Black Nodules Research Articles

Sebaceous Adenoma in a Geriatric Poodle Dog: A Case Report

A 14-year-old black male Poodle was brought to the Animal Teaching Hospital, Udayana University by its owner with clinical signs of frequent licking of its left front paw. Upon examination, red bumps were observed on the left front leg, accompanied by small, round black spots scattered on the dorsal side of the body. Additionally, black nodules were present on the lower eyelids and hind limbs. Surgical intervention was undertaken to excise the tumor mass, with the animal under anesthesia induced by ketamine at 5 mg/kg BW intravenously. The reddish nodule was excised by performing an elliptical incision at the base of tumor. Postoperatively, the animal received an antibacterial injection comprising ceftriaxone and tazobactam at 25 mg/kg BW intramuscularly and antiseptic wound dressing for supportive care. Microscopic examination revealed neoplastic cells arranged into lobules of varying sizes and shapes within the tumor mass. These lobules consisted of differentiated sebocytes and basaloid cells. At the periphery of the neoplastic lobules, the basaloid cells displayed several layers and exhibited invasion with moderate anisocytosis. The mitotic index was no more than ten cells in one field of view. Based on these histopathological features, the tumor was confirmed to be a sebaceous adenoma. After a 10-month follow-up period, there were no signs of tumor recurrence observed.

The Rpf107 gene, a homolog of LOR, is required for the symbiotic nodulation of Robinia pseudoacacia.

Rpf107 is involved in the infection process of rhizobia and the maintenance of symbiotic nitrogen fixation in black locust root nodules. The LURP-one related (LOR) protein family plays a pivotal role in mediating plant defense responses against both biotic and abiotic stresses. However, our understanding of its function in the symbiotic interaction between legumes and rhizobia remains limited. Here, Rpf107, a homolog of LOR, was identified in Robinia pseudoacacia (black locust). The subcellular localization of Rpf107 was analyzed, and its function was investigated using RNA interference (RNAi) and overexpression techniques. The subcellular localization assay revealed that Rpf107 was mainly distributed in the plasma membrane and nucleus. Rpf107 silencing prevented rhizobial infection and hampered plant growth. The number of infected cells in the nitrogen fixation zone of the Rpf107-RNAi nodules was also noticeably lower than that in the control nodules. Notably, Rpf107 silencing resulted in bacteroid degradation and the premature aging of nodules. In contrast, the overexpression of Rpf107 delayed the senescence of nodules and prolonged the nitrogen-fixing ability of nodules. These results demonstrate that Rpf107 was involved in the infection of rhizobia and the maintenance of symbiotic nitrogen fixation in black locust root nodules. The findings reveal that a member of the LOR protein family plays a role in leguminous root nodule symbiosis, which is helpful to clarify the functions of plant LOR protein family and fully understand the molecular mechanisms underlying legume-rhizobium symbiosis.

Dusky-like Is Critical for Morphogenesis of the Cellular Protuberances and Formation of the Cuticle in Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata.

Dusky-like (Dyl) is a transmembrane protein containing a zona pellucida domain. Its physiological roles during metamorphosis have been well explored in Drosophila melanogaster and have also been documented in Tribolium castaneum. However, Dyl has undergone a functional shift between Diptera and Coleoptera insects. Further investigation of Dyl in other insects will be helpful to further clarify its function in insect growth and development. Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata is an important Coleoptera that causes enormous economic losses in agriculture in China. In this study, we found that the expression of Hvdyl was detectable in embryos, larvae, prepupae, pupae, and adults. We knocked down Hvdyl in third- and fourth-instar larvae and pupae with RNA interference (RNAi). RNAi of Hvdyl mainly caused two phenotypic defects. Firstly, the growth of epidermal cellular protuberances was suppressed. Injection of dsdyl (double-stranded dusky-like RNA) at the third-instar larval stage truncated the scoli throughout the thorax and abdomen and shortened the setae on the head capsules and mouthparts of the fourth-instar larvae. Introduction of dsdyl at the third- and fourth-instar stages led to misshapen pupal setae. The setae were shortened or became black nodules. Treatment with dsdyl at the larval and pupal stages resulted in deformed adults with completely suppressed wing hairs. Moreover, the knockdown of Hvdyl at the third-instar stage caused deformed larval mouthparts at the fourth-instar period. As a result, foliage consumption was inhibited, and larval growth was slowed. The results indicate that Dyl is associated with the growth of cellular protuberances throughout development and with the formation of the cuticle in H. vigintioctopunctata.

