By utilizing a homologous transient-expression system, we have shown that a 58-bp sequence from the y-class 27-kDa zein promoter, spanning from -307 to -250 relative to the transcription start site, confers a high level of transcriptional activity on a truncated plant viral promoter. The transcriptional activity mediated by the 58-bp sequence is orientation independent, and it is further enhanced as a result of its multimerization. A similarly high level of transcriptional activity was also observed in protoplasts isolated from leaf tissue-derived maize suspension cells. In vitro binding and DNase I footprinting assays with nuclear proteins prepared from cultured endosperm cells revealed the sequence-specific binding of a nuclear factor(s) to a 16-nucleotide sequence present in the 58-bp region. The nuclear factor binding sequence includes the -300 element, a cis-acting element highly conserved among different zein genes and many other cereal storage protein genes. A 23-bp oligonucleotide sequence containing the nuclear factor binding site is sufficient for binding the nuclear factor in vitro. It also confers a high level of transcriptional activity in vivo, but in an orientation-dependent manner. Four nucleotide substitutions in the -300 element drastically reduced binding and transcriptional activation by the nuclear factor. The same nuclear factor is abundant in the developing kernel endosperm and binds to the -300 element region of the 27-kDa or the a-class zein promoter. These results suggest that the highly conserved -300 element is involved in the common regulatory mechanisms mediating the coordinated expression of the zein genes.

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Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is an important construct in clinical settings, and it is crucial that it should be properly measured. As the EuroQol-5-dimensions-5 levels (EQ-5D-5L) is more effective for such measurement than the 3-level model, data on economic models, clinical studies, and public health evaluations previously collected through the EQ-5D-3L need to be revaluated using the EQ-5D-5L. This study evaluated colorectal cancer (CRC) patients' HRQoL scores using the Vietnamese EQ-5D-5L value set. Patients and Methods: The cross-sectional study included CRC patients treated at a tertiary public hospital. HRQoL was assessed using the EQ-5D-5L, and HRQoL utility scores were calculated using the Vietnamese value set. Tobit regression examined factors associated with HRQoL. Results: The analysis included 197 CRC patients. Ages ranged from 20 to 87 years (M = 57.64, SD = 13.5); 42.2% and 57.8% were diagnosed with cancer of the colon or rectum/ anus, respectively. Mean EQ-5D-5L was 0.561 (range, −0.5115 to 1). Most participants experienced anxiety/depression (88%), followed by pain/discomfort (87%), mobility (71%), usual activity (69%), and self-care (67%). Advanced CRC stage (stage II: β −0.303, se 0.08; stage III: β −0.305, se 0.07; stage IV: β −0.456, se 0.07) and surgery (β −0.113, se 0.05) were negatively associated with EQ-5D-5L scores. Advanced education (high school: β 0.273, se 0.07); college/vocational: β 0.134se 0.05; university/higher: Coef 0.213, se 0.08;) and older age (age group 35−44: β 0.253, se 0.10; 45−54: β 0.327, se 0.09; 55−64: β 0.355 se 0.09; 65+ β 0.204, se 0.09) were positively associated with EQ-5D-5L scores. Conclusion: Patients in advanced CRC stages or undergoing surgery experienced lower HRQoL and higher prevalence of anxiety/depression and pain/discomfort. Older age and high educational attainment predicted high HRQoL. This study provides information on CRC patients' health utility based on various patient characteristics, which can be used in future economic evaluations.

Purpose: Analysis about disease, technical characteristics of 17 right colon cancer patients underwent conversion to laparotomy from single port laparoscopic surgery and propose related factors for indications. Methold: Consist of 17 colon cancer patients, who were conversion to laparotomy from single port laparoscopic colectomy at Hue Central Hospital from october 2010 to august 2014. Results: Mean age 61.3±14.2 years, rate male/female 11/6. Tumor invasion: T2 11.8%, T3 58.8%, T4 29.4%. Mean tumor size on CT 6.5±2.2cm. The causes of conversion: very big tumors 29.4%, invasive-adhesive tumors 47.1%, extended surgery 23.5%. Open procedures: right hemicolectomy 70.6%, right hemicolectomy plus cholecystectomy 5.9%, right hemicolectomy plus wedge-shape duodenectomy 11.8%, right hemicolectomy plus intestinal segmentectomy 5.9% and right hemicolectomy plus low-anterior rectal resection, hysterectomy 5.9%. Conclusion: Conversion to laparotomy from single port laparoscopic colectomy is necessary for very big tumors, excessive tumor adhesions and exceed the technical limitations of laparoscopic dissection. Key words: Single incision laparoscopic colectomy (SILC), single port laparoscopic colectomy (SILC), conversion to laparotomy.

