Updating the statistics reported for the EU-Spain purse seine fishing fleet in the Indian Ocean (period 1984-2019) and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the port sampling activity in Victoria (Seychelles)

This document provides an update on the statistics reported for the Spanish purse seine fleet fisheries in the Indian Ocean for the period 1984 to 2019. Data include catch and effort statistics, as well as some fishery indicators by species and fishing mode. Information about the coverage of the sampling, together with maps and diagrams illustrating the spatial-temporal fishing patterns of this fleet are also provided

Data Provision for Science-Based FAD Fishery Management: Spanish FAD Management Plan as a Case Study

The use of fish aggregating devices (FADs) in tropical tuna fisheries has increased significantly during recent decades. Concurrently, concern about juvenile tuna mortality, bycatch, and marine debris associated with FAD fisheries increased, and this led to the implementation of FAD management measures and more sustainable designs (e.g., non-entangling or biodegradable FADs, limits on active FADs, etc.). This document reviews data collection and reporting requirements of tuna-Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (t-RFMOs) on drifting FADs and summarizes the work carried out since 2010 under the Spanish FAD management plan to create an adequate standard data collection aimed at improving science-based decision making. The aim of this study is to assist in the strengthening of data collection systems through: (1) a review of the existing data requirements, (2) a review of the status of FAD data collection worldwide and identification of data gaps, and (3) recommendations aimed at improving FAD management through the strengthening of FAD data requirements. Due to the complexities of data collection, we summarize the difficulties faced when processing the data and propose concrete and practical solutions to improve both the data collection system and information quality.Postprin

Charged Higgs boson contribution to νˉe−e\bar{\nu}_e-e scattering from low to ultrahigh energy in Higgs triplet model

We study the $\bar{\nu}_e-e$ scattering from low to ultrahigh energy in the framework of Higgs Triplet Model (HTM). We add the contribution of charged Higgs boson exchange to the total cross section of the scattering. We obtain the upper bound $h_{ee}/M_{H^\pm}\lesssim2.8\times10^{-3}GeV^{-1}$ in this process from low energy experiment. We show that by using the upper bound obtained, the charged Higgs contribution can give enhancements to the total cross section with respect to the SM prediction up to 5.16% at $E\leq10^{14}$ eV and maximum at $s\approx M_{H^\pm}^2$ and would help to determine the feasibility experiments to discriminate between SM and HTM at current available facilities.Comment: 6 pages, 6 figure

Biodegradable DFADs: Current status and prospects

Until recently, dFAD structure, materials and designs have remained quite rudimentary and virtually the same since their discovery, characterized by the increase of the dimensions and prevailing heavy use of plastic components. Biodegradable materials are called to be an important part of the solution, as they can faster degrade in the environment, free of toxins and heavy metals, reducing their lifespan, and preventing them from accumulating in sensitive areas once they are abandoned, lost or discarded. During last decades, regulatory measures at tRFMOs have advanced in the gradual implementation of biodegradable materials in dFAD constructions together with other measures limiting the number of active dFADs and the use of netting materials. However, more clarity is needed starting with a standardised definition of biodegradable dFADs among tRFMOs, to provide operational guidance. Research with those natural and synthetic materials is required, along with updated data collection for monitoring standards, as well as alternative and complementary actions need to be explored to contribute to minimising dFAD adverse effects on environment. Acknowledging the current difficulties for the implementation of fully biodegradable dFADs a stepwise process towards the implementation of fully biodegradable dFADs should be considered.Postprin

SARS-CoV-2 viral load in nasopharyngeal swabs is not an independent predictor of unfavorable outcome

The aim was to assess the ability of nasopharyngeal SARS-CoV-2 viral load at first patient’s hospital evaluation to predict unfavorable outcomes. We conducted a prospective cohort study including 321 adult patients with confirmed COVID-19 through RT-PCR in nasopharyngeal swabs. Quantitative Synthetic SARS-CoV-2 RNA cycle threshold values were used to calculate the viral load in log10 copies/mL. Disease severity at the end of follow up was categorized into mild, moderate, and severe. Primary endpoint was a composite of intensive care unit (ICU) admission and/or death (n = 85, 26.4%). Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed. Nasopharyngeal SARS-CoV-2 viral load over the second quartile (≥ 7.35 log10 copies/mL, p = 0.003) and second tertile (≥ 8.27 log10 copies/mL, p = 0.01) were associated to unfavorable outcome in the unadjusted logistic regression analysis. However, in the final multivariable analysis, viral load was not independently associated with an unfavorable outcome. Five predictors were independently associated with increased odds of ICU admission and/or death: age ≥ 70 years, SpO2, neutrophils > 7.5 × 103/µL, lactate dehydrogenase ≥ 300 U/L, and C-reactive protein ≥ 100 mg/L. In summary, nasopharyngeal SARS-CoV-2 viral load on admission is generally high in patients with COVID-19, regardless of illness severity, but it cannot be used as an independent predictor of unfavorable clinical outcome

Dendritic cell deficiencies persist seven months after SARS-CoV-2 infection

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV)-2 infection induces an exacerbated inflammation driven by innate immunity components. Dendritic cells (DCs) play a key role in the defense against viral infections, for instance plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs), have the capacity to produce vast amounts of interferon-alpha (IFN-α). In COVID-19 there is a deficit in DC numbers and IFN-α production, which has been associated with disease severity. In this work, we described that in addition to the DC deficiency, several DC activation and homing markers were altered in acute COVID-19 patients, which were associated with multiple inflammatory markers. Remarkably, previously hospitalized and nonhospitalized patients remained with decreased numbers of CD1c+ myeloid DCs and pDCs seven months after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Moreover, the expression of DC markers such as CD86 and CD4 were only restored in previously nonhospitalized patients, while no restoration of integrin β7 and indoleamine 2,3-dyoxigenase (IDO) levels were observed. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the immunological sequelae of COVID-19

7th Drug hypersensitivity meeting: part two

No abstract availabl