There are number of polymerase chain reaction based genotyping methods to find out the single nuc... more There are number of polymerase chain reaction based genotyping methods to find out the single nucleotides polymorphism (SNPs) in genetic study in relation with detection of risk associated genotypes linked to human disease. To develop a convenient and accurate method with flexible difference throughput genotyping of SNPs, the study selected the target gene as ApoE gene polymorphism genotyping linked to coronary heart disease (CHD) and aimed to compare the sensitivity and specificity of PCR-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and Sequence Specific PCR (PCR-SSP) techniques for genotyping of ApoE gene polymorphism. The forty-eight DNA samples of CHD patients were selected. In PCR-RFLP analysis, DNA amplification was done by using thermal cycler and treated with HhaI restriction enzyme which cleaves at the GCGC sequence that encodes Arg112 and Arg158 to detect three different isoforms (ε2, ε3 and ε4). In PCR-SSP analysis, allele-specific primers were used with three PCR reactions to determine three main isoforms. Two forward primers were designed with variations in their 3' nucleotides specific for one of the two variants (T/C) in the 2059 locus and two reverse primers for the nucleotide variants(C/T) in the 2197 locus. These primers were then combined in three haplotype-detecting reaction mixtures "Primer Mix E2, E3 and E4". Control primers must be amplified to verify PCR efficiency in each PCR reaction. PCR cycling conditions were optimized only for the perfectly matched primers was able to hybridize correctly that can detect presence or absence of SSP amplicon which was important for genotyping. The ApoE allele frequency for ε2, ε3 and ε4 was 8.3%, 79.2%, 12.5%, respectively by two methods with 100% concordance results. In comparison, PCR-RFLP method had various steps, more time consuming and labour intensive than PCR-SSP method. However, the sensitivity and specificity for genotyping by these two methods were the same. Therefore, PCR-SSP method for ApoE genotyping was relative simplicity, rapid, precise and cost effective with the potential for high-throughput application in assessing the risk for a variety of vascular and neurodegenerative diseases.
Introduction: Coronary artery disease (CAD) development and progression were stimulated by enviro... more Introduction: Coronary artery disease (CAD) development and progression were stimulated by environmental or genetic factors. Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) in apolipoprotein genes involved in lipid and lipoprotein metabolism were primary candidates as susceptibility genes for coronary atherosclerosis. Aims and Objectives: Distribution and association of APOA1 gene (-75 G>A), and APOC3 gene (3238 C>G) polymorphisms with serum lipid parameters in CAD subjects will provide the link between SNP and serum lipid parameters as well as CAD outcome. Materials and Methods: One hundred and fifty diagnosed CAD patients and one hundred and fifty healthy controls were included. Serum lipid profile was measured and APOA1 gene (-75 G>A), and APOC3 gene (3238C>G) polymorphism were detected by DNA analysis. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA, Chi-square, and Fisher exact tests. Results: In APOC3 gene (3238 C>G) polymorphism, there was a statistically significant difference in...
Health research has increased during the last decade, which has enhanced the importance of resear... more Health research has increased during the last decade, which has enhanced the importance of research ethics. However, little is known regarding the knowledge, awareness, attitudes, and practices of investigators in Myanmar. To assess awareness, knowledge, and attitudes of postgraduates regarding research ethics and research ethics committees (RECs) and their informed consent practices and to determine the association between their responses and certain independent factors. We conducted a cross-sectional study using a questionnaire that was distributed to a convenience sample of postgraduates at the Defence Services Medical Academy in Myanmar. We used descriptive, t test, and chi-square statistics to analyze the data. Significance was set at p < 0.05. We obtained surveys from 204 participants, which included 177 MSc and 27 PhDs of whom 63.6% had performed research and 86.5% had prior ethics training. Regarding awareness, 92.2% were aware of an REC at their academy, but only 47.1% were "fully aware" of the functions of an REC and only 52.9% stated they were familiar with ethical principles that govern human subject research. More than 90% thought that research involving human subjects should be submitted to an REC and that postgraduates should have training on research ethics. However, several of their attitudes were sub-optimal; for example, 20.2% said that informed consent is only necessary from the community leader of a village rather than from the individual, 32.8% agreed it is acceptable to fabricate research data, and 33.0% believed that ethical review of research should be restricted to international collaborative research. Calculated mean total attitude scores were statistically significantly higher in postgraduates with PhDs compared with those with MSc and higher in those with knowledge of research ethics principles compared with those lacking such knowledge. Significant gaps exist among postgraduates regarding their knowledge, awareness, and attitudes regarding research ethics and RECs. We recommend that postgraduates receive further training in research ethics to ensure the ethical conduct of research. Further studies should be performed to determine the generalizability of our findings to other institutions in Myanmar.
