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Among the congener of dioxin, 2,3,7,8-TCDD is the most toxic, having a serious long-term impact on the environment and human health. UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1) plays a crucial role in the detoxification and excretion of endogenous and exogenous lipophilic compounds, primarily in the liver and gastrointestinal tract. This study aimed to investigate the association of UGT1A1 gene polymorphisms, expression levels, and enzyme concentration with Agent Orange/Dioxin exposure. The study included 100 individuals exposed to Agent Orange/Dioxin nearby Da Nang and Bien Hoa airports in Vietnam and 100 healthy controls. UGT1A1 SNP rs10929303, rs1042640 and rs8330 were determined by Sanger sequencing, mRNA expression was quantified by RT-qPCR and plasma UGT1A1 concentrations were measured by ELISA. The results showed that UGT1A1 polymorphisms at SNPs rs10929303, rs1042640 and rs8330 were associated with Agent Orange/Dioxin exposure (OR = 0.55, P  = 0.018; OR = 0.55, P  = 0.018 and OR = 0.57, P  = 0.026, respectively). UGT1A1 mRNA expression levels and enzyme concentration were significantly elevated in individuals exposed to Agent Orange/Dioxin compared to controls ( P  < 0.0001). Benchmark dose (BMD) analyses showed that chronic exposure to 2,3,7,8-TCDD contamination affects the UGT1A1 mRNA and protein levels. Furthermore, UGT1A1 polymorphisms affected gene expression and enzyme concentrations in individuals exposed to Agent Orange/Dioxin. In conclusion, UGT1A1 gene polymorphisms, UGT1A gene expression levels and UGT1A1 enzyme concentrations were associated with Agent Orange/Dioxin exposure. The metabolism of 2,3,7,8-TCDD may influence UGT1A gene expression and enzyme concentrations.

The autonomous and active Long-Interspersed Element-1 ( LINE-1 , L1 ) and the non-autonomous Alu retrotransposon elements, contributing to 30% of the human genome, are the most abundant repeated sequences. With more than 90% of their sequences being methylated in normal cells, these elements undeniably contribute to the global DNA methylation level and constitute a major part of circulating-cell-free DNA (cfDNA). So far, the hypomethylation status of LINE-1 and Alu in cellular and extracellular DNA has long been considered a prevailing hallmark of ageing-related diseases and cancer. This study demonstrated that errors in LINE-1 and Alu methylation level measurements were caused by an excessive input quantity of genomic DNA used for bisulfite conversion. Using the minuscule DNA amount of 0.5 ng, much less than what has been used and recommended so far (500 ng-2 μg) or 1 μL of cfDNA extracted from 1 mL of blood, we revealed hypermethylation of LINE-1 and Alu in 407 tumour samples of primary breast, colon and lung cancers when compared with the corresponding pair-matched adjacent normal tissue samples (P < 0.05–0.001), and in cfDNA from 296 samples of lung cancers as compared with 477 samples from healthy controls (P < 0.0001). More importantly, LINE-1 hypermethylation in cfDNA is associated with healthy ageing. Our results have not only contributed to the standardized bisulfite-based protocols for DNA methylation assays, particularly in applications on repeated sequences but also provided another perspective for other repetitive sequences whose epigenetic properties may have crucial impacts on genome architecture and human health.

Few studies have been conducted on group B Streptococcus (GBS) in Vietnam. We determined the GBS colonization and antimicrobial resistance vaginal-rectal profile of 3863 Vietnamese pregnant women over 5 years. Maternal GBS colonization was characterized by antibiotic susceptibility. Overall, the GBS colonization rate was 8.02% (95% CI: 7.20–8.94%). Compared to sampling ≥ 35 weeks of gestation, the GBS colonization rate was statistically higher ( p  = 0.004) with sampling < 35 weeks. Among 272 antimicrobial susceptibility testing isolates, all were susceptible to ampicillin, penicillin, ceftriaxone, cefotaxime, vancomycin, and quinupristin/dalfopristin. Resistance was highest for tetracycline (89.66%), followed by erythromycin (76.23%) and clindamycin (58.21%). Multidrug resistance and resistance to ≥ 6 different antibiotics were 60.66% and 8.82%, respectively. Resistance to clindamycin but not erythromycin (L phenotype) was 2.2%. The clindamycin resistance rate was significantly increased ( p  = 0.005) during the study period. These data demonstrate a low rate of maternal GBS colonization. The high rate of erythromycin, clindamycin, and multidrug resistance to GBS that can be transmitted to neonates is an important risk factor to consider. β-lactams continue to be appropriate for first-line treatment and prophylaxis in the study area. Ongoing monitoring should be considered in the future.

