Healthy assemblages of Isidella elongata unintentionally protected from trawling offshore of Asinara Island (northwestern Sardinia, NW Mediterranean Sea).

Deep-sea coral assemblages are marine biodiversity hot spots. Because of their life history traits, deep-sea corals are highly vulnerable to the impacts of human activities such as fishing. The critically endangered "bamboo coral" Isidella elongata is a key structuring species of deep muddy bottoms that is susceptible to habitat destruction, particularly from trawling.

Gradients of Variation in the At-Vessel Mortality Rate between Twelve Species of Sharks and Skates Sampled through a Fishery-Independent Trawl Survey in the Asinara Gulf (NW Mediterranean Sea).

Elasmobranchs are priority species for conservation due to their rapid decline determined by the unbalanced struggle between a fragile bio-ecology and strong anthropogenic impacts, such as bycatch from professional fishing. In this context, measuring species resistance to catch of poorly selective gear is of paramount importance. During June-October 2022, five experimental fishing campaigns were carried out in the Asinara Gulf (northern Sardinia) through 35 geographically and bathymetrically representative hauls of an area between 30 and 600 m in depth.

Marine Robotics for Deep-Sea Specimen Collection: A Taxonomy of Underwater Manipulative Actions.

In order to develop a gripping system or control strategy that improves scientific sampling procedures, knowledge of the process and the consequent definition of requirements is fundamental. Nevertheless, factors influencing sampling procedures have not been extensively described, and selected strategies mostly depend on pilots' and researchers' experience. We interviewed 17 researchers and remotely operated vehicle (ROV) technical operators, through a formal questionnaire or in-person interviews, to collect evidence of sampling procedures based on their direct field experience.

Marine litter from fishery activities in the Western Mediterranean sea: The impact of entanglement on marine animal forests.

The anthropogenic marine debris, especially abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded Fishing Gear (ALDFG), represents a rising concern, because of its potential harmful impact on the marine animal forests. We carried out 13 km of video recordings, by means of a remotely operated vehicle, from 10 to 210 m depth, in an anthropised area of the Tyrrhenian Sea (Mediterranean Sea). This site, for its high ecological importance and biodiversity value, has been identified for the establishment of a new marine protected area (MPA).

Submarine canyons along the upper Sardinian slope (Central Western Mediterranean) as repositories for derelict fishing gears.

By means of ROV surveys, we assessed the quantity, composition and bathymetric distribution of marine litter in 17 sites along the Sardinian continental margin (Central Western Mediterranean) at depths ranging from 100 to 480m. None of the investigated sites was litter free, but the mean density of litter (0.0175±0.

The first assessment of marine debris in a Site of Community Importance in the north-western Adriatic Sea (Mediterranean Sea).

At present, few studies have investigated the marine litter abundance, composition and distribution on rocky bottoms due to sampling constraints. We surveyed by means of the ROV imaging technique a system of biogenic rocky outcrops classified as a Site of Community Importance in the Adriatic Sea. A mean density of 3.

Habitat constraints and self-thinning shape Mediterranean red coral deep population structure: implications for conservation practice.

The Mediterranean red coral, Corallium rubrum, is one of the most precious corals worldwide. Below 50 m depth, C. rubrum populations are generally characterised by large and sparse colonies, whereas shallow populations (above 50 m depth) show high densities of small colonies.

Persistence of pristine deep-sea coral gardens in the Mediterranean Sea (SW Sardinia).

Leiopathes glaberrima is a tall arborescent black coral species structuring important facies of the deep-sea rocky bottoms of the Mediterranean Sea that are severely stifled by fishing activities. At present, however, no morphological in vivo description, ecological characterization, age dating and evaluation of the possible conservation actions have ever been made for any population of this species in the basin. A dense coral population was reported during two Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) surveys conducted on a rocky bank off the SW coasts of Sardinia (Western Mediterranean Sea).

Distribution and assessment of marine debris in the deep Tyrrhenian Sea (NW Mediterranean Sea, Italy).

