An evaluation of the situation of the country’s nuclear medicine department and the use of radioactive resources in Vietnam was implemented. Currently Vietnam has 200 equipments for X-ray generation, 28 radioactive resoureces; 7 centres and 22 facilities of the nuclear medicine which served millions patients everyear. This study also evaluated the networks of X-ray machines and other related medical equipment. From which the orientation and solutions for use of the radioactive resources and radioactive safety in Vietnam were recommendated
Elements, Radioactive ; Milieu Therapy

Background: In recent year, provinces in coastal south west area have many changes in environment which makes difficult to manage the epidemiology of malaria. Objective: To investigate ecological character of An.epiroticus in newly salinized areas of Can Duoc distrist, Long An province. Subject and Method:The investigation of An.epiroticus and environmental factors was carried out in newly salinized areas in Can Duoc district, Long An province from 2006- 2007. Result and Conclusion: The result showed that An.epiroticus populations in both zones categorized as shrimp-rice fields and brackish shrimp fields were anthropophilic. This species bites human both in and outdoor throughout the night with peak of biting rates were from 20h00 to 02h00. A considerable number of An.epiroticus was found to rest indoors in the morning. This species in studied site was resistant to both Alpha-cypermethrin and Lambdacyhalothrin. The larvae of An.epiroticus were mainly found in stagmant or slow running brakish water bodies having salinity of 1.0 to 3.5 g of NaCl/litre; pH = 7.0 - 8.0; temperature 28 - 30\xb0C; with presence of aquatic plants.
Ecological character ; An.epiroticus

A 40 year-old female was admitted to our hospital because of proptosis for 4 years. Detecting a 2 cm-sized retrobulber mass on computerized tomography, we extracted well capsulated reddish brown mass, which confirmed as a cavernous hemangioma by histologic examination. One year postoperatively, her proptosis was gone, visual acuity was normal, and ocular motility was good.
Adult ; Exophthalmos ; Female ; Hemangioma, Cavernous* ; Humans ; Orbit* ; Visual Acuity

While advancements in microsurgical technique and suture material have led to meticulous wound closure in cataract surgery, excessive postoperative corneal astigmatism may delay visual recovery and compromise the ultimate optical outcome. Greater efforts to prevent and control surgically induced astigmatism have been made recently since the introduction and popularized use of intraocular lenses. Control of astigmatism has been attempted with intraoperative variations in the size, location, and type of incision, the selection of suture material, attention to suture depth and technique, the use of preplaced sutures to facilitate wound closure, and most recently, the application of surgical keratometers. We reviewed follow up records to evaluate and compare the influences on corneal astigmatism after extracapsular cataract extraction(ECCE) with intraocular lens implant in 100 cases of polyglactin 9l0(vicryl) group and 50 cases of polydioxanone (PDS) group, and results were as follows; 1. In planned ECCE group, mean corneal refractive power changes was -0.14D +/- 0.47 in vicryI group and -0.17D +/- 0.78 in PDS group, there was no significant correlation between two. In phacoemulsification(KPE) group, mean corneal refractive power changes was 0.05D +/- 0.49 in vicryl group and 0.27D +/- 0.82 in PDS group. There was no significant correlation between two. 2. In total group, mean corneal refractive power changes was 0.02D +/- 0.48 in vicryl group and 0.08D +/- 0.74 in PDS group. There was no significant correlation between two groups. 3. Mean power of cylindrical lens for correction of astigmatism was -0.76D +/- 0.98 in vicry I group and -0.67D +/- 0.71 in PDS group, there was no significant correlation between two.
Astigmatism* ; Cataract* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Lenses, Intraocular ; Polydioxanone ; Polyglactin 910 ; Sutures* ; Wounds and Injuries

