Solvent‐Assisted Orientation of Poly(3‐hexylthiophene)‐Functionalized CdSe Nanorods Under an Electric Field

The synthesis of high‐aspect‐ratio (AR) CdSe (NRs) nanorods and their ordered assembly over large areas are reported. Long‐range ordering of hexagonal arrays of high‐AR NRs is achieved by a combination of controlled solvent evaporation and the use of an applied electric field. Vertically oriented assemblies of CdSe NRs functionalized with oligo‐ and polythiophene are also obtained. Aligned and oriented polythiophene CdSe NRs have potential applications in organic–inorganic hybrid bulk‐heterojunction photovoltaic devices.

     

Progress towards Achieving the Recommendations of the Commission on Ending Childhood Obesity: A Comprehensive Review and Analysis of Current Policies,Actions and Implementation Gaps in Thailand

Despite a significant commitment to tackling childhood overweight and obesity, questions remain about the progress the Thai Government has made in implementing childhood obesity prevention policies and actions. This study aimed to review and assess the implementation of the government’s policies and actions for childhood obesity prevention in Thailand compared with the recommendations of the Commission on Ending Childhood Obesity and to identify the implementation gaps. Policy data were collected from governmental and NGO websites and publications and via direct contact with government officials. Stakeholder meetings were held to seek further information and advice on implementation gaps and to give recommendations. The analysis of each policy was conducted against pre-determined criteria formulated from literature assessments and stakeholder consultations. The policies and actions that were implemented by the Government were consistent with 33 broad policy actions and 55 specific policy actions. Preconception and pregnancy care was the policy area that was most implemented. Six broad policy actions were assessed as ‘high’ performance, these were: sugar-sweetened beverage taxation, nutrient labeling, nutrition guidance for preconception and pregnancy care, the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes, regulatory measures for supporting maternal breastfeeding, and regulations on the marketing of complementary foods and beverages. Policy coherence and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) were identified as major implementation gaps. Increasing the effectiveness of childhood obesity prevention in Thailand will require national immediate attention towards building infrastructure to enhance coherence among the policies and to put in place M&E mechanisms for each policy.     

An 11‐country study to benchmark the implementation of recommended nutrition policies by national governments using the Healthy Food Environment Policy Index, 2015‐2018

The Healthy Food Environment Policy Index (Food‐EPI) aims to assess the extent of implementation of recommended food environment policies by governments compared with international best practices and prioritize actions to fill implementation gaps. The Food‐EPI was applied in 11 countries across six regions (2015‐2018). National public health nutrition panels (n = 11‐101 experts) rated the extent of implementation of 47 policy and infrastructure support good practice indicators by their government(s) against best practices, using an evidence document verified by government officials. Experts identified and prioritized actions to address implementation gaps. The proportion of indicators at “very low if any,” “low,” “medium,” and “high” implementation, overall Food‐EPI scores, and priority action areas were compared across countries. Inter‐rater reliability was good (GwetAC2 = 0.6‐0.8). Chile had the highest proportion of policies (13%) rated at “high” implementation, while Guatemala had the highest proportion of policies (83%) rated at “very low if any” implementation. The overall Food‐EPI score was “medium” for Australia, England, Chile, and Singapore, while “very low if any” for Guatemala. Policy areas most frequently prioritized included taxes on unhealthy foods, restricting unhealthy food promotion and front‐of‐pack labelling. The Food‐EPI was found to be a robust tool and process to benchmark governments' progress to create healthy food environments.     

Understanding the Complexities of Eliminating Trans Fatty Acids: The Case of the Trans Fatty Acid Ban in Thailand

Trans fatty acids (TFAs) have no known health benefits and are linked to an increased risk of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). To eliminate TFAs from the food supply, the government of Thailand imposed a ban on partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs) in 2018. This study was aimed at analyzing the government policies and actions to eliminate TFAs in Thailand, focusing on policy content, context, process, and actors. This single-case qualitative study used a documentary review and interviews with 20 key policy actors. The data analysis was guided by thematic analysis based on the policy triangle framework. The results reveal that policy actors—government organizations, academics, civil society organizations, and the food industry—have different roles, interests, and influences with regard to eliminating TFAs in Thailand. Both formal and informal communication among policy actors aided in the policymaking process and the actions that followed. Changing perceptions of TFAs, the low intake of PHOs in Thailand, hype around trans fats, and trade dynamics shaped the government’s decision to impose the ban. As a result, the ban was selected to avoid the technical components of TFA elimination. This study suggests that eliminating TFAs in Thailand could be further enhanced by strengthening government actions in terms of enforcement and creating consumer awareness.     

