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Tropical storms accompanied by heavy rain often appear and cause severe floods from May to November every year in the Bui river basin, seriously affecting the local agricultural production. Therefore, a quick assessment of the agricultural land area affected by inundation is very important for the people and local government officials. In this study, we propose a new method to quickly estimate the agricultural land area affected by floods using Sentinel 1A (S1A). Firstly, the flood map estimated from the S1A image on Google Earth Engine at the flood peak by the Otsu threshold method does not exclude permanent water area with an overall accuracy of 82,5%. The flood extent are estimated at 1324 hectares, approximately 4% higher than the official data of local authorities. Secondly, the study overlayed the official land map and the flood map to determine the location and area of the affected area by the flood. Calculation results show that storm Son Tinh has affected approximately 33% (1261 ha) of agricultural land ( not accounting forestry) in 5 communes. The difference is about 1.2 % (15 ha) compared with statistical results from state management agencies. The results show the valuable potential of using free Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) from S1A images to quickly monitor and assess flood-affected agricultural land over a small and large area using the Google Earth Engine.

Primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) is an inherited ocular abnormality that is caused by mutation in CYP1B1 gene. Report of large deletion or gene copy number variants of CYP1B1 in PCG is uncommon. In this case report we describe a rare case of PCG with whole CYP1B1 deletion with implication for changes in detecting mutation of CYP1B1 gene. Clinical, ophthalmological, genetic, and pedigree information of the proband is described and discussed in detail in this case report. The deletion was identified using the Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) method. Whole deletion of CYP1B1 was identified using MLPA. Intra ocular pressure (IOP) of the right eye was 38mmHg and that of the left eye was 35mmHg. Corneal diameters of both eyes were 13mm horizontal and 12mm vertical. The patient underwent a total of five operations with the first operation performed when he was 2.5 months old. Further investigation revealed that the patient’s grandfather was exposed to a large quantity of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin. CYP1B1 deletion albeit rare can cause Primary Congenital Glaucoma with poor prognosis and MLPA should be used to detect large deletion and gene copy number variation when sequencing method fails to detect mutations.

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of autologous non-cultured melanocyte-keratinocyte transplantation for the management of stable vitiligo. Objects and methods: Clinical trial with pre - -post comparison on 30 stable vitiligo patients by autologous non-cultured melanocyte-keratinocyte transplantation technique. Evaluations of repigmented efficacy and complications were carried - out every 4 weeks in 6 months. Results: 6 months after treatment with autologous non-cultured melanocyte-keratinocyte transplantation technique, an excellent response of repigmentation was seen in 30% of the cases and 36,7% of the cases reached good response Conclusions: Autologous non-cultured melanocyte-keratinocyte transplantation can be an effective method for the treatment of stable vitiligo.

A new phenylethyl glycoside (1), (S)-1-phenylethyl-6-α-L-arabinopyranosyl-β-D-glucopyranoside), and a new dibenzocyclooctadiene lignan (7), Kasuracin A, together with seven known compounds, were isolated and identified from the leaves of Kadsura coccinea. Their structures were determined by analysis of multinuclear and multidimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), circular dichroism (CD), mass spectrometry, hydrolysis analysis, or comparison to those reported in the literature. Then, all the isolates 1‒9 were evaluated for their inhibitory eff ;ects against nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Among them, compounds 2 and 3 were isolated for the first time from this plant and compounds 3, 7, 8, and 9 significantly inhibited NO production with IC50 values of 36.4, 10.2, 12.3, and 21.7 μM, respectively.

Additional file 1: Supplementary Figures and Tables.

