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Professional internship is a compulsory course at universities, particularly for application-oriented training programs. Instead of relying on the evaluation results of lecturers and businesses, this study evaluates the effectiveness of professional internships from the perspective of students. The study has developed a scale including criteria of knowledge, skills, and attitudes, and conducted a survey of students who have completed 02 Professional Internship courses 1 & 2 in the field of Travel and Tourism Service Management, Da Nang University of Architecture. The results show that most of the criteria are met at a good level, however the most important goal of training students to master the processes and operations in the departments has the lowest evaluation score. This shows that there is still a gap between theory and practice, between the program framework and actual implementation. Based on that, the article also suggests some solutions to shorten this gap.

Nghiên cứu được thực hiện để xác định hóa thực vật và hoạt tính sinh học của các cao thân lá, thân và lá rau dệu. Hoạt tính kháng oxy hóa được xác định dựa vào hoạt động trung hòa hoặc ức chế các gốc tự do phi sinh học. Hoạt tính kháng viêm được xác định dựa trên khả năng bảo vệ màng tế bào hồng cầu và ức chế sự biến tính protein. Hoạt tính kháng khuẩn được xác định dựa vào đường kính vòng kháng khuẩn, nồng độ ức chế tối thiểu, nồng độ diệt khuẩn tối thiểu. Các cao rau dệu có hoạt tính kháng oxy hóa, kháng viêm với giá trị EC50 dao động từ 50,60±0,29 đến 125,58±7,12 µg/mL. Các cao rau dệu ức chế vi khuẩn Gram dương hiệu quả hơn Gram âm, nồng độ diệt khuẩn tối thiểu dao động từ 250 đến 2.000 µg/mL. Hoạt động kháng oxy hóa, kháng viêm và kháng khuẩn của rau dệu có liên quan đến hàm lượng polyphenol, flavonoid và alkaloid. Kết quả này cho thấy tiềm năng sử dụng cao rau dệu như chất kháng oxy hóa, kháng viêm, kháng khuẩn tự nhiên.

Mục đích của nghiên cứu này là định tính thành phần hóa học và hoạt tính sinh học của cao từ phần trên mặt đất (thân và lá), cao thân, cao lá cải trời (CT). Hoạt tính kháng oxy hóa (KOH) được đánh giá bằng phương pháp 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, nitric oxide, kháng oxy hóa tổng số và tiềm năng khử và 2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid). Hoạt tính kháng viêm (KV) được đo bằng khả năng bảo vệ màng tế bào hồng cầu và ức chế sự biến tính của albumin huyết thanh bò. Hoạt tính kháng khuẩn (KK) được đánh giá bằng cách đo đường kính vòng kháng khuẩn, nồng độ ức chế tối thiểu và nồng độ diệt khuẩn tối thiểu. Cao lá CT thể hiện hoạt động KOH và KV mạnh hơn các cao chiết còn lại. Các cao CT ức chế vi khuẩn Gram dương hiệu quả hơn vi khuẩn Gram âm, với liều diệt khuẩn tối thiểu từ 250 đến 2000 µg/mL. Các cao CT có đặc tính KOH, KV, KK do sự hiện diện của polyphenol, flavonoid và alkaloid. Những phát hiện này đã chứng minh tiềm năng của CT như chất KOH, KV, KK tự nhiên.

Rabbit sperm are known to undergo damage during both cryopreservation and thawing, leading to decreased viability, motility and membrane integrity. Glycine can protect sperm and reduce damage during freezing. Swim-up is a simple semen processing method for selecting good motile sperm. The study evaluated the effect of the swim-up method and glycine with different concentrations supplemented to the frozen medium. Three indigenous black rabbits were selected for semen collection by artificial vagina. Next, semen was selected by swim-up method and diluted with glycine-added frozen medium. The samples were then transferred to 0.5 mL straws, cooled to 15°C and 5°C, placed in liquid nitrogen vapour, and finally placed directly into liquid nitrogen (-196°C). The samples were thawed and evaluated for sperm quality. The results showed that the medium supplemented with 10mM glycine in combination with swim-up method for 30 min gave the best results and was significantly different from the remaining concentrations (P

