Dark Inclusions Research Articles

Revision of the genus Robbea (Stilbonematinae: Desmodoridae), worldwide abundant marine nematodes with chromophoric Fe–Br inclusions and the description of a new stilbonematine genus

Abstract Nematodes are one of the most widespread and abundant animal taxa across aquatic and terrestrial environments. In marine shallow-water, porous sediments, members of the subfamily Stilbonematinae may be found in high numbers. Stilbonematinae are characterized by their coat of symbiotic bacteria, which give the nematodes a white appearance, while the nematodes themselves are usually colourless. We identified several species of the genus Robbea (Desmodoridae: Stilbonematinae) in which live specimens had a conspicuous dark purple coloration of the glandular sense organs (GSOs), highly specialized epidermal glands that are prominent in the Stilbonematinae. The dark inclusions in the GSOs of Robbea contained high concentrations of iron and bromide, regardless of their habitat. Morphological and phylogenetic analyses show that the genus Robbea is paraphyletic and we define the new genus Cyathorobbea gen. nov. for species with sucker-shaped post-pharyngeal supplements in males. Furthermore, we describe five new Robbea species from around the world. Some Robbea species are morphologically very similar and required the use of principal component analysis of morphometric data to untangle the diversity in this taxon. Our work emphasizes the value of live animal observations that enable the identification of important characters and highlights the overlooked diversity within the Stilbonematinae.

Комплексне хромоалітування вуглецевих сталей в середовищі хлору

The authors investigated the influence of the nature of the chlorine-containing activator on the structure, chemical composition, and some properties of diffusion layers formed during complex chromium-alloying of carbon steels in a chlorine environment. On the basis of thermodynamic calculations, the quantitative ratio of saturating elements (chromium and aluminum) and rational coating temperatures were determined. It was determined that for the complex chromoalitization of steels, an increased amount of chromium in the composition of the saturating mixture is necessary. Based on the data obtained, the temperature intervals for complex chromoalitization of carbon steels in a chlorine environment were recommended to be 800-1100°C. Coatings were applied at a temperature of 950-1050°C for 2 hours in a saturating mixture of the following composition: 45 % wt. chromium, 5 % wt. aluminum, 47 % wt. Al2O3 and 3.0 % by weight of the activator. The chlorine-containing compounds NH4Cl and NiCl2 were used as activators. The structure, chemical composition, and distribution of microhardness along the cross-section of the obtained chrome-aluminum coatings were investigated. It was found that the distribution of structural components in both types of coatings obtained at a temperature of 950 °C is almost identical. At the same time, the structure of the diffusion zone obtained by using NiCl2 as an activator shows the presence of a two-phase layer of dark inclusions, the main component of which is small columnar crystals. The thickness of the obtained coatings is 23-32 microns. An increase in the saturation temperature to 1050°C during complex chromoalitization using NH4Cl as an activator leads to an increase in the thickness of the resulting coatings to 200-220 microns, with the amount of aluminum on the surface being 16.59% by weight and chromium 4.36% by weight. Keywords: chromium, aluminum, carbon steel, activator, diffusion coatings.

