Early Cambrian 'soft-shelled' brachiopods as possible stem-group phoronids

Brachiopods and phoronids are widely recognised as closely related lophophorate phyla, but the lack of morphological intermediates linking the bivalved bodyplan of brachiopods with tubular phoronids has frustrated precise phylogenetic placement. Here we describe Lingulosacculus nuda gen. et sp. nov., a new “soft−shelled” brachiopod from the Early Cambrian Mural Formation of western Alberta which provides a plausible candidate for a phoronid stem−group within (paraphyletic) Brachiopoda. In addition to its non−biomineralised shell, L. nuda had a ventral valve with an exceptionally long, pocket−like extension (pseudointerarea) that would have allowed the transformation of criss−crossing brachiopod−type musculature to the longitudinal arrangement typical of phoronids. “Soft−shelled” linguliform brachiopods have previously been reported from both the Chengjiang and Burgess Shale Lagerstätten which, together with L. nuda, probably represent two independent losses of shell mineralisation in brachiopods

A molecular time-scale for eukaryote evolution recalibrated with the continuous microfossil record

Recent attempts to establish a molecular time-scale of eukaryote evolution failed to provide a congruent view on the timing of the origin and early diversification of eukaryotes. The major discrepancies in molecular time estimates are related to questions concerning the calibration of the tree. To limit these uncertainties, we used here as a source of calibration points the rich and continuous microfossil record of dinoflagellates, diatoms and coccolithophorids. We calibrated a small-subunit ribosomal RNA tree of eukaryotes with four maximum and 22 minimum time constraints. Using these multiple calibration points in a Bayesian relaxed molecular clock framework, we inferred that the early radiation of eukaryotes occurred near the Mesoproterozoic–Neoproterozoic boundary, about 1100 million years ago. Our results indicate that most Proterozoic fossils of possible eukaryotic origin cannot be confidently assigned to extant lineages and should therefore not be used as calibration points in molecular dating

Burgess Shale-type microfossils from the middle Cambrian Kaili Formation, Guizhou Province, China

Diverse carbonaceous microfossils, including exceptionally preserved remains of non−biomineralizing metazoans, are reported from a basal middle Cambrian interval of the Kaili Formation (Guizhou Province, China). The application of a gentle acid maceration technique complements previous palynological studies by revealing a larger size−class of acritarchs, a richer assemblage of filamentous microfossils, and a variety of previously unrecovered forms. Metazoan fossils include Wiwaxia sclerites and elements derived from biomineralizing taxa, including chancelloriids, brachiopods and hyolithids, in common with previously studied assemblages from the early and middle Cambrian of Canada. In addition, the Kaili Formation has yielded pterobranch remains and an assemblage of cuticle fragments representing “soft−bodied” worms, including a priapulid−like scalidophoran. Our results demonstrate the wide distribution and palaeobiological importance of microscopic “Burgess Shale−type” fossils, and provide insights into the limitations and potential of this largely untapped preservational mode

The Impact of Diabetes on Current Revascularisation Practice and Clinical Outcome in Patients with Critical Lower Limb Ischaemia

AbstractObjectiveTo compare current revascularisation practice and outcome in diabetic and non-diabetic patients presenting with critical limb ischaemia (CLI) to a single vascular surgeon.MethodsData for 113 patients presenting with CLI were collected prospectively over a 3-year period. Forty-four (39%) were diabetic. Treatment was classified as percutaneous angioplasty, arterial reconstruction, primary major amputation, and conservative therapy. Main outcome measures were 30-day mortality, major amputation, survival, and amputation-free survival.ResultsDiabetic patients were more likely to present with gangrene, give a history of angina, be treated with nitrates and statins, and have lower cholesterol levels. No significant differences were found in the initial treatment options between diabetics and non-diabetics: angioplasty 39 vs 26%, surgical revascularisation 34 vs 33%, primary major amputation 9% vs 17%, and conservative treatment 11 vs 19% (p=ns in all). There were eight deaths (7%) within 30-days. At follow-up (1–44 months, median 14 months), rates of major amputation and death for the entire population were 23 and 8%, respectively. The 12-month cumulative survival and amputation-free survival rates were 90 and 72%, respectively. When comparing diabetic to non-diabetic patients, there were no significant differences in the 30-day mortality (6.8 vs 7.2%, p=0.4), cumulative survival (93 vs 89% at 12 months, log-rank test: 0.00, p=0.9), amputation-free survival (71 vs 73% at 12 months, log-rank test: 0.00, p=0.99), and major amputation rates (22.7 vs 23.1% at 12 months, p=0.96). Similarly, there were no differences in limb salvage rates between diabetic and non-diabetic patients undergoing revascularisation procedures (78 vs 90% at 12 months, log-rank test: 2.04, p=0.15).ConclusionsIn current practice, an aggressive multidisciplinary approach in diabetic patients presenting with CLI leads to similar limb salvage, amputation-free survival, mortality, and major amputation rates to those seen in non-diabetic patients. The presence of diabetes should not deter clinicians from attempting revascularisation by means of angioplasty or surgical reconstruction

Burgess Shale-Type Microfossils from the Middle Cambrian Kaili Formation, Guizhou Province, China

Diverse carbonaceous microfossils, including exceptionally preserved remains of non−biomineralizing metazoans, are reported from a basal middle Cambrian interval of the Kaili Formation (Guizhou Province, China). The application of a gentle acid maceration technique complements previous palynological studies by revealing a larger size−class of acritarchs, a richer assemblage of filamentous microfossils, and a variety of previously unrecovered forms. Metazoan fossils include Wiwaxia sclerites and elements derived from biomineralizing taxa, including chancelloriids, brachiopods and hyolithids, in common with previously studied assemblages from the early and middle Cambrian of Canada. In addition, the Kaili Formation has yielded pterobranch remains and an assemblage of cuticle fragments representing “soft−bodied” worms, including a priapulid−like scalidophoran. Our results demonstrate the wide distribution and palaeobiological importance of microscopic “Burgess Shale−type” fossils, and provide insights into the limitations and potential of this largely untapped preservational mode