Alterations in aortic elasticity indices among type 2 diabetes patients in a low and middle income country using M-mode echocardiography: A cross-sectional comparative study.

Background: Diabetes is one of the leading causes of noncommunicable diseases worldwide. It is known to induce cardiovascular remodeling, which can result in a variety of complications, including a considerable increase in aortic stiffness. While studies in Western populations have explored these effects, data on Asians, mainly Vietnamese, are limited.

Assessing red blood cell distribution width in Vietnamese heart failure patients: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Heart failure (HF) is becoming a growing public health concern. Diagnostic tests for determining the severity of HF often come with high costs and require specialized expertise, which makes it difficult to assess HF severity, especially in low-income countries or at primary healthcare facilities. Recently, red blood cell distribution width (RDW) has emerged as a promising, easily accessible marker associated with HF severity.

Data on chemical composition of coffee husks and lignin microparticles as their extracted product.

Coffee husks are an abundant and underutilized biomass waste released from coffee production. Experimental analysis showed that coffee husks consisted of 39.2 ± 0.

Recurrent paradoxical cerebral embolism caused by a thrombus entrapped in a patent foramen ovale: a case report.

Introduction: A thrombus straddling the patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a very rare clinical entity. Optimal management remains unclear due to the availability of various therapeutic options; thus, an individualized approach is recommended.

Case Presentation: The authors describe a case presenting with recurrent cerebral embolism and a large and mobile thrombus straddled in the PFO.

Magnetic Activated Carbon from ZnCl and FeCl Coactivation of Lotus Seedpod: One-Pot Preparation, Characterization, and Catalytic Activity towards Robust Degradation of Acid Orange 10.

Lotus seedpods (LSPs) are an abundant and underutilized agricultural residue discarded from lotus seed production. In this study, ZnCl and FeCl coactivation of LSP for one-pot preparation of magnetic activated carbon (MAC) was explored for the first time. X-ray diffraction XRD) results showed that FeO, Fe, and ZnO crystals were formed in the LSP-derived carbon matrix.

Characteristics and health impacts of PM-bound PCDD/Fs in three Asian countries.

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) were ubiquitous, persistent chemical compounds attached to particulate matter in the atmosphere. We aimed to study the characteristics of these pollutants in atmospheric PM of three Asian countries, including Taiwan (Taipei), Thailand (Chiang Mai), and Vietnam (Hanoi). We carried out a source apportionment analysis to determine significant PCDD/F contributors in these areas.

Microbial Communities Along 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzodioxin Concentration Gradient in Soils Polluted with Agent Orange Based on Metagenomic Analyses.

The 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzodioxin (TCDD), a contaminant in Agent Orange released during the US-Vietnam War, led to a severe environmental crisis. Approximately, 50 years have passed since the end of this war, and vegetation has gradually recovered from the pollution. Soil bacterial communities were investigated by 16S metagenomics in habitats with different vegetation physiognomies in Central Vietnam, namely, forests (S0), barren land (S1), grassland (S2), and developing woods (S3).

Transcriptomic and Ultrastructural Analyses of Treated With Fungicidal Peptaibol Analogs of Trichogin.

Eco-friendly analogs of Trichogin GA IV, a short peptaibol produced by , were assayed against , the causal agent of rice blast disease. and screenings allowed us to identify six peptides able to reduce by about 70% rice blast symptoms. One of the most active peptides was selected for further studies.

Decreased serum testosterone levels associated with 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity in 7-year-old children from a dioxin-exposed area of Vietnam.

Since 2008, we have conducted epidemiological cohort studies on the relationship between dioxin exposure and disruption with children in the area sprayed with defoliants during the Vietnam War. In a long-term survey of children through the age of five, we observed androgen disruption due to decreased dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and testosterone levels. In this study of 7-year-old, we separately elucidated androgen disruption for boys and girls, and discussed with respect to hormone disruption with sex differences on the steroid hormone biosynthesis process.

Assessing potential inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 main protease from available drugs using free energy perturbation simulations.

The main protease (Mpro) of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which has caused the COVID-19 pandemic, is responsible for the maturation of its key proteins. Thus, inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 Mpro could prevent SARS-CoV-2 from multiplying. Because new inhibitors require thorough validation, repurposing current drugs could help reduce the validation process.

Soil concentrations and soil-air exchange of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in five Asian countries.

The Asia Soil and Air Monitoring Program (Asia-SAMP) is a large-scale monitoring program spanning China, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam and India. 47 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were analyzed in 169 concurrently collected surface soil samples across the five study regions. Total PAH concentrations (∑PAHs) ranged from 13.

Bioaccumulation of PCDD/Fs in foodstuffs near Bien Hoa and Da Nang airbases: assessment on sources and distribution.

In this survey, food items were collected from vicinities of Bien Hoa and Da Nang airbase and determined for polychloro-dibenzo-dioxins and polychloro-dibenzo-furans (PCDD/Fs) to assess their accumulation, distribution in the local food items, and risk of PCDD/F exposure through consumption of the local foods. Dioxin compounds were determined using isotope dilution method which is slightly modified from US-EPA method 1613B. The dioxin concentration was the highest in fish followed by eggs, chicken, meat (pork and beef), and vegetables.

