Isolation and Cytotoxic Potency of Endophytic Fungi Associated with Dysosma difformis, a Study for the Novel Resources of Podophyllotoxin

Endophytic fungi are promising sources for the production of podophyllotoxin-an important anticancer compound, replacing depleted medical plants. In this study, the endophytes associated with Dysosma difformis-an ethnomedicinal plant species were isolated to explore novel sources of podophyllotoxin. Fifty-three endophytic fungi were isolated and identified by morphological observation and ITS-based rDNA sequencing, assigning them to 27 genera in 3 divisions. Fusarium was found the most prevalent genus with a colonization frequency of 11.11%, followed by Trametes (9.26%) and Penicillium (7.41%). Phylogenetic trees were constructed for the endophytic fungi community in two collection sites, Ha Giang and Lai Chau, revealing the adaptation of the species to the specific tissues and habitats. Cytotoxic activity of endophytic fungal extracts was investigated on cancer cell lines such as SK-LU-1, HL-60, and HepG2, demonstrating strong anti-cancer activity of six isolates belonging to Penicillium, Trametes, Purpureocillium, Aspergillus, and Ganoderma with IC 50 value of lower than 10 10 µg/mL. The presence of podophyllotoxin was indicated in Penicillium, Trametes, Aspergillus and for the first time in Purpureocillium and Ganoderma via high-performance liquid chromatography, which implied them as a potential source of this anticancer compound.

A Review of Mercury Exposure and Health of Dental Personnel

Considerable effort has been made to address the issue of occupational health and environmental exposure to mercury. This review reports on the current literature of mercury exposure and health impacts on dental personnel. Citations were searched using four comprehensive electronic databases for articles published between 2002 and 2015. All original articles that evaluated an association between the use of dental amalgam and occupational mercury exposure in dental personnel were included. Fifteen publications from nine different countries met the selection criteria. The design and quality of the studies showed significant variation, particularly in the choice of biomarkers as an indicator of mercury exposure. In several countries, dental personnel had higher mercury levels in biological fluids and tissues than in control groups; some work practices increased mercury exposure but the exposure levels remained below recommended guidelines. Dental personnel reported more health conditions, often involving the central nervous system, than the control groups. Clinical symptoms reported by dental professionals may be associated with low-level, long-term exposure to occupational mercury, but may also be due to the effects of aging, occupational overuse, and stress. It is important that dental personnel, researchers, and educators continue to encourage and monitor good work practices by dental professionals.

Identification of Enterovirus C105 for the first time in New Zealand

In this report we describe a new approach in HIV sentinel surveillance that was piloted in Viet Nam in 2009 and is currently being rolled out in all provinces. It comprises a brief behavioural questionnaire added to the HIV sentinel surveillance surveys conducted routinely among people who inject drugs, female sex workers and men who have sex with men. Timely reporting of data from this system has resulted in improvements to HIV prevention efforts for most at-risk populations.

Schooling conditions and the health status of pupils at some schools in Thua Thien Hue province, 2005-2006

Background: According to assessment of Ministry of Health, developing constitution of pupuls under 14 years old grade A: 23%, grade B: 52%, grade C: 25%. Objectives: Analysis on environmental conditions, school and health status of pupils, comment, propose to enhance study conditions as well as constitution for pupils. Subjects and method: Pupils at primary schools, secondary shools, high schools in Quang Dien, Huong Thuy, A Luoi district. Method: cross-sectional descriptive study by light meter, measure microclimate, noise and steel measure to measure size of desks and chairs. Analyse, synthetize data by Exel. Results: School environment had remained disadvantageous factors that affects on pupils\ufffd?health status. There were a shortage of hygienic contructions, wrong size chairs and benches, poorly equipped school health office. Among 20,800 pupils, good health (grade A) was 48,42% in elementary schools, 52,07% in middle schools and 54,1% in high schools. The rate of eye diseases has increased in higher classes. Conclusion: Build and transform school have met the regulation of Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education and Training. School must have clean water works, clean toilet and have handwash tub. Organize periodic health test for pupils, always control school hygiene to timely contribute opinions help school to overcome shortcomings, limit disadvantageous conditions for pupils to prevent school health cause by insanitation environments and conditions.

The variation of blood phosphorus and blood calcium level in patients with chronic renal failure

Blood levels of phosphorus and calcium were quantified in 151 subjects including 30 healthy subjects in control group, and 121 patients of chronical kidney failure of the stage I-IV and the age ranged from 18 to 50. Results demonstrated a reduce of kidney failure of the stage I-II in comparing with control, leading to secondary hyperparathyroid and a hypertrophy of parathyroid gland. The more kidney failure, the higher level of blood calcium, this is an important factor of dystrophy of bone in the patient

Clinical features, laboratory examinations and prognosis of acute renal failure without anemia and anuria

Research on 62 patients with acute renal failure that cause of other causes at 103 Hospital from 1/1991 to 2/2002. Spiliting to 2 groups: the first include 47 patients with oliguria or anuria type, the second include 15 lack of oliguria or anuria patients. Result: Patients who lack of oliguria or anuria type hold 24,2%. 42% reason are: down pressure, shock due to reduce volume after surgery. Clinical symptom light and major symptoms is fever (93%), tired, (66,7%) pain in waist (33,3%), positive renal ring (26,6%), positive renal tough (26,6%), vomit (20%). Diagnostic base on increase ure, acute blood creatinin. Predict good treatment, preserve by redeem fluid and increase pressure and use furosemid

Results of the project "mobilization of the participation community to the expanded enviromental sanitary program" in Huong Tra district, Thua Thien - Hue province during 2000-2001

The project "mobilization of the participation community to the expanded enviromental sanitary program" in Huong Tra district, Thua Thien - Hue province achieved some results: number of proper sanitary toilets including the upgraded and new built toilets in community increased from 14.8% to 50,2%. The investment on drinking water resource was improved. The project initially made an active change in the knowledge of the people, contributing to form the steering board at all levels and the networks of collaborators at the villages, which not only facilitated for the activities of enviromental sanitation but also for disease prevention at the communes

Knowledge level for tuberculosis in people of 2 communes in Thai Nguyen province

The data was collected from a survey about KAS (knowledge-attitude-practice) of 800 people lived in Tan Thinh and Linh Son communes of Thai Nguyen province. It was showed that the level of knowledge about tuberculosis of people remained to be low. Rate of people who have moderate and poor knowledge was still high, made up to 80.9%. The perception about tuberculosis was closely related to factors such as ethnic, education level, sex, geography and communication. The authors recommended that the community health services in Thai Nguyen province need to strengthen the health education for people, especially for ethnic minorities, women, low educated people as well as for people who lived in the remote areas