Methods: This study included 41 patients with single-level grades 1 or 2 LS from February 2023 to February 2024. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for back and leg pain and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Bridwell fusion grades were evaluated via lumbar spine computed tomography performed 6 months postoperatively. Results: Over a mean follow-up period of 10.6 months (range, 7–18 months), significant improvements were observed in VAS scores for low back pain (from 7.8±0.8 to 2.1±1.4) and leg pain (from 8.1±1.3 to 1.9±1.5) as well as ODI scores (from 50.4±15.4 to 14.8±10.5). The cohort consisted of patients with grades 1 (73.2%) and 2 LS (26.8%) at L4–L5 (58.6%), L5–S1 (34.1%), and L3–L4 (7.3%) levels. The mean operation time was 182.8±36.4 minutes, with a mean intraoperative blood loss of 190.5±81.3 mL and a mean hospital stay of 7.2±3.6 days. Successful fusion (Bridwell grades I/II) was achieved in 82.9% of the cases, with a 4.9% incidence of cage subsidence. Minor complications included durotomies in two patients (4.9%), whereas no major complications, such as nerve root injury, hardware-related issues, or postoperative infections, were reported. Conclusions The described BE-LIF technique, using HA bone grafts, which are an autologous bone from the preserved IAP, and a TLIF cage, is a viable, safe, and effective option for treating low-grade LS. This approach achieves favorable clinical outcomes and high fusion rates, which provides a cost-effective alternative to advanced surgical implants.

Methods: This study included 41 patients with single-level grades 1 or 2 LS from February 2023 to February 2024. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for back and leg pain and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Bridwell fusion grades were evaluated via lumbar spine computed tomography performed 6 months postoperatively. Results: Over a mean follow-up period of 10.6 months (range, 7–18 months), significant improvements were observed in VAS scores for low back pain (from 7.8±0.8 to 2.1±1.4) and leg pain (from 8.1±1.3 to 1.9±1.5) as well as ODI scores (from 50.4±15.4 to 14.8±10.5). The cohort consisted of patients with grades 1 (73.2%) and 2 LS (26.8%) at L4–L5 (58.6%), L5–S1 (34.1%), and L3–L4 (7.3%) levels. The mean operation time was 182.8±36.4 minutes, with a mean intraoperative blood loss of 190.5±81.3 mL and a mean hospital stay of 7.2±3.6 days. Successful fusion (Bridwell grades I/II) was achieved in 82.9% of the cases, with a 4.9% incidence of cage subsidence. Minor complications included durotomies in two patients (4.9%), whereas no major complications, such as nerve root injury, hardware-related issues, or postoperative infections, were reported. Conclusions The described BE-LIF technique, using HA bone grafts, which are an autologous bone from the preserved IAP, and a TLIF cage, is a viable, safe, and effective option for treating low-grade LS. This approach achieves favorable clinical outcomes and high fusion rates, which provides a cost-effective alternative to advanced surgical implants.

Methods: This study included 41 patients with single-level grades 1 or 2 LS from February 2023 to February 2024. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for back and leg pain and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Bridwell fusion grades were evaluated via lumbar spine computed tomography performed 6 months postoperatively. Results: Over a mean follow-up period of 10.6 months (range, 7–18 months), significant improvements were observed in VAS scores for low back pain (from 7.8±0.8 to 2.1±1.4) and leg pain (from 8.1±1.3 to 1.9±1.5) as well as ODI scores (from 50.4±15.4 to 14.8±10.5). The cohort consisted of patients with grades 1 (73.2%) and 2 LS (26.8%) at L4–L5 (58.6%), L5–S1 (34.1%), and L3–L4 (7.3%) levels. The mean operation time was 182.8±36.4 minutes, with a mean intraoperative blood loss of 190.5±81.3 mL and a mean hospital stay of 7.2±3.6 days. Successful fusion (Bridwell grades I/II) was achieved in 82.9% of the cases, with a 4.9% incidence of cage subsidence. Minor complications included durotomies in two patients (4.9%), whereas no major complications, such as nerve root injury, hardware-related issues, or postoperative infections, were reported. Conclusions The described BE-LIF technique, using HA bone grafts, which are an autologous bone from the preserved IAP, and a TLIF cage, is a viable, safe, and effective option for treating low-grade LS. This approach achieves favorable clinical outcomes and high fusion rates, which provides a cost-effective alternative to advanced surgical implants.

