Determining the optimal range of vitamin C for early red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) juveniles

Vitamin C plays an important role for fish survival, growth and disease resistance. However, the optimal vitamin C for rearing red drum Sciaenops ocellatus juveniles in Vietnam is not known. To address this issue, a 70-day feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the optimal dietary vitamin C requirements for red drum juveniles. Seven isonitrogenous (55.35% protein) and isolipidic (9.07% lipid) diets were formulated to include graded vitamin C concentrations of 23.2, 124.5, 235.2, 423.8, 626.7, 824.6, and 1,027.3 mg/kg, respectively. The results showed that fish fed on 423.8 mg/kg vitamin C diet had the highest growth rate, which can be linked to the increased feed utilization. Broken-line analysis indicated that the optimal dietary vitamin C requirements of red drum juveniles were 342.92 and 405.80 mg/kg for growth parameters, feed utilization, body composition and biochemical parameters of serum. Based on these parameters the optimal vitamin C supplementation level for red drum juveniles was estimated in the range of 342.92–405.80 mg/kg vitamin C in the diets with direct applications in producing artificial feed for rearing juveniles of this species in Vietnam

PATHOGENICITY OF EIMERIA SPECIES ISOLATED FROM CHICKEN IN THUA THIEN HUE PROVINCE

Abstract: The present study clarifies the effect of locally isolated Eimeria species on chickens in central Vietnam. Oocysts of Eimeria species were isolated from feces suspected to be infected with coccidiosis in 3 farms in Huong Thuy district, Thua Thien Hue province. A total of 54 2-week-old chickens were randomly allocated to 2 groups: 3 replicates containing 9 chickens in each replicate. The chicken in group 1 were orally inoculated with 2×104 isolated oocysts of Eimeria species, while the chickens in group 2 were inoculated with PBS as a control. Growth performance, oocyst output, gross lesions, and histopathological lesions were measured at 5, 10 and 28 days after infection. The chicks in group 1 showed general signs of ruffled feathers, anorexia, huddling together with diarrhea and/or bloody dropping from 4–7 days post-infection. Feed intake, growth performance and body weight in group 1 were lower than those of the control chicks. The oocyst was detected in the feces of chicks in group 1 from 6–14 days post-infection, among them, the number of oocysts reach the peak at 8 days post-infection. At day 5 post-infection, the most damaged part of the intestine is the ceca with a large amount of blood in the ceca content. The histopathological lesions were detected clearly by HE staining at day 5 and 10 post-infection. In conclusion, the locally isolated oocysts of Eimeria species have high virulence to the chickens. The present study provides useful information related to the pathogenicity of Eimeria species which may contribute to coccidiosis diagnosis and treatment in poultry production.Keywords: Eimeria, coccidiosis, infection, central Vietna

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

PREVALENCE AND CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF EHRLICHIA CANIS INFECTION IN DOGS IN THUA THIEN HUE

The survey was carried out at OKADA PET Veterinary Center, Hue City, with 935 dogs                             of different ages and breeds. The results show that 39.6% of dogs have the clinical signs of Ehrlichia canis     (E. canis) infection, 95.7% of which were serologically positive for E. canis antibody. The results also indicate that 54.9% of dogs have E. canis morulae in monocytes and/or neutrophils. Statistical analysis reveals that the prevalence of E. canis infection in dogs is not affected by breed, gender or age. The clinical symptoms of infected dogs are very complex, including fever, abortion, joint pain, breast tumours, short breathing, nasal haemorrhage, weakness, pale mucosa, skin inflammation, hair loss around the eyes, eye discharges, cloudy eyes, refuging to eat, diarrhoea, belly skin haemorrhage, anorexia, constipation, ascites, vomiting, depression, salivation, and metritis. About 37.9% of dogs are serologically infected with Ehrlichia canis with various symptoms

ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF CHIVES AND GINGER EXTRACT ON ESCHERICHIA COLI AND SALMONELLA SPP. ISOLATED FROM BROILER CHICKENS

