Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, largely because of challenges in early diagnosis and the limited sensitivity of conventional biomarkers. Therefore, reliable molecular tools for early detection, prognostic stratification, and individualized treatment predictions are urgently required. Methods: This retrospective study analyzed publicly available gene expression datasets. Candidate biomarkers were identified from the GSE14520 cohort using a multistep screening workflow that integrated differential expression analysis, diagnostic performance, and prognostic relevance. A 10-gene diagnostic model was constructed using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator logistic regression and subsequently validated across multiple independent cohorts. Survival outcomes were evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier analysis and treatment responses to sorafenib and transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) were assessed using receiver operating characteristic analysis. Results: A 10-gene signature (TOP2A, CDK1, CYP3A4, MASP2, EPHX2, HAO1, RACGAP1, GLYAT, ADH1B, and CYP4A11) was established. The model demonstrated robust internal performance and consistent accuracy across external validation cohorts (area under the curve [AUC], >0.9). This signature effectively identified early-stage HCC and distinguished malignancy from cirrhosis. High-risk scores were significantly associated with poor overall survival and recurrence-free survival (p<0.05). Furthermore, the model could predict treatment sensitivity, with higher risk scores associated with better outcomes for sorafenib (AUC, 0.791), whereas lower risk scores correlated with an improved response to TACE (AUC, 0.768). Conclusion Our gene expression-based machine learning model provides a robust tool for HCC diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment response prediction, with potential as a supportive system for personalized clinical decision-making.

Purpose: Simple virilizing congenital adrenal hyperplasia (SV-CAH) due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21-OHD) is an autosomal recessive disease caused by pathogenic variants of the CYP21A2 gene. Children with SV-CAH often experience delayed diagnosis, presenting with pseudo-precocious puberty in males and genital virilization in females. Genotyping is essential for diagnosis, treatment, optimization, and phenotype prediction. This study describes the clinical and genetic characteristics of SV-CAH to guide treatment strategies. Methods: From November 2016 to March 2023, 79 children (accounting for 34.3% of 230 CAH cases in the overall children’s cohort) from 75 families were classified as SV-CAH due to 21-OHD at the Vietnam National Children's Hospital. Forty-three children underwent CYP21A2 mutation analysis using multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification and complete gene sequencing to detect pathogenic variants. Results: Median age at diagnosis was 4.5 years (interquartile range, 1 day–22.3 years). There were 38.0% males and 62.0% females. The most common symptoms were penile enlargement in males (53.3%) and clitoromegaly (87.8%) in females; the height standard deviation (SD) at diagnosis was 1.90±1.79 SD (-2.02 to 5.43) according to the World Health Organization; and bone age advancement was 4.65±2.59 years. Genetic analysis identified 21 pathogenic variants and 22 genotypes in 43 children. The most common variant was p.I173N (47.7%); the most common genotype was p.I173N/p.I173N (16.3%). Conclusion Children with SV-CAH are often diagnosed late. To avoid that, early genetic analysis should be prioritized, especially for children diagnosed through newborn screening programs. Determining the genotype is crucial for optimizing treatment strategies, ensuring personalized management, and avoiding overtreatment.

Streptocaulon juventas, a medicinal plant traditionally used in Vietnam and other Southeast Asian countries, has been previously investigated for certain biological activities of its roots; however, studies on its leaves remain limited. In this study, leaf extracts were evaluated for their in vitro anti-proliferative activity against B16F10 (murine melanoma) and HepG2 (human hepatocellular carcinoma) cell lines, as well as for their αglucosidase inhibitory potential. MTT assays revealed that the hexane (Sj-Hx) and dichloromethane (Sj-DCM) fractions exhibited the strongest cytotoxic effects on B16F10 cells, with IC₅₀ values of 36.09 µg/mL and 45.91 µg/mL, respectively. The hexane fraction (Sj-Hx) also demonstrated potent activity against HepG2 cells, with an IC50 value of 36.65 µg/mL. Notably, none of the extracts exhibited cytotoxicity toward Hs68 normal human fibroblasts, indicating favorable selectivity. DAPI staining further confirmed that both Sj-Hx and Sj-DCM induced nuclear fragmentation and chromatin condensation, consistent with apoptosis induction. Additionally, in vitro assays of anti-diabetic activity revealed that the hexane (Sj-Hx) and ethyl acetate (Sj-EA) extracts displayed the strongest α-glucosidase inhibition, with IC₅₀ values of 221.59 µg/mL and 265.73 µg/mL, respectively. Collectively, these findings suggest that S. juventas leaf extracts possess selective pro-apoptotic activity against cancer cells and represent a promising natural source for the discovery of anti-diabetic agents.

