Activity of some erythrocyte antioxidant enzymes SOD, GPx and GR and total plasma antioxidant status were investigated on 58 workers who were working an a petroleum company. The results showed that there are negative correlation between blood lead level with activity of GPx and GR enzymes (r= -0.5724 and -0.4341, respectively). There was a slight decrease in total plasma antioxidant status of groups with high blood lead level, but it is insignificant.
Antioxidant ; Enzymology ; Erythrocytes

Background: Mental retardation is a common pathological state in children, accounting for about 1 - 3%. Children with mental retardation should have a life of integrity and proper support. The discovery and assessment the children will help us to orient the education, assistance and early intervention for them at each location. Objectives: This study aimed at determining the prevalence of mental retardation (MR) among children in some quarters and communes of Hue city and the degrees of mental retardation in these children. Subjects and method: Screening by WHO questionnaire \u201cTen Question screen for disability\ufffd?and learning results (if possible) of children from 6 to under 16 years old in 5 quarters (urban) and 2 communes (rural) randomly selected in Hue. Diagnostics and evaluations are based on the criteria of ICD \ufffd?10. Results: The prevalence of MR in this study was 0.94% (95%CI = 0.82 \ufffd?1.07), 1.18% in rural area and 0.84% in urban area; 1.16% among boys and 0.70% among girls. Mild MR accounts for 62.67% moderate: 19.36%, severe: 11.52% and profound: 6.45%. Conclusion: The prevalence was statistically significant higher in rural area than in urban area and in boys than in girls. There were predominant percentages of severe and profound MR.
Mental Retardation/ epidemiology ; Prevalence ; Children ;

Background: The fetus having risk for Down sydrome (DS) can be detected early by AFP, \u03b2hCG in maternal serum to detect the fetus having risk of Down sydrome. Objectives: Determining values of AFP, \u03b2hCG in maternal serum to detect the fetus having risk of DS. Subjects and method: Determining the concentration of AFP, \u03b2hCG in maternal serum of 591 pregnant with fetus \ufffd?12 weeks to detect the fetus having DS screening risk. The fetus are diagnosed DS by analysing chromosome from amniocyte and monitor up to the neonate. Then, finding out association between DS fetus and AFP, \u03b2hCG in maternal serum. Results: 75/591 of subjects screened were screen positive, 6/7 DS fetus associated withscreen positive, (cut off AFP \ufffd?0,75 MoM, \u03b2hCG \ufffd?2,2 MoM). Detection rate (DR) was 85,71%; false positive rate (FDR): 11,81%. Only base on AFP: DR was 71,43%; FDR: 11,81%. Only base on \u03b2hCG DR was 28,57%; FDR: 0,51%. Conclusion: DR base on AFP is higher than base on \u03b2hCG. If combining AFP and \u03b2hCG, DR is the highest. AFP is important role in screening DS fetus.
Down Syndrome/ diagnosis ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Pregnancy ;

OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of diabetes mellitus is rapidly increasing in Vietnam, particularly among adults aged over 45 years. This study estimated trends in diabetes and prediabetes prevalence and determined risk factors in Vietnamese adults (over 45 years). METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted based on data from an annual diabetes screening program among people aged 45-69 years in an urban city in central Vietnam (Da Nang). Joinpoint regression analyses were performed to calculate the annual percentage change and ptrend-values. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to determine risk factors. RESULTS: In total, 3,765 men and 9,149 women were included in this analysis. The age-adjusted prevalence of diabetes and prediabetes in 2017 was 11.4% and 52.9%, respectively. The prevalence of diabetes was higher in men (15.1%) than in women (10.3%), but that of prediabetes was similar in both genders (53.4% vs. 52.8%). The prevalence of prediabetes significantly increased during the study period, whereas no upward or downward trend for diabetes was observed. The prevalence of obesity, abdominal obesity, hypertension, and dyslipidemia showed no obvious trend. Obesity, a high waist-to-hip ratio, hypertension, more severe abdominal obesity, and dyslipidemia were significantly associated with a higher risk of diabetes and prediabetes. CONCLUSIONS Diabetes and prediabetes were more prevalent among people aged over 45 years than in the general population. Da Nang has experienced a marked increase in the prevalence of prediabetes. These findings have significant implications regarding the need for nationwide public health interventions and management aiming at diabetes prevention and control.

OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of diabetes mellitus is rapidly increasing in Vietnam, particularly among adults aged over 45 years. This study estimated trends in diabetes and prediabetes prevalence and determined risk factors in Vietnamese adults (over 45 years). METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted based on data from an annual diabetes screening program among people aged 45-69 years in an urban city in central Vietnam (Da Nang). Joinpoint regression analyses were performed to calculate the annual percentage change and ptrend-values. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to determine risk factors. RESULTS: In total, 3,765 men and 9,149 women were included in this analysis. The age-adjusted prevalence of diabetes and prediabetes in 2017 was 11.4% and 52.9%, respectively. The prevalence of diabetes was higher in men (15.1%) than in women (10.3%), but that of prediabetes was similar in both genders (53.4% vs. 52.8%). The prevalence of prediabetes significantly increased during the study period, whereas no upward or downward trend for diabetes was observed. The prevalence of obesity, abdominal obesity, hypertension, and dyslipidemia showed no obvious trend. Obesity, a high waist-to-hip ratio, hypertension, more severe abdominal obesity, and dyslipidemia were significantly associated with a higher risk of diabetes and prediabetes. CONCLUSIONS Diabetes and prediabetes were more prevalent among people aged over 45 years than in the general population. Da Nang has experienced a marked increase in the prevalence of prediabetes. These findings have significant implications regarding the need for nationwide public health interventions and management aiming at diabetes prevention and control.

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.

Objectives: Tuberculosis (TB) and drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) are national health burdens in Vietnam. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of rifampicin (RIF) and/or isoniazid (isonicotinic acid hydrazide, INH) resistance in patients with suspected TB, and applied appropriate techniques to help rapidly target DR-TB. Methods: In total, 1,547 clinical specimens were collected and cultured using the BACTEC MGIT system (Becton Dickinson and Co.). A resazurin microtiter assay (REMA) was used to determine the proportions of RIF and/or INH resistance. A real-time polymerase chain reaction panel with TaqMan probes was employed to identify the mutations of rpoB and katG associated with DR-TB in clinical isolates. Genotyping of the identified mutations was also performed. Results: A total of 468 Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates were identified using the REMA. Of these isolates, 106 (22.6%) were found to be resistant to 1 or both antibiotics. Of the resistant isolates, 74 isolates (69.8%) were resistant to isoniazid (INH) only, while 1 isolate (0.94%) was resistant to RIF only. Notably, 31 isolates (29.24%) were resistant to both antibiotics. Of the 41 phenotypically INH-resistant isolates, 19 (46.3%) had the Ser315Thr mutation. There were 8 different rpoB mutations in 22 (68.8%) of the RIF-resistant isolates. The most frequently detected mutations were at codons 531 (37.5%), 526 (18.8%), and 516 (6.3%). Conclusion To help prevent new cases of DR-TB in Vietnam, it is crucial to gain a comprehensive understanding of the genotypic DR-TB isolates.

BACKGROUND: In order to provide essential scientific evidence on the population's health status and social health determinants as well as the current capacity of the health care system in Vietnam to health policy makers and managers, Vietnam Ministry of Health, Hanoi University of Public Health, Hanoi Medical University, and Ho Chi Minh University of Medicine and Pharmacy collaborated with Seoul National University (Korea) and conducted a health system survey in the Quoc Oai district (of Hanoi capital) that represented northern rural Vietnam. METHODS: The study design was a cross-sectional study. The survey covered different topics (more than 200 questions) and was administered in three separate questionnaires: 1) Basic information of all household members; 2) Household characteristics; and 3) Individual characteristics. Socio-demographic characteristics among the households and individuals were collected from 2,400 households sampled by multi-stage cluster sampling method: more than 200 questions. RESULTS: The household size of Quoc Oai was larger than the national average and there was no significant difference in gender composition. In addition, the proportions of pre-elderly, age 55–64, and elderly group (65 years old and over) were higher than the national population statistics. In this context, demographic transition has begun in Quoc Oai. CONCLUSION: This study design description provides the basic information about a baseline survey of a future prospective cohort (as a part of a collaborative project on strengthening the health system in Vietnam) to the prospective data user of this survey.
Aged ; Cohort Studies ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Delivery of Health Care ; Family Characteristics ; Health Policy ; Humans ; Methods ; Pharmacy ; Population Characteristics ; Population Dynamics ; Prospective Studies ; Public Health ; Seoul ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Vietnam

Background: The genus Alpinia is one of the diverse genera in Thua Thien Hue province, in which many species have been used as medicine. But until now, studies on A. vietnamica have rarely been reported. Objectives: The present study was aimed at the determination of microscopic characteristics and chemical compositions as well as evaluating the antioxidant and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities of A. vietnamica. Materials and methods: A. vietnamica was collected in Phong Dien district, Thua Thien Hue province. Anatomic structures and powder properties were determined by the microscopic method. Phytochemical screening was conducted by specific chemical reactions. The Folin-Ciocalteau method and the aluminum chloride-flavonoid assay, respectively, were used to quantify the total polyphenol (TPC) and total flavonoid contents (TFC). Antioxidant activity was assessed using the DPPH assay, while acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity was evaluated using the Ellman method. Results: The microscopic characteristics of this species have been described. Phytochemical analysis results revealed the presence of flavonoids, coumarins, and tannins in A. vietnamica. The ethanol extract from the aerial part of A. vietnamica had higher polyphenol and flavonoid contents than the underground part extract. Moreover, this extract also displayed a stronger DPPH radical scavenging and exhibited AChE inhibitory activities. Conclusion: This is the first report on the microscopic characteristics, chemical compositions, and biological activities of A. vietnamica.