Physicochemical Characterization, Antioxidant and Tyrosinase Inhibitory Activities of Coffea Robusta Monofloral Honey from Dak Lak Province, Vietnam.

Robusta coffee blossom honey stands as a key regional product in Dak Lak province, Vietnam. Despite its significance, there exists a dearth of scientific data for assessing its quality. This study aims to fill this gap by characterizing the physicochemical properties and biological activities of coffee blossom honeys from three distinct sub-regions within Dak Lak province, Vietnam. These activities include ferric reducing power (FRP), DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging, as well as tyrosinase inhibitory activities. Moreover, the study compares these honey samples with other popular varieties in Vietnam, such as Lychee and Longan honeys. The physicochemical parameters of the honey samples meet the standards set by Codex Alimentarius 2001. Through UPLC analysis, eleven compounds were identified, with caffeine serving as a marker for coffee honey. Furthermore, by employing multiple factor analysis (MFA), it was observed that certain physicochemical properties correlate positively with tyrosinase inhibitory, DPPH, ABTS free radicals scavenging activities, and FRP. Notably, tyrosinase inhibitory activity exhibited a positive correlation with antioxidant activity. These findings underscore the high quality of Coffea robusta honey, showcasing its potent antioxidant and tyrosinase inhibitory activities.

Whole genome sequence data of Paenibacillus tyrfis YSS-72.2.G2, a chitinolytic bacterium newly isolated from a National Park of Vietnam.

Paenibacillus tyrfis YSS-72.2.G2 is a soil chitinolytic bacterium newly isolated from Yok Don National Park of Vietnam. Our previous results demonstrated that this bacterium was a strong chitinase producer, possessed plant growth promotion, and had high activity against phytopathogenic fungi. However, the genome sequence of this strain is unknown. This work aimed to establish data on the genome sequence of P. tyrfis YSS-72.2.G2 and its chitinase system for further assessments regarding biocontrol mechanisms and plant growth promotion. The P. tyrfis YSS-72.2.G2 genome is 7,756,121 bp in size and 53.4 % G+C. It harbors 6,948 protein-coding genes, 5 rRNA genes, 82 tRNA genes, 4 ncRNA genes, 99 pseudo genes, and 5 CRISPR arrays. Genes involved in heavy metal resistance (5 genes), iron acquisition (5 genes), and IAA biosynthesis (5 genes) were predicted in the genome. There were 234 carbohydrate-active enzymes found in this genome; among them, 13 enzymes possibly possess activity against phytopathogens. Chitin-degrading system of YSS-72.2.G2 contains 15 chitinolytic enzymes. In addition, 28 gene clusters coding for antimicrobial metabolites were identified, of these, 14 show no sequence similarities to the known clusters. The raw sequences were submitted to the Sequence Read Archive on the National Center for Biotechnology Information with accession number PRJNA946889. The genome sequence of P. tyrfis YSS-72.2.G2 has been deposited in the DDBJ/GenBank/EMBL database under accession number NZ_BSDJ00000000. Data provide insight into the genomic information of strain YSS-72.2.G2. This is the first work reporting data on the genome sequence of P. tyrfis isolated from Vietnam.

Understanding cancer patient cohorts in virtual reality environment for better clinical decisions: a usability study.