Co-infection of distinct papillomavirus types in a captive North American porcupine

BackgroundOnly two cases of papillomavirus infections in North American porcupines (Erethizon dorsatum) have been described thus far, and molecular investigation linked these cases to two distinct papillomavirus species.MethodsIn this report, we present the clinical, histological and molecular investigation of a third case of a porcupine papillomavirus infection. Papillomatous lesions occurred on the upper and lower lip of an otherwise healthy three-year old female that was kept in captivity. Within one month, the lesions progressed into exophytic black nodules, followed by a temporary stabilization and ultimately spontaneous regression within seven months of their initial observation. PCR-based screening using specific primers for Erethizon dorsatum papillomavirus 1 and 2 revealed the presence of both these virus types, after which nanopore sequencing was used to determine the complete sequences of the two virus genomes.ResultsOne of the genomes shares 99.9% similarity with the only known sequence for Erethizon dorsatum papillomavirus 1, while the second represents a distinct lineage of Erethizon dorsatum papillomavirus 2, sharing only 93.3% similarity with the previously discovered strain.ConclusionsThis report marks the first observation of a papillomavirus co-infection in a North American porcupine, although the individual contribution of the two virus types to the clinical presentation was not assessed.

Diversity of rhizobia, symbiotic effectiveness, and potential of inoculation in Acacia mearnsii seedling production.

Black wattle (Acacia mearnsii) is a forest species of significant economic importance in southern Brazil; as a legume, it forms symbiotic associations with rhizobia, fixing atmospheric nitrogen. Nonetheless, little is known about native rhizobia in soils where the species is cultivated. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the diversity and symbiotic efficiency of rhizobia nodulating A. mearnsii in commercial planting areas and validate the efficiency of a potential strain in promoting seedling development. To this end, nodules were collected from four A. mearnsii commercial plantations located in Rio Grande do Sul State, southern Brazil. A total of 80 rhizobia isolates were obtained from black wattle nodules, and thirteen clusters were obtained by rep-PCR. Higher genetic diversity was found within the rhizobial populations from the Duas Figueiras (H' = 2.224) and Seival (H' = 2.112) plantations. Twelve isolates were evaluated belonging to the genus Bradyrhizobium, especially to the species Bradyrhizobium guangdongense. The principal component analysis indicated an association between rhizobia diversity and the content of clay, Ca, Mg, and K. Isolates and reference strains (SEMIA 6163 and 6164) induced nodulation and fixed N via symbiosis with black wattle plants after 60days of germination. The isolates DF2.4, DF2.3, DF3.3, SEMIA 6164, SEMIA 6163, CA4.3, OV3.4, and OV1.4 showed shoot nitrogen accumulation values similar to the N + control treatment. In the second experiment (under nursery conditions), inoculation with the reference strain SEMIA 6164 generally improved the growth of A. mearnsii seedlings, reinforcing its efficiency even under production conditions.

