BIODIVERSITY ASSESSMENT OF MICROORGANISMS ASSOCIATED WITH TWO MARINE SPONGES (Haliclona oculata AND Amphius huxleyi) COLLECTED AT THE LANG CO BAY OF VIETNAM

Sponges (Phylum Porifera) are ancient sedentary and filter-feeding animals which harbour very diverse and abundant associated microbial community in their tissues with density up to 40–50% of sponge tissue volume. In this study, the diversity of associated microorganisms with two marine sponges Haliclona oculata and Amphius huxleyi collected at the Lang Co bay of Vietnam was assessed by analysis of hypervariable V3 and V4 regions of the 16S rRNA gene using Illumina MiSeq system. The taxonomic diversity of sponge-associated microorganisms was classified to different taxonomic levels (kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, and genus). Based on Bayesian classification method and reference sequences derived from Greengenes database, the associated microorganisms in studied sponges were assigned to 17 phyla (H. oculata) and 13 phyla (A. huxleyi). Many microbial taxa were detected in two sponge species, however, they were distinctive by the abundance. Proteobacteria was the most dominant phylum in both sponge species, and all of 4 classes Epsilonproteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, Alphaproteobacteria, and Deltaproteobacteria were found in H. oculata and A. huxleyi

Overseas Treatment of Latent Tuberculosis Infection in US-Bound Immigrants.

Seventy percent of tuberculosis (TB) cases in the United States occur among non-US-born persons; cases usually result from reactivation of latent TB infection (LTBI) likely acquired before the person's US arrival. We conducted a prospective study among US immigrant visa applicants undergoing the required overseas medical examination in Vietnam. Consenting applicants >15 years of age were offered an interferon-γ release assay (IGRA); those 12-14 years of age received an IGRA as part of the required examination. Eligible participants were offered LTBI treatment with 12 doses of weekly isoniazid and rifapentine. Of 5,311 immigrant visa applicants recruited, 2,438 (46%) consented to participate; 2,276 had an IGRA processed, and 484 (21%) tested positive. Among 452 participants eligible for treatment, 304 (67%) initiated treatment, and 268 (88%) completed treatment. We demonstrated that using the overseas medical examination to provide voluntary LTBI testing and treatment should be considered to advance US TB elimination efforts

A Multi-Center Randomized Trial to Assess the Efficacy of Gatifloxacin versus Ciprofloxacin for the Treatment of Shigellosis in Vietnamese Children

The bacterial genus Shigella is the most common cause of dysentery (diarrhea containing blood and/or mucus) and the disease is common in developing countries with limitations in sanitation. Children are most at risk of infection and frequently require hospitalization and antimicrobial therapy. The WHO currently recommends the fluoroquinolone, ciprofloxacin, for the treatment of childhood Shigella infections. In recent years there has been a sharp increase in the number of organisms that exhibit resistance to nalidixic acid (an antimicrobial related to ciprofloxacin), corresponding with reduced susceptibility to ciprofloxacin. We hypothesized that infections with Shigella strains that demonstrate resistance to nalidixic acid may prevent effective treatment with ciprofloxacin. We performed a randomized controlled trial to compare 3 day ciprofloxacin therapy with 3 days of gatifloxacin, a newer generation fluoroquinolone with greater activity than ciprofloxacin. We measured treatment failure and time to the cessation of individual disease symptoms in 249 children with dysentery treated with gatifloxacin and 245 treated with ciprofloxacin. We could identify no significant differences in treatment failure between the two groups or in time to the cessation of individual symptoms. We conclude that, in Vietnam, ciprofloxacin and gatifloxacin are similarly effective for the treatment of acute dysentery

Comparative Study of the Silver Nanoparticle Synthesis Ability and Antibacterial Activity of the Piper Betle L. and Piper Sarmentosum Roxb. Extracts

