bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Tomato Putative Metalloprotease SlEGY2 Plays a Positive Role in Thermotolerance
Authors: Zhang Song , Chen Chong , Dai Shanshan , Yang Minmin , Meng Qingwei , Lv Wei , Ma Nana
Published: June 2022

Intramembrane proteases play very important roles in plants, such as chloroplast development, flower morphology, and response to abiotic stress. In this study, a putative metalloprotease gene, homologous to Ethylene-dependent Gravitropism deficient and Yellow-green2 (EGY2) of Arabidopsis, was isolated from tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) plants and named SlEGY2. We found that SlEGY2 was a member of the metalloprotease family M50 which contained conserved motifs HEXXH and NPDG and was localized in the chloroplast. SlEGY2 antisense transgenic tomato plants (AS) have similar hypocotyls phenotype to the Arabidopsis egy2 mutant. Heat (42 °C), PEG, ABA and MeJA treatments can upregulate the expression of SlEGY2. Under heat stress, SlEGY2 AS lines are more sensitive, with more water loss (lower fresh weight), seriously damaged membrane, and ROS accumulation, but lower activities of APX and CAT. In addition, suppression of SlEGY2 decreases the content of chlorophyll and photosynthetic activities, especially photosystem II. These results suggest that SlEGY2 can regulate the thermotolerance of tomatoes by affecting ROS accumulation and photosynthetic activities.
Effects of Stocking Larger-Sized Fish on Water Quality, Growth Performance, and the Economic Yield of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.) in Floating Cages
Authors: Shamsuddin Md , Hossain Mohammad Belal , Rahman Moshiur , Kawla Mst Salamun , Tazim Md. Farhan , Albeshr Mohammed Fahad , Arai Takaomi
Published: June 2022

Earlier research has mostly focused on the impacts of stocking density on fish growth, yield, and survival rate; however, knowledge of the effects of stocking larger-sized fish, particularly Nile Tilapia, is lacking. This type of research is critically important for increasing food security, achieving sustainable goals, and facing the challenges of climate change in the near future. Therefore, we investigated the effects of initial stocking body sizes of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) on water quality, growth performance, and economic yield in tropical riverine cages for 120 days in two culture cycles. Nile Tilapia of three different body sizes (34.06 ± 0.22 g, 10.98 ± 0.09 g, and 5.47 ± 0.04 for the first cycle and 33.85 ± 0.01 g, 11.07 ± 0.05 g, and 5.38 ± 0.06 g for the second cycle, indicated as T1, T2, and T3) were stocked in the culture treatments where unique stocking density and feed rations were maintained. The results revealed that water quality parameters did not differ significantly (p > 0.5) and were within a suitable range for Nile Tilapia culture. Treatments with larger-sized fish demonstrated a higher growth performance. The stocking fish size of 34.14–34.71 g was found to be the best among the three treatments regarding growth performance and economic return. As a result, except for T1 and T2 at a rural site and T1 at a semi-urban site, all of the treatments had negative allometry (b < 3.0), indicating that larger-sized fish and the rural site of the river are more suitable for cage culture. The rural site was found to be more suitable, possibly due to less variation of water parameters, more natural foods, and less pollution. The cages with larger-sized fish stocked had a higher net present value (NPV); internal rate of return (IRR); benefit–cost ratio (BCR); and rate on return (ROI), indicating that cage culture with larger-sized fish stocked is economically viable in the riverine system. Therefore, stocking the larger-sized fish (T1) and rural site are more suitable for cage culture.
Utilizing Urea–Chitosan Nanohybrid for Minimizing Synthetic Urea Application and Maximizing Oryza sativa L. Productivity and N Uptake
Authors: Elshayb Omnia M. , Nada Abdelwahed M. , Farroh Khaled Y. , AL-Huqail Arwa Abdulkreem , Aljabri Maha , Binothman Najat , Seleiman Mahmoud F.
Published: June 2022

In paddy fields, overuse of nitrogen fertilizer to maximize yields can lead to excessive economic loss and degradation of the environment. Therefore, studying the effects of urea–chitosan nanohybrid as a slow released source of nitrogen fertilizer on rice cultivation was the aim of our study. The effects of fertilization applications, namely: CU: control treatment; U1: application of a full recommended dose of classical urea (165 kg N ha−1); U2: adding recommended dose of classical urea by 80% + exogenous urea–chitosan nanohybrid 250 mg N/L; U3: adding recommended dose of classical urea by 80% + exogenous urea–chitosan nanohybrid 500 mg N/L; U4: adding recommended dose of classical urea by 60% + exogenous urea–chitosan nanohybrid 250 mg N/L; U5: adding recommended dose of classical urea by 60% + exogenous urea–chitosan nanohybrid 500 mg N/L; U6: adding recommended dose of classical urea by 40% + exogenous urea–chitosan nanohybrid 250 mg N/L; and U7: adding recommended dose of classical urea by 40% + exogenous urea–chitosan nanohybrid 500 mg N/L on growth indicators, yield-related components, grain productivity, and N uptake status of rice plants were investigated during two successive seasons. As a result, significant achievements concerning growth, yield and yield-related traits were obtained when rice plants were fertilized with exogenous urea–chitosan nanohybrid (i.e., 500 mg N/L) + 60% classical urea without a significant decline in the studied traits compared to the full recommended dose of classical urea. Accordingly, this investigation revealed that chitosan nanohybrid at 500 mg N/L as a compensatory alternative can be used in saving 40% of classical urea requirement.
Effect of Different Levels of Zinc and Compost on Yield and Yield Components of Wheat
Authors: Dawar Khadim , Ali Wajid , Bibi Hamida , Mian Ishaq Ahmad , Ahmad Mian Afaq , Hussain Muhammad Baqir , Ali Muqarrab , Ali Shamsher , Fahad Shah , Rehman Saeed ur , Datta Rahul , Syed Asad , Danish Subhan
Published: June 2022

