Background: s/Aims: Increasing evidence indicates that metabolites play a significant role in the pathogenesis of liver cancer and have potential as biomarkers for early detection. This review summarizes the current literature on the utility of metabolomic profiling as a screening strategy for early diagnosis of liver cancer. Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science for studies published between 2004 and 2024 that examined metabolite alterations in liver cancer. The metabolites differentially expressed in liver cancer versus healthy controls, cirrhosis, and hepatic B virus cases are summarized. The diagnostic performance of the metabolite-based models was also evaluated, highlighting their potential as early detection biomarkers for liver cancer. Results: A total of 96 studies were included in this review, encompassing case-only, case-control, nested case-control, and cohort designs. The analysis identified taurine and taurochenodeoxycholic acid to be consistently associated with an increased risk of liver cancer, supported by findings from both the discovery and validation cohorts. Notably, a diagnostic model incorporating 10 metabolites including taurine and taurochenodeoxycholic acid, achieved an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.86 (95% confidence interval, 0.82-0.88), indicating strong discriminatory power for early liver cancer detection. Nevertheless, heterogeneity across studies was observed, largely owing to differences in biological sample types and metabolomic platforms. Conclusions This review highlights the significant roles of taurine and taurochenodeoxycholic acid in liver cancer development. Future research should prioritize the standardization of analytical methodologies, increased sample sizes, and integration of metabolomics with other omics layers to enhance our understanding of liver cancer biology and improve biomarker accuracy and clinical utility.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate and compare the clinical and radiological outcomes of biportal endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (BE-TLIF) using banana-shaped versus straight interbody cages. BE-TLIF has emerged as a minimally invasive technique for treating lumbar spondylolisthesis. Banana-shaped and straight cages are the most commonly used cage types in BE-TLIF; however, their relative clinical and radiological outcomes remain unclear. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 34 patients undergoing single-level BE-TLIF from January 2023 to May 2024. Seventeen patients received banana-shaped cages (group A) and 17 received straight cages (group B). Radiological assessments included disc height (DH), segmental lordosis angle (SLA), lumbar lordosis angle, cage position, and subsidence. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the visual analogue scale (VAS) for back and leg pain and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Fusion status was evaluated at 12 months postoperatively using computed tomography according to the modified Bridwell grading system. Results: Both groups demonstrated significant postoperative improvements in VAS and ODI scores, with no statistically significant differences between the groups. Radiological outcomes, including restoration of DH and SLA, were slightly better in the banana-shaped cage group, but this difference did not reach statistical significance. Straight cages were more often placed anteriorly, whereas banana-shaped cages tended to occupy the midlateral position. Fusion rates were comparable (100% vs. 94.1%, p>0.05), and subsidence occurred in 23.5% of cases in both groups. Conclusion Despite differences in cage positioning, banana-shaped and straight cages yielded comparable clinical and radiological outcomes in BE-TLIF. Either cage type can be effectively utilized in BE-TLIF, providing flexibility in surgical planning, particularly in resource-limited settings.

Purpose: To determine the efficacy of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values and ratios (lesion/liver tissue, lesion/splenic tissue, lesion/paraspinal muscle) in differentiating benign from malignant solid liver lesions. Materials and Methods: This study retrospectively analyzed data from 115 patients with solid liver lesions who underwent abdominal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at a single institution between January 2023 and December 2024. Lesions were classified as benign or malignant based on biochemical tests as well as radiographic and/or histopathologic findings. ADC values and ratios were determined using a 1.5 T MRI scanner.Quantitative variables are presented as mean ± standard deviation or median (interquartile range). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to determine the cut-off values for ADC value and ratio, for which associated areas under the ROC curve were calculated. Results: The present analysis included 115 lesions—36 benign and 79 malignant. The median ADC value of the benign lesions was significantly higher than that of malignant lesions: 1744.5 × 10-6 mm2 /s vs. 1168.0 × 10-6 mm2 /s, respectively. The average lesion-toliver ADC (rADC l), lesion-to-spleen ADC (rADCsp), and lesion-to-paraspinal muscle ADC (rADC m) ratios for the benign lesions were significantly higher than those of malignant lesions: 1.79 vs. 1.09, 2.31 vs. 1.44, and 1.19 vs 0.80, respectively. A threshold of 1416 × 10-6 mm2 /s was used to differentiate benign vs. malignant lesions, with a sensitivity of 83.3% and a specificity of 78.5%. The cut-off values for rADC l, rADCsp, and rADC m were 1.55, 1.95, and 0.97, respectively, with sensitivities of 69.4%, 69.4%, and 83.3% and specificities of 87.3%, 91.1%, and 79.9%, respectively. Conclusion ADC metrics obtained from diffusion-weighted MRI effectively distinguished benign from malignant solid liver lesions.

