Cobitis feroniae, a new spined loach from southern Latium, Italy (Teleostei: Cobitidae).

Cobitis feroniae, new species, is described from central Italy. It is distinguished from C. zanandreai, its putatively closest relative, by having several, small, black dots below Z4; minute, black spot at the upper caudal peduncle, and the pigmentation in Z2 separated from pigmentation in Z1 anterior to the dorsal-fin origin.

Global arthropod beta-diversity is spatially and temporally structured by latitude.

Global biodiversity gradients are generally expected to reflect greater species replacement closer to the equator. However, empirical validation of global biodiversity gradients largely relies on vertebrates, plants, and other less diverse taxa. Here we assess the temporal and spatial dynamics of global arthropod biodiversity dynamics using a beta-diversity framework.

DNA barcode data confirm the placement of subterranean Noemacheilus (Troglocobitis) starostini Parin 1983 in the genus Paracobitis (Teleostei, Nemacheilidae).

DNA barcodes (COI) of Troglocobitis starostini, endemic to a single site in Turkmenistan, were analysed and put into the taxonomic context of the large group of nemacheilid loaches known from Western and Central Asia. All applied phylogenetic tree-based analyses place the species into the genus Paracobitis. This finding supports previous morphological studies.

Repeated subsamples during DNA extraction reveal increased diversity estimates in DNA metabarcoding of Malaise traps.

With increased application of DNA metabarcoding in biodiversity assessment, various laboratory protocols have been optimized, and their further evaluation is subject of current research. Homogenization of bulk samples and subsequent DNA extraction from a subsample of destructed tissue is a common first stage of the metabarcoding process. This can either be conducted using sample material soaked in a storage fixative, e.

A practical approach to revise the Oxynoemacheilus bergianus species group (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae).

The Oxynoemacheilus bergianus species group is revised based on tree topology (ML, NJ, MP), distance (K2P and ASAP) and Poisson tree process analyses of DNA barcode data tested against morphometric and morphological characters including colour patterns. The O. bergianus species group is distinguished from other Oxynoemacheilus groups based on morphological characters: its constituent species have a slender caudal peduncle, a suborbital flap in the male, a mottled or blotched colour pattern, and lack bold, black spots on the caudal-fin base.

The Glyptothorax catfishes of the Euphrates and Tigris with the description of a new species (Teleostei: Sisoridae).

The Glyptothorax species inhabiting the Euphrates and Tigris drainages are reviewed and six species are recognised, one of which is described herein as new species. Glyptothorax armeniacus is endemic to headwater streams in the Euphrates drainage. Glyptothorax kurdistanicus is endemic to the upper Tigris downstream to the Lesser Zab drainage.

emOxynoemacheilus/em emphasicus/em, a new nemacheilid loach from the eastern Black Sea basin with some remarks on other Caucasian emOxynoemacheilus/em (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae).

Oxynoemacheilus phasicus, new species, is described from the Rioni and Enguri River drainages in Georgia. It is distinguished from other Oxynoemacheilus species in the O. brandtii group by a mottled or marbled flank pattern in adults, a slightly emarginate caudal fin, and a deep caudal peduncle.

Oxynoemacheilus shehabi, a new nemacheilid loach from the upper Orontes in southern Syria (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae).

Oxynoemacheilus shehabi, new species, is described from the upper Orontes in southern Syria. It is distinguished from other Oxynoemacheilus species in the Levant by possession of a complete lateral line, a deeply emarginate caudal fin, a narrow caudal peduncle, a suborbital groove in male individuals, a well-developed pelvic axillary lobe, and 5-7 dark-brown bars on the flank. Molecular data suggest that the new species is characterised by a minimum K2P distance of 3.

Comparison of the Minimally Invasive Tubular Transmuscular Approach with the Conventional Microsurgical Approach for Microsurgical Treatment of Lumbar Disk Herniation: A Prospective Randomized Study.

