Search

In 2022, the Vietnamese population in the United States (US) comprises 2.2 million individuals, and Vietnam ranks as the sixth most frequent country of origin among immigrants in the US. The American Heart Association and the National Institutes of Health have called for research to define the burden of cardiovascular risk factors, cardiovascular disease, and their determinants across Asian American subgroups, including Vietnamese Americans. Despite these calls, Vietnamese Americans remain remarkably overlooked in cardiovascular research in the US. Studies in Vietnam, small cross-sectional surveys in the US, and research using US mortality data point to a high prevalence of hypertension and tobacco use among men and a high incidence of gestational diabetes among women. Moreover, Vietnamese Americans have one of the highest rates of cerebrovascular mortality in the country. Adverse social determinants of health-including frequent language barriers, limited health literacy, and low average income-have been suggested as important factors that contribute to cardiovascular risk in this group. In this narrative review, we summarize the existing knowledge in this space, highlight the distinct characteristics of cardiac risk in both Vietnamese and Vietnamese American individuals, discuss upstream determinants, and identify key knowledge gaps. We then outline several proposed interventions and emphasize the need for further studies in this underrepresented population. Our aim is to increase awareness of the significant burden of risk factors and cardiovascular disease shouldered by this large-but thus far overlooked-population in the US, boost research in this space, and help inform tailored, effective preventive interventions.

AIMS: Residual cardiovascular risk persists despite statin therapy. In REDUCE-IT, icosapent ethyl (IPE) reduced total events, but the mechanisms of benefit are not fully understood. EVAPORATE evaluated the effects of IPE on plaque characteristics by coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). Given the conclusion that the IPE-treated patients demonstrate that plaque burden decreases has already been published in the primary study analysis, we aimed to demonstrate whether the use of an analytic technique defined and validated in histological terms could extend the primary study in terms of whether such changes could be reliably seen in less time on drug, at the individual (rather than only at the cohort) level, or both, as neither of these were established by the primary study result. METHODS AND RESULTS: EVAPORATE randomized the patients to IPE 4 g/day or placebo. Plaque morphology, including lipid-rich necrotic core (LRNC), fibrous cap thickness, and intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH), was assessed using the ElucidVivo® (Elucid Bioimaging Inc.) on CCTA. The changes in plaque morphology between the treatment groups were analyzed. A neural network to predict treatment assignment was used to infer patient representation that encodes significant morphological changes. Fifty-five patients completed the 18-month visit in EVAPORATE with interpretable images at each of the three time points. The decrease of LRNC between the patients on IPE vs. placebo at 9 months (reduction of 2 mm3 vs. an increase of 41 mm3, p = 0.008), widening at 18 months (6 mm3 vs. 58 mm3 increase, p = 0.015) were observed. While not statistically significant on a univariable basis, reductions in wall thickness and increases in cap thickness motivated multivariable modeling on an individual patient basis. The per-patient response assessment was possible using a multivariable model of lipid-rich phenotype at the 9-month follow-up, p

CAPTCHA (Completely Automated Public Turing Test to Tell Computers and Humans Apart) has long been employed to combat automated bots. It accomplishes this by utilizing distortion techniques and cognitive characteristics. When it comes to countering security attacks, cognitive CAPTCHA methods have proven to be more effective than other approaches. The advancement of eye-tracking technology has greatly improved human-computer interaction (HCI), enabling users to engage with computers without physical contact. This technology is widely used for studying attention, cognitive processes, and performance. In this specific research, we conducted eye-tracking experiments on participants to investigate how their visual behavior changes as the complexity of cognitive CAPTCHAs varies. By analyzing the distribution of eye gaze on each level of CAPTCHA, we can assess users’ visual behavior based on eye movement performance and process metrics. The data collected is then employed in Machine Learning (ML) algorithms to categorize and examine the relative importance of these factors in predicting performance. This study highlights the potential to enhance any cognitive CAPTCHA model by gaining insights into the underlying cognitive processes.

