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.

Objective: To describe caregiver burden, quality of life, and associated factors among primarycaregivers of cancer patients at Thai Binh General Hospital in 2025.Materials and methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 408 primarycaregivers of cancer patients at Thai Binh General Hospital from August 2025 to March 2026.Data were collected using a structured questionnaire including general characteristics; the ZaritBurden Interview (ZBI), the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF),the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), the Katz Activities of Daily Living (Katz ADL), andthe Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS).Results: The mean caregiver burden score was 36.1 ± 15.3, and 38.2% of caregivers had highcaregiver burden (ZBI 41–88, including moderate-to-severe and severe burden). The meanoverall quality-of-life score was 53.2 ± 8.7, with 35.3% classified as having low quality of life.In multivariable analysis, high caregiver burden was independently associated with higherfinancial stress and greater patient dependence in daily activities, while low quality of lifewas independently associated with caregiver age ≥40 years and greater patient dependence.Conclusion: A notable proportion of primary caregivers of cancer patients had high caregiverburden and low quality of life. Higher financial stress and greater patient dependence were associatedwith high caregiver burden, whereas caregiver age ≥40 years and greater patient dependencewere associated with low quality of life. The findings suggest that oncology services should screencaregiver burden and consider timely financial, practical, and psychosocial support for high-riskcaregivers. (PDF) Caregiving burden, quality of life, and some related factors among primary caregivers of cancer patients at Thai Binh General Hospital in 2025. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/408219248_Ganh_nang_cham_soc_chat_luong_cuoc_song_va_mot_so_yeu_to_lien_quan_o_nguoi_cham_soc_chinh_nguoi_benh_ung_thu_tai_Benh_vien_Da_khoa_Thai_Binh_nam_2025#fullTextFileContent [accessed Aug 18 2026].

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.

Objective: To investigate the cause of a foodborne outbreak that occurred in Dong Nai province, Viet Nam, in 2024, and implement control measures. Methods: An initial investigation was conducted to confirm the outbreak, which was followed by epidemiological and environmental investigations to find the plausible causative food item. Clinical specimens and food samples were tested to identify the pathogen. Results: A total of 547 symptomatic cases were recorded, of whom two were in severe condition requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and ventilation, one of whom died. Among 99 interviewed cases, the mean incubation time was 9 hours (range 2–24 hours), with the main symptoms being fever, abdominal pain, diarrhoea and vomiting. All patients had eaten banh mi from a local bakery. Salmonella spp. were identified in food samples and clinical specimens. The bakery halted production, and the outbreak ended after 1 week. Discussion: All the patients were exposed to only one food in common, which facilitated the investigation process. This outbreak is a reminder to small retailers and take-away shops of the importance of food safety management in preventing similar future outbreaks. All food handlers must comply with food hygiene principles, especially in hot temperatures, which boosts bacterial growth.

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.

Curcuma zedoaria (Christm.) Rosc. is a popular traditional herb to treat digestive disorders in Asian tropical countries. Previous studies indicated the presence of sesquiterpenoids, diterpenoids, and curcuminoids with various bioactivities. To enrich the phytocomposition data of this plant, this investigation was conducted.The dried rhizomes of C. zedoaria were collected in Hai Phong City (Vietnam), extracted with methanol and fractionated with n-hexane, CH2Cl2 , and EtOAc. Compounds were isolated from n-hexane soluble fraction by open column chromatography combined with thin layer chromatography from fraction n-hexane. Their chemical structures were elucidated by 1D, and 2D NMR spectra and comparison with reported data. As a result, a phytochemical investigation was conducted to isolate six sesquiterpenes from C. zedoaria. Their chemical structures were elucidated to be curcumenol (1), procurcumenol (2), neoprocurcumenol (3), 13-hydroxygermacrone (4), zederone (5), and curcumalactone (6). Among isolated compounds, compounds 1, 2, 4, and 5 were reported from C. zedoaria. Meanwhile, neoprocurcumenol (3) and curcumalactone (6) are isolated from this species for the first time. Compound 5 exhibited a mild inhibitory effect on α-glucosidase with an IC50 of 99.45 ± 0.50 μg/mL.

