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Topic Review
Pathogen Biosensing
Biosensors have an important role in the timely and rapid detection of several pathogens of plants, and this could avoid the introduction of exotic pathogens to newer environments. AuNPs have been widely used to label antibodies specific to target pathogens and develop sensitive and selective biosensors.
  • 789
  • 28 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Deleterious Effects of Heat Stress on Poultry Production
High environmental temperature is one of the significant factors challenging poultry production during hot seasons or in tropical areas causing heat stress (HS). The detrimental effects of HS on broilers range from reduced growth performance to impaired poultry meat quality. HS impairs physiological responses caused by alteration in blood parameters, which could lead to impaired product quality by reducing moisture content and altering the production of antioxidant enzymes resulting in increased oxidative stress. There has been a focus on the use of nutritional supplements as a cost effective HS amelioration strategy, such as betaine and polyphenols. Supplementing broiler chicken’s diets with polyphenols aims to enhance growth performance via reduced levels of oxidative stress in tissues under HS conditions. Furthermore, using betaine as an osmolyte aims to protect tissues during osmotic stress conditions.
  • 789
  • 31 Aug 2022
Topic Review
Primary Human Trabecular Meshwork Model for Pseudoexfoliation
Pseudoexfoliation is an age related fibrillopathy characterized by abnormal fibrillar extracellular material (ECM) in ocular tissues. Pseudoexfoliative aggregate material causing mechanical obstruction of the trabecular meshwork (TM), blood aqueous barrier dysfunction, endothelial cell dysfunction, and abnormal ECM homeostasis cause TM dysfunction/fibrosis eventually leading to glaucoma, if untreated. The pseudoexfoliative material comprises of non-collagenous basement membrane components such as laminin, fibronectin, amyloid P, and vitronectin as well as proteinaceous components of elastic fibres (such as elastin, tropoelastin, fibrillin-1, microfibril-associated glycoprotein-1) and latent TGF-β-binding proteins (LTBP-1 and -2). Transforming growth factor, tissue matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) regulate ECM homeostasis with increased PAI-1 levels causing excessive ECM deposition and reduced degradation in adjoining tissues. While Lysyl oxidase homolog 1 (LOXL1) is deemed necessary for disease pathogenesis, it is now understood that LOXL1 alone does not explain the preferential geographical distribution or the differential role of different genes in disease pathogenesis or glaucoma onset in different ethnic populations. It is well recognized that environmental factors, epigenetics, and their interplay with gene expression is what may hold the key for explaining the disease pathogenesis.
  • 788
  • 14 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Bee Products for Poultry and Rabbits
Poultry and rabbit production are important and rapidly growing agricultural subsectors, particularly in several developing countries. To ensure the sustainability of poultry and rabbit production, realistic poultry and rabbit farming practices must be improved. Apitherapy is a traditional alternative medicine that involves the prevention and treatment of some diseases with several bee products including propolis, royal jelly, pollen, and venom. More feeding investigations on the numerous benefits of bee products for poultry and rabbits are crucial to be addressed. Poultry and rabbit production has recently experienced numerous challenges, including climate change, disease spread, and antibiotic misuse. Improving animal welfare, health, and production is a top priority for all livestock farms, as is supplying consumers with safe and healthy products. 
  • 788
  • 19 Dec 2023
Topic Review
Trichosporonosis
Trichosporonosis is an emerging concern in preterm neonates treated with broad-spectrum antimicrobials and indwelling catheters, and in children with hematologic malignant disease receiving prophylaxis or treatment with echinocandins given their lack of efficacy against this yeast. 
  • 787
  • 16 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Harnessing the Power of AI for Modern Agriculture
Agriculture is a critical component of our global economy and food security. Fortunately, AI has the potential to revolutionize modern agriculture and help us meet the challenges of feeding a growing population while minimizing the environmental impact of farming. How AI can be used to optimize crop yields, improve resource efficiency, enhance pest and disease management, and support sustainable farming practices were described here.
  • 787
  • 17 May 2023
Topic Review
Identification of Tomato Leaf Diseases
Early detection and control of crop disease is essential for farmers, stakeholders, and precision agriculture researchers to reduce the production losses. Early and accurate tomato disease detection using easily available leaf photos is essential for farmers and stakeholders as it help reduce yield loss due to possible disease epidemics.
  • 787
  • 13 Mar 2024
Topic Review
Quality/Yield of Lettuce in Open-Air Rooftop Hydroponic System
Hydroponic rooftop-grown lettuce can be competitive with their indoor counterparts if the rooftop hydroponic system is protected from extreme weather conditions. 
