Holotype Research Articles

Atypical squamous cells in urine cytology are associated with a significant risk of high-grade malignancy.

Atypical squamous cells (ASC) in urine cytology are rarely found, and their clinical significance is not well studied. Previous studies were limited by a small number of cases and a lack of objective grading of ASC and/or their correlation with accompanying urothelial cell abnormality (UCA). The institutional database was searched over 10 years for urine cytology reports containing ASC or from patients who had a concurrent diagnoses of high-grade (HG) urothelial carcinoma with squamous differentiation or squamous carcinoma. ASC were defined as keratinized squamous cells and were subcategorized as reactive, koilocytosis, low-grade (LG) atypia, and HG atypia. Correlations with age, sex, specimen type, accompanying UCA, number of ASC, and the risk of HG malignancy (ROHM) were assessed. ASC were present in 0.15% of all urine specimens (123 of 81,018). Slides and clinical follow-up were available on 91 patients (median age, 71 years). LG and HG squamous atypia had ROHMs of 70% and 92%, respectively. ASC accompanied and not accompanied by UCA had ROHMs of 37% and 94%, respectively. Most malignancies (34 of 67; 51%) showed rare ASC in urine. Reactive changes and koilocytosis had 0% ROHM. ASC in urine cytology is a significant finding and is associated with a high ROHM. In the absence of accompanying UCA, LG squamous atypia had a lower ROHM than HG atypia. In the presence of UCA, LG and HG squamous atypia had ROHMs of over 90%. These findings suggest that ASC and their grade of atypia should be noted in the cytology report, and clinicians should be made aware of their clinical significance.

Experimental Study on and Finite Element Analysis of the Axial Compression Bearing Capacity of a UHPC Transfer Device for Pre-Stressed Anti-Floating Anchor Rods

A new UHPC pre-stress transfer device is proposed for pre-stressed anti-floating anchor rods. To investigate the axial compression performance of the device during pre-stressing, physical experiments and a finite element verification were conducted on four different types of full-scale device specimens. The changes in the axial displacements and ultimate bearing capacities under axial pressure for the different types of devices were analyzed. The results indicated that bending failures occurred in the upper plate portions of all the types of specimens, with transverse cracks appearing near the upper plate portions of the short columns. The axial compression ultimate bearing capacity of each specimen exceeded the design value. Among them, the axial compression ultimate bearing capacity of the HM18 device increased the most relative to its design value by 87%, while axial compression ultimate bearing capacity of the HM45 device increased the least relative to its design value by only 2%. The new UHPC transfer device exhibits good applicability in pre-stressed anti-floating anchor rods.

Literature Review of Pathogen Agnostic Molecular Testing of Clinical Specimens From Difficult-to-Diagnose Patients: Implications for Public Health.

To better identify emerging or reemerging pathogens in patients with difficult-to-diagnose infections, it is important to improve access to advanced molecular testing methods. This is particularly relevant for cases where conventional microbiologic testing has been unable to detect the pathogen and the patient's specimens test negative. To assess the availability and utility of such testing for human clinical specimens, a literature review of published biomedical literature was conducted. From a corpus of more than 4,000 articles, a set of 34 reports was reviewed in detail for data on where the testing was being performed, types of clinical specimens tested, pathogen agnostic techniques and methods used, and results in terms of potential pathogens identified. This review assessed the frequency of advanced molecular testing, such as metagenomic next generation sequencing that has been applied to clinical specimens for supporting clinicians in caring for difficult-to-diagnose patients. Specimen types tested were from cerebrospinal fluid, respiratory secretions, and other body tissues and fluids. Publications included case reports and series, and there were several that involved clinical trials, surveillance studies, research programs, or outbreak situations. Testing identified both known human pathogens (sometimes in new sites) and previously unknown human pathogens. During this review, there were no apparent coordinated efforts identified to develop regional or national reports on emerging or reemerging pathogens. Therefore, development of a coordinated sentinel surveillance system that applies advanced molecular methods to clinical specimens which are negative by conventional microbiological diagnostic testing would provide a foundation for systematic characterization of emerging and underdiagnosed pathogens and contribute to national biodefense strategy goals.

Critical revision of Physarales and Reticulariales (Myxomycetes) at the Natural History Museum London (BM)

Light and scanning electron microscopy were applied to re-assess diagnostic characters of type specimens and critical specimens of Diachea radiata, D. splendens, D. subsessilis, Diderma arboreum, Didymium. laxifilum, D. leoninum var. effusum, D. trachysporum, D. trochus, Physarum bitectum, P. straminipes, Reticularia intermedia, R. jurana, R. liceoides, R. lobata and Wilczekia evelinae in the order Physarales and Reticulariales (Myxomycetes) from the collections at the Natural History Museum London (BM). The results were used to discuss published data and the type status for specimens studied.

