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High spin polarization and low resistivity of Fe 3 O 4 at room temperature have been an appealing topic in spintronics with various promising applications. High-quality Fe 3 O 4 thin films are a must to achieve the goals. In this report, Fe 3 O 4 films on different substrates (SiO 2 /Si(100), MgO(100), and MgO/Ta/SiO 2 /Si(100)) were fabricated at room temperature with radio-frequency (RF) sputtering and annealed at 450 °C for 2 h. The morphological, structural, and magnetic properties of the deposited samples were characterized with atomic force microscopy, X-ray diffractometry, and vibrating sample magnetometry. The polycrystalline Fe 3 O 4 film grown on MgO/Ta/SiO 2 /Si(100) presented very interesting morphology and structure characteristics. More importantly, changes in grain size and structure due to the effect of the MgO/Ta buffering layers have a strong impact on saturation magnetization and coercivity of Fe 3 O 4 thin films compared to cases of no or just a single buffering layer., (Copyright © 2024, Ngo et al.)

Suspended membranes of monatomic graphene exhibit great potential for applications in electronic and nanoelectromechanical devices. In this work, a "hot and dry" transfer process is demonstrated to address the fabrication and patterning challenges of large-area graphene membranes on top of closed, sealed cavities. Here, "hot" refers to the use of high temperature during transfer, promoting the adhesion. Additionally, "dry" refers to the absence of liquids when graphene and target substrate are brought into contact. The method leads to higher yields of intact suspended monolayer chemical vapor deposition (CVD) graphene and artificially stacked double-layer CVD graphene membranes than previously reported. The yield evaluation is performed using neural-network-based object detection in scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images, ascertaining high yields of intact membranes with large statistical accuracy. The suspended membranes are examined by Raman tomography and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The method is verified by applying the suspended graphene devices as piezoresistive pressure sensors. Our technology advances the application of suspended graphene membranes and can be extended to other two-dimensional materials.

Chimeric marker vaccine candidates, vGPE - /PAPeV E rns and vGPE - /PhoPeV E rns , have been generated and their efficacy and capability to differentiate infected from vaccinated animals were confirmed in previous studies. The safety profile of the two chimeric marker vaccine candidates, particularly in the potential reversion to virulence, was evaluated. Each virus was administered to pigs with a dose equivalent to the vaccination dose, and pooled tonsil homogenates were subsequently inoculated into further pigs. Chimeric virus vGPE - /PAPeV E rns displayed the most substantial attenuation, achieving this within only two passages, whereas vGPE - /PhoPeV E rns was detectable until the third passage and disappeared entirely by the fourth passage. The vGPE - strain, assessed alongside, consistently exhibited stable virus recovery across each passage without any signs of increased virulence in pigs. In vitro assays revealed that the type I interferon-inducing capacity of vGPE - /PAPeV E rns was significantly higher than that of vGPE - /PhoPeV E rns and vGPE - . In conclusion, the safety profile of the two chimeric marker vaccine candidates was affirmed. Further research is essential to ensure the stability of their attenuation and safety in diverse pig populations.

The development of new tools against glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most aggressive and common cancer originating in the brain, remains of utmost importance. Lentiviral vectors (LVs) are among the tools of future concepts, and pseudotyping offers the possibility of tailoring LVs to efficiently transduce and inactivate GBM tumor cells. Zika virus (ZIKV) has a specificity for GBM cells, leaving healthy brain cells unharmed, which makes it a prime candidate for the development of LVs with a ZIKV coat. Here, primary GBM cell cultures were transduced with different LVs encased with ZIKV envelope variants. LVs were generated by using the pNL gfp AM plasmid, which produces the lentiviral, HIV-1-based, core particle with GFP (green fluorescent protein) as a reporter (HIV gfp ). Using five different GBM primary cell cultures and three laboratory-adapted GBM cell lines, we showed that ZIKV/HIV gfp achieved a 4-6 times higher transduction efficiency compared to the commonly used VSV/HIV gfp . Transduced GBM cell cultures were monitored over a period of 9 days to identify GFP+ cells to study the oncolytic effect due to ZIKV/HIV gfp entry. Tests of GBM tumor specificity by transduction of GBM tumor and normal brain cells showed a high specificity for GBM cells.

Flaviviruses are a family of RNA viruses that includes many known pathogens, such as Zika virus (ZIKV), West Nile virus (WNV), dengue virus (DENV), and yellow fever virus (YFV). A pseudotype is an artificial virus particle created in vitro by incorporating the flavivirus envelope proteins into the structure of, for example, a retrovirus such as human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1). They can be a useful tool in virology for understanding the biology of flaviviruses, evaluating immune responses, developing antiviral strategies but can also be used as vectors for gene transfer experiments. This protocol describes the generation of a ZIKV/HIV-1 pseudotype developed as a new tool for infecting cells derived from a highly malignant brain tumor: glioblastoma multiforme grade 4.

