VIETNAMESE STUDENT RESEARCHERS’ EXPECTATIONS OF THEIR SUPERVISOR AND SUPERVISION PROCESS

In Vietnam, scientific research is no longer just the work of scientists, graduate students, scholars, or lecturers; tertiary students are also encouraged to conduct scientific research. Therefore, the scientific research work of students receives more attention from educators. The research on carrying out scientific research of students is also therefore increasing. However, researchers do not seem to have paid enough attention to the role of supervisors during the supervision process. The evidence is that there are few studies on supervisors in Vietnam. Therefore, this study was conducted to learn about the role of supervisors from the student's perspective and expectations. Specifically, this study was conducted quantitatively with the use of a questionnaire consisting of 49 questions with a 5-point Likert scale. A total of 100 English-major students at a university in Southwest Vietnam participated in this study by answering the questionnaire. The results from the questionnaire show that students had high expectations from their supervisors. Specifically, students expect their supervisor to be someone who respects their opinions, has good scientific research knowledge, can give constructive comments, and is always willing to help them when needed. Based on research findings, supervisors are encouraged to participate in professional development training related to scientific research to improve their research knowledge and skills. Along with that, supervisors need to be aware of their role during the process of guiding students to do scientific research.  Article visualizations

A Network of microRNAs Acts to Promote Cell Cycle Exit and Differentiation of Human Pancreatic Endocrine Cells.

Pancreatic endocrine cell differentiation is orchestrated by the action of transcription factors that operate in a gene regulatory network to activate endocrine lineage genes and repress lineage-inappropriate genes. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important modulators of gene expression, yet their role in endocrine cell differentiation has not been systematically explored. Here we characterize miRNA-regulatory networks active in human endocrine cell differentiation by combining small RNA sequencing, miRNA over-expression, and network modeling approaches. Our analysis identified Let-7g, Let-7a, miR-200a, miR-127, and miR-375 as endocrine-enriched miRNAs that drive endocrine cell differentiation-associated gene expression changes. These miRNAs are predicted to target different transcription factors, which converge on genes involved in cell cycle regulation. When expressed in human embryonic stem cell-derived pancreatic progenitors, these miRNAs induce cell cycle exit and promote endocrine cell differentiation. Our study delineates the role of miRNAs in human endocrine cell differentiation and identifies miRNAs that could facilitate endocrine cell reprogramming

EVALUATION OF GENETIC DIVERSITY OF THE BLACK GLUTINOUS RICE BASED ON AGRO-MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERS

The study assessed the variations in nine agro-morphological characters among and within the black glutinous rice (Oryza sativa) population from Chau Thanh District, Tra Vinh Province. The nine quantitative agromorphological characters that were measured include culm length, leaf length, leaf width, number of panicles, panicle length, grain length, grain width, number of firm grain, and number of grain per panicle. The unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean method and principal coordinate analysis by the NTSYS program were applied in this study to classify the nine agro-morphological characters. In addition, to compare the variations in quantitative characters between O. sativa populations, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used. The results showed significant differences between the black glutinous rice populations for all quantitative agro-morphological characters. Moreover, some agro-morphological characters showed positive correlations to each other. The dendrogram generated from the analysis process of the agromorphological data divided the O. sativa populations into two groups with unfamiliar features. However, the O. sativa populations assessed exhibited a wide range of variations in morphological characteristics, both within the same population and among other populations with the same strains

Isolation and characterization of Rhizobium spp. and Bradyrhizobium spp. from legume nodules

Rhizobia topic has been re-focused in recent years because of new findings on their traits not only as nitrogen-fixing bacteria but also as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria. When combing rhizobial strains with novel biological carriers (e.g., biochar) for inoculant production, it brings great potential for improving soil health in long-term. Appreciating this trend, this study is designed to isolate and characterize local rhizobial strains from legume fields using the conventional method with some modifications to increase efficiency in rhizobial identification. As a result, 17 rhizobial strains were isolated and classified biochemically that genetic identification outcome confirmed 10 strains belong to 07 different Rhizobium species as R. mayense, R. paknamense, R. pusense, R. miluonense, R. tropici, R. phaseoli, and R. multihospitium while the rest belong to 06 various Bradyrhizobium species as B. elkanii, B. centrosematis, B. guangxiense, B. liaoningense, B. yuanmingense, and B. arachidis. Thermal and saline tolerant tests together with seed germination tests also performed on these rhizobial strains to gain data on their responses to abiotic stresses. By comparing rice and mung bean GI values, we can assess the effectiveness of each rhizobial strains to help seeds at their early germination

Evaluation of different decellularization protocols on the generation of pancreas-derived hydrogels

