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From the field survey research between 2012 and 2021, we herein provide a list of 39 threatened species of amphibians and reptiles from Son La Province. Of these, the following species have high conservation values: two species are listed in the Governmental Decree No. 64/2019/ND-CP, 12 species are listed in the Governmental Decree No. 84/2021/ND-CP, 12 species are listed in the CITES Appendices, 22 species are listed in the Vietnam Red Data Book (2007), and 24 species are listed in the IUCN Red List (2022). In addition, 21 species are being exploited for food and wildlife trade by local people. Major threats to the habitat and populations of amphibians and reptiles in the study areas include deforestation, slash-and-burn cultivation, hunting activities, exploitation of forest products, quarrying, hydropower and road construction, as well as overharvesting for food and trade. The research results provide a scientific base for conservation and management of amphibians, reptiles and biodiversity of Son La Province.

Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy (EDMD) is a degenerative neuromuscular disease associated with at least nine genes, including EMD, LMNA, FHL1, TMEM43, SUN1, SUN2, TTN, SYNE1, and SYNE2. Herein, we identified a heterozygous missense LMNA mutation (NM_170707.4: c.1357C>T,p.R453W) in three members of a Vietnamese family using whole-exome sequencing (WES), in which the proband was an 11-year-old girl presenting humeroperoneal muscle weaknesses and generalized contracture. Her father and one other relative also exhibited multiple signs of muscular atrophy and contracture. Sanger sequencing in the extended family verified the causative nature of this mutation, establishing a confirmed diagnosis of autosomal dominant Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy (EDMD2). The clinical presentations of each patient in this study are different from each other, demonstrating the intrafamilial phenotypic variability of this mutation. Early identification of the underlying genetic course of the disease by sequencing, combined with clinical findings provides solid evidence to diagnosis process, genetic counseling and management strategy.

The contribution of the kinematics in local surface plastic deformation to intensification of the stress state at cylindrical surfaces is considered. On the basis of the finite-element method, a computer model of hardening is obtained so as to determine the stress state in the surface layer in different conditions.

Cold-drawn metal has a number of undeniable advantages over the hot-rolled one. Increased hardness, high surface quality, stability of the diametrical dimension along the length of the workpiece are the basis for choosing calibrated metal as effective workpieces for the manufacturing of long parts such as shafts, axles, and rods. In some cases, such workpieces require a small amount of machining, for example, threading or making necks at the ends of a bar. The wider use of the calibrated metal is hindered by residual stresses that are formed during its manufacturing. In the first part of this article, it was proposed to use small plastic deformations to control residual stresses. By the example of a new process of surface plastic deformation, which is called orbital burnishing, the working and residual stresses in cylindrical workpieces are determined. In the second part of the article, the process of enveloping surface plastic deformation is considered, which, at high productivity, makes it possible to reduce the residual tensile stresses in the calibrated metal or form the surface layers of the workpiece compressive stress. A technique for the experimental determination of residual stresses in the volume of a body is based on layer-by-layer removal of the inner and outer layers of cylindrical samples. Influence of the main parameters of the enveloping deformation process on the components of the residual stress tensor is established. A range of relative compressions (0.1–1.0%) is revealed, at which residual compressive stresses are formed in the surface layers of the workpiece. It was found that at a relative compression of 0.5%, the maximum residual compression stresses are created. Enveloping surface deformation has a positive effect on the residual stress state and on cold-drawn metal: the residual tensile stresses can be reduced, removed, or converted into compressive ones.

This qualitative study aims to assess the Medication Assisted Recovery Support (MARS) program on the recovery process for Methadone patients in Hoa Binh and Thai Nguyen provinces to provide a clear insight on its effectiveness, impact and sustainability. Two focus group discussions were conducted with 40 people including patients of the two Methadone treatment clinics and peer-led club members and 18 semi-structure interviews were carried out with health staff, peer leaders and patient family members, in Hoa Binh and Thai Nguyen in July-August 2017. The discussions and interviews were taped, transcribed and analyzed. The patients found that peer support clubs are very effective. They perceived more respects from families and neighbors. Family trust and support are important for the patients’ treatment adherence. Home income generation and job are the most concerns. The MARS has improved the patients’ knowledge about drug addiction and the importance of the Methadone treatment. It helps to change the patients’ behavior and practices on treatment adherence. It is necessary to support drug users to find jobs and implement social policies to provide loans for them to be financially stable and improve effectiveness of the Methadone treatment.

The effect of the deforming tool parameters on the roughness of hardened surfaces during orbital burnishing is considered. As result of experimental studies, it is revealed that after orbital burnishing, new surface is formed with significantly lower height of microscopes compared to the original microprofile, which has positive effect on improving of the shape accuracy and quality of hardened parts. It is found that the most significant effect on the roughness parameters during orbital burnishing is exerted by the orbital rotation radius, less significant — by the radius and working tool tilt angle. Increase in the working tool tilt angle the orbital rotation radius and decrease in the working tool radius leads to increase in roughness of surface.

