Rupture of intrahepatic bile duct after ERCP for common bile duct stone: A case report of rare complications.

RATIONALE: Complications after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) are diverse and usually treated with nonoperative management or percutaneous drainage; however, there are still some rare, life-threatening complications. This is an extremely rare case of biliary peritonitis caused by rupture of the intrahepatic bile duct after ERCP. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 63-year-old male underwent ERCP for common bile duct stones. On the second day after the procedure, the patient developed sepsis and abdominal distention. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed a subcapsular hepatic fluid collection attached to the bile duct of segment VII. DIAGNOSES: Sepsis resulted in liver parenchyma rupture and intrahepatic bile duct injury after ERCP. Intraoperative cholangiography revealed a connection between a hole in the liver parenchymal surface and the intrahepatic bile duct. INTERVENTIONS: Surgeons performed the cholecystectomy, inserted a T-tube into the common bile duct stones, sutured the defect, and put 2 drainage tubes around the lesion. OUTCOMES: Postoperative recovery was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on the 17th postoperative day. LESSONS: Intrahepatic bile duct perforation after ERCP can lead to rupture of the liver parenchyma, biloma, or abdominal peritonitis. Multidisciplinary management is necessary to achieve favorable outcomes.

Purification of Spherical Graphite as Anode for Li-Ion Battery: A Comparative Study on the Purifying Approaches.

Graphite is a versatile material used in various fields, particularly in the power source manufacturing industry. Nowadays, graphite holds a unique position in materials for anode electrodes in lithium-ion batteries. With a carbon content of over 99% being a requirement for graphite to serve as an electrode material, the graphite refinement process plays a pivotal role in the research and development of anode materials for lithium-ion batteries. This study used three different processes to purify spherical graphite through wet chemical methods. The spherical graphite after the purification processes was analysed for carbon content by using energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy and was evaluated for structural and morphological characteristics through X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analyses. The analyses results indicate that the three-step process via H2SO4-NaOH-HCl cleaning can elevate the carbon content from 90% to above 99.9% while still maintaining the graphite structure and spherical morphology, thus enhancing the surface area of the material for anode application. Furthermore, the spherical graphite was studied for electrochemical properties when used as an anode for Li-ion batteries using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and galvanostatic charge-discharge (GCD) measurements. The results demonstrated that the purification process significantly improves the material's capacity with a specific capacity of 350 mAh/g compared to the 280 mAh/g capacity of the anode made of spherical graphite without purification.

Transcriptional profiling links unique human macrophage phenotypes to the growth of intracellular Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi.

Macrophages provide a crucial environment for Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (S. Typhi) to multiply during typhoid fever, yet our understanding of how human macrophages and S. Typhi interact remains limited. In this study, we delve into the dynamics of S. Typhi replication within human macrophages and the resulting heterogeneous transcriptomic responses of macrophages during infection. Our study reveals key factors that influence macrophage diversity, uncovering distinct immune and metabolic pathways associated with different stages of S. Typhi intracellular replication in macrophages. Of note, we found that macrophages harboring replicating S. Typhi are skewed towards an M1 pro-inflammatory state, whereas macrophages containing non-replicating S. Typhi exhibit neither a distinct M1 pro-inflammatory nor M2 anti-inflammatory state. Additionally, macrophages with replicating S. Typhi were characterized by the increased expression of genes associated with STAT3 phosphorylation and the activation of the STAT3 transcription factor. Our results shed light on transcriptomic pathways involved in the susceptibility of human macrophages to intracellular S. Typhi replication, thereby providing crucial insight into host phenotypes that restrict and support S. Typhi infection.

Enhancing corrosion resistance of mild steel in hydrochloric acid with Chiquita banana sap extract.

The corrosion of metals is still a huge challenge for various industries, and the pursuit of effective treatments ensures environmental sustainability. In this study, we utilized Chiquita banana sap-water extract (BSWE) to prevent mild steel from electrochemical corrosion in a 0.1 M HCl at room temperature. Corrosion resistance was assessed using various electrochemical methodologies, combining with surface characterization techniques. The results showed a high level of effectiveness when the corrosion current density decreased from 3292.67 µA cm-2 (for the sample immerged in the blank solution) to 187.33 µA cm-2 after 24 hours of immersion in the solution containing BSWE at a 2000 ppm concentration, equivalent to corrosion efficiency of 94.32%. Surface characterization revealed diminished corrosion on the inhibited steel surface due to the formation of a protective layer. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results demonstrated the presence of BSWE ingredients combining with iron oxides and hydroxides to form a smooth protective layer. Furthermore, theoretical calculations also indicated that the addition of BSWE can reduce steel surface damage when exposing to corrosive environment. The inhibitor based on banana sap extract can be referred to as a sustainable protective coating since it is biodegradable, abundantly available in banana plants and free of other harmful substances.

