Showing papers by "Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada published in 2019"
TL;DR: In this article, the authors manipulated the soil microbiome in experimental grassland ecosystems and observed that microbiome diversity and microbial network complexity positively influenced multiple ecosystem functions related to nutrient cycling (e.g. multifunctionality).
Abstract: The soil microbiome is highly diverse and comprises up to one quarter of Earth’s diversity. Yet, how such a diverse and functionally complex microbiome influences ecosystem functioning remains unclear. Here we manipulated the soil microbiome in experimental grassland ecosystems and observed that microbiome diversity and microbial network complexity positively influenced multiple ecosystem functions related to nutrient cycling (e.g. multifunctionality). Grassland microcosms with poorly developed microbial networks and reduced microbial richness had the lowest multifunctionality due to fewer taxa present that support the same function (redundancy) and lower diversity of taxa that support different functions (reduced functional uniqueness). Moreover, different microbial taxa explained different ecosystem functions pointing to the significance of functional diversity in microbial communities. These findings indicate the importance of microbial interactions within and among fungal and bacterial communities for enhancing ecosystem performance and demonstrate that the extinction of complex ecological associations belowground can impair ecosystem functioning.
595 citations
Canadian Real Estate Association1, University of Bologna2, University of Alberta3, Leibniz Association4, National Research Council5, Tel Aviv University6, Montana State University7, United States Department of Agriculture8, La Trobe University9, University of Bari10, University of New Hampshire11, Washington State University12, University of Saskatchewan13, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada14, Technische Universität München15
TL;DR: The assembly of the genome of durum wheat cultivar Svevo enables genome-wide genetic diversity analyses highlighting modifications imposed by thousands of years of empirical selection and breeding.
Abstract: The domestication of wild emmer wheat led to the selection of modern durum wheat, grown mainly for pasta production. We describe the 10.45 gigabase (Gb) assembly of the genome of durum wheat cultivar Svevo. The assembly enabled genome-wide genetic diversity analyses revealing the changes imposed by thousands of years of empirical selection and breeding. Regions exhibiting strong signatures of genetic divergence associated with domestication and breeding were widespread in the genome with several major diversity losses in the pericentromeric regions. A locus on chromosome 5B carries a gene encoding a metal transporter (TdHMA3-B1) with a non-functional variant causing high accumulation of cadmium in grain. The high-cadmium allele, widespread among durum cultivars but undetected in wild emmer accessions, increased in frequency from domesticated emmer to modern durum wheat. The rapid cloning of TdHMA3-B1 rescues a wild beneficial allele and demonstrates the practical use of the Svevo genome for wheat improvement. Genome assembly of durum wheat cultivar Svevo enables genome-wide genetic diversity analyses highlighting modifications imposed by thousands of years of empirical selection and breeding.
443 citations
TL;DR: It is argued that much of the empirical evidence, in particular that derived from recent functional genomics, is at odds with many of the mechanistic assertions surrounding Si's role, and proposes a working model, which is proposed, the 'apoplastic obstruction hypothesis', which attempts to unify the various observations on Si's beneficial influences on plant growth and yield.
Abstract: Contents Summary 67 I. Introduction 68 II. Silicon transport in plants: to absorb or not to absorb 69 III. The role of silicon in plants: not just a matter of semantics 71 IV. Silicon and biotic stress: beyond mechanical barriers and defense priming 76 V. Silicon and abiotic stress: a proliferation of proposed mechanisms 78 VI. The apoplastic obstruction hypothesis: a working model 79 VII. Perspectives and conclusions 80 Acknowledgements 81 References 81 SUMMARY: Silicon (Si) is not classified as an essential plant nutrient, and yet numerous reports have shown its beneficial effects in a variety of species and environmental circumstances. This has created much confusion in the scientific community with respect to its biological roles. Here, we link molecular and phenotypic data to better classify Si transport, and critically summarize the current state of understanding of the roles of Si in higher plants. We argue that much of the empirical evidence, in particular that derived from recent functional genomics, is at odds with many of the mechanistic assertions surrounding Si's role. In essence, these data do not support reports that Si affects a wide range of molecular-genetic, biochemical and physiological processes. A major reinterpretation of Si's role is therefore needed, which is critical to guide future studies and inform agricultural practice. We propose a working model, which we term the 'apoplastic obstruction hypothesis', which attempts to unify the various observations on Si's beneficial influences on plant growth and yield. This model argues for a fundamental role of Si as an extracellular prophylactic agent against biotic and abiotic stresses (as opposed to an active cellular agent), with important cascading effects on plant form and function.
