Ship collision risk threatens whales across the world's oceans.

After the near-complete cessation of commercial whaling, ship collisions have emerged as a primary threat to large whales, but knowledge of collision risk is lacking across most of the world's oceans. We compiled a dataset of 435,000 whale locations to generate global distribution models for four globally ranging species. We then combined >35 billion positions from 176,000 ships to produce a global estimate of whale-ship collision risk.

Targeting fin whale conservation in the North-Western Mediterranean Sea: insights on movements and behaviour from biologging and habitat modelling.

Biologging and habitat modelling are key tools supporting the development of conservation measures and mitigating the effects of anthropogenic pressures on marine species. Here, we analysed satellite telemetry data and foraging habitat preferences in relation to chlorophyll-a productivity fronts to understand the movements and behaviour of endangered Mediterranean fin whales ( during their spring-summer feeding aggregation in the North-Western Mediterranean Sea. Eleven individuals were equipped with Argos satellite transmitters across 3 years, with transmissions averaging 23.

First evidence for fin whale migration into the Pacific from Antarctic feeding grounds at Elephant Island.

This study presents the first long-distance tracks of fin whales () equipped with satellite transmitters off the Antarctic Peninsula. Southern Hemisphere fin whales were severely depleted by twentieth century industrial whaling, yet recently, they have returned to historical feeding grounds off the northern Antarctic Peninsula, forming large aggregations in austral summers. To date, our knowledge only extended to summer behaviour, while information regarding migration routes and the location of breeding and wintering grounds are lacking.

Isotopic composition of the eastern gray whale epidermis indicates contribution of prey outside Arctic feeding grounds.

Eastern gray whales' distribution range and plasticity in feeding behavior complicates the understanding of critical life-history such as pregnancy and lactation. Our goal was to determine if females who experienced gestation, gave birth, and lactated their calves, assimilated a high proportion of benthic amphipods from the Bering Sea, which are considered the species' main prey. We used Bayesian stable isotope mixing models to estimate the probability of contribution of food items sampled along the species' distributional range, using isotopic data on amphipods from the Bering Sea, mysids from Vancouver Island, and amphipods and polychaetes from Ojo de Liebre Lagoon.

Contact-Force Guided Posterior Wall Isolation as an Adjunctive Ablation Strategy for Persistent Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: The efficacy of posterior wall isolation (PWI) on top of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in patients affected by persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) is still controversial and little is known about the impact of contact-force (CF) technology.

Objective: In this retrospective study, we present our experience with PWI using CF sensing catheters and its efficacy and safety as an adjunctive ablation strategy on top of PVI for management of patients with persistent and longstanding persistent AF.

Methods: A total of 73 consecutive patients (20.

Setting the scene for Mediterranean litterscape management: The first basin-scale quantification and mapping of floating marine debris.

Plastic pollution has become one of the biggest environmental concerns of the Anthropocene as it represents a major threat to both wildlife and human health. Garbage patches in the world's oceans are well documented, but quantitative assessments of floating debris are still lacking in some major areas. The Mediterranean Sea is one such area, despite being one of the most plastic polluted environments.

Fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) mitogenomics: A cautionary tale of defining sub-species from mitochondrial sequence monophyly.

The advent of massive parallel sequencing technologies has resulted in an increase of studies based upon complete mitochondrial genome DNA sequences that revisit the taxonomic status within and among species. Spatially distinct monophyly in such mitogenomic genealogies, i.e.

Assessing cetacean surveys throughout the Mediterranean Sea: a gap analysis in environmental space.

Heterogeneous data collection in the marine environment has led to large gaps in our knowledge of marine species distributions. To fill these gaps, models calibrated on existing data may be used to predict species distributions in unsampled areas, given that available data are sufficiently representative. Our objective was to evaluate the feasibility of mapping cetacean densities across the entire Mediterranean Sea using models calibrated on available survey data and various environmental covariates.

Satellite tagging of Mediterranean fin whales: working towards the identification of critical habitats and the focussing of mitigation measures.

Mediterranean fin whales comprise a genetically distinct population, listed as Vulnerable (VU) in the IUCN Red List. Collisions with vessels are believed to represent the main cause of human-induced mortality. The identification of critical habitats (including migration routes) incorporating satellite telemetry data is therefore crucial to develop focussed conservation efforts.

Occupation and first episode psychosis in Northern Italy: better outcomes for migrants.

Aims: Many studies show that migrants have a higher incidence of psychosis compared to natives, but the influence of migration on psychosis outcomes is little investigated. We aimed to evaluate the occupational outcomes of a first episode psychosis (FEP) sample in Bologna (Northern Italy).

Methods: An incidence cohort of FEP patients presenting at the Bologna West Community Mental Health Centers between 2002 and 2009 was assessed at the baseline and at 12th month follow-up.

Fin whales and microplastics: The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios.

The impact that microplastics have on baleen whales is a question that remains largely unexplored. This study examined the interaction between free-ranging fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) and microplastics by comparing populations living in two semi-enclosed basins, the Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California, Mexico). The results indicate that a considerable abundance of microplastics and plastic additives exists in the neustonic samples from Pelagos Sanctuary of the Mediterranean Sea, and that pelagic areas containing high densities of microplastics overlap with whale feeding grounds, suggesting that whales are exposed to microplastics during foraging; this was confirmed by the observation of a temporal increase in toxicological stress in whales.