Low-dose-rate brachytherapy and long-term treatment outcomes in patients younger than 60 years of age.

Purpose: Low-dose-rate (LDR) brachytherapy in young men remains controversial amongst urologists due to their concerns regarding long-term biochemical control and treatment-related toxicities. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the treatment outcomes of men under 60 years of age who underwent LDR brachytherapy with iodine-125 (125I) for clinically localized low- to intermediate-risk prostate cancer. Material and methods: All consecutive patients with clinically localized prostate cancer treated at our institution from 2003 to 2016 with 125I monotherapy were included in the study. Prescription dose was 145.0 Gy modified peripheral loading (MPD). All patients were assessed for biochemical progression-free survival using Phoenix definition (nadir +2 ng/ml), clinical progression-free survival, overall survival (OS), and any associated treatment toxicity. Results: A total of 161 patients were included, with a median follow-up of 6.8 years (range, 3-14.54 years). Median age at implant was 57 years (range, 53-59 years). Mean prostate specific antigen (PSA) level at diagnosis was 4.43 ng/ml (SD = 2.29). Majority of men had low-risk prostate cancer (70.2%). Biochemical progression-free survival at 8 years was 94% for the entire cohort. Median PSA at 4 years was 0.169 (IQR, 0.096-0.360), with 45% of patients having a PSA greater than 0.2. OS was 96.9%, with 5 deaths reported but only one was secondary to prostate cancer. Late grade > 2 genitourinary toxicities were reported in 18 patients (11.2%). Three patients (1.9%) developed secondary cancers, all considered unrelated to their LDR brachytherapy. Conclusions: With excellent long-term treatment outcomes and minimal associated toxicities, our results showed that LDR brachytherapy can be an effective treatment of choice in younger men.

Workplace wellbeing in community pharmacy practice: A cross-sectional study in Can Tho, Vietnam.

Background: Among pharmacy workers, low workplace wellbeing can lead to reduced effectiveness. However, to date, studies on this issue are limited within the community pharmacy setting in Vietnam. Objectives: This study was conducted to identify the component aspects of workplace wellbeing and their associations with demographic characteristics. Methods: The cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in Can Tho, Vietnam. Self-administered questionnaires were hand-delivered to all pharmacy workers working at selected community pharmacies. The workplace wellbeing scale comprised 18 items. Results: In total, 382 pharmacy workers participated in this study. Factor analysis revealed three fundamental aspects to workplace wellbeing: Factor 1 - perceived self-worth and job satisfaction, Factor 2 - positive emotions with work, and Factor 3 - negative emotions with work. Factor 1 showed a positive correlation with Factor 2, with a correlation coefficient (ρ) of 0.509, while both Factor 1 (ρ = -0.399) and Factor 2 (ρ = -0.416) demonstrated negative correlations with Factor 3. Higher income was associated with higher positive emotions with work (P = 0.008), higher perceived self-worth and job satisfaction (P = 0.013), and lower negative emotions with work (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Workplace wellbeing of pharmacy workers in their professional environments was associated with financial aspects. These findings suggest that policies aimed at improving income for pharmacy workers could bring benefits to enhancing job satisfaction and workplace wellbeing.

BM-BronchoLC - A rich bronchoscopy dataset for anatomical landmarks and lung cancer lesion recognition.

Flexible bronchoscopy has revolutionized respiratory disease diagnosis. It offers direct visualization and detection of airway abnormalities, including lung cancer lesions. Accurate identification of airway lesions during flexible bronchoscopy plays an important role in the lung cancer diagnosis. The application of artificial intelligence (AI) aims to support physicians in recognizing anatomical landmarks and lung cancer lesions within bronchoscopic imagery. This work described the development of BM-BronchoLC, a rich bronchoscopy dataset encompassing 106 lung cancer and 102 non-lung cancer patients. The dataset incorporates detailed localization and categorical annotations for both anatomical landmarks and lesions, meticulously conducted by senior doctors at Bach Mai Hospital, Vietnam. To assess the dataset's quality, we evaluate two prevalent AI backbone models, namely UNet++ and ESFPNet, on the image segmentation and classification tasks with single-task and multi-task learning paradigms. We present BM-BronchoLC as a reference dataset in developing AI models to assist diagnostic accuracy for anatomical landmarks and lung cancer lesions in bronchoscopy data.

