Fluctuations in Serum magnesium and Systemic Arterial Blood Pressures during the Menstrual Cycle in young reproductive women

Introduction: The menstrual cycle involves a sequence of structural, functional, and hormonal changes in the reproductive system. This is linked and controlled by cyclical fluctuations in the levels of FSH, LH, estrogen, and progesterone. Because of these cyclical fluctuations, there might also be associated cyclical changes of magnesium and systemic arterial blood pressures during the menstrual cycle. Purpose: To assess the changes in serum magnesium level and systemic arterial blood pressures during the menstrual cycle in young reproductive women. Methodology: the sample population is 40 apparently healthy young reproductive-aged 18- 25years female students from the University of Medicine, Magway participated in this study. Systemic arterial blood pressures were measured by indirect method. The serum magnesium level was measured by spectrophotometry. These measurements were done in the early follicular phase (EF), the peri-ovulatory phase (PO), and the midluteal phase (ML) of the menstrual cycle. The serum magnesium levels were significantly (p <0.001) lower, and the systolic blood pressures were significantly higher (p <0.05) in the PO than the EF and the ML. In the EF, there was a significant negative correlation between serum magnesium level and diastolic blood pressure (r= - 0.374, p <0.05) and mean arterial pressure (r = -0.354, p < 0.05) but no significant correlation with systolic blood pressure. In the PO, there was no significant correlation between serum magnesium level and systemic arterial blood pressures. In the ML, there was significant negative correlation between serum magnesium level and systolic blood pressure (r = -0.651, p <0.001), diastolic blood pressure (r = -0.607, p <0.001), and mean arterial pressure (r = -0.661, p <0.001). Conclusion: The study concludes that serum magnesium level has a negative effect on blood pressure changes and the blood pressure-lowering effect of magnesium. These changes are related to the fluctuation of estrogen levels during the menstrual cycle. KEYWORDS: Serum magnesium, systemic arterial blood pressures, menstrual cycle reproductive syste

Bioactive compounds screening, antimicrobial activities of leave extract from two palatable plants: Piper betle and Murraya koenigii (Curry leaves)

Introduction: Piper betle Linn is one of the most commonly used compounding plants for ethno-medical purposes, with its extract generally used in modern products to enrich their functional efficacy. The extraction methods always lead to differences in the antimicrobial efficacy of methanol extracts of bioactive compounds. Purpose: The study was conducted to screen for bioactive compounds and determine their antimicrobial efficacy in a methanol extract of Piper betle and Murraya koenigi leaves from five different regions. Methodology: The phytochemical screening done according to the procedure that is implied in from Patil, et.al, with minor modifications by the researchers of the current study. Antimicrobial activity was determined; efficacy was measured by disc diffusion analysis. Results: Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of saponin, tannin, terpenoids, alkaloids and flavonoids in the extracts. The methanolic extract of betel leaves from all the selected regions except from Bau exhibited antimicrobial activities. Among them, extract from Kuching and Simunjan have no effect on E. coli. The methanolic extract of curry leaves from Kuching, Balai ringai and Bau have antimicrobial activities against Staph aureus and those from Balai ringai is also active against E.coli. Conclusion: Although there were previous reports of phytochemical screening and antimicrobial activities from the extract of these plants, there were still lack of research conducted on the specimens especially from our local community (Sarawak). The outcome of this study will help us to identify the bioactive compounds of the local samples and give us some pictures of their activities on how to ensure these plants can be brought forward based on the origin of the sample. KEYWORDS: Bioactive Compounds Screening, Antimicrobial Activities of Leave Extract, Palatable Plants, Piper betle and Murraya koenigii

Taxonomic studies on some species of the genus 'Callispa' baly(Hispinae, Chrysomelidae, Coleoptera) of the Oriental region

