Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

J Fish Dis 2020 Jun 3. Epub 2020 Jun 3.

Aquatic Parasitology Laboratory, School of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences, College of Agriculture, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA.

Myxobolus cerebralis (Bivalvulida: Myxobolidae), the aetiological agent of salmonid whirling disease, was detected in 2 river basins of North Carolina during 2015, which initiated the largest spatial-temporal monitoring project for the disease ever conducted within the south-eastern United States (focused mainly in eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina). A total of 2072 rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss, 1,004 brown trout Salmo trutta and 468 brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis were screened from 113 localities within 7 river basins during June 2017 through October 2019. Infections were detected by pepsin-trypsin digest, microscopy and the species-specific nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 19 localities across 6 river basins. Read More

Plant Biol (Stuttg) 2020 Jun 3. Epub 2020 Jun 3.

Key Laboratory of Saline-alkali Vegetation Ecology Restoration, (Northeast Forestry University), Ministry of Education, Harbin, 150040, China.

The tomato accession LA1996, which carries a dominant allele of Anthocyanin fruit (Aft) locus, accumulates anthocyanins in the peel of fruits under the sunlight. The involvement of blue, UV-A, UV-B and the combination of these lights on the anthocyanin accumulation and the molecular mechanism of their regulation was investigated in LA1996. The most effective treatment for inducing anthocyanin biosynthesis in Aft fruits was co-irradiation of blue and UV-B (blue + UV-B). Read More

J Hazard Mater 2020 May 24;398:122941. Epub 2020 May 24.

Key Lab of Integrated Crop Pest Management of Shandong Province, College of Plant Health and Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, Shandong, 266109, China. Electronic address:

Tebuconazole is a widely used fungicide that may impair soil health. Presently, limited information is available on the bioremediation of tebuconazole-contaminated soil using biochar as a carrier for bacteria. In this study, we firstly isolated a tebuconazole-degrading strain and identified it as Alcaligenes faecalis WZ-2. Read More

Curr Opin Chem Biol 2020 May 16;59:62-68. Epub 2020 May 16.

Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Japan.

Nitrogen-nitrogen (N-N) bond-containing compounds are occasionally described in nature. Despite their interesting structural and biological features, biosynthetic machineries of N-N bond formation in nature remained undiscovered for a long time. However, the understanding on biosynthetic machineries of N-N bond formation have rapidly accumulated within the last few years. Read More

Food Chem 2020 May 28;328:127174. Epub 2020 May 28.

Shandong Lorain Corporation Co., Ltd., Linyi 276600, China.

This study investigated the effect of lysosomal iron involvement in the mechanism of mitochondrial apoptosis on bovine muscle protein degradation during postmortem aging. Six crossbred cattle were studied to evaluate intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), antioxidant enzyme activity, lysosomal membrane stability, mitochondrial dysfunction-induced apoptosis, desmin and troponin-T degradation in both control and iron chelator desferrioxamine (DFO) groups. Results showed that lysosomal iron induced ROS accumulation and lysosomal membrane destabilization by decreasing the antioxidant enzyme activity (P < 0. Read More

Water Res 2020 May 11;181:115908. Epub 2020 May 11.

Baruch Institute of Coastal Ecology and Forest Science, Clemson University, Georgetown, SC, 29442, United States; Department of Environmental Engineering and Earth Science, Clemson University, South Carolina, 29634, United States.

Foliar litter is an important terrestrial source of dissolved organic matter (DOM) and disinfection byproducts (DBPs) in the source water supply. Climate changes could alter precipitation patterns and hydroperiods in woody wetlands, resulting in a hydrologic shift along the low elevation gradient and change the productions of DOC and DBP precursors and their exports to source water. Here, we conducted an 80-week field decomposition study using fresh-fallen leaves along an elevation gradient, representing well-drained, relatively moist, and inundated environments, in Congaree National Park, South Carolina. Read More

Curr Opin Plant Biol 2020 May 31;56:74-80. Epub 2020 May 31.

USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Cereal Crops Research Unit, Edward T. Schafer Agricultural Research Center, Fargo, ND 58102, United States.

Plant fungal pathogens can be classified according to their lifestyles. Biotrophs feed on living tissue and constitute an economically significant group of pathogens historically. Necrotrophs, which feed on dead tissue, have become economically significant over recent decades, especially those of the Dothideomycetes, which produce necrotrophic effectors (NEs) to modulate the host response. Read More

Sci Total Environ 2020 May 14;735:139393. Epub 2020 May 14.

