Sittiporn Punyanitya

Background: Trigger finger causes pain and impaired hand function. Ultrasound and paraffin wax are commonly used but have cost and accessibility limitations; cassava wax may be a low-cost alternative, though its effectiveness remains unclear. Objective: To evaluate the immediate, short-term, and post-intervention effects of cassava wax immersion combined with ultrasound therapy on pain, pressure pain threshold, and upper extremity function in patients with trigger finger. Methods: In this single-blind, randomised controlled trial, 38 participants were randomly assigned to two groups ([ ] each). The experimental group received ultrasound therapy and cassava wax immersion. The control group received only ultrasound therapy. Both groups were treated three times per week for four weeks. Outcome measures included pain intensity (Visual Analogue Scale), pressure pain threshold, frequency of finger locking, and upper extremity function (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire). Results: Both groups showed significant improvements in all outcomes ([ ]). Significant between-group differences in pain intensity were observed at all post-treatment time points, with lower pain intensity in the experimental group. The experimental group demonstrated greater increases in pressure pain threshold at immediate and short-term follow-ups and better upper extremity function at short-term and post-intervention follow-ups ([ ]). Conclusion: Ultrasound therapy combined with cassava wax immersion is more effective than ultrasound therapy alone for managing trigger finger, providing greater pain reduction and improved upper extremity function. Cassava wax may be a valuable, natural, and cost-effective option.

The Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) economy framework, which integrates economic, social, and environmental aspects for waste management, holds great promise for fostering growth across various sectors in Thailand. Venipuncture, a critical medical procedure, can lead to complications if not performed correctly. This study uses Thailand para latex resources and calcium carbonate extracted from recycled mollusk shells to develop an educational innovation model for venipuncture procedures. Natural rubber latex (NRL) was obtained from Chiang Rai, Thailand. Preserved latex was heated to obtain 60% concentrated latex, then combined with a sulfur solution, and calcium carbonate powder was added in various ratios. Molding used a specialized mold replicating anatomical features of the antecubital fossa, incorporating three prominent veins. The venipuncture practice rubber model was characterized for pH, moisture content, water absorption, tensile strength, and other properties. The model exhibited neutral pH, low moisture content, and notable resistance and elasticity. This study promotes the sustainable utilization of natural latex resources and recycled mollusk shells in developing innovative medical models within the BCG framework. Additional research is required to enhance the human friendliness and realism of the rubber material used in the venipuncture practice model.

This paper deals with the development of button made from a hydroxyapatite (HA) and bioglass composite. The HA powder derived from the bovine bone were added 2.5 and 5 wt% of P₂O₅-CaO-Na₂O-bases glass and subsequently sintered at 1200 - 1350 °C to form the HA ceramics. It was observed that the densest HA ceramic could be achieved for the sample composed of hydroxyapatite with the addition of 5 wt% of bioglass and sintered at 1300°C, resulting in the maximum value of bending strength of about 77 MPa, which ensured the use in load bearing applications of this HA ceramic. The HA and 5 wt% bioglass composite is designed as a button for reattach the bone flap after a craniotomy procedure. Each device is comprised of an inner plate and an outer plate. The fabrication processing was used the powder compression and then sintering at 1300°C for 3 h. The button have fracture toughness (K_1C) values of 1.3±0.1 MPa.m^1/2 and bending strength of 65.7±3.8 MPa. The liquid phase sintering of this sample contributed to the high mechanical properties that can be use as craniotomy flap fixation.

Novel rice gels were prepared with different compositions of rice starch (RS) powder and solution of additives. The formulations of gels were composed of RS powder, liquid glycerol, and additives by aqueous solution method. Five solution with different concentration of RS powder (0.5 g, 1 g, 1.5 g, 2 g and 2.5 g). These solutions were dried in electric oven at 65°C for 4 hours. The physical and chemical properties of rice gel characterized were: turbidity, viscosity, smell, irritation, cleaning, pH and moisture content of these gels have been monitored. Results showed that 2 g of RS powder was optimized formulation which had turbidity, high viscosity, pleasant smell, non-irritation and easy to clean. The pH value of this gel was 6.92 ± 0.01 and the moisture content was 0.21 ± 0.07 % which was equivalent to commercial standard of ultrasound gel. These results concluded that the application of RS in gel ultrasound was safe and effective for replacement commercial gel ultrasound. This gel should be studied on image quality in ultrasound examination next step.

From ethyl acetate-methanol extracts of leaves and twigs of Pseuduvaria trimera a new aporphine alkaloid; 8-hydroxy-1,4,5-trimethoxy-7-oxoaporphine or 8-hydroxyartabonatine C (1) was isolated, together with the known 1,2,3-trimethoxy-4,5-dioxo-6a,7-dehydroaporphine (ouregidione, 2). Their structures were elucidated by a combination of spectral methods; mainly 2D NMR; IR and MS. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibited cytotoxic activity with IC₅₀ values of 26.36 ± 5.18 μM and 12.88 ± 2.49 μM, respectively, for human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells, and 64.75 ± 4.45 and 67.06 ± 3.5 μM, respectively, for human breast cancer MDA-MB231 cells. Both compounds displayed anti-cancer activity but less than that of doxorubicin; a conventional chemotherapeutic drug, the IC₅₀ levels of which were 2.21 ± 1.72 and 1.83 ± 0.09 μM for HepG2 and MDA-MB231 cells, respectively.