Gemological and Mineralogical Characteristics of Emerald from Ethiopia

Ethiopia has been gaining attention in recent years as an emerging source of high-quality emerald. Ethiopian emerald samples with different colors ranging from dark green to light green were selected to study the gemological properties, chemical composition, and spectral characteristics. The Ethiopian emeralds were examined using conventional gemological instruments, including X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, LA-ICP-MS, UV/Vis/NIR, infrared spectrometry, and Raman spectrometry, providing a wealth of data and research information related to Ethiopian emeralds. The EDXRF results show that the chemical composition of Ethiopian emeralds is distinctly regional compared to emeralds of Colombian origin, being low in Cr, low in V, and high in Fe. LA-ICP-MS results demonstrate consistent results for Cr (734.34 to 1644.3 ppmw), V (89.61 to 106.61 ppmw), and Fe (4468.04 to 5022.3 ppmw) based on the chemical composition analysis by EDXRF. In addition, the LA-ICP-MS assay revealed that the combination of alkali metals (Li, Na, K, Rb, and Cs) and some trace elements (Sc, V, Cr, and Fe) could distinguish the Ethiopian emeralds from those from other regions. The Ethiopian emerald had absorption of Fe2+, Cr3+, V3+, and Fe3+, and the typical absorption intensity of Fe2+ (around 850 nm) was higher than that of Fe3+ (around 371 nm) in the UV/Vis/NIR spectra. The infrared spectrum of samples indicated that the absorption of type II H2O was higher than type I H2O in the emeralds from Ethiopia, which is consistent with the high content of alkali metals detected by LA-ICP-MS that would lead to an increase in the content of type II H2O. The Raman spectra showed absorption at 410 cm−1, 569 cm−1, 687 cm−1, 995 cm−1, and 1067 cm−1, with an emerald species recognition pattern. The gas–liquid two-phase inclusions of the emerald in this area were mainly CO2 and H2O, and the samples contained typical dark inclusions of magnesium-rich biotite sheets that revealed the tectonic-magmatic-related geological environment in this region.

A Study on the Mineralogy and Volatile Fraction of Scapolite from Mogok, Myanmar

The Mogok metamorphic belt (MMB) of Myanmar is a famous geographical origin acknowledged by the whole world for its large mineral resources. In this study, basic gemological tests (density, UV fluorescence, refractive index, etc.), spectroscopic tests (infrared spectrum, Raman spectrum, and ultra-violet visible spectrum) and chemical composition analysis (electron microprobe and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer) were carried out on scapolites from Myanmar. This paper explores the mineralogical characteristics of Burmese scapolites and provides additional information on its origin. Burmese scapolites are colorless and transparent with a yellow tone and belong to Cl-rich dipyre. The infrared spectra of the samples show the vibrations of Si-O and Al-O (400–1300 cm−1), (CO3)2− (1400–300 cm−1), and OH (3048 cm−1 and 3568 cm−1). The Raman spectra are mainly the vibrational spectra of Si (Al)-O-Si (Al) and the absorption peaks at 992 cm−1 and 1110 cm−1 caused by the vibrations of sulfate and carbonate ions, respectively. Black inclusions were found inside the scapolites, and the dark inclusions were identified as graphite by Raman spectroscopy. Moreover, the composition of the scapolite could be influenced by the αCl−/α(CO3)2− of the fluid. The Cl activity degree could control the scapolite content as the ion exchange between scapolite and plagioclase was gradually balanced. The enrichment of rare earth elements and the apparent positive Eu anomaly indicate that Burmese scapolites have a high degree of light and heavy rare earth element differentiation and an oxidizing environment of mineralization.

Study on Gemological Characteristics and Inclusions of Yellow Topaz

Topaz is a kind of mineral with variable composition and a common gemstone variety. Because of its wide distribution and rich colors, it has attracted the attention of scholars around the world. In this paper, the composition, spectral, and gemological characteristics of yellow topaz were systematically characterized, and the dark inclusions inside the samples were discussed and analyzed. The results show that the yellow topaz has a glassy luster, transparent, with a refractive index of 1.609–1.617 and a birefringence of 0.008. The topaz sample has columnar crystal shape and a typical rhomboid cross section. The infrared spectral characteristic absorption peaks of yellow topaz mainly appear near 3649, 3426, 950, 628, 550, and 457 cm−1. The characteristic absorption peaks for Raman spectra are mainly at 937, 404, and 267 cm−1. The UV-vis spectra of all samples only had strong absorption bands in the range of 200–300 nm. The results of XRF and EMPA showed that the contents of Al2O3 and SiO2 in the samples were 52.79 (wt%) and 29.55 (wt%), respectively, and it was reasonable to speculate that the chromogenic element of the yellow color was iron. The inclusions in yellow topaz samples are mainly fluid inclusions, healing cracks, and albite. This paper has enriched the gemological characteristics of topaz and can provide theoretical data for the research and marketization of topaz.

