Phytochemical investigation on Vitex negundo leaves and their anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities

Abstract The phytochemical investigation on Vitex negundo leaves has led to the isolation of one new iridoid glucoside (8α-hydroxy-4-carboxyl-5ßH-9ßH-iridoid-1α-O-(6'-O-(6,7-dihydrofoliamenthonyl)-ß-ᴅ-glucopyranoside, 3), together with three known compounds, namely agnuside (1), 6'-O-E-caffeoylmussaenosidic acid (2), and 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid (4). The HPLC analytical study was also performed to quantify the content of agnuside (1) in dried leaves. The results indicated the very high content of 1 (3.04 ± 0.02%). The method was also validated by various parameters, including linearity (R2= 0.9999), precision (intra-day RSD ≤ 2.50%, inter-day RSD= 0.76%), and accuracy (recovery rates 96.58-101.86%). The animal testing data showed that the extract did not reduce pain at the doses of 9.6 and 28.8 g /kg (leaf weight/body weight) in the hot plates and pain measuring models but showed the pain reduction in the acetic acid-induced pain model. The extract at the dose of 5.6 g/kg (leaf weight/body weight) also had effects on the acute inflammation in the carrageenin-induced edema model. The extract at the dose 9.6 and 28.8 g/kg (leaf weight/body weight) also showed significant chronic anti-inflammation, comparable to methylprednisolone at the dose 10 mg/kg on the mouse peritoneal

A simple time-to-event model with NONMEM featuring right-censoring

In healthcare situations, time-to-event (TTE) data are common outcomes. A parametric approach is often employed to handle TTE data because it is possible to easily visualize different scenarios via simulation. Not all pharmacometricians are familiar with the use of non-linear mixed effects models (NONMEMs) to deal with TTE data. Therefore, this tutorial simply explains how to analyze TTE data using NONMEM. We show how to write the code and evaluate the model. We also provide an example of a hands-on model for training.

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.

Antidiabetic and antioxidant activities of red seaweed Laurencia dendroidea

Objective: To investigate antidiabetic and antioxidant activities of the extract and fractions from Vietnamese red seaweed Laurencia dendroidea. Methods: The seaweed Laurencia dendroidea was extracted by using microwave-assisted extraction method in 80% methanol. The seaweed extract was then fractionated using different solvents (n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, butanol and water). These obtained fractions were evaluated for α -glucosidase inhibitory and antioxidant activities. Antioxidant activities were tested using DPPH, nitric oxide radical scavenging and metal chelating assays. The enzyme inhibition mode was determined using Lineweaver-Burk plot. For acidic and thermal stabilities, the ethyl acetate fraction was treated at pH 2.0 and 100 °C, respectively. The residual inhibitory activity of the fraction was calculated based on the initial inhibitory activity. For in vivo antidiabetic activity, mice were divided into four groups, including normal control, diabetic control, diabetic mice treated with ethyl acetate fraction and diabetic mice treated with gliclazide. Blood glucose level of treated mice during acute and prolonged treatments was measured. To evaluate the toxicity of the ethyl acetate fraction, the body weight changes and activities of liver function enzymes (aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase and gamma-glutamyl transferase) were carried out. Results: The extract of Laurencia dendroidea showed strong α-glucosidase inhibitory and DPPH radical scavenging activities. Methanolic concentrations affected both α-glucosidase inhibitory and antioxidant activities. A 80% aqueous methanol was the suitable solvent for extraction of enzyme inhibitors and antioxidants. Among solvent fractions, ethyl acetate fraction had the highest inhibitory activities against α -glucosidase with a mixed type of inhibition and the strongest antioxidant activities, and was stable under acidic and thermal conditions. The ethyl acetate fraction treated diabetic mice significantly reduced blood glucose level compared with the diabetic control group (13.16 mmol/L vs. 22.75 mmol/L after 3 hours of treatment). Oral administration of ethyl acetate fraction did not exhibit toxicity at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight as determined by body weight changes and liver biochemical parameters. Conclusions: Laurencia dendroidea could be a potential source for production of antidiabetic and antioxidative agents.

