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Context has been recognized to exert a significant influence on language policy and planning (e.g., Cross, 2009; Gorsuch, 2000; Köksal & Sahin, 2012) as well as on teachers' decisions in the field of English language teaching and assessment (e.g., Fulmer et al., 2015; Shulman & Shulman, 2004). However, research on the interface among various contextual factors seems to receive limited attention. In the hope of contributing to the literature on context-related research and understanding the current landscape of English language assessment practice in Vietnam, this paper aims to look into the interaction between the macro (i.e., nationwide English language assessment policies and provision) and micro (i.e., institutional conditions and practice) context of the current practice. In-depth interviews with ministry specialists of education, institution or organization managers and leaders were employed in order to satisfy this aim. The interview data reveal the effect of the two contextual levels on each other, yet not all of the effect is positive. On the one hand, the macro contextual level potentially enables more consistent quality management at both national and institutional scale and more professional training for teachers who are believed, with higher assessment literacy, to improve their assessment practice accordingly. On the other hand, the micro contextual level apparently hinders the macro level on account of its limited resources and of teachers with diverse language and assessment competence. These findings serve as a basis for further discussion on how to address possible tensions among contextual factors so that beneficial effect can be magnified.

Abstract Background Breast screening recommendation based on individual risk assessment is emerging as an alternative approach to improve compliance and efficiency to detect breast cancer (BC) early. In Vietnam, prior knowledge to stratify risk based on genetic factors is currently lacking. Methods This study recruited 892 BC patients and 735 healthy Vietnamese women from 2016 to 2021. DNA from blood samples of BC patients was first analyzed for pathogenic variants associated with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome (HBOC). For patients with no HBOC and healthy participants, DNA was genotyped for 398 BC susceptibility single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) by next-generation sequencing to identify significantly associated SNPs and construct a polygenic risk score (PRS). Results The prevalence of HBOC predisposition gene mutations in Vietnamese women with BC was 5.4%. HBOC cases were significantly younger and enriched in the age group of 20–39 years old. In patients with no HBOC, we found 36 SNPs significantly associated with BC that were mostly similar to other Asian ethnicities; 34 of them were used to build a PRS model achieving an area under the receiver operating characteristics curve of 0.61 (95% CI: 0.56–0.68). Women in the top 1% PRS percentile had an odds ratio of 5.09 (95% CI: 3.10–7.86) while those in the bottom 1% had an odds ratio of 0.21 (95% CI: 0.09–0.39) to develop BC. Conclusions This study provides the first large datasets for HBOC gene analysis, BC susceptibility SNP association testing, and PRS modeling for Vietnamese women. Together, these data could aid the development of personalized BC screening recommendations for women in Vietnam.

Due to its application as an anti-cancer drug, pazopanib (1) has attracted the interest of many researchers, and several studies on pazopanib synthesis have been reported over the years. This paper provides a novel route for synthesizing N,2,3-trimethyl-2H-indazol-6-amine (5), which is a crucial building block in the synthesis of pazopanib from 3-methyl-6-nitro-1H-indazole (6). By alternating between the reduction and two methylation steps, compound 5 was obtained in a yield comparable (55%) to what has been reported (54%). It is noteworthy that the last step of N2-methylation also yielded N,N,2,3-tetramethyl-2H-indazol-6-amine (5′) as a novel compound. Furthermore, the data presented in this paper can serve as a valuable resource for future research aimed at further refining the process of synthesizing pazopanib and its derivatives.

Abstract Background Breast cancer is a major health concern worldwide, especially in Vietnam. This study aimed to explore women’s motivation for and factors related to breast cancer screening. Methods A mixed-methods study was conducted in Danang, Vietnam, using a convergent parallel approach. This study utilized both quantitative and qualitative methods to gather the data. The quantitative approach involved surveys to assess motivation levels and related factors, including demographic information and experience with breast cancer screening. In-depth qualitative interviews were used to gain deeper insights into participants' perspectives and experiences related to breast cancer screening. Results The average motivation score for breast cancer screening was moderate (3.55 ± 0.55). Ethnicity, regular health check-ups, family history of breast cancer, receiving information about breast cancer, and women’s health issues have direct relationships with breast cancer screening motivation. According to the qualitative data, three categories emerged: intrinsic motivation, external motivation/internalization, and amotivation. The individual, and sociocultural environmental factors impacted screening motivation. Conclusions This study highlights the motivations behind breast cancer screening among women. Healthcare providers could use these findings to improve screening policies and guidelines and encourage more women to undergo regular screening, ultimately reducing the incidence of breast cancer in the community.

Abstract Background In recent times, there has been acknowledgment of the prevalence of frailty and pre-frailty among individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Comprehensive Rheumatologic Assessment of Frailty (CRAF) stands out as a dependable tool grounded in synthesis and clinical judgment. Despite this, a validated Vietnamese rendition of the CRAF is currently unavailable. This study seeks to assess the reliability and validity of the CRAF in a patient with RA in Vietnam. Methods A cross-sectional investigation was carried out with 402 patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, encompassing both inpatients and outpatients at the Centre for Rheumatology at Bach Mai Hospital in Hanoi, Vietnam. CRAF was employed to gauge the extent of frailty. To establish convergent validity, the scores from the CRAF were correlated with those from the Fried phenotype. Discriminant validity was ascertained through the utilization of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Additionally, a multivariate logistic regression model was applied to evaluate the individual determinants’ relative impact on the CRAF. Results In testing for convergent validity, a significant correlation was found between CRAF and Fried phenotype (p