A fundamental idea for targeting glioblastoma cells is to exploit the neurotropic properties of Zika virus (ZIKV) through its two outer envelope proteins, prM and E. This study aimed to develop envelope glycoproteins for pseudotyping retroviral vectors that can be used for efficient tumor cell infection. Firstly, the retroviral vector pNL luc AM was packaged using wild-type ZIKV E to generate an E-HIV luc pseudotype. E-HIV luc infection rates for tumor cells were higher than those of normal prME pseudotyped particles and the traditionally used vesicular stomatitis virus G (VSV-G) pseudotypes, indicating that protein E alone was sufficient for the formation of infectious pseudotyped particles. Secondly, two envelope chimeras, E41.1 and E41.2, with the E wild-type transmembrane domain replaced by the gp41 transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains, were constructed; pNL luc AM or pNL gfp AM packaged with E41.1 or E41.2 constructs showed infectivity for tumor cells, with the highest rates observed for E41.2. This envelope construct can be used not only as a tool to further develop oncolytic pseudotyped viruses for therapy, but also as a new research tool to study changes in tumor cells after the transfer of genes that might have therapeutic potential.

We report the fabrication of a mid-infrared device using LaB 6 - Al 2 O 3 - LaB 6 trilayers, with an array of LaB 6 strips as the top layer. Uniaxially oriented lanthanum hexaboride (LaB 6 ) films self-organized in a (100) orientation were adopted together with a lithographic process using laser direct writing followed by reactive ion etching. The fabricated infrared absorbers based on our electromagnetic design exhibited excellent resonant absorption and flexible tunability by changing the periodicity and width of the top LaB 6 strips. We examined the performance of epitaxial and sputtered LaB 6 films by fabricating two different types of absorbers using sputtered LaB 6 (100) and epitaxial LaB 6 (100) films for the bottom mirror layers. Owing to a difference in crystallinity, the latter exhibited a lower background in the absorption spectra as well as in the thermal emission spectra, indicating its good spectral selectivity.

Safety is a crucial issue in hydrogen energy applications due to the unique properties of hydrogen. Accordingly, a suitable hydrogen sensor for leakage detection must have at least high sensitivity and selectivity, rapid response/recovery, low power consumption and stable functionality, which requires further improvements on the available hydrogen sensors. In recent years, the mature development of nanomaterials engineering technologies, which facilitate the synthesis and modification of various materials, has opened up many possibilities for improving hydrogen sensing performance. Current research of hydrogen detection sensors based on both conservational and innovative materials are introduced in this review. This work mainly focuses on three material categories, i.e., transition metals, metal oxide semiconductors, and graphene and its derivatives. Different hydrogen sensing mechanisms, such as resistive, capacitive, optical and surface acoustic wave-based sensors, are also presented, and their sensing performances and influence based on different nanostructures and material combinations are compared and discussed, respectively. This review is concluded with a brief outlook and future development trends.

King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) bite is well-known for its potentially fatal neurotoxicity. However, fatalities still occur, despite specific antivenom and respiratory support. Cardiovascular disturbances, which have attracted little attention in published reports of O. hannah envenoming, could contribute to fatality. We present two cases of confirmed O. hannah envenoming in Southern Vietnam in which there were cardiac abnormalities including arrhythmias and electrocardiographic changes, as well as elevated markers of myocardial damage. Cardiac pacing was required. One patient developed critical multi-organ dysfunctions partly explained by extensive necrotizing fasciitis/myositis originating from an Aeromonas sobria wound infection. This resulted in rhabdomyolysis, disseminated intravascular coagulation and acute kidney injury. Specific antivenom reversed neurotoxic effects of envenoming. Additional therapeutic interventions included antibiotics, surgical debridement, continuous renal replacement therapy and therapeutic plasma exchange. Both patients eventually made full recoveries. Apart from the critical problem of rapidly evolving and severe neurotoxicity, our case reports also emphasises the risk of cardiotoxic envenoming, and the complications of an overwhelming secondary bacterial wound infection. We suggest a practical approach to diagnosis and management., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Germline pathogenic variants in the cadherin-1 (CDH1) gene cause a predisposition to hereditary diffuse gastric cancer (HDGC). We report an HDGC case in Vietnam and identify a novel mutation in the CDH1 gene., Case Presentation: A 28-year-old Vietnamese man was diagnosed with HDGC and a novel mutation at c.639G>A. All exons of CDH1 were sequenced in his pedigree, which revealed the c.639G>A mutation in the proband, his father, and uncle. The patient refused treatment and died 4 months after diagnosis. Endoscopic surveillance of the father and the uncle showed structural abnormalities in the father., Conclusion: In cases of HDGC, identification of the CDH1 gene mutation is very important for better counseling and more effective strategies to prevent the development of diseases, such as prophylactic gastrectomy for family members with genetic mutations.

