Blood cells and some hematological parameters of red drum (Linnaeus, 1766) in Vietnam / Células sanguíneas e alguns parâmetros hematológicos do tambor vermelho (Linnaeus, 1766) no Vietnã

This research focuses on hematological characteristics, erythrocyte morphology and some biochemical parameters of red drum Sciaenops ocellatus (Perciformes: Sciaenidae), cultured in natural water environment in areas near river mouth (L1), estuaries (L2) in Ha Tinh province and coastal areas (L3) in Nha Trang city, Khanh Hoa province of Vietnam. A total of 18 speciments were examined in research, six in each location. Blood was drawn from the tail vein, using a microscope to research morphology and automated gauges to determine blood biochemical parameters. Analysis of blood samples showed that the rate of red drum's erythrocyte morphology disorders in all three locations was quite high. The two main types of disorders were nuclear deformity and nuclear-matter distribution. Changes in erythrocyte size, shape and nuclear were related to salt concentration at culture locations. Blood hemoglobin content was stable in all three regions. Other hematological parameters such as the number of erythrocytes, blood biochemical parameters (glucose, SGOT, SGPT, urea, creatine, plasma iron, albumin, and protein) have differences among the locations, which showed the different reactions of the same species with different environmental conditions.

Esta pesquisa se concentra nas características hematológicas, na morfologia eritrocitária e em alguns parâmetros bioquímicos do tambor vermelho Sciaenops ocellatus (Perciformes: Sciaenidae), cultivado em ambiente aquático natural em áreas próximas à foz do rio (L1), em estuários (L2) na província de Ha Tinh e em áreas costeiras (L3) na cidade de Nha Trang, província de Khanh Hoa do Vietnã. Um total de 18 espécimes foi examinado na pesquisa, seis em cada local. O sangue foi coletado da veia da cauda, usando um microscópio para pesquisar a morfologia e medidores automatizados para determinar os parâmetros bioquímicos do sangue. A análise das amostras de sangue mostrou que a taxa de distúrbios morfológicos dos eritrócitos do tambor vermelho em todos os três locais era bastante alta. Os dois principais tipos de distúrbios eram deformidade nuclear e distribuição de matéria nuclear. Mudanças no tamanho, na forma e no núcleo dos eritrócitos foram relacionadas à concentração de sal nos locais de cultivo. O conteúdo de hemoglobina no sangue era estável em todas as três regiões. Outros parâmetros hematológicos, como número de eritrócitos, parâmetros bioquímicos sanguíneos (glicose, SGOT, SGPT, ureia, creatina, ferro plasmático, albumina e proteína), apresentam diferenças entre os locais, o que evidencia diferentes reações de uma mesma espécie em diferentes ambientes e condições.

Investigación traslacional en microbioma (InTraMic): un área de interés común y creciente en el IMTIB, Hospital Italiano e Instituto Universitario / Translational research in microbiome (InTraMic): an area of common and growing interest at IMTIB, Hospital Italiano and Instituto Universitario

Se estima que aproximadamente 100 trillones de microorganismos (incluidos bacterias, virus y hongos) residen en el intestino humano adulto y que el total del material genético del microbioma es 100 veces superior al del genoma humano. Esta comunidad, conocida como microbioma se adquiere al momento del nacimiento a través de la flora comensal de la piel, vagina y heces de la madre y se mantiene relativamente estable a partir de los dos años desempeñando un papel crítico tanto en el estado de salud como en la enfermedad. El desarrollo de nuevas tecnologías, como los secuenciadores de próxima generación (NGS), permiten actualmente realizar un estudio mucho más preciso de ella que en décadas pasadas cuando se limitaba a su cultivo. Si bien esto ha llevado a un crecimiento exponencial en las publicaciones, los datos sobre las poblaciones Latinoamérica son casi inexistentes. La investigación traslacional en microbioma (InTraMic) es una de las líneas que se desarrollan en el Instituto de Medicina Traslacional e Ingeniería Biomédica (IMTIB). Esta se inició en 2018 con la línea de cáncer colorrectal (CCR) en una colaboración con el Colorectal Cancer Research Group del Leeds Institute of Medical Research en el proyecto Large bowel microbiome disease network: Creation of a proof of principle exemplar in colorectal cancer across three continents. A fines de 2019 se cumplió el objetivo de comprobar la factibilidad de la recolección, envío y análisis de muestras de MBF en 5 continentes, incluyendo muestras provenientes de la Argentina, Chile, India y Vietnam. Luego de haber participado de capacitaciones en Inglaterra, se ha cumplido con el objetivo de la etapa piloto, logrando efectivizar la recolección, envío y análisis metagenómico a partir de la secuenciación de la región V4 del ARNr 16S. En 2019, la línea de enfermedad de hígado graso no alcohólico se sumó a la InTraMic iniciando una caracterización piloto en el marco de una colaboración con el laboratorio Novartis. Los resultados de ese estudio, así como el de cáncer colorrectal, están siendo enviados a publicación. En 2020, con la incorporación de la línea de trasplante alogénico de células progenitoras hematopoyéticas, fue presentado un proyecto para un subsidio del CONICET que ha superado la primera etapa de evaluación. En el presente artículo se brinda una actualización sobre la caracterización taxonómica de microbioma y se describen las líneas de investigación en curso. (AU)