The chives and ginger’s bulbs were extracted by ethanol 96%, 72%, 48% within 5, 10 and 15 days for each concentration (15, 30 and 45 days in total, respectively). The solidified extract then was used for antibacterial activity against E. coli and Salmonella spp. isolated from fecal of chickens with diarrhoea. The results showed that both ginger and chive, which socked and leached for greater than 30 days gave better antibacterial ability. Extracts diluted at concentrations of 5 µg/µl, 7.5 µg/µl and 10 µg/µl of ginger and chive bulbs are resistant to both bacteria. Compared with antibiotics, E. coli was resistant to amoxicillin, whereas Salmonella spp. was resistant to gentamicin and amoxicillin. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of chives extract (30 days) was 16-63 (31-125) mg/ml and ginger extract (30 days) was 16-80 (2-4) mg/ml; overall, the results indicated that both extract had bacteriostatic/bactericidal effects on E. coli and Salmonella spp

Helicobacter pylori Infection and Peptic Ulcer Disease in Symptomatic Children in Southern Vietnam: A Prospective Multicenter Study

Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) remains a major cause of gastroduodenal diseases. We aimed to evaluate the burden of this infection, particularly peptic ulcer disease in Vietnamese children. Methods: We enrolled consecutive children referred for esophagogastroduodenoscopy at two tertiary children’s hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City, from October 2019 to May 2021. Children treated with proton pump inhibitors during the last two weeks or antibiotics for four weeks, and those having a previous or interventional endoscopy were excluded. H. pylori infection was diagnosed with either a positive culture or positive histopathology combined with a rapid urease test, or with a polymerase chain reaction of the urease gene. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee and written informed consent/assent was obtained. Results: Among 336 enrolled children aged 4–16 (mean: 9.1 ± 2.4 years; 55.4% girls), H. pylori infection was positive in 80%. Peptic ulcers were detected in 65 (19%), increasing with age, and 25% with anemia. cagA+ strains were detected at a higher rate in children with ulcers. Conclusions: Prevalence of H. pylori and peptic ulcers is high among symptomatic Vietnamese children. It is crucial to have a program for early detection of H. pylori to reduce ulcer risk and gastric cancer later

Twelve-Month Outcomes of the AFFINITY Trial of Fluoxetine for Functional Recovery After Acute Stroke: AFFINITY Trial Steering Committee on Behalf of the AFFINITY Trial Collaboration

Background and Purpose: The AFFINITY trial (Assessment of Fluoxetine in Stroke Recovery) reported that 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 seizures. After trial medication was ceased at 6 months, survivors were followed to 12 months post-randomization. This preplanned secondary analysis aimed to determine any sustained or delayed effects of fluoxetine at 12 months post-randomization. Methods: AFFINITY was a randomized, parallel-group, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in adults (n=1280) with a clinical diagnosis of stroke in the previous 2 to 15 days and persisting neurological deficit who were recruited at 43 hospital stroke units in Australia (n=29), New Zealand (4), and Vietnam (10) between 2013 and 2019. Participants were randomized to oral fluoxetine 20 mg once daily (n=642) or matching placebo (n=638) for 6 months and followed until 12 months after randomization. The primary outcome was function, measured by the modified Rankin Scale, at 6 months. Secondary outcomes for these analyses included measures of the modified Rankin Scale, mood, cognition, overall health status, fatigue, health-related quality of life, and safety at 12 months. Results: Adherence to trial medication was for a mean 167 (SD 48) days and similar between randomized groups. At 12 months, the distribution of modified Rankin Scale categories was similar in the fluoxetine and placebo groups (adjusted common odds ratio, 0.93 [95% CI, 0.76–1.14]; P =0.46). Compared with placebo, patients allocated fluoxetine had fewer recurrent ischemic strokes (14 [2.18%] versus 29 [4.55%]; P =0.02), and no longer had significantly more falls (27 [4.21%] versus 15 [2.35%]; P =0.08), bone fractures (23 [3.58%] versus 11 [1.72%]; P =0.05), or seizures (11 [1.71%] versus 8 [1.25%]; P =0.64) at 12 months. Conclusions: Fluoxetine 20 mg daily for 6 months after acute stroke had no delayed or sustained effect on functional outcome, falls, bone fractures, or seizures at 12 months poststroke. The lower rate of recurrent ischemic stroke in the fluoxetine group is most likely a chance finding. REGISTRATION: URL: http://www.anzctr.org.au/ ; Unique identifier: ACTRN12611000774921