GALAD score and a proposal for GALADUS model for detecting hepatocellular carcinoma in Vietnamese patients with chronic liver disease.

OBJECTIVE: The GALAD score, a serum biomarker-based model, predicts the likelihood of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with chronic liver disease. We evaluated the performance of the GALAD score compared to that of liver ultrasound in detecting HCC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study recruited a group of 136 patients with HCC and a control group of 436 patients with cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis B or hepatitis C. The performance of the GALAD score and ultrasound in detecting HCC in these patients was analyzed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). The sensitivity and specificity of the optimal GALAD score were compared to those of ultrasound. RESULTS: The AUC of the GALAD score for detecting HCC was 0.940 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.92-0.96], higher than that of ultrasound [0.939 (0.91-0.96), p < 0.001]. At a threshold of 1.24, the GALAD score had a sensitivity of 91.2% and a specificity of 81.9% for detecting HCC. The AUC of the GALAD score for early HCC detection was 0.75 (95% CI 0.71-0.80, p < 0.001; threshold 1.13, sensitivity 87.5%, specificity 67.8%, p < 0.001). The combination of GALAD and ultrasound (GALADUS score) showed further improvement, achieving an AUC of 0.97 (95% CI 0.96-0.99; cut-off point 1.37, sensitivity 95.6%, specificity 89.2%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In our study, the GALADUS score showed improved performance compared to the GALAD score. Therefore, we suggest that the performance of the GALAD score should be reconsidered and that it should be evaluated in combination with ultrasound for HCC detection.

Epidemiology And Risk Factors For Death Of Pediatric Burns In A Developing Country. An Experience From The National Burn Hospital.

This retrospective study investigated burn features and predicted factors for death of pediatric burn patients in Vietnam. The results showed that pediatric burn accounted for 48.1% of total admitted burn patients. Preschool children and boys were predominant, burns were mostly caused by scald (76.2%) and the majority of patients lived in a rural area (64.1%). In addition, 94.5% had burn size less than 30% total body surface area and deep burn injury was seen in 45.5% patients. Moreover, a significantly higher incidence of deep burn injury was recorded in preschool age, patients living in a rural area, and non-scald burn. Overall LA50 was 81.5% and a significantly higher mortality rate was seen in non-scald burns, older children, extensive burn and inhalation injury. Multivariate logistic analysis indicated that only burn extent and inhalation injury were independent risk factors for death. An increased 1% of burn extent resulted in a .7 probability unit of death (OR=1.08) and this was 2.16 in the case of inhalation injury (OR=8.67). This health issue should be highlighted in order to develop appropriate policies and intervention measures in developing countries.

Cette étude rétrospective s'est penchée sur les caractéristiques et les facteurs de risque de mortalité des brûlures de l'enfant au Vietnam. Ces brûlres représentent 48,1% des hospitalisations dans notre centre. Les garçons d'âge préscolaire sont la sous- population prédominante. Les ébouillantements sont majoritaires (76,2%), de même que l'origine ruale (64,1%). L'immense majorité (94,5%) des brûlures touche moins de 30% SCT et l'atteinte n'est profonde que dans 45,5% des cas. Les brûlures sont plus profondes chez les patients ruraux préscolaires non ébouillantés. La SL (Surface Létale) 50 était de 81,5% ; les facteurs de risque de mortalité étant l'âge et la surface plus élevés, l'inhalation de fumées et la brûlure non due à un liquide. En analyse multivariée, seules la surface et l'inhalation de fumée ressortaient. Ainsi, l'augmentation de 1% de SB la probabilté de décès de 0,7 (OR 1,08) quand l'inhalation de fumée l'augmente de 2,16 (OR 8,67). Ce problème de santé publique doit être mis en avant afin de développer une législation et des mesures de protection adaptées dans les pays en développement.

An adaptive weighting mechanism for Reynolds rules-based flocking control scheme.

