Hanoi University

This qualitative study examines how a two-phase flipped blended learning model can enhance student engagement and self-regulated learning in a digitally mediated English as a Foreign Language foundation program at a Vietnamese university. The study aims to evaluate whether iterative instructional refinement can address cognitive overload and limited learner autonomy among low proficiency engineering students, thereby contributing to more sustainable flipped learning practices in technology oriented contexts. A total of 655 engineering students participated across 22 classes, including 325 students in Phase 1 and 330 students in Phase 2, allowing for a comparative, design-based evaluation of instructional adjustments. Data from teacher reflective reports, student group discussions, and researcher journals were thematically analyzed using qualitative analysis software, with high inter-coder agreement confirming coding rigor. Findings indicate that more than 70 percent of teachers and most student groups in Phase 1 reported cognitive overload and limited readiness for self-regulated learning, whereas approximately 80 percent of students in Phase 2 reported improved clarity, workload manageability, and learning motivation following design revisions. The study recommends structured scaffolding of self-regulated learning, clearer task sequencing, and strengthened teacher presence to optimize flipped blended models for learners with developing academic autonomy.

Levo-tetrahydropalmatine (l-THP) is an analgesic, anxiolytic, and sedative drug having a short half-life and low oral bioavailability. Therefore, the study aimed to establish in vitro - in vivo correlation (IVIVC) combined with a D-Optimal experimental approach to formulate a multiparticulate sustained release (SR) system containing lTHP-loaded amorphous solid dispersion (ASD). IVIVC was developed based on in vivo data in rabbits and in vitro dissolution data from various media (pH 1.2, 4.5, 6.8, and water) of three formulations that have different release rates including ASD, multiparticulate SR system containing ASD, and suspension of l-THP raw material with various linear and non-linear correlation models. The established IVIVC was combined with steady-state simulation to set up a dissolution target for a multiparticulate SR system. D-optimal was then used to design a multiparticulate SR system to match the established dissolution targets. The results showed that the phosphate saline buffer at pH 6.8 provided good discrimination, and the ranked dissolution order closely resembled in vivo absorption. The non-linear IVIVC was successfully established. This helped set dissolution targets for the multiparticulate SR system at 23.68 %, 58.83 %, and 70 % at 1, 4, and 8 h, respectively, to maintain drug plasma concentration within the steady-state range from 2.26 ng/ml to 58.52 ng/ml. The optimal multiparticulate SR system, with a size of 0.5-0.8 mm, HPMCP/l-THP ratio of 1.0, and Compritol/l-THP ratio of 1.67, achieved a drug release profile similar to the target dissolution criteria.

Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) is a popular approach that enhances the accuracy of Large Language Models (LLMs) by leveraging a knowledge base. It is rapidly becoming integral tools across various applications. However, as the use of RAG continues to expand, so do the challenges associated with their deployment, particularly in terms of data privacy. As a part of RAG pipeline, user query and all retrieved documents should be sent as a prompt to the LLM providers, leaving them open to privacy hazards such data leaks or illegal access. This study presents RLPT, a framework designed to enhance user privacy in RAG. It achieves this by identifying and eliminating sensitive information from user inputs before sending them to the LLM. The RLPT framework utilizes a local LLM to rapidly identify sensitive information in user input and subsequently replaces it with distinctive placeholders. These placeholders are used to indicate and hide the actual sensitive data, ensuring that the LLM does not capture the original sensitive information during prompt processing. The framework is evaluated using a dataset consisting of 4000 synthesized context documents. The results indicate that it is capable of accurately detecting and filtering privacy and sensitive information, achieving a high accuracy rate of 88,7

