Enhanced acetone gas-sensing characteristics of Pd-NiO nanorods/SnO2 nanowires sensors.

Acetone is a well-known volatile organic compound that is widely used in different industrial and domestic areas, but it can cause dangerous effects on human health. Thus, the fabrication of highly sensitive and selective sensors for recognition of acetone is incredibly important. Here, we prepared the SnO2/Pd-NiO (SPN) nanowires-based gas sensor for the detection of acetone, in which, the amount of Pd nanoparticles were varied to enhance the performance of the devices. We demonstrated that the acetone gas sensing performance of the SPN device was significantly enhanced, showing increases of 3.72 and 6.53 folds compared to pristine SnO2 and NiO sensors, respectively. The Pd-NiO 0.01% wt Pd SPN sensor (SPN-1) exhibited an excellent response (Ra/Rg = 14.88) toward 500 ppm acetone gas. The SPN-1 sensor also showed a fast gas response time of 11/150 seconds with 500 ppm Acetone at 450 °C, while the recovery time was 468/526 seconds. Additionally, the sensor showed good selectivity toward acetone over other reducing gases, such as NH3, CH4, and VOCs. With those results, the SPN-1 sensor shows superiority compared to sensors based on pure materials.

Poly-ϵ-caprolactone scaffold as staple-line reinforcement of rectal anastomosis: an experimental piglet study.

PURPOSE: Rectal anastomoses have a persisting high incidence of anastomotic leakage. This study aimed to assess whether the use of a poly-ϵ-caprolactone (PCL) scaffold as reinforcement of a circular stapled rectal anastomosis could increase tensile strength and improve healing compared to a control in a piglet model. METHOD: Twenty weaned female piglets received a stapled rectal anastomosis and were randomised to either reinforcement with PCL scaffold (intervention) or no reinforcement (control). On postoperative day five the anastomosis was subjected to a tensile strength test followed by a histological examination to evaluate the wound healing according to the Verhofstad scoring. RESULTS: The tensile strength test showed no significant difference between the two groups, but histological evaluation revealed significant impaired wound healing in the intervention group. CONCLUSION: The incorporation of a PCL scaffold into a circular stapled rectal anastomosis did not increase anastomotic tensile strength in piglets and indicated an impaired histologically assessed wound healing.

Enhancing Amplification in Compliant Mechanisms: Optimization of Plastic Types and Injection Conditions.

This study surveys the impacts of injection parameters on the deformation rate of the injected flexure hinge made from ABS, PP, and HDPE. The flexure hinges are generated with different filling time, filling pressure, filling speed, packing time, packing pressure, cooling time, and melt temperature. The amplification ratio of the samples between different injection parameters and different plastic types is measured and compared to figure out the optimal one with a high amplification ratio. The results show that the relationship between the input and output data of the ABS, PP, and HDPE flexure hinges at different injection molding parameters is a linear relation. Changing the material or many injection molding parameters of the hinge could lead to a great impact on the hinge's performance. However, changing each parameter does not lead to a sudden change in the input and output values. Each plastic material has different optimal injection parameters and displacement behaviors. With the ABS flexure hinge, the filling pressure case has the greatest amplification ratio of 8.81, while the filling speed case has the lowest value of 4.81. With the optimal injection parameter and the input value of 105 µm, the ABS flexure hinge could create a maximum average output value of 736.6 µm. With the PP flexure hinge, the melt temperature case achieves the greatest amplification ratio of 6.73, while the filling speed case has the lowest value of 4.1. With the optimal injection parameter and the input value of 128 µm, the PP flexure hinge could create a maximum average output value of 964.8 µm. The average amplification ratio values of all injection molding parameters are 6.85, 5.41, and 4.01, corresponding to ABS, PP, and HDPE flexure hinges. Generally, the ABS flexure hinge has the highest amplification ratios, followed by the PP flexure hinge. The HDPE flexure hinge has the lowest amplification ratios among these plastic types. With the optimal injection parameter and the input value of 218 µm, the HDPE flexure hinge could create a maximum average output value of 699.8 µm. The results provide more insight into plastic flexure hinges and broaden their applications by finding the optimal injection parameters and plastic types.

