Whole blood transcriptional profiles and the pathogenesis of tuberculous meningitis.

Mortality and morbidity from tuberculous meningitis (TBM) are common, primarily due to inflammatory response to infection, yet the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. We aimed to uncover genes and pathways associated with TBM pathogenesis and mortality, and determine the best predictors of death, utilizing whole-blood RNA sequencing from 281 Vietnamese adults with TBM, 295 pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB), and 30 healthy controls. Through weighted gene co-expression network analysis, we identified hub genes and pathways linked to TBM severity and mortality, with a consensus analysis revealing distinct patterns between HIV-positive and HIV-negative individuals.

Associated impairments among children with cerebral palsy: findings from a cross-sectional hospital-based study in Vietnam.

Objective: This study aims to explore the associated impairments of cerebral palsy (CP) and their correlates among children with CP in Vietnam.

Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study using hospital-based surveillance.

Setting: National Children's Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam between June and November 2017.

Observation of giant group index in a multi-level Rb atomic medium at room temperature.

We report an experimental measurement of giant group index in the Rb atomic medium at room temperature via a four-level V-type scheme on the D line. Our experiment uses co-propagation configuration of probe and coupling lasers through an atomic sample. In this configuration, three sharp EIT windows with significant transparency depths are observed on the probe absorption spectrum.

Phyllanretiosides A and B: Two Undescribed Compounds from Phyllanthus Reticulatus with Nitric Oxide Production Inhibition and Antimicrobial Activity.

Phytochemical study on the methanol extract of the leaves of Phyllanthus reticulatus led to the isolation of two new compounds, phyllanretiosides A (1) and B (2) together with ten known ones (3-12). Their chemical structures were determined by HR-ESI-MS, NMR, and ECD spectra in comparison with the literature. Three ellagitannins, phyllanretioside A (1), corilagin (3), and phyllanthusiin C (4) inhibited lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced nitric oxide production in RAW 264.

Two-channel optical bistability and multistability in a degenerate four-level atomic medium under a static magnetic field.

In this paper, we study the formation of optical bistability (OB) and optical multistability (OM) in a degenerate four-level atomic system by an external magnetic field that is excited by a probe laser field, a coupling laser field and a signal laser field. The coupling field can cause electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) for the probe field in the atomic medium, while the signal field and/or external magnetic field can switch between single-EIT and two-EIT regimes. Based on these properties, OB and OM effects can be formed at two different frequency regions of the probe field (two channels).

New diterpene lactone derivatives from leaves inhibit nitric oxide production in RAW 264.7 cells.

Phytochemical studies on plants have attracted considerable attention over the past few decades due to the structural diversities and significant biological activities of terpenoids produced by these plants. In the present study, five new acyclic diterpene lactone derivatives, aphanamixionolides A-E (1-5), and three known tirucallane-type triterpenes, namely, piscidinol A (6), hispidone (7), and bourjotinolone A (8), were isolated from the leaves of . Their structures were elucidated by comprehensive analyses of HR-ESI-MS and NMR spectroscopic data and by comparison with those reported in the literature.

Discovery of new triterpene glycosides from with their α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory activity.

In this study, seven new pentacyclic triterpene glycosides, named dendrocinaosides A-G (1-7), and six known ones (8-13) were isolated from the whole plants of . Their structures were determined by analyses of HR-ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR spectra. Compounds 1-4, 8, and 9 potentially inhibited α-glucosidase and α-amylase activities with the IC values ranging from 31.

Cryptobuchanosides A-G: seven previously undescribed triterpene glycosides from Cryptolepis buchananii R.Br. ex Roem. and Schult. with nitric oxide production inhibition activity.

In this study, nine triterpene glycosides including seven previously undescribed compounds (1-7), were isolated from leaves of Cryptolepis buchananii R.Br. ex Roem.

Undescribed (2-7')-neolignans and polyoxygenated cyclohexene glycosides from the aerial parts of Piper mutabile C. DC. and their inhibitory effects on nitric oxide production.