Trunk anatomy of asymptomatic and symptomatic grapevines provides insights into degradation patterns of wood tissues caused by Esca-associated pathogens

Wood colonizing fungi are specialists that exploit the lignocellulose of cell wall components in host wood cylinders as a carbon sources. Some of these specialized fungi, including Fomitiporia mediterranea (Fmed) and Phaeomoniella chlamydospora (Pch), cause the disease Esca of grapevine. This disease complex includes grapevine leaf stripe disease (GLSD) of canopies and white rot and black wood streaking in trunks. The present study gained insights into the activity of Esca pathogens in host xylem of the trunk tissues at an anatomical level. Lesions with white rot and brown wood streaking were microscopically analyzed, and the structures of affected tissues were compared with intact xylem. In trunks with white rot, demarcation zones separated intact tissues from the lesions. Immediately adjacent to the demarcation zones, cell wall decomposition initiated in the xylem. At this initial stage, cavities appeared in the secondary cell walls of libriform fibres, which expanded and closely resembled the degradation pattern of soft rot. In the advanced stage, the fibre cell walls were completely decomposed, and the vessels were attacked with a degradation pattern similar to white rot. Only remnants of the xylem elements remained, forming amorphous matrices. These decomposition patterns occurred in field samples and in wood cores artificially infected with Fmed. The obvious compartmentalization of the tissue affected by Fmed indicated a defense reaction in the xylem, according to the CODIT model. In contrast, brown wood streaking affected only small groups of vessels, adjacent libriform fibres and parenchyma. Dark inclusions in cells and tyloses in vessels indicate a defense reaction against the pathogens causing brown wood streaking. Artificial inoculation of sterile wood cores with Pch confirmed the contribution of this pathogen to brown wood streaking. This research provides insights into the structural and functional anatomy of intact and infected tissues of grapevines, which clarify the etiology of Esca, and provide new knowledge for developing new approaches to control of this disease complex.

Additions to Alpha-Sheet Based Hypotheses for the Cause of Alzheimer's Disease.

Protein amyloid-β (Aβ) oligomers with β-sheet-like backbone (β-structured) form extracellular amyloid plaques associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the relationship to AD is not known. Some investigations suggest that the toxic Aβ component has α-sheet-like backbone (α-structured) subsequently detoxified by intracellular α-to-β conversion before plaque formation. Our objective is to compare this latter hypothesis with observations made by electron microscopy of thin sections of AD-cerebral cortex. We observe irregular, 200-2,000 nm, intracellular, lipofuscin-like inclusions. Some are light-staining and smooth. Others are dark-staining and made granular by fibers that are usually overlapping and are sometimes individually seen. Aspects unusual for lipofuscin include 1) dark and light inclusions interlocking as though previously one inclusion, 2) dark inclusion-contained 2.6 nm thick sub-fibers that are bent as though α-structured, and 3) presence of inclusions in lysosomes and apparent transfer of dark inclusion material to damaged, nearby lysosomal membranes. These data suggest the following additions to α-structure-based hypotheses: 1) Lipofuscin-associated, α-structured protein toxicity to lysosomal membranes is in the chain of AD causation; 2) α-to-β detoxification of α-structured protein occurs in lipofuscin and causes dark-to-light transition that, when incomplete, is the origin of cell-to-cell transmission essential for development of AD.

Spectral and Petrographic Properties of Inclusions in Carbonaceous Chondrites and Comparison with In Situ Images from Asteroid Ryugu

