The Distribution of Microplastics in Beach Sand in Tien Giang Province and Vung Tau City, Vietnam

Microplastics threaten the ecosystem because of undesirable properties such as non-biodegradability, easy-to-absorb persistant organic compounds, etc. They are found worldwide in marine, fresh water and beach sand environments. In this study, microplastics in beach sand samples from two sites in Tien Giang province and two sites in Vung Tau city were investigated. The results showed that the microplastics amount was 0 to 295 pieces/kg dry sand and they mainly distributed near estuarine areas. Microplastics were more prevalent at bathing sites than non-bathing sites. In Tien Giang fragments were the most dominant among the three types of shapes (fragments, fibers, granules) at 60.2%. In Vung Tau granules were most prevalent at 71.7%. The composition of the plastics was confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. It was revealed that PE, PP and PS were the main types of plastics found in the sampling sites.

Lovastatin for the Treatment of Adult Patients With Dengue: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Dengue endangers billions of people in the tropical world, yet no therapeutic is currently available. In part, the severe manifestations of dengue reflect inflammatory processes affecting the vascular endothelium. In addition to lipid lowering, statins have pleiotropic effects that improve endothelial function, and epidemiological studies suggest that outcomes from a range of acute inflammatory syndromes are improved in patients already on statin therapy. METHODS: Following satisfactory review of a short pilot phase (40 mg lovastatin vs placebo in 30 cases), we performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 5 days of 80 mg lovastatin vs placebo in 300 Vietnamese adults with a positive dengue NS1 rapid test presenting within 72 hours of fever onset. The primary outcome was safety. Secondary outcomes included comparisons of disease progression rates, fever clearance times, and measures of plasma viremia and quality of life between the treatment arms. RESULTS: Adverse events occurred with similar frequency in both groups (97/151 [64%] placebo vs 82/149 [55%] lovastatin; P = .13), and were in keeping with the characteristic clinical and laboratory features of acute dengue. We also observed no difference in serious adverse events or any of the secondary outcome measures. CONCLUSIONS: We found lovastatin to be safe and well tolerated in adults with dengue. However, although the study was not powered to address efficacy, we found no evidence of a beneficial effect on any of the clinical manifestations or on dengue viremia. Continuing established statin therapy in patients who develop dengue is safe.Chinese Clinical Trials Registration. ISRCTN03147572

Quantifying antimicrobial access and usage for paediatric diarrhoeal disease in an urban community setting in Asia.

OBJECTIVES: Antimicrobial-resistant infections are a major global health issue. Ease of antimicrobial access in developing countries is proposed to be a key driver of the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) epidemic despite a lack of community antimicrobial usage data. METHODS: Using a mixed-methods approach (geospatial mapping, simulated clients, healthcare utilization, longitudinal cohort) we assessed antimicrobial access in the community and quantified antimicrobial usage for childhood diarrhoea in an urban Vietnamese setting. RESULTS: The study area had a pharmacy density of 15.7 pharmacies/km2 (a pharmacy for every 1316 people). Using a simulated client method at pharmacies within the area, we found that 8% (3/37) and 22% (8/37) of outlets sold antimicrobials for paediatric watery and mucoid diarrhoea, respectively. However, despite ease of pharmacy access, the majority of caregivers would choose to take their child to a healthcare facility, with 81% (319/396) and 88% (347/396) of responders selecting a specialized hospital as one of their top three preferences when seeking treatment for watery and mucoid diarrhoea, respectively. We calculated that at least 19% (2688/14427) of diarrhoea episodes in those aged 1 to <5 years would receive an antimicrobial annually; however, antimicrobial usage was almost 10 times greater in hospitals than in the community. CONCLUSIONS: Our data question the impact of community antimicrobial usage on AMR and highlight the need for better education and guidelines for all professionals with the authority to prescribe antimicrobials

Distribution of Microplastics in Beach Sand on the Can Gio Coast, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Microplastics pollution in Vietnam has received significant attention in recent years because of its adverse effects on the environment. This study examined the abundance, physical characteristics, and chemical composition of microplastics in beach sand from the Can Gio Coast, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam for the first time. Five beaches with different features and anthropogenic activities along the Can Gio Coast were selected. Ninety sand samples were collected from the edge of the water to the upper shoreline at different depths to assess the spatial distribution of microplastics. Microplastics were extracted by density separation in a solution of sodium chloride (NaCl) and zinc chloride (ZnCl2) and examined by attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR). The abundance of microplastics varied from 0 to 6.58 pieces/kg d.w. Microplastics were detected mostly along the upper shoreline and in the surface sand layer. The dimension of the microplastics ranged from 2.8 to 5 mm (71.4%), granules accounted for the highest proportion of shape (42.9%), and white and blue were the two most prevalent colors (81%). Polypropylene, polystyrene, and polyethylene were the three most common polymer types. The characteristics of microplastics indicate that their origin may be from resin pellets, tourism activities, and aquacultural activities

