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The ability to respond to local stimuli individually and propagate information among colony members has allowed social organisms to generate collective responses. Leaf‐cutting ants are an excellent model to study this because, apart from exchanging information among groups assigned to different tasks (foragers, gardeners, and midden workers—ants working in refuse dumps), they also do so with their symbiotic fungus.Here, we tested the role of refuse dumps as an information centre influencing the foraging decisions of Acromyrmex lobicornis under field conditions. To simulate the presence of discarded resources, oat flakes were added to the refuse dumps of treated colonies, while the refuse dumps of controls remained untreated. After 24 h and for 6 weeks, we offered new clean oat flakes on the foraging trails simultaneously with cornflakes, another palatable resource that was never experienced by the ants on the dump.Although the oat flakes were suitable for the ants and harmless to the fungus, the acceptance index—a ratio of oat flakes foraged to total oat and cornflakes offered—decreased by 55% 24 h after the ants interacted with oat flakes in the refuse dump. After 6 weeks, the acceptance index recovered to levels that did not differ from initial values.Therefore, ants might use waste to obtain information about the suitability of resources found in foraging trails. We explore potential mechanisms underlying the transmission of information from refuse dumps to foraging trails, shedding light on the intricate dynamics of collective decision‐making in social insect colonies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a non‐communicable complex disease that is the fifth leading cause of death worldwide. According to a novel viewpoint, the brain plays a significant role in the central regulation of satiety and energy homeostasis. Because of its rich nutritional profile and versatile uses, oat (Avena sativa) is one of the most popular functional foods recommended by many nutritionists. The anti‐obesity effect of oat was hypothesized, focusing on the brain as the target organ. In the current study, the interplay between brain biomarkers, obesity, and its related complications was evaluated in diet‐induced obese rats for 25 weeks, in which 60 adult male white albino Wistar rats were divided into three control and seven treatment groups given oat extracts in a dose‐dependent manner. RESULTS: Oat significantly improved obesity‐related metabolic complications. In terms of brain function, oat significantly increased dopaminergic signaling, brain‐derived neurotrophic factor levels, vaspin, irisin, and uncoupling protein‐1 brain levels, while decreasing the expression of agouti‐related peptide and neuropeptide Y (P‐value < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The current study proposes oat supplementation as a new conceptual framework with numerous implications for hedonic and homeostatic mechanisms that control satiety. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND RESULTS CONCLUSION The relationship between oat grain composition and physical attributes as influenced by oat genotype and Canadian growing environments was investigated. Thirty Canadian oat (Avena sativa L.) genotypes, grown in three Canadian growing locations (Brandon, Manitoba; Portage la Prairie, Manitoba; and Lacombe, Alberta) over 2 consecutive years (2020–2021), were analyzed.Analysis of variance showed that the protein, total starch, and amylose content were significantly affected by genotype, environment, and their interaction. A principal component analysis bi‐plot illustrated that protein and total starch had an inverse relationship and were more affected by growing year, whereas amylose content had a negligible influence. The majority of genotypes were stable across environments but some genotypes, like CDC Morrison, were more influenced by different environments. Correlation analysis suggested that drought‐like conditions early in the growing season generated oat genotypes that favored the accumulation of protein, β‐glucan, and oil.The results provide detailed information regarding the relationship between important oat chemical and physical traits and different growing environments, which can assist breeders to improve characteristics to obtain high‐quality oat grains and thus high‐quality end products. © 2025 His Majesty the King in Right of Canada and The Author(s). Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry. Reproduced with the permission of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri‐Food Canada. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Powdery mildew, caused by the biotrophic fungus Blumeria graminis DC. f. sp. avenae, is a widespread disease of oats, especially in the temperate regions of Western and Central Europe, and the use of resistant varieties is the most sustainable way to ensure stable yields. Therefore, the identification of robust and effective resistance to powdery mildew is of great interest for oat breedinpg. In contrast to race‐specific resistance genes, adult plant resistance (APR) is generally considered to be more durable. The oat variety ‘Firth’, as well as related varieties such as ‘Husky’ or ‘Flämingstip’, contains an unknown APR gene, which was previously located on chromosome 1D using DArT markers. The aim of this study was to confirm and refine the chromosomal location of this resistance gene, tentatively named Pm13. To this end, two independent experiments were carried out using different genetic material under natural infection conditions in the field: genome‐wide association mapping (GWAS) in a diverse set of 250 oat lines grown in 10 environments and QTL mapping in a HuskyxAVE1284 biparental population grown in three environments. Both approaches identified a QTL for powdery mildew resistance on the distal end of chromosome 1D in the hexaploid Sang oat genome. The locus explained up to 15% of the phenotypic variance in GWAS and 64% of the phenotypic variance in QTL mapping. Comparison of field data with results from laboratory leaf segment tests confirmed that Pm13 does indeed confer APR. The sequence information of the identified linked markers may allow the development of molecular markers useful for early selection of oat lines with high levels of APR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The exceptional reactivity observed in non‐heme iron enzymes can be attributed to their capability to access high‐valent iron oxygen species in their active site. Numerous inorganic model complexes have been reported to date, providing insights into the intricate structural and spectroscopic features of many iron‐containing enzymes and advancing our understanding of their enzymatic reaction pathways. While the reactivities of synthetic iron complexes have been evaluated using various oxidants, the investigation into the formation of reactive intermediates has primarily focused on acetonitrile. However, water, which serves as the medium in biological systems, has been less frequently employed in these studies. Motivated by this, we conducted a comprehensive study on the generation of key reactive species using various oxidants with a model complex, [(BnTPEN)Fe(II)(OTf)]+ (1) (where BnTPEN=N‐benzyl‐N,N,N‐tris(2‐pyridylmethyl)‐1,2‐diaminoethane) in water, which yielded important findings. In water, a quantitative yield of Fe(IV)=O species was achieved with the oxidant NaIO4. Additionally, we observed an equilibrium between side‐on Fe(III)−OO and Fe(III)−OOH, with the latter eventually converting to Fe(IV)=O. The insights gained from this study are likely to be relevant in the chemistry of other Fe(II) complexes with polypyridyl pentadentate ligands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sensitivity analyses are important components of physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model development and are required by regulatory agencies for PBPK submissions. They assess the impact of parametric uncertainty and variability on model estimates, aid model optimization by identifying parameters requiring calibration, and enable the testing of assumptions within PBPK models. One‐at‐a‐time (OAT) sensitivity analyses quantify the impact on a model output in response to changes in a single parameter while holding others fixed. Global sensitivity analysis (GSA) methods provide more comprehensive assessments by accounting for changes in all uncertain or variable parameters, though at a higher computational cost. This tutorial article presents a software package for conducting both OAT and GSA of PBPK models built in the Open Systems Pharmacology (OSP) Suite. The tool is accessible through either an R script or a graphical user interface, and the outputs consist of sensitivity metrics of pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters, such as Cmax and AUC, evaluated with respect to model input parameters. Results are formatted according to regulatory standards. The OAT analysis methods comprise two‐way local sensitivity analyses and probabilistic uncertainty analyses, whereas the GSA methods include the Morris, Sobol, and EFAST methods. These analyses can be conducted on single PBPK models or pairs of models for the evaluation of the sensitivity of PK parameter ratios in drug–drug interaction studies. The practical application of the package is demonstrated through three illustrative case studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The endeavour to elevate the nutritional value of oat (Avena sativa) by altering the oil composition and content positions it as an optimal crop for fostering human health and animal feed. However, optimization of oil traits on oat through conventional breeding is challenging due to its quantitative nature and complexity of the oat genome. We introduced two constructs containing three key genes integral to lipid biosynthesis and/or regulatory pathways from Arabidopsis (AtWRI1 and AtDGAT1) and