Prevalence of Human Papilloma virus in women with Abnormal Cervical Smears from Sarawak, Malaysia

Introduction: Cervical cancer is common cancer and ranked in fourth place in both incidence and mortality worldwide. It is 3rd most common female cancer in Malaysia with a lifetime risk of 1 in 116. Infection with high-risk oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) is recognized as one of the substantial risk factors for the development of cervical cancers. Methods: It was a cross-sectional study conducted to determine the prevalence of HPV infection and its subtypes among women with various degrees of abnormal smears, who were seen in the colposcopy clinic of Sarawak General Hospital within six months’ period from January to June 2018. We recruited 56 participants. There were 23 each for an atypical squamous cell of undetermined significance (ASC-US) and low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) and 10 high- grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL). DNA was extracted, and HPV genotypes were determined via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using two primer pairs MY09/MY11 and GP5+/GP6+. Results: The age ranged from 23 to 56 years, with a mean age of 42.96 years. HPV was detected in 20 out of 56 (35.7%). There were 6 high-risk oncogenic HPVs (18, 51, 52, 56, 58, 68) detected in participants and the most prevalent subtypes were 18, 52, and 58 (20% each). Four low-risk HPVs detected were 6, 53, 70, and 84. There was a significant association between the severity of cervical lesions and HPV positivity (P < 0.004). HSIL had the highest positive predictive value to have HPV infection as 70% compared to 43.4% of LSIL and 9.3% of ASC-US. Conclusion: Distribution of HPV subtypes from women with abnormal smears from Sarawak indicated a high prevalence of HPV 18, 52, and 58. We also identified HPV 70, which has never been reported in West Malaysia. These findings could contribute valuable information for HPV vaccination strategies, particularly for Sarawakian women

Molecular Epidemiology of Dengue Viruses Co-circulating in Upper Myanmar in 2006

To understand the molecular epidemiology of circulating dengue viruses (DENV) in Upper Myanmar, DENV isolation was attempted by inoculating the sera of a panel of 110 serum samples onto a C6/36 mosquito cell line. The samples were collected from dengue (DEN) patients admitted at Mandalay Children’s Hospital in 2006. Infected culture fluids were subjected to a RT-PCR to detect the DENV genome. Three DENV strains were isolated. This was the first DENV isolation performed either in Mandalay or in Upper Myanmar. One strain belonged to DENV serotype-3 (DENV-3), and two other strains belonged to DENV serotype-4 (DEN-4). The sequence data for the envelope gene of these strains were used in a phylogenetic comparison of DENV-3 and DENV-4 from various countries. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that this DENV-3 strain was clustered within genotype II, and the two DENV-4 strains were clustered within genotype I in each serotype. The Myanmar strains were closely related to strains from the neighboring countries of Thailand and Bangladesh. These results are important for elucidating the trends of recent and future DEN outbreaks in Myanmar

Prevalence and seroprevalence of Plasmodium infection in Myanmar reveals highly heterogeneous transmission and a large hidden reservoir of infection.

Malaria incidence in Myanmar has significantly reduced over recent years, however, completeness and timeliness of incidence data remain a challenge. The first ever nationwide malaria infection and seroprevalence survey was conducted in Myanmar in 2015 to better understand malaria epidemiology and highlight gaps in Annual Parasite Index (API) data. The survey was a cross-sectional two-stage stratified cluster-randomised household survey conducted from July-October 2015. Blood samples were collected from household members for ultra-sensitive PCR and serology testing for P. falciparum and P. vivax. Data was gathered on demography and a priori risk factors of participants. Data was analysed nationally and within each of four domains defined by API data. Prevalence and seroprevalence of malaria were 0.74% and 16.01% nationwide, respectively. Prevalent infection was primarily asymptomatic P. vivax, while P. falciparum was predominant in serology. There was large heterogeneity between villages and by domain. At the township level, API showed moderate correlation with P. falciparum seroprevalence. Risk factors for infection included socioeconomic status, domain, and household ownership of nets. Three K13 P. falciparum mutants were found in highly prevalent villages. There results highlight high heterogeneity of both P. falciparum and P. vivax transmission between villages, accentuated by a large hidden reservoir of asymptomatic P. vivax infection not captured by incidence data, and representing challenges for malaria elimination. Village-level surveillance and stratification to guide interventions to suit local context and targeting of transmission foci with evidence of drug resistance would aid elimination efforts

The thermodynamics and phase behaviour of Tb₂Pd₂O₅ and Er₂Pd₂O₅

Isothermal sections of the phase diagrams for the systems Ln–Pd–O (with Ln=Tb or Er) have been established by equilibration of samples at T=1223K, and phase identification after quenching by optical and scanning electron microscopy (OM, SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD). Two oxide phases were stable along the binary Tb–O: Tb₂O_3+x, a phase of variable composition, and Tb₇O₁₂ at T=1223K. The oxide PdO was not stable at this temperature. Only one ternary oxide Tb₂Pd₂O₅ was identified in the Tb–Pd–O system. No ternary compound was found in the system Er–Pd–O at T=1223K. However, the compound Er₂Pd₂O₅ could be synthesized at T=1075K by the hydrothermal route. In both systems, the alloys and inter-metallic compounds were all found to be in equilibrium with the lanthanide sesquioxide Ln₂O₃ (where Ln is either Tb or Er). Two solid-state cells, each incorporating a buffer electrode, were designed to measure the Gibbs energy of formation of the ternary oxides, using yttria-stabilized zirconia as the solid electrolyte and pure oxygen gas as the reference electrode. Electromotive force measurements were conducted in the temperature range (900–1275) K for Tb–Pd–O system, and at temperatures from (900–1075) K for the system Er–Pd–O. The standard Gibbs energy of Δ_fG∘_m, formation of the inter-oxide compounds from their component binary oxides Ln₂O₃ and PdO Δ_fG∘_m, are represented by equations linear in temperature. Isothermal chemical potential diagrams for the systems Ln–Pd–O (with Ln=Tb or Er) are developed based on the thermodynamic information

