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Aims: Norovirus (NoV), Hepatitis E virus (HEV) and Human Astrovirus (HAstV) are common human pathogenic viral agents in bivalve molluscs with frequent emergence of new variants, which pose various difficulties in fighting the epidemic. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the molecular characteristics of viruses, thus proposing timely response measures and limiting unwanted consequences caused by food poisoning. Methods: A total of 120 samples (60 samples of oysters and 60 samples of clams) were collected at markets and supermarkets in Hanoi in 2016. The samples were analyzed for 3 indicators of Norovirus (NoV), Hepatitis E virus (HEV) and Human Astrovirus (HAstV) using Real-time RT-PCR technique. The samples that were positive for the virus were further analyzed for molecular characteristics through RT-Nested-PCR reaction, Sanger sequencing, and phylogenetic tree construction using MEGA 11 software. Results: For NoV GI, there are 5 detected genotypes: GI.2, GI.4, GI.5, GI.6 and GI.8 of which GI.5 genotype accounts for 56%. The number of genotypes of NoV GII detected is 9 types, including GII.3, GII.4, GII.6, GII.7, GII.13, GII.14, GII.17, GII.18, GII.21, with GII.3 accounting for the majority (54.8%). Three samples of HEV infection were detected, all belonging to the HEV-3 group. For HAstV, out of 6 positive samples, 4 strains of HAstV were sequenced, all belonging to HAstV-1, which is a common subtype of HAstV. Conclusion: The contamination of foodborne viruses in bivalve molluscs in Vietnam is relatively complicated with many genotypes circulating; in particular, there exist a number of genotypes capable of causing outbreaks in the community on a large scale such as NoV GII.4, NoV GII.7, HEV-3 and HAstV-1.

In the aim of further research of the highly bioactive benzofuran and triazine derivatives, the synthesis of 1,2,4-triazine derivatives bearing the benzofuran moiety has been undertaken. Using a simple and convenient method, a three steps synthesis of novel functionalized 1,2,4-triazine derivatives from readily available starting materials has been described. Herein, two derivatives of 1,2,4-triazine were obtained in moderate yields. The structures of all synthesized compounds were elucidated by spectral methods of analysis

Background: Shingles is a common skin infection, caused by the latent Varicella zoster virus in the paraspinal cranial nerve ganglia, when there are favorable factors such as immunosuppression makes the virus active again. The disease greatly affects the patient's quality of life. Objectives: Survey to determine clinical manifestations, correlative factors and evaluate the results of topical treatment of herpes zoster with He-Ne laser combination at Can Tho DermatoVenereology Hospital in 2021. Methods: Cross-sectional descriptive study with 75 Zona patients who were treated according to the usual regimen and combined with local He-Ne laser at Can Tho Dermato-Venereology Hospital. Results: The disease that occurs in the age group over 60 years old is the most common (56%). Pain was found in 100% of patients. The vesicle lesions accounted for the highest rate (84%), the most commonly affected area was trunk 38.7%. Mild level accounted for 57.3%. The group of patients with more than 5 days of illness had a longer hospital stay (42.9%). After treatment with He-Ne laser, 66.7% had good treatment results. Conclusions: Herpes zoster disease occurs at any age, but mainly in the elderly with vesicles and pain in most of the patients, commonly on the trunk and head-face-neck area. Attention should be paid to the time before admission, the state of co-infection because they reduce the response to treatment. The combination of He-Ne laser with conventional regimens helped to cure and effectively reduce pain in Herpes Zoster patients.

Background: Chronic urticaria (CU) is defined by recurrent episodes lasting for six weeks or more and generally characterized by the sudden appearance of hives (wheal), angioedema or both. Most are idiopathic, however, one of the causes of chronic urticaria can be parasitic infection, especially Toxocariasis. Albendazol is used as a treatment for Toxocariasis. Therefore, the detection of causes, risk factors and specific treatment of the causes helps to solve chronic urticaria. Objectives: (1) To determine of Toxocara seropositivity in patients with chronic urticaria and identify the risk factors for toxocariasis; (2) To evaluate the results of oral albendazol in the treatment of toxocariasis in chronic urticatia. Materials and Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study of 66 chronic urticaria patients who had the result of serology for Toxocara. Results: The seroprevalence of Toxocaraiasis in this population was 19.7%. Factors such as a history of consuming the raw vegetables, raising dogs and cats habit or soil-contacting frequently were at higher risk of toxocariasis in patients with chronic urticaria. Clinical symptoms such as itching and hives in patients were significantly reduced. 30.8% of patients had ELISA results (-) after 3 months of completing treatment; 23.07% of patients had liver dysfunction; and 15.4% of patients reported side effects of epigastric pain or digestive disorders during treatment. Conclusion: The seroprevalence of Toxocaraiasis in this population was 19.7%. Several factors have been identified to be associated with Toxocara seropositivity. Albendazol in the treatment of Toxocara infections is highly effective and relatively safe.

