Shared and unique antibody and B cell profiles in HIV-positive and HIV-negative individuals with cryptococcal meningoencephalitis.

Host non-T cell markers to aid in the diagnosis of cryptococcal meningoencephalitis (CM) have not been identified. In this case-control study, we characterized antibody and B cell profiles in HIV-negative and HIV-positive Vietnamese individuals of the Kinh ethnicity recently diagnosed with CM and controls. The study included 60 HIV-negative with no known immunocompromising condition and 60 HIV-positive individuals, with 30 CM cases and 30 controls in each group.

The characteristics of coalbed water and coal in a coal seam situated in the Red River Basin, Vietnam.

An in-depth understanding of the hydrogeochemical characteristics of coal mines is helpful in establishing an effective and successful exploration program of coalbed methane (CBM). This study provides a comprehensive analysis of hydrogeological characteristics, characteristics of coalbed water, and characteristics of the coal sample from a coal seam located in the Red River Basin (RRB). These physicochemical characteristics along with the microbial composition of coalbed water were critically analyzed.

An open label randomized controlled trial of tamoxifen combined with amphotericin B and fluconazole for cryptococcal meningitis.

Background: Cryptococcal meningitis has high mortality. Flucytosine is a key treatment but is expensive and rarely available. The anticancer agent tamoxifen has synergistic anti-cryptococcal activity with amphotericin in vitro.

Voltammetric Determination of Amoxicillin Using a Reduced Graphite Oxide Nanosheet Electrode.

A reduced graphite oxide nanosheet electrode (RGOnS) was prepared as a sensor for amoxicillin (AMX) detection, an antibiotic commonly used in the livestock farm, by the square-wave adsorptive stripping voltammetry technique. Graphite oxide with nanosheet shape was produced from a graphite electrode by a chronoamperometry process at 5 V and then an electrochemical reduction process was carried out to form RGOnS with restored long-range conjugated networks and better conductivity. The electrodes were characterized by SEM, EDX, and FTIR spectroscopy.

A closed-form solution to propagation of guided waves in a layered half-space under a time-harmonic load: An application of elastodynamic reciprocity.

This article is concerned with the application of reciprocity in computing guided wave motions generated by a time-harmonic load in a layer of uniform thickness joined to a half-space. Explicit expressions for free Rayleigh waves and Love waves propagating in the layered half-space are introduced. Exact solutions of Rayleigh waves and Love waves are derived from reciprocity relations between an actual state - guided waves generated by a time-harmonic line load and a virtual state - an appropriately chosen free wave traveling in the structure.

A randomized open label trial of tamoxifen combined with amphotericin B and fluconazole for cryptococcal meningitis.

: Cryptococcal meningitis is a leading cause of death in HIV-infected patients. International treatment guidelines recommend induction therapy with amphotericin B and flucytosine. This antifungal combination is most effective, but unfortunately flucytosine is expensive and unavailable where the burden of disease is greatest.

Do Intracerebral Cytokine Responses Explain the Harmful Effects of Dexamethasone in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-associated Cryptococcal Meningitis?

Background: The CryptoDex trial showed that dexamethasone caused poorer clinical outcomes and slowed fungal clearance in human immunodeficiency virus-associated cryptococcal meningitis. We analyzed cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytokine concentrations from participants over the first week of treatment to investigate mechanisms of harm and test 2 hypotheses: (1) dexamethasone reduced proinflammatory cytokine concentrations, leading to poorer outcomes and (2) leukotriene A4 hydrolase (LTA4H) genotype influenced the clinical impact of dexamethasone, as observed in tuberculous meningitis.

Methods: We included participants from Vietnam, Thailand, and Uganda.

Antiproliferative activity and apoptosis induction by trijuganone C isolated from the root of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (Danshen).

In this study, we found that the hexane fraction of Danshen, the dried root of Salvia miltiorrhiza (Lamiaceae), exerted antiproliferative effects on human leukemia cells. Phytochemical investigation of the hexane fraction achieved the isolation of the tanshinone diterpenes: dihydrotanshinone I (1), trijuganone C (2), trijuganone B (3), cryptotanshinone (4), tanshinone IIA (5), and tanshinone I (6). Compound 2 showed significant antiproliferative activities against human leukemia cells HL-60, Jurkat, and U937.

