Asian elephant calf physiology and mahout perspectives during taming in Myanmar.

A quarter of Asian elephants are captive, with greater than 90% of these tamed and cared for by handlers (mahouts) in Asia. Although taming is a much-discussed welfare issue, no studies to our knowledge have empirically assessed its impact on calves, and dialogue surrounding taming often lacks perspectives of those involved. Here, we interviewed mahouts involved in taming and monitored five physiological measures (faecal glucocorticoid metabolites (FGMs), serum cortisol, glucose, creatine kinase (CK) and heterophil:lymphocyte (H:L)) over the first 10 days of taming and following six months in 41 calves undergoing taming and 16 control individuals. These measures assess the duration and intensity of stress during taming. Interviews suggested mahouts had major concerns for their safety when discussing changing taming practices, an important consideration for future management. Calf physiological measures were elevated by 50-70% (FGMs/cortisol/glucose), 135% (H:L) and greater than 500% (CK) over the first few days of taming, indicative of elevated stress, not seen to the same extent in control adults. Some measures stabilized sooner (glucose/cortisol/CK/FGM: 7-10 days) than others (H:L: one-two months), indicating mostly acute stress. Our findings inform the welfare of approximately 15 000 captive elephants around the world. Future studies should compare taming in different populations and consider calf and mahout welfare.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding plagiarism of postgraduate students in Myanmar.

Information regarding the prevalence of plagiarism and its contributing factors are limited in Myanmar. We aimed to explore the knowledge, attitudes, and self-reported plagiarism practices of postgraduate students in Myanmar's universities and determine the factors associated with plagiarism. We conducted a cross-sectional questionnaire study during 2019-2020. The questionnaire contained: 1) demographics, 2) knowledge on plagiarism, 3) attitudes toward plagiarism, and 4) self-reported plagiarism practices. We calculated attitudes and plagiarism severity scores (PSS). We conducted multiple linear regression analyses and binary logistic regression analyses. A p-value <0.05 denoted statistical significance. We enrolled 217 participants. Of our participants, 37.6% self-reported at least one plagiarism act. The mean attitude score (S.D.) was 62.24 (10.44), (maximum score was 92, higher scores represent disapproval of plagiarism). This attitude score reflects only a moderate attitude toward disapproval of plagiarism. The attitude score was significantly higher for doctoral students (9.2%) than master students (90.8%); p = 0.003; and for participants with publications (13.4%) compared with those without publications (86.6%); p = 0.005. The attitude score was a significant predictor of the PSS. We conclude that there is evidence to suggest that plagiarism represents a significant ethical issue in Myanmar and recommend that Myanmar universities provide training in responsible conduct of research.

Seroepidemiologic Survey of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus in Logging Communities, Myanmar.

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is endemic in Asia, infecting many animal hosts, but CCHFV has not been reported in Myanmar. We conducted a seroepidemiologic survey of logging communities in Myanmar and found CCHFV exposure was common (9.8%) and exposure to wild animal blood and body fluids was associated with seropositivity.

Anthropogenic interferences lead to gut microbiome dysbiosis in Asian elephants and may alter adaptation processes to surrounding environments.

Human activities interfere with wild animals and lead to the loss of many animal populations. Therefore, efforts have been made to understand how wildlife can rebound from anthropogenic disturbances. An essential mechanism to adapt to environmental and social changes is the fluctuations in the host gut microbiome. Here we give a comprehensive description of anthropogenically induced microbiome alterations in Asian elephants (n = 30). We detected gut microbial changes due to overseas translocation, captivity and deworming. We found that microbes belonging to Planococcaceae had the highest contribution in the microbiome alterations after translocation, while Clostridiaceae, Spirochaetaceae and Bacteroidia were the most affected after captivity. However, deworming significantly changed the abundance of Flavobacteriaceae, Sphingobacteriaceae, Xanthomonadaceae, Weeksellaceae and Burkholderiaceae. These findings may provide fundamental ideas to help guide the preservation tactics and probiotic replacement therapies of a dysbiosed gut microbiome in Asian elephants. More generally, these results show the severity of anthropogenic activities at the level of gut microbiome, altering the adaptation processes to new environments and the subsequent capability to maintain normal physiological processes in animals.

Morphological and molecular identification of cyathostomine gastrointestinal nematodes of Murshidia and Quilonia species from Asian elephants in Myanmar.

