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Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is an aggressive, highly proliferative, invasive brain tumor with a poor prognosis and low survival rate. The current standard of care for GBM is chemotherapy combined with radiation following surgical intervention, altogether with limited efficacy, since survival averages 18 months. Improvement in treatment outcomes for patients with GBM requires a multifaceted approach due to the dysregulation of numerous signaling pathways. Recently emerging therapies to precisely modulate tumor angiogenesis, inflammation, and oxidative stress are gaining attention as potential options to combat GBM. Using a mouse model of GBM, this study aims to investigate Avastin (suppressor of vascular endothelial growth factor and anti-angiogenetic treatment), LAU-0901 (a platelet-activating factor receptor antagonist that blocks pro-inflammatory signaling), Elovanoid; ELV, a novel pro-homeostatic lipid mediator that protects neural cell integrity and their combination as an alternative treatment for GBM. Female athymic nude mice were anesthetized with ketamine/xylazine, and luciferase-modified U87MG tumor cells were stereotactically injected into the right striatum. On post-implantation day 13, mice received one of the following: LAU-0901, ELV, Avastin, and all three compounds in combination. Bioluminescent imaging (BLI) was performed on days 13, 20, and 30 post-implantation. Mice were perfused for ex vivo MRI on day 30. Bioluminescent intracranial tumor growth percentage was reduced by treatments with LAU-0901 (43%), Avastin (77%), or ELV (86%), individually, by day 30 compared to saline treatment. In combination, LAU-0901/Avastin, ELV/LAU-0901, or ELV/Avastin had a synergistic effect in decreasing tumor growth by 72, 92, and 96%, respectively. Additionally, tumor reduction was confirmed by MRI on day 30, which shows a decrease in tumor volume by treatments with LAU-0901 (37%), Avastin (67%), or ELV (81.5%), individually, by day 30 compared to saline treatment. In combination, LAU-0901/Avastin, ELV/LAU-0901, or ELV/Avastin had a synergistic effect in decreasing tumor growth by 69, 78.7, and 88.6%, respectively. We concluded that LAU-0901 and ELV combined with Avastin exert a better inhibitive effect in GBM progression than monotherapy. To our knowledge, this is the first study that demonstrates the efficacy of these novel therapeutic regimens in a model of GBM and may provide the basis for future therapeutics in GBM patients.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is an aggressive, highly proliferative, invasive brain tumor with a poor prognosis and low survival rate. The current standard of care for GBM is chemotherapy combined with radiation following surgical intervention, altogether with limited efficacy, since survival averages 18 months. Improvement in treatment outcomes for patients with GBM requires a multifaceted approach due to the dysregulation of numerous signaling pathways. Recently emerging therapies to precisely modulate tumor angiogenesis, inflammation, and oxidative stress are gaining attention as potential options to combat GBM. Using a mouse model of GBM, this study aims to investigate Avastin (suppressor of vascular endothelial growth factor and anti-angiogenetic treatment), LAU-0901 (a platelet-activating factor receptor antagonist that blocks pro-inflammatory signaling), Elovanoid; ELV, a novel pro-homeostatic lipid mediator that protects neural cell integrity and their combination as an alternative treatment for GBM. Female athymic nude mice were anesthetized with ketamine/xylazine, and luciferase-modified U87MG tumor cells were stereotactically injected into the right striatum. On post-implantation day 13, mice received one of the following: LAU-0901, ELV, Avastin, and all three compounds in combination. Bioluminescent imaging (BLI) was performed on days 13, 20, and 30 post-implantation. Mice were perfused for ex vivo MRI on day 30. Bioluminescent intracranial tumor growth percentage was reduced by treatments with LAU-0901 (43%), Avastin (77%), or ELV (86%), individually, by day 30 compared to saline treatment. In combination, LAU-0901/Avastin, ELV/LAU-0901, or ELV/Avastin had a synergistic effect in decreasing tumor growth by 72, 92, and 96%, respectively. Additionally, tumor reduction was confirmed by MRI on day 30, which shows a decrease in tumor volume by treatments with LAU-0901 (37%), Avastin (67%), or ELV (81.5%), individually, by day 30 compared to saline treatment. In combination, LAU-0901/Avastin, ELV/LAU-0901, or ELV/Avastin had a synergistic effect in decreasing tumor growth by 69, 78.7, and 88.6%, respectively. We concluded that LAU-0901 and ELV combined with Avastin exert a better inhibitive effect in GBM progression than monotherapy. To our knowledge, this is the first study that demonstrates the efficacy of these novel therapeutic regimens in a model of GBM and may provide the basis for future therapeutics in GBM patients.

