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Objective: To evaluate the impact of the severe COVID-19 pandemic on neonates and develop strategies to improve their outcomes. Methods: We conducted an observational cross-sectional study at Children's Hospital 1 (CH1) from July 25, 2021, to May 31, 2022. All neonates who had fever or respiratory symptoms or were born from mothers with COVID-19 and had a positive RT-PCR SARS-CoV-2 result would be included. We classified neonates with COVID-19 into 2 groups: mild/moderate and severe for analysis. Differences between groups were analyzed using Fisher's exact test/Chi-square test for categorical variables and Student's t-test/Wilcoxon Rank Sum test for continuous variables. Results: This study included 88 newborns who had positive RT-PCR SARS-CoV-2 results. The severity COVID-19 rate among neonatal cases was found to be 13.6% (12/88), with a corresponding mortality rate of 1.1% (1/88). All severe cases showed lung abnormalities as evident on chest X-ray images. In addition to respiratory symptoms, a higher incidence of gastrointestinal manifestations, such as vomiting and diarrhea, was observed in the severe group, indicating a compelling association. The administration of anticoagulant and anti-inflammatory drugs in the study group resulted in a satisfactory outcome with no significant complications. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a substantial impact on the well-being of neonates. The management of COVID-19 in this population presents significant challenges.

Background and purposeIschemic stroke (IS) is classified into clinical subtypes and likely influenced by various lipid components. Nevertheless, the roles of apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I), apolipoprotein B (apoB), and apoB/apoA-I ratio in different IS subtypes remain underexplored. This study aimed to investigate the differential distribution of plasma apoA-I and apoB levels among IS subtypes and to evaluate the predictive value of the apoB/apoA-I ratio in assessing IS subtypes and disease severity.MethodsIn this study, 406 IS patients were categorized into three IS-subtypes based on clinical manifestations and imaging assessment, including intracranial atherosclerosis-related IS patients (ICAS, n = 193), extracranial atherosclerosis-related IS patients (ECAS, n = 111), and small artery occlusion-related IS patients (SAO, n = 102). Plasma apoA-I and apoB levels were measured upon hospital admission. Random forest (RF) models were performed to assess predictive values of these apolipoproteins apoB, apoA-I and their ratio in assessing IS subtype stratification and disease severity.ResultsSerum apoA-I levels were significantly lower in ICAS compared to ECAS and SAO patients (p

This paper presents a framework for the optimal design of a solar and battery assisted electric vehicle (EV) charging station in southern California, with a focus on maximizing long-term profits while addressing operational uncertainties. The problem is conceptualized as an iterative two-stage decision process. In Stage I, the sampled designs of station infrastructure, including the number of chargers, the size of photovoltaic (PV) array, and capacity of the battery energy storage system (BESS), are specified. In Stage II, the EV charging rule is designed and simulated based on the charging request and solar power datasets. A model predictive controller and an empirical rule-based approach with incoming car forecasts are developed and compared for the vehicle charging management. The simulated annual operational profit and infrastructure investment with the consideration of long-term battery degradation is synthesized to build response surface for better design exploration in Stage I. Our results show that the proposed rule-based approach is computationally more efficient and suitable to integrate with response surface methodology (RSM) for design optimization. In addition, RSM is compared with adaptive particle swarm optimization (PSO) with multiple trials to demonstrate its superiority in high-profit design.

The English language is one of the international languages used for communication and learning worldwide. In Vietnam, English is taught as a second language in schools from elementary to advanced levels. In learning a certain foreign language, the autonomy of learners has become a vital subject for the past 30 years. This research surveys the autonomy of non-language-major-students in learning English in Ho Chi Minh City University of Education. The quantitative research method uses descriptive statistics and T-test. A group of 258 students (61 males and 197 females) took part in answering two questionnaires on learners' autonomy in learning English and the roles of lecturers and students in developing learner-autonomy in learning English. The results showed that the students were not familiar with the term "learning autonomy." However, students were aware that they played a fundamental role in improving this ability. They also believed that the lecturers determined their English learning process. Thence, we propose solutions for the non-language-majors to improve their autonomy in learning English.

AbstractThis paper investigates the impact of digital transformation on export reduction during COVID-19 by using unique data from Vietnamese manufacturing firms. Digital transformation reflects whether firms had already introduced digital technology before the COVID-19 outbreak or started using digital technology during the COVID-19 outbreak. Meanwhile, an export reduction is a partial de-internationalization in which firms decrease overseas sales. Estimation results from the instrumental variable probit method show that digital transformation has a negative effect on the probability of export reduction. This effect becomes particularly strong for micro, small and medium enterprises. Our findings have managerial implications for firm managers.

