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This explorative research aimed to elucidate the stock profile and optimum catch limit of the king mackerel (Scomberomorus guttatus) stock by collecting data in the upper Bay of Bengal. This study used three length-based methods and a catch-based method to determine the growth parameters and biological reference points (BRPs) of king mackerel. A negative allometric growth pattern (b = 2.50) was observed in the length–weight relationship. The life history parameters were estimated as L∞ = 117.35 cm, k = 0.42 year−1 and the mortality estimates were the total mortality (Z = 1.18 year−1), natural mortality (M = 0.46 year−1) and fishing mortality (F = 0.72 year−1). The results show that this fishery is currently likely to be overfished due to overexploitation (F/M = >1) and the stock's spawning biomass (SPR = 9%) is substantially lower than the target reference point because most of the catch (70%) was found to have under the maturity level. The recommended minimum total length for the catch is >59 cm and a yearly catch limit of 2400 mt as OFL (Over Fishing Limit) for the next ten years coordinated with the existing precautionary measures such as an annual fishing ban to raise the stock's biomass over the BMSY level for maintaining sustainable yield of 4516 mt as MSY. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The information on size at maturity (Lm), peak spawning season, and sex ratio is crucial for sustainable management for fisheries production. Our study in mers of 655 Silver Pomfret, Pampus argenteus, 366 females and 289 males, collected monthly between February 2019 and January 2020, provides insight into the characteristics of size at sexual maturity, peak spawning season, and sex ratio of the species. Monthly variation in the gonadosomatic index (GSI) values and histological observations has revealed two spawning peaks, in spring (April-May) and fall (September). The maximum GSI has accounted to 4.70±1.45 and 5.01±1.75, which corresponded to warmer water temperature 29.68°C±0.60 in April and 29.72°C±0.28 in May, respectively, over the Bay of Bengal. At 50% sexual maturity (Lm), males mature at standard length of 145 mm and females at 163 mm. During the peak spawning time, the sex ratio significantly differed from 0.5, with females dominating over males, according to a Chi-squared test (p<0.05). To ensure sustainable exploitation of this valuable species, implemention of the mesh size regulation for protecting this species less than 145 mm and seasonal closures in the Bay of Bengal (BoB), Bangladesh would be very effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research examined the biological reference points (BRPs) and stock status of the sardine fishery in the Bay of Bengal (BoB), Bangladesh, to determine the sustainability of this resource. The Monte Carlo method (CMSY), the Bayesian state-space Schaefer surplus production model (BSM), and the ASPIC (a Stock Production Model Incorporating Covariates) software suite, were used to analyze catch–effort data obtained from the Yearbook of Fisheries Statistics of Bangladesh. All models derived maximum sustainable yields (MSY) ranging from 37,900 to 41,280 t, which is quite near to the catch from the latest year (38,051 t in 2020), indicating the fully exploited status of sardines. The estimated B < BMSY and F > FMSY values from the BSM and Schaefer models indicate a poor biomass and an unsafe fishing status. For Schaefer and BSM, the calculated F/FMSY values were 1.07 and 1.06, and the B/BMSY values were 0.92 and 0.75, which also indicate the overexploited status of the sardine fishery in the BoB, Bangladesh. This information will aid in developing management strategies and conservation policies for the sustainability and rebuilding of this commercially important resource in the BoB on the Bangladesh coast. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: We aimed at the identification of the association of comorbidities with the COVID-19 severity and hospitalization. Methods: It is a retrospective cross-sectional study to investigate the variation in age, sex, dwelling, comorbidities, and medication with the COVID-19 severity and hospitalization by enrolling 1025 recovered individuals while comparing their time of recovery with or without comorbidities. Results: COVID-19 patients mostly suffered from fever. The predominant underlying medical conditions in them were hypertension (HTN) followed by diabetes mellitus (DM). Patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) (54.3%) and hepatic disorders (HD) (43.6%) experienced higher severity. The risk of symptomatic cases was higher in aged (odds ratio, OR = 1.04, 95% CI = 1.02–1.06) and comorbid (OR = 1.87, 95% CI = 1.34–2.60) patients. T-test confirmed the differences between the comorbid and non-comorbid patients’ recovery duration. The presence of multiple comorbidities increased the time of recovery (15–27 days) and hospitalization (20–40%). Increased symptomatic cases were found for patients having DM+HTN whereas CVD+Asthma patients were found with higher percentage of severity. Besides, DM+CKD (chronic kidney disease) was associated with higher hospitalization rate. Higher odds of severity were found for DM+CVD (OR = 4.42, 95% CI = 1.81–10.78) patients. Hospitalization risk was also increased for them (OR = 5.14, 95% CI = 2.02–13.07). Moreover, if they had HTN along with DM+CVD, they were found with even higher odds (OR = 6.82, 95% CI = 2.37–19.58) for hospitalization. Conclusion: Our study indicates that people who are aged, females, living in urban area and have comorbid conditions are at a higher risk for developing COVID-19 severity. Clinicians and health management authorities should prioritize these high-risk groups to reduce mortality attributed to the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Halda River, the lone natural carp breeding ground in Bangladesh as well as in Southeast Asia is an economically important river and its water quality is deteriorating due to unplanned industrialization and various anthropogenic activities. The present research work has been conducted to assess the characteristics of HR water. Eighteen water quality parameters were studied including pH, temperature, Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Total Dissolved Solids, Electrical Conductivity, Hardness, Turbidity, Total Alkalinity, SO4 2-, PO4 3-, NO3 -, Cl-, NH4 +, Cr (VI), Mn (II) and Arsenic. This study shows that water in HR is regularly alkaline and its pH lies between 7.08-7.65. The DO value varies from 5.9-8.4 mgL-1, BOD ranged from 0.3-2.8 mgL-1 and COD from 24-96 mgL-1. According to the Water Quality Index study, the river is being intensely polluted due to the unscrupulous industrial wastes discharge into the HR through various canals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proteoglycans are abundantly expressed in the pathways of developing and regenerating neurons, yet the responses of neurons to specific proteoglycans are not well characterized. We have shown previously that one chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (CSPG), aggrecan, is potently inhibitory to sensory axon extension in short-term assays and that over time, embryonic neurons adapt to aggrecan-mediated inhibition through the transcriptional upregulation of integrin expression (Condic et al., 1999). Here, we have compared the response of embryonic sensory neurons to structurally distinct CSPGs that belong to either the hyalectin (or lectican) family of large, aggregating proteoglycans or the decorin (or small leucine-rich proteoglycan) family of smaller proteoglycans. Both of these structurally diverse proteoglycan families are expressed in developing embryos and inhibit outgrowth of embryonic sensory neurons in short-term cultures. These results document a previously uncharacterized inhibitory function for the decorin-family proteoglycan biglycan. Interestingly, embryonic neurons adapt to these diverse proteoglycans over time. Adaptation is associated with upregulation of select integrin a subunits in a proteoglycan-specific manner. Overexpression of specific integrin α subunits improves neuronal regeneration on some but not all decorin-family CSPGs, suggesting that neurons adapt to inhibition mediated by closely related proteoglycans using distinct mechanisms. Our findings indicate that CSPGs with diverse core proteins and distinct numbers of chondroitin sulfate substitution sites mediate a similar response in sensory neurons, suggesting that increased integrin expression may be an effective means of promoting axonal regeneration in the presence of diverse inhibitory proteoglycan species in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: We aimed at the identification of the association of comorbidities with the COVID-19 severity and hospitalization., Methods: It is a retrospective cross-sectional study to investigate the variation in age, sex, dwelling, comorbidities, and medication with the COVID-19 severity and hospitalization by enrolling 1025 recovered individuals while comparing their time of recovery with or without comorbidities., Results: COVID-19 patients mostly suffered from fever. The predominant underlying medical conditions in them were hypertension (HTN) followed by diabetes mellitus (DM). Patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) (54.3%) and hepatic disorders (HD) (43.6%) experienced higher severity. The risk of symptomatic cases was higher in aged (odds ratio, OR = 1.04, 95% CI = 1.02-1.06) and comorbid (OR = 1.87, 95% CI = 1.34-2.60) patients. T-test confirmed the differences between the comorbid and non-comorbid patients' recovery duration. The presence of multiple comorbidities increased the time of recovery (15-27 days) and hospitalization (20-40%). Increased symptomatic cases were found for patients having DM+HTN whereas CVD+Asthma patients were found with higher percentage of severity. Besides, DM+CKD (chronic kidney disease) was associated with higher hospitalization rate. Higher odds of severity were found for DM+CVD (OR = 4.42, 95% CI = 1.81-10.78) patients. Hospitalization risk was also increased for them (OR = 5.14, 95% CI = 2.02-13.07). Moreover, if they had HTN along with DM+CVD, they were found with even higher odds (OR = 6.82, 95% CI = 2.37-19.58) for hospitalization., Conclusion: Our study indicates that people who are aged, females, living in urban area and have comorbid conditions are at a higher risk for developing COVID-19 severity. Clinicians and health management authorities should prioritize these high-risk groups to reduce mortality attributed to the disease., (Copyright: © International Journal of Health Sciences.)