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Topic Review
Biosafety of Genome Editing Applications
In the European Union plants developed by novel genomic techniques for directed mutagenesis are have to undergo an Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) prior to release or placing on the market. However, specific guidance for such an ERA is still lacking. In this review we discuss the limited suitability of general denominators of risk/safety to predict the risks associated with individual genome edited (GE) plants and argue that there is no safety by default for whole groups of GE applications encompassing different individual GE organisms. We suggest integrating the following two sets of considerations into the ERA to address particular characteristics of GE plants: considerations related to the traits developed by GE and considerations addressing the assessment of method-related unintended effects, e.g. due to off-target modifications. In conclusion, we recommend that further specific guidance for the ERA and monitoring should be developed to facilitate a focused assessment approach for GE plants. 
  • 930
  • 08 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Chinese College Students’ Attitudes towards Animal Welfare
College students, specifically from veterinary, animal, agricultural, and life sciences majors represent the future professionals who will closely work with animal industry stakeholders. Therefore, it is important to understand their attitudes towards animals and their knowledge about animal welfare. A survey on Chinese college students was conducted across different majors and Chinese geographical regions to understand their attitude towards the animal Sentient and the Five Freedoms models for pets, laboratory, farm, and wild animals. Most of the respondents exhibited a good attitude towards both the animal Sentient and the Five Freedoms models, with best scoring for pet animals followed by wild animals. Respondents showed less concerns towards farm and laboratory animals. A previous animal welfare education, the ownership of animals, and the participation in laboratory work involving animals positively influenced the attitude of the respondents towards animal welfare. 
  • 930
  • 25 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Housing Management of Male Dromedaries
Housing systems that guarantee social interaction and physical activity are the most suitable housing management systems for captive male dromedaries during the rutting season.
  • 927
  • 13 Jul 2021
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.
  • 927
  • 02 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Alfalfa Response to Thrips Infection
Thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) is a major insect pest for alfalfa which can result in decreased plant nutrients, low yields, and even plant death. To identify the differentially expressed genes and metabolites in response to thrips in alfalfa, a combination of metabolomics and transcriptomics was employed using alfalfa (Caoyuan No. 2) with and without thrips infestation.
  • 925
  • 22 Dec 2021
Topic Review
SEM Analysis of Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells
The invention of a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) pushed the imaging methods and allowed for the observation of cell details with a high resolution. Currently, SEM appears as an extremely useful tool to analyse the morphology of biological samples. The aim of this entry is to provide a set of guidelines for using SEM to analyse morphology of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, taking as model cases Escherichia coli bacteria and B-35 rat neuroblastoma cells.
  • 925
  • 04 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Warburgia ugandensis Leaf and Bark Extracts
In organic viticulture, copper-based fungicides are commonly used to suppress Downy Mildew infection, caused by the oomycete Plasmopara viticola. However, the frequent and intensive use of such fungicides leads to accumulation of the heavy metal in soil and nearby waters with adverse effects on the ecosystem. Therefore, alternative, organic fungicides against Downy Mildew are urgently needed to reduce the copper load in vineyards. In this entry, the use of Warburgia ugandensis Sprague (Family Canellacea) leaf and bark extracts as potential fungicides against Downy Mildew were evaluated. In vitro (microtiter) and in vivo (leaf discs, seedlings) tests were conducted, as well as field trials to determine the efficacy of the extracts against Downy Mildew. The results revealed an MIC100 of 500 µg/mL for the leaf extract and 5 µg/mL for the bark extract. Furthermore, experiments with leaf discs and seedlings demonstrated a strong protective effect of the extracts for up to 48 h under (semi-) controlled conditions. However, in field trials the efficacy of the extracts distinctly declined, regardless of the extracts’ origin and concentration.
  • 924
  • 28 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Antimicrobial Stewardship under Global Framework
Antimicrobials are naturally occurring semi-synthetic or synthetic substances that kill or inhibit the replication of microorganisms. Remarkable achievements have been reached in human medicine due to the availability and efficacy of antimicrobials, from the treatment of previously fatal infections to surgical procedures, otherwise impossible. Promoting and supporting antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) at the global, national, and local levels is dependent on building strong supporting pillars. From the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) perspective, these pillars are (1) awareness, (2) governance, (3) practices, and (4) surveillance.
  • 923
  • 30 Aug 2022
Topic Review
Probiotics as a Friendly Antibiotic Alternative
The improvement of feed consumption and genetic selection have been the primary areas of poultry research. The control of a variety of microbial infectious diseases caused by Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas, Campylobacter, Salmonella, Yersinia, Bacillus, Clostridium, Mycobacterium, Enterococcus, Klebsiella and Proteus species has been less thoroughly investigated. The immune system of broilers is not fully developed during the first few weeks and therefore it is more susceptible to bacterial infection. Furthermore, it can take up to eight weeks for the gut microbiota to develop and stabilize. The longer the time necessary to reach bacterial homeostasis, the greater the risk of bacterial infection. Poultry are kept in closed facilities to minimize the risk of bacterial infection.
