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Bone loss caused by ionizing radiation is a potential health concern for radiotherapy patients, radiation workers and astronauts. In animal studies, exposure to ionizing radiation increases oxidative damage in skeletal tissues, and results in an imbalance in bone remodeling initiated by increased bone-resorbing osteoclasts. Therefore, we evaluated various candidate interventions with antioxidant or anti-inflammatory activities (antioxidant cocktail, dihydrolipoic acid, ibuprofen, dried plum) both for their ability to blunt the expression of resorption-related genes in marrow cells after irradiation with either gamma rays (photons, 2 Gy) or simulated space radiation (protons and heavy ions, 1 Gy) and to prevent bone loss. Dried plum was most effective in reducing the expression of genes related to bone resorption (Nfe2l2, Rankl, Mcp1, Opg, TNF-α) and also preventing later cancellous bone decrements caused by irradiation with either photons or heavy ions. Thus, dietary supplementation with DP may prevent the skeletal effects of radiation exposures either in space or on Earth.

Lotus plants have emerged as a relatively new commodity in the food industry in Vietnam, with significant economic potential from its diverse applications in medicine, cosmetics, food, and decoration. Vertical coordination, involving strategic alignment and collaboration among different actors in the value chain, plays a critical role in supporting the small-grain grower-trader relationship. This study aimed to investigate the factors driving the adoption of vertical coordination mechanisms within lotus-grain value chains and to assess the impact of different coordination strategies applied by farmers on their well-being in central Vietnam. Employing a multinomial endogenous switching regression methodology, the study offers nuanced insights into the adoption patterns and impacts of various coordination strategies, controlling for both sample selection bias and unobservable factors. The results highlight the importance of trust, input management, and strategic decision-making in enhancing yield and revenue outcomes among smallholder farming households. Trust between farmers and traders significantly influences the adoption of such strategies in agricultural transactions. Higher trust levels correlate with an increased likelihood of adopting verbal, input, or written contracts. The positive impacts of input contracts on lotus grain yield and revenue, highlighting the importance of effective input management. These findings deepen our understanding of vertical coordination within lotus-grain value chains and assist stakeholders in making evidence-based decisions when selecting vertical coordination strategies for sustainable value chain management.

This study aims to measure the mutual impact relationship between destination image, satisfaction, and intention to revisit Da Lat by domestic Vietnamese tourists. Quantitative research methods were used and collected 200 Vietnamese tourists. After filtering, 176 value answers were used for analysis. The research used SPSS 22.0 to measure reliability, satisfaction, and correlation between destination image, satisfaction, and intention to revisit. The findings showed that destination image (environment, infrastructure, and entertainment) positively influence Vietnamese revisit intention. In addition, destination image (security and safety, environment, infrastructure, and entertainment activities) positively influences Vietnamese satisfaction. Furthermore, overall satisfaction positively influences Vietnamese revisit intention. The study provides a deeper understanding of the destination image and satisfaction in sharping tourist revisit intention. These findings provide additional information for developing the destination image, reinforcing the satisfaction of domestic tourists to increase their intention to revisit Da Lat.

Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) belongs to the histone deacetylase enzyme family and its activity regulates various signaling networks associated with aging. SIRT1 is widely involved in a large number of biological processes, including senescence, autophagy, inflammation, and oxidative stress. In addition, SIRT1 activation may improve lifespan and health in numerous experimental models. Therefore, SIRT1 targeting is a potential strategy to delay or reverse aging and age-related diseases. Although SIRT1 is activated by a wide array of small molecules, only a limited number of phytochemicals that directly interact with SIRT1 have been identified. Using the Geroprotectors.org database and a literature search, the aim of this study was to identify geroprotective phytochemicals that might interact with SIRT1. We performed molecular docking, density functional theory studies, molecular dynamic simulations (MDS), and absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) prediction to screen potential candidates against SIRT1. After the initial screening of 70 phytochemicals, crocin, celastrol, hesperidin, taxifolin, vitexin, and quercetin had significant binding affinity scores. These six compounds established multiple hydrogen-bonding and hydrophobic interactions with SIRT1 and showed good drug-likeness and ADMET properties. In particular, crocin was further analyzed using MDS to study its complex with SIRT1 during simulation. Crocin has a high reactivity to SIRT1 and can form a stable complex with it, showing a good ability to fit into the binding pocket. Although further investigations are required, our results suggest that these geroprotective phytochemicals, especially crocin, are novel interacting partners of SIRT1.

A nationwide survey of 162,738 firms in Vietnam asked firms to report the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the health of the business, coping strategies used, and various firm and situational characteristics. More than 80% of firms reported negative impacts from the pandemic with fewer than 4% reporting positive effects; 63% of the firms adopted at least one coping strategy. The coping strategies were categorized into seven groups as follows: (1) Non-adoption, (2) promoting e-commerce, (3) transforming key products/services, (4) training employees to improve professional qualifications, (5) finding new markets for input materials, (6) finding markets for products outside of the traditional market, (7) producing new products/services according to market demand during the epidemic period, and (8) other strategies. A multinomial logit regression model showed statistically significant associations between a firm’s selected coping strategy and several independent variables, as follows: (1) Firm size, (2) impact of the pandemic on firm health, firm access to inputs, and firm access to domestic markets, (3) decrease in firm revenue, and (4) receipt of government support. However, many businesses have not implemented coping strategies, leading to concerns regarding their resilience to upcoming threats and uncertainties.

