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Currently, herbs have been investigated for novel bioactivities and improvement of traditional therapeutic effectiveness. Among them, Andrographis paniculata, with the active component Andrographolide, is well recognized as an antiinflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-cancer, anti-hypertensive, anti-hyperglycaemic, hepatoprotective, and antihyperlipidaemic compound. However, Andrographolide has poor physicochemical properties that limit its medical application. In this review article, nano drug delivery systems including nanovesicles, inorganic nanoparticles, lipidbased nanoparticles, polymeric nanoparticles, nanocrystals, nanoemulsions, and microemulsions, which can deliver Andrographolide through different routes such as oral, injection, or dermal, and their influences in increasing treatment benefits are presented.

While many Vietnamese students are reported to study abroad, the experiences of home-making among Vietnamese returning students are paid scant attention to in current research on Vietnamese international student mobility. Following a Heideggerian perspective on building and dwelling at home, this study explores the sense-making of home through conversations with 13 Vietnamese returning graduates. The analysis of the empirical material shows that home which is constructed and experienced by the returning graduates' use of intersecting materials is socially shared. It is an embodiment of returning migrants' engagement in the world with familiarity and discomfort created by their friction with the interrelated materialistic and discursive aspects of life. Their returns involve incomplete life happenings with diverse emotions and experiences of belonging. The findings of this study add nuance to the extant understanding of home as belonging and challenge the common conceptualization of home as a private space.

This study aims to identify the elements that contribute to the digital competencies of primary school teachers working in the mountainous region of Northern Vietnam and assess the significance of these factors. The research sample consisted of 260 primary school teachers from this region. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and multivariate regression methods are used. The results of this research indicate that seven characteristics have a substantial impact on the digital abilities of teachers: ability to incorporate digital technology into teaching, conditions for digital transformation in teaching and learning activities are found to be influential, ability to create digital resources is highlighted as an important factor, ability to select teaching content with opportunities for technology usage, professional development needs of teachers, school policy and ability to select digital resources. These results offer education administrators a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing primary teachers' digital competencies and enable them to implement strategic changes and prioritize each element. Moreover, this study provides a valuable reference for future researchers seeking to explore new research directions in this field and analyze the correlation between factors to propose solutions to develop digital competencies of primary school teachers suitable to specific contexts and conditions.

To date, most globally reported mpox sequences have come from Europe and North America, where sustained human-to-human transmission has resulted in explosive mpox outbreaks, especially in 2022 (1). A hallmark [...]

At the first time, the finite element method was used to model and analyze the free vibration and transient response of non-uniform thickness bi-directional functionally graded sandwich porous (BFGSP) skew plates. The whole BFGSP skew-plates is placed on a variable visco-elastic foundation (VEF) in the hygro-thermal environment and subjected to the blast load. The BFGSP skew-plate thickness is permitted to vary non-linearly over both the length and width of the skew-plate, thereby faithfully representing the real behavior of the structure itself. The analysis is based on a four-node planar quadrilateral element with eight degrees of freedom per node, which is approximated using Lagrange Q4 shape function and C1 level non-conforming Hermite shape function based on refined higher-order shear deformation plate theory. The forced vibration parameters of the non-uniform thickness BFGSP skew-plate are fully determined using Hamilton's principle and the Newmark-β direct integration technique. Accuracy of the calculation program is validated by comparing its numerical results with those from reputable sources. Furthermore, a thorough assessment is conducted to determine the impact of various parameters on the free and forced vibration responses of the non-uniform thickness BFGSP skew-plate. The findings of the paper may be used in the development of civil and military structures in situations that are prone to exceptional forces, such as explosions and impacts load.

