Aims: The objective of the study was to isolate bacteriophages and conduct a comprehensive analysis of their potential against Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) strains in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Methodology and results: Twelve Xoo strains were isolated from rice fields located in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Among these strains, three strains Xoo L019, L020 and L024, showed the highest disease index of bacterial blight. Four phages specific to Xoo were isolated from soil, water and leaf samples, and their morphologies were determined. In a test against 12 Xoo strains, phage L541, MLA23 or W41 could infect 10 of the 12 Xoo strains, while phage LBH01 could infect 8 of the 12 Xoo strains. The stability of the phages to pH, organic solvents, UV-A and UV-B was also evaluated. Conclusion, significance and impact of study The initial characterization of the phages indicates their potential as biocontrol agents against bacterial blight in rice. The study is one of the very first studies about Xoo phages in rice in Vietnam.

Objective: To evaluate the anti-arthritic effects of Polygonatum kingianum rhizome extract using both in vitro and in vivo models.Methods: Lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages were treated with an ethanol extract of Polygonatum kingianum rhizomes at different concentrations to determine nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production. For in vivo study, Polygonatum kingianum ethanol extract was further investigated for its anti-inflammatory effect in a mouse model with collagen antibody-induced arthritis. Phytochemical study of Polygonatum kingianum ethanol extract was also performed. Results: Saponins (142 mg/g total yield) was the main component in the Polygonatum kingianum ethanol extract. 5α,8α-ergosterol peroxide, (E,E)-9-oxooctadeca-10,12-dienoic acid and 3-(2?-hydroxy-4?-methoxy-benzyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-8-methyl-chroman-4-one were isolated from the extract. Polygonatum kingianum ethanol extract exhibited potential anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting nitric oxide and PGE2 production in RAW 264.7 cells in a dose-dependent manner. The level of arthritis in mice with collagen antibody-induced arthritis was significantly reduced (P<0.01) after treatment with Polygonatum kingianum ethanol extract, particularly at a dose of 1?000 mg/kg body weight. Besides, the extract demonstrated the regulatory effects on serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, and interleukin-10 in treated mice. Conclusions: Polygonatum kingianum ethanol extract has beneficial effects on inflammatory cytokine regulation and PGE2 inhibition in an experimental mouse model with collagen antibody-induced arthritis. The phytochemical screening reveals that the saponin, as the main component, and sterols (daucosterol and 5α,8α-ergosterol peroxide) from Polygonatum kingianum ethanol extract may contribute to its promising in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory activities.

To evaluate the anti-arthritic effects of Polygonatum kingianum rhizome extract using both in vitro and in vivo models. Methods: Lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages were treated with an ethanol extract of Polygonatum kingianum rhizomes at different concentrations to determine nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production. For in vivo study, Polygonatum kingianum ethanol extract was further investigated for its antiinflammatory effect in a mouse model with collagen antibodyinduced arthritis. Phytochemical study of Polygonatum kingianum ethanol extract was also performed. Results: Saponins (142 mg/g total yield) was the main component in the Polygonatum kingianum ethanol extract. 5a,8a-ergosterol peroxide, (E,E)-9-oxooctadeca-10,12-dienoic acid and 3-(2'- hydroxy-4'-methoxy-benzyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-8-methyl-chroman-4- one were isolated from the extract. Polygonatum kingianum ethanol extract exhibited potential anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting nitric oxide and PGE2 production in RAW 264.7 cells in a dosedependent manner. The level of arthritis in mice with collagen antibody-induced arthritis was significantly reduced (P0.01) after treatment with Polygonatum kingianum ethanol extract, particularly at a dose of 1 000 mg/kg body weight. Besides, the extract demonstrated the regulatory effects on serum tumor necrosis factoralpha, interleukin-6, and interleukin-10 in treated mice. Conclusions: Polygonatum kingianum ethanol extract has beneficial effects on inflammatory cytokine regulation and PGE2 inhibition in an experimental mouse model with collagen antibody-induced arthritis. The phytochemical screening reveals that the saponin, as the main component, and sterols (daucosterol and 5a,8a-ergosterol peroxide) from Polygonatum kingianum ethanol extract may contribute to its promising in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory activities.

Background: Dengue virus infection is a major public health problem. A hypothesis put forward for severe dengue is the cytokine storm, a sudden increase in cytokines that induces vascular permeability. Previous studies and our recent meta-analysis showed that IL-6, IL-8, IFNγ, TNFα, VEGF-A and VCAM-1 are associated with dengue shock syndrome. Therefore, in this study we aim to validate the association of these cytokines with severe dengue. Methods & Findings: In a hospital based case control study in Vietnam, children with dengue fever, other febrile illness and healthy controls were recruited. Dengue virus infection was confirmed by several diagnostic tests. Multiplex Immunoassay using Luminex technology was used to measure cytokines simultaneously. A positive association with dengue shock syndrome was found for VCAM-1, whereas a negative association was found for IFNγ. Furthermore, the multivariate logistic analysis also showed that VCAM-1 and IFNγ were independently correlated with dengue shock syndrome. Conclusion: IFNγ and VCAM-1 were associated with dengue shock syndrome, although their role in the severe dengue pathogenesis remains unclear. Additional studies are required to further investigate the function of these cytokines in severe dengue.

