Abnormal Specimens Research Articles

Dorsal and Pelvic Fin Deformities in Egirdira nigra (Teleostei, Leuciscidae), an Endangered and Endemic Species Collected from Eğirdir Lake, Türkiye

Abnormal specimens of Egirdira nigra (Kosswig & Geldiay, 1952) were gathered from Eğirdir Lake, Akkeçili Village, Türkiye, during standard ichthyological investigations in the area from May–September 2021. These specimens exhibited irregularities in the dorsal and pelvic fin. The abnormalities noted in these fins encompass the complete absence of the fin and various degrees of distortions in the fin’s components. The X-ray images revealed skeletal deformities are deliberated. Our findings underscored the necessity for enhanced monitoring of the freshwater environment and pinpointing the precise factor responsible for these irregularities.

Deviation in White Blood Cell Count Measurement between WNR and WDF Channels on an Automated Hematology Analyzer XN-3000: A Case Report

BACKGROUND: At present, complete blood count (CBC) testing is one of the most common clinical tests. The XN-3000 used in our hospital utilizes the principles of impedance and semiconductor laser flow cytometry, which contains two types of leukocyte fractionation methods: White cell nucleated (WNR) and white cell differential (WDF) channels. CASE PRESENTATION: Herein, we present the case of a 63-year-old male patient who was admitted to our hospital for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (T4N3M1 [LYM, HEP, and OSS]). Biochemical data showed abnormal liver function and anemia. WNR results showed poor leukocyte and debris fractions compared with WDF results, and leukocyte counts were different between the two channels. However, the poor fractionation of the leukocyte and debris fractions in the WNR was resolved at the twofold dilution stage. To investigate the cause of the problem, precipitates affecting the WNR measurement were visually checked. Consequently, insoluble precipitates were observed in the WNR mixture of the specimen of the patient. In our hospital, we measure 1200 CBCs/day and very rarely encounter abnormal specimens such as in the presented case. Normally, leukocyte counts are reported in priority to those measured by the WNR channel; however, in this case, the switching function was effective in giving priority to WDF count results because of the appearance of abnormal WNR plots. However, a system that can promptly confirm events when results are reported is necessary. CONCLUSION: We very rarely encounter abnormal specimens such as in the presented case. Normally, leukocyte counts are reported in priority to those measured by the WNR channel; however, in this case, the switching function was effective in giving priority to WDF count results because of the appearance of abnormal WNR plots. However, a system that can promptly confirm events when results are reported is necessary. When no clinical request for WDF measurement was made, the WNR scattergram must be confirmed, dilution measurement, if necessary, must be performed, or the WDF must be measured and reported to the clinician as useful criteria for diagnosis.

Examining abnormal Silurian trilobites from the Llandovery of Australia.

Abnormal trilobites present insight into how arthropods with fully biomineralised exoskeletons recovered from injuries, genetic malfunctions, and pathologies. Records of abnormal Silurian trilobites in particular show an abundance of specimens with teratologies and a limited record of injuries. Here we expand the record of abnormal Silurian trilobites by presenting seven new abnormal specimens of Odontopleura (Sinespinaspis) markhami from the early Silurian (Llandovery, Telychian) Cotton Formation, New South Wales. We use these specimens to illustrate novel evidence for asymmetric distribution of pleural thoracic spine bases. These abnormal bases likely reflect genetic complications, resulting in morphologies that would unlikely have aided the fitness of abnormal individuals. In considering records of malformed Silurian trilobites more broadly, we propose that the largest trilobites may have been prey at this time. This indicates a possible change in the trophic position of trilobites when compared to Cambrian and Ordovician palaeoecosystems.

Morphological abnormalities in the Striped panray, Zanobatus schoenleinii (Zanobatidae) from the coast of Senegal (Eastern Tropical Atlantic)

The capture of four abnormal specimens of the Striped panray, Zanobatus schoenleiniii was reported from shallow coastal waters surrounding the touristic area of Dakar, Republic of Senegal, and among them, some specimens displaying morphological deformities. A specimen exhibited a pectoral non-adherent to the head, a second was tailless, and two specimens displayed scoliosis at level of trunchal vertebrae and tail. The abnormalities are described and their causes and consequences herein considered.

