Cadmium Contamination in Farmland Soil and Water Near Zinc Mining Site

This study was a cross-sectional study conducted in Phatadpadaeng Subdistrict, Mae Sod District, Tak Province, Thailand. This study aimed to determine cadmium concentration in farmland soil and water as well as at the residence of farmers and households. As many as 48 samples of farmers' residence soil and water, twelve samples of households and six samples of farmland soil and eight samples of farmland water were investigated for cadmium concentration using Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for the analysis of the difference of cadmium concentration between farmland soil and residence soil, farmland water and residence water. The results showed no statistically difference among all matrixes, however, farmland soil and farmland water showed highest concentration compared to those of resident farmers and households. The cadmium concentrations in all samples were far below the limit values. This study clearly showed that working conditions of farmers demonstrated higher level of cadmium compared to the living conditions. The cause of this contamination might be from the activities of the surroundings industry. Therefore, it would be recommended that farmers should consider for cadmium exposure while working in farm

Effectiveness of the multidimensional ergonomic intervention model to reduce musculoskeletal discomfort among street sweepers in Chiang Rai Province, Thailand

Kanjanar Pintakham,1,2 Wattasit Siriwong1 1College of Public Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 2School of Health Science, Chiang Rai Rajabhat University, Chiang Rai, Thailand Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of multidimensional ergonomic intervention (MEI) model to reduce musculoskeletal discomfort (MSD) among street sweepers. A quasi-experimental study was conducted in Chiang Rai Province. The MEI model was designed on the basis of four core components: cognitive behavior therapy, ergonomic education training, stretching exercise, and the foam sleeve broom handle grip. Seventy-five street sweepers volunteered for the screening process on MSD of having level score ≥4 by physiotherapist. Face to face interviews were used mainly in order to diagnose MSD. Physical examination was performed by physiotherapist and physical performance by sports scientist. The findings showed that the MEI model among the intervention group significantly reduced MSD compared with that among control group at exit model and follow-up (P<0.01). This research suggests that the MEI model was appropriate to reduce MSD associated with repetitive movement and awkward postures on task. Keywords: repetitive movement, cognitive behavior therapy, stretching exercise, street sweeper

Environmental arsenic exposure and risk of diabetes type 2 in Ron Phibun subdistrict, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, Thailand: unmatched and matched case–control studies

Kwanyuen Sripaoraya,1,2 Wattasit Siriwong,1 Sumol Pavittranon,2 Robert S Chapman1 1College of Public Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 2Medical Life Sciences Institute, Department of Medical Sciences, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, Thailand Background: There are inconsistent findings on associations between low-to-moderate level of arsenic in water and diabetes risk from previous epidemiological reports. In Ron Phibun subdistrict, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, Thailand, a low level of arsenic exposure among population was observed and increased diabetes mellitus (DM) rate was identified.Objectives: We aimed to investigate the association between determinants (including low-level water arsenic exposure) of DM type 2 risk among residents of three villages of Ron Phibun subdistrict, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province.Materials and methods: Secondary data from two previous community based-studies, conducted in 2000 and 2008, were utilized. Data on independent variables relating to arsenic exposure and sociodemographic characteristics were taken from questionnaires and worksheets for health-risk screening. Water samples collected during household visit were sent for analysis of arsenic level at certified laboratories. Diabetes cases (N=185) were those who had been diagnosed with DM type 2. Two groups of controls, one unmatched to cases (n=200) and one pair matched on age and gender (n=200), were selected for analysis as unmatched and matched case–control studies, respectively. A multiple imputation technique was used to impute missing values of independent variables. Multivariable logistic regression models, with independent variables for arsenic exposure and sociodemographic characteristics, were constructed. The unmatched and matched data sets were analyzed using unconditional and conditional logistic analyses, respectively.Results: Older age, body mass index (BMI), having a history of illness in siblings and parents, and drinking were associated with increased DM type 2 risk. We found no convincing association between DM type 2 risk and water arsenic concentration in either study.Conclusion: We did not observe meaningful association between diabetes risk and the low-to-moderate arsenic levels observed in this study. Further research is needed to confirm this finding in the study area and elsewhere in Thailand. Keywords: diabetes, arsenic exposure, case–control, Ron Phibun subdistrict, Thailan

Drought response of rice in Northeastern Thailand assessed via fourier transform infrared spectroscopy

Drought is a major constraint in many rainfed areas and affects rice yield. We aimed to characterize the physiological changes in rice in response to drought using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Eighty rice landrace seedlings were subjected to drought in the greenhouse using a PEG 6000. Physiological parameters, including total chlorophyll content, relative water content, electrolyte leakage, and biochemical changes were evaluated. Based on the FTIR results, the landraces were divided into three main groups: tolerant, moderately tolerant, and susceptible. Principal component analysis revealed spectral differences between the control and drought stress treatment groups. Lipid, pectin, and lignin content increased after drought stress. The biochemical components of plants at different drought tolerance levels were also compared. The lipid (CH2 and CH3), lignin (C=C), pectin (C=O), and protein (C=O, N–H) contents were the highest in the drought-tolerant cultivars, followed by the moderately tolerant and susceptible cultivars, respectively. Cultivar 17 and 49 were the most tolerant, and the functional groups were identified and characterized using FTIR. Overall, these results will be useful in selecting parental cultivars for rice breeding programs

Multiplex Detection of Plant Pathogens Using a Microsphere Immunoassay Technology

Plant pathogens are a serious problem for seed export, plant disease control and plant quarantine. Rapid and accurate screening tests are urgently required to protect and prevent plant diseases spreading worldwide. A novel multiplex detection method was developed based on microsphere immunoassays to simultaneously detect four important plant pathogens: a fruit blotch bacterium Acidovorax avenae subsp. citrulli (Aac), chilli vein-banding mottle virus (CVbMV, potyvirus), watermelon silver mottle virus (WSMoV, tospovirus serogroup IV) and melon yellow spot virus (MYSV, tospovirus). An antibody for each plant pathogen was linked on a fluorescence-coded magnetic microsphere set which was used to capture corresponding pathogen. The presence of pathogens was detected by R-phycoerythrin (RPE)-labeled antibodies specific to the pathogens. The assay conditions were optimized by identifying appropriate antibody pairs, blocking buffer, concentration of RPE-labeled antibodies and assay time. Once conditions were optimized, the assay was able to detect all four plant pathogens precisely and accurately with substantially higher sensitivity than enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) when spiked in buffer and in healthy watermelon leaf extract. The assay time of the microsphere immunoassay (1 hour) was much shorter than that of ELISA (4 hours). This system was also shown to be capable of detecting the pathogens in naturally infected plant samples and is a major advancement in plant pathogen detection