Search Results (9)

Forensic DNA phenotyping (FDP) has emerged as an essential tool in criminal investigations, enabling the prediction of physical traits based on genetic information. This review explores the genetic factors influencing skin pigmentation, particularly within Asian populations, with a focus on Thailand. Key genes such as Oculocutaneous Albinism II (OCA2), Dopachrome Tautomerase (DCT), KIT Ligand (KITLG), and Solute Carrier Family 24 Member 2 (SLC24A2) are examined for their roles in melanin production and variations that lead to different skin tones. The OCA2 gene is highlighted for its role in transporting ions that help stabilize melanosomes, while specific variants in the DCT gene, including single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs2031526 and rs3782974, are discussed for their potential effects on pigmentation in Asian groups. The KITLG gene, crucial for developing melanocytes, includes the SNP rs642742, which is linked to lighter skin in East Asians. Additionally, recent findings on the SLC24A2 gene are presented, emphasizing its connection to pigmentation through calcium regulation in melanin production. Finally, the review addresses the ethical considerations of using FDP in Thailand, where advances in genetic profiling raise concerns about privacy, consent, and discrimination. Establishing clear guidelines is vital to balancing the benefits of forensic DNA applications with the protection of individual rights. Full article

Background/Objectives: Particulate matter (PM) is a primary health hazard associated with metabolic pathway disruption. Population characteristics, topography, sources, and PM components contribute to health impacts. Methods: In this study, NMR-based metabolomics was used to evaluate the health impacts of prolonged exposure to PM. Blood samples (n = 197) were collected from healthy volunteers in low- (control; CG) and high-exposure areas (exposure; EG) in Northern Thailand. Non-targeted metabolite analysis was performed using proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H-NMR). Results: Compared to CG, EG showed significantly increased levels of dopamine, N6-methyladenosine, 3-hydroxyproline, 5-carboxylcytosine, and cytidine (p < 0.05), while biopterin, adenosine, L-Histidine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine were significantly higher in CG (p < 0.05). These metabolic disturbances suggest that chronic exposure to particulate matter (PM) impairs energy and amino acid metabolism while enhancing oxidative stress, potentially contributing to the onset of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cancer and neurodegenerative conditions. Conclusions: This study highlighted the connection between sub-chronic PM2.5 exposure, metabolic disturbances, and an increased risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), stressing the critical need for effective PM2.5 reduction strategies in Northern Thailand. Full article

Background: Indoor radon is a significant risk factor for the development of LC. This study aimed to identify potential biomarkers for LC risk in high background radiation areas using a metabolomics approach (UHPLC-HRMS). Methods: Based on the indoor radon activity concentration measurements in the Kong Khaek subdistrict, serum samples were collected from 45 nonsmoker or former smoker participants, comprising 15 LC patients and 30 matched healthy controls (low- and high-radon groups, respectively). Results: A total of 90 and 111 differential metabolites were identified in the LC group compared with the low- and high-radon groups, respectively, using criteria such as a variable importance in projection (VIP) of >1, a fold change (FC) of >1 or <0.5, and a p value of <0.05. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves (an AUC of ≥ 0.9) indicated that 30 and 21 of these metabolites had the potential to serve as biomarkers of LC development in the low- and high-radon groups, respectively. The KEGG pathway enrichment analysis suggested that D-sphingosine may have been a candidate biomarker associated with LC in both groups. Conclusions: Overall, this study provides new insights into metabolic biomarkers for screening LC development in high-risk individuals with prolonged exposure to indoor radon. Further large-scale studies are needed to validate our results. Full article

The herbicide paraquat (PQ) is responsible for a significant number of fatalities resulting from self-poisoning. Nevertheless, only a limited number of comprehensive studies focusing on fatal PQ poisoning, which include examination of autopsy findings, histopathology, and quantitative analysis of post-mortem samples, have been published. This study aimed to evaluate autopsy findings, histopathology, and quantitative analysis of PQ in post-mortem human serum samples using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), a simple, sensitive, and specific method. Autopsies were performed on all deaths due to PQ poisoning, and serum samples were sent to the toxicology laboratory for chemical analysis. The method was successfully applied to seven human serum samples, and the results indicate its reliability for detecting PQ. The study reports fatal serum PQ levels ranging from 0.5 to 372.0 µg/mL. The comprehensive data presented in this study can be useful for further research and practical applications. Full article

Human exposure to PM2.5 and PM10 has been linked to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases through inflammation activation. The kynurenine pathway is associated with inflammation, and it is necessary to investigate the effects of long-term PM2.5 and PM10 exposure on this pathway. This study aimed to conduct a cross-sectional analysis of long-term PM2.5 and PM10 exposure’s impact on the kynurenine pathway using proton NMR spectroscopy (¹H-NMR). The participants were divided into a low-PM-exposure group (LG; n = 98), and a high-PM-exposure group (HG; n = 92). The metabolites of tryptophan were determined in blood by ¹H-NMR. Serotonin, cinnabarinic acid, xanthurenic acid, 5-hydroxytryptophan, indoleacetic acid, tryptamine, melatonin, L-tryptophan, 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophol, indoxyl, 2-aminobenzoic acid, 5-HTOL, hydroxykynurenine, L-3-hydroxykynurenine, N-formyl kynurenine, 3-hydroxy anthranilic acid, kynurenic acid, and picolinic acid significantly increased (p < 0.05) in the HG group. Conversely, NAD and quinolinic acid significantly decreased in the HG group compared to the LG group. The enzyme activities of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase and formamidase significantly decreased, while kynureninase and kynurenine monooxygenase significantly increased. The kynurenine pathway is linked to inflammation and non-communicable diseases. Disruption of the kynurenine pathway from particulate matter might promote diseases. Reducing exposure to the particulate matter is crucial for preventing adverse health effects. Full article

