Background:Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is an important cause of heart failure and cardiac transplantation. This study determined the prevalence of DCM-associated genes and evaluated the ...genotype-phenotype correlation in Vietnamese patients.Methods and Results:This study analyzed 58 genes from 230 patients. The study cohort consisted of 64.3% men; age at diagnosis 47.9±13.7 years; familial (10.9%) and sporadic DCM (82.2%). The diagnostic yield was 23.5%, 44.0% in familial and 19.6% in sporadic DCM.TTNtruncating variants (TTNtv) were predominant (46.4%), followed byTPM1,DSP,LMNA,MYBPC3,MYH6,MYH7,DES,TNNT2,ACTC1,ACTN2,BAG3,DMD,FKTN,PLN,TBX5,RBM20,TCAP(2–6%). Familial DCM, genotype-positive andTTNtv-positive patients were younger than those with genotype-negative and sporadic DCM. Genotype-positive patients displayed a decreased systolic blood pressure and left ventricular wall thickness compared to genotype-negative patients. Genotype-positive patients, particularly those withTTNtv, had a family history of DCM, higher left atrial volume index and body mass index, and lower right ventricle-fractional area change than genotype-negative patients. Genotype-positive patients reached the combined outcomes more frequently and at a younger age than genotype-negative patients. Major cardiac events occurred more frequently in patients positive with genes other thanTTNtv.Conclusions:The study findings provided an overview of Vietnamese DCM patients’ genetic profile and suggested that management of environmental factors may be beneficial for DCM patients.
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•Single step for microalgae harvesting and wastewater nutrient utilization/removal.•Attachment of bacteria on microalgae cells to form bioflocs.•Direct use of untreated seafood ...wastewater effluent as microalgae culture medium.•High flocculating activity of 92.0 ± 6.0% and nutrient removal of 88.0 ± 2.2%.
Microalgal bacterial flocs can be a promising approach for microalgae harvesting and wastewater treatment. The present study provides an insight on the bioflocs formation to enhance harvesting of Chlorella vulgaris and the removal of nutrients from seafood wastewater effluent. The results showed that the untreated seafood wastewater was the optimal culture medium for the cultivation and bioflocculation of C. vulgaris, with the flocculating activity of 92.0 ± 6.0%, total suspended solids removal of 93.0 ± 5.5%, and nutrient removal of 88.0 ± 2.2%. The bioflocs collected under this optimal condition contained dry matter of 107.2 ± 5.6 g·L−1 and chlorophyll content of 25.5 ± 0.2 mg·L−1. The results were promising when compared to those obtained from the auto-flocculation process that induced by the addition of calcium chloride and pH adjustment. Additionally, bacteria present in the wastewater aided to promote the formation of bioflocculation process.
In this study, InVO4 was effectively hybridized with g-C3N4 to create InVO4/g-C3N4 Z-scheme heterojunction. Ag metals were also successfully decorated on the InVO4/g-C3N4 to further improve its ...photocatalytic performance for tetracycline degradation. Scavenger experiments were conducted to investigate photocatalytic degradation mechanism of the synthesized materials. The characterization and experimental results showed that InVO4 and g-C3N4 would absorb incident visible light to induce electrons to their conduction band (CB) leaving holes at their valence band (VB). Then, photo-induced electrons in the InVO4 CB would move to the g-C3N4 VB to recombine with its holes leading to preservation of photo-induced electrons at the g-C3N4 CB, which has high reduction potential, and holes in the InVO4 VB, which has high oxidation potential, for effective degradation of tetracycline. When Ag metals were decorated on InVO4/g-C3N4, plasmon resonance of Ag would effectively increase light absorption and induce electron-hole separation of the InVO4 as well as the g-C3N4. The decorated Ag also acted as charge mediator to enhance electron transfer from the InVO4 CB and the g-C3N4 VB to improve electron-hole separation or photocatalytic efficiency of the InVO4/g-C3N4. Therefore, the Ag decorated on InVO4/g-C3N4 (AIC) presented novel photocatalytic performance for degradation of tetracycline. Finally, the regenerating experiment results indicated that the AIC could be effectively regenerated after being used.
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•Successfully established InVO4/g-C3N4 Z-scheme heterojunction.•Successfully decorated Ag on InVO4/g-C3N4 to further enhance its photocatalytic activity.•The Ag decorated on InVO4/g-C3N4 showed novel photocatalytic activity for TC degradation.•The synthesized photocatalyst exhibited novel stability and regenerating ability.
