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Background: HIV drug resistance (HIVDR) can reduce the effectiveness of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs in preventing morbidity and mortality, limit options for treatment, and prevention. Our study aimed to assess HIV-1 subtypes and HIVDR among key populations in HIV Sentinel Surveillance Plus Behavior (HSS+) in 2018 and 2020., Methods: One-stage venue-based cluster sampling was used to recruit participants at hotspots identified for Men who have sex with men (MSM) in 7 provinces and SEM females and female sex worker (FSW) in 13 provinces. Participants completed a standard questionnaire about risk and preventive behaviors, and ART history, and provided intravenous blood for HIV testing. HIVDR testing was conducted on HIV-positive samples with VL >1,000 copies/ml., Results: A total of 185/435 (42.5%) HIV-positive samples had viral load ≥1,000 copies/ml, of which 130/136 from MSM and 26/49 from FSW, were successfully sequenced. Six HIV-1 subtypes were detected (CRF01_AE, A, CRF07/08_BC, B, C, CRF25_cpx), with CRF01_AE (82.7%, 129/156) the most common. Drug resistance mutations were detected in 16.7% of participants overall (26/156), in 15.4% (20/130) of MSM, and in 23.1% (6/26) of FSW. Mutations associated with resistance to NNRTI were the most frequently detected (73.1%, 19/26). The high level of resistance was presented in NNRTI and NRTI classes. There are 10 major resistance mutations detected with NRTI (M184VI-25.0%, K65KR-50.0%, Y115F-25%), NNRTI (K103N-21.1%, E138A-10.5%, V106M-5.3%, K101E-5.3%, G190A-5.3%) PI (L33F-40.0%, M46L-20.0%)., Conclusions: Vietnam's HSS+ system identified an emerging strain of HIV-1 and mutations associated with resistance to multiple drug classes among MSM and FSW., Competing Interests: Conflicts of Interest and Source of Funding: The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest concerning the research, authorship, or publication of this article. This study has been supported by the Vietnam National Strategy on Prevention and Control HIV/AIDS, the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) under the terms of GH001016, and The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. We also acknowledge the support from the University of California, San Francisco’s International Traineeships in AIDS Prevention Studies (ITAPS), U.S. NIMH, R25MH123256. The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the funding agencies., (Copyright © 2024 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Existing studies on resilience measures tailored explicitly to teachers are relatively scarce, and the development of teacher resilience scales in developing Asian nations is lacking. To address this gap, we developed the Vietnam Teachers' Resilience Scale (VITRS), drawing on the Teachers' Resilience Scale (Daniilidou & Platsidou, 2018) and the Multidimensional Teachers' Resilience Scale (Mansfield & Wosnitza, 2015; Peixoto et al., 2020). The VITRS comprises 20 items across four dimensions (Social, Professional, Emotional, and Motivational resilience), demonstrating psychometric properties. The VITRS exhibits high reliability and validity and can serve as a significant assessment tool for high school and university teachers. This enables them to measure their resilience and prepare effectively to face and adapt to adversity. Despite these limitations, this study opens new avenues for future research., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2023 The Authors.)

The electrochemical behavior and sensing performance of an electrode modified with NiFe 2 O 4 (NFO), MoS 2 , and MoS 2 -NFO were thoroughly investigated using CV, EIS, DPV, and CA measurements, respectively. MoS 2 -NFO/SPE provided a higher sensing performance towards the detection of clenbuterol (CLB) than other proposed electrodes. After optimization of pH and accumulation time, the current response recorded at MoS 2 -NFO/SPE linearly increased with an increase of CLB concentration in the range from 1 to 50 μM, corresponding to a LOD of 0.471 μM. In the presence of an external magnetic field, there were positive impacts not only on mass transfer, ionic/charge diffusion, and absorption capacity but also on the electrocatalytic ability for redox reactions of CLB. As a result, the linear range was widened to 0.5-50 μM and the LOD value was about 0.161 μM. Furthermore, stability, repeatability, and selectivity were assessed, emphasizing their high practical applicability., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts to declare., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)

