Safety, immunogenicity and efficacy of the self-amplifying mRNA ARCT-154 COVID-19 vaccine: pooled phase 1, 2, 3a and 3b randomized, controlled trials.

Combination of waning immunity and lower effectiveness against new SARS-CoV-2 variants of approved COVID-19 vaccines necessitates new vaccines. We evaluated two doses, 28 days apart, of ARCT-154, a self-amplifying mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, compared with saline placebo in an integrated phase 1/2/3a/3b controlled, observer-blind trial in Vietnamese adults (ClinicalTrial.gov identifier: NCT05012943). Primary safety and reactogenicity outcomes were unsolicited adverse events (AE) 28 days after each dose, solicited local and systemic AE 7 days after each dose, and serious AEs throughout the study. Primary immunogenicity outcome was the immune response as neutralizing antibodies 28 days after the second dose. Efficacy against COVID-19 was assessed as primary and secondary outcomes in phase 3b. ARCT-154 was well tolerated with generally mild-moderate transient AEs. Four weeks after the second dose 94.1% (95% CI: 92.1-95.8) of vaccinees seroconverted for neutralizing antibodies, with a geometric mean-fold rise from baseline of 14.5 (95% CI: 13.6-15.5). Of 640 cases of confirmed COVID-19 eligible for efficacy analysis most were due to the Delta (B.1.617.2) variant. Efficacy of ARCT-154 was 56.6% (95% CI: 48.7- 63.3) against any COVID-19, and 95.3% (80.5-98.9) against severe COVID-19. ARCT-154 vaccination is well tolerated, immunogenic and efficacious, particularly against severe COVID-19 disease.

Prognostic values of serum lactate-to-bicarbonate ratio and lactate for predicting 28-day in-hospital mortality in children with dengue shock syndrome.

This study aimed to assess the clinical utility of blood lactate-to-bicarbonate (L/B) ratio, as a prognostic factor for 28-day in-hospital mortality in children with dengue shock syndrome (DSS), admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). This single-center retrospective study was conducted at a tertiary children hospital in southern Vietnam from 2013 to mid-2022. Prognostic models for DSS mortality were developed, using a predefined set of covariates in the first 24 hours of PICU admission. Area under the curves (AUCs), multivariable logistic and Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) regressions, bootstrapping and calibration slope were performed. A total of 492 children with DSS and complete clinical and biomarker data were included in the analysis, and 26 (5.3%) patients died. The predictive values for DSS mortality, regarding lactate showing AUC 0.876 (95% CI, 0.807-0.944), and that of L/B ratio 0.867 (95% CI, 0.80-0.934) (P values of both biomarkers < .001). The optimal cutoff point of the L/B ratio was 0.25, while that of lactate was 4.2 mmol/L. The multivariable model showed significant clinical predictors of DSS fatality including severe bleeding, cumulative amount of fluid infused and vasoactive-inotropic score (>30) in the first 24 hours of PICU admission. Combined with the identified clinical predictors, the L/B ratio yielded higher prognostic values (odds ratio [OR] = 8.66, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.96-38.3; P < .01) than the lactate-based model (OR = 1.35, 95% CI, 1.15-1.58; P < .001). Both the L/B and lactate models showed similarly good performances. Considering that the L/B ratio has a better prognostic value than the lactate model, it may be considered a potential prognostic biomarker in clinical use for predicting 28-day mortality in PICU-admitted children with DSS.

Associations of obesity and dengue-associated mortality, acute liver failure and mechanical ventilation in children with dengue shock syndrome.

Dengue-associated complications, including dengue shock syndrome, severe respiratory distress, and pediatric acute liver failure (PALF), are associated with high mortality rates in patients with dengue. There is increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity among children worldwide. Obesity may activate inflammatory mediators, leading to increased capillary permeability and plasma leakage in patients with dengue. Several studies have shown a correlation between obesity and DSS, but did not include dengue fatality or PALF. Therefore, we hypothesized possible associations between obesity and critical dengue-associated clinical outcomes among PICU-admitted children with DSS, including dengue-related mortality, mechanical ventilation (MV) requirements, and dengue-associated PALF. The nutritional status of the participants was assessed using World Health Organization growth charts. A total of 858 participants with complete nutritional data were enrolled in this study. Obesity was significantly associated with risk of severe respiratory failure and MV support (odds ratio = 2.3, 95% CI: 1.31-4.06, P < .01); however, it was not associated with dengue-associated mortality or acute liver failure. Obese pediatric patients with DSS should be closely monitored for severe respiratory distress and the need for high-flow oxygenation support, particularly MV, soon after hospitalization.

The complete chloroplast genome of Elephantopus scaber L. (Vernonioideae, Asteraceae), a useful ethnomedicinal plant in asia.

