A multitaxonomic assessment of Natura 2000 effectiveness across European biogeographic regions.

The Natura 2000 (N2K) protected area (PA) network is a crucial tool to limit biodiversity loss in Europe. Despite covering 18% of the European Union's (EU) land area, its effectiveness at conserving biodiversity across taxa and biogeographic regions remains uncertain. Testing this effectiveness is, however, difficult because it requires considering the nonrandom location of PAs, and many possible confounding factors.

A quixotic view of spatial bias in modelling the distribution of species and their diversity.

Ecological processes are often spatially and temporally structured, potentially leading to autocorrelation either in environmental variables or species distribution data. Because of that, spatially-biased in-situ samples or predictors might affect the outcomes of ecological models used to infer the geographic distribution of species and diversity. There is a vast heterogeneity of methods and approaches to assess and measure spatial bias; this paper aims at addressing the spatial component of data-driven biases in species distribution modelling, and to propose potential solutions to explicitly test and account for them.

Metabolomic Study of Growing on Aeolian Archipelago (Italy).

The Aeolian Islands (Italy) are a volcanic archipelago in the Tyrrhenian Sea comprising seven main islands, among which are two active volcanoes. The peculiar geological features and the wide variety of environments and soils have an important impact on native plants, and in particular, the Aeolian populations of (a perennial cool-season bunchgrass) exhibit remarkable phenotypic variability. Considering that environmental drivers also strongly affect the production of plant metabolites, this work aimed at comparing the metabolomic profiles of (leaves) harvested at different altitudes on four islands of the Aeolian archipelago, namely: Lipari, Vulcano, Stromboli and Panarea.

Diversity of European habitat types is correlated with geography more than climate and human pressure.

Habitat richness, that is, the diversity of ecosystem types, is a complex, spatially explicit aspect of biodiversity, which is affected by bioclimatic, geographic, and anthropogenic variables. The distribution of habitat types is a key component for understanding broad-scale biodiversity and for developing conservation strategies. We used data on the distribution of European Union (EU) habitats to answer the following questions: (i) how do bioclimatic, geographic, and anthropogenic variables affect habitat richness? (ii) Which of those factors is the most important? (iii) How do interactions among these variables influence habitat richness and which combinations produce the strongest interactions? The distribution maps of 222 terrestrial habitat types as defined by the Natura 2000 network were used to calculate habitat richness for the 10 km × 10 km EU grid map.

rasterdiv-An Information Theory tailored R package for measuring ecosystem heterogeneity from space: To the origin and back.

Ecosystem heterogeneity has been widely recognized as a key ecological indicator of several ecological functions, diversity patterns and change, metapopulation dynamics, population connectivity or gene flow.In this paper, we present a new R package-rasterdiv-to calculate heterogeneity indices based on remotely sensed data. We also provide an ecological application at the landscape scale and demonstrate its power in revealing potentially hidden heterogeneity patterns.

A grid-based map for the Biogeographical Regions of Europe.

Background: Biogeographical units are widely adopted in ecological research and nature conservation management, even though biogeographical regionalisation is still under scientific debate. The European Environment Agency provided an official map of the European Biogeographical Regions (EBRs), which contains the official boundaries used in the Habitats and Birds Directives. However, these boundaries bisect cells in the official EU 10 km × 10 km grid used for many purposes, including reporting species and habitat data, meaning that 6881 cells overlap two or more regions.

Multidisciplinary management of a giant cervico-mediastinal liposarcoma: A case report and literature review.

Liposarcomas are rare mesenchymal tumors that usually develop in lower extremities or retroperitoneum; cervico-mediastinal presentation is quite uncommon. These neoplasms are commonly diagnosed at a late stage because they remain asymptomatic until nearby structures are compressed. This makes radical excision particularly challenging.

First Evaluation of PET-Based Human Biodistribution and Dosimetry of F-FAZA, a Tracer for Imaging Tumor Hypoxia.

F-labeled fluoroazomycinarabinoside (F-FAZA) is a PET biomarker for noninvasive identification of regional tumor hypoxia. The aim of the present phase I study was to evaluate the biodistribution and dosimetry of F-FAZA in non-small cell lung cancer patients. Five patients awaiting surgical resection of histologically proven or radiologically suspected non-small cell lung cancer were prospectively enrolled in the study.

Thoracic Endometriosis Syndrome: Association With Pelvic Endometriosis and Fertility Status.

Study Objective: To evaluate associations among catamenial pneumothorax, pelvic endometriosis, and fertility status.

Design: Retrospective study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2).

Setting: Departments of Thoracic Surgery and Obstetrics and Gynecology, San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy.

Prognostic Impact of Node-Spreading Pattern in Surgically Treated Small-Cell Lung Cancer: A Multicentric Analysis.

Objective: Although surgery in selected small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients has been proposed as a part of multimodality therapy, so far, the prognostic impact of node-spreading pattern has not been fully elucidated. To investigate this issue, a retrospective analysis was performed.

Methods: From 01/1996 to 12/2012, clinico-pathological, surgical, and oncological features were retrospectively reviewed in a multicentric cohort of 154 surgically treated SCLC patients.

Prognostic role of liver X receptor-alpha in resected stage II and III non-small-cell lung cancer.

Introduction: In the search of new therapeutical strategies against non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the identification of new prognostic factors is crucial.

Objectives: In this study, we analyzed the prognostic value of the liver X receptor-alpha (LXR-alpha), a nuclear receptor of a family of cholesterol derivatives called oxysterols, in patients with radically resected NSCLC.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 140 stage II and III surgically treated NSCLC patients that were grouped by percentage of LXR-alpha-positive cells value above or below its median value.