Sesame (SiOLEOSIN) into the oat cultivar 'Park' to modify the fatty acid composition. Four homozygous transgenic lines were generated with a transformation frequency of 7%. The expression of these introduced genes initiated a comprehensive transcriptional reprogramming in oat grains and leaves. Notably, endogenous DGAT, WRI1 and OLEOSIN genes experienced upregulation, while genes associated with fatty acid biosynthesis, such as KASII, SACPD and FAD2, displayed antagonistic expression patterns between oat grains and leaves. Transcriptomic analyses highlighted significant differential gene expression, particularly enriched in lipid metabolism. Comparing the transgenic oat plants with the wild type, we observed a remarkable increase of up to 34% in oleic acid content in oat grains. Furthermore, there were marked improvements in the total oil content in oat leaves, as well as primary metabolites changes in both oat grains and leaves, while maintaining homeostasis in the transgenic oat plants. These findings underscore the effectiveness of genetic engineering in manipulating oat oil composition and content, offering promising implications for human consumption and animal feeding through oat crop improvement programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cereal grains both for human consumption and animal feed are an essential component of global food systems. However, during production they are often targeted by various pest insects, including aphids. A survey was carried out from 2017 to 2021 in six cereal production sites in Tunisia to evaluate aphid diversity and identify natural enemies on Triticum turgidum subsp. durum (durum wheat), Hordeum vulgare (barley), Avena sativa (oat) and Triticum secale (triticale). Six aphid species belonging to four genera were recorded: Diuraphis noxia, Rhopalosiphum maidis, R. padi, Schizaphis graminum, Sitobion avenae and Sitobion fragariae. Among these, S. avenae and R. padi emerged as the most prevalent species across the majority of sites, infesting durum wheat, barley and triticale. Sc. graminum, R. maidis and D. noxia were less frequent, while S. fragariae was exclusively found on oat plants. Common aphid predators observed included Coccinella algerica, Hippodamia variegata and C. undecimpunctata, as well as syrphid flies such as Episyrphus balteatus and Sphaerophoria rueppellii. Lysiphlebus testaceipes was the sole parasitoid species detected, emerging exclusively from R. padi and R. maidis mummies. Furthermore, the study on the efficacy of L. testaceipes against R. maidis indicated that parasitism levels increased with the number of introduced parasitoid pairs. Aphid and natural enemy diversity were also evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple crop rotations like maize and soyabean grown in succession often coincide with simple weed management tactics, resulting in weed infestations that are highly adapted to the conditions maintained for the selected crops. Amaranthus tuberculatus is a prominent weed species which possesses biological characteristics that allow it to persist in maize–soyabean rotations. Spring wheat and oats emerge earlier than A. tuberculatus and are grown in narrower rows than maize and soyabean, which may increase their competitive capability. A field study which measured morphological and phenological characteristics of three A. tuberculatus cohorts that emerged under fallow, maize, soyabean, spring wheat and oats was conducted to compare their competitive ability. Early emerged A. tuberculatus grew similarly in fallow, maize and soyabeans and grew to heights of >150 cm but was significantly reduced in spring wheat and oats, never exceeding 40 cm. Heights of the last emerged cohorts were more influenced by crop canopies never reaching 15 cm in spring wheat and oats compared to >70 cm in fallow. Early emerged A. tuberculatus canopy diameter and branches plant−1 were reduced by >80% in spring wheat and oats compared to fallow. Flowering was delayed in spring wheat and oats compared to fallow and seed production and biomass were reduced by 99% across cohorts. Growth suppression of A. tuberculatus, based on the findings, can be achieved under dense, competitive crop canopies such as in spring wheat and oats and these crops should be considered as additional crops in maize–soyabean rotations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Wheat bran, oat flour, and Dictyophora indusiata powder were used to substitute wheat flour in noodle production. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of wheat bran flour, oat flour, and Dictyophora indusiata powder on physical, chemical, sensorial, and in vitro digestibility of wheat noodles. Results indicated that the addition of wheat bran flour, oat flour, and Dictyophora indusiata powder decreased the lightness, chewiness, and the reducing sugar released during digestion of noodles, and their estimated glycaemic index. The viscosity value of noodles decreased with Dictyophora indusiata powder addition solely. The protein, and dietary fibre of wheat noodle increased at 10% Dictyophora indusiata powder, and 10% oat flour blended with wheat flour, and the estimated glycaemic index lowered significantly with the addition of 10% wheat bran flour, and 10% Dictyophora indusiata powder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Winter cover crops (CCs) have the potential to reduce phosphorus (P) loss by temporarily fixing P into CC biomass. A field experiment with no‐tillage (NT) and conventional tillage (CT) was used to study the ability of different CC species planted after corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max L.) harvests to reduce the P availability in soil solution. The effect of three crop rotations (corn–no CC–soybean–no CC [C–S], corn–cereal rye (Secale cereale)–soybean–hairy vetch (Vicia villosa) [C–R–S–HV], corn–cereal rye–soybean–oats (Avena sativa)+ radish (Raphanus sativus L.) [C–R–S–OR]) and two tillage (NT and CT) treatments was determined on soil available P and soil solution P content through pan (A horizon) and tension (100‐cm depth) cup lysimeters. The experiment was set up as a randomized complete block design with tillage as a split factor with three replicates. Over the study period, incorporating hairy vetch in C–R–S–HV rotation reduced the Mehlich‐3 P content in soil by 26%–29% compared to the C–S and C–R–S–OR rotation. Both CC rotations (C–R–S–HV and C–R–S–OR) were effective in reducing dissolved reactive P (DRP) concentration in pan and tension cup lysimeters compared to the C–S in both CT and NT systems. However, these results varied with CC species grown and seasonal variability in precipitation. A significantly lower DRP load with crop rotation and tillage treatments was observed mainly during the CC growing season. During the study period, crop rotations with reduced labile soil P content and DRP loss were ranked in an order of C–R–S–HV > C–R–S–OR > C–S. Overall, this study showed that CCs have the potential in both CT and NT systems to significantly reduce P in soil and soil solution, and these effects are resilient to a wide range of precipitation conditions. Core Ideas: P losses from agricultural fields contribute to water quality issues.Cover crops reduced the Mehlich‐3 P in the soil at 0‐ to 15‐cm depth.Cover crops reduced dissolved reactive phosphorus (DRP) concentrations in soil solution.Cover crop species and precipitation dictate DRP loads in soil solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While most studies of species coexistence focus on the mechanisms that maintain coexistence, it is equally important to understand the mechanisms that structure failed coexistence. For example, California annual grasslands are heavily invaded ecosystems, where non‐native annuals have largely dominated and replaced native communities. These systems are also highly variable, with a high degree of rainfall seasonality and interannual rainfall variability—a quality implicated in the coexistence of functionally distinct species. Yet, despite the apparent strength of this variation, coexistence between native and non‐native annuals in this system has faltered. To test how variation‐dependent coexistence mechanisms modulate failed coexistence, we implemented a competition experiment between two previously common native forbs and three now‐dominant non‐native annual grasses spanning a conservative‐acquisitive range of traits. We grew individuals from each species under varying densities of all other species as competitors, under either wetter or drier early season rainfall treatments. Using subsequent seed production, we parameterized competition models, assessed the potential for coexistence among species pairs and quantified the relative influence of variation‐dependent coexistence mechanisms. As expected, we found little potential for coexistence. Competition was dominated by the non‐native grass Avena fatua, while native forbs were unable to invade non‐native grasses. Mutual competitive exclusion was common across almost all species and often contingent on rainfall, suggesting rainfall‐mediated priority effects. Among variation‐dependent mechanisms, the temporal storage effect had a moderate stabilizing effect for four of five species when averaged across competitors, while relative nonlinearity in competition was largely destabilizing, except for the most conservative non‐native grass, which benefited from a competitive release under dry conditions. Synthesis: Our findings suggest that rainfall variability does little to mitigate the fitness differences that underlie widespread annual grass invasion in California, but that it influences coexistence dynamics among the now‐dominant non‐native grasses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND RESULTS CONCLUSION Oat (Avena sativa L.) is a valuable crop due to its strong adaptability to marginal environments, making it an important component of agricultural systems in regions where other cereals may not