Occupational exposure to tobacco dust:1. Effects on the respiratory system

Four hundred and seventy six workers who are exposed to tobacco dust and 112 nonexposed workers from the Cigarette Factory No. (1), Yangon were interviewed for respiratory symptoms and occupational history. General clinical examination was also done and recorded. Anthropometric measurements (height and weight) were taken and ventilatory functions in the form of forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV 1.0), and forced expiratory flow (FEF 25-75

) were tested. Total and respirable dust concentrations were measured at different job areas. The total dust concentration ranged from 3.1 to 12.78 mg/ m-3 and respirable dust concentration ranged from 1.72to 5.5 mg/m-3 in the production site. Higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms and chronic bron-chitis were found in the exposed than the nonexposed workers. Total dust exposure had significant effect on FEV. 1.0 (p< 0.01) and FEF25-75

( p < 0.05), and respirable dust exposure had significant effect on FEV 1.0 (p<0.025) of females. Mean lung function values of FEV 1.0 and FEF25-75

of exposed female nonsmokers were significantly lower than the nonexposed (p< 0.005 and < 0.05 respectively). Thus in the present study, chronic respiratory effects of occupational exposure to tobacco dust was observed only in females.

Occupational exposure to tobacco dust II. Dose reponse relationship

Ventilatory functions, forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory valume in one second (FEV 1.0) and forced mid expiratory flow (FEF25-75

) of the 476 workers who were exposed to tobacco dust from the Cigarette Factory No. (1), Yangon were tested. Total and respirable dust concentration were measured at different job areas. The total dust concentration ranged from 3.1 to 12.78 mgm/ m3 and respirable dust concentration ranged from 1.72 to 5.5 mgm ./ mg in the production site. A significant trend towards a decrease in FEV 1.0 values according to increasing dust exposure and work duration (p< 0.05) was found among the exposed famale workers. Thus in this study, dose-response relationship between the tobacco dust exposure and ventilatory function impairment was observed in female workers.

Role of vegetable protein in maternal nutrition in wistar rats

This research was performed in the Department of Medical Research, Yangon, Myanmar. The experimental work was done during the period of April 1987 to January 1988.This paper is part of a thesis submitted in partial filfilment for the degree of Master of Medical Science (Physiology) by Dr. Hla Hla Aye. It was read at the Research Paper Reading Session, the Twenty-Fifth Anniversary of the Department of Medical Research on the 31st December 1988.

The effect of "Third Trimester" maternal nutrition on the offspring in Wistarrats

This research was performed in the Department of Medical research, Yangon, Myanmar. The experimental work was done during the period of April 1987 to 1988. This paper is part of a thesis submitted in partial fulfillment for the degree of Master of Medical Science (Physiology) by Hla Hla Aye. It was read at the Research paper Reading Session, Twenty-Fifth Anniversary of the Department of Medical Research, on 31st December, 1988.