Evaluating compliance with the care standard of proactively assessing bone health in patients with diabetes: a pilot audit of practice across Asia by the Asia Pacific Consortium on Osteoporosis (APCO).

This pilot audit explored how bone health is assessed patients with diabetes in diverse centres across Asia. Only 343 of 1092 (31%) audited patients had a bone health assessment, 27% of whom were diagnosed with osteoporosis. Quality improvement strategies are needed to address gaps in patient care in this area. PURPOSE: The Asia Pacific Consortium on Osteoporosis (APCO) Framework outlines clinical standards for assessing and managing osteoporosis. A pilot audit evaluated adherence to clinical standard 4, which states that bone health should be assessed in patients with conditions associated with bone loss and/or increased fracture risk; this report summarises the audit findings in patients with diabetes. A secondary aim was to assess the practicality and real-world use of the APCO bone health audit tool kit. METHODS: Eight centres across Asia participated in the pilot audit, selecting diabetes as the target group. Participants reviewed their practice records for at least 20 consecutively treated patients with the target condition. Questions covered routine investigations, bone health assessment, osteoporosis diagnosis, and patient referral pathways. Data were summarised descriptively. RESULTS: The participants represented public hospitals, university medical centres, and private clinics from India, Malaysia, Pakistan, Singapore, Taiwan, and Vietnam that see an estimated total of 95,000 patients with diabetes per year. Overall, only 343 of 1092 audited patients (31%) had a bone health assessment. Osteoporosis was subsequently diagnosed in 92 of 343 (27%) patients. CONCLUSION: Bone health was not assessed in most patients with diabetes. The results provide insight into current practices across diverse Asian centres and demonstrate the practical value of the audit tool kit. Participant feedback has been used to improve the tool kit. Results of this pilot audit are being used in the respective centres to inform quality improvement projects needed to overcome the gap in patient care.

Improving mental health following multiple disasters in Australia: a randomized controlled trial of the Skills for Life Adjustment and Resilience (SOLAR) programme.

Background: The mental health impacts of climate change-related disasters are significant. However, access to mental health services is often limited by the availability of trained clinicians. Although building local community capability for the mental health response is often prioritised in policy settings, the lack of evidence-based programs is problematic. The aim of this study was to test the efficacy of the Skills for Life Adjustment and Resilience programme (SOLAR) delivered by trained local community members following compound disasters (drought, wildfires, pandemic-related lockdowns) in Australia.Method: Thirty-six community members were trained to deliver the SOLAR programme, a skills-based, trauma informed, psychosocial programme. Sixty-six people with anxiety, depression and/or posttraumatic stress symptoms, and impairment were randomised into the SOLAR programme or a Self-Help condition. They were assessed pre, post and two months following the interventions. The SOLAR programme was delivered across five 1-hourly sessions (either face to face or virtually). Those in the Self-Help condition received weekly emails with self-help information including links to online educational videos.Results: Multigroup analyses indicated that participants in the SOLAR condition experienced significantly lower levels of anxiety and depression, and PTSD symptom severity between pre - and post-intervention (T1 to T2), relative to the Self-Help condition, while controlling for scores at intake. These differences were not statistically different at follow-up. The SOLAR programme was associated with large effect size improvements in posttraumatic stress symptoms over time.Conclusion: The SOLAR programme was effective in improving anxiety, depression and posttraumatic stress symptoms over time. However, by follow-up the size of the effect was similar to an active self-help condition. Given the ongoing stressors in the community associated with compounding disasters it may be that booster sessions would have been useful to sustain programme impact.Trial registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry identifier: ACTRN12621000283875..

We tested the efficacy of a brief, skills-based psychosocial programme under randomised controlled conditions following compound disasters.The SOLAR programme was associated with improvements in anxiety, depression and posttraumatic stress symptoms across time.The SOLAR programme may benefit from booster sessions especially where there are ongoing impacts of disaster.

