Thermo-priming triggers species-specific physiological and transcriptome responses in Mediterranean seagrasses.

Heat-priming improves plants' tolerance to a recurring heat stress event. The underlying molecular mechanisms of heat-priming are largely unknown in seagrasses. Here, ad hoc mesocosm experiments were conducted with two Mediterranean seagrass species, Posidonia oceanica and Cymodocea nodosa. Plants were first exposed to heat-priming, followed by a heat-triggering event. A comprehensive assessment of plant stress response across different levels of biological organization was performed at the end of the triggering event. Morphological and physiological results showed an improved response of heat-primed P. oceanica plants while in C. nodosa both heat- and non-primed plants enhanced their growth rates at the end of the triggering event. As resulting from whole transcriptome sequencing, molecular functions related to several cellular compartments and processes were involved in the response to warming of non-primed plants, while the response of heat-primed plants involved a limited group of processes. Our results suggest that seagrasses acquire a primed state during the priming event, that eventually gives plants the ability to induce a more energy-effective response when the thermal stress event recurs. Different species may differ in their ability to perform an improved heat stress response after priming. This study provides pioneer molecular insights into the emerging topic of seagrass stress priming and may benefit future studies in the field.

Natural variables separate the endemic areas of Clonorchis sinensis and Opisthorchis viverrini along a continuous, straight zone in Southeast Asia.

BACKGROUND: Clonorchiasis and opisthorchiasis, caused by the liver flukes Clonorchis sinensis and Opisthorchis viverrini respectively, represent significant neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in Asia. The co-existence of these pathogens in overlapping regions complicates effective disease control strategies. This study aimed to clarify the distribution and interaction of these diseases within Southeast Asia. METHODS: We systematically collated occurrence records of human clonorchiasis (n = 1809) and opisthorchiasis (n = 731) across the Southeast Asia countries. Utilizing species distribution models incorporating environmental and climatic data, coupled machine learning algorithms with boosted regression trees, we predicted and distinguished endemic areas for each fluke species. Machine learning techniques, including geospatial analysis, were employed to delineate the boundaries between these flukes. RESULTS: Our analysis revealed that the endemic range of C. sinensis and O. viverrini in Southeast Asia primarily spans across part of China, Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia. During the period from 2000 to 2018, we identified C. sinensis infections in 84 distinct locations, predominantly in southern China (Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region) and northern Vietnam. In a stark contrast, O. viverrini was more widely distributed, with infections documented in 721 locations across Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Critical environmental determinants were quantitatively analyzed, revealing annual mean temperatures ranging between 14 and 20 °C in clonorchiasis-endemic areas and 24-30 °C in opisthorchiasis regions (P < 0.05). The machine learning model effectively mapped a distinct demarcation zone, demonstrating a clear separation between the endemic areas of these two liver flukes with AUC from 0.9 to1. The study in Vietnam delineates the coexistence and geographical boundaries of C. sinensis and O. viverrini, revealing distinct endemic zones and a transitional area where both liver fluke species overlap. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlight the critical role of specific climatic and environmental factors in influencing the geographical distribution of C. sinensis and O. viverrini. This spatial delineation offers valuable insights for integrated surveillance and control strategies, particularly in regions with sympatric transmission. The results underscore the need for tailored interventions, considering regional epidemiological variations. Future collaborations integrating eco-epidemiology, molecular epidemiology, and parasitology are essential to further elucidate the complex interplay of liver fluke distributions in Asia.

Marine fish parasites in the Cat Ba Archipelago, Vietnam: the results of 2010-2023 field surveys.

Between 2010 and 2023, a longitudinal study was undertaken to uncover the diversity of the parasite fauna of marine fishes in the Cat Ba Archipelago, a world biosphere reserve, in Vietnam. A total of 1,042 specimens representing 80 different fish species were collected and examined. Of these, 68 fish species, represented by 994 specimens (95.39%), were infected with parasites. A total of 162 parasitic species were discovered, including 54 trematodes, 37 monogeneans, 27 crustaceans, 15 myxozoans, 10 acanthocephalans, 10 nematodes, 7 cestodes, and 2 hirudineans. Over the course of the survey, twenty new species were described, including 7 acanthocephalans and 13 trematodes. Additionally, twenty species were recorded for the first time from the Cat Ba Archipelago and twenty-two species had new host records reported. The prevalence and mean intensity of parasite infection were found to be unaffected by season. These data on the parasitic fauna of Cat Ba Archipelago not only expand our knowledge of the diversity of Vietnam, but also provide strong baseline data for measuring future change resulting from environmental perturbations.