Agricultural by-products such as rice husks are very popular in Vietnam, which are often burned in the fields, causing an increase in dust smoke and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. To study the effects of different irrigation methods, quality of irrigation water and additive biochar from rice husk (BFRH) on leaching nitrate from paddy fields into shallow groundwater and CH4 emissions, we investigated a two-season experiment (2021-2023) under two irrigation methods: water-saving irrigation and flood irrigation with 120 kg N/ha. The results illustrated that seasonal CH4 emissions and leaching nitrate were affected by irrigation practices and significantly correlated with the quality of irrigation and the amount of BFRH added. To compare of control, the flood irrigation water increased the leaching of GHG and NO3- into shallow groundwater from 27.3-32.4% and 16.4 - 31.25%, respectively. Meanwhile, the saving water irrigation reduced CH4 and leaching of NO3- into shallow groundwater from 13.3-17.8% and 15.63 - 18.9%, respectively. Applying biochar with controlling fertilizer reduces CH4 and NO3- content in surface field water, contributing to the decreased leaching of NO3- into groundwater. Reducing 20% fertilizer rate of N (96 kg N/ha) with application biochar of 5% without a change in yield reduces NO3- content into shallow groundwater from 13.7 – 14.3%. We conclude that water-saving irrigation combined with biochar from rice husk incorporation simultaneously mitigates CH4 emissions, improves yield, and reduces leaching nitrate into groundwater, making it a suitable environment-friendly nitrogen management practice for sustainable farming in northern Vietnam.

Background Human papillomavirus (HPV) is known as a common agent of sexually transmitted infections and cervical cancer. One of the most effective ways for parents to protect their children from HPV is by ensuring they receive vaccinations. Aim To determine the percentage of parents who intend to vaccinate their children against HPV and associated factors. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted on 365 parents who had children attending high school in Ha Tinh province, Vietnam, from April to May 2023, using stratified and random sampling methods. Data were collected by a self-administered questionnaire designed based on previous studies and the domains of the Theory of Planned Behavior and Health Belief Model. A multivariable logistic regression was performed to determine the association between several factors and vaccination status. Result A total of 365 participants took part in the study. The rate of parents intending to vaccinate their children against HPV was 55.9%. Knowledge about the HPV disease and vaccine (all P < .05) and the attitude of parents ( P < .001) were determined as the motivation factors that affect the intention to vaccinate children against HPV. Conclusion Many parents still do not have the intention to vaccinate children against HPV. Health education communication should focus on the motivation factors, not only to improve the parents’ knowledge and perspective but also to increase the coverage of the vaccine to prevent cancers caused by HPV.

Digital Marketing Strategies (DMSs) play a crucial role in determining the success of an enterprise. However, little research has been conducted on digital marketing strategies for small-sized enterprises in Vietnam. Thus, using a case-study design, the study explores marketing employees’ perceptions of digital marketing strategies at a small-sized enterprise, Tan Viet Phap Development Trading Production Joint Stock Company. Four employees (two females and two males) were invited to participate in the in-depth interview. The findings show that the most effective digital marketing strategy is online PR. The participants expressed positive attitudes toward digital marketing strategies and pointed out some challenges related to these strategies. They suggested that the company should emphasize the importance of customers and planning when implementing digital marketing strategies. The study has practical implications for small-sized businesses to profit from available digital marketing strategies and consider important marketing factors to enhance their company’s publicity and brand.

Investigation of effective approaches for supporting students’ linguistic and intercultural competence in the process of learning English as an international lingua franca has generally been an issue of great concern for teachers and researchers in language education. The study considered how fiction reading and non-fiction reading supported students’ reading comprehension and fostered their self-perception of intercultural competence. The scaffolds were tested in a pretest-posttest design on 58 participants, and in a classroom-based setting. Two measurement instruments included a reading comprehension test and a questionnaire on students’ self-perception of their intercultural competence. Both groups made significant progress in reading comprehension. Fiction reading condition was also found to contribute to the higher self-perception of intercultural competence. Discussion of the pros and cons of the experimental design and suggestions for further research into extensive reading and speech act appropriateness are in the last part of the paper. The paper finally puts forward the suggestion that short literary texts of cultures around the world might be considered as one of the meaningful inputs in B1 EFL classrooms.

Abstract Introduction The present study sought to examine the relationships between systemic inflammatory composite ratios/cumulative scores, magnitude of systemic inflammatory response (SIR) and survival in good performance status patients (ECOG‐PS 0/1) with advanced NSCLC receiving palliative radiotherapy. Methods Systemic inflammatory composite ratios/cumulative scores included the neutrophil‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet‐lymphocyte ratio (PLR), lymphocyte‐monocyte ratio (LMR), C‐reactive protein, (CRP)‐albumin ratio (CAR), neutrophil‐ lymphocyte score (NLS), platelet‐lymphocyte score (PLS), lymphocyte‐monocyte score (LMS), neutrophil‐platelet score (NPS), modified Glasgow prognostic score (mGPS). The magnitude of SIR was determined by serum CRP concentration, with a median CRP concentration of >10 m mg/L considered to be systemically inflamed. Relationships between systemic inflammatory composite ratios/ cumulative scores and clinicopathological characteristics were examined using chi‐square analysis. Relationships between overall survival (OS) and systemic inflammatory composite ratios/ cumulative scores were examined using cox regression analysis. Results 479 patients were included. 48% (n = 231) of patients were male and 70% (n = 338) were ≥65 years of age. 29% (n = 140) patients were ECOG‐PS 0 and 71% (n = 339) were ECOG‐PS 1. 98% (n = 469) of patients died during follow‐up. The median survival was 5 months (2–11). A similar prevalence of systemic inflammation was noted across the various ratios/scores (NLR >3 68%; LMR 150 70%; CAR >0.20 83%; NLS ≥1 66%; LMS ≥1 71%; NPS≥1 50%; PLS≥1 60% and mGPS≥1 75%). Despite not considered to be systemically inflamed, an NLR 10 mg/L. When adjusted for ECOG‐PS, CAR>0.40 (p

