Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) from low-cost silver nanoparticle-decorated cicada wing substrates for rapid detection of difenoconazole in potato.

Potato is one of the most important food crops worldwide in terms of human consumption. However, potato farmers employ a variety of pesticides to protect crops from harmful insects and illnesses, and difenoconazole is a commonly used one that has severe effects on human health and the environment. Therefore, detecting difenoconazole quickly and correctly is critical. In this work, we fabricated AgNPs/cicada wing substrates using natural cicada segments, decorated with silver nanoparticles for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) measurements to detect trace amounts of difenoconazole in potatoes. Results indicated that a linear relationship with the coefficient of detection (R2) of 0.987 and the detection limit (LOD) of 0.016 ppm was observed by targeting a distinctive peak at 808 cm-1 and logarithmic difenoconazole concentrations of 0.1 to 100 ppm. In addition, difenoconazole LODs in potatoes were 63 µg/kg, lower than those specified by the EU (0.1 mg/kg) and Vietnam (4 mg/kg) utilizing this new technique. Therefore, this proposed SERS method could be used to detect difenoconazole in potatoes at trace levels.

Engineering SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies for increased potency and reduced viral escape

The rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 variants poses a constant threat of escape from monoclonal antibody and vaccine countermeasures. Mutations in the ACE2 receptor binding site on the surface S protein have been shown to disrupt antibody binding and prevent viral neutralization. Here, we use a directed evolution-based approach to engineer three neutralizing antibodies for enhanced binding to S protein. The engineered antibodies showed increased in vitro functional activity in terms of neutralization potency and/or breadth of neutralization against viral variants. Deep mutational scanning revealed that higher binding affinity reduced the total number of viral escape mutations. Studies in the Syrian hamster model showed two examples where the affinity matured antibody provided superior protection compared to the parental antibody. These data suggest that monoclonal antibodies for anti-viral indications could benefit from in vitro affinity maturation to reduce viral escape pathways and appropriate affinity maturation in vaccine immunization could help resist viral variation.

Determination of Plate Corrosion Dimension Using Nd:YAG Pulsed Laser-generated Wavefield and Experimental Dispersion Curves.

Corrosion detection using a pulsed laser scanning system can be performed via ultrasonic wave propagation imaging. This method outputs illustrations of the wave field within the host structure; thus, it can depict wave-corrosion area interactions. Additionally, post-processing can be performed to enhance the visualization of corroded areas. The wavefield energy computed using RMS (Root Mean Square) is a validated post-processing tool capable of displaying the location and area of corrosion-damaged regions. Nonetheless, to characterize corrosion, it is necessary to determine its depth. The measurement of depth in conjunction with that of the corroded area via the RMS distribution enables the determination of all dimensions of corrosion damage. Thereafter, the flaw severity can be evaluated. This study employed a wavefield within a plate on which corrosion was developed artificially to generate frequency-wavenumber dispersion curves. The curves were compared with their counterparts from a corrosion-free plate. Alternatively, they could be compared with dispersion curves drawn using the depth and material properties of a pristine plate via a computer program. Frequency-wavenumber pairs were extracted from the dispersion curves produced using the portion of the wavefield within the corroded area. These were inserted into the Rayleigh-Lamb equation, from which depths were calculated and averaged.

Trends in prediabetes and diabetes prevalence and associated risk factors in Vietnamese adults / 한국역학회지

OBJECTIVES@#The prevalence of diabetes mellitus is rapidly increasing in Vietnam, particularly among adults aged over 45 years. This study estimated trends in diabetes and prediabetes prevalence and determined risk factors in Vietnamese adults (over 45 years). @*METHODS@#A cross-sectional study was conducted based on data from an annual diabetes screening program among people aged 45-69 years in an urban city in central Vietnam (Da Nang). Joinpoint regression analyses were performed to calculate the annual percentage change and ptrend-values. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to determine risk factors. @*RESULTS@#In total, 3,765 men and 9,149 women were included in this analysis. The age-adjusted prevalence of diabetes and prediabetes in 2017 was 11.4% and 52.9%, respectively. The prevalence of diabetes was higher in men (15.1%) than in women (10.3%), but that of prediabetes was similar in both genders (53.4% vs. 52.8%). The prevalence of prediabetes significantly increased during the study period, whereas no upward or downward trend for diabetes was observed. The prevalence of obesity, abdominal obesity, hypertension, and dyslipidemia showed no obvious trend. Obesity, a high waist-to-hip ratio, hypertension, more severe abdominal obesity, and dyslipidemia were significantly associated with a higher risk of diabetes and prediabetes. @*CONCLUSIONS@#Diabetes and prediabetes were more prevalent among people aged over 45 years than in the general population. Da Nang has experienced a marked increase in the prevalence of prediabetes. These findings have significant implications regarding the need for nationwide public health interventions and management aiming at diabetes prevention and control.

