Search

Abstract Liver injury with marked elevation of aspartate aminotransferase enzyme (AST) is commonly observed in dengue infection. To understand the pathogenesis of this liver damage, we compared the plasma levels of hepatic specific, centrilobular predominant enzymes (glutamate dehydrogenase, GLDH; glutathione S transferase-α, αGST), periportal enriched 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD), periportal predominant arginase-1 (ARG-1), and other non-specific biomarkers (paraoxonase-1, PON-1) in patients with different outcomes of dengue infection. This hospital-based study enrolled 87 adult dengue patients, stratified into three groups based on plasma AST levels ( 400 U/L) in a 1:1:1 ratio (n = 40, n = 40, n = 40, respectively. The new liver enzymes in the blood samples from the 4th to 6th days of their illness were measured by commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) or colorimetric kits. Based on the diagnosis at discharge days, our patients were classified as 40 (46%) dengue without warning signs (D), 35 (40.2%) dengue with warning signs (DWS), and 11 (12.6%) severe dengue (SD) with either shock (two patients) or AST level over 1000 U/L (nine patients), using the 2009 WHO classification. The group of high AST (> 400 U/L) also had higher ALT, GLDH, ARG-1, and HPPD than the other groups, while the high (> 400 U/L) and moderate (80–400 U/L) AST groups had higher ALT, αGST, ARG-1, and HPPD than the low AST group (

African swine fever (ASF) is a highly infectious disease in pigs caused by the African swine fever virus (ASFV), which might result in 100% mortality. Pigs infected with ASFV might display different clinical and pathological features depending on virulence and host factors. This study aimed to determine features of clinical symptoms, macroscopic, and microscopic lesions of ASF in the Mekong Delta (MD), Vietnam during 2021–2022. The investigation was conducted following three fatal outbreaks of ASF in Hau Giang, Vinh Long, and Can Tho provinces, which are three central provinces out of thirteen in the MD. The spleen, lymph nodes, liver, kidney, and heart were collected from three infected pigs that displayed clinical symptoms of ASFV infection and confirmed the presence of ASFV by conventional PCR. The results indicated that infected pigs showed common clinical symptoms including high fever, anorexia, and moderate petechiae on the skin. Severe hemorrhage was observed in lymph nodes, spleen, kidneys, intestines, and gallbladders which were the main lesions during post-mortem examination. Microscopic lesions were characterized by lymphocytopenia, atrophy of lymphoid follicles in the immune system. However, distinct variations in clinical symptoms, macroscopic, and microscopic features among ASFV infection cases were not documented. This study provides a further understanding of the clinical presentation and pathological lesions caused by the ASFV strain circulating in the MD.

Abstract Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infection diagnosis remains a challenge due to its overlapping clinical symptoms with tuberculosis (TB), leading to inappropriate treatment. Herein, we employed noninvasive metabolic phenotyping coupled with comprehensive statistical modeling to discover potential biomarkers for the differential diagnosis of NTM infection versus TB. Urine samples from 19 NTM and 35 TB patients were collected, and untargeted metabolomics was performed using rapid liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The urine metabolome was analyzed using a combination of univariate and multivariate statistical approaches, incorporating machine learning. Univariate analysis revealed significant alterations in amino acids, especially tryptophan metabolism, in NTM infection compared to TB. Specifically, NTM infection was associated with upregulated levels of methionine but downregulated levels of glutarate, valine, 3-hydroxyanthranilate, and tryptophan. Five machine learning models were used to classify NTM and TB. Notably, the random forest model demonstrated excellent performance [area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve greater than 0.8] in distinguishing NTM from TB. Six potential biomarkers for NTM infection diagnosis, including methionine, valine, glutarate, 3-hydroxyanthranilate, corticosterone, and indole-3-carboxyaldehyde, were revealed from univariate ROC analysis and machine learning models. Altogether, our study suggested new noninvasive biomarkers and laid a foundation for applying machine learning to NTM differential diagnosis.

Skin defects of the total nasal columella can significantly impact both nasal respiratory function and aesthetics. The reconstruction of total columella is a complex process and represents a significant challenge for plastic surgeons. Various factors can cause the loss of the columella. Numerous columella reconstruction procedures have been proposed, each with their own set of advantages and disadvantages. The main issues to address include the need for regional flaps from the forehead or nasofacial sulcus, a long pedicle to reach the columella, and the double angular folding that causes a risk of malnutrition or venous congestion. Additionally, using horizontal nasolabial flaps may lead to deformation of the upper lip.

This study aimed to describe orthodontic treatment patterns of children in Australia.

Nowadays, the corporate governance quality (CGQ) of a company has become increasingly important as it is the benchmark for the investment decision-making process. However, there are not many studies of CGQ in the Vietnamese public sector. In this regard, this study adopted and adapted the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) corporate governance scorecard and the Vietnamese Listed Company Awards scorecard to evaluate the CGQ of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) in Vietnam. Data from 220 equitized SOEs were collected from a self-administered survey and double-checked with information from in-depth interviews with the company’s managers and their documents. Collected data were analyzed to score the CGQ of surveyed companies. Results showed that the CGQ of survey companies met the basic requirements that comply with the legal framework. The analysis also showed the differences between two groups of state-owned enterprises: listed versus unlisted joint-stock companies. Based on the findings, we suggested companies improve and adjust their governance policies following 77 scorecard criteria and apply international best practices in corporate governance to promote their brand value to become more appealing to investors.

ABSTRACTBlending biodiesel at different ratios leads to fluctuations in properties such as oxygen content, cetane number, speed, density, and calorific value, affecting performance and emissions. Therefore, studying the combustion process of biodiesel is necessary. This study describes the construction of a CVCC (Constant volume combustion chamber) model to study the fuel combustion process and the impact of temperature on the characteristic parameters of the combustion process. Fuels used for simulations included diesel fuel and B10 biodiesel derived from palm oil. The calculated results from the model are compared with experimental data to verify, analyse, and evaluate the combustion process in CVCC. Analysis of the influence of combustion chamber temperature shows that increasing the temperature from 300K to 450K leads to a decrease in the mixing time of the mixture, a decrease in the spray length, an increase in the fuel evaporation rate, and the combustion process occurs. Faster, the peak pressure appears earlier and higher, and the heat transfer rate is faster. Pressure increases faster during the delayed combustion phase. At the same time, increasing the oxygen concentration from 10% to 20% also leads to an increase in pressure rate, reaching an earlier peak, and the combustion process occurs faster.

