Perforator Mapping of the Superficial and Deep Inferior Epigastric Artery in the Abdominal Region of the Vietnamese

BACKGROUND: Previous studies worldwide have investigated the anatomy of the perforators of the deep inferior epigastric arteries to figure out the navigation patterns of the perforators on the abdominal wall. This has been inconsistent amongst the researchers about how to select the perforator to increase the blood supply area for the flap. AIM: To explore the blood supply area of the perforators of the superficial and deep inferior epigastric artery in the abdominal region of the Vietnamese by dissection and 64-slice multislice computed tomography (64-slice MSCT). METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study Center from September 2014 to September 2016 on two groups including 30 cadavers fixed by formalin 10% in Anatomy Department of UPNT, and 37 patients getting the 64-slice MSCT abdominal arteries angiogram. RESULTS: The superficial epigastric arteries at the level of the inguinal ligament were located in the middle region, with 96% (right) and 88.5% (left). The anterior superior iliac spine level was in the middle, and lateral regions of 68% and 32% respectively. The level of the umbilical cord was in the lateral region with 66.7% and 85.7%, respectively. There were about 6 perforators of the deep inferior epigastric arteries located in the navel area. These perforators were 70% in the medial region and 30% in the middle region. CONCLUSION: Mapping the blood supply based on the fourth space in the abdominal region in which the superfical inferior epigastric arteries supplied the lateral area. The middle and the internal ones were the perforators of the deep inferior epigastric arteries

Preimplantation Genetic Testing of Aneuploidy by Next Generation Sequencing: Association of Maternal Age and Chromosomal Abnormalities of Blastocyst

BACKGROUND: Aneuploidy is a major cause of miscarriages and implantation failure. Preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) by Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) is able to detect of the numeral and structural chromosomal abnormalities of embryos in vitro fertilization (IVF). AIM: This study was aimed to assess the relationship between maternal age and chromosomal abnormalities NGS technology. METHODS: 603 human trophectoderm (TE) biopsied samples were tested by Veriseq kit of Illumina. The relation of marternal age and chromosomal abnormality of blastocyst embryo was evaluated. RESULTS: Among the 603 TE samples, 247 samples (42.73%) presented as chromosomal abnormalities. The abnormalities occurred to almost chromosomes, and the most popular aneuploidy observed is 22. Aneuploidy rate from 0.87% in chromosome 11 to 6.06% in chromosome 22. The rate of abnormal chromosome increased dramatically in group of mother's ages over 37 (54.17%) comparing to group of mother's ages less than 37 (38.05%) (p < 0.000). The Abnormal chromosome and maternal age has a positive correlation with r = 0.4783 (p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: These results showed high rate abnormal chromosome and correlated with advanced maternal age of blastocyst embryos

Influence Of Fabrication Condition on the Microstructural and Optical Properties of Lead-Free Ferroelectric Bi0.5_{0.5}Na0.5_{0.5}TiO3_{3} Materials

Lead-free ferroelectric materials have attracted considerable attention due to the increasing potential application in environmental benign materials. Among lead-free ferroelectric materials, the Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3 (BNT) materials were more studied because it exhibited the good ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties which could be promising candidate materials replacing Pb(Zr,Ti)O3. In this work, the lead-free ferroelectric BNT materials were synthesized by sol-gel method. The effects of fabrication process to microstructural and optical properties were studied which includes Na precursor concentration and calcining temperature. The result indicated that the Na precursor concentration were higher 40 mol.% and the calcining temperature

Anatomical Characteristics of Facial Nerve Trunk in Vietnamese Adult Cadavers

BACKGROUND: In medical literature, there are few studies provided a precise and detailed description of the facial nerve rami and its branches. AIM: Identify several practical anatomic landmarks related to the facial nerve main trunk and its rami. METHODS: A descriptive study, 30 cadavers in the anatomy department of UPNT from October 2012 to April 2015. RESULTS: The average distance from the mandibular angle to the division of the facial nerve is 40.8 mm, and is 86.6% from range 36 – 50 mm. There is 86.7% case in which the facial nerve is in the lateral of the retromandibular vein, and there is a significant difference about both sides. Eighty percent of the case has the superior and inferior ramus in the lateral to the retromandibular vein. There are 2 cases in which the superior ramus makes the circle of the vein. Eighty percent of the facial nerve is in the lateral to the external carotid artery. CONCLUSION: The distance from the mandibular to the division of the facial nerve is longer. The relationship between the superior/inferior ramus and the retromandibular vein maybe not the same in both sides. In some cases, it makes the circle of the vein to cause some complication in the parotid gland surgery

Clinical Characteristics and Histopathology of Idiopathic Epiretinal Membrane in Vietnam

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic epiretinal membrane (iERM) is an avascular proliferation of different types of cells between the posterior vitreous cortex and the internal limiting membrane. That causes visual impairment including blurry, distortion, scotoma. Many studies of iERM were done to describe the clinical characteristics and investigate the histopathology of this disease. Nonetheless, there has not been a study of iERM histopathology in Vietnam. AIMS: To describe clinical characteristics and histopathological results of idiopathic retinal membrane and the association between them. METHODS: A cross sectional decriptive study of 35 iERMs (33 patients) in Vietnam National Institute of Ophthalmology (VNIO). RESULTS: High morbidity incidence was in group age >50 years (32/35), female gender (26/35), limited movement works (27/35), and high educational levels (28/35). Distortion was the highest (77.14%), scotoma and floater was less frequent (28.5%, 45.7%). Macular edema in all cases and PVD and exudate were high frequent (65.7%, 62.8%). Symptom duration was 8.2 ± 4.7 months, (1-21 months). Mean of central macular thickness was 468.51 ± 97.24 µm (656-274 µm). Six types of cell were detected, including glial cell (35/35), fibroblast (23/35), myofibroblast (23/35), macrophage (13/35), lymphocyte (5/35) and neutrophil (2/35). The number of cell types in one sample ranged from 1-5 types (2.85 ± 1.28 cell types). Number of cell types were correlated to symptom duration (r = 0.47, p = 0.004, Pearson's test) and central macular thickness (r = 0.72, p < 0.001, Pearson's test). CONCLUSION: There were 6 types of cells in iERM. Glial cell was the most frequent cell, inflammatory cells (macrophage, lymphocyte, neutrophil) was also detected. The number of cell types was stastitically correlated to symptom duration and CMT

NGHIÊN CỨU THU NHẬN PROTEIN TỪ CÁM GẠO

Rice bran protein, a plant protein, has been recognized as nutritionally superior to other proteins due on its reported hypoallergenicity and anti-cancer activity. Therefore, it is considered as a promising protein resource applicable in variety of fields such as functional food, cosmetics, livestock and medicine. However, as of now, commercial rice bran protein is not widely available on the market, especially in Vietnam, because of a lack of extraction methods currently in use. In particular, the available methods can not be used to obtain protein isolates of high quality at affordable commercial price. Vietnam is one of the bigest rice export countries in the world, that makes rice bran an abundant agricultural by-product and thus, a readily sufficient source for protein extraction. This study aimed to establish a simple processing method for extraction of high content of protein isolates from rice bran. The obtained results indicated that rice bran was effectively hydrolysed in 20 minutes with α-amylase (Ternamyl) at concentration of 0.25%, pH 7.0 and 90oC. A procedure of 8 steps for protein extraction was given: i) Suspend rice bran in water and stir for 30 minutes at room temperature; ii) Adjust the suspension to pH 9.0 with NaOH 1N and stir for 4 hours; iii) Adjust the suspension to pH 7.0 with HCl 1N, add 0,25% Ternamyl at 90 oC and hydrolyse for 20 minutes; iv) Centrifuge at 4000 rpm for 20 minutes to collect the supernatant; v) Precipitate protein isolates at pH 4.0 by adding HCl 1N; vi) Centrifuge at 4000 rpm for 20 minutes to collect protein isolates; vii) Wash protein isolates twice with water; viii) Dry the isolates at 50oC. The content of protein isolates from this procedure was 41.77% and the yield of processing was 13,41%. The technological indexes including foaming capacity and emulsion activity were 20% and 73.50, respectively, which were higher compared to the same  product from China.Protein cám gạo là loại protein thực vật có giá trị dinh dưỡng vượt trội do có khả năng chống ung thư và không gây dị ứng cho người sử dụng. Vì thế, nó được xem là một protein lương thực cao cấp, có thể ứng dụng trong nhiều lĩnh vực như chăn nuôi, thực phẩm chức năng, thực phẩm dinh dưỡng, mỹ phẩm và y học. Protein này vẫn chưa được thương mại phổ biến trên thị trường, đặc biệt là ở Việt Nam, vì những hạn chế của các phương pháp tách chiết đang sử dụng hiện nay chưa cho phép thu được sản phẩm có chất lượng cao với giá thành phù hợp. Việt Nam là nước sản xuất lúa gạo đứng thứ hai trên thế giới nên nguồn nguyên liệu phụ thải cám gạo cho mục đích tách chiết protein là vô cùng phong phú. Bài báo này trình bày nghiên cứu về xây dựng một quy trình tách chiết protein cám gạo tương đối đơn giản, cho phép thu nhận được protein có hàm lượng tương đối cao. Kết quả nghiên cứu cho thấy α-amylase (Ternamyl) ở nồng độ 0,25%, pH 7.0, nhiệt độ 90­oC, thời gian thủy phân 20 phút có khả năng loại bỏ hiệu quả  tinh bột từ nguyên liệu. Quy trình công nghệ thu nhận protein từ cám gạo xây dựng được gồm 8 bước chính: i) Dịch cám gạo trong nước cất (1:7) được khuấy trong 30 phút; ii) Điều chỉnh dịch cám gạo tới pH 9.0 bằng NaOH 1N và tiếp tục khuấy trong 4 giờ ở nhiệt độ phòng; iii) Điều chỉnh dịch cám gạo về pH 7.0 bằng HCl 1N, bổ sung Termamyl 0,25% ở 90oC và tiến hành thủy phân trong 20 phút; iv) Ly tâm 4000 vòng trong 20 phút để thu dịch trong; v) Tủa protein ở dịch ly tâm bằng HCl 1N tại pH 4.0; vi) Ly tâm thu cặn tủa ở 4000 vòng trong 20 phút; vii) Rửa cặn tủa 2 lần bằng nước khử trùng; viii) Sấy khô mẫu ở 50oC thu protein. Protein thu được từ quy trình này có hàm lượng đạt 41,77% và hiệu suất là 13,41%. Các chỉ số công nghệ của chế phẩm bao gồm độ tạo bọt đạt 20%, độ tạo nhũ tương đạt 73,45, đều cao hơn so với protein đối chứng của Trung Quốc

