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Topic Review
Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification
The recent progress of molecular diagnostics has allowed the generation of different sophisticated tools, like loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP). This technique has become a well-established in different fields, including medicine, agriculture, and food industry, due to its high specificity, analytical sensitivity, technical simplicity, short analysis time, and low cost. LAMP involves isothermal amplification of target DNA and is highly accordant with point-of-care analysis. It has great potential to improve plant protection diagnostics, especially for in field analyses, detection of plant quarantine pathogens or virus pathogens in early infection stages. In this review, the authors provide detailed overview of the LAMP, describing in particular evolution of the technique, design and main features of the primer set, different visualization methods of LAMP results, its evolution and use in different fields, reporting in detail LAMP application in plant virology, and the main advantages of this technique.
  • 1.3K
  • 28 Oct 2020
Topic Review
NF-κB and Poultry
Redox biology is a very quickly developing area of modern biological sciences, and roles of redox homeostasis in health and disease have recently received tremendous attention. There are a range of redox pairs in the cells/tissues responsible for redox homeostasis maintenance/regulation. Transcription factor Nrf2 was shown to be a master regulator of antioxidant defenses via activation of various vitagenes and other protective molecules to maintain redox homeostasis in cells/tissues. It was shown that Nrf2 is closely related to another transcription factor, namely, NF-κB, responsible for control of inflammation. The regulatory roles of NF-κB in poultry are still poorly understood, but accumulating information clearly indicates that, similar to mammals, NF-κB is a main regulator of many important processes, including inflammation in avian species.
  • 1.3K
  • 10 Jun 2022
Topic Review
Beneficial Effects of Probiotic Supplementation in Pigs
The rise in antimicrobial-resistant pathogens has necessitated a decrease in the use of antibiotics and antimicrobials in commercial pig farming. Consequently, there has been a surge in research to pinpoint alternative dietary interventions that can contribute to the health and performance of pigs. The pivotal role of the gastrointestinal (GIT) microbiota in animal health and performance is gaining greater recognition. Therefore, enhancing the GIT microbiota, particularly the pioneer microbiota in young pigs, has become a central objective. The supplementation of probiotics emerges as a practical strategy to introduce beneficial bacteria into the pig's GIT, promoting improved animal health and performance.
  • 1.3K
  • 11 Dec 2023
Topic Review
Degradation Path of Deltamethrin
One of the most frequently and widely used pyrethroids is deltamethrin, often employed for the control of household insect pests. The presence of three chiral centers translates into eight possible different stereoisomers, with only one of them having insecticidal activity. Active deltamethrin (a-DLM) has an S configuration at the α−benzyl carbon and a 1-R-cis configuration at the cyclopropane ring.
  • 1.3K
  • 25 Jun 2021
Topic Review
GPCRs in Insects
G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) play important roles in cell biology and insects’ physiological processes, toxicological response and the development of insecticide resistance. New information on genome sequences, proteomic and transcriptome analysis and expression patterns of GPCRs in organs such as the central nervous system in different organisms has shown the importance of these signaling regulatory GPCRs and their impact on vital cell functions. Our growing understanding of the role played by GPCRs at the cellular, genome, transcriptome and tissue levels is now being utilized to develop new targets that will sidestep many of the problems currently hindering human disease control and insect pest management.
  • 1.3K
  • 02 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Pregnancy Diagnosis in Dairy Cows
The PL represents a considerable biological and economic waste for the farmer, therefore, the objective of the present review is to discuss recent methods suitable for diagnosing early pregnancy and pregnancy losses in dairy cattle.
  • 1.3K
  • 01 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Thermoregulatory Mechanisms in Altricial and Precocial Species
Thermoregulation in newborn mammals is an essential species-specific mechanism of the nervous system that contributes to their survival during the first hours and days of their life. When exposed to cold weather, which is a risk factor associated with mortality in neonates, pathways such as the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis (HPA) are activated to achieve temperature control, increasing the circulating levels of catecholamine and cortisol. Consequently, alterations in blood circulation and mechanisms to produce or to retain heat (e.g., vasoconstriction, piloerection, shivering, brown adipocyte tissue activation, and huddling) begin to prevent hypothermia. Determined mainly by physiological maturity, mammals can be classified into altricial and precocial species. Although altricial and precocial newborns have several mechanisms to maintain a stable body temperature, a sudden drop in temperature experienced at birth reduces vigor and affects their feeding ability. Consequently, the acquisition of immunoglobulins and the ingestion of nutrients that fuel thermogenesis are compromised.