Although docetaxel (DTX) confers significant survival benefits in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), resistance to DTX inevitably occurs. Therefore, clarifying the mechanisms of DTX resistance may improve survival in patients with CRPC. Claspin plays a pivotal role in DNA replication stress and damage responses and is an essential regulator for the S-phase checkpoint. CLSPN is an oncogenic gene that contributes to tumor proliferation in several human solid tumors. However, the clinical significance of claspin in prostate cancer (PCa) has not been examined. The present study aimed to elucidate the role of claspin and its relationship with DTX resistance in PCa. We immunohistochemically analyzed the expression of claspin in 89 PCa cases, of which 31 (35%) were positive for claspin. Claspin-positive cases were associated with higher Gleason score, venous invasion, and perineural invasion. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that high claspin expression was related to poor prostate-specific antigen (PSA) relapse-free prognosis. In a public database, high CLSPN expression was associated with poor PSA relapse-free prognosis, Gleason score, T stage, lymph node metastasis, CRPC, and metastatic PCa. Claspin knockdown by siRNA decreased cell proliferation, upregulated DTX sensitivity, and suppressed the expression of Akt, Erk1/2, and CHK1 phosphorylation in DU145 and PC3 cell lines. Furthermore, claspin expression was much more upregulated in DTX-resistant DU145 (DU145-DR) than in parental DU145 cells. Claspin knockdown significantly upregulated the sensitivity to DTX in DU145-DR cells. These results suggest that claspin plays an important role in PCa tumor progression and DTX resistance., (© 2021 The Authors. Cancer Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: Although unresectable or recurrent gastric cancers (GC) are frequently treated with platinum-based chemotherapy, response to treatment remains unpredictable. Because Schlafen 11 (SLFN11) is recently identified as a critical determinant of platinum sensitivity, we investigated the potential clinical utility of SLFN11 in the treatment of GC., Methods: We analysed the correlation between SLFN11 expression and overall survival in 169 GC patients by our established immunohistochemical approach. The impact of SLFN11 expression on the response to platinum and transition of SLFN11 expression upon long-term treatment with platinum were examined using GC cell lines and organoids., Results: GC patients with high-SLFN11 expression exhibited significantly better survival than those with low-SLFN11 expression, and the significance increased when we selected patients treated with platinum-based chemotherapy. Knockout of SLFN11 and reactivation of SLFN11 in GC cells conferred resistance and sensitivity to platinum, respectively. In GC cells and organoids, long-term treatment with oxaliplatin suppressed SLFN11 expression while imparting drug resistance. The acquired resistance to oxaliplatin was reversed by reactivation of SLFN11 with epigenetic modifying drugs., Conclusions: This is the first report revealing definitive clinical implications of SLFN11 in the treatment of GC patients and providing novel strategies for the drug selection based on SLFN11 expression.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Kinesin Family Member C1 (KIFC1) has been proposed as a promising therapeutic target due to its pivotal role in centrosome clustering to mediate cancer cell progression. This study aimed to analyze the expression and biological function of KIFC1 in CRC. Immunohistochemically, 67 (52%) of 129 CRC cases were positive for KIFC1 and statistically associated with poorer overall survival. KIFC1 small interfering RNA (siRNA)-transfected cells demonstrated lower cell proliferation as compared to the negative control cells. A specific KIFC1 inhibitor, kolavenic acid analog (KAA) drastically inhibited CRC cell proliferation. Microarray analysis revealed that KAA-treated CRC cells presented reduced ZW10 interacting kinetochore protein (ZWINT) expression as compared to control cells. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that 61 (47%) of 129 CRC cases were positive for ZWINT and ZWINT expression was significantly correlated with KIFC1 expression. ZWINT-positive cases exhibited significantly worse overall survival. KIFC1 siRNA-transfected cells showed reduced ZWINT expression while ZWINT siRNA-transfected cells decreased cell proliferation. Both KIFC1 and ZWINT knockdown cells attenuated spheroid formation ability. This study provides new insights into KIFC1 regulating ZWINT in CRC progression and its potential as a therapeutic target., (© 2021 Japanese Society of Pathology and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.)

In this work, reduced graphene oxide/double-walled carbon nanotubes/octahedral-Fe 3 O 4 /chitosan composite material modified screen-printed gold electrodes (rGO/DWCNTs/Oct-Fe 3 O 4 /Cs/SPAuE) under inhibition of urease enzyme was developed for the determination of glyphosate (GLY). The electrochemical behaviors of GLY on these electrodes were evaluated by square wave voltammetry (SWV). With the electroactive surface area is 1.7 times higher than that of bare SPAuE, the rGO/DWCNTs/Oct-Fe 3 O 4 /Cs/SPAuE for detection of GLY shows a low detection limit (LOD) of ~ 0.08 ppb in a large concentration range of 0.1-1000 ppb. Moreover, it is also successfully applied to the determination of GLY in river water samples with recoveries and relative standard deviations (RSDs) from 98.7% to 106.9% and from 0.79% to 0.87%, respectively. The developed composite will probably provide an universal electrochemical sensing platform that is very promising for environmental monitoring.

