Differentiation Effect of Two Alkaloid Fractions from Vietnamese Lycopodiaceae on Mouse Neural Stem Cells

Various Lycopodium alkaloids have been studied for their various biological activities including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and neuroprotective activities. Moreover, these alkaloid compounds have high potential in the treatment of neuron degenerative disease. This study has been carried out to test the effect of Huperzia serrata (Thunb.) Trevis, and Lycopodium clavatum L alkaloid fractions on the mouse neural stem cells (NSCs). Firstly, the alkaloid fractions were used to verify its toxicity on NSCs. The multiple concentrations of alkaloid fractions from H. serrata (0.044; 0.088; 0.175; 0.35; 0.7; 1.4 mg/ml) and L. clavatum (0.031; 0.063; 0.125; 0.25; 0.50; 1.0; 2.0 mg/ml) have been used for the treatment of NSCs at period of 48h incubation. Results of the study suggested that the IC50 value of H. serrata and L. clavatum was 0.56 mg/ml and 0.50 mg/ml, respectively. Then, the NSCs were differentiated in the presence of 5 and 10 µg/ml of alkaloid fraction from H. serrata; 0.625 and 1.25 µg/ml of alkaloid fraction from L. clavatum for 6 days. Here, we observed the primary NSCs treated with alkaloid fraction extract from H. serrata showed the increased gene expression level of early neuron TUBB3 and neuron-specific cytoskeleton MAP2. On the other hand, the L. clavatum alkaloid fraction increased the expression of neural stem cell marker genes (Nestin and PAX6) and decreased neuron marker genes. In conclusion, these results established that alkaloid fraction from H. serrata promoted differentiation of the mouse NSCs to neuron cells, and L. clavatum extract had a capacity for stemness maintenance

STUDY ON THE EFFECT OF CALCIUM-ALGINATE AND WHEY PROTEIN ON THE SURVIVAL RATE OF Bifidobacterium bifidum IN MAYONNAISE

ABSTRACT – QMFS 2019The functional food development by adding probiotic bacteria is getting a lot of concern. In this study, Bifidobacterium bifidum AS 1.1886 was encapsulated in calcium-alginate 2% w/v (C sample) or the mix of calcium-alginate 2% (w/v) and whey protein 1% (w/v) (CW sample) or calcium-alginate 2% (w/v) coated by whey protein 1% (w/v) (CcW sample) by extrusion method, and added to mayonnaise product. The pH changes, the survival rate of probiotic bacteria, and total yeast and mold count during storage, as well as the probiotic survival in simulated gastric medium, were evaluated. The result showed that the pH changes were not significantly different in all mayonnaise samples in this test. The viability of the free probiotic cell was significant decrease about 5.85 log CFU/g compared to 0.26 ÷ 1.14 log CFU/g in encapsulated cell samples after four weeks of storage. None of the free cells survived after six weeks of storage. The total yeast and mold count in samples related to the probiotic count, the viability of probiotic cells higher 6 log CFU/g might be controlling the growth of yeast and molds in mayonnaise. Whey protein has been shown to significantly improve the survival rate of B.bifidum and calcium-alginate coated by whey protein, indicating the most effective protection. The result showed that the application potential of encapsulated probiotic in mayonnaise product

FIRST RECORD OF CANTHARELLUS MINOR IN VIETNAM

This species of mushroom with orange fruiting bodies and yellow flesh grows in clumps on the forest land in the coordinates 11o56'34.45" N, 108o28'33.56" E in the pine (Pinus kesiya) forest, Da Lat City, Lam Dong Province, Vietnam. The results of analysis on the morphology, both macro- and micro-morphological characteristics of this mushroom showed that, pileus: 5-15 mm wide, infundibuliform; yellowish to orange; margin incurred, wavy-liked margin, non-striate; Pileus surface: smooth, scaleless, yellowish; Lamellae: distant, decurrent, not intervenose, concolorous to pileus; Context: concolourous to the pileus, slight sweetness, aromatic flavor; Stipe: cylindrical shape, surface smooth, concolourous to pileus, 1-2 mm diameter, 20-50 mm length; Basidiospores: 6-11.5 x 4-6.5 μm, ovoid-ellipsoid with smooth surface; Basidia: 65 x 10 μm, cornuted 4-6 spores per basidium. Phylogenetic analysis of nrLSU sequence yielded consistent topology in different taxa of Cantharellus. The phylogenetic position of XC02 was obtained and accepted at sub-generic level: subgenus Parvocantharellus. This clade was suggested to be monophyletic, and separated from other sub-generic levels. Morphologically phylogenetically distinct from the other species of clade 4, such as C. appalachiensis, C. tabernensis, C. aff. Congolensis. The highly supported monophyletic group with referent Cantharellus minor was obtained with the bootstrap value of 99, indicated that XC02 was significant closely to Cantharellus minor. Phylogenetic of nrLSU analysis revealed clades with statistical support corresponding to morphological observation, thus, XC2 was concluded as Cantharellus minor

