Background: The elderly are a population group that is particularly vulnerable to nutritional and digestive problems due to age-related physiological changes. In the hospital setting, where the elderly are treated as inpatients, gastrointestinal symptoms can become more complicated due to the impact of many factors related to the hospital environment such as changes in diet and use of multiple medications. In Vietnam, the population is aging rapidly, with the proportion of people over 60 years old increasing. This is a major challenge for the health system, especially in nutritional management and improving the quality of life of the elderly. Objectives: The study aims to describe the nutritional status, common gastrointestinal symptoms and the association between gastrointestinal symptoms disorders and nutritional status in elderly individuals receiving inpatient treatment. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 264 elderly patients at Hanoi Medical University Hospital from March 2023 to May 2024. Nutritional status was assessed using the BMI (WHO) and MNA, with ROME IV criteria employed to determine gastrointestinal symptoms, including functional dyspepsia, belching disorders, nausea, and vomiting disorders. Related factors considered were age, gender, and comorbidities. Results: The average age of the participants was 69.4±7.2 years. The rate of malnutrition or risk of malnutrition in the study subjects according to MNA was quite high, 12.5% and 70.1%, respectively. The prevalence of common digestive symptoms in elderly patients includes: 60.2% of elderly patients have symptoms of functional dyspepsia; 33.7% have symptoms of belching disorder; nausea and vomiting disorders account for 16.4%. According to MNA assessment, the proportion of elderly patients at risk of malnutrition and malnutrition with symptoms of gastrointestinal disorder was higher than the non-malnutrition group, the difference was statistically significant with p<0.05. Female participants often have digestive symptoms more often than male participants (p<0.05). Conclusion: Digestive symptoms are common in the elderly treated in a hospital. The incidence of gastrointestinal symptoms in the elderly is related to malnutrition.

Aims: The objective of the study was to isolate bacteriophages and conduct a comprehensive analysis of their potential against Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) strains in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Methodology and results: Twelve Xoo strains were isolated from rice fields located in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Among these strains, three strains Xoo L019, L020 and L024, showed the highest disease index of bacterial blight. Four phages specific to Xoo were isolated from soil, water and leaf samples, and their morphologies were determined. In a test against 12 Xoo strains, phage L541, MLA23 or W41 could infect 10 of the 12 Xoo strains, while phage LBH01 could infect 8 of the 12 Xoo strains. The stability of the phages to pH, organic solvents, UV-A and UV-B was also evaluated. Conclusion, significance and impact of study The initial characterization of the phages indicates their potential as biocontrol agents against bacterial blight in rice. The study is one of the very first studies about Xoo phages in rice in Vietnam.

Objective: Academic stress is associated with mental health disorders, notably depression and anxiety among students. Mitigating stress can decrease the incidence of mental health disorders and improve student well-being. This study explored factors influencing academic stress among secondary school students in Vietnam.Materials and Methods: A three-year longitudinal study was conducted using a self-reported questionnaire with 611 students from four secondary schools in Hue City, Vietnam. Academic stress was evaluated using the Educational Stress Scale for Adolescents (ESSA). Family factors, including the number of siblings and parental educational levels; lifestyle factors, including physical activity and sleep; and academic factors, including grade point average and attending extra classes were evaluated. Linear regression models were used to analyze the associations between the ESSA scores at follow-up and family, lifestyle, and academic factors at baseline.Results: A total of 341 students completed both the baseline and follow-up surveys and answered the questions required for this analysis. The mean ESSA score of 341 students increased from 46.4 ± 7.6 (mean ± SD) to 53.5 ± 10.8, from 2018 to 2021. The multivariate model revealed that the number of siblings, higher father’s educational attainment level, female gender, lower academic scores, and attending extra classes were associated with overall academic stress. In contrast, no associations were observed between the variables of lifestyle, parental concentration, and parental acceptance and overall academic stress.Conclusion: The findings highlight the impact of family factors and study workload on academic stress, emphasizing the need for proper care from family and school to reduce or prevent student academic stress and provide them with a comfortable and healthy learning environment.

