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Background: Evidence on the efficacy and safety of anticoagulation in preven ting stroke and thromboembolic events in people with thyrotoxic atrial fibri llation is scarce. Objective: We evaluated the efficacy and safety of anticoagulation in peopl e with thyrotoxic atrial fibrillation. Methods: Our study protocol was published in the International Prospect ive Register of Systematic Reviews (registration no. CRD42020222782). Four d atabases and two systematic review registers were searched through 25 November 2 020 for interventional and observational studies comparing anticoagulation therapy with active comparators, placebo, or no treatment in people with thyrotoxic atrial fibril lation. Random-effects meta-analysis and sensitivity analysis were performed. Quality of evidence was described using the GRADE framework. Results: In the study, 23,145 records were retrieved. One randomized co ntrolled trial and eight cohort studies were ultimately included. Effect estima tes on the efficacy and safety of anticoagulation were extracted. Meta-analysis using t he inverse variance and random-effects methods was conducted on four cohort studies with 3443 participants and 277 events. Anticoagulation in people with thyrotoxic atria l fibrillation reduced the risk of ischemic stroke and systemic thromboembolism by 3% (95% CI: 1–6%). Warfarin may prevent ischemic stroke in people with thyrotoxic atrial fib rillation if the CHA2DS2- VASc score exceeds 1 and when atrial fibrillation persists beyon d 7 days. Direct oral anticoagulants may be associated with fewer bleeding events tha n warfarin. Conclusions: Anticoagulation prevents ischemic stroke and systemic thromboe mbolism in people with thyrotoxic atrial fibrillation. Direct oral anticoag ulants may be associated with fewer bleeding events.

The mutualistic association between ants and hemipterans is often facultative and can be affected by the availability of other food sources. In the present study we tested whether the tending behavior of the big-headed ant, Pheidole megacephala (Fabricius), had a negative impact on the pink pineapple mealybug, Dysmicoccus brevipes (Cockerell), when alternative food sources: (1) sugar solution, (2) purified water + mealworms and (3) sugar solution + mealworms versus with purified water (control) were provided to the ant colonies. We found that the frequency of ant tending on D. brevipes decreased when ants were provided with alternative food sources. However, we did not see any aggressive behaviors and predation of ants on D. brevipes. Also, the survival of D. brevipes was not different among food condition treatments. These results suggest that the decreased tending frequency of ants can lead to the decline in ant protection service to mealybugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The entrepreneurship literature shows inconsistent results in outcome effectiveness, such as entrepreneurial self-efficacy (ESE), entrepreneurial intention (EI), and entrepreneurial behavior. This could be due to the sole focus on the motivational aspects of behavioral change. Action planning, a volitional intervention used to modify health behavior, could resolve the inconsistent results mentioned above. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the direct impacts of action planning intervention (API) following entrepreneurship education (EE) on ESE, EI, and opportunity recognition and to examine the behavioral change process from motivational and volitional perspectives. In this randomized controlled trial (RCT), we considered action planning to enhance entrepreneurial behavior after EE. The sample included 83 participants from a university in Myanmar. We randomly assigned the students to the API and control groups. We collected data on ESE and EI before and after training. We used objective measures for opportunity recognition through an opportunity evaluation framework. Serial mediation analysis revealed that the volitional impact on opportunity recognition was positively significant. From a motivational standpoint, ESE improved significantly, but we found no significant impact on EI; ESE and EI were serial mediators, with no specific mediation solely by ESE or EI. The findings contribute to the EE literature by presenting a brief and cost-effective API for EE.

