Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam undertook a series of measures in response to the fourth and largest wave of COVID-19. The care pathway was continuously reconfigured through leadership from all levels of government and engagement of the community. This resulted in a shift towards integrated severity-based care consisting of multiple levels of health-care facilities and home care. This flexible approach based on the rapidly changing local context enabled Ho Chi Minh City to limit the extent to which health-care capacity was overwhelmed.

Introduction: Many people are currently interested in improving and maintaining their health status by changing their dietary habits, like eating more natural foods; thus sprout products are becoming increasingly popular. In this context, sprouted brown rice grains are an excellent example of functional food, because besides their nutritive value, they also lower the risk of various diseases and/or exert healthpromoting effects. In this paper, we focused on the bioactive compound γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in germinated brown rice. GABA is known as an important amino acid that can help reduce hypertension and inhibit cancer cells development. Methods: We investigated the hydration characteristics of brown rice by drying them in a moisture analyser at 130°C until reaching a constant weight. The effects of soaking (duration and pH of soaking solution), as well as incubation conditions (temperature and time) on GABA biosynthesis in MangBuk brown rice of Vietnam were measured. Quantification of GABA was measured using a spectrophotometer. Results: GABA content in MangBuk type 1 brown rice was higher than in type 2. GABA content reached its highest value at 691.88 µg/g for type 1 rice and 596.48 µg/g for type 2 rice when MangBuk brown rice was soaked in a pH 7 water at 30°C for 12 hours, and then incubated at 35°C for 30 hours in aerobic condition. Conclusion: Germination conditions modified the content of biologically active compounds in MangBuk soft and hard rice varieties. GABA was synthesised during germination based on three factors, namely time of incubation, temperature of incubation, and pH of solution.

Objective: To evaluate the anti-arthritic effects of Polygonatum kingianum rhizome extract using both in vitro and in vivo models.Methods: Lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages were treated with an ethanol extract of Polygonatum kingianum rhizomes at different concentrations to determine nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production. For in vivo study, Polygonatum kingianum ethanol extract was further investigated for its anti-inflammatory effect in a mouse model with collagen antibody-induced arthritis. Phytochemical study of Polygonatum kingianum ethanol extract was also performed. Results: Saponins (142 mg/g total yield) was the main component in the Polygonatum kingianum ethanol extract. 5α,8α-ergosterol peroxide, (E,E)-9-oxooctadeca-10,12-dienoic acid and 3-(2?-hydroxy-4?-methoxy-benzyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-8-methyl-chroman-4-one were isolated from the extract. Polygonatum kingianum ethanol extract exhibited potential anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting nitric oxide and PGE2 production in RAW 264.7 cells in a dose-dependent manner. The level of arthritis in mice with collagen antibody-induced arthritis was significantly reduced (P<0.01) after treatment with Polygonatum kingianum ethanol extract, particularly at a dose of 1?000 mg/kg body weight. Besides, the extract demonstrated the regulatory effects on serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, and interleukin-10 in treated mice. Conclusions: Polygonatum kingianum ethanol extract has beneficial effects on inflammatory cytokine regulation and PGE2 inhibition in an experimental mouse model with collagen antibody-induced arthritis. The phytochemical screening reveals that the saponin, as the main component, and sterols (daucosterol and 5α,8α-ergosterol peroxide) from Polygonatum kingianum ethanol extract may contribute to its promising in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory activities.

