Acetate wheat starch improving blood glucose response and bilan lipid on obesity dyslipidemia mice

Abstract Resistant starch is particularly concerned with beneficial effects in regulating blood glucose concentration and lipid metabolism, reducing the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to validate the effects of wheat starch acetate containing 32.1% resistant starch on postprandial blood glucose response and lipid profile on obesity, dyslipidemia Swiss mice induced by a high-fat diet. The result showed that there was a restriction on postprandial hyperglycemia and remained stable for 2 hours after meal efficiently comparing with the control group fed natural wheat starch. Simultaneously, when maintaining the dose of 5g/kg once or twice a day for 8 weeks, wheat starch acetate to be able to reduce body weight and blood glucose, triglyceride, cholesterol levels compared to the control group (p<0.05)

The potential efficacy of the E2-subunit vaccine to protect pigs against different genotypes of classical swine fever virus circulating in Vietnam

Missed detections of influenza A(H1)pdm09 by real-time RT–PCR assay due to haemagglutinin sequence mutation, December 2017 to March 2018, northern Viet Nam

Introduction@#There are two methods of reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR) that have been the common methods to detect influenza infections: conventional and real-time RT–PCR. From December 2017 to March 2018, several missed diagnoses of influenza A(H1)pdm09 using real-time RT–PCR were reported in northern Viet Nam. This study investigated how these missed detections occurred to determine their effect on the surveillance of influenza.@*Methods@#The haemagglutinin (HA) segments of A(H1N1)pdm09 from both real-time RT-PCR positive and negative samples were isolated and sequenced. The primer and probe sets in the HA gene were checked for mismatches, and phylogenetic analyses were performed to determine the molecular epidemiology of these viruses.@*Results@#There were 86 positive influenza A samples; 32 were A(H1)pdm09 positive by conventional RT–PCR but were negative by real-time RT–PCR. Sequencing was conducted on 23 influenza (H1N1)pdm09 isolates that were recovered from positive samples. Eight of these were negative for A(H1)pdm09 by real-time RT–PCR. There were two different mismatches in the probe target sites of the HA gene sequences of all isolates (n = 23) with additional mismatches only at position 7 (template binding site) identified for all eight negative real-time RT–PCR isolates. The prime target sites had no mismatches. Phylogenetic analysis of the HA gene showed that both the positive and negative real-time RT–PCR isolates were grouped in clade 6B.1; however, the real-time RT–PCR negative viruses were located in a subgroup that referred to substitution I295V.@*Conclusion@#Constant monitoring of genetic changes in the circulating influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses is important for maintaining the sensitivity of molecular detection assays.

Effects of DA-5513 on alcohol metabolism and alcoholic fatty liver in rats / 한국실험동물학회지

Hangover is characterized by a number of unpleasant physical and mental symptoms that occur after heavy alcohol drinking. In addition, consistently excessive alcohol intake is considered as a major reason causes liver disease. The present study investigated the in vivo effects of DA-5513 (Morning care® Kang Hwang) on biological parameters relevant to hangover relief and alcoholic fatty liver. Blood alcohol and acetaldehyde concentrations were determined in rats administered a single dose of alcohol and treated with DA-5513 or commercially available hangover relief beverages (Yeomyung® and Ukon®). The effects of DA-5513 on alcoholic fatty liver were also determined in rats fed alcohol-containing Lieber-DeCarli diets for 4 weeks. Serum liver function markers (aspartate and alanine aminotransferase activities) and serum/liver lipid levels were assessed. Blood alcohol and acetaldehyde concentrations were lower in the groups treated with DA-5513 or Yeomyung®, as compared with control rats. However, Ukon® did not produce any significant effects on these parameters. Treatment with DA-5513 significantly reduced serum aspartate and alanine aminotransferase activities and markedly reduced serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels, as compared with control rats. Histological observations using Oil Red O staining found that DA-5513 delayed the development of alcoholic fatty liver by reversing hepatic fat accumulation. These findings suggest that DA-5513 could have a beneficial effect on alcohol-induced hangovers and has the potential to ameliorate alcoholic fatty liver.

