Background: Fungal keratitis is a serious ocular infection that can cause corneal scarring and blindness. Currently, diagnosis of fungal pathogens remains a difficult problem. Objectives: To investigate the application of semi-nested PCR targeted ITS genes for detection of fungal agents causing keratitis. Material and method: Ten identified fungal strains, 4 bacterial strains, 20 scraping samples from patients with suspected fungal keratitis and 2 scraping samples from patients with suspected bacterial keratitis were tested using semi-nested PCR. Results: Semi-nested PCR showed positive results for the samples of identified fungal strains and for the 20 scraping samples from patients with suspected fungal keratitis. Neither samples of bacterial strains nor scraping samples from suspected bacterial keratitis patients gave positive PCR results. Conclusion: Semi-nested PCR is a robust tool for specific and rapid detection of fungal agents causing keratitis.
Fungal keratitis ; semi-nested PCR

Background: Pediatric closed abdominal trauma is a common disease in surgical practice, in which spleen is the most vulnerable organ. As adults, diagnosis of pediatric splenic trauma is not difficult but treatment attitude of splenic trauma in children having more important differences compared with in adults, tending to conservative treatment without surgery. Objectives: To assess the results of pediatric splenic trauma treatment in Hue Central Hospital from 2001 to 2005. Subjects and method: To study on 43 pediatric patients (23 male, 20 female), mean age 11.35\xb13.51 years, were diagnosed with splenic trauma due to closed abdominal trauma, treated in Hue Central Hospital from September, 2001 to September, 2006. Results: 72.1% hospitalized patients with maximum blood pressure in normal limitation. There was not a statistic significant association between hypotension and indicated surgery. The rate of patients with splenic trauma due to traffic accidents, living accidents and sport activities were 62.8%, 32.6% and 4.7%, respective. 2 patients with combined traumatic brain injury without surgery (4.65%), 3 patients with combined hand fracture (6.97%). 3 patients in conservative treatment group changed to surgery (8.33%). A total of 76.7% patients treated with successful conservation. Conclusion: More than 60% patients with splenic trauma caused by traffic accidents and having stable hemodynamic index during hospitalization. The difference between position of splenic trauma and rupture degree of spleen both in surgical treatment group and successful conservative treatment group is statistically significant.
Spleen/ injuries ; Child ;

Spores of Aspergillus sp. SU14 were treated repeatedly and sequentially with Co60 gamma-rays, ultraviolet irradiation, and N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine. One selected mutant strain, Aspergillus sp. SU14-M15, produced cellulase in a yield 2.2-fold exceeding that of the wild type. Optimal conditions for the production of cellulase by the mutant fungal strain using solid-state fermentation were examined. The medium consisted of wheat-bran supplemented with 1% (w/w) urea or NH4Cl, 1% (w/w) rice starch, 2.5 mM MgCl2, and 0.05% (v/w) Tween 80. Optimal moisture content and initial pH was 50% (v/w) and 3.5, respectively, and optimal aeration area was 3/100 (inoculated wheat bran/container). The medium was inoculated with 25% 48 hr seeding culture and fermented at 35degrees C for 3 days. The resulting cellulase yield was 8.5-fold more than that of the wild type strain grown on the basal wheat bran medium.
Aspergillus ; Cellulase ; Dietary Fiber ; Fermentation ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Magnesium Chloride ; Methylnitronitrosoguanidine ; Polysorbates ; Seeds ; Spores ; Sprains and Strains ; Starch ; Triticum ; Urea

A fungal strain producing a high level of cellulase was selected from 320 fungal isolates and identified as Aspergillus sp. This strain was further improved for cellulase production by sequential treatments by two repeated rounds of gamma-irradiation of Co60, ultraviolet treatment and four repeated rounds of treatment with N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine. The best mutant strain, Aspergillus sp. XTG-4, was selected after screening and the activities of carboxymethyl cellulase, filter paper cellulase and beta-glucosidase of the cellulase were improved by 2.03-, 3.20-, and 1.80-fold, respectively, when compared to the wild type strain. After being subcultured 19 times, the enzyme production of the mutant Aspergillus sp. XTG-4s was stable.
Aspergillus ; beta-Glucosidase ; Cellulase ; Mass Screening ; Methylnitronitrosoguanidine ; Mutagenesis ; Sprains and Strains

BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most frequent mesenchymal neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract. Management of GIST patients is currently based on clinicopathological features and associated genetic changes. However, the detailed characteristics and molecular genetic features of GISTs have not yet been described in the Vietnamese population.METHODS: We first identified 155 patients with primary GIST who underwent surgery with primary curative intent between 2011 and 2014 at University Medical Center at Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. We evaluated the clinicopathological features and immunohistochemical reactivity to p53 and Ki-67 in these patients. Additionally, KIT genotyping was performed in 100 cases.RESULTS: The largest proportion of GISTs was classified as high-risk (43.2%). Of the 155 GISTs, 52 (33.5%) were positive for Ki-67, and 58 (37.4%) were positive for p53. The expression of Ki-67 and p53 were correlated with mitotic rate, tumor size, risk assessment, and tumor stage. Out of 100 GIST cases, KIT mutation was found in 68%, of which 62 (91.2%) were found in exon 11, two (2.9%) in exon 9, and four (5.8%) in exon 17. No mutation in exon 13 was identified. Additionally, KIT mutations did not correlate with any clinicopathological features.CONCLUSIONS: The expression of Ki-67 and p53 were associated with high-risk tumors. Mutations in exon 11 were the most commonly found, followed by exon 17 and exon 9. Additionally, KIT mutation status was not correlated with any recognized clinicopathological features.
Academic Medical Centers ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Exons ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Humans ; Molecular Biology ; Risk Assessment ; Vietnam

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the impact of hyperandrogenism (HA) on the outcomes of ovulation induction (OI) using gonadotropin and intrauterine insemination (IUI) in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study including 415 patients undergoing OI using gonadotropin and IUI treatment between January 2018 and December 2020 at a single infertility center. Baseline characteristics, clinical and laboratory parameters, and pregnancy outcomes were investigated. Results: Among the study population, there were 105 hyperandrogenic (25.3%) and 310 non-hyperandrogenic patients (74.7%). The live birth rate was lower in the HA group than in the non-HA group, but this difference did not reach statistical significance due to the limited sample size (14.3% vs. 21.0%, relative risk=0.68; 95% CI, 0.41–1.14, p=0.153). No predictive factors for live birth were identified through logistic regression analysis. Conclusion HA did not negatively affect the outcomes of OI using gonadotropin and IUI cycles in Vietnamese women with PCOS. The result may not be applicable elsewhere due to the large variation in the characteristics of women with PCOS across races and populations.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with twin pregnancy following day 3 double embryo transfer (DET). Methods: This retrospective cohort study incorporated data from 16,972 day 3 DET cycles. The participants were women aged between 18 and 45 years who underwent in vitro fertilization with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) at My Duc Assisted Reproduction Technique Unit (IVFMD), My Duc Hospital, located in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Results: Of the 16,972 day 3 DET cycles investigated, 8,812 (51.9%) resulted in pregnancy. Of these, 6,108 cycles led to clinical pregnancy, with 1,543 (25.3% of clinical pregnancies) being twin pregnancies. Factors associated with twin pregnancy included age under 35 years (odds ratio [OR], 1.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.32 to 1.71; p<0.001) and cycles involving the transfer of at least one grade I embryo. Relative to the transfer of two grade III embryos, the risk of twin pregnancy was significantly elevated following the transfer of two grade I embryos (OR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.16 to 1.69; p<0.001) or a combination of one grade I and one grade II embryo (OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.05 to 1.55; p=0.001). Conclusion By analyzing a large number of IVF/ICSI cycles, we identified several predictors of twin pregnancy. These findings can assist medical professionals in tailoring treatment strategies for couples with infertility.

Artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) is a perennial plant belonging to the Asteraceae family originating from the Mediterranean region. In Vietnam, there are some varieties of artichoke which are extensively cultivated and propagated in highland areas, however, there have been limited detailed scientific publications on the chemical composition and biological activity of artichoke grown in Vietnam. Therefore, this study provides a detailed description of the extraction, isolation, and structural determination of 20 natural secondary metabolites present in harvested artichoke. The antioxidant activity of the extract and the 9 isolated compounds are tested in 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging and ex vivo malondialdehyde model. Among the selected compounds, 1-caffeoylquinic acid, 3-caffeoylquinic acid, chlorogenic acid, 4-caffeoylquinic acid, cynarin, 1,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 4,5-di-caffeoylquinic acid, cynaroside, and scolymoside exhibited strong radical scavenging activity with IC50 values ranging from 5.7 to 61.6 µM. In the malondialdehyde assay, 1,3-dicaffeoylquinic acid (or cynarin) showed the strongest activity with an IC50 value of 24.7 µM, followed by 1,5-di-caffeoylquinic acid (66.8 µM), and 4,5-di-caffeoylquinic acid (127.3 µM). This outcome contributes to establishing a database on the phytochemical and antioxidant activity of the Vietnamese artichoke.

Background: Viet Nam confirmed its first case of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection on 23 January 2020 among travellers from Wuhan, China, and experienced several clusters of community transmission until September. Viet Nam implemented an aggressive testing, isolation, contact tracing and quarantine strategy in response to all laboratory-confirmed cases. We report the results of SARS-CoV-2 testing during the first half of 2020 in northern Viet Nam. Methods: Between January and May 2020, 15 650 upper respiratory tract specimens were collected from 14 470 suspected cases and contacts in northern Viet Nam. All were tested for SARS-CoV-2 by real-time RT-PCR. Individuals with positive specimens were tested every three days until two tests were negative. Positive specimens from 81 individuals were cultured. Results: Among 14 470 tested individuals, 158 (1.1%) cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection were confirmed; 89 were imported and 69 were associated with community transmission. Most patients (122, 77%) had negative results after two tests, while 11 and 4 still tested positive when sampled a third and fourth time, respectively. SARS-CoV-2 was isolated from 29 of 81 specimens (36%) with a cycle threshold (Ct) value <30. Seven patients who tested positive again after testing negative had Ct values >30 and negative cultures. Conclusion Early, widespread testing for SARS-CoV-2 in northern Viet Nam identified very few cases, which, when combined with other aggressive strategies, may have dramatically contained the epidemic. We observed rapid viral clearance and very few positive results after clearance. Large-scale molecular diagnostic testing is a critical part of early detection and containment of COVID-19 in Viet Nam and will remain necessary until vaccination is widely implemented.

Soluble epoxide hydrolases (sEH) are enzymes present in all living organisms, metabolize epoxy fatty acids to 1,2-diols. sEH in the metabolism of polyunsaturated fatty acids plays a key role in inflammation. In addition, the endogenous lipid mediators in cardiovascular disease are also broken down to diols by the action of sEH that enhanced cardiovascular protection. In this study, sEH inhibitory guided fractionation led to the isolation of five phenolic compounds trans-resveratrol (1), trans-piceatannol (2), sulfuretin (3), (+)-balanophonin (4), and cassigarol E (5) from the ethanol extract of the seeds of Passiflora edulis Sims cultivated in Vietnam. The chemical structures of isolated compounds were determined by the interpretation of NMR spectral data, mass spectra, and comparison with data from the literature. The soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) inhibitory activity of isolated compounds was evaluated. Among them, trans-piceatannol (2) showed the most potent inhibitory activity on sEH with an IC₅₀ value of 3.4 µM. This study marks the first time that sulfuretin (3) was isolated from Passiflora edulis as well as (+)-balanophonin (4), and cassigarol E (5) were isolated from Passiflora genus.
Cardiovascular Diseases ; Epoxide Hydrolases ; Ethanol ; Fatty Acids ; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated ; Inflammation ; Metabolism ; Passiflora ; Passifloraceae ; Phenol ; Vietnam