Background: Dengue virus infection is a major public health problem. A hypothesis put forward for severe dengue is the cytokine storm, a sudden increase in cytokines that induces vascular permeability. Previous studies and our recent meta-analysis showed that IL-6, IL-8, IFNγ, TNFα, VEGF-A and VCAM-1 are associated with dengue shock syndrome. Therefore, in this study we aim to validate the association of these cytokines with severe dengue. Methods & Findings: In a hospital based-case control study in Vietnam, children with dengue fever, other febrile illness and healthy controls were recruited. Dengue virus infection was confirmed by several diagnostic tests. Multiplex immunoassay using Luminex technology was used to measure cytokines simultaneously. A positive association with dengue shock syndrome was found for VCAM-1, whereas a negative association was found for IFNγ. Furthermore, multivariate logistic analysis also showed that VCAM-1 and IFNγ were independently correlated with dengue shock syndrome. Conclusion: IFNγ and VCAM-1 were associated with dengue shock syndrome, although their role in the severe dengue pathogenesis remains unclear. Additional studies are required to shed further light on the function of these cytokines in severe dengue.

Background: Japanese Encephalitis (JE) virus is a leading cause of encephalitis in children with high mortality and complication. JE is a dangerous infectious disease via Culex mosquitoes. Objective: To identify the density of some mosquitoes and vectors that transmit JE virus in Ha Nam province. Subject and Method:There were 30.333 mosquitoes including 05 genera and 15 species which were collected at night from April 2006 to March 2007 in the following communes: Tanson (midland area) Hungcong (plain area) and Liemchinh (suburban area). Results: A total of 06 Culex species, the highest rate is Culex tritaeniohychus (41.20%); Culex annulus (15.56%); other Culex species occupied around 0.15% -2.49%. In these communes, the density of Culex tritaeniohychus was higher than Culex annulus. They were found to be active all year round, but the highest density of Culex tritaeniohychus and Culex annulus is 5.86 and 2.15, respectively in April and fall to 4.35% and 1.71% in July. The collected mosquitoes during April, May, June and July includes 133 and 28 Culex tritaeniohychus and Culex annulus pools, respectively; all were to be processed for the isolation of Japanese Encephalitis (JE) virus. There were 12 Culex tritaeniohychus and 2 Culex annulus pools which were collected in Tanson commune yielding positive. Conclusion: The results were confirmed that Culex tritaenioohychus and Culex annulus are the major vectors that transmit JE virus in Ha Nam, 2006 - 2007. All 14 JE virus strains were isolated from collected mosquito pools during April, May and June; whereas JE virus strain was not yet isolated from collected mosquito pool in July. Thus, in order to control JE disease, it is necessary to control JE vectors in April, May and June.
Vector ; Culex tritaenioohychus ; Japanese encephalitis ; Ha Nam

74 patients with severe tetanus who have indication of artificial ventilation were evaluated. These patients were 15 years old or less at baseline. Participants were divided into 2 groups. Group 1 (40 patients) had received artificial ventilation, and group 2 (34 patients) had not received artificial ventilation due to the ventilators were not available. The mortality of groups 1 was 60% (16/40) and that of group 2 was 94.12% (32/34). Ventilators are very helpful in the management of severe tetanus but their complications caused many problems
Tetanus ; Pediatrics

A study on the working environment, ergonomics(problems related with working place, skin, stress, reproductive health..) for computer users has shown that the causes of skin disorders were unknown. There was no evidence of the relation between the reproductive problems and computer using. The rate of vision disturbs in computer users was much higher than this in others. The causes of the bone disorders in computer users were unknown. Properties and level of stress depended on many factors. This paper also regarded to the close room syndrome and impacts of the short frequent electromagnetism
Computers ; Delivery of Health Care

Our country is being the duration of industrialization and modernization. This process required the changes of working conditions and new problems for the occupational medicine in the study, services as well as education and training
Occupational Health ; Delivery of Health Care

Women occupy the majority among work force of education. The preliminary research on working condition and its effects on female teachers showed out workplace factors related to female teachers’ health and the changes of some psycho-physiological parameters as well as the signs of fatigue and strain after work. The research has made some suggestion for further studies
Faculty ; Work ; female ; workplace