During a survey of myxosporean parasites of marine fish in the coastal region of Vietnam, a species of the genus Henneguya (Myxosporea: Bivalvulida) was found in the gill of yellowfin seabream Acanthopagrus latus (Perciformes: Sparidae). White and oval cysts, measuring 145-220 μm in diameter, were detected in the gill lamellae of 4 of 15 fish examined (26.7%). Mature myxospores were elongate, with smooth valves, two similar polar capsules, and having the following dimensions: spore body length 9.9 ± 0.5 (8.9-12.5) μm, body width 6.7 ± 0.3 (6.1-7.6) μm, thickness 5.1 ± 0.2 (4.8-5.4) μm, caudal appendage length 10.0 ± 1 (8.3-11.6) μm, and total myxospore length 19.3 ± 1.4 (16.5-21.5) μm. The polar capsules were ovoid, measuring 3.2 ± 0.2 (2.8-3.9) μm long and 1.9 ± 0.2 (1.5-2.3) μm wide. Each polar capsule has a polar filament with 4-5 coils. Histological analysis revealed plasmodia in the connective tissues of the gill lamellae, but inflammation and deformation of the gills were not observed. In the phylogenetic tree reconstructed from the small subunit ribosomal DNA (SSU rDNA), sequences of the Henneguya specimens found in this study form a distinct branch. Morphological characteristics and molecular data identified a new species, namely Henneguya lata n. sp.

Anisakid nematodes are parasites of cetaceans, their larval stages live in marine fishes. The third-stage larvae of some Anisakis species are also the etiological agents of human anisakiasis caused by consumption of raw or undercooked infected fish. Thus, identification of Anisakis larvae at the species level is crucial for their ecology and epidemiology. In Vietnam, although Anisakis larvae have been reported, they have not been identified to the species level. The aim of this study was, therefore, to identify third-stage larvae of Anisakis collected from marine fishes in Vietnamese water, based on morphological characteristics and molecular analysis. All Anisakis larvae found in this study were morphologically similar to each other and identical to Anisakis typica . In addition, molecular analysis based on ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 sequences confirmed them as A. typica . Vietnamese A. typica population was genetically close to those from Asian countries and Australia. The third-stage larvae of A. typica were collected from eight fish species from three localities in the South of Vietnam. Among them, seven were recorded as new intermediate hosts of A. typica . This is the first identification of A. typica larvae in Vietnamese water with records of new fish hosts., (© 2021 Authors.)

As a result of the experimental infection of rats with metacercariae of Paragonimus heterotremus Chen et Hsia, 1964 from crabs (Potamiscus tannanti) caught in Yen Bai province, Vietnam, it was found that worms migrated into the lungs, to the liver and less frequently to the tissue that lines body cavities of the hosts, where they reached the adult stage, but in the muscles, worms stayed at the larval stage. Studies have shown that for P. heterotremus, rats can simultaneously play the role of the final and paratenic host; herewith, an infection with the trematode of this species can lead to the development of three forms of paragonimiasis: pulmonary, hepatic and muscular. Eggs from the adult worms localised in the liver, unlike eggs from the adult worms localised in the lungs, were not excreted into the external environment, but accumulated inside the organ. Histology and description of changes, which take place on the external surface of organs affected with P. heterotremus, are given in this study. Based on the behavioural characteristics of worms during rat infection and molecular genetic data, we established that worms from Vietnam and India should be assigned to different species of Paragonimus. P. heterotremus distribution is limited to the territory of the Southeast China, Northern Vietnam, Laos and Thailand.

From electronic devices to large-area electronics, from individual cells to skin substitutes, printing techniques are providing compelling applications in wide-ranging fields. Research has thus fueled the vision of a hybrid, printing platform to fabricate sensors/electronics and living engineered tissues simultaneously. Following this interest, we have fabricated interdigitated-electrode sensors (IDEs) by inkjet printing to monitor epithelial cell cultures. We have fabricated IDEs using flexible substrates with silver nanoparticles as a conductive element and SU-8 as the passivation layer. Our sensors are cytocompatible, have a topography that simulates microgrooves of 300 µm width and ~4 µm depth, and can be reused for cellular studies without detrimental in the electrical performance. To test the inkjet-printed sensors and demonstrate their potential use for monitoring laboratory-growth skin tissues, we have developed a real-time system and monitored label-free proliferation, migration, and detachment of keratinocytes by impedance spectroscopy. We have found that variations in the impedance correlate linearly to cell densities initially seeded and that the main component influencing the total impedance is the isolated effect of the cell membranes. Results obtained show that impedance can track cellular migration over the surface of the sensors, exhibiting a linear relationship with the standard method of image processing. Our results provide a useful approach for non-destructive in-situ monitoring of processes related to both in vitro epidermal models and wound healing with low-cost ink-jetted sensors. This type of flexible sensor as well as the impedance method are promising for the envisioned hybrid technology of 3D-bioprinted smart skin substitutes with built-in electronics.

