Phytoplankton composition in intensive shrimp ponds in Bac Lieu province, Vietnam

Algal overgrowth in shrimp culture ponds can affect the quality of the aquatic environment, thereby adversely affecting the shrimp and causing economic losses. The objective of this study was to evaluate the variation in phytoplankton composition in intensive shrimp ponds in Bac Lieu province, Vietnam. Phytoplankton samples were collected in three black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) ponds and three whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) ponds. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS and canonical correlation analysis softwares. In total, 75 species of phytoplankton were recorded in black tiger shrimp ponds and 64 species in whiteleg shrimp ponds. Diatoms had the highest species diversity with 29–30 species (39%–47%), followed by green algae with 9–19 species (14%–25%); species numbers of other phyla varied from 5–12 (8%–16%). The total number of phytoplankton species throughout the study varied from 34–50 species. Algal density was relatively high and ranged from 497,091–2,229,500 ind./L and 1,301,134–2,237,758 ind./L in black tiger shrimp and whiteleg shrimp ponds, respectively. The diatom density tended to increase during the final stage of the production cycle in black tiger shrimp ponds. Blue-green algae and dinoflagellates also increased in abundance at the end of the cycle, which can affect shrimp growth. Diatoms were significantly positively correlated with pH, salinity, total ammonia nitrogen, and nitrate (NO3–) concentrations (p < 0.05). Blue-green algae and dinoflagellates were positively correlated with salinity, phosphate (PO43–), and NO3–. Algal species diversity was lower in the whiteleg shrimp ponds than in the black tiger shrimp ponds. Several dominant algal genera were recorded in the shrimp ponds, including Nannochloropsis, Gyrosigma, Chaetoceros, Alexandrium, and Microcystis. The results of this study provide basic data for further investigations, and they contribute to the management of algae in brackish-water shrimp ponds

Awareness and preparedness of healthcare workers against the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional survey across 57 countries.

BACKGROUND: Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, there have been concerns related to the preparedness of healthcare workers (HCWs). This study aimed to describe the level of awareness and preparedness of hospital HCWs at the time of the first wave. METHODS: This multinational, multicenter, cross-sectional survey was conducted among hospital HCWs from February to May 2020. We used a hierarchical logistic regression multivariate analysis to adjust the influence of variables based on awareness and preparedness. We then used association rule mining to identify relationships between HCW confidence in handling suspected COVID-19 patients and prior COVID-19 case-management training. RESULTS: We surveyed 24,653 HCWs from 371 hospitals across 57 countries and received 17,302 responses from 70.2% HCWs overall. The median COVID-19 preparedness score was 11.0 (interquartile range [IQR] = 6.0-14.0) and the median awareness score was 29.6 (IQR = 26.6-32.6). HCWs at COVID-19 designated facilities with previous outbreak experience, or HCWs who were trained for dealing with the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak, had significantly higher levels of preparedness and awareness (p<0.001). Association rule mining suggests that nurses and doctors who had a 'great-extent-of-confidence' in handling suspected COVID-19 patients had participated in COVID-19 training courses. Male participants (mean difference = 0.34; 95% CI = 0.22, 0.46; p<0.001) and nurses (mean difference = 0.67; 95% CI = 0.53, 0.81; p<0.001) had higher preparedness scores compared to women participants and doctors. INTERPRETATION: There was an unsurprising high level of awareness and preparedness among HCWs who participated in COVID-19 training courses. However, disparity existed along the lines of gender and type of HCW. It is unknown whether the difference in COVID-19 preparedness that we detected early in the pandemic may have translated into disproportionate SARS-CoV-2 burden of disease by gender or HCW type

L'éthique en recherche ou les éthiques en recherche ?

International audienc

Nanoengineered injectable hydrogels derived from layered double hydroxides and alginate for sustained release of protein therapeutics in tissue engineering applications

