Search

Abstract Tartrazine (E102) is a controversial coloring agent whose potential impacts on human health are not fully understood. Our study reveals the vascular disrupting effects of tartrazine (TTZ) on developing zebrafish embryos in vivo and on human umbilical vein endothelial cells in vitro. The dye was shown to cause dose-dependent hemorrhages in zebrafish embryos. Analyzing transgenic zebrafish harboring fluorescent endothelial cells revealed that TTZ treatment disrupted cell organization into vessels in both the sub-intestinal vein and the brain area. Assays on human umbilical vein endothelial cells demonstrated that TTZ inhibited endothelial proliferation, tube formation, and migration in a dose-dependent manner. Taken together, our results indicate for the first time that TTZ can affect endothelial cell properties, possibly by disrupting Rho family GTPase pathways which control the cytoskeleton. Our finding provides a credible explanation for many reported human health impacts and offers prospective applications for biomedicine.

During the past two decades, Hue city has undergone significant changes in its economic development, leading to a rapid transformation of its land-use and land-cover (LULC) patterns. This study used remote sensing data and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to analyze changes in the land-use and land-cover in Hue city, providing essential insights for the city’s future development. This research examines indicators such as area and land-cover changes, urban development trends, and the morphology of urban areas during the period from 2000 to 2020, with assessments conducted at ten-year intervals. The results showed that built-up and forest land have increased, while agricultural and unused land have decreased over time. By 2020, the urban area had expanded by more than 60% in the north and northeast directions. Hue city developed through infilling and edge expansion of existing urban areas, while some regions primarily expanded into outlying sections in the east and south by constructing high-end residential areas on former paddy rice fields. These findings yield valuable policy implications that extend beyond the case study of Hue city, offering insights for other cities to pursue inclusive and prosperous futures.

This research investigates the complex interplay between carbon dioxide emissions, population dynamics, migration patterns, foreign direct investment, and gross domestic product in Vietnam. The paper uses the unrestricted fixed and random panel data method. The data is collected from the World Bank and Vietnam General Office of Statistics. This study employs a multidimensional analytical framework in the country's rapid economic growth context, combining quantitative and qualitative methods to unravel the nuanced relationships within this nexus. The main finding of this study reveals significant correlations between carbon dioxide emissions, population, migration, FDI- foreign direct investment inflows, and GDP- gross domestic product growth, highlighting the pivotal role of these factors in shaping Vietnam's economic landscape. The study draws on comprehensive datasets spanning multiple years. The research reveals significant correlations, notably the positive link between foreign direct investment inflows and gross domestic product growth. Simultaneously, the study sheds light on the environmental challenges associated with urbanization and the socioeconomic impacts of internal migration. The findings of this paper contribute to the theoretical understanding of these interconnected factors, emphasizing the need for an integrated policy approach. Policy recommendations include sustainable urban development strategies, sector-specific foreign direct investment initiatives, and inclusive migration policies. Additionally, fostering green technologies, community engagement, and international collaborations are proposed to advance Vietnam's sustainable development goals. This research is a foundation for policymakers, scholars, and stakeholders, offering actionable insights to guide Vietnam toward a balanced and resilient future. The study's methodology, findings, and policy implications contribute to the academic discourse on sustainable development and provide remarkable guidance for navigating the complexities of economic growth and environmental stewardship in emerging economies.

Purpose: This paper aims to present the progress of the implementation of sustainability in business schools in line with the United Nations Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) and its principles of responsible management education. Design/methodology/approach: By analyzing the content of the Sharing of Information on Progress reports from PRME signatories, this study identified significant developments in the strategies business school use to implement sustainability. However, it seems that a framework that business schools can apply to accomplish that goal is still lacking. This paper proposes a framework that addresses four components of the integration process and stresses the important role of stakeholders. The authors discuss the results from 2021 in comparison to the results of a previous analysis of the first 100 signatories from 2010 and analyze the findings in relation to the developed framework. Findings: This study shows that business schools have improved their sustainability engagement in many areas (e.g. education offerings and teaching methods, campus practices and engaging stakeholders). However, less attention has been paid to other aspects, such as reviewing and assessing, capability development or communication, which could slow the transformation process. The authors discuss further implications of the findings for enhancing the PRME signatories' ability to implement the underrecognized aspects. Originality/value: While the analysis focuses on the status and progress of the integration of PRME within business schools during the past decade, the framework may enable higher education institutions to analyze their potential to implement change and plan future transformation strategies.