Background: Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is known to modulate the immune system and contribute to the generation of anti‐tumor T cells and stimulate T cell infiltration into tumors. Radiation‐induced immune suppression (RIIS) is a side effect of radiation therapy that can decrease immunological function by killing naive T cells as well as SBRT‐induced newly created effector T cells, suppressing the immune response to tumors and increasing susceptibility to infections. Purpose: RIIS varies substantially among patients and it is currently unclear what drives this variability. Models that can accurately predict RIIS in near real time based on treatment plan characteristics would allow treatment planners to maintain current protocol specific dosimetric criteria while minimizing immune suppression. In this paper, we present an algorithm to predict RIIS based on a model of circulating blood using early stage lung cancer patients treated with SBRT. Methods: This Python‐based algorithm uses DICOM data for radiation therapy treatment plans, dose maps, patient CT data sets, and organ delineations to stochastically simulate blood flow and predict the doses absorbed by circulating lymphocytes. These absorbed doses are used to predict the fraction of lymphocytes killed by a given treatment plan. Finally, the time dependence of absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) following SBRT is modeled using longitudinal blood data up to a year after treatment. This model was developed and evaluated on a cohort of 64 patients with 10‐fold cross validation. Results: Our algorithm predicted post‐treatment ALC with an average error of 0.24±0.21×109$0.24 \pm 0.21 \times {10}^9$ cells/L with 89% of the patients having a prediction error below 0.5 × 109 cells/L. The accuracy was consistent across a wide range of clinical and treatment variables. Our model is able to predict post‐treatment ALC < 0.8 (grade 2 lymphopenia), with a sensitivity of 81% and a specificity of 98%. This model has a ∼38‐s end‐to‐end prediction time of post treatment ALC. Conclusion: Our model performed well in predicting RIIS in patients treated using lung SBRT. With near‐real time model prediction time, it has the capability to be interfaced with treatment planning systems to prospectively reduce immune cell toxicity while maintaining national SBRT conformity and plan quality criteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excess soil salinity significantly impairs plant growth and development. Our previous reports demonstrated that the core circadian clock oscillator GIGANTEA (GI) negatively regulates salt stress tolerance by sequestering the SALT OVERLY SENSITIVE (SOS) 2 kinase, an essential component of the SOS pathway. Salt stress induces calcium‐dependent cytoplasmic GI degradation, resulting in activation of the SOS pathway; however, the precise molecular mechanism governing GI degradation during salt stress remains enigmatic. Here, we demonstrate that salt‐induced calcium signals promote the cytoplasmic partitioning of CONSTITUTIVE PHOTOMORPHOGENIC 1 (COP1), leading to the 26S proteasome‐dependent degradation of GI exclusively in the roots. Salt stress‐induced calcium signals accelerate the cytoplasmic localization of COP1 in the root cells, which targets GI for 26S proteasomal degradation. Align with this, the interaction between COP1 and GI is only observed in the roots, not the shoots, under salt‐stress conditions. Notably, the gi‐201 cop1‐4 double mutant shows an enhanced tolerance to salt stress similar to gi‐201, indicating that GI is epistatic to COP1 under salt‐stress conditions. Taken together, our study provides critical insights into the molecular mechanisms governing the COP1‐mediated proteasomal degradation of GI for salt stress tolerance, raising new possibilities for developing salt‐tolerant crops. Summary statement: Salt‐induced Ca2+ signal triggers E3 ubiquitin ligase CONSTITUTIVE PHOTOMORPHOGENIC 1 (COP1) dependent proteasomal degradation of cytosolic GIGANTEA (GI) in the roots under salt‐stress conditions. Consequently, COP1‐regulated GI degradation positively regulates salt stress tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fucoxanthin extracted and purified from Vietnamese Sargassum oligocystum Montagne, 1845 exhibits various biological activities. In this study, the ability of fucoxanthin to inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE), the antioxidant activities, and the expression of antioxidant enzymes were investigated. Fucoxanthin isolated from Vietnamese S. oligocystum showed no cytotoxic effects; moreover, it exhibited AChE inhibitory activity (with an IC50 value of 130.12 ± 6.65 μg mL−1) and antioxidant activity (with an IC50 value of 3.42 ± 0.15 mg mL−1). At concentrations of 50 and 100 µg mL−1, fucoxanthin provided protection against amyloid β-protein fragment 25–35-induced neurotoxicity in a C6 neuronal cell line, and the survival of C6 cells was higher than 81.01% and 80.98%, respectively, compared to the control group (59%). Moreover, antioxidant enzyme activity and quantitative PCR analysis suggested that the neuroprotective effect of fucoxanthin resulted from regulation of the gene expression of antioxidant enzymes (CAT and GPx) and ER pathways (caspase-3 and Bax), as well as the promotion of expression of genes involved in PI3K/Akt signaling (GSK-3β), autophagy (p62 and ATG5), and the biosynthesis of ACh (VAChT and ChAT). Therefore, fucoxanthin extracted from the seaweed S. oligocystum in Vietnam is a potential feedstock source for the production of health foods that exert neuroprotective effects.

