121 research outputs found
Report of the 11th Liaison Meeting
The 11thLiaison Meeting between the Chairs of the RCMs, the ICES PGCCDBS,
PGMED and PGECON, the STECF EWGs on the DCF, the Regional Database Steering
Committees, the ICES and GFCM representatives and the European Commission was
held at the DG Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Brussels from 8th to 9th October 2014. The 11th Liaison meeting was held in Brussels on 8th and 9th October 2014 to address the
following terms of reference:
TOR 1. Discussion on possible follow-‐‑up to the main outputs/recommendations of:
• The 2014 RCMs and to the sp ecific re commenda tions a ddr e sse d to th e Liaison
Meeting
• P G ECO N , PG CCDBS, PG Med – ou tcome s an d r e commendation s fr om the ir
2014 meeting
• STECF EWG and STEC F Plen ary -‐‑ ou tcome s a n d r e commendation s fr om the ir
2014 meeting
• Data end-‐‑ users (IC ES, G F C M, RC Ms)
TOR 2. Compilation of recommendations on the DCF
A compilation of DCF recommendations will be established by the COM by end 2014.
LM needs to agree on which recommendations should be included (i.e. from which
bodies) & covering which years.
TOR 3. Regional cooperation
• G r ants for str eng thene d reg ion al coop eration
• R e g ional da ta b ases
o O ver view of use of the Reg ional Datab ases for R CMs in 2014, and p rob lems
identified
o O ther deve lop ments (RDB training s in 2014, RDB Med&BS develop ment)
o Chang es for the fu tu re – an y re commen da tions from th e LM?
• R C M data calls – ove rview of h ow MS r esp onde d.
TOR 4. Recommended meetings/workshops
• P r ep a r e a list of r ecommen ded me etin g s for 2015 as g u idance for MS
TOR 5. Studies
• O ver view of p rocess
• LM comme nts and p r ioritization of studies p r op osed b y RC Ms, PG ECO N , ICES,
GFCM
TOR 6. AOB
1. The DCF website has been revamped by the JRC. Any comments on this?
2. Access to the RCM SharePoint
3. Derogations – List of derogations by Member State has been prepared by DG
MARE. Have any RCMs updated this?
4. ICES will provide an update on their plans to re-‐‑evaluate surveys. Should this
be followed by STECF work on surveys to be included in future EU MAP?
5. Annual reports – simplification: presentation of process. 6. Data transmission:
a. new platform for information exchanges between COM, MS and end-‐‑
users
b. new tool for reporting on how MS complied with the DG MARE/JRC
data calls
In addition to the above Terms of Reference, an item was added at the start of the
meeting, regarding the implication of the Landing Obligation on data collection and
the Discard Plans.
Multiple imputation for estimating hazard ratios and predictive abilities in case-cohort surveys
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The weighted estimators generally used for analyzing case-cohort studies are not fully efficient and naive estimates of the predictive ability of a model from case-cohort data depend on the subcohort size. However, case-cohort studies represent a special type of incomplete data, and methods for analyzing incomplete data should be appropriate, in particular multiple imputation (MI).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We performed simulations to validate the MI approach for estimating hazard ratios and the predictive ability of a model or of an additional variable in case-cohort surveys. As an illustration, we analyzed a case-cohort survey from the Three-City study to estimate the predictive ability of D-dimer plasma concentration on coronary heart disease (CHD) and on vascular dementia (VaD) risks.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>When the imputation model of the phase-2 variable was correctly specified, MI estimates of hazard ratios and predictive abilities were similar to those obtained with full data. When the imputation model was misspecified, MI could provide biased estimates of hazard ratios and predictive abilities. In the Three-City case-cohort study, elevated D-dimer levels increased the risk of VaD (hazard ratio for two consecutive tertiles = 1.69, 95%CI: 1.63-1.74). However, D-dimer levels did not improve the predictive ability of the model.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>MI is a simple approach for analyzing case-cohort data and provides an easy evaluation of the predictive ability of a model or of an additional variable.</p
Technical mitigation measures for sharks and rays in fisheries for tuna and tuna-like species: turning possibility into reality
Tuna fisheries have been identified as one of the major threats to populations of other marine vertebrates,
including sea turtles, sharks, seabirds and marine mammals. The development of technical mitigation measures (MM)
in fisheries is part of the code of conduct for responsible fisheries. An in-depth analysis of the available literature regarding
bycatch mitigation in tuna fisheries with special reference to elasmobranchs was undertaken. Studies highlighting
promising MMs were reviewed for four tuna fisheries (longline, purse seine, driftnets and gillnet, and rod and line – including
recreational fisheries). The advantages and disadvantages of different MMs are discussed and assessed based on
current scientific knowledge. Current management measures for sharks and rays in tuna Regional Fishery Management
Organizations (t-RFMOs) are presented. A review of relevant studies examining at-vessel and postrelease mortality of
elasmobranch bycatch is provided. This review aims to help fisheries managers identify pragmatic solutions to reduce
mortality on pelagic elasmobranchs (and other higher vertebrates) whilst minimizing impacts on catches of target tuna
species. Recent research efforts have identified several effective MMs that, if endorsed by t-RFMOs, could reduce elasmobranchs
mortality rate in international tropical purse seine tuna fisheries. In the case of longline fisheries, the number
of operational effective MMs is very limited. Fisheries deploying driftnets in pelagic ecosystems are suspected to have
a high elasmobranchs bycatch and their discard survival is uncertain, but no effective MMs have been field validated
for these fisheries. The precautionary bans of such gear by the EU and by some t-RFMOs seem therefore appropriate.