This study employs molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to investigate the adsorption and aggregation behavior of simple polyarginine cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), specifically modeled as R9 peptides, at zwitterionic phosphocholine POPC membranes under varying ionic strengths of two peptide concentrations and two concentrations of NaCl and CaCl2. The results reveal an intriguing phenomenon of R9 aggregation at the membrane, which is dependent on the ionic strength, indicating a salting-out effect. As the peptide concentration and ionic strength increase, peptide aggregation also increases, with aggregate lifetimes and sizes showing a corresponding rise, accompanied by the total decrease of adsorbed peptides at the membrane surface. Notably, in high ionic strength environments, large R9 aggregates, such as octamers, are also observed occasionally. The salting-out, typically uncommon for short positively charged peptides, is attributed to the unique properties of arginine amino acid, specifically by its side chain containing amphiphilic guanidinium (Gdm+) ion which makes both intermolecular hydrophobic like-charge Gdm+ – Gdm+ and salt-bridge Gdm+ – C-terminus interactions, where the former are increased with the ionic strength, and the latter decreased due to electrostatic screening. The aggregation behavior of R9 peptides at membranes can also be linked to their CPP translocation properties, suggesting that aggregation may aid in translocation across cellular membranes.

Chronic compression of the left common iliac vein (CIV) by the right common iliac artery (CIA) or May-Thurner syndrome is rare and could be challenging to diagnose. The phenomenon results in chronic left lower extremity vein thrombosis. In this report, we present a 33-year-old female with pain and swelling in her left inner thigh for 2 days. She denied any systemic signs or any remarkable past medical history. Doppler ultrasonography revealed large blood clots extending from the left femoral and great saphenous veins to the upper part of the external iliac vein, causing a nearly complete obstruction. CT venography showed compression of the left CIV near the confluence by the right CIA and the lumbar vertebrae L4. She was managed by catheter-directed thrombolysis with alteplase via a superior vena cava catheter. Subsequently, a left CIV self-expanding stent was successfully placed. Follow-up demonstrated a positive outcome without any complications.

Background/purpose: Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) is a promising host-derived scaffold for regenerative endodontic treatment. This study investigated the effects of advanced PRF plus (A-PRF+) and injectable PRF (i-PRF) on the proliferation, migration, and differentiation of stem cells from apical papilla (SCAPs). Materials and methods: A-PRF+ and i-PRF were prepared using a DUO Quattro centrifuge following a standard protocol. A-PRF+ and i-PRF extract were diluted in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium and Ham's F-12 medium (DMEM/F12) to produce the experimental culture medium. DMEM/F12 and DMEM/F12 supplemented with 10% foetal bovine serum (FBS) were used as the negative control (NC) and positive control (PC) media, respectively. The proliferative ability of SCAPs was assessed using a counting method (haemocytometer). The migration ability was examined using a scratch-wound assay. Alkaline phosphatase, bone sialoprotein, dentin matrix protein 1, and dentin sialophosphoprotein expression were measured to determine the differentiation ability. Results: The proliferation, migration, and differentiation of SCAPs in the A-PRF+ group were similar to those of the PC group. In the i-PRF group, the cell number was significantly (p

As an emerging study destination for international students, Malaysia contributes to the changes in student mobilities from the traditional South-North to the South-South direction. However, research on doctoral students' expectancy and values for their international education in Malaysia, as well as the factors that have changed the international student geographies in the global South, including recent student flows from Vietnam, receives scant attention. By using in-depth interviews situated in the expectancy-value theory and thematic analysis, this study explores the expectancy of international education among 22 Vietnamese doctoral students studying at Malaysian universities. The data analysis reveals that the social construction of these international doctoral students' expectancy for international quality and experiences stems from their embeddedness in interrelated personal, social, and academic domains. The intrinsic, utility, and attainment values expressed in their expectancy enable them to confront challenges to meet their quest for this quality by utilizing their academic abilities and transnational relationships. The paradox in foreign students' perceptions and experiences of international quality makes Malaysia a study destination in-betweenness, which manifests a bargaining power relation between rankings and costs and materializes transnational mobilities within the South-South direction through their encounters with others. Their international education is socially consumed and shared.

