Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α mediates reflux-induced epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity in Barrett's oesophagus patients.

INTRODUCTION: Epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity (EMP), the process through which epithelial cells acquire mesenchymal features, is needed for wound repair but also might contribute to cancer initiation. Earlier, in vitro studies showed that Barrett's cells exposed to acidic bile salt solutions (ABS) develop EMP. Now, we have (1) induced reflux oesophagitis in Barrett's oesophagus (BO) patients by stopping proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), (2) assessed their biopsies for EMP and (3) explored molecular pathways underlying reflux-induced EMP in BO cells and spheroids. METHODS: 15 BO patients had endoscopy with biopsies of Barrett's metaplasia while on PPIs, and 1 and 2 weeks after stopping PPIs; RNA-seq data were assessed for enrichments in hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs), angiogenesis and EMP pathways. In BO biopsies, cell lines and spheroids, EMP features (motility) and markers (vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), ZEB1, miR-200a&b) were evaluated by morphology, migration assays, immunostaining and qPCR; HIF-1α was knocked down with siRNA or shRNA. RESULTS: At 1 and/or 2 weeks off PPIs, BO biopsies exhibited EMP features and markers, with significant enrichment for HIF-1α, angiogenesis and EMP pathways. In BO cells, ABS induced HIF-1α activation, which decreased miR-200a&b while increasing VEGF, ZEB1 and motility; HIF-1α knockdown blocked these effects. After ABS treatment, BO spheroids exhibited migratory protrusions showing nuclear HIF-1α, increased VEGF and decreased miR-200a&b. CONCLUSIONS: In BO patients, reflux oesophagitis induces EMP changes associated with increased HIF-1α signalling in Barrett's metaplasia. In Barrett's cells, ABS trigger EMP via HIF-1α signalling. Thus, HIF-1α appears to play a key role in mediating reflux-induced EMP that might contribute to cancer in BO. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02579460.

Cu2MoS4 Nanocatalyst-Based Electrochemical Sensor for Ofloxacin Electro-Oxidation: Delineating the Combined Roles of Crystallinity and Morphology on the Analytical Performance.

In this study, we demonstrate the influence of crystallinity and morphology on the analytical performance of various Cu2MoS4 (CMS) nanocatalysts-based electrochemical sensors for the high-efficiency detection of Ofloxacin (OFX) antibiotic. The electrochemical kinetics parameters including peak current response (ΔIp), peak-to-peak separation (ΔEp), electrochemically active surface area (ECSA), electron-transfer resistance (Rct), were obtained through the electrochemical analyses, which indicate the single-crystalline nature of CMS nanomaterials (NMs) is beneficial for enhanced electron-transfer kinetics. The morphological features and the electrochemical results for OFX detection substantiate that by tuning the tube-like to plate-like structures of the CMS NMs, it might noticeably enhance multiple adsorption sites and more intrinsic active catalytic sites due to the diffusion of analytes into the interstitial spaces between CMS nanoplates. As results, highly single-crystalline and plate-shaped morphology structures of CMS NMs would significantly enhance the electrocatalytic OFX oxidation in terms of onset potential (Eonset), Tafel slope, catalytic rate constant (kcat), and adsorption capacity (Γ). The CMS NMs-based electrochemical sensing platform showed excellent analytical performance toward the OFX detection with two ultra-wide linear detection concentration ranges from 0.25-100 and 100-1000 µM, a low detection limit of 0.058 µM, and an excellent electrochemical sensitivity (0.743 µA µM-1 cm-2).

The solitary wasp genus Orancistrocerus from Vietnam, with descriptions of two new species (Hymenoptera, Vespidae, Eumeninae).

New data are presented for the potter wasp genus Orancistrocerus van der Vecht (Eumeninae, Odynerini) occurring in Vietnam. Two species are described as new to science: Orancistrocerusthanhnhatsp. nov. and O.thanghensp. nov.Orancistrocerusaterrimuserythropus van der Vecht is synonymized with Orancistrocerusaterrimusaterrimus (de Saussure); the male genitalia of this species are described for the first time. An updated key is presented to all species of the genus.

Two new earthworm species of the genus Amynthas Kinberg, 1867 (Annelida, Oligochaeta, Megascolecidae) from the Southeast region, Vietnam.

Two new earthworm species, namely Amynthas rarus sp. nov. and Amynthas tayninhensis sp. nov., are described from Tay Ninh Province, southeastern Vietnam. Amynthas rarus sp. nov. is recognized by having male pores in xix, two pairs of spermathecal pores in 6/7/8, and genital markings paired in vii, viii, 18/19, and 19/20. Amynthas tayninhensis sp. nov. is distinguished by having a pair of spermathecal pores in 5/6, numerous genital markings in transverse lines in 17/18 including three surrounding male pores, and spermatheca with fully developed diverticula. The COI fragments are also provided for those two new species.

