Your browser does not fully support modern features. Please upgrade for a smoother experience.
Subject:
All Disciplines Arts & Humanities Biology & Life Sciences Business & Economics Chemistry & Materials Science Computer Science & Mathematics Engineering Environmental & Earth Sciences Medicine & Pharmacology Physical Sciences Public Health & Healthcare Social Sciences
Sort by:
Most Viewed Latest Alphabetical (A-Z) Alphabetical (Z-A)
Filter:
All Topic Review Biography Peer Reviewed Entry Video Entry
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.
  • 887
  • 09 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Antioxidant Mechanisms in Oocytes
Although oocytes can mitigate oxidative stress via intrinsic antioxidant systems, the formation of ribonucleoprotein granules, mitophagy, and the cryopreservation-inflicted oxidative damage cannot be completely eliminated. Therefore, exogenous antioxidants such as melatonin and resveratrol are widely used in oocyte cryopreservation to reduce oxidative damage through direct or indirect scavenging of reactive oxygen species (ROS).
  • 885
  • 09 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Insects as Novel Ruminant Feed
In the last decade, there has been a growing interest in using edible insects as animal feed due to their high nutritive value and environmental advantages over the conventional livestock feeds. Insects have been used in the diets of some animals (poultry, fish, and swine) however, their evaluation in ruminants is still limited. The current in vitro study evaluated the usage of four different kinds of edible insects to partially substitute soybean meal as an example to the conventional high-quality expensive protein sources in ruminants’ diets. This study showed that the evaluated insects had high protein and fat contents. Substitution of 25% of soybean meal with the tested insects in a ruminant diet had no adverse effect on rumen fermentation profile or nutrient digestibility. Moreover, the inclusion of some species in the diet led to reduction of the methane production up to 16-18% which is an additional environmental benefit. The findings of this study are encouraging for further work in this promising area to improve the sustainability of livestock industry.  
  • 884
  • 27 Sep 2021
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. 
  • 884
  • 09 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Hedychium coronarium J. Koenig MYB132
The R2R3-MYB transcription factors (TFs) play several key roles in numerous plant biological processes. Hedychium coronarium is an important ornamental plant well-known for its elegant flower shape and abundant aroma type. The floral aroma of H. coronarium is due to the presence of a large amount of terpenes and benzenoids. However, less is known about the role of R2R3-MYB TFs in the regulatory mechanism of floral aroma production in this breed. Herein, we isolate and functionally characterize the R2R3-MYB TF HcMYB132, which is potentially involved in regulating floral aroma synthesis. Sequence alignment analysis revealed that it includes a nuclear localization signal NLS(s) and a 2R, 3R motif signature in the sequences. A subcellular localization assay revealed that HcMYB132 protein localizes to the nucleus. Real-time qPCR assays showed that HcMYB132 is specifically expressed in flowers and its expression pattern correlates with the emission of floral volatile compounds. In HcMYB132-silenced flowers, the levels of floral volatile compounds were significantly reduced, and the expression of key structural volatile synthesis genes was downregulated compared to control. Collectively, these results suggest that HcMYB132 might play a significant role in the regulation of terpenoid biosynthesis in H. coronarium.
  • 881
  • 13 Oct 2021
Topic Review
MicroRNA156 and microRNA529 in Land Plants
The sequences of miR156 and miR529 family members are highly similar, and both target SQUAMOSA promoter binding protein-like (SPL or SBP box) genes, which encode transcription factors that share a common SBP domain. Many studies have focused on the functions of the highly conserved miR156 family, whereas there have been relatively few studies of miR529 . miR156-SPL is a broadly investigated regulatory module in plants. By regulating SPL expression, miR156 is involved in regulating many biological processes, including flowering time, branching/tillering, and environmental stress responses. Considering the high degree of sequence similarity between miR529 and miR156, it would be interesting to determine whether miR529 functions independently, redundantly, or synergistically with respect to miR156.
  • 880
  • 21 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Bacillus coagulans in Animal Husbandry
In recent decades, probiotics have attracted widespread attention and their application in healthcare and animal husbandry has been promising. Among many probiotics, Bacillus coagulans (B. coagulans) has become a key player in the field of probiotics in recent years. It has been demonstrated to be involved in regulating the balance of the intestinal microbiota, promoting metabolism and utilization of nutrients, improving immunity, and more importantly, it also has good industrial properties such as high temperature resistance, acid resistance, bile resistance, and the like.