thrive. The application of chemical fertilizer can influence oat hay and grain yield significantly. However, large‐scale meta‐analytical studies of the size and variability of oat hay and grain yields in response to fertilizer addition are still lacking. Based on 83 studies worldwide, this meta‐analysis quantifies the impact of the addition of fertilizer on oat hay and grain yields under varying environmental conditions (e.g., soil nutrient levels, texture, and climate).The results confirmed that the fertilizer application increased oat hay yield by 48.9% and grain yield by 36.2%. This study demonstrated that balanced fertilization with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium generally enhances oat hay and grain yield despite large temporal and spatial variations. Boosted regression tree (BRT) models suggest that changes in hay and grain yield were primarily dominated by soil pH and nitrogen fertilizer. The response ratio (the natural logarithm of the mean values of hay yield or grain yield with and without fertilization, respectively) of hay yield declined linearly with soil pH. Elevation was the second most important factor affecting the change in response ratio of hay yield and the third most important factor affecting the change in response ratio of grain yield but climatic conditions were not the dominant factors affecting changes in oat hay or grain yield.Overall, these results will benefit producers considering site‐specific fertilization management of oat. They could increase yields and save investment in fertilizer, and help to facilitate the genetic breeding of oat varieties with high nutrient use efficiency. © 2024 The Author(s). Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Koelerioid grasses (subtribe Aveninae, tribe Poeae; Pooideae) resolve into two major clades, here called Koelerioid Clades A and B. Phylogenetic relationships among koelerioid grasses are investigated using plastid DNA sequences of rpl32‐trnL, rps16‐trnK, rps16 intron, and ITS regions, focusing on Trisetum, Acrospelion, and some annual species (Rostraria p.p. and Trisetaria p.p.) closely related to Trisetum flavescens in Koelerioid Clade A. Phylogenetic analyses of several selected data sets performed for 80 taxa and using maximum likelihood and Bayesian methods, revealed mostly congruent topologies in the nuclear and plastid trees, but also reticulation affecting several lineages. Trisetum is restricted to one species, T. flavescens, which is a sister to the clade formed by Trisetum gracile and Trisetaria aurea. The latter two species are classified here in the genus Graciliotrisetum gen. nov. The sister clade includes three species of Rostraria and Trisetaria lapalmae, all of which are classified here in a resurrected genus, Aegialina, which includes four species. Acrospelion is enlarged to include 13 species after the addition of other species formerly classified in Trisetum sect. Trisetum and T. sect. Acrospelion. We also transfer Trisetum ambiguum, Trisetum longiglume, and Koeleria mendocinensis to Graphephorum; and Helictotrichon delavayi to Tzveleviochloa, expanding these genera to eight and six species, respectively. We evaluate cases of reticulate evolution between Koelerioid Clades A and B and within Koelerioid Clade A, which probably gave rise to Graphephorum, Rostraria cristata, and Rostraria obtusiflora. Finally, we comment on polyploidy and biogeographic patterns in koelerioid grasses. We propose the following 26 new combinations: Acrospelion alpestre, Acrospelion altaicum, Acrospelion argenteum, Acrospelion bertolonii, Acrospelion buschianum, Acrospelion buschianum subsp. transcaucasicum, Acrospelion fuscum, Acrospelion laconicum, Acrospelion macrotrichum, Acrospelion rigidum, Acrospelion rigidum subsp. teberdense, Acrospelion tamonanteae, Acrospelion velutinum, Aegialina lapalmae, Aegialina pubescens, Aegialina pumila, Aegialina pumila subsp. fuscescens, Aegialina salzmannii, Aegialina salzmannii subsp. cossoniana, Graciliotrisetum aureum, Graciliotrisetum gracile, Graphephorum ambiguum, Graphephorum longiglume, Graphephorum mendocinense, Graphephorum orthochaetum, and Tzveleviochloa delavayi. Lectotypes are designated for the names Aegialitis tenuis, Aira melicoides, Avena aspera var. parviflora, Avena delavayi, Koeleria grisebachii var. mendocinensis, Koeleria pubescens subsp. cossoniana, Koeleria pumila, Koeleria salzmannii, Phalaris pubescens, Trisetum aureum, Trisetum cernuum, Trisetum fuscescens, Trisetum longiglume, and Trisetum wolfii; and we designate one neotype for Alopecurus litoreus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The aim of this study was to determine the textural sensory profile of wheat breads developed using oat flour at different substitution levels (10%, 30%, and 50%) and particle sizes (<224, 250–280, 280–500, 500–600 μm). A trained descriptive panel evaluated the wheat–oat breads using quantitative descriptive analysis (QDA) (n = 8) and partial napping (PN) (n = 12) sensory techniques. The QDA results showed that the textural properties of the breads were significantly affected by oat flour at different substitution and particle size levels (P < 0.001). The attributes crumb 'denseness' and 'stickiness' discriminated most frequently across samples, while crumb 'chewiness' and 'dryness' discriminated the least. Principal component analysis (PCA) illustrated that in PC1 (59%) crumb 'denseness' was positively correlated with crumb 'hardness' and 'graininess', while 'stickiness' was negatively correlated with crumb 'graininess'. The application of clustering techniques on QDA data showed that breads with 10% oat flour were differentiated based on particle size; however, as the substitution level of oat flour increased, the substitution level of oat flour used in formulations exceeded the effect of particle size. In terms of PN, panellists identified four distinct groups of wheat–oat breads, indicating that wheat breads with 10% oat flour and <224 μm, 280–500 μm and whole oat flour had similar textural properties to the control wheat bread sample. The texture of wheat breads substituted with 50% oat flour were very different to the control. The results of this study suggest that in addition to the effect of substitution level, fractionation of oat flour may have application in the production of wheat bread formulations with different textural profiles. The findings also emphasise the importance of considering clustering techniques when evaluating complex samples for new product development applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nutritional value of oats can be enhanced through solid‐state fermentation (SSF) to release otherwise tightly bound, inaccessible nutrients and bioactives. Extensive research has shown that SSF can liberate bioactive compounds from oats, such as phenolic compounds and peptides through modification of the microstructure. Studies also demonstrate that SSF enhances the bioactive properties of oats, including antioxidant, antidiabetic, anticancer, anti‐inflammatory, and angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitory. Additionally, SSF can modify the macronutrient and antinutritional components of oat substrates. In particular, the protein fraction can be enriched by SSF with filamentous fungi due to the inherently proteinous nature of their mycelium. Most SSF microorganisms can also reduce the antinutritional compounds in oats like tannins and phytic acid. Despite the breadth of SSF research for oat substrates, no review exists for oat specifically and more generally, and no review exists considering bioactive and nutritional aspects together. This review extensively discussed these facets. Future research avenues are explored and should provide insight into the microstructural modification of oats as a function of different fermentation conditions by leveraging advancements in imaging. Mechanistic and quantitative insight into how these structural changes and biotransformations influence the release of bioactive compounds (including the dynamic digestion process) should be explored. The molecular mechanism by which specific SSFed oat bioactive compounds (phenols and peptides) confer their biological effects requires further development. Combining analysis of the macronutrient and bioactive properties of solid‐state‐fermented oat substrates provides a more detailed picture of the overall nutritional value and health implications of solid‐state fermented oat products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diversified crop rotations with no‐till management are considered fundamental to sustainable agroecosystems; however, associated uncertainty in economic returns may hinder farmers' decisions to adopt these practices. The objectives of this study were to compare economic performance (gross revenue, net revenue, and production cost) among various low‐input diversified versus conventional crop rotations. The experiment was initiated in the fall of 2000 with winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) planting and planting of remaining crops in the spring of 2001 near Brookings, SD. Economic analysis was performed from data collected during the fifth complete 4‐year crop rotational cycle (2017–2020) of six crop rotations: (1) 4‐year corn (Zea mays L.)‐soybean [Glycine max L. (Merr.)]‐spring wheat‐sunflower (Helianthus annus L.) (CSSwSf), (2) 4 year corn‐soybean‐spring wheat‐pea (Pisum sativum L.) (CSSwP), (3) 4‐year corn‐pea‐winter wheat‐soybean (CPWwS), (4) 4‐year corn‐oat (Avena sativa L.)