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We present results from a randomized field experiment in Da Nang in Central Vietnam. We assess the take-up and impacts of a microcredit program that aims to increase the adoption of climate resilient housing among low-income urban households. Households were randomly assigned offers of either a loan and technical assistance package or a cash transfer with a smaller loan and technical assistance. We find large and significant impacts on the resilience of the new or retrofitted houses due to being offered the more generous incentive package. Households that were offered the cash transfer and a smaller loan, are three times as likely to accept. The difference in uptake, and therefore impact, of the two packages shows that there is a need for a subsidy in addition to the technical assistance in order to reach near-poor households. Previous public spending on typhoon relief indicates that such a subsidy could be covered by re-allocating funds from typhoon repairs to damage prevention through resilient housing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the results of applying the unsupervised learning method (K-means clustering) on the gravity anomaly field in the central region of Vietnam to separate the research area into different clusters, which are homologous in physical properties. In order to achieve the optimal results, the input parameter plays an important role. In this paper, we chose 04 input attributes including the gravity anomalous field attribute, the horizontal gradient attribute, the variance attribute, and the tracing coefficient of the gravity anomalous axis. The obtained results have shown that the research area could be divided into 7 clusters, 9 clusters, 11 clusters, and 13 clusters with close characteristics of the physical properties of the gravity field. The research results show that the Southwest, the Center, and the South of the study area have complex changing physical properties, this result reflects the complicated tectonic activities in these areas with the presence of crumpled and fractured rock layers in different directions and these locations are the potential places to form endogenous mineral deposits of magma origin. The Northwest, the North, and the East parts of the research area witness negligible changes in the field's physical properties, reflecting the stability of the soil and rock layers in this area, with the direction of extending structure from the Northwest to the Southeast. The clustering results according to the K-means unsupervised learning algorithm in central Vietnam initially increase the reliability of the decisions of geologists and geophysicists in interpreting the geological structure and evaluating the origin of deep-hidden mineral deposits in the area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The low phosphorus use efficiency (PUE) and the high P fertilizer cost are reasons why it is necessary to find sustainable phosphorus (P) sources for sesame, in which bacteria are potential candidates. The aim of this study was to determine a level of the applied P fertilizer and P-solubilizing rhizosphere bacteria (PSRB) for the maximum growth and yield of sesame. A two-factor experiment was conducted in a completely randomized block design. The first factor (i) was the P fertilizer rate, including 0%, 50%, 75%, and 100% P of the recommended fertilizer rate (RFR); the other was (ii) the supplementation of the PSRB, including no supplemented bacteria, a single strain of Enterobacter asburiae ASD-56, ASD-15, or ASD-43, and the mixture of all the three strains, with five replications. The results revealed that fertilizing with 100% P of the RFR enhanced means of the plant height (5.4 cm), the number of capsules (4.4 capsules plant−1), the total P uptake (34.3 mg P pot−1), and the sesame seed yield (16.4 g pot−1) in comparison with the case with no P fertilizer. The supplementation of the E. asburiae ASD-56, ASD-15, and ASD-43 improved values of the soluble P in soil, the total P uptake in plants, and the seed yield at 82.6 mg P kg−1, 73.1 mg P pot−1, and 15.2 g pot−1, respectively, compared with 72.2 mg P kg−1, 45.5 mg P pot−1, and 10.6 g pot−1 in treatment with no supplemented bacteria. Individually or aggregately applying the three E. asburiae ASD-56, ASD-15, and ASD-43 strains not only reduced the average amount of the P fertilizer used by 25–50% P of the RFR but also increased the P uptake in plants by 8.50–36.9% and the average sesame seed yield by 2.94–58.7%, in comparison with those in the treatment fertilized with 100% P of the RFR. The mixture of the PSRB contributed to reducing 50% of the RFR, and increasing the yield by 43.4%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In rice-shrimp farming systems, the high level of sodium that shrimps are able to grow in may create an adverse environment for rice. This research aimed to isolate purple nonsulfur bacteria (PNSB) from rice-shrimp fields and select strains that were resistant to H+, Al3+, Fe2+ and Mn2+, that can produce plant growth promoting substances such as 5-aminolevulinic acid, exopolymeric