Structural Equation Model for Social Support and Quality of Life Among Individuals With Mental Health Disorders During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the distribution of social support for mental health problems has likely become unequal. Family- and community-based social support has been recognized as a promising approach for mental disorders; however, limited global frameworks have been applied to developing countries such as Vietnam. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of life and social support among patients with mental health disorders in Vietnam and to investigate the factors associated with quality of life among these patients. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 222 psychiatric patients in Hanoi from 2020 to 2022. A structured questionnaire was developed based on four standardized scales: Mental Well-Being-5 scale, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, EuroQoL-visual analog scale (EQ-VAS), and EuroQoL-5 dimensions-5 levels (EQ-5D-5L) scale. Tobit regression was used to identify factors associated with the EQ-5D-5L and EQ-VAS scores. Structural equation modeling was applied to verify the relationship between quality of life and social support. RESULTS: The results showed that perceived support from family scored the highest compared to support from friends and significant others. Patients with depression reported the lowest quality of life and perceived social support. Structural equation modeling showed a root mean square error of approximation of 0.055 (90% CI 0.006-0.090), comparative fit index of 0.954, Tucker-Lewis index of 0.892, and standardized root mean squared error of 0.036 (P<.001). The hypothetical model indicated statistically significant correlations between EQ-VAS score and social support (P=.004), EQ-5D-5L and mental well-being (P<.001), and social support and mental well-being (P<.001). Critical deterioration of quality of life and inconsistency in social support for patients with mental illness were also recorded. CONCLUSIONS: There is a need to enhance social support and service delivery in Vietnam, focusing on occupation and quality of life. The correlations between social support, quality of life, and mental health issues suggest the potential of a clinical-social integrated intervention model of care.

Pregnant women's and policymakers' preferences for the expansion of noninvasive prenatal screening: A discrete choice experiment approach study.

Background and Aims: Quantitative approaches for eliciting preferences for new interventions are mostly conducted by patients and rarely by policymakers. This study aimed to quantify the preferences of pregnant women and policymakers regarding the addition of a new test to prenatal screening programs for detecting chromosomal abnormalities. Methods: A discrete choice experiment was conducted to measure the respondents' preferences for a new prenatal test. A seven-attribute instrument was built based on interviews with pregnant women and policymakers. The data were analyzed using robust conditional logistic regression and nested logit models. Results: In total, 272 pregnant women and 24 policymakers completed the questionnaire (response rates of 48% and 55%, respectively). Overall, all attributes were statistically significant in the pregnant women group, whereas only three attributes (test performance, degree of test result certainty, and cost) were statistically significant in the policymakers group. Statistically significant differences in test performance and information were observed between the two groups. Conclusion: Policymakers differed from pregnant women in their appraisal of attributes related to their preference for a new prenatal screening intervention. The low response rates observed in both groups suggest that further investigation of the relevance of this approach must be conducted.

Effects of anthropogenic pressures on the seagrass Halophila stipulacea and its associated macrozoobenthic communities in the northern Gulf of Aqaba.

Halophila stipulacea is a tropical seagrass species, native to the Red Sea, Persian Gulf, and Indian Ocean, while invasive to the Mediterranean and Caribbean Seas. The benthic fauna assemblages associated with H. stipulacea in its native habitats and the potential effects of anthropogenic stressors on these assemblages remain unknown. We compared meadow characteristics, associated fauna assemblages and trophic niche structures of H. stipulacea from an impacted and a pristine site in the northern Red Sea. Seagrass cover and biomass were higher in the impacted site, however, the associated fauna community was more abundant and diverse in the pristine site. Both meadows showed comparable trophic niches based on stable isotope analysis. This study provides first insights into the macrozoobenthos associated with H. stipulacea in its native habitat and highlights the importance of better understanding the relationship between seagrasses and their associated biota and the potential effects of urbanization on this relationship.