Objectives: Malaria prevention still faces many difficulties in the mountainous and highland areas, especially the provinces in the Central region and the Central Highlands, Vietnam. This study aims to describe the practice of malaria prevention of forest goers in four high-risk provinces of Vietnam in 2023 and some related factors. Methods: Cross-sectional in 696 foresters in 4 provinces: Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Dak Nong, Binh Phuoc, Vietnam from January 2023 to December 2023. The study used a validated questionnaire and convenience sampling method to select research subjects. Health station staff were trained as data collectors and supervised during data collection. Results: The study subjects with good malaria prevention practices accounted for 54.6%. In addition to sleeping under mosquito nets, subjects also applied other preventive measures such as wearing long-sleeved clothes and mosquito repellant cream, 83.1% and 67.8%, respectively. Gender, ethnicity, religion, education, health insurance, occupation, frequency of work in the forest, and good knowledge about malaria control as it relates to malaria prevention practices. Conclusion: The current status of malaria prevention practices among forest goers in four high-risk provinces is still limited. It is necessary to promote communication measures to improve people's knowledge, attitudes, and practices on malaria prevention

Background: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in adults in Thai Binh province was still high (28.4%). However, previous studies on the prevalence of MetS among the elderly were still limited and inconsistent. Therefore, The objective of this study was to examine gender differences in metabolic syndrome (MetS) characteristics and some associated factors. Materials and Methods: A convenience sample of 404 elderly outpatients was recruited from Thai Binh Medical University Hospital. The general information and history of falls, sleep quality score, smoking, alcohol use, and body mass index (BMI) of the subjects were collected through questionnaires, and each patient's height, Weight, waist circumference (WC), and other physical signs were measured. MetS was diagnosed based on the criteria of the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP III). Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the risk factors of MetS and its components. Results: The prevalence of MetS in elderly females (36.0%) is higher than in males (18.5%) (p<0.001). The three component indices of MetS are low HDL-cholesterol ratio, high triglyceride (TG), and higher WC in females than males. In contrast, the two indices, high blood pressure (BP) and elevated blood sugar (BS), showed the opposite. Some factors associated with MetS in both genders are BMI, BS, and TG, but older men with a history of smoking [OR (95%CI), 3.2 (1.2-8.2)], and older women with a history of falls [OR (95%CI), 1.6 (1.1-2.4)] have a higher risk of MetS than other subjects. Conclusions: There were significant differences in MetS components in the two sexes. In additions, there are different factors related to the prevalence of MetS in both sexes: smoking history in men and history of falls in women. Keywords: Gender differences; Metabolic syndrome; Elderly; Risk factors.

Efonidipine, a calcium channel blocker, is widely used for the treatment of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. In our preliminary study using structure-based virtual screening, efonidipine was identified as a potential inhibitor of c-Jun N-terminal kinase 3 (JNK3). Although its antihypertensive effect is widely known, the role of efonidipine in the central nervous system has remained elusive. The present study investigated the effects of efonidipine on the inflammation and cell migration induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) using murine BV2 and human HMC3 microglial cell lines and elucidated signaling molecules mediating its effects. We found that the phosphorylations of JNK and its downstream molecule c-Jun in LPS-treated BV2 cells were declined by efonidipine, confirming the finding from virtual screening. In addition, efonidipine inhibited the LPS-induced production of pro-inflammatory factors, including interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and nitric oxide. Similarly, the IL-1β production in LPS-treated HMC3 cells was also inhibited by efonidipine. Efonidipine markedly impeded cell migration stimulated by LPS in both cells. Furthermore, it inhibited the phosphorylation of inhibitor kappa B, thereby suppressing nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in LPS-treated BV2 cells. Taken together, efonidipine exerts anti-inflammatory and anti-migratory effects in LPS-treated microglial cells through inhibition of the JNK/NF-κB pathway. These findings imply that efonidipine may be a potential candidate for drug repositioning, with beneficial impacts on brain disorders associated with neuroinflammation.

