Original Specimens Research Articles

The short-term and creep mechanical behaviour of clayey soil-geocomposite drainage layer interfaces subjected to environmental loadings

In this paper, to investigate the impact of environmental loadings on the short-term and creep mechanical characteristics of different types of clayey soil-Geocomposite Drainage Layers (GDL) interfaces, a series of rapid loading and creep shear tests were conducted on Mercia Mudstone Clay-GDL interfaces and Kaolin Clay-GDL interfaces subjected to drying-wetting cycles, thermal cycles and elevated temperature, etc, using a bespoke temperature and stress-controlled large direct shear apparatus. The experimental results indicate that, compared with the original specimens, the interfaces subjected to drying-wetting cycles, thermal cycles and elevated temperature, have lower peak shear strength and creep shear resistance. For example, under 25 kPa normal stress, the peak shear strength of original Mercia Mudstone Clay-GDL interfaces and Kaolin Clay-GDL interfaces falls by 11.91% and 10.11%, respectively, when subjected to 1 drying-wetting cycle. This can be ascribed to the weakening of interlocking effects and skin friction between soil and GDL caused by the softening of drainage core and geotextile fibres of GDL. The peak shear strength of clayey soil-GDL interfaces subjected to one drying-wetting cycle is lower than that subjected to one thermal cycle because of the reduction in the peak shear strength of clayey soil above GDL during drying-wetting cycles. The impact of drying alone on the decrease in the peak shear strength of clayey soil-GDL interfaces during drying cycles with heating is small, and the main influence factor is the elevated temperature.

Effect of chemically grafted CNTs onto carbon fiber on the mechanical properties of fiber metal laminates

This study explores the influence of the chemical grafting of CNTs on the surface of carbon fibers (CFs) on the mechanical properties of Ti/CFRP laminates. After grafting CNTs onto oxidized CFs, Ti/CFRP laminates were prepared through vacuum-assisted resin-transfer molding (VARTM). Then, the bending performance, interlayer shear performance, static press-through, and impact resistance of the modified laminates were systematically studied. Compared with the original laminates, the bending strength and interlaminar shear strength were all remarkably improved. The static press-through tests showed a linear relationship between the energy absorption and laminate thickness, and the maximum failure load was slightly lower than that of the original specimen. The introduction of CNTs improved the deformation resistance of the laminate by increasing the critical fracture energy. Under a certain impact energy, the damaged area of the modified laminates decreased by a quarter without matrix or fiber delamination.

Abstract PO-074: Identification of C-MET receptor as a therapeutic target in patient-specific tumoroid models of metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma allows identification of a new mode of action for its inhibitors

Abstract Creating patient-specific models with a high level of characterization and functionality in tumoroid modeling enables a better understanding of the disease drivers in metastatic cancers. It presents the opportunity for personalized treatment with novel therapeutic reagents in underrepresented cancers such as pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Using a defined and treatment-naive patient-specific model cohort of nine patients diagnosed with pancreatic adenocarcinoma, we aimed to represent the diversity of progression grade and assay profiles. These models were tested with a panel of common, broad-range chemotherapeutic agents and characterized for genetic, proteomic, and tumoroid drug response profiles. A detailed analysis of gene expression values from the original tissue specimen, compared with cancer cultures in hypoxic, normoxic planar, and spheroid (3D) culture conditions, enabled the identification of C-MET as a critical gene that shows upregulation closely resembling the expression profile observed in the original patient biopsy and was modulated by tissue culture format. Once this potential target was identified, the pancreatic models were treated with five C-MET-targeting chemotherapeutic agents with different modes of action. Proto-oncogene receptor C-MET (HGF receptor) is a potential therapeutic target in many metastatic cancers due to its integral role in angiogenesis, proliferation, and cancer cell survival¹. We propose that these reproducible and easily scaled tumoroid models can be used to find new therapeutic targets in-vitro and provide the example of C-MET in our pancreatic cancer patient cohort. Moreover, only 3D hypoxic models closely resembled original patient tissues in their genomic expression profiles. Using these model formats, we distinguished differences between various C-MET targeting compounds and their ability to induce cell death, which correlated with their mode of action on C-MET neutralization. Identifying these targets in 3D produces new and potentially more effective drug targets where they may not have been observed solely in planar conditions with legacy cell lines. Our models of metastatic pancreatic cancer tumoroids can be readily utilized to benefit researchers and clinicians seeking new targets for patient treatment. Citation Format: Liam Deems, Maria Ivanova, Cheryl Murphy, Amit Shahar, David Deems, Dmitry Shvartsman. Identification of C-MET receptor as a therapeutic target in patient-specific tumoroid models of metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma allows identification of a new mode of action for its inhibitors [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Special Conference on Pancreatic Cancer; 2021 Sep 29-30. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(22 Suppl):Abstract nr PO-074.

