Alexandre Prize for Outstanding Medical Publications 2021-2022
Summary of Award Winning Publications
The Alexandre Yersin Prize for Outstanding Publications was created by the Swiss-Vietnamese Medical Association (HELVIETMED) to recognize Vietnamese scientists who have made important contributions to the medical literature, and through peer-reviewed publications, they help build Vietnam’s reputation in the international medical research community. Another goal of the Prize is to foster national and international collaborations for medical education and better health care.
This year, HELVIETMED and the Consulate General of Switzerland in Ho Chi Minh City are pleased to announce the winners of this year’s Alexandre Yersin Prize for Outstanding Publications. The winners are:
- First Prize: Dr Dang Quang Vinh (My Duc Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City);
- Equal Second Prizes:
- Dr Vuong Thi Ngoc Lan (University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City)
- Dr. Hoang Khuong Duy (Ton Duc Thang University);
- Dr. Nguyen Lam Vuong (Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam);
- Encouragement Prize:
- Dr Luong Quoc Chinh (Bach Mai Hospital, Hanoi)
- Dr. Nguyen Minh Nam (School of Medicine, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City)
- Dr. Le Son Tran (University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City)
Here is the summary of their award-winning publications:
- Dang Quang Vinh et al. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection versus conventional in-vitro fertilisation in couples with infertility in whom the male partner has normal total sperm count and motility: an open-label, randomised controlled trial. Lancet 2021; 397(10284):1554-1563.
This study investigated whether intracytoplasmic sperm injection would result in a higher livebirth rate compared with conventional IVF. Using a randomized controlled trial design, the authors showed that intracytoplasmic sperm injection did not improve the livebirth rate compared with conventional IVF. This finding, published in one of the world’s most prestigious journals Lancet, challenges the value of the routine use of intracytoplasmic sperm injection in assisted reproduction techniques for couples with infertility in whom the male partner has a normal total sperm count and motility.
2. Vuong Ngoc Lan et al. In-vitro maturation of oocytes versus conventional IVF in women with infertility and a high antral follicle count: a randomized non-inferiority controlled trial. Human Reproduction 2020;35:2537-2547.
This influential randomized controlled study (21 cites, GS) attempted to address the following question: Is one cycle of in vitro maturation (IVM) non-inferior to one cycle of conventional in IVF in terms of live birth rates in women with high antral follicle counts (AFCs)? The result showed that there was no statistically significant differences between the IVM and IVF groups in terms of the occurrence of pregnancy complications, obstetric and perinatal complications, preterm delivery, birth weight and neonatal complications. This study settles an important question that has wide implication in IVF technology.
3. Hoang Khuong Duy et al. Mechanography assessment of fall risk in older adults:the Vietnam Osteoporosis Study. Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle 2021;12:1161-1167.
Mechanography assessment of fall risk in older adults the Vietnam
This prospective study used an innovative and sophisticated technology for fall assessment called “Jumping mechanography”. Based on approximately 600 men and women who had been followed for 2 years, the authors showed that maximal velocity was predictive of the risk of falls in this population. The study introduced a new technology for fall risk assessment.
4. Nguyen Lam Vuong et al. Combination of inflammatory and vascular markers in the febrile phase of dengue is associated with more severe outcomes. eLife 2021 Jun 22;10:e67460.
This observational study was designed to identify severe dengue patients by using a series of inflammatory markers. The authors generated an immunological signature that included 10 markers for predicting the risk of severe dengue patients. The finding will assist the development of biomarker panels for clinical use and could improve triage and risk prediction in dengue patients.
5. Luong Quoc Chinh et al. Survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, Viet Nam: multicentre prospective cohort study. Bull World Health Organ 2021;99:50-61.
Survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, Viet Nam multicentre prospective cohort study
This study investigated factors that were associated with survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Using an observational study design, the authors showed that pre-hospital defibrillation and hypothermia therapy during post-resuscitation care were predictive of survival probability in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. This finding has implication for the improvement in the emergency medical services.
6. Nguyen Minh Nam et al. A novel signature predicts recurrence risk and therapeutic response in breast cancer patients. Int J Cancer 2021 Jun 1;148(11):2848-2856.
A novel signature predicts recurrence risk and therapeuticresponse in breast cancer patients
This observational retrospective study sought to analyze gene expression profiles for predicting the recurrence of breast cancer and treatment response among breast cancer patients. The authors generated an “ASMT gene signature” that yielded high specificity in predicting the risk of breast cancer recurrence. The finding may help identify patients suitable for tamoxifen treatment and improve their outcome.
7. Le Son Tran et al. Liquid biopsy uncovers distinct patterns of DNA methylation and copy number changes in NSCLC patients with different EGFR‑TKI resistant mutations. Scientific Reports 2021;11: 16436
This study employed plasma cell-free DNA (eg liquid biopsy) to generate a genetic and epigenetic profile in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. The authors found that ‘genetic mutations, genome-wide and hotspot methylation states, and genome instability are important signals associated with acquired resistance to TKI drugs.’