Department of Environmental Chemistry, University of Kassel, Nordbahnhofstraße 1a, 37213 Witzenhausen, Germany.

Biochar (BC) and nitrogen (N) fertilizers are frequently applied to improve soil properties and increase crop productivity. Nonetheless, our mechanistic understanding of plant-soil interactions under single or combined application of BC and N remains incomplete. For the first time, we applied a split-root system to evaluate how BC or N contributes to the changes in soil enzyme activities, N and phosphorus (P) cycling as well as root plasticity. Read More

Microb Pathog 2020 May 31:104284. Epub 2020 May 31.

Beijing Laboratory for Food Quality and Safety, College of Food Science & Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100083, China. Electronic address:

The formation of biofilms by bacteria is of great significance because it involves many physiological changes that serve to protect the cells from various stresses. One of the best-known biofilm-specific properties of bacteria is that bacteria that grow in biofilms are generally more resistant to antibiotics than their planktonic counterparts. In a previous study, osmoregulated periplasmic glucans (OPGs), catalyzed by the opgGH operon, were identified and found to function in Rcs signalling in Yersinia enterocolitica. Read More

J Vector Ecol 2020 Jun;45(1):140-141

Anastasia Mosquito Control District, 120 EOC Drive, St. Augustine, FL, 32092, U.S.A.

J Vector Ecol 2020 Jun;45(1):89-99

Laboratório de Entomologia e Vetores, Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, Brazil.

The richness and abundance of sand fly species were studied in northeastern Brazil in areas of leishmaniasis transmission. The study was carried out in two forest areas with different deforestation times for agricultural and livestock activities: one modified by long-term settlement (more than 50 years of occupation) and another less impacted by short-term settlement (10 years). The sand flies were captured with CDC light traps from 18:00 to 06:00 for three consecutive nights, once a month, from May, 2012 to April, 2014. Read More

J Vector Ecol 2020 Jun;45(1):45-56

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Plant Protection Biology, Unit of Chemical Ecology, Box 102, 230 53, Alnarp, Sweden.

Effective surveillance is essential for protecting livestock from Culicoides biting midges and the viruses they transmit. The objective of this study was to determine how the baiting system used in traps (UV, incandescent light, incandescent light with CO , and incandescent light with CO and 1-octen-3-ol) influences estimates of midge population abundance, parity, and diel activity. This was achieved through a standardized trapping protocol conducted in three habitats in Sweden. Read More

J Vector Ecol 2020 Jun;45(1)

University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, 200 9th Street SE, Vero Beach, FL, 32962, U.S.A.

PLoS One 2020 3;15(6):e0234216. Epub 2020 Jun 3.

Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Center for Rhizosphere Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America.

The role of root exudates has long been recognized for its potential to improve nutrient use efficiency in cropping systems. However, studies addressing the variability of root exudates involved in phosphorus solubilization across plant developmental stages remain scarce. Here, we grew Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings in sterile liquid culture with a low, medium, or high concentration of phosphate and measured the composition of the root exudate at seedling, vegetative, and bolting stages. Read More

PLoS One 2020 3;15(6):e0234030. Epub 2020 Jun 3.

Department of Horticulture, Foshan University, Foshan, China.

Diaphorina citri Kuwayama is the most economically important citrus pest which is the primary vector of Candidatus Liberibacter spp. causing citrus greening (huanglongbing, HLB) disease. To better understand the developmental and structural changes of antennae and antennal sensilla in D. Read More

PLoS One 2020 3;15(6):e0233896. Epub 2020 Jun 3.

Xavier Research Foundation, St. Xavier's College, Palayamkottai, India.

Food insecurity is a looming threat for the burgeoning world population. Phosphorus (P), which is absorbed from soil as inorganic phosphate (Pi), is an essential macronutrient for the growth of all agricultural crops. This study reports phenotype analysis for P responses in natural field and greenhouse conditions, using 54 genotypes of foxtail millet (Setaria italica) representing wide geographic origins. Read More

PLoS One 2020 3;15(6):e0233266. Epub 2020 Jun 3.

Department Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.