Suboptimal Dosing of Benzodiazepines and Levetiracetam in a Cohort of Status Epilepticus Patients and Outcomes Associated with Inadequate Dosing.

Background: Status epilepticus (SE) is a neurologic emergency that can result in serious morbidity and mortality. Recent studies have suggested underdosing of both benzodiazepines (BZDs) and antiseizure medications (ASM) which may result in poorer outcomes. Objectives: This study aims to determine the dose of BZDs and levetiracetam given in our emergency department for episodes of SE and determine the outcomes associated with this dosing. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all adult patients with SE admitted to our hospital from 2017 to 2020. We collected demographic data, type of SE, dose of BZD and levetiracetam, and outcomes which included mortality and a calculated Glasgow outcome scale (GOS). We compared outcomes of patients with SE who received adequate dosing (according to practice guidelines) to those who did not. Results: 111 adult patients were included of whom 91% were seen initially in our emergency department. 75% had convulsive SE on presentation. Approximately 55% and 68% of patients did not receive an appropriate dose of BZD or levetiracetam, respectively. Inadequate dosing of BZD was associated with worse clinical outcomes based on GOS (43.6% favorable outcome vs 62.5% with adequate dosing P = .046 (95% CI, 1.01-4.60)) and inadequate dosing of both drugs was also associated with a worse GOS outcome (HR, 2.91 (95% CI, 1.05-9.67, P = .02). No difference was found in length of stay or mortality alone. Conclusion: Our study found inadequate dosing of drugs to treat SE in adults was common in our institution and was associated with worse outcomes.

Severe imported malaria involving hyperparasitemia (≥ 10%) in non-immune children: Assessment of French practices.

BACKGROUND: Plasmodium falciparum hyperparasitemia (over or equal to 10%), isolated or associated with other severity criteria, should be managed in a pediatric intensive care unit according to the French pediatric guidelines. The main objective of our study was to describe the management and course of these special cases. POPULATION AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study in eight French hospital facilities from January 2007 to December 2014. We reviewed the management of non-immune children aged 0-15 years, assessing the following: clinical and paraclinical data, type of care unit, treatment initiated, initial and long-term course. Data were analyzed for the whole population and for two groups according to the place of first-line management: group A (in pediatric intensive care unit), and group B (other places). RESULTS: A total of 61 children were included, 14 (23%) of whom were initially admitted to the intensive care unit (group A), all with neurological or hemodynamic disorders. Only 23 children (38%) overall received intravenous antimalarial treatment and the other patients received exclusively oral treatment. No deaths were reported. Median parasitemia was comparable in the two groups. In group B (n = 47/61, 77%), isolated hyperparasitemia, jaundice, and renal failure were predominant. The children who underwent initial intravenous treatment (n = 5/47, 11%) all progressed favorably, as did 92% of the children who received oral treatment (n = 42/47, 89%). CONCLUSION: A majority of children with Plasmodium falciparum hyperparasitemia were managed outside the pediatric intensive care unit via the oral route, against the French pediatric guidelines except when neurologic or hemodynamic disorders were present. Initial clinical evaluation and hospital supervision are essential for the best management of these patients.

HDAC3 Activity within the Nucleus Accumbens Regulates Cocaine-Induced Plasticity and Behavior in a Cell-Type-Specific Manner.