BACKGROUND: Visualising patient genomic data in a cohort with embedding data analytics models can provide relevant and sensible patient comparisons to assist a clinician with treatment decisions. As immersive technology is actively used around the medical world, there is a rising demand for an efficient environment that can effectively display genomic data visualisations on immersive devices such as a Virtual Reality (VR) environment. The VR technology will allow clinicians, biologists, and computer scientists to explore a cohort of individual patients within the 3D environment. However, demonstrating the feasibility of the VR prototype needs domain users' feedback for future user-centred design and a better cognitive model of human-computer interactions. There is limited research work for collecting and integrating domain knowledge into the prototype design. OBJECTIVE: A usability study for the VR prototype--Virtual Reality to Observe Oncology data Models (VROOM) was implemented. VROOM was designed based on a preliminary study among medical users. The goals of this usability study included establishing a baseline of user experience, validating user performance measures, and identifying potential design improvements that are to be addressed to improve efficiency, functionality, and end-user satisfaction. METHODS: The study was conducted with a group of domain users (10 males, 10 females) with portable VR devices and camera equipment. These domain users included medical users such as clinicians and genetic scientists and computing domain users such as bioinformatics and data analysts. Users were asked to complete routine tasks based on a clinical scenario. Sessions were recorded and analysed to identify potential areas for improvement to the data visual analytics projects in the VR environment. The one-hour usability study included learning VR interaction gestures, running visual analytics tool, and collecting before and after feedback. The feedback was analysed with different methods to measure effectiveness. The statistical method Mann-Whitney U test was used to analyse various task performances among the different participant groups, and multiple data visualisations were created to find insights from questionnaire answers. RESULTS: The usability study investigated the feasibility of using VR for genomic data analysis in domain users' daily work. From the feedback, 65% of the participants, especially clinicians (75% of them), indicated that the VR prototype is potentially helpful for domain users' daily work but needed more flexibility, such as allowing them to define their features for machine learning part, adding new patient data, and importing their datasets in a better way. We calculated the engaged time for each task and compared them among different user groups. Computing domain users spent 50% more time exploring the algorithms and datasets than medical domain users. Additionally, the medical domain users engaged in the data visual analytics parts (approximately 20%) longer than the computing domain users.

Assessment of the Chemical Profile and Potential Medical Effects of a Flavonoid-Rich Extract of Eclipta prostrata L. Collected in the Central Highlands of Vietnam.

Eclipta prostrata L. (EPL), a medicinal plant, is widely utilized in the central highlands of Vietnam. This study aims to assess the chemical profile and potential medical effects of an EPL extract rich in flavonoids. A total of 36 secondary metabolites were identified from the EPL extract through GC-MS and UHPLC-UV analysis. Among them, 15 volatile compounds and several phenolic and flavonoid chemicals, including salicylic acid, epicatechin gallate, isovitexin, and apigetrin, were reported in EPL extract for the first time. This herbal extract demonstrated moderate inhibition against α-amylase and α-glucosidase, and high anti-oxidant and anti-acetylcholinesterase activities (IC50 = 76.8 ± 0.8 µg/mL). These promising attributes can be likely attributed to the high levels of major compounds, including wedelolactone (1), chlorogenic acid (3), epicatechin gallate (6), salicylic acid (8), isovitexin (9), apigetrin (11), and myricetin (12). These findings align with the traditional use of EPL for enhancing memory and cognitive function, as well as its potential benefits in diabetes management. The results of the molecular docking study reveal that the major identified compounds (1, 6, 9, and 11) showed a more effective acetylcholinesterase inhibitory effect than berberine chloride, with good binding energy (DS values, -12.3 to -14.3 kcal/mol) and acceptable values of RMSD (1.02-1.67 Å). Additionally, almost all the identified major compounds exhibited good ADMET properties within the required limits.

In vitro and in vivo antioxidant and antihyperglycemic potentials of phenolic fractions of Syzygium zeylanicum (L.) DC trunk-bark.

Syzygium zeylanicum L. (DC) (SZL) has been used in antidiabetes treatment for ages. However, the scientific evidence of active agents that have antidiabetic activity and response against biological activities is limited. In this study, the active components of SZL trunk-bark extract (SZL extract) were identified using principal component analysis (PCA), and their antidiabetic activities were assessed. The results indicated that the ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) had the highest concentration of phenolic compounds, antioxidants, and antihyperglycemic activities in the postprandial zebrafish model. The major antioxidant contributors were gallic acid, catechin, epicatechin, ellagic acid, quercetin, caffeine, and apigenin, and their concentrated levels reduced α-amylase inhibitory activity, whereas rutin and ethyl gallate influenced the α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. This study showed the bio-functional properties of active phenolic compounds present in the SZL extract, potentially serving as a functional food to control hyperglycemia.

Novel resources of chitinolytic bacteria isolated from Yok Don National Park, Vietnam.