Short Tandem Repeats Used in Preimplantation Genetic Testing of Î’-Thalassemia: Genetic Polymorphisms For 15 Linked Loci in the Vietnamese Population

BACKGROUND: β-thalassemia is one of the most common monogenic diseases worldwide. Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) of β-thalassemia is performed to avoid affected pregnancies has become increasingly popular worldwide. In which, the indirect analysis using short tandem repeat (STRs) linking with HBB gene to detect different β-globin (HBB) gene mutation is a simple, accurate, economical and also provides additional control of contamination and allele-drop-out ADO. AIM: This study established microsatellite markers for PGT of Vietnamese β-thalassemia patient. METHODS: Fifteen (15) STRs gathered from 5 populations were identified by in silico tools within 1 Mb flanking the HBB gene. The multiplex PCR reaction was optimized and performed on 106 DNA samples from at-risk families. RESULTS: After estimating, PIC values were ≥ 0.7 for all markers, with expected heterozygosity and observed heterozygosity values ranged from 0.81 to 0.92 and 0.53 to 0.86, respectively. One hundred percent of individuals had at least seven heterozygous markers and were found to be heterozygous for at least two markers on either side of the HBB gene. The STRs panel was successfully performed on one at-risk family. CONCLUSION: In general, a pentadecaplex marker (all < 1 Mb from the HBB gene) assay was constituted for β-thalassemia PGT on Vietnamese population

The Role of Serial NT-ProBNP Level in Prognosis and Follow-Up Treatment of Acute Heart Failure after Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

BACKGROUND: After coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, heart failure is still major problem. The valuable marker for it is needed. AIM: Evaluating the role of serial NT-proBNP level in prognosis and follow-up treatment of acute heart failure after CABG surgery. METHODS: The prospective, analytic study evaluated 107 patients undergoing CABG surgery at Ho Chi Minh Heart Institute from October 2012 to June 2014. Collecting data was done at pre- and post-operative days with measuring NT-proBNP levels on the day before operation, 2 hours after surgery, every next 24 h until the 5th day, and in case of acute heart failure occurred after surgery. RESULTS: On the first postoperative day (POD1), the NT-proBNP level demonstrated significant value for AHF with the cut-off point = 817.8 pg/mL and AUC = 0.806. On the second and third postoperative day, the AUC value of NT- was 0.753 and 0.751. It was statistically significant in acute heart failure group almost at POD 1 and POD 2 when analyzed by the doses of dobutamine, noradrenaline, and adrenaline (both low doses and normal doses). CONCLUSION: Serial measurement of NT-proBNP level provides useful prognostic and follow-up treatment information in acute heart failure after CABG surgery

An Update on Anti-CD137 Antibodies in Immunotherapies for Cancer

The selective expression of CD137 on cells of the immune system (e.g., T and DC cells) and oncogenic cells in several types of cancer leads this molecule to be an attractive target to discover cancer immunotherapy. Therefore, specific antibodies against CD137 are being studied and developed aiming to activate and enhance anti-cancer immune responses as well as suppress oncogenic cells. Accumulating evidence suggests that anti-CD137 antibodies can be used separately to prevent tumor in some cases, while in other cases, these antibodies need to be co-administered with other antibodies or drugs/vaccines/regents for a better performance. Thus, in this work, we aim to update and discuss current knowledge about anti-cancer effects of anti-CD137 antibodies as mono- and combined-immunotherapies