Prediction of pollution in water flow is a very important task. To this end, it is imperative to be able to define the uncertainty in a model prediction. This is the purpose of sensitivity analysis whose role is to identify what uncertainty in the model outputs is attributable to the model inputs (parameters in this case). Traditionally, this is achieved by running the model perturbed by many random samples in the parameter space to determine their impact on the model outputs. It provides information on how much of the output variance is controlled by each parameter of the inputs. The theoretical results related to the procedure based adjoint approach for computing a sensitivity of the response function (RF) to changes in the input source are presented in the paper. It is shown that this approach allows to compute, by one single integration of the adjoint equation over a given time interval, a sensitivity of the RF to any source located in the domain of interest. The proposed approach is applied to the 2D Saint-Venant flow equations for modelling the water pollution problem. A numerical experiment is formulated and implemented for the Thanh Nhan Lake in Hanoi for studying a sensitivity of some RF to observations. The numerical model is constructed by applying the well-known finite-volume method. Two appropriate optimization problems are introduced and solved on the basis of the BFGS algorithm. The numerical results show the efficiency of the proposed method and confirm the theoretical findings.

A series of schiartane C29 nortriterpenoids with 5/5/7/6/5 membered consecutive rings (1‒5) with an unique schinortriterpenoid skeleton including a new, kadcoccilactone V (1), together with four kn...

This study promotes a new algorithm for estimating the water pollution propagation with the primary goal of providing more reliable and high quality estimates to decision makers. To date, the widely used variational method suffers from the large computational burden which limits its application in practice. Moreover, this method, considering the initial state as a control variable, is very sensitive in specifying initial error, especially for unstable dynamical systems. The adaptive filter (AF), proposed in this paper, is aimed at overcoming these two drawbacks in the variational method: by its nature, the AF is sequential (no large batch assimilation window used) and stable even for unstable dynamics, with the gain parameters as control variables. The AF, developed in this paper, is an adaptive version of the Singular Evolutive Interpolated Kalman Filter (SEIKF). One of the new versions of this AF is that it uses a time-varying structure of the gain of SEIKF. To deal with the uncertainty of the system parameters and of the noise covariance, the proposed adaptive SEIKF (ASEIKF) makes use of the covariance of reduced rank iterated during assimilation process and of some pertinent gain parameters tuned adaptively to yield the minimum prediction error for the system output. The computational burden in implementation of the ASEIKF is reduced drastically due to applying the optimization tool known as a simultaneous perturbation stochastic approximation algorithm, which requires only two integrations of the numerical model. No iterative loop is required at each assimilation instant as usually happens with the standard gradient descent optimization algorithms. Data assimilation experiment, carried out by the SEIKF and ASEIKF, is implemented for the Thanh Nhan Lake in Hanoi and the performance comparison between the ASEIKF and SEIKF is given to show the high effectiveness of the proposed ASEIKF.

Gram-stain-negative, aerobic and rod-shaped bacterial strains, designated SSM26T and SSM44, were isolated from a sea surface microlayer sample from the Ross Sea, Antarctica. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences of strains SSM26T and SSM44 revealed a clear affiliation with the genus Pseudomonas . Based on the results of phylogenetic analysis, strains SSM26T and SSM44 showed the closest phylogenetic relationship with the species Pseudomonas sabulinigri KCTC 22137T with the 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity level of 98.5 %. Strains SSM26T and SSM44 grew optimally at 30 °C, pH 7.0–7.5 and 0.5–10.0 % NaCl (w/v). The major cellular fatty acids were C18 : 1 ω7c (31.3–34.9 %), C16 : 0 (15.5–20.2 %), summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω7c/C16 : 1 ω6c; 19.5–25.4 %) and C12 : 0 (6.0–9.3 %). The genomic DNA G+C content of each strain was 56.2 mol%. Genomic relatedness analyses based on the average nucleotide identity and the genome-to-genome distance showed that strains SSM26T and SSM44 constituted a single species that was clearly distinguishable from its phylogenetically close relatives. The combined phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, genomic and phylogenetic data also showed that strains SSM26T and SSM44 could be distinguished from validly published members of the genus Pseudomonas . Thus, these strains should be classified as representing a novel species in the genus Pseudomonas , for which the name Pseudomonas neustonica sp. nov. is proposed with the type strain SSM26T (=KCCM 43193T=JCM 31284T=PAMC 28426T) and a sister strain SSM44 (=KCCM 43194=JCM 31285=PAMC 28427).

