On the possibility of introducing X-ray computed microtomography into the practice of biostratigraphic research

Currently, the techniques applied for extraction and study of conodonts from siliceous rocks are associated with a number of problems. This makes it difficult to solve many problems in the areas of development of the volcanic and volcanic-sedimentary rocks, where cherts, jaspers, and phtanites are the only sedimentary formations for dating these deposits. On X-ray computed microtomography it is possible to avoid some problems to obtain not only excellent 3-D images of conodonts, but sections in any direction too, as well as in video formats. It is shown that similar results are successful under the hollows after the dissolution of the conodonts. There is no problem in application of X-ray microcomputed tomography when conodonts have been already found on the surface or inside of the sample, or if the content of conodonts in the rock is obviously high. In such a case the scanning without preliminary search is ensured. In cases when conodonts are rare and not obvious, it is proposed the following technique of their discovery. The rock sample is cut into plates. The conodonts are search for on the surface of the plates, moistened with a mixture of glycerin and water under a binocular microscope. If it is necessary (when the rock is opaque), the result is checked by a chemical reaction: 5–10 % hydrochloric acid plus 1–2 crystals of ammonium molybdate are put on the surface of the sample. The appearance of a yellow sediment means the presence of phosphorus, to indicate the probability the detected object to be a conodont. Next, the sample should be washed from acid, its size should be decreased. Then the microtomographic study should be performed.

The Morphological and Anatomical Studies of The Aerial Parts of Abroma augusta L. from Semarang

Abroma augusta L. known as Devil’s cotton belongs to Malvaceae. The exploratory study aimed to study the morphological and anatomical characteristics of the aerial parts of A. augusta L. from Semarang. The transverse section of the aerial parts was made by a simple method (fresh preparation) and then observed under a binocular microscope with an optilab. All characteristics were observed and then compared with the references. The collected data were analyzed descriptively and quantitatively. In summary, the results showed that A. augusta L. was an evergreen shrub (small tree) with orthotropic and plagiotropic branches and polymorphous leaves. The inflorenscence was found in the terminal and axillar plagiotropic branching with bisex, actinomorphic, and pentamerous flowers. The fruit was unique (obconical capsule with a rounded base and truncate-tip with 5 angled wings) including cotton fibers and numerous black seeds. The petiole was composed of epidermis, collenchyma, cortical parenchyma, sclerenchyma, vascular bundle, mucilaginous ducts, and pith. The dorsiventral leaf was composed of upper and lower epidermis, palisade, and spongy parenchyma. The stomata type was ranunculaceous (anomocytic) while the guard cell was kidney-shaped. The stomata density on the abaxial leaf was higher than that of the adaxial leaf. The stellate and unicellular non-glandular trichomes, and capitate glandular trichomes were found abundantly on the petiole and leaf blade. These morphological and anatomical studies are important to support the identification as a part of the conservation effort of the plant. Further studies are recommended to investigate the root morphology and anatomy and also biochemical characteristics of each part of the plant in order to obtain complete plant identification.

MK-1 Orthopyroxene—A New Potential Reference Material for In-Situ Microanalysis

Orthopyroxene, an important phase in mantle-derived rocks, has become a powerful tool to unravel mantle nature and magma processes. However, the applications have been hindered by the lag in the development of analytical techniques, such as shortage of reference materials. Orthopyroxene grains derived from an ultramafic intrusion at the Mogok metamorphic belt (Myanmar) were evaluated for the potential use of orthopyroxene as a reference material for in-situ microanalysis. Approximately 20 g of 0.5–3 mm pure orthopyroxene grains were separated under binocular microscope and analyzed using EPMA, LA-ICPMS, and bulk analytical methods (XRD, XRF, and solution-ICPMS) for major and trace elements at four institutions. Eleven core-to-rim profiles carried out using EPMA and twelve core-to-rim profiles determined using LA-ICPMS suggest that MK-1 orthopyroxene grains are sufficiently homogeneous, with RSD < ±2% (1σ) for major elements (Mg, Si, and Fe) and RSD < ±10% (1σ) for trace elements (Na, Al, Ca, Ti, Cr, Co, Zn, Ni, Mn, Sc, and V). In addition, the composition of MK-1 orthopyroxene was also measured by XRF and solution-ICPMS measurements in two different laboratories, to compare with the results measured using EPMA and LA-ICPMS. The results indicated a good agreement with RSE < ±2% (1σ) for major elements and RSE < ±5% (1σ) for most trace elements, except for Na (±9.73%) and Ti (±6.80%). In an overall assessment of these data, MK-1 orthopyroxene can be considered as a reference material for in-situ microanalysis, which would provide solid trace elements data for a better understanding of mantle source and magmatic evolution.

