2022

EDITORIAL BOARD

MYANMAR PHYSIOLOGY NEWSLETTERCHIEF EDITOR
PROF. SOE MINN HTWAY @ MG PONNYAEDITORIAL BOARD MEMBERS
DR. THUREIN ZAWDR. EI EI MYA THANT
DR. KYI KYI MYINT
DR. M YA PWINT PHYU
DR. WIN WIN THAN

PHOTOGRAPHERMOE ZAW NYO

DESIGNERWAI YAN MIN

P UBLISHED BY DEPARTMENT OF PHYSIOLOGY,
UNIVERSITY OF MEDICINE, MAGWAY, MYANMAR

Page 2Myanmar Physiology Newsletter- Issue 001/JULYCONTENTS

2022

EDITORIAL
THE FIRST ISSUE OF MYANMAR PHYSIOLOGY NEWSLETTER ............................

4

GLOBAL NEWS .................................................................................

5

LOCAL NEWS ...................................................................................

6

SPECIAL REPORT ...............................................................................

8

SOCIAL ACTIVITIES .............................................................................

11

ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES ........................................................................

12

NEWS

ARTICLES
MY NAME IS MAGWAY .......................................................................

13

MYOGENIC MYANMAR .......................................................................

15

LOVE THE TREES AND SAVE THE FOREST ....................................................

16

PHYSIOLOGY & PHYSIOLOGIST ...............................................................

18

DEVELOPING A NEW TECHNIQUE .............................................................

19

INTEGRATED CLINICAL LECTURE ON CARDIOVASCULAR PHYSIOLOGY ..................

21

THE SPLENDIDLY BRILLIANT BEAUTY, UNIVERSITY OF MEDICINE, TAUNGGYI ........

23

POEM

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EDITORIAL
Medical University using
PowerLab® as a teachingsystem.

The First
Issue of
MyanmarPhysiology
Newsletter
Mg Ponnya
Chief Editor
Myanmar Physiology
Newsletter"Welcome to the first issueof the Myanmar Physiology
Newsletter."This newsletter is published
for our Physiology faculties
and medical students toshare the news andknowledge of the current
Medical Physiology. So, maincontents of the newsletterare the articles related to the
medical education/research,
local & global news, and ourdepartment activities.
In this issue, we present the"Global News", "Local news","Special Report", "Social
Activities" and "Academic
Activities" of our departmentin the "News" section. In the"Articles" section, there are
six articles related to the
Physiology, Medical
Education and Research.
A poem is beautifully written
by Prof. Thae Nu Htwe fromthe University of Medicine,
Taunggyi.
For the future issues, news
and activities of other
Myanmar Medical
Universities are welcomed.
We also hope the articles
Page 4

would be contributed by theretired Myanmar Physiology
faculties. In the coming
issues, we will add somemore new sections such as"Book Review", "Letters to
Editor", "Questions &Answers", "Events" and"Student Activities".
In the current issue, wereport the news of the 20th
anniversary of our Physiology
Department as a special
report. It is also chosen as acover photo for this issue.
This is a milestone of ourdepartment, and we havedecided to celebrate yearly as
the "Physiology Day".
As an another milestone, we
also report about the "Online
Myanmar Medical Physiology
Quiz (OMMPQ)" which is thefirst ever Online Physiology
Quiz during COVID pandemic.
It had been an international
Physiology event and wehave to thank Prof. Cheng
Hwee Ming from Malaysia for
inviting some international
students to participate in theevent.
In "Academic Activities"
section, we report thatPowerLab® has been using toteach Physiology practical. In
Myanmar, this is the first

In article section, I introduce
my hometown "Magway"from both Anatomical andPhysiological aspects.
Moreover, Prof. Sanda Kyaw
express her feelings about
Physiology & Physiologist,
and the integrated teachingexperience is shared by Prof.
Ohnmar Myint Thein.
We accepted two research
articles from Dr. Tin Tin Win
Shwe and Mr. Daisuke
Nakajima. They are researchscientists from National
Institute of Environmental
Studies (NIES, Japan) andinteresting topics arepresented.
One more article is from Prof.
Cheng Hwee Ming. The nameof the article is "Myogenic
Myanmar". It was admirably
written to encourage us andall Myanmar Physiologists.
Surely, we will move on by
our own intrinsic energy andeffort.
Actually, this is my dreamsince the early days of mycareer to publish a Physiology
Journal/Newsletter. Today,
my dream comes true and so
I would like to thank all myeditorial board members,
reporters, designer,
photographer and authors.
Without their contribution,
the newsletter could not be
published timely.
"See you in next issue"

MPN

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NEWS

Global News

Meditation Enhances
Immune System without
Activating Inflammatory
Signals

Antibiotics ravage
motivation andendurance in athletes

Meditation is an effective
behavioral intervention fortreating various conditions
associated with a weakened
immune system.

Antibiotics that kill essential
gut bacteria ravage athletes'
motivation and endurance.
DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2022.104650

Metabolic Regulation by
the Intestinal
Metformin-AMPK axis
AMP-activated protein kinase(AMPK) mediates the
glucose-lowering effect of theantidiabetic agent
metformin.
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30477-3

Gut Bacteria Can Reducethe Effectiveness ofcertain blood pressuredrugs
Gut bacteria can reduce theeffectiveness ofantihypertensive drug,
quinapril.
DOI:
10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.121.18
711.

