Hyperactive STAT5 hijacks T cell receptor signaling and drives immature T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is an aggressive immature T cell cancer. Mutations in IL7R have been analyzed genetically, but downstream effector functions such as STAT5A and STAT5B hyperactivation are poorly understood. Here, we studied the most frequent and clinically challenging STAT5BN642H driver in T cell development and immature T cell cancer onset and compared it with STAT5A hyperactive variants in transgenic mice.

High Efficacy and Drug Synergy of HDAC6-Selective Inhibitor NN-429 in Natural Killer (NK)/T-Cell Lymphoma.

NK/T-cell lymphoma (NKTCL) and γδ T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas (γδ T-NHL) are highly aggressive lymphomas that lack rationally designed therapies and rely on repurposed chemotherapeutics from other hematological cancers. Histone deacetylases (HDACs) have been targeted in a range of malignancies, including T-cell lymphomas. This study represents exploratory findings of HDAC6 inhibition in NKTCL and γδ T-NHL through a second-generation inhibitor NN-429.

Does technology-enhanced communication improve Helicobacter pylori eradication outcomes?-A meta-analysis.

Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a highly prevalent organism that can induce an inflammatory state in the upper gastrointestinal tract and lead to complications such as peptic ulcer and gastric cancer. The treatment regime is complicated, and mild-to-moderate adverse effects are common, making patient compliance a key determinant of successful eradication.

Enhanced melioidosis surveillance in patients attending four tertiary hospitals in Yangon, Myanmar.

To investigate the current epidemiology of melioidosis in Yangon, Myanmar, between June 2017 and May 2019 we conducted enhanced surveillance for melioidosis in four tertiary hospitals in Yangon, where the disease was first discovered in 1911. Oxidase-positive Gram-negative rods were obtained from the microbiology laboratories and further analysed at the Department of Medical Research. Analysis included culture on Ashdown agar, the three disc sensitivity test (gentamicin, colistin and co-amoxiclav), latex agglutination, API 20 NE, antibiotic susceptibility testing, and a subset underwent molecular confirmation with a specific assay.

Posttransplantation tuberculosis management in terms of immunosuppressant cost: a case report in Myanmar.

Drug interactions between anti-tuberculosis and immunosuppressive medications after renal transplantation are a common problem in Myanmar. The efficacy of both types of drugs can be reduced during the treatment period, which can lead to graft failure and flare-ups of infection. Drug adjustments, with frequent monitoring and close follow-up, are crucial in this period.

Insights into the molecular profiles of adult and paediatric acute myeloid leukaemia.

Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is a clinically and molecularly heterogeneous disease characterised by uncontrolled proliferation, block in differentiation and acquired self-renewal of hematopoietic stem and myeloid progenitor cells. This results in the clonal expansion of myeloid blasts within the bone marrow and peripheral blood. The incidence of AML increases with age, and in childhood, AML accounts for 20% of all leukaemias.

Automating the Generation of Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Reports: Proof-of-Concept Study Involving Seven Hospitals in Seven Countries.

Background: Reporting cumulative antimicrobial susceptibility testing data on a regular basis is crucial to inform antimicrobial resistance (AMR) action plans at local, national, and global levels. However, analyzing data and generating a report are time consuming and often require trained personnel.

Objective: This study aimed to develop and test an application that can support a local hospital to analyze routinely collected electronic data independently and generate AMR surveillance reports rapidly.

Prevalence of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase/Carbapenemase Genes and Quinolone-Resistance Determinants in Clinical Isolates from Respiratory Infections in Myanmar.

In recent years, nosocomial infections due to multidrug resistant strains have been increasing, associated with growing trend of resistance to beta-lactams and fluoroquinolones (FQs) worldwide. In this study, prevalence of beta-lactamase genes and resistance mechanisms to FQ were analyzed in 191 clinical isolates derived from respiratory tract infections in a teaching hospital in Yangon, Myanmar. The major extended-spectrum beta-lactamase gene was , which was detected in 33% of isolates, with CTX-M-15 being dominant.

Integrating data from different survey types for population monitoring of an endangered species: the case of the Eld's deer.

Despite its value for conservation decision-making, we lack information on population abundances for most species. Because establishing large-scale monitoring schemes is rarely feasible, statistical methods that combine multiple data sources are promising approaches to maximize use of available information. We built a Bayesian hierarchical model that combined different survey data of the endangered Eld's deer in Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuary (SWS) in Myanmar and tested our approach in simulation experiments.

A rare case of bipartite combined tumour of the oesophagus.

Background: Bipartite combined oesophageal tumours are an exceedingly rare entity and much less is known about the natural history of these tumours following curative surgery. The authors present a case of a bipartite combined oesophageal tumour comprising of sarcomatoid carcinoma and small cell carcinoma with early postoperative recurrence.

