Objectives: To investigate the association between the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs7903146 in the transcription factor 7-like 2 (TCF7L2) gene and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and to examine the impact of this variant on pancreatic beta-cell function in the Myanmar population. Methodology: A case-control study was undertaken in 100 subjects with T2DM and 113 controls. The SNP rs7903146 was genotyped using the allele-specific polymerase chain reaction method. Plasma glucose and serum insulin levels were determined using the enzymatic colorimetric method and ELISA respectively. Beta-cell function was calculated by the HOMA-β formula. Results: The frequencies of carrier genotypes (CT and TT) were higher in subjects with T2DM than in controls. The minor T alleles of rs7903146 were found to statistically increase type 2 diabetes risk than the C allele with an allelic odds ratio of 2.07 (95% CI 1.39-3.09, p=0.0004). The mean HOMA-β level of the group with non-carrier genotype (CC) was significantly higher than that of the groups with carrier genotypes (CT and TT) in subjects with T2DM and controls with a p-value of 0.0003 and less than 0.0001, respectively. Conclusion The rs7903146 variant of the TCF7L2 gene was found to be associated with T2DM and low β-cell function among Myanmar subjects.
TCF7L2 ; Myanmar

BACKGROUND: Particulate matter (PM) is recognized as the most harmful air pollutant to the human health. The Yangon city indeed suffers much from PM-related air pollution. Recent research has interestingly been focused on the novel subject of changes in the air quality associated with the restrictive measures in place during the current coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The first case of COVID-19 in Myanmar was diagnosed on March 23, 2020. In this article, we report on our attempt to evaluate any effects of the COVID-19-restrictive measures on the ambient PM pollution in Yangon. METHODS: We measured the PM concentrations every second for 1 week on four occasions at three study sites with different characteristics; the first occasion was before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and the remaining three occasions were while the COVID-19-restrictive measures were in place, including Stay-At-Home and Work-From-Home orders. The Pocket PM RESULTS: The results showed that there was a significant reduction (P < 0.001) in both the PM CONCLUSIONS We concluded that the restrictive measures which were in effect to combat the COVID-19 pandemic had a positive impact on the ambient PM concentrations. The changes in the PM concentrations are considered to be largely attributable to reduction in anthropogenic emissions as a result of the restrictive measures, although seasonal influences could also have contributed in part. Thus, frequent, once- or twice-weekly Stay-At-Home or Telework campaigns, may be feasible measures to reduce PM-related air pollution. When devising such an action plan, it would be essential to raise the awareness of public about the health risks associated with air pollution and create a social environment in which Telework can be carried out, in order to ensure active compliance by the citizens.
Air Pollution/analysis* ; COVID-19/epidemiology* ; Humans ; Myanmar/epidemiology* ; Pandemics ; Particulate Matter/analysis* ; SARS-CoV-2

BACKGROUND: More than 140 million people drink arsenic-contaminated groundwater. It is unknown how much arsenic exposure is necessary to cause neurological impairment. Here, we evaluate the relationship between neurological impairments and the arsenic concentration in drinking water (ACDW). PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study design was employed. We performed medical examinations of 1867 residents in seven villages in the Thabaung township in Myanmar. Medical examinations consisted of interviews regarding subjective neurological symptoms and objective neurological examinations of sensory disturbances. For subjective neurological symptoms, we ascertained the presence or absence of defects in smell, vision, taste, and hearing; the feeling of weakness; and chronic numbness or pain. For objective sensory disturbances, we examined defects in pain sensation, vibration sensation, and two-point discrimination. We analyzed the relationship between the subjective symptoms, objective sensory disturbances, and ACDW. RESULTS: Residents with ACDW ≥ 10 parts per billion (ppb) had experienced a "feeling of weakness" and "chronic numbness or pain" significantly more often than those with ACDW < 10 ppb. Residents with ACDW ≥ 50 ppb had three types of sensory disturbances significantly more often than those with ACDW < 50 ppb. In children, there was no significant association between symptoms or signs and ACDW. CONCLUSION Subjective symptoms, probably due to peripheral neuropathy, occurred at very low ACDW (around 10 ppb). Objective peripheral nerve disturbances of both small and large fibers occurred at low ACDW (> 50 ppb). These data suggest a threshold for the occurrence of peripheral neuropathy due to arsenic exposure, and indicate that the arsenic concentration in drinking water should be less than 10 ppb to ensure human health.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Arsenic ; analysis ; toxicity ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Dietary Exposure ; adverse effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drinking Water ; adverse effects ; chemistry ; Female ; Groundwater ; chemistry ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myanmar ; epidemiology ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases ; chemically induced ; epidemiology ; physiopathology ; Sensation Disorders ; chemically induced ; epidemiology ; physiopathology ; Water Pollutants, Chemical ; analysis ; toxicity ; Young Adult

