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Tung Nguyen Thanh,1,* Duc Minh Nguyen,2,* Tuan Dinh Le,3 Lan Ngoc Do,1 Son Tien Nguyen,3 Phuong Nguyen Minh,1 Phong Nguyen Van,4 Tien Minh Bui,5 Tuyen Thanh Thi Bui,5 Hung Nguyen Dao,6 Kien Trung Nguyen5 1Military Institute of Clinical Embryology and Histology, Vietnam Military Medical University, Hanoi, 10000, Vietnam; 2Andrology and Fertility Hospital of Hanoi, Hanoi, 10000, Vietnam; 3Department of Rheumatology and Endocrinology, Military Hospital 103, Vietnam Military Medical University, Hanoi, 10000, Vietnam; 4Department of Biology and Medical Genetics, Vietnam Military Medical University, Hanoi, 10000, Vietnam; 5Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Thai Binh University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Thai Binh, 410000, Vietnam; 6Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Military Hospital 103, Vietnam Military Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Kien Trung Nguyen, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Thai Binh University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Thai Binh, 410000, Vietnam, Tel +84989281982, Email trungkiendhytb@gmail.comBackground: To assess the relationship between oocytes with smooth endoplasmic reticulum cluster (SERc) and embryological and birth outcomes in infertile couples.Methods: This was a descriptive study that included 231 infertile patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) with a total of 2447 mature oocytes (MII), of which 279 oocytes with SERc(+) from 100 patients, the remaining 2168 oocytes with SERc(-). Oocytes were evaluated for the presence or absence of the SERc simultaneously with intracytoplasmic sperm injection at 200x magnification using inverted microscopy – Observe D1.Results: The mean age of patients was 32.05 ± 5.56 years. One hundred patients had at least one SERc(+) oocyte (with 279 SERc(+) and 956 SERc(-) oocytes). One hundred and thirty-one patients had 1212 SERc(-) oocytes. Fertilization outcomes and the rates of good-quality embryos on day 2 and day 5 did not differ between the SERc(+) and the SERc(-) groups. In the first frozen embryo transfer cycles, the clinical pregnancy rate in the group of patients with SERc(+) was not different with the SERc(-) group (61.1% vs 48.78%, p = 0.074, respectively). The live birth rate in the SERc(+) group was statistically significantly higher than the SERc(-) group (57.7% vs 43.9%, p = 0.045, respectively).Conclusion: The fertilization rate, the quality of embryos on days 2 and 5 from oocytes with SERc(+) are similar to those with SERc(-). The live birth rate in the patients with SERc(+) group is statistically significantly higher than the SERc(-) group. There is no difference in clinical pregnancy rate between patients with and without SERc. Therefore, the exclusion of oocytes with SERc should not be recommended.Keywords: Smooth reticulum endoplasmic cluster, SERc, Intracytoplasmic sperm injection, In vitro fertilization, IVF

Purpose: The paper aims to identify the factors that impact the budget revenues of countries in ASEAN economies. Design/methodology/approach: The paper applies fixed effect and random effect models on a 25-year database of ASEAN economies from 1991 to 2020. Findings: The research reveals that various factors such as trade openness, industry structure, inflation, and tax payment time have a significant impact on tax collection. However, no linkages between tax revenue and foreign direct investment demand and education levels. Factors including industrial proportion (IND), inflation rate (INF), trade openness (IMP), time to pay tax (TIME), and Agricultural added value (AGR) together significantly and statistically affect the tax revenue (TAX). Of these, variables that have a positive relationship with TAX include AGR, IND and TIME while INF is negatively related to tax. Research limitations/implications: The data from 2021 onwards has not been analyzed due to a lack of necessary data, which could show the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on production and business and its effect on tax revenue. Originality/value: After a comprehensive and thorough variable selection and research design tailored for ASEAN economies, other than estimates on IND, IMP, and INF which are significantly consistent with most of the precedent literature, our research has reached some interesting findings recorded in our new variable (TIME), AGR, and FDI.

