Comparison of Volatile Organic Compound Concentrations in Ambient Air among Different Source Areas around Khon Kaen, Thailand

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a complex group of chemicals that pose a direct risk to human health. They also lead to the formation of other air pollution constituents, including fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and ground level ozone (O₃). The ambient air concentrations of 19 VOCs were measured using multi-day 24 h sampling at two urban sites and two rural sites in the area of Khon Kaen, Thailand. Results showed that most VOCs were at concentrations considered acceptable according to the 24 h average standards established by the Thai Pollution Control Department. The VOC acrolein, however, was detected at concentrations (0.69–1.15 μg/m3) in excess of the 24 h average standard (0.55 μg/m3). Two other VOCs, benzene and 1,3-butadiene, were also detected at elevated levels (1.73–2.75 and 0.18–0.40 μg/m3, respectively) that indicated the potential to exceed the 1-year average standard. VOC concentrations were highest in the urban market monitoring site, suggesting that vehicle exhaust and food preparation using cooking oil at high temperatures may have been potential sources of the elevated VOCs.

Epidemic Peaks Forecasting on Re-emerging Diseases in Elderly People using the Grey Disaster Model

Climate change causes the spread of non-vector diseases due to the influence of climate uncertainty. The elderly group, which is vulnerable, is affected by such disasters. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to forecast epidemic peaks of food poisoning, which was found as one of the re-emerging diseases in elderly people in Khon Kaen Province, Maha Sarakham Province, and Roi Et Province, which are in the Northeastern region of Thailand by using 2 types of Grey Model: GM(1,1) and Discrete Grey Model (DGM). The monthly rate of food poisoning incidence per 100,000 elderly people from January 2017 to December 2020 i.e., 48 months in total were used in the study. The study result revealed that the DGM had higher forecasting effectiveness than that of the GM(1,1) in all three provinces. The food poisoning incidences in elderly people were forecasted to re-emerge from August to September 2021 in Khon Kaen Province, from August to September 2022 in Maha Sarakham Province, and from May to June 2022 in Roi Et Province. The results of this study are useful and helpful for the government, the Ministry of Public Health and related cooperatives to effectively help services planning resource preparation and prevention measures. Doi: 10.28991/esj-2021-01325 Full Text: PDF

Oral Health Problems of Thai People Reported by Khon Kaen University Staffs during 1984 to 2020

To improve the efficiency of the dental care service system in Thailand. To synthesize content from Khon Kaen University (KKU) staffs and students’ research and presentations from 1984 to 2020 about oral health hygiene and related diseases. Sixteen publications and presentations by KKU staffs and their students about oral health problems and management were retrieved, reviewed and analyzed. Poor oral health of people in the northeast of Thailand is found in every age group: children, adults and the aging, both male and female. There are still many oral health problems of Thai people in the northeast. KKU Field Works, Projects and Research were able to help reduce these oral health problems. An appropriate preventive oral health program needs to be developed and implemented in Northeastern Thailand.

Pathology and molecular characterization of Leucocytozoon caulleryi from backyard chickens in Khon Kaen Province, Thailand

Aim: The aim of this study was to characterize Leucocytozoon caulleryi from backyard chickens in Khon Kaen Province, Thailand. Materials and Methods: Tissue samples were collected from backyard chickens suspected to have leucocytozoonosis and subjected to histopathology examination. The BLAST Tool at NCBI GenBank (Basic Local Alignment Research Tools) (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/BLAST) was used to identify the nucleotide sequence of the partial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (cox I) gene. A Phylogenetic tree for analysis of L. caulleryi was constructed by using MEGA 7.0 software (https:// www.megasoftware.net/). Results: The necropsy results revealed the subcutaneous hemorrhages of pectoral muscles, multifocal hemorrhages of the thymus and pectoral muscles, hemorrhage of the proventriculus and peritoneal cavity, and megaloschizonts of the pancreas and intestine, including subcapsular hemorrhages of the liver. Microscopic examination revealed numerous megaloschizonts of Leucocytozoon spp. in the pectoral muscles, intestine, pancreas, and thymus. Molecular analysis of the partial cox I gene showed that the causal agent was closely related to L. caulleryi reported in Japan. Conclusion: From these results, L. caulleryi was determined to be the causal agent of leucocytozoonosis and was closely associated with L. caulleryi reported in Japan.

Recycling disposable bamboo chopstick waste as a renewable energy resource: Case study in Khon Kaen University, Thailand

This study focused on elucidating disposable bamboo chopstick (DBC) waste generation rate and identifying the appropriate carbonization temperature for recycling DBC waste as a renewable energy resource. A survey was conducted within the study area of Khon Kaen University (KKU). Of the student population of approximately 40,000, the questionnaire was completed by 470 students. The survey revealed a bamboo chopstick utilization rate equivalent to 0.46 pairs person− 1 d− 1. A carbonization process wit 1-h was carried out at 650 and at 900 °C to compare the quality of charcoal recycled from DBC (DBC charcoal). The DBC charcoal prepared at 650 °C was of a higher quality for use as fuel compared to 900 °C prepared DBC charcoal; with 5.3 times higher BET surface area (62 × 103 m2 kg− 1), 5% higher thermal efficiency (31%), 15 times higher hydrogen (H) content (1.9% of total mass content), and 1.0 MJ kg− 1 higher heating values by bombs calorimeter (32.8 MJ kg− 1). The utilization of DBC charcoal as the biomass fuel in gasification for electricity generation could produce 0.0395% of KKU consumption energy which was estimated to reduce CO2 emission by 12.9 t CO2 yr− 1 as well as waste generation at 43.7 t yr− 1 or 0.399% around KKU area.