Investigation of Hydrogen Embrittlement of Haynes 617 and Hastelloy X Alloys Using Electrochemical Hydrogen Charging

This study explores the hydrogen embrittlement behaviour of two Ni-based superalloys using electrochemical hydrogen charging. Two types of tensile specimens with different geometry for the Haynes 617 and Hastelloy X alloys were electrochemically hydrogen-charged, and then a slow strain rate test was conducted to investigate the hydrogen embrittlement behaviour. Unlike the ASTM standard specimens, two-step dog-bone specimens with a higher surface-area-to-volume ratio showed higher sensitivity to hydrogen embrittlement because hydrogen atoms are distributed mostly on the surface area. On the other hand, the Haynes 617 alloy had a lower hydrogen embrittlement resistance than that of the Hastelloy X alloy due to its relatively large grain size and the presence of precipitates at grain boundaries. The Haynes 617 alloy primarily showed an intergranular fracture mode with cracks from the slip band, whereas the Hastelloy X alloy exhibited a combination of transgranular and intergranular fracture behavior under hydrogen-charged conditions.

The current status of Henckelia peduncularis (Gesneriaceae): Taxonomy, typification, distribution and IUCN Red List assessment

The long lost Henckelia peduncularis (Gesneriaceae), was hitherto known from its type specimens collected from Burma, in 1926. Recently described Henckelia dasii from Arunachal Pradesh, India; revealed substantial similarities with the aforementioned Burmese element. Morphological analyses based on the type specimens of both the names revealed H. dasii is appropriate to be reduced as a heterotypic synonym of H. peduncularis. The present article also deals with the Red List assessment of H. peduncularis based on IUCN criteria and lectotype designation for the name Chirita peduncularis B.L. Burtt.

Reappraisal of sauropod dinosaur diversity in the Upper Cretaceous Winton Formation of Queensland, Australia, through 3D digitisation and description of new specimens.

Skeletal remains of sauropod dinosaurs have been known from Australia for over 100 years. Unfortunately, the classification of the majority of these specimens to species level has historically been impeded by their incompleteness. This has begun to change in the last 15 years, primarily through the discovery and description of several partial skeletons from the Cenomanian-lower Turonian (lower Upper Cretaceous) Winton Formation in central Queensland, with four species erected to date: Australotitan cooperensis, Diamantinasaurus matildae, Savannasaurus elliottorum, and Wintonotitan wattsi. The first three of these appear to form a clade (Diamantinasauria) of early diverging titanosaurs (or close relatives of titanosaurs), whereas Wintonotitan wattsi is typically recovered as a distantly related non-titanosaurian somphospondylan. Through the use of 3D scanning, we digitised numerous specimens of Winton Formation sauropods, facilitating enhanced comparison between type and referred specimens, and heretofore undescribed specimens. We present new anatomical information on the holotype specimen of Diamantinasaurus matildae, and describe new remains pertaining to twelve sauropod individuals. Firsthand observations and digital analysis enabled previously proposed autapomorphic features of all four named Winton Formation sauropod species to be identified in the newly described specimens, with some specimens exhibiting putative autapomorphies of more than one species, prompting a reassessment of their taxonomic validity. Supported by a specimen-level phylogenetic analysis, we suggest that Australotitan cooperensis is probably a junior synonym of Diamantinasaurus matildae, but conservatively regard it herein as an indeterminate diamantinasaurian, meaning that the Winton Formation sauropod fauna now comprises three (rather than four) valid diamantinasaurian species: Diamantinasaurus matildae, Savannasaurus elliottorum, and Wintonotitan wattsi, with the latter robustly supported as a member of the clade for the first time. We refer some of the newly described specimens to these three species and provide revised diagnoses, with some previously proposed autapomorphies now regarded as diamantinasaurian synapomorphies. Our newly presented anatomical data and critical reappraisal of the Winton Formation sauropods facilitates a more comprehensive understanding of the mid-Cretaceous sauropod palaeobiota of central Queensland.