New class of antibiotics
found to be highly
effective against drugresistant tuberculosis
A new class of antibiotics, PP
derivatives (based on thepresence of phenanthrene
and pyrrolidine groups within
the structures) is highly
effective against drugresistant tuberculosis.
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001648

DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2110455118

Appetite-Regulating
Hormone Affects
Monetary Decision
MakingGhrelin, a stomach-derived
hormone known to regulate
appetite and other foodrelated functions, may play abroad role in reward-related
behavior and decisionmaking, such as monetary
choices.
DOI:10.1210/jendso/bvab048.1271

Drinking Coffee Daily,
Even with Sugar Added,
Reduces Mortality Risk:
Study
Moderate dietaryconsumption (1.5 to 3.5 cups
per day) of unsweetened or
sugar-sweetened coffee isassociated with a lower
mortality risk, according toa paper published in thejournal Annals of Internal
Medicine.
DOI: 10.7326/M21-2977

Eating Blueberry
Regularly Reduces
Dementia Risk, New
Study Suggests

has neurocognitive benefit in
middle-aged individuals withinsulin resistance andelevated risk for future
dementia.
DOI: 10.3390/nu14081619

Lack of Sleep
Predisposes toAbdominal Visceral
Obesity
New research from Mayo
Clinic shows that lack ofsufficient sleep leads to a 9%
increase in total abdominal
fat area and an 11% increasein abdominal visceral fat.
DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2022.01.038

Grape Consumption
Modifies Gut
Microbiome, Lowers
Blood Cholesterol Levels
A new pilot study publishedin the journal Nutrients
stated that consuming grapes
significantly increases thediversity of gut bacteria,
decreases cholesterol levels
as well as bile acids whichplay an integral role incholesterol metabolism.
DOI: 10.3390/nu13113965

COVID-19 and cerebral
blood flow
Post-COVID-19 symptoms areassociated with long-termchanges in brain physiology
and function.
DOI: 10.1101/2022.05.04.22274208

Reported by Dr. Thurein Zaw

A new study published in thejournal Nutrients stated thatblueberry supplementation

Myanmar Physiology Newsletter- Issue 001/JULY

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NEWS

Local News
Online Myanmar
Medical Physiology Quiz
(OMMPQ) was the First
Online Physiology Quiz
Event hosted by
University of Medicine,
Magway, Myanmar.
(26th July, 2020)

Total 40 participants from 9
University-Teams wereparticipated in our Online
Myanmar Medical Physiology
Quiz. Myanmar teams are
University of Medicine 1(Yangon), University of
Medicine 2 (Yangon),
University of Medicine,
Mandalay, University of
Medicine, Taunggyi, andUniversity of Medicine,
Magway.

Prof. Hla Yee Yee, Prof. Nyunt
Wai , Prof. Ye Win, Prof. Khin
Myo Chit and Prof. Hla Thanwere the judges for thisOnline Physiology Quiz Event.

In the year 2020, Covid-19
was pandemic and ourannual physiology quiz event
had to be cancelled.
However, Pandemic couldn’t
stop our Passion for
Physiology Quiz. So, weorganized this event to show
our Physiology Team Spirit,
like a “Phoenix” amid
Covid-19 crisis.
Page 6

International teams are 2
from Vietnam and one eachfrom Malaysia andIndonesia: University of
Malaya (Malaysia),
University of Indonesia(Indonesia), Vo Truong Toan
University (Vietnam), andHanoi Medical University(Vietnam).

At first, we explained about
the QUIZ RULES & PROCEDURES .
Total 9 teams were divided
into 2 groups; 5 teams ingroup (1) and 4 teams ingroup (2). We asked 5questions to each team. They
got 2 points for a correct
answer, and no punishment
for a wrong answer. Team
members could discuss eachother, but only one member
had to take the action byraising hand within 30 sec
after reading the question
twice.

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NEWS

2022

Myanmar Physiology Newsletter- Issue 001/JULY

Page 7Competitive response fromother teams was not allowed.
If there was a tie between
two teams, we decided thewinner by asking extra
questions and we used “thesudden death rule”. The 2
group-winners and the best
second team went to the
Final, in which quizmechanism was the same as
the group stage.
In this competition, theWinner of Online Myanmar
Medical Physiology Quiz(2020) was the University of
Medicine, Magway. The firstrunner-up was the Universityof Medicine 1, Yangon andthe second runner-up was
the University of Malaya(Malaysia).
Reported by Dr. Mya Pwint Phyu

2022

NEWS

SpecialReportth

20 Anniversaryof Physiology Department(UMMG) was held online(6th April, 2022)
It has been 20 years; thePhysiology department wasestablished in the Universityof Medicine, Magway in
2002. Professor Khin Myo
Chit was the first Professorand Head of the Departmentof Physiology.

The University was built in
December, 2000 and the classof 1st batch started in May,
2001. Since Physiology wastaught in the second year,
and so Department of
Physiology was first run in
2002.
Professor Khin Myo Chit
remembered clearly the dateof her arrival to
Magway. It was the
6th April, 2002. So, we
decided to celebrate
the anniversary at 6th
April, 2022.
Due to COVID-19 rules
and regulations, we
could not make faceto-face celebration.
We have to celebrate
online by zoom.

