Search Results (127)

Hybridization between domestic pigs and wild boars of unknown origins has disrupted the precious gene pool of Vietnamese wild boar (Sus scrofa) populations in the Central Highlands. However, the genetic background of Vietnamese wild boars remains largely unknown. This study describes the complete mitochondrial genome of the Vietnamese Central Highland wild boar, a circular molecule comprising 16,581 base pairs (bp). The mitogenome contains 37 genes, which encode for 2 ribosomal RNAs, 22 transfer RNAs, and 13 mitochondrial proteins. It has a conserved gene order, gene orientation, and similar nucleotide composition indexes to other boars and pig breeds across the world. Notably, 232 nucleotide substitutions were detected when comparing this genome with 19 previously described Sus scrofa genomes. Partial cytochrome b gene analysis revealed the distribution of Asian haplotypes in the Vietnamese Central Highland Sus scrofa. A phylogenetic tree constructed from 32 Sus scrofa’s whole mitogenome sequences demonstrated the close relationship between Vietnamese wild boars and domestic pig breeds. The study provides additional insights into the genetics of Vietnamese wild boars, paving the way for future research in conservation, evolution, and breeding of Vietnamese wild boar populations. Full article

Modern network infrastructures have significantly improved global connectivity while simultaneously escalating network security challenges as sophisticated cyberattacks increasingly target vital systems. Intrusion Detection Systems (IDSs) play a crucial role in identifying and mitigating these threats, and recent advances in machine-learning-based IDSs have shown promise in detecting evolving attack patterns. Notably, IDSs employing Graph Neural Networks (GNNs) have proven effective at modeling the dynamics of network traffic and internal interactions. However, these systems suffer from Catastrophic Forgetting (CF), where the incorporation of new attack patterns leads to the loss of previously acquired knowledge. This limits their adaptability and effectiveness in evolving network environments. In this study, we introduce the Elastic Graph Neural Network for Intrusion Detection Systems (EL-GNNs), a novel approach designed to enhance the continual learning (CL) capabilities of GNN-based IDSs. This approach enhances the performance of the GNN-based Intrusion Detection System (IDS) by significantly improving its capability to preserve previously learned knowledge from past cyber threats while simultaneously enabling it to effectively adapt and respond to newly emerging attack patterns in dynamic and evolving network environments. Experimental evaluations on trusted datasets across multiple task scenarios demonstrate that our method outperforms existing approaches in terms of accuracy and F1-score, effectively addressing CF and enhancing adaptability in detecting new network attacks. Full article

Objectives: This study aims to describe the clinical features and genetic findings of nine Vietnamese patients with autosomal recessive bestrophinopathy. Methods: This retrospective and cross-sectional study included individuals diagnosed with autosomal recessive bestrophinopathy at the Eye Clinic, Vietnam National Geriatric Hospital between May 2024 and April 2025. The patients underwent a visual acuity assessment, retinal multimodal imaging, and molecular testing through BEST1 gene sequencing. Results: Nine patients from seven unrelated families were included. The mean age was 38.6 years (range: 14.1–79.6). Visual acuity ranged from 20/20 to 20/125. All patients showed vitelliform lesions, subretinal deposits, and both intraretinal and subretinal fluid. Other main features included diffuse macular hyperfluorescence and hyperopia. Less common clinical features encompassed glaucoma, retinoschisis, outer retinal thinning, serous retinal detachment, retinal thickening, and thinning of the retinal pigment epithelium. Compound heterozygous or homozygous variants were detected in all patients. Among the five identified BEST1 variants, the most frequent were p.(A195V) and p.(R200*). One novel variant, p.(K289*), was detected. Conclusions: The main clinical retinal features of nine Vietnamese patients with autosomal recessive bestrophinopathy included vitelliform lesions, subretinal deposits, retinal fluid, and diffuse macular hyperfluorescence. The most common variants were p.(A195V) and p.(R200*). Additionally, the identification of various compound heterozygotes and a novel BEST1 variant expands the mutation spectrum of the disease. Full article

