Morphometry and Phylogeny of the Different Populations of Selaginella tamariscina (P. Beauv.) Spring and S. pulvinata (Hook. & Grev.) Maxim. in Northern Thailand

“Dok Hin” is the Thai local name for Selaginella species that form rosettes. They commonly distributes in Siberia, Manchuria, southern China, Japan, the Philippines and Thailand. Morphology of Dok Hin is very resemble leading to misidentification. So, exactly number of species of Dok Hin in Thailand and their differences in morphological characteristics is not well understood. Thus, revision of morphological characters and phylogenetic confirmation of the taxonomic identification are needed. This study aims to examine morphological charateristics and phylogenetic patterns in eight populations of the Dok Hin in Northern Thailand. Morphology of Dok Hin from each populations was quantitatively examined using 15 vegetative and 6 reproductive characters meanwhile phylogenetic analyses was explored by DNA barcode ITS2. The results of the phylogenetic analysis revealed the existence of two species of Dok Hin, S. tamariscina and S. pulvinata. Selaginella tamariscina can be distinguished from S. pulvinata by its presence of a pseudotrunk above ground and ridges of dorsal leaves. On the other hand, the results of phylogenetic analysis indicated the differences among populations of S. pulvinata as well. Chiang Mai populations of S. pulvinata was characterized by peculiar set of characters long leaves and leaf apices look like caudate, while the rest of their populations have shorter leaves and leaf apices look like aristate. It indicates that S. pulvinata has genetic and phenotypic divergence among populations. However, additional studies of Dok Hin populations in other parts of Thailand and studies on different genetic markers are necessary to confirm the taxonomic status of S. pulvinata. Keywords: Dok Hin, Morphometric, Phylogeny, Pseudotrunk, Resurrection plant

Pasting Behavior and Viscoelastic Properties of Fresh, Chilled, and Rehydrated Freeze-Dried Gel Beads from Blends of Tapioca Flour, Soy Flour, and Cane Sugar

An extreme vertices design for a mixture of three components was used to establish the proportions of tapioca flour (50% to 100% w/w), soy flour (0% to 50% w/w), and cane sugar (0% to 10% w/w) mass fractions in a food gel bead system. Thus, nine compositions were prepared and analyzed. The pasting profiles of the mixtures were studied using a Rapid Visco Analyzer. The texture profiles of fresh, chilled, and rehydrated freeze-dried gel beads were studied using a texture analyzer. Increasing the proportion of soy flour in the range of 11.25% to 50.00% w/w decreased the peak viscosity, breakdown, final viscosity, and setback of mixed flour. Tapioca flour in the proportion of 81.25% to 100.00% w/w recorded the lowest hardness of fresh gel beads (92.00 to 283.00 g). Soy flour in the proportion of 11.25% to 50.00% w/w exhibited lower texture profiles (hardness, chewiness, and gumminess) than tapioca flour in gel beads for both chilled and rehydrated freeze-dried gel beads. Significant relationships were found among pasting profiles of the flour mixtures and texture profiles of fresh, chilled, and rehydrated freeze-dried gel beads, implying a functional role for soy flour in food gel beads. In conclusion, soy flour can act as an anti-retrogradation agent for the gel beads both in chilled (stored at 4°C for 7 days) and freeze-dried conditions. A small amount of cane sugar does not affect the inhibition of starch retrogradation in the gel bead system. Keywords: Anti-retrogradation, Food gel bead, Pasting profile, Soy flour, Tapioca flour, Texture profiles

Effects of Indian Gooseberry Fruit on Anxiety-Related Behaviors and Memory Performance in High-fat Diet-induced Obese Mice

