Single-cell 'omic profiles of human aortic endothelial cells in vitro and human atherosclerotic lesions ex vivo reveal heterogeneity of endothelial subtype and response to activating perturbations.

Heterogeneity in endothelial cell (EC) sub-phenotypes is becoming increasingly appreciated in atherosclerosis progression. Still, studies quantifying EC heterogeneity across whole transcriptomes and epigenomes in both in vitro and in vivo models are lacking. Multiomic profiling concurrently measuring transcriptomes and accessible chromatin in the same single cells was performed on six distinct primary cultures of human aortic ECs (HAECs) exposed to activating environments characteristic of the atherosclerotic microenvironment in vitro. Meta-analysis of single-cell transcriptomes across 17 human ex vivo arterial specimens was performed and two computational approaches quantitatively evaluated the similarity in molecular profiles between heterogeneous in vitro and ex vivo cell profiles. HAEC cultures were reproducibly populated by four major clusters with distinct pathway enrichment profiles and modest heterogeneous responses: EC1-angiogenic, EC2-proliferative, EC3-activated/mesenchymal-like, and EC4-mesenchymal. Quantitative comparisons between in vitro and ex vivo transcriptomes confirmed EC1 and EC2 as most canonically EC-like, and EC4 as most mesenchymal with minimal effects elicited by siERG and IL1B. Lastly, accessible chromatin regions unique to EC2 and EC4 were most enriched for coronary artery disease (CAD)-associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms from Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS), suggesting that these cell phenotypes harbor CAD-modulating mechanisms. Primary EC cultures contain markedly heterogeneous cell subtypes defined by their molecular profiles. Surprisingly, the perturbations used here only modestly shifted cells between subpopulations, suggesting relatively stable molecular phenotypes in culture. Identifying consistently heterogeneous EC subpopulations between in vitro and ex vivo models should pave the way for improving in vitro systems while enabling the mechanisms governing heterogeneous cell state decisions.

Single cell 'omic profiles of human aortic endothelial cells in vitro and human atherosclerotic lesions ex vivo reveals heterogeneity of endothelial subtype and response to activating perturbations.

Objective: Endothelial cells (ECs), macrophages, and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are major cell types in atherosclerosis progression, and heterogeneity in EC sub-phenotypes are becoming increasingly appreciated. Still, studies quantifying EC heterogeneity across whole transcriptomes and epigenomes in both in vitro and in vivo models are lacking. Approach and Results: To create an in vitro dataset to study human EC heterogeneity, multiomic profiling concurrently measuring transcriptomes and accessible chromatin in the same single cells was performed on six distinct primary cultures of human aortic ECs (HAECs). To model pro-inflammatory and activating environments characteristic of the atherosclerotic microenvironment in vitro, HAECs from at least three donors were exposed to three distinct perturbations with their respective controls: transforming growth factor beta-2 (TGFB2), interleukin-1 beta (IL1B), and siRNA-mediated knock-down of the endothelial transcription factor ERG (siERG). To form a comprehensive in vivo/ex vivo dataset of human atherosclerotic cell types, meta-analysis of single cell transcriptomes across 17 human arterial specimens was performed. Two computational approaches quantitatively evaluated the similarity in molecular profiles between heterogeneous in vitro and in vivo cell profiles. HAEC cultures were reproducibly populated by 4 major clusters with distinct pathway enrichment profiles: EC1-angiogenic, EC2-proliferative, EC3-activated/mesenchymal-like, and EC4-mesenchymal. Exposure to siERG, IL1B or TGFB2 elicited mostly distinct transcriptional and accessible chromatin responses. EC1 and EC2, the most canonically 'healthy' EC populations, were affected predominantly by siERG; the activated cluster EC3 was most responsive to IL1B; and the mesenchymal population EC4 was most affected by TGFB2. Quantitative comparisons between in vitro and in vivo transcriptomes confirmed EC1 and EC2 as most canonically EC-like, and EC4 as most mesenchymal with minimal effects elicited by siERG and IL1B. Lastly, accessible chromatin regions unique to EC2 and EC4 were most enriched for coronary artery disease (CAD)-associated SNPs from GWAS, suggesting these cell phenotypes harbor CAD-modulating mechanisms. Conclusion: Primary EC cultures contain markedly heterogeneous cell subtypes defined by their molecular profiles. Surprisingly, the perturbations used here, which have been reported by others to be involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis as well as induce endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT), only modestly shifted cells between subpopulations, suggesting relatively stable molecular phenotypes in culture. Identifying consistently heterogeneous EC subpopulations between in vitro and in vivo models should pave the way for improving in vitro systems while enabling the mechanisms governing heterogeneous cell state decisions.

Two new Drawida (Oligochaeta, Moniligastridae) earthworms from Vietnam.

