Tạp chí khoa học Đại học Mở Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh - Kỹ thuật và Công nghệ
Journal of Ho Chi Minh City Open University
Survey on processing and quality evaluation of Cordyceps militaris instant tea
Cordyceps militaris has historically been utilized in traditional medicine across numerous Asian nations to address ailments and enhance human health. Currently, many strains of mushrooms have been successfully cultivated on substrates, creating a stable supply while helping to preserve precious medicinal species in nature. The aim of this research is to determine an appropriate recipe for instant tea products derived from the liquid extract of Cordyceps militaris utilizing the convection drying technique. The liquid extract of C. militaris was obtained using a hot extraction method using 75% ethanol as the solvent, at a C. militaris liquid extract to ethanol ratio of 1:3 (v/v), and an extraction temperature of 60°C for 60 minutes. C. militaris instant tea is produced by grinding the seeds in a ratio of C. militaris liquid extract to lactose of 1:7 (v/w). The resulting brilliant yellow powder is fully soluble in water, yielding a brown tea beverage with a distinctive cordyceps scent. The C. militaris instant tea product contains 106.82 ± 12 µg/g of cordycepin, achieves an average sensory score of 19.13 out of 20 according to TCVN 3215-1979 (Ủy ban Khoa học và Kỹ thuật Nhà nước, 1979), and complies with food safety and hygiene criteria for physical, chemical, and microbiological indicators.
Effect of various conditions on stabilizing laccase activity in Bacillus subtilis spores and evaluating the ability of laccase to decolorize azo dyes
Laccase is a polyphenol oxidase, and stabilizing its activity can be challenging. Therefore, developing a method to stabilize laccase activity is of practical significance. Bacillus subtilis was cultured to produce spores, and the time and method for collecting spores to achieve the highest laccase activity were investigated. Laccase activity from the B.subtilis sample increased 14.53 times after 04 days of culture compared to the first day. The biomass containing spores was treated with NaCl and CuSO4 to create samples with laccase activity. After treatment, the sample was preserved in CuSO4 to assess the stability of laccase. Among the CuSO4 concentrations tested, 0.25mM CuSO4 gave the highest laccase activity (39 U/g), which increased 2.38 times after 6 weeks of preservation. Regarding the effect of temperature, the sample preserved at 4oC showed the highest activity increase (29 times) and the most stability, compared to samples preserved at -4oC (1.19 times) and 37oC (2.02 times). As for preservative time, the sample preserved in 0.25mM CuSO4 at 4oC for 12 weeks retained laccase activity, with a 2.64 times increase (39.42 U/g). After 09 weeks, the laccase activity increased the most, showing a 3.44 times increase (51.33 U/g). The sample preserved in 0.25mM CuSO4 showed the % discoloration of 46.75%, 65.02%, and 70.89% after 04, 08, and 12 weeks, respectively. The results demonstrate a positive correlation between laccase activity and the Congo red decolorization ability of the spore sample.
Investigation of male Carica papaya L. flower infusion concentration on the gastric histology of mice
This study aimed to investigate the effects of male Carica papaya L. flower infusion on the gastric histology of female mice induced with diabetes by streptozotocin. Diabetes was induced using streptozotocin (100 mg/kg BW) and nicotinamide (120 mg/kg BW). The experiment was conducted on 72 mice, divided into six groups, including control, diabetic model, and treatment groups receiving Metformin or male papaya flower infusion at two concentrations. The male papaya flower infusion was obtained via aqueous hydrolysis at 60°C and then diluted to concentrations of 12.4 and 22.22 mg/mL. The results showed that male papaya flower infusion (22.22 mg/mL) exhibits a gastroprotective effect in Streptozotocin-induced diabetic female mice, comparable to Metformin. This effect was observed through improved macroscopic morphology (reduced gas/fluid accumulation) and histological structure (increased mucosal proliferation, decreased cell degeneration). These findings provide a scientific basis for further investigation into the mechanisms and potential applications of Carica papaya L. male flower infusion in the adjunctive treatment of diabetes-related gastric pathologies.