The University of Medicine,
Magway is one of the five
Public Medical Universities in
Myanmar. It is located sevenmiles away from thedowntown of Magway city.
Page 8In the ceremony, the Rector,
Prof. Aye Aye Oo gave theopening speech and thenProf. Soe Minn Htway
welcomed all the attendees.
After that, the former headsof the department told about
their unforgettable momentsin the department as goodmemories.

Prof. Khin Myo Chit

Prof. Swe Swe Win

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NEWS

Prof. Kyaw Min

The former heads of thedepartment were Prof. Khin
Myo Chit (2002-2003), Prof.
Swe Swe Win (2003-2004),
Prof. Kyaw Min (2004-2006),
Prof. Tin Tin Aye (2006-2010),
Prof. Mya Mya Thwin (20102014), Prof. Nwe Nwe Yee(2014-2016), Prof. Mya
Thandar Sein (2016-2019)and Prof. Sanda Kyaw (20192020).

Prof. Nwe Nwe Yee

Prof. Nyunt Wai, Prof. Khin Myo
Chit and colleagues

Prof. Kyaw Min and his colleagues

Prof. Mya Thandar Sein

Prof. Tin Tin Aye and her colleagues

Prof. Tin Tin Aye

Prof. Mya Mya Thwin

Prof. Sanda Kyaw

The current Prof./Head isProf. Soe Minn Htway. He
said that 6th April will becelebrated yearly as the"Physiology Day" of the
University of Medicine,
Magway, and starting fromthe July 2022, the newsletter
will be issued biannually. The
ceremony was successfully
closed after open discussion
by attendees.

Prof. Mya Mya Thwin and hercolleagues

Prof. Nwe Nwe Yee and hercolleagues

Myanmar Physiology Newsletter- Issue 001/JULY

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NEWS

Prof. Mya Thandar Sein and hercolleagues

Prof. Sanda Kyaw and hercolleagues

Prof. Soe Minn Htway and hiscolleagues

Reported by Dr. Ei Ei Mya Thant

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NEWS

There are about 500 students
in the Sarsana gon-yi school
and about 200 in the Thidayon school. In these schools,
volunteers and teachers areactively participating for thechildren's education.

SocialActivities
Donation to Monk's &Nun's Education Schools
and Home for the Aged
(15 th June, 2022)

These schools have beendeveloped and managed by
Buddhist monks and nuns toprovide basic education
especially for children of thepoor family.

Sachets of cereal drink
were donated to Sarsanagon-yi & Thida-yon Nun’s
Education Schools, andPyin-nyar-rama Monk’s
Education School.

We also donated cereal drink
to Phan-khar-myay Home for
the Aged in which 25 elderly
people have been cared.
Totally, 5,000 servings of
cereal drink were donated tothe children and elderly.
Reported by Dr. Kyi Kyi Myint

Myanmar Physiology Newsletter- Issue 001/JULY

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NEWS
Nerve, muscle and neurophysiological studies can also
be done by Power Lab.

Academic
Activities

obtained by connecting ECG
electrodes, Bio Amp, PowerLab hardware and LabChart®
software.

Practical Section using
Power LabThe students were divided
into two groups. The twogroups were taught in the
Laboratory 1 and Laboratory
2 of the Department of
Physiology, University of
Medicine, Magway.

Two Power Lab systems wereused respectively in the twoLaboratories. Each system of
the Power Lab consists of one
Power Lab hardware andcomputer with LabChart®
software. (LabTutor®softwareis also available).

For cardiovascular system,
the pulse transducer acquires
the mechanical signal of thefinger pulse and transform
this signal into analog signal
and transfer this analog signal
to the Power Lab hardware.
The Power Lab hardware
amplifies, filters, samples andtransforms the analog signals
into digital signals and thentransfer these digital signals
to computer with LabChart®
software.

The LabChart® Software
displays the digital signals aswave form. By using
LabChart® Software, thepulse rate and cardiac cycle
can be calculated.
The Power Lab system can beused to acquire, store andanalyze data. In Physiology
teaching, the Power Lab
system can used for bothanimal and human studies. It
is especially useful forteaching practical in the
cardiovascular system andrespiratory system.
Page 12Similarly, heart rate andcardiac cycle can becalculated from ECG data

For respiratory physiology, byusing spirometer kit, thePower Lab system displays
and calculates respiratory
parameters such as tidal
volume, minute ventilation,
respiratory rate, FVC andFEV1.

The students were explained
how to use the Power Lab
hardware and the computerwith LabChart® software by
the teaching staffs of the
Department of Physiology,
University of Medicine,
Magway.
Then, demonstration andpractice using the Power Lab
system and LabChart®
Software was done by small
group of students in rotation.
There are about 80 students
in total, and about 10
students each in one small
group.

Reported by Dr. Win Win Than

Myanmar Physiology Newsletter- Issue 001/JULY

2022

ARTICLES“My Nameis Magway”

my head (at the North) for
several years.

Ref:https://www.myanmaritv.com/news/convenient-traveling-yangon-magweflight-resumed-operation

Soe Minn Htway
Professor/Head
Department of Physiology
University of Medicine,
MagwayI am a city of the midland
plain region in the central
Myanmar. I was born about
900 years ago (Since Bagan
Era), but I became a city of
today only in 1974.

AnatomyIn anatomical position, I
stand 60 m above the sea
level. My contour is more orless plain, but there is a slightnon-significant slope towards
the west; the Irrawaddy River(Famous River of Myanmar).