In-Situ composite materials of graphene (Gr) and ZnO microspindle with different Gr contents (1, 2 and 5 wt.%) were prepared via a facile one-step hydrothermal route with the assistance of hexamethylenetetramine. Graphene does not affect the hexagonal wurtzite crystal structure of composite materials but strongly affects the morphological, structural, optical and photocatalytic properties of composite materials. In detail, Gr causes a decrease in both the dimensions of ZnO microspindle and photoluminescence efficiency. The average crystalline size and microstrain first increase from 28.9 nm and 0.00394 to 49.5 nm and 0.00524 when Gr content increases from 0 to 1 wt.%, respectively; then decrease to 39.6 nm and 0.00404 when Gr content increase from 1 to 5 wt.%, respectively. Both pristine and composite materials show high photocatalytic activity with high methylene blue degradation efficiency?more than 90%-just after 40 min under UV irradiation. Composite material having a Gr content of 5 wt.% shows the highest degradation efficiency of 96.5% which confirms the role of Gr in enhancing the photocatalytic activity of ZnO.

In recent decades, there has been an increased demand for the processing of electrocardiogram (ECG) signals because of its significant role in diagnosing cardiac diseases. The QRS complex is the dominant feature of the ECG signal. The detection of QRS complexes is thus an essential part of almost any ECG signal processing systems. This paper presents a developed QRS complex detection method using dominant peak extraction and Shannon energy envelope for useful ECG signal analysis. The algorithm is divided into three main stages: pre-processing, searching for dominant peaks, and removing false R peaks. The proposed algorithm is validated in static ECG recordings from the MIT-BIH Arrhythmia Database (MITDB) and noise-contaminated ECG stress tests from the Glasgow University Database (GUDB), separately. The method compares favorably with conventional and recently published results of many QRS detection algorithms on the same MITDB. Subsequently, valuable performance coefficients are also found on the GUDB. The average detection accuracy of finding R peaks exceed 99% on both the databases, especially for cardiac stress test records with high interference levels. The method enables a highly effective ECG signal processing tool under various noises, artifacts, abnormalities, and morphologies., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no competing interests., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

In this work, we demonstrate the preparation of hybrid thin films based on double-walled carbon nanotubes and graphene for electrochemical sensing applications. The hybrid films were synthesized on polycrystalline copper foil by thermal chemical vapor deposition under low pressure. This carbonaceous hybrid film has exhibited high transparency with a transmittance of 94.3 %. The occurrence of this hybrid material on the electrode surface of screen-printed electrodes was found to increase electroactive surface area by 1.4 times, whereas electrochemical current was enhanced by 2.4 times. Such a highly transparent and conductive hybrid film was utilized as a transducing platform of enzymatic electrochemical arsenic(V) sensor. The as-prepared sensor shows the linear detection of arsenic(V) in the range from 1 to 10 ppb, with a limit of detection as low as 0.287 ppb. These findings provide a promising approach to develop new multifunctional electrochemical sensing systems for environmental monitoring and biomedical diagnostics., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Two new prenylated flavonoids, 4´-methyl-8-prenyltaxifolin ( 1 ) and 6,8-diprenyl-4´-methyl-naringenin ( 2 ) and a new geranylated stilbene, 4'-deprenyl-4-methoxymappain ( 3 ) together with eight known flavonoids ( 4-11 ) were isolated from the fruits of Macaranga balansae Gagnep. Their chemical structures were determined by means of spectroscopic methods including 1D, 2D NMR, and MS data. Compound 2 showed the highest cytotoxic activity against PanC1, A549, KB and LU-1 cell lines with IC 50 values range from 7.89 to 22.81 µM.

The number of older persons in Asia is expected to triple by 2050. Ageing is associated with non-communicable chronic diseases, malnutrition, and geriatric syndromes, which influences the burden on the cost related to healthcare, health outcomes, and the quality of life. Experts in the field of older adult nutrition from Asia, Australia, and Europe were invited to participate in a two-day workshop to review the available data, current policies and programs for the ageing population in different countries of Asia to identify the gaps in knowledge and to develop recommendations for action. In Asia, most of the data pertaining to health status, nutritional status, and nutrient intake of the older persons were mainly obtained by conducting studies in nursing homes or hospitals and small cohort studies. There were limited country-specific data on this population. Moreover, the available data pertaining to different countries were difficult to compare due to differences in the reporting format and reference values used. Although nutrition initiatives and policies were realized and public education was conducted to support the older persons, most of these efforts targeted the general population rather than the older persons population segment. In healthcare management, a higher amount of education is required pertaining to the knowledge of nutritional requirements and appropriate feeding of the older persons to reduce underfeeding and its consequences. The expert group recommended the use of a systematic approach for reviewing data pertaining to different countries, initiatives, and programs to further evaluate the available data to underpin future research.

