AbstractThis qualitative study investigates the impact of the Japanese comic series ‘Doraemon’ on the maturity process of Vietnamese teenagers. Employing semi-structured interviews with nine ...Vietnamese adolescents, the research explores how this popular media influences cognitive, moral, social, and cultural development. The thematic analysis reveals four key findings: the enhancement of problem-solving skills and creativity, the development of moral reasoning and ethical decision-making, the shaping of social relationships and emotional intelligence, and the influence on cultural identity and global perspective. The study finds that ‘Doraemon’ inspires creative thinking and innovative problem-solving, resonating with developmental psychology theories on cognitive growth during adolescence. It also plays a crucial role in moral development, presenting complex ethical dilemmas that encourage reflective thinking. Furthermore, ‘Doraemon’ positively impacts social and emotional skills, aiding in the development of empathy and effective management of social relationships. Lastly, it fosters a broader understanding of cultural diversity, influencing the participants’ global outlook and cultural identity. This research contributes to the understanding of how specific media content can influence adolescent development in diverse cultural contexts. It highlights the potential of comics as tools for cognitive and moral development, social and emotional learning, and in fostering global cultural awareness. The findings have implications for educators, media producers, and policymakers in considering the role of media in adolescent development.
In tissue engineering, the composition and the structural arrangement of molecular components within the extracellular matrix (ECM) determine the physical and biochemical features of a scaffold, ...which consequently modulate cell behavior and function. The microenvironment of the ECM plays a fundamental role in regulating angiogenesis. Numerous strategies in tissue engineering have attempted to control the spatial cues mimicking in vivo angiogenesis by using simplified systems. The aim of this study was to develop 3D porous crosslinked hydrogels with different spatial presentation of pro-angiogenic molecules to guide endothelial cell (EC) behavior. Hydrogels with pores and preformed microchannels were made with pharmaceutical-grade pullulan and dextran and functionalized with novel pro-angiogenic protein polymers (Caf1-YIGSR and Caf1-VEGF). Hydrogel functionalization was achieved by electrostatic interactions via incorporation of diethylaminoethyl (DEAE)-dextran. Spatial-controlled coating of hydrogels was realized through a combination of freeze-drying and physical absorption with Caf1 molecules. Cells in functionalized scaffolds survived, adhered, and proliferated over seven days. When incorporated alone, Caf1-YIGSR mainly induced cell adhesion and proliferation, whereas Caf1-VEGF promoted cell migration and sprouting. Most importantly, directed cell migration required the presence of both proteins in the microchannel and in the pores, highlighting the need for an adhesive substrate provided by Caf1-YIGSR for Caf1-VEGF to be effective. This study demonstrates the ability to guide EC behavior through spatial control of pro-angiogenic cues for the study of pro-angiogenic signals in 3D and to develop pro-angiogenic implantable materials.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Limited data are available on HIV viral suppression rates among men and women on antiretroviral therapy (ART) and factors associated with HIV RNA viral load (VL) suppression in Vietnam.
We conducted ...a cross-sectional survey of 1255 adult patients on ART for at least 1 year across four provinces in Vietnam. Data collection included a standardised questionnaire, routine laboratory testing, and an HIV VL assay. Bivariate and logistic multivariate analyses were conducted to assess viral suppression rates and factors associated with unsuppressed HIV VL.
The median age was 34.5 years and the median time on ART was 46 months. Gender was 66% male (n=828) and 34% female (n=427). HIV viral suppression below 1000 copies/mL was 93%. Viral suppression among woman was not significantly different than among men (93.7% vs 92.9%; P=0.59). On multivariate analysis, unsuppressed HIV VL was independently associated with lower CD4 cell count, social isolation, high stigma, not receiving a single-tablet daily regimen, multiple late appointments in past year, and immunological failure.
