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The unique ecosystems and biodiversity associated with mid-ocean ridge (MOR) hydrothermal vent systems contrast sharply with surrounding deep-sea habitats, however both may be increasingly threatened by anthropogenic activity (e.g., mining activities at massive sulphide deposits). Climate change can alter the deep-sea through increased bottom temperatures, loss of oxygen, and modifications to deep water circulation. Despite the potential of these profound impacts, the mechanisms enabling these systems and their ecosystems to persist, function and respond to oceanic, crustal, and anthropogenic forces remain poorly understood. This is due primarily to technological challenges and difficulties in accessing, observing and monitoring the deep-sea. In this context, the development of deep-sea observatories in the 2000s focused on understanding the coupling between sub-surface flow and oceanic and crustal conditions, and how they influence biological processes. Deep-sea observatories provide long-term, multidisciplinary time-series data comprising repeated observations and sampling at temporal resolutions from seconds to decades, through a combination of cabled, wireless, remotely controlled, and autonomous measurement systems. The three existing vent observatories are located on the Juan de Fuca and Mid-Atlantic Ridges (Ocean Observing Initiative, Ocean Networks Canada and the European Multidisciplinary Seafloor and water column Observatory). These observatories promote stewardship by defining effective environmental monitoring including characterizing biological and environmental baseline states, discriminating changes from natural variations versus those from anthropogenic activities, and assessing degradation, resilience and recovery after disturbance. This highlights the potential of observatories as valuable tools for environmental impact assessment (EIA) in the context of climate change and other anthropogenic activities, primarily ocean mining. This paper provides a synthesis on scientific advancements enabled by the three observatories this last decade, and recommendations to support future studies through international collaboration and coordination. The proposed recommendations include: i) establishing common global scientific questions and identification of Essential Ocean Variables (EOVs) specific to MORs, ii) guidance towards the effective use of observatories to support and inform policies that can impact society, iii) strategies for observatory infrastructure development that will help standardize sensors, data formats and capabilities, and iv) future technology needs and common sampling approaches to answer today’s most urgent and timely questions.