Virtual reconstruction of the Canis arnensis type (Canidae, Mammalia) from the Upper Valdarno Basin (Italy, Early Pleistocene)

Taphonomic deformation, whether it be brittle or plastic, is possibly the most influential process hindering the correct understanding of fossil species morphology. This is especially true if the deformation affects type specimens or applies to or obscures taxonomically diagnostic or functionally significant traits. Target Deformation, a recently developed virtual manipulation protocol, was implemented to address this issue by applying landmark-guided restoration of the original, deformed fossils, using undeformed specimens (or parts thereof) of the same species as a reference. The enigmatic Early Pleistocene canid Canis arnensis provides a typical example of a fossil species in dire need of virtual restoration. Its lectotype specimen is heavily deformed and none of the few known skulls are well preserved, obscuring the recognition of its systematic and phylogenetic position. Our results indicate that the algorithm effectively countered the lectotype skull’s laterolateral compression and its concomitant rostrocaudal elongation. Morphometrically, comparison of the retrodeformed cranium (IGF 867_W) with other specimens of the same species, and to other fossil and extant canid material, confirms IGF 867_W consistently clusters within C. arnensis variability. Overall, the evidence presented here confirms that Target Deformation provides a powerful tool to better characterize complex taxa like C. arnensis, whose knowledge is severely affected by the state of preservation of its fossil material.

Compression-compression fatigue performances of hybrid unidirectional/woven carbon-fiber reinforced composite laminates after LVI

Compression-compression fatigue behavior of hybrid unidirectional/woven carbon-fiber reinforced composite laminates after low-velocity impact (LVI) was studied in this paper. The paper contains two parts. Firstly, different levels of impact energy were introduced on the specimens. Impact damage modes were obtained and characterized as fiber breakages, matrix cracks, indentation and delamination. The relationships between indentation depth/damage area and impact energy were established. Secondly, compression-compression fatigue tests were conducted on the impact damaged specimens. Fatigue life degradation trends were analyzed and fatigue limit for different types of specimens was determined. Delamination areas by depth mode and amplitude mode of C-scan showed an increasing trend with the fatigue life increasing. Stiffness decreased sharply in the early and ending stages of fatigue life. However, stiffness exhibited stable or slightly decreasing rates in the mid-stage of fatigue life. A line-shaped failure cracks going through the impact point were observed in the fatigue failure specimens.

First record of the genus Marsipococcus Cockerell & Bueker (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae) from China, with description of a new species

The soft scale insect genus Marsipococcus Cockerell & Bueker, 1930 (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae) is reported for the first time from China; a new species, Marsipococcus brideliae sp. n., is described and illustrated from Guizhou Province on Bridelia retusa (Phyllanthaceae). A key is given to distinguish all four species in the genus. Type specimens of the new species are deposited at the Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China and the collection at the Department of Forestry Protection, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing.

Characterization of Antibiotic Resistance in Select Tertiary Hospitals in Uganda: An Evaluation of 2020 to 2023 Routine Surveillance Data

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a public health concern in Uganda. We sought to conduct an extended profiling of AMR burden at selected Ugandan tertiary hospitals. We analyzed routine surveillance data collected between October 2020 and March 2023 from 10 tertiary hospitals. The analysis was stratified according to the hospital unit, age, gender, specimen type, and time. Up to 2754 isolates were recovered, primarily from pus: 1443 (52.4%); urine: 1035 (37.6%); and blood: 245 (8.9%). Most pathogens were Staphylococcus aureus, 1020 (37%), Escherichia coli, 808 (29.3%), and Klebsiella spp., 200 (7.3%). Only 28% of Escherichia coli and 42% of the other Enterobacterales were susceptible to ceftriaxone, while only 44% of Staphylococcus aureus were susceptible to methicillin (56% were MRSA). Enterococcus spp. susceptibility to vancomycin was 72%. The 5–24-year-old had 8% lower ampicillin susceptibility than the >65-year-old, while the 25–44-year-old had 8% lower ciprofloxacin susceptibility than the >65-year-old. The 0–4-year-old had 8% higher ciprofloxacin susceptibility. Only erythromycin susceptibility varied by sex, being higher in males. Escherichia coli ciprofloxacin susceptibility in blood (57%) was higher than in urine (39%) or pus (28%), as was ceftriaxone susceptibility in blood (44%) versus urine (34%) or pus (14%). Klebsiella spp. susceptibility to ciprofloxacin and meropenem decreased by 55% and 47%, respectively, during the evaluation period. During the same period, Escherichia coli ciprofloxacin susceptibility decreased by 40%, while Staphylococcus aureus gentamicin susceptibility decreased by 37%. Resistance was high across the Access and Watch antibiotic categories, varying with time, age, sex, specimen type, and hospital unit. Effective antimicrobial stewardship targeted at the critical AMR drivers is urgently needed.

Development and evaluation of an artificial intelligence for bacterial growth monitoring in clinical bacteriology.