Trends in prediabetes and diabetes prevalence and associated risk factors in Vietnamese adults / 한국역학회지

OBJECTIVES@#The prevalence of diabetes mellitus is rapidly increasing in Vietnam, particularly among adults aged over 45 years. This study estimated trends in diabetes and prediabetes prevalence and determined risk factors in Vietnamese adults (over 45 years). @*METHODS@#A cross-sectional study was conducted based on data from an annual diabetes screening program among people aged 45-69 years in an urban city in central Vietnam (Da Nang). Joinpoint regression analyses were performed to calculate the annual percentage change and ptrend-values. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to determine risk factors. @*RESULTS@#In total, 3,765 men and 9,149 women were included in this analysis. The age-adjusted prevalence of diabetes and prediabetes in 2017 was 11.4% and 52.9%, respectively. The prevalence of diabetes was higher in men (15.1%) than in women (10.3%), but that of prediabetes was similar in both genders (53.4% vs. 52.8%). The prevalence of prediabetes significantly increased during the study period, whereas no upward or downward trend for diabetes was observed. The prevalence of obesity, abdominal obesity, hypertension, and dyslipidemia showed no obvious trend. Obesity, a high waist-to-hip ratio, hypertension, more severe abdominal obesity, and dyslipidemia were significantly associated with a higher risk of diabetes and prediabetes. @*CONCLUSIONS@#Diabetes and prediabetes were more prevalent among people aged over 45 years than in the general population. Da Nang has experienced a marked increase in the prevalence of prediabetes. These findings have significant implications regarding the need for nationwide public health interventions and management aiming at diabetes prevention and control.

Free Vibration Analysis of Smart Laminated Functionally Graded CNT Reinforced Composite Plates via New Four-Variable Refined Plate Theory.

This paper presents a new four-variable refined plate theory for free vibration analysis of laminated piezoelectric functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced composite plates (PFG-CNTRC). The present theory includes a parabolic distribution of transverse shear strain through the thickness and satisfies zero traction boundary conditions at both free surfaces of the plates. Thus, no shear correction factor is required. The distribution of carbon nanotubes across the thickness of each FG-CNT layer can be functionally graded or uniformly distributed. Additionally, the electric potential in piezoelectric layers is assumed to be quadratically distributed across the thickness. Equations of motion for PFG-CNTRC rectangular plates are derived using both Maxwell's equation and Hamilton's principle. Using the Navier technique, natural frequencies of the simply supported hybrid plate with closed circuit and open circuit of electrical boundary conditions are calculated. New parametric studies regarding the effect of the volume fraction, the CNTs distribution, the number of layers, CNT fiber orientation and thickness of the piezoelectric layer on the free vibration response of hybrid plates are performed.

Current infection with small liver fluke at 2 communes Xuan Tien and Xuan Chau of Xuan Truong district, Nam Dinh province

Background: Liver flukes is classified into Foodbone Trematodes, which can cause serious harmful effect to human health such as cirrhosis. Objective: To identify the infection rate of small liver fluke at 2 communes Xuan Tien and Xuan Chau of Xuan Truong district, Nam Dinh province. Subject and Method: The descriptive epidemiological study with a random sampling was conducted on 1411 people aged 18 or higher to find small liver fluke eggs in their feces by Kato's method. Result and Conclusion: Findings show that the infection rate of small liver fluke in people was 19.1 %, and that in Xuan Tien was higher than that in Xuan Chau (29.7% vs. 6.2%). The infection rate was highest in the 40-49 year old group (28.4%), and lowest in the 18-29 year old group (7.6%). Males had a higher infection rate than females (31.0% vs.10.5%). By occupation, the home craft had the highest infection rate (39.1 %), followed by farmers (20.1 %) and some others (6%). Those who completed secondary school or lower education had a infection rate higher than that of those who completed high school (24.1 % vs. 8.8%).

Antimalarial drug quality monitoring in 2007

Background: Monitoring antimalarial drug quality should be conducted regularly in locals to enhance the effect of treatment for malaria \r\n', u'Objective: to study and analyze antimalarial drug quality\r\n', u'Subjects and methods: The study was carried out in 2007 for 5 provinces supported by the Global Fund: Ha Giang, Dien Bien, Thanh Hoa, Quang Tri and Gia Lai. Material were malaria drugs: artesunat, chloroquin, quinine, mefloquin, fansidar\u2026etc\r\n', u'Results and conclusion: The strict supervision on the anti-malarial drug quality by the National Malaria Control Program was very good and no substandard antimalarial drugs were detected. Evaluation of antimalarial drug quality and control was made for finding out the counterfeit drugs through sentinel sites in both private and public sectors. A total of 268 samples were collected, of which 13 samples were found substandard drugs (8 samples collected in private and 5 samples in public sectors). No counterfeit drugs were found. \r\n', u'

Some results of malaria parasite species collected from Daknong province and analysis of drug resistance in P.Palciparum by the polymerase chain reaction

