Development of a highly sensitive point-of-care test for African swine fever that combines EZ-Fast DNA extraction with LAMP detection: Evaluation using naturally infected swine whole blood samples from Vietnam.

BACKGROUND: While early detection and early containment are key to controlling the African swine fever (ASF) pandemic, the lack of practical testing methods for use in the field are a major barrier to achieving this feat. OBJECTIVES: To describe the development of a rapid and sensitive point-of-care test (POCT) for ASF, and its evaluation using swine whole blood samples for field settings. METHODS: In total, 89 swine whole blood samples were collected from Vietnamese swine farms and were performed the POCT using a combination of crude DNA extraction and LAMP (loop-mediated isothermal amplification) amplification. RESULTS: The POCT enabled crude DNA to be extracted from swine whole blood samples within 10 min at extremely low cost and with relative ease. The entire POCT required a maximum of 50 min from the beginning of DNA extraction to final judgment. Compared to a conventional real-time PCR detection, the POCT showed a 1 log reduction in detection sensitivity, but comparable diagnostic sensitivity of 100% (56/56) and diagnostic specificity of 100% (33/33). The POCT was quicker and easier to perform and did not require special equipment. CONCLUSIONS: This POCT is expected to facilitate early diagnosis and containment of ASF invasion into both regions in which it is endemic and eradicated.

Effectiveness of Continuous Endotracheal Cuff Pressure Control for the Prevention of Ventilator-Associated Respiratory Infections: An Open-Label Randomized, Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: An endotracheal tube cuff pressure between 20 and 30 cmH2O is recommended to prevent ventilator-associated respiratory infection (VARI). We aimed to evaluate whether continuous cuff pressure control (CPC) was associated with reduced VARI incidence compared with intermittent CPC. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter open-label randomized controlled trial in intensive care unit (ICU) patients within 24 hours of intubation in Vietnam. Patients were randomly assigned 1:1 to receive either continuous CPC using an automated electronic device or intermittent CPC using a manually hand-held manometer. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of VARI, evaluated by an independent reviewer blinded to the CPC allocation. RESULTS: We randomized 600 patients; 597 received the intervention or control and were included in the intention to treat analysis. Compared with intermittent CPC, continuous CPC did not reduce the proportion of patients with at least one episode of VARI (74/296 [25%] vs 69/301 [23%]; odds ratio [OR] 1.13; 95% confidence interval [CI] .77-1.67]. There were no significant differences between continuous and intermittent CPC concerning the proportion of microbiologically confirmed VARI (OR 1.40; 95% CI .94-2.10), the proportion of intubated days without antimicrobials (relative proportion [RP] 0.99; 95% CI .87-1.12), rate of ICU discharge (cause-specific hazard ratio [HR] 0.95; 95% CI .78-1.16), cost of ICU stay (difference in transformed mean [DTM] 0.02; 95% CI -.05 to .08], cost of ICU antimicrobials (DTM 0.02; 95% CI -.25 to .28), cost of hospital stay (DTM 0.02; 95% CI -.04 to .08), and ICU mortality risk (OR 0.96; 95% CI .67-1.38). CONCLUSIONS: Maintaining CPC through an automated electronic device did not reduce VARI incidence. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02966392.

Linh Phu Khang Tue Tinh inhibited prostate proliferation in rats induced benign prostatic hyperplasia by testosterone propionate.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the hyperproliferation of the stromal and the epithelial cells within the prostatic transition zone. In recent years, phytotherapy have been studied with the concern for increasing quality of life, improving lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) as well as reducing prostate volume and the frequency of adverse events was similar to that of placebo. Linh Phu Khang Tue Tinh (LPKTT) capsules are formulated from 4 herbs widely used in traditional Vietnamese medicine - Panax notoginseng (Burkill) F.H.Chen - Tam that (radix), Crinum asiaticum L. - Náng hoa trang or giant crinum lily, Polygonum cuspidatum Willd. ex Spreng. (= Reynoutria japonica Houtt) - Cot cu khí or Japanese knotweed (radix), Oldenlandia herbacea (L.) Roxb. (formerly known as Hedyotis diffusa Spreng.) - Bach hoa xà thie^t thao or slender oldenlandia (herb). The preparation has been used in traditional Vietnamese medicine to treat nocturia, weak urine stream, urinary tract infection. According to modern studies, these herbs have anti-inflammation, antitumor, and antioxidant activities. AIMS OF THE STUDY: Evaluating the effects of LPKTT capsules on the development of BPH using a rat model of BPH induced by testosterone propionate (TP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: 60 male Wistar rats, 10-12 weeks of age, weight 200-250 g were separated into six groups: (G1) a normal control group that was taken orally phosphate-buffered saline (p.o.; PBS.) with corn oil (subcutaneous injection- Sc); (G2) a BPH model group that received PBS (p.o) with TP (Sc); (G3) a positive control group that received dutasteride (25 µg/kg BW/24 h, p.o.) with TP (Sc); (G4) a positive control group that received alfuzosin HCl (1.8 mg/kg BW/24 h, p.o.) with TP (s.c.) and (G5 and G6) LPKTT groups that received LPKTT at 289.8 or 869.4 mg/kg(p.o.) respectively, with TP (s.c.). BPH model was induced by Sc of TP, 3 mg/kg for 4 weeks. After that, rats were received NaCl/Dutasteride/Alfuzosin/LPKTT for the next 28 days. On the 56th day, assessed the results were through the indicators: micturition frequency, voided volume, total voided volume, the prostate and body weights, the ratio of prostate weight to body weight, prostate histology. RESULTS: LPKTT reduced micturition frequency and increased the voided volume when compared to the control group (p < 0.01). The results were equivalent to those of the alfuzosin ones (G4). LPKTT lowered prostate weight and the ratio of prostate weight to body weight when compared to the control group (p < 0.01). These reductions were the same in the dutasteride ones. Histomorphology in G5 and G6 also showed that LPKTT inhibited TP induced prostatic hyperplasia. The results were similar to that in the dutasteride group. Microscopic images of prostate in G5 and G6 were almost similar to that of G1. CONCLUSION: LPKTT capsules work to inhibit prostate proliferation in rats induced BPH by TP.

Cladophialophora bantiana and Candida albicans mixed infection in cerebral abscess of an HIV-negative patient.

Cladophialophora bantiana is a black fungus recorded rarely as a cause of brain abscess. We describe the first case seen in Vietnam. A 35-year-old, previously healthy male, HIV negative, came to the hospital with a clinical diagnosis of brain tumor. He underwent surgery to remove the well-delineated circumscribed lesion. Pathology, directed physical examination and mycological examination revealed an abscess due to Cladophialophora bantiana, and Candida albicans. After two weeks of treatment with Fluconazole 400 mg per day intravenously, the clinical response remained unsatisfactory. Therapy was then withheld per the family's request.