Abnormal Specimens Research Articles

Morphological Anomalies Observed on Vertebralina striata dOrbigny, 1826 Test in the Northern Coast of Karaburun Peninsula (Izmir-Turkey)

Morphological abnormalities have been observed on the test of recent foraminifer samples and locally different ecological conditions are suggested to be the cause of this phenomenon. Hypersalinity, presence of heavy metals, thermal springs, chemicals carried by the coastal and submarine springs found in karstic regions and rapid change in ecological parameters are suggested to play a major role in changing the ecological conditions that leads to abnormal test morphology in foraminifers. Abnormal test development, as well as twins and triplets are commonly observed in natural and artificial saltpans which form hypersaline environments. Submarine freshwater springs can cause extreme seasonal salinity variations on the coastal regions which affects the benthic foraminifer species and results in the abnormal test development. Vertebralina striata d Orbigny individuals with abnormal aperture morphology have been found in samples collected around the thermal springs in Çeşme-Ilıca Bay. More surprisingly, specimens with similar aperture abnormality have also been observed in samples collected from other two stations on the Karaburun Peninsula. Five of the abnormal specimens had two apertures the others had three. A specimen collected from Ilıca Bay had two apertures, one of which is the typical Vertebralina striata d Orbigny aperture, but the other was distantly located and rounded. Vertebralina striata d Orbigny is widely distributed in world s seas, however such aperture abnormalities has not been reported elsewhere. Observation of similar morphological abnormalities in three distinct locations suggests a common cause. The submarine spring found in Ilıca Bay supports the idea that spring waters affect the chemical composition of the seawater locally, leading to this aperture abnormality.

What have we learned from coagulation laboratory participation in external quality programs?

Coagulation laboratory external quality assurance (EQA) programs provide information that satisfies regulatory requirements and improves laboratory quality, patient care, and safety. In addition to the value to individual laboratories, data from EQA programs benefits the laboratory community in multiple ways by providing a snapshot of laboratory practice and summarizing the performance of various methods in identifying normal and abnormal specimens and the effects of therapies or interfering substances. This review article aims to summarize and provide examples of some of the important lessons learned from coagulation EQA data, including issues related to non-standardization, imprecision, and the effects of interfering substances.

Abnormal Extant Xiphosurids in the Yale Peabody Museum Invertebrate Zoology Collection

Xiphosurids are an archetypal group of chelicerates with extensive anatomical, physiological, and paleontological documentation. Despite this research, very little information is available concerning abnormal specimens of the group. Here we vastly increase the number of documented abnormal extant xiphosurids by identifying 17 specimens showing a range of abnormalities on the appendages, cephalothorax, thoracetron, and telson. These specimens include all extant species and the first documentation of abnormal Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda. We note that previous suggestions that the telson was the most commonly abnormal body part may reflect a speciesspecific bias and propose increased use of museum collections to understand these iconic organisms and their abnormalities.

Land snail Acicula parcelineata (Architaenioglossa: Cyclophoroidea: Aciculidae) in Ukraine: distribution, variability, habitat preferences and conservation status

All available data and most of materials on Acicula parcelineata from Ukraine are reviewed. Thirteen areas inhabited by the species are reported for Ukraine, some of which include several known sites. Five of these areas were not reported before. Map of general distribution of A. parcelineata is provided (outside Ukraine based on published data). Habitat preferences of this species are reviewed, it occurs in Ukraine almost exclusively in forests with presence of beech, on altitude 300-1100 m. Conservation status of A. parcelineata in Ukraine is shown to be “Near Threatened” according to IUCN criterions, it is recommended to be included into the next edition of Red Book of Ukraine. Shells’ measurements of A. parcelineata are provided and compared with related Platyla jankowskiana. The later species is discussed; it seems to be possible that it represents large abnormal specimens of A. parcelineata.

