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Bung Binh Thien Lake, the largest freshwater lake in An Giang, is vital for providing drinking water, supporting agriculture, and sustaining local services. Recently, the lake has been facing organic pollution from household wastewater and local production activities. This study evaluated the water quality using biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) and dissolved oxygen (DO) parameters, collecting nine water samples from different locations. The DELWAQ model was applied to assess seasonal changes and water quality distribution. During the 2022 rainy season, the average DO value was 5.42 mg/L, meeting the A2 class standard (= 5 mg/L), while the BOD5 value was 12.25 mg/L, within the B1 class standard (= 15 mg/L). In the dry season, the DO value dropped to 4.82 mg/L, and the BOD5 value increased to 12.63 mg/L, indicating higher phytoplankton density and organic pollution. The simulated DO and BOD5 values closely matched observed values, with NSE values of 0.74 and 0.87 for DO and BOD5, respectively, in the flood season, and 0.86 and 0.88 in the dry season. The DELWAQ model proved effective in simulating water quality at Bung Binh Thien Lake, providing valuable data for environmental management and decision-making. This study also serves as a useful reference for further research and water quality management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The skin is both a target and a potential conduit for the delivery of drugs, but its cornified cell layer resists penetration by most molecules. This study investigated the potential of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles to facilitate the transdermal delivery of anticancer agents. Results Chemotherapeutic cancer drugs were applied with or without nanoparticles to the skin of hairless mice, and their ability to penetrate the skin was assessed using fluorescence microscopy and tumor growth. Nanoparticles enhanced the penetration of the skin by doxorubicin and 5-fluorouracil as determined by fluorescence microscopy and growth retardation of experimental melanoma in immunocompetent, syngeneic mice. This drug enhancement did not require conjugation or encapsulation of the drugs by the nanoparticles—simple co-administration sufficed. Nanoparticles applied topically to melanomas increased the cytotoxicity and immune cell infiltration induced by co-administered 5-fluorouracil, and also reduced vascularization of the tumors independently of 5-fluorouracil. Conclusion Correctly formulated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles can facilitate the chemotherapeutic effectiveness of cytotoxic drugs on skin tumors by both increasing their transdermal penetration and ameliorating host–tumor interactions. This enhancement of skin penetration occurs without the need for conjugation or encapsulation of the co-administered drugs, and so will likely be applicable to other drugs, also.

Abstract Background Minimally invasive mitral valve replacement has become popular across the world. However, annular rupture and patient – prosthetic mismatch (PPM) are still problematic, particularly in the Asian population. To avoid this, a predictor model could be beneficial. Our study aimed to assess the value of mitral valve diameters measured on TTE and CT scan on predicting the actual mitral prostheses. Methods From January 2018 to December 2019, a total number of 96 patients underwent minimally invasive mitral valve replacement. The association between imaging measurements and the outcome was checked by scatter plot and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Univariable linear regression was used to build the prediction model. Results The three strongest correlations for the whole population are the following features: Mean TTE diameter (0.702), mean diameter on CT lowest plane through the mitral annulus (0.679), and area-derived diameter on CT highest plane through the mitral annulus (0.665). The prosthetic size of the tissue valve group was more correlated to the calculated annulus diameters than that of the mechanical valve group. Tissue valve size predictor models based on these calculated diameters were 16.19 + 0.27 × d (r = 0.744), 12.74 + 0.44 × d (r = 0.756) and 12.79 + 0.38 × d (r = 0.730), respectively. Conclusion Mitral prosthetic size could be predicted based on the mitral diameters measured on TTE and CT scan. The overall correlation coefficient varied from 0.665 (CT Scan) to 0.702 (TTE). These models performed better when applied to bioprosthesis.