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This study aimed to assess the accumulation of carotenoids, antioxidant capacity by ABTS method, and color indexes according to the harvest age of three hybrid pumpkin varieties commonly grown in Vietnam. The correlation between them was also evaluated. The results showed that the content of carotenoids (ß-carotene, a-carotene, ß-cryptoxanthin, zeaxanthin, and lycopene) and retinol activity equivalent (RAE) in the flesh of the hybrid pumpkin varieties reached the highest value during the harvest age from 70 to 75 d. The ABTS antioxidant capacity in the flesh of the F1 pumpkin variety (A1, long fruit) reached the highest value (186.0(10.6 (mol TEAC/100 g at the harvest age of 65 d) compared to the F1 pea pumpkin variety (A2) (174.4(12.0 (mol TEAC/100 g at the harvest age of 70 d) and the F1 hybrid pumpkin variety (A3, round fruit) (156.9(11.1 (mol TEAC/100 g at the harvest age of 75 d). The accumulation of carotenoids positively correlated with the increase of the a* color index but negatively correlated with the L* and b* color indexes. These findings provide information on the accumulation of the carotenoids, the changing trend of the ABTS antioxidant capacity and the color indexes in the flesh of the hybrid pumpkin varieties according to the harvest age (60 - 80 d).

Limonia acidissima L. (LA) is a fruit-bearing tree from the Rutaceae family that thrives in Tra Vinh province, Vietnam. It has been found that chemical compounds contained in LA leaves have antioxidant, antibacterial, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and larvicidal properties. This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant activity of leaf power ethanol-extracted using an ultrasound-assisted extraction technique. The input parameters of the process were optimized by the response surface methodology (RSM) including ethanol content (50 – 70 %), temperature (40 – 60 ºC), and time (30 – 50 min). The model response included total polyphenol content (TPC, Y1), and radical scavenging capacity by DPPH (Y2). The results show that the effect of the input parameters on the response of the extraction process was expressed by the quadratic equation with the high R2 values of Y1 (0.9827), and Y2 (0.9644). The optimal conditions for the extraction process were achieved at X1 = 59.7 %, X2 = 49.4 ºC, and X3 = 39.4 min. At this condition, the experimental value ??of TPC (85.79 ± 0.23 mg GAE/g dry weight, d.w) and DPPH (235.01 ± 0.79 µmol TEAC/g d.w) was not the significant difference compared to the predicted value. Furthermore, bioactive components from the leaf extract were quantified using modern GC-MS chromatography with the content of Stigmasterol (228.36 ± 4.95 ppm), Sitosterol (95.44 ± 3.3 ppm), Alpha-Pinene (60.40 ± 1.29 ppm). Antibacterial activity was tested against Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus.

Lipoarabinomannan (LAM) is a promising target biomarker for diagnosing subclinical and clinical tuberculosis (TB). Urine LAM (uLAM) testing using rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) has been approved for people living with HIV (PLWH), however there is limited data regarding uLAM levels in HIV-negative (HIV-ve) adults with clinical TB. We conducted a clinical study of adults presenting with clinical TB-related symptoms at the National Lung Hospital in Hanoi, Vietnam. The uLAM concentrations were measured using electrochemiluminescent (ECL) immunoassays and compared to a microbiological reference standard (MRS) using GeneXpert Ultra and TB culture testing. Estimated uLAM concentrations above plate specific calculated limit of detection (LOD) were considered uLAM positive. Additional microbiological testing was conducted for possible extrapulmonary TB (EPTB). Among 745 participants enrolled, 335 (44.9%) participants with presumptive pulmonary TB (PTB) and 6 (11.3%) participants with presumptive EPTB had confirmed TB disease. Overall, the S/A antibody pair had a sensitivity of 39% (95% Confidence Interval [CI] 0.33, 0.44) and a specificity of 97% (95% CI 0.96, 0.99) compared to the MRS. The F/A antibody pair had a sensitivity of 41% (95% CI 0.35, 0.47) and a specificity of 79% (95% CI 0.75, 0.84). S/A provided greater discriminatory ability compared to F/A for both individuals with presumptive PTB (AUROC: 0.74 vs 0.63, p