An Endoscopic Scoring System for Achalasia: The CARS score.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The diagnosis of achalasia is associated with an average delay of two years. Endoscopic features may prompt an earlier diagnosis. We aimed to develop and test a novel endoscopic CARS score for the prediction of achalasia. METHODS: Part 1: Twenty endoscopic videos were taken from patients undergoing endoscopy for dysphagia or reflux. A survey with videos and endoscopic criteria options was distributed to 6 esophagologists and 6 general gastroenterologists. Inter-rater reliability (IRR) was measured and logistic regression was used to evaluate predictive performance. Three rounds of review were conducted to select the final score of four components. PART 2: A retrospective review was conducted for consecutive patients who had comprehensive esophageal testing. Each patient had a CARS endoscopic score calculated based on findings reported at endoscopy. RESULTS: From a video review and analysis of score components, IRR ranged from 0.23 to 0.57 for score components. The final CARS score was selected based on the following four components: Contents, Anatomy, Resistance, and Stasis. In a mixed effects model, the mean score across raters was higher for achalasia compared to non-achalasia subjects (4.44 vs. 0.87, p = < 0.01). In part 2 of the study, achalasia patients had a higher mean CARS score compared to those with no / ineffective motility disorder (mean 4.1 vs 1.3, p = < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: We developed a CARS score based on reliability performance in a video-based survey and tested the score in clinical setting. The CARS score performed well in predicting achalasia.

The millipede family Polydesmidae Leach, 1816 (Diplopoda, Polydesmida) from Vietnam, with a description of a new cavernicolous species.

The millipede family Polydesmidae Leach, 1816 is reviewed in the scope of the Vietnamese fauna. The distribution of the species, Polydesmusvietnamicus Nguyen, 2009 is extended northward to Ha Giang Province. A new cavernicolous polydesmid, Pacidesmustuachuasp. nov., is described from two caves in northwestern Vietnam, representing the first record of the genus from Vietnam. Extensive illustrations and DNA barcodes are provided for both species, a revised key is presented to all 12 species of Pacidesmus Golovatch, 1991, as well as a key to all eight genera of Asian Polydesmidae.

Desilification of phytolith exacerbates the release of arsenic from rice straw.

Arsenic (As) turnover in rice paddy agro-ecosystems has received much attention because As can enter the food chain through its accumulation in rice, thereby affecting human health. Returning straw to soil is a common practice to retain nutrients for soil and crops, but it also cycles As within the rice paddy field ecosystems. However, there is still a lack of detailed understanding of the fate of As in rice straw, and how or to what extent it is recycled back into the soil environment. This study aims to elucidate the relationship between the microstructure of rice straw and the release of As during rice straw decomposition. The microstructure of rice straw was found to comprise both organic and silica (phytolith) components. These two constituents are inter-embedded to form a composite-like structure that contains up to 6.48 mg As Kg-1. The 30-day batch experiments revealed that the biochemical release of As simultaneously depends upon the decomposition of the organic component and the desilicification of the silica component. Accompanying the release of As was the release of other elements such as Fe, Al, P and S. These elements can further interact with As to form less mobile compounds. The introduction of either Trichoderma harzianum or Bacillus velezensis was expected to accelerate the decomposition of rice straw, and enhance the silica dissolution, hence contributing to an increase in the As release. Despite these expectations, our observations showed the opposite effects. Microorganisms presumably have facilitated the change in solution chemistry or the inclusion of As into the newly-formed precipitates. The biochemical decomposition process can reduce straw particle size, while the negatively-charge surface will involve microsized straw particles in the electrostatic interaction, thereby favoring the dispersibility state. Therefore, the co-transport of micro-sized straw particles with As under field conditions should not be neglected.

Frequent discrepancies among diagnostic tests for detecting lower esophageal sphincter-related obstruction.