Recreational tuna fisheries should be accompanied by science-based support to reduce potential negative impacts on
shark populations. Priorities for research and management are identified and discussed.S
Male gonadal dose of ionizing radiation delivered during X-ray examinations and monthly probability of pregnancy: a population-based retrospective study
BACKGROUND: Male gonadal exposure to ionizing radiation may disrupt spermatogenesis, but its influence on the fecundity of couples has been rarely studied. We aimed to characterize the influence of male gonadal dose of ionizing radiation delivered during radiodiagnostic on the monthly probability of pregnancy. METHODS: We recruited a random sample of women who retrospectively described 1110 periods of unprotected intercourse beginning between 1985 and 1999 and leading either to a live birth or to no pregnancy; their duration was censored after 13 months. The male partner answered a telephone questionnaire on radiodiagnostic examinations. We assigned a mean gonadal dose to each type of radiodiagnostic examination. We defined male dose for each period of unprotected intercourse as the sum of the gonadal doses of the X-ray examinations experienced between 18 years of age and the date of discontinuation of contraception. Time to pregnancy was analysed using a discrete Cox model with random effect allowing to estimate hazard ratios of pregnancy. RESULTS: After adjustment for female factors likely to influence fecundity, there was no evidence of an association between male dose and the probability of pregnancy (test of homogeneity, p = 0.55). When compared to couples with a male gonadal dose between 0.01 and 0.20 milligrays (n = 321 periods of unprotected intercourse), couples with a gonadal dose above 10 milligrays had a hazard ratio of pregnancy of 1.44 (95% confidence interval, 0.73–2.86, n = 31). CONCLUSION: Our study provides no evidence of a long-term detrimental effect of male gonadal dose of ionizing radiation delivered during radiodiagnostic on the monthly probability of pregnancy during the year following discontinuation of contraceptive use. Classification errors due to the retrospective assessment of male gonadal exposure may have limited the statistical power of our study
The context of HIV risk behaviours among HIV-positive injection drug users in Viet Nam: Moving toward effective harm reduction
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Injection drug users represent the largest proportion of all HIV reported cases in Viet Nam. This study aimed to explore the perceptions of risk and risk behaviours among HIV-positive injection drug users, and their experiences related to safe injection and safe sex practices.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This study used multiple qualitative methods in data collection including in-depth interviews, focus group discussions and participant observation with HIV-positive injection drug users.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The informants described a change in the sharing practices among injection drug users towards more precautions and what was considered 'low risk sharing', like sharing among seroconcordant partners and borrowing rather than lending. However risky practices like re-use of injection equipment and 'syringe pulling' i.e. the use of left-over drugs in particular, were frequently described and observed. Needle and syringe distribution programmes were in place but carrying needles and syringes and particularly drugs could result in being arrested and fined. Fear of rejection and of loss of intimacy made disclosure difficult and was perceived as a major obstacle for condom use among recently diagnosed HIV infected individuals.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>HIV-positive injection drug users continue to practice HIV risk behaviours. The anti-drug law and the police crack-down policy appeared as critical factors hampering ongoing prevention efforts with needle and syringe distribution programmes in Viet Nam. Drastic policy measures are needed to reduce the very high HIV prevalence among injection drug users.</p
Nutritional therapy and infectious diseases: a two-edged sword
The benefits and risks of nutritional therapies in the prevention and management of infectious diseases in the developed world are reviewed. There is strong evidence that early enteral feeding of patients prevents infections in a variety of traumatic and surgical illnesses. There is, however, little support for similar early feeding in medical illnesses. Parenteral nutrition increases the risk of infection when compared to enteral feeding or delayed nutrition. The use of gastric feedings appears to be as safe and effective as small bowel feedings. Dietary supplementation with glutamine appears to lower the risk of post-surgical infections and the ingestion of cranberry products has value in preventing urinary tract infections in women
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