It is estimated that approximately 100 trillion microorganisms (including bacteria, viruses, and fungi) reside in the adult human intestine, and that the total genetic material of the microbiome is 100 times greater than that of the human genome. This community, known as the microbiome, is acquired at birth through the commensal flora of the mother's skin, vagina, and feces and remains relatively stable after two years, playing a critical role in both the state of health and in disease. The development of new technologies, such as next-generation sequencers (NGS), currently allow for a much more precise study of it than in past decades when it was limited to cultivation. Although this has led to exponential growth in publications, data on Latin American populations is almost non-existent. Translational research in microbiome (InTraMic) is one of the lines developed at the Instituto de Medicina Traslacional e Ingeniería Biomédica (IMTIB). This started in 2018 with the Colorectal Cancer Line (CRC) in a collaboration with the Colorectal Cancer Research Group of the Leeds Institute of Medical Research in the project "Large bowel microbiome disease network: Creation of a proof of principle exemplar in colorectal cancer across three continents". At the end of 2019, the objective of verifying the feasibility of collecting, sending and analyzing MBF samples on 5 continents, including samples from Argentina, Chile, India and Vietnam, was met. After having participated in training in England, the objective of the pilot stage has been met, achieving the collection, delivery and metagenomic analysis from the sequencing of the V4 region of the 16S rRNA. In 2019, the non-alcoholic fatty liver disease line joined InTraMic, initiating a pilot characterization in the framework of a collaboration with the Novartis laboratory. The results of that study, as well as that of colorectal cancer, are being published. In 2020, with the incorporation of the allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation line, a project was presented for a grant from the CONICET that has passed the first stage of evaluation. This article provides an update on the taxonomic characterization of the microbiome and describes the lines of ongoing research. (AU)

Efficacy of the Tent-Pole Technique in Horizontal Ridge Augmentation

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of the technique for ridge augmentation prior to implant placement. Material and Methods: Six patients with nine sites presenting an initial ridge width of smaller than 4 mm were included in this study. The tent-pole technique (combination of osteosynthesis screws measuring 1.5 mm in diameter, ABBM, and resorbable collagen membrane) was applied at defect sites. After eight months of healing time, implants were placed in the treated sites. The primary outcomes (radiographic initial ridge width, re-entry ridge width, ridge width gain) were measured by cone-beam computed tomography in reference buccopalatal cross-sections and the secondary outcomes (clinical parameters) were recorded by a digital caliper at the first and second stages. Results: After grafting, the radiographic ridge width increased by 3.02 ± 1.11 mm (1.57-4.75 mm) at 2 mm below the crest and 3.32 ± 1.70 mm (0.23-5.66 mm) at 6 mm below the crest significantly (p< 0.05). For clinical results, the mean horizontal dimension gain was 3.21 ± 1.04 mm (1.83-4.57 mm), while the mean reduction in dimension was 0.38 ± 0.33 mm. These results were statistically significant (p<0.05). Uneventful healing and no infections or membrane exposure were recorded at all sites during the study process. Three of nine (33.33%) defect sites required additional bone grafting. Conclusion: The tent-pole technique is an effective method for increasing the horizontal ridge dimension, minimizing postoperative complications, and facilitating subsequent implant placement.

