Prevalence and Risk Factors of Mortality in Emphysematous Pyelonephritis Patients: A Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Emphysematous pyelonephritis (EP) is a severe necrotizing infection of the renal parenchyma which is associated with significant case mortality. We sought to identify the incidence and predictive risk factors associated with EP mortality. METHODS: Two electronic databases, PubMed and Web of Science, were searched from their inception until June 06, 2021 for relevant articles. Two independent teams reviewed abstracts and extracted data from the selected manuscripts. A meta-analysis has been reported in line with PRISMA 2020 and AMSTAR Guidelines. RESULTS: Of the 1080 retrieved abstracts, 79 underwent full-text review and 45 studies were included in the final analysis, comprising a total cohort of 1303 patients and 177 mortalities. The pooled prevalence of mortality among the patients with EP disease was 13%. Our analysis found a significantly decreasing trend in mortality rates, an increasing trend in minimally invasive intervention and decreasing trends in emergency nephrectomy in the EP studies from 1985 to 2020. Significant risk factors that were associated with a negative impact on survival of EP patients included sepsis (OR = 15.99), shock (OR = 15.57), disturbance of consciousness (OR = 12.11), thrombocytopenia (OR 7.85), acute renal failure (OR = 5.41), Wan classification I (OR = 4.57), emergency nephrectomy (OR = 3.73), Huang-Tseng classification III-IV (OR = 2.4) and medical management alone (OR = 2.04). Female sex (OR = 0.52) and minimally invasive intervention (OR = 0.47) (percutaneous nephrostomy or ureteral stent placement) were associated with decreased mortality rates. CONCLUSIONS: Our study results demonstrated several significant risk factors that could help guide treatment to reduce the mortality risk of EP patients. Clinically, early treatment with a combination of minimally invasive intervention and appropriate medical management may be protective for reducing mortality risk in EP patients.

Fibrous Dysplasia of the Parietal Bone with Focal Motor Seizures: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND Monostotic fibrous dysplasia is a benign proliferation of fibrous and osseous tissues that expand medullary bone to cause symptoms due to compression of adjacent organs and anatomical structures. Focal seizures are rarely the first sign of this kind of lesion. This report describes a young female patient with left-sided focal motor seizures associated with fibrous dysplasia presenting as a mass in the right parietal bone. CASE REPORT An 18-year-old female student with left-sided focal motor seizures presented with a mass in the right parietal bone. Computed tomography revealed an expansile mixed-density lesion on the right parietal bone, a relatively homogeneous ground-glass appearance in the outer circumferential portion, and a lucent eccentric area with thinned but sclerotic borders. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a homogeneously hypointense signal on T1WI, a small hyperintense signal on T2WI, and avid enhancement signal intensity on post-contrast T1. Electroencephalogram showed inter-ictal epileptiform activities derived from the right fronto-central lobe. Surgical en bloc resection with a margin of normal bone and cranioplasty were performed. Histopathology showed features indicative of fibrous dysplasia, including osteoid trabeculae arranged haphazardly in a dense fibroblastic stroma, irregular trabeculae lacking conspicuous osteoblastic rimming, and intervening fibrous stroma containing cytologically bland spindle cells. The patient achieved seizure control and has remained neurologically intact. CONCLUSIONS This report has highlighted the importance of early diagnosis of fibrous dysplasia of bone to exclude primary bone malignancy or bone metastasis, to ensure rapid management and symptom control.

A new species of the Cyrtodactyluschauquangensis species group (Squamata, Gekkonidae) from Lao Cai Province, Vietnam.

We describe a new species of the genus Cyrtodactylus based on five adult specimens from Bac Ha District, Lao Cai Province, northern Vietnam. Cyrtodactyluslucisp. nov. is distinguished from the remaining Indochinese bent-toed geckos by a combination of the following morphological characteristics: medium size (SVL up to 89.5 mm); dorsal tubercles in 17-19 irregular transverse rows; ventral scales in 32-34 longitudinal rows at midbody; precloacal pores present in both sexes, 9 or 10 in males, 8 or 9 in females; 12-15 enlarged femoral scales on each thigh; femoral pores 9-12 in males, 5-10 in females; postcloacal tubercles 2-4; lamellae under toe IV 21-23; dorsal pattern consisting of 5 or 6 irregular dark bands, a thin neckband without V-shape or triangle shape in the middle, top of head with dark brown blotches; subcaudal scales transversely enlarged. Molecular phylogenetic analyses recovered the new species as the sister taxon to C.gulinqingensis from Yunnan Province, China, with strong support from all analyses and the two taxa are separated by approximately 8.87-9.22% genetic divergence based on a fragment of the mitochondrial ND2 gene. This is the first representative of Cyrtodactylus known from Lao Cai Province.