Generalized lymphangiomatosis (GLA) is a very rare condition in adults, characterized by diffused proliferation of lymphatic vessels that requires differential diagnosis from other vascular disorders such as cavernous or capillary hemangioma. This is because of overlapping characteristics on histopathological examination. Therefore, imaging features such as CT and MRI are useful to evaluate morphological characteristics, location, and the extent of the spread as well as differential diagnosis with other pathologies. We report a case of a 22-year-old female patient with left hemothorax after thoracoscopic sympathectomy for the treatment of hand sweating. The patient underwent drainage and cleaning of the left pleura. Chest computed tomography and lumbar spine magnetic resonance imaging showed multiple fat infiltration foci of the lumbar spine and pelvis. A wing bone biopsy of the pelvis was initially performed for the diagnosis of chronic osteomyelitis. Afterwards, the patient continued to have pleural drainage and developed hemothorax and chylothorax, amounting to 3000 mL. The chest tube was blocked with a mixture of biological glue and lipiodol (2 mL of glue, ratio of glue to lipiodol: 1:4) and a 3 i-ED coil complex. After the intervention, the pleural fluid decreased; the left pleural fluid was still 15 mm thick, and the amount of fluid drained after 1 week was 100 mL. Aspiration of the chest wall lesion showed fluid rich in fat droplets. Combined with the results of lumbar spine magnetic resonance imaging and the old biopsy, this was consistent with generalized lymphangiomatosis.

This study aims to determine the prevalence of Campylobacter and its antibiotic susceptibility at slaughterhouses and live poultry markets in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. A total of 177 samples, including 112 fecal samples, 28 cecal samples, and 37 rectal swab samples were collected. Thirty-nine samples tested positive for Campylobacter spp. by culture method, accounting for 22%. Isolation rates of Campylobacter in rectal swab samples were highest at 29.7% (11/37), followed by cecal samples at 25% (7/28) and fecal dropping samples at 18.8% (21/112). Species identification was performed by multiplex PCR and the result showed that the prevalence of Campylobacter coli (12.4%) was higher than Campylobacter jejuni (3.4%). Antibiotic susceptibility test showed that all isolated Campylobacter were susceptible to imipenem and meropenem (100%). Most Campylobacter were resistant to tetracycline (96.4%), ciprofloxacin (92.9%), nalidixic acid (89.3%), and ampicillin (67.9%). This study highlights the high contamination of Campylobacter and its antibiotic resistance in poultry in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam.

Antioxidants play an important role in the prevention of oxidative stress and have been widely used in medicine and healthcare. However, natural antioxidants have several limitations such as low stability, difficult long-term storage, and high cost of large-scale production. Along with significant advances in nanotechnology, nanomaterials have emerged as a promising solution to improve the limitations of natural antioxidants because of their high stability, easy storage, time effectiveness, and low cost. Among various types of nanomaterials exhibiting antioxidant activity, metal-based nanoantioxidants show excellent reactivity because of the presence of an unpaired electron in their atomic structure. In this review, we summarize some novel metal-based nanoantioxidants and classify them into two main categories, namely chain-breaking and preventive antioxidant nanomaterials. In addition, the applications of antioxidant nanomaterials in medicine and healthcare are also discussed. This review provides a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of metal-based nanoantioxidants and a guideline for using these nanomaterials in medicine and healthcare.

One of the most recent advances in the analysis of viral RNA-cellular protein interactions is the Comprehensive Identification of RNA-binding Proteins by Mass Spectrometry (ChIRP-MS). Here, we used ChIRP-MS in mock-infected and Zika-infected wild-type cells and cells knockout for the zinc finger CCCH-type antiviral protein 1 (ZAP). We characterized ‘ZAP-independent’ and ‘ZAP-dependent’ cellular protein interactomes associated with flavivirus RNA and found that ZAP affects cellular proteins associated with Zika virus RNA. The ZAP-dependent interactome identified with ChIRP-MS provides potential ZAP co-factors for antiviral activity against Zika virus and possibly other viruses. Identifying the full spectrum of ZAP co-factors and mechanisms of how they act will be critical to understanding the ZAP antiviral system and may contribute to the development of antivirals.

Rice-shrimp rotation systems are one of the widespread farming practices in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta coastal areas. However, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the system have remained unclear. This study aimed to examine methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from the system, including (i) land-based versus high-density polyethylene-lined (HDPE) nursery ponds and (ii) conventional versus improved grow-out ponds inoculated with effective microorganisms (EM) bioproducts. The results showed that CH4 flux in land-based and HDPE-lined nursery ponds were 1.04 and 0.25 mgCH4 m−2 h−1, respectively, while the N2O flux was 8.37 and 6.62 μgN2O m−2 h−1, respectively. Global warming potential (GWP) from land-based nursery ponds (18.3 g CO2eq m−2) was approximately 3 folds higher than that of the HDPE-lined nursery pond (6.1 g CO2eq m−2). Similarly, the mean CH4 and N2O fluxes were 15.84 mg CH4 m−2 h−1 and 7.17 μg N2O m−2 h−1 for the conventional ponds, and 10.51 mg CH4 m−2 h−1 and 7.72 μg N2O m−2 h−1 for the improved grow-out ponds. Conventional practices (2388 g CO2eq m−2) had a higher 1.5-fold GWP compared to the improved grow-out pond (1635 g CO2eq m−2). The continuation of the land-based nursery pond and conventional aquacultural farming practices increase CH4 emission and GWP, while applying HDPE-lined nursery ponds combined with improved grow-out ponds could be a promising approach for reducing GHG emissions in rice-shrimp rotation systems. This study recommends further works in the rice-shrimp rotation systems, including (i) an examination of the effects of remaining rice stubbles in the platform on the availability of TOC levels and GHG emissions and (ii) ameliorating dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration on the effectiveness of GHG emission reduction.

Diabetes Mellitus (DM), particularly Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), is one of the most prevalent non-communicable chronic diseases and poses significant challenges for the healthcare sector and the community. Distress in patients with T2DM leads to severe physical and mental consequences. This study aims to analyze the relationship between distress and the nutritional status of T2DM patients. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 203 T2DM patients at the National Hospital of Endocrinology from October to December 2022. Of the participants, 54.2 % were female with an average age of 62.1 (±12.4). The waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) were significantly different between genders (p

This study addresses the compelling need for emerging-market business organizations to excel in turbulent environments. Drawing upon a dynamic capability framework, we delve into organizational mindfulness, resilience, and performance dynamics within emerging-market contexts. Through a moderated mediation model, we investigate the impact of organizational mindfulness on organizational performance, which is mediated by organizational resilience. Additionally, we explore the moderating role of digitalized management accounting systems (MASs) use in enhancing the relationship between organizational mindfulness and organizational resilience. Utilizing partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM), we analyze data from a two-phase survey involving 441 managers in Vietnamese organizations. Results confirm organizational resilience as a vital mediator between organizational mindfulness and organizational performance, and digitalized MAS use positively moderates the effect of organizational mindfulness on organizational resilience. This research adds to the literature on the interface between mindfulness and resilience and informs practical strategies for navigating uncertainty. By studying the interplay among mindfulness, resilience, and digitalization, we provide guidance for emerging-market organizations aiming to respond to environmental turbulence successfully.

