Impact of sutherlandia frutescens on hepatic steatosis in high-fat fed rats

Hepatic steatosis is closely associated with development of obesity and type II diabetes mellitus. Western medicine for these metabolic conditions is less accessible to many developing countries because of cost, availability and need for clinical monitoring. These impediments might be addressed by development of evidence-based phytotherapies, especially those that are currently used and for which evidence of safety and efficacy can be provided ... Overall, this study provides a better understanding of the beneficial effects of Sutherlandia on hepatic steatosis by showing that consumption of this plant extract reduced HFD-induced accumulation of hepatic triglycerides by a mechanism that may involve increased fatty acid oxidation. This medicinal plant, therefore, may be a promising phytotherapy for hepatic conditions involving excess triglyceride accumulation.Includes bibliographical reference

Three-dimensional view of out-of-plane artifacts in photoacoustic imaging using a laser-integrated linear-transducer-array probe

Research on photoacoustic imaging (PAI) using a handheld integrated photoacoustic probe has been a recent focus of clinical translation of this imaging technique. One of the remaining challenges is the occurrence of out-of-plane artifacts (OPAs) in such a probe. Previously, we proposed a method to identify and remove OPAs by axially displacing the transducer array. Here we show that besides the benefit of removing OPAs from the imaging plane, the proposed method can provide a three-dimensional (3D) view of the OPAs. In this work, we present a 3D reconstruction method using axial transducer array displacement. By axially displacing the transducer array, out-of-plane absorbers can be three-dimensionally visualized at an elevation distance of up to the acquired imaging depth. Additionally, OPAs in the in-plane image are significantly reduced. We experimentally demonstrate the method with phantom and in vivo experiments using an integrated PAI probe. We also compare the method with elevational transducer array displacement and take into account the sensitivity of the transducer array in the 3D reconstruction.</p

Antimicrobial Activities and Mechanisms of Magnesium Oxide Nanoparticles (nMgO) against Pathogenic Bacteria, Yeasts, and Biofilms.

Magnesium oxide nanoparticle (nMgO) is a light metal based antimicrobial nanoparticle that can be metabolized and fully resorbed in the body. To take advantage of the antimicrobial properties of nMgO for medical use, it is necessary to determine the minimal inhibitory, bactericidal and fungicidal concentrations (MIC, MBC and MFC) of nMgO against prevalent infectious bacteria and yeasts. The objective of this study was to use consistent methods and conditions to reveal and directly compare the efficacy of nMgO against nine prevalent pathogenic microorganisms, including two gram-negative bacteria, three gram-positive bacteria with drug-resistant strains, and four yeasts with drug-resistant strains. The MIC of nMgO varied from 0.5 mg/mL to 1.2 mg/mL and the minimal lethal concentration (MLC) of nMgO at 90% killing varied from 0.7 mg/mL to 1.4 mg/mL against different pathogenic bacteria and yeasts. The most potent concentrations (MPC) of nMgO were 1.4 and/or 1.6 mg/mL, depending on the type of bacteria and yeasts tested. As the concentration of nMgO increased, the adhesion of bacteria and yeasts decreased. Moreover, S. epidermidis biofilm was disrupted at 1.6 mg/mL of nMgO. E. coli and some yeasts showed membrane damage after cultured with ≥0.5 mg/mL nMgO. Overall, nMgO killed both planktonic bacteria and disrupted nascent biofilms, suggesting new antimicrobial mechanisms of nMgO. Production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), Ca2+ ion concentrations, and quorum sensing likely contribute to the action mechanisms of nMgO against planktonic bacteria, but transient alkaline pH of 7 to 10 or increased Mg2+ ion concentrations from 1 to 50 mM showed no inhibitory or killing effects on bacteria such as S. epidermidis. Further studies are needed to determine if specific concentrations of nMgO at MIC, MLC or MPC level can be integrated into medical devices to evoke desired antimicrobial responses without harming host cells

The exporting and subcontracting decisions of Viet Nam\u27s small- and medium-sized enterprises

The exporting and subcontracting decisions of a panel of Vietnamese private small- and medium-sized enterprises is investigated. We find that among subcontractors, subcontracting is a supplementary rather than primary activity; the propensity to export increases with managers\u27 or owners\u27 knowledge of customs law; and, there is some evidence that subcontractors are more likely to have made product improvements while exporters are more likely to have adopted new processes or technologies. Our study provides useful insights into SME exporting and subcontracting strategies made more relevant by the expected reductions in trade costs associated with the World Trade Organization\u27s Trade Facilitation Agreement

SKILLS TO COPE WITH LEARNING STRESS OF STUDENTS IN CAN THO UNIVERSITY, VIETNAM

The research on the topic has systematized the theoretical basis of students' skills to cope with stress in learning. Currently, students face a lot of pressure and stress in their studies, so coping skills are an extremely important issue and need attention. The study presents the manifestations of skills to cope with stress in the learning of students of School of Education at Can Tho University (CTU), Vietnam. The research mainly uses a questionnaire survey method with 400 students from various fields of study, SoE, CTU. According to survey results, there were many manifestations of stress that students encountered. The survey results are the basis for finding the causes so students can plan and manage their time, set specific goals to find effective remedies, adapt and manage better emotions. From the current situation of the problem, the study has proposed measures to support students' skills to cope with stress in their studies. This study provides recommendations to deploy and apply the research results to Can Tho University lecturers and students as well.  Article visualizations

SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL SKILLS IN STUDENTS’ LEARNING IN CAN THO UNIVERSITY, VIETNAM

Based on an overview of domestic and foreign research related to the research field of the topic; the research of the topic has determined the urgency of the topic, research objectives, research objects and scope, research hypotheses, research tasks, and methods. The research on the topic has systematized the theoretical basis for the concept and manifestation of social-emotional skills in student learning: generalizing the picture of the current situation of recognizing the importance of social-emotional skills in student learning, the level of assessment of the manifestation and educational measures of social-emotional skills in learning, and finding out the factors that affect social emotions in student learning such as from the external environment, at school, family and external social relationships. Factors from the internal environment are the self-awareness of each student. From the current situation of the problem, the study has proposed educational measures for 504 students from 8 schools and colleges in Can Tho University (CTU), Vietnam. Some measures were to educate social-emotional skills for students through soft skills topics, teach soft skills to students through extracurricular activities, and soft skills education for students through integrated teaching.  Article visualizations

Synthesis and application of Fe3O4/GO/PVP composite material for methylene blue adsorption

In this study, Fe3O4/GO/PVP (FGP) was successfully synthesized and efficiently applied for absorbing methylene blue. First, GO was synthesized by Hummer’s method from waste home-batteries. The chemical co-precipitation method was used to fabricate Fe3O4/GO from a mixture solution of GO, Fe3+, Fe2+. Polyvinylpyrrolidone PVP was selected to functionalize Fe3O4/GO and form Fe3O4/GO/PVP for improving dispersibility purpose in aqueous solution. The obtained Fe3O4/GO/PVP was characterized by XRD, FT-IR, BET, FE-SEM, UV-Vis techniques. Moreover, the effecting factors as pH, time adsorption, initial concentration of methylene blue were conducted. Adsorption isotherm models were also identified. The results showed that specific surface area of FGP-3 was 70.0 m2.g-1, the Freundlich isotherm model was suitable and the Dubinin - Radushkevich isotherm model showed that the process was physical adsorption. The maximum capacity (qmax) was 30.4 mg.g-1. These findings prove Fe3O4/GO/PVP as an inexpensive and efficient adsorbent for removal of cationic dyes