381 citations
TL;DR: This Review focuses on the diverse constituents of green tea polyphenols and their molecular mechanisms from the perspective of their potential therapeutic function and recent advances on their bioavailability, bioaccessibility, and microbiota.
Abstract: Tea, leaf, or bud from the plant Camellia sinensis, make up some of the beverages popularly consumed in different parts of the world as green tea, oolong tea, or black tea. More particularly, as a nonfermented tea, green tea has gained more renown because of the significant health benefits assigned to its rich content in polyphenols. As a main constituent, green tea polyphenols were documented for their antioxidant, anti-inflammation, anticancer, anticardiovascular, antimicrobial, antihyperglycemic, and antiobesity properties. Recent reports demonstrate that green tea may exert a positive effect on the reduction of medical chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and diabetes. The health benefits of green teas, in particular EGCG, are widely investigated, and these effects are known to be primarily associated with the structure and compositions of its polyphenols. This Review focuses on the diverse constituents of green tea polyphenols and their molecular mechanisms from the perspective of their potential therapeutic function. Recent advances of green tea polyphenols on their bioavailability, bioaccessibility, and microbiota were also summarized in this article. Dietary supplementation with green tea represents an attractive alternative toward promoting human health.
293 citations
TL;DR: More evidence, and particularly human clinical evidence, is needed to better understand the potential for anthocyanin-rich blueberries to benefit public health, but it is widely agreed that the regular consumption of tasty, ripe blueberries can be unconditionally recommended.
243 citations
TL;DR: These findings suggest that some rumen microbial features are heritable and could be influenced by host genetics, highlighting a potential to manipulate and obtain a desirable and efficient rumen microbiota using genetic selection and breeding.
Abstract: The symbiotic rumen microbiota is essential for the digestion of plant fibers and contributes to the variation of production and health traits in ruminants. However, to date, the heritability of rumen microbial features and host genetic components associated with the rumen microbiota, as well as whether such genetic components are animal performance relevant, are largely unknown. In the present study, we assessed rumen microbiota from a cohort of 709 beef cattle and showed that multiple factors including breed, sex, and diet drove the variation of rumen microbiota among animals. The diversity indices, the relative abundance of ~ 34% of microbial taxa (59 out of 174), and the copy number of total bacteria had a heritability estimate (h2) ≥ 0.15, suggesting that they are heritable elements affected by host additive genetics. These moderately heritable rumen microbial features were also found to be associated with host feed efficiency traits and rumen metabolic measures (volatile fatty acids). Moreover, 19 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located on 12 bovine chromosomes were found to be associated with 14 (12 of them had h2 ≥ 0.15) rumen microbial taxa, and five of these SNPs were known quantitative trait loci for feed efficiency in cattle. These findings suggest that some rumen microbial features are heritable and could be influenced by host genetics, highlighting a potential to manipulate and obtain a desirable and efficient rumen microbiota using genetic selection and breeding. It could be a useful strategy to further improve feed efficiency and optimize rumen fermentation through targeting both cattle and their rumen microbiota.
230 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explored the potential of vegetation indices (VIs) for crop leaf area index (LAI) estimation, with a focus on comparing red-edge reflectance based (RE-based) and the VIS-based VIs.
159 citations
TL;DR: The recent progress on the mechanism by which potato plants initially sense the changes in their surrounding CO2, temperature, water status, soil salinity and consequently respond to these changes at the molecular, biochemical and physiological levels is discussed.
Abstract: Global climate change in the form of extreme heat and drought poses a major challenge to sustainable crop production by negatively affecting plant performance and crop yield. Such negative impact on crop yield is likely to be aggravated in future because continued greenhouse gas emissions will cause further rise in temperature leading to increased evapo-transpiration and drought severity, soil salinity as well as insect and disease threats. This has raised a major challenge for plant scientists on securing global food demand, which urges an immediate need to enhance the current yield of major food crops by two-fold to feed the increasing population. As a fourth major food crop, enhancing potato productivity is important for food security of an increasing population. However, potato plant is highly prone to high temperature, drought, soil salinity, as well as insect and diseases. In order to maintain a sustainable potato production, we must adapt our cultivation practices and develop stress tolerant potato cultivars that are appropriately engineered for changing environment. Yet the lack of data on the underlying mechanisms of potato plant resistance to abiotic and biotic stress and the ability to predict future outcomes constitutes a major knowledge gap. It is a challenge for plant scientists to pinpoint means of improving tuber yield under increasing CO2, high temperature and drought stress including the changing patterns of pest and pathogen infestations. Understanding stress-related physiological, biochemical and molecular processes is crucial to develop screening procedures for selecting crop cultivars that can better adapt to changing growth conditions. Elucidation of such mechanism may offer new insights into the identification of specific characteristics that may be useful in breeding new cultivars aimed at maintaining or even enhancing potato yield under changing climate. This paper discusses the recent progress on the mechanism by which potato plants initially sense the changes in their surrounding CO2, temperature, water status, soil salinity and consequently respond to these changes at the molecular, biochemical and physiological levels. We suggest that future research needs to be concentrated on the identification and characterization of signaling molecules and target genes regulating stress tolerance and crop yield potential.