  • 786
  • 24 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Floral Volatile Terpenoids
Floral volatile terpenoids (FVTs) belong to a group of volatile organic compounds (VOC) that play important roles in attracting pollinators, defending against pathogens and parasites and serving as signals associated with biotic and abiotic stress responses. Although research on FVTs has been increasing, a systematic generalization is lacking. Among flowering plants used mainly for ornamental purposes, a systematic study on the production of FVTs in flowers with characteristic aromas is still limited.
  • 785
  • 26 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Ferroptosis and Kidney Diseases
Ferroptosis is a newly identified form of regulated cell death driven by iron-dependent phospholipid peroxidation and oxidative stress. Ferroptosis has distinct biological and morphology characteristics, such as shrunken mitochondria when compared to other known regulated cell deaths. The regulation of ferroptosis includes different molecular mechanisms and multiple cellular metabolic pathways, including glutathione/glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4) signaling pathways, which are involved in the amino acid metabolism and the activation of GPX4; iron metabolic signaling pathways, which are involved in the regulation of iron import/export and the storage/release of intracellular iron through iron-regulatory proteins (IRPs), and lipid metabolic signaling pathways, which are involved in the metabolism of unsaturated fatty acids in cell membranes. Ferroptosis plays an essential role in the pathology of various kidneys diseases, including acute kidney injury (AKI), chronic kidney disease (CKD), autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), and renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
  • 785
  • 08 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Factors for Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Poultry
Chronic stress is recognized as a secret killer in poultry. It is associated with systemic inflammation due to cytokine release, dysbiosis, and the so-called leaky gut syndrome, which mainly results from oxidative stress reactions that damage the barrier function of the cells lining the gut wall. Poultry, especially the genetically selected broiler breeds, frequently suffer from these chronic stress symptoms when exposed to multiple stressors in their growing environments. 
  • 785
  • 02 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Two CONSTANS-like 16 Genes
CONSTANS (CO) is an important regulator of photoperiodic flowering and functions at a key position in the flowering regulatory network. Here, two CO homologs, MiCOL16A and MiCOL16B, were isolated from “SiJiMi” mango to elucidate the mechanisms controlling mango flowering. The MiCOL16A and MiCOL16B genes were highly expressed in the leaves and expressed at low levels in the buds and flowers. The expression levels of MiCOL16A and MiCOL16B increased during the flowering induction period but decreased during the flower organ development and flowering periods.
  • 784
  • 16 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Digital Phenotyping
Phenotypes are set, observable variables that an organism displays when interacting with its environment. These variables are influenced by genotypes, which are complex and inheritable. Phenotypes can be measured continuously (e.g., assessing the change in an animal’s body temperature over a day) or categorically through the use of concise scoring systems. When the phenotypes of an animal are measured and collected for use as data points, the process is described as phenotyping.
  • 783
  • 15 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Ochratoxin A Induces Steatosis via PPARγ-CD36 Axis
Ochratoxin A(OTA) is considered to be one of the most important contaminants of food and feed worldwide. The liver is one of key target organs for OTA to exert its toxic effects. Due to current lifestyle and diet, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been the most common liver disease. To examine the potential effect of OTA on hepatic lipid metabolism and NAFLD, C57BL/6 male mice received 1 mg/kg OTA by gavage daily. Compared with controls, OTA increased lipid deposition and TG accumulation in mouse livers. In vitro OTA treatment also promoted lipid droplets accumulation in primary hepatocytes and HepG2 cells. Mechanistically, OTA prevented PPARγ degradation by reducing the interaction between PPARγ and its E3 ligase SIAH2, which led to activation of PPARγ signaling pathway. Furthermore, downregulation or inhibition of CD36, a known of PPARγ, alleviated OTA-induced lipid droplets deposition and TG accumulation. Therefore, OTA induces hepatic steatosis via PPARγ-CD36 axis, suggesting that OTA has an impact on liver lipid metabolism and may contribute to the development of metabolic diseases.
  • 783
  • 19 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Asian Form of Huanglongbing
The Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, transmits ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ (CLas), a phloem-limited bacterium associated with the severe Asian form of huanglongbing (HLB), and the most destructive disease of citrus. The pathogen and the psyllid, both of South Asian origin, are now widespread in citrus regions of Asia and the Americas. There is no cure for the disease. Application of synthetic pesticides, in some instances more frequently than fortnightly, to minimize incidence of ACP in citrus orchards, has not prevented inevitable impacts of the disease in regions of Asia where CLas is present. Despite the inevitable spread of the disease, significant progress has been made in Sarawak since the mid-1990s towards effectively implementing integrated pest management (IPM) programs for stemming the impact of the disease and detrimental consequences of over-reliance on synthetic pesticides. Growers are encouraged to plant pathogen-free trees, remove diseased trees, monitor incidence of the psyllid, and to use pesticides judiciously to reduce their detrimental impacts on natural enemies. Knowledge has been enhanced through research on seasonal incidence of the psyllid, use of mineral oils, development of protocols and iodine–starch test kits for detecting infected trees, PCR for confirming the presence of CLas in symptomatic leaves, methods for monitoring incidence the psyllid, and training extension staff and growers. However, major impediments to increasing the average longevity of trees beyond <5 years in poorly managed orchards, based on marcotting (air layering), and >12 years in well-managed orchards, based on pathogen-free trees, still need to be addressed. These include grower knowledge, marcotting, aggressive marketing of synthetic pesticides, high prices of mineral oils, spray application procedures, and better reliance on natural enemies of the psyllid.
  • 782
  • 15 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Biochar Impacts
Around the world, biochar, a multipurpose carbonaceous material, is being used to concurrently solve issues with enhancing soil fertility, plant growth, and development under both normal and stressful circumstances. It improves water retention, fosters nutrient absorption, and promotes microbial activity, creating a fertile environment that supports sustainable and resilient agriculture. Additionally, biochar acts as a carbon sink, contributing to long-term carbon sequestration and mitigating climate change impacts. The application of biochar is one of the sustainable approaches to improving the physical and chemical properties of soil, and the quality of produce and crops yield. Furthermore, biochar has proven to be efficient in different applications, particularly soil amendment for crop production and the removal of pollutants from the contaminated water and soil environments.
  • 781
  • 16 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Effects of Ginger Extracts and Their Bioactive Compounds
Phytogenics such as ginger, wild marjoram, and cloves, along with their active components, have been shown to be effective and safe in animal production and thus serve as potential substitutes that could replace antibiotic growth promoters.
  • 780
  • 06 Dec 2023
Topic Review
Placental Amino Acid Transport
Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is associated with reduced placental amino acid transport (AAT). However, it remains to be established if changes in AAT contribute to restricted fetal growth. We hypothesized that reduced in vivo placental AAT precedes the development of IUGR in baboons with maternal nutrient restriction (MNR). Baboons were fed either a control (ad libitum) or MNR diet (70% of control diet) from gestational day (GD) 30. At GD 140, in vivo transplacental AA transport was measured by infusing nine (13)C- or (2)H-labeled essential amino acids (EAAs) as a bolus into the maternal circulation at cesarean section. A fetal vein-to-maternal artery mole percent excess ratio for each EAA was measured. Microvillous plasma membrane (MVM) system A and system L transport activity were determined. Fetal and placental weights were not significantly different between MNR and control. In vivo, the fetal vein-to-maternal artery mole percent excess ratio was significantly decreased for tryptophan in MNR. MVM system A and system L activity was markedly reduced in MNR. Reduction of in vivo placental amino acid transport precedes fetal growth restriction in the non-human primate, suggesting that reduced placental amino acid transfer may contribute to IUGR.
  • 777
  • 10 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Antimutagenic Plants of Saudi Arabia
Mutagenic complications can cause disease in both present as well as future generations. The disorders are caused by exogenous and endogenous agents that damage DNA beyond the normal repair mechanism. Rapid industrialization and the population explosion have contributed immensely to changes in the environment, leading to unavoidable exposure to mutagens in our daily life. 
  • 777
  • 30 Sep 2021
Topic Review
MetS and EMS
Obesity and insulin resistance are considered as the main underlying risk factors for metabolic disturbances and are involved in the rise of other risk factors, such as hypertension, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia. The cluster of such risk factors is referred to as metabolic syndrome, a common condition among both human population and animals. Although there are numerous differences between metabolic dysregulation in humans and horses in terms of clinical manifestations, complications, outcomes, etc, a number of disease mechanisms common in both species can be identified (e.g., root causes of metabolic syndrome, role of liver malfunction). The most important pathological factor associated with metabolic syndrome is the affliction of the cardiovascular system in humans and the development of laminitis in horses. The mechanisms that lead to these potentially life-limiting consequences are not fully comparable, although the changes in these species take place in the vascular system. Inflammatory conditions in adipose tissue and effects on metabolic and biochemical processes show similarities between all species.
  • 777
  • 10 Jan 2022
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