Investigation of methylation frequency of the ADAMTS9 gene in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma in Vietnam
According to statistics from the Global Cancer Observatory (GCO), Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC) is among the 15 most common cancers in Vietnam. ADAMTS9 plays an important role in apoptosis, blood vessel formation, and the inhibition of cell proliferation in NPC. Changes in the ADAMTS9 gene will affect the process of cancer formation; therefore, a survey of the methylation properties of the ADAMTS9 gene in Vietnamese NPC patients was conducted. In the study, 30 NPC swab samples and 30 healthy swab samples were used to investigate the methylation status of the ADAMTS9 gene using the Nested-MSP method. The results recorded the methylation frequency of the ADAMTS9 gene in NPC samples and healthy samples at 50.00% and 3.33%, respectively. Moreover, the OR index was recorded at 29.00, sensitivity and specificity at 50.00% and 96.67%, respectively. The study has initially succeeded in establishing a process to investigate the methylation properties of the ADAMTS9 gene in NPC disease in Vietnam, aiming to develop a potential biomarker for early detection of NPC for Vietnamese people in particular and NPC disease in general.
Application of the node-location model to assess the synchronization between transportation infrastructure and residential development projects in Ho Chi Minh City
The relationship between transportation systems and population growth has been widely studied globally. As urbanization accelerates, population growth leads to increased demand for housing, transportation, land use, and other essential services. A well-developed transportation network facilitates urban expansion and enhances residents’ access to utilities. To ensure stable and sustainable urban development, maintaining a balance between transportation infrastructure and housing projects is crucial. However, assessing this balance presents a significant challenge for urban researchers. This paper provides an overview of the Node-Place model, proposing its application to evaluate the synchronization between transportation infrastructure and housing development projects in Ho Chi Minh City. Based on the application of the Node-Place model, the authors have made a number of findings: (1) The existing central area (TTHH) and the existing inner city (NTHH) are located at the upper edge of the equilibrium area, showing relatively good transport infrastructure but lower housing development; (2) The suburban district area (NgT) is located at the center of the equilibrium area, showing harmonious development between transport and housing; and (3) the developed inner city area (NTPT) is identified as being in the “tension” zone of the model, showing strong housing development but inadequate transport infrastructure. By applying this model, the paper suggests strategies to achieve integrated urban development, ensuring that both infrastructure and housing projects are balanced to support the city’s growth.
Analysis of the impact of cement deep mixing columns on reinforcement efficiency in deep excavations in Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City is experiencing rapid urbanization, leading to an increased demand for underground infrastructure such as basements, parking lots, and shopping centers in areas with weak geological conditions, necessitating effective technical solutions to ensure safety and stability in deep excavations. This study uses Finite Element Modeling (FEM) to analyze the impact of Cement Deep Mixing (CDM) piles on the reinforcement effectiveness of soft soil at the River Panorama Block 7 & 8 project in District 7, Ho Chi Minh City, with the aim of determining the optimal reinforcement range to stabilize the structure and optimize construction costs. Results indicate that the optimal reinforcement range for CDM piles is between 0.3 and 0.4 times the excavation width, ensuring displacement and internal force parameters within permissible limits, thus reducing construction costs and time while maintaining reinforcement effectiveness. These findings can be applied to similar projects in weak soil conditions.
MoViNet-A2 for Vietnamese sign language recognition
Sign language recognition from video is an essential task to support communication for the hearing-impaired community. However, the diversity of gestures, different camera angles, and varying environmental conditions pose significant challenges for traditional recognition systems. In this study, we propose a Vietnamese sign language recognition method based on MoViNet-A2, an advanced model optimized for action recognition in videos on mobile devices. The research dataset consists of 98 words or phrases, performed by 18 students from Lam Dong - Da Lat School for the Disabled, with a total of 4,709 videos from three different camera angles, ensuring diversity in training data. MoViNet-A2 serves as the backbone, pre-trained on the Kinetics-600 dataset. It is combined with preprocessing techniques such as class balancing, brightness normalization, and data augmentation to improve model generalization. Our method achieves a Top-1 Accuracy of 88.55%. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method achieves high performance in classifying and recognizing sign language gestures while ensuring real-time processing capabilities on mobile devices. This research not only improves the accuracy of sign language recognition systems but also opens up practical applications in facilitating communication for the hearing-impaired community.
