Selection of Nonlethal Early Biomarkers to Predict Gilthead Seabream () Growth.

One of the main challenges in aquaculture is the constant search for sustainable alternative feed ingredients that can successfully replace fishmeal (FM) without any negative effects on fish growth and health. The goal of the present study was to develop a toolbox for rapidly anticipating the dynamics of fish growth following the introduction of a new feed; nonlethal, biochemical, and molecular markers that provide insights into physiological changes in the fish. A nutritional challenge by feeding a conventional feed rich in FM protein (FM diet) versus an experimental feed rich in plant protein (PP) and low FM inclusion (PP diet), in 20 different families of gilthead sea bream () was performed.

Ray-Resorption Syndrome in European Seabass, Dicentrarchus labrax (Linnaeus, 1758).

Fin abnormalities are common in reared fish. They mainly consist of partial to complete lack of rays and severe abnormalities of fin-supporting skeletal elements, which develop during the larval stage, up to the completion of fin skeleton ontogeny. This study reports a new abnormal condition, ray-resorption syndrome (RSS), which developed after the completion of fin ontogeny in initially normal European seabass larvae, leading to extensive loss of fin rays.

Unraveling the genetic basis of azoospermia: transcriptome profiling analyses in a Greek population.

Objective: To investigate whether idiopathic nonobstructive azoospermia (iNOA) has its own transcriptomic signature.

Design: Testicular tissue biopsies were retrieved, processed, and prepared for ribonucleic acid (RNA) extraction from 26 consented patients diagnosed with iNOA. Samples were grouped into four pools based on the presence of testicular spermatozoa: two replicate pools for "No presence" (Null-spz-1 and Null-spz-2 pools), one for "High presence" (High-spz pool), and one for "Rare presence" (Rare-spz pool).

Genetic Insights into Azoospermia and Severe Oligozoospermia: Discovering Seven SNPs through GWAS and In Silico Analysis.

Azoospermia and severe oligozoospermia represent the most extreme forms of male infertility. Despite their prevalence, the genetic foundations of these conditions are not well understood, with only a limited number of genetic factors identified so far. This study aimed to identify single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) linked to both azoospermia and severe oligozoospermia.

MassArray Genotyping as a Selection Tool for Extending the Shelf-Life of Fresh Gilthead Sea Bream and European Seabass.

In modern aquaculture, genomics-driven breeding programs have emerged as powerful tools for optimizing fish quality. This study focused on two emblematic Mediterranean fish species, the European seabass () and the gilthead sea bream (), with a primary aim of exploring the genetic basis of white muscle/fillet degradation in fresh fish following harvest. We identified 57 and 44 missense SNPs in gilthead sea bream and European seabass, respectively, located within genes encoding for endogenous proteases responsible for fillet quality.

Core microbiome profiles and their modification by environmental, biological, and rearing factors in aquaculture hatcheries.

16S rRNA gene sequencing and bacteria- and genus-specific quantitative PCR was used to profile microbial communities and their associated functions in water, live feed (microalgae, Artemia, and rotifer), and European sea bass and gilthead sea bream larvae from hatcheries in Greece and Italy. The transfer to larvae of genus containing potential pathogens of fish was more likely with Artemia and rotifer than with microalgae or water, irrespective of geographic location. The presence of potentially pathogenic bacteria (Vibrio and Pseudoalteromonas) in the core microbiota of water, live feed, and fish larvae, the enrichment of different bacterial resistance pathways and biofilm formation, and the overall low beneficial bacteria load during larval ontogeny emphasizes the risk for disease outbreaks.

Investigating the Impact of a Curse: Diseases, Population Isolation, Evolution and the Mother's Curse.

The mitochondrion was characterized for years as the energy factory of the cell, but now its role in many more cellular processes is recognized. The mitochondrion and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) also possess a set of distinct properties, including maternal inheritance, that creates the Mother's Curse phenomenon. As mtDNA is inherited from females to all offspring, mutations that are harmful to males tend to accumulate more easily.

