Neutrophil: Lymphocyte and Platelet: Lymphocyte ratios measured before transplantation and their correlation with new-onset diabetes post-transplantation in renal transplant recipients.

PURPOSE: Our goal was to evaluate the neutrophil:lymphocyte (NLR) and platelet:lymphocyte (PLR) ratios measured before transplantation and their correlation with new-onset diabetes after transplantation (NODAT) in renal transplant recipients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted our study in 324 adult patients consecutively admitted to Military Hospital 103, Ha Noi, Viet Nam, who received kidney allografts from living donors. These patients were followed-up during the first 2 years post-transplantation for NODAT. We examined the association between NLR and PLR measured prior to transplantation in patients with NODAT: NLR and PLR were calculated based on the results of the complete blood count. The criteria for diagnosis of a fully symptomatic NODAT case were based on the guidelines established by the American Diabetes Association and included fasting venous blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels, with or without an oral glucose tolerance test. RESULTS: The overall rate of NODAT during the two years after kidney transplantation was 13.6%. We found mean values of age and body mass index (BMI), and median values of NLR, PLR, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels, and the arteriosclerosis ratio in the NODAT group to be significantly higher than those of the non-NODAT group (all p < 0.05). Furthermore, an adjusted multivariate regression analysis showed that age (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.727, p < 0.001), BMI (AUC = 0.846, p < 0.001), serum hs-CRP levels (AUC = 0.884, p < 0.001), NLR (AUC = 0.888; p < 0.001), and PLR (AUC = 0.818; p < 0.001) had predictive value for NODAT. CONCLUSION: NLR and PLR measured before transplantation were good predictors for NODAT in the first 2 years post-renal transplantation.

Stepwise Reduction of Mycophenolate Mofetil with Conversion to Everolimus for the Treatment of Active BKV in Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Single-Center Experience in Vietnam.

Background: No specific antiviral drug can effectively treat BKV reactivation after kidney transplantation. Thus, we evaluated stepwise-reduced immunosuppression to treat BKV reactivation. Methods: 341 kidney-transplant recipients were monitored for BKV infection (BKV-viremia, BKV-viruria). Positive samples with a significant virus load were nested PCR-genotyped in the VP1 region. In 97/211 patients presenting BKV viremia ≥104 copies/mL and/or BKV viruria ≥107 copies/mL, or BKV-nephropathy immunosuppression (i.e., mycophenolate mofetil [MMF]) was reduced by 50%. If viral load did not decrease within 28 days, MMF dose was further reduced by 25%, although calcineurin-inhibitor (CNI) therapy remained unchanged. If BKV viral load did not decrease within another 28 days, MMF was withdrawn and replaced by everolimus combined with reduced CNIs. Results: Only 41/97 BKV (+) cases completed the 6-month follow-up. Among these, 29 (71%) were in the BKV-I group and 12 (29%) were in BKV-IV. BKV viruria and BKV viremia were significantly decreased from 9.32 to 6.09 log10 copies/mL, and from 3.59 to 2.45 log10 copies/mL (p < 0.001 and p = 0.024, respectively). 11/32 (34.4%) patients were cleared of BKV viremia; 2/32 (6.3%) patients were cleared of BKV in both serum and urine, and 9/9 (100%) only had BKV viruria but did not develop BKV viremia. eGFR remained stable. No patient with BKV-related nephropathy had graft loss. There was a significant inverse relationship between changes in eGFR and serum BKV load (r = −0.314, p = 0.04). Conclusions: This stepwise immunosuppressive strategy proved effective at reducing BKV viral load in kidney transplant recipients that had high BKV loads in serum and/or urine. Renal function remained stable without rejection.

Impact of Freeze Storage on the Estimation of Phenotypic Antimicrobial Resistance Prevalence in Escherichia coli Collected from Faecal Samples from Healthy Humans and Chickens.