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We would like to thank again all the following colleagues and authors for their participation. Your publications, all meritorious, allow the Vietnamese Medical Community to get an useful insight into the current situation of medical research in Vietnam.
1) Predictors of treatment failures of plasmodium falciparum malaria in Vietnam:
a 4-year single‐centre retrospective study.
Malaria Journal 2021.
Duong Minh Cuong et al.
2) Health Literacy, eHealth Literacy, Adherence to Infection
Prevention and Control Procedures, Lifestyle Changes, and
Suspected COVID-19 Symptoms Among Health Care WorkersDuring Lockdown: Online Survey
J Med Internet Res, 2020
Duong Van Tuyen et al.
3) Physical Activity and Diet Quality Modify the Association
between Comorbidity and Disability among Stroke Patients.
Nutrients 2021
Duong Van Tuyen et al.
4) Single and Combinative Impacts of Healthy Eating Behavior and Physical Activity on COVID-19-like Symptoms among Outpatients: A Multi-Hospital and Health Center Survey
Nutrients 2021
Duong Van Tuyen et al.
5) Clinical characteristics and factors relating to poor outcome in patients with aneurysmal
subarachnoid hemorrhage in Vietnam: A multicenter prospective cohort study
Plos One 2021
Luong Quoc Chinh et al.
6) Survival after traumatic out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Vietnam: a multicenter
prospective cohort study.
BMC Emergency Medicine, 2021
Luong Quoc Chinh, Son N Do et al.
7) Factors relating to mortality in septic patients in Vietnamese
intensive care units from a subgroup analysis of MOSAICS II study
Scientific reports 2021
Luong Quoc Chinh, Son N Do et al.
8) Cost-Effectiveness of Ticagrelor Compared
with Clopidogrel in Patients with Acute CoronarySyndrome from Vietnamese Healthcare Payers’
Perspective. Adv Ther, 2021
Thuy Thi Thu Nguyen et al.
9) Role of clinical pharmacists in epilepsy
management at a general hospital in Vietnam: a before-and-after study.
Journal of Pharmaceutical Policy and Practice
Pham Hong Tham et al.
9. Role of clinical pharmacists in epilepsy management at a general hospital in Vietnam
10) Treatment of pacemaker- induced superior vena cava syndrome by venoplasty with a coronary balloon.
Journal of Arrhythmia. 2021
Pham Le Tra
11) Clinical characteristics and risk factors of gastroesophageal reflux disease in Vietnamese patients with upper gastrointestinal symptoms undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopy
JGH Open: An open access journal of gastroenterology and hepatology (2021)
Pham Thi Trieu Quyen et al.
12) Copenhagen Index versus ROMA in preoperative ovarian malignancy riskstratification: Result from the first Vietnamese prospective cohort study.
Gynecologic oncology, 2021
Tran Doan Tu, Vu Quoc Huy Nguyen et al.
13) Ultra-Deep Sequencing of Plasma-Circulating DNAfor the Detection of Tumor- Derived Mutations inPatients with Nonmetastatic Colorectal Cancer.
Cancer investigation 2021
Le Son Tran & Diep Tuan Tran et al.
14) A prelacrimal approach technique to overcome the limitation of the narrow lacrimal recess
European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology
Tran Viet Luan et al.
14. A prelacrimal approach technique to overcome the limitation of the narrow lacrimal recess
15) A Simplified Double-Bundle Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction by the Three-Inside
Technique With Two Suspension Buttons and One Interference Screw
Arthroscopy Techniques, 2021
Truong Cong Dung, To Dong Kha, et al.
16) Factors associated with the severity of hypertriglyceridemia induced acute pancreatitis
Medicine 2021
Vo Duy Thong et al.
16. Factors associated with the severity of hypertriglyceridemia induced acute pancreatitis
17) Standardization of DNA amount for bisulfite conversion for analyzing the methylation
status of LINE-1 in lung cancer
Plos One 2021
Vo Thi Thuong Lan et al.
18) Early-death weeks associated with COVID-19: a comparison among France, the UK and the USA
Journal of Public Health 2021
Vu Manh Cuong
18. Early-death weeks associated with COVID-19 a comparison among France, the UK and the USA
For more information, please contact Dr. Quan-Vinh Nguyen (President of HELVIETMED) on Qvnguyen@swissonline.ch, or Professor Tuan V. Nguyen (Chair, Scientific Committee) on tuanvan.nguyen@uts.edu.au.
Scientific Committee
Distinguished Professor Tuan Van Nguyen, Australia (Chair)
Professor Anh-Tuan Dinh-Xuan, France
Emeritus Professor Nu Viet Vu, Switzerland
Emeritus Professor Ezio Giacobini, Switzerland
Professor Uyen Do Huynh, Switzerland
Dr. Vincent Vinh-Hung, France
Emeritus Professor Jean-Pierre Kraehenbuhl, Switzerland
Dr. Quan-Vinh Nguyen, Switzerland