Detection of enzyme biomarkers originating from either bio-fluids or contaminating microorganisms is of utmost importance in clinical diagnostics and food safety. Herein, we present a simple, ...low-cost and easy-to-use sensing approach based on the switchable peroxidase-mimicking activity of plasmonic gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) that can catalyse for the oxidation of 3,3’,5’5-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) for the determination of protease enzyme. The AuNP surface is modified with casein, showing dual functionalities. The first function of the coating molecule is to suppress the intrinsic peroxidase-mimicking activity of AuNPs by up to 77.1%, due to surface shielding effects. Secondly, casein also functions as recognition sites for the enzyme biomarker. In the presence of protease, the enzyme binds to and catalyses the degradation of the coating layer on the AuNP surface, resulting in the recovery of peroxidase-mimicking activity. This is shown visually in the development of a blue colored product (oxidised TMB) or spectroscopically as an increase in absorbance at 370 and 650 nm. This mechanism allows for the detection of protease at 44 ng·mL
−1
in 90 min. The nanosensor circumvents issues associated with current methods of detection in terms of ease of use, compatibility with point-of-care testing, low-cost production and short analysis time. The sensing approach has also been applied for the detection of protease spiked in ultra-heat treated (UHT) milk and synthetic human urine samples at a limit of detection of 490 and 176 ng·mL
−1
, respectively, showing great potential in clinical diagnostics, food safety and quality control.
We use a partly linear semi-parametric model to study the convergence of European Union regions. The data are taken from the Eurostat base and cover 223 EU regions for the period 1990-2000. The ...estimation results indicate the presence of non-linearity and heterogeneity in the convergence process. Convergence occurs only in regions with low GDP per capita (approx . 8.5 % of the sample). These regions converge at different speeds and can be caught in a poverty trap. By comparison with the linear regression model typically used in the literature, our test results show that the semi-parametric specification yields a better approximation of the data.
Nous utilisons un modèle semi-paramétrique partiellement linéaire pour étudier la convergence des régions européennes. Les données proviennent de la base Eurostat et portent sur 223 régions de l’Union européenne pour la période 1990-2000. Les résultats d’estimation indiquent la présence de non-linéarités et d’hétérogénéité dans le processus de convergence. La convergence se produit uniquement pour les régions ayant un faible PIB par habitant (environ 8,5 % de l’échantillon). Ces régions convergent à des vitesses différentes et peuvent être piégées dans une trappe à pauvreté. Comparée au modèle de régression linéaire généralement utilisé dans la littérature, les résultats de tests indiquent que la spécification semi-paramétrique fournit une meilleure approximation des données.
The Song Hong Basin situated at the distal part of the Ailaoshan-Red River Shear Zone (ASRRSZ) holds important information on the role of extrusion tectonics in the marginal basin development in the ...South China Sea. Based on an extensive dataset of 2 and 3-D seismic and stratigraphic information from 27 exploration wells, the Paleogene structural evolution of the northern Song Hong Basin and adjacent areas has been studied in detail. This study proposes a new Paleogene structural development model of the study area. Eocene-Oligocene rifting in the northern Song Hong Basin was driven by left-lateral shearing from the ASRRSZ associated with a combined motion of clockwise rotation and translation of the Indochina Block, which allowed extension along the “restraining bend” geometry of the basin's eastern margin. A structural high separates the Song Hong Basin from the Beibuwan Basin, inhibiting significant strike-slip displacement transfer from the ASRRSZ into rifting in the Beibuwan Basin. Strike-slip displacement from the ASRRSZ is maintained further south to the East Vietnam Boundary Fault segment. Thus, extension of the Beibuwan, Qiongdongnan and Phu Khanh Basins were the result of the interplay between extrusion and slab-pull tectonics. During the end of the Oligocene, reduced extrusion of Indochina caused minimal rotation of the block, and the remaining left-lateral displacement along the ASRRSZ was absorbed into inversion around the junction between the Song Hong and Beibuwan basins.
