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Based on the data of the State of Global Air (2020), air quality deterioration in Thailand has caused ~32,000 premature deaths, while the World Health Organization evaluated that air pollutants can decrease the life expectancy in the country by two years. PM2.5 was collected at three air quality observatory sites in Chiang-Mai, Bangkok, and Phuket, Thailand, from July 2020 to June 2021. The concentrations of 25 elements (Na, Mg, Al, Si, S, Cl, K, Ca, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, As, Se, Br, Sr, Ba, and Pb) were quantitatively characterised using energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. Potential adverse health impacts of some element exposures from inhaling PM2.5 were estimated by employing the hazard quotient and excess lifetime cancer risk. Higher cancer risks were detected in PM2.5 samples collected at the sampling site in Bangkok, indicating that vehicle exhaust adversely impacts human health. Principal component analysis suggests that traffic emissions, crustal inputs coupled with maritime aerosols, and construction dust were the three main potential sources of PM2.5. Artificial neural networks underlined agricultural waste burning and relative humidity as two major factors controlling the air quality of Thailand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study investigated the relationship of bank-specific and macroeconomic factors on bank profitability and stock return of commercial banks listed in Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET). The study used multiple regression of quarterly data from 2004-2013. Bank profitability and stock return were used as dependent variables. While, bank-specific and macroeconomic variables were used as independent variables. The dummy variable of Financial Sector Master Plan also used in the study. The results showed that asset size, capital adequacy, liquidity, main source of banks funding have positive and significant relationship on bank profitability. Dummy variable has positive and significant relationship on stock return. While, operational efficiency, credit risk, inflation rate and real interest rate have negative and significant relationship on bank profitability and stock return. Asset quality and GDP are insignificant to bank profitability and stock return. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of parenting styles on emotional intelligence of HIV-affected children in Thailand. This study uses data from 205 HIV-affected children in northern and northeastern Thailand. Correlation and regression analyses were used to examine the predictors of emotional intelligence. Children reporting higher levels of stress reported less caring parenting style (standardized beta [B]=−0.18,p=0.050). Children with higher self-esteem were also more likely to perceive their parents as caring (B=0.48,p=0.002). Children who scored lower on their self-esteem reported their parents to be more overprotective (B=−0.30,p=0.030), and children reporting higher levels of stress reported their parents to be more overprotective (B=0.12,p=0.010). Children reporting caring parenting style were significantly more likely to report higher emotional intelligence (B=0.66,p=0.001). Parenting styles play an important role in the emotional intelligence. Identifying and testing interventions to help parents improve their parenting styles, while helping their HIV-affected children cope with stress and self-esteem, are essential in promoting mental health of HIV-affected children in Thailand. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