The 90% effective dose of intrathecal hyperbaric bupivacaine for Cesarean delivery under combined spinal-epidural anesthesia in parturients with super obesity: an up-down sequential allocation study.

PURPOSE: To determine the 90% effective dose (ED90) of intrathecal hyperbaric bupivacaine for Cesarean delivery under combined spinal-epidural anesthesia (CSE) in parturients with super obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 50 kg·m-2). METHODS: We enrolled parturients with BMI ≥ 50 kg·m-2 with term, singleton vertex pregnancies undergoing elective Cesarean delivery under CSE. An independent statistician generated the 0.75% hyperbaric bupivacaine dosing regimen in increments of 0.75 mg using a biased-coin up-down sequential allocation technique. This was combined with 15 µg fentanyl, 150 µg morphine, and normal saline to a volume of 2.05 mL. The initial and maximum doses were 9.75 mg and 12 mg, respectively. Participants, clinical team, and outcome assessors were blinded to the dose. The primary outcome was block success, defined as T6 block to pinprick within ten minutes and no intraoperative analgesic supplementation within 90 min of spinal injection. We determined the ED90 using logistic regression. RESULTS: We enrolled 45 parturients and included 42 in the analysis. All doses achieved a T6 level within ten minutes, and the primary outcome occurred in 0/1 (0%) of the 9.75-mg doses, 2/3 (67%) of the 10.5-mg doses, 21/27 (78%) of the 11.25-mg doses, and 11/11 (100%) of the 12-mg doses. The ED90 of hyperbaric bupivacaine was 11.56 mg (95% confidence interval, 11.16 to 11.99). Four parturients (9.5%) had sensory level higher than T2, but none was symptomatic or required general anesthesia. CONCLUSION: The estimated ED90 of hyperbaric bupivacaine with fentanyl and morphine in parturients with super obesity undergoing Cesarean delivery under CSE was approximately 11.5 mg. STUDY REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03781388); first submitted 18 December 2018.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIF: Notre objectif était de déterminer la dose efficace à 90 % (DE90) de bupivacaïne hyperbare intrathécale pour l'accouchement par césarienne sous péri-rachianesthésie combinée (PRC) chez les personnes parturientes atteintes de super obésité (indice de masse corporelle [IMC] ≥ 50 kg·m−2). MéTHODE: Nous avons recruté des personnes parturientes ayant un IMC ≥ 50 kg·m−2 présentant des grossesses uniques à terme, en présentation céphalique et bénéficiant d'un accouchement par césarienne programmée sous PRC. Un·e statisticien·ne indépendant·e a généré le schéma posologique de bupivacaïne hyperbare à 0,75 % par incréments de 0,75 mg à l'aide d'une technique d'allocation séquentielle en escalier. La bupivacaïne a été combinée à 15 µg de fentanyl, 150 µg de morphine et à une solution physiologique salée jusqu'à un volume de 2,05 mL. Les doses initiale et maximale étaient respectivement de 9,75 mg et 12 mg. Les participant·es, l'équipe clinique et les personnes évaluant les résultats n'avaient pas connaissance de la dose. Le critère d'évaluation principal était la réussite du bloc, définie comme un bloc à T6 à la piqûre dans les dix minutes et aucune supplémentation analgésique peropératoire dans les 90 minutes suivant l'injection rachidienne. Nous avons déterminé la DE90 à l'aide d'une méthode de régression logistique. RéSULTATS: Nous avons recruté 45 personnes parturientes et en avons inclus 42 dans l'analyse. Toutes les doses ont atteint le niveau T6 en dix minutes, et le critère d'évaluation principal a été obtenu pour 0/1 (0 %) des doses de 9,75 mg, 2/3 (67 %) des doses de 10,5 mg, 21/27 (78 %) des doses de 11,25 mg et 11/11 (100 %) des doses de 12 mg. La DE90 de bupivacaïne hyperbare était de 11,56 mg (intervalle de confiance à 95 %, 11,16 à 11,99). Quatre personnes parturientes (9,5 %) ont affiché un niveau sensoriel supérieur à T2, mais aucune n'était symptomatique ni n'a nécessité d'anesthésie générale. CONCLUSION: La DE90 estimée de bupivacaïne hyperbare avec fentanyl et morphine chez les personnes parturientes hyperobèses bénéficiant d'une césarienne sous PRC était d'environ 11,5 mg. ENREGISTREMENT DE L'éTUDE: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03781388); soumis pour la première fois le 18 décembre 2018.