Abstract Grangea maderaspatana is a valuable medicinal plant growing in salt-affected areas, but its tolerance capability, physiological and biochemical responses to salinity is still unclear. To understand these traits, this study examined effects of salinity at different levels (50-400 mM NaCl) on plant growth and its responses. The results shown that the plant’s dry biomass decreased with increasing salinity levels of 100-400 mM NaCl, but its growth was maintained at 400 mM NaCl level with a dry biomass equal to 0.45 times that of the control, indicating that G. maderaspatana had a tolerance ability to high salinity. The plant also had adaptive responses to the salinity. The content of leaf chlorophylls and carotenoids were retained, even enhanced by 50-200 mM NaCl, suggesting a high adaptation of photosynthesis. Proline, Na+, and Cl- was highly accumulated while the accumulation of K+ and NO3 - was maintained with 200-400 mM NaCl, indicating that the plant had adaptive mechanisms for osmotic adjustment and ion homeostasis. Antioxidative activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase, and peroxidase were enhanced by the salinity. These findings are useful information for understanding salt tolerance mechanisms and for utilization of this medicinal plant in saline agriculture.

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Objective: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Vietnam has doubled from 3% to 6% over the last decades, with potential consequences for persons with diabetes and their caregivers. This study aimed to assess caregiver burdens and factors associated with caregiver burden. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2019, using data from 1,241 informal caregivers (ICGs). Caregiver burden was scored from 0–32 using 8 questions from the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI). Quantile regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with caregiver burden. Results: The median score of the ZBI was 7.0 (Q1-Q3: 2.0–10.0), indicating that the burden among caregiver of persons with T2DM is not high. Quantile regression showed that the higher the monthly income, the lower the burden among caregivers (50% quantile and 75% quantile of burden: -0.004). Lower educational level (25%Q: 4.0, 50%Q; 3.0, 75%Q: 2.16), being a farmer (25%Q: 2.0) and providing care to other people besides the person with T2DM (25%Q: 2.0, 50%Q; 2.54, 75%Q: 1.66) were associated with higher burden on caregivers. Conclusion: The study found that caregivers facing additional life stressors, such as low income or other caregiving responsibilities, reported higher levels of burden. These findings could inform the development of interventions targeted at supporting informal caregivers in rural areas in low- and middle-income countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Industry 4.0 has become a hype among the manufacturing industries across the globe. Recent developments require significant capital investments, but these technologies are yet to be established in developing countries such as Vietnam, especially the apparel industry. Based on a survey of the current situation at small and medium-sized enterprises in Vietnam's textile industry, the paper proposes to apply technology, test and evaluate the effectiveness of applying and coordinating digital systems in management and chain supply. Multifaceted applications have been specifically explored including automatic equipment and digital systems, spanning the domains of automation, robotics, artificial intelligence, data analytics, and the Internet of Things (IoT). These technologies are posited as catalysts for transformative improvements in production efficiency and resource utilization. Furthermore, experimental results point out the symbiotic relationship between technology adoption and effective management strategies to achieve holistic operational enhancements. As the Vietnamese textile industry strives for competitive excellence in the global arena, this research offers actionable insights for industry practitioners, policymakers, and researchers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental changes and human impact can alter biodiversity in negative manners that affect mankind’s sustainable development. Particularly, such effects on inland waters are even more concerning, as those ecosystems play essential roles in sustaining human life as well as relevant wildlife. Thus, in this study, we investigated such effects on microbial diversity in inland waters in Vietnam using bacterial communities in sediment as indicators. To do this, we collected sediment samples from various locations in three respective regions (Red river in the north, Ba river in the central area, and Mekong delta flood zone in the south) using standard methods, extracted their total DNA, sequenced their V3-V4 16S rRNA gene fragments using an Illumina Miseq platform and analyzed the sequences to infer the diversity of the bacterial communities in the samples. These communities were compared in terms of richness (alpha diversity) and composition (beta diversity), and the correlations between their diversity levels and environmental factors, as well as human activities, were analyzed by using standard statistical tools. Our results showed that the communities were different from each other solely by region, in richness and critically in composition, although there were some communities distinctively different from all the others. Among environmental factors, only water salinity (and conductivity) had negative correlations with alpha-diversity indices of the bacterial communities, and phosphate concentration and turbidity had positive correlations, while the other factors had almost no correlations, which partially explains the region-specific diversity. These results also suggest that climate change incidences, especially sea intrusion, can have significant effects on microbial diversity in inland waters. The impact of human activities did not appear severe, solely affecting bacterial community richness, but not significantly affecting bacterial community composition. However, apparently reduced bacterial diversity in several sites with intense human impacts and distinct environmental conditions should be noted and deserve further investigation.

