Study on the effect of processing methods on the total polyphenol, 2,3,5,4’-tetrahydroxystilben-2-O-β-D-glucoside, and physcion contents in Fallopia multiflora Thunb. Haraldson root

This study investigated the changes in the ingredients in Fallopia multiflora Thunb. Haraldson (FMT) root after processing it with different methods such as soaking, stewing, and steaming or combined methods. The total polyphenol, 2,3,5,4′-tetrahydroxystilben-2-O-β-D-glucoside (THSG), and physcion contents in FMT products after processing were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and ultraviolet-visible (UV-VIS) methods. The results demonstrated that the processing method and time significantly affected the contents of polyphenol, THSG, and physcion. The physcion and total polyphenol content increased or decreased during processing depending upon the processing time, while the THSG content gradually decreased with an increase in the processing time. The content of physcion (a substance that can cause liver toxicity) was analysed, and the suitable conditions for processing of the FMT products were determined as initial soaking in rice swill for 24 h and subsequent stewing with black beans and water for 12 h

FACTORS AFFECTING MILLENNIAL GENERATION'S INTENTION TO CHOOSE SPIRITUAL TOURISM IN VIETNAM: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF ATTITUDE AND MOTIVATION

The study focuses on analyzing factors that influence the Millennial generation's intention to choose spiritual tourism and determining the mediating role of attitude and motivation in this relationship. Based on the theory of planned behavior, theories of motivation and basic human value theory, the study has identified 3 factors: Tourism destination image, spiritual belief and reference groups influence the Millennial generation's intention to choose spiritual tourism. A survey based on a sample of 287 domestic and international tourists of the Millennial generation participating in travel experiences at spiritual tourist destinations in Vietnam. After collecting data, SmartPLS software is used to test the relationships of the research model. Research results show that all three factors influence the Millennial generation's intention to travel spiritually and confirm the mediating role of attitude and motivation in this relationship

Genetic characterization of an H5N1 avian influenza virus from a vaccinated duck flock in Vietnam

This study reports the genetic characterization of a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus subtype H5N1 isolated from a moribund domestic duck in central Vietnam during 2012. In the moribund duck’s flock, within 6 days after vaccination with a commercial H5N1 vaccine (Re-5) to 59-day-old birds, 120 out of 2,000 ducks died. Genetic analysis revealed a substantial number of mutations in the HA gene of the isolate in comparison with the vaccine strains, Re-1 and Re-5. Similar mutations were also found in selected Vietnamese H5N1 strains isolated since 2009. Mutations in the HA gene involved positions at antigenic sites associated with antibody binding and also neutralizing epitopes, with some of the mutations resulting in the modification of N-linked glycosylation of the HA. Those mutations may be related to the escape of virus from antibody binding and the infection of poultry, interpretations which may be confirmed through a reverse genetics approach. The virus also carried an amino acid substitution in the M2, which conferred a reduced susceptibility to amantadine, but no neuraminidase inhibitor resistance markers were found in the viral NA gene. Additional information including vaccination history in the farm and the surrounding area is needed to fully understand the background of this outbreak. Such understanding and expanded monitoring of the H5N1 influenza viruses circulating in Vietnam is an urgent need to provide updated information to improve effective vaccine strain selection and vaccination protocols, aiding disease control, and biosecurity to prevent H5N1 infection in both poultry and humans.Japan Society for the Promotion of Science. Grant-in-Aid for the Bilateral Joint ProjectsHeiwa Nakajima FoundationNational Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (U.S.) (Contract HHSN2662007000010C

A Multi-Center Randomized Trial to Assess the Efficacy of Gatifloxacin versus Ciprofloxacin for the Treatment of Shigellosis in Vietnamese Children

The bacterial genus Shigella is the most common cause of dysentery (diarrhea containing blood and/or mucus) and the disease is common in developing countries with limitations in sanitation. Children are most at risk of infection and frequently require hospitalization and antimicrobial therapy. The WHO currently recommends the fluoroquinolone, ciprofloxacin, for the treatment of childhood Shigella infections. In recent years there has been a sharp increase in the number of organisms that exhibit resistance to nalidixic acid (an antimicrobial related to ciprofloxacin), corresponding with reduced susceptibility to ciprofloxacin. We hypothesized that infections with Shigella strains that demonstrate resistance to nalidixic acid may prevent effective treatment with ciprofloxacin. We performed a randomized controlled trial to compare 3 day ciprofloxacin therapy with 3 days of gatifloxacin, a newer generation fluoroquinolone with greater activity than ciprofloxacin. We measured treatment failure and time to the cessation of individual disease symptoms in 249 children with dysentery treated with gatifloxacin and 245 treated with ciprofloxacin. We could identify no significant differences in treatment failure between the two groups or in time to the cessation of individual symptoms. We conclude that, in Vietnam, ciprofloxacin and gatifloxacin are similarly effective for the treatment of acute dysentery