Correction: Job Satisfaction of Hospital Pharmacists in a representative province in Mekong Delta, Vietnam.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0291201.].

Feasibility and safety of left bundle branch area pacing in cardiac amyloidosis. A single center experience.

BACKGROUND: Conventional right ventricle (RV) pacemaker stimulation has been associated with worse clinical outcomes in patients with cardiac amyloidosis (CA). Left bundle branch area pacing (LABPP) has been suggested as a promising alternative. We sought to assess the safety, feasibility, and outcomes of LABPP in patients with CA. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed echocardiography and pacing parameters and clinical outcomes in 23 consecutive patients with CA and LBBAP implanted from June 2020 to October 2022. RESULTS: LBBAP was successfully performed in 22 over 23 patients (19 male, 78.6 ± 11.7 years, 20 ATTR, mean LVEF 45.5 ± 16.2%). After the procedure, 9 patients showed Qr pattern and 11 a qR pattern in V1 on ECG. Average procedure time was 67 ± 28 min. After 7.7 ± 5.2 months follow-up, no procedure-related complications had occurred. Although, a significant reduction in QRS width (p = .001) was achieved, we did not observe significant changes in LVEF and Nt ProBNP at 6 months of follow-up. Pacing parameters were stable during follow-up: LBB capture threshold and R wave amplitude were 1.0 ±  0.5 V and 10.6 ± 6.0 mV versus 0.8 ±  0.1 V, p = .21 and 10.6 ± 5.1 mV (p = .985) at follow up. CONCLUSION: LBBAP is safe and feasible pacing technique for patients with CA. LBBAP is associated with significant narrowing of QRSd without worsening in LVEF and Nt-proBNP.

Expanded vaccination practice in 2-year-old children and maternal knowledge on expanded vaccination in Tien Giang, Vietnam.

Background: Vaccination plays a central role in protecting children against severe diseases and preventing child mortality. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the rate and factors associated with complete and timely vaccination in 2-year-old children, as well as maternal knowledge on expanded vaccination in Go Cong Tay district, Tien Giang province, Vietnam. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 558 2-year-old children and their mothers residing in Go Cong Tay district, Tien Giang province, Vietnam. The study employed a systematic random sampling method from June to September 2021. Results: The rate of complete vaccination in children was 74.7%. Factors associated with the rate of complete vaccination were occupation (OR=0.3; 95%CI: 0.1-0.7; p=0.006), economic status (OR=3.8; 95%CI: 1.7-8.6; p=0.001), and maternal general knowledge on expanded vaccination (OR=1.7; 95%CI: 1.1-2.6; p=0.01). The rate of timely vaccination was 47.8%. Factors associated with the rate of timely vaccination were maternal age group (OR=3.1; 95%CI: 1.6-6.0; p=0.001; OR=3.0; 95%CI: 1.3-6.6; p=0.006) and economic status (OR=0.4; 95%CI: 0.2-0.9; p=0.04). The rate of both complete and timely vaccination was 22.6%. Factors associated with the rate of complete and timely vaccination were maternal age group (OR=3.1; 95%CI: 1.3-7.2; p=0.009; OR=3.3; 95%CI: 1.2-9.1; p=0.02) and maternal general knowledge on expanded vaccination (OR=1.5; 95%CI: 1.0-2.4; p=0.03). The rate of maternal general knowledge on expanded vaccination was 57.5%. Conclusion: The rates of complete and timely vaccination are still low, and various factors influence expanded vaccination. The-refore, it is crucial to continue health education campaigns to improve knowledge on expanded vaccination, remind mothers of vaccination schedules, strengthen confidence in vaccination programs and vaccine safety, attract customers to vaccination services, provide adequate healthcare for children, and ensure vaccination activities during disease outbreaks.

