Factors correlated with neuropathic pain among industrial workers in Vietnam: a multi-site cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Neuropathic pain is a debilitating condition resulting from various etiologies such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and infection, and is associated with decreased quality of life, poor health outcomes, and increased economic burden. However, epidemiological studies on neuropathic pain have been largely limited in Vietnam. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on adult Vietnamese industrial workers across three manufacturing plants. Demographic, socioeconomic, occupational and health data were collected. Prevalence of neuropathic pain was assessed using the Douleur Neuropathique 4 (DN4) scale. Regression modeling was utilized to identify predictors of pain. Results: Among 276 workers, 43.1 and 24.3% reported that they had suffered from spinal pain and osteoarthritis pain, respectively. In terms of work conditions, people maintaining constant posture when working from 30 to 60 min (OR = 3.15, 95% CI = 1.07; 9.29), or over 60 min (OR = 2.59; 95% CI = 1.12; 5.98) had a higher risk of suffering from spinal pain. People who worked in conditions lacking adequate lighting and with exposures to toxic chemicals were also likely to be suffering from osteoarthritis pain with OR = 4.26, 95% CI = 1.02; 17.74 and Coef. = 1.93; 95% CI = 1.49; 2.50, respectively. Regular health examinations and higher expenditure for healthcare were correlated with a lower prevalence of neuropathic pain. Discussion: These results may inform the adoption of pain screening and other programs that increase health care access for this population, as well as more stringent occupational health and safety standards.

Survival outcomes of the combination of extrafascial extrahepatic and extrafascial intrahepatic pedicle approaches in hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Introduction: This study was conducted to evaluate the results of hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by the combination of extrafascial extrahepatic (Takasaki method) and extrafascial intrahepatic pedicle approaches (Ton That Tung method). Material and methods: A longitudinal follow-up study was conducted on 83 patients undergoing hepatectomy for HCC using the combination of extrafascial extrahepatic (Takasaki method) and extrafascial intrahepatic pedicle approaches at Nghe An Provincial Hospital from April 2017 to July 2021. Survival analysis was applied. Results: The cumulative overall survival (OS) rates after 1, 2, 3 and 4 years were 88.4%, 76.3%, 69.5% and 56.9%, respectively. The mean OS time was 40.68 ±2.17 months. The 1-, 2-, 3- and 4-year disease-free survival (DFS) rates were 67.1%, 56%, 53.1% and 50%, respectively. The mean DFS time was 32.58 ±2.56 months. Surgical margin > 1 cm was an independent predictor of both overall and disease-free survival (HR = 5.194, 95% CI = 1.467-18,385, p = 0.011 for OS; HR = 2.822, 95% CI = 1.231-6.468, p = 0.014 for DFS). Conclusions: Hepatectomy for HCC by a combination of extrafascial extrahepatic (Takasaki method) and extrafascial intrahepatic pedicle approaches (Ton That Tung method) is effective and safe, and side effects and complications can be controlled. Patient selection is a key issue and plays a very important role in the outcome of treatment.

A novel single-point mutation of NEFH and biallelic SACS mutation presenting as intermediate form Charcot-Marie-Tooth: A case report in Vietnam.

Background: Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is among the most common group of inherited neuromuscular diseases. SACS mutations were demonstrated to cause autosomal recessive spastic ataxia of Charlevoix-Saguenay (ARSACS). However, there have been few case reports regarding to NEFH and SACS gene mutation to CMT in Vietnamese patients, and the diagnosis of CMT and ARSACS in the clinical setting still overlapped. Case Description: We report two patients presenting with sensorimotor neuropathy without cerebellar ataxia, spasticity and other neurological features, being diagnosed with intermediate form CMT by electrophysiological and clinical examination and neuroimaging. By whole-exome sequencing panel of two affected members, and PCR Sanger on NEFH and SACS genes to confirm the presence of selected variants on their parents, we identified a novel missense variant NEFH c.1925C>T (inherited from the mother) in an autosomal dominant heterozygous state, and two recessive SACS variants (SACS c.13174C>T, causing missense variant, and SACS c.11343del, causing frameshift variant) (inherited one from the mother and another from the father) in these two patients. Clinical and electrophysiological findings on these patients did not match classical ARSACS. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of two affected siblings diagnosed with CMT carrying both a novel NEFH variant and biallelic SACS variants. Conclusion: We concluded that this novel NEFH variant is likely benign, and biallelic SACS mutation (c.13174C>T and c.11343del) is likely pathogenic for intermediate form CMT. This study is also expected to emphasize the current knowledge of intermediate form CMT, ARSACS, and the phenotypic spectrum of NEFH-related and SACS-related disorders. We expect to give a new understanding of CMT; however, further research should be conducted to provide a more thorough knowledge of the pathogenesis of CMT in the future.

Gallbladder volvulus and hernia through the foramen of Winslow: a case report.

