The burden of dengue, source reduction measures, and serotype patterns in Myanmar, 2011 to 2015-R2.

BACKGROUND: Myanmar is currently classified as a high burden dengue country in the Asian Pacific region. The Myanmar vector-borne diseases control (VBDC) program has collected data on dengue and source reduction measures since 1970, and there is a pressing need to collate, analyze, and interpret this information. The aim of this study was to describe the burden of hospital-based dengue disease, dengue control measures, and serotype patterns in Myanmar between 2011 and 2015. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study using annual records from the Dengue Fever/Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever Prevention and Control Project in Myanmar. RESULTS: Between 2011 and 2015, there were a total of 89,832 cases and 393 deaths in hospitals, with 97% of cases being in children. In 2013 and 2015, there was an increased number of cases, respectively at 21,942 and 42,913, while during the other 3 years, numbers ranged from 4738 to 13,806. The distribution of dengue deaths each year mirrored the distribution of cases. Most cases (84%) occurred in the wet season and 54% occurred in the delta/lowlands. Case fatality rate (CFR) was highest in 2014 at 7 per 1000 dengue cases, while in the other years, it ranged from 3 to 5 per 1000 cases. High CFR per 1000 were also observed in infants < 1 year (CFR = 8), adults ≥ 15 years (CFR = 7), those with disease severity grade IV (CFR = 17), and those residing in hilly regions (CFR = 9). Implementation and coverage of dengue source reduction measures, including larval control, space spraying, and health education, all increased between 2012 and 2015, although there was low coverage of these interventions in households and schools and for water containers. In the 2013 outbreak, dengue virus serotype 1 predominated, while in the 2015 outbreak, serotypes 1, 2, and 4 were those mainly in circulation. CONCLUSION: Dengue is a serious public health disease burden in Myanmar. More attention is needed to improve monitoring, recording, and reporting of cases, deaths, and vector control activities, and more investment is needed for programmatic research

Nrf2 Expression Is Regulated by Epigenetic Mechanisms in Prostate Cancer of TRAMP Mice

Nuclear factor-erythroid 2 p45-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a transcription factor which regulates the expression of many cytoprotective genes. In the present study, we found that the expression of Nrf2 was suppressed in prostate tumor of the Transgenic Adenocarcinoma of Mouse Prostate (TRAMP) mice. Similarly, the expression of Nrf2 and the induction of NQO1 were also substantially suppressed in tumorigenic TRAMP C1 cells but not in non-tumorigenic TRAMP C3 cells. Examination of the promoter region of the mouse Nrf2 gene identified a CpG island, which was methylated at specific CpG sites in prostate TRAMP tumor and in TRAMP C1 cells but not in normal prostate or TRAMP C3 cells, as shown by bisulfite genomic sequencing. Reporter assays indicated that methylation of these CpG sites dramatically inhibited the transcriptional activity of the Nrf2 promoter. Chromatin immunopreceipitation (ChIP) assays revealed increased binding of the methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MBD2) and trimethyl-histone H3 (Lys9) proteins to these CpG sites in the TRAMP C1 cells as compared to TRAMP C3 cells. In contrast, the binding of RNA Pol II and acetylated histone H3 to the Nrf2 promoter was decreased. Furthermore, treatment of TRAMP C1 cells with DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) inhibitor 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine (5-aza) and histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor trichostatin A (TSA) restored the expression of Nrf2 as well as the induction of NQO1 in TRAMP C1 cells. Taken together, these results indicate that the expression of Nrf2 is suppressed epigenetically by promoter methylation associated with MBD2 and histone modifications in the prostate tumor of TRAMP mice. Our present findings reveal a novel mechanism by which Nrf2 expression is suppressed in TRAMP prostate tumor, shed new light on the role of Nrf2 in carcinogenesis and provide potential new directions for the detection and prevention of prostate cancer

Prediction Online Auction Price Using Functional Data Analysis

The goal of the proposed system is to derive models for forecasting the final price of ongoing auction. The forecasting task is important not only to the participants of an auction who compete against each other for the lowest price, but also to designers of bidder side. Forecasting price in online auctions is challenging from statistical point-of-view because traditional forecasting model do not apply. The reason for this are three typical feature of online auction data: (1) unequally spaced bid; (2) the limited time of an auction; (3) the dynamic of bidding change significantly over time. The key feature of our model is that it operates during the live –auction. Auction data typically arrive as a sequence of bids over a period of time. Taking a functional data analysis approach, the system acts the bid from a single auction as recognition from a continuous price

