Southern Thailand Research Articles

Nutritional and bioactive compound analysis of mangosteen fruit in hill and flat land plantations, during both the season and off-season, in provinces along the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea

This study examined the nutritional, physicochemical, and bioactive compounds in mangosteen grown in southern Thailand from 2022 to 2024, encompassing hilly areas (Nakhon Si Thammarat range, Tenasserim range) and flat lands during both the fruit season and off-season. The influence of coastal regions (Gulf of Thailand and Andaman coast) on mangosteen nutrition was explored. The impact of high-level plantation and harvesting (during the fruit season) on mangosteen size and levels of bioactive compounds with high antioxidant capacity in mangosteen flesh was found to be greater than that of flat plantations (during the off-season). Mangosteens grown in flatlands during the fruit season exhibited brighter flesh color and faster ripening compared to those grown in hilly areas. Mangosteens from these results contained carbohydrates ranging from 10.3% to 16.9%. Mangosteens cultivated along the Andaman coast exhibited elevated levels of minerals (K 349 mg/100 g, Na 7.76 mg/100 g, and Mn 1.63 mg/100 g) and vitamins, especially B2 (0.10 mg/kg), B6 (0.20 mg/kg), B12 (0.03 mg/kg), and vitamin C (9.25 mg/kg). Conversely, the highest total phenolic content, flavonoids, and antioxidant activity were observed in hilly areas during the fruit season along the Gulf of Thailand (55 mg GAE/100 g, 32 mg QE/100 g, and ABTS values of 88%, respectively). However, mangosteens from hilly areas ripened faster than those from flatlands due to higher total soluble solids and lower fruit firmness. These findings provide valuable insights into the effects of the environment and location, enhancing understanding for year-round mangosteen plantation preparation.

Challenges of Family-Centered Care in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit during the Visitation Restrictions After COVID-19 Pandemic Peak: A Qualitative Study of Parents’ and Nurses’ Perspectives

Family-centered care is crucial for parent-infant bonding and collaborative healthcare in neonatal intensive care units. COVID-19 visitation restrictions have hindered this care’s effectiveness and posed challenges in Thai units. This study, conducted in a southern Thailand hospital, explored nurses’ and parents’ perspectives on implementing family-centered care during restricted visitation policies, providing globally applicable insights. An exploratory-descriptive qualitative approach was used, involving semi-structuredinterviews with ten nurses and ten parents to explore their nuanced perspectives from June to August 2023. The interviews were conducted face-to-face, individually, using a semi-structured interview guide, and the transcripts were analyzed using thematicanalysis to identify significant themes. Findings from this study comprised five themes: 1) Having a mindset to involve parents in care, 2) Parents receiving psychological support, 3) Challenges of communication, 4) Negative impact of restricted visiting times, and 5) Accommodating flexible visiting hours in exceptional circumstances. Providing the best possible care for infants requires an adaptable and flexible approach to meet each family’s unique needs. Additionally, healthcare providers need to explore how they can implementfamily-centered care effectively during visiting restrictions in the NICU in different contexts. Further research is necessary to investigate the practical implementation of this by nurses and how hospital administrators can support it in Thai neonatal intensive care units under policies restricting family visits.

Plant Growth Promotion and Biological Control against Rhizoctonia solani in Thai Local Rice Variety "Chor Khing" Using Trichoderma breve Z2-03.

