Does hotter temperature increase poverty and inequality? Global evidence from subnational data analysis

Despite a vast literature documenting the harmful effects of climate change on various socioeconomic outcomes, little evidence exists on the global impacts of hotter temperature on poverty and inequality. Analysis of a new global panel dataset of subnational poverty in 134 countries finds that a one-degree Celsius increase in temperature leads to a 9.1 percent increase in poverty, using the US$1.90 daily poverty threshold. A similar increase in temperature causes a 1.4 percent increase in the Gini inequality index. The paper also finds negative effects of colder temperature on poverty and inequality. Yet, while poorer countries—particularly those in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa—are more affected by climate change, household adaptation could have mitigated some adverse effects in the long run. The findings provide relevant and timely inputs for the global fight against climate change as well as the current policy debate on the responsibilities of richer countries versus poorer countries

Lecane (Rotifera: Lecanidae) community in psammon habitat in Central Coast Vietnam: Diversity and relation to environmental condition

Characteristics of the Lecane (Rotifera) community in psammon in Central Coast Vietnam were investigated. A total of 50 taxa were identified in samples collected at hygropsammon zones of temporary pools, contributing 4 new species to rotifers' record of Vietnam. Psammonxenic species accounted for the largest percentage of Lecane community with 82%, followed by psammophiles (12%) and psammonbionts (6%). Influences of some environmental factors on the distribution of psammic lecanids were also observed. This group of organisms showed a slight tendency towards sand with grain sizes larger than 125 µm. Besides, other abiotic factors including pH, total phosphorus (TP) and total dissolved solids (TDS) were also found to significantly related to the distribution of some common Lecane species

Species diversity of rotifers (Rotifera: Eurotatoria) of Phu Ninh Lake with five new records from Vietnam

A total of sixty-one taxa of rotifer, belonging to 15 families, 3 orders were identified from the Phu Ninh Lake, Vietnam. Of these, five species were recorded new to Vietnam Rotifera fauna, including Lecane acanthinula (Hauer, 1938), L. sola (Hauer, 1936), L. thailandensis Segers & Sanoamuang, 1994, L. pyriformis (Daday, 1905), and Mytilina bisulcata (Lucks, 1912). The result raised the total number of rotifers known from Vietnam to 227 species. Moreover, the results showed that the number of species recorded increased with the increase of sample size, which followed the equation y=12.85+14.12log(x) (R2 = 0.99). Based on the estimators, the α-diversity of rotifers in Phu Ninh Lake might be up to 67±4 taxa (according to the Bootstrap index), 71±8 taxa (according to the Chao index), or even up to 79 taxa (according to Jacknife 2 index)

Using cassava waste of the cassava starch processing as food for raising African Nightcrawler (Eudrilus eugeniae) to obtain vermicomposting and earthworm biomass

