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This study aims to assess high school students' learning outcomes, their achievement of goals and fulfilling academic requirements and how the entire teaching and learning process takes place. The study, consisting of an experimental group and a control group was conducted for pre-test and post-test comparisons of the academic performance of 88 10th grade students. 44 students were selected as the experimental group that underwent a specific teaching strategy to monitor their development of qualities and competencies in one semester, and the remaining 44 students acted as the control group. The data collected after the tests were analyzed using SPSS software (V20). The results showed that the students in the experimental group had better academic results than those in the control group. The findings of this study have implications for policy, further research as well as approaches for the assessment of students' development of qualities and competencies in Vietnam.

Background: Processed Panax notoginseng has been found to have an inhibitory effect on the growth of cancer cells in vitro and tumor growth in vivo. However, there has been limited research in Vietnam on the supportive effects of processed P. notoginseng in cancer treatment. Methods: In this study, P. notoginseng was collected and subjected to steam processing at temperatures of 100 °C and 120 °C for 2 to 10 h. The cytotoxic activity of these extracts was tested on A549 cells in vitro. Additionally, the acute toxicity of processed P. notoginseng was evaluated in healthy mice, and the in vivo anti-tumor effect was investigated in mice induced by 7,12-dimethyl-benz[1] anthracene. Results: The results showed that, processed P. notoginseng demonstrated a stronger ability to inhibit the proliferation of A549 lung cancer cells compared to the unprocessed one. Among the different processing conditions, the extract obtained at 120 °C for 4 h (PPN120-4) was selected for further study in mice. This extract did not show acute oral toxicity and had no effect on the survival or mortality of DMBA-induced mice. PPN120-4 also reduced the body weight of mice and decreased skin tumor size. Moreover, PPN120-4 increased necrosis of lung cancer cells. Conclusion: Processing P. notoginseng through steam treatment at various temperatures and durations enhanced its inhibitory activity against A549 lung cancer cells compared to the unprocessed samples. Among them, PPN120-4, obtained through processing at 120 °C for 4 h, exhibited no acute oral toxicity in mice and showed potential antitumor effects in DMBA-induced tumors in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Anthrax is reported with frequency but poorly understood in Southeast Asian countries including Vietnam. In Vietnam, anthrax surveillance is national. However, case detection, prevention, and control are implemented locally at the provincial level. Here, we describe the epidemiological characteristics, identify spatial clusters of human anthrax, and compare the variation in livestock anthrax vaccine coverage to disease incidence in humans and livestock using historical data in Son La province, Vietnam (2003–2020). Methods and Results: Most human cases occurred between April and September. Most of the patients were male, aged 15–54 years old. The human cases were mainly reported by public district hospitals. There was a delay between disease onset and hospitalization of ~5 days. We identified spatial clusters of high–high incidence communes in the northern communes of the province using the local Moran's I statistic. The vaccine coverage sharply decreased across the study period. The province reported sporadic human anthrax outbreaks, while animal cases were only reported in 2005 and 2022. Conclusions: These results suggest underreporting for human and livestock anthrax in the province. Intersectoral information sharing is needed to aid livestock vaccination planning, which currently relies on reported livestock cases. The spatial clusters identify areas for targeted surveillance and livestock vaccination, while the seasonal case data suggest prioritizing vaccination campaigns for February or early March ahead of the April peak. A regional approach for studying the role of livestock trading between Son La and neighbouring provinces in anthrax occurrence is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early neurological deterioration (END) is progressive neurological deterioration with an increase in NIHSS score of 2 points or more in the first 72 hours from the onset of acute ischemic stroke. END increases the risk of poor clinical outcomes at day 90 of ischemic stroke. We will study the frequency, predictors, and outcomes of patients with END in a case-control study at a comprehensive stroke centre in Vietnam. of the design is a descriptive observational study, longitudinal follow-up of patients with minor stroke hospitalized at the Stroke Center of Bach Mai Hospital from December 1, 2023, to December 1, 2024. Minor stroke patients characterized by NIHSS score ≤ 5 hospitalized within 24 hours of symptom onset will be recruited. The estimated END rate is about 30%, relative accuracy ε = 0.11, 95% reliability, expected 5% of patients lost data or follow-up, and an estimated sample size of 779 patients. This study will help determine the END rate in patients with minor stroke and related factors, thereby building a prognostic model for END. Our study determined the END rate in patients with minor stroke in Vietnam and also proposed risk factors for minor stroke management and treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Can Tho City is located in the middle of the Mekong Delta, where the effects of climate change have been and will continue to be considerable. According to climate change predictions, the city is one of five regions that could be affected. In this study, we conducted analysis of trends of Tmax and Tmin over 39 years using monthly temperature in Can Tho City. We employed a Box plot, Mann–Kendall test, and Sequential Trend Analysis (SMK). Tmax and Tmin increased for all 12 months from 1984 to 2022, with Sen's slopes of 0.45°C/decade and 0.29°C/decade, respectively. Although Tmin shows a slower rate of increase than Tmax, the increase in Tmin indicates that the temperature in Can Tho has risen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Jordan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences is the property of University of Jordan and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Houttuynia cordata Thunb. (HC), a perennial plant distributed mainly in the tropics and subtropics regions, has been widely used as a folk medicine in Asian countries such as Vietnam. Nevertheless, limited studies have reported the pharmacognostical standardization and toxicity of the Vietnamese HC. Therefore, this study collected, identified, extracted, and in-vivo toxicological tested various HC samples at four locations, representing the whole Vietnam, including Hanoi (the Northern area), Dak Lak (the Western area), Bien Hoa (the Middle area), and Long An (the Southern area). All plant samples satisfied the quality requirements according to the standards of the Vietnamese Pharmacopoeia V and Hong Kong Pharmacopoeia. Next, a standard extraction and preparation process of HC was developed with an extraction solvent of 70% ethanol, concentrated under reduced pressure to a density of 1.16 g/mL, and spray-dried with excipients of Syloid244FP:lactose (1:2 w/w) to obtain the crude ethanolic extract of HC with optimal recovery efficiency (71.35%). Finally, the crude HC extract was evaluated its acute toxicity in rats at a dose of 50 g/kg body weight, and sub-acute toxicity in rabbits at a dose of up to 1.5 g/kg/day. No potential toxicity was noted in both settings. Conclusively, the Vietnamese HC extract, which was standardized and possessed safeness in both rat and rabbit animal models, could be further investigated to become a pharmaceutical agent in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Main