Spondylocostal dysostosis (SCDO) is a group of rare genetic disorders characterized by segmental vertebral defects and rib deformities due to congenital misalignment, fusion, or reduction in the number of ribs. The causes of the disease have been found in seven genes, including DLL3 (SCDO1, OMIM 602768), MESP2 (SCDO2, OMIM 608681), LFNG (SCDO3, OMIM 609813), HES7 (SCDO4, OMIM 608059), TBX6 (SCDO5, OMIM 602427), RIPPLY2 (SCDO6, OMIM 616566), and DLL1 (SCDO7). Among these, SCDO4, characterized by a short trunk, short neck, and mild nonprogressive scoliosis, is a rare form of reported cases. SCDO4 is identified as caused by homozygous or compound heterozygous variants in the HES7 gene (NM_001165967.2; NP_001159439.1). This study reports a novel homozygous HES7 splice variant (c.43-9T>A) detected in an SCDO4 patient by whole-exome sequencing and confirmed by Sanger sequencing. This variant was evaluated as an acceptor loss variant in intron 1 in the HES7 transcript by in silico analysis and was inherited from the patient’s parent. This study also reviews previous reports to provide a comprehensive overview of SCDO and help us to understand the pathogenesis to develop future treatment strategies. Full article

Digital transformation (DT) has become a crucial driver of competitiveness in the shipping industry. However, many small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) encounter barriers that result in digital transformation dead zones (DTDZs), where digital initiatives stagnate or fail to achieve the expected outcomes. This study investigates the key factors contributing to digital stagnation specifically within Vietnamese shipping SMEs, adopting the lens of the dynamic capabilities theory (DCT)—a framework that emphasizes firms’ abilities to sense opportunities, seize them, and reconfigure resources to maintain competitiveness in rapidly evolving environments. The DCT provides a dynamic and process-oriented perspective on how organizations adapt to technological change by building flexible and integrative capabilities. Based on quantitative data collected from 588 respondents across the Vietnamese shipping sector, the study employed structural equation modeling (SEM) to empirically assess the relationships among critical digital transformation variables. The findings reveal that inadequate sensing capabilities and a lack of data analytics are the most significant barriers, limiting firms’ ability to identify and act on digital opportunities. Additionally, limited ecosystem collaboration and supply chain fragmentation further exacerbate digital inertia. While poor reconfiguration capabilities and weak seizing capabilities also contribute to digital stagnation, their effects are comparatively weaker. The study offers theoretical contributions by extending the DCT, the resource-based view (RBV), and the ecosystem theory to the maritime sector, emphasizing the interplay between organizational, technological, and external barriers. Practical implications highlight the need for strategic investments in data analytics, ecosystem collaboration, and adaptive leadership to overcome digital stagnation. Full article

Highly dispersion antimony-doped tin oxide (ATO) nanoparticles were synthesized using a (220 °C, 2 L autoclave, medium scale) one-step hydrothermal method with Na₂SnO₃ and KSb(OH)₆ as precursors without a post-sintering process. The particle size reduces to a few nanometers with the increase in Sb content. The resulting various Sb-doping content ATO nanoparticles were coated onto a Ti foil substrate as an electrode for further electrochemical evaluation. The findings demonstrate that the prepared 30% Sb-doped ATO nanoparticles serve as a high-conductivity electrode material with excellent reversibility, substantial specific capacitance, and superior capacitance retention. The 30% ATO electrode exhibits the highest specific capacitance of 343.2 F g⁻¹ at a current density of 1 A g⁻¹ and maintains 93% of its capacitance after the first 10 charge/discharge cycles. The results indicate that ATO materials prepared by the hydrothermal method are promising candidates for supercapacitor electrodes. Full article

This study addresses the challenges of high-power consumption and complexity in conventional infrared (IR) gas sensors by integrating metamaterials and gold coatings into IR radiation sources to reduce radiation loss. In addition, emitter design optimization and material selection were employed to minimize conduction loss. Our metasurface exhibited superior performance, achieving a narrower full width at half maximum at 4197 and 3950 nm, resulting in more confined emission spectral ranges. This focused emission reduced energy waste at unnecessary wavelengths, improving efficiency compared to traditional blackbody emitters. At 300 °C, the device consumed only 6.8 mW, while maintaining temperature uniformity and a fast response time. This enhancement is promising for the operation of such sensors in IoT networks with ultra-low power consumption and at suitably low costs for widespread demands in high-technology farming. Full article