  • 1.3K
  • 07 Jul 2022
Topic Review
Genomics in Dairy Cattle Selection
Genomics comprises a set of current and valuable technologies implemented as selection tools in dairy cattle commercial breeding programs. The intensive progeny testing for production and reproductive traits based on genomic breeding values (GEBVs) has been crucial to increasing dairy cattle productivity. The knowledge of key genes and haplotypes, including their regulation mechanisms, as markers for productivity traits, may improve the strategies on the present and future for dairy cattle selection. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) such as quantitative trait loci (QTL), single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), or single-step genomic best linear unbiased prediction (ssGBLUP) methods have already been included in global dairy programs for the estimation of marker-assisted selection-derived effects. The increase in genetic progress based on genomic predicting accuracy has also contributed to the understanding of genetic effects in dairy cattle offspring. However, the crossing within inbred-lines critically increased homozygosis with accumulated negative effects of inbreeding like a decline in reproductive performance. Thus, inaccurate-biased estimations based on empirical-conventional models of dairy production systems face an increased risk of providing suboptimal results derived from errors in the selection of candidates of high genetic merit-based just on low-heritability phenotypic traits. This extends the generation intervals and increases costs due to the significant reduction of genetic gains. 
  • 1.3K
  • 29 Apr 2021
Topic Review
Intracellular Sensors——Nod-like Receptors
NOD-like receptors are functionally diverse intracellular sensors with heterogeneous signaling pathways. With the exception of NLRP10, which lacks an Leucine-rich repeats (LRR) domain, all the containing receptors (NLR) families share a common nucleotide-binding and oligomerization (NACHT) and LRR domain organization.
  • 1.3K
  • 03 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Limonium Mill. Species
Limonium is one of the most interesting and biodiverse genera of halophytes, with many species adapted to saline environments. Limonium species have a promising potential as cultivated minor crops as many have ornamental value, or are already used as medicinal plants.
  • 1.3K
  • 22 Apr 2021
Topic Review
Fungal Carotenoids
Carotenoids represent a class of pigmented terpenoids. They are distributed in all taxonomic groups of fungi. Most of the fungal carotenoids differ in their chemical structures to those from other organisms. The general function of carotenoids in heterotrophic organisms is protection as antioxidants against reactive oxygen species generated by photosensitized reactions. Furthermore, carotenoids are metabolized to apocarotenoids by oxidative cleavage.
  • 1.3K
  • 14 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Complementary Cover Crop Mixture
Building a complementary cover crop mixture is a continuous process. An emerging concept is the importance of selecting cover crop species with functional complementarity rather than simply increasing the number of species. Based on this concept, selection of species in multi-mixes is based on different criteria: grower objectives/primary purpose of planting the cover crop, crop rotation and cropping system compatibility, above and belowground compatibility, complementarity of different ecosystem functions, compatibility with the growing environment, duration for cover crop growth, termination option(s) available, input/labour costs, planting equipment required, persistence/weediness, and potential net economic returns. Here, we propose a step-wise procedure to develop effective multi-species mixtures. The number of species and their ratio in the mixtures will depend on objective criteria, and hence long-term research is required to assess different species compositions and their impacts.
  • 1.3K
  • 27 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Quantitative Vitamin A Analysis Approaches
Ensuring that animals receive a well-balanced diet and appropriate feed formulation can significantly enhance animal productivity, improve the quality of their products, and promote better animal welfare. Vitamin A, also known as retinol, is a vital micronutrient crucial for maintaining optimal health and well-being in livestock. It plays a central role in various physiological functions, including immune response regulation, vision maintenance, and cellular differentiation. Consequently, the accurate determination of vitamin A levels in animal feed and premixes is essential for ensuring animal health and production. Beyond preventing deficiencies and associated health issues, it forms the foundation for their overall growth and performance.
