"DNA signaturing" database construction for Tetradesmus species identification and phylogenetic relationships of Scenedesmus-like green microalgae (Scenedesmaceae, Chlorophyta).

Species identification of Scenedesmus-like microalgae, comprising Desmodesmus, Tetradesmus, and Scenedesmus, has been challenging due to their high morphological and genetic similarity. After developing a DNA signaturing tool for Desmodesmus identification, we built a DNA signaturing database for Tetradesmus. The DNA signaturing tool contained species-specific nucleotide sequences of Tetradesmus species or strain groups with high similarity in ITS2 sequences.

Enhanced Photocatalytic and Photokilling Activities of Cu-Doped TiO Nanoparticles.

In this work, metal-doped titanium dioxide (TiO) was synthesised with the aim of improving photocatalytic degradation and antimicrobial activities; TiO was doped with copper (Cu) ranging from 0.1 to 1.0 wt%.

Overseas Treatment of Latent Tuberculosis Infection in US-Bound Immigrants.

Seventy percent of tuberculosis (TB) cases in the United States occur among non-US-born persons; cases usually result from reactivation of latent TB infection (LTBI) likely acquired before the person's US arrival. We conducted a prospective study among US immigrant visa applicants undergoing the required overseas medical examination in Vietnam. Consenting applicants >15 years of age were offered an interferon-γ release assay (IGRA); those 12-14 years of age received an IGRA as part of the required examination.

Urban drainage channels as microplastics pollution hotspots in developing areas: A case study in Da Nang, Vietnam.

This study provides information on the current situation of microplastics contamination in inland freshwater bodies in Vietnam. An urban drainage channel in Da Nang City was selected as a case study. Receiving mainly domestic wastewater and landfill leachate, the channel itself is becoming a microplastic pollution hotspot with a microplastic concentration of 1482.

Novel Strategy for the Development of Antibacterial TiO Thin Film onto Polymer Substrate at Room Temperature.

This work demonstrates a novel method to deposit an antibacterial TiO thin film on a polymer substrate at room temperature. A combination of sol-gel and photon assistance was used in the experiment in order to avoid any thermal processes of thin film crystallization. The morphological photograph of samples indicated that the TiO thin film was perfectly coated on the PVC substrate without any cracks or pinholes.

New insight into the photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutant over BiVO/SiO/GO nanocomposite.

The nanocomposite of BiVO-based material has been synthesized by one-step solvent method. The morphological, physical, chemical properties of the nanocomposite have been investigated. The results revealed that the surface area of BiVO, BiVO/SiO and BiVO/SiO/GO was 11.

Baseline assessment of microplastic concentrations in marine and freshwater environments of a developing Southeast Asian country, Viet Nam.

In aquatic environments, assessment of microplastic concentrations is increasing worldwide but environments from developing countries remain under-evaluated. Due to disparities of facilities, financial resources and human resources between countries, protocols of sampling, analysis and observations used in developed countries cannot be fully adapted in developing ones, and required specific adaptations. In Viet Nam, an adapted methodology was developed and commonly adopted by local researchers to implement a microplastic monitoring in sediments and surface waters of 21 environments (rivers, lakes, bays, beaches) of eight cities or provinces.

Characteristics of microplastics in shoreline sediments from a tropical and urbanized beach (Da Nang, Vietnam).

Microplastics in shoreline sediments were investigated from Da Nang beach for the first time. Sediment samples at the two depth strata (0-5 cm and 5-10 cm) at eight sites along the entire coast were collected for identifying the characteristics of microplastics, including their concentration, size, shape, color, and nature. The synthetic fiber was the predominant type of microplastics, accounting for 99.

Long acting anti-infection constructs on titanium.

Peri-prosthetic joint infections (PJI) are a serious adverse event following joint replacement surgeries; antibiotics are usually added to bone cement to prevent infection offset. For uncemented prosthesis, alternative antimicrobial approaches are necessary in order to prevent PJI; however, despite elution of drug from the surface of the device being shown one of the most promising approach, no effective antimicrobial eluting uncemented device is currently available on the market. Consequently, there is a clinical need for non-antibiotic antimicrobial uncemented prosthesis as these devices present numerous benefits, particularly for young patients, over cemented artificial joints.

A new rotifer species: Lecane langsenensis n. sp. (Rotifera: Monogononta) from Vietnam.

Lecane langsenensis n. sp. is described from two locations in Vietnam: Lang Sen Reserve, Long An Province, and the Huong River, Thua Thien Hue Province.

Synthesis and characterization of pyridoxine, nicotine and nicotinamide salts of dithiophosphoric acids as antibacterial agents against resistant wound infection.

The pyridine-derived biomolecules are of considerable interest in developing medicinal compounds with various specific activities. Novel ammonium salts of pyridoxine, (S)-(-)-nicotine and nicotinamide with O,O-diorganyl dithiophosphoric acids (DTPA) were synthesized and characterized. The complexation of chiral monoterpenyl DTPA, including (S)-(-)-menthyl, (R)-(+)-menthyl, (1R)-endo-(+)-fenchyl, (1S,2S,3S,5R)-(+)-isopinocampheolyl derivatives, with pyridoxine and nicotine provided effective antibacterial compounds 3a,b,e,f, and 5a,b,d,f with MIC values against Gram-positive bacteria as low as 10 µM (6 µg/mL).

Self-assembled nanoformulation of methylprednisolone succinate with carboxylated block copolymer for local glucocorticoid therapy.

A new self-assembled formulation of methylprednisolone succinate (MPS) based on a carboxylated trifunctional block copolymer of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide (TBC-COOH) was developed. TBC-COOH and MPS associated spontaneously at increased concentrations in aqueous solutions to form almost monodisperse mixed micelles (TBC-COOH/MPS) with a hydrodynamic diameter of 19.6 nm, zeta potential of -27.

Photocatalytic Degradation of Organic Dye under UV-A Irradiation Using TiO2-Vetiver Multifunctional Nano Particles.

The properties and photocatalytic performance of anatase nanoparticles of pure TiO₂ and a core-shell structure of TiO₂ on calcined vetiver grass leaves have been compared. Samples were fabricated by sol-gel and heating at 450 °C for 5h.The comparison was based on data for X-ray diffraction(XRD), UV-Vis spectrophotometry, photoluminescence, transmission electron microscopy, specific surface area measurement, pore volume assessment, and methylene blue degradation testing.

A nonpolar, nonamphiphilic molecule can accelerate adsorption of phospholipids and lower their surface tension at the air/water interface.

The adsorption dynamics of a series of phospholipids (PLs) at the interface between an aqueous solution or dispersion of the PL and a gas phase containing the nonpolar, nonamphiphilic linear perfluorocarbon perfluorohexane (PFH) was studied by bubble profile analysis tensiometry. The PLs investigated were dioctanoylphosphatidylcholine (DiC(8)-PC), dilaurylphosphatidylcholine, dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine, and dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine. The gas phase consisted of air or air saturated with PFH.