Ha Nguyen Thi Thu,1 Hung Nguyen Van,2 Tuan Nguyen Minh,3 Kien Nguyen Trung,4 Thang Le Viet1 1Department of Selection, Preparation and Treatment, Organ Transplant Center, Military Hospital 103, Vietnam Military Medical University, Ha Noi, Vietnam; 2Nephrology and Hemodialysis Department, Transport Hospital, Ha Noi, Vietnam; 3Nephrology, Urology and Hemodialysis Department, E Hospital, Ha Noi, Vietnam; 4Hematology and Blood Transfusion Center, Military Hospital 103, Vietnam Military Medical University, Ha Noi, VietnamCorrespondence: Thang Le Viet, Military Hospital 103, Vietnam Military Medical University, 261 Phung Hung, Ha Dong, Ha Noi, Vietnam, Tel +84982249968, Email lethangviet@yahoo.co.ukAim: To determine all-cause mortality rate and the predictive value of plasma ferritin and total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) concentrations for mortality during the first 3 years of hemodialysis in patients with end-stage chronic renal disease (ESRD).Methods: We conducted a study on 174 ESRD patients (estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate < 15 mL/min/1.73m2). The plasma TIBC level was quantified by the ELISA method in all patients at the time before hemodialysis. Based on TIBC concentration, patients were divided equally into 2 groups. Each group had 87 patients. Patients were initiated on hemodialysis, and patients who died from any cause during the first 3 years of hemodialysis were recorded.Results: The all-cause mortality rate of ESRD patients in the first 3 years of maintenance hemodialysis was 22.9%. Plasma high hs-CRP, high ferritin, and low TIBC concentrations were independent factors associated with all-cause mortality in the patients. Plasma ferritin (cut-off value = 454.2 ng/L) and TIBC (cut-off value = 39.84 μmol/L) were predictors of all-cause mortality, AUC is: 0.772; 0.723, p < 0.001.Conclusion: Plasma ferritin and TIBC were good predictors of all-cause mortality in ESRD patients during the first 3 years of hemodialysis.Keywords: end-stage chronic renal disease, plasma TIBC, plasma ferritin, mortality prediction, the first 3 years of maintenance hemodialysis

Across the world and within Europe, a growing number of consumers are choosing to buy gluten-free products. Motivations for a gluten-free diet and the consequences of consuming gluten are varied, from a medical necessity for those diagnosed with celiac disease to a range of health complications and discomfort for those who are gluten-intolerant. In this research, 7296 gluten-free consumers across 13 European countries responded to an online survey on the 33 types of gluten-free products purchased, how frequently they purchased them, their satisfaction with gluten-free quality and availability, the problems they have experienced, and the strategies they have employed to cope with these problems. The investigation examines whether and how these consumer attitudes and behaviors differ between those diagnosed with celiac disease, those who are gluten-intolerant, and those who are caregivers for others with a gluten-free diet. The results show that significant differences existed for all these habits and issues across the three gluten-free consumer groups. Specifically, caregivers purchased most of the gluten-free product types more frequently than the other two groups, experienced more availability problems, and were more likely to shop at multiple stores or make their own gluten-free products. Celiac-diagnosed consumers tended to buy gluten-free products more frequently than those who are gluten-intolerant, and they tended to be the most satisfied with the quality and range of gluten-free offerings. Despite purchasing frequency differences between the groups, the results suggest a similar hierarchy of gluten-free products that could provide the foundation for a European gluten-free food basket.

Toan Nguyen Duy,1,2 Quyen Dao Bui Quy,3 Loc Nguyen Duc,4 Diem Ho Viet Le,5 Khoa Le Ha,6 Tuyen Do Gia,6 Kien Nguyen Trung,1,2 Tam Nguyen Van,1,2 Oanh Nguyen Oanh,1,2 Thang Le Viet1,2 1Military Hospital 103, Hanoi, Vietnam; 2Vietnam Military Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam; 3Cho Ray Hospital, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam; 4An Sinh Hospital, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam; 5Link-02 Clinic, Pham Ngoc Thach, Da Lat, Lam Dong, Vietnam; 6Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, VietnamCorrespondence: Thang Le Viet, Military Hospital 103, Vietnam Military Medical University, Department of Nephrology and Hemodialysis, 261 Phung Hung, Ha Dong, Hanoi, Vietnam, Tel +84982249968, Email lethangviet@yahoo.co.ukObjective: To evaluate the value of contrast volume/glomerular filtration ratio (Vc/eGFR ratio) and urine Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin (uNGAL) in predicting the progression contract associated-acute kidney injury (CA-AKI) to chronic kidney disease (CKD) in planned percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) patients.Patients and Methods: We examined 387 adult patients who had undergone planned percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We determined acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) using the criteria set by the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO). We calculated the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) using the CKD-EPI formula based on serum creatinine levels. To determine the Vc/eGFR ratio, we considered the contrast medium volume and eGFR for each patient. Additionally, we measured urine NGAL levels using the ELISA method.Results: The percentage of CA-AKI patients who developed CKD after planned PCI was 36.36%. Within the CA-AKI to CKD group, the Vc/eGFR ratio was 2.82, and uNGAL levels were significantly higher at 72.74 ng/mL compared to 1.93 ng/mL for Vc/eGFR ratio and 46.57 ng/mL for uNGAL in the recovery CA-AKI group. This difference was statistically significant (p< 0.001). Diabetic mellitus, urine NGAL concentration, and Vc/eGFR ratio were found to be independent factors in the progression of CA-AKI to CKD. The Vc/eGFR ratio and uNGAL showed predictive capabilities for progressing CA-AKI to CKD with an AUC of 0.884 and 0.878, respectively. The sensitivity was 81.3% for both, while the specificity was 89.3% for Vc/eGFR ratio and 85.7% for uNGAL.Conclusion: The Vc/eGFR ratio and uNGAL were good predictors for CA-AKI to CKD in planned PCI patients.Keywords: planned percutaneous coronary intervention, contract associated-acute kidney injury, CA-AKI progression to CKD, Vc/eGFR ratio, uNGAL