Association between body mass index and body fat measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry(DXA)in China:a systematic review and meta-analysis / 《全球健康杂志（英文）》

Objective:We examined the association between body mass index(BMI)and body fat percentage(BF％)measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry(DXA)among adults and children in China.Methods:We searched four databases-PubMed,China National Knowledge Infrastructure,Wanfang,and Vip for studies published in the past 22 years.Meta-analysis was conducted using random-or fixed-effect models.Results:In total of 21 studies met inclusion criteria and were included in review,and 17 ot them in meta-analysis.They were conducted across China.Their sample size ranged from 62 to 5 726,and participants'age ranged from 6-80 years.Meta-analysis revealed strong associations between BMI and BF％measured by DXA in adults(pooled r=0.71,95％CI:0.66 to 0.74)and children(pooled r=0.60,95％CI:0.52 to 0.68).The association was stronger in Northern China than in East China in children(β=-0.40,95％CI:-0.65 to-0.14)and in Central China in adults(β=-0.25;95％CI:-0.51 to-0.01).Urban children's BMI was strongly associated with BF％than rural(β=0.19;95％CI:0.04 to 0.35),whereas it was stronger in adults living in rural than in urban(β=-0.35;95％CI:-0.66 to-0.05).Conclusions:BMI was strongly associated with BF％measured by DXA,and the association in children and adults in China varied by residence and region.

Mathematical models to describe the growth curves of Vietnamese Ri chicken / Modelos matemáticos para descrever as curvas de crescimento do frango Ri vietnamita

Ri chicken is the most popular backyard chicken breed in Vietnam, but little is known about the growth curve of this breed. This study compared the performances of models with three parameters (Gompertz, Brody, and Logistic) and models containing four parameters (Richards, Bridges, and Janoschek) for describing the growth of Ri chicken. The bodyweight of Ri chicken was recorded weekly from week 1 to week 19. Growth models were fitted using minpack.lm package in R software and Akaike’s information criterion (AIC), Bayesian information criterion (BIC), and root mean square error (RMSE) were used for model comparison. Based on these criteria, the models having four parameters showed better performance than the ones with three parameters, and the Richards model was the best one for males and females. The lowest and highest value of asymmetric weights (α) were obtained by Bridges and Brody models for each of sexes, respectively. Age and weight estimated by the Richard model were 8.46 and 7.51 weeks and 696.88 and 487.58 g for males and for females, respectively. Differences in the growth curves were observed between males and female chicken. Overall, the results suggested using the Richards model for describing the growth curve of Ri chickens. Further studies on the genetics and genomics of the obtained growth parameters are required before using them for the genetic improvement of Ri chickens.

O frango Ri é a raça de frango de quintal mais popular do Vietnã, mas pouco se sabe sobre a curva de crescimento dessa raça. Este estudo comparou o desempenho de modelos com três parâmetros (Gompertz, Brody e Logistic) e modelos contendo quatro parâmetros (Richards, Bridges e Janoschek) para descrever o crescimento do frango Ri. O peso corporal do frango Ri foi registrado semanalmente da semana 1 à semana 19. Os modelos de crescimento foram ajustados usando o pacote minpack.lm no software R e o critério de informação de Akaike (AIC); critério de informação bayesiano (BIC) e erro quadrático médio (RMSE) foram usados para comparação de modelos. Com base nesses critérios, os modelos com quatro parâmetros apresentaram melhor desempenho do que os com três parâmetros, sendo o modelo de Richards o melhor para homens e mulheres. O menor e o maior valor dos pesos assimétricos (α) foram obtidos pelos modelos Bridges e Brody para cada um dos sexos, respectivamente. A idade e o peso estimados pelo modelo de Richard foram de 8,46 e 7,51 semanas e 696,88 e 487,58 g para homens e mulheres, respectivamente. Diferenças nas curvas de crescimento foram observadas entre frangos machos e fêmeas. No geral, os resultados sugeriram o uso do modelo de Richards para descrever a curva de crescimento de frangos Ri. Mais estudos sobre a genética e genômica dos parâmetros de crescimento obtidos são necessários antes de usá-los para o melhoramento genético de frangos Ri.

