Electrochemical Plasma for Treating 2,4,5-Trichlorophenoxyacetic Acid in a Water Environment Using Iron Electrodes.

Herbicide compounds containing aromatic rings and chlorine atoms, such as 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic (2,4,5-T), cause serious environmental pollution. Furthermore, these compounds are very difficult to decompose by chemical, physical, and biological techniques. Fortunately, the high-voltage direct current electrochemical technique can be controlled to form a plasma on metallic electrodes. It creates active species, such as H2, O2, and H2O2, and free radicals, such as H•, O•, and OH•. Free radicals that have a high oxidation potential (e.g., OH•) are highly effective in oxidizing benzene-oring compounds. Iron electrodes are used in the study to combine the dissolving process of the iron anode electrode to create Fe2+ ions and the electrochemical Fenton reaction. In addition, the flocculation process by Fe(OH)2 also occurs and the plasma appears with a voltage of 5 kV on the iron electrode in a solution of 30 mg L-1 of 2,4,5-T. After a period of time of the reaction, the aromatic-oring compounds containing chlorine were effectively treated, and the electric conductivity of the solution increased due to the amount of Cl- ions released in the solution and the decrease in the pH value. The degradable products of 2,4,5-T were qualitatively characterized by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and it was determined that straight-chain carboxylic acids are formed in the solution. These compounds are easy to oxidize thoroughly under appropriate conditions in a solution via OH• free radicals. Moreover, 2,4,5-T was also quantitatively analyzed using a calibration curve from GC-MS and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Furthermore, this work also suggests that the performance of the treatment process can be optimized by controlling the technological factors, such as the input voltage, the distance between anodic and cathodic electrodes, the initial concentration of 2,4,5-T, and flowing air through the solution that represents an approximately 99.83% degradable efficiency. Finally, the work demonstrates a potential technology for treating the 2,4,5-T compound, particularly for environmental pollution treatments.

Prediction of risk factors for recurrence of atrial fibrillation in patients with arterial hypertension.

This work aimed to assess the significance of risk factors for atrial fibrillation recurrence and predict the significance of these factors in the development of arterial hypertension in patients. For the first time, the authors performed prognostic analysis of atrial fibrillation recurrence probability taking into account the number and significance of risk factors. The study was conducted in 2018-2019 based on the Cardiovascular Department of Military Hospital 175, Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam). A total of 200 patients were diagnosed with arterial hypertension of I-III degree, divided into 2 groups: Group 1 (84 patients) without recurrence of atrial fibrillation, Group 2 (116 patients) with recurrences. All patients underwent echocardiographic and veloergometric studies, as well as Holter monitoring. Group 2 consisted of a significantly higher number of overweight patients (p ≤ 0.05) compared to Group 1. Also, more patients with a prolonged period of arterial hypertension (p ≤ 0.05), high blood pressure (p ≤ 0.02), and diabetes mellitus (p ≤ 0.01) were found in Group 1. A history of atrial fibrillation was more typical for Group 2 (p ≤ 0.03). Among risk factors, arterial hypertension of III degree (0.01) and left ventricular myocardial mass index (0.02) had the highest level of significance. Maximum unfavorable prognosis of atrial fibrillation recurrence is released under the action of all three factors. Under one risk factor (arterial hypertension), the degree of risk is quite high (1.4 times), but minimal compared to the other factors. With the fibrillation, the risk of recurrence increases slightly (1.6 times, p ≤ 0.05). The risk of atrial fibrillation recurrence is maximal when all three factors are combined (with atrial dilatation attached), with the risk increasing almost 2-fold (2.2-fold, p ≤ 0.01).

Early identification and intervention services for children with autism in Vietnam.

BACKGROUND: In high income countries in Europe and North America, early identification and intervention for autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have been linked to improved long-term outcomes. However, in most low and middle income countries (LMIC) little is known about use or availability of such services, which limits the ability of policy and development planning. The purpose of the present study was assess the use of ASD services in Vietnam, an Asian LMIC, in order to identify areas within the field that should be specifically targeted to improve ASD services in Vietnam. METHODS: Surveys were conducted in six different cities across Vietnam with 90 parents/caregivers of children with ASD, 115 professionals working with children with ASD, and 10 directors of agencies providing ASD services. Parents/caregivers' survey assessed demographics and information regarding their child's symptoms and services the child received. Professionals' survey assessed their demographic and professional background, the ASD services they provide, and their perspective on the quality of ASD services at their agency. Directors' survey included these same questions as well as additional questions regarding the operation of the agency. RESULTS: Early identification and intervention ASD services are available in Vietnam, at least in major cities. However, there is a lack of well-trained professionals, the tools used for evaluation and diagnosis are limited, outdated and unstandardized, and the quality of services is questionable. Most importantly, a scientific evidence base for services is absent, and the country lacks an official governmental policy for supporting children with ASD. CONCLUSIONS: Research directly assessing the quality of ASD services in Vietnam is needed. Most centrally, efforts at facilitating governmental policy and support advocacy are needed to increase the likelihood that families and children with ASD will receive appropriate and effective services.