Outcomes of Gamma Knife Radiosurgery for Drug-Resistant Primary Trigeminal Neuralgia.

Objective: To evaluate the result of gamma knife radiosurgery (GKRS) for drug-resistant primary trigeminal neuralgia (TN). Methods: Patients who were diagnosed with drug-resistant primary TN were treated with GKRS at the Nuclear Medicine and Oncology Center, Bach Mai Hospital from January 2015 to June 2020. Using the pain rating scale of the Barrow Neurological Institute (BNI), follow-ups and evaluations were conducted at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 9 month, and 1, 2 years, 3 years, and 5 years after radiosurgery. Comparisons of pain levels was performed before and after radiosurgery according to the BNI scale. Results: From January 2015 to June 2020, 33 patients were treated with GKS. There were 23 female patients and 10 male patients; the average age was 61.9. The average onset time of disease was 4.42 years. Among all patients, 84.8% of patients were relieved from pain and 78.8% were pain-free without medication. The mean time for pain relief was 3 months and was not related to the dose of GKS (<80 Gy and ≥80 Gy). The efficacy of pain relief is not related to blood vessel contact with the trigeminal nerve, the dose of GKS, and the onset of disease. The rate of recurrence after the first pain relief was low (14.3%). Conclusions: Gamma knife is an effective method for the treatment of primary drug-resistant TN, especially in elderly patients with underlying medical conditions. The analgesic effect does not depend on the presence of nerve-vascular conflict.

Cyber-Victimization and Its Effect on Depression in Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The difference in participants' characteristics between samples and the inconsistency in the methodology have led to variability in both direction and magnitude of association between cyber-victimization and depression in adolescents. This systematic review and meta-analysis investigates the relationship between cyber-victimization and depression in adolescents. Primary studies on cyber-victimization and depression among adolescents (10-19 years of age based on WHO definition) on PubMed and EMBASE databases were included. The forward and backward snowballing searching method was also used to explore more publications. The main effect estimate extracted from eligible studies was the odds ratio which was synthesized based on the random-effect model. The protocol of this study was prospectively registered on PROSPERO database (registration number: CRD42020185700). Among 1,008 research articles identified, 17 were eligible which comprised a total sample of 79,202 adolescents. The odds of depression among cyber-victims was almost three-fold higher (OR = 2.73; 95% CI 2.25-3.31) compared to non-cyber-victims. The overall effect estimate remained positive irrespective of differences in sample and method characteristics (study location, female percentage, sampling procedures, the use of single vs. multiple items, and elaboration of cyber-bullying definition). The presence of traditional bullying items was found to be important moderator of this relationship. However, none of the anticipated moderators had a clear impact on this relationship. Moreover, absence of publication bias was confirmed. This study confirms findings from the literature about the significant association between cyber-victimization and depression in adolescents across settings and populations. More efforts should be made to address this issue rigorously and to a greater extent.

Molecular Identification and Pathogenicity of Novel Duck-Origin Goose Parvovirus Isolated from Beak Atrophy and Dwarfism Syndrome of Waterfowls in the North of Vietnam.

The aim of this study is to identify and characterize virus isolates (which are named for Bacgiang Agriculture and Forestry University [BAFU]) from diseased Cherry Valley duck and mule duck flocks and investigate the damage caused by a novel parvovirus-related virus (DuPV) to tissues and organs, including the brain, cerebellum, kidney, liver, lung, spleen, and spinal cord. The results of phylogenetic analysis show that DuPV-BAFU evolved from a goose lineage and duck parvoviruses rather than from Muscovy duck parvoviruses. In the genetic lineages, DuPVs were identified from the DuPV samples analyzed, and DuPV-BAFU was found to be closely clustered with two known goose origin parvoviruses (GPVa2006 and GPV1995) and a duck GPVs. Finally, structural modeling revealed that DuPV-BAFU and the closely related viruses GPVa2006 and GPV1995 possessed identical clusters of receptor-interacting amino acid residues in the VP3 protein, a major determinant of viral receptor binding and host specificity. Significantly, these three viruses differed from DuPVs, Muscovy duck parvoviruses, and other goose parvoviruses at these positions. These results also demonstrated that DuPV-BAFU represents a new variant of goose-origin parvovirus that currently circulates in ducklings and causes beak atrophy and dwarfism syndrome, as noted in the previous reports in Europe, Taiwan, and China. This new finding highlights the need for future surveillance of DuPV-BAFU in waterfowl in order to gain a better understanding of both the evolution and the biology of this emerging parvovirus in waterfowl.

Identificación molecular y patogenicidad de un nuevo parvovirus de ganso de origen en pato aislado del síndrome de atrofia del pico y enanismo de las aves acuáticas en el norte de Vietnam. El objetivo de este estudio es identificar y caracterizar aislados de virus detectados en la Universidad de Agricultura y Silvicultura de Bacgiang (BAFU) de parvadas de patos enfermos Cherry Valley e híbridos y también investigar el daño causado por un nuevo virus relacionado con parvovirus del pato (DuPV) en tejidos y órganos, incluidos el cerebro, el cerebelo, los riñones, el hígado, los pulmones, el bazo y la médula espinal. Los resultados del análisis filogenético mostraron que el virus DuPV-BAFU evolucionó a partir de un linaje de parvovirus de patos y gansos en lugar del parvovirus de patos reales. En los linajes genéticos, se identificaron virus DuPV a partir de las muestras de DuPV analizadas, y se encontró que el DuPV-BAFU estaba estrechamente agrupado con dos parvovirus conocidos de origen de ganso (GPVa2006 y GPV1995) y con parvovirus de pato. Finalmente, el modelado estructural reveló que el virus DuPV-BAFU y los virus estrechamente relacionados GPVa2006 y GPV1995 poseían grupos idénticos de residuos de aminoácidos que interactúan con el receptor en la proteína VP3, que es un determinante importante de la unión al receptor viral y la especificidad del huésped. Significativamente, estos tres virus diferían de los DuPV, los parvovirus del pato real y de otros parvovirus del ganso en estas posiciones. Estos resultados también demostraron que el virus DuPV-BAFU representa una nueva variante del parvovirus de origen ganso que actualmente circula en patitos y causa atrofia del pico y síndrome de enanismo, como se señaló en reportes anteriores en Europa, Taiwán y China. Este nuevo hallazgo destaca la necesidad de una vigilancia futura para el virus DuPV-BAFU en las aves acuáticas para comprender mejor tanto la evolución como la biología de este parvovirus emergente en las aves acuáticas.

Cyber-victimization and its association with depression among Vietnamese adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Cyberbullying has become an alarming social issue, but little is known about its prevalence and consequences in many countries. This study investigated the prevalence of cyber-victimization and its association with depression among students in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 1,492 students from eight secondary schools and high schools in four urban and suburban areas. Multi-stage cluster sampling approach was used to recruit participants. Students participated in this study on a voluntary basis and completed a self-report questionnaire that included validated scales to measure their experience of cyber-bullying (Cyber Bullying Scale) and symptoms of depression (Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale). Weighted logistic regression analysis was used to adjust for the cluster effect and sampling probability. RESULTS: Almost all (92.4%) students reported using the internet everyday and nearly 40% used internet for more than four hours per day. Cyber-victimization was identified in 36.5% of students and almost 25% experienced multiple types of cyber-victimization. Nearly half of students reported symptoms of depression. After adjusting for other covariates, students who experienced cyber-victimization were found to have 1.81 times (95% CI [1.42-2.30]) higher in odds of having symptoms of depression. CONCLUSIONS: Cyber victimization and depression are both common in Vietnamese adolescents. Those who experienced cyber bullying have a higher likelihood of having symptoms of depression. These findings indicate an urgent need for interventions and policies targeting this emerging type of bullying in Vietnam and similar settings due to its potential harmful effects on adolescents' health.