Assessing Vegetation Cover Change Using Remote Sensing: Case Study at Binh Duong Province, Vietnam

This study aims to present the application of remote sensing in monitoring vegetation change in Binh Duong Province, Vietnam. The study used Landsat 5 images in the year 2010 and Landsat 8 images in the years 2015 and 2020 to investigate the area of vegetation. The maximum likelihood classification method (MLC) was used to classify land cover and an accuracy matrix was computed to validate the classification results. The references data were collected to support classification and accuracy assessment processes including land use maps in 2010, 2015, and 2020. In addition, collected field points and UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) in 2020 were used. The overall accuracies are 81.27%, 84.41%, and 83.86%, and Kappa indices were 0.76, 0.80, and 0.80, corresponding to 2010, 2015, and 2020. The results showed that as compared to 2010 and 2015, the area of vegetation in 2020 decreased 10% and 8%, respectively. The average vegetation cover per capita was 740 m2 person-1 in 2020, compared to 1000 m2 person-1 in 2015 and 1200 m2 person-1 in 2010. This reduction was obvious in urban areas in the province, due to the need for construction and development. The study provides meaningful information on vegetation change and green area per capita in Binh Duong Province from 2010 to 2020

Optimization of the leaching process of the printed circuit boards production’s sludge for copper recovery via electrolysis

Copper is the main component of printed circuit boards (PCBs) which is the main part of an electronic device. The manufacture of PCBs often releases huge amount of sludge which contained copper. Derived from the demand of the industrial park about the wasted sludge treatment and the reducing of the plantation of natural mineral resources, the copper recovery process from PCBs manufacture's wasted sludge was studied. The process of copper leaching by sulfuric acid solution was studied using experimental planning methods using the simulation software Modde 5.0. The parameters were calculated and simulated to evaluate the effect of the acid concentration, leaching time, and the ratio between the solid and liquid phases on the leaching efficiency. The obtained results by simulation were compared with real experimental results. The obtained results from this study are planning in the actual deployment of the Hanoi Urban Environment One Member Limited Company in Vietnam. Keywords. Printed circuit board, copper sludge, leaching

Quantifying antimicrobial access and usage for paediatric diarrhoeal disease in an urban community setting in Asia.

OBJECTIVES: Antimicrobial-resistant infections are a major global health issue. Ease of antimicrobial access in developing countries is proposed to be a key driver of the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) epidemic despite a lack of community antimicrobial usage data. METHODS: Using a mixed-methods approach (geospatial mapping, simulated clients, healthcare utilization, longitudinal cohort) we assessed antimicrobial access in the community and quantified antimicrobial usage for childhood diarrhoea in an urban Vietnamese setting. RESULTS: The study area had a pharmacy density of 15.7 pharmacies/km2 (a pharmacy for every 1316 people). Using a simulated client method at pharmacies within the area, we found that 8% (3/37) and 22% (8/37) of outlets sold antimicrobials for paediatric watery and mucoid diarrhoea, respectively. However, despite ease of pharmacy access, the majority of caregivers would choose to take their child to a healthcare facility, with 81% (319/396) and 88% (347/396) of responders selecting a specialized hospital as one of their top three preferences when seeking treatment for watery and mucoid diarrhoea, respectively. We calculated that at least 19% (2688/14427) of diarrhoea episodes in those aged 1 to <5 years would receive an antimicrobial annually; however, antimicrobial usage was almost 10 times greater in hospitals than in the community. CONCLUSIONS: Our data question the impact of community antimicrobial usage on AMR and highlight the need for better education and guidelines for all professionals with the authority to prescribe antimicrobials

Evaluation Of Allelopathic Potential Of Cissus sicyoides Against the Growth Of Echinochloa Crus-Galli And Some Tested Plants

