Wedelia chinensis (Osbeck) Merr. (Synomyme: W. calendulacea Less.) was commonly used in folk medicine for the treatment of furunculosis, phlegmon, impetigo, cystitis. Two other plants, namely Tridex procumbens L. and Phyla nodiflora (L.) greene were often confused with W. chinensis. The study presented detailed descriptions of the morphological, anatomical and palynological characters of the three species, offering an easy distinguishment of the plants
Medicine, Traditional ; Plants ; Botany

Wedelia calen-dulacea Less. (Asteraceae) is well known for its antibacterial, demulcent and antifebrile properties, it is a traditional medicine which wild growing in many areas in Viet Nam. The researchers firstly study its chemical composition. Results of the chemical analysis show that: The plant contains flavonoid, alcaloids, coumarin, triterpenoid saponins, tanin, sugars, fat, sterols and carotenoid. The content of total flavonoids is about 1% (on dry basis), at least 11 spots on chromatogram. The content of total saponins is about 12% (on dry basis). The analysis with 3 different solvent systems revealed at least 15 spots on chromatogram. Some of the spots can be shown with both flavonoid and coumarin reagents, these are tentatively called coumestan components.
Asteraceae ; Medicine, Traditional ; Biochemistry

The 1:1 fluid extract of Wedelia calendulacea Less. aerial part was used for the evaluation of the plant hepatoprotective effect. The results of the pharmacological studies included: (1) Oxidative activity: 83.1% (in vitro), (2) Decrease of malonyl dialdehyde in mouse liver: 25.1%, (3) Decrease of the serum glutamate pyruvic transaminase level: 34.1%, (4) Decrease of the concentration of bilirubin in mouse serum: 10.4%, (5) Increase of the bile flow in mice: 88.8%. Conclusion: W. calendulacea had a good hepatoprotective effect in mouse model.
Medicine, Traditional ; Therapeutics ; Gastroenterology ; drugs

The Wedelia calendulacea Less. in Van Dien area, Ha Noi, rats of the body weight of 20-22g were divided into 3 groups. In order to use Wedelia calendulacea Less. in treating liver diseases, fractions from the plant have been studied pharmacologically. This paper presents the method of extraction of oleanolic acid and results of its anti-oxidative effect. The studies have revealed that amount of liver MDA of the treated mice decreased by 44.8%, and that of serum GPT decreased by 26.3%. These results show that oleanolic acid do take part in the hepatoprotective activity of the plant
Plants ; Plants, Medicinal ; Liver Diseases ; liver ; drugs ; Oleanolic Acid

Introduction: In Vietnam, the andrology field has been developed in recent years. Some studies have indicated the reasons for male infertility. Amongst them, the most common reason is abnormal semen. Asthenozoospermia rate was found at a higher ratio in abnormal semen analysis. \r\n', u'Objectives: To identify the characteristics of sperm and concentration of FSH, LH and Testosterone in serum; and the association between the sperm morphology and sperm motility as well as the concentration of FSH, LH and Testosterone in serum of asthenozoospermia men. \r\n', u'Subjects and methods: 90 asthenozoospermia male partners of infertile couples. The semen was analyzed at the Laboratory for Tissue and Embryo Preservation, Hanoi Medical University. The hormone concentration was measured by the Automated Chemiluminescence System ACS 180. \r\n', u'Results: The mean semen volume: 3.0 \xb1 1.1 (ml); sperm density: 104.7 \xb1 86.7 million/ml; rapid motility rate: 5.9 \xb1 6.4 (%); sperm vitality rate: 67.4 \xb1 20.1 (%); normal morphology rate: 14.4 \xb1 6.9 (%). In serum, the concentration of FSH was 5.3 \xb1 2.5 lUlL; LH: 4.1 \xb1 1.8 IU/L. Testosterone: 18.3 \xb1 9.4 nmol/L. Conclusions: Among the studied asthenozoospermia men, normal semen volume was found at 91.11 %; normal sperm vitality parameter: 84.4%; normal morphology parameter: 45.56%; normal level of FSH concentration: 47.7%; normal level of LH concentration: 26.66%; normal level of Testosterone concentration: 78.89%. There was a strong association between the sperm morphology and sperm motility as well as serum Testosterone concentration. \r\n', u'
Semen analysis ; Asthenozoospermia ; FSH ; LH ; Testosteron

Background: Pesticides have been used widely in not only around the world but also Vietnam; however, their misuse can cause many serious health problems. For this reasons, it is necessary to closely monitor the use of pesticides and their effects on the health of farmers. Objectives: To describe the kinds of pesticides, the symptoms and related factors of acute pesticide poisoning among flowers planters. Subjects and method: A cross-sectional analytic design was applied with a sample of 107 households in the Hong Ha 1 and Hong Ha 2 village of My Tan commune, My Loc district, Nam Dinh province from November 2005 to February 2006. \r\n', u'Results: There were various types of pesticide that were being sprayed in the flower planting villages. Almost all types were moderately hazardous. 85% of farmers experienced at least 1 symptom of acute poisoning after spraying pesticides. The most common symptoms were headache, dizziness, rash (accounting for 45-58%), followed by red eyes and musculoskeletal symptoms (approximate 40%). The effects of pesticides to the farmer\u2019s health were proved with the typical symptoms of toxicity, especially headache, irritation of the face, red eyes. The percentages of self-reported toxicity symptoms were associated with sex, age groups, following manual and pesticide exposure. Conclusion: The results suggested that various interventions is required in order to change the knowledge, attitude and practice of pesticide use among farmers in general and flowers planters in particularly.\r\n', u'
pesticide ; acute pesticide poisoning ; flowers planter