Designing the automatical system making course reports
The automatic course reporting system automates the implementation of course reports at the Faculty of Information Technology, Ho Chi Minh City Open University. This system helps save time and achieve accurate and diverse results. Input data for the system are compiled, then filtered, processed, and standardized to suit the implementation of the course reports. The system software has been tested and has created course reports with good results and more information than the University’s requirements. This system supports the Faculty Board and lecturers in monitoring the teaching situation, ensuring the achievement of the expected training outcomes, and gradually enhancing the quality of the course output. Lecturers have specific data on training results to improve their teaching. The Faculty Board has particular information on modifying training administration and assigning lecturers based on their abilities and expertise.
Evaluate the reliability of AI detection software
This study examined how well AI detection software can distinguish between human-generated and AI-generated text using the Vistral-7B-Chat model. The evaluation included 30 detection tools evaluated on 10 text samples, split evenly between human and AI sources. Using descriptive statistics and ROC curve analysis, the study measured the accuracy of these tools. The results showed that the software successfully distinguished between AI and human-generated text, achieving an AUC score of 1, indicating near-perfect accuracy. The study noted variability in performance across tools, highlighting the need for continuous improvement to address interpretation and evasion challenges. This research advances our understanding of AI text detection, highlighting the urgency of robust tools to protect the integrity of human-generated content as AI technologies evolve.
Investigation of inhibitory potential against oxidative stress and inflammation of the fractionated extracts from Vernonia amygdalina leaves
Bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina) is a commonly used remedy in Vietnamese traditional medicine. However, the number of bioactivity studies providing the scientific basis for its health-beneficial effects, such as inhibitory effects against oxidative stress and inflammation, is still limited. This study produced crude (methanol) and fractionated extracts (n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, aqueous) from V. amygdalina leaves via solvent partitioning. The extracts’ total phenolic compound contents and anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in vitro and mouse models have been investigated. The results revealed that the ethyl acetate extract (LĐE) had significant phenolic compounds and exhibited the best anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. In brief, LĐE possessed a strong DPPH free radical scavenging capacity of about 56.91% and a high value of total anti-oxidant capacity (389.06mg AAE/g). The protein inhibitory percentage of LĐE reached 83.37%, and the paw edema after 04 hours after carrageenan injection of the LĐE-treated group decreased 30.54% versus that of the control mice. These findings prove the health-beneficial effects of V. amygdalina extracts and their potential to develop new medicines for treating inflammation and oxidative stress-associated diseases.
Potential application of Aloe vera gel in edible packaging development
Edible packaging is an effective solution for preserving and enhancing the value of food products. Edible packaging with good biodegradability is also receiving attention regarding sustainable and environmentally friendly production and consumption trends. As a medicinal plant commonly grown worldwide and in Vietnam, aloe vera is a potential material that has been researched and applied in food preservation. Aloe vera film has been proven to have the ability to prolong the shelf-life, reduce oxidation, resist harmful microorganisms and fungi, and maintain the sensory values of the food product. This article aims to provide information on aloe vera gel’s properties and potential applications in edible packaging.
Isolation of Bacillus wudalianchiensis strain BD 1.4 from peanut soil in Binh Dinh Province, producing IAA (Indole Acetic Acid) under the high temperature
Peanuts are a food and oil crop with high economic and nutritional value, providing a stable source of income for the Binh Dinh people. However, the hot weather and rising temperature affect the productivity and quality of peanuts. Therefore, research and development of a biological product that can promote the growth of peanuts is a critical issue. In the present study, from 08 peanut soil samples collected in Binh Dinh Province, 24 bacterial strains were isolated. In particular, bacterial strain BD 1.4 showed the highest heat resistance and IAA biosynthesis with a 71.21 ug/ml content. Based on 16S - rRNA sequence analysis results, bacterial strain BD 1.4 was identified as Bacillus wudalianchiensis. The bacterial strain B. wudalianchiensis BD 1.4 has the potential for the production of biological products to promote plant growth and development under rising temperatures due to climate change.
Isolation of bacteriophages capable of lysis by Aeromonas hydrophila causing disease on red tilapia from cages in Vinh Long Province
Aeromonas hydrophila (A. hydrophila) is one of the bacteria that causes enormous damage to fish farmers worldwide and in Vietnam. Various treatment measures have been applied, but controlling these bacteria faces difficulties. Therefore, this study was conducted to isolate a bacteriophage (phage) capable of lysis from A. hydrophila that causes hemorrhagic disease in cage-raised red tilapia in Vinh Long province. A total of 10 phages were obtained from the liver, kidney, and spleen of diseased red tilapia (Oreochromis sp.). The findings revealed that most phages have a broad host range in the A. hydrophila strains isolated in the study. Based on morphological characteristics under Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), phage ΦA3 with the broadest host range belongs to the Peduoviridae family (formerly Myoviridae). The results show the potential for applying phages to control pathogenic bacteria in red tilapia.
