Background: s/Aims: Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is the only radical treatment for periampullary malignancies. Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) first approach combined with total meso-pancreas (MP) excision was conducted to improve the oncological results.There has not been any previous research of a technique that combines the SMA first approach and total MP excision with a detailed description of the MP macroscopical shape. Methods: We prospectively assessed 77 patients with periampullary malignancies between October 2020 and March 2022 (18 months). All patients had undergone PD with SMA first approach combined total MP excision. The perioperative indications, clinical data, intra-operative index, R0 resection rate of postoperative pathological specimens (especially mesopancreatic margin), postoperative complications, and follow-up results were evaluated. Results: The median operative time was 289.6 min (178−540 min), the median intraoperative blood loss was 209 mL (30−1,600 mL).Microscopically, there were 19 (24.7%) cases with metastatic MP, and five cases (6.5%) with R1-resection of the MP. The number of lymph nodes (LNs) harvested and metastatic LNs were 27.2 (maximum was 74) and 1.8 (maximum was 16), respectively. Some (46.8%) patients had pancreatic fistula, but mostly in grade A, with 7 patients (9.1%) who required re-operations. Some 18.2% of cases developed postoperative refractory diarrhea. The rate of in-hospital mortality was 1.3%. Conclusions The PD with SMA first approach combined TMpE for periampullary malignancies was effective in achieving superior oncological statistics (rate of MP R0-resection and number of total resected LNs) with non-inferior short-term outcomes. It is necessary to evaluate survival outcomes with long-term follow-up.

Background: s/Aims: Parenchymal-sparing anatomical hepatectomy (Ps–AH) based on portal ramification of the right anterior section (RAS) is a new technique to avoid unnecessarily transecting too much liver parenchyma, especially in cases of major anatomical hepatectomy. Methods: We prospectively assessed 26 patients with primary hepatic malignancies having undergone major Ps–AH based on portal ramification of the RAS from August 2018 to August 2022 (48 months). The perioperative indications, clinical data, intra-operative index, pathological postoperative specimens, postoperative complications, and follow-up results were retrospectively evaluated. Results: Among the 26 patients analyzed, there was just one case that had intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma The preoperative level of α– Fetoprotein was 25.2 ng/mL. All cases (100%) had Child–Pugh A liver function preoperatively. The ventral/dorsal RAS was preserved in 19 and 7 patients, respectively. The mean surgical margin was 6.2 mm. The mean surgical time was 228.5 minutes, while the mean blood loss was 255 mL. In pathology, 5 cases (19.2%) had microvascular invasion, and in the group of HCC patients, 92% of all cases had moderate or poor tumor differentiation. Six cases (23.1%) of postoperative complications were graded over III according to the Clavien–Dindo system, including in three patients resistant ascites or intra-abdominal abscess that required intervention. Conclusions Parenchymal-sparing anatomical hepatectomy based on portal ramification of the RAS to achieve R0-resection was safe and effective, with favorable short-term outcomes. This technique can be used widely in clinical practice.

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.

In this study, twenty-five yeast strains were isolated from soil samples collected in the gold mining ore in Gia Lai, Vietnam. Among them, one isolate named GL1 T could highly tolerate Cu 2+ up to 10 mM, and the isolates could also grow in a wide range of pH (3–7), and tem perature (10–40 ℃). Dried biomass of GL1 was able to remove Cu 2+ effectively up to 90.49% with a maximal biosorption capacity of 18.1 mg/g at pH 6, temperature 30 ℃, and incuba tion time 60 min. Sequence analysis of rDNA indicated this strain was closely related to Rhodotorula mucilaginosa but with 1.53 and 3.46% nucleotide differences in the D1/D2 domain of the 28S rRNA gene and the ITS1-5.8S rRNA gene-ITS2 region sequence, respect ively. Based on phylogenetic tree analysis and the biochemical characteristics, the strain appears to be a novel Rhodotorula species, and the name Rhodotorula aurum sp. nov. is pro posed. This study provides us with more information about heavy metal-tolerant yeasts and it may produce a new tool for environmental control and metal recovery operations.