The identities of Taiwanese-Vietnamese students’ academic and social lives are not well-informed in the current body of research on international students in Vietnam, plus identities are often reported to be dynamic. Aiming to bridge this gap and add nuance to understanding dynamism in identities, this study explores the sense-making of these biracial students’ identities. The concepts of canniness and uncanniness in Heidegger’s phenomenology and interpretivism were used to unpack the fluidity of identities as ambiguous. In-depth interviews were conducted with 18 Taiwanese-Vietnamese students studying at nine universities in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam, offspring of the major Vietnamese bride-sending location during the 2000s. This study revealed that these biracial students hold an intersection of Taiwanese national, Taiwanese racial, and Vietnamese ethnic identities. This intersection makes them feel uncanny when they encounter ambivalence in racial, ethnic, and national identities that creates the ambiguity of their identities in legal status and social interactions. This study raises and calls for debates over a new term in the findings: quasi-international students—those with ambiguous and ambivalent racial, ethnic, and national identities—as the point of departure for future research on international student mobility and international education. Because Heidegger’s phenomenology centers around individuals’ sense-making of social processes, it is suggested that future studies focus on the influences of societal and cultural structures on biracial students’ ambiguous identities.

AIM: We aim to identify the impact of an antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) intervention, which includes pharmacist-led prospective audit with feedback, on hospital antibiotic use and resistance in two provincial-level general hospitals in Vietnam. BACKGROUND: Quality evidence on the impact of AMS is limited in Asia and often lacks of control group, resulting in biased outcomes. METHODS: We performed interrupted time-series (ITS) and controlled ITS (CITS) analyses to evaluate the impact of AMS intervention on antibiotic use in days of therapy per 1000 patient-days (DOT1000) and antibiotic non-susceptibility (NS) among hospital-acquired isolates. In each hospital, four wards received the intervention and four wards served as controls. Pre-intervention periods spanned from January 2019 to May 2020 (hospital 1) and June 2020 (hospital 2), followed by a 12-month post-intervention period (Figure 1). RESULTS: In hospital 1, a consistent significant reduction in average DOT1000 by 95.9 (CITS 95%CI [10.9, 180.8]) was observed; although both models showed inconsistent effects on slope. In hospital 2, DOT1000 showed inconsistent patterns on both level and slope. Both hospitals show inconsistent impact on AMR, particularly hospital 2 showed a reduction in average in antibiotic NS among Klebsiella spp. to ciprofloxacin, slopes in P. aeruginosa to carbapenem and ciprofloxacin. In contrast, hospital 1 have increasing level in Klebsiella spp. NS to carbapenems (Figure 2). CONCLUSIONS: The AMS impact varied between two hospitals, highlighting the context-specific implementation challenges and the need to monitor antibiotic use and resistance patterns over time to tailor interventions to the local context.

Background High coverage of nutrition-specific interventions is critical to meet global nutrition targets, and it is imperative to understand how to attain it. We examined trends and inequalities in the coverage of interventions in India and the role of the National Nutrition Mission (NNM) in achieving improvements.Methods We conducted trends and equity analysis of 30 interventions using two rounds of National Family Health Survey data (2015–2016, n=1 78 874, and 2019–2021, n=1 70 697). We also compared coverage between states that received incentives and monitoring under NNM and those that did not. We reviewed programme documents and grey literature to construct a policy timeline to trace pathways to coverage improvement and consulted with stakeholders to confirm interpretation of findings.Findings Between 2016 and 2021, coverage improved significantly for nearly all interventions (~1–22 percentage points (pp) during pregnancy, ~7–20 pp during delivery/postpartum and~5–17 pp during early childhood). Improvements in coverage were higher among the poor and in rural areas compared with the rich and in urban areas, respectively; wealth and residence gaps narrowed for most interventions. These improvements could be traced to community mobilisation, technology and monitoring under NNM. Improvements in coverage of growth monitoring and counselling were higher in states that received additional incentives and monitoring under NNM. Stakeholders concurred that the improvements in coverage were likely driven by NNM.Interpretation Focused policy attention and programmatic efforts improved coverage and reduced inequities indicating an inclusive approach. Persistent coverage gaps for certain interventions require further inquiry.

