Observational study of adult respiratory infections in primary care clinics in Myanmar: understanding the burden of melioidosis, tuberculosis and other infections not covered by empirical treatment regimes.

BACKGROUND: Lower respiratory infections constitute a major disease burden worldwide. Treatment is usually empiric and targeted towards typical bacterial pathogens. Understanding the prevalence of pathogens not covered by empirical treatment is important to improve diagnostic and treatment algorithms. METHODS: A prospective observational study in peri-urban communities of Yangon, Myanmar was conducted between July 2018 and April 2019. Sputum specimens of 299 adults presenting with fever and productive cough were tested for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (microscopy and GeneXpert MTB/RIF [Mycobacterium tuberculosis/resistance to rifampicin]) and Burkholderia pseudomallei (Active Melioidosis Detect Lateral Flow Assay and culture). Nasopharyngeal swabs underwent respiratory virus (influenza A, B, respiratory syncytial virus) polymerase chain reaction testing. RESULTS: Among 299 patients, 32% (95% confidence interval [CI] 26 to 37) were diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB), including 9 rifampicin-resistant cases. TB patients presented with a longer duration of fever (median 14 d) and productive cough (median 30 d) than non-TB patients (median fever duration 6 d, cough 7 d). One case of melioidosis pneumonia was detected by rapid test and confirmed by culture. Respiratory viruses were detected in 16% (95% CI 12 to 21) of patients. CONCLUSIONS: TB was very common in this population, suggesting that microscopy and GeneXpert MTB/RIF on all sputum samples should be routinely included in diagnostic algorithms for fever and cough. Melioidosis was uncommon in this population

Socializing One Health: an innovative strategy to investigate social and behavioral risks of emerging viral threats

In an effort to strengthen global capacity to prevent, detect, and control infectious diseases in animals and people, the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Emerging Pandemic Threats (EPT) PREDICT project funded development of regional, national, and local One Health capacities for early disease detection, rapid response, disease control, and risk reduction. From the outset, the EPT approach was inclusive of social science research methods designed to understand the contexts and behaviors of communities living and working at human-animal-environment interfaces considered high-risk for virus emergence. Using qualitative and quantitative approaches, PREDICT behavioral research aimed to identify and assess a range of socio-cultural behaviors that could be influential in zoonotic disease emergence, amplification, and transmission. This broad approach to behavioral risk characterization enabled us to identify and characterize human activities that could be linked to the transmission dynamics of new and emerging viruses. This paper provides a discussion of implementation of a social science approach within a zoonotic surveillance framework. We conducted in-depth ethnographic interviews and focus groups to better understand the individual- and community-level knowledge, attitudes, and practices that potentially put participants at risk for zoonotic disease transmission from the animals they live and work with, across 6 interface domains. When we asked highly-exposed individuals (ie. bushmeat hunters, wildlife or guano farmers) about the risk they perceived in their occupational activities, most did not perceive it to be risky, whether because it was normalized by years (or generations) of doing such an activity, or due to lack of information about potential risks. Integrating the social sciences allows investigations of the specific human activities that are hypothesized to drive disease emergence, amplification, and transmission, in order to better substantiate behavioral disease drivers, along with the social dimensions of infection and transmission dynamics. Understanding these dynamics is critical to achieving health security--the protection from threats to health-- which requires investments in both collective and individual health security. Involving behavioral sciences into zoonotic disease surveillance allowed us to push toward fuller community integration and engagement and toward dialogue and implementation of recommendations for disease prevention and improved health security

Analysis on Malware Detection with Multi Classifiers on M0Droid and DroidScreening Datasets

The number of applications for smart mobiledevices is steadily growing with the continuousincrease in the utilization of these devices. theInstallation of malicious applications on smartdevices often arises the security vulnerabilities suchas seizure of personal information or the use of smartdevices in accordance with different purposes bycyber criminals. Therefore, the number of studies inorder to identify malware for mobile platforms hasincreased in recent years. In this study, permissionbasedmodel is used to detect the maliciousapplications on Android which is one of the mostwidely used mobile operating system. M0Droid andDroidScreening data sets have been analyzed usingthe Android application package files andpermission-based features extracted from these files.In our work, permission-based model which appliedpreviously across different data sets investigated toM0Droid and DroidScreening datasets and theexperimental results has been expanded. Whileobtaining results, feature set analyzed using differentclassification techniques. The results show thatpermission-based model is successful on M0Droidand DroidScreening data sets and Random Forestsoutperforms another method. When compared toM0Droid system model, it is obtained much bet terconclusions depend on success rate. Our approachprovides a method for automated static code analysisand malware detection with high accuracy andreduces smartphone malware analysis time