AIMS: This study focused on the isolation and characterization of chitinolytic bacteria from Yok Don National Park, Vietnam for future studies regarding biofertilizers and biocontrol agents. METHODS AND RESULTS: Chitinolytic bacteria were isolated from soils and chitin flakes soaked in river water at the National Park. On the basis of the halo zones caused by colloidal chitin degradation and colony morphologies, 12 chitinolytic strains were chosen from 15 700 isolates for various examinations. Findings from 16S rDNA analysis indicated that among these strains, 10 could be identified as different species, and the remaining 2 showed less identity to known species and genera. The 12 bacteria possess numerous properties concerning plant growth promotion and/or phytopathogenic biocontrol. Paenibacillus chitinolyticus YSY-3.1, which exhibited the highest chitinase activity and remarkable properties for plant growth, was chosen for sequencing and draft genome analysis. The results showed that the genome is 6571 781 bp in length with 6194 coding sequences, 52.2% G + C, and 96.53% ANI value. It harbors the chitinolytic system comprising 22 enzymes. Among these enzymes, PcChiQ has a loop structure different from that of known family 19 chitinases, PcChiA contains two GH18 catalytic domains rarely found in microorganisms, and PcChiF contains three GH18 catalytic domains that have never been reported. CONCLUSIONS: The 12 identified chitinolytic bacteria exhibit great potential for further studies on plant growth-promoting and/or biocontrol properties. Among these bacteria, two strains might be good candidates for next examinations concerning novel species and/or genera, and strain YSY-3.1 could possess a novel chitinolytic system.

Exocentric and Egocentric Views for Biomedical Data Analytics in Virtual Environments-A Usability Study.

Biomedical datasets are usually large and complex, containing biological information about a disease. Computational analytics and the interactive visualisation of such data are essential decision-making tools for disease diagnosis and treatment. Oncology data models were observed in a virtual reality environment to analyse gene expression and clinical data from a cohort of cancer patients. The technology enables a new way to view information from the outside in (exocentric view) and the inside out (egocentric view), which is otherwise not possible on ordinary displays. This paper presents a usability study on the exocentric and egocentric views of biomedical data visualisation in virtual reality and their impact on usability on human behaviour and perception. Our study revealed that the performance time was faster in the exocentric view than in the egocentric view. The exocentric view also received higher ease-of-use scores than the egocentric view. However, the influence of usability on time performance was only evident in the egocentric view. The findings of this study could be used to guide future development and refinement of visualisation tools in virtual reality.

Metagenomic next-generation sequencing of the microbiome dataset from the surface water sample collected from Serepok River in Yok Don National Park, Vietnam.

The Central Highlands region is considered as the center with the highest biodiversity in Vietnam because it has the majority of national parks such as Yok Don, Chu Yang Sin, Bidoup-Nui Ba, Ta Dung, Chu Mon Ray, and Kon Ka Kinh and nature reserves such as Ngoc Linh, Kon Chu Rang, Ea So, Nam Ka, and Nam Nung with different ecosystems [1]. Of the national parks and nature reserves, Yok Don has the most different ecosystem. Yok Don is the second biggest national park, and it is the only national park that conserves dry deciduous dipterocarp forests in Vietnam [2]. Presently, the decrease in forest area and global warming have led to the continuous reduction in microbial resources in this region. Thus, a dataset of the soil microbiome in this region has been established to explore microbial resources for conservation and further application in sustainable agricultural production in this region [3]; however, to the best of our knowledge, a dataset of water microbiome remains unknown. This work presented a microbiome dataset from surface water samples collected from Serepok River in Yok Don National Park, Vietnam. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing was used to characterize microbial communities in the sample. The raw sequence in this work was uploaded in Fastq format on NCBI, which can be accessed at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Traces/study/?acc=PRJNA853090. This metagenome dataset can provide valuable information on surface water microbial communities and their functionality. It can also be used for further studies on the conservation and application of indigenous microbial resources for sustainable crop production in this region.

Virtual reality for the observation of oncology models (VROOM): immersive analytics for oncology patient cohorts.

