Authors implemented the study to find characteristics of Doppler ultrasonic images in patients with HCC. This is a prospective study and carried out in B¹ch Mai Hospital. In the study on 15 patients, who had positive diagnosis of HCC, were selected. All of them underwent Doppler ultrasound and hepatic arteriography. Intra-tumoral and peri-tumoral flow is found with Doppler U.S 86.6% of tumors compared to the results of hepatic arteriography. The average peak velocity of hepatic artery and intratumoral artery is 83.3 and 57.2 cm/s respectively. The resistive Index is from 0.4 to 0.88 in intratumoural vessels.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Angiography ; Ultrasonics

A 51 year old female with left breast carcinoma underwnet mastectomy, radiotherapy and has had chemotherapy for two years. Chest X-ray (CXR) film showed the linear pattern in the peripheri of both lungs. High resolution computed tomography (HRCT) images defined reticulo-nodullar opacities in lower zone of the lung bilaterally consistant with pulmonary lymphangitic carcinomatosis. In summary, HRCT of the lung is a modality can define and characterize difuse lung lesions, in particularly, pulmonary lymphangitic carcinomatosis.
Lung Neoplasms ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Background: Dihydroartemisinin 40mg and piperaquine phosphate 320mg (DHA-PQP) drug combination and piperaquin phosphate (PQP) material was first successfully produced in Vietnam \r\n', u'Objective: to study influences of the fixed combination antimalaria drug dihydroartemisinin plus piperaquine in reproductive progress of mice\r\n', u"Subjects and methods: This study was carried out at the Department of Malaria treatment and research, National Institute of Malariology, Parasitology and Entomology (NIMPE), between September, 2006 and March, 2007. The influences of the fixed combination antimalarial drug 40 mg dihydroartemisinin (DHA) plus 320 mg piperaquine phosphate (PQP), with PQP produced firstly in Vietnam, in mice's reproductive progresses were investigated in three generations (including the parent and FI, F2 child generations). \r\n", u'Results: In all three generations, study indices among the treated and control groups were not significantly different (the values P > 0.05). These indices included the rate of fecundation, numbers of fetuses of each mother mouse, numbers of offspring of each mother mouse, mean body weights of offspring. Early lethal fetuses, lately lethal fetuses, monsters and innate abnormally offspring were not found in P, FI and F2 generations. The necessary feeding - day numbers that offspring of P and F 1 generations reached their body weights about 20g were different insignificantly (the values P> 0.05) among the treated and control groups. \r\n', u'Conclusion: The combination DHA-PQP was found to cause no genome mutations in mice at the oral dose of 120 mg per kg per day for 5 consecutive days. \r\n', u'
Dihydroartemisinin ; piperaquine ; fixed combination antimalarial drug ; rate of fecundation ; early lethal fetuses ; lately lethal fetuses ; monsters and innate abnormally offspring ; genome mutations ; fetuses

Background: Piperaquin (PQ) is an anti-malaria drug, which belong to bisquinoline class. Vietnam has successfully produced PQ (both base and phosphate) since 2004. Objective: To evaluate acute oral toxicities of Piperaquine phosphate and the fixed combination anti-malarial drug Dihydroartemisinin plus Piperaquine in mice. Subject and Method: This study was conducted at National Institute of Malariology, Parasitology and Entomology between June and October, 2005. The acute oral toxicities of piperaquine phosphate (PQP) and the fixed combination anti-malaria drug (40 mg dihydroiutemisinin plus 320 mg piperaquine phosphate (DHA-PQP), with the materials produced by Institute of chemistry) in mice were investigated. Result: PQP had a medium toxicity. Inhibition of mice's central nervous systems was the main toxicity exhibition. At the high doses of PQP, mice's convulsion was observed before their deaths. The infralethal dose (LDo), absolute lethal dose (LD100) and mean lethal dose (LD50) of PQP were 900, 2300 and 1643.98 (1537.6 \u2013 1758.92) mg/kg, respectively. The fixed combination DHA-PQP had a less toxicity than PQP powder, with LDo, LD100 and LD50 were 1400, 2800 and 2050.06 (1943.63 \u2013 2157.14) mg per kg of body weight, respectively. Conclusion: At the high doses of DHA-PQP, this combination also inhibited mice's central nervous systems. Mice convulsed strongly before their deaths. All died mice were operated for observing visually their organs such as hearts, livers, kidneys, lungs, vesicles and intestines. No abnormal signals were found.
Piperaquine phosphate ; toxicity ; Dihydroartemisinin