The use of a standardized Chinese herbal formula in patients with advanced lung cancer: a feasibility study / 中西医结合学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Increasing numbers of cancer patients are using Chinese herbs (CHs). However, differences among prior studies make it difficult to draw firm conclusions about the clinical usefulness of any specific CH formula. The primary objective of this study was to establish the acceptability of taking a standardized CH formula for patients with advanced lung cancer. The secondary objective was to identify any toxicities attributable to this CH formula and to measure changes in quality of life.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A single-arm, prospective study of a 6-week intervention with a selected CH formula in 15 patients with stage 4 nonsmall-cell lung cancer (NSCLC, Seventh American Joint Committee on Cancer TNM staging system).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Patients with advanced lung cancer were interested in using the CH formula. Completion (93%) and adherence (98%) levels were very high and most patients perceived the CH treatment as easy to take and were willing to take the CHs used in the study again if it was available. About half of the patients reported adverse events, all of which were mild (Grade 1 or 2) and only a small minority (8%) were potentially related to CHs. No biochemical or hematological evidence of toxicity was observed. Overall, there were improvement in quality of life, and reduced feelings of tiredness and sleepiness.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>This study provides preliminary evidence that short-term use of a carefully selected and prepared CH formula in patients with stage 4 NSCLC is acceptable and safe.</p>

Fludarabine-containing chemotherapy for patients with previously untreated low-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma / 대한혈액학회지

BACKGROUND: The clinical efficacy and safety of fludarabine combination chemotherapy was investigated for the treatment of previously untreated patients with low-grade (NHL). METHODS: Twenty-five patients who were newly diagnosed as low-grade NHL were treated with fludarabine combination chemotherapy. Fludarabine combination regimens consisted of fludarabine, mitoxantrone and dexamethasone or fludarabine, cyclophosphamide and mitoxantrone with or without rituximab and repeated every 4 weeks. RESULTS: The median age was 60 years (range, 35-77 years), with 13 of 25 patients (52%) > or =60 years of age. Seven of 25 patients (28%) with an intermediate risk follicular lymphoma international prognostic index (FLIPI) and 9 of 25 patients (36%) with a high risk FLIPI were enrolled in this study. The delivered median number of chemotherapy was six (range, 2-9 cycles). The overall response rate with fludarabine-based treatment was 88%, including 52% complete remission and 36% partial remission. During the median follow-up of 19 months, the estimated 2-year event-free survival was 63+/-10% (95% CI, 43-83) and the 2-year overall survival was 78+/-9% (95% CI, 60-96). Fludarabine combination chemotherapy was frequently associated with grade 3 or 4 neutropenia in 84% patients. However, neutropenic infection was observed in only one (4%) patient. Four patients (16%) showed grade 3 or more non-hematologic toxicities, such as acute coronary syndrome, intracranial hemorrhage, anaphylaxis and gastric cancer. CONCLUSION: Fludarabine-combination treatment was a highly active regimen with well toleration in untreated low-grade NHL.

DNA Methylation Changes Following 5-azacitidine Treatment in Patients with Myelodysplastic Syndrome

DNA methyltransferase inhibitor, 5-azacitidine (AC) is effective in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and can induce re-expression in cancer. We analyzed the methylation of 25 tumor suppressor genes in AC-treated MDS. Hypermethylation of CDKN2B, FHIT, ESR1, and IGSF4 gene was detected in 9/44 patients. In concordance with the clinical response, a lack of or decreased methylation in 4 patients with hematologic improvements and persistent methylation in 4 others with no response was observed. The mRNA expression of CDKN2B, IGSF4, and ESR1 was significantly reduced in MDS. Our results suggest that methylation changes contribute to disease pathogenesis and may serve as marker to monitor the efficacy of treatments.

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) transcript level in breast cancer tissues

Background: Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) is a transmembrane cell-surface glycoprotein with intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity. EGFR has been shown to stimulate cell proliferation and to enhance the migration and invasiveness of breast cancer. EGFR is expressed in epidermal cell lines and have been implicated in the pathogenesis of many different types of cancer. Objective: To evaluate the level of EGFR transcript in breast cancer and normal tissues; comparison the EGFR transcript level at different development stages and cancer cell types. Subject and methods: Total RNA from 62 tissue samples including 47 breast cancer and 15 normal tissues were extracted; cDNA synthesis by reverse transcript polymerase chain reaction, EGFR transcript level were determined using semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Result and conclusions: EGFR transcript level was highly expressed in breast cancer tissues compared to the normal tissues. Especially, its expression was related to the different status and cancer cell types of breast cancer. There was a difference of EGFR transcript level between histological pathology\u2019s forms of breast cancer in the same stage.

