Enhancement of dark fermentative hydrogen production using metal-modified biochar from sugarcane residues: Optimization, characterization, and metabolic analysis

Article

作者: Wongfaed, Nantharat ; O-Thong, Sompong ; Sittijunda, Sureewan ; Kongjan, Prawit ; Jariyaboon, Rattana ; Plangklang, Pensri ; Reungsang, Alissara

This study investigated the enhancement of dark fermentative hydrogen production (HP) using metal-modified biochars derived from sugarcane bagasse (SB) and sugarcane leaves (SL). The biochars were modified with Fe and Ni, with optimal conditions identified through Box-Behnken Design as 6.09 g/L biochar: SB, 5.38 g/L biochar: SL + Fe, and 7.66 g/L biochar: SL + Ni. This optimization achieved a maximum hydrogen yield of 108.77 mL-hydrogen (H₂)/g-glucose, a 58.77 % increase over the control. Metal modification enhanced biochar surface properties and selectively enriched H₂-producing bacteria, particularly Clostridium sensu stricto 1 and Paraclostridium sp. Metabolic pathway analysis showed enhanced glucose catabolism and increased H₂-producing enzyme abundance. The study demonstrates that sugarcane-derived biochar can effectively enhance bio-HP, though careful optimization of metal concentrations is crucial to avoid inhibitory effects.

2025-03-02·International Journal of Palliative Nursing

Palliative care interventions used by village health volunteers in Thailand

Article

作者: Nilmanat, Kittikorn ; Campbell, Cathy ; Jordan, Shamara ; Duffus, Yanique

Background: Palliative care (PC) is described by the World Health Organization (WHO) as an interprofessional approach that improves the quality of life of patients (adults and children) and their families who are facing problems associated with life-threatening illness. One strategy for increasing access to PC services is to integrate village health volunteers (VHVs) into community-based palliative care teams in Thailand. Aims: The study had two specific aims: (1) to describe the cultural context of death and dying in a southern province in Thailand, and (2) to identify palliative care interventions used by VHV to promote dying in a southern province in Thailand. Methods: The study was conducted using a qualitative, explorative descriptive design. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the sample's characteristics, such as means for continuous variables and frequencies for categorical variables. The transcripts from the interviews and field notes were the data sources for analysis. A 6-step thematic analysis method was used in this study to analyse transcripts from the focus group discussion (FGD) interviews and the field notes. A total of 77 VHV participants from two community hospitals and one rural health promoting hospital participated in the FGD. Of the participants, 96% were women. The mean age was 47.13 years, and the mean number of years spent in their current position was 11.24 years. Results: Five major themes emerged, the importance of the Thai cultural context, VHVs are the point of connection, basic physical care, supporting spiritual care and providing emotional support. Conclusion: Future studies should explore how to integrate the findings of this study into culturally-tailored palliative care programmes and to provide training for VHV on effective interventions to provide emotional and spiritual support. Having the VHV on the interprofessional team could be a way to ensure compassionate end-of-life care for palliative care patients and their circles of support.

2025-03-01·Clinical Rheumatology

Impact of gout flare on health-related quality of life: a multi-center cross-sectional study in Thailand

Article

作者: Chevaisrakul, Parawee ; Dilokthornsakul, Piyameth ; Upakdee, Nilawan ; Towiwat, Patapong ; Jatuworapruk, Kanon ; Buttham, Bodin ; Louthrenoo, Worawit ; Siripaitoon, Boonjing

OBJECTIVEAlthough the 5-level EQ-5D version (EQ-5D-5L) instrument has been used to determine health-related quality of life and health utility in gout, it is used in comparing health utility among gout flare (GF) and non-gout flare (non-GF) patients is still limited. This study aimed to compare health utility among GF and non-GF patients in Thailand.METHODSIn this multi-center cross-sectional study, patients with GF and non-GF were interviewed for the EQ-5D5L and EQ-Visual Analog Scale (VAS) instruments by rheumatologists or trained research staffs. Patients with GF were subdivided into 2 subgroups (those who received no treatment and those who received treatment less than 48 h after GF episode).RESULTSTwo hundred and sixteen patients (108 GF and 108 non-GF patients), males in 90.28%, were included. The gout disease duration was significantly longer in the non-GF than in the GF groups (median, 10 vs 5 years; p = 0.004). There was no difference in the tophi present between the two groups. When compared with the non-GF group, the GF patients significantly had low health utility (0.34 ± 0.36 vs. 0.89 ± 0.15, p < 0.001) and EQ-VAS score (54.73 ± 25.14 vs. 84.06 ± 13.38, p < 0.001). In the subgroup analysis of the non-GF group, there was insignificant health utility and EQ-VAS score between those with tophi and those without tophi (0.87 ± 0.14 vs. 0.90 ± 0.15, p = 0.124 and 83.36 ± 14.92 vs. 84.33 ± 12.83, p = 0.938, respectively).CONCLUSIONThis study found that GF clearly had a substantial impact on patients' quality of life. Targeted interventions in managing GF patients to improve their health outcomes are needed. Key Points • Patients with gout flare had lower health utility than those without gout flare. • The clinical significance of the utility and EQ-VAS was evaluated by the EQ-5D-5L instrument between gout flare and non-gout flare groups in Thai gouty patients. • Regarding the presence of tophi or disease duration, no significant differences in health utility and EQ-VAS were observed in the gout flare or non-gout flare group. • Targeted interventions for management of gout flare are needed to improve the health outcomes of gout flare patients.

100 项与 Prince of Songkhla University 相关的药物交易

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100 项与 Prince of Songkhla University 相关的转化医学

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