Background: Impaired synthesis of adrenal hormones because of steroid 21 - hydroxylase deficiency is one of the common inborn errors of metabolism. The disease is caused by mutations in CYP21 gene and inherited as an autosomal recessive trait.Objectives: This study aims to detect some mutations in CYP21 gene as well as study the relationship between genotype - phenotype and the carriers in patients' family. Subjects and method:43 patients with classic 21 - hydroxylase deficiency and 10 patients' parents were analysed CYP21 gene by using PCR techniques with specific primer pairs. The data was collected and analysed by EpiInfo 6.04 and other common medical statistic method. Results:Among 43 children patients of congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency, the rate between male and female was equavalent. The most frequent mutation causing steroid 21 - hydroxylase deficiency was deletion 8bp of exon 3. Then, was splicing site mutation of intron 2. The mutation of exon 1 (Pr030Leu) was also detected. About genotype - phenotype relationship, nearly all deletions 8bp (80%) and 12 splicing mutations (87.5%) were associated with salt - wasting phenotype. Conclusion: Parents were the carriers corresponding to the autosomal recessive rule.
Adrenal Hyperplasia ; Congenital/ diagnosis ; pathology ; therapy ; Steroid 21-Hydroxylase/ diagnostic use

Background: The male infertility accounts for approximately 40%-50%, in which the cases without sperms in semen occupy nearly 5% for Obstructive Azoospermia (OA). Percutaneous Epididymal Sperm Aspiration (PESA) in combination with serum FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) test was effective in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease. Objectives: To evaluate preliminarily the results of the technique of PESA in the diagnosis of OA and in combination with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) for treating male infertility. Subjects and method: A longitudinal, interventional study was carried out on 110 cases of male infertility treated at the Assisted Reproductive Technology Center of National Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology from August 7th 2005 to July 30th 2006. All patients underwent PESA and then testicular fine needle aspiration (TEFNA) if necessary. Results: The mean age of patients was 34.75+/-6.68 years. Among 110 patients, 54 cases (49.1%) had post-operative diagnoses of OA, 56 cases (50.9%) were diagnosed with complete azoospermia after PESA and TEFNA procedures. There were correlations between the volume of left and right testis and the probability of sperms in testing samples (p= 0.03 and =0.05, respectively). Also, serum FSH concentration related to the positive result of sperm test (p< 0.0001). Conclusion: PESA is less-invasive and exact method to the diagnosis of azoospermia. It should be done PESA for patients with testis volume >=10ml and serum FSH concentration <20mIU/mL.
azoospermia ; Percutaneous Epididymal Sperm Aspiration

Background: HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is the virus that causes AIDS. This virus is passed from one person to another through blood-to-blood and sexual contact. In addition, infected pregnant women can pass HIV to their baby during pregnancy or delivery, as well as through breast-feeding. Objectives:To study the CCR5- 32 and SDF 1-3 A allelic frequence in the HIV -1 infected mothers and their children. Subjects and method: Amplificated on CCR5 and SDF1 gene by PCR and restriction of this fragment length polymorphisme (RLFP) assay for detection of the mutated gene by EcoR1 and Hpall. Results: No mutation of CCR5 was found but only mutation identified at the SDF1 gene. Mutation identified at the SDF1 gene of the mother was: homozygote 2.7% (accounted for 2/37 cases), heterozygote 40.54% (accounted for 15/37 cases) and at the children: homozygote 5.4% (accounted for 1/37 cases), heterozygote 45.95% (accounted for 17/37 cases). The CCR5 chemokin receptor is a co-receptor for M trofic HIV-1 strains, which predominate in the early stage of the HIV disease and SDF-1 natural ligand for the CXCR4 reception. The mutation of these genes protect from HIV-1 infection (slow progression).\r\n', u'Conclusion: It\u2019s necessary to find the mutation of CCR5 and CCR2b related the progression of HIV patients. \r\n', u'
HIV-1/ metabolism ; Receptors ; CCR5