chemical compositions of essential oil (EO) from Litsea cubeba fruit collected in Kon Tum Province of Vietnam were geranial (32.0%), neral (24.3%), citronellal (14.2%), and limonene (10.1%). Twenty-four compounds of the EO were identified and compared with those from EOs previously reported in India, China, and Malaysia. Minimal inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations (MIC and MBC) indicated that the EO induced high levels of growth inhibition and moderate bactericidal activity against seven test Helicobacter pylori strains, including six strains resistant to one to four antibiotics, azithromycin, erythromycin, levofloxacin, and metronidazole. The bacterial biofilm formation was significantly suppressed by the EO at 1/2 and 3/4×MIC. The EO also exerts inhibitory activity against H. pylori-urease and convert a spiral form of H. pylori into a coccoid form. Fruit EO inhibits bacterial growth via both contact and fumigant action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Linezolid is an antibiotic of last resort for the treatment of infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria, including vancomycin-resistant enterococci. Enterococcus faecalis, a member of enterococci, is a significant pathogen in nosocomial infections. E. faecalis resistance to linezolid is frequently related to the presence of optrA, which is often co-carried with fex, phenicol exporter genes, and erm genes encoding macrolide resistance. Therefore, the common use of antibiotics in veterinary might promote the occurrence of optrA in livestock settings. This is a cross-sectional study aiming to investigate the prevalence of optrA positive E. faecalis (OPEfs) in 6 reservoirs in farms in Ha Nam province, Vietnam, and its associated factors and to explore genetic relationships of OPEfs isolates. Among 639 collected samples, the prevalence of OPEfs was highest in flies, 46.8% (51/109), followed by chickens 37.3% (72/193), dogs 33.3% (17/51), humans 18.7% (26/139), wastewater 16.4% (11/67) and pigs 11.3%, (14/80). The total feeding area and total livestock unit of the farm were associated with the presence of OPEfs in chickens, flies, and wastewater. Among 186 OPEfs strains, 86% were resistant to linezolid. The presence of optrA was also related to the resistant phenotype against linezolid and levofloxacin of E. faecalis isolates. Close genotypic relationships identified by Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis between OPEfs isolates recovered from flies and other reservoirs including chickens, pigs, dogs, and wastewater suggested the role of flies in the transmission of antibiotic-resistant pathogens. These results provided warnings of linezolid resistance although it is not used in livestock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, is among the top global health crises. As confirmed by the Vietnam Ministry of Health on 25th January 2023, Vietnam had a cumulative total of more than 11.52 million COVID-19 patients, including 10.61 million recoveries and 43,186 deaths. Objectives: This study aimed to describe the clinical and subclinical characteristics, treatment progress, and outcomes of 310 cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: A total of 310 patients with medical records of SARS-CoV-2 were admitted to Can Tho City Hospital of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases, Can Tho city, Vietnam, between July 2021 and December 2021. Demographic and clinical data, including laboratory examinations, of all the patients were collected and analyzed. Results: The median duration of hospital stay was 16.4 ± 5.3 days. There were 243 (78.4%) patients with clinical symptoms of COVID-19 and 67 (21.6%) patients without clinical symptoms. The common symptoms included cough (71.6% of 310 patients), fever (35.4%), shortness of breath (22.6%), sore throat (21.4%), loss of smell/taste (15.6%), and diarrhea (14.4%). Regarding treatment outcomes, 92.3% of the patients were discharged from the hospital, 1.9% of the patients suffered a more severe illness and were transferred to a higher-level hospital, and 5.8% of the patients died. The RT-PCR results were negative in 55.2% of the patients, and 37.1% of the patients had positive RT-PCR results with Ct values of >30 on the discharge/transfer day. Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that comorbidity and decreased blood pH were statistically significantly related to the treatment outcomes of the patients with COVID-19 (p < 0.05). Conclusions: This study provides useful information (i.e., the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes) on the COVID-19 pandemic in Vietnam during its biggest outbreak; the information may be used for reference and for making improvements in the handling of future health crises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dredging sand is an inexpensive material utilized to rise elevations of highway embankments and earth levee bodies in the Southern Vietnam. However, the high permeability of the dredging sand can cause failures due to seepage flows during annual flood seasons. The dredging sand mixing cement with or without bentonite is expected to be suitable low permeability as an impermeable material. However, hydraulic conductivity of soilcrete and bentonite specimens created from dredging sand taken in the Mekong delta has limit research data. This study aims at better understanding of the hydraulic conductivity of the dredging sand samples taken in Dong Thap province mixed with cement and bentonite. The effects of the hydraulic conductivity of soilcrete and bentonite soilcrete specimens on time, cement contents, bentonite contents, cement types, and hydraulic gradients were investigated. The tests followed the ASTM D5084 standard using the both falling headconstant tailwater and falling head-rising tailwater methods. The results indicate that: (1) the hydraulic conductivity of the soilcrete and bentonite specimens decreased with increasing in testing duration and cement contents; (2) the hydraulic conductivity of the soilcrete specimens was lower 104 to 105 times than that of the compacted sand; (3) the hydraulic conductivity of the bentonite soilcrete specimens was lower 10 times than those of the soilcrete specimens; (4) the PCS cement can induce the long-term reduction of soilcrete permeability; (5) the effect of hydraulic gradients on soilcrete hydraulic conductivity was ignorable; (6) the soilcrete hydraulic conductivity varies from 10-9 to 10-10 m/s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthrax is a serious zoonosis caused by Bacillus anthracis, which primarily affects wild herbivorous animals with spillover into humans. The disease occurs nearly worldwide but is poorly reported in Southeast Asian countries. In Vietnam, anthrax is underreported, and little is known about its temporal and spatial distributions. This paper examines the spatio-temporal distribution and epidemiological characteristics of human and livestock anthrax from Dien Bien province, Vietnam from 2010 to 2019. We also aim to define the role of livestock vaccination in reducing human cases. Historical anthrax data were collected by local human and animal health sectors in the province. Spatial rate smoothing and spatial clustering analysis, using Local Moran's I in GeoDa and space-time scan statistic in SaTScan, were employed to address these objectives. We found temporal and spatial overlap of anthrax incidence in humans and livestock with hotspots of human anthrax in the east. We identified three significant space-time clusters of human anthrax persisting from 2010 to 2014 in the east and southeast, each with high relative risk. Most of the human cases were male (69%), aged 15–59 years (80%), involved in processing, slaughtering, or eating meat of sick or dead livestock (96.9%) but environmental and unknown exposure were reported. Animal reports were limited compared to humans and at coarser spatial scale, but in areas with human case clusters. In years when livestock vaccination was high (>~25%), human incidence was reduced, with the opposite effect when vaccine rates dropped. This indicates livestock vaccination campaigns reduce anthrax burden in both humans and livestock in Vietnam, though livestock surveillance needs immediate improvement. These findings suggest further investigation and measures to strengthen the surveillance of human and animal anthrax for other provinces of Vietnam, as well as in other countries with similar disease context. Author summary: Anthrax is a bacterial disease, cause by Bacillus anthracis, that can transmit from herbivorous animals to humans through close contact, eating meat of infected animals, or through environmental contamination. Anthrax can be a severe disease requiring early diagnosis and treatment to avoid fatal outcomes, disability, or financial burden to patients and their families. The disease also affects human well-being when livestock is their livelihood and an important part in agricultural practice. Anthrax is preventable by vaccine but effective strategy for vaccine distribution should be built on the characteristics of the disease in both human communities and the local animal populations. This study provides evidence on the space-time distribution and other characteristics of anthrax applying a One Health approach and geographical information analysis techniques. We show that hotspots of human disease correspond to areas of animal case reporting. We also show human incidence is reduced with livestock vaccination rates are relatively high. The study results are useful for researchers to foster investigation on other aspects of the disease and control efforts. It also provides scientific evidence for advocacy and communication on the importance of anthrax vaccination and strategic planning on vaccine production and distribution in Vietnam and other countries with similar context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ganoderma lucidum (Fr.) P. Karst. (Ganodermataceae), commonly called Linhzhi, is traditionally employed in the treatment of human diseases, including hepatitis, liver disorders, hypercholesterolemia, arthritis, bronchitis, and tumorigenic diseases. In this study, the fingerprint profiles of five different strains of G. lucidum originated from Japan, Korea, China, and Vietnam, five samples of G. lucidum growing on Erythrophloeum fordii Oliv. in Vietnam, and five related Linhzhi species (Ganoderma applanatum, Ganoderma australe, Ganoderma clossum, Ganoderma subresinosu, and Ganoderma sp.) were investigated for triterpene derivatives using high-pressure, thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC). The HPTLC fingerprint profiles demonstrated significant differences between G. lucidum and other related Linhzhi species in the presence of triterpene derivatives. Evaluation for the cytotoxicity of these samples against four cancer cell lines, including A549, MCF7, PC3, and HepG2, displayed various levels of cytotoxic effects, with IC50 values of: 15.6–46.3 µg/mL on the A549 cancer cell line, of 18.4–43.6 µg/mL on the MCF7 cancer cell line, of 10.0–32.1 µg/mL on the PC3 cancer cell line, and of 10.6–27.6 µg/mL on the HepG2 cancer cell line. Conclusively, these data contributed to the literature on the cytotoxic activities and fingerprint analysis of triterpenes by the HPTLC technique for distinguishing Ganoderma species from Vietnam and other Asian countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to investigate the factors, which impact the managerial accounting implication in Vietnamese SMEs. A survey was carried out with Vietnamese SMEs, gathering 305 usable respondents, with data and theoretical model analyzed by using SPSS, AMOS with SEM method. The study findings stated that the managerial accounting implication was driven by elements including the size of enterprise, environmental uncertainty perceptiveness, decentralization structure, customer power and post-Covid-19 working conditions. Anyway, this study's results only account for 61.13% of the impact factors on the managerial accounting implication in Vietnamese SMEs. So in forthcoming researches other factors should be determined. The contribution of this study is to supplement to the prior empirical literature on Vietnamese practical management and others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthrax is a priority zoonosis for control in Vietnam. The geographic distribution of anthrax remains to be defined, challenging our ability to target areas for control. We analyzed human anthrax cases in Vietnam to obtain anthrax incidence at the national and provincial level. Nationally, the trendline for cases remained at ≈61 cases/year throughout the 26 years of available data, indicating control efforts are not effectively reducing disease burden over time. Most anthrax cases occurred in the Northern Midlands and Mountainous regions, and the provinces of Lai Chau, Dien Bien, Lao Cai, Ha Giang, Cao Bang, and Son La experienced some of the highest incidence rates. Based on spatial Bayes smoothed maps, every region of Vietnam experienced human anthrax cases during the study period. Clarifying the distribution of anthrax in Vietnam will enable us to better identify risk areas for improved surveillance, rapid clinical care, and livestock vaccination campaigns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are over two million hectares of Acacia plantations in Vietnam and loss from infestations of ambrosia beetles is of increasing concern. In this study, we first determined the key taxa and the extent of damage, and then identified effective trap and lure combinations for trapping adult beetles, and finally quantified the seasonality of flight of Euwallacea for informing pest management decisions. Based on analysis of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene, the greatest threats were confirmed as Euwallacea fornicatus and E. similis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), which are native to Southeast Asia but known as invasive species in South Africa and elsewhere. The damage incidence of Euwallacea ranged from 16.7% to 34.9% in Acacia plantations throughout Vietnam. There were no significant differences in the numbers of beetles captured between the three trap types (plastic bottles, funnels and panels). Ethanol and quercivorol were more effective as lures than cubeb oil, α-pinene or a distilled water control. Trapping from June 2020 to May 2021 revealed a bimodal frequency of E. fornicatus and E. similis in A. mangium and Acacia hybrid plantations, with captures peaking in April (spring) and October (autumn). These findings can be applied to develop early detection and trapping control programmes for Euwallacea in Acacia plantations in Vietnam and elsewhere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Hepatic angiosarcoma is very rare malignancy and more common in men than in women. To date, only a few female cases of liver angiosarcoma have been reported. Here, we report a female case of liver angiosarcoma, first detected in Vietnam, with a high malignancy stage, rapid progression, and poor prognosis. Case Presentation: A 61-year-old woman was admitted to the Bach Mai Hospital with fatigue, anorexia, weight loss, and severe pain in the right upper quadrant for 2 weeks prior. Clinical examination detected a firm 4-cm hepatomegaly below the right costal margin and grade I splenomegaly. Abdominal ultrasonography and CT revealed diffuse lesions in the entire liver parenchyma, spreading to the spleen, while MRI showed signs of bone metastasis. Blood tests showed elevated transaminase enzymes, especially Gamma Glutamyl Transferase 501 U/L; thrombocytopenia; no anemia; and other tumor markers such as AFP, CEA, and CA19-9 were within normal limits. On CT images, the dots and nodules in the liver and spleen appeared hyperenhanced in the arterial phase and washout in the venous phase. The results of both histopathology and immunohistochemistry showed liver angiosarcoma. Surgery and radiation were not indicated due to the suspicion of bone metastasis. Chemotherapy