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Fulltext The complete mitochondrial genome of Amyda cartilaginea (Testudines: Trionychidae)

Cui L, Rao D, Zhang M

Mitochondrial DNA B Resour, 2020 Nov 03;5(3):3670-3672.
PMID: 33367054 DOI: 10.1080/23802359.2020.1832595

The Asiatic softshell turtle, also known as the black-rayed softshell turtle (Amyda cartilaginea; Accession no: MT039230), is found in northeastern India (Mizoram), Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand. This turtle is thought to have been introduced into the Sunda Islands, Sulawesi, and Yunnan, China, through the Malay Peninsula to Sumatra, Java, and Borneo. Herein, we determined the complete mitochondrial genome of A. cartilaginea for the first time using next-generation sequencing (NGS). The assembled mitogenome was 16,763 bp in length and encoded 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, two ribosomal RNA genes (12S rRNA and 16S rRNA), and one control region (CR). The PCGs based maximum-likelihood phylogeny discriminated A. cartilaginea from other Testudines and clusters within family Trionychidae with the sister taxa of Nilssonia nigricans.

Matched MeSH terms: Thailand
Fulltext "Melioidosis in Antioquia, Colombia: an emerging or endemic disease? A cases series"

Montúfar FE, Ochoa JE, Ortega H, Franco L, Montúfar MC, Monsalve A, et al.

Int J Infect Dis, 2015 Aug;37:50-7.
PMID: 26051974 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2015.05.023

Melioidosis is endemic in Malaysia, the southwest of Thailand, and northern Australia. The incidence in Thailand is 4.4/1000000 inhabitants, where it causes 19% of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and 20% of bacteremic pneumonia, and the mortality is 50%. Sporadic cases have been described in Central and South America. The objective of this study was to describe the clinical and epidemiological features and ecological characteristics of melioidosis in Antioquia, Colombia.

Matched MeSH terms: Thailand
Genetic Diversity of Pineapple (Ananas comosus) Germplasm in Malaysia Using Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) Markers

Ismail SN, Ghani NSA, Ab Razak SF, Abidin RAZ, Mohd Yusof MF, Zubir MN, et al.

Trop Life Sci Res, 2020 Oct;31(3):15-27.
PMID: 33214853 DOI: 10.21315/tlsr2020.31.3.2

Assessments of genetic diversity have been claimed to be significantly efficient in utilising and managing resources of genetic for breeding programme. In this study, variations in genetic were observed in 65 pineapple accessions gathered from germplasm available at Malaysian Agriculture Research and Development Institute (MARDI) located in Pontian, Johor via 15 markers of simple sequence repeat (SSR). The results showed that 59 alleles appeared to range from 2.0 to 6.0 alleles with a mean of 3.9 alleles per locus, thus displaying polymorphism for all samples at a moderate level. Furthermore, the values of polymorphic information content (PIC) had been found to range between 0.104 (TsuAC035) and 0.697 (Acom_9.9), thus averaging at the value of 0.433. In addition, the expected and the observed heterozygosity of each locus seemed to vary within the ranges of 0.033 to 0.712, and from 0.033 to 0.885, along with the average values of 0.437 and 0.511, respectively. The population structure analysis via method of delta K (ΔK), along with mean of L (K) method, revealed that individuals from the germplasm could be divided into two major clusters based on genetics (K = 2), namely Group 1 and Group 2. As such, five accessions (Yankee, SRK Chalok, SCK Giant India, SC KEW5 India and SC1 Thailand) were clustered in Group 1, while the rest were clustered in Group 2. These outcomes were also supported by the dendrogram, which had been generated through the technique of unweighted pair group with arithmetic mean (UPGMA). These analyses appear to be helpful amongst breeders to maintain and to manage their collections of germplasm. Besides, the data gathered in this study can be useful for breeders to exploit the area of genetic diversity in estimating the level of heterosis.

Matched MeSH terms: Thailand
Modelling exchange rates using regime switching models

Mohd Tahir Ismail, Zaidi Isa

Sains Malaysiana, 2006;35:55-62.

