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IntroductionMost Mediterranean fish stocks are overexploited owing to high fishing efforts and poor exploitation patterns. Demersal trawl fisheries are considered the most impactful fishery type because of the high quantities of unwanted catch that is then routinely discarded at sea.MethodsIn the present study, two types of by-catch reduction devices (BRDs), that is a sorting grid (Grid-T45 40 mm) and a T90 50 mm codend, were compared to a typical commercial bottom trawl net (control) in terms of size structures and catch per unit effort to assess the effect of gear modification on the selectivity of crustacean fisheries in the central Mediterranean Sea. In particular, three randomly selected trawlers were involved in a paired hauls experiment fishing at the same time in the same fishing ground. Each trawler carried out four hauls per day during a 3-day campaign for a total of 36 hauls. The target species of the fishery is Parapenaeus longirostris (herein DPS), and the main commercial by-catch is Merluccius merluccius (herein HKE).ResultsThe results showed that the landing per unit effort (LPUE) of DPS was higher for Grid-T45 40 mm net, although it did not differ significantly from that of the control net. Conversely, the discard per unit effort (DPUE) of the control net was significantly higher than of both BRD configurations. For HKE, a slightly higher LPUE was recorded using the T90 50 mm codend compared to that of the control, but this result was not statistically significant. The lowest DPUE was found for the T90 50 mm codend, with significant differences compared to that of the control and Grid-T45 40 mm net. The catch comparison of the size structures analysed through generalised linear mixed models highlighted that the Grid-T45 40 mm net was more effective in catching adult DPS, whereas the T90 50 mm codend was more selective for adult HKE.DiscussionIn conclusion, although further studies should be carried out in future to test the performance of the BRDs in different areas and seasons, the investigated gear seems to be promising for reducing the catch of undersized individuals and contributing to mitigating the current overfishing of DPS and HKE.

1. The Mediterranean starry ray (Raja asterias) populations within the Mediterranean Sea are susceptible to high rates of bycatch in the multispecies trawl fisheries. Understanding its population structure and identifying critical habitats are crucial for assessing species vulnerability and setting the groundwork for specific management measures to prevent population decline. 2. To assess the population structure of R. asterias in the Mediterranean, the genetic variation in nine population samples at one mitochondrial marker and eight nuclear microsatellite loci was analysed. Moreover, 172 egg cases collected in the Strait of Sicily were identified at species level using integrated molecular and morphological approaches. 3. Genetic analyses revealed that the Mediterranean starry ray comprises three distinct units inhabiting the western, the central-western, and the central-eastern areas of the Mediterranean. An admixture zone occurs in the Strait of Sicily and the Ionian Sea, where individuals of the central-western and central-eastern population units intermingle. 4. The joint morphometric–genetic analyses of rajid egg cases confirmed the presence of more than one species in the admixture area, with a predominance of egg cases laid by R. asterias. DNA barcoding revealed that egg cases and embryos of R. asterias shared several haplotypes with adult individuals from the centralwestern and central-eastern Mediterranean Sea, revealing that females of both populations laid numerous eggs in this area. 5. According to these findings, detailed taxonomic determination of egg cases, when combined with seasonal migration studies, could improve the capability to identify important spawning or nursery areas for the Mediterranean starry ray, particularly in those admixture zones relevant to maintaining genetic diversity. 6. Finally, these new insights should be considered to update the Action Plan for the Conservation of Cartilaginous Fishes in the Mediterranean Sea with effective measures to reduce the impact of skate bycatch in trawling and safeguard egg cases in nursery areas.

Additional file 1. Supplemental methods. Details about TCGA datasets, Immunohistochemistry staining, cell culture and list of antibodies and primers used. Figure S1. Analysis of NAMPT expression in different tumors BRAF wild-type or BRAF mutated and analysis of BRAF mutations frequency in tumors. Figure S2. Comparison of sensitivity to NAMPT inhibitors between MM and THCA cells lines BRAF-mutated. Figure S3. Correlation between NAMPT copy number alterations (CNA) and NAMPT expression in tumors.