A new crinane-type alkaloid, 6-epihydroxypowelline (1), together with six known alkaloids, lycorine (2), 2-O-acetyllycorine (3), deacetylbowdensine (4), 1-epideacetylbowdensine (5), 8-demethyl-3-oxomaritidine (6), and (-)-marithamine (7) were isolated from the whole parts of the Crinum latifolium L. in Vietnam. The structure identification of all compounds was determined by 1D, 2D-NMR as well as HR-ESI-MS spectroscopic techniques. The absolute configuration of these compounds was established by the ECD data. In addition, in vitro inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities was assessed for all isolated alkaloids. All alkaloids had AChE inhibitory effects, with IC50 values ranging from 32.65 ± 2.72 to 212.76 ± 8.30 µM and compound 3 displayed the strongest inhibition of AChE, with IC50 values of 32.65 ± 2.72 µM (in comparison to the reference drug, galanthamine, which had an IC50 of 2.40 ± 0.45 µM).

Background: s/Aims: Hepatolithiasis and choledocholithiasis are frequent pathologies and unfortunately, with the current treatment strategies, the recurrence incidence is still high. This study aimed to assess the outcomes of laparoscopic choledochotomy using cholangioscopy via the percutaneous-choledochal tube for the treatment of hepatolithiasis and choledocholithiasis in Vietnamese patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study of patients with hepatolithiasis and/or choledocholithiasis who underwent laparoscopic choledochotomy using intraoperative cholangioscopy via percutaneous-choledochal tube at the Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, 108 Military Central Hospital, from June 2017 to March 2020. Results: A total of 84 patients were analyzed. Most patients were females (56.0%) with a median age of 55.56 years. Among them, 41.8% of patients had previous abdominal operations, with 33.4% having choledochotomy. All patients underwent successful laparoscopic common bile duct exploration followed by T-tube drainage without needing to convert to open surgery. Most patients (64.3%) had both intrahepatic and extrahepatic stones. The rate of stones ≥ 10 mm in diameter was 64.3%. Biliary strictures were observed in 19.1% of patients during cholangioscopy. Complete removal of stones was achieved in 54.8% of patients. Intraoperative complications were encountered in two patients, but there was no need to change the strategy. The mean operating time was 121.85 ± 30.47 minutes.The early postoperative complication rate was 9.6%, and all patients were managed conservatively. The residual stones were removed through the T-tube tract by subsequent choledochoscopy in 34/38 patients, so the total success rate was 95.2%. Conclusions Laparoscopic choledochotomy combined with cholangioscopy through the percutaneous-choledochal tube is a safe and effective strategy for hepatolithiasis and/or choledocholithiasis, even in patients with a previous choledochotomy.

Background: The facial artery is an important blood vessel responsible for supplying the anterior face. Understanding the branching patterns of the facial artery plays a crucial role in various medical specialties such as plastic surgery, dermatology, and oncology. This knowledge contributes to improving the success rate of facial reconstruction and aesthetic procedures. However, debate continues regarding the classification of facial artery branching patterns in the existing literature. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive anatomical study, in which we dissected 102 facial arteries from 52 embalmed and formaldehyde-fixed Vietnamese cadavers at the Anatomy Department, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Results: Our investigation revealed eight distinct termination points and identified 35 combinations of branching patterns, including seven arterial branching patterns. These termination points included the inferior labial artery, superior labial artery, inferior alar artery, lateral nasal artery, angular artery typical, angular artery running along the lower border of the orbicularis oculi muscle, forehead branch, duplex, and short course (hypoplastic). Notably, the branching patterns of the facial artery displayed marked asymmetry between the left and right sides within the same cadaver. Conclusion The considerable variation observed in the branching pattern and termination points of the facial artery makes it challenging to establish a definitive classification system for this vessel. Therefore, it is imperative to develop an anatomical map summarizing the major measurements and geometric features of the facial artery. Surgeons and medical professionals involved in facial surgery and procedures must consider the detailed anatomy and relative positioning of the facial artery to minimize the risk of unexpected complications.