Management of organic matter and micronutrients is very important for the sustainable improvement of soil health. Poor soil organic matter usually results in lower availability of zinc (Zn) micronutrients in plants. Such deficiency in Zn causes a significant decrease in the growth and yield of crops. The need at the current time is to balance the application of organic amendments with Zn micronutrients to achieve optimum crop yields. Thus, the current study was conducted to investigate wheat, using compost as organic matter and Zn as a micronutrient. There were three levels of compost (i.e., control (0C), 5 t/ha (5C) and 10 t/ha (10C)) and four levels of Zn (control (0Zn), 2.5 kg Zn/ha (2.5Zn), 5.0 kg Zn/ha (5.0Zn) and 10.0 kg Zn/ha (10.0Zn)) applied with three replicates. The addition of 10C under 10.0Zn produced significantly better results for the maximum enhancement in plant height (8.08%), tillers/m2 (21.61%), spikes/m2 (22.33%) and spike length (40.50%) compared to 0C. Significant enhancements in 1000-grain weight, biological yield and grain yield also validated the effectiveness of 10C under 10.0Zn compared to 0C. In conclusion, application of 10C with 10.0Zn showed the potential to improve wheat growth and yield attributes. The addition of 10C with 10.0Zn also regulated soil mineral N, total soil N and extractable soil P. Further investigation is recommended with different soil textures to verify 10C with 10.0Zn as the best amendment for the enhancement of wheat yield in poor organic matter and Zn-deficient soils.
A Non-Destructive Method for Grape Ripeness Estimation Using Intervals’ Numbers (INs) Techniques
Authors: Bazinas Christos , Vrochidou Eleni , Kalampokas Theofanis , Karampatea Aikaterini , Kaburlasos Vassilis G.
Published: June 2022

Grape harvesting based on estimated in-field maturity indices can reduce the costs of pre-harvest exhaustive sampling and chemical analysis, as well as the costs of post-harvest storage and waste across the production chain due to the non-climacteric nature of grapes, meaning that they are not able to reach desired maturity levels after being removed from the vine. Color imaging is used extensively for intact maturity estimation of fruits. In this study, color imaging is combined with Intervals’ Numbers (INs) technique to associate grape cluster images to maturity-related indices such as the total soluble solids (TSSs), titratable acidity (TA), and pH. A neural network regressor is employed to estimate the three indices for a given input of an IN representation of CIELAB color space. The model is tested on one hundred Tempranillo cultivar images, and the mean-square error (MSE) is calculated for the performance evaluation of the model. Results reveal the potential use of the Ins’ NN regressor for TSS, TA, and pH assessment as a non-destructive, efficient, fast, and cost-effective tool able to be integrated into an autonomous harvesting robot.
Hair Cortisol as a Measure of Chronic Stress in Ewes Grazing Either Hardwood Silvopastures or Open Pastures
Authors: Poudel Sanjok , Fike John , Pent Gabriel
Published: June 2022

Hair cortisol is a relatively non-invasive and reliable measure of chronic stress, but it has received limited use, especially in pasture systems. A two-year study was carried out to compare behavioral and physiological (intravaginal temperature, hair, and blood cortisol) responses of ewes (Ovis aries) that grazed black walnut (Juglans nigra) silvopasture (BSP), honeylocust (Gleditsia triacanthos) silvopasture (HSP), or open pastures (OP) treatments. Ewe weights and intravaginal temperatures were recorded once for every 3-week interval. Plasma and hair cortisol concentrations were determined by ELISA. Trail cameras detected animal behavior. Ewe average daily gain was greater in HSP compared with OP (p = 0.0456) but did not differ with BSP (p = 0.4686) across both years. Ewes on OP had higher (p < 0.0001) hair cortisol concentrations than ewes on silvopasture treatments both summers. Ewes on OP had ≥ 0.4 °C higher (p ≤ 0.03) intravaginal temperatures during portions of the afternoon than ewes managed in silvopasture treatments. Ewes on OP spent 500–700% more (p < 0.0001) time standing and 125–150% less (p < 0.0001) time lying down compared with ewes on silvopasture treatments. Hair cortisol measures could be an effective and relatively non-invasive technique for determining long-term chronic stress in grazing animals.
Phenotype Tracking of Leafy Greens Based on Weakly Supervised Instance Segmentation and Data Association
Authors: Qiang Zhuang , Shi Jingmin , Shi Fanhuai
Published: June 2022