For gait classification, hoof-on and hoof-off events are fundamental locomotion characteristics of interest. These events can be measured with inertial measurement units (IMUs) which measure the acceleration and angular velocity in three directions. The aim of this study was to present two algorithms for automatic detection of hoof-events from the acceleration and angular velocity signals measured by hoof-mounted IMUs in walk and trot on a hard surface. Read More

Mol Biol (Mosk) 2020 May-Jun;54(3):457-468

Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medical, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 832000 China.

TWIK-related acid-sensitive potassium channel-1 (TASK-1) is a "leak" potassium channel sensitive to extracellular protons. It contributes to setting the resting potential in mammalian neurons. TASK-1 channels are widely expressed in respiratory-related neurons in the central nervous system. Read More

Mol Biol (Mosk) 2020 May-Jun;54(3):435-444

Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, Programs in Human Genetics and Biological Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143-2811 USA.

Homology-directed (HD) genome modification offers an opportunity to precisely modify the genome. Despite reported successful cases, for many loci, precise genome editing remains challenging and inefficient in vivo. Here we report an effort to precisely knock-in a GFP reporter into gad locus mediated by CRISPR/Cas9 system in the zebrafish Danio rerio. Read More

Physiol Int 2020 Mar;107(1):92-105

6Institute of Animal Science, Faculty of the Agricultural and Food Sciences and Environmental Management, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) is involved in development and reproduction. We previously described elevated PACAP levels in the milk compared to the plasma, and the presence of its specific PAC1 receptor in the mammary gland. This study aimed to determine PACAP and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) levels in female suckling lambs compared to ewe plasma and mammary gland, as well as their age-dependent alterations. Read More

Plant J 2020 Jun 3. Epub 2020 Jun 3.

Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, 37996, USA.

Soybean nodulation is a highly controlled process that involves complex gene regulation at both transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. In this study, we profiled gene expression changes, alternative splicing events, and DNA methylation patterns during nodule formation, development and senescence. The transcriptome data uncovered key transcription patterns of nodule development that included 9,669 core genes and 7,302 stage-specific genes. Read More

New Phytol 2020 Jun 3. Epub 2020 Jun 3.

Umeå Plant Science Centre, Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 90183, Umeå, Sweden.

Despite the ecological and industrial importance of biomass accumulation in wood, the control of carbon (C) allocation to this tissue and to other tree tissues remain poorly understood. We studied SUCROSE SYNTHASE (SUS) to clarify its role in biomass formation and C metabolism at the whole tree level in hybrid aspen (Populus tremula x tremuloides). To this end, we analysed source leaves, phloem, developing wood, and roots of SUSRNAi trees using a combination of metabolite profiling, CO pulse labelling experiments, and long-term field experiments. Read More

Folia Morphol (Warsz) 2020 Jun 3. Epub 2020 Jun 3.

Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Central Agricultural University (I), Selesih, Aizawl, Mizoram, India.

There is no previously reported information on the applied anatomy and clinical significance of the maxillofacial and mandibular regions of the barking deer and sambar deer. Therefore, the present study was designed to provide some important clinical landmarks related to tracking of the infraorbital, mental and mandibular nerves with its clinical implications in regional anaesthesia in both the species. In the present study, the distance between the most lateral bulging of the facial tuberosity to the infraorbital foramen and from the latter to the root of the alveolar tooth directly ventral to it was found to be 2. Read More

Sao Paulo Med J 2020 Mar 1;138(2):126-132. Epub 2020 Jun 1.

Postgraduate Program on Environment and Health, Universidade de Cuiabá, Cuiabá, MT, Brazil.

Background: Exposure to particulate material produced as a result of increased agricultural activity may increase the number of pneumonia hospitalizations among children. We hope to contribute to the knowledge base through highlighting the environmental mechanisms involved in this outcome and optimizing pollutant control policies.

Objectives: To investigate the association between pneumonia hospitalizations among children and presence of environmental pollutants in a town in the Brazilian Legal Amazon region. Read More

Braz J Biol 2020 Jun 1. Epub 2020 Jun 1.

Department of Biological Science, Karakoram International University, Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan.

Poor storage conditions provide favorable environment to stored grain pests for their growth. The bio-pesticides are the best alternatives to synthetic pesticides. Present study was conducted to compare toxicity of Rubus fruticosus and Valeriana jatamansi against granary weevil, Sitophilus granarius and subsequent changes in enzyme activity responsible for grain damage. Read More

Food Funct 2020 Jun 3. Epub 2020 Jun 3.

