Background. Dengue endangers billions of people in the tropical world, yet no therapeutic is currently available. In part, the severe manifestations of dengue reflect inflammatory processes affecting ...the vascular endothelium. In addition to lipid lowering, statins have pleiotropic effects that improve endothelial function, and epidemiological studies suggest that outcomes from a range of acute inflammatory syndromes are improved in patients already on statin therapy. Methods. Following satisfactory review of a short pilot phase (40 mg lovastatin vs placebo in 30 cases), we performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 5 days of 80 mg lovastatin vs placebo in 300 Vietnamese adults with a positive dengue NS1 rapid test presenting within 72 hours of fever onset. The primary outcome was safety. Secondary outcomes included comparisons of disease progression rates, fever clearance times, and measures of plasma viremia and quality of life between the treatment arms. Results. Adverse events occurred with similar frequency in both groups (97/151 64% placebo vs 82/149 55% lovastatin; P = .13), and were in keeping with the characteristic clinical and laboratory features of acute dengue. We also observed no difference in serious adverse events or any of the secondary outcome measures. Conclusions. We found lovastatin to be safe and well tolerated in adults with dengue. However, although the study was not powered to address efficacy, we found no evidence of a beneficial effect on any of the clinical manifestations or on dengue viremia. Continuing established statin therapy in patients who develop dengue is safe. Clinical Trials Registration. ISRCTN03147572.
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.
Studies of successive vaccination suggest that immunological memory against past influenza viruses may limit responses to vaccines containing current strains. The impact of memory induced by prior ...infection is rarely considered and is difficult to ascertain, because infections are often subclinical. This study investigated influenza vaccination among adults from the Ha Nam cohort (Vietnam), who were purposefully selected to include 72 with and 28 without documented influenza A(H3N2) infection during the preceding 9 years (Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry 12621000110886). The primary outcome was the effect of prior influenza A(H3N2) infection on hemagglutinin-inhibiting antibody responses induced by a locally available influenza vaccine administered in November 2016. Baseline and postvaccination sera were titrated against 40 influenza A(H3N2) strains spanning 1968-2018. At each time point (baseline, day 14 and day 280), geometric mean antibody titers against 2008-2018 strains were higher among participants with recent infection (34 (29-40), 187 (154-227) and 86 (72-103)) than among participants without recent infection (19 (17-22), 91 (64-130) and 38 (30-49)). On days 14 and 280, mean titer rises against 2014-2018 strains were 6.1-fold (5.0- to 7.4-fold) and 2.6-fold (2.2- to 3.1-fold) for participants with recent infection versus 4.8-fold (3.5- to 6.7-fold) and 1.9-fold (1.5- to 2.3-fold) for those without. One of 72 vaccinees with recent infection versus 4 of 28 without developed symptomatic A(H3N2) infection in the season after vaccination (P = 0.021). The range of A(H3N2) viruses recognized by vaccine-induced antibodies was associated with the prior infection strain. These results suggest that recall of immunological memory induced by prior infection enhances antibody responses to inactivated influenza vaccine and is important to attain protective antibody titers.
Herein, g-C3N4 and NiMoO4, which are moderate energy band gap semiconductors, have been effectively hybridized to create Z scheme heterojunction for successful visible-light photocatalytic converting ...CO2 into valuable products including CH4, CO, O2 and HCOOH. Ni(NO3)2·6H2O and (NH4)6Mo7O24·4H2O were used as precursors to synthesize NiMoO4 photocatalyst, which was continuously mixed with melamine before calcinating at 520 °C for 6 h to get NiMoO4/g-C3N4 Z scheme heterojunction. We explored that NiMoO4 intimately contacted with g-C3N4. These band positions of the NiMoO4 were also perfectly matched with those of the g-C3N4. Therefore, these photo-induced e− on conduction band of the NiMoO4 could easily travel to h+ on valence band of the g-C3N4 (recombination); thereby, minimize h+ and e− recombination in each material. Therefore, the NiMoO4/g-C3N4 direct Z-scheme heterojunctions could produce significant available h+ on the valence band of the NiMoO4 and e− on the conduction band of the g-C3N4. These e−/h+ have suitable redox potential to effectively convert CO2. Finally, the optimized g-C3N4 mole ratio for maximum enhancing photocatalytic efficiency of the NiMoO4/g-C3N4 heterojunction was 60%. When the g-C3N4 content increased to 70%, the excess g-C3N4 amount would entirely cover NiMoO4 surface leaded to form dense and closed shell. The formed closed shell decreased contact between NiMoO4 and CO2 as well as the interface charge transfer, which reduced the e− and h+ separation and transfer leading to decrease in photocatalytic conversion efficiency.
