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Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive, often fatal hematopoietic malignancy. All-trans retinoic acid (atRA), one of the first molecularly targeted drugs in oncology, has greatly improved the outcome of a subtype of AML, acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). In contrast, atRA has so far provided little therapeutic benefit in the much larger group of patients with non-APL AML. Attempts to identify genetically or molecularly defined subgroups of patients that may respond to atRA have not yielded consistent results. Since AML is a stem cell-driven disease, understanding the effectiveness of atRA may require an appreciation of its impact on AML stem cells. Recent studies reported that atRA decreased stemness of AML with an FLT3-ITD mutation, yet increased it in AML1-ETO driven or EVI1-overexpressing AML. This review summarizes the role of atRA in normal hematopoiesis and in AML, focusing on its impact on AML stem cells.

Ecotropic virus integration site 1 (EVI1), whose overexpression characterizes a particularly aggressive subtype of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), enhanced anti-leukemic activities of all-trans retinoic acid (atRA) in cell lines and patient samples. However, the drivers of leukemia formation, therapy resistance, and relapse are leukemic stem cells (LSCs), whose properties were hardly reflected in these experimental setups. The present study was designed to address the effects of, and interactions between, EVI1 and retinoids in AML LSCs. We report that Evi1 reduced the maturation of leukemic cells and promoted the abundance, quiescence, and activity of LSCs in an MLL-AF9-driven mouse model of AML. atRA further augmented these effects in an Evi1 dependent manner. EVI1 also strongly enhanced atRA regulated gene transcription in LSC enriched cells. One of their jointly regulated targets, Notch4, was an important mediator of their effects on leukemic stemness. In vitro exposure of leukemic cells to a pan-RAR antagonist caused effects opposite to those of atRA. In vivo antagonist treatment delayed leukemogenesis and reduced LSC abundance, quiescence, and activity in Evi1high AML. Key results were confirmed in human myeloid cell lines retaining some stem cell characteristics as well as in primary human AML samples. In summary, our study is the first to report the importance of EVI1 for key properties of AML LSCs. Furthermore, it shows that atRA enhances, and a pan-RAR antagonist counteracts, the effects of EVI1 on AML stemness, thus raising the possibility of using RAR antagonists in the therapy of EVI1high AML.

Among educational practices in the era of globalisation, developing countries are emerging with diverse representations of transnational collaboration. This paper investigates the operation and regulation of joint programs in Vietnam as a case study of higher education under the impact of profit-driven motives. It first reviews the trends, international agendas, and model frameworks for the provision of transnational services in education. Drawing on professional experience as quality assurance practitioners, higher education policymakers, and transnational education teacher participants, the authors critically reflect on recent development of joint programs in Vietnam pertaining to major quality assurance, decision making, partner selection, and curriculum issues. Corresponding solutions are then recommended with reference to aforementioned frameworks of effective practices. This paper offers both theoretical and practical views of transnational joint programs to inform key stakeholders in the enhancement of international collaboration in higher education. It also hopes to contribute to a more pluralistic perspective of this international practice to the current research field.

© The Author(s). 2017. Background: Antimicrobial resistance has emerged as a major concern in developing countries. The present study sought to define the pattern of antimicrobial resistance in ICU patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia. Methods: Between November 2014 and September 2015, we enrolled 220 patients (average age ~ 71 yr) who were admitted to ICU in a major tertiary hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Data concerning demographic characteristics and clinical history were collected from each patient. The Bauer-Kirby disk diffusion method was used to detect the antimicrobial susceptibility. Results: Antimicrobial resistance was commonly found in ceftriaxone (88%), ceftazidime (80%), ciprofloxacin (77%), cefepime (75%), levofloxacin (72%). Overall, the rate of antimicrobial resistance to any drug was 93% (n = 153/164), with the majority (87%) being resistant to at least 2 drugs. The three commonly isolated microorganisms were Acinetobacter (n = 75), Klebsiella (n = 39), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 29). Acinetobacter baumannii were virtually resistant to ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, piperacilin, imipenem, meropenem, ertapenem, ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin. High rates ( > 70%) of ceftriaxone and ceftazidime-resistant Klebsiella were also observed. Conclusion: These data indicated that critically ill patients on ventilator in Vietnam were at disturbingly high risk of antimicrobial resistance. The data also imply that these Acinetobacter, Klebsiella, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and multidrug resistance pose serious therapeutic problems in ICU patients. A concerted and systematic effort is required to rapidly identify high risk patients and to reduce the burden of antimicrobial resistance in developing countries.