substances, indole-3-acetic acid and siderophores. The selected bacteria were applied in a soil pot experiment to determine their ability to enhance rice growth and yield. From 63 PNSB isolated from 21 paddy fields of rice-shrimp systems, four strains were selected for their properties as biofertilizers and plant growth promoters (PGP). They were all identified as strains of Luteovulum sphaeroides. A randomized complete block design incorporating six treatments was used to investigate the ability of the four PNSB strains to ameliorate rice growth and yield in saline acidic soil with saline water irrigation at 4‰. PNSB cultures at 1.90 × 105 CFU g−1 dry soil weight were applied three times, along with normal chemical fertilizers, and all monitored parameters of rice growth and grain yield significantly improved in soil with a toxic Al3+ content of 10.8 meq 100 g−1. A mixed four cultures most effectively increased grain yield (86.8%) compared with no applied PNSB. Remediation of the pot soil was exhibited in decreased exchangeable Na in soil and proline content in leaves. The four PNSB could act as biofertilizers, PGP and bioremediators with potential to enhance rice yield in rice-shrimp systems for sustainable rice cultivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to (i) evaluate purple nonsulfur bacteria (PNSB) strains possessing the highest phosphorus (P) solubilizing capacity in field and (ii) determine the efficacy of PNSB biofertilizers in improving soil quality, P uptake, growth, and yield of pineapple cultivated in acid sulfate soil (ASS). A field experiment was conducted in a completely randomized block design with two factors, including the first factor as P fertilizer levels (0, 50, 75, and 100% P) based on recommended fertilizer formula (RFF) and the second factor as supplementation of biofertilizers containing P solubilizing PNSB (no inoculated PNSB, Rhodobacter sphaeroides W48, R. sphaeroides W42, and a mixture of R. sphaeroides W48 and W42). The results indicated that the supplementation of PNSB biofertilizers led to an increase of 25.3–33.9% in soluble P concentration in soil compared to control treatment. Among the selected PNSB strains, R. sphaeroides W42 and a mixture of the PNSB in biofertilizers solubilized all insoluble P fractions (Fe-P, Al-P, and Ca-P) and strain W48 in biofertilizers for Fe-P and Al-P. Furthermore, the supplementation of biofertilizers from R. sphaeroides W48 and W42 individually and their mixture raised plant height by 3.56–4.10% and available P concentration by 25.3–33.9%. Total P uptake in pineapple treatments with biofertilizers from mixed PNSB was 42.9% higher than that in the control treatment (p < 0.05). Application of mixed PNSB strains can reduce 25% P of chemical fertilizer, but the pineapple yield rose over 12.1%. Both R. sphaeroides W48 and W42 are potent for use as crop yield enhancers to obtain the sustainable pineapple cultivation under acidic stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ethyl acetate residue (6.3 g) was subjected to column chromatography on silica gel with an I n i -hexane-acetone gradient system (0->100% acetone) to get 11 fractions (Frs. Fraction H10 (7.2 g) was separated by a gel filtration column over Sephadex LH-20 with CH SB 2 sb Cl SB 2 sb -MeOH (1:4), followed by column chromatography on silica gel eluting with I n i -hexane-EtOAc (7:3) to yield compound B 10 b (15.0 mg). The I n i -hexane extract (180 g) was subjected to column chromatography on silica gel with a I n i -hexane-Me SB 2 sb CO gradient system (1:0, 9:1, 8:2, 7:3, 6:4, 1:1, 0:1) to yield 15 fractions (Frs. Fraction H8 (0.4 g) was continuously subjected to column chromatography on silica gel eluting with a I n i -hexane-EtOAc (9:1), followed by a gel filtration column over Sephadex LH-20 with CH SB 2 sb Cl SB 2 sb -MeOH (1:4) to get compound B 11 b (3.7 mg). [Extracted from the article]

The aim of this study was to determine the proper combination of nitrogen (N) fertilizer level and nitrogen fixing endophytic bacteria (NFEB) supplementation for the maximum grain yield of sesame cultivated in alluvial soil in dykes. The experiment followed a completely randomized block design with two factors. The first one was the levels of N fertilizer used, including 0, 50, 75, and 100% N of recommended fertilizer formula (RFF), and the other consisted of no bacteria applied, an individual strain of Enterobacter cloacae ASD-48 or E. cloacae ASD-21 applied, and their mixture, with 5 replicates. The results revealed that fertilizing with 100% N of RFF led to an enhancement of the plant height (16.8 cm), the chlorophyll a and b and their total content (6.45, 1.86, and 8.30 μg mL−1), the number of capsules per plant (7.22 capsules plant−1), the total N uptake (126.5 mg N pot−1), and the grain yield (9.08 g pot−1), in comparison to no N fertilizer applied. Supplementation of two NFRB strains enhanced the soilconcentrations of NH4+ and NO3−, the total N uptake, and the grain yield. The treatment fertilized with 75% N of RFF plus an individual NFEB strain or their bacterial mixture had equivalent total N uptake to that the treatment