Residents’ life quality is changed each day according to the country’s common development. In the increasingly development trend of the economy, residents’ life are increasingly improved. However, the problem of economic development remains the downside influencing much to residents’ life. This study aims to find out factors affecting the residents’ satisfaction of life quality in HoChiMinh city. Through description statistics, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and regression, the study desmonstrates that factors influencing to residents’ sactisfaction of life quality are local government’s assistants, individual freedom and public administrative procedures; media; rich goods and community relations, policy and planning settlements, public transport, public health, non-flooded status, and education and training

Abstract Background Nucleic acid tests performed on blood samples collected on Dried Blood Spot (DBS) and detection of HCV core antigen (HCVcAg) are two approaches that may facilitate access to HCV diagnosis in low and middle incomes countries. In this study we evaluate HCV RNA and HCV antigen testing on DBS in HIV/HCV co-infected peoples who inject drugs in Vietnam. Method One hundred and four HIV/HCV seropositive patients managed in outpatient care at the Haiphong Viet Tiep hospital were included in this study from February to March, 2014 (ANRS 12262 study). Results Eighty-six subjects were tested positive for HCV RNA in serum, median (IQR): 6.9 log10 IU/ml (5.6–7.4 log10 IU/ml). Genotypes consisted of 57 G1 (69%), 3 G3 (4%), and 22 G6 (27%). HCV RNA was detected on DBS specimens in 79 out 86 subjects with chronic hepatitis C (sensitivity 92.5%; 95% CI: 85.1–96.9%). HCV RNA level on DBS and serum was moderately correlated (r = 0.24; p = 0.05) suggesting a degradation of HCV RNA due to transportation and storage conditions. HCVcAg was detected in 75/86 dB specimens (sensitivity: 87.2%; 95% CI: 78.3–93.4%), with a strong positive relationship between DBS HCVcAg and serum HCV RNA levels (r = 0.80; P

• Partial resistance is considered race-nonspecific and durable, consistent with the concept of ‘horizontal’ resistance. However, detailed observations of partial resistance to leaf rust ( Puccinia hordei) in barley ( Hordeum vulgare) revealed small cultivar × isolate interactions, suggesting a minor-gene-for-minor-gene interaction model, similar to so-called ‘vertical’ resistance. • Three consistent quantitative trait loci (QTLs), labelled Rphq2, Rphq3 and Rphq4, that were detected in the cross susceptible L94 × partially resistant Vada have been incorporated into the L94 background to obtain near-isogenic lines (NILs). Three isolates were used to map QTLs on seedlings of the L94 × Vada population and to evaluate the effect of each QTL on adult plants of the respective NILs under field conditions. • Rphq2 had a strong effect in seedlings but almost no effect in adult plants, while Rphq3 was effective in seedlings and in adult plants against all three isolates. However, Rphq4 was effective in seedlings and in adult plants against two isolates but ineffective in both development stages against the third, demonstrating a clear and reproducible isolate-specific effect. The resistance governed by the three QTLs was not associated with a hypersensitive reaction. • Those results confirm the minor-gene-for-minor-gene model suggesting specific interactions between QTLs for partial resistance and P. hordei isolates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High revenues from rubber latex exports have led to a rapid expansion of commercial rubber cultivation and, as a consequence, the conversion of different land use types (e.g., natural forests) into rubber plantations, which may lead to a decrease in soil health. In this study in Quang Tri Province, Vietnam, we determined: (1) the variation of soil health parameters along a chronosequence of rubber tree stands and natural forests and (2) the relationships and potential feedback between vegetation types, vegetation structures and soil health. Our results revealed that: (1) soil health was higher in natural forests than in rubber plantations with a higher values in higher biomass forests; (2) soil health was lower in younger rubber plantations; (3) soil health depends on vegetation structure (with significantly positive relationships found between soil health and canopy cover, litter biomass, dry litter cover and ground vegetation cover). This study highlights the need for more rigorous land management practices and land use conversion policies in order to ensure the long-term conservation of soil health in rubber plantations.

