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Topic Review
Bacillus megatherium 1259, Bull Calves
This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with Bacillus megaterium 1259 (BM1259) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, rumen fermentation, and blood biochemical parameters in Holstein bull calves. The results demonstrated that the addition of BM1259 to the diets can significantly improve the growth performance and elevate the apparent digestibility of crude protein and neutral detergent fiber. Moreover, supplementation with BM1259 ameliorated rumen fermentation and reduced the emission of both ammoniacal nitrogen and sulfuretted hydrogen in feces and urine. In addition, adding 12 g/head/day of BM1259 had no adverse effect on blood biochemical parameters and the health status of Holstein bull calves. This study demonstrates that BM1259 can be applied as a potential microecologics to improve production performance and nitrogen utilization in Holstein bull calves. 
  • 743
  • 01 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Broiler Breeder Hens
Past immunological studies in broilers focused on juveniles within the rapid pre-slaughter growth period and may not reflect adult immune responses, particularly in breeders managed with chronic feed restriction (R). 
  • 742
  • 18 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Natural Coating Application
The components of edible films are mainly based on natural biopolymers, protein, polysaccharide, and lipid compounds, which create a thin layer on the fruit surface and have been shown to extend the shelf-lives of early apple cultivars as well as those of citrus, European pears, pineapple, papaya, grapes, strawberry, and stone fruit. The natural coatings limit moisture and solute migration into the fruit tissue but do not consistently regulate diffusion of CO2gas across various fruit species, with no data available for the the post-harvest behavior of coated plumcots.
  • 741
  • 03 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Pain Relief for Livestock Husbandry Procedures
A livestock pain relief innovation in Australia in 2005 that led to an awakening of on-farm pain welfare management, was the development of a ‘spray and stay’ topical anaesthesia and antiseptic wound formulation (topical anaesthetic formulation (TAF); Tri-Solfen®, Medical Ethics, Australia) for use during mulesing in sheep. This product, when applied to wounds, rapidly alleviates pain through blockage of nociception, ablates hyperalgesia, minimises bleeding and provides antisepsis with reduced need for antimicrobial cover during healing. With a rapid onset and prolonged duration, the readily observable clinical efficacy commenced a transformational ‘welfare revolution’ in Australian livestock agricultural attitudes and practices with over 120million animals now treated. On application, the TAF forms a long-lasting bio-compatible barrier over the wound, creating its own intrinsic analgesic properties and diminishing the risk of biofilm formation. The TAF acts as a slow-release carrier for the actives, including the two local anaesthetics, lidocaine hydrochloride (5% w/w) and bupivacaine hydrochloride (0.5% w/w), the antiseptic cetrimide (0.5% w/w), in addition to the vasoconstrictor adrenaline acid tartrate (0.00451% w/w) that minimise vasodilation and bleeding, preventing systemic absorption and risk of toxicity. The TAF keeps the actives in contact with the wound tissue, creating synergies that prolong the analgesia well beyond the expected duration of action of actives (at least 24 h) and hastening both healing of husbandry wounds and other lesions, especially those induced by epidermal viral infections including Foot-and-Mouth Disease virus.
  • 738
  • 11 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Connectomics in Glioma Surgery
The term connectomics broadly refers to the study of networks of structurally and functionally connected regions within the central nervous system. The interaction between glial tumors and structural and functional neuronal networks is becoming increasingly recognized and is reshaping our understanding of the impact of these infiltrative lesions on global brain function. 
  • 735
  • 07 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Prebiotic Supplements' Effect on Gastrointestinal Microbiota of Pigs
A prebiotic is a substrate selectively utilized by host microorganisms and conferring a benefit to the host. Prebiotics offer a therapeutic strategy in order to alter the composition of the microbiota, enhancing the proliferation of beneficial microbes and production of host-health-promoting metabolites, which can subsequently limit the proliferation of potentially harmful microbes. There is currently a broad range of different prebiotic classes. These vary in structure and composition and subsequently in the effects exerted on the microbiota. 
  • 735
  • 15 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Feed Additives on Health Status of Grow–Finish Pigs
There are numerous feed additives that can be used to enhance grow–finish pig growth performance and carcass characteristics, which can potentially lead to a higher economic return. Feed additives have shown benefits throughout the literature in improving grow–finish pigs’ growth performance and carcass characteristics. 
  • 733
  • 18 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Improving Flavor Stability of Beer by Lager Yeast
Flavor is the main quality characteristic for beer and requires the flavor-active components presented as raw materials or developed by yeast metabolism to be controlled within a certain range in order to maintain flavor balance.
  • 732
  • 17 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Antiviral and Antimicrobial Peptides
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are a ubiquitous class of secretable molecules involved in innate immunity via direct interaction with pathogens. AMP research has sought to describe the highly conserved cysteine rich C-domains of peptides, which determine molecular function; however, investigations into such molecular functions have generally been limited to antibacterial and antifungal defence in both vertebrates and invertebrates, with little research focusing on mollusc antiviral AMPs. Mollusc AMPs can be broadly divided into the following five groups: defensins, big defensins, mytilins, myticins, mytimacins, and mytimycins. All groups possess antibacterial activity, though few have been tested for antiviral activity, and thus the mollusc antiviral AMP mode of action is poorly understood. However, proposed modes of action of antiviral AMPs include targeting viral entry, viral uncoating, and inhibition of viral replication and endosomal escape.
