Quantitative trait loci for a neurocranium deformity, lack of opercullum, in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L.)

Lack of operculum, a neurocranial deformity, is the most common external abnormality to be found among industrially produced gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L.), and this entails significant financial losses. This study conducts, for the first time in this species, a quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis of the lack of operculum. A total of 142 individuals from a paternal half-sibling family (six full-sibling families) were selected for QTL mapping. They had previously shown a highly significant association with the prevalence of lack of operculum in a segregation analysis. All the fish were genotyped for 106 microsatellite markers using a set of multiplex PCRs (ReMsa1–ReMsa13). A linear regression methodology was used for the QTL analysis. Four QTL were detected for this deformity, two of which (QTLOP1 and QTLOP2) were significant. They were located at LG (linkage group) nine and LG10 respectively. Both QTL showed a large effect (about 27%), and furthermore, the association between lack of operculum and sire allelic segregation observed was statistically significant in the QTLOP1 analysis. These results represent a significant step towards including marker-assisted selection for this deformity in genetic breeding programmes to reduce the incidence of the deformity in the species

Comparing Ethereum and Cardano via a Decentralized Certification Application

Αυτή η εργασία συγκρίνει το Ethereum με το Cardano, τόσο από τεχνικής απόψεως, όσο και από πλευράς χρηστικότητας, καθώς ακολουθεί την δημιουργία μιας εφαρμογής που αξιοποιεί και τα δύο. Για την τεχνική σύγκριση εστιάζει σε 3 βασικές πτυχές: το accounting model, τις γλώσσες προγραμματισμού και τις προμήθειες συναλλαγών. Το account model που υλοποιεί το Ethereum εστιάζει στην προγραμματιστικότητα, με αποτέλεσμα τα smart contracts που υποστηρίζει να είναι αυθαιρέτως εκφραστικά. Παρά το γεγονός πως το eUTxO μοντέλο που προτείνει το Cardano δεν προσφέρει την ίδια εκφραστικότητα, είναι σχεδιασμένο ώστε να επιτρέπει καλύτερη επεκτασιμότητα και ασφάλεια, χάρη στα ντετερμινιστικά αποτελέσματα των συναλλαγών του. Οι γλώσσες προγραμματισμού που υποστηρίζονται από το κάθε δίκτυο αντικατοπτρίζουν τους στόχους των λογιστικών τους μοντέλων. Η Solidity, η γλώσσα που χρησιμοποιείται κυρίως από το Ethereum, είναι μια αντικειμενοστραφής γλώσσα υψηλού επιπέδου. Με αυτήν, οι προγραμματιστές μπορούν να δημιουργήσουν πολύ ισχυρά smart contracts με ελάχιστη προσπάθεια. Η Haskell από την άλλη, η γλώσσα επιλογής του Cardano, υιοθετεί το πιο αυστηρό συναρτησιακό μοντέλο προγραμματισμού. Το γεγονός πως οι συναρτήσεις δεν διαθέτουν εσωτερική κατάσταση τις καθιστά λιγότερο εκφραστικές αλλά πιο προβλέψιμες. Το Ethereum υπολογίζει τα smart contracts, ενώ το Cardano τα επικυρώνει. Επομένως, το πρώτο συσχετίζει το κόστος των συναλλαγών με τους υπολογισμούς που απαιτήθηκαν από αυτές, ενώ το δεύτερο υπολογίζει το κόστος βάσει του μεγέθους (σε byte) της συναλλαγής. Οι παραπάνω διαφορές επιδεικνύονται σε ένα πραγματικό σενάριο μέσα από την ανάπτυξη μιας εφαρμογής που χρησιμοποιεί και τις δύο τεχνολογίες. Η εφαρμογή αυτή προσφέρει μια πλατφόρμα για την αποκεντρωμένη απόδοση πιστοποιητικών. Κατ’ επέκταση, εξαλείφει την ανάγκη για την διατήρηση τέτοιων εγγράφων από κάποια έμπιστη οντότητα, φροντίζοντας αυτά να είναι ευκόλως προσβάσιμα αλλά όχι παραποιήσιμα. Μέσω αυτής της διαδικασίας, διαφαίνεται πως η μεγαλύτερη εκφραστικότητα του Ethereum επιτρέπει στα smart contracts του να συμπεριλάβουν ολόκληρη τηv επιχειρησιακή λογική της εφαρμογής, κάνοντας την πλήρως αποκεντρωμένη. Αντίθετα, το Cardano μπορεί μόνο να χρησιμοποιηθεί ως ένα συνεπές αρχείο επιτευγμάτων, ενώ βασίζεται σε off-chain κώδικα για να επιβάλλει τους περιορισμούς για την απόδοσή τους. Τέλος, το Ethereum φαίνεται πως είναι μια πολύ πιο ώριμη πλατφόρμα, που επιτρέπει μια πιο εύκολη εμπειρία προγραμματισμού, καθώς προσφέρει πλήθος εργαλείων για τους προγραμματιστές. Δεν μπορεί να ειπωθεί το ίδιο για το Cardano, που οι περιορισμένοι του προγραμματιστές, μαζί με τα λιγότερα χρόνια από την δημιουργία του, κάνουν την χρήση του μια πιο περίπλοκη διαδικασία.This thesis compares the Ethereum and Cardano blockchains from a technical and a usability standpoint, as it documents the development of an application that utilizes them both. For the technical comparison it focuses on 3 main areas: the accounting model, the programming languages and the transaction fees. The account model implemented by Ethereum focuses on programmability, and as a result, the smart contracts it supports can be arbitrarily expressive. Even though the eUTxO model proposed by Cardano is not able to offer the same expressiveness as Ethereum’s account model, it is designed to allow for the greater scalability and security, through deterministic transaction outcomes. The programming languages supported by each network reflect the goals of their accounting models. Solidity, the language most used for development in Ethereum, is an object-oriented, high-level programming language. With Solidity programmers can create very powerful smart contracts with minimal effort. Haskell, on the other hand, Cardano’s programming language of choice, adheres to the much stricter functional paradigm. Its stateless nature makes it less expressive, but more predictable. Ethereum provides computation of smart contracts, while Cardano offers validation. As such, the former associates transaction fees with computations required by transactions, while the latter calculates fees in relation to the size (in bytes) of a transaction. These differences are demonstrated in a real-world scenario, via the development of an application that utilizes both blockchains. This application aims to provide a platform for issuing certifications of achievement in a decentralized manner. Consequently, it eliminates the need for a trusted authority to keep such records, ensuring they can be easily accessed, but not tempered with. Through that process, it is made evident that Ethereum’s greater expressiveness allows its smart contracts to encapsulate the entirety of the application’s business logic, thus making it truly decentralized. Cardano on the other hand, can only be used as an immutable record of achievement, while relying on off-chain code to ensure the conditions for the issuance of these achievements are met. Finally, Ethereum is shown to be a more mature platform, allowing for an easier development experience, since it provides a large array of tools for developers. That is not the case with Cardano, where its limited developer base, along with the fewer years since its release, make utilizing it a more complex process