Though the hybridoma technology has been widely applied in the production of monoclonal antibodies, it has existed some disadvantages including low yield and genetic instability. Therefore, an alternative approach should be taken into account. Recently, recombinant monoclonal antibody technology has emerged as the best choice to cure hybridoma related drawbacks. However, recombinant antibodies require known genes for their generation. The purpose of this study is to collect the full-length genes encoding the anti-human CD45 antibody derived from the hybridoma cell line 16E8-F2. In this research, we designed specific primer pairs to amplify the light and heavy chain genes of the antibody through the PCR method. Afterward, the genes were separately cloned into a cloning vector called pJET1.2/blunt. The generated recombinant pJET1.2 vectors will serve as the main material source to manufacture the recombinant monoclonal antibody recognizing human CD45 protein tomorrow.

Aims Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is an under-recognized cause of myocardial infarction. We aimed to investigate SCAD survivors' perceptions of their quality-of-care and its relationship to quality-of-life. Methods and results An anonymous survey was distributed online to SCAD survivors involved in Australian SCAD support groups, with 172 (95.3% female, mean age 52.6 ± 9.2 years) participants in the study. The survey involved assessment of quality-of-life using a standardized questionnaire (EQ-5DTM-3L). Respondents rated the quality-of-care received during their hospital admission for SCAD with a median of 8/10 [interquartile range (IQR) 7–10]. Respondents ≤ 50 years vs. >50 years were more likely to perceive that their symptoms were not treated seriously as a myocardial infarction (χ2 = 4.127, df = 1, P < 0.05). Participants rated clinician's knowledge of SCAD with a median of 4/10 (IQR 2–8) and 7/10 (IQR 3–9) for Emergency and Cardiology clinicians, respectively (P < 0.05). The internet was the most selected source (45.4%) of useful SCAD information. The mean EQ-5DTM summary index was 0.79 (population norm 0.87). A total of 47.2% of respondents reported a mental health condition diagnosis, with 36% of these diagnosed after their admission with SCAD. Quality-of-life was significantly associated with perceived quality-of-care: EQ-5DTM index/(1-EQ-5DTM index) increased by 13% for each unit increase in quality-of-care after adjusting for age and comorbidities (P < 0.001). Conclusion While SCAD survivors rated their overall hospital care highly, healthcare providers' knowledge of SCAD was perceived to be poor, and the most common source of SCAD information was the internet. Mental health conditions were common, and a significant association was observed between perceived quality-of-care and SCAD survivors' quality-of-life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Type 2 diabetic patients have an increased risk of developing serious long-term complications such as cardiovascular disease, retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy, diabetic foot, and osteoporosis. However, the correlation between hyperglycaemia and osteoporosis has not yet been fully clarified. In this research, we investigated the effect of different high D-glucose concentrations (25, 50, and 100 mM) on osteogenic differentiation of human non-diabetic and diabetic adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (nAT-MSCs and dAT-MSCs). The differentiated cells were qualified by Alizarin Red S staining and quantified by measuring the absorbance at 482 nm. The expressions of osteogenic master genes were examined by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) methods. Interestingly, the osteogenic differentiation and the expression of osteogenic-specific genes (Runx-2 and ALP) decreased with an increase of D-glucose concentration. Our work contributes to the understanding of the relationship between hyperglycaemia and osteoporosis and support the role of stem cells in developing new medicine or therapeutic treatment for preventing diabetic complications.

In this study, samples from 429 dog individuals across three main regions of Vietnam (Southern Vietnam (SVN), Central Vietnam (CVN), and Northern Vietnam (NVN)) were collected to analyze the 582 bp region mtDNA HVI, so as to study the genetic diversity and to screen the rare haplotype E in the Vietnamese village dog population. Nine new haplotypes A, two new haplotypes B, and three haplotypes C were unique to Vietnam dogs, in which the new haplotypes An3, An7, Cn1, and Cn3 concerned mutations at new polymorphism sites (15,517, 15,505, 15,479, and 15,933, respectively) which have not been previously reported. The detection of haplotypes A9 and A29, and the appearance of haplotype A200 in the two individual dogs sampled support that the Southeast Asian dog is the ancestor of today’s Australian dingo and Polynesian dog. The two rare haplotypes E (E1 and E4) were reconfirmed in Vietnamese dogs and discussed. This study also contributes to strengthening the theory of domestication of dogs to the south of the Yangtze River and the Southeast Asian origin of the dingo.

