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Topic Review
Wandong Bulls (Bos taurus)
The Wandong cattle breed is recently recognized in Fangyang County, Anhui Province, China, by the National Commission for Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resources. The breed was domesticated in the watershed region between the Huai River and Yangtze River approximately 500 years ago, and mainly found in two kinds of coat color, yellow and brown. This is one of the best breed reared in Anhui China, and very popular for high quality meat production. The breed survives with extreme weather and raw feed as well as resistant to tick born diseases. Additionally, the animals raised in ecological environment in the hilly areas. The statistical data showed 1000,000 heads of Wandong cattle in the 1990s. 
  • 997
  • 20 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Housing Conditions Determine Pigs Welfare
Humans who care for pigs prefer an environment that not only allows the pigs to express their natural behaviors but also limits the development of aggression and stereotypes. Most of the behavioral and health problems encountered by pigs in barren, conventional conditions are solved by alternative housing systems. 
  • 997
  • 26 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Fertilization of Microbial Composts
Microbial compost plays a crucial role in improving soil health, soil fertility, and plant biomass. These biofertilizers, based on microorganisms, offer numerous benefits such as enhanced nutrient acquisition (N, P, and K), production of hydrogen cyanide (HCN), and control of pathogens through induced systematic resistance. Additionally, they promote the production of phytohormones, siderophore, vitamins, protective enzymes, and antibiotics, further contributing to soil sustainability and optimal agricultural productivity. 
  • 997
  • 30 Oct 2023
Topic Review
Southern Spotted Skunk
The Southern Spotted Skunk (Spilogale angustifrons) is a small and elusive carnivore known for its distinctive coat pattern featuring conspicuous spots and stripes. Inhabiting various regions of the southern United States and parts of Central America, this species exhibits remarkable adaptability to diverse habitats, ranging from woodlands and grasslands to urban areas. Despite its diminutive size, the Southern Spotted Skunk plays a significant role in local ecosystems, displaying nocturnal behavior and an omnivorous diet.
  • 997
  • 04 Feb 2024
Topic Review
Farm Animal Biotechnology
This paper reviews the literature on the latest insights in interdisciplinary anthropological research on the evolution of animal domestication and breeding and puts them in the context of the contemporary ethical debate on animal welfare and the application of modern biotechnology to animal breeding. 
  • 994
  • 01 Feb 2022
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.
  • 993
  • 22 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Vaccines Against COVID-19
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, various joint efforts have been made to support the creation of vaccines. Different projects have been under development, of which some are in the clinical evaluation stage and others in are in phase III with positive results.
  • 992
  • 29 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Use of Insect Meal for Poultry Diets
Interest has grown among poultry nutritionists in using alternative protein sources, such as insect meal, to meet the protein requirements of poultry due to sustainability concerns surrounding traditional protein sources such as soybean and fish meal. Insect meal can be produced from different insects, including black soldier fly, mealworms, and house crickets, and its nutrient composition varies depending on the insect species, the substrate they are reared on, and the production method. Insect meal has been shown to be a rich source of protein, amino acids (lysine, methionine), and minerals (calcium, phosphorus, zinc), with a high digestibility rate, making it a valuable feed ingredient for poultry production. Additionally, using insect meal in poultry feed could reduce the cost of production and the environmental impact on the industry. Furthermore, the use of insect meal has the potential to improve the growth performance and meat quality of poultry species.
  • 992
  • 26 Jun 2023
Topic Review
Vitro Tissue Culture-Induced Variation
Somaclonal variation includes genetic or epigenetic changes exhibited between clonal regenerants and their corresponding donor plants derived via in vitro tissue cultures (A. Leva, L.M.R. Rinaldi, in Encyclopedia of Applied Plant Sciences (Second Edition), 2017). It usually assumes that the changes are being transmitted during a generative cycle. However, in some cases, to stress the fact that not all changes are either not analyzed in the progeny or may not be sexually transmitted, the tissue culture-induced variation seems to reflect better the issue (Quantification of the tissue-culture induced variation in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) Bednarek, PT., Orłowska, R., Koebner, RMD., Zimny, J. 2007 BMC Plant Biology 7 (1), 1-9).
  • 991
  • 06 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Soil Organic Carbon Storage
Crop residue returning (RR) is a promising option to increase soil organic carbon (SOC) storage, which is linked to crop yield promotion, ecologically sustainable agriculture, and climate change mitigation. Thus, the objectives of this study were to identify the responses of SOC storage and sequestration rates to RR in China’s croplands. Based on a national meta-analysis of 365 comparisons from 99 publications, the results indicated that RR increased SOC storage by 11.3% compared to residue removal (p < 0.05). Theoretically, when combined with low nitrogen fertilizer input rates (0–120 kg N ha-1), single cropping system, paddy-upland rotation, lower mean annual precipitation (0–500 mm), alkaline soils (pH 7.5–8.5), other methods of RR (including residue chopping, evenly incorporating, and burying) or long-term use (>10 yrs), an increase in SOC storage under RR by 11.6–15.5% could be obtained. The SOC sequestration rate of RR varied from 0.48 (Central China) to 1.61 (Southwest China) Mg C ha-1 yr-1, with a national average value of 0.93 Mg C ha-1 yr-1. Higher SOC sequestration rates enhanced crop production. However, decreases in SOC sequestration rate were observed with increases in experimental durations. The phenomenon of “C saturation” occurred after 23 yrs of RR. Overall, RR can be used as an efficient and environmentally friendly and climate-smart management practice for long-term use.
