MtDNA genetic diversity and phylogeographic insights into giant domestic pigeon (Columba livia domestica) breeds: connections between Central Europe and the Middle East.

Humans have selectively bred domestic pigeons (Columba livia domestica) to create breeds with a diversity of shapes, colors and other attributes. Since Darwin, the domestic pigeon has always been a popular model species for scientific research because of its richness of form, colouration and behaviour. It is believed that the world's squab pigeon industry uses breeds and hybrids from the Mediterranean region.

A critical review of consumer responsibility in promoting sustainable cocoa production.

Consumer buying behavior can be defined as all the different steps that consumers follow before purchasing a good or service. Web browser research, involvement in online networking discussions, and a range of other activities might be a part of this process. Despite the negative effects of its production chain on the environment, and on the socio-economical condition of local farmers, chocolate products are among the most distributed food and beverage items in the world.

Enhancing consumer sensory science approach through augmented virtuality.

Augmented Virtuality (AV) is a concept that merges components of Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR), incorporating real elements into a virtual environment. This review analyses the influence of AV technology on sensory science and consumer behaviour, with the potential to improve product evaluation through sensory analysis. The objective is to develop immersive sensory environments that closely resemble real-world scenarios, offering accurate insights into consumer perceptions and preferences.

Effect of aflatoxin B1 and sterigmatocystin on DNA repair genes in common carp.

The present study aimed to investigate the short-time (24 h) effect of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and sterigmatocystin (STC) on the expression of hsp70, p53, gadd45, and ogg1 genes in common carp hepatopancreas. Our results showed that aflatoxin B1 and sterigmatocystin can stimulate the expression of DNA repair genes, mainly by hour 24. This significant finding contributes to our understanding of the short-term effects of these mycotoxins on ogg1 genes in common carp hepatopancreas.

Past, present and future of the two-spotted stink bug (Perillus bioculatus) in Europe revealed by citizen science.

The introduction of the Nearctic predaceous stink bug species, (Perillus bioculatus) was attempted multiple times in various countries throughout Europe to mitigate the damage caused by the invasive and harmful pest species, the Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata). Though these attempts were thought to be unsuccessful for decades, more recent data elucidated that the species have established small self-sustaining populations in the Balkans Peninsula, Southern Russia, and Türkiye and recently began to expand. In the past years, the European range of the species reached Eastern Europe.

Heart rate variability in horses with and without severe equine asthma.

Background: Equine asthma in severe form (severe equine asthma [sEA]) shares remarkable similarities with human asthma. Human studies detected changes in the autonomic nervous system function in asthmatic patients based on heart rate variability (HRV) analysis.

Study Design: Observational study.

Quality Assessment of Reconstructed Cow, Camel and Mare Milk Powders by Near-Infrared Spectroscopy and Chemometrics.

Milk powders are becoming a major attraction for many industrial applications due to their nutritional and functional properties. Different types of powdered milk, each with their own distinct chemical compositions, can have different functionalities. Consequently, the development of rapid monitoring methods is becoming an urgent task to explore and expand their applicability.

The Current State of Realistic Heart Models for Disease Modelling and Cardiotoxicity.

One of the many unresolved obstacles in the field of cardiovascular research is an uncompromising in vitro cardiac model. While primary cell sources from animal models offer both advantages and disadvantages, efforts over the past half-century have aimed to reduce their use. Additionally, obtaining a sufficient quantity of human primary cardiomyocytes faces ethical and legal challenges.

Master Regulatory Transcription Factors in β-Aminobutyric Acid-Induced Resistance (BABA-IR): A Perspective on Phytohormone Biosynthesis and Signaling in and .

The endogenous stress metabolite β-aminobutyric acid (BABA) primes plants for enhanced resistance against abiotic and biotic stress by activating a complex phytohormone signaling network that includes abscisic acid (ABA), jasmonic acid (JA), salicylic acid (SA), and ethylene (ET). In this study, through stringent filtering, we identify 14 master regulatory transcription factors (TFs) from the DOF, AHL, and ERF families that potentially regulate the biosynthesis and signaling of these phytohormones. Transcriptional analysis of BABA-treated and suggests that DOF family TFs play a crucial role in stress response regulation in both species.

LIP1 Regulates the Plant Circadian Oscillator by Modulating the Function of the Clock Component GIGANTEA.

Circadian clocks are biochemical timers regulating many physiological and molecular processes according to the day/night cycles. The function of the oscillator relies on negative transcriptional/translational feedback loops operated by the so-called clock genes and the encoded clock proteins. Previously, we identified the small GTPase LIGHT INSENSITIVE PERIOD 1 (LIP1) as a circadian-clock-associated protein that regulates light input to the clock in the model plant .

Population Genetic Features of Calving Interval of Holstein-Friesian Cows Bred in Hungary.

Calving interval (CI) data (N = 37,263) from 17,319 cows born 2008-2018 in six herds were assessed. The data were made available by the National Association of Hungarian Holstein Friesian Breeders in Hungary. The effects of some genetic and environmental factors, population genetic parameters, breeding value (BV) of sires, and phenotypic and genetic trends of the CI were estimated.

Transcriptome, hormonal, and secondary metabolite changes in leaves of DEFENSE NO DEATH 1 (DND1) silenced potato plants.