Abstract We imaged a set of carbonaceous chondrites from the CM2, CO3, CV3, and CK4 groups using the qualification model of MasCam, the camera on board the asteroid lander MASCOT, which touched down on asteroid Ryugu in 2018 October. A CI1 meteorite was also imaged but excluded from the analysis due to prominent terrestrial weathering. Following the methods used to image the rock on Ryugu, we placed a total of 14 meteorites approximately 20 cm in front of the camera to achieve a spatial resolution of about 0.2 mm per pixel and illuminated the samples with onboard light-emitting diodes of four different colors in the visible wavelength range. We mapped bright and dark inclusions within the meteorites and derived the inclusion brightness relative to the matrix in the red light, the relative spectral slope of each inclusion, the inclusion size frequency distribution and the matrix volume abundance. We find that the meteorite groups overlap within these parameters, but individual samples, as well as individual inclusions, can have deviating values. Terrestrial weathering appears to have no systematic influence on these parameters. Relating our analysis to the inclusions found in the rock on Ryugu, we find that the spectral parameters of Ryugu’s inclusions fit well in the parameter space of the carbonaceous chondrites. Compared with the most common types of carbonaceous chondrites, Ryugu’s rock has larger inclusions (mean diameter: 0.63 ± 0.91 mm) and a higher upper limit to the matrix abundance (92.4 vol%).

Ingestion of microplastics and its potential for causing structural alterations and oxidative stress in Indian green mussel Perna viridis– A multiple biomarker approach

The present study has investigated the distribution of microplastics in sediment and its impact on histological, ultrastructural, and oxidative stress mechanisms in Perna viridis (P. viridis) from Kasimedu, Chennai, India. The results confirmed that fibers were the predominant type of microplastics observed, followed by spheres, flakes, sheets, and fragments. The observed microplastics were confirmed as polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene, cellophane, and rayon using μ-FT-IR. Microplastic particles entangled in gills caused abrasion of ciliated structure and hemocyte infiltration in the hemolymph vessels. The digestive gland showed a shrunken nucleus, dark inclusions, and damage in the nucleoid core structure. Enlarged vacuoles and the presence of clusters of vesicles presumably represented the transformed golgi cisternae. Further, the results confirmed that oxidative stress markers were significantly high in gills and digestive diverticula of P. viridis. Overall, the results indicated that microplastics induced different toxic physiological and structural alterations in gills and digestive diverticula of P. viridis. These findings highlighted the necessity to focus on exposure studies to understand the absolute magnitude of the problem due to microplastic pollution in the urban estuarine ecosystems of Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.

Use of inulin-containing raw materials in bakery products

According to modern trends in nutritional science, the range of bakery products should be expanded with the release of products of improved quality and nutritional value, for preventive and therapeutic purposes. The volume of production of dietary products is insignificant, the need for them is satisfied only by 10–20%. The increase in the nutritional value of bread is carried out by regulating the chemical composition of products as a result of the use of raw materials traditional for baking and the introduction of biologically active additives, which make it possible to obtain finished products that have functional properties and are intended for therapeutic and preventive nutrition. The influence of inulin-containing raw materials of Jerusalem artichoke on the quality indicators of bakery products has been studied in order to preserve optimal organoleptic and physicochemical properties and give the products a functional orientation. During the sensory assessment, the surface condition, consistency, structure, dryness, aroma of the dough, its taste and color were examined. With an increase in the percentage of Jerusalem artichoke powder added to the dough, the number of dark inclusions increased, and the artichoke flavor became more pronounced. The degree of digestibility of the proposed buns was determined by the pepsin-trypsin system, which imitates the digestion of food in the human stomach. The offered product expands the range of functional bakery products, improved in biological value (by 23%), vitamin (A, E) and mineral composition. The project of TU and TI, RC has been developed. The bun is promising for implementation in production.

Investigation of Dependence of Microstructural Changes of Aluminum Alloy 2024-T3 Taking into Account the Type of Preliminary Load

The article presents the results of the study of the effect of combined preload on the change of mechanical properties of the aluminum alloy 2024-T3 at room temperature. The disclosure changes in the mechanical properties of the alloy were explained during the analysis of the deformation process in the material at the micro level (material grain). Experimental studies of the deformation process and its implementation mechanism at the micro level were carried out using the thin foil method using a Hitachi STEM HD2700 transmission electron microscope. Electron microscopic examination of the foil revealed an inclusion of minor phase particles in the aluminum matrix, which create a noticeable contrast in the image - dark inclusions against the background of the light matrix. The change of the dislocation density after combined loading was also found, because the scalar density of the dislocation in the material is in this case lower than after the tensile test, despite the same residual plastic deformation of the samples.