Introduction: There is alarming problem in increasing incidence of hypertension and its complicat... more Introduction: There is alarming problem in increasing incidence of hypertension and its complications in Myanmar. The genetic background of hypertension is not known well in Myanmar population. The present study aimed to find out the association with angiotensinogen gene M235T polymorphism, plasma angiotensinogen level, BMI and essential hypertension in local area. Methods: There were 144 subjects, 72 hypertensive and 72 normotensives from internal medicine unit of Mandalay General Hospital and Mandalay area. After getting informed consents, determination of blood pressure and BMI were done. The AGT M235T genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction followed by digestion of the products with Tth111I. The determination of plasma angiotensinogen level was done by ELISA method. Results: The odd ratio for essential hypertension of TT genotype was 4.93 (95% CI-1.97-5.40) and genotype frequency was statistically significant between hypertensive and normotensives, p<0.001. And subjects carrying T allele has 2.5 times greater chance for essential hypertension [OR=2.56 (95% CI-1.59-4.13)]. The plasma angiotensinogen level in hypertensive was 65.00 ± 27.73 ng/ml and 24.87 ± 15.06 ng/ml in normotensives (p<0.001). Moreover, subjects carrying TT genotype have increased plasma angiotensionogen than other genotypes in both hypertensive and normotensives (P<0.001). Determination of their BMI, there was found that significance difference between hypertensive than that of normotensives (p<0.001). In normotensives, 9.7% has TT genotypes and interestingly they have increased BMI than other genotypes. Conclusion: In fact, the study noted that there was association between AGT M235T polymorphism and increased plasma angiotensinogen and increased BMI in essential hypertension.
Myanmar has recently surfaced from total military rule and efforts at conducting research to enha... more Myanmar has recently surfaced from total military rule and efforts at conducting research to enhance the health of the population has increased during the recent democratization process, both from the military and civil sectors as well as support from international agencies. International guidelines mandate that such research requires prior ethics review in accordance with international standards. Previous commentators have expressed concerns, however, regarding the degree of adequate training in research ethics for investigators, the optimal functioning of Research Ethics Committees (RECs), and the extent of responsible conduct in research in low and middle-income countries. Such concerns might also be applicable to Myanmar, especially since it has recently emerged from a long period of military rule where there has been lack of basic freedoms and human rights abuses. We herein review the current gaps in research ethics capacity in Myanmar, the status of the existing RECs and the current efforts to establish training programs to enhance capacity in research ethics.
Journal of the ASEAN Federation of Endocrine Societies, 2013
Objective. The aim of the study was to evaluate the beta cell function, insulin sensitivity and l... more Objective. The aim of the study was to evaluate the beta cell function, insulin sensitivity and low grade systemic inflammation in different categories of glucose tolerance in Myanmar. Methodology. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 202 Myanmar subjects of both sexes, aged between 45-65 years old. Fasting blood glucose, insulin, C-peptide and hs-CRP levels were measured. A 75g oral glucose tolerance test was performed. Insulin resistance and beta cell function were assessed by homeostasis-model-assessment (HOMA). Results. The subjects were categorized as normal glucose tolerance (NGT), impaired fasting glucose (IFG), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and diabetes mellitus (DM) according to WHO-2006 criteria. Fasting serum insulin, C-peptide and hs-CRP levels and insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) progressively increased from NGT through prediabetes (IFG, IGT) to DM (p<0.01). Beta-cell function did not change significantly in any other group as compared to normal group. Conclusion. After multivariate analysis, increases in fasting C-peptide, hs-CRP and HOMA-IR index were significantly associated with diabetes. It was also found that insulin resistance was a predominant feature in deterioration of the glucose tolerance in Myanmar subjects.
