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Simple Summary: Tick-borne diseases adversely impact bovine health, leading to huge financial losses for farmers. Timely and accurate disease diagnosis is key in managing bovine herds, particularly in production animals such as dairy cattle. In the present study, we molecularly detected tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) in dairy cattle from selected provinces in the northern and western parts of Thailand. Specifically, common TBP infection was widespread in the sampled animals. Two detection tools were also compared for pathogen detection. Furthermore, cattle positive for tick-borne infections had notably lower hematocrit values. The results of this study emphasize the importance of regular tick-borne surveillance and its possible clinical impact on economically important dairy cattle in Thailand. Tick-borne diseases (TBDs) massively impact bovine production. In endemic countries, animals are often subclinically infected, showing no signs of the illness. Anemia is a hallmark of TBDs, but there is inadequate information on its presence in infected Thai cattle. In the present study, 265 cattle from four provinces in Thailand were surveyed to identify tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) and to evaluate the changes in the packed cell volume (PCV) values associated with detection. Microscopy and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were also compared for TBP detection. Babesia/Theileria/Hepatozoon was detected in 33.58% (89/265) of the cattle samples. Specifically, Babesia bovis (9/265), B. bigemina (12/265), Theileria orientalis (62/265), and Anaplasma marginale (50/265) were identified using species-specific assays. Significant decreases in the mean PCV levels were observed in cattle that were positive for at least one TBP (p < 0.001), Babesia/Theileria/Hepatozoon (p < 0.001), T. orientalis (p < 0.001), and A. marginale (p = 0.049). The results of PCR and microscopy for the detection of TBPs suggested slight and fair agreement between the two detection tools. The present findings contribute to a better understanding of TBDs in the field and shall facilitate the formulation of effective control for TBDs in Thailand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The large genus Cylindrospermum is polyphyletic as currently circumscribed, and its cryptic diversity requires detailed taxonomic evaluation. Two novel cyanobacterial strains were isolated by scraping the surface of wet wood above the water level, in the stream below Mae Phun Waterfall in the northern part of Thailand, and investigated with a polyphasic study combining morphological and molecular analyses. The morphological features of these two novel strains fitted the original description of the genus Cylindrospermum but they differed from known species in cell size, exospore features and akinete formation. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA, 16S–23S rRNA ITS region, rpoC1 and nifH genes indicated that the novel strains formed a unique clade with strongly supported values from BI and ML methods. This unique clade was distantly separated from the Cylindrospermum sensu stricto clade and other Cylindrospermum-like clades. Molecular analyses showed that the two novel strains had <96.3% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity and <83.2% 16S–23S rRNA ITS region sequence similarity to known cyanobacterial genera and other related taxa. Furthermore, ITS secondary structures between the 16S–23S rRNA gene in both strains also exhibited singular folding patterns of D1–D1', Box-B and V3 helix, thereby distinguishing them from the closely related taxa. The establishment of Neocylindrospermum gen. nov. with the type species as N. variakineticum sp. nov. is proposed according to the International Code of Nomenclature for Algae, Fungi, and Plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aimed to determine the influence of age on central corneal thickness and corneal endothelial morphology as well as to identify the relationship between them in normal Thai eyes.Methods: Non-contact specular microscopy was performed in volunteers stratified into seven age groups ranging from 11 to 88 years. The corneal endothelial parameters studied included central corneal thickness (CCT), endothelial cell density (ECD), coefficient of variation in cell size (CV), cell area (CA) and percentage of regular hexagonal cells.Results: In a total of 501 subjects (1002 eyes), the mean age was 43.12 ± 18.80 years and 347(69.3%) were females. The mean CCT, ECD, CV, CA, and hexagonality was 533.80 ± 33.00 μm, 2732 ± 258 cell/mm2, 37.61 ± 6.76%, 369.04 ± 37.90 μm, and 49.03 ± 7.53%, respectively. There was a significant inverse correlation between age and CCT (r = - 0.215, P <  0.001), ECD (r = - 0.496, P <  0.001),and hexagonality (r = - 0.265, P <  0.001). The CV and CA directly correlated with age (r = 0.242, P <  0.001 and r = 0.470, P <  0.001). The estimate rate of endothelial cell loss was 0.2% per year. There was no correlation between CCT and ECD (P = 0.106).Conclusion: Normative data for corneal endothelial morphology in healthy Thai eyes showed that CCT, ECD, and hexagonality were significantly decreased, while the endothelial cell area and the variation in cell size were increased with aging. The central corneal thickness did not correlate with the endothelial cell density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experimental study was done of the intrinsic instability of flames and flame stability enhancement burning two types of Thai natural gas. They were studied using a McKenna flat burner and a ceramic porous burner. The effects of the equivalence ratio and firing rate using various combinations of fuels and burners on the flames were studied. Gas combustion using a McKenna flat burner revealed that the eastern natural gas had a more stable flame with a smaller cell size and a wider cellular flame flammability limit than the western natural gas. In contrast, the ceramic porous burner produced two distinct flame types depending on the equivalence ratio. These were a surface stabilized flame with strong thermal radiation emitted by the burner surface to the surroundings at relatively rich combustion, 0.9 ≤ Φ ≤ 1.0 and a conventional cellular free flame at relatively lean combustion 0.75≤ Φ ≤ 0.8, where the ceramic porous burner transforms the surface stabilized flame into conventional cellular flame structures. The ceramic porous burner can extend the flame stability limit of the western natural gas up to Φ = 0.75 with no flame flashback and flame blow-off. This can make a ceramic porous burner suitable for household cooking despite the lower fuel quality of western natural gas. • McKenna flat burner provides baseline data for flames. • Ceramic porous burner enhances a wider flame stability limit on natural gas. • Ceramic porous burner is suitable for household cooking even with the lower fuel quality of the western natural gas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to analyze the impacts of nutrients and related aquatic factors on changes in the Noctiluca population of the Tha Chin estuary, a nutrient-rich estuary located in the inner Gulf of Thailand. Field surveys were carried out at 30 stations during November 2009 to August 2010. The results indicated high levels of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN; 13.89-46.99 μmol/L) and PO(4)(3-)-P (0.20-3.05 μmol/L) where the Noctiluca red tide occurred, particularly during the high-loading period. Dense populations were usually found in the outer part of the estuary with comparatively high salinity (25-29 psu). The highest Noctiluca density was 72,333 cells L(-1) and the cell diameters ranged between 360 and 460 μm. Proportions of small-sized cells (P(s); less than 300 μm) varied over time. In this study, P(s) showed a positive correlation with levels of PO(4)(3-)-P, while the total population density was significantly affected by levels of NH(4)(+)-N and DIN (p < 0.05). Overall, PO(4)(3-)-P influenced the development of the Noctiluca red tide, with the limitation of PO(4)(3-)-P levels to below 1 μmol/L suggested for controlling Noctiluca red tide outbreaks at their origin. To support environmental conservation and maintain sustainable production in the estuary, the levels of PO(4)(3-)-P should be considered for the further effective development of water quality standards in estuarine zones.

