Pasting Property of Jasmine Rice Flour, Quality and Sensory Evaluation of Gluten-Free Rice Penne as Affected by Protein and Hydrocolloid Addition

Jasmine rice flour (JMRF) is one of the most popularly consumed rice products in Thailand but applications to prepare gluten-free pasta are limited as JMRF amylose content is low. This research was carried out to develop JMRF suitable for gluten-free rice pasta (penne) (GFRP) by adding soy protein isolate (SPI, 5%), egg white protein powder (EW, 5%) and hydrocolloids (guar gum, GG and xanthan gum, XG, 1%). JMRF blended with proteins and hydrocolloids was investigated for pasting properties. JMRF blended with EW and SPI with GG showed the highest peak viscosity, whereas setback values observed in JMRF blended with EW and GG or XG were not significantly different. GFRP was prepared and determined for protein content, color and sensory evaluation. The protein content of GFRP with SPI blended with GG and XG ranged from 10.50 to 10.95% is higher than GFRP with EW and penne without SPI or EW (control). GFRP with SPI had higher yellowness than GFRP with EW. Adding SPI, EW and gums reduced cooking loss, while sensory evaluation showed a higher liking score for GFRP with SPI and GG than GFRP with EW. Results suggested that adding SPI and GG to JMRF improved pasting properties, protein content, color and acceptance. GFRP showed promise as a new alternative sustainable source to replace wheat in pasta products. However, characteristics, such as product chemical composition, texture analysis and nutritional benefits require further evaluation

Investigation to determine customer perception of "green" hotel: Suratthani, Thailand

Nowadays, a range of business sectors such as the transportation and logistics business, the information technology business and the hospitality industry including the hotel business are well-informed to adjust to becoming environmentally friendly businesses or "green 'Business”.At the same time, the hotel business is also developing itself in order to preserve environmental resources and to encourage the perception of customers with regard to the concept of"green' Business".The objective of this study is to focus on policies and operations of "green' Hotel.Investigations of selected and targeted hotels were conducted not only via in-depth interviews but also by observations for research tools.The conclusion of this study was that dealing with the conceptual idea of "green' Hotel management is practical and successful. Revision of the environmental management of five other hotels in Muang District revealed that, while all targeted places agree with the concept of "green' Hotel management, not all could manage according to the implication of "green' hotel operations. In addition, one in five of all hotels, is still not a member of the „green‟ Leaf Project

Coxiella-like bacteria in fowl ticks from Thailand

Abstract Background Coxiella bacteria were identified from various tick species across the world. Q fever is a zoonotic disease caused by the bacteria Coxiella burnetii that most commonly infects a variety of mammals. Non-mammalian hosts, such as birds, have also been reported to be infected with the pathogenic form of “Candidatus Coxiella avium”. This research increases the list of tick species that have been found with Coxiella-like bacteria in Thailand. Methods A total of 69 ticks were collected from 27 domestic fowl (Gallus gallus domesticus), 2 jungle fowl (Gallus gallus) and 3 Siamese firebacks (Lophura diardi) at 10 locations (provinces) in Thailand. Ticks were identified and PCR was used to amplify Coxiella bacteria 16S rRNA, groEL and rpoB genes from the extracted tick DNA. MEGA6 was used to construct phylogenetic trees via a Maximum Likelihood method. Results The phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene showed that the Coxiella sequences detected in this study grouped in the same clade with Coxiella sequences from the same tick genus (or species) reported previously. In contrast, rpoB gene of the Coxiella bacteria detected in this study did not cluster together with the same tick genus reported previously. Instead, they clustered by geographical distribution (Thai cluster and Malaysian cluster). In addition, phylogenetic analysis of the groEL gene (the chaperonin family) showed that all Coxiella bacteria found in this study were grouped in the same clade (three sister groups). Conclusions To our knowledge, we found for the first time rpoB genes of Coxiella-like bacteria in Haemaphysalis wellingtoni ticks forming two distinct clades by phylogenetic analysis. This may be indicative of a horizontal gene transfer event