DEFENSE NO DEATH 1 (DND1) is a cyclic nucleotide-gated ion channel protein. Earlier, it was shown that the silencing of DND1 in the potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) leads to resistance to late blight, powdery mildew, and gray mold diseases.

Physiological potential of different varieties depending on their bioactive characteristics and antioxidant potential as well as different extraction methods.

A comprehensive study of sorghum bran and flour was performed to explore the secondary metabolite profiles of differently coloured genotypes and to evaluate the variability in the antioxidant properties based on differences in polarity and solubility. This research included one red variety and one white variety. Among the samples, the red variety contained significantly greater amounts of secondary metabolites than did the white variety, with total polyphenol contents of 808.

Semiochemical-baited traps as a new method supplementing light traps for faunistic and ecological studies of Macroheterocera (Lepidoptera).

Attractivity and selectivity of two types of traps with synthetic, long-lasting, bisexual generic attractants were compared to conventional light traps to promote their wider use, as an easy-to-use standardised method for entomology. The targeted herbivorous Macroheterocera species playing important role in ecosystems as food source for higher trophic levels (e.g.

Unveiling the Hidden Menace: A Topic Modeling Analysis of Hijacked Medical Journals.

Purpose: Nowadays, many studies discuss scholarly publishing and associated challenges, but the problem of hijacked journals has been neglected. Hijacked journals are cloned websites that mimic original journals but are managed by cybercriminals. The present study uses a topic modeling approach to analyze published papers in hijacked versions of medical journals.

First Peek into the Transcriptomic Response in Heat-Stressed Tomato Inoculated with .

In this study, we report the interaction between an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus, , and tomato plants under heat stress. For the first time, this interaction was studied by Illumina RNA-seq, followed by a comprehensive bioinformatic analysis that investigated root and leaf tissue samples. The genome-wide transcriptional profiling displayed fewer transcriptomic changes in the root under heat-stress conditions caused by .

Comparison of 'Uchte' and 'Walberla' Varieties in a Simulated Extensive Roof Garden Environment.

One of the most effective means of increasing urban green areas is the establishment of roof gardens. They have many positive properties and ecological functions, such as filling empty spaces with plants, protecting buildings, dust retention and air cleaning. In the case of extensive constructions, mostly species are used, planted as carpet-like "grass" sods or by installing modular units as plugs; however, with the use of other plant genera, the efficiency of ecological services could be increased by expanding the diversity.

In Vitro Gene Conservation Status and the Quality of the Genetic Resources of Native Hungarian Sheep Breeds.

Studies revealed a global loss of genetic resources for local sheep breeds. Therefore, the current study aimed to introduce and highlight the progress made on Hungary's existing gene conservation program (small Gene Bank). Furthermore, we evaluated breed (Tsigai, Cikta, and Racka), season, and individual variabilities (n = 24) of the pre-freeze and post-thaw semen stored in the Gene Bank to enhance the gene conservation of the breeds.

Interventional Effect of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles with L. Plants When Compensating Irrigation Using Saline Water.

High salinity reduces agriculture production and quality, negatively affecting the global economy. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) enhance plant metabolism and abiotic stress tolerance. This study investigated the effects of 2 g/L foliar Zinc oxide NPs on L.

Evaluation of Gel Coating Performance in Extending the Shelf Life of Egg: The Role of Surface Area and Initial Weight.

This work investigated the impact of chicken egg size, including surface area and initial weight, on the effectiveness of cassava starch-based gel coating during storage at room temperature. The quality of a total of 540 fresh eggs in four different sizes (S, M, L and XL) was evaluated over a 4-week storage period at 25 ± 1 °C (60-65% RH). In this research, images from a scanning electron microscope revealed that the coatings maintained their integrity across all egg sizes, effectively covering pores and cracks throughout storage.

Creating a novel method for chicken primordial germ cell health monitoring using the fluorescent ubiquitination-based cell cycle indicator reporter system.

The most current in vitro genetic methods, including gene preservation, gene editing and developmental modelling, require a significant number of healthy cells. In poultry species, primordial germ cells (PGCs) are great candidates for all the above-mentioned purposes, given their easy culturing and well-established freezing method for chicken. However, the constant monitoring of cultures can be financially challenging and consumes large amounts of solutions and accessories.

Exploring the West African forest island phenomenon: scientific insights gained, successes achieved and capacities strengthened.

Anthropogenic activities around local villages in mesic savanna landscapes of West Africa have resulted in soil improvement and forest establishment outside their climatic zones. Such unique 'forest islands' have been reported to provide ecosystem services including biodiversity conservation. However, the science underpinning their formations is limitedly studied.

Genome-wide SNP assessment of contemporary European red deer genetic structure highlights the distinction of peripheral populations and the main admixture zones in Europe.

Genome-wide technologies open up new possibilities to clarify questions on genetic structure and phylogeographic history of taxa previously studied with microsatellite loci and mitochondrial sequences. Here, we used 736 individual red deer (Cervus elaphus) samples genotyped at 35,701 single nucleotide polymorphism loci (SNPs) to assess the population structure of the species throughout Europe. The results identified 28 populations, with higher degrees of genetic distinction in peripheral compared to mainland populations.