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Abstract Background One of the most influential forms of biological invasions is that of invasive ecosystem engineers, species that affect other biota via alterations to the abiotic environment. Such species can have wide-reaching consequences because they alter ecosystems and essentially “change the rules of existence” for a broad suites of resident biota. They thus affect resources or stressors that affect other organisms.The objective of this systematic review will be to quantify the positive and negative impacts of invasive ecosystem engineers on ecosystem structure and functioning, and to identify factors that cause their effects to vary. Methods We will search a number of online databases to gather empirical evidence from the literature on the impacts of invasive ecosystem engineers on: (1) species richness and other univariate and multivariate measures of biodiversity; (2) productivity and abundance of algae, plants, and animals; and (3) biogeochemical cycling and other flows of energy and materials, including trophic interactions. Data from relevant studies will be extracted and used in a random effects meta-analysis in order to estimate the average effect size of invasive ecosystem engineers on each response of interest.

Abstract Background Biological invasions are among the most severe threats to marine biodiversity. The impacts of introduced seaweeds on native macroalgal assemblages have been thoroughly reviewed. In contrast, no attempt has been made to synthesize the available information on the effects of exotic seaweeds on other trophic levels. In addition, it has not been clarified whether the effects of introduced seaweeds on native assemblages vary according to background physical and biological conditions. Methods This protocol provides details of our proposed method to carry out a systematic review aiming to identify and synthesize existing knowledge to answer the following primary questions: a) how does the impact of the presence of exotic seaweeds on native primary consumers (across trophic levels) compare in magnitude and extent to that observed on native primary producers (same trophic level)?; b) does the intensity of the effects of the presence of exotic seaweeds on native benthic ecosystems vary along a gradient of human disturbance (i.e. from urban/industrial areas to extra-urban areas to pristine areas)?

The fan mussel Pinna nobilis Linnaeus, 1758 is an endemic species of the Mediterranean Sea, protected by international agreements. It is one of the largest bivalves in the world, playing an important role in the benthic communities; yet it has been recently characterized as Critically Endangered by the IUCN, due to mass mortality events. In this context, the assessment of the genetic variation of the remaining P. nobilis populations and the evaluation of connectivity among them are crucial elements for the conservation of the species. For this purpose, samples were collected from six regions of the Eastern Mediterranean Sea; the Islands of Karpathos, Lesvos and Crete; the Chalkidiki and Attica Peninsulas; and the Amvrakikos Gulf. Sampling was performed either by collecting tissue from the individuals or by using a non-invasive method, i.e. , by scraping the inside of their shells aiming to collect their mucus and thus avoid stress induction to them. Conventional molecular techniques with the use of the COI and 16S rRNA mitochondrial markers were selected for the depiction of the intra-population genetic variability. The analyses included 104 samples from the present study and publicly available sequences of individuals across the whole Mediterranean Sea. The results of this work (a) suggest the use of eDNA as an efficient sampling method for protected bivalves and (b) shed light to the genetic structure of P. nobilis population in the Eastern Mediterranean; this latter knowledge might prove to be fundamental for the species conservation and hence the ecosystem resilience. The haplotype analyses reinforced the evidence that there is a certain degree of connectivity among the distinct regions of the Mediterranean; yet there is evidence of population distinction within the basin, namely between the Western and the Eastern basins. The combination of both genetic markers in the same analysis along with the inclusion of a large number of individuals produced more robust results, revealing a group of haplotypes being present only in the Eastern Mediterranean and providing insights for the species' most suitable conservation management., Competing Interests: The authors declare there are no competing interests., (©2023 Sarafidou et al.)

