Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns of Pathogens Isolated from Patients with Wound Infection at a Teaching Hospital in Vietnam.

Purpose: At a teaching Hospital in Vietnam, the persistently high incidence of diagnosed wound infection poses ongoing challenges to treatment. This study seeks to explore the causative agents of wound infection and their antimicrobial and multidrug resistance patterns. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Microbiology, Military Hospital 103, Vietnam. Data on microorganisms that caused wound infection and their antimicrobial resistance patterns was recorded from hospitalized patients from 2014 to 2021. Using the chi-square test, we analyzed the initial isolation from wound infection specimens collected from individual patients. Results: Over a third (34.9%) of wound infection samples yielded bacterial cultures. Staphylococcus aureus was the most prevalent bacteria, followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Worryingly high resistance rates were observed for several antibiotics, particularly among Gram-negative bacteria. Ampicillin displayed the highest resistance (91.9%), while colistin and ertapenem remained the most effective. In Gram-positive bacteria, glycopeptides like teicoplanin and vancomycin (0% and 3.3% resistance, respectively) were most effective, but their use was limited. Clindamycin and tetracycline showed decreasing effectiveness. Resistance rates differed between surgical and non-surgical wards, highlighting the complex dynamics of antimicrobial resistance within hospitals. Multidrug resistance (MDR) was substantial, with Gram-negative bacteria exhibiting a 63.6% MDR rate. Acinetobacter baumannii showed the highest MDR rate (88.0%). Conclusion: This study investigated wound infection characteristics, antibiotic resistance patterns of common bacteria, and variations by hospital ward. S. aureus was the most prevalent bacteria, and concerning resistance rates were observed, particularly among Gram-negative bacteria. These findings highlight the prevalence of multidrug resistance in wound infections, emphasizing the importance of infection control measures and judicious antibiotic use.

Two New Steroidal Saponins with Potential Anti-Inflammatory Effects from the Aerial Parts of Gnetum formosum Markgr.

Gnetum formosum Markgr., a member of the Gnetaceae family, is distributed in Vietnam. This plant remains a botanical enigma with an unexplored diversity of chemical constituents and pharmacological effects. In this study, two new steroidal saponins, namely gnetumosides A (1) and B (2), were isolated from the aerial parts of G. formosum. Their chemical structures were elucidated using spectroscopic techniques, including high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HR-ESI-MS) and NMR, along with chemical hydrolysis and comparison with the reported literature. The potential anti-inflammatory effects of the isolated compounds were evaluated by measuring lipopolysaccharide-stimulated nitric oxide (NO) production in murine macrophage cells. Notably, compound 1 exhibited the most potent inhibitory activity (IC50 = 14.10 ± 0.75 µM), comparable to dexamethasone. Additionally, the mechanisms underlying the observed anti-inflammatory effects were investigated through molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations on inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) proteins. This study is the first to investigate the chemical constituents and pharmacological effects of G. formosum.

Therapeutic effect of F127-folate@PLGA/CHL/IR780 nanoparticles on folate receptor-expressing cancer cells.

Theragnostic platforms, which integrate therapeutic and diagnostic capabilities, have gained significant interest in drug research because of to their potential advantages. This study reports the development of a novel multifunctional nanoparticle carrier system based on poly(ᴅ,ʟ-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) for the targeted delivery of the chemotherapeutic agent chlorambucil (CHL) and the imaging agent IR780. The approach in this study incorporates Pluronic F127-folate onto the PLGA nanoparticles, which enables targeted delivery to folate receptor-expressing cancer cells. The F127-folate@PLGA/CHL/IR780 nanoparticles were formulated using a nanoprecipitation technique, resulting in small size, high homogeneity, and negative surface charge. Importantly, the folate-targeted nanoparticles demonstrated enhanced uptake and cytotoxicity in folate receptor-positive cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and HepG-2) compared to folate receptor-negative cells (HEK 293). Additionally, the F127-folate@PLGA/CHL/IR780 nanoparticles exhibited a lower IC50 value against cancer cells than non-targeted F127@PLGA/CHL/IR780 nanoparticles. These findings suggest that the developed F127-folate@PLGA/CHL/IR780 nanoparticles hold promise as a theragnostic system for targeted cancer therapy and diagnosis, leveraging the advantages of PLGA, folate targeting, and the integration of therapeutic and imaging agents.

A Criteria to Reduce Interhospital Transfer of Traumatic Brain Injuries in Greater East Texas.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) due to single-level falls (SLF) are frequent and often require interhospital transfer. This retrospective cohort study aimed to assess the safety of a criteria for non-transfer among a subset of TBI patients who could be observed at their local hospital, vs mandatory transfer to a level 1 trauma center (L1TC). METHODS: We conducted a 7-year review of patients with TBI due to SLF at a rural L1TC. Patients were classified as transfer/non-transfer according to the Brain Injuries in Greater East Texas (BIGTEX) criteria. The primary outcome measure was the occurrence of a critical event defined as deteriorating repeat head computed tomography (CT) scan or neurological status, neurosurgical intervention, or death. RESULTS: Of the 689 included patients, 63 (9.1%) were classified as non-transfer. Although there were 4 cases with a neurological change and one with a head CT change among the non-transfer group, there were no neurosurgical procedures or deaths. The Cox Proportional Hazard model showed a near 3-fold increased risk of experiencing a critical event if classified as a non-transfer. The multivariable regression model showed patients with an Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) of 3 was twice as likely to experience a critical event, with an AIS of 4, three times, and 3 times more likely to be classified to transfer. DISCUSSION: The BIGTEX criteria identify a subset of patients who can safely be observed at their local hospital. To confirm the safety and efficacy of this transfer criteria recommendation, a prospective study is warranted.

Assessing Vodka Authenticity and Origin in Vietnam's Market: An Analytical Approach Using FTIR and ICP-MS with Multivariate Statistics.

Vodka constitutes a significant sector of Vietnam's alcohol industry, including both domestic and imported varieties. However, this diversity faces challenges from illegal imports and adulterated products, threatening consumer health and brand integrity. This study employs Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to analyze 300 vodka samples from five brands collected across Hanoi. Significant variations were found in elemental compositions, with sodium concentrations ranging from 205.67 µg/L to 1269.24 µg/L and magnesium levels from 65.57 µg/L to 1453.34 µg/L. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of the FTIR and ICP-MS data effectively differentiated the samples, with the first two principal components explaining 84.78% and 73.02% of the total variance, respectively. The PCA plots revealed distinct chemical profiles, notably isolating Rocket Vodka. These findings enhance food safety enforcement, protect consumer rights, and preserve brand reputations. The study underscores the importance of advanced analytical tools in combating beverage adulteration, ensuring public health, and maintaining market integrity, offering a replicable model for similar research in other regions.

The Relationship Between Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum Clusters in Metaphase II Oocytes and Embryological and Birth Outcomes in Infertile Couples.

Background: To assess the relationship between oocytes with smooth endoplasmic reticulum cluster (SERc) and embryological and birth outcomes in infertile couples. Methods: This was a descriptive study that included 231 infertile patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) with a total of 2447 mature oocytes (MII), of which 279 oocytes with SERc(+) from 100 patients, the remaining 2168 oocytes with SERc(-). Oocytes were evaluated for the presence or absence of the SERc simultaneously with intracytoplasmic sperm injection at 200x magnification using inverted microscopy - Observe D1. Results: The mean age of patients was 32.05 ± 5.56 years. One hundred patients had at least one SERc(+) oocyte (with 279 SERc(+) and 956 SERc(-) oocytes). One hundred and thirty-one patients had 1212 SERc(-) oocytes. Fertilization outcomes and the rates of good-quality embryos on day 2 and day 5 did not differ between the SERc(+) and the SERc(-) groups. In the first frozen embryo transfer cycles, the clinical pregnancy rate in the group of patients with SERc(+) was not different with the SERc(-) group (61.1% vs 48.78%, p = 0.074, respectively). The live birth rate in the SERc(+) group was statistically significantly higher than the SERc(-) group (57.7% vs 43.9%, p = 0.045, respectively). Conclusion: The fertilization rate, the quality of embryos on days 2 and 5 from oocytes with SERc(+) are similar to those with SERc(-). The live birth rate in the patients with SERc(+) group is statistically significantly higher than the SERc(-) group. There is no difference in clinical pregnancy rate between patients with and without SERc. Therefore, the exclusion of oocytes with SERc should not be recommended.

Differential response of IgM and IgG memory B cell populations to CD40L: insights of T cell - memory B cell interactions.

Memory B cells (mBCs) are characterized by their long-term stability, fast reactivation, and capability to rapidly differentiate into antibody-secreting cells (ASCs). However, the role of T cells in the differentiation of mBCs, in contrast to naive B cells, remains to be delineated. We study the role of T cells in mBC responses, using CD40L stimulation and autologous T-B co-cultures. Our results showed that increased CD40L levels led to a selective increased proliferation of IgM+ mBC, which did not class-switched, resulting in higher frequencies of IgM+ ASCs and a lower frequency of IgG+ ASCs. The IgG+/IgA+ mBCs were unaffected. We further compared the transcription of immune-related genes in IgM+ and IgG+ pre-plasmablasts cultured at high (500 ng/mL) and low (50 ng/mL) CD40L levels. In response to increased CD40L levels, both populations exhibited a core response to genes related to activation (TRAF1, AKT3, CD69, and CD80). However, they differed in genes related to cytokine/chemokine/homing interactions (CCL3/4/17, LTA, NKX2-3, BCL2 and IL21R) and cell-cell interactions (HLADR, CD40, and ICOSL), which were largely confined to IgG+ cells. Our findings revealed that in co-cultures with a high T-ratio, the response was similar to that found in cultures with high CD40L levels. These results suggest that IgG+ mBCs have a greater capacity for proliferation and T cell interaction, and weaker migration capabilities, leading to a preference for an IgG response over IgM in the short term. This adaptable response could fine-tune the memory repertoire with different functions of IgG versus IgM mBCs.

Removal of PFAS by hydrotalcite: Adsorption mechanisms, effect of adsorbent aging, and thermal regeneration.

Layered double hydroxides (LDH) have been shown to be effective adsorbents, but their utility for the treatment of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in water has not been fully explored. In this study, the adsorption of 9 PFAS on hydrotalcite (HT), a type of LDH, was investigated using reaction solutions with environmentally relevant PFAS concentrations. The adsorption of individual PFAS by HT depended upon a range of factors, including the temperature used to pre-treat (i.e., calcine) the HT, aging conditions, and the presence of anions in the solution. HT calcined near 400 °C most effectively adsorbed PFAS, but its ability to adsorb PFAS was sensitive to storage conditions. The adsorption of CO2 and moisture from air, which likely resulted in the re-intercalation of CO32- into the interlayer regions of HT, was observed to reduce PFAS adsorption and may explain performance loss over time. The adsorption trend among 9 PFAS and the influence on this process by Cl-, NO3-, SO42-, and CO32- indicated that adsorption occurred via a combination of ion exchange, electrostatic attraction, and hydrophobic interactions, although the relative importance of each mechanism deserves further investigation. During this study, we also demonstrated for the first time that HT can be thermally regenerated at 400 °C without affecting its ability to adsorb PFOS and PFBA. Overall, our results suggest that HT may serve as an effective alternative for PFAS treatment.

Changes in the levels of serum glial fibrillary acidic protein and the correlation with outcomes in severe traumatic brain injury patients.

Purpose: Glial fibrillary acidic protein serves as a biomarker indicative of astroglial injury, particularly following instances of severe traumatic brain injury. This study aims to evaluate variations in serum glial fibrillary acidic protein levels within the first 3 days and their correlation with outcomes in patients with severe traumatic brain injury. Subjects and methods: Thirty-nine patients with severe traumatic brain injury were enrolled in the study. Their blood samples were collected at six distinct time points: T0 (upon admission), T1, T2, T3, T4, and T5 (6-, 12-, 24-, 48-, and 72-h post-admission, respectively). The blood samples were run for the quantification of serum glial fibrillary acidic protein levels and other biochemical tests. All patients were closely watched and the outcomes at discharge were evaluated. Results: Glial fibrillary acidic protein levels tend to increase gradually from the time of admission to 48 h post-admission and then decrease at 72 h post-admission. Glial fibrillary acidic protein T2 is correlated with Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score, lactate, Simplified Acute Physiology Score II score and outcome. Glial fibrillary acidic protein max correlated with lactate, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score, Simplified Acute Physiology Score II score, and outcome. Glasgow Coma Score at admission and glial fibrillary acidic protein T2 (OR = 1.034; p = 0.025), T3 (OR = 1.029; p = 0.046), T4 (OR = 1.006; p = 0.032), T5 (OR = 1.012; p = 0.048) and glial fibrillary acidic protein max (OR = 1.005; p = 0.010) were independent factors that have significant prognostic value in mortality in patients with severe traumatic brain injury. The predictive model in predicting mortality had the highest area under the curve based on glial fibrillary acidic protein T2 and Glasgow Coma Score T0 with an area under the curve of 0.904 and p < 0.001. In the multivariable regression model, glial fibrillary acidic protein max was associated with Glasgow score (p < 0.001; VIF = 1.585), lactate T0 (p = 0.024; VIF = 1.163), Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score (p = 0.037; VIF = 1.360), and Rotterdam score (p = 0.044; VIF = 1.713). Conclusion: Glial fibrillary acidic protein levels tend to increase gradually from the time of admission to 48 h post-admission then decreases at 72 h post-admission. Glial fibrillary acidic protein T2, T3, T4, T5, and glial fibrillary acidic protein max were independent factors with significant prognostic mortality values in patients with severe traumatic brain injury.