  • 732
  • 07 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Phytophthora infestans Populations in Tomato/Potato Isolates in Thailand
Late blight, caused by the oomycete Phytophthora infestans, is one of the most important diseases affecting tomato and potato production worldwide. In Thailand, the disease is widespread in the north and northeast, especially in the Chiang-Mai and Tak provinces. The mating type, metalaxyl sensitivity, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplotype, RG57 fingerprinting, and microsatellite were used to characterize the P. infestans populations. Studies revealed that the P. infestans of tomato isolates in Thailand are of the same lineage as those from 1994 until 2002. The clonal lineages that were found in the potato populations have changed since 1994. The changes in P. infestans isolates in the potato populations have likely been the result of the import of seed potatoes to Thailand. Furthermore, the P. infestans populations in potatoes show resistance to metalaxyl, whereas those from tomato isolates show sensitivity to fungicides. The reasons for the different responses can be attributed to (i) the use of metalaxyl, (ii) the host preferences of P. infestans, and (iii) the migration of new genotypes from infected potato seeds.
  • 731
  • 19 Dec 2023
Topic Review
Metabolic Diseases in Dairy Cattle: Subacute Ruminal Acidosis
This review paper provides an in-depth analysis of critical metabolic diseases affecting dairy cattle such as subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA). SARA represents a disorder of ruminal fermentation that is characterized by extended periods of depressed ruminal pH below 5.5–5.6. In the long term, dairy herds experiencing SARA usually exhibit secondary signs of the disease, such as episodes of laminitis, weight loss and poor body condition despite adequate energy intake, and unexplained abscesses usually 3–6 months after an episode of SARA. Depressed milk-fat content is commonly used as a diagnostic tool for SARA. A normal milk-fat test in Holstein dairy cows is >4%, so a milk-fat test of <3% can indicate SARA. However, bulk tank testing of milk fat is inappropriate to diagnose SARA at the herd level, so when >4 cows out of 12 and <60 days in milk are suspected to have SARA it can be considered that the herd has a problem. The rapid or abrupt introduction of fresh cows to high-concentrate diets is the most common cause of SARA. Changes in ruminal bacterial populations when exposed to higher concentrate rations require at least about 3 weeks, and it is recommended that concentrate levels increase by no more than 400 g/day during this period to avoid SARA. Throughout the review, emphasis is placed on the importance of early diagnosis and proactive management strategies to mitigate the impact of these metabolic diseases on dairy cattle health and productivity. The comprehensive nature of this paper aims to serve as a valuable resource for veterinarians, researchers, and dairy farmers seeking a deeper understanding of these prevalent metabolic disorders in dairy cattle.
  • 731
  • 14 Mar 2024
Topic Review
Role of Adenosine Diphosphate-Ribosylation in Bone Health
Adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-ribosylation is the transfer of ADP-ribose units from nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) to acceptor proteins. This post-translational modification (PTM) unavoidably alters protein functions and signaling networks, thereby impacting cell behaviors and tissue outcomes. As a ubiquitous mechanism, ADP-ribosylation affects multiple tissues, including bones, as abnormal ADP-ribosylation compromises bone development and remodeling.
  • 726
  • 21 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Nutritional Parameters in Colostrum of Different Mammalian Species
Colostrum (or first milk) is the food produced by all the mothers in all specific mammalian species, ruminants, monogastric and marine mammalians for their newborns during the first 24–48 h post-partum. Colostrum provides to the neonate all essential nutrients necessary for the first week of life, but the effect of colostrum shows a long-term effect not limited to these first days. Colostrum is considered to be a safe and essential food for human consumption. Some young children can show at the beginning of their colostrum-based diet some side effects, such as nausea and flatulence, but they disappear quickly. In human colostrum, the immunoglobulins and lactoferrin determined show the ability to create natural immunity in newborns, reducing greatly the mortality rate in children.
  • 725
  • 23 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Neonatal Piglet Interest in Rope Enrichment
In the United States swine industry, preweaning mortality represents the highest mortality rate of any production phase, nearly half attributed to crushing. The overarching aim of this entry was to determine if enrichment ropes would entice neonatal piglets away from the sow and reduce preweaning mortality.
  • 721
  • 10 Feb 2022
Topic Review
RFI as Efficiency Metric for Pre-Weaning Dairy Calves
Dairy cattle systems have targeted improvements in feed efficiency by selecting animals that can convert less feed into more products. Residual feed intake (RFI) has been the index of choice when selecting dairy cattle for feed efficiency. Nonetheless, RFI studies have focused on lactating cows, and the crucial importance of pre-weaning efficiency on farm profitability and cow productivity has been mostly neglected. Current results suggest great potential for selecting high-efficiency calves while in pre-weaning to accelerate the progress of genetic selection in dairy cattle.
