Purpose: Corneal melanoma (CM) is a rare malignancy that develops from melanocytes within the cornea, constituting a minority of all ocular tumors. In this study, we sought to investigate the clinicopathological characteristics correlated with the prognosis of CM patients. Methods: We collected patients with CM between 1983 and 2018 from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Cox proportional hazards regression was used for univariate analysis to value hazard ratio of malignant CM versus spindle cell melanoma and nodular melanoma subgroups. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and log-rank test were also performed to identify additional prognostic markers and confirm the findings of the Cox hazard ratio. Results: A total of 29 eligible patients were collected in our study. Age at diagnosis, laterality, primary site, tumor size, the extent of disease, marital status, income, residential area, and treatment showed no significant prognostic factors for CM patients (p > 0.05). However, when concerned with the primary site of malignant melanoma, spindle cell melanoma and nodular melanoma were found to show significantly poorer prognosis in CM patients (both p < 0.05). Conclusions Age at diagnosis, laterality, primary site, tumor size, the extent of disease, and treatment were not significant prognostic indicators for CM patients. Spindle cell melanoma and nodular melanoma were notable for showing worse survival outcomes than malignant melanoma. Although the sample size in the SEER database was limited, our findings may provide motivation for tailoring individualized treatments for patients with CM with different primary sites.

Purpose: Corneal melanoma (CM) is a rare malignancy that develops from melanocytes within the cornea, constituting a minority of all ocular tumors. In this study, we sought to investigate the clinicopathological characteristics correlated with the prognosis of CM patients. Methods: We collected patients with CM between 1983 and 2018 from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Cox proportional hazards regression was used for univariate analysis to value hazard ratio of malignant CM versus spindle cell melanoma and nodular melanoma subgroups. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and log-rank test were also performed to identify additional prognostic markers and confirm the findings of the Cox hazard ratio. Results: A total of 29 eligible patients were collected in our study. Age at diagnosis, laterality, primary site, tumor size, the extent of disease, marital status, income, residential area, and treatment showed no significant prognostic factors for CM patients (p > 0.05). However, when concerned with the primary site of malignant melanoma, spindle cell melanoma and nodular melanoma were found to show significantly poorer prognosis in CM patients (both p < 0.05). Conclusions Age at diagnosis, laterality, primary site, tumor size, the extent of disease, and treatment were not significant prognostic indicators for CM patients. Spindle cell melanoma and nodular melanoma were notable for showing worse survival outcomes than malignant melanoma. Although the sample size in the SEER database was limited, our findings may provide motivation for tailoring individualized treatments for patients with CM with different primary sites.

Purpose: Corneal melanoma (CM) is a rare malignancy that develops from melanocytes within the cornea, constituting a minority of all ocular tumors. In this study, we sought to investigate the clinicopathological characteristics correlated with the prognosis of CM patients. Methods: We collected patients with CM between 1983 and 2018 from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Cox proportional hazards regression was used for univariate analysis to value hazard ratio of malignant CM versus spindle cell melanoma and nodular melanoma subgroups. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and log-rank test were also performed to identify additional prognostic markers and confirm the findings of the Cox hazard ratio. Results: A total of 29 eligible patients were collected in our study. Age at diagnosis, laterality, primary site, tumor size, the extent of disease, marital status, income, residential area, and treatment showed no significant prognostic factors for CM patients (p > 0.05). However, when concerned with the primary site of malignant melanoma, spindle cell melanoma and nodular melanoma were found to show significantly poorer prognosis in CM patients (both p < 0.05). Conclusions Age at diagnosis, laterality, primary site, tumor size, the extent of disease, and treatment were not significant prognostic indicators for CM patients. Spindle cell melanoma and nodular melanoma were notable for showing worse survival outcomes than malignant melanoma. Although the sample size in the SEER database was limited, our findings may provide motivation for tailoring individualized treatments for patients with CM with different primary sites.

Purpose: Corneal melanoma (CM) is a rare malignancy that develops from melanocytes within the cornea, constituting a minority of all ocular tumors. In this study, we sought to investigate the clinicopathological characteristics correlated with the prognosis of CM patients. Methods: We collected patients with CM between 1983 and 2018 from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Cox proportional hazards regression was used for univariate analysis to value hazard ratio of malignant CM versus spindle cell melanoma and nodular melanoma subgroups. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and log-rank test were also performed to identify additional prognostic markers and confirm the findings of the Cox hazard ratio. Results: A total of 29 eligible patients were collected in our study. Age at diagnosis, laterality, primary site, tumor size, the extent of disease, marital status, income, residential area, and treatment showed no significant prognostic factors for CM patients (p > 0.05). However, when concerned with the primary site of malignant melanoma, spindle cell melanoma and nodular melanoma were found to show significantly poorer prognosis in CM patients (both p < 0.05). Conclusions Age at diagnosis, laterality, primary site, tumor size, the extent of disease, and treatment were not significant prognostic indicators for CM patients. Spindle cell melanoma and nodular melanoma were notable for showing worse survival outcomes than malignant melanoma. Although the sample size in the SEER database was limited, our findings may provide motivation for tailoring individualized treatments for patients with CM with different primary sites.

