COVID-19 vaccination: public preference and intention in Vietnam.

Backgrounds: Understanding public opinion in relation to vaccination is critical, as there are several COVID-19 vaccines approved for use in Vietnam. This study aimed to assess public COVID-19 vaccine preferences and intention in Can Tho, Vietnam. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was performed between September 20 and October 20, 2021. in people aged 18 and over living in Can Tho, Vietnam, A questionnaire captured demographic information, vaccination intention, preference for vaccine selection, and barriers and motivations related to COVID-19 vaccination. Predictors for vaccination willingness among unvaccinated people were determined using multivariable logistic regression. Results: Out of the proposed vaccines that have been approved by the Vietnam Ministry of Health, AstraZeneca (31.4%), Pfizer (23.5%), and Moderna (14.7%) were the most preferred by participants. Out of 1,470 respondents, 35.8% have received at least one vaccine dose, and of these, 76.9% intended to continue to receive vaccinations. Among the unvaccinated, 74.8% reported that they would be willing to complete the vaccination. Most participants stated that they would receive a COVID-19 vaccine if provided with adequate information on effectiveness and safety (92.7%). The possibility of side effects after vaccination (75.4%) was the most important barrier to vaccination. Education, health status, and prior flu-vaccination were associated with the intention to receive a COVID-19 vaccination among those who had not previously received one. Conclusions: Many unvaccinated adults were willing to receive a COVID-19 vaccination, with AstraZeneca being the preferred choice. These findings could help in the planning of vaccination campaigns to increase vaccination uptake in Vietnam.

Perspectives on COVID-19 prevention and treatment using herbal medicine in Vietnam: A cross-sectional study.

Introduction: The significance of herbal medicine (HM) during the COVID-19 pandemic has been confirmed. Nevertheless, limited studies have included the people perspectives on COVID-19 prevention/treatment using herbal medicine in Vietnam. Thus, this study tackled the aforementioned issue. Methods: Online-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Vietnamese adults between February-April 2021. Descriptive analysis, regression and Chi-squared tests were implemented for the statistical purposes. Results: total of 787 respondents attended the study, 368 (46.8%) confirmed that they use herbal medicine/nutritional supplements for COVID-19 prevention/treatment. Over 50% of the respondents possessed positive perspective on vitamin C ingestion. Using herbal medicine for external use as a disinfectant was mostly preferred. Respondents who had a 'very good' health self-perception or who lived in rural areas, were more likely to have a positive opinion in the COVID-19 prevention/treatment using herbal medicine. The main barrier for herbal medicine utilization was the deficiency of personal experience or expert advice. Conclusion: The Vietnamese people commonly utilize herbal medicine for the COVID-19 prevention/treatment. These data might help policy-makers in managing the public knowledge and practice on herbal medicine use in Vietnam.

Curcumin ameliorates autoimmune diabetes. Evidence in accelerated murine models of type 1 diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes (T1DM) is a T cell-mediated autoimmune disease that selectively destroys pancreatic ß cells. The only possible cure for T1DM is to control autoimmunity against ß cell-specific antigens. We explored whether the natural compound curcumin, with anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, might down-regulate the T cell response that destroys pancreatic ß cells to improve disease outcome in autoimmune diabetes. We employed two accelerated autoimmune diabetes models: (i) cyclophosphamide (CYP) administration to non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice and (ii) adoptive transfer of diabetogenic splenocytes into NODscid mice. Curcumin treatment led to significant delay of disease onset, and in some instances prevented autoimmune diabetes by inhibiting pancreatic leucocyte infiltration and preserving insulin-expressing cells. To investigate the mechanisms of protection we studied the effect of curcumin on key immune cell populations involved in the pathogenesis of the disease. Curcumin modulates the T lymphocyte response impairing proliferation and interferon (IFN)-γ production through modulation of T-box expressed in T cells (T-bet), a key transcription factor for proinflammatory T helper type 1 (Th1) lymphocyte differentiation, both at the transcriptional and translational levels. Also, curcumin reduces nuclear factor (NF)-κB activation in T cell receptor (TCR)-stimulated NOD lymphocytes. In addition, curcumin impairs the T cell stimulatory function of dendritic cells with reduced secretion of proinflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide (NO) and low surface expression of co-stimulatory molecules, leading to an overall diminished antigen-presenting cell activity. These in-vitro effects correlated with ex-vivo analysis of cells obtained from curcumin-treated mice during the course of autoimmune diabetes. These findings reveal an effective therapeutic effect of curcumin in autoimmune diabetes by its actions on key immune cells responsible for ß cell death.