Pharmacologic Characteristics of Corticosteroids

Corticosteroids (CSs) are used frequently in the neurocritical care unit mainly for their anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects. Despite their broad use, limited evidence exists for their efficacy in diseases confronted in the neurocritical care setting. There are considerable safety concerns associated with administering these drugs and should be limited to specific conditions in which their benefits outweigh the risks. The application of CSs in neurologic diseases, range from traumatic head and spinal cord injuries to central nervous system infections. Based on animal studies, it is speculated that the benefit of CSs therapy in brain and spinal cord, include neuroprotection from free radicals, specifically when given at a higher supraphysiologic doses. Regardless of these advantages and promising results in animal studies, clinical trials have failed to show a significant benefit of CSs administration on neurologic outcomes or mortality in patients with head and acute spinal injuries. This article reviews various chemical structures between natural and synthetic steroids, discuss its pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles, and describe their use in clinical practice.

Anticancer effects of saponin and saponin-phospholipid complex of Panax notoginseng grown in Vietnam

Objective: To evaluate the antitumor activity both in vitro and in vivo of saponin–phospholipid complex of Panax notoginseng. Methods: The in vitro cytotoxic effect of saponins extract and saponin–phospholipid complex against human lung cancer NCI-H460 and breast cancer cell lines BT474 was examined using MTS assay. For in vivo evaluation of antitumor potential, saponin and saponin–phospholipid complex were administered orally in rats induced mammary carcinogenesis by 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene, for 30 days. Results: Our data showed that saponin–phospholipid complex had stronger anticancer effect compared to saponin extract. The IC50 values of saponin–phospholipid complex and saponin extract for NCI-H460 cell lines were 28.47μg/mL and 47.97μg/mL, respectively and these values for BT474 cells were 53.18μg/mL and 86.24μg/mL, respectively. In vivo experiments, administration of saponin, saponin–phospholipid complex and paclitaxel (positive control) effectively suppressed 7,12-dimethylbenz(a) anthracene-induced breast cancer evidenced by a decrease in tumor volume, the reduction of lipid peroxidation level and increase in the body weight, and elevated the enzymatic antioxidant activities of su-peroxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase in rat breast tissue. Conclusions: Our study suggests that saponin extract from Panax notoginseng and saponin–phospholipid complex have potential to prevent cancer, especially breast cancer.

A New Species of Graphis and New Lichen Records from Vietnam, Including a Second Worldwide Report of Sarcographina cyclospora

Graphis upretii is a new lichen species discovered in Vietnam. The species is characterized by a loosely corticate, rough, whitish grey to greyish green thallus, elongate and irregularly branched lirellae with an apically thin complete thalline margin (negrosina morph), laterally carbonized, entire proper exciple, clear hymenium, hyaline, 16~20 transversely locular ascospores, and about 50~95 x 10~15 microm in size. In addition, members of the taxon produce norstictic and stictic acids. Currently, the lichen flora of Vietnam include Arthonia radiata, Brigantiaea tricolor, Coenogonium implexum, Dirina paradoxa, Herpothallon sipmanii, Pertusaria pertusa, and Sarcographina cyclospora.

Development of Monoclonal Antibodies That Target 1-Cys Peroxiredoxin and Differentiate <i>Plasmodium falciparum</i> from <i>P. vivax</i> and <i>P. knowlesi</i>

