ABO blood groups and susceptibility to Malaria

A total of 425 villagers from four malaria endemie villages in Kanbaunk village tract, Yephyu Township. Taninthayee Division were examined for the presence of malaria parasites in blood and ABO blood groups with the aim to find out if there are any differences in the parasite positive rate among the ABO bolld groups. The distribution of blood groups was 22 per cent, 35 per cent, 38 per cent and 5 per cent for A,B,O and AB blood groups respectively. their allotment are similar to other parts of the country. the parasite positive rate in all persons irrespective of blood group was 23 per cent P. falciparum and P. vivax accounting for 81 per cent and 19 per cent respectively. when the parasite positive rates were compared among the 4 blood groups, they were 20 per cent, 14 per cent, 16 per cent and 14 per cent respectively but there was no significant difference among different blood groups. The ratio of P. falciparum and P. vivax did not differ significantly among the four blood groups. Thus, according to our results ABO blood groups have no relation with malaria susceptibility.

Studies on the stability of DMR hepatitis B vaccine

The stability of the DMR hepatitis B vaccine at 4C and room temperature has been followed over a period of one year by monitoring its physical, chemical and biological characteristics bimonthly starting from February 1996. The pH and protein content of the vaccine did not change for both storage conditions throughout the study. The vaccines were found to be sterile and free from pyrogens and passed the general safety test on mice. The HBsAg titer started to decline after eight months of storage at 4C and after 10 days of storage at room temperature. However, the HBsAg adsorption rate to the adjuvant remained over 95 per cent for both storage conditions.

Histopathological severity of antral gastritis in relationship to Helicobacter pylori colonisation

The association between Helicobacter pylori (HP) colonisation in gastric antrum and the degree of severity and activity of gastritis and the concomitant relationship with gastric atrophy and intestinal metaplastic changes were studied. A total of 204 pieces of endoscopic biopsy tissues were collected from the outpatient endoscopy unit of New Yangon General Hospital in 1994. Routine Haematoxylin and Eosin stain as well as special stains such as modified Giemsa and Carbol fuchsin stains were used for bacterial identification and quantitative analysis. a significant correlation (P value <0.001) was obtained between density of HP colonisation and severity of gastritis as well as its activity (p value <0.001). However, no significant degree of atrophic changes and intestinal metaplastic changes were noted in these biopsies. a continuation for a better understanding of the pathogenesis of HP and its consequences is necessary.

The use of Moringa oleifera (dan-da-lun) seed for the sedimentation and decontamination of household water Part II: Community-based study

The seeds of Moringa oleifera were tested as clearing and sedimentation agents in household water in Thaung Gyi Lay village with 110 households. Questionnaires were completed for each household and follow-up visits were carried out to ascertain the hypothetical acceptability (attitude), initial acceptability (behaviour) and experimental acceptability. It was observed that 78.9 per cent of the people accepted to use Moringa oleifera seeds if these were easily available. For continuous use of Moringa oleifera seeds, 47.3 per cent wanted to use, 44.7 per cent could not decide and only three households (2.7 per cent) did not want to use these. It was observed that the taste and pH of water did not change after treatment with Moringa oleifera seeds. There was no complaint about the treated water. This study will highlight the acceptance to use Moringa oleifera seeds for the sedimentation of turbid water.

The usefulness of Moringa oleifera (dan-da-lun) seed for the sedimentation and decontamination of turbid water from ponds and revers Part I: Laboratory investigations

The seeds of Moringa oleifera were tested as the clearing and sedimentation agents in tubid water from various sources (1) DMR pond (2) Yangon river (3) Bago River (4) Hline River (5) Hlinethaya Pond (6) artesian well from laydaunkkan and (7) Thanlyin River. the turbidity reduction of 80.00 to 99.5 percent paralled by a primary bacterial reduction of 90.00 to 99.99 per cent were obtained within the first one to two hours of treatment, the bacteria being concentrated in the coagulated sediment. It was observed that 100 mg (one ywe) of the seed powder served as a clearing agent in one litre of turbid water. However, the difference of clearing activity was not significant with different amounts of powder, lwhen 50 mg, 100 mg and 200 mg respectively were used with constant water quantity (one litre) within 24 hours. Moreover, the effect of the seeds could not alter the original pH of the tested water samples. The powder of M. oleifera leaves, bark and roots had no power to clear the turbidity of tested water samples.

Clinical trial to determine the hypouricaemic potential of Zizyphus jujuba kernel

Clinical trial to determine the therapeutic efficacy of a traditional herbal drug, Zizyphus jujuba kernel reputed for anti-gout action was carried out on 20 healthy volunteers. Using a cross-over design, the subjects were divided into two groups. Group I received standard hypouricaemic drug, allopurinol and Group II was administered Z. jujuba dernel for 14 days. after a wash-out period of another 7 days, the drugs were crossed over between the two groups in which Group I was administered Z. jujuba kernel and Group II was administered allopurinol for further 14 days again. Blood and urine samples of these subjects were taken at 5 days' intervals throughout the study period for determination of uric acid, creatinine and liver function tests. It was found that Z. jujuba shows no abnormalities on kidney and liver function tests. It also possesses neither hypouricaemic nor uricosuric actions.