The impact of various factors on the quality of vacuum-fried Grey Oyster Mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus)
Post-harvest mushroom processing faces numerous limitations, lacking diversity and failing to meet consumer preferences. Concurrently, instant edible mushrooms have become a trend in the fast-food industry. Vacuum frying is a feasible and health-conscious option for producing instant mushrooms. The research investigates the impact of different pre-frying treatments (blanching, seasoning, freezing, and drying), mushroom slice sizes (2.0, 2.5, and 3.0cm), and vacuum frying durations (40, 50, and 60 minutes) on the quality of Pleurotus ostreatus mushrooms concerning sensory attributes, color, and crispiness. Microbiological criteria were assessed to determine the shelf life of the product. The results indicate that a mushroom size of 2.0cm, followed by blanching, seasoning, and freezing, constitute the optimal pre-treatment method before vacuum frying. Frying the mushrooms at 90°C for 50 minutes yields the best quality. The product is safe for consumption for up to 12 months. These results provide a foundation for refining the vacuum frying process for Pleurotus ostreatus mushrooms.
Toxicity effects of insecticides to big-eyed bug Geocoris ochropterus (Fieber) (Hemiptera: Geocoridae)
Regarding the effects of pesticides on big-eyed bugs Geocoris ochropterus, the research results showed that chemical pesticides greatly influence the viability and reproduction of big-eyed bugs. Indoxacarb is the result of its selective lethality to a lot of big-eyed bugs Geocoris ochropterus (92.7%) and high toxicity with big-eyed bugs at level 3 toxicity, similar to the chlorantraniliprole + thiamethoxam active substance, also causes the death of a large number of Geocoris ochropterus (96.4%) and high toxicity (level 3 toxicity). Azadirachtin emamectin benzoate affected the survival and reproduction ability of Geocoris ochropterus at 56.4% and 64.3%, respectively, and both drugs were less toxic to Geocoris ochropterus (level 2 toxicity). Trifloxystrobin + tebuconazol and azoxystrobin also affected the survival and reproduction ability of Geocoris ochropterus at 44.2% and 47.5%, and both drugs were at level 1 toxicity. Research shows that chemical pesticides significantly impact the survival and reproduction of big-eyed bugs. It is necessary to prioritize using biological pesticides in a sustainable development orientation to maintain and develop natural enemies in the ecosystem.
Study on reinforced concrete beam-column joints subjected to different fires and loadings considering CFRP retrofitting
This paper investigates the postfire performance of reinforced concrete beam-column joints under monotonic and cyclic loadings with and without Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) retrofitting. Experiments were conducted on nine beam-column joints. One of these was not exposed to fire to be used as a control specimen. The other eight specimens were separated into two groups, which were exposed to 45-min and 75-min fires. After exposure to fire, in each group, one pair of joints were retrofitted with CFRP, while the other pair were not retrofitted. Of each pair, one joint was subjected to monotonic loading, while the other joint was subjected to cyclic loading. The results of fire tests indicated that, after fire exposure, the concrete color changed from grey to light pink. Under loading, a plastic hinge appeared at the beam end close to the column surface, and diagonal cracks appeared at the intersection of the beam and columns. The load-carrying capacity of joints was reduced by about 11% due to fire exposure. The ultimate load of CFRP-retrofitted joints was 12.9 - 17.1% higher than that of the control joint.
