The Role of Ultrasound in teaching Clinical Anatomy to First year Medical Students

Abstract Introduction: Undergraduate medical education training has recently shifted towards making content relevant and applicable for future clinical practice. However, students often encounter difficulties in visualizing the functional living human and apply clinically relevant anatomy content. Hence, the aim of this study is to evaluate the role and efficacy of ultrasound in teaching clinical anatomy to first year medical students

CHALLENGES FOR MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES DEVELOPMENT IN YANGON EAST DISTRICT (A Case Study of Food and Beverage Enterprises

To achieve the development of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Myanmar, it is important to analyze the main factors for the challenges of their development. So, this study analyzes to the ground challenges for the development of food and beverages enterprises through survey data of 135 food and beverages MSMEs in Yangon East District. Food and beverage enterprises groups were selected for particular attention of the region in Yangon East District. Focused group discussion interviews were selected with a total 23 people from the experts of each field. The questionnaire was based on the OECD standard questionnaire and other literature review about MSME development. Fourteen indicators were used to assess the come out for major challenges of food and beverage enterprises. Data has been collected by questionnaires to food and beverages MSMEs owners/managers. According to the survey data analysis, the limited expand production, weak specific work plan and management system, the government tax, no advanced technology and skilled innovative idea, the high price of land, the insufficient amount of investment, the requirement of skilled labor and technician for further production, the government loan/grant for more productivity, the low enforcement in law and protection, the insufficient electricity, the less of training programs, the importation of machines, equipment, raw materials and packaging materials from foreign country, the inabilities of export market and the delay official processes were found to be the major factors for the challenges of MSMEs’ developmen

The legend of laphet: A Myanmar fermented tea leaf

Background: Laphet, a Myanmar traditional fermented tea leaf, has been developed as an ethnic food. It has a very long history in Myanmar. In ancient times fermented tea leaves were used as a peace symbol or peace offering between warring kingdoms. Nowadays, the laphet tray is a main expression of hospitality offering to houseguests. Methods: The culture of laphet, the production of laphet from tea leaves, and the health benefits of its active compounds were analyzed from scientific articles on fermented tea leaf, green tea, and collected data from tea leaf-producing areas. Results: Laphet is of Myanmar origin and not derived from other cultures. It is an essential popular dish for traditional ceremonies in Myanmar. The polyphenolic compounds remain in laphet after the fermentation of tea leaves. Conclusion: Fermentation is the traditional method. Epigallocatechin gallate is a powerful constituent of laphet for human health. Its caffeinated effect is also popular in Myanmar society. This study will contribute to understanding Myanmar fermented tea leaves and spread the legend of laphet around the world

Spinning Process of Chitosan Fiber with Low Concentration of Formic Acid Solution and its Characteristics

The wet spinning of chitosan fiber was carried out using 7% chitosan concentration, 4% aqueous formic acid as a solvent for chitosan and 6M of aqueous CaCl2.2H2O as a coagulation system. A better method for preparation of chitosan spinning solution was investigated by studying the effect of reaction time on incubation of spinning solution in open air. The shear viscosity of chitosan solution (22.63 ~ 23.09 Pa.s) was found to be stabilize the spinning of chitosan fiber in this study. The characteristics of different chitosan fibers were determined by FT-IR and 1HNMR spectroscopies, XRD diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and mechanical properties. All the fibers were observed with high tenacity (dTex). The strength of fiber and water retention of chitosan fiber (%) was significantly increased with increasing the incubation time of spinning solution in open air

Community demand for comprehensive primary health care from malaria volunteers in South-East Myanmar: a qualitative study

Background Malaria volunteers have contributed significantly to malaria control achieving a reduction of annual parasite incidence to pre-elimination levels in several townships across Myanmar. However, the volunteers’ role is changing as Myanmar transitions from a malaria control to elimination programme and towards the goal of universal health coverage. The aim of the study is to explore the perspectives of community leaders, members and malaria volunteers in South-East Myanmar on community-delivered models to inform an optimal design that targets malaria elimination in the context of primary health care in Myanmar. Methods Qualitative methods including focus group discussions (FGDs) with community members and current or ex-malaria volunteers, and participatory workshops with community leaders were conducted. All data collection tools were pilot tested with similar participants. The FGDs were stratified into male and female participants in consideration of diverse gender roles among the ethnic groups of Myanmar. Data saturation was the key cut-off point to cease recruitment of participants. Inductive thematic analysis was used. Results Community members were willing to be tested for malaria because they were concerned about the consequences of malaria although they were aware that malaria prevalence is low in their villages. Malaria volunteers were the main service providers for malaria and other infectious diseases in the community. Apart from malaria, the community identified common health problems such as the flu (fever, sneezing and coughing), diarrhoea, skin infections and tuberculosis as priority diseases in this order. Incorporating preventive, and whenever possible curative, services for those diseases into the current malaria volunteer model was recommended. Discussion and conclusion There was a gap between the communities’ expectations of health services and the health services currently being delivered by volunteers in the community that highlights the need for reassessment and reform of the volunteer model in the changing context. An evidence-based, community preferred, pragmatic community-delivered integrated model should be constructed based on the context of malaria elimination and progressing towards universal health coverage in Myanmar