VNUHCM Journal of Health Sciences

Biodegradable porous silica nanoparticles – Potential solutions in cancer treatment

2022-11-19T07:09:31+00:00

Biodegradable porous silica nanoparticles (B-PMO) have been developed as a great promising in targeted drug delivery. In this review, we introduce our research for design, synthesis and development of B-PMO nanomaterials with biodegradable organic framework for anticancer drugs delivery applications. The biodegradable organic linker, incorporated into the structure, responds to the specific conditions in the tumor and then nanoparticles can be degraded and further eliminated from the body. The accumulation of NPs into tumor spheroid and inhibit of tumor growth were demonstrated. In particular, anticancer drug-loaded B-PMO inhibited the tumor growth in a chicken egg model and reduced significantly side effects toward the organs of the chicken embryo. The results of research and development of biodegradable-based silica nanomaterials show their potential in cancer treatment.

Small molecules as anti COVID-19 therapeutics: Discovery process, mechanism of action and clinical trials

2023-01-15T13:30:01+00:00

COVID-19 has become a pandemic and is still breaking out in many countries all over the world due to the emergence of new variants. Several safe and effective vaccines have been approved and succeeded in reducing the rate of patients with severe symptoms and that of mortality. Currently, most countries have chosen to change their policy from “zero Covid” to “live with” the pandemic and opened their boundaries to recover their economy. However, the emergence of new dangerous variants such as Delta or Omicron significantly reduces the effectiveness of vaccines and therefore, is complicating the pandemic control. In addition to the use of vaccines, the development of antiviral drugs is extremely important to tackle this worldwide threat. Currently, the approved anti-COVID-19 agents consist of two main categories, including spike protein (S) targeted monoclonal antibodies and orally available small molecule antiviral agents. However, the biopharmaceutical approach still incurs significant drawbacks such as bad bioavailability, expensive and growing resistance of the virus due to the accumulation of mutations in the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein in new variants. On the other hand, small molecule antiviral agents are a more appealing approach as their main therapeutic targets are intrinsic enzymes which are less likely to mutate, hence remaining inhibitory activity against different variants. Additionally, the oral availability of these drugs also allows these medications to be taken by individuals without the aid of healthcare professionals, which could alleviate the burden on healthcare systems. Therefore, the research and finding of new orally available antiviral agents is still a necessity. This review is carried out to give an overview of the discovery and development, mechanism of action, clinical trials, and approval status of current small-molecule anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs.

Clinical features and flexible laryngoscopy results laryngomalacia in hospitalized children at the respiratory department of chldren’s hospital 1, Ho Chi Minh City

2022-11-19T04:45:49+00:00

Objective: To describe the presentation, diagnosis, and treatment children with endoscpically confirmed laryngomalacia in hospitalized at the respiratory department of children’s hospital 1.

Methods: Prospective case series children with endoscpically confirmed laryngomalacia dunring 1-year period 05/2020 to 05/2021. We included all 34 children under 2 years old with endoscpically confirmed laryngomalacia without prior documentation of the diagnosis.

Results: 34 children had a confirmed diagnosis of laryngomalacia and were thus included (1.8:1 male to female sex ratio; mean age, 3 months, age range, 0-6 months). Twenty- three children (67,6%) presented with stridor, 34 (100%) with pulmonary rales, 33 (97,1%) with using accessory respiratory muscles. Type 1 laryngomalacia was the most commoly encountered (29,4%). Most with severe laryngomalacia (52,9%) needed medical treatments in our study. GERD and pneumonia are theo two common comorbidities in our study. Medical comorbidites were associated with severe laryngomalacia.

Conclusions: Early diagnosis of laryngomalacia by typical clinical presentations and flexible fiberoptic laryngoscopy may improve the disease severity and outcomes of laryngomalacia patients. Besides, evaluating and treating the comorbidities are also important.

Comparison of clinical outcomes between Wavelight Allegretto Eye-Q and Schwind Amaris 1050RS in high myopic astigmatism

2022-12-15T20:35:08+00:00

Purposes: To compare clinical outcomes between Wavelight Allegretto Eye-Q 400Hz and Schwind Amaris 1050RS in high myopic astigmatism.