Increase in human immunodeficiency virus and syphilis prevalence and incidence among men who have sex with men, vietnam 2015 - 2020.

INTRODUCTION: We assessed trends in HIV and syphilis prevalence, HIV incidence, related risk factors, and preventive behaviors among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Vietnam from 2015 to 2020. METHODS: Data originated from the HIV Sentinel Surveillance Plus system, which sampled MSM at venues and hotspots in seven of Vietnam's 63 provinces in 2015, 2016, 2018, and 2020 (N = 1100-1445 per year; ∼150-300 per province per year). RESULTS: HIV prevalence estimates increased from 6.6% (95% CI 4.5-9.6) in 2015 to 13.8% (95% CI 10.5-18.2, p = .001 for trend) in 2020 overall, and separately in An Giang, Can Tho, Hai Phong, and Khanh Hoa provinces but not in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, or Kien Giang. Syphilis prevalence increased from 2.7% (95% CI 1.4-5.1) in 2015 to 12.6% (95% CI 8.7-18.0) in 2020 overall (p < .001 for trend), and separately in An Giang, Can Tho, and Hai Phong provinces but not in Ho Chi Minh City or Kien Giang. We calculated time-at-risk from first anal sex to first HIV-positive or last HIV-negative test to estimate HIV incidence. Estimated HIV incidence suggested increasing rates of seroconversion from 1.36 per 100 person-years experienced by participants in 2015 to 2.61 per 100 person-years among participants in 2020 (hazard ratio per year 1.13, 95% CI 1.08-1.18, p < .001). There was a statistically significant increase in HIV testing, STI testing, and receipt of free condoms over the period (p < .05 for trend), and a statistically significant decrease in amphetamine use (p = .043 for trend). CONCLUSIONS: Despite prevention efforts and improvements in some risk indicators, consecutive cross-sectional sampling results provide evidence of increasing incidence of HIV and syphilis among MSM in Vietnam, especially outside the major cities. Aggressive HIV prevention and treatment services can be expanded while conducting deeper investigations into the causes of these increases.

A new species of Cyrtodactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Phu Yen Province, Vietnam.

We describe a new species of the genus Cyrtodactylus based on six adult specimens from Lac Dao forests, Phu Yen Province, southern Vietnam. Cyrtodactylus tayhoaensis sp. nov. is distinguished from the remaining Indochinese bent-toed geckos by a combination of the following characters: medium size (SVL up to 94.2 mm); nasal scales 5-6; internasal single or double; ciliaria 29-34; dorsal tubercles in 20-22 irregular transverse rows; ventral scale in 37-41 longitudinal rows at midbody; ventrolateral folds present without interspersed tubercles; precloacal pores absent in females, precloacal pores 4 or 5 in males; 10 or 11 enlarged femoral scales on each thigh; femoral pores 3-7 in males, absent in females; postcloacal tubercles 3 or 4; lamellae under toe IV 22-24; dorsal pattern consisting of unclear transverse bands formed by irregularly shaped dark-brown blotches, a discontinuous neckband with V-shape or triangle shape in the middle, dorsal head surface with dark-brown blotches; subcaudal scales transversely enlarged. In the phylogenetic analyses, the new species is recovered as a sister taxon to C. kingsadai with approximately 4% genetic divergence between the two species based on a fragment of the COI gene. This is the second species of Cyrtodactylus known from Phu Yen Province located in southern Vietnam.

Achalinus quangi, a new odd-scaled snake species from Vietnam.

Based on morphological and molecular analyses, we herein describe a new species of Achalinus from northern Vietnam. Achalinus quangi sp. nov. differs from its sister taxon, A. emilyae, and other members of the genus Achalinus by at least 4% in terms of genetic divergence based on fragments of the mitochondrial COI and Cytb genes and a combination of the following morphological characters: (1) maxillary teeth 27-29; (2) suture between the internasals distinctly longer than that between the prefrontals; (3) loreal not fused with prefrontal, extending from the nasal to the eye; (4) supralabials six; (5) infralabials five; (6) postocular absent, temporals 2+2, only the upper one in broad contact with eye; (7) dorsal scales in 25(23)-23-23(21) rows, keeled; (8) ventrals 139-141 in males, 141-154 in females; (9) subcaudals 75-84 in males, 69 in the female, all unpaired; (10) cloacal entire; (11) dorsum reddish brown to brown. Achalinus quangi sp. nov. consists of two subclades, the first one occurring on the northern side of the Da River in Son La and Tuyen Quang provinces and another subclade found on the southern side in Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, and Ha Tinh provinces. These two subclades are separated from each other by 1.8 to 2.3% genetic divergence and are slightly differing in ventral scalation.