Food Science and Human Nutrition Department, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, USA.

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are a group of chronic and recurring inflammatory conditions in the colon and intestine. Their etiology is not fully understood but involves the combination of gut dysbiosis, genetics, immune functions, and environmental factors including diet. Polyphenols from plant-based food synergistically interact with gut microbiota to suppress inflammation and alleviate symptoms of IBD. Read More

J Gen Virol 2020 Jun 3. Epub 2020 Jun 3.

Equine Research Institute, Japan Racing Association, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, Japan.

A rare genotype G13P[18] group A rotavirus (RVA/Horse-tc/JPN/MK9/2019/G13P[18]) was isolated from a diarrhoeic foal for the first time in 28 years. The genotype constellation of the virus was assigned to G13-P[18]-I6-R9-C9-M6-A6-N9-T12-E14-H11 and was the same as that of the first isolated strain, RVA/Horse-tc/GBR/L338/1991/G13P[18]. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that the virus is related to RVA/Horse-tc/GBR/L338/1991/G13P[18] and is distant from typical equine rotaviruses of the G3P[12] and G14P[12] genotypes. Read More

Virulence 2020 Jan;11(1):707-718

MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, Engineering Laboratory of Animal Immunity of Jiangsu Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University , Nanjing, China.

With the outbreak of the recent severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in 2019, coronaviruses have become a global research hotspot in the field of virology. Coronaviruses mainly cause respiratory and digestive tract diseases, several coronaviruses are responsible for porcine diarrhea, such as porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV), and emerging swine acute diarrhea syndrome coronavirus (SADS-CoV). Those viruses have caused huge economic losses and are considered as potential public health threats. Read More

Artif Cells Nanomed Biotechnol 2020 Dec;48(1):893-902

Center for Biotechnology and Microbiology, University of Swat, Swat, Pakistan.

L. is one of the therapeutic herbs containing various polyphenolics, which is used for multiple medicinal purposes. In this study, plant growth regulators (PGRs)-induced calli cultures from seed-derived leaf explants were exploited for the production of stress enzymes and polyphenolics. Read More

Plant Biotechnol J 2020 Jun 3. Epub 2020 Jun 3.

State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology/Beijing Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China.

Genetic studies on cold tolerance at the reproductive stage in rice could lead to significant reductions in yield losses. However, knowledge about the genetic basis and adaptive differentiation, as well as the evolution and utilization of the underlying natural alleles remain limited. Here, 580 rice accessions in two association panels were used to perform genome-wide association study, and 156 loci associated with cold tolerance at the reproductive stage were identified. Read More

J Biomed Mater Res A 2020 Jun 3. Epub 2020 Jun 3.

Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana.

Nerve cells secrete neurotrophic factors that play a critical role in neuronal survival, proliferation and regeneration. However, their role in regulating myoblast behavior and skeletal muscle repair remains largely unexplored. In the present study, we investigated the effects of PC12 secreted signaling factors in modulating C2C12 myoblast behavior in physiologically relevant conditions. Read More

FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2020 Jun 3. Epub 2020 Jun 3.

Division of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, LE12 5RD, UK.

Antimicrobial resistance is a major global challenge. Of particular concern are mobilizable elements that can transfer resistance genes between bacteria, leading to pathogens with new combinations of resistance. To date, mathematical models have largely focussed on transfer of resistance by plasmids, with fewer studies on transfer by bacteriophages. Read More

J Exp Bot 2020 Jun 3. Epub 2020 Jun 3.

Beijing Key Laboratory of Growth and Developmental Regulation for Protected Vegetable Crops, College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing, P. R. China.

Cucumber is dioecious by nature having both male and female flowers and is a model system for unisexual flower development. However, knowledge related to male flowering is limited and reported to be regulated by transcription factors and hormone signals. Here, we report functional characterization of the cucumber CsGL2-LIKE gene, which encodes an HD-ZIP IV transcription factor that plays an important role in regulating male flower development. Read More

Biomater Sci 2020 Jun 3. Epub 2020 Jun 3.

Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, 211166 Nanjing, China. and Key Laboratory of Antibody Technique of National Health Commission, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China and The Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, 211166 Nanjing, China.

