The RET gene point mutation is the main molecular alteration involved in medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) tumorigenesis. Previous studies in Vietnam mainly consisted of case reports, with limited data on larger sample sizes. In this study, we investigated RET gene mutations in exons 10, 11, and 16 and analyzed clinicopathological features of a series of Vietnamese MTC patients. Methods: We collected 33 tissue samples from patients with MTC and analyzed RET mutations using the Sanger sequencing method. The relationship between hotspot RET mutations (exons 10, 11, 16) and clinicopathological features were investigated. Results: Among the 33 analyzed cases, 17 tumors (52%) harbored RET mutations in exon 10, 11, or 16. A total of 10 distinct genetic alterations were identified, including eight missense mutations and two short indels. Of these, seven were classified as pathogenic mutations based on previous publications, with p.M918T being the most frequent (4 cases), followed by p.C634R (3 cases) and p.C618R (3 cases). Mutations were significantly associated with specific histological patterns, such as the nested/insular pattern (p=.026), giant cells (p=.007), nuclear pleomorphism (p=.018), stippled chromatin (p=.044), and amyloid deposits (p=.024). No mutations were found in germline analyses, suggesting these were somatic alterations. Conclusions: Our results provided the first comprehensive analysis of RET mutations in Vietnamese MTC patients. The most frequent mutation was p.M918T, followed by p.C634R and p.C618R. Mutations in these three exons were linked to specific histopathological features. Information on mutational profiles of patients with MTC will further aid in the development of targeted therapeutics to ensure effective disease management.

The RET gene point mutation is the main molecular alteration involved in medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) tumorigenesis. Previous studies in Vietnam mainly consisted of case reports, with limited data on larger sample sizes. In this study, we investigated RET gene mutations in exons 10, 11, and 16 and analyzed clinicopathological features of a series of Vietnamese MTC patients. Methods: We collected 33 tissue samples from patients with MTC and analyzed RET mutations using the Sanger sequencing method. The relationship between hotspot RET mutations (exons 10, 11, 16) and clinicopathological features were investigated. Results: Among the 33 analyzed cases, 17 tumors (52%) harbored RET mutations in exon 10, 11, or 16. A total of 10 distinct genetic alterations were identified, including eight missense mutations and two short indels. Of these, seven were classified as pathogenic mutations based on previous publications, with p.M918T being the most frequent (4 cases), followed by p.C634R (3 cases) and p.C618R (3 cases). Mutations were significantly associated with specific histological patterns, such as the nested/insular pattern (p=.026), giant cells (p=.007), nuclear pleomorphism (p=.018), stippled chromatin (p=.044), and amyloid deposits (p=.024). No mutations were found in germline analyses, suggesting these were somatic alterations. Conclusions: Our results provided the first comprehensive analysis of RET mutations in Vietnamese MTC patients. The most frequent mutation was p.M918T, followed by p.C634R and p.C618R. Mutations in these three exons were linked to specific histopathological features. Information on mutational profiles of patients with MTC will further aid in the development of targeted therapeutics to ensure effective disease management.

The RET gene point mutation is the main molecular alteration involved in medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) tumorigenesis. Previous studies in Vietnam mainly consisted of case reports, with limited data on larger sample sizes. In this study, we investigated RET gene mutations in exons 10, 11, and 16 and analyzed clinicopathological features of a series of Vietnamese MTC patients. Methods: We collected 33 tissue samples from patients with MTC and analyzed RET mutations using the Sanger sequencing method. The relationship between hotspot RET mutations (exons 10, 11, 16) and clinicopathological features were investigated. Results: Among the 33 analyzed cases, 17 tumors (52%) harbored RET mutations in exon 10, 11, or 16. A total of 10 distinct genetic alterations were identified, including eight missense mutations and two short indels. Of these, seven were classified as pathogenic mutations based on previous publications, with p.M918T being the most frequent (4 cases), followed by p.C634R (3 cases) and p.C618R (3 cases). Mutations were significantly associated with specific histological patterns, such as the nested/insular pattern (p=.026), giant cells (p=.007), nuclear pleomorphism (p=.018), stippled chromatin (p=.044), and amyloid deposits (p=.024). No mutations were found in germline analyses, suggesting these were somatic alterations. Conclusions: Our results provided the first comprehensive analysis of RET mutations in Vietnamese MTC patients. The most frequent mutation was p.M918T, followed by p.C634R and p.C618R. Mutations in these three exons were linked to specific histopathological features. Information on mutational profiles of patients with MTC will further aid in the development of targeted therapeutics to ensure effective disease management.