The significant advancement of inexpensive and portable virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality devices has re-energised the research in the immersive analytics field. The immersive environment is different from a traditional 2D display used to analyse 3D data as it provides a unified environment that supports immersion in a 3D scene, gestural interaction, haptic feedback and spatial audio. Genomic data analysis has been used in oncology to understand better the relationship between genetic profile, cancer type, and treatment option. This paper proposes a novel immersive analytics tool for cancer patient cohorts in a virtual reality environment, virtual reality to observe oncology data models. We utilise immersive technologies to analyse the gene expression and clinical data of a cohort of cancer patients. Various machine learning algorithms and visualisation methods have also been deployed in VR to enhance the data interrogation process. This is supported with established 2D visual analytics and graphical methods in bioinformatics, such as scatter plots, descriptive statistical information, linear regression, box plot and heatmap into our visualisation. Our approach allows the clinician to interrogate the information that is familiar and meaningful to them while providing them immersive analytics capabilities to make new discoveries toward personalised medicine.

Analysis of endophytic microbiome dataset from roots of black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) cultivated in the Central Highlands region, Vietnam using 16S rRNA gene metagenomic next-generation sequencing.

Vietnam is the most prominent black pepper producer and exporter in the world. In 2020, the cultivated area of black pepper in Vietnam was 132.000 hectares and its production was 270.000 tons, in which the Central Highlands region took about 70% of both the cultivated area and production [1]. Hence, this region is thought to be the capital of black pepper cultivation and production in Vietnam. Numerous researches have investigated biodiversity and collected various beneficial endophytic bacteria from this plant in this region; however, traditional methods only were used to isolate such bacteria [2], [3], [4], [5]. Therefore, these studies have a limitation to providing insight into the profiles of the endophytic microorganism dataset in the black pepper plant. Most recently, our work based on the 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing revealed an insight into profiles of microbial diversity and its functionality from the sample collected from a forest in this region; however, that work was just focused on soil microbiome dataset from the dry deciduous dipterocarp forest in Yok Don national park [6]. To our knowledge, a dataset of endophytic microbiome of black pepper plant cultivated in the Central Highlands remains unclear. This report presents a dataset of the endophytic microbiome from a representative sample combined from five different root samples of black pepper (Vinh Linh local variety) cultivated in the Central Highlands of Vietnam using 16S rRNA gene metagenomic next-generation sequencing. The dataset in this work can provide information on the endophytic microbial diversity and its functionality. It can also be useful for developing cultivation techniques by applying endophytic microbial genetic resources for sustainable black pepper production in the Central Highlands, Vietnam, towards the nutrient need in different stages of development and growth.

Expression, purification, and basic properties of a novel domain structure possessing chitinase from Escherichia coli carrying the family 18 chitinase gene of Bacillus velezensis strain RB.IBE29.

BACKGROUND: Bacillus velezensis possesses numerous chitinolytic enzymes; however, not much is known about the role of its chitinase molecules. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this study, the chiA gene, which encodes a novel domain structure possessing family 18 chitinase from B. velezensis RB.IBE29, was expressed successfully in Escherichia coli BL21-CodonPlus (DE3)-RIPL using the pColdII expression vector. The recombinant protein, rBvChiA, was purified using the HisTrap FF column. Purified rBvChiA showed hydrolytic activity against insoluble chitin and bound to chitinous substrates. In addition, the purified recombinant enzyme displayed remarkable inhibition effects on the spore germination of Fusarium falciforme and the egg hatch of root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.), which are the main causes of black pepper diseases in the Central Highlands region, Vietnam. CONCLUSION: The current work results might enable further studies to develop novel chitinase A and strain RB.IBE29 as a natural fungicide and nematicide for sustainable black pepper production and other crops in the Central Highlands, Vietnam. This is the second report describing chitinase from B. velezensis based on the experimental data.

Molecular analysis of genes involved in chitin degradation from the chitinolytic bacterium Bacillus velezensis.