Background: The combination of dihydroartemisinin and piperaquine is interested because of its efficiency and safety in treating malaria. Objective: To evaluate the influences of the fixed combination anti-malarial drug dihydroartemisinin plus piperaquine in constitutions and some biochemical and haematological indices of rabbits. Subject and Method: The sub-chronic toxicity of the fixed combination anti-malarial drug of 40 mg dihydroartemisinin plus 320 mg piperaquine phosphate (DHA-PQP), with the materials produced by Institute of Chemistry, in rabbits was investigated. Rabbits were treated daily by oral route with DHA-PQP at the dose regimens of 64 and 100 mg/kg per day for 28 consecutive days. Result and Conclusion: DHA-PQP did not affect on rabbits' constitutions. Generally, all rabbits had normal ingestions, activities, and defecations. Rabbits' body weights increased regularly along the study period and significantly increased between day 28 and day 0 (P < 0.05). At the dose regimen of 64 mg/kg per day for 28 consecutive days, DHA-PQP did not change significantly rabbits' biochemical indices (including GOT, GPT, bilirubin, creatinine and protein) and haematological. These changes were insignificantly different between the treated and control groups at the same study points (P > 0.05). With the dose regimen of 100 mg/kg, the combination did not affect significantly (P>0.05) on some rabbits' biochemical and haematological indices. But hemoglobin, erythrocyte count and rate of monocytes increased significantly on day 14 comparing to that the control group (P < 0.05) and became in normal limits on day 29 (P > 0.05). Protein concentration also increased significantly on days 14 and 29 comparing to that of day 0 (P < 0.05).
Dihydroartemisinin plus piperaquine combination ; constitutions ; haematological

Background: Shigella-induced diarrhea has been considered a major health problem leading to high morbidity and mortality. This disease can lead to dire consequences; however, the true burden of the disease, including the costs and sequalae associated with shigellosis is not yet known. Objectives: (1) To describe the health seeking behavior and the way of payment of population when suffering Shigella; (2) To identify and analyze the direct household costs associated with the treatment of diarrhea due to Shigella. Subjects and method: 290 patients of all ages with positive Shigella diarrhea admitted to public health facilities in Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa province in the period from August 2002 to January 2004 were included in the study. The subjects were divided into three age groups, the first 0-5, second 5-18 and the last one was over 18 years old. Patients and their relatives were interviewed at three stages - day 7, day 14 and day 90 - to obtain all the required information. Results: 134 of 290 patients (47%) paid for using the other health care services before admission to the study\u2019s facilities. The average direct cost per episode for the patients at group aged 0-5 was 129,000 VND, group aged 6-18 was 59,267 VND and over 18 years old was 173,531 VND; it was 131.960 VND for three groups. Comparison with the average household expenditure for health care, it was higher in the poorer group and it was lower three times than the richest group. The average direct medical cost per episode was higher the average direct non-medical cost per episode for all groups. Conclusions: The average direct cost per episode of Shigellosis treatment was rather high especially the average direct cost for the treatment at the health facility. It was also high compared with the average expenditure for health per capita so that it becomes large economic burden for households.
Direct cost ; Shigella ; treatment