Kaempferia galanga L. is a plant with medicinal value and is commonly used in folk remedies in Vietnam. The present study aimed to discover the antimicrobial and antifungal activities of ethanol crude extract and other fractions from rhizomes of Kaempferia galanga L. The antimicrobial effect of Kaempferia galanga L. extracts against bacteria strains including Escherichia coli, Lactobacillus sp. and Staphylococcus aureus was examined using the disk agar diffusion method. The antifungal activity against Fusarium sp., Collectotrichum sp., and Aspergillus flavus was discovered using disk agar diffusion and food poisoning techniques. The results reported that ethanol crude extract showed an inhibition zone against the three strains of bacteria including Escherichia coli, Lactobacillus sp. and Staphylococcus aureus. Besides that, the results also mentioned that the ethyl acetate extract possessed antifungal activities against Fusarium sp., Collectotrichum sp. and Aspergillus flavus. These findings concluded that Kaempferia galanga L. was a potential plant containing natural antimicrobial compounds.

Symbioses are common relationships between organisms in marine ecosystems. Out of crabs belonging to the family Portunidae, an economically important one, Charybdis truncata (Fabricius, 1798) is a widely distributed species. However, the studies on its symbiotic assemblages are still limited. A total of 408 C. truncata were sampled in Nha Trang Bay (Khanh Hoa province, Vietnam, the East Sea) in January–August 2022. Symbionts were classified based on morphological characters. Statistical analysis was applied to compare the infestation status of symbionts. Six symbiotic species were detected, including four epibiotic barnacles [Octolasmis angulata (Aurivillius, 1894), Octolasmis alata (Aurivillius, 1894), Octolasmis warwicki Gray, 1825, and Dianajonesia tridens (Aurivillius, 1894)] and two obligate unidentified parasites [Cancrion sp. and Sacculina sp.]. Out of them, O. alata and Cancrion sp. were recorded on C. truncata for the first time. The overall prevalence of symbionts on the swimming crab hosts was 13%, and the number of infecting symbiont species on hosts ranged within 1–4. O. angulata was the dominant species, with the prevalence of 6.9%. The prevalence of this symbiotic species was significantly higher in ovigerous female crabs compared to non-ovigerous ones. Moreover, there was a noticeable rise in O. angulata prevalence rates as crab size increased. No significant differences were revealed in the mean intensity of symbionts by sex, reproductive status of females, and size of the crab hosts. The initial morphological modifications caused by infecting parasites, Cancrion sp. and Sacculina sp., were recorded and described. These findings provide data on the status of natural infection of symbiotic species on C. truncata as a basis for the management of commercial species and aquaculture development.

Abstract Human glial progenitor cells (hGPCs) exhibit diminished expansion competence with age, as well as after recurrent demyelination. Using RNA-sequencing to compare the gene expression of fetal and adult hGPCs, we identify age-related changes in transcription consistent with the repression of genes enabling mitotic expansion, concurrent with the onset of aging-associated transcriptional programs. Adult hGPCs develop a repressive transcription factor network centered on MYC, and regulated by ZNF274, MAX, IKZF3, and E2F6. Individual over-expression of these factors in iPSC-derived hGPCs lead to a loss of proliferative gene expression and an induction of mitotic senescence, replicating the transcriptional changes incurred during glial aging. miRNA profiling identifies the appearance of an adult-selective miRNA signature, imposing further constraints on the expansion competence of aged GPCs. hGPC aging is thus associated with acquisition of a MYC-repressive environment, suggesting that suppression of these repressors of glial expansion may permit the rejuvenation of aged hGPCs.

Durian, a member of the Malvaceae family, is famous for its delicious fruits, which have strong scents and are rich in nutrients. In this study, we sequenced and characterized the complete chloroplast genome of Durio zibethinus L. 1774 cultivar Ri6, a popular durian cultivar in Vietnam, using the Illumina Hiseq platform. The results showed a circular chloroplast genome composed of a large single copy of 96,115 bp, a small single copy of 20,819 bp, and two inverted repeat regions of 24,185 bp. This genome consisted of 79 protein-coding genes, 30 transfer RNA genes, and four ribosomal RNA genes. The overall GC content of this genome was 35.7%. Phylogenetic analysis inferred from 78 protein-coding regions revealed monophyly of Durio species and a close relationship between D. zibethinus cultivar Ri6 and cultivar Mongthong. This study provides essential information for further studies examining genetic population, breedings, and species identification among Durio taxa and cultivars.

The current radiation dose estimates used in medical imaging, radiation oncology or environmental assessments are not entirely accurate from a fundamental physics perspective, let alone for biological consequences. The “one cloth fits all” approach of radiation-matter interactions cannot assess the effects of interactions of the same species of radiation of different energies on the same isotope of an element. Preliminary steps to set the radiation dosimetry in the right direction are suggested.

A nonempty set S of residues modulo N is said to be balanced if for each x∈S, there is a d with 01. Thus, the sequence simplifies to cm=2m+13 with m odd. Finally, we prove that if 2p+13 is prime, then p must be a prime.

ObjectivesTo assess the pre-training knowledge of Commune Health Stations (CHSs) physicians in Vietnam on pregnancy and child care.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted and a pre-training questionnaire was administered with physicians working at CHSs in three mountainous provinces of northern Vietnam. Calculated mean knowledge score and estimated adjusted odds ratios (AOR) to compare the relative odds of occurrence of the outcome “answering more than half of questions correct,” given exposure to the physicians’ characteristics.ResultsA total of 302 CHS physicians participated. The mean number of correct answers across all participants was 5.4 out of 11. Female physicians are 2.20 (95% CI: 1.35–3.59, p = 0.002) times more likely to answer correctly than their male counterparts. Physicians aged 35 years or more were significantly less likely to answer correctly (AOR 0.35, 95% CI: 0.15–0.81, p = 0.014).ConclusionThe study found that participating physicians possessed relatively low knowledge of pregnancy and child care. The study also found significant disparities in this knowledge according to the physicians’ characteristics. Thus, it is recommended the requirement for continuing targeted medical education to improve doctors’ proficiency in these areas.

