This research aimed to estimate the effects of capital, labor and random components on cooperative revenue in localities of the Mekong delta region using the Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition method. The study used statistical panel data on revenue, number of employees and capital of cooperatives during the period 2015 - 2022 in 13 different provinces in the Mekong delta. The study employed Fixed Effects Model (FEM) regression using the Least Squares Dummy Variable (LSSV) approach and Random Effects Model (REM) with an Error Correction Model (ECM) specification to estimate the regression coefficients based on an extended Cobb-Douglas production function. Subsequently, the Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition method was applied to assess the impact of locational differences within the Mekong delta on the revenue of cooperatives. This impact was decomposed into two components: (1) the explained differences between the two groups attributable to labor and capital, and (2) the unexplained component or discrimination.

Determining the optimal type and concentration of antibiotics to be added to the in vitro rooting medium for Vinh Linh black pepper plants is currently an important issue. This will enhance the breeding efficiency and meet the quality and quantity demands for seedlings in the market. The study aimed to determine the effectiveness of three antibiotics Ampicillin, Cefotaxime and Gentamicin on endophytic bacteria isolated from black pepper stem nodes and to determine the appropriate antibiotic concentration to control endophytic bacteria growing duringin vitrocuttings of Vinh Linh black pepper plants. The study included two experiments: the experiment 1 was to determine the effectiveness of antibiotics and antibiotic concentrations against endophytic bacteria isolated from black pepper stem segments and the experiment 2 was to determine the appropriate antibiotics and antibiotic concentrations to prevent endophytic bacteria growing from in vitro black pepper stem segments. Each experiment had 2 factors arranged according to a completely randomized design with 3 repetitions. The results showed that for endophytic bacteria in the stem nodes of Vinh Linh black pepper after being isolated, the antibiotic concentration used was 20 mg/L of all 3 tested antibiotics, which allowed inhibition of colony formation. Meanwhile, the use of Gentamicin antibiotic at a concentration of 40 mg/L gave the best disinfection effect. Under this disinfection condition, the highest survival rate was 89%. The shoot height of Vinh Linh black pepper was highest, reaching 20 mm.

Rice (Oryza sativa) is a crucial staple crop in Vietnam, and plant-parasitic nematodes are of increasing concern due to their negative impacts. This study aimed to identify the nematode species parasitizing rice (Dai Thom 8) in several cultivation areas of Soc Trang province. The results showed that four genera including Meloidogyne, Hirschmanniella, Tylenchorhynchus, and Tylenchus were detected. Based on morphological characteristics and morphometrics, seven nematode species were identified: Meloidogyne graminicola, Hirschmanniella diversa, H. mucronata, H. oryzae, Tylenchorhynchus leviterminalis, T. nudus, and Tylenchus sp. Notably, Hirschmanniella appeared with high density and was present in 100% of surveyed samples, with higher parasitic density in root samples than in soil samples. Meloidogyne graminicola was common but occurred at low density in the flooded rice model, while Tylenchorhynchus appeared sporadically, with higher density in roots than in soil. This study indicates that the rice cultivation area in Soc Trang province has low nematode diversity, with Hirschmanniella identified as the main harmful nematode in the rhizosphere. These results provide an important scientific basis for developing control measures in future research.

Bacillus amyloliquefaciens is a Gram-positive spore-forming bacterium that has superior properties compared to other beneficial bacteria used in probiotic preparations. The purpose of this study was to determine the bacterial biological properties under harsh conditions such as high temperature, low pH, bile salts, artificial gastric juice and test the resistance to two types of gram-negative bacteria including Escherichia coli and Salmonella. The results showed that after 3 h of testing at 85oC, the bacterial density remained at 3.05 ± 0.06 log CFU/mL (corresponding to 35.58% of the initial density). Under pH = 2.5 condition and after 3 h, the bacterial density remained up to 5.34 ± 0.04 log CFU/mL (62,43%). With the bile salt concentration up to 0.6% after 3 h, the bacterial density remained at 5.24 ± 0.07 log CFU/mL (61.34%). Under the decomposition action of the enzyme pepsin and in the artificial gastric fluid environment of piglets (0.3% pepsin, pH = 4.5) at different levels, the bacterial density still remained at the level of 5.82 ± 0.15 log CFU/mL (63.66%), which was higher than that of the test of artificial stomach fluid of adult pigs (pepsin 0.3%, pH = 2.5) corresponding to 4.73 ± 0.04 log CFU/mL (55.21%) after 3 h of testing. In this study, B.amiloliquefaciens also showed resistance to gram-negative bacteria such as Salmonella Typhimurium ATCC 14028, Salmonella Enteritidis WHO 2014, E. coli with F4 factor, E. coli with F18+Stx2e factor, field Salmonella Typhimurium, and field Salmonella Enteritidis.