Prompt and accurate diagnosis of malarial patients is a crucial factor in controlling the morbidity and mortality of the disease. Effective treatment decisions require a correct diagnosis among mixed-species malarial patients. Differential diagnosis is particularly important in cases of <i>Plasmodium vivax</i>, a species that shares endemicity with <i>P. falciparum</i> in most endemic areas. Moreover, it is difficult to identify <i>P. knowlesi</i> on the basis of morphology alone, and rapid diagnostic tests are still not available for this malaria species. Therefore, the development of diagnostic tests applicable to the field is urgently needed. 1-Cys peroxiredoxin (1-Cys-Prx) in <i>P. falciparum</i> is abundantly expressed in the mature asexual stages, making it a promising candidate as a diagnostic antigen. In this study, we produced five monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against <i>P. falciparum</i> 1-Cys-Prx (Pf1-Cys-Prx) by immunizing BALB/c mice with recombinant Pf1-Cys-Prx and subsequent hybridoma production. Cross reactivity of established mAbs with the orthologous molecule of Pf1-Cys-Prx in <i>P. vivax</i> (Pv1-Cys-Prx) and <i>P. knowlesi</i> (Pk1-Cys-Prx) was examined. Western blot analyses showed that three mAbs reacted with Pv1-Cys-Prx and Pk1-Cys-Prx but two mAbs did not. These results indicate that the two mAbs were effective in differentiating <i>P. falciparum</i> from <i>P. vivax</i> and <i>P. knowlesi</i> and could be used in differential diagnosis as well as comparative molecular studies of human <i>Plasmodium</i> species.

Two New Records of the Lichen Genus Placynthiella Elenkin in South Korea

This study describes two new records of the lichen genus Placynthiella (P. hyporhoda and P. icmalea) from South Korea. A brief taxonomic description and comments are provided for the new records. An artificial key is also provided for known species of this genus in South Korea.

Identification of Sculptolumina japonica (Physciaceae) in South Korea

The paper describes identification of new microlichen (Sculptolumina japonica) in South Korea. A detailed taxonomic description and comments are presented for the taxa studied. Lichen genus Sculptolumina is reported for the first time for this country.

Notes on the Existence of Leucodecton desquamescens (Thelotremoid Graphidaceae) in South Korea

This study describes a new record of a thelotremoid lichen (Leucodecton desquamescens) from South Korea. The taxon is characterized by thick, bulging thallus with many calcium oxalate crystal inclusions; an immersed, round to irregular ascomata with free exciple, ellipsoid to +/- roundish submuriform, brown ascospores, and lack of secondary metabolites. A detailed taxonomic description and comments are presented for this taxon. The lichen genus Leucodecton is reported for the first time in South Korea.

Knowledge and practice of safe pesticide use among flowers planters in My Tan commune, My Loc district, Nam Dinh province

Background: Pesticides safety, plant protection chemicals are widely used around the world, especially in agriculture to protect crops. \r\n', u'Objectives: To describe the real statute of knowledge and practice of safe pesticide use among flowers planters and various other related factors. \r\n', u'Subjects and method: The cross sectional analytic study was carried out in 2006 to evaluate the current situation of knowledge and practice of safe pesticide use in 2 flower planting villages: Hong Ha 1 and Hong Ha 2, My Tan commune, My Loc district, Nam Dinh Province. Results:The results showed that knowledge on determining toxicity levels and the absorption routes of pesticides to the human body through land and water is insufficient. As for pesticide use practice, the percentage of planters fully utilizing safety work clothes and other equipments was low. Multivariate analysis found that there was a significant correlation between good practice and knowledge. In addition, some predictors of good knowledge were: highly educated, male and age. Conclusion: The findings also discovered the priority of improving direct communication on safe pesticide use among planters. \r\n', u'

Evaluation of the effectiveness of Interceptor bed net on controlling disease vectors Aedes aegypti in Vietnam, 2007

Background: Using insecticides is considered as a temporary and rapid method for interrupting the disease transmission through disease vectors such as dengue. The insecticide Fendona, when absorbed into bed nets, is slowly released and rapidly knocks out, kills or repels mosquitoes as they come into contact with the bed net. Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of the Interceptor bed net (a unique textile-finishing product developed by BASF, Singapore PTE. LTD, that were coated with the Fendona insecticide) on controlling disease vector Aedes aegypti. Subjects and method: An experimental trial was carried out at the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology and in the field of Hien Giang commune, Thuong Tin district, Ha Tay province. The changes of efficacy of Interceptor bed net were compared by not washing with washing at the different levels. Results: The unwashed bed nets can knock out and kill Aedes aegypti mosquitoes by 50% after 20 minutes of exposure on every trial. About 90-100% of total mosquitoes were killed after the first 30 minutes of exposure. Bed net\u2019s efficacy remains until 24 hours of the trial. The recovery rate of the mosquito is 0%. The same results were also observed after 90 days, 36 days and 18 days of bed nets being laundered. However, after 9 day of washing, the bed nets can only kill the mosquitoes up to about 90-95% of the total after the first 30 minutes of exposure. It also reached 100% of killing after 24 hours. However, its efficacy was conversely reduced with regard to the increase of laundry times. Conclusion: The density of adult mosquitoes and larvae for Aedes aegypti was significantly reduced in the intervention areas, even at zero level in comparison to the control sites. The insecticide had no side-effect or any stimulation to users, community, poultry, cattle and environment in the intervention sites.

