Three-Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging Characteristics of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: A Comparison with Several Echocardiography Parameters.

Background: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a primary cardiac disorder characterized by myocardial hypertrophy without increased afterload. This study set out to describe the cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging characteristics of HCM and to evaluate correlations of selected CMR parameters with echocardiography. Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled 46 patients diagnosed at the Vietnam Heart Institute with HCM and underwent CMR at the Radiology Center, Bach Mai Hospital, from July 2021 to September 2022. Results: A left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT)/aortic valve (AO) diameter ratio of ≥0.38 on CMR was consistent with an LVOT pressure gradient (PG) of <30 mmHg on echocardiography. The LVOT diameter and the LVOT/AO diameter ratio differed significantly between obstructive and non-obstructive HCM. The predominant phenotypes were diffuse asymmetric HCM (32.6%) and septal HCM (37%), followed by apical HCM (6.5%). Most late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) lesions were observed in the mid-wall of the hypertrophic segments. The mean LGE mass was significantly higher in the obstructive group than in the non-obstructive HCM group (p < 0.05). A strong negative correlation (r = -0.66) was found between the LVOT/AO diameter ratio on the CMR and the LVOT PG via echocardiography. Moreover, echocardiography detected morphologic risk factors for sudden cardiac death (SCD) in 80.4% of patients, whereas the corresponding proportion detected by CMR was 91.3%. Patients with systolic anterior motion (SAM) had a risk for a LVOT/AO diameter ratio <0.38, which was 5.7 times the risk observed in their counterparts without SAM. Conclusions: The LVOT/AO diameter ratio detected by CMR is a precise index for classifying hemodynamic HCM groups. CMR was better than echocardiography for SCD risk stratification.

Acute Exposure to Polyethylene Microbeads and Effects on the Water Flea Moina Macrocopa.

Microplastics merit attention as they can be ingested by lower trophic organisms, transferred to the food web, and pose potential risks to higher trophic levels. This study investigated the accumulation and effects of polyethylene microbeads (PEMBs, 63-75 µm) on adult water flea Moina macrocopa (600-800 µm), an order-magnitude difference in size, as a result of acute exposure. The organisms were exposed to PEMBs in four treatments of 0 (the Control), 5, 50, and 500 mg PEMB/L for examining PEMB accumulation, survival and reproduction of the organisms after the 24- and 48-h exposures. In general, M. macrocopa ingested PEMBs within 24-h exposure and reached the cumulative PEMB accumulation value of 0.17 ± 0.21 beads/adult after 48-h exposure in the 500 mg PEMB/L treatment. Exposure to PEMBs resulted in a statistically significant decrease of the cumulative survival rates, from 93 ± 12% in the Control to 37 ± 21% in the 500 mg/L treatment. Nevertheless, exposure to PEMBs did not significantly reduce the cumulative reproduction (p > 0.05), although a decrease was observed. This study suggests that the relatively large-size PEMBs could be ingested by the relatively small-size M. macrocopa and pose potential risks to these organisms.

Modifiable predictors of mental health literacy in the educational context: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Mental health literacy is vital for well-being in educational settings, extending beyond academics to include social and emotional development. It empowers individuals, allowing them to recognize and address their mental health needs and provide essential support to their peers. Despite the acknowledged importance of modifiable factors, there is a noticeable research gap in those amenable to change through educational interventions. Thus, this systematic review aims to identify potentially modifiable predictors of mental health literacy in the educational context. A systematic search was conducted for quantitative studies published between 2019 and October 2023 using several databases following PRISMA guidelines. Studies needed to focus on potentially modifiable predictors of mental health literacy in the educational context. Study quality was assessed using the Appraisal tool for Cross-Sectional Studies (AXIS tool). In total, 3747 titles and abstracts were screened, 60 articles were assessed in full-text screening, and 21 were included in the review. Significant correlations between mental health literacy and modifiable predictors, including stigma toward professional help, self-efficacy, attitudes toward help-seeking, social support, positive psychological states, receiving mental health training, and psychological distress, were identified. By addressing these factors, educational institutions can cultivate community's adept in mental health, fostering an environment marked by empathy, understanding, and proactive engagement in addressing mental health issues. The implications serve as a foundation for future research, policy development, and implementing of practical strategies to enhance mental health literacy in diverse educational settings.

Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitory Activity of Saponins Isolated from Vernonia gratiosa Hance.

Species belonging to the Vernonia (Asteraceae), the largest genus in the tribe Vernonieae (consisting of about 1,000 species), are widely used in food and medicine. These plants are rich sources of bioactive sesquiterpene lactones and steroid saponins, likely including many as yet undiscovered chemical components. A phytochemical investigation resulted in the separation of three new stigmastane-type steroidal saponins (1 - 3), designated as vernogratiosides A-C, from whole plants of V. gratiosa. Their structures were elucidated based on infrared spectroscopy (IR), one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (2D NMR), high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HR-ESI-MS), and electronic circular dichroism analyses (ECD), as well as chemical reactivity. Molecular docking analysis of representative saponins with α-glucosidase inhibitory activity was performed. Additionally, the intended substances were tested for their ability to inhibit α-glucosidase activity in a laboratory setting. The results suggested that stigmastane-type steroidal saponins from V. gratiosa are promising candidate antidiabetic agents.

Fabrication of RHA-silica/graphene oxide nanocomposites for removal of lead ions from water.

In this study, rice husk ash-silica/graphene oxide (RHA-SiO2/GO) nanocomposites were synthesized by the in situ method using (3-aminopropyl) triethoxysilane as a coupling agent. The obtained products were used to remove lead ions (Pb2+) from aqueous solution. Effects of SiO2:GO mass ratio, contact time, pH and initial Pb2+ concentration on the adsorption capacity were studied. It was found that the suitable ratio of SiO2:GO for Pb2+ adsorption is 100:2. The suitable RHA-SiO2/GO was characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller specific surface area and thermal gravimetric analysis. Accordingly, RHA-SiO2/GO nanocomposite could be used as promising adsorbent for the removal of Pb2+ from water.

In vitro study on α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities of a new stigmastane-type steroid saponin from the leaves of Vernonia amygdalina.

Using various chromatographic separations, four compounds, including one new steroid saponin named vernoamyoside E (1), were isolated from the leaves of the Vietnamese medicinal plant Vernonia amygdalina Delile (Asteraceae). Their structures were established by spectroscopic methods such as 1D- and 2D-NMR, HR-ESI-MS, and HPLC analysis. The inhibitory activities against α-glucosidase and α-amylase of the isolated compounds from V. amygdalina were reported for the first time. The results indicated that compound 1 significantly inhibited both against α-amylase and α-glucosidase activity.

Cytotoxic activity of steroidal glycosides from the aerial parts of Solanum torvum collected in Thua Thien Hue, Vietnam.

A phytochemical investigation of Solanum torvum led to the isolation of eleven steroidal glycosides, including neochlorogenin 6-O-ß-D-quinovopyranoside (1), (22 R,23S,25R)-3ß-6α,23-trihydroxy-5α-spirostane 6-O-ß-D-xylopyranosyl-(1→3)-ß-D-quinovopyranoside (2), neochlorogenin 6-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→3)-ß-D-quinovopyranoside (3), solagenin 6-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→3)-ß-D-quinovopyranoside (4), paniculonin A (5), paniculonin B (6), 6α-O-[ß-D-xylopyranosyl-(1→3)ß-D-quinovopyranosyl]-(25S)-5α-spirostan-3ß-ol (7), torvoside J (8), torvoside K (9), torvoside L (10) and solagenin 6-O-ß-D-quinovopyranoside (11). Their chemical structures were elucidated by 1D-NMR and 2D-NMR data as well as comparison with the data reported in the literature. Moreover, all isolated compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against SK-LU-1, HepG2, MCF-7 and T24 cancer cell lines. Among them, compounds 1, 3, 7 and 11 exhibited cytotoxicity against all four tested cell lines with IC50 values ranging from 7.89 ± 0.87 to 46.76 ± 3.88 µM.