‐winter wheat‐soybean (COWwS), (5) 2‐year corn‐soybean (CS), and (6) continuous corn (CCC, treatment initiated in 2017). Corn yield in CSSwP rotation, where corn followed peas, was higher (p < 0.05) by 20%, 25%, 45%, and 89%, compared to CPWwS, CSSwSf, CS, and CCC rotations, respectively. Similarly, soybean yield following winter wheat was significantly higher by 16%–38% in COWwS and 13%–38% in CPWwS compared to CSSwP, CSSwSf, and CS. Overall, diversified crop rotations improved both corn and soybean yield and net revenue compared to 2‐year CS and monoculture CCC rotations. Moreover, 4‐year diversified systems, specifically COWwS, CPWwS, and CSSwP, demonstrated economic resilience by maintaining stable production costs. Core Ideas: Corn yield improved in diversified cropping systems, particularly when corn followed a leguminous crop (peas).Incorporation of leguminous crops such as pea and soybean in rotations reduced production expenses.Soybean yield increased when planted after winter wheat in a rotation.Monoculture, non‐diversified systems showed high production costs, reduced yields, and lower economic returns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cereal crops are frequently rotated with broadleaf crops to achieve the benefits associated with crop diversification. However, broadleaf crops often fail in Mediterranean drylands due to their lower adaptation to drought. Alternative cereal crops such as triticale (×Triticosecale Wittmack) and oat (Avena sativa L.) can help diversify drylands in the Ebro valley, dominated by barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivation. A 6‐year field experiment was conducted with five crop sequences under no‐tillage: triticale–wheat–barley (TWB), oat–wheat–barley (OWB), fallow–wheat–barley, monocrop wheat, and monocrop barley. Wheat and barley grain yield, N use efficiency, and water use efficiency responses were evaluated, and economic analyses of the whole sequences were performed. Oat increased subsequent wheat yields by 15% and barley yields by 12% (p < 0.001) compared to monocropping. Similar water and N availability at sowing suggest additional synergies in an OWB rotation (possibly pest reduction), contributing to the yield increase of both crops. However, this rotation was less profitable than a TWB rotation (p = 0.002) due to the limited adaptation of oat to Mediterranean settings. Long fallowing lacked consistent benefits in water and N availability for subsequent crops. This practice protects farmers from economic losses in low‐yielding seasons, but there is an associated opportunity cost in favorable years. The introduction of alternative cereal crops has demonstrated benefits for wheat and barley production, although greater understanding of the synergistic mechanisms involved is essential to ascertain whether resource efficiency is maintained beyond the studied timeframe. Core Ideas: Crop diversification with winter cereal crop rotations is viable in Mediterranean dryland areas.Wheat and barley tend to more efficiently use water and N in cereal rotations than as monocrop.The performance of a fallow–crop rotation is inconsistent with no clear economic benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The multi‐floral oat (Avena sativa L.) inflorescence influences grain size and shape distributions, affecting the physical attributes of grain quality such as plumpness, size, and uniformity. While the grain size and shape distribution has been characterized as multi‐modal, very little is known about the genetic determinants of those distributions and their properties. The goal of this study was to model grain size and shape distribution using a finite mixture distribution approach and propose new distributional traits (i.e., emerging distributional traits) to characterize genotypes. We evaluated 47 oat genotypes in four highly replicated field experiments. Grains of three panicles per plot were individually threshed and scanned. Grain area, length, width, and roundness were obtained from each grain‐based image, while emerging distributional traits were evaluated using a finite mixture distribution approach. Finally, grain size distributions from hand‐threshed panicles (representing the full biological distribution) were compared with the grain size distributions of grains harvested with a combine harvester representing commercial harvest where small grains may be blown out. The heritability of all grain traits was high (0.89–0.94), and trait distributions differed among genotypes. Grain area and length show bi‐ and trimodal distributions, while grain width and roundness are uni‐ and bimodal. Although the full biological distribution of grains differed from the combine‐harvested grains, their genetic correlations were high, suggesting the combine‐harvested distributions can be used as a proxy for full biological distributions. This study proposes a straightforward methodological approach to model grain attributes that can aid in quality evaluations for genetic studies, breeding decisions, and industry characterization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The "Author Index" document from the journal "Allergy" lists a variety of authors and their corresponding page numbers in the publication, showcasing the diversity of contributors in the field of allergy research. This comprehensive index serves as a valuable resource for library patrons seeking specific authors and their works within the journal. The document includes authors from diverse backgrounds and regions, covering a wide range of research topics. It provides a comprehensive list of authors and their works, highlighting the breadth of knowledge and expertise in the academic community. [Extracted from the article]

The present investigation was conducted to analyze the impact of the gamma irradiation dose on the microbiological, structural, and functional properties of buckwheat, cowpea, oat, and brown rice flour. The results showed that as the irradiation dose increased, there was a significant reduction in the total bacterial count (TBC) and the total yeast and mold count (TYMC). Specifically, a decrease of 60.67% was observed in TBC and 63.49% in TYMC compared to unirradiated samples, even at a dose of 5 kGy. In addition, there was a significant increase in the total phenolic content of all flour samples (8% for cowpea to 56.48% for buckwheat) after exposure to irradiation. In particular, buckwheat flour exhibited the highest DPPH inhibition capacity of 79.80% when irradiated at 15 kGy, outperforming the other flour samples. However, the FTIR spectra remained unchanged. The application of irradiation to cereals and legumes has recently been recognized as an innovative method to address the issues caused by insects and pests. Gamma irradiation can be applied to the product after packaging, reducing the risk of cross‐contamination. Additionally, this technique is nonthermal and does not leave any residues. The dietary value, sensory, and other quality parameter characteristics of pseudocereals and cereal‐related products can be preserved by subjecting them to controlled irradiation doses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

C, N, and P concentrations and stoichiometric ratios of the leaf are important for adaptive plant growth and nutrient utilization. However, our knowledge of how these traits change with N fertilization in intercropping systems remains limited. Hence, a 2‐year experiment was conducted with four cropping patterns, including two‐row common vetch (Vicia sativa L.) intercropping with one‐row oat (Avena sativa L.), one‐row common vetch intercropping with two‐row oat as well as sole oat and common vetch cropping with 0, 50, and 100 kg N/ha fertilization. Leaf total nitrogen (LTN) and phosphorus (LTP) concentrations and C:N:P stoichiometric ratios were measured and their linkages with soil nutrient availability were analysed. N fertilization significantly increased LTN, N:P, and C:P, while significantly decreasing LTP and C:N. Intercropping affected leaf nutrient concentrations and stoichiometric ratios, which were affected by N fertilization, basic soil fertility, and crop species. Intercropping and N fertilization affected soil nitrate nitrogen (SNN), available phosphorus (SAP) content, and dry matter (DM) yield. There were strong correlations between the leaf nutritional traits of oats and SNN, SAP, and DM, but few correlations were observed with common vetch. In conclusion, intercropping led to contrasting changes in leaf nutrient concentrations and stoichiometric ratios, which varied with N fertilization and crop species. We failed to reveal solid and direct effects of intercropping ratio on leaf nutritional traits. These findings contribute to a better understanding of crop nutritional traits and the link between leaves and soil in response to intercropping and N fertilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural management practices can profoundly influence soil phosphorus (P), with effects accumulating over time. To test the overarching hypothesis that soil P pools estimated by sequential fractionation would be altered by long‐term agricultural practices, we used an experiment established in 1876 in the north‐central US to quantify 145‐year impacts of crop rotation (continuous maize [Zea mays L.], maize‐soybean [Glycine max L. Merr.] and maize‐oat [Avena sativa L.]