A novel capacitive sensor for measuring the water-level and monitoring the water quality has been developed in this work by using an enhanced screen printing technology. A commonly used environment-friendly conductive polymer poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly (styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) for conductive sensors has a limited conductivity due to its high sheet resistance. A physical treatment performed during the printing process has reduced the sheet resistance of printed PEDOT:PSS on polyethylenterephthalat (PET) substrate from 264.39 Ω/sq to 23.44 Ω/sq. The adhesion bonding force between printed PEDOT:PSS and the substrate PET is increased by using chemical treatment and tested using a newly designed adhesive peeling force test. Using the economical conductive ink PEDOT:PSS with this new physical treatment, our capacitive sensors are cost-efficient and have a sensitivity of up to 1.25 pF/mm.

Among conductive oxide materials, niobium doped titanium dioxide has recently emerged as a stimulating and promising contestant for numerous applications. With carrier concentration tunability, high thermal stability, mechanical and environmental robustness, this is a material-of-choice for infrared plasmonics, which can substitute indium tin oxide (ITO). In this report, to illustrate great advantages of this material, we describe successful fabrication and characterization of niobium doped titanium oxide nanoantenna arrays aiming at surface-enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy. The niobium doped titanium oxide film was deposited with co-sputtering method. Then the nanopatterned arrays were prepared by electron beam lithography combined with plasma etching and oxygen plasma ashing processes. The relative transmittance of the nanostrip and nanodisk antenna arrays was evaluated with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Polarization dependence of surface plasmon resonances on incident light was examined confirming good agreements with calculations. Simulated spectra also present red-shift as length, width or diameter of the nanostructures increase, as predicted by classical antenna theory.

Data on the life cycles and morphology of the developmental stages of Notocotylus magniovatus, Catatropis vietnamensis n. sp., and Pseudocatatropis dvoryadkini n. sp. were obtained. The Pseudocatatropis genus was restored based on our results. For the studied trematodes, the snails Parajuga spp., Helicorbis sujfunensis (Russia), and Melanoides tuberculata (Vietnam) serve as first intermediate hosts. It has been established that C. vietnamensis n. sp. differs from Catatropis harwoodi and Catatropis pakistanensis in the length of the ridge and metraterm and the location of the anterior papillae. In the life cycle of P. dvoryadkini n. sp., as in Pseudocatatropis joyeuxi, cercariae do not leave the first intermediate host. Both species are very similar in morphometric features, despite the fact that they share no common first intermediate hosts in their life cycles, and the areas of the European and Asian populations of flukes do not overlap. In phylogenetic trees and genetic distances based on the nucleotide sequences of the 28S gene and the ITS2 region of ribosomal DNA, Notocotylus attenuatus, Notocotylus intestinalis, and Notocotylus magniovatus are combined into one systematic group, while C. vietnamensis n. sp. and Catatropis indicus form another group. A third group includes members of different genera: P. dvoryadkini n. sp., and Notocotylus malhamensis, as well as three unclassified Notocotylus spp. The presence in the last group of flukes with three rows of papillae and a median ridge and lateral papillae indicates that these systematic criteria are not determinant in establishing membership of the parasitic worms to one or another genus of Notocotylidae.