Background: Cystic hygromas is a common abnormal event in obstetrics ultrasound, which is induced by a chromosome disorder; it is also one of the major causes inducing fetus\u2019s congenital malformation. Objective: Determining chromosomal aberration in nuchal cystic hygromas by FISH technique and outcomes the value of factors in prognosis fetuses with cystic hygroma. Subject and methods: 53 fetuses with cystic hygroma, which are detected by ultrasound scan, are analyzed by FISH technique. Compare results of FISH, band G chromosomal analysis, ultrasonographic abnormalities, followed the fetuses. Results: Chromosomal and FISH analysis give the same detection: abnormal chromosomes: 75.46%, the highest rate is Turner syndrome: 50.94%, normal chromosome: 24.53%. Abnormal chromosomal fetuses: multi-malformation, grim prognosis. Cystic hygroma with other malformation in scan: high rate chromosomal aberrations and septated hygroma, Turner syndrome fetuses have large cystic hygroma, 4/6 fetuses with normal chromosome and without other abnormal result scan have resolutions of hygroma in the second trimester, normal birth. Conclusions: Abnormal chromosomes: 75.46%. Prognosis is grim: abnormal chromosomes, other malformations in scan, large cystic, septated hygroma. Prognosis is better: normal chromosomes, without other ultrasonographic abnormalities, small cystic, nonseptated hygroma, resolution of cystic hygroma.
cystic hygroma ; FISH technique ; chromosome

Background: Preeclampsia is a complex disease caused by pregnancy, with many complications for both mother and fetus, but there is no specific treatment. The purpose of the study is to describe clinical characteristics and survey some risk factors for preeclampsia. Materials and methods: The case-control study included 205 pregnant women with preeclampsia and 205 pregnant women without preeclampsia. Results: In the preeclampsia group, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and BMI were 154.9 ± 15.5 mmHg, 96.0 ± 9.7 mmHg and 23.7 ± 3.5 kg/m2, respectively; edema (58.5%), history of preeclampsia (14.1%), early-onset preeclampsia (28.8%) and severe preeclampsia (42.4%). Early onset increased the risk of severe preeclampsia with OR = 3.98 (95% CI: 2.10 - 7.55). 10.8% had complications, in the mother including HELLP syndrome, eclampsia, coagulation disorders and in the fetus including fetal distress, intrauterine growth retardation and premature birth. Maternal age ≥ 35 years old, history of miscarriage, BMI were associated with preeclampsia, with OR 3.36 (95% CI: 2.06 - 5.46); 1.67 (95% CI: 1.04 - 2.67); 6.66 (95% CI: 4.19 - 10.59), respectively. Conclusion: Severe preeclampsia accounted for a high rate, was associated with early onset, and complications were recorded in both mother and fetus. Maternal age, history of miscarriage and overweight were factors that increase the risk of preeclampsia.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive malignant brain tumor and has a high mortality rate. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has emerged as a promising approach for the treatment of malignant brain tumors. However, the use of PDT for the treatment of GBM has been limited by its low blood‒brain barrier (BBB) permeability and lack of cancer-targeting ability. Herein, brain endothelial cell-derived extracellular vesicles (bEVs) were used as a biocompatible nanoplatform to transport photosensitizers into brain tumors across the BBB. To enhance PDT efficacy, the photosensitizer chlorin e6 (Ce6) was linked to mitochondria-targeting triphenylphosphonium (TPP) and entrapped into bEVs. TPP-conjugated Ce6 (TPP-Ce6) selectively accumulated in the mitochondria, which rendered brain tumor cells more susceptible to reactive oxygen species-induced apoptosis under light irradiation. Moreover, the encapsulation of TPP-Ce6 into bEVs markedly improved the aqueous stability and cellular internalization of TPP-Ce6, leading to significantly enhanced PDT efficacy in U87MG GBM cells. An in vivo biodistribution study using orthotopic GBM-xenografted mice showed that bEVs containing TPP-Ce6 [bEV(TPP-Ce6)] substantially accumulated in brain tumors after BBB penetration via transferrin receptor-mediated transcytosis. As such, bEV(TPP-Ce6)-mediated PDT considerably inhibited the growth of GBM without causing adverse systemic toxicity, suggesting that mitochondria are an effective target for photodynamic GBM therapy.