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.

A new crinane-type alkaloid, 6-epihydroxypowelline (1), together with six known alkaloids, lycorine (2), 2-O-acetyllycorine (3), deacetylbowdensine (4), 1-epideacetylbowdensine (5), 8-demethyl-3-oxomaritidine (6), and (-)-marithamine (7) were isolated from the whole parts of the Crinum latifolium L. in Vietnam. The structure identification of all compounds was determined by 1D, 2D-NMR as well as HR-ESI-MS spectroscopic techniques. The absolute configuration of these compounds was established by the ECD data. In addition, in vitro inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities was assessed for all isolated alkaloids. All alkaloids had AChE inhibitory effects, with IC50 values ranging from 32.65 ± 2.72 to 212.76 ± 8.30 µM and compound 3 displayed the strongest inhibition of AChE, with IC50 values of 32.65 ± 2.72 µM (in comparison to the reference drug, galanthamine, which had an IC50 of 2.40 ± 0.45 µM).

Purpose: Although some immune protection from close contact with individuals who have coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been documented, there is limited data on the seroprevalence of antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in individuals who were in lockdown with confirmed COVID-19 cases. This study investigated immunogenicity against SARS-CoV-2 in household members and people who lived near home-quarantined patients with COVID-19. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted during the community-based care that took place during lockdowns in District 10, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam from July to September 2021. SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels were determined in index cases of COVID-19, household contacts, and a no-contact group from the same area. Results: A total of 770 participants were included (355 index cases, 103 household contacts, and 312 no contacts). All index cases were unvaccinated, but >90% of individuals in the household and no-contact groups had received ≥1 vaccine dose. SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies (Nabs) were present in >77% of unvaccinated index cases versus 64%/65.4% in the householdo-contact groups (p=0.001). Antibody concentrations in unvaccinated index cases were significantly higher than those in household contacts and no contacts, with no difference between the latter groups. In all cases, antibody levels declined markedly ≥6 weeks after infection, and failed to persist beyond this time in the household and no-contact groups. Conclusion Community-based care may have helped to create community immunogenicity, but Nabs did not persist, highlighting a need for vaccination for all individuals before, or from 6 weeks after, infection with SARS-CoV-2.

Objective: In Viet Nam, tuberculosis (TB) prevalence surveys revealed that approximately 98% of individuals with pulmonary TB have TB-presumptive abnormalities on chest radiographs, while 32% have no TB symptoms. This prompted the adoption of the “Double X” strategy, which combines chest radiographs and computer-aided detection with GeneXpert testing to screen for and diagnose TB among vulnerable populations. The aim of this study was to describe demographic, clinical and radiographic characteristics of symptomatic and asymptomatic Double X participants and to assess multilabel radiographic abnormalities on chest radiographs, interpreted by computer-aided detection software, as a possible tool for detecting TB-presumptive abnormalities, particularly for subclinical TB. Methods: Double X participants with TB-presumptive chest radiographs and/or TB symptoms and known risks were referred for confirmatory GeneXpert testing. The demographic and clinical characteristics of all Double X participants and the subset with confirmed TB were summarized. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression modelling was used to evaluate associations between participant characteristics and subclinical TB and between computer-aided detection multilabel radiographic abnormalities and TB. Results: From 2020 to 2022, 96 631 participants received chest radiographs, with 67 881 (70.2%) reporting no TB symptoms. Among 1144 individuals with Xpert-confirmed TB, 51.0% were subclinical. Subclinical TB prevalence was higher in older age groups, non-smokers, those previously treated for TB and the northern region. Among 11 computer-aided detection multilabel radiographic abnormalities, fibrosis was associated with higher odds of subclinical TB. Discussion: In Viet Nam, Double X community case finding detected pulmonary TB, including subclinical TB. Computer-aided detection software may have the potential to identify subclinical TB on chest radiographs by classifying multilabel radiographic abnormalities, but further research is needed.