Tattooless breast radiotherapy at the London clinic

Keywords: Tattooless, Breast radiotherapy, Patient’s choice, Body image, daily imaging Introduction: Radiotherapy has long been associated with tattoos. Sophisticated IGRT techniques are less reliant on tattoos to reduce risk of geographic error. (1) Despite this, many centres still employ the use of tattoos. Over the last few years alternative have been explored and are in use in centres such as ultra violet (UV) tattoos and surface guided radiotherapy, nonionizing optical devices(2, 3), but uptake is slow either due to resource or investment. Tattoos can be a constant reminder to patients of treatment as more patients are surviving breast cancer, many studies have shown negative body image after dark ink tattoo (4) Choice and inclusion in the decision making process empowers patients to shape and manage their own health (5). The London Clinic is committed to give patients a choice in their cancer management. Since last year radiotherapy has offered patients undergoing breast radiotherapy a choice whether to have tattoos or not. Methods and materials: Patients offered 3 options:1.Ant and lateral tattoos2.Lateral tattoos with an anterior tegaderms3.No tattoos and all tegaderms. Change management process followed to ensure risk assessment done to mitigate risk of set up issues and clear aims and outcomes are set. The patients had standard localisation but rather than tattoos, pen marks covered with tegaderms drawn on to the patient. All marks were photographed and referenced On treatment daily online imaging implemented for all breast patients regardless of whether or not the patient has chosen to have tattoos. This daily online imaging also acted as a control for the removal of tattoos for positioning. Results: Results indicated no set up issues had been identified when patients have opted for no tattoos or just laterals. Majority of patients still opted to have all 3 tattoos. Conclusion: Daily breast imaging is now in line with other treatment sites. Tattoo less solution can be offered without further investment and which can contribute to improving body image post treatment for many years.

Metallurgical Analyses of Surface Defects in Cold-Rolled Steel Sheets

Six cold-rolled steel sheet samples having surface defects like slivers and dents have been metallurgically analyzed to identify the reasons for generation of such defects. In all the cases, large inclusions/entrapments were located at the defect site. Energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) of the entrapments in samples 1 and 2 having dents revealed incidences of O, Mg and Ca, confirming that these entrapments are essentially complex oxides of probable slag genesis. The dents in samples 1 and 2 must have occurred due to heavy cold rolling load on the preexisting cracks in the coil. Apart from dents, sliver defects were also observed in some of the samples. Slivers are, however, of various types and appearances, and there could be many reasons for occurrences of these slivers in the cold-rolled sheets. In the present study, the SEM–EDS analyses of the subsurface entrapment/deposit observed in sample 3 revealed complex oxides of CaO-MgO of possible slag genesis and could be the reason for incidences of slivers in this sample. On the other hand, the wavelength-dispersive spectroscopy of samples 4 and 5 having sliver defects carried out in an electron probe microanalyzer (EPMA) revealed subsurface chains of dark and angular brittle inclusions of either alumina or silicate of possible deoxidation product genesis. EPMA analysis of sample 6 having pencil line sliver defects, however, revealed entrapments of possible casting powder origin.

Description of a Natural Infection with Decapod Iridescent Virus 1 in Farmed Giant Freshwater Prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii.

