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Four Rubiaceous species viz. Hedyotis diversifolia, Involucrella lithophila, Mouretia larsenii, Ophiorrhiza cana are newly recorded for the flora of Vietnam. Morphology based identification key, taxonomic notes, and photo-plates of the newly reported species are provided. Moreover, the second-step lectotype has been designated for the name Involucrella chereevensis. These findings provide some new basic data essential for biodiversity research in Vietnam. key, taxonomic notes, illustration provided.

Cryopreservation allows strains to be stored, eliminating genetic drift and maintenance costs. Existing cryopreservation methods for the economically-important entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema carpocapsae involve multiple incubation and filtration steps to precondition the animals. The standard protocol for freezing the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans in buffer is simpler, and a recent C. elegans dry-freezing protocol allows stocks to survive multiple freeze-thaws, a possibility during a power failure. Here we report the efficacy of C. elegans cryopreservation protocols adapted for S. carpocapsae. We show that dry freezing with disaccharides, but not glycerol-based or trehalose-DMSO-based freezing buffer, allows reliable recovery of infective juveniles. ispartof: microPublication Biology vol:2023 ispartof: location:United States status: published

Currently, multimode treatment is current therapy for cancer that causes various unwanted side effects and costliness for patients. Therefore, finding new natural ingredients derived from plants of which are less toxic and more targeted, are considered to be urgent for development of potential effective drugs to treat cancer due to safety and economic concerns. Physagulin P (VPA22) was known as a novel structural compound, isolated from the species Physalis angulata of the genus Physalis in Vietnam. This active substance has demonstrated cytotoxic effect on lung cancer cell line (A549) with the IC50 value = 13.47±2.73 µM. In our study, VPA 22 was investigated for apoptotic inducing activity on A549 cells by using Hoechst staining, flowcytometry analysis and caspase-3 colorimetric assay. VPA 22 treatment changed the morphology of A549 tending to apoptotic cells whose percentage ranged from 10.09% to 19.18% at the concentration of 5 µM and 15 µM, respectively. In addition, the active ingredient at concentration of 5 µM to 15 µM also significantly activated caspase-3 in turn from 1.30 folds to 2.59 folds. These results together indicated that VPA 22 activated the caspase pathway to trigger out apoptosis on A549 cells and subsequently resulted in inhibition of cancer cell proliferation.

The hydro-distilled essential oil from the fresh aerial part of Orchidantha vietnamica K. Larsen collected from Lamdong-Vietnam was analyzed by GC-FID (Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detection) and GC-MS (Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy) for the first time. The oil was characterized by the presence of volatile compounds type terpenoids, in which oxygenated monoterpenes (30.04 %) and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (37.32 %) are the major components. The oxygenated monoterpene linalool reached the highest percentage of 16.66 %, followed by the sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (E)-caryophyllene (11.4 %), α-humulene (8.00 %), and bicyclogermacrene (6.93 %). Monoterpene hydrocarbons, oxygenated sesquiterpenoids, oxygenated diterpenes, carotenoids, and others are also detected in this oil (< 3.00 %). The essential oil of O. vietnamica aerial part showed antimicrobial activity against two pathogenic bacterial strains Escherichia coli ATCC 8739 and Candida albicans ATCC 10231 with the same MIC (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration) value of 200 µg/mL.

Phytochemical investigation of the whole plants of Vernonia gratiosa Hance. led in the isolation and identification of two new stigmastane-type steroidal glucosides (1–2), namely vernogratiosides A (1), and B (2). Their chemical structures were fully elucidated based on 1 D/2D NMR spectroscopic, HR-ESI-MS data analyses, and by producing derivatives by chemical reactions. The binding potential of the isolated compounds to replicase protein − main protease of SARS-CoV-2 were examined using the molecular docking simulations. Our results show that the isolated steroidal glucosides (1–2) bind to the substrate‐binding site of SARS-CoV-2 main protease with binding affinities of −7.2 and −7.6 kcal/mol, respectively, as well as binding abilities equivalent to N3 inhibitor that has already been reported (–7.5 kcal/mol).

