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.

Backgroud: The aim of this study is to update on antibiotic resistance of common pathogenical bacteria isolated in Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital (Hue UMP Hospital). Methodology: Use of the agar disk diffusion method to test the susceptibility to antimicrobial agents of 3709 bacterial strains from infected patients hospitalized in Hue UMP Hospital in 2020 - 2022. Results: Among 3709 strains of pathogenical bacteria isolated, S.aureus was found with the rate of 29.9%, followed by E. coli (24.5%), Pseudomonas aeruginasa (17.8%), Enterococcus spp. (11.8%), Klebsiella spp (9.7%) and Acinetobacter spp (4.1%). The proportion of bacterial isolates has changed, but Staphylococcus aureus is still highest rate. S.aureus is resistant to many antibiotics, but MRSA strains have decreased significantly, from 73.3% in 2020 to 62.5% in 2022. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was resistant to some of the group A recommended antibiotics such as ceftazidime, piperacillin-tazobactam with the rate of 56.6% and 48.7%. The percentage of E. coli with ESBL strains (+) was at 28.2% - 30.3%. Enterococus spp strains are still sensitive to vancomycin (83.1% - 91.9%). The rate of Klebsiella ESBL (+) is only 6.9% to 8.2%. The strains of Acinetobacter spp were highly resistant to Piperacillin (100%) and Ceftriaxone (96.5%) but they are still sensitive to imipenems 70 - 71%, highly sensitive to Doxycillin (95.2%) and Cefotaxime (88.4%). Conclusion: Many bacterial strains are resistant to many commonly antibiotics. Providing timely, regular, and effective management of antibiotic resistance patterns for common pathogenic bacteria in hospitals, will help reduce the risk of bacterial resistance.

Background: Vietnamese herbs are considered as a botanical resource, a precious medicinal source of our country, and are widely used in the residential community in general. Phu Vang district is a coastal plain and lagoon in Thua Thien Hue province, where people’s living standards are not high, health facilities lack equipment. Therefore, the needs for primary health care are necessary to be strengthened, especially in the treatment of common diseases using Vietnamese herbs to reduce costs and improve health for the people. However, the knowledge of the local residents about Vietnamese herbs preventing and treating common diseases at home has not been surveyed. Objectives: (1) To describe the knowledge, attitude and practice on the use of Vietnamese herbs used in the treatment of common diseases of residents in some communes of Phu Vang district. (2) To determine some factors related to the use of Vietnamese herbs in the treatment of common diseases among the residents. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 400 residents representing the heads of households in three communes of Phu Vang district, Thua Thien Hue province, Thua Thien Hue province. Descriptive statistical analysis and multivariable logistic regression were performed with SPSS software. Results: Knowledge: Good: 45.2%; Fair: 30.8%; Average: 9.0%; Poor: 2.0%. Attitude: 97.0% of residents preferred using Vietnamese herbs in the treatment of common diseases, and 96.6% of residents agreed to continue using Vietnamese herbs to treat similar diseases later. Practice: Good: 7.8%; Fair: 16.7%; Average: 25.3%; Poor: 50.2%. Receiving information about Vietnamese herbs and growing them at home gardens were two factors related to the use of Vietnamese herbs to treat common diseases (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The practice of using Vietnamese herbs to treat common diseases of the residents in Phu Vang district is still low, it is necessary to strengthen educational propaganda to raise the awareness and practice among residents on the prevention and treatment of diseases with Vietnamese herbs at home.