134 citations
University of Reading1, University of Exeter2, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada3, Lund University4, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences5, National University of Ireland, Galway6, Université catholique de Louvain7, University of Giessen8, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University9, Houston Museum of Natural Science10, Wageningen University and Research Centre11, Trinity College, Dublin12, University of Würzburg13
TL;DR: It is shown that, in addition to pollinator abundance, functional trait divergence also positively impacts yield of oilseed rape crops, which supports the complementarity hypothesis that pollination function is maintained by non-overlapping trait distributions.
Abstract: How insects promote crop pollination remains poorly understood in terms of the contribution of functional trait differences between species. We used meta-analyses to test for correlations between community abundance, species richness and functional trait metrics with oilseed rape yield, a globally important crop. While overall abundance is consistently important in predicting yield, functional divergence between species traits also showed a positive correlation. This result supports the complementarity hypothesis that pollination function is maintained by non-overlapping trait distributions. In artificially constructed communities (mesocosms), species richness is positively correlated with yield, although this effect is not seen under field conditions. As traits of the dominant species do not predict yield above that attributed to the effect of abundance alone, we find no evidence in support of the mass ratio hypothesis. Management practices increasing not just pollinator abundance, but also functional divergence, could benefit oilseed rape agriculture.
129 citations
TL;DR: It is found that SOC storage can be higher under no-till management in some soil types and climatic conditions even with redistribution of SOC, and contribute to reducing net greenhouse gas emissions.
Abstract: Adoption of no-till management on croplands has become a controversial approach for storing carbon in soil due to conflicting findings. Yet, no-till is still promoted as a management practice to stabilize the global climate system from additional change due to anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, including the 4 per mille initiative promoted through the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. We evaluated the body of literature surrounding this practice, and found that SOC storage can be higher under no-till management in some soil types and climatic conditions even with redistribution of SOC, and contribute to reducing net greenhouse gas emissions. However, uncertainties tend to be large, which may make this approach less attractive as a contributor to stabilize the climate system compared to other options. Consequently, no-till may be better viewed as a method for reducing soil erosion, adapting to climate change, and ensuring food security, while any increase in SOC storage is a co-benefit for society in terms of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
127 citations
TL;DR: The current evidence on the benefits or limitations of dietary flaxseed in a variety of cardiovascular diseases, cancer, gastro-intestinal health and brain development and function, as well as hormonal status in menopausal women, are comprehensive topics for discussion.
Abstract: Flaxseed is a rich source of the omega-3 fatty acid, alpha linolenic acid, the lignan secoisolariciresinol diglucoside and fiber. These compounds provide bioactivity of value to the health of animals and humans through their anti-inflammatory action, anti-oxidative capacity and lipid modulating properties. The characteristics of ingesting flaxseed or its bioactive components are discussed in this article. The benefits of administering flaxseed or the individual bioactive components on health and disease are also discussed in this review. Specifically, the current evidence on the benefits or limitations of dietary flaxseed in a variety of cardiovascular diseases, cancer, gastro-intestinal health and brain development and function, as well as hormonal status in menopausal women, are comprehensive topics for discussion.
TL;DR: The involvement of terpenes, reactive oxygen species, and abscisic acid, salicylic acid, jasmonic acid and their transduction factors, in the network underpinning UV-C priming of growing crops for improved protection against pathogens is described for the first time.
Abstract: Ultraviolet-C (UV-C) radiation has been reported to induce defence responses to pathogens in growing crops and described as a new environmentally friendly method for disease control. However, whether the effect of the induced defence mechanisms will persist after the stress imposed by UV-C is alleviated and how these mechanisms interact with pathogen elicitors upon infection have not yet been investigated. Thus, we inoculated strawberry plants with Mycosphaerella fragariae, the causal agent of leaf spot disease, after 5 weeks of repeated UV-C irradiation treatment (cumulative dose of 10.2 kJ m-2 ) and investigated the alteration of gene expression and biochemical phenotypes. The results revealed that UV-C treatment had a significant impact on gene expression in strawberry leaves and led to the overexpression of a set of genes involved in plant-pathogen interaction. UV-C-treated leaves displayed a stronger response to infection after inoculation, with reduced symptoms and increases in accumulation of total phenolics and volatile terpenes, higher expression of pathogenesis-related proteins and the activity of several defence enzymes. This study presumptively describe, for the first time, the involvement of terpenes, reactive oxygen species, and abscisic acid, salicylic acid, jasmonic acid, and their transduction factors, in the network underpinning UV-C priming of growing crops for improved protection against pathogens.
