Effects of nano mineral-supplemented diet on sow productivity

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of nano mineral-supplemented diet on sow productivity. The data were estimated by several parameters consisting of piglet live ratio at newborn stage and weaning stage, piglet weight at newborn stage and weaning stage, metal content in piglet livers. The results showed that live ratio of newborn piglets in group III was highest (93.44 ± 2.83%) comparing with other groups. However, there was no significant difference of live ratio in piglets at weaning stage between nano mineral-supplemented groups with control. The birth weight of piglets in nano mineral-supplemented groups was similar to control group. The birth weight of piglets in nano mineral-supplemented groups was ranged from 1,361.61 ± 47.37 grams (group II) to 1,410.48 ± 44.28 grams (group I). However, the average weight of weaned pigs in groups III and IV was higher than other groups (6,772.92 ± 105.47 grams and 6,818.87 ± 89.59 grams). Moreover, the amount of Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn in piglet liver from nano mineral-supplemented groups have been found to be lower than those in control group. These results revealed that the supplement of nano minerals for sows promoted the reproductive performance of sows and reduced mineral content in the liver of piglets.

Multi-correlation between nematode communities and environmental variables in mangrove-shrimp ponds, Ca Mau Province, Southern Vietnam

Multi-correlation between bio-indices of nematode communities and ecological parameters in mangrove-shrimp farming ponds in Tam Giang commune, Nam Can District, Ca Mau Province, Vietnam were investigated. In which, diversities of nematode communities and several environmental variables in eight ponds were considered to process. Our findings underlined the high diversity of nematode communities in mangrove-shrimp farming ponds compared to other mangrove habitats. Nematode diversities provided more oppotunity in natural food for shrimp. Single correlation analyses showed that the species richness index correlated significantly to three variables (salinity, total organic carbon, and total nitrogen), the Margalef diversity index correlated to two variables (salinity, total organic carbon), and the expected number of species for 50 individuals index correlated with one variable (salinity). Results of multi-correlation analyses between the nematode bio-indices and the environmental variables were completely different from those of single-correlation analyses. In multi-correlation analyses, the species richness and the Margalef diversity index correlated to two variables (salinity, total organic carbon), Pielou’s evenness index and Hill indices correlated with dissolved oxygen, also the Hurlbert index correlated to total organic carbon. Hence, it is necessary to pay attention to the impact of complex interactions between the multi-environmental variables and nematode communities. This research aims to explain the differences between single- and multi-correlation for evaluation of the effects of environmental factors on nematodes as well as aquatic organisms.

Effects of leukemia inhibitory factor on transcript expression of pluripotent genes in bovine embryonic stem like cells

Leukemia inhibitory factor (Lif) is very important for embryonic stem cell establishment. In this study, we investigated effects of Lif on transcript expression of pluripotent genes of bovine embryonic stem like cells in passage 1, passage 3 and passage 6. The results showed that Lif supplementation of medium could improve transcript expression of pluripotent gene including nanog, oct4, sox2 and c-myc. Three Lif concentrations were applied for cell culture medium. We found that pluripotent gene transcripts were highest expressed in 103 IU/ml Lif supplemented medium, especially nanog and oct4 transcript expression could be maintained until 6th passage . The transcript expression was decreased in 104 IU/ml Lif suppmented medium, suggesting that high concentration of Lif could inhibit pluripotent gene expression. Thus, 103 IU/ml Lif was the most efficient concentration to improve transcript expression of pluripotent genes. There was a relationship in nanog expression and c-myc and sox2 expression. C-myc and sox2 expression were up-regulated when nanog was down-regulated. We also accessed nanog or oct4 which were key factors for the maintenace of pluripotency and renewal of bovine embryonic stem like cell. The result demonstrated that nanog could be the key factor for pluripotency of bovine embryonic stem like cells.

