This investigation aims at providing a novel approach to producing high-performance antioxidant material. Indeed, quercetin molecules incorporated into collagen/chitosan/SiO
2
composite through ...direct interactions have been reported for the first time. Such internal linking has been found as the primary reason for improving the stability of the entire system and enhancing the permanent existence of strongly active biomaterials. Consequently, in vitro antioxidant tests revealed that the obtained materials (denoted as CS/Col/SiO
2
/Q) provide outstanding antioxidant activity. Thus the CS/Col/SiO
2
/Q sample exhibits cytotoxicity to HepG2, MKN7, and MCF-7 cancer cells. These results demonstrate that the obtained composite turns out to be very promising as a bioactive material for biomedical applications.
Hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection is considered to cause more severe hepatitis than hepatitis B virus (HBV) monoinfection. With more than 9.5 million HBV-infected people, Vietnam will face an ...enormous health burden. The prevalence of HDV in Vietnamese HBsAg-positive patients is speculative. Therefore, we assessed the prevalence of HDV in Vietnamese patients, determined the HDV-genotype distribution and compared the findings with the clinical outcome.
266 sera of well-characterized HBsAg-positive patients in Northern Vietnam were analysed for the presence of HDV using newly developed HDV-specific RT-PCRs. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis were performed for HDV-genotyping.
The HDV-genome prevalence observed in the Vietnamese HBsAg-positive patients was high with 15.4% while patients with acute hepatitis showed 43.3%. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated a predominance of HDV-genotype 1 clustering in an Asian clade while HDV-genotype 2 could be also detected. The serum aminotransferase levels (AST, ALT) as well as total and direct bilirubin were significantly elevated in HDV-positive individuals (p<0.05). HDV loads were mainly low (<300 to 4.108 HDV-copies/ml). Of note, higher HDV loads were mainly found in HBV-genotype mix samples in contrast to single HBV-infections. In HBV/HDV-coinfections, HBV loads were significantly higher in HBV-genotype C in comparison to HBV-genotype A samples (p<0.05).
HDV prevalence is high in Vietnamese individuals, especially in patients with acute hepatitis B. HDV replication activity showed a HBV-genotype dependency and could be associated with elevated liver parameters. Besides serological assays molecular tests are recommended for diagnosis of HDV. Finally, the high prevalence of HBV and HDV prompts the urgent need for HBV-vaccination coverage.
We examined children in Da Nang, a dioxin contamination hotspot in Vietnam, twice at 5 and 8 years of age, and investigated sex- and age-dependent differences in the effects of dioxin exposure on ...attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms. We also studied autistic traits in children with ADHD symptoms. A total of 163 children participated in follow-up surveys at 5 and 8 years of age and were included in the present analysis. ADHD symptoms were assessed using an ADHD rating scale with inattention and hyperactivity-and-impulsivity (hyperactivity) subscales. Autistic behaviors were evaluated using the Autism Spectrum Rating Scale (ASRS). Perinatal dioxin exposure was indicated by dioxin levels in maternal breast milk. In boys, hyperactivity scores were significantly higher in the high 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) group only at 5 years of age. In girls, hyperactivity scores at 8 years of age were significantly higher in the high TCDD group, which was significantly associated with those at 5 years of age. In girls, ASRS unusual behavior scores were significantly higher with higher TCDD exposure and hyperactivity scores at 8 years of age. These results suggest that high perinatal TCDD exposure may increase ADHD likelihood and autistic traits, particularly in girls of 7-8 years of age.
Two new steroidal saponins, solaprocumosides A (1) and B (2), and a known compound paniculonin B (3) were isolated from the aerial parts of Solanum procumbens. Their chemical structures were ...determined by analysis of HR-ESI-MS and NMR spectra. Compound 1 had ketone functional groups at C-16 and C-22 of sterol skeleton which is rarely found in nature. Meanwhile, compound 2 could be form by oxidative breakdown C-20/C-22 bonding of a furostane-type saponin. Compounds 1–3 showed weak cytotoxicity against HepG2 cell line with IC50 values of 55.7 ± 1.5, 48.1 ± 2.2, and 78.3 ± 2.4 μM, respectively.