Several strains of Trichoderma are applied in the field to control plant diseases due to their capacity to suppress fungal pathogens and control plant diseases. Some Trichoderma strains also are able to promote plant growth through the production of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). In southern Thailand, the local rice variety "Chor Khing" is mainly cultivated in the Songkhla province; it is characterized by slow growth and is susceptible to sheath blight caused by Rhizoctonia solani. Therefore, this research aimed to screen Trichoderma species with the ability to promote plant growth in this rice variety and enact biological control against R. solani. A total of 21 Trichoderma isolates were screened for indole compound production using the Salkowski reagent. The Z2-03 isolate reacted positively to the Salkowski reagent, indicating the production of the indole compound. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPCL) confirmed that Z2-03 produced IAA at 35.58 ± 7.60 μg/mL. The cell-free culture filtrate of the potato dextrose broth (CF) of Z2-03 induced rice germination in rice seeds, yielding root and shoot lengths in cell-free CF-treated rice that were significantly higher than those of the control (distilled water and culture broth alone). Furthermore, inoculation with Trichoderma conidia promoted rice growth and induced a defense response against R. solani during the seedling stage. Trichoderma Z2-03 displayed an antifungal capacity against R. solani, achieving 74.17% inhibition (as measured through dual culture assay) and the production of siderophores on the CAS medium. The pot experiment revealed that inoculation with the Trichoderma sp. Z2-03 conidial suspension increased the number of tillers and the plant height in the "Chor Khing" rice variety, and suppressed the percentage of disease incidence (PDI). The Trichoderma isolate Z2-03 was identified, based on the morphology and molecular properties of ITS, translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef1-α), and RNA polymerase 2 (rpb2), as Trichoderma breve Z2-03. Our results reveal the ability of T. breve Z2-03 to act as a plant growth promoter, enhancing growth and development in the "Chor Khing" rice variety, as well as a biological control agent through its competition and defense induction mechanism in this rice variety.

PERANAN GURU DALAM MENINGKATKAN KEMAMPUAN MEMBACA AL-QUR’AN SISWA DI BAMRUNG ISLAM SCHOOL PHATTALUNG, THAILAND SELATAN

International Real Work Lecture (KKNI) provides a perspective on the role of educators in improving the ability to read the Al-Qur’an at Bamrung Islamic Academy in Phattalung, Southern Thailand. Al-Qur'an education occupies an important position in Islamic Religious Education. Students need guidance from educators to understand the Al-Qur’an. Educational institutions such as the Bamrung Islamic Academy in Phattalung are one of the places to get Al-Qur'an education. This research adopts a qualitative field approach. Through KPLI at Bamrung Islamic Academy, researchers gained experience in assisting students in reading the Al-Qur'an, understanding the principles of recitation, so that students can easily understand and read the Al-Qur'an. Educators have an important role in helping students overcome difficulties in reading the Al-Qur’an.

INVESTIGATING STUDENT'S LEVEL OF SELF-EFFICACY IN SPEAKING PERFORMANCE OF THAI EFL LEARNERS

The psychological notion of self-efficacy plays a key role in evaluating students' linguistic aptitude and fluency in English. The purpose of this study is to ascertain Thai students learning English as a foreign language (EFL)'s degree of self-efficacy in oral communication. In order to assess students' confidence in their ability to speak English fluently, the study looks into their sense of self-efficacy. Both quantitative and qualitative methods are used in this investigation. A questionnaire was distributed to 28 students who attended an Islamic high school in Satun, Southern Thailand, using a quantitative methodology. Several kids from the school are interviewed as part of the qualitative technique. Participants are asked particular questions that allow them to give in-depth answers based on their experiences and circumstances. Using the three elements of self-efficacy—magnitude, generality, and strength—the research findings show that students in Thailand consistently have low levels of self-efficacy. As a result, the study's findings imply that Thai students still require assistance in oral English communication. There are numerous uses for this subject in psychology, education, and language instruction. Instructors could come up with strategies to help Thai students feel more confident about learning English as a second language and improve their oral communication abilities. Techniques that enhance English communication skills can be incorporated into language programs and curriculum designs. The results can be used by psychologists to address issues with self-efficacy in language learning. This study takes a fresh approach by examining Thai English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners' self-efficacy, particularly with regard to speaking abilities. It advances existing knowledge by highlighting the specific challenges these students face when speaking. This research provides novel insights that can guide interventions aimed at enhancing students' self-efficacy in oral English communication.

Genomic Characterization of Multidrug-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae Clinical Isolates from Southern Thailand Hospitals: Unraveling Antimicrobial Resistance and Virulence Mechanisms.

The emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among Enterobacteriaceae pose significant threats to global public health. In this study, we conducted a short-term surveillance effort in Southern Thailand hospitals to characterize the genomic diversity, AMR profiles, and virulence factors of Enterobacteriaceae strains. We identified 241 carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, of which 12 were selected for whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and genome analysis. The strains included Proteus mirabilis, Serratia nevei, Klebsiella variicola, Klebsiella aerogenes, Klebsiella indica, Klebsiella grimontii, Phytobacter ursingii, Phytobacter palmae, Kosakonia spp., and Citrobacter freundii. The strains exhibited high levels of multidrug resistance, including resistance to carbapenem antibiotics. Whole-genome sequencing revealed a diverse array of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs), with strains carrying genes for ß-lactamase, efflux pumps, and resistance to other antibiotic classes. Additionally, stress response, metal tolerance, and virulence-associated genes were identified, highlighting the adaptability and pathogenic potential of these strains. A plasmid analysis identified several plasmid replicons, including IncA/C2, IncFIB(K), and Col440I, as well as several plasmids identical to those found globally, indicating the potential for the horizontal gene transfer of ARGs. Importantly, this study also identified a novel species of Kosakonia spp. PSU27, adding to the understanding of the genetic diversity and resistance mechanisms of Enterobacteriaceae in Southern Thailand. The results reported in this study highlight the critical importance of implementing effective antimicrobial management programs and developing innovative treatment approaches to urgently tackle AMR.

Probiotic Insights from the Genomic Exploration of Lacticaseibacillus paracasei Strains Isolated from Fermented Palm Sap.

This study focused on L. paracasei strains isolated from fermented palm sap in southern Thailand that exhibit potential probiotic characteristics, including antibiotic susceptibility, resistance to gastrointestinal stresses, and antimicrobial activity against various pathogens. However, a thorough investigation of the whole genome sequences of L. paracasei isolates is required to ensure their safety and probiotic properties for human applications. This study aimed to sequence the genome of L. paracasei isolated from fermented palm sap, to assess its safety profile, and to conduct a comprehensive comparative genomic analysis with other Lacticaseibacillus species. The genome sizes of the seven L. paracasei strains ranged from 3,070,747 bp to 3,131,129 bp, with a GC content between 46.11% and 46.17% supporting their classification as nomadic lactobacilli. In addition, the minimal presence of cloud genes and a significant number of core genes suggest a high degree of relatedness among the strains. Meanwhile, phylogenetic analysis of core genes revealed that the strains possessed distinct genes and were grouped into two distinct clades. Genomic analysis revealed key genes associated with probiotic functions, such as those involved in gastrointestinal, oxidative stress resistance, vitamin synthesis, and biofilm disruption. This study is consistent with previous studies that used whole-genome sequencing and bioinformatics to assess the safety and potential benefits of probiotics in various food fermentation processes. Our findings provide valuable insights into the potential use of seven L. paracasei strains isolated from fermented palm sap as probiotic and postbiotic candidates in functional foods and pharmaceuticals.

Psychometric Testing of the Thai Version of Self-Care of Chronic Illness Inventory Version 4c in Patients With Stroke.