An Integrated in silico and in vivo study of nucleic acid vaccine against Nocardia seriolae infection in orange-spotted grouper Epinephelus coioides.

Nocardiosis in aquatic animals caused by Nocardia seriolae is a frequently occurring serious infection that has recently spread to many countries. In this study, DNA vaccines containing potential bacterial antigens predicted using the reverse vaccinology approach were developed and evaluated in orange-spotted groupers. In silico analysis indicated that proteins including cholesterol oxidase, ld-transpeptidase, and glycosyl hydroxylase have high immunogenicity and are potential vaccine candidates. In vitro assays revealed the mature and biological configurations of these proteins. Importantly, when compared to a control PBS injection, N. seriolae DNA-based vaccines showed significantly higher expression of IL1ß, IL17, and IFNγ at 1 or 2 days, in line with higher serum antibody production and expression of other cellular immune-related genes, such as MHCI, CD4, and CD8, at 7 days post-immunization. Remarkably, enhanced immune responses and strong protective efficacy against a highly virulent strain of N. seriolae were recorded in DNA vaccine-cholesterol oxidase (pcD::Cho) injected fish, with a relative survival rate of 73.3%. Our results demonstrate that the reverse vaccinology approach is a valid strategy for screening vaccine candidates and pcD::Cho is a promising candidate that can boost both innate and adaptive immune responses and confer considerable protection against N. seriolae infection.

Evaluation of the Hierarchical Correspondence between the Human Brain and Artificial Neural Networks: A Review.

Artificial neural networks (ANNs) that are heavily inspired by the human brain now achieve human-level performance across multiple task domains. ANNs have thus drawn attention in neuroscience, raising the possibility of providing a framework for understanding the information encoded in the human brain. However, the correspondence between ANNs and the brain cannot be measured directly. They differ in outputs and substrates, neurons vastly outnumber their ANN analogs (i.e., nodes), and the key algorithm responsible for most of modern ANN training (i.e., backpropagation) is likely absent from the brain. Neuroscientists have thus taken a variety of approaches to examine the similarity between the brain and ANNs at multiple levels of their information hierarchy. This review provides an overview of the currently available approaches and their limitations for evaluating brain-ANN correspondence.

Polarization Engineered p-Type Electron Blocking Layer Free AlGaN Based UV-LED Using Quantum Barriers with Heart-Shaped Graded Al Composition for Enhanced Luminescence.

In this paper, in order to address the problem of electron leakage in AlGaN ultra-violet light-emitting diodes, we have proposed an electron-blocking free layer AlGaN ultra-violet (UV) light-emitting diode (LED) using polarization-engineered heart-shaped AlGaN quantum barriers (QB) instead of conventional barriers. This novel structure has decreased the downward band bending at the interconnection between the consecutive quantum barriers and also flattened the electrostatic field. The parameters used during simulation are extracted from the referred experimental data of conventional UV LED. Using the Silvaco Atlas TCAD tool; version 8.18.1.R, we have compared and optimized the optical as well as electrical characteristics of three varying LED structures. Enhancements in electroluminescence at 275 nm (52.7%), optical output power (50.4%), and efficiency (61.3%) are recorded for an EBL-free AlGaN UV LED with heart-shaped Al composition in the barriers. These improvements are attributed to the minimized non-radiative recombination on the surfaces, due to the progressively increasing effective conduction band barrier height, which subsequently enhances the carrier confinement. Hence, the proposed EBL-free AlGaN LED is the potential solution to enhance optical power and produce highly efficient UV emitters.

Novel model predictive control-based motion cueing algorithm for compensating centrifugal acceleration in KUKA robocoaster-based driving simulators.

The washout motion cueing algorithm (MCA) is a critical element in driving simulators, designed to faithfully reproduce precise motion cues while minimizing false cues during simulation processes, particularly deceptive translational and rotational cues. To enhance motion sensation accuracy and optimize the use of available workspace, model predictive control (MPC) has been employed to develop innovative motion cueing algorithms. While most MCAs have been tailored for the Steward motion platform, there has been a recent adoption of the motion platform based on KUKA Robocoaster as an economical option for driving simulators. However, leveraging the full potential of the KUKA Robocoaster requires trajectory conversion of the motion base. Thus, this research proposes a novel MCA specifically designed for the KUKA Robocoaster-based motion platform, utilizing large planar circular motion to simulate lateral movement for drivers. Nonetheless, circular motion introduces disruptive centrifugal forces, which can be mitigated through proper pitch-tilted angles. The novel MPC generates simulated motion that accurately follows the lateral specific force target and effectively maintains the roll angular velocity below its threshold value. Additionally, it compensates for disturbing centrifugal acceleration by implementing pitch rotational motion, ensuring the pitch angular velocity remains below its threshold. Simulation tasks conducted on the motion platform, focusing solely on lateral acceleration, demonstrate the successful elimination of false motion cues in both the roll/sway and pitch/surge channels. The proposed innovative MPC solution offers an original approach to motion cueing algorithms in KUKA Robocoaster-based driving simulators. It enables the exploitation of the KUKA Robocoaster platform's capabilities while delivering accurate and immersive motion cues to drivers during simulation experiences.