A model of structural analysis for multi-storey buildings with ETABS software
During the process of instructing the course Design of Multi-storey Buildings in the curriculum for Undergraduate developed by the Faculty of Civil Engineering in the Ho Chi Minh City Open University, modeling the structural system using professional packages such as SAP2000, ETABS, etc., is notably taught in the practice (within 30 period hours). For the learning outcome of the course, that is, to properly model the structural system of the building, one of the main requirements is to help learners easily practice, create, and solve the model, i.e., by some specific input data such as prescribing the element properties, assigning the loads and solving properly the model, to analyze the output in an acceptable level of accuracy. The fact is that, during the course, students have not sufficiently modeled the system, therefore the results (values of element dimensions, cross-section, etc.) are unreliable. This paper aims to point out a rigorous procedure of input data and to introduce the main content of structural modeling, with some necessary techniques, which in turn, the results of the analysis could be applied to reality. A few of the time-dependent properties of the material, concerning the column shortening, and geometric nonlinear P-Δ effects are considered in a dynamic analysis and other kinds of analyses. This study for tutorial purposes is necessary for the teaching staff, undergraduate engineering students, and partially beneficial for designers using ETABS in analysing the multi-storey buildings. Without any course outcome assessment, the limitation of the study is tentatively outlined.
Evaluation of chitinase production ability to antagonize Pyricularia Oryzae of bacteria and actinomycete strains isolated from rice root soil in Kien Giang Province
The fungus Pyricularia oryzae is one of the agents causing rice blast disease. The mechanism of the infection is directing penetration through the plasma membrane, secreting cytotoxins, and forming infectious cells specialized for causing disease in rice plants in some species (Muni & Nadarajah, 2014). Therefore, biological products containing microorganisms that can antagonize fungal pathogens and are environmentally friendly, are promising measure to control this disease. Among the beneficial microorganisms, bacteria and rhizosphere actinomycetes are known as potential antagonistic groups in disease prevention caused by fungi. This study screened 11 actinomycetes and 10 bacteria with high chitinase activity from 09 rice rhizosphere soil samples in Kien Giang province. Among them, strains B.KG4.1 and S.KG1.1 have strong potential to inhibit Pyricularia oryzae fungus by co-culture method with antagonistic effectiveness reaching 90.9% and 87.41% after 15 days, respectively. Antagonistic activity to fungal pathogens of bacterial strains was positively correlated with their ability to secrete extracellular chitinase. Based on the morphological characteristics and 16S-rRNA gene sequencing, strain S.KG1.1 was identified as Streptomyces carpinensis and strain B.KG4.1 belongs to the Bacillus amyloliquefaciens group. With these characteristics, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens B.KG4.1 and Streptomyces carpinensis S.KG1.1 have the potential to be exploited in the production of biological products to control the fungus Pyricularia oryzae causing rice blast disease.
Evaluation of genetic diversity of rose (Rosa sp.) collection in Tra Vinh
Roses are beautiful flowers and have been widely grown in many parts of the world, and more different favorites and purposes by consumers such as decorating space, making perfume, cosmetics, and medicine. With luxurious flower styles, diverse colors, and pleasant fragrances, it can be grown all year round in many different climatic conditions, which is very convenient for production development. Companies that maintain and develop rose genetic resources have not received much attention from many researchers, so the current rose genetic resources are complex, fragmented, and unclear sources. The genetic evaluation relationships for rose varieties in the collection will provide useful information and data on conservation and hybridization. In this study, there are 30 rose varieties collected in Dong Thap, Ben Tre, Tra Vinh, and Ho Chi Minh City are stored and evaluated in Tra Vinh Province. This collection was used for genetic analysis based on morphological characteristics with 22 monitoring criteria. Genetic diversity analysis was performed using NTSYSpc 2.1 software. The results show that based on 22 main morphological characteristics of plant, leaves, and flower phenotype, flower color, and fragrances. The phylogenetic tree was divided into six main groups when the genetic similarity coefficient was 0.78.
