First occurrence of the little-known genus Noteriades (Hymenoptera, Megachilidae) from Vietnam: discovery of a new species and a key to the Southeast Asian fauna

The little-known megachiline genus Noteriades Cockerell, 1931 is recorded from Vietnam for the first time. A new species, Noteriades hangkia Tran, Engel & Nguyen sp. nov. is described and figured based on a series of females collected from the provinces of the northern and central highlands of Vietnam. The genus is briefly discussed and a new subtribe is established, Noteriadina Engel, Tran & Nguyen subtrib. nov. of Megachilini. Lastly, an identification key and distribution map are provided for those species occurring in Southeast Asia

Taxonomic notes on the genus Euaspis Gerstäcker (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Megachilidae) from Vietnam

Taxonomic notes on species of the genus Euaspis Gerstäcker, 1858 (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) from Vietnam are presented. Three species of the genus are reported: E. aequicarinata Pasteels is recorded in the central highlands Vietnam (Kon Tum Province) beside the previous record of this species in the northwest (Hoa Binh Province); E. polynesia Vachal is widely recorded throughout Vietnam; the taxonomy of Vietnamese Euaspis basalis (Ritsema, 1874) is a misidentification, and it is indeed Euaspis diversicarinata Pasteels, 1980 and is a new record from Vietnam. A key to the females of Vietnamese species of Euaspis Gerstäcker and a redescription of the female of E. diversicarinata are given with illustrations

Transmission of Japanese Encephalitis (JE) Virus in Gia Luong District, Ha Bac Province, Vietnam, After Je Vaccination, 1993-1994

A total of 15,183 children under 10 years old (37% of target population) was immunized with JE vaccine in Gia Luong District, Ha Bac Province, Vietnam, in 1993 to 1994. JE virus transmission was investigated by swine antibody survey and virus isolation from field mosquitoes. By the hemagglutination inhibition (HI) test, 73-90% of swine were antibody positive all year round, with high geometric mean titer (GMT) of 92.67-95.14 in May and June. By suckling mouse brain inoculation, 6 JE virus strains were isolated from Culex tritaeniorhynchus and Cx. vishuni, as well as laboratory reared F1 from field-caught Cx. tritaeniorhynchus. Serodiganosis by IgM-capture ELISA (MAC-ELISA) carried out on 60 of 85 clinical encephalitis cases detected 43 positives (71.66%). All these serologically confirmed JE cases had not been vaccinated. The results supported the vaccine efficacy to prevent overt JE

Preparation and evaluation of solid-self-emulsifying drug delivery system containing paclitaxel for lymphatic delivery

Solid-self-emulsifying drug delivery system (S-SEDDS) of paclitaxel (Ptx) was developed by the spray drying method with the purpose of improving the low bioavailability (BA) of Ptx. 10% oil (ethyl oleate), 80% surfactant mixture (Tween 80: Carbitol, 90: 10, w/w), and 10% cosolvent (PEG 400) were chosen according to their solubilizing capacity. The mean droplet size, zeta potential, and encapsulation efficiency of the prepared S-SEDDS were 16.9 ± 1.53 nm, 12.5 ± 1.66 mV, and 56.2 ± 8.1%, respectively. In the S-SEDDS, Ptx presents in the form of molecular dispersion in the emulsions or is distributed in an amorphous state or crystalline with very small size. The prepared S-SEDDS formulation showed 70 and 75% dissolution in 60 and 30 min in dissolution medium pH 1.2 and 6.8, respectively. Significant increase (P ≤ 0.05) in the peak concentration (C m a x), the area under the curve (A U C 0 - ∞), and the lymphatic targeting efficiency of Ptx was observed after the oral administration of the Ptx-loaded S-SEDDS to rats (20 mg/kg as Ptx). Our research suggests the prepared Ptx-loaded S-SEDDS can be a good candidate for the enhancement of BA and targeting drug delivery to the lymphatic system of Ptx