“Mya-thalun Pagoda” is mylandmark, which is located on

My BMI (population density)
is 4238/km2 and I have an
average body built,
comparing with other cities in
Myanmar.
There is a 2,739 meter-longbridge (one of the longest
bridges in Myanmar)crossover the Irrawaddy
River, connecting to the westbank of the river and thetown named "Min-bu".

Major blood stream is the
Irrawaddy River which flows
smoothly with laminar flowfrom North to South,
nourishing the land for
cultivation of a variety ofplants.

Energy Metabolism

Up-and-down-stream
transportation is also
mediated by the river. My
locomotor system is
efficiently run by highway
roads, railways and airlines.

Carbohydrate production(Cultivating Paddy field) is not
mainly occurred in my region.
Major metabolism is "Fat
Production" (edible oil
production from sesame seed
and peanut), and so my nickname is “Oil Pot”. Peanut oil
contains heart-healthy
unsaturated fat (80%) andpeanut itself is also rich ofprotein.

Myanmar Physiology Newsletter- Issue 001/JULY

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ARTICLES

Ref:https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&u
rl=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2Fusai
dburmaOne teaspoon of peanut oil
contains 2.079 g ofmonounsaturated fat, 1.44 gof polyunsaturated fat and0.76 g of saturated fat.
Similarly, sesame oil also
contains mostly unsaturated
fatty acids (75-85%) and goodfor health.
Not only edible oil, but also
some crude oil and natural
gas for energy are produced.
A kind of photosynthesis(Solar energy production) can
also be seen in my region.

You should come and visit me
while I am cool and calmfrom November to February(Cold season). You should
avoid visiting while I got fever(Hot season: from March toMay), and at my shower time(Rainy season: from June to
October).
More than 300 rooms areavailable for visitors(provided by 10 hotels).
Moreover, many more rooms
are provided by guest houses.
Famous places around me are
Shwe-set-taw forest camp
and pagoda, Beik-tha-noe
world heritage archeologicalsite and Bagan ancient city.

system is not well developedand it naturally goes to the
Irrawaddy River.
That is all my facts I would
like to tell you. If you would
like to know more
physiological aspect of me,
please send a mail to me(drsmhtway@gmail.com).
Yes, My Name is Magway !

(Special thanks to Moe Zaw
Nyo for amazing photos)

References

Ref:https://www.frontiermyanmar.net/en/southeast-asias-largest-solar-powerplant-to-be-built-at-minbu/

Physiology
Being a Poikilotherm, mybody temperature is swinging
up and down all the time. My
day-time temperature is thehighest in April (43 ˚C) andthe lowest in December(32 ˚C). My night-timetemperature might fall down
to the lowest (8 ˚C) in thecold season.
Page 14

I breathe in a fair quality of
the fresh air (AQS 20-49) andI breathe out (CO2 emission)
0.23 tons/capita/year.
I use both undergroundwater (deep tube well) whichis alkaline (pH ~ 7.8), andriver water for general
purpose. Drinking watersupply is 100, 000 gallons/day(12 drinking water factories).
Scavenger functions are
mediated by 20 cleaningvehicles and 30 workers
every day. Water drainage

Magway Township Profile,(2019)
https://www.24mantra.com/
blogs/health-andnutrition/fat-compositionand-cholesterol-ingroundnut-oil
https://www.Accuweather.com/magway
https://www.myanmaritv.com/news/convenienttraveling-yangon-magweflight-resumed-operation
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Ft
witter.com%2Fusaidburma

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ARTICLES

Myogenic
MyanMarCheng Hwee Ming
Professor
Department of Physiology
University of Malaya,
Malaysia
I take this privilege to write to
my dear Myanmar colleagues
in Physiology, thinking of thechallenging times your nationis going through. As we talkof adaptation andcompensation in homeostatic
Physiology, I like to believethat your current national
stresses will likewise
strengthen your resolve as
Physiology educators tocontinue to teach with thebest of your abilities andcreative opportunities.

‘Myogenic’ is morecommonly used in thevascular smooth muscle
responses to maintain aconstant blood flow in
cerebral, coronary and renal
circulations. The vasculararterioles havemechanosensors that
respond to increased blood
perfusing pressure/stretch by
vasoconstricting. The
increased vascular resistancerises to match the increased
pressure and blood flow isnormalized.
I hear and see evidence of
this ‘myogenic response’ toyour current nationalpressures as many who loveand care for the nation
volunteer their time, effort inresistance activities andinnovative projects. Students
deprived of extrinsic
guidance also showed
intrinsic perseverance anddiligence in autoregulating
their tertiary studies.

I chose this title ‘Myogenic
Myanmar” to try to engage
you in some physiology thathas analogies to yourcommunity in Myanmar.

Ye Tun Naung of Myanmmar, 70kg
Champion free posing 2016 SEA
Championships (Source: musclepinoy)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yb
m3TDzNjeo

The word ‘myogenic’ broadlymeans an intrinsic property
arising from the muscle itself,
independent of extrinsic
inputs either neural or
circulating hormones.

