To find out specific antigens to M. tuberculosis, the researchers searched for sensitivity, specificity and cross reactions of 6 glycolipid antigens which were extracted and purified from M. tuberculosis with 168 sera by ELISA. The 168 samples were divided into 3 groups: Group I: 62 lung tuberculosis patients with AFB-smear positive; group II: 53 healthy persons and group III: 53 infectious other than tuberculosis patients. There were 6 glycolipid antigens were used in this study, they were Phosphoinositomannoside (P2), 6, 6’-dimycolyltrehalose (cord factor) (DT), Trehalose monomycolate (MT), Phenol glycolipid (PA), Glycolipid (MI) and Glycopeptide (Co). The sensitivity and specificity of DT. MT and PA antigens were 74.2; 66.1; 69, 4% and 83.0; 69.8%; 73.6%, respectively; cross reaction ranging from 22.6% to 39.6%. The sensitivity and specificity of other antigens were lower and its cross reactions were higher than DT, MT and PA antigens. ELISA with specific glycolipid antigens can be used to diagnose extra-lung tuberculosis and lung tuberculosis with AFB(-).
Tuberculosis ; Antigens ; Glycolipids

Introduction: There are thousands of diabetes sufferers worldwide. In addition, there is an increased trend in Vietnam due to economic development, increased population, lifespan, and changing lifestyle. Insulin is a hormone, which is a natural protein. It plays an important role in the transformation of glucose in human and animal blood. Note, while insulin has not been produced in Vietnam, the production of recombinant Proinsulin is a premise for insulin. This study is based on a successful design of pET - 28a (+) Vector with recombinant Proinsulin codified gene.\r\n', u'Objectives: To define the human proinsulin codified gene and study the optimum conditions for the expression of proinsulin. \r\n', u'Subjects and method: To discover the appropriate conditions for the expression of proinsulin, including initial cell density, cultural temperature, IPTG concentration, and expression time. The product of the expression was confirmed by Sodium dodecyl sulfate - polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SOS - PAGE) and reconfirmed by Western blotting with His - Tag antibody. \r\n', u'Results: Proinsulin expression was successfully proved by SOS - PAGE and Western blotting. Four appropriate conditions for the expression were confirmed as highlighted in the Conclusion. \r\n', u'Conclusion: The appropriate conditions for expression of proinsulin: cell density was 00600 0.6 - 1.0; the cultural temperature was 300C; IPTG concentration was 0.4 mM; the length of the culture time was 20 hours. \r\n', u'
Expression ; Proinsulin ; E.Coli ; Appropriate conditions

Background: Cirrhosis is a relatively common disease in Vietnam and many other countries. Cirrhosis develops slowly and affects the labour power and the ability of the patient\u2019s living. So it is necessary to detect and treat timely. Objectives: To evaluate some coagulation factors in cirrhotic patients and learn the relationship between coagulation and cirrhosis. Subjects and method: A descriptive, cross sectional study of various coagulation factors was conducted on 72 patients with cirrhosis in the Gastrointestinal Department of Thai Nguyen Central General Hospital from July 2007 to April 2008. The data was collected and analysedby medical statistic based on SPSS 10.0 software. Results: The proportion of haemostatic disorder with low platelet count was up to 50%. Chid-Pugh C group was the most decreased platelet group compared to Chid-Pugh A and Chid-Pugh B group. About coagulation disorder: prolonged APTT accounted for 12.5% and its increase corresponded with the seriousness of the disease; fibrinogen deficiency <2g/l was observed in 20.8% of the patients; the rate of prolonged prothrombin time was 54.2%; INR>l.7 was 19.4% of the patients and it increased gradually from mild to serious cirrhosis groups. DIC patients accounted for 29.2% of the subjects; among which, the rate of DIC in Chid A, Chid B, and Chid C groups were 10.5%, 25%, and 44.8%, respectively. Conclusion: The results proved that there was a close relationship between coagulation disorder and cirrhosis level.
coagulation factors ; cirrhotic patients

