In this study, twenty-five yeast strains were isolated from soil samples collected in the gold mining ore in Gia Lai, Vietnam. Among them, one isolate named GL1 T could highly tolerate Cu 2+ up to 10 mM, and the isolates could also grow in a wide range of pH (3–7), and tem perature (10–40 ℃). Dried biomass of GL1 was able to remove Cu 2+ effectively up to 90.49% with a maximal biosorption capacity of 18.1 mg/g at pH 6, temperature 30 ℃, and incuba tion time 60 min. Sequence analysis of rDNA indicated this strain was closely related to Rhodotorula mucilaginosa but with 1.53 and 3.46% nucleotide differences in the D1/D2 domain of the 28S rRNA gene and the ITS1-5.8S rRNA gene-ITS2 region sequence, respect ively. Based on phylogenetic tree analysis and the biochemical characteristics, the strain appears to be a novel Rhodotorula species, and the name Rhodotorula aurum sp. nov. is pro posed. This study provides us with more information about heavy metal-tolerant yeasts and it may produce a new tool for environmental control and metal recovery operations.

Papiliotrema huenov was previously reported to be highly tolerant of a range of extremely toxic heavy metals. This study aimed to identify the potential of P. huenov to remove manganese and copper from aqueous solution. Physical conditions which affect removal of Mn(II) and Cu(II) were determined. Optimal temperature for adsorption of both metal ions was 30°C, and optimal pH for maximum uptake of Mn(II) and Cu(II) were 5 and 6, respectively. Under these conditions, living cells of P. huenov accumulated up to 75.58% of 110 mg/ L Mn(II) and 70.5% of 128 mg/L Cu(II) over 120 h, whereas, the removal efficiency of metal ions by dead cells over 1 h was 60.3% and 56.5%, respectively. These results indicate that living cells are more effective than dead biomass for bioremediation, but that greater time is required. The experimental data extends the potential use of P. huenov in biosorption and bioaccumulation of toxic heavy metals to copper and manganese, two of the most common industrial contaminants.

Background: According to WHO, there are 5 million deaths from kinds of injury a year in the world, of which 875000 deaths occur in children under 18 years old. Injury leads to 40000 deaths which account for 10.7% deaths due to all other causes a year in VietNam. Objective: To show conclusions of the situation of child injury, recommendations for prevention of child injury and methods in order to enhance emergency activity in Vietnam. Subjects and method: The authors collected information about all patients who had emergencies due to injury at Viet Duc hospital, from March 26th 2006 to Octorber 26th 2006. However, supervised cases were the patients under 18 years old who were examined and treated at the Department of Emergency. Results: During the period of study, 2536 patients under 18 years old were examined for injury, of which death and coming back home for death were 83 cases (3.27%). 974 children had emergency resulted from injury: male was more than female: 697 verus 227. The leading causes of child injury were fall and traffic accident, respetively 34% and 60%. The most common traumas were traumatic brain injury (45%), limbs injury (41%). Although most of cases had first aid at the hospitals in district or province level, the rate of non-first aid cases was high (34%). Conclusion: Child injury is a leading cause of child death in hospitals. Methods for prevention of child injury should focus on educating and propagandizing to minimize injuries caused by traffic accident and fall.
Wounds and Injuries ; Child

Epidemic of influenza A H5 N1 virus in humans occurred in South Vietnam from 12/2003 up to now there were 287 suspected cases and 24 confirmed cases, included 20 deaths with case-fatality rate was very high (83.33%). Based on epidemical surveillance and laboratory, we believed that cases usually appear by the end of year and the beginning of the next year at the same time of the winter in North Vietnam, and the dry season in the South Vietnam. It was distributed sporadically in different regions, including highland, urban areas and rural areas of the Mekong delta. Almost of the confirmed cases were young (average 16,17 years old). The rate of ethnic patients with H5N1(+) were high 25%. There has been no evidence of human to human transmission, but there were some risk factors associated with the confirmed cases were: contact directly with the sick/dead poultry (OR=3.39; p=0.034), eating the sick/dead poultry (OR=4.28; p= 0.025), person in family prepared chicken that was sick and died for cooking (OR=5.2; p=0.01).
Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype ; Viruses ; Epidemiology