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of variety and harvesting age on the physicochemical characteristics and nutritional composition of the fruits from three hybrid pumpkin varieties grown in Tra Vinh province of Vietnam. An increment in nutrient accumulation between 60 and 80 days old was observed in all three studied varieties. Adequate accumulation of dry matter, fat, fiber and ash in the fruit was achieved at 70 days old for the F1 pumpkin variety - long fruit (A1) while its maximum accumulation of protein and total phenolic content (TPC) was at 65 days old. A1 variety reached the highest total soluble solid (TSS) content at 75 days old. The F1 pea pumpkin variety (A2) had the highest accumulation of ash and fiber content at 60 days while the contents of fat, protein, carbohydrate and dry matter were maximal values at 65, 75, 70 and 70 days. The highest accumulation of fat, fiber, and carbohydrate was reached at 70 days old for the F1 hybrid pumpkin variety - round fruit (A3). The research results can be used to determine the appropriate harvesting age of the fruits to increase the value of the pumpkin varieties.

Bach Nguyen,1 Quynh Thi Huong Bui,2,3 Phuong Que Tran2 1Department of Nephrology, Thong Nhat Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; 2Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; 3Department of Pharmacy, Thong Nhat Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, VietnamCorrespondence: Bach Nguyen, Department of Nephrology, Thong Nhat Hospital, 1 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City, 700000, Vietnam, Tel +84 28 918209808, Fax +84 28 3865 6715, Email nguyenbach69@gmail.comPurpose: The present study aimed at evaluating the survival rate, its associated factors, and the causes of death in elderly patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) in Vietnam.Patients and Methods: This is a retrospective, observational study conducted among patients aged ≥ 65 years who underwent CAPD at Thong Nhat Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, from April 2012 to December 2020. The Kaplan–Meier method was used to calculate the cumulative survival rate, and the Log rank test was used to analyze the factors associated with the survival rate of patients.Results: This study enrolled a total of 68 patients with a mean age of 71.93 ± 7.44 years at the initiation of CAPD. The most common complication among kidney failure patients was diabetic nephropathy (39.71%). The rate of concomitant cardiovascular diseases was 58.82%. The average survival rate was 45.59 ± 4.01 months. Peritonitis was the most common factor causing death (31.25%), followed by cardiovascular diseases (28.12%) and malnutrition (25%). The factors that impacted the survival rate included concomitant cardiovascular diseases, low serum albumin (< 35 g/dL), and an indication of CAPD due to exhausted vascular access for hemodialysis at baseline. The main factor associated with a shorter survival time was concomitant cardiovascular diseases.Conclusion: It is necessary to improve the survival time beyond 5 years for elderly patients undergoing CAPD, especially for those with concomitant cardiovascular diseases. Besides the prevention of peritonitis, adequate measures to protect from cardiovascular diseases and malnutrition will reduce the mortality rate in patients on CAPD.Keywords: CAPD, elderly, Vietnamese, concomitant diseases, cardiovascular diseases

Advances in reinforcement learning (RL) algorithms have made them become increasingly capable in many tasks in recent years. However, the vast majority of RL algorithms are not readily interpretable off the shelf. Moreover, the task of generating explanations in the form of human language has not been sufficiently addressed for these RL algorithms in previous works. Human language explanations have the advantages of being easy to understand, and they can help increase the satisfaction experienced by the end user while using the product. In this paper, we propose a method for generating explanations in the form of free-text human language to help the end user better understand the behaviors of RL agents. Our work involves generating explanations for both single actions and sequences of actions. We also create an open dataset as a baseline for future research. Our proposed method is evaluated in two simulated environments: Pong and the Minimalistic Gridworld Environment (MiniGgrid). The results demonstrate that our models are able to consistently generate accurate rationales, which are highly correlated with the expert rationales. Hence, this work offers a solution for bridging the gap of trust encountered when employing RL agents in virtual world or real-world applications.

