists would have time to travel and engage in activities with the locals for relaxation and health promotion in accordance with the guideline of health tourism. &nbsp;