Endothelial Nitric Oxide Pathways in the Pathophysiology of Dengue: A Prospective Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: Dengue can cause increased vascular permeability that may lead to hypovolemic shock. Endothelial dysfunction may underlie this; however, the association of endothelial nitric oxide (NO) pathways with disease severity is unknown. METHODS: We performed a prospective observational study in 2 Vietnamese hospitals, assessing patients presenting early (<72 hours of fever) and patients hospitalized with warning signs or severe dengue. The reactive hyperemic index (RHI), which measures endothelium-dependent vasodilation and is a surrogate marker of endothelial function and NO bioavailability, was evaluated using peripheral artery tonometry (EndoPAT), and plasma levels of l-arginine, arginase-1, and asymmetric dimethylarginine were measured at serial time-points. The main outcome of interest was plasma leakage severity. RESULTS: Three hundred fourteen patients were enrolled; median age of the participants was 21(interquartile range, 13-30) years. No difference was found in the endothelial parameters between dengue and other febrile illness. Considering dengue patients, the RHI was significantly lower for patients with severe plasma leakage compared to those with no leakage (1.46 vs 2.00; P < .001), over acute time-points, apparent already in the early febrile phase (1.29 vs 1.75; P = .012). RHI correlated negatively with arginase-1 and positively with l-arginine (P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: Endothelial dysfunction/NO bioavailability is associated with worse plasma leakage, occurs early in dengue illness and correlates with hypoargininemia and high arginase-1 levels.

Polygonum multiflorum root extract as a potential candidate for treatment of early graying hair.

Despite Polygonum multiflorum (PM) has been experiencely used as a drug to treat early graying hair phenomenon in Asian countries for a long time, there is limited study examined the real biological effects of PM on hair graying in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we investigated the effects of PM root extract (PM-RE) on melanin synthesis in human melanoma SKMEL-28 cells and embryos/larvae of wild-type strain AB zebrafish. We also preliminary revealed the molecular mechanism of early hair graying phenomenon in both in vitro and in vivo models. Our results showed that PM-RE significantly induced melanin synthesis in melanin-producing SKMEL-28 melanoma cells and also in zebrafish embryos/larvae at 4-day postfertilization through activation of MC1R/MITF/tyrosinase-signaling pathway. We also investigated the differences in genotype between graying hair follicle and black hair follicle of young peoples and found that early hair graying phenomenon may be related to downregulation of MC1R/MITF/tyrosinase pathway. Taken together, we suggested that PM-RE at safe doses could be used as a potential agent for the treatment of early hair graying and other loss pigmentation-related diseases.

Influence of phytochemicals in piper betle linn leaf extract on wound healing.

BACKGROUND: Wound healing has being extensively investigated over the world. Healing impairment is caused by many reasons including increasing of free-radicals-mediated damage, delaying in granulation tissue formation, reducing in angiogenesis and decreasing in collagen reorganization. These facts consequently lead to chronic wound healing. Piper betle Linn (Betle) leaves have been folklore used as an ingredient of drugs for cutaneous wound treatment. However, the effect of betle leaf on wound healing is not yet well elucidated. In this study, we aimed to investigate the healing efficacy of methanol leaf extract of Piper betle Linn on proliferation of fibroblast NIH3T3 cells as well as full-thickness burn and excision wounds in swiss mice. METHODS: Scratch wound healing assays were conducted to examine the effects of betle leaf extract on healing activity of fibroblast cells. Burn and excision wounds on swiss mouse skins were created for investigating the wound healing progress caused by the betle leaf extract. Malondialdehyde (MDA) was also evaluated to examine the products of lipid hydroperoxide (LPO) under conditions of with or without betle leaf extract treatment. RESULTS: The results of this study showed that Piper betle Linn leaf extract in methanol increased proliferation of NIH3T3 cells and promoted wound healing in vitro and in vivo with both burn wound and excision wound models. In addition, this extract significant decreased level of malondialdehyde (MDA) in liver of treated-mice compared with that in non-treated mice. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that Piper betle Linn can be used as an ingredient in developing natural origin drugs for treatment of cutaneous wounds.

