Tag: Chulalongkorn University

Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Architecture showcased its students’ theses and dissertation works, as well as the faculty’s curriculum at YODEX 2023 held from May 19 – 23, 2023, at Nangang Exhibition Hall, Taipei, Taiwan. Asst. Prof. Sarayut Supsook, Dean of the Faculty of Architecture, Chulalongkorn University, also signed an MOU for academic collaboration with Mr. Chi-Yi Chang, Taiwan Design Research Institute (TDRI) President, with Mr. Taweekiat Janeprajak, Executive Director of Thailand Trade and Economic Office (Taipei), and Mr. Simon Wang, President & CEO of Taiwan External Trade Development Council, witnessing the event. The Dean also visited the office of TDRI for a discussion on possible joint efforts to promote academic activities.

The exhibition marks the second collaboration between the Faculty of Architecture, Chulalongkorn University, and Taiwan Design Research Institute (TDRI). The first activity, held on May 8, 2023, at the Faculty of Architecture Library, was a talk by Mr. Oliver Lin, executive and representative of Taiwan Design Research Institute (TDRI), introducing the Ideathon 2023: WeWe Future international contest under the theme “Diversity & Inclusion in 2040.” The contest opened for applications from contestants all over the world from July 1, 2023, at 10:00 am to July 31, 2023, at 5:00 pm (GMT+8).

The event also featured a special lecture on “Space for Contemplation” by Ms. Sanitas Pradittasnee from Sanitas Studio, an alumnus of the Faculty of Architecture, Chulalongkorn University, who shared her ideas for mindful creation that draw inspiration from the environment and encourages the audience to imagine what might happen in the future.

For the full release and more images, please visit: https://www.chula.ac.th/en/news/128310/

Chula Veterinary Science Lecturers have successfully developed a Serum Test Kit to Identify Canine Atopic Dermatitis (CAD) caused by dust mites. With a Gold Medal from the Swiss Innovation Contest, the test kit is guaranteed to help identify the allergens with greater precision to ensure correct treatment.

Atopic dermatitis is one of the most common allergies in dogs, with prominent symptoms such as itching, erythema, and severe swelling. In severe cases, there can be symptoms of bronchospasm, coughing, and sneezing like people with allergies.

Itching and erythema in dogs are not to be overlooked. Dog owners should pay attention and take their pets to be examined and receive appropriate and spot-on care, which can only be done if the cause or culprit of the skin allergy can be identified.

Screening for skin allergy in dogs is quite limited, complex, time-consuming, and very costly. Associate Professor Dr. Nuvee Prapasarakul, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, and a team of researchers, consisting of Dr. Nathrada Khanthawee, Associate Professor Dr. Nitat Sookrung, Miss Nawannaporn Lim, and Assistant Professor Dr. Wandee Sirichokchatchawan, therefore, invented and developed “a Serum Test Kit to Identify Canine Atopic Dermatitis (CAD) caused by dust mite using Immunoglobulin G1 (G subclass one) to help veterinarians identify the cause of allergy in dogs more quickly and easily.

“This test kit can be used continuously from the start of allergy testing, during symptom monitoring until the end of treatment without the dog getting hurt, and it can also be cost-effective,” said Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nuvee about the hallmark of this innovation, which won the gold medal at the 48th International Exhibition of Inventions 2023 held recently in Geneva, the Swiss Confederation.

Getting to Know Canine Atopic Dermatitis (CAD) and Its Causes
Canine Atopic Dermatitis (CAD) is one of the most common forms of skin allergy in dogs, caused by abnormal immune responses to environmental agents such as airborne chemicals, dust, mold, mites, and food.

“Healthy and unhealthy dogs all have the potential to develop this disease. The incidence of skin diseases varies depending on the nature of each dog. Some dog breeds may have frequent skin diseases and severe symptoms, while others may have only minor symptoms and some may not have skin diseases at all,” said Associate Professor Dr. Nuvee.

CAD can be the result of a variety of factors, including:

1. Genetics: Some breeds of dogs are at higher risk than others for AD, including Vizla, Bassett Hound, Yorkshire Terrier, Shih Tzu, Beagle, Bulldog, and Cocker Spaniel. Dogs with weakened immunity or stress are also more prone to skin diseases.

2. Age: Skin allergies in dogs usually start showing symptoms between the ages of 6 months and 3 years old, but symptoms can also occur at any age.