Nanobodies are antigen binding variable domains of heavy-chain antibodies without light-chains, and these biomolecules occur naturally in the serum of Camelidae species. Nanobodies have a compact structure and low molecular weight when compared with antibodies, and are the smallest active antigen-binding fragments. Because of their remarkable stability and manipulable characteristics, nanobodies have been incorporated into biomaterials and used as molecular recognition and tracing agents, drug delivery systems, molecular imaging tools and disease therapeutics. Read More

Plant Direct 2020 May 21;4(5):e00225. Epub 2020 May 21.

3642 Augusta National Drive S. Salem 97302 OR USA.

Sweetgums (), members of the family Altingiaceae (Altingiales), have inflorescences and floral organs that are distinctive in structure compared with other angiosperms in which the roles of floral homeotic genes have been studied. To begin to understand the role of AGAMOUS (AG)-a floral homeotic gene that has a major role in stamen and carpel development-in development of the monosexual flowers of sweetgum, we used RNAi to reduce the expression of two members of the subfamily. Because suppression should induce floral sterility, RNAi might also provide a tool to mitigate the risks of invasiveness-and to reduce the production of its nuisance fruits or allergenic pollen-when sweetgum is used as an exotic shade or forest tree. Read More

Heliyon 2020 May 28;6(5):e04012. Epub 2020 May 28.

Department of Agricultural Economics, Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria.

This study considers the presence of a gender gap in technical efficiency in Ghana's cocoa production sector. The two-stage double bootstrap data envelopment analysis (DEA) procedure was applied to estimate the bias-corrected technical efficiency scores for male and female cocoa farm managers. The results indicate that there is a potential for male and female cocoa farm managers to increase output without altering the quantities of inputs employed. Read More

Heliyon 2020 May 28;6(5):e04001. Epub 2020 May 28.

Department of Economics, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka.

This study examines how agro-financing impacts on food production in Nigeria supporting Goal 2 of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which aims to . The study covers the period 1981-2018 using annual data sourced from the World Development Indicators (WDI) of the World Bank, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Statistical Bulletin. The Johansen and the Canonical Cointegration approaches are employed and findings reveal that agro-financing is statistically significant in explaining the level of food production in Nigeria. Read More

Heliyon 2020 May 26;6(5):e03685. Epub 2020 May 26.

Department of Teoría de la Señal y Comunicaciones, University of Valladolid, 47011 Valladolid, Spain.

Weeds might be defined as destructive plants that grow and compete with agricultural crops in order to achieve water and nutrients. Uniform spray of herbicides is nowadays a common cause in crops poisoning, environment pollution and high cost of herbicide consumption. Site-specific spraying is a possible solution for the problems that occur with uniform spray in fields. Read More

ACS Cent Sci 2020 May 1;6(5):661-671. Epub 2020 May 1.

CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Nanostructure and Nanotechnology, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100190, China.

Rechargeable Li metal batteries are one of the most attractive energy storage systems due to their high energy density. However, the hostless nature of Li, the excessive dendritic growth, and the accumulation of nonactive Li induce severe volume variation of Li anodes. The volume variation can give rise to a fracture of solid electrolyte interphase, continuous consumption of Li and electrolytes, low Coulombic efficiency, fast performance degradation, and finally short cycle life. Read More

Arch Anim Breed 2020 26;63(1):155-164. Epub 2020 May 26.

College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, 010018, China.

Inner Mongolian Cashmere goat is an excellent local breed selected for the dual-purpose of cashmere and meat. There are three lines of Inner Mongolian Cashmere goat: Erlangshan, Alashan and Aerbasi. Cashmere is a kind of precious textile raw material with a high price. Read More

Arch Anim Breed 2020 14;63(1):145-154. Epub 2020 May 14.

Institute for Genome Biology, Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Wilhelm-Stahl-Allee 2, 18196 Dummerstorf, Germany.

Horses are seasonal breeders with a natural breeding season beginning in spring and extending through midsummer. In this study, quantitative and qualitative parameters of chilled stallion semen were compared between fertile and subfertile stallions and between the breeding and the non-breeding season. Semen quality parameters compared included ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, total sperm number, sperm morphology, and computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA)-derived sperm movement characteristics obtained from two groups of warmblood stallions ( ; four fertile stallions and four subfertile stallions), which differ in the seasonal pregnancy rate 80 %-90 % (fertile) vs. Read More

One Health 2020 Dec 11;10:100139. Epub 2020 May 11.

The University of Sydney, c15/335 Werombi Rd, Camden, NSW 2570, Australia.

