Study on the extract of Morinda citrifolia (MC) fruit with the ratio of 5:1 (1g extract was prepared from 5g of dried MC fruit) in order to determine the effects of extract on radiation-induced immunosuppressive mice. The results showed that: oral administration of this extract with daily dose of 6 g/kg in 9 consecutive days (3 days before and 6 days during receiving gamma ray) has increased the relative weight of spleen and thymus, total leukocyte count, number of lymphocytes, natural killers and monocytes, rate of immune rosette forming cells, hemolytic halo, and the skin test with OA antigen, compared with the mice group that has been only received gamma ray without drug
Morinda ; Animal Experimentation ; Radiation

It is estimated that there were 36,024 new cancer cases in male and 32,786 cases in females had been diagnosed in the country in this year. The cancers of lung, stomach and liver are the most common cancers in male. The cancers of breast, cervical uterus and stomach are the most common cancers in female. The cancer pattern in the country, though, is not homogeneously distributed. It is likely that the cancers of liver and cervix uteri are more common in the South than in the North while cancer of stomach and nasopharynx is more common in the North than in the South.
neoplasms ; Epidemiology

A study on the effects of Morinda citrifolia (MC) extract on the isolated blood vessels and water-electrolyte excretion by Lipschitz method. Results: MC in both concentrations of 1.25% and 2.5% had a vascular dilating effect of the rabbit ears without change vasoconstriction effect of adrenalin with concentration of 1/10 000. By oral administration, MC in doses of 0.3g, 0.6g and 0.9g/kg body weight increased the elimination of Na(+), K(+), Cl(-), but did not influence the elimination of Ca++ and urine amount at the rest time
Morinda ; Blood Vessels

Background: many studies showed that obesity rate was significantly higher in women than in men and 60-80% of overweight/obesity caused by diet. Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City were two of 10 provinces that had the highest rates of obesity. Objectives: to determine the actual rate of overweight/obesity and describe some related factors among Hanoians aged 50-59. Subjectives and Method: a cross sectional survey within a case-control study. The study was carried out in 14 wards under 7 districts of urban Hanoi. Body fat percentage was measured by machine Omron (Japan). Overweight/obesity evaluations were based on classification scales of WHO 1998 and IDI&WPRO 2000. Results: the mean rate of overweight/obesity was 23.1% (26.2% in women vs. 21.9% in men). The rate of women with waist to hip ratio >0.85 (39.83%) was higher than that in male (29.38%). Proportions of body fat percentage greater than 30% were 58.40% in female and 40.06% in male. Overweight/obesity was closely related with sedentary lifestyle, such as spending less time for exercise and sports, high food expenditures, etc. It was found that people with overweight or obese family members were 3 times at risk of overweight/obesity higher /than others. That rates of overweight/obese people with elevated level of biomarkers were composed of 48.99% with high blood cholesterol (>5.2mmol/l); 9.69% with blood glucose (\ufffd?.0mmol/l); especially 65.33% with high triglyceride (>1.7mmol/l); 7.22% with low HDL-C (<1.15 mmol/l); and 8.23% with high LDL-C (\ufffd?.00mmol/l). Conclusions: rate of overweight/obesity among Hanoians aged 50-59 was relatively high. Some related factors were described: waist to hip ratio, body fat percentage, sedentary lifestyle, such as spending less time for exercise and sports, high food expenditures, etc.
Overweight/epidemiology ; Obesity/epidemiology ; Risk Factors ; Middle Aged ;

Background: The reduction of erythrocytes from cord blood is very need for long - term storage of C034 cells for transplantation. Reduced erythrocyte will reduces preservative blood volume, preservatives and freely HST when defrosting, so stem cells are better protected. Objectives: To study selection of the best centrifugal procedure to reduce maximal erythrocytes and lose minimal C034 cells from cord blood. Subjects and methods: 20 blood samples selected from 60 cord blood units was used for this study. The study was carried out through two steps. In the first step, the centrifugal speed was fixed and the centrifugal time was changed.In the second step, the centrifugal time was fixed, the centrifugal speed was changed. From collected results the best appropriate procedure to reduce erythrocytes from cord blood have been selected. Results: The procedure of gradient centrifuge with speed of 500g in 6 minutes isolated> 50% of erythrocytes, kept > 84% of CD34 cells and then centrifuge of 1000 g in 10 minutes reduced about 40% of volume of nuclear cell - suspension. Conclusion: The procedure can use for preparation of stem cell suspension from cord blood to storage in nitrogen liquid. \r\n', u'\r\n', u'
Erythrocytes/ pathology ; Fetal Blood/ chemistry ; drug effects ; immunology