Bien Hoa airbase is the most dioxin-polluted hotspot in Vietnam. In 2012, a birth cohort living around Bien Hoa airbase was recruited for assessment of physical and neurological development. In the ...present study, neurodevelopment scores at 5 years of age were assessed by the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children, Second Edition and the Movement Assessment Battery for Children, Second Edition for 185 children in Bien Hoa and 104 children in Ha Dong (unexposed control group) to clarify the effects of dioxin. 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin concentrations in breast milk of women in Bien Hoa were approximately three times higher than those of women in Ha Dong (2.33 vs. 0.69 pg/g fat, p < 0.001). In general, neurodevelopment scores were lower in Bien Hoa children than in Ha Dong children. In boys, scores differed for number recall (12.6 vs. 14.0, p = 0.036), triangles (10.7 vs. 12.4, p = 0.005), manual dexterity (8.3 vs. 9.7, p = 0.037), balance (7.4 vs. 10.3, p < 0.001), and total movement scores (8.0 vs. 10.1, p = 0.003). After adjusting for covariates, linear regression analysis indicated that the scores of the triangles, balance, and total movement tests were inversely associated with levels of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin and of toxic equivalency of polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans. In girls, scores differed for the triangles test (11.0 vs. 12.6, p = 0.005), hand movement test (9.6 vs. 11.3, p = 0.003), and balance test (9.1 vs. 10.7, p = 0.050); toxic equivalency of polychlorinated dibenzofurans was inversely associated with hand movement and balance scores. Overall, perinatal dioxin exposure appears to have a long-term impact on neurodevelopment.
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•Dioxin levels in breast milk were three times higher in the sprayed area.•Child cognitive and motor scores were significantly lower in the sprayed area.•Cognitive and motor scores were inversely associated with dioxin exposure.•Perinatal dioxin exposure has a long-term impact on child neurodevelopment.
Aneuploidy is a major cause of miscarriages and implantation failure. Preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) by Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) is able to detect of the numeral and ...structural chromosomal abnormalities of embryos in vitro fertilization (IVF).
This study was aimed to assess the relationship between maternal age and chromosomal abnormalities NGS technology.
A group of 603 human trophectoderm (TE) biopsied samples were tested by Veriseq kit of Illumina. The relation of marternal age and chromosomal abnormality of blastocyst embryo was evaluated.
Among the 603 TE samples, 247 samples (42.73%) presented as chromosomal abnormalities. The abnormalities occurred to almost chromosomes, and the most popular aneuploidy observed is 22. Aneuploidy rate from 0.87% in chromosome 11 to 6.06% in chromosome 22. The rate of abnormal chromosome increased dramatically in group of mother's ages over 37 (54.17%) comparing to group of mother's ages less than 37 (38.05%) (p < 0.000). The Abnormal chromosome and maternal age has a positive correlation with r = 0.4783 (p<0.0001).
These results showed high rate abnormal chromosome and correlated with advanced maternal age of blastocyst embryos.
Tracheal bronchus (TB) is a very rare condition, which is often associated with some other pathologies. This study was designed to characterize the morphology of tracheal bronchus and associated ...pathologies in Vietnamese individuals using multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT). From August 2016 to February 2021, 16, 64-, and 128-detector-row computed tomography scanners were used to perform chest scans of 3663 patients, of whom 32 had tracheal bronchus and associated pathologies. The prevalence of tracheal bronchus was 0.9%, of which 0.6% were male and 0.3% were female. We found that one patient had bilateral tracheal bronchus (3.1%) and 31 patients (96.9%) had right-sided tracheal bronchus. Most patients (75.1%) had type II tracheal bronchus, whereas 15.6% and 6.2% had type III and type I tracheal bronchus, respectively. The average distance from the tracheal bronchus to the carina was 6.6 ± 6.4 mm. The average diameter of the tracheal bronchus was 4.4 ± 2.2 mm; the group with 2–4-mm tracheal bronchus accounted for the highest proportion (46.9%). Associated pathologies included congenital heart diseases (i.e., valvular heart disease, tetralogy of Fallot, cyanotic congenital heart disease-APSO, and aortic coarctation) (43.7%), stenosis of the bilateral pulmonary arteries (15.6%), absent left pulmonary artery (6.2%), stenosis of the right pulmonary artery (3.1%), anomalous pulmonary venous connection (3.1%), stenosis of the trachea (3.1%), stenosis of the left main bronchus (3.1%), bronchogenic cyst (3.1%), and bronchial atresia (3.1%), and the remaining 12.5% had no abnormalities. tracheal bronchus is a very rare abnormality among Vietnamese and is often accompanied by other pathologies. MDCT with a high spatial resolution and a good tissue contrast, along with contrast agent and appropriate scanning protocols, is efficient in detecting tracheal bronchus and associated pathologies.