3. Environmental conditions such as dust, dust mites, and high humidity increase the likelihood of developing fungus on the dog’s skin, causing skin irritation and allergies. Cold and dry weather can also dry the dog’s skin, aggravating skin allergies. In hot weather, dogs have more skin problems, which can be a risk factor to develop further skin allergies.

4. Chemicals: Exposure to certain chemicals can be a trigger for skin allergies, especially those used in dog health care products such as soap, shampoo, cream, or some coating substance can all trigger an onset of skin allergy in dogs that are sensitive to these chemicals.

5. Food: Protein from food contributes to around 10-15 percent of skin allergy cases.

However, according to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nuvee, most skin allergies in dogs are caused by allergens in the environment such as dust mites, pollen, mold, and other substances that dogs come into contact with, especially dust mites which are important factors in triggering allergies.

 

Atopic Dermatitis Caused by Dust Mites
Dogs with skin allergies from dust mites itch and scratch on the affected skin such as around the ears, abdomen, legs, and under the body. They are plagued with skin eczema, erythema, scarring, or scabby skin on sensitive areas that smell like fermented yeast.

In some cases, the dogs suffering from CAD may experience swelling, redness, and pus in the affected areas. They may have increased hair loss and ulcers caused by scratching or incorrect skin treatment.

Although the majority of canine skin allergies are mainly caused by dust mites, there may be other causes, such as dietary, that may trigger similar symptoms.

How important is allergen identification?
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nuvee said that identifying allergens is very important to help reduce or avoid them, as well as to help plan for the right treatment, such as the correct administration of anti-allergic medications to reduce the risk of dogs receiving unnecessary or inappropriate treatment.

“Allergies and how to treat them are specific and dependent on each dog and their living environment. A veterinarian specializing in allergies can provide additional counsel on proper handling and allergy prevention for dogs, as well as how to boost their immunity to fight the allergies which helps to somewhat relieve the symptoms. A healthy immunity may strengthen a dog’s tissues and immune system to reduce an abnormal response to something it is allergic to.”

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nuvee also added that dogs may be allergic to the things being watched for the rest of their lives, or they may develop allergic reactions to something new as well.

Allergen Screening Test Before Planning a Treatment
Allergies in dogs can occur when the dog is 6 months of age or older. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nuvee recommends that dog owners regularly observe skin symptoms similar to those of skin allergies, such as itching, redness, dampness, thick skin, or dandruff scabs. Should these symptoms occur, you should consult veterinarians specializing in skin diseases or allergies.

“Owners should take note of the dog’s symptoms and response to the environment as information for veterinarians to diagnose and provide appropriate guidance in the management of diseases that may require long-term follow-up treatment to control skin symptoms and disorders.”

Identifying the specific allergens is important in treatment planning. According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nuvee, there are currently two test methods:

1. Intradermal skin test is a test under the skin to diagnose airborne allergies. The veterinarian will inject the test substance into the skin layer of the dog and observe the symptoms for some time before evaluating the results according to the dog’s response. The process takes about 1-2 hours.

“There are limitations to this method. Before the dog is tested, all the medications, i.e., anti-inflammatory, anti-itching, immunosuppressant have to be stopped. So, there are risks of the symptoms becoming acute. In addition, this method requires anesthesia, and it is expensive.”

2. Allergen-specific IgE serology testing is a method of detecting airborne allergy symptoms in dogs by measuring the level of Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies produced by the body causing allergic reactions to possible allergens. This test is done on samples of the dog’s blood.

“This method is quite convenient, but not many veterinary laboratories in Thailand provide this service which means they have to send blood samples to foreign laboratories, making it costly, and time consuming. Most importantly, this method requires a substantial amount of blood for the test.”

Scratch where it itches! Innovative Allergen Screening Test Kit with High Precision
Based on the limitations of the two allergen screening tests, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nuvee, therefore, developed the Serum Test Kit to Identify Canine Atopic Dermatitis (CAD) caused by dust mites using Immunoglobulin G1 (IgG Subclass 1) using a laboratory method called ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay).

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nuvee explained that “Immunoglobulin G subclass One” is one of the four subclasses of Immunoglobulin G in the immune systems of humans and animals, whose main function is to protect the body from allergies and pathogens. Assessing the level and proportion of each class of Immunoglobulin G can help to diagnose and monitor the immune response to various substances or infections in various forms in the body.

“The research team found that the “immunoglobulin G subclass1” is the primary class of “immunoglobulin G” with a high response rate to allergens in dogs with CAD.”

During the course of the research, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nuvee tested this test kit on 200 dogs at participating veterinary hospitals throughout Bangkok with satisfactory results, comparable to the effectiveness of the original two methods.

