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Topic Review
Origins of Viticulture
The grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.), besides being one of the most extensively cultivated fruit trees in the world, is also a fascinating subject for evolutionary studies. The domestication process started in the Near East and the varieties obtained were successively spread and cultivated in different areas. Whether the domestication occurred only once, or whether successive domestication events occurred independently, is a highly debated mystery. Moreover, introgression events, breeding and intense trade in the Mediterranean basin have followed, in the last thousands of years, obfuscating the genetic relationships. Although a succession of genomic studies has been carried out to explore grapevine origin and different evolution models are proposed, an overview of the topic remains pending.
  • 671
  • 10 Jun 2021
Topic Review
SARS-CoV-2 Transmission in Livestock Industry and Agro-environment
The outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a public health emergency that turns the year 2020–2021 into annus horribilis for millions of people across international boundaries. The interspecies transmission of this zoonotic virus and mutated variants are aided by exposure dynamics of infected aerosols, fomites and intermediate reservoirs. The spike in the first, second and third waves of coronavirus confirms that herd immunity is not yet reached and everyone including livestock is still vulnerable to the infection. Of serious concern are the communitarian nature of agrarians in the livestock sector, aerogenous spread of the virus and attendant cytocidal effect in permissive cells following activation of pathogen recognition receptors, replication cycles, virulent mutations, seasonal spike in infection rates, flurry of reinfections and excess mortalities that can affect animal welfare and food security. As the capacity to either resist or be susceptible to infection is influenced by numerous factors, identifying coronavirus-associated variants and correlating exposure dynamics with viral aerosols, spirometry indices, comorbidities, susceptible blood types, cellular miRNA binding sites and multisystem inflammatory syndrome remains a challenge where the lethal zoonotic infections are prevalent in the livestock industry, being the hub of dairy, fur, meat and egg production. This entry provides insights into the complexity of the disease burden and recommends precision smart-farming models for upscaling biosecurity measures and adoption of digitalised technologies (robotic drones) powered by multiparametric sensors and radio modem systems for real-time tracking of infectious strains in the agro-environment and managing the transition into the new-normal realities in the livestock industry.
  • 670
  • 22 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Bacteria and Boar Semen Storage
Artificial insemination (AI) is a widely used technique in swine production. Advances in the technique have made it possible to store spermatozoa at temperatures of 15–20 °C for short periods, up to ten days. Unfortunately, it is currently associated with bacterial contamination of semen during collection and dilution. Although the temperature is reduced to induce sperm inactivity during storage, bacterial growth can still occur. Bacterial growth has been associated with deleterious effects on semen quality and shelf life, such as sperm agglutination, decreased sperm motility and viability. In addition, reproductive output after AI can also be affected by bacteriospermia.
  • 670
  • 19 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Serbian Traditional Goat Cheese
Serbian goat cheese, quality relies on the use of milk collected from animals reared in organic farming systems. This organic milk contains more dry matter and nutrients; hence, its usage leads to the obtention of dairy products with exceptional nutritional and functional properties. Goat’s milk harbors a specific taste, and it is known to cause less allergic reactions than cow’s milk. The absence of adverse reactions is due to its low or minimal level of the αs1-casein fraction. Goat’s milk is generally more easily digested (the fat globules are smaller) and represents a good source of calcium, phosphorus and vitamins.
  • 669
  • 26 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Proline and Heat-tolerance
Dietary proline supplementation is useful for enhancing heat-tolerance and semen quality of rabbit bucks affected by heat-stress. These effects are dose-dependent and were achieved at doses ranging between 50 and 100 mg proline/kg DM. Higher proline concentrations likely have undesirable effects on redox status and sperm quality.
  • 669
  • 13 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Estrogens and Androgens in Plants
Steroids are a group of compounds to which a number of crucial metabolism-controlling hormones belong. The group of steroid hormones that are present and active in animals and humans (mammalian steroid hormones) is large and includes, among others, corticosteroids, which control, for example, water and mineral management and sex hormones—i.e., androgens, estrogens, progesterone, which are responsible for development and reproduction.  Ecdysteroids are mainly known as being the steroid hormones of arthropods that regulate ecdysis and development. In plants, the steroid regulators include the brassinosteroids, which are hormones that have a multidirectional activity and are engaged in plant growth, development, and its response to environmental stresses.