The behaviour of many financial time series cannot be modeled solely by linear time series model. Phenomena such as mean reversion, volatility of stock markets and structural breaks cannot be modelled implicitly using simple linear time series model. Thus, to overcome this problem, nonlinear time series models are typically designed to accommodate these nonlinear features in the data. In this paper, we use portmanteau test and structural change test to detect nonlinear feature in three ASEAN countries exchange rates (Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand). It is found that the null hypothesis of linearity is rejected and there is evidence of structural breaks in the exchange rates series. Therefore, the decision of using regime switching model in this study is justified. Using model selection criteria (AIC, SBC, HQC), we compare the in-sample fitting between two types of regime switching model. The two regime switching models we considered were the Self-Exciting Threshold Autoregressive (SETAR) model and the Markov switching Autoregressive (MS-AR) model where these models can explain the abrupt changes in a time series but differ as how they model the movement between regimes. From the AIC, SBC and HQC values, it is found that the MS -AR model is the best fitted model for all the return series. In addition, the regime switching model also found to perform better than simple autoregressive model in in-sample fitting. This result justified that nonlinear model give better in-sample fitting than linear model.

Matched MeSH terms: Thailand
Fulltext Dataset on positive mental health of Indonesian, Malaysian, and Thailand university students

Chusniyah T, Jaafar JLS, Chaiwutikornwanich A, Kuswandi D, Firmanto A, Mustopa A, et al.

Data Brief, 2020 Oct;32:106314.
PMID: 32995402 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2020.106314

The present data article provides a descriptive and analytical exploration on the links between positive mental health, subjective happiness, forgiveness, humility, and information literacy self-efficacy among 969 undergraduate students from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. There are 355 males and 614 females with an average age of 20.47 years and a standard deviation of 1.87. Respondents are recruited by simple random sampling using face to face method, at one time data retrieval during 2019. The Indonesian, Malaysian and Thailand-version questionnaires were provided to each groups of participants according to their nationality and native language, using back-to-back analysis. The socio-demographic details of the respondents, descriptive statistics, confirmatory factor analysis, correlation matrix of all variables in all groups according to country, results of regression analysis of variables, and Kruskal Wallis for all five variables in all groups are provided.

Matched MeSH terms: Thailand
Selection of high yielding Jatropha curcas L. accessions for elite hybrid seed production

Nurul Hidayah Che Mat, Md Atiqur Rahman Bhuiyan, Senan S, Ratnam W, Zahira Yaakob

Sains Malaysiana, 2015;44:1567-1572.

Phenotypic selection of individuals is the first step in a selective breeding program for elite hybrid seed production. In
this study, a total of 295 Jatropha curcas individuals raised from cuttings representing 21 accessions, collected from eight
different countries were evaluated for growth performance. The evaluation was done at the Biodiesel Research Station
of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Pilah from December 2012 to December 2013. Individual plants from each
accession were observed on several agronomic and yield related traits and all the data were recorded periodically.
Performance of each accession was analyzed using Statistical Analysis System (SAS) 9.4. Four traits which were plant
height (PH), number of flowers per inflorescence (NFI), number of female flowers per inflorescence (NFFPI) and hundred
seed weight (HSW) showed significant differences among the accessions after one year of planting. Maximum values for
each trait were 115.5 cm for PH, 6 for number of branches per plant (BPP), 9 for number of inflorescences per plant
(NIPP), 25 for number of fruits per plant (NFPP), 5 for number of fruits per inflorescence (NFPI), 191 for NFI, 10 for
NFFPI, 81.0 g for HSW and 70 for number of seeds per plant (NSPP). Accession number 1 from Thailand showed the best
performance for most traits. A highly significant and positive correlation was found between NFPP and NSPP. Based on
superior trait values for NIPP, NFPP, NFPI, NFI, NFFPI and HSW, five plants from accession UKMJC 01, 04, 05, 13 and 14
have been selected for generating elite intraspecific hybrids.

