A Modular design framework for Lab-On-a-Chips

This research discusses the modular design framework for designing Lab-On-a-Chip (LoC) devices. This work will help researchers to be able to focus on their research strengths, without needing to learn details of LoCs design, and they can reuse existing LoC designs

Real-world experience of metformin 1000 mg/day in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and comorbidities from Myanmar

Background: The study was conducted to assess the efficacy and safety of 1000 (mg/day) metformin in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) with comorbidities and special reference to elderly people in Myanmar.Methods: This was a retrospective, post surveillance study conducted in patients diagnosed with T2DM receiving treatment of metformin (1000 mg/day). Baseline characteristics, comorbidities, random blood sugar level (RBS) and RBS changes pre- and post-therapy were retrieved from patient’s medical records. A paired sample t-test was used for comparing the pre- and post-treatment RBS levels.Results: A total of 303 patients with T2DM were included. A total of 88, 115 and 100 patients belonged to age groups ≤50, >50-≤60 and >61 years, respectively. Duration of T2DM was significantly higher in elderly patients (>61 years) compared to ≤50 and >50-≤60 age group. Hypertension was the most common comorbid condition observed in all age groups followed by cardiovascular disease. However, both hypertension and cardiovascular disease were significantly higher among elderly patients (>61 years) compared to ≤50 and >50-≤60 age group (p50-≤60 years, 86.2 mg/dL and >61 years, 97.2 mg/dL). Metformin was well tolerated with minimal gastrointestinal adverse events (n=27).Conclusions: In this post marketing surveillance study, metformin (1000 mg/day) was found to be effective in reducing RBS in T2DM patients with comorbidities especially older adults and well tolerated with no risk of hypoglycemia

Experimental and numerical analysis on the thermal performance of the aluminium absorber

The absorber is a vital part of a solar air collector and has a significant impact on the overall efficiency of a solar air heating unit. The objective of this research is to examine and compare the performance of two distinct aluminium absorbers with and without aluminium fins by using experimental and numerical (computational fluid dynamics – CFD) methods. The studies were conducted in Mandalay, Myanmar, which is located at latitude 21.98° N and longitude 96.1° E, during December 2022. A plate absorber solar air collector (PASAC) and finned absorber solar air collector (FASAC) with the same absorber area of 0.889 m2 are compared in terms of their thermal performance. At a mass flow rate of 0.0389 kg/s, the average thermal efficiency, as computed numerically, is 53.5 % for FASAC, and the experimental results show a thermal efficiency of 54.2 %. Similarly, for PASAC, the numerical computation yields an average thermal efficiency of 44.4 %, while the experimental results indicate a thermal efficiency of 47.3 %. The FASAC outperforms PASAC in terms of thermal performance. The improved thermal performance of the double-pass solar air collectors with aluminium-finned absorbers can be advantageous for employment as a drying process unit

Long-term outcomes of second-line antiretroviral treatment in an adult and adolescent cohort in Myanmar.

BACKGROUND: Myanmar has a high burden of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and second-line antiretroviral treatment (ART) has been available since 2008 in the public health sector. However, there have been no published data about the outcomes of such patients until now. OBJECTIVE: To assess the treatment and programmatic outcomes and factors associated with unfavorable outcomes (treatment failure, death and loss to follow-up from care) among people living with HIV (aged ≥ 10 years) receiving protease inhibitor-based second-line ART under the Integrated HIV Care Program in Myanmar between October 2008 and June 2015. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study using routinely collected program data. RESULTS: Of 824 adults and adolescents on second-line ART, 52 patients received viral load testing and 19 patients were diagnosed with virological failure. However, their treatment was not modified. At the end of a total follow-up duration of 7 years, 88 (11%) patients died, 35 (4%) were lost to follow-up, 21 (2%) were transferred out to other health facilities and 680 (83%) were still under care. The incidence rate of unfavorable outcomes was 7.9 patients per 100 person years follow-up. Patients with a history of injecting drug use, with a history of lost to follow-up, with a higher baseline viral load and who had received didanosine and abacavir had a higher risk of unfavorable outcomes. Patients with higher baseline C4 counts, those having taken first-line ART at a private clinic, receiving ART at decentralized sites and taking zidovudine and lamivudine had a lower risk of unfavorable outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term outcomes of patients on second-line ART were relatively good in this cohort. Virological failure was relatively low, possibly because of lack of viral load testing. No patient who failed on second-line ART was switched to third-line treatment. The National HIV/AIDS Program should consider making routine viral load monitoring and third-line ART drugs available after a careful cost-benefit analysis

Влияние адъювантного применения ацетазоламида с неинвазивной вентиляцией легких у больных с тяжелым обострением хронической обструктивной болезни легких