Colorado State University1, University of Wisconsin-Madison2, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation3, Union of Concerned Scientists4, Scotland's Rural College5, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada6, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis7, International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center8, United States Department of Agriculture9, University of Maryland, College Park10, Point Blue Conservation Science11, Kansas State University12
TL;DR: The importance of building/maintaining soil carbon, for soil health and CO2 mitigation, is of increasing interest to a wide audience, including policymakers, NGOs and land managers.
Abstract: The importance of building/maintaining soil carbon, for soil health and CO2 mitigation, is of increasing interest to a wide audience, including policymakers, NGOs and land managers. Integral to any...
TL;DR: The involvement of intestinal microbiota, especially Bacteroides, in liver inflammation induced by OTA is elucidated with the FMT program, which highlights the role of gut microbiota in OTA-induced liver inflammation and opens a new window for novel preventative or therapeutic intervention for mycotoxicosis.
Abstract: Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a widespread mycotoxin and induces liver inflammation to human and various species of animals. The intestinal microbiota has critical importance in liver inflammation; however, it remains to know whether intestinal microbiota mediates the liver inflammation induced by OTA. Here, we treated ducklings with oral gavage of OTA (235 μg/kg body weight) for 2 weeks. Then, the microbiota in the cecum and liver were analyzed with 16S rRNA sequencing, and the inflammation in the liver was analyzed. To explore the role of intestinal microbiota in OTA-induced liver inflammation, intestinal microbiota was cleared with antibiotics and fecal microbiota transplantation was conducted. Here, we find that OTA treatment in ducks altered the intestinal microbiota composition and structure [e.g., increasing the relative abundance of lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-producing Bacteroides], and induced the accumulation of LPS and inflammation in the liver. Intriguingly, in antibiotic-treated ducks, OTA failed to induce these alterations in the liver. Notably, with the fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) program, in which ducks were colonized with intestinal microbiota from control or OTA-treated ducks, we elucidated the involvement of intestinal microbiota, especially Bacteroides, in liver inflammation induced by OTA. These results highlight the role of gut microbiota in OTA-induced liver inflammation and open a new window for novel preventative or therapeutic intervention for mycotoxicosis.
University of Bristol1, University of Queensland2, University of Alabama at Birmingham3, National Science Foundation4, Utrecht University5, Radboud University Nijmegen6, Moscow State University7, Leiden University Medical Center8, Hungarian Academy of Sciences9, Agricultural Research Service10, Humboldt University of Berlin11, Institute for Animal Health12, University of Guelph13, Pasteur Institute14, National Institutes of Health15, Harvard University16, Mississippi State University17, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada18, University of Oxford19, Arizona State University20, Universidade Federal de Viçosa21, University of Glasgow22
TL;DR: The ICTV has approved, by an absolute majority, the creation of additional taxonomical ranks above those recognized previously, to encompass the entire spectrum of virus diversity.
Abstract: This article reports the changes to virus taxonomy approved and ratified by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) in October 2018. Of note, the ICTV has approved, by an absolute majority, the creation of additional taxonomical ranks above those recognized previously. A total of 15 ranks (realm, subrealm, kingdom, subkingdom, phylum, subphylum, class, subclass, order, suborder, family, subfamily, genus, subgenus, and species) are now available to encompass the entire spectrum of virus diversity. Classification at ranks above genus is not obligatory but can be used by the authors of new taxonomic proposals when scientific justification is provided.
TL;DR: This review focuses on demonstrating the effects of different microencapsulation techniques on the survival of bacteria during processing as well as protective approaches and mechanisms to the encapsulated probiotic bacteria during storage and gastrointestinal digestion that currently reported in the literature.