Single-port and multiport robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: A meta-analysis.

Objective: To compare the perioperative, oncological, and functional outcomes between single-port robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (SP-RARP) and multiport robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (MP-RARP) via a meta-analysis. Methods: For relevant articles, three electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, were searched from their inception until January 15, 2022. A meta-analysis has been reported in line with PRISMA 2020 and AMSTAR Guidelines. The risk ratio and weighted mean difference (MD) were applied for the comparison of dichotomous and continuous variables with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: Of the 368 retrieved abstracts, 41 underwent full-text review, and seven studies were included in the final analysis, comprising a total cohort of 1,934 cases of RARP (355 SP-RARP cases and 1,579 MP-RARP cases). Compared to MP-RARP, the SP-RARP group had less postoperative pain score (MD = -0.7, 95% CI -1 to -0.4, P<0.001), morphine milligram equivalents usage (MD = -3.8, 95% CI -7.5 to -0.1, P=0.04), hospital stay (MD = -1, 95% CI -1.8 to -0.1, P=0.019), and urinary catheterization time (MD = -1.1, 95% CI -1.9 to -0.3, P=0.008). However, the SP-RARP group had a longer console time than the MP-RARP group (MD = 5.3, 95% CI 2.6 to 7.9, P<0.001). Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that early results were mostly equivalent with the single-port approach. This technology may help to reduce the hospital stay and postoperative pain for patients undergoing radical prostatectomy compared to MP-RARP, without compromising the functional and early oncological outcomes.

How many more species are out there? Current taxonomy substantially underestimates the diversity of bent-toed geckos (Gekkonidae, Cyrtodactylus) in Laos and Vietnam.

Cyrtodactylus is the most diverse genus of the family Gekkonidae and the world's third largest vertebrate genus. The number of species has increased more than fourfold over the last two decades. Indochina, especially Vietnam and Laos, has witnessed a surge in new species discoveries over the last three decades. The species number reported from Laos and Vietnam has remarkably increased from five in 1997 to 71 species in 2021. However, within the genus, several taxonomic issues have not yet been fully resolved. Based on recently collected samples from Laos and Vietnam, we conducted a comprehensive molecular review of Cyrtodactylus occurring in Laos and Vietnam. Our molecular analysis with support from morphological comparisons showed that C.thuongae is a junior synonym of C.dati and C.rufford is a junior synonym of C.lomyenensis. In total, 68 described species distributed in Laos and Vietnam are undisputed with strong support from both molecular and morphological evidence. On the other hand, the molecular analyses revealed that there are at least seven undescribed species in Vietnam and Laos, one in the C.angularis group, one in the C.chauquangensis, and five in the C.irregularis group. This number will likely increase significantly, as previous work suggested that the C.angularis and C.irregularis groups harbor three and six unnamed lineages, respectively. Based on survey gaps identified in our study, it is clear that additional new species will be discovered in poorly studied regions of central Vietnam and northern and southern Laos. As many species in the genus are facing high extinction risks, several undescribed populations might already be severely threatened by human activities in both countries. Therefore, urgent taxonomic research is needed before conservation assessments of newly discovered taxa can be undertaken to protect them from anthropogenic threats.

A new species of Dixonius (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Vientiane Capital, Laos.

A new species of the gekkonid genus Dixonius is described from Huaysorn-Huaysua village, Nasaithong District, Vientiane Capital, Laos. The new species can be distinguished from all other species by a combination of the following characters: maximum SVL 47.1 mm; 1921 longitudinal rows of dorsal tubercles at midbody; 2326 longitudinal rows of ventrals across the abdomen; 7 or 8 supralabials, 6 in mid-orbital position; 5 or 6 infralabials; 5 or 6 precloacal pores in males, femoral pores lacking; precloacal and femoral pores absent in females; a canthal stripe running from rostrum through the eye and terminating at back of head; dorsum brown with irregular dark marks. In phylogenetic analyses, the species is recovered as the sister taxon to D. siamensis, which occurs in Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam. Genetically, the two species are approximately 9.4% divergent from each other based on the complete mitochondrial ND2 gene with six partial or complete adjacent tRNAs. It is the 12th species known in the genus Dixonius and the second Dixonius species described from Laos.

