Test out our new Bento Search

No summary available.

Simple Summary: Hairtail (Trichiurus lepturus) is a commercially important fish species in South Korea, serving as both a vital food source and a major contributor to the local fishing industry. However, catch rates vary spatially and temporally in response to oceanographic conditions, including water temperature, dissolved oxygen levels, salinity, and food availability. In this study, we investigated the spatial and seasonal distribution of hairtail catches across the southern coastal waters of South Korea. We applied a spatial analytical approach that accounts for both site-specific conditions and the interactions among neighboring areas. Our results indicated that hairtail abundance was positively associated with areas of higher salinity and lower oxygen concentrations. Furthermore, regions with elevated phytoplankton biomass, an essential food source for smaller marine organisms, were found to enhance hairtail presence in adjacent waters. These findings advance our understanding of the species' habitat preferences and environmental responses, providing insights that can inform more effective and sustainable fisheries management strategies. By integrating spatial mapping and environmental data, this research offers critical information for shaping future fishing policies and conserving key fishery resources such as hairtail. This study examined the spatial distribution and environmental determinants of hairtail (Trichiurus lepturus) catch volumes in the southern coastal waters of South Korea, employing a Spatial Durbin Model (SDM) based on grid-level data collected from 2020 to 2022. Key explanatory variables included chlorophyll-a concentration, dissolved oxygen, salinity, sea surface temperature, and fishing effort. Spatial autocorrelation was confirmed through Moran's I test, justifying the application of a spatial econometric framework. Among the environmental factors, salinity exhibited the strongest positive direct effect on catch volumes, whereas dissolved oxygen consistently showed a negative effect. Chlorophyll-a concentration exhibited significant positive effects both within local grids and in neighboring areas. Sea surface temperature also had a modest but significant direct effect on catch volumes. Additionally, higher fishing effort was associated with increased catch volumes, emphasizing the spatial impact of human activities on fishery resources. These findings reveal that hairtail tend to aggregate in high-salinity, low-oxygen environments and respond to seasonal oceanographic variations. Overall, the results highlight the value of spatial econometric models in fisheries research by revealing how environmental and anthropogenic factors influence fish catch through both direct and indirect effects. The spatial framework offers deeper insight into the mechanisms driving hairtail distribution, particularly in ecologically complex regions like the Jeju Strait. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective We sought to evaluate the effectiveness of "weak hooks" in reducing the bycatch of Bluefin Tuna Thunnus thynnus in the U.S. Gulf of America (also known as Gulf of Mexico) pelagic longline fishery while maintaining catch rates and size distributions of the primary target species, Yellowfin Tuna T. albacares. Methods A total of 416 experimental pelagic longline sets were conducted aboard commercial vessels in the Gulf of America. Two treatments were compared: a 4.00-mm-diameter circle hook (control) and a custom-made 3.65-mm-diameter circle hook (weak), which were deployed in an alternating fashion. Fish catches and sizes were recorded for each hook type, and catch rates and size distributions were compared statistically. A hook straightening metric was paired with fish fork length for 888 control hooks and 863 weak hooks that caught Yellowfin Tuna. Hook time recorders and time depth recorders were used to estimate escape times for animals that bent weak hooks. Results No significant differences were observed in catch rates between hook types for any of the captured species except Bluefin Tuna, whose catch rates were 46% lower on weak hooks. No differences in size frequency distributions were observed for Yellowfin Tuna between hook types, but larger Bluefin Tuna were caught less frequently on weak hooks. Hook gap widening increased with fish size and was over twice as pronounced for weak hooks compared to control hooks. Approximately 50% of escaped animals that bent weak hooks escaped within 5 min. Conclusions Weak hooks effectively reduced the bycatch of large Bluefin Tuna without significantly affecting the catch rates or size distributions of the primary target species or other encountered species. The increased likelihood of hook straightening on weak hooks suggests a mechanism for selective release of larger Bluefin Tuna, and escape data indicate rapid release for many animals. These results support the use of weak hooks as a tool for reducing bycatch of large Bluefin Tuna and promoting more sustainable fisheries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infants who experience a marked postnatal catch-up, mainly in weight, are at risk for developing metabolic disorders; however, the underlying mechanisms are imprecise. Exosomes and their cargo (including miRNAs) mediate intercellular communication and may contribute to altered crosstalk among tissues. We assessed the miRNA profile in cord blood-derived exosomes from 10 appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) and 10 SGA infants by small RNA sequencing; differentially expressed miRNAs with a fold change ≥2.4 were validated by RT-qPCR in 40 AGA and 