Case Presentation: A 63-year-old Chinese male with a smoking history presents with hemoptysis on a background of dysphagia and odynophagia for 1 month.

Sequence and phylogenetic analyses of Nsp2-HVII, ORF5, and ORF7 coding regions of highly pathogenic porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus from Myanmar.

In this study, PRRSVs that spread during the outbreaks of 2011 in Myanmar were investigated. Sequences and phylogenetic analyses of the Nsp2 middle hypervariable region (Nsp2-HVII) encoding gene, ORF5, and ORF7 showed that they belonged to the North American (NA) genotype and were clustered with HP-PRRSV strains from other Southeast Asian countries. The discontinuous 30-amino acid deletions at positions 481 and 533-561 were found in the Nsp2-HVII of all Myanmarese PRRSVs, implying their derivation from HP-PRRSV.

Current and Emerging Therapeutic Options for Gastroparesis.

Gastroparesis is a complex, debilitating dysmotility disorder with challenging symptom management. A diagnosis of gastroparesis is based on objectively delayed gastric emptying in the absence of mechanical obstruction. Given the limited efficacy of treatment options and serious side effects, significant research continues for therapeutic options for gastroparesis.

Melioidosis in Myanmar.

Sporadic cases of melioidosis have been diagnosed in Myanmar since the disease was first described in Yangon in 1911. Published and unpublished cases are summarized here, along with results from environmental and serosurveys. A total of 298 cases have been reported from seven states or regions between 1911 and 2018, with the majority of these occurring before 1949.

Understanding the Relationship between Atherogenic Index of Plasma and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors among Staff of an University in Malaysia.

Background: Atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) was found to be one of the strongest markers in predicting the cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. This study was to determine the AIP and its relationship with other CVD risk factors.

Materials And Methods: This cross-sectional study was done among 349 staff of a public university in Sarawak.

Effectiveness and safety of 3 and 5 day courses of artemether-lumefantrine for the treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria in an area of emerging artemisinin resistance in Myanmar.

Background: Artemisinin resistance in Plasmodium falciparum has emerged and spread in Southeast Asia. In areas where resistance is established longer courses of artemisinin-based combination therapy have improved cure rates.

Methods: The standard 3-day course of artemether-lumefantrine (AL) was compared with an extended 5-day regimen for the treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria in Kayin state in South-East Myanmar, an area of emerging artemisinin resistance.

Association of gene polymorphisms of aldosterone synthase and angiotensin converting enzyme in pre-eclamptic South African Black women.

Introduction: The exact cause of preeclampsia (PE) remains elusive. Recently, many researchers have focused on the role of genetic variations in pathogenesis of PE. The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system is affected in the pathogenesis of PE.

Strongyloides hyperinfection syndrome in an immunocompetent host resulting in bandemia and death.

infection is usually asymptomatic but can result in a hyperinfection syndrome, most commonly triggered by acquired or iatrogenic immunosuppression. Here, we present a case of a man aged 60 years originally from a strongyloides endemic area with a medical history of alcohol abuse who presents with strongyloides hyperinfection syndrome (SHS) complicated by partial small bowel obstruction, pulmonary haemorrhage, large bandemia without eosinophilia and cardiac arrest resulting in death. This case is notable for the presence of bandemia and absence of eosinophilia, lack of historical risk factors for hyperinfection, specifically corticosteroid immunosuppressants, and dramatic decline in clinical status which ultimately resulted in the patient's death.

The structural basis for serotype-specific neutralization of dengue virus by a human antibody.

Dengue virus (DENV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus that affects 2.5 billion people worldwide. There are four dengue serotypes (DENV1 to DENV4), and infection with one elicits lifelong immunity to that serotype but offers only transient protection against the other serotypes.

Using residents' perceptions to improve park-people relationships in Chatthin Wildlife Sanctuary, Myanmar.

The complex and context-specific relationships that local residents have with neighboring protected areas present many challenges for protected area (PA) management. While long-term, interdisciplinary approaches may be necessary to fully understand park-people relationships within a particular PA, the reality is that management decisions for the majority of PAs in the world are made by protected area staff with little or no external assistance. One potential entry point for management to understand park-people relationships and improve management is through understanding people's perceptions of PAs.

The structure of barmah forest virus as revealed by cryo-electron microscopy at a 6-angstrom resolution has detailed transmembrane protein architecture and interactions.

Barmah Forest virus (BFV) is a mosquito-borne alphavirus that infects humans. A 6-Å-resolution cryo-electron microscopy three-dimensional structure of BFV exhibits a typical alphavirus organization, with RNA-containing nucleocapsid surrounded by a bilipid membrane anchored with the surface proteins E1 and E2. The map allows details of the transmembrane regions of E1 and E2 to be seen.