A new species of Cyrtodactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Ninh Thuan Province, southern Vietnam.

A new species of the Cyrtodactylus irregularis group is described from Ninh Thuan Province, southern Vietnam based on molecular divergence and morphological differences. Cyrtodactylus orlovi sp. nov. is distinguished from the remaining Indochinese bent-toed geckos by having the unique combination of the following characters: size medium (SVL 61.077.7 mm); dorsal tubercles in 1620 irregular rows; 3639 ventral scale rows; precloacal pores absent in females, 5 or 6 in males, in a continuous row; femoral pores absent; 38 enlarged femoral scales; postcloacal spurs 1 or 2; lamellae under toe IV 1619; a continuous neckband; a highly irregular transverse banded dorsal pattern; the absence of transversely enlarged median subcaudal scales. In phylogenetic analyses, the new species was revealed to be the sister taxon to a clade consisting of Cyrtodactylus cattienensis and the most recently described species from Vietnam, C. chungi, with 12.112.4% and 11.7 % pairwise genetic divergence from the two species, respectively, based on a fragment of the mitochondrial COI gene.

A new species of the Gekko japonicus group (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Khammouane Province, central Laos.

A new species of the Gekko (Japonigekko) japonicus group from Khammouane Province, central Laos is described based on morphological characters and molecular evidence. Morphologically, Gekko khunkhamensis sp. nov. can be distinguished from the remaining congeners by a combination of the following characters: size moderate (SVL 69.775.2 mm); nares in contact with rostral; internasals absent; postmentals enlarged; interorbital scales between anterior corners of the eyes 31 or 32; dorsal tubercles absent; ventrals between mental and cloacal slit 181185; midbody scales 127138; ventral scales 4245; subdigital lamellae on first toe 13 or 14, on fourth toe 14 or 15; tubercles on upper surface of fore and hind limbs absent; precloacal pores absent in the male and females; postcloacal tubercles 2; tubercles absent on dorsal surface of tail base; subcaudals distinctly enlarged; dorsal surface of body with five dark grey bands, which become irregular posteriorly. Genetically, the new species is placed in a clade, consisting of G. bonkowskii, G. nadenensis, G. scientiadventura, G. sengchanthavongi, and G. thakhekensis and differs from other congeners by at least 13% in terms of pairwise distance based on a fragment of the mitochondrial ND2 gene.

Impact of Molecular Testing on the Management of Indeterminate Thyroid Nodules Among Western and Asian Countries: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Molecular testing has a potential to improve the management of patients with indeterminate thyroid nodules considered for surgery. This study examined the influence of molecular tests on the treatment of indeterminate nodules, particularly the differences between Western and Asian countries. Electronic databases including PubMed and Web of Science were searched for relevant articles from 2010 to March 2019. We computed meta-analysis of proportion and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) utilizing the random-effect model. We used independent samples t test to compare the resection rate (RR), rate of malignancy (ROM), rate of preoperative molecular testing (RMT), and rate of positive test (RP) between subgroups. We included a total of 34 studies with 7976 indeterminate nodules. The multigene panel testing methods were exclusively used in the USA. Compared with the non-molecular era, molecular testing was associated with a significantly increased ROM (47.9% versus 32.1%; p = 0.001). The ROM of indeterminate nodules in Asian institutes was significantly higher than that in Western countries (75.3% versus 36.6%; p < 0.001, respectively). Institutes employing single-gene tests achieved a higher ROM (59.8% versus 37.9%; p = 0.013). Molecular testing is a promising method to tailor the clinical management for indeterminate thyroid FNA. Certain differences in routine thyroid cytopathology practice among the West and the East are still present. The combination of molecular testing and active surveillance enhances the accuracy of case selection for surgery in Asian countries.

Two new species of Hemiphyllodactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Hoa Binh Province, Vietnam.