Extracting lignin from sugarcane bagasse for methylene blue and hexavalent chromium adsorption in textile wastewater: a facile, green, and sustainable approach.

This study presents the process of extracting lignin from sugarcane bagasse collected in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam by the alkali method. NaOH has been used as an effective, environmentally friendly chemical to enhance the extraction process. The obtained lignin was applied for methylene blue (MB) and hexavalent chromium (Cr(vi)) removal. Factors influencing lignin extraction and adsorption processes of MB and Cr(vi) were investigated, showcasing the sustainable reusability of lignin extracted from sugarcane bagasse. Lignin characterization was also carried out by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) techniques. The results showed that the extracted lignin content reached 38.61% under optimal conditions (NaOH concentration of 10%, reaction temperature of 90 °C and reaction time of 90 min). The adsorption efficiency and capacity of lignin reached 90.90% and 9.09 mg g-1 for MB and 80.10% and 28.04 mg g-1 for Cr(vi), respectively, under optimum adsorption conditions (pH, adsorption time, initial methylene blue concentration, and used lignin content). The adsorption process obeyed Langmuir adsorption and was principally physical adsorption. These findings prove sugarcane bagasse based lignin as a cheap and efficient adsorbent for MB and Cr(vi) removal, which contributes to the utilization of the abundant agricultural by-product for wastewater treatment.

Enhanced photodegradation of oxytetracycline antibiotic in wastewater by implementing ZnO-loaded carbon fiber.

The antibiotic oxytetracycline (OCA) exhibits high insolubility in the natural environment, posing a significant challenge for its removal. This study synthesized a porous structure and a high-surface-area carbon fiber, incorporating zinc oxide (ZnO/CFB) for the effective removal of OCA in wastewater. The material characterization revealed exceptional optical and photochemical properties of ZnO/CFB, featuring a reduced band gap energy of 2.7 eV. ZnO/CFB exhibited robust performance in the photodegradation of OCA in wastewater, achieving an impressive removal efficiency of 86.7%. Remarkably, the reduction of total organic carbon (TOC) reached an outstanding 97.5%. LC-MS analysis confirmed the complete oxidation of OCA and its intermediates, transforming them into inorganic substances within 60 min. This study introduces an efficient strategy for eliminating antibiotic pollutants from wastewater, highlighting the potential of ZnO/CFB as an effective and stable photocatalyst for environmental remediation.

Rational design of novel diaryl ether-linked benzimidazole derivatives as potent and selective BACE1 inhibitors.

Due to the large size and high flexibility of the catalytic active site of BACE1 enzyme, the development of nonpeptide inhibitors with optimal pharmacological properties is still highly demanding. In this work, we have discovered 2-aminobenzimidazole-containg ether scaffolds having potent and selective inhibitory potentials against BACE1 enzyme. We have synthesized novel 29 compounds and optimization of aryl linker region resulted in highly potent BACE1 inhibitory activities with EC50 values of 0.05-2.71 µM. The aryloxy-phenyl analogs 20j showed the EC50 value as low as 0.07 µM in the enzyme assay, whereas, the benzyloxyphenyl dervative 24b was comparatively less effective in the enzyme assay. But interestingly the latter was more effective in the cell assay (EC50 value 1.2 µM). While comparing synthesized derivatives in the cell assay using PC12-APPSW cell, compound 27f appeared as the most potent BACE1 inhibitor having EC50 value 0.7 µM. This scaffold also showed high selectivity over BACE2 enzyme and cathepsin D. Furthermore, the research findings were bolstered through the incorporation of molecular docking, molecular dynamics, and DFT studies. We firmly believe that these discoveries will pave the way for the development of a novel class of small-molecule selective BACE1 inhibitors.

Impact of COVID-19 on patterns of drug utilization: A case study at national hospital.

