The Impact of FDI, International Trade, and National Economy on People’s Standard of Living in ASEAN Countries

This research paper analyzes the impact of foreign direct investment (FDI), international trade, and national economy on the standard of living of people in ASEAN member countries, using data from 2012-2021. The study uses data from this period to examine the effects of these variables on the standard of living in ASEAN member countries. The results indicate that international trade and national economy have a significant influence on people's standard of living in the region. However, the effect of FDI varies depending on the level of development of the country. While FDI doesn't have much effect on developing countries, it has a negative impact on developed countries. The study also provides insights for policymakers on how to promote economic growth and improve the quality of life for people in the ASEAN. Keywords: FDI, international trade, national economy, the standard of living, ASEAN DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/15-6-10 Publication date:March 31st 2023

The burden of tuberculosis in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: a spatial analysis of drug-susceptible and multi-drug resistant cases between 2020 and 2023

We characterised the spatial distribution of drug-susceptible (DS) and multi-drug resistant (MDR) tuberculosis (TB) cases in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), a major South-East Asian metropolis, and explored demographic and socioeconomic factors associated with local TB burden. Hot spots of DS- and MDR-TB incidence were observed in the central parts of HCMC, with substantial heterogeneity observed across wards. Positive spatial autocorrelation was observed for both DS- and MDR-TB. Ward-level TB incidence was associated with HIV prevalence (incidence rate ratio [IRR] 1.77, 95% CI 1.54-2.03) and the male proportion of the population (IRR 1.05, 95% CI 1.02-1.08). No ward-level demographic and socioeconomic indicators were associated with MDR-TB case count relative to total TB case count. Our findings may inform spatially-targeted TB control strategies and provide insights for generating hypotheses about the nature of the relationship between DS- and MDR-TB in HCMC, Vietnam and the wider South-East Asia region

Rifampicin resistant 'Mycobacterium tuberculosis' in Vietnam, 2020–2022

Objective: We conducted a descriptive analysis of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in Vietnam’s two largest cities, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh city. Methods: All patients with rifampicin resistant tuberculosis were recruited from Hanoi and surrounding provinces between 2020 and 2022. Additional patients were recruited from Ho Chi Minh city over the same time period. Demographic data were recorded from all patients, and samples collected, cultured, whole genome sequenced and analysed for drug resistance mutations. Genomic susceptibility predictions were made on the basis of the World Health Organization’s catalogue of mutations in Mycobacterium tuberculosis associated with drug resistance, version 2. Comparisons were made against phenotypic drug susceptibility test results where these were available. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess risk factors for previous episodes of tuberculosis. Results: 233/265 sequenced isolates were of sufficient quality for analysis, 146 (63 %) from Ho Chi Minh City and 87 (37 %) from Hanoi. 198 (85 %) were lineage 2, 20 (9 %) were lineage 4, and 15 (6 %) were lineage 1. 17/211 (8 %) for whom HIV status was known were infected, and 109/214 (51 %) patients had had a previous episode of tuberculosis. The main risk factor for a previous episode was HIV infection (odds ratio 5.1 (95 % confidence interval 1.3–20.0); p = 0.021). Sensitivity for predicting first-line drug resistance from whole genome sequencing data was over 90 %, with the exception of pyrazinamide (85 %). For moxifloxacin and amikacin it was 50 % or less. Among rifampicin-resistant isolates, prevalence of resistance to each non-first-line drug was < 20 %. Conclusions: Drug resistance among most MDR-TB strains in Vietnam’s two largest cities is confined largely to first-line drugs. Living with HIV is the main risk factor among patients with MDR-TB for having had a previous episode of tuberculosis

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

Factors Influencing Students' Intention to Use E-learning System: A Case Study Conducted in Vietnam

This study was conducted to evaluate the factors influencing students’ intention to use E-learning system. Seven dimensions in this study were determined are Computer self-efficacy, Computer experience, Enjoyment, System characteristics and Subjective norm, Perceived ease of use, and Perceived usefulness. In which, Computer self-efficacy, Computer experience, Enjoyment and System characteristics impact on Perceived usefulness of E-learning, while Computer self-efficacy, System characteristics and Subjective norm impact on Perceived ease of E-learning use. Perceived usefulness and Perceived ease of use impact on Intention to use E-learning. The research methodology was conducted in a survey with participation of 246 respondents from 20 universities. The data was analyzed by using descriptive statistics, factor analysis and regression. The empirical results showed that Computer self-efficacy has no impact on Perceived usefulness of E-learning, and System characteristics has no impact on Perceived ease of E-learning use. Finally, this study recommended some solutions, which universities thereby makes some recommendations to universities to attract more students in participating in E-learning until it is officially implemented for the universities’ training systems

A <i>LEA</i> Gene from a Vietnamese Maize Landrace Can Enhance the Drought Tolerance of Transgenic Maize and Tobacco

