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Strategic competence, the ability to use communication strategies (CS) to overcome challenges and enhance communication effectiveness, is crucial in language learning. However, the coverage of these strategies as well as target models to teach them remain scarce in current instructional materials. This paper represents the first attempt to examine the application of ChatGPT in providing target models of CSs and facilitate L2 learners' strategic competence. ChatGPT-4 was used to generate transcripts of monologues and dialogues around a description task following two types of prompts: with and without a taxonomy of communication strategies (structured and unstructured prompts). Preliminary findings suggest Chat-GPT's considerable potential in modeling communication strategies. Across the two prompting conditions, the chatbot was able to present a wide range of CSs, including achievement, self-monitoring, timegaining, and interactive strategies. The highest CS content was found in the structured-prompt dialogue which utilized 9 out of 10 CS sub-types, a more diverse range than typically covered in textbooks, with approximation, circumlocution, and time gaining being most frequently used. In terms of linguistic presentation, the AI-generated transcripts demonstrated appropriate use of CSs, though their linguistic realizations were limited in range. The article concludes with implications for leveraging Chat-GPT to contextualize communication strategies, considerations for prompt engineering, strategy training to proficiency levels, and AI-teacher collaboration.

Abstract Background The Citrus species are major fruit crops cultivated in the world and have complex genetic relationships due to sexual comparability between Citrus and related genera. Of these, satsuma mandarin (C. unshiu (Mak.) Marc.) and sweet orange (C. sinensis (L.) Osb.) are widely grown diploid species. In this study, genotyping by sequencing (GBS) was conducted to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for investigating genetic variation in a citrus collection. Results A total of 26,903 high-quality SNPs were detected across nine chromosomes in the 144 citrus varieties, consisting of 70 C. unshiu, 40 C. sinensis, 22 interspecific hybrids, and 12 others. Of these, a core set of 481 SNPs was filtered based on polymorphism information content and genome distribution. Both principal component analysis (PCA) and model-based clustering showed genetic differentiation between C. unshiu and C. sinensis. For interspecific hybrids, these were separated from two species in PCA, but were mixed with each species in model-based clustering. Significant genetic differentiations between three populations were also found using the pairwise F st. In addition, interspecific hybrids showed higher level of genetic diversity relative to the C. unshiu and C. sinensis populations. With the 481 SNPs, four subsets (192, 96, 48, and 24 SNPs) were generated to evaluate their performance for variety identification. Both 192 and 96 SNP sets distinguished all 144 varieties, while the 48 and 24 SNP sets separated 134 (93.1%) and 110 (76.4%), respectively. Conclusions The GBS-based SNP discovery led to robust and cost-effective molecular marker sets to assess genetic variation in the cultivated citrus species with narrow genetic bases. The resulting SNP sets are a resource to enhance the phenotype-based DUS testing by developing a DNA barcode system and thus facilitate new variety breeding and protection in citrus.

Background: Hyaluronic acid (HA), a disaccharide polysaccharide, is widely used in medicine and cosmetics, with its applications depending on molecular weight (MW). Traditionally sourced from animals such as umbilical cords and chicken combs, extraction yields are low and cost high. Microbial fermentation offers a better alternative. This study aims to optimize the purification and characterization of HA from Priestia flexa N7 strain fermentation broth. Methods: The biochemical methods used in this study included Superdex™ G100 columns chromatography, sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) electrophoresis, protein and nucleic acid quantitation assays, and purification of HA. Results: In this study, a method for purifying HA from P. flexa N7 fermentation broth was presented. Before purification, the crude HA was purified of toxins and low MW proteins using a mixture of activated charcoal (3%) with gamma alumina (2%) at a temperature of 25°C. Under these conditions, the yield of HA was 1720 mg/mL. The purification steps of HA were performed using adsorb toxins, ultrafiltration 50 kDa, and Superdex™ G100 columns. Purification efficiency is 38.5% with a purity of up to 7.5-fold after passing through Superdex™ G100 columns. The MW of HA as determined by SDS-PAGE was 459.6 kDa. Finally, the yield of HA was 11.89 mg/mL when precipitated with ammonium sulfate (60%). Conclusion: The present study describes a simple, economical process with higher yields when compared to other methods for the separation and purification of HA from P. flexa N7. The HA purification method in this study provides an opportunity to produce HA at a low cost and high yield.

Objective: There is a growing correlation between the rise in infectious diseases and climate change; however, little is known about the interactions and mixed effects of climate factors on infectious diseases. Method: We conducted a retrospective longitudinal study spanning 108 consecutive months from 2014 to 2022 in Can Tho, Vietnam to identify common infectious diseases (excluding tuberculosis, HIV, and COVID-19) and their associations with climate change and determine which common diseases presented concurrently with the COVID-19 period using multivariate linear regression, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis. Result: The five infectious diseases with the highest average incidence rates per 100,000 people were diarrhea; hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD); dengue fever; viral hepatitis; and influenza. Positive associations with humidity were observed for dengue fever and HFMD. Temperature was positively associated with malaria. Negative associations were found between humidity and both chickenpox and tetanus. Diarrhea (AUC = 0.79; 95 % CL = 0.70–0.87) and dengue fever (AUC = 0.74; 95 % CL = 0.62–0.83) emerged as the most influential diseases both before and during the COVID-19 period. In our BKMR analysis, we found a significant association between the combined influence of temperature and humidity and the occurrence of dengue fever and HFMD, especially when all climate factors were at or above their 60th percentile relative to their values at the 50th percentile. Temperature emerged as the primary driver associated with the occurrence of infectious diseases. Conclusion: These findings underscore the importance of implementing robust surveillance, prevention, and control measures by public health authorities in Can Tho. Initiatives like vaccination campaigns, vector control programs, public education on hygiene practices, and strengthening healthcare infrastructure are crucial for mitigating the spread of infectious diseases and safeguarding public health in the region.

