COPROLITES FROM CALVERT CLIFFS: MIOCENE FECAL PELLETS AND BURROWED CROCODILIAN DROPPINGS FROM THE CHESAPEAKE GROUP OF MARYLAND, U.S.A.

New finds of remarkable coprolites (fossilized feces) are here reported from the famous Miocene marine sediments of the Chesapeake Group exposed along Calvert Cliffs (Maryland, U.S.A.). Although vertebrate coprolites have been described from these deposits, here we provide the first description of tiny invertebrate fecal pellets. Thus far, these fecal pellets have only been found in the upper Miocene (Tortonian) St. Marys Formation. The micro-coprolites represent the coprulid ichnospecies Coprulus oblongus. The fecal pellets are found in small clusters or strings of dozens to masses of many hundreds. Pellets range in size from approximately 0.4 – 2.0 mm wide by 1.0 – 5.0 mm long, and range in color from gray to brownish black. Their length/diameter ratio is always very nearly 2. These coprulids have been found in a variety of Miocene fossils/concretions including a uranoscopid neurocranium, naticid gastropod, bivalve shells, barnacle tests, and in pellet-backfilled sinuous burrows through sediment. Because the fecal pellets are often found in tiny spaces or spaces thought to be inaccessible to shelled invertebrates, the coprulids are attributed to small and soft-bodied polychaetes or other annelids. Some coprolites attributed to crocodilians from the lower-middle Miocene Calvert Formation were tunneled into, presumably the result of coprophagy, by some unknown kind of organism(s). These compound trace fossils are in the form of burrows that excavate the coprolites, the sides of which are sculptured by scratch/gouge marks.

Dipcadi janae-shrirangii (Asparagaceae), a new species from the lateritic plateaus of Konkan region of Maharashtra, India

Dipcadi janae-shrirangii is described and illustrated as a new species from the lateritic plateaus of Konkan region of Maharashtra, India. The new species is allied to the D. concanense (Dalzell) Baker, but differ in its small flowers and perianth tube as long as the lobes. Coloured photographs, illustrations of new species and key to the Indian species of Dipcadi having shiny white flowers and brownish black seeds are provided to facilitate the identification.

The First Vietnamese Patient of LEOPARD Syndrome due to a PTPN11 Mutation: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

LEOPARD syndrome is a rare congenital anomaly that involves several organs. Patients with this syndrome develop multiple lentigines resembling a leopard’s hide. LEOPARD is an acronym of the major features constituting the syndrome including lentigines, electrocardiographic conduction defects, ocular hypertelorism, pulmonary valve stenosis, anomalies of genitalia, retardation of growth, and deafness. The syndrome is rare, and only 200 cases have been reported yet worldwide. We present the case of an 8-year-old female patient who visited the Ho Chi Minh City Hospital of Dermato-Venereology because of multiple brownish-black “dots” on her face and body. On examination, she also showed abnormalities in the maxillofacial bones, vertebrae, shoulders, sternum, and teeth, as well as deaf-mutism and growth retardation, which are typical of LEOPARD syndrome. Genetic analysis revealed a PTPN11 gene mutation in this case. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of LEOPARD syndrome reported in Vietnam.

Anorectal Melanoma - Brownish Black Mass Not Always a Hemorrhoid

The non-specific clinical symptoms of anorectal brownish-black mass do not help to differentiate colorectal cancer, hemorrhoids, rectal ulcers which result in a delayed diagnosis or lead to inadequate management of lethal anorectal melanoma. Primary malignant melanoma of the anorectal region is an uncommon tumor, constituting approximately 1% of anal canal tumors which may be misdiagnosed clinically as hemorrhoids. Because of aggressive behavior and poor prognosis, efficient and prompt diagnosis is required in these cases. We report the 2 cases of this rare tumor.

Karakteristik Morfologi dan Morfometrik Lebah Madu Tak Bersengat (Apidae; Melliponinae) pada Koloni di Daerah Pesisir Pulau Ambon

This study aimed to describe the morphological characters and morphometric measurements of worker level from the genus and species of stingless bee colonies in coastal areas. Observation of morphological characters and morphometric measurements used a microscope (stereo model Nikon C-LEEDS equipped with obtilab viewers software camera and image raster). The stingless bee species found in coastal areas belonged to the genus Tetragonula which consisted of Tetragonula sapiens and T. clypearis. T. sapiens was found in two locations, namely the coast of Airlow Hamlet and Negeri Rutong. T. clypearis was found in four locations, i.e., on the coast of Dusun Airlow, Negeri Rutong, Negeri Hukurila and Dusun Seri. Morphological identification was done by identifying ten morphological characters, and morphometric identification was done by measuring fourteen body parts. The results of this study indicated that the morphological and morphometric characters of T. sapiens workers were dominantly black in color with a body size of 3.74-4.25 mm. The first through the sixth abdomen tergites were black. The morphological and morphometric characters T. clypearis had a brownish black body color with a body size of 2.81-3.38 mm, a black thorax covered by six longitudinal hair bands and each separated by five conspicuous glabrous, the first and second abdomen tergites were brownish whereas the third through the sixth were black. Keywords: Ambon Island, morphology, morphometric, stingless bees. ABSTRAK Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mendeskripsikan karakter morfologi dan pengukuran morfometrik strata pekerja dari genus dan spesies lebah tak bersengat koloni daerah pesisir. Pengamatan karakter morfologi dan pengukuran morfometrik menggunakan mikroskop (stereo model Nikon C-LEEDS yang dilengkapi kamera software obtilab viewers dan image raster). Spesies lebah tak bersengat yang ditemukan di daerah pesisir pantai tergolong dalam genus Tetragonula yang terdiri dari Tetragonula sapiens dan T. clypearis. T. sapiens ditemukan di dua lokasi yaitu pesisir pantai Dusun Airlow dan Negeri Rutong. T. clypearis ditemukan di empat lokasi, yaitu di pesisir pantai Dusun Airlow, Negeri Rutong, Negeri Hukurila dan Dusun Seri. Identifikasi morfologi dilakukan dengan mengidentifikasi sepuluh karakter morfologi dan identifikasi morfometrik dilakukan dengan cara mengukur empat belas bagian tubuh. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukan karakter morfologi dan morfometrik tubuh pekerja T. sapiens dominan berwarna hitam dengan ukuran tubuh 3.74-4.25 mm. Abdomen dan tergite satu sampai enam berwarna hitam. Karakter morfologi dan morfometrik T. clypearis memiliki warna tubuh hitam kecoklatan dengan ukuran tubuh 2.81-3.38 mm, thorax berwarna hitam yang ditutupi oleh enam hair bands longitudinal dan masing-masing dipisahkan oleh lima glabrous yang mencolok, abdomen dan tergite pertama sampai kedua berwarna kecoklatan sedangkan tergite ketiga sampai enam berwarna hitam. Kata kunci: Lebah tak bersengat, morfologi, morfometrik, Pulau Ambon.