Methods: non-randomized, controlled, interventional study of 90 eyes with at least 1.5diopter astigmatism, assigned into two groups depends to the L machine and followed up three months post-op. Primary outcomes include uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), subjective refraction spherical equivalent (SRSE), cylinder, safety and efficacy indices, refractive predictability and stability; and optical aberration and contrast sensitivity changes after surgery. Besides, Alpins method about residual astigmatism is also analyzed and compared between groups.

Results: Safety index of Schwind Amaris and Allegretto group is 1.011 ± 0.169 and 1.007 ± 0.055 (p = 0.510); effective index is 1 ± 0.032 and 0.991 ± 0.077 (p = 0.567; stability index is 0.003 and 0.1 (p = 0.134); predictability index within [±0.5D] after three-month postop is 91.1% and 95.6% (p = 0.398), respectively. Post-op residual astigmatism in Schwind Amaris and Allegretto group is -0.139 ± 0.22 and -0.183 ± 0.27 (p = 0.396). Regarding Alpins method in astigmatic analysis of Schwind Amaris and Allegretto groups: SIA (surgically induced astigmatism) is 1.792 ± 0.534 and 1.920 ± 0.588 (p = 0.284); AE (angle of error) is 1.04 ± 2.881 and -0.08 ± 3.790 (p = 0.119); CI (correction index) is 0.98 ± 0.107 and 1.02 ± 0.142 (p = 0.165); SAS (Success of Astigmatism Surgery) is 92.01 ± 12.77 and 89.78 ± 16.32 (p = 0.472), respectively. Contrast sensitivity and higher optical aberration changes after surgery between two groups are insignificant differences (p > 0.05).

Conclusions: Clinical outcomes of both lasers machine are good. There is no significant differences in residual astigmatism and high-order aberrations or contrast sensitivity changes after surgery between two groups.

Prevalence of anxiety disorders and associated factors among students of School of Medicine – Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City

2022-12-15T21:02:13+00:00

Objective: The research was conducted with the purpose of estimating the prevalence of Anxiety Disorder and associated factors among students of School of Medicine – Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out on 906 students of the School of Medicine - Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City from 9th to 30th September 2021. Full sampling technique, collecting the data by using self-completed questionnaires through Google Form. This study used the Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) to assess anxiety disorders.

Results: The study showed that the prevalence of anxiety disorder among students of School of Medicine - Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City was 36.2%. In which, the level of anxiety from mild to moderate, severe anxiety and extreme anxiety respectively: 27.92%; 7.4%; 0.88%. Factors associated with anxiety include: gender, having someone to share with, pressure on academic performance, pressure on family and social relationships, pressure from COVID-19, financial pressure, pressure on appearance and social networks time use.

Conclusion: The prevalence of anxiety disorders among students of School of Medicine - Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City is alarming. Finding out the associated factors helps to identify groups of students that need to be prioritized in detecting mental health problems and taking appropriate measures to improve their mental health.

Research on clinical characteristics and clinical healing assessment after endodontic surgery using ultrasonic tip and root -end filling material by MTA

2022-12-15T21:23:52+00:00

Background: Endodontic surgery is one of the tooth-conserving interventions indicated when conventional endodontic treatment fails for teeth with periapical lesions with the conventional classical method using handpiece with drill for osteotomy, apectomy, sinus creation and retrograde filling with Amalgam. Today, many studies have shown that when applying improvements in surgery such as the use of ultrasonic instruments for osteotomy, apectomy, sinus creation and retrograde filling with biomaterial Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) helps to reduce pain and swelling, to increases the clinical healing rate after surgery, thereby contributing to increase the success after intervention. Objectives: To investigate the clinical outcomes and evaluate clinical healing after endodontic surgery using ultrasound instruments and retrograde fillings with MTA materials.

Materials and methods: This quasi experimental study carried out on 24 pernament teeth, one maxillary root in 16 patients (8 males and 8 females), whose periapical lesions of teeth with indication for endodontic surgery, who came for examinaton and treatment at Department of Dentistry, 175 Military Hospital from 10 /2021 to 10 /2022. Before surgery, patients were recorded with clinically relevant features. Endodontic surgery was performed according to the standard procedure of the Department of Oral Surgery, Faculty of Odonto-Stomatology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ho Chi Minh City, using ultrasonic instruments and root -end filling with MTA material. Pain and swelling at 1, 3, 7 days after surgery were assessed according to the variable VAS scale of Pasqualini et al (2005). Clinical healing assessment according to the criteria of Gutmann (1994).

