Inflammatory Inhibitory Activity of Sesquiterpenoids from Atractylodes macrocephala Rhizomes.

Three new sesquiterpenoids, 13-hydroxyl-atractylenolide II (1), 4-ketone-atractylenolide III (2), and eudesm-4(15)-ene-7β,11-diol (3), along with eleven known compounds (4-14), were isolated from the rhizomes of Atractylodes macrocephala. The structures and relative configurations of 1-3 were determined by analysis of the spectroscopic data, and the absolute configurations of 1 and 2 were assigned by circular dichroism technique. The anti-inflammatory activities of these isolates were evaluated against lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide production in macrophage RAW264.

Electrochemical Synthesis of ZnO Nanorods/Nanotubes/Nanopencils on Transparent Aluminium-Doped Zinc Oxide Thin Films for Photocatalytic Applications.

We report an electrochemical synthesis of homogeneous and well-aligned ZnO nanorods (NRs) on transparent conducting aluminium-doped zinc oxide (AZO) thin films as electrodes. The selected ZnO NRs was then chemically corroded in HCl and KCl aqueous solutions to form nanopencils (NPs), and nanotubes (NTs), respectively. A DC magnetron sputtering was employed to fabricate AZO thin films at various thicknesses.

Synthesis and antiproliferativeactivity of new vinca alkaloids containing an α,β-unsaturated aromatic side chain.

A new series of vinca-alkaloids derivatives containing various α,β-unsaturated aromatic side chains was synthesized. Four new vinca-alkaloids derivatives showed selective cytotoxicities against KB tumor cell lines with IC50 value below 0.1 μM, thus comparable with vinblastine.

Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering Detection of Cancer Biomarkers with Bifunctional Nanocomposite Probes.

This report describes new findings of an investigation of a bifunctional nanocomposite probe for the detection of cancer biomarkers, demonstrating the viability of magnetic focusing and SERS detection in a microfluidic platform. The nanocomposite probe consists of a magnetic nickel-iron core and a gold shell. Upon bioconjugation, the nanoprobes are magnetically focused on a specific spot in a microfluidic channel, enabling an enrichment of "hot spots" for surface enhanced Raman scattering detection of the targeted carcinoembryonic antigen.

Harnessing the interparticle J-aggregate induced plasmonic coupling for surface-enhanced Raman scattering.

This report demonstrates that both surface plasmon resonance absorption and surface-enhanced Raman scattering work in concert with plasmonic coupling. The kinetic correlation between the two spectroscopic signatures highlights an effective pathway for harnessing the nanoparticles in solution for a broad range of applications by exploiting the plasmonic and spectroscopic properties.

Age and Cohort Patterns of Medical and Nonmedical Use of Controlled Medication Among Adolescents.

Objectives: We identified peak annual incidence rates for medical and nonmedical use of prescription opioid analgesics, stimulants, sedatives, and anxiolytics (controlled medication), and explored cohort effects on age of initiation.

Methods: Data were gathered retrospectively between 2009 and 2012 from Detroit area students (n = 5185). Modal age at the last assessment was 17 years.

Vietnamese Health Care Providers' Preferences Regarding Recommendation of HPV Vaccines.

Physician recommendation is an important predictor of HPV vaccine acceptance; however, physician willingness and preferences regarding HPV vaccination may be influenced by factors including patient age, vaccine type, and cost. A cross-sectional survey was administered to a convenience sample of health care providers in Da Nang, Vietnam, to evaluate awareness, perceptions about HPV and HPV vaccines, and willingness to vaccinate a female patient. Willingness to vaccinate was evaluated using a full-factorial presentation of scenarios featuring the following factors: vaccine cost (free vs 1,000,000 VND), patient age (12, 16, or 22 years), and HPV vaccine type (bivalent vs quadrivalent).

Liposuction for Advanced Lymphedema: A Multidisciplinary Approach for Complete Reduction of Arm and Leg Swelling.

Purpose: This research describes and evaluates a liposuction surgery and multidisciplinary rehabilitation approach for advanced lymphedema of the upper and lower extremities.