Kristen H Kuo,1,2 Sidrah Anjum,1 Brian Nguyen,1,3,4 Jeffrey L Marx,1,2 Shiyoung Roh,1,2 David J Ramsey1,2 1Department of Ophthalmology, Lahey Hospital & Medical Center, Peabody, MA, USA; 2Department of Ophthalmology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA; 3Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA, USA; 4Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, USACorrespondence: David J RamseyDepartment of Ophthalmology, Lahey Hospital & Medical Center, Beth Israel Lahey Health, 1 Essex Center Drive, Peabody, MA, 01960, USAEmail David.J.Ramsey@lahey.orgPurpose: We conducted a cross-sectional study to assess the utilization of a tele-ophthalmology screening program in a low-risk, suburban population of patients with diabetes.Methods: A total of 214 diabetic patients without previously documented diabetic retinopathy (DR) underwent point-of-care non-mydriatic fundus photography through their primary care providers at five Beth Israel Lahey Health locations. The characteristics of the patients who received remote screening were compared with those patients who were eligible for screening but did not take part in the program. Time-driven activity-based costing (TDABC) was implemented to examine the cost of screening by tele-ophthalmology compared with in-person examinations.Results: Tele-ophthalmology screening was more likely to be provided for patients who were younger (OR 0.985; 95% CI 0.973– 0.997, p=0.016), who were obese (OR 2.04; 95% CI: 1.47– 2.84, p=0.008), who had an HbA1c above 8.0% (OR 1.60; 95% CI: 1.13– 2.26, p=0.031), or who had an eye examination in the past year (OR 5.55; 95% CI: 3.89– 7.92, p< 0.001). Those patients newly diagnosed with DR because of the program were more likely to have diabetic nephropathy (OR 7.79; 95% CI: 1.73– 35.05, p=0.007). TDABC identified a health system cost-savings of between $8 and $29 per patient screened by tele-ophthalmology compared with the cost of in-person eye examinations.Conclusion: Tele-ophthalmology presents an opportunity to reduce the costs of screening patients without prior evidence of DR, especially those who have completed a comprehensive eye examination within the prior year.Keywords: telemedicine, tele-ophthalmology, diabetes, diabetic retinopathy, screening, non-mydriatic fundus photography

Background: The wMel strain of Wolbachia has been successfully introduced into Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and subsequently shown to reduce transmission of dengue and other pathogens, under both laboratory and field conditions. Here we describe the entomological outcomes of wMel Wolbachia mosquito releases in two small communities in Nha Trang City in central Vietnam. Methods: The wMel strain of Wolbachia was backcrossed into local Aedes aegypti genotype and mosquito releases were undertaken by community members or by staff. Field monitoring was undertaken to track Wolbachia establishment in local Ae. aegypti mosquito populations. Ecological studies were undertaken to assess relationships between environmental factors and the spatial and temporal variability in Wolbachia infection prevalence in mosquitoes. Results: Releases of wMel Wolbachia Ae. aegypti mosquitoes in two small communities in Nha Trang City resulted in the initial establishment of Wolbachia in the local Ae. aegypti mosquito populations, followed by seasonal fluctuations in Wolbachia prevalence. There was significant small-scale spatial heterogeneity in Wolbachia infection prevalence in the Tri Nguyen Village site, resulting in the loss of wMel Wolbachia infection in mosquitoes in north and center areas, despite Wolbachia prevalence remaining high in mosquitoes in the south area. In the second site, Vinh Luong Ward, Wolbachia has persisted at a high level in mosquitoes throughout this site despite similar seasonal fluctuations in wMel Wolbachia prevalence. Conclusion: Seasonal variation in Wolbachia infection prevalence in mosquitoes was associated with elevated temperature conditions, and was possibly due to imperfect maternal transmission of Wolbachia. Heterogeneity in Wolbachia infection prevalence was found throughout one site, and indicates additional factors may influence Wolbachia establishment.