Abstract Background Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) exhibits pronounced local invasiveness and a propensity for lymph node metastasis. Given its frequent detection at advanced stages and the consequential postoperative functional impairments, the identification of effective molecular markers for early detection and treatment is imperative. Early growth response-1 (EGR-1) serves as a versatile transcription factor expressed across various cell types. Its role in cancer is contentious, acting as either an oncogene or a tumor suppressor gene. Methods This study undertook comprehensive analyses, including big data scrutiny, expression profiling using 50 OSCC samples, and in vitro functional assessments, to elucidate EGR-1’s involvement in OSCC. Results Comparative analysis revealed significantly reduced EGR-1 expression in oral cancer tissues compared to healthy controls or normal oral mucosa. In vitro experimentation with multiple OSCC cell lines demonstrated that EGR-1 curbed cell proliferation, migration, and invasion capabilities. Additionally, it was observed that EGR-1 prompted G0/G1 arrest in OSCC cells by modulating the activity of cell cycle regulators. Conclusions These findings strongly support EGR-1’s tumor-suppressive role in OSCC and hint at the potential for novel OSCC therapies aimed at restoring aberrant EGR-1 function.

Background and Aim: Reproductive disorders in swine herds pose significant challenges to pig breeding due to both infectious and non-infectious factors. In large-scale pig farming, coinfections are increasingly common, affecting sow health and herd productivity. This study aimed to determine occurrence and coinfection patterns of Mycoplasma suis and porcine circovirus type 3 in Vietnamese pig farms and to evaluate their association with reproductive disorders and clinical signs in affected herds. Materials and Methods: We collected 291 samples from 15 farms, composed of whole blood and various tissues from fetuses and weak-born piglets. Molecular biological testing was conducted to detect key pathogens of interest. Consistently, porcine circovirus type 3 (PCV3) and porcine Hemoplasma were detected and sequenced for the whole genome and partial 16S rRNA, respectively. The genetic diversity of PCV3 and Mycoplasma suis was analyzed. Results: Various clinical signs, including abortion, stillborn, mummified, and weak-born piglets, and dermatitis, were recorded. M. suis was detected in 252/291 (86.59%) samples from all 15 surveyed farms, with an occurrence of 100%. PCV3 was detected in 35.05% (102/291) samples and 73.3% (11/15) of farms. PCV3 and M. suis coinfections were observed in 29.21% of the positive samples. It should be noted that most PCV3 Ct-values were above 30, indicating the existence of PCV3 in the herd but with insufficient data to confirm its pathogenic potential. The complete genomes of 10 PCV3 strains identified in this study exhibited high sequence homology, with >97% nucleotide identity. In addition, the eight partial 16S rRNA porcine Hemoplasma sequences shared absolute identity with M. suis isolates from pigs in China and Germany. Conclusion: This report on the occurrence of M. suis and PCV3 in pigs from farms with reproductive failure provides important insights into the expanding global distribution of these pathogens. Our findings warrant further investigations of the pathogenic potential and economic implications of M. suis and PCV3 in pigs with reproductive failure in Vietnam.

A 77-year-old man with a history of left nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma and partial hepatectomy for cholangiocarcinoma underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT for assessment of an irregular lung lesion. FDG-PET demonstrated development of an intensely avid spiculated left lower lobe pulmonary lesion and intensely avid left pulmonary hilar nodes, raising suspicion for a malignancy. Eleven days following the PET study, the patient was admitted to hospital with an altered mental state. CT brain revealed diffuse round hyperdensities within the brain parenchyma. Microbiology of the lung lesion was positive for Nocardia Beijingensis and he was subsequently diagnosed with disseminated nocardiosis.

Abstract This study investigated Vietnamese people’s behavior and future intention to purchase medicines and functional foods online and their associated factors. From March to May 2023, a Google Form questionnaire was distributed via social networks and online platforms. Convenience and snowballing sampling methods were employed to recruit 1,305 Vietnamese people. In the past year, 50.3% of participants purchased at least one kind of medicine and/or functional foods online (medicines: 27.6%, functional foods: 45.1%). Among 656 buyers, nearly a third bought these products more than three times and only 5.9% felt dissatisfied with their previous experiences. This purchasing behavior was more prevalent among females, those married, having higher education levels, usually shopping online, having longer time of Internet use per day, and seeking health information on the Internet (p

Abstract Rice (Oryza sativa) is one of the main cereal food crops, consumed by over half of the world’s population. Rice seed is well-documented for containing high nutritional and various biological values. Recent studies have paid attention to rice leaves at vegetative stages or so-called ricegrass. This study aims to review research papers relating to rice leaves or ricegrass. The literature search was conducted in online scientific databases for rice leaves or ricegrass, using a combination of keyword searches relating to nutritional composition, phytochemical profile and biological activities. Results showed that young rice leaves or ricegrass contained bioactive phytochemical compounds that possessed antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, anti-cancer and protective properties. Ricegrass and wheatgrass bore similarities in the contents of chlorophylls and polyphenols. Identified phytochemical compounds in ricegrass, especially phenolic compounds are promising for anti-bacterial, anti-viral, prebiotic-like and other health-promoting properties. The widespread cultivation of rice fields in Asian countries provides available biomaterial for different applications in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. This review will provide new ideas for rice agriculture in using rice leaves or ricegrass as a new biomaterial for producing naturally derived products. Graphical Abstract

Abstract Background Deprescribing of potentially inappropriate medications is recommended for older adults and may improve health outcomes and quality of life in persons living with Parkinson disease (PD). Patient attitudes, beliefs, and preferences play a crucial role in the success of deprescribing interventions. We aimed to examine the attitudes and beliefs about medication burden and deprescribing among persons living with PD. Methods We administered a survey to participants of Fox Insight, a prospective longitudinal study of persons living with PD. The survey included the revised Patients’ Attitudes Towards Deprescribing (rPATD) questionnaire and additional questions about adverse drug effects. We used logistic regression models to explore potential predictors of treatment dissatisfaction and willingness to deprescribe. Results Of the 4945 rPATD respondents, 31.6% were dissatisfied with their current medications, and 87.1% would be willing to deprescribe medications. Male sex was associated with a greater willingness to deprescribe (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.62, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.37–1.93). A greater belief that the medication burden was high or that some medications were inappropriate was associated with treatment dissatisfaction (aORs 3.74, 95% CI 3.26–4.29 and 5.61, 95% CI 4.85–6.50), and more willingness to deprescribe (aORs 1.74, 95% CI 1.47–2.06 and 2.87, 95% CI 2.41–3.42). Cognitive impairment was the adverse drug effect participants were most concerned about when prescribed new medications to treat nonmotor symptoms. Conclusions Persons with PD are often dissatisfied with their overall medication load and are open to deprescribing. Medications that are associated with cognitive impairment might be prioritized targets for deprescribing interventions in this population.