The Devil We Don't Know: Investigating Habitat and Abundance of Endangered Giant Devil Rays in the North-Western Mediterranean Sea.

The giant devil ray Mobula mobular, the only Mediterranean mobulid, is subject to mortality caused by directed and accidental captures in fisheries throughout the region. Whilst the combination of human impacts, limited range and a low reproductive potential is not inconsistent with its endangered listing, there are insufficient data to enable a quantitative assessment of trends. Without this, it is difficult to assess and prioritise threats and develop effective conservation actions.

Mild tracheal compression by aberrant innominate artery and chronic dry cough in children.

Background: In children with aberrant innominate artery (AIA) one of the most prevalent respiratory symptom is dry cough. How frequently this mediastinal vessels anomaly, that can induce tracheal compression (TC) of different degree, may be detected in children with chronic dry cough is not known.

Methods: In a 3-year retrospective study, the occurrence of mediastinal vessels abnormalities and the presence and degree of TC was evaluated in children with recurrent/chronic dry cough.

Phenotypic and genetic characterization of a patient with a de novo interstitial 14q24.1q24.3 deletion.

Background: Interstitial deletions of chromosome bands 14q24.1q24.3 are very rare with only three reported cases.

An index based on the biodiversity of cetacean species to assess the environmental status of marine ecosystems.

The Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) requires the assessment of the environmental status in relation to human pressures. In this study the biodiversity of the cetacean community is proposed as MSFD descriptor of the environmental status and its link with anthropogenic pressures is investigated. Functional groups are generally favoured over indicator species since they are thought to better reflect to anthropogenic stressors.

Abundance and distribution of Tursiops truncatus in the Western Mediterranean Sea: an assessment towards the Marine Strategy Framework Directive requirements.

The Mediterranean Sea common bottlenose dolphin population has been assessed as Vulnerable according to the IUCN Red List Criteria. The species is also included in several International Agreements, European Union Regulations and Directives. Amongst them, a strict protection and identification of special conservation areas are requested by the EU Habitats Directive.

The impact of substance use at psychosis onset on First Episode Psychosis course: results from a 1 year follow-up study in Bologna.

Objectives: Substance abuse is a well established risk factor for First-Episode Psychosis (FEP), but its influence on FEP course is less clear. Starting from our baseline observation that substance users were younger than non-users at the psychosis onset, we hypothesized that substance use at baseline could be an independent risk factor for a worse clinical course.

Methods: An incidence cohort of patients with FEP collected in an 8year period (2002-2009) at the Bologna West Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs) was assessed at baseline and at 12month follow-up.

Demography and conservation of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus): what clues can be obtained from photo-identification data.

Long-lived and slow reproducing species, such as cetaceans, are among the most critical conservation units: a demographic approach can be very useful for their management and conservation. In the present work, we examined, by demographic tools, the most exhaustive photo-identification database available for the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) population, recorded by Tethys Research Institute between 1990 and 2007 in the Western Ligurian Sea. A total of 31,782 km were covered and 548 fin whale sightings were recorded.

Corticosteroids may favor proliferation of thoracic inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors.

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) was thought to represent a benign post-infectious or post-inflammatory process cured by surgical resection. However, reports of cases with an aggressive clinical course suggest the need for caution about the prognosis. The treatment of choice is a complete surgical resection, while medical treatment options are limited.

Clinical impact of catheter ablation in patients with asymptomatic atrial fibrillation: the IRON-AF (Italian registry on NavX atrial fibrillation ablation procedures) study.

Whether and to what extent patients with asymptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF) would benefit from catheter ablation has not been investigated. This is the first multicenter prospective study reporting on the outcome of catheter ablation in patients with asymptomatic AF. Consecutive patients (n = 545) referred for AF ablation were prospectively enrolled in a multicenter Italian registry.

Mitogenomic phylogenetics of fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus spp.): genetic evidence for revision of subspecies.

There are three described subspecies of fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus): B. p. physalus Linnaeus, 1758 in the Northern Hemisphere, B.

Nonfluoroscopic mapping reduces radiation exposure in ablation of atrial fibrillation.

Background: Radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) of atrial fibrillation is an effective and definitive treatment. The methods used to guide RFCA have evolved over the years from a purely electrophysiological approach, in which anatomical lesions were guided solely by fluoroscopy and angiographic imaging of the pulmonary veins, to an approach guided by modern nonfluoroscopic electroanatomical mapping, integrated or not with computed tomography (CT). The aim of this study was, therefore, to compare radiation exposure of RFCA based on a fast three-dimensional nonfluoroscopic mapping system with 'traditional' mapping integrated with CT imaging.

First-episode psychosis at the West Bologna Community Mental Health Centre: results of an 8-year prospective study.

Background: Research mostly conducted in the UK and northern Europe has established that there are high rates of first-episode psychosis (FEP) in large cities and immigrant populations; moreover, psychosis has been found to be associated with cannabis use and early trauma. The present study aimed to evaluate the incidence rate of FEP and the distribution of several risk factors (e.g.