BackgroundThe association of waterpipe tobacco (WPT) smoking with gastric cancer (GC) risk was suggested.MethodsA hospital-based case-control study was conducted to examine the association of WPT with GC risk among Vietnamese men, in Hanoi city, during the period of 2003–2011. Newly-diagnosed GC cases (n = 454) and control patients (n = 628) were matched by age (+/- 5 years) and the year of hospitalization. Information on smoking and alcohol drinking habits and diet including salty food intake and fruits/vegetables consumption were obtained by the interview. Maximum likelihood estimates of odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (Cis) were obtained using conditional logistic regression models.ResultsThe group with the highest consumption of citrus fruits showed a significantly low GC risk (OR = 0.6, 95%CI = 0.4–0.8, P for trend = 0.002). However, there was no association of raw vegetable consumption with GC risk. Referring to never smokers, GC risk was significantly higher in current WPT smokers (OR = 1.8, 95%CI = 1.3–2.4), and it was more evident in exclusively WPT smokers (OR = 2.7, 95%CI = 1.2–6.5). GC risk tended to be higher with daily frequency and longer duration of WPT smoking but these trends were not statistically significant (P for trend: 0.144 and 0.154, respectively). GC risk of those who started smoking WPT before the age of 25 was also significantly high (OR = 3.7, 95%CI = 1.2–11.3). Neither cigarette smoking nor alcohol drinking was related to GC risk.ConclusionThe present findings revealed that WPT smoking was positively associated with GC risk in Vietnamese men.

The A6 mortality reporting system is embedded within the commune health system and is the lead mortality reporting system for the Ministry of Health. The system performs well in relation to its completeness and classification of injury related deaths. With further enhancements and ongoing support from government and donor agencies, the A6 system will be a valuable resource for identifying and planning preventive strategies targeting the leading causes of injury related deaths in Vietnam.

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Background:We investigated the aetiologic role of human papillomavirus (HPV) in 120 penile squamous cell carcinomas (PSCCs) from Vietnam.Methods:Human papillomavirus DNA was detected by PCR using SPF10 primers and a primer set targeting HPV-16 E6. The INNO-LiPA HPV genotyping kit was used to determine genotype. Human papillomavirus-16 viral load and physical status were determined by real-time PCR. P16INK4A protein expression was investigated by immunohistochemistry.Results:Human papillomavirus DNA was detected in 27 of 120 (23%) PSCCs. The most frequently detected genotype was HPV-16 (24 of 27 cases, 89%). In 16 of 18 (89%) HPV-16-positive cases, the HPV DNA was considered to be integrated into the host genome. The geometric mean of the HPV-16 viral load was 0.4 copies per cell. P16INK4A overexpression was significantly related to PSCCs infected with high-risk HPV (P=0.018) and HPV-16 copy numbers (P<0.001).Conclusion:Human papillomavirus-16 DNA integration and p16INK4A overexpression in high-risk HPV detected PSCCs suggested an aetiologic role of high-risk HPV in the development of PSCCs.

There has been no systematic evaluation of Viet Nam's A6 mortality reporting system. An evaluation was undertaken in 3 provinces in Viet Nam. Deaths identified in the A6 system were compared with deaths identified by an independent consensus panel to determine the percentage completeness of the A6 system. Verbal autopsies (VAs) were conducted for all identified deaths from the consensus panels, and the sensitivity and positive predictive value of the A6 system was assessed. The sensitivity of the A6 system varied depending on the cause of death, with the sensitivity of the system being excellent for injury (sensitivity = 75.4%), cancer (sensitivity = 66.9%), and circulatory diseases (sensitivity = 63.1%). The A6 mortality reporting system performs well in relation to its completeness and classification of 3 leading causes of death—namely, circulatory disease, cancer, and injury. With further enhancements and ongoing support from government and donor agencies, the A6 system will be a valuable resource.

