Endophytic fungi are promising sources for the production of podophyllotoxin-an important anticancer compound, replacing depleted medical plants. In this study, the endophytes associated with Dysosma difformis-an ethnomedicinal plant species were isolated to explore novel sources of podophyllotoxin. Fifty-three endophytic fungi were isolated and identified by morphological observation and ITS-based rDNA sequencing, assigning them to 27 genera in 3 divisions. Fusarium was found the most prevalent genus with a colonization frequency of 11.11%, followed by Trametes (9.26%) and Penicillium (7.41%). Phylogenetic trees were constructed for the endophytic fungi community in two collection sites, Ha Giang and Lai Chau, revealing the adaptation of the species to the specific tissues and habitats. Cytotoxic activity of endophytic fungal extracts was investigated on cancer cell lines such as SK-LU-1, HL-60, and HepG2, demonstrating strong anti-cancer activity of six isolates belonging to Penicillium, Trametes, Purpureocillium, Aspergillus, and Ganoderma with IC 50 value of lower than 10 10 µg/mL. The presence of podophyllotoxin was indicated in Penicillium, Trametes, Aspergillus and for the first time in Purpureocillium and Ganoderma via high-performance liquid chromatography, which implied them as a potential source of this anticancer compound.

Background: Metabolic syndrome is characterized by a group of metabolic risk factors in one person but not a real disease. For this reason, metabolic syndrome is underestimated by clinicians and individuals. Metabolic syndrome that was not detected and treated timely can cause serious diseases. Objectives: 1) To investigate the abnormal blood biochemical parameters related to metabolic syndrome. 2) To determine the abnormal ratio of these parameters. 3) To screen the metabolic syndrome among the staffs of Ha Noi Medical University. Subjects and method: 229 staffs underwent laboratory tests to diagnose for the metabolic syndrome. Abnormal blood biochemical parameters were defined as follows: Fasting blood glucose level increased 6.1mmol/l or more. Triglycerides level is 2.3mmol/l or more, HDL-cholesterol decreased to less than 1.03mmol/l for men and less than 1.24mmol/l for women. Total cholesterol level is 5.2mmol/l or more. CT to HDL-C ratio is more than 3.63 and LDL cholesterol level is 3.5mmol/l or more. Results. Rate of subjects with glucose intolerance or blood fasting glucose higher than 6.1mmol/L is 20.09%. Rate of subjects with dyslipidemia is 61.14%. Average levels of blood glucose, triglycerides and cholesterol increase with age. Number of staffs of Ha Noi Medical University have metabolic syndrome in 2007 are 32 persons (14%). M/F rate is equal and most common in persons over 45 years of age. Conclusion:There are significant number of staffs at the Ha Noi Medical University that had abnormal blood glucose and cholesterol levels related to metabolic syndrome.
Metabolic syndrome ; blood biochemical parameters.

Background: Identifying the factors which affect the invasion and metastasis process takes a vital role in the treatment of cancer. This is the first study on the relationship between the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP \u2013 9), invasion and metastasis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in Vietnam. Objectives: To evaluate the significance of matrix metalloproteinase \u2013 9 in predicting the metastasis potential of NPC. Subject and Method: The expression of MMP \u2013 9 was studied by immunohistochemical analysis in 33 nasopharyngeal carcinoma sections and the associations of MMP-9 with lymph nodes metastasis and clinical features. Results: Positive immunostaining for MMP-9 was observed in 94.94% of the NPCs, 39.4% of the cases being extensively positive (+++). The expression of MMP-9 correlated significantly with cervical lymph nodes metastasis (p<0.05). 5/16 cases (31.25% of the cases) without cervical lymph nodes metastasis expressed MMP-9 with 2+ or 3+ level, non-significant of MMP-9 expression with T classification and clinical stage. Conclusions: The expression of MMP-9 often goes along with lymph nodes metastasis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
MMP-9 ; Nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Background: Phu Cat district, Binh Dinh province is one of the areas contaminated with Agent Orange in Wartime and now up to it still continues to affect the environmental life and health of people living there. Objectives: Investigate the factual status of mortality rate from 2002 to 2006 in Phu Cat district, Binh Dinh province and determine the burden of mortality based on the number of Years of Lost Life (YLLs). Subject and methods: A retrospective study was conducted on all deaths from January 1, 2002 to December 31, 2006 in Phu Cat population. Burden of mortality was analyzed using the WHO standard method. The dead cases were causal diagnosed by Verbal Autopsy tools and update information for mortality rate. Results: Mortality rates were 3.1%o (2002), 3.3%o (2003), 4.08%o (2004) and 2.67% (2005). YLLs from 2002 to 2006 in order are: 55.87%, 57.98%, 73.82%, 48.74% and 49.01%, respectively. The number of mortality in men was higher than women and had a tendency to increase from 2002 to 2004, to decrease during 2005 and 2006. YLLs in group of ages 0-4 was highest in 2004 (150.76%o), followed by 2002 (126.28%o) and was lowest in 2005 (39.72%o). YLLs in groups of ages >60 was high, especially in non-communicable disease. Conclusions: Mortality model from 2002 to 2006 in Phu Cat district, Binh Dinh province was appropriate for the national mortality model. According to YLLs, the burden of mortality was determined as the general burden of mortality from 2002 to 2006 and burden of mortality followed disease groups: communicable disease, nutrition disease and pregnancy; non-communicable disease; poisoned and accident related diseases.
burden of mortality ; mortality