Introduction: Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) is one of the causes of community health-threatening, most common in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. CPE has appeared in many countries, especially developing ones, but it has not been recognized in routine antibiograms. Also, assessing colistin susceptibility is a significant obstacle for both diagnostic and epidemiological because of technical difficulties. There is rare data about CPE and colistin-resistant Enterobacterales. Objectives: Determine the prevalence of producing carbapenemase and colistin-resistance among K. pneumoniae and E. coli resistant to carbapenems. Methods: In a cross-sectional survey, 129 K. pneumoniae and 31 E. coli strains, which demonstrated carbapenem resistance, were collected from inpatients at Cho Ray Hospital over a three-month period. Carbapenemase production was detected using the modified carbapenem inactivation method and EDTA-modified carbapenem inactivation method, and colistin resistance was detected using the broth microdilution method according to CLSI M100S34. Results: Of 160 participants' strains, 80% of carbapenemase-producing K. pneumoniae and E. coli were detected; among these, Metallo beta-lactamase-producing was taken 69,5%. Of 31 colistin-resistant, 30 were K. pneumoniae, and only 1 E. coli was detected that was resistant to colistin. Conclusion: Among participants' strains, carbapenemase-producing prevalence was very high. There were signs of a widespread extensively drug-resistant K. pneumoniae. Most of E. coliwas susceptible to colistin.

The initial period of young teachers' careers is always significant in developing their professional capability. This is when teachers start coming into contact with practical teaching, which is more diversified than the theoretical training at the University. In this research, the authors propose a process of combining the Lesson Study model with the micro-lesson teaching method. This process helps young teachers, especially those working in the Northern of Vietnam, improve their planning and implementation of a lesson plan following the Lesson Study model. It has four steps: (1) plan a Lesson Study; (2) organize demo teaching and attend lessons; (3) self-evaluate and discuss lessons; and (4) apply for practical teaching. The methodology research is carried out on 62 young teachers in Vietnam to measure the pre-impact and post-impact results. The results reveal that the researched group has made significant progress on their teaching performances (the average points for their capability of planning lessons have increased from 2.54 to 3.28 and the average points for their capability of implementing lesson plans have increased from 2.48 to 3.18). This development can be considered as an excellent experience to bring the Lesson Study model into Vietnamese schools to improve teaching sustainably.

Piezoelectric actuators (PEAs) are extensively used for scanning and positioning in scanning probe microscopy (SPM) due to their high precision, simple construction, and fast response. However, there are significant challenges for instrument designers due to their nonlinear properties. Nonlinear properties make precise and accurate control difficult in cases where position feedback sensors cannot be employed. However, the performance of PEA-driven scanners can be significantly improved without position feedback sensors if an accurate mathematical model with low computational costs is applied to reduce hysteresis and other nonlinear effects. Various methods have been proposed for modeling PEAs, but most of them have limitations in terms of their accuracy and computational efficiencies. In this research, we propose a variant DenseNet-type neural network (NN) model for modeling PEAs in an AFM scanner where position feedback sensors are not available. To improve the performance of this model, the mapping of the forward and backward directions is carried out separately. The experimental results successfully demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed model by reducing the relative root-mean-square (RMS) error to less than 0.1%.

Abstract This study aims to provide in vitro and in vivo data to support the utilization of antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) as novel tools for the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancers. The hematological, biochemical, and histological toxicities of ANAs were assessed at the doses of 5 and 50 μg per mouse. Radiolabeling study was then conducted with ANA and 131I using the chloramine T method, and the biodistribution and treatment efficacy were subsequently investigated in a PC3 xenograft model. No changes in clinical behavior or signs of intoxication, necrosis, or malignancy were observed in ANA-treated mice. 131I-ANA was obtained in very high yield and radiochemical purity, at 94.97 ± 0.98% and 98.56 ± 0.29%, respectively. They achieved immunoreactivity fraction of 0.841 ± 0.17% with PC-3 cells. Levels of radiolabeled ANAs were 1.15–10.14 times higher in tumor tissues than in other examined organs at 24 h post-injection. The tumor growth inhibition rates were 28.33 ± 5.01% in PC3 xenografts mice treated with 131I-ANAs compared with controls and a nearly twofold improvement in median survival was observed. These results demonstrate that radioimmunotherapy of radiolabeled natural ANAs may be an effective treatment for prostate tumors.

Dynamic bonds can facilitate reversible formation and dissociation of connections in response to external stimuli, endowing materials with shape memory and self-healing capabilities. Temperature is an external stimulus that can be easily controlled through heat. Dynamic covalent bonds in response to temperature can reversibly connect, exchange, and convert chains in the polymer. In this review, we introduce dynamic covalent bonds that operate without catalysts in various temperature ranges. The basic bonding mechanism and the kinetics are examined to understand dynamic covalent chemistry reversibly performed by equilibrium control. Furthermore, a recent synthesis method that implements dynamic covalent coupling based on various polymers is introduced. Dynamic covalent bonds that operate depending on temperature can be applied and expand the use of polymers, providing predictions for the development of future smart materials.

