Preparation and characterization of the injectable pH- and temperature-sensitive pentablock hydrogel containing human growth hormone-loaded chitosan nanoparticles via electrospraying.

This research investigated the in vivo gelation, biodegradation, and drug release efficiency of a novel injectable sensitive drug delivery system for human growth hormone (HGh). This composite system comprises pH- and temperature-sensitive hydrogel, designated as oligomer serine-b-poly(lactide)-b-poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(lactide)-b-oligomer serine (OS-PLA-PEG-PLA-OS) pentablock copolymer, as matrix and electrosprayed HGh-loaded chitosan (HGh@CS) nanoparticles (NPs) as principal material. The proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum of the pH- and temperature-sensitive OS-PLA-PEG-PLA-OS pentablock copolymer hydrogel proved that this copolymer was successfully synthesized. The HGh was encapsulated in chitosan (CS) NPs by an electrospraying system in acetic acid with appropriate granulation parameters. The scanning electron microscopy images and size distribution showed that the HGh@CS NPs formed had an average diameter of 366.1 ± 214.5 nm with a discrete spherical shape and dispersed morphology. The sol-gel transition of complex gel based on HGh@CS NPs and OS-PLA-PEG-PLA-OS pentablock hydrogel was investigated at 15 °C and pH 7.8 in the sol state and gelled at 37 °C and pH 7.4, which is suitable for the physiological conditions of the human body. The HGh release experiment of the composite system was performed in an in vivo environment, which demonstrated the ability to release HGh, and underwent biodegradation within 32 days. The findings of the investigation revealed that the distribution of HGh@CS NPs into the hydrogel matrix not only improved the mechanical properties of the gel matrix but also controlled the drug release kinetics into the systematic bloodstream, which ultimately promotes the desired therapeutic body growth depending on the distinct concentration used.

Hierarchically porous and single Zn atom-embedded carbon molecular sieves for H2 separations.

Hierarchically porous materials containing sub-nm ultramicropores with molecular sieving abilities and microcavities with high gas diffusivity may realize energy-efficient membranes for gas separations. However, rationally designing and constructing such pores into large-area membranes enabling efficient H2 separations remains challenging. Here, we report the synthesis and utilization of hybrid carbon molecular sieve membranes with well-controlled nano- and micro-pores and single zinc atoms and clusters well-dispersed inside the nanopores via the carbonization of supramolecular mixed matrix materials containing amorphous and crystalline zeolitic imidazolate frameworks. Carbonization temperature is used to fine-tune pore sizes, achieving ultrahigh selectivity for H2/CO2 (130), H2/CH4 (2900), H2/N2 (880), and H2/C2H6 (7900) with stability against water vapor and physical aging during a continuous 120-h test.

What Do We Know About the Influence of Believers' Religiosity on Happiness and Gratitude? - A Perspective for Clinical Practice.

Introduction: The recognition of religion's significance in mental health has led to several scientific advances in diagnosis or treatment. In contrast, Vietnam is a multi-religious Southeast Asian country with a large number of believers, but there is almost no research addressing the impact of religiosity among Vietnamese believers on mental health concerns such as depression, happiness, and gratitude. Participants and Methods: Our cross-sectional study was focused on Vietnamese believers (N = 374), surveyed directly at different religious facilities in Vietnam. The present study was evaluated utilizing the partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) methodology. Results: The primary findings of the study indicate that (i) age was found to positively moderate the association between intrinsic religiosity and gratitude (ß = 0.191, 95% CI [0.116, 0.277], p < 0.001); (ii) Intrinsic religiosity has a positive influence on depression-happiness scale (ß = 0.276, 95% CI [0.168, 0.373], p < 0.001) and gratitude (ß = 0.337, 95% CI [0.205, 0.466], p < 0.001); Moreover, (iii) gratitude has a positive influence on depression-happiness scale (ß = 0.381, 95% CI [0.280, 0.491], p < 0.001); Finally, (iv) the study revealed that gratitude mediates the relationship between intrinsic religiosity and depression-happiness scale (ß = 0.128, 95% CI [0.071, 0.197], p < 0.001). Discussion: The findings of this study suggest that gratitude could potentially play a significant role in comprehending the association between religiosity and the levels of depression and happiness experienced by religious individuals in Vietnam.