BACKGROUND: The Coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the corresponding mitigation measures have had a discernible impact on drug utilization among outpatients. However, limited research exists on the prescription trends in the elderly population during the pandemic period in Viet Nam. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to analyze the effects of COVID-19 on outpatient drug utilization patterns at a national geriatric hospital in Ho Chi Minh City before and after the early onset of the pandemic. METHODS: Data was collected from the prescriptions and administration claims, encompassing the period from January 2016 to December 2022. The dataset was divided into two periods: Period 1: January 2016 to December 2020 and Period 2: January 2021 to December 2022. The drug utilization was measured using DDD/1000P (defined daily doses-DDD per 1000 prescriptions) on a monthly basis. The analysis employed interrupted time series using Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) to detect changes in drug use levels and rates. RESULTS: A total of 1,060,507 and 644,944 outpatient prescriptions from Thong Nhat Hospital were included in Period 1 and Period 2, respectively. The median age of the patients were 58 in Period 1 and 67 years old in Period 2. The most common comorbidities were dyslipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus. In terms of medication utilization, cardiovascular drugs were the most frequently prescribed, followed by drugs active on the digestive and hormonal systems. The study observed significant surges in the number of prescriptions and the average number of drugs per prescription. However, there were no significant changes in the overall consumption of all drugs. Among the drug groups related to the cardiovascular system, three subgroups experienced a sudden and significant increase: cardiac therapy, beta-blocking agents, and antihypertensives, with increasing consumption levels of 1,177.73 [CI 95%: 79.29; 2,276.16], 73.32 [CI 95%: 28.18; 118.46], and 36.70 [CI 95%: 6.74; 66.66] DDD/1000P, respectively. On the other hand, there was a significant monthly decrease of -31.36 [CI 95%: -57.02; -5.70] DDD/1000P in the consumption of anti-inflammatory and antirheumatic products. Interestingly, there was a significant increase of 74.62 [CI 95%: -0.36; 149.60] DDD/1000P in the use of antigout preparations. CONCLUSION: COVID-19 resulted in a sudden, non-significant increase in overall drug consumption levels among outpatients. Notably, our findings highlight significant increases in the utilization of three drug groups related to the cardiovascular system, specifically cardiac therapy, beta-blocking agents, and antihypertensives. Intriguingly, there was a statistically significant increase in the consumption of antigout preparations, despite a decline in the monthly consumption rate of non-steroidal anti-flammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Further studies in the following years are necessary to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the impact of COVID-19 on outpatient drug utilization patterns.

Successfully conservative management of the uterus in acute pulmonary embolism during cesarean section for placenta previa: a case report from Tu Du Hospital, Vietnam and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Cardiopulmonary collapse is a catastrophic event in cesarean section, which leads to adverse outcomes for both the mother and the fetus. Pulmonary embolism is one of the rare etiologies of this entity. We herein reported the successful management of acute embolism pulmonary associated with cesarean delivery on a healthy pregnant woman at our tertiary referral hospital. CASE PRESENTATION: A full-term pregnant woman hospitalized for planned cesarean delivery due to placenta previa without cardiorespiratory diseases. She was scheduled uneventfully for a planned cesarean section. After placental delivery, the patient spontaneously fell into cardiopulmonary collapse and her vital signs deteriorated rapidly. The obstetricians promptly completed the cesarean section and performed all procedures to prevent the PPH and preserve the uterus. At the same time, the anesthesiologists continued to carry out advanced heart-lung resuscitation in order to control her vital signs. After surgery, the multidisciplinary team assessed the patient and found a thrombus in her pulmonary circulation. Therefore, the patient was managed with therapeutic anticoagulation. The patient recovered in good clinical condition and was discharged after 2 weeks without any complications. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism is extremely difficult due to uncommon occurrence, sudden onset, and non-specific presentation. Awareness of this life-threatening pathology during cesarean delivery should be raised. Interdisciplinary assessment must be essentially established in this life-threatening condition. After the whole conventional management, uterine conservation may be acceptable where applicable. Further data is required to encourage this finding.

Co-encapsulation of fisetin and cisplatin into liposomes: Stability considerations and in vivo efficacy on lung cancer animal model.