Superior growth traits of invaded (Caribbean) versus native (Red sea) populations of the seagrass Halophila stipulacea.

The seagrass Halophila stipulacea is native to the Red Sea. It invaded the Mediterranean over the past century and most of the Caribbean over the last two decades. Understanding the main drivers behind the successful invasiveness of H. stipulacea has become crucial. We performed a comprehensive study including field measurements, a mesocosm experiment, and a literature review to identify 'superior growth traits' that can potentially explain the success story of H. stipulacea. We assessed meadow characteristics and plant traits of three invasive H. stipulacea populations growing off the Island of Sint Eustatius (eastern Caribbean). We compared similar parameters between native (Eilat, northern Red Sea) and invasive (Caribbean) H. stipulacea plants in a common-garden mesocosm. Lastly, we compared our field measurements with published data. The newly arrived H. stipulacea plants from St. Eustatius were characterized by higher percent cover, higher below- and above-ground biomasses, more apical shoots, and faster leaf turnover rates than those measured in both native and older invaded habitats. These results were further confirmed by the mesocosm experiment where the invasive H. stipulacea plants grew faster and developed more apical shoots than the native plants. Results suggest that increased growth vigour is one of the main invasive traits that characterize successful invasive H. stipulacea populations in the Caribbean and potentially in other invaded areas. We encourage long-term monitoring of H. stipulacea in both native and invaded habitats to better understand the future spread of this species and its impacts on communities and their ecosystem functions and services. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10530-023-03045-z.

Signs of local adaptation by genetic selection and isolation promoted by extreme temperature and salinity in the Mediterranean seagrass Posidonia oceanica.

Adaptation to local conditions is known to occur in seagrasses; however, knowledge of the genetic basis underlying this phenomenon remains scarce. Here, we analysed Posidonia oceanica from six sites within and around the Stagnone di Marsala, a semi-enclosed coastal lagoon where salinity and temperature exceed the generally described tolerance thresholds of the species. Sea surface temperatures (SSTs) were measured and plant samples were collected for the assessment of morphology, flowering rate and for screening genome-wide polymorphisms using double digest restriction-site-associated DNA sequencing. Results demonstrated more extreme SSTs and salinity levels inside the lagoon than the outer lagoon regions. Morphological results showed significantly fewer and shorter leaves and reduced rhizome growth of P. oceanica from the inner lagoon and past flowering events were recorded only for a meadow farthest away from the lagoon. Using an array of 51,329 single nucleotide polymorphisms, we revealed a clear genetic structure among the study sites and confirmed the genetic isolation and high clonality of the innermost site. In all, 14 outlier loci were identified and annotated with several proteins including those relate to plant stress response, protein transport and regulators of plant-specific developmental events. Especially, five outlier loci showed maximum allele frequency at the innermost site, likely reflecting adaptation to the extreme temperature and salinity regimes, possibly due to the selection of more resistant genotypes and the progressive restriction of gene flow. Overall, this study helps us to disentangle the genetic basis of seagrass adaptation to local environmental conditions and may support future works on assisted evolution in seagrasses.

Development of a discrete choice experiment questionnaire to elicit preferences by pregnant women and policymakers for the expansion of non-invasive prenatal screening.

OBJECTIVE: An instrument for measuring intervention preferences applicable to both patients and policymakers would make it possible to better confront the needs of the supply and demand sides of the health care system. This study aimed to develop a discrete choice experiments (DCE) questionnaire to elicit the preferences of patients and policymakers. The instrument was specifically developed to estimate preferences for new conditions to be added to a screening program for fetal chromosomal anomalies. METHODS: A DCE development study was conducted. The methods employed included a literature review, a qualitative study (based on individual semi-structured interviews, consultations, and a focus group discussion) with pregnant women and policymakers, and a pilot project with 33 pregnant women to validate the first version of the instrument and test the feasibility of its administration. RESULTS: An initial list of 10 attributes was built based on a literature review and the qualitative research components of the study. Five attributes were built based on the responses provided by the participants from both groups. Eight attributes were consensually retained. A pilot project performed on 33 pregnant women led to a final instrument containing seven attributes: 'conditions to be screened', 'test performance', 'moment at gestational age to obtain the test result', 'degree of test result certainty to the severity of the disability', 'test sufficiency', 'information provided from test result', and 'cost related to the test'. CONCLUSION: It is possible to reach a consensus on the construction of a DCE instrument intended to be administered to pregnant women and policymakers. However, complete validation of the consensual instrument is limited because there are too few voting members of health technology assessment agencies committees to statistically ascertain the relevance of the attributes and their levels.