Abstract Providing elderly mental healthcare in Myanmar is challenging due to the growing elderly population and limited health resources. To understand common mental health problems among Myanmar elderly, this study explored the prevalence and risk factors of anxiety and depression among the elderly in the Nay Pyi Taw Union Territory, Myanmar. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 655 elderly by face-to-face interviews with a pretested questionnaire. Descriptive analysis and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed. The prevalence of anxiety and depression were 39.4% (33.5% for males and 42.4% for females) and 35.6% (33.0% for males and 36.9% for females), respectively. The adjusted odds ratio of having anxiety was significant for having low education level, having comorbidity, having BMI

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is strongly associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, evidence supporting this association in the Asian population is scarce. Given the differences in the epidemiology of CVD and cardiovascular risk factors, as well as differences in the availability of healthcare resources between Asian and Western countries, an Asian Pacific Society of Cardiology (APSC) working group developed consensus recommendations on the management of OSA in patients with CVD in the Asia-Pacific region. The APSC expert panel reviewed and appraised the available evidence using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation system. Consensus recommendations were developed and put to an online vote. Consensus was reached when 80% of votes for a given recommendation were in support of ‘agree’ or ‘neutral.’ The resulting statements provide guidance on the assessment and treatment of OSA in patients with CVD in the Asia-Pacific region. The APSC hopes for these recommendations to pave the way for screening, early diagnosis and treatment of OSA in the Asia-Pacific region.

This paper presents the design of a wideband circularly-polarized printed monopole antenna with a rhomboid shape. The rhomboid-shaped patch is fed by a microstrip line offset from the center to generate circular polarization (CP). The ground plane configuration is optimized for wide bandwidth operation. Bandwidth (satisfying both 10-dB return loss and 3-dB axial ratio) of 76% (1.92 - 4.27 GHz) is achieved in this research. The size of the proposed antenna is 0.386 2 0 l (55×66 mm2) where λ0 is the free space wavelength which corresponds to the center frequency of the bandwidth. The antenna has a fractional bandwidth-size ratio (BW/size) of 1.97 which is higher than most CP monopole antennas in the literature. This antenna is suitable for Wi-Fi, WiMAX, and other wireless applications which outperform using circular polarization.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) and child abuse are prevalent in Burma (Myanmar). However, gaps exist in our understanding of intergenerational cycles and co-occurrence of violence, and whether patterns of violence vary by women and children's life course transitions and developmental stages. Using data from the 2015–2016 Demographic and Health Survey, we estimated structural equation models to evaluate the pathways between women's exposure to IPV perpetrated by her father against her mother (maternal abuse), her own past-year experiences of IPV, attitudes toward IPV, and household child discipline practices. We ran stratified analyses by women's age at first birth and child's age to assess whether intergenerational cycles and co-occurrence of violence in the household vary by pivotal life events and development stages. Maternal abuse was directly and indirectly associated with women's past-year exposure to physical and/or sexual IPV and children's exposure to physical or emotional child abuse by a caregiver in the household. Stratified models indicated significant intergenerational cycles of IPV and co-occurrence of IPV and child abuse among women who experienced first childbirth before age 23, and among women living with older children. We conclude that synchronized efforts to prevent violence against women and violence against children are integral to addressing cyclical and co-occurring patterns of violence in Burma (Myanmar). Violence prevention efforts might consider developmental stage and life course factors that may intensify risk of intergenerational violence.