Gastrointestinal nematode parasites have long been recognized in Asian elephants. The most common parasites belong to the subfamily Cyathostominae of the family Strongylidae, which are small to medium-sized with a cylindrical buccal capsule surrounded by coronal leaflets. Diagnostic keys of such parasites are provided from old illustrations in the form of line drawings. However, there very few photomicrographs and no genetic information of these parasites exist. In the present study we obtained adult worm specimens from faeces of Asian elephants after anthelmintic treatment in two elephant camps in Myanmar. Here, we provided photomicrographs for five cyathostomine parasites, Murshidia falcifera, Murshidia indica, Murshidia neveulemairei, Quilonia renniei, and Quilonia travancra almost 100 years after their original drawings. In addition, we determined the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequences of these species. Phylogenetic analysis of the COI genes of Murshidia and Quilonia species from Asian and African elephants revealed parasite speciation in each elephant host. The present study also indicated that several Murshidia and Quilonia species were widely distributed in Asian elephants in Myanmar, providing new insight into control strategies and evolution of cyathostomine gastrointestinal parasites in elephants.

HIV incidence and factors associated with testing positive for HIV among men who have sex with men and transgender women in Myanmar: data from community-based HIV testing services.

INTRODUCTION: In Myanmar, men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TW) are disproportionately affected by HIV, despite national HIV program scale-up. However, limited HIV surveillance capacity prevents monitoring of epidemic trends and program impact. This study aimed to estimate HIV prevalence and incidence and explore associated sexual risk behaviours among MSM and TW clients attending HIV testing clinics in Myanmar. METHODS: An electronic data management system was implemented in two community-based, MSM and TW -tailored HIV testing clinics in Myanmar in August 2016. Unique client identifiers enabled prospective monitoring of service engagement, testing frequency and outcomes. We estimated HIV incidence and rate of HIV diagnosis at baseline testing visit among clients over a 15 month period. Correlates of HIV diagnoses were identified using multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: 2794 MSM and TW were tested for HIV. At their baseline test, 38% of clients reported any previous testing and 93% reported being sexually active over the previous three months, with 74% reporting sex with casual male partners and 28% reporting consistent condom use with casual partners. 291 clients tested positive for HIV for the first time at baseline (10.4%; 95% CI: 9.3 to 11.6). Twelve incident cases were detected among 279 clients receiving ≥2 tests (incidence = 10.1 per 100 person-years; 95% CI: 5.73 to 17.8). HIV diagnosis at baseline was significantly associated with being a transgender woman or a non-openly disclosing man who has sex with men, age 26 to 39 years, and reporting no testing history. CONCLUSIONS: High HIV incidence and new diagnoses being associated with reporting no testing history points to undiagnosed HIV driving transmissions in Myanmar. Repeat testing was uncommon. HIV programs in Myanmar must focus on promoting frequent HIV testing alongside adequate coverage of education and primary prevention interventions among MSM and TW.

Taming age mortality in semi-captive Asian elephants.

Understanding factors preventing populations of endangered species from being self-sustaining is vital for successful conservation, but we often lack sufficient data to understand dynamics. The global Asian elephant population has halved since the 1950s, however >25% currently live in captivity and effective management is essential to maintain viable populations. Here, we study the largest semi-captive Asian elephant population, those of the Myanma timber industry (~20% global captive population), whose population growth is heavily limited by juvenile mortality. We assess factors associated with increased mortality of calves aged 4.0-5.5 years, the taming age in Myanmar, a process affecting ~15,000 captive elephants to varying degrees worldwide. Using longitudinal survival data of 1,947 taming-aged calves spanning 43 years, we showed that calf mortality risk increased by >50% at the taming age of four, a peak not seen in previous studies on wild African elephants. Calves tamed at younger ages experienced higher mortality risk, as did calves with less experienced mothers. Taming-age survival greatly improved after 2000, tripling since the 1970's. Management should focus on reducing risks faced by vulnerable individuals such as young and first-born calves to further improve survival. Changes associated with reduced mortality here are important targets for improving the sustainability of captive populations.

Assessing Research Ethics Committees in Myanmar: Results of a Self-Assessment Tool.

