Endogamous marriage and the prevalence of hemoglobin E in ethnic groups of northern Thailand

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the impact of the endogamous marriage culture on the prevalence of the hemoglobin E (HbE) recessive variant.@*METHODS@#The prevalence of the hemoglobin E (HbE) recessive variant was determined by dot-blot hybridization in 4 endogamous villages (1 Mlabri and 3 Htin ethnic groups) in comparison with 9 other nearby non-endogamous populations.@*RESULTS@#Although the overall HbE prevalence in the population studied (8.44%, 33/391) was not significantly different from that of the general southeast Asian population, a high prevalence and individuals with homozygous HbE were observed in two villages, the Mlabri from Wiang Sa district and the Htin from Thung Chang district of Nan province (26.3% and 26.9%, respectively). The low HbE allelic frequency noticed in some endogamous populations suggests that not only endogamy but also other evolutionary forces, such as founder effect and HbE/β-thalassemia negative selection may have an effect on the distribution of the HbE trait.@*CONCLUSION@#Our study strongly documents that cultural impact has to be considered in the extensive prevalence studies for genetic disorders in the ethnic groups of northern Thailand.

Lactic acid bacteria mediated fermented soybean as a potent nutraceutical candidate

Objective: To study some soybean cultivars commonly used in Northern Thailand that exhibit high nutritional profile and to investigate the changes in bioactive principles and antioxidant capacity of the fermented soy broth that was prepared using the selected soybean cultivar and Lactobacillus paracasei HII02 mediated fermentation process. Methods: The best soybean cultivar was subjected to fermentation, and then analyzed the phytochemical, antioxidant and nutritional changes by high performance liquid chromatography and spectrophotometric analysis. Results: Sor Jor 2 soybean cultivar showed rich nutritional profile and was subjected to fermentation process.Lactobacillus paracasei HII02 mediated fermentation of Sor Jor 2 soybean exhibited stable physical and chemical characteristics. Lactic acid bacteria mediated fermentation also increased the aglycone forms of isoflavone content,exhibited antioxidant capacity and thereby enhanced the quality of the fermented soy broth.It also prevented the growth of coliforms in fermented soybean. Conclusions: The study results suggest that fermented soybean is rich in nutrition and considered to be safe for consumption for the improvement of health and to treat the malnutrition.

Lactic acid bacteria mediated fermented soybean as a potent nutraceutical candidate

Objective To study some soybean cultivars commonly used in Northern Thailand that exhibit high nutritional profile and to investigate the changes in bioactive principles and antioxidant capacity of the fermented soy broth that was prepared using the selected soybean cultivar and Lactobacillus paracasei HII02 mediated fermentation process. Methods The best soybean cultivar was subjected to fermentation, and then analyzed the phytochemical, antioxidant and nutritional changes by high performance liquid chromatography and spectrophotometric analysis. Results Sor Jor 2 soybean cultivar showed rich nutritional profile and was subjected to fermentation process. Lactobacillus paracasei HII02 mediated fermentation of Sor Jor 2 soybean exhibited stable physical and chemical characteristics. Lactic acid bacteria mediated fermentation also increased the aglycone forms of isoflavone content, exhibited antioxidant capacity and thereby enhanced the quality of the fermented soy broth. It also prevented the growth of coliforms in fermented soybean. Conclusions The study results suggest that fermented soybean is rich in nutrition and considered to be safe for consumption for the improvement of health and to treat the malnutrition.

Endogamous marriage and the prevalence of hemoglobin E in ethnic groups of northern Thailand

Objective To investigate the impact of the endogamous marriage culture on the prevalence of the hemoglobin E (HbE) recessive variant. Methods The prevalence of the hemoglobin E (HbE) recessive variant was determined by dot-blot hybridization in 4 endogamous villages (1 Mlabri and 3 Htin ethnic groups) in comparison with 9 other nearby non-endogamous populations. Results Although the overall HbE prevalence in the population studied (8.44%, 33/391) was not significantly different from that of the general southeast Asian population, a high prevalence and individuals with homozygous HbE were observed in two villages, the Mlabri from Wiang Sa district and the Htin from Thung Chang district of Nan province (26.3% and 26.9%, respectively). The low HbE allelic frequency noticed in some endogamous populations suggests that not only endogamy but also other evolutionary forces, such as founder effect and HbE/β-thalassemia negative selection may have an effect on the distribution of the HbE trait. Conclusion Our study strongly documents that cultural impact has to be considered in the extensive prevalence studies for genetic disorders in the ethnic groups of northern Thailand.

Prevalence of α-thalassaemia genotypes in pregnant women in northern Thailand.

Background & objectives: Alpha-thalassaemias are genetic disorders with high prevalence in northern Thailand. However, common genotypes and current data on the prevalence of α-thalassaemias have not been reported in this region. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to determine the prevalence of α-thalassaemia genotypes in pregnant women in northern Thailand. Methods: Genomic DNA was extracted from blood samples of pregnant women who came to Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai University Hospital during July 2009 to 2010. The common deletion and point mutation genotypes of α-thalassaemia were evaluated by gap- polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and PCR with restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Results: Genotypes of 638 pregnant women were: 409 samples (64.11%) being normal subjects (αα/αα) and 229 samples (35.89%) with α-thalassaemias. These 229 samples could be classified into deletional HbH disease (--SEA/-α3.7) for 18 samples (2.82%); heterozygous α0-thalassaemia --SEA type (--SEA/αα)) for 78 (12.23%); heterozygous α+-thalassaemia - α3.7 type (-α3.7/αα) for 99 (15.52%); homozygous α+-thalassaemia - α3.7 type (-α3.7/- α3.7) for five (0.78%); heterozygous α+-thalassaemia - α4.2 type (-α4.2/αα) for two (0.31%); and heterozygous HbCS (αCSα/αα) for 27 (4.23%) cases. Interpretation & conclusions: The prevalence of α-thalassaemias in pregnant women in northern Thailand was high. This finding supports the implementation of the prevention and control of this common genetic disorder by screening for α-thalassaemia genotypes.

Low-Oxygen Atmosphere and its Predictors among Agricultural Shallow Wells in Northern Thailand

BACKGROUND: In 2006, three farmers died at the bottom of an agricultural shallow well where the atmosphere contained only 6% oxygen. This study aimed to document the variability of levels of oxygen and selected hazardous gases in the atmosphere of wells, and to identify ambient conditions associated with the low-oxygen situation. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey, conducted in June 2007 and July 2007, measured the levels of oxygen, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, and explosive gas (percentage of lower explosive limit) at different depths of the atmosphere inside 253 wells in Kamphaengphet and Phitsanulok provinces. Ambient conditions and well use by farmers were recorded. Carbon dioxide was measured in a subset of wells. Variables independently associated with low-oxygen condition (2 days vs. 25,000 ppm) in seven wells with a low oxygen level. CONCLUSION: Oxygen concentrations in the wells vary widely even within a small area and decrease with increasing depth.