Abstract Structure-based virtual screening is a key tool in early drug discovery, with growing interest in the screening of multi-billion chemical compound libraries. However, the success of virtual screening crucially depends on the accuracy of the binding pose and binding affinity predicted by computational docking. Here we develop a highly accurate structure-based virtual screen method, RosettaVS, for predicting docking poses and binding affinities. Our approach outperforms other state-of-the-art methods on a wide range of benchmarks, partially due to our ability to model receptor flexibility. We incorporate this into a new open-source artificial intelligence accelerated virtual screening platform for drug discovery. Using this platform, we screen multi-billion compound libraries against two unrelated targets, a ubiquitin ligase target KLHDC2 and the human voltage-gated sodium channel NaV1.7. For both targets, we discover hit compounds, including seven hits (14% hit rate) to KLHDC2 and four hits (44% hit rate) to NaV1.7, all with single digit micromolar binding affinities. Screening in both cases is completed in less than seven days. Finally, a high resolution X-ray crystallographic structure validates the predicted docking pose for the KLHDC2 ligand complex, demonstrating the effectiveness of our method in lead discovery.

Abstract Background Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological condition and the leading cause of non-traumatic disability in young adults. MS pathogenesis leads to the death of oligodendrocytes, demyelination, and progressive central nervous system neurodegeneration. Endogenous remyelination occurs in people with MS (PwMS) but is insufficient to repair the damage. Our preclinical studies in mice indicate that endogenous remyelination can be supported by the delivery of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). Our phase I trial concluded that 20 sessions of rTMS, delivered over 5 weeks, are safe and feasible for PwMS. This phase II trial aims to investigate the safety and preliminary efficacy of rTMS for PwMS. Methods Participants must be aged 18–65 years, diagnosed with MS by a neurologist, stable and relapse free for 6 months, have an Extended Disability Status Scale (EDSS) between 1.5 and 6 (inclusive), willing to travel to a study site every weekday for 4 consecutive weeks, and able to provide informed consent and access the internet. Participants from multiple centres will be randomised 2:1 (rTMS to sham) stratified by sex. The intervention will be delivered with a Magstim Rapid2 stimulator device and circular 90-mm coil or MagVenture MagPro stimulator device with C100 circular coil, positioned to stimulate a broad area including frontal and parietal cortices. For the rTMS group, pulse intensity will be set at 18% (MagVenture) or 25% (Magstim) of maximum stimulator output (MSO), and rTMS applied as intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) (~ 3 min per side; 600 pulses). For the sham group, the procedure will be the same, but the intensity is set at 0%. Each participant will attend 20 intervention sessions over a maximum of 5 weeks. Outcome measures include MS Functional Composite Score (primary), Fatigue Severity Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Quality of Life, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index/Numeric Rating Scale and adverse events (secondary) and advanced MRI metrics (tertiary). Outcomes will be measured at baseline and after completing the intervention. Discussion This study will determine if rTMS can improve functional outcomes or other MS symptoms and determine whether rTMS has the potential to promote remyelination in PwMS. Trial registration Registered with Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, 20 January 2022; ACTRN12622000064707.

Abstract Objective To investigate Vietnamese people’s knowledge, attitudes, and experience in purchasing medicines and functional foods online. Methods Via an online survey, the data of 1,070 participants were collected, including their general characteristics, Internet use, previous experience, knowledge, and attitudes towards purchasing medicines/functional foods online. Factors associated with their knowledge and attitudes were identified via multivariate linear regression models. Results During 2022–2023, about 97.2% of participants used the Internet to seek health information (self-diagnosis: 65.0%, self-medication: 72.6%). Roughly 52.8% bought medicines and/or functional foods online. Among 565 buyers, 41.8% felt satisfied. Only 19.9% understood that selling medicines online was illegal in Vietnam. The main benefits of purchasing medicines/functional foods online that many people agreed on included convenience (87.1%), freedom from location (84.8%), and being able to order/buy products after opening hours (84.7%). Many people felt worried about the ability to buy counterfeit or substandard products (87.7%), inaccurate product information (85.0%), the lack of supervision of the authorities (83.7%), and increasing risks of drug abuse, self-medication, and treatment non-adherence (82.5%). Roughly 84.3% found distinguishing between legal and illegal online pharmacies difficult. Participants’ average knowledge and attitude scores were 6.514 ± 2.461 (range: 0–16) and 89.330 ± 13.720 (range: 23–115), respectively. The main factors associated with people’s knowledge and attitudes towards purchasing these products online included their frequency of Internet use, seeking health information online for self-medication, feeling satisfied with previous experience, and having at least one chronic disease. Conclusions Many Vietnamese people’s knowledge about purchasing medicines/functional foods online was limited. With the increasing need for online shopping, enhancing their knowledge is paramount. In the forthcoming years, when the Ministry of Health and relevant authorities publish legal documents and enact laws involving online pharmacies and trading medicines on the Internet, ways to recognize licensed online pharmacies must be widely propagated and disseminated in the community.

The growing dominance of social media as a marketing platform underscores the importance of understanding how influencer credibility affects consumer behavior. Social media influencers, through effective personal branding and content creation, form strong connections with their followers, significantly impacting their audience’s perceptions, attitudes, and purchasing decisions. This study explores the effects of social media influencers’ source credibility, comprising trustworthiness, expertise, and attractiveness, on consumers’ purchase intentions and behaviors regarding beauty products in Vietnam. A quantitative approach was utilized, with data collected from 269 Vietnamese consumers through a structured questionnaire and analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling. The results showed that all three components of source credibility, including trustworthiness, expertise, and attractiveness, significantly and positively influenced consumers’ purchase intentions for beauty products. Among these factors, expertise had the strongest effect on purchase intention (β = 0.289, p < 0.001), followed by trustworthiness (β = 0.216, p = 0.001), and attractiveness had the weakest influence on purchase intention (β = 0.195, p < 0.001). Moreover, purchase intention was found to have a significant positive impact on purchase behavior (β = 0.545, p = 0.004). These findings provide valuable insights for marketing managers and companies seeking to optimize their influencer partnerships by selecting influencers whose credibility aligns with their brand values and leveraging their expertise to build consumer trust, drive engagement, and influence purchase decisions. AcknowledgementThe researchers express sincere gratitude to all the participants who participate in this research study.