Phenotype analysis of leafy green vegetables in planting environment is the key technology of precision agriculture. In this paper, deep convolutional neural network is employed to conduct instance segmentation of leafy greens by weakly supervised learning based on box-level annotations and Excess Green (ExG) color similarity. Then, weeds are filtered based on area threshold, K-means clustering and time context constraint. Thirdly, leafy greens tracking is achieved by bipartite graph matching based on mask IoU measure. Under the framework of phenotype tracking, some time-context-dependent phenotype analysis tasks such as growth monitoring can be performed. Experiments show that the proposed method can achieve 0.95 F1-score and 76.3 sMOTSA (soft multi-object tracking and segmentation accuracy) by using weakly supervised annotation data. Compared with the fully supervised approach, the proposed method can effectively reduce the requirements for agricultural data annotation, which has more potential in practical applications.
Exogenous Si Mitigates the Effects of Cinnamic-Acid-Induced Stress by Regulating Carbon Metabolism and Photosynthetic Pigments in Cucumber Seedlings
Authors: Lyu Jian , Jin Li , Meng Xin , Jin Ning , Wang Shuya , Hu Linli , Zhang Guobin , Wu Yue , Luo Shilei , Yu Jihua
Published: June 2022

(1) Background: Cinnamic acid (CA) is a harmful substance secreted by the roots of continuous-cropping crops. (2) Methods: This study aimed to investigate how exogenous Si affects chlorophyll content and carbon metabolism in cucumber seedlings under CA-induced stress. (3) Results: The levels of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, chlorophyll a+b, and carotenoids were significantly reduced due to CA-induced stress. The addition of exogenous Si significantly alleviated this reduction. Under CA-induced stress, exogenous Si significantly increased the activities of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase, fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase, and transketolase. CA-induced stress significantly increased the fructose, glucose, and sucrose contents and reduced the starch content in the leaves and roots of seedlings. Similarly, the sucrose phosphate synthase, sucrose synthase, acid invertase, and neutral invertase activities were significantly reduced in plants under CA-induced stress. Overall, exogenous Si significantly reduced the soluble sugar content, increased the starch content, and promoted sucrose metabolism-related enzymatic activity in seedlings. (4) Conclusion: Exogenous Si can effectively increase the content of photosynthetic pigments in leaves of seedlings and maintain the balance of osmotic potential in the plant by reducing the accumulation of carbon assimilation products, which ultimately promotes tolerance to CA-induced autotoxicity stress.
Biological and Chemical Diversity of Angelica archangelica L.—Case Study of Essential Oil and Its Biological Activity
Authors: Aćimović Milica , Rat Milica , Pezo Lato , Lončar Biljana , Pezo Milada , Miljković Ana , Lazarević Jovan
Published: June 2022

Garden angelica (Angelica archangelica L.), native to the northern temperate region, is widespread in Europe and Asia. Since the middle ages, it has been used for healing and as a vegetable in traditional dishes. In the modern era, it has been proven that A. archangelica has a complex chemical composition. The main derivatives that contribute to the plant’s biological activities are essential oil and coumarins. In this review, the focus is on the cross-analysis of the taxonomy of A. archangelica, and its distribution in different regions, with the presentation of the richness of its biochemical composition, which overall contributes to the widespread use of the roots of this plant in folk medicine. It belongs to the plants that were introduced to the wider area of Central, Eastern, and Southern Europe; as a medicinal plant, it represents a significant part of the medical flora of many areas. Cluster analysis of pooled data indicates a clear differentiation of chemotypes.
Mitigation of CaCO3 Influence on Ipomoea batatas Plants Using Bacillus megaterium DSM 2894
Authors: Awad Ahmed A. M. , Ahmed Alshaymaa I. , Elazem Alaa H. Abd , Sweed Atef A. A.
Published: June 2022

The application of PGPB is considered a surrogate approach to reducing the amounts of phosphorus fertilizers applied in addition to its role in improving nutrient availability under stress conditions. The objective of this study was to evaluate five levels of calcium superphosphate (CSP); ultimately, CSP was applied in five levels: CSP20, CSP40, CSP60, CSP80, and CSP100 were applied at 69, 138, 207, 276, and 345 kg ha−1, respectively, and two treatments of Bacillus megaterium DSM 2894 (with and without) were applied on sweet potato (Beauregard cv.) plants grown in calcareous soils in the 2019 and 2020 seasons in Egypt. Some macro- and micronutrient (i.e., nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu)) uptake, antiradical power (ARP), and protein and total root yields (TRYs) were determined. The plants inoculated with B. megaterium DSM 2894 had increased leaf N, P, and Mn contents in both seasons; in addition, Ca was increased in the second season. Furthermore, all of the root nutrient contents (except N) as well as the ARP and TRY were increased in both seasons as compared with those of the noninoculated plants. On the other hand, the maximum values of the leaf Ca, Fe, and Cu contents and the root Ca, Fe, and Zn contents were recorded with the CSP20 treatment in both seasons. CSP60 was the superior treatment for N (in the leaves), Mn (in the roots), ARP, protein contents, and TRY in both seasons and for the leaf Zn content in the 2019 season. The application of the CSP100 treatment gave the highest values for the leaf and root P contents and the root Cu contents in both seasons as well as for the leaf Mn content in the first season and the root N content in the 2020 growth season. Thus, it was concluded that the application of CSP20, CSP60, and CSP100 treatments with the B. megaterium DSM2894 mixture gave the best values compared to the use of CSP or DSM2894 individually to attenuate CaCO3-induced damage.
Mechanized Hybrid Rice Seed Production: Planting Density, the Flight Height of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, Fertilizer Application, and the Row-Ratio of Parents
Authors: He Longxin , Luo Haowen , Duan Meiyang , Kong Leilei , Tang Xiangru
Published: June 2022

