First Report on Multidrug-Resistant Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Isolates in Children Admitted to Tertiary Hospitals in Vietnam

( Nguyen Thai Son ),( Vu Thi Thu Huong ),( Vu Thi Kim Lien ),( Do Thi Quynh Nga ),( Tran Thi Hai Au ),( Tang Thi Nga ),( Le Nguyen Minh Hoa ),( Tran Quang Binh ) 한국미생물생명공학회(구 한국산업미생물학회) 2019 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.29 No.9

The extensive distribution of multidrug-resistant (MDR) methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) poses a threat to healthcare worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the MDR and molecular patterns of MRSA isolates in children admitted to the two biggest tertiary care pediatric hospitals in northern and southern Vietnam. A total of 168 MRSA strains were collected to determine antibiotic susceptibility by minimum inhibitory concentration tests. Antibiotic-resistant genes, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) typing, and multilocus sequence typing were used for the molecular characterization of MRSA. Among the total strains, the MDR rate (51.8%) was significantly higher in the northern hospital than in the southern hospital (73% vs. 39%, p < 0.0001). The MDR-MRSA with the highest rates were “ciprofloxacin-erythromycin-gentamicin-tetracyclines” (35.6%), followed by “erythromycin-tetracycline-chloramphenicol” (24.1%), and “ciprofloxacin-erythromycin-gentamicin” (19.5%), showing an accumulative total of 79.3%. The most susceptible antibiotics were rifampicin (100%) and vancomycin (100%), followed by doxycycline (94.0%), meropenem (78.0%), and cefotaxime (75.0%). The SCCmecII strains showed greater resistance to gentamicin, ciprofloxacin, tetracycline, meropenem and cephalosporins compared with the other strains. The SCCmecII strains exhibited the highest rate in the tested genes (aacA/aphD: 55.2%, ermA/B/C: 89.7%, and tetK/M: 82.8%). ST5-SCCmecII was the predominant clone in the northern hospital, whereas SCCmecIVa was more pronounced in the southern hospital. In conclusion, our results raised concerns about the predominant MDR-MRSA strains in the pediatric hospitals in Vietnam. The north-south difference in the antibiotic resistance patterns and genetic structure of MRSA suggests different MRSA origins and various uses of antimicrobial agents between the two regions.

Fabrication and Characteristics of Fully-sprayed ZnO/CdS/CuInS2 Solar Cells

Tran Thanh Thai,Nguyen Duc Hieu,Luu Thi Lan Anh,Pham Phi Hung,Vo Thach Son,Vu Thi Bich 한국물리학회 2012 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.61 No.9

This paper reports the successful fabrication of deposited Glass/ZnO/CdS/CuInS₂ solar cells with superstrate structure using Full Spray Pyrolysis Deposition (FSPD). The structure, optical and electrical properties of the constituent layers are investigated. It is observed that the CuInS₂ (CIS) film deposited from starting solution with [Cu]/[In] = 1.1, and Al-doped CuInS₂ (CIAS) film deposited from solution with [Cu]/[In] = 1.0, [Al]/[In] = 0.12, and using sulfurization process exhibited the best crystallites with tetragonal structure. The optical band gap of the CIAS film is obtained as 1.49 eV. Some physical properties of both ZnO, and CdS thin films are also studied. The parameters of the cells obtained are V_OC = 425 mV, J_SC = 14.02 mA/cm², FF = 28.75% and efficiency of 1.71%. The results in our experiment show that FSPD is a potential technique to prepare solar cells based on CIS absorbers in a superstrate structure with low cost and high performance.