Microplastic Pollution in The Topsoil of Hot And Dried Areas, Human Exposure and Source Assessment, Aghili Plain, Iran

Although the distribution of microplastic (MPs) has been studied in different environmental compartments during the last decade, there is still a knowledge gap in their distribution and abundances in soil. This study aimed to investigate the abundance, distribution, and type of MPs in the soil of Aghili plain as a hot and dry area in southwest of Iran. In this study, composite soil samples (n=102) were collected from the residential and agricultural areas in Aghili plain, Iran. A combination of visual observations, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) – Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and Raman micro -spectroscopy was conducted to quantify and characterize MPs in soil samples. The intakes of MPs in adults and children were estimated through two exposure EPA scenarios. The total MPs loading in the studies soil was 11.93 ± 0.9 items in Kg-1 of surface soil in Aghili plain. The MPs had various morphology (fiber, pellet, fragment, and spherule shapes), colors (white-transparent, yellow-orange, red-pink, blue-green and black-grey colors), and sizes (<100 µm up to 1000 ≤ µm). Black-grey fibers in size less than 100 μm were dominant MPs in soil samples using a binocular microscope. Trace amounts of C, N, O, Na, P, Si revealed by EDS suggested the organic and inorganic contaminations on the surface of identified MPs. Intake of MPs per day/year through ingestion of polluted soil was calculated. Mean normal and acute exposure was estimated at 0.435 and 0.871 MPs per year through ingestion by children and adults, respectively.

Seasonal dynamics of population and age composition of the trematode Gynaecotyla adunca larvae (Linton, 1905) Yamaguti, 1939 in the Black Sea

The purpose of the research is analyzing the seasonal dynamics for the number and the hemipopulation structure of the trematode Gynaecotyla adunca larvae in shrimps of the genus Palaemon Weber, 1795 and determining the dependence of their infection with the metacercariae G. adunca on the host size and the season of the year in the water area of Sevastopol.Materials and methods. Samples of aquatic organisms were collected monthly during 2012 in two different biotopes, the estuary of the Chernaya River and the Kazachya Bay. We examined a total of 2,445 specimens of the Hydrobia acuta mollusk, 200 specimens of the Palaemon elegans shrimp in the estuary of the Chernaya River, and 2,248 specimens of the H. acuta mollusks and 64 specimens of P. adsepsus in the water area of Kazachya Bay. Shrimps were caught with a 1 × 0.4 m seine with a 6–8 mm mesh. The mollusks were collected with a hand grab sampler with a sampling area of 0.04 m2. The mollusks and shrimps were classified in accordance with the World Register of Marine Species. All mollusk and shrimp tissues were examined by the compression method under an MBS-10 binocular microscope. Descriptive statistics was calculated using Statistica 6 for Windows.Results and discussion. We have found that the parthenita G. adunca is characterized by asynchronous emergence of secondary sporocyst that contain cercariae, while the metacercariae G. adunca hemipopulation is characterized by an overdispersed distribution, which indirectly indicates a low density of the host population and its constant migration. We analyzed seasonal dynamics of the found microfallid larvae population. The metacercariae G. adunca are characterized by one peak of infection with trematodes in summer.

Correlation of Histopathological Metastatic Invasive Prognosticators with Five Years Survival of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Background: OSCC is the 3rd widespread malignancy in India followed by cervical and breast cancer. Histopathological findings in the tumor are the most prominent factors identified for OSCC progression. Clinical and histopathological prognosis in OSCC like perineural invasion, vascular invasion, lymph node invasion have been studied extensively by many researchers separately or in combination since many years. Bone invasion, muscle invasion and salivary gland invasion are explored less. In order to collectively correlate the role of all prognosticators with 5 years survival, the later prognosticators are included in our study in isolation which may predict accurately the probability of 5 year survival of OSCC. Also we have to search role of the prognosticator which is most commonly affecting 5 years survival of OSCC cases so that it may modify the potential consequence of management of OSCC. Objectives: The aim of this study is to assess the relevance of histopathological invasive prognosticators on 5 years survival of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients visiting Sharad Pawar Dental College and Hospital, Sawangi, Wardha (MS). Methodology: Departmental reports will be screened and specimen mounted slides of histopathologically diagnosed 200 OSCC patients, who undergone surgical resection will be observed under binocular microscope. Data of dead and survived OSCC patients undergone surgery 5 years back will be collected by telecommunication. Histopathological invasive prognosticators will be analyzed and correlated with 5-years survival after treatment. Expected Results: Collectively correlating the role of histopathological invasive prognosticators in our study may predict the probability of 5 years survival of OSCC cases more accurately. Discovering diversed histopathological patterns of all metastatic prognosticators and their correlation with 5 years survival. Identification of most effective histopathological invasive prognosticator predicting 5 year survival. Conclusion: The most commonly found prognosticators in OSCC patients who died within 5 years versus others who survived for 5 years will be discovered. In addition the most common histopathological pattern related to dead and survived patients after 5 years will be found which can modify the potential consequence of management of OSCC.

