Forest - Related Culture and Contribution to Sustainable Development in the Northern Mountain Region in Vietnam

The culture of communities living near/in forests indelibly interacts with forest ecosystems, both shaping and adapting to the natural environment. Forest-related cultural dimensions also provide benefits for local economies and social welfare. This study analyses the relationship between local culture and forests of the Tay and the Dao minorities and their contribution to sustainable development in Vo Nhai, a mountainous district in northern Vietnam. The study uses methods of a literature review, participant observation and qualitative interviews with local people. The strong embedded culture with forests that developed over many generations of Tay and Dao people was expressed through their knowledge systems of understanding nature, skills for environmental adaption, health protection and spiritual and recreational activities. The potentials of forest - related culture as a feature of local sustainable development were analysed through contributions in natural resource conservation, economic development and social cohesion. To integrate forest - related culture in sustainable development, some issues need to be better focused on the locality

In vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory properties of the ethanol extract from Clerodendrum cyrtophyllum Turcz based on murine cells and zebrafish models

peer reviewedEthnopharmacological relevance: Clerodendrum cyrtophyllum Turcz, a plant belonging to the Verbenaceae family, has been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various inflammatory diseases in many Asian countries. Aim of the study: The study aimed to evaluate anti-inflammatory properties of the ethanol extract from Clerodendrum cyrthophyllum Turcz leaves (EE-CC) through in vitro and in vivo models. Material and methods: Total phenolic and flavonoid contents in the extract were determined using colorimetric methods and HPTLC. In red blood cell membrane stabilization model, rat erythrocyte suspension was treated with crude ethanol extract at different concentrations, the hemoglobin content of the supernatant solution released by red blood hemolysis was estimated. We also evaluated the effects of the ethanol extract from this plant on the production of nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. In order to elucidate its anti-inflammatory molecular mechanisms, we further evaluated the effects of the EE-CC on the expression of the inflammatory genes in inflammation-induced zebrafish model by tail-cutting using qPCR analysis. Results: Colorimetric methods and HPTLC revealed high phenolic and flavonoid contents in the extract. In the red blood cell membrane stabilization model, the amount of hemoglobin released by red blood hemolysis significantly decreased in the presence of EE-CC, demonstrating a strong membrane stabilizing activity. EE-CC did not cause any toxic effect on cell viability but strongly inhibited NO and TNF-ɑ release due to LPS induction. The association with EE-CC significantly reduced the expression of cox-2, pla2, c3a, il-1(il1fma), il-8 (cxcl8b.1), tnf-α, and nf-ƙb, while increased the expression of the anti-inflammatory cytokine il-10 gene in cut-tail induced inflammation of zebrafish model. Conclusions: Taken together, the results suggest that the raw ethanol extract from C. cyrtophyllum Turcz leaves presents potent anti-inflammatory activities and may be useful for the treatment of various inflammatory diseases

De novo copy number variations in candidate genomic regions in patients of severe autism spectrum disorder in Vietnam

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder with a prevalence of around 1% children worldwide and characterized by patient behaviour (communication, social interaction, and personal development). Data on the efficacy of diagnostic tests using copy number variations (CNVs) in candidate genes in ASD is currently around 10% but it is overrepresented by patients of Caucasian background. We report here that the diagnostic success of de novo candidate CNVs in Vietnamese ASD patients is around 6%. We recruited one hundred trios (both parents and a child) where the child was clinically diagnosed with ASD while the parents were not affected. We performed genetic screening to exclude RETT syndrome and Fragile X syndrome and performed genome-wide DNA microarray (aCGH) on all probands and their parents to analyse for de novo CNVs. We detected 1708 non-redundant CNVs in 100 patients and 118 (7%) of them were de novo. Using the filter for known CNVs from the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI) database, we identified six CNVs (one gain and five loss CNVs) in six patients (3 males and 3 females). Notably, 3 of our patients had a deletion involving the SHANK3 gene–which is the highest compared to previous reports. This is the first report of candidate CNVs in ASD patients from Vietnam and provides the framework for building a CNV based test as the first tier screening for clinical management

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

TOURISTS' PERCEPTION OF RESPONSIBLE TOURISM: A STUDY IN NINH BINH CITY, VIETNAM

Responsible tourism is considered a suitable form of tourism to promote sustainable tourism development. These issues are increasingly being researched in the tourism industry, but there is a lack of studies approaching them from the perspective of tourists' perception. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to present the theory of responsible tourism and present the results of a survey on tourists' perception of responsible tourism in Ninh Binh. The research method includes examining relevant literature to present the relationship between sustainable tourism and responsible tourism and discussing the principles of responsible tourism. Tourists' perception is analyzed through a questionnaire survey conducted in 2017. The sampling method used in the survey is random selection. We need a responsible tourism industry that provides a way to minimize ecological impacts, benefit local communities, and reduce poverty - a responsible tourism industry reflected in the organization and practice in the economic, environmental, and cultural sectors. The results show that responsible tourism is still a new trend in Ninh Binh. Tourists have a low awareness of this issue. Therefore, education about responsible tourism is particularly important through knowledge sharing and building awareness of responsible tourism. Keywords: Sustainable Tourism, Responsible Tourism, Responsible Tourism Perception

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF VIETNAM'S TOURISM POST-COVID ERA