This article discusses a case report of a pediatric patient with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) who developed neuropathy after using the medication dupilumab. Dupilumab is a new therapy approved for the treatment of EoE in adolescents and pediatric patients. The patient experienced significant improvement in gastrointestinal symptoms while on the medication, but developed paresthesias in his legs and torso after several months of use. The symptoms resolved after discontinuing the medication. The article also mentions two adult cases of neuropathy associated with dupilumab use. While the exact mechanism is unclear, it is suggested that the medication may cause a shift in inflammation that could contribute to the development of neuropathies. Physicians should be aware of this potential association and monitor patients for peripheral neurologic symptoms while on dupilumab. [Extracted from the article]

This paper conducted an experimental study on the performance and emission characteristics of bi-fuel gasoline-liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for in-used fuel-injected motorcycles. By using an electric bi-fuel controller, the original engine can operate smoothly on either conventional fuel or alternative one. The performance was evaluated by comparing the brake power at the wheel of the test motorcycle with a different kind of fuel. The carbon balance method was used to determine the fuel consumption from instantaneous emission levels measured by the constant volume sampler system. The pollutant level was measured following the driving cycle test ECE R40. The exhaust emission of HC, CO, and NOx of the test vehicle fueled by LPG reduces 69.94%, 47.89%, and 46.48% compared to gasoline. The average fuel (kg/100 km) and energy (MJ/100 km) consumption were reduced by 14.78% and 12.84%, respectively. In contrast, average fuel consumption in l/100 km increased by 11.10%. The degradation in engine performance was observed. The best brake power at the wheel was reduced by 19.42% on average. The developed bi-fuel system could be a feasible solution for environmental protection, fuel economy and guarantee the long life of currently used motorcycles in Vietnam’s current context.

Aurantiochytrium is a heterotrophic marine microalga that has potential industrial applications. The main objectives of this study were to isolate an Aurantiochytrium strain from Sand Cay (Son Ca) Island, Vietnam, optimize its culture conditions, determine its nutritional composition, extract polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in the free (FFA) and the alkyl ester (FAAE) forms, and evaluate the antioxidation and neuroprotection properties of the PUFAs. Aurantiochytrium sp. SC145 can be grown stably under laboratory conditions. Its culture conditions were optimized for a dry cell weight (DCW) of 31.18 g/L, with total lipids comprising 25.29%, proteins 7.93%, carbohydrates 15.21%, and carotenoid at 143.67 µg/L of DCW. The FAAEs and FFAs extracted from Aurantiochytrium sp. SC145 were rich in omega 3–6–9 fatty acids (40.73% and 44.00% of total fatty acids, respectively). No acute or subchronic oral toxicity was determined in mice fed with the PUFAs in FFA or FAAE forms at different doses over 90 days. Furthermore, the PUFAs in the FFA or FAAE forms and their main constituents of EPA, DHA, and ALA showed antioxidant and AChE inhibitory properties and neuroprotective activities against damage caused by H2O2- and amyloid-ß protein fragment 25–35 (Aβ25-35)-induced C6 cells. These data suggest that PUFAs extracted from Aurantiochytrium sp. SC145 may be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.

One new indol, N-methoxymethyltryptophol (1), one new phenolic, (2 R)-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl 2-hydroxy-3-phenylpropanoate (2) and fifteen known compounds (3–17) were isolated from the methanol extract of the fermentation of marine microalgae Aurantiochytrium sp. SC145. Their structures were elucidated by 1D-, 2D-NMR spectroscopic analysis, HR-ESI-MS, quantum chemical calculation methods and by comparing their NMR data with those reported in the literature. All compounds were evaluated for their antimicrobial activities against microorganisms. Compounds 2, 3 and 11 significantly exhibited antimicrobial activities on all tested Gram-(+), Gram-(-) bacteria and the yeast C. albicans with MIC values ranging from 32 to 256 µg/mL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]