The pathological outcome of dengue disease results from complex interactions between dengue virus (DENV) and host genetics and immune response. Complement receptor types 1 and 2 (CR1 and CR2) mediate complement activation through the alternative pathway. This study investigated the possible association of genetic polymorphisms and plasma levels of CR1 and CR2 with dengue disease. A total of 267 dengue patients and 133 healthy controls were recruited for this study. CR1 and CR2 gene polymorphisms were analyzed by Sanger sequencing, while plasma CR1 and CR2 levels were measured by ELISA. The frequency of the CR1 minor allele rs6691117G was lower in dengue patients and those with severe dengue compared to healthy controls. Plasma CR1 and CR2 levels were decreased in dengue patients compared to healthy controls ( P  < 0.0001) and were associated with platelet counts. CR1 levels were lower in dengue patients with warning signs (DWS) compared to those without DWS, while CR2 levels were decreased according to the severity of the disease and after 5 days (T1) and 8 days (T2) of follow-up. CR2 levels were decreased in dengue patients positive for anti-DENV IgG and IgM and patients with bleeding and could discriminate DWS and SD from dengue fever patients (AUC = 0.66). In conclusion, this study revealed a reduction in CR2 levels in dengue patients and that the CR1 SNP rs6691117A/G is associated with the dengue severity. The correlation of CR2 levels with platelet counts suggests that CR2 could be an additional biomarker for the prognosis of severe dengue disease.

Telomerase reverse-transcriptase (TERT) gene promoter mutations in circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) as well as the levels of circulating microRNA-122 (miR-122) have been reported as potential noninvasive biomarkers for several. This study evaluates the diagnostic performance of potent biomarker-based panels composing of serological AFP, miR-122 and circulating TERT promoter mutations for screening HBV-related HCC. TERT promoter mutations (C228T and C250T) and miR-122 expression were assessed in the plasma samples from 249 patients with HBV-related liver diseases by nested PCR and qRT-PCR assays, respectively. The diagnostic values of TERT promoter mutations, miR-122 expression and biomarker-based panels were assessed by computation of the area under the curve (AUC). Nested-PCR assays were optimized to detect C228T and C250T mutations in TERT promoter with detection limit of 1%. The common hotspot C228T was observed in 22 HCC cases. The triple combinatory panel (AFP@TERT@miR-122) acquired the best diagnostic value to distinguish HCC from CHB (AUC = 0.98), LC (AUC = 0.88) or non-HCC (LC + CHB, AUC = 0.94) compared to the performance of double combinations or single biomarkers, respectively. Notably, among patients with AFP levels≤20 ng/μl, the double combination panel (TERT@miR-122) retains satisfactory diagnostic performance in discriminating HCC from the others (HCC vs. CHB, AUC = 0.96; HCC vs. LC, AUC = 0.88, HCC vs. non-HCC, AUC = 0.94). The triple combination panel AFP@TERT@miR-122 shows a better diagnostic performance for screening HCC in HBV patients, regardless of AFP levels. The newly established panels can be a potential application in clinical practice in Vietnamese setting.

Aims/Introduction Adipose tissue‐derived hormones are associated with metabolic disorders including type 2 diabetes mellitus. The present study investigated the levels of adiponectin and pro‐inflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), interleukin‐1 beta (IL‐1β) and IL‐10 in Vietnamese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, and their correlations with clinical parameters of overweight and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Materials and Methods Based on body mass index, 73 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were categorized either as overweight or non‐overweight. As healthy controls, 57 overweight and non‐overweight individuals without type 2 diabetes mellitus were included. The adiponectin, TNF‐α, IL‐1β and IL‐10 levels were measured in the sera samples in all study participants by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and were correlated with clinical parameters. Results The adiponectin levels were lower in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (2.5 ± 1.5 μg/mL) compared with controls (16 ± 18.6 μg/mL; P < 0.0001), and were decreased in overweight individuals compared with those who were not overweight. The TNF‐α and IL‐1β levels were increased, whereas the IL‐10 levels were decreased in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and in overweight controls compared with non‐overweight controls (P < 0.0001). The adiponectin levels were correlated with the TNF‐α, IL‐1β, IL‐10 levels, and the clinical parameters of overweight and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The quantitative insulin sensitivity check index and homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance indexes were correlated with the relative ratios of adiponectin/TNF‐α, adiponectin/IL‐1β, adiponectin/IL‐10, TNF‐α/IL‐10 and IL‐1β/IL‐10. Conclusions Adiponectin and pro‐inflammatory cytokines are associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus, and might serve as a prognostic marker and a therapeutic intervention for overweight‐related type 2 diabetes mellitus. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), Interleukin‐1 beta (IL‐1β). and Interleulin 10 (IL‐10).