INNV-11. COMPLETE RESPONSE TO SELPERCATINIB IN A PATIENT WITH RECURRENT GLIOBLASTOMA AND RET AMPLIFICATION

Abstract BACKGROUND Glioblastoma (GBM) is a malignant central nervous system tumor that remains largely incurable. Limited treatment options currently exist after disease progression on the standard of care first-line therapy. However, repurposing the use of approved therapies in patients with potentially targetable genomic alterations continues to be an emerging area of interest. Here, we present the first reported case of a patient with isocitrate dehydrogenase wild-type GBM with an underlying RET amplification who demonstrated a near-complete response (CR) while receiving therapy with the targeted RET inhibitor, selpercatinib. CLINICAL PRESENTATION A 48-year-old male with no significant past medical history presented with sudden onset of dizziness and confusion. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed two rim enhancing lesions in the right parietal lobe and the patient underwent surgical resection with subsequent pathology revealing a GBM. Genomic analysis identified a RET amplification. After standard adjuvant therapy, the patient was treated with selpercatinib 160 mg twice daily as a continuous regimen with near CR on MRI after six weeks of treatment. The patient was continued on therapy for a total of eight months before having disease progression requiring discontinuation of selpercatinib and was then transitioned to the next line of therapy for disease stabilization. To better characterize the response, further whole-exome sequencing and analysis were performed on the original specimen. CONCLUSION Although selpercatinib is approved in RET-fusion positive lung and thyroid cancer, we present a remarkable case of a recurrent, RET-amplified GBM having a CR to selpercatinib. The case highlights the excellent blood-brain barrier penetration of selpercatinib, as well as its potential role in RET-amplified GBM. Larger biomarker-enriched studies are needed to confirm the results of this case report. However, given the rare incidence of RET alterations in GBM, findings from this report can help guide and support optimal treatment strategies for patients with RET-altered GBM.

Germination of seeds from herbarium specimens as a last conservation resort for resurrecting extinct or critically endangered Hawaiian plants

AbstractHistorical herbarium collections have been proposed as a last resort for recovery of extinct plant species not represented in dedicated seed banks or other living conservation collections. For critically endangered plants at the brink of extinction, herbarium collections may also contain historical material from extinct subpopulations representing a species' former range and lost genetic diversity of high value for conservation management. We explored the potential for germination of 81 critically endangered seed plant taxa endemic to the Hawaiian island of Kaua'i from herbarium specimens in herbarium PTBG of the National Tropical Botanical Garden (NTBG). Of 1250‐recorded specimens of wild origin, 138 specimens representing 37 taxa contained mature seeds that could be subjected to germination testing. Seven of these taxa were not represented by any NTBG seed bank collections. Fresh embryos were observed in one seed of each of the three species Schiedea helleri, Schiedea kauaiensis, and Viola helena. While potential germination success may be low, we conclude that testing of seeds from herbarium collections should be extended from a focus on strictly extinct taxa to critically endangered taxa, which may not have sufficient representation in seed banks or other living collections of subpopulations and genetic diversity across their wild range.

