Structural barriers to HIV prevention among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Vietnam: Diversity, stigma, and healthcare access

Men who have sex with men (MSM) in Vietnam experience disproportionate rates of HIV infection. To advance understanding of how structural barriers may shape their engagement with HIV prevention services, we draw on 32 in-depth interviews and four focus groups (n = 31) conducted with MSM in Hanoi between October 2015- March 2016. Three primary factors emerged: (1) Diversity, both in relation to identity and income; Vietnamese MSM described themselves as segregated into Bóng kín (hidden, often heterosexually-identified MSM) and Bóng lộ (‘out,’ transgender, or effeminate MSM). Lower-income, ‘hidden’ MSM from rural areas were reluctant to access MSM-targeted services; (2) Stigma: MSM reported being stigmatized by the healthcare system, family, and other MSM; and (3) Healthcare access: this was limited due to economic barriers and lack of MSM-friendly services. Our research suggests the need for multiple strategies to reach diverse types of MSM as well as to address barriers in access to health services such as stigma and costs. While a great deal has been written about the diversity of MSM in relation to gender performance and sexual identities, our research points to the substantial structural-level barriers that must be addressed in order to achieve meaningful and effective HIV prevention for MSM worldwide

Gauge Bosons in the 3-3-1 Model with Three Neutrino Singlets

We show that the mass matrix of electrically neutral gauge bosons in the recent proposed  model based on $\mathrm{SU}(3)_C\otimes \mathrm{SU}(3)_L\otimes \mathrm{U}(1)_X$ group with three neutrino singlets [9] has two exact eigenvalues and corresponding eigenvectors. Hence the neutral non-Hermitian gauge boson $X^0_\mu$ is properly determined.With extra vacuum expectation values of the Higgs fields, there are mixings among charged gauge bosons $W^\pm$ and $Y^\pm$ as well as amongneutral gauge bosons $Z, Z'$ and $X^0$. From the $W$ boson decay width, we get lower bound on  scale of the model about few TeVs

Molecular Dynamics Simulations Suggest that Electrostatic Funnel Directs Binding of Tamiflu to Influenza N1 Neuraminidases

Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) is currently the frontline antiviral drug employed to fight the flu virus in infected individuals by inhibiting neuraminidase, a flu protein responsible for the release of newly synthesized virions. However, oseltamivir resistance has become a critical problem due to rapid mutation of the flu virus. Unfortunately, how mutations actually confer drug resistance is not well understood. In this study, we employ molecular dynamics (MD) and steered molecular dynamics (SMD) simulations, as well as graphics processing unit (GPU)-accelerated electrostatic mapping, to uncover the mechanism behind point mutation induced oseltamivir-resistance in both H5N1 “avian” and H1N1pdm “swine” flu N1-subtype neuraminidases. The simulations reveal an electrostatic binding funnel that plays a key role in directing oseltamivir into and out of its binding site on N1 neuraminidase. The binding pathway for oseltamivir suggests how mutations disrupt drug binding and how new drugs may circumvent the resistance mechanisms

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

The use of cassava leaf silage for feeding growing pigs and sows in Central Vietnam

This study aimed at using cassava leaves, ensiled with rice bran, sugar molasses and cassava root meal (at 5 and 10% levels), as a protein source for growing pigs and pregnant Mong Cai sows. The added ingredients contributed to producing good quality silage (pH 3.8 or less; HCN 90- 120 mg/kg fresh silage) which could be stored for up to five months. Digestibility and nitrogen balance trials were conducted to evaluate the substitution of fish meal by ensiled cassava leaves (ECL) at the levels of 0, 50, 75 and 100 g/day of protein in diets based on ensiled cassava roots (ECR). There was an indication (P = 0.08) that apparent digestibility of the dry matter (DM) decreased with increasing levels of ECL. The decrease in crude protein (CP) digestibility, from 86.6 to 79.6 for 100 g/day substitution, was highly significant (P = 0.001). Nitrogen retention also decreased from 14.5 to 9.0 g/day when ECL was used at the level of 100 g/day of protein. The inclusion of 10% ensiled cassava leaves as replacement for sweetpotato vines and partial replacement for fishmeal in growing Mong Cai gilt had no effect on reproductive performance. However, at the 20% level, the live weight gain of gilts was decreased, age at first mating was increased from 170 to 196 days, and live weight increased from 40.2 to 43.8 kg. Twenty-four crossbred pigs (Mong Cai x Large White) were allocated (4 pigs/household) among two groups of families to compare the effect of supplementing the traditional diet with ensiled cassava leaves. The overall difference was not significant and no effect on the growth of pigs was observed. In another 16 households, feeding of 15% ensiled cassava leaves to Mong Cai sows during pregnancy, as replacement for sweetpotato vines and partial replacement of fishmeal, had no effect on reproductive traits

Impact of myo-inositol trispyrophosphate (ITPP) on tumour oxygenation and response to irradiation in rodent tumour models.

