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Ha Nguyen Thi Thu,1 Hung Nguyen Van,2 Tuan Nguyen Minh,3 Kien Nguyen Trung,4 Thang Le Viet1 1Department of Selection, Preparation and Treatment, Organ Transplant Center, Military Hospital 103, Vietnam Military Medical University, Ha Noi, Vietnam; 2Nephrology and Hemodialysis Department, Transport Hospital, Ha Noi, Vietnam; 3Nephrology, Urology and Hemodialysis Department, E Hospital, Ha Noi, Vietnam; 4Hematology and Blood Transfusion Center, Military Hospital 103, Vietnam Military Medical University, Ha Noi, VietnamCorrespondence: Thang Le Viet, Military Hospital 103, Vietnam Military Medical University, 261 Phung Hung, Ha Dong, Ha Noi, Vietnam, Tel +84982249968, Email lethangviet@yahoo.co.ukAim: To determine all-cause mortality rate and the predictive value of plasma ferritin and total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) concentrations for mortality during the first 3 years of hemodialysis in patients with end-stage chronic renal disease (ESRD).Methods: We conducted a study on 174 ESRD patients (estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate < 15 mL/min/1.73m2). The plasma TIBC level was quantified by the ELISA method in all patients at the time before hemodialysis. Based on TIBC concentration, patients were divided equally into 2 groups. Each group had 87 patients. Patients were initiated on hemodialysis, and patients who died from any cause during the first 3 years of hemodialysis were recorded.Results: The all-cause mortality rate of ESRD patients in the first 3 years of maintenance hemodialysis was 22.9%. Plasma high hs-CRP, high ferritin, and low TIBC concentrations were independent factors associated with all-cause mortality in the patients. Plasma ferritin (cut-off value = 454.2 ng/L) and TIBC (cut-off value = 39.84 μmol/L) were predictors of all-cause mortality, AUC is: 0.772; 0.723, p < 0.001.Conclusion: Plasma ferritin and TIBC were good predictors of all-cause mortality in ESRD patients during the first 3 years of hemodialysis.Keywords: end-stage chronic renal disease, plasma TIBC, plasma ferritin, mortality prediction, the first 3 years of maintenance hemodialysis

Sang Nguyen Ngoc,1 Ha Nguyen Thai,1 Quang Vu Van,1 Lam Vu Tung,1 Rang Nguyen Ngoc,2 Hung Nguyen Van3 1Haiphong University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hai Phong, Vietnam; 2An Giang Central General Hospital, An Giang, Vietnam; 3National Lung Hospital, Hanoi, VietnamCorrespondence: Sang Nguyen Ngoc Email nnsang@hpmu.edu.vnIntroduction: Spina Ventosa is a rare condition that is easy to misdiagnose as other diseases. We present a case of late-diagnosed Spina Ventosa, which had not only the osteoarticular tuberculosis symptoms but also some severe symptoms, including pleural effusion, ascites, and anemia. By intensive treatment, our patient recovered completely.Case Report: A 7-year-old boy was admitted with complaints of painless swelling of metacarpals, metatarsals, and phalanges of his hands and feet and a discharging sinus of the left toe. There was no family or past history of tuberculosis. His immunizations were up to date. General examination revealed that the child had pallor and was emaciated. No lymphadenopathy was detected. Investigations revealed hemoglobin: 74 g/l, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was 42 mm/hour. QuantiFERON-TB test was positive. The radiograph showed irregular swelling with sclerosis of the underlying bones. The right-hand x-ray showed cortical destruction, sclerosis, and cystic expansion or right second metacarpal. Chest x-ray indicated pleural effusion. Histopathological examination of specimen from the foot and lung and abdomen fluid confirmed tuberculosis. The child was treated with the first-line tuberculosis treatment regimen (Isoniazid, Rifampicin, Ethambutol, and Pyrazinamide) for two months, followed by Isoniazid, Rifampicin, and Pyrazinamide for a further four months. His lesions disappeared after six weeks of intensive treatment.Conclusion: A delay in diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis can lead to systemic manifestations in multiple organs. Despite the delay in diagnosis, this child had a good outcome due to being treated promptly and adequately after the presentation.Keywords: spina ventosa, osteo-articular tuberculosis, children

OBJECTIVE: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a type of chronic arthritis, is common in Vietnam. It has severe consequences for patients, both physically and psychologically, including depressive disorders. Therefore, early detection of depressive disorders is of high importance to help provide comprehensive treatment and improve RA patients' quality of life. This cross-sectional study explored the prevalence of depressive disorders and their salient characteristics and related factors in RA patients in Vietnam. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We enrolled 156 patients diagnosed with RA using the ACR-1987 criteria. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) was used to screen for depressive disorders. Patients' demographic characteristics and clinical and laboratory investigation results, such as the visual analog score, complete blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, Disease Activity Score 28 for RA with C-reactive protein (DAS28-CRP), and quality-of-life score (based on the SF-36 test) were analyzed. Depressive disorders assessed on the first day of admission were reevaluated by a psychiatrist if the PHQ-9 score was = 5. RESULTS: According to the PHQ-9 results, depression prevalence among RA patients was 76.3%. The majority of patients (49.4%) had moderate-to-severe depression and 91% experienced sleep disorder symptoms. Negative thoughts - suicidal ideation or self-injury - were reported by 21.8% of patients. Depression severity had a moderately positive relationship with disease activity level and a moderately negative relationship with quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: Depression prevalence was high among RA patients. Depression severity increased with disease activity and decreased quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stability of electrolyte with higher electrochemical and structural performance is a key aspect for achieving greater longevity of cycle life of battery. In this article, we investigated the electrochemical performance of sol‐gel Na0.44MnO2 (SG‐NMO) as cathode material in lithium batteries within nonaqueous lithium electrolyte. The SG‐NMO was prepared by the two‐step of the sol‐gel method: a transparent gel was obtained by a stirring of precursors (Na2CO3, Mn(CH3COOH)2 and acid citric) at 80°C; then gel was calcinated at 400°C for 6 hours and 800°C for 9 hours in air. The structure and morphology were characterized by X‐ray diffraction, SEM, and Raman spectroscopy. The XRD pattern exhibited a high crystallization of orthorhombic phase and SEM images showed the well‐crystalline grains in submicrometric scale. Following charge‐discharge profile and ex‐situ XRDs result, SG‐NMO showed 0.22 ion Na+‐extraction at the end of first cycle and a reversible Li‐migration from second cycle without a phase transition. The specific capacity at rate C/10 was about 180 mAh/g with a capacity retention of 95% upon 50 cycles. Moreover, a good electrochemical performance in rate capability (from C to 3C) indicated a highly kinetic Li‐transportation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the design of a miniature antenna dedicated to be implanted in a small animal and intended to work in the European UHF RFID (865–868 MHz) band is presented. One of the goals of this work is the miniaturization of the radiating element while preserving its efficiency to allow a reliable communication between an external interrogating reader and the implanted device. The radiating element is a small rectangular loop antenna associated with a dipole allowing impedance matching. The antenna has dimensions of 2.4mm × 25.4mm × 0.5mm and integrates an Impinj Monza 4 chip presenting an impedance of 5.5−j74 Ohms at 868 MHz. The antenna is designed and optimized by using the ANSYS HFSS software. The obtained results show a simulated radiation efficiency of 0.7% and simulated total gain of −17.5 dBi. A prototype is realized, and RSSI measurements have demonstrated the possibility of reliable wireless communications between the implanted antenna and an external reader. In addition, Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) calculation indicates that this implanted antenna meets the required safety regulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]