Chemical constituents of essential oils from three Vietnamese species of Pinus / Constituyentes químicos de los aceites esenciales de tres especies Vietnamitas de Pinus

This paper reports the chemical composition of essential oils obtained from Pinus dalatensis Ferré, Pinus kwangtungensis Chun ex. Tsiang and Pinus armandii subsp. xuannhaensis L.K. Phan. The oils were studied by gas chromatograpgy (GC) and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The main constituents of P. dalatensis were the terpene hydrocarbons namely α-pinene (38.2%), ß- pinene (25.3%), ß-myrcene (11.0%) and ß-caryophyllene (10.5%), while α-cedrol (19.2%) was the only significant compound of P. armandi subsp. xuannhaensis. P. kwangtungensis showed ß-pinene (26.3%), α-pinene (18.0%), limonene (16.1%) and ß-myrcene (10.4%) as the dominant compounds. The volatile constituents of P. dalatensis and P. armandi subsp. xuannhaensis are being reported for the first time.

En este artículo se reportan los constituyentes químicos de los aceites esenciales de Pinus dalatensis Ferré, Pinus kwangtungensis Chun ex. Tsiang y Pinus armandii subsp. Xuannhaensis L.K. Phan que se analizaron mediante cromatografía de Gases (GC) y por Cromatografía de Gases acoplada a la Espectrometría de Masas (GC-EM). Los principales constituyentes de P. dalatensis fueron los hidrocarburos terpénicos, a saber, α-pineno (38.2%), ß-pineno (25.3%), ß-mirceno (11.0%) y ß-cariofileno (10.5%). Por otro lado, α- cedrol (19.2%) fue el único compuesto significativo de P. armandi subsp. Xuannhaensis mientras que el aceite de P. kwangtungensis estuvo dominado por ß-pineno (26.3%), α-pineno (18.0%), limoneno (16.1%) y ß-mirceno (10.4%). Los constituyentes volátiles de P. dalatensis y P. armandi subsp. xuannhaensis se informa por primera vez.

miR-141 is up-regulated in biopsies from Vietnamese patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Abstract: Novel biomarkers for screening, diagnosis and monitoring the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), one of the most common cancers in Vietnam, are urgently required. Increasing evidence suggests that microRNA-141 (miR-141) is associated with NPC, owing to its ability to affect the expression of genes that modulate tumorigenesis. Unfortunately, research on miR-141 expression in Vietnamese patients is limited. Therefore, the objective of the current study was to evaluate miR-141 expression and assess whether miR-141 might be a potential biomarker for diagnosis of NPC in Vietnamese patients. Total RNA isolated from 40 NPC biopsy samples and 37 non-cancerous samples was analyzed by quantitative reverse-transcription PCR. The miR-141 expression levels were compared between NPC biopsy and non-cancerous samples. The frequency of miR-141 detection was 37.50% and 10.80% in the NPC and non-cancerous samples, respectively (p = 0.0143). The miR-141 expression was 5.27 times higher in tumor samples than non-cancerous samples. Additionally, the RR (Relative risk) and OR (Odds ratio) were 1.83 (95%CI = 1.2576-2.6675, p = 0.0016) and 4.95 (95%CI = 1.4625-16.7541, p = 0.01), respectively. In conclusion, miR-141 was up-regulated in the biopsy samples and thus may be a potential biomarker for NPC in the Vietnamese population.