with doxorubicin at a dose of 60 mg/m2 and intravenous infusion once every 21 days was administered. Unfortunately, during the first dose of chemotherapy with doxorubicin, side effects appeared. Since the disease developed continuously and uncontrollably, the patient was subsequently exhausted, anemic, presented peritoneal fluid, and eventually died of intra-abdominal bleeding. Conclusion: For the diagnosis of liver angiosarcoma, ultrasound-guided liver biopsy could be applied for safe and effective histopathology, and selective embolization of the hepatic artery is necessary to prevent bleeding complications. The disease has a very poor prognosis, and if chemotherapy does not respond, the patient can die within six months of diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Plant Pathology is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Differential settlement of bridge abutments has taken place at most bridge abutments on untreated soft ground in Vietnam. The conventional technologies to improve soft ground have often been costly and time-consuming. EPS geofoam, a synthetic and lightweight material, can be used as a fill material to raise the elevation of highway embankments directly on untreat soft ground. However, EPS geofoam has little known as construction materials for transportation structures in Vietnam. This paper attempts to investigate key properties of geofoams made in Vietnam. Several laboratory tests such as compression, water absorption, inflammability, and dissolvent were conducted. The results show that (1) Geofoams made in Vietnam have densities of 12.1 to 34.8 kg/m3 for the EPS-12 to the EPS-34, respectively; (2) qu increases in increasing in densities; (3) Elastic strain is less than 1.5%; (4) Initial modulus varying from 2-10 MPa with density; (5) Poisson ratio around 0.06-0.14; (6) Water absorption by volume from 0.4-3.2%; (7) Geofoam can be quickly burnt. These key properties will indicate suitable geofoam types that can be utilized as highway embankment fills placed on unimproved soft ground directly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Irrigation & Drainage is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Introduction: Doppler-guided transanal hemorrhoidal dearterialization (THD) was considered a less invasive and innovative method to treat hemorrhoidal disease, but it may impact the anal area during dearterialization and mucopexy. Thus, this study aimed to assess any changes in anorectal manometry of grade III and IV hemorrhoidal patients following THD treatment.Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted with patients who had grades III and IV hemorrhoidal disease. The patients were treated using THD at the Department of Surgery in the National Hospital of Traditional Medicine (Hanoi, Vietnam) between June 2012 and December 2013. Anorectal manometry was performed prior to THD and again between 6 and 12 months following the procedure.Results: A total of 40 patients were enrolled in the study, including 32 with grade III hemorrhoids and 8 with grade IV hemorrhoids. The proportion of male patients (65%) was higher than that of female patients (35%), and the majority of patients (82.5%) were > 40 years old. The mean duration of symptoms prior to treatment was 12.3 years. The mean length of the anal sphincter was unchanged before and after THD (3.64 ± 0.40 cm prior to treatment vs. 3.66 ± 0.48 cm following treatment; p = 0.57). Significant differences in treatment-related changes were detected for all anorectal manometric measurements except maximum squeezing pressure (p < 0.05). No patient showed anal stenosis or fecal incontinence.Conclusion: The THD technique did not change the length of the anal sphincter 6 months after hemorrhoid treatment. The values of anal pressure and rectal sensation decreased almost significantly between treatment and the follow-up visit. We suggest that further studies, which include larger sample sizes, should be conducted to confirm THD effectiveness in terms of anorectal functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma of the liver (UESL) is a rare malignant lesion in adults. Here, we present an extremely rare case of UESL in a pregnant woman. However, this was the first case, wherein one surgery covered all the procedures needed to be performed, including delivery of the neonate, hysterectomy, and resection of the left liver lobe to ensure the safety of both the mother and the newborn. Case Presentation: A 32-year-old woman at 37-weeks age of gestation was admitted at Bach Mai Hospital (Hanoi, Vietnam) due to epigastric pain, chest pain, and breathing difficulty. Blood tests showed an increased total alpha-fetoprotein level of 1085 ng/mL. Fetal ultrasound showed a fetal heart rate of 127 beats/minute, biparietal diameter of 92 mm, femur length of 70 mm, and fetal weight of 3287 g. Magnetic resonance imaging indicated a large tumor (12 × 14 × 18 mm) in the left liver, with organ signals increased on T2-weighted and decreased on T1-weighted. The mass was lobulated, developed along a downward pattern, and did not invade the portal vein. The surgeries performed were cesarean section, hysterectomy due to the inelasticity of the uterus, and left hepatectomy to ensure the safety of both the mother and newborn. The operation was performed safely and without any complications, and the patient was discharged from the hospital after 10 days. Conclusion: This case report with distinct characteristics has been the first case ever reported in Vietnam, as well as in the literature. We believe that this case report will be useful for the clinical evidence pool and for educational purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies on service recovery performance have merely focused on identifying the factors which affect it from the service provider side. This study investigates the effect of customer participation on Vietnam retailing service recovery performance. A structural model was developed and tested using data surveyed from 231 respondents who were currently full-time employees in Vietnam retailers. The results show that the more customer participation which frontline employees perceive, the more effective the service recovery they perform. Moreover, the results indicate that the more effective service recovery which frontline employees perform, the less stress they confront. Empowerment of and training for employees have an equivalent impact on the service recovery performance of frontline employees. However, there is no significant relationship between service recovery performance and intention to leave of frontline employees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Application of methods using natural and artificial radionuclides such as 210Pb, 137Cs and 241Am in sediments to estimate chronology and accumulation rates of sediments, has been extensively developing for the recent past decades. In general, their results had have been worldwide agreed in many certain areas, but other areas have not yet. Can Gio mangrove forest (CGM) located in the downstream of Dong Nai—Sai Gon River, southwards of Ho Chi Minh City to the East Sea, where its sedimentation and erosion have complicatedly changed for decades. A number of 13 sediment samples of the core in the CGM was analyzed for 210Pb, 137Cs and 241Am. The results showed unsupported 210Pb very low concentrations and irregular decline with time, consequently, their sediment ages and accumulation rates could be extensively deviated. Otherwise, in the study area this method has not validate by any independent time marker or by method using artificial radionuclides (137Cs and 241Am) because of very low detection of their concentration in the sediment. Thus, the paper applied residue of dioxins concentration in sediment as a marker to demonstrate the accuracy of the 210Pb method. To carry out this work, the second core has been drilled close to the first core in distance of 0.5 m with ten collected sediment samples. The analyzed results showed that there was a peak of dioxins concentration. With the immobilize characteristic of dioxin, the time of herbicide spraying during the Vietnam war should be occurred at the depth of the highest dioxins concentration detected. This depth is at 95 cm. The spraying time was 1968–1972. The depth comparison between two cores for dioxin and 210Pb, respectively, presenting that there is a high age gap. In the same year, the 210Pb method showed at between 45.5 ÷ 49.5 cm in depth. As a marker, the residue of dioxin demonstrates that the 210Pb method should not be used to age the sediment of the Can Gio mangrove forest (CGM). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: High-resolution anorectal manometry (HRAM) has been developed to improve measurement of anorectal functions. This study aims to identify normal HRAM values in healthy young Vietnamese adults.Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study at the National Hospital of Traditional Medicine (Hanoi, Vietnam) from July through December 2014. Healthy young adults were invited to participate in the study. All anorectal measurement values were performed using the ISOLAB high-resolution manometry system. Differences between groups were analyzed using Student's t-tests.Results: Thirty healthy young adults, including 15 males and 15 females aged 19-26 years, were recruited. Mean functional anal canal length was 3.4 ± 0.5 cm (range: 2.4-4.8 mm). Mean maximum resting pressure, mean maximum squeezing pressure, mean maximum coughing pressure, and mean maximum strain pressure were 65.5, 168.0, 125.9, and 84.2 mm Hg, respectively. All anal pressure values were significantly different between males and females. For rectal sensation measurements, only the volume at first sensation was significantly higher in males than in females.Conclusions: This study provides normal HRAM value for healthy young adults in Vietnam. Sex may influence anal pressure and first rectal sensation values in this cohort. Further studies should be conducted in order to improve the quality of HRAM normal values and to confirm the effects of sex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Snakebite envenoming is a potentially life-threatening condition and causes many serious consequences. Subjects and Methods: Therefore, this study aimed to throw some light on coagulopathy after Viperidae envenomations at Vietnam Poison Control Center and the relationship between coagulopathy and time of admission. A prospective, descriptive study was conducted from October 2016 to April 2018. The survey questionnaire included socio-economic characteristics, characteristics of snakebite, signs and clinical symptoms and blood test. Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) condition was diagnosed using the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) criteria. Rotational thromboelastometry was evaluated using ROTEM® delta system. Results: A total of 41 cases of viper snakebite with the mean age of snakebite victims were 41.27 ± 14.72 years old. Mean hospital stay of the patients was 5.63± 3.29 days. The association between coagulation disorder and clotting time (CT) EXTEM prolonged, CT INTEM prolonged, CT FIBTEM prolonged remained significant (multivariable odds ratio MOR=5.81, 95% CI: 1.20– 28.06; MOR= 9.32, 95% CI: 1.001– 84.48; MOR=5.55, 95% CI: 1.12– 27.50, respectively). Conclusion: This study indicates a hypocoagulation status in ROTEM, elevated international normalised ratio (INR), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and D-dimer, decreased fibrinogen concentration and platelet count following envenoming by Viperidae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Vietnam, the fire protection for steel structures is relativity much; thus, the study of fire protection solutions for the load-bearing steel structures (beams, columns) is considered very important in the safety of the buildings. One possible solution is the use of gypsum plasterboard. Up to now, the engineers use the constant thermal conductivity to verify the fire resistance of steel structures protected by gypsum plasterboard. However, the thermal conductivity depends on many factors such as temperature, moisture, thickness, type of plasterboard, manufacturer, heating rate. This paper presents an experimental identification of the thermal conductivity of gypsum plasterboard fabricated under fire conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional medicine plays an important role in the healthcare system of Vietnam. Vietnamese traditional medicine (VTM) is underpinned by the oriental philosophy and theory of healing. VTM is largely influenced by traditional Chinese medicine, but differs to a certain extent. VTM is largely not evidence-based from a clinical perspective but subclinical research data from the past decades support the traditional use of many herbal VTM drugs. For safe use, knowledge of the occurrence of adverse reactions and herb--drug interactions is necessary. The Vietnamese government supports further development of VTM in a scientific way and integration of VTM with Western medicine. This article first gives an overview of the general aspects of VTM (historical perspective, regulatory aspects, comparison with traditional Chinese medicine, philosophical background, the Vietnamese market situation, quality assurance and formulations), and subsequently focuses on its safe and effective use in Vietnamese clinical pharmacy and medical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The potential benefits of species mixture were investigated using pair-wise comparisons of four timber tree species in northern Viet Nam. Chukrasia tabularis, Canarium album, Michelia mediocris and Eucalyptus urophylla were grown in monocultures and in pair-wise mixtures. The trial was established as a randomized block design with each treatment replicated four times. Volume production gain or loss in mixtures was assessed by calculating a mixture index, which is defined as Relative Yield Total (RYT). At age 48months, the trial indicated mixed performance with both positive and negative impacts of growing some species in mixtures compared to monocultures. The largest gain was shown in the mixture of a shade-intolerant species, Chukrasia with a more shade-tolerant species, Michelia (47% gain in relative yield), and Eucalyptus with Michelia (45% gain in relative yield) at the first 38months. The other three mixtures tested, and which were not successful (i.e. had lower relative yields) at 38months, was the mixture of all shade-intolerant species, including Chukrasia with Canarium, Canarium with Eucalyptus and Chukrasia with Eucalyptus. This suggests that species with different shade tolerances can form complementary pair-wise mixtures, but this changed significantly (P <0.05) over the following 10months. At age 48months the RYT of Chukrasia with Michelia increased by 12%, those of Michelia with Eucalyptus decreased by 20% at 48months compared to 38months, suggesting that Eucalyptus should be thinned at around year 5years. Likewise, the RYT of Michelia with Canarium declined significantly by 23% at 48months. The RYT of other tested mixtures remained almost unchanged over time. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: By using MCNP code and ethanol–chlorobenzene (ECB) dosimeters the simulations and measurements of absorbed dose distribution in a tote-box of the Cobalt-60 irradiator, SVST-Co60/B at VINAGAMMA have been done. Based on the results Dose Uniformity Ratios (DUR), positions and values of minimum and maximum dose extremes in a tote-box, and efficiency of the irradiator for the different dummy densities have been gained. There is a good agreement between simulation and experimental results in comparison and they have valuable meanings for operation of the irradiator. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The α-factor is a measure of the epithermal neutron flux deviation from the ideal distribution 1/ E, where E is neutron energy. It defends on the position of the irradiation channel in reactor. A determination method of the α-factors in irradiation channels of Dalat reactor is presented by fitting the epithermal neutron spectrum obtained from the calculation using MCNP code. The fitting α-values were compared to those by experiment used the “Cd-ratio” method with monitors 197Au–94Zr and 197Au–64Zn. It shows that the α-values calculated from neutron spectra agree well with experimental ones. The difference between both data is about 6%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) tea was used in Vietnamese folk medicine as anti-diabetic agent. Aim of the study: This study was aimed to investigate the inhibitory activities of fractions and constituents isolated from Gynostemma pentaphyllum on protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) since it has been proposed as a treatment therapy for type 2 diabetes and obesity. Materials and methods: The 70% EtOH extract, CHCl3 fraction, EtOAc fraction, BuOH fraction, and seven isolated dammarane triterpenes were evaluated for their inhibitory activity in protein phosphatase enzymes (PTP1B and VHR). Results: CHCl3-soluble fraction showed a dose-dependent inhibitory activity of the PTP1B enzyme with the IC50 value of 30.5μg/mL. Among seven tested compounds, compounds 6 showed the most potent PTP1B inhibitory activity with IC50 value of 5.3±0.4μM compared to a range 15.7–28.5μM for the other six compounds. The inhibition mode of 6 was competitive toward p-NPP with a K i value of 2.8μM. Conclusion: These study results suggested that the PTP1B inhibitory activity of these dammaranes may enable this plant to play an important role in the treatment of diabetes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The planted forest area in Vietnam increased from 3.0 to 4.4 million hectares in the period 2010–2020, but the loss of productivity from pests and diseases continues to be a problem. During this period, frequent and systematic plantation forest health surveys were conducted on 12 native and 4 exotic genera of trees as well as bamboo across eight forest geographic regions of Vietnam. Damage caused by insects and pathogens was quantified in the field and laboratory in Hanoi. The threats of greatest concern were from folivores (Antheraea frithi, Arthroschista hilaralis, Atteva fabriciella, Hieroglyphus tonkinensis, Lycaria westermanni,Krananda semihyalina, and Moduza procris), wood borers (Batocera lineolata, Euwallacea fornicatus, Tapinolachnus lacordairei, Xyleborus perforans, and Xystrocera festiva), sap-sucking insects (Aulacaspis tubercularis and Helopeltis theivora) and pathogens (Ceratocystis manginecans, Fusarium solani, and Phytophthora acaciivora). The number of new and emerging pests and pathogens increased over time from 2 in 2011 to 17 in 2020, as the damage became more widespread. To manage these pests and diseases, it is necessary to further invest in the selection and breeding of resistant genotypes, improve nursery hygiene and silvicultural operations, and adopt integrated pest management schemes. Consideration should be given to developing forest health monitoring protocols for forest reserves and other special-purpose forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, serosurveillance has gained momentum as a way of determining disease transmission and immunity in populations, particularly with respect to vaccine-preventable diseases. At the end of 2017, the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit and the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology held a meeting in Vietnam with national policy makers, researchers, and international experts to discuss current seroepidemiologic projects in Vietnam and future needs and plans for nationwide serosurveillance. This report summarizes the meeting and the plans that were discussed to set up nationwide serosurveillance in Vietnam. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thyroid nodule is a common disease in clinical practice. The diagnosis of malignant thyroid tumors determines the treatment strategy. Among a number of methods have claimed to help evaluating thyroid nodules, ultrasound is a usable one in spite of several disadvantages (dependent on the physician/technician, incomparable, etc.) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) accompanied by quantitative apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) is a promising diagnostic tool. This study was designed to investigate the usefulness of ADC cut-off values and the protocol of thyroid MRI derived from quantitative diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) in differentiating benign and malignant thyroid nodules. The study was conducted on 93 patients with 128 thyroid nodules, diagnosed and underwent surgery at Hanoi Medical University Hospital. All the patients took thyroid MRI with different b levels (from 200 to 800). ADC value was calculated to each b level, and the statistical tests were conducted with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS—Windows and Mac version 20) and STATA 12. The mean ADC with all the b ranging from 200 to 800 of malignant groups was significantly higher than the group of benign lesions (p from <0.001 to 0.01). We chose b = 500 as a standard b-value in the protocol of thyroid MRI. The ADC cut-off point for distinguishing malignant from benign thyroid lesions: 1.7 × 10−3 mm2/s with high accuracy (87.1%, 95% CI: 79.59–92.07%). The study revealed that quantitative diffusion weighted MRI with ADC measurement could potentially quantitatively differentiate between benign and malignant thyroid nodules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Organizational alternate wetting and drying water management in paddy fields. • Operation of pumps and sluice gates of water division works by water user group. • Difficulty of on-farm level ponding depth control because of frequent rainfall. • Methane emissions decreasing with an increase in drying period. • Rice yield was not affected except extreme drying. Abstract To mitigate the emissions of greenhouse gases from paddy fields and solve water shortage problems, sustainable and eco-friendly water management systems for rice cultivation urgently need to be constructed. Alternate wetting and drying (AWD) water management is effective and saves water. However, practical examples of AWD at the district or on-farm level are limited. We aimed to investigate the feasibility of AWD in experimental block units (conventional, weak-dry, and strong-dry) in paddy fields of about 44 ha in the Red River Delta area of Vietnam by examining the effects of intermittent irrigation (i.e., AWD) on the ponding depth, CH 4 and N 2 O emissions, and rice yield in blocked experimental plots. Intermittent irrigation was expected to be achieved through the operation of irrigation pumps and sluice gates of water division works by the water management organization (water user group) of the district. However, the ponding depth was not controlled as initially planned because of frequent rainfall and low rate of decrease of the ponding depth in the study area. It was, however, confirmed that the period during which the ponding depth decreased below the soil surface was mostly (but not always) longer in the dry-type blocks. CH 4 emissions decreased with an increase in drying period and this reduction was large in the summer-autumn season. There appeared to be no relationship between N 2 O emissions and water management. Rice yield decreased due to extreme drying in the summer-autumn season but was not affected by drying in the winter-spring season. This study demonstrated that CH 4 emissions can be reduced and rice yield can be maintained by achieving a maximum drying index (i.e., ratio of the period during which the ponding depth is below the soil surface) of 0.6 in the summer-autumn season in the paddy fields of the target area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacillus anthracis, the bacterial cause of anthrax, is a zoonosis affecting livestock and wildlife often spilling over into humans. In Vietnam, anthrax has been nationally reportable since 2015 with cases occurring annually, mostly