Applications of Silver Nanoparticles and Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles from Spirulina platensis

In Myanmar, the natural Spirulina platensis is produced from the natural lake of Yae Kharr lake. The aim of this research was to achieve silver and zinc oxide nanoparticles from Spirulina platensis and its utilizations in biomedical, waste water and balm, some lotions, and face cream for cosmetic products. Spirulina platenis (blue green algae) plays a very important role for health food. Silver and zinc oxide nanoparticles from Spirulina were obtained by green synthesis. Silver and zinc oxide nanoparticles from Spirulina were obtained by calcinations at 60º C and characterized by XRD, SEM, AFM and UV visible spectrophotometer techniques. Average crystallite size of silver and zinc oxide nanoparticles from Spirulina was found to be 23.93 nm and 12 nm by using Debye Scherer equation. The antimicrobial activity of silver and zinc oxide nanoparticles against both gram positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus pulamis, Staphylococcus aureus, and gram negative bacteria ( Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and Candida albicans fungus strain were done by agar well diffusion method. Among these strains, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans showed the highest antimicrobial activity of silver and zinc oxide nanoparticles from Spirulina platensis. Rhodamine G dye was used as model solution and removal percent of Silver and zinc oxide nanoparticles were found to be 84.58% and 75. 12%. Silver and zinc oxide nanoparticles were applied and made for the formation of face cream, body lotion and balm. It was observed that these products can be used safely for body lotion, balm for skin and face cream because the pH value and microbial testing (total plate and yeast and mold counts) of these cosmetic products were found under acceptable level compared to literature values. The main advantages of zinc oxide nanoparticles coated with fabrics can be used in textile industry due to uniform distribution of nanoparticles on the fabric surface to obtain long elasticity

Translation, Adaption, and Psychometric Testing of the Myanmar Version of the Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey for People Living With HIV/AIDS.

Introduction: Valid and reliable instruments are crucial for measuring perceived social support among people living with HIV (PLHIV). We aimed to investigate the psychometric properties of the English version of the 19-item Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey (MOS-SSS) adapted for PLHIV in Myanmar. Methods: Based on a standard cross-cultural procedure, we adapted the MOS-SSS and formed a Myanmar version of the scale (MOS-SSS-M), and then tested its validity and reliability. A sample of 250 eligible PLHIV was collected from a closed Facebook group that included more than 10,000 Myanmars, most of whom were PLHIV. Results: The MOS-SSS-M achieved a Cronbach's α of 0.82-0.95. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed an acceptable fit index for the four-factor structure. Construct validity was demonstrated by significant association with self-reported HIV stigma and stress levels, and further confirmed by the findings of Rasch analysis. Conclusion: The MOS-SSS-M with a four-factor structure can be used to measure the level and categories of perceived social support among PLHIV in Myanmar

Adaptation and validation of a culturally adapted HIV stigma scale in Myanmar.

BackgroundHIV stigma is a common barrier to HIV prevention, testing, and treatment adherence, especially for low- and middle-income countries such as Myanmar. However, there was no validated Myanmar version of a stigma scale. Therefore, we adapted the English version of the 40-item Berger's HIV stigma scale and the 7-item Indian HIV stigma scale into a 47-item Myanmar HIV stigma scale and then evaluated the scale's psychometric properties.MethodFrom January 2020 to May 2020, using random sampling methods, 216 eligible Myanmar people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) were contacted from a closed Facebook group that included more than 10,000 PLWHA. A sample of 156 Myanmar PLWHA completed the online self-reported survey.ResultsA six-factor structure for the scale was determined through exploratory factor analysis, explaining 68.23% of the total variance. After deleting 12 items, the 35-item HIV stigma scale achieved Cronbach 's α of 0.72 to 0.95. Construct validity of the scale was demonstrated by significant association with self-reported depression and social support levels (r = 0.60, and - 0.77, p &lt; 0.01). In Rasch analysis, the scale achieved person reliability of 3.40 and 1.53 and a separation index of 0.92 and 0.70. The infit and outfit mean squares for each item ranged from 0.68 to 1.40. No differential item functioning across gender or educational level was found.ConclusionsThe psychometric properties of the 35-item Myanmar version of the HIV stigma scale support it as a measure of stigma among PLWHA in Myanmar. This instrument could help healthcare providers to better understand how stigma operates in PLWHA and to develop tailored stigma-reduction interventions in Myanmar

The Mediating Effects of Mindfulness on Perceived Stress From HIV Stigma in People Living With HIV in Myanmar: A Cross-sectional Study.