Abstract 1076: The peptide-drug conjugate TH1902 inhibits growth of subcutaneous melanoma xenografts and formation of lung metastases in a syngeneic mouse model

Abstract Syngeneic mouse models provide an effective approach for studying how cancer therapies perform in the presence of a functional immune system. Here TH1902, a peptide-drug conjugate (PDC) which consists of two molecules of docetaxel attached by a cleavable succinyl linker to a peptide (TH19P01) that targets the scavenger receptor sortilin (SORT1), was investigated using subcutaneous implantation of murine B16-F10 melanoma cells within the flanks of syngeneic C57BL/6 mice. Tumor growth was at most inhibited by half upon weekly administration of docetaxel compared to vehicle-treated mice, while administration of TH1902 was well tolerated and led to tumor regression. The B16-F10 SORT1-expressing melanoma cell line is also known to produce distant lung metastases when injected intravenously into the mice. Tail vein injection of these cells (1.25x105 cells per implantation) created a model system for evaluating TH1902’s effects on metastatic nodules formation. Each implantation produced 70 to 100 visible, black surface nodules on the lungs at 13 days following cancer cell implantation, appropriate for nodule quantification. No black nodules were detected elsewhere within the mice tissues other than those detected in the lungs. This model was next used to demonstrate that the formation of lung metastases could be sharply curtailed by bi-weekly intravenous administration of either 10 mg/kg docetaxel or 23 mg/kg TH1902 (equivalent to the docetaxel injection in terms of docetaxel content) during this period. Administration of docetaxel routinely decreased the number of metastatic lung nodules by about 50%, whereas administration of TH1902 decreased the number of nodules by more than 85%. Similar results were obtained whether the test articles were administered i) one time as a bolus at one hour prior to implantation of the cells, ii) as a bolus twice weekly beginning 3 days post-implantation, or iii) both prior to and following implantation as described. Although little weight loss was recorded over the 13-day treatment duration, all TH1902-treated mice showed better tolerability profile in terms of weight compared to docetaxel for all conditions tested. In a subsequent experiment using prolonged administration at the same dosage (up to 24 days of treatment), TH1902 was able to inhibit metastatic formation over a longer period compared to docetaxel. In fact, after six cycles of treatment, TH1902-treated mice significantly sustained its inhibitory effect on melanoma lungs metastasis formation (-77%) whereas docetaxel was unable to maintain its effect (-7%). Moreover, considerable weight loss was associated with docetaxel treatment over 24 days while TH1902 treatments resulted in no net change in mouse body weights. In this syngeneic model, TH1902 is more tolerated and effective than docetaxel at inhibiting both melanoma xenograft growth and metastatic formation. Citation Format: Michel Demeule, Jean-Christophe Currie, Cyndia Charfi, Alain Larocque, Alain Zgheib, Sophie Kozelko, Richard Béliveau, Christian Marsolais, Borhane Annabi. The peptide-drug conjugate TH1902 inhibits growth of subcutaneous melanoma xenografts and formation of lung metastases in a syngeneic mouse model [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 1076.

Basal Cell Carcinoma

Background: Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) is a malignant neoplasm of non-keratinized cells in the basal layer of the epidermis, which is locally invasive, aggressive, destructive, and rarely metastasizes. BCC more commonly occurs in the elderly. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays is the main risk factor for BCC, so predilection is areas of the body that are exposed to UV rays, especially the face, ears, and neck.Case presentation: The following is a case report of a 65-year-old female patient who works as a farmer. The patient was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma (BCC) with complaints of black nodules on the face, itching, and bleeding easily. With Dermatological status obtained. The lesion ad regio Fascialis Dextra shows a solitary hyperpigmented nodule, nummular in size, well-circumscribed, and unilateral.Conclusion:Basal cell carcinoma is a malignant skin tumor originating from non-keratinizing cells in the basal layer of the epidermis.

