Analyzing the Sea Weather Effects to the Ship Maneuvering in Vietnam’s Sea from BinhThuan Province to Ca Mau Province Based on Fuzzy Control Method

Vietnam is located in the tropical monsoon climate, so there are many storms affecting the marine environment each year. However, Vietnam’s sea also has distinct characteristics due to the continental shelf factors, salinity, sea currents and viscosity water. In this paper, the sea weather effects to the ship in the sea area from BinhThuan province to Ca Mau province are analyzed. Specifically, wave, wind and current which are the three main factors affecting the safety of ship are thoroughly examined. Importantly, the survey parameters have been built from the actual operating environment. In addition, maintaining the stability of dynamic positioning system in Vietnam weather conditions is the main point of this study

Genetic Interaction Between Two VNTRs in the SLC6A4 Gene Regulates Nicotine Dependence in Vietnamese Men

Nicotine dependence is an addiction to tobacco products and a global public health concern. Association between the SLC6A4 polymorphisms and nicotine dependence is controversial. Two variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) domains, termed HTTLPR and STin2, in the SLC6A4 gene are well characterized transcriptional regulatory elements. Their polymorphism in the copy number of the repeat correlates with the particular personality and psychiatric traits. We analyzed nicotine dependence in 1,804 participants from Central Vietnam. The Fagerström Test (FTND) was used to evaluate the nicotine dependence and PCR was used to determine the SLC6A4 HTTLPR and STin2 VNTRs. The HTTLPR VNTR was associated with difficulties to refrain from smoking in a prohibiting environment. The STIn2 10/10 genotype was associated with (1) years of smoking, (2) difficulties to quit the first cigarette, and (3) higher number of cigarettes smoked per day (CPD). Stratification analysis was used to find the genetic interaction between these two VNTRs in nicotine dependence as they may synergistically regulate the SLC6A4 expression. Smokers with the S/S HTTLPR genotypes showed a much stronger association between STin2 10/10 variant and CPD. This finding is consistent with the molecular evidence for the functional interaction between HTTLPR and STin2 in cell line models, where STin2 has described as a stronger expressional regulator. Similarly, we found that STin2 is a much stronger modifier of smoking with 10/10 genotype related to higher nicotine dependence. The present study supports genetic interaction between HTTLPR and STin2 VNTRs in the regulation of nicotine dependence with the dominance of the STin2 effects. This finding could be explained by their differential effect on the SLC6A4 expression

The genetic legacy of continental scale admixture in Indian Austroasiatic speakers (vol 9, 3818, 2019)

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The genetic legacy of continental scale admixture in Indian Austroasiatic speakers

Abstract Surrounded by speakers of Indo-European, Dravidian and Tibeto-Burman languages, around 11 million Munda (a branch of Austroasiatic language family) speakers live in the densely populated and genetically diverse South Asia. Their genetic makeup holds components characteristic of South Asians as well as Southeast Asians. The admixture time between these components has been previously estimated on the basis of archaeology, linguistics and uniparental markers. Using genome-wide genotype data of 102 Munda speakers and contextual data from South and Southeast Asia, we retrieved admixture dates between 2000–3800 years ago for different populations of Munda. The best modern proxies for the source populations for the admixture with proportions 0.29/0.71 are Lao people from Laos and Dravidian speakers from Kerala in India. The South Asian population(s), with whom the incoming Southeast Asians intermixed, had a smaller proportion of West Eurasian genetic component than contemporary proxies. Somewhat surprisingly Malaysian Peninsular tribes rather than the geographically closer Austroasiatic languages speakers like Vietnamese and Cambodians show highest sharing of IBD segments with the Munda. In addition, we affirmed that the grouping of the Munda speakers into North and South Munda based on linguistics is in concordance with genome-wide data

Genetic Interaction Between Two VNTRs in the SLC6A4 Gene Regulates Nicotine Dependence in Vietnamese Men