BACKGROUND: Human subject research has increased in Myanmar since 2010 and accordingly, the establishment of research ethics committees (RECs) have increased to review these research studies. However, characteristics that reflect the operations of RECs in Myanmar have not been assessed. OBJECTIVES: To assess the structures and processes of RECs at Medical Institutions in Myanmar. METHODS: We used a self-assessment tool for RECs operating in low and middle-income countries. This tool consists of the following ten domains: organizational aspects, membership and ethics training, submission arrangements and materials, meeting minutes, policies referring to review procedures, review of specific protocol and informed consent items, communication a decision, continuing review, REC resources, and institutional commitment. We distributed this self-administered questionnaire to RECs from 15 Medical Institutions in Myanmar and one representative from each REC completed this questionnaire and returned it anonymously. We used descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate statistics to analyse the data. RESULTS: Out of maximum 200 points, the total mean score for Myanmar Medical Institutions was 112.6 ± 12.77, which is lower compared to the aggregate mean score of 137.4 ± 35.8 obtained from RECs in other countries. Domains in which the average percentage score was less than 60% included organizational commitment, membership and ethics training, continuing review and REC resources. Many RECs have a diverse membership and appropriate gender balance but, lacked essential policies. CONCLUSION: The results show that for Myanmar RECs there is significant room for improvement in their "structures and processes" as well as the extent of institutionl commitment. The self-assessment tool proved to be valuable method to assess the quality of RECs.

First record and analysis of the COI gene of Cobboldia elephantis obtained from a captive Asian elephant from Myanmar.

The stomach bot fly species in Asian elephants has long been known as Cobboldia elephantis. However, there is no genetic information available for this species to date. Here, we report that a third-instar fly larva was excreted from a captive Asian elephant four months after export from an elephant camp in Myanmar to a zoological garden in Japan. Morphological characteristics of the larva were coincident with published descriptions of C. elephantis. The mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene was amplified from the larva by PCR using primers modified from those designed for DNA barcoding of insects and amphibians. The COI gene of C. elephantis showed 76.6 % and 83.6 % identity at the nucleotide and amino acid levels, respectively, to that of C. loxodontis, the stomach bot fly species in African elephants. Phylogenetic analysis of the COI genes of several stomach bot fly species revealed that the two Cobboldia species formed a clade separate from the stomach bot fly species found in rhinoceros and equids.

Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus Hemorrhagic Disease in Asian Elephant Calves in Logging Camps, Myanmar.

In recent years, an alarming number of cases of lethal acute hemorrhagic disease have occurred in Asian elephant calves raised in logging camps in Myanmar. To determine whether these deaths were associated with infection by elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV), we conducted diagnostic PCR subtype DNA sequencing analysis on necropsy tissue samples collected from 3 locations. We found that EEHV DNA from 7 PCR loci was present at high levels in all 3 calves and was the same EEHV1A virus type that has been described in North America, Europe, and other parts of Asia. However, when analyzed over 5,610 bp, the strains showed major differences from each other and from all previously characterized EEHV1A strains. We conclude that these 3 elephant calves in Myanmar died from the same herpesvirus disease that has afflicted young Asian elephants in other countries over the past 20 years.

New elephant crisis in Asia-Early warning signs from Myanmar.

In the southern Bago Yoma mountain range in Myanmar, Asian elephants are being killed at a disturbing rate. This emerging crisis was identified initially through a telemetry study when 7 of 19 of collared elephants were poached within a year of being fitted with a satellite-GPS collar. Subsequent follow up of ground teams confirmed the human caused death or disappearance of at least 19 elephants, including the seven collared individuals, within a 35 km2 area in less than two years. The carcasses of 40 additional elephants were found in areas located across south-central Myanmar once systematic surveys began by our team and collaborators. In addition to the extreme rate of loss, this study documents the targeting of elephants for their skin instead of the more common ivory, an increasing trend in Myanmar. Intensive research programs focused on other conservation problems identified this issue and are now encouraging local authorities to prioritize anti-poaching efforts and improve conservation policies within the country. Myanmar represents one of the last remaining countries in Asia with substantial wildlands suitable for elephants. Increasing rates of human-elephant conflict and poaching events in this country pose a dire threat to the global population.

Acceptability of Peer-Delivered HIV Testing and Counselling Among Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM) and Transgender Women (TW) in Myanmar.

Men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TW) are a priority population for HIV prevention in Myanmar but report sub-optimal HIV testing frequency. Previous studies have shown that peer involvement in HIV testing can normalize stigmatized sexualities and reduce barriers to testing. We explored the acceptability of peer-delivered HIV testing among 425 undiagnosed MSM and TW in Yangon and Mandalay. An overwhelming majority of participants (86%) reported being 'comfortable/very comfortable' with peer-delivered HIV testing. Logistic regression identified reporting sexual identity as Apone [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 3.8; 95% CI 1.2-11.7], recent HIV testing (aOR 3.1; 95% CI 1.4-6.5), reporting a high likelihood of HIV acquisition (aOR 3.6; 95% CI 1.7-7.6), and reporting ≥ 5 casual partners in the past 3 months (aOR 0.2; 95% CI 0.1-0.6) as associated with peer-delivered HIV testing acceptability. Given ongoing HIV vulnerability among MSM and TW in Myanmar, peer-delivered testing may offer prevention benefits by increasing testing rates and identifying undiagnosed infection earlier.