Abstract Background Ready-to-eat (RTE) food consumption has become popular in the working community with the increase in full-time jobs and the limited time to prepare food. Although RTE food is essential for this community, its consumption causes obesity. In Myanmar, obesity is a modifiable risk factor for non-communicable diseases, causing increases in morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to identify the association between body mass index (BMI) and RTE food consumption among sedentary staff in Nay Pyi Taw Union Territory, Myanmar. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2018, in which 400 respondents participated in face-to-face interviews. The study area was selected using simple random sampling and drawing method. Measuring tape and digital weighing scale were used to measure the height and weight of the respondents. BMI was calculated by dividing the weight by height squared (kg/m2). Overweight and obesity were categorized by World Health Organization cut-off points. The collected data were analyzed using multiple logistic regression to estimate the adjusted odds ratio (AOR), and the 95% confidence interval (CI). Results This study revealed that sedentary staff who consumed RTE food once or more per month were nearly five times more likely to be overweight and obese (AOR = 4.78, 95% CI 1.44–15.85) than those who consumed RTE food less frequently. In addition, five factors namely being older than 32 years (AOR = 3.97, 95% CI 1.82–8.69), preference for RTE food (AOR = 8.93, 95% CI 2.54–31.37), light-intensity of physical exercise (AOR = 3.55, 95% CI 1.63–7.73), sedentary leisure activities (AOR = 3.32, 95% CI 1.22–9.03), and smoking (AOR = 5.62, 95% CI 1.06–29.90) were positively associated with overweight and obesity. Conclusion Frequent consumers of RTE food and less physically active sedentary staff were more likely to be overweight and obese. This study highlights the urgent need to raise awareness regarding healthy lifestyle behaviors among the working community to reduce the burden of obesity-related chronic diseases. Moreover, sedentary workers should be aware of the food-based dietary guidelines of the country. Policy makers should strictly enforce nutritional labeling of RTE food, and strictly prohibit over-branding of RTE food.

Three fossil species of Equisetum (Equisetaceae) were reported from the Neogene of south-western China and northern Vietnam, based on well-preserved rhizomes with tubers. Equisetum cf. pratense Ehrhart from the middle Miocene of Zhenyuan County, Yunnan Province, China is characterised by a bunch of three ovate tubers with longitudinal ridges on the surface. Equisetum yenbaiense A.T. Aung, T. Su, T.V. Do & Z.K. Zhou, sp. nov. from the late Miocene of Yenbai Province, Vietnam is characterised by four bunches of elongate tubers arranged in a whorl on a node. Equisetum yongpingense A.T. Aung, T. Su & Z.K. Zhou, sp. nov. from the late Pliocene of Yunnan is characterised by fibrous roots on most nodes and two to four bunches of large cylindrical tubers arranged in a whorl on a node. Floristic assemblages suggest that these species might have grown near a riverside or lakeshore. These new fossil records improve our understanding of species richness of Equisetum and their distribution range during the Neogene in Asia.

Myanmar is situated in Southeast Asia, where species richness and diversity are very high. Myanmar orchid flora is very rich, but still poorly known because botanical explorations have sharply decreased in Myanmar since 1950. The present study provides a checklist of Myanmar orchid flora which includes 1040 species and 151 genera currently known from Myanmar, based on the herbarium specimens, literature and online databases. The number of species is increased by approximately 200 species more than that given in the checklist of Kress et al. (2003), mainly due to recent discoveries of new species to science and new records for Myanmar. There are 76 endemic species of Orchidaceae in Myanmar. It is estimated that ca. 150–300 species still remain as unidentified and are expected to be discovered in further studies on Myanmar orchid flora.

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.