Towards human-scale magnetic particle imaging: development of the first system with superconductor-based selection coils.

Magnetic Particle Imaging (MPI) is an emerging tomographic modality that allows for precise three-dimensional (3D) mapping of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) concentration and distribution. Although significant progress has been made towards improving MPI since its introduction, scaling it up for human applications has proven challenging. High-quality images have been obtained in animal-scale MPI scanners with gradients up to 7 T/m/µ0, however, for MPI systems with bore diameters around 200 mm the gradients generated by electromagnets drop significantly to below 0.5 T/m/µ0. Given the current technological limitations in image reconstruction and the properties of available MNPs, these low gradients inherently impose limitations on improving MPI resolution for higher precision medical imaging. Utilizing superconductors stands out as a promising approach for developing a human-scale MPI system. In this study, we introduce, for the first time, a human-scale amplitude-modulated (AM) MPI system with superconductor-based selection coils. The system achieves an unprecedented magnetic field gradient of up to 2.5 T/m/µ0 within a 200 mm bore diameter, enabling large fields of view of 100 × 130 × 98 mm3 at 2.5 T/m/µ0 for 3D imaging. While obtained spatial resolution is in the order of previous animal-scale AM MPIs, incorporating superconductors for achieving such high gradients in a 200 mm bore diameter marks a major step toward clinical MPI.

Comparison of shelf-stable and conventional resuscitation products in a canine model of hemorrhagic shock.

BACKGROUND: Treatment of severe hemorrhagic shock typically involves hemostatic resuscitation with blood products. However, logistical constraints often hamper the wide distribution of commonly used blood products like whole blood. Shelf-stable blood products and blood substitutes are poised to be able to effectively resuscitate individuals in hemorrhagic shock when more conventional blood products are not readily available. METHODS: Purpose-bred adult dogs (n = 6) were anesthetized, instrumented, and subjected to hemorrhagic shock (mean arterial pressure <50 mm Hg or 40% blood volume loss). Then each dog was resuscitated with one of five resuscitation products: (1) lactated ringers solution and hetastarch (LRS/Heta), (2) canine chilled whole blood (CWB), (3) fresh frozen plasma (FFP) and packed red blood cells (pRBC), (4) canine freeze-dried plasma (FDP) and hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier (HBOC), or (5) HBOC/FDP and canine lyophilized platelets (LyoPLT). Each dog was allowed to recover after the hemorrhage resuscitation event and was then subjected to another hemorrhage event and resuscitated with a different product until each dog was resuscitated with each product. RESULTS: At the time when animals were determined to be out of shock as defined by a shock index <1, mean arterial pressure (mmHg) values (mean ± standard error) were higher for FFP/pRBC (n = 5, 83.7 ± 4.5) and FDP/HBOC+LyoPLT (n = 4, 87.8 ± 2.1) as compared with WB (n = 4, 66.0 ± 13.1). A transient increase in creatinine was seen in dogs resuscitated with HBOC and FDP. Albumin and base excess increased in dogs resuscitated with HBOC and FDP products compared with LRS/heta and CWB ( p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Combinations of shelf-stable blood products compared favorably to canine CWB for resolution of shock. Further research is needed to ascertain the reliability and efficacy of these shelf-stable combinations of products in other models of hemorrhage that include a component of tissue damage as well as naturally occurring trauma.