Gallbladder hernia through the foramen of Winslow is an uncommon condition and gallbladder hernia combined with volvulus is even rarer. A 70-year-old patient was hospitalized with the clinical signs of pain in the right hypochondriac region associated with fever. The computed tomography scan images showed some signs of gallbladder herniation through the foramen of Winslow. We decided to remove the gallbladder and found the gallbladder infundibulum twisted and necrotic. This was the first case of a male patient who suffered from gallbladder herniation with volvulus after three cases of female patients reported in the literature.

Genome sequence data of Streptomyces sp. SS52, an endophytic strain for daidzein biosynthesis.

We report here the biosynthesis of daidzein in Streptomyces sp. SS52, its genome sequence and the analysis of its genome for finding putative genes involved in daidzein biosynthesis. The Streptomyces sp. SS52 strain was isolated from the plant Phyllanthus urinaria in Tra Vinh province, Vietnam. This endophytic strain is capable of producing the isoflavone daidzein in the culture medium. Streptomyces sp. SS52 possesses a linear genome of 8,184,045 bp and the GC content of this genome is 72.5%. The preliminary genome analysis identified homologs of genes involved in the de novo biosynthesis of daidzein in the genome of Streptomyces sp. SS52. The genome sequencing of Streptomyces sp. SS52 was essential for the study of the biosynthesis of daidzein in Streptomyces bacteria.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice about Dengue Fever among Patients Experiencing the 2017 Outbreak in Vietnam.

There is a gap in the literature on the understanding of the general Vietnamese population toward dengue fever (DF). This study aimed to explore knowledge, attitudes, practice (KAP) of dengue fever among Vietnamese participants and the potential associated factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 330 patients at the Bach Mai Hospital in Northern Vietnam. A Tobit regression model was utilized to investigate the associated factors. The average knowledge score was 4.6/19. Respondents perceived their risk of DF infection to be very low (39.5%) to low (20.7%) and had a neutral attitude about the necessity of hospitalization when being infected with DF (60.9%). A total of 17.6%, 9.8% and 6.6% of respondents reported frequently changing water, properly disposing of waste and covering water storage containers to eliminate larvae. Gender, education level, duration of illness and travel history were correlated with knowledge. Occupation, the presence of DF in the neighborhood, mosquito density at home and DF symptom severity were associated with attitudes. Occupation, mosquito density at home, type of patient, knowledge and attitudes were associated with practices. To enhance the KAP towards DF, further efforts should first be directed to improve knowledge through education, especially at the school level and people in less developed areas.

Impact of Comorbid Chronic Conditions to Quality of Life among Elderly Patients with Diabetes Mellitus in Vietnam.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major cause of disease burden in the elderly population. This study aimed to measure the quality of life (QOL) among patients with T2DM and the associations between co-morbidities and QOL. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 194 patients with T2DM. The minimal clinically important difference (MCID) scores were used to indicate the clinically meaningful differences of comorbidities on quality of life. A Tobit regression was employed to find relationships between QOL and comorbidities. The mean scores of QOL domains were 50.8 (SD = 13.2) in physical, 62.4 (SD = 11.5) in psychological, 52.3 (SD = 10.2) in social relationship, and 64.3 (SD = 10.1) in environmental. Digestive and neuropsychiatric diseases had the strongest negative associations with physical QOL of patients. Neuropsychiatric diseases also had the biggest effect on psychological and environmental QOL. Meanwhile, in the social domain, respiratory diseases had the greatest effect. In conclusion, patients with T2DM struggled to perform physical functions. In addition, comorbidities significantly reduced the QOL of T2DM patients.

Developing a self-reported tool on fall risk based on toileting responses on in-hospital falls.

The aim of this cohort study was to determine the predictive value of a 2-item self-reported questionnaire regarding in-hospital toileting behavior for predicting falls in older inpatients and to compare its performance with an existing state-based falls assessment scale. Between May 28, 2009 and January 30, 2010, we assessed aged care inpatients for risk of falls using the standard STRATIFY fall screening tool and the 2-item self-reported questionnaire developed for this study. The participants were then followed up, with the primary outcome being the occurrence of falls. Results indicated that participants who were unable to answer the 2-item questionnaire appropriately or sensibly were 14.1 times (confidence interval [CI]: 4.4-45, p <. 001) to 17.0 times (CI: 6.7-43, p < .001) more likely to fall than those who gave an appropriate negative or positive answer. Participants who were assessed to be at high risk of falls on the STRATIFY scale were 9.5 times (odds ratio: 9.5, CI: 1.3-72, p = .03) more likely to fall than those who were low risk. In conclusion, a simple bedside questionnaire regarding patients' toileting behavior with a careful appraisal of answers for appropriate and inappropriate answers may be used as a quick screening tool of fall risk.

Traumatic retroperitoneal hematoma illustrated on Tc-99m methylene diphosphonate bone scintigraphy in a patient presenting with a fall.

Retroperitoneal haematoma is rarely described in the context of bone scintigraphy, as it is usually an incidental discovery on bone scan carried out for another purpose. We report a case of a right retroperitoneal haematoma detected on Tc-99m-methylene diphosphonate bone scintigraphy taken in an elderly patient presenting with a mechanical fall and a right acetabular fracture.