On-treatment viral load suppression rates in Vietnam are high and already exceed the UNAIDS 90% target for viral suppression on ART. Gender does not impact viral suppression rates of patients on ART in Vietnam. Access to routine viral load testing should be improved, adherence monitoring and counselling streamlined, and ART regimens simplified to maintain viral suppression rates, as more people start ART. Psychological and social factors are also associated with unsuppressed HIV VL, necessitating treatment support interventions to address social isolation and stigma among people living with HIV in Vietnam.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Hairy roots are widely known as a biological system for the production of highly diverse biomolecules. β‐carotene – a precursor for vitamin A – is known to be an anti‐oxidant and anti‐gastric cancer ...and protection agent against cardiovascular disease, heart disease and stroke. β‐carotene has been chemically synthesised and consumed by humans. However, the chemical process often produces a by‐product that may be harmful to human health. Therefore, this study established a protocol to induce hairy roots (HRs) from a Vietnamese carrot variety and produce natural β‐carotene. The Rhizobium rhizogenes ATCC15834 harbouring Ri plasmid and a Vietnamese carrot variety were used as materials for genetic transformation and HR induction studies. The result showed that approximately 50 HR lines were obtained. Culture medium supplemented with 30 mg/L of sucrose that gave the highest biomass of HR was shown in carrot HR line 30, which had a doubling time of 6.5 days. The highest content of β‐carotene extraction, at 128 mg/100g hairy roots, was achieved with a ratio volume (v/v) of 2‐propanol and plant samples of 20:1, followed by two hours’ incubation with 2‐propanol at 60 °C. Our study reveals a highly efficient protocol for Vietnamese carrot hairy root establishment and multiplication. A very efficient protocol for β‐carotene extraction from the hairy root was established to produce natural β‐carotene that achieves the same β‐carotene quantity as that produced by normal roots. This study provides new insight into the production of high‐content and natural β‐carotene for therapeutic application.
Abstract
These days, ethanol fuel has been widely consumed worldwide to replace gasoline due to its possible environmental and long-term economic advantages. In detail, the ethanol fuel (purity ≥ ...99.5 wt%) has been produced by traditional separation processes such as azeotropic distillation or molecular sieve adsorption, which excessively employs energy and capital cost. The pervaporation has already been considered as an effective alternative to conventional methods because of its high separation efficiency and low power consumption. Pervaporation separation of ethanol/water solution using hydrophilic membranes has been extensively studied owing to their superior perm-selectivity. In this present work, the polyvinyl alcohol thin-film composite membrane is prepared by casting a thin crosslinked polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) film on the polyacrylonitrile (PAN) porous substrate. The effect of PVA concentration on the pervaporation performance of the fabricated membrane is studied. The physicochemical properties of the prepared membrane are characterized using FTIR, SEM images, and contact angle measurements. The separation performance in terms of permeation flux and selectivity is simultaneously evaluated through a pervaporation dehydration of ethanol/water mixture of 80/20 wt.% at 60°C. The results show that the increase in PVA concentration leads to the decline in the hydrophilicity and the growth of the thickness and swelling degree of the membrane. Therefore, the selectivity of the membrane is found to improve significantly, while the permeation flux decreased with the PVA concentration ranging from 2.5 to 15 wt.%. Based on the results, the PVA membrane prepared from the 10 wt.% concentration is likely to provide high separation performance.
Vietnam has adopted 'treat all' guidelines since mid-2017. However, this can lead to a significant increase in ART coverage only if PLHIV go on to start treatment. In Vietnam, in 2017, approximately ...half of infected people were not able to access to treatment due to different types of barriers.
We applied a qualitative method nested within a cohort study that investigated patient flow from HIV diagnosis to initiation of ART in the province of Ninh Binh. Data was collected at the end of 2017, comparing with baseline in 2015.
Almost constraints for care found were structural with the most common was socio stigma. The lack of basic information on HIV treatment has led to delayed access to care, in the meantime, misconception about HIV status has also prevented support from the society. Experiencing discrimination and breach of confidentiality by health staff was less common, but probably spread out. No barrier from family was found towards infected individuals.
Interventions to promote timely initiation of care after diagnosis required understanding interaction of factors at multi-level in local context. Training for health staff should be enhanced. In addition, it's necessary to mobilize community in the strategy against HIV stigma and discrimination.