Video-assisted thoracoscopic treatment of primary spontaneous pneumothorax in older children and adolescents.

Background: Primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) is a relatively rare condition in the pediatric population lacking of specific recommendations regarding the management. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) has gained widespread consensus during the last 10 years. We retrospectively reviewed our experience of VATS in the treatment of pediatric patients affected by PSP in terms of timing of surgery, operative technique, and postoperative outcome.

Solitary fibrous tumour of the pleura presenting as a spontaneous massive haemothorax.

Solitary fibrous tumours of the pleura are rare neoplasms. These tumours are generally asymptomatic and incidentally diagnosed. Symptoms, if present, are nonspecific such as cough, dyspnea, and chest pain.

Management of intrathoracic benign schwannomas of the brachial plexus.

Primary tumours of the brachial plexus are rare entities. They usually present as extrathoracic masses located in the supraclavicular region. This report describes two cases of benign schwannomas arising from the brachial plexus with an intrathoracic growth.

Prognostic factors in a multicentre study of 247 atypical pulmonary carcinoids.

Objectives: To analyse clinical and biomolecular prognostic factors associated with the surgical approach and the outcome of 247 patients affected by primary atypical carcinoids (ACs) of the lung in a multi-institutional experience.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated clinical data and pathological tissue samples collected from 247 patients of 10 Thoracic Surgery Units from different geographical areas of our country. All patients were divided into four groups according to surgical procedure: sub-lobar resections (SURG1), lobar resections (SURG2), tracheobronchoplastic procedures (SURG3) and pneumonectomies (SURG4).

Unusual presentation of mediastinal neurogenic tumours.

Mediastinal neurogenic tumours generally arise as single benign lesions and their typical location is the costovertebral sulcus. In about 10% of cases mediastinal neurogenic tumours may extend to the spinal canal; occasionally they may extend to the cervical region and, more rarely, may be multiple or associated with other synchronous mediastinal lesions. The treatment of choice is surgical resection.

Combined Use of TBNA and EBUS-TBNA in the Preoperative Staging of Lung Cancer Patients.

The identification of the optimal mediastinal staging strategy in lung cancer patients remains an important objective to improve their selection for appropriate treatment. The aim of this study was to analyze our experience with traditional transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) and endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) as minimally invasive alternative procedures to mediastinoscopy in the preoperative staging of lung cancer patients with positive mediastinal positron emission tomography. Forty-four patients staged N2 or N3 after positron emission tomography were included in the study.

Conservative and surgical treatment of acute posttraumatic tracheobronchial injuries.

Background: Acute posttraumatic tracheobronchial lesions are rare events associated with significant morbidity and mortality. They are caused by blunt and penetrating trauma, or they are iatrogenic, appearing after intubation or tracheotomy. Although surgery has traditionally been considered the treatment of choice for these injuries, recent reports show that conservative treatment can be effective in selected patients.

Intercostal artery pseudoaneurysm after computed tomography-guided percutaneous fine needle aspiration lung biopsy.

Intercostal artery pseudoaneurysm is a rare but life-threatening complication. Herein we report an unusual case of an intercostal artery pseudoaneurysm caused by computed tomography-guided percutaneous fine needle aspiration lung biopsy and successfully treated with endovascular embolization. Radiologists performing percutaneous fine needle aspiration lung biopsies should be aware of this rare potential complication.

Correlation of computed tomography densitometry and pathological grading of emphysema with the variation of respiratory function after lobectomy for lung cancer.

The presence of emphysema may lead to an underestimation of postoperative respiratory function after lobectomy when evaluated by standard functional assessment. The aim of the study was to assess the correlation between computed tomography (CT) densitometry, pathological grading of emphysema and variation of pulmonary function after lobectomy for lung cancer. Forty-one patients entered the study.

Prognostic factors and analysis of S100a4 protein in resected pulmonary metastases from renal cell carcinoma.

Background: This study analyzes our experience with pulmonary resection for metastases from renal cell carcinoma. The goals were to search for factors influencing prognosis and to investigate the presence and the prognostic value of S100A4 protein in lung metastases and corresponding primary renal tumors.

Methods: Sixty-five patients underwent surgical resection for renal and pulmonary lesions between 1992 and 2007.

Montgomery T-tube placement in the treatment of benign tracheal lesions.

Introduction: Although surgery remains the gold standard for the treatment of benign tracheal stenosis, airway stenting may be indicated in the event of complex lesions or associated diseases. We retrospectively investigated Montgomery T-tube placement as an alternative or complementary treatment to surgery.

Methods: From January 1984 to March 2008, 158 patients were treated for benign tracheal lesions.

Transbronchial needle aspiration in lung cancer patients suitable for operation with positive mediastinal positron emission tomography.

Background: The objectives of this study were to analyze our experience with transbronchial needle aspiration as a minimally invasive procedure alternative to mediastinoscopy in the preoperative staging of non-small cell lung cancer patients with positive mediastinal positron emission tomography and to propose a staging algorithm that combines performance characteristics of these three methods.

Methods: Fifty-one patients staged N2 or N3 after positron emission tomography imaging underwent transbronchial needle aspiration.

Results: A malignant adenopathy was identified in 26 patients (51%) that were excluded from operation and referred for neoadjuvant chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy according to the mediastinal status (N2 or N3), as determined on the positron emission tomography image.

Surgical treatment of catamenial pneumothorax: a single centre experience.

We retrospectively reviewed our experience with catamenial pneumothorax (CP) in terms of treatment and follow-up. From 1993 to 2008, ten women presented at our department with CP. CP was right-sided in all patients: seven presented diaphragmatic defects including one endometriosis, five had apical bulla or blebs that in three patients were the only pathological findings.