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•Successfully created NiMoO4/g-C3N4 Z scheme heterojunction for CO2 conversion.•Hybridization of NiMoO4 and g-C3N4 prevented recombination of e−/h+ in each material.•The created NiMoO4/g-C3N4 converted CO2 into HCOOH, CH4 and CO even under visible light.•The optimal molar ratio of g-C3N4/NiMoO4 for the best photocatalytic conversion was 60%.
Purpose
This study aimed to determine the prevalence of post-stroke depression (PSD) during the first year and its associated factors, especially focusing on sleep quality and fatigue severity.
...Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted among stroke patients in Vietnam’s National Geriatric Hospital. Data were collected by using standardized questionnaires for interviewing and evaluating patients at the research site. Several covariables were presented including demographics, stroke-related characteristics, activities of daily living, post-stroke fatigue, and sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index PSQI scale). PSD was assessed as an outcome variable through the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 scale. To summarize sociodemographic and clinical variables, descriptive statistics were performed. A logistic regression model was used to explore the factors related to PSD.
Results
Of 157 patients with stroke, mean age 73.1 (± 9.6), PSD was present in 60 patients (38%). The global score and all PSQI components of participants with PSD showed worse levels than those without depression. Furthermore, the prevalence of PSD was higher in patients with low IADL scores and functional disability at high levels. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, the patients with PSD showed higher Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) scores (OR = 4.11; 95% CI = 1.39; 12.19) and higher scores in two domains of the PSQI scale including subjective sleep quality (OR = 3.03; 95% CI = 1.21; 7.58) and sleep disturbance (OR = 5.22; 95% CI = 1.33; 20.47).
Conclusion
There is a significant prevalence of depression following stroke. Furthermore, post-stroke fatigue and two PSQI scale components (subjective sleep quality and sleep disturbance) were shown to be associated with PSD. This finding may guide early screening and intervention strategies to address depression following stroke.
•Simple liquid-phase exfoliated method to fabricate few-layered MoS2 nanosheets.•Significant NO2 sensing performance of the sensor based on exfoliated MoS2 compared to that based on bulk MoS2.•The ...sensor based on the exfoliated MoS2 nanosheets indicates the highest response of about 8 times to 5 ppm at RT.•The exfoliated MoS2 nanosheet sensor shows good NO2 selectivity, ultra-low detection limit, good short- and long-term stability.
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Gas sensors based on the bulk MoS2 and exfoliated MoS2 nanosheets, were fabricated by the probe ultrasonic vibration followed by the drop-casting method. The sensing performance of the sensor based on the exfoliated MoS2 was much higher than that based on the bulk MoS2. The exfoliated MoS2 sensor showed highest gas response of approximately eight times to 5 ppm NO2 at room temperature. This fabricated sensor showed a good NO2 selectivity, ultra-low detection limit, and good short- and long-term stability.
Features such as surface-to-volume ratio, sensitive surface, and bandgap vary with the number of material layers of semiconductor two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides with superior responsivity at room temperature (RT) and their possible application as flexible electronic devices. Herein, a significant enhancement of NO2 gas sensing properties of few-layered MoS2 nanosheets exfoliated from bulk MoS2 through a simple sonication probe was reported. The gas responses of the sensor based on the exfoliated MoS2 nanosheets to 0.5–5 ppm NO2 at RT were as high as 5.3–8 times. At RT, the humidity effect to the performance of the exfoliated MoS2 sensor was insignificant. The exfoliated MoS2 sensor also exhibited an ultra-low detection limit of 27 ppb, excellent selectivity, and reliable long-term stability within 8 weeks, which are crucial for future application of the sensor in practical devices. The NO2 sensing mechanism of the exfoliated MoS2 nanosheets was discussed in detail.