The Role of Zn Doping on the Catalytic Activity of the Nanoparticle Perovskite La0.7Sr0.3MnO3

Tran Thi Minh Nguyet,Nguyen Quang Huan,Tran Que Chi,Do The Chan,Nguyen Doan Thai,Nguyen Cong Trang,Luu Tien Hung,Le Van Tiep,Nguyen Van Qui 한국물리학회 2008 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.52 No.5

The nanometer complex oxide La0:7Sr0.3Mn0.6Zn0.₄O₃ was prepared by using a Sol-Gel method with citric acid as a ligand. The in uence of Zn doping of La0.7Sr0.₃MnO₃ on the structure, the morphology, the surface properties and on the catalytic activity of material was studied by using X-ray diraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), a high-resolution images and selected area electron diraction (SAED), physical adsorption and temperature programmed surface reaction (TPSR) methods. The results showed that perovskite La0:7Sr0:3Mn0:6. Zn0.₄O₃ could well catalyse propene oxidation in the temperature range 190 { 280 ℃, which was reduced to 100 { 120 ℃ for catalyst La1-χSrχMnO₃ The nanometer complex oxide La0:7Sr0.3Mn0.6Zn0.₄O₃ was prepared by using a Sol-Gel method with citric acid as a ligand. The in uence of Zn doping of La0.7Sr0.₃MnO₃ on the structure, the morphology, the surface properties and on the catalytic activity of material was studied by using X-ray diraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), a high-resolution images and selected area electron diraction (SAED), physical adsorption and temperature programmed surface reaction (TPSR) methods. The results showed that perovskite La0:7Sr0:3Mn0:6. Zn0.₄O₃ could well catalyse propene oxidation in the temperature range 190 { 280 ℃, which was reduced to 100 { 120 ℃ for catalyst La1-χSrχMnO₃

Self-antibacterial chitosan/Aloe barbadensis Miller hydrogels releasing nitrite for biomedical applications

Thai Thanh Hoang Thi,Binh D.T. Trinh,Phuong Le Thi,Dieu Linh Tran,박기동,Dai Hai Nguyen 한국공업화학회 2021 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.103 No.-

Because of the toxic glutaraldehyde, the chitosan-glutaraldehyde hydrogels are seriously limited inbiomedical applications. In this study, exploiting bioactive compounds of Aloe barbadensis Miller, the chitosan/Aloe barbadensis Miller-glutaraldehyde (CS/AV-GDA) hydrogels were fabricated with 4-fold lowerglutaraldehyde concentration without compromising hydrogel characteristics. The gelation time wascontrolled from a few seconds to several hours. The elastic modulus was varied from 483 to 99940 Pa. The CS/AV-GDA hydrogels could release the natural nitrite amount from 24.0 to 89.6 lM within the firsthour for antibacterial activity, then continuously deliver a few lM every next hour for cell activities. Theantibacterial test against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus revealed that the CS/AV-GDA hydrogelscould kill the planktonic bacteria 5-fold more highly than control and prevent bacteria attachmenton hydrogel surface effectively. Although the CS/AV-GDA hydrogels consumed only 0.25% glutaraldehydeconcentration, their antibacterial capacities were comparable to chitosan-only hydrogels with 2% glutaraldehyde. For cytotoxicity tests, the CS/AV-GDA hydrogels using 0.25% glutaraldehyde concentrationinduce the human dermal fibroblasts proliferation significantly. All CS/AV-GDA hydrogels with glutaraldehydecrosslinker less than 1% showed non-cytotoxicity. As a result, the new CS/AV-GDA hydrogelsmight become an attractive candidate for medicine regeneration and tissue engineering.

Facile synthesis of multifunctional Ag/Fe3O4-CS nanocomposites for antibacterial and hyperthermic applications

Ngoan Thi Nguyen,Dai Lam Tran,Duc Cuong Nguyen,Thai Loc Nguyen,Thi Cham Ba,Binh Hai Nguyen,Thi Duong Ba,Nam Hong Pham,Dzung Tuan Nguyen,Thai Hoa Tran,Gia Dien Pham 한국물리학회 2015 Current Applied Physics Vol.15 No.11

Nanocomposites containing two or more functional constituents are attractive candidates for advanced nanomaterials. In this study, multifunctional Ag/Fe3O4-CS nanocomposites were successfully prepared, using chitosan as a stabilizing and cross-linking agent. The as-synthesized nanocomposites were characterized by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), UVevisible spectrophotometer (UVeVis) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The results demonstrated that Ag/Fe3O4-CS composite nanoparticles (NPs) were composed of parent components, Fe3O4 and Ag NPs, which were uniformly dispersed in the chitosan matrix. The hybrid NPs exhibited strong antibacterial property against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. With high magnetization value (67 emu/g), the synthesized Ag/Fe3O4-CS composite can be easily separated or recycled in potential biomedical applications. Furthermore, the results showed that the multicomponent hybrid nanostructures appeared to be the promising material for local hyperthermia, which can be used as thermoseeds for localized hyperthermia treatment of cancers.