Mathematical models to describe the growth curves of Vietnamese Ri chicken

Abstract Ri chicken is the most popular backyard chicken breed in Vietnam, but little is known about the growth curve of this breed. This study compared the performances of models with three parameters (Gompertz, Brody, and Logistic) and models containing four parameters (Richards, Bridges, and Janoschek) for describing the growth of Ri chicken. The bodyweight of Ri chicken was recorded weekly from week 1 to week 19. Growth models were fitted using minpack.lm package in R software and Akaikes information criterion (AIC), Bayesian information criterion (BIC), and root mean square error (RMSE) were used for model comparison. Based on these criteria, the models having four parameters showed better performance than the ones with three parameters, and the Richards model was the best one for males and females. The lowest and highest value of asymmetric weights () were obtained by Bridges and Brody models for each of sexes, respectively. Age and weight estimated by the Richard model were 8.46 and 7.51 weeks and 696.88 and 487.58 g for males and for females, respectively. Differences in the growth curves were observed between males and female chicken. Overall, the results suggested using the Richards model for describing the growth curve of Ri chickens. Further studies on the genetics and genomics of the obtained growth parameters are required before using them for the genetic improvement of Ri chickens.

Resumo O frango Ri é a raça de frango de quintal mais popular do Vietnã, mas pouco se sabe sobre a curva de crescimento dessa raça. Este estudo comparou o desempenho de modelos com três parâmetros (Gompertz, Brody e Logistic) e modelos contendo quatro parâmetros (Richards, Bridges e Janoschek) para descrever o crescimento do frango Ri. O peso corporal do frango Ri foi registrado semanalmente da semana 1 à semana 19. Os modelos de crescimento foram ajustados usando o pacote minpack.lm no software R e o critério de informação de Akaike (AIC); critério de informação bayesiano (BIC) e erro quadrático médio (RMSE) foram usados para comparação de modelos. Com base nesses critérios, os modelos com quatro parâmetros apresentaram melhor desempenho do que os com três parâmetros, sendo o modelo de Richards o melhor para homens e mulheres. O menor e o maior valor dos pesos assimétricos () foram obtidos pelos modelos Bridges e Brody para cada um dos sexos, respectivamente. A idade e o peso estimados pelo modelo de Richard foram de 8,46 e 7,51 semanas e 696,88 e 487,58 g para homens e mulheres, respectivamente. Diferenças nas curvas de crescimento foram observadas entre frangos machos e fêmeas. No geral, os resultados sugeriram o uso do modelo de Richards para descrever a curva de crescimento de frangos Ri. Mais estudos sobre a genética e genômica dos parâmetros de crescimento obtidos são necessários antes de usá-los para o melhoramento genético de frangos Ri.

Mathematical models to describe the growth curves of Vietnamese Ri chicken / Modelos matemáticos para descrever as curvas de crescimento do frango Ri vietnamita

Abstract Ri chicken is the most popular backyard chicken breed in Vietnam, but little is known about the growth curve of this breed. This study compared the performances of models with three parameters (Gompertz, Brody, and Logistic) and models containing four parameters (Richards, Bridges, and Janoschek) for describing the growth of Ri chicken. The bodyweight of Ri chicken was recorded weekly from week 1 to week 19. Growth models were fitted using minpack.lm package in R software and Akaike's information criterion (AIC), Bayesian information criterion (BIC), and root mean square error (RMSE) were used for model comparison. Based on these criteria, the models having four parameters showed better performance than the ones with three parameters, and the Richards model was the best one for males and females. The lowest and highest value of asymmetric weights (α) were obtained by Bridges and Brody models for each of sexes, respectively. Age and weight estimated by the Richard model were 8.46 and 7.51 weeks and 696.88 and 487.58 g for males and for females, respectively. Differences in the growth curves were observed between males and female chicken. Overall, the results suggested using the Richards model for describing the growth curve of Ri chickens. Further studies on the genetics and genomics of the obtained growth parameters are required before using them for the genetic improvement of Ri chickens.