Abstract Background Congenital ichthyosis (CI) is a collective group of rare hereditary skin disorders. Patients present with epidermal scaling, fissuring, chronic inflammation, and increased susceptibility to infections. Recently, there is increased interest in the skin microbiome; therefore, we hypothesized that CI patients likely exhibit an abnormal profile of epidermal microbes because of their various underlying skin barrier defects. Among recruited individuals of Southeast Asian ethnicity, we performed skin meta-genomics (i.e., whole-exome sequencing to capture the entire multi-kingdom profile, including fungi, protists, archaea, bacteria, and viruses), comparing 36 CI patients (representing seven subtypes) with that of 15 CI age-and gender-matched controls who had no family history of CI. Results This case–control study revealed 20 novel and 31 recurrent pathogenic variants. Microbiome meta-analysis showed distinct microbial populations, decreases in commensal microbiota, and higher colonization by pathogenic species associated with CI; these were correlated with increased production of inflammatory cytokines and Th17- and JAK/STAT-signaling pathways in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. In the wounds of CI patients, we identified specific changes in microbiota and alterations in inflammatory pathways, which are likely responsible for impaired wound healing. Conclusions Together, this research enhances our understanding of the microbiological, immunological, and molecular properties of CI and should provide critical information for improving therapeutic management of CI patients.

Abstract Sarcopenia, a condition characterized by muscle mass decline, is one of the leading health problems in the elderly. This study determined the rate of sarcopenia according to criteria by Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) and related factors in elderly people. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in 632 people aged 60 years or over in Ho Chi Minh City. Data were collected through a predefined questionnaire and direct measurement. Sarcopenia was identified based on the Inbody 770 machine and AWGS criteria. The prevalence of sarcopenia was 32.0%. Participants with advanced age, low education, unemployment, low level of family economics and frailty were more likely to have sarcopenia. Among these, frailty had the highest impact on sarcopenia, with significantly higher odds of having sarcopenia found in participants with pre-frailty (OR = 4.80, 95% CI 2.75–8.38, p

Abstract Background De novo variations are a primary cause of Rett syndrome and Tubulinopathy, accounting for over 90% of cases. Some studies have identified and documented parental inheritance by mosaicism in these two disorders, albeit with limited data. Methods Clinical characteristics and diagnosis, including genetic tests of members of two families, were obtained from medical reports. Results The first family with Rett syndrome (RTT) presented with two offspring carrying FOXG1 c.460dup. Both affected RTT pregnancies did not show anomalies within the first trimester, preventing prenatal recognition at an early stage. The second family had two of three offspring confirmed with TUBA1A c.172G>A related to Tubulinopathy. Both young couples from the two families harbored none of the variants correlating to their children's conditions. Diagnosis of parental mosaics with higher rates of recurrence was reasonably determined, and genetic counseling played a major role in guiding and managing their subsequent pregnancies. Conclusion In genetic disorders with a high penetration of de novo variants, the risk of having a recurrent baby is an important topic to discuss with affected families. By examining variants that siblings share, clinical diagnosis can offer valuable information about the presence of mosaic inheritance. To effectively manage in the long term, adequate genetic counseling and strategic planning for future pregnancies should be emphasized to mitigate the risk of recurrent offspring.