To evaluate the anti-arthritic effects of Polygonatum kingianum rhizome extract using both in vitro and in vivo models. Methods: Lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages were treated with an ethanol extract of Polygonatum kingianum rhizomes at different concentrations to determine nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production. For in vivo study, Polygonatum kingianum ethanol extract was further investigated for its antiinflammatory effect in a mouse model with collagen antibodyinduced arthritis. Phytochemical study of Polygonatum kingianum ethanol extract was also performed. Results: Saponins (142 mg/g total yield) was the main component in the Polygonatum kingianum ethanol extract. 5a,8a-ergosterol peroxide, (E,E)-9-oxooctadeca-10,12-dienoic acid and 3-(2'- hydroxy-4'-methoxy-benzyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-8-methyl-chroman-4- one were isolated from the extract. Polygonatum kingianum ethanol extract exhibited potential anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting nitric oxide and PGE2 production in RAW 264.7 cells in a dosedependent manner. The level of arthritis in mice with collagen antibody-induced arthritis was significantly reduced (P0.01) after treatment with Polygonatum kingianum ethanol extract, particularly at a dose of 1 000 mg/kg body weight. Besides, the extract demonstrated the regulatory effects on serum tumor necrosis factoralpha, interleukin-6, and interleukin-10 in treated mice. Conclusions: Polygonatum kingianum ethanol extract has beneficial effects on inflammatory cytokine regulation and PGE2 inhibition in an experimental mouse model with collagen antibody-induced arthritis. The phytochemical screening reveals that the saponin, as the main component, and sterols (daucosterol and 5a,8a-ergosterol peroxide) from Polygonatum kingianum ethanol extract may contribute to its promising in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory activities.

Objective: To examine the magnitude of isolated anti-HBc and other HBV serological patterns and associated predictors among adults seeking general health check-up at a large health center in Vietnam. Methods: All 564 outpatients seeking general health checkup between January 2016 and December 2016 were asked to undertake HBV surface antigen, surface antibody, IgG and IgM core antibody (anti-HBc total), platelet counts, and liver function testing. An administered questionnaire was used to collect information regarding demography, in-house sources of infection, lifestyle, health condition and treatment, and HBV vaccination. Results: Male gender (P=0.043), age (P=0.000), living in urban areas (P=0.040), HBV vaccination status (P=0.033), and ALT (P=0.040) were associated with isolated anti-HBc. HBV infection was associated with HBV vaccination status (P=0.001), ALT levels (P=0.010), AST levels (P=0.020), and platelet counts (P=0.007). Past/resolved HBV infection was associated with AST levels (P=0.005), ALT levels (P=0.014), and age (P=0.000). Conclusions: Isolated anti-HBc is quite prevalent. Predictors of isolated anti-HBc include male gender, living in rural areas, and HBV non-vaccination. The prevalence of isolated anti-HBc also increases with age. To timely detect occult HBV infection and prevent transmission, anti-HBc testing should be included in the health check-up for high risk individuals and screening program where HBV nucleic acid test is not available. To prevent transmission, clinicians need to pay more attention on those who are at risk of having isolated anti-HBc and closely follow-up patients with isolated anti-HBc and educate them about the prevention of HBV infection.

Objective: To examine the in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory effects of the alkaloid enriched extract (ELA) from the roots of Eurycoma longifolia. Methods: The in vitro antiinflammatory effects of ELA were evaluated by examining its inhibitory activities against nitric oxide (NO) production and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) expressions in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. The level of NO produced in the culture media was determined by Griess method. The iNOS and COX-2 protein expressions were analyzed by Western blot. The in vivo effect of ELA was evaluated on LPS-induced septic shock in mice model. Mice mortality was monitored for 5 days after injection of LPS. The chemical contents of the ELA were determined by using various chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques. Results: The ELA was found to exhibit a significant anti-inflammatory effect in both in vitro and in vivo models. The results demonstrated that ELA dose-dependently inhibited LPS-induced NO production as well as the protein iNOS and COX-2 expressions. In the septic shock model, ELA dose-dependently protected mice from LPS-induced mortality. Further study on the isolated components of ELA indicated that 9,10-dimethoxycanthin-6-one may contribute significantly to the anti-inflammatory effects of the extract. Conclusions: These results suggest that ELA exhibits the anti-inflammatory activity via suppression of pro-inflammatory mediators such as NO, iNOS, and COX-2 and protects mice from LPS-induced mortality in septic shock model.