Resumo O frango Ri é a raça de frango de quintal mais popular do Vietnã, mas pouco se sabe sobre a curva de crescimento dessa raça. Este estudo comparou o desempenho de modelos com três parâmetros (Gompertz, Brody e Logistic) e modelos contendo quatro parâmetros (Richards, Bridges e Janoschek) para descrever o crescimento do frango Ri. O peso corporal do frango Ri foi registrado semanalmente da semana 1 à semana 19. Os modelos de crescimento foram ajustados usando o pacote minpack.lm no software R e o critério de informação de Akaike (AIC); critério de informação bayesiano (BIC) e erro quadrático médio (RMSE) foram usados ​​para comparação de modelos. Com base nesses critérios, os modelos com quatro parâmetros apresentaram melhor desempenho do que os com três parâmetros, sendo o modelo de Richards o melhor para homens e mulheres. O menor e o maior valor dos pesos assimétricos (α) foram obtidos pelos modelos Bridges e Brody para cada um dos sexos, respectivamente. A idade e o peso estimados pelo modelo de Richard foram de 8,46 e 7,51 semanas e 696,88 e 487,58 g para homens e mulheres, respectivamente. Diferenças nas curvas de crescimento foram observadas entre frangos machos e fêmeas. No geral, os resultados sugeriram o uso do modelo de Richards para descrever a curva de crescimento de frangos Ri. Mais estudos sobre a genética e genômica dos parâmetros de crescimento obtidos são necessários antes de usá-los para o melhoramento genético de frangos Ri.

Ethyl Acetate Extract of Helicteres hirsuta Suppresses MCF-7 Human Breast Cancer Cell Mobility

Objective: To investigate the anticancer activity of Helicteres hirsuta (H. hirsute) extract against a breast cancer cell line- MCF7. Methods: H. hirsute was extracted in absolute methanol. Further, the crude extract was further partitioned in n-hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate. The total phenolic and flavonoid content were determined by using spectroscopic methods with gallic acid and quercetin standard compounds, respectively. Anticancer activities of H. hirsuta extract was elucidated by MTT, wound headling, and transwell invasion assays. Results: Total phenolic compounds in H. hirsute extracts reached 22.07 � 2.54, 58.57 5.54 and 235.56 � 7.54 mg GAE/g in each n hexan, chloroform, ethyl acetate fractions, respectively. Whereas the ethyl acetate fraction showed the greatest phenolic contents with 235.56 � 7.54 mg GAE/g. Moreover, the flavonoid contents of H. hirsute extracts reached 5.76 � 0.94, 9.25 � 1.84 and 19.37 � 2.57 mg quercetin equivalent/g in each n hexan, chloroform, ethyl acetate fractions, respectively, in which, the ethyl acetate fraction also showed the highest amounts of flavonoid contents. Further, the ethyl acetate of H. hirsute significantly decreased the viability of breast cancer MCF7 cells after 48 h treatment with IC50 value of 95 � 2.54 compared to control. In addition, the ethyl acetate extract of H. hirsute suppressed the invasion and migration of MCF7 cell lines in a dose-dependent manner at non-toxic concentrations. Conclusions: The ethyl acetate of H. hirsute suppressed the growth and motility of breast cancer MCF7 cells.

Residual efficacy of deltamethrin applied to foliage against Malaysian Aedes aegypti (L.) and Aedes albopictus (Skuse)

@#The spraying of insecticide on foliage to provide an insecticidal barrier may serve as part of the vector control measures to combat the increasing threat of Aedes-borne diseases. The effectiveness of insecticide barrier spraying was evaluated by assessing the residual efficacy of deltamethrin sprayed on foliage against Malaysian Ae. aegypti (L.) and Ae. albopictus (Skuse). In this semi-field study, landscape plants grown within the vicinity of the Institute for Medical Research (IMR), Malaysia, were treated with deltamethrin suspension concentrate (SC) with the dosage of 30 mg/m2 and 50 mg/m2 in three rounds of spraying. Deltamethrin residual activity on treated and untreated leaves was investigated using standard WHO cone bioassays. Wild Aedes populations at both deltamethrin-treated and untreated plant clusters were monitored by ovitrap surveillance. Ovitrap monitoring revealed that the mean number of Ae. albopictus larvae at deltamethrin-treated were significantly lower than the mean number of larvae of the same species at the untreated plant cluster. Cone bioassay results showed that the insecticide remained effective for up to 4 weeks (> 80% mortality), but the insecticide residual activity was affected by rainfall. These results suggest that insecticide barrier spraying is a promising tool and may be used along with other mosquito control tools such as indoor residual spray and space spraying to reduce the dengue burden.