Methods: A prospective clinical study was conducted at an Advanced Lymphedema Assessment Clinic (ALAC) comprised of specialists in plastic surgery, rehabilitation, imaging, oncology, and allied health, at Macquarie University, Australia. Between May 2012 and 31 May 2014, a total of 104 patients attended the ALAC.

Prospective study of sentinel node biopsy for high-risk cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

Background: Nodal metastasis from cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is poorly predicted clinically and is associated with a high mortality rate.

Methods: From 2010 to 2013, patients with high-risk cutaneous SCC were assessed with sentinel node biopsy (SNB) either at the time of primary cutaneous tumor resection or at secondary wide local excision.

Results: Of 57 patients, 8 (14%) had nodal metastasis.

Synthesis of new bioisosteric hemiasterlin analogues with extremely high cytotoxicity.

In this Letter, the synthesis and the evaluation of the cytotoxicity of new hemiasterlin analogues were reported. The indole moiety was replaced respectively by benzofurane, naphthalene and 4-bromobenzene groups. Most of these derivatives possess strong cytotoxic activity on two human tumour cell lines (KB and Hep-G2), and some analogues showed comparable cytotoxic activity to that observed for paclitaxel and ellipticine, against KB and Hep-G2 cancer cell lines.

Vascular anatomy of the medial sural artery perforator flap: a new classification system of intra-muscular branching patterns.

Background: The medial sural artery perforator (MSAP) flap is a versatile fasciocutaneous flap. The main difficulty encountered when raising the MSAP flap is in obtaining adequate pedicle length during intra-muscular dissection. The objective of this study was to determine the pattern of intra-muscular course of the MSAP flap pedicle.

A calcium dialog mediated by the FERONIA signal transduction pathway controls plant sperm delivery.

Sperm delivery for double fertilization of flowering plants relies on interactions between the pollen tube (PT) and two synergids, leading to programmed cell death (PCD) of the PT and one synergid. The mechanisms underlying the communication among these cells during PT reception is unknown. We discovered that the synergids control this process by coordinating their distinct calcium signatures in response to the calcium dynamics and growth behavior of the PT.

Synthesis of new simplified hemiasterlin derivatives with α,β-unsaturated carbonyl moiety.

In this Letter, we report a convenient and efficient method for the synthesis of new simplified derivatives of hemiasterlin in which the α,α-dimethylbenzylic moiety A is replaced by α,β-unsaturated aryl groups as Michael acceptor. Most of these derivatives have a strong cytotoxic activity on three human tumor cell lines (KB, Hep-G2 and MCF7). Analogs 17b and 17f showed a high cytotoxicity against KB and Hep-G2 cancer cell lines comparable to paclitaxel and ellipticine.

The increased killing of biofilms in vitro by combining topical silver dressings with topical negative pressure in chronic wounds.

Chronic wounds remain a significant medical and financial burden in hospitals of today. A major factor in the transition from an acute to a chronic wound is its bacterial bioburden. Developments in molecular techniques have shown that chronic wounds remain colonised by many species of bacteria and that the bacteria within these chronic wounds exist in two forms.

Coherent emission at 537 nm from IR-pumped erbium-doped silica microspheres.

Low pump threshold upconversion narrowband emission at 537 nm in a simple system of erbium-doped silica microsphere at the tip of a fiber is reported. The emission comes out radially (not from whispering gallery modes) and is strongly enhanced by a thin metal coating, in particular with platinum. This enhancement seems to be related to the coupling with surface plasmons.

Biological and chemical reactivity and phosphorus forms of buffalo manure compost, vermicompost and their mixture with biochar.

This study characterized the carbon and phosphorus composition of buffalo manure, its compost and vermicompost and investigated if presence of bamboo biochar has an effect on their chemical and biological reactivity. The four substrates were characterized for chemical and biochemical composition and P forms. The biological stability of the four substrates and their mixtures were determined during an incubation experiment.

Symptoms and risk factors for stroke in a community-based observational sample in Viet Nam.

Background: Viet Nam is experiencing a health transition from infectious to chronic disease. Data on cardiovascular diseases, including strokes, are limited.

Methods: Data were randomly collected from six communities in Da Nang, Viet Nam, on participant demographics, medical history, blood pressure, anthropometrics and health behavior using World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines.