We characterized the spatial distribution of drug-susceptible (DS) and multidrug-resistant (MDR) tuberculosis (TB) cases in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, a major metropolis in southeastern Asia, and explored demographic and socioeconomic factors associated with local TB burden. Hot spots of DS and MDR TB incidence were observed in the central parts of Ho Chi Minh City, and substantial heterogeneity was observed across wards. Positive spatial autocorrelation was observed for both DS TB and MDR TB. Ward-level TB incidence was associated with HIV prevalence and the male proportion of the population. No ward-level demographic and socioeconomic indicators were associated with MDR TB case count relative to total TB case count. Our findings might inform spatially targeted TB control strategies and provide insights for generating hypotheses about the nature of the relationship between DS and MDR TB in Ho Chi Minh City and the wider southeastern region of Asia.

Abstract Background Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus are major bacterial causes of lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) globally, leading to substantial morbidity and mortality. The rapid increase of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in these pathogens poses significant challenges for their effective antibiotic therapy. In low-resourced settings, patients with LRTIs are prescribed antibiotics empirically while awaiting several days for culture results. Rapid pathogen and AMR gene detection could prompt optimal antibiotic use and improve outcomes. Methods Here, we developed multiplex quantitative real-time PCR using EvaGreen dye and melting curve analysis to rapidly identify six major pathogens and fourteen AMR genes directly from respiratory samples. The reproducibility, linearity, limit of detection (LOD) of real-time PCR assays for pathogen detection were evaluated using DNA control mixes and spiked tracheal aspirate. The performance of RT-PCR assays was subsequently compared with the gold standard, conventional culture on 50 tracheal aspirate and sputum specimens of ICU patients. Results The sensitivity of RT-PCR assays was 100% for K. pneumoniae, A. baumannii, P. aeruginosa, E. coli and 63.6% for S. aureus and the specificity ranged from 87.5% to 97.6%. The kappa correlation values of all pathogens between the two methods varied from 0.63 to 0.95. The limit of detection of target bacteria was 1600 CFU/ml. The quantitative results from the PCR assays demonstrated 100% concordance with quantitative culture of tracheal aspirates. Compared to culture, PCR assays exhibited higher sensitivity in detecting mixed infections and S. pneumoniae. There was a high level of concordance between the detection of AMR gene and AMR phenotype in single infections. Conclusions Our multiplex quantitative RT-PCR assays are fast and simple, but sensitive and specific in detecting six bacterial pathogens of LRTIs and their antimicrobial resistance genes and should be further evaluated for clinical utility.

The aim of this study is to experimentally examine the relationship between supply chain finance (SCF) and the financial performance of Vietnamese listed non-financial enterprises. A conceptual framework was developed and tested using secondary data collected from 659 companies listed on the Vietnam Stock Exchange in 2022. The path method is used using Stata 18 software. The results highlight that SCF has a positive impact on the financial performance of listed non-financial enterprises in Vietnam. These findings will help businesses better understand how SCF implementations benefit their financial performance in a global environment, especially in emerging markets.

Nghiên cứu này sẽ xác định phạm vi ảnh hưởng của hoạt động giao thông đến nồng độ bụi (TSP, PM10, PM2.5) trong môi trường không khí xung quanh. Nồng độ bụi được đo ở 6 điểm thuộc tuyến đường quốc lộ Tôn Đức Thắng và đường dân sinh Ngô Văn Sở để so sánh nồng độ bụi trong không khí xung quanh ở khu vực hai bên đường. Tại 6 điểm đo tiến hành lấy mẫu ở các vị trí cách mép đường lần lượt 0m, 2m và 4m. Kết quả đo đạc cho thấy, nồng độ bụi giảm dần theo khoảng cách tính từ mép đường tại các điểm đo. Nồng độ bụi tổng, PM10 và PM2.5 ở tuyến đường Tôn Đức Thắng cao hơn nhiều so với tuyến đường Ngô Văn Sở. Nguyên nhân chính là do lượng xe lưu thông trên đường Tôn Đức Thắng nhiều hơn và đa dạng loại xe container, xe tải lớn, xe khách..., tuyến đường Ngô Văn Sở chủ yếu xe máy và ít xe ô tô cá nhân.

The spread of tuberculosis (TB), especially multidrug-resistant TB and extensively drug-resistant TB, has strongly motivated the research and development of new anti-TB drugs. New strategies to facilitate drug combinations, including pharmacokinetics-guided dose optimization and toxicology studies of first- and second-line anti-TB drugs have also been introduced and recommended. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) has arguably become the gold standard in the analysis of both endo- and exo-genous compounds. This technique has been applied successfully not only for therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) but also for pharmacometabolomics analysis. TDM improves the effectiveness of treatment, reduces adverse drug reactions, and the likelihood of drug resistance development in TB patients by determining dosage regimens that produce concentrations within the therapeutic target window. Based on TDM, the dose would be optimized individually to achieve favorable outcomes. Pharmacometabolomics is essential in generating and validating hypotheses regarding the metabolism of anti-TB drugs, aiding in the discovery of potential biomarkers for TB diagnostics, treatment monitoring, and outcome evaluation. This article highlighted the current progresses in TDM of anti-TB drugs based on LC-MS bioassay in the last two decades. Besides, we discussed the advantages and disadvantages of this technique in practical use. The pressing need for non-invasive sampling approaches and stability studies of anti-TB drugs was highlighted. Lastly, we provided perspectives on the prospects of combining LC-MS-based TDM and pharmacometabolomics with other advanced strategies (pharmacometrics, drug and vaccine developments, machine learning/artificial intelligence, among others) to encapsulate in an all-inclusive approach to improve treatment outcomes of TB patients.

At present, a new wave of entrepreneurship has emerged and made a significant impact in Vietnam despite challenges. The study aims to assess the factors related to the entrepreneurial intentions of young pharmacists in 2023 in the Mekong Delta region. A cross-sectional descriptive method was conducted, involving interviews with 815 young pharmacists living in the Mekong Delta region, via a pre-designed research questionnaire. Results showed that 6 out of 43 variables were eliminated after Cronbach’s alpha was run. The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin coefficient (0.5–0.923) indicated statistical significance and suitable conditions for Exploratory Factor Analysis. Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Structural Equation Modeling results were consistent with market data. With the impact of difficulties, attitude, perception of behavioral control, subjective norms, achievement needs on knowledge, and knowledge on entrepreneurial intentions (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the study successfully collected samples and gained a deeper understanding of the factors influencing the entrepreneurial intentions of young pharmacists.