Five generations of intraocular lens power calculation formulas: A review

Background: The effectiveness of cataract surgery depends on preoperative biometric data, including the axial length (AL), keratometric value (K), anterior chamber depth (ACD), and the accuracy of the intraocular lens power (IOLp) calculation. Five generations of IOLp calculation formulas have been developed. This review summarizes these formulas and focuses on the characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages of each. Moreover, it compares the results of several formulas used in patients with specific characteristics. Methods: The authors searched PubMed and Google Scholar, using keyword combinations including IOLp, formulas, AL, ACD, K, and diopters (D). Two hundred recent articles that referred to IOLp calculation formulas and their effectiveness when used preoperatively in cataract surgery were retrieved and analyzed. Results: Each generation has advantages and disadvantages for individual patients, and the selection of the most appropriate IOL differs due to patients’ different ALs. The shorter or longer the eye is, the less accurate some formulas become. Formulas such as SRK-T, Holladay, SRK-II, Hoffer, and Binkhorst II seem to have comparable efficacy. However, studies have indicated that Hoffer is superior for short eyes. In contrast, SRK/T appears to be slightly more superior for long eyes. The fifth-generation formulas also appear to be very promising. Conclusions: Based on the available literature, there is no gold standard as yet that can be used for all patients. Instead, each patient should be managed individually depending on their particular eye characteristics