The authentication of food products and the verification of their identity are of major importance for consumers. Food fraud through mislabeling is an illegal practice consisting of the substitution of an expensive food product by a relatively cheaper one, misleading false labelling of their origin and adulteration in processed or frozen products. This issue is particularly of high importance concerning fish and seafood, which are easily adulterated primarily due to difficult morphological identification. Fish species of the Mullidae family are considered among the most high-valued seafood products traded in Greece and Eastern Mediterranean in general, in terms of the price and demand. Specifically, the red mullet ( Mullus barbatus ) and the striped red mullet ( Mullus surmuletus ) are both indigenous in the Aegean (FAO Division 37.3.1) and the Ionian (FAO Division 37.2.2) Seas, with high levels of consumers' preferences. However, they could be easily adulterated or misidentified by the invasive Aegean Sea Lessepsian migrator goldband goatfish ( Upeneus moluccensis ) as well as by the imported West African goatfish ( Pseudupeneus prayensis ). Keeping this in mind, we designed two novel, time-saving and easy-to-apply multiplex PCR assays and one multiple Melt-Curve analysis real-time PCR for the identification of these four species. These methodologies are based on species-specific primers targeting single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) detected via sequencing analysis of the mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase subunit I (CO1) and of the cytochrome b (CYTB) genes in newly collected individuals, with additional comparison with congeneric and conspecific haplotypes obtained from the GenBank database. Both methodologies, targeting CO1 or CYTB, utilize one common and four diagnostic primers, producing amplicons of different length that are easily and reliably separated on agarose gel electrophoresis, yielding a single clear band of diagnostic size for each species or a certain Melt-Curve profile. The applicability of this cost-effective and fast methodology was tested in 328 collected specimens, including 10 cooked samples obtained from restaurants. In the vast majority (327 out of the 328) of the specimens tested, one single band was produced, in agreement with the expected products with a single exception a M. barbatus sample that was identified as M. surmuletus , the identity of which was confirmed using sequencing, indicating erroneous morphological identification. The developed methodologies are expected to contribute to the detection of commercial fraud in fish authentication.

Background: Digitisation of specimens (e.g. zoological, botanical) can provide access to advanced morphological and anatomical information and promote new research opportunities. The micro-CT technology may support the development of "virtual museums" or "virtual laboratories" where digital 3D imaging data are shared widely and freely. There is currently a lack of universal standards concerning the publication and curation of micro-CT datasets., New Information: The aim of the current project was to create a virtual gallery with micro-CT scans of individuals of the marine gastropod Hexaplextrunculus , which were maintained under a combination of increased temperature and low pH conditions, thus simulating future climate change scenarios. The 3D volume-rendering models created were used to visualise the structure properties of the gastropods shells. Finally, the 3D analysis performed on the micro-CT scans was used to investigate potential changes in the shell properties of the gastropods. The derived micro-CT 3D images were annotated with detailed metadata and can be interactively displayed and manipulated using online tools through the micro-CT virtual laboratory, which was developed under the LifeWatchGreece Research Infrastructure for the dissemination of virtual image galleries collection supporting the principles of FAIR data., (Eva Chatzinikolaou, Kleoniki Keklikoglou, Panagiotis Grigoriou, Christos Arvanitidis.)

Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) is a high-resolution 3D-imaging technique which is now increasingly applied in biological studies focusing on taxonomy and functional morphology. The creation of virtual representations of specimens can increase availability of otherwise underexploited and inaccessible samples. The 3D model dataset can be also further processed through volume rendering and morphometric analysis. The success of micro-CT as a visualisation technique depends on several methodological manipulations, including the use of contrast enhancing staining agents, filters, scanning mediums, containers, exposure time and frame averaging. The aim of this study was to standardise a series of micro-CT scanning and 3D analysis protocols for a marine gastropod species, Hexaplextrunculus . The analytical protocols have followed all the developmental stages of this gastropod, from egg capsules and embryos to juveniles and adults., (Eva Chatzinikolaou, Kleoniki Keklikoglou.)

A 58-year-old man was admitted to our center with an inferior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. A coronary angiogram showed an ectatic right coronary artery (RCA) occluded at mid vessel by a significant clot burden quantified by micro-computed tomography. Guide catheter-directed intracoronary thrombolysis with low-dose tenekteplase resulted in regaining RCA flow, when numerous efforts of manual and 'mother-child' thrombectomy had failed to achieve. A stentless strategy was followed with final thrombolysis in myocardial infarction 3 flow and angiographically insignificant stenosis remaining in the RCA. The combination of intracoronary thrombolysis and a stentless strategy is a safe and effective treatment in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients with ectatic arteries and large thrombus burden when repeat manual aspiration thrombectomy fails.

