Search

Hanh TH Nguyen,1,2 Khanh Linh Duong,2 Son T Nguyen,2 Quy Trinh,2 Hao TL Hoang,3 Toan Q Phung,4 Hsiang-Wen Lin,1,5 Huong TL Nguyen2 1School of Pharmacy and Graduate Institute, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; 2Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Hanoi University of Pharmacy, Hanoi, Vietnam; 3Pharmacy Department, Hanoi Oncology Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam; 4Pharmacy Department, Vietnam National Cancer Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam; 5Department of Pharmacy, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, TaiwanCorrespondence: Huong TL Nguyen, Hanoi University of Pharmacy, 13-15 Le Thanh Tong, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi, Vietnam, Tel +84 904 308 406, Fax +84 243 826 4464, Email huongntl@hup.edu.vnPurpose: This study aimed to evaluate the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of cancer patients receiving chemotherapy and identify associated factors affecting the HRQOL after the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Vietnam.Patients and Methods: Patients with solid cancers receiving chemotherapy at two oncology hospitals in Vietnam during April and May 2021 were included. The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Quality of Life Questionnaire version 3 was used to measure the HRQOL. Three questions were asked to explore patients’ concern levels about contracting COVID-19, delaying chemotherapy, or not controlling cancer well. One question was used to explore whether patients were concerned about cancer progression or COVID-19 infection more, or equally, or had no concern about both. Multiple regression models were conducted to examine factors associated with the global health status (GHS) score.Results: Of 270 included patients, mean (Standard deviation [SD]) GHS was 56.7 (20.8). Among the functional statuses, social functioning (SF) had the lowest score of 63.6 (29.2). The symptoms with the highest means were insomnia and fatigue, obtaining the score of 38.5 (31.7) and 37.3 (29.2), respectively. The mean of financial difficulties was 54.1 (32.2). In univariate analysis, high concerns about contracting COVID-19, delaying chemotherapy, not controlling cancer well, or more concern about either cancer or COVID-19 over the other were associated with worse GHS, physical functioning, emotional functioning, and SF. In multivariate analysis, those concerns and no income were significantly related to lower GHS scores besides the non-modifiable factors, such as female gender and some cancer types.Conclusion: Patients at the high concern levels, or with more concern about either cancer or COVID-19 over the other had poorer HRQOL. Interventions to address the concerns are required to improve their HRQOL, particularly for women, those without income, or with some specific cancers.Keywords: chemotherapy, COVID-19, EORTC QLQ-C30, quality of life, low economic status

Background and Objectives: The study aims to explore the potential for transplacental transmission of SARS-CoV-2, focusing on its pathophysiology, placental defense mechanisms, and the clinical implications for maternal and neonatal health. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive review of the current literature was conducted, analyzing studies on SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnancy, the expression of key viral receptors (ACE2 and TMPRSS2) in placental cells, and the immune responses involved in placental defense. The review also examined the clinical outcomes related to maternal and neonatal health, including adverse pregnancy outcomes and neonatal infection. Results: The expression of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 in the placenta supports the biological plausibility of SARS-CoV-2 transplacental transmission. Histopathological findings from the infected placentas reveal inflammation, vascular changes, and the evidence of viral particles in placental tissues. Clinical reports indicate an increased risk of preterm birth, intrauterine growth restriction, and neonatal infection in pregnancies affected by COVID-19. However, the frequency and mechanisms of vertical transmission remain variable across studies, highlighting the need for standardized research protocols. Conclusions: SARS-CoV-2 can potentially infect placental cells, leading to adverse pregnancy outcomes and neonatal infection. While evidence of transplacental transmission has been documented, the risk and mechanisms are not fully understood. Ongoing research is essential to clarify these aspects and inform obstetric care practices to improve maternal and neonatal outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objectives: To detect clusters of dengue hemorrhagic fever in an urbanized district of Hai Phong City, Vietnam using Poisson space-time retrospective and prospective analysis., Methods: A cross-sectional and retrospective study analyzed dengue surveillance data in the period from January 01, 2018, to December 31, 2022. Spatial-temporal scanning statistics were performed using the free software SatScan v10.1.2., Results: A total of 519 cases were recorded. The cumulative incidence per 100,000 inhabitants was 3.37, 127.36, 10.96, 0, and 296.04 in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022, respectively. By retrospective Poisson model-based analysis, seven clusters were detected. Six of these seven detected outbreaks occurred in November and December 2022. The largest cluster had a relative risk (RR) of 1539.5 ( P <0.00001). The smallest cluster has a RR of 316.1 ( P = 0.006). Prospective analysis using the Poisson model significantly detected four active case clusters at the time of the study. The largest cluster of cases with RR was 47.7 ( P <0.00001) and the smallest cluster with RR was 18.2 ( P <0.00001)., Conclusions: This study provides a basis for improving the effectiveness of interventions and conducting further investigations into risk factors in the study area, as well as in other urban and suburban areas nationwide., Competing Interests: The authors have no competing interests to declare., (© 2024 The Author(s).)