The objective of this study is to evaluate the critical reading (CR) strategies utilized by English major students at a university in Vietnam, identifying both frequently employed and underutilized tactics. The study encompassed a quantitative survey of 147 students who had successfully finished a CR course in their curriculum, supplemented by qualitative data obtained from semi-structured interviews with 12 individuals. The findings suggest that students have a significant inclination to depend on lower-level cognitive abilities, rather than actively participating in higher-level critical thinking. The study reveals several obstacles that impede the development of effective critical reading skills. These include deficiencies in language proficiency, a limited comprehension of critical reading strategies, insufficient instructional assistance, and a dearth of diverse and captivating critical reading tasks. This study offers a thorough examination of the critical reading techniques and challenges encountered by students majoring in English, illuminating potential areas for enhancing pedagogical practices in reading instruction.

Aim/Purpose: The main goal of this study is to investigate the factors affecting students' satisfaction and continuous usage of ChatGPT in an educational context, using the Expectation-Confirmation Model (ECM) as the theoretical framework. Specifically, this investigation focuses on identifying how user expectations, perceived usefulness, and satisfaction influence the continuous usage of ChatGPT in education. Background: ChatGPT is an AI-based chatbot that can generate natural language and support multi-turn dialogue. ChatGPT can be used in education for various purposes, such as academic writing, language translating, coding assistance, and information searching. Research indicates that ChatGPT is highly beneficial for students. Specifically, it aids in time-saving by synthesizing information across diverse fields and offers feedback tailored to individual learning needs and progress. Moreover, it enhances learning experiences through a personalized learning process, as well as aids in the translation of learning materials into different languages for improved accessibility. Despite the potential of ChatGPT in education, there remains a gap in understanding the determinants of user satisfaction and continuous usage. Therefore, this study was conducted to bridge this gap by assessing the impact of expectation confirmation, perceived usefulness, and satisfaction on continuous usage of ChatGPT. Methodology: This research employed a quantitative approach, which utilized a five-point Likert scale questionnaire to measure four variables with a total of 14 items. Data were collected from 435 students from eight Vietnamese universities through non-probability convenience sampling. The internal consistency of the questionnaire was examined using Cronbach's alpha. Four-factors Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) were then employed through IBM SPSS 26 and AMOS 24 to assess the proposed model and hypotheses, allowing for a comprehensive examination of the relationships between 4 variables: perceived usefulness, expectation confirmation, satisfaction, and continuous usage. Contribution: This paper contributes to the literature on ChatGPT in education by identifying how expectation confirmation and perceived usefulness affect students' satisfaction and their intention to continue using ChatGPT in their learning. This study also has practical implications for educators and students for applying ChatGPT in their learning and teaching. It provides recommendations for effective use of ChatGPT in education. Findings: The study's results show that students with greater expectations, either met or surpassed by ChatGPT, perceived the tool as more beneficial and satisfying for their needs. Additionally, students who perceived ChatGPT as useful and valuable for their learning goals were more inclined to continue to use it. Furthermore, the findings indicate that higher satisfaction with the tool was associated with a greater likelihood of continuous usage. Nevertheless, the results did not reveal a significant relationship between perceived usefulness and satisfaction regarding ChatGPT. This implies that perceiving ChatGPT as useful does not guarantee satisfaction. This finding may be attributed to various factors influencing student satisfaction, such as price value, using habit, facilitating conditions, trust, reliability, and quality. Recommendations for Practitioners: Educators and students should consider the findings of this study to make informed decisions about the use of ChatGPT in educational settings, emphasizing the importance of managing users' expectation confirmation and ensuring perceived usefulness and satisfaction on continuous usage. Recommendation for Researchers: Researchers can use the findings of this study as a foundation for exploring a deeper understanding of user expectation confirmation and the factors influencing perceived usefulness and satisfaction with ChatGPT in diverse educational settings. Impact on Society: This study contributes to the broader field of the application of AI technologies in education, potentially reshaping the dynamics of interaction between students and educators with AI technologies for educational purposes. Its contributions have the potential to elevate the overall quality of education by promoting the appropriate and effective use of AI technologies. Future Research: Future research should investigate the roles of ChatGPT in education more deeply and explore its long-term effects on both learners and educators. This includes conducting comparative studies to evaluate the efficacy and advantages of ChatGPT-assisted learning in comparison to traditional teaching methods. Additionally, there is a crucial need to assess the broader impact of ChatGPT on students' academic performance, cognitive development, and critical thinking skills.

This qualitative study explored the status of outcomes-based education (OBE) in Vietnam, analysing the strengths and areas for improvement as identified by assessors from the ASEAN University Network-Quality Assurance (AUN-QA) agency in the external assessment reports of 17 study programmes. Convenience sampling was employed to select these programmes. Thematic analysis was used for the narratives of these reports, together with quantitative analysis. The findings indicated that there are some signs of shifting to OBE in Vietnamese higher education as a result of complying with external requirements, yet observed changes tend to be on paper only regarding constructive alignment with curriculum design. The contradictory themes found in this study require further investigation to examine the impacts of AUN-QA on quality improvement in the Vietnamese context. As the research design was limited to content analysis, the voices of various stakeholders towards this regional quality assurance régime have not been fully explored.

COVID-19 has caused unprecedented challenges for the higher education community worldwide, one of which is that students have had to maintain their learning while dealing with the crisis conditions. However, a systematic understanding of students' individual crisis management still remains absent despite its importance. The newly emerged and ongoing phenomenon has leveraged the role of crisis management in the context of education, which is even more essential with the forthcoming uncertain future. This study investigates factors related to students' crisis management self-efficacy in higher education during the pandemic. Particularly, survey data were collected from 387 undergraduate students to investigate the effects of innovative behaviour and problem-solving skills on crisis self-efficacy. Structural Equation Modelling was applied to conceptualise and empirically test a model that examines the relationship between crisis self-efficacy and related factors. Moreover, the study aimed to assess the role of technology abilities in students' crisis management self-efficacy and academic performance during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research results provided some compelling evidence for the positive effects of innovative behaviour and problem-solving skills on crisis management self-efficacy. This study also discusses some feasible implications for higher education policy and future research directions.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to adopt the theory of planned behavior to close the entrepreneurial attitude-intention-behavior gap in the entrepreneurship field as well as test the key moderators of the entrepreneurial process, starting from entrepreneurial attitude and intention to behavior to engage in entrepreneurial activities -- namely, entrepreneurship education. Design/methodology/approach: The research used a sample of 2,566 students from 16 universities in Vietnam. First, Cronbach's alpha and confirmatory factor analysis have been used to test the reliability and validity of scales. Then the coefficient paths in the conceptual framework were tested through structural equation modeling, and indirect associations were estimated via the PROCESS bootstrapping approach. Findings: The research illustrated that both attitudes toward entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial intention serve as the central antecedents in the formation of entrepreneurial behavior. Also, when students are more entrepreneurially educated, the linkage between attitude toward entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial behavior was hypothesized to become stronger, yet the relation between entrepreneurial intention and behavior was weakened. Practical implications: This research suggests useful recommendations for educators and policymakers to encourage university students' favorable attitudes toward entrepreneurial activities, their intention to engage in them and their subsequent entrepreneurial behavior. Originality/value: This research is expected to make a significant contribution to the entrepreneurship literature by closing the entrepreneurial attitude-intention-behavior gap as well as enriching our understanding of the influence of entrepreneurship education on the entrepreneurial process. Importantly, this research reveals that entrepreneurial education significantly moderates the effects of attitude toward entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial intention on entrepreneurial behavior.