Doppler-guided transanal hemorrhoidal dearterialization (THD) was considered a less invasive and innovative method to treat hemorrhoidal disease, but it may impact the anal area during dearterialization and mucopexy. Thus, this study aimed to assess any changes in anorectal manometry of grade III and IV hemorrhoidal patients following THD treatment. This prospective observational study was conducted with patients who had grades III and IV hemorrhoidal disease. The patients were treated using THD at the Department of Surgery in the National Hospital of Traditional Medicine (Hanoi, Vietnam) between June 2012 and December 2013. Anorectal manometry was performed prior to THD and again between 6 and 12 months following the procedure. A total of 40 patients were enrolled in the study, including 32 with grade III hemorrhoids and 8 with grade IV hemorrhoids. The proportion of male patients (65%) was higher than that of female patients (35%), and the majority of patients (82.5%) were > 40 years old. The mean duration of symptoms prior to treatment was 12.3 years. The mean length of the anal sphincter was unchanged before and after THD (3.64 ± 0.40 cm prior to treatment vs. 3.66 ± 0.48 cm following treatment; p = 0.57). Significant differences in treatment-related changes were detected for all anorectal manometric measurements except maximum squeezing pressure (p

Background High-resolution anorectal manometry (HRAM) has been developed to improve measurement of anorectal functions. This study aims to identify normal HRAM values in healthy young Vietnamese adults. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study at the National Hospital of Traditional Medicine (Hanoi, Vietnam) from July through December 2014. Healthy young adults were invited to participate in the study. All anorectal measurement values were performed using the ISOLAB high-resolution manometry system. Differences between groups were analyzed using Student’s t-tests. Results Thirty healthy young adults, including 15 males and 15 females aged 19–26 years, were recruited. Mean functional anal canal length was 3.4 ± 0.5 cm (range: 2.4–4.8 mm). Mean maximum resting pressure, mean maximum squeezing pressure, mean maximum coughing pressure, and mean maximum strain pressure were 65.5, 168.0, 125.9, and 84.2 mm Hg, respectively. All anal pressure values were significantly different between males and females. For rectal sensation measurements, only the volume at first sensation was significantly higher in males than in females. Conclusions This study provides normal HRAM value for healthy young adults in Vietnam. Sex may influence anal pressure and first rectal sensation values in this cohort. Further studies should be conducted in order to improve the quality of HRAM normal values and to confirm the effects of sex.

This article presents a correction method for a better resolution of the problem of estimating and predicting pollution, governed by Burgers' equations. The originality of the method consists in the introduction of an error function into the system's equations of state to model uncertainty in the model. The initial conditions and diffusion coefficients, present in the equations for pollution and concentration, and also those in the model error equations, are estimated by solving a data assimilation problem. The efficiency of the correction method is compared with that produced by the traditional method without introduction of an error function. Three test cases are presented in this study in order to compare the performances of the proposed methods. In the first two tests, the reference is the analytical solution and the last test is formulated as part of the “twin experiment”. The numerical results obtained confirm the important role of the model error equation for improving the prediction capability of the system, in terms of both accuracy and speed of convergence.