Abstract: In recent years, there is a rising interest in the number of food products containing probiotic bacteria with favorable health benefit effects. However, the viability of probiotic bacteria is always questionable when they exposure to the harsh environment during processing, storage, and gastrointestinal digestion. To overcome these problems, microencapsulation of cells is currently receiving considerable attention and has obtained valuable effects. According to the drying temperature, the commonly used technologies can be divided into two patterns: high temperature drying (spray drying and fluid bed drying) and low temperature drying (ultrasonic vacuum spray drying, spray chilling, electrospinning, supercritical technique, freeze drying, extrusion, emulsion, enzyme gelation, and impinging aerosol technique). Furthermore, not only should the probiotic bacteria maintain high viability during processing but they also need to keep alive during storage and gastrointestinal digestion, where they additionally suffer from water, oxygen, heat as well as strong acid and bile conditions. This review focuses on demonstrating the effects of different microencapsulation techniques on the survival of bacteria during processing as well as protective approaches and mechanisms to the encapsulated probiotic bacteria during storage and gastrointestinal digestion that currently reported in the literature.
TL;DR: The origins of structural genome variation in crops from ancient and recent genome duplication and polyploidization events are discussed and high-throughput methods to assay such variants in crop populations in order to find associations with phenotypic traits are reviewed.
Abstract: Structural genome variation is a major determinant of useful trait diversity. We describe how genome analysis methods are enabling discovery of trait-associated structural variants and their potential impact on breeding.
As our understanding of complex crop genomes continues to grow, there is growing evidence that structural genome variation plays a major role in determining traits important for breeding and agriculture. Identifying the extent and impact of structural variants in crop genomes is becoming increasingly feasible with ongoing advances in the sophistication of genome sequencing technologies, particularly as it becomes easier to generate accurate long sequence reads on a genome-wide scale. In this article, we discuss the origins of structural genome variation in crops from ancient and recent genome duplication and polyploidization events and review high-throughput methods to assay such variants in crop populations in order to find associations with phenotypic traits. There is increasing evidence from such studies that gene presence–absence and copy number variation resulting from segmental chromosome exchanges may be at the heart of adaptive variation of crops to counter abiotic and biotic stress factors. We present examples from major crops that demonstrate the potential of pangenomic diversity as a key resource for future plant breeding for resilience and sustainability.
TL;DR: With the Chinese Spring reference genome decoded and resistance gene Fhb1 now cloned, new genomic tools such as genomic selection and gene editing will be available to breeders, thus opening new possibilities for development of FHB resistant cultivars.
Abstract: The objective of this paper is to review progress made in wheat breeding for Fusarium head blight (FHB) resistance in China, the United States of America (USA), and Canada. In China, numerous Chinese landraces possessing high levels of FHB resistance were grown before the 1950s. Later, pyramiding multiple sources of FHB resistance from introduced germplasm such as Mentana and Funo and locally adapted cultivars played a key role in combining satisfactory FHB resistance and high yield potential in commercial cultivars. Sumai 3, a Chinese spring wheat cultivar, became a major source of FHB resistance in the USA and Canada, and contributed to the release of more than 20 modern cultivars used for wheat production, including the leading hard spring wheat cultivars Alsen, Glenn, Barlow and SY Ingmar from North Dakota, Faller and Prosper from Minnesota, and AAC Brandon from Canada. Brazilian wheat cultivar Frontana, T. dicoccoides and other local germplasm provided additional sources of resistance. The FHB resistant cultivars mostly relied on stepwise accumulation of favorable alleles of both genes for FHB resistance and high yield, with marker-assisted selection being a valuable complement to phenotypic selection. With the Chinese Spring reference genome decoded and resistance gene Fhb1 now cloned, new genomic tools such as genomic selection and gene editing will be available to breeders, thus opening new possibilities for development of FHB resistant cultivars.
TL;DR: In this paper, the effect of steam explosion (SE) treatment on dietary fiber, protein and physiochemical properties of okara was investigated, and the results showed that untreated okara contained 76.38% total dietary fiber and 18.10% protein, but the content of soluble dietary fiber (SDF) was only 1.34%.
TL;DR: This review aims to summarize the most recent discoveries and advances in specific phytochemical biosyntheses modulated by LED and other conventional lighting, to identify research gaps, and to provide future perspectives in this emerging multidisciplinary field of research and development.
Abstract: Light-emitting diode (LED) lights have recently been applied in controlled environment agriculture toward growing vegetables of various assortments, including microgreens. Spectral qualities of LED light on photosynthesis in microgreens are currently being studied for their ease of spectral optimization and high photosynthetic efficiency. This review aims to summarize the most recent discoveries and advances in specific phytochemical biosyntheses modulated by LED and other conventional lighting, to identify research gaps, and to provide future perspectives in this emerging multidisciplinary field of research and development. Specific emphasis was made on the effect of light spectral qualities on the biosynthesis of phenolics, carotenoids, and glucosinolates, as these phytochemicals are known for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory effects, and many health benefits. Future perspectives on enhancing biosynthesis of these bioactives using the rapidly progressing LED light technology are further discussed.
