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Objective: We aimed to define preoperative clinical and molecular characteristics that would allow better patient selection for operative resection.\ud \ud Background: Although we use molecular selection methods for systemic targeted therapies, these principles are not applied to surgical oncology. Improving patient selection is of vital importance for the operative treatment of pancreatic cancer (pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma). Although surgery is the only chance of long-term survival, 80% still succumb to the disease and approximately 30% die within 1 year, often sooner than those that have unresected local disease.\ud \ud Method: In 3 independent pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cohorts (total participants = 1184) the relationship between aberrant expression of prometastatic proteins S100A2 and S100A4 and survival was assessed. A preoperative nomogram based on clinical variables available before surgery and expression of these proteins was constructed and compared to traditional measures, and a postoperative nomogram.\ud \ud Results: High expression of either S100A2 or S100A4 was independent poor prognostic factors in a training cohort of 518 participants. These results were validated in 2 independent patient cohorts (Glasgow, n = 198; Germany, n = 468). Aberrant biomarker expression stratified the cohorts into 3 distinct prognostic groups. A preoperative nomogram incorporating S100A2 and S100A4 expression predicted survival and nomograms derived using postoperative clinicopathological variables.\ud \ud Conclusions: Of those patients with a poor preoperative nomogram score, approximately 50% of patients died within a year of resection. Nomograms have the potential to improve selection for surgery and neoadjuvant therapy, avoiding surgery in aggressive disease, and justifying more extensive resections in biologically favorable disease.

Metaphire planatoides, new species (Figs. 1, 4) Material examined. Holotype: 1 mature (CTU-EW.171. h01), natural forests (10°24′21.7″N, 107°16′18.2″E), Long Hai town, Long Dien District, Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, 33 m asl, 25 October 2016, coll. Nguyen Phuc Hau. Paratypes: 2 matures (CTU-EW.171.p02), same data as holotype. Diagnosis. Small-sized worm, length 64–67 mm, average diameter 2.4–2.8 mm. Body colourless, pale, except light brown clitellum. Prostomium epilobous. First dorsal pore in 11/12. Two pairs of spermathecal pores in ventral intersegments 6/7/8. Male pores located deeply inside copulatory pouches in the setal ring xviii. Genital markings totally absent. Holandric. Intestinal caeca simple. Septa 8/9/10 absent. Description. Body cylindrical, small size, length 64–67 mm, average diameter 2.4–2.8 mm, weight 0.18–0.32 g, segments 89–96. Body colourless, pale except light brown clitellum. Prostomium 1/2 epilobous. First dorsal pore in 11/12. Preclitellar setae stouter and sparser than post-clitellar ones; setal number 39–41 in viii, 51–55 in xxx, 7–9 between two openings of copulatory pouches in xviii; setal distance aa=ab, zz=zy. Clitellum close, xiv–xvi, with only ventral setae, without dorsal pores. Female pore single, in midventral xiv. Two pairs of spermathecal pores in ventral intersegments 6/7/8. No genital markings in spermathecal region. Male pores located deeply inside copulatory pouches in the setal ring xviii. Ventral distance between two openings of copulatory pouches ca. 0.35× body circumference. No genital markings in male region. Septa 5/6/7/8 thick, 8/9/10 absent, 10/11/12/13 thin. Oesophageal gizzard within viii–ix. Intestinal origin at xv; caeca simple, paired in xxvii–xxv. Last hearts in xiii. Pharyngeal micronephridia developed in 5/6/7. Typhlosole simple, lamelliform. Lymph glands absent. Two pairs of spermathecae in vii and viii. Ampulla mangoshaped; duct small, about ⅓ ampulla length. Diverticula long, but waved and folded, directly attached to the base of ampulla duct; seminal chamber tiny, oval-shaped. Spermathecal ducts without nephridia. Accessory glands absent. Holandric. Testis sacs developed in x–xi, connected. Seminal vesicles developed in xi–xii. Ovaries developed in 12/13. Ovisacs invisible. Prostate glands deeply lobuled, paired in xvii–xx; ducts short, C-shaped. No accessory glands. Etymology. The epithet " planatoides " is used to emphasise its similarity to Metaphire planata (Gates, 1926). Remarks. Metaphire planatoides, new species, is assigned to the Metaphire planata group characterised by having two pairs of spermathecal pores in 6/7/8 and simple intestinal caeca (Sims & Easton, 1972). The planata group currently consists of at least six species, M. planata (Gates, 1926), M. decipiens (Beddard, 1912), M. dunckeri (Michaelsen, 1902), M. ferdinandi (Michaelsen, 1891), M. parvula (Ohfuchi, 1956), and M. sintangi (Michaelsen, 1922). The new species differs from these species except M. planata in the absence of genital markings in both spermathecal and male regions. Metaphire planatoides, new species, is somewhat similar to M. planata, in having the first dorsal pore in 11/12, the absence of genital markings in both spermathecal and male regions, and the shape of the openings of copulatory pouches. However, it is distinguished by the absence of accessory glands in the spermathecal region, spermathecae with thin ducts, strongly waved diverticula, connected seminal vesicles, and its smaller size (length = 67 mm, diameter = 2.4–2.8 mm). On the contrary, M. planata has several accessory glands with long ducts, spermathecae with stout ducts, diverticulum straightly cylindrical, somewhat slightly expanded distally, separated seminal vesicles, and a larger size (length = 125 mm, diameter = 4.8 mm).

Metaphire planatoides, new species (Figs. 1, 4) Material examined. Holotype: 1 mature (CTU-EW.171. h01), natural forests (10°24′21.7″N, 107°16′18.2″E), Long Hai town, Long Dien District, Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, 33 m asl, 25 October 2016, coll. Nguyen Phuc Hau. Paratypes: 2 matures (CTU-EW.171.p02), same data as holotype. Diagnosis. Small-sized worm, length 64–67 mm, average diameter 2.4–2.8 mm. Body colourless, pale, except light brown clitellum. Prostomium epilobous. First dorsal pore in 11/12. Two pairs of spermathecal pores in ventral intersegments 6/7/8. Male pores located deeply inside copulatory pouches in the setal ring xviii. Genital markings totally absent. Holandric. Intestinal caeca simple. Septa 8/9/10 absent. Description. Body cylindrical, small size, length 64–67 mm, average diameter 2.4–2.8 mm, weight 0.18–0.32 g, segments 89–96. Body colourless, pale except light brown clitellum. Prostomium 1/2 epilobous. First dorsal pore in 11/12. Preclitellar setae stouter and sparser than post-clitellar ones; setal number 39–41 in viii, 51–55 in xxx, 7–9 between two openings of copulatory pouches in xviii; setal distance aa=ab, zz=zy. Clitellum close, xiv–xvi, with only ventral setae, without dorsal pores. Female pore single, in midventral xiv. Two pairs of spermathecal pores in ventral intersegments 6/7/8. No genital markings in spermathecal region. Male pores located deeply inside copulatory pouches in the setal ring xviii. Ventral distance between two openings of copulatory pouches ca. 0.35× body circumference. No genital markings in male region. Septa 5/6/7/8 thick, 8/9/10 absent, 10/11/12/13 thin. Oesophageal gizzard within viii–ix. Intestinal origin at xv; caeca simple, paired in xxvii–xxv. Last hearts in xiii. Pharyngeal micronephridia developed in 5/6/7. Typhlosole simple, lamelliform. Lymph glands absent. Two pairs of spermathecae in vii and viii. Ampulla mangoshaped; duct small, about ⅓ ampulla length. Diverticula long, but waved and folded, directly attached to the base of ampulla duct; seminal chamber tiny, oval-shaped. Spermathecal ducts without nephridia. Accessory glands absent. Holandric. Testis sacs developed in x–xi, connected. Seminal vesicles developed in xi–xii. Ovaries developed in 12/13. Ovisacs invisible. Prostate glands deeply lobuled, paired in xvii–xx; ducts short, C-shaped. No accessory glands. Etymology. The epithet " planatoides " is used to emphasise its similarity to Metaphire planata (Gates, 1926). Remarks. Metaphire planatoides, new species, is assigned to the Metaphire planata group characterised by having two pairs of spermathecal pores in 6/7/8 and simple intestinal caeca (Sims & Easton, 1972). The planata group currently consists of at least six species, M. planata (Gates, 1926), M. decipiens (Beddard, 1912), M. dunckeri (Michaelsen, 1902), M. ferdinandi (Michaelsen, 1891), M. parvula (Ohfuchi, 1956), and M. sintangi (Michaelsen, 1922). The new species differs from these species except M. planata in the absence of genital markings in both spermathecal and male regions. Metaphire planatoides, new species, is somewhat similar to M. planata, in having the first dorsal pore in 11/12, the absence of genital markings in both spermathecal and male regions, and the shape of the openings of copulatory pouches. However, it is distinguished by the absence of accessory glands in the spermathecal region, spermathecae with thin ducts, strongly waved diverticula, connected seminal vesicles, and its smaller size (length = 67 mm, diameter = 2.4–2.8 mm). On the contrary, M. planata has several accessory glands with long ducts, spermathecae with stout ducts, diverticulum straightly cylindrical, somewhat slightly expanded distally, separated seminal vesicles, and a larger size (length = 125 mm, diameter = 4.8 mm)., Published as part of Nguyen, Tung T., Nguyen, Nam Q., Lam, Dang H. & Nguyen, Anh D., 2020, Six new species of the genus Metaphire Sims & Easton, 1972 (Annelida: Oligochaeta: Megascolecidae) from southeastern Vietnam, pp. 220-236 in Raffles Bulletin of Zoology 68 on page 228, DOI: 10.26107/RBZ-2020-0019, http://zenodo.org/record/4577217, {"references":["Gates GE (1926) Note on a new species of Pheretima from Rangoon. Annals and Magazine of Natural History, Series 9, 17: 411 - 415.","Sims RW & Easton EG (1972) A numerical revision of the earthworm genus Pheretima auct. (Megascolecidae: Oligochaeta) with the recognition of new genera and an appendix on the earthworms collected by the Royal Society North Borneo Expedition. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 4: 169 - 268.","Beddard FE (1912) The Oligochaeta terricolae of the Philippines. Part 1. The genus Pheretima. Philippine Journal of Science, Ser. D, 7: 79 - 203.","Michaelsen W (1902) Neue Oligochaeten und neue Fundorte altbekannter. Jahrbuch der Hamburgischen Wissenschaftlichen Anstalten, 19: 1 - 54.","Michaelsen W (1891) Oligochaeten des Naturhistorischen Museum in Hamburg, IV. Jahrbuch der Hamburgischen Wissenschaftlichen Anstalten, 8: 1 - 42.","Ohfuchi S (1956) On a collection of the terrestrial Oligochaeta obtained from the various localities in Riu-kiu Islands, together with the consideration of their geographical distribution (Part I). Journal of Agricultural Science (Tokyo Nagyo Daigaku), 3: 131 - 176.","Michaelsen W (1922) Oligochaten aus dem Rijks Museum van Natuurlijke Historie zu Leiden. Capita Zoologica, 1: 1 - 68."]}

