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Topic Review
Chitin- and Chitosan-Based Derivatives
This review deals with the utilization of chitin and chitosan derivatives in agriculture. In particular it summarizes recent results concerning the utilization of these compounds to face biotic and abiotic stresses. In addition the review summarizes recent results about the utilization of chitin- and chitosan-based materials for the recovery of waste water and soil contaminaded by different chemicals
  • 1.6K
  • 27 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Jungle Cat
The Jungle Cat (Felis chaus) is a medium-sized wild cat species native to South and Southeast Asia, as well as parts of the Middle East and the Indian Subcontinent. Characterized by its sandy or grayish-brown fur, distinct black-tipped ears, and elongated body, the Jungle Cat thrives in a variety of habitats including grasslands, wetlands, and agricultural areas. As an adept hunter and opportunistic feeder, it preys on small mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects, playing a vital role in maintaining ecological balance within its range.
  • 1.6K
  • 28 Feb 2024
Topic Review
Alkaline Phosphatase on Health
Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is abundant in raw milk. Because of its high heat resistance, ALP negative is used as an indicator of successful sterilization. However, pasteurized milk loses its immune protection against allergies. Clinically, ALP is also used as an indicator of organ diseases. When the activity of ALP in blood increases, it is considered that diseases occur in the viscera and organs. Oral administration or injection of ALP will not cause harm to the body and has a variety of probiotic effects. For infants with low immunity, ALP intake is a good prebiotic, which can protect the infant's intestine from potential pathogens. In addition, ALP has a variety of probiotic effects on any age group, including the prevention and treatment of intestinal diseases, allergies, hepatitis, acute kidney injury (AKI), diabetes, and even the prevention of aging.
  • 1.6K
  • 23 May 2022
Topic Review
Torreya grandis
Torreya grandis (T. grandis) is an old relict species within the family of Taxaceae that is endemic in China, often referred to as Chinese Torreya. It has been one of the most economically important tree species in the subtropical region of China.
  • 1.6K
  • 09 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Mountain Weasel
The Mountain Weasel (Mustela altaica), a sleek and agile carnivore, inhabits the high-altitude regions of Asia, showcasing remarkable adaptations to life in mountainous terrains. Known for its elusive nature and diverse range of habitats, the Mountain Weasel plays a vital role in alpine ecosystems, preying on small mammals and contributing to the delicate balance of these high-altitude environments.
  • 1.6K
  • 04 Feb 2024
Topic Review
Sex Determination in Dioecious Agricultural Plants
Unlike in animals, dioecy among flowering plants is a rare phenomenon. The vast majority of angiosperm species have a bisexual flower that combines male (androecium) and female (gynoecium) reproductive organs. However, about a quarter of species have dioecious flowers, which can be located within the same plant (monoecious) or on different plants (dioecious). The development of sequencing techniques, bioinformatics, and molecular biology has led to an increase in interest in the sex determination mechanisms among plants. It is noteworthy that a significant number of dioecious plants have economic value. At the same time, dioeciousness often complicates the growing process. This fact increases the relevance of studies on dioecious crops.
  • 1.6K
  • 15 Mar 2023
Topic Review
Snow Leopard Landscapes
High Asia, the high-altitude habitat of the snow leopard (Panthera uncia), covers the mountainous regions of Asia’s twelve countries, including Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. The transboundary landscape occupied by snow leopards covers an area of about 3.0247 million square kilometers. China possesses about 60% of the global snow leopard landscape, and China shares its border with 10 (the only exception being Uzbekistan) out of the total 12 snow leopard range countries. The snow leopard is an umbrella species from the high-altitude transboundary Asian regions. It is a threatened carnivore of an elusive and secretive nature. Globally, the population of snow leopards is estimated to be 4500–7500 animals in the wild.
  • 1.5K
  • 14 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Edible Aquatic Insects: Diversities, Nutrition, and Safety
Edible insects have great potential to be human food; among them, aquatic insects have unique characteristics. In contrast with the role of plant feeders that most terrestrial edible insect species play, most aquatic edible insects are carnivorous animals. Besides the differences in physiology and metabolism, there are differences in fat, fatty acid, limiting/flavor amino acid, and mineral element contents between terrestrial and aquatic insects.
  • 1.5K
  • 04 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Plant Secondary Metabolites as Defense Tools against Herbivores
Plants have evolved several adaptive strategies through physiological changes in response to herbivore attacks. Plant secondary metabolites (PSMs) are synthesized to provide defensive functions and regulate defense signaling pathways to safeguard plants against herbivores. Herbivore injury initiates complex reactions which ultimately lead to synthesis and accumulation of PSMs. The biosynthesis of these metabolites is regulated by the interplay of signaling molecules comprising phytohormones. Plant volatile metabolites are released upon herbivore attack and are capable of directly inducing or priming hormonal defense signaling pathways. Secondary metabolites enable plants to quickly detect herbivore attacks and respond in a timely way in a rapidly changing scenario of pest and environment.Several studies have suggested that the potential for adaptation and/or resistance by insect herbivores to secondary metabolites is limited. These metabolites cause direct toxicity to insect pests, stimulate antixenosis mechanisms in plants to insect herbivores, and, by recruiting herbivore natural enemies, indirectly protect the plants. Herbivores adapt to secondary metabolites by the up/down regulation of sensory genes, and sequestration or detoxification of toxic metabolites. PSMs modulate multi-trophic interactions involving host plants, herbivores, natural enemies and pollinators. Although the role of secondary metabolites in plant-pollinator interplay has been little explored, several reports suggest that both plants and pollinators are mutually benefited. Molecular insights into the regulatory proteins and genes involved in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites will pave the way for the metabolic engineering of biosynthetic pathway intermediates for improving plant tolerance to herbivores. 