•Paleogene transtension was driven by SE-ward extrusion and rotation of Indochina.•Only a small fraction of the extrusion was taken up by rifting in the Beibuwan Basin.•End-of-Oligocene inversion was driven by reduced extrusion of Indochina.
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic causes a huge burden for affected countries. Several public health interventions were applied to contain the infection. However, the pandemic itself and the lockdown ...measure negatively influence people's lifestyles and psychological health. Purpose: To explore determinants of healthy dietary intake and depression, and examine the interaction between healthy dietary intake and COVID-19 lockdown on depression. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at 18 hospitals and health centers from February 14 to May 31, 2020. Data of 8,291 outpatients were collected including patients' characteristics, clinical parameters, health literacy, healthy dietary intake (using the healthy eating score, HES), other health-related behaviors, and depression (using the patient health questionnaire, PHQ). Depression was defined as PHQ score ≥ 10. Results: Protective factors of healthy dietary intake and depression were higher education, better medication payment ability, higher social status, more physical activity, and higher health literacy, whereas older age, ever married, own business or other types of occupation, lockdown, suspected COVID-19 symptoms, and comorbidity were associated with lower HES scores and a higher depression likelihood. Besides, overweight/obesity and alcohol drinking were associated with lower HES scores. As compared with patients not under lockdown and with lowest HES score, those who were under lockdown and with lowest HES score had 10.6 times higher depression likelihood (odds ratio, OR, 10.60; 95% CI 6.88, 16.32; p < 0.001), whereas people with higher HES score had 15% lower depression likelihood (OR 0.85; 95% CI 0.82, 0.89; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Healthy dietary intake and depression were determined by several sociodemographic, clinical, and behavioral factors. Lockdown measure affects people's dietary intake behavior and depression. Importantly, healthy dietary intake potentially modifies the negative effect of lockdown on depression.
Hypertension and oxidative stress are involved in the pathophysiological mechanism of stroke. We aimed to investigate the modification impact of the pro-oxidant-anti-oxidant balance (PAB) on the ...association between hypertension and stroke recurrence (SR).
A cross-sectional design was conducted from December 2019 to December 2020 in 951 stroke patients in six hospitals across Vietnam. Hypertension was defined using antihypertensive medication or systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mmHg. PAB was estimated using weighting methods based on smoking, drinking, and overweight/obesity with pro-oxidant capacity, diet quality, fruit intake, vegetable intake, and physical activity with antioxidant capacity. The higher PAB scores indicated a beneficial balance shifting toward antioxidant dominance. SR was diagnosed by neurologists. Moreover, sociodemographic and health conditions were included as covariates. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to explore the associations and interactions.
The hypertension and SR proportions were 72.8% and 17.5%, respectively. hypertension was associated with an increased SR likelihood (odds ratio (OR) = 1.93;
= 0.004), whereas a higher PAB score was associated with a lowered SR likelihood (OR = 0.87;
= 0.003). Moreover, hypertension interacting with every one-point increment of PAB was associated with a lowered SR likelihood (OR = 0.83;
= 0.022).
The harmful impact of hypertension on SR could be alleviated by PAB. The interplay of health behaviors should be highlighted in the intervention strategies for stroke prevention.