Imperial Users onl

EFFECT OF CREDIT ACCESSIBILITY ON FARM PERFORMANCE IN KAN GYI TAUNG TOWNSHIP, AYEYARWADY DIVISION

This study aims to examine the credit accessibility and agricultural loan on farm performance in Kan Gyi Taung Township based on primary and secondary data. The sample size of 150 farmers was randomly selected and surveyed using structured questionnaires. Descriptive analysis and multiple regression method are used. According to the survey, the household size of the respondent is from two to seven members. Their farming experience is from 15 to 35 years and their main source of earning is farming. Their living standard is above average level with the ownership of home, motorcycle, and almost they owned farm land and cows. They owned cultivated land of acres fifteen at maximum. Average paddy yield per acre is round about 80 bushels. They borrowed loan from MADB bank and some from other financial organizations. However, most of farmers received loan just after farming period. More than half of farmers covered about fifty percent loan sufficient rate. According to multiple regression analysis, Frequency of borrowing, loan coverage percent and period of loan received ,Amount of credit are significantly related with paddy yield per acre. The study showed that the effect of loan performance of agriculture profit and productivity. Therefore, agricultural credit should be provided to farmers sufficiently and timely manner

Cognitive ability in male and female medical students

In matriculation examinations at age 16, girls achieved greater score than boys. It is still uncertain whether gender gap in examination achievement reflects sex difference in fundamental cognitive domains or not. This cross sectional comparative study was undertaken to determine the cognitive ability in 62 male and 62 female medical students between 16-22 years of age attending in University of Medicine (2) Yangon with body mass index within 18.5-24.9 kg/m2. Blood haemoglobin concentration was determined by cyamet-haemoglobin method. Serum ferritin concentration was measured by enzyme linked immunoassay method.</p

The Relationship between Serum Brain - Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) Level and Cognitive Function in Middle Aged Male Chronic Smokers

Cigarette smoking is a pervasive high-risk behavior and recent studies reported that nicotine in tobacco influences a wide variety of cognitive domains. BDNF is one of the factors of the neurotrophin family that can regulate the cognitive functions of the brain. The purpose of this study is to assess the relationship between serum BDNF level and cognitive function in middle-aged (40-60years) male chronic smokers. The material used in the study, Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and General Memory Scale (GMS) to assay ELISA, and to test the cognitive function respectively. The results showed that serum BDNF level of chronic smokers (19.19±6.05ng/ml) was comparable with that of non-smokers (20.83±8.63ng/ml). The total GMS scores of chronic smokers (n=41) had significantly lowered total GMS scores (56.88±12.24) than that of non-smokers (n=41) (67.74±7.59) demonstrated cognitive functions. Although the cognitive function of chronic smokers was significantly lower than that of non-smokers, serum BDNF level of chronic smokers was not significantly different from non-smokers (p>0.05). Moreover, serum BDNF level was positively correlated with cognitive function (total GMS scores) in both chronic smokers’ group (r =0.453, p=0.003) and non-smokers group (r =0.458, p=0.003). The study results indicate, even in middle-age healthy adults, chronic smoking would impair cognitive function. The study concludes by portending the role of BDNF in cognitive function, whether or not the individuals are chronic smokers

Integrating a Mobile-Learning Platform for Enhancing Clinical Teaching: The Learners’ Perspective

The role of mobile technology has become an integral part of daily activity among today’s society, including medical schools and hospitals. This study aimed to establish a mobile-learning platform for providing high-quality clinical teaching in undergraduate medical education. It was a mixed-methods design of quantitative survey and qualitative focus-group discussions to analyse the learners' view for acceptance of technology-integrated learning in clinical teaching at Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin. Forty-two undergraduate medical students from years 3 and 5 participated in this study. The vast majority found that a mobile-learning platform was a helpful medium for the integration of leaning resources and collaboration with other health-care professionals in a clinical setting (p<0.001). They generally agreed that there is an improvement in clinical competence, confidence in clinical reasoning and focusing on the discussion by providing constructive feedback (p<0.001). The qualitative focused group discussion’s findings indicated that most of the participants expressed their satisfaction with improving their intellectual skills and their anticipation of achieving strategic learning via integrated bedside teaching with mobile-group discussions. Overall, the participants accepted that a mobile-learning platform integrated bedside teaching is a constructive, productive approach for enhancing and facilitating their learning in a clinical setting. This study offered a unique insight into learners’ perceptions of benefits and the limitation of technology-enhanced learning in undergraduate medical training. The essential attributes of mobile technology are crucial for technology integration in high-quality clinical teaching