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Freshwater crayfish Pontastacus leptodactylus is an indigenous European species of considerable ecological and commercial significance. However, it is highly susceptible to the oomycete Aphanomyces astaci , the causative agent of crayfish plague. Although its importance is widely recognized, little information exists on how seasonality affects the physiology and welfare of this species. The present study was designed to (i) investigate seasonal effects on the physiological responses of P. leptodactylus in relation to abiotic factors and crayfish plague outbreak, and (ii) identify the most suitable period for restocking in temperate regions. To achieve this, we characterized for the first time the mRNA expression of hsp70, hsp90, hif-1α, ubiquitin, and gapdh (as endogenous control gene), alongside protein levels of Hsp70, Hsp90, hydroxylated Hif-1α, ubiquitin conjugates, cleaved caspases, Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Our findings revealed that cold stress triggered both the heat shock response and apoptosis. Interestingly, despite the activation of apoptosis, which generally suppresses inflammation, IL-6 levels increased, suggesting a possible association with A. astaci infection. Moreover, elevated Hif-1α levels indicated hypoxic stress during warmer months, likely linked to reduced oxygen availability and turbidity. Overall results suggest that crayfish plague epidemics may intensify with rising temperatures, whereas winter appears to be the optimal period for restocking. Interestingly, in addition, freshwater crayfish in temperate latitudes are organisms that face both cold and heat stress seasonally in the same ecosystem.

Aquaculture is affected by numerous factors that may cause various health threats that have to be controlled by the most environmentally friendly approaches. In this context, prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics are frequently incorporated into organisms’ feeding rations to ameliorate the health status of the host’s intestine, enhancing its functionality and physiological performance, and to confront increasing antimicrobial resistance. The first step in this direction is the understanding of the complex microbiome system of the organism in order to administer the optimal supplement, in the best concentration, and in the correct way. In the present review, pre-, pro-, and synbiotics as aquaculture additives, together with the factors affecting gut microbiome in crayfish, are discussed, combined with their future prospective outcomes. Probiotics constitute non-pathogenic bacteria, mainly focused on organisms’ energy production and efficient immune response; prebiotics constitute fiber indigestible by the host organism, which promote the preferred gastrointestinal tract microorganisms’ growth and activity towards the optimum balance between the gastrointestinal and immune system’s microbiota; whereas synbiotics constitute their combination as a blend. Among pro-, pre-, and synbiotics’ multiple benefits are boosted immunity, increased resistance towards pathogens, and overall welfare promotion. Furthermore, we reviewed the intestinal microbiota abundance and composition, which are found to be influenced by a plethora of factors, including the organism’s developmental stage, infection by pathogens, diet, environmental conditions, culture methods, and exposure to toxins. Intestinal microbial communities in crayfish exhibit high plasticity, with infections leading to reduced diversity and abundance. The addition of synbiotic supplementation seems to provide better results than probiotics and prebiotics separately; however, there are still conflicting results regarding the optimal concentration.

The impact of climate change on both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems tends to become more progressively pronounced and devastating over the years. The sector of aquaculture is severely affected by natural abiotic factors, on account of climate change, that lead to various undesirable phenomena, including aquatic species mortalities and decreased productivity owing to oxidative and thermal stress of the reared organisms. Novel innovative technologies, such as aquaponics that are based on the co-cultivation of freshwater fish with plants in a sustainable manner under the context of controlled abiotic factors, represent a promising tool for mitigating the effect of climate change on reared fish. The rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) constitutes one of the major freshwater-reared fish species, contributing to the national economies of numerous countries, and more specifically, to regional development, supporting mountainous areas of low productivity. However, it is highly vulnerable to climate change effects, mainly due to the concrete raceways, in which it is reared, that are constructed on the flow-through of rivers and are, therefore, dependent on water’s physical properties. The current review study evaluates the suitability, progress, and challenges of developing innovative and sustainable aquaponic systems to rear rainbow trout in combination with the cultivation of plants. Although not commercially developed to a great extent yet, research has shown that the rainbow trout is a valuable experimental model for aquaponics that may be also commercially exploited in the future. In particular, abiotic factors required in rainbow trout farming along, with the high protein proportion required in the ratios due to the strict carnivorous feeding behavior, result in high nitrate production that can be utilized by plants as a source of nitrogen in an aquaponic system. Intensive farming of rainbow trout in aquaponic systems can be controlled using digital monitoring of the system parameters, mitigating the obstacles originating from extreme temperature fluctuations.

