Background: The identification of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) requires a comprehensive analysis involving clinical manifestations and histological findings. This study aims to provide insights into the histopathological and immunohistochemical aspects of IIMs. Methods: This retrospective case series involved 56 patients diagnosed with IIMs at the Department of Pathology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, from 2019 to 2023. The histology and immunohistochemical expression of HLA-ABC, HLA-DR, C5b-9, Mx1/2/3, and p62 were detected. Results: We examined six categories of inflammatory myopathy, including immunemediated necrotizing myopathy (58.9%), dermatomyositis (DM; 23.2%), overlap myositis (8.9%), antisynthetase syndrome (5.4%), inclusion body myositis (IBM; 1.8%), and polymyositis (1.8%). The average age of the patients was 49.7 ± 16.1 years, with a female-to-male ratio of 3:1. Inflammatory cell infiltration in the endomysium was present in 62.5% of cases, perifascicular atrophy was found in 17.8%, and fiber necrosis was observed in 42 cases (75.0%). Rimmed vacuoles were present in 100% of cases in the IBM group. Immunohistochemistry showed the following positivity rates: HLA-ABC (89.2%), HLA-DR (19.6%), C5b-9 (57.1%), and Mx1/2/3 (10.7%). Mx1/2/3 expression was high in DM cases. p62 vacuole deposits were noted in the IBM case. The combination of membrane attack complex and major histocompatibility complex I helped detect IIMs in 96% of cases. Conclusions The diagnosis of IIMs and their subtypes should be based on clinical features and histopathological characteristics. Immunohistochemistry plays a crucial role in the diagnosis and differentiation of these subgroups.

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 substantia gelatinosa (SG) within the trigeminal subnucleus caudalis (Vc) is recognized as a pivotal site of integrating and modulating afferent fibers carrying orofacial nociceptive information. Although naringenin (4',5,7-thrihydroxyflavanone), a natural bioflavonoid, has been proven to possess various biological effects in the central nervous system (CNS), the activity of naringenin at the orofacial nociceptive site has not been reported yet. In this study, we explored the influence of naringenin on GABA response in SG neurons of Vc using whole-cell patch-clamp technique. The application of GABA in a bath induced two forms of GABA responses:slow and fast. Naringenin enhanced both amplitude and area under curve (AUC) of GABA-mediated responses in 57% (12/21) of tested neurons while decreasing both parameters in 33% (7/21) of neurons. The enhancing or suppressing effect of naringenin on GABA response have been observed, with enhancement occurring when the GABA response was slow, and suppression when it was fast. Furthermore, both the enhancement of slower GABA responses and the suppression of faster GABA responses by naringenin were concentration dependent. Interestingly, the nature of GABA response was also found to be sex-dependent. A majority of SG neurons from juvenile female mice exhibited slower GABA responses, whereas those from juvenile males predominantly displayed faster GABA responses. Taken together, this study indicates that naringenin plays a partial role in modulating orofacial nociception and may hold promise as a therapeutic target for treating orofacial pain, with effects that vary according to sex.

Backgrounds: Fecal occult blood testing (FOBT) is commonly used in colorectal cancer screening programs. Many studies have compared different FOBT methods, but the correlation between traditional red cell microscopy and FOBT remains unclear. Objectives: 1) To evaluate the rate of positive FOBT in patients with different disease groups; 2) To compare the sensitivity and specificity of red blood cells detection in fresh stool by microscopy technique and FOBT. Materials and methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving 120 patients from Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital who requested a stool test from 4/2021 to 4/2022. Fresh stool samples were examined for the presence of red blood cells using traditional microscopy and FOBT technique. Results: The overall positivity rate of FOBT was 20%, and in the group of gastrointestinal diseases (n = 24), clinical anemia (n = 21), hepatobiliary diseases (n = 26) and other diseases (n = 49), it was 37.5%, 23.8%, 11.5% and 14.3%, respectively. In comparison with the FOBT technique, microscopic RBC detection had a sensitivity of 33.3% and a specificity of 100%. Conclusions: A high rate of fecal occult blood tests was observed in patients with gastrointestinal disorders. Microscopic erythrocyte detection has low sensitivity and many disadvantages compared to the rapid test. This rapid test should be widely used in clinical practice to aid in the diagnosis of gastrointestinal bleeding

