Neutrophil: Lymphocyte and Platelet: Lymphocyte ratios measured before transplantation and their correlation with new-onset diabetes post-transplantation in renal transplant recipients.

Purpose: Our goal was to evaluate the neutrophil:lymphocyte (NLR) and platelet:lymphocyte (PLR) ratios measured before transplantation and their correlation with new-onset diabetes after transplantation (NODAT) in renal transplant recipients.

Patients And Methods: We conducted our study in 324 adult patients consecutively admitted to Military Hospital 103, Ha Noi, Viet Nam, who received kidney allografts from living donors. These patients were followed-up during the first 2 years post-transplantation for NODAT.

Stepwise Reduction of Mycophenolate Mofetil with Conversion to Everolimus for the Treatment of Active BKV in Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Single-Center Experience in Vietnam.

Background: No specific antiviral drug can effectively treat BKV reactivation after kidney transplantation. Thus, we evaluated stepwise-reduced immunosuppression to treat BKV reactivation. Methods: 341 kidney-transplant recipients were monitored for BKV infection (BKV-viremia, BKV-viruria).

Impact of Freeze Storage on the Estimation of Phenotypic Antimicrobial Resistance Prevalence in Collected from Faecal Samples from Healthy Humans and Chickens.

Many studies on phenotypic antimicrobial resistance (AMR) of bacteria from healthy populations are conducted on freeze-stored samples. However, the impact of this practice on phenotypic AMR is not known. We investigated the prevalence of phenotypic AMR in from chicken ( = 10) and human ( = 11) faecal samples collected from healthy subjects, subject to freeze storage (-20 °C and -80 °C) for 1, 2, 3, and 6 months.

Randomised controlled study of two counselling models at the Swedish alcohol helpline: Effectiveness and sustainability outcomes at 12-month follow-up.

This two-arm parallel randomised controlled trial explored the effectiveness of a brief counselling model compared with the usual multi-session counselling at an alcohol telephone helpline. A total of 320 callers who contacted the Swedish Alcohol Helpline (SAH) because of hazardous or harmful alcohol use were randomised to either brief structured intervention (self-help booklet plus one proactive call) or usual care (multi-session telephone counselling). The primary outcome was a downward shift in risk level at 12-month follow-up compared with baseline, based on self-reports.

Antimicrobial resistance in commensal from humans and chickens in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam is driven by antimicrobial usage and potential cross-species transmission.

Objectives: To investigate phenotypic antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in relation to antimicrobial use (AMU) and potential inter-species transmission among from humans and chickens located in the same households in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam.

Methods: We collected data on AMU and faecal swabs from humans (= 426) and chickens (= 237) from 237 small-scale farms. From each sample, one strain was isolated and tested for its susceptibility against 11 antimicrobials by Sensititre AST.

Genomic Mutations of BK Polyomavirus in Patients after Kidney Transplantation: A Cross-Sectional Study in Vietnam.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify the SNP sites and determine the BKV genotype circulating in kidney-transplant Vietnamese recipients based on the VP1 gene region.

Methods: 344 samples were collected from post-kidney-transplant recipients at the 103 Vietnam Military Hospital to investigate the number of BKV infections. Positive samples with a sufficient virus concentration were analyzed by nested PCR in the VP1 region, sequencing detected genotyping and single-nucleotide polymorphism.

Microencapsulation of roselle ( L.) anthocyanins: Effects of drying conditions on some physicochemical properties and antioxidant activities of spray-dried powder.

Anthocyanins are important phytochemical compounds in nature that are of interest not only for their health benefits such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-carcinogenic properties, but also for their role in imparting attractive and characteristic color to food products. In this study, anthocyanins from hibiscus ( L.) calyces were microencapsulated by spray-drying technique using maltodextrin as the carrier.

Comparison of Phytochemical Contents, Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities of Various Solvent Extracts Obtained from 'Maluma' Avocado Pulp Powder.

Although avocado is a superfood rich in phytochemicals with high antioxidant activities, studies on the antibacterial properties of its pulp are limited, except for seed and peel portions. In this study, three types of solvent (acetone, methanol, and diethyl ether) were used to obtain the extracts from "Maluma" avocado pulp powder prepared by infrared drying. The extracts were analyzed for total polyphenols, phytopigments (total chlorophylls and carotenoids), antioxidant activities (ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and 2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) assays), and antibacterial activities against seven pathogens ( ATCC 9290, ATCC 8739, ATCC 6539, ATCC 17802, ATCC 25933, ATCC 6538, and ATCC 11778).

Microneedles enable the development of skin-targeted vaccines against coronaviruses and influenza viruses.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, many have seriously worried that the plus burden of seasonal influenza that might create a destructive scenario, resulting in overwhelmed healthcare capacities and onwards loss of life. Many efforts to develop a safe and efficacious vaccine to prevent infection by coronavirus and influenza, highlight the importance of vaccination to combat infectious pathogens. While vaccines are traditionally given as injections into the muscle, microneedle (MN) patches designed to precisely deliver cargos into the cutaneous microenvironment, rich in immune cells, provide a noninvasive and self-applicable vaccination approach, reducing overall costs and improving access to vaccines in places with limited supply.

Lipid-Based Nanocarriers via Nose-to-Brain Pathway for Central Nervous System Disorders.

Neurodegenerative disorders are distinguished by the gradual deterioration of the nervous system's structure and function due to oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, protein misfolding, excitotoxicity, and neuroinflammation. Among these NDs, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis characterized an increasing dysfunction and loss of neuronal structure leading to neuronal cell death. Although there is currently no drug to totally reverse the effects of NDs, such novel formulations and administration routes are developed for better management and nose-to-brain delivery is one of delivery for treating NDs.