Background: Intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH) patients with acute obstructive hydrocephalus (AOH) who require external ventricular drainage (EVD) are at high risk for poor outcomes. Intraventricular fibrinolysis (IVF) with low-dose recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) can be used to improve patient outcomes. Here, we evaluated the impact of IVF on the risk of death and the functional outcomes in IVH patients with AOH., Methods: This prospective cohort study included IVH patients with hypertensive intracranial haemorrhage complicated by AOH who required EVD. We evaluated the risk of death and the functional outcomes at 1 and 3 months, with a specific focus on the impact of combined EVD with IVF by low-dose rtPA., Results: Between November 30, 2011 and December 30, 2014, 80 patients were included. Forty-five patients were treated with EVD alone (EVD group) and 35 received IVF (EVD+IVF group). The 30- and 90-day mortality rates were lower in the EVD+IVF group than in the EVD group (42.2 vs. 11.4%, p = 0.003, and 62.2 vs. 20%, p < 0.001, respectively). The Graeb scores were significantly lower in the EVD+IVF group than in the EVD group (p ≤ 0.001) during the first 3 days and on day 7 after assignment. The 30-day good functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] score 0-3) was also higher in the EVD+IVF group than in the EVD group (6.7 vs. 28.6%, p = 0.008). However, the 90-day good functional outcome (mRS score 0-3) did not significantly increase in the EVD+IVF group (30.8% in the EVD group vs. 51.6% in the EVD+IVF group, p = 0.112)., Conclusions: In our prospective observational study, EVD+IVF was associated with a lower risk of death in IVH patients. EVD+IVF improved the chance of having a good functional outcome at 1 month; however, this result was no longer observed at 3 months., (© 2019 The Author(s) Published by S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Adults of Skrjabinolecithum spinosum n. sp. were discovered in Mugil cephalus from the Gulf of Peter the Great in southern Far-East Russia. Additionally, adults of Unisaccus tonkini n. sp. were found in the intestine of Moolgarda cunnesius and Moolgarda seheli from the coastal waters of Cat Ba Island, Tonkin Bay, northern Vietnam. Skrjabinolecithum spinosum n. sp. possesses a larger body, and ventral and oral sucker size in comparison with Skrjabinolecithum vitellosum, a smaller pharynx size and body length/width rate ratio in comparison to Skrjabinolecithum pyriforme, a smaller body length and prepharynx size in comparison to Skrjabinolecithum lobolecitum and a smaller pharynx length and egg size in comparison to Skrjabinolecithum indicum and S. lobolecitum. The new species also differs from S. indicum, S. lobolecitum and S. vitellosum by the form of the testis, and from the last two species by the presence of a two-branched intestine. The morphometric parameters of S. spinosum n. sp. are similar to those of Skrjabinolecithum spasskii. However, S. spinosum n. sp., unlike S. spasskii, has an armed hermaphroditic duct. Unisaccus tonkini n. sp. is similar to Unisaccus spinosus (Martin, 1973), Unisaccus brisbanensis (Martin, 1973) and Unisaccus overstreeti (Ahmad, 1987) in body size but differs in oral sucker, pharynx and hermaphroditic sac size from U. spinosus, and in ventral sucker and ovary size from U. brisbanensis and U. overstreeti. Bayesian phylogenetic analysis, based on combined data of internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) and partial 28S rRNA gene sequences, confirmed the validity of S. spinosum n. sp. and U. tonkini n. sp. Analysis of interrelationships of the family Haploporidae, including molecular data on new species, showed that the Waretrematinae subfamily is more heterogeneous in comparison with Haploporinae and Forticulcitinae, and includes U. tonkini n. sp.

In this paper, we present our work developing a family of silicon-on-insulator (SOI)⁻based high-g micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) piezoresistive sensors for measurement of accelerations up to 60,000 g. This paper presents the design, simulation, and manufacturing stages. The high-acceleration sensor is realized with one double-clamped beam carrying one transversal and one longitudinal piezoresistor on each end of the beam. The four piezoresistors are connected to a Wheatstone bridge. The piezoresistors are defined to 4400 Ω, which results in a width-to-depth geometry of the pn-junction of 14 μm × 1.8 μm. A finite element method (FEM) simulation model is used to determine the beam length, which complies with the resonance frequency and sensitivity. The geometry of the realized high-g sensor element is 3 × 2 × 1 mm³. To demonstrate the performance of the sensor, a shock wave bar is used to test the sensor, and a Polytec vibrometer is used as an acceleration reference. The sensor wave form tracks the laser signal very well up to 60,000 g. The sensor can be utilized in aerospace applications or in the control and detection of impact levels.

Males of Cathayacanthus spinitruncatus Amin, Heckmann & Ha, 2014 (Rhadinorhynchinae Lühe, 1912) are described for the first time from Leiognathus equulus in Hai Phong and Nha Trang and from pony fish Nuchequula flavaxilla in Quang Ninh in the Pacific waters of Vietnam. The male allotype status is designated. Males of C. spinitruncatus are smaller and have fewer and smaller proboscis hooks and trunk spines than females. The male reproductive structures are in the posterior fifth of the trunk and with 6 club-shaped cement glands gradually merging into 6 independent cement gland ducts. The proboscis receptacle is more than half as long as the trunk and with a cephalic ganglion at its anterior end. In females, the receptacle is only about one fifth the length of the trunk. Specimens described as Cathayacanthus bagarii Moravec & Sey, 1989 were shown to have been wrongly assigned to Cathayacanthus. Pararhadinorhynchus magnus n. sp. (Diplosentidae) is described from Scatophagus argus off Hai Phong in the Gulf of Tonkin. It is the third species of the genus and is readily distinguished from the Australian species by having a considerably larger trunk and male reproductive structures, and more proboscis hooks. X-ray microanalysis (EDAX) of intact and gallium-cut hooks of P. magnus showed high calcium and phosphate mainly in the central core. Specimens of Heterosentis holospinus Amin, Heckmann & Ha, 2011 (Arhythmacanthidae) are also reported from L. equulus off Quang Binh, new host and locality records., (© N. Ha et al., published by EDP Sciences, 2018.)