The mechanized seed production of hybrid rice (Oryza sativa L.) represents significant progress in modern agriculture. However, the technologies and the crop management strategies in mechanized hybrid rice seed production are still immature. The present study was conducted with three field experiments to explore the effects of different planting densities, the flight height of an agricultural unmanned aerial vehicle (AUAV) for assisting the pollination, fertilization techniques, and the row-ratio of the restore line and the sterile line on seed yield in hybrid rice seed production. In experiment 1, three planting densities “DS1: 250000 hills per ha; DS2: 285000 hills per ha; DS3: 3,33,000 hills per ha” and three flight heights of an AUAV (FH1: above ground 2 m; FH2: above ground 3 m; FH3: above ground 4 m) were adopted. The results showed that DS1 and DS2 treatments produced a higher seed yield than the DS3 treatment, and the seed yield in the FH2 treatment was significantly higher than FH1 and FH3. In experiment 2, two fertilizer application methods, mechanized deep placement of fertilizer and traditional manual broadcasted fertilizer, were adopted. The results showed that deep placement of fertilizer significantly increased seed yield by increasing the effective panicle number and the grain number per panicle. In experiment 3, three row-ratios of sterile line and restore line at 8:1 (R1), 9:1 (R2), 10:1(R3) were adopted, and the highest seed yield was recorded in the R1 treatment.
Effect of Combined Application of Chicken Manure and Inorganic Nitrogen Fertilizer on Yield and Quality of Cherry Tomato
Authors: Tao Yang , Liu Tuo , Wu Jianyu , Wu Zhuangsheng , Liao Daolong , Shah Farooq , Wu Wei
Published: June 2022

Unreasonable application of inorganic nitrogen (N) fertilizer on cherry tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme) has resulted in serious environmental threats. The advantages of application of organic manure combined with inorganic N fertilizer for vegetable production systems have been reported widely, but there are still few studies on cherry tomato production. Therefore, this study aims to determine the impact of a combined application of organic manure (in form of chicken manure at different application rate of 0 and 40 t ha−1) with inorganic N fertilizer (in form of urea at various N application rates of 0, 160 and 320 kg N ha−1) on the fruit yield and quality of cherry tomato across two seasons. Results showed that inorganic N application exhibited positive effects on fruit yield and its associated components of cherry tomato. However, there was no significant difference in terms of fruit yield and its associated components between the two N rates of inorganic N (160 and 320 kg N ha−1), indicating that fruit yield is not improved significantly when the N application rate exceeds some threshold. Under chicken manure application treatments, however, an increased N rate did not show a positive effect on fruit yield. Importantly, chicken manure application has greatly increased fruit yield and fruit quality (represented by membership function indicator) by 43% and 23%, respectively in comparison with zero manure application. In particular, the soluble protein and titratable acid were increased by 124% and 118%, respectively. Overall, these results suggested that chemical N fertilizers could be largely replaced with chicken manure. Furthermore, the combined application of organic with inorganic N fertilizers seems to be a promising management practice for reducing the reliance on use of inorganic N fertilizer, while mitigating the environmental burden for cherry tomato production.
Application of Conservation Tillage in China: A Method to Improve Climate Resilience
Authors: Deng Xiaoshang , Yang Qianxi , Zhang Dan , Dong Shoukun
Published: June 2022

In the context of climate change, agricultural cultivation, as one of the most vulnerable sectors, is under threat. Extreme weather and climate conditions have caused a series of problems, such as yield loss, more serious pests and diseases, and declining biodiversity. Conservation tillage is considered a potential method to improve climate resilience, yet the intrinsic mechanism of how conservation tillage functions to improve the climate resilience of agriculture is uncertain. Here, we performed document analysis to explore how conservation tillage stabilizes and increases crop yield and reduces greenhouse gases. We reviewed the definition of resilience and proposed the practice of conservation tillage. Our research found that conservation tillage has the potential of improving soil health and reducing greenhouse gases to enhance climate resilience. Although there is some evidence demonstrating that conservation tillage has a negative impact on crop yield and greenhouse gases, we still advocate the adoption of conservation tillage according to local conditions. We suggest that choosing proper practices, such as crop rotation, the use of cover crops, and holistic grazing, when used along with conservation tillage, can maximize the benefits of conservation tillage and alleviate the possible negative effects of this practice.
Fluopyram: Optimal Application Time Point and Planting Hole Treatment to Control Meloidogyne incognita
Authors: Stucky Tobias , Dahlin Paul
Published: June 2022

Research into new nematicides that provide adequate control against root-knot nematodes in a more environment-friendly way is of great interest to vegetable growers. Thus, the effect of fluopyram, a relatively new chemical nematicide, was evaluated against a Swiss population of Meloidogyne incognita in vitro, in soil and as a planting hole treatment for tomato, lettuce and cucumber plants. Fluopyram treatment in vitro revealed LC50 (lethal concentration, 50%) ranging from 2.15–0.04 µmol of fluopyram/L after 1–14 days of exposure. However, some nematodes (visually categorized as dead) were able to recover and infect cucumber plants. Fluopyram’s optimal application time appeared to be up to 1 day after planting, with a significant control effect on M. incognita up to 14 days after planting. A root penetration assay showed that only nematodes that remained in the rhizosphere were controlled by fluopyram. Furthermore, fluopyram planting hole treatments on lettuce, tomato and cucumber plants, successfully controlled M. incognita in the root zone under greenhouse conditions. Overall, this study contributes to an optimized application of fluopyram for the control of M. incognita in vegetable crops, highlighting its effectiveness in soil and showing its limitation to control juveniles that have already invaded the root systems of plants.
Wastewater Sewage Sludge Management via Production of the Energy Crop Virginia Mallow
Authors: Šurić Jona , Brandić Ivan , Peter Anamarija , Bilandžija Nikola , Leto Josip , Karažija Tomislav , Kutnjak Hrvoje , Poljak Milan , Voća Neven
Published: June 2022