Biological activity research of male papaya flowers Carica papaya L. on some common cancer cell lines
The male papaya tree, Carica papaya L., is widely cultivated in Vietnam, and its flowers possess various pharmacological properties. This study focuses on the biological activities, including antioxidant and anticancer effects, of different fractions extracted from male papaya flowers. Male papaya flowers were extracted using methanol solvent with an extraction efficiency of 15.76%. The recovery efficiencies of the n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and water fractions are 11.48, 7.32, 8.05, and 73.15%, respectively. The highest polyphenol content in the water fraction extract is 88.15 ± 1.37 µg GAE/mg extract, corresponding to the best antioxidant activity with an EC50 of 431.10 µg/mL measured by the DPPH method. Using the MTT method, the extract fractions also exhibited cytotoxic activity against HepG2 liver cancer cells, K562 leukemia cells, and B16F10 skin cancer cells. Except for the water extract, which falls outside the tested concentration range (IC50 > 400 µg/mL). The n-hexane fraction extract exhibited strong inhibition against HepG2 cells (IC50 = 196.79 µg/mL), while the chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions showed potent inhibition against K562 cells (IC50 = 83.23 µg/mL and 89.33 µg/mL, respectively). This study is considered an initial exploration in screening and isolating bioactive compounds from male papaya flowers in Dak Lak province, particularly those with cytotoxic activity against cancer cells
Investigating some biological activities of ethanolic extract from Chloranthus japonicus Sieb. leaves
Chloranthus japonicus Sieb. is a perennial herb which can be found in northern Vietnam mountains and also in some southern areas such as Lam Dong, Kon Tum, and Gia Lai. According to our surveys, C. japonicus Sieb. leaves were traditionally used by K’Ho people in Bidoup - Nui Ba National Park for the treatment of insect bites and skin burns. In this study, we found that the 70% ethanol extract of C. japonicus leaves contained 59.93 ± 9.66 mgGAE/gE (poly)phenol and 457.39 ± 7.93 mgQE/gE flavonoid; and exhibited a strong antioxidant activity with the IC50 value of 14.87 ± 0.31 µg/ml. We also demonstrated that this extract at low concentrations (7.8125 - 31.25 µg/ml) could improve the proliferation of the mouse fibroblast NIH-3T3 cell line. However, at these concentrations, the extract did not show any inhibitory effect on the growth of some opportunistic pathogens, including S. aureus, P. aerugionsa, E. faecalis, and E. coli; and in vitro immunomodulatory effect on LPS-stimulated Raw 264.7 model. These findings suggested that the C. japonicus leaf extract might have a possitive effect on wound healing at low concentrations, but this potential effect seems to come from its high (poly)phenol and flavonoid contents, high antioxidant activity rather than the antimirobial and anti-imflammatory capactities.
Meta-analysis: p16INK4α (Cyclin Dependent Kinase Inhibitor 2A) is one of the major causes of nasopharyngeal cancer
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a rare type of tumor originating from the region behind the nasal cavity and above the throat. The primary causes of NPC include Epstein-Barr virus infection, genetic mutations, and environmental factors, such as lifestyle. Global and Vietnamese studies have indicated enhanced methylation in the promoter region of CpG islands, contributing to the development of various cancers, including NPC (Chan, Teo, & Johnson, 2002). The p16INK4α gene, also known as cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, is a tumor suppressor gene that inhibits Cyclin-Dependent Kinase (CDK), leading to the inhibition of CDK interaction with cyclin, thereby inhibiting the phosphorylation process on pRb, halting the cell cycle. The p16INK4α gene is located on the short arm of chromosome 9 at position 9p21.3, consisting of three exons encoding 156 amino acids (Coppé et al., 2011). According to a meta-analysis of 11 papers on methylation processes on the p16 INK4α gene conducted by Xiao et al. in 2016, significantly higher levels of methylation were found in NPC tissue samples compared to non-tumor samples (Xiao et al., 2016). Additionally, methylation on the p16INK4α gene in blood samples from NPC patients was also significantly higher compared to normal blood samples. Therefore, this article aims to provide further scientific evidence on the enhanced methylation status in the promoter region of CpG islands of NPC patients based on the analysis of the p16INK4α gene using statistical synthesis methods. The research results demonstrated an uneven expression frequency of the p16INK4α gene between the two patient groups and the control group. In the patient group, we observed a Q value of 104.5223 with degrees of freedom (DF) = 13 and a p-value < 0.0001, along with an I2 index of 87.56%, with a 95% confidence interval for I2 from 80.84 to 91.9. Meanwhile, in the control group, the Q value was 56.1888 (p < 0.001), and the I2 index reached 76.86%, with a 95% confidence interval for I2 from 61.38 to 86.14. The weighted frequency of the patient and control groups was 63.478% and 7.966%, respectively, indicating a significant difference between the patient and control groups, with a high Q value and a very low p-value. Other factors that may influence the methylation process, such as ethnicity and sample source, were also included in the analysis. The results showed a significant correlation between the methylation process in these two groups and the development of NPC. Specifically, the Odds Ratios (OR) for China and Africa were 7.002 and 6.47, respectively. We also observed that the OR for samples from the mucosa and body fluids were 6.802 and 5.516, respectively. The analysis confirmed that the expression of the p16INK4α gene is strongly related to the formation of throat cancer. Therefore, this data provides a foundation for experimental studies on NPC samples collected from the Vietnamese population.