Lung cancer is a highly vascularized tumor for which a combination between an antitumor agent, cisplatin, and an antiangiogenic molecule, fisetin, appears a promising therapeutic approach. In order to deliver both chemotherapies within the tumor, to enhance fisetin solubility and decrease cisplatin toxicity, an encapsulation of both drugs into liposomes was developed. Purification and freeze-drying protocols were optimized to improve both the encapsulation and liposome storage. The cytotoxicity of the encapsulated chemotherapies was evaluated on Lewis lung carcinoma (3LL) cell lines. The antitumor effect of the combination was evaluated in vivo on an ectopic mouse model of Lewis Lung carcinoma. The results showed that fisetin and cisplatin co-loaded liposomes were successfully prepared. Freeze-drying allowed a 30 days storage limiting the release of both drugs. The combination index between liposomal fisetin and liposomal cisplatin on 3LL cell line after 24 h of exposure showed a clear synergism: CI = 0.7 for the co loaded liposomes and CI = 0.9 for the mixture of cisplatin loaded and fisetin loaded liposomes. The co-encapsulating formulation showed in vivo efficacy against an ectopic murine model of Lewis Lung carcinoma with a probable reduction in the toxicity of cisplatin through co-encapsulation with fisetin.

Anti-inflammatory and Antiphytopathogenic Fungal Activity of 2,3-seco-Tirucallane Triterpenoids Meliadubins A and B from Melia dubia Cav. Barks with ChemGPS-NP and In Silico Prediction.

Two new rearranged 2,3-seco-tirucallane triterpenoids, meliadubins A (1) and B (2), along with four known compounds, 3-6, were isolated from the barks of Melia dubia Cav. Compound 2 exhibited a significant inflammatory inhibition effect toward superoxide anion generation in human neutrophils (EC50 at 5.54 ± 0.36 µM). It bound to active sites of a human inducible nitric oxide synthase (3E7G) through interactions with the residues of GLU377 and PRO350, which may benefit in reducing the neutrophilic inflammation effect. The ChemGPS-NP interpretation combined with bioactivity assay and in silico prediction results suggested 2 to be an agent for targeting iNOS with different mechanisms as compared to a selected set of current approved drugs. Moreover, compounds 1 and 2 showed remarkable inhibition against the rice pathogenic fungus Magnaporthe oryzae in a dose-dependent manner with IC50 values of 137.20 ± 9.55 and 182.50 ± 18.27 µM, respectively. Both 1 and 2 displayed interactions with the residue of TYR223, a key active site of trihydroxynaphthalene reductase (1YBV). The interpretation of 1 and 2 in the ChemGPS-NP physical-chemical property space indicated that both compounds are quite different compared to all members of a selected set of reference compounds. In light of demonstrated biological activity and in silico prediction experiments, both compounds possibly exhibited activity against phytopathogenic fungi via a novel mode of action.

Factors associated with mask-induced dermatosis and its impact on patients' quality of life.

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on society, both physically and mentally. Mask use in public places has been made mandatory in many countries, as it is one of the most effective methods to prevent transmission of the virus. However, continuous mask usage has been associated with the emergence of various cutaneous diseases in the areas of contact with the mask. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of various cutaneous manifestations resulting from mask use on patients' quality of life through a questionnaire survey. This was a cross-sectional study conducted at a hospital from May to July 2022. Patients who had experienced skin symptoms related to mask use in the past or present were included in the study. Participants completed the questionnaire with informed consent. A total of 165 participants participated in the survey, with the most common complaint being itching (58.18%), followed by acne (52.73%). Itching was found to have the highest dermatology life quality index score. Patients with skin redness had a lower quality of life compared to those without it. Prolonged mask-wearing can result in skin diseases that can seriously impair patients' quality of life.

Characterization of Shigella flexneri in northern Vietnam in 2012-2016.

