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Tung Nguyen Thanh,1,* Duc Minh Nguyen,2,* Tuan Dinh Le,3 Lan Ngoc Do,1 Son Tien Nguyen,3 Phuong Nguyen Minh,1 Phong Nguyen Van,4 Tien Minh Bui,5 Tuyen Thanh Thi Bui,5 Hung Nguyen Dao,6 Kien Trung Nguyen5 1Military Institute of Clinical Embryology and Histology, Vietnam Military Medical University, Hanoi, 10000, Vietnam; 2Andrology and Fertility Hospital of Hanoi, Hanoi, 10000, Vietnam; 3Department of Rheumatology and Endocrinology, Military Hospital 103, Vietnam Military Medical University, Hanoi, 10000, Vietnam; 4Department of Biology and Medical Genetics, Vietnam Military Medical University, Hanoi, 10000, Vietnam; 5Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Thai Binh University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Thai Binh, 410000, Vietnam; 6Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Military Hospital 103, Vietnam Military Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Kien Trung Nguyen, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Thai Binh University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Thai Binh, 410000, Vietnam, Tel +84989281982, Email trungkiendhytb@gmail.comBackground: To assess the relationship between oocytes with smooth endoplasmic reticulum cluster (SERc) and embryological and birth outcomes in infertile couples.Methods: This was a descriptive study that included 231 infertile patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) with a total of 2447 mature oocytes (MII), of which 279 oocytes with SERc(+) from 100 patients, the remaining 2168 oocytes with SERc(-). Oocytes were evaluated for the presence or absence of the SERc simultaneously with intracytoplasmic sperm injection at 200x magnification using inverted microscopy – Observe D1.Results: The mean age of patients was 32.05 ± 5.56 years. One hundred patients had at least one SERc(+) oocyte (with 279 SERc(+) and 956 SERc(-) oocytes). One hundred and thirty-one patients had 1212 SERc(-) oocytes. Fertilization outcomes and the rates of good-quality embryos on day 2 and day 5 did not differ between the SERc(+) and the SERc(-) groups. In the first frozen embryo transfer cycles, the clinical pregnancy rate in the group of patients with SERc(+) was not different with the SERc(-) group (61.1% vs 48.78%, p = 0.074, respectively). The live birth rate in the SERc(+) group was statistically significantly higher than the SERc(-) group (57.7% vs 43.9%, p = 0.045, respectively).Conclusion: The fertilization rate, the quality of embryos on days 2 and 5 from oocytes with SERc(+) are similar to those with SERc(-). The live birth rate in the patients with SERc(+) group is statistically significantly higher than the SERc(-) group. There is no difference in clinical pregnancy rate between patients with and without SERc. Therefore, the exclusion of oocytes with SERc should not be recommended.Keywords: Smooth reticulum endoplasmic cluster, SERc, Intracytoplasmic sperm injection, In vitro fertilization, IVF

Tung Nguyen Thanh,1 Sang Trieu Tien,2 Phong Nguyen Van,2 Son Dang Thai,3 Thuc Luong Cong,4 Tuan Dinh Le,5 Son Tien Nguyen,5 Tuan Tran Van,1 Hoang Huy Duong,6 Tien Minh Bui,7 Kien Trung Nguyen7 1Military Institute of Clinical Embryology and Histology, Vietnam Military Medical University, Hanoi, 100000, Vietnam; 2Department of Biology and Medical Genetics, Vietnam Military Medical University, Hanoi, 100000, Vietnam; 3Institute of Biological and Food Technology, Hanoi Open University, Hanoi, 100000, Vietnam; 4Cardiovascular Center, Military Hospital 103, Vietnam Military Medical University, Hanoi, 100000, Vietnam; 5Department of Rheumatology and Endocrinology, Military Hospital 103, Vietnam Military Medical University, Hanoi, 100000, Vietnam; 6Department of Neurology, Thai Binh University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Thai Binh, 410000, Vietnam; 7Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Thai Binh University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Thai Binh, 410000, VietnamCorrespondence: Sang Trieu Tien, Department of Biology and Medical Genetics, Vietnam Military Medical University, Hanoi, 100000, Vietnam, Email trieusangk83@yahoo.com.vnBackground: To optimize the multiplex polymerase chain reaction (M-PCR) technique to diagnose microdeletions of azoospermia factors (AZF) on the Y chromosome and initially apply the technique to diagnose male patients with sperm density less than 5× 106 million sperm/mL was assigned to do a test to check for AZF microdeletions on the Y chromosome.Methods: Based on the positive control samples which belong to male subjects who have had 2 healthy children without any assisted reproductive technologies, the M-PCR method was developed to detect simultaneously and accurately AZF microdeletions on 32 male patients with sperm densities below 5× 106 million sperm/mL of semen at the Department of Biology and Medical Genetics – Vietnam Military Medical University.Results: Successful optimization of the M-PCR technique including 7 reactions arranged according to each AZFabc region using 24 STS/gene on the Y chromosome. Initial application to diagnose AZF deletion on 32 azoospermic and oligospermic men reveals that AZFa deletion accounts for 6.25% (2/32); deletion of all 3 regions AZFa,b,c with 18.75% (6/32 cases); The combined deletion rate of AZFb,c is highest, accounting for 56.24% (18/32 patients).Conclusion: Successfully optimized the M-PCR technique in identifying AZF microdeletions using 24 sequence tagged sites (STS)/gene for azoospermic and oligozoospermic men. The M-PCR technique has great potential in the application of AZF deletion diagnosis.Keywords: male infertility, azoospermia factors, AZF, multiplex polymerase chain reaction, M-PCR, sequence tagged sites, STS