Metaphire setosa, new species (Figs. 1, 6) Material examined. Holotype: 1 mature (CTU-EW.179. h01), bushes (11°34′2.2″N, 106°35′46.9″E), 84.9 m, Tan Khai commune, Hon Quan District, Binh Phuoc Province, 26 October 2017, coll. Luong Thi Huynh Tien. Paratypes: 6 matures (CTU-EW.179.p02), same data as holotype. Diagnosis. Small-sized worm, length 57.0– 73.5 mm, average diameter 1.6–3.2 mm. Prostomium not developed. First dorsal pore in 13/14. Three pairs of spermathecal pores in ventral 6/7/8/9. Setae unusual, arranged as two setal rings. Clitellum saddle-shaped, xiv–xvi. Male pores deeply located inside copulatory pouches in the setal ring xix. Five pairs of genital markings in xvi–xviii and xxi–xxii. Holandric. Intestinal caeca simple. Septum 8/9 thick, 9/10 absent. Description. Body cylindrical, small size, length 57.0– 73.5 mm, average diameter 1.6–3.2 mm, weight 0.5–1.6 g, segments 94–121. Body pale. Prostomium not developed. First dorsal pore in 13/14. Setae unusual, arranged as two setal rings, more obvious on ventral side; pre-clitellar setae stouter and denser than post-clitellar ones; setal number 119–135 in viii, 27–42 in xxx; setal distance aa=ab, zz=zy. Clitellum saddle-shaped, xiv–xvi without setae and dorsal pores. Female pore single, on round disc-shaped pad in midventral xiv. Three pairs of spermathecal pores in dorsal intersegments 6/7/8/9; two bean-shaped pads surrounding each spermathecal pore. No genital markings in the spermathecal region. Male pores located deeply inside copulatory pouches in the setal ring xix. Ventral distance between two openings of copulatory pouches about 0.35× body circumference. Genital markings paired ventrally in xvi–xviii and xx–xxi, one pair in each segment. Septa 6/7/8/9 thick, 9/10 absent, 10/11/12/13 thin. Oesophageal gizzard after viii. Intestinal origin at xv; caeca simple, paired in xxvii–xxv. Last hearts in xiii. Pharyngeal micronephridia developed in 5/6/7. Typhlosole simple, lamelliform. Lymph glands absent. Three pairs of spermathecae in vii–ix. Ampulla large, mushroom-shaped; ducts long, about ½ ampulla length. Diverticula longer than ampulla, folded and directly attached to the base of ampulla duct; seminal chamber long, bulletshaped. Spermathecal ducts without nephridia. No accessory glands. Holandric. Testis sacs in x and xi, connected. Seminal vesicles developed in xi and xii. Ovaries in 12/13. Ovisacs invisible. Prostate glands deeply lobuled, paired in xviii–xx; duct long, folded before entering copulatory pouch which is slightly elevated from body wall. Five pairs of accessory glands. DNA barcode. The amplification of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) failed. Etymology. The specific epithet " setosa " alludes to the unusual setal arrangement on this earthworm. It is used as an adjective. Remarks. The new species is very unique among known Metaphire species, with regard to its saddle-shaped clitellum and setal arrangement. There has been no report on Metaphire species with saddle-shaped clitellum. More interestingly, the setal pattern is completely different from all known pheretimoid species in Vietnam. The unusual setal pattern was only seen in the Amynthas polyperichaeta (Thai, 1984). The male region was finely coarse with dense setae which was known as the setal zone., Published as part of Nguyen, Tung T., Nguyen, Nam Q., Lam, Dang H. & Nguyen, Anh D., 2020, Six new species of the genus Metaphire Sims & Easton, 1972 (Annelida: Oligochaeta: Megascolecidae) from southeastern Vietnam, pp. 220-236 in Raffles Bulletin of Zoology 68 on pages 230-232, DOI: 10.26107/RBZ-2020-0019, http://zenodo.org/record/4577217, {"references":["Thai TB (1984) New species of the genus Pheretima in Vietnam. Zoologicheskii Jurnal, 63 (9): 1317 - 1327."]}

Metaphire songbeensis, new species (Figs. 1, 5) Material examined. Holotype: 1 mature (CTU-EW.176. h01), banana garden (11°45′39.0″N, 106°34′38.8″E), Loc Ninh commune, Loc Ninh District, Binh Phuoc Province, 85 m asl, 26 October 2017, coll. Luong Thi Huynh Tien. Paratypes: 9 matures (CTU-EW.176.p02), same data as holotype. Non-types: 13 matures (CTU-EW.176.03), same data as holotype; 8 matures (CTU-EW.176.04), bushes (11°17′41.2″N, 106°24′22.1″E), Dau Tieng town, Dau Tieng District, Binh Duong Province, 53.4 m asl, 27 October 2017, coll. Dinh So Na. Diagnosis. Small-sized worm, length 91–133 mm, average diameter 3.4–6.4 mm. Prostomium epilobous. First dorsal pore in 9/10. Four pairs of spermathecal pores in dorsal intersegments 5/6/7/8/9. No genital markings in spermathecal region. Male pores deeply located inside copulatory pouches in the setal ring xviii. Four to eight pairs of genital markings in xvii, xix, and subsequent segments, but in line with the openings of copulatory pouches. Holandric. Intestinal caeca simple. Septum 8/9 thick, but 9/10 thin. Description. Body cylindrical, medium size, length 91–133 mm, average diameter 3.4–6.4 mm, weight 1.4–2.1 g, segments 206–236. Body transparent, uniformly unpigmented except orange yellow clitellum. Prostomium epilobous. First dorsal pore in 9/10. Pre-clitellar setae stouter and sparser than post-clitellar ones; setal number 87–156 in viii, 77–124 in xxx, 8–11 between two openings of copulatory pouches; setal distance aa=ab, zz=zy. Clitellum close, xiv–xvi, without setae and dorsal pores. Female single, midventral xiv. Four pairs of spermathecal pores in dorsal intersegments 5/6/7/8/9; dorsal distance between two spermathecal pores about ⅓ body circumference. No genital markings in spermathecal region. Male porophores slightly elevated from body wall, almost occupying xviii. Male pores located deeply inside copulatory pouches in the setal ring xviii. Ventral distance between two openings of copulatory pouches about 0.35× body circumference. Genital markings about 4–8 pairs, arranged in xvii, xix, and subsequent segments. Septa 5/6/7/8/9 thick, 9/10/11/12/13 thin. Oesophageal gizzards after viii. Intestinal origin at xv; caeca simple, paired in xxvii–xxiv. Last hearts in xiii. Pharyngeal micronephridia developed in 5/6/7. Typhlosole simple, lamelliform. Lymph glands absent. Four pairs of spermathecae in vi–ix. Ampulla large, oval or heart-shaped; duct about ½ ampulla length. Diverticula straight, longer than ampulla, directly attached to the base of ampulla duct; seminal chamber about diverticula length. Spermathecal ducts without nephridia. No accessory glands. Holandric. Testis sacs well developed, connected in x and xi. Seminal vesicles developed in xi and xii. Ovaries in 12/13, ovisacs invisible. Prostate glands deeply lobuled, paired in xvii–xx; ducts slender and coiled. Accessory glands large, connected to genital markings. Variations. Specimens collected from Binh Phuoc Province have spermathecal pores located dorsally and 5–8 pairs of genital markings, whereas specimens collected from Binh Duong Province have spermathecal pores located middorsally and only 4 pairs of genital markings. DNA barcode. A partial sequence of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) was uploaded to GenBank with the accession number MN514952. Etymology. The new species, Metaphire songbeensis, is named after the old name, Song Be province, which previously consisted of both Binh Phuoc and Binh Duong provinces. Remarks. Metaphire songbeensis, new species, is similar to several species of the Metaphire malayana group, such as M. strellana (Gates, 1949), M. fovella (Gates, 1949), M. malayana (Beddard, 1900), M. malayanoides Nguyen & Lam, 2017, by having four spermathecal pores in 5/6/7/8/9, presence of genital markings in xix and subsequent segments, being holandric, and by having simple caeca. However, the new species is distinguished from these species by the absence of genital markings in spermathecal region, the presence of genital markings in xvii, spermathecal pores located dorsally, and thick septum 8/9, whereas the above species have genital markings in spermathecal region and in xvii (instead of xviii), spermathecal pores located ventrally or lateroventrally, and the absence of septum 8/9. The new species is also similar to M. posthuma (Vaillant, 1868) by having genital markings in xvii and xix, and thick septum 8/9. However, it differs from M. posthuma in having spermathecal pores located dorsally (vs. ventrally), first dorsal pore in 9/10 (vs. 12/13), epilobous prostomium (vs. prolobous prostomium), connected testis sacs (vs. separated testis sacs), and the absence of lymph glands (vs. lymph glands starting in 27/28) as well as being more segmented (206–236 vs. 98–119 segments) and slightly larger (91–133 mm vs. 67–101 mm in length; 3.4–6.4 mm vs. 4.0– 4.8 mm in diameter). Several species recorded in Vietnam also have spermathecal pores on dorsal side, such as M. truongsonensis (Thai, 1984), M. amplectens (Michaelsen, 1934), M. scitula (Gates, 1936), and M. dorsobitheca (Thai & Huynh, 1992). Metaphire songbeensis, new species, is distinguished from M. truongsonensis by having 4–8 pairs of genital markings in xvii, xix, and subsequent segments, the first dorsal pore in 9/10 (vs. absence of genital markings in the male region, first dorsal pore in 12/13). The new species is also different from M. amplectens, M. scitula, and M. dorsobitheca in having four pairs of spermathecal pores in 5/6/7/8/9 (vs. three pairs in 6/7/8/9), the presence of genital markings in the male region (vs. absence of genital markings), first dorsal pore in 9/10 (vs. in 12/13). The new species is similar in size to M. scitula (91–133 mm vs. 106–120 mm in length; 3.4–6.4 mm vs. 5 mm in diameter), but larger and more segmented than M. amplectens and M. truongsonensis (91–133 mm vs. 44–52 mm and 54 mm in length; 3.4–6.4 mm vs. 2–3 mm and 2 mm in diameter; 206–236 vs. 90–112 and 76 segments, respectively).