Characteristics of severe malaria in hospitalized children in Ho Chi Minh City from 2012 to 2019

@#In Vietnam, severe malaria is currently rare but is a life-threatening disease. It may be misdiagnosed with other common diseases. This descriptive study aimed to characterize severe malaria and its clinical aspects, as well as outcomes of infected pediatric patients to improve case management. The case-series study was carried out based on medical records of children aged between one month and 15 years with malaria diagnosed by blood smear or rapid diagnostic test. Chi-squared test with the p values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. There were 47 cases enrolled in the study. The prevalence of severe malaria was 29.8% (57.1% in children under five). The morbidity was 71.4% in male and 28.6% in female. Common clinical signs of severe malaria were fever (100%), severe anemia (21.4%), hepatomegaly (85.7%), and splenomegaly (71.4%). Common biological abnormalities in severe malaria were anemia, thrombocytopenia, increased liver enzymes, and high CRP level. The severe malaria was mainly caused by P. falciparum (100%). The age range for those infected with P. falciparum was 6.5 ± 4.5 years (min 0.3; max 14.9). The successful rate of treatment was 92.9% with artesunate. Antimalarial treatment time was 9.0 (6 – 12) days for severe malaria, which was twice as many as that for non-severe malaria (p = 0.067). The current clinical and biological findings of severe malaria are different from those in previous times, which make it easy to be overlooked. Therefore, it’s important to perform malaria diagnostic tests when there’re clinical suggestions of severe malaria, including fever, hepatomegaly or splenomegaly.

Antimicrobial activity of the essential oils from the leaves and stems of Amomum rubidum Lamxay & N. S. Lý / Actividad antimicrobiana de los aceites esenciales de las hojas y tallos de Amomum rubidum Lamxay & N. S. Lý

This paper described the chemical compositions and antimicrobial activity of the essential oils from the leaves and stem of Amomum rubidumLamxay & N. S. Lý, collected from Bidoup Nui Ba National Park, Lam Dong, Vietnam. The essential oils were obtained by hydrodisitllation method while antimicrobial activity was evaluetd by microdilution broth susceptibility assay. The main constituents of the leaf essential oil were identified as 1,8-cineole (37.7%), δ-3-carene (19.5%) and limonene (16.3%) while δ-3-carene (21.9%), limonene (17.8%) and ß-phellandrene (14.6%) dominated in the stem essentialoil. The leaf and stem essential oils displayed stronger inhibition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa with MIC of 25 µg/mLand 50 µg/mL respectively. The stem essential oil was active against Candida albicans (MIC, 50 µg/mL) while both essential oils inhibited the growth of Fusarium oxysporum (MIC 50 µg/mL). This is the first report on chemical constituents and antimicrobial activity of the essential oils of A. rubidum.

Este artículo describe la composición química y la actividad antimicrobiana de aceites esenciales de las hojas y el tallo de Amomum rubidum Lamxay & N. S. Lý recolectados del Parque Nacional Bidoup Nui Ba, Lam Dong, Vietnam. Los aceites esenciales se obtuvieron mediante el método de hidrodisitilación, mientras que la actividad antimicrobiana se evaluó mediante un ensayo de susceptibilidad de caldo de microdilución. Los principales componentes del aceite esencial de la hoja se identificaron como 1,8-cineol (37,7%), δ-3-careno (19,5%) y limoneno (16,3%), mientras que δ-3-careno (21,9%), limoneno (17,8 %) y ß-felandreno (14,6%) dominaron en el aceite esencial del tallo. Los aceites esenciales de hoja y tallo mostraron una inhibición más fuerte de Pseudomonas aeruginosa con un MIC de 25 µg/mL y 50 µg/mL, respectivamente. El aceite esencial del tallo fue activo contra Candida albicans (MIC, 50 µg/mL) mientras que ambos aceites esenciales inhibieron el crecimiento de Fusarium oxysporum (MIC 50 µg/mL). Este es el primer informe sobre los componentes químicos y la actividad antimicrobiana de los aceites esenciales de A. rubidum.