First records of coalescence and hypomerism in Tonicia atrata (Polyplacophora, Chitonidae) in the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean

The first cases of anomalies in the number of shell-plates in Tonicia atrata (Sowerby II, 1840) are herein reported on the basis of three specimens from Zaratiegui Bay, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina (54°50’53’’ S, 68°29’7’’ W): two cases of coalescence (one symmetrical and another one asymmetrical) and a case of hypomerism. The abnormal specimens bore less ctenidia than physiological conspecific specimens of similar size. The symmetrical coalescent specimen and the hypomeric individual were significantly wider (higher width/length ratio) than physiological specimens. Nevertheless, the reported abnormalities seem to have no effect on general growth, since the body size of the abnormal specimens were close to the largest physiological ones found in the same locality.

Evaluation of a new commercial method for von Willebrand factor multimeric analysis.

Evaluation of von Willebrand factor (VWF) multimeric distribution is useful for subclassification of von Willebrand disease (VWD). Multimer analysis has historically been a manual, labor-intensive laboratory-developed test. The first commercial method for multimeric analysis was recently developed that utilizes a single instrument for gel electrophoresis, staining, and densitometry. The current study was undertaken to evaluate the performance characteristics of the new commercial method. Studies performed with the commercial method included evaluation of accuracy (method comparison), reference intervals (establishment of normal migration patterns in normal donor specimens), precision (multimer pattern reproducibility), and analytical sensitivity. In the method comparison studies, concordant interpretations were obtained in 19 of 24 comparisons, including normal and abnormal specimens. The 5 specimens with discordant interpretations all involved slight differences and none were considered clinically significant. Thirty-eight normal donor specimens demonstrated normal multimer patterns. Multimer pattern reproducibility was demonstrated in normal and abnormal controls tested on each gel. In the sensitivity studies, adequate visualization of multimers was determined to require VWF protein concentrations of approximately 5%-10% of normal. The commercial multimer method is a streamlined test that demonstrates comparable performance characteristics to our current laboratory-developed method and that provides the advantage of both electrophoresis gels and densitometry scans to aid interpretation.

Developing the Digital Kyoto Collection in Education and Research.

The Kyoto embryo collection was begun in 1961 by Dr. Hideo Nishimura. The collection has been continuously developed and currently contains over 44,000 human normal and abnormal specimens. Beginning online in 1997, the internet provided an opportunity to make embryos from the collection widely available for research and educational purposes (http://tiny.cc/Embryo). These embryonic development resources have been continuously published and available from that time until today. Published in Japanese as an Atlas of Embryonic Development. Published online as the Kyoto Human Embryo Visualization Project (http://atlas.cac.med.kyoto-u.ac.jp) and also as the Human Embryo Atlas (http://tiny.cc/Human_Embryo_Atlas). Published now electronically as a digital eBook (http://tiny.cc/Kyoto_Collection_eBook). This new digital format allows incorporation of whole embryo and histology manipulable images, labels, and a linked glossary. New imaging modalities of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and episcopic fluorescence image capture (EFIC) can also be easily displayed as animations. For research, the collection specimens and histological sections have been extensively studied and published in several hundred papers, discussed here and elsewhere in this special edition. I will also describe how the Kyoto collection will now form a major partner of a new international embryology research group, the Digital Embryology Consortium (https://human-embryology.org). The digital Kyoto collection will be made available for remote researcher access, analysis, and comparison with other collections allowing new research and educational applications. This work was presented at the 40th Anniversary Commemoration Symposium of the Congenital Anomaly Research Center, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Japan, November, 2015. Anat Rec, 301:998-1003, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Performance evaluation of the white cell precursor channel on the Sysmex XN hematology analyzer in HIV specimens.

Automated hematology analyzers generate white blood cell (WBC) suspect flags to indicate smears requiring manual review. In a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patient population with a high frequency of abnormal specimens, the usefulness of these flags depends on their sensitivity and specificity. The white cell precursor (WPC) channel on the Sysmex XN-9000 analyzer (Sysmex Corporation, Kobe, Japan) has recently been introduced in order to distinguish immature cells such as blasts and abnormal lymphocytes. The efficiency of the flags generated by WPC reflex testing was compared to the white cell differential (WDF) on the Sysmex XN-9000 in 400 routine HIV samples. A flag was generated by the WDF channel in 346 (86.50%) samples. Addition of the WPC to the WDF resulted in a 20.99% reduction in the smear review rate. WPC analysis correctly identified the initial WDF flag in 59 (60.82%) samples with 'blasts?' or 'abnormal lympho?' flags. WPC showed an excellent sensitivity of 100%. However, the specificity remained poor. On investigation, samples with chronic infection/inflammation (35.00%) and lymphopenia (63.25%) were associated with a high false positive rate of 76.32% and 55.56%, respectively. WPC analysis removed 45 (51.72%) coexisting 'atypical lympho?' false positive WDF flags. The 'atypical lympho?' flag showed an increased sensitivity and specificity of 88.46% and 74.67%, respectively. White cell precursor reflex testing showed improved flagging efficiency for the 'atypical lympho?' flag, which was a good indicator of reactive lymphocytes during chronic infection/inflammation. Nevertheless, the false positive rate for 'abnormal lympho/blasts?' was high in the presence of lymphopenia and infection.

