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.

The foundations of nuclear medicine in Vietnam were established from 1970. Until now, after 48 years of development, in Vietnam, we have some basic equipment including 31 SPECT, 4 SPECT/CT machines, 11 PET/CT scanners, five cyclotrons, and one nuclear reactor.Many nuclearmedicine techniques in diagnosis and treatment have been routinely performed at provincial and central level health facilities such as tumor scintigraphy, thyroid scintigraphy, bone scintigraphy, kidney scintigraphy, cardiac scintigraphy, and radio-isotope therapy with I-131 and P-32. Selective internal radiation therapy with Y-90 microsphere and I-125 radioactive seed implantation has been also successfully applied in some big hospitals. However, there are still many difficulties for Vietnam as the lack of new widely used radioisotopes such as Ga-67, Cu-64, Samarium-153, and Lutetium-177 and the lack of nuclear medicine specialists. In the future, we are putting our efforts on the applications of new isotopes in diagnosis and treatment of cancers (theranostic) like Ga-68-DOTATATE, Lutetium-177-DOTATATE, Ga-68-PSMA, and Lutetium-177-PSMA, equipping modern nuclear medicine diagnostic tools, strengthening the human resources training in nuclear medicine. At the same time, we are trying our best to strengthen the cooperation with international nuclear medicine societies in over the world.

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.

The foundations of nuclear medicine in Vietnam were established from 1970. Until now, after 48 years of development, in Vietnam, we have some basic equipment including 31 SPECT, 4 SPECT/CT machines, 11 PET/CT scanners, five cyclotrons, and one nuclear reactor.Many nuclearmedicine techniques in diagnosis and treatment have been routinely performed at provincial and central level health facilities such as tumor scintigraphy, thyroid scintigraphy, bone scintigraphy, kidney scintigraphy, cardiac scintigraphy, and radio-isotope therapy with I-131 and P-32. Selective internal radiation therapy with Y-90 microsphere and I-125 radioactive seed implantation has been also successfully applied in some big hospitals. However, there are still many difficulties for Vietnam as the lack of new widely used radioisotopes such as Ga-67, Cu-64, Samarium-153, and Lutetium-177 and the lack of nuclear medicine specialists. In the future, we are putting our efforts on the applications of new isotopes in diagnosis and treatment of cancers (theranostic) like Ga-68-DOTATATE, Lutetium-177-DOTATATE, Ga-68-PSMA, and Lutetium-177-PSMA, equipping modern nuclear medicine diagnostic tools, strengthening the human resources training in nuclear medicine. At the same time, we are trying our best to strengthen the cooperation with international nuclear medicine societies in over the world.
Cyclotrons ; Diagnosis ; Foundations ; Health Facilities ; Humans ; Isotopes ; Kidney ; Microspheres ; Nuclear Medicine ; Positron-Emission Tomography and Computed Tomography ; Radioisotopes ; Radionuclide Imaging ; Specialization ; Theranostic Nanomedicine ; Thyroid Gland ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon ; Vietnam

Background: Dengue virus infection is a major public health problem. A hypothesis put forward for severe dengue is the cytokine storm, a sudden increase in cytokines that induces vascular permeability. Previous studies and our recent meta-analysis showed that IL-6, IL-8, IFNγ, TNFα, VEGF-A and VCAM-1 are associated with dengue shock syndrome. Therefore, in this study we aim to validate the association of these cytokines with severe dengue. Methods & Findings: In a hospital based case control study in Vietnam, children with dengue fever, other febrile illness and healthy controls were recruited. Dengue virus infection was confirmed by several diagnostic tests. Multiplex Immunoassay using Luminex technology was used to measure cytokines simultaneously. A positive association with dengue shock syndrome was found for VCAM-1, whereas a negative association was found for IFNγ. Furthermore, the multivariate logistic analysis also showed that VCAM-1 and IFNγ were independently correlated with dengue shock syndrome. Conclusion: IFNγ and VCAM-1 were associated with dengue shock syndrome, although their role in the severe dengue pathogenesis remains unclear. Additional studies are required to further investigate the function of these cytokines in severe dengue.

Background: Dengue virus infection is a major public health problem. A hypothesis put forward for severe dengue is the cytokine storm, a sudden increase in cytokines that induces vascular permeability. Previous studies and our recent meta-analysis showed that IL-6, IL-8, IFNγ, TNFα, VEGF-A and VCAM-1 are associated with dengue shock syndrome. Therefore, in this study we aim to validate the association of these cytokines with severe dengue. Methods & Findings: In a hospital based-case control study in Vietnam, children with dengue fever, other febrile illness and healthy controls were recruited. Dengue virus infection was confirmed by several diagnostic tests. Multiplex immunoassay using Luminex technology was used to measure cytokines simultaneously. A positive association with dengue shock syndrome was found for VCAM-1, whereas a negative association was found for IFNγ. Furthermore, multivariate logistic analysis also showed that VCAM-1 and IFNγ were independently correlated with dengue shock syndrome. Conclusion: IFNγ and VCAM-1 were associated with dengue shock syndrome, although their role in the severe dengue pathogenesis remains unclear. Additional studies are required to shed further light on the function of these cytokines in severe dengue.