Antibiofilm activity of alpha-mangostin loaded nanoparticles against Streptococcus mutans

Objective: To investigate the antibiofilm activity of alpha-mangostin (AMG) loaded nanoparticle (nanoAMG) against dental caries pathogen Streptococcus mutans. Methods: AMG was isolated from the peels of Garcinia mangostana L. using silica gel columns and chemically analysed by high performance liquid chromatography and nuclear magnetic resonance. NanoAMG was prepared using the solvent evaporation method combined with high-speed homogenization. The nanoparticles were characterized using dynamic light scattering, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The toxicity of nanoAMG in fibroblast NIH/3T3 cell line was determined using MTT method. The antibiofilm effect of nanoAMG was determined through the evaluation of biofilm formation by Streptococcus mutans using a 96-well plate. Biofilm biomass was quantified using crystal violet. Cell viability was observed under confocal microscopy using LIVE/DEAD BacLight staining. Moreover, gene expression was determined by quantitative real-time PCR and membrane permeabilization activity by measuring the uptake of o-nitrophenol-β-D-galactoside. Results: NanoAMG size was in a range of 10-50 nm with a polydispersity index of < 0.3 and zeta potential value of -35.2 mV. The size and the incorporation of AMG in the nanoparticles were confirmed by FE-SEM and FTIR analyses. The IC50 values of the test agents on NIH/3T3 cells were (9.80 ± 0.63) μg/mL for AMG and (8.70 ± 0.81) μg/mL for nanoAMG, while no toxicity was generated from excipients used to prepare nanoparticles. In the early stage of biofilm formation, treatment with 6.25 μmol/L nanoAMG caused a reduction in biofilm biomass up to 49.1％, compared to 33.4％ for AMG. In contrast, biofilms at the late stage were more resistant to the test agents. At 96 μmol/L (= 10 × MIC), nanoAMG reduced only 20.7％ of biofilm biomass while AMG did not show any effect. Expressions of gtfB and gtfC genes involved in biofilm formation were down-regulated 3.3 and 12.5 folds, respectively, compared to AMG (2.4 and 7.6 folds, respectively). LIVE/DEAD BacLight fluorescence staining and microscopy observation indicated that biofilm cells were killed by both nanoAMG andAMG at 48 μmol/L (= 5 × MIC). In addition, membrane permeabilization activity was increased in a time dependent manner and higher in nanoAMG treated cells compared toAMG.Conclusions: AMG coated nanoparticle can enhance AMG bioactivity and can be used as a new and promising antibiofilm agent.

Quantitative Determination And Preparative Isolation Of Two Major Alkaloids From The Vietnamese Medicinal Herb Evodiae Fructus

Objective: To develop a simple and accurate HPLC-DAD method for simultaneous determination, the content of major components: limonin, evodiamine, and rutaecarpine in Evodiae fructus and evaluation the quality of Evodiae fructus sold in markets. Methods: Open column chromatography was used to separate and purify rutaecarpine and evodiamine, the two major alkaloids from Evodiae fructus extract as a laboratory standard. Chromatographic separation was achieved using a Germini C18 column (150 mm × 4.6 mm I.D., 5 µm), detected at 210 nm. The mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile (A), methanol (B), and water (C). The validated method simultaneously determined alkaloid content in 40 batches of samples collected from markets in different regions of Vietnam. Results: In one-step purification, our method yielded 326 mg of rutaecarpine and 128 mg of evodiamine from 3.2 g of crude extract, with purities of 98.9 and 98.5%, respectively. The structures of these compounds were identified using 1H NMR and 13C NMR. There was a significant correlation between alkaloid content and fruit size, with a Spearman correlation coefficient of>0.5 (p<0.001), and there was a large difference in alkaloid contents between three maturity degrees of the fruit. Open-mouth fruits and fruits with average sizes of 4 to 6 mm had the highest alkaloid contents, whereas closed-mouth fruits had the lowest. Conclusion: This study provided information on the standardization and quality control of evodiamine and rutaecarpine in Evodiae fructus, as well as a foundation for further pharmacological and toxicological studies.

Species composition and level of infestation of cockroaches in three areas in Hanoi

A study on the species composition and the level of infestation of cockroaches was carried out from April 2013 to October 2014 in three localities of Hanoi, Vietnam, namely the Lan Ong-Old Town, Linh Dam condominium and Tan Da Resort. Out of the 187 units of premises examined, 44.9% of units were infested with cockroaches. A total of 576 cockroaches were trapped, of which six species were identified: Periplaneta americana (L.) was the most dominant species (72.1%), followed by Blattella germanica (L.) (14.8%), Pycnoscelus surinamensis (L.) (7.3%), Periplaneta australasiae (Fabricius) (2.9%), Periplaneta fuliginosa (Serville) (1.9%) and Supella longipalpa (Fabricius) (1.0%). Infestation was the highest in Lan Ong (74.0%), followed by Linh Dam (40.5%) and Tan Da (25.9%). Cockroaches were abundantly found in warehouses (100%), electrical distribution room (56.3%), and kitchens (46.7%).