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

Establishingdiagram of absolute crustal movements in Vietnam using GNSS data

International Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF) is created under the auspices of international to satisfy stringent standards of modern space systems. Basic feature of ITRF is the time factor. Thus coordinates and velocities of points are changing in ITRFyy-s. With the mission to link with international networks or study crustal movements, diagram of velocity movements plays an important role. This paper presentstheoretical background, basic formulas and method for calculating absolute velocity transferral between different ITRF. The overall picture of absolute crustal movements on the territory of Vietnam in the only one international coordinate system and latest ITRF08 has been established and discussed. The calculation is performed in accordance with strict accuracy and reliability. This method enables continuous integration of new results and update instantly the picture of crustal movements in Vietnam, guaranteed accuracy, and cost- and time- save.ReferencesVy Quốc Hải, 2009: Xác định chuyển dịch tuyệt đối khu vực lưới GPS Tam Đảo-Ba Vì. Tạp chí Địa chất. T.311, (3-4), tr.22-30. Vy Quốc Hải, Bùi Thị Hồng Thắm, Dương Chí Công, 2012: Tính chuyển vận tốc chuyển dịch tuyệt đối giữa các khung quy chiếu Trái Đất quốc tế (ITRF). Hội nghị khoa học lần thứ 20. Trường Đại học Mỏ-Địa chất. Christopher Jekeli, 2012: Geometric Reference Systems in Geodesy. Ohio State University. Lê Huy Minh, Kurt Feigl, Frédéric Masson, Dương Chí Công, Alain Bourdillon, Patrick Lasudrie Duchesne, Nguyễn Chiến Thắng, Nguyễn Hà Thành, Trần Ngọc Nam, Hoàng Thái Lan, 2010: Dịch chuyển vỏ Trái Đất theo số liệu GPS liên tục tại Việt Nam và khu vực Đông Nam Á. Tạp chí các khoa học về Trái Đất, T.32, 3, tr.249-260. T. Soler, J.Y. Han, N.D. Weston, 2011: Alternative transformation from Cartesian to geodetic coordinates by least squares for GPS georeferencing applications. Computers Geosciences, pp.100-109. Bùi Thị Hồng Thắm, 2014: Nghiên cứu cơ sở lý thuyết cho việc hiện đại hóa lưới khống chế trắc địa quốc gia ở Việt Nam bằng hệ thống vệ tinh dẫn đường toàn cầu GNSS. Luận án Tiến sĩ. Trường Đại học Mỏ-Địa chất. Tran Dinh To, Nguyen Trong Yem, Duong Chi Cong, Vy Quoc Hai, Zuchiewicz Witold, Cuong Nguyen Quoc, Nghia Nguyen Viet, 2013: Recent crustal movements of northern Vietnam from GPS data. Journal of Geodynamics, September 9. Phan Trọng Trịnh, Ngô Văn Liêm, Trần Đình Tô, Vy Quốc Hải, Nguyễn Văn Hướng, Hoàng Quang Vinh, Bùi Văn Thơm, Nguyễn Quang Xuyên, Nguyễn Viết Thuận, Bùi Thị Thảo, 2011: Tốc độ chuyển động kiến tạo hiện đại trên Biển Đông và khu cực lân cận theo chu kỳ đo GPS 2009-2010. Tạp chí Khoa học và Công nghệ Biển, 1, tr. 15-30. Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM) and US Naval Observatory (USNO), 2010: IERS Conventions. http://www.geologie.ens.fr/~vigny/geod03.html: GEODYSSEA GPS Results.

Fast and Effective Route for Removing Methylene Blue from Aqueous Solution by Using Red Mud-Activated Graphite Composites

In this work, the mixture of red mud slurry and inorganic salt ((NH4)2SO4) has been used as an electrolyte for electrochemical activation of graphite. The red mud-activated graphite composite was then used as an adsorbent for removing methylene blue from aqueous solution by the batch method. The effect of pH, contact time, adsorbent dosage, and the initial concentration of methylene blue was investigated. The optimal condition was found at pH 6, contact time 120 min, and amount of adsorbent 1 mg/L. The maximum adsorption capacity was found to be 89.28 mg/g based on the Langmuir isotherm equation, suggesting that the red mud-activated graphite composite is a very potential adsorbent for removing methylene blue and is also used in other coloured wastewater treatments

Aetiologies of central nervous system infection in Viet Nam: a prospective provincial hospital-based descriptive surveillance study.

Infectious diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) remain common and life-threatening, especially in developing countries. Knowledge of the aetiological agents responsible for these infections is essential to guide empiric therapy and develop a rational public health policy. To date most data has come from patients admitted to tertiary referral hospitals in Asia and there is limited aetiological data at the provincial hospital level where most patients are seen.We conducted a prospective Provincial Hospital-based descriptive surveillance study in adults and children at thirteen hospitals in central and southern Viet Nam between August 2007-April 2010. The pathogens of CNS infection were confirmed in CSF and blood samples by using classical microbiology, molecular diagnostics and serology.We recruited 1241 patients with clinically suspected infection of the CNS. An aetiological agent was identified in 640/1241 (52%) of the patients. The most common pathogens were Streptococcus suis serotype 2 in patients older than 14 years of age (147/617, 24%) and Japanese encephalitis virus in patients less than 14 years old (142/624, 23%). Mycobacterium tuberculosis was confirmed in 34/617 (6%) adult patients and 11/624 (2%) paediatric patients. The acute case fatality rate (CFR) during hospital admission was 73/617 (12%) in adults and to 42/624 (7%) in children.Zoonotic bacterial and viral pathogens are the most common causes of CNS infection in adults and children in Viet Nam