Several imaging techniques are used in biological and biomedical studies. Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) is a non-destructive imaging technique that allows the rapid digitisation of internal and external structures of a sample in three dimensions and with great resolution. In this review, the strengths and weaknesses of some common imaging techniques applied in biological and biomedical fields, such as optical microscopy, confocal laser scanning microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy, are presented and compared with the micro-CT technique through five use cases. Finally, the ability of micro-CT to create non-destructively 3D anatomical and morphological data in sub-micron resolution and the necessity to develop complementary methods with other imaging techniques, in order to overcome limitations caused by each technique, is emphasised.

Background: Habitat mapping is nеcessary for the efficient conservation and protection of marine ecosystems. In addition, it is a requirement for EU Member States as stated in the European Union (EU) Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC), as well as necessary for the achievement and maintenance of 'good environmental status (GES)' of benthic marine habitats in the framework of the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (2008/56/EC)., New Information: This study provides baseline information on the marine benthic habitats of Sozopol Bay (Black Sea) and Karpathos and Saria Islands (Mediterranean Sea). These two Natura 2000 sites were selected as study sites of the RECONNECT project, which aimed at creating a transnational cooperative network to confront the environmental threats of ecosystems with a high natural and cultural interest, by the establishment of common practices and a joint regional strategy. The specific objective was to map the marine habitats using a defined a priori classification (EUNIS), with the ultimate purpose of supporting government marine spatial planning, management and decision-making processes through the development of a Decision Support System., (Stamatina Nikolopoulou, Dimitar Berov, Stefania Klayn, Lyubomir I. Dimitrov, Kiril Velkovsky, Eva Chatzinikolaou, Giorgos Chatzigeorgiou, Ventzislav Karamfilov, Christina Pavloudi.)

Background: Mediterranean ports are sources of significant economic activity and at the same time they act as recipients of considerable anthropogenic disturbance and pollution. Polluted and low-in-oxygen sediments can negatively impact benthic biodiversity and favour recruitment of opportunistic or invasive species. Macrobenthic communities are an important component of the port biota and can be used as environmental quality indicators. However, a baseline database for benthic biodiversity in Mediterranean ports has not yet been widely established., New Information: Macrobenthic assemblages were recorded in three Mediterranean touristic ports under the framework of the ENPI CBC MED project MAPMED (MAnagement of Port Areas in the MEDiterranean Sea Basin). Samples were collected from Cagliari (Sardinia, Italy), Heraklion (Crete, Greece) and El Kantaoui (Tunisia) ports during February, May and September 2012. The sampling stations were selected according to the different sectors within each port (i.e. leisure, fishing, passenger/cargo vessels and shipyard). A total of 277 taxa belonging to 12 phyla were found, of which the 96 taxa were present in all three ports. El Kantaoui port hosted the highest number of macrobenthic taxa. Mollusca were the most abundant group (34%) in all ports. The highest percentage of opportunistic taxa per station was found before the touristic period in the shipyard of Heraklion port (89.3%)., (Eva Chatzinikolaou, Panagiotis Damianidis, Christina Pavloudi, Aikaterini Vasileiadou, Sarah Faulwetter, Kleoniki Keklikoglou, Wanda Plaitis, Dimitra Mavraki, Stamatina Nikolopoulou, Christos Arvanitidis.)