  • 720
  • 25 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Agricultural Aspects of Multidrug Resistance
Antimicrobial multidrug-resistance (MDR) is an indirect consequence of large-scale and non-professional applications of previously powerful antibiotics, leading to the situation in which the lifesaving role of antibiotics has gradually become diminished. MDR has become not only a global public health concern, but also a challenge for sustainable agriculture and plant health management problems.
  • 719
  • 15 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Nano-Enabled Weed Management Using Poly(Epsilon-Caprolactone)-Based Nanoherbicides
The number of effective herbicides available to farmers is steadily decreasing due to increasing herbicide resistance. It seems very important to address and effectively deal with the main weed management challenges (low crop yield and environmental pollution) by investigating the potential of newly introduced materials, such as biocompatible polymer-based nanoparticles. It has been indicated that some polymeric nanocarriers can penetrate biological barriers, including membranes and plant cell walls, and translocate across vascular tissues, resulting in a more efficient delivery of active ingredients. Poly(epsilon-caprolactone) is a biocompatible material that is easily decomposable by enzymes and fungi. Poly ε-caprolactone (PCL) nanoparticles could be applied as nanocarriers of herbicides in agriculture due to their low toxicity, their potential for large-scale synthesis from inexpensive materials, their ability to dissolve herbicides, their high loading capacity, and their ability to help minimize the chemical decomposition of herbicides.
  • 715
  • 24 Oct 2023
Topic Review
Apicoplast Glutaredoxins in Neospora caninum
Glutaredoxins (GRXs), important components of the intracellular thiol redox system, are involved in multiple cellular processes. Previous study identified five GRXs in the apicomplexan parasite, Neospora caninum. This entry will confirm that the GRXs S14 and C5 are located in the apicoplast, which suggests unique functions for these proteins. Although single-gene deficiency did not affect the growth of parasites, a double knockout (Δgrx S14Δgrx C5) significantly reduced their reproductive capacity. However, there were no significant changes in redox indices (GSH/GSSG ratio, reactive oxygen species and hydroxyl radical levels) in double-knockout parasites, indicating that grx S14 and grx C5 are not essential for maintaining the redox balance in parasite cells. Key amino acid mutations confirmed that the Cys203 of grx S14 and Cys253/256 of grx C5 are important for parasite growth. Based on comparative proteomics, 79 proteins were significantly downregulated in double-knockout parasites, including proteins mainly involved in the electron transport chain, the tricarboxylic acid cycle and protein translation. Collectively, GRX S14 and GRX C5 coordinate the growth of parasites. However, considering their special localization, the unique functions of GRX S14 and GRX C5 need to be further studied.
  • 714
  • 29 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Cadmium Phytoremediation Using Rice
Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic heavy metal that causes severe health issues in humans. Cd accumulates in the human body when foods produced in Cd-contaminated fields are eaten. Therefore, soil remediation of contaminated fields is necessary to provide safe foods. Rice is one of the primary candidates for phytoremediation. There is a genotypic variation of Cd concentration in the shoots and grains of rice. Using the world rice core collection, ‘Jarjan’, ‘Anjana Dhan’, and ‘Cho-ko-koku’ were observed with a significantly higher level of Cd accumulation in the shoots and grains. Moreover, OsHMA3, a heavy metal transporter, was identified as a responsive gene of quantitative trait locus (QTL) for high Cd concentration in the shoots of these three varieties likewise. However, it is difficult to apply practical phytoremediation to these varieties because of their unfavorable agricultural traits, such as shatter and easily lodged. New rice varieties and lines were bred for Cd phytoremediation using OsHMA3 as a DNA marker selection. All of them accumulated Cd in the shoots equal to or higher than ‘Cho-ko-koku’ with improved cultivation traits. Therefore, they can be used for practical Cd phytoremediation.
  • 714
  • 02 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Nitrogen Management
Nitrogen (N) management remains a global challenge for the sustainability of diversified farming systems. Field crops are often over-supplied with nitrogen by farmers aiming to high productivity. Although the increase of nitrogen rates leads in many instances to high yields, degree of effectiveness for nitrogen use remains low. Urease and nitrification inhibitors are technologies which have been present in the fertilizers market at least 50 years. Inhibitors exploitation ensures long-term nitrogen release and improved N-uptake by plants and N-storage in seeds and silage. Avail of inhibitors, such as the decline of nitrogen leaching in form of NO3−, reduction of emissions in NH3 form, and rise of yield, are some of the desirable attributes that are derived from their integration in fertilization schedules. This review reports the evaluation of applied nitrogen, with inhibitors, and field crops based on nitrogen indices. The examined N-indicators include Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), Nitrogen Utilization Efficiency (NUtE,) Nitrogen Agronomic Efficiency (NAE), Nitrogen Harvest Index (NHI), and N uptake.
  • 713
  • 01 Apr 2021
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