A phytochemical study of the aerial parts of Piper mutabile C. DC. revealed seven undescribed compounds [two (2-7')-neolignans and five polyoxygenated cyclohexene glycosides] and six known propenylcatechol derivatives.

Targeted sequencing from cerebrospinal fluid for rapid identification of drug-resistant tuberculous meningitis.

Mortality from tuberculous meningitis (TBM) remains around 30%, with most deaths occurring within 2 months of starting treatment. Mortality from drug-resistant strains is higher still, making early detection of drug resistance (DR) essential. Targeted next-generation sequencing (tNGS) produces high read depths, allowing the detection of DR-associated alleles with low frequencies.

Hypothalamic subunit volumes and relations to violence and psychopathy in male offenders with or without a psychotic disorder.

The hypothalamus is key to body homeostasis, including regulating cortisol, testosterone, vasopressin, and oxytocin hormones, modulating aggressive behavior. Animal studies have linked the morphology and function of the hypothalamus to aggression and affiliation, with a subregional pattern reflecting the functional division between the hypothalamic nuclei. We explored the relationship between hypothalamic subunit volumes in violent offenders with (PSY-V) and without (NPV) a psychotic disorder, and the association with psychopathy traits.

Undescribed Triterpenes from the Leaves of Syzygium myrsinifolium with Their α-Glucosidase and α-Amylase Inhibition Activity.

Two undescribed triterpenes, syzyfolium A (1) and syzyfolium B (2), together with twelve known compounds, terminolic acid (3), actinidic acid (4), piscidinol A (5), threo-dihydroxydehydrodiconiferyl alcohol (6), lariciresinol-4-O-β-D-glucoside (7), icariol A (8), 14β,15β-dihydroxyklaineanone (9), garcimangosone D (10), (+)-catechin (11), myricetin-3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (12), quercitrin (13), and 3, 4, 5-trimethoxyphenyl-(6'-O-galloyl)-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (14) were isolated from the leaves of Syzygium myrsinifolium. Their chemical structures were determined by IR, HR-ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR spectra. Compounds 3 and 4 inhibited significantly α-glucosidase with IC values of 23.

Four Undescribed compounds Isolated from the Aerial Parts of Phyllanthus cochinchinensis with Antimicrobial Activity and NO Production Inhibitory Activity in LPS Activated RAW 264.7 Cells.

Four previously undescribed compounds named phyllancosides A and B (1 and 2), and phyllancochines A and B (3 and 4) together with ten known compounds (5-14) were isolated from the aerial parts of Phyllanthus cochinchinensis Spreng. Their chemical structures were elucidated on the basis of comprehensive analysis of IR, HR-ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR spectra. The absolute configurations of 1 and 2 were determined by electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra.

Undescribed sesquiterpene-diterpene heterodimers from the fruits of Aphanamixis polystachya selectively modulate inflammatory markers in RAW 264.7 cells.

Aphanapolystachones A-C (1-3), three undescribed sesquiterpene-diterpene heterodimers, were obtained from the fruits of Aphanamixis polystachya. Their structures and absolute configurations were identified by extensive analysis of HR-ESI-MS, NMR, experimental and TD-DFT calculated ECD spectra. The biosynthetic pathway of them was also proposed, which is produced by key intermolecular Diels-Alder [4 + 2]-cycloaddition reaction between a guaiane sesquiterpene and an acyclic diterpene.

Colossal Kerr nonlinearity without absorption in a five-level atomic medium.

In this work, we present an analytical method to achieve giant Kerr nonlinearity without absorption in a five-level atomic medium. By using iterative perturbation technique on density matrix equations, we have derived the analytical expressions of nonlinear susceptibility and Kerr nonlinear coefficient in the presence of spontaneously generated coherence (SGC) and relative phase between applied laser fields. It shows that, this five-level atomic medium exhibits multiple electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) at three different frequencies, at the same time, the Kerr nonlinear coefficient is enhanced around three transparent spectral regions; in each such EIT region appears a pair of positive-negative peaks of Kerr nonlinear coefficient.

