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  • Hazards of PPIs

    By Dr. Kyaw Nyunt (Robert Koe, Florida, USA)

    Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) which suppress stomach acid is used long term by many without knowing the detrimental side effects.

    The only condition that needs long term is Barrett’s esophagus proven by biopsy.

    Omeprazole, Esomeprazole, Pantoprazole are some of those drugs.

    The popular ones are Prilosec and Nexium and people can buy without prescription.

    Doctors don’t discuss about side effects.

    Hazards

    1. Pneumonia.

    2. Clostridium difficile colitis because stomach acid is needed for protection.

    3. Kidney failure. Interstitial nephritis.

    4. Heart. Patients taking Clopidogrel after the heart attack will have risk of another one because PPIs reduce the effects of Clopidogrel.

    5. Gut bacteria overgrowth leading to irritable bowel.

    6. Hip fracture due to interference of calcium absorption.

    7. Malabsorption. Iron, B12, Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc and will lead to iron and B12 deficiency anemia.

    8. Bacterial Gastroenteritis caused by Campylobacter and Salmonella.

    So you learn about PPIs side effects.

    You might not know that reflux is usually caused by esophageal motility problem and incompetent valve at the lower end of esophagus.

    Stomach acid production reduces as you grow older and you don’t want to worsen it.

    Take care. Thanks.

  • The Great Gandhiji

    • Born as Mohandas K. Gandhi. 
    • Indian lawyer.
    • Returned from overseas to lead non-violent boycotts.
    • Subsequently known as Mahatma, Gandhiji and the Apostle of Non-violence. 
    • Assassinated by a Hindu Extremist, who did not like Gandhi’s tolerance for non-Hindus.
    • The movie “Nine Hours to Rama” did not fare well in the Box Office.
    • The movie “Gandhi” won an Oscar for Ben Kingsley for his portrayal as Gandhi.
    • I wrote a poem for the Centennial of his birthday.
    • The poem was published in the Working People’s Daily (WPD) on October 1, 1969.
    Poem

    The Great Gandhiji

    A man of true principle
    With spirit invincible
    He sacrificed his pleasures
    Faith and freedom were his treasures

    No arms did he carry
    No threats made him tarry
    No torture or prison
    Could change his decision

    He led all protests
    Despite threats and arrests
    All races and creeds
    Revered his deeds

    He could not see his dreams come true
    The whole world grieves his loss too
    Though he cared not for fame
    His name will indeed remain
    In history, O Great Gandhiji

  • Best Friends Forever 69ers

    Health Care Funds

    U Aung Min (M69) is Chair of the 69er HCF (Health Care Fund). He regularly sends out monthly and quarterly reports including the list of GBNF.

    U Aung Min

    The major donors of the 69er HCF include

    • Ivan Lee (U Khin Maung Oo (M69, New Jersey)
    • U Sein Myint (EP69, Singapore)
    • Daw Myint Myint (C69)

    There is also EE69er HCF. U Sein Myint is a major donor of the fund. The donors’ list is maintained by Sa Maung Maung (EP69) with the help of U Shwe (EP69).

    Gatherings

    There are gatherings mostly for breakfast, but occasionally for lunch and dinner.

    69ers (mostly M69ers but also friends from other disciplines) usually have a Monthly Breakfast Gathering at Taw Win Hnin Si (Royal Rose). The gatherings also celebrate Birthdays and Anniversaries.

    EE69ers tried to meet once every two months.

    Lunch Gatherings have been held at

    • Crystal Jade
    • Shwe Bei
    • Westin Royal

    Breakfast Gatherings include

    • All Disciplines
    • M69ers
    • EE69ers

    Ad hoc Gatherings include

    • Welcoming 69ers from overseas
    • Hosted by visiting 69ers
    • Garawa to Sayagyi U Ba Than (around his birthday : October 2)

  • Philosophy

    Dr. Hla Bu

    • He was Professor of Philosophy and Psychology at Rangoon University.
    • Later, RU established Philosophy and Psychology as separate departments.

    Origin

    • Philosophy is derived from “Phil” (Love of) and “sophy” (wisdom).

    Usage

    • Advanced degrees often have “Philosophy” (to mean “Love of wisdom”).
    • Ph.D (Doctorate in Philosophy)
    • M.Phil (Master of Philosophy)

    Disrespect

    • Under the then new Education System (starting in 1964), some students with low ILA (Intelligence Level Aggregate) were assigned to study Philosophy.
    • The Education System led to the end of well-rounded / liberal education in Burma.
    • Ko Win Myint, who was a High School Luyechun from Myeik (Mergui), was assigned to study Philosophy, but he did not lose heart and eventually became a computer professional.

    Dr. Khin Maung Win

    • Professor of Philosophy
    • Later : Minister of Education in the BSPP era.

    U San Lwin

    • Lecturer
    • He was also known as author (e.g. famous Philosophers), hypnotist, movie director, and monk (discussing comparative religion)

    Nanda Thein Zan

    • Professor
    • Well known author

    Acariya Pu Zaw Pwe

    • Workers’ College
    PZP

  • Psychology

    Dr. Hla Bu

    • Professor of Philosophy and Psychology at Rangoon University.
    • Later : RU established Philosophy and Psychology as separate departments.