Many studies on phenotypic antimicrobial resistance (AMR) of bacteria from healthy populations are conducted on freeze-stored samples. However, the impact of this practice on phenotypic AMR is not known. We investigated the prevalence of phenotypic AMR in Escherichia coli from chicken (n = 10) and human (n = 11) faecal samples collected from healthy subjects, subject to freeze storage (-20 °C and -80 °C) for 1, 2, 3, and 6 months. We compared counts of E. coli and prevalence of phenotypic resistance against five antimicrobials commonly used in chicken farming (ciprofloxacin, enrofloxacin, doxycycline, gentamicin, and florfenicol) with samples processed within 24 h of collection. Prevalence of phenotypic AMR was estimated by performing differential counts on agar media with and without antimicrobials. At -20 °C, there was a considerable reduction in E. coli counts over time, and this reduction was greater for human samples (-0.630 log10 units per 100 days) compared with chicken samples (-0.178 log10 units per 100 days). For most antimicrobials, AMR prevalence estimates decreased in freeze-stored samples both in humans and chickens over time. Based on these results, we conclude that results on the prevalence of phenotypic AMR on samples from freeze-stored samples are unreliable, and only fresh samples should be used in such studies.

Antimicrobial resistance in commensal Escherichia coli from humans and chickens in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam is driven by antimicrobial usage and potential cross-species transmission.

Objectives: To investigate phenotypic antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in relation to antimicrobial use (AMU) and potential inter-species transmission among Escherichia coli from humans and chickens located in the same households in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam. Methods: We collected data on AMU and faecal swabs from humans (N = 426) and chickens (N = 237) from 237 small-scale farms. From each sample, one E. coli strain was isolated and tested for its susceptibility against 11 antimicrobials by Sensititre AST. The association between AMR and AMU was investigated by logistic regression modelling. Using randomization, we compared the degree of similarity in AMR patterns between human and chicken E. coli from the same farms compared with isolates from different farms. Results: The AMU rate was ∼19 times higher in chickens (291.1 per 1000 chicken-days) than in humans (15.1 per 1000 person-days). Isolates from chickens also displayed a higher prevalence of multidrug resistance (63.3%) than those of human origin (55.1%). AMU increased the probability of resistance in isolates from human (ORs between 2.1 and 5.3) and chicken (ORs between 1.9 and 4.8). E. coli from humans and chickens living on same farms had a higher degree of similarity in their AMR patterns than isolates from humans and chicken living on different farms. Conclusions: We demonstrated the co-influence of AMU and potential transmission on observed phenotypic AMR patterns among E. coli isolates from food-producing animals and in-contact humans. Restricting unnecessary AMU alongside limiting interspecies contact (i.e. increasing hygiene and biocontainment) are essential for reducing the burden of AMR.

Genomic Mutations of BK Polyomavirus in Patients after Kidney Transplantation: A Cross-Sectional Study in Vietnam.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to identify the SNP sites and determine the BKV genotype circulating in kidney-transplant Vietnamese recipients based on the VP1 gene region. METHODS: 344 samples were collected from post-kidney-transplant recipients at the 103 Vietnam Military Hospital to investigate the number of BKV infections. Positive samples with a sufficient virus concentration were analyzed by nested PCR in the VP1 region, sequencing detected genotyping and single-nucleotide polymorphism. RESULTS: BKV infection was determined in 214 patients (62.2%), of whom 11 (5.1%) were diagnosed with BKV-associated nephropathy. Among the 90 BKV-I strains sequenced, 89 (98.88%) were strains of I/b-1 and 1 (1.12%) was strain I/b-2. The 60 BKV-IV strains had a greater diversity of subgroups, including 40% IV/a-1, 1.66% IV/a-2, 56.68% IV/c-1, and 1.16% IV/c-2. Additionally, of 11 cases diagnosed with BKVN, seven belonged to subgroup I/b-1 (63.6%) and four to subgroup IV/c-1 (36.4%). Moreover, 22 specific SNPs that were genotype I or IV were determined in this Vietnamese population. Specifically, at position 1745, for the Vietnamese BKV-IV strains, the SNP position (A→G) appeared in 57/60 samples (95%). This causes transformation of the amino acid N→S. This SNP site can enable detection of genotype IV in Vietnam. It represents a unique evolution pattern and mutation that has not been found in other international strains. CONCLUSION: The BKV-I genotype was more common than BKV-IV; however, mutations that occur on the VP1 typing region of BKV-IV strains were more frequent than in BKV-I strains.