Wing Venation Abnormalities in the Solitary Wasp Family Crabronidae (Insecta: Hymenoptera)

Insect wings are flexible structures composed of tubular veins and thin wing membranes. In many insect groups, wings contain distinct taxonomic characters which are easy to describe (e.g., the number and length of veins, the wing size, etc.). However, some insects may have abnormal specimens that have some veins or their parts missing, or to the contrary have additional veins on the wings. In this study, forewing abnormalities in 248 species of 53 solitary wasp genera belonging to the family Crabronidae (Hymenoptera) collected from Turkey were investigated for the first time. As a result, forewing abnormalities were detected in 37 species belonging to 18 genera from five subfamilies. In total, 20 cases of wing venation abnormalities, classified as: a) supernumerary veins, b) defective veins and c) supernumerary cells, were observed in 67 of 3244 specimens. The abnormalities were rather common in following three species Psammaecius punctulatus (Vander Linden, 1829) (n = 8, 11.94%), Bembix bidentata Vander Linden, 1829 (n = 6, 8.95%), and Bembecinus tridens (Fabricius, 1781) (n = 4, 7.46%). Nysson interruptus (Fabricius, 1798) and Nysson maculosus (Gmelin, 1790) are species with more than one abnormality on the same wing. Abnormalities were generally observed in males (n=50, 74.63%) rather than females (n=17, 25.37%). The mechanism of this phenomenon, which is thought to occur due to genetic, environmental or pathogenic reasons, has not yet been clarified in many insect groups, including Crabronidae.

Malformations in Late Devonian brachiopods from the western Junggar, NW China and their potential causes.

Although malformations are found in both extant organisms and the fossil record, they are more rarely reported in the fossil record than in living organisms, and the environmental factors causing the malformations are much more difficult to identify for the fossil record. Two athyrid brachiopod taxa from the Upper Devonian Hongguleleng Formation in western Junggar (Xinjiang, NW China) show distinctive shell malformation. Of 198 Cleiothyridina and 405 Crinisarina specimens, 18 and 39 individuals were malformed, respectively; an abnormality ratio of nearly 10%. Considering the preservation status and buried environment of the abnormal specimens, and analysis of trace elements and rare earth elements from whole-rock and brachiopod shells, we conclude that the appearance of malformed athyrids is likely related to epi/endoparasites, or less likely the slightly higher content of heavy metal in the sea.

Re-description of the female of Kampimodromus langei Wainstein and Arutunjan (Acari: Phytoseiidae) based on normal and abnormal specimens, with the first description of its male

Kampimodromus langei Wainstein and Arutunjan (Acari: Phytoseiidae) is reported for the first time for the Turkish fauna. It is re-described and illustrated, based on normal and abnormal female specimens from material collected from Quercus cerris L. var. cerris (Fagaceae) trees in Samsun Province on the north coast of Turkey. In addition, the male is described for the first time in this study. Our examination of a series of female specimens of K. langei showed no remarkable differences compared to its original description and subsequent redescriptions. However, on both sides of a female specimen, we observed an additional dorsal seta inserted at the location of seta S1 known from other groups of Mesostigmata closely related to phytoseiid mites. The dorsal shield of the abnormal specimen is also illustrated and its setal measurements are provided. To the best of our knowledge of phytoseiids, the extra seta has been reported only for Typhlodromus (Typhlodromus) laurae Wainstein. The possibility of the more rearward location of anterior dorsal setae z6 and s6 which is known for some phytoseiid species, as well as the presence of extra seta/e on other species of phytoseiid mites, are also briefly discussed.