Two new earthworm species are described, namely Drawidaangiang sp. nov. and Drawidacochinchina sp. nov. The former can be recognized by having male pores on spiniform penises in intersegment 10/11, an erect and sac-shaped spermathecal atrium, glandular prostate, the capsule coiled one round, the vas deferens strongly coiled but small, two large, round, genital markings on segments ix-x, and three gizzards in xiii-xv. The latter species is distinguished in having the male pores placed on highly elevated, backwardly directed, conical penises in 10/11, a slender spermathecal atrium, a glandular prostate, a somewhat folded capsule, the vas deferens strongly coiled as a bunch and equal size to the testis sacs, a pair of genital markings located closely anterior to the penises with 1-3 additional ones in xi-xii, and three or four gizzards in xiii-xvi. The DNA barcode fragment of the COI gene was extracted for each species, and the COI genetic distances and phylogenetic analysis also supported two new species..

Four new species of Amynthas earthworms in southeastern Vietnam (Annelida, Oligochaeta, Megascolecidae).

Four new earthworm species of the genus Amynthas Kinberg, 1867 are described from southeastern Vietnam, named A. longiprostaticus sp. nov., A. dorsomorrioides sp. nov., A. minhdam sp. nov., and A. ocularius sp. nov. A. longiprostaticus sp. nov. belongs to the A. minimus group of species, characterized by spermathecal pores in 5/6. It is distinguished by small body size with length 5-7 cm, and by elongate prostate glands, which extend over more than 10 segments. A. dorsomorrioides sp. nov. belongs to the A. morrisi group, characterized by holandry and spermathecal pores in 5/6/7. It is distinguished by a dorsal location of these pores, by one pair of large genital markings presetal in xvii, and by the absence of genital markings in the spermathecal region. A. minhdam sp. nov. also belongs to the A. morrisi group, and is distinguished by a pair of genital markings located medially in xviii and by the spermathecal diverticula, which have a small seminal chamber sub-divided by constrictions into 4 or 5 parts, in chain-form. A. ocularius sp. nov. belongs to the A. gracilis group by virtue of holandry and spermathecal pores in 5/6/7/8. It is distinguished by numerous small genital markings in the male region, postsetal in xviii and presetal in xix, and arranged in a peculiar fashion reminiscent of eyeglasses connected by a bridge. With these descriptions, there are now 119 species of Amynthas known in Vietnam.

A review and notes on the phylogenetic relationship of the centipede genus Otostigmus Porat, 1876 (Chilopoda: Scolopendromorpha: Scolopendridae) from Vietnam.

The genus Otostigmus Porat, 1876 is reviewed based on recent material collected from parts of Vietnam. A total of nine species are documented and imaged. The phylogeny of the genus Otostigmus is analyzed based on a 603-bp dataset of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. The average K2P genetic distance between Otostigmus species is 19%, and eight of nine species are considered to be monophyletic, except O. amballae. The phylogenetic relationship between Otostigmus species necessitates a deeper study with more samples and genetic data. In addition, an identification key to all Otostigmus species is provided for the fauna of Vietnam.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal inoculation and soil zinc fertilisation affect the productivity and the bioavailability of zinc and iron in durum wheat.

There is a growing recognition of the role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in food security, specifically the potential for AMF to enhance the yield and mineral nutrition-including phosphorus, zinc (Zn), and iron (Fe)-of food crops. However, the bioavailability of Zn and Fe for humans in the grain of cereal crops can be overestimated by failing to consider the abundance of phytic acid (PA). This is because PA can chelate the micronutrients, making them difficult to absorb. In order to understand the effect of an AM fungus and soil Zn concentration on the productivity and nutritional quality of food parts, this study examined the growth and nutritional responses of durum wheat, with and without inoculation with Rhizophagus irregularis, at five soil Zn concentrations. Growth and nutrient responses of the plants to soil Zn amendment was stronger than responses to AMF. However, the protective effect of AMF under soil Zn toxicity conditions was observed as reduced Zn concentration in the mycorrhizal durum wheat grain at Zn50. Here, AMF inoculation increased the concentration of PA in durum wheat grain but had no effect on the concentration of Zn and Fe; this consequently reduced the predicted bioavailability of grain Zn and Fe, which could lead to a decrease in nutritional quality of the grain. This research suggests that in soil with low (available) phosphorus and Zn concentrations, AMF may reduce the food quality of durum wheat because of an increase in PA concentration, and thus, a decrease in the bioavailability of Zn and Fe.

Impact of an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus on the growth and nutrition of fifteen crop and pasture plant species.

The formation of arbuscular mycorrhizas (AM) can result in positive, neutral or negative responses in the growth and mineral nutrition of host plants, particularly that of P, Zn and other micronutrients. This study examined the growth and nutritional responses of 15 agriculturally important plant species, including cereals, legumes and vegetables, with and without inoculation with the AM fungus (AMF) Rhizophagus irregularis. Furthermore, we explored whether the responses differed between different functional groups of plants such as monocots and dicots, C3 and C4 plants, and N-fixing and non-N-fixing plants. We found that that mycorrhizal colonisation of roots, plant growth and plant nutrient responses differed between plant species. Among the species analysed, leek (Allium ampeloprasum L. var. porrum) was the most mycorrhiza-responsive, displaying the highest mycorrhizal colonisation and biomass response, and the greatest increases in most mineral nutrients. In other plant species, the concentration of P, Cu, Zn and S were generally enhanced by inoculation with AMF. Furthermore, ionomes differed more greatly between plant species than in response to inoculation with AMF. This research further improves our understanding of the responses of different and diverse plant species to the formation of AM in terms of growth and ionomics under standardised growth conditions. The results of this study may be used in further studies and to inform agricultural practices.