Background: Angiographic detection of thrombus in STEMI is associated with adverse outcomes. However, routine thrombus aspiration failed to demonstrate the anticipated benefit. Hence, management of high coronary thrombus burden remains challenging. We sought to assess for the first time extracted thrombotic material characteristics utilizing micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). Methods: One hundred thirteen STEMI patients undergoing thrombus aspiration were enrolled. Micro-CT was undertaken to quantify retrieved thrombus volume, surface, and density. Correlation of these indices with angiographic and electrocardiographic outcomes was performed. Results: Mean aspirated thrombus volume, surface, and density (±standard deviation) were 15.71 ± 20.10 mm 3 , 302.89 ± 692.54 mm 2 , and 3139.04 ± 901.88 Hounsfield units, respectively. Aspirated volume and surface were significantly higher ( p < 0.001) in patients with higher angiographic thrombus burden. After multivariable analysis, independent predictors for thrombus volume were reference vessel diameter (RVD) ( p = 0.011), right coronary artery (RCA) ( p = 0.039), and smoking ( p = 0.027), whereas RVD ( p = 0.018) and RCA ( p = 0.019) were predictive for thrombus surface. Thrombus volume and surface were independently associated with distal embolization ( p = 0.007 and p = 0.028, respectively), no-reflow phenomenon ( p = 0.002 and p = 0.006, respectively), and angiographically evident residual thrombus ( p = 0.007 and p = 0.002, respectively). Higher thrombus density was correlated with worse pre-procedural TIMI flow ( p < 0.001). Patients with higher aspirated volume and surface developed less ST resolution ( p = 0.042 and p = 0.023, respectively). Conclusions: Angiographic outcomes linked with worse prognosis were more frequent among patients with larger extracted thrombus. Despite retrieving larger thrombus load in these patients, current thrombectomy devices fail to deal with thrombotic material adequately. Further studies of novel thrombus aspiration technologies are warranted to improve patient outcomes. Clinical Trial Registration: QUEST-STEMI trial ClinicalTrials.gov number: NCT03429608 Date of registration: February 12, 2018. The study was prospectively registered., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Karagiannidis, Papazoglou, Sofidis, Chatzinikolaou, Keklikoglou, Panteris, Kartas, Stalikas, Zegkos, Girtovitis, Moysidis, Stefanopoulos, Koupidis, Hadjimiltiades, Giannakoulas, Arvanitidis, Michaelson, Karvounis and Sianos.)

ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) remains one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. The identification of novel metabolic and imaging biomarkers could unveil key pathophysiological mechanisms at the molecular level and promote personalized care in patients with acute coronary syndromes. We studied 38 patients with STEMI who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention and thrombus aspiration. We sought to correlate serum ceramide levels with micro-CT quantified aspirated thrombus volume and relevant angiographic outcomes, including modified TIMI thrombus grade and pre- or post-procedural TIMI flow. Higher ceramide C16:0 levels were significantly but weakly correlated with larger aspirated thrombus volume (Spearman r = 0.326, p = 0.046), larger intracoronary thrombus burden (TB; p = 0.030) and worse pre- and post-procedural TIMI flow ( p = 0.049 and p = 0.039, respectively). Ceramides C24:0 and C24:1 were also significantly associated with larger intracoronary TB ( p = 0.008 and p = 0.001, respectively). Receiver operating characteristic analysis demonstrated that ceramides C24:0 and C24:1 could significantly predict higher intracoronary TB (area under the curve: 0.788, 95% CI: 0.629-0.946 and 0.846, 95% CI: 0.706-0.985, respectively). In conclusion, serum ceramide levels were higher among patients with larger intracoronary and aspirated TB. This suggests that quantification of serum ceramides might improve risk-stratification of patients with STEMI and facilitate an individualized approach in clinical practice.

Objective: In 2008, the radiofrequency ablation (RFA) procedures registry of the Hellenic Society of Cardiology was created. This online database allowed electrophysiologists around the country to input data for all performed ablation procedures. The aim of this study is to provide a thorough report and interpretation of the data submitted to the registry between 2008 and 2018., Methods: In 2008, a total of 27 centers/medical teams in 24 hospitals were licensed to perform RFA in Greece. By 2018, the number had risen to 31. Each center was tasked with inserting their own data into the registry, which included patient demographics (anonymized), type of procedure and technique, complications, and outcomes., Results: A total of 18587 procedures in 17900 patients were recorded in the period of 2008-2018. By 2018, slightly more than 70% of procedures were performed in 7 high-volume centers (>100 cases/year). The most common procedure since 2014 was atrial fibrillation ablation, followed by atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia ablation. Complication rates were low, and success rates remained high, whereas the 6-month relapse rates declined steadily., Conclusion: This online RFA registry has proved that ablation procedures in Greece have reached a very high standard, with results and complication rates comparable to European and American standards. Ablation procedures for atrial fibrillation are increasing constantly, with it being the most common intervention over the last 6-year period, although the absolute number of procedures still remains low, compared to other European countries., (Copyright © 2020 Hellenic Society of Cardiology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)