Cooperative navigation for fleets of robots conventionally adopts algorithms based on Reynolds's flocking rules, which usually use a weighted sum of vectors for calculating the velocity from behavioral velocity vectors with corresponding fixed weights. Although optimal values of the weighting coefficients giving good performance can be found through many experiments for each particular scenario, the overall performance could not be guaranteed due to unexpected conditions not covered in experiments. This paper proposes a novel control scheme for a swarm of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) that also employs the original Reynolds rules but adopts an adaptive weight allocation mechanism based on the current context than being fixed at the beginning. The simulation results show that our proposed scheme has better performance than the conventional Reynolds-based ones in terms of the flock compactness and the reduction in the number of crashed swarm members due to collisions. The analytical results of behavioral rules' impact also validate the proposed weighting mechanism's effectiveness leading to improved performance.

Characteristics and gender influence on outcomes of burns in adolescents.

The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics and influence of gender difference on the outcome of adolescent burns. A retrospective study was conducted on 641 burn patients (10 - 19 years old) admitted to the Viet Nam National Burn Hospital over a three-year period (2016 - 2018). Demographic data, burn features and outcome including complications, length of hospital stay and mortality of male and female groups were compared. The results indicated that adolescents accounted for 6.5% of total admitted burn patients, with a predominance of males (69.3%). Higher proportions of burn due to dry heat (flame or hot surface contact) and electricity were seen in the male group (p < .001). No significant differences were seen between male and female groups in terms of age, admission time, season of burn and burn severity. Compared to females, males experienced more surgical interventions and stayed longer in hospital with higher LA50 (71.2% vs. 56.5% TBSA). It is necessary to conduct prevention and intervention to improve the outcome of adolescent burns, especially for female patients.

Cet étude rétrospective, réalisée auprès de 641 patients de 10 à 19 ans hospitalisés dans l'hôpital brûlologique national du Vietnam entre 2016 et 2018, a pour but d'évaluer le rôle du sexe sur les caractéristiques et l'évolution des brûlures survenant dans cette tranche d'âge. Les données démographiques, les caractéristiques et l'évolution (survie, complications, durée d'hospitalisations) ont été comparées entre hommes et femmes. Les adolescents représentent 6,5% du total des admissions ; 69,3% des patients étant des hommes. Ils souffrent plus fréquemment (p<0,001) de brûlures par flamme/contact (« chaleur sèche ¼) et électricité. Il n'y a pas de différence, en termes d'âge, de saisonnalité, d'heure de survenue et de gravité, entre femmes et hommes. Les hommes ont besoin de plus d'interventions chirurgicales et sont hospitalisés plus longtemps que les femmes. Toutefois, la surface létale 50 est de 71,2% chez les hommes et de 56,5% chez les femmes. Il est nécessaire de développer des programmes de prévention des brûlures chez les adolescents, en ciblant plus précisément chez les adolescentes.

Outcome and risk factors for death of elderly burn patients: a case series in Vietnam.

The aim of this study is to investigate characteristics, outcome and risk factors for death among elderly burn patients. A retrospective study was conducted on 416 elderly (≥ 65 years old) burn patients admitted to the National Burn Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam from 1/1/2016 to 31/12/2018. Data on demographics, comorbidity, burn severity, complications and mortality were recorded. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to determine independent risk factors for death. Results indicated that elderly burn patients accounted for 4.2% of total admitted patients with an average age of 74.7 ± 8.1 years old. Significantly higher burn surface area (12.4% vs. 7.3%; p < .001) and deep burn area (5.5% vs. 2.5%; p < .001) were seen in the female group when compared to the male group. Pre-existing medical conditions were recorded in 20.9% of patients, the highest proportion (13.2%) represented by cardiovascular disease followed by neurological and diabetic disease (8.7% and 7% respectively). Over half (51.5%) of the patients had suffered deep burn and 6.3% developed complications, the most common being multiple organ failure and pneumonia. Overall mortality rate was 9.9%. However, death rate was extremely high in patients with inhalation injury (92.9%), burn extent > 40% total body surface area (TBSA) and deep burn > 10% TBSA (61.2% and 62.5% respectively). Comorbidity was not an independent risk factor for death, unlike increased age, burn extent and presence of inhalation injury. In conclusion, we show that despite advances in management, severe burn and inhalation injury in the elderly remains a big challenge in Vietnam.