Elephantopus scaber L. is a useful medicinal plant and has been used as a traditional medicine for various diseases in Asia. In this study, we completed and characterized the chloroplast genome of E. scaber of which the length was 152,375 bp. This circular genome had a large-single copy (LSC, 83,520 bp), a small-single copy (SSC, 18,523 bp), and two inverted repeat regions (IR, 25,166 bp). There were 80 protein-coding genes, 30 tRNA genes, and four rRNA genes in the chloroplast genome of E. scaber. Phylogenetic analysis inferred from 80 protein-coding regions revealed a close relationship between E. scaber and Cyanthillium cinereum (L.) H.Rob. and a sister relationship between Vernonioideae and Cichorioideae subfamilies. The genomic data of E. scaber provide useful information to explore the molecular evolution of not only Elephantopus genus but also the Asteraceae family.

Determinants of environmental financing constraints: a case study from Vietnam.

The Environment Fund is a state financial institution and a non-profit organization, operating mainly in concessional loans with low-interest rates for green investment projects, working towards sustainable development. There have been no studies to assess the firms' ability to access environmental finance from these Environment Funds. This study uses a combination of both qualitative and quantitative methods. We initially identified the determinants of access to green finance and financing constraints that firms face by in-depth interviews with 32 individuals from the six largest Environment Funds in Vietnam and their clients. Secondly, by surveying 213 firms that had loan request from 26 Environment Funds, we investigated the factors affecting access to environmental finance by the Ordered Probit model. The findings show that firm characteristics and environmental project characteristics have a relationship vis-a-vis access to green finance. We did not find evidence that supports state-owned firms experiencing less financing constraints than other types of firms. Collateral requirements, excessive paperwork requirements, and insufficient capital from Environment Funds are the three main obstacles to green financing. Environment Funds should design loan packages that are more diversified and suitable for different types of environmental projects. At the same time, a more relaxed collateral policy should be applied in Environment Funds to enhance firms' ability to obtain green finance. We suggest that Environment Funds cooperate with commercial banks to provide financial support for the environment to compensate for capital size constraints and asymmetric information.

Life cycle assessment of paper mill wastewater: a case study in Viet Nam.

Although in a critical position in the economy, the paper industry releases a lot of wastewater that requires adequate treatment for sustainable development. This study presents an application of Life cycle assessment (LCA) with the ReCiPe tool on the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) of a paper factory in Vietnam to evaluate the environmental effect of the individual techniques in WWTP, especially the internal circulation (IC) reactor, a pioneer and practical anaerobic technology. Both Midpoint and Endpoint categories results demonstrated that chemical use and electricity consumption mainly contributed to the environmental impact in the WWTP. The Dissolved air flotation (DAF) and Moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) are classified as effective techniques to reduce the impacts on the environment. Moreover, the comparison of LCA between IC and up-flow anaerobic sludge bed (UASB) shows that IC is the better practically green technique for the environment.

Probiotic potential of lactic acid bacteria isolated from Vietnamese sour-fermented fish product

Aims@#To isolate and characterize the lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains from the “mam chua ca ro” (sour fermented fish) in the South of Vietnam and investigate their potential anti-bacterial properties.@*Methodology and results@#Four LAB strains (MCR1, MCR2, MCR3 and MCR4) were isolated from the "mam chua ca ro" product and their anti-bacterial activity was determined using the spot assay and the paper disc diffusion method. The isolated LABs can inhibit Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Staphyloccocus aureus ATCC 25923 and Vibrio parahaemolyticus BV016 and produce bacteriocin to control the growth of E. coli ATCC 25922 and S. aureus ATCC 25923, except V. parahaemolyticus. MCR2 was chosen to sequence 16S rRNA of Pediococcus acidilactic.@*Conclusion, significance and impact of study@#On the basis of their prominent anti-pathogenic bacteria activity, LAB strains isolated from Vietnamese sour-fermented fish products were verified as prospective probiotics.

Microbial Diversity Analysis Using 16S rRNA Gene Amplicon Sequencing of Rhizosphere Soils from Double-Cropping Rice and Rice-Shrimp Farming Systems in Soc Trang, Vietnam.

Different rice farming systems affect the soil microbial communities. Here, we report the results of 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing of soils collected from intensive rice cultivation and rice-shrimp farming systems in Soc Trang, Vietnam. The dominant phyla in these systems were Firmicutes, Actinobacteriota, Chloroflexi, Myxococcota, and Acidobacteriota.

Molecular-channel driven actuator with considerations for multiple configurations and color switching.

The ability to achieve simultaneous intrinsic deformation with fast response in commercially available materials that can safely contact skin continues to be an unresolved challenge for artificial actuating materials. Rather than using a microporous structure, here we show an ambient-driven actuator that takes advantage of inherent nanoscale molecular channels within a commercial perfluorosulfonic acid ionomer (PFSA) film, fabricated by simple solution processing to realize a rapid response, self-adaptive, and exceptionally stable actuation. Selective patterning of PFSA films on an inert soft substrate (polyethylene terephthalate film) facilitates the formation of a range of different geometries, including a 2D (two-dimensional) roll or 3D (three-dimensional) helical structure in response to vapor stimuli. Chemical modification of the surface allowed the development of a kirigami-inspired single-layer actuator for personal humidity and heat management through macroscale geometric design features, to afford a bilayer stimuli-responsive actuator with multicolor switching capability.

