Growth and development of transgenic peanut (Arachis hypogaea) lines containing chitinase 42 kDa gene from Trichoderma asperellum SH16

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is vulnerable to many diseases. Vietnam and other regions where peanut is widely cultivated have a high threat of fungal and other plant diseases. Various fungicides are available to control the fungal disease but these have various harmful effects on the natural flora, fauna, and environment. Transgenic peanut lines which possess antifungal activity provide a possible solution in managing fungal diseases apart from the traditional resistance and fungicide usage. Therefore, this study evaluated the probable growth and development of chitinase transgenic peanut lines against Sclerotium rolfsii, a pathogen that causes “southern blight” in plants, under greenhouse conditions. This study provided evidence that through Agrobacterium itumefaciens mediated transformation, 42 kDa chitinase genes from Trichoderma asperellum, which is under the regulation of 35S promoter, were successfully incorporated into the peanut’s (A. hypogaea L.) genome and expressed in their plants. This evidence also demonstrated that transgenic peanut lines were suitable for growing and developing in the greenhouse. Further, it was reported that transgenic peanut lines took approximately 133 to 145 days from planting to maturity. These results also revealed that various growth characteristics of transgenic peanut lines having two synthetic genes (syncod Chi42-2 i.e. S2-2, S2-4, S2-6, and syncod Chi42-1 i.e. S1-1, S1-2, S1-3) were greater than that from the wild-type Chi42 (WT-1, WT-2, and WT-3). In addition, yield-related parameters including the number of mature pods, 100 pods weight and 100 seeds weight for all the transgenic peanut lines were higher than that of the non-transformed plant. Among the transgenic lines, line S2-4 exhibited significantly higher growth and yield than the other transgenic lines. These results demonstrated that 42 kDa chitinase genes overexpressing peanut lines could be a candidate for improvement against plants to phytopathogenic fungus S. rolfsii and high yield.

ĐA DẠNG THỰC VẬT CÓ HOA Ở THẢM THỰC VẬT TỰ NHIÊN VÙNG CÁT TỈNH QUẢNG TRỊ

Species composition was determined from 455 random quadrats of size 100 m2. The survey results in 311 species belonging to 226 genera, 94 families, 59 orders, and 12 subclasses. The study adds 29 species, 20 genera, and 5 families to the flowering flora at the locality. The flowering flora endemic to Vietnam consists of 36 species, accounting for 11.57% of the total species. The dominant families include Cyperaceae (26 species), Poaceae (21 species), Rubiaceae (15 species), Asteraceae (14 species), Myrtaceae (11 species), Fabaceae (11 species), Phyllanthaceae (9 species), Apocynaceae (9 species), Lauraceae (8 species), Euphorbiaceae (8 species), and Verbenaceae (8 species). The life-form spectrum of flowering plants in the study area is 48.23 Ph + 4.18 Ch + 18.33 He + 9.97 Cr + 19.29 Th. The main geographical elements of this flora include Tropical Asia (18.01 %), Indo-China (16.40 %), and India (12.54 %). The natural vegetation exhibits high Simpson’s diversity index (0.915) and low Simpson’s evenness index (0.038).Thành phần loài được xác định từ 455 ô tiêu chuẩn ngẫu nhiên, kích thước 100 m2. Đã xác định được 311 loài thuộc 226 chi, 94 họ, 59 bộ và 12 phân lớp. Nghiên cứu bổ sung 29 loài, 20 chi và 5 họ cho hệ thực vật có hoa tại địa bàn. Thực vật đặc hữu của Việt Nam gồm 36 loài, chiếm 11,57% tổng số loài. Các họ thực vật ưu thế gồm: Cói (26 loài), Cỏ (21 loài), Cà phê (15 loài), Cúc (14 loài), Sim (11 loài), Đậu (11 loài), Diệp hạ châu (9 loài), Trúc đào (9 loài), Long não (8 loài), Thầu dầu (8 loài) và Cỏ roi ngựa (8 loài). Phổ dạng sống thực vật có hoa ở khu vực nghiên cứu là 48,23 Ph + 4,18 Ch + 18,33 He + 9,97 Cr + 19,29 Th. Các yếu tố địa lý chính của hệ thực vật gồm yếu tố châu Á nhiệt đới (18,01%), yếu tố Đông Dương (16,40%), yếu tố Ấn Độ (12,54%). Thảm thực vật tự nhiên có độ đa dạng Simpson cao (0,915) và độ đồng đều Simpson (Simpson evenness) thấp (0,038)

