An aptamer-guided fluorescence polarisation platform for extracellular vesicle liquid biopsy.

The translation of discoveries on extracellular vesicle (EV) based cancer biomarkers to personalised precision oncology requires the development of robust, sensitive and specific assays that are amenable to adoption in the clinical laboratory. Whilst a variety of elegant approaches for EV liquid biopsy have been developed, most of them remain as research prototypes due to the requirement of a high level of microfabrication and/or sophisticated instruments. Hence, this study is set to develop a simple DNA aptamer-enabled and fluorescence polarisation-based homogenous assay that eliminates the need to separate unbound detection ligands from the bound species for EV detection.

Role of aptamer technology in extracellular vesicle biology and therapeutic applications.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are cell-derived nanosized membrane-bound vesicles that are important intercellular signalling regulators in local cell-to-cell and distant cell-to-tissue communication. Their inherent capacity to transverse cell membranes and transfer complex bioactive cargo reflective of their cell source, as well as their ability to be modified through various engineering and modification strategies, have attracted significant therapeutic interest. Molecular bioengineering strategies are providing a new frontier for EV-based therapy, including novel mRNA vaccines, antigen cross-presentation and immunotherapy, organ delivery and repair, and cancer immune surveillance and targeted therapeutics.

The role of the size of affinity ligands in the detection and characterization of extracellular vesicles.

Surface proteins on the membrane of nano-sized extracellular vesicles (EVs) not only play crucial roles in cell-to-cell communication, but also are specific binding targets for EV detection, isolation and tracking. The low abundance of protein biomarkers on EV surface, the formation of clusters and the complex EV surface network impose significant challenges to the study of EVs. Employing bulky sized affinity ligands, such as antibodies, in the detection and characterization of these vesicles often result in reduced sensitivity of detection or poor quantification of proteins on the EV surface.

Development of Blueberry-Derived Extracellular Nanovesicles for Immunomodulatory Therapy.

Over the past decade, there has been a significant expansion in the development of plant-derived extracellular nanovesicles (EVs) as an effective drug delivery system for precision therapy. However, the lack of effective methods for the isolation and characterization of plant EVs hampers progress in the field. To solve a challenge related to systemic separation and characterization in the plant-derived EV field, herein, we report the development of a simple 3D inner filter-based method that allows the extraction of apoplastic fluid (AF) from blueberry, facilitating EV isolation as well as effective downstream applications.

Identification of quantitative trait loci controlling nitrogen use efficiency-related traits in rice at the seedling stage under salt condition by genome-wide association study.

Rice cultivation is facing both salt intrusion and overuse of nitrogen fertilizers. Hence, breeding new varieties aiming to improve nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), especially under salt conditions, is indispensable. We selected 2,391 rice accessions from the 3K Rice Genomes Project to evaluate the dry weight under two N concentrations [2.

Evidence-based geriatric knowledge among healthcare providers in Vietnam: adaptation, validation, and pilot of the knowledge about older patients quiz.

Background: Vietnam's aging population is growing rapidly, but its health workforce's capacity to provide quality geriatric care is not clearly understood. We aimed to provide a cross-culturally relevant and validated instrument to assess evidence-based geriatric knowledge among healthcare providers in Vietnam.

Methods: We translated the Knowledge about Older Patients Quiz from English to Vietnamese using cross-cultural adaptation methods.

Patient-centered care and geriatric knowledge translation among healthcare providers in Vietnam: translation and validation of the patient-centered care measure.

Background: People are living longer, and the majority of aging people reside in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). However, inappropriate healthcare contributes to health disparities between populations of aging people and leads to care dependency and social isolation. Tools to assess and evaluate the effectiveness of quality improvement interventions for geriatric care in LMICs are limited.

Inhibition of Autophagy Promotes the Elimination of Liver Cancer Stem Cells by CD133 Aptamer-Targeted Delivery of Doxorubicin.

Doxorubicin is the most frequently used chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. However, one major obstacle to the effective management of liver cancer is the drug resistance derived from the cancer stem cells. Herein, we employed a CD133 aptamer for targeted delivery of doxorubicin into liver cancer stem cells to overcome chemoresistance.