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) influences the bioavailability and behavior of trace metals and other pollutants in landfill leachate. This research characterized fluorescent dissolved organic matter (FDOM) in leachate from an old landfill in Japan during a 13-month investigation. We employed excitation-emission matrix (EEM) fluorescence spectroscopy with parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) to deconvolute the FDOM complex mixture into three fluorophores: microbial humic-like (C1), terrestrial humic-like (C2), and tryptophan-like fluorophores (C3). These FDOM components were compared with findings from other studies of leachate in landfills with different waste compositions. The correlations among EEM-PARAFAC components, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration, and ultraviolet-visible and fluorescence indices were evaluated. The FDOM in leachate varied spatially among old and extended leachate collected in the landfill and leachate treatment facility. The FDOM changed temporally and decreased markedly in August 2019, November 2019, and April 2020. The strong positive correlation between HIX and %C2 (r = 0.87, ρ = 0.91, p < 0.001)) implies that HIX may indicate the relative contribution of terrestrial humic-like components in landfill leachate. The Fmax of C1, C2, and C3 and the DOC concentration showed strong correlations among each other (r > 0.72, ρ > 0.78, p < 0.001) and positive correlations with leachate level (r > 0.41, p < 0.001), suggesting the importance of hydrological effects and leachate pump operation on FDOM.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a highly prevalent pathogen that remains dormant in majority of the cases. Severe CMV infection is generally limited to immunocompromised hosts. While occasional cases of CMV hepatitis are observed in healthy immunocompetent hosts, it is very rare to find this associated with focal liver lesions mimicking malignancy. Cases of non-immunosuppressed CMV reactivation, CMV-associated liver lesions, and CMV-associated portal vein thrombosis have all been reported individually, we present a single case of CMV with all of these rare manifestations.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer, accounting for 80%–85% of total cases and leading to millions of deaths worldwide. Drug resistance is the primary cause of treatment failure in NSCLC, which urges scientists to develop advanced approaches for NSCLC treatment. Among novel approaches, the miRNA-based method has emerged as a potential approach as it allows researchers to modulate target gene expression. Subsequently, cell behaviors are altered, which leads to the death and the depletion of cancer cells. It has been reported that miRNAs possess the capacity to regulate multiple genes that are involved in various signaling pathways, including the phosphoinositide 3-kinase, receptor tyrosine kinase/rat sarcoma virus/mitogen-activated protein kinase, wingless/integrated, retinoblastoma, p53, transforming growth factor β, and nuclear factor-kappa B pathways. Dysregulation of these signaling pathways in NSCLC results in abnormal cell proliferation, tissue invasion, and drug resistance while inhibiting apoptosis. Thus, understanding the roles of miRNAs in regulating these signaling pathways may enable the development of novel NSCLC treatment therapies. However, a comprehensive review of potential miRNAs in NSCLC treatment has been lacking. Therefore, this review aims to fill the gap by summarizing the up-to-date information on miRNAs regarding their targets, impact on cancer-associated pathways, and prospective outcomes in treating NSCLC. We also discuss current technologies for delivering miRNAs to the target cells, including virus-based, non-viral, and emerging extracellular vesicle-based delivery systems. This knowledge will support future studies to develop an innovative miRNA-based therapy and select a suitable carrier to treat NSCLC effectively.

Objective: To evaluate hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine coverage and its associated factors among health science students in Vietnam. Methods: This cross-sectional study involving 459 health science students at Tra Vinh University was conducted between April and June 2022. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire with items on sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge and attitude about HBV, and vaccination status. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to explore the factors associated with vaccination status. Results: The majority of participants were female (65.8%) and enrolled at the medical school (56.2%). A total of 30.3% participants received the full dose of the HBV vaccine. The percentages of participants with sufficient knowledge and positive attitudes toward HBV infection were 75.2% and 43.4%, respectively. Vaccination was 11.8 times higher in sixth-year medical students than any healthcare student in their first-year [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 11.8, 95% CI 3.1-45.1, P

Many previous studies identify the contagion effect among various types of assets, defined as the increase in correlation of these assets during a financial or economic crisis. During the COVID-19 outbreak, a historic fall in global fuel demand and oil prices has been witnessed. Because crude oil has a strategic position among the export products of the Southeast Asian economies, even a tiny global oil price change leads to a plunge in these stock markets. This study addresses the spillovers of the volatility between the West Texas Intermediate crude oil prices and stock indices across six ASEAN emerging economies. Besides, the study examines whether a contagion connecting the global energy prices and these stock markets exists during the coronavirus pandemic. The empirical results are acquired by applying the Bayesian test for equality of means on the dynamic conditional correlations computed from DCC-GARCH models. The findings present positive volatility transmission from crude oil prices toward these emerging equity markets. During the health crisis, co-movements intensify, indicating the occurrence of contagion effects. The empirical results provide valid implications for policymakers and international investors because a precise volatility forecast is vital for managing portfolio risk. AcknowledgmentThis research is funded by University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Introduction: Prophylactic paracetamol for extremely low gestation age neonates (ELGAN, n = 104) with infants (n = 76) treated with prophylactic paracetamol (20 mg/kg loading, 7.5 mg/kg qid for 4 days), in a tertiary neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in Vietnam. Oral ibuprofen or intravenous therapeutic paracetamol were administered if prophylactic paracetamol failed to close sPDA. Surgical ligation was conducted if targeted medical intervention failed, or the infant deteriorated from conditions attributable to sPDA. Results: In the historical cohort, 57 (55%) infants died within 7 days of life compared to 18 (24%) from the prophylactic cohort (p < 0.01). Of the survivors, 21 (45%) of the historical and 23 (39.7%) of the prophylactic cohort required surgical ligation (p = 0.6). Duration of hospitalization for survivors was lower in the prophylactic cohort (mean 74 vs. 97 days, p = 0.01). In the prophylactic cohort, 24 (41%) infants did not need further treatment while 34 (59%) required further treatment including ibuprofen and/or paracetamol 28 (48%) and surgical ligation 22 (38%). Conclusions: Prophylactic paracetamol for ELGAN in LMIC does not reduce the need for surgical ligation, sPDA rates, and other PDA-related morbidities in infants who survive beyond 7 days of age. It may reduce the risk of death and the duration of hospitalization but further study into the reasons behind this need to be determined with larger studies.

