G. LEVY: Fauna Palaestina. Arachnida III: Araneae: Theridiidae [Rezension]

Theridiidae zählen mit ca. 2200 Arten zu den artenreichen Spinnenfamilien und erreichen die großte Artenfülle in den Tropen. H.W. Levi (Cambridge, Massachusetts) hat in den Jahren 1953 bis 1970 eine modeme taxonomische Basis geschaffen, durch Bearbeitung der amerikanischen Gattungen und eine weltweite Familienrevision (LEVI & LEVI 1962). Die Fauna des Mittelmeerraums und in noch stärkerem Maße die der afrikanischen Region muß jedoch aufgrund vieler unzureichender Erstbeschreibungen und mangelnder Durchforschung noch als nicht genügend untersucht gelten. In Mitteleuropa sind dagegen die meisten der etwa 80 Vertreter der Familie gut bekannt, besonders durch WIEHLE (1937)

[Buchbesprechung:] Yoshida Hajime (2003) : the spider family Theridiidae (Arachnida: Araneae) from Japan

Buchbesprechun

Historical reflections on entomological research in Tyrol

Arthropoden fanden in Tirol schon früh in Wissenschaft und Lehre Berücksichtigung und bis heute eine kontinuierliche Schule. Die Entomo-Arachnologie wurde im Wesentlichen von der Leopold-Franzens-Universität und dem Landesmuseum Ferdinandeum in Innsbruck, den Klöstern und Gymnasien sowie vom Innsbrucker Entomologenverein und dem Naturwissenschaftlich-medizinischen Verein in Innsbruck getragen. Der folgende Streifzug durch die entomologische Vergangenheit von Tirol konzentriert sich auf die ältere Periode, während die rezenten Repräsentanten im Rückblick selektiv und weniger ausführlich erfasst sind. Wir folgen dabei der derzeit liberalen Auslegung der Entomologie als Synonym mit einer sensu latissimo Arthropodenkunde.Entomological research started in Tyrol in the years 1781-1784 with Johann Nepomuk von Laicharting – about one century after the foundation of the University of Innsbruck. Important activities were promoted by the University of Innsbruck (by Camill Heller, Karl Wilhelm Dalla Torre in the beginning and later by Heinz Janetschek and Konrad Thaler a.o.), by the “Landesmuseum Ferdinandeum” (e.g. Karl Burmann), but also by several monasteries, schools and local societies such as the “Innsbrucker Entomologenverein” and “Naturwissenschaftlich-medizinischer Verein in Innsbruck”. The following considerations on the past of Tyrolean entomology concentrate on the early period, while recent representatives are not given in extenso. Entomology here is used in a broad sense and includes all arthropods

Bisexuals surrounded by all-female clones: new records of Megabunus lesserti (Opiliones: Phalangiidae) in the northeastern Alps

New data on the sex ratio of 16 populations of the endemic harvestman Megabunus lesserti Schenkel, 1927 in the northeastern Alps confirm the previously assumed pattern of geographic parthenogenesis. Bisexuals inhabit a small area between the eastern margin of the Northern Calcareous Alps and the Ennstaler Alps, which was not covered by ice during the last (Würm) glaciations. Postglacially recolonized areas are occupied by parthenogenetic clones. Some all-female samples were found in close geographic proximity to bisexual populations. Apparently isolated occurrences at the western (Ammergau Alps) and southwestern (Carinthian) limits of the range proved to consist exclusively of females. A single male recorded in the Karwendel Mts. near Innsbruck is interpreted preferentially as a case of spanandry, being a fatherless "mistake" without any significant function

Specification of enteric neuron subtypes in the developing gut

The enteric nervous system (ENS) is the biggest subdivision of the peripheral nervous system and harbors more neurons than the spinal cord. Its intricate network of ganglia is spanning the entire length of the gastrointestinal wall from where it controls peristalsis, secretion and blood flow. The ENS is able to comply with these functions due to its organization into a full reflex arc. In the adult ENS different subtypes of neurons are defined according to their morphology, electrophysiology, neurotransmitter expression and function. Yet, discrimination of subtypes according to marker gene expression is not reliable as different neurotransmitters are employed by several classes of neurons, and their expressions are not always conserved between species. Developmentally, the ENS arises from the neural crest, a transient cell population that gives rise to numerous cell types throughout the whole body. Neural crest cells find their way into the developing foregut from where they migrate, proliferate and colonize the complete length of the gut. In certain ENS disorders, though, neural crest cells fail to colonize the whole gut leading to a complete absence of neurons in parts of the colon. In other enteric disorders specific enteric neuron subtypes are lost or dysregulated. The initial progression of neural crest migration and colonization as well as general aspects of neurogenesis and neuronal differentiation are well understood. How different enteric neuron subtypes are specified during development is, however, not resolved. This PhD thesis aspires to reduce this gap of knowledge. In paper I we demonstrate that the transcription factor Ascl1 is needed for general neurogenesis and gliogenesis in addition to regulating CALB1, TH and VIP neuron subtype specification in the developing ENS. In paper II we identified a vast array of transcription and signaling regulators expressed in the developing mouse and human ENS. We further show that the transcription factor Sox6 is indispensable for the development of gastric dopaminergic neurons and normal gastric motility. In paper III we used high-throughput sequencing approaches to redefine the classification of small intestine myenteric plexus neurons. We established lineage trajectories for the identified enteric neuron classes during embryonic development and demonstrate the transcriptional regulation of subtype conversion from NOS1+ ENC2 neurons to CALB1+ ENC6 neurons via expression of Pbx3. Taken together, the data collected in this thesis describe new regulatory mechanisms governing subtype specification in the developing ENS. This knowledge might help in future endeavors for finding molecular mechanisms in enteric neuropathies in which specific subtypes of enteric neurons are affected. Moreover, it will hopefully guide new cell-based regenerative approaches towards the generation of specific enteric neurons in vitro and in vivo