Taphonomic analysis of the MIS 4–3 (Late Pleistocene) faunal assemblage of Biśnik Cave, Southern Poland: Signs of a human-generated depot of naturally shed cervid antlers?

The present is a palaeobiological and taphonomic analysis of a Marine Isotope Stages (MIS) 4–3 (Late Pleistocene) assemblage of animal remains and hominin artefacts from layers 7–5 of Biśnik Cave, Częstochowa Upland, Poland. The analysis indicates that the bone assemblage is the result of a time-averaged palimpsest of both biotic and episodic abiotic events, the former consisting of many successive generations of animals and hominins that frequented the cave, and the latter including hydraulic winnowing. In fact, the taphonomic history of the fossil assemblage from Biśnik Cave's layers 7–5 is partially obscured by the overprint of hydraulic winnowing, which purportedly removed a certain amount of the original specimens. Besides evidence of cave bear deaths from non-violent, hibernation-related mortality and of occupation by generations of denning wolves and hyaenas, there is a wealth of flint artefacts, alongside remains of a few fireplaces and of a structure built in the cave by hominins to partition the cave chambers. The studied layer contains an impressive number of shed antlers, primarily of the red deer Cervus elaphus. Crocuta crocuta spelaea is normally held responsible for such accumulations of shed antlers in various European caves; Biśnik Cave's layers 7–5 will therefore simply add to the list. However, the role of accumulator of shed antlers attributed to the Pleistocene spotted hyena does not match the behaviour of its modern counterpart and seems not accounted for metabolically. The only reasonable alternative is that the antlers were collected by hominins. From this alternative perspective the cave would have functioned as a warehouse, where naturally shed antlers were stored as raw material, potentially to be shaped into tools and/or employed as tools to make other tools. The palaeobiological and taphonomic analysis presented here provides new insights into the succession of pre- and postdepositional events that involved the bone remains accumulated in the cave, as well as into the interactions between the animals and hominins of the time. More importantly, if hominins, and not hyaenas, were responsible for the amassment of the shed antlers in Biśnik Cave, this study raises doubts as to the hyaenid or human origin of other similar cave accumulations of shed antlers throughout Europe.

Desarrollo de morteros de bajo impacto ambiental a partir de residuos sílico-aluminosos activados alcalinamente del sector minero

Due to the environmental problems related to the generation of mine tailings, the circular economy is presented as a solution, using mine tailings as a raw material for the manufacture of construction materials. In this paper, mortars from alkaline-activated mining waste were generated. Coal mining residues (sandy-RC and clayey-RCd) and gold vein mining (flotation tails-CF) were studied, and they were activated by a mixture of NaOH and Na2SiO3 solution. Two types of mortars were analyzed to assess influence of particle size were manufactured, the first by using original granulometry tailing and the second with milled residue. In addition, for the milled residues, partial substitutions for Portland cement were used, and each type of mortar was set at 24 and 80°C. Crystalline phases in mortars were identified by X-ray diffraction (XRD), and the morphology of the fracture surfaces after the compression test was analyzed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results show that the compressive strength of the specimens produced from milled residue was higher value in comparison with original granulometry specimens. In addition, setting temperature used does not represent the influence on the property evaluated. The best condition found presented a compressive strength of 17.7MPa for 24°C and 17.8MPa for 80°C, with reduction percentages of emissions and embodied energy of 32.85% and 22.73% respectively.

Establishment and drug screening of patient-derived extrahepatic biliary tract carcinoma organoids