Adult Aphanurus mugilis Tang, 1981 worms were detected in the intestine of Moolgarda engeli in the shallow waters off Cat Ba Island, Vietnam. Tang (1981) first described this species in Mugil cephalus off China. The worms in Vietnamese mullet were identical to Chinese specimens in a number of morphometric characteristics, with the exception of body and ovary size. In the present study, morphological characteristics, and the first molecular data for A. mugilis are provided. Additionally, molecular phylogenetic analysis of the family Hemiuridae was performed. The results of our molecular phylogenetic study indicate that the presence or absence of an ecsoma was not associated with molecular data for hemiurid subfamilies differentiation. The basal position of Bunocotylinae on the molecular-based phylogenetic tree indicated a primordial nature of ecsoma of hemiurid trematodes. Considerable molecular differentiation of Bunocotylinae from other hemiurids indicated the possibility of the recognition of the family Bunocotylidae Dollfus, 1950. Assuming that Machidatrema chilostoma is considered within the Bunocotylinae, the paraphyly of the Lecithasterinae was supported., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Adults of Lasiotocus lizae Liu, 2002 (Monorchiidae) were found in the mullet Liza longimanus (Günther) from Tonkin Bay, near Cat Ba Island, Vietnam. In this region, flukes belonging to the genus Paucivitellosus (Bivesiculudae) were found in Liza subviridis (Valenciennes), Liza engeli (Bleeker) and Valamugil seheli (Forskåi). Results of investigations showed that morphological features of L. lizae (like L. glebulentus Overstreet, 1971) do not meet the criteria of the genus Lasiotocus. In addition, L. lizae is highly differentiated from other species of Lasiotocus from which molecular data were obtained, including L. arrhichostoma Searle, Cutmore et Cribb, 2014 and L. typicum (Nicoll, 1912). Phylogenetic analyses revealed that L. lizae differs considerably from other species of the genus Lasiotocus presented in the GenBank database. We have identified a new species of the genus Paucivitellosus - P. vietnamensis sp. n. - from L. subviridis, which differs from P. fragilis Coil, Reid et Kuntz, 1965 by metrical and molecular (18S rRNA) data, and from P. hanumanthai Mani, 1989 by metric features. Our results also show considerable molecular differentiation between P. vietnamensis sp. n. and Paucivitellosus spp. recovered from L. engeli and V. seheli in Vietnam.

Adult Lecithaster mugilis Yamaguti, 1970 were found in Moolgarda seheli, Valamugil engeli and Liza subviridis in the coastal waters of Cat Ba Island (Halong Bay, Vietnam). Specimens of Lecithaster sudzuhensis n. sp. were found in Mugil cephalus located in an estuary of the Kievka River in the Primorsky region of Russia. Studies have demonstrated that these species share significant morphometric similarities with each other and with specimens of L. helodes Overstreet, 1973 isolated from M. cephalus and Mugil curema from the Mississippi Sound and adjacent waters. These three species differ from one another in the size of the pharynx and ventral sucker and in the ratio of suckers, while they differ from other species in the genus by having a relatively elongated oesophagus. Molecular analysis, using the 18S rRNA and 28S rRNA genes, confirmed the validity of L. mugilis and L. sudzuhensis n. sp. and demonstrated that these species form a shared cluster with L. gibbosus (Rud, 1802).

In this paper, we present and discuss our new WSi⁻WSiN⁻Pt metallization scheme for SiC-based microsystems for applications in harsh environments. Stoichiometric material WSi was selected as contact material for SiC. The diffusion barrier material WSiN was deposited from the same target as the contact material in order to limit the number of different chemical elements in the scheme. Our scheme was kept as simple as possible regarding the number of layers and chemical elements. Our scheme shows very good long-term stability and suitability for SiC-based microsystems. The experimental evaluation concept used here includes a combination of physical, electrical, and mechanical analysis techniques. This combined advance is necessary since modern physical analysis techniques still offer only limited sensitivity for detecting minimal changes in the metallization scheme.

Adults of Haplosplanchnus pachysomus (Eysenhardt, 1829) were found in the intestine of Liza engeli (Bleeker) from the coastal waters of Cat Ba Island, Ha Long Bay, northern Vietnam. Additionally, Provitellotrema crenimugilis Pan, 1984 was discovered in Liza haematocheila (Temminck & Schlegel) from Vostok Bay, Gulf of Peter the Great, southern Far-East Russia. Data concerning morphology, 18S rDNA and 28S rDNA of these worms were obtained.The molecular data confirmed the validity of these species and showed that specimens identified as H. pachysomus are closely related to specimens of H. pachysomus found in Spain, and that P. crenimugilis is closely related to Haplosplanchnus purii. Molecular differentiation of P. crenimugilis and H. purii was 0.92% by combined ribosomal gene sequences that confirmed species validity. Molecular differentiation between P. crenimugilis and H. purii, on the one hand, and H. pachysomus, on the other hand, was much higher, suggesting that the sequence for H. purii in GenBank is for a misidentified species of the genus Provitellotrema Pan, 1984.