An estimated 91,998,400 L of herbicides were stocked at three US airbases in Vietnam between 1962 and 1971. These herbicides were contaminated with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin ...(2,3,7,8-tetraCDD). In 2017, we sampled blood from 120 male Vietnamese military workers in the three dioxin-contaminated airbases (Bien Hoa, Da Nang, and Phu Cat) and from 20 workers at an uncontaminated airbase. 2,3,7,8-tetraCDD concentrations were highest in samples from Bien Hoa (18.2 pg/g lipid), followed by samples from Da Nang (9.2 pg/g lipid), Phu Cat (3.7 pg/g lipid), and the reference base (2.1 pg/g lipid). In Bien Hoa, 31 of the 50 subjects had blood 2,3,7,8-tetraCDD levels in the range of 10–100 pg/g lipid and four subjects had 2,3,7,8-tetraCDD levels that exceeded 100 pg/g lipid. In Da Nang, almost half of the subjects had blood 2,3,7,8-tetraCDD concentrations in the range of 10–100 pg/g lipid. These findings suggest that military workers at contaminated bases are the population most vulnerable to dioxin exposure, especially at Bien Hoa.
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•Dioxin originated from Agent Orange spraying in Vietnam War is a serious public concern.•Military workers at dioxin-contaminated airbases are the population most vulnerable to dioxin exposure.•2,3,7,8-tetraCDD concentrations in blood samples were highest in Bien Hoa airbase (18.2 pg/g lipid), followed by samples from Da Nang (9.2 pg/g lipid), and Phu Cat (3.7 pg/g lipid).•Remediation of dioxin-contaminated airbases is necessary for public health protection of populations living inside and around the airbases.
Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis (PAM) is a rare chronic lung disease characterized by calcium and phosphate deposition in the alveolar lumen throughout the parenchyma of both lungs, with ...predominance in the middle and lower lung fields. It is caused by mutations in the recessive gene,
SLC34A2
, on the autosomal chromosome. In this article, we characterize four cases of PAM and analyze the loss of diagnostic vigilance in two of them. Patients came to medical facilities with clinical manifestations such as cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, and fatigue. The initial diagnosis was unclear in two cases because the X-ray film’s quality was not good enough and the medical staff had little experience in clinical and chest X-ray interpretations for PAM. The definitive diagnosis was based on a combination of high-resolution computed tomography (CT) and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid testing. In addition, chest X-ray and high-resolution CT enable the assessment of the stage, progression, and severity of the disease. There is currently no specific treatment for PAM other than lung transplantation.
A novel coronavirus associated with acute respiratory disease (named SARS‐CoV‐2) is recently identified in Wuhan city, China, spread rapidly worldwide. Early identification of this novel coronavirus ...by molecular tools is critical for surveillance and control of the epidemic outbreak. We aimed to establish a simple method for the detection of SARS‐CoV‐2 in differentiating with SARS‐CoV. Primers of our in‐house reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) assays were designed to target conserved regions of the RdRP gene and E gene, selected restriction enzymes EcoRI, Tsp45I, and AluI to distinguish between SARS‐CoV‐2 and SARS‐CoV. In this report, a 396‐bp fragment of the RdRp gene and 345‐bp fragment of the E gene were amplified by one‐step RT‐PCR. Enzyme Tsp45I cuts the RdRP‐amplified product of SARS‐CoV‐2 generating three fragments of 45, 154, and 197 bp, but it did not cut the amplicon of SARS‐CoV. In contrast, the amplified product of SARS‐CoV was digested with EcoRI producing two fragments of 76 and 320 bp, whereas the amplicon of SARS‐CoV‐2 was undigested by Tsp45I help to distinguish clearly SARS‐CoV‐2 from SARS‐CoV on gel electrophoresis. In addition, AluI cut the amplicon of the E gene of SARS‐CoV‐2 generating two fragments of 248 and 97 bp without cutting to SARS‐CoV. The accuracy of the assay was confirmed by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. When evaluated on clinical samples showed a high sensitivity of 95%, specificity of our assay was 100% and clinical performance for detection of SARS‐CoV‐2 in comparison with other reference assays. In conclusion, in the present study, we successfully developed a simple method for molecular detection of SARS‐CoV‐2 in differentiating with SARS‐CoV.
Highlights
We developed a simple method for molecular detection of SARS‐CoV‐2 in differentiating with SARS‐CoV
The assay showed comparable analytical, clinical performance and overall agreement to other reference assays on clinical samples
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