Tumour hypoxia is a well-established factor of resistance in radiation therapy (RT). Myo-inositol trispyrophosphate (ITPP) is an allosteric effector that reduces the oxygen-binding affinity of haemoglobin and facilitates the release of oxygen by red blood cells. We investigated herein the oxygenation effect of ITPP in six tumour models and its radiosensitizing effect in two of these models. The evolution of tumour pO upon ITPP administration was monitored on six models using 1.2 GHz Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) oximetry. The effect of ITPP on tumour perfusion was assessed by Hoechst staining and the oxygen consumption rate (OCR) in vitro was measured using 9.5 GHz EPR. The therapeutic effect of ITPP with and without RT was evaluated on rhabdomyosarcoma and 9L-glioma rat models. ITPP enhanced tumour oxygenation in six models. The administration of 2 g/kg ITPP once daily for 2 days led to a tumour reoxygenation for at least 4 days. ITPP reduced the OCR in six cell lines but had no effect on tumour perfusion when tested on 9L-gliomas. ITPP plus RT did not improve the outcome in rhabdomyosarcomas. In 9L-gliomas, some of tumours receiving the combined treatment were cured while other tumours did not benefit from the treatment. ITPP increased oxygenation in six tumour models. A decrease in OCR could contribute to the decrease in tumour hypoxia. The association of RT with ITPP was beneficial for a few 9L-gliomas but was absent in the rhabdomyosarcomas

CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND GELLING PROPERTIES OF AGAR EXTRACTED FROM RED ALGAE GROWING AT VIETNAM COAST

CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND GELLING PROPERTIES OF AGAR EXTRACTED FROM RED ALGAE GROWING AT VIETNAM COAS

Predictive value of (18)F-FAZA PET imaging for guiding the association of radiotherapy with nimorazole: a preclinical study

PURPOSE: To assess the predictive value of hypoxia imaging by (18)F-FAZA PET in identifying tumors that may benefit from radiotherapy combined with nimorazole, a hypoxic radiosensitizer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Rats of two tumor models (Rhabdomyosarcoma and 9L-glioma) were divided into two treated groups: radiotherapy (RT) alone or RT plus nimorazole. (18)F-FAZA PET images were obtained to evaluate tumor hypoxia before the treatment. Treatment outcome was assessed through the tumor growth time assay, defined as the time required for tumor to grow to 1.5 times its size before irradiation. RESULTS: For rhabdomyosarcomas, the benefit of adding nimorazole to RT was not significant when considering all tumors. When stratifying into more and less hypoxic tumors according to the median (18)F-FAZA T/B ratio, we found that the combined treatment significantly improved the response of the "more hypoxic" subgroup, while there was no significant difference in the tumor growth time between the two treatment modalities for the "less hypoxic" subgroup. For 9L-gliomas, a clear benefit was demonstrated for the group receiving RT+nimorazole. However, the individual responses within the RT+nimorazole group were highly variable and independent of the (18)F-FAZA uptake. CONCLUSIONS: (18)F-FAZA PET may be useful to guide hypoxia-directed RT using nimorazole as radiosensitizer. It identified a subgroup of more hypoxic tumors (displaying T/B ratio>2.72) that would benefit from this combined treatment. Nevertheless, the predictive power was limited to rhabdomyosarcomas and ineffective for 9L-gliomas

Combined endogenous MR biomarkers to assess changes in tumor oxygenation induced by an allosteric effector of hemoglobin.

Hypoxia is a crucial factor in cancer therapy, determining prognosis and the effectiveness of treatment. Although efforts are being made to develop methods for assessing tumor hypoxia, no markers of hypoxia are currently used in routine clinical practice. Recently, we showed that the combined endogenous MR biomarkers, R and R *, which are sensitive to [dissolved O ] and [dHb], respectively, were able to detect changes in tumor oxygenation induced by a hyperoxic breathing challenge. In this study, we further validated the ability of the combined MR biomarkers to assess the change in tumor oxygenation induced by an allosteric effector of hemoglobin, myo-inositol trispyrophosphate (ITPP), on rat tumor models. ITPP induced an increase in tumor pO , as observed using L-band electron paramagnetic resonance oximetry, as well as an increase in both R and R * MR parameters. The increase in R indicated an increase in [O ], whereas the increase in R * resulted from an increase in O release from blood, inducing an increase in [dHb]. The impact of ITPP was then evaluated on factors that can influence tumor oxygenation, including tumor perfusion, saturation rate of hemoglobin, blood pH and oxygen consumption rate (OCR). ITPP decreased blood [HbO ] and significantly increased blood acidity, which is also a factor that right-shifts the oxygen dissociation curve. No change in tumor perfusion was observed after ITPP treatment. Interestingly, ITPP decreased OCR in both tumor cell lines. In conclusion, ITPP increased tumor pO via a combined mechanism involving a decrease in OCR and an allosteric effect on hemoglobin that was further enhanced by a decrease in blood pH. MR biomarkers could assess the change in tumor oxygenation induced by ITPP. At the intra-tumoral level, a majority of tumor voxels were responsive to ITPP treatment in both of the models studied