A highly supported maximum-likelihood species phylogeny for the genus Bradyrhizobium was inferred from a supermatrix obtained from the concatenation of partial atpD, recA, glnII, and rpoB sequences corresponding to 33 reference strains and 76 bradyrhizobia isolated from the nodules of Glycine max (soybean) trap plants inoculated with soil samples from Myanmar, India, Nepal, and Vietnam. The power of the multigene approach using multiple strains per species was evaluated in terms of overall tree resolution and phylogenetic congruence, representing a practical and portable option for bacterial molecular systematics. Potential pitfalls of the approach are highlighted. Seventy-five of the isolates could be classified as B. japonicum type Ia (USDA110/ USDA122-like), B. liaoningense, B. yuanmingense, or B. elkanii, whereas one represented a novel Bradyrhizobium lineage. Most Nepalese B. japonicum Ia isolates belong to a highly epidemic clone closely related to strain USDA110. Significant phylogenetic evidence against the monophyly of the of B. japonicum I and Ia lineages was found. Analysis of their DNA polymorphisms revealed high population distances, significant genetic differentiation, and contrasting population genetic structures, suggesting that the strains in the Ia lineage are misclassified as B. japonicum. The DNA polymorphism patterns of all species conformed to the expectations of the neutral mutation and population equilibrium models and, excluding the B. japonicum Ia lineage, were consistent with intermediate recombination levels. All species displayed epidemic clones and had broad geographic and environmental distribution ranges, as revealed by mapping climate types and geographic origins of the isolates on the species tree.Soybean (Glycine max) is the most important grain legume in the world, with an annual production of around 180 million tons and a market value of more than 36 billion euros. This crop is planted on 5.7 million, 8.3 million, 29 million, and 30 million hectares in India, China, South America, and North America, respectively (66). It is a major cash crop for small farmers in Asia, in South America, and also in some African countries. The diversity of soybeans today is the result of more than 5,000 years of cultivation, which started in China, where more than 20,000 land races were selected and later globally distributed and further domesticated by modern breeding programs (4). Soybeans were introduced in India around 1000 CE via the silk route from China (26).Bradyrhizobium japonicum, Bradyrhizobium elkanii, Bradyrhizobium liaoningense, Ensifer (Sinorhizobium) fredii, Ensifer xinjiangense, and Mesorhizobium tianshanense are the microsymbionts currently known to nodulate soybeans naturally under field conditions (19,23,36,45,46,57,68). Soybean-nodulating B. japonicum strains have been isolated from different continents and climatic zones. Recently, two B. japonicum biovars (symbiotic ecotypes) were described (61). The B. japonicum bv. glycinearum isolates nodulate soybeans, whereas the B. ...

Bovine leukemia virus (BLV) is the etiological agent of enzootic bovine leukosis, which is the most common neoplastic disease of cattle. BLV infects cattle worldwide and affects both health status and productivity. However, no studies have examined the distribution of BLV in Myanmar, and the genetic characteristics of Myanmar BLV strains are unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to detect BLV infection in Myanmar and examine genetic variability. Blood samples were obtained from 66 cattle from different farms in four townships of the Nay Pyi Taw Union Territory of central Myanmar. BLV provirus was detected by nested PCR and real-time PCR targeting BLV long terminal repeats. Results were confirmed by nested PCR targeting the BLV env-gp51 gene and real-time PCR targeting the BLV tax gene. Out of 66 samples, six (9.1 %) were positive for BLV provirus. A phylogenetic tree, constructed using five distinct partial and complete env-gp51 sequences from BLV strains isolated from three different townships, indicated that Myanmar strains were genotype-10. A phylogenetic tree constructed from whole genome sequences obtained by sequencing cloned, overlapping PCR products from two Myanmar strains confirmed the existence of genotype-10 in Myanmar. Comparative analysis of complete genome sequences identified genotype-10-specific amino acid substitutions in both structural and non-structural genes, thereby distinguishing genotype-10 strains from other known genotypes. This study provides information regarding BLV infection levels in Myanmar and confirms that genotype-10 is circulating in Myanmar.

Background Respiratory hazards are common in the workplace. Depending on the hazard and exposure, the health consequences may include: mild to life-threatening illnesses from infectious agents, acute e ects ranging from respiratory irritation to chronic lung conditions, or even cancer from exposure to chemicals or toxins. Use of respiratory protective equipment (RPE) is an important preventive measure in many occupational settings. RPE only o ers protection when worn properly, when removed safely and when it is either replaced or maintained regularly. The e ectiveness of behavioural interventions either directed at employers or organisations or directed at individual workers to promote RPE use in workers remains an important unanswered question. Objectives To assess the e ects of any behavioural intervention either directed at organisations or at individual workers on observed or self-reported RPE use in workers when compared to no intervention or an alternative intervention. Behavioural interventions to promote workers' use of respiratory protective equipment (Review)

Bovine leukemia virus (BLV) is the etiological agent of enzootic bovine leukosis, which is the most common neoplastic disease of cattle. BLV infects cattle worldwide and causes serious problems for the cattle industry. In this study, we examined the prevalence of BLV infection and the distribution of BLV genotypes in cattle in the northern, central, and southern parts of Myanmar. The prevalence of BLV infection among Myanmar cattle (37.04%) in this study was markedly higher than the prevalence (9.1%) observed in our earlier study in which BLV was detected from the limited number of cattle only from a small area of Myanmar. Phylogenetic analysis of partial env-gp51 sequence of the isolated BLV strains revealed that there are at least three BLV genotypes (genotype-1, genotype-6, and genotype-10) in Myanmar, which have also been detected in the neighboring countries. We performed this study to estimate the BLV proviral load, which is a major diagnosis index for determining the virus transmission risk. The cattle of the three test regions with warm, wet, and humid climatic conditions (upper Sagaing, Yangon, and Kayin) exhibited a high mean proviral load, while cattle of three other regions with low annual rainfall and very high temperature (Mandalay, Magway, and upper Bago) exhibited a low mean proviral load. Further, the level of proviral load and the prevalence of BLV infection in Myanmar native cattle (N = 235) were lower than that in the hybrid cattle (Holstein Friesian × Myanmar native) (N = 62). We also observed that the cattle with high risk for BLV transmission, which have high proviral load, may enhance the BLV infection rate. Hence, to control BLV transmission, it is necessary to eliminate these cattle with high-risk for BLV transmission and to diagnose BLV provirus in cattle in the remaining regions/states of Myanmar sharing a boundary with neighboring countries.