Background: Treatment against hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection based on peginterferon-a (pegIFNa) and ribavirin induces important changes on cytokine release and T cell activation. Objective: Immune response to pegIFNa-ribavirin therapy was explored in patients coinfected by HCV and HIV. Methods: Concentrations of 25 cytokines and CD8+ T cell activation were monitored in HCV/HIV coinfected patients classified as sustained virological responders (SVR, n=19) and non-responders (NR, n=11). Results: High pretreatment concentrations of IP-10 (CXCL-10) and MCP-1 (CCL-2) were associated with poor anti-HCV response. PegIFNa-ribavirin therapy increased CD8+ T cell activation and induced significant changes in levels of eleven cytokines related to both Th1 and Th2 responses in SVR (IL-1b, IL-1RA, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, IL-12p40/70, IL-13, IP-10, eotaxin, MCP-1) but only six cytokines in NR (IL-1b, IL-2, IL-5, IL-12p40/70, IL-13, eotaxin). Highest rise in MIP-1b and MCP-1 levels was observed four weeks after anti-HCV treatment initiation in SVR compared to NR (p=0.002 and p=0.03, respectively), whereas a decrease of IL-8 concentration was associated with treatment failure (p= 0.052). Conclusions: Higher and broader cytokine responses to pegIFNa-ribavirin therapy were observed in SVR patients compared to NR. Changes in IL-8, MIP-1b and MCP-1 serum concentrations may be associated with efficacy of pegIFNa- and ribavirin-based therapies in patients coinfected by HCV and HIV.

Nghiên cứu nhằm đánh giá chất lượng môi trường nước ở hai mô hình nuôi tôm sú (3 ao) và tôm thẻ chân trắng (TTCT) 3 ao. Nhật ký ao nuôi của tôm được chọn thu thập số liệu về đặc điểm kỹ thuật của nuôi tôm sú và TTCT. Mẫu nước, bùn, tôm thu hoạch và thức ăn trong mô hình nuôi tôm sú và TTCT được thu và phân tích đặc điểm chất lượng nước, bùn đáy ao và tổng đạm, tổng lân trong mẫu thức ăn và mẫu tôm thu hoạch. Kết quả điều tra cho thấy, mật độ thả giống và năng suất của ao tôm sú (26,47 con/m2, 6,63 tấn/ha/vụ) thấp hơn có ý nghĩa thống kê so với ao nuôi TTCT (80,67 con/m2, 12,90 tấn/ha/vụ; p0,05). Hệ số chuyển hóa thức ăn của mô hình nuôi TTCT thấp hơn có ý nghĩa thống kê so với mô hình nuôi tôm sú (p0,05) so với mô hình nuôi tôm sú (11,15±1,01%).

With an increase in sexual activity among young adults in Vietnam and associated risks, there is a need for evidence-based sexual health interventions. This evaluation of three sexual health programs based on the Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) was conducted in 12 communes in Ha Noi, Nha Trang City, and Ninh Hoa District. Inclusion criteria included unmarried youth 15–20 years residing in selected communes. Communes were randomly allocated to an intervention, and participants were randomly selected within each commune. The intervention programs included Vietnamese Focus on Kids (VFOK), the gender-based program Exploring the World of Adolescents (EWA), and EWA plus parental and health provider education (EWA+). Programs were delivered over a ten-week period in the communities by locally trained facilitators. The gender-based EWA program with parental involvement (EWA+) compared to VFOK showed significantly greater increase in knowledge. EWA+ in comparison to VFOK also showed significant decrease at immediate postintervention for intention to have sex. Sustained changes are observed in all three interventions for self-efficacy condom use, self-efficacy abstinence, response efficacy for condoms, extrinsic rewards, and perceived vulnerability for HIV. These findings suggest that theory-based community programs contribute to sustained changes in knowledge and attitudes regarding sexual risk among Vietnamese adolescents.

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Flexible robotic systems (FRSs) and wearable user interfaces (WUIs) have been widely used in medical fields, offering lower infection risk and shorter recovery, and supporting amiable human-machine interactions (HMIs). Recently, soft electric, thermal, magnetic, and fluidic actuators with enhanced safety and compliance have innovatively boosted the use of FRSs and WUIs across many sectors. Among them, soft hydraulic actuators offer great speed, low noise, and high force density. However, they currently require bulky electric motors/pumps, pistons, valves, rigid accessories, and complex controllers, which inherently result in high cost, low adaptation, and complex setups. This paper introduces a novel soft fibrous syringe architecture (SFSA) consisting of two or more hydraulically connected soft artificial muscles that enable electricity-free actuation, motorless control, and built-in sensing ability for use in FRSs and WUIs. Its capabilities are experimentally demonstrated with various robotic applications including teleoperated flexible catheters, cable-driven continuum robotic arms, and WUIs. In addition, its sensing abilities to detect passive and active touch, surface texture, and object stiffness are also proven. These excellent results demonstrate a high feasibility of using a current-free and motor-less control approach for the FRSs and WUIs, enabling new methods of sensing and actuation across the robotic field., (© 2024 The Author(s). Advanced Science published by Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