BackgroundPatient-derived organoids (PDO) have been proposed as a novel in vitro method of drug screening for different types of cancer. However, to date, extrahepatic biliary tract carcinoma (eBTC) PDOs have not yet been fully established.MethodsWe collected six samples of gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) and one sample of extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (eCCA) from seven patients to attempt to establish eBTC PDOs for drug screening. We successfully established five GBC and one eCCA PDOs. Histological staining was used to compare structural features between the original tissues and cancer PDOs. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was performed to analyze the genetic profiles of original tissues and cancer PDOs. Drug screening, including gemcitabine, 5-fluorouracil, cisplatin, paclitaxel, infigratinib, and ivosidenib, was measured and verified by clinical effects in certain cases.ResultsDifferent PDOs exhibited diverse growth rates during in vitro culture. Hematoxylin and eosin staining demonstrated that the structures of most cancer PDOs retained the original structures of adenocarcinoma. Immunohistological and periodic acid-schiff staining revealed that marker expression in cancer PDOs was similar to that of the original specimens. Genetic profiles from the four original specimens, as well as paired cancer PDOs, were analyzed using whole exome sequencing. Three of the four PDOs exhibited a high degree of similarity when compared to the original specimens, except for GBC2 PDO, which only had a concordance of 74% in the proportion of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the coding sequence. In general, gemcitabine was found to be the most efficient drug for eBTC treatment, as it showed moderate or significant inhibitory impact on cancer growth. Results from drug screening were confirmed to a certain extent by three clinical cases.ConclusionsOur study successfully established a series of eBTC PDOs, which contributed to the field of eBTC PDOs. Additional enhancements should be explored to improve the growth rate of PDOs and to preserve their immune microenvironment.

A CASE OF MISTAKEN IDENTITY: PULMONARY BLASTOMYCOSIS DIAGNOSED AS PULMONARY CRYPTOCOCCOSIS

TOPIC: Chest Infections TYPE: Medical Student/Resident Case Reports INTRODUCTION: Community acquired pneumonia (CAP) has a wide range of differential diagnosis with high potential for misdiagnosis. We report a case of Blastomycosis in an Appalachian hunter who was misdiagnosed with bacterial and Cryptococcal pneumonia. This case highlights the importance of evaluating CAP etiologies based on patients' epidemiological risks. CASE PRESENTATION: A 32-year-old West Virginian man with a history of recurrent sinusitis, body-mass index of 18, current smoker, and avid hunter presented with dyspnea and dry cough. Initially, at an outside facility 3 weeks prior, chest x-ray showed a left upper lobe consolidation. He was prescribed a 10-day course of levofloxacin and steroid taper, but his symptoms did not improve. Further evaluation with computed tomography (CT) chest showed a 1.6-centimeter necrotic lymph node in the subcarinal area and consolidation in the left upper lobe and lingula. He was admitted and received empiric intravenous vancomycin, piperacillin-tazobactam, and azithromycin. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 and human immunodeficiency virus tests were negative. Initial pathology read of lingula biopsy was stratified squamous epithelia with enmeshed clusters of cysts with double walls and inclusion bodies suggestive of Cryptococcus neoformans. Antibiotics were discontinued and fluconazole was started, but he developed a fever of 103⁰ Fahrenheit. Then, he was transferred to our hospital for further management. Serum Blastomyces and Histoplasma antigens were positive. Silver staining of the original biopsy specimen showed a thick-walled yeast and broad-based budding forms suggestive of Blastomyces. Fluconazole was changed to itraconazole. The patient improved and resumed daily activities. DISCUSSION: It is important to consider individual patients' risk factors to aid in narrowing the broad differential diagnosis for CAP to minimize morbidity. In this case, the patient was empirically treated for bacterial CAP despite having no improvement after taking levofloxacin, a broad-spectrum antibiotic. Differential diagnoses should include fungal etiology due to the patient's hunting history. Identifying the fungus is important, especially in Blastomycosis since it is often missed, which leads to delay in diagnosis, inappropriate treatment, and disease progression. CAP diagnosis is made with visualization of the fungus due to cross-reactivity in serologic tests. Treatment is specific to the organism. Cryptococci spp. are encapsulated, narrow-based budding yeasts, found in immunocompromised patients, and treated with fluconazole. However, Blastomyces are broad-based budding yeasts, found in areas surrounding the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys, and treated with itraconazole. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to consider individual patients' risk factors to aid in narrowing the broad differential diagnosis for CAP to minimize morbidity. REFERENCE #1: Guarner J, Brandt ME. Histopathologic diagnosis of fungal infections in the 21st century. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2011;24(2):247-280. doi:10.1128/CMR.00053-10 REFERENCE #2: Kanjanapradit K, Kosjerina Z, Tanomkiat W, Keeratichananont W, Panthuwong S. Pulmonary Cryptococcosis Presenting With Lung Mass: Report of 7 Cases and Review of Literature. Clin Med Insights Pathol. 2017;10:1179555717722962. Published 2017 Aug 4. doi:10.1177/1179555717722962 REFERENCE #3: Martynowicz MA, Prakash UB. Pulmonary blastomycosis: an appraisal of diagnostic techniques. Chest. 2002;121(3):768-773. doi:10.1378/chest.121.3.768 DISCLOSURES: No relevant relationships by Allison Lastinger, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by Shu Xian Lee, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by Yusra Shah, source=Web Response