Cold-drawn calibrated steel is an effective workpiece for the manufacturing of low-stiff cylindrical parts such as shafts and axles. A high accuracy of the diametric size along the workpiece length, low surface roughness, and increased hardness and strength of the surface layer compared to hot rolled products allow the production of a variety of parts with high metal utilization and high machining performance. The main disadvantage of calibrated metal is the residual stresses that occur during pressure processing. To reduce or change the nature of the distribution over the cross section, we propose to use small plastic deformations in the product’s surface layer. Surface plastic deformation (SPD) methods known in practice usually lead to the curvature of non-rigid workpieces. To intensify the stress-strain state in the deformation zone, a method of orbital surface deformation is proposed. The orbital deformation scheme is a rod indenter (tool), one end of which is equipped with a ball tip that is in contact with the surface to be treated. The second end of the rod indenter rotates about the vertical axis, forming a conical surface in space with a certain angle at the apex. A deforming force acts along the rod axis. Based on the finite element modeling, we consider the effect of the main parameters of orbital surface deformation on the stress state in the deformation zone and residual stresses in the finished products. Compared with the traditional SPD process, the stress intensity during orbital surface deformation will increase by 10–15%. The residual compressive stresses formed in the surface layers reach 70–85% of the material tensile strength. The relative radius of the orbital rotation and the radius of the operating tool, at which the formation of maximal temporary and residual stresses is ensured, were established. At an increase in the frequency of the orbital rotation of the operating tool, the temporary and residual compressive stresses increase. In the second part of the paper, we provide information on a more effective method of surface deformation and on the change in initial residual stresses that are formed during the calibration of cylindrical rods.

Since there is currently a lack of data on the natural history and feeding ecology of Odorrana chapaensis, which was listed in the IUCN Red List (2019), we herein provided the feeding ecology of this amphibian species is virtually lacking. We herein provide data about the diet of O. chapaensis based on the results of our field work in Ngoc Chien Commune, Muong La District and Xim Vang Commune, Bac Yen District, Son La Province, Vietnam. We used the stomach-flushing method to obtain the stomach contents of 85 individuals at two survey sites. A total of 20 prey categories with 334 items, comprising 299 items of invertebrates and 35 unidentified items, were found in the stomachs of O. chapaensis. The dominant prey items of O. chapaensis were Araneae, Polydesmida, insect larvae, Blattodea, Coleoptera, Dermaptera, Lepidoptera, Hymenoptera, and Orthoptera. The importance index for these categories ranged from 3.5% to 32.5%. Coleoptera was the category with the highest frequency of prey items; its representatives were found in 45 stomaches.

Based on recently herpetological collection from Sin Ho forest between 2017 to 2018, we herein report five new records of snakes from Lai Chau Province, comprising Dendrelaphis pictus (Colubridae), Bungarus multicinctus (Elapidae), Hebius chapaensis (Natricidae), Pareas carinatus (Pareatidae), and Ovophis monticola (Viperidae). Our findings brought the total number of snakes species recorded from Lai Chau province up to 26. We also provide additional information about morphology and natural history of the afore mentioned species. Keywords Colubridae, Elapidae, Natricidae, New records, Pareatidae, Sin Ho District, Viperidae References [1] Ủy Ban nhân tỉnh Lai Châu, 2018, Công thông tin điện tử (http://http://sinho.laichau.gov.vn), cập nhật ngày 6/1/2019.[2] Nguyen, S. V., Ho, C. T. & Nguyen, T. Q., Herpetofauna of Vietnam. Edition Chimaira, Frankfurt am Main, 2009.[3] Ziegler, T., Ngo, N. H., Pham, V. A., Nguyen, T. T., Le, D. M. & Nguyen, Q. T., A new species of Parafimbrios from northern Vietnam(Squamata: Xenodermatidae), Zootaxa 4527(2) (2018): 269–276.[4] Bourret, R., Les serpents de l'Indochine. H. Dasuyau, Toulouse, Vol. 1 and 2, 141+505pp, 1936.[5] Smith, M. A., The fauna of Bistish india, Ceylon and Burma, reptilia and Amphibia. Vol III. Serpentes, 1943.[6] Ziegler, T. & Vogel, G., On the knowledge and specific status of Dendrelaphis ngansonensis (Bourret, 1935) (Reptilia: Serpentes: Colubridae), Russian Journal of Herpetology, 6(3) (1999): 199–208.[7] Nguyễn Văn Sáng, Động vật chí Việt Nam (Phân bộ Rắn), Tập 4, Nxb Khoa học và Kỹ thuật, Hà Nội, 2007.[8] Phạm Văn Anh, Nguyễn Thị Bích Ngọc, Nguyễn Thị Mến, Nguyễn Lân Hùng Sơn, Nguyễn Quảng Trường, Ghi nhận mới về sự phân bố của một số loài rắn (Squamata: Serpentes) ở tỉnh Sơn La, Báo cáo khoa học, Kỷ yếu hội nghị toàn quốc về Sinh thái và Tài nguyên sinh vật lần thứ 5 (2013): 461–467.[9] Ren, J-L., Wang, K., Nguyen, T. T., Hoang, V. C., Zhong, G-H., Jiang, K., Guo, P., Li, J-T., Taxonomic re-evaluation of the monotypic genus Pararhabdophis Bourret, 1934 (Squamata: Colubridae: Natricinae) with discovery of its type species, P. chapaensis, from China, Zootaxa 4486 (1) (2018): 031–056.[10] Bourret, R., Notes herpétologiques sur l'Indochine Française I. Ophidiens de Chapa. Bull. Gen. Instr. Pub. Hanoi 7 (March 1934): 129-138. [11] Guo, K. & Xuejiang, D., A new species of Pareas (Serpentes: Colubridae: Pareatinae) from the Gaoligong Mountains, southwestern China, Zootaxa 2008 (2009): 53–60.[12] Malhotra, A., Dawson, K., Guo, P. & S. Thorpe, S. R., Phylogenetic structure and species boundaries in the mountain pitviper Ovophis monticola (Serpentes: Viperidae: Crotalinae) in Asia, Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 59 (2) (2011): 444–457.