fertilized with 100% N of RFF had, 120.8–125.5 mg N pot−1 compared to 124.4 mg N pot−1. Regarding the sesame yield, with a reduction by 25–50% N of RFF plus ASD-48 and ASD-21, either individually or in mixture, it increased by 2.39–8.56%, compared to that in the treatment fertilized with 100% N of RFF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geophysical modelling performs to obtain subsurface structures in agreement with measured data. Freeware algorithms for geoelectrical data inversion have not been widely used in geophysical communities; however, different open-source modelling/inversion algorithms were developed in recent years. In this study, we review the structures and applications of openly Python-based inversion packages, such as pyGIMLi (Python Library for Inversion and Modelling in Geophysics), BERT (Boundless Electrical Resistivity Tomography), ResIPy (Resistivity and Induced Polarization with Python), pyres (Python wrapper for electrical resistivity modelling), and SimPEG (Simulation and Parameter Estimation in Geophysics). In addition, we examine the recovering ability of pyGIMLi, BERT, ResIPy, and SimPEG freeware through inversion of the same synthetic model forward responses. A versatile pyGIMLi freeware is highly suitable for various geophysical data inversion. The SimPEG framework is developed to allow the user to explore, experiment with, and iterate over multiple approaches to the inverse problem. In contrast, BERT, pyres, and ResIPy are exclusively designed for geoelectric data inversion. BERT and pyGIMLi codes can be easily modified for the intended applications. Both pyres and ResIPy use the same mesh designs and inversion algorithms, but pyres uses scripting language, while ResIPy uses a graphical user interface (GUI) that removes the need for text inputs. Our numerical modelling shows that all the tested inversion freeware could be effective for relatively larger targets. pyGIMLi and BERT could also obtain reasonable model resolutions and anomaly accuracies for small-sized subsurface structures. Based on the heterogeneous layered model and experimental target scenario results, the geoelectrical data inversion could be more effective in pyGIMLi, BERT, and SimPEG freeware packages. Moreover, this study can provide insight into implementing suitable inversion freeware for reproducible geophysical research, mainly for geoelectrical modelling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: We investigated the relationship between morphological features in the lower limbs and the progression of knee osteoarthritis (OA) in 6-years. Methods: Volunteer subjects from Toei (101 women and 54 men). Knee OA was evaluated on wholeleg radiographs. Subjects were divided into group 1, no knee OA; group 2, stable knee OA that showed no progression; group 3, knee OA that had progressed over 6 years. Demographic hip and knee measurement factors were compared the three groups. Results: Women, age, body mass index (BMI), abductor angle of the hip, and mechanical-axis deviation were higher in group 2 than in group 1. BMI, the mechanical axis deviation were higher in group 3 than in group 1. Femoral offset was lower in group 3 than in groups 1 and 2. Men, age, condylar--hip angle, plateau--ankle angle were higher in group 2 than in group 1. Age, BMI were higher in group 3 than in groups 1. Condylar--hip and plateau--ankle angles were lower in group 3 than in group 2. Conclusions: Strategies aimed at strengthening the muscles around the hip, changes in lifestyle should be implemented, especially in patients with changes in geometric indices of the hip and knee. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought is the main constraint for crop growth worldwide. Selenium reportedly plays an important role in improving plant tolerance to drought stress. In this study, two experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of foliar selenium application on the drought tolerance of sesame. Five selenium concentrations (0, 5, 10, 20, and 40 mg/L) were used in the first experiment. Water deficit was triggered 25 days after sowing. The application of 5 or 10 mg/L of selenium maintained the number of leaves and increased the number of capsules. However, higher concentrations induced necrosis. The second experiment aimed to study the effect of selenium concentrations (5 and 10 mg/L) and the number of applications (one to three times). Drought stress was triggered 50 days after sowing, and selenium was sprayed 50, 55, and 60 days after sowing. The results indicated that a one-time foliar selenium application of 5 mg/L was able to maintain the number of leaves and to increase proline accumulation, plant biomass, and grain weight per plant. This finding confirms that selenium can be applied to enhance sesame's tolerance to drought stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus subgroup includes 11 cryptic species of which Ae. albopictus is the most widely distributed. Its global expansion associated with a documented vector competence for several emerging arboviruses raise obvious concerns in the recently colonized regions. While several studies have