Payap University

In the eyes of the world, Myanmar is a nation where a perpetual internal conflict between pro-democracy and pro-military forces has existed for decades. The coup of February 2021 is merely the latest iteration of a generations-long conflict. This is a tragically accurate impression.

This paper is about why Burmanization policies implemented by General Ne Win’s government after 1962 are important for understanding ethnic and other divisions in Burma today. These policies retrospectively were called “Bamar Baho Phyu” in Burmese, which means more precisely, “Bamar-centered policies,” or Burmanization of the economy, education, civil service, and especially the military. Like any nationalist, Ne Win wanted to put his own country first. In the autocratic “imagined community” he created, this Bamar Baho Phyu has long-term implications for the possibilities for peace, and an end to the civil war which began in 1948–1949, and continues today.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of using multimedia annotations on EFL readers’ word recall and text recall and to explore which type of multimedia annotations – L1 meaning, L2 meaning, sound, and image – would have a better effect on their recall of new words and text comprehension. The participants were 78 students who enrolled in an Intermediate EFL course at a university in the north of Thailand. Five instruments – a questionnaire, a vocabulary pre-test, a computerized log-file, and two posttests: a vocabulary test and a text recall test – were used to collect data. First, the participants responded to the questionnaire and the pre-test in the classroom. One week later, they read a hypertext equipped with multimedia annotations in the computer laboratory while the log files recorded their selections of words and annotations. Immediately after that, they answered the two post-tests. Three weeks later, a vocabulary test was given to the participants again without informing in advanced. The results revealed that (1) accessing multimedia annotations led to significantly greater vocabulary recall (42%) among Thai EFL learners; (2) their retention lasted at least three weeks after being exposed to the multimedia-annotated text; (3) they recalled words with images significantly better than those with no images; (4) they recalled about 31% of the text with multimedia annotations; and (5) no significant difference was found regarding the effects of using different types of multimedia annotations on learners’ word recall and text recall when compared between learners.

Maha Pigut Triphala is the herbal mixture of three fruits consisting of T. bellirica, T. chebula, and E. officinalis also known as P. emblica. Humans regularly eat the fresh fruits of these plants on a daily basis. Maha Pigut Triphala is one of the widely known herbal medicinal formulas used in traditional Thai medicine. Besides studying pharmacological properties, attention should also be paid to the safety and toxicity studies of herbal medicines. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the acute and chronic oral toxicity of Maha Pigut Triphala (2:1:3) in Sprague-Dawley rats. A single dose of Maha Pigut Triphala at a concentration of 5000 mg/kg body weight was administered orally to female rats in the acute oral toxicity study. In the chronic oral toxicity study, male and female rats were treated with various concentrations of Maha Pigut Triphala (600, 1200, and 2400 mg/kg body weight) once daily for 270 consecutive days. The presence of abnormalities in the symptoms and behavior of the rats were observed and recorded throughout the experiment. Additionally, body weight, organ weight, and mortality were recorded. At the end of the study, blood samples were collected for hematological and blood chemistry analysis, while the internal organs were evaluated for gross pathological and histopathological changes. The acute oral toxicity study revealed no mortality and abnormal symptoms or behavior in Maha Pigut Triphala-treated rats. Moreover, gross pathological and histopathological findings did not reveal any abnormalities in the internal organs. In the chronic oral toxicity evaluation, although there were negligible changes in body weight, organ weight, and hematological and blood chemistry parameters in rats treated with Maha Pigut Triphala for 270 days, no behavioral or gross pathological and histopathological abnormalities were observed. Overall, the results of this study demonstrate that Maha Pigut Triphala (2:1:3) neither causes acute nor chronic oral toxicity in rats, proposing the safety of this herbal formula in animals prior to human trials and use.

Pesticide exposure might be an important risk factor for sleep disorders, however current epidemiological evidence is limited. The main objective of this study was to determine the association between historical use of pesticides and sleep disorders. Data on the historical use of 38 individual pesticides of almost thirty thousand Thai farmers were collected using questionnaire method. This information was linked to medically diagnosed sleep disorders using a multivariable logistic regression. The study found a positive association of 19 individual pesticides (twelve insecticides, two herbicides, and five fungicides). Some associations demonstrated a dose-response pattern. Additionally, the study revealed that women are at a higher risk of sleep-related issues with pesticide exposure compared to males. These results not only substantiate existing literature but also unveil several new individual pesticides that may impact sleep health. Sleep health should receive more attention, as it can contribute to various diseases and significantly impact the overall well-being of individuals.

Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Catalase (CAT) play a crucial role as the first line of defense antioxidant enzymes in a living cell. These enzymes neutralize the superoxide anion from the autooxidation of oxyhemoglobin (Oxy-Hb) and convert hydrogen peroxides into water and molecular oxygen. In this study, we fabricated hemoglobin submicron particles (HbMPs) using the Coprecipitation Crosslinking Dissolution (CCD) technique and incorporating first-line antioxidant enzymes (CAT, SOD) and second-line antioxidant (ascorbic acid, Vit. C) to investigate a protective effect of modified HbMPs via cyclically oxygenation and deoxygenation. Thereafter, the total hemoglobin (Hb) content and Oxy-Hb content to HbMPs were determined. The results revealed that the HbMPs have a protective effect against oxidation from hydrogen peroxide and potentially neutralizing hydrogen peroxide to water over 16 times exposure cycles. No significant differences in total Hb content were found between normal HbMPs and enzyme-modified HbMPs in the absence of Vit. C. The Oxy-Hb of CAT-HbMPs showed significantly higher values than normal HbMPs. The functional Hb of normal HbMPs and enzyme-modified HbMPs was increased by 60–77% after a short time Vit. C (1:25) exposure. The co-immobilization of CAT and SOD in hemoglobin particles (CAT-SOD-HbMPs) in the presence of Vit. C provides protective effects against oxidation in cyclic Oxygenation and Deoxygenation and shows the lowest reduction of functional Hb. Our studies show that the CCD technique-modified HbMPs containing antioxidant enzymes and a reducing agent (ascorbic acid) demonstrate enhanced Hb functionality, providing protective effects and stability under oxidative conditions.

The rapid development of the digital economy is a critical national strategy for the Chinese government, with the establishment of digital economy platforms as a key component. Simultaneously, both the government and enterprises have embraced the concept of sustainable development. Since corporate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance serves as a crucial micro-indicator of sustainability, it is essential to investigate whether the digital economy platforms developed by the Chinese government can enhance the ESG performance of relevant companies. This paper first examines the impact of urban digital economy platform construction on corporate awareness of ecological and environmental protection, social responsibility, and governance practices. It then proposes two primary mechanisms—technological innovation and business model innovation. Finally, empirical evidence is presented based on a sample of 107 urban CSI 300-listed companies in China, using data from 2015 to 2019. The analysis yields three key findings: (1) the construction of urban digital economy platforms significantly improves the ESG performance of companies in the region; (2) the impact on the social subindex is not significant, but the effect is more pronounced in non-state-owned enterprises, the manufacturing sector, and the eastern region; and (3) business model innovation plays a more significant role in driving ESG performance compared to technological innovation. This study contributes to the understanding of how digital economy platforms influence corporate ESG performance.

This study provides a rapid and accurate method for screening steroid 5-alpha reductase (S5αR) inhibitors in Impatiens balsamina Linn (IB). using at-line LC-QTOF-ESI-MS/MS coupling S5αR inhibitory assay. IB (Balsami- naceae) is an annual herbaceous plant cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions. It has been used in tradi- tional Chinese and Thai medicine for treatment of hair loss and various skin conditions, potentially through anti- androgenic mechanisms. A combined approach of S5αR inhibitory assay and LC-QTOF-ESI-MS/MS was devel- oped to rapidly screen for target biomarkers and guide their isolation using preparative HPLC. The toxicity of both the extract and isolated biomarkers was evaluated on skin cells, keratinocytes, and fibroblasts. Eight bioactive compounds were identified as two naphthoquinone, two fatty acid derivatives, three nitrogenous compounds and one aromatic derivative. The most potent bioactive markers, identified as 2-methoxy-1,4-naph- thoquinone (2MN) and impateinol, were targeted and isolated using preparative HPLC, yielding 5.0 % and 3.5 %, respectively. These compounds exhibited S5αR inhibitory activity higher than that of finasteride drug by 10 and 2 times, respectively. Both the isolated biomarkers and the extract demonstrated a broad therapeutic index. The developed method in this study proved to be both rapid and accurate, making it suitable for screening and targeting S5αR inhibitors in herbal plants or complex matrix samples. It facilitated the fast-guided isolation of bioactive compounds, highlighting its potential for future applications in drug discovery research.