Effects of Compounds from Physalis angulata on Fatty Acid Synthesis and Glucose Metabolism in HepG2 Cells via the AMP-activated Protein Kinase Pathway

Hoang Thai Hoa,Nguyen Thi Thu,Nguyen Thuong Dong,Tran Thi Oanh,Tran Thi Hien,Do Thi Ha 한국생약학회 2020 Natural Product Sciences Vol.26 No.3

The ability of the total extract from Physalis angulata; three fractions after partitioning with n-hexane, ethyl acetate (TBE), and water; and four withanolides (compounds 1 – 4) to phosphorylate 5'-adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) in HepG2 cells was evaluated. The TBE fraction (50 μg/mL) activated p-ACC and p-AMPK expression most strongly. Compounds 1 – 4 (10 μM) upregulated p-ACC expression at different levels. Compound 4 induced the most significant changes in p-AMPK expression, followed by 1 and 2. Sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBPs) play a functional role in the transcriptional regulation of the lipogenic pathway, including fatty acid synthase (FAS) and ACC. The effects of compounds 2 and 4 (10 μM) on FAS and SREBP-1c expression under high glucose conditions (30 mM) in HepG2 cells were evaluated further. Both dose-dependently inhibited FAS and SREBP-1c expression as well as lipid accumulation (1 – 10 μM) were compared to high-concentration glucose control, which upregulated FAS and SREBP-1c. These results suggest that compounds 2 and 4 upregulate AMPK, suppress FAS and SREBP-1c, and have potential effects on glucose and lipid metabolism.

Two new species of Camellia (Theaceae) from Vietnam

Lieu Thi Nguyen,Ninh Tran,Uematsu CHIYOMI,Katayama HIRONORI,Dung Van Luong,Son Thanh Hoang,Ky Danh NGUYEN,Hung Viet NGUYEN,Toan Canh THAI 한국식물분류학회 2018 식물 분류학회지 Vol.48 No.2

Two new species of Camellia (Theaceae) are described from Vietnam: Camellia vuquangensis Luong, Tran & L. T. Nguyen and Camellia hatinhensis Luong, Tran & L. T. Nguyen. The new taxa were col- lected from Vu Quang National Park in the center of Vietnam. The new finds are morphologically dissimilar to all known Camellia species. Recent Camellia discoveries have increased the number of species recorded in Viet- nam from 50 to 75, making Vietnam a center of diversity and a crucial area for more research into the diversity and distributions of Camellia.

One-Pot Preparation of Antibacterial Electrospun Polycaprolactone Membrane Embedded with Gamma Irradiation-Induced Silver Nanoparticles

Chien Minh Tran,Ngoc Thi‑Thanh Nguyen,Minh Hieu Ho,Vinh Khanh Doan,Khanh Loan Ly,Nhi Ngoc‑Thao Dang,Nam Minh‑Phuong Tran,Hoai Thi‑Thu Nguyen,Long Phuoc Truong,Thai Minh Do,Quyen Ngoc Tran,Hien Quoc Ng 한국섬유공학회 2023 Fibers and polymers Vol.24 No.1