The use of pesticides and acute pesticide poisoning among flower planters in My Tan commune, My Loc district, Nam Dinh province, 2006

Background: Pesticides have been used widely in not only around the world but also Vietnam; however, their misuse can cause many serious health problems. For this reasons, it is necessary to closely monitor the use of pesticides and their effects on the health of farmers. Objectives: To describe the kinds of pesticides, the symptoms and related factors of acute pesticide poisoning among flowers planters. Subjects and method: A cross-sectional analytic design was applied with a sample of 107 households in the Hong Ha 1 and Hong Ha 2 village of My Tan commune, My Loc district, Nam Dinh province from November 2005 to February 2006. \r\n', u'Results: There were various types of pesticide that were being sprayed in the flower planting villages. Almost all types were moderately hazardous. 85% of farmers experienced at least 1 symptom of acute poisoning after spraying pesticides. The most common symptoms were headache, dizziness, rash (accounting for 45-58%), followed by red eyes and musculoskeletal symptoms (approximate 40%). The effects of pesticides to the farmer\u2019s health were proved with the typical symptoms of toxicity, especially headache, irritation of the face, red eyes. The percentages of self-reported toxicity symptoms were associated with sex, age groups, following manual and pesticide exposure. Conclusion: The results suggested that various interventions is required in order to change the knowledge, attitude and practice of pesticide use among farmers in general and flowers planters in particularly.\r\n', u'

Morbidity and mortality of acute respiratory infections in Thai Binh province, Vietnam, 2002-2005

Background: Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) is a common disease in developing countries. Morbidity and mortality of ARI are high, especially among children under 15 years old. Objectives: To describe socio-graphic factors, seasonal patterns, risky areas and determine the morbidity and mortality rates of acute respiratory infections in Thai Binh province. Subjects and method: This retrospective study reviewed the medical records of 4,585 hospital admitted patients who were diagnosed with ARI including upper and lower respiratory infections such as sore throat, pharyngitis, bronchitis, pneumonia and bronchitis-pneumonia at 8 district hospitals and 1 provincial hospital in Thai Binh province during 2002-2005. The selected medical records were based on the available check list and two standard screening tests. Results:Morbidity and mortality of ARI in Thai Binh province were 61.6 and 0.52, respectively. ARI mainly occurred among children under 5 years old, of which the highest mortality was among those under 12 months of age. Male children were at higher risk of acquiring ARI, but less prone to death than female. Occupation did not significantly associate with the risk of ARI. The morbidity increased sharply during inter-season, e.g. March and October. Thai Binh city, Kien Xuong and Tien Hai district were reported with the highest morbidity in accompany of the high mortality as consequences. Conclusion: The prevention and control methods were recommended to annually focus on the male children aged less than 5 years old during March and October in Thai Binh city, Kien Xuong and Tien Hai district.

Esophagectomy technique with supported thoracoscopy

Background: Esophageal cancer is a common disease at Digestive Surgery Department of Binh Dan hospital. Surgical treatment is still a main procedure. Objectives: Study on a less invasive surgical technique in esophagectomy with supported thoracoscopy to provide a new esophageal cancer treatment. Subjects and method: Application on a new technique via thoracoscopy to esophagectomy totally in 6 patients (1 female, 5 males), aged 60 years on average, treated in Digestive Surgery Department of Binh Dan hospital from March 2006 to June 2006. Results: The average surgical time was 260 minutes. There was no event during operation. Postoperative complications included: 1 patient had to stitch abdominal wall after operative 7 days, 3 patients with pneumonia after successful operation, 2 patients with right pneumothorax, having to put siphonage. There was one case of death without related to operative technique. Conclusion: Esophagectomy is major operation that can be conducted via open surgery or laparoscopic surgery. Although small case studies, researchers found that laparoscopic surgery is a feasible technique, can be performed safely if the surgeons having experience in open surgery and good skills on laparoscopic surgery. However, thoracoscopic esophagectomy can only be considered as a surgical method, without an alternative method to traditional open surgery.