Fulfilment of August Antonius Rauber’s long-time dream

In his educational work, August Antonius Rauber, professor of Anatomy of the University of Dorpat (nowadays the University of Tartu) paid great attention to improving students’ training. He expected the educational museum of anatomy to be of great help in this. He began arranging it immediately after his arrival in Tartu in 1886. Professor Rauber lectured in German, but the number of Russian students was increasing rapidly in that period. Their command of German was limited – therefore, illustration of lectures with models and original specimens was of great significance. The museum opened in 1890 and found great recognition because of the quality of its specimens, originality of models and general organisation. Part of the exhibits of the educational museum of anatomy have been preserved to the present, and they are displayed at the exhibition of the Medical Collections of the Faculty of Medicine and are used in everyday work of the Department of Anatomy.

USE OF THE APPLE GENE POOL OF NORTH CAUCASUS FEDERAL SCIENTIFIC CENTER OF HORTICULTURE, VITICULTURE, WINEMAKING FOR THE BREEDING IMPROVEMENT OF THE SOUTHERN SORTIMENT

The objects of research are representatives of the genus Malus growing in the Kuban zone of the North Caucasus region. The purpose of the research is the breeding improvement of the of apple southern assortment on the basis of the development of the scientific direction “Introduction, variety study and breeding of pome crops in the North Caucasus and the creation of promising domestic varieties with improved adaptability and quality. The history of the creation and development of this scientific direction of the scientific school “Southern Horticulture” in the North Caucasus, the founder of which was Lev M. Sergeev (1886-1980. Under his leadership, the first breeding programs for seed crops (apple, pear, quince) for the North Caucasus region were developed, the priority of which was to improve the characteristics of productivity and quality characteristics of fruits; with his active participation, a network of gossortuchastok was organized in the North Caucasus and by the end of 1947 a zoned assortment of the main fruit crops of the south of Russia was formed. At present, the development of the above-mentioned scientific direction has been continued in the works of L. M. Sergeev, original studies of which are based on the use of a complex of classical and improved methods for creating and evaluating breeding material, modern achievements in molecular genetics, biochemistry, cytology, and are aimed at creating domestic varieties with improved productivity and quality of fruits, with high resistance to abiostressors and the main fungal pathogens of the North Caucasus. In recent years, the gene pool of the apple tree has been significantly updated, numbering 436 specimens of various ecological and geographical origin and ploidy, most of which are from Russia (49 %), Western European countries (18 %), and the USA (17 %). Over the years of research, scientists from North Caucasian Federal Scientific Center of Horticulture, Viticulture, Wine-making have created and submitted for State variety testing 81 new apple varieties, including 25 varieties created in collaboration with scientists from All- Russian Research Institute for Fruit Crops Breeding, I. V. Michurin Federal Research Center and others. 36 apple varieties obtained on the basis of the use of spontaneous and induced mutagenesis, an improved method of polyploidy, directed, repeated and geographically distant hybridization were included in the State Register of Breeding Achievements approved for use in the North Caucasus region.