This study was undertaken to determine the complete mitochondrial DNA sequence and structure of the mitochondrial genome of Spirometra ranarum, and to compare it with those of S. erinaceieuropaei and S. decipiens. The aim of this study was to provide information of the species level taxonomy of Spirometra spp. using the mitochondrial genomes of 3 Spirometra tapeworms. The S. ranarum isolate originated from Myanmar. The mitochondrial genome sequence of S. ranarum was compared with that of S. erinaceieuropaei (GenBank no. KJ599680) and S. decipiens (Gen-Bank no. KJ599679). The complete mtDNA sequence of S. ranarum comprised 13,644 bp. The S. ranarum mt genome contained 36 genes comprising 12 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNAs and 2 rRNAs. The mt genome lacked the atp8 gene, as found for other cestodes. All genes in the S. ranarum mitochondrial genome are transcribed in the same direction and arranged in the same relative position with respect to gene loci as found for S. erinaceieuropaei and S. decipiens mt genomes. The overall nucleotide sequence divergence of 12 protein-coding genes between S. ranarum and S. decipiens differed by 1.5%, and 100% sequence similarity was found in the cox2 and nad6 genes, while the DNA sequence divergence of the cox1, nad1, and nad4 genes of S. ranarum and S. decipiens was 2.2%, 2.1%, and 2.6%, respectively.
Base Sequence ; Cestoda ; Classification ; DNA, Mitochondrial ; Genes, vif ; Genome ; Genome, Mitochondrial ; Myanmar ; RNA, Transfer ; Spirometra

Toxoplasma gondii is an apicomplexan parasite that can cause toxoplasmosis in a wide range of warm-blooded animals including humans. In this study, we analyzed seroprevalence of T. gondii among 467 school children living in the rural areas of Pyin Oo Lwin and Naung Cho, Myanmar. The overall seroprevalence of T. gondii among school children was 23.5%; 22.5% of children were positive for T. gondii IgG, 0.4% of children were positive for T. gondii IgM, and 0.6% of children were positive for both T. gondii IgG and IgM. Geographical factors did not significantly affect the seroprevalence frequency between Pyin Oo Lwin and Naung Cho, Myanmar. No significant difference was found between males (22.2%) and females (25.0%). The overall seroprevalence among school children differed by ages (10 years old [13.6%], 11–12 years old [19.8%], 13–14 years old [24.6%], and 15–16 years old [28.0%]), however, the result was not significant. Polymerase chain reaction analysis for T. gondii B1 gene for IgG-positive and IgM-positive blood samples were negative, indicating no direct evidence of active infection. These results collectively suggest that T. gondii infection among school children in Myanmar was relatively high. Integrated and improved strategies including reinforced education on toxoplasmosis should be implemented to prevent and control T. gondii infection among school children in Myanmar.
Animals ; Child ; Education ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; Immunoglobulin M ; Male ; Myanmar ; Parasites ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; Toxoplasma ; Toxoplasmosis

Artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) resistance is widespread throughout the Greater Mekong Subregion. This raises concern over the antimalarial treatment in Thailand since it shares borders with Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar where high ACT failure rates were reported. It is crucial to have information about the spread of ACT resistance for efficient planning and treatment. This study was to identify the molecular markers for antimalarial drug resistance: Pfkelch13 and Pfmdr1 mutations from 5 provinces of southern Thailand, from 2012 to 2017, of which 2 provinces on the Thai- Myanmar border (Chumphon and Ranong), one on Thai-Malaysia border (Yala) and 2 from non-border provinces (Phang Nga and Surat Thani). The results showed that C580Y mutation of Pfkelch13 was found mainly in the province on the Thai-Myanmar border. No mutations in the PfKelch13 gene were found in Surat Thani and Yala. The Pfmdr1 gene isolated from the Thai-Malaysia border was a different pattern from those found in other areas (100% N86Y) whereas wild type strain was present in Phang Nga. Our study indicated that the molecular markers of artemisinin resistance were spread in the provinces bordering along the Thai-Myanmar, and the pattern of Pfmdr1 mutations from the areas along the international border of Thailand differed from those of the non-border provinces. The information of the molecular markers from this study highlighted the recent spread of artemisinin resistant parasites from the endemic area, and the data will be useful for optimizing antimalarial treatment based on regional differences.
Cambodia ; Drug Resistance ; Laos ; Myanmar ; Parasites ; Plasmodium falciparum ; Plasmodium ; Thailand

Plasmodium vivax is usually considered morbidity in endemic areas of Asia, Central and South America, and some part of Africa. In Thailand, previous studies indicated the genetic diversity of P. vivax in malaria-endemic regions such as the western part of Thailand bordering with Myanmar. The objective of the study is to investigate the genetic diversity of P. vivax circulating in Southern Thailand by using 3 antigenic markers and 8 microsatellite markers. Dried blood spots were collected from Chumphon, Phang Nga, Ranong and, Surat Thani provinces of Thailand. By PCR, 3 distinct sizes of PvMSP3α, 2 sizes of PvMSP3β and 2 sizes of PvMSP1 F2 were detected based on the length of PCR products, respectively. PCR/RFLP analyses of these antigen genes revealed high levels of genetic diversity. The genotyping of 8 microsatellite loci showed high genetic diversity as indicated by high alleles per locus and high expected heterozygosity (H(E)). The genotyping markers also showed multiple-clones of infection. Mixed genotypes were detected in 4.8% of PvMSP3α, 29.1% in PvMSP3β and 55.3% of microsatellite markers. These results showed that there was high genetic diversity of P. vivax isolated from Southern Thailand, indicating that the genetic diversity of P. vivax in this region was comparable to those observed other areas of Thailand.
Africa ; Alleles ; Asia, Central ; Genetic Variation ; Genotype ; Malaria ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Myanmar ; Plasmodium vivax ; Plasmodium ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; South America ; Thailand