Background: Lung cancer is a common cancer with a high mortality rate. The identification of prognostic factors in lung cancer patients in Vietnam is still limited and inconsistent in clinical practice. Objectives: To describe the clinical, paraclinical characteristics and m-LCPI index in patients with primary non-small cell lung cancer and evaluate the factors affecting overall survival in patients with primary non-small cell lung cancer. Methods: Prospective study of 210 cases of non-small cell lung cancer diagnosed with primary non-small cell lung cancer at the Oncology Department of Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital and Hue Central Hospital from February 2020 to February 2023. Results: The majority of hospitalizations were at late stages, from stage IIIA (89%), group 3 and 4 in m-LCPI grading scale constituted the majority (80%). Average overall survival at 3 years was 20.0 ± 14 months, and gradually decreased to 54.8%, 40%, and 38.6% after 1 year, 2 years and 3 years, respectively. Regression analysis of COX model between m-LCPI and OS showed statistical significance with m-LCPI 4 (HR = 3.9, 95%CI = 1.57 - 9.69, p = 0.003), while m-LCPI 3 (HR = 2.44, 95% CI 0.97 - 6.13), p = 0.058) had a weak correlation. Conclusion: Our study shows that 38.6% of patients were still alive after 3 years of diagnosis. m-LCPI index is a good predictor of the patients’ overall survival.

As part of our continued study on the chemical constituents of Willughbeia edulis stems, a new dimeric lignan named edulignan (1) was isolated from its EtOAc-soluble extract. Based on NMR spectroscopic interpretation, the planar structure of 1 has been suggested to have two 2-substituted 4-chromanone subunits with different stereochemical configurations. In addition, the MS/MS analysis of the products obtained by acidcatalyzed hydrolysis of 1 was supportive of its structure. Unfornatually, the new compound 1 did not show α-glucosidase inhibitory activity with an IC 50 value > 250 μM.

The COVID-19 pandemic outbreak and subsequent lockdowns impacted the mental health of numerous sociodemographic groups globally. This crisis can produce stress, overwhelm, and powerful emotions in susceptible people, especially older persons. Our study examined the relationship between well-being and fear of COVID-19 among older persons residing in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, during the pandemic. A sociodemographic survey was undertaken. Two scales are used for a month of the COVID-19 outbreak: the Mental Health Continuum Short Form (MHC-SF) and the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S). We surveyed 158 senior citizens in Ho Chi Minh City between February and April 2021. There was no lockdown in Ho Chi Minh before the fourth wave of infection. Despite this, citizens have maintained high compliance with coronavirus prophylaxis. Sociodemographic data were described using descriptive statistics. A one-way MANOVA assessed the financial impact on older individuals' well-being. The Pearson correlation was employed to find the link between happiness and COVID-19 dread. During the COVID-19 pandemic, older persons who received various monthly allowances had statistically significant emotional and psychological well-being differences. There was no association between well-being and COVID-19 dread. The COVID-19 epidemic has disproportionately affected vulnerable groups. Older individuals are a risk population that requires material and mental care.

BACKGROUND: Currently, it is recognized that water polluted with toxic heavy metal ions may cause serious effects on human health. Therefore, the development of new materials for effective removal of heavy metal ions from water is still a widely important area. Melanin is being considered as a potential material for removal of heavy metal from water. METHODS: In this study, we synthesized two melanin-embedded beads from two different melanin powder sources and named IMB (Isolated Melanin Bead originated from squid ink sac) and CMB (Commercial Melanin Bead originated from sesame seeds). These beads were of globular shape and 2-3 mm in diameter. We investigated and compared the sorption abilities of these two bead materials toward hexavalent-chromium (Cr) in water. The isotherm sorption curves were established using Langmuir and Freundlich models in the optimized conditions of pH, sorption time, solid/liquid ratio, and initial concentration of Cr. The FITR analysis was also carried out to show the differences in surface properties of these two beads. RESULTS: The optimized conditions for isotherm sorption of Cr on IMB/CMB were set at pH values of 2/2, sorption times of 90/300 min, and solid-liquid ratios of 10/20 mg/mL. The maximum sorption capacities calculated based on the Langmuir model were 19.60 and 6.24 for IMB and CMB, respectively. However, the adsorption kinetic of Cr on the beads fitted the Freundlich model with R values of 0.992 for IMB and 0.989 for CMB. The deduced Freundlich constant, 1/n, in the range of 0.2-0.8 indicated that these beads are good adsorption materials. In addition, structure analysis data revealed great differences in physical and chemical properties between IMB and CMB. Interestingly, FTIR analysis results showed strong signals of -OH (3295.35 cm) and -C=O (1608.63 cm) groups harboring on the IMB but not CMB. Moreover, loading of Cr on the IMB caused a shift of broad peaks from 3295.35 cm and 1608.63 cm to 3354.21 cm and 1597.06 cm, respectively, due to -OH and -C=O stretching. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, our study suggests that IMB has great potential as a bead material for the elimination of Cr from aqueous solutions and may be highly useful for water treatment applications.
Adsorption ; Chromium ; chemistry ; Kinetics ; Melanins ; chemistry ; Waste Disposal, Fluid ; methods ; Water Pollutants, Chemical ; chemistry ; Water Pollution, Chemical ; prevention & control ; Water Purification ; methods