Introduction: Quantification of D-dimer levels is a valuable test in orienting the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis. Objectives: Determine D-dimer concentration and diagnostic value of D-dimer in patients with deep venous thrombosis. Methods: A descriptive, uncontrolled study was performed in 260 elderly patients at risk of deep vein thrombosis. All patients underwent quantitative D-dimer assay. Results: The D-dimer concentration of patients with deep venous thrombosis had a median of 3106.5 ng/ml and was about 1.5 times higher than that of patients without deep venous thrombosis. With a threshold of D-dimer concentration of 500 ng/mL to determine deep venous thrombosis, the specificity of the method is low (16.51%), but the sensitivity is high (100%). And the positive predictive value is low (18.75%) but the negative predictive value is absolute (100%). Conclusion: With a threshold of D-dimer concentration of 500 ng/mL to determine deep venous thrombosis, the specificity and positive predictive value of the method are low, but the sensitivity and negative predictive value are high.

Nanofibers have gained much attention because of the large surface area they can provide. Thus, many fabrication methods that produce nanofiber materials have been proposed. Electrospinning is a spinning technique that can use an electric field to continuously and uniformly generate polymer and composite nanofibers. The structure of the electrospinning system can be modified, thus making changes to the structure, and also the alignment of nanofibers. Moreover, the nanofibers can also be treated, modifying the nanofiber structure. This paper thoroughly reviews the efforts to change the configuration of the electrospinning system and the effects of these configurations on the nanofibers. Excellent works in different fields of application that use electrospun nanofibers are also introduced. The studied materials functioned effectively in their application, thereby proving the potential for the future development of electrospinning nanofiber materials.

Several previous studies in the field of assisted reproduction have focused on the use of blood gel derivatives, such as platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), as a treatment for endometrial rehabilitation. However, the ability to release growth factors and the gel form of this product led to the evolution of platelet lysates. In this study, blood gel derivatives, including PRF lysate, which was in liquid form, and PRF gel, were collected and evaluated for growth factors. It was shown to be effective in endometrial wound healing and regeneration in mouse injured uterine tissue models through structure and function (pinopode expression, embryo implantation) evaluation. The results demonstrated that the concentrations of growth factors, including PDGF-AB and VEGF-A, were higher in the PRF lysate compared to the PRF gel (p < 0.05). PRF lysate could release these growth factors for 8 days. Furthermore, both PRF gel and PRF lysate restored the morphology of injured endometrial tissues in terms of luminal and glandular epithelia, as well as uterine gland secretory activity. However, the presence of pinopodes and embryonic implantation were only observed in the PRF lysate group. It can be concluded that PRF lysate promotes wound healing in mouse injured tissue models in vitro, which can act as healing products in tissue repair.

Porous carbon nanofibers are widely used as supercapacitor electrode materials due to their excellent physical adsorption/desorption operation and smooth transport of ions. The acid/base activation method is commonly used to generate micropores on the surface of carbon nanofibers, but controlling the activation level and minimizing the release of harmful chemicals pose challenges. This study proposed a method for producing activated multiporous carbon nanofibers that is easier to operate and more environmentally friendly. It utilizes the vacuum plasma process to enhance surface area and introduce functional groups onto the electrospun polymer nanofibers. Subsequent heat treatment results in the formation of activated multiporous carbon nanofibers. The type and density of the functional group introduced into the carbon structure were adjusted to the type of plasma gas (O2, NH3 and C4F8) being exposed. Among them, oxygen plasma-treated carbon nanofibers (O-MPCNFs) not only have a much larger active surface (517.84 m2 g−1) than other gases (290.62 m2 g−1 for NH3 and 159.29 m2 g−1 for C4F8), but also generate a lot of micropores, promoting rapid adsorption/desorption-inducted charges; therefore, they have excellent energy storage capacity. The O-MPCNF-based symmetrical two-electrode supercapacitor has a high specific capacitance (173.28 F g−1), rate capability and cycle stability (94.57% after 5000 cycles).

This study determines factors related to the intention to vaccinate against COVID-19 for health science students in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), using both the Health Belief Model (HBM) and the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) model. A cross-sectional survey was considered in April 2021, using a self-administered questionnaire to all health sciences students of the University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Ho Chi Minh City (UMP), Vietnam. The multiple regression was performed to specify the predictable factors of willingness to get a future COVID-19 vaccination. A total of 854 students completed the survey, whose vaccination acceptance was 77.1%. Predictors of intention to receive a COVID-19 vaccination included year of education, knowledge, and the HBM and TPB variables including the perceived benefits, cues to action, perceived behavioral control, and positive attitudes toward the vaccine (all p