provided important insights regarding medical importance of Ae. albopicus, the investigations of the other sibling species are scarce. In Asia, indigenous populations within the Ae. albopictus subgroup can be found in sympatry. In the present study, we aimed to describe and compare molecular, morphological and bacterial symbionts composition among sympatric individuals from the Ae. albopictus subgroup inhabiting a Vietnamese protected area. Results: Based on morphological structure of the cibarial armarture, we identified a cryptic species in the forest park at Bù Gia Mập in the south-eastern region of Vietnam. Analysis of nuclear (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2) and mitochondrial (cox1, nad5) markers confirmed the divergence between the cryptic species and Ae. albopictus. Analysis of midgut bacterial microbiota revealed a strong similarity among the two species with a notable difference; contrary to Ae. albopictus, the cryptic species did not harbour any Wolbachia infection. Conclusions: These results could reflect either a recent invasion of Wolbachia in Ae. albopictus or alternatively a loss of this symbiont in the cryptic species. We argue that neglected species of the Ae. albopictus subgroup are of main importance in order to estimate variation of host-symbionts interactions across evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Selection of medically feasible criteria for diagnosis of sleep apnea is discussed. Diagnosis is based on the analysis of the dynamics of a set of parameters of the cardiovascular and respiratory activities. It is suggested to use the following parameters as diagnostic criteria: heart rate, heart rate variability, total spectral power, ratios (VLF + LF)/HF and LF/HF for the respiratory component, and cardiorespiratory coherence. Structural diagrams of a multilevel telemedicine system for diagnosis of sleep apnea and a remote terminal unit for measurement and recording of biomedical signals are suggested. Analog front-end (AFE) microcircuits are suggested to be used as the basis for the functional elements of the terminal unit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Attention has recently been paid to how REDD+ mitigation policies are integrated into other sectoral policies, particularly those dealing with climate adaptation at the national level. But there is less understanding of how subnational policy and local projects are able to incorporate attention to adaptation; therefore, we use a case study in Vietnam to discuss how REDD+ projects and policies address both concerns of mitigation and adaptation together at subnational levels. Through stakeholder interviews, focus groups, and household surveys in three provinces of Vietnam with REDD+ activities, our research sought to understand if REDD+ policies and projects on the ground acknowledge that climate change is likely to impact forests and forest users; if this knowledge is built into REDD+ policy and activities; how households in forested areas subject to REDD+ policy are vulnerable to climate change; and how REDD+ activities can help or hinder needed adaptations. Our findings indicate that there continues to be a lack of coordination between mitigation and adaptation policies in Vietnam, particularly with regard to REDD+. Policies for forest-based climate mitigation at the national and subnational level, as well as site-based projects, have paid little attention to the adaptation needs of local communities, many of whom are already suffering from noticeable weather changes in their localities, and there is insufficient discussion of how REDD+ activities could facilitate increased resilience. While there were some implicit and coincidental adaptation benefits of some REDD+ activities, most studied projects and policies did not explicitly target their activities to focus on adaptation or resilience, and in at least one case, negative livelihood impacts that have increased household vulnerability to climate change were documented. Key barriers to integration were identified, such as sectoral specialization; a lack of attention in REDD+ projects to livelihoods; and inadequate support for ecosystem-based adaptation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Common causes of acute febrile illness in tropical countries have similar symptoms, which often mimic those of dengue. Accurate clinical diagnosis can be difficult without laboratory confirmation and disease burden is generally under-reported. Accurate, population-based, laboratory-confirmed incidence data on dengue and other causes of acute fever in dengue-endemic Asian countries are needed. Methods and principal findings: This prospective, multicenter, active fever surveillance, cohort study was conducted in selected centers in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam to determine the incidence density of acute febrile episodes (≥38°C for ≥2 days) in 1,500 healthy children aged 2–14 years, followed for a mean 237 days. Causes of fever were assessed by testing acute and convalescent sera from febrile participants for dengue, chikungunya, hepatitis A, influenza A, leptospirosis, rickettsia, and