Novel identification and characterisation of Transient receptor potential melastatin 3 ion channels on Natural Killer cells and B lymphocytes: effects on cell signalling in Chronic fatigue syndrome/Myalgic encephalomyelitis patients

BACKGROUND: Transient receptor potential melastatin 3 (TRPM3) cation channels are ubiquitously expressed by multiple cells and have an important regulatory role in calcium-dependent cell signalling to help maintain cellular homeostasis. TRPM3 protein expression has yet to be determined on Natural Killer (NK) cells and B lymphocytes. Multiple single nucleotide polymorphisms have been reported in TRPM3 genes from isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells, NK and B cells in Chronic fatigue syndrome/Myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) patients and have been proposed to correlate with illness presentation. The object of the study was to assess TRPM3 surface expression on NK and B lymphocytes from healthy controls, followed by a comparative investigation examining TRPM3 surface expression, and cytoplasmic and mitochondrial calcium influx in CD19+ B cells, CD56bnght and CD56dim cell populations from CFS/ME patients. RESULTS: TRPM3 cell surface expression was identified for NK and B lymphocytes in healthy controls (CD56bright TRPM3 35.72 % ± 7.37; CD56dim 5.74 % ± 2.00; B lymphocytes 2.05 % ± 0.19, respectively). There was a significant reduction of TRPM3 surface expression on CD19+ B cells (1.56 ± 0.191) and CD56bright NK cells (17.37 % ± 5.34) in CFS/ME compared with healthy controls. Anti-CD21 and anti-IgM conjugated biotin was cross-linked with streptavidin,and subsequently treatment with thapsigargin. This showed a significant reduction in cytoplasmic calcium ion concentration in CD19+ B lymphocytes. CD56bright NK cells also had a significant decrease in cytoplasmic calcium in the presence of 2-APB and thapsigargin in CFS/ME patients. CONCLUSIONS: The results from this preliminary investigation identify, for the first time, TRPM3 surface expression on both NK and B lymphocytes in healthy controls. We also report for the first time, significant reduction in TRPM3 cell surface expression in NK and B lymphocytes, as well as decreased intracellular calcium within specific conditions in CFS/ME patients. This warrants further examination of these pathways to elucidate whether TRPM3 and impaired calcium mobilisation has a role in CFS/ME.

Constituents of essential oils from the leaves, stems and roots of Zingiber gramineum and Zingiber rufopilosum / Los constituyentes de los aceites esenciales de las hojas, tallos y raíces de Zingiber gramineum y Zingiber rufopilosum

The chemical constituents of essential oils obtained from leaves, stems and roots of Zingiber gramineum Noronha ex Blume and Zingiber rufopilosum Gagnep collected from Vietnam have been studied. The determination of essential oil components was performed by Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID) and Gas Chromatography- Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The main constituents of the leaves oil of Zingiber gramineum were zingiberene (19.5 percent), beta-cubebene (12.9 percent), beta-sesquiphellandrene (12.9 percent) and beta-elemene (11.6 percent) while the stems oil was dominated by benzyl benzoate (22.6 percewnt), beta-elemene (9.7 percent) and beta-selinene (8.8 percent). However, upsilon-terpinene (17.9 percent), alpha-terpinene (17.1 percent), terpinen-4-ol (13.0 percent) and 1,8-cineole (12.8 percent) were the present in the root oil. In addition, beta-agarofuran (13.7 percent), alpha-humulene (8.8 percent) and alpha-pinene (8.7 percent) were the main compounds identified in the leaves of Zingiber rufopilosum. The stems comprised of alpha-cadinol (15.1 percent), beta-muurolol (12.1 percent) and endo-1-bourbonanol (9.9 percent) while (E,E)-farnesol (11.6 percent), alpha-pinene (10.0 percent), bornyl acetate (6.6 percent) and beta-pinene (6.2 percent) were the significant compounds of the root oil. This is the first report on the volatile compositions of these plant species.