Background:  The aim of this study is to compare the outcome of the minimally invasive transmuscular approach using a tubular retractor system (Metrx) with the conventional microsurgical standard approach (CM) for microsurgical treatment of lumbar disk herniation.

Methods:  This is a prospective randomized controlled study with a 1:1 distribution of patients in CM and Metrx study groups. Two hundred and twenty-seven (117 CM and 110 Metrx) patients were included.

Adding DNA barcoding to stream monitoring protocols - What's the additional value and congruence between morphological and molecular identification approaches?

Although aquatic macroinvertebrates and freshwater fishes are important indicators for freshwater quality assessments, the morphological identification to species-level is often impossible and thus especially in many invertebrate taxa not mandatory during Water Framework Directive monitoring, a pragmatism that potentially leads to information loss. Here, we focus on the freshwater fauna of the River Sieg (Germany) to test congruence and additional value in taxa detection and taxonomic resolution of DNA barcoding vs. morphology-based identification in monitoring routines.

Accuracy of Intraoperative Computed Tomography Assisted Dorsal Instrumentation in Spinal Revision Surgery.

Purpose:  Instrumentation in spinal revision surgery is considered challenging. Altered or missing anatomical landmarks hinder the surgeons' intraoperative orientation. In recent history, the importance of navigated approaches to spinal screw placement is constantly increasing.

Revision of the genus Seminemacheilus, with the description of three new species (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae).

The nemacheilid genus Seminemacheilus is revised. Six species are recognised, three of them described herein as new. All species are endemic to Central Anatolia.

Current Practice of Neurosurgical Teleconsultation in Germany.

Objective:  As neurosurgery is a demanding specialty with services in larger medical centers only, consultation over larger distances plays an important role in health care. In times of digitalization, teleconsultation for medical images and cases plays an increasing role in neurosurgical services. However, no standards and demands have been established for its execution in the subfield of neurosurgery, so far.

Patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy have signs of blood spinal cord barrier disruption, and its magnitude correlates with myelopathy severity: a prospective comparative cohort study.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to detect the presence of blood spinal cord barrier (BSCB) disruption in patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM).

Methods: In this prospective non-randomized controlled cohort study, 28 patients with DCM were prospectively included. All patients had indication for neurosurgical decompression.

Pseudophoxinus cilicicus, a new spring minnow from southern Anatolia (Teleostei: Leuciscidae).

Pseudophoxinus cilicicus, new species, is described from the Arsuz, Ceyhan and Seyhan river drainages in the Gulf of İskenderun. It is distinguished from other members of the Pseudophoxinus zeregi species group by having a complete lateral line with 38-45 + 2-3 scales, the lower lip usually slightly projecting beyond the tip of the upper lip, a prominent black stripe along the flank, and no black pigments below the lateral line. Pseudophoxinus cilicicus is distinguished from P.

DNA barcode reference libraries for the monitoring of aquatic biota in Europe: Gap-analysis and recommendations for future work.

Effective identification of species using short DNA fragments (DNA barcoding and DNA metabarcoding) requires reliable sequence reference libraries of known taxa. Both taxonomically comprehensive coverage and content quality are important for sufficient accuracy. For aquatic ecosystems in Europe, reliable barcode reference libraries are particularly important if molecular identification tools are to be implemented in biomonitoring and reports in the context of the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD).

A DNA barcode library for 5,200 German flies and midges (Insecta: Diptera) and its implications for metabarcoding-based biomonitoring.

This study summarizes results of a DNA barcoding campaign on German Diptera, involving analysis of 45,040 specimens. The resultant DNA barcode library includes records for 2,453 named species comprising a total of 5,200 barcode index numbers (BINs), including 2,700 COI haplotype clusters without species-level assignment, so called "dark taxa." Overall, 88 out of 117 families (75%) recorded from Germany were covered, representing more than 50% of the 9,544 known species of German Diptera.