Cell-based interventions to halt autoimmunity in type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) results from death of insulin-secreting ß cells mediated by self-immune cells, and the consequent inability of the body to maintain insulin levels for appropriate glucose homeostasis. Probably initiated by environmental factors, this disease takes place in genetically predisposed individuals. Given the autoimmune nature of T1DM, therapeutics targeting immune cells involved in disease progress have been explored over the last decade. Several high-cost trials have been attempted to prevent and/or reverse T1DM. Although a definitive solution to cure T1DM is not yet available, a large amount of information about its nature and development has contributed greatly to both the improvement of patient's health care and design of new treatments. In this study, we discuss the role of different types of immune cells involved in T1DM pathogenesis and their therapeutic potential as targets and/or modified tools to treat patients. Recently, encouraging results and new approaches to sustain remnant ß cell mass and to increase ß cell proliferation by different cell-based means have emerged. Results coming from ongoing clinical trials employing cell therapy designed to arrest T1DM will probably proliferate in the next few years. Strategies under consideration include infusion of several types of stem cells, dendritic cells and regulatory T cells, either manipulated genetically ex vivo or non-manipulated. Their use in combination approaches is another therapeutic alternative. Cell-based interventions, without undesirable side effects, directed to block the uncontrollable autoimmune response may become a clinical reality in the next few years for the treatment of patients with T1DM.

Cochlear implant user perceptions of magnetic resonance imaging.

OBJECTIVES: To characterise opinions about needing to undergo MRI within the population of current cochlear implant (CI) users. BACKGROUND: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of CI users is often associated with severe discomfort and magnet displacement. METHODS: A global online survey of 310 CI users was conducted between 22nd July and 13th September 2020. RESULTS: Only 55% of respondents had been told whether their model of CI could undergo MRI. 31% of respondents considered MRI when deciding whether to receive a CI, and 28% when deciding which CI model to have. 64% reported concerns related to their CI if needing MRI compared to 29% reporting concerns unrelated to their CI. Willingness to undergo MRI reduced when considering magnet removal, splinting, bandaging, local anaesthesia, lasting discomfort, an inability to use their CI, or a reduction in image quality because of their CI. The single most influential factor was the possibility of damaging their CI (63%). 59% of respondents would consider minor surgery to upgrade their retaining magnet to one of a rotating design. DISCUSSION: These findings highlight the heterogeneity of CI users' opinions about MRI. CONCLUSION: We suggest several opportunities for improving the dissemination of current and accurate MRI-related information for CI users.

Large Mucocele of the Appendix Discovered in a 48-Year-Old Male Presenting With Appendicitis: A Case Report.

The appendix is a vermiform-like organ that extends from the cecum and has been thought of as having a rudimentary immunologic function. However, the appendix can become distended and mucus-filled, classifying it as a mucocele appendix. Mucoceles can be found in various locations in the body, including the colon and the appendix, and have malignancy potential. We report a case of a 48-year-old male that presented to the ED with a history of two days of abdominal pain. Upon arriving at the ED, he had a CT scan showing a 9.5 x 4.2 x 6.4 cm fluid collection in the right lower quadrant (RLQ) juxtaposed to the cecum, suggesting appendicitis or an abscess. Initially, a laparoscopic approach was taken, which was then converted to an open laparotomy. The mass was excised and a right hemicolectomy was performed along with an ileocolonic anastomosis due to extensive involvement of the large intestine. Pathology reported a low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm resected with negative margins and 16 negative lymph nodes.