  • 668
  • 11 Jan 2022
Topic Review
DNA Methylation in Tauopathies
Together with histone variants and modifications, alterations in nucleosome positioning, non-coding RNAs, and DNA methylation constitute the epigenetic toolkit. DNA methylation describes the chemical modification of the DNA itself by the addition of methyl groups mostly on cytosines, but also on adenines via DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs), with DNMT1 and DNMT3A being the major DNMTs in the CNS. DNA methylation effects, i.a. transcriptional control when occurring at enhancer and promoter sites, alternative promoter choice and alternative splicing. At the level of transcriptional regulation, methylated motifs of transcription factor (TF) binding sites physically impede the binding of methyl-sensitive TFs, leading to transcriptional suppression. Furthermore, the interaction of the methyl-CpG-binding domain proteins (MBDs) with methylated DNA prevents binding of TFs and promotes inactive heterochromatin formation by recruiting other chromatin and nucleosome remodeling factors.
  • 667
  • 30 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Bay Cat
The Bay Cat (Catopuma badia), a mysterious and elusive felid species native to the dense forests of Southeast Asia, remains one of the least studied and understood wild cats. Known for its striking reddish-brown fur and secretive behavior, the Bay Cat captivates researchers and conservationists alike as they strive to unravel the mysteries surrounding this enigmatic feline species.
  • 666
  • 04 Feb 2024
Topic Review
Asian Black Bear
The Asian Black Bear (Ursus thibetanus) is a formidable and iconic species native to various habitats across Asia, from dense forests to mountainous regions. Recognizable by its sleek black fur and distinctive white V-shaped chest marking, this bear species is renowned for its omnivorous diet and remarkable climbing abilities. Despite facing threats such as habitat loss and poaching, conservation efforts aim to protect the Asian Black Bear and its critical role in maintaining the ecological balance of Asian ecosystems.
  • 665
  • 08 Mar 2024
Topic Review
Aeroterrestrial and Extremophilic Microalgae as Sources in Cosmetics
Microscopic prokaryotic and eukaryotic algae (microalgae), which can be effectively grown in mass cultures, are gaining increasing interest in cosmetics. Up to now, the main attention was on aquatic algae, while species from aeroterrestrial and extreme environments remained underestimated. In these habitats, algae accumulate high amounts of some chemical substances or develop specific compounds, which cause them to thrive in inimical conditions. Among such biologically active molecules is a large family of lipids, which are significant constituents in living organisms and valuable ingredients in cosmetic formulations. Therefore, natural sources of lipids are increasingly in demand in the modern cosmetic industry and its innovative technologies. Among novelties in skin care products is the use of lipid nanoparticles as carriers of dermatologically active ingredients, which enhance their penetration and release in the skin strata. 
  • 664
  • 29 Mar 2022
Topic Review Peer Reviewed
Triticale: A General Overview of Its Use in Poultry Production
Triticale, a hybrid of wheat and rye, is one of the most promising grain crops. In terms of productivity, the level of metabolizable energy, and the composition of essential amino acids, triticale surpasses rye and is not inferior to wheat. It is resistant to the most dangerous diseases and pests. In terms of nutritional value, triticale can compete with wheat, corn, sorghum, and barley. The presence, however, of antinutrients in triticale such as non-starch polysaccharides, alkylresorcinols, and trypsin inhibitors significantly reduces the biological value of this crop. In the global practice of compound feed production, there are many methods and technologies for processing grain raw materials to increase their nutritional value. Enzymatic treatment and extrusion technologies are worthy of special attention. The high content of triticale in the compound feed of poultry breeder flocks should be used effectively, taking into account the characteristics of triticale varieties and climatic conditions. An optimal triticale level in feed (15% for layer and broiler chicks) may improve body weight gain and reduce feed costs when raising replacement young stock. Layer breeder flocks fed a 20% triticale-based diet may have increased egg production, high viability, and flock uniformity. Producing triticale–soy and triticale–sunflower extrudates and supplementing the diet of poultry flocks with essential amino acids represent promising avenues for maximizing the benefits of triticale. Innovative methods of achieving this goal should be further developed and put into practice, particularly given the expansion of triticale’s cultivation areas.
