Mapping recommendations towards an Asian Code Against Cancer (ACAC) as part of the World Code Against Cancer Framework: an Asian National Cancer Centers Alliance (ANCCA) initiative.

This paper outlines the process undertaken by Asian National Cancer Centers Alliance (ANCCA) members in working towards an Asian Code Against Cancer (ACAC). The process involves: (i) identification of the criteria for selecting the existing set of national recommendations for ACAC (ii) compilation of existing national codes or recommendations on cancer prevention (iii) reviewing the scientific evidence on cancer risk factors in Asia and (iv) establishment of one or more ACAC under the World Code Against Cancer Framework. A matrix of national codes or key recommendations against cancer in ANCCA member countries is presented.

Synthesis and anticancer activity of podophyllotoxin derivatives with nitrogen-containing heterocycles.

Three series of podophyllotoxin derivatives with various nitrogen-containing heterocycles were designed and synthesized. The antitumor activity of these podophyllotoxin derivatives was evaluated against a panel of human tumor cell lines. The results showed that podophyllotoxin-imidazolium salts and podophyllotoxin-1,2,4-triazolium salts exhibited excellent cytotoxic activity.

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.

Genetic Diversity of CMY Beta-Lactamase Genes in Clinical Isolates of in Myanmar: Identification of Three Novel Types and Updated Phylogenetic Classification of .

The dissemination of CMY-type enzymes, one of the plasmid-mediated AmpC beta-lactamases, among Enterobacteriaceae has become an important public health concern. In this study, genetic diversity of CMY beta-lactamase genes was investigated for 50 -positive isolates detected from 426 clinical isolates of in Yangon, Myanmar. CMY genes were differentiated into 9 types, with being predominant (22 isolates, 44%), followed by , , , and included three novel types (CMY-156, CMY-158, CMY-159).

Phylogeographic analysis of human influenza A and B viruses in Myanmar, 2010-2015.

We investigated the circulation patterns of human influenza A and B viruses in Myanmar between 2010 and 2015 by analyzing full HA genes. Upper respiratory tract specimens were collected from patients with symptoms of influenza-like illness. A total of 2,860 respiratory samples were screened by influenza rapid diagnostic test, of which 1,577 (55.

Neuraminidase inhibitor susceptibility and evolutionary analysis of human influenza B isolates from three Asian countries during 2012-2015.

Influenza B viruses of both the Yamagata and the Victoria lineages are implicated in a large proportion of the morbidity and mortality associated with influenza outbreaks. In this study, we characterized the full genomes of 53 influenza B viruses isolated during 2012-2015 in three Asian countries: Japan, Myanmar, and Vietnam. Analysis of the hemagglutinin (HA) genes revealed co-circulation of both the Yamagata and Victoria lineages within the same season in these countries.

High Prevalence of G12 Human Rotaviruses in Children with Gastroenteritis in Myanmar.

Human rotavirus samples from 54 children with acute gastroenteritis in Myanmar in 2011 were subjected to reverse transcription-PCR to determine their G and P types. On G typing, G2 (24/54; 44.4%) was found to be the most prevalent, followed by G12 (17/54; 31.

Whole Genomic Analysis of Human G12P[6] and G12P[8] Rotavirus Strains that Have Emerged in Myanmar.

G12 rotaviruses are emerging rotavirus strains causing severe diarrhea in infants and young children worldwide. However, the whole genomes of only a few G12 strains have been fully sequenced and analyzed. In this study, we sequenced and characterized the complete genomes of six G12 strains (RVA/Human-tc/MMR/A14/2011/G12P[8], RVA/Human-tc/MMR/A23/2011/G12P[6], RVA/Human-tc/MMR/A25/2011/G12P[8], RVA/Human-tc/MMR/P02/2011/G12P[8], RVA/Human-tc/MMR/P39/2011/G12P[8], and RVA/Human-tc/MMR/P43/2011/G12P[8]) detected in six stool samples from children with acute gastroenteritis in Myanmar.