Abstract Detecting Escherichia coli is essential in biomedical, environmental, and food safety applications. In this paper, we have developed a simple, rapid, sensitive, and selective E. coli DNA sensor based on the novel hybrid-type $$\text {MoS}_\text {2}$$ MoS 2 and $$\mathrm {(NH_4)_6Mo_7O_{24}}$$ ( NH 4 ) 6 Mo 7 O 24 nanosheets. The sensor uses the absorbance measurement to distinguish among the DNA of E. coli, Vibrio proteolyticus, and Bacillus subtilis when implemented in conjunction with $$\text {NH}_\text {2}$$ NH 2 -probes. Our experiments showed that the absorbance increased when sensors detected E. coli DNA, whereas it decreased when sensors detected V. proteolyticus and B. subtilis DNA. To the best of authors’ knowledge, there are no reports using the novel hybrid- $$\mathrm {MoS_2}$$ MoS 2 and $$\mathrm {(NH_4)_6Mo_7O_{24}}$$ ( NH 4 ) 6 Mo 7 O 24 materials for differentiating three types of DNA using cost-effective and rapid absorbance measurements. In addition, the label-free E. coli DNA biosensor exhibited a linear response in the range of 0 fM to 11.65 fM with a limit of detection of 2 fM. The effect of $$\text {NH}_\text {2}$$ NH 2 -probes on our sensors’ working performance is also investigated. Our results will facilitate further research in pathogen detection applications, which have not been fully developed yet.

The food retail environment has been directly linked to disparities in dietary behaviors and may in part explain racial and ethnic disparities in pregnancy-related deaths. The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), administered by the United States Department of Agriculture, is associated with improved healthy food and beverage access due to its requirement for minimum stock of healthy foods and beverages in WIC-eligible stores. The selection and authorization criteria used to authorize WIC vendors varies widely from state to state with little known about the specific variations. This paper reviews and summarizes the differences across 16 of these criteria enacted by 89 WIC administrative agencies: the 50 states, the District of Columbia, five US Territories, and 33 Indian Tribal Organizations. Vendor selection and authorization criteria varied across WIC agencies without any consistent pattern. The wide variations in criteria and policies raise questions about the rational for inconsistency. Some of these variations, in combination, may result in reduced access to WIC-approved foods and beverages by WIC participants. For example, minimum square footage and/or number of cash register criteria may limit vendors to larger retail operations that are not typically located in high-risk, under-resourced communities where WIC vendors are most needed. Results highlight an opportunity to convene WIC stakeholders to review variations, their rationale, and implications thereof especially as this process could result in improved policies to ensure and improve healthy food and beverage access by WIC participants. More work remains to better understand the value of state WIC vendor authorization authority, particularly in states that have provided stronger monitoring requirements. This work might also examine if and how streamlining WIC vendor criteria (or at least certain components of them) across regional areas or across the country could provide an opportunity to advance interstate commerce and promote an equitable supply of food across the food system, while ensuring the protection for local, community-oriented WIC vendors.

Isolated major aortopulmonary collateral artery (MAPCA), in the absence of evidence of structural heart disease, is a very rare observation. This anomaly usually appears in preterm newborns. In the majority of babies, isolated MAPCAs cause no symptoms and regress spontaneously after birth and their conservative management is usually sufficient. We report a case of an asymptomatic full-term 5-month-old infant presenting with heart murmur as the only sign during clinical evaluation. Echocardiography revealed a dilated left ventricle, with no pulmonary hypertension. Computed tomography angiogram showed a large MAPCA arising from the descending thoracic aorta and supplying blood to the left lower lobe. The condition was managed successfully by percutaneous obliteration with Amplatzer vascular plugs. Isolated MAPCA is usually a benign anomaly, presenting no clinical finding and requiring no specific treatment. However, in a small minority of infants, this congenital disorder may progress, with detrimental impacts on cardiac structure before clinical symptoms appear. Early intervention may be required to prevent irreversible sequelae.