(1) Background: The detection of methylated SEPT9 (mSEPT9) in plasma is a promising approach to non-invasive colorectal cancer (CRC) screening. Traditional approaches have limitations in sensitivity and cost-effectiveness, particularly in resource-limited settings. (2) Methods: We developed a semi-nested realtime PCR assay utilizing extendable blocking probes (ExBP) to enhance the detection of low-level mSEPT9 based on DNA melting. This assay allows for the discrimination of mSEPT9 in the presence of high concentrations of non-methylated SEPT9 (up to 100,000 times higher). (3) Results: The assay demonstrated a sensitivity of 73.91% and specificity of 80%, showcasing its ability to detect very low levels of methylated DNA effectively. The innovative use of ExBP without costly modified probes simplifies the assay setup and reduces the overall costs, enhancing its applicability in diverse clinical settings. (4) Conclusions: This novel assay significantly improves the detection of mSEPT9, offering a potential advance in CRC screening and monitoring. Its cost-efficiency and high sensitivity make it particularly suitable for the early detection and management of CRC, especially in settings with limited resources. Future studies are encouraged to validate this assay in larger populations to establish its clinical benefits and practical utility.

ObjectiveThe prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Vietnam has doubled from 3% to 6% over the last decades, with potential consequences for persons with diabetes and their caregivers. This study aimed to assess caregiver burdens and factors associated with caregiver burden.MethodA cross-sectional study was conducted in 2019, using data from 1,241 informal caregivers (ICGs). Caregiver burden was scored from 0-32 using 8 questions from the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI). Quantile regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with caregiver burden.ResultsThe median score of the ZBI was 7.0 (Q1-Q3: 2.0-10.0), indicating that the burden among caregiver of persons with T2DM is not high. Quantile regression showed that the higher the monthly income, the lower the burden among caregivers (50% quantile and 75% quantile of burden: -0.004). Lower educational level (25%Q: 4.0, 50%Q; 3.0, 75%Q: 2.16), being a farmer (25%Q: 2.0) and providing care to other people besides the person with T2DM (25%Q: 2.0, 50%Q; 2.54, 75%Q: 1.66) were associated with higher burden on caregivers.ConclusionThe study found that caregivers facing additional life stressors, such as low income or other caregiving responsibilities, reported higher levels of burden. These findings could inform the development of interventions targeted at supporting informal caregivers in rural areas in low- and middle-income countries.

We theoretically investigated the nitrogen substitution effect on the molecular structure and π-electron delocalization in linear nitrogen-substituted polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (N-PAHs). Based on the optimized molecular structures and magnetic field-induced parameters of fused bi- and tricyclic linear N-PAHs, we found that the local π-electron delocalization of subcycles (e.g., mono- and bicyclic constituent moieties) in linear N-PAHs is preserved, despite deviation from ideal structures of parent monocycles. The introduction of a fused five-membered ring with a pyrrolic N atom (N-5MR) in linear N-PAHs significantly perturbs the π-electronic condition of the neighboring fused six-membered ring (6MR). Monocyclic pyrrole exhibits substantial bond length alternations, strongly influencing the π-electronic systems of both the fused N-5MR and 6MR in linear N-PAHs, depending on the location of shared covalent bonds. A fused six-membered ring with a graphitic N atom in an indolizine moiety cannot generate monocyclic π-electron delocalization but instead contributes to the formation of polycyclic π-electron delocalization. This is evidenced by bifurcated diatropic ring currents induced by an external magnetic field. In conclusion, the satisfaction of Hückel’s 4n + 2 rule for both mono- and polycycles is crucial for understanding the overall π-electron delocalization. It is crucial to consider the unique characteristics of the three types of substituted N atoms and the spatial arrangement of 5MR and 6MR in N-PAHs.