Thailandina and Neothailandina and their family Thailandinidae salvaged: a valid taxonomic group of peculiar Permian fusuline Foraminifera

The fusuline genera Thailandina Toriyama and Kanmera, 1968 and Neothailandina Toriyama and Kanmera, 1968 were established by Toriyama and Kanmera (1968) based on material from the Khao Phlong Phrab section of the Permian Rat Buri Limestone in central Thailand that is currently assigned to the Khao Khad Formation of the Saraburi Group (Ueno and Charoentitirat, 2011). These fusuline genera are peculiar in having parachomata and replaced tests by secondary mineralization. Moreover, Neothailandina was described to have a test with transverse septula, considered to be characteristic for Neoschwagerinidae. Based on these remarkable test features, Toriyama and Kanmera (1968) newly introduced the subfamily Thailandininae to accommodate these two new genera and assigned it to the Neoschwagerinidae, despite the lack of septula in Thailandina. Later, Kobayashi et al. (2010) argued that Thailandina and Neothailandina are just a mixed grouping of several known genera of schwagerinids, verbeekinids, and neoschwagerinids that are too altered by recrystallization to be recognizable, and rejected the taxonomic validity of these two genera as well as Thailandininae.The Khao Phlong Phrab section represents one of the standard late Cisuralian−Guadalupian (late early−middle Permian) fusuline successions in the eastern Paleotethys (Zhang and Wang, 2018) and contains not only Thailandina and Neothailandina but also abundant schwagerinid, verbeekinid, and neoschwagerinid fusulines (Toriyama, 1975; Fig. 1). I investigated the original specimens described by Toriyama and Kanmera (1968) and Toriyama (1975) from the section that are housed in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences of Kyushu University, Japan. I found that most of the grounds for Kobayashi et al.'s (2010) arguments to regard the thailandinin genera as taxonomically invalid are not supported by observations on these specimens as explained in the account that follows. In this taxonomic note, I propose that Thailandina and Neothailandina, and their family Thailandinidae, should be retained as valid taxonomic groups.

Microstructure and Wear Properties of Laser Cladding WC/Ni-Based Composite Layer on Al-Si Alloy.

The microstructural and wear properties of laser-cladding WC/Ni-based layer on Al–Si alloy were investigated by scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) and wear-testing. The results show that, compared with the original specimen, the microhardness and wear resistance of the cladding layer on an Al–Si alloy were remarkably improved, wherein the microhardness of the layer achieved 1100 HV and the average friction coefficient of the layer was barely 0.14. The mainly contributor to such significant improvement was the generation of a WC/Ni-composite layer of Al–Si alloy during laser cladding. Two types of carbides, identified as M7C3 and M23C6, were found in the layer. The wear rate of the layer first increased and then decreased with the increase in load; when the load was 20 N, 60 N and 80 N, the wear rate of layer was1.89 × 10−3 mm3·m−1, 3.73 × 10−3 mm3·m−1 and 2.63 × 10−3 mm3·m−1, respectively, and the average friction coefficient (0.14) was the smallest when the load was 60 N.

Effects of thin cladding layer and annealing treatments on mechanical properties of AISI4340 steel

In this study, a NiCrFeBSi alloy layer with a thickness of about 140 μm was cladded on the AISI4340 steel and then annealed at 700 °C, and the influences of cladding and annealing on tensile and fatigue damage mechanisms of the AISI4340 steel were investigated. The fatigue stress ranges were set from 0 to 0.30–0.75 of the yield strength, and the fatigue deformation and cracking morphologies after different cycles were in-situ compared to reveal the dynamic damage mechanisms. The results reveal that the yield strength of the substrate shows little change after cladding, while the tensile fracture strain and fatigue life decrease significantly due to the high cracking susceptibility of the cladding layer. After the annealing treatment, the yield strength decreases obviously, while the fracture strain and fatigue life recover somewhat. For the original AISI4340 steel specimen, a few fatigue cracks initiate around the stress concentration region at relative high stress level, and the crack initiation cycles are high. After cladding, more fatigue cracks initiate along the cladding track boundaries at a stress far lower than the yield strength, resulted by the residual stress and microdefects, and some of the microcracks propagate into the substrate, makes the crack initiation cycle decreases sharply. For the annealed specimen, fewer fatigue cracks appear and the main crack initiates at the edge of the cladding layer, and the crack initiation and propagation cycles recover. All the fatigue fracture surfaces are composed of a flat area, a radial area and a fibrous area, and the fracture mode transforms from quasi-cleavage to microporous polymerization with crack propagation.