VIETNAM’S REGIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY IN THE CONTEXT OF FRANCE’S PIVOT TO ASIA

The study centered on the selection of security strategy of Vietnam as a middle power of Asian. Regarding the coverage of the study, it was conducted in the context of France’s pivot to Asia in the period from 2012 to now. By empirical analysis approach, the article clarifies the selection of a mixed strategy of Vietnam. The empirical analysis is performed on the basis of interpretation, explanation and prediction of Vietnam’s strategic options in reliance on the available resources and the current strategic environment. It is argued that the regional security strategies of middle powers could be in two forms, namely, functional ones by which the middle powers pool their own resources to address their own particular issues, and normative ones by which the middle powers spur the broadly accepted standards of multilateralism. It is assumed that regardless of functional or normative strategies, the available resources and strategic environment are the fundamentals. Available resources are assets which a country owns and employ to guarantee its essential interests while the strategic environment covers the perception of risks suffered by the country as well as the characteristics of security structure where that country is positioned. As a result, a number of policy options can be proposed for Vietnam based on available resources and strategic environment with French involvement

ĐẶC ĐIỂM HÌNH THÁI VÀ PHÂN BỐ CỦA LOÀI RONG CÁM NAJAS INDICA (WILD.) CHAM. Ở ĐẦM CẦU HAI, TỈNH THỪA THIÊN HUẾ

The paper reports the morphological characteristics and distribution of Najas indica in the Cau Hai lagoon from March 2018 to March 2019. N. indica has a fairly wide distribution area in the Cau Hai lagoon, from the center towards the western bank, and exists in 10/21 surveyed sites. The coverage and biomass of N. indica differ significantly in the surveyed months. The species starts to increase its coverage and biomass in April, and the highest value of coverage is recorded from July to November (49.33 ± 15.05%÷52.60 ± 12.28%), while the biomass peak occurs in July (93,61 ± 35,60 g/m²). The distribution of N. indica partly depends on air temperature and salinity. The results demonstrate that air temperature variation is strongly correlated with biomass; whereas, water salinity shows a relatively weak correlation with the species’ biomass and coverage.Bài báo trình bày kết quả nghiên cứu đặc điểm hình thái và phân bố của loài rong cám Najas indica ở đầm Cầu Hai trong khoảng thời gian từ tháng 3/2018 đến 3/2019. N. indica có phân bố khá rộng ở đầm Cầu Hai, từ khu vực giữa đầm hướng vào bờ phía Tây, có mặt ở 10/21 điểm khảo sát. Độ phủ và sinh khối của N. indica có sự khác biệt ở các tháng khảo sát. Độ phủ và sinh khối của rong bắt đầu gia tăng từ tháng 4. Độ phủ cao nhất đạt được trong khoảng thời gian từ tháng 7 đến 11 (49,33 ± 15,05%÷52,60 ± 12,28%) và sinh khối đạt cực đại vào tháng 7 (93,61 ± 35,60 g/m²); sau đó giảm dần. Độ mặn và nhiệt độ không khí thể hiện sự ảnh hưởng đến biến động phân bố của N. indica ở đầm Cầu Hai, trong đó, nhiệt độ không khí có mối tương quan chặt với sinh khối còn độ mặn chỉ thể hiện tương quan yếu với sinh khối và độ phủ của loài

Performance of the GRACE 2.0 and EPICOR risk scores for predicting 1-year postdischarge mortality in Vietnamese patients with acute coronary syndrome

We aimed to determine the performance of the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) risk score version 2.0, and the long-term follow up of antithrombotic management patterns in acute coronary syndrome patients (EPICOR) risk score for predicting 1-year postdischarge mortality in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in Vietnam. A prospective cohort study was conducted on 455 patients who were discharged with an ACS diagnosis from two hospitals in Can Tho, and one in Ho Chi Minh City. Online simplified EPICOR and GRACE 2.0 calculators were used to assess the expected risk of death. We compared the performance of predicting 1-year mortality between GRACE 2.0 and EPICOR risk scores by using the Hosmer-Lemeshow test, the area under the curve (AUC), and the De-Long test. The proportions of low-risk group, moderate-risk group, and high-risk group for GRACE were 31%, 42%, and 27%, respectively. Actual mortality rates for the low, medium and high-risk groups were 3.6%, 9.4%, and 19.4%. The proportions of low-risk and high-risk patients for EPICOR were 92.0% and 8.0%, respectively. The actual mortality rate of the high-risk group was 31.4%, and of the low-risk group 8.6%. Hosmer-Lemeshow test results of the GRACE 2.0 and EPICOR were 0.337 and 0.001, respectively. The AUC results of the GRACE 2.0 and EPICOR were 0.703 and 0.752 respectively, and the De-Long test with p = 0.0532. In conclusion, the GRACE 2.0 was better than EPICOR in predicting 1-year postdischarge mortality in Vietnamese patients with ACS