Delayed emergence of oseltamivir-resistant seasonal influenza A (H1N1) and pandemic influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses in Myanmar.

The prevalence and timing of emergence of oseltamivir-resistant seasonal and pandemic influenza A (H1N1) viruses in Myanmar in 2008 and 2009 are described in this report. In 2008, the oseltamivir-resistant seasonal H1N1 virus was detected at a lower rate (6%) and emerged at least 2 months later when compared with neighboring countries. Similarly, the prevalence of pandemic H1N1 virus was low (3%) and the timing of emergence was late (August 2009) in Myanmar.

Randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial of immunoglobulin Y as adjunct to standard supportive therapy for rotavirus-associated diarrhea among pediatric patients.

This study aims to evaluate the effect of hyperimmune immunoglobulin Y (IgY) against human rotavirus (HRV) among pediatric patients receiving standard supportive treatment for rotavirus-associated diarrhea mostly with an enteric non-cholera co-pathogen in a hospital setting. Two natural HRV reassortant clinical strains ATCC VR 2273 and ATCC VR 2274 were used as mixed immunizing antigens in poultry hens to generate anti-HRV IgY (Rotamix IgY). The Rotamix IgY was used in laboratory and clinical studies against control or placebo IgY.

Oral cancer in Myanmar: a preliminary survey based on hospital-based cancer registries.

The occurrence of oral cancer is not clearly known in Myanmar, where betel quid chewing habits are widely spread. Since betel quid chewing has been considered to be one of the important causative factors for oral cancer, the circumstantial situation for oral cancer should be investigated in this country. We surveyed oral cancer cases as well as whole body cancers from two cancer registries from Yangon and Mandalay cities, both of which have representative referral hospitals in Myanmar, and we showed that oral cancer stood at the 6th position in males and 10th in females, contributing to 3.

Rare influenza A (H3N2) variants with reduced sensitivity to antiviral drugs.

In 2007 and 2008 in Myanmar, we detected influenza viruses A (H3N2) that exhibited reduced sensitivity to both zanamivir and amantadine. These rare and naturally occurring viruses harbored a novel Q136K mutation in neuraminidase and S31N mutation in M2.

Ultrasound assisted synthesis of delta-chloroesters from tetrahydrofuran and acyl chlorides in the presence of catalytic zinc dust.

Sonication of acyl chlorides and dry tetrahydrofuran (THF) in the presence of catalytic amounts of zinc dust at 35 kHz gives delta-chloroesters in high yields.

Sodium balance during acute diarrhoea in malnourished children.

Forty-six male children 12-59 months old (27 malnourished and 19 with normal nutrition) admitted for acute water diarrhoea of less than 48 hours' duration were studied. Using a metabolic balance and separate collections of urine and stools over each 6-hour period, balance studies were carried out up to 48 hours. Blood, stool, and urine samples were analysed for sodium and potassium levels.

Effect of cholera toxin on L-[14C]glycine uptake and intestinal cell enzymes in rabbit.

The uptake of L-[14C]glycine and the activities of intracellular marker enzymes of enterocytes were studied in ligated small intestinal segments of rabbits during experimental cholera induced by intra-intestinal injection of pure cholera toxin (CT). No significant difference was observed in the active uptake of L-[14C]glycine between the CT-injected small intestinal segments and the saline-injected control segments, indicating that there is an intact active transport system for intestinal absorption of L-[14C]glycine during experimental cholera in rabbits. Apart from a significant increase in the activity of a brush border marker enzyme (alkaline phosphatase), there was no significant difference between the activities of marker enzymes for lysosomes (acid phosphate), microsomes (glucose-6-phosphatase), mitochondria (succinate dehydrogenase), and a cytosol enzyme (proteinase) in mucosal homogenates of CT-injected small intestinal segments compared to controls.