Nguyen, Tung T., Nguyen, Nam Q., Lam, Dang H., Nguyen, Anh D. (2020): Six new species of the genus Metaphire Sims & Easton, 1972 (Annelida: Oligochaeta: Megascolecidae) from southeastern Vietnam. Raffles Bulletin of Zoology 68: 220-236, DOI: 10.26107/RBZ-2020-0019

Metaphire songbeensis, new species (Figs. 1, 5) Material examined. Holotype: 1 mature (CTU-EW.176. h01), banana garden (11°45′39.0″N, 106°34′38.8″E), Loc Ninh commune, Loc Ninh District, Binh Phuoc Province, 85 m asl, 26 October 2017, coll. Luong Thi Huynh Tien. Paratypes: 9 matures (CTU-EW.176.p02), same data as holotype. Non-types: 13 matures (CTU-EW.176.03), same data as holotype; 8 matures (CTU-EW.176.04), bushes (11°17′41.2″N, 106°24′22.1″E), Dau Tieng town, Dau Tieng District, Binh Duong Province, 53.4 m asl, 27 October 2017, coll. Dinh So Na. Diagnosis. Small-sized worm, length 91–133 mm, average diameter 3.4–6.4 mm. Prostomium epilobous. First dorsal pore in 9/10. Four pairs of spermathecal pores in dorsal intersegments 5/6/7/8/9. No genital markings in spermathecal region. Male pores deeply located inside copulatory pouches in the setal ring xviii. Four to eight pairs of genital markings in xvii, xix, and subsequent segments, but in line with the openings of copulatory pouches. Holandric. Intestinal caeca simple. Septum 8/9 thick, but 9/10 thin. Description. Body cylindrical, medium size, length 91–133 mm, average diameter 3.4–6.4 mm, weight 1.4–2.1 g, segments 206–236. Body transparent, uniformly unpigmented except orange yellow clitellum. Prostomium epilobous. First dorsal pore in 9/10. Pre-clitellar setae stouter and sparser than post-clitellar ones; setal number 87–156 in viii, 77–124 in xxx, 8–11 between two openings of copulatory pouches; setal distance aa=ab, zz=zy. Clitellum close, xiv–xvi, without setae and dorsal pores. Female single, midventral xiv. Four pairs of spermathecal pores in dorsal intersegments 5/6/7/8/9; dorsal distance between two spermathecal pores about ⅓ body circumference. No genital markings in spermathecal region. Male porophores slightly elevated from body wall, almost occupying xviii. Male pores located deeply inside copulatory pouches in the setal ring xviii. Ventral distance between two openings of copulatory pouches about 0.35× body circumference. Genital markings about 4–8 pairs, arranged in xvii, xix, and subsequent segments. Septa 5/6/7/8/9 thick, 9/10/11/12/13 thin. Oesophageal gizzards after viii. Intestinal origin at xv; caeca simple, paired in xxvii–xxiv. Last hearts in xiii. Pharyngeal micronephridia developed in 5/6/7. Typhlosole simple, lamelliform. Lymph glands absent. Four pairs of spermathecae in vi–ix. Ampulla large, oval or heart-shaped; duct about ½ ampulla length. Diverticula straight, longer than ampulla, directly attached to the base of ampulla duct; seminal chamber about diverticula length. Spermathecal ducts without nephridia. No accessory glands. Holandric. Testis sacs well developed, connected in x and xi. Seminal vesicles developed in xi and xii. Ovaries in 12/13, ovisacs invisible. Prostate glands deeply lobuled, paired in xvii–xx; ducts slender and coiled. Accessory glands large, connected to genital markings. Variations. Specimens collected from Binh Phuoc Province have spermathecal pores located dorsally and 5–8 pairs of genital markings, whereas specimens collected from Binh Duong Province have spermathecal pores located middorsally and only 4 pairs of genital markings. DNA barcode. A partial sequence of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) was uploaded to GenBank with the accession number MN514952. Etymology. The new species, Metaphire songbeensis, is named after the old name, Song Be province, which previously consisted of both Binh Phuoc and Binh Duong provinces. Remarks. Metaphire songbeensis, new species, is similar to several species of the Metaphire malayana group, such as M. strellana (Gates, 1949), M. fovella (Gates, 1949), M. malayana (Beddard, 1900), M. malayanoides Nguyen & Lam, 2017, by having four spermathecal pores in 5/6/7/8/9, presence of genital markings in xix and subsequent segments, being holandric, and by having simple caeca. However, the new species is distinguished from these species by the absence of genital markings in spermathecal region, the presence of genital markings in xvii, spermathecal pores located dorsally, and thick septum 8/9, whereas the above species have genital markings in spermathecal region and in xvii (instead of xviii), spermathecal pores located ventrally or lateroventrally, and the absence of septum 8/9. The new species is also similar to M. posthuma (Vaillant, 1868) by having genital markings in xvii and xix, and thick septum 8/9. However, it differs from M. posthuma in having spermathecal pores located dorsally (vs. ventrally), first dorsal pore in 9/10 (vs. 12/13), epilobous prostomium (vs. prolobous prostomium), connected testis sacs (vs. separated testis sacs), and the absence of lymph glands (vs. lymph glands starting in 27/28) as well as being more segmented (206–236 vs. 98–119 segments) and slightly larger (91–133 mm vs. 67–101 mm in length; 3.4–6.4 mm vs. 4.0– 4.8 mm in diameter). Several species recorded in Vietnam also have spermathecal pores on dorsal side, such as M. truongsonensis (Thai, 1984), M. amplectens (Michaelsen, 1934), M. scitula (Gates, 1936), and M. dorsobitheca (Thai & Huynh, 1992). Metaphire songbeensis, new species, is distinguished from M. truongsonensis by having 4–8 pairs of genital markings in xvii, xix, and subsequent segments, the first dorsal pore in 9/10 (vs. absence of genital markings in the male region, first dorsal pore in 12/13). The new species is also different from M. amplectens, M. scitula, and M. dorsobitheca in having four pairs of spermathecal pores in 5/6/7/8/9 (vs. three pairs in 6/7/8/9), the presence of genital markings in the male region (vs. absence of genital markings), first dorsal pore in 9/10 (vs. in 12/13). The new species is similar in size to M. scitula (91–133 mm vs. 106–120 mm in length; 3.4–6.4 mm vs. 5 mm in diameter), but larger and more segmented than M. amplectens and M. truongsonensis (91–133 mm vs. 44–52 mm and 54 mm in length; 3.4–6.4 mm vs. 2–3 mm and 2 mm in diameter; 206–236 vs. 90–112 and 76 segments, respectively)., Published as part of Nguyen, Tung T., Nguyen, Nam Q., Lam, Dang H. & Nguyen, Anh D., 2020, Six new species of the genus Metaphire Sims & Easton, 1972 (Annelida: Oligochaeta: Megascolecidae) from southeastern Vietnam, pp. 220-236 in Raffles Bulletin of Zoology 68 on pages 228-230, DOI: 10.26107/RBZ-2020-0019, http://zenodo.org/record/4577217, {"references":["Gates GE (1949) On some earthworms from Perlis and Kedah. Bulletin of the Raffles Museum, 19: 5 - 38.","Beddard FE (1900) On the earthworms collected during the \" Skeat Expedition \" to the Malay Peninsula, 1899 - 1900. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London, 1900: 891 - 911.","Nguyen TT, Trinh TKB, Nguyen THL & Nguyen AD (2017) Earthworms (Annelida: Oligochaeta) from islands of Kien Hai District, Kien Giang Province, Vietnam, with descriptions of two new species and one subspecies. Journal of Natural History, 51 (15 - 16): 883 - 915.","Vaillant L (1868) Note sur l'anatomie de deux especes du genre Perichaeta et essai de classification des Annelides Lombriciens. Annales des Sciences Naturelles, 10: 225 - 256.","Thai TB (1984) New species of the genus Pheretima in Vietnam. Zoologicheskii Jurnal, 63 (9): 1317 - 1327.","Michaelsen W (1934) Oligochaten von Franzosisch-Indochina. Archive de Zoologie Experimentale et Generale, 76: 493 - 546.","Gates GE (1936) The earthworms of Burma. V. Records of Indian Museum, 38: 377 - 468.","Thai TB, Do VN & Huynh TKH (1992) New species of earthworm of genus Pheretima Kinberg, 1867 (Megascolecidae - Oligochaeta) belonging the bank of streams Xuan Nha Moc Chau (Son La Province) and Dac No, Dac Ken (Dac Lac Province). Tap chi Sinh hoc, 14 (4): 1 - 3."]}