BACKGROUND: There are frequent discrepancies among high-resolution manometry (HRM), functional lumen imaging probe (FLIP), and esophagram in identifying lower esophageal sphincter (LES)-related obstruction. We aimed to determine the frequency of those discrepancies and how they influenced clinical treatment/outcomes. METHODS: We identified patients who had all three tests (HRM, FLIP, and esophagram) and endoscopy performed for evaluation of esophageal symptoms in our Center for Esophageal Diseases. Discrepancies among the tests for the presence of LES obstruction were noted, and the performance of individual tests was compared against a consensus opinion rendered by a panel of esophagologists. Binary logistical regression was performed, and ROC curves were generated for prediction of the consensus clinical diagnosis of LES obstruction. KEY RESULTS: A total of 126 patients (mean age 57.9 ± 17.0 years; 67% female) met inclusion criteria. All three tests agreed on the presence or absence of LES obstruction in only 72 (57%) patients [no LES obstruction in 57 (45%), LES obstruction in 15 (12%)]. Thirteen patients (10%) had a change in management based on additional findings on FLIP +/- esophagram not seen on HRM with 69% having symptomatic improvement after LES-directed intervention. FLIP was the strongest predictor of a consensus diagnosis of LES obstruction by logistic regression and ROC (OR 23.36, AUC 0.796), followed by HRM (OR 15.41, AUC 0.764). CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCE: High-resolution manometry, functional lumen imaging probe, and esophagram each have considerable limitations for identifying LES obstruction, and discrepancies among these tests occur frequently. Multimodal testing is often required for adequate evaluation of LES-related obstruction.

Fabrication of inverse opal molybdenum sulfide and its use as a catalyst for H2 evolution.

Amorphous molybdenum sulfide (MoSx) and crystalline molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) are attractive noble-metal-free electrocatalysts for the H2 evolution reaction from water. Their actual activities depend on the quantity of active sites which are exposed to the electrolyte, which in turn, is influenced by their specific electrochemical surface area. Herein we report on the fabrication of regular inverse opal MoSx and MoS2 films by employing polystyrene nanoparticles with diameters in the range of 30-90 nm as hard templates. The use of these catalysts for the H2 evolution reaction in an acidic electrolyte solution is also presented. Impacts of the regular porous structure, the film thickness as well as the chemical nature of the catalyst (MoS2versus MoSx) are discussed. It shows a catalytically-effective-thickness of ca. 300 nm where the electrolyte can fully penetrate the catalyst macropores, thus all the catalytic active sites can be exposed to the electrolyte to achieve the maximal catalytic operation.

Sorption of oxytetracycline to microsized colloids under concentrated salt solution: A perspective on terrestrial-to-ocean transfer of antibiotics.

The sorption of antibiotics on soil minerals and their cotransport have been widely studied for the past few years; however, these processes in concentrated salt solutions (estuary-like conditions) are not fully understood. This study aims to determine the possible sorption of oxytetracycline (OTC) on various natural and synthesized microsized minerals (including haematite, goethite, kaolinite, bentonite, lateritic, kaolinitic and illitic soil clays) under conditions mimicking pure, fresh, brackish and sea waters. The sorption of OTC was found to decrease in surface charge (herein zeta potential), hence altering the colloidal properties of the materials used. The sorption capacities of soil clays for OTC follow the inequality illitic soil clay > kaolinitic soil clay > lateritic soil clay, and the sorption capacities were found to decrease at higher salt concentrations. Seawater can intensify the release of the sorbed OTC from soil clay surfaces while favouring the coaggregation of the remaining OTC with soil clays. This implies that the long-range transport of OTC or other similar antibiotics can be governed by the mineralogical composition/properties of the suspended particles. More importantly, increasing salt concentrations in estuaries may form a chemical barrier at which limited amounts of OTC/antibiotics can pass through, while the remaining OTC/antibiotics can be favoured to aggregate simultaneously with suspended mineral particles.

The potter wasp genus Allorhynchium from Vietnam, with descriptions of three new species and a new country record (Hymenoptera, Vespidae, Eumeninae).

Species of the potter wasp genus Allorhynchium van der Vecht (Eumeninae: Odynerini) occurring in Vietnam are presented. Seven species have been recorded from Vietnam. Of them, three species are described as new to science: Allorhynchiumlatum Nguyen, Tran & MT Nguyen, sp. nov., A.moerum Nguyen & AD Nguyen, sp. nov., and A.setosum Nguyen & Engel, sp. nov., and one species, A.argentatum (Fabricius, 1804), is recorded from Vietnam for the first time. An updated key to the Oriental species of the genus is presented.

[Mo2 S12 ]2- Complex as a Precursor for In-situ Generation of Molybdenum Sulfide Catalyst During the H2 Evolution.