Hypopituitarism is a condition characterized by the deficiency of several hormones produced by the pituitary gland. Genetic factors play an important role. Variants in the POU1F1 gene are associated with combined pituitary hormone deficiency 1 (CPHD1), which manifests as deficiencies in growth hormone (GH), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and prolactin (PRL). This study aimed to analyze the phenotype, genotype, treatment, and outcomes of Vietnamese patients with deficiency. Six patients from five unrelated families, initially diagnosed with hypopituitarism, were enrolled in this study. Data on physical characteristics, biochemical tests, treatment, outcomes, and follow-up were collected. Exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing were conducted to identify disease-causing variants in five probands and their families. All six patients exhibited anterior pituitary hypoplasia on brain magnetic resonance imaging and presented with TSH, GH, and PRL deficiencies. Exome sequencing identified three variants in the POU1F1 gene: c.428G>A p.(Arg143Gln), c.557T>G p.(Leu186Arg), and c.811C>T p.(Arg271Trp). The c.811C>T p.(Arg271Trp) variant was found in three patients, while c.557T>G p.(Leu186Arg) is a novel variant. Based on the ACMG classification, these variants were categorized as likely pathogenic or pathogenic variants. All patients were definitively diagnosed with CPHD1 caused by POU1F1 variants. All patients received levothyroxine and recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) replacement therapy, leading to considerable growth. During the first year of treatment, all patients showed excellent growth response, with height increases ranging from 11 to 24 cm. After three years of treatment, two patients achieved normal height. One of the six patients developed scoliosis during treatment, which resolved after a one-year pause in rhGH therapy. Upon resuming treatment, no recurrence of scoliosis was observed. Our findings reveal the importance of early hormone testing and genetic analysis in improving the care and outcomes for patients with combined pituitary hormone deficiency. Full article

This study aimed to assess the recovery capability of Chang liver cells (CCL-13) following simulated microgravity (SMG) induction. CCL-13 cells were cultured under SMG conditions for 72 h, and control group cells were cultured under 1G conditions for an identical duration. Cells from the SMG and control groups were further cultured under 1G conditions and assessed after 24 h and 72 h intervals in the gravity recovery experiment. The WST1 results indicated that CCL-13 proliferation was more evident in the control group than in the SMG group after both the 24 h and 72 h intervals. The control group had a lower percentage of CCL-13 cells in the G0/G1 phase compared with the SMG group at both time points, and it exhibited a higher total percentage of cells in the S and G2/M phases. The control group exhibited elevated levels of cell-cycle-related proteins, including cyclin A, cyclin D, and cdk6, compared with the SMG group. The flow cytometry results revealed that the apoptotic rate in the control group was significantly lower than that in the SMG group at both the 24 h and 72 h time points. However, the apoptotic percentage in the SMG group at the 72-h mark was significantly lower than that at the 24-h mark. SMG reduces the viability and proliferation ability of CCL-13 cells. After a period of recovery and adaptation to normal gravity conditions (1G), the CCL-13 cells in the SMG group showed better signs of recovery after 72 h than after 24 h. Full article

Background: Cardiomyopathy, including dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), is a major cause of heart failure (HF) and a leading indication for heart transplantation. Of these patients, 20–50% have a genetic cause, so understanding the genetic basis of cardiomyopathy will provide knowledge about the pathogenesis of the disease for diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and genetic counseling for families. Methods: This study collected nine patients from different Vietnamese families for genetic analysis at The Cardiovascular Center, E Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam. The patients were diagnosed with cardiomyopathy based on clinical symptoms. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was performed in the Vietnamese patients to identify variants associated with cardiomyopathy, and the Sanger sequencing method was used to validate the variants in the patients’ families. The influence of the variants was predicted using in silico analysis tools. Results: Nine heterozygous variants were detected as a cause of disease in the patients, three of which were novel variants, including c.284C>G, p.Pro95Arg in the MYL2 gene, c.2356A>G, p.Thr786Ala in the MYH7 gene, and c.1223T>A, p.Leu408Gln in the DES gene. Two other variants were pathogenic variants (c.602T>C, p.Ile201Thr in the MYH7 gene and c.1391G>C, p.Gly464Ala in the PTPN11 gene), and four were variants of uncertain significance in the ACTA2, ANK2, MYOZ2, and PRKAG2 genes. The results of the in silico prediction software showed that the identified variants were pathogenic and responsible for the patients’ DCM. Conclusions: Our results contribute to the understanding of cardiomyopathy pathogenesis and provide a basis for diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and genetic counseling. Full article

Fungal endophytes colonizing plant tissues are considered a reservoir of secondary metabolites that exhibit diverse bioactivities applicable in biomedicine. This study aims to reveal for the first time endophytic fungi associated with Keteleeria evelyniana as a potential source of bioactive compounds. A total of 24 fungal endophytes were successfully isolated from K. evelyniana and classified into 10 genera: Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium, Xylaria, Talaromyces, Nodulisporium, Apiospora, Neopestalotiopsis, Diaporthe, and Hypoxylon. Screening for antimicrobial activity revealed that 8 out of 24 ethyl acetate extracts inhibited antimicrobial activity against at least one tested pathogen. Among them, Xylaria sp. KET18 showed the most potent antimicrobial activity with inhibition diameters ranging from 16.5 to 21.5 mm. In addition, the KET18 extract showed the most significant cytotoxic effects against A549 (IC₅₀ = 18.8 ± 3.1 µg/mL) and MCF7 cell lines (IC₅₀ = 24.1 ± 2.5 µg/mL). The KET18 extract showed moderate antioxidant activity against hydroxyl and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radicals. The chemical characterization and structural elucidation indicated the presence of four bioactive compounds that have not been found in fungi, including methyl pyroglutamate, prunetin, macrolactin A, and macrolactin F. These findings demonstrated that K. evelyniana is a host of endophytic fungi with antimicrobial, anticancer, and antioxidant potential. Full article