Curcuma zedoaria (Christm.) Rosc. is a popular traditional herb to treat digestive disorders in Asian tropical countries. Previous studies indicated the presence of sesquiterpenoids, diterpenoids, and curcuminoids with various bioactivities. To enrich the phytocomposition data of this plant, this investigation was conducted.The dried rhizomes of C. zedoaria were collected in Hai Phong City (Vietnam), extracted with methanol and fractionated with n-hexane, CH2Cl2 , and EtOAc. Compounds were isolated from n-hexane soluble fraction by open column chromatography combined with thin layer chromatography from fraction n-hexane. Their chemical structures were elucidated by 1D, and 2D NMR spectra and comparison with reported data. As a result, a phytochemical investigation was conducted to isolate six sesquiterpenes from C. zedoaria. Their chemical structures were elucidated to be curcumenol (1), procurcumenol (2), neoprocurcumenol (3), 13-hydroxygermacrone (4), zederone (5), and curcumalactone (6). Among isolated compounds, compounds 1, 2, 4, and 5 were reported from C. zedoaria. Meanwhile, neoprocurcumenol (3) and curcumalactone (6) are isolated from this species for the first time. Compound 5 exhibited a mild inhibitory effect on α-glucosidase with an IC50 of 99.45 ± 0.50 μg/mL.

Curcuma zedoaria (Christm.) Rosc. is a popular traditional herb to treat digestive disorders in Asian tropical countries. Previous studies indicated the presence of sesquiterpenoids, diterpenoids, and curcuminoids with various bioactivities. To enrich the phytocomposition data of this plant, this investigation was conducted.The dried rhizomes of C. zedoaria were collected in Hai Phong City (Vietnam), extracted with methanol and fractionated with n-hexane, CH2Cl2 , and EtOAc. Compounds were isolated from n-hexane soluble fraction by open column chromatography combined with thin layer chromatography from fraction n-hexane. Their chemical structures were elucidated by 1D, and 2D NMR spectra and comparison with reported data. As a result, a phytochemical investigation was conducted to isolate six sesquiterpenes from C. zedoaria. Their chemical structures were elucidated to be curcumenol (1), procurcumenol (2), neoprocurcumenol (3), 13-hydroxygermacrone (4), zederone (5), and curcumalactone (6). Among isolated compounds, compounds 1, 2, 4, and 5 were reported from C. zedoaria. Meanwhile, neoprocurcumenol (3) and curcumalactone (6) are isolated from this species for the first time. Compound 5 exhibited a mild inhibitory effect on α-glucosidase with an IC50 of 99.45 ± 0.50 μg/mL.

Curcuma zedoaria (Christm.) Rosc. is a popular traditional herb to treat digestive disorders in Asian tropical countries. Previous studies indicated the presence of sesquiterpenoids, diterpenoids, and curcuminoids with various bioactivities. To enrich the phytocomposition data of this plant, this investigation was conducted.The dried rhizomes of C. zedoaria were collected in Hai Phong City (Vietnam), extracted with methanol and fractionated with n-hexane, CH2Cl2 , and EtOAc. Compounds were isolated from n-hexane soluble fraction by open column chromatography combined with thin layer chromatography from fraction n-hexane. Their chemical structures were elucidated by 1D, and 2D NMR spectra and comparison with reported data. As a result, a phytochemical investigation was conducted to isolate six sesquiterpenes from C. zedoaria. Their chemical structures were elucidated to be curcumenol (1), procurcumenol (2), neoprocurcumenol (3), 13-hydroxygermacrone (4), zederone (5), and curcumalactone (6). Among isolated compounds, compounds 1, 2, 4, and 5 were reported from C. zedoaria. Meanwhile, neoprocurcumenol (3) and curcumalactone (6) are isolated from this species for the first time. Compound 5 exhibited a mild inhibitory effect on α-glucosidase with an IC50 of 99.45 ± 0.50 μg/mL.