  • 880
  • 14 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Ponds and Pesticide Dissipation
Ponds in agricultural areas are ubiquitous water retention systems acting as reactive biogeochemical hotspots controlling pesticide dissipation and transfer at the catchment scale.
  • 875
  • 29 May 2021
Topic Review
Integrated-Smart Agriculture
The targets that smart agriculture tries to reach and respond to encompass not only the climate effects, but also other environmental factors as well as social and economic aspects linked with the life of farmers and rural communities all over the world. Hence, the concept of smart agriculture shall be expanded to include all these dimensions.
  • 875
  • 14 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Modulation of Rice Leaf Angle
Leaf angle, the inclination between the leaf blade midrib and the stem, is one of the most important canopy parameters in plant architecture that influence light interception, photosynthetic efficiency, and planting density. Thus, ideal plant architecture with an erect leaf angle and optimum leaf orientation allows for more efficient light capture during photosynthesis and better wind circulation under dense planting conditions. Generally, rice leaf angle is determined by the elongation and/or division of lamina joint cells. Newly isolated rice genes (OsBCL1 and OsBCL2) are positive regulators in the elongation of lamina joint cells and their potential for regulating rice leaf angle has been examined in this research.
  • 874
  • 03 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Effector Proteins in Plant–Microbe Interaction
Oomycete and fungal interactions with plants can be neutral, symbiotic or pathogenic with different impact on plant health and fitness. Both fungi and oomycetes can generate so-called effector proteins in order to successfully colonize the host plant. These proteins modify stress pathways, developmental processes and the innate immune system to the microbes’ benefit, with a very different outcome for the plant. Investigating the biological and functional roles of effectors during plant–microbe interactions are accessible through bioinformatics and experimental approaches which can broaden our knowledge about structural biology, sequence motif and domain knowledge of effector proteins from filamentous microbes.
  • 874
  • 13 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Ebola Virus GP Activates Endothelial Cells
Ebola GP triggers apoptosis through an additional pathway other than the ICAM-1 induction pathways. Finally, the cytoskeletal signaling pathways may serve as important targets for the development of therapeutic drugs against EBOV disease. 
  • 872
  • 19 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Natural Polyphenols and Cancer
Natural compounds with anticancer properties are capable of killing transformed or cancerous cells without being toxic to healthy cells. Most fruits and vegetables consumed with food are made up of bioactive molecules belonging to the family of polyphenols, a group of natural compounds widely distributed in the plant kingdom; this group is varied, and to date, more than 8000 phenolic structures are known. Polyphenols are classified according to chemical structure, and their subdivision is represented in.
  • 871
  • 04 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Phosphorus Transport Through Soybean Xylem
Phosphorus is a major essential element in plants, and absorption and transport of P are related to plant growth and crop productivity. Phosphate (Pi) is absorbed in the roots and then transported to the shoot. Characteristics of Pi absorption, transport, and storage in various parts of the soybeans might be related to plant growth and P-use efficiency. In this research, young nodulated soybean plants were grown in hydroponics with various Pi concentrations. When the soybean plants were grown with 0-500 µM Pi for three days, the Pi absorption rate increased consistently in conjunction with the increase in the Pi concentration; however, the Pi concentrations in the xylem sap increased only from 0 to 50 µM Pi but were constant under higher P concentrations. The absorption rates of 33Pi in the roots were almost the same under light and dark conditions, and those in the decapitated roots were near those of the intact plants. These results indicate that the Pi absorption is not affected by evapotranspiration over a short period. Conversely, the 33P transport from the roots to the shoot was significantly lower under dark conditions than in light conditions. The multiplication value of the 33P concentration in the xylem sap and transpiration rate was almost equivalent to the transport rate of 33P in the intact shoots. The Pi concentration and Pi flux in xylem sap quickly responded to the Pi concentration in the culture solution. These values may be adaptable to estimate the transport rate of P for the diagnosis.
  • 871
  • 18 Sep 2024
Topic Review
RNA Interference for ACP Control
In recent years, biotechnological advances have offered safe and environmentally friendly alternatives for crop production. Technologies such as RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated gene silencing have emerged as innovative tools for agricultural pest management. Here, we provide an overview of RNAi as a promising approach for ACP control and discuss the associated challenges.
  • 869
  • 09 Sep 2021
Topic Review
SiRNA and Pancreatic Cancer Therapy
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the leading causes of death and is the fourth most malignant tumor in men. The epigenetic and genetic alterations appear to be responsible for development of PC. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) is a powerful genetic tool that can bind to its target and reduces expression level of a specific gene. The various critical genes involved in PC progression can be effectively targeted using diverse siRNAs. 