“While we don’t have the best test kit yet, this is an easily accessible method for veterinarians, and it can be used continuously from diagnosis, monitoring, and end-of-treatment without hurting the dogs while being cost-effective,” said Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nuvee. Articles about this innovative serum test kit to identify dust mite allergy in dogs have been published in three Q1 international journals.

Guidelines for the Care and Treatment of CAD
Care and treatment of skin allergies in dogs is a complex process and should be supervised by a veterinarian to ensure proper care for the dogs in each household. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nuvee summarizes the guidelines for care as follows:

1. Remove allergens – For example, if the dog is allergic to dust, pollen, or dietary protein, the food must be reduced or removed from the dog’s environment as much as possible to reduce exposure and immune response.

2. Feed the dog proper food that does not contain ingredients that can induce dog allergies to reduce the immune response.

3. Use immune-boosting substances such as vitamins and other supplements

“Boosting immunity can help reduce some of the allergies in dogs. A strong immunity can potentially strengthen the dog’s tissues and immune system to reduce abnormal responses to allergens.”

Use medications and medical treatment. In case of severe allergies, the veterinarian may recommend the use of related medications such as steroids, anti-allergy drugs, antifungal drugs, antibiotics, and hair tonics to effectively control allergies. The owner is recommended to administer medication regularly.
Minimize anything that may trigger an allergic reaction, such as washing bed linen, clothing, and household appliances thoroughly. Use mild shampoos to wash the dogs, and focus on general hygiene with proper exercise, proper feeding, and appropriate climate control.
Currently, the Serum Test Kit to Identify Canine Atopic Dermatitis (CAD) caused by dust mites using Immunoglobulin G1 (G subclass one) has already been patented. In the future, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nuvee intends to develop this innovation into a paper-based, ATK-like test kit for convenience and easy detection of the allergy in one go, while being able to identify other canine allergies in addition to dust mites, such as pollen, food protein allergies, etc.

Moreover, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nuvee also plans to develop a vaccine, also known as Allergy Immunotherapy or Allergen-Specific Immunotherapy (ASI), as injections to treat allergies accurately!

For more information, contact the Research Department, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Tel. +66-2218-9440.

For the full release and more images, please visit: https://www.chula.ac.th/en/highlight/125823/

Thailand has a lot of charms to indulge in, but one of the appeals one cannot deny is the “Thai language” which, in any shape or form, is so melodious and pleasing to the ear.

“Lately, we are seeing more and more people from many countries around the world become interested in learning the Thai language. With this booming interest comes the advent of many things: the digital world, the end of language barriers, easier travel, the export of goods and drama series, and various soft power trends,” said Assistant Professor Dr. Kiat Thepchuaysuk, Director of the Center for Thai as a Foreign Language (CTFL), Chulalongkorn University.

Whether you are studying for a career, doing business, learning to communicate with favorite stars, or even learning the language just for fun, most foreigners say the same thing: “The Thai language is hard.”

But for Dr. Kiat, a specialist in linguistics and teaching Thai language to foreigners, “Thai is easier to understand than you think, and can actually be a lot of fun if we know the basics, tricks, and tips.”

In this article, Dr. Kiat will give advice and easy-to-understand language tips for those who are thinking seriously about learning Thai. Native speakers will also learn fun facts about the language that will show that Thai is not as complicated as you think. It is actually a charming language that reflects the fun and creativity of the Thai people.

Mastering Thai Language Grammar: Key Rules and Concepts
Thai language of today is influenced by a combination of many languages such as Bali, Sanskrit, Khmer, Chinese, Javanese, Burmese, Malay, Persian, and some European languages such as Portuguese and English, etc. The vocabulary and grammar of Thai language, therefore, have certain traces of those languages as well. According to Dr. Kiat, a few grammatical points of Thai language that foreigners should know before starting their study to learn faster and understand the Thai language more easily are:

Arrangement of words in declarative sentences
Normally, when we learn different languages, we have to look at the basic sentence form of how the subject, verb, and object are arranged. Thai language uses the same structure as English or Chinese, i.e. subject > verb > object, for example, I eat rice. This is different from some languages which have the structure of subject > object > verb, such as Japanese or Korean, making it “I rice eat.”

Although two languages may share similar basic sentence structures, the grammar of both languages is not necessarily identical. This is only one way to easily understand a simple basic sentence in speech. Although Thai and Chinese speak in the same pattern of subject, verb, and object, Chinese language has a different structure of noun phrases from Thai language. Therefore, instead of saying “I eat two plates of rice,” a native Chinese speaker may misspeak and say “I eat two rice plates, for example.”