Exploring barriers to, and enablers of, evidence-informed hip fracture care in five low- middle-income countries: China, India, Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam.

Globally, populations are ageing and the estimated number of hip fractures will increase from 1.7 million in 1990 to more than 6 million in 2050. The greatest increase in hip fractures is predicted in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs), largely in the Asia-Pacific region where direct costs are expected to exceed $US15 billion by 2050.

Neuropeptide Y modifies a part of diencephalic catecholamine but not indolamine metabolism in chicks depending on feeding status.

The role of the monoaminergic system in the feeding behavior of neonatal chicks has been reported, but the functional relationship between the metabolism of monoamines and appetite-related neuropeptides is still unclear. This study aimed to investigate the changes in catecholamine and indolamine metabolism in response to the central action of neuropeptide Y (NPY) in different feeding statuses and the underlying mechanisms. In Experiment 1, the diencephalic concentrations of amino acids and monoamines following the intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of NPY (375 pmol/10 μl/chick), saline solution under ad libitum, and fasting conditions for 30 min were determined.

Bovine extracellular vesicles contaminate human extracellular vesicles produced in cell culture conditioned medium when 'exosome-depleted serum' is utilised.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are important intercellular communication messengers. Half of the published studies in the field are in vitro cell culture based in which bovine serum in various concentrations and forms is used to facilitate the production of extracellular vesicles. 'Exosome depleted serum' is the type of bovine serum most widely used in the production of human EVs.

The inhibition of ABCB1/MDR1 or ABCG2/BCRP enables doxorubicin to eliminate liver cancer stem cells.

Two ATP-binding cassette transporters, ABCB1/MDR1 and ABCG2/BCRP, are considered the most critical determinants for chemoresistance in hepatocellular carcinoma. However, their roles in the chemoresistance in liver cancer stem cells remain elusive. Here we explored the role of inhibition of MDR1 or ABCG2 in sensitizing liver cancer stem cells to doxorubicin, the most frequently used chemotherapeutic agent in treating liver cancer.

Central GABA receptor mediates taurine-induced hypothermia and possibly reduces food intake in thermo-neutral chicks and regulates plasma metabolites in heat-exposed chicks.

The aim of this study was to examine the central action of taurine on body temperature and food intake in neonatal chicks under control thermoneutral temperature (CT) and high ambient temperature (HT). Intracerebroventricular injection of taurine caused dose-dependent hypothermia and reduced food intake under CT. The mRNA expression of the GABA receptors, GABAR-α1 and GABAR-γ, but not that of GABAR, significantly decreased in the diencephalon after central injection of taurine.

Age estimation based on 3D post-mortem computed tomography images of mandible and femur using convolutional neural networks.

Age assessment has attracted increasing attention in the field of forensics. However, most existing works are laborious and requires domain-specific knowledge. Modern computing power makes it is possible to leverage massive amounts of data to produce more reliable results.

Helmet use among motorcycle riders in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: results of a five-year repeated cross-sectional study.

Objective: In Vietnam, motorcycle riders comprise about three-quarters of road traffic fatalities, the most common cause of which is head injuries that can be prevented by wearing a helmet. This study aims to assess helmet-wearing behaviors in Ho Chi Minh City, the largest city in Vietnam.

Methods: Eight rounds of observational studies were conducted in six randomly selected locations between July 2015 and April 2019.

Seatbelt and child restraint use among vehicle occupants in Ho Chi Minh City: an observational study in Vietnam.

This paper presents the trend of seatbelt use, disaggregated by vehicle occupants, in Ho Chi Minh City between 2016 and 2018. We conducted statistical analyses to identify the determinants of seatbelt use, including the effect of a new fine imposed against seatbelt law violation in the rear seats that became effective in January 2018. Seatbelt use was observed in at least half of all vehicle occupants, and drivers were more likely to use seatbelts than passengers.

Oral Administration of Watermelon Rind Extract to Induce Hypothermia in Chicks.