Neurological status of low-risk Vietnamese newborns: a comparison with a British newborn cohort.

A shortened version of the Dubowitz newborn neurological examination, recently reassessed in rural Thailand, was applied to a group of 58 Vietnamese newborns. The aim was to establish the neurological status of newborns in this population for use in further studies and to compare with groups previously studied. Compared to the original British cohort, the Vietnamese newborns showed significantly lower scores in 10 of 25 items, including several related to truncal tone. Evidence was sought of thiamine and long-chain fatty acid deficiency as a possible cause for these findings, but no correlation was found between the neurological status and the maternal or infant blood levels of these nutritional indicators. The findings suggest that the neurological status of low-risk Vietnamese newborns appears to lie between that of British newborns and those ethnic minority Karen newborns in refugee camps on the Thai-Burmese border tested previously. Although no specific nutritional cause has been identified in the study, the findings may still reflect sub-optimal intake of some important nutrients.

The change of heart rate variability time in patients with chronic heart failure

Background: Heart failure is a common clinical condition and is the late stage of most cardiovascular diseases. Heart rate disorder is one of the causes of deaths in patients with chronic heart failure. There is few number of studies on Heart Rate Variability (HRV) in Vietnam. Objective: To study the change of HRV time in patients with chronic heart failure. Subject and Method: A prospective, descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out on 105 subjects including 73 patients with chronic heart failure and 42 normal persons as controls. Time domain measurements of HRV were calculated from 24 hour electrocardiographic Holter (Holter WIN P-V, USA) on all 105 subjects. In the chronic heart failure group, there were 51 men and 22 women with the mean age of 62.8+/-11.2, control group including 30 men and 12 women with the mean age of 61.5+/-5.7. Results and conclusion: (1) There was a decrease of time domain of HRV showed the decrease of parasympathetic tone in patients with chronic heart diseases. (2) The higher degree of heart failure, the lower the time domain of HRV.

Evaluation for reliability of 13C-Urea breath test and other biopsy-based methods in H. pylori diagnosis

Multiple tests are available to diagnose Helicobacter pylori. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the sensitivity, specificity and negative and positive predictive values of 13C-Urea breath test (13C-UBT) and other biopsy-based methods in H. pylori diagnosis. A total of 702 patients (mean age, 51.2+/-16.0 years; 327 males and 375 females) were tested for H. pylori infection using 13C-UBT, CLO tests (Delta West, Australia), histology (H&E and modified Giemsa stains), and culture. All patients were untreated for H. pylori infection. Infection status was established by Gold Standard (or culture positive of 2 out of 3 other tests positive). Results suggested that 13C-UBT was the most accurate method for H. pylori diagnosis, although CLO test and histology also produced excellent sensitivity and specificity. Culture method had the best specificity; however, it produced the lowest sensitivity. Combination of histology and CO test gave higher sensitivity and specificity than each method used individually. Conclusion: The noninvasive 13C-BUT is excellent accurate method for determining H. pylori infection when endoscopy is not required. Histology, CLO test and culture are also good methods for H. pylori diagnosis.

Evaluating the sensitivity of Aedes aegypti mosquito to pesticide in some Northern provinces

100% of mosquito batches were collapsed after 30 minutes exposing to test paper and dead after 24 hours following up. This indicates that the mosquito in test places is very sensitive to permethrin and lambda cyhalothrin and these chemicals are effective in killing mosquito during outbreaks. The number of locals where involved in evaluating the sensitivity of mosquito to chemicals are increasing. These are provinces where the insects surveillance systems are available.