New Forests and New Forest People in Central Vietnam: The Acacia Boom

Vietnam is the country with the largest area of plantations of Australasian Acacia species (‘wattles’) in South-East Asia. Between 6 and 9% of the national land area is cultivated with tropical wattles (A. auriculiformis, A. mangium and A. × mangiiformis). From the perspective of its promoters, the wattle plantation industry in Vietnam may be seen as a success beyond expectations. We review the origins of this boom and ask what it has done to and for the coun- try’s landscape and people. The chapter combines findings and insights from an interdisciplinary research project in Thừa Thiên Huế province, north-central Vietnam. Research took place across upland and lowland wattle-growing regions, with ethnic minorities as well as the Kinh majority, and with long-term wattle growers as well as new en- trants. It drew on questionnaires, interviews and observations, as well as information from remote sensing, eco- logical surveys and hydrological assessments. We first describe how substantial areas of ‘new forest’ (short-rotation wattle plantations) were created, initially in degraded bushland, but now sometimes through clearing of highly bi- odiverse natural forest stands. These wattle plantations alter local hydrology, soils and biodiversity, and are exposed to risks including soil erosion and plant pathogens. The plantations provide wood chips and timber, supporting rev- enue, employment and a strong forestry industry. Incomes have risen appreciably for many, although unequally, and a class of successful entrepreneurs has emerged. These plantations alter the livelihoods and identities of upland ‘forest people’, historically shifting cultivators, contributing to what might be called ‘new forest people’. Ethnic mi- nority villagers are building new identities around the wattle economy and around their contracts with state forest agencies, seeing themselves increasingly as forest growers and protectors. We conclude by raising some questions regarding the social changes and issues of environmental sustainability linked to this wattle boom

Prostaglandin E2 affects differently the release of inflammatory mediators from resident macrophages by LPS and muramyl tripeptides.

LPS and MTP-PE (liposome-encapsulated N-acetyl-muramyl-L-alanyl-D-isoglutaminyl-L-alanine-2-:[1',2'dipalmitoyl -sni-glycero-3-(hydroxy-phosphoryl-oxyl)] etylamide) induce in liver macrophages a synthesis and release of TNF-alpha, nitric oxide and prostanoids. Both agents induce an expression of mRNA's encoding TNF-alpha, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, and of corresponding proteins. LPS and MTP-PE induce a rapid activation of the extracellular regulated kinase (ERK) isoenzymes-1 and -2. Inhibition of map kinase isoenzymes leads to a decreased release of TNF-alpha, nitric oxide and prostaglandin (PG) E2 after both agents. The transcription factors NF-kappaB and AP-1 are strongly activated by LPS within 30 minutes. MTP-PE induces a weak activation of both transcription factors only after 5 hours. Inhibition of NF-kappaB inhibits the LPS- but not the MTP-PE-induced release of TNF-alpha, nitric oxide and PGE2. PGE2 release after LPS is higher than after MTP-PE. Exogenously added PGE2 inhibits the activation of map kinase and TNF-alpha release by LPS, but not by MTP-PE. Release of nitric oxide after LPS and MTP-PE is enhanced after prior addition of PGE2. PGD2 is without any effect. MTP-PE, but not LPS, induces a cytotoxicity of Kupffer cells against P815 tumor target cells. The MTP-PE-induced cytotoxicity is reduced by TNF-alpha neutralizing antibodies, indicating the involvement of TNF-alpha. Thus our results suggest that the different potencies of LPS and MTP-PE as immunomodulators probably result from different actions on Kupffer cells, resulting in differences in the amounts and kinetics of released TNF-alpha and PGE2, and that PGE2 plays an important regulatory role in the action of LPS, but not in the actions of MTP-PE

POLLUTION OF GROUNDWATER BY LEACHATE FROM DONG THANH LANDFILL DISPOSAL SITE

Joint Research on Environmental Science and Technology for the Eart

Levels of rna for TNF-α and receptors during the prereplicative period of liver regeneration