One of the main challenges facing people living with HIV ( PLH) in Thailand is HIV disclosure. The goal of this study was to examine HIV disclosure barriers and motivators in Northeastern Thailand. Focus groups were conducted with 40 PLH to explore the barriers and motivators. To confirm the themes identified in the focus groups, face-face interviews were conducted with 50 PLH. Focus group findings revealed barriers to HIV disclosure in three domains: perceived stigma, shame and fear of rejection. Motivators to HIV disclosure consisted of the following: coping with illness, seeking help and common experiences. Findings from the face-to-face interviews included the following barriers: fear of privacy breach, fear of rejection and communication difficulties. The motivators to HIV disclosure included seeking supportive relationship, duty to inform and catharsis. Based on these findings, we are currently developing family-focused HIV disclosure intervention in Northeastern Thailand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the impact of HIV falls on both partners of a married couple, the burden of stress may not be necessarily shared evenly. The researchers in this study examined the relations among HIV status, gender, and depressive symptoms among 152 married or cohabitating couples living with HIV in the northern and northeastern regions of Thailand. Depressive symptoms were assessed using a 15-item depressive symptom screening test that was developed and used previously in Thailand. Among the 152 couples, 59% were couples in which both members were people living with HIV (seroconcordant; both people living with HIV couples), 28% had only female members with HIV (serodiscordant; females living with HIV couples), and 13% had only male members with HIV (serodiscordant; males living with HIV couples). The prevalence of depressive symptoms between seroconcordant and serodiscordant groups was similar. However, females living with HIV reported significantly higher levels of depressive symptoms, regardless of their partners' HIV status. Future prevention programs focusing on serodiscordant couples should be planned to target HIV risk, as well as emphasis on mental health, with a particular focus on women's increased susceptibility to negative mental health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Objectives. We examined findings from a randomized controlled intervention trial designed to improve the quality of life of people living with HIV in Thailand. Methods. A total of 507 people living with HIV were recruited from 4 district hospitals in northern and northeastern Thailand and were randomized to an intervention group (n=260) or a standard care group (n=247). Computer-assisted personal interviews were administered at baseline and at 6 and 12 months. Results. At baseline, the characteristics of participants in the intervention and standard care conditions were comparable. The mixed-effects models used to assess the impact of the intervention revealed significant improvements in general health (B=2.51; P=.001) and mental health (B=1.57; P=.02) among participants in the intervention condition over 12 months and declines among those in the standard care condition. Conclusions. Our results demonstrate that a behavioral intervention was successful in improving the quality of life of people living with HIV. Such interventions must be performed in a systematic, collaborative manner to ensure their cultural relevance, sustainability, and overall success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Family and social relationships are important structural supports in Thailand that are likely to influence the health and mental health of persons living with HIV (PLH). Structural equation modeling examined these relationships among 409 PLH in two communities in Thailand. Latent variables were constructed for most outcomes and mediators, with adherence to antiretroviral (ARV) therapy, depression, and disclosure represented by single-item indicators. All models controlled for gender, age, and education. Disclosure was significantly and positively associated with ARV adherence, and to both family functioning and social support. Family functioning and social support were significantly related to the PLH’s self-perceptions of health and mental health, as well as being significantly correlated with each other. Better family functioning was significantly associated with better quality of life, better perceived health, fewer symptoms of depression, and greater ARV adherence. Social support was significantly associated with better quality of life and fewer depressive symptoms. These results highlight the important role that an organized and structured family life and social support network can play in encouraging better health outcomes among PLH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study measures and compares the profit and cost efficiencies of Thai commercial banks between 1990 and 2008 which has been subdivided into the pre-crisis, the financial crisis, and the post-crisis periods. The efficiency scores are measured using a combination of parametric and non-parametric frontier approach. Both average profit and cost efficiency levels of the post-crisis period are found to be significantly lower than those of the pre-crisis period. The evidence also indicates that the real GDP growth rate and some general and financial characteristics are correlated with the efficiency level of Thai commercial banks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lee S-J, Li L, Jiraphongsa C, Rotheram-Borus MJ. International Journal of Nursing Practice 2010; 16: 57–63 Caregiver burden of family members of persons living with HIV in Thailand Caregivers of people living with HIV (PLH) in Thailand face tremendous caregiver burden. This study examines complex ways in which caregivers' mental health affects their levels of caregiver burden. This study uses data from 409 caregivers of PLH in northern and north-eastern Thailand. Multiple regression models were used to examine