There are number of polymerase chain reaction based genotyping methods to find out the single nuc... more There are number of polymerase chain reaction based genotyping methods to find out the single nucleotides polymorphism (SNPs) in genetic study in relation with detection of risk associated genotypes linked to human disease. To develop a convenient and accurate method with flexible difference throughput genotyping of SNPs, the study selected the target gene as ApoE gene polymorphism genotyping linked to coronary heart disease (CHD) and aimed to compare the sensitivity and specificity of PCR-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and Sequence Specific PCR (PCR-SSP) techniques for genotyping of ApoE gene polymorphism. The forty-eight DNA samples of CHD patients were selected. In PCR-RFLP analysis, DNA amplification was done by using thermal cycler and treated with HhaI restriction enzyme which cleaves at the GCGC sequence that encodes Arg112 and Arg158 to detect three different isoforms (ε2, ε3 and ε4). In PCR-SSP analysis, allele-specific primers were used with three PCR reactions to determine three main isoforms. Two forward primers were designed with variations in their 3' nucleotides specific for one of the two variants (T/C) in the 2059 locus and two reverse primers for the nucleotide variants(C/T) in the 2197 locus. These primers were then combined in three haplotype-detecting reaction mixtures "Primer Mix E2, E3 and E4". Control primers must be amplified to verify PCR efficiency in each PCR reaction. PCR cycling conditions were optimized only for the perfectly matched primers was able to hybridize correctly that can detect presence or absence of SSP amplicon which was important for genotyping. The ApoE allele frequency for ε2, ε3 and ε4 was 8.3%, 79.2%, 12.5%, respectively by two methods with 100% concordance results. In comparison, PCR-RFLP method had various steps, more time consuming and labour intensive than PCR-SSP method. However, the sensitivity and specificity for genotyping by these two methods were the same. Therefore, PCR-SSP method for ApoE genotyping was relative simplicity, rapid, precise and cost effective with the potential for high-throughput application in assessing the risk for a variety of vascular and neurodegenerative diseases.
Introduction: Coronary artery disease (CAD) development and progression were stimulated by enviro... more Introduction: Coronary artery disease (CAD) development and progression were stimulated by environmental or genetic factors. Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) in apolipoprotein genes involved in lipid and lipoprotein metabolism were primary candidates as susceptibility genes for coronary atherosclerosis. Aims and Objectives: Distribution and association of APOA1 gene (-75 G>A), and APOC3 gene (3238 C>G) polymorphisms with serum lipid parameters in CAD subjects will provide the link between SNP and serum lipid parameters as well as CAD outcome. Materials and Methods: One hundred and fifty diagnosed CAD patients and one hundred and fifty healthy controls were included. Serum lipid profile was measured and APOA1 gene (-75 G>A), and APOC3 gene (3238C>G) polymorphism were detected by DNA analysis. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA, Chi-square, and Fisher exact tests. Results: In APOC3 gene (3238 C>G) polymorphism, there was a statistically significant difference in...
Health research has increased during the last decade, which has enhanced the importance of resear... more Health research has increased during the last decade, which has enhanced the importance of research ethics. However, little is known regarding the knowledge, awareness, attitudes, and practices of investigators in Myanmar. To assess awareness, knowledge, and attitudes of postgraduates regarding research ethics and research ethics committees (RECs) and their informed consent practices and to determine the association between their responses and certain independent factors. We conducted a cross-sectional study using a questionnaire that was distributed to a convenience sample of postgraduates at the Defence Services Medical Academy in Myanmar. We used descriptive, t test, and chi-square statistics to analyze the data. Significance was set at p < 0.05. We obtained surveys from 204 participants, which included 177 MSc and 27 PhDs of whom 63.6% had performed research and 86.5% had prior ethics training. Regarding awareness, 92.2% were aware of an REC at their academy, but only 47.1% were "fully aware" of the functions of an REC and only 52.9% stated they were familiar with ethical principles that govern human subject research. More than 90% thought that research involving human subjects should be submitted to an REC and that postgraduates should have training on research ethics. However, several of their attitudes were sub-optimal; for example, 20.2% said that informed consent is only necessary from the community leader of a village rather than from the individual, 32.8% agreed it is acceptable to fabricate research data, and 33.0% believed that ethical review of research should be restricted to international collaborative research. Calculated mean total attitude scores were statistically significantly higher in postgraduates with PhDs compared with those with MSc and higher in those with knowledge of research ethics principles compared with those lacking such knowledge. Significant gaps exist among postgraduates regarding their knowledge, awareness, and attitudes regarding research ethics and RECs. We recommend that postgraduates receive further training in research ethics to ensure the ethical conduct of research. Further studies should be performed to determine the generalizability of our findings to other institutions in Myanmar.
