Depression, anxiety and stress among healthcare workers in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study in a tertiary hospital in Northern Vietnam

IntroductionThe outbreak of coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) had significant effects on the mental well-being in general, particularly for healthcare professionals. This study examined the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress, and identified the associated risk factors amongst healthcare workers during the COVID-19 outbreak in a tertiary hospital located in Vietnam.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study at a tertiary-level hospital, where the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale 21 (DASS-21) web-based questionnaire was employed. We analyzed the determinant factors by employing multivariate logistic models.ResultsThe prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms were 19.2%, 24.7%, and 13.9%, respectively. Factors such as engaging in shift work during the pandemic, taking care of patients with COVID-19, and staff’s health status were associated with mental health issues among health professionals. In addition, having alternate rest periods was likely to reduce the risk of stress.ConclusionThe prevalence of mental health problems in healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic was relatively high. Having resting periods could potentially mitigate the development of stress among health professionals. Our findings could be taken into account for improving mental health of the health professional population

Chemical profiles and biological activities of acetone extracts of nine Annonaceae plants

This study investigated the chemical components and bioactivities of acetone leaf extracts of nine Annonaceae plants collected in the Binh Chau-Phuoc Buu Nature Reserve, Vietnam. A total of 182 constituents were identified, with linolenic acid, diaeudesmin, germacrene D, 1-octadecenoic acid, 8-(3-octyl-2-oxiranyl)-1-octanol, oleic acid, and phenylmethyl ester being the major compounds. The antimicrobial activity of the extracts was evaluated using a disc diffusion assay. Eight of the nine extracts, except for the Mitrephora thorelii extract, showed an inhibition effect against Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus. The antioxidant activity of the extracts was determined using DPPH assay, and the cytotoxic activity was deter mined using SRB assay. The results showed that the acetone extracts of Artabotrys hexapetalus, Uvularia grandiflora, Polyalthia luensis, Xylopia pierrei, Sphaerocoryne affinis, Desmos cochinchinensis, Uvaria littoralis, Mitrephora thorelii, and Goniothalamus touranensis had significant activity with IC50 for the DPPH radical scavenging activity ranging from 18.56 to 702.33 μg/mL, and the IC50 for the cytotoxic effects ranged from 5.39 to 251.77 μg/mL. Overall, the results obtained provide experimental evidence for the potential use of these plants in medicine and other related fields

Chemical profiles and antibacterial activity of acetone extract of two Curcuma species from Vietnam

Curcuma thorelii Gagnep. and Curcuma cotuana Luu, Škorni?k. & H.?.Tr?n are the rare species only found in Southeast Asia. The present study was the first to explore the chemical compositions and antibacterial effects of the whole plant acetone extracts of these 2 species. Altogether 41 and 31 compounds have been identified in C. thorelii and C. cotuana extracts by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Accordingly, the C. thorelii extract contained (E)-labda-8(17),12-diene-15,16-dial (33.37%), vitamin E (12.33%), phytol (9.83%) as the major compounds while C. cotuana extract contained predominantly (E)-labda-8(17),12-diene-15,16-dial (14.58%), n-hexadecanoic acid (10.96%), 3,7,11,15-tetramethylhexadec-2-en-1-yl acetate (8.13%), ?-sitosterol (7.97%). In addition, results from disc diffusion assay have shown that C. thorelii acetone extract had inhibitory effects on 5 out of 10 pathogenic bacterial strains such as Bacillus cereus (ATCC 11778), Listeria monocytogenes (ATCC 19111), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), S. aureus (ATCC 29213) and S. saprophyticus (BAA750) while C. cotuana acetone extract was found to be effective only against B. cereus. The obtained results showed that the acetone extracts of C. thorelii and C. cotuana possessed several valuable bioactive compounds as well as promising antibacterial activity, which place a good foundation for future pharmaceutical product development

Urinary catecholamine excretion, cardiovascular variability, and outcomes in tetanus

Severe tetanus is characterized by muscle spasm and cardiovascular system disturbance. The pathophysiology of muscle spasm is relatively well understood and involves inhibition of central inhibitory synapses by tetanus toxin. That of cardiovascular disturbance is less clear, but is believed to relate to disinhibition of the autonomic nervous system. The clinical syndrome of autonomic nervous system dysfunction (ANSD) seen in severe tetanus is characterized principally by changes in heart rate and blood pressure which have been linked to increased circulating catecholamines. Previous studies have described varying relationships between catecholamines and signs of ANSD in tetanus, but are limited by confounders and assays used. In this study, we aimed to perform detailed characterization of the relationship between catecholamines (adrenaline and noradrenaline), cardiovascular parameters (heart rate and blood pressure) and clinical outcomes (ANSD, mechanical ventilation required, and length of intensive care unit stay) in adults with tetanus, as well as examine whether intrathecal antitoxin administration affected subsequent catecholamine excretion. Noradrenaline and adrenaline were measured by ELISA from 24-h urine collections taken on day 5 of hospitalization in 272 patients enrolled in a 2 × 2 factorial-blinded randomized controlled trial in a Vietnamese hospital. Catecholamine results measured from 263 patients were available for analysis. After adjustment for potential confounders (i.e., age, sex, intervention treatment, and medications), there were indications of non-linear relationships between urinary catecholamines and heart rate. Adrenaline and noradrenaline were associated with subsequent development of ANSD, and length of ICU stay