ASEAN-INDIA CONNECTIVITY: A MYANMAR PERSPECTIVE

Since the 1990s, Asian economies have been moving towards deeper regional integration to enjoy growth together and to share prosperity. Although size of the economy and level of development in the region are quite diverse, it does not matter to such integration. This integration will not only expand the production possibility frontiers but also promote the flow of ideas and cultural exchanges within the region. Southeast Asia and India have become two of the fastest growing and most dynamic regions in the world. As Asia becomes the engine of growth for the global economy, the ASEAN and India must capitalize on their partnership through enhanced connectivity to reap the benefits most. In this scenario, Myanmar is the only land bridge between ASEAN and India so that the country has a great potential to be an important player in shaping future economic, political and security environment in this region. The connectivity projects will enhance the strategic importance of Myanmar as a regional logistics and trading hub and will be definitely beneficial for Myanmar as well as India and ASEAN, and for the entire region, Asia. To realize the positive outcomes, Myanmar needs to respond to the opportunities offered by its geographical and natural advantages and to capture the competitive advantages brought about by regional and global market chain

A Rare Concurrence of Leiomyomatosis Peritonealis Disseminata, Leiomyosarcoma of the Pelvis and Leiomyomatous Nodule of the Liver

Leiomyomatosis peritonealis disseminata (LPD) is a rare entity that is characterized by the presence of multiple subperitoneal or peritoneal smooth muscle nodules throughout the peritoneal surface mimicking a malignant process. LPD follows a benign course in general, and it is often found incidentally during abdominal surgery. There have been reported cases of LPD with malignant degeneration although the association is uncertain. Concurrent finding of LPD and leiomyosarcoma of the pelvis is very rare that could be coincidental, malignant transformation of LPD to leiomyosarcoma, or progression of undetected primary leiomyosarcoma. There are only a few previously reported cases in the literature. Herein, we report a case of 56-year-old woman with a history of leiomyoma of uterus who presented with progressive abdominal swelling secondary to mass lesions in the pelvis. The patient underwent exploratory laparotomy and debulking of the tumors, and the histologic examination of the tumors revealed coexistence of LPD and leiomyosarcoma. After recovery from the operation, core needle biopsy of the superficial, residual liver mass was obtained to investigate potential liver metastasis, and the histopathologic findings are consistent with leiomyoma which represents the first simultaneous occurrence of LPD, leiomyosarcoma, and leiomyomatous nodule of the liver

Seroprevalence and associated risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii infection among slaughterhouse workers in Yangon Region, Myanmar: A cross-sectional study

Background Toxoplasmosis, having the significant consequences affecting mortality and quality of life, is still prevalent in various places throughout the world. The major gap in surveillance for Toxoplasma gondii infection among high-risk population, slaughterhouse workers, is an obstacle for the effective policies formulation to reduce the burden of toxoplasmosis in Myanmar. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis and associated factors of seropositivity among slaughterhouse workers in Yangon Region, Myanmar. Methods A cross-sectional study that was conducted from June to November 2020 included 139 slaughterhouse workers involving at five main slaughterhouses under Yangon City Development Committee, Myanmar. The presence of IgG and IgM anti-T. gondii antibodies in serum was detected using the OnSite Toxo IgG/IgM Combo Rapid Test. A face-to-face interview was also performed using pretested structured questionnaires to obtain the detail histories: sociodemographic characteristics, level of knowledge, occupational factors, and environmental factors related to T. gondii infection. Bivariate logistic regression was used to determine the factors associated with T. gondii infection. Results Of all participants, the overall seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii was 43.9% (95% CI: 35.5–52.5%), of whom 98.4% (95% CI: 91.2–100.0%) were reactive only for IgG antibody and 1.6% (95% CI: 0.0–8.8%) were reactive for IgG and IgM antibodies. The significant factors associated with the seropositivity of T. gondii antibodies were blood transfusion history (OR: 5.74, 95% CI: 1.17–28.09), low level of knowledge (OR: 2.91, 95% CI: 1.46–5.83), contact with animal organs, muscles or blood (OR: 14.29, 95% CI: 1.83–111.51), and animals most frequently slaughtered (cattle) (OR: 3.22, 95% CI: 1.16–8.93). Conclusions A high seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis was detected among slaughterhouse workers in Yangon Region and it raises a significant public health concern. Therefore, providing health education regarding toxoplasmosis, enforcement of personal hygiene practices in workplaces, the establishment of training for occupational hygiene, and commencement of the risk assessment and serological screening for toxoplasmosis are crucial to curtail the prevalence of T. gondii infection among slaughterhouse workers

Active deformation of the Central Myanmar Forearc Basin : insight from post-Pleistocene inversion of the Pyay Fault