The aim of this study was to recover Sc as the main product and Fe as a by-product from Hungarian bauxite residue/red mud (RM) waste material by solvent extraction (SX). Moreover, a new technique was ...developed for the selective separation of Sc and Fe from real RM leachates. The presence of high Fe content (∼38%) in RM makes it difficult to recover Sc because of the similarity of their physicochemical properties. Pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical methods were applied to remove the Fe prior to SX. Two protocols based on organophosphorus compounds (OPCs) were proposed, and the main extractants were evaluated: bis(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid (D2EHPA/P204) and tributyl phosphate (TBP). The results showed that SX using diethyl ether and tri-n-octylamine (N235) was efficient in extracting Fe(III) from the HCl leachate as HFeC14. Over 97% of Sc was extracted by D2EHPA extractant under the following conditions; 0.05 mol/L of D2EHPA concentration, A/O phase ratio of 3:1, pH 0–1, 10 min of shaking time, and a temperature of 25 °C. Sc(OH)3 as a precipitate was efficiently obtained by stripping from the D2EHPA organic phase by 2.5 mol/L of NaOH with a stripping efficiency of 95%. In the TBP system, 99% of Sc was extracted under the following conditions: 12.5% vol of TBP, an A/O phase ratio of 3:1, 10 min of shaking time, and a temperature of 25 °C. The Sc contained in the TBP organic phase could be efficiently stripped by 1 mol/L of HCl with a stripping efficiency of 92.85%.
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•A novel extraction system for the recovery of Sc and Fe from red mud was proposed.•97% of Sc was recovered by 0.05 mol/L of D2EHPA - sulfonated kerosene.•99% Sc was recovered by three vol% TBP–kerosene in a cycle of solvent extraction.•One mol/L of HCl efficiently recovered 99% of Sc from TBP organic phase.•The formation of HFeC14 was controlled in leaching by adjusting the molarity of HCl.
Mental health is an important component of the protection strategy for healthcare workers (HCWs). However, it has not been well described in Vietnam during the COVID-19 outbreak. This study aims to ...measure the psychological distress and health-related quality-of-life among frontline healthcare workers during the peak of the outbreak in Vietnam.
We conducted a cross-sectional survey on 173 health workers at two national tertiary hospitals in Hanoi, Vietnam from March to April 2020. The psychological distress was measured by the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale - 21 Items (DASS-21), Impact of Event Scale - Revised (IES-R), and the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). EQ-5D-5L was used to determine the health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) outcomes.
Among 173 HCWs, the proportion of reported depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and stress was 20.2%, 33.5%, and 12.7%, respectively. The median EQ-5D-5L index score was 0.93 (IQR=0.85-0.94), and the anxiety/depression aspect had the highest reported problems. The most COVID-19-specific concerns among frontline HCWs were the reduction of income (59%) and the increase of living costs (54.3%). HCWs working in the COVID-19-designated hospital had a significantly higher rate of mental health problems and had a lower HRQoL outcome than those working in non-COVID-19-designated hospitals. Other factors associated with psychological distress and sleep problems include age, job title, income, chronic diseases status, and years of working in healthcare settings. HCWs who were ≥30 years old, had higher working years, had higher incomes, and had mental health and sleep problems were more likely to have lower HRQoL scores.
We reported a moderate rate of psychological distress and lower HRQoL outcomes among frontline HCWs during the COVID-19 outbreak in Vietnam. Various factors were found to be associated with mental health and HRQoL that might be useful for implementing appropriate interventions for HCWs in low-resource settings.
This study aimed to examine: (1) how the Internet has changed consumers food-buying behavior and identify its associated factors; (2) consumers' concern about food safety information of online food ...products. A cross-sectional study was performed from October to December 2015 in Hanoi-a Vietnamese epicenter of food service. One thousand seven hundred and thirty six (1736) customers were randomly chosen from food establishments of 176 communes. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using structured questionnaires. The majority of participants reported using the Internet to search for food products (81.3%). The most crucial factors influencing food purchases through the Internet were convenience (69.1%) and price (59.3%). Only one-third of participants selected products based on accurate evidence about food safety certification or food origin. The majority of participants were concerned about the expiration date (51.6%), while brand (9.8%) and food licensing information (11.3%) were often neglected. People who were:(1) female, (2) highly influenced by online relationships, and (3) having difficulty in doing usual activities were more likely to look for online food products. These findings produce practical advice to consumers when purchasing their desired food products on the Internet, to online food retailers and to the Government of Vietnam to implement appropriate legislation regarding trading online food products.
