Thalassemia and Hemoglobinopathies in an Ethnic Minority Group in Northern Vietnam.

This study assessed thalassemia and hemoglobinopathies in a group of the Tay ethnic minority. Participants included 289 women of reproductive-age who enrolled in a pilot screening program for thalassemia conducted at six communities of Thai Nguyen Province, northern Vietnam. Standard procedures including complete blood count (CBC), hemoglobin (Hb) and DNA analyses were performed for all samples. The prevalence of thalassemia in 289 Tay women was 15.6% (gene frequency 0.078) for α0-thalassemia (α0-thal), 10.0% (gene frequency 0.050) for α+-thal, 7.3% (gene frequency 0.036) for ß-thalassemia (ß-thal), 2.4% (gene frequency 0.012) for Hb Constant Spring [Hb CS; α142, Term→Gln, TAA>CAA (α2), HBA2: c.427T>C] and 1.7% (gene frequency 0.009) for Hb E [ß26(B8)Glu→Lys, GAG>AAG; HBB: c.79G>A]. Further analysis of ß-globin gene abnormalities identified four mutations including codons 41/42 (-TCTT) (HBB: c.126_129delCTTT), codon 17 (A>T) (HBB: c.52A>T), codons 71/72 (+A) (HBB: c.216_217insA), and -28 (A>G) (HBB: c.78A>G). The results hint at the remarkably high frequencies of severe forms of thalassemia that indicate a serious public health problem requiring further exploration, and most probably, also intervention within the country.

Estimation and Preparation of the Hypervariable Regions I/II Templates for Mitochondrial DNA Typing From Human Bones and Teeth Remains Using Singleplex Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction.

A method was designed for estimating and sequencing of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) that effectively and more quickly provides a complete mtDNA profile. In this context, we have developed this novel strategy for typing mtDNA from 10 bones and teeth remains (3 months to 44 years). The quantification of mtDNA was achieved by singleplex real-time polymerase chain reaction of the hypervariable region I fragment (445 bp) and hypervariable region II fragment (617 bp). Combined with the melting curve analysis, we have determined as little as 10 pg of mtDNA template that is suitable for sequence analysis. Furthermore, quantitative polymerase chain reaction products were directly used for following step of mtDNA typing by Sanger sequencing. This method allows the profile to be completely provided for faster human identification.

DNA sensor development based on multi-wall carbon nanotubes for label-free influenza virus (type A) detection.

This paper describes the DNA immobilization using carbon multi-walled nanotubes (MWCNTs) for direct and label-free detection of influenza virus (type A). The DNA probe was attached on the sensor surface by means of covalent bonding between the amine and phosphate groups of the DNA sequence. The interaction between the DNA probe and the MWCNTs were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometry, Raman spectra. The hybridization of the DNA probe and the target DNA were detected by changes in the conductance on the surface of sensors leading to the change in the output signal of the system. The results show that the DNA sensor can detect as low as 0.5 nM of the target DNA samples; the response time of DNA sensor is approximately 4 min.

Conductometric tyrosinase biosensor for the detection of diuron, atrazine and its main metabolites.

The determination of diuron, atrazine, desisopropylatrazine (DIA) and desethylatrazine (DEA) were investigated using conductometric tyrosinase biosensor. Tyrosinase was immobilised on the biosensor sensitive part by allowing it to mix with bovine serum albumin (BSA) and then cross-linking in saturated glutaraldehyde (GA) vapour for 30min. The determination of pollutants in a solution was performed by comparison of the output signal (i.e percentage of the enzymatic activity) of the biosensor before and after contact with pollutants. The measurement of the enzymatic activity was performed using 4-chlorophenol, phenol and catechol substrates and response times ranging from 1 to 5min were observed. A 4-chlorophenol substrate was used to detect pesticides. A 30min contact time of the biosensor in the pollutant solution was used. Under the experimental conditions employed, detection limits for diuron and atrazine were about 1ppb and dynamic range of 2.3-2330 and 2.15-2150ppb were obtained for diuron and atrazine, respectively. A relative standard deviation (n=3) of the output signal was estimated to be 5% and a slight drift of 1.5muSh(-1) was observed. The 90% of the enzyme activity was still maintained after 23 days of storage in a buffer solution at 4 degrees C.