In Vitro Culture Of Maize (Zea Mays L.) Inbred Line Sm5-4

Tissue culture of inbred line SM5-4 maize (Zea mays L.), maternal parent of Putra J- 58 (F1 hybrids) was established using maize zygotic embryo as explant. To obtain embryogenic callus from mature and immature zygotic embryos of inbred line SM5- 4, manipulations of media components such as carbon, nitrogen, proline, and casein hydrolysate, and culture conditions such as incubation temperature, light, were carried out. Immature embryos have the ability to form callus and embryogenic calli, which can result in plant regeneration. At tissue culture level, the study aims at establishing the best tissue culture system via somatic embryogenesis and to overcome plant regeneration problems by manipulating the sucrose concentration, hormone combination and concentration, culture age, the type of medium formulation used to grow callus, incubation temperature, light and media formulation. Sterilization technique of maize from mature and immature maize seeds of the inbred line SM5-4 was investigated. Mature seeds (50 days old) and immature seeds (14 days after pollination) were disinfected by washing in different concentrations of sodium hypochlorite (Clorox) for different duration. Disinfection in 50%(v/v) Clorox solution (2.27% sodium hypochlorite) for 20 minutes gave 90% of contaminationfree culture of mature seeds whereas 50%(v/v) Clorox solution (2.27% sodium hypochlorite) for 15 minutes gave 75% of contamination-free culture of immature seeds. Reduction in Clorox concentration of 20% (v/v) Clorox (1.05% sodium hypochlorite) for 20 minutes gave high percentage (67%) of contamination- free culture of immature seeds that remain viable. N6 basal medium was found to be the best medium in enhancing both callus induction and embryogenic calli formation. The highest callus induction frequency on N6 basal medium supplemented with 9 pM 2,4-D from immature zygotic embryos was 79.5%. Both plants growth regulators, 2,4-D, IAA and BAP, kinetin, were capable of switching on the induction of callus necessary for embryogenic totipotency. The combination of 2,4-D and kinetin were however more effective in producing callus induction in embryos culture of maize. The most effective method for producing friable, embryogenic callus was found for immature zygotic embryos. Maturation of somatic embryos was enhanced by transferring the embryogenic callus after 4 weeks to medium containing 6% sucrose and Img/L NAA. During the following 3-4 weeks, as the somatic embryos developed, the cultures were transferred to the regeneration medium (MSO). Approximately 80% of immature zygotic embryos produced embryogenic callus and then plantlets. Immature embryos of inbred line SM5-4 produced the highest percentage of callus and showed the highest number of plant regeneration compared to mature zygotic embryos

Description of Geocenamus vietnamensis sp. n. (Nematoda : Merliniidae) from Vietnam

A new species of the genus Geocenamus was isolated from soil and root samples from the rhizosphere of Casuarina equisetifolia (Casuarinaceae) in Quang Nam province, Vietnam. This species is characterized by a round-to-hexagonal labial disc, the presence of a labial region, which is continuous or slightly offset from the body with six sectors, lateral sectors of first labial annulus being smaller than the submedian sectors, the presence of six to seven labial annules; the absence of deirids; stylet length 24 to 28 mu m long, body length 776 to 979 mu m long; lateral field with six to eight lateral lines, without areolation at mid-body and with areolation in outer bands at the tail region and a pointed tail terminus. Geocenamus vietnamensis n. sp. most closely resembles G. boghiae in having a non-sclerotized head framework and lacking a bursa in the males. It can be clearly distinguished from all other species of the genus Geocenamus by these characteristics. The combination of morphology, morphometric features, and phylogenetic trees, based on D2-D3 of 28S and ITS rDNA sequences, showed that this new species can be clearly separated from all other sequenced species. This record is the first for Geocenamus in Vietnam

