Study of serum gamma-glutamyl transferase and ferritin levels in normotensive and hypertensive Monks.

The main objective of the study is to determine the serum gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and ferritin levels in normotensive and hypertensive monks and to fi nd out whether blood pressure is correlated with serum GGT and ferritin levels in these groups. Normotensive and hypertensive monks age between 40 and 60 years (n=50 each) had participated in the study. Serum GGT was measured by kinetic colorimetric method and serum ferritin level by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The mean serum GGT level of the hypertensive monks was found to be signifi cantly higher than that of the normotensive monks (60.42 ± 25.93 versus 25.32 ± 5.30 U/L) (p < 0.001). The mean serum ferritin level of the hypertensive monks was also found to be signifi cantly higher than that of the normotensive monks (116.87 ± 46.68 versus 37.03 ± 18.79 ng/ml) (p < 0.001). A significant positive correlation between blood pressure (systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure) and serum GGT level was found in hypertensive monks (r = 0.691, p < 0.001; r = 0.482, p < 0.001; r = 0.610, p < 0.001 respectively). No signifi cant correlation between blood pressure and serum ferritin level was found in both groups. An increase in both serum GGT and ferritin levels in the hypertensive group suggested that oxidative stress is involved in the pathophysiology of essential hypertension, and they might rather act as prooxidants in hypertension.

Calcium Intake among Myanmar Residing in Bago, Kayin, and Yangon Areas

A cross-sectional survey combined with 24-hour dietary recall and food diary was undertaken to assess the calcium intake of the Myanmar population. The study was conducted from November 2003 to October 2005. A total of 886 subjects of both sexes aged above 2 years from three States and Divisions (Bago, Kayin, and Yangon) of Myanmar were included in the study. The major measures were mean daily calcium intake (mg/day) and major sources of calcium in the diet. Overall mean calcium intake was 197+13mg/day (2-9 years), 421+2mg/day (10-19 years), 399+21 mg/day (20-49 years), and 383+25mg/day (>50 years) for males, while the corresponding values for females were 207+17 mg/day, 366+19 mg/day, 387+16 mg/day, and 327 +19 mg/day. Calcium intake was less than 80% of the recommended dietary allowances (RDA) for Myanmar for ages 2-9 years and 10-29 years in all the study areas, and for the 50 years and above age group in Yangon. Fish paste was found to be the major source of calcium. Milk and milk products contributed very little to total calcium intake, contributing 2.1% for residents in Yangon, 5.1% in Pa-an and none in Bago. Consumption of calciumrich foods, particularly milk and milk products, should be encouraged among the Myanmar people. Towards this end, appropriate nutrition education materials should be developed for promotional purposes.

Glycaemic indices if three commonly eaten varieties of Myanmar Banana

In order to provide information for the nutritional management of diabetes mellitus, glycaemic indices (GI) of three varieties of banana commonly eaten in Myanmar were determined using twelve healty women volunteers with normalglucose tolerance. After an 8-10 hour overnight fast, the subjects consumed one kind of selected banana in amount equivalent to 50 g available carbohydrate portion {~ three and a half pieces of Phee-Kyan (189 g); ~four and a half pieces of Rakhine (165 g)~~ three pieces of Thee-hmwe (yellow) (192 g)}. After a week interval, GI was determined for another kind of banana. Venous blood samples were collected and immediately analyzed for plasma glucose by glucose oxidase method.GIs of Myanmar bananas (mean -+ S.E.M) were 51.7 -+ 7.69 percent for Rakhine, 55.29 -+ 5.66 for Phee-Kyan and 63.73 -+ 8.46 for Thee-hmwe (yellow). They were lower than GI of commonly eaten Myanmar rice, Pawsun. Banana also contains vitamins A and C which were not provided by cooked polished rice. Furthermore, banana hasa higher calcium and fibre content. Therefore, all three varieties of Myanamr banana can be recommended as a source of complex carbohydrate with low or moderateGI for diabetic diet

Comparative study on the dietary behaviour, and serum/urinary electrolytes levels of hypertensive males in Thonegwa Township

This study was a cross-sectional, hospital hased, comparative study. It was conducted on 31 pairs of the hypertensive and apparently healthy males between 25-59 years. At the time of hospital admission, dietary bahaviour was interviewed by means of the structured questionnaires.The blood pressure was measured at the time of admission and dischange.Serum sodium and potassium levels and urinary excretion of them were also measured.Family history of hypertension was strongly associated with the hypertensives (p<0.05).Hypertensive subjects consumed palm oil two times (old ratio=2.2) more than normotensive subjects. a significant association of hypertension and daily consumption of soda rich snacks was found in the cases (p<0.05). Tthe mean serum sodium level of the cases was significantly higher than that of the controls (p<0.03) but 24 hour urinary sodium excretion of them was not significantly lower. Thus, increased salt consumption with imparired renal handling of sodium homeostasis would be responsible for higher prevalence of hypertension in Thonegwa Township.