Thraustochytrids as novel parasitic protists of marine free-living flatworms: Thraustochytrium caudivorum sp. nov. parasitizes Macrostomum lignano

The Labyrinthulomycota are a relatively poorly studied group of heterotrophic unicellular eukaryotes. They comprise three lineages, labyrinthulids, thraustochytrids, and aplanochytrids, which are all primarily marine organisms and considered to be important components of marine microbial communities. Recently a number of Labyrinthulomycota have been implicated as parasites of marine (but also terrestrial) plants and marine molluscs. Here we describe a new species of thraustochytrid, Thraustochytrium caudivorum sp. nov. that we have isolated from laboratory cultures of Macrostomum lignano (Rhabditophora, Macrostomorpha), a marine free-living flatworm. In these worms T. caudivorum can cause lesions, which start at the tip of the tail plate and which can lead to the dissolution of the posterior part of the animal. Although the worms can frequently cure these lesions and regenerate the lost parts, the lesions can also result in the complete dissolution of the animal. We describe this thraustochytrid based on pure agar cultures and infestations in the worm cultures. Moreover, we describe its pathological effects on the worms and its morphology using both light and electron microscopy. In addition, we report a phylogenetic analysis using a partial 18S rDNA sequence that allows us to place this new species within the thraustochytrids. Finally, we outline a protocol that allows to permanently remove the parasites from infested worm cultures. We conclude that thraustochytrids represent a novel group of parasites of free-living flatworm

Feasibility of an individualised, task-oriented, video-supported home exercise programme for arm function in patients in the subacute phase after stroke: protocol of a randomised controlled pilot study

INTRODUCTION Stroke rehabilitation guidelines suggest a high-frequency task-oriented training at high intensity. A targeted and self-paced daily training with intermittent supervision is recommended to improve patients' self-management and functional output. So far, there is conflicting evidence concerning the most effective home-training delivery method. METHODS AND ANALYSIS The purpose of this pilot study is to compare the feasibility and preliminary effects of task-oriented home-exercises in patients in the subacute stage after stroke. Twenty-four patients will be randomised (1:1) to a Video group (a) or Paper group (b) of an individualised, task-oriented home-training (50 min, 6×/week, for 4 weeks) based on Wulf and Lewthwaite's Optimizing Performance Through Intrinsic Motivation and Attention for Learning theory of motor learning. Patient-relevant goals will be identified using Goal Attainment Scaling and exercises progressively adapted. Semistructured interviews and a logbook will be used to monitor adherence, arm use and acceptability. Primary outcome will be the feasibility of the methods and a full-scale trial employing predefined feasibility criteria (recruitment, retention and adherence rates, patients' satisfaction with the home-exercise programme and their progress, affected hand use and acceptance of the intervention). Assessed at baseline, post intervention and 4-week follow-up, secondary outcomes include self-perceived hand and arm use, actual upper extremity function and dexterity, hand strength, independence in activities of daily living and health-related quality of life. Interview data will be analysed using qualitative content analysis. Medians (ranges) will be reported for ordinal data, means (SD) for continuous and frequency (percentage) for nominal data. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION This study follows the Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trials-Patient-Reported Outcome (PRO) Extension guideline. Ethical approval was received from the Ethics Committee of the Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria (1304/2020). Written informed consent will be obtained from all participants prior to data collection. Study results will be disseminated to participating patients, patient organisations, via the clinic's homepage, relevant conferences and peer-reviewed journals. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER DRKS-ID: DRKS00023395.Study protocol, second revision, 5 December 2021

Potentiation of sensory responses in ventrobasal thalamus in vivo via selective modulation of mGlu1 receptors with a positive allosteric modulator.

Metabotropic glutamate subtype 1 (mGlu1) receptor is thought to play a role in synaptic responses in thalamic relay nuclei. The aim of this study was to evaluate the positive allosteric modulator (PAM) Ro67-4853 as a tool to modulate thalamic mGlu1 receptors on single thalamic neurones in vivo. Ro67-4853, applied by iontophoresis onto ventrobasal thalamus neurones of urethane-anaesthetised rats, selectively enhanced responses to the agonist (S)-3,5-dihydroxy-phenylglycine (DHPG), an effect consistent with mGlu1 potentiation. The PAM was also able to enhance maintained responses to 10 Hz trains of sensory stimulation of the vibrissae, but had little effect on responses to single sensory stimuli. Thus Ro67-4853 appears to be a highly selective tool that can be useful in investigating how mGlu1 receptor potentiation can alter neural processing in vivo. Our results show the importance of mGlu1 in sensory processing and attention mechanisms at the thalamic level and suggest that positive modulation of mGlu1 receptors might be a useful mechanism for enhancing cognitive and attentional processes

Phenotypical variability of post-partum reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome

Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome is recognized increasingly as a complication of the postpartum period. Our series of four cases illustrates its phenotypical variability, summarizes the diagnostic work-up, and outlines potential treatment strategies for this usually benign but sometimes disabling and life-threatening disease