The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has impacted the lives and well-being of individuals worldwide, affecting both short-term and long-term quality of life. This study aimed to assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and associated factors among patients who have recovered from COVID-19. A cross-sectional survey was conducted at 2 hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam between January and March 2022. Data were obtained from patients who recovered from COVID-19 using a structured questionnaire which included the EuroQoL-5 Dimension-5 Level (EQ-5D-5L) scale to quantify problems in 5 health dimensions (mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, anxiety/depression) and the EuroQoL-Visual Analog Scale (EQ-VAS) to determine self-rated health status. Factors associated with HRQoL were determined using a generalized linear model (GLM). A total of 325 participants were included in the analysis. The overall mean score from the EQ-5D-5L and EQ-VAS was 0.86 (SD 0.21) and 78.6 (SD 19.9), respectively. Anxiety/Depression and Pain/Discomfort were the major problems experienced by the participants. Lower HRQoL scores were reported among those who were 60 years and older, female, had comorbidities, persistent symptoms, living alone and experiencing stress (all P

Vietnam, a middle-income country, has been suffering four waves of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and a massive lockdown to suppress the spread of this infectious disease. Consequently, COVID-19 has caused psychological ramifications and affected humankind’s life satisfaction. Because of the lockdown period, numerous people had plentiful time. Hence, they found solace in excessive watching of television and movies, which could lead to post-series depression. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between life satisfaction (LS), post-series depression (PSD), and positive mental health (PMH) and inquire about the mediation effect of satisfaction of life and PSD. A total of 2,572 participants who were voluntarily recruited from various media platforms completed self-report questionnaires, including the Satisfaction with life scale, Post-series depression scale, and Positive Mental Health Scale. This study was assessed using the PLS-SEM approach. The findings of this research discovered (i) a significantly positive effect of LS on PMH; (ii) a significantly negative effect of PSD on PMH; (iii) a significantly negative effect of LS on PSD, and (iv) a significant indirect effect of LS on PMH through PSD. The study provided additional evidence to the relationship between life satisfaction and PMH of individuals. Besides, the negative effects of PSD, which is a non-clinical term for feeling down that frequently appears after individuals finish their much-loved film and TV series, on individuals’ PMH is proved, especially in the COVID-19 pandemic context in which Vietnamese people must remain in their current location.

This paper investigates whether and how International Law on Indigenous Peoples (ILIP) can complement protections granted under International Refugee Law (IRL) and International Human Rights Law (IHRL) to refugees in camps in Thailand. Presently, there are over 90,000 refugees from Myanmar in Thailand, confined to nine camps along the Thailand–Myanmar border. These refugees belong to different ethnic minority groups, but the vast majority are Karen—Indigenous Peoples from the Thailand–Myanmar border regions. They have fled to Thailand due to persecution by Myanmar authorities and segments of the Myanmar population. To date, Thailand has refused to become a party to the 1951 Refugee Convention or its 1967 Protocol. The country has failed to develop an asylum system and its laws continue to regard refugees as ‘illegal migrants’. These refugees have been surviving in conditions of profound rightlessness. I posit that ILIP has a critical role to play in addressing the protection gaps and limitations in IRL and IHRL. In particular, the ILIP system of collective rights is vital in recognising the specific needs of refugees who are indigenous peoples. ILIP therefore provides a potent tool to make IRL and IHRL more responsive to the protection needs of indigenous refugees.

Electroacupuncture (EA) stimulates somatic median afferents underlying P5-6 acupoints and modulates parasympathoexcitatory reflex responses through central processing in the brainstem. Although decreases in blood pressure and heart rate by the neural-mediated Bezold-Jarisch reflex responses are modulated by EA through opioid actions in the nucleus tractus solitarius and nucleus ambiguus, the role of the hypothalamus is unclear. The hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) is activated by sympathetic afferents and regulates sympathetic outflow and sympathoexcitatory cardiovascular responses. In addition, the PVN is activated by vagal afferents, but little is known about its regulation of cardiopulmonary inhibitory hemodynamic responses. We hypothesized that the PVN participates in the Bezold-Jarisch reflex responses and EA inhibits these cardiopulmonary responses through the PVN opioid system. Rats were anesthetized and ventilated, and their heart rate and blood pressures were monitored. Application of phenylbiguanide every 10 min close to the right atrium induced consistent depressor and bradycardia reflex responses. Unilateral microinjection of the depolarization blockade agent kainic acid or glutamate receptor antagonist kynurenic acid in the PVN reduced these reflex responses. In at least 70% of the rats, 30 min of bilateral EA at P5-6 acupoints reduced the depressor and bradycardia responses for at least 60 min. Blockade of the CCK-1 receptors converted the non-responders into EA-responders. Unilateral PVN-microinjection with naloxone reversed the EA inhibition. Vagal-evoked activity of the PVN cardiovascular neurons was reduced by 30 min EA (P5-6) through opioid receptor activation. These data indicate that PVN processes inhibitory cardiopulmonary reflexes and participates in EA-modulation of the neural-mediated vasodepression and bradycardia.

AimTo assess (1) the overlap rate of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and functional dyspepsia (FD) and (2) the yield of esophagogastroduodenoscopy in patients clinically presenting with FD.Materials and MethodsOutpatients aged ≥18 years with typical reflux symptoms ≥2 times a week or clinically fulfilling the Rome IV criteria for FD were recruited and underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy. GERD was classified into non-erosive reflux disease (NERD) and erosive reflux disease (ERD), and FD was classified into epigastric pain syndrome and postprandial distress syndrome. The endoscopic findings that could explain patients’ symptoms were considered clinically significant endoscopic findings. After esophagogastroduodenoscopy, patients were categorized into three groups: GERD-only, FD-only, and GERD-FD overlap.ResultsThere were 439 patients with a mean age of 42.3 ± 11.6 years. Ninety-one (20.7%) patients had clinically significant endoscopic findings: 73 (16.6%) reflux esophagitis, 6 (1.4%) Barrett’s esophagus and 14 (3.2%) gastroduodenal ulcers. After excluding gastroduodenal ulcers, the numbers of patients with GERD-only, FD-only, and GERD-FD overlap were 69 (16.2%), 138 (32.5%), and 218 (51.3%), respectively. Postprandial distress syndrome was more prevalent in GERD-FD overlap than in FD-only (72.9 vs. 44.2%, p < 0.001). The rates of gastroduodenal ulcers in patients clinically fulfilling the criteria for FD with and without reflux symptoms were 0.6 and 4.7%, respectively (p = 0.027).ConclusionThe GERD-FD overlap was more common than each disorder alone, of which postprandial distress syndrome was significantly prominent. Organic dyspepsia was uncommon in patients clinically fulfilling the Rome IV criteria for FD.