the predictors of caregiver burden. Depression was significantly associated with caregiver burden ( P < 0.0001) and being HIV positive ( P = 0.015). Inverse associations were observed between depression and quality of life ( P < 0.0001) and caregiver burden and quality of life ( P = 0.004). Social support had direct positive association with caregiver's quality of life ( P < 0.0001). Our findings underscore the complex relationship between caregiver burden, depression and HIV-status. Interventions that address the caregiver burden are urgently needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. People living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Thailand face tremendous challenges, including HIV-related stigma, lack of social support, and mental health issues such as depression. This study aims to examine complex relationships among demographics, HIV-related stigma, and social support and their impact on depression among PLWHA in Thailand. Methods. This study uses data collected in northern and northeastern Thailand. A total of 408 PLWHA were recruited and interviewed in 2007. HIV-related stigma was measured by two subscales: “Internalized Shame” and “Perceived Stigma.” Based on correlation analyses, hierarchical multiple regression models were used to examine the predictors of depression, social support, and HIV-related stigma, controlling for demographic characteristics. Results. Correlational analysis revealed that depression was significantly associated with both dimensions of stigma: internalized shame and perceived stigma. Self-reported emotional social support was negatively associated with depression. We found that internalized shame and emotional social support were significant predictors of depression after controlling for gender, age, income, and education. Conclusions. HIV-related stigma has a negative impact on psychological wellbeing of PLWHA in Thailand, and emotional social support remains a protective factor against depression. Intervention developers and clinicians working with PLWHA may find it useful to incorporate the association between stigma and depression into their programs and treatments, and to address social support as a protective effect for the mental health of PLWHA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accumulating evidence has indicated that Vibrio parahaemolyticus stains resistant to multiple drugs may pose a serious threat to public health and could lead to global economic. Phage therapy is an alternative and eco-friendly biocontrol strategy for the prevention and control of diseases in the aquatic systems. Therefore, this study was oriented to isolate and characterize the applicability of phages for V. parahaemolyticus (VP) lysis in aquaculture. Here, twenty-two lytic bacteriophages (BP1–22) were isolated from sewage collected in a local shrimp farming area and from the tissue of AHPND-infected shrimp and oysters collected in Taiwan. Among these, phage BP14 could effectively lyse V. parahaemolyticus , this bacterium causes acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND), resulting in severe mortality in Litopenaeus vannamei and Penaeus monodon , two marine shrimp species that are commonly grown in aquaculture farms. Characterization of the morphology of the virion particle via electron microscopy revealed that the virus belonged to the family Inoviridae , as suggested by its filamentous shape. The genome of phage BP14 was composed of 9071 bp with a 43.85% GC content and was inserted into a chromosome depending on the occurrence of Xer site-specific recombination. Furthermore, phage BP14 established a chronic productive infection, thus continuously releasing virions from infected cells. A viral load of approximately 12 plaque-forming units (PFUs) per cell was determined for phage BP14 under laboratory growth conditions. Western blotting and ELISA analyses revealed that phage BP14 decreased the levels of toxin-PirB and PirA protein by approximately 40%–60% compared to the wild-type VP. Collectively, our findings demonstrated the potential applicability of phage BP14 for the biological control of VP AHPND. • A total of 22 phages lysis the V. parahaemolyticus (VP) were collected in Taiwan. • Phage BP14 can infect a broad range of VPs including VP AHPND PD2 in Taiwan and 3HP in Thailand. • Phage BP14 belongs to the family Inoviridae. • Phage BP14 establishes a chronic productive infection, thus continuously releasing virions from infected cells. • Phage BP14 decreased the production of toxin-proteins, demonstrating its potential as a biological agent against VP AHPND. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the data of the State of Global Air (2020), air quality deterioration in Thailand has caused ~32,000 premature deaths, while the World Health Organization evaluated that air pollutants can decrease the life expectancy in the country by two years. PM2.5 was collected at three air quality observatory sites in Chiang-Mai, Bangkok, and Phuket, Thailand, from July 2020 to June 2021. The concentrations of 25 elements (Na, Mg, Al, Si, S, Cl, K, Ca, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, As, Se, Br, Sr, Ba, and Pb) were quantitatively characterised using energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. Potential adverse health impacts of some element exposures from inhaling PM2.5 were estimated by employing the hazard quotient and excess lifetime cancer risk. Higher cancer risks were detected in PM2.5 samples collected at the sampling site in Bangkok, indicating that vehicle exhaust adversely impacts human health. Principal component analysis suggests that traffic emissions, crustal inputs coupled with maritime aerosols, and construction dust were the three main potential sources of PM2.5. Artificial neural networks underlined agricultural waste burning and relative humidity as two major factors controlling the air quality of Thailand., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: © 2024 Pongpiachan et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

