Enhanced photocatalytic performance of polyaniline nanoparticles for efficient dye degradation under simulated sunlight.

This study investigates the effectiveness of polyaniline oxide (PANI) nanoparticles as photocatalysts for the degradation of organic dyes under visible light irradiation. Known for their stability and adjustable conductivity, PANI nanoparticles were synthesized a hydrothermal method using P123 surfactants, followed by calcination. The morphology, structural phase, and optical properties of the synthesized PANI materials were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Raman spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR).

Understanding the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, knowledge and barriers to treatment and prevention of malaria among returning international laborers in northern Vietnam: a mixed-methods study.

Background: With the decline in local malaria transmission in Vietnam as a result of the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP) elimination activities, a greater focus on the importation and potential reintroduction of transmission are essential to support malaria elimination objectives.

Methods: We conducted a multi-method assessment of the demographics, epidemiology, and clinical characteristics of imported malaria among international laborers returning from African or Southeast Asian countries to Vietnam. Firstly, we conducted a retrospective review of hospital records of patients from January 2014 to December 2016.

Dissociation of hydrogen peroxide in water and methanol through a biased molecular dynamics investigation.

The two dissociation channels of HOOH, namely, HOOH and HOOH, in water and methanol are investigated using umbrella-sampling ab initio molecular dynamics. Our potential of mean force calculations reveals the HOOH dissociation to be more favorable in methanol with a free energy barrier of 7.56 kcal/mol, while the HOOH dissociation possesses a free energy barrier of 11.

Self-selected step length asymmetry is not explained by energy cost minimization in individuals with chronic stroke.

Background: Asymmetric gait post-stroke is associated with decreased mobility, yet individuals with chronic stroke often self-select an asymmetric gait despite being capable of walking more symmetrically. The purpose of this study was to test whether self-selected asymmetry could be explained by energy cost minimization. We hypothesized that short-term deviations from self-selected asymmetry would result in increased metabolic energy consumption, despite being associated with long-term rehabilitation benefits.

Spatial and Temporal Patterns of Malaria in Phu Yen Province, Vietnam, from 2005 to 2016.

Malaria in Vietnam has become focal to a few provinces, including Phu Yen. This study aimed to assess correlations between intervention (population proportion protected by insecticide-treated nets and indoor residual spraying) and climatic variables with malaria incidence in Phu Yen Province. The Vietnam National Institute of Malariology, Parasitology, and Entomology provided incidence data for and for 104 communes of Phu Yen Province from January 2005 to December 2016.

Zirconia Phase Transformation in Zirconia-Toughened Alumina Ceramic Femoral Heads: An Implant Retrieval Analysis.

Background: Zirconia-toughened alumina ceramic was introduced as a femoral head material for total hip arthroplasty. The material combines the stability of alumina with the toughness of zirconia. Despite inherent benefits for bearing surfaces, concern exists in the medical field that phase transformation of the zirconia grains could worsen wear resistance and lower the strength of the head.

Analysis of clinical malaria disease patterns and trends in Vietnam 2009-2015.

Background: Viet Nam has made tremendous progress towards reducing mortality and morbidity associated with malaria in recent years. Despite the success in malaria control, there has been a recent increase in cases in some provinces. In order to understand the changing malaria dynamics in Viet Nam and measure progress towards elimination, the aim of this study was to describe and quantify spatial and temporal trends of malaria by species at district level across the country.

Mechanically induced bone formation is not sensitive to local osteocyte density in rat vertebral cancellous bone.

Osteocytes play an integral role in bone by sensing mechanical stimuli and releasing signaling factors that direct bone formation. The importance of osteocytes in mechanotransduction suggests that regions of bone tissue with greater osteocyte populations are more responsive to mechanical stimuli. To determine the effects of osteocyte population on bone functional adaptation we applied mechanical loads to the 8th caudal vertebra of skeletally mature female Sprague Dawley rats (6 months of age, n = 8 loaded, n = 8 sham controls).

Retrieval Analysis of Neck-Stem Coupling in Modular Hip Prostheses.

Background: Dual-taper modular stems have suffered from high revision rates caused by adverse local tissue reactions secondary to fretting and corrosion. We compared the fretting and corrosion behavior of a group of modular neck designs to that of a design that had been recalled for risks associated with fretting and corrosion at the modular neck junction.

Methods: We previously analyzed fretting and corrosion on 60 retrieved Rejuvenate modular neck-stem implants.

Regulation of stem cell-based therapies in Canada: current issues and concerns.

Stem cell therapies offer enormous potential for the treatment of a wide range of diseases and conditions. Despite the excitement over such advances, regulators are faced with the challenge of determining criteria to ensure stem cells and their products are safe and effective for human use. However, stem cell-based products and therapies present unique regulatory challenges because standard drug development models do not wholly apply given the complexity and diversity of these products and therapies.

Use of umbilical cord blood for stem cell research.

Umbilical cord blood (UCB), long treated as waste material, is today considered a valuable source of hematopoietic stem cells. UCB is used, mostly in children, for the treatment of blood malignancies and inherited blood and metabolic disorders. In addition to blood precursor cells, UCB also contains stem cells that can differentiate into other types, such as cartilage, fat, hepatic, cardiac, and neural cells, fuelling speculation about the use of cord blood stem cells for regenerative medicine.

Hindlimb unweighting induces changes in the p38MAPK contractile pathway of the rat abdominal aorta.

Hindlimb unweighting (HLU) of rats is a model used to mimic the cephalic fluid shift potentially involved in the orthostatic intolerance experienced by astronauts. Certain arteries in these rats exhibit a decreased contractile response to adrenergic agonists. It was shown previously that this may be caused by changes in thick filament regulation (Summers et al.