Wastewater treatment plants are facilities where wastewater is treated by technological processes. A byproduct of a wastewater treatment plant is sewage sludge, which can be both a good soil conditioner and a source of nutrients for the crops to which it is applied. Energy crops are non-food plants that can cleanse the soil of heavy metals through their ability to phytoremediate. The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of different amounts of sewage sludge on soil and plants. In the experiment Virginia mallow (Sida hermaphrodita L.) was used and the influence of stabilized sewage sludge in the amounts of 1.66, 3.32 and 6.64 t/ha dry matter on the energy composition and biomass yield was observed.The obtained results showed a yield of 8.85 t/ha at the maximum amount of sewage sludge used. Hemicellulose content was 20.20% in the application of 6.64 t/ha of sewage sludge and 19.70% in the control, while lignin content was 17.97% in the control and 16.77% in the maximum amount of sewage sludge. The heavy metals molybdenum and nickel did not differ significantly under the influence of larger amounts of sewage sludge, while manganese increased from 23.66 to 35.82 mg/kg.
Physiological Mechanism of Abscisic Acid-Induced Heat-Tolerance Responses to Cultivation Techniques in Wheat and Maize—Review
Authors: Tao Zhiqiang , Yan Peng , Zhang Xuepeng , Wang Demei , Wang Yanjie , Ma Xinglin , Yang Yushuang , Liu Xiwei , Chang Xuhong , Sui Peng , Chen Yuanquan
Published: June 2022

Abscisic acid (ABA) plays a physiological role in regulating the heat tolerance of plants and maintaining crop productivity under high-temperature stress. Appropriate cultivation techniques can regulate endogenous ABA and help farmers improve food production under high-temperature stress. Here, the physiological basis for ABA-induced heat tolerance in crops is reviewed. High-temperature stress stimulates ABA, which reduces stomatal opening and promotes root growth. The root system absorbs water to maintain the water status, thus allowing the plant to maintain physiological activities under high-temperature stress. ABA plays a synergistic role with nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide biosynthesis to improve the thermal stability of the cell membrane, maintain a dynamic balance between material and energy, and reduce the negative effects of high-temperature stress on kernel number and kernel weight. Cultivation and tillage techniques adapted to high-temperature stress, such as adjustment of sowing time, application of plant growth regulators and fertilizers, and the use of irrigation, subsoiling and heat acclimation, and the mechanisms by which they improve crop heat tolerance, are also reviewed. The results of the studies reviewed here will help researchers develop techniques for cultivating food crops under heat stress and apply them to food-production fields to improve crop productivity.
The Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, Gut Bacteria and Bone Strength of Broilers Offered Alternative, Sustainable Diets Varying in Nutrient Specification and Phytase Dose
Authors: Mulvenna Christina C. , McCormack Ursula M. , Magowan Elizabeth , McKillen John , Bedford Mike R. , Walk Carrie L. , Oster Michael , Reyer Henry , Wimmers Klaus , Fornara Dario A. , Ball M. Elizabeth E.
Published: June 2022

This study assessed the use of locally sourced sustainable feed ingredients, rapeseed meal (RSM) and maize dried distiller grains with solubles (DDGS) in diets over traditional ingredients on the growth performance, bone strength and nutrient digestibility of broilers. This work also investigated the effects of supplementing exogenous phytase in two doses (500 vs. 1500 FTU/kg). Using male Ross 308 chicks (n = 320) assigned to receive one of four experimental diets: (1) Positive control diet 1 (PC1), a wheat, soya-based diet + 500 FTU/kg phytase. (2) Positive control diet 2, RSM/DDGS diet + 500 FTU/kg phytase (PC2). (3) Negative control (NC) reduced nutrient RSM/DDGS diet, no phytase. (4) The NC diet plus 1500 FTU/kg phytase (NC+). PC1 birds displayed higher feed intake and body weight gain consistently throughout the trial (p < 0.001) as well as increased body weight by 28 d and 42 d (p < 0.001). Whole-body dual emission X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) analysis revealed PC1 birds also had higher bone mineral density (BMD), bone mineral content (BMC), total bone mass, total lean mass and total fat mass than birds offered other treatments (p < 0.01). Diet had no significant effect on bone strength. Phytase superdosing improved the digestibility of dry matter (DM), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), gross energy (GE), calcium (Ca), potassium (K) and magnesium (Mg) compared to birds in other treatment groups. The phytase superdose also improved performance in comparison to birds offered the NC diet. Phytase superdosing increased the IP6 and IP5 degradation and increased the ileal inositol concentration of the birds. N excretion was lower for birds offered the traditional wheat–soya diet and highest for those offered the high-specification RSM/DDGS diet with a commercial dose of phytase. The addition of a phytase superdose to the negative control diet (NC+) reduced P excretion of birds by 15% compared to birds offered NC.
Distinct Amphibian Elevational and Seasonal Phylogenetic Structures Are Determined by Microhabitat Variables in Temperate Montane Streams
Authors: Peng Xi-Wen , Lan Jing , Sun Zi-Jian , Zhu Wen-Bo , Zhao Tian
Published: June 2022

Phylogenetic structure is a key facet of biodiversity, reflecting the evolutionary history of species, and thus can be used to understand various ecological patterns. Although amphibian phylogenetic structures have been tested across space and time separately, simultaneous quantifications are still needed. In the present study, amphibians in streams of Tianping mountain, China, were selected as the model to investigate their elevational spatial and seasonal temporal patterns of phylogenetic diversity. Specifically, 13 streams located in lowland and highland sites were sampled for amphibians and measured for microhabitat variables in April, June, August, and October 2017, separately. Four phylogenetic structural indices, including Faith’s PD, standardized effect size (SES) of Faith’s PD, mean pairwise phylogenetic distance index (MPD), and SES.MPD, were calculated. Our results revealed that amphibian phylogenetic patterns were not significantly different between lowland and highland sites, but differed significantly between four seasons, associated with distinct community assembly rules (phylogenetically overdispersed vs. phylogenetically clustered). Importantly, these patterns were strongly determined by microhabitat variables such as rock cover, water temperature, and water depth. Our results provide fundamental knowledge to better protect amphibian diversity. Both elevational and seasonal variations are important to understanding the general patterns of amphibian community assembly rules.
Welfare Assessment of Invertebrates: Adapting the Animal Welfare Assessment Grid (AWAG) for Zoo Decapods and Cephalopods
Authors: Narshi Tanya M. , Free Danielle , Justice William S. M. , Smith Sarah Jayne , Wolfensohn Sarah
Published: June 2022

Consumer demand for invertebrates is on the rise as their numbers in the wild dwindle. However, with the growing conservation efforts of modern zoos and aquariums, and evidence from over 300 studies showing that invertebrates are capable of sentience, public interest, and moral concern for welfare of invertebrates have increased. The challenge for zoos and aquariums is in developing an objective and repeatable method for evaluating welfare that can be applied to invertebrates in zoological collections. Recently introduced into zoological collection management is the Animal Welfare Assessment Grid (AWAG). The AWAG helps to identify negative and positive welfare states, through assessing animal- and environmental-based indicators to make changes that lead to a better quality of life. Originally developed for the assessment of laboratory primates, the system has been successfully adapted to assess a variety of taxa across different environments, facilitated by the development of cloud-based software. In this study, the AWAG has been adapted to assess the cumulative lifetime experience of captive decapods and cephalopods at two different institutions, Marwell Zoo and National Marine Aquarium. This study has provided further evidence that the AWAG is adaptable and demonstrates the first time any objective scoring system has been successfully adapted for use in invertebrates. Through graphical representation, the results show that the AWAG identifies changes in welfare scores that can be attributed to specific events and can be used to predict the future vulnerability of species to welfare changes and suggest alternative management methods. This monitoring tool provides a versatile method of implementing practical welfare monitoring in zoos and aquariums.
Genetic Basis of Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Dogs and Its Potential as a Bidirectional Model
Authors: Gaar-Humphreys Karen R. , Spanjersberg Talitha C. F. , Santarelli Giorgia , Grinwis Guy C. M. , Szatmári Viktor , Roelen Bernard A. J. , Vink Aryan , van Tintelen J. Peter , Asselbergs Folkert W. , Fieten Hille , Harakalova Magdalena , van Steenbeek Frank G.
Published: June 2022

Cardiac disease is a leading cause of death for both humans and dogs. Genetic cardiomyopathies, including dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), account for a proportion of these cases in both species. Patients may suffer from ventricular enlargement and systolic dysfunction resulting in congestive heart failure and ventricular arrhythmias with high risk for sudden cardiac death. Although canine DCM has similar disease progression and subtypes as in humans, only a few candidate genes have been found to be associated with DCM while the genetic background of human DCM has been more thoroughly studied. Additionally, experimental disease models using induced pluripotent stem cells have been widely adopted in the study of human genetic cardiomyopathy but have not yet been fully adapted for the in-depth study of canine genetic cardiomyopathies. The clinical presentation of DCM is extremely heterogeneous for both species with differences occurring based on sex predisposition, age of onset, and the rate of disease progression. Both genetic predisposition and environmental factors play a role in disease development which are identical in dogs and humans in contrast to other experimental animals. Interestingly, different dog breeds have been shown to develop distinct DCM phenotypes, and this presents a unique opportunity for modeling as there are multiple breed-specific models for DCM with less genetic variance than human DCM. A better understanding of DCM in dogs has the potential for improved selection for breeding and could lead to better overall care and treatment for human and canine DCM patients. At the same time, progress in research made for human DCM can have a positive impact on the care given to dogs affected by DCM. Therefore, this review will analyze the feasibility of canines as a naturally occurring bidirectional disease model for DCM in both species. The histopathology of the myocardium in canine DCM will be evaluated in three different breeds compared to control tissue, and the known genetics that contributes to both canine and human DCM will be summarized. Lastly, the prospect of canine iPSCs as a novel method to uncover the contributions of genetic variants to the pathogenesis of canine DCM will be introduced along with the applications for disease modeling and treatment.
Prevalence, Antimicrobial Resistance, and Characterization of Staphylococcus aureus Isolated from Subclinical Bovine Mastitis in East Coast Malaysia
Authors: Saeed Shamsaldeen Ibrahim , Mat Yazid Khairun Anisa , Hashimy Hidayatul Athirah , Dzulkifli Siti Khadijah , Nordin Fatihah , Nik Him Nik Azmi , Omar Mohd Fikry Fahmi bin , Aklilu Erkihun , Mohamad Maizan , Zalati Che Wan Salma , Kamaruzzaman Nor Fadhilah
Published: June 2022