Macrobrachium rosenbergii is a valuable freshwater prawn in Asian aquaculture. In recent years, a new symptom that was generally called “white head” has caused high mortality in M. rosenbergii farms in China. Samples of M. rosenbergii, M. nipponense, Procambarus clarkii, M. superbum, Penaeus vannamei, and Cladocera from a farm suffering from white head in Jiangsu Province were collected and analyzed in this study. Pathogen detection showed that all samples were positive for Decapod iridescent virus 1 (DIV1). Histopathological examination revealed dark eosinophilic inclusions and pyknosis in hematopoietic tissue, hepatopancreas, and gills of M. rosenbergii and M. nipponense. Blue signals of in situ digoxigenin-labeled loop-mediated isothermal amplification appeared in hematopoietic tissue, hemocytes, hepatopancreatic sinus, and antennal gland. Transmission electron microscopy of ultrathin sections showed a large number of DIV1 particles with a mean diameter about 157.9 nm. The virogenic stromata and budding virions were observed in hematopoietic cells. Quantitative detection with TaqMan probe based real-time PCR of different tissues in naturally infected M. rosenbergii showed that hematopoietic tissue contained the highest DIV1 load with a relative abundance of 25.4 ± 16.9%. Hepatopancreas and muscle contained the lowest DIV1 loads with relative abundances of 2.44 ± 1.24% and 2.44 ± 2.16%, respectively. The above results verified that DIV1 is the pathogen causing white head in M. rosenbergii. M. nipponense and Pr. clarkii are also species susceptible to DIV1.

Carbonaceous and noncarbonaceous iron meteorites: Differences in chemical, physical, and collective properties

AbstractIron‐meteorite groups that appear from published isotopic data to have been derived from melted carbonaceous‐chondrite‐like precursors (CC irons) (IIC, IID, IIF, IIIF, IVB) tend to have higher median refractory siderophile element (RSE) contents, higher median Ni contents, and higher median Ir/Ni and Ir/Au ratios than magmatic noncarbonaceous (NC) iron‐meteorite groups (IC, IIAB, IIIAB, IIIE, IVA). (Group IIG is also NC.) One potential source of RSEs in magmatic CC irons is the set of refractory metal nuggets from inherited CAIs. Magmatic CC‐iron groups tend to have longer cosmic‐ray exposure (CRE) ages than magmatic NC‐iron groups, indicating long residence times as small bodies in interplanetary space. The lower membership of CC‐iron groups is probably mainly due to the high oxidation state of their precursors. Such oxidation would have produced lesser amounts of free metal; parent body differentiation of such bodies would have produced smaller cores, resulting in fewer samples available to make CC‐iron meteorites in the first place. (Ungrouped magmatic irons, most of which can be considered groups with only one member, also tend to be carbonaceous.) It is possible that a subset of the chondrule‐poor dark inclusions in many carbonaceous chondrites represent unmelted materials related to the precursors of the CC irons. The Eagle Station pallasites (also CC‐related) are analogous to CC irons in being more oxidized, richer in Ni and RSEs, and fewer in number than main‐group pallasites (PMG). However, Eagle Station has a shorter CRE age than most PMG.

Origins of mass-dependent and mass-independent Ca isotope variations in meteoritic components and meteorites

The Ca isotope composition of meteorites and their components may vary due to mass-dependent and/or -independent isotope effects. In order to evaluate the origin of these effects, five amoeboid olivine aggregates (AOAs), three calcium aluminum inclusions (CAIs), five chondrules (C), a dark inclusion from Allende (CV3), two dark fragments from North West Africa 753 (NWA 753; R3.9), and a whole rock sample of Orgueil (CI1) were analyzed. This is the first coupled mass-dependent and -independent Ca isotope dataset to include AOAs, a dark inclusion, and dark fragments. Where sample masses permit, Ca isotope data are reported with corresponding petrographic analyses and rare earth element (REE) relative abundance patterns. The CAIs and AOAs are enriched in light Ca isotopes (δ44/40Ca −5.32 to +0.72, where δ44/40Ca is reported relative to SRM 915a). Samples CAI 5 and AOA 1 have anomalous Group II REE patterns. These REE and δ44/40Ca data suggest that the CAI 5 and AOA 1 compositions were set via kinetic isotope fractionation during condensation and evaporation. The remaining samples show mass-dependent Ca isotope variations which cluster between δ44/40Ca +0.53 and +1.59, some of which are coupled with unfractionated REE abundance patterns. These meteoritic components likely formed through the coaccretion of the evaporative residue and condensate following Group II CAI formation or their chemical and isotopic signatures were decoupled (e.g., via nebular or parent-body alteration). The whole rock sample of Orgueil has a δ44/40Ca +0.67 ± 0.18 which is in agreement with most published data. Parent-body alteration, terrestrial alteration, and variable sampling of Ca-rich meteoritic components can have an effect on δ44/40Ca compositions in whole rock meteorites.Samples AOA 1, CAI 5, C 2, and C 4 display mass-independent 48/44Ca anomalies (ε48/44Ca +6 to +12) which are resolved from the standard composition. Other samples measured for these effects (AOA 5, CAI 1, CAI 2, C 3, D 1, D 2, D 3) possess the same 48/44Ca isotope composition as the standard within analytical uncertainty. These data indicate a heterogeneous distribution of 48Ca in the early solar nebula during formation of CAIs, AOAs, and chondrules. In a ε48/44Ca vs. δ44/40Ca plot, no strong correlation is evident which suggests that the thermal processing event which caused a heterogeneous distribution of ε48/44Ca in the solar nebula is unlikely to be directly related to the thermal processing event that caused coupled REE and Ca mass-dependent isotopic fractionation in meteoritic components.