    Origin

    • Psychology is derived from “Psycho” (meaning Mind) and “logy” (meaning study of).

    Dr. Hla Thwin

    Dr. Hla Thwin
    • Professor of Psychology
    • He was active in RU Sports Council & RU Soccer.

    Dr. Kyaw Sein

    • Professor of Psychology
    • Later, Minister of Education in the BSPP era.

    U Khin Maung Tint

    Tekkatho Phone Naing
    • Well-known author
    • Pen name : Tekkatho Phone Naing
    • Principal, Taunggyi College
    • Later : Rector, Institute of Education

    Daw Elsie Po Sa

    • Professor of Psychology
    • Passed away
    • Daughter of U Po Sa, first Burmese to open a Bank

    Daw Khin Khin Htwe

    (Flora San Pe)

    U Thein Han & Daw Khin Khin Htwe
    • Retired as Librarian in charge of the Burmese section at the Library of Congress
    • Sister of Dr. Pe Nyun and Dr. Pe Thein

    Usage

    • The term Psychology appears in some computer books.
    • The Psychology of Programming (by Gerald Weinberg)
    • The Psychology of Computer Vision (by Patrick Henry Winston)
  • Sayas and Colleagues

    Sayas and Colleagues

    by Hla Min

    Updated : May 2025

    There is a related post “GBNF : Sayas” with details of selected sayas.

    Deans and Rectors

    • U Ba Hli (Dean)
    U Ba Hli
    • Dr. Htin Aung (Interim Dean)
    • Dr. Maung Maung Kha (Interim Dean)
    • U Po Tha (Interim Dean)
    • U Yone Moe (RIT Rector, BIT Dean)
    • U Khin Aung Kyi (RIT Rector)
    • U Maung Maung Than (RIT Rector)

    Architecture

    • U Tha Tun (A, Part-time)
      Passed away on 13th Sept. 1974
    • U Kyaw Min (A, Part-time)
    • Sai Yee Leik (A)
    • Dr. Koung Nyunt (A)
    • U Shwe (A)

    Civil

    • H Num Kok (C)
    • U Min Wun (C)
    • Allen Htay (C)
    • U Aye Win Kyaw (C)
    • Madan Chand (C)
    • U Kyaw San (C, Part-time)

    Chemical and Chemistry

    • U Khin Aung Kyi (ChE)
    • U Kyaw Tun (ChE, Chem)
    • Dr. Maung Maung Win (ChE)
    • U Ohn Maung (ChE)
    • Daw Than Than (Chem)

    Electrical

    • Dr. F Ba Hi (EE, Part-time)
    • U Kyaw Tun (EE)
    • C. Ping Lee (EE)
    • U Sein Hlaing (EE)
    • U Tin Swe (EE)
    • U Sein Win (EE)
    • U Thein Lwin (EE)
    • Dr. San Tint (EE)
    • U Soe Min (EE)
    • U Chin Way (EE)
    • U Nyi Nyi (EE)
    • U Tin Shwe (EE)
    • U Kyaw Naing (Sin Gwan, EE)
    • Daw Nyunt Nyunt Yee (EE)

    English

    • Sao Kan Gyi (Eng)
    • Joe Ba Maung (Eng)

    Mechanical

    • U Ba Than (M)
    • U Tin Hlaing (M)
    • U Khin Maung (M)
    • U Myo Win (M)
    • U Han Tun (M)
    • U Soe Lwin (M)
    • S Arya (M)
    • S Kyaw Aye (M)
    • Dr. Chan Nyein (M)
    • U Thein Tun Aung (M)
    • U Tin Maung Oo

    Metallurgy

    • U Thit (Met)
    • Dr. Saw Pru (Met)
    • Dr. Khin Maung Win (Met)
    • U Aung Hla Tun (Met)

    Mining

    • U Soe Khaw (Min, Part-time)
    • U Soon Sein (Min)
    • U Win Kyaing (Min / Pet)
    • U Chit Htun (Min)
    • U Kyaw Tint (Min)
    • U Aung Myint (Pet)

    Physics

    • Daw Nyein (Phy)
    • U Hlwan Moe (Phy)
    • U Saw Hlaing (Phy)
    • Daw May Than Nwe (Phy)

    Textile

    • U Maung Maung Than (T)
    • U Shwe Yi (T)
    • Julie Han (T)
    • Daw Tin Tin Ohn (T)
    • U Hla Shwe (T)

    UCC

    • Dr. Tin Maung (UCC)
    • U Ko Ko Lay (UCC)
    • U Hla Min (CO, UCC)
    • U Aung Zaw (UCC)
    • U Mya Thein (UCC)
    • U Kyaw Nyein (UCC)
    • U Soe Myint (UCC)
    • U Shein Soe Myint (UCC)
    • U Aung Aung Thein (UCC)
    • U Ba Than Aye (Myo Myint Lay, UCC)
    • U Myint Aung (UCC)
    • Daw Aye Aye Kyi (UCC)
    • Daw Win May Thoung (UCC)
    • Daw Khin Lay Myint (UCC)
    • Daw Hla Hla Win (UCC)
    • Daw Khin Toe Nyein (UCC)
    • Daw Kyu Kyu Lwin (UCC)
    • U Win Htein (PWD) : managed EE systems at UCC
    • Dr. Kyaw Thein (ICST)

