Eryngium foetidum Suppresses Inflammatory Mediators Produced by Macrophages

Mekhora, Chusana,Muangnoi, Channarong,Chingsuwanrote, Pimjai,Dawilai, Suwitcha,Svasti, Saovaros,Chasri, Kaimuk,Tuntipopipat, Siriporn Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.2

Objective: This study assessed anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of $E.$ $foetidum$ leaf extract on LPS-activated murine macrophages. Methods: RAW264.7 cells were pretreated with or without $E.$ $foetidum$ extract for 1 h prior to incubation with LPS for 24 h. Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated with reference to iNOS, COX-2, TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6 gene expression. In addition, NO and intracellular ROS generation were determined by Griess method and fluorescence intensity and activation of MAPKs and $I{\kappa}B$ by Western blotting. Results: Prior treatment with $E.$ $foetidum$ leaf extract inhibited elevation of IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$, iNOS and COX-2, together with their cognate mRNAs in a dose-dependent manner. NO and intracellular ROS contents were similarly reduced. These effects were due to inhibition of LPS-induced phosphorylation of JNK and p38 as well as $I{\kappa}B$. $E.$ $foetidum$ ethanol extract were shown to contain lutein, ${\beta}$-carotene, chlorogenic acid, kaempferol and caffeic acid, compounds known to exert these bioactive properties. Conclusions: $E.$ $foetidum$ leaf extract possesses suppressive effects against pro-inflammatory mediators. Thus, $E.$ $foetidum$ has a high potential to be used as a food supplement to reduce risk of cancer associated with inflammation.

Determining Sincerity of Effort Based on Grip Strength Test in Three Wrist Positions

Bhuanantanondh, Petcharatana,Nanta, Pirun,Mekhora, Keerin Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute 2018 Safety and health at work Vol.9 No.1

Background: Several grip strength tests are commonly used for detecting sincerity of effort. However, there is still no widely accepted standardized sincerity of effort test. Therefore, this study aimed to examine whether grip strength test in three wrist positions could distinguish between maximal and submaximal efforts. Methods: Twenty healthy individuals (10 men and 10 women) with a mean age of $26.7{\pm}3.92years$ participated in this study. All participants completed two test conditions (maximal and submaximal efforts) in three wrist positions (neutral, flexion, and extension) using both hands. Each participant exerted 100% effort in the maximal effort condition and 50% effort in the submaximal effort condition. The participants performed three repetitions of the grip strength test for each session. Results: The results showed that there is a significant main effect of the type of effort (p < 0.001), wrist position (p < 0.001), and hand (p = 0.028). There were also significant types of effort and wrist position interactions (p < 0.001) and effort and hand interactions (p < 0.028). The results also showed that grip strength was highest at the wrist in neutral position in both the maximal and the submaximal effort condition. Grip strength values of the three wrist positions in the maximal effort condition were noticeably greater than those in the submaximal effort condition. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that grip strength test in three wrist positions can differentiate a maximal effort from a submaximal effort. Thus, this test could potentially be used to detect sincerity of effort in clinical setting.

The Effects of Ramp Gradients and Pushing-Pulling Techniques on Lumbar Spinal Load in Healthy Workers

Pinupong, Chalearmpong,Jalayondeja, Wattana,Mekhora, Keerin,Bhuanantanondh, Petcharatana,Jalayondeja, Chutima Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute 2020 Safety and health at work Vol.11 No.3

