Economic evaluation of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate prophylaxis to prevent mother-to-child transmission of Hepatitis B virus infection: evidence from a lower-middle income country.

No cost-effectiveness information of preventive strategies for mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of hepatitis B virus (HBV) has existed for policy decision making. This study aimed to compare the cost-effectiveness of alternative strategies to prevent MTCT of HBV in Vietnam. Cost-utility analysis using a hybrid decision-tree and Markov model were performed from healthcare system and societal perspectives.

Comparative analysis of the fit quality of monolithic zirconia veneers produced through traditional and digital workflows using silicone replica technique: an in vitro study.

Background: The success of a restoration largely depends on the quality of its fit. This study aimed to investigate the fit quality of monolithic zirconia veneers (MZVs) produced through traditional and digital workflows.

Methods: A typodont maxillary right central incisor was prepared.

Social support status and associated factors among methadone maintenance patients: a multicentre, cross-sectional study in Vietnam during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objectives: To investigate the social support status and associated factors among Vietnamese methadone maintenance patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Three methadone clinics.

Genomic analysis and virulence of human Streptococcus suis serotype 14.

Purpose: Streptococcus suis serotype 14 is the second most prevalent serotype being highly prevalent in Southeast Asia. This study aimed to characterize genetic background, population structure, virulent genes, antimicrobial-resistant genes, and virulence of human S. suis serotype 14.

A systematic review on ethnobotany, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of R. Br. (Boraginaceae), a medicinal plant.

For the first time, critical review on R. Br. (Boraginaceae) is established.

Leaf Na+ effects and multi-trait GWAS point to salt exclusion as the key mechanism for reproductive stage salinity tolerance in rice.

Background And Aims: Since salinity stress may occur across stages of rice (Oryza sativa L.) crop growth, understanding the effects of salinity at reproductive stage is important although it has been much less studied than at seedling stage.

Methods: In this study, lines from the Rice Diversity Panel 1 (RDP1) and the 3000 Rice Genomes (3KRG) were used to screen morphological and physiological traits, map loci controlling salinity tolerance through genome-wide association studies (GWAS), and identify favorable haplotypes associated with reproductive stage salinity tolerance.

A happy place to be in: how beliefs about living places influence depression in Chinese international student returnees.

Background: The mental health of Chinese international student returnees is a critical concern impacting their well-being and successful reintegration into home society, especially in the post-COVID-19 era. This study examines how beliefs about changing living conditions, emigration intentions, and belief in fate influence depression levels among these returnees.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey collected data from 1,014 returnees through WeChat public groups.

Chatbots for breast cancer education: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Effective education and awareness regarding breast cancer are critical. Traditional educational methods often fail to meet the diverse information needs of patients. Patients should be provided with tailored, accessible information to improve their retention and understanding of disease-related information.

Ecological and anthropogenic effects on the genomic diversity of lemurs in Madagascar.

Ecological variation and anthropogenic landscape modification have had key roles in the diversification and extinction of mammals in Madagascar. Lemurs represent a radiation with more than 100 species, constituting roughly one-fifth of the primate order. Almost all species of lemurs are threatened with extinction, but little is known about their genetic diversity and demographic history.

Investigating steeply inclined abandoned mines for unlocking the secrets of water level recovery.

With the growing emphasis on environmental protection, many coal mines in northern China were closed. However, the cessation of pumping operations in those closed mines has caused a rise in groundwater levels, giving rise to various safety and environmental concerns. Understanding the patterns of water level recovery is vital for effectively managing abandoned mine sites and ensuring the uninterrupted production of adjacent coal mines.

Review of mercury pollution research in Southeast Asian marine environments.

Mercury (Hg) is a global pollutant of widespread concern, and modern Hg levels have been much elevated compared to pre-industrial levels. The majority of environmental Hg assessment has occurred in the developed world within the temperate region, but recent years we have witnessed increases in research activities in polar, subtropical, and tropical biomes. East Asia is currently the biggest emitter of anthropogenic Hg, while intense research is ongoing in China, Korea, and Japan, relatively little has been done in the neighboring regions.

From Paper to Digital: Performance and Challenges of the Electronic Hepatitis B Surveillance System in Ninh Binh, Northern Vietnam (2017-2022).

Hepatitis B remains a major public health issue in Vietnam. Mandatory reporting to the national electronic communicable disease surveillance system (eCDS) has been required since July 2016. We conducted an evaluation of the hepatitis B surveillance system in Ninh Binh, the province with the highest reported burden of hepatitis B in Northern Vietnam, between 2017 and 2022.

Characterization of Serum Cytokine Patterns in Frequent-Exacerbation Asthma: Implications for Phenotyping and Management.