Urinary 1‐hydroxypyrene and 8‐hydroxydeoxyguanosine Levels among Coke‐oven Workers for 2 Consecutive Days: Thi‐To‐Uyen NGUYEN, et al. Department of Health Policy and Management, Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan— Objectives This study evaluated the levels of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their relationship with oxidative DNA damage among Vietnamese coke‐oven workers. Methods We collected urine from 36 coke‐oven workers (exposed group) at the beginning and end of the shift on 2 consecutive days. We also collected urine from 78 medical staff (control group). Information was collected by questionnaire about smoking status, drinking habit, and working position. Urinary 1‐hydroxypyrene (1‐OHP) and 8‐hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8‐OH‐dG) were measured using HPLC. All statistical analyses were performed with SPSS version 19. Results Urinary 1‐OHP was significantly higher in the coke‐oven workers than in the control group (p<0.05). Top‐oven workers had the highest levels of internal exposure to PAHs, followed by side‐oven and then bottom‐oven workers (5.41, 4.41 and 1.35 ng/mg creatinine, respectively, at the end of the shift on day 2). Urinary 8‐OH‐dG was significantly higher in top‐ and side‐oven workers at the end of the shift on day 2 (4.63 and 5.88 ng/mg creatinine, respectively) than in the control group (3.85 ng/mg creatinine). Based on a multi‐regression analysis, smoking status had a significant effect on urinary 8‐OH‐dG (p=0.049). Urinary 1‐OHP tended to have a positive correlation with urinary 8‐OH‐dG (p=0.070). Conclusions Vietnamese coke‐oven workers were exposed to PAHs during their work shift. Urinary 1‐OHP exceeded the recommended limit, and elevated oxidative DNA damage occurred in top‐ and side‐oven workers on the second day of work. A tendency for positive correlation was found between urinary 1‐OHP and urinary 8‐OHdG.

Background Most recent laboratory studies have suggested a promising role of vitamin D and its analogs as novel chemotherapeutic agents for cancer treatment. However, epidemiological evidence, especially regarding the effects of vitamin D on gastric cancer is still inconsistent. Objectives Our research aimed to evaluate the associations between vitamin D intake and the risk of developing gastric cancer through a case-control study in North Vietnam. Methods We accessed databases of the previous completed case-control studies to derive 1182 incident gastric cancer cases and 2995 hospital controls selected from hospitals in Hanoi from 2003 to 2019. Vitamin D intake was computed by multiplying the food frequency intake with nutrient content based on the Viet Nam Food Composition Tables. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews by trained interviewers using the validated semi-quantitative food frequency and demographic lifestyle questionnaires. The odds ratio and 95% confidence interval (OR and 95%CI) were estimated using unconditional logistic regression analysis. Results We observed a continual decline in gastric cancer risk according to the level-up of vitamin D intake in both genders, men, and women [Fifth vs. bottom quintile, OR, 95%CI: 0.68 (0.53, 0.86), OR, 95%CI: 0.72 (0.53, 0.97), OR, 95%CI: 0.58 (0.38, 0.89), respectively. Per increment quintile, the statistically significant decreased risk was seen by 7% in men and 13% in women. The significant inverse association between vitamin D intake remained in the subgroups of ever and never tobacco smoking; negative and positive H. pylori infection. Conclusion The findings suggested that sufficient vitamin D intake was associated with a lower risk of Gastric Cancer in the Vietnamese population.

Objective: To examine the association between dietary intake of Trans -Lycopene and β -Cryptoxanthin and stomach cancer in Vietnamese men. Methods: A case-control study including 80 male incident stomach cancer cases and 146 male controls was performed in a general hospital in Viet Nam. A validated semi-quantitative food frequency (SQFFQ) and demographic lifestyle questionnaire were designed, and venous blood samples were collected to determine H. pylori status by IgG ELISA. Nutrient intake was converted using the data of SQFFQ and the Nutritive Composition Table of Vietnamese Foods, updated in 2019. The respective associations between Trans -Lycopene and β -Cryptoxanthin intake and stomach cancer were examined using unconditional logistic regression analysis with adjustments for possible cofactors. Results: Both Trans -Lycopene and β -Cryptoxanthin intake and stomach cancer showed a significantly inverse association, tertile-3 versus tertile-1, (OR = 0.15, 95%CI: 0.06–0.35, p trend = 0.00) and (OR = 0.34, 95%CI: 0.14–0.79, p trend = 0.02, respectively). For Trans -Lycopene intake stratifying by H. pylori status remained the benefit effect against stomach cancer among H. pylori -negative participants (OR = 0.15, 95%CI: 0.03–0.69, p trend = 0.02) and H. pylori -positive participants (OR = 0.13, 95%CI: 0.04–0.42, p trend = 0.00). Conclusions: Both Trans -Lycopene and β -Cryptoxanthin intake showed a strong protective effect against stomach cancer. The findings suggest that these two types of fat-soluble micronutrients would be considered as an anti-cancer therapy for both primary and secondary prevention.