Background: To assess the alterations in exacerbation rates, other clinical outcomes, and to identify persistent challenges in the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Vietnamese COPD management units (CMUs). Methods: A multi-center, prospective cohort study was conducted on COPD within the CMUs of three study sites. The primary endpoint was exacerbation frequency. Data on demographic and clinical characteristics were collected at the initiation of the study. Participants were followed for 12 to 15 months after enrollment. Results: Throughout the follow-up period, a decrease was noted in the prevalence of patients requiring hospitalization (from 42.3% to 34.4%) and intensive care unit/emergency department admissions (from 5.7% to 0.6%). The annual rates of exacerbation and hospitalization were 0.75±0.89 and 0.56±0.70, respectively. Factors such as symptom severity, degree of airflow obstruction, and body mass index were associated with increased exacerbation frequency and elevated annual exacerbation rates. Our findings underscore the complexities and obstacles encountered in managing COPD during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, including the rise in smoking prevalence, inadequate testing rates, and non-compliance with established treatment guidelines. Conclusion Our study elucidates the challenges and difficulties in managing COPD amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting issues such as increased smoking rates, insufficient testing, and deviations from established therapeutic guidelines. These insights lay the groundwork for future intervention strategies and policy enhancements.

Background: To assess the alterations in exacerbation rates, other clinical outcomes, and to identify persistent challenges in the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Vietnamese COPD management units (CMUs). Methods: A multi-center, prospective cohort study was conducted on COPD within the CMUs of three study sites. The primary endpoint was exacerbation frequency. Data on demographic and clinical characteristics were collected at the initiation of the study. Participants were followed for 12 to 15 months after enrollment. Results: Throughout the follow-up period, a decrease was noted in the prevalence of patients requiring hospitalization (from 42.3% to 34.4%) and intensive care unit/emergency department admissions (from 5.7% to 0.6%). The annual rates of exacerbation and hospitalization were 0.75±0.89 and 0.56±0.70, respectively. Factors such as symptom severity, degree of airflow obstruction, and body mass index were associated with increased exacerbation frequency and elevated annual exacerbation rates. Our findings underscore the complexities and obstacles encountered in managing COPD during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, including the rise in smoking prevalence, inadequate testing rates, and non-compliance with established treatment guidelines. Conclusion Our study elucidates the challenges and difficulties in managing COPD amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting issues such as increased smoking rates, insufficient testing, and deviations from established therapeutic guidelines. These insights lay the groundwork for future intervention strategies and policy enhancements.

Background: To assess the alterations in exacerbation rates, other clinical outcomes, and to identify persistent challenges in the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Vietnamese COPD management units (CMUs). Methods: A multi-center, prospective cohort study was conducted on COPD within the CMUs of three study sites. The primary endpoint was exacerbation frequency. Data on demographic and clinical characteristics were collected at the initiation of the study. Participants were followed for 12 to 15 months after enrollment. Results: Throughout the follow-up period, a decrease was noted in the prevalence of patients requiring hospitalization (from 42.3% to 34.4%) and intensive care unit/emergency department admissions (from 5.7% to 0.6%). The annual rates of exacerbation and hospitalization were 0.75±0.89 and 0.56±0.70, respectively. Factors such as symptom severity, degree of airflow obstruction, and body mass index were associated with increased exacerbation frequency and elevated annual exacerbation rates. Our findings underscore the complexities and obstacles encountered in managing COPD during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, including the rise in smoking prevalence, inadequate testing rates, and non-compliance with established treatment guidelines. Conclusion Our study elucidates the challenges and difficulties in managing COPD amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting issues such as increased smoking rates, insufficient testing, and deviations from established therapeutic guidelines. These insights lay the groundwork for future intervention strategies and policy enhancements.

Background: To assess the alterations in exacerbation rates, other clinical outcomes, and to identify persistent challenges in the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Vietnamese COPD management units (CMUs). Methods: A multi-center, prospective cohort study was conducted on COPD within the CMUs of three study sites. The primary endpoint was exacerbation frequency. Data on demographic and clinical characteristics were collected at the initiation of the study. Participants were followed for 12 to 15 months after enrollment. Results: Throughout the follow-up period, a decrease was noted in the prevalence of patients requiring hospitalization (from 42.3% to 34.4%) and intensive care unit/emergency department admissions (from 5.7% to 0.6%). The annual rates of exacerbation and hospitalization were 0.75±0.89 and 0.56±0.70, respectively. Factors such as symptom severity, degree of airflow obstruction, and body mass index were associated with increased exacerbation frequency and elevated annual exacerbation rates. Our findings underscore the complexities and obstacles encountered in managing COPD during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, including the rise in smoking prevalence, inadequate testing rates, and non-compliance with established treatment guidelines. Conclusion Our study elucidates the challenges and difficulties in managing COPD amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting issues such as increased smoking rates, insufficient testing, and deviations from established therapeutic guidelines. These insights lay the groundwork for future intervention strategies and policy enhancements.