BackgroundDespite the criticality of adherence to tuberculosis treatment, there is paucity of rigorous experimental research exploring the efficacy of interventions to promote adherence and a greater lack of inquiry addressing the integral role of adherence behaviour. The aim of this formative study was to examine the way in which the Wisepill evriMED Medication Event Reminder Monitor (MERM) was used among outpatients with drug susceptible pulmonary tuberculosis.MethodsIn depth interviews were conducted with 20 outpatients receiving treatment from two public healthcare facilities in Thanh Hoa, a rural province in northern Viet Nam. Patients had been enrolled in a randomized controlled trial evaluating the effect of using the MERM device upon adherence for between 1-3 months. The control group used the device without an alert, while the intervention group used the device with a daily alert and scheduled dosing history review.FindingsAll 20 patients interviewed were supportive of using the MERM device. Those able to be at home at the time that their treatment was due (50%) used the device as intended. Patients who worked all reported separating the time when the box was opened from the time at which they ingested their medication. Patients expressed fidelity to the prescribed medication taking time and concerns regarding the portability of the device. Limitations of the study surround the inclusion of a small sample population that did not experience factors that further compromise adherence.ConclusionsData recorded by the box did not always accurately reflect usage patterns. The alert in the intervention arm was able to support adherence only in patients who did not work while completing their treatment. MERM implementation can be improved by better aligning prescriber instructions with patients' daily routines, and increasing the use of adherence data to guide adherence support practices. Healthcare staff need to be aware of potential barriers to optimal use of MERM devices. A rigorous qualitative approach to formative assessment is essential to inform the scale up of new digital technologies.

Christopher P Leamon,1 Chandra D Lovejoy,2 Binh Nguyen3 1Research and Development, 2Regulatory Affairs, 3Clinical Affairs, Endocyte Inc, West Lafayette, IN, USA Abstract: Ovarian cancer (OC) has the highest mortality rate of any gynecologic cancer, and patients generally have a poor prognosis due to high chemotherapy resistance and late stage disease diagnosis. Platinum-resistant OC can be treated with cytotoxic chemotherapy such as paclitaxel, topotecan, pegylated liposomal doxorubicin, and gemcitabine, but many patients eventually relapse upon treatment. Fortunately, there are currently a number of targeted therapies in development for these patients who have shown promising results in recent clinical trials. These treatments often target the vascular endothelial growth factor pathway (eg, bevacizumab and aflibercept), DNA repair mechanisms (eg, iniparib and olaparib), or they are directed against folate related pathways (eg, pemetrexed, farletuzumab, and vintafolide). As many targeted therapies are only effective in a subset of patients, there is an increasing need for the identification of response predictive biomarkers. Selecting the right patients through biomarker screening will help tailor therapy to patients and decrease superfluous treatment to those who are biomarker negative; this approach should lead to improved clinical results and decreased toxicities. In this review the current targeted therapies used for treating platinum-resistant OC are discussed. Furthermore, use of prognostic and response predictive biomarkers to define OC patient populations that may benefit from specific targeted therapies is also highlighted. Keywords: platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, targeted therapy, patient selection, folate receptor, VEGF, biomarkers

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CC-RCC) remains one of the most deadly forms of kidney cancer despite recent advancements in targeted therapeutics, including tyrosine kinase and immune checkpoint inhibitors. Unfortunately, these therapies have not been able to show better than a 16% complete response rate. In this study we evaluated a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, Dinaciclib, as a potential new targeted therapeutic for CC-RCC. In vitro, Dinaciclib showed anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects on CC-RCC cell lines in Cell Titer Glo, Crystal Violet, FACS-based cell cycle analysis, and TUNEL assays. Additionally, these responses were accompanied by a reduction in phospho-Rb and pro-survival MCL-1 cell signaling responses, as well as the induction of caspase 3 and PARP cleavage. In vivo, Dinaciclib efficiently inhibited primary tumor growth in an orthotopic, patient-derived xenograft-based CC-RCC mouse model. Importantly, Dinaciclib targeted both CD105+ cancer stem cells (CSCs) and CD105- non-CSCs in vivo. Moreover, normal cell lines, as well as a CC-RCC cell line with re-expressed von-Hippel Lindau (VHL) tumor suppressor gene, were protected from Dinaciclib-induced cytotoxicity when not actively dividing, indicating an effective therapeutic window due to synthetic lethality of Dinaciclib treatment with VHL loss. Thus, Dinaciclib represents a novel potential therapeutic for CC-RCC.