‐alfalfa [Medicago sativa L.]) and 117‐year impacts of fertilization (unfertilized and fertilized) with rock phosphate, manure or synthetic fertilizer on soil P fractions at 15 cm intervals across 0–90 cm depth. Fertilization impacts on soil P were mostly limited to the surface (0–30 cm) depth, but extended to 90 cm depth under diverse rotations. Under fertilization, soil total P concentration increased by 51% at 0‐30 cm while concomitantly decreasing by 30% at 60–90 cm compared to no fertilization, indicating that vertically stratified surface soil P accumulation and subsoil P depletion can co‐occur even under positive P balances. Positive P balances (1222–1494 kg/ha) induced by fertilization enriched inorganic P (Pi) (+39% to 358%) and labile organic P (Po) fractions (+11%) while depleting non‐labile Po fractions (−31%), with depletion increasing with the degree of crop diversification. Fertilization had minor impacts on P fractions beyond 30 cm depth, except for acid extractable Pi (HCl‐Pi) depletion under continuous maize and maize‐soybean rotations (−16% to −78%) and accumulation under maize‐oat‐alfalfa rotation (+41% to +84%) at 60–90 cm. In contrast, without fertilization, diversifying maize rotations with oat and alfalfa decreased HCl‐Pi and residual P (−21% to −57%) but increased non‐labile Po fractions (+54%), suggesting potential mining of non‐labile Pi pools by deep‐rooted legumes under nutrient limitation. The 1–2 orders of magnitude greater changes in stocks of P fractions than stocks of total P emphasize the importance of distinguishing P pools even with operational fractionation to fully capture changes in P cycling beyond total P stocks. Our study revealed that a positive P balance under 117 years of fertilization (i) enriched Pi and labile Po pools but (ii) depleted non‐labile Po pools, (iii) largely at 0–30 cm, and (iv) non‐labile Po depletion increased with crop diversification under 145‐year rotation treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oligo‐astheno‐teratozoospermia (OAT) is a common cause of male infertility, but the genetic basis of most OAT cases is still unknown. Here, one homozygous loss‐of‐function (LOF) variant in TDRD6, c.G1825T/p.Gly609X, was identified in an infertile patient with severe OAT by whole‐exome sequencing (WES) and Sanger confirmation. Furthermore, Tdrd6‐mutant mice (p.Gly615X; equivalent to p.Gly609X in human TDRD6) were generated. Remarkably, the Tdrd6‐mutated mice mimicked the severe OAT symptoms of the patient. In addition, the architecture of chromatoid bodies (CBs) were disrupted in round spermatids from Tdrd6‐mutant mice, leading to blocked spermatogenesis in the round spermatids. The assembly of PIWIL1, TDRD1, TDRD7 and DDX25 in CBs was disturbed in the Tdrd6‐mutant mice. Applying immunoprecipitation‐mass spectrometry (IP‐MS), we identified some TDRD6‐interacting partners, including CB proteins TDRD7, MAEL and PCBP1. Moreover, we described the assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcomes of the infertile patient and his partner. Altogether, our findings provide necessary evidences to support the idea that the homozygous LOF variant in TDRD6 induces male infertility with severe OAT, suggesting that TDRD6 could be a useful genetic diagnostic target for male infertility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Starch is widely utilized in the food industry, but its native form may have limitations in terms of functionality and nutrition. This study examines the characteristics of native oat starch and explores its potential for chemical modification by cross‐linking, with the aim of gaining a deeper understanding of its functionality. Citrate‐modified oat starch (COS) is generated by cross‐linking native oat starch (NOS) with citric acid. Chemical analysis reveals distinctions between NOS and COS, notably in terms of resistant starch content, which is elevated in COS. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) results reveal that NOS exhibits crystalline peaks characteristic of A‐type starch, distinguishing it from COS. In contrast, COS displays absent crystalline peaks, attributed to cross‐linking. Swelling factor, solubility, and paste clarity along with most of the pasting properties are found to be significantly lower for COS compared to NOS. The scanning electron microscopic images show how cross‐linking can alter the morphology of the NOS. The findings from this investigation highlight significant distinctions between NOS and COS. The cross‐linking process successfully enhances the resistant starch content and imparted distinctive properties absent in native oat starch. Consequently, there is potential for incorporating modified oat starch as a food ingredient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Implementing soil conservation practices can begin to restore degraded soils, improve soil health, and increase overall ecosystem services. Cover cropping is an effective strategy to rebuild soil quality through decreased erosion and increased residue inputs, which can help build soil organic matter. Cover crop seeding rate may have a positive relationship with ecosystem services; however, it is unknown whether this is realized at or below the recommended cover crop seeding rate. The goal of this study was to identify the relationship between cover crop seeding rate and soil health biogeochemical measures across the growing season using five oat (Avena sativa L.)–pea (Pisum sativum L.) cover crop treatments of 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% the industry standard seeding rate at the University of Massachusetts Amherst Research Farm. Soils were tested for soil carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and microbial measures at winter kill, spring thaw, post-planting, and succeeding cash crop harvest. Soil measures did not vary among seeding rates, but total ground cover was consistent among treatments due to weed growth. Soil health measures vary seasonally reflecting soil microbial activity. Our study provides initial evidence that soil biogeochemical responses do not respond to increased seeding rate within one growing season when the resulting groundcover—cover crop biomass plus weeds—is consistent across seeding rates, but sampling date can influence the magnitude of soil biological and chemical soil health metrics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Wheat is used extensively as the key ingredient for baked goods. Oats are used as an alternative for a range of commercial reasons, including "gluten‐free." Often the rationale driving the utilization of oats for gluten‐related disorders (GRDs)/gluten intolerance, gets lost due to assertions regarding the relative nutritional benefits of eating oats rather than wheat. This review looks at the dietary benefits of eating oats versus wheat‐based products to clarify the relative merits of each. Findings: Wheat and oats are important components of the human diet. Wheat‐based products cannot be replicated directly by oats. However, oats are a useful alternative where GRDs are present. Conclusions: Wheat is supreme in creating desirable food structures although it can be problematic for individuals with GRDs. Oats can be utilized to provide alternatives. However, in products like bread, other ingredients are needed to replicate the role of gluten. Significance and Novelty: This review provides a novel insight into the applications of wheat and oats in foods and the associated nutritional impact. The anticipated benefit is for people working in the food sector, health‐based professionals, and individuals who wish to understand the role of oats as an alternative to wheat to avoid gluten. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acne vulgaris is a common chronic inflammatory disorder of the pilosebaceous unit, characterized by papules, pustules and/or nodules manifesting primarily on the face and/or upper back that can leave scars, post‐inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) and erythema (PIE). Objective: To evaluate the anti‐inflammatory properties of a protein‐free sap extruded from Rhealba® oat plantlets and a Garcinia mangostana extract on Cutibacterium acnes‐induced inflammation in vitro and assess the tolerability and efficacy of a dermocosmetic product containing these actives in subjects with mild‐to‐moderate acne. Methods: Monocyte‐derived dendritic cells (Mo‐DCs) from acne patients were stimulated with a planktonic culture of C. acnes and cytokine production was evaluated before and after addition of the test extracts by RT‐PCR and ELISA. The clinical study was conducted in subjects with mild‐to‐moderate acne who applied the product to their face and upper back twice‐daily for 2 months. Results: Cutibacterium acnes‐induced IL‐6, IL‐12p40, IL‐10 and TNFα synthesis was reduced by the addition of the Garcinia mangostana extract and oat sap in vitro. The clinical study included 54 subjects. The 2‐month, twice‐daily application of the test product to the whole face and acne‐affected areas on the upper back was well tolerated. It led to significant decreases in the number of retentional (−21% for 69% of subjects at D57) and inflammatory (−35% for 79% of subjects at D57) acne lesions, as well as a decrease in Global Acne Evaluation severity scores (2.5 at D1, 2.2 at D29 and 2.1 at D57). The dermatologist also rated the product as effective or very effective in most subjects with PIE (82%; n = 33/40) and PIH (70%; n = 8/11) at D57. Conclusion: The actives demonstrated anti‐inflammatory effects in vitro, and the dermocosmetic product showed good clinical efficacy and tolerability in subjects with mild‐to‐moderate acne, supporting the use of this product in acne management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main cause of magnesium (Mg2+) deficiency in plants is its competition with potassium (K+). Besides uptake antagonism, previous studies also suggested that high [K+] inhibits root‐shoot translocation of Mg2+. In this study on oat, root elemental analysis revealed an evident but, with further increasing K+/Mg2+ ratio, limited suppression of Mg2+ uptake. In contrast, shoot [Mg2+] showed little or no reduction. This indicated a translocation synergism, as the suppression of the root [Mg2+] by K+ was counterbalanced. Oat thus provides new insights and raises new questions about the interactions of K+/Mg2+, in particular on the role of specific Mg2+ transporters. A better understanding of this interaction may help to counter the worldwide Mg deficiency more effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ergot is a fungal disease of many plants but is perhaps most commonly associated with domesticated grasses or cereals, such as rye, wheat, barley, oat, sorghum, millet, maize and rice. Ergot is of historical significance, having been reported for several millennia, but is also of concern in modern agricultural production systems. Caused by many different species within the genus Claviceps, the fungi cause the production of sclerotia, which are typically dark in colour, in place of healthy grain. The sclerotia contain toxins that can make the grain unsafe for consumption by humans or livestock. Ergot can be managed both preharvest as well as postharvest to minimize the presence of sclerotia and their associated toxins in food and feed systems. In this review, we provide a detailed update on our current knowledge of ergot on cereals, with a focus on recent advances in our understanding of fungal toxins and their regulation, pathogen biology and disease management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a table that provides information on various proteins and their characteristics. The proteins listed are associated with different plants and may have implications for allergies and sensitivities. The study found that patients sensitized to Ligustrum pollen who were also sensitized to Fraxinus exhibited a different pattern of allergen recognition compared to those without Fraxinus sensitization. The study was supported by the National Institute of Respiratory Diseases Ismael Cosío Villegas in Mexico. Further research is needed to validate the role of these proteins in respiratory allergies. [Extracted from the article]