Exploring Clinical Remission in Moderate Asthma - Perspectives from Asia, the Middle East, and South America.

INTRODUCTION: Clinical remission is a relatively new concept in asthma but recent research initiatives suggest it could be an ambitious and achievable therapeutic target for patients with asthma. METHODS: In this modified Delphi study (comprising two online surveys, completed either side of a virtual scientific workshop), the opinions of a panel of respiratory physicians were evaluated to summarize perspective statements on key therapeutic outcomes and criteria for on-treatment clinical remission in patients with moderate asthma. An agreement threshold was pre-defined as agreement by ≥ 75% of participants. RESULTS: Surveys 1 and 2 were completed by 20 and 18 participants, respectively. Most participants (95%) agreed with the concept of clinical remission in moderate asthma and that this should be a desirable treatment goal (90%). Based on a composite measure of 4-6 desirable therapeutic outcomes, current understanding of clinical remission was considered as 12 months with no exacerbations, no oral corticosteroids, no daytime or night-time asthma symptoms (Asthma Control Test score ≥ 20 or Asthma Control Questionnaire score ≤ 0.75), stable lung function, and no treatment-related adverse events. No agreement was reached on the role of relievers in defining therapeutic outcomes or on the wider use of biomarkers and airway hyperresponsiveness for defining asthma remission in clinical practice. CONCLUSIONS: In line with recent consensus statements from the United States and Europe, there was a high level of agreement on the elements of clinical remission among a panel of respiratory physicians from Asia, the Middle East, and South America. Extension of the concept of clinical remission to patients with moderate asthma was considered aligned with the potential of clinical remission as a goal of therapy.

Sleep Disorders in Patients with Severe COVID-19 Treated in the Intensive Care Unit: A Real-Life Descriptive Study in Vietnam.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients with sleep disorders may be at greater risk for respiratory exacerbation or death compared to those without. After being infected with COVID-19, patients have many symptoms related to sleep disorders, especially those with severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. This study aimed to evaluate sleep disturbances in patients with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection who were treated in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). METHODS: This cross-sectional study used the questionnaire provided by the Vietnam Sleep Disorder Study (ViSDiS) research, elaborated by the Vietnam Society of Sleep Medicine (VSSM). Seventy-seven COVID-19 patients were included. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in sleep status before and after SARS-CoV-2 infection among participants. Up to 83% of them reported experiencing insomnia after illness, 60% reported having frequent nightmares, and more than half of participants reported nocturia (p < 0.0001). More than 81.8% of patients with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection were unsatisfied with their sleep quality during hospitalization After SARS-CoV-2 infection, only 2.6% of participants felt they had good quality sleep (p < 0.0001). The majority of patients suffered from fatigue after SARS-CoV-2 infection, including a lack of energy, feeling heaviness in their limbs, aggravation of pre-existing sleep disorders, idleness, constant fatigue throughout the day, and difficulty concentrating. CONCLUSION: Sleep problems are highly prevalence among hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19 in the ICU. Healthcare providers should pay attention to sleep problems and their associated symptoms to initiate appropriate treatment to improve severe COVID-19 patients' health status and minimize the risk of death.

Assessing Weak Anion Binding to Small Peptides.