Introduction: Shigellosis remains a considerable public health concern in developing countries. Shigella flexneri and Shigella sonnei are prevalent worldwide and S. sonnei has been replacing S. flexneri . Gap Statement: S. flexneri still causes outbreaks of shigellosis in northern Vietnam but limited information is available on its genetic characteristics. Aim: This study aimed to characterize the genetic characteristics of S. flexneri strains from northern Vietnam. Methodology: This study used 17 isolates from eight incidents, collected in northern Vietnam between 2012 and 2016. The samples were subjected to whole genome sequencing, molecular serotyping, cluster analysis and identification of antimicrobial resistance genes. Additionally, phylogenetic analysis was performed including isolates from previous studies. Results: Clusters were identified according to spatiotemporal backgrounds. The results suggested that two incidents in Yen Bai province in 2015 and 2016 were derived from a very recent common ancestor. All isolates belonged to phylogroup (PG) 3, which was divided into two sub-lineages. Thirteen of 17 isolates, including those from the Yen Bai incidents, belonged to sub-lineage Sub-1 and were serotyped as 1a. The remaining four isolates belonged to sub-lineage Sub-2 and were the globally predominant serotype 2a. The Sub-1 S. flexneri isolates possessed the gtrI gene, which encodes the glycosyl transferase that determines serotype 1a, with bacteriophage elements in the vicinity. Conclusion: This study revealed two PG3 sub-lineages of S. flexneri in northern Vietnam, of which Sub-1 might be specific to the region.

Stable biogenic silver nanoparticles from Syzygium nervosum bud extract for enhanced catalytic, antibacterial and antifungal properties.

In the present study, the biosynthesis of stable silver nanoparticles (BioAgNPs) was accomplished successfully for the first time by using an aqueous extract derived from the buds of Syzygium nervosum (SN) as both a reducing and a stabilizing agent. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) investigations revealed that the biosynthesized BioAgNPs were predominantly spherical with an average size of 10-30 nm. It was found that the outstanding stability of the BioAgNPs colloidal solution was assigned to the additive effect of the surrounding protective organic layer and the highly negatively charged surface of the nanoparticles. Consequently, good antibacterial activity was demonstrated by the colloidal BioAgNPs solution against four distinct bacterial strains, including Gram-positive S. aureus and B. subtilis as well as Gram-negative E. coli and S. typhi. Interestingly, the biosynthesized BioAgNPs displayed greater antibacterial activity even when tested at low doses against Gram-negative S. typhi. In addition, the biogenic AgNPs demonstrated a significant level of catalytic activity in the process of converting 2-NP, 3-NP, and 4-NP into aminophenols within 15 min, with reaction rate constants of 9.0 × 10-4, 10 × 10-4, and 9.0 × 10-4 s-1, respectively. BioAgNPs formulations were assessed against anthracnose disease in tea plants and were found to be as effective as the positive control at a dose of 20-fold dilution, but less effective at a dose of 30-fold dilution. Both doses of BioAgNPs formulations significantly suppressed Colletotrichum camelliae (anthracnose disease) without affecting the growth of the tea plants.

Desmodinosides A-E: New Flavonoid C-glycosides from Desmodium heterocarpon var. stigosum with hepatoprotective and antifungal activity.

Five new flavonoid C-glycosides named desmodinosides A-E (1-5) and one known compound, apigenin 6-C-ß-d-xylopyranosyl-2''-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (6) have been isolated from the methanol extract of the aerial parts of Desmodium heterocarpon var. stigosum. These compounds were determined by 1D and 2D-NMR and HR-MS spectroscopies. The methanol extract of this plant, in particular, demonstrated hepatoprotection and antifungal inhibition. This extract has a remarkable hepatoprotection and activity-dose response with an EC50 of 43.07 µg/mL. The hepatoprotective effect on human liver hepatoma cells (HepG2) of the isolated flavonoid C-glycosides 1-6 was observed. Desmodinosides A-C (1-3) were found to exhibit moderate hepatoprotective activity on HepG2 cells. Of these, compound 2 showed the best hepatoprotective activity with an EC50 value of 74.12 µg/mL. While compounds 1 and 3 displayed EC50 values of 271.21 and 211.99 µg/mL, respectively. Quercetin, a positive control, also caused an EC50 value of 36.42 µg/mL. In addition to having hepatoprotective effect, the methanol extract had an inhibitory effect on the growth of oomycete; it inhibited Phytophthora infestans with IC50 of 13.3 µg/mL and IC90 of 78.7 µg/mL. The oomycete inhibition was directly attributed to compounds 5 and 6, which significantly inhibited P. infestans with IC50 values of 27.4 and 24.7 µg/mL, respectively. Both 5 and 6 and methanol extract were active against P. infestanse in a dose-dependent manner. Our study demonstrated for the first time the new flavonoid C-glycosides from D. heterocarpon var. stigosum and their novel pharmacological properties. The study findings also suggest the plant extract and its metabolites could be used as a new botanical source of bioactive compounds.