Summary: The inherent poor cooking quality and poor texture of mixed‐grain pasta limit consumer acceptance. This study systematically investigated the effect of curdlan in the processing of sweet potato puree oat mixed‐grain noodles, and comprehensively analysed a number of key indicators such as cooking characteristics, moisture state, texture properties, microstructure, starch crystallinity characteristics, short‐range ordered structure and thermal properties. At the production practice level, the study clearly indicated that the 0.6% curdlan addition ratio was the best solution in sweet potato puree oat mixed‐grain noodles processing. This finding not only significantly reduces the fracture rate, water absorption rate and cooking loss rate during the cooking process, but also significantly improves the quality and yield of the product, and brings significant improvement in the taste and texture of the noodles, which is of great significance for industrial production. In the microstructural and molecular studies, we revealed how curdlan could enhance the structural stability and mechanical strength of noodles by promoting the uniform distribution of starch granules in the gluten protein network. Further, through X‐ray diffraction, ordered structure and thermal property analyses, we have found that colchicine can effectively regulate the interactions of hydrogen bonding between starch and the content of straight‐chain and branched‐chain starch, which significantly reduces the crystallinity, ordered short‐chain structure and enthalpy of pasting of starch in the pasta. These in‐depth research results not only help us to understand more comprehensively the formation mechanism of the modification of pasta quality by curdlan, but also provide a solid theoretical foundation and practical guidance for the improvement of pasta quality in mixed grains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Wholegrain composite flours are used for bakery products to enhance their nutritional value and to decrease the reliance on wheat importation as well as to ensure food security in most developing countries. This work aimed to optimise oat, maize, barley and wheat flour levels in the development of nutritionally enriched wholegrain pretzels. Composite flour blends were prepared by mechanical mixing of oat flour (OF), barley flour (BF), maize flour (MF) and wheat flour (WF) in the following proportion: WF (100%) (T0 – control), W:B (90:10) (T1), W:M (90:10) (T2), W:O (90:10) (T3), W:B:M:O (85:5:5:5) (T4), W:B:M:O (76:8:8:8) (T5) and W:B:M:O (70:10:10:10) (T6). Wholegrain composite flour mixes were analysed for their proximate composition and antioxidant properties. The fat, protein, ash and moisture content significantly changed (P < 0.05) in all treatments, while the fibre content increased. DPPH radical scavenging activity and total phenolic and flavonoid content showed significant changes compared to the control. A rapid visco analyser determined multigrain flour's rheological and pasting properties, and the values showed significant (P < 0.05) differences for peak viscosity, final viscosity and pasting temperature. The final product was analysed for proximate analysis, texture, colour and sensory evaluation. The increase in moisture, protein, fibre and ash content of the product was observed. Moisture, fat and fibre content of pretzels exhibited significant correlations (P < 0.05) with the sensory parameters. A grouping of the samples in function of the chemical and sensory characteristics was depicted from the principal component analysis. Texture and colour analysis showed significant differences (P < 0.05). Sensory evaluation results showed that the overall score for acceptability found for composite flour mix which contains 10% barley, 10% oat and 10% maize with wheat in a 30:70 ratio was accepted by the consumer. Consumption of wholegrain pretzels as snack food can contribute to a nutritious and balanced diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reports the first occurrence of Pyrenophora avenicola causing leaf spot on oat plants in India. The disease was observed in Ludhiana, Punjab, and further surveillance revealed its presence in 52 out of 60 fields in the state. The symptoms included brownish-black lesions on the leaves, which gradually enlarged and formed blight. The fungus was isolated and identified through morphological and molecular techniques, confirming P. avenicola as the causal organism. Pathogenicity was also confirmed through inoculation experiments. This finding is significant as oat is an economically important crop, and neglecting this disease may lead to damage. [Extracted from the article]

Most species can be coinfected by multiple pathogens that may interact through shared resources (i.e., resource competition) or the host immune system (i.e., apparent competition). Community theory developed for free‐living organisms suggests that coinfecting pathogens can persist if they satisfy the mutual invasion criterion of coexistence, establishing infections in hosts that are already infected. Furthermore, the likelihood of coexistence may depend on host nutrition which can affect shared resources and host immunity. Here, we apply the novel approach of combining a dynamical model and experimental mutual invasibility trials to explore the effects of host nutrient supply on the coexistence of two viral plant pathogens. We focus on among‐pathogen interactions mediated by shared resources. First, we used a model to generate hypotheses about how nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) supply rates affect the ability of two plant viruses to invade established infections of the other virus. Then, we experimentally manipulated the N and P supplied to oats (Avena sativa) in a growth chamber experiment and tested mutual invasion of two RNA viral pathogens, BYDV‐PAV and CYDV‐RPV. Nutrient supplies ranged from rates that barely kept hosts alive up to high, but sub‐toxic, rates. Model simulations suggested that the viruses were more likely to invade established infections either when they could replicate at lower N and P concentrations or when plant N and P concentrations increased due to a combination of nutrient supply rates and resident virus nutrient use. In the experiment, each virus successfully invaded hosts infected by the other and had consistent growth rates across N and P supply rates. Our results suggest that BYDV‐PAV and CYDV‐RPV can coexist across a wide range environmental nutrient supply, which is consistent with the high levels of co‐occurrence of these two viruses in field populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dermatophytosis is a cutaneous infection that is able to degrade the keratinized tissues of the animal/human body, like skin, nails, and hair, causing chronic or subacute infection with the contact of some specific fungal strains. Trichophyton mentagrophytes are the most potential fungal pathogen causing dermatophytoses. The present study focuses on computationally based in silico antifungal activity of selected phytocompounds of Leucas aspera (Willd.) Link. against dermatophytic fungus, T. mentagrophytes. Validation and screening of derived phytocompounds is performed using Lipinski rule of five and toxicity test through Protox‐II. Five target genes involved in dermatophytosis, induced by T. mentagrophytes are retrieved from the UniProt Database, and the corresponding proteins such as glucan 1,3‐beta‐glucosidase ARB_02797, Probable class II chitinase ARB_00204, squalene monooxygenase, actin, and ubiquitin are selected for in silico study. Three‐dimensional structures of the target protein were computationally determined and validated through modeling tools and techniques due to the lack of validated protein structures in the database. Then, these proteins are used for in silico molecular docking through the AutoDock Vina tool to find out the promising phytocompounds. This study could be utilized in designing more effective drugs against T. mentagrophytes. Based on this work, a plant‐based natural alternative can be added to the treatment of dermatophytosis rather than synthetic supplements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil biological processes are important drivers of crop productivity in agroecosystems. Soil microarthropods play key roles in nutrient cycling and plant nutrient acquisition, though little is known about how these effects manifest in crop production under different organic fertilizer amendments. We explored the interactive effects of microarthropods and fertilizers on crop productivity in two greenhouse experiments: experiment one involved a single Collembola species, and experiment two involved diverse microarthropod communities. Oats were grown as a model crop in both experiments under one