Data on cerebral palsy in Vietnam will inform clinical practice and policy in low and middle-income countries.

PURPOSE: To document known risk factors, clinical severity, associated impairments and rehabilitation status of children presenting with cerebral palsy (CP) to the National Children's Hospital (NCH) in Hanoi, Vietnam. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Active prospective ascertainment of cases of CP presenting between June and November 2017 to the NCH using surveillance modelled on the Paediatric Active Enhanced Disease Surveillance system in Australia. RESULTS: Data were collected on 765 children with CP (mean age: 2 years 7 months (SD 2 y 6 mo). Mean age at diagnosis was 1 year 8 months (SD 1 y 9 mo). Children predominantly had spastic CP (95.2%, n = 729), most were quadriplegic (69.6%, n = 532) and 60.3% (n = 454) were Gross Motor Functional Classification System level III-V. Of the children 76.2% (n = 583) had one/more associated impairments. 36.3% (n = 276) had presumed perinatal asphyxia, 26.5% (n = 202) were preterm. Physiotherapy (94.3%, n = 663) was the most common form of intervention used. Only 2.6% (n = 12) of the children who would have benefitted from assistive devices had wheelchairs. CONCLUSION: We established hospital-based surveillance of CP in Hanoi and confirmed a high burden and severity of CP with potentially preventable risk factors. These data will inform clinician training and health policy and identify need for evidence-based care and assistive devices.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONWe identified a high number of children with severe forms of cerebral palsy (CP) in Hanoi, Vietnam through hospital-based surveillance.There is an urgent need for clinician training and access to and use of evidence-based interventions including assistive technology.This study will inform local capacity building and health policy for improved diagnosis and care of children with CP in Vietnam and other low and middle-income countries.

Preparing for the Next Pandemic: An Asian National Cancer Centers Alliance (ANCCA) Initiative.

The COVID-pandemic has shown significant impact on cancer care from early detection, management plan to clinical outcomes of cancer patients. The Asian National Cancer Centres Alliance (ANCCA) has put together the 9 "Ps" as guidelines for cancer programs to better prepare for the next pandemic. The 9 "Ps" are Priority, Protocols and Processes, Patients, People, Personal Protective Equipments (PPEs), Pharmaceuticals, Places, Preparedness, and Politics. Priority: to maintain cancer care as a key priority in the health system response even during a global infectious disease pandemic. Protocol and processes: to develop a set of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and have relevant expertise to man the Disease Outbreak Response (DORS) Taskforce before an outbreak. Patients: to prioritize patient safety in the event of an outbreak and the need to reschedule cancer management plan, supported by tele-consultation and use of artificial intelligence technology. People: to have business continuity planning to support surge capacity. PPEs and Pharmaceuticals: to develop plan for stockpiles management, build local manufacturing capacity and disseminate information on proper use and reduce wastage. Places: to design and build cancer care facilities to cater for the need of triaging, infection control, isolation and segregation. Preparedness: to invest early on manpower building and technology innovations through multisectoral and international collaborations. Politics: to ensure leadership which bring trust, cohesion and solidarity for successful response to pandemic and mitigate negative impact on the healthcare system.

Care for the Carers: An Evaluation of Job Satisfaction of Community Healthcare Workers in Charge of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control in Vietnam.

PURPOSE: This study explored job satisfaction and associated factors among community healthcare workers (HCWs) during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 319 HCWs in charge of infectious disease prevention and control activities at all commune healthcare centers in Ho Chi Minh City. Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire which included the 36-item Job Satisfaction Survey (JSS). RESULTS: Most participants were male (56.7%), and the mean age was 34.7 (SD=7.1) years. The overall job satisfaction was relatively low. Among 9 aspects measured, coworker was found to have the highest level of satisfaction (19.6±3.9), followed by supervision (19.3±4.1). In contrast, the lowest level of satisfaction was observed in operating condition (11.4±3.4) and contingent rewards (14.3±3.8). The total score of the JSS indicated that only half of HCWs were satisfied with their job in general. Older male HCWs who were married and those who had higher income reported a higher level of job satisfaction in several aspects measured. However, there was no association between job satisfaction and other HCW's characteristics, including specialty, occupation type, and working experience. CONCLUSION: Since this is the crucial workforce in the battle against infectious diseases, urgent interventions are needed to increase job satisfaction in this population.