Prevalence of carbapenem resistance and its potential association with antimicrobial use in humans and animals in rural communities in Vietnam.

Background: Vietnam and Southeast Asia are hotspots for antimicrobial resistance; however, little is known on the prevalence of carriage of carbapenem resistance in non-hospitalized humans and in animals. Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), particularly Escherichia coli (CREC) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) and also Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) are emerging threats worldwide. Methods: We investigated healthy humans (n = 652), chickens (n = 237), ducks (n = 150) and pigs (n = 143) in 400 small-scale farms in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam. Samples (rectal swabs, faecal swabs) were investigated for carriage of CRE/CRAB and were further characterized phenotypically and genotypically. Results: In the Mekong Delta of Vietnam, the prevalence of CRE isolates in human rectal swabs was 0.6%, including 4 CREC and 1 CRKP. One pig was infected with CREC (prevalence 0.7%). CRAB was isolated from chickens (n = 4) (prevalence 2.1%) and one duck (prevalence 0.7%). CRKP was isolated from a human who was also colonized with CREC. The CRKP strain (ST16), from an 80 year-old person with pneumonia under antimicrobial treatment, genetically clustered with clinical strains isolated in a hospital outbreak in southern Vietnam. The prevalence of CRE was higher among humans that had used antimicrobials within 90 days of the sampling date than those had not (4.2% versus 0.2%) (P = 0.005). All CRE/CRAB strains were MDR, although they were susceptible to colistin and neomycin. The carbapenemase genes identified in study strains were bla NDM and bla OXA. Conclusions: The finding of a CRKP strain clustering with previous hospital outbreak raises concerns about potential transmission of carbapenem-resistant organisms from hospital to community settings or vice-versa.

Nanotechnology-based drug delivery for central nervous system disorders.

Drug delivery to central nervous system (CNS) diseases is very challenging since the presence of the innate blood-brain barrier (BBB) and the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier that impede drug delivery. Among new strategies to overcome these limitations and successfully deliver drugs to the CNS, nanotechnology-based drug delivery platform, offers potential therapeutic approach for the treatment of some common neurological disorders like Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal dementia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease. This review aimed to highlight advances in research on the development of nano-based therapeutics for their implications in therapy of CNS disorders. The challenges during clinical translation of nanomedicine from bench to bed side is also discussed.

Small-scale commercial chicken production: A risky business for farmers in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam.

Small-scale farming of meat chicken flocks using local native breeds contributes to the economy of many rural livelihoods in Vietnam and many other low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). These systems are also the target of high levels of antimicrobial use (AMU); however, little is known about the profitability and sustainability of such systems. Since small-scale farms are commercial enterprises, this knowledge is essential to develop successful strategies to curb excessive AMU. Using longitudinal data from 203 small-scale (100-2,000 heads) native chicken flocks raised in 102 randomly selected farms in Dong Thap province (Mekong Delta, Vietnam), we investigated the financial and economic parameters of such systems and the main constraints to their sustainability. Feed accounted for the largest financial cost (flock median 49.5 % [Inter-quartile range (IQR) 41.5-61.8 %]) of total costs, followed by day-old-chicks (DOCs) (median 30.3 % [IQR 23.2-38.4 %]), non-antimicrobial health-supporting products (median 7.1 % [IQR 4.7-10.5 %]), vaccines (median 3.1 % [IQR 2.2-4.8 %]), equipment (median 1.9 % [IQR 0.0-4.9 %]) and antimicrobials (median 1.9 % [IQR 0.7-3.6 %]). Excluding labor costs, farmers achieved a positive return on investment (ROI) from 120 (59.1 %) flocks, the remainder generating a loss (median ROI 124 % [IQR 36-206 %]). Higher ROI was associated with higher flock size and low mortality. There was no statistical association between use of medicated feed and flock mortality or chicken bodyweight. The median daily income per person dedicated to raising chickens was 202,100 VND, lower than alternative rural labor activities in the Mekong Delta. In a large proportion of farms (33.4 %), farmers decided to stop raising chickens after completing one cycle. Farmers who dropped off chicken production purchased more expensive feed (in 1000 VND per kg): 11.1 [10.6-11.5] vs. 10.8 [10.4-11.3] for farms that continued production (p = 0.039), and experienced higher chicken mortality (28.5 % [12.0-79.0 %] vs. 16 [7.5-33.0 %]; p = 0.004). The rapid turnover of farmers raising chickens in such systems represents a challenge to the uptake of messages on appropriate AMU and chicken health. To ensure sustainability of small-scale commercial systems, advisory services need to be available to farmers as they initiate new flocks, and support them in the early stages to help overcome their limited experience and skills. This targeted approach would support profitability whilst reducing risk of emergence of AMR and infectious disease from these systems.