Five countries in the Lancang-Mekong region, including Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam, are facing the threat of deforestation, despite having a high level of forest coverage. Quantitatively assessing the forest ecosystem status and its variations based on remote sensing products for vegetation parameters is a crucial prerequisite for the ongoing phase of our future project. In this study, we analyzed forest health in the year 2020 using four vegetation indicators: forest coverage index (FCI), leaf area index (LAI), fraction of green vegetation cover (FVC), and gross primary productivity (GPP). Additionally, we introduced an ecosystem quality index (EQI) to assess the quality of forest health. To understand the long-term trends in the vegetation indicators and EQI, we also performed a linear regression analysis from 2010 to 2020. The results revealed that Laos ranked as the top-performing country for forest ecosystem status in the Lancang-Mekong region in 2020. However, the long-term trend analysis results showed that Cambodia experienced the most significant decline across all indicators, while Vietnam and Thailand demonstrated varying degrees of improvement. This study provides a quality assessment of forest health and its variations in the Lancang-Mekong region, which is crucial for implementing effective conservation strategies.

The Chinese species of the Tachinus longicornis-group of the subgenus Tachinoderus Motschulsky are reviewed with six species being treated, of which five are described as new: T. bilobus Chang, Li, Yin sp. nov. (Hubei, Sichuan), T. centralis Chang, Li, Yin Schülke sp. nov. (Shaanxi, Hubei, Chongqing, and Sichuan), T. curvipennis Chang, Li, Yin sp. nov. (Hubei), T. lobutulus Chang, Li, Yin sp. nov. (Yunnan), and T. tangliangi Chang, Li, Yin Schülke sp. nov. (Yunnan; Thailand: Chiang Mai). Numerous new records are provided for T. ohbayashii Li, Zhao Sakai, a species originally described from West Tianmu Mountain, Zhejiang. An identification key and a distributional map for the Chinese species are given.

Four new species of Pselaphodes Westwood are described from southern Asia: P. femoralis sp. n. (China, Thailand), P. incisus sp. n. (China, Laos), P. suthepensis sp. n. (Thailand), and P. thailandicus sp. n. (Thailand), supported by illustrations of male habitus and major diagnostic characters. One of the new species (P. femoralis) exhibits considerable intraspecific variation in the aedeagal structure, but may be readily distinguished by a stable combination of unique male external features.

The importance of antiretroviral therapy adherence for patients living with HIV/AIDS has been well documented. Despite this critical need, many do not follow prescribed regimens. To examine the barriers that lead to non-adherence, we used cross-sectional survey data from a randomized controlled intervention trial in northern and north-eastern Thailand. Of the 507 patients that were enrolled in the trial, we analyzed 386 patients on antiretroviral therapy in order to examine the barriers to adherence. In addition to demographic characteristics, depressive symptoms, physical health, access to care, social support, and internalized shame, HIV disclosure and family communication were examined. The correlation analysis revealed that adherence is significantly associated with internalized shame, access to care, depressive symptoms, and family communication. Based on the multiple logistic regression analysis, depressive symptoms, access to care, HIV disclosure, and family communication were significant predictors of adherence. Having depressive symptoms remains a significant barrier to adherence, while access to care, HIV disclosure, and family communication play important positive roles. Our findings underscore the critical importance of addressing these various challenges that can influence adherence to antiretroviral therapy.

Caregivers of people living with HIV (PLH) in Thailand face tremendous caregiver burden. This study examines complex ways in which caregivers' mental health affects their levels of caregiver burden. This study uses data from 409 caregivers of PLH in northern and north-eastern Thailand. Multiple regression models were used to examine the predictors of caregiver burden. Depression was significantly associated with caregiver burden (P < 0.0001) and being HIV positive (P = 0.015). Inverse associations were observed between depression and quality of life (P < 0.0001) and caregiver burden and quality of life (P = 0.004). Social support had direct positive association with caregiver's quality of life (P < 0.0001). Our findings underscore the complex relationship between caregiver burden, depression and HIV-status. Interventions that address the caregiver burden are urgently needed.

The 2004 Southeast Asia Tsunami killed nearly 5,400 people in Southern Thailand, including foreign tourists and local residents. To recover DNA evidence as much as possible from the seriously decomposed bodies, we explored procedures of sample preparation from both bone and tooth samples as well as both mitochondrial and nuclear markers. Despite having failed to recover enough DNA for nuclear marker typing, we succeeded in obtaining fully informative results for mitochondrial markers (HV1 and HV2) from 258 tooth samples with a success rate of 51% (258/507). Using an organic DNA extraction method coupled with an ultrafiltration step, we obtained 16 STR (including 13 CODIS loci, one sex discrimination locus, and two Identifiler loci) profiles for 834 samples with a success rate of 79% (834/1,062). In addition, by comparing the allelic frequencies between the typed samples as a group and other index populations, we conclude that the Thai tsunami victims are a combined group of several populations. Our results provide valuable evidence and protocols for the future forensic practice.