Desk review report on agrobiodiversity, agroecology/nature-positive practices, and circular economy in Vietnam

The development of Vietnam's agriculture and rural areas in the period from now to 2030 is of particular interest to the Party and the State of Vietnam, determined in the direction of restructuring agriculture towards ecology, modern agriculture, and transforming thinking. agricultural production, linking agricultural production with industry and services, production with preservation, processing, consumption, and enhancement of the value chain (Resolution of the XIII Party Congress). Resolution No. 19-NQ/TW of the Fifth Conference of the 13th Central Committee of the Communist Party on Agriculture, Farmers and Rural to 2030, with a vision to 2045 identifies the goal of fast-growing agriculture, effectively, sustainably, ensuring national food security, protecting the ecological environment and adapt to climate change through the tasks of restructuring agriculture substantively and effectively, taking advantage of which prioritizes the restructuring of crops and livestock to meet the needs of domestic and export markets, actively integrating and expanding the market. Therefore, Vietnam is trying to encourage finding solutions and scaling up initiatives to achieve this direction. The "National Action Plan - NAP" to transform the Food System towards transparency, responsible and sustainability till 2030 is finalizing and submitting to the Prime Minister for Approval. To support this NAP approval, a technical report is required. The Nature+ project is one of the important Initiatives to re-imagine, co-create, and implement nature-positive solutions-based agrifood systems that equitably support local food and livelihoods, while simultaneously ensuring that agriculture is a net positive contributor to nature. To contribute to the NAP technical report, the project implemented a review of related fields, including: - The current situation of agrobiodiversity in Vietnam - The current situation of agroecology/nature-positive practices in Vietnam - The current situation of the circular economy in Vietnam - The status of the use of input in Vietnam to improve food safety in Vietnam The reviewed outputs are not only contributing to the NAP report but also providing knowledge of several strategic policies in Vietnam such as Strategy for sustainable agricultural and rural development from 2021 to 2030 and a vision for 2050 (Decision 150/QD-TTg dated January 28, 2022); Decree 06/2022/ND-CP regulating GHG emission reduction and ozone layer protection; National plan to adapt to climate change for the period of 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050 (Decision 1055/QD-TTg dated July 20, 2020); National strategy on green growth for the period of 2021 - 2030, with a vision to 2050 (Decision 1658/QD-TTg dated October 1, 2021); Project on Development of Circular Economy in Vietnam (Decision No. 687/QD-TTg dated June 7, 2022)

Thrombocytopenia in Patients with Dengue Virus Infection and Correlation between Circulating Soluble MICB Protein Level and Platelet Counts "Thrombocytopenia in Patients with Dengue Virus Infection and Correlation between Circulating Soluble MICB Protein

Abstract Background: Soluble MHC class I polypeptide-related sequence B (sMICB) has been associated with the development of severity of dengue fever. However, serum sMICB level and relationship with platelets in patients with dengue virus (DENV) infection remain unclear. The aims of this study are to identify soluble MICB serum level and the correlation with platelets counts in patients with dengue virus infection. Methods: A total of 88 patients were confirmed with an acute phase of DENV infection (1-7 days after the onset of illness) based on the result a positive reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), or anti-dengue IgM antibodies were used. Serum soluble MICB level was measured by MICB ELISA. Results: Serum soluble MICB (sMICB) levels in dengue virus infected patients were observed a median of 146.3 pg/ml. Serum sMICB was significantly higher in dengue patients with warning signs and severe compared to patients without warning signs. However, no significant difference of sMICB between age groups of dengue patients; and between primary and secondary infection were observed (P > 0.05). The significantly negative correlation between serum sMICB levels and platelet counts was found (Spearman's rho = -0.34, P = 0.001). Conclusion: Serum sMICB levels might be considered as a potential prognostic biomarker for dengue patients

Moc chau plum value chain development for the poor in the North-West highlands of Vietnam

Within the framework of the project “Improved market engagement for sustainable upland production systems in the north-western highlands of Vietnam – AGB/2008/002”1 phase 2009-2-13; researcher teams from CASRAD have been undertaking research activities and interventions towards the plum value chain in Moc Chau. In order to identify appropriate interventions toward selected products, the following research phases were carried out: (1) a diagnotic phase to identify products and their value chains, (2) rapid analysis of the selected value chains, (3) consumer research and (4) trials on high quality marketing channels. The aim was to create more value for plum products starting from postharvest stages, (grading, transporting, packaging, selling) in which all actors of the chain fully participated, with a focus on delivering to the consumer Moc Chau plums of high quality. Furthermore, it was intended that value created from the improved plum value chain would be shared equitably amongst all actors. This would help to achieve the project’s objectives of improving market engagement for small scale households to reduce poverty in a sustainable manner. In addition, these research activities play a great role in developing a suitable methodology and practice in analyzing and improving value chains, especially for underdeveloped highland products