Demand for direct esthetic restorations is high, but shade matching can be challenging. Some manufacturers claim that a single product is able to match all colors of the human dentition, eliminating shade matching challenges. This in vivo study, which followed the International Commission on Illumination's (CIE) CIEDE2000 color difference standard (ΔE 00 ), aimed to quantify the shade matching and blending capabilities of a single-shade composite (Omnichroma PLT) used as a direct veneer. A color difference of ΔE 00 ≤ 1.8 was set as the acceptability threshold. Ten participants with an unrestored and noncarious maxillary left central incisor were enrolled in the study. Direct spectrophotometric measurements (CIE L*a*b*) were made on the tooth and then on composite cured on the tooth. Consistency in measurements and composite resin placement were attained through the use of a specially designed jig. A digital photograph was then taken with the composite in place, and colorimetric software was used to obtain the L*a*b* values at the most incisal and cervical edges of the restoration. These values were compared to those of the natural tooth structure immediately adjacent to the composite resin. The ΔE 00 scores were calculated to determine the composite's ability to match the tooth shade beneath it (ΔE m ) and to blend with the incisal (ΔE i ) and cervical (ΔE c ) tooth shades. Mean scores for ΔE m , ΔE i , and ΔE c were calculated, and an independent t test (α = 0.05) was used to compare means for ΔE i and ΔE c . The mean (SD) ΔE 00 values were 6.16 (2.38), 3.90 (2.47), and 6.84 (1.80) for ΔE m , ΔE i , and ΔE c , respectively. A statistically significant difference (P = 0.008) was observed between ΔE i and ΔE c . As a direct veneer, the tested composite did not meet the acceptability threshold for any ΔE 00 measurement; however, it was better at matching the incisal third of the tooth than it was the other thirds. More in vivo studies are needed to verify and expand on these results., Competing Interests: No conflicts of interest reported.

Flexible and implantable electronics hold tremendous promises for advanced healthcare applications, especially for physiological neural recording and modulations. Key requirements in neural interfaces include miniature dimensions for spatial physiological mapping and low impedance for recognizing small biopotential signals. Herein, a bottom-up mesoporous formation technique and a top-down microlithography process are integrated to create flexible and low-impedance mesoporous gold (Au) electrodes for biosensing and bioimplant applications. The mesoporous architectures developed on a thin and soft polymeric substrate provide excellent mechanical flexibility and stable electrical characteristics capable of sustaining multiple bending cycles. The large surface areas formed within the mesoporous network allow for high current density transfer in standard electrolytes, highly suitable for biological sensing applications as demonstrated in glucose sensors with an excellent detection limit of 1.95 µm and high sensitivity of 6.1 mA cm -2  µM -1 , which is approximately six times higher than that of benchmarking flat/non-porous films. The low impedance of less than 1 kΩ at 1 kHz in the as-synthesized mesoporous electrodes, along with their mechanical flexibility and durability, offer peripheral nerve recording functionalities that are successfully demonstrated in vivo. These features highlight the new possibilities of our novel flexible nanoarchitectonics for neuronal recording and modulation applications., (© 2022 The Authors. Small published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Introduction: Comorbidities are significant patient factors that contribute to outcomes after surgery. There is highly variable collection of this information across the literature. To help guide the systematic collection of best practice data, the Australian Spine Registry conducted an evidence map to investigate (i) what comorbidities are collected by spine registries, (ii) how they are collected and (iii) the compliance and completeness in collecting comorbidity data., Method: A literature search was performed to identify published studies of adult spine registry data reporting comorbidities. In addition, targeted questionnaires were sent to existing global spine registries to identify the maximum number of relevant results to build the evidence map., Results: Thirty-six full-text studies met the inclusion criteria. There was substantial variation in the reporting of comorbidity data; 55% of studies reported comorbidity collection, but only 25% reported the data collection method and 20% reported use of a comorbidity index. The variation in the literature was confirmed with responses from 50% of the invited registries (7/14). Of seven, three use a recognised comorbidity index and the extent and methods of comorbidity collection varied by registry., Conclusion: This evidence map identified variations in the methodology, data points and reporting of comorbidity collection in studies using spine registry data, with no consistent approach. A standardised set of comorbidities and data collection methods would encourage collaboration and data comparisons between patient cohorts and could facilitate improved patient outcomes following spine surgery by allowing data comparisons and predictive modelling of risk factors., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Electrical neuron stimulation holds promise for treating chronic neurological disorders, including spinal cord injury, epilepsy, and Parkinson's disease. The implementation of ultrathin, flexible electrodes that can offer noninvasive attachment to soft neural tissues is a breakthrough for timely, continuous, programable, and spatial stimulations. With strict flexibility requirements in neural implanted stimulations, the use of conventional thick and bulky packages is no longer applicable, posing major technical issues such as short device lifetime and long-term stability. We introduce herein a concept of long-lived flexible neural electrodes using silicon carbide (SiC) nanomembranes as a faradic interface and thermal oxide thin films as an electrical barrier layer. The SiC nanomembranes were developed using a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process at the wafer level, and thermal oxide was grown using a high-quality wet oxidation technique. The proposed material developments are highly scalable and compatible with MEMS technologies, facilitating the mass production of long-lived implanted bioelectrodes. Our experimental results showed excellent stability of the SiC/silicon dioxide (SiO 2 ) bioelectronic system that can potentially last for several decades with well-maintained electronic properties in biofluid environments. We demonstrated the capability of the proposed material system for peripheral nerve stimulation in an animal model, showing muscle contraction responses comparable to those of a standard non-implanted nerve stimulation device. The design concept, scalable fabrication approach, and multimodal functionalities of SiC/SiO 2 flexible electronics offer an exciting possibility for fundamental neuroscience studies, as well as for neural stimulation-based therapies.