Metaphire setosa, new species (Figs. 1, 6) Material examined. Holotype: 1 mature (CTU-EW.179. h01), bushes (11°34′2.2″N, 106°35′46.9″E), 84.9 m, Tan Khai commune, Hon Quan District, Binh Phuoc Province, 26 October 2017, coll. Luong Thi Huynh Tien. Paratypes: 6 matures (CTU-EW.179.p02), same data as holotype. Diagnosis. Small-sized worm, length 57.0– 73.5 mm, average diameter 1.6–3.2 mm. Prostomium not developed. First dorsal pore in 13/14. Three pairs of spermathecal pores in ventral 6/7/8/9. Setae unusual, arranged as two setal rings. Clitellum saddle-shaped, xiv–xvi. Male pores deeply located inside copulatory pouches in the setal ring xix. Five pairs of genital markings in xvi–xviii and xxi–xxii. Holandric. Intestinal caeca simple. Septum 8/9 thick, 9/10 absent. Description. Body cylindrical, small size, length 57.0– 73.5 mm, average diameter 1.6–3.2 mm, weight 0.5–1.6 g, segments 94–121. Body pale. Prostomium not developed. First dorsal pore in 13/14. Setae unusual, arranged as two setal rings, more obvious on ventral side; pre-clitellar setae stouter and denser than post-clitellar ones; setal number 119–135 in viii, 27–42 in xxx; setal distance aa=ab, zz=zy. Clitellum saddle-shaped, xiv–xvi without setae and dorsal pores. Female pore single, on round disc-shaped pad in midventral xiv. Three pairs of spermathecal pores in dorsal intersegments 6/7/8/9; two bean-shaped pads surrounding each spermathecal pore. No genital markings in the spermathecal region. Male pores located deeply inside copulatory pouches in the setal ring xix. Ventral distance between two openings of copulatory pouches about 0.35× body circumference. Genital markings paired ventrally in xvi–xviii and xx–xxi, one pair in each segment. Septa 6/7/8/9 thick, 9/10 absent, 10/11/12/13 thin. Oesophageal gizzard after viii. Intestinal origin at xv; caeca simple, paired in xxvii–xxv. Last hearts in xiii. Pharyngeal micronephridia developed in 5/6/7. Typhlosole simple, lamelliform. Lymph glands absent. Three pairs of spermathecae in vii–ix. Ampulla large, mushroom-shaped; ducts long, about ½ ampulla length. Diverticula longer than ampulla, folded and directly attached to the base of ampulla duct; seminal chamber long, bulletshaped. Spermathecal ducts without nephridia. No accessory glands. Holandric. Testis sacs in x and xi, connected. Seminal vesicles developed in xi and xii. Ovaries in 12/13. Ovisacs invisible. Prostate glands deeply lobuled, paired in xviii–xx; duct long, folded before entering copulatory pouch which is slightly elevated from body wall. Five pairs of accessory glands. DNA barcode. The amplification of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) failed. Etymology. The specific epithet " setosa " alludes to the unusual setal arrangement on this earthworm. It is used as an adjective. Remarks. The new species is very unique among known Metaphire species, with regard to its saddle-shaped clitellum and setal arrangement. There has been no report on Metaphire species with saddle-shaped clitellum. More interestingly, the setal pattern is completely different from all known pheretimoid species in Vietnam. The unusual setal pattern was only seen in the Amynthas polyperichaeta (Thai, 1984). The male region was finely coarse with dense setae which was known as the setal zone.

Key to the species of Metaphire in southeastern Vietnam 1. Male pores in xix....................................................................2 – Male pores in xviii..................................................................3 2. Spermathecal pores paired lateroventrally in 5/6/7/8/9. Clitellum normal, ring-shaped.............. M. anomala (Michaelsen, 1907) – Spermathecal pores paired lateroventrally in 5/6/7/8. Clitellum saddle-shaped (Fig. 6)......................... M. setosa, new species 3. Genital markings present in the male region.........................4 – Genital markings absent in the male region.........................12 4. Intestinal caeca manicate.............................................................................................. M. pacseana (Thai & Samphon, 1988) – Intestinal caeca simple............................................................5 5. Spermathecal pores in 5/6/7/8/9.............................................6 – Spermathecal pores in 6/7/8/9................................................9 6. Genital markings in intersegment 19/20 and subsequent intersegments. Setal penis present.............................................................................. M. malayanoides Nguyen & Lam, 2017 – Genital markings present in segments. No setal penis..........7 7. Only one pair of genital markings in xviii. Septum 8/9 absent.................. M. grandiverticulata Nguyen & Lam, 2017 – No genital markings in xviii. Septum 8/9 present................8 8. Spermathecal pores located dorsally. Four to eight pairs of genital markings in xvii, xix, and subsequent segments (Fig. 5)................................................. M. songbeensis, new species – Spermathecal pores located lateroventrally. Two pairs of genital markings in xvii and xix.......... M. posthuma (Vaillant, 1868) 9. Spermathecal pores located dorsally. Genital markings present in xvii and xix (Fig. 2)........................... M. haui, new species – Spermathecal pores located not dorsally. Genital markings present in intersegments 17/18 and 18/19............................10 10. Male region strongly concave.............. M. bahli (Gates, 1945) – Male region not concave. Genital markings disc-shaped....11 11. The openings of copulatory pouches close to ventromedial line. Septum 10/11 absent............ M. saigonensis (Omodeo, 1957) – The openings of copulatory pouches not close to ventromedial line. Septum 10/11 present............. M. peguana (Rosa, 1890) 12. Intestinal caeca manicate.....................................................13 – Intestinal caeca simple..........................................................14 13. Spermathecal pores in 5/6/7/8/9. First dorsal pore in 11/12. Seminal vesicles connected (Fig. 3)................................................................................................ M. bariaensis, new species – Spermathecal pores in 7/8/9. First dorsal pore in 10/11. Seminal vesicles separated................... M. californica (Kinberg, 1867) 14. Spermathecal pore starting from 6/7....................................15 – Spermathecal pore starting from 7/8....................................17 15. Three spermathecal pores in 6/7/8/9................................................................................................. M. houlleti (Perrier, 1872) – Two spermathecal pores in 6/7/8..........................................16 16. First dorsal pore in 12/13. Accessory glands present, ending at spermathecal ducts........... M. guillelmi (Michaelsen, 1895) – First dorsal pore in 11/12. Accessory glands absent (Fig. 4)....................................................... M. planatoides, new species 17. Two spermathecal pores in 7/8/9. No setal penis (Fig. 7).......................................................... M. houlletoides, new species – Only one pair of spermathecal pores in 7/8. Setal penis present........................ M. xuanlocensis Nguyen & Lam, 2017, Published as part of Nguyen, Tung T., Nguyen, Nam Q., Lam, Dang H. & Nguyen, Anh D., 2020, Six new species of the genus Metaphire Sims & Easton, 1972 (Annelida: Oligochaeta: Megascolecidae) from southeastern Vietnam, pp. 220-236 in Raffles Bulletin of Zoology 68 on pages 234-235, DOI: 10.26107/RBZ-2020-0019, http://zenodo.org/record/4577217, {"references":["Michaelsen W (1907) Neue Oligochaten von Vorder-Indien, Ceylon, Birma und den Andaman-Inseln. Mitteilungen aus dem Naturhistorischen Museum in Hamburg, 24: 143 - 93.","Thai TB & Samphon K (1988) New subspecies and species of earthworms (Oligochaeta) from Laos PDR. Journal of Science of HNUE, special issue: 3 - 25.","Nguyen TT, Trinh TKB, Nguyen THL & Nguyen AD (2017) Earthworms (Annelida: Oligochaeta) from islands of Kien Hai District, Kien Giang Province, Vietnam, with descriptions of two new species and one subspecies. Journal of Natural History, 51 (15 - 16): 883 - 915.","Vaillant L (1868) Note sur l'anatomie de deux especes du genre Perichaeta et essai de classification des Annelides Lombriciens. Annales des Sciences Naturelles, 10: 225 - 256.","Gates GE (1945) On some earthworms from Ceylon II. Spolia Zeylanica, 24: 69 - 90.","Omodeo P (1957) Oligocheti dell' Indocina e del Mediterraneo Orientale. Memorie del Musceo Civico di Storia Naturale, 5: 321 - 336.","Rosa D (1890) Viaggio di Leonardo Fea in Birmanica e regioni vicini, XXVI. Perichaetidi. Annali del Museo civico di storia naturale Giacomo Doria, 10: 107 - 122.","Kinberg JGH (1867) Annulata Nova. Ofversigt af Kongl. Vetenskaps-Akademiens Forhandlingar, 23: 97 - 103.","Perrier E (1872) Recherches pour servir a l'histoire des Lombriciens terrestres. Nouvelles Archives du Museum d'Histoire Naturelle de Paris, 8: 5 - 198.","Michaelsen W (1895) Zur kenntnis der Oligochate. Abhandlungen aus dem Gebiete der Naturwissenschaften, Herausgegeben von dem naturwissenschaftlichen Verein in Hamburg, 13 (2): 1 - 37."]}