Chronic brain inflammation and persistent herpes simplex virus 1 thymidine kinase expression in survivors of syngeneic glioma treated by adenovirus-mediated gene therapy: implications for clinical trials.

The long-term consequences of adenovirus-mediated conditional cytotoxic gene therapy for gliomas remain uncharacterized. We report here detection of active brain inflammation 3 months after successful inhibition of syngeneic glioma growth. The inflammatory infiltrate consisted of activated macrophages/microglia and astrocytes, and T lymphocytes positive for leucosyalin, CD3 and CD8, and included secondary demyelination. We detected strong widespread herpes simplex virus 1 thymidine kinase immunoreactivity and vector genomes throughout large areas of the brain. Thus, patient evaluation and the design of clinical trials in ongoing and future gene therapy for brain glioblastoma must address not only tumor-killing efficiency, but also long-term active brain inflammation, loss of myelin fibers and persistent transgene expression.

Evaluation of cognitive loads imposed by traditional paper-based and innovative computer-based instructional strategies.

Strategies of presenting instructional information affect the type of cognitive load imposed on the learner's working memory. Effective instruction reduces extraneous (ineffective) cognitive load and promotes germane (effective) cognitive load. Eighty first-year students from two veterinary schools completed a two-section questionnaire that evaluated their perspectives on the educational value of a computer-based instructional program. They compared the difference between cognitive loads imposed by paper-based and computer-based instructional strategies used to teach the anatomy of the canine skeleton. Section I included 17 closed-ended items, rated on a five-point Likert scale, that assessed the use of graphics, content, and the learning process. Section II included a nine-point mental effort rating scale to measure the level of difficulty of instruction; students were asked to indicate the amount of mental effort invested in the learning task using both paper-based and computer-based presentation formats. The closed-ended data were expressed as means and standard deviations. A paired t test with an alpha level of 0.05 was used to determine the overall mean difference between the two presentation formats. Students positively evaluated their experience with the computer-based instructional program with a mean score of 4.69 (SD=0.53) for use of graphics, 4.70 (SD=0.56) for instructional content, and 4.45 (SD=0.67) for the learning process. The mean difference of mental effort (1.50) between the two presentation formats was significant, t=8.26, p≤.0001, df=76, for two-tailed distribution. Consistent with cognitive load theory, innovative computer-based instructional strategies decrease extraneous cognitive load compared with traditional paper-based instructional strategies.

Iontophoretic release of cyclic AMP and dispersion of melanosomes within a single melanophore.

Selective dispersion of melanosomes was often observed after iontophoretic injection of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (AMP) from a glass microelectrode positioned in a target melanophore in frog skin (as viewed from above through a microscope), with other melanophores in the field serving as controls. Because the skin has orderly arrays of several types of closely spaced cells, it is probable that at times the microelectrode also impales cells other than melanophores. When cyclic AMP injection inside a cell resulted in dispersion of melanosomes from a perinuclear position into dendritic processes, the onset of dispersion was relatively rapid, in many cases less than 4 min (mean time of onset, 5.3 +/- 2.9 [SD] min). A much slower dispersion (mean time of onset, 19.0 +/- 5.0 min) of melanosomes was observed when the microelectrode was positioned adjacent to a melanophore, and much larger quantities of cyclic AMP were released. In addition, no changes were observed for injections of 5'-AMP or cyclic guanosine monophosphate (GMP) through electrodes positioned inside or adjacent to melanophores. Potential measurements showed that after impaling a clell, a constant transmembrane potential could often be recorded over many minutes, indicating that the membrane tends to seal around the microelectrode. The results indicate that cyclic AMP acts more rapidly on the inside of a cell than when applied outside a cell and allowed to diffuse through the plasma membrane. This study introduces a model system whereby the properties of the plasma membrane and melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) receptors can be studies within a single target cell.

A 13-kilodalton maize mitochondrial protein in E. coli confers sensitivity to Bipolaris maydis toxin.