Indian gooseberry (Phyllanthus emblica L.) is widely used in Ayurvedic medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, as well as traditional medicine to treat health complications including disorders of diabetes and obesity. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Indian gooseberry fruit on anxiety-related behaviors and memory performance in high-fat diet-induced obese mice. C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into four groups (n = 11 pre group); group 1: normal diet control, 2: normal diet treated with Indian gooseberry fruit juice, 3: high-fat diet control, and 4: high-fat diet treated with Indian gooseberry fruit juice. Each mouse was orally and daily administrated with 5mL/kg of Indian gooseberry fruit juice. After six weeks, all groups were tested for blood glucose levels, anxiety and memory performances, and the level of interleukin 6 (IL-6) in the hippocampus. The results revealed that the treatment with Indian gooseberry juice for six weeks produced a significant decrease in blood glucose levels (P <0.05). In anxiety-related behaviors, Indian gooseberry juice showed a remarkable decrease in self-grooming behavior (P <0.001). In addition, there was a significant increase in memory performance in the high-fat diet treated with Indian gooseberry fruit juice compared to the high-fat diet control (P <0.05). Furthermore, the level of inflammatory cytokine IL-6 in the hippocampus was significantly decreased after oral administration of Indian gooseberry fruit juice (P <0.05). These findings suggest that Indian gooseberry fruit can serve as a natural nutritional treatment for preventing high-fat diet-induced cognitive impairment. Keywords: Anxiety-related behaviors, High-fat diet, Indian gooseberry, Memory performance, Obesity

Effect of Vitamin A-Fortified Rice on the Gut Microbiota of Thai Lactating Women and Their Exclusively Breastfed Infants

The optimal vitamin A (VA) status of lactating women is important for mothers and their breastfed infants, especially in protecting against infectious diseases. Vitamin A fortified rice is one of the food-base intervention strategy which has the potential to improve VA status. Vitamin A and gut microbiota are interrelated in their effect on human health and immunity however no specific relationship has been proved in these groups of population. This study aimed to determine the effect of VA fortified rice on the gut microbiota changes of lactating woman-exclusively breastfed infant pairs. A double-blind, randomized controlled trial (RCT) of VA fortified rice was conducted in 70 lactating women-infants pairs for 14 weeks. Gut microbiota was measured using the fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) and next generation sequencing (NGS) technique. Based on the FISH technique, the numbers of Clostridium spp. /Enterobacter spp. were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in mothers fed VA-fortified rice at the end of the study. In contrast, the abundance of Bifidobacterium spp. and Lactobacillus spp. of infants whose mothers fed with VA-fortified rice was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than the control group. The NGS technique confirmed that results with the increasing of Lactobacillus, B. longum and B. Choerinum in the infant of intervention group. In conclusion, VA-fortified rice was efficacious in decreasing Clostridium spp. /Enterobacter spp. in lactating women and raising the number of Bifidobacterium spp. and Lactobacillus spp. in their breastfed infants. Keywords: Breastfeeding, Gut microbiota, Lactating woman-infant pairs, Randomized controlled trial, Vitamin A

Assessment of the Antihyperlipidemic Effect of Garlic Vs Pitavastatin in Patients with Moderate Hyperlipidemia: A Metanalysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

To assess the efficacy of garlic in comparison with pitavastatin in reducing hypercholesteremia. Databases that include PubMed/Medline, Cochrane, TRIP and SCOPUS were searched. All randomised controlled trials selected for the study. Studies comparing garlic with placebo and pitavastatin with either placebo or other drugs were selected to treat hypercholesteremia. Statistical analysis done using a random-effect model, and results expressed in Mean difference and variance for continuous data with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Twelve studies analysed the efficacy of garlic compared to pitavastatin. Total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, and triglycerides assessed for garlic and pitavastatin's comparative efficacy. Mean difference noticed in total cholesterol in garlic arm was -13.604 with 95% CI = -22.246, -4.962 while in pitavastatin group was -28.205 (95% CI = -29.016,-27.394). The LDL-c reduction not recorded in the garlic arm where the mean increase was recorded of 0.309 (95% CI = -12.502, 13.120) while in the pitavastatin group was -35.538 (95% CI = -39.992, -31.084). Similarly, the increase in HDL was more in the pitavastatin group 5.308 (95% CI = 0.906, 9.710 compared to garlic (2.754 with 95% CI = 1.069, 4.440). Triglycerides level reduction was also low in whereas pitavastatin was -24.210 with 95% CI = -29.249, -19.171.The analysis showed that garlic has a significant effect on lipid profile. The comparison profile of garlic with pitavastatin showed clinical application in the treatment of mild-moderate hypercholesteremia—further studies required the investigator to use the combination therapy in controlled trials. Keywords: Allicin, Allium sativum, Dyslipidemia, Garlic, Hypercholesteremia, Hyperlipidemia Pitavastatin

