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Topic Review
Decapods Crustaceans Amylase
Decapod crustaceans are a very diverse group and have evolved to adapt to a broad variety of diets. However, α-amylases have been more thoroughly studies in herbivore and omnivore species, both from an evolutionary/ecological and applied (i.e., aquaculture) point of view, while information on α-amylases from carnivorous species is scarce. Diverse studies revealed that enzyme sequences and overall architecture is highly conserved among decapods. 
  • 1.4K
  • 21 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Sleep in Non-human Animals
Sleep in non-human animals refers to a behavioral and physiological state characterized by altered consciousness, reduced responsiveness to external stimuli, and homeostatic regulation. Sleep is observed in mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and some fish, and, in some form, in insects and even in simpler animals such as nematodes. The internal circadian clock promotes sleep at night for diurnal organisms (such as humans) and in the day for nocturnal organisms (such as rodents). Sleep patterns vary widely among species. It appears to be a requirement for all mammals and most other animals.
  • 1.4K
  • 08 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Crab-eating Fox
The Crab-eating Fox (Cerdocyon thous) is a canid species native to South America, recognized for its specialized diet and adaptable behavior. Despite its name, the Crab-eating Fox primarily consumes a wide variety of foods, including small mammals, birds, insects, fruits, and carrion. With its distinctive reddish-brown fur and bushy tail, the Crab-eating Fox occupies diverse habitats ranging from forests and grasslands to urban areas across its range.
  • 1.4K
  • 08 Mar 2024
Topic Review
Intestinal Organoids
Following advances in primary cell culture techniques, organoids have been developed. Such technological breakthroughs have opened a new path in the study of microbial infectious diseases, and thus opened onto new strategies to control foodborne hazards. 
  • 1.4K
  • 07 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Canadian Lynx
The Canadian Lynx (Lynx canadensis) is a medium-sized wildcat species native to North America, predominantly found in boreal forests and mountainous regions. Recognizable for its distinctive tufted ears, thick fur coat, and short tail, this elusive carnivore is well-adapted to cold climates and dense forest habitats. Known for its stealthy hunting prowess and preference for snowshoe hares, the Canadian Lynx plays a vital role in regulating prey populations and maintaining ecosystem balance in its range.
  • 1.4K
  • 28 Feb 2024
Topic Review
Aphid–Plant–Phytovirus Pathosystems
Aphids are responsible for the spread of more than half of the known phytovirus species. Virus transmission within the plant–aphid–phytovirus pathosystem depends on vector mobility which allows the aphid to reach its host plant and on vector efficiency in terms of ability to transmit phytoviruses.
  • 1.4K
  • 11 Jun 2021
Topic Review
DNA-Based Animal Species Authentication in Dairy Products
Milk is one of the most important nutritious foods, widely consumed worldwide, either in its natural form or via dairy products. Currently, several economic, health and ethical issues emphasize the need for a more frequent and rigorous quality control of dairy products and the importance of detecting adulterations in these products. For this reason, several conventional and advanced techniques have been proposed, aiming at detecting and quantifying eventual adulterations, preferentially in a rapid, cost-effective, easy to implement, sensitive and specific way. DNA-based methods relying on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) have been widely applied to detect adulterations in foods from both plant and animal origins, including dairy products because of their simplicity, high sensitivity and high specificity. They benefit from the high thermal stability of DNA molecules, which is particularly relevant when analysing processed foods, and are independent from immunochemical recognition, making them not susceptible to cross-reactivity. The ubiquity of nucleic acids in every type of cell and particularity in healthy mammary glands, which have high numbers of leucocytes and epithelial cells that are transferred to the milk, is another advantage to highlight. During cheese making, these cells are concentrated and allow the isolation of DNA to discriminate the species.
  • 1.4K
  • 28 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Organic Farming
Because agriculture is a key source of environmental pressures, the need to urgently reduce the impacts of agricultural activities on biodiversity, freshwater and marine pollution, greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions, and soils has been recognized by the European Union. Thus, three of the post-2020 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) objectives concern the environment and climate change. More specifically, a substantial contribution is scheduled to mitigate climate change, foster sustainable development and efficient management of natural resources, protect biodiversity, enhance ecosystem services, and preserve wildlife habitats and landscapes. These challenges can be addressed by the adoption of more sustainable agricultural production systems such as organic farming. 