Salmonella enterica serovar 4,5,12:i:- (S. 4,5,12:i:-), a monophasic variant of Salmonella Typhimurium (STm) lacking the phase 2 flagellin encoding genes fljAB, has become increasingly prevalent worldwide. The increasing trends in multidrug resistant (MDR) S. 4,5,12:i:- prevalence also pose an important global health threat. Though many reports have characterized phenotypic and genotypic drug resistance of this serovar, few studies have characterized antimicrobial resistance of this serovar in Thailand. In this study, 108 S. 4,5,12:i:- isolates from various sources in Thailand and four international S. 4,5,12:i:- isolates were screened using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect the presence of five target regions which are associated with antimicrobial resistant (AMR) genes, in the genomic region that contained fljAB genes in STm. We determined AMR phenotypes of all isolates by Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) was performed on 53 representative isolates (based on differences in the pulsed filed gel electrophoresis profiles, the sources of isolate, and the PCR and AMR patterns) to characterize the genetic basis of AMR phenotype and to identify the location of AMR determinants. Based on PCR screening, nine PCR profiles showing distinct deletion patterns of the five target regions have been observed. Approximately 76% of isolates (or 85 of 112 isolates), all of which were Thai isolates, contained five target regions inserted between STM2759 and iroB gene. A total of 21 phenotypic AMR patterns were identified with the predominant AmpST resistant phenotype [i.e., 84% (or 94 of 112) tested positive for resistance to ampicillin, streptomycin, and tetracycline], and 89% (or 100 of 112) were found to be MDR (defined here as resistant to at least three classes of tested antimicrobials). Using WGS data, a total of 24 genotypic AMR determinants belonging to seven different antimicrobial groups were found. AMR determinants (i.e., blaTEM–1, strB-A, sul2, and tetB, conferring resistance to ampicillin, streptomycin, sulfonamides, and tetracycline, respectively) were found to be inserted in a region typically occupied by the phase 2 flagellin encoding genes in STm. These resistant genes were flanked by a number of insertion sequences (IS), and co-localized with mercury tolerance genes. Our findings identify AMR genes, possibly associated with multiple IS26 copies, in the genetic region between STM2759 and iroB genes replacing phase 2 flagellin encoding fljAB genes in Thai S. 4,5,12:i:- isolates.

Gene expression in a tissue-specific context depends on the combined efforts of epigenetic, transcriptional and post-transcriptional processes that lead to the production of specific proteins that are important determinants of cellular identity. Ribosomes are a central component of the protein biosynthesis machinery in cells; however, their regulatory roles in the translational control of gene expression in skeletal muscle remain to be defined. In a genetic screen to identify critical regulators of myogenesis, we identified a DEAD-Box RNA helicase, DDX27, that is required for skeletal muscle growth and regeneration. We demonstrate that DDX27 regulates ribosomal RNA (rRNA) maturation, and thereby the ribosome biogenesis and the translation of specific transcripts during myogenesis. These findings provide insight into the translational regulation of gene expression in myogenesis and suggest novel functions for ribosomes in regulating gene expression in skeletal muscles.

Abstract Background The malaria burden of Myanmar still remains high within the Greater Mekong Subregion of Southeast Asia. An important indicator of progress towards malaria elimination is the prevalence of parasite infections in endemic populations. Information about malaria epidemiology is mostly derived from reports of confirmed acute malaria cases through passive case detection, whereas the prevalence of baseline subclinical malaria infections is much less known. Methods In this study, cross-sectional surveys were conducted during the rainy season of 2017 in four townships (Bilin, Thabeikkyin, Banmauk and Paletwa) of Myanmar with divergent annual malaria incidences. A total of 1991 volunteers were recruited from local villages and Plasmodium subclinical infections were estimated by light microscopy (LM), rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) and nested PCR. The nested PCR analysis was performed with a modified pooling strategy that was optimized based on an initial estimate the infection prevalence. Results The overall malaria infection prevalence based on all methods was 13.9% (277/1991) and it differed drastically among the townships, with Paletwa in the western border having the highest infection rate (22.9%) and Thabeikkyin in central Myanmar having the lowest (3.9%). As expected, nested PCR was the most sensitive and identified 226 (11.4%) individuals with parasite infections. Among the parasite species, Plasmodium vivax was the most prevalent in all locations, while Plasmodium falciparum also accounted for 32% of infections in the western township Paletwa. Two RDTs based on the detection of the hrp2 antigen detected a total of 103 P. falciparum infections, and the ultrasensitive RDT detected 20% more P. falciparum infections than the conventional RDT. In contrast, LM missed the majority of the subclinical infections and only identified 14 Plasmodium infections. Conclusions Cross-sectional surveys identified considerable levels of asymptomatic Plasmodium infections in endemic populations of Myanmar with P. vivax becoming the predominant parasite species. Geographical heterogeneity of subclinical infections calls for active surveillance of parasite infections in endemic areas. The pooling scheme designed for nested PCR analysis offers a more practical strategy for large-scale epidemiological studies of parasite prevalence. Such information is important for decision-makers to put forward a more realistic action plan for malaria elimination.