Endometriosis-associated hydrocele of the canal of Nuck with immunohistochemical confirmation: a case report

BackgroundThe canal of Nuck is an embryological vestige of the processus vaginalis, and presents a potential site for endometriosis seeding. Hydroceles in this region are a rare cause of inguinal swelling in females. In addition, endometriosis localized to the canal of Nuck is exceedingly rare.Case presentationA 44-year-old Japanese woman presented with a painful mass overlying her right pubis. She underwent surgery to completely excise the mass. During surgery, division of the external oblique aponeurosis revealed a cyst that occupied the inguinal canal and it adhered to the transverse fascia, inguinal ligament, and pubic bone. The cyst was dissected from the round ligament, and the defect in the internal inguinal ring was repaired and reinforced with mesh. On macroscopic examination, the cyst had a heterogeneous fibrous aspect with dark brown inclusions. Microscopic examination revealed that the cyst was tortuous, lined by mesothelial-like cells, and accompanied by partial subcapsular hemorrhage. Endometrium-like tissue was observed in the cystic wall. Immunohistochemical staining for podoplanin confirmed the mesothelial origin of the cyst-lining cells. The epithelial cells and stromal cells were positive for estrogen receptors.ConclusionsIn this case of an endometriosis-associated hydrocele of the canal of Nuck, the mesothelial origin of the cyst-lining cells and endometriosis were confirmed by positive immunohistochemical staining for podoplanin and estrogen receptors, respectively. We determined that hydrocele resection and reinforcement of the anterior inguinal canal wall (if necessary) are appropriate treatments for this condition.

Protracted storage of CR chondrules in a region of the disk transparent to galactic cosmic rays

AbstractRenazzo‐type carbonaceous (CR) chondrites are accretionary breccias that formed last. As such they are ideal samples to study precompaction exposures to cosmic rays. Here, we present noble gas data for 24 chondrules and 3 dark inclusion samples (DIs) from Shişr 033 (CR2). The meteorite was selected based on the absence of implanted solar wind noble gases and an anomalous oxygen isotopic composition of the DIs; the oxygen isotopes match those in CV3 and CO3 chondrites. Our samples contain variable mixtures of galactic cosmic ray (GCR)‐produced cosmogenic noble gases and trapped noble gases of presolar origin. Remarkably, all chondrules have cosmogenic 3He and 21Ne concentrations up to 4.3 and 7.1 times higher than the DIs, respectively. We derived an average 3He‐21Ne cosmic ray exposure (CRE) age for Shişr 033 of 2.03 ± 0.20 Ma (2 SD) and excesses in cosmogenic 3He and 21Ne in chondrules (relative to the DIs) in the range (in 10−8 cm3STP/g) 3.99–7.76 and 0.94–1.71, respectively. Assuming present‐day GCR flux density, the excesses translate into average precompaction 3He‐21Ne CRE ages of 3.1–27.3 Ma depending on the exposure geometry. The data can be interpreted assuming a protracted storage of a single chondrule generation prior to the final assembly of the Shişr 033 parent body in a region of the disk transparent to GCRs.