In this paper we present and discuss two innovative liquid-free SOI sensors for pressure measurements in harsh environments. The sensors are capable of measuring pressures at high temperatures. In both concepts media separation is realized using a steel membrane. The two concepts represent two different strategies for packaging of devices for use in harsh environments and at high temperatures. The first one is a "one-sensor-one-packaging&#95;technology" concept. The second one uses a standard flip-chip bonding technique. The first sensor is a "floating-concept", capable of measuring pressures at temperatures up to 400 °C (constant load) with an accuracy of 0.25% Full Scale Output (FSO). A push rod (mounted onto the steel membrane) transfers the applied pressure directly to the center-boss membrane of the SOI-chip, which is placed on a ceramic carrier. The chip membrane is realized by Deep Reactive Ion Etching (DRIE or Bosch Process). A novel propertied chip housing employing a sliding sensor chip that is fixed during packaging by mechanical preloading via the push rod is used, thereby avoiding chip movement, and ensuring optimal push rod load transmission. The second sensor can be used up to 350 °C. The SOI chips consists of a beam with an integrated centre-boss with was realized using KOH structuring and DRIE. The SOI chip is not "floating" but bonded by using flip-chip technology. The fabricated SOI sensor chip has a bridge resistance of 3250 Ω. The realized sensor chip has a sensitivity of 18 mV/µm measured using a bridge current of 1 mA.

Intraspecific genetic differentiation of the trematode Skrjabinolecithum spasskii and its phylogenetic relationships with other species of the family Haploporidae were studied by comparing the nucleotide sequences of a part of the 28S rRNA gene and the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 rDNA region. Trematodes were isolated from so-iuy mullet Liza haematocheila fishes collected in rivers of Primorye and flathead grey mullet Mugil cephalus fishes collected in water bodies of Vietnam (27 fishes in total). A phylogenetic analysis showed that S. spasskii is close to species of the genus Capitimitta of the subfamily Waretrematinae. By intraspecific variation of rDNA sequences, trematodes were divided into three groups with tree different genotypes, which had fixed nucleotide substitutions. Genotype I was found in trematodes from fishes collected in Primorye. Genotype II was detected in trematodes from M. cephalus fishes collected in the Tonkin Bay, Cat Ba Island, Vietnam. Genotype III was found in five trematodes from L. haematocheila collected in the Kievka River, Primorye. The genetic distances between genotypes I and III from Primorye were 0.4 and 0.65% by 28S and ITS rDNA sequences, respectively. The lowest genetic distances were observed between genotypes II (Vietnam) and III (Primorye), 0.1 and 0.33% by 28S and ITS rDNA sequences, respectively. Possible causes of genetic differentiation of S. spasskii from different geographic locations and different definitive host species are discussed.