Objectives: To investigate the prevalence and risk factors associated with Helicobacter pylori infection in Vietnamese children., Methods: Children under 16 years old with gastrointestinal symptoms underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy and H. pylori infection was diagnosed using rapid urease test., Results: A total of 246 children with gastrointestinal symptoms were included. The mean age was 8.4 ± 2.6 years. A total 81.3% tested positive for H. pylori. Children infected with H. pylori had a lower rate of nausea but a higher rate of lesions in the duodenal bulb and nodular lesions than children without H. pylori infection (26.5% vs 45.6%, P <0.01; 40.0% vs 23.9%; P = 0.04; and 68.5% vs 30.3%, P <0.0001, respectively). Compared with children aged under 5 years, children aged 11 years and older were four times more likely to be infected with H. pylori , with odds ratio (OR) 3.50, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.07-11.39, P = 0.04. Washing hands with soap was associated with a reduced risk of H. pylori infection by three times (OR 0.35, 95% CI 0.17-0.69, P = 0.002). Children living in a family where members had a history of H. pylori infection were nine times more likely to be infected with H. pylori (OR 8.87, 95% CI 1.15-68.45, P = 0.04)., Conclusions: The prevalence of H. pylori infection in Vietnamese children with gastroenteritis is high. Our results identified several risk factors and emphasize the role of handwashing with soap before eating and after using the toilet in reducing the risk of H. pylori infection in children., Competing Interests: The authors have no competing interests to declare., (© 2024 The Author(s).)

There have been many studies on the adverse effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines but the urinary incontinence after COVID-19 vaccination is rare. Here, we report an 8-year-old boy presented to outpatient department, Thai Binh University of Medicine Hospital, Thai Binh, Vietnam with complaints of urinary incontinence for the past 2 weeks, following the first dose of the messenger RNA vaccine. He had no other abnormalities in clinical and laboratory exams. This clinical situation suggested vaccine side effects. No specific treatment was administered upon diagnosis without toilet and bladder training. Subsequent monitoring revealed a gradual reduction in symptoms over 2 months, with complete recovery achieved at the 14th week from the onset of symptoms, without necessitating any medical intervention. This case highlights the need for thorough evaluation and assessment of potential adverse effects following vaccination, including uncommon presentations., Competing Interests: No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported., (© Korean Vaccine Society.)

Methylphenidate (MPH), a first-line treatment for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) management, has been the focus of debate for decades regarding its effect on growth. The aim of this PRISMA meta-analysis was to determine the effect of MPH on height in children/adolescents with ADHD and its predictive factors based on literature reports. Available full-text articles were systematically reviewed to identify clinical studies of pediatric ADHD patients with height Z-score (HZS) data for monotherapy MPH-treated and non-treated groups. We estimated standardized mean differences (SMDs) of HZS or its changes from baseline (ΔHZS) between groups, then identified associated factors through subgroup analyses and meta-regression. For before-after treatment studies, the paired standard errors of ΔHZS were re-estimated to demonstrate in the forest plot. Risk of bias was analyzed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Among the 29 eligible studies, 26 reported ΔHZS with self-control groups, and ΔHZS or absolute HZS were compared to other external controls in 11 studies. A significant reduction was observed between post-MHP and pre-MPH use, with high heterogeneity (SMD =  - 0.40; 95% confidence interval = [ - 0.54,  - 0.27]; I 2  = 91%). The study region, ADHD subtype, and stimulant-naïve status of patients at baseline may modify the effect on HZS. Because of the high clinical heterogeneity in observational studies, clinicians should consider the negative effect of MPH on height in ADHD patients by determining whether patients fulfill appropriate high-risk criteria. Further well-designed longitudinal studies are required to better quantify this effect, especially with prolonged treatment., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany.)