Systematic trends in structural and thermodynamic properties of ternary oxides in the systems Ln-Pd-O (Ln = lanthanide element)

Isothermal sections of the phase diagrams for the systems Ln-Pd-O (Ln = lanthanide element) at 1223 K indicate the presence of two inter-oxide compounds Ln(4)PdO(7) and Ln(2)Pd(2)O(5) for Ln = La, Pr, Nd, Sm, three compounds Ln(4)PdO(7), Ln(2)PdO(4) and Ln(2)Pd(2)O(5) for Ln = Eu, Gd and only one compound of Ln(2)Pd(2)O(5) for Ln = Tb to Ho. The lattice parameters of the compounds Ln(4)PdO(7), Ln(2)PdO(4) and Ln(2)Pd(2)O(5) show systematic nonlinear variation with atomic number. The unit cell volumes decrease with increasing atomic number. The standard Gibbs energies, enthalpies and entropies of formation of the ternary oxides from their component binary oxides (Ln(2)O(3) and PdO) have been measured recently using an advanced version of the solid-state electrochemical cell. The Gibbs energies and enthalpies of formation become less negative with increasing atomic number of Ln. For all the three compounds, the variation in Gibbs energy and enthalpy of formation with atomic number is markedly non-linear. The decrease in stability with atomic number is most pronounced for Ln(2)Pd(2)O(5), followed by Ln(4)PdO(7) and Ln(2)PdO(4). This is probably related to the repulsion between Pd2+ ions on the opposite phases Of O-8 cubes in Ln(2)Pd(2)O(5), and the presence of Ln-filled O-8 cubes that share three faces with each other in Ln4PdO7. The values for entropy of formation of all the ternary oxides from their component binary oxides are relatively small. Although the entropies of formation show some scatter, the average value for Ln = La, Pr, Nd is more negative than the average value for the other lanthanide elements. From this difference, an average value for the structure transformation entropy of Ln(2)O(3) from C-type to A-type is estimated as 0.87 J.mol(-1).K-1. The standard Gibbs energies of formation of these ternary oxides from elements at 1223 K are presented as a function of lanthanide atomic number. By invoking the Neumann-Kopp rule for heat capacity, thermodynamic properties of the inter-oxide compounds at 298.15 K are estimated. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved

Strontium ruthenates: determination of Gibbs energies of formation using electrochemical cells

Metallic Ru has been found to coexist separately with SrO, RuO₂ and the interoxide phases, Sr₂RuO₄, Sr₃Ru₂O₇, Sr₄Ru₃O₁₀ and SrRuO₃, present along the pseudo-binary system SrO–RuO₂ at 1300 K. The standard Gibbs energies of formation (Δ_f(ox)G°) of the four strontium ruthenates have been measured in the temperature range from 925 to 1350 K using solid-state cells with yttria-stabilized zirconia as the electrolyte and Ru+RuO₂ as the reference electrode. The standard Gibbs energies of formation (Δ_f(ox)G°) of the ternary compounds from their component binary oxides SrO and RuO₂ can be represented by linear equations as a function of temperature: Sr₂RuO₄: Δ_f(ox)G°=−117 440−4.38 T (±135) J mol⁻¹ Sr₃Ru₂O₇: Δ_f(ox)G°=−231 120−9.56 T (±225) J mol⁻¹ Sr₄Ru₃O₁₀: Δ_f(ox)G°=−343 330−14.78 T (±300) J mol⁻¹ SrRuO₃: Δ_f(ox)G°=−109 900−4.68 T (±80) J mol⁻¹ A three-dimensional oxygen potential diagram for the system Sr–Ru–O is developed as a function of composition and temperature from the results obtained. Using the Neumann–Kopp rule to estimate the heat capacity of the ternary oxides relative to their constituent binary oxides, the standard enthalpies of formation of the four strontium ruthenates from elements and their standard entropies at 298.15 K are evaluated

Toddy palms in the paddy field: An alternative economy of farmers in Pattan Village, Taungoo Township

This paper analyzed the role of toddy palm in the economy of rural people from new perspective. Since toddy palms are found in the paddy field comparative analysis has made between toddy, paddy and peas. The study focused on three points ; How toddy palms effect on the paddy production? What are the economic cost and benefit of toddy palm located in the paddy field? How should we consider toddy palm for the future socio-economic development of Pattan Village? Data used in this paper were derived from ground surveys and open and structured interviews conducted to all household heads of Pattan Village. The analysis results showed that there is no significant evidence that toddy palm could have an effect on the production of paddy,from the present distribution pattern. Annual profit that could be gained from the products of toddy palm is higher than paddy and peas. If toddy palms are fully utilized to its capacity it could become an alternative economy for the development of farmers and rural areas