In clinical bacteriology laboratories, reading and processing of sterile plates remain a significant part of the routine workload (30%-40% of the plates). Here, an algorithm was developed for bacterial growth detection starting with any type of specimens and using the most common media in bacteriology. The growth prediction performance of the algorithm for automatic processing of sterile plates was evaluated not only at 18-24 h and 48 h but also at earlier timepoints toward the development of an early growth monitoring system. A total of 3,844 plates inoculated with representative clinical specimens were used. The plates were imaged 15 times, and two different microbiologists read the images randomly and independently, creating 99,944 human ground truths. The algorithm was able, at 48 h, to discriminate growth from no growth with a sensitivity of 99.80% (five false-negative [FN] plates out of 3,844) and a specificity of 91.97%. At 24 h, sensitivity and specificity reached 99.08% and 93.37%, respectively. Interestingly, during human truth reading, growth was reported as early as 4 h, while at 6 h, half of the positive plates were already showing some growth. In this context, automated early growth monitoring in case of normally sterile samples is envisioned to provide added value to the microbiologists, enabling them to prioritize reading and to communicate early detection of bacterial growth to the clinicians.

REVIEW OF LEAF BEETLES OF THE SUBGENUS HYPERICIA BEDEL, 1899 (COLEOPTERA: CHRYSOMELIDAE: CHRYSOLINA) FROM EAST ASIA

The East Palaearctic group of species in the subgenus Hypericia Bedel, 1899 (genus Chrysolina Motschulsky, 1860) is reviewed. Chrysolina (H.) nikkoensis (Jacoby, 1885) is first recorded for Kurile Islands and the Russian fauna, its type specimens studied and redescription is provided. Chrysolina (Hypericia) changbaishana sp. n. is described from Jilin Province of China; it differs from Ch. (H.) difficilis (Motschulsky, 1860) by smaller size, last abdominal ventrite without depression and narrow lateral calli of pronotum.

Evaluation of Alinity m CMV assay performance for detecting CMV in plasma, cerebrospinal fluid, and bronchoalveolar lavage specimens

Accurate detection and quantification of cytomegalovirus (CMV) is crucial to preventing adverse outcomes in immunocompromised individuals. Current assays were developed for use with plasma specimens, but CMV may be present in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). We evaluated the performance of the Abbott Alinity m CMV assay compared to the Abbott RealTime CMV assay for quantification of CMV in plasma, BAL, and CSF specimens. To evaluate clinical performance, 190 plasma, 78 BAL, and 20 CSF specimens were tested with the Alinity m assay and compared to the RealTime assay. The Alinity m CMV assay showed high precision (SD <0.01 to 0.13) for all 3 specimen types. Clincal plasma and BAL specimens with quantifiable CMV DNA demonstrated strong correlation to RealTime CMV assay results (r2=0.9779 for plasma, r2=0.9373 for BAL). The Alinity m CMV assay may be useful for quantification of CMV in plasma, BAL, and CSF specimens.

Evaluation of a new CT/NG/TV/MG Real-Time PCR Kit (Vircell) versus the Allplex STI Essential Assay (Seegene) for the diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections.

Sexually transmitted infections (STI) are a public health problem. Real-time PCR assays are the most sensitive test for screening and diagnosis of these infections. The aim of this study was to evaluate a new CT/NG/TV/MG Real-Time PCR (RT-PCR) kit (Vircell) for the detection of Chamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Mycoplasma genitalium and Trichomonas vaginalis for the diagnosis of sexual transmitted infections using the Allplex STI Essential Assay (Seegene) as the reference's method. A total of 497 samples from different anatomical sites (endocervical, urethral, rectal, pharyngeal and urine) were analysed from October 2022 to February 2023. A total of 108 (21.73 %) and 106 (21.33 %) positive samples were found for any of the assays used. The most commonly detected pathogen was N. gonorrhoeae (52 samples; 10.46 %), and the least commonly detected was T. vaginalis (three samples; 0.60 %). The anatomical site with the highest prevalence of micro-organisms was a non-urogenital site, the pharynx (26 positive samples; 5.23 %). Using the Allplex STI Essential Assay (Seegene) as the reference method, the diagnosis performance showed that the average specificity of CT/NG/TV/MG RT-PCR Kit (Vircell) was 99.84 % and the sensitivity was 99.53 %. The overall concordance was k=0.98 (CI95 %; 0.96-1). In conclusion, the CT/NG/TV/MG RT-PCR Kit (Vircell) assay shows a good sensitivity and specificity and constitutes a promising and additional alternative to routine procedures for distinct types of clinical specimen in diagnosis STI.