Objective: We aimed to define preoperative clinical and molecular characteristics that would allow better patient selection for operative resection. Background: Although we use molecular selection methods for systemic targeted therapies, these principles are not applied to surgical oncology. Improving patient selection is of vital importance for the operative treatment of pancreatic cancer (pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma). Although surgery is the only chance of long-term survival, 80% still succumb to the disease and approximately 30% die within 1 year, often sooner than those that have unresected local disease. Method: In 3 independent pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cohorts (total participants = 1184) the relationship between aberrant expression of prometastatic proteins S100A2 and S100A4 and survival was assessed. A preoperative nomogram based on clinical variables available before surgery and expression of these proteins was constructed and compared to traditional measures, and a postoperative nomogram. Results: High expression of either S100A2 or S100A4 was independent poor prognostic factors in a training cohort of 518 participants. These results were validated in 2 independent patient cohorts (Glasgow, n = 198; Germany, n = 468). Aberrant biomarker expression stratified the cohorts into 3 distinct prognostic groups. A preoperative nomogram incorporating S100A2 and S100A4 expression predicted survival and nomograms derived using postoperative clinicopathological variables. Conclusions: Of those patients with a poor preoperative nomogram score, approximately 50% of patients died within a year of resection. Nomograms have the potential to improve selection for surgery and neoadjuvant therapy, avoiding surgery in aggressive disease, and justifying more extensive resections in biologically favorable disease.

I denne masterutredningen analyseres det om momentumeffekten fortsatt eksisterer i det amerikanske aksjemarkedet i perioden januar 2010 til desember 2019. For å undersøke dette, starter vi med å replikere handelsstrategien til Jegadeesh og Titman (1993) som kjøper aksjer som historisk sett har prestert best og shortselger aksjer som historisk sett har prestert dårligst. Våre funn indikerer at momentumeffekten for den siste perioden har økt, hvor tverrsnittlig sammenligning viser at nullkost-porteføljenes avkastning er 0.131% høyere enn dokumentert i Jegadeesh og Titman. På en annen side har avkastningenes gjennomsnittlige t-statistikk avtatt med 0.7975, og i tillegg dokumenteres det også færre statistisk signifikante strategier. Deretter finner vi at momentumeffekten i hovedsak kan tilskrives shortsalg-siden, samt at det ikke lenger eksisterer en januareffekt. Videre undersøker vi om momentumeffekten bare er en kompensasjon for ulike risikofaktorer, og da spesielt likviditetsrisiko. Resultatene viser at økningen i momentumeffekten ikke kan argumenteres for å være en kompensasjon for systematisk likviditetsrisiko, og skyldes derfor ikke av økningen i markedslikviditeten. Vi konstruerer også likviditetsimiterende porteføljer for å avgjøre om momentumeffekten er forårsaket av idiosynkratisk likviditetsrisiko. Vi argumenterer for at idiosynkratisk likviditetsrisiko kan være en plausibel forklaring på momentumeffekten for den siste perioden, men denne likviditetsrisikoen lar seg derimot ikke forklares av oppgavens likviditetsfaktor. This master's thesis analyzes whether the momentum effect still exists in the US stock market in the period from January 2010 to December 2019. To investigate this, we start by replicating the trading strategy of Jegadeesh and Titman (1993) which longs stocks that have historically performed best and shorts stocks that have historically performed the worst. Our findings indicate that the momentum effect for the last period has increased, where cross-sectional comparisons show that the return on zero-cost portfolios is 0.131% higher than documented in Jegadeesh and Titman. On the other hand, the average t-statistics of returns have decreased by 0.7975, and in addition fewer statistically significant strategies are documented. We then find that the momentum effect can mainly be attributed to the short side, and that a January effect no longer exists. Furthermore, we investigate whether the momentum effect is only a compensation for various risk factors, and in particular liquidity risk. The results show that the increase in the momentum effect cannot be argued to be a compensation for systematic liquidity risk, and consequently cannot be attributed to the increase in market liquidity. We also construct illiquidity characteristic mimicking portfolios to examine whether the momentum effect is due to idiosyncratic liquidity risk. We argue that idiosyncratic liquidity risk might be a plausible explanation for the momentum effect for the last period, but this liquidity risk cannot be explained by the liquidity factor analyzed in this master's thesis. nhhmas