Background: Atopic dermatitis is a common skin disease in children as well as in adults, with the important feature of being recurrent. Immune disorders (the role of Specific IgE serum) have a relation to the severity of the disease and the risk of allergy in patients. Objectives: 1). To describe the clinical features of patients with atopic dermatitis at Can Tho Hospital of DermatoVenereology in 2021; 2). To determine the total and specific IgE serum concentration in patients with atopic dermatitis at Can Tho Hospital of Dermato-Venereology in 2021. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out on 50 patients with atopic dermatitis hospitalized at Can Tho Hospital of Dermato-Venereology. Results: The rate of itching and types of eczematous lesions accounted for 100%, skin lesions with typical morphology and age-specific patterns were approximately 92%, chronic or relapsing history held 80%, xerosis rate was up to 82%, early age of onset made up 18%, the rate of increase in total and specific IgE serum level in patients with atopic dermatitis was 54% and 84%, respectively, the mean total IgE serum concentration was 210.01 ± 157.88 IU/mL, the lowest was 6.54 IU/mL and the highest was 741.23 IU/mL. D. pteronyssinus and D. farina accounted for the highest proportion of respiratory allergens (46%), cocoa beans accounted for the highest proportion of food allergens (28%). Conclusions: Atopic dermatitis in adult patients associated with pruritus, D. pteronyssinus and D. farina in respiratory allergens and cocoa beans in food allergens was the most common. Total and specific serum IgE concentrations are often elevated in patients with atopic dermatitis.

Background: Acne is an inflammatory disease of the hair follicles. There are many treatments from medication to non-medication in which antibiotics are a widely used and effective group. However, the recent overuse of antibiotics has led to an increase in resistance to drugs by P. acnes. Therefore, this study is extremely necessary. Objectives: To determine the antibiotic resistance rate and a number of factors related to Propionibacterium acnes antibiotic resistance rate in acne patients at Can Tho Hospital of Dermato-Venereology. Materials and methods: the cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out on of 43 acne patients at Can Tho Hospital of Dermato-Venereology. Results: resistance rates for antibiotics were cefuroxime (91.7%), ceftriaxone (87.5%), cefotaxime (87.5%), trimethoprim (85.4%), clindamycin (66.7%), ofloxacin (41.7%), ciprofloxacin (25%), levofloxacin (20.8%), tetracycline (16.7%). All patients participating in the study were resistant to at least 2 or more antibiotics of which the highest resistance level was 6 antibiotics (37.5%). Some related factors such as the history of antibiotic treatment accounted for 35.4%. Severity levels were classified into mild acne 60.1%, average 27.1% and severity 12.5%; there were two clinical forms in our study including acne vulgaris (77.1%) and cystic acne (22.9%). However, when examining the relationship between these factors and antibiotic resistance, this difference is not statistically significant. Conclusion: P. acnes are increasingly resistant to many antibiotics, making treatment more difficult, a number of factors related to this condition for example antibiotic use, level of severity of acne.

Aims: To determine the risk of osteoporosis among outpatients who come to the Medical Center of Long My town, Hau Giang province in 2021-2022. Methods: A cross-sectional study on 381 patients aged 20 years and older who came for outpatient examination and treatment at the Outpatient Department of Long My Town Medical Center, Hau Giang Province in 2021 - 2022. Results: Men and women respectively have OSTA index < - 4 high risk is 5% and 10.8%; OSTA index - 4 ≤ OSTA ≤ - 1 means mean risk is 12.9% and 18.3%; with OSTA index > - 1 equivalent to low risk of 25.7% and 27.3%. The overall mean BMI of the subjects was 22.51 ± 2.77 kg/m2. OSTA TB index decreased gradually with age group. Mean OSTA index gradually increased according to BMI classification from underweight to overweight. Conclusion: The rate of patients at high risk of osteoporosis is 15.8%; Patients had an moderate risk of osteoporosis of 31.2% and a low risk of osteoporosis of 53%. There is a statistically significant relationship between age group, low female weight < 42 kg, low male weight < 60 kg, low BMI.