  • 869
  • 29 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Rice–Aquatic Species Integration System (RASp)
To ensure the sustainability of rice production and uplift the livelihoods of rice growers, agricultural diversification becomes imperative. By diversifying agricultural practices, farmers can strike a balance between rice cultivation and other crops, mitigating the environmental impacts of excessive input usage. Implementing innovative techniques, such as integrating rice with aquatic species (RASp), can optimize resource utilization and reduce reliance on vast amounts of water and synthetic inputs. Rice–aquatic species integration is a form of intensification where rice (R) remains the primary crop while aquatic species (ASp) become secondary products. This integration empowers efficient water use, offering a solution for sustainable food production. RASp presents an innovative and holistic farming system that harnesses the ecological synergies between rice and aquatic species to optimize resource utilization, enhance productivity, and mitigate environmental impacts.
  • 869
  • 01 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Epigenetic Mechanisms of Senescence in Plants
Senescence is a major developmental transition in plants that requires a massive reprogramming of gene expression and includes various layers of regulations. Senescence is either an age-dependent or a stress-induced process, and is under the control of complex regulatory networks that interact with each other. It has been shown that besides genetic reprogramming, which is an important aspect of plant senescence, transcription factors and higher-level mechanisms, such as epigenetic and small RNA-mediated regulators, are also key factors of senescence-related genes. Epigenetic mechanisms are an important layer of this multilevel regulatory system that change the activity of transcription factors (TFs) and play an important role in modulating the expression of senescence-related gene. They include chromatin remodeling, DNA methylation, histone modification, and the RNA-mediated control of transcription factors and genes. 
  • 868
  • 30 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Composition of Fungal Communities in Donkey Cecum-Colon Ecosystem
The donkey hindgut is a microbial-rich ecosystem in which caecum and colon fungi play an important role in dietary fiber degradation. In addition, the fibrolytic enzymes produced by hindgut microorganisms are key to the ability of equines to hydrolysis plant fiber. In the entry, the fibrolytic enzyme activities within donkey caecum and colon were firstly measured by spectrophotometry. The dorsal colon presented a higher fibrolytic enzyme activity in comparison with caecum. The fungal community composition along donkey caecum and colon was determined by sequencing an internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) using Illumina MiSeq. The predominant fungi at phylum level were Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, and Neocallimastigomycota. The Aspergillus, Wallemia, Phanerochaete, Fusarium, and Penicillium were detected as the dominant genera, but their metabolic and functional significance in donkey cecum-colon ecosystem need further investigation. In terms of the anaerobic fungi Neocallimastigomycota, its abundance was greater in donkey colon than in caecum. The relative abundance of enzymes related to plant cell wall breakdown were also predicted by PICRUSt, and they were also greater in donkey colon than in caecum. The entry provided new information about fibrolytic enzyme profiles and fungal communities in donkey hindgut. The findings could therefore contribute to the further understanding of the fungal taxa and their dietary fiber degradation mechanisms in donkey hindgut ecosystem.
  • 866
  • 25 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Nano-Management of Farming under Salinity Stress
Soil salinity is a serious global problem that threatens a high percentage of the global soils. Salinity stress can create ionic, oxidative, and osmotic stress, along with hormonal imbalances, in stressful plants. Application of nanomaterials for ameliorating salinity stress has gained great attention due to their high efficiency, eco-friendliness, and non-toxicity, especially biological nanomaterials. The application of nanomaterials (NMs) did not only support growing stressful plants under salinity stress but also increased the yield of crops, provided an economically feasible nutrient management approach, and was environmentally robust for sustainable crop productivity. Nano-management of salinity may involve applying traditional nano-amendments, biological nanomaterials, nano-enabled nutrients, nano-organic amendments, derived smart nanostructures, and nano-tolerant plant cultivars.
  • 866
  • 01 Nov 2023
  • Page
  • of
  • 70
Featured Entry Collections
>>

Featured Reprints

>>
Encyclopedia of Digital Society, Industry 5.0 and Smart City
Encyclopedia of Engineering
Encyclopedia of Social Sciences
Encyclopedia of Medieval Royal Iconography
Academic Video Service
Feedback

Quick Survey

Encyclopedia MDPI is conducting a targeted survey to identify the specific barriers hindering efficient research. We invite you to spend 3 minutes defining the priorities for our next generation of structured knowledge tools.
Take Survey