Liverwort and Hornwort Flora of Hoàng Liên National Park and the Adjacent Areas (North Vietnam, Indochina).

The study of the flora located in the central part of the Hoàng Liên SÆ¡n Range in the northern region of Indochina has revealed 279 species of liverwort and hornwort, 26 of which are newly reported for the flora of Vietnam. The uniqueness and peculiarity of the studied flora are explained by the significant altitudinal range in the area treated and its position in the contact zone of the Sikang-Yunnan floristic province of the East Asian Floristic Region with the Indochina Floristic Region. The checklist includes data on the distribution of each species in the studied region, habitats, and accompanying taxa. The high disunity of the regional floras of the southern tip of the East Asian region compared to the lesser disunity of the regional floras in the north of the East Asian region is shown. In general, the studied flora possess Sino-Himalayan mountain subtropical characteristics with the large participation of tropical elements.

Efficacy and safety of zero-fluoroscopy ablation of ventricular arrhythmias originating from the right ventricular outflow tract: Comparison with fluoroscopy-guided ablation without a three-dimensional electroanatomic mapping system.

Background: Radiofrequency catheter ablation is the preferred treatment choice for ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) originating from right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) in symptomatic patients and is usually performed under fluoroscopy guidance. Zero-fluoroscopy (ZF) ablations using 3D mapping system applied for treatment of various types of arrhythmias are trending and practiced in many centers around the world, but rarely done in Vietnam. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of zero-fluoroscopy ablation of RVOT VAs, compared with fluoroscopy-guided ablation without a 3D electroanatomic mapping (EAM) system. Methods and Results: We conducted a nonrandomized, prospective single-center study including 114 patients with RVOT VAs that had electrocardiographic features of typical left bundle branch block, inferior axis QRS morphology, and a precordial transition ≥ V3, from May 2020 to July 2022. The patients were assigned (without randomization) to two different approaches of either zero-fluoroscopy ablation under the guidance of the Ensite system (ZF group) or fluoroscopy-guided ablation without a 3D EAM (fluoroscopy group) in a 1:1 ratio. After a follow-up time of 5.0 ± 4.9 months and 6.9 ± 9.3 months in the ZF and fluoroscopy groups, respectively, the results showed a higher success rate in the fluoroscopy group than in the complete ZF group (87.3% vs 86.8%), although the difference was not statistically significant. No major complication was noted in both the groups. Conclusion: ZF ablation for RVOT VAs can be done safely and effectively using the 3D electroanatomic mapping system. The results of ZF approach are comparable to that of the fluoroscopy-guided approach without a 3D EAM system.

Optical Glucose Sensors Based on Chitosan-Capped ZnS-Doped Mn Nanomaterials.

The primary goal of glucose sensing at the point of care is to identify glucose concentrations within the diabetes range. However, lower glucose levels also pose a severe health risk. In this paper, we propose quick, simple, and reliable glucose sensors based on the absorption and photoluminescence spectra of chitosan-capped ZnS-doped Mn nanomaterials in the range of 0.125 to 0.636 mM glucose corresponding to 2.3 mg/dL to 11.4 mg/dL. The detection limit was 0.125 mM (or 2.3 mg/dL), much lower than the hypoglycemia level of 70 mg/dL (or 3.9 mM). Chitosan-capped ZnS-doped Mn nanomaterials retain their optical properties while improving sensor stability. This study reports for the first time how the sensors' efficacy was affected by chitosan content from 0.75 to 1.5 wt.%. The results showed that 1 %wt chitosan-capped ZnS-doped Mn is the most-sensitive, -selective, and -stable material. We also put the biosensor through its paces with glucose in phosphate-buffered saline. In the same range of 0.125 to 0.636 mM, the sensors-based chitosan-coated ZnS-doped Mn had a better sensitivity than the working water environment.