As part of the B -fields In Star-forming Region Observations survey, we present James Clerk Maxwell Telescope (JCMT) 850 μ m polarimetric observations toward the Orion integral-shaped filament (ISF) that covers three portions known as OMC-1, OMC-2, and OMC-3. The magnetic field threading the ISF seen in the JCMT POL-2 map appears as a tale of three: pinched for OMC-1, twisted for OMC-2, and nearly uniform for OMC-3. A multiscale analysis shows that the magnetic field structure in OMC-3 is very consistent at all the scales, whereas the field structure in OMC-2 shows no correlation across different scales. In OMC-1, the field retains its mean orientation from large to small scales but shows some deviations at small scales. Histograms of relative orientations between the magnetic field and filaments reveal a bimodal distribution for OMC-1, a relatively random distribution for OMC-2, and a distribution with a predominant peak at 90 ^∘ for OMC-3. Furthermore, the magnetic fields in OMC-1 and OMC-3 both appear to be aligned perpendicular to the fibers, which are denser structures within the filament, but the field in OMC-2 is aligned along with the fibers. All these suggest that gravity, turbulence, and magnetic field are each playing a leading role in OMC-1, 2, and 3, respectively. While OMC-2 and 3 have almost the same gas mass, density, and nonthermal velocity dispersion, there are on average younger and fewer young stellar objects in OMC-3, providing evidence that a stronger magnetic field will induce slower and less efficient star formation in molecular clouds.

Perfluorooctanesulfonic (PFOS) acid is a persistent anthropogenic organic fluorinated compound ubiquitous in industrial applications and is resistant to conventional wastewater treatment methods. Human exposure to PFOS can cause adverse health effects. In this study, a low-content titanium dioxide (TiO2) photocatalyst coated on glass beads was synthesized through a simple method and showed improved activity and durability. This material exhibited easy recovery and potential for large-scale applications. The efficacy of the TiO2 nanoparticle-deposited glass beads’ (TiO2@GBs) photocatalyst in treating PFOS contaminants in wastewater was explored, demonstrating its ability to promote photocatalytic reactions to break down PFOS into shorter chain byproducts. The study employed the response surface method (RSM) using the Box–Behnken design (BBD) to optimize treatment conditions at a PFOS concentration of 0.1 mg/L. Investigated factors included pH (4–9), TiO2 dosage (0.11–0.53 g/L), and irradiation time (4–8 h). Design-Expert 12 software was used to plan and optimize the experiments. Fifteen experiments were conducted, and triplicate runs occurred at the center points of the experimental plan. ANOVA and Fisher’s test yielded an F value of 73.88 (p

We present 850 μ m polarization observations of the IC 348 star-forming region in the Perseus molecular cloud as part of the B-fields In STar-forming Region Observation survey. We study the magnetic properties of two cores (HH 211 MMS and IC 348 MMS) and a filamentary structure of IC 348. We find that the overall field tends to be more perpendicular than parallel to the filamentary structure of the region. The polarization fraction decreases with intensity, and we estimate the trend by power law and the mean of the Rice distribution fittings. The power indices for the cores are much smaller than 1, indicative of possible grain growth to micron size in the cores. We also measure the magnetic field strengths of the two cores and the filamentary area separately by applying the Davis–Chandrasekhar–Fermi method and its alternative version for compressed medium. The estimated mass-to-flux ratios are 0.45–2.20 and 0.63–2.76 for HH 211 MMS and IC 348 MMS, respectively, while the ratios for the filament are 0.33–1.50. This result may suggest that the transition from subcritical to supercritical conditions occurs at the core scale (∼0.05 pc) in the region. In addition, we study the energy balance of the cores and find that the relative strength of turbulence to the magnetic field tends to be stronger for IC 348 MMS than for HH 211 MMS. The result could potentially explain the different configurations inside the two cores: a single protostellar system in HH 211 MMS and multiple protostars in IC 348 MMS.