The growing prevalence of advanced generative artificial intelligence chatbots, such as ChatGPT, in the educational sector has raised considerable interest in understanding their impact on student knowledge and exploring effective and sustainable implementation strategies. This research investigates the influence of knowledge management factors on the continuous usage of ChatGPT for educational purposes while concurrently evaluating student satisfaction with its use in learning. Using a quantitative approach, a structured questionnaire was administered to 513 Vietnamese university students via Google Forms for data collection. The partial least squares structural equation modeling statistical technique was employed to examine the relationships between identified factors and evaluate the research model. The results provided strong support for several hypotheses, revealing significant positive effects of expectation confirmation on perceived usefulness and satisfaction, as well as perceived usefulness on user satisfaction and continuous usage of ChatGPT. These findings suggest that when students recognize the usefulness of ChatGPT for their learnings, they experience higher satisfaction and are more likely to continue using it. In addition, knowledge acquisition significantly impacts both satisfaction and continuous usage of ChatGPT, while knowledge sharing and application influence satisfaction exclusively. This indicates that students prioritize knowledge acquisition over sharing and applying knowledge through ChatGPT. The study has theoretical and practical implications for ChatGPT developers, educators, and future research. Theoretically, it contributes to understanding satisfaction and continuous usage in educational settings, utilizing the expectation confirmation model and integrating knowledge management factors. Practically, it provides insights into comprehension and suggestions for enhancing user satisfaction and continuous usage of ChatGPT in education.

Summary: ATP-citrate lyase (ACLY) generates cytosolic acetyl-coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) for lipid synthesis and is a promising therapeutic target in diseases with altered lipid metabolism. Here, we developed inducible whole-body Acly-knockout mice to determine the requirement for ACLY in normal tissue functions, uncovering its crucial role in skin homeostasis. ACLY-deficient skin upregulates the acetyl-CoA synthetase ACSS2; deletion of both Acly and Acss2 from the skin exacerbates skin abnormalities, with differential effects on two major lipid-producing skin compartments. While the epidermis is depleted of barrier lipids, the sebaceous glands increase production of sebum, supplied at least in part by circulating fatty acids and coinciding with adipose lipolysis and fat depletion. Dietary fat supplementation further boosts sebum production and partially rescues both the lipoatrophy and the aberrant skin phenotypes. The data establish a critical role for cytosolic acetyl-CoA synthesis in maintaining skin barrier integrity and highlight the skin as a key organ in systemic lipid regulation.

Objectives This study aimed to determine doctors’ level of adherence to the natriuretic peptide testing guideline and to identify the factors influencing their adherence.Design Cross-sectional study.Setting Web-based survey.Participants Full-time doctors involved in heart failure (HF) treatment in Vietnam.Primary and secondary outcome measures Doctors using natriuretic peptide testing for diagnosis, differential diagnosis, treatment assessment and prognosis of patients with HF were classified as adhering to the guidelines. We assessed the practice of natriuretic peptide testing and stratified the doctors based on their professional qualifications. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to estimate the Odds Ratio (ORs) and 95% CIs for associations between guideline adherence and selected covariates.Results Over half of the participants adhered to the natriuretic peptide testing guidelines (57.4%). Cardiologists adhered more closely to the guidelines than other professionals; they had approximately four times higher odds of adherence than other doctors (univariate model, OR: 3.88, 95% CI: 2.56 to 5.89, p5 to

Aim: To compare the clinical improvement of two-regimen treatment using esomeprazole alone vs quadruple therapy in non-ulcer Helicobacter Pylori (H. pylori) gastritis in Vietnamese’s children. Methods: A prospective study, carried out in 52 children, 5 to 11 years old, receive a quadruple therapy including 2 mg/kg/day esomeprazole, bismuth 8 mg/kg/day, amoxicillin 100 mg/kg/day and metronidazole 25 mg/kg/day for the first two weeks, then 2 mg/kg/day esomeprazole for the other two weeks. Results: Asymptomatic children after one month of treatment stopping were found in 34 children (58.6%). H. pylori eradication rate in intention to treat and per-protocol analysis showed a 31/55 (56.4%) and 31/52 (59.6%) patients after four weeks of treatment stopping. Conclusion: Quadruple regimen even with high dose of esomeprazole and amoxicillin combined metronidazole and bismuth showed a lower eradication rate and did not achieve the usual recommended rate > 90%.

Abstract Cu‐doped ZnO nanoparticle‐loaded cellulose nanofiber membranes are investigated for their potential photocatalytic and antibacterial properties. ZnO nanoparticles, both undoped and doped with copper, are synthesized by the co‐precipitation process, afterward immobilized onto cellulose nanofibers through the utilization of a dip‐coating technique. Methylene blue (MB) removal is evaluated to inspect the effectiveness of photocatalysts in both UV and Xenon lighting conditions. The morphology and structure of the composite cellulose nanofibers loaded with photocatalysts are then examined using FE‐SEM, TEM, XRD, FTIR, and UV–vis characterizations. Under visible light, the self‐cleaning effects of organic compounds are measured, presenting more than 50% of discoloration for various organic stains. The antibacterial activity is assessed using the Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method and the plate counting method against the gram‐positive Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and gram‐negative Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria. The current study shows that cellulose nanofibers coated with Cu‐doped ZnO nanoparticles exhibited excellent photocatalytic and antibacterial activities.