The tourism industry has been one of the most heavily impacted sectors worldwide, including in Vietnam, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Financial and credit policies are two key macroeconomic economic policies, directly managed by the Ministry of Finance and the State Bank of Vietnam, that play a crucial role in realizing the country's economic and social development goals. During the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted global travel and tourism activities, these two economic policies became even more pivotal in supporting the tourism sector in overcoming its challenges. Furthermore, these policies contribute to the successful implementation of the tourism and travel services development strategy, a key sector for the country in the current period and looking forward to 2025 and beyond. Keywords: Policies, Tourism and Travel, Challenges

EXPERIENTIAL TOURISM OF HANOI CITY RESIDENTS, VIETNAM

This research aims to analyze the experiential tourism needs of the residents of Hanoi city. Data for this study were collected by surveying 200 residents in Hanoi to understand their experiential tourism needs. The study uses two main methods: descriptive statistics and cross-tabulation analysis. The research results indicate that experiential tourism is a relatively new and trending form of tourism, especially among young people. Additionally, the study identifies the activities that customers wish to experience in a travel tour. Based on the analysis results, the research proposes some appropriate recommendations for travel companies to better meet the experiential tourism needs of Hanoi residents in the future. Keywords: Experiential Tourism; Hanoi City; Residents; Vietnam; Travel Preferences; Tourism Trends; Travel Experiences; Market Research; Tourist Activities; Recommendations

Protective effect of Tetracera scandens L. leaf extract against CCl4-induced acute liver injury in rats

Objective: To investigate the protective potential of ethanolic extracts of Tetracera scandens L. (T. scandens) against CCl4 induced oxidative stress in liver tissues. Methods: Dried leaf powder of T. scandens was extracted with ethanol and concentrated to yield a dry residue. Rats were administered with 100 mg/kg of ethanolic extracts orally once daily for one week. Animals were subsequently administered with a single dose of CCl4 (1 mL/kg body weight, intraperitoneal injection). Various assays, such as serum levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation (carbonyl protein group), tumor necrosis factor alpha, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase, were used to assess damage caused by CCl4 and the protective effects of the ethanol extract on liver tissues. Results: Hepatotoxicity induced by CCl4 was evidenced by a significant increase in serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase level, lipid peroxidation, protein carbonyl group, and tumor necrosis factor alpha, as well as decreased activity of the hepatic antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase). Treatment with ethanolic T. scandens extracts prevented all of these typically observed changes in CCl4-treated rats. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that T. scandens has a significant protective effect against CCl4 induced hepatotoxicity in rat, which may be due to its antioxidant properties

Flavonoids from leaves of Tetracera scandens L

ABSTRACT Tetracera scandens L. (Dilleniaceae) is a genus of flowering plants of the Dilleniaceae family. It has been reported that Tetracera scandens L. content hight amout of flavonoids. From the ethanol extract of leaves of Tetracera scandens L, we have been isolated six known flavonoids compounds. Their structures were identified a

Determination of drug-related problems among type 2 diabetes outpatients in a hospital in Vietnam: A cross-sectional study.

IntroductionDrug-related problems (DRPs) are common in clinical practice and occur at all stages of the medication process. The major factor contributing to DRPs is prescription, although patients' poor adherence to treatment is also a significant factor. This study evaluated type 2 diabetes outpatients in a hospital in Vietnam for drug-related problems (DRPs) and related variables.MethodsA cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 495 outpatients who met the criteria and 157 people agreed to participate in the interview. Medication order review and medication adherence review were used to identify DRPs. The types of DRP were based on the Pharmaceutical Care Network Europe (PCNE) categories version 9.0. The identification and assessment DRPs were carried out by clinical pharmacists and get agreed upon by physicians who had not directly prescribed patients who participated in the study.ResultsA total of 762 DRPs were identified via prescribing review process, the average number of DRP on each prescription was 1.54±1.07, while 412 DRPs were determined through patient interviewing. The most frequent DRPs were "ADR (Adverse Drug Reaction) occurring" (68.8%). The main causes were "patient is unable to understand instructions properly" or "patient is not properly instructed", "patient stores insulin inappropriately", "patient decides to use unnecessary drugs" and "patient intentionally uses/takes less drug than prescribed or does not take the drug at all for whatever reason" which accounted for 65.0%, 41.4%, 38.2%, and 28.7%, respectively. From the prescribing review, the most observed DRPs were "Inappropriate drug according to guidelines/formulary" and "No or incomplete drug treatment in spite of existing indication", accounting for 45.0% and 42.9%, respectively. There was a significant association between age (OR 3.38, 95% CI: 1.01-11.30), duration of diabetes (OR 3.61, 95%CI: 1.11-11.74), presence of comorbidity (OR 5.31, 95%CI: 1.97-14.30), polypharmacy (OR: 2.95, 95%CI: 1.01-8.72) and DRPs. In patients, poor knowledge of antidiabetic agents was the main reason to lack adherence and occurring ADR (OR 2.73, 95%CI: 1.32-5.66, p = 0.007 and OR 2.49, 95%CI: 1.54-4.03, p = 0.001 respectively).ConclusionDRPs occurred in the prescribing stage and relating to patient's behavior of drug administration was high. Clear identification of DRPs and the associated factors are essential for building the intervention process to improve effectiveness and safety in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients