Background: This study examined the clinical application of the modified computed tomography severity index (MCTSI) and retroperitoneal extension classification (REC) in the evaluation of acute pancreatitis (AP) among Vietnamese patients. Methods: Data from 115 patients with AP between January 2022 and February 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. AP was diagnosed using the revised Atlanta classification (RAC) criteria. All computed tomography images were assessed by two abdominal radiologists with over 10 years of experience. Patients with AP secondary to blunt abdominal trauma were excluded. Results: The mean patient age was 49.8 ± 16.7 years, and the male:female ratio was 2.7:1. Necrotizing AP was observed in 24.3% of cases and extrapancreatic complications in 35.7%. Pancreatic and peripancreatic fluid collections were noted in 68.7% of cases, including 39.1% with acute peripancreatic fluid collection, 7.8% pseudocyst, 21.7% acute necrotic collection, and 4.3% walled-off necrosis. Based on MCTSI, the rates of mild, moderate, and severe AP were 28.7%, 53.9%, and 17.4%, respectively. Grades I, II, III, IV, and V REC represented 55.7%, 13.0%, 19.1%, 5.2%, and 7.0% of patients, respectively. MCTSI and REC were correlated with RAC in the evaluation of AP severity. Multivariate regression analysis revealed MCTSI to be an independent predictor of severe AP (odds ratio, 2.719; 95% confidence interval, 1.149–6.437; P = 0.023). MCTSI > 7 was the cutoff for predicting severe AP, with a sensitivity of 83.3%, specificity of 86.2%, and area under the curve of 0.944 (P < 0.001). Compared to the non-severe group, those with severe AP according to MCTSI had a longer hospitalization period (11 [9.25–16.75] days vs. 9 [6.50–12.00] days), a higher intensive care unit admission rate (30.0% vs. 3.2%), and greater mortality (15.0% vs. 1.1%). Conclusion In the assessment of AP severity, MCTSI and REC were correlated with RAC. MCTSI was an independent predictor of severe AP.

Objectives: The study aimed to analyze the core capacities to implement World Health Organization International Health Regulations (IHR) in 6 countries: Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam, the Dominican Republic, Ghana, and the Republic of Korea. Methods: Secondary data from relevant databases and reports, including the electronic State Party Self-Assessment Annual Reporting mechanism and global health security index, were used to assess health security in these countries. Descriptive statistics summarized the basic features of the scores, and a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis wassubsequently performed to identify factors affecting health security scores while highlighting key similarities and differences between countries. Results: Early warning and event management emerged as the primary strength in most countries.Common opportunities included international commitments and immunization programs.In contrast, many countries shared weaknesses related to the policy, legal, and normative frameworks for IHR implementation, as well as challenges in human resources, chemical event management, and radiation emergency preparedness. Recurring threats involved issues such as biosafety, biosecurity, dual-use research and the culture of responsible science, infection control practices, coordination between public health and security authorities, laboratory supply chain vulnerabilities, and communication with healthcare workers during public health emergencies. Conclusion In order to counter future global health threats, countries should prioritize enhancing surveillance capacity (early warning and event management) as well as the immunization indicator (vaccination rates for human and animal diseases, including the national vaccine delivery system).

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.

Objectives: The study aimed to analyze the core capacities to implement World Health Organization International Health Regulations (IHR) in 6 countries: Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam, the Dominican Republic, Ghana, and the Republic of Korea. Methods: Secondary data from relevant databases and reports, including the electronic State Party Self-Assessment Annual Reporting mechanism and global health security index, were used to assess health security in these countries. Descriptive statistics summarized the basic features of the scores, and a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis wassubsequently performed to identify factors affecting health security scores while highlighting key similarities and differences between countries. Results: Early warning and event management emerged as the primary strength in most countries.Common opportunities included international commitments and immunization programs.In contrast, many countries shared weaknesses related to the policy, legal, and normative frameworks for IHR implementation, as well as challenges in human resources, chemical event management, and radiation emergency preparedness. Recurring threats involved issues such as biosafety, biosecurity, dual-use research and the culture of responsible science, infection control practices, coordination between public health and security authorities, laboratory supply chain vulnerabilities, and communication with healthcare workers during public health emergencies. Conclusion In order to counter future global health threats, countries should prioritize enhancing surveillance capacity (early warning and event management) as well as the immunization indicator (vaccination rates for human and animal diseases, including the national vaccine delivery system).

Objectives: The study aimed to analyze the core capacities to implement World Health Organization International Health Regulations (IHR) in 6 countries: Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam, the Dominican Republic, Ghana, and the Republic of Korea. Methods: Secondary data from relevant databases and reports, including the electronic State Party Self-Assessment Annual Reporting mechanism and global health security index, were used to assess health security in these countries. Descriptive statistics summarized the basic features of the scores, and a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis wassubsequently performed to identify factors affecting health security scores while highlighting key similarities and differences between countries. Results: Early warning and event management emerged as the primary strength in most countries.Common opportunities included international commitments and immunization programs.In contrast, many countries shared weaknesses related to the policy, legal, and normative frameworks for IHR implementation, as well as challenges in human resources, chemical event management, and radiation emergency preparedness. Recurring threats involved issues such as biosafety, biosecurity, dual-use research and the culture of responsible science, infection control practices, coordination between public health and security authorities, laboratory supply chain vulnerabilities, and communication with healthcare workers during public health emergencies. Conclusion In order to counter future global health threats, countries should prioritize enhancing surveillance capacity (early warning and event management) as well as the immunization indicator (vaccination rates for human and animal diseases, including the national vaccine delivery system).

