Proposed Early Cambrian cephalopods are chimaeras, the oldest known cephalopods are 30 m.y. younger

Peer reviewe

Katian GSSP and Carbonates of the Simpson and Arbuckle Groups in Oklahoma

This guidebook was written for the 2015 International Symposium on the Ordovician System (ISOS) as a synopsis of the recent work (e.g., Goldman et al. 2007; Carlucci et al. 2014, forthcoming work for the ISOS meeting) on Ordovician-Silurian rocks of south-central and south-eastern Oklahoma. This new research and past studies (e.g., Harris 1957; Longman 1976; Longman 1982a, b; Fay et al. 1982a; Fay et al. 1982b) underscore the scientific importance of this region. The global stratotype section and point for the Katian Stage of the Upper Ordovician Series is examined on this trip. The first appearances of important graptolites, conodonts and chitinozoans in that section are crucial for worldwide chronostratigraphic correlation. Vertical and lateral facies changes of the Simpson Group demonstrate the variety and intricacy of sedimentary cycles and the importance of updating depositional models with sequence stratigraphic data. Carbonate facies of the Arbuckle Group are of general interest to all geologists, as they demonstrate a wide variety of sedimentary structures and fabrics that were deposited in tropical epeiric seas. Arbuckle Group carbonates show a variety of peloidal, oolitic, fossiliferous, stromatolitic, and brecciated facies that provide important insights into the depositional history of the “Great American Carbonate Bank” (Taylor et al. 2012). Simply put, these deposits are an exceptional natural laboratory for the sedimentary geologist. Siliciclastic deposits are also common in the Simpson and Arbuckle Groups, with shoreface sands and siltstones forming “bookends” to formation boundaries. The scientific importance of the Arbuckle region also extends into the realm of structural geology, where geologic cross sections (Fig. 1) of the Ardmore Basin, Arbuckle Anticline, and Washita Valley demonstrate overturned strata, extensive reverse faulting, and a series of major synclines and anticlines at a variety of scales. Pennsylvanian age tectonic features are just another example of why the Arbuckle Mountains is an excellent natural laboratory for field geologists

U-Pb Zircon Dates from North American and British Avalonia Bracket the Lower–Middle Cambrian Boundary Interval, with Evaluation of the Miaolingian Series as a Global Unit

High-precision U-Pb zircon ages on SE Newfoundland tuffs now bracket the Avalonian Lower–Middle Cambrian boundary. Upper Lower Cambrian Brigus Formation tuffs yield depositional ages of 507.91 ± 0.07 Ma (Callavia broeggeri Zone) and 507.67 ± 0.08 Ma and 507.21 ± 0.13 Ma (Morocconus-Condylopyge eli Assemblage interval). Lower Middle Cambrian Chamberlain’s Brook Formation tuffs have depositional ages of 506.34 ± 0.21 Ma (Kiskinella cristata Zone) and 506.25 ± 0.07 Ma (Eccaparadoxides bennetti Zone). The composite unconformity separating the Brigus and Chamberlain’s Brook formations is constrained between these ages. An Avalonian Lower–Middle Cambrian boundary between 507.2 ± 0.1 and 506.3 ± 0.2 Ma is consistent with maximum depositional age constraints from southwest Laurentia, which indicate an age for the base of the Miaolingian Series, as locally interpreted, of ≤ 506.6 ± 0.3 Ma. The Miaolingian Series’ base is interpreted as correlative within ≤ 0.3 ± 0.3 Ma between Cambrian palaeocontinents, although its exact synchrony is questionable due to taxonomic problems with a possible Oryctocephalus indicus-plexus, invariable dysoxic lithofacies control of O. indicus and diachronous occurrence of O. indicus in temporally distinct δ13C chemozones in South China and SW Laurentia. The lowest occurrence of O. indicus assemblages is linked to onlap (epeirogenic or eustatic) of dysoxic facies. A united Avalonia is shown by late Early Cambrian volcanics in SW New Brunswick; Cape Breton Island; SE Newfoundland; and the Wrekin area, England. The new U-Pb ages revise Avalonian geological evolution as they show rapid epeirogenic changes through depositional sequences 4a–6

Adding 6 months of androgen deprivation therapy to postoperative radiotherapy for prostate cancer: a comparison of short-course versus no androgen deprivation therapy in the RADICALS-HD randomised controlled trial