Impact of quaternary prevention as a brief intervention in medical students' clinical decisions: experience from Vietnam / Impacto da prevenção quaternária como intervenção breve nas decisões clínicas de estudantes de medicina: experiência do Vietnã / Impacto de la prevención cuaternaria como intervención breve en las decisiones clínicas de estudiantes de medicina: experiencia de Vietnam

Objective: to evaluate undergraduate medical students' clinical decision-making process after a brief intervention lecture on quaternary prevention (P4). Methods: quantitative self-controlled intervention study carried out with fifth-year medical students of Pham Ngoc Thach University, Hochiminh city, Vietnam. The medical students were asked to list their eventual interventions based on three different simulated clinical scenarios. The survey was conducted before and after the intervention. Student's propositions were classified into one of the four groups of prevention, according to Jamoulle's model. Results: 115 students participated, resulting in 211 answered sheets. The interventions proposed by the students were mostly centered on prevention groups 1, 2 and 3; the three clinical scenarios partially explained student's intentions of counseling, screening and palliative care. Comparing the data of second phase survey, the intervention was associated with changes in students' aptitude on clinical decision-making, which was especially more important for prevention group 1 (OR = 7.5) and prevention group 4 (OR = 30.05). There was no statistically significant difference in changing students' decision for prevention group 2 (OR = 0.95 p = 0.466) and prevention group 3 (OR = 2.29 p = 0.932). Conclusion: introducing quaternary prevention to the undergraduate medical course can help to steer clinical decisions toward primary prevention and to avoid inappropriate medical interventions.

Objetivo: avaliar o processo de tomada de decisão clínica por estudantes de graduação em medicina após uma breve intervenção sobre prevenção quaternária (P4). Métodos: estudo quantitativo de intervenção autocontrolada realizado com estudantes do quinto ano do curso de medicina da Pham Ngoc Thach University, na cidade de Hochiminh, Vietnam. Os estudantes foram convidados a listar suas eventuais intervenções com base em três diferentes cenários clínicos simulados. A pesquisa foi realizada antes e depois da intervenção. As proposições dos estudantes foram classificadas em um dos quatro grupos de prevenção, de acordo com o modelo de Jamoulle. Resultados: participaram 115 estudantes, resultando em 211 folhas de respostas. As intervenções propostas pelos estudantes foram principalmente centradas nos grupos de prevenção 1, 2 e 3; esses três cenários clínicos explicaram parcialmente as intenções dos estudantes para aconselhamento, rastreamento e cuidados paliativos. Comparando com os dados da segunda fase do estudo, a intervenção foi associada a mudanças na aptidão dos alunos no processo de tomada de decisão clínica, que foi especialmente importante para o grupo de prevenção 1 (OR = 7,5) e para o grupo de prevenção 4 (OR = 30,05). Não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa na mudança de decisão dos alunos para o grupo de prevenção 2 (OR = 0,95 p = 0,466) e para o grupo de prevenção 3 (OR = 2,29 p = 0,932). Conclusão: a introdução da prevenção quaternária no curso de graduação em medicina pode auxiliar a orientar as decisões clínicas em direção à prevenção primária e também a evitar intervenções médicas desnecessárias.

Objetivo: evaluar el proceso de toma de decisiones clínicas hecho por estudiantes de pregrado en medicina después de una breve intervención sobre la prevención cuaternaria (P4). Métodos: Estudio cuantitativo de intervención auto-controlado llevado a cabo con estudiantes de quinto año de medicina de la Pham Ngoc Thach Universidad en la ciudad de Hochiminh, Vietnam. Se pidió a los alumnos que enumerasen sus posibles intervenciones basadas en tres diferentes escenarios clínicos simulados. La encuesta se realizó antes y después de la intervención. Las proposiciones de los estudiantes se clasificaron en uno de los cuatro grupos de prevención, de acuerdo con el modelo de Jamoulle. Resultados: 115 estudiantes participaron, lo que resultó en 211 hojas de respuesta. Las intervenciones propuestas por los alumnos se centraron principalmente en los grupos de prevención 1, 2 y 3; estos tres escenarios clínicos explican parcialmente las intenciones de los estudiantes para la consejería, el cribado/tamizaje y la atención paliativa. En comparación con los datos de la segunda fase del estudio, la intervención se asoció con cambios en la capacidad de los estudiantes en el proceso de toma de decisiones clínicas, que fue especialmente importante para el grupo de prevención 1 (OR = 7,5) y para el grupo de prevención 4 (OR = 30,05). No hubo diferencia estadísticamente significativa en el cambio de decisión de los estudiantes para el grupo de prevención 2 (OR = 0,95 p = 0,466) y para el grupo de prevención 3 (OR = 2,29 p = 0,932). Conclusión: la introducción de la prevención cuaternaria en el pregrado en medicina puede ayudar a guiar las decisiones clínicas hacia la prevención primaria y también para evitar intervenciones médicas innecesarias.