Professional development plays a vital role in improving knowledge, skills and expertise of lecturers, staff members and educational administrators. In Vietnamese higher education context, while there have been many professional development programs designed and implemented for lecturers and staff members, there seems to be little concern about professional development for administrators. This paper, therefore, aims to investigate international experience in providing professional development for educational administrators, particularly models of professional development, through which proposing the models that are suitable for administrators working in Vietnamese universities. First, this paper presents the context for the study focusing on professional development in Vietnam’s education system. Second, the research highlights several concepts of professional development, especially those are for administrators. Third, it discusses the significance of professional development for higher education administrators. Next, the research reviews models of professional development. Lastly, the paper provides discussion and recommendations which suggests the possibilities of implementing professional development models for higher education administrators in Vietnam.

The new set of assessment standards for universities has just been promulgated by the Ministry of Education and Training with a purpose to replace the current one. This paper first analyses the weaknesses of the current standards through the synthesis of specialists’ viewpoints and results of self-assessment and external assessment. Next, the study highlights main content of the new set of accreditation standards with a focus on the innovative criteria in order to confirm the reasons why universities in Vietnam need to be accredited by new criteria. Finally, the research presents discussions and recommendations for the implementation of this new set of accreditation standards and criteria.

Higher education quality assurance and accreditation was officially implemented inVietnamover twelve years ago. From a totally centralized model,Vietnam’s accreditation system has been becoming more independent, especially with the establishment of accrediting agencies. The first accreditation certificates were also awarded to universities that met quality standards and criteria. This paper investigates the development ofVietnam’s higher education quality assurance and accreditation for the last decade since the national quality assurance organization was established. The study first synthesizes the results achieved within this system, both in policy and practice, leadership and management. It also discusses human resources development for quality assurance and accreditation in the national context. Next, the paper highlights the self-evaluation and external evaluation activities, two most important steps of the accreditation process. In addition, building quality culture within higher education institutions is also paid attention to. Finally, lessons from the establishment and development ofVietnam’s accreditation are drawn. This study looks at an overall picture ofVietnam’s higher education quality assurance system since its establishment with a focus on policy, practice, leadership and management. It also hopes to contribute to the literature related to accreditation ofVietnam’s higher education.

This paper analyses the similarities and differences between the world’s three most widely used higher education quality assurance models: accreditation, assessment and audit. Firstly, the paper presents an overview of the concepts related to higher education quality assurance. Next, each of the three models is discussed in detail. Finally, the paper compares the three quality assurance models.

This article presents policy and reality of higher education quality assurance and accreditation in our country since the establishment of the higher education accreditation system. Specifically, the study focuses on the achievements in terms of policy development and implementation,challenges and future directions for accreditation of higher education programmes in Viet Nam.

Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) regulates multiple signalling pathways critical for tumour growth. As such, HSP90 inhibitors have been shown to act as effective anticancer agents in preclinical studies but, for a number of reasons, the same effect has not been observed in the clinical trials to date. One potential reason for this may be the presence of de novo or acquired resistance within the tumours. To investigate mechanisms of resistance, we generated resistant cell lines through gradual dose escalation of the HSP90 inhibitor 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-AAG). The resultant resistant cell lines maintained their respective levels of resistance (7-240×) in the absence of 17-AAG and were also cross-resistant with other benzoquinone ansamycin HSP90 inhibitors. Expression of members of the histone deacetylase family (HDAC 1, 5, 6) was altered in the resistant cells. To determine whether HDAC activity contributed to resistance, pan-HDAC inhibitors (TSA and LBH589) and the class II HDAC-specific inhibitor SNDX275 were found to resensitize resistant cells towards 17-AAG and 17-dimethylaminoethylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin. Most significantly, resistant cells were also identified as cross-resistant towards structurally distinct HSP90 inhibitors such as radicicol and the second-generation HSP90 inhibitors CCT018159, VER50589 and AUY922. HDAC inhibition also resensitized resistant cells towards these classes of HSP90 inhibitors. In conclusion, we report that prolonged 17-AAG treatment results in acquired resistance of cancer cells towards not just 17-AAG but also to a spectrum of structurally distinct HSP90 inhibitors. This acquired resistance can be inhibited using clinically relevant HDAC inhibitors. This work supports the potential benefit of using HSP90 and HDAC inhibitors in combination within the clinical setting.

The educational systems in the world have witnessed many mechanisms and models for quality assurance and enhancement of education. The most well-known approaches, however, are accreditation, assessment, and audit. With the adoption of a mandatory accreditation policy for all schools in the national education system, Vietnam has gained certain results in assuring and improving the quality of education. This paper points out an overall picture of accreditation in Vietnam since its establishment. Specifically, it first outlines Vietnam’s national educational system, followed by a summary of the development of Vietnam’s accreditation. Next, discussions of the accreditation concepts, procedures, and standards are provided. In addition, this study highlights the achievements and challenges of this accreditation mechanism. Lastly, lessons from the establishment and development of Vietnam’s school accreditation system are drawn. This study looks at the policy and practice of accreditation implementation in Vietnam. It is also expected to be beneficial for other countries in the region.

Postgraduate training is one of activities that affirm quality, prestige and position of universities. Orientation of training Master of Coursework in Hanoi University of Home Affairs has been carried out in line with available resources and integration. This training programme is learnedfrom experiences of Australia - the world-leading master training country. The experiences of master training are mentioned in term of curriculum building process, structures and implementation.

The extensive establishment and development of external quality assurance agencies all over the world has created a new profession so-called the external quality assurance profession. This paper attempts to explore the quality assurance professional competency frameworks developed by quality assurance networks, agencies and scholars to standardise and support those working within the external quality assurance profession, the external quality assurance practitioners or professionals. The study first investigates the external quality assurance profession. Second, it provides a discussion of external quality assurance practitioners. Next, it identifies essential competencies for external quality assurance practitioners, followed with a review of current competence frameworks for external quality assurance professionals. Finally, it provides a discussion and recommendations through the synthesis of associated literature. The results of this research are expected to clarify core professional competencies needed for external quality assurance officials and/or practitioners working for external quality assurance agencies.

BACKGROUND: High mammographic density (HMD) not only confers a significantly increased risk of breast cancer (BC) but also is associated with BCs of more advanced stages. However, it is unclear whether BC progression and metastasis are stimulated by HMD. We investigated whether patient-derived HMD breast tissue could stimulate the progression of MCF10DCIS.com cells compared with patient-matched low mammographic density (LMD) tissue. METHODS: Sterile breast specimens were obtained immediately after prophylactic mastectomy from high-risk women (n = 10). HMD and LMD regions of each specimen were resected under radiological guidance. Human MCF10DCIS.com cells, a model of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), were implanted into silicone biochambers in the groins of severe combined immunodeficiency mice, either alone or with matched LMD or HMD tissue (1:1), and maintained for 6 weeks. We assessed biochamber weight as a measure of primary tumour growth, histological grade of the biochamber material, circulating tumour cells and metastatic burden by luciferase and histology. All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS: HMD breast tissue led to increased primary tumour take, increased biochamber weight and increased proportions of high-grade DCIS and grade 3 invasive BCs compared with LMD. This correlated with an increased metastatic burden in the mice co-implanted with HMD tissue. CONCLUSIONS: Our study is the first to explore the direct effect of HMD and LMD human breast tissue on the progression and dissemination of BC cells in vivo. The results suggest that HMD status should be a consideration in decision-making for management of patients with DCIS lesions.