Introduction: When Viet Nam launched the Expanded Programme on Immunization in 1981, it covered six vaccines, including measles. Subsequently, Viet Nam experienced a marked reduction in measles infections. A nationwide measles epidemic occurred in April 2014 and an investigation found that 86% of affected children aged 9 months to 10 years were not fully vaccinated; therefore, understanding the reasons for not vaccinating could improve vaccination coverage. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study to determine vaccination coverage and reasons for non-vaccination among children aged 9 months to 10 years in six districts in Ho Chi Minh City with the highest number of measles cases in 2014. Measles vaccination status of the youngest child in each household was determined and reasons for non-vaccination were investigated. A χ2 test and multiple logistic regression were used to identify independent predictors of full vaccination. Results: In total, 207 children were enrolled during the study period in 2014. Full measles vaccination coverage was 55% in these households, and 73% of parents were aware of the importance of measles vaccination to protect their children. We found that the father’s education level (under high school versus high school and above) and the site where the survey was conducted were significantly associated with vaccination status. Conclusion The vaccination coverage was lower than the coverage reported by district preventive medicine centres of the seven study wards. Lack of the second vaccination was a key obstacle to eliminating the vaccination gap. A catch-up mass vaccination campaign or health promotion of measles vaccination directed towards parents should be considered to improve vaccination coverage.

BACKGROUND: In order to provide essential scientific evidence on the population's health status and social health determinants as well as the current capacity of the health care system in Vietnam to health policy makers and managers, Vietnam Ministry of Health, Hanoi University of Public Health, Hanoi Medical University, and Ho Chi Minh University of Medicine and Pharmacy collaborated with Seoul National University (Korea) and conducted a health system survey in the Quoc Oai district (of Hanoi capital) that represented northern rural Vietnam. METHODS: The study design was a cross-sectional study. The survey covered different topics (more than 200 questions) and was administered in three separate questionnaires: 1) Basic information of all household members; 2) Household characteristics; and 3) Individual characteristics. Socio-demographic characteristics among the households and individuals were collected from 2,400 households sampled by multi-stage cluster sampling method: more than 200 questions. RESULTS: The household size of Quoc Oai was larger than the national average and there was no significant difference in gender composition. In addition, the proportions of pre-elderly, age 55–64, and elderly group (65 years old and over) were higher than the national population statistics. In this context, demographic transition has begun in Quoc Oai. CONCLUSION: This study design description provides the basic information about a baseline survey of a future prospective cohort (as a part of a collaborative project on strengthening the health system in Vietnam) to the prospective data user of this survey.
Aged ; Cohort Studies ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Delivery of Health Care ; Family Characteristics ; Health Policy ; Humans ; Methods ; Pharmacy ; Population Characteristics ; Population Dynamics ; Prospective Studies ; Public Health ; Seoul ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Vietnam

Objective To characterize viral co-infections among representative hospitalized measles cases during the 2014 Hanoi outbreak. Methods Throat swabs were collected from 54 pediatric patients with confirmed measles, and molecular diagnostics performed for 10 additional viral respiratory pathogens (Influenza A/H1N1pdm09; A/H3N2 and influenza B; Parainfluenza 1, 2, 3; Respiratory Synctial Virus, RSV; human Metapneumovirus, hMPV; Adenovirus and Picornavirus). Results Twenty-one cases (38.9%) showed evidence of infection with other respiratory viruses: 15 samples contained measles plus one additional virus, and 6 samples contained measles plus 2 additional viruses. Adenovirus was detected as a predominant cause of co-infections (13 cases; 24.1%), followed by RSV (6 cases; 11.1%), A/H1N1pdm09 (3 cases; 5.6%), PIV3 (3 cases; 3.7%), Rhinovirus (3 cases; 3.7%) and hMPV (1 case; 1.96%). Conclusions Viral co-infections identified from pediatric measles cases may have contributed to increased disease severity and high rate of fatal outcomes. Optimal treatment of measles cases may require control of multiple viral respiratory pathogens.