Objective: To examine the multiplication efficiency Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) genotype I (GI) and genotype III (GIII) of different cell lines which originated from human, porcine, mosquitoes in order to prove mechanism of JEV GI replacement JEV GIII since it emerging in nature recent decades. Methods: The mixture of GI and GIII JEV isolates was inoculated on human rhabdomyosarcoma (RD), pig kidney epithelial (PS) and Aedes albopictus C6/36 clone (C6/36) which originated from human, porcine and mosquitoes, respectively. Plaque assays were performed to calculate virus titer and real-time RT-PCR with GI and GIII specific primer sets to quantify the number of GI and GIII RNA copies. Results: The highest virus titer reached at the 3rd day of post infection when GI and GIII mixture was inoculated on RD and PS and that of C6/36 was at the 4th day. JEVs were amplified and maintained by C6/36 cells after 10 passages whereas that by RD and PS only limited within 8 and 6 passages, respectively. GI strain amplified and maintained more efficiently on C6/36 and PS but not RD, whereas GIII strain amplified and maintained more efficiently on RD. Conclusions: There is a correlation between the multiplication efficiency of GI and GIII JEV strains when these two genotype strains co-infected on different cell lines with the predominance of GI strains in C6/36 and PS and the limited detection of GI strains in RD cells proving a possible mechanism of shift JEV genotypes in nature recent decades since GI emerging.

Phytochemical investigation of Kandelia candel resulted in the isolation of six triterpenes (1 - 5) and two glyceryl glycosides (6 and 7) and their structures were determined by comparing the spectroscopic data with those of reported values. In present study, we described the inhibitory effects of fractions and isolated compounds from K. candel on pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-12 p40, IL-6, and TNF-alpha) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs). Results indicated that compounds 3, 6, and 7 showed potent inhibition on IL-6 production (IC50 values at less than 0.5 microM, respectively). Meanwhile, compounds 6 and 7 exhibited strong inhibitory effects on the production of TNF-alpha (IC50 values of 1.7 +/- 0.1 and 5.5 +/- 0.2 microM). Compounds 1 and 3 were also showed the inhibitory effects on IL-12 p40 production (IC50 values of 8.9 +/- 0.4 and 3.3 +/- 0.1 microM, respectively).
Cytokines ; Dendritic Cells ; Glycosides* ; Interleukin-12 ; Interleukin-6 ; Rhizophoraceae* ; Triterpenes* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Background: Recently Japanese Encephalitis (JE) virus type 1 has surfaced and is co-circulated with JE virus type 3 in the northern areas of Viet Nam, so a sensitivity of JE viral antigen genotype 3 to detect IgM is required. Objectives: To compare the sensitivity of JE viral antigen genotype 1 and 3 to detect IgM against the JE virus. Materials and method: 783 cerebrospinal fluid and serum samples from viral encephalitis cases from 1999-2005 were collected and examined by MAC-ELISA for JE viral antigen genotype 1 and 3. Results: The agreement on the diagnosis of these kinds of antigen was 99.7% and the sensitivity of JE viral antigen genotype 3 was higher than that of genotype 1. Thus, JE viral antigen genotype 3 could be considered as the selected antigen for JE diagnosis in Viet Nam. IgM titer determined by JE viral antigen genotype 1 was higher than that of genotype 3 in 2003 and 2005 and lower in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2004. Conclusion: The dominant phenomenon of JE viral genotypes differing over the years might be due to the interaction of the virus and its vectors. Further study is required to clarify this observation.
Japanese Encephalitis ; antigen

Background: Mosquitoes and pigs play important roles in maintaining and increasing the Japanese Encephalitis (JE) virus in nature and which is then transmitted to humans. Thus, surveillance of the JE infection frequency in the pig population may predict the human JE cases. \r\n', u'Objectives: The study aimed to determine IgG antibody against the JE virus in the pig population in Hanam province \r\n', u'Subjects and methods: The study included 1791 pig serum samples collected from 3 districts of Hanam province from Apr 2006 to Mar 2007. GAC-ELISA technique was used to determine the JE virus infection in the swine population.\r\n', u'Results: The average positive rate in pig population was 34.9 % (626/1791); with the highest frequency occurring in the summer (37.7%- 84.0 %), co-incident with the JE season in Northern Vietnam. On the contrary, in winter JE case are rare, frequency of IgG antibody against JE virus in the swine population was low, ranging from 9.2% to 22.0.%. \r\n', u'Conclusions: These results have shown the ecologically close relationship between the amplification of the JE virus in the swine population, vector and JE cases in northern Vietnam. \r\n', u'
Japanese encephalitis ; pig population ; GAC-ELISA.