Repair of Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head with Adipose‐Derived Stem Cell Composite with New Nanomaterial

This study was aimed at researching the effect of adipose‐derived stem cell (ADSC) composite with new nanomaterials on repairing osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). Nanophase hydroxyapatite/collagen bone material was composited with ADSCs to form a new nanobone material. 24 bone defect rabbits were divided into S1 group (implanted with ADSC composite with nanophase hydroxyapatite/collagen bone material 14 days after modelling), S2 group (implanted with nanophase hydroxyapatite/collagen bone material), and S3 group (simple models). HE staining was used to measure the percentage area of trabecular bone and bone mineral density in rabbit femoral tissue, the load strength of femoral head was measured by orthopedic biomechanical tester, and the number of FVII‐Ag‐positive cells was detected by immunohistochemistry. There were 8 rabbit models in each group. ADSCs showed black nodules after alkaline phosphatase staining, which was a positive reaction. The OD value of ADSC cells showed a trend of increasing first and then decreasing. The growth rate of ADSC cells was relatively slow in 1‐4 days, the growth rate was significantly accelerated in 4‐6 days, and the growth inhibition period was entered after 6 days. After hematoxylin‐eosin (HE) staining, many scattered bone trabecular structures and bone marrow tissues were found in the rabbits in the S1 group. The nanomaterials were still observed in the rabbits in the S2 group after surgery, and large sheets of bone trabecula appeared with the formation of medullary cavity partially. The bone marrow tissues of the rabbits in the S3 group disappeared partially after surgery, and undifferentiated mesenchymal stem cells and capillaries appeared with many scattered bone trabeculae. The rabbits in the S1 group had significantly higher trabecular bone percentage area and bone mineral density (59.76 ± 6.23; 0.141 ± 0.015 g/cm2) than the S2 group (42.51 ± 7.03; 0.113 ± 0.008 g/cm2), and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). The postoperative load strength of rabbits in group S1 was significantly higher than that in group S2, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). ADSC composite with the new nanomaterial had a good repairing effect on ONFH.

Peritoneal and Intestinal Freckles: Peritoneal Melanosis

A 49-year-old woman underwent laparoscopic salpingo-oophorectomy because of an ovarian cystic-solid tumor. During the surgery, some diffuse brown-black pigments, similar to freckles on face, were noted on the surface of pelvis (Fig. 1A, Supplemental Fig. 1), intestinal tube (Fig. 1B), omentum (Supplemental Fig. 2), mesentery (Supplemental Fig. 3), and diaphragm (Fig. 1C), and enlarged black nodules were found in part of mesentery. Frozen section demonstrated that the enlarged nodules were lymph nodes.

Metastatic melanoma in a Saanen goat: clinical, ultrasonographic and anatomopathological aspects - case report

ABSTRACT This report describes clinical, ultrasonographic and anatomopathological findings in a case of metastatic melanoma in an adult Saanen goat. Clinically, the goat had apathy, an intra-abdominal palpable firm structure, and exophytic keratinized areas on the skin of the udder. Ultrasound revealed non-encapsulated oval structures, with heterogeneous echogenicity and marked central and peripheral vascularization, and hypoechoic hepatic multifocal to coalescent areas. In the udder, there were non-encapsulated oval structures with heterogeneous echogenicity and hyperechoic center surrounded by hypoechogenic tissue. Grossly, there were black multifocal to coalescent areas in the liver, as well as black nodules in mammary and mesenteric lymph nodes, uterus, spleen, and myocardium. Microscopically, multifocal melanocytic neoplastic proliferation was observed in the dermis and junction of the udder epidermis. Most of the neoplastic cells had cytoplasmic granules of melanin. In the liver there were areas of neoplastic tissue compressing the adjacent parenchyma, with central foci of necrosis, mild desmoplasia, and multifocal infiltration of malignant cells into the adjacent tissues. Similar findings were observed in the mammary and mesenteric lymph nodes, uterus, spleen, and myocardium, which characterized metastatic melanoma. Ultrasonography played a key role for establishing the diagnosis of a metastatic melanoma and helped establish a proper clinical management protocol.