Background: This study examined the clinical application of the modified computed tomography severity index (MCTSI) and retroperitoneal extension classification (REC) in the evaluation of acute pancreatitis (AP) among Vietnamese patients. Methods: Data from 115 patients with AP between January 2022 and February 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. AP was diagnosed using the revised Atlanta classification (RAC) criteria. All computed tomography images were assessed by two abdominal radiologists with over 10 years of experience. Patients with AP secondary to blunt abdominal trauma were excluded. Results: The mean patient age was 49.8 ± 16.7 years, and the male:female ratio was 2.7:1. Necrotizing AP was observed in 24.3% of cases and extrapancreatic complications in 35.7%. Pancreatic and peripancreatic fluid collections were noted in 68.7% of cases, including 39.1% with acute peripancreatic fluid collection, 7.8% pseudocyst, 21.7% acute necrotic collection, and 4.3% walled-off necrosis. Based on MCTSI, the rates of mild, moderate, and severe AP were 28.7%, 53.9%, and 17.4%, respectively. Grades I, II, III, IV, and V REC represented 55.7%, 13.0%, 19.1%, 5.2%, and 7.0% of patients, respectively. MCTSI and REC were correlated with RAC in the evaluation of AP severity. Multivariate regression analysis revealed MCTSI to be an independent predictor of severe AP (odds ratio, 2.719; 95% confidence interval, 1.149–6.437; P = 0.023). MCTSI > 7 was the cutoff for predicting severe AP, with a sensitivity of 83.3%, specificity of 86.2%, and area under the curve of 0.944 (P < 0.001). Compared to the non-severe group, those with severe AP according to MCTSI had a longer hospitalization period (11 [9.25–16.75] days vs. 9 [6.50–12.00] days), a higher intensive care unit admission rate (30.0% vs. 3.2%), and greater mortality (15.0% vs. 1.1%). Conclusion In the assessment of AP severity, MCTSI and REC were correlated with RAC. MCTSI was an independent predictor of severe AP.

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.

Objectives: The study aimed to analyze the core capacities to implement World Health Organization International Health Regulations (IHR) in 6 countries: Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam, the Dominican Republic, Ghana, and the Republic of Korea. Methods: Secondary data from relevant databases and reports, including the electronic State Party Self-Assessment Annual Reporting mechanism and global health security index, were used to assess health security in these countries. Descriptive statistics summarized the basic features of the scores, and a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis wassubsequently performed to identify factors affecting health security scores while highlighting key similarities and differences between countries. Results: Early warning and event management emerged as the primary strength in most countries.Common opportunities included international commitments and immunization programs.In contrast, many countries shared weaknesses related to the policy, legal, and normative frameworks for IHR implementation, as well as challenges in human resources, chemical event management, and radiation emergency preparedness. Recurring threats involved issues such as biosafety, biosecurity, dual-use research and the culture of responsible science, infection control practices, coordination between public health and security authorities, laboratory supply chain vulnerabilities, and communication with healthcare workers during public health emergencies. Conclusion In order to counter future global health threats, countries should prioritize enhancing surveillance capacity (early warning and event management) as well as the immunization indicator (vaccination rates for human and animal diseases, including the national vaccine delivery system).

Background: This study examined the clinical application of the modified computed tomography severity index (MCTSI) and retroperitoneal extension classification (REC) in the evaluation of acute pancreatitis (AP) among Vietnamese patients. Methods: Data from 115 patients with AP between January 2022 and February 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. AP was diagnosed using the revised Atlanta classification (RAC) criteria. All computed tomography images were assessed by two abdominal radiologists with over 10 years of experience. Patients with AP secondary to blunt abdominal trauma were excluded. Results: The mean patient age was 49.8 ± 16.7 years, and the male:female ratio was 2.7:1. Necrotizing AP was observed in 24.3% of cases and extrapancreatic complications in 35.7%. Pancreatic and peripancreatic fluid collections were noted in 68.7% of cases, including 39.1% with acute peripancreatic fluid collection, 7.8% pseudocyst, 21.7% acute necrotic collection, and 4.3% walled-off necrosis. Based on MCTSI, the rates of mild, moderate, and severe AP were 28.7%, 53.9%, and 17.4%, respectively. Grades I, II, III, IV, and V REC represented 55.7%, 13.0%, 19.1%, 5.2%, and 7.0% of patients, respectively. MCTSI and REC were correlated with RAC in the evaluation of AP severity. Multivariate regression analysis revealed MCTSI to be an independent predictor of severe AP (odds ratio, 2.719; 95% confidence interval, 1.149–6.437; P = 0.023). MCTSI > 7 was the cutoff for predicting severe AP, with a sensitivity of 83.3%, specificity of 86.2%, and area under the curve of 0.944 (P < 0.001). Compared to the non-severe group, those with severe AP according to MCTSI had a longer hospitalization period (11 [9.25–16.75] days vs. 9 [6.50–12.00] days), a higher intensive care unit admission rate (30.0% vs. 3.2%), and greater mortality (15.0% vs. 1.1%). Conclusion In the assessment of AP severity, MCTSI and REC were correlated with RAC. MCTSI was an independent predictor of severe AP.

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.