The Texas male-sterile cytoplasm (cms-T) of maize carries the cytoplasmically inherited trait of male sterility. Mitochondria isolated from cms-T maize are specifically sensitive to a toxin (BmT-toxin) produced by the fungal pathogen Bipolaris maydis, race T, and the carbamate insecticide methomyl. A mitochondrial gene unique to cms-T maize, which produces a 13-kilodalton polypeptide associated with cytoplasmic male sterility, was expressed in Escherichia coli. After addition of BmT-toxin or methomyl, inhibition of whole cell respiration and swelling of spheroplasts were observed in Escherichia coli cultures producing the novel mitochondrial protein; these effects are similar to those observed with isolated cms-T mitochondria. The amino-terminal region of the 13-kilodalton polypeptide appears to be essential for proper interaction with the BmT-toxin and methomyl. These results implicate the 13-kilodalton polypeptide in conferring toxin sensitivity to mitochondria of cms-T maize.

Adeno-Associated Virus Gene Therapy in a Sheep Model of Tay-Sachs Disease.

Tay-Sachs disease (TSD) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder caused by a deficiency of the enzyme hexosaminidase A (HexA). TSD also occurs in sheep, the only experimental model of TSD that has clinical signs of disease. The natural history of sheep TSD was characterized using serial neurological evaluations, 7 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging, echocardiograms, electrodiagnostics, and cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers. Intracranial gene therapy was also tested using AAVrh8 monocistronic vectors encoding the α-subunit of Hex (TSD α) or a mixture of two vectors encoding both the α and ß subunits separately (TSD α + ß) injected at high (1.3 × 1013 vector genomes) or low (4.2 × 1012 vector genomes) dose. Delay of symptom onset and/or reduction of acquired symptoms were noted in all adeno-associated virus-treated sheep. Postmortem evaluation showed superior HexA and vector genome distribution in the brain of TSD α + ß sheep compared to TSD α sheep, but spinal cord distribution was low in all groups. Isozyme analysis showed superior HexA formation after treatment with both vectors (TSD α + ß), and ganglioside clearance was most widespread in the TSD α + ß high-dose sheep. Microglial activation and proliferation in TSD sheep-most prominent in the cerebrum-were attenuated after gene therapy. This report demonstrates therapeutic efficacy for TSD in the sheep brain, which is on the same order of magnitude as a child's brain.

Phosphoinositide kinases and the synthesis of polyphosphoinositides in higher plant cells.

Phosphoinositides are a family of inositol-containing phospholipids which are present in all eukaryotic cells. Although in most cells these lipids, with the exception of phosphatidylinositol, constitute only a very minor proportion of total cellular lipids, they have received immense attention by researchers in the past 15-20 years. This is due to the discovery that these lipids, rather than just having structural functions, play key roles in a wide range of important cellular processes. Much less is known about the plant phosphoinositides than about their mammalian counterparts. However, it has been established that a functional phosphoinositide system exists in plant cells and it is becoming increasingly clear that inositol-containing lipids are likely to play many important roles throughout the life of a plant. It is not our intention to give an exhaustive overview of all aspects of the field, but rather we focus on the phosphoinositide kinases responsible for the synthesis of all phosphorylated forms of phosphatidylinositol. Also, we mention some of the aspects of current phosphoinositide research which, in our opinion, are most likely to provide a suitable starting point for further research into the role of phosphoinositides in plants.