Background: In many years, National Institute of Malariology, Parasitology and Entomology conducted collection, storage and preservation of malaria parasites species \r\n', u'Objective: to evaluate some results of malaria parasite species collected from Daknong province and analysis of drug resistance in P.Palciparum by the polymerase chain reaction.\r\n', u'Subject and method: Malaria parasite species collected from Daknong province in 2006. Thirty-five isolates were confirmed to be resistant with chloroquin by in vitro test. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment leng polymorphism were used. \r\n', u'Results: 55 Plasmodium jalciparum. 7 Plasmodium vivax. 4 Plasmodium malariae. 1 Plasmodium ovale samples were collected from the malaria patients. A preliminary analysis of drug-resistant mutations in the Plasmodium jalciparum chloroquine resistance transpory (pfcrt) and P Jalciparummulti-drug resistant genes showed that the change of the order of amino-acid of Plasmodium jalciparum was closely correlated to chloroquine resistance in 35 isolates at the mutant allele 76 of pfcrt gene of chloroquine resistant Plasmodiuntjalciparum isolates. \r\n', u'Conclusion: These results contributed to supplement malaria parasite species that were stored in National Institute of Malariology, Parasitology ad Entomology.\r\n', u'

Treatment of the chronic myeloid leukemia by Hydrea in the Ho Chi Minh center for hematology and blood transfusion

88 patients with the chronic myeloid leukemia treated with Hydrea during 1/1999 - 12/2000. Most of them admitted to the center for hematology and blood transfusion in the conditions of very high leukocytosis and acute mortality risk due to cerebrovascular obstruction. Patients indicated by high dose of Hydrea in average duration of treatment of 6.5 (1.8 days. The treatment with Hydrea demonstrated that the survival duration of patients was lasted. The drug had fewer side effects. The treatment was not expensive. This is suitable for economic conditions of patients in Vietnam.

Treatment of the chronic myeloid leukemia by autologous stem cells transplantation of peripheral blood

A patient with the chronic myeloid leukemia received the autologous stem cells transplantation of peripheral blood. The results have shown that the patient was responded well with the autograft, the graft grew early as estimation. The patient also responded completely with the treatment by Hydrea. The clinical and hematological signs were stable in the long-term. The complication during transplantation was mild. The total survival duration was 75 months.

Some realizations of the 10-year socialization of malaria control in VietNam

In past ten years, the socialized activity has contributed an important part in improving the malaria situation of VietNam, with remarkable achievements are: after 10 years (1991-2000), the malaria mortality reduced by 96.8%, malaria incidence reduced by 73%. Malaria outbreaks reduced by 98.6% and many locals have created sustainable factors to maintain the result of malaria control

Evaluation of the malaria control activity in Vietnam in 2000

An evaluation of the malaria control activity in 2000 has shown that the malaria control activity has obtained some achievements including no big outbreak, reduction of morbidity number and mortality number to 50% and 60%, respectively when comparing with these in 1995. This paper presented some shortcoming such as the high morbidity and mortality, malaria in the central highland, limited diagnosis, treatment, education and communication in the local level, especially in remote areas as well as unstable equipment and material

Primarily investigation of artherosclerosis in Ho Chi Minh center for Hematology and Blood Transfussion

7/1999 to 7/2000, 201 patients included 97 males and 104 females, were diagnosed and treated for atherosclerosis in vascular disease unit of hematology center. Followed-up by 3D Doppler, their IMT showed better. We hope this treatment may prevent the accidents of cerebral and coronary arteries.

Some opinions of the myelogram in 2,445 cases implemented in the Ho Chi Minh center for Hematology and Blood Transfusion

Compiling 2,445 bone marrow aspiration cytology done at hematology department of HCM city and Blood Transfuson Centre (between Mar 1996-Aug 1998) we found the following results. -Acute leukemia: 737 cases (30.1%) -Myelohyperplasia syndrome: 132 cases (5.4%). - Aplastic anemia: 98 cases (4%). - Myelodysplasia: 49 cases (22%). -Lympho profilerative disease: 41 cases (1.7%). - Megaloblastic anemia: 14 cases (0,6%).- Cancer metastasis 26 cases (1.1%). - Extramedullary disorders: 1,100 cases (45%) - Normal Bone marrow cytology 213 cases (8.7%). Needle bone marrow aspiration technic, simple, nearly without complication, now still has remained the major diagnostic test for hematology disorders.

Some opinions of immunomarkers in diagnosis of acute leukemia

At the blood transfusion and haematology centre of HCM, we performed phenotyping for 118 cases of acute leukemia diagnosed from 1/11/1999 to 31/7/2000. Based on the results, we go futher to choose appropriate treatment protocol and prognosis.

Malaria control activities in Vietnam within 30 years of implementation of Hochiminh’s will

From 1991, the Vietnam has been implementing the National malaria control program aiming at the reduction of outbreak, morbidity and mortality. This program has obtained some primary achievements including interruption of malaria outbreak, reduction of malaria epidemy, and morbidity and mortality