Objectives: We studied the immunogenicity after primary and booster vaccinations of the Abdala COVID-19 vaccine, a receptor-binding domain protein subunit vaccine, in Vietnamese people by determining the level of neutralization and cross-neutralization activities against the ancestral SARS-CoV-2 and its variants and SARS-CoV-1. Methods: We performed a prospective observational study, enrolling adults aged 19-59 years in Dong Thap province, southern Vietnam, and collected blood samples from baseline until 4 weeks after the booster dose. We measured anti-nucleocapsid, anti-spike, and neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 and assessed the cross-neutralization against 14 SARS-CoV-2 variants and SARS-CoV-1. Complementary antibody data came from Vietnamese health care workers fully vaccinated with ChAdOx1-S. Results: After primary vaccination, anti-spike antibody and neutralizing antibodies were detectable in 98.4% and 87% of 251 study participants, respectively, with neutralizing antibody titers similar to that induced by ChAdOx1-S vaccine. Antibody responses after a homologous (Abdala COVID-19) or heterologous (messenger RNA BNT162b2) booster could neutralize 14 SARS-CoV-2 variants (including Omicron) and SARS-CoV-1. Conclusions: Abdala COVID-19 vaccine is immunogenic in Vietnamese people. Enhanced antibody response after a booster dose could cross-neutralize 14 SARS-CoV-2 variants and SARS-CoV-1. Our results have added to the growing body of knowledge about the contribution of protein subunit vaccine platforms to pandemic control.

This paper focuses on studying the influence of temperature on the working process of Panasonic NCR-18650B electric vehicle battery. Through the Matlab - Simulink simulation tool, the effects related to the charging/discharging process of electric vehicle batteries such as voltage, current and state of charge (SOC) have been considered at different temperature of 0, 25, 50 degrees Celsius. Research results contribute to optimizing battery usage, thereby minimizing the impact of batteries on the environment, contributing to the development of the current electric car industry.

Wastewater originating from the production of TNT explosives (red water) contains special hazardous substances that must be treated before discharging into the water environment. In this study, we applied both conventional Fenton and photo-Fenton (UV-Fenton) processes to treat COD and color in red water. In the Fenton process, the COD and color removal efficiencies were 75.5 and 92.4%, respectively, under optimal operating conditions of pH = 3, [Fe2+] = 0.3 g L-1, H2O2/Fe(Ⅱ) ratio = 10:1, reaction time = 120 min. In the UV-Fenton process, the efficiencies were 76.1 and 94.2%, respectively, under optimal operating conditions of pH = 3, [Fe2+] = 0.21 g L-1, H2O2/Fe(Ⅱ) ratio = 7:1, reaction time = 90 min. These results indicate that the use of ultraviolet could reduce not only the reaction time but also the chemical use (i.e. H2O2 and Fe2+), thus reducing the sludge production. Importantly, the UV-Fenton process significantly increased the BOD5/COD ratio from 0.13 to 0.58, which greatly enhanced the biodegradability of the wastewater for biological treatment. Therefore, UV-Fenton can be applied as an effective pretreatment in the treatment of red water with high color and organic pollutants.

Electronic word of mouth (eWOM) on social networking sites (SNS) has become crucial in shaping online consumers’ purchase intentions, reflecting the growing reliance on rich nature of user-generated content and recommendations shared on these platforms. This study aims to investigate the intricate relationships among different factors of eWOM information, including information credibility, information usefulness, information adoption, attitude towards information, and their impacts on online purchase intention. This study draws upon the Information Adoption Model (IAM) and the Information Acceptance Model (IACM) foundation theory which reveal the steps individuals take in adopting new information, and focuses on how perceptions and attitudes towards information shape acceptance. The study used a quantitative approach, utilizing a structured questionnaire to collect data from 337 Vietnamese individuals actively engaged in eWOM activities on various SNS platforms. Statistical analysis was conducted using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings show that information credibility significantly influences both information usefulness and adoption. Interestingly, while information usefulness shapes user attitudes, it does not directly impact online purchase intention. Similarly, a positive attitude toward eWOM does not necessarily lead to information adoption. This suggests that consumers may hold favorable views of eWOM content without actively adopting it. Information adoption emerges as a critical determinant of online purchase intention, emphasizing the importance of promoting user engagement and trust in eWOM information. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of online consumer behavior and provide valuable guidance for stakeholders seeking to leverage eWOM effectively in digital marketing.

We develop and test a moderated mediation model to explain how management accounting systems impact supply chain integration and firm performance, and how perceived environmental uncertainty influences these relationships. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was used to analyze the survey data from 158 supply chain firms in Vietnam. Results indicate that the use of management accounting systems increases the extent of supply chain integration, which in turn enhances firm performance. Furthermore, perceived environmental uncertainty moderates the positive associations between the use of management accounting systems, supply chain integration, and firm performance. This study makes several contributions to existing literature. First, it elucidates the role of supply chain integration in promoting partner integration in the Vietnamese context. Second, it reveals the performance implications of the interaction between management accounting systems and supply chain integration. Our findings have important implications for supply chain management because they emphasize the need to develop effective management accounting systems and supply chain integration strategies in the context of environmental uncertainty.

Rolling bearings always operate under variable speed conditions, which poses a challenge for researchers in identifying and classifying bearing faults. In contrast to the stationary speed condition, the Fault Characteristic Frequency (FCF) under variable speed conditions exhibits a variable value that depends on the instantaneous shaft rotational speed (ISRS). The representation of the FCFs in the frequency domain reveals overlapping patterns among them. To solve the mentioned problem, a novel tool is proposed and established by mixing the two methods: The Fourier-based SynchroSqueezing transform (FSST) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA). By illustrating the envelope signal in time-frequency distribution using FSST, the FCF is highlighted in each ISRS value. Finally, this time-frequency distribution is used as input of PCA to classify rolling bearings. This method successfully diagnosed both inner race fault and outer race fault of rolling bearings.

This study explores the impact of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) on hotel performance in Vietnam’s South-Central Coast, highlighting the role of employee engagement, corporate reputation, and pro-environmental behavior. Analyzing data from 646 hotel managers through structural equation modeling, it finds that CSR not only directly improves performance but is also further enhanced by employee engagement and reputation, with pro-environmental behavior serving as a key moderating factor. These insights offer valuable strategies for leveraging CSR towards sustainable development and efficiency in the hospitality sector.

Toxoplasmosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii is an important zoonosis that shows severe symptoms in immunocompromised patients. High seroprevalences of toxoplasmosis were found in cats, humans, and pigs in traditional farms in Thua Thien Hue province. The main sources of infections remain unknown, thus making toxoplasmosis neglected and uncontrollable in this region. This study aimed to determine T. gondii contamination in vegetables used for human and livestock consumption and its spatial distribution in Thua Thien Hue rural areas. A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate T. gondii contamination in vegetables grown in households in three different geographic regions. The pathogen DNA was detected from vegetable samples using a primer pair that is highly specific for the 529-bp repetitive element found in T. gondii genome. In this study, 55 out of 221 (24.9%) vegetable samples were positive for T. gondii using PCR. Factors, including location, presence of fence in the garden, owning cats, and treatment of feed for cats, were not significantly associated with T. gondii contamination in vegetables according to the logistic regression. However, vegetables collected in households that have no fence for vegetable gardens, own cats, and feed cats raw or undercooked foods tend to be more heavily contaminated than others. Furthermore, a wide distribution of infected vegetables was observed in all investigated districts, showing a high infection pressure in these residential areas. This is the first report of vegetables contaminated with T. gondii in Vietnam, which reveals an overlooked health risk for humans and animals.

Canine infectious respiratory disease (CIRD) viruses, particularly canine distemper virus (CDV), canine adenovirus type 2 (CAV-2), and canine parainfluenza virus (CPIV), are the primary agents responsible for respiratory diseases in dogs. A dog can be infected with a single or multiple viruses with similar clinical signs. Although CIRD is globally prevalent in dogs, investigation into the causative viruses in Vietnam remains limited. This study aims to identify the presence of CIRD virus(es) in dogs via molecular detection. Three primer sets were newly designed and applied into (RT)-PCR reaction to detect viral genes of CDV, CAV-2, and CPIV in a commercial vaccine (Vanguard® Plus 5/L, Zoetis, USA). Both simplex and multiplex (RT)-PCR reactions using the three primer sets could detect the presence of CAV-2, CDV, and CPIV in the vaccine sample. Subsequently, the applicability of the one-step multiplex (RT)-PCR was demonstrated to test for 27 clinical nasal swab samples collected from dogs suspected of having CIRD. The results showed that our (RT)-PCR could detect CIRD virus(es) in all tested clinical samples. PCR amplicons for each representative CAV-2, CDV, and CPIV were selected for sequencing and showed high genetic similarity to respective field viruses. In conclusion, this study successfully developed a one-step multiplex (RT)-PCR reaction to detect and differentiate causative viruses of CIRD in dogs.

Due to the rapid growth of Smart Retail Technology (SRT) in the digital age, the retail industry has transformed how it engages with customers and manages daily operations. This research utilizes the Value-Based Adoption Model to investigate the mechanism that may affect to customer loyalty to retail stores and electronic Word-of-Mouth (eWOM) behavior following their experience with SRT, focusing on customers' value-oriented perspectives that may not have received adequate attention in previous studies. Based on the literature review, this study identifies five factors affecting the perceived value of a customer and, consequently, his/her loyalty behavior. It also proposes the research framework to analyze customer behavior when experiencing smart retail technology.

In this study, 134 patients including 80 adult men and 54 women treated at Danang Oncology Hospital from January 2019 to July 2021 had specimen culture results found Staphylococcus aureus was investigated. All study patient data was collected according to an established uniform form on Microsoft Excel spreadsheet software and processed by Python programming language. We found that 76.1% of patients infected with S. aureus during this time were MRSA. Of which, 100% MRSA and MSSA isolates were resistant to Amoxicillin, 61.2% to Cefuroxime. Multi-resistance and broad-spectrum multi-resistance to other antibiotics belonging to the Carpapenem, Quinolone and Aminoglycoside groups were recorded in most isolated S. aureus. The results showed that S. aureus causing bacterial infection at Danang Oncology Hospital during the survey period had a high antibiotic resistance rate.

This study examines the relationship between transformational leadership and organisational culture, and the joint effect of both on organisational performance. Using structural equation modelling with data from 903 employees from the Vietnamese manufacturing sector, the results show that transformational leadership influences organisational performance and culture, with differing effects based on context. The study shows that organisational culture directly influences performance and partially mediates the contribution of transformational leadership to organisational performance. The findings provide theoretical and practical implications for firms seeking to improve organisational performance through changes in leadership type and culture.

Social media live streaming commerce is an emerging and effective online shopping channel that integrates live streaming and e-commerce through social media platforms. This trend has gained significant attention, particularly from Generation Z, who are drawn to the interactive and entertaining aspects of shopping through live streaming. This study investigates factors affecting the purchase intention of Vietnamese Generation Z consumers in live streaming commerce on social media platforms, assessing the impact of six factors: entertainment, information quality, interactivity, perceived risk, peer customer evaluations and recommendations, and streamers. Using a non-probability sampling, an online survey was conducted among 344 consumers who possess prior experience with social media live streaming commerce. Data analysis used a partial least squares structural equation modeling technique. The findings revealed that increased entertainment, higher information quality, enhanced interactivity, positive peer customer evaluations and recommendations, and a more attractive and expert streamer positively impact purchase intention. Notably, streamers exhibited the most robust influence, while information quality demonstrated the weakest effect among the influencing factors. Conversely, perceived risk did not significantly hinder purchase intention, suggesting Generation Z consumers’ confidence in online transactions and their willingness to take risks for entertainment and interactivity in live streaming commerce. In light of these results, businesses are advised to elevate consumer purchase intentions by prioritizing aspects related to entertainment, information quality, interactivity, and peer customer evaluations. Prudent selection of streamers is highlighted as a pivotal strategy for organizations to effectively shape customer purchasing intentions. AcknowledgmentThe researchers express sincere gratitude to all the participants who generously participated in this study.