Current Status of Research Ethics Capacity in Myanmar.

Myanmar has recently surfaced from total military rule and efforts at conducting research to enhance the health of the population has increased during the recent democratization process, both from the military and civil sectors as well as support from international agencies. International guidelines mandate that such research requires prior ethics review in accordance with international standards. Previous commentators have expressed concerns, however, regarding the degree of adequate training in research ethics for investigators, the optimal functioning of Research Ethics Committees (RECs), and the extent of responsible conduct in research in low and middle-income countries. Such concerns might also be applicable to Myanmar, especially since it has recently emerged from a long period of military rule where there has been lack of basic freedoms and human rights abuses. We herein review the current gaps in research ethics capacity in Myanmar, the status of the existing RECs and the current efforts to establish training programs to enhance capacity in research ethics.

A tool compound targeting the core binding factor Runt domain to disrupt binding to CBFß in leukemic cells.

The core binding factor (CBF) gene RUNX1 is a target of chromosomal translocations in leukemia, including t(8;21) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Normal CBF function is essential for activity of AML1-ETO, product of the t(8;21), and for survival of several leukemias lacking RUNX1 mutations. Using virtual screening and optimization, we developed Runt domain inhibitors which bind to the Runt domain and disrupt its interaction with CBFß. On-target activity was demonstrated by the Runt domain inhibitors' ability to depress hematopoietic cell formation in zebrafish embryos, reduce growth and induce apoptosis of t(8;21) AML cell lines, and reduce progenitor activity of mouse and human leukemia cells harboring the t(8;21), but not normal bone marrow cells. Runt domain inhibitors had similar effects on murine and human T cell acute lymphocytic leukemia (T-ALL) cell lines. Our results confirmed that Runt domain inhibitors might prove efficacious in various AMLs and in T-ALL.

Willingness to use HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis among gay men, other men who have sex with men and transgender women in Myanmar.

INTRODUCTION: HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has emerged as a key component of contemporary HIV combination prevention strategies. To explore the local suitability of PrEP, country-specific acceptability studies are needed to inform potential PrEP implementation. In the context of Myanmar, in addition to resource constraints, HIV service access by gay men, other men who have sex with men, and transgender women (GMT) continues to be constrained by legislative and community stigma and marginalization. We aimed to determine PrEP acceptability among GMT in Myanmar and explore the factors associated with willingness to use PrEP. METHODS: GMT were recruited in Yangon and Mandalay through local HIV prevention outreach programmes in November and December 2014. Quantitative surveys were administered by trained peer educators and collected data on demographics, sexual risk, testing history and PrEP acceptability. A modified six-item PrEP acceptability scale classified self-reported HIV undiagnosed GMT as willing to use PrEP. Multivariable logistic regression identified factors associated with willingness to use PrEP. RESULTS: Among 434 HIV undiagnosed GMT, PrEP awareness was low (5%). PrEP acceptability was high, with 270 (62%) GMT classified as willing to use PrEP. GMT recruited in Mandalay (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.79; 95%CI = 1.05-3.03), who perceived themselves as likely to become HIV positive (aOR = 1.82; 95%CI = 1.10-3.02), who had more than one recent regular partner (aOR = 2.94; 95%CI = 1.41-6.14), no regular partners (aOR = 2.05; 95%CI = 1.10-3.67), more than five casual partners (aOR = 2.05; 95%CI = 1.06-3.99) or no casual partners (aOR = 2.25; 95%CI = 1.23-4.11) were more likely to be willing to use PrEP. The association between never or only occasionally using condoms with casual partners and willingness to use PrEP was marginally significant (aOR = 2.02; 95%CI = 1.00-4.10). GMT who reported concern about side effects and long-term use of PrEP were less likely (aOR = 0.35; 95%CI = 0.21-0.59) to be willing to use PrEP. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to assess PrEP acceptability in Myanmar. Findings suggest PrEP is an acceptable prevention option among GMT in Myanmar, providing they are not required to pay for it. Implementation/demonstration projects are needed to explore the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of PrEP as a prevention option for GMT in Myanmar.

Runx1 Deficiency Decreases Ribosome Biogenesis and Confers Stress Resistance to Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells.