Abstract
α-Thalassemia is a common inherited blood disorder manifested mainly by the deletions of α-globin genes. In geographical areas with high carrier frequencies, screening of α-thalassemia ...carrier state is therefore of vital importance. This study presents a novel method for identifying female carriers of common α-thalassemia deletions using samples routinely taken for non-invasive prenatal tests for screening of fetal chromosomal aneuploidies. A total of 68,885 Vietnamese pregnant women were recruited and α-thalassemia statuses were determined by gap-PCR, revealing 5344 women (7.76%) carried deletions including αα/−−
SEA
(4.066%), αα/−α
3.7
(2.934%), αα/−α
4.2
(0.656%), and rare genotypes (0.102%). A two-stage model was built to predict these α-thalassemia deletions from targeted sequencing of the HBA gene cluster on maternal cfDNA. Our method achieved F1-scores of 97.14–99.55% for detecting the three common genotypes and 94.74% for detecting rare genotypes (−α
3.7
/−α
4.2
, αα/−−
THAI
, −α
3.7
/−−
SEA
, −α
4.2
/−−
SEA
). Additionally, the positive predictive values were 100.00% for αα/αα, 99.29% for αα/−−
SEA
, 94.87% for αα/−α
3.7
, and 96.51% for αα/−α
4.2
; and the negative predictive values were 97.63%, 99.99%, 99.99%, and 100.00%, respectively. As NIPT is increasingly adopted for pregnant women, utilizing cfDNA from NIPT to detect maternal carriers of common α-thalassemia deletions will be cost-effective and expand the benefits of NIPT.
Abstract
Background
Colorectal cancer is a leading cancer incidence and cause of death worldwide and in Vietnam. Although screening is considered an effective measure to prevent and control ...colorectal cancer, there is no such effort in Vietnam.
Methods
Between 01 January 2018 and 31 October 2019, a population-based colorectal cancer screening program was conducted in Hanoi, Vietnam. A health advocacy campaign and follow-up phone calls were used to enroll residents aged ≥40 years old to complete an immunochemical-fecal occult blood testing. Positive immunochemical-fecal occult blood testing was followed by a colonoscopy. We also conducted a systematic review of the colorectal cancer screening programs in the Asia-Pacific region that used similar approach by searching Ovid Medline and PubMed databases.
Results
During study period, 103 542 individuals among 672 742 eligible residents attended the screening of whom 81.5% participants finished immunochemical-fecal occult blood testing test and the positive rate was 6.1%. The coverage rate for immunochemical-fecal occult blood testing test was 11.9%. Among 2278 individuals who underwent colonoscopy, 3.5% were histologically diagnosed with cancer, 17.8% with advanced adenomas, and 23.1% with non-advanced adenomas. Males had significantly higher detection rate of advanced adenomas, cancer or ≥ two polyps/tumor than females (P < 0.0001). The systematic review showed that in two-step modality (i.e. immunochemical-fecal occult blood testing/fecal immunochemical test and colonoscopy), the test positive was from 4.1 to 10.6%. Once colonoscopy was performed subsequently, the rate of cancer among positive participants was from 1.7 to 16.4% and that of advanced adenomas was from 7.1 to 23.1%.
Conclusion
We showed that the two-step modality is a promising strategy for colorectal cancer screening in Vietnam that might apply to similar settings with limited resources
This report described the first-ever population-based colorectal cancer screening program in 103 542 individuals in Vietnam, using immunochemical-fecal occult blood testing test and subsequent colonoscopy among those with positive test results of immunochemical-fecal occult blood testing.
In the study, rGO was used as an electron mediator to establish WO3@rGO@AgI (WrGA) ternary heterojunction to apply for degradation of Amoxil upon excitation of visible light. Various characterization ...methods and technologies, such as XRD, SEM, TEM, UV–Vis and PL, and trapping experiments of active species were applied to determine charge separation as well as degradation mechanism. The achieved data showed that both WO3 and AgI in the synthesized WrGA had suitable band gap energies to absorb provided visible light for e− jumping from valence band (VB) to conduction band (CB) leaving h+ at the VB. Then, the rGO effectively acted as e− mediator to promote Z scheme mechanism for its migration from the WO3 CB to the AgI VB to prevent charge recombination in WO3 as well as AgI. The charge separation via Z scheme mechanism also maintained significant charges (e− at AgI CB and h+ at WO3 VB) with high redox potentials for photocatalysis. Therefore, the Amoxil degradation efficiency of the WrGA was 24% higher than that of the WA (without rGO). Finally, the recycling tests showed novel stability and recycling potential of the synthesized WrGA opening new era for its application in practical system for degradation of organic pollutants.
In this work, Pt-SiO2/graphene nanocomposites have been synthesized under solvothermal conditions and investigated as electrocatalysts for methanol oxidation. Structure and morphology of these ...catalysts are characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and nitrogen adsorption/desorption studies. The Pt and SiO2 contents of these nanocomposites are determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Their electrocatalytic properties are investigated by cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, chronopotentiometry and electrochemical impendence spectroscopy. The as-prepared nanocomposites show the improved catalytic performance, better stability and good antiposoining ability compared with Pt supported on graphene catalyst. Particularly, the catalyst containing 9.24% of SiO2 exhibits the best electrocatalytic performance for methanol oxidation with mass activity of 1047mAmg−1.