Post-COVID condition: a survey of patients recovered from COVID-19 in Central Vietnam.

INTRODUCTION: Evidence on post-COVID-19 conditions is emerging. This study aims to assess post-COVID conditions and related factors in COVID-19 patients in Central Vietnam. METHODOLOGY: A descriptive cross-sectional study was performed on people who have recovered from COVID-19 at least 2 weeks prior to the online survey. Participants were interviewed face-to-face after 6 and 9 months from the first survey. RESULTS: 53 patients (21.2%) were confirmed to have persistent symptoms, of which, 100% and 94.3% reported prolonged fatigue and full-body weakness respectively. Loss of appetite was reported by 90.6%, while persistent cough, insomnia, and trouble sleeping were reported by 86.3% of patients. Headaches and dyspnea were reported by 69.5% and 56.8% respectively, while other symptoms had lower rates. The prevalence of post-COVID condition showed a statistically significant relationship with the time of infection, duration of illness, treatment place, use of herbal medicine, adherence to the 5K message from Vietnam's Ministry of Health, and daily saltwater mouthwash (p < 0.05). However, the use of medicine and supplements was not related to the post-COVID condition (p > 0.05). After 6 months, 125 participants were interviewed face-to-face, and only 15 people (12.0%) reported having post-COVID symptoms, mainly prolonged fatigue (33.3%) and persistent cough (26.7%). After 9 months, these 15 patients no longer had symptoms related to the post- COVID-19 condition. CONCLUSIONS: The post-COVID condition can persist for several weeks or months, but will mostly be in remission after 6 months, and completely resolve after 9 months from the onset of the infection.

Job satisfaction of hospital pharmacists in a representative province in Mekong Delta, Vietnam.

BACKGROUND: Job satisfaction is an important factor affecting job performance and turnover of healthcare workers, especially hospital pharmacists. Nevertheless, limited studies have reported this issue in the context of Vietnam. OBJECTIVES: To help maintain the quality and size of the limited hospital pharmacy workforce in Vietnam, especially in the Mekong Delta area, this study investigated the job satisfaction of hospital pharmacists, and the associated factors, in Vinh Long province, a representative province in the central Mekong Delta. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted, recruiting hospital pharmacists working in all 17 province/district-affiliated healthcare facilities across Vinh Long province, Vietnam, between August and September 2022. RESULTS: Among the 235 survey participants (representing a response rate of 97.1%), 189 pharmacists (80.4%) reported that they were satisfied with their job. Working conditions, leadership styles, and benefits were factors found to significantly influence job satisfaction. Pharmacists who had worked in the field for 3-5 years (OR = 3.752, 95% CI = 1.036-13.595), more than 5 years (OR = 6.361, 95% CI = 2.264-17.875), did not have additional duties besides their primary responsibilities (OR = 2.046, 95% CI = 1.005-4.163), and worked in a private healthcare facility (OR = 12.021, 95% CI = 1.470-98.316), were significantly more likely to be satisfied with their job. CONCLUSIONS: Most hospital pharmacists were satisfied with their current job. To further improve job satisfaction in this population, further improvements to working conditions are necessary.

Monolayer Ge2Te2P4 as a promising photocatalyst for solar driven water-splitting: a DFT study.