Background: Preeclampsia is a major cause of maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity, affecting 5 - 6% of all pregnancies. Recently, homocysteine (Hcy), a metabolite of amino acid methionine has been postulated producing oxidative stress, endothelial cell dysfunction, and alterations associated with preeclampsia. It is unclear whether high concentration of circulating Hcy causes preeclampsia, or whether this is a secondary phenomenon of metabolic alterations resulting from the disorder. Objectives: (1) Determining blood Hcy concentration in pregnancies in various severities of preeclampsia. (2) Discover the relationships between serum Hcy and other biological markers in preeclampsia. Subjects and method: This descriptive cross-sectional study consisted of 3 groups of pregnancies admitted to Thanh Nhan Hospital: 24 normal pregnant women, 28 pregnancies with non-serious preeclampsia, and 27 pregnancies with serious preeclampsia. Concentrations of blood Hcy of all participants were assayed by a competition fluorescence immunoassay (FPIA). Results: The mean concentration of serum Hcy during normal pregnancy was 5.2+/-1.0micromol/L compared with 7.1+/-1.8micromol/L among pregnancies with non-serious preeclampsia, and 11.7+/-2.9micromol/L among pregnancies with serious preeclampsia. Serum Hcy increased in pregnancies with renal dysfunction, elevated serum uric acid, and injuries of liver cells. Conclusion: Concentration of the serum Hcy in pregnancies with serious preeclampsia is significantly higher than that of pregnancies with non-serious preeclampsia, and the serum Hcy in pregnancies with non-serious preeclampsia is significantly higher than that of normal pregnancies. There are relationships between elevated serum Hcy in preeclampsia with level of kidney failure, injury of liver and increased levels of serum uric acid.
Homocysteine ; Preeclampsia

Background: Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) is a common disease in developing countries. Morbidity and mortality of ARI are high, especially among children under 15 years old. Objectives: To describe socio-graphic factors, seasonal patterns, risky areas and determine the morbidity and mortality rates of acute respiratory infections in Thai Binh province. Subjects and method: This retrospective study reviewed the medical records of 4,585 hospital admitted patients who were diagnosed with ARI including upper and lower respiratory infections such as sore throat, pharyngitis, bronchitis, pneumonia and bronchitis-pneumonia at 8 district hospitals and 1 provincial hospital in Thai Binh province during 2002-2005. The selected medical records were based on the available check list and two standard screening tests. Results:Morbidity and mortality of ARI in Thai Binh province were 61.6 and 0.52, respectively. ARI mainly occurred among children under 5 years old, of which the highest mortality was among those under 12 months of age. Male children were at higher risk of acquiring ARI, but less prone to death than female. Occupation did not significantly associate with the risk of ARI. The morbidity increased sharply during inter-season, e.g. March and October. Thai Binh city, Kien Xuong and Tien Hai district were reported with the highest morbidity in accompany of the high mortality as consequences. Conclusion: The prevention and control methods were recommended to annually focus on the male children aged less than 5 years old during March and October in Thai Binh city, Kien Xuong and Tien Hai district.
morbidity ; mortality ; acute respiratory infections

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to assess the nutritional status and characteristics related to malnutrition in children less than five years of age in Nghean, Vietnam. METHODS: In this study, which was conducted in November 2007, 650 child-mother pairs were selected using a two-stage cluster sampling methodology. A structured questionnaire was then administered to the mothers in their home settings. Anthropometric measurement was then used to determine if children were underweight (weight-for-age), wasting (weight-for-height) and stunting (height-for-age) based on reference data from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS)/World Health Organization (WHO). Logistic regression analysis was then used to describe the hierarchical relationships between potential risk factors and malnutrition. RESULTS: The mean Z-scores for weight-for-age, heightfor-age and weight-for-height were -1.46 (95% CI=-1.57, -1.35), -1.44 (95% CI=-1.56, -1.32) and -0.71 (95% CI=-0.82, -0.60), respectively. Of the children included in this study, 193 (31.8%) were underweight, 269 (44.3%) were stunting and 72 (11.9%) were wasting. Region of residence, the mother's level of education and occupation, household size, number of children in the family, weight at birth and duration of exclusive breastfeeding were found to be significantly related to malnutrition. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study indicate that malnutrition is still an important problem among children less than five years of age in Nghean, Vietnam. In addition, maternal, socio-economic and environment factors were found to be significant factors for malnutrition among children under five.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Birth Weight ; Body Weights and Measures ; Breast Feeding ; Child Nutrition Disorders/*epidemiology ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Health Status ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; *Nutrition Surveys ; Residence Characteristics ; Risk Factors ; Sex Factors ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Vietnam/epidemiology

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