Improvement of the Weather Resistance of a Selective Laser-Sintered Copolyester-Limestone Composite Using UV-326 and UV-328.

A copolyester-limestone composite fabricated with selective laser sintering technology is a potential material for the repair of ancient brick structures damaged by the sun and rain, however the weather resistance of this material must be improved. Herein, UV-236 and UV-328 were employed as UV stabilizers and added into the composite. The results show that the addition of UV-326 and UV-328 effectively inhibited the degradation of CH and ester groups and the formation of hydroxyl, carbonyl, and carboxyl groups. Thus, the stabilizers significantly reduced the color change and decline in mechanical properties of the composite under sun and rain conditions. The proposed strategy can be used for the repair of damaged precious brick buildings.

Economic burden of venous thromboembolism in surgical patients: A propensity score analysis from the national claims database in Vietnam.

BACKGROUND: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) associated with surgery can cause serious comorbidities or death and imposes a substantial economic burden to society. The study examined VTE cases after surgery to determined how this condition imposed an economic burden on patients based on the national health insurance reimbursement database. Methods: This retrospective analysis adopted the public payer's perspective. The direct medical cost was estimated using data from the national claims database of Vietnam from Jan 1, 2017 to Sep 31, 2018. Adult patients who underwent surgeries were recruited for the study. Patients with a diagnostic code of up to 90 days after surgery were considered VTE cases with the outcome measure being the surgery-related costs within 90 days. RESULTS: The 90-day cost of VTE patients was found to be US$2,939. The rate of readmission increased by 5.4 times, the rate of outpatient visits increased by 1.8 times and total costs over 90 days in patients with VTE undergoing surgery increased by 2.2 times. Estimation using propensity score matching method showed that an increase of US$1,019 in the 90-day cost of VTE patients. CONCLUSION: The VTE-related costs can be used to assess the potential economic benefit and cost-savings from prevention efforts.

Anemia and Iron Deficiency in Vietnamese Children, 6 to 11 Years Old.

In a population sample of 385 children, 6 to 11 years old, venous blood parameters-hemoglobin (Hb), ferritin, red blood cell count (RBC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), C-reactive protein (CRP), and α1-acid glycoprotein (AGP)-were determined to get insight into the iron status. The prevalence of anemia was 11.4%; 5.6% had iron deficiency (ID), whereas 0.4% had ID anemia. Correction for inflammation based on CRP and AGP did not markedly change the overall prevalence of ID and ID anemia. Stunted children had lower Hb and ferritin values compared with nonstunted children, and thin children had lower values compared with normal-weight or overweight and obese children. Many nonanemic children had alert values for RBC, MCV, MCH, and MCHC. It is concluded that although the prevalence of anemia is of the magnitude of a mild public health problem, the iron status of many nonanemic children is borderline, as indicated by a high number of children with low values for red blood cytology.

Double burden of undernutrition and overnutrition in Vietnam in 2011: results of the SEANUTS study in 0·5-11-year-old children.

The Vietnamese South East Asian Nutrition Survey (SEANUTS), a cross-sectional study, was undertaken to assess the nutritional status in a nationally representative sample of children aged 0·5-11·9 years. A multi-stage cluster-randomised sampling method was used to recruit 2872 children. Anthropometric measurements included weight, height, mid-upper arm circumference, and waist and hip circumferences. Blood biochemistry involved analyses of Hb, serum ferritin, and vitamins A and D. Dietary intake was assessed using a 24 h recall questionnaire, and nutrient intakes were compared with the Vietnamese RDA. In children aged < 5 years, approximately 14% were stunted, 8·6% underweight and 4·4% thin. A higher prevalence of stunting (15·6%) and underweight (22·2%) was observed in school-aged children. Undernutrition was more prevalent in rural areas than in urban areas. In contrast, almost 29% of the urban children were either overweight or obese when compared with 4% of the overweight children and 1·6% of the obese children in rural areas. A higher percentage of children in the age group 0·5-1·9 years and residing in rural areas had low Hb levels than those in the age group 2·0-5·9 years and residing in urban areas. In children aged 6-11 years, a small percentage had low Hb (11-14%) and vitamin A (5-10%) levels, but almost half the children (48-53%) had vitamin D insufficiency. Food consumption data indicated that the children did not meet the RDA for energy, protein, Fe, vitamin A, vitamin B1 and vitamin C. Results from the SEANUTS highlight the double burden of malnutrition in Vietnam. Information from the SEANUTS can serve as an input for targeted policy development, planning and development of nutrition programmes.

Scoliosis status and its risk factors in pupils at Hai Phong City

The case - control study was carried out on 760 children (case = 380 and control = 380) randomly chosen from 8101 subjects (4.204 males and 3.897 females) in Hai Phong city. Prevalence of scoliosis was 4.72%, female 5.41%, male 4.07%, rural area had the highest rate 5.99%, followed by island area 4.76% and primary school had the highest prevalence. Inappropriate in sitting posture, inclined head, notebook cant, and disposition of leg were risk factors of scoliosis