Publications by authors named "Fabio Nocera"

Background: Ventral mesh rectopexy (laparoscopic and robotic) is a common and well established treatment of rectal prolapse. Although described as safe and effective, complications, especially mesh-associated ones are often mentioned. Additionally, there is no consensus regarding the mesh type and fixation method as well as the materials used for this purpose.

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Herpesvirus (HV) is widely distributed among cetacean populations, with the highest prevalence reported in the Mediterranean Sea. In this study, a comprehensive analysis was conducted, including epidemiological, phylogenetic, and pathological aspects, with particular emphasis on neuropathology, to better understand the impact of HV in these animals. Our results show a higher presence of HV in males compared to females, with males exhibiting a greater number of positive tissues.

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  • Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a threat to various species, including wildlife, with increasing human activity exacerbating the issue in wild animals like sea turtles.
  • A study analyzed antibiotic resistance in bacteria from loggerhead sea turtles at a rescue center in Southern Italy over nine years, revealing high resistance rates to several antibiotics, particularly among Gram-negative bacteria.
  • The findings underscore the necessity for better antimicrobial management and monitoring in wildlife populations to protect both endangered species and public health.
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Neurobrucellosis is a shared condition of cetaceans and humans. However, the pathogenesis and immune response in cetacean neurobrucellosis has not been extensively studied. In this multicentric investigation, 21 striped dolphin () neurobrucellosis () cases diagnosed over a 10-year period (2012-2022) were retrospectively evaluated.

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  • Listeria is a widespread bacteria that can cause listeriosis in humans and animals, but research about its spread is mostly focused on land, neglecting marine environments.
  • This study examined the presence of Listeria species in sea turtles from the Mediterranean, collecting 164 carcasses for analysis.
  • Results showed the isolation of potentially dangerous strains of Listeria in sea turtles, with similar virulence genes found in both human and turtle samples, highlighting concerns for public health.
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  • Rhodococcus equi is a type of bacteria that commonly causes pneumonia in foals, but this report discusses its first documented infection case in a bottlenose dolphin in Italy.
  • The dolphin exhibited lung and colon damage during a post-mortem examination and tested positive for dolphin morbillivirus as well.
  • Histological analysis confirmed the presence of lesions related to R. equi infection, including specific types of pneumonia and colitis, and whole genome sequencing validated the identification of the bacteria.
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Locally advanced rectal cancer has a high risk of local recurrence which can be reduced by multimodal therapy. Neoadjuvant radiotherapy or radiochemotherapy has been established. Nevertheless, this has not proved to improve overall survival.

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infections have been increasingly reported in cetaceans. In this study, we analyzed all cases of infection detected in striped dolphins stranded along the Italian coastline between 2012 and 2021 ( = 24). We focused on the pathogenic role of through detailed pathological studies, and ad hoc microbiological, biomolecular, and serological investigations, coupled with a comparative genomic analysis of the strains.

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  • A novel pathogen is causing infections in oysters and mussels, and is linked to nocardiosis in both healthy and immunocompromised individuals.
  • A study analyzed DNA from mussels in the Mediterranean using two molecular techniques: droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) and real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR), finding that ddPCR detected the pathogen more frequently than qPCR.
  • The research showed that ddPCR is more effective than qPCR for detecting the pathogen, suggesting even low levels of the pathogen (as low as 0.3 copies per microliter) can lead to infections in mussels.
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  • Researchers analyzed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the liver and salt glands of 19 loggerhead turtles found along the south Tyrrhenian Sea coast in Italy from 2019 to 2021.
  • * They used gas chromatography and mass spectrometry to find that PAH levels in the turtles were exceptionally high, particularly in the salt glands, raising concerns about the turtles' health.
  • * Naphthalene was the most abundant PAH, suggesting exposure from petroleum sources, and the study indicates a potential risk for neoplastic diseases in these turtle populations due to human activities.
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Cetacean morbillivirus (CeMV) has caused several outbreaks, unusual mortality events, and interepidemic single-lethal disease episodes in the Mediterranean Sea. Since 2012, a new strain with a northeast (NE) Atlantic origin has been circulating among Mediterranean cetaceans, causing numerous deaths. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of CeMV in cetaceans stranded in Italy between 2018 and 2021 and characterize the strain of CeMV circulating.