Zooplankton from Can Giuoc River in Southern Vietnam

In this study, the variables of zooplankton and water quality were investigated in the Can Giuoc River, Southern Vietnam. Zooplankton was monitored in April and September 2015 at 5 sampling sites in the river. Some basic water quality parameters were also tested, including pH, total suspended solid (TSS), dissolved oxygen (DO), biological oxygen demand (BOD5), inorganic nitrogen (NH4+), dissolved phosphorus (PO43-), and coliform. The zooplankton biodiversity indices were applied for the water quality assessment. The results showed that pH ranged from 6.7 to 7.6 during the monitoring. The TSSs were between 34–117 mg/L. The DO and BOD5 were from 0.6 to 3.8 mg/L and from 6.3 to 13.2 mg/L, respectively. The NH4+ and PO43- concentrations ranged from 0.44 to 3.23 and from 0.08 to 1.85 mg/L, respectively. The coliform number was between 9.3x103–9.3x104 MPN/100 mL. The zooplankton analyses showed that there were 31 species of coelenterates, rotatoria, oligochaetes, cladocerans, copepods, ostracods, mysidacea, and 8 larval types. Thereof, the species of copepods were dominant in the species number. The zooplankton density ranged from 9 500 to 23 600 individuals/m3 with the main dominant species of Moina dubia (Cladocera), Thermocyclops hyalinus, Acartia clausi, Oithona similis (Copepoda), and nauplius copepods. The biodiversity index values during the monitoring were from 1.47 to 1.79 characteristic of mesotrophic conditions of the aquatic environment. Besides, the species richness positively correlated with pH, TSS, DO, BOD5, NH4+, PO43-, and coliform, while the zooplankton densities got a positive correlation with DO, BOD5, NH4+, PO43-, and coliform. The results confirmed the advantage of using zooplankton and its indices for water quality assessment

The frequency and severity of periodontal disease in Australians with type-2 diabetes mellitus and diabetic complication: A pilot study

Background: Periodontal diseases are chronic inflammatory processes affecting the tooth-supporting tissues in response to bacterial accumulation and are the main cause of tooth loss. Chronic oral infections and their consequent inflammatory responses have been demonstrated to have negative effects on multiple systemic disease, including type-2 diabetes mellitus. Aim: The aim of the systematic review in Part B was to investigate the association between periodontal disease and diabetic complications. The study project in Part C aimed to record the frequency and severity of periodontal disease (gingivitis and periodontitis) in patients with diabetes, diabetic complications or high HbA1c levels. Another aim was to validate a diagnostic tool for the screening of periodontal disease by non-dental health care practitioners and evaluate a referral pathway between diabetes clinics and dental clinics. Method: To conduct the systematic review, PubMed/MEDLINE was searched. For the research project, women and men aged 18 years to 75 years, with a proven diagnosis of type 2 diabetes were recruited from the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Diabetes Centre. Consented participants then went through a structured procedures to have their periodontal conditions assessed, biological samples collected, and their intra-oral photos taken. Those participants who were diagnosed with periodontal disease at the RPAH Oral Health Clinic would receive a referral letter for further treatment. Three months after the assessment the participants were contacted by telephone to evaluate with a structured questionnaire the oral care they had received. Results: Fourteen studies included in the systematic review consistently reported an increased risk for diabetic complications including microvascular, macrovascular and death in the presence of periodontal disease. High prevalence (77.8%) of chronic periodontitis was found among participants with type-2 diabetes mellitus included in the study project. Additionally, we found that bleeding on probing was positively correlated with HbA1c levels in the participants. Conclusion: The limited evidence from this study suggests an association between type 2 diabetes mellitus and periodontal disease. We believe that patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus should be routinely screened for periodontal disease as part of their diabetes management

Morphological and molecular characteristics of Pratylenchus haiduongensis sp. n., a new species of root-lesion nematodes associated with carrot in Vietnam

Pratylenchus haiduongensis sp. n. is described as associated with carrot (Daucus carota subsp. sativus (Hoffm.) Schubl. & G. Martens) in Hai Duong Province, Vietnam. P. haiduongensis sp. n. is characterized by the lip region with three annuli and slightly separated from the body. Stylet knobs are rounded (never indented anteriorly). The lateral field includes four incisures, bearing areolation at the pharynx region and tail region and occasionally appears in the vulval region. Sometimes the appearances of oblique broken striaes divide the lateral field into five or six incisures. The ovary is distinct with one row of oocytes. Spermatheca is oval in shape with round central cavity, without sperm or reduced in some specimens. The postvuval uterine sac is long surpassing the vulva body diameter by 2 to 2.5 times (PUS = 31 to 65 mm). High vulva position with V = 66 to 75%. The tail shape can be subhemispherical with a smooth, slightly indented, broadly smooth, or cleft terminus observed in some specimens. The matrix code of P. haiduongensis sp. n. is: A2, B1, C4, D(1,3), E1, F(5,6), G(1,2), H(1,4); I(1,2,3,4), J1, K(1,2) according to Castillo and Vovlas (2007). The LSU-D2D3 segment and the ITS-rDNA region of this species were amplified and sequenced. The morphological characters and molecular phylogenetic analyses confirmed that this is a new species of the genus Pratylenchus in Vietnam