Differentiating people with schizophrenia from healthy controls in a developing Country: An evaluation of portable functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) as an adjunct diagnostic tool.

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate portable functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) device as an adjunct diagnostic tool in Vietnam to assess hemodynamics when people with schizophrenia and healthy controls performed cognitive tasks. Methods: One hundred fifty-seven participants were divided into schizophrenia (n = 110) and healthy controls group (n = 47), which were recruited by match of age, and gender. Hemodynamic responses in the frontal cortex were monitored with a 48-channel portable device during the Stroop Color-Word Test (SCWT) and Verbal Fluency Test (VFT). General linear model compared the differences in oxyhemoglobin (HbO2) levels between the two groups. The Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) graph was generated for each neuroanatomical area. Results: People with schizophrenia did not show significant activation in the frontal lobe during the SCWT and VFT as compared to pre-task. During the VFT, the area under the ROC curve of the bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, bilateral orbitofrontal cortex, bilateral frontopolar prefrontal cortex, and bilateral ventrolateral prefrontal cortex were greater than 0.7 (p < 0.001). The area under the ROC curve (AUC) for the right orbitofrontal cortex was maximal during the VFT (AUC = 0.802, 95%CI = 0.731-0.872). The Youden's index reached a peak (0.57) at the optimal cut-point value (HbO2 cutoff <0.209 µmol/ml for schizophrenia) in which the sensitivity was 85%; specificity was 72%; positive predictive value (PPV) was 0.88; negative predictive value (NPV) was 0.68 and correct classification rate was 76%. Discussion: Assessing hemodynamics during VFT by portable fNIRS offers the potential as an adjunct diagnostic tool for schizophrenia in developing countries.

Bartonella Species in Cambodia, Ghana, Laos, and Peru: Results from Vector and Serosurveys.

Background: Bartonella species are fastidious gram-negative vector-borne bacteria with a wide range of mammalian reservoirs. While it is understood that some species of Bartonella are human pathogens, the extent of human exposure to Bartonella species (both pathogenic and nonpathogenic) is yet to be fully understood. Materials and Methods: To this end, residual sera from participants enrolled in undifferentiated fever studies in Cambodia, Ghana, Laos, and Peru were screened for the presence of IgG antibodies against Bartonella quintana and Bartonella henselae, using the FOCUS diagnostics Dual Spot- Bartonella IgG Immunofluorescence assay. Forty-eight patients with suspected or confirmed Bartonella bacilliformis exposure or infection in Peru were screened to assess cross-reactivity of the FOCUS assay for IgG against other Bartonella species. Results: Ten of 13 patients with confirmed B. bacilliformis infection were Bartonella-specific IgG positive, and overall, 36/48 of the samples were positive. In addition, 79/206, 44/200, 101/180, and 57/100 of the samples from Peru, Laos, Cambodia, and Ghana, respectively, were Bartonella-specific IgG positive. Furthermore, ectoparasite pools from Cambodia, Laos, and Peru were tested using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) for the presence of Bartonella DNA. Of the sand fly pools collected in Peru, 0/196 were qPCR positive; 15/140 flea pools collected in Cambodia were qPCR positive; while 0/105 ticks, 0/22 fleas, and 0/3 louse pools collected in Laos tested positive for Bartonella DNA. Conclusion: Evidence of Bartonella in fleas from Cambodia supports the possibility that humans are exposed to Bartonella through this traditional vector. However, Bartonella species were not found in fleas, ticks, or lice from Laos, or sand flies from Peru. This could account for the lower positive serology among the population in Laos and the strictly localized nature of B. bacilliformis infections in Peru. Human exposure to the Bartonella species and Bartonella as a human pathogen warrants further investigation.

