Assessment of Unmet Supportive Care Needs of Vietnamese Cancer Patients after First-Time Hospital Discharge

Objective: The research was conducted to identify and assess the unmet supportive care needs of patients with cancer after a first-time hospital discharge. Material and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study using the Cancer Survivors’ Unmet Need (the CaSUN). A total of 163 cancer patients of Danang Oncology hospital were invited to the study after they were discharged from the hospital for the first-time. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. Results: In total 68.7% of participants expressed at least one unmet supportive care need after a first-time hospital discharge. Specifically, 13.7% showed their unmet needs at a weak level, 31.3% had a moderate level and 23.7% a high level. However, the common unmet supportive care needs domain concerned Information and medical care (75.1%); Life perspective (70.8%); Emotions and relationships (64.2%) and Quality of life (63.6%). Conclusion: Most cancer patients indicated one or more unmet supportive care needs after first-time hospital discharge. This result will support improving healthcare service quality and raising awareness of nursing when providing care for cancer patients in the community

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

Study on the effect of single and mixtured of cobalt nanoparticles on the change of photosynthesis parameters and antioxidant enzymes activity of soybean seedlings glycine max (l.) merr. (DT26)

Soybean (Glycine max (L) Merr.) is one of the major crops grown worldwide for human food and animal feed. Nanotechnology is one of the most potential tools in modern agriculture to improve crop productivity. In this paper, we investigated the effect of single and mixture cobalt nanoparticles on the change of photosynthesis - related parameters and antioxidant enzyme activity of soybean Glycine max (L) Merr “DT26” at different growth stages under pilot scale. The results showed that all form of cobalt nanoparticles treatment enhanced the photosynthesis of soybean by increasing the content of chlorophyll a, Pn and the ratio of Fv/Fm. These values tended to increase and reached the maximum value at fifth trifoliate stage and then decreased at the beginning bloom stage. The activity of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase and peroxidase (when seeds were treated with USA single colbalt nanoparticles at concentration of 16.67 mg/kg) and catalase (with USA single colbalt nanoparticles at concentration of 0.17 mg/kg) were increased in 2.11, 1.85 and 1.60 times respectively compared to the control group (without the treatment of colbalt nanoparticles) while ascorbate peroxidase was reached highest value (increased in 2.73 times) under the condition of Vietnam single colbalt nanoparticles at the dose of 0.17 mg/kg seeds. This suggests that cobalt nanoparticles treatment has generated oxidative stresses and soybean DT26 has the self-protection mechanism by increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes in order to reduce the amount of H2O2 and O2 which accumulates in the leaf cells

Impact of black yeasts on the durability of polyurethane foam in tropical conditions in Vietnam

Polyurethane (PU) is a material that is widely used in industries. However, tropical climatic conditions in Vietnam often make the durability of PU lower than temperate climatic conditions. One of the causes of this problem is the biodegradation of microorganisms. In this study, biological characteristics of black yeast on PU is evaluated, thereby, initially assessing the impact of black yeast on the durability of PU in tropical conditions. Ten strains of black yeast were isolated from used PU foam samples in Vietnam. These black yeast strains were tested for enzyme activity including: urease activity, protease activity, polyurethanase activity. There were two strains selected to identify based on sequence analysis of the ITS1/ITS2 region, they belong to genus Aureobasidium. VN1Y3 was strain selected for biodegradability testing of PU foam samples. After 28 days of testing, the PU foam samples that have been infected with black yeasts have a change compared to the control in terms of color, surface, tensile strength, elongation. Research results have showed the impact of black yeast on the durability of PU

Application of the lipofection method to transform gene into the cells of the cyanobacterium - species Spirulina platensis

Spirulina platensis was a commercially cultured cyanobacterium spcies, having biomass up to 3.000 tons in a year and used as health food and animal feed. If we could draw its potential, we could apply S. platensis to solve environment problems. S. platensis produced valuable materials such as g-linolenic acid, bioplastic etc. To increase the content of these materials, the recombinant DNA technique was most important, but its application has just been started. At present, to transform gene into Spirulina cells, only the electroporation method was applied for this purpose. The lipofection method was used widely for transfection. It had advantages for its convenience, efficiency and safety but its application was limited to culture mammalian cells. Recently, we found E. coli and S. platensis could be transformed by lipofection method. We investigated conditions to transform S. platensis with DOTAP liposomal transfection reagents. We used the pHSG397 vector with cat to transform S. platensis. The transformed Spirulina cells could survive in the condition of chloramphenicol concentration more than 0.5 mg/ml for 4 weeks. The transformation efficiency of the lipofection method was 4 - 15 times better in comparison with the electroporation method, dependently on applied vetors (such as close or open vector cutted used by the enzyme EcoRI)