Results: Before surgery, most of the damaged teeth were not endodontic treatment (66,7%), pain (70,8%), swelling (87,5%), no pus fistula in the gums (70,8%), no fixed prosthesis (33,3%), discolored (58,3%), . At 1, 3, 7 days after surgery, most of the studied cases had mild pain, mild swelling; this level of pain, swelling gradually decreases over time; the difference in the rate of pain and swelling rates was evident at the 1st and 7th day after surgery and was statistically significant (with p < 0,001). The average pain score was 0,792 ± 0,588; 0,458 ± 0,509 and 0,083 ± 0,282 with the difference in mean pain score at 1, 3, 7 days after surgery was statistically significant ( p < 0,001). The mean swelling score was 1,375 ± 0,647; 0,833 ± 0,637 and 0,125 ± 0,338 with the difference in mean swelling score at 1, 3, 7 days after surgery was statistically significant (p < 0,001). At 3, 6 month after surgery, most of the teeth had a high clinical healing rate (including complete healing and incomplete healing) with the rate of 87,5% (3 months) and 91,7% (6 months), respectively. There was no difference in clinical healing rates between 3 and 6 months postoperatively.

Conclusion: Endodontic surgery using ultrasonic instruments and retrograde filling with MTA has mild postoperative pain and swelling; achieve a high clinical healing rate. This technique contributes significantly to the success of surgery, helps improve treatment efficiency, and improves oral health for patients.

Efficiency of guided bone regeneration in vertical bone augmentation with titanium-reinforced PTFE membrane and platelet-rich fibrin

2022-12-15T21:41:46+00:00

Objective: Guided bone regeneration (GBR) for vertical bone augmention is an easy-to-implement approach and has a good prognosis. However, there are many different procedures that lead to different clinical outcomes. The use of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) can improve outcomes in regenerative treatments. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of vertical bone grafting by guided bone reconstruction with titanium-reinforced PTFE membrane combined with PRF.

Materials and Methods: Nine patients who come to the Department of Odonto-Stomatology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ho Chi Minh City, have a need for implant treatment and have mild to moderate vertical bone deficiency. Patients are treated with bone grafting by GBR technique: using a mixture of bone grafts including autogenous bone and deproteinized bovine bone (Geistlich Bio-Oss) at a ratio of 1:1, mixed with injectable form PRF in the form of sticky bone. The vertical bone defects were protected by a titanium-reinforced d-PTFE membrane and covered by an A-PRF+ membrane. The bone gain was measured using a cone-beam computed tomography at baseline and after a period of 8 months.

Results: Analyzing the research results on 9 patients, 15 research units corresponding to 15 bone grafting sites, the GBR procedures an increase in bone height (p < 0,05) after treatment. In the two-staged approach, the vertical bone gain was 3.97 ± 0.92 mm; in the group of simultaneous one-staged procedure, the vertical bone gain was 3.89 ± 1.13 mm. In general, the bone height of the study sample achieved an average of 94.16 ± 10.7% compared to the ideal bone height.

Conclusion: GBR technique using a mixture of particulate autogenous bone and xenogenous bone and PRF is effective for vertical bone augmentation in maxillary and mandibular regions, ensuring favorable bone morphology, permitting sufficient bone gain to future implant placement and prosthetics.

Changes of alveolar ridge dimension after autogeneous mandibular bone augmentation with split bone block technique

2022-12-15T21:58:35+00:00

Objectives: the aim of study is to evaluate the changes of alveolar rigde dimension after split bone block technique with autogenous bone block graft from mandible on CBCT.

Methods: A case series study on 10 patients who had alveolar ridge defects (≥4 mm). The patients treated by means of split bone block technique with autogenous bone from mandible, followed by delay implant placement. Scan data from dental waxed-up model and preoperative and postoperative CBCT data were superimposed and then used to measure the changes of alveolar dimension.

Results: Preoperatively, the mean alveolar dimension was 2,46±0,83 mm in width and 9,38±1,48 mm in height. After 4 months, the mean alveolar dimension increased to 7,68 ±1,35 mm in width and 12,60±1,83 mm in height. The mean dimension gained 5,22±1,59 mm horizontally and 3,21±1,26 mm vertically.

Conclusion: This study results suggest that split bone block technique with autogenous bone block from mandible is effective in increasing the three-dimension alveolar ridge with more 4mm defect.

Antibiotics prescribed by dentists in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

2022-12-15T22:33:11+00:00

A study aims to evaluate the current use of antibiotic prescribing by dentists in Ho Chi Minh City. The prospective study collected data from 73 dentists working in Ho Chi Minh City from March to September 2022 using a questionnaire based on the online tool Google Form, including general information about dentists, patients’ infection condition, and photocopies of prescriptions. A total of 458 prescriptions was obtained. The number of prescriptions related to dental infections was 312 (68.1%), and more than 130 (28.4%) were related to procedures/surgery. Prophylactic antibiotics were indicated after interventions. The most commonly prescribed antibiotic is spiramycin combined with metronidazole (39.5%), followed by co-amoxiclav (33.8%) and amoxicillin (11.8%). Most dentists prescribed antibiotics based on their knowledge and experience (87.7%). Most of the doses, dose intervals, and duration of antibiotic use prescribed by the participants in the study were consistent with the manufacturer’s recommendations and current guidelines. However, prophylactic antibiotics are recommended to be prescribed before the interventions; single antibiotics are preferred over combination antibiotics in treating oral infections. The current situation of antibiotic prescribing in Ho Chi Minh City still has some inconsistent points compared to recommendations and guidelines. Because the species of bacteria causing the disease and the situation of susceptibility/resistance vary from place to place, further evaluation studies are needed to aim at the safe and effective use of antibiotics.

Characteristics of skin damages by using face masks and related factors in patients visited to Ho Chi Minh City hospital of Dermato-Venereology

2022-12-16T20:37:53+00:00

Backgound: Long-term mask use can lead to skin reactions, such as itching, allergic dermatitis, irritant contact dermatistis, increased sebum secretion, acne formation or increased existing acne. Currently, there are many researches on the affection on skin of persional protective equipment for Covid-19 in general and face masks in detail. To our best knowledge, there has been no studies about this issue in Vietnam up to now. Objectives: This study aims to evaluate clinal characteristics of skin damage by using face masks and related factors on patients visited the Ho Chi Minh City Hospital of Dermato-Venereology.

Methods: A descriptive study of case series on 102 patients visited the Ho Chi Minh City Hospital of Dermato-Venereology had characteristics of skin damage by using face masks and related factors. Patients were inquired about their habit of using face masks, skincare routine, the status of skin before using masks and current skin damage related to face masks.

Results: Of all the skin damages related to facemask, acne was seen in the highest percentage (89.21%), followed by allergic contact dermatitis (6.86%), seborrheic dermatitis (4.90%), skin infection (0.98%), retroauricular dermatitis (0.98%). There is no difference in skin damage related face masks between medical masks and cloth masks. But the increased sebum secretion, redness, dry skin after mask were compared in those with a mask usage of more than 8 hours per a day and those under 4 hours per day of mask usage time, there was inceases at statistically significant levels (p <0.05).

Conclusions: Wearing face masks regurlaly caused negative effects on the skin such as acnes, allergic contact dermatitis, irritants contact dermatitis. Using face masks for many hours a day increased the adverse skin reactions. We need to choose the right face masks and skincare properly to limit these conditions.

Changes of hematological and biochemical parameters in psoriasis patients treated with Secukinumab

2022-12-16T20:44:59+00:00

Introduction: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease, not just affecting skin and joints but also associated with the development of cardiovascular diseases, metabolic sydrome. Secukinumab is demonstrated highly effective in the treatment of psoriasis, but so far, there has been few research on the effect of secukinumab treatment on hematological and blood biochemistry parameters in psoriasis patients. The correlation between the change of these parameters and the change of clinical outcomes are aslo evaluated.

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of secukinumab on hematological and blood biochemistry parameters in patients with psoriasis and their possible correlations in psoriasis patients under treatment with secukinumab.

Methods: An observational study, evaluating the results before and after treatment was performed. Psoriasis patients were errolled when they had received treatmeat at least six months with secukinumab at the specialized clinic of the Ho Chi Minh City Hospital of Dermato-Venereology from January 1st 2022 to August 30th 2022. The available data on the disease activity (Psoriasis Area and severity Index – PASI), hematological and blood biochemistry parameters at base line and after 24 weeks of treatment were collected.

Results: Neutrophil count, lymphocyte count, thrombocyte count, NLR, PLR were significantly decreased after secukinumab treatment. The mean platelet volumes were significantly increased at week 24 of treatment. There was no statistically significant difference between pre-treatment and 24 weeks after treatment with secukinumab of parameters: RBC, WBC, glucose, ure, creatine, AST, ALT, C-TP, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C.

Conclusion: These analyses suggest that secukinumab can reduce inflammation parameters and have a neutral effect on glucose, liver enzymes, renal and lipid parameters.

Quality of life of COVID-19 patients after treatment at Thu Duc City Hospital

2022-12-16T20:56:56+00:00

Objective: To determine the average quality of life score and the relationship between the quality of life score of COVID-19 patients after treatment at Thu Duc City Hospital with socio-demographic characteristics and historical treatments.

Methods: A total of 188 inpatients with COVID-19, who were discharged from hospital for more than 30 days at 05 COVID-19 treatment departments of Thu Duc City Hospital from November 2021 to January 2022, were enrolled to a cross-sectional study. Data on inpatients was collected by a prepared questionnaire through medical records and telephone interview.

Results: Of 188 enrolled patients, male accounted for 36.7% and female accounted for 63.3%. Age mean of patients was 47.1 ± 14.9 years. The majority of patients had a treatment duration of more than 10 days (60.1%). The average time from the end of treatment to the time of the survey was 69.1 ± 34.2 days. Most of the COVID-19 patients had moderate disease (43.1%). Severe and critical accounted for 25.0%. The prevalence of patients with EQ-VAS score of 71-80 points was the highest with 27.7%, and 91-100 points was the lowest with 6.9%. The overall quality of life score (EQ-5D-5L scale) was 0.78 ± 0.24 points. The EQ-VAS score was 74.19 ± 15.82 points. There was a negative correlation between age, mean duration of treatment and mean quality of life score and a statistically significant relationship between age group, employment status, severity of patients with COVID-19 and quality of life score (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: The quality of life of COVID-19 patients after treatment for more than 30 days is significantly lower that of the general population and recently discharged COVID-19 patients in Vietnam. More attention should be paid to solutions to improve the quality of life of people who have been treated with COVID-19 for more than 10 days, those with severe and critical disease, and those over 70 years old.

Formulation of virgin coconut oil microemulsion with natural excipients

2023-01-20T23:18:35+00:00

Introduction: Virgin coconut (Cocos nucifera (L.)) oil (VCO) is taking attention from re-searchers because of its biological activities. However, applying VCO directly on the skin often leaves an uncomfortable feeling of greasy, clogged pores and difficult to wash. Coco-nut oil in microemulsion is a better option since it can increase bioavailability as well as convenience for users. Furthermore, this study aims to use natural ingredients, safe for the skin and environmentally friendly.

Methods: The research started from extracting saponins from Gleditsia australis by using ethanol and water as extraction solvents. The extracted saponins were characterized by chemical reactions. Then we combined saponins and some other surfactants to investigate the possibility of microemulsion formation.

Results: We extracted saponins with efficiency of 7.2%. The results showed that microemul-sions were formed using a mixture of surfactants including saponins and lecithin (ratio of 0.05:100 w:w) in the formula with a ratio of water phase, oil phase, surfactants respectively 3%, 48.5%, 48.5%. Microemulsion met the requirements of quality control and the product is microbiologically stable after 3 months of storage without using preservatives.

Conclusion: In this study, we have successfully prepared Virgin coconut oil microemulsion using natural excipients including Virgin coconut oil, water and a mixture of surfactants used as saponins and lecithin. The system showed stability at 30 and 40 °C upon three-month storage and the product is microbiologically stable after 3 months of storage without using preservatives.