• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.16
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• pp.7155-7159
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• 2015

Background: Oral cancer is a health problem in Thailand. Cratoxylum formosum subsp. pruniflorum Gogel (Teawdang), normally consumed in northeast Thailand, has proven cytotoxic to cervical cancer cell lines including HeLa, SiHa and C-33A. Recently, Asian oral cancer cell lines, ORL-48 and ORL-136, were established. Therefore, we aimed to study cytotoxicity of Teawdang in these. Total phenolic (TPC) and flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant activity of Teawdang were also determined. Materials and Methods: Teawdang was purchased from Khon Kaen market during June-October 2013. Hexane (CHE), ethyl acetate (CEE) and methanol (CME) extracts of its edible part were analyzed for TPC by the folin-ciocalteau method and for TFC by an aluminium colorimetric method. Antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity in normal Vero cells and oral cancer cells were investigated. Cell viability was assessed using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays. Results: CME and CEE had higher TPC and TFC and antioxidant activity than CHE. Both CME and CEE, at $200{\mu}g$ dry wt/mL, were cytotoxic to the studied oral cancer cell lines. However, CME was cytotoxic to Vero cells whereas CEE was not. Compared to Vero cells, CEE significantly inhibited ORL-48 and ORL-136 growth (p=0.03 and p=0.02, respectively). Conclusions: CEE exhibited cytotoxic effects on the studied oral cancer cell lines but not normal Vero cells. The bioactive compounds in CEE should be further purified and elucidated for their mechanisms of action for development as anticancer agents.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.16
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• pp.7271-7275
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• 2015

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of significant lesions defined as high grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL), adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) and invasive carcinoma in women who had HPV-positive and cytology negative co-testing screening results. This retrospective study was conducted in Chiang Mai University Hospital between May, 2013 and August, 2014. Hybrid capture 2 (HC2) was used for HPV testing and conventional Pap smears for cytologic screening. A repeat liquid-based cytology (LBC) was performed in women with such co-testing results followed by colposcopy. Random biopsy was performed in cases of normal colposcopic findings. Further investigations were carried out according to the biopsy or the repeat LBC results. During the study period, 273 women met the criteria and participated in the study. The mean age of these women was 46.4 years with 30% of them reporting more than one partner. The median interval time to colposcopy was 165 days. About 40% showed an abnormality in the repeat cytology. Significant cervical lesions were found in 20 (7.3%) women, including 2 invasive cancers. Of interest was that only 2 of 20 significant lesions were diagnosed by colposcopic examination while the remainder were initially detected by cervical biopsy and abnormal repeat cytology. In conclusion, the prevalence of significant cervical lesions in HPV positive and cytology negative women in Northern Thailand was 7.3%. Further diagnostic work up with repeat cytology follow by colposcopy is recommended. Random biopsy should be performed even when the colposcopic findings are normal.

• Journal of Information Technology Applications and Management
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.65-81
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• 2015

This study reports a preliminary finding of the types and numbers of graphs being presented in the annual reports of about thirty top listed companies trading publicly in the stock markets of three countries-Thailand (SET), Malaysia (BM), and Singapore (SGX)-that were chosen based on their inclusion in the ASEAN Stars Index under the ASEAN Trading Link project. A total of 6,753 graphs from nineteen sectors were extracted and examined. Banking, real estate, and telecommunications are ranked the three most condense sectors, accounting for 50.2% of the total number of graphs observed. The three most used graphs are the Conservative Bar, Donut graph and Stack Bar. Less than one percent of Infographic type graphs were used. The five most depicted graphed variables are Asset, Revenue, Net profit, Liability, and Dividend. Using rudimentary framework to detect distorted or misleading statistical graphs, the study found 60.6% of the graphs distorted across the three markets, SET, BM, and SGX. BM ranked first in percentages of graphs being distortedly presented (73%). The other two markets, SET and SGX, have about the same proportions, 53.88% and 53.03%, respectively. Likewise, the proportions of Well-designed versus Inappropriate-designed graphs of the latter two markets are a little over one time (SET = 1 : 1.17; SGX = 1 : 1.13), whereas the proportion is almost triple for the BM market (BM = 1 : 2.70). In addition, the trend of distorted graphs found is slightly increasing as the longevity of the ASEAN Stars Index increases. One possible explanation for the relatively equal proportion of inappropriate graphs found is that SET is the smallest market and SGX, though the largest, is the most regulated market. BM, on the other hand, may want to present their financial data in the most attractive manner to prospective investors, thus, regulatory constraints and governance structure are still lenient.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.12
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• pp.4901-4903
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• 2015