First Evidence of Microplastic-Associated Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL)-Producing Bacteria in the Red River Delta, Vietnam

This study investigated the relationship between MiPs, antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), and water quality in the Red River Delta. MiPs were collected from water samples at four locations: Hanoi, Ha Nam, Nam Dinh, and Cat Ba Island. Bacteria isolated from MiPs and the surrounding water were analyzed for β-lactamase genes. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polytridecanolactone (PTDL) exhibited notable correlations with coefficients with microbial abundance on MiPs. Aeromonas (99.2% of all isolates) were the most common bacteria isolated from MiPs, with a fewer Escherichia coli (0.83%). Of 207 bacterial strains isolated from microplastic, 23 (~11% of total) were found to carry antibiotic resistance genes, mostly blaTEM (13/23; 56.5%), blaSHV (9/23; 39.1%) and blaCTXM-9 (1/23; 4.3%). All seven environmental factors measured were found to affect the distribution of ARGs and ARBs on MiP surfaces. Chlorophyll-a showed a strong positive correlation with ARB abundance, suggesting a potential link between primary productivity and bacterial colonization. This study is one of the first to report the association of MPs with antibiotic-resistant microbiota and genes. The presence of ARGs on MiPs in areas with high human population highlights the need for effective pollution management strategies to mitigate the risks associated with AMR

ỨC CHẾ SỰ TĂNG SINH VÀ TĂNG KIỂU HÌNH APOPTOSIS Ở TẾ BÀO UNG THƯ GAN VÀ UNG THƯ VÚ BẰNG DỊCH CHIẾT METHANOL TỪ LÁ CÂY ĐÌA ĐỤM (Heliciopsis lobata (Merr.) Sleum)

Heliciopsis lobata is effective in the treatment of diseases and is used in the traditional medicine of ethnic minorities. In this study, the methanol extract of the leaves of Heliciopsis lobata is used to assess its ability to inhibit cell growth of breast and liver cancer cells by using the MTT assay, cell morphology, and apoptotic morphology by DAPI staining. The results show that this extract inhibits the proliferation of HepG2 and MCF7 cell lines with IC50 values ​​of 0.084 mg/mL and 0.812 mg/mL, respectively. The extract induces apoptosis in HepG2 cells more strongly than in MCF7 cells; and therefore, it is potential to inhibit the proliferation of liver cancer cells.Cây Đìa đụm (Heliciopsis lobata (Merr.) Sleum) có nhiều tác dụng trong điều trị bệnh và được sử dụng rộng rãi trong các bài thuốc y học cổ truyền của người dân tộc thiểu số. Trong nghiên cứu này, dịch chiết methanol từ lá của cây Đìa đụm được sử dụng để đánh giá khả năng ức chế các tế bào ung thư vú và ung thư gan bằng phương pháp sàng lọc MTT, phân tích hình thái tế bào và hình thái kiểu nhân apoptosis bằng thuốc nhuộm nhân tế bào DAPI. Kết quả cho thấy dịch chiết methanol của lá cây Đìa đụm đã ức chế sự tăng sinh tế bào ung thư gan dòng HepG2 và ung vú dòng MCF7 với giá trị IC50 tương ứng là 0,084 mg/mL và 0,812 mg/mL. Dịch chiết này cảm ứng quá trình apoptosis đối với dòng tế bào HepG2 mạnh hơn so với dòng tế bào MCF7, và như vậy có tiềm năng chống lại sự tăng sinh của các tế bào ung thư gan

Isolation of pyruvic acid producing Halomomas sp. bacterial strain from mangrove forest of Khanh Hoa province