Pseudoxytenanthera madhavii (Poaceae: Bambusoideae), a new species of woody bamboo from the northern Western Ghats, India

Pseudoxytenanthera madhavii a new species of bamboo, locally known as Mes and traditionally utilized in the northern Western Ghats of India, is described and illustrated. The new species can be distinguished from its allied species, P. stocksii by longer and shining culms, young culms covered with white powdery scuff, undulating culm blades, fresh culm sheaths with waxy coating, black to brownish black hairs on culm sheaths, hollow culms with wall thickness of 0.9–1.9 cm at breast height and filaments united more than half of the length. A detailed description, photoplates, distribution map are provided for the new species in addition to the key for Indian Pseudoxytenanthera.

Two new species of Euphaea Selys, 1840 (Odonata: Zygoptera: Euphaeidae) from northern Western Ghats, India

Two new species of the damselfly genus Euphaea Selys, 1840 (Odonata: Euphaeidae) are described from the Western Ghats of Satara District, Maharashtra, distinguished by their distinct morphology and coloration. E. thosegharensis Sadasivan & Bhakare sp. nov. is similar to E. cardinalis (Fraser, 1924), but is distinguished by the extensor and flexor surface of all femora black while all femora bright red in E. cardinalis; apical fourth of Hw black while apical half of Hw black in E. cardinalis; genae reddish-orange, black in E. cardinalis; a tuft of sparse stub black hair on either side of tergite of S9 while both S8 and S9 with tufts of long ventral hairs in E. cardinalis. Male genital vesicle matt black, with distal border rounded angles, while vesicle black and hexagonal in shape with rounded angles in E. cardinalis and S9 twice the length of S10, while S9 and S10 of equal length in E. cardinalis. E. pseudodispar Sadasivan & Bhakare sp. nov., is very close to E. dispar (Rambur, 1842), but is differentiated easily by the absence of yellow patch on legs as in E. dispar; only apical fifth of Hw black; genae being yellowish-white, while black in E. dispar; male genital vesicle brownish-black & rhomboid-shaped and with no transverse rugosities while black with distal border rounded and with fine transverse rugosities in E. dispar; penis with single seta on each side while E. dispar has three pairs; sternite of S9 very prominently extending ventrally like a beak in comparison with E. dispar. We have identified additional morphological characters useful in taxonomy of Euphaea of the Western Ghats for example, tufts of ventral hairs on terminal abdominal segments genital vesicle, penile structure of males and sternite of S9 in the males, and vulvar scales of females. A taxonomic key to all known species of genus Euphaea of the Western Ghats is also provided.

A Minimally Invasive Management Approach to Tetracycline Staining of Adult Dentition

Tetracyclines were introduced as broad spectrum antibiotic for the treatment of various infections, both in children and adults. One of the major drawback with tetracycline is its incorporation into the tooth that are calcifying leading to discoloration which ranges from yellow grey to brownish black as they have the ability to chelate calcium. There is a possibility that this discoloration may not be limited to developing tooth but may also affect adult dentition after eruption. When given over long periods of time in adults, the tetracycline molecule is incorporated into the continuously forming secondary dentin. It is possible that continuous exposure of the incorporated tetracycline to the sun might lead to the formation of oxidation product and lead to discoloration. This case report suggests minimally invasive strategies to manage tetracycline staining in adult dentition. Keywords: Tetracycline stains, Adult dentition, Bleaching, Microabrasion, Direct Veneers.

Assistance of Indigofera Cultivation as Batik Natural Dyes in Kampung Alam Malon, Gunungpati Semarang

This community service aim to motivate kelompok Tani Gunungpati 03 Kampung Alam Malon and kelompok Tani Gunungpati 02 Nglarang, Gunungpati to start planting Indigofera. Production can be used to fulfill a part of batik natural dye for cheaper. Special target is availability qualified Indigofera with criteria dark green leaves (green bluish) and oval shape with brownish black seed. The target is from 1000 seeds can be generate 1000 qualified plant ready to harvest in 3 months, and next re-harvest in 2 months. Some activities already done such as socialization community service attended by 36 of farmer team and they held active discussion about the use and additional income from planting indigo. Training in make natural dye paste from indigo is given to 15 of farmer team by experienced trainer. The result of this activity were the farmer group be able to cultivate indigofera, built 2 water shelter to drainage indigo plant. The result of seedlings is not satisfied yet because the growth of sprouts were not simultaneously and not applying hormone gibrelin technology so that for next step need revision in raise seeding. The farmer group ca easily harvest their indigofera to make paste for batik dye color