Spirally oriented Au microelectrode array sensor for detection of Hg (II).

A simple and reproducible carbon microelectrode array (CMA), designed to eliminate diffusive interference among the microelectrodes, has been fabricated and used as a frame to build a gold (Au) microelectrode array (GMA) sensor. To prepare the CMA initially, rather than use an uncontrollable large number of carbon fibers, only 60 carbon fibers of regular size were used to ensure manageable and reproducible arrangement for array construction. In addition, for efficient spatial arrangement of the microelectrode and easy sensor preparation, carbon fibers were oriented in a spiral fashion by rolling around a Cu wire.

Viral respiratory tract infections among patients with acute undifferentiated fever in Vietnam.

To investigate the proportion of viral respiratory tract infections among acute undifferentiated fevers (AUFs) at primary health facilities in southern Vietnam during 2001-2005, patients with AUF not caused by malaria were enrolled at twelve primary health facilities and a clinic for malaria control program. Serum was collected on first presentation (t0) and after 3 weeks (t3) for serology. After exclusion of acute dengue infection, acute and convalescent serum samples from 606 patients were using enzyme-linked immunoassays to detect IgA, as well as IgM and IgG antibodies against common respiratory viruses.

Randomised primary health center based interventions to improve the diagnosis and treatment of undifferentiated fever and dengue in Vietnam.

Background: Fever is a common reason for attending primary health facilities in Vietnam. Response of health care providers to patients with fever commonly consists of making a presumptive diagnosis and proposing corresponding treatment. In Vietnam, where malaria was brought under control, viral infections, notably dengue, are the main causes of undifferentiated fever but they are often misdiagnosed and inappropriately treated with antibiotics.

Hemodynamic responses to acute and gradual renal artery stenosis in pigs.

Background: Reduction of renal blood flow (RBF) due to a renal artery stenosis (RAS) can lead to renal ischemia and atrophy. However in pigs, there are no data describing the relationship between the degree of RAS, the reduction of RBF, and the increase of systemic plasma renin activity (PRA). Therefore, we conducted a study in order to measure the effect of acute and gradual RAS on RBF, mean arterial pressure (MAP), and systemic PRA in pigs.

Clinical, epidemiological and virological features of Dengue virus infections in Vietnamese patients presenting to primary care facilities with acute undifferentiated fever.

Objectives: To explore clinical and virological characteristics and describe the epidemiology of dengue in patients who presented with acute undifferentiated fever (AUF) at primary health centers (PHC) in Binh Thuan Province, Vietnam.

Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted from 2001 to 2006 to study the aetiology in AUF patients. Demographic and clinical information was obtained, and dengue polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and serology were performed on a random selection of patients.

Square wave voltammetric detection of Anthrax utilizing a peptide for selective recognition of a protein biomarker.

A short chain peptide (16mer) has been successfully utilized for the selective electrochemical detection of the protein biomarker, protective antigen (PA), for the diagnosis of Anthrax. The major motivation of using a peptide instead of an antibody for the development of a biosensor is that there are advantages associated with the smaller size, better biological stability and easy synthesizability of a peptide. PA-selective peptide was synthesized and conjugated on a binding layer previously immobilized onto gold electrode.

Detection of dengue nonstructural 1 (NS1) protein in Vietnamese patients with fever.

Diagnosing dengue in febrile patients is challenging. Of a total of 459 patients with acute undifferentiated fever, randomly selected from 12 primary health facilities and 1 clinic of the provincial malaria station in southern Vietnam, dengue-specific antibody (Ab) and NS1Ag enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (Platelia, Bio-Rad Laboratories, Hercules, CA 94547, US) were performed on acute (t0) and convalescent (t3 weeks) sera. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used for confirmation.

Regional clustering of anthropometric dimensions of primary school children in rural and suburban Vietnam.

Nutrition transition is one of the driving forces of the upcoming global epidemic of diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases. We hypothesized that in previously deprived rapidly changing regions, the progress of the obesity epidemic is clustered per community and that screening with anthropometric school surveys can detect the negative effects of the nutrition transition in its early stages. In 16 different rural and urban communities in Binh Thuan Province, southern Vietnam, anthropometric surveys were conducted in local primary schools.