Piper betle (P. betle) and Piper sarmentosum (P. sarmentosum) are the two members of the Piper genus, have been reported to be rich in phytochemicals and essential oils, which showed strong reducing power, antibacterial, and antifungal activities. P. betle recently has been studied and applied in several commercial products in the antimicrobial respect, meanwhile its relatives, P. sarmentosum has been lesser-known in this field. In this study, the two Piper species—P. betle and P. sarmentosum were studied to compare their ability in silver nanoparticle synthesis and efficacy in antibacterial activity. P. betle and P. sarmentosum were extracted by distilled water at different temperatures and times. Subsequently, their total reducing capacity was determined by DPPH scavenging and Folin-Ciocalteu assays to choose the appropriate extraction conditions. The silver nanoparticle solutions prepared by the extracts of P. betle (Pb.ext) and P. sarmentosum (Ps.ext) were characterized by Dynamic light scattering (DLS), Zeta potential, UV-vis, and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) measurements. Finally, the antibacterial activity of the synthesized silver nanoparticle solutions was tested against Escherichia coli using the agar diffusion well–variant method. The Pb.ext showed stronger reducing power with higher total polyphenol content (~125 mg GAE/mL extract) and better DPPH activity (IC50~1.45%). Both the green synthesized silver nanoparticle solutions (Pb.AgNP and Ps.AgNP) performed significantly stronger antibacterial activity on Escherichia coli compared to their initial extracts. Antibacterial tests revealed that Ps.AgNP showed remarkably better growth inhibition activity as compared to Pb.AgNP. This study would contribute useful and important information to the development of antibacterial products based on green synthesized silver nanoparticles fabricated by the extracts of P. betle and P. sarmentosum

The effects of risks in agricultural supply chain management on business performance : a case study in Vietnam

Risks in the agricultural supply chain management can cause significant losses to the production and business activities of enterprises in the market. This study aims to examine the impact of risks in the agricultural supply chain management on the business performance of enterprises. Applying a quantitative research method through SEM linear structure model analysis, with survey data size including 625 samples of managers who have experience and knowledge of agricultural supply chain operations management in enterprises in Vietnam. Research results show that risks in the supply chain have both direct and indirect effects on business performance through intermediaries, which are trust and linkages in the agricultural supply chain management. Besides, research also shows that there is a negative impact from the trust of participants and linkages in the agricultural supply chain management on the business performance of enterprises. In addition, research has also demonstrated that links positively affect both trust and opportunistic behavior of the participants in the agricultural supply chain management. On that basis, the study has given several recommendations to improve business performance for enterprises. The findings of this study have shown the importance and impact of risks in the agricultural supply chain management in multiple dimensions and aspects of business performance.Quang Bach Tran (Faculty of Economics, Vinh University (VU), Vietnam), Thi Thu Cuc Nguyen* (Corresponding Author, Faculty of Economics, Vinh University (VU), Vietnam, [Postal Address: 182 Le Duan, Ben Thuy, Vinh City, Nghe An, Vietnam]), Thi Minh Phuong Nguyen (Lecture, Faculty of Economics, Vinh University (VU), Vietnam), Dieu Linh Tran (Lecture, Faculty of Economics, Vinh University (VU), Vietnam), Anh Tuan Nguyen (PhD Candidate, Economic Department, Vinh University (VU), Vietnam), Quang Tai Dang (PhD Candidate, Economic Department, Vinh University (VU), Vietnam)Includes bibliographical reference

Prevalence and eradication efficacy of Helicobacter pylori infection in children in the Mekong delta, Vietnam: a cross-sectional study