El presente estudio se llevó a cabo para evaluar el efecto del extracto metanólico acuoso a partir de los componentes químicos de los aceites esenciales obtenidos de las hojas, tallos y raíces de Zingiber gramineum Noronha ex Blume y Zingiber rufopilosum Gagnep recogidos de Vietnam. La determinación de componentes de aceites esenciales se realizó por cromatografía de gases-detector de ionización de llama (GC-FID) y cromatografía de gases espectrometría de masas (GC-MS). Los principales componentes del aceite de hojas de Zingiber gramineum fueron zingibereno (19,5 por ciento), beta-cubebene (12,9 por ciento), beta-sesquiphellandrene (12,9 por ciento) y beta-elemene (11,6 por ciento), mientras que el aceite de tallos fue dominada por benzoato de bencilo (22,6 por ciento), beta-elemene (9,7 por ciento) y beta-selineno (8,8 por ciento). Sin embargo, ipsilon-terpineno (17,9 por ciento), alfa-terpineno (17,1 por ciento), terpinen-4-ol (13,0 por ciento) y 1,8-cineol (12,8 por ciento) fueron los presentes en el aceite de la raíz. Además, beta-agarofuran (13,7 por ciento), alfa-humuleno (8,8 por ciento) y alfa-pineno (8,7 por ciento) fueron los principales compuestos identificados en las hojas de Zingiber rufopilosum. Los tallos componen de alfa-cadinol (15,1 por ciento), beta-muurolol (12,1 por ciento) y endo-1-bourbonanol (9,9 por ciento), mientras que (E, E)-farnesol (11,6 por ciento), alfa-pineno (10,0 por ciento), acetato de bornilo (6,6 por ciento) y beta-pineno (6,2 por ciento) fueron los compuestos significativos del aceite de la raíz. Este es el primer informe sobre las composiciones volátiles de estas especies de plantas.

The correlation between contamination of soil with Ascaris sp. eggs in school yards and ascariasis among primary school children in Mai Trung Commune, Northern Vietnam

Four hundred and six soil samples collected from five schoolyards in Mai Trung Commune, Bac Giang Province, Northern Vietnam, from 2005 to 2007 were examined for helminth eggs using a sucrose centrifugal flotation method. The soils around latrines was found to be heavily contaminated with <I>Ascaris</I> sp. eggs. The contamination rate of Ascaris sp. eggs at each school and prevalence of ascariasis among the school children showed a positive correlation (P&It;0.05). This indicated that examination of soil from the area around latrines for <I>Ascaris</I> sp. eggs is a useful method to estimate the prevalence of ascariasis among school children.

The fear of awful smell: risk perceptions among farmers in Vietnam using wastewater and human excreta in agriculture.

Vietnamese farmers' health-risk awareness, knowledge, and practices related to their use of wastewater and human excreta was investigated in an anthropological study by a multidisciplinary team in peri-urban Hanoi and Nghe An Province. Farmers identified health risks associated with their use of excreta and wastewater, but they viewed these as unavoidable risks related to production. They perceived the health risks as different for the use of wastewater and human feces. They perceived health risks from wastewater as non-serious because it remained on the skin and only caused skin problems, but they considered health risks from non-composted smelly feces serious because it entered the body through 'polluted' air. Most farmers were more aware of threats to health from 'dirt' entering the domestic environment than of the health risks during their work. The concept of 'dirt' should be separated from understanding of germs, viruses, and parasites so that it is understood that things that carrying health risks cannot always be identified by their 'dirtiness' or smell. Farmers mainly considered hygiene and health as women's issues. Men's responsibility for the health and hygiene of the family should therefore be emphasized.

Oral and constitutional manifestations of HIV-infected hospital patients in Northern Vietnam.

This study reports clinical features, with emphasis on oral lesions and constitutional signs, of 170 patients in a regional hospital in northern Vietnam, of whom 56 were HIV positive. The purpose of the study was to investigate the relationship of oral hairy leukoplakia (OHL) and oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC) with HIV infection and late stage HIV disease. Late stage HIV disease was defined as WHO stage III or IV and/or a total lymphocyte count below 1200 cells/mm3. The 56 HIV positive patients included all patients with a positive HIV test between July 7th and September 9th 2002. A total of 114 HIV negative controls were included as well. All patients had a detailed medical history and examination as well as a thorough oral examination, which were all done without prior knowledge of the patient's HIV serostatus. HIV positive patients were then grouped according to WHO clinical stage and total lymphocyte count. Thirty-six patients (64.3%) out of 56 HIV positives were in WHO stage III+IV and 28 patients (50.0%) had a total lymphocyte count below 1200 cells/mm3. The presence of OPC, weight loss of more than 10% of body weight and/or chronic fever of more than one month's duration showed a significant association and high positive prediction with HIV infection, especially late stage HIV disease [all with odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI > 1)]. The presence of OHL only showed a significant association with positive HIV serostatus and WHO stage III+IV. It can be concluded that in North Vietnam, HIV positive patients and patients suspected of having HIV infection would benefit from initial and repeat oral examinations. OPC, together with other signs of progressive infection (constitutional signs, such as weight loss and chronic fever) may serve as indicators for institution of prophylactic drugs against opportunistic infections and even antiretroviral (ARV) therapy, when available. However, further research is needed to demonstrate the role of OHL in HIV patients in North Vietnam.