Porcine circovirus type 3 (PCV3) is an emerging circovirus that is highly distributed among swine worldwide and associated with porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome, reproductive failure, and multisystemic inflammation. Here, we investigated and characterized PCV3 from aborted fetuses in Vietnam. We found that the whole genomes of PCV3 collected in these Vietnamese pig farms share 98.4-99.45% sequence identity with reference PCV3 sequences. Several distinct mutation were identified in both the Rep protein and Cap protein of these strains. These strains were clustered into two distinct subtypes (3a1 and 3b). This study contributes to a better understanding of the molecular characteristics and genetic diversity of PCV3 in Vietnam.

Purpose This study aims to investigate the effect of spray drying temperature and maltodextrin addition on the contents of phenolics, flavonoids, anthocyanins and antioxidant activities (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl [DPPH] radical scavenging activity, ferric reducing antioxidant power and reducing power) of karonda powder. Design/methodology/approach Over the past few decades, the demands for application of natural colorants in food production have been attracting the attention of academic research and food industry. Anthocyanins, a red pigment commonly found on plants, show high potentials in the preparation of spray-dried pigment powder. This study, therefore, was conducted using full factorial design with two factors, namely, inlet temperature (150°C and 160°C) and soluble solid concentration (10, 15 and 20°Brix) with maltodextrin as carrier to produce pigment powder from karonda, an anthocyanin-rich fruit which is native to southeast Asia. Findings Increasing soluble solid content from 10 to 15°Brix resulted in a 42%–57% reduction in phenolic, flavonoid and anthocyanin contents. However, when increasing the amount of maltodextrin from 15 to 20°Brix, a lower reduction (approximately 11%–19%) was observed. In samples with the same °Brix, there was no significant variation in antioxidant contents and activities, especially at high maltodextrin ratios. In addition, the reducing power of samples dried at higher temperature (160°C) was higher than that of samples dried at lower temperature. Karonda spray-dried powder showed a good positive correlation (p < 0.01) between antioxidant contents and DPPH• activity. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, in this study, for the first time, the effect of spray drying conditions on the quality of karonda powder was investigated.

The oral mucosa is an effective site for vaccination. However, for oral mucosal vaccines, delivery of the right dose of vaccine is not possible due to the water-rich environment. In this study, the buccal mucosa, which is easy to access using a microneedle array in the oral cavity, was selected as the administration site. The immune responses to the use of microneedles to conventional transmucosal delivery were compared. In addition, the adjuvant effect of the addition of cholera toxin (CT) to the drug formulation was observed. Two kinds of patches were prepared: (1) Ovalbumin (OVA) was dip coated only on the tips of microneedles (C-OVA-MN) and (2) OVA was coated on the surface of a flat disk patch substrate without microneedles (C-OVA-D). The drug delivery properties of C-OVA-MN and C-OVA-D were investigated using fluorescent-labeled OVA (OVA/FITC). Each patch was administered to mice twice, 2 weeks apart, and then antibody titers were measured. A microneedle patch can deliver vaccine into the epithelium of the buccal mucosa in a short period of time compared to transmucosal delivery. A microneedle system of C-OVA-MN showed a high serum IgG titer. In addition, CT triggered CD8+ and CD4+ T cell-mediated immune responses. Through this study, we present the possibility of a new method of vaccination to the buccal mucosa using microneedles and CT adjuvant. Illustration of delivery of vaccine to the oral mucosal epithelium using a microneedle patch: Ovalbumin (OVA)-coated microneedle (C-OVA-MN) consists of tip, step, and coating formulation. Microneedle patch coated with OVA formulation is targeting buccal mucosa, which is easy to access in the oral cavity. OVA is delivered to the buccal epithelium precisely using a microneedle patch, and OVA is delivered by transmucosal route using a disk patch.