First record of the millipede genus Nesorthomorpha Jeekel, 1980 in Vietnam with description of a new species (Diplopoda, Polydesmida, Paradoxosomatidae).

The genus Nesorthomorpha Jeekel, 1980 is recorded in Vietnam for the first time based on the discovery of the new species Nesorthomorpha montana n. sp. from the Highlands of Vietnam. An identification key to the new and 8 previously known Nesorthomorpha species is also provided. The relationship between the new species and 9 other species of 5 genera of the tribe Orthomorphini was analyzed using a 500 base pair fragment of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene. The result indicates that the new species appears to be closely related to the genus Orthomorpha.

A comprehensive checklist of earthworm species and subspecies from Vietnam (Annelida: Clitellata: Oligochaeta: Almidae, Eudrilidae, Glossoscolecidae, Lumbricidae, Megascolecidae, Moniligastridae, Ocnerodrilidae, Octochaetidae).

The comprehensive checklist of earthworms in Vietnam is presented here listing 24 genera and 212 species arranged in eight families. For each species, bibliographic citations are given, including the original descriptions as well as notable citations affecting taxonomic status or distributional reports of a species. Distributions of each species are also provided. The bibliography contains all relevant papers for Vietnamese earthworms. Of 212 species, 114 have been recorded only in Vietnam, and 25 are cosmopolitan. New combinations are made for Amynthas acalifornicus (Do & Huynh, 1991) comb. nov., A. binhgiaensis (Le, 1994) comb. nov., Metaphire catbaensis (Thai & Le, 1993) comb. nov., M. khoii (Do & Tran, 1994) comb. nov., M. phaluongana (Do & Huynh, 1992) comb. nov., and M. mangophila (Nguyen, 2011) comb. nov., M. tripidoporophoratus (Thai & Nguyen, 1993) comb. nov. Additionally, Pheretima paraalexandri Nguyen, 2011 is treated as a junior synonym of Amynthas polychaetiferus (Thai, 1984).

Three new earthworm species of the genus Polypheretima Michaelsen, 1934 (Oligochaeta: Megascolecidae) from Vietnam.

The paper provides descriptions of three new species of the earthworm genus Polypheretima Michaelsen, 1934 from Dong Nai Province, South Vietnam. They are named Po. cattienensis sp. nov., Po. militium sp. nov., and Po. cordata sp. nov.. All three species are characterized by spermathecal pores in 5/6/7 and the absence of genital markings. Po. cattienensis sp. nov. is distinguished by paired spermathecal pores and seven spermathecae per porus. Po. militium sp. nov. is diagnosed by paired spermathecal pores and a variable number of spermathecae, 21-40 altogether, with 7-17 in 5/6 and 11-23 in 6/7. Po. cordata sp. nov. is recognized by one pair of spermathecal pores in 5/6 and two in 6/7, by only one spermatheca per porus, and by a heart-shaped spermathecal ampulla. 

Earthworms of the 'acaecate' Pheretima group in Vietnam (Oligochaeta: Megascolecidae), with description of a new species from the Mekong delta.

The 'acaecate' Pheretima group from Vietnam is revised, with description of a new species, Polypheretima mekongmontis sp. nov. A total of 18 species of three genera, Metapheretima Michaelsen, 1928, Planapheretima Michaelsen, 1934, and Polypheretima Michaelsen, 1934 has been recorded from Vietnam. Caecate species of Planapheretima are included here as well. Planapheretima arboricola (Rosa, 1890), Pl. lacertina (Chen, 1946), Pl. tenebrica (Chen, 1946), Polypheretima elongata (Perrier, 1872), and Po. taprobanae (Beddard, 1892) are originally recorded from other countries; all remaining species are native to Vietnam. The species Polypheretima tani (Thai, 1996) and Po. tiencanhensis (Pham, 1995) are transferred to the genus Metapheretima. A key to species and distribution maps are also presented.

An annotated checklist of centipedes (Chilopoda) of Vietnam.

The centipede fauna of Vietnam is reviewed from the literature. A total of 71 species in 26 genera, 13 families in four orders, Scolopendromorpha, Geophilomorpha, Lithobiomorpha and Scutigeromorpha, has been recorded from Vietnam. Four genera, Tonkinodentus, Alluropus, Anopsobiella and Megalacrus, are monotypic; and twenty-two species and subspecies are known only from Vietnam. Distribution data for each species is provided here to promote further studies on the centipede fauna of Vietnam.