Bone marrow (BM) examination is the gold standard test in discriminating between hyperdestructive thrombocytopenia and hypoproductive thrombocytopenia. However, this procedure is invasive. Mean platelet volume (MPV) is simple and may be used as an alternative diagnostic test in distinguishing these two types of thrombocytopenia. All thrombocytopenic patients (platelet count: <150.0 x 10(9)/l), except those with congestive splenomegaly, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, and disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, were enrolled into the study prospectively. The mean MPV of normal Thais (7.9 fl) was tested as a cutoff value. Any thrombocytopenic patient with MPV of >7.9 fl would be presumptively diagnosed as hyperdestructive thrombocytopenia, whereas one with MPV of 7.9 fl could predict hyperdestructive thrombocytopenia with a sensitivity of 82.3% (95% CI: 70.5-90.8), a specificity of 92.5% (95% CI: 79.6-98.4), a positive predictive value of 94.4% (95% CI: 84.6-98.8), a negative predictive value of 77.1% (95% CI: 62.7-88.0), and a likelihood ratio of 11.0. In conclusion, the mean MPV of normal Thais may be used as a cutoff value in distinguishing these two types of thrombocytopenia.

Hemoglobinopathies are an important inherited disorder with a high prevalence in Thailand. Of several hemoglobinopathies, hemoglobin E (Hb) disorder (beta 26, GAG-AAG, Glu-Lys) is the most common. Coagulation disorders in these patients have also been proposed. Even though thrombotic risks in the patients with hemoglobin disorders from standpoints of platelet dysfunction and coagulation factors are controversial, they are in favor of thrombosis due to thrombocytosis. A study was performed in 57 healthy subjects to evaluate platelet count and platelet parameters in hemoglobin E carriers compared to values in healthy subjects. Classified by standard hemoglobin electrophoresis, there were 46 healthy subjects and 11 hemoglobin E carriers. There are no significant differences in platelet count and platelet parameters between the two groups (p > 0.05). Although there are reports that indicate the change in the quality of platelet in hemoglobin E disorders, no quantitative disorder was detected. There was no trend toward increased platelet count in the HbE carriers.

Arterial thrombosis occurs with increased frequency in cigarette smokers. It is believed that disturbance of platelet function, especially aggregation, is the essential mechanism responsible for this pathology. However, the effect of smoking on the quantity of platelets might be another contributing factor. The effect of smoking on platelet count is still controversial. We performed a cross section-al study to compare the platelet count and platelet parameters in Thai police who are smokers and non-smokers. A total of 30 Thai police in Bangkok were included in this study. Of the 30 police, there are 5 non-smokers and 25 smokers. The platelet counts and platelet parameters of the subjects were not significantly different between smokers and non-smokers.

The green pit viper (Trimeresurus albolabris and Trimeresurus macrops) is a common venomous snake in Thailand. The green pit viper venom has major effects on the hematologic system. The venom is found to have a thrombin-like effect in vitro but cause a defibrination syndrome in vivo. Unlike other pit viper snakes (such as Malayan pit viper and Russel's pit viper), the venomous effect on red blood cells is rarely mentioned. Clinical features of venomous snake bites vary from asymptomatic to fatal bleeding. In this study, an attempt was made to discern hematologic parameters in green pit viper envenomation and to characterize the changes in blood cells. The study included data from 40 patients who were hospitalized at the King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital during 1995 to 1999 and 40 normal, healthy subjects as control. Concerning platelet determination, significantly decreased (p < 0.05) total platelet count and mean platelet volume (MPV) were demonstrated in envenomous blood. The changes in blood cells may be partly due to the effect of green pit viper toxin on the platelet morphology. However, the explanation of this phenomenon requires further investigation for the specific pathophysiology. The components of green pit viper venom that have these hematologic effects in humans are interesting and should be further identified.