  • 1.4K
  • 29 Apr 2021
Topic Review
Biliary Atresia
The term biliary atresia has substituted the original term of “extrahepatic biliary atresia”, which has been in use for several generations. The concept was related to the often-identified absence of gallbladder with an obliterated cord at the site the extrahepatic biliary system. It is now known that biliary atresia is a necro-inflammatory and fibro-obliterative process of both intrahepatic and extrahepatic biliary tract.
  • 1.4K
  • 11 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Helminth Fauna of Muskrat (Germany)
The muskrat is a neozoon species that has occupied many countries of continental North Europe after its introduction from north America as fur animals. Due to its burrowing activity it damages river and canal banks and structures of flood control. For this reason, the eradication of this alien species is recommended. Muskrats are also of parasitological interest since they can act as suitable intermediate hosts for Echinococcus multilocularis. On the other hand, little is known on the other helminths that infect muskrats. A total of 130 muskrats of different age groups trapped in different habitats in the Barnim district of the Brandenburg state by a professional hunter were examined for parasites and seven trematodes (Echinostoma sp., Notocotylus noyeri, Plagiorchis elegans, Plagiorchis arvicolae, Psilosostoma simillimum, P. spiculigerum, Opisthorchis felineus and four larval cestode species (Hydatigera taeniaeformis, Taenia martis, Taenia polyacantha, Taenia crassiceps) were detected. Larval stages of E. multilocularis were not found. O. felineus was found for the first time in muskrats in Germany. All the named parasites were present in Europe prior to the introduction of muskrats. With a prevalence of 48.9%, Strobilocercus fasciolaris, the larval stage of the cat tapeworm, H. taeniaeformis, was the most frequent parasite found in adult muskrats. 
  • 1.4K
  • 27 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Industrial Animal Farming and COVID-19
The threat of zoonoses (i.e., human infectious diseases transmitted from animals) because of industrial animal farming may be receiving less attention in society due to the putative wildlife origin of COVID-19. To identify societal responses to COVID-19 that do address or affect the risk of future zoonoses associated with industrial animal farming, the literature was screened for measures, actions, proposals and attitudes following the guidelines of a scoping review. Forty-one articles with relevant information published between 1 January 2020 and 30 April 2021 were identified directly or indirectly via bibliographies from 138 records retrieved via Google Scholar. Analysis of relevant content revealed ten fields of policy action amongst which biosecurity and change in dietary habits were the dominant topics. Further search for more relevant records within each field of policy action retrieved another 8 articles. Identified responses were furthermore classified and evaluated according to groups of societal actors, implying different modes of regulation and governance. Based on the results, a suggested policy strategy is presented for moving away from food production in factory farms and supporting sustainable farming, involving the introduction of a tax on the demand side and subsidies for the development and production of alternative meat.
  • 1.4K
  • 31 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Problems in Paddy Procurement System in Bangladesh
Bangladesh derives one-half of its agricultural GDP and one-sixth of its national income from paddy. It is crucial to the farmers’ ability to survive. The majority of farmers in Bangladesh are classified as middle- or low-income. They must frequently take out loans to cultivate paddy. Moreover, they are compelled to sell their paddy at a lower price immediately after harvesting for primarily two reasons: the lack of storage facilities; and the immediate need for money to pay back loans taken out to buy labour, seeds, fertiliser, insecticides, and other necessities, and to fund daily costs.
  • 1.4K
  • 19 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Seed Yield in Red Clover
Red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) is a perennial forage legume which is valued for its yield, nitrogen fixation and forage quality. However, seed yield is often unsatisfactory in red clover. Seed production has been the objective of various studies with different approaches. This review paper summarizes and discusses recent results from various studies on seed yield and fertility in red clover, and opens perspectives for future research.