COVID-19 is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). The severity of COVID-19 is highly variable and related to known (e.g., age, obesity, immune deficiency) and ...unknown risk factors. The widespread clinical symptoms encompass a large group of asymptomatic COVID-19 patients, raising a crucial question regarding genetic susceptibility, e.g., whether individual differences in immunity play a role in patient symptomatology and how much human leukocyte antigen (HLA) contributes to this. To reveal genetic determinants of susceptibility to COVID-19 severity in the population and further explore potential immune-related factors, we performed a genome-wide association study on 284 confirmed COVID-19 patients (cases) and 95 healthy individuals (controls). We compared cases and controls of European (EUR) ancestry and African American (AFR) ancestry separately. We identified two loci on chromosomes 5q32 and 11p12, which reach the significance threshold of suggestive association (p<1x10-5 threshold adjusted for multiple trait testing) and are associated with the COVID-19 susceptibility in the European ancestry (index rs17448496: odds ratioOR = 0.173; 95% confidence intervalCI, 0.08-0.36 for G allele; p = 5.15× 10-5 and index rs768632395: OR = 0.166; 95% CI, 0.07-0.35 for A allele; p = 4.25×10-6, respectively), which were associated with two genes, PPP2R2B at 5q32, and LRRC4C at 11p12, respectively. To explore the linkage between HLA and COVID-19 severity, we applied fine-mapping analysis to dissect the HLA association with mild and severe cases. Using In-silico binding predictions to map the binding of risk/protective HLA to the viral structural proteins, we found the differential presentation of viral peptides in both ancestries. Lastly, extrapolation of the identified HLA from the cohort to the worldwide population revealed notable correlations. The study uncovers possible differences in susceptibility to COVID-19 in different ancestral origins in the genetic background, which may provide new insights into the pathogenesis and clinical treatment of the disease.
Background Cardiopulmonary unplanned events (CUE) related to conscious sedation constitute a major proportion of GI endoscopy–associated complications. Objectives Our purpose was to study the ...incidence of CUE during GI endoscopy and to determine factors that may predict CUE. Design Retrospective CORI (Clinical Outcomes Research Initiative) database review. Patients Undergoing GI endoscopy under conscious sedation. Main Outcome Measurement CUE associated with GI endoscopy. Results Data on 324,737 unique procedures (EGD, 140,692; colonoscopy, 174,255; ERCP, 6092; and EUS, 3698) performed with the patient under conscious sedation were analyzed. Unplanned events were reported in 1.4% of procedures; 0.9% were associated with CUE. Rates of CUE with EGD, colonoscopy, ERCP, and EUS were 0.6%, 1.1%, 2.1%, and 0.9%, respectively. Multiple logistic regression revealed patient age (odds ratio OR 1.02, 95% CI 1.01-1.02) and ASA class were significant predictors of CUE (OR compared with ASA I: ASA II 1.05, 95% CI 0.95-1.16; ASA III 1.8, 95% CI 1.6-2.0, ASA IV 3.2, 95% CI 2.5-4.1, ASA V 7.5; 95% CI 3.2-17.6). Inpatient procedures were associated with higher CUE (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.3-1.7). Compared with universities, nonuniversity sites (OR 1.2, 95% CI 1.1-1.4) and Veterans Administration Medical Centers (OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.2-1.5) had significantly higher CUE. Use of supplemental oxygen during a procedure was associated with significantly more CUE (OR 1.2, 95% CI 1.1-1.3). Involvement of a trainee with a procedure was also associated with higher CUE (OR 1.3, 95% CI 1.1-1.4). Limitations Retrospective review of data entered voluntarily by endoscopists not trained on CORI data entry. Conclusions During GI endoscopy with conscious sedation, patient's age, higher ASA grade, inpatient status, trainee participation, and routine use of oxygen are associated with a higher incidence of CUE.
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