Comparative study on the dietary behaviour and serum/urine electrolyte levels of hypertensive males in thonegwa township

This study was a cross-sectional, hospital based, comparative study. It was conducted on 31 pairs of the hypertensive and apparently health males between 25-59 years. At the time of hospital admission, dietary bahaviour was interviewed by menas of the structured questionnaires. The blood pressure was measured at the time of admission and discharge. Serum sodium and potassium levels and urinary excretion of them were also measured. Family history of hypertension was strongly associated with the hypertensives (P<0.05). Hypertensive subjects consumed palm oil two times (odd ratio=2.2) more than normotensive subjects. A significant association of hypertension and daily consumption of soda rich snacks was found in the cases (p<0.05). The mean serum sodium level of the cases was significantly higer than that of the controls (P<0.03) but 24 hour urinary sodium excretion of them was not significantly lower. Thus, increased salt consumption with impaired renal handling of sodium homeostasis would be responsible for higher prevalence of hypertension in Thonegwa Township.

Assessing the accuracy of respiratory rates at different counting periods and methods

The respiratory rates of 198 children (aged 2-59 months) suffering from acute respiratory infections (ARI) were monitored by observation, palpation and auscultation (Gold standard). Two 30-second and one 60-second counts were obtained. The difference among respiratory rate counts determined simultaneously by observation, palpation and auscultation in relation to their mean count was analyzed for 60-second counting period, 30 plus 30-second period and 30-second doubled. The variability among the different counting methods and counting periods was not significantly different whether the children were feeding, sleeping, resting and awake or awake but not resting. The data from the study suggest that respiratory rate counting either by observation or palpation are similar in accuracy and one minute's counting either at a stretch or 30-second doubled or two blocks of 30-second intervals are also similarly accurate.

Assessment of the erythrocyte protoporphyrin test for screening of iron deficiency anaemia

A total of 84 apparently healthy children between ages of 1-12 years were screened for iron deficiency with the erythrocyte protoporphyrin (EP) test. Serum iron, total iron binding capacity in serum, percent transferrin saturation, haematocrit and haemoglobin values were also determined together with the screening test. Comparing the relationship between EP and percent transferrin saturation, using a percent transferrin saturation value < 10 percent as the criterion of iron deficiency, the optimal cut off limit for the EP test appears to be 80 ug/dl of rbcs. At this level, this screening test showed a sensitivity of 74 percent and specificity of 95 percent and the positive and negative predictive values were 82 percent and 93 percent respectively. thus EP assay which is less expensive and easy to perform can be used as a screening test for the detection of iron deficiency.

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.

Urinary mercury excretion in Myanmar workers occupationally exposed to metallic mercury vapour

Urinary excretion of mercury was determined in 32 workers of Chemical plant of No. (1) Pulp and Paper Mill in Sittaung. For comparison, it was also measured in 10 Clerical Staff (nonexposed) of the said factory and 10 Technician Grade I students of Health Department. Signs and symptoms of chronic metallic mercury poisoning were looked for in all subjects. The air concentration of mercury vapour at different times of the working hours in the Chlorine PLant was measured. The mean + or - SD urinary mercury excretion was significantly higher in exposed workers 59.22+ or -22.44 ugm/L than non exposed workers of the factory (29.3+ or -8.64) (p <0.001). Comparison of the mean + or - SD urinary mercury levels of the nonexposed workers of the factory and technician students (19.4+ or -8.59) indicated that the former had significantly higher mercury excretion (p < 0.001). There was an increasing trend of mercury excretion with increased duration of exposure (r = 0.54; p <0.05). Signs and symptoms of chronic mercury poisoning were not found in any subject. The concentration of mercury vapour in Chlorine Plant during the working hours was found to 0.1 to 0.25 mgm/m of air (2 to 5 times TLV).

The effect of cigarette smoking on nasal mucociliary activity

Nasal mucociliary transport rates of healthy twenty male non-smokers and twenty cigarette smokers (20-39 years) were measured using Saccharin Crystal Technique by Proctor (1973). The mean nasal mucociliary transport rate of non-smokers was found to be 10.17 mm/min. with a range of 8.78 to 12.22 mm/min. and that of cigarette smokers was 7.95 mm/min ranging from 7.04 mm/min. Significant decrease (p<0.0010 in nasal mucociliary transport rate was observed in cigarette smokers.