Effect of COVID-19-restrictive measures on ambient particulate matter pollution in Yangon, 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.

Effects of maternal exposure to arsenic on social behavior and related gene expression in F2 male mice

BACKGROUND@#Arsenic is a developmental neurotoxicant. It means that its neurotoxic effect could occur in offspring by maternal arsenic exposure. Our previous study showed that developmental arsenic exposure impaired social behavior and serotonergic system in C3H adult male mice. These effects might affect the next generation with no direct exposure to arsenic. This study aimed to detect the social behavior and related gene expression changes in F2 male mice born to gestationally arsenite-exposed F1 mice.@*METHODS@#Pregnant C3H/HeN mice (F0) were given free access to tap water (control mice) or tap water containing 85 ppm sodium arsenite from days 8 to 18 of gestation. Arsenite was not given to F1 or F2 mice. The F2 mice were generated by mating among control F1 males and females, and arsenite-F1 males and females at the age of 10 weeks. At 41 weeks and 74 weeks of age respectively, F2 males were used for the assessment of social behavior by a three-chamber social behavior apparatus. Histological features of the prefrontal cortex were studied by ordinary light microscope. Social behavior-related gene expressions were determined in the prefrontal cortex by real time RT-PCR method.@*RESULTS@#The arsenite-F2 male mice showed significantly poor sociability and social novelty preference in both 41-week-old group and 74-week-old group. There was no significant histological difference between the control mice and the arsenite-F2 mice. Regarding gene expression, serotonin receptor 5B (5-HT 5B) mRNA expression was significantly decreased (p < 0.05) in the arsenite-F2 male mice compared to the control F2 male mice in both groups. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and dopamine receptor D1a (Drd1a) gene expressions were significantly decreased (p < 0.05) only in the arsenite-F2 male mice of the 74-week-old group. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) gene expression was significantly increased (p < 0.001) in the arsenite-F2 male mice of both groups, but plasma 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) gene expression were not significantly different. Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) mRNA expression was significantly increased only in 41-week-old arsenite-F2 mice.@*CONCLUSIONS@#These findings suggest that maternal arsenic exposure affects social behavior in F2 male mice via serotonergic system in the prefrontal cortex. In this study, COX-2 were not increased although oxidative stress marker (HO-1) was increased significantly in arsnite-F2 male mice.

Preliminary monitoring of concentration of particulate matter (PM) in seven townships of Yangon City, Myanmar

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.

Myanmar diabetes care model: Bridging the gap between urban and rural healthcare delivery / Journal of the ASEAN Federation of Endocrine Societies

@#There has been significant magnitude of problems of diabetes in Myanmar, according to the estimates of International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the recent National Survey on the prevalence of diabetes. There has been a wide gap of equity between the urban and rural healthcare delivery for diabetes. Myanmar Diabetes Care Model (MMDCM) aims to deliver equitable diabetes care throughout the country, to stem the tide of rising burden of diabetes and also to facilitate to achieve the targets of the Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of NCDs (2013-2020). It is aimed to deliver standard of care for diabetes through the health system strengthening at all level. MMDCM was developed based on the available health system, resources and the country's need. Implementation for the model was also discussed.

Bacteriological quality of ice available around Yangon area

Fifty samples of ice from ice stalls of Ahlone, Botataung, Kamaryut, Kyaukmyaung, Mingalartaungnyunt, Myenigone, North and South Okkalapa, Thaketa and Thingangyun townships were collected randomly. Ice weights ranging from 654.9 to 2218.2 grams were tested for bacteriological quality. The study period lasted from August to November 1997. Total coliforms were present in all the ice samples (100 percent) and faecal coliforms were in (74 percent). The range of total coliform count was from five MPN/100ml to >2400 MPN/100ml and that of faecal coliform count was from two MPN/100ml to >2400 MPN/100ml. From this study it was known that ice were not suitable for drinking purpose.