Analysis of the testing capability and actual requirements a case study at the Da Nang Quality Control Center in 2021

The quality evaluation of drugs necessitates the utilization of suitable methodologies, tools, and equipment. However, the continuous progress in the pharmaceutical sector has resulted in a wide range of diverse products, presenting a formidable challenge for drug testing centers. This study aimed to analyze the testing capacity and actual analysis requirements at the Da Nang Quality Control Center (DQCC) in Vietnam. A descriptive cross-sectional study design was employed, and testing records of DQCC in 2021 were retrieved for analysis. The findings revealed limitations and challenges faced by DQCC in testing tablets, injectable drugs, and medicinal herbs. Equipment shortages, lack of standardized materials, and insufficient availability of chemicals were identified as major obstacles. Consequently, 19.77% of required tests for tablets could not be conducted. Injectable drugs posed greater difficulties, with crucial tests like clarity, sterility, and pyrogen presence not being performed on any samples. Testing capacity for medicinal herbs was significantly limited, with only 15.46% of samples being examined, primarily due to equipment shortages, lack of necessary chemicals and standards. These limitations are not exclusive to DQCC but are prevalent in other testing centers as well. The study highlights the need for attention and investment from higher-level organizations to overcome these challenges. By addressing equipment shortages, providing standardized materials and chemicals, and enhancing the overall testing infrastructure, DQCC can improve its capabilities, adhere to international standards, and ensure the quality of pharmaceutical products. Future research should focus on improving testing capacity for tablets, injections, and herbal/traditional drugs to meet the increasingly strict requirements and variety of dosage forms of the pharmaceutical secto

Voltage Stability Enhancement for Microgrid Using an SVC

This paper presents comparative simulation results of a Microgrid (MG) system using a Static Var Compensator (SVC) for improving the voltage stability of the studied system. An Adaptive Neural Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) controller is designed based on the feedback signals to control the proposed SVC. For simplicity, the studied MG system can be modeled as an equivalent small scale wind turbine generator (WTG) combine with a Solar Photovoltaic (PV) and a Battery that connected to the common AC bus. A time-domain approach based on nonlinear model simulations is systematically performed. By observing the simulation results it can be concluded that the designed ANFIS controller for SVC can offer better damping characteristics of the studied MG system under severe operating condition

Continuity of primary care for type 2 diabetes and hypertension and its association with health outcomes and disease control : insights from Central Vietnam

Abstract: Background Vietnam is undergoing a rapid epidemiological transition with a considerable burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), especially hypertension and diabetes (T2DM). Continuity of care (COC) is widely acknowledged as a benchmark for an efficient health system. This study aimed to determine the COC level for hypertension and T2DM within and across care levels and to investigate its associations with health outcomes and disease control. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on 602 people with T2DM and/or hypertension managed in primary care settings. We utilized both the Nijmegen continuity of care questionnaire (NCQ) and the Bice - Boxerman continuity of care index (COCI) to comprehensively measure three domains of COC: interpersonal, informational, and management continuity. ANOVA, paired-sample t-test, and bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis were performed to examine the predictors of COC. Results Mean values of COC indices were: NCQ: 3.59 and COCI: 0.77. The proportion of people with low NCQ levels was 68.8%, and that with low COCI levels was 47.3%. Primary care offered higher informational continuity than specialists (p\u2009<\u20090.01); management continuity was higher within the primary care team than between primary and specialist care (p\u2009<\u20090.001). Gender, living areas, hospital admission and emergency department encounters, frequency of health visits, disease duration, blood pressure and blood glucose levels, and disease control were demonstrated to be statistically associated with higher levels of COC. Conclusions Continuity of primary care is not sufficiently achieved for hypertension and diabetes mellitus in Vietnam. Strengthening robust primary care services, improving the collaboration between healthcare providers through multidisciplinary team-based care and integrated care approach, and promoting patient education programs and shared decision-making interventions are priorities to improve COC for chronic care