Paracobitis abrishamchiani, a new crested loach from the southern Caspian Sea basin (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae).

Paracobitis abrishamchiani, new species, is described from the southern Caspian Sea basin, where it is found in the Babol, Haraz, Siah, Tajan, Talar and Kashpal River drainages. It is distinguished from P. hircanica and P.

Improvement of Back and Leg Pain after Lumbar Spinal Decompression without Fusion.

Background:  To evaluate whether decompression in lumbar spinal stenosis without fusion leads to sufficient improvement of back pain and leg pain and whether re-decompression alone is sufficient for recurrent lumbar spinal stenosis for patients without signs of instability.

Material And Methods:  A successive series of 102 patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (with and without previous lumbar surgery) were treated with decompression alone during a 3-year period. Data on pre- and postoperative back pain and leg pain (numerical rating scale [NRS] scale) were retrospectively collected from questionnaires with a return rate of 65% ( = 66).

DNA metabarcoding from sample fixative as a quick and voucher-preserving biodiversity assessment method .

Metabarcoding is a powerful, increasingly popular tool for biodiversity assessment, but it still suffers from some drawbacks (specimen destruction, separation, and size sorting). In the present study, we tested a non-destructive protocol that excludes any sample sorting, where the ethanol used for sample preserving is filtered and DNA is extracted from the filter for subsequent DNA metabarcoding. When tested on macroinvertebrate mock communities, the method was widely successful but was unable to reliably detect mollusc taxa.

Alburnus goekhani, a new species of bleak from the Anatolian Black Sea basin (Teleostei: Leuciscidae).

Alburnus goekhani, new species, is described from the Yeşilırmak and Kızılırmak River drainages. It belongs to the A. alburnus species group and is distinguished from other species in this group in Anatolia by having 48-56 + 2-3 scales in the lateral-line, 12-15 gill rakers, a distinct dark lateral stripe along the flank on live and preserved specimens and the anal-fin origin situated below the branched dorsal-fin ray 6-8.

Ancient connections among the European rivers and watersheds revealed from the evolutionary history of the genus Telestes (Actinopterygii; Cypriniformes).

In order to better understand the complex geologic history of the Mediterranean area, we have analysed evolutionary history, phylogeographic structure and molecular diversity of freshwater fishes belonging to the genus Telestes. As primary freshwater fishes distributed largely in the Mediterranean basin, this genus represents a suitable model system for investigating the historical biogeography of freshwater drainage systems in southern Europe. In this investigation we have included samples representing all Telestes species and based our analyses on one mitochondrial and one nuclear gene.

Anterior Cervical Decompression and Fusion or Posterior Foraminotomy for Cervical Radiculopathy: Results of a Single-Center Series.

Background:  Anterior cervical diskectomy and fusion (ACDF) or posterior foraminotomy (PF) are standard treatment options for cervical radiculopathy due to disk prolapse. Which method produces superior results has not yet been established. One reason for the dilemma, among others, is a lack of detailed outcome analysis in previous studies.

Development of a short scale for assessing economic environmental aspects in patients with spinal diseases using Rasch analysis.

Background: Economic environmental factors represent important barriers to participation and have deleterious effects on quality of life (QOL) in persons with spinal diseases (SpD). While economic factors are anchored in the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, their influence on QOL and participation from patients' perspectives is an infrequent focus of research. The aim of the present research is to calibrate a culturally adapted Rasch-based questionnaire assessing economic QOL in patients with SpD.

Testing the Global Malaise Trap Program - How well does the current barcode reference library identify flying insects in Germany?

Background: Biodiversity patterns are inherently complex and difficult to comprehensively assess. Yet, deciphering shifts in species composition through time and space are crucial for efficient and successful management of ecosystem services, as well as for predicting change. To better understand species diversity patterns, Germany participated in the Global Malaise Trap Program, a world-wide collection program for arthropods using this sampling method followed by their DNA barcode analysis.