Tran Thu Ha Pham,1 Quang Binh Tran,2 Chonlaphat Sukasem,3– 5 Van Dinh Nguyen,6,7 Chi Hieu Chu,8 Thi Quynh Nga Do,9 Ngoc Phuong Mai Tran,9 Thanh Huong Phung1 1Hanoi University of Pharmacy, Hanoi, Vietnam; 2National Institute of Nutrition, Hanoi, Vietnam; 3Division of Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; 4Laboratory for Pharmacogenomics, Somdech Phra Debaratana Medical Center (SDMC), Ramathibodi Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand; 5The Thai Severe Cutaneous Adverse Drug Reaction (THAI-SCAR) Research Group, Bangkok, Thailand; 6Respiratory, Allergy and Clinical Immunology Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Vinmec Times City International Hospital, Vinmec Healthcare System, Hanoi, Vietnam; 7College of Health Sciences, VinUniversity, Hanoi, Vietnam; 8Center of Allergology and Clinical Immunology, Bach Mai Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam; 9National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Hanoi, VietnamCorrespondence: Thanh Huong Phung; Quang Binh Tran Tel +84 904112588; +84 904470844Email huongpt@hup.edu.vn; tranquangbinh@dinhduong.org.vnBackground: Allopurinol, a common anti-hyperuricemia drug, is well known as an inducer of severe cutaneous adverse drug reactions (SCARs). One of the most well-defined risk factors of allopurinol-induced SCARs is the presence of polymorphic alleles of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes, such as HLA-B*58:01 and HLA-C*03:02 alleles. There is no commercial test or published in-house protocol for the specific detection of the HLA-C*03:02 allele. In this article, we established for the first time a simple allele-specific (AS) PCR method to identify HLA-C*03:02 allele carriers, and at the same time, determine their zygosities.Methods: A two-step AS-PCR protocol, using four primer sets, was designed to specifically amplify and differentiate the HLA-C*03:02 allele from 17 other HLA-C alleles found in Vietnamese people. The protocol was validated with PCR-sequencing-based typing (SBT) of 100 samples of unknown genotypes.Results: The PCR protocol can detect the HLA-C*03:02 allele and determine the zygosity. The results of this protocol were highly consistent with those of the SBT (ĸ = 0.98, p < 0.001). Regarding the specific detection of the HLA-C*03:02 allele, the PCR protocol had a sensitivity of 100% (95% CI: 91.61– 100%) and specificity of 98.3% (95% CI: 90.9– 99.7%). The protocol was used to determine the distribution of the HLA-C*03:02 allele in 810 unrelated Vietnamese Kinh people, 14.2% of which were HLA-C*03:02 carriers, the allele frequency was 7.5%.Conclusion: A novel AS-PCR protocol with a sensitivity of 100% for the detection of the HLA-C*03:02 allele was established. The protocol can be used for personalized treatment with allopurinol in order to minimize the risk of SCARs in Vietnamese people as well as in other Asian populations with similar genetic characteristics.Keywords: severe cutaneous adverse reactions, HLA-C*03:02, allopurinol, HLA genotyping, AS-PCR

BACKGROUND Severe cutaneous adverse drug reactions (SCARs) are rare but deadly drug reactions with severe damages to patients. One of the most well-known SCARs risk factors is the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes polymorphism. Among the HLA polymorphic alleles, the HLA-A*33:03 allele has been found in association with SCARs induced by various drugs, especially in Asian people. There has not been any report on the specific detection protocol of the HLA-A*33:03 allele. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to design a nested AS-PCR protocol for detecting and distinguishing diplotype genotype of the HLA-A*33:03 allele. METHODS A nested allele-specific (AS)-PCR protocol with four primer sets was designed. The method was compared with the Sanger sequencing method on 100 samples of unknown genotypes of unrelated Vietnamese people. RESULTS The nested AS-PCR method could identify the HLA-A*33:03 allele and the HLA-A*33:03 diplotype genotypes. Comparison with the Sanger sequencing method showed an absolute agreement (κ = 1.00, p < 0.001). The nested ASPCR protocol had a sensitivity of 100% (95%CI: 92.13-100%) and a specificity of 100% (95%CI: 93.51-100%). The protocol was used for the determination of HLA-A*33:03 allele distribution in 810 unrelated Vietnamese Kinh people, showing a frequency of HLA-A*33:03 carriers of 19.6% and an allele frequency of 10.55%. CONCLUSIONS A novel nested AS-PCR method with a hundred-percent sensitivity and a specificity for the HLA-A*33:03 allele detection was reported. The protocol can be applied for the stratification of patients at SCAR risks with various drugs.

