BACKGROUND: Acellular tubular artery scaffolds offer structural support for vascular regeneration but are inherently limited by poor anticoagulant properties, which increases the risk of thrombus formation following implantation. This thrombogenicity remains a major obstacle to their clinical application, particularly in small-diameter vascular grafts. METHODS: To address this challenge, the present study investigates the use of the Layer-by-Layer (LbL) assembly technique for heparin immobilization under low-speed rotation. Utilizing a roller tube system, heparin was immobilized onto decellularized scaffolds through electrostatic interactions facilitated by a DHI-based linker. This low-speed rotation LbL approach enhanced the uniformity and stability of heparin deposition compared to traditional static methods. One, 4, 7, 10, 13 deposition cycles were performed to achieve optimal heparin loading, resulting in scaffolds capable of sustained heparin release over 28 days. RESULTS: The heparinized scaffolds exhibited an initial burst release (approximately 80%), followed by a sustained phase with 18.24% ± 0.242 remaining to support prolonged anticoagulant activity. Importantly, the modified scaffolds significantly reduced thrombus formation and exhibited minimal hemolytic activity, indicating improved hemocompatibility. In addition to their antithrombotic properties, the scaffolds also promoted endothelial cell adhesion, which is critical for restoring vascular integrity, regulating vascular tone, and maintaining long-term patency. CONCLUSION These findings highlight the efficacy of roller-assisted LbL heparinization as a practical and scalable strategy to enhance the blood compatibility of acellular vascular grafts. This method holds considerable promise for addressing thrombogenicity in vascular tissue engineering and advancing the clinical translation of bioengineered vascular constructs.

Purpose: Although some immune protection from close contact with individuals who have coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been documented, there is limited data on the seroprevalence of antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in individuals who were in lockdown with confirmed COVID-19 cases. This study investigated immunogenicity against SARS-CoV-2 in household members and people who lived near home-quarantined patients with COVID-19. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted during the community-based care that took place during lockdowns in District 10, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam from July to September 2021. SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels were determined in index cases of COVID-19, household contacts, and a no-contact group from the same area. Results: A total of 770 participants were included (355 index cases, 103 household contacts, and 312 no contacts). All index cases were unvaccinated, but >90% of individuals in the household and no-contact groups had received ≥1 vaccine dose. SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies (Nabs) were present in >77% of unvaccinated index cases versus 64%/65.4% in the householdo-contact groups (p=0.001). Antibody concentrations in unvaccinated index cases were significantly higher than those in household contacts and no contacts, with no difference between the latter groups. In all cases, antibody levels declined markedly ≥6 weeks after infection, and failed to persist beyond this time in the household and no-contact groups. Conclusion Community-based care may have helped to create community immunogenicity, but Nabs did not persist, highlighting a need for vaccination for all individuals before, or from 6 weeks after, infection with SARS-CoV-2.

Backgroud: Phacoemulsification with trifocal intraocular lens helps patients achieve clear vision at all distances, reponding their needs and desires. Therefore, we have studied to evaluate the effectiveness of a trifocal intraocular lens. Objectives: (1) To describe the clinical features of cataract patients. (2) To evaluate the outcomes of cataract treatment by phacoemulsification with a trifocal intraocular lens. Methods: A prospective interventional clinical study was conducted on 80 eyes of 68 cataract patients who underwent phacoemulsification with a trifocal intraocular lens at the Ophthalmology Center, Hue Central Hospital. Results: At the 3-month postoperative period, 65.0% of the operated eyes had distance vision of 20/25 or better, 52.5% had intermediate vision of 20/25 or better, and 57.5% had near vision of 20/25 or better. The patient satisfaction rate was 91.2%. Conclusion: Phacoemulsification with a trifocal intraocular lens provides high effectiveness in terms of visual acuity and patient satisfaction.