We describe two new species of the genus Hemiphyllodactylus on the basis of a new collection of geckos from limestone karst forest of Hoa Binh Province, northwestern Vietnam. Hemiphyllodactylus bonkowskii sp. nov. from Hang Kia-Pa Co Nature Reserve and Hemiphyllodactylus ngocsonensis sp. nov. from Ngoc Son-Ngo Luong Nature Reserve can be distinguished from each other and from their congeners by genetic distinction and morphological differences in circumnasal scales, chin scales, precloacal and femoral pores, cloacal spurs, dorsal scales, ventral scales, digital lamellae formula, and color pattern. In phylogenetic analyses, both new species are nested in a clade that includes H. dushanensis, H. flaviventris, H. hongkongensis, H. huishuiensis, H. kiziriani, H. serpispecus, and H. zugi. In terms of pairwise genetic distance, the two new species are at least 7.5%-8.5% divergent from other described species based on a fragment of the ND2 gene.

A new species of Dixonius (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from the karst forest of Khammouane Province, central Laos.

A new species of Dixonius is described on the basis of three specimens from the karst forests around Thakhek town, Khammouane Province, Laos. The new species from Laos can be distinguished from other species of Dixonius based on molecular and morphological divergences. It is characterized by a maximum SVL of 55.4 mm; 20-23 longitudinal rows of dorsal tubercles at mid-body; 23-24 longitudinal rows of ventrals across the abdomen; 8-10 supralabials, 7 or 8 in mid-orbital position; 7 or 8 infralabials; 8 precloacal pores in male; the male without femoral pores; precloacal and femoral pores absent in females; uniformly pebble brown dorsum. In phylogenetic analyses, the new species is shown to be the sister taxon to two undescribed taxa from Thailand but differs by at least 8.6% in genetic pairwise distance from the latter based on the complete sequences of the mitochondrial ND2 gene with partial or complete sequences of six adjacent tRNAs. This is the ninth known species of Dixonius, and the second recorded species from Laos.

A new species of Limnonectes (Amphibia: Anura: Dicroglossidae) from Vietnam.

A new species of Limnonectes from Phu Yen Province, South-central Vietnam is described based on morphological and molecular differences. Morphologically, the new species is distinguishable from its congeners on the basis of a combination of the following diagnostic characters: SVL 49.8-77.9 mm in males, 40.8-61.8 mm in females; males with moderately enlarged head (HL/SVL 0.47, HW/SVL 0.48); head slightly broader than long (HL/HW 0.97 in males, 0.95 in females); vomerine teeth present; external vocal sacs absent; rostral length short (RL/SVL 0.15); tympanum invisible; dorsal surface of head, body and flanks with ridges and tubercles; dorsal surface of tibia and foot distinctly tuberculate, covered with moderately dense, small, low tubercles; supratympanic fold present; dorsolateral fold absent; Finger I with nuptial pad, composed of minute spines on dorsal surface and medial edge in males; toes webbed to distal of terminal phalanx, webbing formula I0-0II0-0III0-0IV0--0V0; in life, dorsum yellowish brown with dark brown markings; ventral surface white with brown markings. In phylogenetic analyses, the new species from Vietnam and Limnonectes fastigatus as well as L. kiziriani form a clade, which is sister to L. fragilis from China, although the nodal support values for the set of relationships are insignificant from all analyses.

A new species of Cyrtodactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from southern Vietnam.

We describe a new species of Cyrtodactylus on the basis of four specimens collected from Phu My, Binh Dinh Province, southern Vietnam. Cyrtodactylus phumyensis sp. nov. is distinguished from the remaining Indochinese bent-toed geckos by a combination of the following characters: size small (SVL up to 66.8 mm); two internasals; dorsal tubercle rows 18 or 19 at midbody; ventral scale rows 33-41; ventrolateral folds slightly developed; each thigh with 5-7 enlarged femoral scales; femoral pores absent in males and female; a series of 5-7 precloacal pores plus a pitted, enlarged precloacal scale in males; 6 pitted, enlarged precloacal scales in female; paravertebral tubercles 20-23; lamellae under toe IV 18-21; small subcaudal scales, not transversely enlarged; two irregular dark longitudinal stripes on shoulder. In phylogenetic analyses, the new species is recovered as a member of the Cyrtodactylus irregularis species group, and strongly supported as a sister taxon of C. cucdongensis from Khanh Hoa Province.

A new species of Achalinus (Squamata: Xenodermidae) from Trang An Landscape Complex, Ninh Binh Province, Vietnam.