Background: The transcribed ultraconserved regions (T-UCRs) are a novel class of non-coding RNAs that are absolutely conserved across species and are involved in carcinogenesis in some cancers. However, the expression and biological role of T-UCRs in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) remain poorly understood. This study aimed to examine the expression and functional role of Uc.416 + A and analyze the association between Uc.416 + A and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in RCC., Methods: Expression of Uc.416 + A in 35 RCC tissues, corresponding normal kidney tissues and 13 types of normal tissue samples was determined by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). We performed a cell growth and migration assay in RCC cell line 786-O transfected with negative control and siRNA for Uc.416 + A. We evaluated the relation between Uc.416 + A and miR-153, which has a complimentary site of Uc.416 + A., Results: qRT-PCR analysis revealed that the expression of Uc.416 + A was higher in RCC tissues than that in corresponding normal kidney tissues. Inhibition of Uc.416 + A reduced cell growth and cell migration activity. There was an inverse correlation between Uc.416 + A and miR-153. Western blot analysis showed Uc.416 + A modulated E-cadherin, vimentin and snail. The expression of Uc.416 + A was positively associated with the expression of SNAI1, VIM and inversely associated with the expression of CDH1., Conclusions: The expression of Uc.416 + A was upregulated in RCC and especially in RCC tissues with sarcomatoid change. Uc.416 + A promoted epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition through miR-153. These results suggest that Uc.416 + A may be a promising therapeutic target.

Background: Currently, it is recognized that water polluted with toxic heavy metal ions may cause serious effects on human health. Therefore, the development of new materials for effective removal of heavy metal ions from water is still a widely important area. Melanin is being considered as a potential material for removal of heavy metal from water., Methods: In this study, we synthesized two melanin-embedded beads from two different melanin powder sources and named IMB (Isolated Melanin Bead originated from squid ink sac) and CMB (Commercial Melanin Bead originated from sesame seeds). These beads were of globular shape and 2-3 mm in diameter. We investigated and compared the sorption abilities of these two bead materials toward hexavalent-chromium (Cr VI ) in water. The isotherm sorption curves were established using Langmuir and Freundlich models in the optimized conditions of pH, sorption time, solid/liquid ratio, and initial concentration of Cr VI . The FITR analysis was also carried out to show the differences in surface properties of these two beads., Results: The optimized conditions for isotherm sorption of Cr VI on IMB/CMB were set at pH values of 2/2, sorption times of 90/300 min, and solid-liquid ratios of 10/20 mg/mL. The maximum sorption capacities calculated based on the Langmuir model were 19.60 and 6.24 for IMB and CMB, respectively. However, the adsorption kinetic of Cr VI on the beads fitted the Freundlich model with R 2 values of 0.992 for IMB and 0.989 for CMB. The deduced Freundlich constant, 1/n, in the range of 0.2-0.8 indicated that these beads are good adsorption materials. In addition, structure analysis data revealed great differences in physical and chemical properties between IMB and CMB. Interestingly, FTIR analysis results showed strong signals of -OH (3295.35 cm - 1 ) and -C=O (1608.63 cm - 1 ) groups harboring on the IMB but not CMB. Moreover, loading of Cr VI on the IMB caused a shift of broad peaks from 3295.35 cm - 1 and 1608.63 cm - 1 to 3354.21 cm - 1 and 1597.06 cm - 1 , respectively, due to -OH and -C=O stretching., Conclusions: Taken together, our study suggests that IMB has great potential as a bead material for the elimination of Cr VI from aqueous solutions and may be highly useful for water treatment applications.

The title compound, C 11 H 7 NS 2 , was prepared in high yield (87%) using a solvent-free microwave-assisted synthesis. The structure shows whole-mol-ecule disorder with occupancies for two orientations (A and B) of 0.4884 (10) and 0.5116 (10), respectively. The thio-phene and benzo-thia-zole rings are almost planar and make dihedral angles of 10.02 (18) and 12.54 (19)° for orientations A and B, respectively. Slipped π-π stacking between the aromatic rings, together with C-H⋯π, C-H⋯S and C-H⋯N inter-actions, result in a herringbone motif in the crystal packing.

In the title compound, C 7 H 8 N 4 S 2 , the thio-phene ring shows rotational disorder over two orientations in a 0.6957 (15):0.3043 (15) ratio. The plane of the 1,2,4-triazole ring makes a dihedral angle of 75.02 (17)° with the major-disorder component of the thiophene ring. In the crystal, two types of inversion dimers, described by the graph-set motifs R 2 2 (8) and R 2 2 (10), are formed by N-H⋯S inter-actions. Chains of mol-ecules running in the [101] direction are linked by weaker N-H⋯N inter-actions. The thio-phene ring is involved in π-π and C-H⋯π inter-actions.

The title compound, C 9 H 8 N 2 O 2 S 3 , crystallizes with two mol-ecules ( A and B ) in the asymmetric unit. Both have similar conformations (overlay r.m.s. deviation = 0.209 Å) and are linked by an N-H⋯O hydrogen bond. In both mol-ecules, the thio-phene rings show orientational disorder, with occupancy factors of 0.6727 (17) and 0.3273 (17) for mol-ecule A , and 0.7916 (19) and 0.2084 (19) for mol-ecule B . The five-membered rings make an angle of 79.7 (2)° in mol-ecule A and an angle of 66.8 (2)° in mol-ecule B . In the crystal, chains of mol-ecules running along the a -axis direction are linked by N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds. The inter-action of adjacent chains through N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds leads to two types of ring structures containing four mol-ecules and described by the graph-set motifs R 4 4 (18) and R 4 2 (14).

