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Cordyceps militaris, well known for its therapeutic potential in managing type-2 diabetes through the inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes, was the central focus of this research, which investigated the influence of various cultivation substrates on its enzymatic inhibitory properties and bioactive compound content. Previous studies have primarily focused on the general pharmacological benefits of C. militaris but have not thoroughly explored how different substrates affect its bioactive profile and enzyme inhibitory activities. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of substrate selection on the enzyme inhibition activities and the levels of bioactive compounds such as cordycepin and adenosine in C. militaris, demonstrating that substrate selection markedly affects both these enzymes’ inhibition activities and bioactive compound levels. Particularly, C. militaris fruiting bodies grown on Brihaspa atrostigmella showed the highest concentrations of cordycepin (2.932 mg/g) and adenosine (1.062 mg/g). This substrate also exhibited the most potent α-glucosidase inhibition with an IC50 value of 336.4 ± 16.0 µg/mL and the most effective α-amylase inhibition with an IC50 value of 504.6 ± 4.2 µg/mL. Conversely, C. militaris cultivated on the solid residues of Gryllus bimaculatus displayed the strongest xanthine oxidase (XOD) inhibition, with the lowest IC50 value of 415.7 ± 11.2 µg/mL. These findings highlight the critical role of substrate choice in enhancing the medicinal properties of C. militaris, suggesting that optimized cultivation can enhance the bioactive properties for more effective natural therapies for diabetes and other metabolic disorders. This study not only extends the understanding of C. militaris’ pharmacological potential but also illustrates its applicability in developing customized treatment options.

Cordyceps militaris, recognized for its diverse and potent medicinal properties, plays a critical role in herbal medicine. This study investigates the genus Cordyceps, particularly focusing on C. militaris, a species widely utilized in East Asian traditional medicine for its therapeutic properties. C. militaris is rich in bioactive compounds, including cordycepin, adenosine, polysaccharides, ergosterol, and mannitol, which contribute to its broad physiological activities. The research aims to explore the diversity of host species in the cultivation of C. militaris and assess their impact on the biological activity and chemical composition of the fungus. The study highlights the variability in the efficacy of bioactive compounds due to different cultivation conditions and host species, emphasizing the need for standardized cultivation practices. Advances in genetic engineering and fermentation technology have significantly enhanced the production of these metabolites, supporting the sustainable scale-up of C. militaris cultivation. Future research should continue to explore the molecular mechanisms of its bioactive compounds, identify new clinical applications, and improve production efficiency and environmental sustainability. This comprehensive review provides insights for researchers, healthcare professionals, and cultivators on optimizing C. militaris for medicinal and commercial applications.

In this study, 54 monoderivatives of 4-mercaptoimidazole (4MC) were screened for their antioxidant activity using computational simulations. It was discovered that the presence of electron-absorbing groups, such as NO2, CN, CF3, COOH, and COOCH3, increases the BDE (S-H) and IE values of 4MC, whereas the presence of electron-donating groups, such as Eti, Ph, Ete, Me, Et, OH, OMe, NH2, NHMe, and NMe2, decreases these values. 5-NH2-4MC has the lowest BDE value (66.6 kcal/mol), while 5-NHMe2-4MC has the lowest IE value (157.1 kcal/mol). Thus, in the gas phase, these derivatives could exhibit the highest radical scavenging activity following the hydrogen transfer and single electron transfer, respectively. The analysis of docking data revealed that 5-Ph-4MC formed strong bonds with the LO and CP450 enzymes, indicating that this compound could inhibit these enzymes.

2‒Mecaptoimidazole (2MC), its tautomer (2MI), and derivatives were evaluated in silico for their antioxidant activity and potential for breast cancer drug development. In this investigation, 14 substituents were placed in various positions on ovothiol rings. 2MC, 2MI, and derivatives, including 5‒NH2‒2MC, 5‒NMe2‒2MC, 5‒NH2‒2MI, 5‒ NMe2‒2MI, have BDE values that are lower than those of prominent antioxidants such as viniferifuran, resveratrol, and puerarin. These outcomes imply that the reaction between these substances and the radical in the gas phase may follow the FHT mechanism. All studied compounds have negative binding energies with ERa (1HVY) and Aromatase (1DNU), and all their ADME parameters meet the requirements of Lipinski's rule. Among them, 4‒COOH‒2MC, 4‒C₆H₅‒2MC, 5‒COOH‒2MC, 5‒C₆H₅‒2MC, 5‒NH₂‒2MC, 1‒C₆H₅‒2MI, 5‒COOH‒2MI, 5‒CH≡C‒2MI and 5‒C₆H₅‒2MI are potential compounds for drug development in breast cancer treatment, similar to the commercially available doxorubicin.