‘Myogenic’ can also be used
for cardiac muscles. The
intrinsic Starling’s mechanism
can be described as‘myogenic’, generating
increased contractile force

when ventricular filling islarger. This end-diastolicvolume/stroke volume
relationship is useful in theclosed, fixed volume
cardiovascular circuit wherecontinuous flow is dependent
on the two synchronous
beating rhythmic ventricular
pumps.
Myanmar is richly blessedwith abundant resources ,although not all fully
exploited and the fruits andbenefits distributed to all. We
will all echo the hope that
there will be a similarheartfelt associated generous
giving out of the nations’s
lifeblood and resources tosupply the needs of many inMyanmar.
‘Myogenic’ can also describe
a recent finding in skeletal
muscle in the secretion of
myokines during contraction.
These multi-organ chemical
mediators are released
during generation of muscle
contractile tension. Myokines
are now believed to mediate
the benefits of exercise forhealth. Myokines havegenerally opposite actions to
adipokines from fat tissues.
So there is a homeostaticinteraction between skeletal
and adipose tissue mass.
As teachers, as we continue
to flex our academic muscles,
may we continue to have theimpact on many in thecommunity for good,
comfort, resilience andhealth.

‘Myogenic Myanmar’

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ARTICLES

Love the Trees
and Save theForest:Forest Bathing for
Physiological andPsychological Health

What is forest bathing?
Forest bathing is the
spending time in a forest to
touch the naturalenvironment by own senses.
Walking in the forest
connects the nature by fivesenses such as sight, smell,hearing, touch, and mind to
improve our physical andmental health. Looking at thenature of green trees andblue sky make comforting us,
reducing the stress andincreasing anti-inflammatory
cytokines of immune system.

Tin Tin Win Shwe
Chief Senior Researcher
National Institute forEnvironmental Health,
Tsukuba, Japan

History of forest bathing:
Shinrin-yoku is the Japaneseword and it means “forest
bathing”. In Japan, forest
bathing or forest therapy was
begun in 1980s to promote
physiological andpsychological healthespecially in persons with
illness or disease. The term
was first introduced in 1982
by the Japanese Ministry ofAgriculture, Forestry and
Fisheries to encourage
healthy lifestyles andmaintain the Nation’s naturalenvironments. Nowadays, it
spreads widely all over theworld and becomes popular
habit in young and middleaged peoples for healthPage 16

benefits. Dr. Qing Li, an
Associate Professor, aPhysician and Immunologist
from Nippon Medical School,
Japan has been studying the
research regarding forest
bathing sustainably nearly 30
years ago.

Therefore, some houses andoffices use photo or pictureof nature, indoor green
plants, aroma for relaxationand pleasant feeling. The
sounds in the forest you canhear are sound of waterfall,wind and bird song without
noise pollution as in urban.
Easier forest adventure
course in outdoor park
attracts children and they canenjoy with their parents
together. It was reported that
50% of good results of forest
bathing is due to plantchemicals called phytoncides
which are natural aroma fromthe trees in the forest
atmosphere.
Phytoncides are volatileorganic compounds and low
concentration is effective foraromatherapy, but highconcentration leads to toxic
effects. Touching tree orground without layer orbarrier like gloves or shoes
allows naturally occurring
bacteria such as
Mycobacterium vaccae toenter our body and it canboost immune system andalso acts as an antidepressant. While walking in
the forest, you can enjoy
healthy local meals preparedby fresh local products likevegetables and fruits whichcannot be available in urban
areas, and some arebeneficial as medicine.
Moreover, while walking in
the forest, you can have atime to think withoutpressure and stress and it
makes increased problemsolving ability and creativity
power. During forest bathing,some gentle exercises likeyoga or tai-chi with skillful
trainer would promotenormal physiological
functions.

Good time for forest bathing:
The forest bathing timeshould be between 10:00 am
to 4:00 pm in the sunny day.
For beginners, no need tohurry, walking slowly andspend much time in theforest are recommended.

Myanmar Physiology Newsletter- Issue 001/JULY

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ARTICLES
According to Dr. Li’s talk,after 20 min, the subjects will
notice their pleasant feelingand about 4 h is the best forphysical and mental health.
You can spend alone, or witha companion, or with family
as a picnic. The forest bathing
therapists are available inJapan especially for thepatients. You can use as “metime” during which various
activities such as studying theplants, writing a song or
poem, thinking for important
decision and future plan.
What are the benefits?
The main advantages ofguided forest therapy walks
are regulation of bloodpressure, reduction of stress,
supporting mental health,boosting the immune systemand feeling very comfortableand peaceful. Dr. Li said that
according to his research, one
day spend in the forest, thebenefits will cover for
approximately 7 days. Staying
two nights three days in theforest will cover
approximately 30 days.

anti-cancer effects. It has
been also reported that
forest visit was found toremarkably reduce urinary
adrenaline and noradrenaline
concentrations and saliva
cortisol level. The inhibitionof these stress hormones
may lead to reduce stress andanxiety and make a relax andvigor. Moreover, decreased
adrenaline and noradrenaline
may reduce sympathetic
nervous activity and which inturn reduce the bloodpressure in the patients withhypertension.
Future plan for clinicalresearch:
Based on the effect of forest
bathing, the scientists havebeen focused to use
phytoncides or essential oils
as olfactory stimulants torelease of memory-function
related genes such asneurotransmitters andgrowth factors for treatment
of dementia or Alzheimer’s
patients.

Finally, sustainable
maintenance of the nature isa critical issue for fulfillmentof the sustainable
development goals by United
Nations such as good healthand well-being and climate
action for our next
generation.