Abstract Groundwater serves as an important resource for people in the Mekong Delta, but its quality has been continuously declined from human activities. Current status of the groundwater quality needs to be evaluated for sustainable groundwater resource management. This study aimed to evaluate the groundwater quality for drinking purposes in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam, using multivariate statistical methods and integrated-weight water quality index. Data comprised 8 water quality parameters (pH, total hardness, nitrate (NO3 −), iron (Fe), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), and coliforms) obtained from 64 observation wells in An Giang province, Dong Thap province, and Can Tho city, were analyzed by cluster analysis (CA), principal component analysis (PCA), and integrated-weight water quality index (IWQI). The results indicated that most parameters were within standards while excessive hardness and Fe contamination were found in some regions. More than 80% of samples were detected with serious coliform contamination. The CA results revealed that groundwater quality heavily depend on geological locations with 4 clusters of the sampling locations. Three principal components obtained from PCA could explain 77.2% of the groundwater quality variation. The IWQI values ranging from 4 to 2761 classified groundwater quality as excellent (53.1%), good (25%), poor (9.4%), very poor (4.7%), and undrinkable (7.8%), which were associated with coliform contamination. These findings have provided insights into the groundwater quality status in the region, which can benefit in developing a water protection strategy.

Heavy metal pollution in soil has received more attention in recent years because of an increase in human activities and its potential effects on ecology and human health. This study assessed the occurrence of heavy metals (As, Pb, Cu, Zn, and Cd) in different cultivated land and their ecological risk in Dong Thap Province, Vietnam. Seventeen samples collected in paddy, vegetable, perennials, and ornamental soils were measured for heavy metal concentrations and soil structure. The data were analyzed using Pearson correlation, principal component analysis (PCA), cluster analysis (CA), Nemerow pollution index (PIN), geoaccumulation index (Igeo), pollution load index (PLI), and potential ecological risk index (RI). The results revealed that the soil structure was clay loam and silt clay loam. Heavy metal concentrations were within the national limits with the order of Zn>Cu>Pb>As>Cd. Pearson correlation and PCA indicated that heavy metals were strongly correlated, and agriculture and soil formation were responsible for their presence in soil. The sampling sites were divided into four groups using CA, in which paddy and crop soils had the highest content of heavy metals. Based on PIN values (0.82-2.92), the heavy metal pollution ranged from warning to moderate level. As had the highest accumulation potential in the soil, with the Igeo values ranging from 0.12-2.05. The risk of heavy metal pollution in agricultural soil to ecology was low to moderate. Despite that, it is recommended to annually monitor the occurrence of heavy metals in agricultural soils to have proper solutions to protect public health.

This study aimed to classify groundwater quality in Can Tho City, Vietnam using groundwater quality index (GWQI), principal component analysis (PCA), and cluster analysis (CA). Groundwater samples were collected in April (dry season) and October (rainy season) in 2019 and then analyzed for thirteen parameters including pH, color, total hardness, chloride, sulfate, chemical oxygen demand, magnesium, total iron, nitrate, arsenic, lead, mercury, and coliforms. The results showed that groundwater quality in Can Tho City was contaminated with coliforms in both seasons. COD and Cl- was found exceeded the allowable limits in several wells in the dry season. The other groundwater parameters were within the permissible limits. GWQI values indicated that groundwater quality was in excellent state. The CA results revealed that groundwater quality in the dry season was more spatially varied than that in the wet season. In addition, CA revealed that groundwater monitoring sites could be reduced by 9 sites and 12 sites in the dry and wet seasons, respectively. The PCA results showed that 63.4% and 73.9% of the groundwater variation in the dry and wet seasons were explained by four PCs and three PCs, respectively. All the groundwater quality monitoring parameters were significantly and influenced by geological factors, domestic wastes, industrial and agricultural activities. Coliform should be completely treated before domestic use of groundwater in the study area. Future study should focus on investigating contribution of specific polluting sources for appropriate management measures.