  • 990
  • 28 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Rumen Microbiota in Early Weaned Lambs
Weaning affects the development of ruminal bacteria in lambs during early life. However, the temporal dynamics of rumen microbiota in early weaned lambs is unknown compared to conventionally weaned lambs. Early weaning led to a significant decrease in rumen microbiota richness and diversity in the short term. The changes in rumen microbiota are associated with the persistence of weaning stress. 
  • 990
  • 13 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Ensiling Complete Rations for Ruminants
Complete or total mixed rations (TMR) are produced by mixing forages, byproducts, concentrates, minerals, vitamins, and additives. From this mix, animals consume the nutrients necessary to meet the requirements of maintenance and production. Alternatively to daily preparation, TMR can be ensiled Several benefits have been associated with TMR silages, such as a reduced requirement for labor and machinery (if TMR silage is purchased), uniform composition during storage under farm conditions, the potential for incorporating unpalatable byproducts (if their flavors and odors are altered by fermentation), and high aerobic stability after feed out. Additionally, TMR silages, similar to other silages, have the potential for commercialization, especially if stored in smaller structures (e.g., bales, bags, and pouches). In the industry, TMR ingredients are usually mixed in stationary mixer wagons and stored in big bags (e.g., 300 to 400 kg) or baled by agricultural compactors (e.g., 800 to 1,000 kg). When TMR silage is produced on-farm, it may be stored in different silo types. In small herds, however, structures such as ag-bags, pouches, drums, and bales are preferred over bunkers or piles, to reduce the risk of aerobic deterioration during feed out. 
  • 988
  • 09 Aug 2020
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. 
  • 987
  • 29 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Heat Stress Affect Intestinal Mucosa
Metabolic adaptations and gut dysfunction lead to oxidative stress, translocation of lumen contents, and release of proinflammatory mediators, activating a systemic inflammatory response.
  • 987
  • 03 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Trends in Smart Irrigation for Smart Agriculture
Smart agriculture and smart irrigation play a strategic role in agricultural production: not only they provide approaches to adapt to climate change, but also they contribute in ensuring food security, optimizing efficiency and minimizing or reducing environmental impact.  
  • 987
  • 17 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Toxoplasma gondii
Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite that can cause serious disease in humans, especially in pregnant women. 
  • 986
  • 22 Nov 2021
Topic Review
NADPH Oxidase 5
NADPH oxidase (Nox) is an enzyme that primarily catalyzes the production of superoxide from oxygen and NADPH. A family of NADPH oxidases termed Nox/Duox family has been identified in a wide range of organisms including invertebrates, vertebrates and plants. So far there were very few in vivo data on Nox functions in insects. In Nilaparvata lugens, a model insect of Hemiptera, Nox5 gene is an ortholog of human Nox5, which specifically expressed in ovaries of female adults and freshly laid eggs in rice leaf sheaths. It is a key enzyme in the ovulation process of the mature oocytes from N. lugens ovipositor to rice leaf sheaths. Knockdown of Nox5 gene expression resulted in the development deficit and failure of ovulation. RNAi of Nox5 significantly reduced the production of H2O2 in the ovaries of N. lugens females.
  • 984
  • 20 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Flaxseed Meal
Flaxseed meal (FSM) is rich in protein, α-linolenic acid, dietary fiber, flaxseed gum, and other bioactive substances. The crude protein content of FSM is up to 40%. Thus, FSM can be used as a potential high-quality protein feed resource.  However, due to the presence of anti-nutritional factors, such as cyanogenic glycosides (CGs), phytic acid, anti-vitamin B6 factor, and other anti-nutritional factors, the application of FSM is restricted in animal husbandry.
  • 983
  • 15 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Five Rosmarinus Essential Oils
The present study reported the investigation of the chemical profile and the extraction yield of the essential oils (EOs) obtained from the dried aerial parts of four cultivars of Salvia rosmarinus (‘Boule’; ‘Vicomte de Noailles’; ‘Gorizia’; ‘Joyce de Baggio’) and the species S. jordanii, together with their antibacterial and antifungal activities. The phytochemical investigation evidenced a predominance of oxygenated monoterpenes in all the samples (57.5–77.1%), except in ‘Boule’, in which the hydrocarbon form prevailed (50.2%).
  • 982
  • 11 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Brain Immunoinformatics
Breakthrough advances in informatics of the last decade have thoroughly influenced the field of immunology. In particular, the immunoinformatics of the central neural system is referred to as neuroimmunoinformatics (NII). This interdisciplinary overview on NII is addressed to bioscientists and computer scientists. We delineate the dominating trajectories and field-shaping achievements and elaborate on future directions using a bridging language and terminology. Computation, varying from linear modeling to complex deep learning approaches, fuels neuroimmunology through three core directions. Firstly, by providing big-data analysis software for high-throughput methods such as next-generation sequencing and genome-wide association studies. Secondly, by designing models for the prediction of protein morphology, functions, and protein-protein interactions. Finally, NII boosts the output of quantitative pathology by enabling the automatization of tedious processes such as cell counting, tracing, and arbor analysis. Deep sequencing classifies microglia in “sensotypes” to accurately describe the versatility of immune responses to physiological and pathological challenges, as well as to experimental conditions such as xenografting and organoids. NII opts to individualize treatment strategies, personalize disease prognosis and treatment response.   
  • 982
  • 28 Mar 2022
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