Additional file 2: Figure S1. Immunohistochemistry with anti-PD-L1 antibody shows positivity in more than 5% of tumor cells at membranous level (A). Immunohistochemistry with anti-PD-L2 antibody shows negative tumor cells with internal positive control (B). (original magnification 10x, scale bar 100 μm, inset 40x, scale bar 20 μm). Figure S2. Immunohistochemical β-catenin expression in metastatic melanoma tissues. At subcellular level, immunoreactivity is observed in the cytoplasm and scattered nuclei (A) and membrane and nuclear (B). (original magnification 10x, scale bar 100 μm, inset 40x, scale bar 20 μm). Figure S3. Distribution patterns and density of intratumoral and peritumoral CD8+ T and CD163+ cells in the training cohort. Low: score = 0, 1+; High: score = 2+,3 + .

Additional file 1: Table S1. Patients’ characteristics. Table S2. Associations. Table S3. Tissue biomarkers – combination. Table S4. Multivariable logistic model - Response rate. Table S5. Multivariable Cox regression model – Survival. Table S6. Validation cohort. Table S7. Validation cohort - Multivariable Cox regression model – Impact of tissue biomarkers on progression free survival and overall survival – validation cohort.

Atypical Spitz tumors (AST) deviate from stereotypical Spitz nevi for one or more atypical features and are now regarded as an intermediate category of melanocytic tumors with uncertain malignant potential. Activating NTRK1/NTRK3 fusions elicit oncogenic events in Spitz lesions and are targetable with kinase inhibitors. However, their prevalence among ASTs and the optimal approach for their detection is yet to be determined. A series of 180 ASTs were screened with pan-TRK immunohistochemistry and the presence of NTRK fusions was confirmed using FISH, two different RNA-based NGS panels for solid tumors, and a specific real time RT-PCR panel. Overall, 26 ASTs showed pan-TRK immunostaining. NTRK1 fusions were detected in 15 of these cases showing cytoplasmic immunoreaction, whereas NTRK3 was detected in one case showing nuclear immunoreaction. Molecular tests resulted all positive in only two ASTs (included the NTRK3 translocated), RNA-based NGS and real time RT-PCR were both positive in three cases, and FISH and real time RT-PCR in another two cases. In seven ASTs NTRK1 fusions were detected only by FISH and in two cases only by real time RT-PCR. The frequency of NTRK fusions in ASTs is 9%, with a clear prevalence of NTRK1 compared to NTRK3 alterations. Pan-TRK immunohistochemistry is an excellent screening test. Confirmation of NTRK fusions may require the use of different molecular techniques.

Patients with acute graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) grade I were randomized to an observation arm (n=85) or to a treatment arm (n=86) consisting of 6-methylprednisolone 1 mg/kg/day, after stratification for age and donor type. The primary end point was development of grade II–IV GvHD. The cumulative incidence of grade II–IV GvHD was 50% in the observation arm and 33% in the treatment arm (P=0.005). However, grade III–IV GvHD was comparable (13% vs. 10%, respectively; P=0.6), and this was true for sibling and alternative donor transplants. Moderate/severe chronic GvHD was also comparable (17% vs. 9%). In multivariate analysis, an early interval between transplant and randomization (

Background: Lichenoid keratosis is a benign cutaneous lesion exhibiting many clinical faces and different dermoscopic features. Objective: This study aims to determine the pattern of different clinical subtypes of lichenoid keratosis and to establish whether there is any correlation between the clinical variants of lichenoid keratosis and their dermoscopic appearance. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records and clinical database of patients who had received a histological diagnosis of lichenoid keratosis. Based on the literature review and the clinical-dermoscopic features of lichenoid keratosis, we divided the lesions into 6 clinical subtypes to evaluate potential correlations between clinical and dermoscopic features in all subtypes. Results: Fifty-one lesions were included in this clinical study. Preoperatively, only 1.9% of cases were clinically diagnosed as lichenoid keratosis, and the most common misdiagnosis was basal cell carcinoma (52.9%). We identified 6 subtypes of lichenoid keratosis and their corresponding dermoscopic features and clues. Conclusion: Since lichenoid keratosis has no pathognomonic dermoscopic clues and it is commonly misdiagnosed as malignant skin neoplasms, such as basal cell carcinoma and melanoma, improving the knowledge of both clinical and dermoscopic variability of lichenoid keratosis may help dermatologists to reduce unnecessary surgery and to reduce health care spending.