The gynecologic oncology patients surveillance network program was conducted with the collaboration of 5 provincial hospitals located in the north of Thailand (Chiang Rai, Lamphun Nan, Phayao and Phrae). The aim was to identify ways of reducing the burden and the cost to the gynecologic cancer patients who needed to travel to the tertiary care hospital for follow up. The clinical data of each patient was transferred to the provincial hospital by the internet via the website www.gogcmu.or.th. All the general gynecologists who participated in this project attended the training course set up for the program. From January 2011 to February 2014, 854 patients who were willing to have their next follow-up at the network hospitals close to their home were enrolled this project. Almost of them were residents in Chiang Rai province and the most common disease was cervical cancer. After the project had been running for 1 year, 604 of the enrolled patients and 21 health-care personnel who had participated in this project were interviewed to assess its success. Some 85.3% of the patients and 100% of the health-care personnel were satisfied with this project. However, 60 patients had withdrawn, the most common reason being the lack of confidence in the follow up at the local provincial hospital. In conclusion, it is possible to initiate a gynecologic oncology patients' surveillance network program and the initiation could reduce the problems associated with and the cost the patients incurred as they journeyed to the tertiary care hospital.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.8
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• pp.3413-3418
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• 2015

Background: Liver fluke infection caused by the parasite Opisthorchis viverrini (O. viverrini), a human carcinogen, is endemic in north-eastern Thailand and remains a major health problem. Objectives: The objectives of the study were to (1) resurvey the prevalence of O. viverrini infection in a field site from the Khon Kaen Cohort Study (in newly recruited subjects as well as previous cohort subjects surveyed in 1992); (2) investigate how subjects' lifestyle habits and their exposure to health promotion initiatives influence changes in prevalence of O. viverrini infection. Materials and Methods: The prevalence of O. viverrini infection in the cohort subjects (as well as new subjects) was investigated using faecal egg counts. Information on demographic factors, lifestyle and awareness of health promotion initiatives were obtained through questionnaires. Results: O. viverrini infection rates in the same individuals of the cohort were lower in 2006 than in 1992. Also, by studying the period effect, the current 35-44 year olds had a 12.4% (95% CI 3.9% to 20.9%) lower prevalence of O. viverrini infection than the 35-44 year olds in 1992 (24.2% versus 11.8%). Lifestyle choices showed that smoking and alcohol consumption were associated with an increased chance of acquiring O. viverrini infection with adjusted odds ratios of 10.1 (95%CI 2.4-41.6) and 5.3 (95%CI 1.2-23.0), respectively. Conclusions: Our study has demonstrated that although the prevalence of O. viverrini infection over a 14-year period has decreased, unhealthy lifestyle was common with smoking and alcohol consumption being associated with increased chances of infection, emphasising the double burden of disease which developing countries are facing.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.1435-1442
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• 2015

Purpose: To study the patient load, treatment pattern, survival outcome and its predictors in patients with brain metastases treated by radiotherapy. Materials and Methods: Data for patients with brain metastases treated by radiotherapy between 2003 and 2007 were collected from medical records, the hospital information system database, and a population-based tumor registry database until death or at least 5 years after treatment and retrospectively reviewed. Results: The number of treatments for brain metastases gradually increased from 48 in 2003 to 107 in 2007, with more than 70% from lung and breast cancers. The majority were treated with whole brain radiation of 30 Gy (3 Gy X 10 fractions) by cobalt-60 machine, using radiation alone. The overall median survival of the 418 patients was 3.9 months. Cohort analysis of relative survival after radiotherapy was as follows: 52% at 3 months, 18% at 1 year and 3% at 5 years in males; and 66% at 3 months, 26% at 1 year and 7% at 5 years in females. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the patients treated with combined modalities had a better prognosis. Poor prognostic factors included primary cancer from the lung or gastrointestinal tract, emergency or urgent consultation, poor performance status (ECOG 3-4), and a hemoglobin level before treatment of less than 10 g/dl. Conclusions: This study identified an increasing trend of patient load with brain metastases. Possible over-treatment and under-treatment were demonstrated with a wide range of survival results. Practical prognostic scoring systems to assist in decision-making for optimal treatment of different patient groups is absolutely necessary; it is a key strategy for balancing good quality of care and patient load.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2015