IntroductionVietnam’s goal to eliminate malaria by 2030 is challenged by the further spread of drug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum malaria to key antimalarials, particularly dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (DHA-PPQ).MethodsThe custom targeted NGS amplicon sequencing assay, AmpliSeq Pf Vietnam v2, targeting drug resistance, population genetic- and other markers, was applied to detect genetic diversity and resistance profiles in samples from 8 provinces in Vietnam (n = 354), in a period of steep decline of incidence (2018–2020). Variants in 14 putative resistance genes, including P. falciparum Kelch 13 (PfK13) and P. falciparum chloroquine resistance transporter (Pfcrt), were analyzed and within-country parasite diversity was evaluated. Other targets included KEL1-lineage markers and diagnostic markers of Pfhrp2/3.ResultsA concerning level of DHA-PPQ resistance was detected. The C580Y mutation in PfK13 was found in nearly 80% of recent samples, a significant rise from previous data. Vietnam has experienced a significant challenge with the spread of DHA-PPQ resistant malaria parasites, particularly in the provinces of Binh Phuoc and Gia Lai. Resistance spread to high levels in Binh Thuan prior to the country-wide treatment policy change from DHA-PPQ to pyronadine-artesunate (PA). A complex picture of PPQ-resistance dynamics was observed, with an increase of PPQ-resistance associated Pfcrt mutations, indicating an evolutionary response to antimalarial pressure. Additionally, the compensatory mutation C258W in Pfcrt, which increases chloroquine (CQ) resistance while reversing PPQ resistance, is emerging in Gia Lai following the adoption of PA as the first-line treatment. This study found high levels of multidrug resistance, with over 70% of parasites in 6 out of 8 provinces showing significant sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) resistance and widespread chloroquine-resistant Pfcrt haplotypes. We also report an absence of P. falciparum histidine rich protein 2 and 3 (Pfhrp2/3) gene deletions, ensuring the continued reliability of HRP2/3-based rapid diagnostic tests. P. falciparum populations in Vietnam are becoming more isolated, with clonal populations showing high geographical clustering by province. The central highlands, particularly Gia Lai province, have the highest residual malaria burden but exhibit low diversity and clonal populations, likely due to the pressures from the antimalarial drugs and targeted national malaria control program (NMCP) efforts.DiscussionIn conclusion, examining a broad panel of full-length resistance genes and SNPs provided high-resolution insights into genetic diversity and resistance evolution in Vietnam, offering valuable information to inform local treatment and intervention strategies.

The study investigates the moderation effect of economic policy uncertainty (EPU) towards the relationship between excess liquidity and bank risk-taking as well as explores its stronger impact in countries severely affected by the 2008 Global Financial Crisis (GFC). Using System Generalized Methods of Moments (SGMM) on an unbalanced dataset for 33 countries from 2000 to 2019, the study finds that an increase in the EPU index attenuates the positive impact of excess liquidity on bank risk-taking. The study also finds that the attenuating effect of EPU on the relationship between excess liquidity and bank risk-taking is stronger in countries that were most severely affected by the GFC. It argues that the mechanisms by which excess liquidity induces risk-taking are disrupted under high EPU. Our study also extends behavioral theories to shed light on how the GFC altered bank risk-taking in the presence of excess liquidity and high EPU.

Investigating natural-inspired applications is a perennially appealing subject for scientists. The current increase in the speed of natural-origin structure growth may be linked to their superior mechanical properties and environmental resilience. Biological composite structures with helicoidal schemes and designs have remarkable capacities to absorb impact energy and withstand damage. However, there is a dearth of extensive study on the influence of fiber redirection and reorientation inside the matrix of a helicoid structure on its mechanical performance and reactivity. The present study aimed to explore the static and transient responses of a bio-inspired helicoid laminated composite (B-iHLC) shell under the influence of an explosive load using an isomorphic method. The structural integrity of the shell is maintained by a viscoelastic basis known as the Pasternak foundation, which encompasses two coefficients of stiffness and one coefficient of damping. The equilibrium equations governing shell dynamics are obtained by using Hamilton's principle and including the modified first-order shear theory, therefore obviating the need to employ a shear correction factor. The paper's model and approach are validated by doing numerical comparisons with respected publications. The findings of this study may be used in the construction of military and civilian infrastructure in situations when the structure is subjected to severe stresses that might potentially result in catastrophic collapse. The findings of this paper serve as the foundation for several other issues, including geometric optimization and the dynamic response of similar mechanical structures.