Detection and monitoring of cancers with biosensors in Vietnam

Biosensors are able to provide fast, accurate and reliable detec-tions and monitoring of cancer cells, as well as to determine the effectiveness of anticancer chemotherapy agents in cancer treatments. These have attracted a great attention of research communities, especially in the capabilities of detecting the path-ogens, viruses and cancer cells in narrow scale that the conven-tional apparatus and techniques do not have. This paper pre-sents technologies and applications of biosensors for detections of cancer cells and related diseases, with the focus on the cur-rent research and technology development about biosensors in Vietnam, a typical developing country with a very high number of patients diagnosed with cancers in recent years, but having a very low cancer survival rate. The role of biosensors in early detections of diseases, cancer screening, diagnosis and treat-ment, is more and more important; especially it is estimated that by 2020, 60-70% new cases of cancers and nearly 70% of cancer deaths will be in economically disadvantaged countries. The paper is also aimed to open channels for the potential R&D collaborations with partners in Vietnam in the areas of innovative design and development of biosensors in particular and medical technology devices in general

The implementation of community-based programs in Vietnam is promising in promoting health

Background: Low-and middle-income countries mostly have ageing populations with many unmet economic, social, or health-related needs, Vietnam being an example. Community-based support in Vietnam, organized as Intergenerational Self-Help Clubs (ISHCs) based on the Older People Associations (OPA) model, can help to meet these needs by the provision of services for various aspects of life. This study aims to assess the implementation of the ISHCs and whether successful implementation is associated with more member-reported positive health.Methods: We used the RE-AIM (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance) framework to evaluate the implementation using multiple data sources: ISHC board surveys (n = 97), ISHC member surveys (n = 5,080 in 2019 and n = 5,555 in 2020), focus group discussions (6; n = 44), and interviews with members and board leaders (n = 4).Results: Reach ranged between 46 and 83% of ISHCs reaching target groups, with a majority of women and older people participating. Regarding Effectiveness, members indicated high satisfaction with the ISHCs. Adoption scores were high, with 74%–99% for healthcare and community support activities, and in 2019, higher adoption scores were associated with more members reporting good positive health. In 2020, reported positive health slightly decreased, probably due to the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 61 ISHCs had consistent or improving Implementation from 2019 to 2020, and confidence in Maintenance was high.Conclusion: The implementation of the OPA model in Vietnam is promising regarding its promotion of health and may help to tackle the needs of an ageing population. This study further shows that the RE-AIM framework helps to assess community health promotion approaches.</p

Secular trend, seasonality and effects of a community-based intervention on neonatal mortality: follow-up of a cluster-randomised trial in Quang Ninh province, Vietnam.

BACKGROUND: Little is know about whether the effects of community engagement interventions for child survival in low-income and middle-income settings are sustained. Seasonal variation and secular trend may blur the data. Neonatal mortality was reduced in a cluster-randomised trial in Vietnam where laywomen facilitated groups composed of local stakeholders employing a problem-solving approach for 3 years. In this analysis, we aim at disentangling the secular trend, the seasonal variation and the effect of the intervention on neonatal mortality during and after the trial. METHODS: In Quang Ninh province, 44 communes were allocated to intervention and 46 to control. Births and neonatal deaths were assessed in a baseline survey in 2005, monitored during the trial in 2008-2011 and followed up by a survey in 2014. Time series analyses were performed on monthly neonatal mortality data. RESULTS: There were 30 187 live births and 480 neonatal deaths. The intervention reduced the neonatal mortality from 19.1 to 11.6 per 1000 live births. The reduction was sustained 3 years after the trial. The control areas reached a similar level at the time of follow-up. Time series decomposition analysis revealed a downward trend in the intervention areas during the trial that was not found in the control areas. Neonatal mortality peaked in the hot and wet summers. CONCLUSIONS: A community engagement intervention resulted in a lower neonatal mortality rate that was sustained but not further reduced after the end of the trial. When decomposing time series of neonatal mortality, a clear downward trend was demonstrated in intervention but not in control areas. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN44599712, Post-results