Effects of protein levels of commercial diets on the growth performance and survival rate of rabbitfish (Siganus guttatus) at the nursing stage

This study aimed to determine the effect of a commercial diet's protein level on the fry-to-fingerling stage. Thirty days-old fries having the initial length and weight of 18.25 ± 0.15 mm fish-1 and 0.036 ± 0.50 g fish-1 respectively have been used in this study. Diet having three protein levels i.e. 30% (trial 1 as control), 35% (trial 2), 40% (trial 3), and 45% (trial 4), respectively, have been used to evaluate the effect of protein, and each trial has been repeated three times. During the study, stocking density was allocated to 1000 fish per composite tank with a volume of 1 m3. After 30 days of rearing, the weight of fingerlings in trial 1 reached up to 1.50 ± 0.02 g fish-1 and it was recorded as 1.52 ± 0.01g for trial 2, these two were lower than that of trials 3 and 4, where fingerling weight was reported 1.69 ± 0.01 and 1.58g fish-1 respectively and obtained the best weight compared to others. The length of fingerlings at the end of the experimental period was also changed in different trials and it was recorded 47.12; 46.92; 50.97; and 48.89 mm fish-1 for trail 1, 2, 3, and 4 respectively, among the tested combinations lower fingerlings length was recorded for trial 2 (35% CP), but it is not significantly different for trial 1 and 2 and a significant difference (P < 0.05) was reported for trail 2, 3, and 4. The survival rate of fingerlings ranged from 67.27 to 72.33%. Meanwhile, the herd distribution coefficient variation (CVW) in the treatment using 40% protein (trial 3) was the highest at 72.33% (p < 0.05). The results of the study can be concluded that the level of protein has a significant effect on the various growth parameters of fingerlings

Optimization of culture conditions of Streptomyces antibioticus strain 1083 to improve the antimicrobial activity against Aeromonas hydrophila

Fish is a healthy, high protein and low fat food that encourages the health and growth of people, especially children. However, in fact fish is very sensitive to many diseases which affects the productivity and quality of fish. Therefore, identifying the cause of the diseases and finding preventive measures become an urgent task today. In the previous study, we isolated Streptomyces antibioticus strain 1083 that has the ability to antagonize Aeromonas hydrophila - a pathogenic bacterium in fish. Based on the obtained results, we continue to perform this study to determine optimal conditions for the culture of S. antibioticus strain 1083 in order to produce antimicrobial compounds against A. hydrophila. The production of antagonists by the strain 1083 was optimized by controlling the condition of different inoculations such as media, pH, temperature and incubation period. The results indicated that International Streptomyces Project 2 (ISP2) was the best medium for S. antibioticus strain 1083 to produce the highest antimicrobial activity against A. hydrophila with 32 mm in diameter of inhibited zone. The actinomycete strain 1083 could express the maximum antimicrobial activity when they were incubated in shaker incubator (200rpm) at 40oC with pH8 in 8 days. The ability of the actinomycete strain in antagonism against A. hydrophila was evaluated by adding different culture medium volume of S. antibioticus strain 1083. With adding 10% cultured solution volume of S. antibioticus strain 1083 into the culture medium of A. hydrophila, after 1 day of inoculation the number of pathogenic bacteria cells were completely eliminated

A multi locus sequence analysis scheme for phylogeny of the Bacillus subtilis species complex and its advantages over 16S rRNA genes

A multi locus sequence analysis (MLSA approach) was studied on the Bacillus genus, or the Bacillus subtilis species complex for specific, including 08 strains from four species (B. subtilis, B. pumilus, B. licheniformis and B. amyloliquefaciens) were provided by Biotechnology Center of Ho Chi Minh City. The research was based on sequences of 16S rRNA genes, the concatenation of five protein-coding housekeeping genes: glpF, pta, purH, pycA, and rpoD. After PCR amplification and sequencing the phylogenetic tree of 16S rRNA sequences, concatenate sequences (as well as the phylogenetic tree of each housekeeping gene) are constructed for comparison and discussion. The aim of this study is reach for better resolution and differentiation of strains and species within the B. subtilis species and to determine whether MLSA scheme show advantages in 16S rRNA gene-based studies

Targeted sequencing from cerebrospinal fluid for rapid identification of drug-resistant tuberculous meningitis

Mortality from tuberculous meningitis (TBM) remains around 30%, with most deaths occurring within 2 months of starting treatment. Mortality from drug-resistant strains is higher still, making early detection of drug resistance (DR) essential. Targeted next-generation sequencing (tNGS) produces high read depths, allowing the detection of DR-associated alleles with low frequencies. We applied Deeplex Myc-TB-a tNGS assay-to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from 72 adults with microbiologically confirmed TBM and compared its genomic drug susceptibility predictions to a composite reference standard of phenotypic susceptibility testing (pDST) and whole genome sequencing, as well as to clinical outcomes. Deeplex detected Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex DNA in 24/72 (33.3%) CSF samples and generated full DR reports for 22/24 (91.7%). The read depth generated by Deeplex correlated with semi-quantitative results from MTB/RIF Xpert. Alleles with <20% frequency were seen at canonical loci associated with first-line DR. Disregarding these low-frequency alleles, Deeplex had 100% concordance with the composite reference standard for all drugs except pyrazinamide and streptomycin. Three patients had positive CSF cultures after 30 days of treatment; reference tests and Deeplex identified isoniazid resistance in two, and Deeplex alone identified low-frequency rifampin resistance alleles in one. Five patients died, of whom one had pDST-identified pyrazinamide resistance. tNGS on CSF can rapidly and accurately detect drug-resistant TBM, but its application is limited to those with higher bacterial loads. In those with lower bacterial burdens, alternative approaches need to be developed for both diagnosis and resistance detection