Table olives are a major component of the Mediterranean diet and are associated with many beneficial biological activities, which are mainly related to their phenolic compounds. Olive fruit debittering process defines the quantitative and qualitative composition of table olives in biophenols. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant capacity and DNA-protective activity of an extract originated from brine samples, according to the Greek style debbitering process of Kalamon olive fruits. The main phenolic components determined in the brine extract were hydroxytyrosol (HT), verbascoside (VERB) and tyrosol (T). The in vitro cell-free assays showed strong radical scavenging capacity from the extract, therefore antioxidant potential. At cellular level, human endothelial cells (EA.hy296) and murine myoblasts (C2C12) were treated with non-cytotoxic concentrations of the brine extract and the redox status was assessed by measuring glutathione (GSH), reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation levels (TBARS). Our results show cell type specific response, exerting a hormetic reflection at endothelial cells. Finally, in both cell lines, pre-treatment with brine extract protected from H2O2-induced DNA damage. In conclusion, this is the first holistic approach highlighted table olive wastewaters from Kalamon- Greek style debittering process, as valuable source of bioactive compounds, which could have interesting implications for the development of new products in food or other industries.

One putative-resistant (R) johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense L. Moench) population, originating from a cotton monoculture field in northern Greece, was evaluated for the possible evolution of cross-resistance to acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACCase)- and multiple resistance to acetolactate synthase (ALS)-inhibiting herbicides, and to elucidate the levels and underlying mechanisms of resistance. Whole-plant rate-response assays showed that the R population was highly cross-resistant to the post-emergence applied ACCase-inhibiting herbicides fluazifop-P-butyl, propaquizafop (aryloxyphenoxypropionates) and cycloxydim (cyclohexanedione), but susceptible to the ACCase-inhibitor clethodim (cyclohexanedione) and the ALS-inhibitor nicosulfuron. The analysis of the ACCase gene sequence revealed a point mutation (ATA to WTA/TTA) at 1781 residue in the CT domain of ACCase, resulting in an amino acid substitution from isoleucine (Ile) to leucine (Leu). However, all sequenced plants of the S johnsongrass population were found with the wild-type allele encoding Ile-1781. The R johnsongrass population, grown without competition, produced more fresh weight, rhizome biomass and number of panicles than the S population. These findings indicate clearly that the R johnsongrass population has evolved target-site cross-resistance to three ACCase-inhibitors that increased most of its growth traits as compared with the S population, suggesting a fitness advantage associated with the ACCase Leu-1781 mutation.

The presence of weeds is the most serious problem in rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivation, which is exacerbated by the evolution of herbicide-resistant weed populations. In a whole-plant pot experiment, the possible resistance evolution in a population of bearded sprangletop [Leptochloa fusca spp. fascicularis (Lam.) N.W. Snow], which survived after the application of two ACCase inhibitors (profoxydim and cyhalofop), was investigated. Furthermore, the possible modification of the ACCase gene, as a source of resistance, was evaluated. The putative resistant population exhibited 61-fold resistance to profoxydim, 155-fold resistance to propaquizafop, and 67-fold resistance to cyhalofop + penoxsulam compared to the susceptible population. However, this population was susceptible to cycloxydim, an herbicide registered for the Provisia® technology rice varieties. The molecular genetic analysis of the ACCase gene fragment revealed the presence of a point mutation that resulted in the substitution of tryptophan (Trp) by cysteine (Cys) at position 1999 in the CT domain of the ACCase gene. This is the first record of an ACCase-inhibitor, field-selected, resistant bearded sprangletop population carrying the Trp1999Cys amino acid substitution. The evolution of broad ACCase cross-resistance reduces control options for selective and effective management of bearded sprangletop in infesting rice fields.

Biofouling constitutes one of the main obstacles in the sector of shellfish farming. Under this perspective, it is of highly importance to critically combine the updated information regarding the invasive potential of ascidian species, together with the factors contributing toward these events. The biological features of each species in relation to the gathering of the main non-indigenous species in the Mediterranean basin represent the first step toward mitigation of negative effects of the phenomenon. Further, there are limited studies investigating the physiological changes of bivalves caused by biofouling while leading to an increase in stress biomarkers. In the present review, the major ascidian species negatively affecting bivalve culture in the Mediterranean Sea are presented, alongside monitoring of ascidians from four Greek mussel farming locations as typical mussel culture cases. Among the main ascidian species, , , , sp., sp., , and are included, with the last three being the most harmful for this aquaculture sector. Based on the existing literature and research conducted so far, future research directions are proposed, in an effort to effectively control or efficiently manage ascidian biofouling organisms. Overall, perspectives toward the way we manage the biofouling phenomenon, such as the use of ascidian’s by-products in feedstuffs, chemical and pharmaceutical industry, or their incorporation in bivalve co-culture and integrated multi-trophic aquaculture systems represent promising alternative approaches.