Abstract Background Previous studies suggested that multiple domestication events in South and South-East Asia (Yunnan and surrounding areas) and India have led to the genesis of modern domestic chickens. Ha Giang province is a northern Vietnamese region, where local chickens, such as the H'mong breed, and wild junglefowl coexist. The assumption was made that hybridisation between wild junglefowl and Ha Giang chickens may have occurred and led to the high genetic diversity previously observed. The objectives of this study were i) to clarify the genetic structure of the chicken population within the Ha Giang province and ii) to give evidence of admixture with G. gallus. A large survey of the molecular polymorphism for 18 microsatellite markers was conducted on 1082 chickens from 30 communes of the Ha Giang province (HG chickens). This dataset was combined with a previous dataset of Asian breeds, commercial lines and samples of Red junglefowl from Thailand and Vietnam (Ha Noï). Measurements of genetic diversity were estimated both within-population and between populations, and a step-by-step Bayesian approach was performed on the global data set. Results The highest value for expected heterozygosity (> 0.60) was found in HG chickens and in the wild junglefowl populations from Thailand. HG chickens exhibited the highest allelic richness (mean A = 2.9). No significant genetic subdivisions of the chicken population within the Ha Giang province were found. As compared to other breeds, HG chickens clustered with wild populations. Furthermore, the neighbornet tree and the Bayesian clustering analysis showed that chickens from 4 communes were closely related to the wild ones and showed an admixture pattern. Conclusion In the absence of any population structuring within the province, the H'mong chicken, identified from its black phenotype, shared a common gene pool with other chickens from the Ha Giang population. The large number of alleles shared exclusively between Ha Giang chickens and junglefowl, as well as the results of a Bayesian clustering analysis, suggest that gene flow has been taking place from junglefowl to Ha Giang chickens.

Targeted therapeutics are needed for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). In this study, we investigated the activation of Src family of cytoplasmic tyrosine kinases (SFKs) and two SFK substrates-CUB-domain containing protein 1 (CDCP1) and protein kinase C δ (PKCδ)-in 56 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) TNBCs. Expression of SFK phosphorylated at Y416 (SFK_pY416+) in tumor cells was strongly associated with phosphorylation of CDCP1 and PKCδ (CDCP1_ pY743+ and PKCδ_pY311+), as assessed by immunohistochemistry, indicating increased SFK activity in situ. To enable biochemical analysis, protein extraction from FFPE tissue was optimized. Cleaved CDCP1 isoform (70 kDa) was expressed to a varying degree in all samples but only phosphorylated in TNBC tumor cells that expressed SFK_pY416. Interestingly, active SFK was found to be biphosphorylated (SFK_pY416+/pY527+). Biphosphorylated active SFK was observed more frequently in forkhead box protein A1 (FOXA1)- TNBCs. In addition, in SFK_pY416- samples, FOXA1+ TNBC tended to be SFK_pY527+ (classic inactive SFK), and FOXA1- TNBC tended to be SFK_pY527- (SFK poised for activation). Strong SFK_pY416 staining was also observed in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in a subset of TNBCs with high tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte content. This report will facilitate protein biochemical analysis of FFPE tumor samples and justifies the development of therapies targeting the SFK/CDCP1/PKCδ pathway for TNBC treatment.