Background Allopurinol, a common anti-hyperuricemia drug, is well known as an inducer of severe cutaneous adverse drug reactions (SCARs). One of the most well-defined risk factors of allopurinol-induced SCARs is the presence of polymorphic alleles of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes, such as HLA-B*58:01 and HLA-C*03:02 alleles. There is no commercial test or published in-house protocol for the specific detection of the HLA-C*03:02 allele. In this article, we established for the first time a simple allele-specific (AS) PCR method to identify HLA-C*03:02 allele carriers, and at the same time, determine their zygosities. Methods A two-step AS-PCR protocol, using four primer sets, was designed to specifically amplify and differentiate the HLA-C*03:02 allele from 17 other HLA-C alleles found in Vietnamese people. The protocol was validated with PCR-sequencing-based typing (SBT) of 100 samples of unknown genotypes. Results The PCR protocol can detect the HLA-C*03:02 allele and determine the zygosity. The results of this protocol were highly consistent with those of the SBT (ĸ = 0.98, p < 0.001). Regarding the specific detection of the HLA-C*03:02 allele, the PCR protocol had a sensitivity of 100% (95% CI: 91.61–100%) and specificity of 98.3% (95% CI: 90.9–99.7%). The protocol was used to determine the distribution of the HLA-C*03:02 allele in 810 unrelated Vietnamese Kinh people, 14.2% of which were HLA-C*03:02 carriers, the allele frequency was 7.5%. Conclusion A novel AS-PCR protocol with a sensitivity of 100% for the detection of the HLA-C*03:02 allele was established. The protocol can be used for personalized treatment with allopurinol in order to minimize the risk of SCARs in Vietnamese people as well as in other Asian populations with similar genetic characteristics.

Background Poor early-life nutrition is a major barrier to good health and cognitive development, and is a global health priority. Alive & Thrive (A&T) was a multi-pronged initiative to improve infant and young child feeding behaviors. It aimed to achieve at-scale child health and nutrition improvements via a comprehensive approach that included nutrition counseling by health workers, policy change, social mobilization and mass media activities. This study evaluated the sustainability of activities introduced during A&T implementation (2009–2014) in Bangladesh and Vietnam. Methods This was a mixed methods study that used a quasi-experimental design. Quantitative data (surveys with 668 health workers, and 269 service observations) were collected in 2017; and analysis compared outcomes (primarily dose and fidelity of activities, and capacity) in former A&T intervention areas versus areas that did not receive the full A&T intervention. Additionally, we conducted interviews and focus groups with 218 stakeholders to explore their impressions about the determinants of sustainability, based on a multi-level conceptual framework. Results After program conclusion, stakeholders perceive declines in mass media campaigns, policy and advocacy activities, and social mobilization activities – but counseling activities were institutionalized and continued in both countries. Quantitative data show a persisting modest intervention effect: health workers in intervention areas had significantly higher child feeding knowledge, and in Bangladesh greater self-efficacy and job satisfaction, compared to their counterparts who did not receive the full package of A&T activities. While elements of the program were integrated into routine services, stakeholders noted dilution of the program focus due to competing priorities. Qualitative data suggest that some elements, such as training, monitoring, and evaluation, which were seen as essential to A&T’s success, have declined in frequency, quality, coverage, or were eliminated altogether. Conclusions The inclusion of multiple activities in A&T and efforts to integrate the program into existing institutions were seen as crucial to its success but also made it difficult to sustain, particularly given unstable financial support and human resource constraints. Future complex programs should carefully plan for institutionalization in advance of the program by cultivating champions across the health system, and designing unique and complementary roles for all stakeholders including donors.