A descriptive prospective study of hospitalized Dengue including Dengue Fever (OF) and Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever (DHF) was undertaken in An Giang General Hospital. An Giang Province from April 2002 to May 2003. A first blood sample (BS) will be taken on admission to detect dengue antibody by Elisa (IgM and IgG) and virus isolation. The second BS will be drawn on discharge with the same test. If the patient is discharged before day 10th after the onset of fever, a third BS will be planned, for IgM and IgG too. In the hospital, all patients will be follow-up adequate platelet count and haematocrit. - There is 1009 patient selected (less than 15 years old), 5 DHF deaths due to DHF and 4 deaths due to others. Classification of the Dengue hospitalized cases: DF (28. 5%), DHF (49%) and DSS (10%). - The highest positive IgM rate is belong to DSS patient group (89%) and then DHF, the lowest rate is DF (34%). The virus isolated rate of the DSS patient group is highest (16.8%), and then DF (14.6%). DEN2 is predominant (with 84% of all virus isolated), and then DEN4 (8.8%). - On the admission, there are the overload for Dengue diagnosis. 12% cases with DF/DHF on the admission but they are typhoid fever, measles and viral infection on the discharge. - Clinical and laboratory findings are the more severe (thrombocytopenia and haemoconcentration), the more positive IgM rate and virus isolated. - For the correspondences between DF, DHF diagnosis. Clinical and laboratory findings according to WHO criteria: there are only 22.2% of DHF satisfied 4/4 WHO criteria, 39.2% satisfied 3/4 criteria and ultrasound is the test supported for these DF, DHF cases. - 71% confirmed DHF cases and 26% confirmed DSS cases have not thrombocytopenia and haemoconcentration. - The haemorrhagic manifestation just appear in 46.6% of DHF cases, even if DSS cases, there are only 56.2% cases have got the haemorrhagic manifestations.
Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever ; Dengue ; Diagnosis

A community based campaign for larvae reduction was organized in 3 communes Hoa Loc, An Thoi, Tan Trung of Mo Cay district, Ben Tre province in 2002. The results: the model of campaign expressed clearly the effectiveness and feasibility in larvae and mosquitos density’ reduction immediately after implementing. Furthermore, launching three to four campaigns times per year can maintain its effectiveness in long time. To gain the most effectiveness, all methods were urged implementing for changes in people’s behaviours and close combination between government, health training communication and regulations
Larva ; Epidemiology

The study about using water sources in diet in community was performed at 3 provinces of Mekong Delta in January 2002. The total number of investigated households were 1639, the samples were collected by investigating 30 groups method. The investigating about major water source using diet showed that on average, about 70% (35-92%) of households used river water, 17.6% (2.0-48%) used tap water and 10.8% (0-20.8%) used rain water. 40% of points used the river water to supply water with community, far latrine-fishpond from 10m, 26% was closed cattle-breeding cage (under 10m). The river water-processing method was alum accumulation, the pasteurization rate without chloramine was nearly 80% and about 20% of households used non-boiled drinking-water. The rate of households used boring well was very low (2-4%), 10% of households entered using processed river water because they were very poor
Water ; epidemiology ; diet ; Alum Compounds ; Chloramines

A new pilot model - community based campaign for source reduction was implemented in Hoa Loc commune (Mo Cay district, Ben Tre province). Fives campaigns were carried out during rainy season in the year 2002 with strong participation of local authorities, school and other social unions. Fives steps of campaign model included (1) Organizing; (2) Training; (3) Communicating before campaign; (4) Launching campaign; (5) Monitoring and assessing. Results: The entomological index in the implemented communes was lower than communes having participants. A model - community based campaign for source reduction was effective and feasible, at the same time having long effectiveness after 3-4 folds/year
Larva ; Health Promotion ; epidemiology

A K.A.P. survey on dengue heamorrhagis fever (DHF) was carried out in 6 sentinel provinces (An Giang, Kien Giang, Ca Mau, HCM city, Dong Nai, Can Tho) of program for control of DHF of Southern region at the end of the year 1998. One district was selected in each province. 30 random clusters with sample size of 2000 households were applied for each district. The results: most of households heads (91%) have heard about DHF, by T.V. (62%). Continuous high fever for 2 days was a common symptom of DHF. The first health facilities for seeking DHF treatment were communal health stations (32%), and private clinic (25%). 74% of subjects understood that DHF was transmitted by mosquito. Larval habitant were considered as clean water container without cover (60%) and solid waste containers (used tires, tin, can…) by 15%. Subject prefer to cover water containers (34%), to clean water containers (25%), to destroy waster containers (14%), to put larvicid fishes into water containers (11%), to spray (50%).
Dengue ; epidemiology

A retrospective study of death cases due to dengue haemorrhagic fever in 19 provinces of Southern Viet Nam in 2000 showed that: most of the death cases were under 15 years of age (93%), mainly children 5-9 years; 81.6% of these cases were in South-West provinces. Almost of death cases were due to the late hospitalization (3-4 days after the onset of disease). The death cases occurred on the first 24 hours and on 3rd-6th day of hospitalization were accounted for 58.1% and 93% respectively. Most of death cases occurred in province hospitals (58.1%) and district hospitals (37.2%).
Dengue ; epidemiology ; death