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.

Objectives To investigate the serum IL-6 levels and their rate of change in predicting the mortality of critically ill patients with COVID-19 in Vietnam.Design A single-centre, cross-sectional study.Setting An Intensive Care Centre for the Treatment of Critically Ill Patients with COVID-19 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.Participants We included patients aged 18 years or older who were critically ill with COVID-19 and presented to the study centre from 30 July 2021 to 15 October 2021. We excluded patients who did not have serum IL-6 measurements between admission and the end of the first day.Primary outcome measures The primary outcome was hospital all-cause mortality.Results Of 90 patients, 41.1% were men, the median age was 60.5 years (Q1–Q3: 52.0–71.0), and 76.7% of patients died in the hospital. Elevated IL-6 levels were observed on admission (41.79 pg/mL; Q1–Q3: 20.68–106.27) and on the third day after admission (72.00 pg/mL; Q1–Q3: 26.98–186.50), along with a significant rate of change in IL-6 during that period (839.5%; SD: 2753.2). While admission IL-6 level (areas under the receiver operator characteristic curve (AUROC): 0.610 (95% CI: 0.459 to 0.761); cut-off value ≥15.8 pg/mL) and rate of change in IL-6 on the third day of admission (AUROC: 0.586 (95% CI: 0.420 to 0.751); cut-off value ≥−58.7%) demonstrated poor discriminatory ability in predicting hospital mortality, the third day IL-6 rate of change from admission ≥−58.7% (adjusted OR: 12.812; 95% CI: 2.104 to 78.005) emerged as an independent predictor of hospital mortality.Conclusions This study focused on a highly selected cohort of critically ill COVID-19 patients with a high IL-6 level and mortality rate. Despite the poor discriminatory value of admission IL-6 levels, the rate of change in IL-6 proved valuable in predicting mortality. To identify critically ill COVID-19 patients with the highest risk for mortality, monitoring the serial serum IL-6 measurements and observing the rate of change in serum IL-6 levels over time are needed.

Banks play a crucial role in fostering and sustaining economic development within each country. Moreover, the rapid evolution of technology significantly influences the banking industry, ushering in profound changes in work dynamics. The post-COVID-19 era has accentuated the importance of employee well-being as a critical necessity for all workers. This study aims to elucidate the interplay between job characteristics, employee well- being, and job performance. A self-administered survey was conducted with employees working in the Vietnamese banking industry. After 4 months, we received 831 valid responses from 15 Vietnamese joint-stock commercial banks. SMARTPLS software was employed for structural equation modelling analysis. The findings shed light on the intricate relationships between job characteristics, employee well-being, and job performance. Building upon these insights, the study provides recommendations for Vietnamese banks to enhance job performance by refining job characteristics and fostering employee well-being.

This study examines the relationships between social capital (encompassing structural, cognitive, and relational dimensions), dynamic capabilities, open innovation (both inbound and outbound), government support, and business performance in Vietnam. Using a quantitative approach, data were collected from 289 respondents and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling. The findings show that social capital positively influences both dynamic capabilities and open innovation. While dynamic capabilities have a significant impact on business performance, open innovation enhances government support but does not directly affect business performance. Additionally, dynamic capabilities mediate the relationship between social capital and business performance, and government support partially mediates the relationship between open innovation and business performance. These results underscore the importance of government support and dynamic capabilities in leveraging social capital for enhanced business performance, while also highlighting the need for further investigation into the direct impacts of open innovation on performance.

AbstractRetail banking has always been considered as a core activity of banks because it has the effect of accelerating the cash flow process and creating a mainstream medium and long-term capital source for the bank. Vietnamese commercial banks now are facing great risks. This reality requires banks to improve competitive capability to compete with domestic banks and foreign banks. This study examines the determinants affecting the competitiveness of retail bank service in VietinBank. By using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) technique, the results show five determinants affecting positively to the competitiveness of the retail banking services including service quality, financial capacity, risk management, organizational culture, and social responsibility. The findings indicate that financial capacity has biggest effect and service quality has smallest effect on competitive capacity of retail banking service in VietinBank. The research also proposes specific solutions to enhance the competitiveness and sustainable development of retail banking services in Vietnam.

Ion channels play key roles in human physiology and are important targets in drug discovery. The atomic-scale structures of ion channels provide invaluable insights into a fundamental understanding of the molecular mechanisms of channel gating and modulation. Recent breakthroughs in deep learning-based computational methods, such as AlphaFold, RoseTTAFold, and ESMFold have transformed research in protein structure prediction and design. We review the application of AlphaFold, RoseTTAFold, and ESMFold to structural modeling of ion channels using representative voltage-gated ion channels, including human voltage-gated sodium (NaV) channel - NaV1.8, human voltage-gated calcium (CaV) channel – CaV1.1, and human voltage-gated potassium (KV) channel – KV1.3. We compared AlphaFold, RoseTTAFold, and ESMFold structural models of NaV1.8, CaV1.1, and KV1.3 with corresponding cryo-EM structures to assess details of their similarities and differences. Our findings shed light on the strengths and limitations of the current state-of-the-art deep learning-based computational methods for modeling ion channel structures, offering valuable insights to guide their future applications for ion channel research.

Rapid urban expansion in Vietnam presents significant management and environmental challenges. This study quantifies urban growth in the Ha Long City area using a time series of six Landsat images acquired from 2000 to 2023. To address the heterogeneity of the urban class, an object-based (OB) image analysis approach was employed. Instead of relying on spectral channels, Principal component analysis (PCA) was utilized during segmentation, followed by classification using the Random Forest (RF) algorithm. For post-classification processing, a logical filter was applied to confirm the classification results at a detailed level, using additional information from the general classification results. Unconfirmed objects were subsequently verified through visual interpretation. The accuracy of the post-classified process results of this study ranges from 83.44% to 96.64% (producer accuracy) and from 83.48% to 91.27% (user accuracy). The results show that the urban area expanded more than four times, with the most significant growth occurring between 2000 and 2005, and between 2015 and 2020. Notably, land reclamation contributed significantly to urban growth. Understanding these trends is crucial for informed urban planning and environmental management in the region.

