A pure compound from Curcuma comosa Roxb. protects neurons against hydrogen peroxide-induced neurotoxicity via the activation of Nrf-2.

Oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in several human diseases including Parkinson's disease (PD). Curcuma comosa, a member of Zingiberaceae, is widely known in Thailand as an alternative medicinal herb for uterine inflammation and estrogenic properties. In this study (3S)-1-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-7-phenyl-(6E)-6-hepten-3-ol or compound 092 (C-092, or ASPP 092), a pure compound isolated from ethanol extract of C. comosa, was evaluated for neuroprotective effect on hydrogen peroxide-induced toxicity in SH-SY5Y cells. C-092 demonstrated a radical scavenging effect with comparable efficacy to ascorbic acid and exhibited a neuroprotective effect via suppression of apoptotic cell death as evidenced by a reduction in phospho-p53 and cleaved caspase-3 expression. C-092 causes induction of Nrf-2, which is a transcription factor responsible for the expression of a range of antioxidant genes. Moreover, the reduction in catalase activity caused by hydrogen peroxide was also alleviated by C-092 treatment. These results suggested the therapeutic potential of this compound for neurodegenerative diseases caused by oxidative stress.

The acceptability of targeted mass treatment with primaquine for local elimination of vivax malaria in a northern Myanmar township: a mixed-methods study.

BACKGROUND: Radical cure of the Plasmodium vivax latent liver stage is required to effectively manage vivax malaria. Targeted mass treatment with primaquine may be an effective mechanism for reducing reservoirs of the disease. Since community engagement and high coverage are essential for mass treatment programs, this study aimed to determine the acceptability of mass primaquine treatment in a targeted community in a northern Myanmar township. METHODS: A cross-sectional mixed-methods study was deployed among household leaders in July 2019. Face-to-face interviews using structured questionnaires and standardized qualitative guidelines were conducted to gather information. Descriptive and inferential statistics, including logistic regression models, were applied. RESULTS: Among 609 study respondents, > 90% agreed to participate in an upcoming targeted mass primaquine treatment (TPT) program. Factors contributing to higher odds of acceptability of the program were older age [adjusted odds ratios (aOR): 2.38, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.08-8.96], secondary education level (aOR: 3.99, 95% CI 1.12-20.01), having good knowledge of malaria (aOR: 2.12, 95% CI 1.04-4.76), experiencing malaria within the family (aOR: 1.92, 95% CI 1.14-5.13), and believing eliminating malaria from the village is possible (aOR: 2.83, 95% CI 1.07-4.07). Furthermore, 50 community respondents, 6 midwives, and 4 public health staff (grade II) participated in the qualitative component of the study. Many thought that TPT seemed feasible and stressed that high coverage of underserved groups and health education are needed before commencing the activity. CONCLUSIONS: Most respondents agreed to participate in the proposed mass treatment campaign. Older people with secondary education level and those who had experienced malaria within their families were most likely to report willingness to participate. These same individuals may be important in the community engagement process to increase community acceptance of the program.

Initial presenting symptoms, comorbidities and severity of COVID-19 patients during the second wave of epidemic in Myanmar.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by a highly contagious virus called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 emerged in China at the end of 2019 and became a major threat to health around the world. The health experts are still learning more about the detailed knowledge of the natural course and the severity of COVID-19. The study aimed to assess the prevalence and association of severity of disease with demographic characteristics, initial presenting symptoms, and comorbidities among COVID-19 patients in treatment centers, Myanmar. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Hmawbi and Indine treatment centers, Yangon Region, Myanmar, from November to December 2020. Data were collected by using standardized case report forms and then, a total of 222 confirmed COVID-19 inpatients were included in this study. The odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was used as a measure of association and the independent associated factors for severity of disease were investigated using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: In total, 81.5% were symptomatic patients and of these, the most common presenting symptoms were fever 54.1%, loss of smell 50.3%, and cough 30.9%. Among 37.8% of COVID-19 patients with comorbidities, the most common comorbidities were hypertension 58.3%, diabetes mellitus 29.8%, and heart diseases 26.2%, respectively. As a severity, 20.7% of patients had signs of severe pneumonia. The associated factors of severe pneumonia were aged 60 years and older [Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.88, 95% CI 1.14-7.29], overweight or obesity (AOR: 3.87, 95%CI 1.80-8.33), and current smoking (AOR: 6.74, 95% CI 2.72-16.75). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, one-fifth of the patients developed severe pneumonia. The COVID-19 patients who were aged 60 years and older, overweight or obesity, and current smokers should be monitored carefully during the course of treatment to reduce the disease severity.

Predictors of malaria rapid diagnostic test positivity in a high burden area of Paletwa Township, Chin State in Western Myanmar.

BACKGROUND: Despite major reductions in malaria burden across Myanmar, clusters of the disease continue to persist in specific subregions. This study aimed to assess the predictors of test positivity among people living in Paletwa Township of Chin State, an area of persistently high malaria burden. METHODS: Four villages with the highest malaria incidence from Paletwa Township were purposively selected. The characteristics of 1045 subjects seeking malaria diagnosis from the four assigned village health volunteers from January to December, 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Their household conditions and surroundings were also recorded using a checklist. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression models were applied to investigate potential associations between individual and household characteristics and malaria diagnosis. RESULTS: In 2017, the Paletwa township presented 20.9% positivity and an annual parasite index of 46.9 cases per 1000 people. Plasmodium falciparum was the predominant species and accounted for more than 80.0% of all infections. Among 1045 people presenting at a clinic with malaria symptoms, 31.1% were diagnosed with malaria. Predictors for test positivity included living in a hut [adjusted odds ratios (a OR): 2.3, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.2-4.6], owning farm animals (aOR: 1.7, 95% CI: 1.1-3.6), using non-septic type of toilets (aOR: 1.9, 95% CI: 1.1-8.4), presenting with fever (aOR: 1.9, 95% CI: 1.1-3.0), having a malaria episode within the last year (aOR: 2.9, 95% CI: 1.4-5.8), traveling outside the village in the previous 14 days (aOR: 4.5, 95% CI: 1.5-13.4), and not using bed nets (a OR: 3.4, 95% CI: 2.3-5.1). There were no statistically significant differences by age or gender in this present analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The results from this study, including a high proportion of P. falciparum infections, little difference in age, sex, or occupation, suggest that malaria is a major burden for these study villages. Targeted health education campaigns should be introduced to strengthen synchronous diagnosis-seeking behaviors, tighten treatment adherence, receiving a diagnosis after traveling to endemic regions, and using bed nets properly. We suggest increased surveillance, early diagnosis, and treatment efforts to control the disease and then to consider the local elimination.

Biochemical and biological properties of the venom from Russell's viper (Daboia russelli siamensis) of varying ages.

Russell's viper (Daboia russelli siamensis) venoms of four different lengths (21-25 cm, 40-60 cm, 81-90 cm and 101-110 cm) were studied by SDS-PAGE electrophoresis and immunoblotting. Studies on biological and biochemical properties of the venom were also carried out. The venom of young snakes (21-60 cm) had a high lethal potency and possessed powerful coagulant and defibrinogenating activities compared to adults (101-110 cm). As snakes aged, these activities decreased. Potent capillary permeability increasing activity was detected in venom of 40-60 cm snakes and was the lowest in the youngest snakes (21-25 cm). SDS-PAGE electrophoresis and immunoblot of venoms showed that venom from the youngest snakes has fewer protein bands; the number of bands increased as the snakes aged. Snakes more than 91 cm long demonstrated no striking differences in the protein pattern.