Objective: In Viet Nam, tuberculosis (TB) prevalence surveys revealed that approximately 98% of individuals with pulmonary TB have TB-presumptive abnormalities on chest radiographs, while 32% have no TB symptoms. This prompted the adoption of the “Double X” strategy, which combines chest radiographs and computer-aided detection with GeneXpert testing to screen for and diagnose TB among vulnerable populations. The aim of this study was to describe demographic, clinical and radiographic characteristics of symptomatic and asymptomatic Double X participants and to assess multilabel radiographic abnormalities on chest radiographs, interpreted by computer-aided detection software, as a possible tool for detecting TB-presumptive abnormalities, particularly for subclinical TB. Methods: Double X participants with TB-presumptive chest radiographs and/or TB symptoms and known risks were referred for confirmatory GeneXpert testing. The demographic and clinical characteristics of all Double X participants and the subset with confirmed TB were summarized. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression modelling was used to evaluate associations between participant characteristics and subclinical TB and between computer-aided detection multilabel radiographic abnormalities and TB. Results: From 2020 to 2022, 96 631 participants received chest radiographs, with 67 881 (70.2%) reporting no TB symptoms. Among 1144 individuals with Xpert-confirmed TB, 51.0% were subclinical. Subclinical TB prevalence was higher in older age groups, non-smokers, those previously treated for TB and the northern region. Among 11 computer-aided detection multilabel radiographic abnormalities, fibrosis was associated with higher odds of subclinical TB. Discussion: In Viet Nam, Double X community case finding detected pulmonary TB, including subclinical TB. Computer-aided detection software may have the potential to identify subclinical TB on chest radiographs by classifying multilabel radiographic abnormalities, but further research is needed.

A new crinane-type alkaloid, 6-epihydroxypowelline (1), together with six known alkaloids, lycorine (2), 2-O-acetyllycorine (3), deacetylbowdensine (4), 1-epideacetylbowdensine (5), 8-demethyl-3-oxomaritidine (6), and (-)-marithamine (7) were isolated from the whole parts of the Crinum latifolium L. in Vietnam. The structure identification of all compounds was determined by 1D, 2D-NMR as well as HR-ESI-MS spectroscopic techniques. The absolute configuration of these compounds was established by the ECD data. In addition, in vitro inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities was assessed for all isolated alkaloids. All alkaloids had AChE inhibitory effects, with IC50 values ranging from 32.65 ± 2.72 to 212.76 ± 8.30 µM and compound 3 displayed the strongest inhibition of AChE, with IC50 values of 32.65 ± 2.72 µM (in comparison to the reference drug, galanthamine, which had an IC50 of 2.40 ± 0.45 µM).

A new crinane-type alkaloid, 6-epihydroxypowelline (1), together with six known alkaloids, lycorine (2), 2-O-acetyllycorine (3), deacetylbowdensine (4), 1-epideacetylbowdensine (5), 8-demethyl-3-oxomaritidine (6), and (-)-marithamine (7) were isolated from the whole parts of the Crinum latifolium L. in Vietnam. The structure identification of all compounds was determined by 1D, 2D-NMR as well as HR-ESI-MS spectroscopic techniques. The absolute configuration of these compounds was established by the ECD data. In addition, in vitro inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities was assessed for all isolated alkaloids. All alkaloids had AChE inhibitory effects, with IC50 values ranging from 32.65 ± 2.72 to 212.76 ± 8.30 µM and compound 3 displayed the strongest inhibition of AChE, with IC50 values of 32.65 ± 2.72 µM (in comparison to the reference drug, galanthamine, which had an IC50 of 2.40 ± 0.45 µM).