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are becoming more common due to the overuse of antibiotics in aquaculture. Alternative antibiotic solutions are fascinating and under the consideration in many countries. This study's objective was to isolate and identify certain actinomycete isolates with inhibitory action against the hemorrhagic disease-causing Aeromonas hydrophila in intensively cultivated catfish. This investigation isolated ten actinomycete isolates from sediment and water samples of catfish ponds in Vinh Long province. Using the diffusion well method, the study identified all isolates with antogonisttic activity against A. hydrophila. In particular, two isolates, BCA1.2 and BCA1.5, presented the highest inhibitory activity with inhibitory diameter zones of 11±1.0 mm and 10±1.0 mm, respectively. Two actinomycete isolates, BCA1.2 and BCA1.5, had their growth affected by pH, temperature, and NaCl. The findings revealed that two of these isolates showed optimum growth in a pH range of 7.0–8.0 and at 37°C. Two isolates, BCA1.2 and BCA1.5, survived well on medium containing a high salt concentration of NaCl ranging from 3% to 7% and were able to utilize different sources of carbon. They produced a wide range of hydrolytic extracellular enzymes, such as cellulase, amylase, protease, lipase, and chitinase. Isolates BCA1.2 and BCA1.5 were identified as Streptomyces based on morphological, cultural, physiological, and biochemical characteristics and 16S rRNA gene sequencing.

Filling defects within the inferior vena cava (IVC) are common findings on computed tomography (CT); nevertheless, a majority of these defects are attributed to artifacts. The documentation pertaining to pseudothrombosis specifically affecting the infrarenal vena cava is notably insufficient in current literature. The aim of this study is to present a case demonstrating a blood-contrast level in the infrarenal vena cava, resembling an intraluminal filling defect.

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), an advanced form of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), has emerged as the leading cause of liver failure and related death. Currently, no medication is specifically approved to treat NAFLD or NASH. Here we report that oral administration of honey vesicle-like nanoparticles (H-VLNs) to naturally aged mice protects the liver from NASH development. H-VLNs are dominantly taken up by Kupffer cells in the liver and suppress hepatic chronic inflammation and further development of fibrosis and nodule formation in aged mice. Besides their reported anti-inflammasome function, H-VLNs are found to inhibit the transcriptional activities of C-JUN and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB). MicroRNAs miR5119 and miR5108 and phenolic compound luteolin in H-VLNs are identified in suppressing both the C-JUN and NF-κB pathways. Collectively, oral intake of H-VLNs represents a promising new user-friendly modality to prevent the development of NASH.

Milk and dairy products are nutritious and can play a significant role in a healthy diet. The safety of milk decreases with increase in concentration of Cadmium (Cd) and Mercury (Hg). The aim is to evaluate the status of Cd and Hg contamination regarding milk and dairy products in some provinces and cities of Vietnam. Methods: 367 samples of liquid milk, yogurt, cheese, milk cake and milk powder were collected in six large cities and provinces of Vietnam, then Cd and Hg levels were quantitatively analyzed. Samples were digested before analysis to remove organic compounds, and the heavy metal concentrations were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Results: The average concentrations of Cd and Hg in liquid milk were 64.55 and 29.99 ppb; in yogurt, 49.09 and 24.72 ppb; in cheese, 115.81 and 33.75 ppb; in milk cake, 84.44 and 18.08 ppb; and in milk powder, 61.78 and 43.21 ppb, respectively. Conclusion: Hg concentrations in 19.3% of liquid milk, 9.49% of yogurt, 14.29% of cheese, 9.09% of milk cake, and 22% of milk powder were higher than the maximum permitted levels according to national regulations. In contrast, Cd concentrations of all the samples were less than the maximum permitted levels so as not to affect the health of consumers of milk and dairy products produced and processed in Vietnam.

Abstract Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative disorder afflicting the elderly population worldwide. The identification of potential gene candidates for AD holds promises for diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Employing a comprehensive strategy, this study integrated transcriptomic data from diverse data sources, including microarray and single-cell datasets from blood and tissue samples, enabling a detailed exploration of gene expression dynamics. Through this thorough investigation, 19 notable candidate genes were found with consistent expression changes across both blood and tissue datasets, suggesting their potential as biomarkers for AD. In addition, single cell sequencing analysis further highlighted their specific expression in excitatory and inhibitory neurons, the primary functional units in the brain, underscoring their relevance to AD pathology. Moreover, the functional enrichment analysis revealed that three of the candidate genes were downregulated in synaptic signaling pathway. Further validation experiments significantly showed reduced levels of rabphilin-3A (RPH3A) in 3xTg-AD model mice, implying its role in disease pathogenesis. Given its role in neurotransmitter exocytosis and synaptic function, further investigation into RPH3A and its interactions with neurotrophic proteins may provide valuable insights into the complex molecular mechanisms underlying synaptic dysfunction in AD.

The objective of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the association between maternal and fetal genetic variants and the risk of preeclampsia, a pregnancy-related condition that affects women. Despite the unclear role of these genetic factors in the development of preeclampsia, this analysis aimed to provide insights into the potential contributing factors. An electronic search of online databases was conducted to identify relevant studies. Stata SE software was used for the meta-analysis. A random-effects model was used to establish the association between the genetic variants and preeclampsia risk. Egger’s test was utilized to evaluate publication bias. Ten observational studies were selected from databases that met the inclusion criteria and included seven genes and twenty polymorphisms to analyze preeclampsia susceptibility influenced by the genetic background of both the mother and fetus. Our meta-analysis revealed that both the maternal and fetal polymorphisms, FLT1 rs4769613, were significantly associated with the risk of preeclampsia. However, the association between the maternal ACE rs4646994 polymorphism and preeclampsia risk was not statistically significant. Nevertheless, a significant association was observed between the fetal ACE rs4646994 polymorphism and preeclampsia in a dominant genetic model. In this study, the associations between maternal and fetal polymorphisms in ERAP2, VEGF, VDR, REN, and MMP were not statistically significant. According to the available evidence, maternal and fetal polymorphisms can impact the likelihood of developing preeclampsia. Additional research is required to fully understand the underlying mechanisms connecting maternal and fetal polymorphisms to preeclampsia, and to formulate recommendations for screening pregnant women based on these genetic variations.