Bacillus velezensis RB.IBE29 is a potent biocontrol agent with high chitinase activity isolated from the rhizosphere of black pepper cultivated in the Central Highlands, Vietnam. Genome sequences revealed that this species possesses some GH18 chitinases and AA10 protein(s); however, these enzymes have not been experimentally characterized. In this work, three genes were identified from the genomic DNA of this bacterium and cloned in Escherichia coli. Sequence analysis exhibited that the ORF of chiA consists of 1,203 bp and encodes deduced 45.46 kDa-chitinase A of 400 aa. The domain structure of chitinase A is composed of a CBM 50 domain at the N-terminus and a catalytic domain at the C-terminus. The ORF of chiB includes 1,263 bp and encodes deduced 47.59 kDa-chitinase B of 420 aa. Chitinase B consists of two CBM50 domains at the N-terminus and a catalytic domain at the C-terminus. The ORF of lpmo10 is 621 bp and encodes a deduced 22.44 kDa-AA10 protein, BvLPMO10 of 206 aa. BvLPMO10 contains a signal peptide and an AA10 catalytic domain. Chitinases A and B were grouped into subfamily A of family 18 chitinases. Amino acid sequences in their catalytic domains lack aromatic residues (Trp, Phe, Tyr) probably involved in processivity and substrate binding compared with well-known bacterial GH18 chitinases. chiB was successfully expressed in E. coli. Purified rBvChiB degraded insoluble chitin and was responsible for inhibition of fungal spore-germination and egg hatching of plant-parasitic nematode. This is the first report describing the analysis of the chitinase system from B. velezensis.

Soil microbiome dataset from Yok Don national park in the Central Highlands region of Vietnam.

The Central Highlands region contains most of the national parks in Vietnam with different ecosystems, including the national parks of Kon Ka Kinh, Chu Mon Ray, Chu Yang Sin, Yok Don, Bidoup-Nui Ba, and Ta Dung. Thus, this region is considered a center with the highest biodiversity in Vietnam [1]. Among the national parks, Yok Don is unique in its conservation of the dry deciduous dipterocarp forest. Furthermore, Yok Don is the second-largest park in Vietnam; it has the most different ecosystem compared with other national parks in this region [2]. Although some studies have investigated biodiversity preservation in the region, some other studies have only dealt with medicinal plants, lichens, and the rhizospheric bacteria of cultivated black pepper [1,[3], [4], [5]. To the best of our knowledge, no research on the microbial communities in Yok Don national park and in the Central Highlands has been reported. At present, global warming and a decrease in the forest area in the Central Highlands have led to the ongoing reduction in biodiversity and microbial resources. The current study reports the microbiome dataset from the soil sample collected in Yok Don national park. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing was used to characterize the microbial communities in the sample. The metagenome dataset generated provides information on microbial diversity and its functionality and can be useful for further studies on the conservation and use of microbial genetic resources in this region.

What Works and What Doesn't Work? A Systematic Review of Digital Mental Health Interventions for Depression and Anxiety in Young People.

Background: A major challenge in providing mental health interventions for young people is making such interventions accessible and appealing to those most in need. Online and app-based forms of therapy for mental health are burgeoning. It is therefore crucial to identify features that are most effective and engaging for young users. Objectives: This study reports a systematic review and meta-analysis of digital mental health interventions and their effectiveness in addressing anxiety and depression in young people to determine factors that relate to outcomes, adherence, and engagement with such interventions. Methods: A mixed methods approach was taken, including a meta-analysis of 9 randomized controlled trials that compared use of a digital intervention for depression in young people to a no-intervention control group, and 6 comparing the intervention to an active control condition. A thematic analysis and narrative synthesis of 41 studies was also performed. Results: The pooled effect size of digital mental health interventions on depression in comparison to a no-intervention control was small (Cohen's d = 0.33, 95% CI 0.11 to 0.55), while the pooled effect size of studies comparing an intervention group to an active control showed no significant differences (Cohen's d = 0.14, 95% CI -.04 to 0.31). Pooled effect sizes were higher when supervision was involved (studies with no-intervention controls: Cohen's d = 0.52, 95% CI 0.23 to 0.80; studies with active control: Cohen's d = 0.49, 95% CI -0.11, 1.01). Engagement and adherence rates were low. Qualitative analysis revealed that users liked interventions with a game-like feel and relatable, interactive content. Educational materials were perceived as boring, and users were put off by non-appealing interfaces and technical glitches. Conclusions: Digital interventions work better than no intervention to improve depression in young people when results of different studies are pooled together. However, these interventions may only be of clinical significance when use is highly supervised. Digital interventions do not work better than active alternatives regardless of the level of support. Future interventions need to move beyond the use of digital educational materials, considering other ways to attract and engage young people and to ensure relevance and appeal.

