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Marine fish stocks are an important part of the world food system and are particularly important for many of the poorest people of the world. Most existing analyses suggest overfishing is increasing, and there is widespread concern that fish stocks are decreasing throughout most of the world. We assembled trends in abundance and harvest rate of stocks that are scientifically assessed, constituting half of the reported global marine fish catch. For these stocks, on average, abundance is increasing and is at proposed target levels. Compared with regions that are intensively managed, regions with less-developed fisheries management have, on average, 3-fold greater harvest rates and half the abundance as assessed stocks. Available evidence suggests that the regions without assessments of abundance have little fisheries management, and stocks are in poor shape. Increased application of area-appropriate fisheries science recommendations and management tools are still needed for sustaining fisheries in places where they are lacking.

Ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM) was developed to move beyond single species management by incorporating ecosystem considerations for the sustainable utilization of marine resources. Due to the wide range of fishery characteristics, including different goals of fisheries management across regions and species, theoretical best practices for EBFM vary greatly. Here we highlight the lack of consensus in the interpretation of EBFM amongst professionals in marine science and its implementation. Fisheries policy-makers and managers, stock assessment scientists, conservationists, and ecologists had very different opinions on the degree to which certain management strategies would be considered EBFM. We then assess the variability of the implementation of EBFM, where we created a checklist of characteristics typifying EBFM and scored fisheries across different regions, species, ecosystems, and fishery size and capacity. Our assessments show fisheries are unlikely to meet all the criteria on the EBFM checklist. Consequentially, it is unnecessary for management to practice all the traits of EBFM, as some may be disparate from the ecosystem attributes or fishery goals. Instead, incorporating some ecosystem-based considerations to fisheries management that are context-specific is a more realistic and useful way for EBFM to occur in practice.

Despite being an important source of wealth and food security for many countries, most of the small tuna stocks in the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea remain unassessed. In this study, we summarized the current state of knowledge of this group of species reviewing the information available on life history parameters, stock structure, historical catches, size frequency distributions and current knowledge of stock status. In relation to the life history parameters, data are overall scarce and mainly missing in the Eastern Atlantic where small tunas are relevant in small-scale fisheries. From the 27 defined stocks, only 11 have been quantitatively assessed. From those, the Northwest wahoo and the Southeast little tunny stocks may be experiencing overfishing, deserving priority management attention. Length-based rather than catch-based methods showed a more promising applicability for small tunas, although representative length distributions from the catch are scarce for some stocks. Historical catch time series for small tuna are still incomplete, however, the last two decades are the most accurate and could be considered in future assessment methods. The gaps of knowledge related mainly to life history parameters and historical catches are the main reason why most of these stocks remain unassessed and unmanaged.

While there have been recent improvements in reducing bycatch in many fisheries, bycatch remains a threat for numerous species around the globe. Static spatial and temporal closures are used in many places as a tool to reduce bycatch. However, their effectiveness in achieving this goal is uncertain, particularly for highly mobile species.We evaluated evidence for the effects of temporal, static, and dynamic area closures on the bycatch and target catch of 15 fisheries around the world. Assuming perfect knowledge of where the catch and bycatch occurs and a closure of 30% of the fishing area, we found that dynamic area closures could reduce bycatch by an average of 57% without sacrificing catch of target species, compared to 16% reductions in bycatch achievable by static closures. The degree of bycatch reduction achievable for a certain quantity of target catch was related to the correlation in space and time between target and bycatch species. If the correlation was high, it was harder to find an area to reduce bycatch without sacrificing catch of target species. If the goal of spatial closures is to reduce bycatch, our results suggest that dynamic management provides substantially better outcomes than classic static marine area closures. The use of dynamic ocean management might be difficult to implement and enforce in many regions. Nevertheless, dynamic approaches will be increasingly valuable as climate change drives species and fisheries into new habitats or extended ranges, altering species-fishery interactions and underscoring the need for more responsive and flexible regulatory mechanisms.