A powerful carbon-based solid acid catalyst and furfural were obtained from rice straw (RS) biomass resource. The acid catalyst was prepared through the carbonization and sulfonation of RS. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, N2 adsorption-desorption, and ammonia temperature-programmed desorption (NH3-TPD) were used to characterize the catalysts. The effect of sulfonation time (4 h to 16 h) on the structure and acidity of the catalysts was elucidated. After 16 h of sulfonation, the BET surface area and the total acidity of the catalyst reached 415 m2/g and 7.48 mmol/g, respectively. Moreover, strong acid sites accounted for more than 63% of acidity. The catalyst was then used for the conversion of RS into furfural in water. The influence of reaction temperature and time while using the catalyst on the conversion process was also investigated. The catalyst exhibited high activity in the conversion of RS, with a furfural yield of 68.3 g/kg RS at 160 °C in 5 h.

Abstract Background Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rapidly progressing neurodegenerative disorder with minimally effective treatment options. An important hurdle in ALS drug development is the non-invasive therapeutic access to the motor cortex currently limited by the presence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Focused ultrasound and microbubble (FUS+ MB) treatment is an emerging technology that was successfully used in ALS patients to temporarily open the cortical BBB. However, FUS+ MB-mediated drug delivery across ALS patients’ BBB has not yet been reported. Similarly, the effects of FUS+ MB on human ALS BBB cells remain unexplored. Methods Here we established the first FUS+ MB-compatible, fully-human ALS patient-cell-derived BBB model based on induced brain endothelial-like cells (iBECs) to study anti-TDP-43 antibody delivery and FUS+ MB bioeffects in vitro. Results Generated ALS iBECs recapitulated disease-specific hallmarks of BBB pathology, including reduced BBB integrity and permeability, and TDP-43 proteinopathy. The results also identified differences between sporadic ALS and familial (C9orf72 expansion carrying) ALS iBECs reflecting patient heterogeneity associated with disease subgroups. Studies in these models revealed successful ALS iBEC monolayer opening in vitro with no adverse cellular effects of FUS+ MB as reflected by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release viability assay and the lack of visible monolayer damage or morphology change in FUS+ MB treated cells. This was accompanied by the molecular bioeffects of FUS+ MB in ALS iBECs including changes in expression of tight and adherens junction markers, and drug transporter and inflammatory mediators, with sporadic and C9orf72 ALS iBECs generating transient specific responses. Additionally, we demonstrated an effective increase in the delivery of anti-TDP-43 antibody with FUS+ MB in C9orf72 (2.7-fold) and sporadic (1.9-fold) ALS iBECs providing the first proof-of-concept evidence that FUS+ MB can be used to enhance the permeability of large molecule therapeutics across the BBB in a human ALS in vitro model. Conclusions Together, this study describes the first characterisation of cellular and molecular responses of ALS iBECs to FUS+ MB and provides a fully-human platform for FUS+ MB-mediated drug delivery screening on an ALS BBB in vitro model.

Purpose – This study applies the target similarity model to examine the effects of servant leadership on supervisor commitment and supervisor citizenship behavior. The mediating role of supervisory commitment is explored to determine the relationship between servant leadership and supervisor citizenship behavior. The difference in supervisor gender is examined in the linkage between servant leadership and supervisory commitment. Design/methodology/approach – The data were collected through a survey of 478 salespeople in the retail industry. Structural equation modeling (SEM) techniques were used to verify the hypotheses of this study. Findings – The findings showed significant support for the direct and indirect effects of servant leadership on supervisor commitment and supervisor citizenship behavior. Furthermore, the positive relationship between servant leadership and supervisory commitment was stronger among female supervisors than male supervisors. Originality/value – Due to the scarcity of studies conducted on the linkages of servant leadership, supervisory commitment and supervisory citizenship behavior, this study theoretically and empirically contributes to the leadership literature as it is the first study to investigate these direct and indirect relationships. Similarly, this study examined gender differences in servant leadership to fill the gap in the research field.