Anomalies in Hyalomma marginatum larvae (Acari: Ixodidae) in relation to taxonomic studies

Morphological anomalies are most frequently noted in adult ticks. Therefore, in this paper, we describe interesting morphological anomalies in Hyalomma marginatum larvae from a laboratory-reared colony of Syrian specimens. Specimens with abnormalities were found among many thousands of larvae and analysed using scanning electron microscopy. Additionally, we analysed changes in the morphological traits (length and width of tarsi I and III; length and width of coxae I, II, and III) in abnormal specimens of H. marginatum larvae. Teratological changes were noted in the larval gnathosoma (reduction or elongation of chelicerae and change in the location of chelicerae on the basis capituli; abnormal shape and size of the palpal segment) and legs (fusion of four segments of adjacent legs and deformations of leg segments). The investigations have shown low variability of the morphometric traits of tarsi I and III as well as coxae I, II, and III in the H. marginatum larvae from the Syrian population, which can be used in the diagnostics of this species. Knowledge of different types of anomalies in tick larvae can prevent mistakes in identification of abnormal specimens collected in natural conditions.

First Report of A Xanthic Phenotype of the Silver Carp, <i>Hypothalamichthyes molitrix</i> (Valenciennes, 1844) (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) from Maharashtra Fish Seed Production Centre, India

On 21st November 2016 and 4th January 2017, two specimens of silver carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix (TL 750-762 mm, SL 610-470 mm) were reported for the first time from Maharashtra Fish Seed Production Centre, Maharashtra, India. This condition of the skin, in which yellow coloration predominates is called xanthism. This is the first ever report of xanthism H. molitrix . The yellow colour is covering the whole body of the two malformed specimens. Head, eyes and fins were having a faint orange coloration. In the abnormal specimens, red to orange spots replacing the dark spots found in the normal specimens. Other deformities such as distorted lateral line were noted in one of the abnormal specimens.

Clinical application of automated digital image analysis for morphology review of peripheral blood leukocyte

To explore the clinical application of automated digital image analysis in leukocyte morphology examination when review criteria of hematology analyzer are triggered. The reference range of leukocyte differentiation by automated digital image analysis was established by analyzing 304 healthy blood samples from Peking University First Hospital. Six hundred and ninty-seven blood samples from Peking University First Hospital were randomly collected from November 2013 to April 2014, complete blood cells were counted on hematology analyzer, blood smears were made and stained at the same time. Blood smears were detected by automated digital image analyzer and the results were checked (reclassification) by a staff with abundant morphology experience. The same smear was examined manually by microscope. The results by manual microscopic differentiation were used as"golden standard", and diagnostic efficiency of abnormal specimens by automated digital image analysis was calculated, including sensitivity, specificity and accuracy. The difference of abnormal leukocytes detected by two different methods was analyzed in 30 samples of hematological and infectious diseases. Specificity of identifying abnormalities of white blood cells by automated digital image analysis was more than 90% except monocyte. Sensitivity of neutrophil toxic abnormities (including Döhle body, toxic granulate and vacuolization) was 100%; sensitivity of blast cells, immature granulates and atypical lymphocytes were 91.7%, 60% to 81.5% and 61.5%, respectively. Sensitivity of leukocyte differential count was 91.8% for neutrophils, 88.5% for lymphocytes, 69.1% for monocytes, 78.9% for eosinophils and 36.3 for basophils. The positive rate of recognizing abnormal cells (blast, immature granulocyte and atypical lymphocyte) by manual microscopic method was 46.7%, 53.3% and 10%, respectively. The positive rate of automated digital image analysis was 43.3%, 60% and 10%, respectively. There was no statistic significance between two methods (χ(2) = 0.067, 0.271, 0.000, all P>0.05). Automated digital image analysis could be used to morphology examination with abnormal leukocytes and optimize review criteria of hematology analyzer. Sensitivity and specificity of recognizing abnormal blood leukocytes by automated digital image analysis are satisfactory, which can be used as a tool of leukocyte morphology review when review criteria of hematology analyzer are triggered.