Preoperatively normotensive 211 cases of extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) and posterior chamber lens implantation in the capsular bag had intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements recorded 3 months postoperatively. Analysing the data of IOP level, surgical technique (planned extracasular cataract extraction or Kelman phacoemulsification), age, sex and corneal curvature, we could find the following results. 1. The mean change in intraocular pressure (postoperative IOP minus preoperative pressure) was -0.8 mmHg. 2. In 8 cases(3.8%) of 211 eyes postoperative IOPs were higher than 21 mmHg. 3. The higher preoperative IOP level was, the more the decrease of postoperative IOP was. 4. The changes in intraocular pressure was more significant in females than males. 5. There was no significant change in IOP level according to the age, surgical technique and corneal curvature.
Cataract Extraction ; Female ; Humans ; Intraocular Pressure* ; Male

Background: Noise pollution has seriously negative effects on worker\u2019s health, especially their hearing ability. Occupational hearing loss is one of 21 insured occupational diseases. Occupational hearing loss is common in workers in transpostation, construction, energy heavy and light industry areas. Objectives: 1. To determine the degree of noise pollution in Thua Thien Hue Unity Auto Mechanical Joint Stock Company. 2. To evaluate occupational failing hearing and occupational hearing loss among workers in the company. 3. To promote preventive measures which imnimize occupational failing hearing and occupational hearing loss. Subjects and method:A cross-sectional, descriptive study was carried out in 254 employees in Thua Thien Hue Unity Auto Mechanical \r\n', u'Joint Stock Company. Results and Conclusion: 72.7% the employees of Thua Thien Hue Unity Auto Mechanical \r\n', u'Joint Stock Company have exposed to environmental noise at the level higher than the permitted one. The rate of occupational failing hearing among these people is rather high (33.1%), and occupational hearing loss rate is 11.8%. There is a increased rate of occupational hearing loss according to the employee\u2019s age and seniority. Proposed preventive measures should be immediately conducted (P < 0.05).\r\n', u'
Hearing Loss ; Noise-Induced/ epidemiology ; etiology ; pathology ;

Background: Recently, microplate almar blue assay has been used commonly in detecting gen related to tuberculosis drug resistance, which provides results after 5-7 days with lower cost compared to traditional methods. Objective: To evaluate the application of microplate almar blue assay for rapid detection of drug resistance of M. tuberculosis strains. Subject and Method: A microplate-based assay which uses Alamar blue reagent - an oxidation reduction dye (MABA), was used for the determination of the anti-tuberculosis drug (isoniazid-INH, rifampicine-RIF, streptomycine-STR and ethabuton=EMB) resistance of 96 M. tuberculosis strains isolated from Vietnamese patients in comparison to those obtained by conversional method. Result: MABA showed to have high sensitivity and specificity in testing the sensitivity to individual anti-tuberculosis drugs (from 82.4% for STR to 93.3% for - INH and from 82.5% for EMB to 98.4% for STR; respectively), as well as for the multi-drug resistant M.tuberculosis (86.4% of sensitivity), highly correlated with the result determined by proportion method. Conclusion: MABA reveals the advantage in shortening test time, in simple performance and lower cost compared with the conversional culture based methods.
Microplate almar blue assay ; M. tuberculosis ; drug resistance

We evaluated 247 corneal ulcers of 28,004 OPD patients in whom materials from corneal scrapings were routinely plated on Sabouraud's glucose agar and thioglycolate broth for fungal and bacterial culture, respectively, at the Chonnam National University from January 1981 to July 1987. The results were as follows: 1. Corneal ulcers were 0.9%(247 cases) of 28,004 OPD patients; the highest, 1.3%(41 cases) in 1981 and the lowest, 0.6%(33 cases) in 1986, and the frequency decreased slightly in the last seven years. 2. Of the corneal ulcers, bacterial ulcers were 64 cases(25.9%), fungal, 51 cases(20.6%), herpetic, 40 cases(16.2%) and 92 cases(37.3%) were unknown in causative organism. 3. Of the 51 fungal origin, 24(47.1%) were men, compared to 27 women(52.9 %), and 28 cages(54.9%) were in the 40's and 50's. 4. Fungal or anisms were isolated from 51 cases(20.6%) of 247 corneal ulcers; the peak incidence was 39.4%(13 cases) in 1986 and the lowest, 8.8%(3 cases) in 1983. 5. Isolated fungi were categorized into 8 species, 9 groups including 21(41.2%) Fusarium sp., 17(33.3%) Aspergillus sp., 5(9.7%) penicillium sp., 3(5.8%) Candida albicans, 2(4.0%) Trichophyton rubrum and 1(2.0%) Alternaria sp., Streptomyces sp. and Paecilomyces sp., respectively. 6. The seasonal peak was in the summer (June to August); the onset peaked from May through October, 33 cases(64.7%), and 18 cases(35.3%) developed in the months of November through April. 7. With the treatment of oral and topical ketoconazole, successful outcome was achieved in 24 cases(61.5%) of the 39 cases treated at our Dept. continuously at least for a week, and the duration of treatment was averaged 24 days.
Agar ; Alternaria ; Aspergillus ; Candida albicans ; Fungi ; Fusarium ; Glucose ; Humans ; Incidence ; Jeollanam-do ; Ketoconazole ; Male ; Paecilomyces ; Penicillium ; Seasons ; Streptomyces ; Trichophyton ; Ulcer

