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• The present study generated 156 barcode data of bee species from the IHRs. • The genetic distances and BA phylogeny clearly discriminated the studied species. • The species delimitation methods were congruent with the phylogenetic analysis. • The study detected cryptic diversity and species complex in six bee species. DNA barcoding has largely been tested for a wide range of taxa and evidenced as a reliable and rapid molecular tool for species-level identification. The present study lends to generate 156 DNA barcodes, of which 141 belonged to 30 morphologically identified bees from the Indian Himalayan Regions (IHRs). The generated barcode data along with 84 sequences of global database distinctly discriminated all the studied species with sufficient genetic distances and cohesive monophyletic clustering in Bayesian analysis (BA) phylogeny. The species delimitation methods, Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery (ABGD), Bayesian Poisson-Tree-Processes (bPTP), and General Mixed Yule-coalescent (GMYC) yielded 68, 70, and 71 molecular operational taxonomic units (MOTUs) respectively. The present DNA barcode-based examination detected the possible cryptic diversity in two Apis species (A. cerana and A. dorsata), Bombus hypnorum , Lepidotrigona arcifera , and Ceratina sutepensis. The present study also evidenced the species complexes within Bombus albopleuralis and Bombus trifasciatus in the IHRs. The species delimitation methods also detected an additional seven putative species from the IHRs, which were identified up to the genus level. In conclusion, this preliminary effort helps to develop a reliable barcode database of bees from the Indian IHRs to facilitate the future systematics study. These molecular data can be utilized to evaluate the population structures and assist to formulate the effective plans for bee conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Cetacean morbillivirus (CeMV) is considered the most pathogenic virus in cetaceans. Three strains have been already described: the dolphin morbillivirus (DMV), the porpoise morbillivirus (PMV) and the tentatively named pilot whale morbillivirus (PWMV). This study describes the molecular characterization of a strain of CeMV detected in the brain of a short-finned pilot whale that had stranded in the Eastern Atlantic Ocean around the Canary Islands and that showed lesions compatible with morbilliviral disease. Sequences for the nucleoprotein, phosphoprotein, fusion protein and haemagglutinin genes were obtained. The phylogenetic study showed high homology (97%) with the PWMV strain previously detected from a long-finned pilot whale stranded in the Western Atlantic Ocean. These results support the existing classification of CeMV into three principal genetic clusters. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Nodular pulmonary amyloidosis, characterized by solitary or multiple parenchymal nodules, is primarily composed of amyloid immunoglobulin light chain protein. Pulmonary involvement by senile amyloidosis has been reported as an incidental finding with scattered or diffuse interstitial deposition of amyloid protein transthyretin mostly in patients with cardiac senile amyloidosis in a small number of autopsy cases. We report a unique case of pulmonary senile amyloidosis presenting with conglomerated nodular deposition of amyloid protein transthyretin as the main clinical manifestation. The patient was an 82-year-old man who presented with recurrent pleural effusions and nodular replacement of pulmonary parenchyma on a chest computed tomographic scan. He underwent a wedge resection of the lesion. Histologic examination revealed a massive deposition of Congo red–positive amyloid identified as amyloid protein transthyretin by both immunohistochemistry and mass spectrometry using formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues. Molecular testing did not show any mutation associated with familial amyloidosis in the TTR gene, further supporting the diagnosis of senile amyloidosis. To our knowledge, this is the first documented case of nodular senile amyloidosis of the lung that was confirmed with the current state-of-the-art methods. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The nonhematopoietic tumors most often diagnosed in the bone marrow are metastatic. Currently, accurate diagnosis of tumor metastasis requires integration of the clinical findings; morphological features; and results of immunohistochemical stains, cytogenetics, and molecular studies. This review focuses on a practical approach to the diagnosis of metastatic tumors in the bone marrow according to current standards of practice and discusses recent advances in understanding of tumor metastasis and the interaction between tumors and the bone marrow environment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The chemical composition of ambers is highly diverse, characterized by the occurrence of a variety of terpenoids including: mono-, sesqui-, di-, and triterpenoids. The direct analyses of their chemical constituents in total extracts using polar solvents permits the elucidation of unaltered natural products, which are characteristic of the source plants or paleobiome. At this time, knowledge is limited about the plant origins of fossil resins that formed in tropical climatic conditions. Here, we present the complex chemical characteristics of Miocene fossil resins (resinites, termed here as ambers) from the tropics of Kalimantan (Borneo, Indonesia). Extant plant resins from the same geoclimatic region were also analyzed to identify the potential botanical sources of the ambers. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analyses of total extracts (silylated and methylated) of natural and amber samples were carried out and compared with standard compounds. The main producers of resins forming these Miocene ambers were angiosperms - probably resins of Shorea and less likely Hopea , but not Dipterocarpus species. The key chemotaxonomic marker, present in the ambers and extant Shorea species, was asiatic acid. All samples were composed of sesquiterpenoids and triterpenoids in various proportions, without diterpenoids, characteristic for flowering plants. The sesquiterpenoids in the resins of both ambers and extant plants were primarily natural products with the cadinane skeleton. The triterpenoids of the extant resins of the Dipterocarpaceae and Miocene ambers were characterized by a prevalence of ursane over oleanane types. Polymerization of cadinoids in resins from Shorea species and in the ambers was not extensive. Based on the amber compositions we conclude that the molecular alteration of the Miocene deposits from Kalimantan is rather low, but differs depending on their location. • Complex chemical characteristics of Miocene ambers of Kalimantan (Borneo, Indonesia). • The main producers of resins forming Miocene ambers were angiosperms of Shorea. • The key marker, present in the ambers and extant Shorea species, was asiatic acid. • Polymerization of cadinoids in resins from Shorea species and in the ambers was not extensive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Signet ring cell mesothelioma is a rare variant of epithelioid mesothelioma with limited cases published. It has a male predilection and most commonly occurs on pleura; it can also arise in the peritoneal cavity. The signet ring cell morphology can pose a challenge leading to a potential diagnostic error. A variety of benign and malignant diseases, including reactive histiocytic hyperplasia, adenocarcinoma, melanoma, and lymphoma with signet ring cell morphology should be considered in the differential diagnosis. In signet ring cell mesothelioma work up, mucin stains are of limited value. Even though immunohistochemistry is routinely used in mesothelioma diagnosis, there is no sole specific mesothelial marker. Hence, a panel of mesothelial and epithelial markers are used; these should be interpreted with caution especially in this variant. Electron microscopy and genetic testing can be very helpful in distinguishing signet ring cell mesothelioma from its mimickers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]