  • 1.5K
  • 14 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Machine Learning and Vegetable Science
Along with essential nutrients and trace elements, vegetables provide raw materials for the food processing industry. Despite this, plant diseases and unfavorable weather patterns continue to threaten the delicate balance between vegetable production and consumption. It is critical to utilize machine learning (ML) in this setting because it provides context for decision-making related to breeding goals. 
  • 1.5K
  • 29 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Heavy Metals-Induced Oxidative Stress in Poultry
Oxidative stress in chickens caused by dietary, environmental, and pathological variables influences how well chickens perform as well as the quality of meat and eggs. Lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) are two examples of heavy metals that are harmful for chicken health. They can cause oxidative stress by increasing the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) and blocking antioxidants from protecting cells from increased amounts of free radicals. The oxidative state of heavy metals, their interactions with endogenous antioxidants, and chemical processes all affect how hazardous they are to the body. 
  • 1.5K
  • 20 Apr 2023
Topic Review
Blockchain Applications in Agribusiness
Blockchain is a communication network where data is stored and shared in a distributed manner among all its nodes and links, eliminating any reliable authority centralized in different business models and where each node can assume coordination without a unified data center. Blockchain is a chain of blocks of information forming a distributed database where a group of people controls, records, and shares information used in various types of applications and is interconnected through platforms and hardware worldwide.
  • 1.5K
  • 27 Apr 2021
Topic Review
Cougar
The Cougar (Puma concolor), also known as the mountain lion, puma, or panther, is a large felid native to the Americas. Renowned for its elusive nature and wide distribution across diverse habitats, including forests, mountains, and deserts, the Cougar is one of the most adaptable and widespread carnivores in the Western Hemisphere. As a formidable apex predator, it plays a crucial role in regulating prey populations and maintaining ecosystem balance throughout its range.
  • 1.5K
  • 28 Feb 2024
Topic Review
Proso Millet (Panicum miliaceum L.)
Proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) or broomcorn millet is among the most important food crops to be domesticated by humans; it is widely distributed in America, Europe, and Asia.
  • 1.5K
  • 25 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Early Discoveries and Understanding of Vitamin E
Vitamin E, consisting of four tocopherols and four tocotrienols, with α-tocopherol as the most biologically active form, has a significant history in scientific research. It was first identified in the 1920s for its role in preventing neonatal mortality in rats. Over time, its chemical structure was elucidated, and its importance in the immune system, skin health, anti-inflammatory properties, and hormonal balance was revealed.
  • 1.5K
  • 14 Aug 2023
Topic Review
The Effect of Music on Livestock
The welfare of animals, especially those kept in intensive production systems, is a priority for modern agriculture. This stems from the desire to keep animals healthy, to obtain a good-quality final product, and to meet the demands of today’s consumers, who have been increasingly persuaded to buy organic products. As a result, new sound-based methods have been pursued to reduce external stress in livestock. Music therapy has been known for thousands of years, and sounds were believed to improve both body and spirit. Today, they are mostly used to distract patients from their pain, as well as to treat depression and cardiovascular disorders. However, recent studies have suggested that appropriately selected music can confer some health benefits, e.g., by increasing the level and activity of natural killer cells. For use in livestock, the choice of genre, the loudness of the music and the tempo are all important factors. Some music tracks promote relaxation (thus improving yields), while others have the opposite effect. 
  • 1.5K
  • 11 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Antioxidant Peptides from Corn Silk Tryptic Hydrolysate
Corn silk (CS) is an agro-by-product from corn cultivation. It is used in folk medicines in some countries, besides being commercialized as health-promoting supplements and beverages. Unlike CS-derived natural products, their bioactive peptides, particularly antioxidant peptides, are understudied.
  • 1.5K
  • 11 May 2023
Topic Review
Biofloc Systems for Sustainable Aquaculture
The increasing global population has led to an increase in food demand; consequently, aquaculture is one of the food production sectors that has offered opportunities to alleviate hunger, malnutrition, and poverty. However, the development of a sustainable aquaculture industry has been hindered by the limited availability of natural resources as well as its negative impact on the surrounding environment. Hence, there is an urgent need to search for better aquacultural production systems that, despite their high productivity and profitability, utilize fewer resources such as water, energy, land, and capital in conjunction with a negligible impact on the environment. Biofloc technology (BFT) is one of the most exciting and promising sustainable aquaculture systems; it takes into account the intensive culture of aquatic species, zero water exchange, and improved water quality as a result of beneficial microbial biomass activity, which, at the same time, can be utilized as a nutritious aquaculture feed, thus lowering the costs of production. Furthermore, BFT permits the installation of integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) systems in which the wastes of one organism are utilized as feed by another organism, without a detrimental effect on co-cultured species.
  • 1.5K
  • 14 Jul 2021
Topic Review Peer Reviewed
CRISPR Towards a Sustainable Agriculture
Climate change and the need to feed an increasing population undermines food production and safety, representing the reasons behind the development of a new agriculture that is much more sustainable, productive and accessible worldwide. Genome editing and, in particular, clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated protein (CRISPR/Cas) tools will play a major role in plant breeding to address these concerns. CRISPR/Cas includes a series of genome editing tools relying on the recognition and cleavage of target DNA/RNA sequences to introduce specific mutations.
  • 1.5K
  • 13 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Abscisic Acid-Mediated Drought Stress
Drought is one of the major constraints to rain-fed agricultural production, especially under climate change conditions. Plants evolved an array of adaptive strategies that perceive stress stimuli and respond to these stress signals through specific mechanisms. Abscisic acid (ABA) is a premier signal for plants to respond to drought and plays a critical role in plant growth and development. 
  • 1.5K
  • 25 Jan 2022
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