The raising earthworms by cassava waste is a useful solution to reduce environmental pollution caused by cassava starch processing. In this study, cassava waste (including cassava peel, cassava pieces and soil) was used as a food source for raising African Nightcrawler (Eudrilus eugeniae) with three experiments: E1, earthworms were raised in crushed cassava waste right after being discharged; E2, earthworms raised in crushed cassava waste that had been incubated with organic matter after decomposing microbiological preparation for the previous two weeks; E3, earthworms were raised in crushed cassava waste that had self-decomposed naturally for the previous two weeks. The cassava waste was decomposed naturally for 4 weeks for control. The results showed that the content of organic matter, humic acid and total nitrogen in organic cassava humus, obtaining from experiments, increased compared to the control; the total organic matter content reached from 10.4%-15.7%, higher than the control (8.2%) from 1.27-1.92 times, humic acid content reached 0.6 - 0.8% and total nitrogen reached 0.3%. Experiment 3 had the highest quality of humus (organic matter content 15.7%, total nitrogen 0.3%, humic acid 0.7% and fulvic acid 0.5%). The experiment 3 also had the highest earthworm biomass (3.6kg), increasing 30.5% compared to experiment 1 and 19.4% comparing to experiment 2. Therefore, experiment 3 was proposed for application in treatment of cassava waste at larger scale. The organic humus obtaining from raising earthworms by cassava waste can be used as raw material for vermicompost production. The earthworm biomass can be used as protein-rich food for domestic animals (such as chicken, tortoise, eel, fish, etc) or used as nutritious fertilizer.Nuôi giun bằng phế liệu sắn là giải pháp hữu ích nhằm giảm thiểu ô nhiễm môi trường do chế biến tinh bột sắn gây ra. Trong nghiên cứu này, bã thải sắn (bao gồm vỏ, đầu mẩu sắn và bùn đất) được sử dụng làm nguồn thức ăn giun đất Châu Phi (African Nightcrawler (Eudrilus eugeniae) với các thí nghiệm như sau: Thí nghiệm 1: Giun quế được nuôi trong bã thải sắn nghiền ngay sau khi được loại bỏ; Thí nghiệm 2: giun đất được nuôi trong bã thải sắn nghiền đã được ủ với chế phẩm vi sinh phân hủy chất hữu cơ trong hai tuần trước đó; Thí nghiệm 3: Giun đất được nuôi trong bã thải sắn nghiền được để tự phân hủy tự nhiên trong hai tuần trước đó. Đối chứng là bã thải sắn để phân hủy tự nhiên trong 4 tuần. Bên cạnh đó, bã thải sắn nghiền còn được ủ bằng chế phẩm vi sinh phân hủy chất hữu cơ trong 4 tuần để cung cấp thêm số liệu so sánh giữa các thí nghiệm (Thí nghiệm 4). Các thí nghiệm được theo dõi trong 4 tuần. Kết quả cho thấy: Kết quả cho thấy: hàm lượng chất hữu cơ, axit humic và nitơ tổng trong mùn sắn hữu cơ thu được từ thí nghiệm đều tăng so với đối chứng: hàm lượng chất hữu cơ tổng số đạt từ 10,4% -15,7%, cao hơn đối chứng (8,2%) so với 1,27-1,92 lần, hàm lượng axit humic đạt 0,6 - 0,8% và nitơ tổng số đạt 0,3%. Trong đó, thí nghiệm 3 có chất lượng mùn cao nhất (hàm lượng chất hữu cơ 15,7%, đạm tổng số 0,3%, axit humic 0,7% và axit fulvic 0,5%). Thí nghiệm 3 cũng có sinh khối giun quế cao nhất (3,6kg), tăng 30,5% so với thí nghiệm 1 và 19,4% so với thí nghiệm 2. Do đó, thí nghiệm 3 đã được đề xuất ứng dụng để xử lý phế thải sắn ở quy mô lớn hơn. Chất mùn hữu cơ thu được từ việc nuôi trùn quế bằng phế thải sắn có thể được sử dụng làm nguyên liệu để sản xuất phân trùn quế. Sinh khối trùn quế có thể dùng làm thức ăn giàu đạm cho vật nuôi (như gà, ba ba, lươn, cá ...) hoặc làm phân bón dinh dưỡng

Analyses of the Expression, Immunohistochemical Properties and Serodiagnostic Potential of Schistosoma japonicum Peroxiredoxin-4

