Atlantic bonito (Sarda) genomic analysis reveals population differentiation across Northeast Atlantic and mediterranean locations: Implications for fishery management.

The Atlantic bonito (Sarda, family Scombridae) is a pelagic species and one of the most exploited small tuna species. Despite its economic importance, biological information is scarce with no associated management directives. In this study, using a population genomic approach resulted in a lack of panmixia of two genetic pools with different effective population sizes (east central-tropical Atlantic and northeast Atlantic-Mediterranean) and an intermixing zone in Atlantic Morocco. The absence of genetic heterogeneity between the locations in Atlantic - Mediterranean transitional zone adds new evidence that challenges the Strait of Gibraltar as a phylogeographic barrier for marine pelagic species. These results are proposed to the ICCAT Commission to establish management areas for this species, although they are not consistent with the recently adopted pelagic ecoregions. Finally, a panel of highly informative SNPs was developed for efficient and low-cost population assignment and the analysis of unresolved population structures.

Interspecific, ontogenetic and temporal variations in stable isotopes of small tuna species in the northeast Atlantic Ocean.

In order to study the trophic level of small tuna species and their contribution to the carbon flow in pelagic food webs, an analysis of carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes was carried out. The investigation was focused on four small tuna species (Auxis rochei, Auxis thazard, Euthynnus alletteratus and Sarda sarda) commonly harvested in the northeast Atlantic Ocean. The isotope analysis showed how the results for S. sarda are different from the rest of the species analysed, with a higher trophic level, similar to other major tuna species. The greatest niche overlap in δ13C and δ15N occurs among A. rochei, A. thazard and E. alletteratus. Auxis rochei and E. alletteratus showed a size-dependent variability in δ15N, and in δ13C for S. sarda. The small tuna S. sarda exhibits the highest migration rates among various geographical areas in comparison to other small pelagic tunas, and the seasonal variability of isotope values in the area studied can be attributed to the incorporation of larger individuals with a higher lipid content. The results of this work provide new information on the ecological role played by small tuna in food webs, which is more complex and varied than currently thought. This knowledge is essential for a more effective management of fisheries.

Ocular repercussions in COVID-19 patients: structural changes of the retina and choroid.

BACKGROUND: Neurotropic capabilities of SARS-COVs allow viruses to reach the central nervous system by hematogenous neuronal dissemination. The human retina, as an extension of the Central Nervous System, may have some neurodegenerative and/or vascular modifications related to COVID-19. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate choroidal and inner neural layers in participants previously recovered from COVID-19 compared to the control group using optical coherence tomography. METHODS: With a cross-sectional approach, the sample (n = 96), constituted by patients who have recovered from COVID-19 (n = 56) and healthy participants control group (n = 40) were ophthalmologically characterized. The neurodegenerative and vascular histological assessment was performed using SD-OCT and the mean thickness was measured in Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) subfields. Retinal nerve fiber layer, Ganglion cell layer and subfoveal choroidal thickness were obtained through semi-automatic measurement. RESULTS: A total of 40 controls (27 women [67.5%]) and 56 COVID-19 participants (34 women [60.8%]) were included in this first report. There were retinal thickness significant differences in nearly all inner ETDRS subfields: nasal 3 mm (p = .025), I3 (p = .049), and temporal 3 mm (p = .009). Also, a decrease in neural layers was found in the nasal 3 mm (p = .049) and temporal 3 mm (p = .029) during ganglion cell layer assessment. The peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness was thinner in the COVID-19 group in superior temporal (p = .019), nasal (p = .002), inferior temporal (p = .046) and global (p = .014). Concerning the subfoveal choroidal measurement, an increase was observed in the COVID-19 group (p = .002). CONCLUSION: Participants who had recovered from COVID-19 showed a non-glaucomatous neuropathy trend pattern. We found differences closer to the classic description of the "bow-tie" observed in other neurological as compressive neuropathies at the chiasma location. OCT assessment also showed an increase in choroidal thickness as a result of vascular changes.

Transitioning end-of-life care from hospital to the community: case report.

Palliative/end-of-life care is an integral part of the district nursing service. There is increasing demand for palliative care to be delivered in the community setting. Therefore, there is a need for excellent collaboration between staff in primary and secondary care settings to achieve optimum care for patients. This article critically analyses the care delivered for a palliative patient in the hospital setting and his subsequent transition to the community setting. The importance of effective communication, holistic assessment in palliative care, advance care planning, organisational structures and the socio-cultural aspects of caring for patients at the end of life are discussed. Additionally, the article highlights the impact of substandard assessment and communication and the consequent effect on patients and families.