Community health workers (CHW) can play an active role in providing integrated HIV and harm reduction services. We used social media to create a virtual network among Vietnamese CHW. This paper reports CHW's social media engagement and the relationships with other work-related indicators. Sixty CHW participated in an intervention for integrated HIV/drug use service delivery. Following two in-person sessions, Facebook groups were established for CHW to share information, seek consultation, and refer patients. CHW's levels of online engagements were tracked for six months and linked to their service provision confidence, interaction with patients and other providers, and job satisfaction. The CHW made 181 posts, which received 557 comments and 1,607 reactions during the six months. Among the 60 CHW, 22 (36.6%) had three or more posts, 19 (31.7%) had one or two posts, and 19 (31.7%) had no post. Comparing the baseline and 6-month follow-up data, we observed that those who posted three or more times showed better service provision confidence (p = 0.0081), more interaction with providers in other settings (p = 0.0071), and higher job satisfaction (p = 0.0268). Our study suggests using social media to engage CHW in virtual communications to improve service provision in communities.

Aspidistra phongdiensis D.Dien, T.A.Le & Vislobokov, sp. nov. (Fig. 1) Diagnosis: Aspidistra phongdiensis is morphologically similar to A. khangii but differs in wider leaf blade (vs. narrowly elliptic), perigone white outside (vs. purple mottled), yellow pollen (vs. white), introrse anthers (vs. latrorse) and widely obconic pistil (vs. deskshaped). Type: — VIETNAM. Thua Thien Hue province: Phong Dien district, Phong Xuan commune, Phong Dien Nature Reserve, 16°24′14.73″N, 107°13′27.59″E, 350 m a.s.l., 18 April 2021, Dien Dinh, Quoc Tuan Doan, Vu Tien Chinh, Le Ngoc Tuan, Le Van Huong, Tran Nam Thang, Tuan Anh Le LTA 2337 (holotype VNMN!; isotype SGN!). Plant perennial, evergreen, herbaceous, rhizomatous, glabrous. Rhizome creeping, epigeous, 0.6–1 cm in diameter, distal part (3–4 cm) ascending to vertical with prop roots. Roots grey, 2.5–4 mm in diameter. Rhizomes with regularly repeating units, each comprising a few distichously arranged phyllomes (cataphylls followed by a foliage leaf). Cataphylls oblong, 9–15 cm long, 1–1.3 cm wide, rapidly withering. Foliage leaves green, divided into petiole and lamina. Petiole green, adaxially sulcate, 20.6–27 cm long, 5–8 mm in diameter. Lamina green, elliptic, basally cuneate, apically narrowly acuminate, 28–30 cm long, 8.5–10.5 cm wide, parallel-veined with median vein prominent on abaxial surface, margin entire. Peduncle (specialized reproductive shoot) arising horizontally and arching down, purple mottled, 2.8–13 cm long, 3–4 mm in diameter, with 5–6 dark green and purple mottled, broadly ovate, 7–9 mm long, 5–11 mm wide distichously arranged sterile bracts. Flower solitary at the top of the peduncle. Perigone broadly obovate, globoid, container-shaped (urceolate with inflexed lobes), down faced, white outside, purple-red inside, fleshy, ca. 3 mm thick; tube widely campanulate, 2.7–3 cm long, 3.6–5 cm in diameter; lobes 6, widely ovate to triangular, incurved forming a star-like perigone opening, 2.4–2.9 mm in diameter. Stamens 6, inserted at base of perigone tube at the same radii with perigone lobes; anthers subsessile, yellow, ovoid, 2 mm long, 1.3–1.5 mm wide, introrse. Pistil uniformly white, widely obconic to club-shaped, 9–10 mm long; ovary superior, inconspicuous, 3-locular; style widely obconic, roundish hexagonal in cross section, with 12–13 longitudinal ridges, up to 10 mm long, 4 mm in diameter at base; stigma disk-shaped, fleshy, 14–15 mm in diameter, upper surface tuberose with 3 radial bifurcated grooves, hexagonal, side surface with 20 prominent longitudinal ridges. Fruits dull green to brow, subspherical, 1.6–2.5 mm in diameter, with conical protuberances 1–2.5 mm long. Paratype: — VIETNAM. Thua Thien Hue province: Phong Dien district, Phong Xuan commune, Phong Dien Nature Reserve, 16°24′14.73″N, 107°13′27.59″E, 350 m a.s.l., 11 March 2023, Dien Dinh, Quoc Tuan Doan, Vu Tien Chinh, Le Ngoc Tuan, Le Van Huong, Tran Nam Thang, Tuan Anh Le LTA s.n. (VNMN!, SGN!, MW!). Etymology: —The specific epithet is derived from its type locality, in Phong Dien Nature Reserve, located in Phong Dien district, Thua Thien Hue province, central Vietnam. Vernacular name: —Tỏi &dstrok;á phong &dstrok;iễn. Phenology: —Flowering from March to April, and fruiting from April to May in natural habitat. Distribution and ecology: — Aspidistra phongdiensis is only known from type locality where it is common (Fig. 2). The new species grows in primary and secondary evergreen broad-leaved lowland forest on alluvial soils at elevation around 850 m a.s.l., commonly on shady reclined slopes in assemblage with Piper sp., Calamus tetradactylus Hance (1875: 289), Blastus cochinchinensis Loureiro (1790: 527), etc. Conservation status: —Although the new species is located in a protected area, it grows near to the landslide area. Thus, following the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria (IUCN 2021), it is provisionally assessed as Data Deficient (DD). Taxonomic relationships: —The new species is morphologically closest to A. khangii by shape of perigone but differs in shape of leaf blade (elliptic 8.5–10.5 cm wide vs. narrowly elliptic 2–7 cm wide), colour of perigone (white outside vs. purple mottled outside), colour of pollen (yellow vs. white), type of anther dehiscence (introrse vs. latrorse) and shape of pistil (widely obconic vs. desk-shaped) (Averyanov & Tillich 2014, Averyanov et al. 2019b). In flower structure A. phongdiensis is also similar to A. locii but differs in colour of perigone (white outside, purple-red inside vs. uniformly grass green), presence of six perigone lobes (vs. absence of free lobes), number of stamens (6 vs. 12–21), type of anther dehiscence (introrse vs. latrorse) and shape of pistil (widely obconic vs. deskshaped) (Bogner & Arnautov 2004, Averyanov et al. 2019b). In flower coloration the new species is similar to A. austroyunnanensis Hu, Cai & Wang in Cai et al. (2018: 233), but differs in perigone lobes orientation (curved inward vs. curved outward), stamens morphology (subsessile anthers vs. with filaments 2–3 mm long) and shape of pistil (widely obconic with longitudinal ridges vs. mushroom-shaped smooth) (Cai et al. 2018).