Epigenetic mechanisms regulate processes of neuroplasticity critical to cocaine-induced behaviors. This includes the Class I histone deacetylase (HDAC) HDAC3, known to act as a negative regulator of cocaine-associated memory formation within the nucleus accumbens (NAc). Despite this, it remains unknown how cocaine alters HDAC3-dependent mechanisms. Here, we profiled HDAC3 expression and activity in total NAc mouse tissue following cocaine exposure. Although chronic cocaine did not affect expression of Hdac3 within the NAc, chronic cocaine did affect promoter-specific changes in HDAC3 and H4K8Ac occupancy. These changes in promoter occupancy correlated with cocaine-induced changes in expression of plasticity-related genes. To causally determine whether cocaine-induced plasticity is mediated by HDAC3's deacetylase activity, we overexpressed a deacetylase-dead HDAC3 point mutant (HDAC3-Y298H-v5) within the NAc of adult male mice. We found that disrupting HDAC3's enzymatic activity altered selective changes in gene expression and synaptic plasticity following cocaine exposure, despite having no effects on cocaine-induced behaviors. In further assessing HDAC3's role within the NAc, we observed that chronic cocaine increases Hdac3 expression in Drd1 but not Drd2-cells of the NAc. Moreover, we discovered that HDAC3 acts selectively within D1R cell-types to regulate cocaine-associated memory formation and cocaine-seeking. Overall, these results suggest that cocaine induces cell-type-specific changes in epigenetic mechanisms to promote plasticity important for driving cocaine-related behaviors.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Drugs of abuse alter molecular mechanisms throughout the reward circuitry that can lead to persistent drug-associated behaviors. Epigenetic regulators are critical drivers of drug-induced changes in gene expression. Here, we demonstrate that the activity of an epigenetic enzyme promotes neuroplasticity within the nucleus accumbens (NAc) critical to cocaine action. In addition, we demonstrate that these changes in epigenetic activity drive cocaine-seeking behaviors in a cell-type-specific manner. These findings are key in understanding and targeting cocaine's impact of neural circuitry and behavior.

Lack of potential carcinogenicity for sucralose - Systematic evaluation and integration of mechanistic data into the totality of the evidence.

Sucralose is widely used as a sugar substitute. Many studies and authoritative reviews have concluded that sucralose is non-carcinogenic, based primarily on animal cancer bioassays and genotoxicity data. To add to the body of knowledge on the potential carcinogenicity of sucralose, a systematic assessment of mechanistic data was conducted. This entailed using a framework developed for the quantitative integration of data related to the proposed key characteristics of carcinogens (KCCs). Data from peer-reviewed literature and the ToxCast/Tox21 database were evaluated using an algorithm that weights data for quality and relevance. The resulting integration demonstrated an overall lack of activity for sucralose across the KCCs, with no "strong" activity observed for any KCC. Almost all data collected demonstrated inactivity, including those conducted in human models. The overall lack of activity in mechanistic data is consistent with findings from animal cancer bioassays. The few instances of activity across the KCC were generally accompanied by limitations in study design in the context of either quality and/or dose and model relevance, highlighted upon integration of the totality of the evidence. The findings from this comprehensive and integrative evaluation of mechanistic data support prior conclusions that sucralose is unlikely to be carcinogenic in humans.

Association between trabecular bone score and type 2 diabetes: a quantitative update of evidence.

Patients with type 2 diabetes have an increased risk of fracture despite having a higher areal bone mineral density. This meta-analysis showed that compared with controls, diabetic patients had a lower trabecular bone score (TBS) than non-diabetic individuals, suggesting that TBS can be a useful measurement for the assessment of fracture risk in diabetic patients. INTRODUCTION: The association between type 2 diabetes and trabecular bone score (TBS) has not been clear. The present study sought to answer the specific question of whether patients with type 2 diabetes have a lower TBS than those without diabetes. METHODS: Using electronic and manual search, we identified 12 studies that had examined the association between type 2 diabetes and TBS between 2013 and 2019. These studies involved 35,546 women and 4962 men aged 30 years and older. We extracted the mean and standard deviation of TBS for patients with and without diabetes. The synthesis of effect sizes was done by the random effects meta-analysis model. RESULTS: Patients with diabetes had significantly lower TBS than those without diabetes, with standardized mean difference being - 0.31 (95% CI, - 0.45 to - 0.16). The difference was greater in women (- 0.50; 95% CI, - 0.69 to - 0.32) than in men (- 0.04; 95% CI, - 0.17 to 0.10). Compared with normal individuals, those with prediabetes had significantly lower TBS (d = - 0.13; 95% CI, - 0.23 to - 0.04; P = 0.005). There was heterogeneity between the studies, with the index of inconsistency (I2) ranging from 92% (in women) to 69.5% (in men). CONCLUSION: Patients with type 2 diabetes have a lower TBS than non-diabetic individuals, suggesting that TBS can be a useful measurement for the assessment of fracture risk in diabetic patients.

