Synthesis of cuprous oxide nanocubes combined with chitosan nanoparticles and its application to p-nitrophenol degradation

For the first time, cuprous oxide nanocubes (Cu2O NCBs) were successfully combined with chitosan nanoparticles (CS NPs) to generate Cu2O NCBs/CS NPs composites material with highly optical property and photocatalytic activity using a simple and eco-friendly synthetic approach at room temperature for 30 min. The synthesized Cu2O NCBs NPs/CS NPs were determined characterizations by Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X – ray Diffraction (XRD),  Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) and Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Results show that the Cu2O NCBs/CS NPs composites have an average particle size of ~3-5 nm; in which, Cu2O has the form of nanocubes (Cu2O NCBs) with size ~3-4 nm and chitosan nanoparticles with spherical shape (CS NPs) with size ~4-5 nm. In addition, the percent (%) composition of elements present in Cu2O NCBs/CS NPs composites material have been obtained respective: Cu (23.99%), O (38.18%), and C (33.61%). Moreover, Cu2O NCBs/CS NPs composites material was also investigated for photocatalytic activity applied in p-nitrophenol degradation. The obtained results showed that the catalytic capability of Cu2O NCBs/CS NPs for p-nitrophenol reduction reached the highest efficiency >55% in the treatment time of 25 min, and this efficiency was higher than that result of using ZnO@chitosan nanoparticles (ZnO@CS NPs) catalyst under the same conditions for comparison

VIETNAMESE STUDENT RESEARCHERS’ EXPECTATIONS OF THEIR SUPERVISOR AND SUPERVISION PROCESS

In Vietnam, scientific research is no longer just the work of scientists, graduate students, scholars, or lecturers; tertiary students are also encouraged to conduct scientific research. Therefore, the scientific research work of students receives more attention from educators. The research on carrying out scientific research of students is also therefore increasing. However, researchers do not seem to have paid enough attention to the role of supervisors during the supervision process. The evidence is that there are few studies on supervisors in Vietnam. Therefore, this study was conducted to learn about the role of supervisors from the student's perspective and expectations. Specifically, this study was conducted quantitatively with the use of a questionnaire consisting of 49 questions with a 5-point Likert scale. A total of 100 English-major students at a university in Southwest Vietnam participated in this study by answering the questionnaire. The results from the questionnaire show that students had high expectations from their supervisors. Specifically, students expect their supervisor to be someone who respects their opinions, has good scientific research knowledge, can give constructive comments, and is always willing to help them when needed. Based on research findings, supervisors are encouraged to participate in professional development training related to scientific research to improve their research knowledge and skills. Along with that, supervisors need to be aware of their role during the process of guiding students to do scientific research.  Article visualizations

SECONDARY METABOLITES FROM MICROMONOSPORA SP. (G044)

In the course of our screening program, the EtOAc extract of a Micromonospora sp. (strain G044) from sponge Tethya aurantium of the sea of Côtô - Thanh Lân exhibited antimicrobial activity against Enterococcus faecalis, Bacillus cereus and Candida albicans. In this paper, we reported the isolation and structural elucidation of six secondary metabolites Cyclo-(Pro-Trp) (1), Cyclo-(Pro-Met) (2), Cyclo-(Pro-Val) (4), N-acetyltryptamine (3), uridine (5), and 2-phenylacetic acid (6) from the cultures broth of Micromonospora sp. (strain G044). The structures of 1 – 6 were determined by analyses of MS and 2D NMR data. All compounds were evaluated for their antimicrobial activity against a panel of clinically significant microorganisms. Compound 1 inhibited Escherichia coli with a MIC value of 128 µg/ml

Chemical constituents from fruits of Hydnocarpus hainanensis Merr. (Flacourtiaceae) in Vietnam

Five compounds were isolated from the fruits of Hydnocarpus hainanensis Merr. Sleum. (Flacourtiaceae). Their structures were determined by spectroscopic analysis including MS and NMR. The isolates were identified as taraktophyllin (1), hydnocarpic acid (2), 3,4-dihydroxybenzyl alcohol (3), 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (4) and 3-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzoic acid (5)

Secondary metabolites from Micromonospora ectrinospora G017

Eight  compounds, cyclo-(Pro-Tryp) (1), N-[2-(1H-indol-3-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl] acetamide (2), cyclo-(Pro-Tyr) (3), cyclo-(Pro-Phe) (4), cyclo-trans-4-OH-(Pro-Phe) (5), cyclo-(Pro-Leu) (6), cyclo-(Pro-Val) (7), and  uracil (8) were isolated from the culture broth of the marine Micromonospora ectrinospora G017 strain. The structures of the isolated compounds were established on the basis of their spectral data, including mass spectrometry and NMR

Terpenoids from leaves of Viburnum sambucinum Reinw. ex. Blume (Caprifoliaceae)

Six compounds were isolated from the leaves of Viburnum sambucinum Reinw. ex Blume (Caprifoliaceae).  The structures of the isolates were determined by spectroscopic analysis including MS and NMR. Accordingly, the isolated compounds were identified as a-amyrin (1), ursolic acid (2), 3β,28-dihydroxy-urs-12-ene (3), oleanolic acid (4), 16β-hydroxylup-20(29)-ene-3-one (5) and trans-2-phyten-1-ol (6)

