As part of our continued study on the chemical constituents of Willughbeia edulis stems, a new dimeric lignan named edulignan (1) was isolated from its EtOAc-soluble extract. Based on NMR spectroscopic interpretation, the planar structure of 1 has been suggested to have two 2-substituted 4-chromanone subunits with different stereochemical configurations. In addition, the MS/MS analysis of the products obtained by acidcatalyzed hydrolysis of 1 was supportive of its structure. Unfornatually, the new compound 1 did not show α-glucosidase inhibitory activity with an IC 50 value > 250 μM.

Sphaeranthus africanus is commonly used as a traditional remedy for sore throats and pain treatment in Vietnam. The aerial parts have been studied for its anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative properties. However, the antioxidant and antidiabetic potential of the plant has not been explored. In this work, hydrophilic extracts of the plant's aerial parts were prepared in order to investigate its antioxidant and anti-diabetic properties. Also, the cytotoxicity of the root was evaluated and compared to that of the aerial parts. All of the extracts inhibited lipid peroxidation with IC 50 values ranging from 2.05 to 3.56 µg/mL, indicating substantial antioxidant activity. At an IC 50 value of 4.80 μg/mL, the 50% ethanol extract exhibited the most potent inhibition of α-glucosidase. The cytotoxic activity of root extracts is 2 to 5-fold less than that of the aerial parts. Nevertheless, dichloromethane and ethyl acetate extracts of the root demonstrated a selective effect on leukemia cells, with no harm towards the normal HEK-293 cell line. This work provides a scientific support for the antioxidant and antidiabetic activity of the plant. Hence, it may find a promising material for the development of novel antioxidant and antidiabetic agents. More research can be conducted on the phytochemistry and anticancer activities of the plant’s root.

Purpose: Pericytes surround the endothelial cells in microvessels and play a distinct role in controlling vascular permeability and maturation. The loss of pericyte function is known to be associated with diabetic retinopathy and erectile dysfunction. This study aimed to establish a technique for the isolation of pericytes from the mouse urinary bladder and an in vitro model that mimics in vivo diabetic bladder dysfunction. Methods: To avoid contamination with epithelial cells, the urothelial layer was meticulously removed from the underlying submucosa and detrusor muscle layer. The tissues were cut into multiple pieces, and the fragmented tissues were settled by gravity into collagen I-coated culture plates. The cells were cultured under normal-glucose (5 mmol/L) or high-glucose (30 mmol/L) conditions, and tube formation, cell proliferation, and TUNEL assays were performed. We also performed hydroethidine staining to measure superoxide anion production. Results: We successfully isolated high-purity pericytes from the mouse urinary bladder. The cells were positively stained for platelet-derived growth factor receptor-β and NG2 and negatively stained for smooth muscle cell markers (desmin and myosin) and an endothelial cell marker (CD31). The number of tubes formed and the number of proliferating cells were significantly lower when the pericytes were exposed to high-glucose conditions compared with normal-glucose conditions. In addition, there were significant increases in superoxide anion production and the number of apoptotic cells when the pericytes were cultured under high-glucose conditions. Conclusions To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to isolate and culture pericytes from the mouse urinary bladder. Our model would be a useful tool for screening the efficacy of therapeutic candidates targeting pericyte function in diabetic bladder dysfunction and exploring the functional role of specific targets at the cellular level.

Backgroud: Phacoemulsification with trifocal intraocular lens helps patients achieve clear vision at all distances, reponding their needs and desires. Therefore, we have studied to evaluate the effectiveness of a trifocal intraocular lens. Objectives: (1) To describe the clinical features of cataract patients. (2) To evaluate the outcomes of cataract treatment by phacoemulsification with a trifocal intraocular lens. Methods: A prospective interventional clinical study was conducted on 80 eyes of 68 cataract patients who underwent phacoemulsification with a trifocal intraocular lens at the Ophthalmology Center, Hue Central Hospital. Results: At the 3-month postoperative period, 65.0% of the operated eyes had distance vision of 20/25 or better, 52.5% had intermediate vision of 20/25 or better, and 57.5% had near vision of 20/25 or better. The patient satisfaction rate was 91.2%. Conclusion: Phacoemulsification with a trifocal intraocular lens provides high effectiveness in terms of visual acuity and patient satisfaction.

Objectives: Survey on erectile dysfunction in patients with lumbosacral disc herniation and evaluation of their clinical improvement after surgical treatment of spinal canal stenosis due to herniated disc. Materials and Methods: 35 patients with lumbosacral were treated with discectomy with posterior intervertebral fusion (PLIF) surgery from 10/2021 - 4/2022 at the Department of Neurology, Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital. Patients were evaluated for erectile dysfunction and postoperative improvement using the IIEF-5, CSFQ-14, DASS-21, Oswestry scales. Results: The mean age was 48.49 ± 9.15 years old. 51.4% of patients had the most severe hernia at the L4-L5 disc, 28.6% L3-L4 and 20% L5-S1. 100% of patients with herniated disc have erectile dysfunction. Of which 40% had mild-moderate disorders, 34.3% had moderate disorders, 14.3% had severe disorders and 11.4% had mild disorders. The CSFQ-14 and DASS-21 scales were correlated with erectile dysfunction (p < 0.05). Surgery significantly improved pain (VAS score), activity limitation (ODI and JOA), degree of erectile dysfunction, changes in sexual function, depression and anxiety, stress of the patient 1 month after surgery (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Patients with lumbosacral disc herniation had a 100% erectile dysfunction rate with a mean IIEF-5 score of 11.69 ± 3.77. The CSFQ-14 and DASS-21 scores have a strong positive correlation with erectile dysfunction. Surgical treatment of spinal canal stenosis due to lumbosacral disc herniation improves the clinical status of herniated disc as well as improves erectile dysfunction in these patients.