References
Li Q, Morimoto K, Kobayashi
M, et al. Visiting a forest, but
not a city, increases humannatural killer activity andexpression of anti-cancer
proteins. Int J Immunopathol
Pharmacol. 2008;21:117–28.
Li Q. Effect of forest bathing
trips on human immune
function.Environ Health Prev
Med. 2010; 15(1):9-17.

Possible mechanism of healthbenefits:
Phytoncides are woodessential oils and released
from the trees such as
Japanese cedar (SUGI) andJapanese cypress (HINOKI)
and detected only in theforest atmosphere and not in
the crowded urban
atmosphere. Forest visit
increases natural killer (NK)cell number and activity via
intracellular proteins such as
granzymes, perforin andgranulysin and triggers
boosting immune system andMyanmar Physiology Newsletter- Issue 001/JULY

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2022

ARTICLESPHYSIOLOGY &PHYSIOLOGIST

Physiologists are constantly
trying to answer key
questions in areas ranging
from the functions of single
cells to the interactions
between human populations
and our environment here on
earth, the moon, and beyond.

Sanda Kyaw
Professor and Head
Department of Physiology
University of Medicine 2,
YangonPhysiology is the science oflife, specifically, how cells,
tissues, and organisms
function in the body.
Physiology is importantbecause it is the foundation
upon which we build ourknowledge of what "life" is,how to treat disease, andhow to cope with stresses
imposed upon our bodies bydifferent environment.
Physiological studies ofnormal biological function
provide the basis forunderstanding the abnormal
function seen in animal andhuman disease(pathophysiology) and fordeveloping new methods fortreating those diseases(translational research).
Many physiologists use
animal models as animportant tool in theirresearch.

Page 18

The study of physiologicalprocesses can encompass awide array of otherdisciplines, such asneurophysiology,
pharmacology, cell biology,
and biochemistry.
Physiologists can often be
found as members of theseother departments, inaddition to department ofphysiology.

To answer these questions,Physiologists work inlaboratories, in research
institutes, in the universities,
and in the teaching hospitals.
A physiologist can use thesimple nerve networks foundin marine snails to answer
questions about thefundamental mechanisms oflearning and memory.
A physiologist can investigate
the cardiovascular system ofan animal to answer
questions about heart attacks
and other human diseases.
Physiologists can study how
the body adapts totemperature andenvironmental extremes
encountered on earth, or thezero gravity encountered inspace flights, to learn how
physiological processes copewith these environmental
stresses.

Physiologists ask questions
like . . .
• Why does blood clot in awound but not while flowing
through blood vessels?
• How does the nervous
system convert stimuli intomemories? How do weaccess those memories?
• What factors limit humanathletic performance?
• What causes new genes tobe activated and expressed in
failing hearts, and how does
this contribute to poor
performance of these hearts
as circulatory pumps?
• How does a person’s
genetic inheritancepredispose him or her tocertain diseases later in life?
• How do organs repair
themselves after damage due
to stroke, heart attack, orother insult?

Reference:https://www.gonzaga.edu/sc
hool-of-nursing-humanphysiology/departments/hum
an-physiology/physiology-asa-career

The study of physiologicalprocesses can encompass
a wide array of otherdisciplines, such asneurophysiology,
pharmacology, cellbiology, and biochemistry.

Myanmar Physiology Newsletter- Issue 001/JULY

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ARTICLES

Developing
a newtechnique
TO DETECT CHEMICALLEAKAGE DURING
DISASTERS IN JAPANDaisuke Nakajima
Head of Environmental
Exposure and EffectResearch Section
National Institute forEnvironmental Studies,
Tsukuba, Japan
Japan is known as a disasterprone country. It is
historically characterized bymajor earthquakes, with ten
earthquakes in the past 100
years in which more than
1,000 people were killed or
missing. Not only that, but
flood damage is also asignificant concern for Japan,
given the country's locationin the path of typhoons. In
Japan, 97% of municipalities
have experienced floods orlandslides in the past ten
years. Flooding has been ahistorical problem in Japan
since pre-modern times, but
especially since the 1950s,
chemical leakage has addedconcern. Today, industrial
and household chemicals are
stored everywhere in the city.
For example, chemical plants
store their raw materials, andfarmers store their pesticides.
These can spill during floods
and cause damage to people
and ecosystems.
In recent years, the mostdamaging typhoon in Japanwas Typhoon Hagibis in 2019.
Rivers overflowed in many
locations, resulting in 90
deaths, nine people missing,and 4,008 houses totally or
partially destroyed. There
were many reports ofchemical spills during theflooding caused by thistyphoon, including oil(estimated total volume of
135 L) in Kakuda City, Miyagi
Prefecture; aluminum
phosphide material (productname: fumitoxin, 3 x 1 kg) in
Shizuoka; sodium cyanide
from two facilities inKoriyama City; tanks
containing ammoniumhydrogen fluoride inMotomiya City; and drums

containing trichloroethylene,
dichloromethane, andisopropanol. These are allreports from businesses thatwere aware of the spill. It
may not be possible to takean action if the spill is notnoticed. Therefore, it will benecessary to establish asystem for the government toinvestigate the possibility ofchemical substance leaks
separately from the reports.
The National Institute forEnvironmental Studies (NIES)
is developing various
technological development ofmethods for detecting
chemical substance leakage
in the event of disasters. Oneof these is the Automatic
Identification and
Quantification System (AIQS),
which uses a gas
chromatograph-quadrupole
mass spectrometer. Thismethod enables theidentification andquantification of
approximately 1,000 organic
compounds in a single
injection without the use of

Fig.1.AIQS analysis screen(AXEL, NISHIKAWA KEISOKU CO., Ltd.)