Pyruvic acid (pyruvate) is a central intermediate in carbon and energy metabolism in all organisms. It is widely used in the industrial biosynthesis of high - value compounds and food additives. Biotechnological pyruvate production has attracted attention as a potential alternative method of pyruvate synthesis. From 27 soil and mud samples collected from mangrove forests of Cam Ranh, Khanh Hoa province, we isolated 10 bacterial strains belonging to Halomonas genus. Among them, 9 strains were able to synthesis and secreted pyruvate in the culture medium. The maximal pyruvate production was in MC8 strain with value of 0.110 ± 0.015 g/L. MC8 strain was Gram-negative, short rod-shaped, 1,56 ± 0,07 in width, 5,09 ± 0,38 µm in length, non-flagella and nonmotile. MC8 strain was positive for oxidase and catalase activities and reduction of nitrate to nitrite and nitrogen. Cells were able to growth at salt concentrations of from 0.5 to 20%, temperature ranging from 20 to 45ºC and pH ranging from 5 to 12. The major fatty acids of MC8 biomass were C16:0; C18:1w7c và C12:0 3OH. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that MC8 strain possessed the highest similarity of 98.5% to the strain Halomonas flava. Based on morphological, biochemical characteristics and 16S rRNA gene sequencing, MC8 strain was identified as H. flava. This is the first study of Halophilic bacteria which is capable of pyruvate synthesis in Vietnam. Thus, these obtained results provided important insights into the production of pyruvate using Halomonas strains

Study on biocharacteristics of Symbiodinium sp. isolated from soft coral in coastal water of Quang Nam, south central Vietnam

Phototrophic dinoflagellates of the genus Symbiodinium (= zooxanthellae) are well known as symbionts of corals. They play an important role in maintaining the healthy as well as establishment of new reefs. In addition, products such as toxins or pigments from these symbiotic microalgae are potentially important for applications in the biomedical sciences, especially in new drug development. In this study, we isolated successfully a symbiotic microalga from soft coral Sinularia sp. which was collected in Cu Lao Cham coastal waters of Quang Nam province. Based on morphological characteristics and 18S rRNA gene sequences, isolated SHM8 strain was identified as Symbiodinium goreaui. This symbiont was cultured in different media such as ASP-A8, F2, ES, IMK, K, and L1. L1 culture medium supplemented with taurine concentration of 4.88 mM led to the cell density of SHM8 strain increased in 50% compared to control on day 2 in cultivation; amino acid mixture enhanced cell density by 31.7% on day 5 in cultivation. Supplementation of carbon source (bicarbonate salt of 16.8 g/L) and nitrogen source (nitrate salt of 0.055 g/L) enhanced the cell density by 40% and 27%, respectively on day 6 in culture. Obtained results in this study proved that this microalga can live independently without host. Successful isolation and cultivation of Symbiodinium microalga are one of the necessary conditions for promising researches on the natural bioactive substances from this microalgal biomass in the future in Vietnam.   Citation: Dang Diem Hong, Pham Van Nhat, Hoang Thi Huong Quynh, Luu Thi Tam, Ngo Thi Hoai Thu, Nguyen Cam Ha, Hoang Thi Lan Anh, Nguyen Hoai Nam, Nguyen Thi Minh Hang, Chau Van Minh, 2017. Study on biocharacteristics of Symbiodinium sp. isolated from soft coral in coastal water of Quang Nam, south central Vietnam. Tap chi Sinh hoc, 39(3): 367-375. DOI: 10.15625/0866-7160/v39n3.10112. *Corresponding author: [email protected] Received 19 June 2017, accepted 20 August 201

Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles Capped with Quaterthiophene for Transistor and Resistor Memory Devices

Recently, the fabrication of nonvolatile memory devices based on gold nanoparticles has been intensively investigated. In this work, we report on the design and synthesis of new semiconducting quaterthiophene incorporating hexyl thiol group (4TT). Gold nanoparticles capped with 4TT (4TTG) were prepared in a two-phase liquid-liquid system. These nanoparticles have diameters in the range 2–6 nm and are well dispersed in the poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) host matrix. The intermolecular interaction between 4TT and P3HT could enhance the charge-transport between gold nanoparticles and P3HT. Transfer curve of transistor memory device made of 4TTG/P3HT hybrid film exhibited significant current hysteresis, probably arising from the energy level barrier at 4TTG/P3HT interface. Additionally, the polymer memory resistor structure with an active layer consisting of 4TTG and P3HT displayed a remarkable electrical bistable behavior