Self-Care of Chronic Illness Inventory version 4c is a non-disease-specific self-care measure used in individuals with multiple chronic conditions. This instrument may be applied to patients with specific diseases such as stroke. The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Thai version of the Self-Care of Chronic Illness Inventory version 4c in patients with stroke. This multicenter, cross-sectional study adhered to the COSMIN (Consensus-based Standards for the Selection of Health Measurement Instruments) guidelines and enrolled patients with stroke from 16 primary care centers in southern Thailand. Structural validity was assessed using confirmatory factor analysis, internal consistency reliability using Cronbach α coefficient and global reliability index, and test-retest reliability using intraclass correlation coefficients. The final analysis included a total of 350 participants. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the 2-factor Self-Care Maintenance scale structure, although the item allocation to the dimensions differed from that of the original model. The Self-Care Monitoring scale demonstrated a 1-factor structure with permitted residual covariance. The Self-Care Management scale maintained a 2-factor structure, similar to that of the original model. Simultaneous confirmatory factor analysis of the combined items supported the general model with the 3 scales. The Self-Care Maintenance scale exhibited marginally adequate α (0.68) and ω (0.66) coefficients, and an adequate composite reliability index (0.79). The other 2 scales demonstrated adequate α (range, 0.79-0.86), ω (range, 0.75-0.86), and composite reliability (range, 0.83-0.86) indices. Intraclass correlation coefficients showed adequate test-retest reliability for all scales (range, 0.76-0.90). The generic self-care measure, Self-Care of Chronic Illness Inventory version 4c, demonstrated strong psychometric properties in patients with stroke. This instrument may be a valuable tool for assessing stroke self-care in Thailand.

Bringing the Qur'an to life: Teaching students the art of reciting the Qur'an

The majority of Thailand's population is Buddhist. However, there are four provinces in the southern part of Thailand that mostly Muslims inhabit. The UINSA International Community Engagement (UICE) delegation team was assigned to plunge into the Muslim community living in Thailand to revive the Qur'anic values in non-Muslim society. Thus, the Muslim population in Thailand would not lose the Qur'anic values even as a minority. This activity also tries to introduce Qur'an recitation art guidance to Muslims in Southern Thailand who are less familiar with this activity. Therefore, this paper aims to describe the activities of Al-Qur'an reading art education by providing intensive guidance on the recitation of Al-Qur'an as a form of community service. The approach used is a qualitative approach that is Asset Based Community Development that is conducted in five stages, namely initial preparation, analysis, designing expectations, program implementation, and results evaluation. The Qur'an recitation art guidance method involves intensive recitation guidance classes, periodic evaluations, performances, competitions, and presenting prizes. Based on the implementation of these activities, some significant achievements have been obtained to increase the potential of Qur'an recitation art of Attarkiah Islamiah Institute students.

Occurrence of multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis in upper Southern Thailand.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis causes global concern with tuberculosis (TB). Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB) pose additional challenges, as they resist to multiple first-line drugs. This study investigated the occurrence of TB, antibiotic resistance due to inhA and katG gene mutations, and multidrug resistance in M. tuberculosis during fiscal years 2020-2022. Samples were gathered from hospitals in seven provinces of upper Southern Thailand. The study investigated the correlation between inhA and katG gene mutations in M. tuberculosis and the development of antimicrobial resistance and isoniazid resistance. A total of 19,186 samples were sent to the Office of Disease Prevention and Control Region 11st, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand. The results showed that 51% of the samples were obtained from patients located in Nakhon Si Thammarat, followed by Surat Thani provinces. Regarding the spatial distribution of TB-infected cases, the incidence of TB was high in the province, which has a moderate to high population density. The highest average occurrence of TB in this study was found in Phuket province (9.75/100,000 risk person-year). The detected isoniazid resistance was 394, 255, and 179 cases in 2020, 2021, and 2022, respectively. A total of 99 isolates were MDR, whereas four isolates were XDR. The antimicrobial resistance associated with the inhA mutation was 192, 142, and 105 isolates, respectively, whereas the resistance associated with the katG mutation was 249, 182, and 120 cases in 2020, 2021, and 2022, respectively. These findings contribute to the understanding of the occurrence of antibiotic-resistant TB that could lead to use as data for preventing MDR-TB.

