ul li a.menu-item.selected  { 
   background: #444 url(images/ui-bg_highlight-soft_44_444444_1x100.png) 50% 50% repeat-x;
   color: #fff;
   font: italic bold 16px/18px sans-serif;
}

ul li a.menu-item:hover  { 
   background: #444 url(images/ui-bg_highlight-soft_44_444444_1x100.png) 50% 50% repeat-x;
   color: #fff;
   font: italic bold 16px/18px sans-serif;
}