New records of injured Cambrian and Ordovician trilobites

AbstractRecords of abnormal fossil arthropods present important insight into how extinct forms responded to traumatic damage and developmental complications. Trilobites, bearing biomineralized dorsal exoskeletons, have arguably the most well-documented record of abnormalities spanning the Cambrian through the end-Permian. As such, new records of malformed, often injured, trilobites are occasionally identified. To further expand the documentation of abnormal specimens, we describe malformed specimens of Lyriaspis sigillum Whitehouse, 1939, Zacanthoides sp. indet., Asaphiscus wheeleri Meek, 1873, Elrathia kingii (Meek, 1870), and Ogygiocarella debuchii (Brongniart, 1822) from lower Paleozoic deposits. In considering these forms, we propose that they illustrate examples of injuries, and that the majority of these injuries reflect failed predation. We also considered the origin of injuries impacting singular segments, suggesting that these could reflect predation, self-induced damage, or intraspecific interactions during soft-shelled stages. Continued examination of lower Paleozoic trilobite injuries will further the understanding of how trilobites functioned as prey and elucidate how disparate trilobite groups recovered from failed attacks.

Morphological abnormalities in seven American round ray specimens: A review of America's batomorph anomalies.

Although morphological abnormalities in several rays and skate species around the American continents have frequently mentioned, their numbers are unknown. The present work record morphological abnormalities in four Urotrygonidae species. Two anophthalmic specimens were detected (Urotrygon microphthalmum and Urobatis halleri). Two individuals lacked caudal fins (Urobatis maculatus and Urotrygon chilensis). Two round rays showed incomplete fusion of the pectoral fin to the head (U.microphthalmum and U.chilensis). Vertebral compression and fusion were found in a 6-year-old female Urotrygon rogersi. In addition, 118 abnormal batomorph specimens were gathered from the available bibliography, spanning the last six decades (1959-2021). Amblyraja doellojuradoi was the species with the highest number of abnormalities (18). The most common anomaly was an incomplete fusion of the pectoral fin with the head. Since 2010, at least 30 anomalous batomorphs have been recorded every 5years. Sixty-nine abnormal specimens occurred in the Northern Hemisphere (1.00-60.00N). The Cortezian (Pacific) and Southeastern Brazil (Atlantic) marine ecoregions stood out with the highest number of these specimens. Mexico recorded 58 anomalous specimens, followed by Brazil (n=36). Biological, abiotic and anthropogenic factors are probably the leading causes. However, additional studies are necessary to elucidate these speculations.

Papilloplex HR-HPV test has non-inferior clinical performance for detection of human papillomavirus infection: assessment using the VALGENT framework

AimThe Papilloplex high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) test (Genefirst, Oxford, UK) is a single tube real-time HPV test which provides multiplex detection and separate identification of 14 hrHPV types. Here, we...

Human Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stromal/Stem Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Ameliorate Graft-Versus-Host Disease-Related Manifestations