Raffles Bulletin of Zoology, 68, 220-236

Pheretima vungtauensis sp. nov. (Figure 1) Material examined. HOLOTYPE: mature Specimen (CTU-EW.166.h01) banana plantation (10o44���57.6 N; 107o14���35.1 E), 206 m aSl, Xa Bang commune, Chau Duc DiStrict, Ba Ria���Vung Tau Province, 25 October 2016, leg. Truong Thuy Ai. PARATYPES: 2 matureS (CTU-EW.166.p02) Same data aS for holotype; 1 mature (CTU- EW.166.p03) Anacardium occidentale plantation (10o39���42.7 N; 107o09���23.0 E), 107 m aSl, Lang Lon commune, Chau Duc DiStrict, Ba Ria���Vung Tau Province, 24 October 2016, leg. Truong Thuy Ai; 1 mature (CTU- EW.166.p04), banana plantation (10o38���25.3 N; 107o21���00 E), 62 m aSl, Son Binh commune, Chau Duc DiStrict, Ba Ria���Vung Tau Province, 25 October 2016, leg. Truong Thuy Ai; 1 mature (CTU-EW.166.p05), Anacardium occidentale plantation (10o38���38.0 N; 107o06���50.0 E), 62 m aSl, Hac Dich commune, Tan Thanh DiStrict, Ba Ria��� Vung Tau Province, 24 October 2016, leg. Nguyen Phuc Hau; 2 matureS (CTU-EW.166.p06), near the road (10o29���09.2 N; 107o10���54.6 E), 75 m aSl, Hac Dich commune, Tan Thanh DiStrict, Ba Ria���Vung Tau Province, 24 October 2016, leg. Nguyen Phuc Hau; 1 mature (CTU-EW.166.p07), on the way to the Bao Quan Mountain (10o35���39.2 N; 107o07���24.0 E), 59 m aSl, Toc Tien commune, Tan Thanh DiStrict, Ba Ria���Vung Tau Province, 24 October 2016, leg. Nguyen Phuc Hau. Diagnosis. Medium Size, length 132���169 mm, diameter 4.1���6.1 mm, weight 1.64���3.39 gr (in formalin), and SegmentS 91���125. Three pairS of Spermathecal poreS in interSegmentS 6/7/8/9. Micronephridia Surrounding duct of ampulla. Copulatory poucheS preSent. Ventral diStance between male poreS about 0.35x body circumference. No genital markingS in both Spermathecal and male regionS. InteSt nal origin at xv; caeca Simple, originating at xxvii. TyphloSole Simple, lamelliform. Lymph glandS from 15/16. Holandric. Etymology. Named after the province Ba Ria-Vung Tau where the SpecieS iS widely diStributed. Description. External characters: Body cylindrical; medium Size, length 132���169 mm, diameter 4.1���6.1 mm, weight 1.64���3.39 gr, SegmentS 91���125 (N=9). DorSum greyiSh brown, ventrum paler. ProStomium 1/2 epilobouS (open). FirSt dorSal pore in 11/12 or 12/13. Preclitellar Setae Stouter and SparSer than poStclitellar Setae, 31���49 in viii, 57���82 in xxv, 11���17 Setae between two male porophoreS (N=9); Setal diStance aa = 1.5���2.5ab, zz = 1.5���2zy. Clitellum annular, xiv���xvi, without dorSal poreS and Setae. Female pore Single, in mid-ventral xiv. Three pairS of Spermathecal poreS in interSegmentS 6/7/8/9; ventral diStance between Spermathecal poreS approximately 0.4x body circumference. Male poreS located inSide copulatory poucheS on the Setal ring xviii; ventral diStance between male poreS about 0.35x body circumference. Genital markingS abSent in both Spermathecal and male pore regionS. Internal characters: Septa 5/6/7/8 thick, 8/9/10 abSent, 10/11/12 /13 Slightly thick. OeSophageal gizzard within viii���x. InteStinal origin at xv; caeca Simple, originating at xxvii, and extending anteriorly to xxiv or xxiii. LaSt heartS in xiii. Pharyngeal micronephridia developed in 5/6/7. TyphloSole Simple, lamelliform. Lymph glandS bag- Shaped, from 15/16. Three pairS of Spermathecae in vii���ix. Ampulla large, egg-Shaped; duct Short, ca. 1/3 ampulla length, Somewhat conStricted in the middle; micronephridia Surrounding duct of ampulla, moSt developed in Spermathecae at 6/7. Diverticulum Shorter than ampulla in Situ, but longer when extended, Strongly folded, directly attached to the middle of ampulla duct; diStal part of diverticulum enlarged to be a Small, oval-Shaped Seminal chamber. AcceSSory glandS 2���3, Small, muSroom-Shaped; duct long, attached to baSe of ampulla. Holandric. TeStiS SacS developed in x and xi, unconnected. Seminal veSicleS well developed in xi���xii. OvarieS inviSible; oviduct well developed after Septum 12/13. ProState glandS deeply lobuled, paired in xvi���xix; proStatic ductS long, Somewhat enlarge in middle, open in large chamber. AcceSSory glandS large and covering copulatory pouch. DNA barcodes. A 660bp fragment of the mitochondrial gene Cytochrome c oxydaSe Subunit I waS Sequenced from the holotype, and uploaded to GenBank with the acceSSion number MF481211. TABLE]. Morphological comparison of P.vungtauensis sp nov. with similar species within the P. dubia species group. All species lack genital markings in the spermathecal anđ male pores region. AG: accessory glanđs. MP: Male pores. Remarks. The new SpecieS can be keyed to the dubia group in SimS & EaSton (1972) characteriSed by having three pairS of Spermathecal poreS in interSegmentS 6/7/8/9. ThiS group currently conSiStS of ten SpecieS, Pheretima dubia HorSt, 1893, P. korinchiana Cognetti, 1922, P. poiana MichaelSen, 1913, all from IndoneSia; P. philippina RoSa, 1891, P. callosa GateS, 1937, P. balbalanensis Hong & JameS, 2010, P. banaoi Hong & JameS, 2010, P. globosa Hong & JameS, 2011, P. julkai Hong & JameS, 2011, P. lamaganensis Hong & JameS, 2011, all from the PhilippineS. Morphological differenceS among theSe SpecieS are Summarized in Table 1. Among theSe SpecieS, the new SpecieS iS fairly Similar to Pheretima balbalensis, P. banaoi, P. julkai, and P. lamaganensis, all from the PhilippineS, in having three pairS of Spermathecal poreS in interSegmentS 6/7/8/9, no genital markingS in Spermathecal and male regionS, and inteStinal caeca Simple. Pheretima balbalanensis iS diStinguiShed by inteStine beginning in xvi, caeca from xxviii, typhloSole veStigial, lymph glandS from xxviii, whereaS P. vungtauensis sp. nov. haS inteStine originating at xv, caeca from xvii, typhloSole lamelliform, bag- Shaped lymph glandS from 15/16. The new SpecieS iS different from P. banaoi in larger ventral diStance between maleS porophoreS (0.35x circumference vS. 0.19���0.22x), inteStinal origin (xv vS. xvi), the beginning of lymph glandS (15/16 vS. xxviii), form of typhloSole (lamelliform vS. Simple fold). The new SpecieS alSo differS from P. julkai and Ph. lamaganensis in ventral diStance between male poreS (0.35x circumference vS. 0.2���0.23x or 0.21��� 0.22x), poSition of gizzard (viii���ix vS. viii), inteStinal origin (xv vS. xvi), typhloSole (lamelliform vS. abSent). Morphologically, the new SpecieS iS particularly Similar to Metaphire houlleti (Perrier, 1872) in body Shape, three pairS of Spermathecal poreS in interSegmentS 6/7/8/9, preSence of copulatory poucheS, Shape of Spermathecal ampulla and diverticulum, and preSence of aSSeSSory glandS in Spermathecal and male regionS (Perrier 1872). However, Pheretima vungtauensis sp. nov. iS diStinctly different from M. houlleti in having micronephridia on the Spermathecal ductS, and in the abSence of genital markingS in Spermathecal and male regionS. M. houlleti iS recogniSed by abSence of micronephridia on Spermathecal ductS, and preSence of Small genital markingS inSide Spermathecal and maleS poreS (Blakemore 2016). Molecular comparison. Due to theSe morphological SimilaritieS, the COI SequenceS from SpecimenS identified aS M. houlleti were included in the molecular analySiS. BaSed on COI SequenceS, the new SpecieS, Pheretima vungtauensis sp. nov., iS more cloSely related to M. houlleti than to other SpecieS of Pheretima; the holotype of the new SpecieS iS neSted within a clade formed by SpecimenS identified aS Metaphire houlleti (Fig. 2). It iS cloSely related to a Metaphire houlleti group from Thailand (II) with bootStrap and BI valueS of 88% and 1.00 BPP, reSpectively. However, the Kimura 2-parameter (K2P) diStance between the new SpecieS and Metaphire houlleti from Thailand (II) varieS from 0.148 to 0.2 (Table 2). ThiS diStance iS relatively cloSe to or higher than that for SpecieS delimination uSing COI barcodeS (0.15) aS diScuSSed in Chang & JameS (2011) and Jerathitikul et al. (2017). In addition, Metaphire houlleti nominal SpecieS iS branched into three cladeS, Vietnam + India + Philippine, Thailand (I) and Thailand (II). Each clade iS clearly different from otherS in genetic diStance (ranging from 0.175 to 0.222). Of theSe, two cladeS (Thailand I and II) are Separated with good Support of bootStrap and BI valueS of 70% and 0.99 BPP, reSpectively. BeSideS, Blakemore (2016) reportS on a 19% COI difference between two SpecimenS of M. houlleti, one from Thailand, the other one from the PhilippineS, indicating a "molecular SpecieS-group" (ibd.). Furthermore, Jeratthitikul et al. (2017) alSo Stated that M. houlleti nominal SpecieS containS Several new cryptic SpecieS. We agree that the nominal SpecieS M. houlleti needS to be reviSed baSed on SpecimenS collected from different regionS., Published as part of Nguyen, Tung T., Nguyen, Nam Q. & Nguyen, Anh D., 2018, First record of the earthworm genus Pheretima Kinberg, 1867 sensu stricto in Vietnam, with description of a new species (Annelida: Clitellata: Megascolecidae), pp. 251-258 in Zootaxa 4496 (1) on pages 252-257, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4496.1.20, http://zenodo.org/record/1446791, {"references":["Sims, R. W. & EastOn, E. G. (1972) A numerical revisiOn OF the earthWOrm genus Pheretima auct. (MegascOlecidae: OligOchaeta) With the recOgnitiOn OF neW genera and an appendiX On the earthWOrms cOllected by the ROyal SOciety NOrth BOrneO EXpeditiOn. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 4, 169 - 268. https: // dOi. Org / 10.1111 / j. 1095 - 8312.1972. tb 00694. X","HOng, Y. & James, S. W. (2010) SiX neW earthWOrms OF the genus Pheretima (OligOchaeta: MegascOlecidae) FrOm Balbalan- Balbalasang, Kalinga PrOvince, the Philippines. Zoological Studies, 49 (4), 523 - 533.","HOng, Y. & James, S. W. (2011) NeW earthWOrm species OF the genus Pheretima (Clitellata: MegascOlecidae) FrOm MOuntain PrOvince, Philippines. Journal of Natural History, 45, 1769 - 1788. https: // dOi. Org / 10.1080 / 00222933.2011.560726","Perrier, E. (1872) Recherches pOur servir a l'histOire des LOmbriciens terrestres. Nouvelles Archives du Museum d'Histoire Naturelle de Paris, 8, 5 - 198.","Chang, C. - H. & James, S. (2011) A critique OF earthWOrm mOlecular phylOgenetics. Pedobiologia, 54 S, 3 - 9. [S 3 - S 9] https: // dOi. Org / 10.1016 / j. pedObi. 2011.07.015","Jeratthitikul, E., BantaOWOng, U. & Panha, S. (2017) DNA barcOding OF the Thai species OF terrestrial earthWOrms in the genera Amynthas and Metaphire (HaplOtaXida: MegascOlecidae). European Journal of Soil Biology, 81, 39 - 47. https: // dOi. Org / 10.1016 / j. ejsObi. 2017.06.004"]}

It has been brought to our attention that in Fig. 2d of this Article, an incorrect Sanger trace was used to represent the breakpoint of the EWSR1 and FLI1 type 2 fusion. This was due to an error during manuscript preparation, when we inadvertently inserted the electrophoretic trace referring to EWSR1 splicing variants. Figure 2d has been corrected in the online versions of the Article. We apologize for the confusion. In addition, in the first sentence of the 'Somatic driver mutation' section on page 67, the sentence: 'A total of 15,751 somatic coding mutations (7,703 non-silent) were detected in 2,787 genes (Supplementary Tables 4, 5)", should have stated "A total of 3,097 somatic coding mutations (2,498 non-silent) were detected in 2,567 genes (Supplementary Tables 4, 5)". Note that the numbers in the Supplementary Tables are correct. This sentence has been corrected in the online versions of the Article.