Oral administration of l-citrulline (l-Cit) caused hypothermia, but l-Cit is not recommended in poultry diets in Japan. Watermelon is a natural source of l-Cit. The objective of this study is to examine the effect of watermelon waste, i.

A thorough analysis of the effect of surfactant/s on the solubility and pharmacokinetics of (S)-zaltoprofen.

Until now, there are no publications about the preformulation studies on (S)-zaltoprofen ((S)-ZPF). Hence, we first investigated the solubility of (S)-ZPF, screened solubilizers and performed the pharmacokinetic study of (S)-ZPF in the presence of the solubilizers. The measurement of the solubility of (S)-ZPF in 26 different solvents was carried out, including d-alpha tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS), 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPCD), and mixtures of individual solvent.

Icariin reduces bone loss in a Rankl-induced transgenic medaka (Oryzias latipes) model for osteoporosis.

Given the limitations and side effects of many synthetic drugs, natural products are an important alternative source for drugs and medications for many diseases. Icariin (ICA), one of the main flavonoids from plants of the Epimedium genus, has been shown to ameliorate osteoporosis and improve bone health in preclinical studies. Those studies have used different in vivo models, mostly rodents, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.

Immediate-released pelletized solid dispersion containing fenofibrate: Formulation, in vitro characterization, and bioequivalence studies in experimental beagle dogs.

There have been many strategies to increase solubility, dissolution rates, and oral bioavailability of fenofibrate such as micronization, nanonization, solid dispersion, and emulsion so far. To our knowledge, only first three technologies have been applied in producing marketed products, and no combination of solid dispersion and pellet has been found even in laboratory-based reports. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop novel solid dispersion-based pellets via an one-step process directly from fenofibrate powder using layering method.

An acute increase in water temperature can increase free amino acid concentrations in the blood, brain, liver, and muscle in goldfish (Carassius auratus).

Water temperature directly affects the body temperature in fish, so increasing water temperatures in oceans and rivers will lead to increases in fish body temperatures. Whilst a range of responses of fish to increases in water temperature have been measured, amino acid metabolism in a fish under high water temperature (HT) conditions has not been investigated. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of an acute increase in water temperature on oxygen consumption, plasma cortisol concentrations, and free amino acid concentrations in plasma and several tissues in goldfish (Carassius auratus).

Alcohol Consumption and Binge Drinking Among Adult Population: Evidence From the CHILILAB Health and Demographic Surveillance System in Vietnam.

Context: Alcohol contributes to severe social and health problems and is a major risk factor for noncommunicable diseases in Vietnam. Over the years, there has been an increase in consumption per capita as well as a rapid expansion of commercially prepared alcohol.

Objective: To describe the prevalence of alcohol consumption and binge drinking in a random sample of people 15 years of age and older living in Chi Linh who were also a part of the Chi Linh Health and Demographic Surveillance System (CHILILAB HDSS) and to determine the association between alcohol use and sociodemographic characteristics.

Injury Mortality in Vietnam: Patterns and Trends, 2005-2013.

Context: Injury is a growing public health problem worldwide. Deaths due to injuries account for 10% of the world's mortality. More than 90% of the world's injury-related deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries such as Vietnam.

Sex Ratio at Birth in Vietnam: Results From Data in CHILILAB HDSS, 2004 to 2013.

This study aimed to explore the association of demographic and socioeconomic characteristics and imbalanced sex ratio at birth (SRB) in Chi Linh district, Hai Duong. The data were collected from a longitudinal study using a community-based periodic, referred as Chi Linh Health and Demographic Surveillance System (CHILILAB HDSS) during 2004 to 2013. A total of 7568 children were analyzed.

Patterns of Mortality in the Elderly in Chi Linh, Hai Duong, Vietnam, Period 2004-2012.

Objective: This paper examines the trends of mortality in the elderly people in Chi Linh during period 2004-2012 and identifies a number of factors related to mortality in the elderly.

Design: The longitudinal study method is used. The analyzed data is extracted from database of theDemographic-Epidemiologic Surveillance System (DESS) of Chililab.