A substantial proportion of patients who receive allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation develop an immunologic adverse event of acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Cell therapy with bone marrow mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (BM-MSC) is one of the effective treatments for such patients with GVHD. Lines of evidence have suggested that BM-MSC inhibit the function of immune cells mainly through secretion of soluble immune modulators and partially through cell-to-cell contact-dependent mechanism. However, further understanding of how they work has been an important issue. Recently, extracellular vesicles (EV) gain interests as mediators based on their capacity of transmitting signals to sites of action regardless of physiological barriers to reach. In this study, we examined the effects of human BM-MSC-derived EV on clinical, histological and immunologic manifestations of the acute GVHD model mice. We also analyzed whether biological processes mediated by microRNA (miRNA) in human BM-MSC-derived EV are involved in such immunologic effects.Human MSC were isolated from BM samples purchased from AllCells (Alameda, CA) based on our previously published method (Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2016;469:823). EV were isolated from the culture supernatant of BM-MSC by using the Total Exosome Isolation kit (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA). We confirmed that the isolated EV expressed CD63 and CD81 by immunoblot analysis and showed morphology of saucer-like shape by transmission electron microscopy. For in vitro experiments, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were activated by anti-CD3/CD28 antibodies with a Dynabeads Human T-Activator (Life Technologies AS, Oslo, Norway). For in vivo experiments, we used a mouse model where GVHD was induced by intravenously injecting spleen cells (1 x 108 per mouse) from C57BL/6 mice (H-2b) into irradiated (8 Gy) BDF1 mice (H-2b x d). The severity of GVHD was assessed histologically and clinically as previously described method (Blood 1996;88:3230, J Clin Invest 1998;102:115).We first tested the effects of BM-MSC-derived EV on T cell subsets in the expansion culture of anti-CD3/CD28-stimulated PBMC. In culture with human BM-MSC-derived EV, the expansion of PBMC was suppressed. Flow cytometric analysis showed that the expansion of CD3+ T cells including CD4+ and CD8+ T cells was suppressed. The frequency of CD45RA+Foxp3low cells (naive Treg cells) was higher and that of CD45RA-Foxp3high cells (effector Treg cells) was lower in culture with EV than those in a single culture of PBMC. In addition, the ratio of CD8/naive Treg cells was lower in culture with EV than that in a single culture of PBMC. Thus, BM-MSC-derived EV suppressed the T cell expansion and preserved naive Treg cells.We then investigated the effects of BM-MSC-derived EV on acute GVHD in mouse model. Systemic infusion of human BM-MSC-derived EV significantly prolonged the survival of GVHD mice with the median survival period of 16 days while that was 10 days in control untreated GVHD mice. The clinical scores of BM-MSC-derived EV-treated mice were lower than those of the control mice, indicating that EV ameliorated systemic symptoms of GVHD. In the histological assessment of GVHD-targeted organs, EV treatment significantly mitigated GVHD-associated abnormalities in specimens particularly from large bowel. Flow cytometric analysis of PB from the BM-MSC-derived EV-treated GVHD mice indicated that both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were suppressed, and CD62L-CD44+ T cells was decreased and CD62L+CD44- T cells was increased compared with the control untreated GVHD mice. In addition, EV-treated mice still contained substantial Treg population. Thus, EV suppressed functional differentiation of peripheral T cells from naïve phenotype to effector phenotype and did not enhance depletion of Treg cells. Collectively, BM-MSC-derived EV showed immunomodulatory effects in murine GVHD model.Finally, we performed microarray analysis of microRNAs in BM-MSC-derived EV and found down-regulated cell proliferative processes as identified by Gene Ontology enrichment analysis.This study revealed that BM-MSC-derived EV captured the therapeutic effects of cell-of-origin against GVHD in association with immunologic mechanism of T cell suppression and peripheral naïve T cell preservation. Our findings provide the basis of BM-MSC-mediated anti-GVHD effect with the EV-mediated mechanism. DisclosuresTakaori-Kondo:celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb, Novartis, Janssen pharma, Pfizer: Honoraria.

Evaluation of HarmoniaHPV test for detection of clinically significant Human Papillomavirus infection using the VALGENT framework

AimThe VALidation of HPV GENotyping Tests (VALGENT) is a framework for comparison and validation of HPV tests with genotyping capabilities. In this study, the clinical performance of a single tube HPV test -HarmoniaHPV- was assessed in SurePath™ samples and compared to a clinically validated reference test, the GP5+/6+ Enzyme ImmunoAssay (GP5+/6 + EIA). MethodsHarmoniaHPV test is a real-time, PCR based, limited genotyping HPV test which detects 14 high-risk HPV types 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66 and 68 with HPV16, and HPV 18 reported individually. Clinical performance was assessed using 998 unselected, cervical screening samples enriched with 297 cytologically abnormal specimens (100 atypical squamous cells of unspecified significance, 100 low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions, 97 high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions). Cases were defined as women diagnosed with histologically confirmed cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2 or more (≥CIN2, N = 122). ResultsUsing the manufacturer recommended (un-adjusted) cut-offs, HarmoniaHPV had non-inferior sensitivity for detection of ≥ CIN2 but showed inferior specificity. A cut-off optimisation exercise was therefore carried out and optimised cut-offs for each individual channel rendered a sensitivity and specificity of HarmoniaHPV that was non-inferior to GP5+/6 + EIA. Analytically, the test showed excellent intra- and inter-laboratory reproducibility, which improved further with the use of the optimised cut-offs. ConclusionHarmoniaHPV when operated with optimised cut-offs fulfils the international clinical criteria for use in cervical cancer screening on SurePath samples. The optimised cut-offs warrant additional testing and independent validation.