The rising importance of Triatoma rubrofasciata

The migration of invasive vector species has contributed to the worldwide extension of infectious diseases such as dengue (Aedes aegypti) and chikungunya (Aedes albopictus). It is probably a similar behaviour for certain vectors of Chagas disease which allowed it to become a continental burden in Latin America. One of them, Triatoma rubrofasciata has also been spreading throughout the tropical and subtropical world. Here, the recent and massive peridomestic presence of T. rubrofasciata in Vietnam cities is reported, and tentatively explained, highlighting the need for improved entomological surveillance.

Anti-inflammatory components of the Vietnamese starfish Protoreaster nodosus

BACKGROUND: In the present study, we examined the inhibitory effects of a methanolic extract, dichloromethane fraction, water layer, and polyhydroxylated sterols (1-4) isolated from the Vietnamese starfish Protoreaster nodosus on pro-inflammatory cytokine (IL-12 p40, IL-6, and TNF-α) production in LPS-stimulated bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). RESULTS: The methanolic extract and dichloromethane fraction exerted potent inhibitory effects on the production of all three pro-inflammatory cytokines, with IC50 values ranging from 0.60 ± 0.01 to 26.19 ± 0.64 µg/mL. Four highly pure steroid derivatives (1-4) were isolated from the dichloromethane fraction and water layer of P. nodosus. Potent inhibitory activities were also observed for (25S)5α-cholestane-3ß,4ß,6α,7α,8ß,15α,16ß,26-octol (3) on the production of IL-12 p40 and IL-6 (IC50s = 3.11 ± 0.08 and 1.35 ± 0.03 µM), and for (25S) 5α-cholestane-3ß,6α,8ß,15α,16ß,26-hexol (1) and (25S)5α-cholestane-3ß,6α,7α,8ß,15α,16ß,26-heptol (2) on the production of IL-12 p40 (IC50s = 0.01 ± 0.00 and and 1.02 ± 0.01 µM). Moreover, nodososide (4) exhibited moderate inhibitory effects on IL-12 p40 and IL-6 production. CONCLUSION: This is the first report of the anti-inflammatory activity from the starfish P. nodosus. The main finding of this study is the identification oxygenated steroid derivatives from P. nodosus with potent anti-inflammatory activities that may be developed as therapeutic agents for inflammatory diseases.

Methanol extract from Vietnamese Caesalpinia sappan induces apoptosis in HeLa cells

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the cytotoxic activity of extracts from Caesalpinia sappan heartwood against multiple cancer cell lines using an MTT cell viability assay. The cell death though induction of apoptosis was as indicated by DNA fragmentation and caspase-3 enzyme activation. RESULTS: A methanol extract from C. sappan (MECS) showed cytotoxic activity against several of the cancer cell lines. The most potent activity exhibited by the MECS was against HeLa cells with an IC50 value of 26.5 ± 3.2 µg/mL. Treatment of HeLa cells with various MECS concentrations resulted in growth inhibition and induction of apoptosis, as indicated by DNA fragmentation and caspase-3 enzyme activation. CONCLUSION: This study is the first report of the anticancer properties of the heartwood of C. sappan native to Vietnam. Our findings demonstrate that C. sappan heartwood may have beneficial applications in the field of anticancer drug discovery.

A acolhido do recém-nascido: a modernidade de alguns rituais vietnamitas / Welcoming the newborn: the modernity of some vietnamese rituals

A partir da consideraçäo de diferenças entre a civilizaçäo ocidental e a oriental na maneira de conceber as relaçöes entre os elementos constitutivos da cultura foram observados os processos e a construçäo dos processos de identificaçäo das relaçöes homem-mulher, adulto-criança, hierarquia-subordinaçäo nas culturas da Asia que estäo atualmente margeando a modernidade devido à mundializaçäo das referências culturais. Baseado em observaçöes clínico-antropológicas que mostraram que certos rituais da acolhida do recém-nascido vietnamita persistem em sua significaçäo moderna. Descreve e explica o significado tradicional de alguns destes rituais: o fio no pulso; o desenho da sobrancelha; a massagem; o processo de nomeaçäo; a entrado do neonato no espaço domiciliar; as festas do primeiro mês e do primeiro aniversário, mostrando as alteraçöes dentro do novo contexto