Introduction: Successful cryopreservation of spermatozoa must ensure normal newborns after the preservation time. This method frequently can potentially contain cross-infected risks during the cryopreservation process in the liquid nitrogen environment (such as HCV, HIV). A number of researchers reveal that these risks can be eliminated by washing spermatozoa before cryopreservation. However, the problem is whether cryopreservation of washed spermatozoa still retains its morphology and function or not? \r\n', u'Objectives: To evaluate the change of sperm morphology characteristics after which washed sperm cryopreserved from normozoospermia. \r\n', u'Subjects and method: 30 normal semen samples; each sample was divided into two aliquots of washed and unwashed spermatozoa. All samples were cryopreserved in stages of 1, 2 and 30 days. We compared the percentage of spermatozoa with normal morphology before and after which was washed, pre - cryopreservation and post - cryopreservation between the groups. \r\n', u'Results: The percentage 0 spermatozoon with normal morphology after washing was more significantly increased than prior to washing. Post - cryopreservation, this percentage was reduced time by time but acceptable. There is no significant difference between the two ways of preparation before cryopreservation. The percentage of spermatozoa with abnormal head and neck increased significantly after cryopreservation. \r\n', u'Conclusion: The percentage of spermatozoa with normal morphology post - cryopreservation was reduced in both washed sperm and unwashed sperm samples. This percentage was reduced time by time, but there is no difference between the two groups studied. \r\n', u'\r\n', u'
Sperm washing ; Sperm cryopreservation ; Sperm morphology

Background: Sperm cryopreservation becomes a relatively routine process in assisted reproductive centers. However, there must be ensured quality of washed human normal sperm and cryopreservation to successful fertilization. Objective: To evaluate the quality of washed human normal sperm after cryopreservation. Subjects and method: 30 normal semen samples, each sample was divided into two parts for washed and unwashed spermatozoa. All samples were cryopreserved in 1, 2 and 30 days. Evaluating and comparing the quality of sperm before and after which washed, pre-cryopreservation and post-cryopreservation between the groups were performed. Results: The quality of sperm after washing was more significantly improved than before washing. Post-cryopreservation, the quality of sperm was reduced time by time but within an accepted limitation. There was not a significant difference between the two ways of preparation before cryopreservation. Conclusions: The quality of sperm at post-cryopreservation was reduced (both washed sperm and unwashed sperm). The quality of washed sperm is reduced continuously with time, but there was no difference between the two studied groups.
Washed sperm ; sperm cryopreservation

Background: Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is the most common cause of inherited mental retardation. The absence of Fragile X Mental Retardation (FMRP) in Fragile X syndrome changes other proteins. Objective: To detect changes of glycoprotein in human serum of Fragile X syndrome. Subject and methods: Affinity chromatography with lectin concanavalin A (ConA) used to receive glycoprotein. The collected glycoprotein was then separated using 2-D electrophoresis. The protein spots were further excised, trypsin digested, and analyzed by nano LC couple with ESI-MS/MS and identified by MASCOT v1.8 software. Results and conclusion: 5 glycoproteins showed the different expression levels in the serum of Fragile X syndrome. Haptoglobin, Ig-J were increased and ceruloplasmin, transferring, Ig kappa were decreased. Using affinity chromatography with lectin concanavalin A (ConA), glycoprotein was received and divided on 2 ways electrokinetic chromatography. The mixture protein was identified with a reliability of 99.5% by 2 ways liquid chromatography combined with continuous spectrum mass.
Fragile X syndrome ; Fragile X Mental Retardation ; proteomics

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Nocturnal reflux is a largely undiagnosed and unmanaged condition predisposing to multiple esophageal complications. We evaluated the effects of rabeprazole and pantoprazole on nocturnal intragastric pH and gastric acid output during Day 1 of therapy following the consumption of standard meals. METHODS: The study had a double-blinded, randomized, two-way crossover design, and involved 15 patients with a history of mild reflux. Following an overnight fast, patients were given either rabeprazole (20 mg) or pantoprazole (40 mg) prior to the first of three standard Western meals. They then underwent overnight continuous intragastric pH monitoring and gastric acid output measurement. The drug effect was analyzed using a two-treatment, two-period crossover mixed model. RESULTS: The percentage of time during which the mean intragastric pH was greater than 4.0 and gastric acid output was less than 2.0 was higher for oral rabeprazole (p<0.05). The inhibition of acid output was greater for rabeprazole at almost all time points. Furthermore, the mean time-matched pH values differed significantly over the first 8.3 hours (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: On day 1, oral rabeprazole inhibited acid output to a greater extent and for a longer period than pantoprazole, and the intragastric pH was significantly higher for rabeprazole than for pantoprazole over the first 8.3 hours.
2-Pyridinylmethylsulfinylbenzimidazoles ; Cross-Over Studies ; Gastric Acid ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Meals