Venous thromboembolism in IBD: Increased risk for women in CD?

Although coagulation disturbances have been described in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), it remains unclear how common venous thromboembolism (VTE) is in IBD, and what factors influence VTE frequency. We evaluated VTE in Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) at LSUHSC-S, a southern US medical center with an approximately equal White: African-American (AA) (1.12:1) patient base. This retrospective study evaluated VTE as a co-morbidity in IBD as a function of age, gender and race based on ICD-10 coding (2011-2015.) Results. Of 276 IBD diagnostic records, 213 were for CD (77.17%) and 63 for UC (22.8%). 52% of the CD patients were white, 42% were AA, and 6% were other. 42% of CD patients were male, with 58% were female. 6.1% (13 patients) of the 213 CD patients had a VTE. Of these 13 CD patients, 9 had active disease and 4 were in remission. 9 of 13 were female and 4 were male, with 5 white patients and 4 A A patients. 63 patients were diagnosed with UC, 3.38-fold fewer cases than CD. 25 UC patients were white, 25 were AA and 13 were in other ethnic groups. Of 63 UC cases, 2 UC patients had a VTE, both with active disease. At our institution, VTE appears to be 3x more frequently associated with CD than UC and was more common in white female patients. The recognition of VTE risk in CD, particularly in women, may be an important observation which may guide therapy and limit potentially life-threatening consequences.

Impacts of operational conditions on oxygen transfer rate, mixing characteristics and residence time distribution in a pilot scale high rate algal pond.

Different combinations of operational parameters including water level, paddle rotational speed and influent flow rate were applied to investigate their impacts on mixing characteristics, residence time distribution and gas transfer rate in a pilot-scale high rate algal pond. In closed condition, the paddle rotational speed had a positive correlation with the Bodenstein number (Bo), water velocity and oxygen volumetric mass transfer coefficient (kLaO2) while increasing water level generated a negative impact on these parameters, although the impact of water level on water linear velocity was small. The amplification effect of water level and paddle rotational speed on the sensitivity of Bo and kLaO2 should be noticed. Moreover, paddle rotational speed had more impact on kLaO2 than on Bo. The study in open condition indicated that effective volume fraction had a positive correlation with inlet flow rate and negative correlation with paddle rotation, while the opposite was observed in the case of Peclet number. The impact of water level variation on these parameters was unclear. Both water level and paddle rotational speed had negative impacts on the short-circuiting index, while no correlation was observed when varying inlet flow rate. In this study, the optimal operational conditions included low water level (0.1 m) and medium paddle rotational speed (11.6 rpm).

Broadband loop gap resonator for nitrogen vacancy centers in diamond.

We present an S-band tunable loop gap resonator (LGR), which provides strong, homogeneous, and directionally uniform broadband microwave (MW) drive for nitrogen-vacancy (NV) ensembles. With 42 dBm of input power, the composite device provides drive field amplitudes approaching 5 G over a circular area ≳50 mm2 or cylindrical volume ≳250 mm3. The wide 80 MHz device bandwidth allows driving all NV Zeeman resonances for bias magnetic fields below 20 G. The device realizes percent-scale MW drive inhomogeneity; we measure a fractional root-mean-square inhomogeneity σ rms = 1.6% and a peak-to-peak variation σ pp = 3% over a circular area of 11 mm2 and σ rms = 3.2% and σ pp = 10.5% over a larger 32 mm2 circular area. We demonstrate incident MW power coupling to the LGR using two methodologies: a printed circuit board-fabricated exciter antenna for deployed compact bulk sensors and an inductive coupling coil suitable for microscope-style imaging. The inductive coupling coil allows for approximately 2π steradian combined optical access above and below the device, ideal for envisioned and existing NV imaging and bulk sensing applications.