Therefore, if you want to speak Thai like a native speaker using more complex sentences, you need to learn more grammar.

“Many Thai language grammatical features are quite easy to understand and straightforward compared to many other languages because we have no tense, no verb conjugation, no complicated grammar rules. In Thai language, you just memorize the vocabulary and string the words together, and you’ll be able to communicate in Thai without difficulty,” Dr. Kiat explained.

Forming simple negative sentences and questions.
Now that you know how to write a simple sentence, if you want to use different forms of sentence, such as negative sentences, all you have to do is add the word “no (mai)” to the front of the verb, or for a question, add the word “mai (different tone)” to the end of the sentence. It’s very simple.

Describing a noun – put the noun first, then the adjective
Describing nouns in Thai language is different from some other languages. In other words, in Thai, we usually say the main noun first and then the descriptive or complementary words. Let’s look at the words “hot tea” in English, Japanese, Chinese, or Korean. The word “hot” is said first, then the main noun “tea”. Therefore, if a foreigner who speaks these languages come to learn the Thai language and does not understand this grammar, they can easily make mistakes in the word order.

In addition, there are many fascinating aspects of the Thai language that foreigners can learn about, including the writing system, grammar, pronunciation, sentences, consonants, vowels, and tones, which Thai people might not have thought about. Those interested can read the full article at https://www.chula.ac.th/en/highlight/123363/.

The Assistive Technology and Medical Devices Research Center (A-MED), a division under the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, together with the Faculty of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University, have unveiled an innovative toothpaste prototype with nano-hydroxyapatite that helps to replenish minerals and strengthen tooth enamel.

The project aims to promote and develop oral health and dental care products to improve the quality of life and oral healthcare for Thai people, as well as address disparities among consumers. By fostering the development of dental advancements by Thai dentists and academics, the collaboration aims to strengthen Thailand’s medical sector and reduce dependence on imported resources. The press conference to showcase the toothpaste prototype took placed on May 30, 2023 at the Faculty Executive Committee meeting room, Vajwittayawat Building, Faculty of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University.

Dr. Kitti Wongthavarawat, Head of the Health Innovation and Information Research Team, Assistive Technology and Medical Devices Research Center (A-MED), explained that when dental caries show up in children, it is the beginning of a series of long-term oral health issues. Presently, over 50% of Thai children currently suffer from tooth decay, and more than 60% of adults suffer from gingivitis due to limited access to adequate dental treatment. The nano-hydroxyapatite toothpaste prototype is the result of collaborative research, development, testing, design, and production of toothpaste products for the treatment of life-impeding oral health issues, such as early tooth decay, which usually happens because of lack of regular good oral health care.

Development of the nano-hydroxyapatite materials was jointly carried out by the research teams from A-MED, NSTDA, and the Faculty of Dentistry at Chulalongkorn University. This novel material was created via a mechanical chemical method and has a structure similar to human bones and teeth. Nano-hydroxyapatite can be used as a component in toothpaste due to its compatibility with human tissues and capability to promote tooth enamel remineralization. By focusing on nano-sized hydroxyapatite, Thai researchers can help reduce reliance on imports, improve access to domestically manufactured high-quality medical materials, and maintain international medical standards that align with BCG medical device policy objectives.

“The official launch of this prototype toothpaste marks another significant milestone in the two organizations’ successful partnership, as both collaborate to develop advanced preparation techniques for nano-hydroxy powder. By enabling the rapid formation of calcium phosphate from calcium and phosphate ions, which can precipitate onto the tooth surface, the addition of apatite in the toothpaste enhances its ability to restore minerals in the enamel layer. This enhancement elevates the overall quality of the toothpaste,” Prof. Dr. Pornchai Jansisyanont, Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry, concluded.

For the full and unedited release of this article, please visit: https://www.chula.ac.th/en/news/122988/

Chula President pledged to move ahead with greenhouse gas reduction on the Chulalongkorn University campus targeting Net Zero Greenhouse Gas Emission by 2050 and unveiled 5 pilot strategies for minimizing carbon dioxide emissions and also achieving campus sustainability.

Currently, Net Zero Emission is an issue that many countries around the world are focusing on and urgently addressing following the mandate of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) 26th Conference on Climate Change (COP26) in 2021. The mandate supports the goal of limiting the global average surface temperature from rising more than 1.5°C to prevent catastrophes caused by extreme weather events.