Applied research into the production process of gama - Globulin from Human Plasma and Standard gama - Globulin with Rich of Anti \u2013 HBs

Introduction: The need for gama \u2013 globulin, especially gama - globulin - anti \u2013 HBs, is huge in Vietnam. A number of patients cannot to afford use them due to the high price as they are imported. Meanwhile, Vietnam has high quality input sources for producing gama \u2013 globulin. \r\n', u'Objectives: To study the production process of gama - Globulin from Human Plasma and Standard gama - Globulin with Rich of Anti \u2013 HBs. \r\n', u'Subjects and method: 168 samples of human plasma from voluntary blood donors, which had been screened with for transfusion transmittable infections (TTLs), were chosen as plasma with rich of anti - HBs. The plasma with anti - HBsAg was precipitated with ethanol 25%, pH 6,9 to gain gama - globulin with rich anti - HBs, which was dried by Dutch Ly - 3 - TTE machine. Activation of anti - HBs gama - globulin was identified by a standard method of the degree of antibody specific for anti - HBsAg kit of BIORAD, \r\n', u'Results: The purity of the gama - globulin achieved was 93%, which was almost equal with the results of some foreign researchers (7.8), the activation of anti - HBs was 1:128 dilution degree. The productivity of gama - globulin gaining from 1 litter plasma was 6.0 gram. This new issue was first demonstrated in Vietnam. \r\n', u'Conclusion: We can domestically produce anti-Bs gama - globulin with high degree of activeness (1:128) from human plasma by the precipitating method with ethanol, pH and low temperature. \r\n', u'

Generate and purify antibody against human Heparansulphate interacting protein (hHIp) in rabbit

Background: Human Heparansulphate interacting protein (hHip) has been shown to participate in biological processes of cells. Several studies indicated that hHip transcript is up regulated in several of cancer tissues including those of thyroid, colon, breast and prostate. Antibody against hHIP is necessary for methods to evaluate protein level of HIP in cancer tissues. Objectives:The aims of study was to induce anti hHIP antibody in rabbit and purify and conserve purified anti hHIP antibody. Subjects and method: The study included 9 adult and healthy rabbits with the weight 2 - 2.5kg. Immunization hHIP peptide-KLH in rabbit. Purify anti hHIP antibody using affinity chromatography. Results: The results shown synthesize hHIP peptide and conjugate it with carrier protein. Sensitive rabbit better meet with hHIP-KLH antibody. The Ig concentration obtained in sensitive rabbit was rather high and equal. Immunization hHIP-KLH successfully in rabbit. Obtainment valuable amount of anti hHIP antibody. Conclusion: Successfully induce and purify anti hHIP antibody from rabbit. Establish a standard protocol for polyclonal antibody against small peptide in rabbit.\r\n', u'\r\n', u'

Epidemiological characteristics of HIV/AIDS patients and community care in Thua Thien Hue

Background: HIV/AIDS pandemic really become danger to mankind on the earth. Objectives: Description epidemiological characteristics of HIV/AIDS patients. Studying clinical expression, learning aboutdemands of infected patients and community care for infected patients. Subjects and method: 71 HIV/AIDS people in Thua Thien Hue were studied in 2006. Using descriptive method to give epidemiological characteristics and behaviour of HIV/AIDS people. People were determined HIV/AIDS infection based on the criteria of Ministry of Health. The information were collected by target study. Results: HIV/AIDS people mainly from the age of 20 to 39 (83,10%), males were 52,10% and in various levels of education and all kinds of occupation. The rate of sexually transmitted infection was 84,5% and infection transmission was 15,5%. The rate of sexually transmitted infection within the last 12 months was 57,7%. 63,4% of infected people used condom while having sex with their spouses or partners. 1,4% of infected people using drug infection within the last month. 38% of the infected people had manifestations of AIDS, 77,8% of HIV/AIDS were treated with antiviral drugs. Families and communities had positive attitudes and behaviors to the HIV/AIDS people. Infected people being remoted from the society was 12,7%, 88,7% of them receiving supports from their communities such as disease treatment, spirit and material supports and job opportunities. Conclusion: Strengthen communication activities to change behavior of HIV/AIDS people and in communitiy to reduce alienation, discrimination for infected people. Execute socialization in care and support for HIV/AIDS people.

