First report of Echthrogaleus denticulatus (Smith 1874) on the pelagic thresher shark (Alopias pelagicus Nakamura 1935) from Indian EEZ of Andaman Sea

The present study reports the occurrence of the pandarid parasite, Echthrogaleus denticulatus as an ectoparasite on the pelagic thresher shark (Alopias pelagicus) from the Indian EEZ of Andaman Sea. A total of 36 parasite specimens were found aggregated near the cloacal aperture of eight pelagic thresher sharks caught as bycatch by multifilament tuna longliner MFV Blue Marlin during July 2015 and February 2016 voyages in Andaman and Nicobar waters. This is the first report of ectoparasite from the Indian EEZ of the Andaman Sea

Estimates of length-based population parameters of the skipjack tuna, Katsuwonus pelamis (Linnaeus, 1758) in the Andaman waters

The exploitation of Katsuwonus pelamis in Andaman waters is meagre compared to its total landings in India.  As the population parameters of this species has not been attempted in these waters, an attempt has been made here to estimate the population parameters of K. pelamis based on the length frequency data collected from local fishing boats operating from Junglighat Fishing Harbour, Port Blair, Andaman Islands from January to December 2014. A total of 704 specimens ranging from 16.5 to 71.0 cm fork length were taken for analysis. The parameters L∞, K and t0 were 74.55 cm, 0.59/year and –0.21 respectively. The von Bertalanffy growth equation for K. pelamis is Lt = 74.6[1 – e–0.59(t+0.214255)]. The recruitment pattern was unimodal. The recruitment period was from July – October. The longevity of the species was calculated as 4.9 years. After 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th year the length attained by the species is 38.1, 54.4, 63.4 and 68.3 cm respectively. The mortality parameters were Z=2.07, M=0.93, F=1.14 and exploitation ratio was 0.55. The virtual population analysis for K. pelamis indicated that fishing mortality starts at 41–50 cm class interval and it continues henceforth and was maximum at 61–70 cm and decreased thereafter

Machine learning algorithms performed no better than regression models for prognostication in traumatic brain injury

Objective: We aimed to explore the added value of common machine learning (ML) algorithms for prediction of outcome for moderate and severe traumatic brain injury. Study Design and Setting: We performed logistic regression (LR), lasso regression, and ridge regression with key baseline predictors in the IMPACT-II database (15 studies, n = 11,022). ML algorithms included support vector machines, random forests, gradient boosting machines, and artificial neural networks and were trained using the same predictors. To assess generalizability of predictions, we performed internal, internal-external, and external validation on the recent CENTER-TBI study (patients with Glasgow Coma Scale <13, n = 1,554). Both calibration (calibration slope/intercept) and discrimination (area under the curve) was quantified. Results: In the IMPACT-II database, 3,332/11,022 (30%) died and 5,233(48%) had unfavorable outcome (Glasgow Outcome Scale less than 4). In the CENTER-TBI study, 348/1,554(29%) died and 651(54%) had unfavorable outcome. Discrimination and calibration varied widely between the studies and less so between the studied algorithms. The mean area under the curve was 0.82 for mortality and 0.77 for unfavorable outcomes in the CENTER-TBI study. Conclusion: ML algorithms may not outperform traditional regression approaches in a low-dimensional setting for outcome prediction after moderate or severe traumatic brain injury. Similar to regression-based prediction models, ML algorithms should be rigorously validated to ensure applicability to new populations

Tracheal intubation in traumatic brain injury

Background: We aimed to study the associations between pre- and in-hospital tracheal intubation and outcomes in traumatic brain injury (TBI), and whether the association varied according to injury severity. Methods: Data from the international prospective pan-European cohort study, Collaborative European NeuroTrauma Effectiveness Research for TBI (CENTER-TBI), were used (n=4509). For prehospital intubation, we excluded self-presenters. For in-hospital intubation, patients whose tracheas were intubated on-scene were excluded. The association between intubation and outcome was analysed with ordinal regression with adjustment for the International Mission for Prognosis and Analysis of Clinical Trials in TBI variables and extracranial injury. We assessed whether the effect of intubation varied by injury severity by testing the added value of an interaction term with likelihood ratio tests. Results: In the prehospital analysis, 890/3736 (24%) patients had their tracheas intubated at scene. In the in-hospital analysis, 460/2930 (16%) patients had their tracheas intubated in the emergency department. There was no adjusted overall effect on functional outcome of prehospital intubation (odds ratio=1.01; 95% confidence interval, 0.79–1.28; P=0.96), and the adjusted overall effect of in-hospital intubation was not significant (odds ratio=0.86; 95% confidence interval, 0.65–1.13; P=0.28). However, prehospital intubation was associated with better functional outcome in patients with higher thorax and abdominal Abbreviated Injury Scale scores (P=0.009 and P=0.02, respectively), whereas in-hospital intubation was associated with better outcome in patients with lower Glasgow Coma Scale scores (P=0.01): in-hospital intubation was associated with better functional outcome in patients with Glasgow Coma Scale scores of 10 or lower. Conclusion: The benefits and harms of tracheal intubation should be carefully evaluated in patients with TBI to optimise benefit. This study suggests that extracranial injury should influence the decision in the prehospital setting, and level of consciousness in the in-hospital setting. Clinical trial registration: NCT02210221

First record of escolar, <em>Lepidocybium flavobrunneum</em> (Smith, 1843) from the Indian EEZ of Andaman Sea

1409-1412A single specimen of 485 mm total length, weighing 3.2 Kg was caught by a multiday longliner boat and landed at Junglighat fishing harbour, Port Blair on 24th July 2016. The specimen was collected from a depth of 530 to 660 m in the Andaman Sea

First report of <em>Tristomella laevis</em> (Verrill, 1875) Guiart, 1938 parasitic on <em>Istiophorus platypterus</em> (Shaw and Nodder, 1792) from Andaman Sea

1616-1619Tristomella laevis was recorded from the pectoral fins of Indo–Pacific sailfish, Istiophorus platypterus caught by the tuna longliner MFV Blue Marlin from Andaman Sea. The infested fish was of length 213 cm (Lower Jaw fork Length (LJFL) and weighed 45kg. All Six numbers of parasites were collected from the pectoral fins and they were in the length range of 9.1–12.5 mm. No gill damage was observed