​“Chulalongkorn University has begun collecting all greenhouse gas emissions data within the university in the academic year 2015 and found that a total of greenhouse gas emissions was 54,955.89 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2eq), the majority of which resulted from electricity use on campus. This equals 1.21 tons CO2eq emitted per student and personnel that year. Based on this finding, Chula has developed a plan and issued policies and measures to reduce greenhouse gases more earnestly and intensively,” said Professor Dr. Orathai Chavalparit, Head of the Chula Race to Zero Working Group on Policy and Planning, and lecturer from the Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University.

As a citizen of the country and the world, Chula recognizes its responsibility to the public and to take this issue seriously and to be in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), one of Chula’s strategies for 2021-2024. The President of Chulalongkorn University, therefore, announced the pledge to reduce greenhouse gases on campus last September with two main goals as follows:

1. “Carbon Neutrality by 2040”

2. “Net Zero Greenhouse Gas Emission by 2050”

To reach its Net Zero goal, Chula needs cooperation from everyone in the Chula community and plans are needed to reduce energy consumption in both the short and long terms. Chula has designed a five-strategy Chula ’2050 Net-Zero Transition’ plan as follows:

1. Energy Transition​
Chulalongkorn University has replaced its existing energy system with a Solar-PV development — a Zero-Carbon Energy System.

“Chulalongkorn University campus is in an urban area, so space is limited, and solar energy is most suitable for the university.”

Chula has signed an agreement with the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) for a pilot project to install rooftop solar panels for 65 buildings across the campus. Currently, installation has been completed in 14 buildings, and installation in the remaining buildings is expected to be completed by the end of 2023.

“If (the panels) are installed and used in all buildings, Chula will replace 25% of the university’s electricity consumption.”

In addition, Chula will concentrate on appropriate green building designs for new constructions, such as the layout and direction of the buildings to correlate with sunlight, while emphasizing the use of natural light to reduce the use of electricity.​

2. Improving Energy System Resilience
Chula has conducted a lifetime inspection and evaluated the efficiency of electrical equipment to convert them to energy-efficient ones in common buildings such as light bulbs and air conditioners. In addition, there are improvements in indoor air conditioning systems by installing heat monitors, ventilation, and cooling systems, as well as the Building Energy Management (CU BEMs) in buildings throughout campus to effectively and efficiently monitor and control energy consumption in each building through applications and dashboards. These systems which can report peak load periods and release of carbon dioxide (CO2) is designed by the Smart Grid Research Unit (SGRU), Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering in collaboration with Tokyo University and the domestic and international industrial sector with funding support from the Energy Conservation Promotion Fund (ENCON Fund), Ministry of Energy.

3. Creating Green Growth
Chula has supported national and international research and cooperation including green investment to develop carbon-free technology. The Bio-Circular-Green Economy Technology & Engineering Center, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, has collaborated with the government sector, private sector, industrial sector, and public organizations under the name Thailand CCUS Consortium aiming at planning, research, and development of carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technology. This is an important step in the repurposing of CO2 that was originally seen as pollution, for value-added commercial uses and elimination of pollution for the environment.

In addition, Chula researchers have successfully converted carbon dioxide into methanol using less energy and giving high yield as part of a research project Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Conversion to Higher-Valued Products with the support of the Research Cess Fund (RCF) of the Malaysia-Thai Joint Authority (MTJA).

In 2022, 2565, Chula has been focusing more on energy transition and clean energy. Chula Faculty of Engineering has signed an agreement with Hitachi Energy to promote and support the education, research, development, and technological learning on energy-related topics such as carbon neutrality, microgrid, micro electricity generation, and management system for communities using mainly renewable energy, Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), electric mobility (e-Mobility), green hydrogen, as well as studying sustainable energy future.

4. Lifestyle Transition
Chula has also campaigned for students and personnel to use public buses within the campus with choices of low-carbon transportation such as electric buses, bicycles, electric tuk-tuks, and electric scooters. Covered walkways have also been installed to connect various buildings within the University to facilitate the commute of the Chula community.

Chula has also implemented the Chula Zero Waste Project on campus and surrounding communities to strive for zero waste from the source to the destination and reduce the amount of waste to landfill using the 3Rs rules, including Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. Participation from the Chula community, including students, personnel, and vendors on campus has also been encouraged through awareness building so that everyone pays attention to their environmental impacts, and the waste generated in their daily life on campus, as well as changing their behavior to a more sustainable lifestyle for a sustainable environment.