A New Record of Oxytricha granulifera granulifera Foissner and Adam, 1983 (Protozoa, Ciliophora, Oxytrichidae) From a Hot Spring in Iceland, With Notes on Its Abnormal Form During Cultivation

We isolated a population of Oxytricha granulifera granuliferaFoissner and Adam (1983) from a hot spring in Iceland. The pure culture of this isolate was established at room temperature in the laboratory. This allowed for a detailed investigation, informed by integrated approaches, of the isolate’s morphology and morphogenesis, as well as molecular phylogeny. Results showed that the morphological and morphogenetic characteristics of the Iceland population are consistent with those of other populations. During the 3-year long period of laboratory cultivation, some abnormal individuals appeared repeatedly in the culture system. Interestingly, the morphological characteristics of these abnormal cells were rather stable, and were as follows: 1) body slender and elliptical-shaped; 2) remarkably shortened adoral zone and significantly reduced number of adoral membranelles; and 3) loss of undulating membranes. Resting cysts, binary fission and conjugate reproduction were not found in abnormal specimens. Although the morphology of abnormal individuals changed significantly, the sequences of the SSU rDNA of the normal and abnormal morphotypes were the same. Phylogenetic analyses showed that the two morphotypes clustered in a clade with other populations of O. granulifera granulifera.

Incidental Gallbladder Cancer: Routine versus Selective Histological Examination After Cholecystectomy.

Background Incidental gallbladder cancer is relatively rare, with an incidence ranging between 0.19 and 5.5% of all the cholecystectomies for benign disease, and carries a poor prognosis. Currently, in the literature, there appears to be some controversy about whether all gallbladder specimens should be sent for routine histopathology. The aim of this study was to investigate the need for either routine or selective histopathological evaluation of all gallbladder specimens following cholecystectomy in our institution. Methods The records of all patients who underwent a cholecystectomy (laparoscopic and open) for gallstone disease over a 5-year period (between January 2011 and January 2016) were reviewed retrospectively in a single university teaching hospital. Patients with radiological evidence of gallbladder cancer preoperatively were excluded. The notes of patients with incidental gallbladder cancer were reviewed and data were collected for clinical presentation and preoperative investigations including blood tests and radiological imaging. Results A total of 1,473 specimens were sent for histopathological evaluation, with two patients being diagnosed with an incidental gallbladder cancer (papillary adenocarcinoma in situ and moderately differentiated invasive adenocarcinoma [stage IIIa]). The incidence rate was 0.14%. All patients with incidental gallbladder cancer had macroscopically abnormal specimens. Conclusion Both patients in our study who were diagnosed with incidental gallbladder cancer had macroscopic abnormalities. A selective rather than routine approach to histological evaluation of gallbladder specimens especially in those with macroscopic abnormalities should be employed. This will reduce the burden on the pathology department with potential cost savings.