Real-world analysis of afatinib as a first-line treatment for patients with advanced stage non-small-cell lung cancer with uncommon EGFR mutations: a multicenter study in Vietnam.

Background: Afatinib is indicated for advanced-stage non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) and uncommon mutations. However, real-world studies on this topic are limited. This study aimed to evaluate afatinib as first-line therapy for locally advanced and metastatic NSCLC with uncommon EGFR mutations. Patients and methods: A retrospective study included 92 patients with advanced NSCLC with uncommon and compound EGFR mutations, treated with afatinib as first-line therapy. Patients were followed up and evaluated every 3 months or when symptoms of progressive disease arose. The endpoints were objective response rate (ORR), time-to-treatment failure (TTF), and adverse events. Results: The G719X EGFR mutation had the highest occurrence rate (53.3% for both monotherapy and the compound). By contrast, the compound mutation G719X-S768I was observed at a rate of 22.8%. The ORR was 75%, with 15.2% of patients achieving complete response. The overall median TTF was 13.8 months. Patients with the G719X EGFR mutation (single and compound) had a median TTF of 19.3 months, longer than that of patients with other mutations, who had a median TTF of 11.2 months. Patients with compound EGFR mutations (G719X and S768I) demonstrated a median TTF of 23.2 months compared to that of 12.3 months for other mutations. Tolerated doses of 20 or 30 mg achieved a longer median TTF of 17.1 months compared to 11.2 months with 40 mg. Median TTF differed between patients with and without brain metastasis, at 11.2 and 16.9 months, respectively. Rash (55.4%) and diarrhea (53.3%) were the most common adverse events, primarily grades 1 and 2. Other side effects occurred at a low rate. Conclusion: Afatinib is effective for locally advanced metastatic NSCLC with uncommon EGFR mutations. Patients with G719X, compound G719X-S768I mutations, and tolerated doses of 20 or 30 mg had a longer median TTF than those with other mutations.

Optimization of Multiplex-PCR Technique To Determine Azf Deletions in infertility Male Patients.

Background: To optimize the multiplex polymerase chain reaction (M-PCR) technique to diagnose microdeletions of azoospermia factors (AZF) on the Y chromosome and initially apply the technique to diagnose male patients with sperm density less than 5×106 million sperm/mL was assigned to do a test to check for AZF microdeletions on the Y chromosome. Methods: Based on the positive control samples which belong to male subjects who have had 2 healthy children without any assisted reproductive technologies, the M-PCR method was developed to detect simultaneously and accurately AZF microdeletions on 32 male patients with sperm densities below 5×106 million sperm/mL of semen at the Department of Biology and Medical Genetics - Vietnam Military Medical University. Results: Successful optimization of the M-PCR technique including 7 reactions arranged according to each AZFabc region using 24 STS/gene on the Y chromosome. Initial application to diagnose AZF deletion on 32 azoospermic and oligospermic men reveals that AZFa deletion accounts for 6.25% (2/32); deletion of all 3 regions AZFa,b,c with 18.75% (6/32 cases); The combined deletion rate of AZFb,c is highest, accounting for 56.24% (18/32 patients). Conclusion: Successfully optimized the M-PCR technique in identifying AZF microdeletions using 24 sequence tagged sites (STS)/gene for azoospermic and oligozoospermic men. The M-PCR technique has great potential in the application of AZF deletion diagnosis.

Inhibitory nitric oxide production and cytotoxic activities of phenolic compounds from Gnetum montanum Markgr.

One new compound, styrene dimer-type listeanol-4-O-α-ʟ-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→4)-ß-ᴅ-glucopyranoside (1), and four known compounds namely listeanol (2), isorhapotigenin (3), genetifolin E (4), gnetifolin K (5) were isolated from the methanolic extract from the aerial part of the Gnetum montanum Markgr. in Viet Nam. Their chemical structures were determined by modern spectroscopic methods (NMR and HR-ESI-MS) and comparison with those of published data. These compounds were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activities. Among them, compound 3 exhibited the NO inhibitory production on the RAW264.7 cell line, and inhibited the HepG2 cell line with respective IC50 values of 79.88 ± 5.51 (µg/mL) (L-NMMA 7.90 ± 0.63 µg/mL), and 63.48 ± 3.63 (µg/mL) (Ellipticine 0.40 ± 0.01 µg/mL).

A Comprehensive Evaluation of Dioxins and Furans Occurrence in River Sediments from a Secondary Steel Recycling Craft Village in Northern Vietnam.