The bovine pericardium has been introduced to tissue engineering as a highly versatile material. Bovine pericardial scaffolds (BPSs) have been fabricated and presented good mechanical properties and biocompatibility. In the cardiovascular field, thrombogenicity is the main obstacle limiting the effectiveness of BPSs due to thrombus formation. Heparinization is a potential approach to improve the hemocompatibility of engineered constructs derived from decellularized tissues. In this study, we report on BPSs heparinized by the Layer-by-Layer self-assembly (LbL) technique. Heparin was immobilized on BPSc by introducing linkage of heparin and dihydroxy-iron (DHI). The oppositely charged heparin and DHI were alternatively deposited on the surface of BPSc microfibers via the desired number of LbL cycles. Hematoxyline and eosin (H&E) staining, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Toluidine Blue O (TBO) assay were used to evaluate the morphology and efficacy of heparinized BPSs. The anticoagulant activity was assessed by incubating the tested materials with blood. Histological evidence indicated the heparin deposition when increasing the number of LbL cycles. SEM observations revealed Heparin-DHI complex coatings onto the microfibrils of the scaffold. In comparison with simple incubation, more heparin molecules are effectively linked to the scaffolds when using the LbL technique in the presence of DHI. Heparin contents in the BPS samples significantly varied with the number of LbL cycles. The heparinized membranes exhibited the resistance to blood clotting upon blood-contacting. Furthermore, heparin-DHI multilayer coating was shown to maintain good anticoagulation activity over a 30-day release period. Finding results verified the successful heparinization of the BPSs by the Layer-by-Layer self-assembly technique. The heparinized bovine pericardial scaffolds could be valuable candidate material in the cardiovascular field.

The acellular adipose matrix (AAM) represents a promising source of biomaterial for applications in soft tissue regeneration. In this study, we aimed to prepare an injectable AAM to serve as a ready-to-use allograft. A fabrication procedure including harvesting, delipidating, and decellularizing was established. Accordingly, we proposed a mechanical disruption during delipidation and a final homogenization to produce the AAM powder in an injectable form. Our results demonstrated that mechanical disruption would enhance the efficiency of fat removal from the tissue and would significantly shorten the delipidation duration. A decellularization strategy composed of Tris–HCl and Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate was developed for adipose tissue. The evidence for a complete cellular remnant removal was shown through Hematoxylin and Eosin staining and DNA measurements. The AAM powder was prepared by mechanical disruption under reduced temperatures, which resulted in an AAM particle size in the range of 100 μm. In vitro cytotoxicity testing via extraction demonstrated that AAM had no toxicity on human adipose derived stem cells (hADSCs). Further experiments showed a positive support of the AAM extraction on the migration and proliferation of hADSCs, which indicated its role as a modulator for cell recruitment and proliferation during the tissue remodeling process. Subcutaneous injection of AAM presented a gradual degradation and integration with the surrounding tissues. In the following 8 week post-injection period, AAM supported the in vivo adipogenesis observed in the peripheral side along the implant. Overall, the results of this study demonstrated that the fabrication protocol for the acellular adipose matrix can be applied to injectable materials, which provide proper biocompatibility and potential applicability as off-the-shelf material for soft tissue regeneration.

Capparis trinervia (family Capparaceae) is a common wild plant distributed in various localities in the mountainous region of Vietnam. While essential oils have been found in the leaves and stems of C. trinervia, there are no reports to date describing the chemical composition and biological activities to guide further exploration and application of the oils. This study determined the essential oil composition of C. trinervia; 8 and 23 distinct essential oil compounds were identified from C. trinervia leaves and stems, respectively. Stigmasterol (C29H48O) was identified as the primary compound of essential oil from leaves, accounting for 75.775% of the oils, while 3,7,11,15-tetramethyl-2-hexadecen-1-ol (C20H40O) was identified as the main essential oil component in C. trinervia stems, accounting for 18.337%. This study also explored the cytotoxic effects of essential oils extracted from C. trinervia against five cancer cells lines (A549, MCF7, HeLa, HepG2 and KB). A strong cytotoxic effect on all cancer cell lines was demonstrated by 100 µg mL−1 essential oils derived from C. trinervia leaves and stems, which suggests the species is a promising candidate for use in life and public healthcare.