In this report, we present the research results on using the conventional method and microwave technology to extract curcuminoid from turmeric roots originated in different regions of Northern Vietnam. This method is simple, yet economical, non-toxic and still able to achieve high extraction performance to get curcuminoid from turmeric roots. The detailed results on the Raman vibration spectra combined with X-ray powder diffraction and high-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry allowed the evaluation of each batch of curcumin crystalline powder sample received, under the conditions of applied fabrication technology. Also, the absorption and fluorescence spectroscopies of the samples are presented in the paper. The information to be presented in this paper: absorption and fluorescence spectroscopies of the samples; new experimental study results on applied technology to mass-produce curcumin from turmeric rhizomes; comparative study results between fabricated samples and marketing curcumin products-to state the complexity of co-existing crystalline phase in curcumin powder samples. We noticed that, it is possible to use the vibration line at ~959 cm(-1)-characteristic of the ν C=O vibration, and the ~1625 cm(-1) line-characteristic of the ν C=O and ν C=C vibration in curcumin molecules, for preliminary quality assessment of naturally originated curcumin crystalline powder samples. Data on these new optical spectra will contribute to the bringing of detailed information on natural curcumin in Vietnam, serving research purposes and applications of natural curcumin powder and nanocurcumin in Vietnam, as well as being initial materials for the pharmaceutical, cosmetics or functional food industries.

Introduction: Given the overlapping modes of transmission of HIV, hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV), understanding the burden and relationship of these infections is critical for an effective response. Representative data on these infections among males who inject drugs (MWID), the key high-risk population for HIV in Vietnam, are currently lacking., Methods: Data and stored specimens from Vietnam's 2009-2010 Integrated Biologic and Behavioral Survey, a cross-sectional study among high-risk populations, were used for this analysis. Plasma samples were tested for HIV, HBV, and HCV using commercial assays. A questionnaire was administered to provide demographic, behavior, and service-uptake information. Provincial-level analyses were conducted to profile MWID enrollees and to provide estimates on the prevalence of HIV, HBV, and HCV infection., Results: Among 3010 MWID sampled across 10 provinces, the median (range) HIV prevalence was 28.1% (1.0%-55.5%). Median prevalence for current HBV infection (HBsAg+) was 14.1% (11.7%-28.0%), for previous exposure to HBV (total anti-HBc+) was 71.4% (49.9%-83.1%), and for current or past HCV infection (HCV Ag/Ab+) was 53.8% (10.9%-80.8%). In adjusted analysis, HBsAg+ (aOR: 2.09, 1.01-4.34) and HCV Ag/Ab+ (aOR: 19.58, 13.07-29.33) status were significantly associated with HIV infection; the association with total anti-HBc+ approached significance (aOR: 1.29, 0.99-1.68)., Conclusion: The prevalence and association between HIV, HBV, and HCV are high among MWID in Vietnam. These findings indicate the need for integrated policies and practice that for the surveillance, prevention, screening, and treatment of both HIV and viral hepatitis among MWID in Vietnam.

In this report we describe a new approach in HIV sentinel surveillance that was piloted in Viet Nam in 2009 and is currently being rolled out in all provinces. It comprises a brief behavioural questionnaire added to the HIV sentinel surveillance surveys conducted routinely among people who inject drugs, female sex workers and men who have sex with men. Timely reporting of data from this system has resulted in improvements to HIV prevention efforts for most at-risk populations.

Background: An estimated 120,000 HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis (CM) cases occur each year in South and Southeast Asia; early treatment may improve outcomes. The World Health Organization (WHO) recently recommended screening HIV-infected adults with CD4<100 cells/mm(3) for serum cryptococcal antigen (CrAg), a marker of early cryptococcal infection, in areas of high CrAg prevalence. We evaluated CrAg prevalence and cost-effectiveness of this screening strategy in HIV-infected adults in northern and southern Vietnam., Methods: Serum samples were collected and stored during 2009-2012 in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, from HIV-infected, ART-naïve patients presenting to care in 12 clinics. All specimens from patients with CD4<100 cells/mm(3) were tested using the CrAg lateral flow assay. We obtained cost estimates from laboratory staff, clinicians and hospital administrators in Vietnam, and evaluated cost-effectiveness using WHO guidelines., Results: Sera from 226 patients [104 (46%) from North Vietnam and 122 (54%) from the South] with CD4<100 cells/mm(3) were available for CrAg testing. Median CD4 count was 40 (range 0-99) cells/mm(3). Nine (4%; 95% CI 2-7%) specimens were CrAg-positive. CrAg prevalence was higher in South Vietnam (6%; 95% CI 3-11%) than in North Vietnam (2%; 95% CI 0-6%) (p = 0.18). Cost per life-year gained under a screening scenario was $190, $137, and $119 at CrAg prevalences of 2%, 4% and 6%, respectively., Conclusion: CrAg prevalence was higher in southern compared with northern Vietnam; however, CrAg screening would be considered cost-effective by WHO criteria in both regions. Public health officials in Vietnam should consider adding cryptococcal screening to existing national guidelines for HIV/AIDS care.