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are pivotal epigenetic regulators implicated in cancer progression. Inhibition of HDACs represents a promising direction in therapeutic development. In this study, hydroxamic acids bearing 4oxoquinoline and 1,2,3-triazole scaffolds were synthesized and evaluated for their cytotoxic effects on three cell lines: SW620 (colon cancer), MDA-MB-231 (breast cancer), and MRC-5 (human fetal lung fibroblasts), using SAHA as a reference compound. The results indicate that the length of alkyl sigma-linkers critically influences the cytotoxic activity of these compounds. Notably, the N-hydroxyheptanamide series with a 6-carbon linker demonstrated the strongest cytotoxic effects against the cancer cell lines, while the N-hydroxybutanamide series demonstrated that the 1,2,3-triazole ring may serve partially as a linker, aligning with the HDAC active site channel dimensions. Structural modifications at positions 6 and 7 further modulated activity: in the N-hydroxybutanamide derivatives (19a-i), halogen substitutions revealed distinct structure-activity relationships, with 7F and 6-Br derivatives showing superior potency and selectivity in certain cases. Similarly, modifications in series 22a-i underscored the favorable impact of 6-Cl and 6-Br substitutions on cytotoxicity, while smaller halogens provided intermediate activity. Based on cytotoxicity assays and subsequent HDAC inhibition evaluation using HeLa cell extracts, compound 22g emerged as a lead candidate, exhibiting strong HDAC inhibitory potency (IC50 = 0.471 mu M) and promising antiproliferative effects. Further mechanistic studies on 22g demonstrated its significant impact on cell cycle progression and apoptosis in SW620 colon cancer cells. Finally, molecular docking analyses of HDAC isoforms for the 22a-i series uncovered essential structural elements that are pivotal for the inhibitory efficacy of the library compounds.

BACKGROUND:People living with HIV are two to three times more likely to smoke than the general population, resulting in higher risk for tobacco-related morbidity and mortality. Despite this growing burden of disease, there is little evidence for the long-term effectiveness of tobacco cessation interventions among people living with HIV, particularly in low-income and middle-income countries. We aimed to compare the effectiveness of three tobacco cessation interventions among people living with HIV. METHODS:We conducted an open-label, three-arm pragmatic randomised controlled trial in 13 outpatient HIV clinics (OPCs) in Hanoi, Viet Nam. Adults who smoked at least one cigarette a day, lived in Hanoi, had a clinic visit in the past 12 months, and had daily access to a mobile telephone that could receive text messages were allocated (1:1:1) to either: proactive referral to Viet Nam's national smokers' Quitline counselling programme (Quitline group); six-session tailored counselling delivered by trained OPC nurses plus text messages (Counselling + SMS group); or Counselling + SMS plus 6 weeks of nicotine replacement therapy (ie, 2 mg nicotine gum; Counselling + SMS+ gum group). Randomisation was by stratified permuted block randomisation with block sizes of three and six. Neither study participants, OPC health-care workers, nor study staff were masked to group assignment. All patients received advice to quit and brief cessation counselling during their physician visit. The primary outcome was 7-day point-prevalence smoking abstinence confirmed at 6 months by exhaled carbon monoxide concentration of less than 8 ppm, assessed with an intention-to-treat analysis. The trial was registered on Dec 17, 2021, at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05162911). FINDINGS:Between Nov 30, 2021 and Sept 27, 2023, 672 patients were randomly allocated to the three test groups (221 to the Quitline group, 225 to the Counselling + SMS group, and 226 to the Counselling + SMS + gum group). 338 (50%) patients reported dual waterpipe and cigarette use. At 6 months, 109 (16%) patients had confirmed abstinence (28 [13%] for Quitline, 40 [18%] for Counselling + SMS, and 41 [18%] for Counselling + SMS + gum). There were no significant differences between intervention groups: Counselling + SMS versus Quitline (odds ratio 1·48, 95% CI 0·78-2·81; p=0·33), Counselling + SMS+ gum versus Quitline (1·64, 0·86-3·11; p=0·17), and Counselling + SMS + gum versus Counselling +SMS (1·11, 0·61-2·00; p=0·91). There were no serious adverse events linked to the study interventions throughout the trial duration. INTERPRETATION:Integrating nurse-delivered cessation treatment and proactive referral to a national Quitline was feasible within the context of HIV care. In the absence of evidence that tailored interventions provide additional benefit, our findings suggest that national Quitlines, available in 42 low-income and middle-income countries, might serve as a resource for integrating tobacco treatment into HIV care systems. FUNDING:US National Cancer Institute.