First report on molecular prevalence and identification of Anaplasma platys in dogs in Khon Kaen, Thailand

Background and Aim: Anaplasma platys is a blood parasite that infects platelets, causing thrombocytopenia. Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks are believed to transmit A. platys. To identify A. platys, nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has proven to be an effective diagnostic tool. In this study, the molecular prevalence of A. platys infection in dogs was investigated for the 1st time in the Khon Kaen region of Thailand. The association between risk factors and A. platys infection was also evaluated. Materials and Methods: A total of 130 blood samples were collected from dogs in Khon Kaen, Thailand. DNA from the samples was extracted and nested PCR was applied for molecular analysis. Platelet count and packed cell volume (PCV) levels were measured. Platelet counts were categorized into four grades: Non-thrombocytopenia (platelets >200,000 cells/μL), mild thrombocytopenia (platelets 150,000-200,000 cells/μL), moderate thrombocytopenia (platelets 100,000-150,000 cells/μL), and severe thrombocytopenia (platelets <100,000 cells/μL). Four categories for PCV levels of >37%, 30-37%, 20-29%, and <20% were defined as no anemia, mild anemia, moderate anemia, and severe anemia, respectively. DNA sequencing was analyzed using BTSeq™ (Barcode-Tagged Sequencing; CELEMICS, Seoul, South Korea) for similarity index. Results: Among the 130 samples, 9 (6.9%) were positive for A. platys infection. There was an association between low platelet count and infection (p<0.05). PCV level was also associated with A. platys infection (p<0.05). DNA sequencing results of the nine positive samples showed similarity to known sequences of A. platys with 99.36-100% nucleotide identity. These results suggested low genetic diversity in A. platys infecting dogs in the Khon Kaen area. Conclusion: By amplifying 16S rRNA, A. platys infection was detected in the blood of Thai dogs. Further work should be performed to identify risk factors potentially associated with A. platys infection in dogs in Khon Kaen. Other related factors should also be considered, such as location and breeding, as well as the environmental characteristics of each locality. In addition, sampling a larger number of animals may reveal predictors for the positivity of A. platys in dogs in this region.

Breeding for Prolificacy, Total Carotenoids and Resistance to Downy Mildew in Small-Ear Waxy Corn by Modified Mass Selection

The study aimed to improve the small-ear waxy corn populations for prolificacy, high total carotenoid content and resistance to downy mildew. Three cycles of modified mass selection were carried out for population improvement. Forty-four genotypes derived from eight C3 populations and six check varieties were evaluated for agronomic traits and yield at Khon Kaen and screened for downy mildew resistance in the rainy season 2020 at two experimental sites in Ban Phang district of Khon Kaen province. Fifty genotypes were clustered into six major groups based on color parameter (h°) and total ear number. Two selected groups (C and E) with two populations of small-ear waxy corn including Nei9008/BK-24-9-B and TY/TF-33-1-B were selected as they were resistant to downy mildew, prolific ears, and intense orange kernel color. Modified mass selection was effective for improvement of multiple traits in waxy corn.

The Impacts of COVID-19 Crisis upon the Consumer Behaviours in Mueang Khon Kaen District, Thailand

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is widely spread across the world. The COVID-19 lockdown policy has forced dine-in restaurants and cafes to close. Consequently, there is a plunge in the global economy into severe recession due to less economic activities. On the other hand, the demand for online food delivery services has increased during this period. As a result, the changes in consumer behaviours during the COVID-19 crisis are taken into consideration. Are the COVID-19 crisis and the changes in consumer behaviours related? Due to the new model of consumption, our study aims to observe and discern the relationship between COVID-19 crisis and changes in consumer behaviours. Data were collected by a questionnaire asking about participants’ general information, the impacts of COVID-19 on other relevant aspects, and the changes in consumer behaviours during the COVID-19 pandemic. Survey samples, including the population in Mueang Khon Kaen District, Thailand, were randomly selected through a random sampling method with a total of 634 respondents (241 males, 380 females, and 13 others). Our results revealed that the respondents have been highly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and their consumer behaviours have been changed significantly compared to the pre-pandemic period. Additionally, statistical analyses showed that there is a significant correlation between the COVID-19 pandemic and the changes in consumer behaviours. This study could serve as a guideline of further studies about the COVID-19 pandemic and consumer behaviours, which can be appropriately adopted in the era for the new normal.