Determination of Elements and Radon in Water from Gold Mines at Bago Region

The purpose of this research is focused on the point of view of public health. The measurements of elements and radon concentration from Byut Myaung and Kalain gold mines in Shwe Kyin Township at Bago Region were recorded. Water samples were collected and analyzed by using RAD7 detector in laboratory to get the record of radon concentrations. It was found that the radon concentration in water samples from Byut Myaung and Kalain gold mines were 8.201.33 pCi/L and 4.840.68 pCi/L respectively. When the water samples were analyzed with Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS), it can be seen the concentrations of particular hazardous elements (K and Pb). Potassium volume in water samples from Byut Myaung gold mine was 1.49 mg/L and that from Kalain gold mine was 0.99 mg/L although the lead has been obtained in water samples from both sites no trace of it was found. In this research, the results were accepted the safety limit as specified by World Health Organization (WHO) standard

Validation of G6PD Point-of-Care Tests among Healthy Volunteers in Yangon, Myanmar

<div><p>Primaquine and other 8-amnoquinoline based anti-malarials can cause haemolysis in subjects with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. Correct diagnosis of G6PD status in patients is crucial for safe treatment of both relapsing stages of <i>Plasmodium vivax</i> and transmitting forms of <i>Plasmodium falciparum</i>. Lack of suitable point-of-care tests has hampered a much needed wide use of primaquine for malaria elimination. In this study we have assessed the performances of two qualitative tests, the fluorescent spot test (FST) and the G6PD CareStart test (CST), against the gold standard quantitative spectrophotometric assay in a population of 1000 random adult healthy volunteers living in Yangon, Myanmar. The prevalence of G6PD deficiency in the Bamar, Karen and in the whole sample set was 6.6% (10.1% in males), 9.2% (21.0% in males) and 6.8% (11.1% in males) respectively. The FST and CST showed comparable performances with sensitivity over 95% and specificity over 90%, however for cases with severe G6PD activity the FTS had improved performance. If used with a conservative interpretation of the signal, the CareStart test has the potential to be used in the field and, by allowing a wider use of primaquine, to help malaria elimination.</p></div

Red Blood cells characteristics [Mean (SD)] according to Hb type.

<p>Red Blood cells characteristics [Mean (SD)] according to Hb type.</p

Validation of G6PD Point-of-Care Tests among Healthy Volunteers in Yangon, Myanmar - Fig 2

<p><b>Distribution of G6PD activity in women with or without anemia shown as histograms for G6PD activity normalized for (A) hemoglobin concentration and (B) red blood cell count (RBC).</b> Vertical reference line is the population median.</p

Clinical performance of the CareStart and Trinity Fluorescent Spot screening tests for detection of deficient U/RBC activity.^*

<p>Clinical performance of the CareStart and Trinity Fluorescent Spot screening tests for detection of deficient U/RBC activity.^{<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0152304#t004fn001" target="_blank">*</a>}</p

Example of samples from a G6PD deficient male (left, G6PD activity = 1.21 IU/gHb) and G6PD normal male (right, G6PD activity = 7.18 IU/gHb) that were both diagnosed as deficient using the CST test.

<p>Example of samples from a G6PD deficient male (left, G6PD activity = 1.21 IU/gHb) and G6PD normal male (right, G6PD activity = 7.18 IU/gHb) that were both diagnosed as deficient using the CST test.</p

Area under the curve (AUC) vs threshold of G6PD activity (IU/gHb) in the two qualitative tests.

<p>FST results with (a) intermediates combined with deficient test results in red solid lines, (b) intermediates combined with normal test results in red dashed lines. CST results with (a) intermediates combined with deficient test results in blue solid lines, (b) intermediates combined with normal test results in blue dashed lines.</p

Clinical performances of the CareStart and Trinity Fluorescent Spot screening tests for detection of deficient G6PD activity (IU/gHb).^*

<p>Clinical performances of the CareStart and Trinity Fluorescent Spot screening tests for detection of deficient G6PD activity (IU/gHb).^{<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0152304#t003fn001" target="_blank">*</a>}</p