35 SGA infants and correlated with anthropometric, body composition (DXA) and endocrine–metabolic parameters at 4 and 12 mo. miR-1-3p, miR-133a-3p and miR-206 were down-regulated, whereas miR-372-3p, miR-519d-3p and miR-1299 were up-regulated in SGA infants. The target genes of these miRNAs related to insulin, RAP1, TGF beta and neurotrophin signaling. Receiver operating characteristic analysis disclosed that these miRNAs predicted with accuracy the 0–12 mo changes in body mass index and in total and abdominal fat and lean mass. In conclusion, the exosomal miRNA profile at birth differs between AGA and SGA infants and associates with measures of catch-up growth, insulin resistance and body composition through late infancy. Further follow-up of this population will disclose whether these associations persist into childhood, puberty and adolescence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Depression is a common global mental health issue, affecting around 3.8% of the population. It significantly impacts quality of life and social functioning, posing a major public health challenge. Sleep is a key factor influencing depression, with both sleep quality and quantity linked to mental health. However, sleep deprivation is widespread, and many people compensate by "weekend sleep recovery." The effects of sleep deprivation and weekend recovery on depression risk are unclear, as irregular sleep patterns may worsen depressive symptoms. This study introduces the "Weekend Catch-up Sleep Ratio" (CUS ratio) to better understand the relationship between sleep patterns and depression. Methods: Cross-sectional data were obtained from individuals who participated in the 2021–2023 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and had complete data on CUS and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Multivariable logistic regression was performed to assess the potential independent association between depression and the CUS ratio. Additionally, smoothing curve fitting, threshold effect analysis, subgroup analysis, and interaction tests were conducted. Results: A total of 4,656 individuals were analyzed, categorized by depression symptoms (PHQ-9 score of 10 or higher), with an overall depression risk of 12.4%. In the adjusted model, the CUS ratio was significantly positively associated with depression risk (AOR = 1.75, 95% CI: 1.25–2.45), exhibiting a nonlinear threshold effect (inflection point at 1.11). When the CUS ratio ≤ 1.11, an increase in the ratio was associated with a reduced depression risk (AOR = 0.34, 95% CI: 0.13–0.89), whereas when the CUS ratio > 1.11, each unit increase in the ratio significantly increased depression risk by 187% (AOR = 2.87, 95% CI: 1.84–4.50). Individuals with education levels of less than 9th grade, some college or an Associate of Arts (AA) degree, those who are overweight (25 ≤ BMI < 30), and those without diabetes appeared more sensitive to fluctuations in sleep patterns. In the adjusted model for the severity of depressive symptoms, the CUS ratio was significantly positively associated with depression severity (Aβ = 0.19, 95% CI: 0.09–0.28), also exhibiting a nonlinear threshold effect (inflection point at 1.11). When the CUS ratio ≤ 1.11, an increase in the ratio was associated with a reduction in depression severity (Aβ = -0.35, 95% CI: -0.62 to -0.09), whereas when the CUS ratio > 1.11, each unit increase in the ratio significantly increased depression severity (Aβ = 0.36, 95% CI: 0.24–0.49). In particular, individuals without diabetes appeared more sensitive to fluctuations in sleep patterns. Conclusions: This study suggests that maintaining a balanced sleep pattern, with a CUS ratio between 1 and 1.11, may help reduce depression risk and promote better mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since its introduction into the USA, the spotted lanternfly (SLF), Lycorma delicatula, (White) (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae) has spread across the landscape relatively unchecked. With a wide host range, it is considered a serious pest of native forest species, as well as agricultural crops. Circle traps placed on Ailanthus altissima (Miller) Swingle (Sapindales: Simaroubaceae) are passive traps collecting SLF as they walk up and down the tree trunk. These traps are successful at detecting new populations of SLF, but this can be challenging to implement at a large scale due to costs and host availability. To improve and facilitate SLF trapping practices, we investigated three key trapping components: improved collection containers, placement on alternative hosts, and lure (methyl salicylate) impact. In initial trials comparing collection jars to removable plastic bags, the adult SLF catch was four times higher using the bag design. In a multi-state survey at varying population densities, the bag traps were comparable to the jar traps but were significantly more effective than BugBarrier® tree bands, especially during the adult stage. Catch and detection in circle traps placed on alternative hosts, Acer spp. L. (Sapindales: Sapindalaceae) and Juglans nigra L. (Fagales: Juglandaceae), were comparable to those placed on the preferred host A. altissima, especially in the earlier life stages. Additionally, detection rates of methyl salicylate-baited traps on all three hosts were comparable to those on non-baited traps. These results suggest that circle traps fitted with bags provide higher trap catch and an improvement in sample quality. In addition, circle traps were equally effective when placed on maple and black walnut, while methyl salicylate lures do not enhance trap catch or detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]