Objective: this study aims to develop a methodology for detecting mutations in the K13 gene and determine mutation frequencies in clinical samples. Method: total DNAs were extracted blood samples collected from 50 patients in failure with artemisinin treatmentin the Central Highlands region. A fragment of the K13 gene was amplified, purified, and sequenced by the Sanger method. The K13 sequences were analysed by using Bioedit and aligned with the reference sequence to determine K13 mutations. Results: successfully amplified the K13 gene segment with size 799 bp in P. falciparum. After sequencing, there was a nucleotide substitution of A>G at position 1740, leading to changes in amino acids C>Y at the respective position 580. In the 50 patient samples, 41/50 (82%) samples showed the C580Y mutation, 9/50 (18%) of the samples had no mutation, and there was no other mutation. Conclusion: the authors have successfully developed and optimised a procedure for detecting the mutation C580Y in K13 in P. falciparum and determined the mutation frequency in the K13 gene.

With the aim to establish a novel nano-formulation with a high nematocidal activity and safety for human as well as the ecosystem, in this work, lipid based nanoemulsions (LNs) co-encapsulating chi...

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common central nervous system disorder (CNS) characterized by cell loss in the substantia nigra. Severe loss of dopaminergic neurons and Lewy body formation with α-synuclein inclusions are the main neuropathological features of PD. There's currently no cure for PD, but treatments are available to help relieve the symptoms and maintain quality of life. However, the variety of clinically available therapeutic molecules is mainly limited to treating symptoms rather than halting or reversing disease progression via medical interventions. As an emerging drug carrier, hydrogels loaded with therapeutic agents and cells are attracting attention as an alternative and potentially more effective approach to managing PD. The current work highlights applications of hydrogel-based biomaterials in cell culture and disease modeling as carriers for cells, medicines, and proteins as PD therapeutic models.

The bidirectional communication between the brain and peripheral organs have been widely documented, but the impact of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) dysfunction and its relation to structural and functional brain changes have yet to be fully elucidated. This review initially examines the clinical evidence supporting associations between the brain and VAT before visiting the roles of the autonomic nervous system, fat and glucose metabolism, neuroinflammation, and metabolites. Finally, the possible effects and potential mechanisms of the brain-VAT axis on the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease are discussed, providing new insights regarding future prevention and therapeutic strategies.

A microneedle array patch (MAP) has been developed as a new delivery system for vaccines. Preclinical and clinical trials with a vaccine MAP showed improved stability, safety, and immunological efficacy compared to conventional vaccine administration. Various vaccines can be delivered with a MAP. Currently, microneedle manufacturers can mass-produce pharmaceutical MAP and cosmetic MAP and this mass-production system can be adapted to produce a vaccine MAP. Clinical trials with a vaccine MAP have shown comparable efficacy with conventional administration, and discussions about regulations for a vaccine MAP are underway. However, there are concerns of reasonable cost, mass production, efficacy, and safety standards that meet FDA approval, as well as the need for feedback regarding the best method of administration. Currently, microneedles have been studied for the delivery of many kinds of vaccines, and preclinical and clinical studies of vaccine microneedles are in progress. For the foreseeable future, some vaccines will continue to be administered with syringes and needles while the use of a vaccine MAP continues to be improved because of the advantages of less pain, self-administration, improved stability, convenience, and safety.

Hyperhidrosis is a disorder that is characterized by the production of excess amounts of sweat. The botulinum neurotoxin A (BoNT/A) has been used to treat hyperhidrosis through multiple intradermal injections at the site of the condition. However, because of BoNT/A toxicity, it is important to precisely deliver the proper dose of the toxin to the target site. In addition, the use of a conventional hypodermic needle for multiple injections in the palm makes the approach undesirable and painful. Here, we designed a BoNT/A-coated microneedle (BoNT-MN) array and tested its efficacy as a substitute pain-free method to treat hyperhidrosis. BoNT-MNs were prepared by coating polylactic acid microneedles with a BoNT/A formulation and were found to successfully penetrate into a thick skin in vitro. The coating formulations were then tested for their stability at 4, 25, and 37 °C for 24 h. BoNT-MNs were found to be much more stable than BoNT/A in a liquid state. Additionally, we carried out in vivo experiments by treating the right paws of mice with BoNT-MNs and found that the treatment induced a significant reduction in the sweating response in the mouse foot pad. Thus, BoNT/A treatment using microneedles is beneficial and may be used as a more efficient and less painful approach to treat hyperhidrosis.