S. aureus is the pathogen that is commonly associated with subclinical mastitis, causing significant economic losses to dairy farms. This infection responds poorly to antimicrobial treatment, which could be due to the development of AMR, biofilm formation, and the intracellular invasion of S. aureus into bovine mammary cells leading to treatment failure. Thus, it is important to understand the challenge of this problem. Therefore, the present study aims to determine the prevalence, antimicrobial resistance, and characterization of S. aureus that was isolated from subclinical bovine mastitis in East Coast Malaysia. A total of 235 milk samples from dairy cows were collected from selected farms in Kelantan and Pahang. The samples were subjected to a somatic cell analysis to identify subclinical mastitis, followed by bacteria isolation and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. The isolated S. aureus were further analyzed for their ability to form biofilms and invade the bovine mammary epithelial cells (MAC-T cells) in in vitro infections modeling using a gentamicin protection assay. The overall total of 74/235 (31.4%; 95% CI = 0.31; 0.32) of the milk samples demonstrated >200,000 somatic cells/mL, suggesting the presence of subclinical mastitis in the animals. A total of 39/235 (16.5%; 95% CI = 0.16, 0.17) of the milk samples harbored S. aureus which demonstrated resistance towards the following antimicrobials: penicillin (18/39, 46%), ampicillin (17/39, 43.6%), oxacillin (12/39, 31%), tetracycline (10/39, 26%), and erythromycin (7/39, 18%). AMR was recorded for a total of (17/39, 43.6%) of S. aureus isolates. All isolates formed biofilms, with (8/30, 27%) strongly biofilm-forming, (18/30, 60%) moderately biofilm-forming, and the remaining (4/30, 13%) of isolates weakly biofilm-forming. Interestingly, the AMR isolates appear to produce weak and moderate biofilm. Moreover, (6/20, 30%) of the S. aureus isolates were invasive towards MAC-T cells, as indicated by their ability to evade gentamicin treatment. The study demonstrated the presence of AMR, invasiveness, and biofilm formation in S. aureus that was isolated from subclinical mastitis. This characteristic presents additional challenges to existing antimicrobial therapy.
Changes to Adult Dog Social Behaviour during and after COVID-19 Lockdowns in England: A Qualitative Analysis of Owner Perception
Authors: Boardman Holly , Farnworth Mark James
Published: June 2022

Reports suggest that dogs have experienced more quality time with their owners and have exhibited less separation-related behaviour during COVID-19. This study aims to define and explore the changes in the social behaviour of adult dogs, identify any perceived short- and long-term effects and identify the implications that future events may have due to the implementation and withdrawal of COVID-19 restrictions. Owners of dogs aged between 3 and 6 years living in England were recruited for semi-structured interviews about their dogs’ social behaviours before, during and after lockdown. Interviews were transcribed and thematic analysis was used to identify key themes. Fifteen owners of eighteen dogs were interviewed in December 2021 to January 2022. All owners interviewed noticed a change in behaviour either during or following the COVID-19 lockdowns. Many owners found that fear-related and aggressive behaviours increased, particularly after lockdown restrictions had been lifted. There is a risk to human and animal safety if fear-related behaviours are not properly managed and there is a danger to dog welfare through relinquishment as owners struggle to cope with problematic behaviours. An increase in the duration of walks is comparable to other studies; however, this study found that many owners continued to walk their dogs more than restrictions allowed. Reliable information or behavioural support by qualified professionals may be needed to aid owners in mitigating the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Behaviour modification plans or information could include positive techniques such as desensitisation and counterconditioning. More widely, owners should be prepared for any future behavioural changes due to unpredictable events which may alter the dog–owner dynamic. Results can be adapted to the increase in at-home working following the pandemic or other novel experiences and changes of routine such as retirement, job change or relocation. More awareness of the long-term implications of the COVID-19 pandemic is needed to prepare dog behaviour professionals for future owner concerns.
Optimization of a Method for Detecting Intracellular Sulfane Sulfur Levels and Evaluation of Reagents That Affect the Levels in Escherichia coli
Authors: Yu Qiaoli , Ran Mingxue , Yang Yuqing , Liu Huaiwei , Xun Luying , Xia Yongzhen
Published: June 2022