Objective: Decreased memory B-cell maintenance during HIV-1 infection has been associated with the viraemia-induced accumulation of activated memory B cells, sensitive to Fas-mediated apoptosis. We aimed at clarifying whether other B-cell subsets might also be affected by an increased Fas expression in HIV-1-infected patients, and we studied the possible contribution of viraemia, lymphopenia or T-cell activation in Fas upregulation on B cells. We analysed whether Fas upregulation might have collaborative effects with the dysregulation of other B-cell modulatory molecules, leukocyte-associated immunoglobulin-like receptor 1 (LAIR1) and programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), on B-cell homeostasis., Design: Fas, LAIR1 and PD-1 were analysed on B-cell subpopulations in HIV-1-infected patients who were treatment naive, nonlymphopenic; antiretroviral therapy (ART)-treated, nonlymphopenic; or ART-treated, lymphopenic or in noninfected controls., Methods: Flow cytometry was used to study B-cell subsets and Milliplex for serum cytokines., Results: Fas expression increased on all B-cell subpopulations of viraemic or lymphopenic individuals. The decreased ratio of resting memory B cells and their increased Fas expression were not normalized by ART. Cytokines associated with T-cell activation might influence Fas expression on the naive and transitional B cells. LAIR1 expression decreased in all HIV-1-infected patients, but only on memory B cells, whereas PD-1 increased on resting memory B cells in viraemic patients., Conclusion: Fas is regulated by the concerted action of viraemia, lymphopenia and T-cell activation during HIV-1 infection, and Fas expression is altered on all peripheral B-cell subsets. Resting memory B-cell homeostasis shows the highest sensitivity to HIV-1-induced perturbations.

Background: Despite the increasing prevalence of type 2 diabetes in urban areas, relatively little has been known about its actual prevalence and its associations in rural areas, Vietnam. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of impaired fasting glucose (IFG), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), diabetes and their risk factors in a rural province, Vietnam., Methods: A cross-sectional study with a representative sample was designed to estimate the hyperglycemia prevalence, using 75-g oral glucose tolerance test. Potential risk factors for hyperglycemia were analyzed using multinomial logistic regression, taken into account influences of socio-economic status, anthropometric measures, and lifestyle-related factors., Results: The age and sex-adjusted prevalence rates (95% CI) of isolated IFG, isolated IGT, combined IFG-IGT, and diabetes were 8.7 (7.0-10.5), 4.3 (3.2-5.4), 1.6 (0.9-2.3), and 3.7% (2.7-4.7%), respectively. There were still 73% of diabetic subjects without knowing the condition. Blood pressure, family history of diabetes, obesity-related measures (waist circumference, waist-hip ratio, body fat percentage, and abdominal obesity) were the independent risk factors for hyperglycemia (IFG, IGT, and diabetes)., Conclusions: The prevalence of hyperglycemia in rural areas has not been as sharply increased as that reported in urban cities, Vietnam. Blood pressure and obesity-related measures were the most significant predictors for hyperglycemia level and they can be taken into account in building prognosis models to early detection of diabetes in rural Vietnamese populations.

A study of the chemical constituents of a methanolic extract of the roots of Livistona halongensis (Arecaceae) led to the isolation of two new flavanes, 2S,3S-3,5,7,3'-tetrahydroxy-5'-methoxyflavane (1) and 3,7,3'-trihydroxy-5'-methoxyflavane 5-O-beta-glucopyranoside (2), together with trans-3,5,3',5'-tetrahydroxy-4-methoxystilbene, saccharose and beta-sitosterol-3-O-beta-glucopyranoside. The structures of these compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data.

One important pathogenic feature of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 infection is chronic immune activation and impaired survival of T and B cells. A decline of resting memory B cells was reported to occur in both children and adults infected with HIV-1; these cells are responsible for maintaining an adequate serological response to antigens previously encountered in life through natural infection or vaccination. Further understanding of the mechanisms leading to impaired B cell differentiation and germinal center reaction might be essential to design new HIV vaccines and therapies that could improve humoral immune responses in HIV-1 infected individuals. In the present article we summarize the literature and present our view on critical mechanisms of B cell development impaired during HIV-1 infection. We also discuss the impact of microbial translocation, a driving force for persistent inflammation during HIV-1 infection, on survival of terminally differentiated B cells and how the altered expression of cytokines/chemokines pivotal for communication between T and B cells in lymphoid tissues may impair formation of memory B cells.