Since Hofmeister's seminal studies in the late 19th century, it has been known that salts and buffers can drastically affect the properties of peptides and proteins. These Hofmeister effects can be conceived of in terms of three distinct phenomena/mechanisms: water-salt interactions that indirectly induce the salting-out of a protein by water sequestration by the salt, and direct salt-protein interactions that can either salt-in or salt-out the protein. Unfortunately, direct salt-protein interactions responsible for Hofmeister effects are weak and difficult to quantify. As such, they are frequently construed of as being nonspecific. Nevertheless, there has been considerable effort to better specify these interactions. Here, we use pentapeptides to demonstrate the utility of the H-dimension of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to assess anion binding using N-H signal shifts. We qualify binding using these, demonstrating the upfield shifts induced by anion association and revealing how they are much larger than the corresponding downfield shifts induced by magnetic susceptibility and other ionic strength change effects. We also qualify binding in terms of how the pattern of signal shifts changes with point mutations. In general, we find that the observed upfield shifts are small compared with those induced by anion binding to amide-based hosts, and MD simulations suggest that this is so. Thus, charge-diffuse anions associate mostly with the nonpolar regions of the peptide rather than directly interacting with the amide N-H groups. These findings reveal the utility of 1H NMR spectroscopy for qualifying affinity to peptides─even when affinity constants are very low─and serve as a benchmark for using NMR spectroscopy to study anion binding to more complex systems.

Scalable and Highly Porous Membrane Adsorbents for Direct Air Capture of CO2.

Direct air capture (DAC) of CO2 is a carbon-negative technology to mitigate carbon emissions, and it requires low-cost sorbents with high CO2 sorption capacity that can be easily manufactured on a large scale. In this work, we develop highly porous membrane adsorbents comprising branched polyethylenimine (PEI) impregnated in low-cost, porous Solupor supports. The effect of the PEI molecular mass and loading on the physical properties of the adsorbents is evaluated, including porosity, degradation temperature, glass transition temperature, and CO2 permeance. CO2 capture from simulated air containing 400 ppm of CO2 in these sorbents is thoroughly investigated as a function of temperature and relative humidity (RH). Polymer dynamics was examined using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and broadband dielectric spectroscopy (BDS), showing that CO2 sorption is limited by its diffusion in these PEI-based sorbents. A membrane adsorbent containing 48 mass% PEI (800 Da) with a porosity of 72% exhibits a CO2 sorption capacity of 1.2 mmol/g at 25 °C and RH of 30%, comparable to the state-of-the-art adsorbents. Multicycles of sorption and desorption were performed to determine their regenerability, stability, and potential for practical applications.

Organophosphate Pesticide Exposure: Effect on Farmers' Sperm Quality in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam.

OBJECTIVES: Using pesticides in the An Giang province is widespread. However, studies on the health effect of organophosphate pesticide have not been updated within the past 12 years. This study aimed to assess exposure to organophosphate pesticides and their effects on sperm quality among farmers in the An Giang Province, Mekong Delta, Vietnam. METHODS: During the winter - spring crop season of December 2021 to February 2022, a cross-sectional study was conducted on farmers aged 18 to 60 years-old based on seven communes' health checkup programs. The pesticide spray group included farmers who had sprayed pesticides in the previous week and had a history of working in agriculture for more than 2 years. The control group was defined as those who lived in the same community, had not worked in agriculture, and had never sprayed pesticides. Demographic characteristics and blood, urine, and semen samples were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Data for 184 eligible participants were analyzed, including 116 farmers in the pesticide spray group and 68 non-farmers in the control group. Pesticide spray contributed to a decrease in the sperm quality index of 6.253 units (95% CI, 4.472-8.749). Increasing each pseudocholinesterase (PChE) unit (kIU/L) was associated with an increase of 1.181 units in the sperm quality index (95% CI, 0.757-0.947). CONCLUSIONS: Preventive methods for organophosphate pesticide exposure, such as administrative controls, engineering controls, substitution, and personal protective equipment should be applied to control health risks. In the An Giang setting, personal protective equipment is feasible, but most types of equipment are not used. The immediate priority is to determine the cause of personal protective equipment not being used and to find solutions to encourage people to use them.

Anion Binding to Ammonium and Guanidinium Hosts: Implications for the Reverse Hofmeister Effects Induced by Lysine and Arginine Residues.