Classification and clinical evaluation of the types of angiokeratoma

Background: Angiokeratoma is a group of benign vascular telangiectasias in the superficial dermis associated with hyperkeratosis of the epidermis. There are different types of angiokeratoma and the color of the lesions—pink, red, dusky red, blue-red—depends on their age. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four patients with different varieties of angiokeratoma were collected from April 2013 through March 2020 and classified according to well-defined types. Each patient gave their formal consent after the nature of the disease was explained to them. Full medical history taking and clinical examination were performed on all patients. Skin biopsies were taken from 12 cases and processed for histopathology with H&E stain. As for therapy, diathermy was used for the treatment of selected localized cases, especially those on the scrotum. Results: Twenty-four cases with different types of angiokeratoma were evaluated, 19 (79.16%) males and 5 (20.83%) females, with ages ranging from 13 to 25 years and a mean age of 19 years. The age of onset was most commonly around adolescence and early adulthood. The lesions were classified into the following: 11 (45.83%) cases of Fordyce, 5 (20.83%) cases solitary, 4 (16.66%) cases circumscriptum, 3 (12.5%) cases oral (on the tongue), and one (4.16%) corporis diffusum (Fabry disease). All patients displayed warty red, blue, or black papules, nodules, or plaques, with the exception of isolated angiokeratoma. Their histopathology revealed hyperkeratosis of the epidermis, which could have been mild or marked acanthosis, as seen in the form of pseudoepithelial hyperplasia with marked elongation of rete ridges. As a dermal change, markedly dilated blood vessels occupied the papillary and reticular dermis. Diathermy was an effective mode of therapy in selected patients with satisfactory cosmetic and therapeutic results. Conclusion: All types of angiokeratoma were recognized but the most common were angiokeratoma of Fordyce, mainly affecting male genitalia, followed by solitary angiokeratoma, affecting mainly the limbs, and angiokeratoma circumscriptum linearly along the limbs. Oral angiokeratoma of the tongue appeared in three patients. All these types have a characteristic presentation that is easy to recognize: warty dusky-red lesions.

Increase of donor derived tumor occurrence by transfer of ex vivo expanded antigen specific regulatory T cells

ObjectivesUsing regulatory T cells (Tregs) as a cellular therapy to control rejection is an attractive immunosuppressive strategy in transplantation, but immunosuppression mediated by Tregs need to be investigated before application. MethodsIn our experiment, mature Dendritic Cells (DCs) were generated through inducing bone marrow cells of C57BL/6 (H-2b) mice. CD4+CD25+Tregs were sorted by magnetic activated cell sorting (MACS) from BALB/C (H-2d) mice, and Tregs were expanded ex vivo with anti-CD3/CD28 microbeads and high concentration of recombinant murine (rm) IL-2 for 14 days, after that, expanded polyclonal Tregs were collected and cocultured with mature DCs (H-2b) in the presence of lower concentration of rmIL-2 for 7 days to get antigen-specific Tregs. Subsequently, BALB/C mice were randomly divided into three groups: BALB/c mice were inoculated with 5 × 105 B16-F10 (H-2b) cells via tail vein, the other were inoculated with 1 × 107 BALB/c expanded polyclonal Tregs and 5 × 105 B16-F10, the last with 1 × 107 antigen-specific BALB/c Tregs and 5 × 105 B16-F10 cells. After 14 days, mice were sacrificed and the black tumor nodules in lungs were counted. ResultsAdoptive transfer of ex vivo expanded polyclonal Tregs rendered BALB/c mice (recipient) susceptible to MHC-mismatched tumor (B16-F10 cells, H-2b). If ex vivo expanded polyclonal Tregs from BALB/c were cocultured with mature DCs from C57BL/6 after expansion, suppression of tumor immunity against B16-F10 cells was further. ConclusionWe suggested that ex vivo expanded antigen-specific Tregs could more dampen recipient tumor immunity compare with polyclonal Tregs, and the increased risk of donor derived tumor should be considered.