Matched MeSH terms: Thailand
Fulltext Southeast Asia Strategic Multilateral Dialogue on Biosecurity

Cicero A, Meyer D, Shearer MP, AbuBakar S, Bernard K, Carus WS, et al.

Emerg Infect Dis, 2019 May;25(5).
PMID: 31002062 DOI: 10.3201/eid2505.181659

A strategic multilateral dialogue related to biosecurity risks in Southeast Asia, established in 2014, now includes participants from Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, and the United States. This dialogue is conducted at the nonministerial level, enabling participants to engage without the constraints of operating in their official capacities. Participants reflect on mechanisms to detect, mitigate, and respond to biosecurity risks and highlight biosecurity issues for national leadership. Participants have also identified factors to improve regional and global biosecurity, including improved engagement and collaboration across relevant ministries and agencies, sustainable funding for biosecurity programs, enhanced information sharing for communicable diseases, and increased engagement in international biosecurity forums.

Matched MeSH terms: Thailand
Fulltext Factors affecting forest area change in Southeast Asia during 1980-2010

Imai N, Furukawa T, Tsujino R, Kitamura S, Yumoto T

PLoS One, 2018;13(5):e0197391.
PMID: 29763452 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0197391

While many tropical countries are experiencing rapid deforestation, some have experienced forest transition (FT) from net deforestation to net reforestation. Numerous studies have identified causative factors of FT, among which forest scarcity has been considered as a prerequisite for FT. In fact, in SE Asia, the Philippines, Thailand and Viet Nam, which experienced FT since 1990, exhibited a lower remaining forest area (30±8%) than the other five countries (68±6%, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, and Myanmar) where forest loss continues. In this study, we examined 1) the factors associated with forest scarcity, 2) the proximate and/or underlying factors that have driven forest area change, and 3) whether causative factors changed across FT phases (from deforestation to net forest gain) during 1980-2010 in the eight SE Asian countries. We used production of wood, food, and export-oriented food commodities as proximate causes and demographic, social, economic and environmental factors, as well as land-use efficiency, and wood and food trade as underlying causes that affect forest area change. Remaining forest area in 1990 was negatively correlated with population density and potential land area of lowland forests, while positively correlated with per capita wood production. This implies that countries rich in accessible and productive forests, and higher population pressures are the ones that have experienced forest scarcity, and eventually FT. Food production and agricultural input were negatively and positively correlated, respectively, with forest area change during 1980-2009. This indicates that more food production drives deforestation, but higher efficiency of agriculture is correlated with forest gain. We also found a U-shaped response of forest area change to social openness, suggesting that forest gain can be achieved in both open and closed countries, but deforestation might be accelerated in countries undergoing societal transition. These results indicate the importance of environmental, agricultural and social variables on forest area dynamics, and have important implications for predicting future tropical forest change.

Matched MeSH terms: Thailand
Fulltext Genetic Identification of Edible Bird's Nest in Thailand Based on ARMS-PCR

Lv D, Fan Y, Zhong W, Lonan P, Liu K, Wu M, et al.

Front Genet, 2021;12:632232.
PMID: 33763113 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.632232

Edible bird's nest (EBN) is a popular delicacy in the Asian Pacific region originating from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, which consist of various potential medicine value in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Thailand is one of the main exporters of EBN. However, the genetic information of EBN, a key part of molecular biology, has yet to be reported in Thailand. It is necessary to explore the genetic information of EBN in Thailand based on a quick and simple method to help protect the rights and interests of consumers. This research aimed to systematically evaluate different methods of extracting EBN DNA to improve the efficiency of the analysis of cytochrome b (Cytb) and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 (ND2) gene sequences, the establishment of phylogenetic trees, and the genetic information of EBN in Thailand. Additionally, we aimed to develop a quick and simple method for identifying EBN from different species based on the genetic information and amplification-refractory mutation system PCR (ARMS-PCR). By comparing the four methods [cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), kit and guanidinium isothiocyanate methods] for EBN extraction, we found that the guanidinium isothiocyanate method was the optimal extraction method. Phylogenetic trees generated on the basis of Cytb and ND2 gene analyses showed that 26 samples of house EBN and 4 samples of cave EBN came from Aerodramus fuciphagus and Aerodramus maximus, respectively. In addition, to distinguish different samples from different species of Apodiformes, we designed 4 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification primers based on the ND2 gene sequences of A. fuciphagus and A. maximus. The ARMS-PCR results showed band lengths for A. fuciphagus EBN of 533, 402, and 201 bp, while those for A. maximus EBN were 463, 317, and 201 bp. Collectively, the results showed that ARMS-PCR is a fast and simple method for the genetic identification of EBN based on designing specific original identification primers.