For decades, the sulfido molybdenum complexes like [MoS4 ]2- , [Mo2 S12 ]2- , [Mo3 S13 ]2- have gained great attention because of their chemical versatility as well as their structural similarity to the edge-plan of the molybdenum disulfide (MoS2 ) which shows promising catalytic ability for the H2 generation. In this work, we report on the investigation of the dinuclear complex [Mo2 S12 ]2- in both organic and aqueous solution. We demonstrate that [Mo2 S12 ]2- is not intact during the H2 evolution catalysis when it is assayed as a homogeneous catalyst in an electrolyte solution (e. g. in DMF or water solvent) nor when it is immobilized on an electrode surface (e. g. mesoporous carbon black). It transforms into the polymeric amorphous molybdenum sulfide [MoS] which subsequently acts as an actual catalyst. We discuss on the possible [Mo2 S12 ]2- to [MoS] transformation mechanism by employing an arsenal of electrochemical analysis, spectroscopic analyses and microscopic analyses. Effects of the electrochemical operating conditions to the [Mo2 S12 ]2- to [MoS] transformation as well as to the chemical nature and the catalytic performance of the [MoS] product are also emphasized.

A new species of Paracortina from a Vietnamese cave, with remarkable secondary sexual characters in males (Callipodida, Paracortinidae).

A new millipede species, Paracortinakyrangsp. nov., is described from a cave in Cao Bang Province, northern Vietnam. The new species is diagnosed by having an extraordinarily long projection on the head of males, reduced eyes, a gonocoxite with two processes, a long and slender gonotelopodite with two long, clavate prefemoroidal processes densely covered with long macrosetae apically, and with a distal, reverse, short spine on mesal side, and a rather sinuous distal part of the telopodite. This is the third species of the genus that is known from Vietnam. A brief comparison of some secondary sexual characters is made.

First record of the genus Touranella Attems, 1937 (Diplopoda, Polydesmida, Paradoxosomatidae) from Laos, with a description of a new species.

The paradoxosomatid genus Touranella Attems, 1937 is recorded from Laos for the first time, with a new species, Touranellachampasaksp. nov., described here. The taxonomy of the genus is discussed, an identification key is provided, and the current distribution of all species is mapped.

A review of Vietnamese Scolopocryptops Newport, 1844 (Chilopoda: Scolopendromorpha), with a description of S. hoanglieni n. sp. and the updated generic list of species.

The Vietnamese fauna of the genus Scolopocryptops Newport, 1844 was reviewed based on recently collected specimens and material from Zoological Museum of the Moscow Lomonosov State University (ZMMU) and Naturhistorisches Museum Wien (NHMW). As a result of study of 164 specimens from 13 sampling regions, four species have been recognized, of which S. rubiginosus C.L. Koch, 1878 and S. spinicaudus Wood, 1862 already reported from Vietnam, S. hoanglieni described as n. sp., and S. capillipedatus (Takakuwa, 1938) for the first time recorded for this country. S. broelemanni esulcata Attems, 1938 was redescribed and confirmed as a valid. The COI fragments were obtained for the above mentioned species and the K2P genetic divergence between Vietnamese Scolopocryptops species was preliminarily estimated. New data on intraspecific variations of spiracle number in Scolopocryptops, an identification key for East Asian species and the general list of species of Scolopocryptops are provided.

A revision of the Metaphire peguana species-group (Oligochaeta: Megascolecidae) from Vietnam.

The Metaphire peguana species-group was revised from the earthworm fauna of Vietnam. As a result, a total of seven species/subspecies have been assigned to this species-gro+up, namely M. peguana peguana (Rosa, 1890), M. peguana laisonensis Nguyen & Nguyen, 2017, M. bahli (Gates, 1945), M. doiphamon Bantaowong & Panha, 2016, M. dorsomultitheca Nguyen & Nguyen, 2015, M. kiengiangensis Nguyen & Trinh, 2015, and M. nhuongi Nguyen, 2016. The species, M. pacseana (Thai & Samphon, 1988) was removed from the group. The species-group was diagnosed by having spermathecal pores in 6/7/8/9, sometimes 5/6/7/8/9 or 7/8/9; bithecate or polythecate; genital markings paired in 17/18 and 18/19 or in xvii and xix; accessory glands paired, coelomic, strongly covered by muscular-walled bursae; septum 10/11 only present ventrally; and intestinal caeca simple. The K2P genetic distances between the group members varies from 12.9% to 20.7%. The phylogenetic analysis clearly supports the members of this species-group.

Gastric Ectopic Pancreas With Pseudocyst Formation Causing Gastric Outlet Obstruction.

Ectopic pancreas is a rare entity referring to the presence of pancreatic tissue at an anatomic location distinct from the pancreas. Ectopic pancreatic lesions in the stomach present a diagnostic challenge because the lack of distinguishing imaging and endoscopic features make them difficult to differentiate from other types of submucosal lesions. We report a case of ectopic pancreas presenting as a gastric antral mass with a unique combination of rare complications: chronic pancreatitis and pseudocyst formation causing gastric outlet obstruction. This case highlights complications that can occur from ectopic pancreatic lesions and the challenges of diagnosing ectopic pancreas.