Lagerstroemia macrocarpa extract inhibits Th2-mediated STAT6 signaling pathway in human keratinocytes.

In this study, we examined physiological functions as a key material to develop cosmeceuticals using extracts of Lagerstroemia macrocarpa Wall. Ex Kurz (L. macrocarpa). Initially, the L. macrocarpa extract was treated by different concentration and antioxidant assay (DPPH and ABTS) were performed to measure free radical scavenging ability. In the cytotoxicity experiment, the extract was treated into human epidermal keratinocytes with different concentrations to measure cytotoxicity. We found that the extract induces differentiation markers such as keratin (KRT)1, KRT2, KRT9, KRT10 in keratinocytes. Furthermore, the extract significantly induces involucrin (IVL), loricrin (LOR), claudin1 (CLDN1), and filaggrin (FLG) expression, suggesting that it may enhance skin barrier functions. Especially, the extract restored FLG expression inhibited by interleukin (IL)-4/IL-13 in in vitro atopic dermatitis-like model. Therefore, we expect L. macrocarpa extract will be an effective material to develop the therapeutic and cosmeceutical of atopic dermatitis.

Seroprevalence and associated risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii infection among slaughterhouse workers in Yangon Region, Myanmar: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Toxoplasmosis, having the significant consequences affecting mortality and quality of life, is still prevalent in various places throughout the world. The major gap in surveillance for Toxoplasma gondii infection among high-risk population, slaughterhouse workers, is an obstacle for the effective policies formulation to reduce the burden of toxoplasmosis in Myanmar. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis and associated factors of seropositivity among slaughterhouse workers in Yangon Region, Myanmar. METHODS: A cross-sectional study that was conducted from June to November 2020 included 139 slaughterhouse workers involving at five main slaughterhouses under Yangon City Development Committee, Myanmar. The presence of IgG and IgM anti-T. gondii antibodies in serum was detected using the OnSite Toxo IgG/IgM Combo Rapid Test. A face-to-face interview was also performed using pretested structured questionnaires to obtain the detail histories: sociodemographic characteristics, level of knowledge, occupational factors, and environmental factors related to T. gondii infection. Bivariate logistic regression was used to determine the factors associated with T. gondii infection. RESULTS: Of all participants, the overall seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii was 43.9% (95% CI: 35.5-52.5%), of whom 98.4% (95% CI: 91.2-100.0%) were reactive only for IgG antibody and 1.6% (95% CI: 0.0-8.8%) were reactive for IgG and IgM antibodies. The significant factors associated with the seropositivity of T. gondii antibodies were blood transfusion history (OR: 5.74, 95% CI: 1.17-28.09), low level of knowledge (OR: 2.91, 95% CI: 1.46-5.83), contact with animal organs, muscles or blood (OR: 14.29, 95% CI: 1.83-111.51), and animals most frequently slaughtered (cattle) (OR: 3.22, 95% CI: 1.16-8.93). CONCLUSIONS: A high seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis was detected among slaughterhouse workers in Yangon Region and it raises a significant public health concern. Therefore, providing health education regarding toxoplasmosis, enforcement of personal hygiene practices in workplaces, the establishment of training for occupational hygiene, and commencement of the risk assessment and serological screening for toxoplasmosis are crucial to curtail the prevalence of T. gondii infection among slaughterhouse workers.

Acute myocarditis in a young male after gastroenteritis: A case report and literature review.

A 16-year-old patient presented with acute myocarditis after gastroenteritis. His ECGs showed STEMI-like evolutionary changes. Serial troponin measurement was maximum on 3rd day. Echocardiography showed a mildly reduced ejection fraction (45%). He made an uneventful recovery after appropriate treatment. After one-month follow-up, his ECG and echo returned to normal.

