In silico and in vivo study of anti-inflammatory activity of Morinda longissima (Rubiaceae) extract and phytochemicals for treatment of inflammation-mediated diseases.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Traditionally, the plant Morinda longissima Y.Z.Ruan (Rubiaceae) is used by ethnic people in Vietnam for the treatment of liver diseases and hepatitis. AIM OF THE STUDY: The study was designed to assess the efficacy of the 95% ethanolic extract of Morinda longissima roots (MLE) in experimental immune inflammation. The phytochemical variation of root extract and the chemical structures of natural compounds were also investigated using HPLC-DAD-HR-MS analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three different doses (100, 200, and 300 mg/kg b.w.) of MLE were chosen to determine anti-inflammatory activity. The mice were given orally extracts and monitored their behavior and mortality for 14 days to evaluate acute toxicity. The volume of the paw and the histopathological evaluation were carried out. The polyphenolic phytoconstituents of MLE extract were identified using LC/MS analysis. The anti-inflammatory efficacy in silico and molecular docking simulations of these natural products were evaluated based on their cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and 2 inhibitory effects. RESULTS: This investigation showed the 95% ethanolic extract of Morinda longissima roots was found non-toxic up to 2000 mg/kg dose level in an acute study, neither showed mortality nor treatment-related signs of toxicity in mice. Eight anthraquinones and anthraquinone glycosides of Morinda longissima roots were identified by HPLC-DAD-HR-MS analysis. In the in vivo experiments, MLE was found to possess powerful anti-inflammatory activities in comparison with diclofenac sodium. The highest anti-inflammatory activity of MLE in mice was observed at a dose of 300 mg/kg body weight. The in silico analysis showed that seven out the eight anthraquinones and anthraquinone glycosides possess a selectivity index RCOX-2/COX-1 lower than 1, indicating that these compounds are selective against the COX-2 enzyme in the following the order: rubiadin-3-methyl ether < morindone morindone-6-methyl ether < morindone-5-methyl ether < damnacanthol < rubiadin < damnacanthol-3-O-ß-primeveroside. The natural compounds with the best selectivity against the COX-2 enzyme are quercetin (9), rubiadin-3-methyl ether (7), and morindone (4), with RCOX2/COX1 ratios of 0.02, 0.03, and 0.19, respectively. When combined with the COX-2 protein in the MD research, quercetin and rubiadin-3-methyl ether greatly stabilized the backbone proteins and ligands. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the anthraquinones and ethanolic extract of Morinda longissima roots may help fight COX-2 inflammation. To develop novel treatments for inflammatory disorders linked to this one, these chemicals should be investigated more in the future.

Assessing water quality in the Dong Nai River (Vietnam): implications for sustainable management and pollution control.

Dong Nai River provides essential water resources for millions of people across 11 provinces and cities in Vietnam. However, the different pollution sources such as household, farming, and industrial operations have caused the river water quality to deteriorate over the past decade. To gain a comprehensive understanding of the river's surface water quality, this study employed the water quality index (WQI) across 12 different sampling sites. In total,144 water samples with 11 parameters were analyzed in accordance with the Vietnamese standard 08:2015/MONRE. Results revealed a range of surface water quality, from poor to good according to the VN-WQI (Vietnamese standard), and a medium even bad level in some months according to the NS-WQI (American standard). The study also identified temperature, coliform, and dissolved oxygen (DO) as strong contributors to WQI values (VN_WQI standard). Principal component analysis/factor analysis was used to determine pollution sources, with the results highlighting agricultural and domestic activities as the main contributors to river pollution. In conclusion, this study underscores the importance of effective planning and management of infrastructure zoning and local activities to improve the river's surface water quality and surrounding areas, as well as safeguard the well-being of the millions who depend on it.

Role of geopolitical risk, currency fluctuation, and economic policy on tourist arrivals: temporal analysis of BRICS economies.

The tourism industry is vulnerable to a range of economic and political factors, which can have both short-term and long-term impacts on tourist arrivals. The study aims to investigate the temporal dynamics of these factors and their impact on tourist arrivals. The method employed is a panel data regression analysis, using data from BRICS economies over a period of 1980-2020. The dependent variable is the number of tourist arrivals, while the independent variables are geopolitical risk, currency fluctuation, and economic policy. Control variables such as GDP, exchange rate, and distance to major tourist destinations are also included. The results show that geopolitical risk and currency fluctuation have a significant negative impact on tourist arrivals, while economic policy has a positive impact. The study also finds that the impact of geopolitical risk is stronger in the short term, while the impact of economic policy is stronger in the long term. Additionally, the study shows that the effects of these factors on tourist arrivals vary across BRICS countries. The policy implications of this study suggest that BRICS economies need to develop proactive economic policies that promote stability and encourage investment in the tourism industry.

Preliminary results of laparoscopic versus open pancreaticoduodenectomy in Vietnam: A retrospective analysis from a multi-center research.

INTRODUCTION: The goal of this study was to compare the results of LPD with those of open pancreaticoduodenectomy (OPD). METHOD: Data were retrospectively collected from a database of patients who underwent PD from January 2010 to May 2020. Intraoperative, postoperative, and follow-up assessment studies were conducted. RESULTS: A total of 149 patients were selected. Compared with OPD, LPD was fewer intraoperative blood transfusions (p = 0.015), a longer median operative time (p < 0.001), hospital stay (p = 0.034), a higher rate of bile leakage (p = 0.02), overall morbidity (p = 0.045), and re-operation (p = 0.044). There was no difference between the two groups in severe pancreatic fistula, postoperative bleeding, delayed gastric emptying, Clavien-Dindo classification ≥ III, or 30-day mortality. LPD had a similar number of excised lymph nodes, R0 resection rate, and long-term survival cases involving malignant tumors, ampulla of Vater cancer, and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. CONCLUSION: In the early period, the benefit of LPD has not been found as there was a high rate of conversion to laparotomy, morbidity, and re-operation. Despite that, LPD is a feasible oncological approach with long-term survival comparable to OPD.

Systematic synthesis of different-sized AgInS2/GaSxnanocrystals for emitting the strong and narrow excitonic luminescence.

This paper presents for the first time the systematic synthesis of AgInS2(AIS) nanocrystals (NCs) with different sizes of 2.6-6.8 nm just by controlling only the reaction temperature. The synthesis of AIS core NCs was carried out in 2 steps: (i) synthesis of Ag2S NCs and then (ii) partial exchange of Ag+with In3+in the template Ag2S NCs. For step (i), Ag2S NCs of different sizes were synthesized by reaction of the Ag and S precursors at different temperatures of 30 °C to 130 °C, for the same reaction time of 30 min. For step (ii), AIS NCs were created by the exchange of Ag+with In3+at 120 °C for 60 min. Finally, GaSxwas shelled on AIS core NCs to produce the AgInS2/GaSxcore/shell structures. The synthesized AIS/GaSxNCs demonstrate the clear excitonic absorptions and strong, narrow excitonic luminescence peaking at 530-606 nm depending on the size of AIS core NCs.

Laparotomy management of diaphragmatic and hollow viscera rupture combined with thoracic endovascular aortic repair after a traffic accident: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Road traffic incidents are the most common cause of multiple organ trauma in low- and middle-income countries. Multiple blunt intra-abdominal organs that rupture in conjunction with a ruptured aorta are terrible and rare. CASE PRESENTATION: A 65-year-old man sustained critical injuries during a traffic collision between a motorcycle and truck. The Injury Severity Score was 42 points,. After open abdominal exploration, we repaired the left diaphragmatic rupture with a 13-cm-long tear of IV grade (American Association for the Surgery of Trauma), resected partial small bowel, simple suture of the transverse colon, and Hartmann procedure in the descending colon. Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) was performed 22 h after laparotomy. Reconstruction of the head depicting a cheekbone fracture and inferior to the left orbital bone was performed on the 14th day. The patients survived and were discharged from the hospital, at 22 days without morbidity or mortality. DISCUSSION: Diaphragmatic rupture provides a signal to relate head, thoracic, and abdominal blunt trauma. If the patient sustains more serious life-threatening injuries that require emergency laparotomy or craniotomy, and aortic repair may be delayed. Laparotomy is the best initial surgical method in this case. TEVAR is a feasible and gold standard procedure for the treatment of patients with the necessary indications. CONCLUSION: It is essential to evaluate the level of organ damage to properly coordinate the specialists. The timing of the operation and therapeutic alternatives should be decided for each patient.

A new triterpenoid from the stems of Kadsura coccinea with antiproliferative activity.

A series of schiartane C29 nortriterpenoids with 5/5/7/6/5 membered consecutive rings (1‒5) with an unique schinortriterpenoid skeleton including a new, kadcoccilactone V (1), together with four known ones (2‒5) and three known triterpenoids (6‒8) were identified from stems of Kadsura coccinea (Lem.) A. C. Smith. The structures of 1 and known compounds were elucidated by interpretation of 1D and 2D NMR, and HR-ESI-MS data as well as comparing those data in the literature. All the isolated compounds were examined for cytotoxic effects against six human cancer cell lines [(HCT-15 (colon), NUGC-3 (stomach), NCI-H23 (lung), ACHN (renal), PC-3 (prostate), and MDA-MB-231 (breast)]. Among them, compound 6 showed potent cytotoxicity against NCI-H23 (GI50 1.28 µM) and NUGC-3 (GI50 1.28 µM), and significantly inhibited on PC-3, MDA-MB-231, ACHN, HCT-15 with GI50 values around 2.33 to 2.67 µM.