Le but de cette étude est d'évaluer les caractéristiques, l'évolution et les facteurs de risque de décès chez des personnes âgées brûlées. Il s'agit d'une étude rétrospective concernant 416 patients âgés (≥ 65 ans) hospitalisés dans l'hôpital brûlologique national de Hanoi entre le 1/1/2016 et le 31/12/2018. Les données démographiques, comorbidités, sévérité de la brûlure, complications et mortalité ont été recueillies. Des analyses uni- et multivariées ont été réalisées pour rechercher les facteurs de risque de mortalité. Les patients âgés (74,7 +/- 8,1 ans) représentent 4,2% des admissions. Chez les femmes, la surface atteinte (12,4 VS 7,3% ; p < 0,001) et la surface profonde (5,5 VS 2,5% ; p < 0,001) sont plus étendues que chez les hommes. Des antécédents ont été notés chez 20,9% des patients. Ils étaient le plus souvent cardio-vasculaires (13,2%), neurologiques (8,7%) et diabétiques (7%). Plus de la moitié (51,5%) des patients avaient des brûlures profondes et 6,3% d'entre eux ont subi des complications, le plus souvent pneumonie et défaillance multiviscérale. La mortalité globale était de 9,9%. Elle était considérablement plus élevée en cas d'inhalation de fumées (92,9%), quand la surface totale dépassait 40% (61,2%) et quand plus de 10% de surface était profonde (62,5%). En analyse multivariée, les comorbidités ne sortaient pas, à la différence de l'âge, de la surface brûlée et de l'inhalation de fumées. Malgré les progrès de prise en charge, les brûlures étendues avec inhalation de fumées restent un gros défi au Vietnam.

Influence of gender difference on outcomes of adult burn patients in a developing country.

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of gender on outcomes among adult burn patients. A retrospective study was conducted on 5061 adult burn patients (16 - 64 years old) admitted to the Vietnam National Burn Hospital over a three-year period (2016 - 2018). Demographic data, burn features and outcome including complications, length of hospital stay and mortality of male and female groups were compared. Results indicated that male patients were predominant (72.8%), younger (35.5 vs. 37.2 years old; p < .001) and admitted sooner to hospital. A greater number of males suffered electrical and flame/heat direct contact injuries, whereas more females suffered scald injury (34.7% vs. 12.2%; p < .001). Burn extent was larger among males (14.9% vs. 12.1%; p < .001). In addition, a higher proportion of deep burn injuries (44.8% vs. 41.2%; p < .05) and number of surgeries (1.2 vs. 1; p < .05), and longer hospital stay (17.8 vs. 15.8 days; p < .001) was recorded among the male group. Post burn complication and overall mortality rate did not differ between the two groups. However, death rate was remarkably higher in the female group when burn extent was ≥ 50% TBSA (72.4% vs. 57.3%; p < .05). In conclusion, burn features and outcomes were not similar between the male and female group. Male patients appear to suffer more severe injury requiring more surgeries and longer hospital stay. However, more attention should be paid to the significantly higher mortality rate among females with extensive burn.

Le but de ce travail était d'étudier l'impact du sexe sur le devenir d'adultes brûlés. Cette étude rétrospective a été conduite sur 5 601 patients âgés de 16 à 64 ans admis dans le CTB national du Vietnam entre 2016 et 2018 inclus. Les données démographiques, celles concernant la brûlure, les complications, la durée d'hospitalisation et la mortalité ont été comparées selon le sexe des patients. Les hommes prédominent (72,8%), sont plus jeunes (35,5 VS 37,2 ans - p<0,001) et sont hospitalisés plus rapidement. Les ébouillantements sont plus fréquents chez les femmes (34,7 VS 12,2% - p <0,001), les autres causes (électriques, flammes, contact) étant donc plus habituelles chez les hommes. Les brûlures des hommes sont plus étendues (14,9 VS 12,1% SCB - p< 0,001), plus profondes (44,8% de profond VS 41,2% - p< 0,05 ; 1,2 séances chirurgicales VS 1 - p< 0,05) et leur durée de séjour est plus longue (17,8 VS 15,8 j - p< 0,001). Le nombre de complications et la mortalité sont comparables. Toutefois, la mortalité des femmes brûlées sur ≥ 50% SCT était nettement plus élevée que celle des hommes (72,4% VS 57,3% - p< 0,05). En conclusion, les hommes ont des brûlures plus sévères nécessitant plus d'interventions chirurgicales et une hospitalisation plus longue. Il faut cependant être attentifs à la mortalité élevée des femmes extensivement brûlées.