Background: Salmonella typhi (S.typhi) is the major cause of human typhoid fever outbreaks. In fact, there were various typhoid fever outbreaks that occurred in China, and India that was caused by S.typhi strain without Vi antigen. Objective: To determine whether the S.typhi strains with mutation of gene encoding Vi antigen exists in Vietnam and the rate of mutation (if they exists). Subject and methods: 450 S.typhi isolates were collected in the Northern, Central and Southern Region of Vietnam during 1995 and 2005. The isolates were analyzed by the PCR method in order to detect mutants by using 2 primer pairs of tviB and DE. Results and Conclusion: There was no clear evidence on the relationship between the widely used Typhi Vi vaccine in Vietnam and the existence and spread of the mutation of gene encoding Vi antigen of S.typhi. 30 out of 450 isolates mutated losing the gene encoding of Vi antigen, making it 6.67%. These isolates were spread out between 1995 and 2005 throughout the Northern, Central and Southern Regions of Vietnam, with a peak in 1999. A noteworthy point was the rate of mutation of S.typhi losing the gene encoding of Vi antigen in Vietnam during the period of study. However, the mutation rate of S.typhi in Vietnam was still higher than the ratio of similar mutations being published in the other countries worldwide and higher than the recommended level of the World Health Organization.
gene mutation ; Salmonella typhi

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: 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 ;

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of electroacupuncture in conjunction with additional medications in providing analgesia and stabilizing hemodynamic parameters during total thyroidectomy. Methods: This randomized controlled trial included 100 patients who underwent a total thyroidectomy between October 2022 and October 2023 at the Vietnam National Hospital of Acupuncture. The patients were randomized into two groups. The electroacupuncture analgesia (EA) group received EA stimulation at five acupuncture points: Hegu (LI 4), Neiguan (PC 6), Shuitu (ST 10), Quepen (ST 12), and Yifeng (SJ 17), while the control group received a bilateral superficial cervical plexus block. Primary outcomes included the level of analgesia and perioperative vital signs in both groups. Additionally, pain thresholds and serum β-endorphin levels were measured before and after electroacupuncture in the EA group. Results: Complete analgesia (Level A) was attained in 86% and 76% of the patients in the EA and control groups, respectively, with no significant difference between the two groups (P = 1.00). In the EA group, the mean pain threshold after receiving EA doubled (648.7 (77.4) g/s vs. 305.3 (45.3) g/s, P < .001), and the mean serum β-endorphin level increased by approximately 13.5 pg/mL (P < .001). All patients remained hemodynamically stable throughout the surgery. Conclusion EA, in conjunction with additional medications that stimulate five acupuncture points, LI 4, PC 6, ST 10, ST 12, and SJ 17, was well tolerated and effectively maintained a suitable level of analgesia and hemodynamic stability during total thyroidectomy.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Although children of ethnic minority groups are experiencing a transition from a predominance of undernutrition to overnutrition, there is little evidence of a dual-malnutrition burden. Therefore, this study examined the double burden of malnutrition among school-aged ethnic minority children living in mountainous areas and its association with their diets. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2019 to March 2020 in 3 mountainous areas of Northern Vietnam among 1,556 ethnic minority schoolaged children. The prevalence of under-nutrition (stunting and thinness) and over-nutrition (overweight and obesity) were measured using the WHO 2006 child growth standards (height-for-age and BMI-for-age Z-score). Nutritional practices were evaluated by the frequency of food consumption based on a 4-level scale. RESULTS: The percentage of children with stunting and thinness were 14.0% and 5.4%, respectively, while the figure for overweight/obesity was 9.4%. The factors positively associated with stunting were living in a family with more than 2 children or being Muong/ other ethnicities compared to the Tay ethnicity. Children who consumed fish/shrimps/crabs or milk weekly/daily were less likely to be undernourished compared to those who never consumed these foods. By contrast, children who never consumed foods rich in vitamin A precursors and vitamin A and fruit or consumed daily snacks/junk food were more likely to be overweight/obese. CONCLUSIONS Undernutrition remains a common issue among school-aged children and adolescents of ethnic minority groups, while over-nutrition exists simultaneously. Public health nutrition programs promoting adequate diets and positive lifestyle changes related to nutrition are essential to tackle the double burden of malnutrition among ethnic minority children.

Ethmoid myoepithelial carcinoma is a rare tumor, with only 14 cases reported to date. This report discusses the largest tumor of this type ever recorded in the ethmoid region. The tumor caused extensive damage to facial structures, complicating treatment. The patient’s age and comorbidities increased the risk of intraoperative bleeding, presenting challenges to the complete removal of the tumor and the reconstruction of the damaged structures. To reduce the risk of intraoperative hemorrhage, shorten the surgery time, and manage potential heartrelated complications, arterial embolization was performed using gelatin sponges and coils. Definitive surgery was then carried out using a skin flap and mucosal flap to successfully reconstruct the defect. Postoperative radiotherapy was deemed unnecessary. The patient recovered well, with a satisfactory aesthetic outcome. No recurrence was observed during a 3-year follow-up period.