The integration of micro- and nanoelectronics into or onto biomedical devices can facilitate advanced diagnostics and treatments of digestive disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and cancers. Recent developments in gastrointestinal endoscopy and balloon catheter technologies introduce promising paths for minimally invasive surgeries to treat these diseases. However, current therapeutic endoscopy systems fail to meet requirements in multifunctionality, biocompatibility, and safety, particularly when integrated with bioelectronic devices. Here, we report materials, device designs, and assembly schemes for transparent and stable cubic silicon carbide (3C-SiC)-based bioelectronic systems that facilitate tissue ablation, with the capability for integration onto the tips of endoscopes. The excellent optical transparency of SiC-on-glass (SoG) allows for direct observation of areas of interest, with superior electronic functionalities that enable multiple biological sensing and stimulation capabilities to assist in electrical-based ablation procedures. Experimental studies on phantom, vegetable, and animal tissues demonstrated relatively short treatment times and low electric field required for effective lesion removal using our SoG bioelectronic system. In vivo experiments on an animal model were conducted to explore the versatility of SoG electrodes for peripheral nerve stimulation, showing an exciting possibility for the therapy of neural disorders through electrical excitation. The multifunctional features of SoG integrated devices indicate their high potential for minimally invasive, cost-effective, and outcome-enhanced surgical tools, across a wide range of biomedical applications.

A new genus of minute stingless bees (Meliponini: Hypotrigonina) is described from Southeast Asia. Ebaiotrigona Engel & Nguyen, gen. nov. , is based on the type species Lisotrigonacarpenteri Engel, recorded from Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and southern China. The species was previously considered an enigmatic member of Lisotrigona Moure, but is removed to a new genus based on its unique male terminalia that differs considerably from that of Lisotrigona and instead shares resemblances with Austroplebeia Moure, and the presence of yellow maculation (also similar to that of Austroplebeia ). It is possible that Ebaiotrigona is the extant sister group of Austroplebeia , but this requires confirmation by future phylogenetic analyses. Based on available biological observations, Ebaiotrigonacarpenteri could not be confirmed as lachryphagous as is well documented from the tear-drinking species of Lisotrigona and Pariotrigona Moure., (Michael S. Engel, Lien Thi Phuong Nguyen, Ngat Thi Tran, Tuan Anh Truong, Andrés F. Herrera Motta.)

Objective: Although the application of transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasonography in clinical diagnosis of cerebral vasospasm is popular in clinical practice in Vietnam, available evidence of the predictive value of vasospasm on TCD in the literature was mostly reported from large institutions in developed countries. Hence, this study was conducted to evaluate the value of TCD ultrasonography in the diagnosis of vasospasm in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in Vietnam., Patients and Methods: This is a prospective observational study of all aneurysmal SAH patients consecutively admitted to a single center between 2008 and December 2011. TCD and 64-slice computed tomographic angiography (CTA) were used to cerebral vasospasm in SAH patients., Results: 316 patients were analyzed (mean age = 52.97±12.27 years, 52.2% males). There were statistically significant difference rates of the cerebral vasospasm by Hunt and Hess Classification and Fisher classification (p <0.01). The proportion of the patients with cerebral vasospasm who were diagnosed exactly by TCD was 95.2%, while the proportion of the patients without cerebral vasospasm diagnosed exactly was 91.5%. TCD predictive diagnostic value was the highest, with the sensitivity of 0.95 (95% CI: 0.91-0.98), specificity of 0.91 (95% CI: 0.85-0.96), positive predictive value of 0.94 (5% CI: 0.90-0.97) and negative predictive value of 0.93 (95 CI: 0.87-0.97). Hemiplegia was the clinical symptom with the highest diagnostic value with the sensitivity of 0.34 (95% CI: 0.27-0.41), specificity of 0.92 (95% CI: 0.86-0.96), positive predictive value of 0.86 (95% CI: 0.76-0.93) and negative predictive value of 0.49 (95% CI: 0.41-0.54)., Conclusions: Evidence of vasospasm diagnosis on TCD ultrasonography was found with high accuracy. Current study enables to suggest the wide application of TCD in Vietnam health facilities from central to grassroots levels instead of the CTA use.