The complete chloroplast genome of colchicine plants (Colchicum autumnale L. and Gloriosa superba L.) and its application for identifying the genus.

MAIN CONCLUSION: The complete chloroplast genome of two colchicine medicinal plants is reported for the first time. Deletion of ycf 15 gene occurred only in Colchicum but not in Gloriosa and suggests this as a potential marker for delineating the two species. Colchicum autumnale L. and Gloriosa superba L. are well-known sources of colchicine, a type of alkaloid and an ancient anti-inflammatory drug used to prevent gout. Accordingly, this alkaloid has been used as a chemical marker for identifying the expanded Colchicaceae family. In the present study, we report the complete chloroplast genome (cpDNA) sequence of two colchicine medicinal plants (G. superba and C. autumnale) that belong to the tribe Colchiceae of the Colchicaceae family. In C. autumnale, the circular double-stranded cpDNA sequence of 156,462 bp consists of two inverted repeat (IR) regions of 27,741 bp each, a large single-copy region (LSC) of 84,246 bp, and a small single-copy region (SSC) of 16,734 bp. The cpDNA sequence of G. superba is longer than that of C. autumnale (157,924 bp), which consists of two IRs (28,063 bp), an SSC (16,786 bp), and an LSC (85,012 bp). Significant structural differences between them were observed in the ycf15 gene. ycf15 gene was absent from C. autumnale cpDNA and affected the length of the chloroplast genome between the species. Furthermore, this gene loss event was specific to the expanded genus of Colchicum sensu Vinnersten and Manning. Therefore, this gene may be an effective and powerful molecular marker for identifying the Colchicum genus within the family.

A common mutation, R208X, identified in Vietnamese patients with mitochondrial acetoacetyl-CoA thiolase (T2) deficiency.

Mitochondrial acetoacetyl-CoA thiolase (T2) deficiency is an inborn error of metabolism affecting isoleucine catabolism and ketone body utilization. This disorder is clinically characterized by intermittent ketoacidotic episodes with no clinical symptoms between episodes. In general, T2 gene mutations are heterogeneous. No common mutations have been identified and more than 70 mutations have been identified in 70 patients with T2 deficiency (including unpublished data). We herein identified a common mutation, R208X, in Vietnamese patients. We identified R208X homozygously in six patients and heterozygously in two patients among eight Vietnamese patients. This R208X mutation was also identified heterozygously in two Dutch patients, however, R208X mutant alleles in the Vietnamese have a different haplotype from that in the Dutch, when analyzed using Msp I and Taq I polymorphisms in the T2 gene. The R208X mutant allele was not so frequent in the Vietnamese since we could not find that mutant allele in 400 healthy Vietnamese controls using the Nla III restriction enzyme assay. DNA diagnosis of T2 deficiency may be applicable to the Vietnamese population.

Herpes simplex virus type-2 seropositivity among ever married women in South and north Vietnam: a population-based study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate herpes simplex virus type-2 (HSV-2) seropositivity and associated risk factors in Vietnamese women. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with personal interviews and gynecological examinations among population-based samples of ever married women, aged 15 to 69 years, living in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) and Hanoi in 1997. Type-specific IgG antibodies against HSV-2 were detected using HerpeSelect ELISA (Focus Diagnostics). Adjusted prevalence ratios were estimated with log-binomial regression. RESULTS: HSV-2 seroprevalence was higher in 1106 women from HCMC (30.8%, 95% CI: 28.1-33.4, age-standardized to 2000 world standard population) than in 1170 women from Hanoi (8.8%, 95% CI: 7.1-10.5). In HCMC, HSV-2 seroprevalence was higher for women who were not married, HPV DNA positive, current hormonal contraceptive users, or had a history of multiple sexual partners or spontaneous abortion. HCMC seroprevalence was inversely associated with educational attainment, age at first intercourse, and age at first pregnancy. In the multivariable model for HCMC, a trend of increasing HSV-2 seroprevalence with age was observed, and prevalence ratios were nearly identical to age-adjusted prevalence ratios for marital status, age at first pregnancy, and HPV DNA positivity. CONCLUSIONS: HSV-2 was notably less prevalent in Hanoi than HCMC, where it was associated with traditional HSV-2 risk factors. These results are likely explained by socio-cultural, historical, economic, and demographic factors related to urban-rural and regional differences. Future population-based studies should include men and never-married women as a next step toward obtaining a more nearly complete picture of HSV-2 epidemiology in Vietnam.