AbstractHIV is a highly stigmatized and stressful condition for people with HIV (PWH). As a country heavily influenced by religion, especially Buddhism, we explore how the perceived stress from HIV stigma interacts with the mediator of mindfulness on PWH in Myanmar. From January to July 2020, a sample of 248 eligible PWH was recruited by quasi-random sampling methods from a private Facebook group in Myanmar. Data on demographics, HIV stigma, mindfulness, and perceived stress were collected. The bias-corrected percentile bootstrap method was used to test multiple mediation analyses. The path from perceived HIV stigma to perceived stress (direct effect β = 0.16) and the mediating effect of mindfulness on that stress were significant (indirect effect accounts for 45.15% of total effect). The findings indicate that interventions enhancing mindfulness-based practice should be considered to reduce HIV stigma and, therefore, lower perceived stress among PWH in Myanmar

Adaptation and Validation of the Cognitive and Affective Mindfulness Scale-Revised (CAMS-R) in People Living with HIV in Myanmar.

ObjectivesValid and reliable instruments for the measurement of mindfulness are crucial for people living with HIV. However, there was no Myanmar version of such an instrument.MethodsWe adapted the English version of the 12-item Cognitive and Affective Mindfulness Scale-Revised (CAMS-R) based on standard cross-cultural procedures. By randomly sampling methods, a sample of 248 eligible people living with HIV was contacted from a closed Myanmar Facebook group; 159 PLHIV completed the initial 12-item version of the adapted survey.ResultsThree items were removed due to low item-to-total correlations of the corrected item-total correlation as well as having infit and outfit mean squares outside the range of 0.6 to 1.4. After deleting the 3 items, the three-factor structure was confirmed by confirmatory factor analysis, which indicated good model fit. The resultant 9-item CAMS-R in Myanmar (CAMS-R-M-2) achieved good internal reliability (Cronbach's α of 0.75 to 0.87, and the corrected item-total correlation ranged from 0.44 to 0.81). Construct validity of the scale was demonstrated by significant association with self-reported HIV stigma and social support levels (r = 0.63, and - 0.53). In Rasch analysis, the infit and outfit mean squares for each item ranged from 0.49 to 1.24, and the person reliability was 2.17 and the separation index was 0.83.ConclusionsThe 9-item CAMS-R-M-2 with a three-factor structure has good reliability and validity. Higher total scores and subscale score reflected greater mindfulness qualities in people living with HIV in Myanmar

Community-centred eco-bio-social approach to control dengue vectors: an intervention study from Myanmar

Objectives: To build up and analyse the feasibility, process, and effectiveness of a partnership-driven ecosystem management intervention in reducing dengue vector breeding and constructing sustainable partnerships among multiple stakeholders. Methods: A community-based intervention study was conducted from May 2009 to January 2010 in Yangon city. Six high-risk and six low-risk clusters were randomized and allocated as intervention and routine service areas, respectively. For each cluster, 100 households were covered. Bi-monthly entomological evaluations (i.e. larval and pupal surveys) and household acceptability surveys at the end of 6-month intervention period were conducted, supplemented by qualitative evaluations. Intervention description: The strategies included eco-friendly multi-stakeholder partner groups (Thingaha) and ward-based volunteers, informed decision-making of householders, followed by integrated vector management approach. Findings: Pupae per person index (PPI) decreased at the last evaluation by 5·7% (0·35‐0·33) in high-risk clusters. But in low-risk clusters, PPI remarkably decreased by 63·6% (0·33‐0·12). In routine service area, PPI also decreased due to availability of Temephos after Cyclone Nargis. As for total number of pupae in all containers, when compared to evaluation 1, there was a reduction of 18·6% in evaluation 2 and 44·1% in evaluation 3 in intervention area. However, in routine service area, more reduction was observed. All intervention tools were found as acceptable, being feasible to implement by multi-stakeholder partner groups. Conclusions: The efficacy of community-controlled partnership-driven interventions was found to be superior to the vertical approach in terms of sustainability and community empowerment