Anions have a profound effect on the properties of soluble proteins. Such Hofmeister effects have implications in biologics stability, protein aggregation, amyloidogenesis, and crystallization. However, the interplay between the important noncovalent interactions (NCIs) responsible for Hofmeister effects is poorly understood. To contribute to improving this state of affairs, we report on the NCIs between anions and ammonium and guanidinium hosts 1 and 2, and the consequences of these. Specifically, we investigate the properties of cavitands designed to mimic two prime residues for anion-protein NCIs─lysines and arginines─and the solubility consequences of complex formation. Thus, we report NMR and ITC affinity studies, X-ray analysis, MD simulations, and anion-induced critical precipitation concentrations. Our findings emphasize the multitude of NCIs that guanidiniums can form and how this repertoire qualitatively surpasses that of ammoniums. Additionally, our studies demonstrate the ease by which anions can dispense with a fraction of their hydration-shell waters, rearrange those that remain, and form direct NCIs with the hosts. This raises many questions concerning how solvent shell plasticity varies as a function of anion, how the energetics of this impact the different NCIs between anions and ammoniums/guanidiniums, and how this affects the aggregation of solutes at high anion concentrations.

Applications of engineered biochar in remediation of heavy metal(loid)s pollution from wastewater: Current perspectives toward sustainable development goals.

Environmental pollution of heavy metal(loid)s (HMs) caused adverse impacts, has become one of the emerging concerns and challenges worldwide. Metal(loid)s can pose significant threats to living organisms even when present in trace levels within environmental matrices. Extended exposure to these substances can lead to adverse health consequences in humans. Removing HM-contaminated water and moving toward sustainable development goals (SDGs) is critical. In this mission, biochar has recently gained attention in the environmental sector as a green and alternative material for wastewater removal. This work provides a comprehensive analysis of the remediation of typical HMs by biochars, associated with an understanding of remediation mechanisms, and gives practical solutions for ecologically sustainable. Applying engineered biochar in various fields, especially with nanoscale biochar-aided wastewater treatment approaches, can eliminate hazardous metal(loid) contaminants, highlighting an environmentally friendly and low-cost method. Surface modification of engineered biochar with nanomaterials is a potential strategy that positively influences its sorption capacity to remove contaminants. The research findings highlighted the biochars' ability to adsorb HM ions based on increased specific surface area (SSA), heightened porosity, and forming inner-sphere complexes with oxygen-rich groups. Utilizing biochar modification emerged as a viable approach for addressing lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), mercury (Hg), and chromium (Cr) pollution in aqueous environments. Most biochars investigated demonstrated a removal efficiency >90 % (Cd, As, Hg) and can reach an impressive 99 % (Pb and Cr). Furthermore, biochar and advanced engineered applications are also considered alternative solutions based on the circular economy.

Polyphenol Contents, Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and Antibacterial Activity of Methanol Extract and Fractions of Sonneratia Caseolaris Fruits from Ben Tre Province in Vietnam.

Plants contain a large number of phytochemical components, many of which are known as bioactive compounds and responsible for the expression of various pharmacological activities. The extract of Sonneratia caseolaris fruit collected in Vietnam was investigated for its total phenolic and total flavonoid contents using methanol solvent and different fractions of S. caseolaris fruits (hexane, ethyl acetate, n-butanol, and aqueous). GC-MS analysis was conducted to identify the bioactive chemical constituents occurring in the active extract. Further, the antibacterial activity was tested in vitro on bacterial isolates, namely Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus subtilis, using the disc diffusion method on tryptic soya agar (TSA) medium. The methanol extract showed high total flavonoid (82.3 ± 0.41 mg QE/g extract) and phenolic (41.0 ± 0.34 mg GAE/g extract) content. GC-MS of the methanol extract and different fractions of S. caseolaris fruits detected 20 compounds, principally fatty alcohols, fatty acids, phenols, lipids, terpenes derivatives, and carboxylic acids derivatives. A 50 mg/ml concentration of methanol extract had the strongest antibacterial activity on E. coli, S. aureus, and B. subtilis. Furthermore, ethyl acetate, aqueous, and n-butanol fractions inhibited S. aureus and B. subtilis the most. The results of the present study suggested that the fruits of S. caseolaris are rich sources of phenolic compounds that can contribute to safe and cost-effective treatments.