Features of iNOS activity in the skin lesions of patients with psoriasis and concomitant hypertension

Objective: To identify the features of the activity of nitric oxide synthase by immunohistochemical study of skin samples in patients with psoriasis and concomitant hypertension.Materials and methods. Specimens for immunohistochemical studies were taken from the surgical specimens of 40 psoriasis patients, including 20 with psoriasis and essenthial hypertension, 20 only with psoriasis, the control group consisted of 20 healthy individuals. For the diagnosis of the basic processes in the skin histopathological paraffin tissue sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Immunohistochemical determination of iNOS marker expression was performed using rabbit polyclonal antibodies to iNOS.Results. Healthy skin cells showed almost no expressive staining during immunohistochemical determination of iNOS in the cells of the epidermis and dermis. When conducting similar studies of skin fragments of psoriasis patients a large number of positively stained cells in the epidermis, namely the basal, spinous and granular layers, were observed. Expression of iNOS in the investigated preparations looked as intracytoplasmic light and dark brown granules, which provided a homogeneous staining of cells of varying intensity. Cells of dermis in the papillary and reticular layer showed intense dark brown color of the majority of immune cells and fibroblasts. It was revealed that in the areas of skin lesions in patients with psoriasis and hypertension more cells and more intense immunohistochemical staining of the epidermis and dermis in the form of numerous moderate and dark brown intracytoplasmic inclusions were observed.Conclusions. When comparing the level of іNOS expression by U-Mann-Whitney test, a significant difference between the expression of iNOS in the epidermis in isolated psoriatic lesions and psoriasis in combination with hypertension (p <0.05) with significantly higher levels of expression in patients with comorbid disorders was established. In the dermis of the skin in patients with isolated psoriasis significantly lower iNOS expression was found in comparison with the psoriasis and hypertension patients skin (p <0.05).

53Mn–53Cr radiometric dating of secondary carbonates in CR chondrites: Timescales for parent body aqueous alteration

We present 53Mn–53Cr ages of secondary carbonates in Renazzo-like (CR) chondrites, determined by secondary ion mass spectrometry. The timing of aqueous alteration in CR chondrites has been unconstrained in the literature. We measured 53Mn–53Cr isotope systematics in carbonates from three different CR-chondrite lithologies. Calcite in the interchondrule matrix of Renazzo, calcite in the matrix of GRO 95577, and dolomite in a dark inclusion of Renazzo all show excesses in 53Cr, interpreted as the daughter product from the decay of 53Mn. The Renazzo calcite yields an initial ratio of (53Mn/55Mn)0=(3.6±2.7)×10−6, and the Renazzo dark inclusion dolomite ranges from (53Mn/55Mn)0=(3.1±1.4)×10−6 (corrected to the RSF of a calcite standard) to (3.7±1.7)×10−6 (corrected to an inferred dolomite RSF). When anchored to the D’Orbigny angrite, the Renazzo carbonates yield ages between 4563.6 and 4562.6Ma, or ∼4.3–5.3Myr after the formation of CV CAIs. Calcite measured in the heavily altered specimen GRO 95577 yields a shallower slope of (53Mn/55Mn)0=(7.9±2.8)×10−7, corresponding to a much younger age of 4555.4Ma, or ∼12.6Myr after CAI formation. The two Renazzo ages are contemporaneous with Mn–Cr ages of carbonates in Tagish Lake, CI, and CM chondrites, but the GRO 95577 age is uniquely young. These findings suggest that early aqueous alteration on chondritic parent bodies was a common occurrence, likely driven by internal heating from 26Al decay after accretion. The young carbonate ages of GRO 95577 suggest that either the CR parent body was sufficiently large to sustain heating from 26Al for ∼8Myr, or that late-stage impact events supplied heat to the region where GRO 95577 originated.