Red dragon fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus), recognized globally for its substantial nutrient content and health benefits, has been extensively studied; studies have particularly focused on the fruit, while the composition of the stem remains less explored. This research focuses on optimizing fermentation parameters for red dragon fruit wine, specifically examining yeast-strain selection, juice-to-water dilution ratios, and yeast concentrations. Saccharomyces cerevisiae RV002 emerged as the optimal strain due to its robust performance and adaptability under adverse conditions. The study identified a 50% dilution ratio as ideal for maximizing clarity and the sensory attributes of the wine, whereas dilution ratios exceeding 90% significantly reduced ethanol content below acceptable commercial standards. An optimal yeast concentration of 1 g/L was found to balance microbial suppression and alcohol yield effectively; deviations from this concentration led to microbial contamination or impaired fermentation dynamics. Fermentation markedly altered the biochemical properties of Hylocereus polyrhizus, reducing sugar and vitamin C levels while increasing polyphenol content and antioxidant activity, thereby enhancing potential health benefits. These findings underscore the transformative effects of microbial activity on the substrate’s chemical landscape and highlight the potential of tailored fermentation strategies to enhance the utility and value of underutilized fruits in sustainable agricultural practices.

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Abstract Hedera nepalensis is commonly used as a traditional medicine for the treatment of several diseases. In this research, the efficient characterization of chemical constituents, especially triterpenoid saponins, contained in H. nepalensis extract was established by applying ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography‐quadrupole time‐of‐flight tandem mass spectrometry method (UHPLC‐Q‐TOF‐MS/MS). As a result, a total of 45 compounds including 21 triterpene saponins were tentatively elucidated based on MS and MS/MS data, in which eight structures have been reported for the first time. This study provided an efficient analysis strategy to rapidly determine the chemical constituents and laid a foundation for future study of H. nepalensis planted in Northern Vietnam and other Hedera species.

Cordyceps militaris is a valued medicinal fungus in folk medicine in East Asia. It contains two major nucleosides, cordycepin and adenosine, which have been reported to have potential antineoplastic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. This paper aimed to study the effect of C. militaris extract on the reproductive function of a mouse model, evaluating possible toxicity, androgenic activity, and protective and rehabilitative effects against damages caused by sodium valproate (VPA). There was no death and abnormalities observed in mice. Androgen activity was also shown in young male rats by an improvement in several sexual organs. The protective effect of C. militaris extract was explained by the gain of sexual organs’ weight, testosterone concentration, and seminiferous tubule size as well as the enhancement of sperm density, alive sperm percentage, and the progressive forward movement of sperm. The pregnancy rate of female rats paired with VPA-administered male rats (500 mg/kg/day) increased proportionally with the higher dose of C. militaris extract. In the rehabilitation study, an incline in the weight of the Cowper’s gland and glans (0.112 g/kg/day) and testicle and prostate (0.336 g/kg/day) as well as an improvement of the sperm forward progressive movement was observed. The percentage of unprogressive sperm and immotile sperm has reduced. These results suggest that C. militaris is a potential supplement to reduce the negative effects of VPA and improve reproductive function, in which the two major constituents cordycepin and adenosine may play an active role.

Solid-based residues (SBRs) of Cordyceps militaris are often considered as waste after the cultivation of the fruiting body. To demonstrate the value of this by-product, different ratios of two favorable green solvents (EtOH and water) were employed to optimize the yields of cordycepin (Cor) and adenosine (Ado) and investigate relevant activities of plant growth inhibition (allelopathy), antioxidants, and xanthine oxidase. The SBR extracts of 60% EtOH-40% water (W4) and 40% EtOH-60% water (W6) exhibited the highest antioxidant activity as well as yielded the optimum content of Cor and Ado. The W4 and Wt (hot water) exhibited maximum inhibitory effects on the growth of Raphanus sativus (radish), Lactuca sativa (lettuce) and two noxious weeds, Echinochloa crus-galli (barnyard grass) and Bidens pilosa (beggarticks). Furthermore, GC-MS scan analysis revealed the presence of 14 major compounds in the SBRs. W4 is the best solvent to optimize yields of Cor and Ado, as well as having the strongest levels of antioxidant activity, xanthine oxidase, and growth-inhibitory activity. This study reveals that SBRs are a potential source of medicinal and agricultural utilization.

In this study, the performance of 17 different density functional theory functionals was compared for the calculation of the bond dissociation energy (BDE) values of X−H (X=C, N, O, S) bonds of aromatic compounds. The effect of the size of the basis set (expansions of 6-31(G)) was also assessed for the initial geometry and zero-point energy calculations, followed by the single-point BDE calculations with different model chemistries with the 6-311 + (3df,2p) basis set. It was found that the size of the basis set for geometry optimization has a much smaller effect on the accuracy of BDE than the choice of functional for the following single-point calculations. The M06-2X, M05-2X and M08−HX functionals yielded highly accurate BDE values compared to experimental data (with the average mean unsigned error MUE = 1.2–1.5 kcal mol−1), performing better than any of the other functionals. The results suggest that geometry optimization may be performed with B3LYP functional and a small basis set, whereas the M06-2X, M05-2X and M08-HX density functionals with a suitably large basis set offer the best method for calculating BDEs of ArX−H (X=C, N, O, S) bonds.