Abstract Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) which involves gradual loss of kidney function is characterized by low levels of a glycoprotein called Erythropoietin (EPO) that leads to red blood cell  deficiency and anemia. Recombinant human EPO (rhEPO) injections that are administered intravenously or subcutaneously is the current gold standard for treating CKD. The rhEPO injections have very short half-lives and thus demands frequent administration with a risk of high endogenous EPO levels leading to severe side effects that could prove fatal. To this effect, this work provides a novel approach of using lamellar inorganic solids with a brucite-like structure for controlling the release of protein therapeutics such as rhEPO in injectable hydrogels. The nanoengineered injectable system was formulated by incorporating two-dimensional layered double hydroxide (LDH) clay materials with a high surface area into alginate hydrogels for sustained delivery. The inclusion of LDH in the hydrogel network not only improved the mechanical properties of the hydrogels (5–30 times that of alginate hydrogel) but also exhibited a high binding affinity to proteins without altering their bioactivity and conformation. Furthermore, the nanoengineered injectable hydrogels (INHs) demonstrated quick gelation, injectability, and excellent adhesion properties on human skin. The in vitro release test of EPO from conventional alginate hydrogels (Alg-Gel) showed 86% EPO release within 108 h while INHs showed greater control over the initial burst and released only 24% of EPO in the same incubation time. INH-based ink was successfully used for 3D printing, resulting in scaffolds with good shape fidelity and stability in cell culture media. Controlled release of EPO from INHs facilitated superior angiogenic potential in ovo (chick chorioallantoic membrane) compared to Alg-Gel. When subcutaneously implanted in albino mice, the INHs formed a stable gel in vivo without inducing any adverse effects. The results suggest that the proposed INHs in this study can be utilized as a minimally invasive injectable platform or as 3D printed patches for the delivery of protein therapeutics to facilitate tissue regeneration

Complement receptor type 1 and 2 (CR1 and CR2) gene polymorphisms and plasma protein levels are associated with the Dengue disease severity

Abstract The pathological outcome of dengue disease results from complex interactions between dengue virus (DENV) and host genetics and immune response. Complement receptor types 1 and 2 (CR1 and CR2) mediate complement activation through the alternative pathway. This study investigated the possible association of genetic polymorphisms and plasma levels of CR1 and CR2 with dengue disease. A total of 267 dengue patients and 133 healthy controls were recruited for this study. CR1 and CR2 gene polymorphisms were analyzed by Sanger sequencing, while plasma CR1 and CR2 levels were measured by ELISA. The frequency of the CR1 minor allele rs6691117G was lower in dengue patients and those with severe dengue compared to healthy controls. Plasma CR1 and CR2 levels were decreased in dengue patients compared to healthy controls (P < 0.0001) and were associated with platelet counts. CR1 levels were lower in dengue patients with warning signs (DWS) compared to those without DWS, while CR2 levels were decreased according to the severity of the disease and after 5 days (T1) and 8 days (T2) of follow-up. CR2 levels were decreased in dengue patients positive for anti-DENV IgG and IgM and patients with bleeding and could discriminate DWS and SD from dengue fever patients (AUC = 0.66). In conclusion, this study revealed a reduction in CR2 levels in dengue patients and that the CR1 SNP rs6691117A/G is associated with the dengue severity. The correlation of CR2 levels with platelet counts suggests that CR2 could be an additional biomarker for the prognosis of severe dengue disease

Interdisciplinary Assessment of Hygiene Practices in Multiple Locations: Implications for COVID-19 Pandemic Preparedness in Vietnam

10.3389/fpubh.2020.589183Frontiers in Public Health858918

Molecular Epidemiology of Helicobacter pylori Infection in a Minor Ethnic Group of Vietnam: A Multiethnic, Population-Based Study

The Helicobacter pylori-induced burden of gastric cancer varies based on geographical regions and ethnic grouping. Vietnam is a multiethnic country with the highest incidence of gastric cancer in Southeast Asia, but previous studies focused only on the Kinh ethnic group. A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted using 494 volunteers (18–78 years old), from 13 ethnic groups in Daklak and Lao Cai provinces, Vietnam. H. pylori status was determined by multiple tests (rapid urease test, culture, histology, and serology). cagA and vacA genotypes were determined by PCR-based sequencing. The overall H. pylori infection rate was 38.1%. Multivariate analysis showed that variations in geographical region, age, and ethnicity were independent factors associated with the risk of H. pylori acquisition. Therefore, multicenter, multiethnic, population based study is essential to assess the H. pylori prevalence and its burden in the general population. Only the E De ethnicity carried strains with Western-type CagA (82%) and exhibited significantly lower gastric mucosal inflammation compared to other ethnic groups. However, the histological scores of Western-type CagA and East-Asian-type CagA within the E De group showed no significant differences. Thus, in addition to bacterial virulence factors, host factors are likely to be important determinants for gastric mucosal inflammation and contribute to the Asian enigma