Earnest implementation during the first five years of the project helped reduce waste by about 40 percent which is more than the original target of 30 percent and demonstrated the potential for management to drive cognitive-behavioral change in waste management. The project also set a goal to reuse 75 percent of waste by 2040.

Moreover, Chula encourages personnel and students to carry personal glasses or water bottles to reduce the use of single-use plastic cups, while preparing drinking water dispensers, and campaigning for stores in the cafeterias to substitute biodegradable Zero waste containers for single-use plastic bags. In the future, Chula plans to support a low-carbon diet to reduce meat consumption and promote the consumption of low-carbon plant-based foods such as vegetables, fruits, grains, or protein from legumes, as well as reducing the consumption of processed foods, and the use of single-use plastic food packaging.​ These measures require cooperation from cafeteria vendors on campus.

5. The Social Transition Social Support System

To encourage the Chula community to be part of the greenhouse gas reduction drive within the campus, there are plans to organize activities and projects such as discussion forums, short clip contests, and exchanges of information between students and personnel through online media channels. This is to raise the awareness of the Chula community on the importance and consequences of climate change that would lead to behavioral change and new conscience to prepare for a sustainable low-carbon society.​

“Although the management system to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that Chula has adopted is a system that has been used abroad, many systems are not yet widespread in Thailand. Therefore, Chula would like to be one of the leaders of change and a model of educational institutions that pilot the development of green research and innovation that can reduce carbon dioxide emissions in a real and sustainable way. We believe that we can and will expand to other institutions or agencies in Thailand to work together towards a sustainable low-carbon society.” Professor Dr. Orathai concluded.

Chula Medicine researchers have successfully published an article on the injection of patient’s own platelets rich plasma into the shoulder ligaments resulting in pain reduction, heal torn ligaments and restore torn muscles as an alternative to surgery while reducing the side effects of prolonged use of pain medications.

“Pain” is a condition that no one wishes to experience. And when it occurs, people want to heal as soon as possible. This can be achieved through taking painkillers or alternative medical approaches such as acupuncture, massage, using heat compression, etc. But today, Chula Pain Clinic, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, The Thai Red Cross Society has a new proven treatment for pain derived from the person’s own “platelets” to offer.

“Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) injection for shoulder ligament injuries or “rotator cuff tears” is one of the treatments we have been doing for over 5 years.” Explains Assistant Professor Marvin
Thepsoparn, MD, an anesthesiologist and pain management specialist at the Pain Clinic, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, The Thai Red Cross Society. “This approach helps to reduce the side effects of painkillers and is very safe because the patient’s own platelets and plasma are used to inject back into patient’s injury site to stimulate self-repair,” Dr. Thepsoparn is discussing how to relieve pain with platelets.

This research was conducted in collaboration with the Orthopaedic Sports Unit of King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital to study pain care for people who have suffered injuries from work, sports, and abnormal body movements. These are the causes of muscle injuries and torn ligaments, which can lead to lifelong chronic pain.

“In this study, we compared the efficiency of treatments by performing an MRI of the shoulder of patients who had already received platelet injection for 6 months, and those who did not use this method to treat torn shoulder ligaments. We found that injecting of the concentration of platelets into the shoulder ligaments significantly reduced pain within 1 – 2 months and also helped repair the tear, resulting in better healing of the ligaments and a reduction in size of the tear.  As a result, patients did not have to suffer from chronic pain, avoided surgery, and eliminate the risk of continuously taking painkillers for an extended period.”

For the full and unedited release of this article, please visit: https://www.chula.ac.th/en/highlight/110448/

Chula Faculty of Medicine, in collaboration with the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine, has released the results of their research on “Wang Nam Yen” herbal tea formula to stimulate lactation in mothers after childbirth, especially those who have had a caesarean delivery, to solve their problem of scarce breast milk. The herbal tea yielded as good results as modern medicine.  The team aims at expanding to commercial production and export.

Nowadays, modern mothers are more willing to breastfeed their babies because breast milk is rich in nutrients that are important for their babies’ growth and development, such as antioxidants, and vitamins that their babies needs, and also helps to strengthen their immunity. The Thai Ministry of Public Health also has a breastfeeding advocacy and support program according to the recommendations of the World Health Organization that recommends breastfeeding from the child’s birth to 6 months old and should continue until the child is 2 years old or longer along with age-appropriate food.