(1) Background: Ectopic fat deposition and its effects, metabolic syndrome, have been significantly correlated to lifestyle and caloric consumption. There is no specific noninvasive evaluation tool being used in order to establish clinical markers for tracing the metabolic pathway implicated in obesity-related abnormalities that occur in the body as a result of a high-fat diet (HFD). The purpose of this work is to investigate in vivo ectopic fat distribution and in vitro metabolite profiles given by HFDs, as well as how they are inter-related, in order to find surrogate metabolic biomarkers in the development of metabolic syndrome utilizing noninvasive approaches. (2) Methods: Male Wistar rats were divided into a standard normal chow diet, ND group, and HFD group. After 16 weeks of different diet administration, blood samples were collected for proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) and biochemical analysis. Magnetic resonance imaging/proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRI/1H MRS) was performed on the abdomen, liver, and psoas muscle of the rats. (3) Results: Visceral fat showed the strongest relationship with blood cholesterol. Although liver fat content (LFC) was not associated with any biophysical profiles, it had the highest correlation with metabolites such as (-CH2)n very-low-density lipoprotein/low-density lipoprotein (VLDL/LDL), lactate, and N-acetyl glycoprotein of serum 1H NMR. HFD showed no obvious influence on muscle fat accumulation. Acetoacetate, N-acetyl glycoprotein, lactate, (-CH2)n VLDL/LDL, and valine were the five possible metabolic biomarkers used to differentiate HFD from ND in the present study. (4) Conclusions: Our study has validated the influence of long-term HFD-induced ectopic fat on body metabolism as well as the metabolic profile deterioration both in vivo and in vitro.

BackgroundThe Leprosy Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (LPEP) program explored the feasibility and impact of contact tracing and the provision of single dose rifampicin (SDR) to eligible contacts of newly diagnosed leprosy patients in Brazil, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Tanzania. As the impact of the programme is difficult to establish in the short term, we apply mathematical modelling to predict its long-term impact on the leprosy incidence.MethodologyThe individual-based model SIMCOLEP was calibrated and validated to the historic leprosy incidence data in the study areas. For each area, we assessed two scenarios: 1) continuation of existing routine activities as in 2014; and 2) routine activities combined with LPEP starting in 2015. The number of contacts per index patient screened varied from 1 to 36 between areas. Projections were made until 2040.Principal findingsIn all areas, the LPEP program increased the number of detected cases in the first year(s) of the programme as compared to the routine programme, followed by a faster reduction afterwards with increasing benefit over time. LPEP could accelerate the reduction of the leprosy incidence by up to six years as compared to the routine programme. The impact of LPEP varied by area due to differences in the number of contacts per index patient included and differences in leprosy epidemiology and routine control programme.ConclusionsThe LPEP program contributes significantly to the reduction of the leprosy incidence and could potentially accelerate the interruption of transmission. It would be advisable to include contact tracing/screening and SDR in routine leprosy programmes.

The males of many insect species transfer a spermatophore, i.e., a proteinaceous capsule containing sperm, to females during copulation, and this may also function as a nuptial gift. If production of the spermatophore is costly and variations in the quality of females are large, males may strategically allocate their investment based on the quality of the mate to maximize their own reproductive success. We examined the size and protein content of spermatophores transferred to females of different ages and body sizes, and also to water-deprived and water-replete females in the moth Ostrinia scapulalis (Walker). Males transferred a spermatophore of a smaller size or with less protein to older females, smaller females, and water-deprived females. These results indicated that O. scapulalis males manipulated their reproductive investment based on the conditions of the mate. We also demonstrated that older males varied their resource allocation to a greater extent in response to female conditions than younger males. Thus, resource allocation by the males of this species is modulated by both female conditions and the age of the males. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]