Simplification of Clinical Flow Cytometry by Adoption of Premixed Antibody Panels

Abstract Introduction/Objective Multiparameter flow cytometry (MFC) is the standard of care for the diagnosis and monitoring of hematopoietic and lymphoid neoplasms. While MFC is a mature technology, new innovations are brought to the market. Such an innovation is the ClearLLab10C, FDA-cleared, 4-tube, 10-color, dry, premixed antibody panels (Beckman Coulter Diagnostics, Brea, California). Our laboratory decided to implement this new reagent system combined with 10-color clinical flow cytometer, Navios EX from the same vendor. This paper describes the clinical validation results for leukemia/lymphoma (LL) evaluation as well as logistical and labor savings in the laboratory. Methods Thirty specimens submitted for LL evaluations were tested by our existing 5-color flow cytometer with custom antibody combinations as well as by the Navios EX instrument with the ClearLLab10C product supplemented by additional antibody combinations for intracellular analysis. The validation cases included normal and abnormal cases, representing bone marrows, blood, lymph nodes, and a few other specimens. Results There was a complete agreement in the qualitative results. The new simplified premixed reagents allow for noticeable simplification of inventory and saving in labor. The existing LL antibody cocktails required stocking 41 antibodies. The new platform requires only 4 LL reagents for surface immunophenotyping and we elected to stock additional 8 antibodies for optional intracellular evaluation. The amount of manual pipetting is greatly reduced. One additional advantage of utilizing the new ClearLLab10C is the available electronic and book publication from the vendor illustrating typical results for 24 normal and abnormal specimens analyzed using ClearLLab10C. This resource together with a user-friendly analysis software Kaluza C greatly facilitate interpretation of 10-color results by pathologists, medical technologists, and especially by the pathologists in training. Conclusion ClearLLab10C product is a cost-effective and user-friendly solution for laboratories seeking a streamlined MFC and a great reduction of inventory and labor.

Response of Intertidal Foraminiferal Assemblages to Salinity Changes in a Laboratory Culture Experiment

Abstract This study explored the response to salinity of intertidal foraminiferal assemblages from the Yellow Sea by culturing them for 100 days at six constant salinity levels (17, 22, 27, 32, 37, and 42 psu) in laboratory microcosms with four replicates each. A total of 7,471 live (stained) foraminiferal specimens were obtained and analyzed. The diversity parameters of foraminiferal assemblages (species richness, Margalef index, Shannon-Wiener index, and Fisher's alpha) declined significantly when the salinity was increased or decreased from the field value, but foraminiferal abundance was highly resistant to salinity. In addition, salinity exerted different effects on foraminifera from different orders. Specifically, the proportion of species from Order Miliolida significantly increased whereas that of species from Order Rotaliida decreased with increasing salinity. High salinity-tolerant species Ammonia aomoriensis, Cribrononion gnythosuturatum, Ammonia tepida, and Quinqueloculina seminula could fill unoccupied ecological niches when the proportion of salinity-sensitive species has declined. Furthermore, our morphometric results showed that foraminiferal test size was significantly negatively correlated with salinity, and numerous abnormal specimens appeared in foraminiferal assemblages when salinity deviated from the field value. Our study revealed that intertidal foraminiferal assemblages had high adaptability at different salinities because of the existence of high salinity-tolerant dominant species. In addition, salinity variation can significantly alter foraminiferal morphology in test size and abnormality.

Abnormalities in early Paleozoic trilobites from central and eastern China

Malformations are common in trilobites, but the majority of described specimens are from Europe and North America. Only a few abnormal trilobites have been reported from China. Ten abnormal trilobites from Cambrian, Ordovician and Silurian strata in central and eastern China are documented. The abnormal Ordovician trilobites are found for the first time in China. All malformations occur in the thoraxes and pygidia, and were caused by a sub-lethal predatory attack, genetic or embryological malfunction, or injury sustained during molting. It is difficult to identify the predators of the six injured trilobites, but potential predators include Cambrian non-trilobite arthropods, Ordovician cephalopods, and Silurian eurypterids, chondrichthyes or cephalopods, even cannibalistic trilobites. Abnormal specimens caused by sub-lethal predatory attacks mainly occur in Cambrian strata in China and other areas in the world, and are rare in post-Cambrian strata. This pattern may reflect the rise of predators and increased predation in the post-Cambrian, which led to an increased trilobite fatality rate, thus reducing the probability that injured specimens would become fossilized.