This corrects the article DOI: 10.1038/nature21063.

Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most lethal of malignancies and a major health burden. We performed whole-genome sequencing and copy number variation (CNV) analysis of 100 pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDACs). Chromosomal rearrangements leading to gene disruption were prevalent, affecting genes known to be important in pancreatic cancer (TP53, SMAD4, CDKN2A, ARID1A and ROBO2) and new candidate drivers of pancreatic carcinogenesis (KDM6A and PREX2). Patterns of structural variation (variation in chromosomal structure) classified PDACs into 4 subtypes with potential clinical utility: the subtypes were termed stable, locally rearranged, scattered and unstable. A significant proportion harboured focal amplifications, many of which contained druggable oncogenes (ERBB2, MET, FGFR1, CDK6, PIK3R3 and PIK3CA), but at low individual patient prevalence. Genomic instability co-segregated with inactivation of DNA maintenance genes (BRCA1, BRCA2 or PALB2) and a mutational signature of DNA damage repair deficiency. Of 8 patients who received platinum therapy, 4 of 5 individuals with these measures of defective DNA maintenance responded.

Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most lethal of malignancies and a major health burden. We performed whole-genome sequencing and copy number variation (CNV) analysis of 100 pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDACs). Chromosomal rearrangements leading to gene disruption were prevalent, affecting genes known to be important in pancreatic cancer (TP53, SMAD4, CDKN2A, ARID1A and ROBO2) and new candidate drivers of pancreatic carcinogenesis (KDM6A and PREX2). Patterns of structural variation (variation in chromosomal structure) classified PDACs into 4 subtypes with potential clinical utility: the subtypes were termed stable, locally rearranged, scattered and unstable. A significant proportion harboured focal amplifications, many of which contained druggable oncogenes (ERBB2, MET, FGFR1, CDK6, PIK3R3 and PIK3CA), but at low individual patient prevalence. Genomic instability co-segregated with inactivation of DNA maintenance genes (BRCA1, BRCA2 or PALB2) and a mutational signature of DNA damage repair deficiency. Of 8 patients who received platinum therapy, 4 of 5 individuals with these measures of defective DNA maintenance responded.

Author version made available in accordance with the publisher's policy., Background: To evaluate dysphagia in relation to bolus movement in patients undergoing laparoscopic fundoplication. Methods: Liquid and viscous swallows were evaluated with impedance/manometry in 19 patients with reflux disease before and after surgery. A new method of automated impedance manometry (AIM) analysis correlated esophageal pressure with impedance data and automatically calculated a range of pressure & bolus movement variables. An iterative analysis determined if any variables were altered in relation to dysphagia. Standard measures of esophago-gastric junction (EGJ) pressure, bolus presence time (BPT) and total bolus transit time (TBTT) were also evaluated. Key Results: At 5 months post-op, 15 patients had some dysphagia, including 7 with new-onset dysphagia. For viscous boluses, three AIM-derived pressure-flow variables recorded pre-operatively varied significantly in relation to post-operative dysphagia. These were: time from nadir esophageal impedance to peak esophageal pressure (TNadImp-PeakP), median intra-bolus pressure (IBP, mmHg) and the rate of bolus pressure rise (IBP slope, mmHg s-1). These variables were combined to form a dysphagia risk index (DRI) of esophageal dysfunction (DRI = IBP*IBP_slope/TNadImp-PeakP). DRI values derived from pre-operative measurements were significantly elevated in those with post-operative dysphagia (DRI 58, IQR 21-408 vs no dysphagia DRI 9, IQR -2-19, p 14 was optimally predictive of dysphagia (sensitivity 75% and specificity 93%). Conclusions & Inferences: Before surgery, a greater and faster compression of a swallowed viscous bolus with less bolus flow time relates to post-operative dysphagia. Thus susceptibility to post-fundoplication dysphagia is related to a pre-existing sub-clinical variation of esophageal function.

Refereed/Peer-reviewed Background and Aim: Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic disease which may progress to a fibro-stenotic phenotype due to esophageal sub-epithelial fibrosis. Esophageal wall thickening in patients with EoE has been demonstrated in a few studies using endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). The aim of this study was to longitudinally assess the endoscopic appearance, wall thickness, histology, and dysphagia score of EoE patients. Methods: Patients with EoE were recruited and studied between February 2012 and April 2021. Patients were evaluated on two separate occasions at least 12 months apart with endoscopy, EUS, and esophageal mucosal biopsies. The dysphagia score and epidemiology data were also assessed. Results: A total of 16 EoE patients were included with a mean follow-up duration of 2.2 ± 1.2 years. In 14/16 (88%) patients, the total wall thickness of the distal esophagus significantly increased (P = 0.0012) as a result of thickening of the muscularis propria (P = 0.0218). However, only 1/14 (7%) patient had an increase in the dysphagia score, while 8/14 (57%) and 5/14 (36%) had a stable and reduced dysphagia score, respectively. No differences were found in the total thickness of other esophageal regions, dysphagia score, endoscopic appearance, and eosinophil count over time. Conclusion: Distal esophageal wall thickness increases with time in EoE patients, independent of the dysphagia score and eosinophil count.

Objective: Hypothalamic melanocortin 4 receptors (MC4R) are a key regulator of energy homeostasis. Brain-penetrant MC4R agonists have failed, as concentrations required to suppress food intake also increase blood pressure. However, peripherally located MC4R may also mediate metabolic benefits of MC4R activation. Mc4r transcript is enriched in mouse enteroendocrine L cells and peripheral administration of the endogenous MC4R agonist, α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH), triggers the release of the anorectic hormones Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and peptide tyrosine tyrosine (PYY) in mice. This study aimed to determine whether pathways linking MC4R and L-cell secretion exist in humans. Design: GLP-1 and PYY levels were assessed in body mass index–matched individuals with or without loss-of-function MC4R mutations following an oral glucose tolerance test. Immunohistochemistry was performed on human intestinal sections to characterize the mucosal MC4R system. Static incubations with MC4R agonists were carried out on human intestinal epithelia, GLP-1 and PYY contents of secretion supernatants were assayed. Results: Fasting PYY levels and oral glucose-induced GLP-1 secretion were reduced in humans carrying a total loss-of-function MC4R mutation. MC4R was localized to L cells and regulates GLP-1 and PYY secretion from ex vivo human intestine. α-MSH immunoreactivity in the human intestinal epithelia was predominantly localized to L cells. Glucose-sensitive mucosal pro-opiomelanocortin cells provide a local source of α-MSH that is essential for glucose-induced GLP-1 secretion in small intestine. Conclusion: Our findings describe a previously unidentified signaling nexus in the human gastrointestinal tract involving α-MSH release and MC4R activation on L cells in an autocrine and paracrine fashion. Outcomes from this study have direct implications for targeting mucosal MC4R to treat human metabolic disorders. Refereed/Peer-reviewed

Background and Objectives: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) and fine needle biopsy (FNB) are effective techniques that are widely used for tissue acquisition. However, it remains unclear how to obtain high-quality specimens. Therefore, we conducted a survey of EUS-FNA and FNB techniques to determine practice patterns worldwide and to develop strong recommendations based on the experience of experts in the field. Methods: This was a worldwide multi-institutional survey among members of the International Society of EUS Task Force (ISEUS-TF). The survey was administered by E-mail through the SurveyMonkey website. In some cases, percentage agreement with some statements was calculated; in others, the options with the greatest numbers of responses were summarized. Another questionnaire about the level of recommendation was designed to assess the respondents' answers. Results: ISEUS-TF members developed a questionnaire containing 17 questions that was sent to 53 experts. Thirty-five experts completed the survey within the specified period. Among them, 40% and 54.3% performed 50–200 and more than 200 EUS sampling procedures annually, respectively. Some practice patterns regarding FNA/FNB were recommended. Conclusion: This is the first worldwide survey of EUS-FNA and FNB practice patterns. The results showed wide variations in practice patterns. Randomized studies are urgently needed to establish the best approach for optimizing the FNA/FNB procedures.

