RAPD fingerprinting and genetic relationship of Gardenia species in Thailand

DNA based molecular markers have a potential utility in herbal medicine analysis and widely used for studying genetic relationship of medicinal plant species. Therefore, this study aims to assess the genetic relationship among eleven Gardenia species collected from different locations in Thailand using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) marker. Ninety primers were initially screened, out of which 20 primers generated 579 reproducible bands of different sizes with an average of 28.95 bands per primer. The mean percentage of polymorphic bands was 99.5%. Similarity index ranged from 0.089 to 0.332. The highest similarity index (0.332) was found between Gardenia lineata and G. jasminoides while the lowest similarity index (0.089) was found between G. carinata and G. sootepensis. A dendrogram was constructed using the unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic averages (UPGMA) and can be divided into 2 distinct clusters which correlated with their morphological characteristics

Practice, confidence and continuity of breast self-examination among women in Thailand during COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study

Objective Breast self-examination (BSE) is the most feasible screening tool compared with clinical breast examination and mammography. It is crucial to address the associated factors of practising BSE to develop a targeted BSE promotion programme and improve the BSE quality in Thai women, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.Design and setting We conducted a cross-sectional study in Thailand’s north and northeast region from March 2020 to November 2022.Participants This study involved 405 women aged 30–70 years old.Variables and outcomes Demographic information, health status and BSE were collected using a modified questionnaire based on the Champion Health Belief Model. The outcomes were ever-practising BSE, BSE practice within the last 6 months, continuity of BSE and confidence in doing BSE. Logistic regression and decision tree analysis identified the associated factors.Results 75.55% of participants ever performed BSE. Around 74.18% did BSE within the last 6 months. Diploma graduates (adjusted OR (aOR) 25.48, 95% CI 2.04 to 318.07), 21–40 reproductive years (aOR 4.29, 95% CI 1.22 to 15.08), ever pregnant (aOR 3.31, 95% CI 1.05 to 10.49), not drinking alcohol (aOR 2.1, 95% CI 1.04 to 4.55), not receiving hormone replacement (aOR 5.51, 95% CI 2.04 to 14.89), higher knowledge (aOR 1.29, 95% CI 1.09 to 1.52), attitude (aOR 1.15, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.26) and practice/cues of action towards BSE were associated with ever-practising BSE. Frequent high-fat diet, high awareness of breast cancer, lower knowledge of BSE and lower attitude toward BSE were associated with not practising BSE within 6 months and BSE discontinuation. Only high knowledge of BSE was associated with absolute confidence in BSE (p<0.05).Conclusion Despite having a higher percentage than other studies in different countries prior to the pandemic, it is still crucial to improve knowledge of BSE to encourage BSE practice, confidence and continuity of BSE in Thai women. Moreover, the BSE campaign should target women with prolonged exposure to oestrogen and sedentary lifestyle