Matched MeSH terms: Thailand
Mammomonogamus roundworm (Nematoda: Syngamidae) recovered from the duodenum of a Thai patient: a first and unusual case originating in Thailand

Eamsobhana P, Mongkolporn T, Punthuprapasa P, Yoolek A

Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg, 2006 Apr;100(4):387-91.
PMID: 16257022

A pair of Mammomonogamus laryngeus roundworms in copula was recovered from the duodenum of a 72-year-old male Thai patient from Kanchanaburi Province. Eggs were also found in the stool of the patient. This is the first case of Mammomonogamus infection originating in Thailand, as the previous two reports from Thailand attributed the infection as originating in Malaysia. The occurrence of adult worms in the duodenum is unusual and differs from previous findings in the larynx, posterior pharynx, tracheal wall and bronchi. This adds a new dimension to the manifestation of the infection.

Matched MeSH terms: Thailand
Detection of circulating antigens of Parastrongylus cantonensis in human sera by sandwich ELISA with specific monoclonal antibody

Eamsobhana P, Mak JW, Yong HS

Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 1995 Dec;26(4):712-5.
PMID: 9139382

A specific monoclonal antibody (AW-3C2) as revealed by ELISA was produced against the adult worm antigens of Parastrongylus cantonensis and used in a sandwich ELISA for the detection of circulating antigens in the sera of parastrongyliasis patients and those with other parasitic diseases. A total of 60 sera was used in this study. Of these, 10 each were from patients with parastrongyliasis, cysticercosis, filariasis, gnathostomiasis, malaria and toxocariasis. The control group consisted of 53 serum samples from normal healthy Thais and Malaysians. The mean +/- optical density (OD) values for the normal Thai and Malaysian groups were 0.126 +/- 0.028 and 0.124 +/- 0.029, respectively. The mean OD values of the parastrongyliasis patient group differed significantly from that of the normal groups as well as those of other parasitic infections. Using a cut-off point of OD +/- 3SD of the control groups as indicating a positive reading, the specificity of the assay with this monoclonal antibody was 100% while the sensitivity was 50%.

Matched MeSH terms: Thailand
Fulltext Evaluation of dot immunogold filtration assay (DIGFA) for rapid serodiagnosis of eosinophilic meningitis due to Angio-strongylus cantonensis (Nematoda: Metastrongyloidea)

Eamsobhana P, Prasartvit A, Gan XX, Yong HS

Trop Biomed, 2015 Mar;32(1):121-5.
PMID: 25801261

Angiostrongylus cantonensis is the most frequent cause of eosinophilic meningitis in humans in Thailand and worldwide. Because of difficulty of recovering the Angiostrongylus larvae from infected patients, detection of parasite-specific antibodies is used to support clinical diagnosis. This study tested serum samples from eosinophilic meningitis patients and individuals at risk of infection with A. cantonensis to evaluate a recently developed simple and rapid dot-immunogold filtration assay (DIGFA) for detection of specific antibodies against A. cantonensis. Purified 31-kDa glycoprotein of A. cantonensis and protein A colloidal gold conjugate were employed to detect the 31-kDa anti-A. cantonensis antibody in patients sera from the parasite endemic areas of northeast Thailand. The results were compared with those obtained by dot-blot enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with 31-kDa A. cantonensis antigen. The overall positivity rate of DIGFA and dot-blot ELISA for A. cantonensis infection in 98 clinically diagnosed cases from three highly endemic districts in Khon Kaen province were 39.79% and 37.75%, respectively. Among 86 sera of subjects at risk of infection with A. cantonensis, 24.41% were positive by DIGFA and 23.25% by dot-blot ELISA. There were good correlation between the visual grading of DIGFA and dot-blot ELISA in both groups of defined sera. DIGFA is as sensitive and specific as dot-blot ELISA for confirming eosinophilic meningitis due to A. cantonensis infection, with advantages of simplicity, rapidity and without the use of specific and expensive equipment, and can be used in field settings.