Marine debris is a recognized global ecological concern. Little is known about the extent of the problem in the Mediterranean Sea regarding litter distribution and its influence on deep rocky habitats. A quantitative assessment of debris present in the deep seafloor (30-300 m depth) was carried out in 26 areas off the coast of three Italian regions in the Tyrrhenian Sea, using a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV).

Deep coral oases in the South Tyrrhenian Sea.

A Mediterranean "roche du large" ecosystem, represented by four rocky shoals, located a few miles apart on a muddy bottom at 70-130 m depth in the gulf of St. Eufemia (Calabria, South Tyrrhenian Sea), was studied by means of Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) photo imaging. The shoals host highly diversified coral communities, mainly composed of arborescent colonies of gorgonians (Callogorgia verticillata, Paramuricea clavata, Paramuricea macrospina, Bebryce mollis, Villogorgia bebrycoides, Corallium rubrum, and Leptogorgia sarmentosa), and antipatharians (Antipathella subpinnata, Antipathes dichotoma and Parantipathes larix).

Physiological effects of a lung-recruiting strategy applied during one-lung ventilation.

Background: One-lung ventilation (OLV) affects respiratory mechanics and ventilation/perfusion matching, reducing functional residual capacity of the ventilated lung. While the application of a lung-recruiting manoeuvre (RM) on the ventilated lung has been shown to improve oxygenation, data regarding the impact of RM on respiratory mechanics are not available.

Methods: Thirteen patients undergoing lung resection in lateral decubitus were studied.

Pretreatment quality of life and functional status assessment significantly predict survival of elderly patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer receiving chemotherapy: a prognostic analysis of the multicenter Italian lung cancer in the elderly study.

Purpose: To study the prognostic value for overall survival of baseline assessment of functional status, comorbidity, and quality of life (QoL) in elderly patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer treated with chemotherapy.

Patients And Methods: Data from 566 patients enrolled onto the phase III randomized Multicenter Italian Lung Cancer in the Elderly Study (MILES) study were analyzed. Functional status was measured as activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental ADL (IADL).

Supportive care in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.

The present study describes supportive care (SC) in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), evaluating whether it is affected by concomitant chemotherapy, patient's performance status (PS) and age. Data of patients enrolled in three randomised trials of first-line chemotherapy, conducted between 1996 and 2001, were pooled. The analysis was limited to the first three cycles of treatment.

[CA 125, CA 19.9, MCA, CEA, 17 beta-estradiol and progesterone in functional and benign cysts and carcinoma of the ovary].

CA 125, CA 19.9, CEA, MCA, E2 and P levels have been assessed in the serum and in the ovarian mass fluid of 216 patients through echo-guided puncture to distinguish between functional, benign and malignant cystic neoplasm. Statistically evaluated data have been assessed through histological diagnosis in 122 cases: cyst fluid markers do not always differentiate ovarian carcinoma from benign cysts, while they have a significant concentration in persistent functional cysts (follicular and luteal) if compared with benign and malignant neoplasms.

[Endometriosis of the abdominal wall after cesarean section].

The finding of endometriosis of the abdominal wall is a rare event; we describe three cases observed after cesarean section. The first case is an endometriosis of the rectus abdominis, first occurrence in literature. The second case describes a localization limited to the subcutaneous tissue.

Laparoscopically-assisted vaginal hysterectomy.

We report on our initial experience with laparoscopically-assisted vaginal hysterectomy. Seven patients aged 41 to 67 years were successfully treated with this new technique without significant morbidity and with the advantage of early discharge and return to full activity. We discuss the indications, technical details including preparation and positioning, and the shortcomings and problems encountered.

Antenatal prevention of respiratory distress syndrome; a multicentre survey.

Obstetric and neonatal data were collected on 934 preterm deliveries in 11 Italian centres in 1980, 1985 and 1986. Therapeutic regimens for prevention of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) were applied in 42% of the cases in 1980, 32% in 1985 and 42% in 1986. Prevention was made in most cases with corticosteroids, although their use fell progressively from 94% in 1980 to 74% in 1986.