Anticholinesterase activities of some anthelmintic agents and some medicinal plants

It is known that anthelmintic drugs are potent cholinesterase inhibitors. A biochemical system for measurement of anticholinesterase activity of chemical agents and some reputed medicinal plants was established. Some of Myanmar medicinal plants were found to be cholinesterase inhibitors. Lettokegyi, an antidysenteric medicinal plant which was found to contain high anticholinesterase activity, can therefore be considered as a potential anthelmintic drug.

Effect of dietary iron defiency on some enzyme levels in growing rats

Primary derangement in the levels of iron enzymes in iron deficiency have been reported by various workers. The present study was undertaken to deternime whether secondary derangements in the levels of other non-iron enzymes could accompany in the primary derangement. Three groups of rats were fed synthetic diet for 85 days. Group I received the iron deficient diet ad libitum, group II was pair fed with group I but received supplemented iron and group III received the iron supplemented diet ad libitum. The following were the mean values of some biological data at time of sacrifice. Body weight of group I, II and III were 82.5 g, 96.5 g, 108.5 g and haemoglobin , 7.2 g

, 14,1 g

and 14.8 g

respectively. Enzyme levels were measured in different tissues of the three groups of rats. The levels of hepatic iron enzyme, catalase, as well as non-iron enzymes, glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), glutamate dehydrogenase (GD) and malate dehydrogenase (MD) were significantly decreased in the iron deficient group. The decrease was more pronounced in the levels of catalase. However, lactate dehydrogenase did not show any significant changes. The enzymes were unaffected in kidneys and spleen except catalase, which decreased in group I.

Experimental infection of laboratory animals with two "FIXED" rabies virus strains by different routes

Experimental infection of laboratory animals with two "fixed" rabies virus strains by different routes. By feeding guimea pig brains infected with the Standard Challenge Virus (CVS) rabies strain, 2 albino rats and 1 white mouse became Infected. Transmission was not effected by feeding CVS infected guinea pig tissues to either rats or mice. Feeding of CVS infected mouse brains did not produce infection in rats and mice. The mean mouse LD50 dose by intramuscular injection was 10 2.25 while the corresponding mean mouse l/C LD50 ,dose qf theCVS mouse brain suspensions used was 10 8.07 . Transmission of the Pasteur Variant (PV) rabies virus by gastric intubation of concentrated infective sheep brain suspensions in rats and mice was successful. In addition, mice could also be infected by exposure to aerosols of the same infective materials. the mean mouse intramuscular LD 50 dose of the brain suspensions was 18.5per cent. The mean mouse intracerebral LD5o of the infected materials used was 10-5.1. Virus was not transmitted to untreated white mice kept in contact with infected ones. Confirmation of rabies infection was done by either the WHO Mouse inoculation test and or the fluorescent Antibody Test (F.A.T).

Pre exposure prophylaxis of humans against rabies

The first batch of lyophilized, Sample-type,beta propiolactone inactivated anti-rabies vaccine produced by B,P .I. in 1971 was used to immuaize 55 B.P .I. workers previously unexposed to rabies and with no history of rabies vaccination. Three doses of 0.25 ml of the vaccine were given intradermally at one week intervals. Booster doses given on the 98th.' 392nd. and 592nd. Day after the first dose. Blood samples were taken and serum-virus neutralization (SN) tests were performed at varying time intervals after basic immunization and booster doses. Satisfactory antibody responses were obtained. The course of immunological response is presented in tabular and graphical form. This work was carried out from June 1971 to January 1973.

In-vitro sensivity of salmonella & shigella to six antibiotics

This study show that there is a multiple resistance to six antibiotics tested in- vitro by both salmonellae and shigellae organisms. Of note is the fact that 68.35 per cent of the salmonellae strains tested were resistant to chloramphenicol and 23-64 per cent were relatively resistant. It was shown that 90.13 per cent of salmonellae strains were sensitive to Kanamycin, whereas only 17.53 per cent of the strains were sensitive to chloramphenicol. However it should be borne in mind that laboratory tests have definite limitations. The in-vitro tests merely indicate that a bacterium is sensitive or resistant under strictly experimental conditions to certain levels of antibiotics.