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A checklist of the oribatid mites reported in South Tyrol (Italy) is presented, covering all published records until 2017. Numerous unpublished records are added. Several species were revised, doubtful and erroneous records from previous publications are discussed and corrected if necessary. A total of 397 described species in 71 families are listed, complemented by two subspecies and 15 undetermined or undescribed species. The list includes all records of each species in South Tyrol, their known distribution in the Italian Alps sorted to provinces, the distribution in Italy, occurrence in the neighbouring countries Austria and Switzerland, and their general distribution. Occasional additional remarks give taxonomic information. A historical overview of the exploration of the oribatid mites in South Tyrol is outlined. The general distribution of the oribatid mite fauna of South Tyrol is analysed. Beside species with a wide distribution the region includes many "Mediterranean" species, species with their main distribution in Central Europe, and species restricted to the Alps, the latter mainly in higher mountainous regions.

Clinical aspects of 924 unselected patients with hyperthyroidism from 17 thyroid centres of 6 European countries were investigated in a prospective study for exactly 1 year. Serum samples were centrally assayed for thyroid hormones, thyroid autoantibodies and TSH-binding inhibiting immunoglobulins (TBII), and urine samples for iodine. 26 items of information per patient were computerized and evaluated. Forming 2 groups from iodine-deficient areas (IDA) and iodine-sufficient (ISA) according to the urinary iodine, it was possible to elucidate some characteristics independently of local factors. The most important findings were: 1. Three types of hyperthyroidism were described: Graves' disease was defined as hyperthyroidism with eye symptoms and/or the presence of measurable TBII; autonomous adenomas were defined by a single hot nodule in the thyroid scan; the remainder included TBII negative hyperthyroid patients as well as non-immunogenic forms of hyperthyroidism (toxic multinodular goiter and other multifocal autonomies). These were termed "non-classifiable" patients. Graves' patients, representing an average of 60% of the patients, have an age peak between 40 and 49 years; they are 10 years younger than unclassified hyperthyroid patients and 20 years younger than patients with autonomous adenoma, who represented 9.2% of the patients. Surprisingly, there was no difference in the prevalence of Graves' disease between IDA and ISA. 2. An unexpectedly high rate of 10.5% of hyperthyroid patients (Graves' disease 8.5%, non-Graves' disease 14.2%) had no goiter, a figure increasing in the elderly to almost 17%. In IDA the thyroid was larger and the goiter more often nodular than in ISA. IDA are characterized by significantly higher rates (11.3%) of autonomous adenoma than ISA (3.2%). 3. 59.4% of 507 patients with Graves' disease had eye symptoms, 44.6% of at least grade II or higher using the Werner classification. There was no difference between patients from ISA and IDA. We found unilateral ophthalmopathy in 6.7% of Graves' patients. 4. The median iodine excretion was calculated from urinary iodine after exclusion of values over 250 micrograms iodine/g creatinine, arbitrarily defined as iodine contamination. In IDA the median iodine excretion was 63.6, and in ISA 105 micrograms/g of creatinine. 5. Surprisingly, proven iodine contamination was as frequent in IDA (14.5%) as in ISA (15.2%). In the survey protocol, however, this was noticed less often by physicians in ISA.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

In a prospective multicentric study, 924 untreated hyperthyroid patients were investigated, coming consecutively within one year into 17 thyroid centers of 6 European countries. With the aid of clinical information, evaluation of thyroid scan and centrally assayed thyroid hormones, thyroid antibodies, TSH-binding inhibiting immunoglobulins (TBII), and urinary iodine, different types of hyperthyroidism could be shown. Two types of hyperthyroidism could be defined directly: autonomous adenoma in cases of hot nodules in thyroid scan and Graves' disease, defined as hyperthyroidism with eye symptoms, and/or measurable TBII levels. The remainder, called "non-classifiable", included TBII negative Graves' patients, comprising of Hashitoxicosis, toxic nodular goiter, and other multifocal autonomies. 9.2% of the patients had an autonomous adenoma, 59.6% Graves' disease, and 31.2% unclassified hyperthyroidism. The main and significant difference between these types were mean age, goiter size, nodularity, and severity of the disease, being especially expressed in Graves' disease. Graves' patients had significantly increased T3/T4 ratios. Using as additional criteria diffuse regular uptake and/or increased T3/T4 ratios for immunogenic types of hyperthyroidism at least half of the 31.2% unclassified hyperthyroidism are probably Graves' disease. Forming two groups of iodine-deficient areas (IDA) and iodine-sufficient areas (ISA) according to the urinary iodine, it was possible to elucidate some characteristics independently of local factors. Autonomous adenoma was more frequent in IDA (10.1%) than in ISA (3.2%). Differences in iodine supply are reflected in the three types of hyperthyroidism by a significant higher prevalence of goiter, thyroid nodularity, lower thyroid hormone concentrations, and a higher rate of T3 toxicosis in IDA.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)