Background: A/H5N1 influenza virus spreads from birds to humans and cause influenza diseases with high mortality rate. Vaccination is the most effective way to protect communities from pandemic, reduce morbidity and mortality. The study of creating A/H5N1 influenza vaccines in conformity with Vietnam was the urgent need. Institute of Vaccine\u2019s Achievement (IVAC) studied production of inactivated influenza vaccine for human on egg-grown from reassortants NIBRG-14. Objectives: In order to produce experimentally A/H5N1 influenza vaccine for human in accordance with WHO requirements and set up a viable process for production of the vaccines. Subjects and method: 10 days embryonated eggs and NIBRG-14 strains were served to the study with LAL method to check endotoxin, Kijehdal method to test total protein. Results: IVAC had produced successfully 5 lots of absorbed vaccine A/H5N1 (FLUVAC) using NIBRG-14 strains and embryonated eggs. Initially, production and quality control processes had been set up at IVAC by applying the recommendations of WHO. Conclusion: The success of the study was a basis of the approval of the government to establish a influenza vaccine manufacturing facilities.
Influenza A Virus ; H5N1 Subtype ; Influenza Vaccines ; Humans ; Eggs

Background: Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is the most common cause of inherited mental retardation. The absence of Fragile X Mental Retardation (FMRP) in Fragile X syndrome changes other proteins. Objective: To detect changes of glycoprotein in human serum of Fragile X syndrome. Subject and methods: Affinity chromatography with lectin concanavalin A (ConA) used to receive glycoprotein. The collected glycoprotein was then separated using 2-D electrophoresis. The protein spots were further excised, trypsin digested, and analyzed by nano LC couple with ESI-MS/MS and identified by MASCOT v1.8 software. Results and conclusion: 5 glycoproteins showed the different expression levels in the serum of Fragile X syndrome. Haptoglobin, Ig-J were increased and ceruloplasmin, transferring, Ig kappa were decreased. Using affinity chromatography with lectin concanavalin A (ConA), glycoprotein was received and divided on 2 ways electrokinetic chromatography. The mixture protein was identified with a reliability of 99.5% by 2 ways liquid chromatography combined with continuous spectrum mass.
Fragile X syndrome ; Fragile X Mental Retardation ; proteomics

Objective: To investigate antidiabetic and antioxidant activities of the extract and fractions from Vietnamese red seaweed Laurencia dendroidea. Methods: The seaweed Laurencia dendroidea was extracted by using microwave-assisted extraction method in 80％ methanol. The seaweed extract was then fractionated using different solvents (n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, butanol and water). These obtained fractions were evaluated for α-glucosidase inhibitory and antioxidant activities. Antioxidant activities were tested using DPPH, nitric oxide radical scavenging and metal chelating assays. The enzyme inhibition mode was determined using Lineweaver-Burk plot. For acidic and thermal stabilities, the ethyl acetate fraction was treated at pH 2.0 and 100 ℃, respectively. The residual inhibitory activity of the fraction was calculated based on the initial inhibitory activity. For in vivo antidiabetic activity, mice were divided into four groups, including normal control, diabetic control, diabetic mice treated with ethyl acetate fraction and diabetic mice treated with gliclazide. Blood glucose level of treated mice during acute and prolonged treatments was measured. To evaluate the toxicity of the ethyl acetate fraction, the body weight changes and activities of liver function enzymes (aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase and gammaglutamyl transferase) were carried out. Results: The extract of Laurencia dendroidea showed strong α-glucosidase inhibitory and DPPH radical scavenging activities. Methanolic concentrations affected both α-glucosidase inhibitory and antioxidant activities. A 80％ aqueous methanol was the suitable solvent for extraction of enzyme inhibitors and antioxidants. Among solvent fractions, ethyl acetate fraction had the highest inhibitory activities against α-glucosidase with a mixed type of inhibition and the strongest antioxidant activities, and was stable under acidic and thermal conditions. The ethyl acetate fraction treated diabetic mice significantly reduced blood glucose level compared with the diabetic control group (13.16 mmol/L vs. 22.75 mmol/L after 3 hours of treatment). Oral administration of ethyl acetate fraction did not exhibit toxicity at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight as determined by body weight changes and liver biochemical parameters. Conclusions: Laurencia dendroidea could be a potential source for production of antidiabetic and antioxidative agents.