BACKGROUND: In the view of the epidemic growth of sensitization to indoor allergens in Southern Vietnam, there is a requirement to screen large population. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate skin prick tests (SPTs) as predictors of positive specific IgE (sIgE) to dust allergens, among patients with chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs). METHODS: The sensitization to Blomia tropicalis (Blo t), Dermatophagoides pteronissinus (Der p), and Blattella germanica allergens (Bla g) were evaluated among 610 CRD, both SPT (≥4 mm) and sIgE by immuno-CAP (≥0.7 kUA/L). RESULTS: Based on sIgE, 45%, 32%, and 33% of patients with CRD were sensitized to Blo t, Der p, and Bla g, respectively, compared to 19%, 18%, and 13% by SPT. The association between SPT and sIgE was statistically significant, though the Kappa factor was fair (i.e., 0.39 to 0.23). While the specificity of SPT to detect sensitization (compared to sIgE) was >90% among the whole population, the sensitivity was only 34%, 41%, and 24% for Bo t, Der p, and Bla g, suggesting that SPT was not enough sensitive to screen the indoor allergen sensitization. Though, among the < 10 pack-year (PY) smokers, the sensitivity was 43% for Blo t, 52% for Der p, and 61% for Blo t and/or Der p, compared to 27%, 30%, and 35% among the ≥10 PY smokers. The sensitivity/specificity was not associated with the diagnosis of asthma compared to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. CONCLUSION: In the present circumstance, SPT to dust mites allergens can be used to detect a sensitization among CRD population in Southern Vietnam.
Allergens ; Asthma ; Diagnosis ; Dust ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; Mites ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; Pyroglyphidae ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Skin Tests ; Skin ; Vietnam

Introduction: Laboratory capacity is needed in central Viet Nam to provide early warning to public health authorities of respiratory outbreaks of importance to human health, for example the outbreak of influenza A(H1N1) pandemic in 2009. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) procedures established as part of a capacity-building process were used to conduct prospective respiratory surveillance in a region where few previous studies have been undertaken. Methods: Between October 2008 and September 2010, nose and throat swabs from adults and children (approximately 20 per week) presenting with an acute respiratory illness to the Ninh Hoa General Hospital were collected. Same-day PCR testing and result reporting for 13 respiratory viruses were carried out by locally trained scientists. Results: Of 2144 surveillance samples tested, 1235 (57.6%) were positive for at least one virus. The most common were influenza A strains (17.9%), with pandemic influenza A(H1N1) 2009 and seasonal H3N2 strain accounting for 52% and 43% of these, respectively. Other virus detections included: rhinovirus (12.4%), enterovirus (8.9%), influenza B (8.3%), adenovirus (5.3%), parainfluenza (4.7%), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) (3.9%), human coronavirus (3.0%) and human metapneumovirus (0.3%). The detection rate was greatest in the 0–5 year age group. Viral co-infections were identified in 148 (6.9%) cases. Discussion: The outbreak in 2009 of the influenza A(H1N1) pandemic strain provided a practical test of the laboratory’s pandemic plan. This study shows that the availability of appropriate equipment and molecular-based testing can contribute to important individual and public health outcomes in geographical locations susceptible to emerging infections.

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