Genetic structure of the threatened Dipterocarpus costatus populations in lowland tropical rainforests of southern Vietnam.

Dipterocarpus costatus is an endangered species restricted to the lowland forests of southern Vietnam. Habitat loss and over-exploitation of D. costatus wood are the major threats to this species. We investigated the level of genetic variability within and among populations of D. costatus in order to provide guidelines for the conservation, management, and restoration of this species to the Forest Protection Department, Vietnam. Nine microsatellite markers were used to analyze 114 samples from four populations representing the natural range of D. costatus in southeast Vietnam. We indicated the low allelic diversity (NA = 2.3) and low genetic diversities with an average observed and expected heterozygosity of 0.130 and 0.151, respectively, in the lowland forests of southeast Vietnam. The low genetic diversity might be a consequence of inbreeding within the small and isolated populations of D. costatus owing to its habitat loss and over-exploitation. All populations deviated from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium showing reduced heterozygosity. Alleles were lost from the populations by genetic drift. Genetic differentiation among populations was high (average pairwise FST = 0.405), indicating low gene flow (<1) and isolated populations due to its destructed habitat and large geographical distances (P < 0.05) among populations. Heterozygosity excess tests (except of Bu Gia Map only under infinite allele model) were negative. The high genetic variation (62.7%) was found within populations. The STRUCTURE and neighbor joining tree results suggest strong differentiation among D. costatus populations, with the three genetic clusters, Phu Quoc, Tan Phu and Bu Gia Map, and Lo Go-Xa Mat due to habitat fragmentation and isolation. The threatened status of D. costatus was related to a lack of genetic diversity, with all its populations isolated in small forest patches. We recommend the establishment of an ex situ conservation site for D. costatus with a new big population comprising all genetic groups in order to enhance its survival under different environmental stresses.

Application of DNA barcoding markers to the identification of Hopea species.

Hopea chinensis (synonym: H. hongayensis) (Dipterocarpaceae) is a threatened species found so far in only two locations: Quang Ninh (Vietnam) and Guangxi (China). The species shares many morphological characteristics with H. mollissima and the two species are often confused. To overcome this problem of identification and to investigate the genetic relationships of Hopea species with other Dipterocarp species, we sequenced three candidate DNA barcodes for the chloroplast markers rbcL, trnH-psbA, and matK. These markers were used separately and in different combinations to determine whether they could establish an accurate and effective identification system for H. chinensis in Quang Ninh (Vietnam). Our analyses indicated that two of the candidate DNA barcodes, matK and rbcL, performed best. We also generated a neighbor-joining phylogenetic tree and confirmed the presence of four Hopea species (H. odorata, H. hainanensis, H. mollissima, and H. chinensis) in nature reserves and natural parks of Vietnam. These species showed a close relationship with an average genetic distance of 0.0045; both matK and rbcL separated all species, but their use in combination gave higher bootstrap values. The matK region was found to provide the most reliable barcode for the identification of the most closely related Dipterocarp species. Our study provides a means to identify rare Hopea species non-ambiguously and to support the protection of this decreasing natural genetic resource.

Genetic variation in and spatial structure of natural populations of Dipterocarpus alatus (Dipterocarpaceae) determined using single sequence repeat markers.

Dipterocarpus alatus (Dipterocarpaceae) is widely distributed in lowland forests in central and southern Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, and India. Due to over-exploitation and habitat destruction, the species is now threatened. The genetic variation within and among populations of D. alatus was investigated on the basis of 9 microsatellite (single sequence repeat, SSR) loci. In all, 268 sampled trees from 10 populations in central and southern Vietnam were analyzed in this study. The SSR data showed a high genetic variability within populations with an average of HO = 0.209 and HE = 0.239. Genetic differentiation among populations was high (FST = 0.266), indicating limited gene flow (Nm = 0.69). Analysis of molecular variance showed that most genetic variation was within populations (74.96%). This study highlights the importance of conserving the genetic resources of D. alatus species.

Panax vietnamensis protects mice against carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity without any modification of CYP2E1 gene expression.