Objective: Female sex workers (FSWs) are at high risk of human papillomavirus (HPV) infections and cervical cancer due to their high number of sexual partners. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of HPV and identify risk factors for high-risk HPV infection among FSWs in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), Viet Nam. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Hanoi and HCMC between December 2017 and May 2018. We surveyed and screened 699 FSWs aged ≥18 years for HPV infection and abnormal cytology. A multivariable modified Cox regression model was used to determine risk factors for high-risk HPV infection. Results The overall prevalence of any HPV, high-risk HPV and HPV-16/18 infection in the 699 FSWs was 26.3%, 17.6% and 4.0%, respectively, and were similar in both cities. Multiple infections were identified in 127 participants (69.0%).HPV-52 was the most prevalent (7%), followed by HPV-58 (6%). Abnormal cytology was detected in 91 participants (13.0%). FSWs who are divorced (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR]: 1.96, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01–3.81), widowed (aPR: 3.26, 95% CI: 1.49–7.12) or living alone (aPR: 1.85, 95% CI: 1.01–3.39) were associated with a higher prevalence of high-risk HPV infection.

Objective: To investigate the osteoblastogenic activity of the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extract of Smilax glabra Roxb roots and its major active compound astilbin. Methods: Astilbin was isolated from EtOAc extract using silica gel chromatography combined with fraction crystallization. Chemical structure of astilbin was determined by analysis of the spectroscopic data in comparison with the literature. MTT method was used to detect the toxicity. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was determined by the spectrophotometric method at 405 nm using p-nitrophenyl phosphate as a substrate. Calcium deposition was stained with alizarin red-S, distained with cetylpyridium chloride, and quantified at 562 nm. In silico model for astilbin-ALP interaction was analyzed using AutoDock 4.2.6. The changes in expression of osteoblast differentiation related genes were determined using quantitative real-time PCR. Results: Both the EtOAc extract and astilbin had no toxicity toward osteoblast MC3T3-E1 cells at 5.0, 10, 25, and 50 μg/mL. At 25 μg/ mL, they enhanced ALP activity and mineralization of osteoblasts up to 30% and 55% for the EtOAc extract and 22% and 41% for astilbin, respectively. Molecular docking analysis of astilbin-ALP interaction revealed Arg167, Asp320, His324, and His437 were key residues participating in hydrophobic interaction; meanwhile, His434 and Thr436 residues were involved in hydrogen bond formation in the active site of human tissue-nonspecific ALP. Moreover, the expression level of genes opn, col1, osx, and runx2 were up-regulated in astilbin treated samples with the fold changes as 2.2; 3.7; 4.1; 2.3, respectively at 10 μg/mL (P<0.05). Conclusions: The EtOAc extract and its major compound astilbin exhibit osteoblastogenic activity by up-regulating important markers for bone cell differentiation. It could be a new and promising osteogenic agent with dual actions for therapeutic applications.

Objective To investigate the daily total fluoride intake in relating to the prevalence of skeletal fluorosis in two villages in Jiangsu Province,in order to provide the scientific evidences for the control and prevention of endemic fluorosis.Methods Adults sampled from a high-fluoride Village,Wamiao,and a low-fluoride Village,Xinhuai,were surveyed in this study according to the fluoride concentration in their household shallow well.The average daily total fluoride intake from difierent sources and the skeletal fluorosis were investigated in each subject.Then the subjects from two villages were allocated into five subgroups(＜2.00,2.00～,3.00～,4.00～,≥5.00 mg/d),the relation fluoride intake and prevalence of osteofluorosis was analyzed.Results The prevalence of skeletal fluorosis in Wamiao Village was 31.06%(41/132),but no skeletal fluorosis case(0/35)was found in Xinhuai Village.According to the daily total fluoride intake,subjects with higher daily total fluoride intake tended to associated with a higher prevalence of skeletal fluorosis in a significant dose-response relationship(regression equation:y=2.624-6.855x+3.424x2:r=0.997).The benchmark dose lower limitation of daily total fluoride intake with 95% confidencewas 2.50 mg/d calculated according to this dose-response relationship,the reference dose(RfD)was 2.50 mg/d.In Wamiao Village a significant difference was also found between daily total fluoride intake in 41 subjects[(5.09±1.20)mg/d]with X-ray detectable skeletal fluorosis and in 91 subjects[(3.08±1.12)mg/d]without X-ray detectable skeletal fluorosis(t=-9.32,P＜0.01).Conclusions These findings indicate that the daily total fluoride intake has a significant dose-response relationship with the prevalence of skeletal fluorosis in an endemic fluorosis area associated with high-fluoride drinking water;and the RfD in this study was lower than that in the national standard of"Chinese hygienic standard for daily total fluoride intake(WS/T 87-1996)"(3.50 mg/d).