Cyanide detoxification efficiency of injection and soak of hydroxocobalamin, sodium nitrite and sodium thiosulfate for sea water ornamental fish

The Oceanographic Museum offers interesting exhibits of several marine lives for tourist sightseeing and entertainment. These sea water ornamental fish are all caught in the wild. However, its health can be affected by cyanide poisoning during human fishing. Depending on the level of cyanide poisoning, fish can die after one and two weeks that caused economic damages for the museum. The present study is concerned with results of cyanide detoxification by using direct injection into cinnamon clownfish or soak of hydroxocobalamin, sodium nitrite and sodium thiosulfate with the aim of improving the health, survival and life time for fish, contributing to increasing economic efficiency for the Oceanographic Museum

Pharmacists’ Perspectives on the Use of Telepharmacy in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Introduction: Telepharmacy, the application of information and communication technologies in healthcare services, has been adopted in many countries to provide patients with pharmaceutical care. However, it has yet to be widely used in Vietnam. This study was conducted to assess the current status of use and the factors associated with the willingness to use telepharmacy of pharmacists in Vietnam. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from February to July 2021; 414 pharmacists were recruited to fill in an online survey. Results: Overall, 86.7% of participants have used telepharmacy application and 87.2% of them were willing to apply telepharmacy in pharmacy practice. According to our multivariate analysis, the level of readiness was associated with positive attitude (odds ratio [OR] = 4.67; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.26-9.66), and a good behavior (OR = 11.34; 95% CI: 3.84-33.45). Discussion: Developing a telepharmacy system with appropriate features is essential to meet the requirements of pharmacy practice amid the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic

Isolation and characterization of Rhizobium spp. and Bradyrhizobium spp. from legume nodules

Rhizobia topic has been re-focused in recent years because of new findings on their traits not only as nitrogen-fixing bacteria but also as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria. When combing rhizobial strains with novel biological carriers (e.g., biochar) for inoculant production, it brings great potential for improving soil health in long-term. Appreciating this trend, this study is designed to isolate and characterize local rhizobial strains from legume fields using the conventional method with some modifications to increase efficiency in rhizobial identification. As a result, 17 rhizobial strains were isolated and classified biochemically that genetic identification outcome confirmed 10 strains belong to 07 different Rhizobium species as R. mayense, R. paknamense, R. pusense, R. miluonense, R. tropici, R. phaseoli, and R. multihospitium while the rest belong to 06 various Bradyrhizobium species as B. elkanii, B. centrosematis, B. guangxiense, B. liaoningense, B. yuanmingense, and B. arachidis. Thermal and saline tolerant tests together with seed germination tests also performed on these rhizobial strains to gain data on their responses to abiotic stresses. By comparing rice and mung bean GI values, we can assess the effectiveness of each rhizobial strains to help seeds at their early germination

COPPER HEXACYANOFERRATE (II): SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION, AND CESIUM, STRONTIUM ADSORBENT APPLICATION

Low-cost nanoscale copper hexacyanoferrate (CuHF), a good selective adsorbent for cesium (Cs+) removal, was prepared using the chemical co-precipitation method. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) were conducted to determine the CuHF morphology. Copper hexacyanoferrate, Cu13[Fe(CN)6]14.(2K).10H2O, has a cubic structure (space group F-43m) in the range of 10-30 nm and a Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area of 462.42 m2/g. The removal of Cs+ and Sr2+ is dependent on pH; the maximum adsorption capacity (qmax) of CuHF is achieved at a pH = 6. From the Langmuir model, qmax = 143.95 mg/g for Cs+ and 79.26 mg/g for Sr2+, respectively. At high concentrations, Na+, Ca2+, and K+ ions have very little effect on Cs+ removal, and Na+ and K+ ions have a higher affinity for removing Sr2+ than Ca2+ at all concentrations. CuHF has a high affinity for alkaline cations in the order: Cs+ &gt; K+ &gt; Na+ &gt; Ca2+ &gt; Sr2+, as proposed and discussed

Bringing social and cultural considerations into environmental management for vulnerable coastal communities: Responses to environmental change in Xuan Thuy National Park, Nam Dinh Province, Vietnam

This paper elaborates the importance of considering social and cultural factors within management responses to environmental change in coastal areas. The case study taken is Xuan Thuy National Park in Nam Dinh Province, Vietnam. This is a marginalised coastal area where rising sea levels, increasing storm surges and saltwater intrusion place pressure on coastal ecosystems, yet where communities continue to rely on these same ecosystems for agriculture- and aquaculture-related livelihoods. We interview stakeholders in Xuan Thuy National Park, connecting these with a narrative review of existing research into social and environmental change in the park to understand research gaps and challenges for vulnerable coastal areas like the Nam Dinh coast. Based on our findings, we suggest that whilst the effects of a changing environment on physical health and economic activity are increasingly well understood, effects on wellbeing and social relations can be even more immediate and profound in daily living. In turn, we argue environmental management has a crucial role to play not only for ecosystem-based adaptation, but also in sustaining wellbeing and allowing culturally meaningful practices to continue – especially in coastal regions where changes can be even more intense and immediate. However, we caution that whilst techno-scientific solutions grounded in environmental management do have significant potential in reducing impacts of extreme events and slower-onset environmental changes, they must not divert attention away from structural issues that can make some people or areas more vulnerable in the first instance