Evolution of the anthropogenic impact in the Augusta Harbor (Eastern Sicily, Italy) in the last decades: benthic foraminifera as indicators of environmental status.

The study of benthic foraminifera in sediment cores provides the opportunity to recognize environmental changes, including those due to the anthropogenic impact. The integration of these data with chemical-physical parameters provides a comprehensive quality assessment. This research was applied to a sediment core collected in the Augusta bay, where a very large commercial and military harbor and one of the largest petrochemical poles in Europe are present. Inside the petrochemical area also operated, from 1958 to 2003, a chlor-alkali plant with mercury cell technology which caused anthropic contamination of surrounding land and marine areas. The sediment core was collected in front of this plant and characterized for grain size and pollutants directly associated to chlor-alkali activity, such as mercury (Hg), barium (Ba), polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Composition of foraminiferal assemblages and faunal parameters such as specific diversity, faunal density, abundance of abnormal specimens, and foraminiferal size were investigated as potential indicators of environmental status. Statistical analysis indicated a main common origin for Hg, Ba, and PCBs and the influence of pollutants on species distribution and faunal diversity and density. Exceptionally high Hg concentrations (63-680mg/kg d.w.) were recorded in the whole core, where the geochronological study attributed the most contaminated levels to the period of maximum activity of the chlor-alkali plant, while a decrease of contamination was recorded after the stop of the activity. Distinct foraminiferal assemblages identified different ecozones along the core, which suggested decreasing anthropogenic impact from the bottom to the top.

Morphological abnormalities of planktonic foraminiferal tests in the SW Pacific Ocean over the last 550ky

ABSTRACT The paper focuses on the occurrence of morphologically abnormal specimens of planktonic foraminifera observed over the last 550 ky in IMAGES core MD 97-2114 (East of New Zealand, SW Pacific). Abnormal tests occurred throughout the entire record in all the morphospecies characterising the assemblages but were relatively rare, with percentages not exceeding 1.5% of the total assemblage. No mass abnormality events were found. A range of malformations were observed from slight deformity with smaller or overdeveloped chambers to more severe deformity, with misplaced chambers, distorted spirals or double tests forming twinned individuals. They exhibited several different categories of morphological abnormalities, even within the same sample. Test abnormalities were most abundant in the morphospecies Globorotalia inflata, Globigerina bulloides and Orbulina universa and were characterised by a long-term decreasing trend up core with an alternating % abundance pattern at the glacial to interglacial scale between MIS 14 to MIS 8, recording the highest percentages during the interglacials. Normalised total abundance and abnormal abundance curves co-varied very closely for G. bulloides and O. universa, but for G. inflata two opposing excursions were observed during MIS 13 and 6 which may be linked to water column states. Although abnormal numbers were proportionately low, there appears to be a “natural” background number of malformations in the G. inflata population through time. There was no relationship between volcanic ash production and test abnormalities.

PTU-282 Dysplasia following stapled restorative procto-colectomy for ulcerative colitis: is there a correlation between pre-op colorectal dysplasia and development of post-op dysplasia in the rectal cuff mucosa?