Numerous studies have also revealed that students with a high level of Nomophobia have an increased risk of depression. However, few researchers are interested in examining how the association between nomophobia and depressive symptoms mediates loneliness and self-control. This study aimed to investigate, among Vietnamese High School Students, the association between nomophobia and depressive symptoms, specifically focusing on the role that loneliness and self-control play as potential mediators of that relationship. The Nomophobia Scale (NMP-Q), Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 21 (DASS-21), The UCLA loneliness scale version 3 (UCLA III), and The Brief Self-Control Scale (BSCS) were completed by 556 Vietnamese high school students. Using the PROCESS macro, mediation analyses were conducted to investigate the relationship between variables. According to our findings, nomophobia was positively associated with symptoms of depression, and loneliness and self-control partially mediated this relationship. It is suggested that methods for preventing claustrophobia and depressive symptoms be taken seriously in order to increase self-control and decrease loneliness.

Objective: Female sex workers (FSWs) are at high risk of human papillomavirus (HPV) infections and cervical cancer due to their high number of sexual partners. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of HPV and identify risk factors for high-risk HPV infection among FSWs in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), Viet Nam. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Hanoi and HCMC between December 2017 and May 2018. We surveyed and screened 699 FSWs aged ≥18 years for HPV infection and abnormal cytology. A multivariable modified Cox regression model was used to determine risk factors for high-risk HPV infection. Results The overall prevalence of any HPV, high-risk HPV and HPV-16/18 infection in the 699 FSWs was 26.3%, 17.6% and 4.0%, respectively, and were similar in both cities. Multiple infections were identified in 127 participants (69.0%).HPV-52 was the most prevalent (7%), followed by HPV-58 (6%). Abnormal cytology was detected in 91 participants (13.0%). FSWs who are divorced (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR]: 1.96, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01–3.81), widowed (aPR: 3.26, 95% CI: 1.49–7.12) or living alone (aPR: 1.85, 95% CI: 1.01–3.39) were associated with a higher prevalence of high-risk HPV infection.

Objectives: Online misinformation has reached unprecedented levels during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This study analyzed the magnitude and sentiment dynamics of misinformation and unverified information about public health interventions during a COVID-19 outbreak in Da Nang, Vietnam, between July and September 2020. Methods: We analyzed user-generated online information about five public health interventions during the Da Nang outbreak. We compared the volume, source, sentiment polarity, and engagements of online posts before, during, and after the outbreak using negative binomial and logistic regression, and assessed the content validity of the 500 most influential posts. Results: Most of the 54,528 online posts included were generated during the outbreak (n = 46,035; 84.42%) and by online newspapers (n = 32,034; 58.75%). Among the 500 most influential posts, 316 (63.20%) contained genuine information, 10 (2.00%) contained misinformation, 152 (30.40%) were non-factual opinions, and 22 (4.40%) contained unverifiable information. All misinformation posts were made during the outbreak, mostly on social media, and were predominantly negative. Higher levels of engagement were observed for information that was unverifiable (incidence relative risk [IRR] = 2.83; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.33–0.62), posted during the outbreak (before: IRR = 0.15; 95% CI, 0.07–0.35; after: IRR = 0.46; 95% CI, 0.34-0.63), and with negative sentiment (IRR = 1.84; 95% CI, 1.23–2.75). Negatively toned posts were more likely to be misinformation (odds ratio [OR] = 9.59; 95% CI, 1.20–76.70) or unverified (OR = 5.03; 95% CI, 1.66–15.24). Conclusions Misinformation and unverified information during the outbreak showed clustering, with social media being particularly affected. This indepth assessment demonstrates the value of analyzing online “infodemics” to inform public health responses.

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: 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