This study aimed to evaluate the suitability of groundwater for drinking purposes and assess the associated human health risks for different age groups in a coastal province of Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Twenty groundwater samples were collected in Soc Trang Province, and various water quality parameters were analyzed. The data were employed to calculate entropy-weighted groundwater quality index (EWQI), principal component analysis (PCA), cluster analysis (CA), and non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks for adult and children health. The results revealed that groundwater in some locations, especially in GW19, was polluted by hardness, total dissolved solids, NH4+, Cl-, Fe, total coliform, and E. coli. In addition, 5 principal components from the PCA results could explain 84.5% of the total variation of groundwater quality, which also suggested that the potential groundwater pollution sources were geochemical processes, agricultural activities, domestic and industrial wastewater, seawater intrusion, and excessive nitrogen fertilizer application. The CA results showed that monitoring locations can be divided into 4 clusters based on their similarities in groundwater quality, and the most polluted group was found at cluster IV (GW19). The computed EWQI values ranged from 20.05 to 738.52, with approximately 45% of total samples classifying good to excellent water quality. The sampling points with undrinkable quality are mainly located in the northeast and center of the province. The ratio of children and adults under the threat of adverse health effects due to drinking groundwater contained non-carcinogenic substances (NH4+, NO2-, NO3-, Cd, Cu, F-, Mn, and As) ranged from 5 to 40%, and children had higher risks compared to adults. Additionally, the consumption of As-contaminated groundwater also poses carcinogenic risks for children, female and male adults ranging from 4.80×10-6 to 1.33×10-4. The findings of this study can provide helpful information for policymakers in the development of long-term water management strategies to protect community health.

The primary goal of glucose sensing at the point of care is to identify glucose concentrations within the diabetes range. However, lower glucose levels also pose a severe health risk. In this paper, we propose quick, simple, and reliable glucose sensors based on the absorption and photoluminescence spectra of chitosan-capped ZnS-doped Mn nanomaterials in the range of 0.125 to 0.636 mM glucose corresponding to 2.3 mg/dL to 11.4 mg/dL. The detection limit was 0.125 mM (or 2.3 mg/dL), much lower than the hypoglycemia level of 70 mg/dL (or 3.9 mM). Chitosan-capped ZnS-doped Mn nanomaterials retain their optical properties while improving sensor stability. This study reports for the first time how the sensors’ efficacy was affected by chitosan content from 0.75 to 1.5 wt.%. The results showed that 1 %wt chitosan-capped ZnS-doped Mn is the most-sensitive, -selective, and -stable material. We also put the biosensor through its paces with glucose in phosphate-buffered saline. In the same range of 0.125 to 0.636 mM, the sensors-based chitosan-coated ZnS-doped Mn had a better sensitivity than the working water environment.

Abstract Recently, the acetate wheat starch (AWS) has been prepared by acetylation with an acetyl content of 2.42%, containing of rapidly digestible starch (RDS), slowly digestible starch (SDS) and resistant starch (RS) with 25.0%; 22.9% and 34.5%, respectively. In this study, this kind of starch was continuously evaluated with the postprandial blood glucose response and determined short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) metabolized from AWS in the gastrointestinal tract of healthy mice by HPLC. The result showed that the mice fed with AWS exhibited a very limited increase in blood glucose level and remained stable for 2 hours after meals efficiently comparing with the control group fed with natural wheat starch (NWS). Simultaneously, the content of SCFAs produced in the caecum of the mice fed with AWS was significantly higher than mice fed with NWS, especially with acetic and propionic acids by 28% and 26%, respectively. Thus, AWS has shown to limit the postprandial hyperglycemia in mice effectively through the resistance to amylase hydrolysis in the small intestine. When going into the caecum, it is fermented to form SCFAs providing a part of energy for the body’s activities, avoiding rotten fermentation causing digestive disorders which are inherent restrictions of normal high cellulose and fiber food.