Nicotine dependence is an addiction to tobacco products and a global public health concern. Association between the SLC6A4 polymorphisms and nicotine dependence is controversial. Two variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) domains, termed HTTLPR and STin2, in the SLC6A4 gene are well characterized transcriptional regulatory elements. Their polymorphism in the copy number of the repeat correlates with the particular personality and psychiatric traits. We analyzed nicotine dependence in 1,804 participants from Central Vietnam. The Fagerström Test (FTND) was used to evaluate the nicotine dependence and PCR was used to determine the SLC6A4 HTTLPR and STin2 VNTRs. The HTTLPR VNTR was associated with difficulties to refrain from smoking in a prohibiting environment. The STIn2 10/10 genotype was associated with (1) years of smoking, (2) difficulties to quit the first cigarette, and (3) higher number of cigarettes smoked per day (CPD). Stratification analysis was used to find the genetic interaction between these two VNTRs in nicotine dependence as they may synergistically regulate the SLC6A4 expression. Smokers with the S/S HTTLPR genotypes showed a much stronger association between STin2 10/10 variant and CPD. This finding is consistent with the molecular evidence for the functional interaction between HTTLPR and STin2 in cell line models, where STin2 has described as a stronger expressional regulator. Similarly, we found that STin2 is a much stronger modifier of smoking with 10/10 genotype related to higher nicotine dependence. The present study supports genetic interaction between HTTLPR and STin2 VNTRs in the regulation of nicotine dependence with the dominance of the STin2 effects. This finding could be explained by their differential effect on the SLC6A4 expression

Blocking Tumor-Educated MSC Paracrine Activity Halts Osteosarcoma Progression

Purpose: Human osteosarcoma is a genetically heterogeneous bone malignancy with poor prognosis despite the employment of aggressive chemotherapy regimens. Because druggable driver mutations have not been established, dissecting the interactions between osteosarcoma cells and supporting stroma may provide insights into novel therapeutic targets.Experimental Design: By using a bioluminescent orthotopic xenograft mouse model of osteosarcoma, we evaluated the effect of tumor extracellular vesicle (EV)-educated mesenchymal stem cells (TEMSC) on osteosarcoma progression. Characterization and functional studies were designed to assess the mechanisms underlying MSC education. Independent series of tissue specimens were analyzed to corroborate the preclinical findings, and the composition of patient serum EVs was analyzed after isolation with size-exclusion chromatography.Results: We show that EVs secreted by highly malignant osteosarcoma cells selectively incorporate a membrane-associated form of TGF\u3b2, which induces proinflammatory IL6 production by MSCs. TEMSCs promote tumor growth, accompanied with intratumor STAT3 activation and lung metastasis formation, which was not observed with control MSCs. Importantly, intravenous administration of the anti-IL6 receptor antibody tocilizumab abrogated the tumor-promoting effects of TEMSCs. RNA-seq analysis of human osteosarcoma tissues revealed a distinct TGF\u3b2-induced prometastatic gene signature. Tissue microarray immunostaining indicated active STAT3 signaling in human osteosarcoma, consistent with the observations in TEMSC-treated mice. Finally, we isolated pure populations of EVs from serum and demonstrated that circulating levels of EV-associated TGF\u3b2 are increased in osteosarcoma patients.Conclusions: Collectively, our findings suggest that TEMSCs promote osteosarcoma progression and provide the basis for testing IL6- and TGF\u3b2-blocking agents as new therapeutic options for osteosarcoma patients. Clin Cancer Res; 23(14); 3721-33. \ua92017 AACR

Risk Factors of Streptococcus suis Infection in Vietnam. A Case-Control Study

Background: Streptococcus suis infection, an emerging zoonosis, is an increasing public health problem across South East Asia and the most common cause of acute bacterial meningitis in adults in Vietnam. Little is known of the risk factors underlying the disease. Methods and Findings: A case-control study with appropriate hospital and matched community controls for each patient was conducted between May 2006 and June 2009. Potential risk factors were assessed using a standardized questionnaire and investigation of throat and rectal S. suis carriage in cases, controls and their pigs, using real-time PCR and culture of swab samples. We recruited 101 cases of S. suis meningitis, 303 hospital controls and 300 community controls. By multivariate analysis, risk factors identified for S. suis infection as compared to either control group included eating "high risk" dishes, including such dishes as undercooked pig blood and pig intestine (OR1 = 2.22; 95% CI = [1.15-4.28] and OR2 = 4.44; 95% CI = [2.15-9.15]), occupations related to pigs (OR1 = 3.84; 95% CI = [1.32-11.11] and OR2 = 5.52; 95% CI = [1.49-20.39]), and exposures to pigs or pork in the presence of skin injuries (OR1 = 7.48; 95% CI = [1.97-28.44] and OR2 = 15.96; 95% CI = [2.97-85.72]). S. suis specific DNA was detected in rectal and throat swabs of 6 patients and was cultured from 2 rectal samples, but was not detected in such samples of 1522 healthy individuals or patients without S. suis infection. Conclusions: This case control study, the largest prospective epidemiological assessment of this disease, has identified the most important risk factors associated with S. suis bacterial meningitis to be eating 'high risk' dishes popular in parts of Asia, occupational exposure to pigs and pig products, and preparation of pork in the presence of skin lesions. These risk factors can be addressed in public health campaigns aimed at preventing S. suis infectio