Long Hemodialysis Duration Predicts Delayed Graft Function in Renal Transplant Recipients From Living Donor: A Single-Center Study.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to determine the ratio of delayed graft function in renal transplant recipients from living donors and the predictive value of hemodialysis time before transplant for delayed graft function. METHODS: We conducted a study on 116 adult patients who were diagnosed with end-stage kidney disease and were treated with hemodialysis and transplanted kidneys from living donors for 2 years (from June 2018 to June 2020). Delayed graft function event was collected for each patient. RESULTS: The recipients had a median age of 36.5 years old, in which 55.2% of them were men, 4.3% of them had the diabetic mellitus, and the median hemodialysis duration was 6 months. The ratio of positive panel-reactive antibody was 33.6% and vascular reconstruction of the donor's kidney was 16.4%. The ratio of delayed graft function was 12.2% (14 of 116 patients). Delayed graft function significantly related to positive panel-reactive antibody, long duration of hemodialysis before transplant, and vascular reconstruction of donor's kidney with P < .001. Duration of hemodialysis before kidney transplant had a predictive value for delayed graft function (area under the curve, 0.83; P < .001). CONCLUSION: Delayed graft function was not rare in renal transplant recipients from living donors. Duration of hemodialysis before kidney transplant was a good predictor for delayed graft function.

Using crime script analysis to understand wildlife poaching in Vietnam.

Poaching can contribute to the failure of biodiversity conservation efforts and inflict diverse harms on human livelihoods. We applied crime script analysis to the case of snare poaching-an illegal hunting activity-in three Vietnamese protected areas. Our goal was to enhance the understanding about the opportunity structure underlying snare poaching to advance the suite of community-based crime prevention activities. We analyzed crime scripts for three types of poachers across nine stages of the poaching process using expert-based elicitation with 13 workshop participants in Vinh, Vietnam, 2018. Five stages were similar, clustered toward the early stages, and two were different, clustered around middle crime stages. Analysis produced systematic crime-specific insight about the procedural aspects and requirements for poaching from preparation to hunt to selling one's catch. Stages identify multiple entry points to apply prevention techniques and match techniques with different types of snare poaching or poachers. Although this research focused on protected areas, the interdisciplinary approach applied herein may be adapted to other conservation contexts.

Correction to: Interleukin 6 is a better predictor of 5-year cardiovascular mortality than high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in hemodialysis patients using reused low-flux dialyzers.

The article "Interleukin 6 is a better predictor of 5-year cardiovascular mortality than high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in hemodialysis patients using reused low-fux dialyzers".

Interleukin 6 is a better predictor of 5-year cardiovascular mortality than high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in hemodialysis patients using reused low-flux dialyzers.