University of Pretoria1, Stellenbosch University2, University of the Free State3, University of Alcalá4, Biotec5, Ministry for Primary Industries6, Moscow State University7, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte8, University of Montpellier9, University of Santiago de Compostela10, Russian Academy of Sciences11, Spanish National Research Council12, Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania13, Temple University14, Florida Museum of Natural History15, Slovak Academy of Sciences16, University of Aveiro17, State University of Feira de Santana18, Valparaiso University19, Federal University of Bahia20, Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz21, University of Salamanca22, Universidade Federal de Viçosa23, CABI24, National University of Jujuy25, Chinese Academy of Sciences26, University of Santiago, Chile27, Ghent University28, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales29, National University of Cordoba30, Universidade Federal do Recôncavo da Bahia31, Federal University of Paraná32, Paul Sabatier University33, Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation34, Life Sciences Institute35, University of the Punjab36, University of Swat37, University of Southern Queensland38, Charles University in Prague39, University of Georgia40, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign41, Lille University of Science and Technology42, University of Murcia43, California State University, Fresno44, Hungarian Academy of Sciences45, King Juan Carlos University46, Federal University of Pernambuco47, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada48, University of Florida49, Natural Resources Canada50, University of Chile51, Uppsala University52
TL;DR: Novel species of fungi described in this study include those from various countries as follows: Antarctica, Apenidiella antarctica from permafrost, Cladosporium fildesense from an unidentified marine sponge.
Abstract: Novel species of fungi described in this study include those from various countries as follows: Antarctica , Apenidiella antarctica from permafrost, Cladosporium fildesense fromanunidentifiedmarinesponge. Argentina , Geastrum wrightii onhumusinmixedforest. Australia , Golovinomyces glandulariae on Glandularia aristigera, Neoanungitea eucalyptorum on leaves of Eucalyptus grandis, Teratosphaeria corymbiicola on leaves of Corymbia ficifolia, Xylaria eucalypti on leaves of Eucalyptus radiata. Brazil, Bovista psammophila on soil, Fusarium awaxy on rotten stalks of Zea mays, Geastrum lanuginosum on leaf litter covered soil, Hermetothecium mikaniae-micranthae (incl. Hermetothecium gen. nov.)on Mikania micrantha, Penicillium reconvexovelosoi in soil, Stagonosporopsis vannaccii from pod of Glycine max. British Virgin Isles , Lactifluus guanensis onsoil. Canada , Sorocybe oblongispora on resin of Picea rubens. Chile, Colletotrichum roseum on leaves of Lapageria rosea. China, Setophoma caverna fromcarbonatiteinKarstcave. Colombia , Lareunionomyces eucalypticola on leaves of Eucalyptus grandis. Costa Rica, Psathyrella pivae onwood. Cyprus , Clavulina iris oncalcareoussubstrate. France , Chromosera ambigua and Clavulina iris var. occidentalis onsoil. French West Indies , Helminthosphaeria hispidissima ondeadwood. Guatemala , Talaromyces guatemalensis insoil. Malaysia , Neotracylla pini (incl. Tracyllales ord. nov. and Neotra- cylla gen. nov.)and Vermiculariopsiella pini on needles of Pinus tecunumanii. New Zealand, Neoconiothyrium viticola on stems of Vitis vinifera, Parafenestella pittospori on Pittosporum tenuifolium, Pilidium novae-zelandiae on Phoenix sp. Pakistan , Russula quercus-floribundae onforestfloor. Portugal , Trichoderma aestuarinum from salinewater. Russia , Pluteus liliputianus on fallen branch of deciduous tree, Pluteus spurius on decaying deciduouswoodorsoil. South Africa , Alloconiothyrium encephalarti, Phyllosticta encephalarticola and Neothyrostroma encephalarti (incl. Neothyrostroma gen. nov.)onleavesof Encephalartos sp., Chalara eucalypticola on leaf spots of Eucalyptus grandis × urophylla, Clypeosphaeria oleae on leaves of Olea capensis, Cylindrocladiella postalofficium on leaf litter of Sideroxylon inerme , Cylindromonium eugeniicola (incl. Cylindromonium gen. nov.)onleaflitterof Eugenia capensis , Cyphellophora goniomatis on leaves of Gonioma kamassi , Nothodactylaria nephrolepidis (incl. Nothodactylaria gen. nov. and Nothodactylariaceae fam. nov.)onleavesof Nephrolepis exaltata , Falcocladium eucalypti and Gyrothrix eucalypti on leaves of Eucalyptus sp., Gyrothrix oleae on leaves of Olea capensis subsp. macrocarpa , Harzia metro sideri on leaf litter of Metrosideros sp., Hippopotamyces phragmitis (incl. Hippopota- myces gen. nov.)onleavesof Phragmites australis , Lectera philenopterae on Philenoptera violacea , Leptosillia mayteni on leaves of Maytenus heterophylla , Lithohypha aloicola and Neoplatysporoides aloes on leaves of Aloe sp., Millesimomyces rhoicissi (incl. Millesimomyces gen. nov.) on leaves of Rhoicissus digitata , Neodevriesia strelitziicola on leaf litter of Strelitzia nicolai , Neokirramyces syzygii (incl. Neokirramyces gen. nov.)onleafspots of
TL;DR: Thymol enhances barrier function and reduce ROS production and pro-inflammatory cytokine gene expression in the epithelial cells during inflammation, indicating that the regulation of barrier function by thymol and LPS may be at post-transcriptional or post- translational levels.