Effect of exercise and environmental terrain on development of the digital cushion and bony structures of the bovine foot.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether exercise on alternative terrain affects the development of the digital cushion and bony structures of the bovine foot. ANIMALS: 20 weaned bull calves. PROCEDURES: Two-month-old calves were randomly allocated to an exercise or control group. For 4 months, the control group was maintained in grass paddocks, and the exercise group was maintained in a 0.8-km lane with a mixed terrain of dirt, stones (0.32- to 0.95-cm pea gravel and 5-cm crusher run), and grass. Water and food for the exercise group were located at opposite ends of the lane; calves were fed twice daily, which ensured they walked 3.2 km/d. Pedometers were applied to all calves to measure distance traveled. All calves were slaughtered at 6 months of age. The right forefeet and hind feet were harvested for MRI and CT evaluation. RESULTS: Control calves walked a mean of 1.1 km daily, whereas the exercised calves walked a mean of 3.2 km daily. Mean digital cushion volume and surface area were 25,335 mm(3) and 15,647 mm(2), respectively, for the exercised calves and 17,026 mm(3) and 12,745 mm(2), respectively, for the control calves. When weight was controlled, mean digital cushion volume and surface area for the exercise group were increased by 37.10% and 18.25%, respectively, from those for the control group. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results indicated that exercise on alternative terrain increased the volume and surface area of the digital cushion of the feet of dairy calves, which should make them less susceptible to lameness.

Early MAVEN Deep Dip campaign reveals thermosphere and ionosphere variability.

The Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) mission, during the second of its Deep Dip campaigns, made comprehensive measurements of martian thermosphere and ionosphere composition, structure, and variability at altitudes down to ~130 kilometers in the subsolar region. This altitude range contains the diffusively separated upper atmosphere just above the well-mixed atmosphere, the layer of peak extreme ultraviolet heating and primary reservoir for atmospheric escape. In situ measurements of the upper atmosphere reveal previously unmeasured populations of neutral and charged particles, the homopause altitude at approximately 130 kilometers, and an unexpected level of variability both on an orbit-to-orbit basis and within individual orbits. These observations help constrain volatile escape processes controlled by thermosphere and ionosphere structure and variability.

MAVEN observations of the response of Mars to an interplanetary coronal mass ejection.

Coupling between the lower and upper atmosphere, combined with loss of gas from the upper atmosphere to space, likely contributed to the thin, cold, dry atmosphere of modern Mars. To help understand ongoing ion loss to space, the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) spacecraft made comprehensive measurements of the Mars upper atmosphere, ionosphere, and interactions with the Sun and solar wind during an interplanetary coronal mass ejection impact in March 2015. Responses include changes in the bow shock and magnetosheath, formation of widespread diffuse aurora, and enhancement of pick-up ions. Observations and models both show an enhancement in escape rate of ions to space during the event. Ion loss during solar events early in Mars history may have been a major contributor to the long-term evolution of the Mars atmosphere.

In utero gene delivery by intraamniotic injection of a retroviral vector producer cell line in a nonhuman primate model.

In utero gene therapy (IUGT) offers the promise of treating a wide variety of genetic diseases before the development of disease manifestations. The most convenient and potentially easiest method of targeting the fetus is through injection into the amniotic cavity. For long-term correction of genetic defects, retroviral vectors have great potential as a tool for gene therapy strategies. However, retroviral vectors are limited by growth to low titers. In an attempt to increase the amount of vector particles delivered and assess the potential of intraamniotic administration, we injected a retroviral vector producer cell line encoding the lacZ gene into the amniotic fluid of a nonhuman primate model. After birth the infants were analyzed for vector-mediated transduction. Two of four fetuses were successfully transduced, with transgene expression detected in the esophagus, trachea, and stomach. In some sections of tissue, nearly 100% of the cells lining the lumen of these tissues were positive for transduction. Although successful, the limited number of tissues in which transduction was observed led to an in vitro analysis of the effects of amniotic fluid (AF). The presence of amniotic fluid inhibited transduction by 99%. AF affected both the transducing activity of the vector and the health of the packaging cells. The negative effects of AF were gestational age dependent; greater inhibition was observed from AF collected at later stages of pregnancy. The fact that transduction was successful despite these negative effects indicates that this approach is a promising strategy for gene therapy.

Adenovirus-mediated herpes simplex virus type-1 thymidine kinase gene therapy suppresses oestrogen-induced pituitary prolactinomas.