Background: Liver fibrosis is a common outcome of chronic liver disease and is primarily driven by hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation. Irisin, a myokine released during physical exercise, is beneficial for metabolic disorders and mitochondrial dysfunction. This study aimed to explore the effects of irisin on liver fibrosis in HSCs, a bile duct ligation (BDL) mouse model, and the associated mitochondrial dysfunction. Methods: In vitro experiments utilized LX-2 cells, a human HSC line, stimulated with transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), a major regulator of HSC fibrosis, with or without irisin. Mitochondrial function was assessed using mitochondrial fission markers, transmission electron microscopy, mitochondrial membrane potential, and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production. In vivo, liver fibrosis was induced in mice via BDL, followed by daily intraperitoneal injections of irisin (100 μg/kg/day) for 10 days. Results: In vitro, irisin mitigated HSC activation and reduced reactive oxygen species associated with the TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway. Irisin restored TGF-β1-induced increases in fission markers (Fis1, p-DRP1) and reversed the decreased expression of TFAM and SIRT3. Additionally, irisin restored mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP production lowered by TGF-β1 treatment. In vivo, irisin ameliorated the elevated liver-to-body weight ratio induced by BDL and alleviated liver fibrosis, as evidenced by Masson’s trichrome staining. Irisin also improved mitochondrial dysfunction induced by BDL surgery. Conclusion Irisin effectively attenuated HSC activation, ameliorated liver fibrosis in BDL mice, and improved associated mitochondrial dysfunction. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of irisin for the treatment of liver fibrosis.

Background: Liver fibrosis is a common outcome of chronic liver disease and is primarily driven by hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation. Irisin, a myokine released during physical exercise, is beneficial for metabolic disorders and mitochondrial dysfunction. This study aimed to explore the effects of irisin on liver fibrosis in HSCs, a bile duct ligation (BDL) mouse model, and the associated mitochondrial dysfunction. Methods: In vitro experiments utilized LX-2 cells, a human HSC line, stimulated with transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), a major regulator of HSC fibrosis, with or without irisin. Mitochondrial function was assessed using mitochondrial fission markers, transmission electron microscopy, mitochondrial membrane potential, and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production. In vivo, liver fibrosis was induced in mice via BDL, followed by daily intraperitoneal injections of irisin (100 μg/kg/day) for 10 days. Results: In vitro, irisin mitigated HSC activation and reduced reactive oxygen species associated with the TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway. Irisin restored TGF-β1-induced increases in fission markers (Fis1, p-DRP1) and reversed the decreased expression of TFAM and SIRT3. Additionally, irisin restored mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP production lowered by TGF-β1 treatment. In vivo, irisin ameliorated the elevated liver-to-body weight ratio induced by BDL and alleviated liver fibrosis, as evidenced by Masson’s trichrome staining. Irisin also improved mitochondrial dysfunction induced by BDL surgery. Conclusion Irisin effectively attenuated HSC activation, ameliorated liver fibrosis in BDL mice, and improved associated mitochondrial dysfunction. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of irisin for the treatment of liver fibrosis.

Background: Liver fibrosis is a common outcome of chronic liver disease and is primarily driven by hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation. Irisin, a myokine released during physical exercise, is beneficial for metabolic disorders and mitochondrial dysfunction. This study aimed to explore the effects of irisin on liver fibrosis in HSCs, a bile duct ligation (BDL) mouse model, and the associated mitochondrial dysfunction. Methods: In vitro experiments utilized LX-2 cells, a human HSC line, stimulated with transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), a major regulator of HSC fibrosis, with or without irisin. Mitochondrial function was assessed using mitochondrial fission markers, transmission electron microscopy, mitochondrial membrane potential, and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production. In vivo, liver fibrosis was induced in mice via BDL, followed by daily intraperitoneal injections of irisin (100 μg/kg/day) for 10 days. Results: In vitro, irisin mitigated HSC activation and reduced reactive oxygen species associated with the TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway. Irisin restored TGF-β1-induced increases in fission markers (Fis1, p-DRP1) and reversed the decreased expression of TFAM and SIRT3. Additionally, irisin restored mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP production lowered by TGF-β1 treatment. In vivo, irisin ameliorated the elevated liver-to-body weight ratio induced by BDL and alleviated liver fibrosis, as evidenced by Masson’s trichrome staining. Irisin also improved mitochondrial dysfunction induced by BDL surgery. Conclusion Irisin effectively attenuated HSC activation, ameliorated liver fibrosis in BDL mice, and improved associated mitochondrial dysfunction. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of irisin for the treatment of liver fibrosis.