Effects of Supplemental Cations on Growth and Nitrogen Accumulation in Canna indica L.

The effects of supplemental cations on growth, nitrogen, and mineral accumulation were assessed in Canna indica L. Similar sized 45 days-old plants were grown on a nutrient solution modified from Hoagland and Arnon (1950). The different cations were added to generate 6 treatments (n=4): (i) control (no cation added), (ii) 2.5 mM K+, (iii) 2.5 mM Ca2+, (iv) 75 mM Na+, (v) 1.25 mM K+ + 1.25 mM Ca2+ and (vi) 2.5 mM Ca2+ + 75 mM Na+, respectively. An experiment was carried out in the greenhouse for 49 days. The study found that supplemental K+ and K++ Ca2+ increased plant growth and total biomass. The highest SER was found in plants receiving supplemental K+. In contrast, SERs, leaf areas, and total biomass decreased in Na+ or Na++Ca2+ supplemented plants. The accumulated NO3- concentration (at the whole plant level) was also highest in the plants with supplemental K+ and K++Ca2+. The total nitrogen accumulation was higher in the K+, Ca2+, and K++Ca2+ supplemented plants than in the control plants. The results suggest that supplemental cations particularly K+ can enhance plant growth and nitrogen accumulation in C. indica. Therefore, cation supplementation could be an alternative technique to stimulate plant growth and improve nitrate removal in constructed wetlands. Keywords: Constructed wetland, Nitrate removal, Potassium, Tropical wetland plants

Characterization of X- box binding protein 1(XBP1) and BiP functions and investigation their roles in YHV replication in P. monodon

Eukaryotic cells have mechanisms to cope with stress in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) called unfolded protein response (UPR). In this study, we characterized putative X-box DNA binding protein1 (XBP1) and Binding protein (BiP) cDNAs from black tiger shrimp (Peneaus monodon). When the shrimp were infected with Yellow head virus (YHV), the levels of XBP1 and BiP mRNA transcripts were elevated approximately 8 and 55 folds, respectively. In normal shrimp, the putative XBP1 (XBP1u) was predicted to encode a protein with 283 amino acid residues. When shrimp were infected with YHV, portion of cDNA with 17 nucleotides intron elimination (XBP1s) was observed. The elimination caused alteration of its translational frame. The predicted protein from this is 469 amino acids in length with total change in its amino acid sequence downstream of the intron. Functional analysis of these XBP1 proteins in mammalian cells clearly showed that overexpression of P. monodon XBP1s was capable of activating the transcription rate of mammalian UPR responsive genes (BiP, ERdj4 and P58IPK). Finally, the impact of XBP1 and BiP on YHV multiplication in black tiger shrimp was investigated by RNAi approach. Knocking down either XBP1 or BiP expression efficiently inhibited YHV replication. Therefore, these two components in the UPR pathway may be an interesting target for anti YHV development in the future. Keywords: Endoplasmic reticulum, siRNA, Stress-inducible genes, Transcriptional regulation

Significant Contribution of C3 - Type Forest Plants’ Burning to Airborne PM2.5 Pollutions in Chiang Mai Province, Northern Thailand

