Intestinal parasitic infections are still a crucial problem among communities in Northeast Thailand. Misuse of antiparasitic drugs and unhealthy food behaviors are known. This study aimed to explore the prevalence, behavioral health factors, and motivation for self-treatment of anti-parasitic drugs in this area. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Phra Lap sub-district, Mu Khon Kaen district, Khon Kaen province, Northeast Thailand, in 2016. A total of 419 participants were recruited to complete a self-administered questionnaire and stool examination. Binary logistic regression was used to assess the association between the risk factor and parasitic infection. Forty-two participants (10%; 95%CI 7.5–13.3) were positive for at least one parasite species. In this community, the most detected intestinal parasite was Opisthorchis viverrini (5.3%), followed by Strongyloides stercoralis (3.1%). A total of 67.5% of the participants had the experience of anti-parasitic drug treatment within previous 1 year, and “Often eat raw food” was the most common reason for the use of anti-parasitic drugs. On multivariate analysis, parasitic infections were significantly associated with male gender (ORadj. 2.42; 95%CI 1.00–5.85), age ≥ 60 years (ORadj. 7.55; 95%CI 1.60–35.76), and often consuming raw food of at least one type (ORadj. 2.37; 95%CI 1.03–5.44). Given these findings, correction of the dietary habit of eating raw fish/meat, which is the most important measure, and limitation of the use of anthelmintic treatment for individuals with stools positive for ova as well as emphasis on sanitary toilets will be implemented for the prevention and control of parasitic infection in endemic communities.

We investigated the anti-cholangiocarcinoma effect of α-mangostin from Garcinia mangostana pericarp extract (GM) in a human cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) cell line and a hamster CCA allograft model. In vitro, human CCA cells were treated with GM at various concentrations and for different time periods; then cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis were evaluated using flow cytometry, and metastatic potential with wound healing assays. In vivo, hamster allografts were treated with GM, gemcitabine (positive control) and a placebo (negative control) for 1 month; tumor weight and volume were then determined. Histopathological features and immunostaining (CK19 and PCNA) characteristics were examined by microscopy. The present study found that α-mangostin could: inhibit CCA cell proliferation by inducing apoptosis through the mitochondrial pathway; induce G1 cell-cycle arrest; and inhibit metastasis. Moreover, α-mangostin could inhibit CCA growth, i.e. reduce tumor mass (weight and size) and alter CCA pathology, as evidenced by reduced positive staining for CK19 and PCNA. The present study thus suggested that α-mangostin is a promising anti-CCA compound whose ready availability in tropical countries might indicate use for prevention and treatment of CCA.

The Work-Related Quality of Life Scale (WRQLS) was developed by Van Laar et al. The Thai version was developed and could be completed in 13.4 min on average with some items having a factor loading of less than 0.4. The aims of this study were (a) to develop a brief Thai version of the WRQLS (brief THWRQLS), and (b) to assess its validity and reliability. A descriptive correlation study was performed with the components of THWRQLS selected based on statistical and judgmental criteria. The statistical criteria were developed using secondary data from 320 physicians identifying discrimination, internal consistency and exploratory factor analysis (EFA). The judgmental criteria included content validity and agreement by five experts. The web-based brief THWRQLS was then used by 250 health personnel, and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted and internal consistency assessed. The brief THWRQLS consisted of seven dimensions, encompassing 25 of the original 32 items. The CFA revealed that most of the standardized factor loadings were greater than 0.5. The χ²goodness of fit was 268.772 (p < 0.01), the comparative fit index was 0.971, the root mean square error of approximation was 0.039, and the standardized root mean square residual was 0.049. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of the scale was 0.94, and almost all dimensions were greater than 0.7 except for that of “stress at work,” which was 0.53. In conclusion, the brief THWRQLS appeared to be valid, and the reliability was acceptable, except in the dimension of “stress at work.”

Background and Aim: The risk factors for cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) are opisthorchiasis and the intake of a combination of nitroso compounds through the consumption of traditionally fermented fish, which is very popular in areas where liver flukes are endemic. The incidence of CCA remains high because this cultural habit of rural people has been altered. Therefore, decreasing nitrate and nitrite concentrations in fermented fish are an alternative approach to reducing the risk of CCA. Thus, this study aimed to reduce nitrate and nitrite concentrations in fermented foods by heating and investigated its effect on CCA development in a hamster model. Materials and Methods: We used Association of Official Analytical Chemists method 973.31 to measure the nitrate and nitrite concentrations in both fermented fish (pla-ra [PR]) and pickled fish (pla-som [PS]) before and after boiling for 5 and 30 min, respectively. The same samples were fed to Opisthorchis viverrini (OV)-infected or -uninfected hamsters for 3 months. Thereafter, the hamsters’ liver and blood were collected for analysis. Results: The levels of nitrates and nitrites in PS and PR significantly decreased following boiling for 5 and 30 min. The OV-PR and OV-PS groups showed dramatically increased numbers of inflammatory cells, fibrosis surrounding the bile duct, and focal fibrotic areas. However, after boiling the fermented dishes for 5 and 30 min, the extent of inflammatory cell infiltration and intensity of fibrosis in these groups were decreased. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that boiling reduces nitrate and nitrite toxicity in fermented dishes, as evidenced by reduced hepatic inflammation. However, regardless of heating, kidney tissues are adversely affected when fermented meals are consumed daily. Keywords: cholangiocarcinoma, fish, liver flukes, opisthorchiasis.

Monks cannot cook received raw meat dishes and should walk barefoot while working. This population lacks both a survey of parasitic infection and a proper prevention and control policy. Five hundred and fourteen monks from the Ubolratana, Ban Haet, and Ban Phai Districts of Kh on Kaen Province were enrolled in this study. A stool container and questionnaire were collected from each study participant. Stool samples were processed by formalin ethyl acetate concentration and agar plate culture techniques. We then analyzed the results and risk factors to demonstrate associations. The prevalence of overall parasites, liver flukes, and skin-penetrating helminths were 28.8%, 11.1%, and 19.3%, respectively. Raw fish dish offerings were associated with opisthorchiasis (OR_crude 3.32; 95% CI 1.53–7.20). The risk factors for skin-penetrating helminths were older age (OR_crude 5.02; 95% CI 2.2–11.17), being a long-term ordinate (OR_crude 3.28; 95% CI 1.15–9.34), smoking (OR_crude 2.03; 95% CI 1.23–3.36), and chronic kidney disease with other underlying disease (OR_crude 20.7; 95% CI 2.54–190.1). The protective factors for skin-penetrating helminths were secular education above primary education (OR_crude 0.41; 95% CI 0.25–0.65) and having received health education about parasitic infection (OR_crude 0.47; 95% CI 0.28–0.80). Wearing shoes at times other than alms work does not show a protective effect against skin-penetrating helminths (OR_crude 0.86; 95% CI 0.51–1.46). These findings support the recommendation for a strict Rule of Discipline regarding raw meat ingestion and allowing shoes to be worn for protection against skin-penetrating helminths in high-risk situations.