During the prereplicative period of liver regeneration the changes of the tnRNA contents for tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and its receptors were examined in total liver RNA with the help of reverse transcriptase-polymera.se chain reaction (RT-PCR) and compared with those after sham operation or stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In regenerating liver all the changes are nearly synchronous with a slight delay (or the TNF receptor RNAs. The mRNA levels reach their maximum at 1–3 h after operation and exceed the values for intact animals about ten-fold. The corresponding changes induced by sham operation are quantitatively less than those in the regenerating liver and manifest themselves at the end of the prereplicative period. LPS stimulation induced an increase of TNF-α and TNF receptor production comparable with during regeneration. Analysis of the expression of the 55 kDa TNF receptor revealed qualitative changes, e. g. an increased polyadenylation and an imbalance between the amplification of the whole molecule and its 5'-terminal half pointing to as yet unidentified changes at the 3' end of the molecule.Протягом пререплікативного періоду регенерації печінки спостерігалися зміни, вмісту мРНК фактора некроза пухлини (TNF-α) i його рецепторів у сумарній РНК печінки за допомогою зворотної транскрипції та полімеразної ланцюгової реакції. Для порівняння ці ж величини визначали у печінці теля несправжньої операції або ліпополісахаридної стимуляції. У регенеруючі печінці вci зміни майже синхронні, з невели­ким запізненням для РНК рецепторів TNF. Рівні мРНК досягають максимальних значень через 1–3 год. теля операції i приблизно у 10 разів перевищують такі для штатних тварин. Зміни, викликані несправжньою операщею, меньші за величиною, ніж при регенерації, i проявляються у кінці пререплікативного перюду. Стимуляція ліпополісахаридами призводить до росту продукції TNF-α i його рецепторів, порівнянно з таким при регенерації. Аналіз мРНК рецептора TNF масою 55 000 засвідчив якісні зміни, у тому числі збільшення поліаденілювання, i невідповідність ампліфікації щодо молекули та и частини, прилеглої до 5'-кінця, що вказує на поки що не визначені зміни на З'-кінці молекули.В течении пререпликативного периода регенерации печени наблюдались изменения, содержания мРНК фактора некроза опухоли (TNF α ) и его рецепторов в суммарной РНК печени с помощью обратной транскрипции и полимеразной цепной реакции. Для сравнения эти же величины определяли в печени теленка псевдооперации или липополисахаридный стимуляции. В регенерирующие печени вcе изменения почти синхронные, с небольшим опозданием для РНК рецепторов TNF . Уровни мРНК достигают максимальных значений через 1–3 час. теленок операции i примерно в 10 раз превышают таковые для штатных животных. Изменения, вызванные ложной операщею , меньшие по величине , чем при регенерации, и проявляются в конце пререпликативного периода . Стимуляция липополисахаридами приводит к росту продукции TNF -α и его рецепторов, по сравнению с таковым при регенерации. Анализ мРНК рецептора TNF массой 55000 показал качественные изменения, в том числе увеличение полиаденилирования , и несоответствие амплификации по молекулы и и части , прилегающей к 5' - конца , что указывает на пока не определены изменения на З' - конце молекулы

Mapping for engagement: setting up a community based participatory research project to reach underserved communities at risk for Hepatitis C in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Background: Approximately 1. 07 million people in Vietnam are infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). To address this epidemic, the South East Asian Research Collaborative in Hepatitis (SEARCH) launched a 600-patient cohort study and two clinical trials, both investigating shortened treatment strategies for chronic HCV infection with direct-acting antiviral drugs. We conducted ethnographic research with a subset of trial participants and found that the majority were aware of HCV infection and its implications and were motivated to seek treatment. However, people who inject drugs (PWID), and other groups at risk for HCV were under-represented, although injecting drug use is associated with high rates of HCV. Material and Methods: We designed a community-based participatory research (CBPR) study to engage in dialogues surrounding HCV and other community-prioritized health issues with underserved groups at risk for HCV in Ho Chi Minh City. The project consists of three phases: situation analysis, CBPR implementation, and dissemination. In this paper, we describe the results of the first phase (i.e., the situation analysis) in which we conducted desk research and organized stakeholder mapping meetings with representatives from local non-government and community-based organizations where we used participatory research methods to identify and analyze key stakeholders working with underserved populations. Results: Twenty six institutions or groups working with the key underserved populations were identified. Insights about the challenges and dynamics of underserved communities were also gathered. Two working groups made up of representatives from the NGO and CBO level were formed. Discussion: Using the information provided by local key stakeholders to shape the project has helped us to build solid relationships, give the groups a sense of ownership from the early stages, and made the project more context specific. These steps are not only important preliminary steps for participatory studies but also for other research that takes place within the communities

Développement d'un capteur colorimétrique innovant pour la détection directe du phénol dans l'air et dans l'eau

International audienc

Tuning the Optical and Self-Assembly Properties of Diketopyrrolopyrrole Semicarbazone Derivatives through Hydrogen Bonding

International audienc

Intracellular localisation and extracellular release of Y RNA and Y RNA binding proteins

Cells can communicate via the release and uptake of extracellular vesicles (EVs), which are nano-sized membrane vesicles that can transfer protein and RNA cargo between cells. EVs contain microRNAs and various other types of non-coding RNA, of which Y RNA is among the most abundant types. Studies on how RNAs and their binding proteins are sorted into EVs have mainly focused on comparing intracellular (cytoplasmic) levels of these RNAs to the extracellular levels in EVs. Besides overall transcriptional levels that may regulate sorting of RNAs into EVs, the process may also be driven by local intracellular changes in RNA/RBP concentrations. Changes in extracellular Y RNA have been linked to cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Although the loading of RNA cargo into EVs is generally thought to be influenced by cellular stimuli and regulated by RNA binding proteins (RBP), little is known about Y RNA shuttling into EVs. We previously reported that immune stimulation alters the levels of Y RNA in EVs independently of cytosolic Y RNA levels. This suggests that Y RNA binding proteins, and/or changes in the local Y RNA concentration at EV biogenesis sites, may affect Y RNA incorporation into EVs. Here, we investigated the subcellular distribution of Y RNA and Y RNA binding proteins in activated and non-activated THP1 macrophages. We demonstrate that Y RNA and its main binding protein Ro60 abundantly co-fractionate in organelles involved in EV biogenesis and in EVs. Cellular activation led to an increase in Y RNA concentration at EV biogenesis sites and this correlated with increased EV-associated levels of Y RNA and Ro60. These results suggest that Y RNA incorporation into EVs may be controlled by local intracellular changes in the concentration of Y RNA and their protein binding partners