Objective: To assess the acceptance of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine among healthcare workers at two general hospitals in Vietnam when it is available. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a convenience sampling from January to February 2021 among 410 healthcare workers at two general hospitals in Vietnam via a self-administered questionnaire. A multivariable regression analysis was performed to determine predictors of vaccine acceptance including the demographic factors, COVID-19 knowledge, and vaccine beliefs based on the domains of Health Belief Model. Results: Among 410 healthcare workers, 76.10% showed vaccination willingness. Predictors of acceptance were determined that the group reporting as “vaccine acceptance” was more likely to be positive towards the perceived susceptibility and severity of COVID-19 (OR 2.45; 95% CI 1.48-4.06, P

Abstract Background Unintentional injuries have emerged as a significant public health issue in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), especially in Vietnam, where there is a poor quality of care for trauma. A scarcity of formal and informal training opportunities contributes to a lack of structure for treating trauma in Vietnam. A collaborative trauma education project by the JW LEE Center for Global Medicine in South Korea and the Military Hospital 175 in Vietnam was implemented to enhance trauma care capacity among medical staff across Ho Chi Minh City in 2018. We aimed to evaluate a part of the trauma education project, a one-day workshop that targeted improving diagnostic and surgical skills among the medical staff (physicians and nurses). Methods A one-day workshop was offered to medical staff across Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam in 2018. The workshop was implemented to enhance the trauma care knowledge of providers and to provide practical and applicable diagnostic and surgical skills. To evaluate the workshop outcomes, we utilized a mixed-methods survey data. All participants (n = 27) voluntarily completed the post-workshop questionnaire. Quality of contents, satisfaction with teaching skills, and perceived benefit were used as outcomes of the workshop, measured by 5-point Likert scales (score: 1–5). Descriptive statistics were performed, and open-ended questions were analyzed by recurring themes. Results The results from the post-workshop questionnaire demonstrated that the participants were highly satisfied with the quality of the workshop contents (mean = 4.32 standard deviation (SD) = 0.62). The mean score of the satisfaction regarding the teaching skills was 4.19 (SD = 0.61). The mean score of the perceived benefit from the workshop was 4.17 (SD = 0.63). The open-ended questions revealed that the program improved their knowledge in complex orthopedic surgeries neglected prior to training. Conclusions Positive learning experiences highlighted the need for the continuation of the international collaboration of skill development and capacity building for trauma care in Vietnam and other LMIC.

Objective: To provide preliminary descriptions of the spread, burden and related medical capacity characteristics of the ASEAN countries. Methods: We utilized the data from four main official databases, including WHO reports, the Statistics and Research of the Coronavirus Disease, and the Southeast Asia Program of the Center for Strategic and International Study. The spread of the COVID- 19 pandemic, current burden and the COVID-19 medical response capacities were extracted before April 11, 2020. Results: As of April 13, 2020, the ASEAN countries reported 19 547 COVID-19 positive cases with 817 deaths (case-facility rate of 4.2%). Thailand was the first country in the region that reported having the COVID-19 cases, while Laos was the last to report confirmed COVID-19 cases. Durations for the number of deaths to double were between 8-12 days. For the testing and treatment capacities, the number of PCR tests provided to the populations was the highest in Vietnam, followed by Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand. Meanwhile, the percentage of the population being tested was the highest in Brunei (2.31%), followed by Singapore (1.30%). Conclusions: A wide range of interventions were taken into practice in response to the outbreak with an effort of curbing the rise of this pandemic. However, special care should not be overlooked as the pandemic is placing a huge impact on the population and becomes increasingly unpredictable. To tackle the spread of the pandemic in the region, the ASEAN countries should work together as one community to provide better responses to future pandemics and other transboundary public health challenges.

In recent years, society has paid great attention to health care and environmental safety. Thus, research on advanced sensors for detecting substances that can harm health and the environment has been developed rapidly. Another popular target for detection techniques is disease-expressing materials that can be collected from body fluids. Carbon, which has outstanding electrochemical properties, can come from a variety of sources and has many morphological shapes, is nevertheless an environmentally friendly material. While carbon nanomaterial has become one of the most common targets for high-tech development, electrochemical voltammetry has proven to be an effective measurement method. Herein, the paper proposes a currently developed carbon nanomaterial along with research on a modified carbon material. Moreover, four common voltammetry methods and related works are also introduced.

Abstract Objective Pneumonia is a common but serious illness that continues to present significant morbidity and mortality. Although the effect of severity at admission on outcome has been well reported, the role of comorbidity is still not widely understood. The Charlson Comorbidity Index measures comorbidity with a well-established history of predicting long-term outcome but its utility in pneumonia prognosis is still limited. Here, we use the Charlson Comorbidity Index and hospital surveillance data to investigate associations between comorbidities and in-hospital mortality due to community-acquired pneumonia. Results Among the 535 eligible adult patients (69.0% male, median [IQR] age, 79 [70–84] years), 100 (18.7%) acquired severe to extremely severe pneumonia. The median [IQR] CCI was 1 [1–3]. Malignancy (129 of 535, 24.1%), chronic pulmonary diseases (113 of 535, 21.1%) and congestive heart failure (103 of 535, 19.3%) were frequent. Higher Charlson Comorbidity Index scores were associated with higher risk of in-hospital mortality (OR 1.28; 95% CI 1.07–1.53). These results support the inclusion of comorbid burden in predicting community-acquired pneumonia outcome.

COVID-19 vaccines are put forward as the most promising solution for combatting the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to assess the willingness to get vaccinated against COVID-19 by using the Health Belief Model (HBM) and the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) as a theoretical framework. A self-administered questionnaire was considered among Vietnamese adult patients between March and May 2021. The dependent variable was a COVID-19 vaccine acceptance, the hierarchical multivariable regression was done to assess the fit of the predictor model and the associations of variables. A total of 462 participants completed the questionnaire, with 80.5% vaccination intention. A model containing demographics, as well as HBM and TPB variables, demonstrated to be a predictor of intention to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, interpreting 39% of the variance (adjusted R 2 = 0.39). For HBM and TPB constructs, respondents were more likely to accept vaccination if they had higher level of cues to action, self-efficacy, and a lower level of the perceived barriers (all P