The negative mycorrhizal growth response of host plants to Acaulospora cf. morrowiae irrespective of soil P availability

Acaulospora is one of the dominant genera of AMF associated with waterlogged vegetation, and its dominance was also revealed in the roots of a lowland rice variety indigenous to Southern Thailand. In a preliminary finding, the isolated Acaulospora showed growth suppression of lowland japonica Nipponbare rice, even in high phosphorus (P) soil. The isolated Acaulospora was identified to species level and assigned as Acaulospora cf. morrowiae Phattalung 1. The mycorrhizal growth response (MGR) of an upland indica rice and maize to A. cf. morrowiae was further tested under low and high P conditions. AMF colonization rates were high, over 70%, in both cases, with perfect arbuscule and vesicle formation; however, growth depression of the host plants was markedly observed. Reduced nutrient accumulation in both shoots and roots of host plants was noted, as depicted by nutrient profiling. To further substantiate the negative MGR to inoculation of A. cf. morrowiae, a standardized in vivo bioassay was performed using maize seedlings in a sand and perlite mixture, ensuring low P with 20 mg kg−1 P in the form of insoluble CaH2PO4. Shoot and root growth of maize seedlings were reduced at 23.7 and 36.1%, respectively, by the inoculation of AMF. The nutrient-parasitic nature of this AMF results from unproportioned drainage of photosynthates, indicating an unbalanced primary/nutrient trade-off system between symbionts. The overall associative merits or demerits of A. cf. morrowiae cannot be ruled out without thorough investigations considering several ecological perspectives and its fitter survival and dominance in waterlogged soils.

Five new records of Collybiopsis (Agaricales, Omphalotaceae) in Thailand: a significant addition to the species diversity and global distribution of the genus

The genus Collybiopsis is known to be found in tropical and temperate regions throughout the world. Currently, 66 species have been validated and assigned to this genus. In this study, we have updated a brief review of the genus Collybiopsis through an overview of species diversity, geographic distribution, and recently published literature. Prior to this study, only four Collybiopsis species have been reported from Thailand. During surveys of macrofungi in northern and southern Thailand from 2018 to 2022, nine Collybiopsis specimens were collected. These nine specimens were identified as belonging to five species, namely C. gibbosa, C. indocta, C. melanopus, C. menehune, and C. nonnulla based on morphological characteristics and molecular data of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and large subunit (nrLSU) of nuclear ribosomal DNA sequences. The present study offers the first record of these five Collybiopsis species in Thailand. Detailed morphological descriptions, photographs, illustrations, comparisons with related taxa, and a phylogenetic tree to show the placement of these five species from Thai specimens are provided. Moreover, a new key to the species of Collybiopsis found in Thailand is presented.

Self-study and online interactive case-based discussion to improve knowledge of medical students in the COVID-19 era

BackgroundWe aimed to determine whether a new online interactive learning method for fifth-year medical students could improve their knowledge of pre- and postoperative care during the COVID-19 era.MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted from June 2020 to May 2022 during the pre- and postoperative care course for fifth-year medical students in a university hospital in southern Thailand. Students in the 2020 cohort received only a 60-minute lecture on spinal anesthesia via Zoom while a 3-step online interactive learning method was used for the 2021 cohort. Step 1: students performed self-study comprised of video lectures and case-based discussion one week before the online class with a pre-test submitted via Google forms. Step 2: an online interactive case-based discussion class was performed via Zoom by two experienced anesthesia staff and a post-test was submitted by the students via Google forms. Step 3: a small group discussion of course evaluation between 13 representatives of students and anesthesia staff was performed via Zoom. A comparison of the post-test and pre-test scores containing 20 multiple choice questions as well as the final exam scores before (2020) and after (2021) the new interactive learning was performed using a t-test.ResultsThere were 136 and 117 students in the 2020 and 2021 academic years, respectively. The final mean (SD) exam scores for the 2020 and 2021 academic years were 70.3 (8.4) and 72.5 (9.0), respectively with a mean (95% confidence interval (CI)) difference of 2.2 (4.3, -0.02). In 2021, the mean (95% CI) difference between the post-test and pre-test scores was 5.8 (5.1, 6.5). The student representatives were satisfied with the new learning method and gave insightful comments, which were subsequently implemented in the 2022 academic year course.ConclusionThe new interactive learning method improved the knowledge of fifth-year medical students attending pre- and postoperative care course during the COVID-19 era. The final exam scores may not be suitable to represent the overall outcomes of the new interactive learning method. Using an online two-way communication method can improve the overall satisfaction and course adaptation during the COVID-19 era.