Nhat Nguyen Ngoc,1 My Tran Ngoc Thao,2 Sang Trieu Tien,3 Son Vu Tung,4 Hoang Le,5 Hung Ho Sy,6 Tung Nguyen Thanh,1 Son Trinh The1 1Military Institute of Clinical Embryology and Histology, Vietnam Military Medical University, Hanoi, 12108, Vietnam; 2Département de formation Biologie moléculaire et cellulaire, Sorbonne University, Paris, 75006, France; 3Department of Biology and Genetics, Vietnam Military Medical University, Hanoi, 12108, Vietnam; 4Department of Epidemiology, Vietnam Military Medical University, Hanoi, 12108, Vietnam; 5IVFTA, Tam Anh General Hospital, Hanoi, 100000, Vietnam; 6Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, 100000, VietnamCorrespondence: Son Trinh The; Tung Nguyen Thanh, Military Institute of Clinical Embryology and Histology, Vietnam Military Medical University, Hanoi, 12108, Vietnam, Email trinhtheson@vmmu.edu.vn; nguyenthanhtung@vmmu.edu.vnObjective: To investigate the relationship between unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss (URPL) and polymorphisms of homocysteine metabolism-related genes in women.Materials and Methods: A case–control study included 90 women with two or more consecutive unexplained pregnancy losses and 92 controlled women without miscarriage history; the female participants were in the age category of 18– 35 years. The high-resolution melting technique was used to detect the single-nucleotide variants related to homocysteine metabolism disorder, namely MTHFR C677T, MTHFR A1298C, MTR A2756G, and MTRR A66G polymorphism.Results: The MTHFR C677T polymorphism had significantly correlation with URPL. Indeed, the frequency of the677T allele and genotypes (677CT, 677TT) in the URPL group was significantly higher than that in the control group (p < 0.05). However, the allele, as well as genotype distribution of MTHFR A1298C, MTR A2756G, and MTRR A66G polymorphisms showed no significant difference (p > 0.05). MTHFR 677CT-1298AC genotype combination led to a 9.0-fold increased risk of URPL (OR 9.0; 95% CI, 2.25– 35.99; p = 0.001), while the risk increased 10.0-fold (OR 10.0; 95% CI, 1.8– 55.53; p = 0.008) when participants had more than the 3 variant loci.Conclusion: The MTHFR C677T polymorphism was a risk factor for URPL, and determining the MTHFR C677T polymorphism had a potential prediction of URPL risk. Moreover, the MTHFR C677T and MTHFR A1298C joint mutants might have a synergistic effect on URPL. Conversely, there is a lack of evidence suggesting the URPL risk of MTHFR A1298C, MTR A2756G, and MTRR A66G polymorphisms.Keywords: unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss, homocysteine, MTHFR C677T, MTHFR A1298C, MTR A2756G, MTRR A66G