BackgroundChronic hepatitis B virus (CHB) infection is a major health problem and leading cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) worldwide. Several point and deletion mutations on the PreS/S gene have been intensively considered associated with HCC. This study aimed to describe the characteristics of HBV PreS/S mutations in Vietnamese CHB-infected patients and their association with HCC.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted from 02/2020 to 03/2021, recruited Vietnamese CHB-infected patients with HBV-DNA >3 log10-copies/mL and successful PreS/S gene sequencing. Mutations were detected by direct Sanger sequencing.Results247 CHB-infected patients were recruited, characterized by 68.8% males, 54.7% HBV genotype B, 57.5% HBeAg positive, 23.1% fibrosis score ≥F3 and 19.8% HCC. 61.8% amino acid replacements were detected throughout the PreS1/PreS2/S genes. The most common point-mutations included N/H51Y/T/S/Q/P (30.4%), V68T/S/I (44.9%), T/N87S/T/P (46.2%) on PreS1 gene; T125S/N/P (30.8%), I150T (42.5%) on PreS2 gene; S53L (37.7%), A184V/G (39.3%), S210K/N/R/S (39.3%) on S gene. The rates of case(s) with any point-mutation on the Major Hydrophylic Region (MHR) and the "a" determinant region were 63.6% and 39.7%, respectively. Most of S point-mutations were presented with low rates such as T47A/E/V/K (9.3%), P120S/T (8.5%), G145R (2%). On multivariable analysis, males (OR = 4.51, 95%CI 1.78-11.4, p = 0.001), age≥40 (OR = 5.5, 95%CI 2.06-14.68, p = 0.001), W4P/R/Y on PreS1 (OR = 11.56, 95%CI 1.99-67.05, p = 0.006) and 4 S point-mutations as: T47A/E/V/K (OR = 3.67, 95%CI 1.19-11.29, p = 0.023), P120S/T (OR = 3.38, 95%CI 1.09-10.49, p = 0.035), S174N (OR = 29.73, 95%CI 2.12-417.07, p = 0.012), P203R (OR = 8.45, 95%CI 1.43-50.06, p = 0.019) were associated with HCC.ConclusionsWe detected 61% amino acid changes on PreS/S regions in Vietnamese CHB patients. One point-mutation at amino acid 4 on PreS1 gene and 4 point-mutations at amino acids 47, 120, 174, and 203 on S gene were associated with HCC. Further investigations are recommended to further clarify the relationship and interaction between mutations in HBV genome and HCC progression.

Forward osmotic (FO) membrane is a new process for producing fresh water from salt water. The study of draw solute is essential in the development and application of FO technology; draw solution should be good at drawing water and easy at recovery. In this paper, three complex draw solutes such as ammonium iron (II) sulfate, ammonium iron (III) sulfate and ammonium iron (III) citrate with different concentrations were studied. The physical properties such as pH, conductivity and total dissolved solids (TDS) have simultaneously been investigated. The pH of most ammonium complexes was decreased whereas TDS increased with increasing of draw solution concentrations. We found that high water flux of these iron complexes was reported in the range of 8.88–11.24 LMH which was higher than the ammonium bicarbonate draw solution. In addition, more than 90% iron complexes draw solutions were recovered by NF-90 membrane, which plays an important role in the FO process to produce fresh water. This study provides direct evidence for the ability of permeate water from feed solution to draw solution, which shows the potential applications of iron complexes in FO process to produce fresh water from sea-, brackish or river water.

Vodka constitutes a significant sector of Vietnam's alcohol industry, including both domestic and imported varieties. However, this diversity faces challenges from illegal imports and adulterated products, threatening consumer health and brand integrity. This study employs Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS) to analyze 300 vodka samples from five brands collected across Hanoi. Significant variations were found in elemental compositions, with sodium concentrations ranging from 205.67 μg/L to 1269.24 μg/L and magnesium levels from 65.57 μg/L to 1453.34 μg/L. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of the FTIR and ICP‐MS data effectively differentiated the samples, with the first two principal components explaining 84.78% and 73.02% of the total variance, respectively. The PCA plots revealed distinct chemical profiles, notably isolating Rocket Vodka. These findings enhance food safety enforcement, protect consumer rights, and preserve brand reputations. The study underscores the importance of advanced analytical tools in combating beverage adulteration, ensuring public health, and maintaining market integrity, offering a replicable model for similar research in other regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposed a new approach for the strength interaction diagram (N‐M diagram) of FRP strengthened square steel reinforced high strength concrete (SSRHSC) column, considering the influence of the applied load eccentricity on the ultimate conditions of FRP strengthened high‐strength concrete (HSC). The analytical model for the strength interaction diagram of FRP strengthened SSRHSC (FRPS‐SSRHSC) columns, which incorporated the stress–strain models of constitutive materials into the rectangular stress block (RSB) method, was developed and verified against test data. The strength interaction diagrams of FRPS‐SSRHSC columns developed based on the proposed analytical model matched well with the test results, while the strength interaction diagrams developed using available design codes overestimated the experimental strength interaction diagrams. The effect of confinement ratio and longitudinal FRP strengthening on the strength interaction diagrams was examined via parametric analyses. It was found that longitudinal strengthening had a negligible influence on the axial load and bending moment when the axial load was applied at a small eccentricity but had a substantial influence when the axial load was applied at a large eccentricity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]