Advances of microneedles in hormone delivery.

The skin is recognized as a potential target for local and systemic drug delivery and hormone. However, the transdermal route of drug administration seems to be limited by substantial barrier properties of the skin. Recently, delivering hormone via the skin by transdermal patches is a big challenge because of the presence of the stratum corneum that prevents the application of hormone via this route.

Small-scale commercial chicken production: A risky business for farmers in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam.

Small-scale farming of meat chicken flocks using local native breeds contributes to the economy of many rural livelihoods in Vietnam and many other low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). These systems are also the target of high levels of antimicrobial use (AMU); however, little is known about the profitability and sustainability of such systems. Since small-scale farms are commercial enterprises, this knowledge is essential to develop successful strategies to curb excessive AMU.

Kinetic Study on Chlorophyll and Antioxidant Activity from (L.) Harms Leaves via Microwave-Assisted Extraction.

(L.) leaves contain significant bioactive compounds with high antioxidant activity such as chlorophylls, total polyphenols, etc. but these have still been underutilized.

Long Hemodialysis Duration Predicts Delayed Graft Function in Renal Transplant Recipients From Living Donor: A Single-Center Study.

Background: This study aims to determine the ratio of delayed graft function in renal transplant recipients from living donors and the predictive value of hemodialysis time before transplant for delayed graft function.

Methods: We conducted a study on 116 adult patients who were diagnosed with end-stage kidney disease and were treated with hemodialysis and transplanted kidneys from living donors for 2 years (from June 2018 to June 2020). Delayed graft function event was collected for each patient.

Advances in developing therapeutic strategies for Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive deterioration of brain function, initially characterized by cognitive deficits, with loss of recent memory and language ability, impairment of orientation, problem solving, and abstract thinking. While existing drug treatments help reduce the symptoms of AD and improve people's quality of life, they neither slow its progression nor cure it. Currently, targeted drug delivery to the central nervous system (CNS), for therapy of AD, is confined by the challenges posed by blood-brain interfaces surrounding the CNS, limiting the bioavailability of therapeutics.

Serum hs-CRP measured prior transplantation predicts of new-onset diabetes after transplantation in renal transplant recipients.

Background: To assess the incidence of new-onset diabetes after transplantation (NODAT) for the first year post-transplantation and the predictive value of high-sensitivity C-reactive Protein (hs-CRP) before transplantation for NODAT prediction in kidney transplantation patients.

Material And Methods: A study of 251 consecutive adult end-stage kidney disease patients transplanted kidneys from living donors, follow-up during the first year to find NODAT. We diagnosed NODAT based on blood glucose or HbA1c following to the criteria of the American Diabetes Association.

Using crime script analysis to understand wildlife poaching in Vietnam.

Poaching can contribute to the failure of biodiversity conservation efforts and inflict diverse harms on human livelihoods. We applied crime script analysis to the case of snare poaching-an illegal hunting activity-in three Vietnamese protected areas. Our goal was to enhance the understanding about the opportunity structure underlying snare poaching to advance the suite of community-based crime prevention activities.

Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, and Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Hazardous and Non-Hazardous Alcohol Consumers.

Purpose: To describe physical activity habits, sedentary behavior, and cardiorespiratory fitness levels among alcohol abstainers, hazardous and non-hazardous drinkers.

Design: Cross-sectional study with data collected between 2017-19.

Setting: Sweden.

Advances in non and minimal-invasive transcutaneous delivery of immunotherapy for cancer treatment.

Cancer research has focused on figuring out what was the difference between cancer cells and the tissues within which cancer arose and developing targeted treatments for those differences. With FDA-approved treatments for more ten different cancers and more than thousand new clinical trials, immunotherapy has recently emerged as the most promising area of cancer research by improving efficacy and controlling the adverse effects. Transcutaneous delivery drug delivery offers a number of advantages for the patient because of not only its noninvasive and convenient nature but also factors such as avoidance of first-pass metabolism and prevention of gastrointestinal degradation.

School-related physical activity interventions and mental health among children: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Low levels of physical activity, sedentary behaviour and mental health problems are issues that have received considerable attention in the last decade. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate effects of interventions targeting school-related physical activity or sedentary behaviour on mental health in children and adolescents and to identify the features of effective interventions.

Methods: Scientific articles published between January 2009 and October 2019 fulfilling the following criteria were included: general populations of children and adolescents between age 4 and 19, all types of school-related efforts to promote physical activity or reduce sedentary behaviour.

Correction to: Interleukin 6 is a better predictor of 5-year cardiovascular mortality than high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in hemodialysis patients using reused low-flux dialyzers.

The article "Interleukin 6 is a better predictor of 5-year cardiovascular mortality than high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in hemodialysis patients using reused low-fux dialyzers".

Role of Body-Fluid Biomarkers in Alzheimer's Disease Diagnosis.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex neurodegenerative disease that requires extremely specific biomarkers for its diagnosis. For current diagnostics capable of identifying AD, the development and validation of early stage biomarkers is a top research priority. Body-fluid biomarkers might closely reflect synaptic dysfunction in the brain and, thereby, could contribute to improving diagnostic accuracy and monitoring disease progression, and serve as markers for assessing the response to disease-modifying therapies at early onset.

Associations of interruptions to leisure-time sedentary behaviour with symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Interruptions to time spent sitting can ameliorate detrimental metabolic-health consequences of high volumes of sedentary time, but their potential mental health benefits have not been examined. We used the Swedish Health Profile Assessment database, a general health assessment offered to all employees working for companies or organisations connected to occupational and health services. Cross-sectional analyses examined data from 40,550 employees (60% male, mean age = 42 years), collected in 2017-2019.