Variability of key-performance-indicators in commercial gilthead seabream hatcheries.

Skeletal abnormalities are one of the most important key-performance-indicators (KPIs) in finfish hatcheries. Coping with the problem of skeletal abnormalities relies on the understanding of the link between the variability in the rearing conditions, and the variability in abnormalities incidence. Here, 74 seabream larval populations, from four commercial hatcheries, were examined for the presence of abnormalities and monitored with respect to the applied conditions.

Oviductal epithelial cells transcriptome and extracellular vesicles characterization during thermoneutral and heat stress conditions in dairy cows.

In this study, the transcriptome of oviductal epithelial cells and certain characteristics of their extracellular vesicles of dairy cows were described under thermoneutral and heat stress conditions. Twenty cows were compared in springtime at THI = 65.6 ± 0.

The Effects of Heat Shock Protein 70 Addition in the Culture Medium on the Development and Quality of In Vitro Produced Heat Shocked Bovine Embryos.

The aims of the present study were to examine the effects of HSP70 addition in the in vitro culture medium of day 3 embryos on their developmental competence and quality. Bovine oocytes ( = 1442) were in vitro matured, inseminated and cultured for the first two days according to standardized methods. The presumptive zygotes were randomly allocated in three experimental groups: Control, C (embryos cultured at 39 °C throughout the culture period), group C41 (temperature was raised to 41 °C from the 48th to 72nd h post insemination (p.

Factors Driving Bacterial Microbiota of Eggs from Commercial Hatcheries of European Seabass and Gilthead Seabream.

A comprehensive understanding of how bacterial community abundance changes in fishes during their lifecycle and the role of the microbiota on health and production is still lacking. From this perspective, the egg bacterial communities of two commercially farmed species, the European seabass () and the gilthead seabream (), from different aquaculture sites were compared, and the potential effect of broodstock water microbiota and disinfectants on the egg microbiota was evaluated. Moreover, 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing was used to profile the bacterial communities of the eggs and broodstock water from three commercial hatcheries.

HLA class II peptide-binding-region analysis reveals funneling of polymorphism in action.

Background: HLA-class II proteins hold important roles in key physiological processes. The purpose of this study was to compile all class II alleles reported in human population and investigate patterns in pocket variants and their combinations, focusing on the peptide-binding region (PBR).

Methods: For this purpose, all protein sequences of DPA1, DQA1, DPB1, DQB1 and DRB1 were selected and filtered, in order to have full PBR sequences.

Developmental competence of heat stressed oocytes from Holstein and Limousine cows matured in vitro.

The negative effects of heat stress on dairy cattle's fertility have been extensively studied, but the relevant knowledge for beef cattle is rather limited. The aims of this study were to investigate the effects of HS during in vitro maturation on the developmental potential of oocytes derived from Limousine and Holstein cows and to estimate the effect of the differential gene expression of important genes in oocytes, cumulus cells and blastocysts in the growth competence between the breeds. In seven replicates, cumulus oocyte complexes from Holstein and Limousine cows were matured for 24 hr at 39°C (controls C; Hol_39, Lim_39) or at 41°C from hour 2 to hour 8 of IVM (treated T; Hol_41, Lim_41), fertilized, and presumptive zygotes were cultured for 9 days at 39°C.

Heat Shock Protein 70 Improves In Vitro Embryo Yield and Quality from Heat Stressed Bovine Oocytes.

Heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) is a chaperon that stabilizes unfolded or partially folded proteins, preventing inappropriate inter- and intramolecular interactions. Here, we examined the developmental competence of in vitro matured oocytes exposed to heat stress with or without HSP70. Bovine oocytes were matured for 24 h at 39 °C without (group C39) or with HSP70 (group H39) and at 41 °C for the first 6 h, followed by 16 h at 39 °C with (group H41) or without HSP70 (group C41).

Short term temperature elevation during IVM affects embryo yield and alters gene expression pattern in oocytes, cumulus cells and blastocysts in cattle.