Anemia among Pediatric Critical Care Survivors: Prevalence and Resolution.

To determine the incidence of anemia among pediatric critical care survivors and to determine whether it resolves within 6 months of discharge. Design. A prospective observational study.

The differentially regulated genes TvQR1 and TvPirin of the parasitic plant Triphysaria exhibit distinctive natural allelic diversity.

Background: Plant parasitism represents an extraordinary interaction among flowering plants: parasitic plants use a specialized organ, the haustorium, to invade the host vascular system to deprive host plants of water and nutrients. Various compounds present in exudates of host plants trigger haustorium development. The two most effective haustorium inducing factors (HIFs) known for the parasitic plant Triphysaria versicolor (T.

Double burden: a cross-sectional survey assessing factors associated with underweight and overweight status in Danang, Vietnam.

Background: Many low- to middle-income countries are faced with an increasing prevalence of overweight/obesity while that for underweight remains high, a duality termed "double burden"; both are key risk factors for chronic diseases. This cross-sectional study assesses the prevalence and factors for underweight and overweight/obesity among adults in Danang, Vietnam, using WHO standard and suggested Asian-specific BMI cut-offs.

Methods: In 2010, 1713 residents age ≥ 35 years from 900 households in 6 of 56 urban, rural and mixed urban-rural communes in Danang were selected using multistage-cluster sampling methodology to participate; 1621 qualified adults enrolled.

Evaluation and management of complications or functional problems at the recipient site after esophageal and voice reconstruction with free ileocolon flap.

Background: The free ileocolon flap has been considered a safe method of simultaneous restoration of swallowing and voice production; however, the management of complications at the recipient site and its impact on functional outcomes are lacking in the literature.

Methods: We reviewed retrospectively all consecutive patients with combined defects of the cervical esophagus and larynx reconstructed with free ileocolon flap between July 2005 and December 2009 (follow-up of ≥18 months). Patients were evaluated during the follow-up period to judge the impact of revision surgery on functional outcomes.

A prospective cohort study of stroke characteristics, care, and mortality in a hospital stroke registry in Vietnam.

Background: As low and middle-income countries such as Vietnam experience the health transition from infectious to chronic diseases, the morbidity and mortality from stroke will rise. In line with the recommendation of the Institute of Medicine's report on "Promoting Cardiovascular Health in the Developing World" to "improve local data", we sought to investigate patient characteristics and clinical predictors of mortality among stroke inpatients at Da Nang Hospital in Vietnam.

Methods: A stroke registry was developed and implemented at Da Nang Hospital utilizing the World Health Organization's Stroke STEPS instrument for data collection.

Ag-organic layered samples for optoelectronic applications: interface width and roughening using a 500 eV Cs+ probe in dynamic secondary ion mass spectrometry.

The performance of organic optoelectronic devices depends a lot on interface structure and width. Dynamic secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) has been widely used to investigate interfaces in classical semiconductor devices and limitations are quite well understood. For low-energy dynamic SIMS on organic optoelectronic devices, sputter-induced diffusion processes and roughness formation have only been investigated sparsely.

Knowledge, attitudes, practices and emotional reactions among residents of avian influenza (H5N1) hit communities in Vietnam.

Background: Awareness of individuals' knowledge and predicting their behavior and emotional reactions is crucial when evaluating clinical preparedness for influenza pandemics with a highly pathogenic virus. Knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) relating to avian influenza (H5N1) virus infection among residents in communities where H5N1 patients occurred in Vietnam has not been reported.

Methods And Principal Findings: Face-to-face interviews including KAP survey were conducted in Bac Kan province, located in the northeast mountainous region of Vietnam.

Cytoplasmic Ca2+ changes dynamically during the interaction of the pollen tube with synergid cells.

The directional growth of the pollen tube from the stigma to the embryo sac in the ovules is regulated by pollen-pistil interactions based on intercellular communication. Although pollen tube growth is regulated by the cytoplasmic Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](cyt)), it is not known whether [Ca(2+)](cyt) is involved in pollen tube guidance and reception. Using Arabidopsis expressing the GFP-based Ca(2+)-sensor yellow cameleon 3.