Feeding values of conventional diets and their effects on the performances of dairy cows in Central Myanmar

The conventional diets have been fed to dairy cows since many years ago in Myanmar, however there is a little scientific information regarding the use of those diets as feed. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the feeding values of conventional diets and their effects on the performances of dairy cows in Central Myanmar. Nine cross-bred Holstein Friesian cows (460±22kg) with the 12th week of lactation were randomly allocated to one of three treatment groups with three replicates in a completely randomized design. The three treatments were Diet-ST (common diet from Sin Tel, Tatar U Township), Diet-MN (common diet from Myay Ngu, Tatar U Township) and Diet-AM (common diet from Amarapura Township). Cows were fed treatments for 60 days. The roughage to concentrate ratios ranged from 53:47 to 72:28 and the nutritive values were significantly different (p<0.05) each other. The highest nutrient intakes were observed in dairy cows fed on Diet-MN, however the nutrient digestibility were not different (p>0.05) except the CP and ether extract digestibility (CPD and EED). The nitrogen utilization was highest in dairy cows fed on Diet-ST and the lowest value was observed in the dairy cows fed on Diet-AM. Although the milk compositions were not different (p>0.05), the average milk yield of dairy cows offered the Diet-MN was significantly higher (p<0.05) than those of dairy cows fed on other diets. The highest total feed cost (p<0.05) was found in Diet-AM and the lowest value (p<0.05) was in Diet-MN. According to these findings, it was concluded that the highest feeding value was observed in Diet-MN and its effect on the performances of dairy cows was also greater than others. Moreover, it would be suggested that better bean residues and sesame residues could be used as fibre sources in the diets of dairy cows

In vitro fermentation of conventional diets commonly fed to dairy cows in Central Myanmar

This study consisted of two experiments conducted to evaluate the effective net gas, fermentation kinetics (experiment 1), methane gas concentration, partitioning factor (PF) for microbial protein synthesis and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) (experiment 2) of conventional diets commonly fed to dairy cows in Central Myanmar. The conventional diets from four areas [diet from Sin Tel area (Diet-ST), diet from Myay Ngu area (Diet-MN), diet from Ta Pel area (Diet-TP) and diet from Amarapura area (Diet-AM)] were used as experimental diets in this study. In most of conventional diets, rice straw, sorghum stover and natural grass were used as roughage source and cotton seed cake and broken rice were used as concentrate. However in some diets, sesame residue and butter bean residue were used as roughage source instead of sorghum stover and natural grass. The roughage to concentrate ratio and crude protein (CP) content of conventional diets ranged from 53:47 to 72:28 and 11.46 to 17.96%, respectively. In experiment 1, the effective net gas volume of Diet-TP was lower (p<0.05) than Diet-ST and Diet-AM and generally, the fermentation kinetics (a, b, c and a+b) of Diet-TP were also lower than those of other diets. In the experiment 2, the lower value (p<0.05) of short chain fatty acid (SCFA) was found in Diet-MN and Diet-TP while the higher values (p<0.05) of metabolizable energy (ME) and organic matter digestibility (OMD) were observed Diet-AM and Diet-TP. Although methane gas concentration of Diet-TP was higher (p<0.05) than those of other diets, the greater values of IVDMD and PF were observed in Diet-TP. According to these findings, it was perceived that all conventional diets have different nutritional qualities which are useful for production and health of dairy cows; however the Diet-TP possessed the highest nutritional qualities among the conventional diets

Effect of Different Fertilization Rates on Cyanogen and Foliage and Tuber Yields of Cassava

This experiment was conducted to determine the effect of different fertilization rates on the cyanogen and yields of cassava foliage and tuber. Nine fertilization rates, three nitrogen and potassium levels (N: 0, 50, 100 kg/ha and K: 0, 100, 250 kg/ha, respectively) with constant phosphorus level (P: 50 kg/ha) (F-0:N0-P50-K0, F-1:N0-P50-K100, F-2:N0-P50-K250, F-3:N50-P50-K0, F-4:N50-P50-K100, F-5:N50-P50-K250, F-6:N100-P50-K0, F-7:N100-P50-K100, F-8:N100-P50-K250), were applied in the randomized completely block design. After one year experiment, cassava foliage and tuber were harvested, and determined the yields and cyanogen (HCNp) content. The lowest (P < 0.05) HCNp contents and the highest (P < 0.05) foliage, tuber and protein yields were observed in cassava applied with F-4 (N50-P50-K100) and F-5 (N50-P50-K250) in compare with other fertilization rates. Regarding growth characteristics, the plant height (P < 0.05) was also highest in cassava fertilized by F-4 (N50-P50-K100) and F-5 (N50-P50-K250), whereas the leaf numbers per plant and branches number per plant were highest in cassava applied with F-5 (N50-P50-K250) and F-7 (N100-P50-K100), respectively. It could be recommended that the nitrogen (N: 50 kg/ha) and potassium (K: 100-250 kg/ha) should be used to reduce cyanogen contents for safe utilization and increased cassava foliage and tuber yields

