Nine projective linear measurements were taken to determine morphometric differences of the face among healthy young adult Chinese, Vietnamese, and Thais (60 in each group) and to assess the validity of six neoclassical facial canons in these populations. In addition, the findings in the Asian ethnic groups were compared to the data of 60 North American Caucasians. The canons served as criteria for determining the differences between the Asians and Caucasians. In neither Asian nor Caucasian subjects were the three sections of the facial profile equal. The validity of the five other facial canons was more frequent in Caucasians (range: 16.7-36.7%) than in Asians (range: 1.7-26.7%). Horizontal measurement results were significantly greater in the faces of the Asians (en-en, al-al, zy-zy) than in their white counterparts; as a result, the variation between the classical proportions and the actual measurements was significantly higher among Asians (range: 90-100%) than Caucasians (range: 13.3-48%). The dominant characteristics of the Asian face were a wider intercanthal distance in relation to a shorter palpebral fissure, a much wider soft nose within wide facial contours, a smaller mouth width, and a lower face smaller than the forehead height. In the absence of valid anthropometric norms of craniofacial measurements and proportion indices, our results, based on quantitative analysis of the main vertical and horizontal measurements of the face, offers surgeons guidance in judging the faces of Asian patients in preparation for corrective surgery.

The Problem According to the Mastercard Index of Women Entrepreneurs, 31.3% of businesses in Vietnam are owned by women, placing Vietnam at the sixth out of the 53 surveyed economies. Despite the prevalence of female entrepreneurship in Vietnam, little is known about the motivations, challenges, and success factors of those occupying this vibrant sector of the Vietnamese economy. Greater knowledge of how women entrepreneurs perceive themselves and the Vietnamese business environment could stimulate greater support for their personal and career development. The Solution This study aims to explore Vietnamese women entrepreneurs’ motivations, challenges, and success factors. This qualitative research study provides (a) a brief introduction to the business context and the role of women entrepreneurs in Vietnam; (b) findings on Vietnamese women motivation for to starting and running business, as well as the challenges they face, and factors contributing to their success; and (c) recommendations for government policies, business communities, and the development of female entrepreneurs in Vietnam. As few research studies on women business owners in Vietnam are available, this empirical study can contribute to more effective practice and further research on this cohort in Vietnam. The Stakeholders Recommendations provided in this study will help governmental policymakers, business communities, and female entrepreneurs in Vietnam.

Huperzine A (HupA), a natural Lycopodium alkaloid derived from Huperzia serrata (Thunb. ex Murray) Trev. plants, is a highly active acetylcholinesterase inhibitor and a key compound used for treating Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Recently, HupA has been reported in various endophytic fungi isolated from H. serrata. In the present study, 153 endophytic fungi were isolated from healthy tissues of H. serrata collected from natural populations in Lam Dong province of Central Vietnam. The endophytic fungi were identified based on morphological characteristics and Internal Transcribed Spacer sequences. Among them, 34 strains were classified into seven genera belonging to Ascomycota, including Alternaria, Fusarium, Trichoderma, Penicillium, Paecilomyces, and Phoma, and eight strains belonging to the genus Mucor (Zygomycota). The other strains remained unidentified. According to the results of thin-layer chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography, only one of the 153 strains, Penicillium sp. LDL4.4, could produce HupA, with a yield 1.38 mg l−1 (168.9 µg g−1 dried mycelium) when cultured in potato dextrose broth, which was considerably higher than that of other reported endophytic fungi. Such a fungus is a promising candidate and alternative to presently available HupA production techniques for treating AD and preventing further memory decline.

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Objective: To investigate the anticancer activity of Helicteres hirsuta (H. hirsute) extract against a breast cancer cell line- MCF7. Methods: H. hirsute was extracted in absolute methanol. Further, the crude extract was further partitioned in n-hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate. The total phenolic and flavonoid content were determined by using spectroscopic methods with gallic acid and quercetin standard compounds, respectively. Anticancer activities of H. hirsuta extract was elucidated by MTT, wound headling, and transwell invasion assays. Results: Total phenolic compounds in H. hirsute extracts reached 22.07 ± 2.54, 58.57 5.54 and 235.56 ± 7.54 mg GAE/g in each n hexan, chloroform, ethyl acetate fractions, respectively. Whereas the ethyl acetate fraction showed the greatest phenolic contents with 235.56 ± 7.54 mg GAE/g. Moreover, the flavonoid contents of H. hirsute extracts reached 5.76 ± 0.94, 9.25 ± 1.84 and 19.37 ± 2.57 mg quercetin equivalent/g in each n hexan, chloroform, ethyl acetate fractions, respectively, in which, the ethyl acetate fraction also showed the highest amounts of flavonoid contents. Further, the ethyl acetate of H. hirsute significantly decreased the viability of breast cancer MCF7 cells after 48 h treatment with IC50 value of 95 ± 2.54 \(\mu g/mL\) compared to control. In addition, the ethyl acetate extract of H. hirsute suppressed the invasion and migration of MCF7 cell lines in a dose-dependent manner at non-toxic concentrations. Conclusions: The ethyl acetate of H. hirsute suppressed the growth and motility of breast cancer MCF7 cells.