Safety and efficacy of fluoxetine on functional outcome after acute stroke (AFFINITY): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Background Trials of fluoxetine for recovery after stroke report conflicting results. The Assessment oF FluoxetINe In sTroke recoverY (AFFINITY) trial aimed to show if daily oral fluoxetine for 6 months after stroke improves functional outcome in an ethnically diverse population. Methods AFFINITY was a randomised, parallel-group, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial done in 43 hospital stroke units in Australia (n=29), New Zealand (four), and Vietnam (ten). Eligible patients were adults (aged ≥18 years) with a clinical diagnosis of acute stroke in the previous 2–15 days, brain imaging consistent with ischaemic or haemorrhagic stroke, and a persisting neurological deficit that produced a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 1 or more. Patients were randomly assigned 1:1 via a web-based system using a minimisation algorithm to once daily, oral fluoxetine 20 mg capsules or matching placebo for 6 months. Patients, carers, investigators, and outcome assessors were masked to the treatment allocation. The primary outcome was functional status, measured by the mRS, at 6 months. The primary analysis was an ordinal logistic regression of the mRS at 6 months, adjusted for minimisation variables. Primary and safety analyses were done according to the patient's treatment allocation. The trial is registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, ACTRN12611000774921. Findings Between Jan 11, 2013, and June 30, 2019, 1280 patients were recruited in Australia (n=532), New Zealand (n=42), and Vietnam (n=706), of whom 642 were randomly assigned to fluoxetine and 638 were randomly assigned to placebo. Mean duration of trial treatment was 167 days (SD 48·1). At 6 months, mRS data were available in 624 (97%) patients in the fluoxetine group and 632 (99%) in the placebo group. The distribution of mRS categories was similar in the fluoxetine and placebo groups (adjusted common odds ratio 0·94, 95% CI 0·76–1·15; p=0·53). Compared with patients in the placebo group, patients in the fluoxetine group had more falls (20 [3%] vs seven [1%]; p=0·018), bone fractures (19 [3%] vs six [1%]; p=0·014), and epileptic seizures (ten [2%] vs two [<1%]; p=0·038) at 6 months. Interpretation Oral fluoxetine 20 mg daily for 6 months after acute stroke did not improve functional outcome and increased the risk of falls, bone fractures, and epileptic seizures. These results do not support the use of fluoxetine to improve functional outcome after stroke