We report 850 μ m continuum polarization observations toward the filamentary high-mass star-forming region NGC 2264, taken as part of the B -fields In STar forming Regions Observations large program on the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope. These data reveal a well-structured nonuniform magnetic field in the NGC 2264C and 2264D regions with a prevailing orientation around 30° from north to east. Field strength estimates and a virial analysis of the major clumps indicate that NGC 2264C is globally dominated by gravity, while in 2264D, magnetic, gravitational, and kinetic energies are roughly balanced. We present an analysis scheme that utilizes the locally resolved magnetic field structures, together with the locally measured gravitational vector field and the extracted filamentary network. From this, we infer statistical trends showing that this network consists of two main groups of filaments oriented approximately perpendicular to one another. Additionally, gravity shows one dominating converging direction that is roughly perpendicular to one of the filament orientations, which is suggestive of mass accretion along this direction. Beyond these statistical trends, we identify two types of filaments. The type I filament is perpendicular to the magnetic field with local gravity transitioning from parallel to perpendicular to the magnetic field from the outside to the filament ridge. The type II filament is parallel to the magnetic field and local gravity. We interpret these two types of filaments as originating from the competition between radial collapsing, driven by filament self-gravity, and longitudinal collapsing, driven by the region's global gravity.

The Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array has revolutionized the field of dust polarization in protoplanetary disks across multiple wavelengths. Previous observations and empirical modeling have suggested multiple mechanisms of dust polarization toward HL Tau, including grain alignment and dust scattering. However, a detailed modeling of dust polarization based on grain alignment physics is not yet available. Here, using an updated POLARIS code, we perform numerical modeling of dust polarization arising from both grain alignment by the magnetically enhanced radiative torque mechanism and self-scattering to reproduce the HL Tau polarization observed at three wavelengths of 0.87, 1.3, and 3.1 mm. Our modeling results show that the observed multiwavelength polarization could be reproduced only when large grains contain embedded iron inclusions and those with slow internal relaxation must have wrong internal alignment (i.e., the grain’s major axis parallel to its angular momentum). The abundance of iron embedded inside grains in the form of clusters is constrained to be ≳16%, and the number of iron atoms per cluster is N _cl ∼ 9 × 10 ^2 . Maximum grain sizes probed at wavelengths of λ = 0.87, 1.3, and 3.1 mm are constrained at ∼60, 80, and 90 μ m, respectively.

Polarization of starlight and thermal dust emission caused by aligned dust grains is a valuable tool to characterize magnetic fields ( B -fields) and constrain dust properties. However, the grain alignment physics is not fully understood. To test the radiative torque (RAT) paradigm, including RAT alignment (RAT-A) and disruption (RAT-D), we use dust polarization observed by Planck and Stratosphere Observatory for Infrared Astronomy/High-resolution Airborne Wideband Camera Plus toward two filaments, Musca and OMC-1, with contrasting physical conditions. Musca, a quiescent filament, is ideal for testing RAT-A, while OMC-1, an active star-forming region OMC-1, is most suitable for testing RAT-D. We found that polarization fraction, P , decreases with increasing polarization angle dispersion function, ${ \mathcal S }$ , and increasing column density, N (H _2 ), consistent with RAT-A. However, P increases with increasing dust temperature, T _d , but decreases when T _d reaches a certain high value. We compute the polarization fraction for the ideal models with B -fields in the plane of sky based on the RAT paradigm, accounting for the depolarization effect by B -field tangling. We then compare the realistic polarization model with observations. For Musca with well-ordered B -fields, our numerical model successfully reproduces the decline of P toward the filament spine (aka polarization hole), having higher N (H _2 ) and lower T _d , indicating the loss of grain alignment efficiency due to RAT-A. For OMC-1, with stronger B -field variations and higher temperatures, our model can reproduce the observed P – T _d and P − N (H _2 ) relations only if the B -field tangling and RAT-D effect are incorporated. Our results provide more robust observational evidence for the RAT paradigm, particularly the recently discovered RAT-D.

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are posing major environmental and health threats due to their stability, ubiquity, and bioaccumulation. Most of the numerous studies of these compounds deal with single chemicals, although real exposures always consist of mixtures. Thus, using different tests, we screened the effects on zebrafish larvae caused by exposure to an environmentally relevant POP mixture. Our mixture consisted of 29 chemicals as found in the blood of a Scandinavian human population. Larvae exposed to this POP mix at realistic concentrations, or sub-mixtures thereof, presented growth retardation, edemas, retarded swim bladder inflation, hyperactive swimming behavior, and other striking malformations such as microphthalmia. The most deleterious compounds in the mixture belong to the per- and polyfluorinated acids class, although chlorinated and brominated compounds modulated the effects. Analyzing the changes in transcriptome caused by POP exposure, we observed an increase of insulin signaling and identified genes involved in brain and eye development, leading us to propose that the impaired function of the condensin I complex caused the observed eye defect. Our findings contribute to the understanding of POP mixtures, their consequences, and potential threats to human and animal populations, indicating that more mechanistic, monitoring, and long-term studies are imperative.

