Complete genome sequence of Streptomyces strain VNUA116, a potential biocontrol against phytopathogenic fusarium wilt fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense.

Here, we present the whole-genome sequence of Streptomyces strain VNUA116 was obtained by combining sequencing data from both PacBio RS II and DNBseq platforms. The complete circular genome is 8,306,919 bp with a GC content of 72.49%.

Movement restrictions, vaccine coverage, and reduction of the COVID-19 incidence rate in the fourth wave of the pandemic: Analysis results from 63 provinces in Vietnam.

On April 27, 2021, the fourth wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic originating from the Delta variant of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) began in Vietnam. The adoption of travel restrictions, coupled with rapid vaccination and mask-wearing, is a global strategy to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Although trade-off between health and economic development are unavoidable in this situation, little evidence that is specific to Vietnam in terms of movement restrictions, vaccine coverage, and real-time COVID-19 cases is available. Our research question is whether travel restrictions and vaccine coverage are related to changes in the incidence of COVID-19 in each province in Vietnam. We used Google's Global Mobility Data Source, which reports different mobility types, along with reports of vaccine coverage and COVID-19 cases retrieved from publicly and freely available datasets, for this research. Starting from the 50th case per province and incorporating a 14-day period to account for exposure and illness, we examined the association between changes in mobility (from day 27 to 04-03/11/2021) and the ratio of the number of new confirmed cases on a given day to the total number of cases in the past 14 days of indexing (the potentially contagious group in the population) per million population by making use of LOESS regression and logit regression. In two-thirds of the surveyed provinces, a reduction of up to 40% in commuting movement (to the workplace, transit stations, grocery stores, and entertainment venues) was related to a reduction in the number of cases, especially in the early stages of the pandemic. Once both movement and disease prevalence had been mitigated, further restrictions offered little additional benefit. These results indicate the importance of early and decisive actions during the pandemic.

Hopea odorata Extract Can Efficiently Kill Breast Cancer Cells and Cancer Stem-Like Cells in Three-Dimensional Culture More Than in Monolayer Cell Culture.

INTRODUCTION: The breast cancer cells with CD44+CD24- phenotype are known to play an important role in tumorigenesis, drug resistance, and cancer recurrence. Breast cancer cells with CD44+CD24- phenotype are cultured in three-dimensional (3D) stereotype showing the recapitulation of tumors in vivo such as cell differentiation, heterogeneity, and microenvironment. Using this 3D model in anti-cancer compound research results in a more accurate reflection than conventional monolayer cell culture. This study aimed to identify the antitumor activity of Hopea odorata methanol extract (HO-MeOH-E) on breast cancer cells and cancer stem-like cells in both models of three-dimensional culture (3D) and monolayer cell culture (2D). METHODS: HO-MeOH-E was produced from Hopea odorata plant. The VN9 breast cancer cells (VN9) were collected and expanded from the previous study. The breast cancer stem-like cells (VN9CSC) were sorted from the VN9 based on phenotype CD44+CD24-. Both VN9 and VN9CSC were used to culture in monolayer culture (2D) and organoids (3D) before they were used to treat with HO-MeOH-E. Two other anticancer drugs, doxorubicin and tirapazamine, were used as references. The antitumor activities of extracts and drugs were determined via two assays: antiproliferation using the Alamar blue assay and cell cycle assay. RESULTS: The results showed that HO-MeOH-E was sensitive to both VN9 and VN9CSC in 3D more than 2D culture (IC50 on 3D organoids 144.8 ± 2.172 µg/mL and on 2D 340.2 ± 17.01 µg/mL for VN9CSC (p < 0.001); IC50 on 3D organoids 2055 ± 82.2 µg/mL and on 2D 430.6 ± 8.612 µg/mL for VN9 (p < 0.0001), respectively). HO-MeOH-E inhibits VN9CSC proliferation by blocking S phase and increasing the populations of apoptotic cells; this is consensus to the effect of tirapazamine (TPZ) which is used in hypoxia-activated chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: Taken these results, HO-MeOH-E has the potential effect in hypoxia-activated chemotherapy specifically on breast cancer stem-like cells with CD44+CD24- phenotype.

Cytotoxic constituents from the seeds of Vietnamese Caesalpinia sappan.

CONTEXT: Caesalpinia sappan Linn. (Leguminosae) has been used in folk medicines for the treatment of many diseases. The heartwood of this plant contains various phenolic components with interesting biological applications; however, the chemical and biological potentials of the seed of this plant have not been fully explored. OBJECTIVE: This study identified the cytotoxic activity of compounds from the seeds of C. sappan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The methanol extract of the seed of C. sappan was suspended in H2O and then partitioned with CH2Cl2, EtOAc, and n-BuOH, successively. Diterpenoid compounds were isolated from the CH2Cl2-soluble fraction by silica gel column chromatography methods using organic solvents. The compound structures were determined by detailed analysis of NMR and MS spectral data. Cytotoxic activity was measured using a modified MTT assay against HL-60, HeLa, MCF-7, and LLC cancer cells. The activation of caspase-3 enzyme and western blotting assay were performed to confirm inhibitory mechanism of active compound. RESULTS: Five cassane-type diterpenoids were isolated and identified as phanginin I (1), phaginin A (2), phanginin D (3), phanginin H (4), and phanginin J (5). Compounds 1-4 showed effective inhibition against HL-60 cells with the IC50 values of 16.4 ± 1.5, 19.2 ± 2.0, 11.7 ± 1.6, and 22.5 ± 5.1 µM. Compounds 1-3 exhibited cytotoxic activity against HeLa cells with the IC50 values of 28.1 ± 3.6, 37.2 ± 3.4, and 22.7 ± 2.8 µM. Treatment of HL-60 cell lines with various concentrations of 3 (0-30 µM) resulted in the growth inhibition and induction of apoptosis. CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrate that compound 3 (phanginin D) is one of the main active components of the seed of C. sappan activating caspases-3 which contribute to apoptotic cell death.