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Three new and one completely preserved species of hexactinellid sponges are described from Early Cambrian black shales of South Anhui, China. The sponges occur in the middle part of the Huangboling Formation, which is assigned to the early Canglangpuian based on trilobite biostratigraphy. Metaxyspongia skelidata n. gen. and sp. and Hexatractiella dongzhiensis n. sp. are subcylindrical thin-walled Protospongiidae. Ratcliffespongia multiforamina n. sp is assigned to the Hintzespongiidae. With these new sponges, the first occurrences of the Protospongiidae and Hintzespongiidae, and of Hexatractiella Mehl, 1996, can be traced back to the Early Cambrian. Solactiniella cf. plumata Steiner et al., 1993, with irregular rossellimorph skeletal architecture and regular spicular organization, is found here associated with the above species. Thus, the Anhui assemblage can be considered as intermediate between Atdabanian shallow-water communities of hexactinellids with irregular skeletons and the Middle Cambrian deepwater sponge facies characterized by regularly organized Hexactinellida.

The robust spines and sclerites of the early to middle Cambrian ‘mollusc’ Wiwaxia are ubiquitous in suitably preserved deposits, but are strikingly absent from the Chengjiang Lagerstätte (Cambrian Stage 3, Yunnan Province, SW China). Here we provide the first record of Wiwaxia sclerites from this rich deposit, extending the record of the genus to the earliest Cambrian Series 2. This reinforces the cosmopolitan distribution of this iconic Cambrian lophotrochozoan and demonstrates the strong faunal continuity that unites distant Cambrian Lagerstätten. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

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Background: Lipoprotein glomerulopathy (LPG), once recognized as a rare glomerular disease, has been reported around the world in recent years. In this study, we reported 8 patients of LPG and aimed to explore the clinical features and pathological characteristics of LPG under light microscope, immunofluorescence staining, and electron microscope., Methods: Clinical manifestations were recorded on the day of renal biopsy. Biochemical patterns of lipids and lipoproteins were detected by routine examination. Plasma concentrations of apo B and apo E were determined by radial immunodiffusion assays. Biopsy specimens were then processed for light microscopy, immunohistochemical staining for immunoglobulins and complement components, and electron microscopy. Glomerular deposition of apo A, B, and E were detected using monoclonal antibodies on cryostatic sections., Results: All of the eight patients presented with edema, microscopic hematuria, severe proteinuria, anemia, and enlarged kidney size. Biochemical profiles revealed high levels of triglycerides, apo B, and apo E. We noted increments of glomerular size and lipoprotein thrombi occupying capillary lumina in the glomeruli of all patients. Immunofluorescence staining showed that the thrombi were strongly positive for apo A, B, and E. Granules and various sizes of vacuoles were observed in the thrombi under electron microscope., Conclusion: Compared with previous reports on LPG in other countries, unique clinical and pathological features were found in this group of Chinese LPG patients.