Salmonella spp. are pathogens involved in most salmonellosis in rabbits. This study examined Salmonella disease in rabbits raised in Thua Thien Hue, Vietnam. Two hundred and 56 rectal swabs of rabbits were taken, and a carrier rate of 33.98% was found. In addition, all the isolated Salmonella spp. strains were 100% motile; positive for H2S, catalase, Voges Proskauer, coagulase, citrate, maltose, and dextrose; and negative for indole, methyl red, urease, oxidase, sucrose, and lactose. The Kirby-Bauer method showed that these Salmonella strains were susceptible to doxycycline (93.2%), tetracycline (84.1%), and levofloxacin (65.9%). On the other hand, they were highly resistant to streptomycin (95.5%), ampicillin (93.2%), colistin (40.9%), and gentamicin (34.1%). Furthermore, polymerase chain reaction used to screen for virulence and specific genes of Salmonella strains showed that all Salmonella strains isolated carried InvA, fimA, and Stn.

Objectives: The prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has increased, particularly among individuals who have recovered from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. Health literacy is considered a “social vaccine” that helps people respond effectively to the pandemic. We aimed to investigate the association between long COVID-19 and PTSD, and to examine the modifying role of health literacy in this association. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at 18 hospitals and health centers in Vietnamfrom December 2021 to October 2022. We recruited 4,463 individuals who had recovered from COVID-19 infection for at least 4 weeks. Participants provided information about their sociodemographics, clinical parameters, health-related behaviors, health literacy (usingthe 12-item short-form health literacy scale), long COVID-19 symptoms and PTSD (Impact Event Scale-Revised score of 33 or higher). Logistic regression models were used to examine associations and interactions. Results: Out of the study sample, 55.9% had long COVID-19 symptoms, and 49.6% had PTSD.Individuals with long COVID-19 symptoms had a higher likelihood of PTSD (odds ratio [OR], 1.86; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.63–2.12; p < 0.001). Higher health literacy was associated with a lower likelihood of PTSD (OR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.97–0.99; p = 0.001). Compared to those without long COVID-19 symptoms and the lowest health literacy score, those with long COVID-19 symptoms and a 1-point health literacy increment had a 3% lower likelihood of PTSD (OR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.96–0.99; p = 0.001). Conclusion Health literacy was found to be a protective factor against PTSD and modified the negative impact of long COVID-19 symptoms on PTSD.

Background: Dengue virus infection is a major public health problem. A hypothesis put forward for severe dengue is the cytokine storm, a sudden increase in cytokines that induces vascular permeability. Previous studies and our recent meta-analysis showed that IL-6, IL-8, IFNγ, TNFα, VEGF-A and VCAM-1 are associated with dengue shock syndrome. Therefore, in this study we aim to validate the association of these cytokines with severe dengue. Methods & Findings: In a hospital based case control study in Vietnam, children with dengue fever, other febrile illness and healthy controls were recruited. Dengue virus infection was confirmed by several diagnostic tests. Multiplex Immunoassay using Luminex technology was used to measure cytokines simultaneously. A positive association with dengue shock syndrome was found for VCAM-1, whereas a negative association was found for IFNγ. Furthermore, the multivariate logistic analysis also showed that VCAM-1 and IFNγ were independently correlated with dengue shock syndrome. Conclusion: IFNγ and VCAM-1 were associated with dengue shock syndrome, although their role in the severe dengue pathogenesis remains unclear. Additional studies are required to further investigate the function of these cytokines in severe dengue.

Background: Dengue virus infection is a major public health problem. A hypothesis put forward for severe dengue is the cytokine storm, a sudden increase in cytokines that induces vascular permeability. Previous studies and our recent meta-analysis showed that IL-6, IL-8, IFNγ, TNFα, VEGF-A and VCAM-1 are associated with dengue shock syndrome. Therefore, in this study we aim to validate the association of these cytokines with severe dengue. Methods & Findings: In a hospital based-case control study in Vietnam, children with dengue fever, other febrile illness and healthy controls were recruited. Dengue virus infection was confirmed by several diagnostic tests. Multiplex immunoassay using Luminex technology was used to measure cytokines simultaneously. A positive association with dengue shock syndrome was found for VCAM-1, whereas a negative association was found for IFNγ. Furthermore, multivariate logistic analysis also showed that VCAM-1 and IFNγ were independently correlated with dengue shock syndrome. Conclusion: IFNγ and VCAM-1 were associated with dengue shock syndrome, although their role in the severe dengue pathogenesis remains unclear. Additional studies are required to shed further light on the function of these cytokines in severe dengue.