Background Previous evidence indicates that adjuvant, short-course androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) improves metastasis-free survival when given with primary radiotherapy for intermediate-risk and high-risk localised prostate cancer. However, the value of ADT with postoperative radiotherapy after radical prostatectomy is unclear. Methods RADICALS-HD was an international randomised controlled trial to test the efficacy of ADT used in combination with postoperative radiotherapy for prostate cancer. Key eligibility criteria were indication for radiotherapy after radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer, prostate-specific antigen less than 5 ng/mL, absence of metastatic disease, and written consent. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to radiotherapy alone (no ADT) or radiotherapy with 6 months of ADT (short-course ADT), using monthly subcutaneous gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue injections, daily oral bicalutamide monotherapy 150 mg, or monthly subcutaneous degarelix. Randomisation was done centrally through minimisation with a random element, stratified by Gleason score, positive margins, radiotherapy timing, planned radiotherapy schedule, and planned type of ADT, in a computerised system. The allocated treatment was not masked. The primary outcome measure was metastasis-free survival, defined as distant metastasis arising from prostate cancer or death from any cause. Standard survival analysis methods were used, accounting for randomisation stratification factors. The trial had 80% power with two-sided α of 5% to detect an absolute increase in 10-year metastasis-free survival from 80% to 86% (hazard ratio [HR] 0·67). Analyses followed the intention-to-treat principle. The trial is registered with the ISRCTN registry, ISRCTN40814031, and ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT00541047. Findings Between Nov 22, 2007, and June 29, 2015, 1480 patients (median age 66 years [IQR 61–69]) were randomly assigned to receive no ADT (n=737) or short-course ADT (n=743) in addition to postoperative radiotherapy at 121 centres in Canada, Denmark, Ireland, and the UK. With a median follow-up of 9·0 years (IQR 7·1–10·1), metastasis-free survival events were reported for 268 participants (142 in the no ADT group and 126 in the short-course ADT group; HR 0·886 [95% CI 0·688–1·140], p=0·35). 10-year metastasis-free survival was 79·2% (95% CI 75·4–82·5) in the no ADT group and 80·4% (76·6–83·6) in the short-course ADT group. Toxicity of grade 3 or higher was reported for 121 (17%) of 737 participants in the no ADT group and 100 (14%) of 743 in the short-course ADT group (p=0·15), with no treatment-related deaths. Interpretation Metastatic disease is uncommon following postoperative bed radiotherapy after radical prostatectomy. Adding 6 months of ADT to this radiotherapy did not improve metastasis-free survival compared with no ADT. These findings do not support the use of short-course ADT with postoperative radiotherapy in this patient population

Duration of androgen deprivation therapy with postoperative radiotherapy for prostate cancer: a comparison of long-course versus short-course androgen deprivation therapy in the RADICALS-HD randomised trial

Background Previous evidence supports androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) with primary radiotherapy as initial treatment for intermediate-risk and high-risk localised prostate cancer. However, the use and optimal duration of ADT with postoperative radiotherapy after radical prostatectomy remains uncertain. Methods RADICALS-HD was a randomised controlled trial of ADT duration within the RADICALS protocol. Here, we report on the comparison of short-course versus long-course ADT. Key eligibility criteria were indication for radiotherapy after previous radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer, prostate-specific antigen less than 5 ng/mL, absence of metastatic disease, and written consent. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to add 6 months of ADT (short-course ADT) or 24 months of ADT (long-course ADT) to radiotherapy, using subcutaneous gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogue (monthly in the short-course ADT group and 3-monthly in the long-course ADT group), daily oral bicalutamide monotherapy 150 mg, or monthly subcutaneous degarelix. Randomisation was done centrally through minimisation with a random element, stratified by Gleason score, positive margins, radiotherapy timing, planned radiotherapy schedule, and planned type of ADT, in a computerised system. The allocated treatment was not masked. The primary outcome measure was metastasis-free survival, defined as metastasis arising from prostate cancer or death from any cause. The comparison had more than 80% power with two-sided α of 5% to detect an absolute increase in 10-year metastasis-free survival from 75% to 81% (hazard ratio [HR] 0·72). Standard time-to-event analyses were used. Analyses followed intention-to-treat principle. The trial is registered with the ISRCTN registry, ISRCTN40814031, and ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT00541047 . Findings Between Jan 30, 2008, and July 7, 2015, 1523 patients (median age 65 years, IQR 60–69) were randomly assigned to receive short-course ADT (n=761) or long-course ADT (n=762) in addition to postoperative radiotherapy at 138 centres in Canada, Denmark, Ireland, and the UK. With a median follow-up of 8·9 years (7·0–10·0), 313 metastasis-free survival events were reported overall (174 in the short-course ADT group and 139 in the long-course ADT group; HR 0·773 [95% CI 0·612–0·975]; p=0·029). 10-year metastasis-free survival was 71·9% (95% CI 67·6–75·7) in the short-course ADT group and 78·1% (74·2–81·5) in the long-course ADT group. Toxicity of grade 3 or higher was reported for 105 (14%) of 753 participants in the short-course ADT group and 142 (19%) of 757 participants in the long-course ADT group (p=0·025), with no treatment-related deaths. Interpretation Compared with adding 6 months of ADT, adding 24 months of ADT improved metastasis-free survival in people receiving postoperative radiotherapy. For individuals who can accept the additional duration of adverse effects, long-course ADT should be offered with postoperative radiotherapy. Funding Cancer Research UK, UK Research and Innovation (formerly Medical Research Council), and Canadian Cancer Society