PURPOSE: In this study, we focused on the role of elevated serum interleukin 6 (IL-6) concentration in predicting 5-year cardiovascular mortality in hemodialysis patients using low-flux dialyzer reuse. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We measured serum IL-6 concentrations in 236 hemodialysis patients (138 males and 98 females) to predict 5-year cardiovascular mortality. We assessed the baseline demographics of all patients who had a mean age of 44 years and a median hemodialysis duration of 38.5 months. We divided all patients into two equal groups based on the serum IL-6 concentration: G1 (n = 118) with serum IL-6 concentration < 6.78 pg/L and G2 (n = 118) with serum IL-6 concentration ≥ 6.78 pg/L. RESULTS: After the 5-year follow-up, 45 patients died due to cardiovascular causes (19.1%). Lipid disorder, hemoglobin, serum albumin, ß2-M, and IL-6 concentration were independent risk factors for predicting cardiovascular mortality during the 60-month follow-up in hemodialysis patients. Based on the Kaplan-Meier analysis, we realized that patients with a higher interleukin 6 concentration (G2) had a significantly higher cardiovascular mortality rate than patients in G1 (log-rank test p < 0.001). Serum IL-6 concentration was a better predictor of 5-year cardiovascular mortality than high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in hemodialysis patients using low-flux dialyzer reuse (AUC = 0.818; p < 0.001; cut-off value: 8.055 pg/mL, Se = 77.8%, Sp = 78.5%). CONCLUSION: Serum IL-6 concentration was a better predictor of 5-year cardiovascular mortality than high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in maintenance hemodialysis patients using low-flux dialysis reuse.

Dementia and associated factors among the elderly in Vietnam: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Dementia poses a serious threat to the wellbeing of the elderly. In the context of the rapidly ageing population of Vietnam however, little is known about the prevalence of symptoms and other related factors. This study aims to detect the prevalence of cognitive symptoms of dementia in the elderly in Vietnam as well as other associated factors. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted over a period of six communes at the Northern, Central and Southern region of Vietnam. Prevalence of cognitive symptoms of dementia was the outcome of interest and assessed by Mini Mental State Evaluation (MMSE) questionnaire and was standardized according to the age structure of Vietnam. A total of 3308 adults aged 60 and above were included. Association between having cognitive symptoms of dementia and other factors was assessed with logistic regression. FINDINGS: Cognitive symptoms of dementia were perceived in 46.4% of the sample group. The symptoms were more common among participants who were older, female, had a lower educational level, were not physically active or have previously had stroke. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of cognitive symptoms of dementia in adults aged 60 and above was relatively high in Vietnam. Other modifiable associated factors including physical inactivity and social connectedness should also be considered in designing intervention program to prevent dementia in the future.

Measuring serum beta2-microglobulin to predict long-term mortality in hemodialysis patients using low-flux dialyzer reuse.

PURPOSE: Beta2-microglobulin (ß2-M) is recognized as a surrogate marker relating to the mechanisms of dialysis-associated amyloidosis. Few studies have evaluated the association of serum ß2-M with clinical outcome in hemodialysis patients using high-flux type. However, study on patients using low-flux dialyzer reuse has not been done yet. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Using serum ß2-M level on predicting long-term mortality of hemodialysis patients was examined in 326 prevalent hemodialysis patients (45.59±14.46 years, hemodialysis duration of 47.5 (26-79) months, 186 males and 140 females). The patients were divided into 3 groups with equal number of patients, according to their serum ß2-M levels: group A (n=109, serum ß2-M concentration ≤55.7 mg/L), group B (n=109, serum ß2-M level from 55.8 mg/L to 75.4 mg/L) and group C (n=108, serum ß2-M concentration >75.4 mg/L). RESULTS: During the follow-up period of 5 years, there were 75 all-cause deaths (23.0%). Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that all-cause mortality in the higher ß2-M group was significantly higher compared to that in the lower ß2-M groups (p<0.001). Serum ß2-M level was a significant predictor for all-cause mortality (AUC =0.898; p<0.001; Cut-off value: 74.9 mg/L, Se=93.3%, Sp=92.9%). CONCLUSION: Serum ß2-M levels were a significant predictor of long-term mortality in hemodialysis patients, who use only low-flux dialyzers and reuse 6 times.