Sang Trieutien,1,&ast; Tam Vu Van,2,3,&ast; My Tran Ngoc Thao,4 Son Trinh The,5 Khoa Tran Van,1 Tung Nguyen Thanh,5 Tuan Tran Van,5 Hanh Nguyen Thi6 1Department of Biology and Genetics, Vietnam Military Medical University, Hanoi, 12108, Vietnam; 2Director Office, Hai Phong Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Haiphong, 40000, Vietnam; 3Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Haiphong University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Haiphong, 40000, Vietnam; 4Département de formation Biologie moléculaire et cellulaire, Sorbonne University, Paris, 75006, France; 5Military Institute of Clinical Embryology and Histology, Vietnam Military Medical University, Hanoi, 12108, Vietnam; 6Faculty of Biology, VNU University of Science, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, 12108, Vietnam&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Son Trinh TheMilitary Institute of Clinical Embryology and Histology, Vietnam Military Medical University, Hanoi, 12108, VietnamEmail trinhthesonart@gmail.comBackground: Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a disorder characterized by the appearance of blisters, erosions and wounds in response to minimal trauma. The disease manifests with noticeable symptoms ranging from mild to severe, classified into four major types: epidermolysis bullosa simplex (EBS), junctional epidermolysis bullosa (JEB), dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (DEB) and Kindler syndrome. Preimplantation genetic diagnosis for the disease remains the only available option for families at risk for the recurrence of the disorder without having to terminate an ongoing pregnancy.Materials and Methods: A novel COL7A1 mutation was used to design primers for the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify the segment spanning the mutation in the family and their in-vitro fertilization (IVF) embryos. Then, the PCR products were sequenced with Sanger sequencing to detect the alteration in the allele, and some embryos would go through NGS-based preimplantation screening for chromosomal abnormalities.Results: The established protocol for EB detected mutant allele in 6/9 embryos (66.6%), while the remaining 3 embryos (33.4%) appeared to not carry any mutation. Only one among 3 embryos was recommended to be transferred into the mother’s uterus.Conclusion: The established preimplantation genetic diagnosis procedure is helpful to families affected by epidermolysis bullosa caused by COL7A1 mutations but wish to have healthy children.Keywords: epidermolysis bullosa, rare dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, EB, RDEB, skin disorder, COL7A1 gene mutation, preimplantation genetic diagnosis, PGD

Dac Hong An Ngo,1 Binh Le Trong,1 Dam Le Dinh,2 Khanh Le Dinh,2 Vu Pham Anh,2 Mao Nguyen Van,3 Thao Nguyen Thanh1 1Department of Radiology, Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hue University, Hue, Vietnam; 2Department of Surgery, Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hue University, Hue, Vietnam; 3Department of Histology, Embryology, Pathology and Forensic Medicine, Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hue University, Hue, VietnamCorrespondence: Thao Nguyen ThanhDepartment of Radiology, Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hue University, Hue, 53000, VietnamTel +84 906 44 99 64Email ntthao@hueuni.edu.vnAbstract: The coexistence of multiple synchronous primary malignancies is uncommon. The coexistence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is even rarer. We present a case of a 44-year-old male patient with a history of chronic hepatitis B and a right renal mass treated by radical nephrectomy. At the 2-month follow-up, a new lesion was detected in the left lobe of the liver. Postsurgery histologic evaluation with immunohistochemical study of both lesions confirmed the renal and hepatic lesions to be RCC and HCC, respectively.Keywords: renal cell carcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, synchronous cancers, imaging findings, immunohistochemistry

Thu Le Hoang Di,1 Thanh Hoang Ngoc,1 Dac Hong An Ngo,1 Nghi Thanh Nhan Le,2 Binh Le Trong,1 Khoan Le Trong,1 Thao Nguyen Thanh1 1Department of Radiology, Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hue University, Hue, Vietnam; 2Department of Surgery, Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hue University, Hue, VietnamCorrespondence: Thao Nguyen ThanhDepartment of Radiology, Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hue University, Hue, 53000, VietnamTel +84 906 44 99 64Email ntthao@hueuni.edu.vnIntroduction and Purpose: An abnormal patellar position has been proven to be associated with anterior knee pain and several other conditions that affect the patellofemoral joint. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of patella alta and patella baja and the applicability of the normal range of the Insall-Salvati ratio in the Vietnamese population.Methodology: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to examine 455 Vietnamese subjects’ knees. The Insall-Salvati ratio—the ratio of patellar ligament length (LL) and patellar length (PL)—was measured using sagittal T1-weighted images.Results: The overall mean LL/PL ratio was 1.02 (standard deviation 0.15). No significant differences in the LL/PL ratio were observed between sexes. The frequencies of patella alta (Insall-Salvati ratio > 1.32) and patella baja (Insall-Salvati ratio < 0.72) were 0.9% and 2.4%, respectively.Conclusion: The Insall-Salvati ratio is applicable to Vietnamese populations in which high flexion activities such as kneeling and sitting cross-legged are customary. According to our measurement, the normal range of the ratio among Vietnamese subjects was 0.72 to 1.32.Keywords: Insall–Salvati ratio, patellofemoral joint, anterior knee pain, MRI, Vietnamese

Past studies have shown that shallow subgrade soil can transform to a slurry (i.e., fluidization) under unfavourable cyclic loading. However, the depth-dependent behaviour of soil parameters during this process has not been properly understood. The current study utilised a large-scale cylindrical test rig, where instrumentation was installed to observe the soil behaviour along the depth of the test specimens under cyclic loading, to examine and quantify the onset of soil fluidization. The results show that excess pore water pressure tends to rise more at the upper layers causing zero-effective stress, while void ratio expands rapidly within the deteriorated soil fabric, making the water content approach the liquid limit of soil when internal moisture migration occurs from the bottom to the top of the specimen. The larger the cyclic load, the deeper the fluidized zone and the faster the fluidization. The study also suggests that the zero-effective stress condition alone cannot interpret the inception of soil fluidization; hence, the change in void ratio and the liquidity index during the application of cyclic loading should also be considered in tandem. Key words: consolidation, excess pore pressures, soil fluidization, cyclic loading, fabric/structure of soils, 1. Introduction Subjected to unfavourable cyclic loading induced by heavy haul trains, surface soil layer tends to degrade considerably with increasing excess pore water pressure (EPWP) to initiate fluidization (Duong [...]

