Using Online Respondent Driven Sampling for Vietnamese Youths’ Alcohol Use and Associated Risk Factors

Melvyn WB Zhang,Bach Xuan Tran,Huong Lan Thi Nguyen,Huong Thi Le,Nguyen Hoang Long,Huong Thi Le,Nguyen Duc Hinh,Tran Dinh Tho,Bao Nguyen Le,Vu Thi Minh Thuc,Chau Ngo,Nguyen Huu Tu,Carl A. Latkin,Roger 대한의료정보학회 2017 Healthcare Informatics Research Vol.23 No.2

Objectives: The average alcohol consumption per capita among Vietnamese adults has consistently increased. Although alcoholrelated disorders have been extensively studied, there is a paucity of research shedding light on this issue among Internet users. The study aimed to examine the severity of alcohol-related disorders and other associated factors that might predispose individuals towards alcohol usage in a sample of youths recruited online. Methods: An online cross-sectional study was conducted with 1,080 Vietnamese youths. A standardized questionnaire was used. Respondent-driven sampling was applied to recruit participants. Multivariate logistic and Tobit regressions were utilized to identify the associated factors. Results: About 59.5% of the males and 12.7% of the total youths declared that they were actively using alcohol. From the total sample, a cumulative total of 32.3% of the participants were drinking alcohol, with 21.8% and 25.0% of the participants being classified as drinking hazardously and binge drinkers, respectively. The majority of the participants (60.7%) were in the pre-contemplative stage. Conclusions: A high prevalence of hazardous drinking was recognized among online Vietnamese youths. In addition, we found relationships between alcohol use disorder and other addictive disorders, such as tobacco smoking and water-pipe usage. Our results highlighted that the majority of the individuals are not receptive to the idea of changing their alcohol habits, and this would imply that there ought to be more government effort towards the implementation of effective alcohol control policies.

Environmental-friendly method for preparing CoFe2O4 coated biopolymer extracted from dragon fruit peel: Characterization and application as nanocomposite adsorbent for removal of As(III) pollutants from aqueous solution

Lan Huong Nguyen,Van Son Le,Luu Dung Tran,Nam Van Thai,Ho Thi Ngoc Tram,Bui Quang Minh,Van Huy Nguyen 한국공업화학회 2023 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.118 No.-

This study successfully developed a low-cost adsorbent from compositing between magnetic nanoparticle(CoFe2O4) and dragon fruit peel-derived biopolymer (DFP-BP) and applied it to remove arsenite (As(III)) from contaminated water. The batch experiments were designed to study the influence of operationalparameters on As(III) adsorption by nanocomposite (CoFe2O4@DFP-BP). With mapping analysis,the synthesized CoFe2O4@DFP-BP was characterized using SBET, SEM, FTIR, XRD, and EDS mapping. TheAs(III) adsorption mechanism was discussed based on material property data and isotherm and kineticanalysis. The result suggests that 5% is the best modification ratio on the CoFe2O4@DFP-BP for As(III)adsorption. The highest adsorption capacity of As(III) under the optimal conditions of pH 7, adsorbentdosage of 1.6 g/L, initial As(III) concentration of 2000 lg/L and the best described by the Sips modelwas 1922.7 lg/g. The adsorption kinetic followed pseudo-second-order, proving As(III) adsorption processcontrolled by chemisorption. The primary reaction pathway of As(III) adsorption on theCoFe2O4@DFP-BP5 was inner-sphere complexation through exchange between the nanoadsorbent’s surfaceand As(III) ions via oxygen-containing functional (carboxyl and hydroxyl) groups. The CoFe2O4 magneticnanoparticles coated by biopolymer overcame drawbacks, including low stability and mechanicalstrength of biopolymer and agglomerate trend of magnetic nanoparticles. The adsorption process washighly reversible and accessible in the separation of nanoadsorbent after adsorption by the magnet. Therefore, the nanocomposite formed from solid waste has excellent potential as a material for removingAs, contributing to sustainable development and feasibility in practical application.

Synthesis, bioevaluation and docking study of 5-substitutedphenyl-1,3,4-thiadiazole-based hydroxamic acids as histone deacetylase inhibitors and antitumor agents

Nam, Nguyen-Hai,Huong, Tran Lan,Dung, Do Thi Mai,Dung, Phan Thi Phuong,Oanh, Dao Thi Kim,Park, Sang Ho,Kim, Kyungrok,Han, Byung Woo,Yun, Jieun,Kang, Jong Soon,Kim, Youngsoo,Han, Sang-Bae Informa UK Ltd. 2014 Journal of enzyme inhibition and medicinal chemist Vol.29 No.5