Matched MeSH terms: Thailand
Genetic diversity of infective larvae of Gnathostoma spinigerum (Nematoda: Gnathostomatidae) in freshwater swamp eels from Thailand

Eamsobhana P, Wanachiwanawin D, Roongruangchai K, Song SL, Yong HS

J Helminthol, 2017 Nov;91(6):767-771.
PMID: 27890039 DOI: 10.1017/S0022149X16000857

Human gnathostomiasis is a food-borne zoonosis caused by a tissue nematode of the genus Gnathostoma. The disease is highly endemic in Asia, including Thailand. The freshwater swamp eel (Monopterus albus), the second intermediate host of the gnathostome nematode, has an important role in transmitting the infection in Thailand. Surveys on the infective larvae of Gnathostoma spinigerum based on morphological features in freshwater swamp eels have been performed continuously and reported in Thailand. However, there is still limited molecular data on intra-species variations of the parasite. In this study, a total of 19 third-stage larvae of morphologically identified G. spinigerum were collected from 437 liver samples of freshwater swamp eels purchased from a large wholesale market in Bangkok, Thailand. Molecular characterization based on mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences was performed to elucidate their genetic variations and phylogenetic relationship. Among the 19 infective larvae recovered from these eels, 16 were sequenced successfully. Phylogenetic analyses inferred from the partial COI gene showed the presence of three distinct COI haplotypes. Our findings confirm the presence of G. spinigerum as the main species in Thailand.

Matched MeSH terms: Thailand
Impact of graphic pack warnings on adult smokers' quitting activities: Findings from the ITC Southeast Asia Survey (2005-2014)

Li L, Fathelrahman AI, Borland R, Omar M, Fong GT, Quah AC, et al.

Journal of smoking cessation, 2016 Jun;11(2):124-134.
PMID: 27525045

Malaysia introduced graphic health warning labels (GHWLs) on all tobacco packages in 2009. We aimed to examine if implementing GHWLs led to stronger warning reactions (e.g., thinking about the health risks of smoking) and an increase in subsequent quitting activities; and to examine how reactions changed over time since the implementation of the GHWLs in Malaysia and Thailand where GHWL size increased from 50-55% in 2010. Data came from six waves (2005-2014) of the International Tobacco Control Southeast Asia Survey. Between 3,706 and 4,422 smokers were interviewed across these two countries at each survey wave. Measures included salience of warnings, cognitive responses (i.e., thinking about the health risks and being more likely to quit smoking), forgoing cigarettes, and avoiding warnings. The main outcome was subsequent quit attempts. Following the implementation of GHWLs in Malaysia, reactions increased, in some cases to levels similar to the larger Thai warnings, but declined over time. In Thailand, reactions increased following implementation, with no decline for several years, and no clear effect of the small increase in warning size. Reactions, mainly cognitive responses, were consistently predictive of quit attempts in Thailand, but this was only consistently so in Malaysia after the change to GHWLs. In conclusion, GHWLs are responded to more frequently, and generate more quit attempts, but warning wear-out is not consistent in these two countries, perhaps due to differences in other tobacco control efforts.

Matched MeSH terms: Thailand
Paragonimus and paragonimiasis

Yokogawa M

Adv Parasitol, 1969;7:375-87.
PMID: 4935271
Matched MeSH terms: Thailand
Fulltext Cholera in selected countries in Asia

Lopez AL, Dutta S, Qadri F, Sovann L, Pandey BD, Bin Hamzah WM, et al.