BackgroundThe cognitive reserve (CR) refers to the brain’s capacity to cope with pathology in order to minimize the symptoms. In the field of first episode psychosis (FEP), the CR was able to predict functional and neurocognitive performance. Nevertheless, CR has been estimated using heterogeneous methods, which, in term, difficult to compare studies. Therefore, there is a need to create a specific scale for the assessment of this relevant construct. The Cognitive Reserve Assessment Scale in Health (CRASH) is the first measure developed specifically for patients with severe mental illness with optimal psychometric properties, facilitating reliable and valid measurement of CR. The study of the internal structure of the CRASH determined a four-factor structure (Education, Occupation, Leisure activities and Sociability) that can be analyzed separately to know what kind of relationship they might have with other variables.The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of CR measured with CRASH scale on functioning and neurocognitive performance and to explore the relationship of each factor with the outcome in an adult sample of subjects with FEP.MethodsThe sample of this study came from a multicentre, naturalistic and longitudinal research project financed by a catalan grant (“Pla Estratègic de Recerca i Innovació en Salut” - PERIS 2016–2018). Expedient Nº: SLT006/17/00345; entitled “Identificación y caracterización del valor predictivo de la reserva cognitiva en el curso evolutivo y respuesta en terapéutica en personas con un primer episodio psicótico”. 23 FEP patients and 72 healthy control (HC) were enrolled.The premorbid IQ was estimated with the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS-IV) vocabulary subtest. To assess processing speed, Trail Making Test-part A was used. Sustained attention was tested with the Continuous Performance Test–II. The working memory was assessed with the Letters and Numbers Subtest of the WAIS-IV. Finally, the executive functions tested set shifting, planning and cognitive flexibility using the Tower of London task and the Trail Making Test (TMT) part B.ResultsSignificant differences between the total CRASH score of patients and HC groups have been found. The patient group obtained lower scores compared to the HC group (36.66±16.01 vs 49.83±11.08, p<0.001). After performing a logistic regression to assess the predictive power of CRASH for each group, the model correctly classified 83.2% of the cases (B=0.091; p<0.001; Exp(B)=1.095).In FEP patients, the CRASH score was associated with premorbid IQ (p<0.001), processing speed (p=0.005), executive function (TMT-B, p=0.005; London Tower task, p=0.039) and attention (CPT Hit SE ISI change, p=0.004). Specifically, the Education factor was associated with premorbid IQ, processing speed, working memory and executive function. The Occupation was only associated with executive function. Leisure activities factor was correlated with premorbid IQ and functioning. Finally, Sociability was correlated with psychosocial functioning and duration of untreated psychosis. In HC, CRASH was associated with premorbid IQ (p<0.001) and attention (p=0.015). Education and Occupation factors were associated with premorbid IQ and attention; Leisure activities with processing speed; and sociability with attention.DiscussionFEP patients were shown to have lower CR than HC, and CRASH correctly classified 83.2% of the sample. Each CRASH factor was associated with different outcome, which is why it can be interesting to analyze the total CRASH score and each factor separately. Patients with higher CR showed a better cognitive performance. Therefore, enhancing each factor involved in cognitive reserve may improve outcomes in FEP.

Tunas and billfishes are large migratory species managed by Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (tRFMOs). The current status of these species is well known, and most of the large commercial tuna stocks are managed at sustainable levels. We found that most of the overfished tuna and billfish populations are showing signs of rebuilding as a consequence of the implementation of strong management measures such as fishing quotas. However, management performance among tRFMOs is highly variable among oceans and it is mainly correlated with the overall economic dependence of individual members of the tRFMOs on tuna fisheries. When countries with low governance capacity account for the greatest proportion of total tuna catches, management controls are, on average, harder to implement. On the other hand, some non-commercial valuable tuna stocks, such as mackerels and bonitos, managed under the umbrella of tRFMOs remain unassessed, mainly because of insufficient quantitative data, particularly total catch. Preliminary assessments for these stocks based only on length composition data from the catch, showed that some of these stocks are experiencing overfishing. These results should encourage the management body in the Atlantic Ocean to take management actions to protect these stocks from overfishing as well as improve data collection programs. When comparing the performance of some length-based and catch-based data limited assessment methods, we found that in many cases, length-based assessments performed as well as other catch-based models. Nevertheless, the performance of different data-limited methods depended not only on the type of data available, but on prior knowledge about the exploitation history of the stock and the biology of each species. We hope that this dissertation helps to improve the current management system for data-rich tuna stocks by highlighting successful management strategies, as well as to improve the estimation of stock status for data-poor tuna fisheries.

Background The objective of this study was to analyze the effects of sedation administration on clinical parameters, comfort status, intubation requirements, and the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) length of stay (LOS) in children with acute respiratory failure (ARF) receiving noninvasive ventilation (NIV). Methods Thirteen PICUs in Spain participated in a prospective, multicenter, observational trial from January to December 2021. Children with ARF under the age of five who were receiving NIV were included. Clinical information and comfort levels were documented at the time of NIV initiation, as well as at 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h. The COMFORT-behavior (COMFORT-B) scale was used to assess the patients’ level of comfort. NIV failure was considered to be a requirement for endotracheal intubation. Results A total of 457 patients were included, with a median age of 3.3 months (IQR 1.3–16.1). Two hundred and thirteen children (46.6%) received sedation (sedation group); these patients had a higher heart rate, higher COMFORT-B score, and lower SpO 2 /FiO 2 ratio than did those who did not receive sedation (non-sedation group). A significantly greater improvement in the COMFORT-B score at 3, 6, 12, and 24 h, heart rate at 6 and 12 h, and SpO 2 /FiO 2 ratio at 6 h was observed in the sedation group. Overall, the NIV success rate was 95.6%-intubation was required in 6.1% of the sedation group and in 2.9% of the other group ( p  = 0.092). Multivariate analysis revealed that the PRISM III score at NIV initiation (OR 1.408; 95% CI 1.230–1.611) and respiratory rate at 3 h (OR 1.043; 95% CI 1.009–1.079) were found to be independent predictors of NIV failure. The PICU LOS was correlated with weight, PRISM III score, respiratory rate at 12 h, SpO 2 at 3 h, FiO 2 at 12 h, NIV failure and NIV duration. Sedation use was not found to be independently related to NIV failure or to the PICU LOS. Conclusions Sedation use may be useful in children with ARF treated with NIV, as it seems to improve clinical parameters and comfort status but may not increase the NIV failure rate or PICU LOS, even though sedated children were more severe at technique initiation in the present sample.