Despite wanting to breastfeed, modern mothers are plagued with the problem of having too little or no breast milk. This problem is more likely to happen in mothers who had given birth by cesarean section than those who gave birth naturally. This is due to many factors, such as the baby starting suckling too late because the mother or the baby is sick, causing them to be separated at an early stage, or the baby not suckling properly or often enough resulting in the mother not lactating.

“In modern medicine, most obstetricians give Domperidone to stimulate lactation. This medicine is usually used as an antiemetic drug, but research in foreign countries has shown that it can be used off-label to stimulate lactation as well. However, some countries, such as the United States, do not allow it to treat vomiting or stimulate lactation because of the side effects of causing abnormal electrocardiogram,” Associate Professor Krit Pongpirul, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, discusses the beginning of the “Wang Nam Yen” Thai herbal tea research, one of the projects under the agreement between Chulalongkorn University and the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine to develop Thai herbal research into a systematic and practical approach.

“Wang Nam Yen” herbal tea induces breast milk after childbirth Assoc. Prof. Dr. Krit recounted the origin of “Wang Nam Yen” herbal tea that came from the research of Mr. Pinit Chinsoi, a pharmacist who had collected herbal formulas in traditional Thai medicine since ancient times and compared the safety to that of modern medicine.  Then, 5 herbs were selected to be included in the formula namely bael, sappanwood (fang), ginger, licorice, and jewel vine, and named “Wang Nam Yen” in honor of Wang Nam Yen Hospital, Sa Kaeo Province, at which Mr. Pinit was stationed as a pharmacist at that time.

This herbal formula is aimed for mothers after childbirth. According to Thai medicine principles, postnatal women often experience fatigue, blood loss, muscle pain, low breast milk, and dizziness. Therefore, traditional Thai medicine practitioners often choose these five herbs with the following tastes and therapeutic properties to cure the symptoms:  “Mr. Pinit blended these five herbs into tea and then brewed them for mothers after giving birth in Wang Nam Yen Hospital. According to preliminary data, this herbal tea can increase the amount of milk compared to the group that did not drink it,” said Assoc. Prof. Dr. Krit. “Looking at the benefits of this herbal tea, we can see that the herbs not only stimulate lactation but also relieve and treat other postpartum symptoms.”

Thai herbal tea or modern medicine? Which can better induce milk?

From the collection of herbal recipes by pharmacist Pinit, a research team from Chulalongkorn University and the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine has developed an experimental study to test and compare the effectiveness of postpartum breast milk stimulation between “Wang Nam Yen” Thai herbal tea and modern medicine. The study participants were 120 mothers who had a cesarean birth and received nursing care at Sansitphrasong Hospital, Ubon Ratchathani Province, from February-September 2017 under the supervision of Doctor Koollachart Saejueng, M.D., a resident obstetrician at the hospital then.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Krit explained the research process where the participants were divided into 3 groups: an experimental group and a control group with 40 participants in each group.  The first group received the tea and placebo pills, group 2 received placebo tea (no herbs) and real pills, while group 3 received both placebo tea and pills. The participants did not know which group they belonged to. For the measurement, the results were measured by the amount of breast milk pumped out in cc or ml from the collection of milk during 3 periods: 24 hours after giving birth, 48 hours after giving birth, and 72 hours after giving birth.

“The results suggest that herbal teas can stimulate milk during all three periods. The mothers who received herbal tea produced more milk than other groups 24 hours after birth.  They produced a similar amount of milk to the group who received modern medicine 48, and 72 hours after birth and performed better than the group that received placebos,” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Krit revealed the results that have been published since the beginning of 2022.

Thai Herbs, Household Goodies to the World Market

According to the research results that indicate the effectiveness of Thai herbs in stimulating breast milk after childbirth on par with modern medicine, the research team is planning to launch this herbal tea as a product under the brand “Wang Nam Yen” for domestic distribution and export.

“If we want Thai herbs to thrive, we should not stop at doing research only to prove the herbs’ efficacy, but there should be further studies in humans to confirm that Thai herbs are effective and practical. This work requires the cooperation of many fields of study, including pharmaceutical science, science, and medicine, to become a product so that the Thai herbs market could grow and reach the global market.”

For the Thai public, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Krit said, “The research team did not conceal the formula of this herbal tea, because we want Thai people to know about the good things in Thailand.  People can grow the herbs and make the tea for themselves in their own homes.”

For the full release and more images, please visit: https://www.chula.ac.th/en/highlight/116790/ 

 

 

Chula has launched the “CUDSON” web application to help students discover and develop life skills, select activities and subjects that are suitable for their needs, develop themselves properly, learn what they like, and prepare for a world of creative and happy work.