Salmonella Typhi. Overall, 289 participants had acute fever, an incidence density of 33.6 per 100 person-years (95% CI: 30.0; 37.8); 57% were IgM-positive for at least one of these diseases. The most common causes of fever by IgM ELISA were chikungunya (in 35.0% of in febrile participants) and S. Typhi (in 29.4%). The overall incidence density of dengue per 100 person-years was 3.4 by nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) antigen positivity (95% CI: 2.4; 4.8) and 7.3 (95% CI: 5.7; 9.2) by serology. Dengue was diagnosed in 11.4% (95% CI: 8.0; 15.7) and 23.9% (95% CI: 19.1; 29.2) of febrile participants by NS1 positivity and serology, respectively. Of the febrile episodes not clinically diagnosed as dengue, 5.3% were dengue-positive by NS1 antigen testing and 16.0% were dengue-positive by serology. Conclusions: During the study period, the most common identified causes of pediatric acute febrile illness among the seven tested for were chikungunya, S. Typhi and dengue. Not all dengue cases were clinically diagnosed; laboratory confirmation is essential to refine disease burden estimates. Author Summary: Acute febrile episodes are common in children living in tropical countries. Diagnosis can be challenging because symptoms of the more common infectious causes are similar and often mimic those of dengue. Asia Pacific has over 70% of the worldwide dengue disease burden, although dengue incidence is generally underestimated because most surveillance systems are passive or based on clinical diagnosis without laboratory confirmation. Understanding the local etiology of febrile illness and the incidence of dengue is important when planning large-scale vaccine trials. This prospective, active fever surveillance, cohort study was carried out in children in five dengue-endemic Asian countries – Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam – during 2010–2011. Acute febrile episodes occurred in 289 (19.3%) of the cohort of 1,500 children. Among the diseases for which antibodies were tested using commercial kits, the top three causes of acute fever were chikungunya, Salmonella Typhi and dengue, followed by influenza A, rickettsia and hepatitis A. Dengue was confirmed in 11.4% of the febrile children by viral protein detection and in 23.9% by serology. Clinical diagnosis was not sufficient to detect all dengue cases. These findings are of relevance to those planning clinical studies of vaccines against these infectious agents in Southeast Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Common causes of acute febrile illness in tropical countries have similar symptoms, which often mimic those of dengue. Accurate clinical diagnosis can be difficult without laboratory confirmation and disease burden is generally under-reported. Accurate, population-based, laboratory-confirmed incidence data on dengue and other causes of acute fever in dengue-endemic Asian countries are needed. Methods and principal findings: This prospective, multicenter, active fever surveillance, cohort study was conducted in selected centers in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam to determine the incidence density of acute febrile episodes (≥38°C for ≥2 days) in 1,500 healthy children aged 2–14 years, followed for a mean 237 days. Causes of fever were assessed by testing acute and convalescent sera from febrile participants for dengue, chikungunya, hepatitis A, influenza A, leptospirosis, rickettsia, and Salmonella Typhi. Overall, 289 participants had acute fever, an incidence density of 33.6 per 100 person-years (95% CI: 30.0; 37.8); 57% were IgM-positive for at least one of these diseases. The most common causes of fever by IgM ELISA were chikungunya (in 35.0% of in febrile participants) and S. Typhi (in 29.4%). The overall incidence density of dengue per 100 person-years was 3.4 by nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) antigen positivity (95% CI: 2.4; 4.8) and 7.3 (95% CI: 5.7; 9.2) by serology. Dengue was diagnosed in 11.4% (95% CI: 8.0; 15.7) and 23.9% (95% CI: 19.1; 29.2) of febrile participants by NS1 positivity and serology, respectively. Of the febrile episodes not clinically diagnosed as dengue, 5.3% were dengue-positive by NS1 antigen testing and 16.0% were dengue-positive by serology. Conclusions: During the study period, the most common identified causes of pediatric acute febrile illness among the seven tested for were chikungunya, S. Typhi and dengue. Not all dengue cases were clinically diagnosed; laboratory confirmation is essential to refine disease burden estimates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Culex tritaeniorhynchus, Cx. gelidus, and Cx. quinquefasciatus, known vectors of Japanese encephalitis (JE), are distributed in rice agroecosystems in Asian countries. Very few integrated studies on the breeding habitats of rice-field mosquitoes, including JE vectors, have been conducted in Vietnam. We investigated the mosquito fauna and potential predators in 8 rice growing areas in the Mekong Delta region of southern Vietnam, during the wet and dry seasons of 2009. Mosquitoes and their predators were collected