Latest Articles

  1. Narrative review

    Overview of Dravet syndrome and an update in therapeutics

    Do H.
    Dravet syndrome is a developmental epileptic encephalopathy characterized by early onset drug-resistant seizures and other clinical features, including intellectual disability and impairments in behavior, motor, and sleep which cause poor quality of life and impact the long-term course. The pathogenesis of Dravet syndrome is strongly connected to the dysfunction of the voltage-gated sodium channel, more specifically, to mutations in SCN1A gene. Epilepsy in Dravet syndrome is very refractory and seizures remain poorly controlled even with multiple conventional anti-epileptic drugs. Therapeutic approaches in Dravet syndrome have undergone tremendous changes in the lastest years and the current consensus of seizure management strategy in Dravet syndrome consists of a combination of conventional drugs and three recently approved drugs including stiripentol, cannabidiol, and fenfluramine. This review article aims to update recent changes to the therapeutic landscape for Dravet syndrome by summarizing the most key data from the clinical development of stiripentol, cannabidiol, and fenfluramine. This article also reviews and discusses the latest findings of other pharmacotherapies in development, including serotonergic agents, soticlestat, verapamil as well well strategies to treat the underlying cause of Dravet syndrome, including gene therapy and antisense oligonucleotides.
    Published: 2024-06-30633-643
  2. Original research

    The characteristics of clinical, microbiological and antibiotic resistance profile in patients with bacterial keratitis at Ho Chi Minh City Eye Hospital in 2020

    Tran B., Lê H., Phan A., Pham H., Nguyen L., Tran P., Pham H.
    Purpose: To investigate the epidemiological, clinical, microbiological characteristics and antibiotic resistance profile in patients with bacterial corneal ulcers at Ho Chi Minh City Eye Hospital in 2020. Methods: An observational retrospective study was conducted on 242 cases diagnosed with bacterial corneal ulcers examined at Ho Chi Minh City Eye Hospital from January 2020 to December 2020. Information about patients’ medical history, clinical symptoms, and test results was collected from medical records. Results: Bacterial keratitis was more often seen in males and in middle-age group. Injury as a risk factor accounted for a considerable proportion of cases (24,4%). Self-treatment was common (23,1%). The culture results were mainly Gram-positive (56,6%), in which coagulase-negative staphylococci (49,2%) predominates. Pseudomonas aeruginosa (26,9%) was the most common Gram-negative pathogen. The resistance rate of coagulase-negative staphylococci to common antibiotics, including fluoroquinolones group, was relatively high (50,0 – 100,0%). Meanwhile, P.aeruginosa was sensitive to many fluoroquinolones, as well as to tobramycin and ceftazidime. Notably, we recorded twelve cases of resistance to all tested antibiotics. The rate of visual acuity improvement at the time of discharge was still unfavorably low (5,8%). There were 43,0% of patients experiencing at least one serious complication: increased intraocular pressure, endophthalmitis, impending perforation and perforation of the cornea. Up to 11,6% of patients had to resort to enucleation. Conclusions: Corneal ulceration related to trauma accounted for a significant percentage. Self-medication was still common. The high rate of antibiotic resistance along with the appearance of numerous multi-drug resistance cases is very worrying. Severe consequences were left upon patients’ eyesight.
    Published: 2024-06-30624-632
  3. Original research

    The relationship between traditional medicine constitutional types and dysmenorrhea in female students at the Faculty of Traditional Medicine at University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City

    Le H., Pham T., Bùi M. C.âu
    Dysmenorrhea is a prevalent health issue that significantly affects the quality of life for women in their reproductive years, particularly among female students studying traditional medicine. These individuals, given their specific learning and living conditions, are at an elevated risk of experiencing menstrual pain. Traditional Medicine emphasizes the connection between dysmenorrhea and an individual's body constitution. Recognizing and adjusting one's body constitution can be beneficial in both preventing and supporting the treatment of this condition. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the traditional medicine constitutional types and dysmenorrhea in female students at the Faculty of Traditional medicine at University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City.
    Published: 2024-03-10619-623
  4. Original research

    Stromal CD10 expression in ameloblastomas: Correlation with clinical, radiographic and histopathologic characteristics

    Vo T., Nguyen C.
    There were significant association between stromal CD10 expression and clinical, radiographic and histopathologic characteristics of ameloblastomas. Expression CD10 by stromal cells might be correlated to local invasion of ameloblastomas.
    Published: 2023-12-31601-610
  5. Original research

    Optimizing Fiber Laser Ablation for Enhancing the Tumor Microenvironment in Neuroblastoma

    Nguyen G., Nguyen K., Nguyen Q., Pham C., Bui B., Nguyen B.
    Neuroblastoma (NB) is a type of cancer that often affects children. Surgical management of smaller tumors (those less than 5 cm in size) poses unique challenges, making it difficult to ensure thorough and effective treatment. The primary aim of our study is to develop and optimize a model for laser ablation specifically tailored for small NB tumors.
    Published: 2023-12-31611-618
  6. Original research

    Optimisation of a floating tablet containing clarithromycin 500 mg

    Cao T.,ị T., T.,ảo Nguyễn N.,ọc T., P.,ươn., Trần Văn T.,àn., Hoàng M., C.,âu Nguyễn N.ọc K.ôi
    The purpose of the research is to optimize the formulation of a gastric floating drug delivery system of clarithromycin 500 mg (CLA). CLA is a macrolide antibiotic, indicated in the treatment of sinusitis, pharyngitis, pneumonia, acute and chronic bronchitis, especially in the treatment of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. The formulation design is retained in the stomach for prolonging the floating time to improve bioavailability, drug absorption. The excipients include polymers such as hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) to control drug release. Besides, sodium bicarbonate is generally used in pharmaceuticals as a source of carbon dioxide in effervescent tablets – has been used as a gas-forming agent in floating to prolong floating time and reducing gastric irritation. Preformulating testing is not the interaction between the ingredients together. In vitro floating time and vitro dissolution studies were carried out that the results of the best formulation with HPMC K100M, HPMC K15M and NaHCO3 are 22%; 12.5% và 14.7% based on concentrate of CLA. The formulations were designed by Design - Expert and BCPharsolf OTP. The result of research showed that the floating time is approximately 8.53 – 9.34 hours and drug release for 12 hours, respectively 25% (after 2 hours), 20 – 40% (after 4 hours) and over 80% (12 hours). The analytical method for determination and quantification of CLA such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and Fourier transform infrared FTIR.
    Published: 2023-06-30567-577
  7. Case Reports

    Uterine leiomyoma in a 14 – year – old girl: Case report and literature review

    Toàn P.,ạm Huệ Võ Hưng N.ễn
    Uterine leiomyomas are benign tumors arising from the smooth muscle cells of the uterus or extracellular matrix, that are very common among women of reproductive age between 30 and 50 years of age. However, their incidence is extremely rare in women under 15-year-old (<1%) with unknown etiology. Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) comfirms the location, number, size of mass, which plays an important role in prognosis and treatment. Leiomyomas have been managed in a variety of methods and are considered to decide the most optimal way to preserve fertility in adolescents.
    Published: 2023-06-30578-583
  8. Original research

    External root resorption in mandibular second molars associated with mesial, impacted third molars on CBCT images

    Hoang K., Nguyen L.
    Objectives: The study aimed to investigate the condition of the external root resorption (ERR) of the distal surface of the root of the second molars when the third molar are impacted, mesial on CBCT images and the relationship between the ERR and the morphological characteristics of third molars Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was performed on a sample consisting of 215 CBCT images of the third molars impacted of 145 patients who visited and treated at the Department of Odonto-Stomatology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy. Ho Chi Minh City from March 2016 to June 2022. On the CBCT image, the morphological characteristics of third molars were examined, including: mesial angulations, vertical and horizontal positions, impaction depth, degree of root formation, contact position between second and third molars. ERR of the distal surface of the root of the second molars assessed according to the Ericson and Kurol criteria. Results: The rate of ERR on the distal surface of the second molar was 21.39%, in which the cervical was the most frequent position, followed by the middle of the root and finally the apex; most of the cases were slight resorptions. There was no statistically significant difference between the rate, location and degree of ERR by age and sex. There was no statistically significant relationship between the rate of ERR and the morphological characteristics of third molars except the vertical position of third molars. Conclusion: The second RCL root resorption related to impacted third molars is not uncommon and can be accurately determined by CBCT.
    Published: 2023-06-30584-594
  9. Case Reports

    Pediatric uveitis complicating in cataract formation regained normal visual acuity – a challenging case

    Tran B.
    Background: Pediatric uveitis and its complications are important causes of child blindness. Strong inflammatory response and unstable treatment compliance result in worse treatment outcome than adults and frequent recurrence. However, effective anti-inflammatory treatment can still lead to good result. Case report: We report a case of pan-uveitis in a 13-year-old patient, complicating in cataract formation who was successfully treated and regained 20/20 final visual acuity. The patient was admitted to us due to blurry vision, pain and redness on her left eye, with best-corrected visual acuity 12/20, intraocular pressure 15 mmHg, ciliary flush, anterior chamber cell and constricted pupil with poor light reflex. Her left eye was diagnosed with anterior uveitis and treated with topical prednisone acetate along with peri-orbital injection of dexamethasone. At 1-week follow-up, her left eye showed significant progress with best-corrected visual acuity being 16/20 and no inflammatory reaction detected. Due to social distancing in Covid-19 pandemic, she was unable to have follow-up examinations; her condition worsened to pan-uveitis which complicated in cataract formation and her visual acuity fell down to counting finger 0.5m. She was then treated with systemic methylprednisolone in 2 weeks and local corticosteroids in 6 months, including 3 consecutive peri-orbital injections of triamcinolone acetate with monthly interval and topical prednisone acetate; after that she underwent cataract surgery with anterior vitreous humor removed and intraocular lens implanted in the ciliary sulcus. At 1-month follow-up, best-correct visual acuity of her left eye was 20/20 and intraocular pressure was 16 mmHg, the inflammatory response of her left eye was completely in control. Conclusion: Effective anti-inflammatory treatment even after surgery (if existed) takes the decisive role in regaining patient’s vision. Cataract removal surgery on pediatric uveitis patients should combine with vitrectomy and the surgeon should be prepared to place the intraocular lens in the ciliary sulcus.
    Published: 2023-06-30595-600
  10. Original research

    Concordance between HB&L system and conventional culture method for bacterial antibiotic susceptibilities from positive blood samples at Hospital for Tropical Diseases from 03/2020 to 04/2021

    Nguyen Ngoc Quynh N., Nguyen Co D., Hoang Xuan S., Nguyen Khanh D., Le Thi D., Nguyen Phu Huong L., Nguyen Ho Hong H.
    Presently, shortening the time-to-result of antimicrobial susceptibility test (AST) is of the utmost importance for sepsis management in an effort to reduce mortality and antibiotic resistance rate. HB&L ((Human Biological Liquid Culture), a product of the Alifax company (Italy), can detect replicating microorganisms and their antibiotic resistance in a few hours with high sensitivity and specificity by using light scattering technique. This study aims to evaluate the correlation between rapid antibiogram using the HB&L system and the routine methods on positive blood cultures at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases in Ho Chi Minh City from March 2020 to April 2021. Gram-positive bacteria blood samples were tested against Cefoxitin, Vancomycin while Gram-negative bacteria samples were trialed with Ceftriaxone, Levofloxacin, Piperacillin-Tazobactam and Meropenem. The concordance of the two methods was defined by the categorical agreement (CA), very major errors (VME), major errors (ME) and minor errors (mE) in Cumitech 31A. Of the 81 blood culture samples containing Gram-negative bacteria, the CA of Ceftriaxone, Meropenem, Levofloxacin and Piperacillin-Tazobactam were 90%, 100%, 67% and 88%. The maximum VME was 22% for Levofloxacin. On the other hand, of the 32 Gram-positive samples, CA and VME of Cefoxitin were 53% and 65% respectively while CA of Vancomycin was 100%. The median time to receive rapid AST results of the HB&L system is 4.43 hours faster than the standard that.
    Published: 2023-06-30558-566

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