Yet Another Mitochondrial Genome of the Pacific Cupped Oyster: The Published Mitogenome of Alectryonella plicatula (Ostreinae) Is Based on a Misidentified Magallana gigas (Crassostreinae)

The recently published mitochondrial genome of the fingerprint oyster Alectryonella plicatula (Gmelin, 1791) with GenBank accession number MW143047 was resolved in an unexpected phylogenetic position, as sister to the Pacific cupped oyster Magallana gigas (Thunberg, 1793) and share with this species three typical gene duplications that represent robust synapomorphies of the Magallana clade. In this study, we verified the identity of MW143047 using direct comparisons of single gene sequences, DNA barcoding and phylogenetic analyses. BLAST searches using as query each of the 12 protein coding genes (PCGs) and rRNA genes extracted from MW143047 retrieved M. gigas as best hit with 100% sequence identity for all genes. MW143047 is nested within the clade formed by M. gigas sequences, with virtually zero-length terminal branch, both in the cox1 gene tree (based on 3639 sequences) and in the 16S gene tree (based on 1839 sequences), as well as in the Maximum Likelihood mitogenomic tree based on concatenated sequence of 12 PCGs. Our findings suggest that the original specimen used for mitogenome sequencing was misidentified and represents an individual of M. gigas. This study reinforces the notion that morphological shell analysis alone is not sufficient for oyster identification, not even at high taxonomic ranks such as subfamilies. While it is well established that morphological identification of oysters should be validated by molecular data, this study emphasizes that also molecular data should be taxonomically verified by means of DNA barcoding and phylogenetic analyses. The implications of the publication of taxonomically misidentified sequences and mitogenomes are discussed.

Revisiting Linnaean and Wallacean Shortfalls in Mindanao Fanged Frogs: The Limnonectes magnus Complex Consists of Only Two Species

We revisit the question of species diversity among Mindanao Fanged Frogs of the Limnonectes magnus complex consisting of L. magnus, L. diuatus, L. ferneri, and a previously hypothesized putative new species, inferred in the first molecular phylogenetic studies of the genus almost 2 decades ago. Using a multilocus molecular deoxyribonucleic acid sequence data set and comprehensive sampling of 161 individuals from throughout the Mindanao Pleistocene aggregate island complex landmasses (a distinct faunal region of the southern Philippines) we characterize geographically structured genetic diversity, focusing on the phylogenetic placement of individuals from each species' type locality. We also present new morphometric data from large samples of freshly collected material from the type localities of each included species; together with examination of the name-bearing original type specimens, we conclude that an overestimation of species diversity has occurred and has been exacerbated by the indiscriminate acceptance of the hypothesis of the existence of widespread cryptic species in this group. We place L. ferneri in synonymy with L. diuatus, clarify the identification of the latter taxon with respect to L. magnus, and apply this name to the widespread, generalist, highly variable giant Fanged Frog distributed throughout the Mindanao faunal region of the southern Philippines.

Nomenclatural and taxonomic comments on some taxa of Dysphania (Chenopodiaceae s. str. / Amaranthaceae s. l.)