in the northern provinces. In April 2022, an outbreak was reported in Son La province following the butchering of a water buffalo, Bubalus bubalis. A total of 137 humans from three villages were likely exposed to contaminated meat from the animal. Early epidemiological investigations suggested a single animal was involved in all exposures. Five B. anthracis isolates were recovered from human clinical cases along with one from the buffalo hide, another from associated maggots, and one from soil at the carcass site. The isolates were whole genome sequenced, allowing global, regional, and local molecular epidemiological analyses of the outbreak strains. All recovered B. anthracis belong to the A.Br.001/002 lineage based on canonical single nucleotide polymorphism analysis (canSNP). Although not previously identified in Vietnam, this lineage has been identified in the nearby countries of China, India, Indonesia, Thailand, as well as Australia. A twenty-five marker multi-locus variable number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA-25) was used to investigate the relationship between human, soil, and buffalo strains. Locally, four MLVA-25 genotypes were identified from the eight isolates. This level of genetic diversity is unusual for the limited geography and timing of cases and differs from past literature using MLVA-25. The coupled spatial and phylogenetic data suggest this outbreak originated from multiple, likely undetected, animal sources. These findings were further supported by local news reports that identified at least two additional buffalo deaths beyond the initial animal sampled in response to the human cases. Future outbreak response should include intensive surveillance for additional animal cases and additional molecular epidemiological traceback to identify pathogen sources. • Anthrax is high priority zoonosis in Vietnam with frequent human cases. • Using a 25-marker VNTR MLVA approach, we examined diversity in human cases and a reported animal source. • MLVA-25 revealed multiple sources were likely given higher than expected genotype diversity. • MLVA-25 data were supported by follow on epidemiological work and media reports of multiple livestock infections. • Genotyping plays an important role in epidemiological traceback and can expand the surveillance and control area for anthrax. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inefficient use of irrigation water threatens coffee production in Vietnam, the second largest producer worldwide after Brazil. This paper examines the irrigation issues that constrain sustainable coffee production in Vietnam. The period from January to April is a crucial time in the growth of the coffee crop. It requires irrigation, because rainfall only provides 25% of the potential crop evapotranspiration demand. According to crop phenology, this period also requires induced water stress, because it coincides with breaking the dormancy of flower buds and initiation of cherry development, which is crucial for achieving high yield. This paper proposes an irrigation supply of 120 or 150 mm between January and April in a year preceded by good or average rainfall respectively, in November and December. This is equivalent to 364 or 456 liters/plant/round in 3 rounds/year, which is only 70% of the locally recommended level by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. Synchronizing this irrigation supply with the management of other inputs could increase average yield up to 4000 kg/ha, from the present level of 2400 kg/ha making coffee production both sustainable and economically viable. In order to achieve this, building capacity of farmers to follow the irrigation and input application schedules is crucial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological relevance Seventeen plants used in Vietnamese traditional medicine for the treatment of inflammatory disorders were screened for NF-κB inhibitory activity. Oroxylum indicum , which exhibited activity, was investigated in detail. Materials and methods Forty plant extracts from 17 species were prepared by maceration using dichloromethane and methanol and were tested (10 µg/mL) to evaluate their ability to inhibit NF-κB activation using TNF-α-stimulated HEK-293 cells stably transfected with a NF-κB-driven luciferase reporter. The active extract of Oroxylum indicum was subsequently fractionated by different chromatographic techniques. After isolation, all single compounds were identified by spectroscopic methods and assessed for NF-κB inhibitory effects. Results The dichloromethane extracts obtained from Chromolaena odorata leaves and the stem bark of Oroxylum indicum showed distinct inhibitory effects on NF-κB activation at a concentration of 10 µg/mL. The active extract of Oroxylum indicum was subjected to further phytochemical studies resulting in identification of four flavonoid aglyca and six flavonoid glycosides. Pharmacological evaluation of the obtained compounds identified oroxylin A as the most active substance (IC 50 =3.9 µM, 95% CI: 3.5–4.4 µM), while chrysin and hispidulin showed lower activity with IC 50 =7.2 µM (95% CI: 6.0–8.8 µM) and 9.0 µM (95% CI: 7.9–10.2 µM), respectively. Interestingly, in this study the activity of baicalein (IC 50 =28.1 µM, 95% CI: 24.6–32.0 µM) was weak. The isolated glycosides showed no inhibitory activity when tested at a concentration of 30 µM. Quantification of the four active flavonoids in extracts and plant materials suggested that oroxylin A contributes to the NF-κB inhibitory activity of the stem barks of Oroxylum indicum to a greater extent than baicalein which was thought to be responsible for the anti-inflammatory activity of this plant. Conclusions The screening presented in this study identified the dichloromethane extracts of Chromolaena odorata and Oroxylum indicum as promising sources for NF-κB inhibitors. Hispidulin, baicalein, chrysin and oroxylin A, isolated from Oroxylum indicum , were identified as inhibitors of NF- κB activation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To estimate the direct medical cost of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its complications in Vietnam.Methods: Using the public payer perspective, the direct medical cost was estimated using routine data in the national claims database in Vietnam in 2017. People were identified as being diagnosed with T2DM if they were aged ≥ 30 years and who either (1) had at least one ICD-10 code E11 or (2) had been prescribed with oral antihyperglycemic medication on two separate visit records. The Diabetes Severity Complications Index was used to assess the presence of diabetes-related complications. All costs were standardized to 2017 United States dollars (USD).Results: Of the 1,395,204 people identified with T2DM, 55% had diabetes-related complications. The most common complication was cardiovascular diseases (34%). The total direct medical cost was USD 435 million, of which 24% was spent on hospitalization, 20% on outpatient care, 7% on emergency care, 36% on non-diabetes-related medication, and 13% on antihyperglycemic medication. About 70% of the total direct medical costs were attributed to diabetes-related complications.Conclusion: The high proportion of hospitalization and complications costs in Vietnam suggests that the possibility exists to make economic savings through better preventative care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One novel chromanone acid derivative, namely inocalophylline C ( 1 ), together with one known compound calophyllolide ( 2 ), were isolated from the methanolic extract of nut oil resin of Calophyllum inophyllum L., a medicinal plant widely distributed in Vietnam. The isolated compound structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods and the absolute configuration of 1 was established by the single-crystal X-ray crystallography as ethyl ( R ) 3-(( 2 R,3R,6R )-4-hydroxy-2,3-dimethyl-6-(( R )-5-methyl-2-(prop-1-en-2-yl)hex-4-en-1-yl)-6-(3-methylbut-2-en-1-yl)-5,7-dioxo-3,5,6,7-tetrahydro-2 H -chromen-8-yl)-3-phenylpropanoate.