Background: Worldwide, Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection in children with peptic ulcer and/or gastritis (PUG) is increasingly common. In Vietnam, clinical symptoms of HP infection in PUG children are often non-specific, and treatment regimens currently have a low success rate. Objective: This study determined the HP infection prevalence, its clinical and endoscopic findings, and its associated factors. Additionally, the efficiencies of HP treatment regimens in PUG children were also evaluated. Design and setting: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 140 pediatric patients diagnosed with PUG at Can Tho Children’s Hospital from 2017–2019. Results: The prevalence of HP infection in PUG children was 46.4%. A significant association was found between HP infection and patient possessing a family history of HP infection (aOR: 2.35 (1.1–4.76). Symptoms of abdominal pain accounted for the highest rate of 88.6%, followed by vomiting, heartburn, epigastric burning, and gastric bleeding (57.9%, 36.4%, 22.9%, and 13.6%, respectively). Endoscopic findings denoted that inflammatory lesions accounted for 85% and ulcers accounted for 15%. The successful HP eradication rate using the PAM regimen (Proton pump inhibitor/amoxicillin/metronidazole) was 51.8%, with 13.6% of PUG children encountering side effects. Conclusion: PUG children have a high rate of HP infection. Clinical symptoms are often non-specific, in which abdominal pain is the most common symptom. The success of HP eradication by the standard guideline of the Vietnam Ministry of Health is quite low. Thus, critical adjustments in the regimens are necessary

Prevalence and eradication efficacy of Helicobacter pylori infection in children in the Mekong delta, Vietnam: a cross-sectional study

Background: Worldwide, Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection in children with peptic ulcer and/or gastritis (PUG) is increasingly common. In Vietnam, clinical symptoms of HP infection in PUG children are often non-specific, and treatment regimens currently have a low success rate. Objective: This study determined the HP infection prevalence, its clinical and endoscopic findings, and its associated factors. Additionally, the efficiencies of HP treatment regimens in PUG children were also evaluated. Design and setting: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 140 pediatric patients diagnosed with PUG at Can Tho Children’s Hospital from 2017–2019. Results: The prevalence of HP infection in PUG children was 46.4%. A significant association was found between HP infection and patient possessing a family history of HP infection (aOR: 2.35 (1.1–4.76). Symptoms of abdominal pain accounted for the highest rate of 88.6%, followed by vomiting, heartburn, epigastric burning, and gastric bleeding (57.9%, 36.4%, 22.9%, and 13.6%, respectively). Endoscopic findings denoted that inflammatory lesions accounted for 85% and ulcers accounted for 15%. The successful HP eradication rate using the PAM regimen (Proton pump inhibitor/amoxicillin/metronidazole) was 51.8%, with 13.6% of PUG children encountering side effects. Conclusion: PUG children have a high rate of HP infection. Clinical symptoms are often non-specific, in which abdominal pain is the most common symptom. The success of HP eradication by the standard guideline of the Vietnam Ministry of Health is quite low. Thus, critical adjustments in the regimens are necessary

Changes in soil characteristics and C dynamics after mangrove clearing (Vietnam)

International audienc

Spatial Impact of Foreign Direct Investment on Poverty Reduction in Vietnam

In this study, we analyze the spatial effect of foreign direct investment (FDI) on poverty reduction in Vietnam. This study uses the provincial-level panel data and the fixed-effects regression and the spatial econometric model to investigate empirically the impact of FDI on poverty reduction in Vietnam. The study finds that FDI has contributed to poverty reduction not only directly but also indirectly through human capital. However, FDI has indirectly worsened poverty through international trade. In addition, empirical results from the spatial econometric model show that FDI tends to decrease poverty in provinces. Finally, the study has some policy implications to decrease the negative effects of FDI on poverty reduction in Vietnam

Spatial impact of foreign direct investment on poverty reduction in Vietnam

In this study, we analyze the spatial effect of foreign direct investment (FDI) on poverty reduction in Vietnam. This study uses the provincial-level panel data and the fixed-effects regression and the spatial econometric model to investigate empirically the impact of FDI on poverty reduction in Vietnam. The study finds that FDI has contributed to poverty reduction not only directly but also indirectly through human capital. However, FDI has indirectly worsened poverty through international trade. In addition, empirical results from the spatial econometric model show that FDI tends to decrease poverty in provinces. Finally, the study has some policy implications to decrease the negative effects of FDI on poverty reduction in Vietnam