L-HBsAg is a third-generation hepatitis vaccine capable of inducing antibodies in non-responders and thus providing potentially therapeutic treatment. In this study, L-HBsAg was administered using microneedles (MN) without an adjuvant to induce intradermal (ID) immunization, and the efficacy of ID immunization was compared with that of intramuscular (IM) immunization that uses a conventional formulation with an adjuvant of aluminum hydroxide (L-HBsAg-AL-IM). The L-HBsAg was dip-coated onto 800-μm-long microneedles made of polylactic acid (PLA). Delivery efficiency and administration time were determined through in vitro experiments using porcine skin. The denaturation of the formulation against sterilization by gamma rays was observed. A storage test and a freeze-thaw cycle test of the microneedles with trehalose as a stabilizer (L-HBsAg-MN-Tre) were observed. An antibody titer of L-HBsAg-MN-Tre was compared with that of the conventional IM immunization of the L-HBsAg solution with aluminum hydroxide (L-HBsAg-AL-IM). The formulation containing L-HBsAg was located on the upper third of the microneedle tips. The formulation on the MN was dissolved and delivered within 30 min of insertion into porcine skin in vitro. Trehalose was selected as a stabilizer, and the stabilizing effect increased with the increase of trehalose content in the solidified formulation. L-HBsAg-MN with 15% of trehalose was stable for 7 days at 40 °C and showed increased stability compared to the conventional liquid formulations. L-HBsAg-MN-Tre showed improved stability during the freeze-thaw cycle. The antibody titer of L-HBsAg-MN-Tre at 28 days was higher than that of L-HBsAg-AL-IM. ID administration of L-HBsAg-MN-Tre showed better efficacy and improved thermal and freeze thaw stability compared to L-HBsAg-AL-IM. Therefore, L-HBsAg-MN-Tre administration showed the possibility of ID delivery of L-HBsAg without the use of an adjuvant for the efficacy, convenience, and safety of pediatric vaccination.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, many have seriously worried that the plus burden of seasonal influenza that might create a destructive scenario, resulting in overwhelmed healthcare capacities and onwards loss of life. Many efforts to develop a safe and efficacious vaccine to prevent infection by coronavirus and influenza, highlight the importance of vaccination to combat infectious pathogens. While vaccines are traditionally given as injections into the muscle, microneedle (MN) patches designed to precisely deliver cargos into the cutaneous microenvironment, rich in immune cells, provide a noninvasive and self-applicable vaccination approach, reducing overall costs and improving access to vaccines in places with limited supply. The current review aimed to highlight advances in research on the development of MNs-mediated cutaneous vaccine delivery. Concluding remarks and challenges on MNs-based skin immunization are also provided to contribute to the rational development of safe and effective MN-delivered vaccines against these emerging infectious diseases.

The skin is recognized as a potential target for local and systemic drug delivery and hormone. However, the transdermal route of drug administration seems to be limited by substantial barrier properties of the skin. Recently, delivering hormone via the skin by transdermal patches is a big challenge because of the presence of the stratum corneum that prevents the application of hormone via this route. In order to overcome the limitations, microneedle (MN), consisting of micro-sized needles, are a promising approach to drill the stratum corneum and release hormone into the dermis via a minimal-invasive route. This review aimed to highlight advances in research on the development of MNs-based therapeutics for their implications in hormone delivery. The challenges during clinical translation of MNs from bench to bedside are also discussed.

Neurodegenerative disorders are distinguished by the gradual deterioration of the nervous system’s structure and function due to oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, protein misfolding, excitotoxicity, and neuroinflammation. Among these NDs, Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis characterized an increasing dysfunction and loss of neuronal structure leading to neuronal cell death. Although there is currently no drug to totally reverse the effects of NDs, such novel formulations and administration routes are developed for better management and nose-to-brain delivery is one of delivery for treating NDs. This review aimed to highlight advances in research on various lipid based nanocarriers such as liposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers, microemulsion, nanoemulsion, and cubosomes which are reported to treat and alleviate the symptoms of NDs via nose-to-brain route. The challenges during clinical translation of lipid nanocarriers from bench to bed side is also discussed.