“Who am I? What am I good at? What skills do I have? What should I study? What job should I get after graduation?” These are questions that many students may be pondering so they can develop themselves appropriately, study the right subjects, and apply for or create jobs that they
like at their own pace and aptitude.

Knowing oneself is important, but it may take time and learning through a series of experiences to find one’s own path. Assistant Professor Dr. Chaiyaporn Puprasert, Vice President of Student Development, Office of Student Affairs, Chulalongkorn University, therefore initiated the web application development project. “CUDSON” (meaning curated) allows students to get to know themselves clearly and quickly. This will help students choose the right subjects and activities to prepare for the world of work and life in the future.

According to Nopparuj Punyaratanasoonthorn, Education Services Officer, Office of Student Affairs, Chulalongkorn University, “in addition to academic learning and hard skills, which students receive from the classroom, they usually need soft skills to be ready for socialization in their working age and lifelong learning.  Each person has a different skill set, be it communication
skills, problem-solving skills, or working with others, making their potential development process unique.”

CUDSON was first launched in 2017 as a mobile application. However, due to the complexity of the system and the length of the assessment that users had to complete for 40 minutes, it was quite difficult touse. The Office of Student Affairs, Chulalongkorn University has improved the system to be easier to use in the form of a web application, which was launched at the end of 2022 and has already attracted over 4,000 students.

“CUDSON” activities and courses for self-paced learning

Among a variety of features, CUDSON’s main function is a two-type self-assessment for students:
learning and activity assessments.

Nopparuj explained that the assessment takes only 6 minutes and the system will process the answers into 6 types of competency scores. These are life skills or soft skills, including self-management skills, emotion management skills, communication skills, collaboration skills, problem-solving skills, and social transformation skills.

“The assessment will let students know what skills and competencies they have and what they need to develop to prepare themselves for future life goals. The CUDSON web application will introduce the appropriate activities and courses to the students individually,” said Nopparuj
while adding that the activities and courses suggested by CUDSON include activities organized by GenEd, CUVIP, and Chula MOOC online courses.

CUDSON “Finding Experiences”

Students who are clear on their abilities and self-development path can find the courses and activities that interest them at the “Finding Experiences” function to find out about all the classes, courses, and activities that are open for application at Chula.

“On the website, we will provide information about the activities, courses, and classes that will help students develop their competencies. If students already have in mind what skills they wish to develop, they can come to this section to see if the subjects or activities in which they are interested will help promote competencies in the way that they want.”

CUDSON “Discover Your Ideal Careers”

The “Discover Your Ideal Careers” function allows students to explore the career they are looking for or interested in, whether it is job characteristics, career-related disciplines, skills and knowledge needed for a such career, as well as lifestyle in the workplace.

“This section introduces students to different careers or fields, and the knowledge and skills requirements to see if their skills and knowledge match those requirements.  If they want to pursue that profession, what experience and competency would they need to sharpen,” explained Nopparuj.

Selecting the “right job” for the right person

The six competency assessment guidelines on the CUDSON web application are also useful in job recruitment to get “the right people for the job” at the CU Job & Higher Education Fair Online 2022 organized by the Office of Student Affairs, Chulalongkorn University, March 22, 2022.

“We ask companies and business owners who came to recruit students at the Job Fair to do Spider Chart based on CUDSON’s competencies according to opening positions, so that students can see themselves, compared with the expectations of the recruiting organizations.  Students are shown the ways to develop themselves, if they want to work in those positions, or if the positions are suitable for them.”

 “Cudson” promotes lifelong self-improvement.

Soon, the CUDSON web application will have an English version for international students. In addition, Mr. Nopparuj reveals that the Office of Student Affairs will link to other parts of the university and cooperate with external agencies to design activities for students to open up new
experiences that will help them develop themselves and be happy with their activities.

“Apart from improved usability, we will always keep the information and assessments up to date. The performance values used as assessment criteria will change with the times, like some abilities may not be necessary when we reach a certain age, then will change the criteria accordingly.”

Finally, Nopparuj invites Chula students to complete the assessments on the “CUDSON” web application every year to monitor their development in knowledge and competencies, as well as view ideas that may change with age because this is lifelong learning.

Interested students can access the CUDSON website in 2 ways: 1) Connect from the CUNEX
application and 2) Via https://cudson.chula.ac.th/

For the full release and more images, please visit: https://www.chula.ac.th/en/highlight/109329/