  • 1.4K
  • 22 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Crop Diversification and Weed Control
Weeds can be defined as any plant that is objectionable or interferes with the activities or welfare of humans. In a crop production system, weeds compete for the same resources as the crops, such as water, nutrients, sunlight, and space, limiting crop productivity. Aggressive weed competition reduces crop yield significantly and adds further cost to crop production owing to their management. Yield loss due to weeds depends on several factors such as density, time of emergence, type of weed, and crop type. 
  • 1.4K
  • 02 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Epizoochory in Parrots
Plant–animal interactions are key to sustaining whole communities and ecosystem function. However, their complexity may limit our understanding of the underlying mechanisms and the species involved. The ecological effects of epizoochory remain little known compared to other seed dispersal mechanisms given the few vectors identified. In addition, epizoochory is mostly considered non-mutualistic since dispersers do not obtain nutritional rewards. Here, we show a widespread but unknown mutualistic interaction between parrots and plants through epizoochory.
  • 1.4K
  • 21 Apr 2021
Topic Review
Classification of Genetic Load
The term “genetic load” refers to the accumulation of lethal and sublethal harmful mutations that significantly reduce an individual’s viability or result in their death when the mutation enters a homozygous state. Each type of genetic load in farm animals correlates with a certain type of natural or artificial selection in them. In animal husbandry, four types of genetic load are generally distinguished: mutation, immigration, segregation, and substitution.
  • 1.4K
  • 20 May 2023
Topic Review
Whey-Derived Peptides and COVID-19
The renin–angiotensin system (RAS) is a key regulator of blood pressure and hypertension. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and angiotensin-converting enzyme I (ACE) are two main components of the RAS that play a major role in blood pressure homeostasis. The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) uses ACE2 as a receptor to enter cells. Despite some controversies, numerous studies have reported a significant association between the use of ACE inhibitors and reduced risk of COVID-19.
  • 1.4K
  • 05 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Gray Seal
The Gray Seal, scientifically known as Halichoerus grypus, is a marine mammal renowned for its distinctive appearance and widespread distribution across the North Atlantic Ocean. Characterized by its robust build, long whiskers, and mottled gray fur, the Gray Seal is a highly adaptable species found inhabiting coastal waters, rocky shores, and sandy beaches from Canada to Europe. As a top predator in marine ecosystems, the Gray Seal plays a crucial role in regulating prey populations and maintaining ecosystem balance.
  • 1.4K
  • 15 Mar 2024
Topic Review
Antibiotics for Animal Husbandry
Since the 1950s, antibiotics have been used in the field of animal husbandry for growth promotion, therapy and disease prophylaxis. It is estimated that up to 80% of the antibiotics produced by the pharmaceutical industries are used in food production. Most of the antibiotics are used as feed additives at sub-therapeutic levels to promote growth. However, studies show the indiscriminate use of antibiotics has led to the emergence of multidrug-resistant pathogens that threaten both animal health and human health, including vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE), Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE). This scenario is further complicated by the slow progress in achieving scientific breakthroughs in uncovering novel antibiotics following the 1960s. Most of the pharmaceutical industries have long diverted research funds away from the field of antibiotic discovery to more lucrative areas of drug development. If this situation is allowed to continue, humans will return to the pre-antibiotics era and potentially succumb to huge health and economic consequences. Fortunately, studies investigating various alternatives to antibiotics use in livestock show promising results. These alternatives include the application of bacteriophages and phage derived peptidoglycan degrading enzymes, engineered peptides, egg yolk antibodies, probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics, as well as quorum quenching molecules. Therefore, this review aims to discuss the use of growth-promoting antibiotics and their impact on livestock and provide insights on the alternative approaches for animal husbandry. 
  • 1.4K
  • 27 May 2021
Topic Review
Sun Bear
The Sun bear (Helarctos malayanus), also known as the "honey bear," is the smallest bear species and inhabits the dense tropical forests of Southeast Asia. Recognizable by its sleek black fur, distinctive crescent-shaped chest patch, and short muzzle, the Sun bear possesses a unique adaptation: an elongated tongue ideal for extracting honey and insects from tree cavities. Despite its diminutive size, this arboreal omnivore plays a crucial role in forest ecosystems, dispersing seeds and regulating insect populations, while facing threats from habitat loss and poaching for traditional medicine and the pet trade.
  • 1.4K
  • 08 Mar 2024
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