Introduction Preserved rectal cuff mucosa following restorative proctocolectomy with ileal-pouch anal anastomosis (RPC-IPAA) in mucosal ulcerative colitis (MUC) carries the risk of malignant transformation and/or recurrent active inflammation (cuffitis). This study aimed to determine: any correlation between pre-op colorectal dysplasia or malignancy and post-op rectal cuff dysplasia; overall risk of post-op dysplasia development in MUC patients after stapled RPC-IPAA; patient compliance with annual rectal cuff biopsies; any potential post-op period during which rectal cuff dysplasia is more prevalent. Method After IRB approval, all MUC patients who underwent stapled RPC-IPAA were identified. Review of demographics, risk factors, operative details and pathology reports (pre- and post-op surveillance biopsies as well as operative specimens) was conducted. Results 611 MUC patients [mean age 46.7 (11–89 years), 368 (60%) males] underwent stapled RPC-IPAA from 1988–2011. Pathology reports were unavailable in 45 and 239 patients had no post-op surveillance biopsies. Among a cohort of 566 patients with obtainable perioperative reports, 16 (2.8%) were histologically diagnosed with “Crohn’s disease (CD)”, 104 (18.4%) with “dysplasia/indefinite for dysplasia without malignancy” and 44 (7.8%) with “adenocarcinoma with or without dysplasia”. Incidental small bowel carcinoid tumours were detected in operative specimens of 6 (1%) patients. 327 patients (58%) had a mean of 8.5 (1–16) identifiable annual post-op rectal cuff biopsies. 282/327 patients (86.2%) had ≤5 post-op surveillance years records available. Post-op rectal cuff dysplasia was identified in 5 patients (1.5%): 2 had no history of dysplasia, 1 had pre-op dysplasia by biopsy, 1 was diagnosed with CD without dysplasia and 1 with adenocarcinoma. One incidence of malignant lymphoma was identified in a post-op pouch surveillance biopsy of a patient who had a previous incidental appendiceal carcinoid. All histologically abnormal post-op surveillance specimens were detected in the first 5 postoperative years. Conclusion The incidence of dysplasia in the rectal cuff after stapled RPC-IPAA in MUC patients was very low (1.5%). There was no correlation between pre-op colorectal dysplasia/malignancy and post-op rectal cuff dysplasia. 327 patients (58%) had a mean of 8.5 (1–16) identifiable annual post-op rectal cuff biopsies. Although no histologically abnormal lesions were detected after 5 post-op surveillance years, 13.8% of patients continued follow up beyond 5 years. Disclosure of interest None Declared.

Responses of benthic foraminifera to the 2011 oil spill in the Bohai Sea, PR China

The 2011 oil spill in the Bohai Sea was the largest spill event in China. Nine sediment cores were taken near the spill site and environmental factors including Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAHs), oils, sulfides, organic carbon were measured 6months later. Benthic foraminifera were separated into >150μm (large) and 63–150μm (small) size fractions for 2-cm depth interval of each sediment core. Statistical analyses suggested that the species composition of living foraminifera was impacted by oils, PAHs and sulfides. Large foraminifera were more sensitive to the oils than the small. Abnormal specimens were positively correlated with oils or PAHs. Small forms, however, tended to have high reproduction and mortality. Pollution-resistant and opportunistic taxa were identified to calculate a Foraminiferal Index of Environmental Impacts (FIEI). The FIEI increased from low to high oil-polluted station and from deep layer to surface sediment reflects the impact of oil pollution in this area.

Asymptomatic cervical polyps: can we just let them be?

Routine polypectomy is still practiced in many settings. The objective of this study was to establish the frequency of dysplasia or malignancy found in cervical polyps from a multiyear sample after abnormal specimens performed for indication were excluded. This is a retrospective study of the pathology results from 2006-2013, inclusive. The study included 898 polyps from 854 nonpregnant women, after the 17 abnormal specimens from women who presented with complaints of abnormal bleeding or for evaluation of abnormal cytological tests were excluded; none of the 898 specimens showed any significant abnormalities. The results did not vary by patient age or polyp size. Routine removal of cervical polyps in asymptomatic women with current, normal cervical cytology testing is unwarranted because it adds little to their management and it has the potential to cause harm.