Secondary metabolites from Valeriana jatamansi with their anti-inflammatory activity.

Valeriana jatamansi is hired as multiple remedies for treatment of insomnia, blood and circulatory disorders, asthma, dry cough, jaundice, seminal weakness, cardiac debility, and skin diseases in Vietnam. Our research discovered the phytochemical investigation of constituents from this herbal medicine resulted in the isolation of two new compounds (jatamansides A (4) and B (7)) together with 16 known ones from the whole plant. Their structures were established by using spectroscopic techniques (multinuclear and multidimensional nuclear magnetic resonance, infrared, ultraviolet-visible), mass spectrometry, hydrolysis analysis, or comparing their NMR data to those reported in the literature. In addition, all the isolates were evaluated for their inhibitory effect against TNF-α production in LPS-stimulated on RAW264.7 cells with significant inhibition.

Upconversion NaYF4:Yb3+/Er3+@silica-TPGS Bio-Nano Complexes: Synthesis, Characterization, and In Vitro Tests for Labeling Cancer Cells.

Fluorescence imaging is an important technique used for early diagnosis and effective treatment of some incurable diseases including cancer. Herein, we report novel NaYF4:Yb3+/Er3+@silica-TPGS bio-nano complexes for labeling cancer cells. The NaYF4:Yb3+/Er3+ nanoparticles have been successfully synthesized via a hydrothermal route, further coated with a silica shell, and functionalized with d-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS). The experimental results indicate that NaYF4:Yb3+/Er3+@silica-TPGS emits stronger upconversion luminescence than NaYF4:Yb3+/Er3+ under an excitation of 980 nm. More significantly, the NaYF4:Yb3+/Er3+@silica-TPGS bio-nano complexes could strongly label MCF-7 breast cancer cells for in vitro experiments detected by a fluorescence microscope. On the other hand, the complex could not typically probe healthy cells, which are HEK-293A human embryonic kidney cells, under the same experimental conditions. Because of their strong upconversion luminescence, good dispersibility, and biocompatibility, NaYF4:Yb3+/Er3+@silica-TPGS bio-nano complexes can be a promising candidate/probe for biomedical labeling and diagnostics.

Laparoscopic Surgery for Diagnosis and Treatment of Acute Right Upper-Quadrant Abdominal Pain Due to Omental Infarction: A Report of a Rare Case in a Single Vietnamese Hospital.

BACKGROUND Omental infarction (OI) is an infrequent cause of acute abdominal pain, and there is no consensus on whether conservative or surgical treatment should be performed. The clinical manifestations are nonspecific, so many patients are referred for surgery because of acute abdominal signs that may indicate other diseases such as cholecystitis, appendicitis, or peptic ulcer perforation. In most cases, infarction of the greater omentum is diagnosed only during emergency surgery for other diseases of the abdomen. Currently, multisequence computed tomography is performed for acute abdomen, and this disease is increasingly diagnosed preoperatively. CASE REPORT We report on 2 patients who were referred to our Emergency Department for acute abdominal pain. Both were female and middle-aged. The first patient presented with vomiting and right upper-quadrant pain with thickened and right subcostal omental infiltration on computed tomography (CT). The second patient presented with right subcostal pain and fever. CT showed signs of infiltration, thickening of the omentum, and a right upper subcostal mass measuring 22×60 mm. We performed emergency laparoscopic surgery to explore the abdominal cavity. Both patients were discharged after 3 days. CONCLUSIONS Omentum infarction is a rare disease that causes a diagnostic dilemma, as there is a wide spectrum of causes of acute abdomen. Many patients are diagnosed only during surgery. Laparoscopic surgery should be performed as soon as possible.

New flavonoid and stilbene derivatives from the fruits of Macaranga balansae.

Two new prenylated flavonoids, 4´-methyl-8-prenyltaxifolin (1) and 6,8-diprenyl-4´-methyl-naringenin (2) and a new geranylated stilbene, 4'-deprenyl-4-methoxymappain (3) together with eight known flavonoids (4-11) were isolated from the fruits of Macaranga balansae Gagnep. Their chemical structures were determined by means of spectroscopic methods including 1D, 2D NMR, and MS data. Compound 2 showed the highest cytotoxic activity against PanC1, A549, KB and LU-1 cell lines with IC50 values range from 7.89 to 22.81 µM.