Simplified test method for evaluating progressive collapse resistance of precast concrete frame structures

To evaluate the progressive collapse resistance of precast concrete (PC) structures, various test methods have been used in existing experimental studies. However, verification of whether the progressive collapse resistance can be evaluated equivalently by different test methods has been limitedly investigated. In this study, three simplified and three half-frame test specimens were tested under monotonic vertical loading to investigate the effects of the test method on their progressive collapse resistance. As the test parameters, types of test specimens (i.e., sub-frame, simplified, and half-frame specimens), and joint details (i.e., reinforced concrete (RC) continuous joint, PC with continuous joint, and PC with pinned joint) were directly compared. The test results showed that the progressive collapse resistance was primarily affected by the overall lateral stiffness of the exterior columns (Kh) rather than the test setup. When Kh increased in the simplified specimens, the axial force transferred by the beams increased, resulting in an increase in the peak strength (PCAA). Further, the effect of Kh on the peak strength was greater in PC specimens with pinned joints than in RC and PC specimens with continuous joints. To investigate the effect of Kh on the PCAA, a parametric study was conducted using the existing CAA strength model. The parametric study results also indicated that the relationship between the increase in Kh and PCAA was not significantly governed by the test setup for the same joint details. These results indicated that various simplified test methods can be used to evaluate the progressive collapse resistance of PC structures when an adequate range of Kh is provided. Based on the test and parametric study results, recommendations for progressive collapse tests were discussed.

Два новых для России вида Amanita из Южной Сибири

The paper provides data on records of two new to Russia agaricoid species: Amanita betulae from the Krasnoyarsk Territory (Eastern Sayan) and A. coryli from the Republic of Altai. Species identity was confirmed by molecular phylogeny based on nrITS sequences. Detailed morphological descriptions, data on ecology and distribution of these species are provided. The morphological features matched the descriptions of type specimens, while the ecology of the specimens of Amanita coryli and A. betulae from South Siberia differed from the European collections.

Deaths Associated with Pediatric Hepatitis of Unknown Etiology, United States, October 2021-June 2023.

During October 2021-June 2023, a total of 392 cases of acute hepatitis of unknown etiology in children in the United States were reported to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as part of national surveillance. We describe demographic and clinical characteristics, including potential involvement of adenovirus in development of acute hepatitis, of 8 fatally ill children who met reporting criteria. The children had diverse courses of illness. Two children were immunocompromised when initially brought for care. Four children tested positive for adenovirus in multiple specimen types, including 2 for whom typing was completed. One adenovirus-positive child had no known underlying conditions, supporting a potential relationship between adenovirus and acute hepatitis in previously healthy children. Our findings emphasize the importance of continued investigation to determine the mechanism of liver injury and appropriate treatment. Testing for adenovirus in similar cases could elucidate the role of the virus.

A new species of the genus Sinomytilus (Bivalvia: Mytilidae) from Lake Fuxian, Yunnan Province, China

Based on specimens collected from Lake Fuxian in Yuxi City, Yunnan Province, China, we describe a new species of the genus Sinomytilus, Sinomytilus liuliwanqing sp. nov., all type specimens are deposited at Nanjing Normal University in Jiangsu Province, China. We provide a detailed morphological description of the species and molecular analysis based on partial mitochondrial COI supports its systematic position as a new taxon.

Biological Testing and Interpretation of Laboratory Results Associated with Detecting Newborns with Substance Exposure.

Substance use during pregnancy is common, as is biological testing that is intended to help identify prenatal exposures. However, there is no standardized requirement for biological testing with either maternal or newborn specimens, nor is there standardization related to when testing occurs, how frequently testing occurs, what specimen(s) to test, what substances to test for, or how to perform testing. We review common specimen types tested to detect maternal and newborn substance exposure with a focus on urine, meconium, and umbilical cord tissue. We also review common analytical methods used to perform testing, including immunoassay, and mass spectrometry platforms. Considerations regarding the utilization of testing relative to the purpose of testing, the drug analyte(s) of interest, the specific testing employed, and the interpretation of results are emphasized to help guide decisions about clinical utilization of testing. We also highlight specific examples of unexpected results that can be used to guide interpretation and appropriate next steps. There are strengths and limitations associated with all approaches to detecting substance exposure in pregnant persons as well as biological testing to evaluate a newborn with possible substance exposure. Standardization is needed to better inform decisions surrounding evaluation of substance exposures in pregnant people and newborns. If biological sampling is pursued, testing options and results must be reviewed in clinical context, acknowledging that false-positive and -negative results can and do occur.