Soundscapes of infant care and infant-directed communication in two hunter-gatherer societies

This study contributes an ethnographic perspective to the study of infant-directed (ID) communicative activities. We compare soundscapes of infant care and ID vocal communication in two egalitarian, forest-dwelling, mobile hunter-gatherer groups: Mbendjele BaYaka/Aka in Northern Congo-Brazzaville and the Maniq of Southern Thailand. Across the unique patterns of speech and song specific to these different cultures, common threads emerged in infants’ soundscapes that suggest the centrality of musically enriched ID-speech for communication with infants. A conspicuous under-elaboration of music among Maniq people suggests that while musical activity in a culture may vary greatly, ID-speech does not. The ID-speech register thus emerges as more central to childhood socialisation and development in these hunter-gatherer societies than does the ID-song register. Although the use of lullabies (ID-song) by mothers has been claimed to be a human universal ( Trehub 2001 ; Mehr et al 2019 ) the ethnography from these hunter-gatherer societies supports Takada’s (2020:139–142) conclusion that ID-speech and song demonstrate important cultural diversity. This paper contributes to ethnographic accounts of the diversity of ways that cultures organise communicative exchanges with children.

Changes in community composition and prey capture of web-building spiders during rice field development

Understanding the effects of microhabitat changes on arthropod predator communities and their prey in agroecosystems is essential for field management and biocontrol. Few studies have investigated the trait composition of web-building spider communities in rice ecosystems. Here, we examined how temporal changes during the rice field development affect the abundance and traits of orb-web spiders, and how these effects consequently influence captured prey number and prey composition in irrigated rice ecosystems in southern Thailand. We used structural equation models to evaluate direct and indirect, spider-mediated effects of rice field development on captured prey numbers in each different guild. We found that the number of horizontal web-building spiders decreased during the rice field development, whereas there was no significant change in number of vertical web-building spiders. The number of captured detritivorous insects was positively related to the numbers of horizontal and vertical web-building spiders, while phytophagous insects and others were positively related only to the numbers of vertical web-building spiders. Moreover, the prey number captured by vertical web-building spiders seems to be indirectly increased through the decreasing number of horizontal web-building spiders in the late rice season. A fourth-corner analysis showed that spider species identity, spider traits (web type, web height and web diameter), vegetation height, and water level generally influenced the prey captured by web-building spiders. Horizontal web-building spider species with lower web placement during the flooding phase captured high numbers of detritus-feeding insects, while vertical web-building spider species with higher web placement captured high numbers of rice pests, predators and others. Our results suggest that the field development acted as an environmental factor that determined the species identity and traits of web-building spider communities. The findings of this study can help to predict the ecosystem services provided by the web-building spider community in rice ecosystems.

Changes in endangered hornbill populations over space and time and potential ecological impacts in peninsular Thailand

Hornbills are particularly important seed dispersers in tropical Asian forests, but most of the species in the region are declining. In addition, long-term data on the extent of the declines and how forest degradation impacts hornbills remain mostly unquantified. Here, we used multi-covariate distance sampling to estimate the densities of hornbills in 2021–2022 in Hala-Bala Wildlife Sanctuary and Budo Su-Ngai Padi National Park protected areas in southern Thailand. These two sites are particularly useful for comparison due to differences in protection levels, with Bala being relatively less disturbed than Budo Mountain and because Bala was surveyed 20 years prior (2001–2002). Fig tree watches were also conducted in 2021–2022 to assess the potential impact of forest disturbance on hornbill visitation rates. Results indicated significant differences in hornbill densities between the two sites. The mean density of the Rhinoceros (Buceros rhinoceros) and Wreathed Hornbill (Rhyticeros undulatus) was 3.2 and 5.1 times higher in Bala than in Budo, while the mean density of the Great Hornbill (Buceros bicornis) was 2.2 times higher in Budo than in Bala. The density of the Helmeted Hornbill (Rhinoplax vigil) was notably lower than other hornbill species. There were also significant changes over the past 20 years in large hornbill densities, with Great Hornbill and Wreathed Hornbill significantly increasing, while the Helmeted Hornbill declined more than 90 %. Also, the probability of hornbills visiting fruiting Ficus trees was higher in the less-disturbed Bala than the Budo Mountain, making hornbills more reliable visitors in the less-disturbed site. We demonstrate the applicability of the multi-covariate distance sampling approach to estimate densities of rare hornbills, the negative impacts of habitat degradation on hornbills and the ecological role they play as seed dispersers. Additional surveys are needed throughout tropical Asia to establish further sites for long-term monitoring, especially in the Sunda region, where the Helmeted Hornbill is under extreme threat.