  • 1.3K
  • 18 Feb 2024
Topic Review
Zearalenone and the Immune Response
Zearalenone (ZEA) is an estrogenic fusariotoxin, being classified as a phytoestrogen, or as a mycoestrogen. ZEA and its metabolites are able to bind to estrogen receptors, 17β-estradiol specific receptors, leading to reproductive disorders which include low fertility, abnormal fetal development, reduced litter size and modification at the level of reproductive hormones especially in female pigs. ZEA has also significant effects on immune response with immunostimulatory or immunosuppressive results. This review presents the effects of ZEA and its derivatives on all levels of the immune response such as innate immunity with its principal component inflammatory response as well as the acquired immunity with two components, humoral and cellular immune response. The mechanisms involved by ZEA in triggering its effects are addressed. 
  • 1.3K
  • 26 Apr 2021
Topic Review
Allergy to Fungi in Veterinary Medicine
The fungal kingdom comprises ubiquitous forms of life with 1.5 billion years, mostly phytopathogenic and commensals for humans and animals. However, in the presence of immune disorders, fungi may cause disease by intoxicating, infecting or sensitizing with allergy. Species from the genera Alternaria, Aspergillus and Malassezia, as well as dermatophytes from the genera Microsporum, Trichophyton and Epidermophyton, are the most commonly implicated in veterinary medicine. 
  • 1.3K
  • 18 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Macrophage in Pathogenesis of Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a systemic disease with progressive bone loss. The bone loss is associated with an imbalance between bone resorption via osteoclasts and bone formation via osteoblasts. Other cells including T cells, B cells, macrophages, and osteocytes are also involved in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis. Different cytokines from activated macrophages can regulate or stimulate the development of osteoclastogenesis-associated bone loss. The fusion of macrophages can form multinucleated osteoclasts and, thus, cause bone resorption via the expression of IL-4 and IL-13. Different cytokines, endocrines, and chemokines are also expressed that may affect the presentation of macrophages in osteoporosis.
  • 1.3K
  • 02 Jun 2021
Topic Review
South American Fur Seal
The South American Fur Seal (Arctocephalus australis) is a charismatic pinniped species native to the coastal regions of South America. With its distinctive fur and robust physique, this marine mammal is well-adapted to both aquatic and terrestrial environments.
  • 1.3K
  • 08 Feb 2024
Topic Review
Biomedical Properties of Polysaccharides
Polysaccharides are considered as vital bio-macromolecules for all living organisms, which are structurally comprised of homo or hetero monosaccharides and uronic acids connected with glycosidic linkages.
  • 1.3K
  • 23 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Nocturnal Bees as Crop Pollinators
Bees are typically diurnal but around 1% of described species have nocturnal activity. Nocturnal bees are still poorly studied due to bias towards studying diurnal insects. However, knowledge concerning their biology and role as crop pollinators has increased. We review the literature on nocturnal bees’ traits and their host plants, and assess the crop pollination effectiveness of this neglected group. Nocturnal bees have visual adaptations to cope with low light intensities, and floral scents are a key sensory cue used to find their host flowers. Nocturnal bees generally show high flower constancy, the ability to vibrate flowers, and high transfer rates of pollen grains to stigmas. The flowers visited by nocturnal bees range from small radial and zygomorphic flowers to large brush blossoms; moreover, they visit plants with different flowering strategies. Nocturnal bees are effective pollinators of regional fruit crops in Brazil, such as cambuci (Campomanesia phaea), guaraná (Paullinia cupana), cajá (Spondias mombin), and in North America of cultivated pumpkins (Cucurbita species). However, they most likely are pollinators of several other crops. Strategies to host high numbers of nocturnal bees around cropping areas should be taken, such as preserving adjacent native forests, restricting soil management, providing food resources beyond crop flowers, and avoiding light pollution.
  • 1.3K
  • 29 Jul 2021
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.
  • 1.2K
  • 24 Sep 2021
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