Chiang Mai province of Thailand is known for having the highest natural background radiation in the country, as well as being recognized as one of the world’s most polluted cities for air quality. This represents the major contributor to the development of lung cancer. This research aims to estimate the comprehensive dose of both internal and external exposure due to natural background radiation and related health perspectives in the highly polluted area of Chiang Mai. The average values of indoor radon and thoron concentrations in 99 houses over 6 months were 40.8 ± 22.6 and 17.8 ± 16.3 Bq/m³, respectively. These results exceed the worldwide value for indoor radon and thoron (40 and 10 Bq/m³), respectively. During burning season, the average values of indoor radon (56.7 ± 20 Bq/m³) and thoron (20.8 ± 20.4 Bq/m³) concentrations were higher than the world-wide averages. The radon concentration in drinking water (56 samples) varied from 0.1 to 91.9 Bq/L, with an average value of 9.1 ± 22.8 Bq/L. Most of the drinking water samples (87%) fell below the recommended maximum contamination limit of 11.1 Bq/L. The average values of natural radionuclide (²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K) in 48 soil samples were 47 ± 20.9, 77.9 ± 29.7 and 700.1 ± 233 Bq/kg, respectively. All values were higher than the worldwide average of 35, 30 and 400 Bq/kg, respectively. The average value of outdoor absorbed gamma dose rate (98 ± 32.5 nGy/h) exceeded the worldwide average of 59 nGy/h. Meanwhile, the average activity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K in 25 plant food samples were 2.7 ± 0.1, 3.2 ± 1.6 and 1000.7 ± 1.9 Bq/kg, respectively. The ⁴⁰K concentration was the most predominant in plant foods. The highest concentrations of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K were found in Chinese cabbage, celery and cilantro, respectively. The total annual effective dose for residents in the study area varied from 0.6 to 4.3 mSv, with an average value of 1.4 mSv. This indicates a significant long-term public health hazard due to natural background radiation and suggests a heightened radiation risk for the residents. The excess lifetime cancer risk value (5.4) associated with natural background radiation was found to be higher than the recommended value. Moreover, the number of lung cancer cases per year per million average of 25.2 per million persons per year was in the limit range 170–230 per million people. Overall, our results will be used for future decision making in the prevention of lung cancer risk associated with natural background radiation. Full article

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis is a genetic marker for human identification, especially matrilineal inheritance. Hypervariable regions (HVR) I and II of mtDNA have been currently performed for human identification worldwide. Further examination of HVRIII has been conducted with the aim of enhancing the power of discrimination. The aim of this research is to provide informative data on the polymorphisms of HVRIII in the Thai population in order to establish a national database for human identification. Thai people who were unrelated through the maternal lineage were recruited for blood collections. The mtDNA was extracted by Chelex extraction, amplified by polymerase chain reaction, and analyzed using Sequencing Analysis Software. The most common mutation in HVRIII was base substitution, followed by deletion and insertion. We discovered 40 unique haplotypes, with haplotype 489C being the most frequent. The haplotype diversity, power of discrimination, and random match probability were 0.8014, 0.7987, and 0.2013, respectively. Five-CA repeats were the most frequently observed in nucleotide positions 514–523. Our database can be employed as supplementary markers in addition to nuclear deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) markers in forensic investigations. Moreover, the data could potentially enhance genetic identification and anthropological genetics research in Thailand. Full article

Methamphetamine (MA) level in urine has been used for judgment in MA consumption. Metabolism and intoxication of MA are correlated with the activity of cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6). The activity score (AS) is a potential tool for predicting exposure and personalized dose of drugs metabolized by CYP2D6. Prediction of the CYP2D6 activity score might be described as MA intoxication. The objective of this study was to categorize the CYP2D6 activity score using the urinary amphetamine (AM)/MA ratio. Urine samples (n = 23,258) were collected. The levels of MA and AM were determined by a gas chromatography–nitrogen–phosphorus detector. The log AS was calculated by an AM/MA ratio and classified into four groups following the percentile position: lower than the 2.5th, the 2.5th–the 50th, the 50th–97.5th, and greater than the 97.5th percentile, respectively. The AS value for males presented was less than 0.024, 0.024–0.141, 0.141–0.836, and greater than 0.836. Meanwhile, the AS values were revealed to be lower than 0.023, 0.023–0.148, 0.148–0.850, and higher than 0.850 for females. The AS value of CYP2D6 can be applied to describe the toxicity of MA in forensic crime scenes and relapse behavior. Full article

This paper investigates how public sector institutions change their form and approach to achieve a socially innovative urban governance. The “Mayor’s Office of New Urban Mechanics” (MONUM) in Boston, Massachusetts (USA) proves a representative case of innovation in the public sector. As a new type of government agency, it is essentially an open innovation lab dedicated to innovative evidence-based policymaking. Following a new dynamic organizational pattern in urban governance, MONUM is conducive to project-oriented social innovation practices and horizontal multi-sectoral collaboration among the three societal sectors: public, private, and civil. Its results suggest that first, the peculiarity of MONUM lies in its hybrid and boundary-blurring nature. Second, new institutional forms that experiment with urban governance can rely on multi-sectoral collaboration. Third, MONUM has experimented with a systemic approach to social innovation following the “design thinking theory.” The MONUM case can contribute to the current debate in Europe on the need to harmonize EU policies for an effective social inclusion by promoting the application of the place-sensitive approach. Full article