Introduction Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and ultraviolet (UV) light are significant factors to impair skin disorders. Impatiens balsamina Linn. (IB), a traditional Chinese and Thai herbal medicine, has long been used to treat skin and nail diseases, potentially due to its radical‐scavenging properties. However, specific antioxidant compounds in IB have not been well defined. Objective This work aims to rapidly identify, target, and isolate antioxidant biomarkers in IB using at‐line LC‐ESI‐QTOF‐(MS/MS) coupled with a simple DPPH assay and comprehensively investigate the antioxidant activities of IB extract and isolated biomarker. Methodology Following liquid chromatography (LC), the eluent of IB extract was split into two streams (9:1 ratio). The majority was fractionated for DPPH assay in 96‐well plates, whereas 10% underwent chemical identification using ESI‐QTOF‐MS. Antioxidants in IB were identified, targeted, and promptly isolated through transfer from analytical LC to preparative HPLC. IB and the isolated biomarkers were evaluated for antioxidant effects using various antiradical assays and in suppressing ROS induced by UV in skin cells, keratinocytes, and fibroblasts. Results Thirty‐one chemical constituents were identified, with four tentatively identified as potent antioxidants. Kaempferol emerged as a potential antioxidant biomarker in IB, exhibiting superior antioxidant activity in various in vitro assays compared with positive controls. Both IB extract and kaempferol effectively reduced UVB‐induced ROS in skin cells. Conclusion This study represents the first comprehensive identification of antioxidants and chemical constituents in IB, pinpointing kaempferol as a key antioxidant biomarker. Its rapid identification using at‐line techniques holds promise for advancing bioactive compound discovery in herbal medicine.

China has emerged as Indonesia's largest trading partner, creating new opportunities for bilateral economic cooperation. However, challenges related to cultural differences in joint ventures have become increasingly important. Improving cross-cultural adaptability and joint venture performance is crucial to strengthen collaboration and exchange. This study aims to explain the theory of cross-cultural adaptation in joint ventures, establishing connections between employee backgrounds, cross-cultural activities, support, and networks to develop new theoretical foundations for promoting such adaptation. The study examines the dynamic impact of cross-cultural adaptation on business performance by analyzing data from 30 China-Indonesia joint ventures between 2008 and 2019. The results indicate that cross-cultural adaptation comprises four components: employee backgrounds, cross-cultural spending, support, and networks. Notably, as cross-cultural adaptability improves, joint venture performance increases significantly. Among these components, cross-cultural networks have the most substantial impact on performance. These findings suggest joint ventures should enhance cross-cultural resilience through targeted activities to improve performance.

Recent findings suggest that firms with higher Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) scores may experience lower stock returns, contrary to the common belief that better ESG performance enhances market reputation and stock returns. This study aims to investigate the relationship between ESG performance, management costs, and stock returns by introducing an "ESG-cost framework." The framework proposes that the costs incurred in implementing ESG practices can reduce revenue, offsetting the positive effects of strong ESG performance. Using an empirical analysis of firms based on both their ESG scores and management costs, the study finds that firms with low management costs gain the most from high ESG scores, while those with high costs may see diminished stock returns despite strong ESG performance. Additionally, the study proposes trading strategies that integrate ESG scores and cost considerations, demonstrating that these strategies yield better returns than traditional market indices. These findings offer a new perspective on ESG decision-making and provide valuable insights for constructing effective trading strategies.

Litsea martabanica (Kurz) Hook.f. has traditionally been used as an anti-insecticidal agent and as a medication due to its hepatoprotective properties by highland communities in Thailand. This study examined the mutagenicity, as well as the acute and chronic toxicity, of the L. martabanica water leaf extract in Sprague-Dawley rats. The pharmacognostic evaluation of L. martabanica was performed in this study to ensure its authenticity and purity. Then, the sample was extracted using decoction with water to obtain the crude water extract. The assessment of acute toxicity involved a single oral administration of 5000 mg/kg, whereas the chronic toxicity assessment comprised daily oral doses of 250, 750, and 2250 mg/kg over 270 days. Various physiological and behavioral parameters, as well as body and organ weights, were systematically monitored. The endpoint assessments involved hematological and biochemical analyses plus gross and histopathological assessments of the internal organs. Our results exhibited no mutagenic activation by the L. martabanica water leaf extract in the Ames test, and no acute toxicity was observed. In the chronic toxicity tests, no abnormalities were found in rats receiving the L. martabanica water leaf extract across multiple measures, comprising behavioral, physiological, and hematological indices. Crucially, the histopathological assessment corroborated previous studies, reporting an absence of any tissue abnormalities. The results revealed that the L. martabanica water leaf extract had no adverse effects on rats over 270 days of oral administration. This demonstrates its safety and crucial scientific evidence for informing public policy and enabling its potential future commercial use in both highland and lowland communities.