Background: Pesticides safety, plant protection chemicals are widely used around the world, especially in agriculture to protect crops. \r\n', u'Objectives: To describe the real statute of knowledge and practice of safe pesticide use among flowers planters and various other related factors. \r\n', u'Subjects and method: The cross sectional analytic study was carried out in 2006 to evaluate the current situation of knowledge and practice of safe pesticide use in 2 flower planting villages: Hong Ha 1 and Hong Ha 2, My Tan commune, My Loc district, Nam Dinh Province. Results:The results showed that knowledge on determining toxicity levels and the absorption routes of pesticides to the human body through land and water is insufficient. As for pesticide use practice, the percentage of planters fully utilizing safety work clothes and other equipments was low. Multivariate analysis found that there was a significant correlation between good practice and knowledge. In addition, some predictors of good knowledge were: highly educated, male and age. Conclusion: The findings also discovered the priority of improving direct communication on safe pesticide use among planters. \r\n', u'
safe pesticide use ; flowers planters

Background: Hue city is a cultural and tourism center of The middle and the whole country. Beside developing tourism services, food processing establishments, traditional specialities, eating and drinking services especially street food services more and more develop plentifully and multiform, satisfy daily demand of consumers. Objectives: Assessment on improvement level on some targets of street food safety and hygiene after 2 years intervention. Subjects and method: All street food processing establishments in 3 wards: V\u0129nh Ninh, Ph\xfa H\u1ed9i, V\ufffd?D\ufffd?of Hue city. Method: Cross-sectional study with comparison before and after intervention. Results: Kitchen utensils samples have met hygiene requirements and the proportion of food samples without borax both increase. The infection rate of bacteria in cook\ufffd?hands, kitchen utensils, cooked food were improved after 2 years carried out targeted model. Clean water for processing street food have not enough although 100% households use running water. The proportion of people were trained about food safety and hygiene knowledges and health examination increase. The situation of using food colourings and poisonous additives decrease remarkably. Salesclerks have more consciousness of preserving and covering food. 86,4% of food processing establishments have recycle bins obtain requirement to reduce polluted food. Conclusion: Street food is an important stage of food supplying network in 3 wards above. Somewhere having interest of Government and local authorities, Steering committee have efficient activities street food model develop conveniently.
Food Safety/ methods

Background: At present, management and supervision on food safety and hygiene quality have many difficulties because supervisory system from province to district, commune is still insufficient. Objectives: Assessment on food safety and hygiene situation at Thua Thien Hue province, propose solutions to intensify State management on food safety and hygiene quality and step by step enhance efficiency of food safety and hygiene activities in the next years. Subjects and method: Food processing establishments at Thua Thien Hue province. Method: Inspection in Action months for food safety and hygiene, supervision usually on food processing establishments were chosen accidentally in area. Food samples were inspected indexes of microorganisms, physicochemical have met the criteria of Ministry of Health. Results: The proportion of food processing establishments and cafeterias which have not met the regulations on food safety and hygiene was decreasing from 40,93% to 27,45%. Also in 2002-2006, 36,71% of kitchen utensils and the cooks\ufffd?hands failed to meet the regulations. Regarding to microorganisms, the indices of ice-cream, bean sweet porridge and soft drinks had improved remarkably. The index of ice had been decreased from 33,02% to 22,56%. 45,25% of bowls and plates didn\u2019t meet chemical and physical criteria. 68,4% of food colourings didn\u2019t meet criteria because inorganic and industrial colourings were used. Traditional foods still contain borax although the prevalence is decreasing from 65% to 35%. Ice cream and bean sweet porridge cooked with saccharine were 37,34%. Conclusion: Understanding of producers and consumers about food have still many limitations.
Food Safety/ methods ;

Background: Situation of extremity injury caused by traffic accidents and occupational accidents are increasing in Vietnam. Therefore, the prevention and fight against these accidents are one of the key objectives to reduce the burden on the families of victims as well as for society. Objectives: To outline situation of extremity injury patients caused by traffic accident, treated in Viet Duc hospital from 2000-2004. Subjects and method: A retrospective study was conducted on 19.845 patients (14.562 males, 5.283 females, aged from 1-97 years old). The subjects were divided into 3 main groups: alone upper extremity injury, alone lower extremity injury and multiple fractures. Results: Extremity injury was common seen in people of working age (78.1%), men more than women (2.76/1 ratio), left foot more than right foot and it was common been in multiple fracture situation due to complex mechanisms of injury (50.3%), alone extremity injury (49.7%). The lower extremity injury was more common seen than upper extremity injury. Open fracture injury (27.3%), in which open fractures in lower extremity were more common seen. Open fractures in both 2 leg bones was the most common seen, accounted for 57.4% among total of open fractures. Amputation accounted for 8.3% among all case of open fractures and 2.3% among all case of extremity injuries. Conclusion: Extremity injury (lower extremity and upper extremity) caused by traffic accidents is common seen. The average, there are 3 emergency surgeries due to open fracture injury were performed daily in Viet Duc hospital per a total of about 11 traumatic emergency surgeries.
Fractures ; Bone ; Arm Injuries ; Leg Injuries ; Accidents ; Traffic ;