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ARTICLES

standards. A database of
substances that can bemeasured and three types ofanalysis software arecommercially available, andan example of an analysis
screen is shown in Fig. 1.Thecommercially available
database includes 451
pesticides and othersubstances that may harmthe environment, including
substances subject to the
PRTR (Pollutant Release andTransfer Register) Law inJapan. This selection ofsubstances was based on thelist of regular environmental
monitoring. On the other
hand, other substances could
potentially leak in a disaster.
We calculated the risk by
multiplying the toxicity andamounts of chemical
substances (manufactured
and imported), thenprioritized them in order of
their risks and added them to
the AIQS database on ourown. So far, we have added
about 200 substances to the
database, making about
1,200 substances available
for simultaneous analysis atpresent. For analyticalchemists who do not have
AIQS software anddatabase, a web-based
version of AIQS running in
the cloud is underdevelopment.
The AIQS method was also
used in the large-flooded
area in Nagano Prefecturecaused by Typhoon Hagibis
mentioned earlier (Fig. 2).
Sedimentary soil washedaway by the floodwaters was
sampled at 51 points andmeasured for toxic
Page 20substances using the AIQS,
and high concentrations of
DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) weredetected. The use of DDT has
been banned in Japan since1981. DDE (dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene)
and DDD (dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane), which are
long-term degradants of DDT,
were also detected at thesites where highconcentrations of DDT weredetected in the flooding,suggesting that hot spot soils
used before the ban may
have been spilled. The survey
anticipated the possibility ofseeing components ofcurrently used pesticides andkerosene, a household fuel,but did not anticipate thedetection of DDT. Therefore,
DDT was usually missed tomeasure in standard targeted
analytical measurements
before developing AIQS.
However, AIQS is not limitedby the investigator's
preconceived notions andsearches all substances in the
database. This leads to a

AIQS is an efficient detection
method not only for disasters
but also for environmental
monitoring in steady-state
conditions. Although its
quantitative value has an
uncertainty of several tens ofpercent, it is also useful when
one wishes to obtain a roughidea of the concentrationlevel of chemicals in theenvironment or when it isdifficult to get referencematerial. Some practicalexamples have already begun
to be reported.
The AIQS introduced here ismeasured by GC-MS. Only
semi-volatile substances canbe measured; for hydrophiliccompounds that GC-MS
cannot measure, Prof. Kiwao
Kadokami from Kitakyushu
University has separately
developed AIQS with LC-QTof MS. AIQS-LC is moresensitive than AIQS-GC and is
expected to be used forvarious applications in the
future.
Acknowledgments
This research was conducted by
the Environment Research andTechnology Development Funds(JPMEERF18S11711) of theEnvironmental Restoration andConservation Agency of Japan.
References

Fig.2.Place around the Chikuma river in Nagano
Prefecture, Japan after flood caused by typhoon Hagibis

Ryo Omgari. et. Al., Environmental
International 159 (2022) 107017.
DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.107017

significant advantage fordetecting DDT by our
research team.

Hanh Rhi Doung et. Al.,Chemosphere 219 (2019) 784-795.
DOI:
10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.12.0
96Thus, AIQS has been used asa leak detection method fororganic chemicals resulting
from floods and other events.

Kiwao Kadokami and Daisuke Ueno.
Anal. Chem., 91 (2019) 7749-7755.
DOI:
10.1021/acs.analchem.9b01141

Myanmar Physiology Newsletter- Issue 001/JULY

2022

ARTICLESINTEGRATED CLINICALLECTURE ON
CARDIOVASCULARPHYSIOLOGY

Ohnmar Myint Thein
Professor and Head
Department of Physiology
University of Medicine,
Mandalay
It was on 30th May (Monday),
2022. We first contacted theHead of Department ofMedicine, Prof Daw Aye Aye
Chit and she assigned
Associate Professor Dr.
Maung Maung Oo for the
Integrated Clinical Lecture ofthree hours.
He was very considerate andvisited our department prior
to the lecture so as to discuss
what we physiologists wantfrom their physicians for thesake of second MBBS
students.
We first considered to discussnine very interesting cases ofstable and unstable angina,
congestive heart failure,
ventricular tachycardia
caused by hypokalemia,
Wolff Parkinson White(WPW) syndrome, vasovagal
syncope, hypertension, whitecoat hypertension andintracranial haemorrhage &high blood pressure.
The first agenda was a briefelaboration of history of
medicine concerning
cardiovascular physiologythat consisted Giants: Galen,
William Harvey, developmentof thoughts in measuring
blood pressure,electrocardiogram (ECG) toechocardiogram andpercutaneous coronary
intervention (PCI) by Sayar. It
was followed by presentationof four cases by four groupsof the students.
At first, there were nine cases
as mentioned above andamong them, we chose themost suitable four for thesecond MBBS students which
are cases of stable angina,
congestive heart failure,
WPW syndrome andvasovagal syncope.
In the FIRST case of stableangina, we let the students
recall the basic principles ofelectrocardiogram, normal
findings of ECG and changes
during ischemia and infarct
and of course the hall mark of
myocardial infarction. We
also let them discuss why thepatient was relieved by restand introduce them thediagnostic tool cardio
angiogram and even thetreatment procedure of PCI.
It was really a worthwhile
thirty minutes of applied
cardiovascular physiology.
SECOND case was a reallyinteresting case and the caseI like most among the four. It
was a case of heart failure
with bilateral diffuse crackles
in lungs, elevated jugularvenous pressure, and 2+
pitting lower extremity
edema. ECG showed normal
sinus rhythm with left
ventricular hypertrophy. So,
no doubt we let the students
discuss these physical signs
and even let them diagnose
whether the patient issuffering from left sided orright sided or congestive
heart failure based onunderlying mechanisms.
Furthermore, diagnosis ofsinus rhythm with left
ventricular hypertrophy bymeans of ECG andsignificance of ejection
fraction was thoroughly
explained by the students.
Another interesting essential
point is the Starling’s forces
explaining why there werecrackles in lungs and pitting
lower edema. It was really acase that highlighted theimportance of understanding
the basic principles indiagnosis and treatment ofpatient.
It was already eleven in themorning and we should givethe students a break. Yet, it
was a tightly scheduled
program. So, we contributed
them some refreshments of
cookies in about five minutes.
Very great to see their smiles
having cookies and it made us
smile, too. We really needsuch a break sometimes.
THIRD case was a patient with
WPW syndrome. Though a bit
difficult for second MB
students, the presenter
thoroughly explained thecircuits and even the historyof the great physicians thatcoined the name WPW.