INTRODUCTION Perceptions, personal perspectives, and public awareness of e-cigarette information have a significant impact on e-cigarette smoking behavior, and provide comprehensive information that can help reduce interest in e-cigarette smoking and reduce the number of new smokers. This study aimed to investigate the perceptions towards e-cigarettes related to e-cigarette use and how that information related to people’s use of them. METHODS The data for this cross-sectional study were collected via an online questionnaire. Thai nationals who were aged ≥18 years provided data between June 2021 and January 2022. Multivariable logistic regression and the chi-squared test were used to analyze the data. RESULTS There were 340 respondents, 76 e-cigarette users, and 264 non-e-cigarette users. Most of the perceptions of information that differed statistically significantly between e-cigarette users and non-e-cigarette users included information on regulations, products, health effects, and the effectiveness of smoking cessation. The association between factors and e-cigarette smoking behavior revealed that the perception of the product information and male gender were associated with e-cigarette smoking behavior (AOR=13.59; 95% CI: 2.35–78.60, and AOR=5.19; 95% CI: 2.87–9.40, respectively). CONCLUSIONS The perception of e-cigarette product information and male gender were associated with e-cigarette smoking behavior.

Litsea martabanica root’s antioxidant and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity showed promise as a pesticide detoxification agent in our previous study. In addition to its root, leaves can help alleviate pesticide exposure, although there is limited scientific evidence supporting their efficacy. However, the use of roots in several countries, such as Thailand, could contribute to environmental degradation, as highland communities traditionally used leaves instead of roots. This study aims to evaluate the antioxidant activity and anti-pesticide potential of water extract from L. martabanica leaves through in vitro and in vivo investigations. In the in vitro study, L. martabanica water extract and its fractions demonstrated antioxidant activity and induced apoptosis in hepatic satellite cells. In the in vivo study, treatment with the leaf extract led to increased AChE activity, decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels, and reduced glutathione in chlorpyrifos-exposed rats. Histopathological examination revealed that chlorpyrifos-treated rats exhibited liver cell damage, while treatment with the water extract of L. martabanica exhibited a protective effect on the liver. In conclusion, L. martabanica water extract exhibited antioxidant activity, enhanced AChE activity, and improved histopathological abnormalities in the liver.

Ravidasvir (RDV) is a novel NS5A inhibitor that exhibits potent pan-genotypic inhibition of hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication. Sofosbuvir (SOF) plus RDV was demonstrated to be efficacious and safe in adults with active HCV infection, including those living with HIV (LWHIV), in the STORM-C-1 trial. We assessed the population pharmacokinetics (PK) of RDV in a sub-study nested within STORM-C-1 conducted in Thailand and Malaysia. SOF (400 mg) plus RDV (200 mg) was administered orally once daily for 12 weeks to adults with chronic HCV infection, but without cirrhosis and for 24 weeks to those with compensated cirrhosis. Intensive and sparse PK samples were collected at 4, 8, and 12 weeks after treatment initiation. Population PK parameters of RDV and the impact of covariates were evaluated using nonlinear mixed-effects modeling. Five hundred ninety-four participants were included, 235 (40%) had compensated cirrhosis, and 189 (32%) were LWHIV. RDV plasma concentrations were best described by a two-compartment model with first-order elimination. Oral clearance (CL/F) and volume of distribution (Vd/F) parameters were allometrically scaled on fat-free mass. Concomitant antiretroviral treatment (ART) increased RDV CL/F by 30%–60%, with efavirenz-based ART having the largest impact. Females had 16% lower RDV CL/F than males, and higher albumin levels reduced RDV central volume of distribution. While several covariates impact RDV CL/F and Vd/F, the effect on RDV exposures was not clinically relevant based on the efficacy data reported in this diverse Asian adult population. There were no meaningful drug-drug interactions in adults LWHIV on ART.

This chapter describes how Aung San, U Nu, and Ne Win, the founding Prime Ministers of Burma (1946–1962), set about creating a new narrative of Burmese history which justified the emergence of the newly independent nation. They traced Burmese military exceptionalism to the age of ancient Burmese kings. And placed what became Bamar Buddhist culture at the center of history. General Ne Win was to consolidate this view within the army, which fought foreigners in the north, and rebellious highlanders. This led to a conclusion in 1962 that foreigners were to be excluded from the new Burma, while ethnic minorities were to be assimilated into the superior culture. This happened in the context of a difficult independence in which the peripheries were in revolt, and foreign militaries sought to use Burma as first a proxy during World War II, and later in the Cold War.

This chapter describes how Ne Win’s policies of Burmanization persisted after he stepped down from formal power in 1988, and after his death in 2002. Indeed, the Burmanization ethics had gripped the nation so tightly that the mass expulsion of Rohingya was a popular and logical result of how deeply Burmanization was embedded in the culture, even in a society which had a profound dislike for the excesses of the military. This is followed with a section about what, given such problems, Saw Eh Htoo’s hopes for Myanmar are.

I grew up in the Yangon River Delta under the Burmese Socialist Programme Party (BSPP) of General Ne Win, and became politically aware during the military’s State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) regime in the 1990s.