Fast Ultrasound Scanning is a Rapid, Sensitive, Precise and Cost-Effective Method to Monitor Tumor Grafts in Mice.

In preclinical studies, accurate monitoring of tumor dynamics is crucial for understanding cancer biology and evaluating therapeutic interventions. Traditional methods like caliper measurements and bioluminescence imaging (BLI) have limitations, prompting the need for improved imaging techniques. This study introduces a fast-scan high-frequency ultrasound (HFUS) protocol for the longitudinal assessment of syngeneic breast tumor grafts in mice, comparing its performance with caliper, BLI measurements and with histological analysis. The E0771 mammary gland tumor cell line, engineered to express luciferase, was orthotopically grafted into immunocompetent C57BL/6 mice. Tumor growth was monitored longitudinally at multiple timepoints using caliper measurement, HFUS, and BLI, with the latter two modalities assessed against histopathological standards post-euthanasia. The HFUS protocol was designed for rapid, anesthesia-free scanning, focusing on volume estimation, echogenicity, and necrosis visualization. All mice developed tumors, only 20.6% were palpable at day 4. HFUS detected tumors as small as 2.2 mm in average diameter from day 4 post-implantation, with an average scanning duration of 47 s per mouse. It provided a more accurate volume assessment than caliper, with a lower average bias relative to reference tumor volume. HFUS also revealed tumor necrosis, correlating strongly with BLI in terms of tumor volume and cellularity. Notable discrepancies between HFUS and BLI growth rates were attributed to immune cell infiltration. The fast HFUS protocol enables precise and efficient tumor assessment in preclinical studies, offering significant advantages over traditional methods in terms of speed, accuracy, and animal welfare, aligning with the 3R principle in animal research.

Deep Learning Enables Spatial Mapping of the Mosaic Microenvironment of Myeloma Bone Marrow Trephine Biopsies.

Bone marrow trephine biopsy is crucial for the diagnosis of multiple myeloma. However, the complexity of bone marrow cellular, morphologic, and spatial architecture preserved in trephine samples hinders comprehensive evaluation. To dissect the diverse cellular communities and mosaic tissue habitats, we developed a superpixel-inspired deep learning method (MoSaicNet) that adapts to complex tissue architectures and a cell imbalance aware deep learning pipeline (AwareNet) to enable accurate detection and classification of rare cell types in multiplex immunohistochemistry images. MoSaicNet and AwareNet achieved an AUC of >0.98 for tissue and cellular classification on separate test datasets. Application of MoSaicNet and AwareNet enabled investigation of bone heterogeneity and thickness as well as spatial histology analysis of bone marrow trephine samples from monoclonal gammopathies of undetermined significance (MGUS) and from paired newly diagnosed and posttreatment multiple myeloma. The most significant difference between MGUS and newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) samples was not related to cell density but to spatial heterogeneity, with reduced spatial proximity of BLIMP1+ tumor cells to CD8+ cells in MGUS compared with NDMM samples. Following treatment of patients with multiple myeloma, there was a reduction in the density of BLIMP1+ tumor cells, effector CD8+ T cells, and regulatory T cells, indicative of an altered immune microenvironment. Finally, bone heterogeneity decreased following treatment of patients with multiple myeloma. In summary, deep learning-based spatial mapping of bone marrow trephine biopsies can provide insights into the cellular topography of the myeloma marrow microenvironment and complement aspirate-based techniques. SIGNIFICANCE: Spatial analysis of bone marrow trephine biopsies using histology, deep learning, and tailored algorithms reveals the bone marrow architectural heterogeneity and evolution during myeloma progression and treatment.