The familial characteristics of haemophiliacs treated at regional hematology and blood transfusion center of Hue Central Hospital

Background: Hemophilia is the most common clotting disorder in the hereditary blood clotting disorders causing harm to health and psychology. The disease can lead to disability and leave the burden on families and society as well as the development of race\r\n', u"Objectives: To study the familial characteristics of haemophiliacs treated at Regional Hematology and Blood Transfusion Center of Hue Central Hospital. Subject and method: This was a prospective study. It included 48 patients diagnosed and treated Haemophilia A and B at Regional Hematology and Blood Transfusion Center of Hue Central Hospital from 7/2005 - 8/2007. Results: In 48 patients, there were 23 patients who had obviously familial history (included 12 families). They were siblings, cousins, maternal grandfathers or mother's brothers. Among 67 haemophiliacs, 23 haemophiliacs had been studied (34.32%), 30 haemophiliacs died of the disease (44.77%). Most of them died at childhood, below age of 15 years (80.64%). Conclusion: Numbers of deaths in the family was not related to the severity of the disease. The age of clinical detection, morphology, number, site, characteristics of haemorrhage as well as the level of articuar injures were not completely the same between the haemophiliacs of the same family. \r\n", u'\r\n', u'

The situation of HIV/AIDS infection of prisoners at Binh Dien prison from 2005-2006

Background: With the development of HIV/AIDS pandemic in community, amount of HIV/AIDS people more and more increase in prison. Objectives: Determine the rate of HIV/AIDS infection of prisoners at Binh Dien prison. Learning about related elements to HIV/AIDS infection. Subjects and method: Prisoners at Binh Dien prison. Method: 492 prisoners were chosen, interviewed directly and taken blood samples to HIV test. Using cross-sectional study on accidental samples. Techniques were used in this study: SERODIA-HIV and ELISA technique. Results: The rate of current HIV/AIDS infections was 21,74%, some HIV/AIDS related factors in the prison included sex, religion, income source, marrital status, common knowledge of HIV/AIDS, drug addiction history, needle sharing, sexually transmitted disease history, body tatoos and forskin inserted with metal balls, alcohol and beer drinking history, some factors such as: age and educational level were not associated with HIV/AIDS infection in prison. Conclusion: Strengthen interventional activities in prison to prevent HIV/AIDS spread between prisoners. To prisoners who were not infected HIV/AIDS: strengthen educational communication to they may prevent themselves from HIV/AIDS infection behaviors. To HIV/AIDS prisoners: Need to educate and consult especially to they have right behaviors, prevent HIV/AIDS spread for the others while they were in prison as well as they return to society.

Investigation of hemostatic disorders in patients with congenital heart diseases undergoing open heart surgery at Hue Central Hospital

Background: Open heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) causes haemostatic abnormalities which result in postoperative excessive bleeding. Objectives: To investigate haemostatic disorders before - after CPB and postoperative bleeding. Subjects and methods: Sixty congenital cardiac patients with and without cyanosis were recruited consecutively. Hematology and coagulation tests were done 1 day before operation, 15 minutes after protamine administration, 2 and 6 hours after the operation in the intensive care unit (lCU). Mediastinal chest tube drainage (MCTO) was measured for the first 6h in the ICU. Results: Significant differences between 2 groups could be found for red blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, fibrinogen, D-dimer, fibrinogen degradation products (FOP), von Kaulla and platelet aggregation to epinephrine before operation (p < 0.05). There were not significant differences in platelets, PT, APTT, platelet aggregation to adenosine diphosphate (AOP) in the acyanotic and cyanotic patients (p > 0.05). Most hematology parameters were decreased significantly and hemostasis measurements were prolonged after operation in both groups (p < 0.05). There was also the significant difference in MCTO between 2 groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Coagulation, hemostasis and fibrinolysis disorders; thrombocytopenia and acquired transient platelet dysfunction may be responsible for bleeding complications after CBP \r\n', u'\r\n', u'

Some related factors and close consequence of cerebral abscess in congenital cardiac children