Transformation of conventional 2D platforms into unusual 3D configurations provides exciting opportunities for sensors, electronics, optical devices, and biological systems. Engineering material properties or controlling and modulating stresses in thin films to pop-up 3D structures out of standard planar surfaces has been a highly active research topic over the last decade. Implementation of 3D micro and nanoarchitectures enables unprecedented functionalities including multiplexed, monolithic mechanical sensors, vertical integration of electronics components, and recording of neuron activities in 3D organoids. This paper provides an overview on stress engineering approaches to developing 3D functional microsystems. The paper systematically presents the origin of stresses generated in thin films and methods to transform a 2D design into an out-of-plane configuration. Different types of 3D micro and nanostructures, along with their applications in several areas are discussed. The paper concludes with current technical challenges and potential approaches and applications of this fast-growing research direction., (© 2021 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Objective: To provide caregivers with all the resources needed to care for a surgical site following a primary cleft lip repair and evaluate its efficacy on postoperative care., Setting/participants: Caregivers of infants ages 3 to 6 months with a cleft lip and/or palate undergoing a primary repair at the Texas Children's Hospital., Methods: Packages were given to caregivers at discharge following repair. Packages included instructions and supplies needed for surgical site care. At discharge an advanced practice provider obtained informed consent and a questionnaire that established baseline knowledge of surgical site care. Following the questionnaire, the advanced practice provider demonstrated how to care for the site using the package provided. Assessment of scar healing, nasal stent compliance, and ease of care was evaluated at postoperative follow up., Results: Thirty-two families were enrolled in this study. Our data supports that caregivers who are provided resources to care for the site had increased comfort level, preparedness, and compliance rates following a primary cleft lip repair. Eighty-four percent of respondents strongly agreed that the package provided aided in preparedness for site care with 100% of respondents recommending the resources to future families undergoing a cleft lip repair., Conclusions: Caregivers feel comfortable and equipped with their ability to care for their child's repaired cleft lip when given the appropriate instructions and supplies. In addition, they would recommend the packages to future families following a repair. Empowering families to be proactive in postoperative care will potentially lead to better outcomes in cleft care., Competing Interests: The authors report no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2021 by Mutaz B. Habal, MD.)

Advanced peritoneal carcinomatosis including high-grade ovarian cancer has poor prognoses and a poor response rate to current checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapies; thus, there is an unmet need for effective therapeutics that would provide benefit to these patients. Here we present the preclinical development of SENTI-101, a cell preparation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal (also known as stem) cells (MSC), which are engineered to express two potent immune-modulatory cytokines, IL12 and IL21. Intraperitoneal administration of SENTI-101 results in selective tumor-homing and localized and sustained cytokine production in murine models of peritoneal cancer. SENTI-101 has extended half-life, reduced systemic distribution, and improved antitumor activity when compared with recombinant cytokines, suggesting that it is more effective and has lower risk of systemic immunotoxicities. Treatment of tumor-bearing immune-competent mice with a murine surrogate of SENTI-101 (mSENTI-101) results in a potent and localized immune response consistent with increased number and activation of antigen presenting cells, T cells and B cells, which leads to antitumor response and memory-induced long-term immunity. Consistent with this mechanism of action, co-administration of mSENTI-101 with checkpoint inhibitors leads to synergistic improvement in antitumor response. Collectively, these data warrant potential clinical development of SENTI-101 for patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis and high-grade ovarian cancer.Graphical abstract: SENTI-101 schematic and mechanism of actionSENTI-101 is a novel cell-based immunotherapeutic consisting of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSC) engineered to express IL12 and IL21 intended for the treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis including high-grade serous ovarian cancer. Upon intraperitoneal administration, SENTI-101 homes to peritoneal solid tumors and secretes IL12 and IL21 in a localized and sustained fashion. The expression of these two potent cytokines drives tumor infiltration and engagement of multiple components of the immune system: antigen-presenting cells, T cells, and B cells, resulting in durable antitumor immunity in preclinical models of cancer., (©2021 American Association for Cancer Research.)

From July 2017 to Jan 2019, a total of 572 retail fresh vegetables were collected to clarify the contamination of Salmonella in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Salmonella was isolated from 74 (12.9%) of 572 samples. The isolation rate of Salmonella from retail fresh vegetables in the rainy season (15.3%) was significantly higher than that in the dry season (7.6%) (P < 0.05). Of 74 Salmonella isolates, Salmonella Weltevreden was the most predominant serovar (35.1%) identified from retail fresh vegetables in all of the wet markets. All S. Weltevreden isolates (100%) were susceptible to nine antibiotics examined. Thus, retail fresh vegetables were considered as an important potential vehicle of Salmonella transmission to humans in the Mekong Delta. These results provide important data for preventing and controlling human salmonellosis in this area., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Patients with craniofacial microsomia (CFM) may present with severely malformed mandibles resulting in secondary tongue-based airway obstruction. While surgical management of clinically significant airway obstruction in these patients often involves mandibular distraction osteogenesis (MDO), patients with Pruzansky III CFM typically require additional costochondral bone grafting. In this report, the authors present the successful surgical management of airway obstruction and severe obstructive sleep apnea using a cranio-mandibular fixator (Matthews device) combined with MDO in a 4-year-old female patient with Goldenhar syndrome and associated Pruzansky III CFM. The patient tolerated the procedure without complications and experienced a significant improvement in airway obstruction. With this approach, a severely deformed mandible can be successfully distracted while avoiding tracheostomy and disruption of native TMJ anatomy.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate a single center's experience with adult patients who had cleft lip, cleft palate, or both. The authors aimed to identify common long-term needs in this patient population and evaluated the relationship of team-based care in meeting those needs. To do so, the authors retrospectively reviewed chart records from a single private practice and tertiary referral cleft center for all patients who were ≥15 years of age and who had a history of clefts of the lip or palate, or both, from January 1, 2013, to June 30, 2014. The authors compared the concerns of the patients who received cleft-team-based care by a single, multidisciplinary cleft team; multiple multidisciplinary cleft teams; or no formal cleft team. The authors analyzed data for 142 patients. The most common patient concerns were lip aesthetics (64%), nose aesthetics (61%), septal deviations (47%), nasal obstruction (44%), malocclusion (32%), oronasal fistulas (29%), and speech (21%). Oronasal fistulas were more commonly reported in the group of patients who had care by multiple teams (42.9%; P < .001). Malocclusion was more commonly reported in the group of patients who had care by multiple teams (50%; P = .001). The authors found that adult patients who have undergone rehabilitation for cleft lip and palate appear to have a common set of long-term needs. Multidisciplinary cleft-team-based care appears to be the most effective way to address these needs.