Safety and efficacy of fluoxetine on functional outcome after acute stroke (AFFINITY): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Background Trials of fluoxetine for recovery after stroke report conflicting results. The Assessment oF FluoxetINe In sTroke recoverY (AFFINITY) trial aimed to show if daily oral fluoxetine for 6 months after stroke improves functional outcome in an ethnically diverse population. Methods AFFINITY was a randomised, parallel-group, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial done in 43 hospital stroke units in Australia (n=29), New Zealand (four), and Vietnam (ten). Eligible patients were adults (aged ≥18 years) with a clinical diagnosis of acute stroke in the previous 2–15 days, brain imaging consistent with ischaemic or haemorrhagic stroke, and a persisting neurological deficit that produced a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 1 or more. Patients were randomly assigned 1:1 via a web-based system using a minimisation algorithm to once daily, oral fluoxetine 20 mg capsules or matching placebo for 6 months. Patients, carers, investigators, and outcome assessors were masked to the treatment allocation. The primary outcome was functional status, measured by the mRS, at 6 months. The primary analysis was an ordinal logistic regression of the mRS at 6 months, adjusted for minimisation variables. Primary and safety analyses were done according to the patient's treatment allocation. The trial is registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, ACTRN12611000774921. Findings Between Jan 11, 2013, and June 30, 2019, 1280 patients were recruited in Australia (n=532), New Zealand (n=42), and Vietnam (n=706), of whom 642 were randomly assigned to fluoxetine and 638 were randomly assigned to placebo. Mean duration of trial treatment was 167 days (SD 48·1). At 6 months, mRS data were available in 624 (97%) patients in the fluoxetine group and 632 (99%) in the placebo group. The distribution of mRS categories was similar in the fluoxetine and placebo groups (adjusted common odds ratio 0·94, 95% CI 0·76–1·15; p=0·53). Compared with patients in the placebo group, patients in the fluoxetine group had more falls (20 [3%] vs seven [1%]; p=0·018), bone fractures (19 [3%] vs six [1%]; p=0·014), and epileptic seizures (ten [2%] vs two [<1%]; p=0·038) at 6 months. Interpretation Oral fluoxetine 20 mg daily for 6 months after acute stroke did not improve functional outcome and increased the risk of falls, bone fractures, and epileptic seizures. These results do not support the use of fluoxetine to improve functional outcome after stroke

Kangaroo Mother Care in Vietnam: A National Survey of a Middle-Income Country

Background: Kangaroo mother care (KMC) is a low-cost intervention that is indicated to be a highly effective practice for which adoption and implementation are lacking. We investigated the current provision of KMC in Vietnam and explored differences among levels of healthcare facility. Methods: A survey form was sent to 187 hospitals in Vietnam, representing the three levels (central, provincial and district) of public hospital-based maternity services. Results: Overall response rate was 74% (138/187 hospitals). Routine KMC implementation was estimated in 49% of the hospitals. Where KMC was implemented or was being introduced, half of the hospitals had a written protocol and a KMC-dedicated room, and held educational courses on KMC. KMC was mainly performed by the mother. Skin-to-skin contact was mostly performed for <12 h/day (55%), exclusive breastfeeding at discharge was very frequent (89%) and early discharge was considered in half of the hospitals (54%), while follow-up was not performed in 29% of the hospitals. Participants considered follow-up after discharge as the main barrier to KMC implementation, and indicated education (of both parents and health caregivers) and environment upgrades (KMC-dedicated room and equipment) as the most important facilitators. Conclusions: Our survey estimated a limited implementation of KMC in Vietnamese maternity hospitals, with marked variations across the different levels of maternity services. Areas of improvements include increasing the duration of skin-to-skin contact, arranging dedicated spaces for KMC, involving the relatives (especially at district level), extending the availability of a written protocol, improving the eligibility process, and implementing early discharge and follow-up monitoring

Clinical screening of paraquat in plasma samples using capillary electrophoresis with contactless conductivity detection: Towards rapid diagnosis and therapeutic treatment of acute paraquat poisoning in Vietnam

The employment of a purpose-made capillary electrophoresis (CE) instrument with capacitively coupled con tactless conductivity detection ((CD)-D-4) as a simple and cost-effective solution for clinical screening of paraquat in plasma samples for early-stage diagnosis of acute herbicide poisoning is reported. Paraquat was determined using an electrolyte composed of 10 mM histidine adjusted to pH 4 with acetic acid. A detection.limit of 0.5 mg/L was achieved. Good agreement between results from CE-(CD)-D-4 and the confirmation method (HPLC-UV) was obtained, with relative errors for the two pairs of data better than 20% for 31 samples taken from paraquat-intoxicated patients. The results were used by medical doctors for identification and prognosis of acute paraquat poisoning cases. The objective of the work is the deployment of the developed approach in rural areas in Vietnam as a low-cost solution to reduce the mortality rate due to accidental or suicidal ingestion of paraquat

A new cytotoxic compound from the leaves of Styrax annamensis Guillaumin

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