A Survey on Some Parameters of Beef and Buffalo Meat Quality

A survey was carried out on 13 Vietnamese Yellow cattle, 14 LaiSind cattle and 18 buffalos in Hanoi to estimate the quality of longissimus dorsi in terms of pH, color, drip loss, cooking loss and tenderness at 6 different postmortem intervals. It was found that the pH value of longissimus dorsi was not significantly different among the 3 breeds (P>0.05), being reduced rapidly during the first 36 hours postmortem, and then stayed stable. The value was in the range that was considered to be normal. Conversely, the color values L*, a* and b* tended to increase and also stable at 36 hours postmortem, except that for LaiSind cattle at 48 hours. According to L* scale, the meat of Yellow and LaiSind cattle met the normal quality but the buffalo meat was considered to be dark cutters. The tenderness of longissimus dorsi was significantly different among the breeds (P<0.05). The value was highest at 48 hours and then decreased for LaiSind and buffalo, but for Yellow cattle the value decreased continuously after slaughtering In terms of tenderness buffalo meat and Yellow cattle meat were classified as “intermediate”, while LaiSind meat was out of this interval and classified as “tough”. Drip loss ratio was increased with the time of preservation (P<0.05). The cooking loss ratio was lowest at 12 hours and higher at the next period, but there was no significant difference among the periods after 36 hours postmotem.Peer reviewe

Characterization of pig farms in Hung Yen, Hai Duong and Bac Ninh provinces

peer reviewedIn order to characterization of pig farms in the Red River Delta, a study was conducted on 90 pig farms in Hung Yen, Hai Duong and Bac Ninh provinces from June to December 2006. Results show that most of the pig farms had been built for five years with a small size (0.5 hectare per farm). The invested capital was about 300-400 millions VND per farm. Four main sow groups used in the farms included crossbred exotic sows (51.1%), crossbred sow between local and exotic breeds (14.4%), purebred Landrace and Yorkshire breeds (15.6 and 18.9%, respectively). The boars were various (Duroc 30%, Yorkshire 21%, Landrace 13%, PiÐtrain × Duroc 36% and others). The pigs farms were faced with several difficulties such as limited land, lack of invested capital, uncontrolled quality of breeding pigs, high costs of feed, poor hygiene condition and diseases

Barriers and Facilitators to the Integration of Depression Services in Primary Care in Vietnam: A Mixed Methods Study

Background&nbsp; Although the prevalence of depression in Vietnam is on par with global rates, services for depression are limited. The government of Vietnam has prioritized enhancing depression care through primary healthcare (PHC) and efforts are currently underway to test and scale-up psychosocial interventions throughout the country. With these initiatives in progress, it is important to understand implementation factors that might influence the successful integration of depression services into PHC. As the implementers of these new interventions, primary care providers (PHPs) are well placed to provide important insight into implementation factors affecting the integration of depression services into PHC. This mixed-methods study examines factors at the individual, organizational and structural levels that may act as barriers and facilitators to the integration of depression services into PHC in Vietnam from the perspective of PHPs. Methods&nbsp; Data collection took place in Hanoi, Vietnam in 2014. We conducted semi-structured interviews with PHPs (n&thinsp;=&thinsp;30) at commune health centres and outpatient clinics in one rural and one urban district of Hanoi. Theoretical thematic analysis was used to analyse interview data. We administered an online survey to PHPs at n&thinsp;=&thinsp;150 randomly selected communes across Hanoi. N&thinsp;=&thinsp;226 PHPs responded to the survey. We used descriptive statistics to describe the study variables acting as barriers and facilitators and used a chi-square test of independence to indicate statistically significant (p&thinsp;&lt;&thinsp;.05) associations between study variables and the profession, location and gender of PHPs. Results&nbsp; Individual-level barriers include low level of knowledge and familiarity with depression among PHPs. Organizational barriers include low resource availability in PHC and low managerial discretion. Barriers at the structural level include limited mental health training among all PHPs and the existing programmatic structure of PHC in Vietnam, which sets mental health apart from general services. Facilitators at the individual level include positive attitudes among PHPs towards people with depression and interest in undergoing enhanced training in depression service delivery. Conclusions&nbsp; While facilitating factors at the individual level are encouraging, considerable barriers at the structural level must be addressed to ensure the successful integration of depression services into PHC in Vietnam

A case study of braced excavation using steel sheet pile wall in Thi Vai soft clay

The paper presents a case study of braced excavation using sheet pile wall in Thi Vai soft clay in South East of Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam. The study is focusing on stress-strain-displacement behavior with field monitoring of lateral displacement of the wall and settlement of the surrounding area while the 11m excavation of the pump pit was performed. Furthermore, comparison of calculated and monitored data is shown to get insight into actual behavior of the braced cut wall. It is finally found that the ratio between maximum lateral displacement to maximum excavation depth ranging from 1.12%, 3.08% and 3.35% respectively for inclinometers INC-01 to INC-03 and that between surface settlement to maximum excavation depth 0.93% without any failure of the braced excavation and effective stress analysis can be used for getting reasonable and practically accepted values of both lateral displacement and surface settlement

Detecting familial defective apolipoprotein B-100 R3500Q in Vietnamese patients by PCR-sequencing

Familial defective apolipoprotein B-100 (FDB) is an autosomal codominant disorder associated with hypercholesterolemia, caused by mutations in and around codon 3500 of the Apolipoprotein (Apo) B gene, which encodes Apo B-100. The first mutation occurred in Arginine codons to be described, and the most characterized, is caused by a G→A transition at nucleotide 10,708 and results in the substitution of Arginine by Glutamine at codon 3500 (ApoB R3500Q). In this study, we have identified 27 R3500Q mutations in known FDB patients using PCRSequencing method. As the result, most of the patients carried heterozygous mutation R3500Q. PCR-Sequencing method that we have applied in this study proved consistent and so easily identified mutations correctly

Technical efficiency of smallholder banana production: a case study in Viet Nam

Bananas are considered one of the leading trading crops due to their high demand all over the globe. Since the increasing demand leads to the expansion of global import, the existing literature is in dire need of updating, especially from the producing economies that fall in the category of developing nations. The study, thus, intends to estimate the critical efficiency of said area. Along with it, the study aims to determine the elements of banana production in the context of Vietnam using a stochastic frontier approach and technical efficiency technique. The sample of the study is the province of Vietnam named Hung Yen, and it made sure to collect the data from 160 farmers in 2022. Results of the study reveal that the farmers' technical efficiency fluctuates between the range of 89.68- 97.81%. However, the average technical efficiency of banana farmers was reported to be 95.92%. From the result, it is gauged that factors such as potassium, manure, distance, capital, and training showed positive signs at a 0.01 significance level. Also, the education and area coefficient show a positive sign at a 0.05 significance level. Finally, distance and district variables, which were the dummy variable, show a negative sign at 0.01 and 0.05 significance levels, respectively.Hoang Van Hung (Hung Yen University of Technology and Education (UTEHY)), Nguyen Van Huong (Hung Yen University of Technology and Education (UTEHY)), Le Thi Thuong (Hung Yen University of Technology and Education (UTEHY)), Thai Thi Kim Oanh (Vinh University (VU)), Nguyen Van Chuong (University of Financial – Business Administration (UFBA)), Nguyen Cong Tiep (Viet Nam National University of Agriculture (VNUA)), Thai Van Ha (Ha Noi University of Business and Technology (HUBT)), Nguyen Thi Luong (Can Tho University (CTU))Includes bibliographical references

Selection of Depression Measures for Use among Vietnamese Populations in Primary Care Settings: A Scoping Review

Depression is an important and growing contributor to the burden of disease around the world and evidence suggests the experience of depression varies cross-culturally. Efforts to improve the integration of services for depression in primary care are increasing globally, meaning that culturally valid measures that are acceptable for use in primary care settings are needed. We conducted a scoping review of 27 studies that validated or used 10 measures of depression in Vietnamese populations. We reviewed the validity of the instruments as reported in the studies and qualitatively assessed cultural validity and acceptability for use in primary care. We found much variation in the methods used to validate the measures, with an emphasis on criterion validity and reliability. Enhanced evaluation of content and construct validity is needed to ensure validity within diverse cultural contexts such as Vietnam. For effective use in primary care, measures must be further evaluated for their brevity and ease of use. To identify appropriate measures for use in primary care in diverse populations, assessment must balance standard validity testing with enhanced testing for appropriateness in terms of culture, language, and gender and for acceptability for use in primary care

Effects of medicinal plants mixture on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood profiles, and fecal microbiota in growing pigs.

peer reviewed[en] BACKGROUND AND AIM: Alternative natural materials to antibiotics for improving digestive health and growth performance are needed due to strengthening regulations related to the use of antibiotic growth promoters. The study aimed to evaluate the effects of medicinal plants mixture (60% Bidens pilosa L., 15% Urena lobata L., 15% Pseuderanthemum palatiferum, 5% Ramulus cinnamomi, and 5% Star anise) as alternative growth promotors on animal health, nutrient digestibility, blood parameters, and growth performance of growing pigs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted, from April 2020 to June 2020, at a private pig production farm located in Cam Giang district Hai Duong Province, Vietnam. Forty-eight 10-week-old crossbred (♂Duroc×♀ [Landrace×Yorkshire]) pigs, average initial body weight 30.3±1.42 kg, were randomly allocated to four dietary groups, three replicate pens per experimental group, with 4 pigs/pen. For 7 weeks, the pigs were fed a basal diet supplemented with the mixture at levels of 0, 20, 40, and 60 g/kg of feed. RESULTS: Final body weight, average daily gain, average daily feed intake, and feed conversion ratio, as well as apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, ether extract, and gross energy were not significantly influenced by the diets (p>0.05). Inclusion of the plant mixture decreased significantly red blood cell count, blood cholesterol, urea nitrogen, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) concentrations (p<0.05) compared with the control diet. No diet effect was observed on fecal Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Clostridium spp., and total bacteria counts. CONCLUSION: The incorporation of the plant mixture into the diet of growing pigs reduced serum cholesterol, LDL, and urea concentrations with no adverse effect on performance and nutrient digestibility.2. Zero hunge

Growth performance, meat quality, and blood characteristics of finisher crossbred pigs fed diets supplemented with different levels of green tea (Camellia sinensis) by-products.

peer reviewed[en] BACKGROUND AND AIM: Dietary supplementation with green tea by-product shows special effects on animal parameters. This study aimed to assess the effects of green tea by-products (GTBP) in the diet on some blood parameters, growth performance, and carcass characteristics of finishing pigs and on meat quality, and nutritional composition of pork. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and sixty crossbred pigs with an initial body weight of 65.15 ± 0.38 kg, were distributed into four dietary treatments, with four replicates of 10 pigs each. The dietary treatments were a basal diet (control diet, CON), and three experimental diets (GTBP8, GTBP16, and GTBP24) based on the CON diet supplemented with GTBP at 8, 16, and 24 g/kg of feed. The studied parameters were examined during the experimental period of 10 weeks. RESULTS: No statistical differences in average daily feed intake, average daily gain, and feed conversion ratio were observed between the diet treatments (p > 0.05). Backfat thickness decreased (linear, p 0.05). However, pigs fed with GTBP had a decrease in cholesterol content and an increase in crude protein and total omega-3 content of pork compared to the CON diet (p < 0.05). Moreover, dietary supplementation with GTBP significantly decreased plasma cholesterol (p < 0.05), and trends for the decrease in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and urea nitrogen were observed (linear, p = 0.08). CONCLUSION: Up to 24 g/kg GTBP in the diet for finishing pigs does not impair animal performance and makes carcass leaner with softer meat as well as positive effects on cholesterol and fatty acid metabolism. Further experiments are needed to determine the optimal levels of GTBP addition in finishing pig diet to produce higher meat quality

PHÁT HIỆN VI KHUẨN PASTEURELLA MULTOCIDA GÂY BỆNH TỤ HUYẾT TRÙNG Ở CỪU PHAN RANG BẰNG KỸ THUẬT PCR

Pasteurellosis is an infectious disease causing severe damage to livestock and poultry since it leads to animals’ death, including sheep of all ages. In this study, we developed a sensitive, specific and accurate PCR method for detecting P. multocida in Phan Rang sheep using FKMT1/RKMT1 primers targeted to the KMT1 gene of P. multocida. The PCR-based method was used to detect the KMT1 gene from 104 copies of the KMT1-bearing plasmid. The method’s specificity was demonstrated by the successful amplification of KMT1 from the mixture containing other DNA of Gram-negative bacteria, such as E. coli or M. haemolytica. In particular, with the present method, we successfully detected P. multocida with crude DNA obtained from P. multocida or nasal swabs of pasteurellosis-suspected sheep samples treated in a TE buffer containing 0.1% TritonX-100. This is the first report on using a PCR-based method for detecting P. multocida from Phan Rang sheep, and it can serve as the basis for an effective procedure to diagnose pasteurellosis in sheep.Tụ huyết trùng là một bệnh truyền nhiễm có thể gây thiệt hại nghiêm trọng cho chăn nuôi gia súc, gia cầm nếu không được chẩn đoán và điều trị kịp thời. Vì vậy, trong nghiên cứu này chúng tôi đã phát triển phương pháp PCR có độ nhạy, độ đặc hiệu và độ chính xác cao để phát hiện sự có mặt của vi khuẩn P. multocida, một trong những tác nhân gây bệnh tụ huyết trùng trên cừu Phan Rang. Gen KMT1 của vi khuẩn P. multocida được nhân lên bằng cặp mồi đặc hiệu FKMT1/RKMT1 ở nồng độ khoảng 104 bản sao của plasmid mang gen đích. Phản ứng PCR không bị ảnh hưởng khi có mặt DNA của một số vi khuẩn Gram âm khác như E. coli hay M. haemolytica. Đặc biệt, với phương pháp PCR, chúng tôi đã phát hiện sự có mặt của vi khuẩn P. multocida từ mẫu DNA thô thu được bằng xử lý mẫu vi khuẩn/mẫu dịch ngoáy mũi của cừu nghi nhiễm bệnh trong đệm TE chứa 0,1% TritonX-100 mà không cần tinh sạch DNA tổng số. Đây là nghiên cứu đầu tiên công bố một phương pháp xác định sự có mặt của P. multocida trên cừu Phan Rang và là cơ sở để xây dựng quy trình chẩn đoán hiệu quả nhằm góp phần kiểm soát bệnh tụ huyết trùng trên đối tượng này