In order to explore the effect of Panax vietnamensis on carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity, mice were pretreated for 7 days with either crude extract or total saponins. Crude extract and total saponins dramatically decreased carbon tetrachloride-induced increase of serum GST alpha level (-50.0%, -49.5% respectively). Serum AST level was significantly decreased only with total saponins (-52.2%) and ALT level was slightly modified. In vitro experiments shown that both preparations at high concentrations (> 2000 micrograms/ml) are able to inhibit CYP2E1 enzymatic activity in mouse and human microsomes. However, we did not observe any modification of Cyp2e1 gene expression (enzymatic activity, protein and mRNA levels) in mice treated with either crude extract or total saponins. Taken together, these data demonstrated that Panax vietnamensis could be used as an hepatoprotectant. However, the mechanism of action is not associated with CYP2E1 expression, as previously suggested in vitro in rat for total saponins from Panax ginseng.

Cancer chemopreventive activity of majonoside-R2 from Vietnamese ginseng, Panax vietnamensis.

In the course of our continuing search for novel cancer chemopreventive agents from natural sources, several kinds of Panax plants were screened. Consequently, the ocotillol-type saponin, majonoside-R2 (MR2), was obtained from the rhizome and root of Panax vietnamensis (Vietnamese ginseng) as an active constituent. MR2 exhibited potent anti-tumor-promoting activity on two-stage carcinogenesis test of mouse hepatic tumor using N-nitrosodiethylamine (DEN) as an initiator and phenobarbital (PB) as a promoter. Further, MR2 exhibited the remarkable inhibitory effect on two-stage carcinogenesis test of mouse skin induced by nitric oxide (NO) donor/12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) or peroxynitrite/TPA.

Anti-tumor-promoting activity of majonoside-R2 from Vietnamese ginseng, Panax vietnamensis Ha et Grushv. (I).

Seven saponins (1-7) isolated from the rhizomes and roots of Panax vietnamensis were tested for their inhibitory effects on Epstein-Barr virus early antigen (EBV-EA) induced by the tumor promoter, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), in Raji cells as a primary screening test for anti-tumor-promoters (cancer chemopreventive agents). The ocotillol-type saponin, majonoside-R2 (2), which is the major and characteristic constituent of this plant, exhibited a significant inhibitory effect on EBV-EA activation. Furthermore, the cell cycle analysis of 2 on Raji cells was also examined and strong inhibition was observed on the effect of the cell cycle induced by TPA. Compound 2 showed potent anti-tumor-promoting activity in two-stage carcinogenesis tests of mouse skin using 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) as an initiator and TPA or fumonisin B1 as a promoter. Consequently, these results suggest that majonoside-R2 (2) could be a valuable chemopreventive agent against chemical carcinogenesis.

Majonoside-R2, a major constituent of Vietnamese ginseng, attenuates opioid-induced antinociception.

The effects of majonoside-R2 on antinociceptive responses caused by the mu-opioid receptor agonist morphine and the selective kappa-opioid receptor agonist U-50, 488H were examined by the tail-pinch test in mice. Intraperitoneal (IP) or intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of majonoside-R2 (3.1-6.2 mg/kg, IP or 5-10 micrograms/mouse, ICV) and diazepam (0.1-0.5 mg/kg, IP or 0.5-1.0 microgram/mouse, ICV), as well as an opioid receptor antagonist naloxone (2 mg/kg, IP or 5 micrograms/mouse, ICV), dose-dependently attenuated the antinociception caused by subcutaneously administered morphine and U-50,488H. Moreover, when co-administered ICV or intrathecally (IT) with morphine (4 micrograms/mouse) or U-50,488H (60 micrograms/mouse), majonoside-R2 (5-20 micrograms/mouse) also exhibited antagonism against the antinociceptive action of these opioid receptor agonists in the tail-pinch test. The inhibitory effects of majonoside-R2 (10 micrograms/mouse, ICV) and diazepam (1 microgram/mouse, ICV) were reversed by flumazenil (2.5 micrograms/mouse, ICV), a selective benzodiazepine receptor antagonist, and picrotoxin (0.25 microgram/mouse, ICV), a GABA-gated chloride channel blocker. These results suggest that majonoside-R2 attenuates the opioid-induced antinociception by acting at the spinal and supraspinal levels, and that the GABAA receptor complex at the supraspinal level is involved in the effect of ICV administered majonoside-R2.