<P>Since the first histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor (Zolinza®, widely known as suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid; SAHA) was approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of T-cell lymphoma in 2006, the search for newer HDAC inhibitors has attracted a great deal of interest of medicinal chemists worldwide. As a continuity of our ongoing research in this area, we designed and synthesized a series of 5-substitutedphenyl-1,3,4-thiadiazole-based hydroxamic acids as analogues of SAHA and evaluated their biological activities. A number of compounds in this series, for example, <I>N<SUP>1</SUP></I>-hydroxy-<I>N</I><SUP>8</SUP>-(5-(2-chlorophenyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)octandiamide (<B>5b</B>), <I>N<SUP>1</SUP></I>-hydroxy-<I>N</I><SUP>8</SUP>-(5-(3-chlorophenyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)octandiamide (<B>5c</B>) and <I>N<SUP>1</SUP></I>-hydroxy-<I>N</I><SUP>8</SUP>-(5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)octandiamide (<B>5d</B>), were found to possess potent anticancer cytotoxicity and HDAC inhibition effects. Compounds <B>5b</B>-<B>d</B> were generally two- to five-fold more potent in terms of cytotoxicity compared to SAHA against five cancer cell lines tested. Docking studies revealed that these hydroxamic acid displayed higher affinities than SAHA toward HDAC8.</P>

Regulation of expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 by JNK in Raw 264.7 cells: presence of inhibitory factor(s) suppressing MMP-9 induction in serum and conditioned media

Yun-Song Lee,Huong Thi Lan Tran,Quang Van Ta 생화학분자생물학회 2009 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.41 No.4

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) secreted from macrophages plays an important role in tissue destruction and inflammation through degradation of matrix proteins and proteolytic activation of cytokines/ chemokines. Whereas the MEK-ERK and PI3KAkt pathways up-regulate MMP-9 expression, regulation of MMP-9 by JNK remains controversial. Presently, we aimed to determine the role of JNK in MMP-9 regulation in Raw 264.7 cells. Inhibition of JNK by the JNK inhibitor SP600125 induced MMP-9 in the absence of serum and suppressed the expression of TNF-α, IL-6 and cyclooxygenase-2 in LPS-treated Raw 264.7 cells. In a knockdown experiment with small interfering RNA, suppression of JNK1 induced MMP-9 expression. Interestingly, mouse serum suppressed SP600125- mediated MMP-9 induction, similar to IFN-γ. However, the inhibitory activity of mouse serum was not affected by pyridone 6, which inhibits Janus kinase downstream to IFN-γ. In addition to mouse serum, conditioned media of Raw 264.7 cells contained the inhibitory factor(s) larger than 10 kDa, which suppressed SP600125- or LPS-induced MMP-9 expression. Taken together, these data suggest that JNK1 suppresses MMP-9 expression in the absence of serum. In addition, the inhibitory factor(s) present in serum or secreted from macrophages may negatively control MMP-9 expression. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) secreted from macrophages plays an important role in tissue destruction and inflammation through degradation of matrix proteins and proteolytic activation of cytokines/ chemokines. Whereas the MEK-ERK and PI3KAkt pathways up-regulate MMP-9 expression, regulation of MMP-9 by JNK remains controversial. Presently, we aimed to determine the role of JNK in MMP-9 regulation in Raw 264.7 cells. Inhibition of JNK by the JNK inhibitor SP600125 induced MMP-9 in the absence of serum and suppressed the expression of TNF-α, IL-6 and cyclooxygenase-2 in LPS-treated Raw 264.7 cells. In a knockdown experiment with small interfering RNA, suppression of JNK1 induced MMP-9 expression. Interestingly, mouse serum suppressed SP600125- mediated MMP-9 induction, similar to IFN-γ. However, the inhibitory activity of mouse serum was not affected by pyridone 6, which inhibits Janus kinase downstream to IFN-γ. In addition to mouse serum, conditioned media of Raw 264.7 cells contained the inhibitory factor(s) larger than 10 kDa, which suppressed SP600125- or LPS-induced MMP-9 expression. Taken together, these data suggest that JNK1 suppresses MMP-9 expression in the absence of serum. In addition, the inhibitory factor(s) present in serum or secreted from macrophages may negatively control MMP-9 expression.

Importance of Lecturer's Role in Management Education

TRINH Viet Xuan,NGUYEN Duyen Thi Kim,NGUYEN Dat Ngoc,TRAN Loc Xuan,PHAM Huong Thi Lan 한국유통과학회 2024 유통과학연구 Vol.22 No.1

Purpose: This study is undertaken from the standpoint of student-centered learning and theoretical paradigms that have developed in the business world and display conceptual affinities: the transfer of knowledge and training. Research design, data and methodology: Utilizing questionnaire surveys and multivariate data analysis are two research methodologies (CFA, SEM). Around 201 undergraduate students who were studying in Vietnam provided the data. Results: The results show importance of the faculty role in students’ knowledge acquisition. The findings show that Ability to form a good relationship positively influences the development of competence. Additionally, neither ability to develop a good relationship nor learning drive or knowledge acquisition are significantly correlated with one another. The growth of competencies is positively impacted by the suitability of teaching approaches. Knowledge acquisition is favorably impacted by learning motivation, and knowledge acquisition in turn is positively impacted by competence development. Conclusions: Research has shown the important role of lecturers in students' knowledge acquisition. From this result, some implications related to lecturers are also given to help improve students' ability to acquire knowledge. Building good relationships with students (ready to answer questions, positive relationships) and good expertise will help increase learning motivation, ability to acquire knowledge as well as improve development for students.