Sulfane sulfur is a class of compounds containing zero-valent sulfur. Most sulfane sulfur compounds are reactive and play important signaling roles. Key enzymes involved in the production and metabolism of sulfane sulfur have been characterized; however, little is known about how to change intracellular sulfane sulfur (iSS) levels. To accurately measure iSS, we optimized a previously reported method, in which reactive iSS reacts with sulfite to produce thiosulfate, a stable sulfane sulfur compound, before detection. With the improved method, several factors were tested to influence iSS in Escherichia coli. Temperature, pH, and osmotic pressure showed little effect. At commonly used concentrations, most tested oxidants, including hydrogen peroxide, tert-butyl hydroperoxide, hypochlorous acid, and diamide, did not affect iSS, but carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenyl hydrazone increased iSS. For reductants, 10 mM dithiothreitol significantly decreased iSS, but tris(2-carboxyethyl)phosphine did not. Among different sulfur-bearing compounds, NaHS, cysteine, S2O32− and diallyl disulfide increased iSS, of which only S2O32− did not inhibit E. coli growth at 10 mM or less. Thus, with the improved method, we have identified reagents that may be used to change iSS in E. coli and other organisms, providing tools to further study the physiological functions of iSS.
Allopurinol Lowers Serum Urate but Does Not Reduce Oxidative Stress in CKD
Authors: Sun Mingyao , Hines Nicole , Scerbo Diego , Buchanan Jane , Wu Chaorong , Ten Eyck Patrick , Zepeda-Orozco Diana , Taylor Eric B. , Jalal Diana I.
Published: June 2022

Xanthine oxidase (XO) contributes to oxidative stress and vascular disease. Hyperuricemia and gout are common in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), a population at increased risk of vascular disease. We evaluated effects of allopurinol on serum XO activity and metabolome of CKD patients who had participated in a randomized double-blind clinical trial of allopurinol vs. placebo. XO activity was measured in participants’ serum. XO expression in venous endothelial cells was evaluated via immunofluorescence. Gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was utilized for metabolomics analysis. We found that in patients with stage 3 CKD and hyperuricemia, allopurinol lowered serum urate while increasing serum xanthine levels. Allopurinol, however, did not significantly suppress measured serum XO activity. Of note, baseline serum XO activity was low. Additionally, neither baseline serum XO activity nor XO protein expression were associated with measures of vascular dysfunction or with systemic or endothelial biomarkers of oxidative stress. Allopurinol affected several pathways, including pentose phosphate, pyrimidine, and tyrosine metabolism. Our findings suggest that circulating XO does not contribute to vascular disease in CKD patients. In addition to inhibition of XO activity, allopurinol was observed to impact other pathways; the implications of which require further study.
Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress, Oxidative Stress, and Rheumatic Diseases
Authors: Miglioranza Scavuzzi Bruna , Holoshitz Joseph
Published: June 2022

Background: The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a multi-functional organelle responsible for cellular homeostasis, protein synthesis, folding and secretion. It has been increasingly recognized that the loss of ER homeostasis plays a central role in the development of autoimmune inflammatory disorders, such as rheumatic diseases. Purpose/Main contents: Here, we review current knowledge of the contribution of ER stress to the pathogenesis of rheumatic diseases, with a focus on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We also review the interplay between protein folding and formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), where ER stress induces oxidative stress (OS), which further aggravates the accumulation of misfolded proteins and oxidation, in a vicious cycle. Intervention studies targeting ER stress and oxidative stress in the context of rheumatic diseases are also reviewed. Conclusions: Loss of ER homeostasis is a significant factor in the pathogeneses of RA and SLE. Targeting ER stress, unfolded protein response (UPR) pathways and oxidative stress in these diseases both in vitro and in animal models have shown promising results and deserve further investigation.
Physicochemical and Morphological Study of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Cell-Based Microcapsules with Novel Cold-Pressed Oil Blends
Authors: Cichocki Wojciech , Czerniak Adrian , Smarzyński Krzysztof , Jeżowski Paweł , Kmiecik Dominik , Baranowska Hanna Maria , Walkowiak Katarzyna , Ostrowska-Ligęza Ewa , Różańska Maria Barbara , Lesiecki Mariusz , Kowalczewski Przemysław Łukasz
Published: June 2022

Vegetable oils rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids are a valuable component of the human diet. Properly composed oil blends are characterized by a 5:1 ratio of ω6/ω3 fatty acids, which is favorable from a nutritional point of view. Unfortunately, their composition makes them difficult to use in food production, as they are susceptible to oxidation and are often characterized by a strong smell. Encapsulation in yeast cells is a possible solution to these problems. This paper is a report on the use of native and autolyzed yeast in the encapsulation of oils. The fatty acid profile, encapsulation efficiency, morphology of the capsules obtained, and thermal behavior were assessed. Fourier transform infrared analysis and low-field nuclear magnetic resonance relaxation time measurements were also performed. The process of yeast autolysis changed the structure of the yeast cell membranes and improved the loading capacity. Lower encapsulation yield was recorded for capsules made from native yeast; the autolysis process significantly increased the value of this parameter. It was observed that NY-based YBMCs are characterized by a high degree of aggregation, which may adversely affect their stability. The average size of the AY capsules for each of the three oil blends was two times smaller than the NY-based capsules. The encapsulation of oils in yeast cells, especially those subjected to the autolysis process, ensured better oxidative stability, as determined by DSC, compared to fresh blends of vegetable oils. From LF NMR analysis of the relaxation times, it was shown that the encapsulation process affects both spin-lattice T1 and spin-spin T2* relaxation times. The T1 time values of the YBMCs decreased relative to the yeast empty cells, and the T2* time was significantly extended. On the basis of the obtained results, it has been proven that highly unsaturated oils can be used as an ingredient in the preparation of functional food via protection through yeast cell encapsulation.