In 2009 outbreaks of an emerging disease in shrimp farms were first reported in China. The disease was known as early mortality syndrome (EMS), or acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND). Since 2009, the disease has been spread to Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand and Mexico. The causative agent of the disease was identified as Vibrio parahaemolyticus. It is a common seawater inhabitant bacterium, and the pathogen can sometimes contaminate seafood. The disease has caused mass mortality of cultivated shrimp, and huge economic losses in the countries named above. In order to prevent the introduction and establishment of AHPND, emergency measures, such as strengthening of import conditions and even import bans, were put in place by many other countries. In Korea, on the other hand, there are large quantities of shrimp imports from countries, such as Thailand and Vietnam. Transportation of live and fresh dead shrimp is highly likely, and could be a transmission pathway if the shrimp are sourced from populations in AHPND endemic areas. It is important to recognize that importing countries may provisionally adopt sanitary or phytosanitary measures on the basis of available pertinent information, including that from the relevant international organizations, as well as from sanitary or phytosanitary measures applied by other countries based on "Agreement on Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures". It is pertinent that Korea also takes proper emergent measures to keep out diseases and provide safe seafood.

• International Journal of Advanced Culture Technology
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.120-128
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• 2015

In this paper, Residential roof top photovoltaic system with 9.9 kW design is proposed. The system composed of 200 Watts solar array 33 panels connecting in series 10 strings and parallels 3 strings which have maximum voltage and current are 350 V and 23.8 A. The 10 kW sinusoidal grid-connected inverter with window voltage about 270-350 is selected to convert and transfer DC Power to AC Power at PCC (Point of Common Coupling) of power system following to utility standard. However the impact of fluctuation and uncertainty of weather condition of PV may decrease the voltage stability and voltage collapse of power system. In order to solve this problem the energy storage such 120 V 1200 Ah battery bank and 30 kVAR capacitor are designed for voltage stability control. The other expensed for installing the system such battery charger, cable, accessories and maintenance cost are concerned. The economic analysis by using investment from money loan with interest about 7% and use own money which loss income of deposit about 3% are calculated as 671,844 and 547,044 for PV system with energy storage and non energy storage respectively. The solar energy from PV is about 101,616 Bath per year which evaluated by using the value of $5kWh/m^2/day$ from average peak sun hour (PSH) of the Thailand and 6.96 Bath/kWh of Feed in Tariff Incentive. The payback periods of four scenarios are proposed follow as i) PV system with energy storage and use loan money is 15 years ii) PV system with no energy storage and use loan money is 10 years iii) PV system with energy storage and use deposit money is 9 years iv) PV system with energy storage and use deposit money is 7 years. In addition, the other scenarios of economic analysis such no FIT support and other type of economic analysis such NPV and IRR are proposed in this paper.

• Mycobiology
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.288-296
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• 2015

Thailand is one of the largest citrus producers in Southeast Asia. Pathogenic infection by Phytophthora, however, has become one of major impediments to production. This study identified a pathogenic oomycete isolated from rotted roots of pomelo (Citrus maxima) in Thailand as Phytophthora nicotianae by the internal transcribed spacer ribosomal DNA sequence analysis. Then, we examined the in vitro and in vivo effects of Chaetomium globosum, Chaetomium lucknowense, Chaetomium cupreum and their crude extracts as biological control agents in controlling this P. nicotianae strain. Represent as antagonists in biculture test, the tested Chaetomium species inhibited mycelial growth by 50~56% and parasitized the hyphae, resulting in degradation of P. nicotianae mycelia after 30 days. The crude extracts of these Chaetomium species exhibited antifungal activities against mycelial growth of P. nicotianae, with effective doses of $2.6{\sim}101.4{\mu}g/mL$. Under greenhouse conditions, application of spores and methanol extracts of these Chaetomium species to pomelo seedlings inoculated with P. nicotianae reduced root rot by 66~71% and increased plant weight by 72~85% compared to that in the control. The method of application of antagonistic spores to control the disease was simple and economical, and it may thus be applicable for large-scale, highly effective biological control of this pathogen.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.15
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• pp.6639-6643
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• 2015

Background: Prostate cancer is a major concern of public health. Microvascular density (MVD) is one of the prognostic markers for various solid cancers. Matrix metalloproteinase 11 (MMP11) plays an important role in angiogenesis and changes in its expression level are known to be associated with tumor progression and clinical outcome. Aim: To investigate the relationship between MVD and MMP11 expression in prostatic adenocarcinoma tissues. Materials and Methods: The expression levels of MMP11 and MVD were analyzed immunohistochemically for 50 specimens of prostatic adenocarcinoma. Results: MMP11 was mainly expressed in stromal cells but rarely seen in epithelial cells. Mean MVD was $36/mm^2$, and it was correlated significantly only with bone metastases. MVD was also significantly correlated with MMP11 expression (r=0.29, p=0.044). Conclusions: MMP11 may alter the stromal microenvironment of prostate cancer to stimulate tumor angiogenesis.