Impact of Agency Costs on Firm Performance: Evidence from Vietnam

An assumption in agency costs theory is that agency costs can exert a negative impact on firm performance. In this study, we examine the impact of agency costs on firm performance of Vietnamese listed companies. Our sample includes 736 companies in Vietnam during the period om 2010 to 2015. We find that agency costs exert a negative impact on firm performance. Our results are robust to alternative econometric models, including an instrumental variables technique and a system generalized method of moment model. In addition, we show that a debt instrument can be a useful tool to reduce the negative impact of agency costs on firm performance

Vietnamese children and adults' perceptions of genealogy's role in family tradition education

When one studies their ancestors, they acquire information and documentation about their marriages, births, and deaths as far back as possible, through their parents, grandparents, and great grandparents, as well as information and documentation about their children and grandchildren. In particular, the purpose of this study is to examine the perspectives of Vietnamese children and adults regarding the significance of genealogy in traditional family education in the country of Vietnam. One hundred and ninety-nine persons participated in the survey. In a questionnaire, they answered eight questions regarding the lives of their forefathers and foremothers. When this research came to a close, it was determined that the perceptions of Vietnamese children and adults about the function of genealogy in traditional family education fell into one of two categories: "below average" and "above average." All of the findings from this research are critical in terms of establishing family traditions in the minds of future generations

In vitro bioactivities of Codonopsis javanica root extract from Kon Tum province, Vietnam

Dangshen Codonopsis javanica exhibits invaluable medicinal properties in herbal remedies; however, there has currently not been much specific analysis of the phytochemicals and bioactivities of this plant. The root ethanol extract of C. javanica contains substances such as saponins, phenolic acids, terpenoids, and alkaloids. It displays an antibacterial effect against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus cereus with the IC50 values of 150, 100, 150, and 90 μg/mL, respectively. The antioxidant capacity of the root extract was also observed with an IC50 value of 46.8 ± 6.8 μg/mL. Furthermore, the extract exhibits activity on human cancer cell lines HepG2 (IC50 = 83.6 ± 2.7 μg/mL) and MCF-7 (IC50 = 95.3 ± 2.3 μg/mL). Hence, this study provides the basic data for further research on the bioactivities of natural compounds of Dangshen C. javanica for the first time

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

Fertility-Preserving Surgery in a Young Nulligravid Woman with Bilateral Coexistence of a Granulosa Cell Tumor with a Teratoma

Background. The coexistence of a granulosa cell tumor with a teratoma is extremely rare and impossible to diagnose preoperatively. For most patients with advanced age and stage, the standard treatment is hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy; however, fertility-preserving surgery should be considered for young nulligravid women. Case. We present a case of a 24-year-old nulligravid female with bilateral adnexal masses, imaging findings of ovarian teratomas, and normal levels of tumor markers. A laparotomy revealed bilateral dermoid cysts, and solid tissue invaded most of the remaining ovarian parenchyma with no signs of malignancy in the uterus and peritoneum space. Consequently, a bilateral oophorectomy was performed to preserve her fertility. Histopathology examination showed mature cystic teratomas coexisting with granulosa cell tumors on both ovaries. Within six months, there were no signs of recurrence on ultrasonography and tumor makers. Combined oral contraceptive pills were prescribed as hormone replacement therapy. Conclusion. Fertility-preserving surgery can be performed in young women with an ovarian granulosa cell tumor coexisting with a teratoma. Long-term examination, hormone replacement therapy, and in vitro fertilization are required

Cordyceps militaris (L.) Link: Chemical Bioactive Compounds and Pharmacological Activities

Cordyceps militaris (L.) Link is an important medicinal mushroom used in traditional medicine for treatment of many diseases and improving human health. C. militaris are now widely used in many modern pharmaceutical dosages. It contains many bioactive compounds such as cordycepin, adenosine, sterols, polysaccharides, etc. These compounds provided many beneficial biological activities such as anticancer, antiproliferative, pro-sexual, antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, immunomodulatory, antiinflammatory and others for C. militaris. The present review highlights the chemical bioactive compounds and pharmacological activities of this medicinal mushroom C. militaris

Cordyceps militaris (L.) Link: Chemical Bioactive Compounds and Pharmacological Activities

Cordyceps militaris (L.) Link is an important medicinal mushroom used in traditional medicine for treatment of many diseases and improving human health. C. militaris are now widely used in many modern pharmaceutical dosages. It contains many bioactive compounds such as cordycepin, adenosine, sterols, polysaccharides, etc. These compounds provided many beneficial biological activities such as anticancer, antiproliferative, pro-sexual, antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, immunomodulatory, antiinflammatory and others for C. militaris. The present review highlights the chemical bioactive compounds and pharmacological activities of this medicinal mushroom C. militaris