We recorded five species of the genus Theloderma on the basis of new amphibian collection from Son La Province between 2012 and 2016. Four species, Theloderma asperum, T. bicolor, T. gordoni and T. lateriticum, are recorded for the first time from this province. Our findings brought the total number of amphibian species recorded from Son La province up to 45. We also provide additional information about morphology and natural history of the afore mentioned species. Keywords Copia, Muong Do, Muong La, New records, Sop Cop, Theloderma References [1] Cục Kiểm lâm, http://www.kiemlam.org.vn/, tham khảo số liệu diễn biến rừng tháng tính đến tháng 12 năm 2012. Tra cứu ngày 6/4/2014.[2] Lê Nguyên Ngật, Nguyễn Văn Sáng, Kết quả khảo sát lưỡng cư, bò sát ở Khu Bảo tồn thiên nhiên Copia, tỉnh Sơn La, Kỷ yếu Hội nghị khoa học toàn quốc về Sinh thái và Tài nguyên sinh vật lần thứ 3 (2009), tr:467-471.[3] Nguyen, S.V., Ho, C. T., Nguyen, T. Q., Herpetofauna of Vietnam. Edition Chimaira, Frankfurt am Main, 2009.[4] Nguyễn Văn Sáng, Nguyễn Xuân Đặng và Nguyễn Quảng Trường, Đa dạng về thành phần loài Bò sát và Ếch nhái ở Khu Bảo tồn thiên nhiên Xuân Nha, tỉnh Sơn La, Tạp chí Sinh học, 32(4) (2010), tr:54-61.[5] Phạm Văn Anh, Từ Văn Hoàng, Khăm Đi Pheng Kia Chư, Nguyễn Quảng Trường, Nguyễn Lân Hùng Sơn, Nguyễn Kim Tiến, Thành phần loài Lưỡng cư (Amphibia) và Bò sát (Reptilia) ở Thành phố Sơn La, tỉnh Sơn La, Kỷ yếu Hội nghị khoa học toàn quốc về Sinh thái và Tài nguyên sinh vật lần thứ 6 (2015) tr: 461-467.[6] Bourret, R., Les Batraciens de l’Indochine [Hanoi], Institut Océanographique de l’Indochine, 1942.[7] Taylor, E. H., The Amphibian fauna of Thailand, The University of Kansas Science Bulletin, Vol. XLIII, No.8, 1962.[8] Bain, R. H., Nguyen, Q. T. and Doan, V. K., A new species of the genus Theloderma Tschudi, 1838 (Anura: Rhacophoridae) from northwestern Vietnam, Zootaxa 2191 (2009) : 58–68.[9] Hecht, V. L., Pham, C. T., Nguyen, T. T., Nguyen, T. Q., Bonkowski, M. & Ziegler T., “First report on the herpetofauna of Tay Yen Tu Nature Reserve, northeastern Vietnam”, Biodiversity Journal, 4(4) (2013): 507–552.[10] Luu, Q. V., Le, X. C., Do, Q. H., Hoang, T. T., Nguyen, Q. T., Bonkowski, M. & Ziegler, T., “New records of amphibians from Thuong Tien Nature Reserve, Hoa Binh Province, Vietnam”, Herpetology Notes, 7 (2014): 51–58.

Mitochondrial genome A3243G mutation in the tRNALeu(UUR) encodinggene (MTTL)is the main cause of mitochondrial encephalopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS). This mutation exists in heteroplasmic form and severity of the disease is affected by many factors including heteroplasmy level. In this study, a pediatric proband (female, 8 years old) was found to carry A3243G mutation at 77.6% of heteroplasmy by using PCR-RFLP in combination with real-time PCR. The results of the A3243G mutation analysis of the proband’s family showed that her mother without any symptoms of encephalopathyalso carried the mutation at 7.9% of heteroplasmy whereas the mutation was not found in the proband’s healthy father and healthy sister, indicating that the proband received the A3243G mutation from her mother and the expression of MELAS syndromes depended on the level of heteroplasmy.