Safety of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells in C57BL/6 mice
hUC-MSCs are multipotent stem cells found in the endothelial layer beneath the umbilical cord sheath, the perivascular area, and Wharton’s jelly. hUC-MSCs are notable for their ability to modulate immunity, low immunogenicity due to the lack of HLA-DR activity, and low MHC class I expression. We isolated and cultured these stem cells in an antibiotic- and FBS-free medium before transplanting them into C57BL/6 mice to assess the safety of therapy. hUC-MSCs (3x105 cells/mouse) were infused into nine mice via the tail vein. Following a successful infusion, the mice’s health was evaluated at predetermined intervals. Mouse organs such as the brain, heart, liver, spleen, lungs, kidneys, and tissues at the injection site were obtained 21 days after the infusion to analyze carcinogenesis and tissue fibrosis; blood and urine samples were collected to examine biochemical markers and blood cell composition. Transplantation of hUC-MSCs by tail vein infusion first showed good safety in mice, paving the path for therapeutic cell therapy applications.
Isolation and selection of the Pseudomonas sp. strain with high antagonistic activity against the fungus Colletotrichum scovillei causing chili anthracnose disease in Lam Dong Province
Anthracnose disease caused by Colletotrichum species has appeared in many crops, particularly chilies which have been heavily affected. In Viet Nam, Lam Dong Province is one of the most chili planting areas then it is enormously impacted on chili production. Currently, biological methods have been increasingly used in plant disease prevention due to their effectiveness and safety. Specifically, Pseudomonas species have been widely studied and become the great potential candidates owing to their antagonistic ability against the anthracnose causing fungi. For this reason, the research of isolation and selection of the Pseudomonas species strain possessing the highest inhibitory activity against the fungus Colletotrichum scovillei, giving rise to Chili anthracnose disease in Lam Dong Province, was conducted. From 12 soil samples, 19 isolates were initially categorized as Pseudomonas species. Out of all candidates, the LD3.1 strain exhibited the strongest inhibitory effectiveness on the development of Colletotrichum scovillei (60.78% after 15 days). The molecular identification result based on 16S ribosomal DNA revealed that LD3.1 is identical to Pseudomonas putida (100%).
Study on evaluating biological properties of Ibuprofen gel
Ibuprofen is a typical Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) commonly used to treat mild to moderate pain, inflammation, and fever. However, long-term oral use of ibuprofen for chronic diseases such as arthritis can cause serious side effects, including stomach ulcers. Therefore, a topical gel formula containing 5% ibuprofen, ethanol, propylene glycol, and poloxamer 407 has been researched and developed to solve the above problem. This article presents the results of the previously mentioned ibuprofen gel evaluation. As a result, according to ISO 10993:2009 (ISO, 2015) criteria, the given ibuprofen gel is not likely to be hazardous to L-929 mouse fibroblasts and hF human fibroblasts. Furthermore, ibuprofen gel can distribute uniformly, release active substances from the Gel scaffold at a rate of more than 90% in 05 hours, and penetrate the skin of white mice. This study approach may be expanded with various research topics, such as assessing the capacity of active substances to permeate human skin, examining the amount of irritation, and assessing stability.
Phytochemical screening and evaluating allelopathic potential of crude extracts from Lantana camara (L.) leaves and Wedelia trilobata (L.) on seed germination
Lantana camara (L.) and Wedelia trilobata (L.) are wild and strong invasive plants. The aims of this study are to screen phytochemical profiles and evaluate the allelopathic ability of crude extracts on Echinochloa crus-galli (L.), Lactuca sativa (L.) and Raphanus sativus (L.) seed germination in vitro condition. The results showed that, two ethanol crude extracts revealed the high presence of the chemical compositions such as phenolic, flavonoid và alkaloid. The W. trilobata (L.) extract inhibited seed germination higher than the L. camara (L.) leaves extract. At the concentration of 5 mg/mL, the crude extract from W. trilobata (L.) showed inhibition on seed germination of E. crus-galli (L.), L. sativa (L.), and R. sativus (L.) with 84.83%, 82.59%, and 96.57%, respectively. Therefore, W. trilobata could be seen as a potential plant for research on allelochemicals.