Challenges and complexities of discharge planning from a district nursing perspective.

Over the past 30 years, the Government has been promoting the transition of care from the acute setting to the community setting. Within the community setting, district nurses are described in the latest reports as endorsers of the care close to home. However, with the surge in hospital discharge, the district nursing workforce is faced with further pressure to cope with the drive to move care into the community. The purpose of this extended literature review (ELR) was to deconstruct the available data on the challenges and hurdles experienced by district nurses to manage hospital discharge. On reviewing the selected data, it was found that fragmented communication between secondary and primary sectors poses problems for effective care in the community. Additionally, the lack of understanding of the district nursing service and its remits creates obstacles for effective hospital discharge. Some practical solutions to resolve these problems are proposed.

Visual function and psychological variables in alcohol dependency syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Alcohol Dependence Syndrome (ADS) is defined as excessive alcohol consumption accompanied by psychological, physical, social, and economic disorders. Alcohol consumption affects motor and proprioceptive functions, decreasing motor and cognitive functions and causing attention deficits. We aim to evaluate visual function and attention, and psychological profiles in consumer and abstainer ADS patients. METHODS: This quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional and correlational study evaluates visual function in a sample of ADS patients. The Portuguese version of the Brief Symptom Inventory was used to assess patients' psychological status. The orthoptic examination protocol for visual function consisted of 11 standardized tests: VA for distance and near, ocular movements, near convergence and accommodation point, cover and prismatic cover tests, fusional vergence for distance and near, near stereoacuity, chromatic vision, contrast sensitivity and visual attention. RESULTS: The sample included 176 patients. 121 were consumers and 55 were abstainers, aged between 31 and 72. The most affected parameters of visual function were visual acuity (80.39%), contrast sensitivity (67.50%), convergence at distance (66.44%) and near stereopsis (62.75%). Visual function was impacted in both groups. Regarding psychological status, consumers had higher averages for the Depression subscale, followed by Paranoid Ideation and Obsession. Abstainers had the highest averages in the Obsession subscale, followed by Paranoid Ideation and Depression. Statistically significant differences existed between the groups in the subscales for depression (p=.046) and paranoid ideation (p =.042). CONCLUSION: Changes in visual function and attention, as well as psychopathological function, should be considered in the rehabilitation of ADS patients.

Local fishermen's perceptions of the usefulness of artificial reef ecosystem services in Portugal.

Proponents of artificial reef (AR) deployment are often motivated by the usefulness of such structures. The usefulness of ARs is related to their capability of providing ecosystem services/additional functions. We present two distinct Portuguese AR case studies: (1) The Nazaré reef off the central coast of Portugal and (2) the Oura reef off the Algarve coast. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with local fishermen in the fishing towns of Nazaré and Quarteira pre-and post-AR deployment. The main focus of the interviews was to understand fishermen's perception of AR usefulness (or lack thereof) in terms of nine ecosystem services/additional functions potentially provided by the ARs. We tested the null hypothesis that ARs do not provide additional ecosystem services/additional functions. When queried pre-AR deployment, fishermen indicated that ARs are most likely to provide three ecosystem services: "habitat and refuge," "biodiversity preservation" and "food production." Fishermen had similar perceptions post-deployment. For the Nazaré reef, fishermen tended to have a positive or neutral perception of ecosystem services/additional functions being provided by ARs. For the Oura reef, fishermen tended to have a mostly neutral perception of AR ecosystem services; however, there were also some positive and other negative perceptions. It was difficult for stakeholders to conceptualize some of the ecosystem services/additional functions provided by ARs prior to actively using them. As a result, some stakeholders changed their perception of the ecosystem services/additional functions after using the structures. These results indicate that stakeholders likely need to perceive ARs as useful in order for them to provide their support for AR installation. Likewise, their support is often needed to justify the use of public funds to install ARs, therefore making it imperative for resource managers to undertake similar interviews with fishermen when considering the use of ARs in other areas.

Avaliaçäo de procedimentos de alto custo em nefrologia e oncologia: em busca de resultados / High-costs procedures assessment in nephrology and oncology: search for results

Projeto que examina os procedimentos ambulatoriais de alto custo nas áreas de Nefrologia e Oncologia. Apresenta o perfil de produçäo das duas áreas, seguido por análise dos seus custos. Estabelece um cardápio para orientar a supervisäo das unidades ambulatoriais de Nefrologia e Oncologia, acompanhado por um "critério de boa prática" que possa conduzir processos avaliativos futuros. Tendo Minas Gerais como estudo de caso, delineia uma proposta de estudo avaliativo para as áreas de nefrologia e oncologia