A Review of Last Decade Developments on Epiretinal Membrane Pathogenesis

Epiretinal membrane (ERM) is a pathologic tissue that develops at the vitreoretinal interface. ERM is responsible for pathological changes of vision with varying degrees of clinical significance. It is either idiopathic or secondary to a wide variety of diseases such as proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). A great variation in the prevalence of idiopathic ERM among different ethnic groups proposed that genetic and lifestyle factors may play a role in ERM occurrence. Histopathological studies demonstrate that various cell types including retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells, fibrocytes, fibrous astrocytes, myofibroblast-like cells, glial cells, endothelial cells (ECs) and macrophages, as well as trophic and transcription factors, including transforming growth factor (TGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) etc., are directly or indirectly involved in the pathogenesis of  idiopathic or secondary ERMs. These processes are driven (on the last count) by more than 50 genes, such as Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF), CCL2 ((chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2)), MALAT1, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, TGF-β2, Interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-10, VEGF and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), some of which have been studied more intensely than others. The present paper tried to summarize, highlight and cross-correlate the major findings made in the last decade on the function of these genes and their association with different types of cells, genes and gene expression products in the ERM formation

A review of recent developments in retinitis pigmentosa genetics, its clinical features, and natural course

Background: Retinitis pigmentosa (RP), an inherited degenerative ocular disease, is considered the most common type of retinal dystrophy. Abnormalities of the photoreceptors, particularly the rods, and of the retinal pigment epithelium, characterizes this disease. The abnormalities progress from the midperiphery to the central retina. We here reviewed the developments in RP genetics in the last decade, along with its clinical features and natural course. Methods: The present review focused on articles in English language published between January 2008 and February 2020, and deposited in PubMed and Google Scholar databases. We searched for articles reporting on the clinical manifestations and genes related to both syndromic and non-syndromic RP. We screened and analyzed 139 articles, published in the last decade, referring to RP pathogenesis and identified, summarized, and highlighted the most significant genes implicated in either syndromic or non-syndromic RP pathogenesis, causing different clinical manifestations. Results: Recent literature revealed that approximately 80 genes are implicated in non-syndromic RP, and 30 genes in syndromic forms, such as Usher syndrome and Bardet‒Biedl syndrome (BBS). Moreover, it is estimated that 27 genes are implicated in autosomal dominant RP (adRP), 55 genes in autosomal recessive RP (arRP), and 6 genes in X-linked RP (xlRP), causing different RP phenotypes. Characteristically, RHO is the most prevalent adRP- and arRP-causing gene, and RPGR the most common xlRP-causing gene. Other important genes are PRPH2, RP1, CRX, RPE65, ABCA4, CRB1, and USH2Α. However, different phenotypes can also be caused by mutations in the same gene. Conclusions: The genetic heterogeneity of RP necessitates further study to map the exact mutations that cause more severe forms of RP, and to develop and use appropriate genetic or other effective therapies in future

Radiation treatment methods in uveal melanoma

Background: The most frequent primary ocular malignancy in the western world is the uveal melanoma. While it mainly affects Caucasians, it is extremely uncommon among non-Caucasians. Continuous improvement in therapies for local treatment has allowed sparing of the eye, although this approach apparently does not improve survival. The present review aimed to explain different radiotherapy (RT) methods and compare the pros and cons of each method, along with the main complications that may be encountered in the treatment of uveal melanoma. Methods: Relevant papers published between September 2009 and January 2021 were retrieved, reviewed, and screened. Four databases, including PubMed, MEDLINE, Google Scholar, and GeneCards, were searched for this purpose. Results: Forty-one relevant articles were identified. Based on the selected papers, we highlighted the advantages and disadvantages of the different RT methods that have allowed sparing of the eye, even though they have not, as yet, improved survival. We listed a detailed comparison between therapies that allow an educated choice among the different available RT methods. Conclusion: The choice of uveal melanoma management is determined by the location of the tumor and volume of the extraocular extent. At present, there is no gold standard for the management of all ocular melanomas, and each case should be approached individually. Therefore, classification is a valuable prognostic tool. Many cases in cT3-4 classification categories are treated by primary enucleation and conservative treatment follow-up, while in cT2 and most cT1 classifications (i.e., 3.1–6.0-mm tumor thickness), several forms of RT are used