Objective: The main objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of emergency physician-performed point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) for the diagnosis of small-bowel obstruction (SBO) compared to computed tomography (CT)., Methods: We performed a prospective, multicenter, observational study examining a convenience sample of adult patients with potential SBO presenting to the emergency department (ED) between July 2014 and May 2017. Each POCUS was interpreted at the bedside by the performing emergency physician and retrospectively by an expert reviewer. Test characteristics were calculated for POCUS, blinded expert interpretation, and specific POCUS parameters., Results: A total of 217 subjects were included in the primary analysis with an overall SBO prevalence of 42.9%. For the diagnosis of SBO, POCUS demonstrated an overall sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, and negative likelihood ratio of 0.88 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.80 to 0.94), 0.54 (95% CI = 0.45 to 0.63), 1.92 (95% CI = 1.56 to 2.35), and 0.22 (95% CI = 0.12 to 0.39), respectively. Expert review yielded a similar sensitivity (0.89 [95% CI = 0.81 to 0.95]) with a significantly higher specificity (0.82 [95% CI = 0.74 to 0.88]). The more sensitive sonographic parameters for both POC sonographers and expert reviewers were small-bowel dilation ≥ 25 mm (0.87 [95% CI = 0.79 to 0.93], 0.87 [95% CI = 0.79 to 0.93]) and abnormal peristalsis (0.82 [95% CI = 0.72 to 0.89], 0.85 [95% CI = 0.76 to 0.87]). The more specific parameters for both groups were transition point (0.82 [95% CI = 0.74 to 0.89], 0.98 [95% CI = 0.94 to 1.00]), intraperitoneal free fluid (0.82 [95% CI = 0.74 to 0.89], 0.93 [95% CI = 0.87 to 0.97]), and bowel wall edema (0.76 [95% CI = 0.67 to 0.83], 0.93 [95% CI = 0.87 to 0.97])., Conclusion: POCUS is moderately sensitive for SBO, although less specific, when performed by a diverse group of emergency physicians across multiple EDs. Interpretation of acquired POCUS images is significantly more accurate when performed by physicians with prior emergency ultrasound fellowship training and familiarity with the sonographic appearance of SBO., (© 2019 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine.)

Nonsyndromic craniosynostosis is significantly more common than syndromic craniosynostosis, affecting the sagittal, coronal, metopic, and lambdoid sutures in decreasing order of frequency. Nonsyndromic craniosynostosis is most frequently associated with only 1 fused suture, creating a predictable head shape. Repair of craniosynostosis is recommended to avoid potential neurodevelopmental delay. Early intervention at 3 to 4 months of age allows minimally invasive approaches, but requires postoperative molding helmet therapy and good family compliance. Open techniques are deferred until the child is older to better tolerate the associated surgical stress. Cranial vault remodeling is generally well-tolerated with a low rate of complications., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Parry-Romberg syndrome, or progressive hemifacial atrophy, is a rare disorder of unknown etiology. Patients present with unilateral atrophy of skin that may progress to involve underlying fat, muscle, and osseocartilaginous structures. Neurologic complications are common. After self-limited disease stabilization, various reconstructive options may be used to restore patients' facial symmetry. Serial autologous fat grafting has shown favorable results in reconstruction of mild or moderate soft tissue deficiency, but free tissue transfer remains the treatment of choice for severe disease., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Rib fracture is a common injury and can result in pain during respiration. Conservative treatment of rib fracture is applied via mechanical ventilation. However, ventilator-associated complications frequently occur. Surgical fixation is another approach to treat rib fractures. Unfortunately, this surgical treatment is still not completely defined. Past studies have evaluated the biomechanics of the rib cage during respiration using a finite element method, but only intact conditions were modelled. Thus, the purpose of this study was to develop a realistic numerical model of the human rib cage and to analyse the biomechanical performance of intact, injured and treated rib cages. Three-dimensional finite element models of the human rib cage were developed. Respiratory movement of the human rib cage was simulated to evaluate the strengths and limitations of different scenarios. The results show that a realistic human respiratory movement can be simulated and the predicted results were closely related to previous study (correlation coefficient>0.92). Fixation of two fractured ribs significantly decreased the fixation index (191%) compared to the injured model. This fixation may provide adequate fixation stability as well as reveal lower bone stress and implant stress compared with the fixation of three or more fractured ribs.