Purpose: Corneal melanoma (CM) is a rare malignancy that develops from melanocytes within the cornea, constituting a minority of all ocular tumors. In this study, we sought to investigate the clinicopathological characteristics correlated with the prognosis of CM patients. Methods: We collected patients with CM between 1983 and 2018 from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Cox proportional hazards regression was used for univariate analysis to value hazard ratio of malignant CM versus spindle cell melanoma and nodular melanoma subgroups. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and log-rank test were also performed to identify additional prognostic markers and confirm the findings of the Cox hazard ratio. Results: A total of 29 eligible patients were collected in our study. Age at diagnosis, laterality, primary site, tumor size, the extent of disease, marital status, income, residential area, and treatment showed no significant prognostic factors for CM patients (p > 0.05). However, when concerned with the primary site of malignant melanoma, spindle cell melanoma and nodular melanoma were found to show significantly poorer prognosis in CM patients (both p < 0.05). Conclusions Age at diagnosis, laterality, primary site, tumor size, the extent of disease, and treatment were not significant prognostic indicators for CM patients. Spindle cell melanoma and nodular melanoma were notable for showing worse survival outcomes than malignant melanoma. Although the sample size in the SEER database was limited, our findings may provide motivation for tailoring individualized treatments for patients with CM with different primary sites.

Novel antimicrobial agents are continually developed to address the global threat of multidrug-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Promising candidates include zoliflodacin and, possibly, solithromycin. We evaluated their in-vitro activities against gonococcal isolates collected in Korea. In total, 250 N. gonorrhoeae isolates obtained across Korea between 2016 and 2018 were used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 10 therapeutic agents using the CLSI agar dilution method. Most isolates (94.8%, 237/250) demonstrated non-susceptibility to penicillin G, tetracycline, and ciprofloxacin, and susceptibility to ceftriaxone and spectinomycin was substantially high. The half-maximal IC (MIC50) and 90% IC (MIC90) values for zoliflodacin were 0.03 and 0.06 µg/mL, respectively; 0.06 and 0.12 µg/mL, respectively, for solithromycin; and 0.03 and 0.12 µg/mL, respectively, for ceftriaxone. Notably, no cross-resistance was observed between zoliflodacin and ciprofloxacin, despite both targeting DNA topoisomerase II enzymes. Zoliflodacin and solithromycin demonstrated significant in-vitro activity against multidrug-resistant N.gonorrhoeae isolates, and zoliflodacin has shown non-inferiority to ceftriaxone/azithromycin dual therapy in a clinical phase 3 trial. Collectively, our findings highlight the potential of zoliflodacin as a novel therapeutic agent for gonococcal infections, particularly in the context of rising multidrug resistance, and highlight the need for continued surveillance and development of alternative antimicrobial strategies.

Background: Patients with beta-thalassemia major are susceptible to malnutrition, yet limited evidence exists in Vietnam. This study aims to identify factors associated with underweight status among adults with beta-thalassemia major in Vietnam. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 201 adults (≥18 years) with beta-thalassemia major. Underweight was defined as BMI < 18.5 kg/m². Logistic regression was used to examine factors associated with underweight status, including age, sex, ethnicity, place of residence, educational level, marital status, and employment status. Results: Over half of the participants (54.2%) were underweight. Female (aOR = 0.30, 95% CI: 0.12–0.73, p-value=0.008) and married patients (aOR = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.13–0.79, p-value=0.013) were significantly associated with lower odds of underweight status compared to male and unmarried counterparts. Underweight patients had significantly lower fat mass, muscle mass, and bone mineral content, but higher total body water percentage compared to those with normal weight. Conclusion: Underweight status is highly prevalent among adults with beta-thalassemia major in Vietnam, particularly among males and unmarried individuals. These findings underscore the need for targeted nutritional and psychosocial support strategies to improve care and quality of life for this vulnerable population. We recommend implementing tailored nutritional interventions to improve their nutritional status.

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.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to characterize mental health issues among Vietnamese healthcare workers (HCWs) and to identify related factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 990 HCWs in 2021. Their mental health status was measured using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale. Results: In total, 49.9%, 52.3%, and 29.8% of respondents were found to have depression, anxiety, and stress, respectively. The multivariable linear regression model revealed that factors associated with increased anxiety scores included depression scores (β, 0.45; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.39 to 0.51) and stress scores (β, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.41 to 0.52). Factors associated with increased depression scores included being frontline HCWs (β, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.10 to 1.10), stress scores (β, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.45 to 0.56), and anxiety scores (β, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.47), while working experience was associated with reduced depression scores (β, -0.08; 95% CI, -0.16 to -0.01). Factors associated with increased stress scores included working experience (β, 0.08; 95% CI, 0.00 to 0.16), personal protective equipment interference with daily activities (β, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.07 to 1.00), depression scores (β, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.48 to 0.59), and anxiety scores (β, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.39 to 0.50), while age was associated with reduced stress scores (β, -0.12; 95% CI, -0.20 to -0.05). Conclusions Specific interventions are necessary to enhance and promote the mental health of HCWs so they can successfully cope with the circumstances of the pandemic.