Background: Fungal keratitis is a serious ocular infection that can cause corneal scarring and blindness. Currently, diagnosis of fungal pathogens remains a difficult problem. Objectives: To investigate the application of semi-nested PCR targeted ITS genes for detection of fungal agents causing keratitis. Material and method: Ten identified fungal strains, 4 bacterial strains, 20 scraping samples from patients with suspected fungal keratitis and 2 scraping samples from patients with suspected bacterial keratitis were tested using semi-nested PCR. Results: Semi-nested PCR showed positive results for the samples of identified fungal strains and for the 20 scraping samples from patients with suspected fungal keratitis. Neither samples of bacterial strains nor scraping samples from suspected bacterial keratitis patients gave positive PCR results. Conclusion: Semi-nested PCR is a robust tool for specific and rapid detection of fungal agents causing keratitis.
Fungal keratitis ; semi-nested PCR

Background: In traditional medicine, liquid extract VK2 has good effects in the treatment of osteoarticular pain. This remedy has its origin from \u201cTam ty thang\u201d of the Eastern traditional medicine. Objective: To evaluate the analgesic and acute anti-inflammatory effects of liquid extract VK2. Subjects and method: The trial was performed on white mice (18-22 g body weight) and albino rats (120 +/- 20 g body weight). These animals were healthy. The prescribed amount of VK2 doses were 27.5 g and 55 g per kg body weight of the mice, 19.25 g and 38.5 g per kg body weight of the rats. Results: The liquid extract of VK2 doses had analgesic effect on acetic acide and themal-induced pain in the mice. The liquid extract of VK2 doses had also acute anti-inflammatory effect through inhibiting carrageenine-induced edema in the hind paw. Conclusion: VK2 had analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects on experimental animals.
VK2 ; analgesia ; anti-inflammatory

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'
Carrier Proteins/ administration & ; dosage ; chemistry ; Rabbits

Balanophora laxiflora Hemsl. (Balanophoraceae) is a traditional medicinal plant with a diverse array of biological activities. In our exploration of new bioactive constituents from B. laxiflora, we isolated five compounds, including a new lignan, balanophorone (5), and four known phenolic compounds (1–4). The chemical structures of these compounds were determined by extensive spectroscopic analyses, including 1D and 2D NMR, HR-ESI-MS, and CD. In addition, we evaluated the effects of each of the isolates (1–5) on the messenger RNA expression levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages and cytotoxicity against MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Compound 2 showed significant inhibition of LPS-induced COX-2 and TNF-α expression in RAW 264.7 macrophages, while compound 4 showed moderate cytotoxicity against MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, with IC 50 values of 18.3 and 30.7 μM, respectively. No significant effects on the viability of normal mammary epithelial cells were observed.

Balanophora laxiflora Hemsl. (Balanophoraceae) is a traditional medicinal plant with a diverse array of biological activities. In our exploration of new bioactive constituents from B. laxiflora, we isolated five compounds, including a new lignan, balanophorone (5), and four known phenolic compounds (1–4). The chemical structures of these compounds were determined by extensive spectroscopic analyses, including 1D and 2D NMR, HR-ESI-MS, and CD. In addition, we evaluated the effects of each of the isolates (1–5) on the messenger RNA expression levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages and cytotoxicity against MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Compound 2 showed significant inhibition of LPS-induced COX-2 and TNF-α expression in RAW 264.7 macrophages, while compound 4 showed moderate cytotoxicity against MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, with IC 50 values of 18.3 and 30.7 μM, respectively. No significant effects on the viability of normal mammary epithelial cells were observed.