Global Diversity of Brittle Stars (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea)

This review presents a comprehensive overview of the current status regarding the global diversity of the echinoderm class Ophiuroidea, focussing on taxonomy and distribution patterns, with brief introduction to their anatomy, biology, phylogeny, and palaeontological history. A glossary of terms is provided. Species names and taxonomic decisions have been extracted from the literature and compiled in The World Ophiuroidea Database, part of the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS). Ophiuroidea, with 2064 known species, are the largest class of Echinodermata. A table presents 16 families with numbers of genera and species. The largest are Amphiuridae (467), Ophiuridae (344 species) and Ophiacanthidae (319 species). A biogeographic analysis for all world oceans and all accepted species was performed, based on published distribution records. Approximately similar numbers of species were recorded from the shelf (n = 1313) and bathyal depth strata (1297). The Indo-Pacific region had the highest species richness overall (825 species) and at all depths. Adjacent regions were also relatively species rich, including the North Pacific (398), South Pacific (355) and Indian (316) due to the presence of many Indo-Pacific species that partially extended into these regions. A secondary region of enhanced species richness was found in the West Atlantic (335). Regions of relatively low species richness include the Arctic (73 species), East Atlantic (118), South America (124) and Antarctic (126)

OKANISHI, M. & FUJITA, T. (2011) Two new species of the subgenus Asteroporpa (Astromoana) (Ophiuroidea: Euryalida: Gorgonocephalidae) from Japan. Zootaxa, 2751, 25-39.

Okanishi, M., Fujita, T. (2011): OKANISHI, M. & FUJITA, T. (2011) Two new species of the subgenus Asteroporpa (Astromoana) (Ophiuroidea: Euryalida: Gorgonocephalidae) from Japan. Zootaxa, 2751, 25-39. Zootaxa 2890 (1): 68, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.2890.1.7, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.2890.1.

Efficacy and Safety of Epilepsy Surgery for Older Adult Patients with Refractory Epilepsy

Naoki Ichikawa, Ayataka Fujimoto, Tohru Okanishi, Keishiro Sato, Hideo Enoki Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Seirei Hamamatsu General Hospital, Shizuoka, 430-8558, JapanCorrespondence: Ayataka FujimotoSeirei Hamamatsu General Hospital, 2-12-12 Sumiyoshi, Nakaku, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka 430-8558, JapanTel +81-53-474-2222Fax +81-53-475-7596Email [email protected]: The population of elderly patients with epilepsy has been growing rapidly and the chances of referring older patients with refractory epilepsy for surgical options could be increasing. In general, epilepsy surgery at higher ages has been less likely to be performed, because little is known regarding the risks and benefits in elderly patients. We, therefore, investigated surgical outcomes and comorbidities in a population ≥ 50 years old who underwent epilepsy surgery.Methods: Patients ≥ 50 years old who underwent epilepsy surgery were identified from the database of our epilepsy center for the period from 2009 to 2017. Surgical complications and seizure outcome were reviewed, and seizure outcomes were evaluated using the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) surgery outcome scale.Results: The mean age of 32 patients at the time of surgery was 56.1± 5.1 years. The mean duration of epilepsy was 23.4± 18.5 years and mean follow-up was 2.7± 2.0 years. As of the most recent visit, 56.3% of patients remained completely seizure-free (ILAE Class I). The surgery-related complication rate was 11.5%, comprising permanent deficits in 3.8% and transient deficits in 7.7%.Conclusion: These results suggest that epilepsy surgery may represent a valuable approach in selected adult patients.Keywords: epilepsy surgery, older adults, elderly, seizure outcome, complication