A new Cambrian catillicephalid trilobite from the Shallow Bay Formation of western Newfoundland, Canada

Species of Catillicephala are known from sites around the mid-Cambrian margin of Laurentian North America, including Vermont, Quebec, Newfoundland and North Greenland. Catillicephala cifellii sp. nov. is from the Downes Point Member of the Shallow Bay Formation (Cow Head Group) in western Newfoundland. It occurs in three shelf margin-derived boulders in debris flow conglomerates that accumulated in a continental slope setting. The associated trilobites and agnostoid arthropods, including Ptychagnostus aculeatus and Megagnostus glandiformis, indicate a correlation with the Lejopyge laevigata Zone. As such, C. cifellii is among the oldest representatives of the genus, and is early Guzhangian in age

Blountina Lochman, in Lochman & Duncan 1944

Genus Blountina Lochman, in Lochman & Duncan, 1944 Type species. Blountina eleanora Lochman, in Lochman & Duncan, 1944 from the Pilgrim Formation, Half Moon Pass, Big Snowy Mountains, Montana (by original designation). Diagnosis. Strongly furrowed with long anterior cranidial border occupying 62% (60–66) of short frontal area. Tips of posterolateral projection strongly deflected backward. Pygidial border furrow nearly effaced; border flexed steeply downward. Discussion. Opinions on Blountina Lochman have varied. Shaw (1952) considered the genus to be a junior synonym of Protillaenus Raymond 1937, whereas Rasetti (1956) treated both Blountina and Protillaenus as synonyms of Maryvillia. Restudy of the type species, Blountina eleanora Lochman (Pls 26, 27), shows that it lacks the synapomorphies of Maryvillia (see above) and the structure of the cladogram allows Blountina to be retained for the present as a monotypic genus. A broader analysis of Kingstoniidae may help clarify its status. Cranidial characters that might diagnose Blountina include a long anterior border occupying slight more than 60% of the short frontal area, and strongly deflected tips of the posterolateral projection. The grade of effacement of the pleural field and border furrow of the pygidium (Pl. 27) resembles the condition in Kingstonia (e.g., K. gaspensis; Fig. 1.6, 1.7), as does the strong downward flexure of the border. Although the pygidial axis is mostly effaced in K. gaspensis, other species retain a convex axis similar to that of B. eleanora (e.g., Rasetti 1946, pl. 69, fig. 31). Blountina triangularis Lochman in Lochman & Duncan is closely related to M. arion (Fig. 2), and both species are assigned to Maryvillia as revised in this study (see discussion above). Protillaenus is based on poorly preserved material (e.g., Shaw 1952, pl. 57, figs 14, 15), and the name is best restricted to the types.Published as part of Westrop, Madison Armstrong Stephen R. & Eoff, Jennifer D., 2020, Systematics of a survivor: the Cambrian kingstoniid trilobite Blountia Walcott, 1916 across the Marjuman-Steptoean (Guzhangian-Paibian) extinction interval in Laurentian North America, pp. 1-79 in Zootaxa 4804 (1) on page 23, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4804.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/392709

Maryvillia Walcott 1916

Genus <i>Maryvillia</i> Walcott, 1916 <p> <b>Type species.</b> <i>Maryvillia arion</i> Walcott, 1916, from the Nolichucky Formation, eastern Tennessee (by original designation).</p> <p> <b>Diagnosis.</b> Short, evenly tapered glabella with nearly straight sides, a concave anterior crandial border, and a pygidial axis that extends back beyond the anterior edge of the border.</p> <p> <b>Discussion.</b> As noted above, under the discussion of <i>Blountia</i>, four synapomorphies support monophyly of <i>Maryvillia</i> in the phylogenetic analysis (Fig. 2). In addition to the type species, <i>M</i>. <i>arion</i> Walcott, the genus also includes <i>M</i>. <i>triangularis</i> (Lochman, in Lochman & Duncan, 1944).</p>Published as part of <i>Westrop, Madison Armstrong Stephen R. & Eoff, Jennifer D., 2020, Systematics of a survivor: the Cambrian kingstoniid trilobite Blountia Walcott, 1916 across the Marjuman-Steptoean (Guzhangian-Paibian) extinction interval in Laurentian North America, pp. 1-79 in Zootaxa 4804 (1)</i> on page 21, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4804.1.1, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/3927094">http://zenodo.org/record/3927094</a&gt