Spatiotemporal variations and influential factors affecting reproductive dynamics of Pacific saury in the Northwest Pacific during fishing season.

This study examined the spatial and monthly variations in reproductive dynamics of Pacific saury collected in the high sea (40°N-49°N, 149°E-168°E) of the northwestern Pacific during the fishing season of the Taiwanese stick-held dip-net fisheries (July-November) from 2018 to 2019. Generalized additive mixed-effects models (GAMMs) were applied to explore the relationship between the probability of maturing and spawning occurrence (PMOS ) and the explanatory variables (month, body length, sea-surface temperature [SST] as fixed effects, and fishing set as a random effect) for the age 0 and age 1 fish, respectively. In addition, the impact of the geographical difference in growth rates of age 0 fish, quantified as the radius of the otolith annual ring, on the PMOS of age 1 fish was explored in the GAMMs. Results showed that the mean values of the condition factor (CF) varied by months, and higher mean CFs were observed north of 45°N. However, the mean values of the gonado-somatic index did not show a clear spatiotemporal pattern. The spatial distribution of the ovarian maturation states revealed that the spawning ground of Pacific saury during July-November was broader than that previously known and had partly overlapped with the high-sea fishing ground. The best GAMM showed that the predicted PMOS of the age 0 fish were generally low (mean = 19%, standard deviation [SD] = 10%) and tended to increase with increasing body length. In contrast, the predicted PMOS were relatively higher (mean = 37%, SD = 10%) for the age 1 fish and increased with increasing SST and decreasing latitude. Two candidate GAMMs, which are equally supported as the best model (ΔAIC < 2), provide evidence that a higher growth rate of age 0 fish may result in higher reproductive activity in age 1 fish. This is one of few studies focusing on the reproductive dynamics of Pacific saury during the fishing season; current limitations, future directions, and conservation implications were discussed.

Melanoma-associated retinopathy with anti-TRPM1 autoantibodies showing concomitant Off-bipolar cell dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: To report the clinical features of a patient with melanoma-associated retinopathy (MAR) with anti-transient receptor potential cation channel, subfamily M, member 1 (TRPM1) autoantibodies showing concomitant Off-bipolar cell dysfunction. METHODS: We evaluated a patient with a past history of scalp melanoma presented with sudden-onset shimmering photopsia in both eyes. MAR was confirmed with complete ophthalmic examinations, electronegative electroretinogram (ERG), and the presence of anti-TRPM1 autoantibodies by Western blot analysis. S-cone ERG and photopic On-Off ERG were studied in this patient as well. RESULTS: The patient's best-corrected visual acuity was 6/30 in the right eye and 6/8.6 in the left eye. Fundus and OCT findings were unremarkable. Visual field test showed severe constriction in both eyes. His full-field ERG was electronegative. S-cone ERG recorded preservation of L/M-cone-mediated response and undetectable S-cone-mediated response. Photopic On-Off ERG disclosed attenuated On- and Off-response. Western blot analysis confirmed immunoreactivity of the patient's serum to a 30 kDa TRPM1 recombinant protein. Whole-body positron emission tomography scan detected lymph node metastases in the neck. CONCLUSIONS: Anti-TRPM1 autoantibody-positive MAR varies greatly in its presentation and clinical course. We present a case of anti-TRPM1 autoantibody-positive MAR with atypical feature of Off-bipolar cell involvement. A complete electroretinographic study together with identification of the pathogenic antiretinal autoantibodies may help better understand and subclassify the disease in the future.

Preparation and characterization of expanded graphite/metal oxides for antimicrobial application.

Composite materials based on expanded graphite (EG) and metal oxide (MO) particles was prepared by an explosive combustion and blending method. The objective of the study was to develop EG impregnated with metal oxide particulates (Ag2O, CuO and ZnO) and evaluate the level of protection the materials conferred against biological agents. The physical properties of the EG/MO composites were examined using SEM, EDX and XRD spectroscopy, and the results indicated that the MO particles were incorporated into the EG matrix after impregnation. The antimicrobial activities of the EG/MO composites against Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria and Bacillus anthracis were investigated using zone of inhibition, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) and plate-counting methods. EG/Ag2O exhibited a stronger antibacterial activity than EG/CuO and EG/ZnO, with a MIC of 0.3mg/mL and a MBC of 0.5mg/mL. To the best of our knowledge, few studies have demonstrated that EG/MO composites can inhibit the growth of Bacillus anthracis-adhered cells, thus preventing the process of biofilm formation. Nanoscale metal oxides display enhanced reactive properties toward bacteria due to their high surface area, large number of highly reactive edges, corner defect sites and high surface to volume ratio.