ObjectivesTo explore the intake of fruits and vegetables in the Yangon region, Myanmar, and to describe associations between intake of fruits and vegetables (FV) and established risk factors for non-communicable diseases.Design2 cross-sectional studies, using the STEPs methodology.SettingUrban and rural areas of the Yangon region of Myanmar.Participants1486, men and women, 25–74 years, were recruited through a multistage cluster sampling method. Institutionalised people, military personnel, Buddhist monks and nuns were not invited. Physically and mentally ill people were excluded.ResultsMean intake of fruit was 0.8 (SE 0.1) and 0.6 (0.0) servings/day and of vegetables 2.2 (0.1) and 1.2 (0.1) servings/day, in urban and rural areas, respectively. Adjusted for included confounders (age, sex, location, income, education, smoking and low physical activity), men and women eating ≥2 servings of fruits and vegetables/day had lower odds than others of hypertriglyceridaemia (OR 0.72 (95% CI 0.56 to 0.94)). On average, women eating at least 2 servings of fruits and vegetables per day had cholesterol levels 0.28 mmol/L lower than the levels of other women. When only adjusted for sex and age, men eating at least 2 servings of fruits and vegetables per day had cholesterol levels 0.27 mmol/L higher than other men.ConclusionsA high intake of FV was associated with lower odds of hypertriglyceridaemia among men and women. It was also associated with cholesterol levels, negatively among women and positively among men.

A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) site, alleles and within promoter region of gene ( ) showed significant association with chicken growth, body composition and skeletal traits. In the present study, we performed genotyping of this SNP in Asian native chicken populations, layer and broiler populations using PCR-RFLP and comparison of gene expression level and growth traits among the SNP genotypes. By the PCR-RFLP, allele frequency was estimated to be within the range of .. in Asian native chicken populations, .. in eight layer stocks and . . in two broiler stocks examined in this study. In all chicken populations, the observed number of each SNP genotype was in good agreement with the Hardy-Weinberg expectations. Body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG), growth rate and gene expression level in three-week liver were compared among three SNP genotypes obtained by crossing. The rankings of each genotype with respect to BW, ADG and growth rate were and statistical significance ( . ) was found within and in BW and ADG. The rankings of each genotype with respect to the gene expression level wasAlthough we could not find statistically significant di erence among the genotypes in the growth rate and the gene expression level, the mean values of were lower than those of in all traits.: chicken, gene expression, insulin-like growth factor , liver ). A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) ( ) within the promoter was significantly associated Insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system plays a pivotal with chicken growth, body composition and skeletal traits role in regulation of embryonic and postnatal development (Amills ; Zhou ; Bennet in vertebrates (McMurtry ; Dupont and ). Asian native chicken populations are low producHolzenberger, ). IGFs stimulate hepatic glycogen, tivity such as slow growth rate and low egg production, increased DNA synthesis and tissue growth in chicken although they have desirable genetic characteristics for an (McMurtry ). Insulin-like growth factor excellent taste in their products, acclimation to heat and (IGF ) can act its functions through endocrine, paracrine resistance to diseases (Nishibori ). Therefore, and autocrine pathways (Stewart and Rotwein, ). genotyping of the SNP associated with several traits The highest expression of gene was observed in in various Asian native chicken populations may lead to liver of normal chicken but no expression was found in their genetic evaluation and improvement of their producthat of dwarf chicken liver (Tanaka ). The tivity. expression of hepatic mRNA and circulating IGF In the present study, we performed genotyping of the concentration were greater in chickens selected for high SNP within the promoter in various chicken populagrowth rate than in low growth rate chickens (Beccavin tions including Asian native chickens and comparison of the gene expression level among three SNP genotypes.

Insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) is essential for the signalling of growth. In this study, we performed single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) detection in the Japanese quail IGF1R coding region and an association study between SNPs and body weight in two lines (SS and LL) selected for large and small body weight. Of 21 SNPs obtained, a SNP at position AB292766:c.2293G>A led to the replacement of a valine with an isoleucine (V765I). The two lines were fixed for alternate alleles, with allele encoding valine fixed in the LL line. A significant effect of the SNP genotype was found on 10-week body weight (P < 0.01) and on 4- to 10-week and 6- to 10-week average daily gain (P < 0.05) in the F(2) family obtained from lines LL and SS. In six populations maintained in Japan or France, the frequency of allele encoding valine was higher than the allele encoding isoleucine.

Background: Myanmar cattle populations predominantly consist of native cattle breeds (Pyer Sein and Shwe), characterized by their geographical location and coat color, and the Holstein-Friesian crossbreed, which is highly adapted to the harsh tropical climates of this region. Here, we analyzed the diversity and genetic structure of the BoLA-DRB3 gene, a genetic locus that has been linked to the immune response, in Myanmar cattle populations. Methods: Blood samples (n = 294) were taken from two native breeds (Pyer Sein, n = 163 and Shwe Ni, n = 69) and a cattle crossbreed (Holstein-Friesian, n = 62) distributed across six regions