Abstract Background COVID-19 has caused millions of deaths globally, with vulnerable populations such as people experiencing homelessness (PEH) at higher risk. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to identify the prevalence and key factors contributing to vaccine acceptance experienced by PEH. Methods The protocol of this study was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023391659). We included studies that reported relevant information about vaccine acceptance or vaccine hesitant/refusal among PEH. Eight databases were systematically searched in January 2023. Meta-analysis was conducted for the prevalence of vaccine acceptance, vaccine uptake, and factors associated with vaccine acceptance. Attitudes toward vaccines were combined into bar charts. Result A total of 29 papers were included in this systematic review and 19 papers were included for meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among PEH was 66% (95%CI: 58%-73%). Our meta-regression showed vaccine acceptance was significantly increased over time. Moreover, subgroup meta-analysis showed that PEH were more likely to accept the COVID-19 vaccine after June 2021 (78%, 95%CI: 65%-86%) compared with earlier period (56%, 95%CI: 54%-59%). Subgroup meta-analysis also revealed that women and participants without underlying medical condition (chronic diseases) were significantly less likely to accept the COVID-19 vaccine, compared to men and those with medical conditions, respectively. Conclusion The study emphasizes the need for targeted public health interventions aimed at increasing vaccine acceptance among PEH, especially at the early stage of the pandemic, among females, those without underlying medical conditions, being Black (in Canada and the USA), and young people. These interventions should address the common concerns of vaccine safety, adverse effects, effectiveness, and distrust in health care systems. In addition to offering vaccinations in different areas convenient to them, education programs could be established to increase vaccine acceptance among PEH.

Antibiotic resistance and the transmission of resistance genes among bacteria in aquaculture are attracting world attention. The investigation was conducted to evaluate the antibiotic susceptibility of Aeromonas schubertii, which causes intensively cultured internal white spot disease in snakehead from An Giang province of the Mekong Delta. The findings isolated 29 bacterial strains from the kidney, spleen, and liver of diseased snakehead fish. Based on the morphological, biochemical, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing results, two strains of As9 and As11 showed a similarity of 98.71 % and 97.07 % to A. schubertii strains ZL-1 and GZ210812, respectively. The disc diffusion method was used to conduct antibiograms of the strains for 12 antibiotics. The research indicated that the bacteria were susceptible to the antibiotics ceftazidime, cefalexin, and doxycycline at rates of 86 %, 59 %, and 55 %, respectively. Meanwhile, bacteria were highly resistant to amoxicillin (93 %), flumequine (83 %), ciprofloxacin (76 %), rifampicin (66 %), erythromycin (62 %), colistin (59 %), florfenicol (59 %), and novobiocin (41 %). Interestingly, 100 % of the bacterial strains in the study demonstrated a multidrug-resistant phenotype, resistant to at least two antibiotics or more.

Abstract Background Using the World Health Organization Classification 5th edition (beta version online; WHO-HAEM5bv) in emerging economies is key to global healthcare equity. Although there may be ongoing updates, hesitancy in accepting and reporting these diagnoses in publication conflicts with the WHO’s commitment to global accessibility. Aggressive NK cell leukemia (ANKL) and systemic EBV-positive T-cell lymphoma of childhood (SEBVTCL) with CD4-positive immunophenotype are both rare entities, are most described in Asians and East Asians, are associated with prior systemic chronic active EBV disease (CAEBV), and presentation with Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). Recognizing and diagnosing any one of these entities requires not only training and experience in hematopathology, but good cooperation between clinical physicians and all areas of the laboratory. We describe a 30-year-old woman who presented to a Vietnam hospital and was rapidly diagnosed with ANKL, SEBVTCL, and HLH using WHO-HAEM5bv essential criteria, aided by expert consultation from a United States (US) board certified hematopathologist in real-time using video conferencing software. Methods Zoom™ videoconferencing software; Immunohistochemistry; flow cytometric immunophenotyping; polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Next Generation Sequencing (NGS). Results At the time of hospital admission, automated complete blood count (CBC) with differential count showed slight anemia, slight lymphocytosis, and moderate thrombocytopenia. HIV serology was negative. Whole blood PCR for EBV was positive showing 98,000 copies/ml. A lymph node biopsy revealed histology and immunohistochemistry consistent with the online beta version WHO-HAEM5 classification of SEBVTCL arising in CAEBV. Blood and bone marrow studies performed for staging revealed no histologic or immunohistochemical evidence of T-cell lymphoma in the bone marrow core, however, atypical blood smear lymphocyte morphology and blood immunophenotyping by flow cytometry were consistent with WHO-HAEM5 classification of ANKL. NGS revealed no evidence of genetic variant(s) associated with HLH in Vietnam. All laboratory studies were performed at Blood Transfusion Hematology Hospital (BTHH) in Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam. Conclusion Although Vietnam, an emerging economy, currently lacks the laboratory infrastructure to more rigorously confirm a rare synchronous presentation of two distinct EBV-driven T/NK cell neoplasms, these two concomitant diagnoses were made using only laboratory techniques available in Vietnam with the help of WHO-HAEM5bv and real-time video consultation by a US hematopathologist.

Abstract Salmonella enterica serotype 1,4,[5],12:i:- (Typhimurium monophasic variant) of sequence type (ST) 34 has emerged as the predominant pandemic genotype in recent decades. Despite increasing reports of resistance to antimicrobials in Southeast Asia, Salmonella ST34 population structure and evolution remained understudied in the region. Here we performed detailed genomic investigations on 454 ST34 genomes collected from Vietnam and diverse geographical sources to elucidate the pathogen’s epidemiology, evolution and antimicrobial resistance. We showed that ST34 has been introduced into Vietnam in at least nine occasions since 2000, forming five co-circulating major clones responsible for paediatric diarrhoea and bloodstream infection. Most expansion events were associated with acquisitions of large multidrug resistance plasmids of IncHI2 or IncA/C2. Particularly, the self-conjugative IncA/C2 pST34VN2 (co-transferring bla CTX-M-55, mcr-3.1, and qnrS1) underlies local expansion and intercontinental spread in two separate ST34 clones. At the global scale, Southeast Asia was identified as a potential hub for the emergence and dissemination of multidrug resistant Salmonella ST34, and mutation analysis suggests of selection in antimicrobial responses and key virulence factors.

Soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) is essential for converting epoxy fatty acids, such as epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs), into their dihydroxy forms. EETs play a crucial role in regulating blood pressure, mediating anti-inflammatory responses, and modulating pain, making sEH a key target for therapeutic interventions. Current research is increasingly focused on identifying sEH inhibitors from natural sources, particularly marine environments, which are rich in bioactive compounds due to their unique metabolic adaptations. In this study, the sEH inhibitory activities of ten cembranoid diterpenes (1–10) isolated from the soft coral Sinularia maxima were evaluated. Among them, compounds 3 and 9 exhibited considerable sEH inhibition, with IC50 values of 70.68 μM and 78.83 μM, respectively. Enzyme kinetics analysis revealed that these two active compounds inhibit sEH through a non-competitive mode. Additionally, in silico approaches, including molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations, confirmed their stability and interactions with sEH, highlighting their potential as natural therapeutic agents for managing cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases.

