Is preoperative physical function testing predictive of length of stay in patients with colorectal cancer? : a retrospective study

La chirurgie est le traitement principal du cancer colorectal (CCR). Une durée d'hospitalisation prolongée peut augmenter le risque de complications et d'inactivité physique, entraînant un déclin de la fonction physique. L'objectif de cette étude est de déterminer si la celle-ci peut prédire l’hospitalisation prolongée chez les patients atteints de CCR. Un total de 459 patients provenant de 7 cohortes a été analysé. Une régression logistique a été utilisée pour déterminer le risque d'hospitalisation prolongée (>3 jours) et une courbe ROC a été tracée pour établir la sensibilité/spécificité. Les variables sélectionnées comprenaient l'âge, le sexe, l'IMC, la présence de comorbidités, le statut ASA, le site tumoral, l'approche chirurgicale, la force de préhension, le test Timed-Up and Go, le test assis-debout de 30 secondes, le test de flexion des coudes de 30 secondes, le test de marche de 6 minutes (6MWT), le questionnaire CHAMPS et le SF-36. Les résultats démontrent que les patients atteints d'une tumeur rectale ont un risque 2,7 fois plus élevé d'appartenir au groupe d'hospitalisation prolongée que ceux atteints d'une tumeur du côlon (O.R. 2,7 ; C.I. 1,3-5,7, p=0,01). Pour chaque augmentation de 20 mètres dans le 6MWT, il y a une diminution de 9% du risque d'être dans le groupe d'hospitalisation prolongée (C.I. 1.03-1.17, p=0.00). Un seuil de 431 m peut prédire 70% des patients dans le groupe d'hospitalisation prolongée (AUC 0,71, C.I. 0,63-0,78, p=0,00). L'utilisation du 6MWT comme outil de dépistage de l'hospitalisation prolongée devrait être intégrée dans le parcours chirurgical préopératoire.Surgery is the primary treatment for colorectal cancer. A prolonged Length of Stay (pLOS) can increase risk of complications and physical inactivity, leading to a decline in physical function. While promising results were seen from preoperative exercise training and post-operative functional recovery, the predictive potential of preoperative physical function has not yet been investigated. The objective of this study is to determine if preoperative physical function can predict pLOS in patients with for colorectal cancer. A total of 459 patients from 7 cohorts were analyzed. Logistic regression was used to determine risk of pLOS (>3 days), and ROC curve was plotted to establish sensitivity/specificity. Selected variables included age, sex, BMI, comorbidity, ASA status, tumor site, surgical approach, handgrip strength, Timed-Up and Go, 30-second Sit-to-Stand, 30-second Arm Curl Test, 6-Minute-Walking Test (6MWT), CHAMPS Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Adult and 36-Item Short Form Survey. The results showed that patients with rectal tumor are 2.7x more at risk to be in the pLOS group compared to those with colon tumor (O.R. 2.7; C.I. 1.3-5.7, p=0.01). For every increment of 20 meters in 6MWT, there is a decreased risk of 9% of being in pLOS group (C.I. 1.03-1.17, p=0.00). A cut-off of 431m can predict 70% of patients in pLOS group (AUC 0.71 C.I 0.63-0.78, p=0.00). Tumor site (rectal) and 6MWT were significant predictors of pLOS. Using the 6MWT as a screening tool for pLOS with cut-off of 431 m should be implemented in the preoperative surgical pathway

The DKAP Project The Country Report of Vietnam

Viet Nam is at the beginning of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. In order to grasp the opportunities that the revolution has brought about, and to successfully build the society of digital citizens, there must be the demand of enhancing the capacity and capability for students to meet international standards in terms of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) skills. Viet Nam was selected as one of the four countries (Viet Nam, Bangladesh, Fiji, and the Republic of Korea) to join UNESCO Bangkok’s “Digital Kids Asia Pacific (DKAP)” project, a comparative cross-national study with the aim to seek the understanding and address children’s ICT practices, attitudes, behaviors, and competency levels within an educational context. Thanks to the project, the Vietnamese research team completely conducted the survey in twenty (20) schools from five (5) provinces in Viet Nam. With the data on the digital citizenship competency levels of 1,061 10th grade students, the research team discovered the valuable findings to draw an initial big picture for Vietnamese policy makers, educators, and teachers about digital citizenship competencies of 15-year-old Vietnamese students

Income diversification and poverty in the Northern Uplands of Vietnam:

Poverty, income diversification,

Rational protein design for enhancing thermal stability of industrial enzymes

Enzymes possessing many excellent properties such as high selectivity, consuming less energy, and producing less side products or waste have been widely applied as biocatalysts in pharmaceutical production and many industries such as biofuel, biomaterials, biosensor, food, and environmental treatment. Although enzymes have shown its potential as biocatalysts for many industrial applications, natural enzymes were not originated for manufacturing process which requires harsh reaction conditions such as high temperature, alkaline pH, and organics solvents. It was reported that reduction of final conversion of several enzymatic reactions was declined at high temperature. Protein engineering to improve the enzymes’ thermostability is crucial to extend the use of the industrial enzymes and maximize effectiveness of the enzyme-based procesess. Various industrial enzymes with improved thermostability were produced through rational protein engineering using different strategies. This review is not aimed to cover all successful rational protein engineering studies. The review focuses on some effective strategies which have widely used to increase the thermostability of several industrial enzymes through introduction of disulfide bonds and introduction of proline