    PBRS

    • U Kyaw Zaw (PBRS)
    • Daw Khin Khin Aye (PBRS)
    • U Tin Maung Thant (PBRS)

    SPHS

    • Saya U Sein (SPHS)
    • Saya D’Cruz (SPHS, Australia)
    • Brother Clementian (SPHS)
    • Ms. A Benjamin (SPHS)
    • Mrs. V. Boudville (SPHS)
    • Miss Hong Kong (Ameilia Kyi, SPHS)
    • Saya U Pe Tin (SPHS)
    • Saya U Nge (SPHS)
    • Saya U Kyaw Sein (SPHS)

    Doctors

    • Dr. Mohan
    • Dr. Daw Khin Than Nu
    • Dr. Mya Tu
    • Dr. Thein Toe
    • Dr. Htut Saing (Harry)
    • Dr. Kyaw Win
    • Dr. Min Aung
    • Dr. Byron Law Yone
    • Dr. Nyunt Win (Eddie)
    • Dr. Aung Thwin
    • Dr. Myo San
    • Dr. Yi Thway
    • Dr. Htut Kyaw Win

  • U Po Kyaw Myint (Bur)

    • He taught Burmese at Rangoon University.
    • He wrote books / articles with the pen name မြန်စာဂုဏ် ကျော်မြင့်
    • He was a Thaing Saya.
    • A bus caught his rain coat. He passed away.

  • Ko Soe Paing (C, Singapore)

    • I met him at the houses of Ko Kyaw Kyaw Moe / Ma Pale & Ko Zaw Tun / Ma Kyu.
    • He passed away unexpectedly during a Company Trip to Indonesia. He did not show up at a meeting.
    • He caught Covid, but the cause of his demise was not confirmed (at the time of this writing).
    • He had plans to retire and spend some time practicing Vipassana meditation.
    • Death is certain, but most people do not know where and when they will rest in peace.
  • Alphabet

    Alphabet

    by Hla Min

    Updated : May 2025

    English

    • There are 26 letters in the English alphabet.
    • A is the first letter. B is the second letter. Z is the last letter.
    • A1 stands for first (e.g. in quality and performance).
      It was used as an insurance rating. It is the name of a Burmese Film Company.
    • ABC may mean “basics” or “fundamentals”. It may stand for American Broadcasting Corporation. It may stand for American Born Chinese.
    • ABCD may stand for American Burmese Cab Drivers. Some belong to “Dhamma Yin Daw Ah Phwe” which provide free rides for sayadaws giving dhamma talks.
    • One meaning of “A-Z” (A to Z) is “complete”.
    • “Dot the i’s and Cross the t’s” mean “be thorough”.

    Burmese

    Vowels & Consonants

    Greek

    • Alpha is the first letter of the Greek alphabet.
    • Beta is the second letter.
    • Omega is the last letter.
    • Alpha testers are the first to test the product. Beta testers are the next group to test the product.
    • Alpha males dominate in several species.
    • Alpha and Omega” stands for “First and Last”.
    • Omega is a name of watches and clocks.
    • Omega is a kind of nutrition supplement.

    Pyu

    Pyu
    Pyu Inscription

  • Associative Memory

    • I do not have a photographic memory
    • I have a good associative memory

    Example of Association

    Will associate selected facts

    Facts

    • Michael Aye attended St. Paul’s High School (SPHS) with my cousins : Myint Toe (Son of my paternal uncle) & Kyaw Nyunt (Son of my maternal aunt). They matriculated in 1965.
    • Michael and Myint Toe attended RIT. They graduated with Mechanical Engineering in 1971.
    M71
    • Michael and Kyaw Nyunt settled in the USA. Michael was a Best Man at Kyaw Nyunt’s wedding.
    • Audrey (Michael’s wife) was a classmate of my sister-in-law at St. Philomena’s Convent.
    • Audrey’s older brother Dr. Khin Maung Wint (Sargalay) was a classmate of my brother-in-law at SPHS.
    • Sargalay’s wife Ma Pearl is the sister of Saya U Myo Win (Melvyn, M65, GBNF).
    • Saya Melvyn’s wife Ma Nolene is the sister of Tin Aung Win (Tom) and Nyi Nyi Than (spouse of Sayama Toni).
    • Tin Aung Win’s wife Dorothy is the younger daughter of my Saya U Kyaw Tun (EE, GBNF).
    • Dorothy’s elder sister Elizabeth was my classmate at PPBRS.

    The information pieces can be linked or associated.

    Example

    Let BIL stand for Brother-in-Law.

    Then,

    Tin Aung Win
    = BIL(Melvyn)
    = BIL(BIL(Sargalay))
    = BIL(BIL(BIL(Michael Aye)))

    Exercise

    Try to connect the dots between Michael and me in several ways.