Assessment of respiratory dust exposure and lung functions among workers in textile mill (Thamine), Myanmar: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Airborne dusts are being potentially harmful for workers in occupational environment. Exposure to respirable dust is the most important concern in textile workers for the widespread of occupational lung diseases, especially more serious in developing countries. The aim of the study was to assess the respirable dust exposure and associated factors of lung functions among textile workers. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out at a textile mill (Thamine), Yangon Region, from April to December, 2018 and a total of 207 textile workers were randomly selected by using a multistage sampling procedure. Data were collected by using a structured questionnaire for respiratory symptoms, an air sampling pump for assessment of respirable dust exposure, and a spirometer for testing the lung functions. Logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the associated factors of lung functions. Odds ratios with a 95% confidence interval were computed for strength of associations at the significance level of α ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: The mean (± standard deviation, SD) respirable dust exposure was 3.3 mg/m3 (± 0.69) and the prevalence of increased respirable dust exposure (> 3 mg/m3) was 50.7%. The level of respirable dust exposure was highest in the textile workers involving at twisting department. The means (± SD) spirometry values were FVC 82.8% (± 17.8), FEV1 83.6% (± 18.5), and FEV1/FVC 0.9 (± 0.1). Overall magnitude of reduced lung functions was 40.1%, and the prevalence of reduced FVC, FEV1, and FEV1/FVC were 36.7, 34.3 and 3.9% respectively. The current working at twisting department, > 5 years of service duration, respiratory symptoms and increased respirable dust exposure were associated with reduction in FVC and FEV1. CONCLUSIONS: The current working department, service duration, respiratory symptoms and exposure to respirable dust were predictors of lung functions in textile workers. An adequate ventilation, good work practices, hygienic workplace, safety and health training regarding potential health effects, and periodically assessment of lung functions are the critical elements for control of respirable dust exposure and reduction of occupational lung diseases.

Effects of pesticide exposure on reproductivity of male groundnut farmers in Kyauk Kan village, Nyaung-U, Mandalay region, Myanmar.

INTRODUCTION: Kyauk Kan village of Nyaung-U, Mandalay region, Myanmar is one of the most famous groundnut-growing zones and has been exposed to pesticides. METHODS: This study design provided evaluation of within-person changes in the season across growing and nongrowing periods. A cross-sectional study was performed to identify health problems related to organophosphate pesticide (OP) exposure, to explore the protected use of this pesticide among 400 participants in the community by face-to-face interviews, and to determine the reproductive effects of OP exposure by using biomarkers of 100 male groundnut farmers aged 18-49 years. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 37.5±9.45 years. Analysis revealed statistically significant differences in seminal parameters (P<0.05 for pH, viscosity, motility, morphology, and sperm count) and in a reproductive hormonal assay (P<0.05 in follicle-stimulating hormone and testosterone) between the growing and nongrowing periods. Blood-cholinesterase levels of plasma cholinesterase in the growing period were significantly higher than those in the nongrowing period (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that chronic exposure related to OP dose may reduce potential male reproductivity.

Hepatitis C virus therapy with peg-interferon and ribavirin in Myanmar: A resource-constrained country.

AIM: To investigate peg-interferon (peg-IFN) and ribavirin (RBV) therapy in Myanmar and to predict sustained virologic response (SVR). METHODS: This single-center, open-label, study was conducted in Myanmar between 2009 and 2014. A total of 288 patients infected with HCV genotypes 1, 2, 3 and 6 were treated with peg-IFN alpha-2a (180 µg/wk) or alpha-2b (50 to 100 µg as a weight-based dose) and RBV as a weight-based dose (15 mg/kg/d). Treatment duration was 48 wk for genotypes 1 and 6, 24 wk for genotype 2, and 24 or 48 wk for genotype 3 based on rapid virologic response (RVR). Those co-infected with hepatitis B received 48 wk of therapy. RESULTS: Overall, SVR was achieved for 82% of patients and the therapy was well tolerated. All patients achieved SVR at equivalent rates regardless of HCV genotype (P = 0.314). Low fibrosis scores (P < 0.001), high baseline albumin levels (P = 0.028) and low baseline viral loads (P = 0.029) all independently predicted SVR. On the other hand, IL-28B TT and CC genotypes were not found to significantly predict SVR (P = 0.634; P = 0.618). Among those who completed treatment, the occurrence of RVR showed a > 96% positive predictive value for achieving SVR. Treatment duration did not significantly impact the likelihood of achieving SVR for patients infected with genotype 3 HCV (P = 0.371). The most common adverse events were fatigue (71%) and poor appetite (60%). Among patients with genotype 3 HCV, more patients in the 48-wk treatment group required erythropoietin than in the 24-wk treatment group (61.1% vs 49.2%). CONCLUSION: SVR rates were high with peg-IFN and RBV therapy in Myanmar. Fibrosis scores, baseline albumin, HCV RNA levels and RVR independently predicted SVR.