Abstract Copper is a crucial trace element that plays a role in various pathophysiological processes in the human body. Copper also acts as a transition metal involved in redox reactions, contributing to the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Under prolonged and increased ROS levels, oxidative stress occurs, which has been implicated in different types of regulated cell death. The recent discovery of cuproptosis, a copper-dependent regulated cell death pathway that is distinct from other known regulated cell death forms, has raised interest to researchers in the field of cancer therapy. Herein, the present work aims to outline the current understanding of cuproptosis, with an emphasis on its anticancer activities through the interplay with copper-induced oxidative stress, thereby providing new ideas for therapeutic approaches targeting modes of cell death in the future.

Abstract This study aimed to develop an eco-friendly, cost-efficient, and practically viable method for extracting terephthalic acid (H2BDC) from polyethylene terephthalic (PET) waste. Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was combined with either citric acid (C6H8O7) or H2SO4 to enhance the particle size of H2BDC, and the optimum conditions during the acidification step were determined. Additionally, response surface methodology was employed to examine the influence and interaction of extractant (NaOH) concentration, hydrolysis temperature, and time on the optimal H2BDC yield and recovery ratio. Experimental results demonstrated that NaOH concentration significantly impacted both H2BDC yield and recovery ratio, surpassing the effects of hydrolysis temperature and time. Under optimal conditions involving a temperature of 200 °C and a 12 h reaction time with 5% NaOH, the model predicted a 100% yield and recovery ratio, which closely matched the experimental results of 99% and 100% for yield and recovery ratio, respectively. To enhance particle size, a combination of DMSO and C6H8O7 was more effective than H2SO4. The maximum particle size achieved was 57.4 µm under the following optimum conditions: premixing 5 M C6H8O7 with DMSO at a 35:75 mL ratio and maintaining a reaction temperature of 75 °C for 40 min. The study demonstrated the stability and consistency of the method. The H2BDC yield remained between 96 and 98% with high purity over eight consecutive cycles of using the DMSO and C6H8O7 mixture. The findings highlight the importance of integrating C6H8O7 and DMSO to enhance H2BDC quality, meeting commercial product criteria with evidence of high purity and large particle size. This method presents a promising solution for extracting H2BDC from PET waste, with potential implications for the recycling industry and a positive environmental impact.

Tetra-alkoxysilane (TROS) is one of the useful chemicals and it can be processed to produce semiconductor and photovoltaic devices. Now, the transformation of silica (SiO2) to TROS is garnering interest due to the potential of extracting it from biomass. As the 14th largest country, Indonesia possesses an abundant source of SiO2 from mining activities and agricultural waste, notably rice husk (RH). However, only a little concrete action is planned for leveraging RH into a more valuable industrial substance. This review will explain two routes for TROS—conventional and direct—comparing their respective benefits and drawbacks. Additionally, it presents a simulation of various scenarios for scaling TROS production to an industrial level, considering technoeconomic and environmental assessment aspects. The focus then shifts to Indonesia’s strategic trajectory for 2045, offering recommendations to enhance resource utilization for economic and national development.

Zinc oxide (ZnO)-based varistor ceramics, incorporating varying amounts of Y2O3/CeO2, were fabricated through a twostep solid-state reaction method involving pre-calcination and subsequent sintering processes. ZnO powder and corresponding additives served as raw materials in the production. The investigation of phase composition, microstructure, and electrical properties employed techniques such as X-ray diffractometry (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and direct current electrical measurement. The findings revealed that varistor ceramics sintered at 950°C, using powder pre-calcined at 800°C and doped with an appropriate amount of Y2O3, exhibited enhanced electrical properties. Conversely, the introduction of varying concentrations of CeO2 did not contribute to the improvement of the electrical characteristics. The CeO2-doped samples displayed lower breakdown voltages and nonlinear coefficients compared to the undoped sample (M0). The addition of Y2O3 proved effective in improving the nonlinear coefficient but resulted in a decrease in the breakdown voltage withstand capability of the samples. A Y2O3 content of 0.5% was identified as a suitable compromise, balancing both factors. Notably, ZnO varistors doped with 0.5 mol% Y2O3 demonstrated optimal comprehensive electrical properties, featuring a breakdown field of 620 V/mm and a nonlinear coefficient of 45. These results suggest that Y2O3 doping holds promise as a viable strategy for achieving varistor ceramics with outstanding electrical performance.