Background Schistosoma japonicum, which inhabits the mesenteric vein of the mammalian hosts for about 20 to 30 years, is subjected to the oxidative stresses from the host defense mechanism during their intra-mammalian stages. To counteract this host immune attack, the parasite utilizes their antioxidant system for survival inside the host. Peroxiredoxins (Prxs), thiol-specific antioxidant proteins, play an essential role for protecting the parasite against oxidative stress by reducing hydrogen peroxide to water. Only three types of 2-Cys Prxs have been previously characterized in S. japonicum whereas a fourth Prx has been identified for Schistosoma mansoni as Prx-4. A sequence coding homologous to this gene in the S. japonicum database was identified, characterized and expressed as recombinant SjPrx-4 protein (rSjPrx-4). Furthermore, rSjPrx-4 was evaluated in this study for its diagnostic potentials in detecting S. japonicum infection in humans. Results The gene found in the parasite genome contained 2 active-site cysteines with conserved sequences in the predicted amino acid (AA) sequence and showed 75% identity with that of the previously characterized Prx (TPx-1) of S. japonicum. The gene was expressed in different stages of schistosome life-cycle with highest transcription level in the adult male. The gene was cloned into a plasmid vector and then transfected into Escherichia coli for expression of rSjPrx-4. Anti-rSjPrx-4 mouse sera recognized native SjPrx-4 in egg and adult worm lysate by western blotting. The result of a mixed function oxidation assay in which rSjPrx-4 prevented the nicking of DNA from hydroxyl radicals confirmed its antioxidant activity. Subsequently, immunolocalization analysis showed the localization of SjPrx-4 inside the egg, on the tegument and in the parenchyma of the adult worm. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay results showed that rSjPrx-4 has 83.3% sensitivity and 87.8% specificity. Its diagnostic potential was further evaluated in combination with recombinant SjTPx-1 protein, yielding an improved sensitivity and specificity of 90% and 92.7%, respectively. Conclusions These results suggest that SjPrx-4 plays a role as an antioxidant dealing with oxidative stresses of S. japonicum, and its diagnostic potential improved by coupling it with SjTPx-1 is a proof for developing a serological test with better diagnostic performance for human schistosomiasis

Short Tandem Repeats Used in Preimplantation Genetic Testing of Î’-Thalassemia: Genetic Polymorphisms For 15 Linked Loci in the Vietnamese Population

BACKGROUND: β-thalassemia is one of the most common monogenic diseases worldwide. Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) of β-thalassemia is performed to avoid affected pregnancies has become increasingly popular worldwide. In which, the indirect analysis using short tandem repeat (STRs) linking with HBB gene to detect different β-globin (HBB) gene mutation is a simple, accurate, economical and also provides additional control of contamination and allele-drop-out ADO. AIM: This study established microsatellite markers for PGT of Vietnamese β-thalassemia patient. METHODS: Fifteen (15) STRs gathered from 5 populations were identified by in silico tools within 1 Mb flanking the HBB gene. The multiplex PCR reaction was optimized and performed on 106 DNA samples from at-risk families. RESULTS: After estimating, PIC values were ≥ 0.7 for all markers, with expected heterozygosity and observed heterozygosity values ranged from 0.81 to 0.92 and 0.53 to 0.86, respectively. One hundred percent of individuals had at least seven heterozygous markers and were found to be heterozygous for at least two markers on either side of the HBB gene. The STRs panel was successfully performed on one at-risk family. CONCLUSION: In general, a pentadecaplex marker (all < 1 Mb from the HBB gene) assay was constituted for β-thalassemia PGT on Vietnamese population

Host Transcription Profile in Nasal Epithelium and Whole Blood of Hospitalized Children Under 2 Years of Age With Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection.

BACKGROUND: Most insights into the cascade of immune events after acute respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection have been obtained from animal experiments or in vitro models. METHODS: In this study, we investigated host gene expression profiles in nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs and whole blood samples during natural RSV and rhinovirus (hRV) infection (acute versus early recovery phase) in 83 hospitalized patients <2 years old with lower respiratory tract infections. RESULTS: Respiratory syncytial virus infection induced strong and persistent innate immune responses including interferon signaling and pathways related to chemokine/cytokine signaling in both compartments. Interferon-α/β, NOTCH1 signaling pathways and potential biomarkers HIST1H4E, IL7R, ISG15 in NP samples, or BCL6, HIST2H2AC, CCNA1 in blood are leading pathways and hub genes that were associated with both RSV load and severity. The observed RSV-induced gene expression patterns did not differ significantly in NP swab and blood specimens. In contrast, hRV infection did not as strongly induce expression of innate immunity pathways, and significant differences were observed between NP swab and blood specimens. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that RSV induced strong and persistent innate immune responses and that RSV severity may be related to development of T follicular helper cells and antiviral inflammatory sequelae derived from high activation of BCL6

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