Background: In Viet Nam, there were many researches on determining lead level in blood, food and environment. But until now, there were not researches on determining lead level in fishermen community. Objectives: Determine trace amount of lead by von-ampe dissolve anot using electrode BiFE. Analysis on trace amount of lead in blood and urine of fishermen in Canh Duong village. Propose solutions for preventing lead poisoning in studied community. Subjects and method: Fishermen in Canh Duong village, Phu Loc, Thua Thien Hue province. The method differential pulse-anodic stripping voltametry (DP-ASV) using Bismuth Film Electrodic in situ was successfully applied to measure lead levels in blood and 24h urine of fishermen in Canh Duong village. Results: The mean level of lead in blood of the suspected group (fishermen) in Canh Duong village (34,7 \xb5g/dL) was higher than that of the control group (16,3 \xb5g/dL). For both groups, 37 out of 40 blood samples (92,5%) had lead level higher than WHO\u2019s recommended level (10 \xb5g/dL). Especially, 6 of 40 blood samples (15%) had lead level higher than 50 \xb5g/dL. The lead level in 24h urine of suspected group had slightly higher (about 1,2 times) than that in the control group. The lead level of the two groups was much higher than the normal level. Conclusion: The method DP-ASV/BiFE in situ was applied successfully to determine lead level in blood and 24h urine. The investigative results of related information showed that: the risk of chronic lead poisoning in studied community very high.
Lead/ adverse effects ; chemistry ; antagonists & ; inhibitors ;

OBJECTIVE: Expandable cage used for spinal reconstruction after corpectomy has several advantages over nonexpendable cages. Here we present our clinical experience with the use of this cage after anterior column corpectomy with an average of one year follow up. METHODS: Ten patients underwent expandable cage reconstruction of the anterior column after single-level or multilevel corpectomy for various cervical spinal disorders. Anterior plating with or without additional posterior instrumentation were performed in all patients. Functional outcomes, complications, and radiographic outcomes were determined. RESULTS: There was no cage-related complication. Functionally, neurological examination revealed improvement in 7 of 10 patients and no patient had neurological deterioration after the surgery. Immediate stability was achieved and maintained throughout the period of follow-up. There was minimal subsidence (<2mm) noticeable in three of the cases that underwent a two-level corpectomy. Subsidence was noted in osteoporotic patients and patients undergoing multi-level corpectomies. Average pre-operative kyphotic angle was 9 degrees. This was corrected to an average of 5.4 degrees in lordosis postoperatively. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, expandable cages are safe and effective devices for vertebral body replacement after cervical corpectomy when used in combination with anterior plating with or without additional posterior stabilization. The advantages of using expandable cages include its ability to easily accommodate itself into the corpectomy defect, its ability to tightly purchase into the endplates after expansion and thus minimizing the potential for migration, and finally, its ability to correct kyphosis deformity via its in vivo expansion properties.
Animals ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Kyphosis ; Lordosis ; Neurologic Examination ; Spinal Fusion ; Spine*