Silk Fibroin-Based Biomaterials for Biomedical Applications: A Review.

Since it was first discovered, thousands of years ago, silkworm silk has been known to be an abundant biopolymer with a vast range of attractive properties. The utilization of silk fibroin (SF), the main protein of silkworm silk, has not been limited to the textile industry but has been further extended to various high-tech application areas, including biomaterials for drug delivery systems and tissue engineering. The outstanding mechanical properties of SF, including its facile processability, superior biocompatibility, controllable biodegradation, and versatile functionalization have allowed its use for innovative applications. In this review, we describe the structure, composition, general properties, and structure-properties relationship of SF. In addition, the methods used for the fabrication and modification of various materials are briefly addressed. Lastly, recent applications of SF-based materials for small molecule drug delivery, biological drug delivery, gene therapy, wound healing, and bone regeneration are reviewed and our perspectives on future development of these favorable materials are also shared.

Young People's Response to Six Smartphone Apps for Anxiety and Depression: Focus Group Study.

BACKGROUND: Suicide is one of the most frequent causes of death in young people worldwide. Depression lies at the root of this issue, a condition that has a significant negative impact on the lives of those who experience it and on society more generally. However, 80% of affected young people do not obtain professional help for depression and other mental health issues. Therefore, a key challenge is to find innovative and appealing ways to engage young people in learning to manage their mental health. Research suggests that young people prefer to access anonymous Web-based programs rather than get face-to-face help, which has led to the development of numerous smartphone apps. However, the evidence indicates that not all of these apps are effective in engaging the interest of young people who are most in need of help. OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to investigate young people's response to six currently available smartphone apps for mental health and to identify features that young people like and dislike in such apps. METHODS: Focus groups were conducted with 23 young people aged 13 to 25 years in which they viewed and used six smartphone apps for mental health. A general inductive approach following a realist paradigm guided data analysis. RESULTS: The results revealed that young people value autonomy and the opportunity to personalize experiences with these apps above other things. Finding a balance between simplicity and informativeness is also an important factor. CONCLUSIONS: App developers need to consider using participant-design frameworks to ensure that smartphone apps are providing what young people want in a mental health app. Solutions to the need for personalization and increasing user engagement are also crucially needed.

Visual Analytics of Genomic and Cancer Data: A Systematic Review.

Visual analytics and visualisation can leverage the human perceptual system to interpret and uncover hidden patterns in big data. The advent of next-generation sequencing technologies has allowed the rapid production of massive amounts of genomic data and created a corresponding need for new tools and methods for visualising and interpreting these data. Visualising genomic data requires not only simply plotting of data but should also offer a decision or a choice about what the message should be conveyed in the particular plot; which methodologies should be used to represent the results must provide an easy, clear, and accurate way to the clinicians, experts, or researchers to interact with the data. Genomic data visual analytics is rapidly evolving in parallel with advances in high-throughput technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR). Personalised medicine requires new genomic visualisation tools, which can efficiently extract knowledge from the genomic data and speed up expert decisions about the best treatment of individual patient's needs. However, meaningful visual analytics of such large genomic data remains a serious challenge. This article provides a comprehensive systematic review and discussion on the tools, methods, and trends for visual analytics of cancer-related genomic data. We reviewed methods for genomic data visualisation including traditional approaches such as scatter plots, heatmaps, coordinates, and networks, as well as emerging technologies using AI and VR. We also demonstrate the development of genomic data visualisation tools over time and analyse the evolution of visualising genomic data.

Novel Potent Hypoglycemic Compounds from Euonymus laxiflorus Champ. and Their Effect on Reducing Plasma Glucose in an ICR Mouse Model.

