In the present study, bioactivity-guided extraction and isolation of the n-hexane fraction of the fruits of Vietnamese Schisandra sphenanthera led to the isolation of five dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans as gomisin N (1), schisandrin C (2), gomisin H (3), gomisin D (4), and gomisin C (5). All the isolates were tested for their inhibition of NO production in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. Among them, compounds 4 and 5 showed weak inhibition of NO production with IC 50 values of 25.0 ± 1.6 and 24.8 ± 2.0 µM, respectively. Compound 1 exhibited NO production inhibition with an IC 50 value of 15.8 ± 2.1 µM, meanwhile, schisandrin C (2) showed the most potent inhibition with an IC 50 value of 8.5 ± 0.5 µM. In addition, compound 2 had a concentrationdependent inhibitory effect on the protein expression of the inflammatory enzymes iNOS and COX-2. Their physicochemical properties and ADMET data were predicted by in silico, indicating favorable drug-like properties as well as low acute oral toxicity. The results suggest that the fruit of S. sphenanthera and its phytochemical constituents might be used as anti-inflammatory agents.

Background: According to Globocan statistics in 2018, there were estimated 1.8 million cases of colorectal cancer and 881,000 deaths. The rate of colorectal cancer is tending to increase in people under 50 years old. According to the 2017 American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy guidelines, Colonoscopy every 5 years beginning 10 years before the age at diagnosis of the youngest affect interval or age 40, whichever is earlier; for those with a single first-degree relative with colorectal cancer in whom no significant neoplasia appears by age 60 years, physicians can offer expanding the interval between colonoscopies. Objectives: (1) T o describe clinical features, endoscopic images, histopathology of polyps and colorectal cancer of first-degree relatives with colorectal cancer. (2) To determine the relationship between risk polyps and colorectal cancer with some factors. Materials and method: Cross-sectional study analyzing all first-degree relatives aged ≥ 40 years or approximately 10 years younger than the age of the patient diagnosed with colorectal cancer undergoing colonoscopy at the Functional Examination Department, Gia Dinh People’s Hospital during the period from June 2019 to December 2019. Results: In 85 cases: The main features of endoscopy were: rectal polyps 47.3%, sizes < 5 mm 63.9%, multiple polyps 52.7%, sessile 91.7% and smooth surface 88.9%. Regarding histopathological characteristics: the proportion of adenomatous polyps and serrated polyps is nearly equal. Mild dysplasia accounts for the highest rate of 84.2%, high dysplasia accounting for 15.8%. There was 1 case of colorectal cancer, in the sigmoid colon, an ulcerative cancer. Factor related to colorectal polyps and colorectal cancer is age, other factors (gender, smoking, alcohol and abesity) didn’t relate. Conclusion: Our result shows that the majority of polyps are located in the rectum, adenomatous polyps and serrated polyps account for nearly equal proportions, there is a relationship between colon polyps and age, there is no relationship between colon polyps. with gender, smoking, alcohol and obesity.

Antibiotic resistance is the most important factor leading to the failure of eradication regimens. This review focuses on the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori primary and secondary resistance to clarithromycin, metronidazole, amoxicillin, levofloxacin, tetracycline, and multidrug in Vietnam. We searched the PubMed, EMBASE, Vietnamese National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Vietnamese Biomedical databases from January 2000 to December 2016. The search terms included the following: H. pylori infection, antibiotic (including clarithromycin, metronidazole, amoxicillin, levofloxacin, tetracycline, and multidrug) resistance in Vietnam. The data were summarized in an extraction table and analyzed manually. Finally, Excel 2007 software was used to create charts. Ten studies (three studies in English and seven in Vietnamese) were included in this review. A total of 308, 412, 523, 408, 399, and 268 H. pylori strains were included in this review to evaluate the prevalence of H. pylori primary resistance to amoxicillin, clarithromycin, metronidazole, levofloxacin, tetracycline, and multidrug resistance, respectively. Overall, the primary resistance rates of amoxicillin, clarithromycin, metronidazole, levofloxacin, tetracycline, and multidrug resistance were 15.0%, 34.1%, 69.4%, 27.9%, 17.9% and 48.8%, respectively. Secondary resistance rates of amoxicillin, clarithromycin, metronidazole, levofloxacin, tetracycline, and multidrug resistance were 9.5%, 74.9%, 61.5%, 45.7%, 23.5% and 62.3%, respectively. In Vietnam, primary and secondary resistance to H. pylori is increasing over time and affects the effectiveness of H. pylori eradication.
Amoxicillin ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Bismuth ; Clarithromycin ; Drug Resistance, Microbial ; Drug Resistance, Multiple ; Helicobacter pylori ; Helicobacter ; Humans ; Levofloxacin ; Metronidazole ; Prevalence ; Tetracycline ; Vietnam