We present BISTRO Survey 850 μ m dust emission polarization observations of the L1495A-B10 region of the Taurus molecular cloud, taken at the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope (JCMT). We observe a roughly triangular network of dense filaments. We detect nine of the dense starless cores embedded within these filaments in polarization, finding that the plane-of-sky orientation of the core-scale magnetic field lies roughly perpendicular to the filaments in almost all cases. We also find that the large-scale magnetic field orientation measured by Planck is not correlated with any of the core or filament structures, except in the case of the lowest-density core. We propose a scenario for early prestellar evolution that is both an extension to, and consistent with, previous models, introducing an additional evolutionary transitional stage between field-dominated and matter-dominated evolution, observed here for the first time. In this scenario, the cloud collapses first to a sheet-like structure. Uniquely, we appear to be seeing this sheet almost face on. The sheet fragments into filaments, which in turn form cores. However, the material must reach a certain critical density before the evolution changes from being field dominated to being matter dominated. We measure the sheet surface density and the magnetic field strength at that transition for the first time and show consistency with an analytical prediction that had previously gone untested for over 50 yr.

We present observations of polarized dust emission at 850 μ m from the L43 molecular cloud, which sits in the Ophiuchus cloud complex. The data were taken using SCUBA-2/POL-2 on the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope as a part of the BISTRO large program. L43 is a dense ( ${N}_{{{\rm{H}}}_{2}}\sim {10}^{22}$ –10 ^23 cm ^−2 ) complex molecular cloud with a submillimeter-bright starless core and two protostellar sources. There appears to be an evolutionary gradient along the isolated filament that L43 is embedded within, with the most evolved source closest to the Sco OB2 association. One of the protostars drives a CO outflow that has created a cavity to the southeast. We see a magnetic field that appears to be aligned with the cavity walls of the outflow, suggesting interaction with the outflow. We also find a magnetic field strength of up to ∼160 ± 30 μ G in the main starless core and up to ∼90 ± 40 μ G in the more diffuse, extended region. These field strengths give magnetically super- and subcritical values, respectively, and both are found to be roughly trans-Alfvénic. We also present a new method of data reduction for these denser but fainter objects like starless cores.

We report the first measurement of polarized thermal dust emission toward the entire infrared dark cloud G11.11−0.12 taken by the polarimeter SOFIA/HAWC+ at 214 μ m. The obtained magnetic fields ( B -fields) from the polarized emission of the early-stage and massive filament tend to be perpendicular to its spine. We produce a map of B -field strengths for the center region of the filament. The strengths vary in the range of 100–600 μ G and are strongest along the filament's spine. The central region is sub-Alfvénic and mostly subcritical, meaning that B -fields dominate over turbulence and are strong enough to resist gravitational collapse. The alignment and properties of dust grains in the filament are studied using radiative torque (RAT) theory. We find the decrease of polarization degree P with emission intensity I , i.e., depolarization effect, of the form P ∝ I ^− ^α with α ∼ 0.8–0.9, implying a significant loss of grain alignment in the filament's spine. The depolarization can be explained by the decrease in RAT alignment efficiency toward the denser regions with weaker radiation field, which cannot be explained by B -field tangling. We study the effect of the enhanced magnetic relaxation by embedded iron inclusions on RAT alignment and find that the high polarization fraction P ∼ 20%–30% in the outer layer of the filament is potential evidence for the magnetically enhanced RAT alignment mechanism. This is the first time this effect is evaluated in a filament. Based on the polarization fraction and RAT alignment theory, we also find evidence for grain growth in the filament.