The buckling hexagonal structure of Ge2Te2P4 was studied by first-principles calculations. The newly proposed structure was proven to be stable by analyzing its cohesive energy, phonon dispersion, elastic constants and AIMD results. Poisson's ratio of the Ge2Te2P4 monolayer is in the range 0.16-0.18, and Young's modulus is in the range 40.16-43.74 N m-1. The substituted Te atoms enhance the sp2 orbitals which strengthen the σ-bonds and therefore the thickness of the Ge2Te2P4 monolayer is smaller than that of monolayer GeP3. The Ge2Te2P4 monolayer has an indirect band gap of 1.85 eV, which can be narrowed by strains. The compressive band gaps from -2% to -4% change the electronic structure from the indirect band gap into the direct band gap. Strains can also increase the light absorption rate α(ω) in the visible region, which is 2-3 × 105 cm-1 at equilibrium. The Ge2Te2P4 monolayer has a suitable band gap and an appropriate VBM and CBM position for hydrogen generation. Under strain rate of 4% and higher, the VBM and CBM remain at suitable positions for hydrogen production. Another advantage of the Ge2Te2P4 monolayer is that its charge carrier mobilities are really high. The highest electron mobility is 1301.47 cm2 V-1 s-1, and the highest hole mobility is 28627.24 cm2 V-1 s-1, which are much higher than the mobility in monolayer GeP3. The Ge2Te2P4 monolayer has advantages for photocatalytic applications and it is necessary to perform further study on the material.

Effectiveness of a Health Education Program in Hypertensive Patients with Dyslipidemia and/or Microalbuminuria: A Quasi-Experimental Study in Vinh Long Province, Vietnam.

INTRODUCTION: Hypertension, a major health concern, is associated with significant mortality and disease burden worldwide, including Vietnam. Comprehensive interventions targeting medication, lifestyle modifications, dyslipidemia (DLP), and microalbuminuria (MAU) are vital for effective hypertension management and reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease complications (CDV). While medication interventions have proven efficacy, the evidence regarding the effectiveness of community-based health education interventions in managing DLP and MAU is limited. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of community health education interventions in reducing hypertension risk factors and achieving hypertension management objectives, as well as managing DLP and MAU among hypertension patients. METHODS: A quasi-experimental study was conducted on 330 hypertensive patients with dyslipidemia (DLP) and/or microalbuminuria (MAU) who were divided into a control group (n = 164) and an intervention group (n = 166). The control group received standard national hypertension management, while the intervention group received additional intensive health education provided by trained volunteers. The effectiveness of the intervention was assessed by comparing outcomes such as lifestyle factors, BMI control, treatment adherence, hypertension control, and DLP and MAU status between the two groups before and after a two-year intervention period. RESULTS: The health education intervention resulted in significant reductions in dietary risk factors, specifically in fruit and vegetable consumption (p < 0.001). There was a lower prevalence of high salt intake in the intervention group compared to the control group (p = 0.002), while no significant differences were observed in other dietary factors. Smoking habits and low physical activity significantly decreased in the intervention group, with a notable disparity in physical activity proportions (p < 0.001). Both groups showed significant improvements in achieving hypertension management targets, with the intervention group demonstrating superior outcomes. The intervention was effective in reducing the prevalence of risk factors, particularly treatment non-adherence, blood pressure control, and low physical activity. Additionally, the intervention group had a higher likelihood of achieving DLP and MAU control compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: This study underscored the additional positive impact of incorporating health education by non-professional educators in achieving favorable outcomes, including better control of BMI, blood pressure, medication adherence, and management of dyslipidemia (DLP) and microalbuminuria (MAU). Further research is warranted to fully explore the potential of health education in primary healthcare settings and maximize its effectiveness.

Turning foes into permissive hosts: manipulation of macrophage polarization by intracellular bacteria.

Macrophages function as tissue-immune sentinels and mediate key antimicrobial responses against bacterial pathogens. Yet, they can also act as a cellular niche for intracellular bacteria, such as Salmonella enterica, to persist in infected tissues. Macrophages exhibit heterogeneous activation or polarization, states that are linked to differential antibacterial responses and bacteria permissiveness. Remarkably, recent studies demonstrate that Salmonella and other intracellular bacteria inject virulence effectors into the cellular cytoplasm to skew the macrophage polarization state and reprogram these immune cells into a permissive niche. Here, we review mechanisms of macrophage reprogramming by Salmonella and highlight manipulation of macrophage polarization as a shared bacterial pathogenesis strategy. In addition, we discuss how the interplay of bacterial effector mechanisms, microenvironmental signals, and ontogeny may shape macrophage cell states and functions. Finally, we propose ideas of how further research will advance our understanding of macrophage functional diversity and immunobiology.