The intestinal microbiome plays a pivotal role in the physiology and health of terrestrial gastropods yet remains largely unexplored. This study aimed to characterize the gut microbial communities of the farmed snail Cornu aspersum maxima and to assess the effects of dietary supplementation with the probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum, the prebiotic inulin, and their combination (synbiotic) on microbial diversity, snail growth, and survival. In total, 300 sexually immature snails (~9.8 g average body mass, ~5 months old) were assigned to four dietary groups (Control, Probiotic, Prebiotic, Synbiotic), each comprising three replicates of 25 snails. Individuals of similar size were placed in each container within the treatment groups. The Probiotic group received 1.25 mg of L. plantarum (1010 CFU/g) per 5 g of feed, the Prebiotic group received 1 g of inulin per 5 g of feed, and the Synbiotic group received both supplements at the same dosages. Over the 60-day trial, the gut microbiota was analyzed via 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing using Oxford Nanopore technology. The results revealed significant treatment-dependent shifts (p < 0.05) in microbial composition at both the phylum and genus levels. The dominant bacterial phyla identified were Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria, while a notable increase in unclassified microbial taxa was observed, especially in the inulin-supplemented groups. Despite its known probiotic properties, L. plantarum was not detected post-administration, suggesting a transient effect. The synbiotic group exhibited significantly higher microbial diversity (Shannon index, p < 0.05) but also the highest mortality rate. All groups showed limited weight gain, with reductions observed after day 30. Potentially pathogenic genera (e.g., Klebsiella, Mycoplasma, Staphylococcus) were detected but showed reduced abundance in the probiotic- and prebiotic-treated groups, suggesting a protective effect. Overall, probiotic supplementation with L. plantarum enhanced the abundance of beneficial Actinobacteria and reduced potentially pathogenic taxa, while the prebiotic inulin promoted the growth of unclassified but potentially beneficial genera. However, synbiotic administration, despite increasing microbial diversity, was associated with adverse outcomes including 100% mortality at day 60. These findings highlight both the potential and the risks of dietary manipulation of the snail microbiome, underscoring the need for cautious application of synbiotics in snail farming. They also underscore the dynamic nature of the snail gut microbiome and its responsiveness to dietary interventions, providing valuable insights for sustainable snail farming and future probiotic applications in invertebrate species.

Ruminant livestock production faces rising challenges related to feed costs, sustainability, and methane (CH4) emissions, with the rumen microbiome playing a central role. This study evaluated the effects of processed and unprocessed orange peel waste, valorized as secondary feedstuff, on rumen microbial composition and methanogen abundance in dairy sheep while assessing primer-dependent biases in microbial detection. Eighteen mid-lactation Chios ewes were assigned to three isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets: control, 11% processed orange peel, and 11% unprocessed orange peel, over an 84-day trial. Rumen samples collected on days 0 and 84 were analyzed using Oxford Nanopore sequencing with full-length 16S (V1–V9) and prokaryotic (V3–V4) primers. Firmicutes (39.5–58.0%) and Bacteroidota (20.0–37.4%) predominated across diets, while Methanobacteria (6.9–8.8%) were detected exclusively with the prokaryotic primer. Orange peel inclusion attenuated the rise of Proteobacteria in controls and stabilized Prevotella populations. Notably, the processed orange peel diet reduced Methanobacteria abundance by 19.3% (p < 0.05) after 84 days, suggesting enhanced antimethanogenic effects. These results highlight both the methodological relevance of primer selection and the potential of citrus by-products as sustainable feed ingredients that promote rumen microbial stability and contribute to methane mitigation in dairy sheep production.

The Mugilidae family comprises several euryhaline species of significant ecological and economic value in global fisheries and aquaculture. Despite close taxonomic relationships, Chelon auratus, Chelon ramada and Mugil cephalus differ notably in physiological traits, seasonal energy allocation and tissue composition, influencing both ecological roles and commercial value. This study investigates the effect of seasonality on the fish flesh quality and metabolic gene expression of these three commercially important mullet species, collected from their natural habitat in Klisova Lagoon, Greece, by analyzing proximate composition (moisture, ash, protein, lipid), hepatosomatic index (HSI) and expression of lipid metabolism genes. M. cephalus showed lower protein and lipid content than C. ramada and C. auratus. In this context, expression of key lipid metabolism genes (fabp, pparg, cpt) reflected these differences not only between species but also revealed patterns which differed between examined tissues and seasons. Notably, this study provides the first characterization of these genes in the species examined. HSI data further indicated species-specific and seasonal strategies for energy storage. The results contribute to refining harvest timing strategies, enhancing post-harvest handling practices, in an effort to promote market differentiation and eventually to improve the economic viability of the mullet fishery sector.