Since 2000, the authors have been conducting technical cooperation on nosocomial infection control at Bach Mai Hospital (BMH) in Vietnam, which is the first trial in the country. The main contents include: (1) Consolidation of the bases of nosocomial infection control at BMH, which include setting up the appropriate control system and providing training for hospital staff, (2) Cooperation in the SARS outbreak, (3) Fact-finding survey on nosocomial infection, and (4) Preparation against avian influenza at hospitals. As a result of these activities, nosocomial infection control at BMH has been enhanced and the staff is providing technical guidance to other hospitals in recent years with the aim to disseminate skills and knowledge widely in Vietnam. The questionnaire survey on preparedness against SARS, including awareness among staff, training situation, infection control system in hospital, etc., showed comparatively good results in Vietnamese hospitals. The present paper summarizes the collaboration on nosocomial infection control between Vietnam and Japan.
Nosocomial infection control is considered essential to upgrade the quality of medical care. Also, constant efforts to upgrade the skills and knowledge of medical staff and to set up an efficient infection control system will be useful in dealing with the potential risk of resurgence of SARS or human influenza pandemic. Nosocomial infection control is one of the most appropriate subjects for technical cooperation at hospitals in developing countries.

Background: Vietnam is located in the endemic region of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, but no data of occult HBV infection was reported at present. Objectives: To investigate the prevalence of occult HBV infection in different ethnics of people and generations. Subjects and method: 80 voluteers with HbsAg negative from five different ethnics: Kinh, Tay, Mong, Giay and Dao in a Chino \ufffd?Vietnamses border province (Lao Cai) were enrolled in the study. After HBV-DNA was extracted, nested PCR of S gene and of Core-promoter/Pre-core region were used to detect HBV-DNA. Specifying nucleotide sequence was confirmed by direct sequencing. Results:The prevalence of occult HBV infection in population study was very high 73/80 (91,3%) by nested PCR of Core-promoter/Pre-core, significantly more sensitive than nested PCR of S gene (26,3%) (p<0,0001). The prevalence of occult HBV infection was notdifferent between ethnics of people or between children, adults. Conclusion: Occult HBV infection in Vietnamese is very common; however, nationwide further studies should be carried out to confirm this preliminary results and evaluate the impact of occult HBV infection in Vietnam.
Hepatitis B virus ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ;

Background: Non-small cell lung cancer is the most common type of lung cancer. It usually grows and spreads more slowly than small cell lung cancer. Objective: To describe clinical characteristics and the TNM staging of non-small cell lung cancer. Subjects and method: It was a prospective study on clinical characteristics and the TNM staging of 53 patients with non-small cell lung cancer in Bach Mai Hospital from January 2005 to June 2005. Results and conclusions: The most common age was over 40, accounting for 92.5%, male/female (2.5/1). 64.2% of cases with smoking history (97.1% for men and 2.9% for women). 79.4% of patients had smoked over 20 years. The concordance of diagnosis between the previous hospitals and Bach Mai hospital was 34.6%. The most common clinical symptoms at the time of diagnosis were chest pain, prolonged cough, haemoptysis, weight lost and pleural effusion syndrome. Basing on the 1997 International Staging System of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, we have found that T4 in 64.2%, N(+) 64.2% and metastasis in 32.1%. IIIB and IV stage in 75.5%, patients with IA to IIIA stages being able to be operated was 24.5% of cases. 92.5% of patients were over 40 years old; male/female: 2.5/1. 79.4 of patients had smoked cigarette over 20 years.
Lung Neoplasms/ pathology ; etiology

Background: Empyema is not rare in Vietnam and in the world. Objective: To study clinical, subclinical manifestations and lung CT-scan images of patients with empyema. Subjects and method: A study included 50 patients of empyema treated in Department of Respiratory of Bach Mai Hospital, from January 2003 to August 2005. This was a retrospective, prospective, descriptive, cross-sectional, controlled study. Results and conclusions: Most empyema commonly occurred in the setting of bacterial pneumonia. Empyema was common in males and the male-to-female ratio was 2.82. The onset of empyema was suddenly with clearly infection syndrome (high fever, increased WBC count, accelerated erythrocyte sedimentation rate), chest pain, and cough. CT images of empyema were ipsilateral; almost empyema was free pleural effusion and moderate in size. Thickening pleura was 72% and located pleura were 42%. Positive culture of pleural fluid was very low (24%). Gram (-) bacteria was predominant (P. Aeruginosa 33.3%, K. Pneumoniae 25%).
Empyema ; Pleural/diagnosis ; radiography

Background: Sarcoidosis is a rare systemic granulomatous disorder with unknown cause. It is rare in the world and Vietnam. Objective: To study clinical, subclinical manifestations and therapy of sarcoidosis in Department of Respiratory of Bach Mai Hospital. Subjects and method: A study included 14 patients in Department of Respiratory of Bach Mai hospital, from 1989 to August 2006. This was a retrospective, descriptive study. Results and conclusions: In 14 patients, 14 patients (78.6%) was females, 3 (21.4%) was males. The disease occurred common in the ages of 20-49 years (85.7%). The clinical symptoms were very multiform but pulmonary symptoms were the most manifestations (78.6%). Abnormalities on chest radiographs were 92.8%, with stage 0 (7.1%), stage 1 (57.2%), stage 2 (28.6%), stage 3 (7.1%). Histopathologically, injuries of the sarcoidosis were typical in 9 patients (64.3%). The corticoid therapy satisfied the most success in 92.8% of patients. The side effects of the treatment occurred in 4 of 12 patients.
Sarcoidosis/ diagnosis ; therapy