Different approaches have investigated the effects of different extracellular matrices (ECMs) and three-dimensional (3D) culture on islet function, showing encouraging results. Ideally, the proper scaffold should mimic the biochemical composition of the native tissue as it drives numerous signaling pathways involved in tissue homeostasis and functionality. Tissue-derived decellularized biomaterials can preserve the ECM composition of the native tissue making it an ideal scaffold for 3D tissue engineering applications. However, the decellularization process may affect the retention of specific components, and the choice of a proper detergent is fundamental in preserving the native ECM composition. In this study, we evaluated the effect of different decellularization protocols on the mechanical properties and biochemical composition of pancreatic ECM (pECM) hydrogels. Fresh porcine pancreas tissue was harvested, cut into small pieces, rinsed in water, and treated with two different detergents (sodium dodecyl sulfate [SDS] or Triton X-100) for 1 day followed by 3 days in water. Effective decellularization was confirmed by PicoGreen assay, Hoescht, and H&E staining, showing no differences among groups. Use of a protease inhibitor (PI) was also evaluated. Effective decellularization was confirmed by PicoGreen assay and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, showing no differences among groups. Triton-treated samples were able to form a firm hydrogel under appropriate conditions, while the use of SDS had detrimental effects on the gelation properties of the hydrogels. ECM biochemical composition was characterized both in the fresh porcine pancreas and all decellularized pECM hydrogels by quantitative mass spectrometry analysis. Fibrillar collagen was the major ECM component in all groups, with all generated hydrogels having a higher amount compared with fresh pancreas. This effect was more pronounced in the SDS-treated hydrogels when compared with the Triton groups, showing very little retention of other ECM molecules. Conversely, basement membrane and matricellular proteins were better retained when the tissue was pretreated with a PI and decellularized in Triton X-100, making the hydrogel more similar to the native tissue. In conclusion, we showed that all the protocols evaluated in the study showed effective tissue decellularization, but only when the tissue was pretreated with a PI and decellularized in Triton detergent, the biochemical composition of the hydrogel was closer to the native tissue ECM. The article compares different methodologies for the generation of a pancreas-derived hydrogel for tissue engineering applications. The biochemical characterization of the newly generated hydrogel shows that the material retains all the extracellular molecules of the native tissue and is capable of sustaining functionality of the encapsulated beta-cells

Anxiety and its risk factors among non-Japanese residents living in Japan undergoing COVID-19 situation: A cross-sectional survey

Introduction In the context of collective efforts taken in Japan to control the spread of COVID-19, the state of emergency and social distancing have caused a negative impact on the mental health of all residents, including foreign communities in Japan. This study aimed to evaluate the level of anxiety and its associated factors among non-Japanese residents residing in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods A web-based survey in 13 languages was conducted among non-Japanese residents living in Japan during the COVID-19 situation. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory assessed the level of anxiety–State (STAI-S) scores prorated from its six-item version. The multivariable logistic regression using the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) method was performed to identify the associated factors of anxiety among participants. Results From January to March 2021, we collected 392 responses. A total of 357 valid responses were analyzed. 54.6% of participants suffered from clinically significant anxiety (CSA). In multivariable logistic model analysis, the CSA status or the high level of anxiety was associated with three factors, including having troubles/difficulties in learning or working, decreased sleep duration, and decreased overall physical health (p<0.05). Conclusion Our study suggests several possible risk factors of anxiety among non-Japanese residents living in Japan undergoing the COVID-19 pandemic, including the troubles or difficulties in learning or working, the decrease in sleep duration, and the decrease in overall physical health.Revisión por pare

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

NOVEL ROLES OF EXTRACELLULAR MATRIX AND NONMUSCLE MYOSIN II IN REGULATING EPITHELIAL MIGRATION AND PROLIFERATION

The extracellular matrix (ECM) provides physical support for tissue development and is co-opted in cancer. The mammary gland includes two distinct types of ECMs: a collagen I-rich stroma, and basement membrane (BM) that separates epithelial tissue from the stroma. The ECM is continuously remodeled to control tissue integrity while its abnormal remodeling correlates with breast cancer metastasis. However, how ECM microenvironments differentially regulate epithelial cell behavior of normal and tumor tissues remains elusive. We explanted ductal groups, called organoids, from normal and tumor mammary epithelium into 3D gels of BM (Matrigel) and collagen I. We found that the local ECM primarily determined cell migratory behavior. While collagen I induced protrusive invasion in normal and tumor organoids while they grew indolently in Matrigel. However, different from tumor cells that persistently invaded, normal cells ceased to protrude, and restored epithelial structure. Inhibition of actomyosin contractility abolished the epithelial reorganization. Moreover, the addition of Matrigel suppressed collagen I-triggered invasion. Interestingly, we identified a mix of Matrigel and collagen I as a better ECM microenvironment to recapitulate branching morphogenesis. We next aimed to uncover how myosin II-mediated contractility regulates epithelial reorganization. We used Cre-lox-based gene deletion to induce the deletion of non-muscle myosin II (NMII) isoforms. Surprisingly, concurrent deletion of NMIIA and NMIIB (NMIIA,B) stimulated excessive proliferation in quiescent and actively growing epithelial tissues. The genetic mosaic analysis revealed that the hyper-proliferation was a non-cell autonomous effect. Our data unravel a novel cooperative role of NMIIA,B as negative regulators for cell proliferation and tissue growth

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