Single-step hydrothermal synthesis of zinc oxide nanorods for potential use as nano-antibiotics without seeding or bases.

The alarming global rise in antibiotic resistance, driven by the widespread overuse of traditional antibiotics, has created an urgent demand for new antimicrobial solutions. This study presents zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorods as a potential nano-antibiotic agent. ZnO nanorods, with a 2:3 aspect ratio, were synthesized using an efficient one-step hydrothermal method at a low temperature of 100°C, reducing the synthesis time to just 5 hours.

A stochastic framework for evaluating CAR T cell therapy efficacy and variability.

Based on a deterministic and stochastic process hybrid model, we use white noises to account for patient variabilities in treatment outcomes, use a hyperparameter to represent patient heterogeneity in a cohort, and construct a stochastic model in terms of Ito stochastic differential equations for testing the efficacy of three different treatment protocols in CAR T cell therapy. The stochastic model has three ergodic invariant measures which correspond to three unstable equilibrium solutions of the deterministic system, while the ergodic invariant measures are attractors under some conditions for tumor growth. As the stable dynamics of the stochastic system reflects long-term outcomes of the therapy, the transient dynamics provide chances of cure in short-term.

Assessing cognitive decline in Vietnamese older adults using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment-Basic (MoCA-B) and Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE) during the COVID-19 pandemic: A feasibility study.

The lack of cognitive assessment tools suitable for people with minimal formal education is a barrier to identify cognitive impairment in Vietnam. Our aims were to (i) evaluate the feasibility of conducting the Montreal Cognitive Assessment-Basic (MoCA-B) and Informant Questionnaire On Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE) remotely on the Vietnamese older adults, (ii) examine the association between the two tests, (iii) identify demographic factors correlated with these tools. The MoCA-B was adapted from the original English version, and a remote testing procedure was conducted.

The avoidable delay in weight loss surgery for those with BMI over 50.

Background: Many insurance companies mandate medically supervised weight loss programs (MSWLPs) prior to bariatric surgery. This retrospective study aims to elucidate whether the average 6-month preoperative medical-management period decreases preoperative BMI for those with BMI ≥ 50.

Methods: All adult patients with bariatric consultation at any time at the New York University Langone Health campuses during the period 2015 to 2021 were evaluated via electronic medical records.

Not All Discharge Settings Are Created Equal: Thirty-Day Readmission Risk after Elective Colorectal Surgery.

Background: Discharge to nonhome settings after colorectal resection may increase risk of hospital readmission.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of various discharge dispositions on 30-day readmission after adjusting for confounding demographic and clinical factors.

Design: This was a retrospective cohort study.

Creation and Institutional Validation of a Readmission Risk Calculator for Elective Colorectal Surgery.

Background: Readmissions reflect adverse patient outcomes, and clinicians currently lack accurate models to predict readmission risk.

Objective: We sought to create a readmission risk calculator for use in the postoperative setting after elective colon and rectal surgery.

Design: Patients were identified from 2012-2014 American College of Surgery-National Surgical Quality Improvement Program data.

Analysis of Outbreak and Global Impacts of the COVID-19.

Corona viruses are a large family of viruses that are not only restricted to causing illness in humans but also affect animals such as camels, cattle, cats, and bats, thus affecting a large group of living species. The outbreak of Corona virus in late December 2019 (also known as COVID-19) raised major concerns when the outbreak started getting tremendous. While the first case was discovered in Wuhan, China, it did not take long for the disease to travel across the globe and infect every continent (except Antarctica), killing thousands of people.

Tissue-Cultured Human Cord Lining Epithelial Cells in Treatment of Persistent Corneal Epithelial Defect.

Background: Persistent corneal epithelial defect (PED) is a consequence of many ocular surface disorders. Although many therapies have been suggested, the treatment of this disease have faced a lot of difficulties up to now. The transplatation of cultivated amniotic epithelial cells sheets is the new promised method for PED.

Data Accuracy and Predictors of High Ratings of Colon and Rectal Surgeons on an Online Physician Rating Website.

Background: Online physician rating Web sites are used by over half of consumers to select doctors. No studies have examined physician rating Web sites for colon and rectal surgeons.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy and rating patterns of colon and rectal surgeons on the largest physician rating Web site.

Distribution of Elective Ileal Pouch-Anal Anastomosis Cases for Ulcerative Colitis: a Study Utilizing the University Health System Consortium Database.

Background: Trends and distribution of ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) procedures for patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) are unknown. We examined the frequency, distribution, and volume-outcome relationship for this relatively infrequent procedure using a large national data source.

Methods: Data were obtained from the University HealthSystem Consortium (UHC) for patients with a primary diagnosis of UC admitted electively and who underwent surgical intervention between 2012 and 2015.

Impact of the "Weekend Effect" for Hospital Discharges on Readmissions After Elective Colectomy.

Background: Hospital readmissions after elective colectomy are costly and potentially preventable. It is unknown whether hospital discharge on a weekend impacts readmission risk.

Objective: This study aimed to use a national database to determine whether discharge on a weekend versus weekday impacts the risk of readmission, and to determine what discharge-related factors impact this risk.

Female Representation and Implicit Gender Bias at the 2017 American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons' Annual Scientific and Tripartite Meeting.

Background: Women surgeons are underrepresented in academic surgery and may be subject to implicit gender bias. In colorectal surgery, women comprise 42% of new graduates, but only 19% of Diplomates in the United States.

Objective: We evaluated the representation of women at the 2017 American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons Scientific and Tripartite Meeting and assessed for implicit gender bias.