Recent investigations have shown that under adverse cyclic triaxial loading, the upper part of soil specimens can turn into a fluid-like state with increased water content (i.e., fluidization), whereas the lower layers can maintain a relatively high stiffness. This paper aims to gain further insight into this behaviour by monitoring the development in excess pore water pressure (EPWP) at the top and bottom of the test specimens, followed by post- analysis of water content distribution along the specimen. The results show that the EPWP at the uppermost part of the specimen develops rapidly and approaches the zeroeffective stress level, whereas the EPWP at the bottom part of the specimen tends to stabilize while undergoing densification. Accompanied with this process is a redistribution of the water content along the specimen height where the water content at the upper soil layer increases to approach the liquid limit while increasing the void ratio. Key words: railways, excess pore water pressures, cyclic loading, soil fluidization, mud pumping Des etudes recentes ont montre que sous une charge triaxiale cyclique defavorable, la partie superieure des echantillons de sol peut se transformer en un etat fluide avec une teneur en eau accrue (c'est- a-dire une fluidisation), tandis que les couches inferieures peuvent maintenir une rigidite relativement elevee. L'article actuel vise a mieux comprendre ce comportement en surveillant l'evolution de la surpression d'eau interstitielle (EPWP) en haut et en bas des specimens d'essai, puis en analysant la distribution de la teneur en eau le long du specimen. Les resultats montrent que la PEMP dans la partie superieure de l'eprouvette se developpe rapidement et s'approche du niveau de contrainte effective nulle, tandis que la PEMP dans la partie inferieure de l'eprouvette tend a se stabiliser tout en subissant une densification. Ce processus s'accompagne d'une redistribution de la teneur en eau le long de la hauteur de l'echantillon, ou la teneur en eau de la couche superieure du sol augmente pour se rapprocher de la limite de liquidite tout en augmentant le taux de vide. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles : chemins de fer, pressions excessives de l'eau interstitielle, charge cyclique, fluidification du sol, pompage de boue, Introduction Low-to-medium-plasticity soils can transform to a slurry under adverse cyclic loading induced by the passage of trains (e.g., mud pumping and slurry holes), as shown in recent studies (Duong [...]

Understanding the role that settlement can have on the base resistance of piles is a crucial matter in the design and safety control of deep foundations under various buildings and infrastructure, especially for long to super-long piles (60–90 m length) in soft soil. This paper presents a novel assessment of this issue by applying explainable machine learning (ML) techniques to a robust database (1131 datapoints) of fully instrumented pile tests across 37 real-life projects in the Mekong Delta. The analysis of data based on conventional methods shows distinct responses of long piles to rising settlement, as compared to short piles. The base resistance can rapidly develop at a small settlement threshold (0.015–0.03% of pile's length) and contribute up to 50–55% of the total bearing capacity in short piles, but it slowly rises over a wide range of settlement to only 20–25% in long piles due to considerable loss of settlement impact over the depth. Furthermore, by leveraging the advantages of ML methods, the results significantly enhance our understanding of the settlement–base resistance relationship through explainable computations. The ML-based prediction method is compared with popular practice codes for pile foundations, further attesting to the high accuracy and reliability of the newly established model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While the fabric of soil can significantly influence its behaviour, the effect of varying fabric parameters on the subgrade shear response is still not well understood. This study creates soil specimens with different fabrics which are then captured through X-ray microscopic-computed tomography scanning and quantified by image processing techniques. A comprehensive laboratory investigation is conducted to understand how the soil fabric affects its monotonic and cyclic shear behaviour. The results indicate that the consolidation method creates a more homogeneous fabric with mainly small-to-medium interconnected pores, whereas the compaction technique creates significantly large and mostly inter-aggregate pores with lower connectivity. In this regard, the consolidated specimens exhibit an elastic-perfectly plastic behaviour, while the compacted specimens show strain-hardening transformation during isotropic monotonic shearing. Under anisotropic conditions, the compacted specimens exhibit a greater strain softening response and excess pore pressure than the consolidated specimens because they have a weaker fabric. Furthermore, the compacted specimens show a smaller threshold strain at a lower critical number of cycles due to the collapse of large pores. These current findings prove the decisive role that soil fabric plays in determining the shear response and failure of subgrade soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]