Abstract: It is well-known that essential oil thymol exhibits antibacterial activity. The protective effects of thymol on pig intestine during inflammation is yet to be investigated. In this study, an in vitro lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation model using IPEC-J2 cells was established. Cells were pretreated with thymol for 1 h and then exposed to LPS for various assays. Interleukin 8 (IL-8) secretion, the mRNA abundance of cytokines, reactive oxygen species (ROS), nutrient transporters, and tight junction proteins was measured. The results showed that LPS stimulation increased IL-8 secretion, ROS production, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) mRNA abundance ( P 0.05). The transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) was reduced and cell permeability increased by LPS treatment ( P < 0.05), but these effects were attenuated by thymol ( P < 0.05). Moreover, thymol increased zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and actin staining in the cells. However, the mRNA abundance of ZO-1 and occludin-3 was not affected by either LPS or thymol treatments. These results indicated that thymol enhances barrier function and reduce ROS production and pro-inflammatory cytokine gene expression in the epithelial cells during inflammation. The regulation of barrier function by thymol and LPS may be at post-transcriptional or post-translational levels.
TL;DR: Nonreproductive effects constitute a hidden dimension of host-parasitoid trophic networks, with theoretical implications for community ecology as well as applied importance for the evaluation of ecosystem services provided by parasitoid biological control agents.
Abstract: The main modes of action of insect parasitoids are considered to be killing their hosts with egg laying followed by offspring development (reproductive mortality), and adults feeding on hosts directly (host feeding). However, parasitoids can also negatively affect their hosts in ways that do not contribute to current or future parasitoid reproduction (nonreproductive effects). Outcomes of nonreproductive effects for hosts can include death, altered behavior, altered reproduction, and altered development. On the basis of these outcomes and the variety of associated mechanisms, we categorize nonreproductive effects into ( a) nonconsumptive effects, ( b) mutilation, ( c) pseudoparasitism, ( d) immune defense costs, and ( e) aborted parasitism. These effects are widespread and can cause greater impacts on host populations than successful parasitism or host feeding. Nonreproductive effects constitute a hidden dimension of host-parasitoid trophic networks, with theoretical implications for community ecology as well as applied importance for the evaluation of ecosystem services provided by parasitoid biological control agents.
TL;DR: This mini-review mainly focused on biological activities of oolong and black tea, and their characteristic polyphenols, i.e., Oolong tea theasinensins, andblack tea theaflavins.
Abstract: Tea (Camellia sinensis, Theaceae) is a popular beverage consumed worldwide. Green tea, oolong tea, and black tea are the three major tea types that are obtained through different levels of fermentation of the tea leaves. The health benefits of tea have been widely studied, and these effects are closely related to the structure and composition of polyphenols. In spite of growing evidences for health benefits of green tea, less research has been done using black and oolong teas, which are more widely consumed. This mini-review mainly focused on biological activities of oolong and black tea, and their characteristic polyphenols, i.e., oolong tea theasinensins, and black tea theaflavins. Several biological activities have been associated with tea consumption and polyphenol contents, including anticancer activities, antioxidant activities, anti-cardiovascular activities, antimicrobial activities, anti-hyperglycemic activities, and anti-obesity activities, suggesting the important roles of tea and tea polyphenols in human health and in disease prevention and treatment. However, application of tea polyphenols in the development of dietary interventions or alternative treatment approaches need to be aware of the low bioavailability and potential toxicity of tea polyphenols. Future studies to incorporate existing methods or develop new methods for enhancing polyphenol absorption will help to obtain these health benefits with a lower dose and prevent overdose toxicity.