Magnetic particle imaging (MPI) is an emerging non-invasive molecular imaging method that can image the concentration and position of superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles. However, the scalability of magnetic particle imaging (MPI) is the major barrier to its clinical use now. For a human bore size of MPI, it is important to achieve a high magnetic gradient for high image resolution with a large enough field-of-view (FOV) for most of body part. In this paper, we present a human-scale amplitude modulation (AM) MPI system with a bore size (200 mm) and using a superconductor that generated a high MPI magnetic gradient of up to 2.5 T/m/µ0 and a 1D-FOV of 100 mm (with a feasible 3D FOV of 140 × 140 × 100 mm). The results of this paper show that the promise of MPI for human application is not far away., International Journal on Magnetic Particle Imaging IJMPI, Vol 9 No 1 Suppl 1 (2023)

The 3D navigation system of micro-nano robot based on magnetic particle imaging is a promising technique to be used for targeted drug delivery. Using the magnetic actuator by manipulating field free point (FFP) and non-invasive molecular imaging method such magnetic particle imaging, the device can reduce the harm in treatment. In this paper, we used closed-loop control to steer a micro robot to a desired position by a 3D FFP magnetic force based system. A custom-built MPI system with a bore size of 90 mm that can generate a gradient as high as 4T/m/µ0 was used to verify the control system in three dimensions., International Journal on Magnetic Particle Imaging IJMPI, Vol 9 No 1 Suppl 1 (2023)