A new crinane-type alkaloid, 6-epihydroxypowelline (1), together with six known alkaloids, lycorine (2), 2-O-acetyllycorine (3), deacetylbowdensine (4), 1-epideacetylbowdensine (5), 8-demethyl-3-oxomaritidine (6), and (-)-marithamine (7) were isolated from the whole parts of the Crinum latifolium L. in Vietnam. The structure identification of all compounds was determined by 1D, 2D-NMR as well as HR-ESI-MS spectroscopic techniques. The absolute configuration of these compounds was established by the ECD data. In addition, in vitro inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities was assessed for all isolated alkaloids. All alkaloids had AChE inhibitory effects, with IC50 values ranging from 32.65 ± 2.72 to 212.76 ± 8.30 µM and compound 3 displayed the strongest inhibition of AChE, with IC50 values of 32.65 ± 2.72 µM (in comparison to the reference drug, galanthamine, which had an IC50 of 2.40 ± 0.45 µM).

A new crinane-type alkaloid, 6-epihydroxypowelline (1), together with six known alkaloids, lycorine (2), 2-O-acetyllycorine (3), deacetylbowdensine (4), 1-epideacetylbowdensine (5), 8-demethyl-3-oxomaritidine (6), and (-)-marithamine (7) were isolated from the whole parts of the Crinum latifolium L. in Vietnam. The structure identification of all compounds was determined by 1D, 2D-NMR as well as HR-ESI-MS spectroscopic techniques. The absolute configuration of these compounds was established by the ECD data. In addition, in vitro inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities was assessed for all isolated alkaloids. All alkaloids had AChE inhibitory effects, with IC50 values ranging from 32.65 ± 2.72 to 212.76 ± 8.30 µM and compound 3 displayed the strongest inhibition of AChE, with IC50 values of 32.65 ± 2.72 µM (in comparison to the reference drug, galanthamine, which had an IC50 of 2.40 ± 0.45 µM).

A new crinane-type alkaloid, 6-epihydroxypowelline (1), together with six known alkaloids, lycorine (2), 2-O-acetyllycorine (3), deacetylbowdensine (4), 1-epideacetylbowdensine (5), 8-demethyl-3-oxomaritidine (6), and (-)-marithamine (7) were isolated from the whole parts of the Crinum latifolium L. in Vietnam. The structure identification of all compounds was determined by 1D, 2D-NMR as well as HR-ESI-MS spectroscopic techniques. The absolute configuration of these compounds was established by the ECD data. In addition, in vitro inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities was assessed for all isolated alkaloids. All alkaloids had AChE inhibitory effects, with IC50 values ranging from 32.65 ± 2.72 to 212.76 ± 8.30 µM and compound 3 displayed the strongest inhibition of AChE, with IC50 values of 32.65 ± 2.72 µM (in comparison to the reference drug, galanthamine, which had an IC50 of 2.40 ± 0.45 µM).

Background: s/Aims: Hepatolithiasis and choledocholithiasis are frequent pathologies and unfortunately, with the current treatment strategies, the recurrence incidence is still high. This study aimed to assess the outcomes of laparoscopic choledochotomy using cholangioscopy via the percutaneous-choledochal tube for the treatment of hepatolithiasis and choledocholithiasis in Vietnamese patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study of patients with hepatolithiasis and/or choledocholithiasis who underwent laparoscopic choledochotomy using intraoperative cholangioscopy via percutaneous-choledochal tube at the Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, 108 Military Central Hospital, from June 2017 to March 2020. Results: A total of 84 patients were analyzed. Most patients were females (56.0%) with a median age of 55.56 years. Among them, 41.8% of patients had previous abdominal operations, with 33.4% having choledochotomy. All patients underwent successful laparoscopic common bile duct exploration followed by T-tube drainage without needing to convert to open surgery. Most patients (64.3%) had both intrahepatic and extrahepatic stones. The rate of stones ≥ 10 mm in diameter was 64.3%. Biliary strictures were observed in 19.1% of patients during cholangioscopy. Complete removal of stones was achieved in 54.8% of patients. Intraoperative complications were encountered in two patients, but there was no need to change the strategy. The mean operating time was 121.85 ± 30.47 minutes.The early postoperative complication rate was 9.6%, and all patients were managed conservatively. The residual stones were removed through the T-tube tract by subsequent choledochoscopy in 34/38 patients, so the total success rate was 95.2%. Conclusions Laparoscopic choledochotomy combined with cholangioscopy through the percutaneous-choledochal tube is a safe and effective strategy for hepatolithiasis and/or choledocholithiasis, even in patients with a previous choledochotomy.