α-Glucosidase inhibitors (aGIs) have been used as an effective therapy for type-2 diabetes, which remains a global health issue. The aim of this study was to achieve bioactivity-guided isolation, identification and evaluation of hypoglycemic compounds from Euonymus laxiflorus Champ. trunk bark (ELCTB). Eleven active compounds were isolated and identified as walterolactone A/B ß-d-pyranoglucoside (1), 1-ß-d-glucopyranosyloxy-3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxybenzene (9), (-)-gallocatechin (10), schweinfurthinol 9-O-ß-d-pyranoglucoside (11), 1-O-(3-methyl)-butenoyl-myo-inositol (12), leonuriside (14), (+)-catechin (19), methyl galloate (20), (-)-catechin (23), and condensed tannins (5 and 18). Of these 11, novel 4 compounds (1, 11, 12, and 14) were found as new α-glucosidase inhibitors. Notably, in vitro results indicated that compounds 1, 5, 10⁻12, 18, and 19 showed potent activity (IC50 = 0.076-31 µg/mL), and their activities were at a higher level than that of acarbose, a commercial inhibitor (IC50 = 1345 µg/mL). In animal tests, the major inhibitor, condensed tannin (18), demonstrated significant reduction of plasma glucose in mice with no symptoms of diarrhea at the dose of 100 mg/kg bw. The results suggest that Euonymus laxiflorus Champ. is a rich source of bioactive compounds for development as health food or drugs with potent hypoglycemic effect. The results of this study also enriched the current novel biological activities of constituents from Euonymus laxiflorus species.

Passive RFID Localisation Framework in Smart Homes Healthcare Settings.

In recent years, Smart Homes have become a solution to benefit impaired individuals and elderly in their daily life settings. In healthcare applications, pervasive technologies have enabled the practicality of personal monitoring using Indoor positioning technologies. Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) is a promising technology, which is useful for non-invasive tracking of activities of daily living. Many implementations have focused on using battery-enabled tags like in RFID active tags, which require frequent maintenance and they are costly. Other systems can use wearable sensors requiring individuals to wear tags which may be inappropriate for elders. Successful implementations of a tracking system are dependent on multiple considerations beyond the physical performance of the solution, such as affordability and human acceptance. This paper presents a localisation framework using passive RFID sensors. It aims to provide a low cost solution for subject location in Smart Homes healthcare.

Sulfamethazine-based pH-sensitive hydrogels with potential application for transcatheter arterial chemoembolization therapy.

UNLABELLED: Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is the most common palliative therapy for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The conventional TACE technique, which employs the Lipiodol® emulsion, has been widely used for human cancer treatments. However, this delivery system seems to be inconsistent and unstable in maintaining a high concentration of drugs at tumor sites. An alternative approach for TACE is loading drugs into a liquid embolic solution that exists as an injectable solution and can exhibit a sol-to-gel phase transition to form a solidified state once delivered to the tumor site. Here, we develop a novel sulfamethazine-based anionic pH-sensitive block copolymer with potential application as a radiopaque embolic material. The copolymer, named PCL-PEG-SM, and comprised of poly(ε-caprolactone), sulfamethazine, and poly(ethylene glycol), was fabricated by free radical polymerization. An aqueous solution of the developed copolymer underwent a sol-to-gel phase transition upon lowering the environmental pH to create a gel region that covered the physiological condition (pH 7.4, 37°C) and the low pH conditions at tumor sites (pH 6.5-7.0, 37°C). The release of doxorubicin (DOX) from DOX-loaded copolymer hydrogels could be sustained for more than 4weeks in vitro, and the released DOX retained its fully bioactivity via inhibition the proliferation of hepatic cancer cells. The radiopaque embolic formulations that were prepared by mixing copolymer solutions at pH 8.0 with Lipiodol®, a long-lasting X-ray contrast agent, could exhibit the gelation inside the tumor after intratumoral injection or intraarterial administration using a VX2 carcinoma hepatic tumor rabbit model. These results suggest that a novel anionic pH-sensitive copolymer has been developed with a potential application as a liquid radiopaque embolic solution for TACE of HCC. STATE OF SIGNIFICANCE: Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) has been widely used as a palliative treatment therapy for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Conventional TACE technique, which usually employs emulsion of DOX-in-Lipiodol®, followed by an embolic agent, has significant limitation of inconsistency and lack of controlled release ability. To address these limitations of conventional TACE material system, we introduced a novel liquid radiopaque embolic material from our pH-sensitive hydrogel. The material has low viscosity that can be injected via a microcatheter, rather biocompatibility, and drug controlled release ability. Importantly, it can form gel in the tumor as well as tumoral vasculature in response to the lowered pH at the tumor site, which proved the potential for the use to treat HCC by TACE therapy.