Tailoring hierarchical structures in cellulose carbon aerogels from sugarcane bagasse using different crosslinking agents for enhancing electrochemical desalination capability.

Sugarcane bagasse is one of the most common Vietnamese agricultural waste, which possesses a large percentage of cellulose, making it an abundant and environmentally friendly source for the fabrication of cellulose carbon aerogel. Herein, waste sugarcane bagasse was used to synthesize cellulose aerogel using different crosslinking agents such as urea, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and sodium alginate (SA). The 3D porous network of cellulose aerogels was constructed by intermolecular hydrogen bonding, which was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and nitrogen adsorption/desorption. Among the three cellulose aerogel samples, cellulose - SA aerogel (SB-CA-SA) has low density of 0.04 g m-3 and high porosity of 97.38%, leading to high surface area of 497.9 m2 g-1 with 55.67% micropores of activated carbon aerogel (SB-ACCA-SA). The salt adsorption capacity was high (17.87 mg g-1), which can be further enhanced to 31.40 mg g-1 with the addition of CNT. Moreover, the desalination process using the SB-ACCA-SA-CNT electrode was stable even after 50 cycles. The results show the great combination of cellulose from waste sugarcane bagasse with sodium alginate and carbon nanotubes in the fabrication of carbon materials as the CDI-utilized electrodes with high desalination capability and good durability.

Sweet Wormwood and Tortoise Shell Decoction (Thanh Hao Miet Giap Thang) Induces DNA Damage, S-Phase Arrest, and Apoptosis in MCF-7 Cells via ATR-CHK1 Signaling Pathway.

Introduction: Sweet wormwood and tortoise shell decoction, Thanh Hao Miet Giap Thang (THMGT) in Vietnamese, a traditional formula composed of five ingredients, is used in complementary care in Vietnam for patients who underwent conventional cancer treatment. To expand the clinical use and explore novel functions of THMGT, this study was conducted to investigate the effect of THMGT in terms of antiproliferative activity and selective cytotoxicity toward human breast cancer cells MCF-7. Methods: Cytotoxicity of THMGT against human breast cancer cells MCF-7 and primary fibroblasts from a heathy donor were studied using sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay. Flow cytometry analysis, immunofluorescence, and western blotting were also performed to elucidate underlying mechanisms of THMGT action. Results: The SRB assay on treated MCF-7 cells and primary fibroblasts from a heathy donor indicated selective cytotoxicity of THMGT with a selective index of 3.92. Annexin V/PI staining and flow cytometric analysis on stained MCF-7 cells showed that the THMGT-treated cells were arrested at the S phase and subsequently underwent apoptosis. Western blot analysis showed an upregulation of γ-H2AX, increased protein levels of phosphorylated CHK1, TP53, and phosphorylated TP53 in a time-dependent manner, and a downregulated expression of ATR and MDM2. Conclusion: These results suggested DNA damaging effect and ATR-CHK1-mediated cell cycle arrest of THMGT on MCF-7 cells resulting in apoptosis induction.

Single-Port Access Endoscopic Thyroidectomy via Axillary Approach for the Benign Thyroid Tumor: New Aspects from Vietnam.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to describe our new experience with single-port totally endoscopic thyroidectomy via the axillary approach in patients with unilateral thyroid benign tumors. In parallel with that, we also discuss here the challenges and novelty highlights we have confronted and solved and the details of our operative technique. METHODS: Between August 2018 and May 2020, the study involved 54 patients who underwent a single-port single-incision endoscopic thyroidectomy via the axillary approach for benign thyroid tumor at the National Hospital of Endocrinology (Hanoi, Vietnam). Surgical patient indications were in working age, goiter classification of grade 1 or grade 2, the thyroid with mononuclear or multinucleated, lesion diameter of less than 4 cm, unilateral thyroid benign lesion and no previous history of neck surgery or irradiation. RESULTS: No mortality was observed. Morbidities included transient voice change in 8 patients, swallowing disorders in 2 patients, transient skin paresthesia in 2 patients and wound hematoma in 2 patients. Mean amount of postoperative drainage was 70.2 mL, mean duration of postoperative drainage was 2.7 days, and mean postoperative hospital day was 6.6 days. Mean total operation time was 66.0 minutes and mean blood loss was 13.3 mL. Regarding medium-term follow-up outcomes following surgery, we recorded the hypothyroidism in 3 patients (5.6%) and the hypocalcemia in 1 case (1.8%). Most patients felt normal neck movement and sensation (79.6%), 3 patients were painful (5.6%) and 8 those were numb (14.8%). We saw the soft incision scar in 35 patients (64.8%), convex scar in 14 patients (25.9%), and hard scar in 5 patients (9.3%). CONCLUSION: Single-port endoscopic thyroidectomy via axillary approach is a safe and feasible treatment option for removing benign thyroid tumor, delivering favorable surgical outcomes with ideal cosmetic effect and reduction in injury to the anterior neck tissue.

Presence of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Related Gene Mutations and Clinical Manifestations in Vietnamese Patients With Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is associated primarily with pathogenic mutations in sarcomeric genes. The aim of this study was to identify the prevalence and distribution of disease-causing mutations in HCM-associated genes and the genotype-phenotype relationship in Vietnamese patients with HCM.Methods and Results:Genetic testing was performed by next-generation sequencing in 104 unrelated probands for 23 HCM-related genes and in 57 family members for the mutation(s) detected. Clinical manifestations were recorded for genotype-phenotype correlation analysis. Mutation detection rate was 43.4%. Mutations inMYBPC3accounted for 38.6%, followed byTPM1(20.5%),MYH7(18.2%),TNNT2(9.1%),TNNI3(4.5%) andMYL2(2.3%). A mutation inGLAassociated with Fabry disease was found in 1 patient. A mutation inTPM1(c.842T>C, p.Met281Thr) was identified in 8 unrelated probands (18.2%) and 8 family members from 5 probands. Genotype-positive status related toMYH7,TPM1, andTNNT2mutations was associated with severe clinical manifestations.MYH7-positive patients displayed worse prognosis compared withMYBPC3-positive patients. Interestingly,TPM1c.842T>C mutation was associated with high penetrance and severe HCM phenotype. CONCLUSIONS: We report for the first time the prevalence of HCM-related gene variants in Vietnamese patients with HCM.MYH7,TPM1, andTNNT2mutations were associated with unfavorable prognosis.