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ARTICLES

The most interesting part inthis case is that the student
described the underlying
mechanisms leading totachycardia. After thepresentation, I gave a remarkthat the student did not seem
like a second MB student andthat he even looked like aphysician. One day, I am verymuch sure about is that he isgoing to be a great physician.
I really mean it.

As a closing remark, I thanked
all the students for theirgreat effort and enthusiasm.
Also, deep gratitude to
Associate Prof Maung Maung
Oo for sharing his great
experience, knowledge andinterest. Before theconclusion, I requested him
to contribute such a great
clinical lecture andintegration again after
Respiratory Physiology.

Last but not the least, theOf course, my special thanks
go to my colleagues and staffof Physiology Department,
University of Medicine,
Mandalay without theirinterest, effort andcontribution, this Integrated
Clinical Lecture on
Cardiovascular Physiology
could not be possible.

FOURTH case was a case ofvasovagal syncope. According
to the case presentation, thestudent explained thephysiological mechanism of
syncope. Also, discussed theorthostatic hypotension, its
physiological importance andthat it can be used to test
autonomic function of thepatient.
All in all, that morning clinicallecture of three hours isreally a very fruitful morning.
Based on the knowledge ofbasic sciences, physiology,
the students learnt how toapply in diagnosis andtreatment so as to relieve thesufferings of the patients.
That is the key part of theintegration. Integration
should not only be in the
curriculum, in the time tableone subject after another.….
I share my mentor’spreaching to the students
that integration cannot be
achieved as long as thestudent integrate by himself,
in his brain, all in his heartand soul. Wish students
become great compassionate
doctors.

Page 22"It was already elevenin the morning and weshould give thestudents a break. Yet, it
was a tightly scheduled
program. So, we
contributed them somerefreshments of cookies
in about five minutes.
Very great to see theirsmiles having cookies
and it made us smile,
too. We really needsuch a breaksometimes.""All in all, that morning
clinical lecture of threehours is really a very
fruitful morning. Basedon the knowledge ofbasic sciences,
physiology, the students
learnt how to apply indiagnosis andtreatment so as torelieve the sufferings ofthe patients."

Myanmar Physiology Newsletter- Issue 001/JULY

2022

POEM

"The
Splendidly
Brilliant
Beauty,Universityof Medicine,
Taunggyi"“အလှတရား နဲ�ေဆးတကသိုလ်
ေတာင်ကီး”စိမ်းလွင်ြပင် ေတာင်တန်းေတွ

Surrounded by endless lush
green mountain ranges
Filled with bountiful pinetrees and silver oaks rivaledby the flamboyant blossomsof cherry flowers, jacarandas
and rain lilies.
From the warm graceful raysof the sun in the day
To the tranquil, melancholy
moonlight in the night
All students are invited andwelcomeInto the space in which you
feel safe and supported inpursuit of knowledge,
Into the warm loving
embrace of a mother's love at
the gorgeous beauty,
Taunggyi Medical University.

ဝိုင်းပါလို
ထင်းရှးမိင်မိင် ချယ်ရီေတွအပိင်
ပွင့်ပါတဲ့
စိန်ပန်းြပာြပာ ခါေတာ်မီနဲ�
မိုးကိပန်းေတွ လင်လင်ပွင့်ေနတဲ့
ေနြခည်ကြဖာ ေရ�ရည်လသာတဲ့
မိခင်ေဆးတကသိုလ်ရင်ခွင်
ေအးချမ်းပါဘိ...
ပညာိုရည်ေသာက်သုံးဖို
လုံ�ခံေွးေထွး အားကိုးိုင်စရာ
ေနရာေလးမှာ
နားခိုလိုက်ပါ
သားငယ်သမီးငယ်တို။

Prof. Thae Nu Htwe
(Translated by Daw Nang
Kham Set)ပါေမာက ေဒါက်တာသဲုေထွး

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