Background: The proportion of older people is increasing rapidly in Vietnam. The majority of the elderly live in rural areas. Their health status is generally improving but this is less pronounced among the most vulnerable groups. The movement of young people for employment and the impact of other socioeconomic changes leave more elderly on their own and with less family support. This study aims to assess the daily care needs and their socioeconomic determinants among older people in a rural setting., Methods: In 2007, people aged 60 years and older, living in 2,240 households, were randomly selected from the FilaBavi Demographic Surveillance System (DSS). They were interviewed using structured questionnaires to assess needed support in activities of daily living (ADLs). Individuals were interviewed about the presence of chronic illnesses that had been diagnosed by a physician. Participant socioeconomic characteristics were extracted from the FilaBavi repeat census. The repeat census used a repeat of the same survey methods and questions as the original FilaBavi DSS. Distributions of study participants by socioeconomic group, supports needed, levels of support received, types of caregivers, and the ADL index were described. Multivariate analyses were performed to identify socioeconomic determinants of the ADL index., Results: The majority of older people do not need of support for each specific ADL item. Dependence in instrumental or intellectual ADLs was more common than for basic ADLs. People who need total help were less common than those who need some help in most ADLs. Over three-fifths of those who need help receive enough support in all ADL dimensions. Children and grandchildren are the main caregivers. Age group, sex, educational level, marital status, household membership, working status, household size, living arrangement, residential area, household wealth, poverty status, and chronic illnesses were determinants of daily care needs in old age., Conclusions: Although majority of older people who needed help received enough support in daily care, the need of care is more demanded in disadvantaged groups. Future community-based, long-term elderly care should focus on instrumental and intellectual ADLs among the general population of older people, and on basic ADLs among those with chronic illnesses. Socioeconomic determinants of care needs should be addressed in future interventions.

Reactions of (NBu4)[ReOCl4] and 3,3,3',3'-tetraalkyl-1,1'-isophthaloylbis(thioureas), H2phth(R2tu)2 where R = Et, i-Bu, in hot MeOH with the addition of Et3N give red products of the composition [ReO(OMe){phth(R2tu)2}]2 (8a, R = Et; 8b, R = i-Bu). X-ray structures of 8 reveal symmetric binuclear complexes containing two almost coplanar organic ligands, each of which coordinates to two rhenium centers via the two bidentate-O,S moieties. The octahedral coordination spheres of the rhenium atoms are completed by each one oxo and one methoxido ligand which are directed perpendicular to the plane defined by the {phth(R2tu)2}(2-) ligands. While in 8a, both methoxido ligands point to the same side of the described plane and form a syn isomer, the MeO(-) ligands in 8b are located at opposite sides and form an anti isomer. Studies in solution show that there exists a reversible equilibrium between the anti and syn isomers. Dimerization/condensation of complexes 8 with the formation of tetranuclear complexes of the composition [{ReO{phth(R2tu)2}}2O]2 (9) and/or polynuclear species is observed in solutions, which do not contain MeOH.

To estimate the epidemic history of HIV-1 CRF01&#95;AE in Vietnam and adjacent Guangxi, China, we determined near full-length nucleotide sequences of CRF01&#95;AE from a total of 33 specimens collected in 1997-1998 from different geographic regions and risk populations in Vietnam. Phylogenetic and Bayesian molecular clock analyses were performed to estimate the date of origin of CRF01&#95;AE lineages. Our study reconstructs the timescale of CRF01&#95;AE expansion in Vietnam and neighboring regions and suggests that the series of CRF01&#95;AE epidemics in Vietnam arose by the sequential introduction of founder strains into new locations and risk groups. CRF01&#95;AE appears to have been present among heterosexuals in South-Vietnam for more than a decade prior to its epidemic spread in the early 1990s. In the late 1980s, the virus spread to IDUs in Southern Vietnam and subsequently in the mid-1990s to IDUs further north. Our results indicate the northward dissemination of CRF01&#95;AE during this time.