Adeno-associated viruses derived from human hematopoietic stem cells (AAVHSCs) are naturally occurring AAVs. Fifteen AAVHSCs have demonstrated broad biodistribution while displaying differences in transduction. We examine the structure-function relationships of these natural amino acid variations on cellular binding. We demonstrate that AAVHSC16 is the only AAVHSC that does not preferentially bind to terminal galactose. AAVHSC16 contains two unique amino acids, 501I and 706C, compared with other AAVHSCs. Through mutagenesis, we determined that residue 501 contributes to the lack of galactose binding. Structural analysis revealed that residue 501 is in proximity to the galactose binding pocket, hence confirming its functional role in galactose binding. Biodistribution analysis of AAVHSC16 indicated significantly less liver tropism in mice and non-human primates compared with other clade F members, likely associated with overall binding differences observed in vitro . AAVHSC16 maintained robust tropism to other key tissues in the peripheral and central nervous systems after intravenous injection, including to the brain, heart, and gastrocnemius. Importantly, AAVHSC16 did not induce elevated liver enzyme levels in non-human primates after intravenous injection at high doses. The unique glycan binding and tropism of AAVHSC16 makes this naturally occurring capsid an attractive candidate for therapies requiring less liver tropism while maintaining broad biodistribution., Competing Interests: All authors have received salary with employee stock options and/or restricted stock units options during their employment at Homology Medicines, Inc. L.J.S. is an inventor on patents associated with AAVHSCs and their uses., (© 2022 The Author(s).)

Biolignin, a wheat straw lignin produced by acetic acid/formic acid/water hydrolysis, was characterized by (31)P and (13)C-(1)H 2D NMR spectroscopy and by size-exclusion chromatography. Biolignin is a mixture of low molar mass compounds (Mn = 1660 g/mol) made up of S, G, and H units and of coumaric and ferulic acid units. β-5 and β-O-4 interunit linkages are partially acylated in the γ-position by acetate and p-coumarate groups. Deacylated samples with a low content of contaminants were obtained by combining alkaline hydrolysis and solvent extraction. The high phenolic OH content found by (31)P NMR reflects the presence of condensed aromatic units, such as 5-5 units. Reaction of purified lignin with ethanol and ethane-1,2-diol yielded esterified lignins much more soluble than Biolignin in common organic solvents. During this reaction, the secondary OH of β-O-4 linkages was simultaneously etherified. Phenol hydroxyethylation by 2-chloroethanol yielded samples containing only aliphatic hydroxyl groups.

The development of a hematopoietic reporter is crucial for determining the fate of lineages derived from cell-based therapies. A marking system will enable safer embryonic stem and induced pluripotent stem cell-based derivation of blood lineages and facilitate the development of efficient cellular reprogramming strategies based on direct fibroblast conversion. Here we report that the protein tyrosine phosphatase CD45 is an ideal candidate gene on which to base a hematopoietic reporter. CD45 regulatory elements were discovered by analyzing transcription factor chromatin occupancy (ChIP-seq) and promoter nuclease sensitivity (DNase-seq) to identify minimally sufficient sequences required for expression. After cloning the CD45 regulatory elements into an attenuated lentiviral backbone, we found that two transcriptional initiation regions were essential for high-level expression. Expressing CD45 promoters containing these regions and tethered to green fluorescent protein (GFP) in a primary B-cell differentiation assay and a transplantation model resulted in high levels of GFP in lymphoid, myeloid, and nucleated erythroid cells in mouse and human blood cell lineages. Moreover, GFP levels remained high 5 months after secondary transplantation, indicating persistence of the reporter. No CD45-driven GFP expression is observed after fibroblast or embryonic stem cell transduction. The GFP reporter is seen only after embryonic stem cells differentiate into hematopoietic cell progenitors and lineages, suggesting that this hematopoietic reporter system could be useful in validating potential autologous blood cell therapies., (Copyright © 2014 ISEH - International Society for Experimental Hematology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The emerging invasive fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus causes very serious infections among immunocompromised patient populations. While the genome of this pathogen has been sequenced, a major barrier to better understanding the complex biology of this eukaryotic organism is a lack of tools for efficient genetic manipulation. To improve upon this, we have generated a new gene deletion system for A. fumigatus using yeast recombinational cloning and Agrobacterium tumefaciens mediated transformation (ATMT) employing a recyclable marker system. This system reduced the time for generating a gene deletion strain in our hands by two-thirds (12 weeks to 3 weeks) using minimal human labor, and we demonstrate that it can be used to efficiently generate multiple gene deletions within a single strain., (© 2013.)