Palaeoceanographic implications of new and revised bio-chronostratigraphic constraints from the Profitis Ilias Unit (Rhodes, Greece)

Middle Oxfordian-early Kimmeridgian radiolaria, extracted from the top of radiolarites of Profitis Ilias unit (Rhodes island), suggest that the latter are essentially Middle Jurassic in age and the overlying siliceous shales Late Jurassic. The previously identified Calpionellid horizon at the top of Profitis Ilias siliceous marls is now regarded as early Valanginian in age. The above chronostratigraphic constraints allow tentative correlations to be made between Profitis Ilias and Pindos-Olonos sedimentary units. Finally, the palaeoceanographic significance of the studied series in Rhodes and potentially similar pelagic sequences in the Marmaris area of Turkey are discussed

Current and emerging treatments for absence seizures in young patients

Pascal VrielynckWilliam Lennox Neurological Center, Reference Centre for Refractory Epilepsy, Catholic University of Louvain, BelgiumAbstract: In this report, we review the pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments of the different absence seizure types as recently recognized by the International League Against Epilepsy: typical absences, atypical absences, myoclonic absences, and eyelid myoclonia with absences. Overall, valproate and ethosuximide remain the principal anti-absence drugs. Typical absence seizures exhibit a specific electroclinical semiology, pathophysiology, and pharmacological response profile. A large-scale comparative study has recently confirmed the key role of ethosuximide in the treatment of childhood absence epilepsy, more than 50 years after its introduction. No new antiepileptic drug has proven major efficacy against typical absences. Of the medications under development, brivaracetam might be an efficacious anti-absence drug. Some experimental drugs also show efficacy in animal models of typical absence seizures. The treatment of other absence seizure types is not supported with a high level of evidence. Rufinamide appears to be the most promising new antiepileptic drug for atypical absences and possibly for myoclonic absences. The efficacy of vagal nerve stimulation should be further evaluated for atypical absences. Levetiracetam appears to display a particular efficacy in eyelid myoclonia with absences. Finally, it is important to remember that the majority of antiepileptic drugs, whether they be old or new, may aggravate typical and atypical absence seizures.Keywords: antiepileptic drug, typical absence, atypical absence, myoclonic absence, eyelid myoclonia with absenc

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De visbestanden in Vlaanderen anno 1840-1950: een historische schets van de referentietoestand van onze waterlopen aan de hand van de visstand, ingevoerd in een databank en vergeleken met de actuele toestand

This study is a compilation of ‘historical’ fish stock references in Flanders (Belgium). It is part of an extended report to establish and describe the reference condition of Flandrian watercourses. To accomplish the survey for historical fish data, several sources were used: archaeological investigations of remains from settlements, documents from abbeys and reports on toll levies and very early fisheries reports dating from before 1840. Later, some scientific reports became available and also fisheries statistics became more reliable. The examination of museum collections gave additional data. In some cases, inquiries collecting verbal references can be a possible source of information. The most important source of information was the Belgian fisheries journal Pêche et Pisciculture: the volumes from the period 1890 to 1943 contained about 10 000 pages with numerous fish data. After analysis of the data a reference period was set on 1840-1950, although it is obvious that already then, several anthropogenic influences had put a lot of pressure on aquatic habitats. This was reflected in (1) a general decline in migrating species, (2) a decline in the number of sensitive reophylic species and (3) an increase in occurrence of non-indigenous species due to introductions. It was possible to calculate an Index of Biotic Integrity, using the historical fish data, to give an indication about the ecological quality of our watercourses in that period. Compared to actual data, the general tendency was a decrease in ecological quality from good to critical in many water courses. This decrease in IBI during the last century is caused by an increase of non-indigenous species, an increase in the number of tolerant species and a decrease in the relative abundance of predator species. It is obvious that knowledge of the historical status of fish stocks is essential to set up management plans and targets on national, regional or catchment level. The Water Framework Directive obliges member states to evaluate ecological quality of watercourses by quantifying the actual status of the biological element ‘fish’ in comparison to the reference condition

International Geological Maps: Bridging Nations

International audienc