Background: Congenital heart disease is a malformation which the prevalence of 8 \ufffd?among alive infants. If it is not being treated on time, these malformations will develop to severe complication. The most common cause of cerebral abscess is congenital heart disease in infants. Objectives:This study aims to learn about some related factors and close consequence of cerebral abscess in congenital cardiac children. Subjects and method:A retrospective and prospective study was conducted on 37 patients with congenital heart disease were suffered from a cerebral abscess since January 2001 to 31 March 2007. Results:The boys were dominant with sex ratio: 1.85/1. Average age of acquired abscess was 6.8 years, 34/37 (91.9%) patients had curable congenital heart disease, including 33/37 (89.2%) diagnosed of right-left shunt. In comparison with patients whom over 2 years old and did not acquire abscess due to congenital cardiac shunt right-left type, there was no significant difference in hemoglobin, hematocrit, erythrocyte and saturation cutannee 13.5% among 37 patients of study were deaths, 26.5% had neurological sequelae and 8.1% were relapses. The average duration of hospitalization was longer (25.7 days) and the average costs were 4,317,000 Vietnam dong. Conclusion: Cerebral abscess was late complication of congenital heart disease and it was very necessary to treat completely the malformation of congenital heart disease in order to prevent of severe complication.

To assess the effectiveness of apheresis platelet transfusion is designed by cell extractive machine in patients with acute leukemia

In 2001-2002 period, at the Hospital of Hemotology and Blood Transfusion of Ho Chi Minh, a cross-sectioncal analytic descriptive study was carried out covering 92 cases thrombocyte transfusion for 67 patients with acute myoblastic and lymphoblastic leucemia. The results were analogue with those obstained by foreign authors concerning the indices of assessment of the efficacy of thrombocyte transfusion. The number of thrombocytes in a condensed unit of blood plaquettes obtained on the apparatus of extraction and isolation in comparing with body weight of Viet Nam subject had created optimal doses of thrombocyte transfusion in patients without associated factors increasing the consumption of blood plaquettes and these are the doses possibly attained in Vietnamese blood donor

Primarily opinions of treatment of primary hypertension phase I and phase II (mild and moderate hypertension) by Qi training - vitality maintenance

From June, 1996 to October, 1997, we have carried on research the treatment by method of Qui training – vitality maintenance in the mild-moderate level (the first-second period) of primary hypertensive patients, In comparison with fluid-used control group (n=24), we have some following comments. - About the effect of the method of Qui-training-vital maintenance: The method of Chi Gong-vitality preserving has effect in decreasing the systolic and diastolic blood pressure (p0,05). - About the effect of fludex: Fludex decreased the systolic and diastolic blood pressure (p<0,001). In Doppler cardiac ultrasonograph, cardiac output decreased (p<0,05). The functional parameters of left ventricle decreased (p<0,05), EF,% D increased. The subject is being expanded continuously.

Effect of Qi-training on mitral valve flow in patient with stage I and II of primary hypertension (mild and moderate hypertension)

Subjects: The patients who were 16 years of old or more and diagnosed with mild (stage I) and moderate (stage II) hypertension. Method: Open, compared and controlled study. The study group involved 40 patients who performed qi-exercises for 45 minutes per day on 30 days. Control group included 33 patients used fludex. It was found that qi-exercises, but not fludex, had increased the duration of wave-E. There was significant increase of total diastolic duration in study group, but not in control group. Qi-exercises did not change significantly the peak of atrial systole-induced left ventricular filling flow velocity, but fludex provided significant decrease. Left ventricular dystolic function of subjects in study groups did not change, comparing with baseline.

Situation of people knowledge in water sanitation and hygienic latrine

We conducted a study on the situation of people knowledge in water hygienic latrine. Results showed that the rate of knowledge of water resource sanitation was low. 14.8 - 32.3% of interviewees knew 2 and more than hygienic water resources. 24.3% - 44.2% of interviewees knew 2 method of cleaning the water resources. 36.7% - 42.6% of interviewees knew the major ways of transmission of digestive diseases. 35.7%-47.4% of interviewees knew 2 and more than methods of prevention of digestive diseases. The hygienic information come from television, radio, newspaper, health staffs, and volunteers. More than 80% of households were supported by different resources to improve the quality of drinking water and hygienic latrine.

Parasite infection of Ede ethnic people at 3 villages of DakLak province in 1996

A total of 238 stool samples were taken from Ede ethnic people at three villages of DakLak province. The results showed that: the rate of common parasite infection was 81.5%. The highest rate was ankylostomiasis (61.5%) and the lowest was trichuriasis 6.7%. No difference of rate was recorded in sex and age groups of habitants. It was also found that 87% of the households have no latrine.