STUDY OF GILL, KIDNEY AND LIVER STRUCTURE OF Pangasius hypophthalmus IN THE TANJUNG KUDU LAKE AND SAIL RIVERS, RIAU PROVINCE

Environmental condition and water quality in general may affects the health status of fish and it represents in the structure of fish organs such as the gill, kidney, and liver. To understand the structure of the gill, kidney, and liver of Pangasius pangasius that live in the Tanjung Kudu Lake (good water quality) and in the Sail River that has been polluted, a study has been conducted from November to December 2020. Twelve fishes (6 fishes/river) were analyzed. The tissue was formalin-fixed and processed through alcohol series, paraffin-embedded, 5m sliced and Hematoxylin-Eosin stained. The histological samples were then studied using a binocular microscope Olympus CX 21. The abnormality level of the tissue was categorized using the Histopathological Alteration Indeks (HAI). Results showed that the fish tissues from both study sites indicate light abnormality signs such as hyperplasia, hypertrophy, and lifted epithelia. The HAI was 2 for fish from the Tanjung Kudu Lake and 3 for the fish from the Sail River. This index indicates that the abnormality may be cured as the water quality improved.

GROWTH CIRCLE PATTERNS IN THE OTOLITH OF THE GRAY FISH (Osteochilus melanopleurus) FROM THE SIAK AND KAMPAR RIVERS

Osteochilus melanopleurus can be found in the Siak and Kampar Rivers. The Kampar Rivers waters are better than that of the Siak River and it affects the growth of the fish. The growth pattern is reflected in the pattern of otolith growth rings. The research aims to understand the pattern of otolith growth rings of the O. melanopleurus from both rivers has been conducted from January to February 2021. There were 55 fishes captured (28 males and 27 females). The otolith was taken using tweezers and shaved manually using a soft grindstone. The dark growth ring pattern was investigated using a binocular microscope. Results showed the size of fish captured was 220 to 360 mm from Siak River and 310 to 370 mm from Kampar River. In the fish with the same standard length, the size of the otolith from the Siak River is heavier and longer than that of the Kampar River, which means that fish growth from the Kampar River is better than that of the Siak River. The length of an otolith from Siak River ranged from 1.875 – 3.275 mm, the width was ranged from 1.575–2.75 mm and the weight of otolith was 0.0039 – 0.0098 g, while the length of an otolith from Kampar River ranged from 2.375–3.275 mm, the width was ranged from 1.85–2.575 mm and the weight of otolith was 0.0042 –0.0076 g. The maximum number of the dark ring in the otolith from the Siak River was 4 and Kampar River was 2. The distance between the nucleus and the first dark ring of fish from both rivers was varied from 0.1–0.525 mm, and there was no special pattern. This fact indicates that the first dark ring was formed individually and they were not formed by a periodical incidents during the fish life

Oligocene Planktic Foraminiferal Taxonomy and Evolution: An Illustrated Revision of Ocean Drilling Program Site 803

ABSTRACT The Oligocene (33.9–23.0 Ma) has historically proven to be a difficult interval to examine with respect to planktic foraminifera; the tendency for many of the taxa to be basically globigerine in shape, with 4 or 5 chambers in the final whorl means differences between species are limited. Recently, an international working group has attempted to clarify the Oligocene planktic foraminiferal taxonomy, with the goal of establishing phylogenetically-consistent generic and species concepts. A relatively expanded and continuous Oligocene section recovered at Ocean Drilling Program Site 803 in the western equatorial Pacific was previously studied by Leckie et al. (1993) using fairly conservative species concepts. Since 1993, foraminiferal biostratigraphic datum age calibrations have changed, and so revised sedimentation rates for the 220-m thick Oligocene sequence are actually more constant than previously thought. As a part of the recent taxonomic revision, this site was reevaluated and numerous additional taxa are recorded at this location. Macroevolutionary rates are calculated from the occurrences, and increased extinction is found within the late Oligocene, counter to the expectations laid out in broader-scale macroevolutionary studies. An effort is made here to describe the diagnostic features, which can be used to distinguish all taxa under a standard binocular microscope. Finally, several figures of scanning electron microscope photomicrographs (from Site 803 and tropical Atlantic Ocean ODP Site 628) depict features used to describe and differentiate important, but difficult or homeomorphic taxa, with the hope that these figures can be used by other workers at the microscope attempting to do Oligocene taxonomy-based studies.