Since the pioneering use of autologous rib cartilage for the reconstruction of microtia, there have been significant advances in surgical technique that have helped to ameliorate the psychological burden of microtia. To date, the use of rib cartilage for auricular reconstruction is one of the most enduring and ubiquitous techniques for microtia reconstruction as it provides excellent aesthetic results with lasting durability. In this review, the authors outline the most common methods of microtia reconstruction with a comparison of each technique and illustrative case examples.

Total ear reconstruction has been approached by several techniques involving autologous graft, prosthetic implant, and alloplastic implant options. Recent studies have shown the superiority of porous polyethylene (Medpor, Porex Surgical) reconstruction over autologous reconstruction based on improved aesthetic results, earlier age of intervention, shorter surgery times, fewer number of required procedures, and a simpler postoperative recovery process. A durable and permanent option for total ear reconstruction, like Medpor, can help alleviate the cosmetic concerns that patients with auricular deformities may be burdened with on a daily basis. In this article, the authors discuss the advantages of Medpor-based ear reconstruction and discuss recent advances in the surgical techniques involved, such as harvesting a temporoparietal fascia flap and full-thickness skin graft to adequately cover the Medpor framework and decrease extrusion rates.

The care of the facial trauma patient continues to evolve in the ever-changing face of medicine. Patients can be reassured that their care is managed by a variety of specialists knowledgeable in the assessment and management of complex facial injuries. Thanks in part to advances in imaging modalities, bone fixation techniques and technology, and a wider array of reconstructive procedures, the foundation upon which the reconstructive ladder of facial injuries rests continues to expand. The overall goal of repair is a return to a preinjury state of form and function.

Facial fractures are a common source of emergency department consultations for the plastic surgeon. A working understanding of the evaluation, the assessment, the management, and the prevention of further injury when dealing with these fractures is vital. This second of a two-part series detailing the management of midfacial fractures serves as a guide for the appropriate workup and management of the wide variety of fracture patterns that are commonly encountered.

The frontal bone serves a protective role, representing the transition between the facial skeleton and the cranium. Within its enclosure, the frontal sinus lies adjacent to many important intracranial structures, and injury to this region has severe complications if not properly managed. Historically, the goals of frontal sinus fracture management have been to best prevent intracranial complications with invasive procedures, but a recent shift favoring conservative management now aims to preserve the form and function of the frontal sinus and its outflow tract. With the advancement of endoscopic techniques and the development of new technologies, many alternatives to aggressive surgical management are available.

The ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor is a major global threat to the Western honeybee Apis mellifera. This mite was originally a parasite of A. cerana in Asia but managed to spill over into colonies of A. mellifera which had been introduced to this continent for honey production. To date, only two almost clonal types of V. destructor from Korea and Japan have been detected in A. mellifera colonies. However, since both A. mellifera and A. cerana colonies are kept in close proximity throughout Asia, not only new spill overs but also spill backs of highly virulent types may be possible, with unpredictable consequences for both honeybee species. We studied the dispersal and hybridisation potential of Varroa from sympatric colonies of the two hosts in Northern Vietnam and the Philippines using mitochondrial and microsatellite DNA markers. We found a very distinct mtDNA haplotype equally invading both A. mellifera and A. cerana in the Philippines. In contrast, we observed a complete reproductive isolation of various Vietnamese Varroa populations in A. mellifera and A. cerana colonies even if kept in the same apiaries. In light of this variance in host specificity, the adaptation of the mite to its hosts seems to have generated much more genetic diversity than previously recognised and the Varroa species complex may include substantial cryptic speciation.

This paper provides an analysis of the performance of conventional preamble-based time synchronization techniques, which have been proposed for Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) radio transmissions, in the context of optical Intensity Modulated and Direct Detected (IMDD) OFDM transmissions over single-mode fiber. A novel preamble structure along with a two-stage synchronization algorithm is proposed. Thanks to the particular structure of the preamble, a first coarse synchronization metric does not present minor peaks. In addition, without the knowledge of the preamble waveform the receiver can perform both coarse and fine synchronization steps. As maximal delay in arrival time between different frequency components of a signal depends on chromatic dispersion and the signal bandwidth, it is also observed that a slowly time-varying preamble is more robust than a fast time-varying one. By means of numerical simulations, the proposed method is shown to provide better performance when compared to other conventional methods in terms of timing offset variance with reduced receiver complexity. In unamplified transmissions the proposed technique guarantees a quasi-optimal transmission capacity even with a short cyclic prefix.