Underweight prevalence among young adults from rural areas, Salin Towinship, Magwe Region.

Maintaining a normal body mass index (BMI) throughout the life-span of a person may reduce occurrence as well as the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), in terms of years lived with disability and premature death. Lifestyle and socioeconomic factors like physical activity and availability of healthy or unhealthy food may contribute to both extremes of BMI, namely underweight and overweight/obesity. The aim of the present cross-sectional study was to estimate the prevalence of underweight and overweight/obesity and selected lifestyle factors in a cluster randomized sample of 335 young adults aged 18-35 years from rural communities residing at SalinTownship, Magwe Region. In addition, it also aims to investigate the association between selected socioeconomic and lifestyle factors with underweight. Data were collected by carrying out face to face interviews with the individuals selected in the sample in 2011 using semi-structured questionnaires and measuring of their weight and height. SPSS version 16 and STATA version 11 were used for data entry and analysis respectively. Based on WHO criteria, participants were classified according to their BMI into underweight (BMI < 18.5); normal weight (BMI 18.5 - 24.99); and overweight/obese (BMI > 25). Individuals with normal BMI was found in 72% (95% confi dence interval (CI): 67.1 - 77.0) and the prevalence of underweight was found in 28% (23.0 - 32.9). The majorities of respondents were illiterates, of monastic and primary schooling, and working as farmers and manual workers. Nearly 84% of the respondents were able to have 3 meals per day, and the same proportion consumed vegetables daily. The prevalence of current smokers was 11% and all were found to be males. Seventy-two percent were physically active on a daily basis. Out of these respondents, three-fourths of them were physically active at least two hours per day. A total of 64% reported to sleep during the day and 71% reported less than 8 hours of sleeping during the night. Logistical regression analysis showed that underweight was significantly associated with lower age as compared to higher age (OR = 0.54: CI 0.32 - 0.92). There was no significant association between sex, education, occupation and lifestyle factors.

Intracellular, serum and 24-hour urinary Magnesium in patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Low magnesium status has been shown to have a negative impact on glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity, as well as on the evolution of diabetic complications. In the present study, 45- to 65- year old type 2 diabetic patients and normal age-matched subjects (n = 40 each) were recruited and their intracellular total magnesium level, serum total magnesium level, and 24-hour urinary total magnesium excretion were assessed. The magnesium levels were measured by spectrophotometric method using calmagite. In type 2 diabetic patients, intracellular magnesium concentration was significantly lower (4.26 ± 0.61 vs. 5.76 ± 0.59 mg/dL, P < 0.001) and 24-hour urinary magnesium concentration significantly higher (125.60 ± 33.32 vs. 72.04 ± 14.55 mg/24 hr, P < 0.001) compared with those of healthy subjects. Serum magnesium levels of diabetic patients and healthy subjects showed no significant difference (1.69 ± 0.30 vs. 1.76 ± 0.31 mg/dL, P > 0.05). There was a significant negative correlation between intracellular and 24-hour urinary magnesium excretion (r = -0.548, n = 80, P < 0.01). There was no correlation between serum and intracellular magnesium (r = -0.021, n = 80, P > 0.05) and, serum and 24 hour urinary magnesium excretion (r = -0.128, n = 80, P > 0.05).

Comparison between efficacy of oral artemether 480mg and combination of oral artemether 480mg and mefloquine 1000mg in acute uncomplicated p. falciparum malaria

A prospective study comparing the efficacy of Artemether capsule (160 mg. tat and 80 mg. 12 hourly for four doses with a total dose of 480 mg.) as a single drug regimen and a combination drug regimen of Artemether capsule 480 mg. as above together with oral Mefloquine two equal split doses (500 mg 6 hours apart) was carried out at the No. 2, Military Hospital, Yangon during January 1993 and September, 1993. 30 patients were included in oral Artemether single drug regimen and 35 patients were included in oral Artemether and Mefloquine combination drug regimen. The mean age of two groups were 25.82 years and 25.37 years respectively. The initial parasite counts were 13736 and 16879 per microlitre respectively. All patients cleared the parasites initially in both groups. However, 12 patients (40 percent) recrudesced as RI cases in Artemether single drug regimen and thus cure rate was 60 percent. In combination drug regimen group 2 patients (5. 71 percent) recrudesced and cure rate was 94.29 percent. The parasite clearance time (PCT), fever clearance time (FCT) and 50 percent reduction time were compared in both groups and the results were 44.85*** 19.01 hours, 26.56*** 14.14 hours, 40.25*** 16.76 hours, 23.77*** 18.69 hours and 14.28*** 10.11 hours, 12.94*** 6.86 hours respectively. Significant side effects were not noted among patients in both groups. This study showed that Artemether capsule and Mefloquine combination drug regimen has higher efficacy interms of PCT, FCT and 50 percent reduction time than Artemether capsule single drug regimen for patients with acute uncomplicated falciparum malaria in Myanmar.

The clinical and epidemiological observations on viral hepatitis in the Rangoon General Hospital

Periodic assessments on the susceptibility level of some anopheline vectors were carried out at routine catching stations in Kyaukse, Myingyan and Bassein Districts from 1958 up to date. The results obtained indicated that the increase of DDT pressure created bgy prolonged annual application of DDT reduced the susceptibility level of A.culicifacies and developed increased tolerance to DDT. But this species was found to be highly susceptible to dieldrin. Subsequently, the results taken in 1957 revealed that A. culicifacies in Kyaukse area was found to be resistant to DDT. A. sundaicus in a Pyinkhayaing village, Bassein, was still found to be highly susceptible to DDT up to date. The slope, shape and position of regression lines are meaningful in interpreting the changes in the response of mosquitoes to insecticide due to vigour tolerance or physiological resistance. LC50 values may remain close to base-line value in partially resistant heterogeneous strains. But only when resistant individuals approach 40 percent to 50 percent in the whole population, dose the LC50 value of the strain rise noticeably.

Incidence of liver disease on 500 autopsies done in the Rangoon General Hospital

An investigation was carried out to find out the incidence of liver diseases on 500 autopsies done in the Rangoon General Hospital. 477 liver specimens were collected during the period March 1965 through December 1965. the incidence was found to be high (50 per cent) and a significant proportion (15.5 per cent) of the specimens studied was due to cirrhosis of the liver. Cardiac cirrhosis and related changes is common in Burma while post-necrotic cirrhosis is rare. Further investigation should be carried out to confirm the aetiology and to establish the relation between cirrhosis and fatty livers which constituted 32.7 per cent of the specimens studied.

The clinical study of hepatic cirrhosis in the Rangoon General Hospital

The results of the study on 76 patients are presented and the possible aetiological factors discussed. 84.2 per cent of patients fall in the economic groups IV and V. A high incidence of alcohol consumption (34.2 per cent) and hepatitis (32.9 per cent) are found in our series. The high incidence of fatty livers (55.55 per cent) and hepatitis (17.78 per cent) in the biopsies may signify intermediate stages in the pathogenesis of cirrhosis. Further investigations are needed for verification.