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.

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.

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.