Molecular genotyping of duck hepatitis A viruses (DHAV) in Vietnam.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to identify the genetic characteristics and molecular genotyping of duck hepatitis A virus (DHAV) isolated in Vietnam during 2009-2013.

Methodology: Thirty duckling livers from outbreaks between 2009 and 2013 in seven provinces were collected and identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Then, VP1 genes of eleven positive samples and two attenuated vaccine strains were sequenced and analyzed.

Indications for and techniques of keratoplasty at Vietnam National Institute of Ophthalmology.

Aim: To report the indications for and techniques of corneal transplantation at Vietnam National Institute of Ophthalmology (VNIO) over a period of 12y (2002-2013).

Methods: Records of patients who had undergone corneal transplantation at VNIO from January 1, 2002 to January 1, 2014 were reviewed to determine the indication for and type of corneal transplant performed. Patient age, gender, indication for corneal transplantation and surgical technique were recorded and analyzed.

Development and evaluation of a single-step duplex PCR for simultaneous detection of Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica (family Fasciolidae, class Trematoda, phylum Platyhelminthes).

A single-step multiplex PCR (here referred to as a duplex PCR) has been developed for simultaneous detection and diagnosis of Fasciola hepatica and F. gigantica. These species overlap in distribution in many countries of North and East Africa and Central and Southeast Asia and are similar in egg morphology, making identification from fecal samples difficult.

Amniotic membrane transplantation for Mooren's ulcer.

Background: To describe the outcome of surgery using amniotic membrane transplantation for Mooren's ulcer.

Design: A prospective interventional case series from the Vietnam National Institute of Ophthalmology.

Participants: Eighteen eyes of 14 patients with Mooren's ulcer.

RGS9-2 negatively modulates L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine-induced dyskinesia in experimental Parkinson's disease.

Chronic L-dopa treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD) often leads to debilitating involuntary movements, termed L-dopa-induced dyskinesia (LID), mediated by dopamine (DA) receptors. RGS9-2 is a GTPase accelerating protein that inhibits DA D2 receptor-activated G proteins. Herein, we assess the functional role of RGS9-2 on LID.

Motor coordination deficits in mice lacking RGS9.

RGS9-2 is a striatum-enriched protein that negatively modulates dopamine and opioid receptor signaling. We examined the role of RGS9-2 in modulating complex behavior. Genetic deletion of RGS9-2 does not lead to global impairments, but results in selective abnormalities in certain behavioral domains.

Mutation analysis of the TGFBI gene in Vietnamese with granular and Avellino corneal dystrophy.

Purpose: Mutations of the human transforming growth factor beta-induced gene (TGFBI) were reported to cause granular (GCD) and Avellino (ACD) corneal dystrophy in various nationalities. In this study we examined the TGFBI gene in a Vietnamese population with GCD and ACD.

Methods: Eight unrelated Vietnamese families, including 20 affected and 24 unaffected individuals, were examined; 50 normal Vietnamese individuals were used as controls.

Identification of novel mutations of the CHST6 gene in Vietnamese families affected with macular corneal dystrophy in two generations.

Purpose: To report the clinical and genetic findings of Vietnamese families affected with macular corneal dystrophy (MCD) in 2 generations.

Methods: Two families, including 7 patients and 3 unaffected members, were examined clinically. Blood samples were collected.

Mutation analysis of the carbohydrate sulfotransferase gene in Vietnamese with macular corneal dystrophy.

Purpose: Mutations in a new carbohydrate sulfotransferase gene (CHST6) encoding corneal N-acetylglucosamine-6-sulfotransferase (C-GlcNac-6-ST) have been identified as the cause of macular corneal dystrophy (MCD) in various ethnicities. This study was conducted to examine the CHST6 gene in Vietnamese with MCD.

Methods: Nineteen unrelated families, including 35 patients and 38 unaffected relatives were examined clinically.

A novel mutation of the TGFBI gene found in a Vietnamese family with atypical granular corneal dystrophy.

Background: Mutation of the human transforming growth factor beta-induced (TGFBI) gene causes granular corneal dystrophy (GCD) in various ethnic groups. In this report, we identify the genetic defect on the TGFBI gene in a Vietnamese family with atypical GCD .

Cases: The patient and her relatives were examined clinically.

A novel mutation of M1S1 gene found in a Vietnamese patient with gelatinous droplike corneal dystrophy.

To identify the genetic defect in the M1S1 gene responsible for gelatinous droplike corneal dystrophy (GDLD) in a Vietnamese family.Experimental study. Blood samples were collected from a patient and the unaffected members of a GDLD-affected family.

Regulation of carbonic anhydrase gene expression in cotyledons of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) seedlings during post-germinative growth.

Recently, plastidial carbonic anhydrase (CA) cDNA clones encoding functional carbonic anhydrase enzymes were isolated from a 48 h dark-grown cotton seedling (cotyledons) cDNA library (Hoang et al., Plant Cell Physiol. 40: 1999).

Biochemical and molecular inhibition of plastidial carbonic anhydrase reduces the incorporation of acetate into lipids in cotton embryos and tobacco cell suspensions and leaves.

Two cDNAs encoding functional carbonic anhydrase (CA) enzymes were recently isolated from a non-photosynthetic, cotyledon library of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) seedlings with putative plastid-targeting sequences (GenBank accession nos. AF132854 and AF132855). Relative CA transcript abundance and enzyme activity increased 9 and 15 times, respectively, in cotton embryos during the maximum period of reserve oil accumulation.