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Dogtooth tuna, Gymnosarda unicolor were sampled off the east coast of Australia (southwest Pacific Ocean) from 2007 to 2012. Ages were determined by examining thin transverse sections of their sagittal otoliths and were based on counts of alternating opaque and translucent zones (annual growth increments). Growth was rapid during the first year of life, after which growth in length was much reduced. Parameters of the constrained von Bertalanffy growth function (fork length-at-age) were L∞ = 1164.77 (mm, FL) and K = 0.44 year−1. Preliminary estimates of longevity indicate a maximum observed age of at least 20 years. There was a high degree of variation in the observed length and age of sexual maturity for G. unicolor. Despite this variation, the size at 50% maturity for female G. unicolor estimated in this study was 713 mm FL (

Controversies remain regarding the periodicity, or seasonality, of otolith growth band formation, which directly influences a correct age determination of Atlantic bluefin tuna using this structure. The aim of this work was to apply marginal increment analysis and marginal edge analysis to determine the timing of band deposition. The index of completion was analyzed using general additive models to evaluate the importance of variables, such as month, age/size, and reader. Results indicate that the opaque band formation begins in June and is completed by the end of November. From the end of the year to the beginning of the following year, there is minimal marginal edge growth as the translucent band begins to form. The translucent zone then reaches a maximum development in May. The results obtained in this study provide evidence that the annulus formation in the otoliths of Atlantic bluefin tuna are completed later in the calendar year than previously thought. This would mean it is necessary to delay the date of the current July 1st adjustment criterion to November 30.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore the decisions and decision-making strategies employed by academic GPs tasked with adapting the delivery of undergraduate general practice education curricula to virtual platforms during the Covid-19 pandemic. We sought to investigate how their experiences of this adaptation might influence the development of future curricula., Methods: Recognising our 'insider' positions and constructivist paradigm preferences, we approached the study from a constructivist grounded theory (CGT) perspective and participants participated in semi-structured interviews., Results: Nine participants from three university GP departments in Ireland described the transition to online delivery of the curriculum as a 'response approach'. Participants described seeking collaboration both within and between institutions. The value and limitations of student feedback as a driver for change differed between participants and recognised the impact of limited social engagement between peers on social determinants of learning. Participants with prior experience in e-learning were inclined to recommend some level of continuation. Two institutions plan to continue to incorporate aspects of blended learning., Conclusion and Implications: All participants recognised a level of value (efficiency, social engagement and continuity) in online learning, they were less clear on the specific educational value and impact of this (e.g. on knowledge, skills and attributes). We need to consider which elements of undergraduate education can be delivered effectively online. Maintaining the socio-cultural learning environment is of critical importance but must be balanced by efficient, informed and strategic educational design.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to explore the decisions and decision-making strategies employed by academic GPs tasked with adapting the delivery of undergraduate general practice education curricula to virtual platforms during the COVID-19 pandemic and to investigate how their experiences of this adaptation might influence the development of future curricula., Methods: Approaching the study from a constructivist grounded theory (CGT) perspective, we recognised that experiences shape perception, and an individual's 'truths' are socially constructed. Nine academic GPs from three university GP departments participated in semistructured interviews conducted via Zoom©. Anonymised transcripts were iteratively analysed, generating codes, categories, and concepts using a constant comparative approach. The study was approved by the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) Research Ethics Committee., Results: Participants described the transition to online delivery of the curriculum as a 'response approach'. The elimination of in-person delivery necessitated the changes rather than any strategic development process. With varying levels of experience in eLearning, participants described the need for and engagement with collaboration both internally within institutions and externally between institutions. Virtual patients were developed to replicate learning in a clinical environment. How these adaptions were evaluated by learners differed across the institutions. The value and limitations of student feedback as a driver for change differed between participants. Two institutions plan to incorporate aspects of blended learning going forward. Participants recognised the impact of limited social engagement between peers on social determinants of learning., Conclusion and Implications: Prior experience in eLearning appeared to colour participants' perceptions of its value; those experienced in online delivery were inclined to recommend some level of continuation post-pandemic. We now need to consider which elements of undergraduate education can be delivered effectively online into the future. Maintaining the socio-cultural learning environment is of critical importance but must be balanced by efficient, informed and strategic educational design.

Background: Multimorbidity (the presence of two or more chronic conditions) is associated with poorer health outcomes, particularly for patients with significant polypharmacy (≥15 medications), due to the higher risk of adverse events and drug interactions. The SPPiRE study will assess the effectiveness of a complex intervention to support general practitioners (GPs) to reduce potentially inappropriate prescribing and consider deprescribing in older people with multimorbidity and significant polypharmacy. The aim of the SPPiRE process evaluation is to understand how and why the intervention is effective or ineffective and to explore the potential for system wide implementation of the intervention using the Medical Research Council general themes of context, implementation and mechanism of impact. Methods: The SPPiRE study is a clustered randomised controlled trial (RCT), aiming to recruit 55 general practices and 400 patients (≥65 years) on ≥15 medications throughout the Republic of Ireland. This mixed-methods process evaluation of the SPPiRE study will integrate both quantitative and qualitative data. Quantitative data will be collected on use of the intervention elements and from GP questionnaires. Qualitative data will be collected from semi-structured telephone interviews with all intervention GPs and a purposeful sample of patients from intervention practices. The topic guide will explore barriers and facilitators to participation and implementation of the intervention. Quantitative data will be analysed using descriptive statistics. Interviews will be transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. Quantitative and qualitative data will be then be integrated. Discussion: The SPPiRE cluster RCT will provide evidence regarding the effectiveness and practicability of delivering a structured medication review in reducing polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate prescribing for patients with multimorbidity. This process evaluation will provide information on how the intervention was implemented, how it was or was not effective and the potential for a system wide implementation. Trial registration: ISRCTN 12752680, registration: 20/10/2016., Competing Interests: No competing interests were disclosed., (Copyright: © 2019 Kyne K et al.)

Chronic liver disease (CLD) is associated with muscle wasting, reduced exercise tolerance and aerobic capacity (AC). Measures of AC determined with cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) may predict survival after liver transplantation (LT), but the relationship with nontransplant outcomes is uncertain. In patients assessed for LT, we examined the relationship of CPET AC parameters with the severity of liver disease, nutritional state, and survival with and without LT. Patients assessed for elective first LT who underwent CPET and an anthropometric assessment at a single center were studied. CPET-derived measures of AC that were evaluated included the peak oxygen consumption (VO2 peak) and the anaerobic threshold (AT). Three hundred ninety-nine patients underwent CPET, and 223 underwent LT; 45% of the patients had a VO2 peak < 50% of the predicted value, and 31% had an AT < 9 mL/kg/minute. The VO2 peak and AT values correlated with the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score, but they more closely correlated with serum sodium and albumin levels. The handgrip strength correlated strongly with the VO2 peak. Patients with impaired AC had prolonged hospitalization after LT, and nonsurvivors had lower AT values than survivors 1 year after transplantation (P < 0.05); this was significant in a multivariate analysis. One hundred seventy-six patients did not undergo LT; the 1-year mortality rate was 34.6%. The AT (P < 0.05) and VO2 peak values (P < 0.001) were lower for nonsurvivors. In a multivariate analysis, AT was independently associated with nonsurvival. In conclusion, AC was markedly impaired in many patients with CLD. In patients who did not undergo transplantation, impaired AT was predictive of mortality, and in patients undergoing LT, it was related to postoperative hospitalization and survival. AC should be evaluated as a modifiable factor for improving patient survival whether or not LT is anticipated., (© 2013 American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.)