Heat stress causes subfertility in cattle by inducing alterations in steroidogenic capacity, follicular function and ovulation defects, which eventually negatively affect oocyte quality and embryo survival. Here, the effects of short, moderate temperature elevation during IVM, on embryo yield, and on the expression of various genes was evaluated. In 8 replicates, cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) were matured for 24 h at 39 °C (controls n = 605) or at 41 °C from hour 2 to hour 8 of IVM (treated, n = 912), fertilized, and presumptive zygotes were cultured for 9 days at 39 °C.

A case-control study of paternal and maternal age as risk factors in mood disorders.

Advanced parental age might constitute a risk factor for various disorders. We tested whether this concerns also mood disorder patients. The study included 314 subjects (42 bipolar-BD patients; 21 manics and 21 depressives, 68 unipolar-UD, and 204 normal controls-NC).

Paternal and maternal age as risk factors for schizophrenia: a case-control study.

Objective: Advanced parental age might constitute a generic risk factor for mental and somatic disorders. The current study tested whether this concerns also patients with schizophrenia.

Methods: A total of 231 schizophrenic, 56 other severe mental disorders patients and 204 controls were diagnosed according to DSM-IV-TR.

Mood Symptoms in Stabilized Patients with Schizophrenia: A Bipolar Type with Predominant Psychotic Features?

Background: Schizophrenia (SZ) and bipolar disorder (BD) are traditionally distinguished on the basis of progressive deterioration and long-term outcome, but a more dimensional approach is warranted. There are limited data on the occurrence of manic symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. The aim of the current study was to search for patterns in the clinical symptomatology, which may suggest the presence of one or several mood disorders under the label of schizophrenia.

Higher than recommended dosages of antipsychotics in male patients with schizophrenia are associated with increased depression but no major neurocognitive side effects: Results of a cross-sectional pilot naturalistic study.

Introduction: The current small pilot naturalistic cross-sectional study assesses whether higher dosages of antipsychotics are related to a satisfactory outcome concerning symptoms of schizophrenia but also to a worse outcome in terms of adverse events and neurocognitive function.

Material And Methods: 41 male stabilized hospitalized schizophrenic patients were assessed by PANSS, Calgary Depression Rating Scale, UKU and Simpson-Angus Scale and a battery of neurocognitive tests. Medication and dosage was prescribed according to clinical judgement of the therapist.

Could PANSS be a useful tool in the determining of the stages of schizophrenia? A clinically operational approach.

Staging in schizophrenia might be an important approach for the better treatment and rehabilitation of patients. The purpose of this study was to empirically devise a staging approach in a sample of stabilized patients with schizophrenia. One hundred and seventy patients aged ≥18 years (mean = 40.

SNP Identification through Transcriptome Analysis of the European Brown Hare (Lepus europaeus): Cellular Energetics and Mother's Curse.

The European brown hare (Lepus europaeus, Pallas 1778) is an important small game species in Europe. Due to its size and position in the food chain, as well as its life history, phenotypic variation and the relatively recent speciation events, brown hare plays an important role in the structure of various ecosystems and has emerged as an important species for population management and evolutionary studies. In order to identify informative SNPs for such studies, heart and liver tissues of three samples from the European lineage and a three-sample pool from the Anatolian lineage were subjected to RNA-Sequencing analysis.

Standardization and normative data of the Greek version of the temperament and character inventory (TCI).

Background: Robert Cloninger's psychobiological model of temperament and character is a dimensional approach to personality assessment and gave birth to the temperament and character inventory (TCI). The aim of the present report is to examine the psychometric properties of the Greek version of the TCI, and to replicate its postulated structure and provide preliminary normative data for the Greek population.

Methods: The study sample included 734 subjects from the general Greek population (436 females; 59.

Standardization of the NEO-PI-3 in the Greek general population.

Background: The revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI-3) includes 240 items corresponding to the Big Five personality traits (Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Neuroticism, and Openness to Experience) and subordinate dimensions (facets). It is suitable for use with adolescents and adults (12 years or older). The aim of the current study was to validate the Greek translation of the NEO-PI-3 in the general Greek population.