Micropropagation of Tarenaya rosea (Cleomaceae) from leaf explants

Abstract In vitro culture techniques are recognized as efficient strategies for large-scale plant production, as well as providing alternatives for plant conservation. In this study the micropropagation of Tarenaya rosea was established using petiole and foliar blade segments cultivated on MS medium with 6-benzyladenine (BA) and/or 6-furfurylaminopurine (KIN). The regeneration rate from explants was evaluated after 30-days in culture, as well as the proliferation rate from explant-derived shoots, reached after four subcultures performed at 30-days in culture. In vitro propagation occurred by both direct (DO) and indirect (IO) organogenesis. The highest regeneration rates by DO (50% to 100%) were reached on media containing only BA, while morphogenic calluses (IO) were mainly formed with BA+KIN. Explants on media with BA showed the presence of small black nodules on their surface, and histological analysis revealed the presence of trichomes with anthocyanin content. Elongation and rooting were reached on growth regulator-free MS. Acclimatization rates around 80% were achieved and the in vitro-regenerated plants were successfully maintained under field conditions. Results show significant morphogenetic potential of T. rosea from leaf explants, mainly when cultivated in the presence of 4.4 µM BA, providing a new alternative source of plant material for biotechnological and in vitro conservation studies.

Primary sinonasal malignant melanoma with systemic metastasis in a non-gray horse

A 27-y-old Anglo-Arabian gelding with bay coat color was presented with a swelling of the left maxillary region. Fenestration on the left maxilla revealed that the left maxillary sinus was filled with black-red tissue. A portion of the tissue was excised and diagnosed histologically as malignant melanoma. Genotyping of the STX17 gene for gray coat color revealed that the horse did not have the "gray" factor. The horse was euthanized ~3 mo after first presentation. During autopsy, a black-to-gray mass extended from the left nasal cavity to the surrounding paranasal sinus and invaded the hard palate, cribriform plate, and the cranial portion of the left olfactory bulb. Moreover, identical black nodules were present in lymph nodes from the mandible to the larynx, and in the spleen, liver, kidney, and adrenal glands. However, masses were not found in the skin, perineal region, or pelvic cavity. All of the black-to-gray nodules were malignant melanomas that were histologically identical to the initial biopsy; tumor emboli were also found in the kidney. Sinonasal mucosal melanoma is a rare disease in horses.

Natural nodular worm infection in goats induces eosinophil extracellular DNA trap (EET) formation.

Extracellular DNA Trap (ET) formation by granulocyte is a strong innate immune machinery that plays crucial roles in trapping and killing of pathogens. Here, we show Eosinophil Extracellular DNA Trap (EET) formation in goats naturally infected with nodular worms (Oesophagostomum columbianum, Strongyloidae: Nematoda). By a slaughterhouse based survey, we found that 60% goats were infected with nodular worms. We detected numerous, hard and pale yellow to dark black nodules of variable sizes (0.25-2cm) in the large intestine and the number of nodules were significantly (p<.05) higher in the cecum (21.7±17.9) than in the colon (10.1±9.9). Histologically, pink colored circumscribed caseous mass was surrounded by a dense zone of infiltration and fibrous proliferation along with massive infiltration of eosinophils in and around the necrotic mass. DAPI staining revealed huge accumulation of extracellular DNA, which formed wide ridge like structure surrounding the necrotic zone. Massive release of eosinophils cationic proteins (ECP), a helmintho-toxic substance, was found into the lesions. Collectively, our results suggest that nodular worm infection induces EETosis and ECP release, and is one of the major parasitic problem affecting Black Bengal goats that causes distortion of normal architecture of the gut wall.