In this study, we proposed a straightforward electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL) loaded with silver nanoparticles (SNPs)membrane fabrication process, in which SNPs were directly synthesized from silver nitrate (AgNO3) in PCL–acetone mixtureby gamma irradiation. The insolubility of AgNO3in PCL solution was solved using an auxiliary dimethyl sulfoxide solvent. As a physical approach, gamma rays readily converted silver ions into SNPs without the addition of harmful reductionagents, which reduced the cytotoxicity of the synthesized material. By avoiding some processes such as purification, solventremoval, or redispersion of SNPs, this method was more time-saving compared to other related studies. SNPs formation wasconfirmed by both UV–Visible spectrum (UV–Vis) and X-ray diffraction analysis. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM)revealed that the addition of SNPs significantly reduced the fiber diameter of PCL–Ag membranes compared to that of rawPCL. Uniform spherical-shaped SNPs incorporated in PCL fibers were observed under transmission electron microscopy(TEM). The tensile test showed that the electrospun PCL–Ag membranes exhibited good mechanical characteristics. Moistureeasily penetrated the porous microstructure of PCL–Ag, facilitating wound humidity regulation. Inductively coupledplasma-mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) was employed to study the release profiles of SNPs at different time intervals. Overall,the PCL–Ag 500 ppm sample exerted excellent antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcusaureus strains and low in vitro cytotoxicity.

The Effect of the Ratio of C45 Carbon to Graphene on the Si/C Composite Materials Used as Anode for Lithium-ion Batteries

Hoang Anh Nguyen,Thi Nam Pham,Le Thanh Nguyen Huynh,Tran Ha Trang Nguyen,Viet Hai Le,Nguyen Thai Hoang,Thi Thom Nguyen,Thi Thu Trang Nguyen,Dai Lam Tran,Thi Mai Thanh Dinh The Korean Electrochemical Society 2024 Journal of electrochemical science and technology Vol.15 No.2

Due to its high theoretical capacity, Silicon (Si) has shown great potential as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, the large volume change of Si during cycling leads to poor cycling stability and low Coulombic efficiency. In this study, we synthesized Si/Carbon C45:Graphene composites using a ball-milling method with a fixed Si content (20%) and investigated the influence of the C45/Gr ratio on the electrochemical performance of the composites. The results showed that carbon C45 networks can provide good conductivity, but tend to break at Si locations, resulting in poor conductivity. However, the addition of graphene helps to reconnect the broken C45 networks, improving the conductivity of the composite. Moreover, the C45 can also act as a protective coating around Si particles, reducing the volume expansion of Si during charging/discharging cycles. The Si/C45:Gr (70:10 wt%) composite exhibits improved electrochemical performance with high capacity (~1660 mAh g^-1 at 0.1 C) and cycling stability (~1370 mAh g^-1 after 100 cycles). This work highlights the effective role of carbon C45 and graphene in Si/C composites for enhancing the performance of Si-based anode materials for LIBs.

Consumer Perceptions and Consumer Behavior Toward Bio-Based Products: An Empirical Study in Vietnam

Trong Luan NGUYEN,Ngoc Phu TRAN,Thi Kieu Thu NGUYEN,Thi Cam Tien HUYNH,Thi Kim Loi NGUYEN,Le Phuong Nghi THACH,Gia Nhu THAI,Thi Thanh Sang TRAN 한국유통과학회 2021 The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Busine Vol.8 No.12

Green economy, also known as sustainable economy, is a current development trend in which consumers prefer products that are wholly or partly derived from materials of biological origin since they have become more concerned about their health and the environment in which they live. This study aims to examine consumer behavior toward bio-based products with three key goals in mind. First, it helps to understand the perception of consumers toward Bio-based products. Second, it properly helps consumers be aware of products derived from materials of biological origin so that the consumer can make purchasing decisions to protect their health and contribute to the protection of the environment. Third, the study on consumer behavior towards bio-based products will provide a more accurate view and assessment to companies looking to develop Bio-based products. Based on that, the research is carried out through surveying, collecting data from consumers, and then using the deductive approach, descriptive statistics, and quantitative method analysis. The results demonstrated that a positive relationship and a direct impact are established between the variables of Attitude and Social Norms and the Purchase Intention toward Bio-based products. Furthermore, the findings reveal that customers have positive feelings towards bio-based products in terms of trust, knowledge, and the environment.