The Ability of a 3-Gene Host Signature in Blood to Distinguish Tuberculous Meningitis From Other Brain Infections.

Background: Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is difficult to diagnose. We investigated whether a 3-gene host response signature in blood can distinguish TBM from other brain infections.

Methods: The expression of 3 genes (dual specificity phosphatase 3 [DUSP3], guanylate-binding protein [GBP5], krupple-like factor 2 [KLF2]) was analyzed by RNA sequencing of archived whole blood from 4 cohorts of Vietnamese adults: 281 with TBM, 279 with pulmonary tuberculosis, 50 with other brain infections, and 30 healthy controls.

Four Steroidal Saponins from the Trunks of Dracaena cambodiana with Inhibition of NO Production in LPS Activated RAW264.7 Cells.

Dracaena cambodiana Pierre ex Gagnep. is well known as a medicinal plant and widely distributed in Vietnam. Phytochemical investigation on the trunks of D.

Successful treatment of binge eating disorder with the GLP-1 agonist semaglutide: A retrospective cohort study.

Objective: Binge eating disorder (BED) is the most common eating disorder, and yet only one pharmacotherapy (lisdexamfetamine), which has known abuse-potential, is FDA-approved. Topiramate is also commonly prescribed off-label for binge eating but has many contraindications. In contrast, the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP1) analog semaglutide has profound effects on central satiety signaling leading to reduced food intake, and has been approved for the treatment of obesity based on its efficacy and safety profile.

Violent Offending in Males With or Without Schizophrenia: A Role for Social Cognition?

Background And Hypothesis: Reduced social cognition has been reported in individuals who have committed interpersonal violence. It is unclear if individuals with schizophrenia and a history of violence have larger impairments than violent individuals without psychosis and non-violent individuals with schizophrenia. We examined social cognition in two groups with violent offenses, comparing their performance to non-violent individuals with schizophrenia and healthy controls.

Adjunctive Dexamethasone for Tuberculous Meningitis in HIV-Positive Adults.

Background: Adjunctive glucocorticoids are widely used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated tuberculous meningitis despite limited data supporting their safety and efficacy.

Methods: We conducted a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial involving HIV-positive adults (≥18 years of age) with tuberculous meningitis in Vietnam and Indonesia. Participants were randomly assigned to receive a 6-to-8-week tapering course of either dexamethasone or placebo in addition to 12 months of antituberculosis chemotherapy.

Four New Stilbene Derivatives Isolated from Gnetum latifolium var. funiculare Markgr. and Their Inhibition of NO Production in LPS-activated RAW264.7 Cells.

Gnetum latifolium var. funiculare Markgr. is a medicinal plant and widely distributed in mountainous areas of Vietnam.

Undescribed 2,9-deoxyflavonoids and flavonol-diamide [3+2] adduct from the leaves of Aglaia odorata Lour. Inhibit nitric oxide production.

Phytochemical study on the methanol extract of Aglaia odorata leaves resulted in the isolation of four previously undescribed compounds, including three 2,9-deoxyflavonoids and one flavonol-diamide [3 + 2] adduct, and 13 known compounds. The chemical structures of the four undescribed compounds were elucidated on the basis of their IR, HR-ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR, and ECD spectra. The results revealed an unprecedented 2,9-deoxyflavonoid framework, which was confirmed by TD-DFT, ECD, and GIAO C-NMR calculations using sorted training set methods.

Tryptophan metabolism determines outcome in tuberculous meningitis: a targeted metabolomic analysis.

Background: Cellular metabolism is critical for the host immune function against pathogens, and metabolomic analysis may help understand the characteristic immunopathology of tuberculosis. We performed targeted metabolomic analyses in a large cohort of patients with tuberculous meningitis (TBM), the most severe manifestation of tuberculosis, focusing on tryptophan metabolism.

Methods: We studied 1069 Indonesian and Vietnamese adults with TBM (26.