Background: Currently, the association between body mass index (BMI) and hormone therapies and Cutaneous Melanoma (CM) development is strongly debated. This study was carried out to assess the association between BMI, hormone therapies, and CM risk. Methods: The present study is a hospital-based case–control study with 605 consecutive CM patients and 592 controls treated for non-neoplastic conditions at the Department of Dermatology in Florence. The associations of melanoma risk with BMI and hormone therapies were assessed performing unconditional logistic regression to estimate odds ratios (OR) and their 95% confidence intervals, adjusting for potential confounders. Results: We found a significant interaction of BMI with age (P < 0.0001): being overweight significantly increased CM risk among individuals less than 50 years old (OR = 1.85 with 95% CI 1.14–2.94), whereas the association was not significant for individuals over 50 years old (OR = 1.15 with 95% CI 0.77–1.71). For oestrogen therapy, women taking oral contraceptives (OCs)/hormone replacement therapy (HRT) showed a lower CM risk than men (OR = 0.63, 95% CI 0.44–0.89), with risk estimates significantly lower (P < 0.0001) than in non OCs/HRT users, which had an increased risk compared to men (OR = 1.81, 95% CI 1.29–2.53). Conclusions: Being overweight was significantly associated with CM risk, and this relationship was highly age-conditioned; the second finding was the protective effect of oestrogen therapies for women. Both findings may have a significant impact on melanoma prevention, as the prevalence of obesity and hormone therapy use is increasing worldwide.

The skin is the largest nonreproductive target tissue on which estrogen plays many beneficial and protective roles. Although neither exogenous hormones nor pregnancy represent significant risk factors for melanoma, epidemiological data suggest a higher survival rate in women with metastatic disease versus men and in premenopausal versus postmenopausal patients. Despite the fact that hyperestrogenic signaling has long been implicated in the initiation and progression of several tumors, the role of estrogens in malignant melanoma is still unclear. The cellular effects of estrogens are mediated by two subtypes of estrogen receptors (ERs). Estrogen receptor β (ERβ), the predominant ER in the skin, antagonizes the proliferative action mediated by estrogen receptor αα. According to recent immunohistochemical studies, ERβ protein expression decreases progressively with increased Breslow thickness and results in more invasive melanomas; thus, ERβ immunophenotype may distinguish melanomas linked to poor prognosis from those with a favorable course and lead to melanoma unresponsiveness to both estrogen and anti-estrogen treatment. Therefore, if future large-scale immunohistochemical and molecular studies point towards ERβ as an important factor in malignant melanoma progression, they will open up novel and targeted prognostic and therapeutic perspectives. © 2011 Expert Reviews Ltd.

Objective The objective was to describe the clinical and dermoscopic characteristics of difficult-to-diagnose melanomas (DDM). Design This study was a retrospective analysis of clinical data and dermoscopic images in a series of excised melanomas. Setting Cases were obtained from the database registers of three public hospitals in Barcelona (Spain), Naples (Italy), and Graz (Austria). Patients A total of 97 tumors with a main preoperative diagnosis different from melanoma and without sufficient criteria to be diagnosed clinically and dermoscopically as melanoma were studied. We studied clinical data from the patients and lesions, mean reason for excision, and consensus dermoscopic description of the lesions according to pattern analysis performed by a panel of four dermoscopists to obtain clues that allow these melanomas to be recognized. Results Ninety-three DDMs were evaluated. Three main dermoscopic categories of DDM have been identified: (1) DDMs lacking specific features (16/97), (2) DDMs simulating nonmelanocytic lesions (14/93), and (3) DDMs simulating benign melanocytic proliferations (67/93). The reasons for excision were (1) the subjective history of change referred by the patient (38% of cases), (2) the presence of clinical and/or dermoscopic "hints" for biopsy (33% of cases), and (3) the objective evidence of changes detected by digital dermoscopic follow-up (29% of cases). Conclusions A diagnostic algorithm is proposed not to miss melanoma.