Utility of portable functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) in patients with bipolar and unipolar disorders: A comparison with healthy controls.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate portable functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) device as an adjunct diagnostic tool for bipolar and unipolar disorders while performing cognitive tasks. METHODS: 150 participants were divided into three groups including bipolar, unipolar disorder, and healthy controls (50:50:50), matched by age, gender, and family history of mood disorder. Hemodynamics in the frontal cortex were monitored by fNIRS during the Stroop Color-Word Test and Verbal Fluency Test. The GLM compared the differences in oxy-hemoglobin levels between the two groups. The Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) graph was generated for each neuroanatomical area. RESULTS: For people with BD group, the area under the ROC curve (AUC) for the left orbitofrontal cortex was maximal during the VFT [AUC = 0.727, 95%CI = 0.617-0.824]. The Youden's index reached a peak (0.40) at the optimal cut-point value (HbO2 cutoff <0.180 µmol/ml for BD) in which the sensitivity was 82 %; specificity was 58 %; PPV was 0.66; NPV was 0.76 and correct classification rate was 70 %. Regarding the UD group, during VFT, the highest value AUC [AUC = 0.822, 95%CI = 0.740-0.903] was recorded in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex with the optimal cut-off value (HbO2cutoff ≥0.163 µmol/ml for healthy controls; <0.163 for unipolar disorder), the sensitivity was 72 %; specificity was 82 %; PPV was 0.80; NPV was 0.75, correct classification rate was 77 %, and the Youden's index was 0.54. CONCLUSION: Assessing hemodynamics during VFT using portable fNIRS offers the potential as an adjunct diagnostic tool for mood disorders in low-resource environments.

An overview of human helminthioses in Vietnam: Their prevention, control and lessons learnt.

In Vietnam, helminthioses remain a major threat to public health and contribute to the maintenance of poverty in highly endemic regions. Through increased awareness of the damaging effects caused by helminthioses, the Vietnamese government has implemented many national programs over the past 30 years for the prevention and control of the most important helminthioses, such as, lymphatic filariasis, soil transmitted helminths, food borne zoonotic helminths, and others. Various control strategies have been applied to reduce or eliminate these worms, e.g. mass drug administration, economic development, control of vectors or intermediate hosts, public health interventions through education, proper composting procedures for excreta potentially containing helminth eggs, and the expansion of food supply chains and improved technologies for the production and inspection of food products. These control measures have resulted in a significant reduction in the distribution and transmission of helminth infections and have improved the overall living conditions and health outcomes of the Vietnamese citizens. However, the persistence of several helminth diseases continues in some endemic areas, especially where poverty is widespread and local traditions include the consumption of raw foods, especially fish and meats. This manuscript provides an overview of the helminth infection prevention and control programs conducted in Vietnam, their achieved results, learned lessons, and future works.

THE DIVERSITY OF CERCARIAE FROM FRESHWATER SNAILS IN LOWLAND AREAS OF BINH DINH AND PHU YEN PROVINCES, VIETNAM.

A survey was conducted in the lowland areas of Binh Dinh and Phu Yen provinces in south central Vietnam to study the diversity of digenean cercariae within freshwater snails. These regions are known as highly endemic areas for the transmission of liver flukes, Fasciola spp. and Opisthorchis viverrini. In total, 13 snail species were found, and 3 of these were dominant, comprising 51.9% of all collected snails, i.e., Bithynia funiculata, Melanoides tuberculata, and Radix auriculata. Cercariae were found in 5 snail species, and among these, Indoplanorbis exustus had the highest overall prevalence of infection (38.5%). No cercarial infections were found in viviparid and ampullariid snails. Morphological identification resulted in 10 cercariae types that were illustrated and measured. Among them, xiphidiocercariae and echinostomata were the most common, causing 70.55% of all cercariae infections. Bithynia species had the most diverse digenean fauna. Molecular data revealed the presence of cercariae of 13 digenean species, including O. viverrini. The 18S rDNA sequences of echinostomata and xiphidiocercariae type 3, which were shed from different snail hosts, were similar to 2 and 3 digenean species, respectively. In conclusion, our findings highlight the diversity of digenean fauna in Binh Dinh and Phu Yen provinces.