Nonlinear fluorescence response driven by ATP-induced self-assembly of guanidinium-tethered tetraphenylethene.

Nonlinear fluorescence response, which is particularly important to attain the high signal-to-background ratio, was realized by the aggregation-induced fluorescence increase of guanidinium-tethered tetraphenylethene with ATP.

Stereochemistry-dependent, mechanoresponsive supramolecular host assemblies for fullerenes: a guest-induced enhancement of thixotropy.

Self-assembly behaviors of a series of systems (G1, G2, and G3) possessing same organic building blocks based on a substituted anthracene have been investigated in decalin. G2 and G3 are dominated by head-to-tail (ht) and head-to-head (hh) type dimers of G1, respectively. G1 gives a thermoresponsive gel that behaves ideally, showing frequency-independent elastic and viscous moduli. Interestingly, G2 produces a thixotropic gel that shows the signature of structural relaxation, signifying the dynamic nature of the system. In contrast, G3 remains fluidlike. As investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), in the assembly process of G2, first disklike nanoaggregates are formed, and in the second step these aggregates interact to construct the densely packed secondary assembly. A transition from secondary assembly to primary assembly under shear initiates the mechanoresponsive destruction of the gel. In the self-assembly process, G1 propagates in a one-dimensional fashion, whereas G2 and G3 can propagate in a two-dimensionional fashion. The same side orientation of the substituents in G3 facilitates the formation of a compact closed-shell-type structure, which results in the generation of isolated nanocrystals. The long-range weak interaction together with the capability of propagating in two dimensions is found to be essential for the construction of such a mechanoresponsive assembly. C(60) and C(70) could be incorporated successfully in G2 assembly to develop mechanoresponsive fullerene assemblies. The presence of fullerenes not only enhances the elastic properties of G2 but also intensifies the thixotropy. C(70) appears to be a superior guest in terms of property enhancement due to its better size fitting with the concave-shaped host.

A pH-responsive carboxylic ß-1,3-glucan polysaccharide for complexation with polymeric guests.

The helix-forming nature of ß-1,3-glucan polysaccharides is a characteristic that has potential for producing gene carriers, bio-nanomaterials and other chiral nanowires. Herein, carboxylic curdlan (CurCOOH) bearing the ß-1,3-polyglucuronic acid structure was successfully prepared from ß-1,3-glucan polysaccharide curdlan (Cur) by one-step oxidation using a 4-acetamido-TEMPO/NaClO/NaClO(2) system as the oxidant. The resulting high-molecular-weight CurCOOH was proved to bear the 6-COOH group in 100% purity. The optical rotatory dispersion (ORD) spectra indicated that the obtained CurCOOH behaves as a water-soluble single-strand in various pH aqueous media. This advantage has allowed us to use CurCOOH as a polymeric host to form various macromolecular complexes. For example, complexation of CurCOOH with single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) resulted in a water-soluble one-dimensional architecture, which formed a dispersion in aqueous solution that was stable for several months, and much more stable than SWNTs complexes of the similar negatively-charged polyacrylic acid (PAA) and polymethacrylic acid (PMAA). It was shown that in the complex, SWNTs are effectively wrapped by a small amount of CurCOOH, enabling them to avoid electrostatic repulsion. This pH-responsive CurCOOH formed a very stable complex with cationic water-soluble polythiophenes (PT-1), which was stabilized not only by the hydrophobic interaction but also by the electrostatic attraction between trimethylammonium cations in PT-1 and dissociated anionic COO(-) groups in CurCOOH. The included PT-1 became CD-active only in the neutral to basic pH region, and the positive Cotton effect suggested that the conjugated main chain is twisted in the right-handed direction. We also found that CurCOOH can interact with polycytidylic acid (poly(C)) only under high NaCl concentrations, the binding and release of which could be controlled by a change in the salt concentration. We believe, therefore, that CurCOOH bearing a dissociable COOH group can act as a new potential polymeric host to construct novel polymeric complexes applicable for gene carriers, biosensors, chiral polymer assemblies, etc.