We describe a new snake of the genus Achalinus based on an adult female specimen from Ninh Binh Province, Vietnam. Achalinus tranganensis sp. nov. is differentiated from its congeners genetically and by a unique combination of the following characters: 1) maxillary teeth 29; 2) suture between the internasals distinctly longer than that between the prefrontals; 3) loreal distinctly wider than high, extending from the nasal to the eye; 4) dorsal scales in 25-23-23 rows, keeled; 5) two pairs of prefrontals; 6) supralabials six; 7) infralabials six; 8) temporals 2+3, the two anterior temporals in contact with eye; 9) ventrals 171; 10) subcaudals 73+, unpaired; 11) cloacal plate entire; 12) dorsum in preservative reddish to greyish brown above; 13) the lower part of head side and chin region somewhat paler than the dorsum; 14) venter greyish cream, with the anterior region of each ventral and subcaudal somewhat darker. Based on molecular comparisons using a fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI), the new species differs from other members of the genus by at least 11.8%. This discovery increases the number of Achalinus species known from Vietnam to seven.

Differences in surgical resection rate and risk of malignancy in thyroid cytopathology practice between Western and Asian countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

There is increasing evidence showing that clinicians employ different management strategies in their use of The Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology (TBSRTC). In this meta-analysis, we investigated the differences in diagnosis frequency, resection rate (RR), and risk of malignancy (ROM) between Western (ie, American and European) and Asian cytopathology practices. We searched PubMed and Web of Science from January 2010 to January 2019. Proportion and 95% CIs were calculated using a random-effect model. We used independent sample t tests to compare frequencies, RR, and ROM between Western and Asian practices. We analyzed a total of 38 studies with 145,066 fine-needle aspirations. Compared with Asian practice, Western series had a significantly lower ROM in most of TBSRTC categories, whereas the RR was not statistically different. Focusing on indeterminate nodules, the RR in Western series was significantly higher (51.3% vs 37.6%; P = .048), whereas the ROM was significantly lower (25.4% vs 41.9%; P = .002) compared with those in Asian series. The addition of Asian cohorts increased ROM for most of diagnostic categories compared with the original TBSRTC. In conclusion, this study demonstrates a difference in Western and Asian thyroid cytology practice, especially regarding the indeterminate categories. Lower RR and higher ROM suggest that Asian clinicians adopt a more conservative approach, whereas immediate diagnostic surgery is favored in Western practice for indeterminate nodules. The addition of Asian series into a meta-analysis of TBSRTC altered ROM for several categories, which should be considered in future revisions of TBSRTC.

A new species of Lycodon Boie, 1826 (Serpentes, Colubridae) from northern Vietnam.

A new species of the genus Lycodon is described from Cao Bang Province, Vietnam, based on three individuals with distinct differences in morphology and molecular data. The new species is differentiated from its congeners by a combination of the following characters: dorsal scales in 17-17-15 rows, smooth throughout; supralabials usually eight (rarely nine); infralabials ten; one elongated loreal on each side, in contact with the eye; precloacal plate single; ventral scales 212-218 (plus one or two preventral scales); subcaudals 90 or 91; maxillary teeth 13 or 14; dorsal surface of body with 28 or 29 light body bands; dorsal surface of tail with 13 cream bands, forming a distinct blotch in the vertebral region. Based on phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial cytochrome b sequence data, the new species is recovered as the sister species to a clade containing L. multizonatus and L. liuchengchaoi with strong support from the Bayesian analysis. The new species is at least 7.5% divergent from other species within this clade in uncorrected pairwise distance calculated using a fragment of more than 1000 bp of the mitochondrial cytochrome b. This discovery increases the number of Lycodon species known from Vietnam to 16.

A new species of Limnonectes (Amphibia: Anura: Dicroglossidae) from Vietnam.

A new species of Limnonectes from central Vietnam is described based on morphological and molecular differences. Morphologically, the new species is distinguishable from its congeners on the basis of a combination of the following diagnostic characters: SVL 47.5-60.9 in males, 42.3-51.1 mm in females; males with moderately enlarged head (HL/SVL 0.48), head longer than wide; vomerine teeth present; external vocal sacs absent; rostral length short (RL/SVL 0.14 in males, 0.15 in females); tympanum invisible; dorsal surface of head, body, and flanks smooth; dorsal surface of tibia and foot distinctly tuberculate, covered with moderately dense, small, low tubercles; supratympanic fold present; dorsolateral fold absent; toes webbed to posterior of terminal phalanx; in life, dorsum with light yellowish brown markings, throat and chest white with brown markings, and ventral surface of abdomen white or white with brown markings. In phylogenetic analyses, the new species is the sister taxon to an undescribed species from Cambodia.