Medicinal Plant, Anoectochilus: Distribution, Ecology, Commercial Value and Use in North Vietnam

Background: Anoectochilusorchids have been widely used as medicine. However, it has been overharvested in nature because of high commercial values. This study aims at identifying distribution ranges and ecological characteristics of Anoectochilusorchids serving for sustainable development and describing traditional uses by ethnic people in Lai Chau Province, North Vietnam.Methods: Twenty-one plots of 100 m2each (10 m × 10 m) were established for ecological survey and stand structures were analyzed for vegetation characteristics. While interviewing was applied to gather information on harvesting method, marketing, and medicinal uses.Results: Three Anoectochilusorchids (A. lanceolatus, A.calcareus, and A. setaceus) were found in Lai Chau Province, North Vietnam. These species distribute in both evergreen old-growth and secondary broadleaved forests, and mixed broadleaf-bamboo forest on the elevations of 996–2,134 m. They grow in forests with a high canopy cover of 67 m2canopy area/ 100 m2land and high cover (> 90% land) of low vegetation (< 2 m tall). It is believed that using the whole plant of Anoectochiluscan treat hypertension and diabetes mellitus and improve the development of underdeveloped children. The folk uses include soaking in alcohol and boiled water for daily drinks like green tea, and consuming as a vegetable. The best harvesting season is during Autumn–Winter and fresh product is mainly marketed with the price of up to 100 U$D/1 kg fresh mass.Conclusion:A. lanceolatus, A.calcareusand A. setaceusare potential forest herbs for poverty reduction to ethnic communities in North Vietnam. The natural populations have been reduced remarkably because of overharvesting. Growing techniques are an urgent need for the conservation and sustainable development of such valuable orchids

A systematic review of the burden of neonatal mortality and morbidity in the ASEAN Region.

Neonatal morbidity and mortality are major global public health challenges representing an increasing proportion of overall under-5 child mortality, with the vast majority of neonatal deaths occurring in resource-limited settings. In the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region, it is estimated that approximately 200 000 neonatal deaths occur annually with reported estimates of the neonatal mortality rate ranging from 1 to over 30 per 1000 live-births, depending on the setting. The aim of this study is to conduct a systematic review of published data on neonatal morbidity and mortality from the ASEAN region over the last 10 years. Very few published studies reporting neonatal morbidity and mortality in this region were found. Importantly, data are available from just a few countries, with an underrepresentation of the most resource-limited settings. The majority of the studies describing mortality and morbidity were retrospective surveys or focussed on a specific cause of neonatal morbidity. Studies included findings from a range of settings, from neonatal intensive care to community settings utilizing verbal autopsy. Therefore, comprehensive and prospective data are needed to inform priorities and potential interventions to improve neonatal care and reduce neonatal mortality in this region.

Neonatal bladder rupture.

Neonatal bladder rupture is rare as a complication of bladder obstruction due to abnormal anatomy or iatrogenic cause such as umbilical catheterization. The present study describes the case of a 27-day old infant with ascites due to bladder perforation secondary to bladder wall necrosis as a result of severe urinary tract infection. The baby was treated aggressively with antibiotics and underwent successful surgical repair of the perforation.

Prevalence and Morphologic Features of Ponticulus Posticus in Koreans: Analysis of 312 Radiographs and 225 Three-dimensional CT Scans

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective review of three-dimensional CT scan images and radiographs. PURPOSE: To investigate the prevalence and morphologic features of ponticulus posticus in Koreans. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: There has been little reported on the prevalence or morphologic characteristics of ponticulus posticus in Asians, predisposing them to vertebral artery injury during screw placement in the lateral mass of the atlas. METHODS: The presence and types of ponticulus posticus were investigated on 225 consecutive cervical three-dimensional CT scans and 312 consecutive digital lateral cephalometric head radiographs. RESULTS: Various spectra of ponticulus posticus were found in 26% of the CT scans and 14% of the radiographs. CONCLUSIONS: Ponticulus posticus is a relatively common anomaly in Koreans. Therefore, the presence of this anomaly should be carefully examined for on radiographs before lateral mass screw placement. If ponticulus posticus is suspected or confirmed on radiographs, three-dimensional CT scanning should be considered before placement of lateral mass screws into the posterior arch, especially given its wide variation of size and shape.

Exacerbated fast arrhythmia and Wolff - Parkinson syndrome at Cardiovascular Department of Hai Ba Trung Hospital from January 1996 to August 1999

Study on medical records of 2.632 exacerbated fast arrhythmia patients, treated in Hai Ba Trung Hospital from January 1996 to August 1999. The results: exacerbated fast arrhythmia and Wolff - Parkinson syndrome (W.P.W) were rarely forms among general cardiovascular diseases (17.96%). The disease occurred mainly in 40-69 year-old patients, the rate of female were higher than male. For W.P.W syndrome, the disease common occurred in 30-49 year-old patients, the rate of male were higher than female. Pressing eyeball was still an effective method though it was not absolute. Cordarone drug had a good effect. Electrical shock was the most effective and the last treatment method after failure in other methods

Study on acceptable situation in buying contraceptive pills at Ha Noi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh city

Cross-sectional survey woman in reproductive age (from 15 to 49 years old) who use free cost contraceptive pills in 2003. Result: Women who accept to buy contraceptive pill are from 26 to 49 years of age commonly (92,7%), housewife (40,6%), married (98,8%), and education level from primary to secondary (74,1%). The percentage of women having income from 300.000 to 700.000 per month who accept to buy contraceptive pill is highest (62,3%). 2. Ideal drug is bought by 88,4%. The percentage of women who accept to buy contraceptive is quite high (93,8%), among them 50,2% are at the ready to buy, 43,6 can buy. 54,5% don’t buy due to no have money and 29,6% due to unconvenient.

Study on the oral contraceptive pill use in Ha Noi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh city

The study on the oral contraceptive pill use in 722 women at reproductive age in 2003 was reported that: The highest rate of use oral contraceptive pill in the group of women at 26-49 years old (92.1%); Women educated from primary to high-school levels accounted for 74.1%; Women with 1-2 children accounted 84.5%; For income 60.6% of women with the range from 300000-700000VND/monthly. The most popular contraceptive pill was Ideal (76.2%). Adverse effects of taking pill were nausea (17.9%) and putting on weight (11.9%).