Estimating the cost of illness of acute Japanese encephalitis and sequelae care in Vietnam and Laos: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a leading cause of acute encephalitis syndrome and resulting neurological disability in Asia and the Western Pacific. This study aims to estimate the cost of acute care, initial rehabilitation and sequelae care, in Vietnam and Laos. METHODOLOGY: We conducted a cross-sectional retrospective study using a micro-costing approach from the health system and household perspectives. Out-of-pocket direct medical and non-medical costs, indirect costs, and family impact were reported by patients and/or caregivers. Hospitalization costs were extracted from hospital charts. Acute costs covered expenditures from pre-hospital to follow-up visits while sequelae care costs were estimated from expenditures in the last 90 days. All costs are in 2021 US dollars. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: 242 patients in two major sentinel sites in the North and South of Vietnam and 65 patients in a central hospital in Vientiane, Laos, with laboratory-confirmed JE were recruited regardless of age, sex, and ethnicity. In Vietnam, the mean total cost was $3,371 per acute JE episode (median $2,071, standard error [SE] $464) while annual costs were $404 for initial sequelae care (median $0, SE $220) and $320 for long-term sequelae care (median $0, SE $108). In Laos, the mean hospitalization costs in acute stage were $2,005 (median $1,698, SE $279) and the mean annual costs were $2,317 (median $0, SE $2,233) for initial sequelae care and $89 (median $0, SE $57) for long-term sequelae care. In both countries, most patients did not seek care for their sequelae. Families perceived extreme impact from JE and 20% to 30% of households still had sustained debts years after acute JE. CONCLUSIONS: JE patients and families in Vietnam and Laos suffer extreme medical, economic, and social hardship. This has policy implications for improving JE prevention in these two JE-endemic countries.

A sigh-performance hydrogen gas sensor based on Ag/Pd nanoparticle-functionalized ZnO nanoplates.

As a source of clean energy, hydrogen (H2) is a promising alternative to fossil fuels in reducing the carbon footprint. However, due to the highly explosive nature of H2, developing a high-performance sensor for real-time detection of H2 gas at low concentration is essential. Here, we demonstrated the H2 gas sensing performance of Ag/Pd nanoparticle-functionalized ZnO nanoplates. Bimetallic Ag/Pd nanoparticles with an average size of 8 nm were prepared and decorated on the surface of ZnO nanoplates to enhance the H2 gas sensing performance. Compared with pristine ZnO, the sensor based on ZnO nanoplate doped with Ag/Pd (0.025 wt%) exhibited an outstanding response upon exposure to H2 gas (R a/R g = 78 for 500 ppm) with fast response time and speedy recovery. The sensor also showed excellent selectivity for the detection of H2 over the interfering gases (i.e., CO, NH3, H2S, and VOCs). The superior gas sensing of the sensor was dominated by the morphological structure of ZnO, and the synergistic effect of strong adsorption and the optimum catalytic characteristics of the bimetallic Ag/Pd enhances the hydrogen response of the sensors. Thus, bimetallic Ag/Pd-doped ZnO is a promising sensing material for the quantitative determination of H2 concentration towards industrial applications.

Characterization of thymol derivatives from Eupatorium fortunei Turcz. aerial parts.

From the aerial parts of Eupatorium fortunei, four thymol derivatives (1-4) were isolated and structurally elucidated by NMR and mass spectroscopic methods. Of which, a new dimeric thymol derivative (1) was characterized and its absolute configuration was established by electronic circular dichroism quantum method. In addition, the 1D and 2D NMR as well as HR-ESI mass spectral data of 2 were provided for the first time. Compounds 2-4 were evaluated for their inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase and acetylcholinesterase enzymes. All tested compounds showed weak inhibition at the concentration range of 1-256 µg/mL in both enzymatic assays.