Objective: To evaluate the anti-arthritic effects of Polygonatum kingianum rhizome extract using both in vitro and in vivo models.Methods: Lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages were treated with an ethanol extract of Polygonatum kingianum rhizomes at different concentrations to determine nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production. For in vivo study, Polygonatum kingianum ethanol extract was further investigated for its anti-inflammatory effect in a mouse model with collagen antibody-induced arthritis. Phytochemical study of Polygonatum kingianum ethanol extract was also performed. Results: Saponins (142 mg/g total yield) was the main component in the Polygonatum kingianum ethanol extract. 5α,8α-ergosterol peroxide, (E,E)-9-oxooctadeca-10,12-dienoic acid and 3-(2?-hydroxy-4?-methoxy-benzyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-8-methyl-chroman-4-one were isolated from the extract. Polygonatum kingianum ethanol extract exhibited potential anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting nitric oxide and PGE2 production in RAW 264.7 cells in a dose-dependent manner. The level of arthritis in mice with collagen antibody-induced arthritis was significantly reduced (P<0.01) after treatment with Polygonatum kingianum ethanol extract, particularly at a dose of 1?000 mg/kg body weight. Besides, the extract demonstrated the regulatory effects on serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, and interleukin-10 in treated mice. Conclusions: Polygonatum kingianum ethanol extract has beneficial effects on inflammatory cytokine regulation and PGE2 inhibition in an experimental mouse model with collagen antibody-induced arthritis. The phytochemical screening reveals that the saponin, as the main component, and sterols (daucosterol and 5α,8α-ergosterol peroxide) from Polygonatum kingianum ethanol extract may contribute to its promising in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory activities.

The substantia gelatinosa (SG) of the trigeminal subnucleus caudalis(Vc) is the first relay site for the orofacial nociceptive inputs via the thin myelinatedAδ and unmyelinated C primary afferent fibers. Borneol, one of the valuable timehonoredherbal ingredients in traditional Chinese medicine, is a popular treatmentfor anxiety, anesthesia, and antinociception. However, to date, little is known asto how borneol acts on the SG neurons of the Vc. To close this gap, the whole-cellpatch-clamp technique was applied to elucidate the antinociceptive mechanismresponding for the actions of borneol on the SG neurons of the Vc in mice. In thevoltage-clamp mode, holding at –60 mV, the borneol-induced non-desensitizinginward currents were not affected by tetrodotoxin, a voltage-gated Na+ channelblocker, 6-cyano-7-nitro-quinoxaline-2,3-dione, a non-N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)glutamate receptor antagonist and DL-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid, anNMDA receptor antagonist. However, borneol-induced inward currents were partiallydecreased in the presence of picrotoxin, a -aminobutyric acid (GABA)A receptorantagonist, or strychnine, a glycine receptor antagonist, and was almost suppressedin the presence of picrotoxin and strychnine. Though borneol did not show any effecton the glycine-induced inward currents, borneol enhanced GABA-mediatedresponses. Beside, borneol enhanced the GABA-induced hyperpolarization under thecurrent-clamp mode. Altogether, we suggest that borneol contributes in part towardmediating the inhibitory GABA and glycine transmission on the SG neurons of the Vcand may serve as an herbal therapeutic for orofacial pain ailments.

The substantia gelatinosa (SG) of the trigeminal subnucleus caudalis(Vc) is the first relay site for the orofacial nociceptive inputs via the thin myelinatedAδ and unmyelinated C primary afferent fibers. Borneol, one of the valuable timehonoredherbal ingredients in traditional Chinese medicine, is a popular treatmentfor anxiety, anesthesia, and antinociception. However, to date, little is known asto how borneol acts on the SG neurons of the Vc. To close this gap, the whole-cellpatch-clamp technique was applied to elucidate the antinociceptive mechanismresponding for the actions of borneol on the SG neurons of the Vc in mice. In thevoltage-clamp mode, holding at –60 mV, the borneol-induced non-desensitizinginward currents were not affected by tetrodotoxin, a voltage-gated Na+ channelblocker, 6-cyano-7-nitro-quinoxaline-2,3-dione, a non-N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)glutamate receptor antagonist and DL-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid, anNMDA receptor antagonist. However, borneol-induced inward currents were partiallydecreased in the presence of picrotoxin, a -aminobutyric acid (GABA)A receptorantagonist, or strychnine, a glycine receptor antagonist, and was almost suppressedin the presence of picrotoxin and strychnine. Though borneol did not show any effecton the glycine-induced inward currents, borneol enhanced GABA-mediatedresponses. Beside, borneol enhanced the GABA-induced hyperpolarization under thecurrent-clamp mode. Altogether, we suggest that borneol contributes in part towardmediating the inhibitory GABA and glycine transmission on the SG neurons of the Vcand may serve as an herbal therapeutic for orofacial pain ailments.