Pyay sub-basin is located in the southern part of the Central Myanmar Forearc Basin, an elongate belt of en-echelon folds and thrust faults formed as a result of the hyper-oblique convergence of the India and Asia plates. Limited neotectonic studies suggest that the Pyay Fault is a major Pliocene inverted structure that trapped the hydrocarbons in Pyay sub-basin, where only sparse field-based observations are available to address the nature of very recent neotectonic processes. This study focuses on structural deformation related to active inversion of the Pyay Fault using field-based geological observations and interpretations of industrial seismic data. We map the ∼105 km long Pyay Fault, an east- dipping high-angle reverse fault with a significant dextral strike-slip component. The fault underlies the western limb of the major NNW-SSE- striking anticlinal ridge that forms the western margin of Pyay sub- basin. Growth strata within the Pliocene-Pleistocene Irrawaddy Formation, imaged in the shallow part (<1 km) of 2D seismic profiles, reflects the deposition of Pliocene-Pleistocene sediments synchronously with the inversion of the underlying Pyay Fault. In addition, uplifted fluvial terraces of the Ayeyarwady River on the hanging wall of Pyay Fault reflect the post-Pleistocene inversion of the Pyay sub-basin. This study suggests that the Pyay Fault is a prime example of active deformation of the Central Myanmar Forearc Basin which plays an important role in the basin evolution and an earthquake source potential of the Myanmar territory.Ministry of Education (MOE)National Research Foundation (NRF)Published versionThis work is a part of the first author’s Ph.D. dissertation at the University of Yangon, Myanmar. The first author would like to thank to U Thit Lwin, Pyay University and his graduate students for their help in various ways during the field work. The authors would like to express sincere appreciation to Prof. Punya Charusiri, Chulalongkon University and Dr. Jonathan R. Weiss, University of Potsdam for their reviews that greatly improved the quality of this manuscript. Our thanks are also extended to Prof. Khin Zaw, University of Tasmania for handling the manuscript and editorial input. We also thank Dr. Kyaw Linn Oo, Petronas Myanmar Exploration and Dr. Wang Yu, National Taiwan University for their comments on an earlier draft. Field surveys for this work were partially supported by Resource and Environment Myanmar Ltd. and Myanmar Earthquake Committee. This research was supported by the Earth Observatory of Singapore via its funding from the National Research Foundation Singapore and the Singapore Ministry of Education under the Research Centres of Excellence initiative. This work comprises EOS contribution number 343

Prevalence and determinants of tobacco use among youth in Myanmar: review of findings from Global Youth Tobacco Survey 2016 Data

Background The study aims to reassess the health, knowledge and practice of students, (9-11 Grades) after the introduction of New National Tobacco Control program for 5 years. This study includes data on prevalence of cigarettes and other tobacco use as well as information on five determinants of tobacco use: access, exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS), cessation, media and advertising, and other indicators. Methods Myanmar GYTS uses a two-stage sample design with schools selected proportional to enrolment size. A total of 3633 eligible students in grades 9-11 completed the survey ,of which 2621 were aged 13-15 years Results Between 2011 and 2016, a reduction in the proportion of students currently use any tobacco products is observed (a fall from overall prevalence among 13-15 year olds of 18.6% to 14%). but currently smoked cigarettes had increased during the period from 6.8% to 8.3%. Currently use any smokeless tobacco products had decreased (9.8% to 5.7%). 74.5% of current smokers tried to stop smoking in the past 12 months.33.2% are exposed to tobacco smoke at home as well as 28.4% are exposed tobacco smoke inside any enclosed public place. 61% of current cigarette smokers bought cigarettes from a store, shop or street vendors. 42.3% of students noticed tobacco advertisements on point of sale. 65% of students thought other people's smoking is harmful to them. Conclusions Myanmar Youth Tobacco program should strengthen in all schools to be 100% tobacco-free and also incorporate training of school personnel on tobacco control, specifically youth-focused programs as joint efforts between Ministry of Health and Sports and Ministry of Education in collaboration with related ministries. Enforcement of the national legislation on tobacco control needs to be strengthened, and the National Tobacco Control Program needs to be more comprehensive incorporating measures to reduce smokeless tobacco use and other non-cigarette tobacco products

Creep feeding supplemented with roughages improve rumen morphology in pre-weaning goat kids

Boer crossbred goats (n=48) single born kids, seven-day-old (live weight 4.4±0.09kg) were divided into 3 treatment groups, each having 8 females and 8 males. The kids from first treatment group had free access to creep feed with roughage (CFR), second group had free access to creep feed without roughage (CF) while last group (control) had access to their does’ milk (DM) only. All kids had access to their dam’s milk. The kids were weaned at day 84 and two kids from each treatment group were sacrificed. The results showed that the rumen morphological characteristics, papillary surface area and keratinized layer of CFR (4.15mm2, 50.54µm), were not significantly different from CF (3.81mm2, 49.26µm) (P>0.05) but it was significantly different from kids in DM group (1.17mm2, 26.36µm) (P0.05), while total surface area of rumen of both creep fed groups was significantly greater than DM group. The rumen tissue weight of creep-fed kids was 17% greater than those of milk fed kids. Overall, the present study showed that the creep feed supplementation to nursing goat kids improve rumen morphology. Read more at http://researcherslinks.com/current-issues/Creep-Feeding-Supplemented-with-Roughages/20/1/1134/html#lyAKjwLAfprvXT3I.99