The Relationship between Budget Revenue - expenditure and Inflation in Vietnam: Viewed from the Results of Quantitative Analysis

The research examines the relationship between budget revenue expenditure and inflation in Vietnam, with time series data on budget revenue expenditure and the consumer price index (CPI) (representing the inflation variable in Vietnam). Data were collected from the International Financial Statistics (IFS-IMF), General Statistics Office (GSO) in the period of 2005-2022. The author used Eview software to build a linear relationship log-log of budget revenue - -expenditure and CPI in the case of the Vietnamese economy. Quantitative analysis results show that when budget revenue increased by 1%, CPI increased by 0.249674%, when budget expenditure increased by 1%, CPI increased by 0.298316%. Raising budget revenue to raise budget expenditure will result in higher inflation during the research period in Vietnam. From the theoretical basis, research overview, and quantitative analysis results, the research team makes some recommendations for fiscal policy in Vietnam in the current context

Practice environmental cost management accounting: The case of Vietnamese brick production companies

During the past few years, there has been a growing interest in applications of environmental cost management accounting (ECMA) in different manufacturing industries. ECMA is a useful tool for environmental performance improvement and achieving better financial benefits. Nevertheless, ECMA implementation is in early stages in many countries such as Vietnam. Brick industry is one of the most polluted sectors, which has significant impact on the environment. The purpose of this paper is to provide a clear image of ECMA application in Vietnamese brick manufacturing enterprises. Both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies are used to analyze the participants' attitudes, perceptions and concerns about the potential for applying ECMA. The results indicate that the brick industry adopted low level of ECMA and provide some necessary suggestions to promote the enterprises applying ECMA

Auditing financial statements in insurance enterprises: The case of Vietnam

This study is conducted to study the implementation of the audit techniques and procedures executed by auditors using risk-based approach. The study also determines factors affecting audit quality of financial statements in Vietnamese insurance enterprises. Quantitative method is used in the study where questionnaires are sent to 250 independent auditors and 186 valid questionnaires are encrypted, declared and entered into SPSS software version 22.0. The results show that in audit techniques, except for document testing and verification technique, there were significant differences in application level of material testing, observation, interview, calculation and analysis techniques between big 4 firms and non-big 4 firms. The analysis also confirms that the most significant difference was between the two audit groups. In audit procedures, while control testing is not performed singly, detailed testing can be performed alone at all three assurance levels and the analysis is performed alone in the assurance level of 1. It is possible to combine them in these proce-dures with the assurance level of 2 and 3. On the other hand, the combination of these three proce-dures is only guaranteed at level 3. The results of the factor analysis and regression model test demonstrate that there were six factors influencing the audit quality of financial statements in insur-ance enterprises; namely audit method, auditors’ quality, awareness of auditors and director board, characteristics of insurance enterprises, legal environment and position of the audit firm. In particular, audit method and auditors’ quality are the strongest factors

Virulence-inhibitory activity of the degradation product 3-hydroxybutyrate explains the protective effect of poly-β-hydroxybutyrate against the major aquaculture pathogen Vibrio campbellii

The bacterial storage compound poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate, a polymer of the short-chain fatty acid 3-hydroxybutyrate, has been reported to protect various aquatic animals from bacterial disease. In order to obtain a better mechanistic insight, we aimed to (1) investigate whether 3-hydroxybutyrate is released from poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate within sterile brine shrimp larvae, (2) determine the impact of 3-hydroxybutyrate on the virulence of Vibrio campbellii to brine shrimp larvae and on its cell density in the shrimp, and (3) determine the impact of this compound on virulence factor production in the pathogen. We detected 3-hydroxybutyrate in poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate-fed brine shrimp, resulting in 24 mM 3-hydroxybutyrate in the intestinal tract of shrimp reared in the presence of 1000 mg l(-1) poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate. We further demonstrate that this concentration of 3-hydroxybutyrate does not affect the growth of V. campbellii, whereas it decreases the production of different virulence factors, including hemolysin, phospholipase and protease activities, and swimming motility. We hypothesize that by affecting all these virulence factors at once, 3-hydroxybutyrate (and thus also poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate) can exert a significant impact on the virulence of V. campbellii. This hypothesis was confirmed in a challenge test showing that 3-hydroxybutyrate protected gnotobiotic brine shrimp from pathogenic V. campbellii, without affecting the number of host-associated vibrios