Two new additions to the flora of Vietnam

Among the studied specimens collected from Son Tra Nature Reserve, Vietnam, two new taxa: Oxalis barrelieri L. (Oxalidaceae) and Glochidion acuminatum var. siamense Airy Shaw (Phyllanthaceae) which forms new records to the flora of Vietnam. Taxonomic description, habitat, distribution and uses, and color photographs of both taxa are provided

Two new records for the flora of Vietnam: Sonerila (Melastomataceae) and Erycibe (Convolvulaceae)

Two recently discovered species from Phu Quoc National Park in southern Vietnam, Sonerila bokorense S.H. Cho and Y.D. Kim (Melastomataceae) and Erycibe citriniflora Griff. (Convolvulaceae), provide new records for the flora of Vietnam. For each species a taxonomic description is presented, together with information on their distribution, habitat and ecology; color photographs of both species are also given

Synthesis of Silica-Coated Magnetic Nanoparticles and Application in the Detection of Pathogenic Viruses

Magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles were prepared by coprecipitation and then coated with silica. These Fe3O4/SiO2 nanoparticles consisted of a 10–15 nm magnetic core and a silica shell of 2–5 nm thickness. The superparamagnetic property of the Fe3O4/SiO2 particles with the magnetization of 42.5 emu/g was confirmed by vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). We further optimized buffers with these Fe3O4/SiO2 nanoparticles to isolate genomic DNA of hepatitis virus type B (HBV) and of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) for detection of the viruses based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of a 434 bp fragment of S gene specific for HBV and 250 bp fragment of nuclear antigen encoding gene specific for EBV. The purification efficiency of DNA of both HBV and EBV using obtained Fe3O4/SiO2 nanoparticles was superior to that obtained with commercialized Fe3O4/SiO2 microparticles, as indicated by (i) brighter PCR-amplified bands for both HBV and EBV and (ii) higher sensitivity in PCR-based detection of EBV load (copies/mL). The time required for DNA isolation using Fe3O4/SiO2 nanoparticles was significantly reduced as the particles were attracted to magnets more quickly (15–20 s) than the commercialized microparticles (2-3 min)

Improvement in neoantigen prediction via integration of RNA sequencing data for variant calling

IntroductionNeoantigen-based immunotherapy has emerged as a promising strategy for improving the life expectancy of cancer patients. This therapeutic approach heavily relies on accurate identification of cancer mutations using DNA sequencing (DNAseq) data. However, current workflows tend to provide a large number of neoantigen candidates, of which only a limited number elicit efficient and immunogenic T-cell responses suitable for downstream clinical evaluation. To overcome this limitation and increase the number of high-quality immunogenic neoantigens, we propose integrating RNA sequencing (RNAseq) data into the mutation identification step in the neoantigen prediction workflow.MethodsIn this study, we characterize the mutation profiles identified from DNAseq and/or RNAseq data in tumor tissues of 25 patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). Immunogenicity was then validated by ELISpot assay using long synthesis peptides (sLP).ResultsWe detected only 22.4% of variants shared between the two methods. In contrast, RNAseq-derived variants displayed unique features of affinity and immunogenicity. We further established that neoantigen candidates identified by RNAseq data significantly increased the number of highly immunogenic neoantigens (confirmed by ELISpot) that would otherwise be overlooked if relying solely on DNAseq data.DiscussionThis integrative approach holds great potential for improving the selection of neoantigens for personalized cancer immunotherapy, ultimately leading to enhanced treatment outcomes and improved survival rates for cancer patients

Helicteres binhthuanensis V.S.Dang (Malvaceae, Helicteroideae), a new species from southern Vietnam

Helicteres binhthuanensis V.S.Dang, sp. nov. from Ham Thuan Bac District, Binh Thuan Province, Vietnam is described and illustrated. It is morphologically similar to H. angustifolia, which is a common species in mainland southeast Asia, and H. sphaerotheca, which is endemic to the Northern Territory, Australia, but differs from both by several salient characters such as leaf and calyx size, androgynophore length, petal color, and fruit shape. Photographs, a vernacular name, a preliminary conservation assessment, and a table of morphological characters comparing this new species to two closely related species also are provided

Calophyllum honbaense (Clusiaceae), A new species from Hon Ba Nature Reserve, Southern Vietnam

The new species of Clusiaceae, Calophyllum honbaense V.S. Dang, H. Toyama & Tagane, sp. nov., was discovered in the Hon Ba Nature Reserve of southern Vietnam and is here described and illustrated