Gut-derived serotonin (5-HT) is released from enterochromaffin (EC) cells in response to nutrient cues, and acts to slow gastric emptying and modulate gastric motility. Rodent studies also evidence a role for gut-derived 5-HT in the control of hepatic glucose production, lipolysis and thermogenesis, and in mediating diet-induced obesity. EC cell number and 5-HT content is increased in the small intestine of obese rodents and human, however, it is unknown whether EC cells respond directly to glucose in humans, and whether their capacity to release 5-HT is perturbed in obesity. We therefore investigated 5-HT release from human duodenal and colonic EC cells in response to glucose, sucrose, fructose and &alpha, glucoside (&alpha, MG) in relation to body mass index (BMI). EC cells released 5-HT only in response to 100 and 300 mM glucose (duodenum) and 300 mM glucose (colon), independently of osmolarity. Duodenal, but not colonic, EC cells also released 5-HT in response to sucrose and &alpha, MG, but did not respond to fructose. 5-HT content was similar in all EC cells in males, and colonic EC cells in females, but 3 to 4-fold higher in duodenal EC cells from overweight females (p &lt, 0.05 compared to lean, obese). Glucose-evoked 5-HT release was 3-fold higher in the duodenum of overweight females (p &lt, 0.05, compared to obese), but absent here in overweight males. Our data demonstrate that primary human EC cells respond directly to dietary glucose cues, with regional differences in selectivity for other sugars. Augmented glucose-evoked 5-HT release from duodenal EC is a feature of overweight females, and may be an early determinant of obesity.

Aims: To determine the prevalence of low faecal elastase-1 (FE-1) (≤200 μg/g) in type 2 diabetes (T2DM), and to test the hypothesis that pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) would reduce postprandial glycaemia after a high-fat, high-carbohydrate meal in T2DM subjects with low FE-1. Methods: Of 109 community-based patients who submitted stool samples, 10 had low FE-1 and 8 were recruited (6 male, 2 female, 67.8 ± 3.0 years). Participants were given a high-fat, high-carbohydrate meal (718 kcal) with either pancrelipase (50,000 units) or placebo in a randomised, double-blind, crossover fashion. The primary outcome was the difference in postprandial glycaemia following PERT vs placebo, as evaluated by the incremental area under the postprandial plasma glucose curve (iAUC). Secondary outcomes included differences in gastric half-emptying time (T50) measured using scintigraphy, and C-peptide iAUC. Results: The prevalence of low FE-1 in T2DM was 9.2% (95% CI 3.8–14.6%). There was no difference in postprandial glycaemia iAUC (P = 0.38), gastric emptying T50 (P = 0.69) or C-peptide iAUC (P = 0.25) after PERT compared to placebo. Conclusions: Decreased FE-1 has a relatively low prevalence in community-based patients with T2DM, and PERT does not reduce postprandial glycaemia in these patients. Clinical Trial Registration Number: ACTRN12617000349347. usc Refereed/Peer-reviewed

OBJECTIVES: The objective of guideline was to provide clear and relevant consensus statements to form a practical guideline for clinicians on the indications, optimal technique, safety and efficacy of endoscopic ultrasound guided celiac plexus neurolysis (EUS-CPN).METHODS: Six important clinical questions were determined regarding EUS-CPN. Following a detailed literature review, 6 statements were proposed attempting to answer those questions. A group of expert endosonographers convened in Chicago, United States (May 2016), where the statements were presented and feedback provided. Subsequently a consensus group of 35 expert endosonographers voted based on their individual level of agreement. A strong recommendation required 80% voter agreement. The modified GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) criteria were used to rate the strength of recommendations and the quality of evidence.RESULTS: Eighty percent agreement was reached on 5 of 6 consensus statements, 79.4% agreement was reached on the remaining one.CONCLUSIONS: EUS-CPN is efficacious, should be integrated into the management of pancreas cancer pain, and can be considered early at the time of diagnosis of inoperable disease. Techniques may still vary based on operator experience. Serious complications exist, but are rare.

Background and Objectives: EUS-guided biliary drainage (EUS-BD) was shown to be useful for malignant biliary obstruction (MBO). However, there is lack of consensus on how EUS-BD should be performed. Methods: This was a worldwide multi-institutional survey among members of the International Society of EUS conducted in February 2018. The survey consisted of 10 questions related to the practice of EUS-BD. Results: Forty-six endoscopists of them completed the survey. The majority of endoscopists felt that EUS-BD could replace percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage after failure of ERCP. Among all EUS-BD methods, the rendezvous stenting technique should be the First choice. Self-expandable metal stents (SEMSs) were recommended by most endoscopists. For EUS-guided hepaticogastrostomy (HGS), superiority of partially-covered SEMS over fully-covered SEMS was not in agreement. 6-Fr cystotomes were recommended for fistula creation. During the HGS approach, longer SEMS (8 or 10 cm) was recommended. During the choledochoduodenostomy approach, 6-cm SEMS was recommended. During the intrahepatic (IH) approach, the IH segment 3 was recommended. Conclusion: This is the first worldwide survey on the practice of EUS-BD for MBO. There were wide variations in practice, and randomized studies are urgently needed to establish the best approach for the management of this condition.

The role of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) in the regulation of gastric emptying is uncertain. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of endogenous GLP-1 on gastric emptying, glucose absorption, and glycemia in health.Ten healthy fasted subjects (eight males, two females; 48 +/- 7 yr) received the specific GLP-1 antagonist, exendin(9-39) amide [ex(9-39)NH(2)] (300 pmol/kg x min iv), or placebo, between -30 and 180 min in a randomized, double-blind, crossover fashion. At 0 min, a mashed potato meal ( approximately 2600 kJ) containing 3 g 3-ortho-methyl-D-glucose (3-OMG) and labeled with 20 MBq (99m)Technetium-sulphur colloid was eaten. Gastric emptying, including the time taken for 50% of the meal to empty from the stomach (T50), blood glucose, plasma 3-OMG, and plasma insulin were measured.Ex(9-39)NH(2) accelerated gastric emptying [T50 ex(9-39)NH(2), 68 +/- 8 min, vs. placebo, 83 +/- 7 min; P0.001] and increased the overall glycemic response to the meal [area under the curve (0-180 min) ex(9-39)NH(2), 1540 +/- 106 mmol/liter x min, vs. placebo, 1388 +/- 90 mmol/liter x min; P0.02]. At 60 min, ex(9-39)NH(2) increased the rise in glycemia [ex(9-39)NH(2), 9.9 +/- 0.5 mmol/liter, vs. placebo, 8.4 +/- 0.5 mmol/liter; P0.01], plasma 3-OMG [ex(9-39)NH(2), 0.25 +/- 0.01 mmol/liter, vs. placebo, 0.21 +/- 0.01 mmol/liter; P0.05], and plasma insulin [ex(9-39)NH(2), 82 +/- 13 mU/liter, vs. placebo, 59 +/- 9 mU/liter; P0.05] concentrations. There was a close within-subject correlation between glycemia and gastric emptying [e.g. at 60 min, the increment in blood glucose and gastric emptying (T50); r = -0.89; P0.001].GLP-1 plays a physiological role to slow gastric emptying in health, which impacts on glucose absorption and, hence, postprandial glycemia.

Introduction: Studies in the critically ill that evaluate intragastric and post-pyloric delivery of nutrient have yielded conflicting data. A limitation of these studies is that the influence in the route of feeding on glucose absorption and glycaemia has not been determined.Methods: In 68 mechanically ventilated critically ill patients, liquid nutrient (100 ml; 1 kcal/ml containing 3 g of 3-O-Methyl-D-glucopyranose (3-OMG), as a marker of glucose absorption), was infused into either the stomach (n = 24) or small intestine (n = 44) over six minutes. Blood glucose and serum 3-OMG concentrations were measured at regular intervals for 240 minutes and the area under the curves (AUCs) calculated for 'early' (AUC60) and 'overall' (AUC240) time periods. Data are presented as mean (95% confidence intervals). Results: Glucose absorption was initially more rapid following post-pyloric, when compared with intragastric, feeding (3-OMG AUC60: intragastric 7.3 (4.3, 10.2) vs. post-pyloric 12.5 (10.1, 14.8) mmol/l.min; P = 0.008); however, 'overall' glucose absorption was similar (AUC240: 49.1 (34.8, 63.5) vs. 56.6 (48.9, 64.3) mmol/l.min; P = 0.31). Post-pyloric administration of nutrients was also associated with greater increases in blood glucose concentrations in the 'early' period (AUC60: 472 (425, 519) vs. 534 (501, 569) mmol/l.min; P = 0.03), but 'overall' glycaemia was also similar (AUC240: 1,875 (1,674, 2,075) vs. 1,898 (1,755, 2,041) mmol/l.min; P = 0.85).Conclusions: In the critically ill, glucose absorption was similar whether nutrient was administered via a gastric or post-pyloric catheter. These data may have implications for the perceived benefit of post-pyloric feeding on nutritional outcomes and warrant further investigation. Refereed/Peer-reviewed