Enhancing the efficiency is an essential target of the wireless power transfer (WPT) technology. Enabling the WPT systems requires careful control to prevent power from being transferred to unintended areas. This is essential in improving the efficiency and minimizing the flux leakage that might otherwise occur. Selective field localization can effectively reduce the flux leakage from the WPT systems. In this work, we propose a method using a digital honeycomb metamaterial structure that has a property operation as a function of switching between 0 and 1 states. These cavities were created by strongly confining the field by using a hybridization bandgap that arose from wave interaction with a two-dimensional array of local resonators on the metasurface. A WPT efficiency of 64% at 13.56 MHz was achieved by using the metamaterial and improved to 60% compared to the system without the metamaterial with an area ratio of Rx:Tx~1:28. Rx is the receiver coil, and Tx is the transmitter one. Full article

Background/Objectives: Adipophilin (ADP) is a protein associated with lipid droplets, and its expression is related to poor prognosis in certain cancers. However, its impact on the survival of patients with colorectal liver metastases (CRLMs) remains unclear. This study investigated the impact of ADP expression on long-term survival following hepatectomy in patients with CRLM. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 102 consecutive patients who underwent hepatectomy between 2006 and 2022. ADP expression was examined in resected specimens through immunohistochemical staining using tissue microarrays. Long-term outcomes for ADP-positive (n = 51) and ADP-negative (n = 51) groups were compared with Kaplan–Meier survival analysis. Results: We found significantly decreased 5-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) rates for ADP-positive patients relative to ADP-negative patients (29.4% versus 52.1%, respectively; p = 0.001 and 43.7% versus 72.2%, respectively; p = 0.003). Moreover, multivariate Cox hazards analysis demonstrated that patients with ADP-positive CRLM had a worse prognosis after hepatectomy than those with ADP-negative CRLM, as reflected by both RFS (HR 2.46, 95% CI 1.39–4.36, p = 0.002) and OS (HR: 2.89, 95% CI 1.43–5.85, p = 0.003). Conclusions: ADP expression had a significant prognostic impact on the survival of patients with CRLM following liver resection and may aid in optimal treatment planning. Full article

Growing concerns about food safety and waste have increased consumer demand for high-quality agricultural products, particularly at the postharvest stage. This demand has prompted the development of non-destructive methods to assess or inspect the internal quality of fruits and vegetables. The backscattering imaging technique, also known as diffuse reflectance imaging, is considered a highly promising approach. Numerous studies have focused on practical applications, using laser light at selected wavelengths to develop quick multispectral methods. Due to the rapid interaction of photons with biological tissue, together with the highly computational performance of machine vision, backscattering imaging can offer a valuable alternative to traditional methods. Its primary benefits include quick measurements without chemical sample preparation, easy integration with high-throughput automatic quality control, and reduced waste, since this non-destructive technique does not damage samples. This review presents a comprehensive overview of backscattering imaging, including the measurement geometry, data analysis, and design considerations for vision systems. Additionally, it explores this technique’s advantages, challenges, and accuracy, as demonstrated using various case studies. Full article

The grey-shanked douc langur (Pygathrix cinerea) is a recently described, critically endangered primate, endemic to Vietnam. In this study, we describe the Central Highland species’ complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome—mtDNA). It is a circular molecule with a length of 16,541 base pairs (bp). The genome consists of 37 genes, consistent with those found in most other vertebrates, including 13 protein coding genes, 22 transfer RNAs, and two ribosomal RNAs. A comparison with the mitogenomes of more than 50 primates showed that the mitogenome of Vietnamese Central Highland Pygathrix cinerea has a conservative gene order. We identified 43 nucleotide differences when comparing this genome with a previously published mitogenome of Pygathrix cinerea. It is evident that there are distinct differences between the Pygathrix cinerea we are currently studying and other Pygathrix cinerea specimens. These differences are unlikely to be solely the result of sequencing errors, as the mitogenomes were generated using high-quality methods. The genetic divergence observed between the two Pygathrix cinerea mitogenomes implies the potential existence of at least two distinct lineages or forms of this primate species within its native range in Vietnam. Full article