Abstract G-protein coupled receptors help regulate cellular function and communication, and are targets of small molecule drug discovery efforts. Conventional techniques to probe these interactions require labels and large amounts of receptor to achieve satisfactory sensitivity. Here, we use frequency-locked optical microtoroids for label-free characterization of membrane interactions in vitro at zeptomolar concentrations for the kappa opioid receptor and its native agonist dynorphin A 1-13, as well as big dynorphin (dynorphin A and dynorphin B) using a supported biomimetic membrane. The measured affinity of the agonist dynorphin A 1-13 to the κ-opioid receptor was also measured and found to be 3.1 nM. Radioligand assays revealed a dissociation constant in agreement with this value (1.1 nM). The limit of detection for the κOR/DynA 1-13 was calculated as 180 zM. The binding of Cholera Toxin B-monosialotetrahexosyl ganglioside was also monitored in real-time and an equilibrium dissociation constant of 1.53 nM was found. Our biosensing platform provides a method for highly sensitive real-time characterization of membrane embedded protein binding kinetics that is rapid and label-free, for drug discovery and toxin screening among other applications.

Objective: This study aims to determine the frequency of pathogen detection by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), the frequency of pathogen isolation by culture; and compare the value of real-time PCR and culture of nasopharyngeal aspiration samples in patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia (sCAP). Materials and Methods: It was a prospective and descriptive study. All pediatric patients diagnosed with sCAP were performed real-time PCR and culture of nasopharyngeal aspiration samples. Results: A total of 336 patient samples were obtained from children with sCAP. Real-time PCR detected pathogens in 312 patients (92.9%), while culture isolated bacteria in 228 patients (67.9%). Coinfections were reported in 279 cases (83.0%) through real-time PCR. The frequency of agreement between culture and real-time PCR was quite high (P < .001). Conclusion: Real-time PCR demonstrated more ability for detecting microorganisms than culture. This finding highlighted the value of real-time PCR for targeting pathogens in children with sCAP, particularly in cases involving complex pathogens or those requiring timely identification.

Abstract Background In May 2022, monkeypox (mpox) suddenly reappeared and rapidly spread worldwide. This global outbreak was a public health emergency of international concern. This study investigated Vietnamese medical and pharmacy university students’ knowledge and attitudes towards mpox. Methods This online cross-section survey was administered among students in four universities using a convenience sampling method. A semi-structured questionnaire was shared among students via a Google Forms link (quick-response code) in university amphitheaters at recess. Frequency (percentage) and mean (standard division) were used for descriptive statistics. Univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with students’ mpox knowledge and attitudes. A p-value

The research examines the impact of servant leadership on the innovation capability of higher education institutions in Vietnam. Through the application of structural equation modeling (SEM), the results demonstrated the importance and direct impact of servant leadership style - characterized by prioritizing development and rights of those who follow - to the capability of universities to innovate and the behaviors of knowledge sharing; in which, the knowledge sharing factor plays a partial mediating role. Thereby, a number of recommendations have been proposed to promote servant leadership and enhance innovation capabilities at universities across the country.

Aim. The aim of this study was to evaluate adherence to spironolactone in a group of unselected patients with arterial hypertension by analysis of measured serum spironolactone and canrenone concentrations according to a proposed two-step decision scheme based on pharmacokinetic considerations. Materials and Methods. Simulation of serum concentration-time profiles of spironolactone and canrenone based on population pharmacokinetic parameters described in literature and a body weight-normalized spironolactone dose / canrenone level nomogram derived from a group of adherent patients with conservatively treated primary hyperaldosteronism, were used to create a two-step decision scheme. 71 outpatients treated with spironolactone for resistant hypertension with spironolactone and canrenone serum concentrations measured between 2018 and 2021 were analyzed according to the proposed scheme. We compared our proposed methodology to the standard approach for adherence testing. Results. With the most sensitive traditional approach to adherence assessment through detectable serum concentrations of spironolactone and/or canrenone, 9 (12.7%) non-adherent patients were identified. With our two-step assessment of adherence, we were able to identify 18 (25.4%) non-adherent patients. Conclusion. Consideration of the pharmacokinetic properties of parental drug and its metabolite led to improved sensitivity in non-adherence detection in patients with arterial hypertension. This approach enables better interpretation of measured spironolactone and canrenone serum concentrations and should be used in clinical practice.

The purpose of this study is to review and understand Vietnam’s measurement of competitiveness for its local authorities. This paper delves into the application of two fundamental metrics, namely the Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI) and the Department and District Competitiveness Index (DDCI). As Vietnam continues its trajectory of rapid economic development and regional integration understanding the dynamics of competitiveness at subnational levels has great importance. Drawing upon an overview of the competitiveness concept, case study, and perspectives, the article provides a holistic understanding of subnational competitiveness metrics in Vietnam. Results offer valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders involved in subnational development strategies and economic governance frameworks in Vietnam and beyond. This study also indicates future opportunities and challenges within research on pillars/indices, indicators and their impacts on creating the ease of doing business at subnational level.

Oral cancer represents a major global health concern, characterized by high mortality rates attributed to late diagnosis and the constraints of traditional treatment methods. Chemotherapeutic, and radiotherapeutic methods frequently lead to significant side effects, elevated recurrence rates, and inadequate targeting. Recent advancements in nanotechnology provide innovative, targeted therapeutic strategies that enhance bioavailability and decrease toxicity. This review provides an overview of nanoparticle applications in oral cancer therapy, outlining mechanisms, advantages, limitations, and potential clinical impacts. Nanoparticles, encompassing organic, inorganic, and hybrid types (combined organic and inorganic materials), are investigated for their distinct properties in targeted drug delivery, with the objective of addressing existing therapeutic challenges. Despite encouraging preclinical results, issues related to nanoparticle stability, safety, and regulatory considerations remain, necessitating additional research to connect experimental outcomes with clinical applications.

Industrial wastewater, contaminated by dyes and antibiotics, poses significant environmental challenges. We developed Fe-doped Bi2WO6 (Fe:Bi2WO6) photocatalysts to enhance the photocatalytic activity and stability of Bi2WO6. The advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) of Fe, including the photo-Fenton process for rhodamine B (RhB) degradation and peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation for Cefalexin (CFX) degradation, were investigated. The Fe doping altered the crystallization of Bi2WO6 and improved its photocatalytic performance, achieving 97.7% RhB degradation and 70.6% CFX degradation within 180 min. These results highlighted the potential of Fe:Bi2WO6 photocatalysts in wastewater treatment, emphasizing their stability and high activity across various conditions.