The production of natural astaxanthin is usually accomplished by suspended cultivation of the microalgae Haematococcus pluvialis. In this study, for the purpose of cost reduction, H. pluvialis is grown in pilot scale angled twin-layer porous substrate photobioreactors with light energy from red/blue LEDs that can produce red light, blue light, or a combination of blue-red light. The total dry biomass of the microalgae reached a maximum of 40.74 g.m-2 under blue-red LEDs. The early initiation of blue-red LED illumination (on day 2) after algae immobilization in the biofilm resulted in the highest accumulation of astaxanthin in the dry biomass, which reached a maximum of 1.3% (w/w) after 10 d of culture.

Objectives: Linezolid is one of the last resort antibiotics effectively used in the treatment of infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-positive bacteria. Recent outbreaks of Linezolid resistance have been the great concern worldwide, while many countries have not experienced it. In this work, we aimed to evaluate the existence of linezolid resistance and further clarify potential resistance mechanism(s) in staphylococcal isolates obtained from the hospital in Vietnam, a country in which linezolid resistance had not been previously detected. Methods: Seventy staphylococcal clinical isolates including MRSA (n = 63) and methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci (MRCNS, n = 7) were collected and analyzed for linezolid resistance. Linezolid-resistant isolates were submitted for whole genome sequencing to search for the resistance determinants. Results: We identified two coagulase-negative staphylococcal isolates that were resistant to linezolid. Whole genome sequencing revealed several alterations in the 23S rRNA and L3, L17, L22, L24, L30 ribosomal proteins. Importantly, both isolates harbour the chloramphenicol/florfenicol resistance (cfr) gene on a plasmid. The plasmid was closely identical to the pLRSA417 plasmid that was originally reported in China. Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of cfr-mediated linezolid resistance in clinically isolated staphylococci in Vietnam. We suggest that adequate surveillance is necessary to monitor the dissemination of linezolid resistance among staphylococcal species and other important pathogens.

BRCA1 và BRCA2 là hai gen ức chế khối u quan trọng. Việc đột biến hai gen này ở bệnh nhân ung thư biểu mô buồng trứng dòng mầm và dòng sinh dưỡng thì đáp ứng tốt hơn với thuốc ức chế enzyme poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor (PARPi). Gần đây, một vài thuốc PARPi, như Olaparib và Rucaparib, đã được chấp thuận dùng cho bệnh nhân ung thư buồng trứng với đột biến dòng mầm BRCA1/2 bởi Food and Drug Administration (FDA) và với đột biến dòng mầm và dòng sinh dưỡng đối với European Medicines Agency (EMA). Tuy nhiên, hiện nay Việt Nam chưa có dữ liệu nào đáng tin cậy về tình trạng đột biến hai gen này trong quần thể bệnh nhân ung thư biểu mô buồng trứng nhằm hỗ trợ cho điều trị. Do đó, chúng tôi tiến hành giải trình tự nhằm khảo sát đột biến hai gen BRCA1/2 dòng mầm và dòng sinh dưỡng ở bệnh nhân ung thư biểu mô buồng trứng người Việt Nam. Trong nghiên cứu này, chúng tôi tiến hành giải trình tự hai gen này bằng Ion Torrent PGM. Đối tượng nghiên cứu là 11 mẫu mô vùi nến được thu nhận từ Bệnh viện Từ Dũ của 11 bệnh nhân ung thư biểu mô buồng trứng. DNA từ các mẫu này và 2 mẫu đối chứng đã biết thông tin đột biến được tiến hành multilplex PCR với kit Oncomine BRCA Research Assay. Trong mười một mẫu được giải trình tự, một đột biến gây bệnh (1/11 bệnh nhân; 9,1%) đã được phát hiện trên gen BRCA1, là đột biến điểm đưa codon stop vào trình tự protein tại vị trí axit amin 1772. Tóm lại, quy trình giải trình tự của chúng tôi thành công trong việc xác định và khảo sát tỉ lệ đột biến BRCA1/2 trong một nhóm nhỏ bệnh nhân ung thư biểu mô buồng trứng với mẫu sinh phẩm là mô vùi nến.