Garcinia mangostana L. (mangosteen) peel extract was prepared using a rotary evaporator with 95% ethanol as a solvent and evaluated for its antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains isolated from canine wounds. In total, 52 wound samples from 52 dogs were collected, with 32 bacterial strains isolated, including 20 strains of Staphylococcus aureus and 12 strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Most strains in the study were resistant to penicillin and ampicillin (80 - 100%). The resulting extract was a fine, reddish-brown powder with a pungent odor and an extraction yield of 10.17%. Its activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was tested by agar diffusion method. Diameters of inhibition zones ranged from 19.60 mm to 23.10 mm for Staphylococcus aureus and from 10 mm to 17.37 mm for Pseudomonas aeruginosa at different concentrations of 50 - 200 mg/mL. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values of the extract were 1.25 mg/mL and 2.5 mg/mL for Staphylococcus aureus, and 50 - 70 mg/mL and 150 mg/mL for Pseudomonas aeruginosa, respectively. The results of this study indicate that mangosteen peel extract inhibits both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria and has potential applications in the development of biomedical products.

Ileitis, or proliferative enteritis, is an important problem for industrial pig farming worldwide and in Vietnam. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and antibody response of the Porcilis®Ileitis inactivated vaccine using two vaccination schedules at 3 and 5 weeks of age in an industrial pig farm. The results showed that the vaccine was highly safe after vaccination at 3 and 5 weeks of age regarding both local and systemic reactions. The incidence of mild systemic reactions was less than 1% in the experimental groups V-3-A and V-3-B within two hours after injection. In vaccinated groups, antibody levels quickly reached positive (PI > 30%) two weeks after vaccination. Although the vaccination scheme was delayed at 5 weeks of age (V-5-A and V-5-B), the antibody titer after vaccination increased rapidly, reaching positive after only >1 week and increased higher than the group of pigs vaccinated at 3 weeks of age (groups V-3-A and V-3-B) at 11 weeks of age (6 weeks after vaccination). The antibody titer response after vaccination in experimental pigs remained high (PI = 70 - 80%) until slaughter. The antibody response did not peak during the observation period after vaccination. These findings indicate that the Porcilis®Ileitis inactivated vaccine provides high safety and a rapid, strong, and prolonged antibody response at both 3 and 5 weeks of age; particularly, achieving high titers during the post weaning window in which pigs are particularly susceptible to Lawsonia intracellularis.

Porcine Haemoplasma (PH) is a group of bacteria that parasitize the surface of erythrocytes and cause infectious anemia in pigs of all ages and reproductive disorders in sows, in which Mycoplasma suis (M. suis) plays a major role. This study aimed to survey the presence and genetic diversity of M. suis group in farms with clinical reproductive disorders in sows. A total of 150 samples, including blood samples from sows with reproductive disorders and their fetuses/weak-born piglets were collected from 10 pig farms in 6 provinces in Vietnam. The presence of M. suis group was determined by PCR and the 16S rRNA gene was amplified and sequenced to analyze the genetic diversity of the pathogen. The DNA of M. suis group was identified in 137/150 (91.33%) of sow samples with reproductive disorders. Fourteen strains of M. suis group were successfully sequenced based on the 16S rRNA gene. The sequences showed a high percentage of genetic similarity, with 93.72% to 100% identity to M. suis and 97.1 to 100% to M. parvum. Through phylogenetic analysis, the sequences were identified as belonging to M. suis group that there were at least 4 nucleotide types. In conclusion, M. suis group is present at a high rate in pig breeding farms in Vietnam. This is the first report about the genetic diversity of the 16S rRNA gene of M. suis group in Vietnam.

This study was conducted to evaluate the use of pectinase to degrade pectin in cocoa mesocarp. A completely randomized design with two factors was used: enzyme concentration (0.5, 1, & 3%) and treatment time (30, 60, 90, and 120 min). The results showed that increasing both enzyme concentration and treatment time significantly decreased the pectin content in cocoa mesocarp, from 4.86 to 0.08%. Similarly, viscosity decreased with increasing enzyme concentration and treatment time. Pectin was greatly degraded when treated with a 3% enzyme concentration for 120 min. These findings underscore the potential of pectinase to modify the properties of cocoa pod husk, which can be used to develop high-value products, contributing to maximize the utilization of this agricultural by-product.