To determine the therapeutic indications for systemic medical treatment in the management of adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) according to the clinical situation. The French Network of Rare Head and Neck Tumors (REFCOR) formed a steering group, which drafted a narrative review of the literature published on Medline and proposed recommendations. The level of adherence to the recommendations was then assessed by a rating group, according to the formal consensus method. ACCs are rare tumors and there is currently insufficient evidence to indicate chemotherapy at the localized stage. At the metastatic stage, progression is often slow. In case of oligometastatic ACC, local treatment should be discussed. The most often indolent nature of polymetastatic ACC can allow management by active surveillance. Molecular screening is recommended, for abnormalities potentially accessible to targeted therapy. ACCs are rare tumors for which there are currently few effective medical treatments. It is therefore recommended to include patients in clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine the therapeutic indications for systemic medical treatment in the management of salivary gland carcinoma (excluding adenoid cystic carcinoma) according to the clinical situation. The French Network of Rare Head and Neck Tumors (REFCOR) formed a steering group who drafted a narrative review of the literature published on Medline and proposed recommendations. The level of adherence to the recommendations was then assessed by a rating group, according to the formal consensus method. Salivary gland carcinoma is rare and there is currently insufficient evidence to indicate chemotherapy at the localized stage. At the metastatic stage, initial management can be based on a phase of monitoring for indolent disease. Some histological subtypes (salivary duct carcinoma and adenocarcinoma) are more aggressive and require systemic treatment from the outset. To guide systemic treatment, it is recommended to perform immunohistochemistry and molecular biology analyses (overexpression of HER2 and androgen receptors, NTRK fusion, next-generation sequencing). Salivary gland carcinoma is a rare tumor for which there are currently few effective medical treatments. It is therefore recommended to include patients in clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine the indications for radiotherapy in salivary gland cancer and to specify the modalities and target radiation volumes. The French Network of Rare Head and Neck Tumors (REFCOR) formed a steering group which drafted a narrative review of the literature published on Medline and proposed recommendations. The level of adherence to the recommendations was then assessed by a rating group, according to the formal consensus method. Postoperatively, radiotherapy to the primary tumor site ± to the lymph nodes is indicated if one or more of the following adverse histoprognostic factors are present (risk > 10% of locoregional recurrence): T3–T4 category, lymph node invasion, extraglandular invasion, close or positive surgical margins, high tumor grade, perineural invasion, vascular emboli, and/or bone invasion. Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is the gold standard. For unresectable cancers or inoperable patients, carbon ion hadrontherapy may be considered. Radiotherapy in salivary gland cancer is indicated in postoperative situations in case of adverse histoprognostic factors and for inoperable tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr.2008.03.010 Byline: B. Shillito (a)(b), G. Hamel (a)(c), C. Duchi (d), D. Cottin (a), J. Sarrazin (e), P.-M. Sarradin (e), J. Ravaux (a)(b), F. Gaill (a)(b) Keywords: Pressurized recovery; Deep sea; Shrimp; Fish Abstract: The deep sea is an extremely diverse habitat, which is now threatened by human activity. Means for evaluating the response of deep-sea creatures to environmental perturbation are limited because of lethal decompression effects during sampling. The addressing of this issue requires that target species be (i) captured at depth, (ii) recovered at natural pressure, (iii) submitted to in vivo investigations. Although a single container may meet these requirements, we believe that using several dedicated cells greatly expands experimental possibilities. Accordingly, we have designed a new sampling system which has been named PERISCOP and which has accounted for the selective capture and recovery of live animals from depths exceeding 2000m. Three hydrothermal vent shrimp species were sampled on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, from depths of 1700 and 2300m. In addition, a fish caught at 2300m depth reached the surface in very good condition. This is by far the deepest record for the pressurized recovery of a live deep-sea fish. Our prototype aims at making pressurized recovery a more efficient and practical process. Finally, future evolutions of sampling methods are discussed based on the present design of the PERISCOP. Author Affiliation: (a) Universite Pierre et Marie Curie, 7 Quai St-Bernard, Batiment A, 75252 Paris Cedex 05, France (b) UMR CNRS 7138 'Systematique, Adaptation et Evolution', 7 Quai St-Bernard, Batiment A, 75252 Paris Cedex 05, France (c) UMR CNRS 7590, Institut de Mineralogie et de Physique des Milieux Condenses (IMPMC), 140, Rue de Lourmel, Paris 75015, France (d) Genavir, DESM/SEI, Zone portuaire de Bregaillon, BP 330, 83507 La Seyne/Mer, France (e) Ifremer Brest, DEEP/Laboratoire Environnement Profond, BP 70, F-29280 Plouzane, France Article History: Received 15 November 2007; Revised 14 March 2008; Accepted 16 March 2008

Research on Atlantic Ocean hydrothermal vents around the Azores plateau suggests that vent fluid toxicity changes and suspended mineral particles produce composition and structure variations in hydrothermal vent communities at the depth gradient. Vents included in the study were the Rainbow, Menez Gwen and Lucky Strike vents.

The effect of a superinfection with bluetongue virus serotype 1 (BTV1) was evaluated on two groups of four calves. One group received a commercial inactivated BTV serotype 8 (BTV8) vaccine. This group and the non-vaccinated group of calves were challenged twice (4 months apart) with the European BTV8 strain isolated during the 2006-2007 epidemics. Calves were then infected with a BTV1 inoculum which was found to be unexpectedly contaminated by BTV serotype 15 (BTV15). BTV1 and BTV15 single infections were performed on two other groups of three BTV naïve calves. A severe clinical picture was obtained after superinfection with BTV1/BTV15 in both vaccinated and non-vaccinated animals and after challenge with BTV8 in non-vaccinated animals. BTV1 and BTV15 single infection caused only very slight clinical signs. After superinfection and at the viraemic peak, there were an average of above 1000 times more BTV15 genomic copies than BTV1 ones. BTV1 RNA could be detected only in the spleen of one calf whereas BTV15 RNA was found in 15 organs of seven different animals. BTV8 immunization whether it was acquired through vaccination and challenges or challenges alone did not change BTV1 or BTV15 RNA detection in superinfected animals. However in these animals a partial cross neutralization between BTV8 and BTV1 might be involved in the lower BTV1 replication versus BTV15. Infection with different serotypes can occur also in the field. Interference between virus strains, genetic reassortment and cross-protection were considered as mechanisms to explain the clinical outcomes and the other virological and immunological findings in the course of BTV1/BTV15 superinfection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]