The aim of the study was to investigate an efficacy of short-term treatment with acetazolamide (ACET) in patients with acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) and noninvasive ventilation (NIV). Methods. This was a prospective case-control study. The study involved 20 patients. Inclusion criteria were as follows: AECOPD; pH > 7.33; PaCO2 > 48 mmHg; HCO3– > 26 mmol/L; and treatment with NIV. Clinical characteristics, Charlson comorbidity index, APACHE II score, arterial blood gases, and serum electrolytes were recorded before inclusion. Patients were defined as cases when they had received ACET (500 mg per day) for 3 days; they were compared to a matched control group who did not receive ACET. Clinical parameters, arterial blood gases, serum electrolytes, potential adverse effects, and length of hospital stay were monitored daily. Results. No significant differences in baseline characteristics, comorbidities, or concomitant drugs used were found between the groups. Mean duration of hospital stay was significantly shorter in the ACET group (16.2 ± 8.4 days vs 19.1 ± 2.8 days; p = 0.023). An iIntra-group analysis showed a significant improvement in clinical and arterial blood gas parameters in both groups already in the first day of the treatment. In the ACET group, systolic blood pressure (SBP), respiratory rate (RR), and SpO2 significantly improved at day 4 (112.5 ± 4.9 mmHg vs 125 ± 7.1 mmHg (p = 0.001); 15.2 ± 1.1 min–1 vs 17.1 ± 0.9 min–1 (p = 0.001) and 94.7 ± 1.1% vs 92.3 ± 0.8% (p = 0.0001), respectively). There was a significant decrease in PaCO2, pH and HCO3– at day 3 (48 ± 3.8 mmHg vs 52.4 ± 5.3 mmHg (p = 0.0288); 7.374 ± 0.4 vs 7.502 ± 0.17 (p = 0.0015) and 26.4 ± 2.8 mmol/L vs 36.9 ± 4.1 mmol/L (p = 0.00001), respectively) and day 4 (44 ± 2.4 mmHg vs 48.4 ± 4.6 mmHg (p = 0.0115); 7.387 ± 0.02 vs 7.480 ± 0.02 (p = 0.00001) and 24.2 ± 2.1 mmol/L vs 35.6 ± 3.0 mmol/L (p = 0.00001), respectively) in the ACET group. No adverse events were recorded in both groups. Conclusions. ACET adjuvant to NIV appears to be effective and could prevent post-NIV alkalosis occurrence and could reduce the length of hospital stay in patients with AECOPD and mixed metabolic disorders (respiratory acidosis and metabolic alkalosis).При широком использовании неинвазивной вентиляции легких (НВЛ) улучшаются исходы лечения лиц с обострением хронической обструктивной болезни легких (ХОБЛ) и гиперкапнической острой дыхательной недостаточностью (ОДН) за счет снижения потребности в интубации трахеи. При обострении ХОБЛ часто развиваются смешанные нарушения кислотно-щелочного состояния, такие как сочетание респираторного ацидоза и метаболического алкалоза. Не исключено, что коррекция метаболического алкалоза, например, с помощью препарата ацетазоламид (АЦЕТ), также может сыграть положительную роль. Однако клинических данных по оценке применения АЦЕТ при НВЛ у больных с обострением ХОБЛ крайне мало. Целью исследования явилась оценка эффективности краткосрочного лечения АЦЕТ у больных с обострением ХОБЛ и гиперкапнической ОДН, получающих НВЛ. Материалы и методы. В проспективном исследовании «случай–контроль» принимали участие пациенты (n = 20), соответствовавшие критериям включения. Перед включением больных в исследование регистрировались клинические признаки, индекс коморбидности Чарлсона, показатели клинической оценки тяжести состояния по шкале APACHE II, газового состава артериальной крови (ГАК) и уровень электролитов сыворотки крови. Пациенты группы «случай» получали АЦЕТ 500 мг в день в течение 3 дней; их показатели сравнивались с таковыми в контрольной группе, в которой АЦЕТ не применялся. Ежедневно регистрировались и сравнивались клинические параметры, показатели ГАК и уровень электролитов сыворотки крови, потенциальные побочные эффекты и продолжительность пребывания в стационаре. Результаты. Между 2 группами никаких существенных различий в отношении исходных характеристик, сопутствующих заболеваний и приема препаратов не отмечено. Средняя продолжительность пребывания в стационаре была значительно меньше в группе АЦЕТ. По результатам внутригруппового анализа показано значительное улучшение клинических параметров и всех показателей ГАК в обеих группах, начиная с 1-го дня. По результатам межгруппового анализа в группе АЦЕТ отмечены статистически значимые улучшения показателей систолического артериального давления, частоты дыхательных движений и насыщения артериальной крови кислородом на 4-й день; на 3-й день выявлено значительное снижение парциального давления углекислого газа в артериальной крови, pH и содержания бикарбоната в плазме крови. Никаких побочных эффектов в обеих группах не отмечено. Заключение. Адъювантное применение АЦЕТ с НВЛ представляется эффективным, предотвращает алкалоз после НВЛ и способствует сокращению времени пребывания в стационаре при обострении ХОБЛ и смешанных метаболических нарушениях – респираторном ацидозе и метаболическом алкалозе

Suitability mapping for integrated aquatic food production systems – Decision Support System User Guide. Burmese version

The Integrated Aquatic Food Production System Decision Support System (IAFP DSS) provides a standardised approach to suitability analysis, enabling decision makers and stakeholders to engage with the technique in a simplistic yet comprehensive manner. The tool is suitable for application by a range of bodies including governmental and non-governmental organisations, research organisations and NGOs that have an interest in supporting the development of tailored and targeted investments for integrated aquatic food production systems within a given region. This report is the user guidelines translated in Burmese which support the training of the trainers implemented in Myanmar

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