Flexoelectricity, a universal electromechanical coupling effect present in all dielectric materials, has garnered significant theoretical and experimental interest in recent years, particularly in ferroelectric perovskite oxides. However, nitride-based materials have received considerably less attention. In this Letter, we report the observation of direct flexoelectric effect in plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition silicon nitride thin film with a thickness of 200 nm. From three-point bending tests, we determined the effective flexoelectric coefficient of Si3N4 to be 1.64 ± 0.22 nC / m. Additionally, the measured flexoelectric-induced voltages are consistent with finite element computational models. This observation of the flexoelectric coupling effect could contribute to the development of silicon nitride-based micro-scale devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: The study evaluated the lack of neurological improvement and the factors influencing it in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) without major arterial occlusion. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on patients diagnosed with acute ischemic stroke without significant occlusion of major arteries, with imaging evidence from 3-tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans at the S.I.S Hospital in Can Tho, Vietnam, from 2019 to 2023. Eligible patients received treatment with low-dose alteplase (a single dose of 0.6 mg/kg). RESULTS: Among the 268 patients included in the study, a significant improvement in neurological function was observed in 195 patients (72.8%) [modified Rankin Scale (mRS): 0-1 points], while 73 patients (27.2%) demonstrated little or no improvement after 3 months of treatment. There were no recorded fatalities during the study period. Female patients accounted for 35.8% of the total sample. The average age of the participants was 62.9 years. The multivariate regression analysis identified several predictive factors associated with the risk of lack of improvement after 3 months, including advanced age, higher National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores, elevated blood glycemia levels (mmol/L), and elevated high-sensitive (hs) troponin I levels (ng/mL) (p < 0.05). Glycemia and hs troponin I levels were identified as biomarkers for predicting outcomes after ischemic stroke. No evidence was found linking sex, a history of chronic illness, and a lack of improvement. CONCLUSIONS: Predicting prognostic factors for lack of neurological improvement will assist neurologists in developing personalized treatment plans for patients, reducing complications, and promoting patient recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxidative stress has been linked to many obesity-related conditions among children including cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus and hypertension. Exposure to environmental chemicals such as phthalates, ubiquitously found in humans, may also generate reactive oxygen species and subsequent oxidative stress. We examined longitudinal changes of 8-isoprostane urinary concentrations, a validated biomarker of oxidative stress, and associations with maternal prenatal urinary concentrations of phthalate metabolites for 258 children at 5, 9 and 14 years of age participating in a birth cohort residing in an agricultural area in California. Phthalates are endocrine disruptors, and in utero exposure has been also linked to altered lipid metabolism, as well as adverse birth and neurodevelopmental outcomes. We found that median creatinine-corrected 8-isoprostane concentrations remained constant across all age groups and did not differ by sex. Total cholesterol, systolic and diastolic blood pressure were positively associated with 8-isoprostane in 14-year-old children. No associations were observed between 8-isoprostane and body mass index (BMI), BMI Z-score or waist circumference at any age. Concentrations of three metabolites of high molecular weight phthalates measured at 13 weeks of gestation (monobenzyl, monocarboxyoctyl and monocarboxynonyl phthalates) were negatively associated with 8-isoprostane concentrations among 9-year olds. However, at 14 years of age, isoprostane concentrations were positively associated with two other metabolites (mono(2-ethylhexyl) and mono(2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl) phthalates) measured in early pregnancy. Longitudinal data on 8-isoprostane in this pediatric population with a high prevalence of obesity provides new insight on certain potential cardiometabolic risks of prenatal exposure to phthalates.