from a variety of aquatic habitats (rice fields, ponds, wetlands, shrimp ponds, ditches, canals, and rivers). We collected 936 Culex spp. (354 Cx. tritaeniorhynchus, 240 Cx. vishnui s.l., 189 Cx. fuscocephala, and 42 Cx. gelidus), 33 Uranotaenia, 25 Anopheles, and 9 Mimomyia (4 Mi. chamberlaini) in the dry season. During the rainy season, we collected 1,232 Culex spp. (132 Cx. vishnui s.l., 66 Cx. tritaeniorhynchus, 9 Cx. gelidus, 4 Cx. fuscocephala, and 2 Cx. bitaeniorhynchus), 236 Anopheles spp. (40 An. vagus and 1 An. sinensis), and 7 Uranotaenia (3 Ur. lateralis). Heteroptera such as Micronecta, Veliidae, and Pleidae were abundant and widely distributed in both seasons. Based on a stepwise generalized linear model, the abundance of mosquitoes and their predators in rice fields was high when the rice plant length was short and water depth was shallow. Therefore, the use of insecticides during the earlier stages of rice growth should be avoided in order to preserve the predator populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Purpose  To evaluate the potential use of dendritic α,ɛ-poly(L-lysine)s (DPL) for the efficient cellular delivery of antisense oligonucleotides. Methods  A series of dendritic α,ɛ-polylysines of various generations were prepared. Their physical properties and the ability to form complex with oligonucleotide were investigated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE), agarose gel electrophoresis, fluorescence titration and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The efficiency to deliver oligonucleotide to HeLa cells, stably transfected with plasmid pLuc/705, was evaluated by using antisense splicing correction assay and confocal microscopy. Results  DPLs formed the complexes with antisense oligonucleotide with modest cytotoxicity. The charge ratio of oligonucleotide to DPL and the size (generation) of DPLs were all critical variables for the antisense effect. Compared to low generation DPLs, high generation DPLs were more effective in delivering oligonucleotide into cells. Conclusions  High generation DPL-oligonucleotide complexes were moderately effective for delivery antisense oligonucleotide. The complex formation provides a promise for in vivo therapeutic application of DPLs or their derivatives in the delivery of gene or oligonucleotide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This brief communication describes the findings from a randomised controlled trial in Vietnam that co-administration of measles vaccine (MV) with 10-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV10, Synflorix®, GSK) does not affect the immunogenicity of MV. These findings are most relevant for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in Asia considering PCV introduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pneumococcal infections are major causes of child mortality and morbidity worldwide and antibiotic resistance of Streptococcus pneumoniae is a major concern, especially in Asian countries. The present study was designed to evaluate the reactogenicity and safety of the 10-valent pneumococcal non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae protein D conjugate vaccine (PHiD-CV) when co-administered with the licensed diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis, hepatitis B virus, inactivated poliovirus and H. influenzae type b vaccine (DTPa-HBV-IPV/Hib) in a 3-dose primary vaccination course in Vietnamese infants.Methods: This phase III, open, randomised study was conducted in one centre in Ho Chi Minh City between February and July 2011. Healthy infants (N=300) were randomised (2:1) to receive either PHiD-CV co-administered with DTPa-HBV-IPV/Hib (PHiD-CV group) or DTPa-HBV-IPV/Hib alone (Control group) at 2, 3, and 4 months of age.Results: Within 31 days post-vaccination, 8.2% of overall doses in the PHiD-CV group and 3.0% of overall doses in the Control group were followed by at least one solicited and/or unsolicited, local and/or general adverse event of grade 3 intensity. Pain at injection site was the most common grade 3 solicited symptom, which was reported following 6.5% and 1.0% of overall doses in the PHiD-CV and Control groups, respectively. Within 4 days post-vaccination, the most common solicited local and general symptoms reported with any intensity were pain (48.9% and 31.0% of doses in the PHiD-CV and Control groups) and irritability (58.0% and 40.4% of doses in the PHiD-CV and Control groups). Within 31 days post-vaccination, the incidence of unsolicited symptoms was comparable in both groups (following 12.3% and 14.8% of doses in the PHiD-CV and Control groups, respectively). Throughout the study, 13 serious adverse events (SAEs) were reported in 9 infants in the PHiD-CV group and 11 SAEs in 6 infants in the Control group. None of them were fatal or considered causally related to vaccination.Conclusions: PHiD-CV had a clinically acceptable safety profile when co-administered with DTPa-HBV-IPV/Hib in Vietnamese infants. The reactogenicity of PHiD-CV was comparable to that observed in other South-East Asian populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]