  • 921
  • 12 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Technologies to Assess COVID-19 Specific Antigens
In diagnosing SARS-CoV-2 infection, the most widely used test is the molecular testing. Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is the most well-known and extensively used molecular analysis. The test relies on nucleic acid amplification and detects unique sequences of SARS-CoV-2. The other type of test, the antigen tests, can detect the presence of SARS-CoV-2 without amplifying viral components, but these tests are less sensitive than the molecular ones. Commonly, any negative antigen test is confirmed with a molecular test so that the patient can be declared negative for COVID-19. Both molecular and antigen tests would detect patients in the acute phase of infection.
  • 918
  • 21 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Unravelling Plant Cell Death in Host Plants
Pathogens within the oomycete genus Phytophthora are among some of the most destructive plant pathogens globally, causing disease and significant losses in important agricultural and forestry crops, damaging the environment, as well as impeding attempts to mitigate climate change. What is of increasing interest is the involvement of Phytophthora effectors in regulating programed cell death (PCD)—in particular, the hypersensitive response. 
  • 918
  • 14 Jul 2022
Topic Review
Dietary Selenium
Dietary selenium (Se) is an essential component that supports fish growth and the immune system. It emphasizes that optimal dietary Se levels are necessary for healthy biological processes in fish, such as growth, reproduction, and immunity. Since organic Se appears to be the most ideal for fish due to its low toxicity, environmental safety, and efficient fish culture, it explores the potential sources and forms of Se.
  • 918
  • 07 Oct 2023
Topic Review
Milk Fat Traits of Cattleyak
As the hybrid offspring of yak (♀) and cattle (Bos taurus) (♂), female cattleyak has obvious heterosis than yak, especially its lactation performance. Dairy products making from fermented and processed milk are popular with local herdsmen and tourists. As the main energy substance in milk, milk fat only accounts for 3 ~ 5% of the milk content, but determines the nutritional value of milk. Therefore, it is greatly meaningful to increase the percentage of milk fat and improve the composition of fatty acids of cattleyak. SNPs can help us finding potential molecular markers for milk fat traits of cattleyak, and can be screened according to molecular markers when they are young. It provides a reference for cultivating high milk fat cattle population in the future. The results of this study suggested that the SORBS1 gene polymorphism was closely related to the milk fat traits of cattleyak, which could be used as a candidate genetic marker for milk fat traits selection in cattleyak. This study provides a new molecular marker and theoretical basis for screening the milk fat traits of cattleyak. It has a certain reference value for the research and improvement of milk quality.
  • 917
  • 28 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Inflammatory Cells in Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis is a chronic progressive disease that involves damage to the intima, inflammatory cell recruitment and the accumulation of lipids followed by calcification and plaque rupture. Inflammation is considered a key mediator of many events during the development and progression of the disease. Various types of inflammatory cells are reported to be involved in atherosclerosis.
  • 917
  • 09 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Situation of Velvet Deer Germplasm Resources in China
Velvet deer are not only a representative special economic animal but also an important part of livestock. With the increasing awareness of international competition for germplasm resources in China, more and more attention has been paid to the protection and utilization of germplasm resources. 
  • 917
  • 09 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Buffalo Fibronectin Type III Domain Proteins
FN-III proteins are widely distributed in mammals and are usually involved in cellular growth, differentiation, and adhesion. The FNDC5/irisin regulates energy metabolism and is present in different tissues (liver, brain, etc.). In large mammals, the regulation of energy homeostasis under metabolic shifts is the foremost challenge to keep normal physiological and molecular functioning. Fibronectin type III domain containing 5 (FNDC5) was initially designated as a critical factor that causes cellular differentiation of skeletal muscle. Principally, it was detected in peroxisomes. Irisin is a myokine involved in higher energy expenditure through stimulation of white adipose tissues.  Keeping in view the physiological roles of FN-III proteins (particularly FNDC-5), it is imperative to characterize these proteins at the genomic level to better understand their structure and putative functions in the buffalo.
  • 916
  • 16 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Pesticides Risks in Africa
On the African continent, ongoing agriculture intensification is accompanied by the increasing use of pesticides, associated with environmental and public health concerns. Agriculture production systems are at the same time under pressure due to climate change, the need to produce about double the amount of food by 2050, and to achieve some of the sustainable development goals (SDGs).
  • 916
  • 16 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Groundwater Pollution by Nitrates
Groundwater pollution by nitrates from agricultural sources is a common environmental issue. Surpluses from nitrogen fertilization are leached and they reach groundwater.
  • 914
  • 10 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Pigeon Muscle Development
The growth and development of skeletal muscle determine the meat production performance of pigeons and are regulated by complex gene networks. To explore the genes involved in regulating the growth and development of pigeon skeletal muscle, RNA sequencing (RNA−seq) was used to characterise gene expression profiles during the development and growth of pigeon breast muscle and identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) among different stages.
  • 914
  • 12 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Chitosan-Based Scaffold for Mineralized Tissues Regeneration
Conventional bone grafting procedures used to treat bone defects have several limitations. An important aspect of bone tissue engineering is developing novel bone substitute biomaterials for bone grafts to repair orthopedic defects. Considerable attention has been given to chitosan, a natural biopolymer primarily extracted from crustacean shells, which offers desirable characteristics, such as being biocompatible, biodegradable, and osteoconductive. 
  • 914
  • 20 Oct 2021
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