Evaluation of physicochemical characteristics and genetic diversity of widely consumed rice varieties in Kyaukse area, Myanmar

Consumer preferences are greatly influenced by eating and cooking qualities of rice grains, along with the economic value of a specific rice variety. This study was to evaluate ten rice varieties including the check variety IR64 on their physicochemical, cooking and eating qualities as well as to identify their genetic diversity using SSR markers. Most rice varieties are medium-grain types based on length-breadth ratio, whereas the famous Myanmar rice variety, Paw San Bay Kyar, (PSBK) is bold. PSBK showed the best cooking and eating quality traits with intermediate amylose content (AC), intermediate gelatinization temperature (GT), soft gel consistency (GC), and the highest elongation ratio among the studied rice varieties. Seventeen SSR markers linked with cooking and eating traits were used to assess the extent of polymorphism and genetic variation among ten rice varieties. There were 49 alleles in total, with an average of 2.88 alleles per locus. RM592 had the maximum number of alleles. The average PIC value ranged from 0.22 (RM540) to 0.77 (RM592). Cluster analysis with UPGMA method based on Jaccard’s similarity coefficient divided ten rice varieties into two main groups and four sub-clusters. In multiple regression analysis, RM190 and Wx primers were discovered to be significantly associated with AC, GC and GT of cooking and eating quality traits. This study could contribute to the choice of rice varieties with superior cooking and eating qualities for rice breeding programs by implementing physicochemical characteristics and molecular analysis

Barriers to women’s participation in the labor market in Myanmar

Employers in the formal sector in Myanmar actively discriminate on the basis of gender, age and education levels. Most employers prefer hiring young unmarried women. Participation in the labor force declines significantly after the age of 25. Women are generally expected to stay home to do reproductive and household work for the family. This study examines the internal and external factors that play a role in limiting women’s participation in the labor market in Myanmar. Direct quotes from interviewees provide a glimpse of the realities of being a working woman in Myanmar

Colon-Specific Drug Delivery Behavior of pH-Responsive PMAA/Perlite Composite

The preparation, characterization, and in vitro release of 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) from methacrylic acid (MAA)/perlite composites (APC) prepared via a sol–gel route are reported. The free-radical graft polymerization of methacrylic acid (MAA) onto perlite particles was studied experimentally. The grafting procedure consisted of surface activation with 3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate (TSPA), followed by free-radical graft polymerization of methacrylic acid (MAA) in ethyl acetate with 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) initiator. The composition of the composites hybrid materials was determined by FTIR spectroscopy. Equilibrium swelling studies were carried out in enzyme-free simulated gastric and intestinal fluids (SGF and SIF, respectively). The dried composites were immersed in a saturated solution of 5-ASA in water overnight and dried over a period of three days at room temperature and the in vitro release profiles were established separately in both (SGF, pH 1) and (SIF, pH 7.4). The 5-ASA concentration of the solution was measured using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer (205 nm) at different time intervals. The in vitro drug release test revealed that the release rate of 5-ASA in buffer solutions increased with the silica content in the composites; on the contrary, the increase of the content of 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate (TSPA), a coupling agent, decreased the drug release rate

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

Ozone sensitivity of four Pakchoi cultivars with different leaf colors: physiological and biochemical mechanisms

Ozone (O-3) is important air pollutant inducing severe losses of horticultural production. Cultivars of the same species, but with different leaf colors, may differ in their ozone sensitivity. However, it has not been clarified yet if different leaf coloration influences such a sensitivity. In this study, two purple-leafed and two green-leafed cultivars of Pakchoi were selected for ozone fumigation (240 +/- 20 nmol mol(-1), 09:00-16:00 h). Elevated O-3 decreased chlorophyll content, increased anthocyanin (Ant) content, damaged cell membrane integrity, enhanced antioxidative enzyme activities, depressed photosynthetic rate (P (N)) and stomatal conductance (g (s)), inhibited maximal quantum yield (F-v/F-m) and effective quantum yield [Y-II] of PSII photochemistry, and caused visible injury. Purple-leafed cultivars with higher Ant contents were more tolerant than green-leafed cultivars as indicated by lower relative enhancement in malondialdehyde content and lower relative losses in P (N), g (s), F-v/F-m, and Y-II. The higher ability to synthesize Ant in the purple-leafed cultivars contributed to their higher photoprotective ability

Heterogeneity in the prevalence of subclinical malaria, other co-infections and anemia among pregnant women in rural areas of Myanmar:a community-based longitudinal study

BACKGROUND: Due to the low prevalence of clinically suspected malaria among pregnant women in Myanmar, little is known about its impact on mothers and newborns. Helminth and Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV) co-infections cause anemia in pregnant women. This study assessed the prevalence of subclinical malaria and co-infections among pregnant women, and its association with adverse outcomes of pregnancy in the presence of infection.METHODS: A prospective longitudinal study was conducted in 12 villages in two townships in Myanmar between 2013 to 2015. A total of 752 pregnant women, with a mean age of 27 years, were enrolled and followed up once a month until six weeks after childbirth. Prevalence ratio was calculated in the multivariable analysis.RESULTS: The prevalence of subclinical malaria as measured by nested PCR was 5.7% for either P. falciparum or P. vivax, 2.7% prevalence of P. falciparum and 2.8% prevalence of P. vivax. Helminth infections were prevalent in 17% of women, and one woman with an HIV infection was found in our study. The burden of anemia was high, with an overall prevalence of 37% with or without helminth infection, 42% of the women were malaria positive and 43% had dual infections (both malaria and helminth). Only 11 abnormal pregnancy outcomes (7 stillbirths, 2 premature, 2 twins) were identified. Poisson regression showed that women in their first trimester had a 2.9 times higher rate of subclinical malaria compared to women in the third trimester (PR:2.9, 95%CI 1.19, 7.31, p = 0.019), women who were enrolled during the wet season were 2.5 times more likely to be malaria positive than the women enrolled in the dry season (PR: 2.5, 95%CI 1.27, 4.88, p = 0.008), and the malaria positivity rate decreased by 5% when increased in one year of woman's age (PR:0.95, 95%CI 0.91, 0.99, p = 0.02). In the multivariable regression, the age of respondents was the only significant factor associated with subclinical malaria in pregnancy.CONCLUSIONS: A comprehensive approach of integrating interventions for malaria, anemia, and helminths should be delivered during antenatal care services for pregnant women in rural areas of Myanmar.</p