Stomach-partitioning versus conventional gastrojejunostomy for unresectable gastric cancer with gastric outlet obstruction: A propensity score matched cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Stomach partitioning gastrojejunostomy (SPGJ) was introduced to deal with delayed gastric emptying (DGE). This study aimed to compare the short- and long-term outcomes of SPGJ versus conventional gastrojejunostomy (CGJ). METHOD: This cohort study analyzed 108 patients who underwent gastrojejunostomy for unresectable gastric cancer: 70 patients underwent SPGJ, and 38 patients underwent CGJ between 2018 and 2022. Propensity score-matched (PSM) analysis was used to balance the baseline characteristics. RESULTS: After PSM, there were 26 patients in each group. SPGJ group had significantly lower incidence of DGE (3.8% vs. 34.6%), vomiting (3.8% vs. 42.3%), and prokinetics requirement (11.5% vs. 46.2%). SPGJ group had significantly shorter time to solid diet tolerance (4.1 days vs. 5.7 days) and postoperative hospital stay (7.7 days vs. 9.3 days). There was no significant difference in relapse reinterventions, gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) recurrence, conversion surgery, and survival outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: SGPJ was associated with lower rate of DGE, prokinetics requirement, and shorter time of solid diet tolerance compared to CGJ in the treatment of unresectable gastric cancer patients with GOO.

Review on fate, transport, toxicity and health risk of nanoparticles in natural ecosystems: Emerging challenges in the modern age and solutions toward a sustainable environment.

In today's era, nanoparticles (NPs) have become an integral part of human life, finding extensive applications in various fields of science, pharmacy, medicine, industry, electronics, and communication. The increasing popularity of NP usage worldwide is a testament to their tremendous potential. However, the widespread deployment of NPs unavoidably leads to their release into the environmental matrices, resulting in persistence in ecosystems and bioaccumulation in organisms. Understanding the environmental behavior of NPs poses a significant challenge due to their nanoscale size. Given the current environmental releases of NPs, known negative consequences, and the limited knowledge available for risk management, comprehending the toxicity of NPs in ecosystems is both awaiting and crucial. The present review aims to unravel the potential environmental influences of nano-scaled materials, and provides in-depth inferences of the current knowledge and understanding in this field. The review comprehensively summarizes the sources, fate, transport, toxicity, health risks, and remediation solutions associated with NP pollution in aquatic and soil ecosystems. Furthermore, it addresses the knowledge gaps and outlines further investigation priorities for the sustainable control of NP pollution in these environments. By gaining a holistic understanding of these aspects, we can work toward ensuring the responsible and sustainable use of NPs in today's fast-growing world.

A comprehensive study on the efficacy of a wearable sleep aid device featuring closed-loop real-time acoustic stimulation.

Difficulty falling asleep is one of the typical insomnia symptoms. However, intervention therapies available nowadays, ranging from pharmaceutical to hi-tech tailored solutions, remain ineffective due to their lack of precise real-time sleep tracking, in-time feedback on the therapies, and an ability to keep people asleep during the night. This paper aims to enhance the efficacy of such an intervention by proposing a novel sleep aid system that can sense multiple physiological signals continuously and simultaneously control auditory stimulation to evoke appropriate brain responses for fast sleep promotion. The system, a lightweight, comfortable, and user-friendly headband, employs a comprehensive set of algorithms and dedicated own-designed audio stimuli. Compared to the gold-standard device in 883 sleep studies on 377 subjects, the proposed system achieves (1) a strong correlation (0.89 ± 0.03) between the physiological signals acquired by ours and those from the gold-standard PSG, (2) an 87.8% agreement on automatic sleep scoring with the consensus scored by sleep technicians, and (3) a successful non-pharmacological real-time stimulation to shorten the duration of sleep falling by 24.1 min. Conclusively, our solution exceeds existing ones in promoting fast falling asleep, tracking sleep state accurately, and achieving high social acceptance through a reliable large-scale evaluation.

Physical therapy for sleep apnea: a smartphone application for home-based physical therapy for patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

Purpose: In this study, we described "PT for Sleep Apnea", a smartphone application for home-based physical therapy of patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). Methods: The application was created in a joint program between the University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City (UMP), Vietnam, and National Cheng Kung University (NCKU), Taiwan. Exercises maneuvers were derived from the exercise program previously published by the partner group at National Cheng Kung University. They included exercises for upper airway and respiratory muscle training and general endurance training. Results: The application provides video and in-text tutorials for users to follow at home and a schedule function to assist the user in organizing the training program, which may improve the efficacy of home-based physical therapy in patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Conclusion: In the future, our group plans to conduct a user study and randomized-controlled trials to investigate whether our application can benefit patients with OSA.