Background: Many tasks in industrial and health care setting are involved with pushing and pulling tasks up or down on a ramp. An efficient method of moving cart which reduces the risk of low back pain should be concerned. This study aimed to investigate the effects of handling types (HTs) and slope on lumbar spinal load during moving a cart on a ramp. We conducted a 2 × 2 × 4 factorial design with three main factors: 2 HTs, 2 handling directions of moving a cart and 4 degrees of ramp slope. Methods: Thirty healthy male workers performed 14 tasks consist of moving a cart up and down on the ramp of 0°, 10°, 15°, and 20° degrees with pushing and pulling methods. Joint angles from a 3D motion capture system combined with subject height, body weight, and hand forces were used to calculate the spinal load by the 3DSSPP program. Results: Our results showed significant effect of HT, handling directions and slope on compression and shear force of the lumbar spine (p < 0.001). When the ramp gradient increased, the L4/5 compression forces increased in both pushing and pulling (p < 0.001) Shear forces increased in pulling and decreased in pushing in all tasks. At high slopes, pulling generated more compression and shear forces than that of pushing (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Using the appropriate technique of moving a cart on the ramp can reduce the risk of high spinal load, and the pushing is therefore recommended for moving a cart up/down on ramp gradients.

Prevalence of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Thai Oil Palm Workers in Khao Phanom District, Krabi Province, Thailand

Sirothorn Tewtow,Petcharatana Bhuanantanondh,Keerin Mekhora 대한산업공학회 2019 Industrial Engineeering & Management Systems Vol.18 No.4

Thailand is one of the top three palm oil producers in the world. Krabi province has the largest oil palm plantationarea in Thailand. Oil palm agriculture is one of the main occupations of people in Krabi province. Harvesting oil palmis labor intensive. Therefore, it can adversely affect the quality of life and increase the risk of developing work-relatedmusculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) among oil palm workers. However, in Thailand, research on the prevalence ofWMSDs among oil palm workers is still limited. Thus, this study aimed to survey the prevalence of WMSDs amongoil palm workers in Khao Phanom district, Krabi province, Thailand. A cross-sectional study was conducted among125 oil palm workers who worked in Khao Phanom district, Krabi province, Thailand during harvesting stage. Aquestionnaire used in this study consisted of questions regarding individual factors, work-related factors, psychosocialfactors, and WMSDs by using modified Nordic questionnaire. All data were conducted by face-to-face interview. Theresults of this study showed that the prevalence of WMSDs among oil palm workers during the past 12 months was98.4%. The highest prevalence of WMSDs during the past 12 months was reported in the lower back (75.2%) followed by shoulder (52.8%) and neck (44.0%). Furthermore, the prevalence of WMSDs during the past 7 days was64.8%. The highest prevalence of WMSDs during the past 7 days was reported in the lower back (32.0%) followed byshoulder (20.0%) and elbow (12.8%). In conclusion, the prevalence of WMSDs among Thai oil palm workers washigh. Therefore, further study is warranted to provide more information that may help to develop guideline for preventing WMSDs among Thai oil palm workers.

Determining Sincerity of Effort Based on Grip Strength Test in Three Wrist Positions

Petcharatana Bhuanantanondh,Pirun Nanta,Keerin Mekhora 한국산업안전보건공단 산업안전보건연구원 2018 Safety and health at work Vol.9 No.1

Background: Several grip strength tests are commonly used for detecting sincerity of effort. However, there is still no widely accepted standardized sincerity of effort test. Therefore, this study aimed to examine whether grip strength test in three wrist positions could distinguish between maximal and submaximal efforts. Methods: Twenty healthy individuals (10 men and 10 women) with a mean age of 26.7 3.92 years participated in this study. All participants completed two test conditions (maximal and submaximal efforts) in three wrist positions (neutral, flexion, and extension) using both hands. Each participant exerted 100% effort in the maximal effort condition and 50% effort in the submaximal effort condition. The participants performed three repetitions of the grip strength test for each session. Results: The results showed that there is a significant main effect of the type of effort (p < 0.001), wrist position (p < 0.001), and hand (p ¼ 0.028). There were also significant types of effort and wrist position interactions (p < 0.001) and effort and hand interactions (p < 0.028). The results also showed that grip strength was highest at the wrist in neutral position in both the maximal and the submaximal effort condition. Grip strength values of the three wrist positions in the maximal effort condition were noticeably greater than those in the submaximal effort condition. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that grip strength test in three wrist positions can differentiate a maximal effort from a submaximal effort. Thus, this test could potentially be used to detect sincerity of effort in clinical setting.