Poor early-life nutrition is a major barrier to good health and cognitive development, and is a global health priority. Alive & Thrive (A&T) was a multi-pronged initiative to improve infant and young ...child feeding behaviors. It aimed to achieve at-scale child health and nutrition improvements via a comprehensive approach that included nutrition counseling by health workers, policy change, social mobilization and mass media activities. This study evaluated the sustainability of activities introduced during A&T implementation (2009-2014) in Bangladesh and Vietnam.
This was a mixed methods study that used a quasi-experimental design. Quantitative data (surveys with 668 health workers, and 269 service observations) were collected in 2017; and analysis compared outcomes (primarily dose and fidelity of activities, and capacity) in former A&T intervention areas versus areas that did not receive the full A&T intervention. Additionally, we conducted interviews and focus groups with 218 stakeholders to explore their impressions about the determinants of sustainability, based on a multi-level conceptual framework.
After program conclusion, stakeholders perceive declines in mass media campaigns, policy and advocacy activities, and social mobilization activities - but counseling activities were institutionalized and continued in both countries. Quantitative data show a persisting modest intervention effect: health workers in intervention areas had significantly higher child feeding knowledge, and in Bangladesh greater self-efficacy and job satisfaction, compared to their counterparts who did not receive the full package of A&T activities. While elements of the program were integrated into routine services, stakeholders noted dilution of the program focus due to competing priorities. Qualitative data suggest that some elements, such as training, monitoring, and evaluation, which were seen as essential to A&T's success, have declined in frequency, quality, coverage, or were eliminated altogether.
The inclusion of multiple activities in A&T and efforts to integrate the program into existing institutions were seen as crucial to its success but also made it difficult to sustain, particularly given unstable financial support and human resource constraints. Future complex programs should carefully plan for institutionalization in advance of the program by cultivating champions across the health system, and designing unique and complementary roles for all stakeholders including donors.
The impact of direct-acting antivirals (DAA) therapy on lipid and glucose metabolism and kidney function in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, along with its side effects on blood ...cells, remains controversial. Therefore, we conducted a study that enrolled 280 patients with HCV infection who achieved sustained virologic response after treatment with DAA therapy without ribavirin to evaluate the metabolic changes, renal function, and anemia risk based on real-world data. This study was an observational prospective study with a follow-up period of 12 weeks after the initiation of DAA therapy. Data on biochemical tests, renal function, blood counts, viral load, and host genomics were recorded before treatment and after 12 weeks of treatment with DAAs. DAA therapy reduced fibrosis-4 scores and improved liver function, with significant reductions in aspartate transaminase, alanine aminotransferase, and total bilirubin levels. However, DAA therapy slightly increased uric acid, cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. It significantly reduced fasting blood glucose levels and hemoglobin A1C index (HbA1C) in the study group, while hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit (HCT) concentrations decreased significantly (4.78 ± 21.79 g/L and 0.09% ± 0.11%, respectively). The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decreased by 12.89 ± 39.04 mL/min/1.73m.sup.2 . Most variations were not related to the genotype, except for Hb, HCT, and HbA1C. Anemia incidence increased from 23.58% before treatment to 30.72% after treatment. Patients with HCV-1 genotype had a higher rate of anemia than did patients with genotype 6 (36.23% vs. 24.62%). Multivariate analysis showed that the risk of anemia was related to female sex, cirrhosis status, fibrosis-4 score, pretreatment eGFR, and pretreatment Hb level. The results of our study can provide helpful information to clinicians for the prognosis and treatment of HCV infection.
In the study, we successfully decorated MnFe2O4 on BiVO4 to highly improve its photocatalytic activity for degradation of tetracycline as well as its magnetically recovery. The decoration of MnFe2O4 ...on BiVO4 led to formation of MnFe2O4/BiVO4 Z scheme heterojunction to effectively prevent the charge recombination in each material. Upon visible light, the MnFe2O4/BiVO4 heterojunction produced significant available amounts of e− and h+ existing in the conduction band of the MnFe2O4 and the valence band of the BiVO4, respectively. These produced e− on the conduction band of the MnFe2O4, which reduction potential was approximately −0.41 eV, exhibited strong reduction potential reducing oxygen to produce •O2− radicals while h+ on the valence band of the BiVO4, which oxidation potential was 2.77 eV, showed strong oxidation potential oxidizing water and hydroxyl groups to produce •OH radicals. These generated active oxygen radicals effectively degraded TC in water (~92%). The used photocatalysts were easily recovered from photocatalytic suspension using an external magnet due to high magnetically activity of the MnFe2O4, which tightly bonded with BiVO4 in the MnFe2O4/BiVO4 heterojunction. Finally, the recovered MnFe2O4/BiVO4 heterojunction was very active and stable for tetracycline degradation in long-term process.
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