Current advances in seagrass research: A review from Viet Nam.

Seagrass meadows provide valuable ecosystem services but are fragile and threatened ecosystems all over the world. This review highlights the current advances in seagrass research from Viet Nam. One goal is to support decision makers in developing science-based conservation strategies. In recent years, several techniques were applied to estimate the size of seagrass meadows. Independent from the method used, there is an alarming decline in the seagrass area in almost all parts of Viet Nam. Since 1990, a decline of 46.5% or 13,549 ha was found. Only in a few protected and difficult-to-reach areas was an increase observed. Conditions at those sites could be investigated in more detail to make suggestions for conservation and recovery of seagrass meadows. Due to their lifestyle and morphology, seagrasses take up compounds from their environment easily. Phytoremediation processes of Thalassia hemprichii and Enhalus acoroides are described exemplarily. High accumulation of heavy metals dependent on their concentration in the environment in different organs can be observed. On the one hand, seagrasses play a role in phytoremediation processes in polluted areas; on the other hand, they might suffer at high concentrations, and pollution will contribute to their overall decline. Compared with the neighboring countries, the total C org stock from seagrass beds in Viet Nam was much lower than in the Philippines and Indonesia but higher than that of Malaysia and Myanmar. Due to an exceptionally long latitudinal coastline of 3,260 km covering cool to warm water environments, the seagrass species composition in Viet Nam shows a high diversity and a high plasticity within species boundaries. This leads to challenges in taxonomic issues, especially with the Halophila genus, which can be better deduced from genetic diversity/population structures of members of Hydrocharitaceae. Finally, the current seagrass conservation and management efforts in Viet Nam are presented and discussed. Only decisions based on the interdisciplinary cooperation of scientists from all disciplines mentioned will finally lead to conserve this valuable ecosystem for mankind and biodiversity.

Molecular and morphological characterization of Dollfustrema bagarii (Digenea: Bucephalidae) metacercariae from aquaculture channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) in northern Vietnam.

White grub metacercariae were found in the livers and kidneys of diseased specimens of an introduced channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque), in Vietnam. Based on morphological features and 28S rDNA sequence analysis, the isolated metacercariae were identified as Dollfustrema bagarii (Digenea: Bucephalidae) Moravec & Sey. Histopathological examination shows that encysted metacercariae can change the tissue structure of the infected organs and is often accompanied by haemorrhaging and the presence of eosinophilic granular cell infiltration. Degenerative changes were also observed.

Changes in the Proportion of Gastrointestinal Emergency Endoscopy and Peptic Ulcer Disease During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Local Retrospective Observational Study From Vietnam.

OBJECTIVES: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has disrupted the practice of gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy units and may increase the risk of digestive disorders. We described the situational changes in GI endoscopy and peptic ulcer disease (PUD) proportion during COVID-19 in Vietnam and examined the associated factors. METHODS: A retrospective ecological study was conducted on data of Hanoi Medical University Hospital, Vietnam. The number of upper GI endoscopy and the proportion of GI emergency endoscopy and PUD were compared between 2019 and 2020 by month (January to June). Log-binomial regression was used to explore associated factors of GI emergency endoscopy and PUD. RESULTS: The number of endoscopies decreased remarkably during the nationwide social distancing in April 2020. Compared to April 2019, the proportion in April 2020 of both GI emergency endoscopy [4.1 vs. 9.8%, proportion ratio (PR) 2.39, 95% CI 2, 2.87], and PUD [13.9 vs. 15.8%; PR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.01, 1.29] was significantly higher. In log-binomial models, the proportion of GI emergency endoscopy was higher in April 2020 compared to April 2019 (adjusted PR, 2.41; 95% CI, 2.01, 2.88). Male sex and age of ≥50 years were associated with an increased PUD and GI emergency conditions. CONCLUSION: The proportion of both GI emergency endoscopy and PUD was significantly higher during the time of the state of emergency due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 when compared to 2019 at the same health facility in Vietnam. The findings suggest that healthcare delivery reforms during the era of an emerging pandemic are required to reduce digestive disorders, in particular, and chronic diseases in general.