#1093 Remission rates and long-term outcomes of relapsed idiopathic nephrotic syndrome children treated with cyclophosphamide vs. cyclosporin A

Abstract Background and Aims Approximately seventy percent of nephrotic syndrome (NS) children experience relapse episodes which are classified as frequently-relapsing nephrotic syndrome (FRNS), steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome (SDNS), or steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS). In such cases, immunosuppressive drugs are combined to reduce the steroid side effects and prolong the remission period. However, the benefit of immunosuppressants and their side effects should be balanced. Objectives This study aimed to determine the remission rates and long-term outcomes of FRNS, SDNS, and SRNS children treated with cyclophosphamide vs. cyclosporin A (Cy A). Methods A retrospective review of medical records of children (aged < 15 years) with relapsed idiopathic nephrotic syndrome at Prince of Songkla University Hospital, southern Thailand during 2010-2021 was conducted. Demographic data, treatment responses, and adverse events were recorded. The remission rates, incidences of infection and acute kidney injury (AKI) in FRNS/SDNS and SRNS were compared between oral cyclophosphamide and Cy A treatments. Results There were 148 relapsed NS children, 102 (68.9%) boys, with a median age of 4.6 (IQR 2.5-8.4) years. FRNS, SDNS, and SRNS accounted for 37 (25.0%), 50 (33.8%), and 61 (41.2%) children, respectively. The cyclophosphamide treatment group (N = 135) had significantly higher remission rates in FRNS/SDNS than SRNS (63/85 (74.1%) vs. 11/50 (22.0%), P < 0.001), while the difference in remission rates in the Cy A treatment group (N = 53) was not statistically significant between FRNS/SDNS and SRNS (14/20 (70.0%) vs. 18/33 (54.5%), P = 0.265). Patients who had the Cy A treatment had significantly higher proportions of infections and AKI than children in the cyclophosphamide treatment group (20/53 (37.7%) vs 10/95 (10.5%), P < 0.001 and 21/53 (39.6%) vs 9/95 (9.5%), P < 0.001, respectively). Of the 148 children, at a median follow-up time of 8.7 (IQR 5.2–12.2) years, 21 (14.2%) and 9 (6.1%) children had developed chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage III or end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), respectively. The mean duration from CKD stage III to ESKD was 5.0+5.5 months. Conclusions Seventy percent of FRNS/SDNS children achieved remission with either Cy A or cyclophosphamide, but the SRNS children achieved remission proportionately better with Cy A than cyclophosphamide. However, the Cy A-treated children had higher proportions of infections and AKI than the cyclophosphamide treatment group. Overall, one-fifth of the relapsed childhood NS children developed CKD.

