Lethal component of the Naja kaouthia venom had been purified and used as antigen for producing antiserum according to an immunization protocol aiming to be efficient in the production of high affinity antibodies. A strong response was observed on all six immunized horses and tolerance to the antigen did not occur. All antitoxin sera obtained protected against lethality due to the entire venom. The potential production of these six horses is estimated to 4,300 doses/year compared to the estimated national need of 4,800 doses/year for a population of 80 millions.
Neurotoxins ; serum

Background: Plasma lipids are affected not only by dietary intake and life style but also by genetic factor. Objective: To discover the relationship between plasma lipids and the presence of LPL S447X and PAF-AH V279F in the bodies of rural Vietnamese population. Subject and Method: One hundred and ninety three subjects were randomly selected from rural areas in Ho Chi Minh city. The presence of LPL S447X and PAF-AHV279F polymorphism was determined using an Invader assay, and the plasma lipid levels were measured by an enzymatic method. A profile regarding the dietary intake was also made for each subject. Result and Conclusion: The frequency of LPL 447SX/XX (12.2%) polymorphism, PAF-AH Val279Phe mutation allele frequency (5.4%) in the Vietnamese was closely similar to that of other Asian populations. LPL447X polymorphism was found to be significantly associated with a higher HDL-C level in comparison to LPL 447S. LPL S447X affects plasma HDL-C and TG concentration in Vietnamese rural population.
Genetic factors ; plasma lipids ; rural area

Background: Bone marrow stem cells with their plasticity can be used to replace and repair the other damaged organs and tissues, so they can also be used to obtain bone healing of nonunions. Objective: to evaluate the results of percutaneous autologous bone marrow grafting to treat the tibia diaphyseal nonunions. Subjects and methods: 12 patients with noninfected nonunion of the tibia were diagnosed and treated in Viet Duc Hospital. About 250mL of marrow was aspirated, then separated and concentrated by density gradient centrifugation. The final mononuclear cell mass containing stem cells and progenitors was washed in 30ml of 0.9% NaCL and then injected into the damaged sites. Patients were evaluated by clinical and X-rays examinations with at least 6 months follow-up. Results: None of the patients had post - op complications. Bone union was obtained in eleven of the twelve patients (91,7%) at an average of 15,3 weeks (range, 9 - 30 weeks), the bone marrow grafts used for these patients who had bone union contained a mean of 5,65 \xb1 3,74 x 106 (0,95 - 11,73 x 106) CD34(+) stem cells in total. Conclusions: Percutaneous autologous bone - marrow grafting is a minimally invasive alternative and a simple, effective, safe method for the treatment of the tibia diaphyseal nonunions with the comparative bone healing rate. \r\n', u'\r\n', u'
Tibia/ pathology ; Bone Marrow/ anatomy & ; histology ; surgery