Incidence of postpartum infection after vaginal delivery in Viet Nam.

This study assessed the incidence of postpartum infection which is rarely clinically evaluated and is probably underestimated in developing countries. This prospective study identified infection after vaginal delivery by clinical and laboratory examinations prior to discharge from hospital and again at six weeks postpartum in Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam. Textbook definitions, physicians' diagnoses, symptomatic and verbal autopsy definitions were used for classifying infection. Logistic regression was used for determining associations of postpartum infection with socioeconomic and reproductive characteristics. In total, 978 consecutive, eligible consenting women were followed up at 42+/-7 (range 2-45) days postpartum (not associated with incidence). Ninety-eight percent took 'prophylactic' antibiotics. The most conservative estimate of the incidence of postpartum infection was 1.7%. The incidence of serious infection was 0.5%, but increased to 4.6% when verbal autopsy and symptomatic definitions were used. Postpartum infection, particularly serious infection, is greatly underestimated. Just preventing or treating infection could have a substantial impact on reducing maternal mortality in developing countries.

Microarthropod community structures (Oribatei and Collembola) in Tam Dao National Park, Vietnam.

A study on the microarthropod community with special reference to species diversity of Oribatid and Collembola communities (Microarthropoda: Oribatei and Collembola) in Tam Dao National Park of Vietnam, a subtropical evergreen broad leaf alpine forest, was undertaken with the aim to explain how they are related to forest decline, and whether they can be used as bioindicators of forest plant succession. The results have shown that microarthropod community structures, particularly species diversity of oribatid and collembolan communities, are related to forest decline. Therefore they can be used as bioindicators of forest plant succession. In Tam Dao National Park, there was an inverse relation between species diversity of the oribatid and Collembola communities. The species diversity of the oribatid community gradually decreased with forest decline whereas the species diversity of the Collembola community gradually increased.

Pharmaceutical sector in transition--a cross sectional study in Vietnam.

Increasing efforts are being made to improve pharmaceutical sector performance in low- and middle-income countries. An essential tool for such work is an objective and standard method of assessment which can be used to promote evidenced based National Drug Policy development and implementation. The average drug expenditure per capita has steadily increased in Vietnam and at the time of this study a National Drug Policy was being developed. This study assessed the Vietnamese pharmaceutical sector 1991-1994, focusing on the standard of the drug quality control system, availability of drugs and rational use of essential drugs in the private and public sectors by means of standardised indicators. The results from this study show that the quality control system is impaired and does not have capacity to quality control all drugs on the market. The availability of essential drugs is good whereas essential drugs are poorly prescribed, injections common and there is a high average number of drugs per prescription, both in the public and private sectors. Violations are common and enforcement of regulations weak. On top of this there is an active commercial advertising and marketing of drugs. These findings identify priorities for action to improve the present situation where the development and implementation of the Vietnamese National Drug Policy will be of major importance.

Characteristics of repeat aborters in Vietnam.

Two hundred and sixty married women seeking induced abortion service in Hanoi, Vietnam were interviewed to determine the magnitude of repeat induced abortion and explore selected characteristics of the repeat aborters. Seventy-one percent of the sample reported having had at least one previous induced abortion. After adjustment for age and number of living children, poor attitudes toward contraception, low use of modern contraceptives and failure of contraception were shown to be significantly associated with repeat induced abortion. Woman's age, number of living children, contraceptive knowledge and experience and desire for no more children were positively related to repeat induced abortion. Socio-demographic characteristics were not related to repeat induced abortion. Improvement of attitudes toward contraception, persuasion to use modern contraception and promotion of contraceptive effectiveness are recommended strategies to prevent repeat induced abortion.