Adaptation strategies in the Mekong delta

International audienc

A case report of cerebrospinal fluid leak secondary to inner ear malformation

Spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea is rare and may develop secondary to inner ear malformation. A possible diagnosis of CSF leak should be considered in any pediatric patient who presents with hearing impairment, rhinorrhea, or otorrhea. Temporal bone computed tomography should be performed in children with hearing impairments. We describe a case of congenital inner ear anomaly in a 12-month-old girl who presented with intermittent rhinorrhea after birth and detected hearing problems when she was 6 months. After diagnosis, the CSF leak was surgically repaired without complications

Burden and mortality of sepsis and septic shock at a high-volume, single-center in Vietnam: a retrospective study

Background: Sepsis and septic shock have high mortality rates and often require a prolonged hospital stay. Patient outcomes may vary according to multiple factors. We aim to determine the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance and factors associated with mortality and hospital stay.Methods: Clinical and microbiological data of patients with sepsis or septic shock were retrospectively collected for 15 months. Patients with negative blood cultures and patients that did not meet the SEPSIS 3 criteria were excluded.Results: We included 48 septic shock and 28 septic patients (mean APACHE II 20.32 ± 5.61 and mean SOFA 9.41 ± 3.17), with a mean age of 60.5 ± 16.8 years and 56.6% males. WBCs, neutrophils, INR, and fibrinogen levels were significantly associated with mortality. 59.5% of the cultured bacteria were gram-negative (most common E. coli) and 27.8% were gram-positive (most common S. aureus), while 7.6% were other types of bacteria and 5.1% were fungi. Resistance patterns to gram-negative were varying, and resistance to piperacillin/tazobactam, carbapenems, and aminoglycosides were from 60% to 100% (A. baumanii), while they were highly sensitive to Colistin. E. coli was also resistant to ceftriaxone (77.8%) and sulbactam/cefoperazone (44.4%). Resistance rates for Gram-positives were high, from 86% to 100% for oxacillin, while for vancomycin, teicoplanin, and linezolid, they were often low but arrived up to 42.8%. According to our logistic regression analysis, patients over 65 year-old and those who received corticosteroids had a significantly increased risk of in-hospital mortality (OR: 4.0; OR: 4.8).Conclusion: Sepsis still poses a significant threat to patients’ health, even when positive blood culture results allow the administration of specific antibiotic treatment

Predictive Factors of Mortality in Patients with Severe COVID-19 Treated in the Intensive Care Unit: A Single-Center Study in Vietnam

Abstract Introduction The fourth outbreak of COVID-19 with the delta variant in Vietnam was very fierce due to the limited availability of vaccines and the lack of healthcare resources. During that period, the high mortality of patients with severe and critical COVID-19 caused many concerns for the health system, especially the intensive care units. This study aimed to analyze the predictive factors of death and survival in patients with severe and critical COVID-19. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional and descriptive study on 151 patients with severe and critical COVID-19 hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit of Binh Duong General Hospital. Results Common clinical symptoms of severe and critical COVID-19 included shortness of breath (97.4%), fatigue (89.4%), cough (76.8%), chest pain (47.7%), loss of smell (48.3%), loss of taste (39.1%), and headache (21.2%). The abnormal biochemical features were leukopenia (2.1%), anemia, thrombocytopenia (18%), hypoxia with low PaO2 (34.6%), hypocapnia with reduced PaCO2 (29.6%), and blood acidosis (18.4%). Common complications during hospitalization were septic shock (15.2%), cardiogenic shock (5.3%), and embolism (2.6%). The predictive factors of death were being female, age > 65 years, cardiovascular comorbidity, thrombocytopenia (< 137.109/l), and hypoxia at inclusion or after the first week or blood acidosis (pH < 7.28). The use of a high dose of corticosteroids reduced the mortality during the first 3 weeks of hospitalization but significantly increased risk of death after 3 and 4 weeks. Conclusions Common clinical symptoms, laboratory features, and death-related complications of critical and severe COVID-19 patients were found in Vietnamese patients during the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The results of this study provide new insight into the predictive factors of mortality for patients with severe and critical COVID-19