Purpose: Evaluating the initial results in applying single port laparoscopic cholecystectomy at Hue Central Hospital. Patients and methods: 29 gallbladder polyps, gallstones with symptoms of acute or chronic cholecystitis and surgeried by single port laparoscopic cholecystectomy at Hue Central Hospital from March 2011 to December 2011. Results: Male/female was 0.45/1. Age: 49.24 ± 16.43 (21-81), 40 to 60 years 54.6%. Cholecystitis: 75.9%, 17.3% gallbladder polyp, gallbladder adenomyomatosis 3.4%. Added 1 trocart because difficult dissection surgery 10.2%, bleeding 6.8% difficult to handle, added 2 trocart 3.4%. Bleeding intraoperative 10.3%. Operating time: 76.2 ± 33.5 minutes, hospital stay: 4 - 6 days 51.7%. Wound pain after 2 weeks of hospital discharge 6.9%, with no wound seromas and no wound infection. Conclusions: Single port laparoscopic cholecystestomy is safe, has fewer complications, can be done with experienced surgeons laparoscopic surgery. Keywords: Single port laparoscopic cholecystectomy, gallbladder ston Key words: Single port laparoscopic cholecystectomy, gallbladder stone

Acute appendicitis is a rare diagnosis of acute abdomen in neonates which is associated with high mortality due to late diagnosis. Here, we presented a case of acute neonatal appendicitis in a 6-year-old full-term infant with Down syndrome and pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect. The patient underwent surgery and postoperative critical care. However, he died on postoperative day 5 due to worsening sepsis and decompensated hemodynamic instability.

Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) embolization is considered as a promising option either its single treatment or in combination with surgery, and the use of low-density N-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA)/Lipiodol is acceptable mixture agents but its application should be performed by experienced endovascular teams. We describe a successful case preoperative embolization of high-flow AVMs with low-density NBCA/Lipiodol. A 26-year-old male patient was hospitalized with a big pulsatile mass at the right thigh. Doppler ultrasound showed a mass with high systolic, and diastolic velocities coming from the right superficial femoral artery. Angiogram showed a large and high-flow AVM type IV, according to Yakes classification. Low-density NBCA/Lipiodol 12.5% were performed to obstruct all the nidus and feeding arteries. Extirpation surgery was implemented 4 days after the complete embolization procedure.

Background Varicocele presents as the most frequent cause of infertility in men. Most reports showed that varicocelectomy has a significant impact on male fertility and reproductive outcome. This study aims to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of scrotal–inguinal microsurgical varicocelectomy in treating male infertility. Methods We prospectively studied preoperatively and postoperatively (at 3 and 6 months) 86 consecutive patients diagnosed with varicocele, abnormal semen parameters, and infertility, undergoing scrotal–inguinal microsurgical varicocelectomy. Semen test was performed before surgery and at 3 months and 6 months after surgery. The reproductive events were short-term followed up. Results The median age of the patient was 32.9 ± 5.1 (20–43). Two cases (2.7%) had a minor infection of the scrotum incision, who were well treated by appropriate antibiotics. After operation, total sperm count and the percentage of motile sperms at 3 months and 6 months were significantly higher than those pre-varicocelectomy, respectively. In total, 26.7% (23/86) of all couples achieved a spontaneous pregnancy. Late complications such as testicular atrophy, hydroceles, and recurrent varicocele have not occurred. Conclusions Scrotal–inguinal microsurgical varicocelectomy is an acceptable method in treating male infertility due to high rate of reproductive outcomes and very low rate of complications.