Reaction Kinetics of Substrate Transglycosylation Catalyzed by TreX of <i>Sulfolobus solfataricus</i> and Effects on Glycogen Breakdown

Nguyen, Dang Hai Dang,Park, Jong-Tae,Shim, Jae-Hoon,Tran, Phuong Lan,Oktavina, Ershita Fitria,Nguyen, Thi Lan Huong,Lee, Sung-Jae,Park, Cheon-Seok,Li, Dan,Park, Sung-Hoon,Stapleton, David,Lee, Jin-Sil American Society for Microbiology 2014 Journal of Bacteriology Vol.196 No.11

<P>We studied the activity of a debranching enzyme (TreX) from <I>Sulfolobus solfataricus</I> on glycogen-mimic substrates, branched maltotetraosyl-β-cyclodextrin (Glc<SUB>4</SUB>-β-CD), and natural glycogen to better understand substrate transglycosylation and the effect thereof on glycogen debranching in microorganisms. The validation test of Glc<SUB>4</SUB>-β-CD as a glycogen mimic substrate showed that it followed the breakdown process of the well-known yeast and rat liver extract. TreX catalyzed both hydrolysis of α-1,6-glycosidic linkages and transglycosylation at relatively high (>0.5 mM) substrate concentrations. TreX transferred maltotetraosyl moieties from the donor substrate to acceptor molecules, resulting in the formation of two positional isomers of dimaltotetraosyl-α-1,6-β-cyclodextrin [(Glc<SUB>4</SUB>)<SUB>2</SUB>-β-CD]; these were 6<SUP>1</SUP>,6<SUP>3</SUP>- and 6<SUP>1</SUP>,6<SUP>4</SUP>-dimaltotetraosyl-α-1,6-β-CD. Use of a modified Michaelis-Menten equation to study substrate transglycosylation revealed that the <I>k</I><SUB>cat</SUB> and <I>K<SUB>m</SUB></I> values for transglycosylation were 1.78 × 10<SUP>3</SUP> s<SUP>−1</SUP> and 3.30 mM, respectively, whereas the values for hydrolysis were 2.57 × 10<SUP>3</SUP> s<SUP>−1</SUP> and 0.206 mM, respectively. Also, enzyme catalytic efficiency (the <I>k</I><SUB>cat</SUB>/<I>K<SUB>m</SUB></I> ratio) increased as the degree of polymerization of branch chains rose. In the model reaction system of <I>Escherichia coli</I>, glucose-1-phosphate production from glycogen by the glycogen phosphorylase was elevated ∼1.45-fold in the presence of TreX compared to that produced in the absence of TreX. The results suggest that outward shifting of glycogen branch chains via transglycosylation increases the number of exposed chains susceptible to phosphorylase action. We developed a model of the glycogen breakdown process featuring both hydrolysis and transglycosylation catalyzed by the debranching enzyme.</P>

Flavor Characteristics of Rice-grape Wine with Starch-hydrolyzing Enzymes

Hwan-Ung Yong,이태수,김재식,백형희,노봉수,이성준,박종태,심재훈,Dan Li,홍인희,Dang Hai Dang Nguyen,Phuong Lan Tran,Thi Lan Huong Nguyen,Ershita Fitria Oktavina,김정완,강희권,박관화 한국식품과학회 2013 Food Science and Biotechnology Vol.22 No.4

A brewing process for rice-grape wine, in which rice powder and grapes are concurrently fermented,was developed. Rice powder was mixed with α-glucosidase,glucose isomerase, and yeast, and then incubated for 2 days at 25oC. Then a mixture of ‘Muscat Baily A’ and ‘Campbell Early’ grape must was added to the fermented mixture of rice and maintained at 4oC to allow for complete ethanol fermentation. The rice-grape wine contained 11.6% ethanol,compared to 9.6% ethanol for grape wine. The aroma profile revealed that 2-methyl-1-propanol, 2-methyl propyl acetate, and phenethyl acetate were in greater abundance in the rice-grape wine, whereas ethyl hexanoate, diethyl succinate, and ethyl decanoate were more abundant in the grape wine. The esters formed from fatty acids and ethanol increased during 2 years of storage for both wines. An electronic nose analysis revealed no significant difference in the aromas of the rice-grape and grape wine samples.