Characteristics of PCDD/Fs in soil and sediment samples collected from A-So former airbase in Central Vietnam.

A-So airbase, located in A-Luoi Valley - Central Vietnam, is a former military base occupied by US Special Forces between 1963 and 1966. The storage of Agent Orange in A-So airbase during the Vietnam War now poses a high potential for PCDD/F contamination in soils and sediments. In order to evaluate the occurrence and characteristics of PCDD/Fs in A-So former airbase, which has been reserved for a long time and suffered almost no significant anthropogenic impacts, soil and sediment samples were collected from 40 sites of two adjacent zones A and B in an area of 160,000 m.

Androgen disruption by dioxin exposure in 5-year-old Vietnamese children: Decrease in serum testosterone level.

Dioxins have been suspected to be potential substances causing endocrine disruptions in humans. We are conducting the research in one of three dioxin exposure areas (hotspots) in Vietnam. We previously reported that the salivary dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) level decreased in 3-year-old Vietnamese children and that it was significantly inversely correlated with polychlorinated dibenzodioxin/dibenzofuran levels in their mother's breast milk.

Site-specific bioaccumulation of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/PCDFs) in mothers and their infants living in vicinity of Bien Hoa airbase, Southern Vietnam.

Bien Hoa airbase is located in Dong Nai Province (Southern Vietnam). Several sites within the airbase are highly contaminated by Agent Orange/Dioxin, and thus, they are also commonly named as an Agent Orange/Dioxin hotpot. In the present study, 36 maternal milk samples were collected from primiparas who have lived at least 5 years in four wards, Buu Long, Quang Vinh, Trung Dung and Tan Phong, which are closed to Bien Hoa airbase in order to investigate the level and distribution of Agent Orange/Dioxin exposure in different local communities.

Occurrence and Source Effect of Novel Brominated Flame Retardants (NBFRs) in Soils from Five Asian Countries and Their Relationship with PBDEs.

This paper presents the first comprehensive survey of 19 novel brominated flame retardants (NBFRs) in soil samples collected among five Asian countries. High variability in concentrations of all NBFRs was found in soils with the geometric mean (GM) values ranging from 0.50 ng/g dry weight (dw) in Vietnam to 540 ng/g dw in the vicinity of a BFR manufacturer in China.

Rapid expression and purification of the hepatitis delta virus antigen using the methylotropic yeast Pichia pastoris.

Objective: Patients with dual hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis D (HDV) virus infection are at an increased risk of progression to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma than patients with a single viral infection. Treatment of viral hepatitis due to dual HBV/HDV infection represents a challenge. Currently there is no vaccine against HDV.

A relationship in adrenal androgen levels between mothers and their children from a dioxin-exposed region in Vietnam.

Over the past decades, southern Vietnam has been burdened by dioxins from contaminated herbicides sprayed during the Vietnam War. In a previous study, we found that dioxin exposure decreased levels of salivary dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), an adrenal androgen, in 3-year-old children. In present study, to assess the relationship between adrenal hormones disruption in lactating mothers and in children, we compared mother-child pairs from dioxin- and nondioxin-contaminated regions.

Atmospheric PCDD/F concentration and source apportionment in typical rural, Agent Orange hotspots, and industrial areas in Vietnam.

Vietnam has a double burden of dioxin from both industrial sources and historical sources. To evaluate the concentration of PCDD/Fs in ambient air in different areas of Vietnam and their possible sources, atmospheric samples were collected from three areas namely Son La (rural area) and Da Nang (harbor - Agent Orange hotspot area), and Ho Chi Minh City (metropolitan - industrial city). Vapor and solid phases of PCDD/Fs were collected and analyzed following the TO-9A sampling method.

Prevalence and genotype distribution of hepatitis delta virus among chronic hepatitis B carriers in Central Vietnam.

Hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection plays an important role in liver diseases. However, the molecular epidemiology and impact of HDV infection in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) remain uncertain in Vietnam. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the prevalence and genotype distribution of HDV among HBsAg-positive patients in Central Vietnam.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in plastic products, indoor dust, sediment and fish from informal e-waste recycling sites in Vietnam: a comprehensive assessment of contamination, accumulation pattern, emissions, and human exposure.

Residue concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in different kinds of samples including consumer products, indoor dust, sediment and fish collected from two e-waste recycling sites, and some industrial, urban and suburban areas in Vietnam were determined to provide a comprehensive assessment of the contamination levels, accumulation pattern, emission potential and human exposure through dust ingestion and fish consumption. There was a large variation of PBDE levels in plastic parts of obsolete electronic equipment (from 1730 to 97,300 ng/g), which is a common result observed in consumer plastic products reported elsewhere. PBDE levels in indoor dust samples collected from e-waste recycling sites ranged from 250 to 8740 ng/g, which were markedly higher than those in industrial areas and household offices.