(1) Background: Asthma exacerbations represent significant clinical events, however, the underlying inflammatory mechanisms and cytokine profiles in patients with frequent exacerbations remain incompletely understood; (2) Methods: In this prospective, cross-sectional study of 120 stable asthma patients, we compared the serum concentrations of eight key cytokines (IL-4, IL-12, IL-13, IL-17, IFN-α, IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-1β) between two groups: 60 patients with frequent exacerbations (≥ 2 events per year) and 60 matched controls with few exacerbations (1 event per year); (3) Results: Patients with frequent exacerbations showed significantly higher serum concentrations of IL-4 and IL-13 ( < 0.05), along with an increased prevalence of allergic history and comorbidities (chronic rhinosinusitis, GERD, OSA; all < 0.05).

Activating SERS Signals of Inactive Analytes: Creating an Energy Bridge between Metal/Molecule Energy Alignment via Metal/Semiconductor Transitions.

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is a powerful analytical technique, yet it faces challenges with certain probe molecules exhibiting weak or inactive signals, limiting their applicability. In a recent study, we investigated this phenomenon using a set of four probe molecules─chloramphenicol (CAP), 4-nitrophenol (4-NP), amoxicillin (AMX), and furazolidone (FZD)─deposited on Ag-based nanostructured SERS substrates. Despite being measured under identical conditions, CAP and 4-NP exhibited SERS activity, while AMX and FZD did not.

Simultaneous triple peptic perforations: a report of an extremely rare case.

Peptic ulcer perforations are common in surgical emergencies, whereas double perforations are rare, and triple peptic perforations are even exceedingly rare, with only a few cases documented. While undetected perforation during surgery can be fatal, the absence of standardized procedures for managing multiple perforations remains an ongoing challenge for surgeons. Herein, we describe a rare case of simultaneous triple peptic perforations in an elderly man with a prolonged history of analgesic and corticosteroid use.

Single-Center Experience in Treating Peripheral Vascular Injuries in Vietnamese Children.

We report our hospital-based experience in management strategies and outcomes for pediatric extremity vascular trauma at a major trauma center. A retrospective chart review was conducted on patients under 18 with extremity vascular injuries who had surgery between May 2021 and February 2023. Among 46 children, 16 (34.

Preliminary and Intermediate-Term Results of the Novel Modification of Frozen Elephant Trunk: A Single-Center Study.

We evaluate the preliminary and intermediate-term results of Viet Duc modification of the frozen elephant trunk (FET) technique. During December 2019 and May 2023, 47 patients underwent surgery using our modification of the FET at Viet Duc University Hospital. The mean age of the patients was 56.

Asia-Pacific Survey on the Management of Helicobacter pylori Infection.

Background And Aim: Gastric cancer (GC)-related incidence and mortality rates remain high owing to Helicobacter pylori infection in Asia, and the importance of primary and secondary prevention of GC has been well recognized. We aimed to investigate the extent of overall agreement among clinicians in the Asia-Pacific region regarding the management of H. pylori infection.

Synthesis of magnetic activated carbons derived from Artocarpus heterophyllus peel with different magnetization methods: comparative characterizations and hexavalent chromium adsorption study.

Magnetic activated carbon has been proved its separation ability to overcome a main drawback of activated carbon powder. However, effect of magnetization method on characterizations and Chromium (VI) adsorption of this adsorbent from Artocarpus Heterophyllus Peel (jackfruit peel) has not been investigated yet. This study magnetized jackfruit peel activated carbon using thermochemical and co-precipitation methods.

Impacts of osteosarcopenia on musculoskeletal health, risks of falls and fractures, and activities of daily living among population aged 50 and above: an age- and sex-matched cross-sectional analysis.

Aims: We conducted this study to investigate the impact of muscle loss on musculoskeletal health, fall and fracture risks, and activities of daily living (ADL) in elderly patients with osteoporosis.

Materials And Methods: This age- and sex-matched cross-sectional study analyzed data from a medical center involving patients aged ≥ 50 from 2020 to 2022. The included participants were formed into three groups: 100 with osteoporosis only, 100 with osteosarcopenia, and 50 control individuals without osteoporosis and sarcopenia.

Interplay between on-demand treatment trials for hereditary angioedema and treatment guidelines.

Over the past two decades, guidelines for the on-demand treatment of hereditary angioedema (HAE) attacks have undergone significant evolution. Early treatment guidelines, such as the Canadian 2003 International Consensus Algorithm, often gated on-demand treatment by attack location and/or severity. Pivotal trials for on-demand injectable treatments (plasma-derived C1 esterase inhibitor [C1INH], icatibant, ecallantide [US only], recombinant C1INH), which were approved in the US and EU between 2008-2014, were designed accordingly.

A multicenter evaluation of penile curvature correction in men with Peyronie's disease undergoing inflatable penile prosthesis placement.

Background: Inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) insertion is recommended for the treatment of patients with Peyronie's disease (PD) and significant erectile dysfunction (ED); adjunctive procedures can be used for residual curvature after IPP placement.

Aim: To assess the management of penile curvature correction in PD patients undergoing IPP procedures within a large multinational, multicenter cohort.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on PD patients treated with IPP by 11 experienced prosthetic surgeons.