Background Acute calculous cholecystitis (ACC) is the second most frequent surgical condition in emergency departments. The recommended treatment is the early laparoscopic cholecystectomy; however, the Tokyo Guidelines (TG) advocate for different initial treatments in some subgroups of patients without a strong evidence that all patients will benefit from them. There is no clear consensus in the literature about who is the unfit patient for surgical treatment. The primary aim of the study is to identify the risk factors for mortality in ACC and compare them with Tokyo Guidelines (TG) classification. Methods Retrospective unicentric cohort study of patients emergently admitted with and ACC during 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2016. The study comprised 963 patients. Primary outcome was the mortality after the diagnosis. A propensity score method was used to avoid confounding factors comparing surgical treatment and non-surgical treatment. Results The overall mortality was 3.6%. Mortality was associated with older age (68 + IQR 27 vs. 83 + IQR 5.5; P = 0.001) and higher Charlson Comorbidity Index (3.5 + 5.3 vs. 0 + 2; P = 0.001). A logistic regression model isolated four mortality risk factors (ACME): chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR 4.66 95% CI 1.7–12.8 P = 0.001), dementia (OR 4.12; 95% CI 1.34–12.7, P = 0.001), age > 80 years (OR 1.12: 95% CI 1.02–1.21, P = 0.001) and the need of preoperative vasoactive amines (OR 9.9: 95% CI 3.5–28.3, P = 0.001) which predicted the mortality in a 92% of the patients. The receiver operating characteristic curve yielded an area of 88% significantly higher that 68% ( P = 0.003) from the TG classification. When comparing subgroups selected using propensity score matching with the same morbidity and severity of ACC, mortality was higher in the non-surgical treatment group. (26.2% vs. 10.5%). Conclusions Mortality was higher in ACC patients treated with non-surgical treatment. ACME identifies high-risk patients. The validation to ACME with a prospective multicenter study population could allow us to create a new alternative guideline to TG for treating ACC. Trial registration Retrospectively registered and recorded in Clinical Trials. NCT04744441

PurposeAlthough mortality and morbidity of severe acute calculous cholecystitis (ACC) are still a matter of concern, the impact of inadequate empirical antibiotic therapy has been poorly studied as a risk factor. The objective was to assess the impact of the adequacy of empirical antibiotic therapy on complication and mortality rates in ACC.MethodsThis observational retrospective cohort chart-based single-center study was conducted between 2012 and 2016. A total of 963 consecutive patients were included, and pure ACC was selected. General, clinical, postoperative, and microbiological variables were collected, and risk factors and consequences of inadequate treatment were analyzed.ResultsBile, blood, and/or exudate cultures were obtained in 76.3% of patients, more often in old, male, and severely ill patients (P < 0.001). Patients who were cultured had a higher overall rate of postoperative complications (47.4% vs. 29.7%; P < 0.001), as well as of severe complications (11.6% vs. 4.7%; P = 0.008). Patients with positive cultures had more overall complications (54.8% vs. 39.6%; P = 0.001), more severe complications (16.3% vs. 6.7%; P = 0.001), and higher mortality rates (6% vs. 1.9%; P = 0.012). Patients who received inadequate empirical antibiotic therapy had a fourfold higher mortality rate than those receiving adequate therapy (n = 283; 12.8% vs. 3.4%; P = 0.003). This association was especially marked in severe ACC TG–III patients (n = 132; 18.2 vs. 5.1%; P = 0.018) and remained a predictor of mortality in a binary logistic regression (OR 4.4; 95% CI 1.3–15.3).ConclusionPatients with positive cultures developed more complications and faced higher mortality. Adequate empirical antibiotic therapy appears to be of paramount importance in ACC, particularly in severely ill patients.

Cancer is one of the main causes of death worldwide, being pancreatic cancer the second deadliest cancer in Western countries. Surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy form the basis of pancreatic cancer’s current treatment. However, these techniques have several disadvantages, such as surgery complications, chemotherapy systemic side effects and cancer recurrence. Drug delivery systems can reduce side effects, increasing the effectivity of the treatment by a controlled release at the targeted tumor cells. In this context, coaxial electrospun fibers can increase the control on the release profile of the drug. The aim of this study was to encapsulate and release different anticancer drugs (5-Fluorouracil and Methotrexate) from a polymeric fiber mat. Different flows and ratios were used to test their effect on fiber morphology, FTIR spectrum, drug encapsulation and release. Good integration of the anticancer drugs was observed and the use of a desiccator for 24 h showed to be a key step to remove solvent remanence. Moreover, the results of this study demonstrated that the polymeric solution could be used to encapsulate and release different drugs to treat cancers. This makes coaxial electrospinning a promising alternative to deliver complex chemotherapies that involve more than one drug, such as FOLFIRINOX, used in pancreatic cancer treatment.