Pathologic Findings Suggest Long-term Abnormality after Conservative Management of Complex Acute Appendicitis

Perforated or phlegmonous appendicitis is often treated with antibiotics and drainage as needed. The rationale, risk of recurrence, timing, or even the necessity of subsequent elective interval appendectomy (IA) is debated. We retrospectively reviewed all appendectomies performed at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center between 1997 and 2011. We determined if the appendix was removed emergently or as IA. Demographic characteristics, hospital length of stay, computed tomography (CT) results, and operation type (open or laparoscopic) were determined. In IA specimens, narrative pathology reports were assessed for evidence of anatomic, acute, or chronic abnormality. A total of 3562 patients had their appendix removed during this time period. Thirty-four patients were identified as having IA. Of these, only three (8.8%) had a pathologically normal appendix. All three patients were female and all had initially abnormal CT scans. Eight specimens (23.5%) had evidence of chronic and 10 (29.4%) had evidence of acute appendicitis. An additional 10 (29.4%) specimens contained a combination of acute and chronic inflammation. Mean time to operation in the IA group was 57.1 days (range, nine to 234 days) after index diagnosis by CT scan. Given the high percentage of IA specimens with acute or chronic appendicitis and the extremely high proportion (91%) of patients with pathologically abnormal specimens, it appears that IA may be justified in most cases.

Assessing the effect of calcein incorporation on physiological processes of benthic foraminifera

Rosalina sp. was incubated in seawater spiked with calcein (5 mg/l to 20 mg/l calcein), a dye proposed as efficient marker to tag newly formed calcite, to understand its effect on benthic foraminifera. The experiment was conducted at 25°C and 27°C temperature. The growth of Rosalina sp. is not affected by any of the calcein concentrations within the first 4-5 weeks of exposure. Additionally, no distinct difference in abnormality, mortality and reproduction was observed in the control and treatment specimens during the first 3-4 weeks of incubation. The comparable growth, abnormality, mortality and reproduction in both the control and the various treatment suggests that short-term exposure to calcein does not adversely affect benthic foraminifera. However, during the total 15-16 weeks experiment, more than 50% of the specimens died in all the treatment sets, as compared to <40% mortality in control sets, thereby suggesting a slight adverse effect of calcein on benthic foraminifera. Additionally, some of the specimens incubated in calcein spiked media were stunted and developed abnormal shells after 5-6 weeks of incubation. Also the lack of reproduction, the increased mortality and abnormality in specimens subjected to very low calcein concentration (≥5 mg/l) for a longer periods of time (5-6 weeks or more), suggests an adverse effect on benthic foraminifera. Although the percentage of abnormal specimens and the percentage of specimens which reproduced was different for the two temperatures (for similar calcein concentrations), no such difference was observed for growth or mortality. The findings support previous studies which proposed that short-term exposure to low calcein concentration can be used as an effective technique to distinguish newly formed chambers in laboratory experiments with foraminifera.

Nonlesions, misdiagnoses, missed diagnoses, and other interpretive challenges in fish histopathology studies: a guide for investigators, authors, reviewers, and readers.

Differentiating salient histopathologic changes from normal anatomic features or tissue artifacts can be decidedly challenging, especially for the novice fish pathologist. As a consequence, findings of questionable accuracy may be reported inadvertently, and the potential negative impacts of publishing inaccurate histopathologic interpretations are not always fully appreciated. The objectives of this article are to illustrate a number of specific morphologic findings in commonly examined fish tissues (e.g., gills, liver, kidney, and gonads) that are frequently either misdiagnosed or underdiagnosed, and to address related issues involving the interpretation of histopathologic data. To enhance the utility of this article as a guide, photomicrographs of normal and abnormal specimens are presented. General recommendations for generating and publishing results from histopathology studies are additionally provided. It is hoped that the furnished information will be a useful resource for manuscript generation, by helping authors, reviewers, and readers to critically assess fish histopathologic data.

English

Tumors presenting in the inguinal hernia sac are considered to be extremely rare, with the more common neoplasms metastasizing from the gastrointestinal tract, ovary and prostate. We report the case of Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma identified in the inguinal hernia sac following hernia repair. Patient presented with obstructed inguinal hernia and was taken up for emergency surgery. Twelve previous cases of a lymphoma diagnosed during hernia repair have been described in the English literature. This case illustrates the value of routine microscopic evaluation of hernia sacs found from inguinal/femoral herniorrhaphies, as it may be the primary presentation of an asymptomatic metastatic lymphoma. Additionally, it underscores the importance of the surgeon's role in screening hernia sacs if the practice of submitting only macroscopically abnormal specimens for microscopic evaluation is adopted.