Piglet lethality is one of the major concerns in pig breeding programs. Deletion of a 212-kb region within the Bardet-Biedl syndrome 9 (BBS9) gene has been linked to a reduction in the number of piglets born alive per litter. The BBS9 mutant gene carrier-by-carrier mating scheme could result in mummification of piglets carrying 2 copies of the BBS9 mutant allele, which ultimately affects the reproductive performance of the sow. Our aim was to develop a simple, rapid, and cost-efficient method that could be applied in a BBS9 mutant gene carrier screening program in low- and middle-income countries within basic laboratory settings. Here, we report an optimized multiplex PCR assay that we have established successfully for detection of a 212-kb deletion within the BBS9 genomic sequence. We genotyped 420 animals from Yorkshire, Duroc, and Landrace purebred populations in Vietnam. We found that while the BBS9 mutant allele was not identified in Duroc pigs, the frequency of BBS9 carriers was 10% in both Yorkshire and Landrace populations. We subsequently validated our results using Sanger sequencing. Our multiplex PCR method could be utilized as a BBS9 screening test in pig breeding programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spinal degeneration (SD) is a common condition among the elderly, causing pain and reduced mobility. Prompt detection, monitoring, and treatment of degenerative conditions is crucial to minimize serious complications. In this experiment, rats with Freund's complete adjuvant (CFA)-induced SD received bee venom acupuncture (BVA) at doses of 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 mg/kg or Mobic (meloxicam) acupuncture (MA) at 1.0 mg/kg. All treatments were administered twice weekly for three weeks. The anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and motor improvement effects of BVA were evaluated via behavioral tests, white blood cell counts, and histological analysis. Results showed significant reductions in white blood cell count and the inflammatory marker interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) in both BVA and MA groups compared to the control SD group. Additionally, the BVA and MA treatment groups showed increased hotplate paw-withdrawal latency, indicating reduced pain sensitivity, and longer times on the accelerating rotarod, indicating improved motor function, compared to the control group. These findings suggest that BVA has promising anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and motor-improving effects for the symptomatic treatment of SD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to assess the accumulation of carotenoids, antioxidant capacity by ABTS method, and color indexes according to the harvest age of three hybrid pumpkin varieties commonly grown in Vietnam. The correlation between them was also evaluated. The results showed that the content of carotenoids (ß-carotene, a-carotene, ß-cryptoxanthin, zeaxanthin, and lycopene) and retinol activity equivalent (RAE) in the flesh of the hybrid pumpkin varieties reached the highest value during the harvest age from 70 to 75 d. The ABTS antioxidant capacity in the flesh of the F1 pumpkin variety (A1, long fruit) reached the highest value (186.0±10.6 μmol TEAC/100 g at the harvest age of 65 d) compared to the F1 pea pumpkin variety (A2) (174.4±12.0 μmol TEAC/100 g at the harvest age of 70 d) and the F1 hybrid pumpkin variety (A3, round fruit) (156.9±11.1 μmol TEAC/100 g at the harvest age of 75 d). The accumulation of carotenoids positively correlated with the increase of the a* color index but negatively correlated with the L* and b* color indexes. These findings provide information on the accumulation of the carotenoids, the changing trend of the ABTS antioxidant capacity and the color indexes in the flesh of the hybrid pumpkin varieties according to the harvest age (60 - 80 d). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Limonia acidissima L. (LA) is a fruit-bearing tree from the Rutaceae family that thrives in Tra Vinh province, Vietnam. It has been found that chemical compounds contained in LA leaves have antioxidant, antibacterial, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and larvicidal properties. This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant activity of leaf power ethanol-extracted using an ultrasound-assisted extraction technique. The input parameters of the process were optimized by the response surface methodology (RSM) including ethanol content (50 - 70 %), temperature (40 - 60 °C), and time (30 - 50 min). The model response included total polyphenol content (TPC, Y1), and radical scavenging capacity by DPPH (Y2). The results show that the effect of the input parameters on the response of the extraction process was expressed by the quadratic equation with the high R2 values of Y1 (0.9827), and Y2 (0.9644). The optimal conditions for the extraction process were achieved at X1 = 59.7 %, X2 = 49.4 °C, and X3 = 39.4 min. At this condition, the experimental value of TPC (85.79 ± 0.23 mg GAE/g dry weight, d.w) and DPPH (235.01 ± 0.79 µmol TEAC/g d. w) was not the significant difference compared to the predicted value. Furthermore, bioactive components from the leaf extract were quantified using modern GC-MS chromatography with the content of Stigmasterol (228.36 ± 4.95 ppm), Sitosterol (95.44 ± 3.3 ppm), Alpha-Pinene (60.40 ± 1.29 ppm). Antibacterial activity was tested against Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]