RESUMO
OBJECTIVE@#The objective of the work was to optimize the extraction conditions of Caesalpinia sappan L. heartwood in order to maximize the brazilin content and antibacterial activity of the extract.@*METHODS@#Two independent factors were studied: extraction temperature (45-95 °C) and extraction time (30-60 min). In addition, five dependent factors were monitored, including extraction yield, brazilin content, and clear zones against Staphylococcus aureus TISTR 1466, Staphylococcus epidermidis TISTR 518 and Propionibacterium acnes DMST 14961. The brazilin content was quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography and antibacterial activity was determined by disk diffusion assay.@*RESULTS@#The high temperature provided high total extract yield as well as brazilin content, while extraction time had little effect on yield or brazilin content. Extraction time had a positive effect, while extraction temperature had little effect on clear zone against S. aureus. The largest clear zone against S. epidermidis was achieved at low extraction temperature and long extraction time. Conversely, short extraction time and high extraction temperature provided the largest clear zone against P. acnes. The optimal conditions providing the highest brazilin content was an extraction temperature and extraction time of 95 °C and 30 min, respectively. The same optimal conditions also provided the simultaneous greatest antibacterial activity against the three bacteria. Modeled optimal conditions were validated be conducting extraction using these values. Yield and antibacterial activity of the resulting extract demonstrated that the model had a low percentage error.@*CONCLUSION@#The optimal condition will be used as a standard condition for extraction of C. sappan heartwood to maximize brazilin content and antibacterial activity.
RESUMO
The objectives of this study were to evaluate the satisfaction to health care service of the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients and to compare the number of admission days in the hospital. COPD patients were divided into two groups: an experimental group and a control group (n = 40, each). The experimental group received treatment including four activities in the discharge planning: daily care, treatment, rehabilitation and mental care; while the control group received general nursing care as usual. Data were collected using design questionnaire and compared satisfactory scores. The results showed that the COPD patients in the experimental group were significantly satisfied to the health care service in the high level (the average score 3.59-3.95, total score of 4) comparing to the control group (p-value \< 0.05). In addition, the patients were significantly satisfied after discharge planning comparing to before attending the discharge planning (p-value \< 0.05). The numbers of admission days in the experimental group were significantly less than that of the control group (5.05 ±1.57 v.s. 6.28 ± 1.91, respectively, p-value \< 0.001).