Allelic diversity at the Merozoite surface protein-1 (MSP-1) locus in natural Plasmodium falciparum populations: a brief overview

The merozoite surface protein-1 (MSP-1) locus of Plasmodium falciparum codes for a major asexual blood-stage antigen currently proposed as a major malaria vaccine candidate. The protein, however, shows extensive polymorphism, which may compromise its use in sub-unit vaccines. Here we compare the patterns of allelic diversity at the MSP-1 locus in wild isolates from three epidemiologically distinct malaria-endemic areas: the hypoendemic southwestern Brazilian Amazon (n=54), the mesoendemic southern Vietnam (n=238) and the holoendemic northern Tanzania (n=79). Fragments of the variable blocks 2, 4a, 4b and 6 or 10 of this single-copy gene were amplified by the polymerase chain reaction, and 24 MSP-1 gene types were defined as unique combinations of allelic types in each variable block. Ten different MSP-1 types were identified in Brazil, 23 in Vietnam and 13 in Tanzania. The proportion of genetically mixed infections (isolates with carrying more one MSP-1 version) ranged from 39 per cent in Brazil to 44 per cent in Vietnam and 60 per cent in Tanzania. The vast majority (90 per cent) of the typed parasite populations from Brazil and Tanzania belonged to the same seven most frequent MSP-1 gene types. In contrast, these seven types corresponded to only 61 per cent of the typed parasite populations from Vietnam. Non-random associations were found between allelic types in blocks 4a and 6 among Vietnamese isolates, the same pattern being observed in independent studies performed in 1994, 1995 and 1996. These results suggest that MSP-1 is under selective pressure in the local parasite population. Nevertheless, the finding that similar MSP-1 type frequencies were found in 1994 and 1996 argues against the prominence of short-term frequency-dependent immune selection of MSP-1 polymorphisms. Non-random associations between MSP-1 allelic types, however, were not detected among isolates from Brazil and Tanzania. A preliminary analysis of the distribution od MSP-1 gene types per host among isolates from Tanzania, but not among those from Brazil and Vietnam, shows significant deviation from that expected under the null hypothesis of independent distribution of parasites carrying different gene types in the human hosts. Some epidemiological consequences of these findings are discussed.

Perception of post traumatic stress disorder symptoms by children of Puerto Rican Vietnam veterans

The purpose of this exploratory-descriptive study was to determine the extent children observed Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms in their fathers and whether they exhibited similar symptoms. The sample consisted of 60 Puerto Rican children of Vietnam veterans diagnosed with PTSD. A self-administered PTSD Symptoms Measure was developed to determine the extent of parental and children behavioral indicators of PTSD. Findings indicate that the majority of the children in this study reported perceiving the PTSD symptoms of their fathers and they also reported exhibiting the symptoms themselves. Children who identified more PTSD symptoms in their fathers tended to report greater PTSD symptoms in themselves

Aspectos conceptuales de dispensarización: trabajo referativo / Conceptual aspects of dispensarization: referable paper

Se presentan los aspectos que definen la dispensarización, su objetivo y origen. Se analiza la evolución de la actividad desde su creación hasta la actualidad en la URSS. Se expone como se comporta la misma en Bulgaria, RDA, Hungria. Polonia, Mongolia, Checoslovaquia, Viet-Nam, Kampuchea, Nicaragua y Cuba. Se resalta la importancia de la actividad y se plantea que la misma aparece reflejada en las resoluciones de los congresos de los partidos de los diversos países analizados, así como los lineamientos económicos de cada país. Se refiere el documento adoptado en la XVII Conferencia de MInistros de Salud de los países socialistas y se concluye con las consideraciones finales que la dispensarización es un método universal para la salud socialista y cuyos procedimientos son particulares de cada país y dependen de las condiciones que el desarrollo socioeconómico les impone