Background. Trypanosoma is a genus of unicellular parasitic flagellate protozoa. Trypanosoma brucei species and Trypanosoma cruzi are the major agents of human trypanosomiasis; other Trypanosoma ...species can cause human disease, but are rare. In March 2015, a 38-year-old woman presented to a healthcare facility in southern Vietnam with fever, headache, and arthralgia. Microscopic examination of blood revealed infection with Trypanosoma. Methods. Microscopic observation, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of blood samples, and serological testing were performed to identify the infecting species. The patient's blood was screened for the trypanocidal protein apolipoprotein L1 (APOL1), and a field investigation was performed to identify the zoonotic source. Results. PCR amplification and serological testing identified the infecting species as Trypanosoma evansi. Despite relapsing 6 weeks after completing amphotericin B therapy, the patient made a complete recovery after 5 weeks of suramin. The patient was found to have 2 wild-type APOL1 alleles and a normal serum APOL1 concentration. After responsive animal sampling in the presumed location of exposure, cattle and/or buffalo were determined to be the most likely source of the infection, with 14 of 30 (47%) animal blood samples testing PCR positive for T. evansi. Conclusions. We report the first laboratory-confirmed case of T. evansi in a previously healthy individual without APOL1 deficiency, potentially contracted via a wound while butchering raw beef, and successfully treated with suramin. A linked epidemiological investigation revealed widespread and previously unidentified burden of T. evansi in local cattle, highlighting the need for surveillance of this infection in animals and the possibility of further human cases.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder with a prevalence of around 1% children worldwide and characterized by patient behaviour (communication, social interaction, and personal ...development). Data on the efficacy of diagnostic tests using copy number variations (CNVs) in candidate genes in ASD is currently around 10% but it is overrepresented by patients of Caucasian background. We report here that the diagnostic success of de novo candidate CNVs in Vietnamese ASD patients is around 6%. We recruited one hundred trios (both parents and a child) where the child was clinically diagnosed with ASD while the parents were not affected. We performed genetic screening to exclude RETT syndrome and Fragile X syndrome and performed genome-wide DNA microarray (aCGH) on all probands and their parents to analyse for de novo CNVs. We detected 1708 non-redundant CNVs in 100 patients and 118 (7%) of them were de novo. Using the filter for known CNVs from the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI) database, we identified six CNVs (one gain and five loss CNVs) in six patients (3 males and 3 females). Notably, 3 of our patients had a deletion involving the SHANK3 gene-which is the highest compared to previous reports. This is the first report of candidate CNVs in ASD patients from Vietnam and provides the framework for building a CNV based test as the first tier screening for clinical management.
Banana (Musa spp.) is one of the most important crops in the world. However, banana production worldwide is threatened by the wilt disease caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense tropical race 4 ...(Foc TR4). Controlling this disease remains a challenge with conventional control methods, and scientists are searching for long-term, effective, and sustainable strategies. Streptomyces species are known as resources for producing bioactive compounds that represent promising bioagents to control soil-borne diseases. Here, we reported the characteristics of a Streptomyces strain, VNUA116, with strong antifungal activity against Foc TR4. The culture filtrate of the strain VNUA116 exhibited antifungal activities against Foc TR4 by inhibiting mycelial growth and spore germination. Interestingly, the strain VNUA116 also exhibited broad-spectrum antifungal activity against various common pathogenic fungi. Based on the morphological, biochemical, and molecular properties, the strain VNUA116 was identified as Streptomyces sp. In addition, Streptomyces sp.VNUA116 showed valuable productions of IAA, siderophore, and several hydrolytic enzyme activities. Moreover, the presence of the PKS-I and PKS-II genes in the genome of Streptomyces sp. VNUA116 suggests potential for the biosynthesis of bioactive substances. Our finding suggested that Streptomyces sp. VNUA116 could be a potential bioagent for controlling Fusarium wilt and other fungal diseases in bananas.
In this study, a facile hydrothermal method was used to prepare Fe
3
O
4
/MIL-101 composite as a photocatalyst. The resulting composite was characterized using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron ...microscopy, nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherms, thermal analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and UV–Vis diffuse reflection spectroscopy. The Fe
3
O
4
/MIL-101 composite possesses a large surface area and mesoporous structure and exhibits a good photocatalytic activity for the MB degradation in the visible light region. A kinetic model for dye degradation over this heterogeneous catalyst was proposed by combining the parameters of the Langmuir isotherms and the kinetics of the unimolecular reaction. The proposed model fixes well with the experimental data. The mechanism of MB photocatalytic degradation is also addressed. The catalyst is stable after three recycles, which makes it a potential candidate for environmental restoration.
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