Radiation crosslinking for ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene results in improved wear resistance but a reduction in mechanical properties. Incorporation of vitamin E has been known to decrease the rate of oxidative degradation occurring through radiation crosslinking and prevents the need for post-irradiation melting with subsequent loss of crystallinity. In this study, we aimed to determine the effect of thermal treatments prior to crosslinking on the morphology and tensile properties of vitamin-E-containing polyethylene. Vitamin-E-blended polyethylene was melted and subsequently quenched in ice water in order to induce high rate crystallization. A second group was additionally annealed at 126°C following quenching and all samples were irradiated using electron beam radiation to a dose of 100kGy. The morphology of control, quenched and quench-annealed polyethylene was characterized using small angle x-ray scattering and differential scanning calorimetry. Tensile properties of these polyethylenes were measured before and after radiation crosslinking with equilibrium swelling experiments performed to assess the crosslink density of irradiated samples. This study shows how the tensile properties of polyethylene can be enhanced by varying thermal treatments prior to crosslinking; and thus how it may be possible to offset the reduction in tensile properties afforded by the crosslinking process., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Clonorchiasis is a parasitic disease of high public health importance in many countries in southeastern Asia and is caused by the Chinese liver fluke Clonorchis sinensis. However, the genetic structure and demographic history of its populations has not been sufficiently studied throughout the geographic range of the species and available data are based mainly on partial gene sequencing. In this study, we explored the genetic diversity of the complete 1560 bp cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene sequence for geographically isolated C. sinensis populations in Russia and Vietnam, to our knowledge for the first time. The results demonstrated low nucleotide and high haplotype differentiation within and between the two compared regions and a clear geographical vector for the distribution of genetic diversity patterns among the studied populations. These results suggest a deep local adaptation of the parasite to its environment including intermediate hosts and the existence of gene flow across the species' range. Additionally, we have predicted an amino acid substitution in the functional site of the COX1 protein among the Vietnamese populations, which were reported to be difficult to treat with praziquantel. The haplotype networks consisted of several region-specific phylogenetic lineages, the formation of which could have occurred during the most extensive penultimate glaciations in the Pleistocene Epoch. The patterns of genetic diversity and demographics are consistent with population growth of the liver fluke in the late Pleistocene following the Last Glacial Maximum, indicating the lack of a population bottleneck during the recent past in the species' history. The data obtained have important implications for understanding the phylogeography of C. sinensis, its host-parasite interactions, the ability of this parasite to evolve drug resistance, and the epidemiology of clonorchiasis under global climate change., (Copyright © 2014 Australian Society for Parasitology Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (PE) is used as a bearing material for total joint replacement prostheses since it is a tough, wear-resistant semicrystalline polymer. Despite its high resistance to wear, PE components have shown measureable wear in vivo, which can cause wear-particle induced osteolysis. Crosslinking of PE using ionizing radiation has been shown to increase wear resistance since both chemical crosslinks and physical entanglements provide high resistance to wear. Molecular characterization of crosslinked PEs is usually conducted using equilibrium swelling or by quantifying gel content. In this study, we compared crosslink densities and molecular weight between crosslinks derived from equilibrium swelling to those obtained by applying the Gaussian and Eight-Chain model to describe plane strain compression of the PE melt. The latter approach has the advantage of accounting for contributions of entanglements to the overall crosslink density, which solvent-based techniques largely neglect. As expected, the crosslink density calculated from model fitting increased monotonically with increase in radiation dose in a 0-200kGy dose range, with a corresponding monotonic decrease in molecular weight between crosslinks, but provided higher values of crosslink density and correspondingly lower values of molecular weight between crosslinks compared to the equilibrium swelling technique., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

In sensory neurons, mechanotransduction is sensitive, fast and requires mechanosensitive ion channels. Here we develop a new method to directly monitor mechanotransduction at defined regions of the cell-substrate interface. We show that molecular-scale (~13 nm) displacements are sufficient to gate mechanosensitive currents in mouse touch receptors. Using neurons from knockout mice, we show that displacement thresholds increase by one order of magnitude in the absence of stomatin-like protein 3 (STOML3). Piezo1 is the founding member of a class of mammalian stretch-activated ion channels, and we show that STOML3, but not other stomatin-domain proteins, brings the activation threshold for Piezo1 and Piezo2 currents down to ~10 nm. Structure-function experiments localize the Piezo modulatory activity of STOML3 to the stomatin domain, and higher-order scaffolds are a prerequisite for function. STOML3 is the first potent modulator of Piezo channels that tunes the sensitivity of mechanically gated channels to detect molecular-scale stimuli relevant for fine touch.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rapidly progressing neurodegenerative disease, characterized by motor neuron (MN) death, for which there are no truly effective treatments. Here, we describe a new small molecule survival screen carried out using MNs from both wild-type and mutant SOD1 mouse embryonic stem cells. Among the hits we found, kenpaullone had a particularly impressive ability to prolong the healthy survival of both types of MNs that can be attributed to its dual inhibition of GSK-3 and HGK kinases. Furthermore, kenpaullone also strongly improved the survival of human MNs derived from ALS-patient-induced pluripotent stem cells and was more active than either of two compounds, olesoxime and dexpramipexole, that recently failed in ALS clinical trials. Our studies demonstrate the value of a stem cell approach to drug discovery and point to a new paradigm for identification and preclinical testing of future ALS therapeutics., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The motor neuron disease spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) results from mutations that lead to low levels of the ubiquitously expressed protein survival of motor neuron (SMN). An ever-increasing collection of data suggests that therapeutics that elevate SMN may be effective in treating SMA. We executed an image-based screen of annotated chemical libraries and discovered several classes of compounds that were able to increase cellular SMN. Among the most important was the RTK-PI3K-AKT-GSK-3 signaling cascade. Chemical inhibitors of glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK-3) and short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) directed against this target elevated SMN levels primarily by stabilizing the protein. It was particularly notable that GSK-3 chemical inhibitors were also effective in motor neurons, not only in elevating SMN levels, but also in blocking the death that was produced when SMN was acutely reduced by an SMN-specific shRNA. Thus, we have established a screen capable of detecting drug-like compounds that correct the main phenotypic change underlying SMA.

A review of the fauna of trematodes from the family Dicrocoeliidae parasitizing animals in Vietnam has been conducted. According to original and literature data, 57 trematode species from 15 genera were recorded. Data on hosts, localization, and distribution of all these species in the territory of Vietnam are given.