We tested the hypothesis that gene transfer using recombinant adenovirus vectors (RAds) expressing herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase (HSV1-TK) might offer an alternative therapeutic approach for the treatment of pituitary prolactinomas that do not respond to classical treatment strategies. HSV1-TK converts the prodrug ganciclovir (GCV) to GCV monophosphate, which is in turn further phosphorylated by cellular kinases to GCV triphosphate, which is toxic to proliferating cells. One attractive feature of this system is the bystander effect, whereby untransduced cells are also killed. Our results show that RAd/HSV1-TK in the presence of GCV is nontoxic for the normal anterior pituitary (AP) gland in vitro, but causes cell death in the pituitary tumor cell lines GH3, a PRL/GH-secreting cell line, and AtT20, a corticotrophic cell line. We have used sulpiride- and oestrogen-induced lactotroph hyperplasia within the rat AP gland as an in vivo animal model. Intrapituitary infection of rats bearing oestrogen-induced lactotroph hyperplasia, with RAd/ HSV1-TK and subsequent treatment with GCV, decreases plasma PRL levels and reduces the mass of the pituitary gland. More so, there were no deleterious effects on circulating levels of other AP hormones, suggesting that the treatment was nontoxic to the AP gland in situ. In summary, our results show that suicide gene therapy using the HSV1-TK transgene could be further developed as a useful treatment to complement current therapies for prolactinomas.

Hemiballism-hemichorea. Clinical and pharmacologic findings in 21 patients.

In this series of 21 patients with hemiballism-hemichorea we found an identifiable cause in all. Unlike most other studies in which stroke was the most important cause of the movement disorder, in almost half (10 of 21) of our patients some other cause was found. Hemiballism-hemichorea was often the presenting feature of underlying medical disease. Besides the subthalamic nucleus, other subcortical structures may be involved in the pathogenesis of this hemihyperkinesia. While the movement disorder often improves spontaneously or with pharmacologic therapy, the underlying disease may result in serious consequences.

Choreoathetosis as a side effect of gabapentin therapy in severely neurologically impaired patients.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship of gabapentin therapy with choreoathetotic movements in mentally retarded patients treated with intractable epilepsy. DESIGN: Case reports of 2 institutionalized patients who developed choreoathetosis temporally related to adjunctive therapy with gabapentin at dosages of 1200 to 1800 mg/d. RESULTS: Both patients experienced resolution of abnormal movements on discontinuation of the therapy. One patient developed recurrent choreiform movements after drug rechallenge. CONCLUSION: We suggest that, in patients with mental retardation and epilepsy, involuntary movements may either occur as reversible side effects of gabapentin therapy or result from a previously undescribed adverse drug interaction with other antiepileptic agents.

Long-term follow-up of levodopa responsiveness in generalized dystonia.

OBJECTIVES: To assign an accurate diagnosis to patients with dystonia based on the presence of sustained levodopa responsiveness and to determine whether motor fluctuations occur in patients with dystonia who are withheld from levodopa. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with generalized dystonia who responded to treatment in the 1970s with levodopa/carbidopa were surveyed by phone and then examined during a 3-day levodopa holiday. Functional imaging with fluorodopa positron emission tomography was performed on a subset of patients. RESULTS: In the phone interview, 4 of 7 patients with a diagnosis of dopa-responsive dystonia reported the wearing-off effect a short while (within 4-8 hours) after missing a dose of levodopa. Five patients with dopa-responsive dystonia were examined repetitively during levodopa withdrawal, and 3 developed recurrent symptoms of dystonia as the drug was withheld. In each case, worsening of dystonia did not occur until 29 hours or more after levodopa withdrawal, providing evidence for a response profile similar to the long duration response described in Parkinson disease. No significant changes were seen in the dystonia scores of the 3 patients with idiopathic torsion dystonia who were withheld from levodopa. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that the subjective feeling of wearing off experienced by our patients with dopa-responsive dystonia may have been for one of the nonmotor effects of levodopa, such as mood elevation. Our data provide objective evidence for the often-repeated assertion that motor fluctuations (analogous to those in levodopa-treated patients with Parkinson disease) do not occur in patients with dopa-responsive dystonia.