From 1976 Australia has experienced seven highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks in poultry farms and there have been a total of 16 confirmed low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) cases in poultry in Australia at the time of writing. This paper describes all past LPAI and HPAI detections in Australian poultry and reviews avian influenza risk in the Australian commercial chicken industry. The factors that influence this risk are also discussed; notably the nomadic nature of Australian waterfowl, the increasing demand of free range poultry egg and meat production in Australia, and biosecurity practices implemented across farms including farm separations. Read More

Data Brief 2020 Aug 20;31:105748. Epub 2020 May 20.

Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), Eberswalder Strasse 84, 15374 Muencheberg, Germany.

The killing of day-old chicks is controversially discussed in poultry keeping, science, politics, and society. The present survey data contributes to understand consumers´ attitudes towards ethical issues in chicken production, especially the killing practice and dual purpose chickens as alternative to avoid such killing. Information on the various topics is provided: Consumer purchase pattern of eggs and chicken meat, perception of animal welfare and protection issues, knowledge and perception of killing day-old chicks, attitudes towards dual purpose chickens as an alternative to killing day-old chicks, and socio-demographic data. Read More

Data Brief 2020 Aug 19;31:105718. Epub 2020 May 19.

Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Perugia, Borgo XX Giugno 74, 06121 Perugia (Italy).

The data presented here are related to the article entitled "Soil functions are affected by transition from conventional to organic mulch-based cropping system"[1]. Data were collected in 2016 in a processing tomato field located near Perugia, Italy. In details, data were collected in three differently managed processing tomato cropping systems: conventional integrated (INT); traditional organic with cover crops and conventional tillage (ORG); and organic coupled with conservation agriculture, with mulch-based cover crop and no-tillage (ORG+). Read More

Data Brief 2020 Aug 15;31:105710. Epub 2020 May 15.

Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119991, Russia.

Being a valuable agricultural plant, flax ( L.) is used for oil and fiber production. However, the cultivation of this agriculture faces an urgent problem of flax susceptibility to fungal diseases. Read More

Biotechnol Rep (Amst) 2020 Jun 25;26:e00479. Epub 2020 May 25.

Department of Food Biotechnology, Branch for Northwest & West region, Agricultural Biotehnology Research Institute of Iran, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tabriz, Iran.

This study describes the biochemical composition of three isolates, sp. ABRIINW-B1, -G2/1 and -I1 towards the biotechnological potential. sp. Read More

Toxicol Rep 2020 11;7:664-670. Epub 2020 May 11.

Laboratory of Fish Ecophysiology, Department of Fisheries Management, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh.

Chromium is considered the most detrimental pollutant to the aquatic organisms. The present experiment was conducted to determine the acute toxicity of chromium in view of its effects on hemato-biochemical parameters and the structure of erythrocytes in striped catfish, . Fish were exposed to seven different concentrations (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 mg/L) of chromium, each with three replications for 96 h. Read More

Anim Cells Syst (Seoul) 2020 27;24(2):69-78. Epub 2020 Apr 27.

College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, People's Republic of China.

Porcine growth hormone (pGH) is most important hormone which is involved in the growth and development of pig. However, a series of studies have indicated that neonatal pig is insensitive to pGH; the reason for this phenomenon is still not fully understood. In this work, we try to investigate this issue from the angle of intracellular signaling induced by pGH. Read More

Ecol Evol 2020 May 21;10(10):4362-4374. Epub 2020 Apr 21.

Department of Biology Utah State University Logan UT USA.

Modern metabolomic approaches that generate more comprehensive phytochemical profiles than were previously available are providing new opportunities for understanding plant-animal interactions. Specifically, we can characterize the phytochemical landscape by asking how a larger number of individual compounds affect herbivores and how compounds covary among plants. Here we use the recent colonization of alfalfa () by the Melissa blue butterfly () to investigate the effects of indivdiual compounds and suites of covarying phytochemicals on caterpillar performance. Read More

Plant Methods 2020 24;16:74. Epub 2020 May 24.

Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, 518120 China.

Background: Next generation sequencing (NGS) has been widely used in biological research, due to its rapid decrease in cost and increasing ability to generate data. However, while the sequence generation step has seen many improvements over time, the library preparation step has not, resulting in low-efficiency library preparation methods, especially for the most time-consuming and labor-intensive steps: size-selection and quantification. Consequently, there can be bottlenecks in projects with large sample cohorts. Read More