This study aimed to identify the contributing sources of PM2.5 in Chiang Mai Province during February to April 2016. We therefore investigated the chemical compositions of PM2.5 at two different sites. An urban site is in Chiang Mai University (CMU) while a rural site is in Mae Chaem (MC) District where frequent intensive biomass burning was reported. Thirty pair samples of 24-h PM2.5 were analyzed for organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC), levoglucosan and stable carbon isotope (δ13C). The mean concentrations (Mean ± SD) of PM2.5, OC and EC at the CMU vs MC sites were not significant different (P >0.05) including 44.5 ± 32.1 vs 40.5 ± 21.2 µg/m3; 14.9 ± 12.5 vs 14.8 ± 10.0 µg/m3; and 1.80 ± 1.60 vs 1.62 ± 0.80 µg/m3, respectively. Levoglucosan concentrations, a tracer of biomass burning from both sites were not significant different (P >0.05) and the mean ± SD concentrations at CMU vs MC sites were 0.46 ± 0.56 µg/m3 vs 0.55 ± 0.67 µg/m3, respectively. Meanwhile, the mean values of δ13C in total carbon (TC) at CMU vs MC sites were -27.9 ± 0.68 vs -27.6 ± 0.60‰, respectively which major data (n = 48, 85.4%) fell within the ranged of C3-type plants and minor data (n = 48, 14.6%) in C3-type plants and motor vehicle sources. This finding corresponds to the vast biomass burning area from satellite data. Forest plants in northern Thailand, Chiang Mai particular are mostly mixed deciduous forest i.e. C3-type plants which falling leaves in dry season and easily causing fire. The results of this study therefore strongly suggest that the burning of C3-type forest plants attribute to airborne PM2.5 pollutants in Chiang Mai Province. Keywords: Air pollution, Biomass burning, C3-type plants, Levoglucosan, Stable carbon isotope

The Association between the Mapping Distribution of Melioidosis Incidences and Meteorological Factors in an Endemic Area: Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand (2009–2018)

Melioidosis is a public health problem in the tropical regions, occurring to meteorological variability. For 10 years of melioidosis outbreaks, we create probability maps of melioidosis distribution during 2009–2018 and determine the association with meteorological factors. The monthly average rainfall and incidence of melioidosis were high from July to September but they not significantly associated (P = 0.576). However, the monthly maximum and minimum temperature were significantly associated with melioidosis incidence (P = 0.002 and P = 0.029, respectively). We estimated the spatial distribution of rainfall and maximum and minimum temperature using the Co-Kriging interpolation method which found that the spatial distribution of the melioidosis incidence was significantly associated with rainfall in 2009, 2010, and 2015; with the maximum temperature in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, and 2015; and with the minimum temperature in 2010, 2011, and 2015. Our finding approach may support information and classify a pattern for melioidosis distribution. Keywords: Incidence, Melioidosis, Meteorological factors

Survival Analysis of Time to Death of HIV-Infected Patients under Antiretroviral Therapy in Tepi General Hospital, South West Ethiopia

Despite advancements in HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment, HIV continues to be a global problem. Antiretroviral therapy is a critical treatment that has been used to treat HIV-infected patients since 1996. Even though an increase in the number of patients enrolled in ART, the mortality rate for HIV cases in Ethiopia has never been overcome. Thus, this study aimed to identify influential factors of death of HIV-infected individuals received antiretroviral therapy at the Tepi General Hospital. The secondary data was extracted from each selected patient for whom the ART was initiated from September 2011 to June 2018. Then, Cox regression technique provided the essential determinants of time to death of HIV-infected patients. The findings revealed that 35.14 percent of HIV patients died despite being on ART. The identified causes of death were being over 40 years old, being in clinical stage IV, being uneducated, having a low body weight, and having a low CD4 cell count. Gender, tuberculosis status, and functional status, on the other hand, were not supported as factors. Thus, age over 40 years, being underweight, having a low baseline CD4 cell count, being in an advanced WHO clinical stage, and having a low education level were identified as critical risk factors that exposed to early death even while on ART. As a result, the hospital advised prioritizing patients based on the identified factors. Keywords: AIDS; Analysis; Biological modeling; Biological activities