This first study investigated the presence of dioxins and furans in river sediments around a craft village in Vietnam, focusing on Secondary Steel Recycling. Sediment samples were collected from various locations along the riverbed near the Da Hoi Secondary Steel Recycling village in Bac Ninh province. The analysis was conducted using a HRGC/HRMS-DFS device, detecting a total of 17 dioxin/furan isomers in all samples, with an average total concentration of 288.86 ng/kg d.w. The concentrations of dioxin/furan congeners showed minimal variation among sediment samples, ranging from 253.9 to 344.2 ng/kg d.w. The predominant compounds in the dioxin group were OCDD, while in the furan group, they were 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDF and OCDF. The chlorine content in the molecule appeared to be closely related to the concentration of dioxins and their percentage distribution. However, the levels of furan isomers did not vary significantly. The distribution of these compounds was not dependent on the flow direction, as they were mainly found in solid waste and are not water-soluble. Although the hepta and octa congeners had high concentrations, when converted to TEQ values, the tetra and penta groups (for dioxins) and the penta and hexa groups (for furans) contributed more to toxicity. Furthermore, the source of dioxins in sediments at Da Hoi does not only originate from steel recycling production activities but also from other combustion sites. The average total toxicity was 10.92 ng TEQ/kg d.w, ranging from 4.99 to 17.88 ng TEQ/kg d.w, which did not exceed the threshold specified in QCVN 43:2017/BTNMT, the National Technical Regulation on Sediment Quality. Nonetheless, these levels are still concerning. The presence of these toxic substances not only impacts aquatic organisms in the sampled water environment but also poses potential health risks to residents living nearby.

Evaluation of Factors Influenced on the Effectiveness of Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy.

Background: Generally, there are many methods for the treatment of urinary stones, of which percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is a minimally invasive and highly effective method, and now become the first-line management for urinary stones, especially in the cases of complex stones and staghorne calculi. Accurate assessment of stone location, stone morphology, degree of hydronephrosis as well as urinary system abnormalities is extremely important in the percutaneous nephrolithotomy strategy. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the S.T.O.N.E score as well as other factors that influenced the effectiveness of PCNL. Methods: Descriptive study on 71 patients with kidney stones, who underwent multi-slice CT scan of the urinary system before PCNL and then PCNL at Hanoi Medical University Hospital from July 2022 to July 2023. All patients received the informed consent and agreed to participate in the study. The factors included the stone area, the track length (from the skin surface to the stone central), the degree of urinary tract dilatation, the number of involved calyces, the density of stone, the renal parenchyma thickness, the ureteral wall thickness and fat infiltration measured on MSCT non-contrast phase. These factors were used to predict the effectiveness of PCNL including the stone clearance rate (SCR) and the operation time. Results: The mean age of the patient group was 53.8±12.3. The male/female ratio was 1.54. There was a significant difference (p<0.05) between the following factors and the operation time: the stone area (<400, 400-799, 800-1599 and >1600 mm2), the degree of urinary tract dilatation (no or might and moderate or severe dilatation), the number of involved calyces (≤ 2, 3 and staghorne calculi), the renal parenchyma thickness (<18 mm and ≥18mm). In contrast, there were no significant differences between the following factors and the surgery time (p>0.05): the track length (<100 and ≥100 mm), and the stone density (<950 and ≥950 HU). Regarding the S.T.O.N.E score (included five factors: Size, Track length, Obstruction, Number of involved calyces, and Evaluation of stone density), there was a strong correlation between S.T.O.N.E score and the surgery time (p<0.001, r=0.94), and the SCR (p=0.001, r=-0.97). Conclusion: The evaluation of these factors played an important role in the prediction of the effectiveness of PCNL.

Synthesis and crystal structure of the adduct between 2-pyridyl-selenyl chloride and isobutyro-nitrile.

The reaction between 2-pyridyl-selenenyl chloride and isobutyro-nitrile results in the formation of the corresponding cationic pyridinium-fused 1,2,4-seleno-diazole, namely, 3-(propan-2-yl)-1,2,4-[1,2,4]selena-diazolo[4,5-a]pyridin-4-ylium chloride, C9H11N2Se+·Cl-, in high yield (89%). The structure of the compound, established by means of single-crystal X-ray analysis at 100 K, has monoclinic (P21/c) symmetry and revealed the presence of bifurcated chalcogen-hydrogen bonding Se⋯Cl-⋯H-Cl, and these non-covalent contacts were analysed by DFT calculations followed by a topological analysis of the electron-density distribution (ωB97XD/6-311++G** level of theory).