Contribution of bone turnover markers to the variation in bone mineral density: a study in Vietnamese men and women.

The present cross-sectional study constructed reference ranges for bone resorption marker beta isomerized form of C-terminal crosslinking telopeptides of type I collagen (beta-CTX) and bone formation marker procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide (PINP) for the Vietnamese population. We have further shown that for a given age and weight, higher levels of beta-CTX were significantly associated with bone mineral density in men and women. INTRODUCTION: Normal bone is constantly renewed by two opposing processes of resorption and formation which can be reflected by bone turnover markers (BTMs). This study sought to define the contribution of BTMs to the variation in bone mineral density (BMD) in normal individuals. METHODS: The study involved 205 men and 432 women aged between 18 and 87, who were randomly selected from various districts within Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Fasting serum levels of PINP and beta-CTX were determined by electrochemiluminescence (Roche, ECLIA). BMD at the lumbar spine (LS) and femoral neck (FN) was measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (Hologic, Waltham, MA, USA). RESULTS: Among those aged < 50 years, women had lower PINP and beta-CTX levels than men, but among those aged > 50 years, women had higher PINP and beta-CTX levels than men. In the multiple linear regression analysis, beta-CTX-but not PINP-was significantly associated with both femoral neck (P = 0.008) and lumbar spine BMD (P = 0.008) and the association was independent of gender, age, and body weight. The proportion of variance in BMD attributable to beta-CTX was 1% for femoral neck BMD and 2% for lumbar spine BMD. CONCLUSION: The elevation in bone formation marker PINP and bone resorption marker beta-CTX in postmenopausal women was greater than in elderly men. However, only beta-CTX was modestly but significantly associated with BMD.

Type 2 diabetes is associated with higher trabecular bone density but lower cortical bone density: the Vietnam Osteoporosis Study.

It is not clear why type 2 diabetes (T2D) has an increased risk of fracture despite higher areal bone mineral density. This study showed that compared with controls, T2D patients had higher trabecular bone density but lower cortical bone density, resulting in a lower bone strength. INTRODUCTION: To define the association between type 2 diabetes and bone architecture and measures of bone strength. METHODS: The study was part of the Vietnam Osteoporosis Study, in which 1115 women and 614 men aged ≥ 30 were randomly recruited from Ho Chi Minh City. HbA1c levels were measured with analyzers ADAMS™ A1c HA-8160 (Arkray, Kyoto, Japan). The diagnosis of T2D was made if HbA1c was ≥ 6.5%. Trabecular and cortical volumetric bone density (vBMD) was measured in the forearm and leg by a pQCT XCT2000 (Stratec, Germany). Polar stress strain index (pSSI) was derived from the pQCT measurements. Difference in bone parameters between T2D and non-diabetic individuals was assessed by the number of standard deviations (effect size [ES]) by the propensity score analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence of T2D was ~ 8%. The results of propensity score matching for age, sex, and body mass index in 137 pairs of diabetic and non-diabetic individuals showed that T2D patients had significantly higher distal radius trabecular vBMD (ES 0.26; 95% CI, 0.02 to 0.50), but lower cortical vBMD (ES - 0.22; - 0.46 to 0.00) and reduced pSSI (ES - 0.23; - 0.47 to - 0.02) compared with non-diabetic individuals. Multiple linear regression analysis based on the entire sample confirmed the results of the propensity score analysis. CONCLUSION: Compared with non-diabetic individuals, patients with T2D have greater trabecular but lower cortical vBMD which leads to lower bone strength.