Introduction: There is alarming problem in increasing incidence of hypertension and its complicat... more Introduction: There is alarming problem in increasing incidence of hypertension and its complications in Myanmar. The genetic background of hypertension is not known well in Myanmar population. The present study aimed to find out the association with angiotensinogen gene M235T polymorphism, plasma angiotensinogen level, BMI and essential hypertension in local area. Methods: There were 144 subjects, 72 hypertensive and 72 normotensives from internal medicine unit of Mandalay General Hospital and Mandalay area. After getting informed consents, determination of blood pressure and BMI were done. The AGT M235T genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction followed by digestion of the products with Tth111I. The determination of plasma angiotensinogen level was done by ELISA method. Results: The odd ratio for essential hypertension of TT genotype was 4.93 (95% CI-1.97-5.40) and genotype frequency was statistically significant between hypertensive and normotensives, p<0.001. And subjects carrying T allele has 2.5 times greater chance for essential hypertension [OR=2.56 (95% CI-1.59-4.13)]. The plasma angiotensinogen level in hypertensive was 65.00 ± 27.73 ng/ml and 24.87 ± 15.06 ng/ml in normotensives (p<0.001). Moreover, subjects carrying TT genotype have increased plasma angiotensionogen than other genotypes in both hypertensive and normotensives (P<0.001). Determination of their BMI, there was found that significance difference between hypertensive than that of normotensives (p<0.001). In normotensives, 9.7% has TT genotypes and interestingly they have increased BMI than other genotypes. Conclusion: In fact, the study noted that there was association between AGT M235T polymorphism and increased plasma angiotensinogen and increased BMI in essential hypertension.
Myanmar has recently surfaced from total military rule and efforts at conducting research to enha... more Myanmar has recently surfaced from total military rule and efforts at conducting research to enhance the health of the population has increased during the recent democratization process, both from the military and civil sectors as well as support from international agencies. International guidelines mandate that such research requires prior ethics review in accordance with international standards. Previous commentators have expressed concerns, however, regarding the degree of adequate training in research ethics for investigators, the optimal functioning of Research Ethics Committees (RECs), and the extent of responsible conduct in research in low and middle-income countries. Such concerns might also be applicable to Myanmar, especially since it has recently emerged from a long period of military rule where there has been lack of basic freedoms and human rights abuses. We herein review the current gaps in research ethics capacity in Myanmar, the status of the existing RECs and the current efforts to establish training programs to enhance capacity in research ethics.
Journal of the ASEAN Federation of Endocrine Societies, 2013
Objective. The aim of the study was to evaluate the beta cell function, insulin sensitivity and l... more Objective. The aim of the study was to evaluate the beta cell function, insulin sensitivity and low grade systemic inflammation in different categories of glucose tolerance in Myanmar. Methodology. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 202 Myanmar subjects of both sexes, aged between 45-65 years old. Fasting blood glucose, insulin, C-peptide and hs-CRP levels were measured. A 75g oral glucose tolerance test was performed. Insulin resistance and beta cell function were assessed by homeostasis-model-assessment (HOMA). Results. The subjects were categorized as normal glucose tolerance (NGT), impaired fasting glucose (IFG), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and diabetes mellitus (DM) according to WHO-2006 criteria. Fasting serum insulin, C-peptide and hs-CRP levels and insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) progressively increased from NGT through prediabetes (IFG, IGT) to DM (p<0.01). Beta-cell function did not change significantly in any other group as compared to normal group. Conclusion. After multivariate analysis, increases in fasting C-peptide, hs-CRP and HOMA-IR index were significantly associated with diabetes. It was also found that insulin resistance was a predominant feature in deterioration of the glucose tolerance in Myanmar subjects.
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