Seroepidemiology and serological follow-up of anti-leptospiral IgG in children in Southern Vietnam.

A follow-up study was conducted with 23 months interval to investigate the seroepidemiology and persistence of Leptospira IgG antibodies among healthy children in Binh Thuan province, Southern Vietnam. Sera from 262 children (7-13 years of age) were collected and analysed with a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for Leptospira IgG. Seroconversion was observed in 10.

Incidence of primary dengue virus infections in Southern Vietnamese children and reactivity against other flaviviruses.

Objective: To study the incidence of asymptomatic primary dengue infections among children and reactivity against other flaviviruses.

Methods: A total of 216 children, who had no dengue-specific IgG antibodies during a serosurvey in 2003 were re-examined 23 months later to determine if seroconversion had occurred. Dengue-specific IgG was demonstrated with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and reactivity patterns against other flaviviruses were assessed by using immunofluorescence assay (IFA).

Evaluation of two rapid immunochromatographic assays for diagnosis of dengue among Vietnamese febrile patients.

Results from two dengue rapid tests, the PanBio Duo cassette and the SD Bioline strip test, were compared to those of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (Focus Diagnostics) from sera of 200 Vietnamese febrile patients. The PanBio assay was superior, with sensitivity and specificity values for acute-phase serum samples of 54% and 70% (immunoglobulin M) and 70% and 88% (immunoglobulin G), respectively.

Dengue as a cause of acute undifferentiated fever in Vietnam.

Background: Dengue is a common cause of fever in the tropics but its contribution to the total burden of febrile illnesses that is presented to primary health facilities in endemic regions such as Vietnam, is largely unknown. We aimed to report the frequency of dengue as a cause of fever in Binh Thuan Province, to describe the characteristics of dengue patients, and analyze the diagnostic accuracy of the health care workers and the determinants of the diagnostic process.

Methods: All patients presenting with acute undifferentiated fever at twelve community health posts and one clinic at the provincial malaria station, Binh Thuan Province, a dengue endemic province in southern Vietnam, were included.

Acute undifferentiated fever in Binh Thuan province, Vietnam: imprecise clinical diagnosis and irrational pharmaco-therapy.

Objectives: To describe the characteristics of patients consulting commune primary healthcare posts for acute undifferentiated fever not being malaria (AUF), and to explore the diagnostic and therapeutic responses of the healthcare workers.

Methods: All patients presenting with AUF at 12 commune health posts and one clinic at the provincial malaria station, Binh Thuan, a dengue endemic province in southern Vietnam, were included. Record forms were used to fill in patient and diseases characteristics, pre-referral treatment, signs and symptoms, provisional diagnosis and installed treatment, referral and final outcome.

Seroepidemiology of leptospirosis in southern Vietnamese children.

Objective: To estimate the seroprevalence of human leptospirosis in southern Vietnam.

Methods: All pupils (n=961) of two primary schools in two communes in southern Vietnam were screened for the presence of serum Leptospira immunoglobulin (Ig)G. Leptospira IgM was tested in 92 randomly selected samples.

Seroprevalence of dengue antibodies, annual incidence and risk factors among children in southern Vietnam.

Dengue is highly endemic in southern Vietnam and all four serotypes of dengue virus have already been identified. To determine the age-specific prevalence of dengue and associated risk factors, we conducted a serological study at two primary schools and assessed risk factors by analysing children's questionnaires and household surveys. Sera were collected from 961 primary schoolchildren in Binh Thuan Province and tested for the presence of dengue virus serum antibodies using an indirect immunoglobulin G (IgG) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Impact of chimaerism analysis and kinetics on allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation outcome after conventional and reduced-intensity conditioning regimens.

This retrospective study aimed to analyse the impact on overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) of chimaerism status and kinetics following allogeneic conventional and reduced-intensity conditioning haematopoietic stem cell transplantation, and to compare this with the impact of other well-known factors. We investigated the chimaerism status of 187 patients [84 females, 103 males; median age 39.5 years (range, 17-62 years)].