TL;DR: Current knowledge of RNA silencing, RNA decay, and RNA quality control in antiviral defense is summarized, and the mechanisms by which viruses compromise RNA-targeted immunity for their infection and survival in plants are highlighted.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors compared the metabolomes of the two species using a UHPLC-QqQ-MS-based metabolomics approach, and found that the relative contents of five anthocyanins and four catechin derivatives differed significantly between the two groups.
TL;DR: Investigation of the removal of pharmaceuticals and pesticides in two secondary effluent wastewaters of different quality characteristics by ferrate(VI) (Fe(VI), FeO42-) showed that some had recalcitrant activity towards their oxidation, and acid-activated Fe( VI) treatment has potential in enhancing the Removal of micropollutants in real wastewater.
TL;DR: Both sweet and sour cherries exert beneficial health effects to counteract oxidative stress, reduce inflammation, modulate blood glucose, and enhance cognitive function, and the health benefits derived from consuming cherries should increase this fruit tree crop cultivation and improve the agricultural practices and food processing technology.
Abstract: Background The production and consumption of cherries has increased recently due to consumer awareness of their health benefits, since they are rich in polyphenolics (namely anthocyanins and hydroxycinnamic acids). Global sweet cherry production increased over the last 16 years from 1.9 to 2.32 million tons, with Turkey, USA, Iran, as the main producers. Sour cherry production has been static during the same period at around 1.1–1.3 million tons concentrated in Europe, with the Russian Federation as the predominant producer. Scope and approach This review presents a comprehensive survey of the current literature on sweet and sour cherries, from the origin and distribution of the fruit crop to their antioxidant and health properties. Moreover, possible further investigations are highlighted after summarizing the existing body of knowledge. Key findings and conclusions Sweet cherries are mostly consumed fresh, and are also highly perishable, whereas sour cherries are most frequently processed. Sweet cherries are appreciated for their organoleptic aspects, such as taste, texture and color, whereas processed sour cherries are recognized for their higher bioactive content. Both sweet and sour cherries exert beneficial health effects to counteract oxidative stress, reduce inflammation, modulate blood glucose, and enhance cognitive function. Sour cherries supplementation in particular, has been reported to benefit in recovery from exercise-induced muscle damage. The health benefits derived from consuming cherries should increase this fruit tree crop cultivation and improve the agricultural practices and food processing technology to provide consistent and reliable supply of these fruits.
TL;DR: The results show that the improved TSF method is able to determine crop phenology stages with an error of <5 days and improves the accuracy of biomass estimation by about 4% in relative Root Mean Square Error (RRMSE), compared with the SAFY model without forcing the phenology-related parameters.
Leipzig University1, University of Jena2, Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg3, ETH Zurich4, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ5, University of Oldenburg6, University of Minnesota7, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology8, Radboud University Nijmegen9, Technische Universität München10, University of Würzburg11, Bavarian Forest National Park12, University of Freiburg13, University of Alberta14, University of Salzburg15, University of Münster16, University of Zurich17, Marquette University18, University of Göttingen19, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada20, Nanyang Technological University21, University of Bern22
TL;DR: It is argued that a multitrophic perspective of biotic interactions in random and non-random biodiversity change scenarios is key to advance future BEF research and to address some of its most important remaining challenges.
Abstract: Concern about the functional consequences of unprecedented loss in biodiversity has prompted biodiversity–ecosystem functioning (BEF) research to become one of the most active fields of ecological research in the past 25 years. Hundreds of experiments have manipulated biodiversity as an independent variable and found compelling support that the functioning of ecosystems increases with the diversity of their ecological communities. This research has also identified some of the mechanisms underlying BEF relationships, some context-dependencies of the strength of relationships, as well as implications for various ecosystem services that humankind depends upon. In this chapter, we argue that a multitrophic perspective of biotic interactions in random and non-random biodiversity change scenarios is key to advance future BEF research and to address some of its most important remaining challenges. We discuss that the study and the quantification of multitrophic interactions in space and time facilitates scaling up from small-scale biodiversity manipulations and ecosystem function assessments to management-relevant spatial scales across ecosystem boundaries. We specifically consider multitrophic conceptual frameworks to understand and predict the context-dependency of BEF relationships. Moreover, we highlight the importance of the eco-evolutionary underpinnings of multitrophic BEF relationships. We outline that FAIR data (meeting the standards of findability, accessibility, interoperability, and reusability) and reproducible processing will be key to advance this field of research by making it more integrative. Finally, we show how these BEF insights may be implemented for ecosystem management, society, and policy. Given that human well-being critically depends on the multiple services provided by diverse, multitrophic communities, integrating the approaches of evolutionary ecology, community ecology, and ecosystem ecology in future BEF research will be key to refine conservation targets and develop sustainable management strategies.