In this study, a new method for preparation of cross-linked magnetic chitosan particles (MCPs) from steel slag and shrimp shells using green tea extract as crosslinking reagent has been presented. ...The MCPs obtained were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and magnetic properties, and then were used to investigate the adsorption properties of Cu(II) and Ni(II) ions in aqueous solutions. The influence of experimental conditions such as contact time, pH value, adsorbent dose and initial metal concentration, and the possibility of regeneration were studied systematically. The Cu(II) and Ni(II) adsorption isotherms, kinetics and thermodynamics have been measured and discussed. The results show that the synthesized MCPs have high adsorption capacity for both metal ions (126.58 mg/g for Cu(II) and 66.23 mg/g for Ni(II)), and have excellent regeneration stability with efficiency of greater than 83% after five cycles of the adsorption-regeneration process. The adsorption process of Ni(II) and Cu(II) on MCPs was feasible, spontaneous and exothermic, and better described by the Langmuir model and pseudo-second-order kinetic equation. The MCPs can be applied as a low cost and highly efficient adsorbent for removal of heavy metals from wastewater due to its high adsorption capacity, easy recovery and good reusability.
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BFBNIB, GIS, IJS, KISLJ, NUK, PNG, UL, UM, UPUK
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common disease that is often under-diagnosed and under-treated in all ages. This is due to differences in morphology, diversity in clinical phenotypes, and ...differences in diagnosis and treatment of OSA in children and adults, even among individuals of the same age. Therefore, a personalized medicine approach to diagnosis and treatment of OSA is necessary for physicians in clinical practice. In children and adults without serious underlying medical conditions, polysomnography at sleep labs may be an inappropriate and inconvenient testing modality compared to home sleep apnea testing. In addition, the apnea-hypopnea index should not be considered as a single parameter for making treatment decisions. Thus, the treatment of OSA should be personalized and based on individual tolerance to sleep-quality-related parameters measured by the microarousal index, harmful effects of OSA on the cardiovascular system related to severe hypoxia, and patients' comorbidities. The current treatment options for OSA include lifestyle modification, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, oral appliance, surgery, and other alternative treatments. CPAP therapy has been recommended as a cornerstone treatment for moderate-to-severe OSA in adults. However, not all patients can afford or tolerate CPAP therapy. This narrative review seeks to describe the current concepts and relevant approaches towards personalized management of patients with OSA, according to pathophysiology, cluster analysis of clinical characteristics, adequate combined therapy, and the consideration of patients' expectations.
Application of powder diets may promote development of the predator Geocoris ochropterus (Fieber) when densities are low in greenhouses or fields. Development and nymphal survival ratio of G. ...ochropterus fed on different powder diets including silkworm pupae (A), crickets (B), silkworm pupae and sunflower seed (C) and crickets and sunflower seed (D) were examined. Total average development period was 30.14 days for instars fed on silkworm pupae, 34.43 days for instars fed on crickets, 26.28 days for instars fed on silkworm pupae and sunflower seed and 29.67 days for instars fed on crickets and sunflower seed, and they were significantly different. Head width, body length, forewing length, dry body weight of adults and sex ratio were not affected by the different diets. There were significantly different found in survival rates among the diets when the nymph reached 5th instar. Results indicate that the combination powder of silkworm pupae and sunflower seed will promise as an alternative diet in the greenhouses to maintain the population of G. ochropterus.
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FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Big-eyed bugs Geocoris spp. are a natural enemy species presented in many parts of the world that have been extensively researched because of the benefits that they bring to plants. In Vietnam, ...big-eyed bugs are found in many places, especially in farming complexes or large farms. In Ho Chi Minh City, Geocoris sp. was found in Pham Van Coi Commune, Cu Chi District, Ho Chi Minh City, with bug density fluctuations across seasons at an average of 5.33 ± 2.67 individuals per point. The density of the big-eyed bug in Cu Chi District was 03 times higher than the density recorded in Ham Tan District, Binh Thuan Province. Morphological and molecular-based COI genes identified the speciments from Cu Chi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Ham Tan, Binh Thuan are Geocoris ochropterus. From the research results, these two sampling sites will be selected to further evaluate the rate of natural increase of the big-eyed bug Geocoris ochropterus.
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