Phytochemical investigation of Kandelia candel resulted in the isolation of six triterpenes (1 - 5) and two glyceryl glycosides (6 and 7) and their structures were determined by comparing the spectroscopic data with those of reported values. In present study, we described the inhibitory effects of fractions and isolated compounds from K. candel on pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-12 p40, IL-6, and TNF-alpha) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs). Results indicated that compounds 3, 6, and 7 showed potent inhibition on IL-6 production (IC50 values at less than 0.5 microM, respectively). Meanwhile, compounds 6 and 7 exhibited strong inhibitory effects on the production of TNF-alpha (IC50 values of 1.7 +/- 0.1 and 5.5 +/- 0.2 microM). Compounds 1 and 3 were also showed the inhibitory effects on IL-12 p40 production (IC50 values of 8.9 +/- 0.4 and 3.3 +/- 0.1 microM, respectively).
Cytokines ; Dendritic Cells ; Glycosides* ; Interleukin-12 ; Interleukin-6 ; Rhizophoraceae* ; Triterpenes* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

PURPOSE: We investigated correlations of coronary plaque composition determined by virtual histology (VH) intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and blood levels of biomarkers that represent the vulnerability of coronary plaques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pre- and postprocedural blood levels of high sensitivity C-reactive protein, soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L), matrix metalloproteinase-9, and neopterin were measured in 70 patients with stable angina (SA) or unstable angina (UA) who were undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for single lesions. We evaluated the data for correlations between these biomarkers and necrotic core contents in PCI target lesions analyzed by VH. RESULTS: Clinical characteristics, IVUS, VH, and biomarker blood levels were not different between the SA and the UA group except for more frequent previous statin use (52.3% vs. 23.1%, p=0.017) and lower remodeling index in the SA group (0.98+/-0.09 vs. 1.10+/-0.070, p<0.001). Among the biomarkers evaluated, only pre-PCI neopterin level showed a weakly significant correlation with the absolute volume of the necrotic core (r=0.320, p=0.008). Pre- and post-PCI blood levels of sCD40L (r=0.220, p=0.072; r=0.231, p=0.062) and post-PCI blood level of neopterin (r=0.238, p=0.051) showed trends toward weakly positive correlations with the absolute volume of necrotic core. CONCLUSION: We found a weakly positive correlation between the pre-PCI neopterin level and necrotic core volume in the PCI-target lesion. The clinical implications of our findings need to be investigated in further studies.
Aged ; Angina Pectoris/blood ; Angina, Stable/blood ; Angina, Unstable/blood ; Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary ; Biological Markers/blood ; C-Reactive Protein/metabolism ; CD40 Ligand/blood ; Coronary Artery Disease/*blood/*metabolism/ultrasonography ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9/blood ; Middle Aged ; Neopterin/blood ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic/*blood/*metabolism/ultrasonography ; Ultrasonography, Interventional

Background: In Vascular Dementia (VaD) patients, the causes of blood vessels were common, and preventable and treatable, so that it is very important to detect and diagnose in the early stages of the disease. Diagnosis of dementia is based on clinical symptoms, and neuropsychological tests are useful tools. Objectives: (1) To evaluate the severity of VaD and Vascular Cognitive Impairment (VCI) after the 1st ischemic stroke in patients over 60 years old. (2) To make observations on the clinical features of post stroke dementia in these patient groups using neuropsychological battery. Subjects: 94 patients with 1st acute ischemic stroke, who were over 60 years old, conscious and literate, and cooperated well with physicians. A standard evaluation protocol was conducted at one month after an ischemic stroke for all the patients. Method: Prospective study. Data was analyzed by using SPSS software version 13.0. Results and conclusions: The rates of VCI and VaD after the first ischemic stroke were 21.3% and 25.5%, respectively. Clinical determinants of dementia were: visuoconstruction (65% patients), visual motor speed (50%), memory disorders (more than 40%, in which visual memory 45.8% and verbal memory 41.6%), executive function (37.5%), and language skill (37.5%). The attention and language functions were less affected (only 25% of the patients). Mini mental state examination score can be used to evaluate and classify clearly 3 groups: VaD, VCI patients and normal people.
Ischemic stroke ; Dementia ; Neuropsychological test