Distribution of ABO, Rh, and MNS blood groups from students in Walailak University, Thailand: A descriptive cross-sectional study

BackgroundThe presence or absence of blood group antigens can lead to alloimmunization, causing hemolytic transfusion reactions and hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn. The distribution of these antigens varies among different ethnic populations, making it essential to study their prevalence in specific regions. ObjectivesThis study aimed to investigate ABO, Rh, and MNS blood group antigens, phenotypes, and allele frequencies among university students in Southern Thailand. Materials and methodsBlood samples were collected and typed for blood group antigens using serological tests. Antigen, phenotype, and allele frequencies were calculated based on the observed phenotypes. ResultsThe most common ABO blood group was O (37.29%), followed by B (35.98%), A (19.47%), and AB (7.26%). Allele frequencies for ABO system were found to be 0.6107 for ABO*O, 0.2453 for ABO*B, and 0.1427 for ABO*A. Rh blood group distribution revealed a high prevalence of the D antigen (99.01%), followed by e (96.37%), C (95.05%), c (39.27%), and E (29.37%). The allele frequencies for D and d were 0.9005 and 0.0995, respectively. The MNS system showed M and N antigen frequencies of 85.81% and 67.66%, respectively. The most common phenotype was M+N+ (53.47%), followed by M+N− (32.34%) and M−N+ (14.19%). Mia antigen was present in 10.56% of our population. ConclusionsThis study provides an understanding of blood group distribution and gene frequency in our young population, which is crucial for blood management in community transfusion. Additionally, this knowledge holds significant value for population genetics studies.

Imprints of washover sediments by tropical storm Pabuk 2019 along the coast of the Gulf of Thailand; insight into coastal geomorphological response to storm surge

Tropical storm Pabuk (4th January 2019) struck southern Thailand, causing damage to the low-lying coastal area. The combination of waves, storm surge, and high tide resulted overwash and inundation of regions on the West coast of the Gulf of Thailand (GOT) side. After the event, we conducted a field survey from January 7–10 and 15–20, 2019 to investigate the effect of storm surges and the degree of damage from the site under the eye of storm affected area up to the north 500 km from the landfall sites. This paper investigates how variations in coastal geomorphological features respond to the storm surge generated by tropical storm Pabuk at a regional scale. Coastal damage was observed along the beach from the presence of the scour, beach scarp, knocked down trees, and destroyed buildings and infrastructure. The most damaged area was at Nakhon Si Thammarat (NST), where the tropical storm made landfall with maximum wind speeds of almost 100 km/h and a storm surge height of 5 m. At NST site, the washover deposits extended as far as 80 m from the coastline with a maximum inundation of 330 m. From this study, two types of washover deposits including perched fan and washover terrace were identified. The thickest washover sediment, 60 cm thick, was discovered in a relatively low-lying area adjacent to a small estuary. Mud rip-up clasts, planar stratification, cross stratification, foreset bedding, scouring at base, and sharp and erosional contact are characteristics of sedimentary structures found in storm sediments. Bedform surfaces, such as current ripples with indicated storm surge direction, were well-preserved at several sites. We suggest that the local geomorphological controlling factors, especially coastal elevation have played important roles in the difference of coastal geomorphological responses as well as the type of washover deposits.

Vegetation Changes and Dynamics of the Climate Variables in Southern Thailand over the Past 1500 Years

The Indo-Pacific, a vast biogeographic of Earth, is influenced by both the Indian and East Asian monsoons. Despite its geographical importance, this region has been less studied compared to East Asia and India. Here, we present speleothem records from southern Thailand that cover the last 1500 years, including a hiatus during the Little Ice Age, providing insights into the interactions among climate dynamics, human influences, and ecological responses to climate change. Notably, our records lack the characteristic cold and warm periods observed in other regions, such as the Dark Ages Cold Period and Medieval Warm Period, which may reflect the complexity of the tropical climate system or the region’s unique topography. The analysis reveals a link between ENSO multi-decadal variability and hydroclimate conditions in southern Thailand, as evidenced by speleothem δ18O. Furthermore, a comparison between speleothem δ13C and the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) indicates significant vegetation changes in the last three decades, corresponding with increased atmospheric CO2 levels and expansion of agricultural land due to human activities during the Current Warm Period. Additionally, our study suggests that an abrupt increase in sea surface temperatures may enhance vegetation growth in the Indo-Pacific by influencing atmospheric circulation and increasing precipitation.