The rising concerns about controversial food additives’ potential hazardous properties require extensive yet animal-minimized testing strategies. Zebrafish embryos are the ideal in vivo model representing both human and environmental health. In this study, we exposed zebrafish embryos to eight controversial food additives. Our results indicate that Sodium Benzoate is a Cat.3 aquatic toxicant, while Quinoline Yellow is a strong teratogen. At high concentrations, non-toxic chemicals induced similar phenotypes, suggesting the impact of ionic strength and the applicability of the darkened yolk phenotype as an indicator of nephrotoxicity. Three food additives showed unpredicted bioactivities on the zebrafish embryos: Brilliant Blue could weaken the embryonic yolk, Quinoline Yellow may interfere with nutrient metabolism, and Azorubine induced precocious zebrafish hatching. In conclusion, the zebrafish embryo is ideal for high throughput chemical safety and toxicity screening, allowing systematic detection of biological effects—especially those unexpected by targeted in vitro and in silico models. Additionally, our data suggest the need to reconsider the safety status of food additives Quinoline Yellow, Brilliant Blue, Sodium Benzoate, and other controversial food additives in further studies, as well as pave the way to further applications based on the newly found properties of Brilliant Blue and Azorubine.

Prostatic utricle results from incomplete regression of the Müllerian duct remnant and is closely associated with diseases such as proximal hypospadias. Surgical treatment is indicated for the symptomatic cyst. Laparoscopic excision is a modern and widely used approach. We report a 9-year-old boy with prostatic utricle who underwent proximal hypospadias repair four times in the preschool years. He was hospitalized for recurrent right epididymo-orchitis and his psychological anxiety. The patient was successfully and safely removed from the prostatic utricle by laparoscopy assistance of endoscopy. We suggest that periodic ultrasonography for pre- and post-operative severe hypospadias. Laparoscopic surgery should be the first approach because of its efficacy and safety.

Background: Economic development and social environment changes influence disease patterns ranging from infectious diseases to noncommunicable diseases, and diabetes is one of the seven causes leading to death and disability in Vietnam. Objectives: The purpose of this research is to present an overview of the challenges related to diabetes prevention in Vietnam and to find effective ways for the prevention and control of diabetes, as well as to improve the quality of life among diabetes patients. Methods: The literature review was conducted using a variety of databases, such as PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, Vietnamese data sources, and papers published in the Vietnamese language. For the searches, we used keywords such as “Diabetes,” “Prevention,” and “Prevalence of Diabetes.” Findings and Conclusions: With the increasing prevalence of diabetes, there are approximately 5.76 million people with diabetes currently living in Vietnam. The age-adjusted comparative prevalence of diabetes in the population of Vietnam was approximately 6% in 2017. This review suggests that the government needs to establish social security and policy programs aimed at reducing social risk factors and the burden of healthcare costs for diabetes treatment in older people. In addition, attention should be paid to the management and control of diabetes-related diseases, with an emphasis on new techniques for early diagnosis and treatment. Simultaneously, the health system should ensure that diabetes patients living in rural areas and belonging to ethnic minorities can access better healthcare services to improve their health and decrease their risk for chronic disease and death.

Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) is an African freshwater fish that displays a genetic sex determination system (XX|XY) where high temperatures (above 32°C to 36.5°C) induce masculinization. In Nile tilapia, the thermosensitive period was reported from 10 to 30 days post fertilization. In their natural environment, juveniles may encounter high temperatures that are above the optimal temperature for growth (27-30°C). The relevance of the thermal sex reversal mechanism in a natural context remains unclear. The main objective of our study is to determine whether sexually undifferentiated juveniles spontaneously prefer higher, unfavorable temperatures and whether this choice skews the sex ratio toward males. Five full-sib progenies (from 100% XX crosses) were subjected to (1) a horizontal three-compartment thermal step gradient (thermal continuum 28°C- 32°C- 36.5°C) during the thermosensitive period, (2) a control continuum (28°C- 28°C- 28°C) and (3) a thermal control tank (36.5°C). During the first days of the treatment, up to an average of 20% of the population preferred the masculinizing compartment of the thermal continuum (36.5°C) compared to the control continuum. During the second part of the treatment, juveniles preferred the lower, nonmasculinizing 32°C temperature. This short exposure to higher temperatures was sufficient to significantly skew the sex ratio toward males, compared to congeners raised at 28°C (from 5.0 ± 6.7% to 15.6 ± 16.5% of males). The proportion of males was significantly different in the thermal continuum, thermal control tank and control continuum, and it was positively correlated among populations. Our study shows for the first time that Nile tilapia juveniles can choose a masculinizing temperature during a short period of time. This preference is sufficient to induce sex reversal to males within a population. For the first time, behavior is reported as a potential player in the sex determination mechanism of this species.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0212504.].