Background: Recently, microplate almar blue assay has been used commonly in detecting gen related to tuberculosis drug resistance, which provides results after 5-7 days with lower cost compared to traditional methods. Objective: To evaluate the application of microplate almar blue assay for rapid detection of drug resistance of M. tuberculosis strains. Subject and Method: A microplate-based assay which uses Alamar blue reagent - an oxidation reduction dye (MABA), was used for the determination of the anti-tuberculosis drug (isoniazid-INH, rifampicine-RIF, streptomycine-STR and ethabuton=EMB) resistance of 96 M. tuberculosis strains isolated from Vietnamese patients in comparison to those obtained by conversional method. Result: MABA showed to have high sensitivity and specificity in testing the sensitivity to individual anti-tuberculosis drugs (from 82.4% for STR to 93.3% for - INH and from 82.5% for EMB to 98.4% for STR; respectively), as well as for the multi-drug resistant M.tuberculosis (86.4% of sensitivity), highly correlated with the result determined by proportion method. Conclusion: MABA reveals the advantage in shortening test time, in simple performance and lower cost compared with the conversional culture based methods.
Microplate almar blue assay ; M. tuberculosis ; drug resistance

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

Background: Situation of extremity injury caused by traffic accidents and occupational accidents are increasing in Vietnam. Therefore, the prevention and fight against these accidents are one of the key objectives to reduce the burden on the families of victims as well as for society. Objectives: To outline situation of extremity injury patients caused by traffic accident, treated in Viet Duc hospital from 2000-2004. Subjects and method: A retrospective study was conducted on 19.845 patients (14.562 males, 5.283 females, aged from 1-97 years old). The subjects were divided into 3 main groups: alone upper extremity injury, alone lower extremity injury and multiple fractures. Results: Extremity injury was common seen in people of working age (78.1%), men more than women (2.76/1 ratio), left foot more than right foot and it was common been in multiple fracture situation due to complex mechanisms of injury (50.3%), alone extremity injury (49.7%). The lower extremity injury was more common seen than upper extremity injury. Open fracture injury (27.3%), in which open fractures in lower extremity were more common seen. Open fractures in both 2 leg bones was the most common seen, accounted for 57.4% among total of open fractures. Amputation accounted for 8.3% among all case of open fractures and 2.3% among all case of extremity injuries. Conclusion: Extremity injury (lower extremity and upper extremity) caused by traffic accidents is common seen. The average, there are 3 emergency surgeries due to open fracture injury were performed daily in Viet Duc hospital per a total of about 11 traumatic emergency surgeries.
Fractures ; Bone ; Arm Injuries ; Leg Injuries ; Accidents ; Traffic ;

Backgound: Plague disease is one of three most seriously infectious diseases (plague, yellow fever and cholera disease). In Vietnam, this condition has been obviously controlled. The number of new cases and deaths of plague disease have decreased significantly: from 439.6 patients between 1991 and 1995 to 161.2 patients between 1996 and 2000. However, the disease is still circulating in some areas in the world. Objective: To survey plague disease related factors (rats and fleas) at Noi Bai international airport. Subjects and method: A surveillance to inspect plague disease related factors (rats and fleas) was conducted at Noi Bai international airport, Ha Noi, from January/2006 to December/2006. Results and Conclusion: There were two types of rats: R. flavipectus in majority and R. norvegicus. The enrichment index of the two kinds of rats had increased in April and May. R. flavipectus disposed at flat form T1 and R. norvegicus disposed at store area. The only flea species found at the surveillance site was X.cheopis. Bacterial isolation of 236 specimens of liver and spleen, and ELISA tests of 180 blood samples were performed. All of the specimens were negative to Yersinia pestis. The study suggests that the rat populations at Noi Bai airport have not been infected with Yesinia pestis.
Plague/ epidemiology ; pathology ; Siphonaptera/ pathogenicity ; Rats ;

189 cases of intracranial meningioma were surveyed retrospectively concerning CT-scanning, biopsy and, in majority of cases, surgery. Results shown a female/male ratio of 2.4/1 (134 vs. 55), mean age ranged from 50 to 60, the elder than 50 made up 76%. The related factors are gender, hormone level, traumata, microorganisms, and receptors. Clinical symptoms depend on the size and the site of the tumor. On epidemiology aspect, results shown a prevailing of rural female population versus urban population with an earlier age of onset, and a higher prevalence
Meningioma ; Brain Neoplasms ; epidemiology

A study on the signs of MRI the lumbar spinal disc degeneration was performed in the imaging diagnosis department of Cho Ray hospital on 100 patients. The results showed that the disease frequently occurred in men, with ages of 40 -60. The position of herniation was usually in the next of the left central line. The herniation occurred in the disc layers of L4-L5 (45%), L5-S1 (27%), L3-L4 (11%), L2-L3 (4%) and L1-L2 (3%). The MRI myelography can distribute to traditional myelography. The conclusion: MRI helped early diagnosis, classification and determination of the precise position to have proper indication, especially in the disc operation by laser for removal of the mucosal nuclear
Lumbar Vertebrae ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging