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Biomedical subjects

V H Nguyen

Publications and source records attributed to V H Nguyen.

32 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

[Classification of left thoracolumbar scoliosis according to its radiologic morphology and its postural geometry].

Idiopathic scoliosis is a tridimensional (3D) deformation of the spine associated with postural geometry (PG) disorganisation. Conventional classification of scoliosis is primarily based on the analysis of PA X-rays. This is a descriptive classification that forms heterogeneous groups. Diagnosis, prognosis and treatments are then developed around partial information. The goal of this project was to divide the left thoracolumbar (TLG) class in two subgroups using exhaustive analysis of the PA and lateral X-rays, and the evaluation of postural deformations. The quantification of the PG of 14 control subjects and 20 scoliotic patients (TLG) was realised using a stereovideographic approach. For each patient, PA and lateral X-rays were done using a digital X-ray apparatus. The TLG group shows common pathological characteristics but is forming a relatively heterogeneous group. When this class is divided in two subgroups, 9 postural parameters appeared to be different from the control group, each subgroup showing specific postural characteristics. The 3D quantification of pertinent radiological parameters and the PG evaluation should allow the classification of idiopathic scoliosis patients. Furthermore, these groups of patients could be characterised, in order to improve the diagnosis, the prognosis and the treatment, with a brace or surgically.

Adolescent↗

Occupational exposure and chronic respiratory symptoms--a population based study in Vietnam.

In order to investigate the relationship between occupational exposure to dust/chemicals (toxic gases/fumes) and chronic respiratory symptoms in Vietnam, the questionnaire standardized by the American Thoracic Society was applied to 368 subjects living in Ha Thai district of Vietnam. According to the results of multiple logistic regression analyses, the odds ratios of chronic respiratory symptoms by occupational exposure are over unity, except for the relationship between chronic cough and occupational exposure to chemicals. Especially for chronic breathlessness, significantly higher odds ratios are observed among people with a history of occupational exposure to dust or chemicals: 2.925 (95% CI: 1.130-7.574) for dust, and 3.721 (95% CI: 1.412-9.803) for chemicals. As for the interaction between occupational exposure to dust and cigarette smoking, it is considered that occupational exposure leads to an increase in chronic respiratory symptoms independent of the effects of cigarette smoking.

Adult↗

Comparison of binding parameters of sigma 1 and sigma 2 binding sites in rat and guinea pig brain membranes: novel subtype-selective trishomocubanes.

Comparisons of binding parameters of [3H](+)-pentazocine and [3H]1,3-di-o-tolylguanidine (DTG) at sigma binding sites in guinea pig and rat brain membranes demonstrated that [3H](+)-pentazocine binds to a single high-affinity site, whereas [3H]DTG binds to two high-affinity sites in both species. The Kd values of the radioligands were similar in both types of membranes. However, the density of sigma 1 sites in guinea pig was significantly higher than that of rat. Novel trishomocubanes were tested for their affinities at sigma 1 and sigma 2 binding sites in guinea pig brain membranes using [3H](+)-pentazocine and [3H]DTG as the radioligands. N-(4-Phenylbutyl)-3-hydroxy-4- azahexacyclo[5.4.1.0(2,6).0(3,10).0(5,9).0(8,11)]dodecane (ANSTO-14) showed the highest affinity for the sigma 1 site (Ki = 9.4 nM) and 19-fold sigma 1/sigma 2 selectivity, as a result of increasing the alkyl chain between the cubane moiety and the aromatic ring. N-(3'-Fluorophenyl)methyl- 3-hydroxy-4-azahexacyclo[5.4.1.0(2,6).0(3,10).0(5,9).0(8,11]dodeca ne (ANSTO-19), displayed the highest affinity for sigma 2 sites (Ki = 19.6 nM) and 8-fold sigma 2/sigma 1 selectivity due to a fluoro substitution in the meta position of the aromatic ring. These represent structurally novel lead compounds, especially for the development of selective sigma 2 receptor ligands.

Analgesics, Opioid↗

Treatment of malaria in Vietnam with oral artemisinin.

In this study, 638 patients with either Plasmodium falciparum or P. vivax malaria were treated with artemisinin (qinghaosu) that was isolated and formulated into tablets and capsules in Vietnam. In all cases, artemisinin treatment resulted in a rapid clearance of parasitemia and fever. Recrudescence rates were highest in those groups receiving treatment for five or less days (50%), but were between 10% and 23% for those groups receiving the drug for 5-10 days. A low recrudescent rate (9.5%) was also found when patients were treated with a combination of artemisinin for three days and tetracycline for five days. Thus, artemisinin represents a useful and economically feasible component of the malaria control program in Vietnam.

Administration, Oral↗

Isolation, amino acid sequence, and synthesis of dermaseptin, a novel antimicrobial peptide of amphibian skin.

A 34-residue antimicrobial peptide named dermaseptin was purified to homogeneity from amphibian skin by a 3-step protocol involving molecular sieve filtration, ion-exchange chromatography, and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. The complete amino acid sequence of dermaseptin, ALWKTMLKKLGTMALHAGKAALGAAADTISQGTQ, was determined by automated Edman degradation of the peptide and of fragments generated by trypsin. Fast atom bombardment mass spectra of dermaseptin gave a protonated molecular ion m/z 3455.4 which matched the theoretical molecular weight predicted from the amino acid sequence. Dermaseptin was synthesized by the solid-phase method. The synthetic replicate was shown to be indistinguishable from natural dermaseptin with respect to chromatographic properties, amino acid sequence determination, and mass spectrometry analysis. Dermaseptin is a water-soluble, thermostable, and nonhemolytic peptide endowed with highly potent antimicrobial activity against pathogenic fungi at micromolar concentration. Circular dichroism spectra of dermaseptin in hydrophobic media indicated 80% alpha-helical conformation, and predictions of secondary structure suggested that dermaseptin can be configured as an amphiphatic alpha-helix spanning over residues 1-27, a structure that perturbs membrane functions regulating water flux.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Disturbances in toxicological experiments caused by Microsporum canis.

Cutaneous lesions which can lead to false positive results have been observed in several rabbits used for the determination of the cutaneous irritation capacity of a product (ITA, PII). The responsible agent was Microsporum canis. A preventive treatment by an antifungal agent did not modify toxicological experimental results.

Animals↗

Polymorphism in mitochondrial DNA of several Trichophyton rubrum isolates from clinical specimens.

Mitochondrial DNA from six isolates of Trichophyton rubrum (a fungal pathogen of humans) was isolated, purified and digested by restriction endonucleases HindIII, HaeIII, AluI and EcoR1. The isolates could be classified into two groups according to their characteristic fragment patterns. Electron microscopy indicated that T. rubrum mitochondrial DNA are circular molecules of different lengths, 26.85 microns and 21.60 microns respectively, according to the group.

DNA Restriction Enzymes↗

[Study of yeast flora of medical interest on the beach of Saint Anne in Guadeloupe].

An investigation of the yeast flora of medical interest was performed in sand and sea water of Sainte-Anne beach, in Guadeloupe. Yeast species of the genera: Candida, Torulopsis, Trichosporon, have been isolated, concurrently in those two environments; some of them were found in very close proportions. From this part, the authors consider the eventuality of a same source for these yeasts. The absence of Candida albicans corroborate the hypothesis in the preliminary study of the margin origin of the isolated yeasts.

Bathing Beaches↗