Prevalence, Virulence Gene Distribution and Alarming the Multidrug Resistance of Aeromonas hydrophila Associated with Disease Outbreaks in Freshwater Aquaculture.

The study aims to evaluate the infection prevalence, virulence gene distribution and antimicrobial resistance of Aeromonas hydrophila associated in diseased outbreaks of cultured freshwater fish in Northern Vietnam. The confirmed A. hydrophila were screened for the presence of the five pitutative-virulence genes including aerolysin (aerA), hemolysin (hlyA), cytotonic enterotoxin (act), heat-labile cytotonic enterotoxin (alt), and heat-stable enterotoxin (ast), and examined the susceptibility to 16 antibiotics. A total of 236 A. hydrophila isolates were recovered and confirmed from 506 diseased fish by phenotypic tests, PCR assays, and gyrB, rpoB sequenced analyses, corresponding to the infection prevalence at 46.4%. A total of 88.9% of A. hydrophila isolates harbored at least one of the tested virulence genes. The genes aerA and act were most frequently found (80.5% and 80.1%, respectively) while the ast gene was absent in all isolates. The resistance to oxacillin, amoxicillin and vancomycin exhibited the highest frequencies (>70%), followed by erythromycin, oxytetracycline, florfenicol, and sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (9.3-47.2%). The multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index ranged between 0.13-0.88 with 74.7% of the isolates having MAR values higher than 0.2. The results present a warning for aquaculture farmers and managers in preventing the spread of A. hydrophila and minimizing antibiotic resistance of this pathogen in fish farming systems.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Cancer Care in the Post Pandemic World: Five Major Lessons Learnt from Challenges and Countermeasures of Major Asian Cancer Centres.

OBJECTIVE: The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically affected healthcare services around Asia. The Asian National Cancer Centres Alliance and the Asia-Pacific Organisation for Cancer Prevention collaborated to assess the mid- and long- term impact of COVID-19 to cancer care in Asia. METHODS: The two entities organised a combined symposium and post-meeting interactions among representatives of major cancer centres from seventeen Asian countries to outlining major challenges and countermeasures. RESULTS: Participating stakeholders distilled five big questions. 1) "Will there be an explosion of late-stage cancers after the pandemic?" To address and recover from perceived delayed prevention, screening, treatment and care challenges, collaboration of key stakeholders in the region and alignment in cancer care management, policy intervention and cancer registry initiatives would be of essential value. 2) "Operations and Finance" The pandemic has resulted in significant material and financial casualties. Flagged acute challenges (shortages of supplies, imposition of lockdown) as well as longer-standing reduction of financial revenue, manpower, international collaboration, and training should also be addressed. 3) "Will telemedicine and technological innovations revolutionize cancer care?" Deploying and implementing telemedicine such as teleconsultation and virtual tumour boards were considered invaluable. These innovations could become a new regular practice, leading to expansion of tele-collaboration through collaboration of institutions in the region. 4) "Will virtual conferences continue after the pandemic?" Virtual conferences during the pandemic have opened new doors for knowledge sharing, especially for representatives of low- and middle-income countries in the region, while saving time and costs of travel. 5) "How do we prepare for the next pandemic or international emergency?" Roadmaps for action to improve access to appropriate patient care and research were identified and scrutinised. CONCLUSION: Through addressing these five big questions, focused collaboration among members and with international organisations such as City Cancer Challenge will allow enhanced preparedness for future international emergencies.
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