A Review of Last Decade Developments on Epiretinal Membrane Pathogenesis

Epiretinal membrane (ERM) is a pathologic tissue that develops at the vitreoretinal interface. ERM is responsible for pathological changes of vision with varying degrees of clinical significance. It is either idiopathic or secondary to a wide variety of diseases such as proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). A great variation in the prevalence of idiopathic ERM among different ethnic groups proposed that genetic and lifestyle factors may play a role in ERM occurrence. Histopathological studies demonstrate that various cell types including retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells, fibrocytes, fibrous astrocytes, myofibroblast-like cells, glial cells, endothelial cells (ECs) and macrophages, as well as trophic and transcription factors, including transforming growth factor (TGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) etc., are directly or indirectly involved in the pathogenesis of  idiopathic or secondary ERMs. These processes are driven (on the last count) by more than 50 genes, such as Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF), CCL2 ((chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2)), MALAT1, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, TGF-β2, Interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-10, VEGF and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), some of which have been studied more intensely than others. The present paper tried to summarize, highlight and cross-correlate the major findings made in the last decade on the function of these genes and their association with different types of cells, genes and gene expression products in the ERM formation

Exploring a Non-model Teleost Genome Through RAD Sequencing - Linkage Mapping in Common Pandora, Pagellus erythrinus and Comparative Genomic Analysis

Common pandora (Pagellus erythrinus) is a benthopelagic marine fish belonging to the teleost family Sparidae, and a newly recruited species in Mediterranean aquaculture. The paucity of genetic information relating to sparids, despite their growing economic value for aquaculture, provides the impetus for exploring the genomics of this fish group. Genomic tool development, such as genetic linkage maps provision, lays the groundwork for linking genotype to phenotype, allowing fine-mapping of loci responsible for beneficial traits. In this study, we applied ddRAD methodology to identify polymorphic markers in a full-sib family of common pandora. Employing the Illumina MiSeq platform, we sampled and sequenced a size-selected genomic fraction of 99 individuals, which led to the identification of 920 polymorphic loci. Downstream mapping analysis resulted in the construction of 24 robust linkage groups, corresponding to the karyotype of the species. The common pandora linkage map showed varying degrees of conserved synteny with four other teleost genomes, namely the European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax), Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus), and medaka (Oryzias latipes), suggesting a conserved genomic evolution in Sparidae. Our work exploits the possibilities of genotyping by sequencing to gain novel insights into genome structure and evolution. Such information will boost the study of cultured species and will set the foundation for a deeper understanding of the complex evolutionary history of teleosts

What determines growth potential and juvenile quality of farmed fish species?

Enhanced production of high quality and healthy fry is a key target for a successful and competitive expansion of the aquaculture industry. Although large quantities of fish larvae are produced, survival rates are often low or highly variable and growth potential is in most cases not fully exploited, indicating significant gaps in our knowledge concerning optimal nutritional and culture conditions. Understanding the mechanisms that control early development and muscle growth are critical for the identification of time windows in development that introduce growth variation, and improve the viability and quality of juveniles. This literature review of the current state of knowledge aims to provide a framework for a better understanding of fish skeletal muscle ontogeny, and its impact on larval and juvenile quality as broadly defined. It focuses on fundamental biological knowledge relevant to larval phenotype and quality and, in particular, on the factors affecting the development of skeletal muscle. It also discusses the available methodologies to assess growth and larvae/juvenile quality, identifies gaps in knowledge and suggests future research directions. The focus is primarily on the major farmed non-salmonid fish species in Europe that include gilthead sea bream, European sea bass, turbot, Atlantic cod, Senegalese sole and Atlantic halibut

Swimming coaches’ professional development and training practices: an international survey

This study investigated swim coaches' perceptions of professional development issues and current training practices according to their coaching experience, education level, and gender. An online survey (January—April 2022) was completed by 123 swim coaches (96 male/27 female) of competitive swimmers based in 41 countries. The survey consisted of 36 questions divided into six sections: (1) background information, (2) developing swim coaching through learning, (3) self-evaluation, (4) interpersonal-intrapersonal interactions, (5) life skills, and (6) analyzing swimming performance. Pearson chi-square assessed the relationship between the frequency of responses and professional background and gender. The survey results indicated that swim coaches' educational level is potentially one of the most influential parameters affecting the coaches' perceptions about their own professional development. The data presented may be used for the future design of coach education programmes as they advance current knowledge on understanding psycho-social issues related to professional development and training perceptions involved in the competitive swimming environment