Research for growing straw mushroom Volvariella volvacea on cotton and waste sawdust in basket
The thesis “Research for growing straw mushroom Volvariella volvacea on cotton in basket” was performed at the laboratory of An Giang University from 04/2021 to 03/2022. The thesis was carried out with the goal of “building a process of growing straw mushrooms on cotton and waste sawdust”. The study was conducted with three contents: Content 1: To select the best mixing ratio of cotton and waste sawdust to carry out contents 2 and 3. Content 2: Determine the suitable pasteurization temperature for the mushroom’s high yield and best biological efficiency. Content 3: to determine the ratio of adding bran to the mushroom with the highest yield and biological efficiency. The results of the study were to develop a process for growing straw mushrooms on cotton with a mixture of waste sawdust and rice bran with the ratio of 76.5% cotton, 8.5% sawdust, and 15% unpasteurized rice bran. The averaged 503g of mushrooms per 3.5kg basket, and the biological yield was 14.3%.
Molecular phylogenetic analysis to support the identification of Cordyceps ninchukispora collected from LangBiang, Dalat, Lam Dong
The research team from Dalat University, Lam Dong, Vietnam, collected entomopathogenic fungi samples from the Lang Biang mountain range during their routine survey. The initial morphological identification of this species indicated it as Cordyceps ninchukispora, with Beilschmiedia erythrophloia Hay. as the host. DNA was extracted using the Phenol/Chloroform method (pH = 8) and conducted PCR experiments and sequenced the target gene regions, including ITS, nrSSU, nrLSU, Tef, and Rpb1. Molecular phylogenetic trees were constructed using Neighbor-joining, Maximum likelihood, and Maximum parsimony methods to determine the relationship between Cordyceps ninchukispora and reference sequences. We successfully amplified and sequenced the target genes, resulting in a dataset containing 52, 52, 48, 39, and 52 sequences for ITS, nrSSU, nrLSU, Tef, and Rpb1. These sequences represented various genera within the families Ophiocordycipitaceae, Clavicipitaceae, Cordycipitaceae, and two sequences from the family Glomerellaceae. The results of the molecular phylogenetic analysis showed that the collected fungal sample belonged to the Cordyceps genus and formed a monophyletic group with the reference species Cordyceps ninchukispora, with high bootstrap support. In conclusion, the multigene dataset-based phylogenetic analysis strongly supported the identification of the collected sample as Cordyceps ninchukispora.
Expression, purification and application of recombinant Pediocin from Pichia pastoris X33::ped in shrimp preservation trial
Pediocin (Ped) is a 4.6kDa bacteriocin effective against Listeria monocytogenes and several Gram-positive bacteria. To produce purified Ped with high yield and apply it to food preservation, this study expresses and purifies recombinant Ped (rPed) from Pichia pastoris X33::ped, and preliminary applies it in shrimp preservation. The results showed that methanol 1% is optimal for inducing the expression of rPed from P. pastoris X33::ped, achieving 6,400 AU/ml of rPed after 72 hours of yeast culture on a BSM medium. The rPed purification process was successfully established with a sample loading rate of 155.9 cm/h. This process yielded rPed with 91.7% purity and 11.0 mg per liter of culture. This rPed could preserve shrimp at 4°C for 07 days. Therefore, these results demonstrate the potential of producing rPed from Pichia pastoris X33::ped and applying it in food preservation.
Evaluating RHAU140-CFP molecule for specific recognition of parallel DNA G-Quadruplex by the fluorescence spectrophotometer
Determination of G-quadruplex formation in DNA is required for the design of small molecules (drugs) targeting G-quadruplex. In previous studies, we used the fluorescent protein RHAU53-CFP capable of recognizing parallel G-quadruplex structures through a fluorescent signal. Herein, we evaluated the ability to specifically recognize the parallel G-quadruplex DNA structure of RHAU140-CFP by fluorescence spectrophotometer. The results showed that the fluorescent protein probe was able to recognize the parallel G-quadruplex structure. In addition, the fluorescence signal showed that the sensitivity of the RHAU140-CFP protein was three times higher than that of the RHAU53-CFP fluorescent signal in determining the formation of a G-quadruplex structure. Fluorescence protein probe sensitivity would provide a potential tool for the detection of parallel G-quadruplex both in vitro and in vivo.