Reinforcement of Simulated Immature Permanent Teeth after Mineral Trioxide Aggregate Apexification

Objectives

The objectives of this study were to compare the fracture resistance of simulated human immature teeth that have undergone mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) apexification and have been root-filled with fiber post, composite resin, MTA, or gutta-percha.

Comparative study of anti-double stranded DNA detection by ELISA and Crithidia luciliae immunofluorescence

Two commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and two commercial Crithidia luciliae immunofluorescence tests (CLIF) were reevaluated as to the efficiency and degree of correlation of anti-double stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA) detection in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The two ELISAs exhibited an overall agreement of 95% and significantly correlated with each other (r=0.91, p<0.001). They were comparable in sensitivity (64%, 61%) and had the same specificity (95%, 95%). The sensitivity of the two CLIFs was 39% and 29% with corresponding specificities of 100% and 97%, and an overall agreement with each other of 94%. The two ELISAs had comparable specificity to the CLIFs with good agreement (84%, 79%) while they had a much greater sensitivity than the CLIFs. These findings suggest that ELISA is a useful laboratory test for anti-dsDNA detection of SLE due to its simplicity, quantitative results, sensitivity, specificity and cost, as compared to CLIFs.     

Incidence of and Risk Factors for Tuberculosis among Cancer Patients in Endemic Area: A Regional Cohort Study

Background and Objective: Cancer is a known risk factor for developing active tuberculosis (TB) disease. The incidence of and risk factors for TB are not known among cancer patients in Thailand. This study aimed to investigate risk factors for TB among cancer patients in an area with endemic TB infections. Methods: We used the Khon Kaen population–based cancer registry and two TB databases to conduct a retrospective cohort study of cancer patients. From 2001 to 2015, we identified 40,948 eligible cancer patients. Following until 2017, we identified cases of TB diagnosed after cancer diagnosis and analyzed primary cancer site, staging, treatment, and demographic factors. Adjusted incidence rate ratios (adj. IRR) were computed to identify risk factors among a sub–set of cancer types (n = 9,733) using Poisson regression. Results: Among all cancer patients, 472 cases of TB were diagnosed following cancer diagnosis (cumulative incidence = 1.15%, incidence rate = 421.86 cases per 100,000 patients per year). Among the sub–set of cancer types, 206 cases of TB were found (cumulative incidence = 2.11%, incidence rate = 848.26 cases per 100,000 patients per year). Risk factors for TB among cancer patients were sex (p < 0.001) (male adj. IRR  = 1.87, 95% CI: 1.36–2.59), age (p < 0.001) (age >70 adj. IRR  = 2.36, 95% CI: 1.56-3.55, compared to age ≤50) and cancer site (p < 0.001). Compared to thyroid cancer, TB infection was more associated with lung cancer without histopathological confirmation (adj. IRR  = 6.22, 95% CI: 2.57–15.04). Cancer stage and treatment did not show statistically significant trends. Conclusion: Old age, male sex, and certain cancer types were independent risk factors for TB in cancer patients. Targeted latent TB screening may be appropriate among high risk groups.     

Burden of disease in Thailand: changes in health gap between 1999 and 2004

Background  

Continuing comprehensive assessment of population health gap is essential for effective health planning. This paper assessed changes in the magnitude and pattern of disease burden in Thailand between 1999 and 2004. It further drew lessons learned from applying the global burden of disease (GBD) methods to the Thai context for other developing country settings.     

Survival of Stomach Cancer Cases in Khon Kaen,Thailand 2000-2012

Background: Stomach cancer is an aggressive malignancy that is difficult to detect at an early stage and therefore is characterized by poor survival rates. Over the last two decades, there has been no report of gastric cancer survival in Khon Kaen province, Thailand. The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to provide up-to-date information about the survival of gastric cancer patients in this province. Materials and Methods: Data from Khon Kaen population-based cancer registry, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University were newly obtained on 650 patients who were diagnosed with stomach cancer during the period 1 January, 2000 to 31 December, 2012. These were then followed up until death or the end of the study (31 December 2014). We calculated the observed survival with the actuarial life table method, and relative survival, defined as the ratio of observed survival in the group of the stomach cancer patients to the expected survival in the entire Thai population from the estimated generation life tables for Thailand of five-year birth cohorts from 1900 - 2000. Results: The 5 year observed and 5 year relative survival rates were 17.2 % (95% CI: 13.54-21.14) and 18.2 % (95% CI: 14.3-22.4), respectively. The highest 5 year relative survival rates were demonstrated among patients aged 45-65, with stage I or II lesions, with adenocarcinomas, with a body of stomach location, well differentiated and receiving surgery and/or chemotherapy. Conclusions: The observed and relative survival rates were close to each other. Our findings provide basic information beneficial to development of an effective treatment system and appropriately improved population-based cancer registration.