Withaperuvin O, a new withanolide from Physalis peruviana L.

Physalis peruviana L. (Solanaceae) has been used in tropical and subtropical countries of the world as medicinal and fruit trees. In this study, a new withanolide named withaperuvin O (1) and seven known ones, including physalolactone B-3-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (2), withanolide J (3), physapruin A (4), physaperuvin G (5), withaperuvin (6), withaperuvin C (7) and 28-hydroxywithaperuvin C (8), were isolated from the whole plants of P. peruviana. Their structures were elucidated based on extensive spectroscopic analyses including NMR and HR-ESI-MS. The bioactivities of these compounds against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced NO production in RAW264.7 cells and cytotoxicity against HepG2 were tested. Compound 3 showed strong anti-inflammatory activities with IC50 3.55 ± 0.12 µM (compared to positive control L-NMMA 7.72 ± 0.46 µM). Compounds 3 and 4 inhibited HepG2 cell line with the IC50 values of 2.01 ± 0.12 µM, 0.96 ± 0.05 µM, respectively (Ellipticine, 0.32 ± 0.02 µM). Our study indicated that compounds 3 and 4 could be new potential natural products for the development of anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer agents.

Multivariate Statistical Analysis for the Classification of Sausages Based on Physicochemical Attributes, Using Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) and Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS).

Sausage is a convenient food that is widely consumed in the world and in Vietnam. Due to the rapid development of this product, the authenticity of many famous brands has faded by the rise of adulteration. Therefore, in this study, principal component analysis (PCA) was combined with chemical analysis to identify 6 sausage brands. Sausage samples were dried and then ground to a fine powder for both instrumental analyses of attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Dried measurements of ATR-FTIR was performed directly on the ZnSe crystal, while elemental data were obtained through microwave digestion before the ICP-MS analysis. Principal component analysis (PCA) within the framework software of XLSTAT and STATISTICA 12 was performed on the spectroscopy and elemental dataset of sausage samples. PCA visualized the distinction of 6 sausage brands on both datasets of ATR-FTIR and ICP-MS. The classification on the spectroscopy profile showed that although more than 90% variation of the dataset was explained on the first two PCs, the difference between several brands was not detected as the distribution of data overlapped with one another. The PCA observation of the elemental composition on PC1 and PC3 has separated the sausage brands into 6 distinctive groups. Besides, several key elements contributed to the brands' identification have been detected, and the most distinctive elements are Na, K, Ca, and Ba. PCA visualization showed the feasibility of the classification of sausage samples from different brands when combined with the results of FT-IR and ICP-MS methods. The experiment was able to differentiate the sausages from the 5 brands using multivariate statistics.

Cardiovascular disease risk assessment and multidisciplinary care in prostate cancer treatment with ADT: recommendations from the APMA PCCV expert network.

PURPOSE: Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is the mainstay approach for prostate cancer (PCa) management. However, the most commonly used ADT modality, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists, has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). METHODS: The PCa Cardiovascular (PCCV) Expert Network, consisting of multinational urologists, cardiologists and oncologists with expertise in managing PCa, convened to discuss challenges to routine cardiovascular risk assessment in PCa management, as well as how to mitigate such risks in the current treatment landscape. RESULTS: The experts identified several barriers, including lack of awareness, time constraints, challenges in implementing risk assessment tools and difficulties in establishing multidisciplinary teams that include cardiologists. The experts subsequently provided practical recommendations to improve cardio-oncology care for patients with PCa receiving ADT, such as simplifying cardiovascular risk assessment, individualising treatment based on CVD risk categories, establishing multidisciplinary teams and referral networks and fostering active patient engagement. A streamlined cardiovascular risk-stratification tool and a referral/management guide were developed for seamless integration into urologists' practices and presented herein. The PCCV Expert Network agreed that currently available evidence indicates that GnRH antagonists are associated with a lower risk of CVD than that of GnRH agonists and that GnRH antagonists are preferred for patients with PCa and a high CVD risk. CONCLUSION: In summary, this article provides insights and guidance to improve management for patients with PCa undergoing ADT.