Delirium after a traumatic brain injury: predictors and symptom patterns

Jutaporn Maneewong,1 Benchalak Maneeton,1 Narong Maneeton,1 Tanat Vaniyapong,2 Patrinee Traisathit,3 Natthanidnan Sricharoen,3 Manit Srisurapanont1 1Department of Psychiatry, 2Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, 3Department of Statistics, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand Background: Delirium in traumatic brain injury (TBI) is common, may be predictable, and has a multifaceted symptom complex. This study aimed to examine: 1) the sum score of Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and if its component scores could predict delirium in TBI patients, and 2) the prominent symptoms and their courses over the first days after TBI. Methods: TBI patients were recruited from neurosurgical ward inpatients. All participants were hospitalized within 24 hours after their TBI. Apart from the sum score of GCS, which was obtained at the emergency department (ED), the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, diagnostic criteria for delirium were applied daily. The severity of delirium symptoms was assessed daily using the Delirium Rating Scale – Revised-98 (DRS-R-98). Results: The participants were 54 TBI patients with a mean GCS score of 12.7 (standard deviation [SD] =2.9). A total of 25 patients (46.3%) met the diagnosis of delirium and had a mean age of 36.7 years (SD =14.8). Compared with 29 non-delirious patients, 25 delirious patients had a significantly lower mean GCS score (P=0.04), especially a significantly lower verbal component score (P=0.03). Among 18 delirious patients, four symptoms of the DRS-R-98 cognitive domain (orientation, attention, long-term memory, and visuospatial ability) were moderate symptoms (score ≥2) at the first day of admission. After follow-up, three cognitive (orientation, attention, and visuospatial ability) and two noncognitive symptoms (lability of affect and motor agitation) rapidly resolved. Conclusion: Almost half of patients with mild to moderate head injuries may develop delirium in the first 4 days after TBI. Those having a low GCS score, especially the verbal component score, at the ED were likely to have delirium in this period. Most cognitive domains of delirium described in the DRS-R-98 were prominent within the first 4 days of TBI with delirium. Three cognitive and two noncognitive symptoms of delirium decreased significantly. Keywords: Delirium Rating Scale Revised-98, DRS-R-98, brain injuries, traumatic, noncognitive symptoms, cognitive symptoms, Glasgow Coma Scale scor

Potential of Inulin-Fructooligosaccharides Extract Produced from Red Onion (Allium cepa var. viviparum (Metz) Mansf.) as an Alternative Prebiotic Product

Red onion is a popular ingredient in many Thai dishes and has recently been promoted for commercial cultivation. In this study, inulin-fructooligosaccharides (inulin-FOSs) were extracted from red onions in a simplified extraction method. The extract contained 24.00 ± 0.38 g/L free glucose, fructose and sucrose, while the level of FOSs was recorded at 74.0 ± 2.80 g/L with a degree of polymerization of 4.1. The extract was resistant to simulated gastrointestinal conditions, while selectively promoting probiotic lactobacilli. These outcomes resulted in inhibitory effects against various pathogenic bacteria. The in vitro batch culture fermentation of the extract by natural mixed culture indicated that an unknown sugar identified as neokestose was more rapidly fermented than 1-kestose and other longer-chain inulin-FOSs. Notably, neokestose selectively encouraged a bifidogenic effect, specifically in terms of the growth of Bifidobacteirum breve, which is an infant-type probiotic bacterium. This is the first report to state that neokestose could selectively enhance the bifidogenic effect. In summary, inulin-FOSs extract should be recognized as a multifunctional ingredient that can offer benefits in food and pharmaceutical applications

Potential of Inulin-Fructooligosaccharides Extract Produced from Red Onion (<i>Allium cepa</i> var. <i>viviparum</i> (Metz) Mansf.) as an Alternative Prebiotic Product

Red onion is a popular ingredient in many Thai dishes and has recently been promoted for commercial cultivation. In this study, inulin-fructooligosaccharides (inulin-FOSs) were extracted from red onions in a simplified extraction method. The extract contained 24.00 ± 0.38 g/L free glucose, fructose and sucrose, while the level of FOSs was recorded at 74.0 ± 2.80 g/L with a degree of polymerization of 4.1. The extract was resistant to simulated gastrointestinal conditions, while selectively promoting probiotic lactobacilli. These outcomes resulted in inhibitory effects against various pathogenic bacteria. The in vitro batch culture fermentation of the extract by natural mixed culture indicated that an unknown sugar identified as neokestose was more rapidly fermented than 1-kestose and other longer-chain inulin-FOSs. Notably, neokestose selectively encouraged a bifidogenic effect, specifically in terms of the growth of Bifidobacteirum breve, which is an infant-type probiotic bacterium. This is the first report to state that neokestose could selectively enhance the bifidogenic effect. In summary, inulin-FOSs extract should be recognized as a multifunctional ingredient that can offer benefits in food and pharmaceutical applications

Tissue transcriptome profiling and pathway analyses revealed novel potential biomarkers in the tumor progression of canine oral melanoma.

Canine oral melanoma (COM) is an aggressive oral malignancy in dogs, mostly with metastasis. However, the understanding of total gene expression of oral melanoma (OM) at different clinical stages has been limited. The objective of this study was to identify novel mRNA biomarkers of early-stage OM (EOM) and late-stage OM (LOM). Transcriptome sequencing of 3 EOM, 5 LOM and 4 normal gingival tissues (controls) was performed. Selected transcriptome results were validated by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) using 12 LOM and 10 controls. We found 534 differentially expressed in EOM compared with controls, whereas 696 genes in LOM were differentially expressed compared with controls (P < 0.05). Moreover, 27 genes were differentially expressed in LOM compared with EOM (P < 0.05). The genes expressed in COM were involved in the molecular mechanism of cancer and melanocyte development pathways, promoting melanoma progression. qRT-PCR confirmed an increased expression of genes encoding an important protein in chemotherapy resistance (dopachrome tautomerase, DCT) and tumor progression (forkhead box M1, FOXM1), and decreased expression of a tumor suppression gene (N-myc downstream-regulated gene 2, NDRG2) in LOM, concordant with transcriptome results. In conclusion, this study revealed the comprehensive transcriptome from COM tissues, and increased DCT and FOXM1 and decreased NDRG2 gene expression indicated the potential candidate biomarkers in COM progression