Many plant species in nature exert significant allelopathic potential as part of the defense mechanism system, many among their secondary metabolites (allelochemicals), including mineral constituents, which are responsible for the suppression of weeds and enhancing crop yield when directly incorporated into paddy fields. Cissus sicyoides is considered a high-potential allelopathic plant because of its invasion in nature and detected allelochemicals from the plant parts in some studies. The objective of this research was to exploit the allelopathic properties of C.sicyoides against paddy weeds and some indicator plants under laboratory bioassays and greenhouse conditions. The results demonstrated that C. sicyoides had significant inhibition on E. crus-galli, tested plants, and other paddy weeds. In the laboratory conditions, the extracts from C.sicyoides leaves inhibited the growth of Echinochloa crus-galli by 54.3%. The powders from C.sicyoides leaves inhibited the emergence of paddy weeds by approximately 100.0%. In the greenhouse conditions, the powders from C.sicyoides leaves by adding after 3 and 13 days inhibited the growth of E. crus-galli and the emergence of paddy weeds by 64.4%. Remarkably, negligible harmful effects on rice growth were observed. The findings of the study may provide useful information for the exploitation of this plant species to effectively control weeds in the rice fields for sustainable agriculture production

Biflavones and megastigmane glycosides from the leaves of Antidesma bunius.

Two biflavones, podocarpusflavone A (1) and amentoflavone (2) and two megastigmane glycosides, byzantionoside B (3) and (6S,9R)-roseoside (4) were isolated from the methanol extract of the leaves of Antidesma bunius. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods and in comparison with the published data. Keywords. Antidesma bunius, Euphorbiaceae, biflavone, megastigmane

The Efficacy of a Two-Fold Increase of H1-Antihistamine in the Treatment of Chronic Urticaria - the Vietnamese Experience

BACKGROUND: Chronic urticaria, a mast cell-driven condition, is common, debilitating and hard to treat. H1-antihistamines are the first line treatment of chronic urticaria, but often patients do not get satisfactory relief with the recommended dose. European guidelines recommend increased antihistamine doses up to four-fold. AIM: We conducted this study to evaluate the efficacy of increased H1-antihistamine doses up to two-fold in Vietnamese chronic urticaria patients. METHODS: One hundred and two patients with chronic urticaria were recruited for treatment with levocetirizine (n = 52) or fexofenadine (n = 50). Treatment started at the conventional daily dose of 5 mg levocetirizine or 180 mg fexofenadine for 2 weeks and then increased to 10 mg levocetirizine or 360 mg fexofenadine for 2 weeks if patients did not have an improvement in symptoms. At week 0, week 2 and week 4 wheal, pruritus, size of the wheal, total symptom scores, and associated side-effects were assessed. RESULTS: With the conventional dose, the total symptom scores after week 2 decreased significantly in both groups compared to baseline figures, i.e. 7.4 vs 2.3 for levocetirizine group and 8.0 vs 2.6 for fexofenadine group (p &lt; 0.05). However, there were still 26 patients in each group who did not have improvements. Of these 26 patients, after having a two-fold increase of the conventional dose, 11.5% and 38.5% became symptom-free at week 4 in levocetirizine group and fexofenadine group, respectively. At week 4 in both groups, the total symptom scores had significantly decreased when compared with those at week 2 (2.8 ± 1.5 versus 4.7 ± 1.6 in levocetirizine group; 2.1 ± 1.9 versus 5.1 ± 1.4 in fexofenadine group). In both groups, there was no difference in the rate of negative side effects between the conventional dose and the double dose. CONCLUSION: This study showed that increasing the dosages of levocetirizine and fexofenadine by two-fold improved chronic urticaria symptoms without increasing the rate of negative side effects

Merosesquiterpenes from marine sponge Smenospongia cerebriformis

Using various chromatography methods, three merosesquiterpenes belonging to sesquiterpene quinone type, neodactyloquinone (1), dactyloquinone D (2), and dactyloquinone C (3) together with two indole derivatives indole-3-aldehyde (4) and indole-3-cacboxylic methyl ester (5) were isolated from the methanol extract of the Vietnamese marine sponge Smenospongia cerebriformis. Their structures were determined by 1D-, 2D-NMR spectra, HR-ESI-MS and in comparison with those reported in the literature. Keywords. Smenospongia cerebriformis, merosesquiterpene, sesquiterpene quinone, indole derivative