Bird diversity along an urban to rural gradient in large tropical cities peaks in mid-level urbanization.

The gradient from natural to urban areas strongly associates with the structure of avian communities over that gradient. Most research on urban birds is from temperate areas and knowledge from tropical Southeast Asia is lacking. We examined bird species diversity, relative abundance, and species composition along an urban to rural gradient in three Myanmar cities, and assessed potential environmental factors responsible for the changes.

Effect of COVID-19-restrictive measures on ambient particulate matter pollution in Yangon, Myanmar.

Background: Particulate matter (PM) is recognized as the most harmful air pollutant to the human health. The Yangon city indeed suffers much from PM-related air pollution. Recent research has interestingly been focused on the novel subject of changes in the air quality associated with the restrictive measures in place during the current coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Environmental cadmium exposure induces kidney tubular and glomerular dysfunction in the Myanmar adults.

Cadmium is an environmental toxic metal and its exposure has become a worldwide public health threat. We aimed to evaluate the exposure assessment of cadmium in people living in Ta Zin Yae Kyaw village of Nyaung Don Township in Ayeyarwady Division, Myanmar and adverse effects of cadmium on the kidneys. Subjects (18-40 years) residing in this village were selected as the exposed group (n = 65) and those living in Kamayut Township in Yangon Division, Myanmar as the control group (n = 65).

Indoor Formaldehyde Concentration, Personal Formaldehyde Exposure and Clinical Symptoms during Anatomy Dissection Sessions, University of Medicine 1, Yangon.

The formaldehyde (FA) embalming method, the world's most common protocol for the fixation of cadavers, has been consistently used in medical universities in Myanmar. This study was designed to examine the indoor FA concentrations in anatomy dissection rooms, an exposed site, and lecture theater, an unexposed control site, and to access personal exposure levels of FA and clinical symptoms of medical students and instructors. In total, 208 second year medical students (1/2019 batch) and 18 instructors from Department of Anatomy, University of Medicine 1, participated.

Improvement of GPS-attached Pocket PM2.5 Measuring Device for Personal Exposure Assessment.

Assessment of personal exposure to particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than or 2.5 µm (PM2.5) is necessary to study the association between PM exposure and health risk.

Protective role of selenium in the shortening of telomere length in newborns induced by in utero heavy metal exposure.

The effects of toxic heavy metals, such as arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb), on telomere length (TL) have been reported previously. Although selenium (Se) is considered as an anti-oxidant which may detoxify the effects, there are no data on whether Se could protect against the TL-shortening effects of heavy metals. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the protective role of Se against heavy metal-induced TL shortening.

Arsenic exposure through drinking Water and oxidative stress Status: A cross-sectional study in the Ayeyarwady region, Myanmar.

Arsenic is a well-known toxic heavy metal that is naturally dispersed in groundwater. Whereas arsenic is widely accepted to be involved in oxidative stress damage, little is known about arsenic-induced oxidative damage in relationship to contaminated drinking water as a source. The aim of this study was to determine the association between arsenic exposure through drinking water and oxidative stress status by measuring levels of urinary 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) as a biomarker of oxidative stress damage in a Myanmar population.

Preliminary monitoring of concentration of particulate matter (PM) in seven townships of Yangon City, Myanmar.

Background: Airborne particulate pollution is more critical in the developing world than in the developed countries in which industrialization and urbanization are rapidly increased. Yangon, a second capital of Myanmar, is a highly congested and densely populated city. Yet, there is limited study which assesses particulate matter (PM) in Yangon currently.

Impact of prenatal heavy metal exposure on newborn leucocyte telomere length: A birth-cohort study.

Arsenic, cadmium and lead are toxic environmental contaminants. They were shown to be associated with telomere length (TL) in adults. Although they can cross the placental barrier, the effect of prenatal exposure of these metals on newborn TL is unknown.

Attitudes towards vasectomy and its acceptance as a method of contraception among clinical-year medical students in a Malaysian private medical college.

Introduction: This study explored attitudes towards vasectomy and its acceptance as a method of contraception among clinical-year medical students, and determined the association between their demographic characteristics, and attitudes and acceptance.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among clinical-year medical students from a Malaysian private medical college using a self-administered questionnaire.

Results: There were 330 participants with a female preponderance and a mean age of 22.

Role of TLR4 in olfactory-based spatial learning activity of neonatal mice after developmental exposure to diesel exhaust origin secondary organic aerosol.

Exposure to ambient air pollutants has been reported to have various adverse health impacts. Ambient particulate matter comprises primary particles released directly via engine exhaust and secondary organic aerosols (SOAs) formed from oxidative reactions of the ultrafine particle fraction of diesel exhaust (DE). Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is well known to initiate the inflammatory cascade in the central nervous system.

Prenatal Heavy Metal Exposure and Adverse Birth Outcomes in Myanmar: A Birth-Cohort Study.

Arsenic, cadmium and lead are well-known environmental contaminants, and their toxicity at low concentration is the target of scientific concern. In this study, we aimed to identify the potential effects of prenatal heavy metal exposure on the birth outcomes among the Myanmar population. This study is part of a birth-cohort study conducted with 419 pregnant women in the Ayeyarwady Division, Myanmar.

Chinese and Indian women's experience with alternative medications for menopause related symptoms: A qualitative analysis.

Objective: To explore women's rationalization for using alternative medications, their experience and view on safety of long-term use.

Methods: Two focus group discussions, involving 5 participants each for Chinese and Indian groups, were conducted separately. Participant's personal information was collected anonymously.

Use of Alternative Medications for Menopause-Related Symptoms in Three Major Ethnic Groups of Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.

This cross-sectional study investigated the use of alternative medications to alleviate menopause-related symptoms among Malay, Chinese, and Indian women of Ipoh city. The prevalence, types, effectiveness, and associated factors were determined. The prevalence of alternative medication use was 41.