Objective: To provide preliminary descriptions of the spread, burden and related medical capacity characteristics of the ASEAN countries. Methods: We utilized the data from four main official databases, including WHO reports, the Statistics and Research of the Coronavirus Disease, and the Southeast Asia Program of the Center for Strategic and International Study. The spread of the COVID- 19 pandemic, current burden and the COVID-19 medical response capacities were extracted before April 11, 2020. Results: As of April 13, 2020, the ASEAN countries reported 19 547 COVID-19 positive cases with 817 deaths (case-facility rate of 4.2%). Thailand was the first country in the region that reported having the COVID-19 cases, while Laos was the last to report confirmed COVID-19 cases. Durations for the number of deaths to double were between 8-12 days. For the testing and treatment capacities, the number of PCR tests provided to the populations was the highest in Vietnam, followed by Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand. Meanwhile, the percentage of the population being tested was the highest in Brunei (2.31%), followed by Singapore (1.30%). Conclusions: A wide range of interventions were taken into practice in response to the outbreak with an effort of curbing the rise of this pandemic. However, special care should not be overlooked as the pandemic is placing a huge impact on the population and becomes increasingly unpredictable. To tackle the spread of the pandemic in the region, the ASEAN countries should work together as one community to provide better responses to future pandemics and other transboundary public health challenges.

To evaluate the anti-arthritic effects of Polygonatum kingianum rhizome extract using both in vitro and in vivo models. Methods: Lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages were treated with an ethanol extract of Polygonatum kingianum rhizomes at different concentrations to determine nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production. For in vivo study, Polygonatum kingianum ethanol extract was further investigated for its antiinflammatory effect in a mouse model with collagen antibodyinduced arthritis. Phytochemical study of Polygonatum kingianum ethanol extract was also performed. Results: Saponins (142 mg/g total yield) was the main component in the Polygonatum kingianum ethanol extract. 5a,8a-ergosterol peroxide, (E,E)-9-oxooctadeca-10,12-dienoic acid and 3-(2'- hydroxy-4'-methoxy-benzyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-8-methyl-chroman-4- one were isolated from the extract. Polygonatum kingianum ethanol extract exhibited potential anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting nitric oxide and PGE2 production in RAW 264.7 cells in a dosedependent manner. The level of arthritis in mice with collagen antibody-induced arthritis was significantly reduced (P0.01) after treatment with Polygonatum kingianum ethanol extract, particularly at a dose of 1 000 mg/kg body weight. Besides, the extract demonstrated the regulatory effects on serum tumor necrosis factoralpha, interleukin-6, and interleukin-10 in treated mice. Conclusions: Polygonatum kingianum ethanol extract has beneficial effects on inflammatory cytokine regulation and PGE2 inhibition in an experimental mouse model with collagen antibody-induced arthritis. The phytochemical screening reveals that the saponin, as the main component, and sterols (daucosterol and 5a,8a-ergosterol peroxide) from Polygonatum kingianum ethanol extract may contribute to its promising in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory activities.

BACKGROUND: The existing modified carbapenem inactivation methods (mCIMs) recommended by the CLSI for detecting carbapenemase production have not been applicable for Acinetobacter baumannii. We evaluated the influence of matrices used in mCIMs and CIMTris on the stability of the disks for detecting carbapenemase producers and suggested optimal mCIM conditions for detecting carbapenemase-producing A. baumannii. METHODS: Seventy-three A. baumannii isolates characterized for antimicrobial susceptibility and carbapenemase encoding genes were tested for carbapenemase production using mCIM and CIMTris. The influence of the matrices (Tryptic soy broth [TSB] and Tris-HCl) used in these methods on the stability of the meropenem (MEM) disk was also evaluated. The mCIM conditions were adjusted to enhance screening sensitivity and specificity for detecting carbapenemase-producing A. baumannii. RESULTS: The matrices had an impact on the stability of the MEM disk after the incubation period (two or four hrs). TSB nutrient broth is an appropriate matrix for mCIM compared with Tris-HCl pH 7.6, which leads to the loss of MEM activity in CIMTris. The sensitivity and the specificity of the optimal mCIM were both 100%. CONCLUSIONS We established optimal mCIM conditions for simple, accurate, and reproducible detection of carbapenemase-producing A. baumannii.