The transcription factor RUNX1 is frequently mutated in myelodysplastic syndrome and leukemia. RUNX1 mutations can be early events, creating preleukemic stem cells that expand in the bone marrow. Here we show, counterintuitively, that Runx1-deficient hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) have a slow growth, low biosynthetic, small cell phenotype and markedly reduced ribosome biogenesis (Ribi). The reduced Ribi involved decreased levels of rRNA and many mRNAs encoding ribosome proteins. Runx1 appears to directly regulate Ribi; Runx1 is enriched on the promoters of genes encoding ribosome proteins and binds the rDNA repeats. Runx1-deficient HSPCs have lower p53 levels, reduced apoptosis, an attenuated unfolded protein response, and accordingly are resistant to genotoxic and ER stress. The low biosynthetic activity and corresponding stress resistance provides a selective advantage to Runx1-deficient HSPCs, allowing them to expand in the bone marrow and outcompete normal HSPCs.

Stress and body condition are associated with climate and demography in Asian elephants.

Establishing links between ecological variation, physiological markers of stress and demography is crucial for understanding how and why changes in environmental conditions affect population dynamics, and may also play a key role for conservation efforts of endangered species. However, detailed longitudinal studies of long-lived species are rarely available. We test how two markers of stress and body condition vary through the year and are associated with climatic conditions and large-scale mortality and fertility variation in the world's largest semi-captive population of Asian elephants employed in the timber industry in Myanmar. Glucocorticoid metabolites (used as a proxy for stress levels in 75 elephants) and body weight (used as a proxy for condition in 116 elephants) were monitored monthly across a typical monsoon cycle and compared with birth and death patterns of the entire elephant population over half a century (n = 2350). Our results show seasonal variation in both markers of stress and condition. In addition, this variation is correlated with population-level demographic variables. Weight is inversely correlated with population mortality rates 1 month later, and glucocorticoid metabolites are negatively associated with birth rates. Weight shows a highly positive correlation with rainfall 1 month earlier. Determining the factors associated with demography may be key to species conservation by providing information about the correlates of mortality and fertility patterns. The unsustainability of the studied captive population has meant that wild elephants have been captured and tamed for work. By elucidating the correlates of demography in captive elephants, our results offer management solutions that could reduce the pressure on the wild elephant population in Myanmar.

Condom use among male migrant workers in dry zone, Myanmar.

OBJECTIVE: To study the factors associated with condom use among male Myanmar migrant workers in Pakokku, Myanmar MATERIAL AND METHOD: This cross-sectional study used two stages cluster sampling with probability proportional to size (PPS) method to collect samples. During 1-14 February 2010, 324 male Myanmar migrant workers between 18 and 60 years of age were asked to complete face-to-face structured interview on knowledge, perception, cues to action, peer influence and sexual behaviors. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, Chi-square test and Fishers exact test. RESULTS: Results revealed that 71.0 percent of respondents were under young and middle adult age and 66.7 percent were married. It showed that 11.1 percent of the respondents used condom regularly with spouse or girlfriends or sex workers during the past year There were associations between age (p = 0.006), marital status (p < 0.001), educational level (p = 0.014), monthly income (p = 0.015), level of knowledge on HIV/AIDS (p = 0.017), perceived susceptibility of getting HIV/ AIDS (p = 0.024) and condom use. No associations were noted between occupation, duration of career; duration of each trip, perceived severity, perceived benefit, perceived barrier, cues to action, peer influence and condom use. CONCLUSION: With low proportion of regular condom use among study group, behavior change, communication interventions and strengthening of the 100.0% Targeted Condom Promotion Project are recommended to promote perception and knowledge about HIV/AIDS and condom use among male migrant workers.

Runx1 loss minimally impacts long-term hematopoietic stem cells.

RUNX1 encodes a DNA binding subunit of the core-binding transcription factors and is frequently mutated in acute leukemia, therapy-related leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome, and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia. Mutations in RUNX1 are thought to confer upon hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) a pre-leukemic state, but the fundamental properties of Runx1 deficient pre-leukemic HSCs are not well defined. Here we show that Runx1 deficiency decreases both apoptosis and proliferation, but only minimally impacts the frequency of long term repopulating HSCs (LT-HSCs). It has been variously reported that Runx1 loss increases LT-HSC numbers, decreases LT-HSC numbers, or causes age-related HSC exhaustion. We attempt to resolve these discrepancies by showing that Runx1 deficiency alters the expression of several key HSC markers, and that the number of functional LT-HSCs varies depending on the criteria used to score them. Finally, we identify genes and pathways, including the cell cycle and p53 pathways that are dysregulated in Runx1 deficient HSCs.