We describe two new species of the Cyrtodactylus irregularis complex both based on phylogenetic analysis of 654 bp of COImtDNA gene and morphological analyses of voucher specimens from Binh Phuoc and Lam Dong provinces, southern Vietnam.Cyrtodactylus bugiamapensis sp. nov. is described from the monsoon tropical forests of Bu Gia Map National Park, BinhPhuoc Province, and is distinguished from the remaining representatives of the C. irregularis complex by a combination of thefollowing characters: (1) size medium, with a maximum SVL of 76.8 mm; (2) original tail relatively thin, longer than body; (3)presence of enlarged femoral scales without femoral pores; (4) preclocal groove lacking; (5) 36–46 longitudinal rows of ventralscales at midbody; (6) males with 7–11 precloacal pores in an angular continuous series; (7) absence of enlarged subcaudals;(8) dorsal pattern consisting of a dark neck band which can be medially divided, and irregular dark brown spots with brightwhite edges. Cyrtodactylus bidoupimontis sp. nov. is described from mountainous evergreen tropical forests of Bidoup – NuiBa National Park, Lam Dong Province, and is most similar to C. irregularis sensu stricto from which it is distinguished by acombination of the following characters: (1) absence of enlarged, strongly keeled conical tubercles on the dorsal tail-base; (2)presence of flat rounded smooth to weakly keeled dorsal tubercles; (3) pallid dorsal head surface pattern lacking distinct darkbrown irregular spots with light edges; and (4) elongated limbs. Phylogenetic analyses revealed the presence of a number ofcryptic allopatric species within the C. irregularis complex. Long geological history and complicated relief of the Lang Bianplateau and surrounding areas might have shaped the present diversity within the C. irregularis complex. COI DNA-barcoding appears to be a useful tool to reveal cryptic diversity within the genus Cyrtodactylus.

Background aims: Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) are of interest for the treatment of graft-versushost disease, autoimmune diseases, osteoarthritis and neurological and cardiovascular diseases. Increasing numbers of clinical trials emphasize the need for standardized manufacturing of these cells. However, many challenges related to diverse isolation and expansion protocols and differences in cell tissue sources exist. As a result, the cell products used in numerous trials vary greatly in characteristics and potency. Methods: The authors have established a standardized culture platform using xeno-and serum-free commercial media for expansion of MSCs derived from umbilical cord (UC), bone marrow and adipose-derived (AD) and examined their functional characteristics. Results: MSCs from the tested sources stably expanded in vitro and retained their biomarker expression and normal karyotype at early and later passages and after cryopreservation. MSCs were capable of colony formation and successfully differentiated into osteogenic, adipogenic and chondrogenic lineages. Pilot expansion of UC-MSCs and AD-MSCs to clinical scale revealed that the cells met the required quality standard for therapeutic applications. Conclusions: The authors' data suggest that xeno-and serum-free culture conditions are suitable for largescale expansion and enable comparative study of MSCs of different origins. This is of importance for therapeutic purposes, especially because of the numerous variations in pre-clinical and clinical protocols for MSCbased products.

Background Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a severe condition in premature infants that compromises lung function and necessitates oxygen support. Despite major improvements in perinatal care minimizing the devastating effects, BPD remains the most frequent complication of extreme preterm birth. Our study reports the safety of the allogeneic administration of umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (allo-UC-MSCs) and the progression of lung development in four infants with established BPD. Methods UC tissue was collected from a healthy donor, followed by propagation at the Stem Cell Core Facility at Vinmec Research Institute of Stem Cell and Gene Technology. UC-MSC culture was conducted under xeno- and serum-free conditions. Four patients with established BPD were enrolled in this study between May 25, 2018, and December 31, 2018. All four patients received two intravenous doses of allo-UC-MSCs (1 million cells/kg patient body weight (PBW) per dose) with an intervening interval of 7 days. Safety and patient conditions were evaluated during hospitalization and at 7 days and 1, 6 and 12 months postdischarge. Results No intervention-associated severe adverse events or prespecified adverse events were observed in the four patients throughout the study period. At the time of this report, all patients had recovered from BPD and were weaned off of oxygen support. Chest X-rays and CT scans confirmed the progressive reductions in fibrosis. Conclusions Allo-UC-MSC administration is safe in preterm infants with established BPD. Trial registration This preliminary study was approved by the Vinmec International Hospital Ethics Board (approval number: 88/2019/QĐ-VMEC; retrospectively registered March 12, 2019).

Human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (BM-MSCs) represent promising stem cell therapy for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), but the results of autologous BM-MSC administration in T2DM patients are contradictory. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that autologous BM-MSC administration in T2DM patient is safe and that the efficacy of the treatment is dependant on the quality of the autologous BM-MSC population and administration routes. T2DM patients were enrolled, randomly assigned (1:1) by a computer-based system into the intravenous and dorsal pancreatic arterial groups. The safety was assessed in all the treated patients, and the efficacy was evaluated based on the absolute changes in the hemoglobin A1c, fasting blood glucose, and C-peptide levels throughout the 12-month follow-up. Our data indicated that autologous BM-MSC administration was well tolerated in 30 T2DM patients. Short-term therapeutic effects were observed in patients with T2DM duration of <10 years and a body mass index <23, which is in line with the phenotypic analysis of the autologous BM-MSC population. T2DM duration directly altered the proliferation rate of BM-MSCs, abrogated the glycolysis and mitochondria respiration of BM-MSCs, and induced the accumulation of mitochondria DNA mutation. Our data suggest that autologous administration of BM-MSCs in the treatment of T2DM should be performed in patients with T2DM duration <10 years and no obesity. Prior to further confirming the effects of T2DM on BM-MSC biology, future work with a larger cohort focusing on patients with different T2DM history is needed to understand the mechanism underlying our observation.

A small rhacophorid frog from southern Vietnam is placed in the genus Kurixalus through molecular phylogenetic analysis. Because it is divergent genetically and morphologically from all known congeners, we describe it as a distinct species, K. viridescens. The species di ers from the other congeners by an immaculate green dorsum, which is usually maculated gray to brown in the other species. With the addition of this new species, Vietnam now encompasses seven species of Kurixalus, and can be regarded as the center of speciation of this genus.