Chemical constituents of Desmodium triflorum and their antifungal activity against various phytopathogenic fungi.

In the course of finding new antifungal natural compounds against plant pathogens, the methanol extract of Desmodium triflorum was investigated phytochemically. From n-butanol-soluble fraction, seven compounds (1-7) were isolated and structurally elucidated. Of which, six compounds belong to flavone 6- or 8-C-glycoside class (1-6). Three major compounds (1-3) exhibited moderate in vitro antifungal activity against Sclerotium rolfsii, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense, and Phytophthora palmivora. Compound 1 (IC50 = 162.1 µg/mL) was most active against S. rolfsii in a dose-dependent manner. At 300 µg/mL, compounds 1 and 2 significantly inhibited P. palmivora, whereas compound 3 lacked effectiveness. In addition, the nanoemulsion of the methanol extract with a droplet size of 12.2 nm displayed an excellent inhibition against S. rolfsii and P. palmivora compared with the normal extract. The presence of 1 (0.846%) and 2 (0.759%) in the methanol extract may attribute to the antifungal activity of D. triflorum. These results proved the potential of D. triflorum and its C-glycoside flavonoids against phytopathogenic fungi for the first time. Besides, an enhancement in the effectiveness of nanoemulsion containing D. triflorum extract against the fungi was confirmed. The structural characteristics of 1 and 2 could be considered to develop new fungicidal substances in the future.

New cycloartane coronalyl acetate and other terpenoids with anti-inflammatory activity from the leaves of Vietnamese Gardenia philastrei.

Phytochemical study on the methanolic extract of the leaves of Vietnamese plant Gardenia philastrei Pierre ex Pit. has led to the isolation of a new cycloartane coronalyl acetate (1) together with six known ones, coronlolide methyl ester (2), sootepin D (3), coronalolide (4), coronalolic acid (5), sootepin G (6) and 23-deoxojessic acid (7). Their structures were elucidated by a combination of 2 D NMR and HR-ESI-MS spectroscopies. These compounds (1-7) were tested for their anti-inflammatory activity. The result showed that six compounds (1-6) inhibit LPS-induced nitric oxide production in RAW264.7 macrophages with their IC50 values ranging from 3.76 - 75.47 µg/mL. This is the first report on the chemical constituents and anti-inflammatory activity of the G. philastrei.

Understanding the COVID-19 Infodemic: Analyzing User-Generated Online Information During a COVID-19 Outbreak in Vietnam.

OBJECTIVES: Online misinformation has reached unprecedented levels during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This study analyzed the magnitude and sentiment dynamics of misinformation and unverified information about public health interventions during a COVID-19 outbreak in Da Nang, Vietnam, between July and September 2020. METHODS: We analyzed user-generated online information about five public health interventions during the Da Nang outbreak. We compared the volume, source, sentiment polarity, and engagements of online posts before, during, and after the outbreak using negative binomial and logistic regression, and assessed the content validity of the 500 most influential posts. RESULTS: Most of the 54,528 online posts included were generated during the outbreak (n = 46,035; 84.42%) and by online newspapers (n = 32,034; 58.75%). Among the 500 most influential posts, 316 (63.20%) contained genuine information, 10 (2.00%) contained misinformation, 152 (30.40%) were non-factual opinions, and 22 (4.40%) contained unverifiable information. All misinformation posts were made during the outbreak, mostly on social media, and were predominantly negative. Higher levels of engagement were observed for information that was unverifiable (incidence relative risk [IRR] = 2.83; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.33-0.62), posted during the outbreak (before: IRR = 0.15; 95% CI, 0.07-0.35; after: IRR = 0.46; 95% CI, 0.34-0.63), and with negative sentiment (IRR = 1.84; 95% CI, 1.23-2.75). Negatively toned posts were more likely to be misinformation (odds ratio [OR] = 9.59; 95% CI, 1.20-76.70) or unverified (OR = 5.03; 95% CI, 1.66-15.24). CONCLUSIONS: Misinformation and unverified information during the outbreak showed clustering, with social media being particularly affected. This indepth assessment demonstrates the value of analyzing online "infodemics" to inform public health responses.