Tổng quan ung thư tạo xương

Väitekirja elektrooniline versioon ei sisalda publikatsiooneOsteosarkoom (OS) on kõige sagedamini esinev esmase luu pahaloomulise kasvaja vorm. Igal aastal diagnoositakse ligikaudu 3 esmast OS juhtumit miljoni elaniku kohta. Haigus esineb sagedamini noorematel ja meessoost isikutel. Esmased haigussümptomid on mittespetsiifilised, mistõttu võib haigus esmasel pöördumisel tähelepanuta jääda. Sagedamini esineb OS suurtes toruluudes nagu reieluu, sääreluu ja õlavarreluu ning levib sagedamini kopsukoesse. Ehkki keemiaravi kombineerituna operatiivse sekkumisega aitab oluliselt elulemust parandada ei pruugi need aidata tervistuda. Seetõttu on OS-i prognoos halb ning pole muutunud 1980 aastatest. OS-i põhjus ja tekkemehhanism ei ole teada ning seetõttu pole leitud ks uusi raviviise. Viimasel ajal on hoogustunud ODi genoomika uuringud parandamaks selle haiguse tekkemehhanismidest arusaamist. Selle tulemusena on kirjeldatud mitmeid muutusi genoomi struktuuris. Geenide ekspressiooni diferentsiaalanalüüsid on kirjeldanud mitmesuguseid leide, kuid uuringudisainide erinevused ei ole senini võimaldanud saavutada terviklikke tulemusi. Oma töös rakendasime paarisdisaini, kus võrldesime samade isikute kasvajalise ja terve luukoe transkriptoomi. Proovide arvu suurendamiseks kasutasime ka parafiinsisestatud arhiivimaterjali, mis võimaldas hinnata keemiaraviist tingtud transkriptoomi muutusi. Normaalse ja kasvajalise koe vahel leidsime ekspressiooni erinevusi 5000 geeni puhul. Suur osa geene oli seotud luukoe reorganiseerimisega, dediferentseerumise ja invasioonida. Lisaks uurisime ka transposoonide ja korduselementide ekspressiooni muutusi. Tuvastasime SAR ja HSATII elementide ja (CATTC)n lihtjärjestuse üleekspressiooni osteosarkoomi koes. Tegemist on osteosarkoomile spetsifiliste makeritega, mis võivad aidata mõista osetosarkoomi patogeneesi.Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most frequent type of primary bone cancer. About 3 cases per million population are diagnosed each year. It especially affects the young around puberty with slightly higher prevalence in male than in the female. The complaints of affected patients are very unspecific. Hence, the disease is easily neglected by the primary care doctors. Femur, tibia, and humerus are the most common sites of OS. It is a highly metastasized disease and lung is the most preferable metastatic site. The introduction of chemotherapy in the late 70s and early 80s has clearly improved the survival rate of OS and makes it possible for conservative operation. However, the prognosis of OS is still poor and unchanged since the 1980s. The cause and mechanism of OS are still poorly understood. The number of studies on OS is growing dramatically with aims to understand its mechanism and to seek new therapeutic targets. Recently, genomic alterations in OS were studied with modern techniques. The differential expression of genes in OS has been reported with diverse findings, which may be due to the diversity of OS or design-associated limitations such as a small number of study subjects, variations in control groups, different laboratory protocols, and analysis techniques. We tried to overcome the present common limitations by analyzing paired samples of tumoral vs non-tumoral fresh bone specimens from the same patient and the paraffin blocks with RNA sequencing technique. Over 5000 genes were found to be differentially expressed between the normal and OS tissues. The most significantly differentially expressed genes were recognized to be further studied. The degradation of collagen seems to be an important mechanism of OS and should be further evaluated to serve as a biomarker for OS. The repetitive elements SAR, HSATII, and simple repeat (CATTC)n which were overexpressed in carcinoma in previous studies were also upregulated in OS and should be evaluated for biomarkers of this disease

Antimicrobial Resistant Profile of Bacterial Pathogen Isolated from Macaque species Rescued in the Center for Rescue, Conservation and Creature Development, Phong Nha-Ke Bang Nation Park, Vietnam

Macaque species play important roles in the cultures, and religions of many societies. They are an essential component of tropical biodiversity, contributing to forest regeneration and ecosystem health. The close phylogenetic relationship between humans and macaque species also creates a high potential for pathogen exchange. A total of 228 macaques which belong to four species, including Macaca arctoides, Macaca leonine, Macaca assamensis, and Macaca mulatta, were rescued in the Center Rescue, Conservation and Creature Development, Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park (PN-KB NP). Of 228 macaques, 149 (65.4%) individuals successfully reintegrated into the wild. The prevalence and the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profile of Escherichia coli (E. coli), Salmonella, and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) isolates from macaques rescuing in the Center were investigated. The fecal and nasal samples from 19 macaques were collected. These samples were positive for E. coli (73,7%), Salmonella (36.8%), and S. aureus (57.9%). All of the tested bacterial strains showed 100% resistance to penicillin and vancomycin. The multi-drug resistant (MDR) profile was observed in S. aureus (71,4%), E. coli (95,3%), and Salmonella (100%). This is the first report on the rescue and natural reintegration of the macaque species status in Vietnam and the prevalence of AMR in zoonotic bacterial pathogens isolated from these macaques. This result indicated that AMR of the zoonotic bacterial pathogens could colonize in macaques and may transmit to humans