Histologic Abnormalities of the Ascending Aorta: Effects on Aortic Remodeling after Intracardiac Repair of Tetralogy of Fallot.

We evaluated aortic tissue specimens from patients undergoing tetralogy of Fallot repair, to determine whether histologic abnormalities affect postsurgical aortic remodeling and other patient-related variables. Using light microscopy, we studied full-thickness aortic wall tissue operatively excised from 118 consecutive patients undergoing intracardiac repair of tetralogy of Fallot. We performed multiple linear regression analysis to identify independent predictors of change in aortic root dimensions, which we measured with echocardiography after repair and every 3 months thereafter. Thirty histologically normal specimens were used as controls. Elastic fiber fragmentation was found in 74.6% of the abnormal specimens, mucoid extracellular matrix accumulation in 49.2%, smooth muscle cell nuclei loss in 39%, smooth muscle cell disorganization in 28.8%, and medial fibrosis in 52.5%. At a mean follow-up time of 83.55 ± 42.08 months, mean aortic sinotubular diameter decreased from 28.79 ± 9.15 to 27.16 ± 8.52 mm/m2 (r=-0.43; P<0.001). Aortic sinotubular diameter decreased by 0.6 mm/m2 among females (β=0.6, SE=0.31; P=0.05) and by 0.88 mm/m2 in patients who had elastic fiber fragmentation or loss (β=0.88, SE=0.38; P=0.02). In bivariate and multiple linear regression analysis, duration of follow-up emerged as an independent predictor of aortic remodeling. The aortic histopathologic changes in our patients had an independent negative impact on the degree of aortic remodeling after surgery. We observed the most improved aortic sinotubular diameter in patients who had either histologically normal aortas or aortas with elastic fragmentation.

Exploring abnormal Cambrian-aged trilobites in the Smithsonian collection.

Biomineralised trilobite exoskeletons provide a 250 million year record of abnormalities in one of the most diverse arthropod groups in history. One type of abnormality—repaired injuries—have allowed palaeobiologists to document records of Paleozoic predation, accidental damage, and complications in moulting experienced by the group. Although Cambrian trilobite injuries are fairly well documented, the illustration of new injured specimens will produce a more complete understanding of Cambrian prey items. To align with this perspective, nine new abnormal specimens displaying healed injuries from the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History collection are documented. The injury pattern conforms to the suggestion of lateralised prey defence or predator preference, but it is highlighted that the root cause for such patterns is obscured by the lumping of data across different palaeoecological and environmental conditions. Further studies of Cambrian trilobites with injuries represent a key direction for uncovering evidence for the Cambrian escalation event.

A Trilobite Cluster from the Silurian Rochester Shale of New York: Predation Patterns and Possible Defensive Behavior

Evidence of predator-prey interactions in the fossil record offers important insights into extinct ecosystems. As direct predator-prey relationships are rarely preserved, records of failed predation upon prey species are often considered. The biomineralized exoskeleton of trilobites is exemplary for recording injuries that have resulted from predation. Despite the extensive documentation of trilobite injuries, abnormal specimens are often documented in isolation, with examples of injuries among clustered individuals being poorly known. Here we document a well-preserved body cluster of 18 individuals of the large lichid trilobite Arctinurus boltoni from the mid-Silurian (Wenlock) Rochester Shale of New York, with eight specimens showing injuries. Landmark geometric morphometrics of the specimens is used to explore possible patterns between injured and noninjured specimens. Results of the morphometric analysis indicate that injured and noninjured specimens do not show any systematic difference in overall shape of the exoskeleton, but many of the larger specimens have injuries. The majority of injuries are posteriorly located and right-side dominant, highlighting the possibility of predator or prey lateralization. Biostratinomic evidence suggests that the cluster represents a biological aggregation that was rapidly buried in situ. Potential reasons for this gregarious behavior are discussed, including the possibility that individuals of A. boltoni grouped together to provide “safety in numbers” against predatory attack.