Occult hepatitis B virus infection (OBI) characterized by the absence of detectable HBsAg remains a potential threat in blood safety. We investigated the actual prevalence, viral factors and genotype of OBI infections in Nigerian blood donors. Serum collected from two blood banks were reconfirmed as HBsAg seronegative by ELISA. Forty HBsAg positive samples were employed as controls. HBV-DNA was amplified from all donors and viral loads were determined using quantitative real-time PCR. Antibodies to the HBV core, surface and HBe antigen (anti-HBc,anti-HBs,HBeAg) were measured. The PreS/S and PreC/C regions of the HBV genome were sequenced. Of the 429 blood donors, 72(17%) were confirmed as OBI by DNA detection in different reference labs and excluded the concern of possible contamination. Of the 72 OBI samples, 48(67%) were positive for anti-HBc, 25(35%) positive for anti-HBs, and 2(3%) positive for HBeAg. Of the 72 OBI samples, 31(43%) were seropositive for either anti-HBc, anti-HBs or HBeAg, 21 (30%) positive for both anti-HBc and anti-HBs,one positive for both anti-HBc and HBeAg. None of the OBI samples were positive for all three serological markers. The viral load was <50copies/ml in the OBI samples and genotype E was predominant. The L217R polymorphism in the reverse transcriptase domain of the HBV polymerase gene was observed significantly higher in OBI compared with HBsAg positive individuals (P<0.0001). High incidence of OBI is relevant in high endemic areas worldwide and is a general burden in blood safety. This study signifies the high prevalence of OBI and proposes blood donor samples in Nigeria should be pre-tested for OBI by nucleic acid testing (NAT) and/or anti-HBc prior to transfusion to minimize the HBV infection risk.

Previous studies have consistently reported the detrimental impact of dam construction on natural populations of softshell turtles across East and Southeast Asia, with particularly severe effects on large-bodied species. The Wattle-necked Softshell Turtle (Palea steindachneri), a large-sized and Critically Endangered member of the family Trionychidae, remains poorly documented throughout much of its native range in Southeast Asia. In this study, we present new field data from the Đà River basin in northern Vietnam, encompassing areas both upstream and downstream of the Sơn La Dam. Data were obtained through a combination of direct field observations, camera trap monitoring, and semi-structured interviews with local fishers and traders. Two individuals of P. steindachneri—including a juvenile—were recorded, providing the first confirmed evidence of ongoing natural reproduction in the region. Additionally, we documented 102 individuals of Pelodiscus sp., encompassing all life stages and indicating a stable, reproducing local population. Despite overlapping in macrohabitat use along the river, the two species were spatially segregated, with a minimum interspecific distance of 8.2 km, suggesting broad sympatry without syntopy, potentially due to microhabitat partitioning. These findings underscore the persistence and likely reproductive viability of P. steindachneri in modified riverine systems affected by dams, and have broader conservation implications for other threatened taxa with similar ecologies, such as Rafetus swinhoei. Urgent conservation actions, including habitat protection, community-based monitoring, and strengthened regulation of the wildlife trade, are essential to ensure the survival of remaining wild populations.

Background and Objectives: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune inflammatory disease, and progressive arthritis is its primary clinical manifestation. The role of human parvovirus B19 (B19V) infection in the progression of RA remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the association between B19V infection and viral genetic distribution in Vietnamese RA patients. Materials and Methods: 115 Vietnamese RA patients and 86 healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled in this observational study at the Thai Nguyen National Hospital from January 2019 to December 2021. B19V DNA was examined in serum and synovial fluid samples from RA patients using nested PCR and real-time PCR. B19V antibodies were detected in serum samples using ELISA. Results: B19V DNA was detected in the serum of 2 out of 115 (1.74%) RA patients but not in any HCs. Interestingly, B19V DNA was present in 12 out of 68 (17.65%) RA patients with knee effusion in their synovial fluid. Anti-B19V-IgG and anti-B19V-IgM were detected in the serum of 42.61% and 2.61% of RA patients, respectively, and in 24.42% and 12.79% of HCs, respectively. Anti-B19V-IgG levels were significantly higher in the serum of RA patients than in the serum of HCs (p = 0.007). However, anti-B19V-IgM was more commonly detected in HC serum than in RA patient serum (p = 0.006). Phylogenetic analysis showed that all B19V strains belonged to genotype 1 and subgenotype 1A. Conclusions: B19V infection is frequent in RA patients and suggests a contribution of B19V to the progression of RA, particularly in a B19V genotype-1- and subgenotype-1A-dependent manner and emphasises the need for early detection and management of B19V infection in RA patients.

This study aims to investigate whether the combination of oncolytic viruses with chemoradiotherapy or other therapies is a promising strategy for cancer treatment. The anticancer effects of measles virus (MeV) in combination with nimotuzumab in the treatment of laryngeal cancer were evaluated in vitro and in nude mice inoculated with Hep2 tumors. MTT assay and flow cytometry were used to examine cell death. Laryngeal cancer cells treated with MeV+nimotuzumab combination had a significantly lower survival rate compared to those treated with MeV or nimotuzumab alone (p<0.0001). In an animal model bearing human laryngeal tumor, the treated group had a higher survival rate (60%) compared to a untreated group (20%) (p<0.05), and the survival rate of the group treated with MeV+nimotuzumab combination was higher compared to the groups received single treatment. The MeV+nimotuzumab combination has greater anticancer activities in both laryngeal cancer cells and an animal model.