Disseminated Pleural Malignant Melanoma

A 68-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with a dyspnea. On physical examination the patient was not distressed. Chest X-ray demonstrated an extensive left pleural effusion (A). Pleural aspiration showed an exsudate with elevated LDH of 464 U/L (0-100 U/l). The diagnostic thoracoscopy revealed disseminated black nodules on the visceral and parietal pleura (B) and a pleurodesis was performed after obtaining multiple biopsies. The melanoma cells showed a strong cytoplasmatic HMB-45 reaction (C). Immunohistochemical staining revealed a malignant melanoma with expression of PD-L1 in 3% of the tumor cells, the moleculargenetic examination proofed a BRAF V600 mutation. The patient was treated with the kinase inhibitor Trametinib and the tyrosinkinase inhibitor Tafiniar. He had initially a good response but died 10 months later after presenting to our clinic. 3 years prior the patient had a removal of a malign melanoma on the right upper thorax wall and the surgical exploration showed micrometastases in the sentinel lymphnode of the right axilla. (SSM Clark Level IV). At that time a immunotherapy with interferon alpha 2a was initiated.

비인두에 발생한 Melanotic Oncocytic Metaplasia(MOM) 1예

Melanotic oncocytic metaplasia (MOM) of the nasopharynx is a rare lesion that occurs mostly in Asian men in their 60s to 70s who are heavy smokers. Although it is a benign lesion, it’s sometimes mistaken for malignant melanoma, nevus or early nasopharyngeal carcinoma. A 75 year-old male visited our outpatient clinic with hearing loss that occurred a week earlier. Otoscopic findings revealed left serous otitis media. A nasopharyngoscopic examination to rule out a malignant tumor in the nasopharynx revealed multiple black nodules in the left torus tubarius and left nasal floor. Under local anesthesia, some of nodules were excised for histopathology. The histological examination revealed oncocytic metaplasia of mucous glands and the presence of numerous brown-colored melanin pigments. Immunohistochemically, S 100-positive and HMB 45-negative dendritic melanocytes were identified. During 3 months of regular follow up, there was no recurrence at the excision site and no expansion of the remaining lesion. (J Clinical Otolaryngol 2020;31:88-93)

Radiolarian occurrences from the Jurassic–Cretaceous transition beds in the Maiolica Formation of the Bosso Valley section, Northern Apennines, central Italy

The Global Boundary Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) of the Jurassic–Cretaceous boundary (JKB) is the last among the GSSPs in the Phanerozoic to be chosen. The Berriasian Working Group of the International Subcommission on Cretaceous Stratigraphy decided in 2016 to use the base of the Calpionella alpina Subzone as the primary marker for the formal definition of the JKB. This definition is satisfactorily applicable for near continent, shallow offshore deposits within the Western Tethys, North Atlantic and central-south America. Unfortunately, the primary marker taxon cannot be found in the Pacific and circum-Pacific regions since the distribution of calpionellids is limited to the Western Tethys and neighboring regions. Radiolarians are good candidates for defining the JKB, because they are widespread and can be found both in shallow and deep pelagic sedimentary facies worldwide. We carried out detailed field observations and careful sample collections in a 5-m thick interval around the JKB in the Bosso Valley section (Northern Apennines), which is one of potential candidates for GSSP of the JKB. The Maiolica Formation, which includes the JKB, is characterized by white to light gray, well-bedded micritic limestones with abundant light gray to black chert layers and nodules. In this study, after selection of samples acid-etched in the field, we observed the etched surface with a scanning electron microscope in the laboratory. Our detailed observations revealed that both micritic limestone and chert generally contain abundant radiolarian tests. Most of them in limestones are replaced by calcite, so that it is impossible to isolate radiolarian tests from rock samples with acid treatment. On the other hand, radiolarian tests within chert layers or nodules are too recrystallized to preserve their original surface ornamentation. The best preserved radiolarian tests are included in micritic limestone near chert layer or nodules. Careful and systematic sampling enabled us to get enough material to establish phylogenetic analysis on radiolarians.