Sensing Coherent Dynamics of Electronic Spin Clusters in Solids.

We observe coherent spin exchange between identical electronic spins in the solid state, a key step towards full quantum control of electronic spin registers in room temperature solids. In a diamond substrate, a single nitrogen vacancy (NV) center coherently couples to two adjacent S=1/2 dark electron spins via the magnetic dipolar interaction. We quantify NV-electron and electron-electron couplings via detailed spectroscopy, with good agreement to a model of strongly interacting spins. The electron-electron coupling enables an observation of coherent flip-flop dynamics between electronic spins in the solid state, which occur conditionally on the state of the NV. Finally, as a demonstration of coherent control, we selectively couple and transfer polarization between the NV and the pair of electron spins. Our observations enable the realization of fast quantum gate operations and quantum state transfer in a scalable, room temperature, quantum processor.

Trade patterns facilitating highly pathogenic avian influenza virus dissemination in the free-grazing layer duck system in Vietnam.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses continue to threaten smallholder poultry producers in several South-east Asian countries, including Vietnam. In particular, the free-grazing duck system has been repeatedly highlighted as a major risk factor for HPAI outbreaks. Free-grazing ducks, which scavenge on rice paddies after the harvest, account for a large proportion of the duck population in Vietnam and the wider South-east Asian region. However, the structure and dynamics of the free-grazing duck production from farm to consumption has not been described for Vietnam. In this study, we used a value chain approach to provide a complete picture of the actors involved in the production and marketing of free-grazing duck eggs and spent layer ducks, as well as to investigate the governance structure of this food system. Group interviews and key informant interviews were conducted in two provinces located in the Mekong River Delta (MRD) and the Red River Delta (RRD). The results presented here highlight similarities and differences in farming and trade practices between the two provinces. The trade of spent layer ducks involved large volumes of live ducks being sent to China and Cambodia for consumption, generating a substantial risk of transboundary spread of pathogens, including HPAI viruses. We describe the major role of "duck yards", which act as hubs in the northbound trade of spent layer ducks. These yards should be considered as essential links in the value chain of spent layer ducks when considering HPAI surveillance and control. The veterinary authorities are only marginally involved in the value chain activities, and their influence could be strengthened by increasing surveillance activities for instance in duck yards. Last, we discuss the dynamics of the duck value chain and further implications for future HPAI management policies.

PLANET TOPERS: Planets, Tracing the Transfer, Origin, Preservation, and Evolution of their ReservoirS.

The Interuniversity Attraction Pole (IAP) 'PLANET TOPERS' (Planets: Tracing the Transfer, Origin, Preservation, and Evolution of their Reservoirs) addresses the fundamental understanding of the thermal and compositional evolution of the different reservoirs of planetary bodies (core, mantle, crust, atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, and space) considering interactions and feedback mechanisms. Here we present the first results after 2 years of project work.

Health-related quality of life after stroke: reliability and validity of the Duke Health Profile for use in Vietnam.

INTRODUCTION: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is commonly used to assess outcomes after stroke. The Duke Health Profile (DHP) has been translated and culturally adapted for use in Vietnam, but its reliability and validity for use with stroke patients in Vietnam or elsewhere have not been assessed. METHODS: First-ever stroke patients (n = 108) who were admitted to 115 People's Hospital between February and September 2012 and survived for 3 months after stroke had HRQoL assessed using the DHP and a comparison instrument (EQ-5D). Caregivers of 94 patients completed these questionnaires as a proxy. After 1 week, these questionnaires were re-administered to patients and proxies. RESULTS: The mean differences between test and retest assessments of HRQoL by patients were small and not clinically meaningful and were not consistently associated with sex, age, type of stroke or severity of impairment or disability. Direct assessments by the patient were on average greater than those obtained from the proxy. The ICCs ranged from 0.60 to 0.86 (patient test-retest) and from 0.55 to 0.98 (patient-proxy agreement). The ICCs were greatest for physical functioning components (patient test-retest 0.63-0.86, patient-proxy 0.69-0.98). The correlations between the DHP dimensions and EQ-5D were generally stronger when they measured similar constructs (r = 0.53-0.66) and were lower for less related constructs (r = 0.11-0.43). CONCLUSION: The DHP has moderate reliability and validity for use with stroke patients in Vietnam even when information is obtained from proxy respondents.

