Inhibitors of α-glucosidase and α-amylase from Cyperus rotundus.

CONTEXT: A methanol extract of Cyperus rotundus L. (Cyperaceae) rhizomes showed inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase and α-amylase, two enzymes involve in carbohydrate digestion. OBJECTIVE: Identification of compounds from C. rotundus rhizomes responsible for the inhibition of α-glucosidase and α-amylase. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Compounds were identified by a phytochemical investigation using combined chromatographic and spectroscopic methods. α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory activities were evaluated by in vitro enzyme inhibition assays. RESULTS: A new (2RS,3SR)-3,4',5,6,7,8-hexahydroxyflavane (1), together with three known stilbene dimers cassigarol E (2), scirpusin A (3) and B (4) were isolated. Compound 2 inhibited both α-glucosidase and α-amylase activities while the flavane 1 only showed effect on α-amylase, and compounds 3 and 4 were active on α-glucosidase. All four compounds showed significant 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity. DISCUSSION: The inhibitory activities against α-amylase and α-glucosidase of the C. rotundus rhizomes were reported for the first time. Stilbene dimers are considered as potent inhibitors of α-glucosidase and promising antihyperglycemic agents. CONCLUSION: The isolated compounds may contribute to the antidiabetic property of C. rotundus.

Dataset of Vietnamese preschool teachers' readiness towards implementing STEAM activities and projects.

STEAM education has significant impacts on improving preschoolers' learning engagement, cognition, confidence, and innovative thinking skills. The integration of content about local culture into STEAM projects also triggers students' awareness and engagement with surrounding communities and societies. However, teachers' competencies and willingness to implement STEAM activities are irreplaceable in determining STEM projects' frequency and effectiveness. This dataset surveyed 754 preschool teachers across ten cities and provinces in Vietnam from 8 Apr 2022 to 15 May 2022. The dataset includes seven main sections: (i) Demographics; (ii) Teachers' know-how about STEAM education; (iii) Teachers' competencies; (iv) Conditions to implement STEAM projects; (v) School policies; (vi) Local culture factors integrated with STEAM projects; and (vii) Teachers' willingness to implement STEAM education.

Anti-inflammatory constituents from Psychotria prainii H. Lév.

One new and three known compounds were isolated from the ethanol extract of Psychotria prainii aerial parts. By means of spectroscopic methods, their structures were elucidated to be deacetylasperulosidic acid 6-ethyl ether (1), asperulosidic acid (2), asperuloside (3) and obtucarbamates C (4). The isolated compounds were evaluated for their inhibitory effect on NO production in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Among them, compounds 2 and 4 exhibited strong effect with the IC50 values of 5.75 ± 0.85 and 6.92 ± 0.43 µM, respectively. This is the first report for the chemical composition and biological activity of P. prainii.

Health status and health services utilization of children under 5 in 28 communes

The study was conducted in 28 communes of 7 diverse geographical area, on 1457 children under 5 year old, monitored 4 times each year for 2 years. Results showed that: 1. The common diseases were as follows: acute respiratory infectious of eyes, skin and gastrointestinal tract. It seems to be related with poor environmental condition. The frequency of illness is estimated 2 times per year. 2. Self-medication is common. Only 56% of cases use common health station, hospital… 3. The determinants for health service untilization are: convenient, habit, the skill and attitute of health worker, price… 4. The barriers preventing the use of public health facilities are: lacking of medicaments, bed and equiment, long distance from residence, the education background and occupation of the mothers.

Investigation into prioritized health care services for children under five in some rural communes

Study was conducted at 28 communes sampled from 7 geographical areas. 1457 mothers with children under five were interviewed by using questionnaire. At the same time facility surveys were carried out applying coverage cure method using by the MOH and UNICEF in order to evaluate quality and quantity of EPI and Growth chart monitoring at CHCs. The results: Out-come indicators of health care serviced for children under five indicated shortages in IEC activities provided the mother's knowledge on child health care. Low education level was one of the barrier preventing IEC, especially in mountainous areas. Health workers working at CHCs did not pay enough attention to IEC and to quality of care