Background: To assess the alterations in exacerbation rates, other clinical outcomes, and to identify persistent challenges in the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Vietnamese COPD management units (CMUs). Methods: A multi-center, prospective cohort study was conducted on COPD within the CMUs of three study sites. The primary endpoint was exacerbation frequency. Data on demographic and clinical characteristics were collected at the initiation of the study. Participants were followed for 12 to 15 months after enrollment. Results: Throughout the follow-up period, a decrease was noted in the prevalence of patients requiring hospitalization (from 42.3% to 34.4%) and intensive care unit/emergency department admissions (from 5.7% to 0.6%). The annual rates of exacerbation and hospitalization were 0.75±0.89 and 0.56±0.70, respectively. Factors such as symptom severity, degree of airflow obstruction, and body mass index were associated with increased exacerbation frequency and elevated annual exacerbation rates. Our findings underscore the complexities and obstacles encountered in managing COPD during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, including the rise in smoking prevalence, inadequate testing rates, and non-compliance with established treatment guidelines. Conclusion Our study elucidates the challenges and difficulties in managing COPD amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting issues such as increased smoking rates, insufficient testing, and deviations from established therapeutic guidelines. These insights lay the groundwork for future intervention strategies and policy enhancements.

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.

Aims: The objective of the study was to isolate bacteriophages and conduct a comprehensive analysis of their potential against Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) strains in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Methodology and results: Twelve Xoo strains were isolated from rice fields located in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Among these strains, three strains Xoo L019, L020 and L024, showed the highest disease index of bacterial blight. Four phages specific to Xoo were isolated from soil, water and leaf samples, and their morphologies were determined. In a test against 12 Xoo strains, phage L541, MLA23 or W41 could infect 10 of the 12 Xoo strains, while phage LBH01 could infect 8 of the 12 Xoo strains. The stability of the phages to pH, organic solvents, UV-A and UV-B was also evaluated. Conclusion, significance and impact of study The initial characterization of the phages indicates their potential as biocontrol agents against bacterial blight in rice. The study is one of the very first studies about Xoo phages in rice in Vietnam.

Vietnam boasts a rich and diverse flora, with many endemic species. Among them, Ngoc Linh ginseng (Vietnamese ginseng; scientific name: Panax vietnamensis Ha et Grushv.), a high-value endemic ginseng species, has been recognized as a national treasure. While numerous studies have been conducted on its rhizomes and roots, research on its leaves remains limited. In this study, six compounds (1–6) were isolated from the methanol extract of the leaves of P. vietnamensis. Their structures were elucidated using ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic methods, and comparisons with known literature data. The identified compounds are: 12β,20(R),25-β trihydroxydammara-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (1); 12β,20(R),25-trihydroxydammara-3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl- (1→2)-β-D-glucopyranoside (2); notoginsenoside SFt1 (3); ginsenoside Rh2 (4); ginsenoside Rg3 (5) and notoginsenoside L1 (6). Except for compound 3, which was isolated from the leaves for the first time, the other five compounds are reported from this species for the first time. The α-glucosidase inhibition assay of the pure isolated compounds revealed that compounds 1, 4, and 6 exhibited significant activities, with IC50 values of 133.5, 105.5, and 14.9, respectively. For comparison, the positive control, acarbose, had an IC50 value of 138.2 µM.

Vietnam boasts a rich and diverse flora, with many endemic species. Among them, Ngoc Linh ginseng (Vietnamese ginseng; scientific name: Panax vietnamensis Ha et Grushv.), a high-value endemic ginseng species, has been recognized as a national treasure. While numerous studies have been conducted on its rhizomes and roots, research on its leaves remains limited. In this study, six compounds (1–6) were isolated from the methanol extract of the leaves of P. vietnamensis. Their structures were elucidated using ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic methods, and comparisons with known literature data. The identified compounds are: 12β,20(R),25-β trihydroxydammara-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (1); 12β,20(R),25-trihydroxydammara-3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl- (1→2)-β-D-glucopyranoside (2); notoginsenoside SFt1 (3); ginsenoside Rh2 (4); ginsenoside Rg3 (5) and notoginsenoside L1 (6). Except for compound 3, which was isolated from the leaves for the first time, the other five compounds are reported from this species for the first time. The α-glucosidase inhibition assay of the pure isolated compounds revealed that compounds 1, 4, and 6 exhibited significant activities, with IC50 values of 133.5, 105.5, and 14.9, respectively. For comparison, the positive control, acarbose, had an IC50 value of 138.2 µM.

Vietnam boasts a rich and diverse flora, with many endemic species. Among them, Ngoc Linh ginseng (Vietnamese ginseng; scientific name: Panax vietnamensis Ha et Grushv.), a high-value endemic ginseng species, has been recognized as a national treasure. While numerous studies have been conducted on its rhizomes and roots, research on its leaves remains limited. In this study, six compounds (1–6) were isolated from the methanol extract of the leaves of P. vietnamensis. Their structures were elucidated using ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic methods, and comparisons with known literature data. The identified compounds are: 12β,20(R),25-β trihydroxydammara-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (1); 12β,20(R),25-trihydroxydammara-3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl- (1→2)-β-D-glucopyranoside (2); notoginsenoside SFt1 (3); ginsenoside Rh2 (4); ginsenoside Rg3 (5) and notoginsenoside L1 (6). Except for compound 3, which was isolated from the leaves for the first time, the other five compounds are reported from this species for the first time. The α-glucosidase inhibition assay of the pure isolated compounds revealed that compounds 1, 4, and 6 exhibited significant activities, with IC50 values of 133.5, 105.5, and 14.9, respectively. For comparison, the positive control, acarbose, had an IC50 value of 138.2 µM.