The Late Cretaceous phosphatized ichnofauna fossils from the Eocene basal horizon of the Middle Dnieper area

The object of our study was phosphated remains of ichnofaunas from the basal horizon of the Kanivska suite (Eocene), which transgressively onlaps here the eroded top of the Burimska suite. The goal of the research was to reconstruct some sedimentation features of the final stages of the Late Cretaceous basin’s existence and during of the Early Eocene transgression on the Middle Dnieper area (Ukraine). The specimens of the basal horizon of the Kanivska suite (Р2kn) were sampled from the outcrops in the Melanchin Potik gulley and in a branch of the Glyadovy gulley. It is a complex of rough-medium grained gravel sandstones with shark teeth, fish bone fragments, detritus of Bivalvia and Brachiopoda. The nature of preservation and arrangement suggests that the fossils were relocated. The sample from the Glyadovy gulley is an agglomeration of phosphatized debris of various types of ichnofauna, cemented with a phosphate and sand substrate. The first type, in our opinion, is a fragment of a burrow nucleus of a crayfishlike decapod Thalassinoides Ehrenberg ichnogenus, as indicated by the surface , absence of a constructed wall and its size. The phosphorite features of the second type are cores of the burrows of the Ophiomorpha Lundgren genus with a characteristic ophiomorphic sculpture in the form of knobbles on the outer surface. The structures of the second type have certain differences in the distribution and nature of phosphate material. The described cores are interpreted as domichnia: dwelling places of fossil fauna. They were not known earlier within the Middle Dnieper area. The animals constructed a system of void ducts in the well ventilated middle ichnofossil layer with depth up to 60 cm (as can be inferred from the diameter of Thalassinoides). Although crayfish burrows can be present in any formation, it is generally thought that they are more specific for the littoral and shallow water environments. Based on the fauna composition and the phosphated debris preservation, we can assume the age of ichnofaunas is Late Cretaceous. An indirect indication of this can be the bones and teeth of Cretaceous vertebrates, found in the same basal layer, in particular, ichthyosaurus genus (Platypterygius sp.) and a phosphate concretion with ammonite remnants. Besides phosphatized ichnofauna debris, the basal level contains black odd-shaped nodules and microconcretions, composed of amorphous phosphate minerals. They contain a considerable amount of microscopic fossils of presumably phytoorganic nature and fragments of undeterrmined groups. From the fact that the phosphate material is not completely decrystallized, and that some microfossils have their initial composition, we infer that they belong to the Early Eocene.

Chemical and morphological diversity among wild populations of Hypericum aviculariifolium Jaub. et Spach subsp. depilatum (Freyn et Bornm.) N. Robson var. depilatum

In this study, the chemical and morphological diversity among eleven wild populations of Hypericum aviculariifolium Jaub. et Spach subsp. depilatum (Freyn et Bornm.) N. Robson var. depilatum, an endemic Turkish species was studied. These populations were investigated for their contents of hypericin, pseudohypericin, hyperforin, the chlorogenic, neochlorogenic, caffeic and 2,4-dihydroxybenzoic acids, hyperoside, quercitrin, isoquercitrin, avicularin, 13,118 biapigenin, (+)-catechin and (-)-epicatechin as well as for their morphological traits, including density of leaf light and dark glands, leaf area, leaf length/width ratio and plant height. The top two-thirds of the plants representing thirty individuals was harvested at full flowering from eleven sites and analyzed for the content of bioactive compounds by high-performance liquid chromatography after being dried at room temperature. Morphological characterization of the wild populations was performed on twenty randomly selected individuals from each plant-growing locality. The content of the tested compounds, except for caffeic acid and avicularin, and some morphological traits, namely, the density of leaf translucent glands and black nodules and leaf area varied significantly with the investigated populations. It was observed that hypericin and pseudohypericin contents were connected positively with leaf black nodule density, but negatively with leaf area and the contents of hyperforin, quercitrin and 13,118-biapigenin were correlated positively with leaf translucent gland density. Data presented here could be useful in determining future targets for further wide-ranging studies on this endemic species as well as in identifying superior germplasm in terms of high chemical content.