Vaccine, 2020 02 29;38 Suppl 1:A18-A24.
PMID: 31326255 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2019.07.035

INTRODUCTION: Although the current pandemic of cholera originated in Asia, reports of cholera cases and outbreaks in the region are sparse. To provide a sub-regional assessment of cholera in South and Southeast Asia, we collated published and unpublished data from existing surveillance systems from Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.
METHODS: Data from existing country surveillance systems on diarrhea, acute watery diarrhea, suspected cholera and/or confirmed cholera in nine selected Asian countries (Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam) from 2011 to 2015 (or 2016, when available) were collated. We reviewed annual cholera reports from WHO and searched PubMed and/or ProMED to complement data, where information is not completely available.
RESULTS: From 2011 to 2016, confirmed cholera cases were identified in at least one year of the 5- or 6-year period in the countries included. Surveillance for cholera exists in most countries, but cases are not always reported. India reported the most number of confirmed cases with a mean of 5964 cases annually. The mean number of cases per year in the Philippines, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Nepal and Thailand were 760, 592, 285, 264, 148 and 88, respectively. Cambodia and Vietnam reported 51 and 3 confirmed cholera cases in 2011, with no subsequent reported cases.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: We present consolidated results of available surveillance in nine Asian countries and supplemented these with publication searches. There is paucity of readily accessible data on cholera in these countries. We highlight the continuing existence of the disease even in areas with improved sanitation and access to safe drinking water. Continued vigilance and improved surveillance in countries should be strongly encouraged.

Matched MeSH terms: Thailand
Fulltext Sonographic renal length and volume of normal Thai children versus their Chinese and Western counterparts

Rongviriyapanich C, Sakunchit T, Sudla C, Mungkung S, Pongnapang N, Yeong CH

Clin Exp Pediatr, 2020 Dec;63(12):491-498.
PMID: 32683809 DOI: 10.3345/cep.2019.01676

BACKGROUND: Renal size is an important indicator in the diagnosis of renal diseases and urinary tract infections in children.
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is twofold. First, it aimed to measure the renal length and calculate the renal volume of normal Thai children using 2-dimensional ultrasonography (2D-US) and study their correlations with somatic parameters. Second, it aimed to compare the age-specific renal size of normal Thai children with the published data of their Western and Chinese counterparts.
METHODS: A total of 321 children (150 boys, 171 girls; age, 6-15 years) with a normal renal profile were prospectively recruited. All subjects underwent 2D-US by an experienced pediatric radiologist and the renal length, width, and depth were measured. Renal volume was calculated using the ellipsoid formula as recommended. The data were compared between the left and right kidneys, the sexes, and various somatic parameters. The age-specific renal lengths were compared using a nomogram derived from a Western cohort that is currently referred by many Thailand hospitals, while the renal volumes were compared with the published data of a Chinese cohort.
RESULTS: No statistically significant difference (P<0.05) was found between sexes or the right and left kidneys. The renal sizes had strong correlations with height, weight, body surface area, and age but not with body mass index. The renal length of the Thai children was moderately correlated (r=0.59) with that of the Western cohort, while the age-specific renal volume was significantly smaller (P<0.05) than that of the Chinese children.
CONCLUSION: Therefore, we concluded that the age-specific renal length and volume obtained by 2D-US would vary between children in different regions and may not be suitably used as an international standard for diagnosis, although further studies may be needed to confirm our findings.

Matched MeSH terms: Thailand
Fulltext Descriptive analysis to assess seasonal patterns of COVID-19 and influenza in low-income and middle-income countries in Asia, the Middle East and Latin America

Kyaw MH, Spinardi JR, Jagun O, Franco Villalobos C, Kapetanakis V, Sharf-Williams R, et al.

