Naresuan University Journal
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The Induction and One-Step Purification of Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) from the Brain of Hybrid catfish after Exposed to Glyphosate
No full text Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is classified as a specific biomarker for herbicide exposure in aquatic organisms. In this study, we investigated an AChE induction in the brain of juvenile and adult hybrid catfish after exposoure to glyphosate in sub-lethal concentration for quantifying the highest yield of AChE. Moreover, we separated and purified AChE by using a one-step column chromatography technique, which could be an alternative method. Based on the results, the appropriate glyphosate concentration for induction of AChE in juvenile catfish hybrids was 0.2 ml/ L while that in adult was 0.75 ml/L. And, hydroxyapatite was applied as a media for separation and 0.2 M phosphate buffer was applied for protein elution. After comparing the suitability of hybrid catfish for extracting AChE, it was found that adult hybrid catfish was more suitable than the juvenile. The molecular weight of separated AChE was 71 kDa when studied by using SDS-PAGE and Western blot techniques. For our results, the columnar chromatography technique with hydroxyapatite was likely to be used to purify AChE from the brain of a hybrid catfish in only one step. This is a useful alternative method in separating AChE in order to apply as an antigen to detect pesticide exposure. And, it can be further applied to production of polyclonal antibodies and monoclonal antibodies specific to AChE for monitoring of pesticide exposure.
Keywords: acetylcholinesterase, glyphosate, antibody techniques, toxicity testin
Adaptive Capability of Farmer Group in Management of Lowland Rice Variety for Self-Reliance Production for Fai Kaew Community Enterprise in Fai Kaew Sub-District, Phupieng District, Nan Province
No full text RD 6 rice variety is a well-known glutinous jasmine rice and widespread adoption variety in Northern Thailand and Nan province. This variety is threatened by rice blast disease, which is a serious rice disease in the area. Farmers are losing their yields. To solve this problem, a group of farmers in Nan province integrated scientific knowledge and local knowledge in a participatory rice varieties selection approach to achieve new rice varieties. This study applied the mixed methods. It relied on both quantitative and qualitative data encompassing secondary data gathering, field observation, in-depth interviews with farmers, non-government organization staffs, government organizations and related stakeholders involved in the operation of managing lowland rice variety for self-reliant production at Fai Kaew (FK) community enterprise, Nan Province, Thailand. The study revealed that the probability problem solving is the management of rice variety that had been implemented continuously. FK farmers’ capability to adapt can occur along the way in the cycle of the learning process. They collaborated with rice researchers and non-government organization to select new rice varieties by integrating their local knowledge with scientific knowledge. Consequently, FK farmers can develop new rice varieties that are resistant to rice blast disease, namely Thayasirin and Nan 59. The main discussion is that the adaptive capacity that farmers as key actors can be ready to adapt and develop new solutions or interventions whenever new problems/constraints affect them in rice production and livelihood. Farmers deal with problems by integrating data and knowledge and collaborating with other stakeholders to select rice varieties that are suitable and respond to the farm ecological system, productivity and profitability. Thus, the management of farmers’ rice varieties is a dynamic and continuous process. The adaptive capability is one of components of self-reliance of management of farmers’ rice varieties.
Keywords: Adaptive Capability, Self-Reliance Production, Sustainable Agriculture, Rice Varietie
Effects of Organophosphate Pesticides on Neurological Impairment
Get PDF Exposure to organophosphate pesticides (OPs) was found to be associated with an increasing prevalence of neurological symptoms, neuropsychological function and involved in postural balance. However, available scientific data is limited. Therefore, the aim of this article was to review scientific evidence published on the effects of OPs on neurological impairment. The topics presented in the article are as follows: 1) organophosphate pesticide use and exposure, 2) mechanism of OPs toxicity on the neurological system 3) tools for assessment of the neurological system 4) effect of exposure to OPs on neurological signs 5) effect of exposure to OPs on neuropsychological functioning and 6) effect of exposure to OPs on postural balance. Considerable evidence suggests that electrophysiological changes include abnormalities point to remodeling of the motor unit, abnormal small and large nerve fiber function, reduced compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitude and ulnar F-wave, abnormal ulnar, tibial, peroneal, and sural nerve conduction. OPs exposure has been implicated in cognitive impairment including deficits of memory, attention, perception and visuospatial function, executive function, language, IQ, and other neuropsychological implications include psychiatric disorders, anxiety, insomnia, major depression, and dementia. A greater postural sway with exposure to OPs than in the unexposed. This article recommends future studies and possibilities for incorporating sensitive health outcomes. The measurement of OPs monitoring on a larger scale is warranted.
Keywords: insecticides, neurological impairment, neuropsychological function, organophosphate pesticides, postural balanc
Export Competitiveness of Luxury Products: Measurement Scale Development
Get PDF Doing business internationally brings a number of potential risks and difficulties, and globalization has raised new challenges for firms. With the attempt of business strategy development, competitiveness is a vital success factor of thriving competitive markets. Consumer demand has become the core focus of the luxury products, hence the adoption of distinctive combination of competitiveness factors to address customers’ specific demand is critical for business’s success. Thus, far to our best knowledge, there is no study on the export competitiveness of luxury products. In an attempt to address what is luxury product export competitiveness, this research proposes three dimensions of export competitiveness of luxury products: objective, subjective and collective factors. The objective competitiveness dimension consists of five elements focusing on internal resources and functions. The next dimension is the subjective competitiveness containing customer and market factors. Lastly, the collective dimension refers to external factors such as government-related factors, suppliers and distribution. The proposed measurement scale is developed from existing recent insights from the literature regarding luxury products, competitiveness and exporting research offering a framework for systematically assessing the exporting of competitiveness of luxury products.
Keywords: Luxury Products, Luxury Product Export Competitiveness, Objective Competitiveness Factors, Subjective Competitiveness Factors and Collective Competitiveness Factor