Effect of Vietnamese Ginseng on the phagocytosis in vitro and in vivo.

The effects of Vietnamese ginseng crude extract (VG extract), total saponin (VG saponin) and its major saponin component, majonoside-R2, on phagocytosis were examined in mice by bactericidal and carbon clearance tests. Escherichia coli (E. coli) ATCC 25922 was used to induce the acute toxicity and activate the phagocytic activity of phagocytes in both in vitro and in vivo bactericidal tests. Pretreatment with VG extract (500 mg/kg, oral administration, p.o.) and majonoside-R2 (50 mg/kg, intraperitoneal administration, i.p.) protected the animals from the acute toxicity of E. coli ATCC 25922 and significantly increased the phagocytic index in both in vitro and in vivo bactericidal tests. Moreover, VG extract (100-500 mg/kg, p.o.), VG saponin (25 mg/kg, i.p.) and majonoside-R2 (10 mg/kg, i.p.), as well as zymosan A, a non-specific phagocytic stimulant, also increased the phagocytic index evaluated by the carbon clearance test. These results indicate that Vietnamese ginseng enhances the phagocytic activity of phagocytes, and suggest that majonoside-R2 plays an important role in this effect.

Effects of vietnamese ginseng on opioid agonist - and conditioned fear stress-induced antinociception.

We investigated the effects of Vietnamese ginseng (VG) extract, VG saponin and the VG major saponin constituent majonoside-R2 on opioid receptor agonist-induced antinociception using the tail-pinch and hot-plate tests in mice and on conditioned fear stress-induced antinociception using the tail-flick test in rats. VG extract (50-100 mg/kg, p.o.), VG saponin (12.5-25 mg/kg, p.o.) and majonoside-R2 (6.2-12.5 mg/kg, p.o.), as well as Panax ginseng extract (PG extract, 50-100 mg/kg, p.o.), dose-dependently attenuated the µ-opioid agonist morphine-induced antinociception in the tail-pinch and hot-plate tests. Moreover, repeated administration of VG saponin and majonoside-R2 suppressed the development of morphine tolerance in the tail-pinch test. VG extract (100-200 mg/kg, p.o.) also dose-dependently blocked the antinociceptive effects of the selective κ-opioid agonist U-50, 488H in the tail-pinch and hot-plate tests, while PG extract (100-200 mg/kg, p.o.) dose-dependently attenuated the U-50,488H-induced antinociception in the hot-plate test but not in the tail-pinch test. VG saponin (6.2-25 mg/kg, p.o.) blocked the U-50,488H-induced antinociception in the tail-pinch test but not in the hot-plate test. Furthermore, VG saponin (25 mg/kg, i.p.) and majonoside-R2 (6.2 mg/kg, i.p.), as well as naloxone (2 mg/kg, i.p.), reversed the tail-flick latency increased by conditioned fear stress in rats. These results indicate that VG and its major saponin constituent, majonoside-R2, attenuate the antinociception caused by opioid agonists and conditioned fear stress.

Saponins from Vietnamese ginseng, Panax vietnamensis Ha et Grushv. collected in central Vietnam. III.

Five new dammarane saponins derived from four new aglycones were isolated from the rhizomes and roots of Panax vietnamensis Ha et Grushv. On the basis of physicochemical and spectral evidence, the structures of these compounds were established as 6-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl 20(S),25-epoxydammarane-3 beta,6 alpha,12 beta,24 alpha-tetrol (1), 6-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl 20(S),25-epoxydammarane-3 beta,6 alpha,12 beta,24 alpha-tetrol (2), 6-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl dammarane-3 beta,6 alpha,12 beta,20(S),24 xi,25-hexol (5), 3-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl]-20-O-beta-D- glucopyranosyl dammarane-3 beta,12 beta,20(S),24 xi,25-pentol (8) and 6-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl 20(S),24(S)-epoxydammarane-3 beta,6 alpha,12 beta,25 xi,26-pentol (10). The trivial names, vina-ginsenoside-R10, -R11, -R12, -R13 and -R14, respectively, were assigned to the new saponins.