GINA Implementation Improves Asthma Symptoms Control and Lung Function: A Five-Year Real-World Follow-Up Study.

Symptoms control remains challenging for most patients with asthma. This study was conducted to evaluate the level of asthma symptoms control and lung function over 5 years of GINA (Global INitiative for Asthma) implementation. We included all patients with asthma who had been managed following GINA recommendations at the Asthma and COPD Outpatient Care Unit (ACOCU) of the University Medical Center in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam from October 2006 to October 2016. Of 1388 patients with asthma managed following GINA recommendations, the proportion of patients with well-controlled asthma significantly improved from 2.6% at baseline to 66.8% at month 3, 64.8% at year 1, 59.6% at year 2, 58.6% at year 3, 57.7% at year 4, and 59.5% at year 5 (p < 0.0001 for all comparisons). The proportion of patients with persistent airflow limitation significantly decreased from 26.7% at baseline to 12.6% at year 1 (p < 0.0001), 14.4% at year 2 (p < 0.0001), 15.9% at year 3 (p = 0.0006), 12.7% at year 4 (p = 0.0047), and 12.2% at year 5 (p = 0.0011). In patients with asthma managed according to GINA recommendations, asthma symptoms control and lung function improved after 3 months and the improvement was sustained over 5 years.

Post-COVID-19 Pulmonary Fibrosis: Facts-Challenges and Futures: A Narrative Review.

Patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) usually suffer from post-acute sequelae of coronavirus disease 2019 (PASC). Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) has the most significant long-term impact on patients' respiratory health, called post-COVID-19 pulmonary fibrosis (PC19-PF). PC19- PF can be caused by acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) or pneumonia due to COVID-19. The risk factors of PC19-PF, such as older age, chronic comorbidities, the use of mechanical ventilation during the acute phase, and female sex, should be considered. Individuals with COVID-19 pneumonia symptoms lasting at least 12 weeks following diagnosis, including cough, dyspnea, exertional dyspnea, and poor saturation, accounted for nearly all disease occurrences. PC19-PF is characterized by persistent fibrotic tomographic sequelae associated with functional impairment throughout follow-up. Thus, clinical examination, radiology, pulmonary function tests, and pathological findings should be done to diagnose PC19-PF patients. PFT indicated persistent limitations in diffusion capacity and restrictive physiology, despite the absence of previous testing and inconsistency in the timeliness of assessments following acute illness. It has been hypothesized that PC19-PF patients may benefit from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis treatment to prevent continued infection-related disorders, enhance the healing phase, and manage fibroproliferative processes. Immunomodulatory agents might reduce inflammation and the length of mechanical ventilation during the acute phase of COVID-19 infection, and the risk of the PC19-PF stage. Pulmonary rehabilitation, incorporating exercise training, physical education, and behavioral modifications, can improve the physical and psychological conditions of patients with PC19-PF.

How Trustworthy are Performance Evaluations for Basic Vision Tasks?

This article examines performance evaluation criteria for basic vision tasks involving sets of objects namely, object detection, instance-level segmentation and multi-object tracking. The rankings of algorithms by a criterion can fluctuate with different choices of parameters, e.g. Intersection over Union (IoU) threshold, making their evaluations unreliable. More importantly, there is no means to verify whether we can trust the evaluations of a criterion. This work suggests a notion of trustworthiness for performance criteria, which requires (i) robustness to parameters for reliability, (ii) contextual meaningfulness in sanity tests, and (iii) consistency with mathematical requirements such as the metric properties. We observe that these requirements were overlooked by many widely-used criteria, and explore alternative criteria using metrics for sets of shapes. We also assess all these criteria based on the suggested requirements for trustworthiness.