Children living in the internally displaced person (IDP) camp are at higher risk of stunting. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the prevalence and to identify the associated factors of stunting among children aged 6–59 months at Myaing-Gyi-Ngu IDP camp in Kayin State, Myanmar. According to the World Health Organization Child Growth Standards, children with a height-for-age Z-scores below −2 standard deviation of the reference median (HAZ ≤ −2) were classified as stunted. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the strong predictors. Prevalence of stunting has been found very high (59.4%). Adjusted model revealed that children living with illiterate mothers (odds ratio [OR], 1.86; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07–3.24), being third/later-birth child (OR, 1.88; 95% CI, 1.13–3.14), consuming less than 4 food groups (OR, 4.22; 95% CI, 1.94–9.16), and older age of child (OR, 6.36 for 13–24 months; 95% CI, 2.74–14.74, 7.45 for 25–36 months; 95% CI, 3.21–17.25 and 12.75 for 37–59 months; 95% CI, 5.51–29.52) had higher odds of becoming stunted. The levels of support availability, presumed support and support received of mothers were generally low, but no significant associations were observed. In conclusion, this study showed high prevalence of stunting, but low dietary diversity and social support in the IDP camp. Due to the significant association of dietary diversity scores with stunting, interventions aiming at improving dietary diversity should be taken to reduce the stunting among children in the IDPs camp.
Child ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Growth Disorders ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Mothers ; Myanmar ; Prevalence ; World Health Organization

Prostate cancer is third common malignancy in men of old age (average 65 years) in Myanmar. Currently, serum PSA and bone scan are the markers of choice. Because of the evidence-based, promising success of ⁶⁸Ga-PSMA PET-CT and 177Lu-PSMA theranostics in prostate cancer worldwide, (99m)Tc-PSMA SPECT-CT imaging and ¹⁷⁷Lu-PSMA therapy has launched as a stepping-stone of theranostics in Myanmar with the available facilities. Twelve cases of prostate cancer patients were imaged with 600 MBq of (99m)Tc-PSMA I+S SPECT-CT. Four metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer (MCRPC) patients with abnormal result were treated with ¹⁷⁷Lu-PSMA. The protocol consists of 6–8 GBq of ¹⁷⁷Lu-PSMA, three successive doses at interval of 4–6 weeks. Post-therapy SPECT-CT imaging was done. All treated patients were improved by free of bone pain, and fall/rise in serum PSA level. Two patients with extensive skeletal metastases succumbed to complications. The results are well documented and present at the multidisciplinary conferences for clinical awareness. Theranostics in prostate cancer with available facilities is an additional boon to our health care professionals to upgrade cancer management in Myanmar. This paper provides the technology with cost effectiveness and benefit to prostate cancer patients of Myanmar.
Castration ; Congresses as Topic ; Cost-Benefit Analysis ; Delivery of Health Care ; Humans ; Male ; Myanmar ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; Theranostic Nanomedicine

BACKGROUND: Airborne particulate pollution is more critical in the developing world than in the developed countries in which industrialization and urbanization are rapidly increased. Yangon, a second capital of Myanmar, is a highly congested and densely populated city. Yet, there is limited study which assesses particulate matter (PM) in Yangon currently. Few previous local studies were performed to assess particulate air pollution but most results were concerned PM alone using fixed monitoring. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess distribution of PM in different townships of Yangon, Myanmar. This is the first study to quantify the regional distribution of PM in Yangon City. METHODS: The concentration of PM was measured using Pocket PM Sensor (Yaguchi Electric Co., Ltd., Miyagi, Japan) three times (7:00 h, 13:00 h, 19:00 h) for 15 min per day for 5 days from January 25 to 29 in seven townships. Detailed information of eight tracks for PM pollution status in different areas with different conditions within Kamayut Township were also collected. RESULTS: The results showed that in all townships, the highest PM concentrations in the morning followed by the evening and the lowest concentrations in the afternoon were observed. Among the seven townships, Hlaingtharyar Township had the highest concentrations (164 ± 52 μg/m) in the morning and (100 ± 35 μg/m) in the evening. Data from eight tracks in Kamayut Township also indicated that PM concentrations varied between different areas and conditions of the same township at the same time. CONCLUSION Myanmar is one of the few countries that still have to establish national air quality standards. The results obtained from this study are useful for the better understanding of the nature of air pollution linked to PM. Moreover, the sensor which was used in this study can provide real-time exposure, and this could give more accurate exposure data of the population especially those subpopulations that are highly exposed than fixed station monitoring.
Air Pollutants ; analysis ; Cities ; Environmental Monitoring ; Myanmar ; Particulate Matter ; analysis