A household-based population study interviewed 2,553 women and 1,984 men aged 15-49 years in urban (Ho Chi Minh City) and rural (Thai Binh) provinces in Viet Nam between July and August 2005. The survey response rate was high--approximately 97% of households and 93% of adults overall, with a >92% acceptance of HIV testing among eligible adults. The unadjusted estimated population HIV prevalence was 0.3% (confidence interval [CI]: 0.1-0.6%) in Thai Binh and 0.7% (CI: 0.3-1.3) in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), compared with the national estimates and projections of 0.352% and 1.250%, respectively, for 2005. The ratio of male-to-female prevalence was 10.5:1 in Thai Binh and 1.3:1 in HCMC. A low level of men reported purchasing sex in the last 12 months (2.4%) and there were low self-reports of sexually transmitted infections in all adults (5%). A correct knowledge of HIV/AIDS prevention methods was high in both provinces (83%), although only 24.8% of women knew of the use of antiretroviral therapy to prevent vertical transmission of HIV. The observed population prevalence was consistent with recent projections in Thai Binh, although lower than expected in HCMC, indicating the substantial downward revisions of projected population HIV prevalence may need to be extended. The unequal sex prevalence ratio is consistent with the projected trends of increasing male-to-female sexual transmission in urban areas. The results and experience of this study will inform future population based surveys in Viet Nam and the broader Asian region.

As CD8+CD28- T cells have been associated with dendritic and T cell suppression, we analyzed whether an increase in CD8+CD28- T cell numbers during HIV-1 infection could lead to impaired T cell responses. In contrast to the in-vitro generated CD8+CD28- suppressors, peripheral blood CD8+CD28- T cells of both HIV-infected and noninfected individuals promoted dendritic cell activation. The CD8+CD28- T cell accumulation during HIV-1 infection may thus contribute to accelerated inflammatory reactions and immune activation.

Background: In countries where antiretroviral therapy has been available or is being rapidly expanded, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends surveillance for transmitted HIV drug resistance (HIVDR) by threshold surveillance methods using specimens from antenatal clinics or voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) sites. The aim of this study was to implement the HIVDR threshold survey in VCT sites in Vietnam, where HIV prevalence is high. Estimating transmitted resistance in the infected population will enable the appropriateness of current antiretroviral drug regimens to be assessed and will inform plans for future HIVDR surveillance., Methods: Consecutive blood specimens were collected from 70 newly diagnosed HIV-positive clients 18-24 years of age at two sites in Hanoi, Vietnam. Informed consent and serum specimens were obtained from each eligible client, with serum frozen at -70 degrees C until shipping to Thailand for resistance testing using the TruGene system., Results: From February until August 2006, 559 clients were eligible to participate in this survey. Of the 535 clients (95.7%) who agreed to participate, 70 (13%) were HIV-positive and were included in the survey. Of the 70 specimens sent for genotyping, 52 consecutive samples were amplified, 49 of which could be genotyped. Only 1 of 49 genotyped specimens had mutations associated with drug resistance (L74V and Y181C) in the reverse transcriptase gene, indicating that the prevalence of transmitted HIVDR to all drugs and drug classes evaluated was <5%., Conclusion: The prevalence of transmitted HIVDR was low in Hanoi as determined using threshold surveillance methods. The Ministry of Health plans to repeat this survey methodology in one more province and to confirm these findings by expanded HIVDR surveillance.

Serum IL-7 levels correlate with T-cell depletion in HIV-infected individuals. In some patients, we observed that serum IL-7 decreases upon progression to AIDS, suggesting a role for IL-7 in T-cell maintenance in sporadic cases. Interestingly, IL-7 levels were significantly lower in stable long-term non-progressors (LTNP) than in patients who lost the LTNP status in a 3-year follow-up (P < 0.001), indicating that the serum IL-7 concentration might be a valuable marker for maintenance of the LTNP state.

Objective: To study patterns and determinants of HIV prevalence and risk-behaviour characteristics in different population groups in four border provinces of Viet Nam., Methods: We surveyed four population groups during April-June 2002. We used stratified random-cluster sampling and collected data concomitantly on HIV status and risk behaviours. The groups included were female sex workers (n = 2023), injecting drug users (n = 1391), unmarried males aged 15-24 years (n = 1885) and different categories of mobile groups (n = 1923)., Findings: We found marked geographical contrasts in HIV prevalence, particularly among female sex workers (range 0-24%). The HIV prevalence among injecting drug users varied at high levels in all provinces (range 4-36%), whereas lower prevalences were found among both unmarried young men (range 0-1.3%) and mobile groups (range 0-2.5%). All groups reported sex with female sex workers. Less than 40% of the female sex workers had used condoms consistently. The strongest determinants of HIV infection among female sex workers were inconsistent condom use (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 5.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.4-11.8), history of injecting drug use and mobility, and, among injecting drug users, sharing of injection equipment (adjusted OR, 7.3; 95% CI, 2.3-24.0) and sex with non-regular partners (adjusted OR 3.4; 95% CI 1.4-8.5)., Conclusion: The finding of marked geographical variation in HIV prevalence underscores the value of understanding local contexts in the prevention of HIV infection. Although lacking support from data from all provinces, there would appear to be a potential for sex work to drive a self-sustaining heterosexual epidemic. That the close links to serious injecting drug use epidemics can have an accelerating effect in increasing the spread of HIV merits further study.