Extension of polyphenolics by CWPO-C peroxidase mutant containing radical-robust surface active site.

Expressed as insoluble forms in Escherichia coli, native cationic cell wall peroxidase (CWPO-C) from the poplar tree and mutant variants were successfully reactivated via refolding experiments and used to elucidate the previously presumed existence of an electron transfer (ET) pathway in the CWPO-C structure. Their catalytic properties were fully characterized through various analyses including steady-state kinetic, direct oxidation of lignin macromolecules and their respective stabilities during the polymerization reactions. The analysis results proved that the 74th residue on the CWPO-C surface plays an important role in catalyzing the macromolecules via supposed ET mechanism. By comparing the residual activities of wild-type CWPO-C and mutant 74W CWPO-C after 3 min, mutation of tyrosine 74 residue to tryptophan increased the radical resistance of peroxidase up to ten times dramatically while maintaining its capability to oxidize lignin macromolecules. Furthermore, extension of poly(catechin) as well as lignin macromolecules with CWPO-C Y74W mutant clearly showed that this radical-resistant peroxidase mutant can increase the molecular weight of various kinds of polyphenolics by using surface-located active site. The anti-oxidation activity of the synthesized poly(catechin) was confirmed by xanthine oxidase assay. The elucidation of a uniquely catalytic mechanism in CWPO-C may improve the applicability of the peroxidase/H2O2 catalyst to green polymer chemistry.

Molecular genetic diversity and genetic structure of Vietnamese indigenous pig populations.

The study characterized genetic diversity and genetic structure of five indigenous pig populations (Ha Lang, Muong Te, Mong Cai, Lung and Lung Pu), two wild pig populations (Vietnamese and Thai wild pigs) and an exotic pig breed (Yorkshire) using FAO/ISAG recommended 16 microsatellite markers in 236 samples. All estimated loci were very polymorphic indicated by high values of polymorphism information content (from 0.76 in S0225 to 0.92 in Sw2410). Indigenous populations had very high level of genetic diversity (mean He = 0.75); of all indigenous breeds, Lung Pu showed highest mean number of alleles (MNA = 10.1), gene diversity (He = 0.82), allele richness (5.33) and number of private alleles (10). Thirteen percentage of the total genetic variation observed was due to differences among populations. The neighbour-joining dendrogram obtained from Nei's standard genetic distance differentiated eight populations into four groups including Yorkshire, two wild populations, Mong Cai population and a group of four other indigenous populations. The Bayesian clustering with the admixture model implemented in Structure 2.1 indicated seven possible homogenous clusters among eight populations. From 79% (Ha Lang) to 98% (Mong Cai). individuals in indigenous pigs were assigned to their own populations. The results confirmed high level of genetic diversity and shed a new light on genetic structure of Vietnam indigenous pig populations.

Mechanisms of neurovascular dysfunction in acute ischemic brain.

The neurovascular unit is now well accepted as a conceptual framework for investigating the mechanisms of ischemic stroke. From a molecular and cellular perspective, three broad mechanisms may underlie stroke pathophysiology--excitotoxicity, oxidative stress and inflammation. To date, however, most investigations of these basic mechanisms have focused on neuronal responses. In this mini-review, we ask whether these mechanisms of excitotoxicity, oxidative stress and inflammation can also be examined in terms of non-neuronal interactions in the neurovascular unit, including the release of extracellular vesicles for cell-cell signaling.