  • 664
  • 21 Feb 2024
Topic Review
Ruminant Livestock
After the Neolithic domestication at specific sites, animals colonized the world and adapted to live and produce in a variety of different environments. Molecular technologies permit to scan the genome of local livestock breeds in search of adaptive genes to be used in accelerated breeding schemes to mitigate the deleterious effects of climate change on livestock welfare and productivity.
  • 664
  • 20 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Fucoidan-Derived Functional Oligosaccharides
Oligosaccharides derived from natural resources are attracting increasing attention as both food and nutraceutical products because of their beneficial health effects and lack of toxicity. New interest has emerged in fucoidan, partially hydrolysed into fuco-oligosaccharides (FOSs) or low-molecular weight fucoidan, owing to their superior solubility and biological activities compared with fucoidan. There is considerable interest in their development for use in the functional food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries. 
  • 663
  • 21 Jun 2023
Topic Review
Field Management on Soil and Tea Root Microbiomes
Microorganisms in soils and plants affect soil physical and chemical characteristics, affect soil nutrient availability and distribution and are crucial for soil and plant health, aiding in resilience to environmental stresses.
  • 661
  • 21 Oct 2021
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.
  • 661
  • 15 Mar 2023
Topic Review
Classification of Biostimulants
Biostimulants provide beneficial properties to plants by increasing plant metabolism, which promotes crop yield and improves the quality of crops; protecting plants against environmental stresses such as water shortage, soil salinization, and exposure to sub-optimal growth temperatures; and promoting plant growth via higher nutrient uptake. Biostimulants are classified as microbial, such as arbuscular mycorrhizae fungi (AMF), plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), non-pathogenic fungi, protozoa, and nematodes, or non-microbial, such as seaweed extract, phosphite, humic acid, other inorganic salts, chitin and chitosan derivatives, protein hydrolysates and free amino acids, and complex organic materials.
  • 661
  • 18 Sep 2023
Topic Review
Latin American Cattle Ranching Sustainability Debate
The significance of Latin America (LA) in the global food supply is large and prominent. The livestock sector at this time faces social-ecological challenges that will be accentuated in the future and will be incredibly challenging for small and medium producers. It is important to understand the role of LA cattle ranching in the current sustainability debate. In addition, researchers identified the main components of cattle ranching social-ecological systems and evaluated the institutional and ecological interactions of livestock studies by identifying spatial and temporal scales. The complexity and dynamism of cattle ranching in LA make it necessary to address sustainable planning from a systemic approach to guide viable transformations through spatial scales.
  • 660
  • 09 Aug 2022
Topic Review
Weeds Enhance Pollinator Diversity in Mango
Weeds increase the diversity of pollinating insects on mango flowers, and mangos with weeds growing below produced more fruit than those without weeds. Weeds can provide ground cover and flowers that can support insect pollinators, natural enemies, and increase biodiversity at the field and landscape level. 
  • 659
  • 19 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Extracellular Vesicles from Animal Milk
Milk represents the main source of nutrition for newborn mammals and serves as the conveyor of maternal messages of a sophisticated signaling system to promote postnatal health. It contains bioactive components that are essential for the development of the newborn immune system such as oligosaccharides, lactoferrin, lysozyme, alpha-lactalbumin, and immunoglobulins. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) were identified to be pivotal in this mother-to-child exchange. EVs are micro- and nanosized structures enclosed in a phospholipidic double-layer membrane that are produced by all cell types. They are released in the extracellular environment and reach close and distant cells. EVs can induce the modulation of biological processes in receiving cells after their absorption through the release of the molecular cargo contained within vesicles. In this way, EVs can also serve through immunomodulant anti-inflammatory, angiogenetic, and pro-regenerative actions depending on the cell of origin and patho/physiological conditions. EVs can be recovered from all biological fluids including milk.
  • 659
  • 02 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Sponges and Their Symbionts
Marine sponges represent a fascinating phylum of marine invertebrates, hosting a wide symbiotic community together with a huge production of secondary metabolites. The sponge-associated biota may bring together a broad group of phylogenetic lineages, including archaea, bacteria, and fungi.
  • 658
  • 24 Sep 2021
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