Maize (Zea mays) is a major cereal crop worldwide, and there is increasing demand for maize cultivars with enhanced tolerance to desiccation. Late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins group 5C is involved in plants&#8217; responses to various osmotic stresses such as drought and salt. A putative group 5C LEA gene from Z. mays cv. Tevang 1 was isolated, named ZmLEA14tv, and cloned into a T-DNA for expression in plants. The deduced amino acid of ZmLEA14tv showed a conserved Pfam LEA_2 domain and a high proportion of hydrophobic residues, characteristic of group 5C LEA proteins. Transgenic tobacco and maize plants expressing ZmLEA14tv were generated. During drought simulation conditions, the ZmLEA14tv-expressing plants of tobacco showed improved recovery ability, while those of maize enhanced the seed germination in comparison with the non-transgenic control plants. In addition, the survival rate of ZmLEA14tv transgenic maize seedlings was twice as high as the control. These results indicated that ZmLEA14tv might be involved in the drought tolerance of plants and could be a candidate gene for developing enhanced drought-tolerant crops

Corrigendum to “Environmental health risk assessment of dioxin in foods at the two most severe dioxin hot spots in Vietnam” [Int. J. Hyg. Environ. Health 218 (2015) 471–478]

The authors regret that the last sentence in the current Acknowledgement section, i.e. “The analytical data in this study was partly provided by the research from the Vietnam National Science and Technology Research Pro-gram (Grant number KHCN-33.01/11-15; research and overcoming long-term consequences of Agent Orange/Dioxin on the environment and the human health in Vietnam)” was incorrect. The correct sentence should be appeared in the acknowledgement is: “The laboratory analytical data of study was funded by Vietnam National Foundation for Science and Technology Development (NAFOSTED) under grant number 104.04-2014.40”. The authors would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused.</p

Environmental health risk assessment of dioxin in foods at the two most severe dioxin hot spots in Vietnam

Background Bien Hoa and Da Nang airbases were bulk storages for Agent Orange during the Vietnam War and currently are the two most severe dioxin hot spots. Objectives This study assesses the health risk of exposure to dioxin through foods for local residents living in seven wards surrounding these airbases. Methods This study follows the Australian Environmental Health Risk Assessment Framework to assess the health risk of exposure to dioxin in foods. Forty-six pooled samples of commonly consumed local foods were collected and analyzed for dioxin/furans. A food frequency and Knowledge–Attitude–Practice survey was also undertaken at 1000 local households, various stakeholders were involved and related publications were reviewed. Results Total dioxin/furan concentrations in samples of local “high-risk” foods (e.g. free range chicken meat and eggs, ducks, freshwater fish, snail and beef) ranged from 3.8 pg TEQ/g to 95 pg TEQ/g, while in “low-risk” foods (e.g. caged chicken meat and eggs, seafoods, pork, leafy vegetables, fruits, and rice) concentrations ranged from 0.03 pg TEQ/g to 6.1 pg TEQ/g. Estimated daily intake of dioxin if people who did not consume local high risk foods ranged from 3.2 pg TEQ/kg bw/day to 6.2 pg TEQ/kg bw/day (Bien Hoa) and from 1.2 pg TEQ/kg bw/day to 4.3 pg TEQ/kg bw/day (Da Nang). Consumption of local high risk foods resulted in extremely high dioxin daily intakes (60.4–102.8 pg TEQ/kg bw/day in Bien Hoa; 27.0–148.0 pg TEQ/kg bw/day in Da Nang). Conclusions Consumption of local “high-risk” foods increases dioxin daily intakes far above the WHO recommended TDI (1–4 pg TEQ/kg bw/day). Practicing appropriate preventive measures is necessary to significantly reduce exposure and health risk

Species discrimination of novel chloroplast DNA barcodes and their application for identification of Panax (Aralioideae, Araliaceae)

Certain species within the genus Panax L. (Araliaceae) contain pharmacological precious ginsenosides, also known as ginseng saponins. Species containing these compounds are of high commercial value and are thus of particular urgency for conservation. However, within this genus, identifying the particular species that contain these compounds by morphological means is challenging. DNA barcoding is one method that is considered promising for species level identification. However, in an evolutionarily complex genus such as Panax, commonly used DNA barcodes such as nrITS, matK, psbA-trnH, rbcL do not provide species-level resolution. A recent in silico study proposed a set of novel chloroplast markers, trnQ-rps16, trnS-trnG, petB, and trnE-trnT for species level identification within Panax. In the current study, the discriminatory efficiency of these molecular markers is assessed and validated using 91 reference barcoding sequences and 38 complete chloroplast genomes for seven species, one unidentified species and one sub-species of Panax, and two outgroup species of Aralia L. along with empirical data of Panax taxa present in Vietnam via both distance-based and tree-based methods. The obtained results show that trnQ-rps16 can classify with species level resolution every clade tested here, including the highly valuable Panax vietnamensis Ha et Grushv. We thus propose that this molecular marker to be used for identification of the species within Panax to support both its conservation and commercial trade