Viet Nam has deeply experienced internal migration during its development history, typically movements from rural to urban and across regions since the launch of economic reform policy in 1986. This article adopts the cost-minimization approach to calculate the push and pull forces of the internal migrations across geographic distances of provinces and then explains those forces along with socio-economic factors within 63 provinces and cities in Viet Nam based on the census data during the period 2010–2019. The empirical findings from the solution to cost-migration equations between the number of migrants and the inverse distance across 63 provinces reported that the push and pull forces are quite heteroskedastic, mostly due to differences in geographic, social, and economic development. Not surprisingly, the Mekong River Delta (MRD) is still the most repulsive region for migrants, accounting for 30% of the total number migrants of the country and notable 98% of migrants who moved to the Southeastern (SE) region as the most attractive destination. It is obviously proven that the push and pull forces of migrations in a province correlate strongly and significantly with economic factors including relative incomes and poverty rate rather than human factors such as urbanization, population, and labor forces. Finally, discussions about policy implications of equitable investments across regions in Viet Nam are really necessary and could be a potential for creating job opportunities and improving standards of livelihoods.

TMD devices are considered a reasonable solution to enhance the bearing capacity of the structures under unpredictable impacts from external forces because their operating principle is quite simple and does not vary the main structure. This paper investigated the influence of the TMD device, including its mass and stiffness, on the vibration reduction of the primary structure, a basic steel beam. In which, a small-scale steel beam model with boundary conditions through experiments was carried out. Then, simulated the experiment using MATLAB based on the experimental results to study the effect of TMD on the vibration of the structure. The results exhibit that the vibration-damping capacity of the main structure increases as the TMD mass increases. The stiffness of the main structure is less than 1,8k for both TMD 3% and 5%, resulting in the rapid increase of oscillation reduction efficiency.

Abstract Background UNESCO biosphere reserves (BRs) have historically aimed to play a crucial role in contributing to sustainable development by bringing about win–win outcomes for both biodiversity and socio-economic development. However, recent studies show the need for a more thorough understanding of how conservation activities impact on and are affected by socio-economic development. Method We built this systematic review on a systematic map by Eales et al. [14] adding studies from further academic database and grey literature searches specifically designed for this systematic review. Because studies were not sufficiently homogeneous in their outcomes to warrant a valid meta-analysis, we used narrative synthesis to explore the studies’ findings. Results We assessed 10,053 titles and abstracts from database searches and Google Scholar. 343 articles were screened at full text and 16 studies were included in our review. Of the 16 studies, 3 were assessed as having overall high validity, 8 having moderate validity and 3 having low validity of evidence. 2 studies did not provide sufficient information for validity categorisation (unclear validity). Effects on economic living standards, reported in 11 studies, were in both desired and undesired directions, though most high validity studies reported no significant difference, and most others did not test for significance. Most studies reported that BR interventions were associated with positive impacts on material living standards. In general, studies reported good relations between local people and local enforcement/government following interventions in BRs. BR interventions may both reduce or cause social conflict, though the higher validity studies showed results in the desired direction. In one study, there was a positive impact on population family planning outcomes, when a reproductive health intervention was implemented with conservation efforts. There was no clear impact in either direction regarding education. Across two studies the overall message is positive for the subjective wellbeing of local people. Conclusions With 727 BRs worldwide, the BR model has been accepted and developed as an approach to facilitate the implementation of the UN's SDGs. However, our work shows that interventions implemented in UNESCO BRs can bring about impacts in quite diverse ways: positive, negative, unchanged, and may often present both positive and negative impacts in the same situation. This reconfirms that the expected win–win outcomes of UNESCO BR model in terms of biodiversity and socio-economic development should be more carefully considered. We suggest some main points for consideration, particularly when developing management mechanisms for UNESCO biosphere reserves and/or managing activities in biosphere reserves. We also highlight the need for further research to explore the socio-economic impacts of the UNESCO biosphere reserves in Southeast Asia, especially on the domains of freedom of choice and action, security and safety, and culture and spirituality. Moreover, it is vital to have research projects that measure long-term impacts of biosphere reserves, which have been lacking in previous work. Finally, the potential impact of external factors should be considered in programme and monitoring design.

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the sensitivity of connectedness among bank stock returns in Vietnam. The aim of this study is to examine the strength of this connectedness along with the effect of government lockdown policy and COVID-19 cases on the total connectedness index (TCI) of 16 listed banks on Vietnamese stock exchanges. They are assessed using the database of FiinPro on the banking sector between January 2020 and July 2022, Vietnam Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and The World Health Organization (WHO) on the COVID-19 pandemic, employing a time-varying-parameter vector autoregressive (TVP-VAR) connectedness framework and the conditional quantile regression model. The results show that at the firm level, there is strong interdependence among bank stock returns with the average TCI being as high as 90.66%. It is also revealed that medium and large-sized banks are receivers of shock, while smaller banks are transmitters. As far as the impact on TCI is concerned, the widespread of the pandemic with the increasing number of COVID-19 cases is significantly negative, whereas the tightening of lockdown is significantly positive. Besides, the degree of the impact varies according to the 95th, 75th, 50th and 25th levels of conditional quantile regression. Based on the study’s findings, individual investors are recommended to thoroughly analyze the connectedness of banks before making investment decisions, while bank regulators should strengthen controls on credit relationships with small banks. Regarding policy makers, it is proposed to apply flexible restrictions and short-term lockdown depending on the actual outbreak of the pandemic. AcknowledgmentThe paper was conducted within the scope of Project QG21.48 of Vietnam National University.

Abstract Inuit of Nunavik are coping with living conditions that can influence respiratory health. Our objective was to investigate associations between respiratory health in Inuit communities and their airway microbiome. Oropharyngeal samples were collected during the Qanuilirpitaa? 2017 Inuit Health Survey and subjected to metagenomic analyses. Participants were assigned to a bronchial obstruction group or a control group based on their clinical history and their pulmonary function, as monitored by spirometry. The Inuit microbiota composition was found to be distinct from other studied populations. Within the Inuit microbiota, differences in diversity measures tend to distinguish the two groups. Bacterial taxa found to be more abundant in the control group included candidate probiotic strains, while those enriched in the bronchial obstruction group included opportunistic pathogens. Crossing taxa affiliation method and machine learning consolidated our finding of distinct core microbiomes between the two groups. More microbial metabolic pathways were enriched in the control participants and these were often involved in vitamin and anti-inflammatory metabolism, while a link could be established between the enriched pathways in the disease group and inflammation. Overall, our results suggest a link between microbial abundance, interactions and metabolic activities and respiratory health in the Inuit population.