Following the comprehensive molecular phylogenetic results presented by Uotila et al. (2021), comments are provided on the infrageneric classification system of the genus Dysphania in its amended circumscription. Amendments and additions to the five-section scheme of Uotila et al. (2021) are proposed. In particular, the morphologically distinct lineage containing Dysphania atriplicifolia (earlier widely recognized in the monospecific genus Cycloloma as C. atriplicifolium) is recognized as a separate section, Dysphania sect. Cycloloma (Moq.) Mosyakin, comb. et stat. nov. Extensive synonymy of the section and its species is provided. The subclades revealed in the Australian clade of Dysphania sect. Dysphania are rather well characterized morphologically and were treated earlier as sections of either Chenopodium (sensu lato) or Dysphania. These subclades are recognized here as three subsections of sect. Dysphania: (1) subsect. Orthospora (R.Br.) Mosyakin, comb. et stat. nov.; (2) subsect. Dysphania; and (3) subsect. Tetrasepalae (Aellen) Mosyakin, comb. et stat. nov. The nomenclature of Dysphania graveolens (≡ Chenopodium graveolens) is discussed. It is confirmed that the name Chenopodium graveolens was first validated not by Willdenow in 1809 but by Lagasca and Rodríguez in 1802. Original specimens associated with that name in both publications belong taxonomically to the same species currently known as D. graveolens (= Chenopodium incisum Poir.). In my opinion, Art. 41.8(a) of the ICN (Shenzhen Code) is directly applicable here. Consequently, the name D. graveolens should be cited with the corrected authorship "(Lag. & Rodr.) Mosyakin & Clemants", and the new combination in Dysphania based on Chenopodium incisum (provisionally cited in POWO as "Dysphania incisa (Poir.) ined.") is unnecessary.

An illustrated catalogue of the type specimens of Lepidoptera housed in the Zoological Museum Hamburg (ZMH): Part II. superfamily Papilionoidea

We provide an updated catalogue of the type material of the lepidopteran superfamily Papilionoidea deposited in the Zoological Museum of Hamburg (ZMH). We report 414 specimens labelled as “types” belonging to nine species (all of valid names), 74 subspecies (44 valid names and 30 synonyms), 59 invalid infrasubspecific names under the ICZN code, and 23 specimens of 16 “in litteris” (= unavailable) names. Out of the 414 specimens labelled as “types”, 171 specimens are primary types (8 holotypes/lectotypes and 163 syntypes) and 80 are secondary types; 120 specimens are infrasubspecific and hence invalid and are considered as “original specimens”; and 43 specimens are treated here as “Non-type” specimens (topotype). We present a full bibliography of the original descriptions and illustrations for all of these taxa, aiming to provide a comprehensive taxonomic guide to this collection.

(2826) Proposal to conserve the name Bougainvillea spectabilis against B. brasiliensis (Nyctaginaceae)

(2826) Proposal to conserve the name <scp><i>Bougainvillea spectabilis</i></scp> against <scp><i>B. brasiliensis</i></scp> (<i>Nyctaginaceae</i>)

From the lowlands to the highlands of Ecuador, a study of the genus Masteria (Araneae, Mygalomorphae, Dipluridae) with description of seven new species.

Dipluridae represent a small Mygalomorphae family of South American origin, the family includes two subfamilies Diplurinae and Masteriinae although the placement of the latter in Dipluridae is still under debate. The family has a predominantly South American distribution although the genus Masteria L. Koch, 1873 presents an interesting distribution with representatives found in Fiji, Micronesia, New Caledonia, New Guinea and Australia. This genus is diverse at the species level in tropical South America and the Caribbean but no species have been described from Ecuador to date. Ongoing field work as part of the BIO-GEEC Projecta consortium established by several Ecuadorian and German institutionshas resulted in the discovery of several new species from both lowlands and highland habitats in Ecuador. Herein we described seven new species of Masteria from Ecuador: M. jatunsacha n. sp. (male); M. machay n. sp. (female); M. chalupas n. sp. (male); M. papallacta n. sp. (male and female); M. pasochoa n. sp. (male and female); M. lasdamas n. sp. (male); and M. otongachi n. sp. (male). The type species of the genus, Masteria hirsuta L. Koch, 1873 from Fiji, is redescribed and re-illustrated, from the original type specimen.