Non-wood forest diseases affect and restrict the development of non--wood forest industry in China. Biological control has attracted more attentions for its friendliness to environment and human health. At present, biological control agents have been widely used, which can control diseases through the competition for nutrients, hyperparasitism and production of antibiotics against phytopathogens, and the stimulation of plant growth and induction of host defense mechanisms. Plant essential oils could inhibit pathogens by affecting the synthesis and function of cell wall and cell membrane of pathogens, interfering with respiration and energy metabolism of pathogens, synthesis of genetic material and related function regulation, function of biofilm and quorum sensing system. The antagonistic mechanism of biocontrol agents against pathogens and the inhibitory mechanism of plant essential oil were reviewed to provide reference for biological control of non-wood forest diseases. The potential of low cost and high efficiency plant essential oil in biological control of non-wood forest diseases was also prospected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lung cancer is one of the quickest and most fatal diseases and is divided into two types: small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Approximately 50% of NSCLC patients harbour mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene, spanning from exon 18 to exon 21, which are responsible for the tyrosine kinase domain of the EGFR protein. Currently, gefitinib and erlotinib are two drugs inhibiting EGFR which are used in the treatment of lung cancer. The indication for use of these drugs depends on the mutation status of EGFR. Resistance to treatment with these two drugs has been found with mutations in exon 20; however, mutations in exon 18, 19, 21 benefited from the same treatment. Therefore, we built a molecular protocol for detecting mutations in exon 21 of EGFR in NSCLC patients in Vietnam which, in this study, is based on the realtime polymerase chain reaction high resolution melting (PCR HRM) technique. We successfully designed pairs of primers for the real-time PCR HRM technique to detect mutations in exon 21 and for the Sanger sequencing method to confirm the real-time PCR HRM results. We also investigated the optimal concentration of MgCl2 for the real-time PCR HRM protocol. Performance characteristics of the real-time PCR HRM protocol were evaluated in terms of specificity, limit of detection, repeatability, and it showed good results. Finally, we applied the molecular protocol to 172 clinical samples and compared these with the Sanger nucleotide sequencing method and the peptide nucleic acid (PNA) clamping method. The results of the comparison demonstrate that the molecular protocol constructed for detection of exon 21 mutations can be used in the treatment of NSCLC patients.

XPO5 codes for the nuclear transport factor exportin-5, which is a membrane-bound protein. This gene is responsible for the transport of pre-miRNA from the nucleus to the cytoplasmic compartments, thereby adjusting the whole miRNA expression level. The reduction of the miRNA levels was recorded when XPO5 was knocked down. rs11077 is found in the 3′UTR region of XPO5, and this SNP might affect mRNA stability and be associated with the altered expression of XPO5. This leads to the universal suppression of miRNA expression profiles, thereby mediating the HCC survival. HCC patients bearing C/C and A/C genotypes of rs11077 had a survival rate of 60% after 3 years; and this rate was reduced to 24.7% with HCC patients bearing the A/A genotype. In this study, we constructed a molecular assay based on a real-time PCR HRM technique for rs11077 genotyping. We successfully designed the primer pair for the real-time PCR HRM of rs11077. We also found the optimal concentration of MgCl2 to arrive at a clear differentiation of the three genotypes of rs11077. Thereafter, we characterised the analytical specificity and the precisions of the molecular assay. The SNP genotyping results were compared between the real-time PCR HRM and nucleotide sequencing. Finally, we evaluated the molecular assay on 123 human blood samples. The rs11077 genotyping assay in this study could be used for the prognosis of HCC patients.

Arsenic (As) in rice has been known as a worldwide human health threat that results originally from the accumulation of As in soil in many rice cultivation regions. This study aims to evaluate As levels in the soil–rice system in the Mekong River delta (MRD) with special focuses on the geographical distribution and the relation to soil physio-chemical properties. It was found that soil As contents varied from 0.3 to 15.9 mg kg−1 ( x ˜ = 7.22 ± 0.3 mg kg−1), whereas straw As content was about one order of magnitude lower ( x ˜ = 0.92 ± 0.1 mg kg−1). The content of As in grain varied from "not detectable" to 1115 µg kg−1 ( x ˜ = 73 ± 19 µg kg−1). Relatively similar geographical distribution patterns were observed for soil As and straw As, meanwhile grain As did not reveal a clear association with straw As and soil As. The accumulation of As in rice (straw and grain) were likely affected by various factors, but the mutual effects of soil As pool and soil properties were the most obvious. The East coastal area of the MRD has been identified as a vulnerable area to As threat. This finding suggests that in addition to the action plans to preserve coastal paddy soils from the threats of sea level rise and salt intrusion, contamination of As should also be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]