Effect of Attack angle on Aerodynamics Analysis of Different Wind Turbine Wings using Numerical Simulation

In this research, the performance of two airfoils are compared by using Numerical analysis. There are so many dedicated airfoils to be used in various kinds of wind turbine blades. The lift coefficient and drag coefficient are the key parameters to determine the airfoil performance. The right choice of airfoil gives good performance in wind turbine blade design based on the available wind velocity, Reynold number, blade material. The author wants to compare the performance of 3D model two airfoils (SG 6043 and NACA 4412) for low Reynold number; less than 500,000 [1]. The numerical simulation is carried out by using Ansys-Fluent software. The lift and drag coefficients are compared based on different angle of attack 0º, 5º, 10º at wind velocity 10m/s, rated wind velocity for intended regions. The design chord length is 0.5m and width of the wing is 0.25m. The numerical results are compared with the results of Profili 2.0c software. By doing this simulation, understand their flow nature and the performance of two airfoil profiles is compared. Therefore, the suitable airfoil will be used in local horizontal axis wind turbine industries.

Endovascular Stenting in Superior Vena Cava Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

PURPOSE: Endovascular stenting has been used to manage superior vena cava syndrome for several decades and has become standard firstline practice. This study aims to investigate the outcomes of endovascular stenting in the management of superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS). METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE and PUBMED online databases were searched, with studies involving more than ten adult patients included. Studies identified spanned 27 years, from 1993 to 2020. Meta-analyses were performed based on Clopper-Pearson estimation. RESULTS: Fifty-four studies were identified, for a total of 2249 patients, of which 2015 had malignant SVCS and 222 benign SVCS. Pooled technical success and clinical success rates were 96.8% (95% CI 96.0-97.5%) and 92.8% (95% CI 91.7-93.8%). Technical success and clinical success rates for studies investigating benign SVCS alone were identical at 88.8% (95% CI 83.0-93.1%). Pooled patency remained above 90% for the first year. Average complication and re-intervention rates were 5.78% (SD = 9.3182) and 9.11% (SD = 11.190). CONCLUSIONS: This review confirms the effectiveness of endovascular stenting in managing SVCS. Further directions of research may include specific outcomes of endovascular stenting in benign SVCS, and the impact of procedural characteristics, such as the use of anticoagulation and type of stent used, on outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, systematic review of retrospective cohort studies

Myanmar - fisheries governance: confusion, uncertainty

Ten years of freshwater fisheries governance reform in the Ayeyarwaddy region of Myanmar has led to greater democratization and decentralization, but problems remain

N-acetylcysteine supplementation for the prevention of atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery: a meta-analysis of eight randomized controlled trials

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Atrial fibrillation is the most common type of arrhythmia after cardiac surgery. An increasing body of evidence demonstrates that oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of atrial fibrillation. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a free radical scavenger, and may attenuate this pathophysiologic response and reduce the incidence of postoperative AF (POAF). However, it is unclear whether NAC could effectively prevent POAF. Therefore, this meta-analysis aims to assess the efficacy of NAC supplementation on the prevention of POAF.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Medline and Embase were systematically reviewed for studies published up to November 2011, in which NAC was compared with controls for adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Outcome measures comprised the incidence of POAF and hospital length of stay (LOS). The meta-analysis was performed with the fixed-effect model or random-effect model according to the heterogeneity.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Eight randomized trials incorporating 578 patients provided the best evidence and were included in this meta-analysis. NAC supplementation significantly reduced the incidence of POAF (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.41 to 0.93; <it>P </it>= 0.021) compared with controls, but had no effect on LOS (WMD -0.07, 95% CI -0.42 to 0.28; <it>P </it>= 0.703).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The prophylactic NAC supplementation may effectively reduce the incidence of POAF. However, the overall quality of current studies is poor and further research should focus on adequately powered randomized controlled trials with POAF incidence as a primary outcome measure.</p

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

Microbial hitchhikers on intercontinental dust: high-throughput sequencing to catalogue microbes in small sand samples

Microbiological studies on the intercontinental transport of dust are confounded by the difficulty of obtaining sufficient material for analysis. Axenic samples of dust collected at high altitudes or historic specimens in museums are often so small and precious that the material can only be sacrificed when positive results are assured. With this in mind, we evaluated current methods and developed new ones in an attempt to catalogue all microbes present in small dust or sand samples. The methods used included classical microbiological approaches in which sand extracts were plated out on a variety of different media, polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based amplification of 16S/18S rRNA sequences followed by construction of clone libraries, PCR amplification of 16S rRNA sequences followed by high-throughput sequencing (HtS) of the products and direct HtS of DNA extracted from the sand. A representative sand sample collected at Bahaï Wadi in the desert of the Republic of Chad was used. HtS with or without amplification showed the most promise and can be performed on ≤100ng DNA. Since living microbes are often required, current best practices would involve geochemical and microscopic characterisation of the sample, followed by DNA isolation and direct HtS. Once the microbial content of the sample has been deciphered, growth conditions (including media) can be tailored to isolate the micro-organisms of interes