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Objective: Weighing the perioperative risk of elective sigmoidectomy is done regardless of the specific diverticulitis classification. The aim of this study is to evaluate surgical outcomes according to the classification grade and the indication.

Methods: All patients who underwent elective colonic resection for diverticulitis during the ten-year study period were included.

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Marine pollution is one of the major threats affecting loggerhead turtles, which due to their long life span, highly migratory behavior, and carnivorous diet, may be exposed to elevated levels of toxic elements throughout their life. The transfer of chemicals from mothers to their offspring is of particular conservation concern because it may affect embryonic development and hatching success. In this study, the concentrations of 16 toxic and potentially toxic trace elements, 6 indicator polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and organochlorine pesticide residues (OCPs) were determined in 138 eggs from 46 loggerhead turtle nests laid during the 2021 nesting season in Campania, Italy, western Mediterranean Sea.

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  • * A study analyzed tissue samples from stranded cetaceans along the Italian coast from 2020-2021 to assess SARS-CoV-2 presence and the expression of ACE2 and CD68 markers, using techniques like real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry.
  • * No SARS-CoV-2 was found in the samples, but ACE2 was detected variably in the lungs, indicating differences based on age, sex, and species; furthermore, ACE2 and CD68 were more closely associated in macrophages during
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The levels of six non-dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs 28, 52, 101, 138, 153, and 180) were determined in the liver of 84 loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) stranded along the coasts of the Tyrrhenian Sea in Campania Region (Southern Italy), from 2017 to 2021. The average value of the sum (∑PCB) was 28.0 ± 52.

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  • The study explores the genetic diversity of a zoonotic agent associated with neurological diseases in dolphins along the Mediterranean coast of Italy.
  • Tissue samples from 16 stranded dolphins confirmed the presence of specific genotypes, with 67% identified as ToxoDB#3 and 22% as ToxoDB#2, the latter being a first for cetaceans.
  • The research highlights challenges in tracing infection sources due to the long lifespan and migratory patterns of dolphins, while revealing that the genetic diversity mirrors main genotypes circulating in mainland Europe.
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Cetacean morbillivirus (CeMV) is responsible for epidemic and endemic fatalities in free-ranging cetaceans. Neuro-inflammation sustained by CeMV is a leading cause of death in stranded cetaceans. A novel dolphin morbillivirus (DMV) strain of Atlantic origin circulating in Italian waters since early 2016 has caused acute/subacute lesions associated with positive immunolabelling of the virus.

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Background: Growing consideration in quality of life (QoL) has changed the therapeutic strategy in patients suffering from diverticular disease. Patients' well-being plays a crucial role in the decision-making process. However, there is a paucity of studies investigating patients' or surgery-related factors influencing the postoperative gastrointestinal function.

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Wild animals are potential vectors of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the environment. The present study aimed to investigate the occurrence of antimicrobial resistance among serovars isolated from wildlife and the environment in Italy. A total of 164 isolates were analyzed, and six different subspecies and 64 serovars were detected.

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Background: Complete upside-down stomach (cUDS) hernias are a subgroup of large hiatal hernias characterized by high risk of life-threatening complications and technically challenging surgical repair including complex mediastinal dissection. In a prospective, comparative clinical study, we evaluated intra- and postoperative outcomes, quality of life and symptomatic recurrence rates in patients with cUDS undergoing robot-assisted, as compared to standard laparoscopic repair (the RATHER-study).

Methods: All patients with cUDS herniation requiring elective surgery in our institution between July 2015 and June 2019 were evaluated.

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Palliative short-course radiotherapy may be considered as an alternative to abdominoperineal resection in elderly patients with advanced rectal cancer. A 92-year-old woman was diagnosed with a rectal prolapse after short-course radiotherapy; 2 months before she was diagnosed with advanced lower rectal cancer. A curative approach was declined.

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Background: By improved surgical technique such as total mesorectal excision (TME), multimodal treatment and advances in imaging survival and an increased rate of sphincter preservation have been achieved in rectal cancer surgery. Minimal-invasive approaches such as laparoscopic, robotic and transanal-TME (ta-TME) enhance recovery after surgery. Nevertheless, disorders of bowel, anorectal and urogenital function are still common and need attention.

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