Abstract Background Brainstem encephalitis is a serious complication of hand foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in children. Autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysregulation and hypertension may occur, sometimes progressing to cardiopulmonary failure and death. Vietnamese national guidelines recommend use of milrinone if ANS dysregulation with Stage 2 hypertension develops. We wished to investigate whether magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) improved outcomes in children with HFMD if used earlier in the evolution of the ANS dysregulation (Stage 1 hypertension). Methods During a regional epidemic we conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of MgSO4 in children with HFMD, ANS dysregulation and Stage 1 hypertension, at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases in Ho Chi Minh city. Study participants received an infusion of MgSO4 or matched placebo for 72 h. We also reviewed data from non-trial HFMD patients in whom milrinone failed to control hypertension, some of whom received MgSO4 as second line therapy. The primary outcome for both analyses was a composite of disease progression within 72 h - addition of milrinone (trial participants only), need for ventilation, shock, or death. Results Between June 2014 and September 2016, 14 and 12 participants received MgSO4 or placebo respectively, before the trial was stopped due to futility. Among 45 non-trial cases with poorly controlled hypertension despite high-dose milrinone, 33 received MgSO4 while 12 did not. There were no statistically significant differences in the composite outcome between the MgSO4 and the placebo/control groups in either study (adjusted relative risk (95%CI) of [6/14 (43%) vs. 6/12 (50%)], 0.84 (0.37, 1.92), p = 0.682 in the trial and [1/33 (3%) vs. 2/12 (17%)], 0.16 (0.01, 1.79), p = 0.132 in the observational cohort). The incidence of adverse events was similar between the groups. Potentially toxic magnesium levels occurred very rarely with the infusion regime used. Conclusion Although we could not demonstrate efficacy in these studies, there were no safety signals associated with use of 30-50 mg/kg/hr. MgSO4 in severe HFMD. Intermittent outbreaks of HFMD are likely to continue across the region, and an adequately powered trial is still needed to evaluate use of MgSO4 in controlling hypertension in severe HFMD, potentially involving a higher dose regimen. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01940250 (Registered 22 AUG 2013). Trial sponsor: University of Oxford

The study was conducted to assess the health risks of workers due to exposure to toxic gases including benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, m, p-xylene, o-xylene, formaldehyde and acetaldehyde at gasoline retail stations. In this study, data on the concentrations of the toxic gases were collected from the previously published studies in the qualified scientific journals. The health risk assessment was followed by the process of the United States Environment Protection Agency (U.S. EPA). The results show that the concentrations of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, m, p-xylene, o-xylene, formaldehyde, and acetaldehyde were in the range of 12.40 - 357.5, 12.47 - 574.17, 2.05 - 156.5, 4.57 - 218, 2.36 - 77.04, 3.64 - 153.93 and 1.27- 27.83 µg/m3 , respectively. Life time cancer risk for gasoline station workers due to exposure to benzene, ethylbenzene, formaldehyde, and acetaldehyde was calculated in the ranges of 2.13x10-5 - 6.14x10-4 , 4.96x10-7 - 3.79x10-5 , 4.81x10-6 - 2.03x10-4 , and 7.99x10-7 - 1.75x10-5 , respectively. For non-carcinogenic compounds, the hazard index due to benzene, toluene, m, p-xylene, o-xylene were respectively in the range of 0.13 - 3.81, 7.97x10-4 - 0.04, 0.01 - 0.70 and 0.01 - 0.25. The findings revealed that there is high risk of cancer and non-cancer for the workers working at the gasolines stations if they are not taking good preventive measures. The calculation showed that the limit levels of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, formaldehyde and acetaldehyde should be reduced to 5.82x10-4 , 15.64, 4.13x10- 3 , 0.31, 7.57x10-4 and 1.59x10-3 mg/m3 , respectively to meet the safety levels for the workers at the gasoline stations. Keywords: benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, life-time cancer risk, health