The number of COVID-19 infections is still increasing with the omicron variant. Although vaccination has shown its effectiveness, efficacious treatments are still required. Kovir, a Vietnamese herbal medicine, has shown potential effects for non-severe COVID-19 patients in terms of symptom resolution and prevention of disease progression in previous studies. This phase-3 trial evaluated the safety and efficacy of Kovir for non-severe COVID-19 adults. Participants were randomized to the Kovir (381 patients) or placebo (192 patients) groups. Outcomes were progression to severe/critical COVID-19, a daily symptom score based on 11 pre-defined symptoms, time to symptom resolution, a negative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, an EQ-5D-5L quality of life (QOL) score, and serious adverse events. Only one patient (in the placebo group) progressed to severe COVID-19, thus we could not conclude the effect of Kovir on the prevention of disease progression. Kovir significantly reduced time to symptom resolution (median: 7 vs. 11 days, hazard ratio [95% confidence interval]: 2.03 [1.66-2.48]) compared to placebo. Kovir also increased the QOL score on days 7 and 14. No safety concerns were observed. To conclude, Kovir is safe and facilitates symptom relief for non-severe COVID-19 patients. We advocate using Kovir in the early phase of COVID-19 for non-severe adult patients., (© 2023 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Introduction: The goal of this study was to compare the results of LPD with those of open pancreaticoduodenectomy (OPD)., Method: Data were retrospectively collected from a database of patients who underwent PD from January 2010 to May 2020. Intraoperative, postoperative, and follow-up assessment studies were conducted., Results: A total of 149 patients were selected. Compared with OPD, LPD was fewer intraoperative blood transfusions (p = 0.015), a longer median operative time (p < 0.001), hospital stay (p = 0.034), a higher rate of bile leakage (p = 0.02), overall morbidity (p = 0.045), and re-operation (p = 0.044). There was no difference between the two groups in severe pancreatic fistula, postoperative bleeding, delayed gastric emptying, Clavien-Dindo classification ≥ III, or 30-day mortality. LPD had a similar number of excised lymph nodes, R0 resection rate, and long-term survival cases involving malignant tumors, ampulla of Vater cancer, and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma., Conclusion: In the early period, the benefit of LPD has not been found as there was a high rate of conversion to laparotomy, morbidity, and re-operation. Despite that, LPD is a feasible oncological approach with long-term survival comparable to OPD., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest Authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Asian Surgical Association and Taiwan Robotic Surgery Association. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Diphtheria is a life-threatening, vaccine-preventable disease caused by toxigenic Corynebacterium bacterial species that continues to cause substantial disease and death worldwide, particularly in vulnerable populations. Further outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases are forecast because of health service disruptions caused by the coronavirus disease pandemic. Diphtheria causes a spectrum of clinical disease, ranging from cutaneous forms to severe respiratory infections with systemic complications, including cardiac and neurologic. In this synopsis, we describe a case of oropharyngeal diphtheria in a 7-year-old boy in Vietnam who experienced severe myocarditis complications. We also review the cardiac complications of diphtheria and discuss how noninvasive bedside imaging technologies to monitor myocardial function and hemodynamic parameters can help improve the management of this neglected infectious disease.

Nitrous oxide (N 2 O) commonly referred to as laughing gas, has significant medical uses. This study aims to describe the neurological disorders associated with N 2 O. We conducted across-sectional study that enrolled patients with nitrous oxide toxicity admitted to Vietnam Poison Control Center, Bach Mai Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam from June 2018 to July 2019. The questionnaire included demographic characteristics, characteristics of using N 2 O, signs and clinical symptoms, neuroimaging findings, injury on electromyography (EMG) and the Total Neuropathy Score clinical version (TNSc) criteria. A total of 47 participants were included with mean age: 24.38 ± 6.20 years. The number of balloons used per week was 130.59 ± 117.43. The mean duration of N 2 O exposure was 8.79 ± 7.1 months. Multivariate linear logistic regression revealed that the number of N 2 O balloons used per week was significantly associated with TNSc point (Beta: 0.315; 95% CI: 0.001-0.022). We found that myeloneuropathy and peripheral neuropathy were the main neurological disorders related to N 2 O abuse, which should improve the awareness of the appearance of neurological disorders associated with N 2 O abuse.

Introduction: Clinical and bacteriological features of cobra (Naja) bites are still relatively unknown in Vietnam. This study aimed to characterize the clinical and bacteriological characteristics of local wounds in patients with presumed Naja spp bite, as well as their antibiotic treatment., Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed on presumed Naja bite patients who were admitted to Bach Mai Hospital in Hanoi, Vietnam. In vitro bacterial isolation, blood tests, and lesion measure were conducted, and antibiotic susceptibilities of localized bite wounds were assessed. The Mann-Whitney test was used to examine the difference in clinical characteristics between patients experiencing presumed Naja atra bites and Naja kaouthia bites. Data are presented as percentages or median with interquartile range, as appropriate. Statistical significance was accepted at P<0.05., Results: Among 46 patients, all had typical clinical features of Naja bite. The median bite-to-hospital time was 6 h (interquartile range 4.0-11.3). The dominant organisms isolated from local wounds were Morganella morganii (11/36) and Enterococcus faecalis (25/36). All cultures were susceptible to ciprofloxacin. No difference was found with regard to pain, swelling circumference, swelling spread, or necrotic area between patients bitten by presumed Naja atra and Naja kaouthia (P>0.05)., Conclusions: Wound necrosis and infection were important clinical issues in presumed Naja spp snake bites. Morganella morganii and Enterococcus faecalis were dominant in local wound swabs of such cases. Ciprofloxacin should be an effective first-line antibiotic for patients with presumed Naja bite., (Copyright © 2020 Wilderness Medical Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: In Vietnam, reaching the remaining one-third of undiagnosed people living with HIV and facilitating their antiretroviral therapy (ART) enrollment requires breakthrough approaches. We piloted lay provider HIV testing as an innovative approach to reach at-risk populations that never or infrequently HIV test at facility-based services., Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey and analysis of routine program data in two urban provinces (Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City) and two rural mountainous provinces (Nghe An and Dien Bien) from October 2015 through September 2017. Acceptability of lay provider testing was defined as the proportion of first-time HIV testers utilizing the service, and effectiveness was measured by HIV positivity and ART initiation rates. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to determine lay provider testing preference and factors associated with that preference., Results: Among 1,230 individuals recruited for face-to-face interviews, 74% belonged to key populations: people who inject drugs accounted for 31.4%; men who have sex with men, 60.4%; and female sex workers, 8.2%. Most clients (67%) reported being first-time HIV testers, and the majority (85.8%) preferred lay provider testing to facility-based testing. Multivariate analysis found that clients in urban areas (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.50; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.30-4.90) and those who had a university or higher education (aOR = 1.83; 95% CI: 1.05-3.20) were more likely to prefer lay provider testing. Lay provider testing yielded a higher HIV positivity rate (4.1%), particularly among first-time testers (6.8%), compared to facility-based testing (nationally estimated at 1.6% in 2016) and had a high ART initiation rate (91%)., Conclusions: Our findings suggest that lay provider HIV testing is an effective approach to reach previously unreached at-risk populations, and, therefore, a critical addition to accelerating Vietnam's attainment of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS 90-90-90 goals., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.