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.

Background: Liver fibrosis is a common outcome of chronic liver disease and is primarily driven by hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation. Irisin, a myokine released during physical exercise, is beneficial for metabolic disorders and mitochondrial dysfunction. This study aimed to explore the effects of irisin on liver fibrosis in HSCs, a bile duct ligation (BDL) mouse model, and the associated mitochondrial dysfunction. Methods: In vitro experiments utilized LX-2 cells, a human HSC line, stimulated with transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), a major regulator of HSC fibrosis, with or without irisin. Mitochondrial function was assessed using mitochondrial fission markers, transmission electron microscopy, mitochondrial membrane potential, and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production. In vivo, liver fibrosis was induced in mice via BDL, followed by daily intraperitoneal injections of irisin (100 μg/kg/day) for 10 days. Results: In vitro, irisin mitigated HSC activation and reduced reactive oxygen species associated with the TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway. Irisin restored TGF-β1-induced increases in fission markers (Fis1, p-DRP1) and reversed the decreased expression of TFAM and SIRT3. Additionally, irisin restored mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP production lowered by TGF-β1 treatment. In vivo, irisin ameliorated the elevated liver-to-body weight ratio induced by BDL and alleviated liver fibrosis, as evidenced by Masson’s trichrome staining. Irisin also improved mitochondrial dysfunction induced by BDL surgery. Conclusion Irisin effectively attenuated HSC activation, ameliorated liver fibrosis in BDL mice, and improved associated mitochondrial dysfunction. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of irisin for the treatment of liver fibrosis.

Background: The genus Alpinia is one of the diverse genera in Thua Thien Hue province, in which many species have been used as medicine. But until now, studies on A. vietnamica have rarely been reported. Objectives: The present study was aimed at the determination of microscopic characteristics and chemical compositions as well as evaluating the antioxidant and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities of A. vietnamica. Materials and methods: A. vietnamica was collected in Phong Dien district, Thua Thien Hue province. Anatomic structures and powder properties were determined by the microscopic method. Phytochemical screening was conducted by specific chemical reactions. The Folin-Ciocalteau method and the aluminum chloride-flavonoid assay, respectively, were used to quantify the total polyphenol (TPC) and total flavonoid contents (TFC). Antioxidant activity was assessed using the DPPH assay, while acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity was evaluated using the Ellman method. Results: The microscopic characteristics of this species have been described. Phytochemical analysis results revealed the presence of flavonoids, coumarins, and tannins in A. vietnamica. The ethanol extract from the aerial part of A. vietnamica had higher polyphenol and flavonoid contents than the underground part extract. Moreover, this extract also displayed a stronger DPPH radical scavenging and exhibited AChE inhibitory activities. Conclusion: This is the first report on the microscopic characteristics, chemical compositions, and biological activities of A. vietnamica.

Background: Melaleuca essential oil has many good effects, bringing economic efficiency; however, low extraction efficiency is a problem that needs to be overcome. This study aims to enhance the efficiency of extracting Melaleuca essential oil by employing deep eutectic solvents (DESs). Materials and methods: Branches and leaves of Melaleuca cajuputi Powell were pretreated by DESs. Carry out the distillation of essential oils by steam distillation. Determination of the chemical composition of essential oils by chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Results: The combination of choline chloride and oxalic acid to create DESs solvent system helps the extraction efficiency of Melaleuca essential oil increase by 160%. In addition, the total content of 1,8-cineol and isocineol in the essential oil extracted with DESs solvent was 34.019%, higher than that of the essential oil extracted with distilled water at 30.749%. Conclusions: The positive results show the potential of using DESs solvents to improve the yield and quality of Melaleuca essential oil