The optimal condition for Moringa oleifera root barks extraction was determined using response surface methodology and Box-Behnken Design. The actual optimal condition of the factors was 65 o C, ethanol 60%, 40 (mL/g) liquid-to-solid ratio with 240 minutes extraction time. The enrichment of phenolic compounds sharply affected the antioxidant, and inhibitions of α-amylase enzyme, as well as, the anti-inflammatory effect of the extract from M. oleifera root barks. The extract in the optimal condition exhibited better 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging and α-amylase inhibitory activities than those of positive controls.Also, the extract showed weak hydroxyl free radical scavenging and nitric oxide (NO) production inhibitory effects. These revealed a simple and promising method for the preparation of bioactive products from the root bark of M. oleifera.

ABSTRACT This study aims to compare the effect of fTCP-contained toothpaste in combination with 950 ppm fluoride on primary dentin caries surface to ordinary 1100 ppm fluoride toothpaste by using estimation statistics. Dental caries with deep lesion and dentin exposure from nine primary teeth were cut into two equal parts and randomly divided into two groups in a before-after study. Each group was brushed with one type of toothpaste two times per day for 28 days and rested in artificial saliva. SEM images of cavity bottom surfaces and energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX) were used to determine the percentage of calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), fluoride (F) and oxygen (O) at six continuous measured areas from the surface of the cavity bottom into 45 µm depth before and after brushing. About 95% confidence interval of the mean difference was calculated by performing bootstrap resampling with 5000 resamples followed by comparison analysis. The percentage of Ca, P, F, O was shifted after treatment. There was no difference between the two groups. The SEM images reflected a similar illustration of EDX data. The combination of fTCP and 950 ppm fluoride in toothpaste showed equivalent effectiveness to the 1100 ppm fluoride toothpaste in primary dentin caries.
Fluorosis, Dental ; Dental Caries

PURPOSE: Epigenetic modifications, such as histone acetylation/deacetylation and DNA methylation, play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory disorders and fibrotic diseases. The aim of this study was to study the differential gene expression of histone deacetylases (HDACs) in fibroblasts isolated from plaque tissue of Peyronie's disease (PD) or normal tunica albuginea (TA) and to examine the anti-fibrotic effect of small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated silencing of HDAC7 in fibroblasts derived from human PD plaque. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For differential gene expression study, we performed reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction for HDAC isoforms (1–11) in fibroblasts isolated from PD plaque or normal TA. Fibroblasts isolated from PD plaque were pretreated with HDAC7 siRNA (100 pmol) and then stimulated with transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1, 10 ng/mL). Protein was extracted from treated fibroblasts for Western blotting. We also performed immunocytochemistry to detect the expression of extracellular matrix proteins and to examine the effect of HDAC2 siRNA on the TGF-β1-induced nuclear translocation of Smad2/3 and myofibroblastic differentiation. RESULTS: The mRNA expression of HDAC2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, and 11 was higher in fibroblasts isolated from PD plaque than in fibroblasts isolated from normal TA tissue. Knockdown of HDAC7 in PD fibroblasts inhibited TGF-β1-induced nuclear shuttle of Smad2 and Smad3, transdifferentiation of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts, and abrogated TGF-β1-induced production of extracellular matrix protein. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that specific inhibition of HDAC7 with RNA interference may represent a promising epigenetic therapy for PD.
Blotting, Western ; DNA Methylation ; Epigenomics ; Extracellular Matrix ; Extracellular Matrix Proteins ; Fibroblasts* ; Fibrosis ; Gene Expression ; Histone Deacetylases* ; Histones* ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Myofibroblasts ; Penile Induration ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Protein Isoforms ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Messenger ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Transforming Growth Factors

Blotting, Western ; Cells, Cultured ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Endothelial Cells ; Erectile Dysfunction ; Gravitation ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Methods ; Pericytes ; Phenotype ; Platelet-Derived Growth Factor ; von Willebrand Factor

Background: Buxus latistyla Gagnep. (Buxaceae) has been used as a remedy for treating malaria, haemoptysis, amoebic dysentery etc. However, its chemical constituents are still unknown. Thus, the aim of this study was to identify phytochemicals isolated from this plant. Materials and method: Aerial parts of B. latistyla were collected from Quang Tri province. Pure compounds were isolated using the combination of chromatographic methods. Structures of isolated compounds were identified by analyzing spectral data of nuclear magnetic resonance as well as by comparing with reported data. Results & Conclusion: Five triterpenes were isolated and identified including lupeol (1), lupenone (2), betulin (3), 20(29)-lupene-2α,3α-diol (4), 20(29)-lupene-2α,3α,28-triol (5). This is the first report about those phytochemicals of B. latistyla collected in Vietnam.