BMJ Open, 2024 Jan 31;14(1):e081019.
PMID: 38296298 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-081019

OBJECTIVES: Understanding disease seasonality can help predict the occurrence of outbreaks and inform public health planning. Respiratory diseases typically follow seasonal patterns; however, knowledge regarding the seasonality of COVID-19 and its impact on the seasonality of influenza remains limited. The objective of this study was to provide more evidence to understand the circulation of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, in an endemic scenario to guide potential preventive strategies.
DESIGN: In this study, a descriptive analysis was undertaken to describe seasonality trends and/or overlap between COVID-19 and influenza in 12 low-income and middle-income countries using Our World in Data and FluMart data sources. Plots of COVID-19 and influenza cases were analysed.
SETTING: Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, South Africa, Morocco, Bahrain, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
OUTCOME MEASURES: COVID-19 cases and influenza cases.
RESULTS: No seasonal patterns of SARS-CoV-2 or SARS-CoV-2/influenza cocirculation were observed in most countries, even when considering the avian influenza pandemic period.
CONCLUSIONS: These results can inform public health strategies. The lack of observed seasonal behaviour highlights the importance of maintaining year-round vaccination rather than implementing seasonal campaigns. Further research investigating the influence of climate conditions, social behaviour and year-round preventive measures could be fundamental for shaping appropriate policies related to COVID-19 and respiratory viral disease control in low-income and middle-income countries as COVID-19 variant data and epidemiologic patterns accrue over time.

Matched MeSH terms: Thailand
Fulltext Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis: a report of 3 Malaysian cases and a review of its pathology

Sthaneshwar P, Prathibha R, Yap SF

Malays J Pathol, 2005 Jun;27(1):29-32.
PMID: 16676690

Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis (TPP) is a medical emergency characterised by sudden onset of muscle weakness with hypokalemia that resolves with the treatment of hyperthyroidism. We report three cases of thyrotoxic periodic paralysis seen at the Accident and Emergency Care Department, University of Malaya Medical Centre in a period of four months. We also review the clinical presentation, pathophysiology, biochemical features and management of TPP. All three patients were young Asian males, presenting with muscle weakness of sudden onset. The first patient presented with lower limb weakness and had symptoms of thyrotoxicosis and goitre. He had a previous similar episode which resolved spontaneously. The second patient presented with quadriplegia, respiratory acidosis and had no signs and symptoms of thyrotoxicosis. The electrocardiogram of this patient showed normal sinus rhythm with U wave in V3 and a flat T wave, which are characteristic of hypokalaemia. The third patient, who was a known case of thyrotoxicosis, was admitted thrice for hypokalemic paralysis during the study period. All cases had low serum potassium, suppressed TSH and elevated T4 confirming thyrotoxic periodic paralysis. Potassium therapy was useful during the crisis; however prophylactic potassium has not been shown to prevent attacks as seen in one of our cases.

Matched MeSH terms: Thailand/ethnology
Proteomic profile of edible bird's nest proteins

Liu X, Lai X, Zhang S, Huang X, Lan Q, Li Y, et al.

J Agric Food Chem, 2012 Dec 26;60(51):12477-81.
PMID: 23214475 DOI: 10.1021/jf303533p

Edible bird's nest (EBN) is made of the swiftlets' saliva, which has attracted rather more attention owing to its nutritious and medical properties. Although protein constitutes the main composition and plays an important role in EBN, few studies have focused on the proteomic profile of EBN. The purpose of this study was to produce a proteomic map and clarify common EBN proteins. Liquid-phase isoelectric focusing (LIEF) was combined with two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) for comprehensive analysis of EBN proteins. From 20 to 100 protein spots were detected on 2-DE maps of EBN samples from 15 different sources. The proteins were mainly distributed in four taxa (A, B, C, and D) according to their molecular mass. Taxa A and D both contained common proteins and proteins that may be considered another characteristic of EBN. Taxon A was identified using MALDI-TOF-TOF/MS and found to be homologous to acidic mammalian chitinase-like ( Meleagris gallopavo ), which is in glycosyl hydrolase family 18.

Matched MeSH terms: Thailand

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