Magnetic 3D bioprinting of skeletal muscle spheroid for a spheroid-based screening assay.

Over the past decade, there has been a rapid development in the use of magnetic three dimensional (3D) based cell culture systems. Concerning the skeletal muscle, 3D culture systems can provide biological insights for translational clinical research in the fields of muscle physiology and metabolism. These systems can enhance the cell culture environment by improving spatially-oriented cellular assemblies and morphological features closely mimicking the in vivo tissues/organs, since they promote strong interactions between cells and the extracellular matrix (ECM).

Computational Designed and Optimized Liposomal Curcumin-Embedded Bifunctional Cross-Linked Hydrogels for Wound Healing.

Curcumin (CUR) bifunctional cross-linked nanocomposite hydrogels are presented as an efficient method for CUR delivery in wound healing. CUR-loaded liposomes (CUR-Ls) were optimized using the Box-Behnken design to augment particle size, size distribution, zeta potential, and CUR concentration. The antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity of CUR-Ls were assessed.

Development and characterization of curcumin nanosuspension-embedded genipin-crosslinked chitosan/polyvinylpyrrolidone hydrogel patch for effective wound healing.

This study investigated the development of a genipin-crosslinked chitosan (CS)-based polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) hydrogel containing curcumin nanosuspensions (Cur-NSs) to promote wound healing in an excisional wound model. Cur-NSs were prepared, and a simplex centroid mixture design was employed to optimize hydrogel properties for high water absorption, degree of crosslinking, and sufficient toughness. The in vivo wound healing effect was tested in Wistar rats.

Advances in the application of iron oxide nanoparticles (IONs and SPIONs) in three-dimensional cell culture systems.

The field of tissue engineering has remarkably progressed through the integration of nanotechnology and the widespread use of magnetic nanoparticles. These nanoparticles have resulted in innovative methods for three-dimensional (3D) cell culture platforms, including the generation of spheroids, organoids, and tissue-mimetic cultures, where they play a pivotal role. Notably, iron oxide nanoparticles and superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles have emerged as indispensable tools for non-contact manipulation of cells within these 3D environments.

Heterogeneity in the prevalence of subclinical malaria, other co-infections and anemia among pregnant women in rural areas of Myanmar: a community-based longitudinal study.

Background: Due to the low prevalence of clinically suspected malaria among pregnant women in Myanmar, little is known about its impact on mothers and newborns. Helminth and Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV) co-infections cause anemia in pregnant women. This study assessed the prevalence of subclinical malaria and co-infections among pregnant women, and its association with adverse outcomes of pregnancy in the presence of infection.

Effect of pre-low-dose irradiation on anticancer activities of gallic acid in leukemic K562 and K562/Dox cells: cell viability and cellular energetic state studies.

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of pre-low-dose irradiation followed by gallic acid (GA) on cell viability and cellular energetic state of leukemic K562 and K562/Dox cells. The cells were irradiated with 0.02, 0.

Bayesian Network Analysis of Lymphatic Filariasis Serology from Myanmar Shows Benefit of Adding Antibody Testing to Post-MDA Surveillance.

The elimination of lymphatic filariasis (LF) is achieved through repeated mass drug administration (MDA) of anti-filarial medications, which interrupts transmission and prevents new infections. Accurate transmission assessments are critical to deciding when to stop MDA. Current methods for evaluating transmission may be insufficiently sensitive, resulting in post-MDA resurgence.

Residual malaria among migrant workers in Myanmar: why still persistent and how to eliminate it?

Background: Residual malaria is probably an important source for the re-emergence of malaria infection in the elimination era. Assessment to identify the factors influencing residual malaria in high-risk groups is needed to develop evidence-based decisions by stakeholders and policymakers.

Methods: This study was conducted to explore the factors influencing the residual malaria infection among migrant workers in two sentinel sites (endemic vs.

Gallic acid enhances pirarubicin‑induced anticancer in living K562 and K562/Dox leukemia cancer cells through cellular energetic state impairment and P‑glycoprotein inhibition.

Leukemia is a common malignancy affecting humans worldwide. Pirarubicin (Pira) is one of the anticancer agents used for the treatment of leukemia. Although Pira is effective, drug resistance may develop in cancer cells exposed to this drug, whereas the combination of natural products with Pira may help to overcome this problem.

G6PD deficiency among malaria-infected national groups at the western part of Myanmar with implications for primaquine use in malaria elimination.

Background: Glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PDd) plays a central role in readiness assessment for malaria elimination in Myanmar by 2030 that includes primaquine (PQ) use. The risk of hemolysis in G6PDd individuals hampers the widespread use of primaquine safely in malaria-infected patients. In the pre-elimination era, it is important to screen initially for asymptomatic malaria in combination with G6PD deficiency by applying more sensitive diagnostic tools.

Surge of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infections linked to single introduction of a virus strain in Myanmar, 2020.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is a major health concern globally. Genomic epidemiology is an important tool to assess the pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Several mutations have been reported by genome analysis of the SARS-CoV-2.

Differences in Spectroscopic Properties of Saliva Taken From Normal Subjects and Oral Cancer Patients: Comparison Studies.

Oral cancer disease is among the most common cancers in the world and are associated with mortality and morbidity. The characterization of saliva samples may help to distinguish patients with oral cancer disease from normal subjects. To characterize spectra of saliva samples from normal subjects and oral cancer patients by use of fluorescence, absorption, and H-NMR spectroscopy.

Seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis among reproductive-aged women in Myanmar and evaluation of luciferase immunoprecipitation system assay.

Backgrounds: Primary infection with Toxoplasma gondii during pregnancy can pose serious health problems for the fetus. However, the epidemiological status of toxoplasmosis among reproductive-aged population in Myanmar is largely unknown. Although luciferase immunoprecipitation system (LIPS) assays for serodiagnosis of toxoplasmosis was developed mostly using mouse infection model, had not been tested by using field-derived human samples.

Pyrazinamide resistance and pncA mutations in drug resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis clinical isolates from Myanmar.

Pyrazinamide (PZA) is an important anti-tuberculosis drug, which is active against semi-dormant bacilli and used as a component of first-line drugs and drug-resistant tuberculosis regimens. Mutations in pncA and its promoter region are main cause of PZA resistance. There are limited PZA susceptibility data as there is no routine drug susceptibility testing (DST) for PZA.

Distribution of hepatitis B virus genotypes in the general population of Myanmar via nationwide study.

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections are a severe health concern worldwide. HBV is a DNA virus with a rapid rate of mutation. Based on heterogeneity of the nucleotide sequence, the HBV strains are divided into nine genotypes, each with a characteristic geographical distribution.

Source Apportionment of Coarse Particulate Matter (PM) in Yangon, Myanmar.

The Republic of the Union of Myanmar is one of many developing countries facing concerns about particulate matter (PM). Previously, a preliminary study of PM in 2018 suggested that the main source of PM in Yangon, the former capital, was vehicle emissions. However, this suggestion was not supported by any chemical composition data.

Efficacy and Safety of Pyronaridine-Artesunate for the Treatment of Uncomplicated and Malaria in Myanmar.

Four single-arm, prospective, clinical studies of pyronaridine-artesunate efficacy in uncomplicated or malaria were conducted in Myanmar between 2017 and 2019. Eligible subjects were aged at least 6 years, with microscopically confirmed ( = 196) or mono-infection ( = 206). Patients received pyronaridine-artesunate once daily for 3 days with follow-up until day 42 for or day 28 for .

A novel luciferase-linked antibody capture assay (LACA) for the diagnosis of Toxoplasma gondii infection in chickens.

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite that causes the most common parasitic zoonosis worldwide in multiples species of mammals and birds. Although free-range chickens may play a role as an important reservoir for T. gondii, there is no reliable and commercially available diagnostic test for this disease in chickens.

Adverse Drug Reactions in Selected Wards of the Yangon General Hospital and Yangon Specialty Hospital During the First Quarter of 2019: An Active Pharmacovigilance Study in Myanmar.

Background: Previous studies in Europe and the USA have reported a high prevalence of adverse drug reactions (ADRs), but data on local ADRs in Myanmar are sparse.

Objective: Our objective was to study ADRs in patients admitted to selected wards of Yangon General Hospital (YGH) and Yangon Specialty Hospital (YSH), Myanmar.

Methods: This was a prospective observational study in three hospital wards during the first quarter of 2019.

Artemether-Lumefantrine and Dihydroartemisinin-Piperaquine Retain High Efficacy for Treatment of Uncomplicated Malaria in Myanmar.

The emergence of artemisinin-resistant in the Greater Mekong Subregion threatens both the efficacy of artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT), the first-line treatment for malaria, and prospects for malaria elimination. Monitoring of ACT efficacy is essential for ensuring timely updates to elimination policies and treatment recommendations. In 2014-2015, we assessed the therapeutic efficacies of artemether-lumefantrine (AL) and dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (DP) for the treatment of uncomplicated at three study sites in Rakhine, Shan, and Kachin states in Myanmar.

Effects of a Brief Strange Loop Task on Immediate Word Length Comparison: A Mindfulness Study on Non-striving.

Non-striving is an important aspect of mindfulness practice, but it has not been sufficiently researched. This study examines whether a strange loop-based task - Infinite Water Scooping Task - performed for 10 min, has an effect on non-striving behavior and performance in a subsequent word length comparison task. Results showed that performance (number of correct trials) did not differ significantly between the two groups, though the experimental group tended to perform worse.

Inapparent dengue virus infection among students in Mandalay, Myanmar.

Background: A school- and laboratory-based cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted to find out the burden of inapparent dengue virus (DENV) infection in Mandalay where DENV is endemic and there is circulation of all four DENV serotypes.

Methods: A total of 420 students who had no history of fever and visited the hospital within 6 months were recruited from three monastic schools. Serum samples were collected and the DENV genome was checked by conventional one-step RT-PCR and anti-DENV IgM and IgG antibodies were determined.

In patients with a positive family history of familial adenomatous polyposis can the condition be diagnosed from the presence of congenital hypertrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium detected via an eye examination: A systematic review.

In classic familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) adenomas become malignant. Congenital hypertrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium (CHRPE) is a retinal pigmented lesion and is the earliest and most common potential extraintestinal manifestation of FAP. This review aims to summarize and analyse all of the published data on CHRPE in patients with classic FAP and then ascertain whether these patients should undergo a relatively cheap and non-invasive dilated fundus examination to screen for CHRPE.