of three initial fauna abundance levels (none, low, and high). In both experiments, four organic fertilization treatments were compared: alfalfa green manure, Kreher's Poultry Litter Compost, Chilean nitrate, and a nonamended control. Oat growth and development were evaluated weekly. During each experiment, 48 pots were selected randomly for destructive harvest at two separate times to mimic forage and grain harvest stages. At each harvest, multiple soil metrics (microarthropods, microbial biomass, microbial enzymes, and soil carbon and nitrogen) and plant metrics (biomass, reproduction, and tissue carbon and nitrogen content) were evaluated. Our findings indicated that microarthropods, both single species and diverse communities, stimulated nitrogen cycling and enhanced crop nutrient status. As microarthropod abundance and diversity increased, microarthropods exerted more effects on soil microbial activity. The effects of the microarthropods enhance the breakdown of fertilizers, ultimately making fertilizer choice less important for soil processes and plant nutrient availability. Our findings suggest that microarthropods drove oat production yields primarily through their effects on soil biological processes. Core Ideas: Microarthropods improved the nutritional quality of oats by stimulating nitrogen uptake.Following initial fertilizer additions, the effects of microarthropods on microbial communities diminished over time.Microarthropod effects on soil microbial activity modulate oat responses to different fertilizers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] is highly efficient in the biological N2 fixation (BNF) process through the association of bacteria of the genus Bradyrhizobium in the root nodules of the plants. However, there are still doubts about the need to complement soybean N demand through N fertilization in high‐yield environments. In addition, the real impact of co‐inoculation of soybean with Azospirillum brasilense and Bradyrhizobium spp. is not yet clear in such environments. A field experiment was conducted from 2012 to 2021 with six soybean cropping seasons in a crop rotation scheme with black oat (Avena strigosa Schreb), maize (Zea mays L.), and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under no‐till (NT) in Southern Brazil. Soybean seeds were co‐inoculated with A. brasilense (strains Ab‐V5 and Ab‐V6) shortly after inoculation with Bradyrhizobium japonicum, and different levels of N fertilization were used in top dressing at the start of pod formation (R3). Soybean nutritional status and grain yield were not benefited by co‐inoculation with A. brasilense. Since the increased inoculum rate of A. brasilense co‐inoculated with rhizobia in soybean compromised both N nutrition and grain yield, this practice should not be encouraged. There was no need to complement soybean N demand through N fertilization during the reproductive stage. Soybean achieved grain yields of 5.0–5.7 Mg ha−1 and, even so, there was no need to complement N demand through N fertilization. The results suggest that soybean N demand in a high‐yielding environment under NT could be satisfied exclusively through the optimization of BNF. Core Ideas: Benefits of co‐inoculation of soybean with Azospirillum brasilense are unclear.Late N fertilization in soybean is an unnecessary practice.Co‐inoculation and N fertilization did not improve soybean nutrition and yield.N fertilization for no‐till soybean production should not be encouraged.Increased inoculum rate of A. brasilense in soybean should not be encouraged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Avena sativa phototropin 1 light‐oxygen‐voltage 2 domain (AsLOV2) is a model protein of Per‐Arnt‐Sim (PAS) superfamily, characterized by conformational changes in response to external environmental stimuli. This conformational change begins with the unfolding of the N‐terminal A'α helix in the dark state followed by the unfolding of the C‐terminal Jα helix. The light state is characterized by the unfolded termini and the subsequent modifications in hydrogen bond patterns. In this photoreceptor, β‐sheets are identified as crucial components for mediating allosteric signal transmission between the two termini. Through combined experimental and computational investigations, the Hβ and Iβ strands are recognized as the most critical and influential β‐sheets in AsLOV2's allosteric mechanism. To elucidate the role of these β‐sheets, we introduced 13 distinct mutations (F490L, N492A, L493A, F494L, H495L, L496F, Q497A, R500A, F509L, Q513A, L514A, D515V, and T517V) and conducted comprehensive molecular dynamics simulations. In‐depth hydrogen bond analyses emphasized the role of two hydrogen bonds, Asn482‐Leu453 and Gln479‐Val520, in the observed distinct behaviors of L493A, L496F, Q497A, and D515V mutants. This illustrates the role of β‐sheets in the transmission of the allosteric signal upon the photoactivation of the light state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite milk's rich nutrient profile, a growing number of consumers are opting for plant‐based beverages due to health, ethical, and ecological concerns. However, knowledge about the temporal aspects of sensory attributes and consumption‐evoked emotions in these milk alternatives remains limited. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the temporal characteristics of oat, almond, and soy drinks in comparison to conventional cow's milk from three Austrian brands. Employing temporal dominance of sensations (TDS) and temporal dominance of emotions (TDE) methods, 43 consumers assessed the dominance of selected sensory attributes and product evoked emotions over an evaluation period of 60 s for each test sample. The results reveal distinct patterns in sensory profiles and emotions associated with plant drinks, contributing to a better understanding of dynamic sensory perception in the evolving landscape of milk alternatives. Practical applications: The presented study offers valuable insights into the temporal sensory characteristics and emotional sensations associated with oat, almond, and soy drinks compared to traditional cow's milk. Utilizing the temporal dominance of sensations and temporal dominance of emotions methods, we identified distinct sensory patterns in milk alternatives and dominant product‐specific attributes and emotions. This research underscores the intricate interplay between sensory characteristics and consumption‐evoked emotions, which ultimately influence product acceptability. As the global shift towards plant‐based beverages gains momentum, future studies should delve into understanding evolving consumer preferences and exploring innovative formulations to enhance the sensory appeal of milk alternatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose: Oat β‐glucan could ameliorate epidermal hyperplasia and accelerate epidermal barrier repair. Dectin‐1 is one of the receptors of β‐glucan and many biological functions of β‐glucan are mediated by Dectin‐1. Dectin‐1 promotes wound healing through regulating the proliferation and migration of skin cells. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the role of oat β‐glucan and Dectin‐1 in epidermal barrier repair. Experimental Approach: To investigate the role of Dectin‐1 in the epidermal barrier, indicators associated with the recovery of a damaged epidermal barrier, including histopathological changes, keratinization, proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation, cell–cell junctions and lipid content were compared between WT and Dectin‐1−/− mice. Further, the effect of oat β‐glucan on the disruption of the epidermal barrier was also compared between WT and Dectin‐1−/− mice. Key Results: Dectin‐1 deficiency resulted in delayed recovery and marked keratinization, as well as abnormal levels of keratinocyte differentiation, cell–cell junctions and lipid synthesis during the restoration of the epidermal barrier. Oat β‐glucan significantly reduces epidermal hyperplasia, promotes epidermal differentiation, increases cell–cell junction expression, promotes lipid synthesis and ultimately accelerates the recovery of damaged epidermal barriers via Dectin‐1. Oat β‐glucan could promote CaS receptor expression and activate the PPAR‐γ signalling pathway via Dectin‐1. Conclusion and Implications: Oat β‐glucan promote the recovery of damaged epidermal barriers through promoting epidermal differentiation, increasing the expression of cell–cell junctions and lipid synthesis through Dectin‐1. Dectin‐1 deficiency delay the recovery of epidermal barriers, which indicated that Dectin‐1 may be a potential target in epidermal barrier repair. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The study examined the impact of untreated β‐glucan (UtβG) and ozonated β‐glucan (OzβG) on the characteristics of batter and gluten‐free eggless cake prepared using finger millet and flaxseed flour by encompassing a comprehensive analysis of physical, rheological, textural, morphological, sensory and nutritional properties. As the β‐glucan level increased, batter density and viscosity demonstrated an upward trend. The frequency sweep test revealed that β‐glucan altered the rheological parameters of batter, with the storage modulus (G′) surpassing the loss modulus (G″), indicating more elastic properties. The inclusion of OzβG resulted in improved physical characteristics and decreased the cake hardness, attributed to the formation of carboxyl and hydroxyl groups. Cakes incorporated with 1.5% OzβG had the highest overall acceptability score. Hence, this study sheds light on the utilisation of untreated and modified oat β‐glucan in the development of gluten‐free eggless cake, potentially aiding the bakery industry in meeting the rising demands for such products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Resistant starch (RS) has been shown to manipulate food digestion and nutrient metabolism as well as being important in promoting gut health. However, the presence of RS varies across diverse food systems depending upon process conditions. To investigate this, chickpeas, potatoes, arrowroots, unripe bananas and oats were subjected to boiling and pressure cooking at various cooking durations and the RS% was determined. After 45 min of boiling and 15 min of pressure cooking, RS% of chickpeas increased by ~29% and ~41%, respectively. Increasing the cooking time, together with boiling and pressure cooking, led to higher RS% in chickpeas, mainly due to the retrogradation of starch after gelatinisation. In contrast, boiling and pressure cooking led to a reduction in RS% for potatoes, arrowroots, unripe bananas and oats, while a further decrease was encountered with the increase in processing time. After 45 min of boiling, RS% of potatoes, arrowroots, unripe bananas, and oats were reduced by 58%, 22%, 80% and 70%, respectively. After 15 min of pressure cooking, RS% of potatoes, arrowroots and unripe bananas were reduced by 41%, 22% and 83%, respectively. This was mainly due to the disruption of the ordered structure of starch molecules during thermal processing in the presence of water. This study clearly elucidates the impact of boiling and pressure cooking on RS% as a function of processing time and type of RS source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Black oat (Avena strigosa Schreb.) might be an attractive forage species in the northeastern United States, since it is generally more heat tolerant and disease resistant than other cool‐season grasses. Black oat is currently recommended for fall and winter production in USDA Plant Hardiness ones 8b–10a, which is beyond the northeastern United States (Zones 2a–6a). The objective was to evaluate 10 black oat breeding lines (referred to as "UF1" through "UF10") for forage accumulation, crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (aNDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and in vitro digestible organic matter (IVDOM) concentrations. The experiment was carried out in April–July 2022 in Pennsylvania Furnace, PA. Triticale (× Triticosecale Wittmack cv. TriCal 342) and Legend 567 oat (Avena sativa L.) were included as controls, as well as Haden oat and Gunner triticale, as regionally recommended cultivars. The forage accumulation within the black oat germplasm ranged from 364 to 864 lb dry matter (DM) acre−1, observed in UF7 and UF9, respectively, during the first harvest. During the second harvest, forage accumulation within black oat ranged from 1048 to 1408 lb DM acre−1, from UF8 and UF1, respectively. Crude protein concentrations ranged from 16% to 23% across all black oats, with no differences found within the germplasm. The IVDOM concentrations averaged 78% across all treatments during the first harvest and decreased to 66% during the second harvest. Overall, this study showed that black oat merits further evaluation as forage species in the northeastern United States, but further studies are required to address management of the species. Core Ideas: Black oat is heat tolerant and therefore might be an alternative forage species for the northeastern United States.Further evaluation is required to establish production potential and nutritive value of black oat in the northeastern United States region.Best management practices for black oat are lacking and warranted, especially for future cultivar release. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the health hazards associated with plant-based and dairy-free drinks marketed as 'growing up' or 'toddler' milks for young children. These products, high in free sugars, are advised against due to their potential contribution to dental decay, overweight, and obesity. The lack of regulations on marketing these products raises concerns, especially with the increasing popularity of plant-based alternatives. The authors recommend clear information dissemination and product reformulation to limit free sugars content to align with public health recommendations. [Extracted from the article]

Soil hydraulic and physical properties can be influenced by various land management practices, and they determine water movement and storage within the vadose zone, with both agronomic and environmental effects. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of two such practices (no‐till [NT] and cover crops [CCs]) on soil hydraulic (e.g., saturated hydraulic conductivity [Ksat], and water retention) and physical (e.g., bulk density [BD], pore size distribution, air‐filled pore spaces [AFPSs], and water‐filled pore spaces [WFPSs]) properties. The CCs used included crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.), hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth.), winter peas (Lathyrus hirsutus L.), oats (Avena sativa), winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), triticale (Triticale hexaploide Lart.), flax (Linum usitassimum L.), and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). Soil samples were collected and analyzed during 2021 and 2022 right before CC termination at 0‐ to 10‐cm, 10‐ to 20‐cm, and 20‐ to 30‐cm depths. Results showed that, during 2021 and 2022, BD was 18% and 14% higher, respectively, under NC compared with CC management, while Ksat was 2.2 and 1.9 times higher, respectively, under CC compared with NC management. Further, the non‐capillary pores were significantly (p ≥ 0.05) higher under CC compared with NC management during both years of study. As a result, the majority of the total pores under CCs were filled with air, while the majority of total pores under NC management were filled with water. Therefore, this CC mix may be useful in lengthening the growing period during wet seasons by increasing air‐filled pore spaces. Core Ideas: NT cover crops (CCs) significantly lowered BD and increased saturated hydraulic conductivity compared with no cover crop management.During 2 years, the van Genuchten α and n parameters were higher under CC management.CCs improved the proportion of capillary and non‐capillary pores.CCs increased the proportion of total pores filled with air.Under CC management alone, most soil properties were similar during 2 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we used the LC‐ESI‐MS/MS technique to elucidate the effects of stir‐frying on the lipidomics of oat flour before and after storage. We detected 1540 lipids in 54 subclasses; triglycerides were the most abundant, followed by diacylglycerol, ceramide (Cer), digalactosyldiacylglycerol, cardiolipin, and phosphatidylcholine. Principal component analysis and orthogonal least squares discriminant analysis analyses showed that oat flour lipids were significantly different before and after storage in stir‐fried oat flour and raw oat flour. After oat flour was stir‐fried, most of the lipid metabolites in it were significantly downregulated, and the changes in lipids during storage were reduced. Sphingolipid metabolism and ether lipid metabolism were the key metabolic pathways, and Cer, PC, and lyso‐phosphatidylcholine were the key lipid metabolites identified in the related metabolic pathways during oat flour storage. Frying inhibits lipid metabolic pathways during storage of oat flour, thereby improving lipid stability and quality during storage. This study laid the foundation for further investigating quality control and the mechanism of changes in lipids during the storage of oat flour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Widespread screening for hepatitis C virus (HCV) is necessary for Canada to meet its HCV elimination goals by 2030. People who currently or previously injected drugs are at high risk for HCV. Opioid agonist therapy (OAT, such as methadone and buprenorphine) has been shown to help stabilize the lives of people who are opioid‐dependent. The distribution of OAT in North America typically requires daily, weekly, or monthly clinic visits and presents an opportunity for engagement, screening and treatment for those at high‐risk of HCV. In this study, HCV screening was conducted by staff at OAT clinics in Ontario from 2016 to 2020 and those with chronic infections were treated on‐site with direct‐acting antivirals. Point‐of‐care or dried blood spot (DBS) testing was used for antibodies, DBS or serum for HCV RNA and serum for HCV RNA at SVR12 (sustained virological response). Clinics screened 1954 people (mean age 40 years ±12, 63% male). Forty‐five percent were antibody positive, of whom 64% were HCV RNA+. Eighty percent of those RNA+ set an appointment in which 99% attended. Ninety‐six percent started treatment with 87% completing treatment. Sixty‐eight percent of people who completed treatment submitted a sample for SVR12 testing of which 97% achieved a virological cure. Results suggest that HCV screening and treatment at OAT clinics is feasible, effective and warrants expansion. Data suggest strong treatment adherence due to high rates of SVR12 comparable with other OAT‐based HCV treatment programs. The lack of SVR12 sampling could be addressed by either on‐site phlebotomy or incentivizing SVR12 sampling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genotype × environment interaction (GE) and unfavorable associations among breeding objectives are the two key challenges in genotype evaluation and selection. Dealing with GE includes utilizing repeatable GE and accommodating nonrepeatable GE, and analytical tools for both steps have been developed in recent years. The genotype by yield × trait (GYT) analysis was also developed to address the issue of genotype selection based on multiple traits. However, a method to integrate both multi‐trial and multi‐trait information has been lacking. The purpose of this study was to fill the gap. Two types of biplots were described and demonstrated, using an oat (Avena sativa L.) dataset as an example. The G + GE biplot of GYT index graphically displays the mean and stability of the genotypes, considering all breeding objectives. The GYT biplot across trials graphically displays the overall superiority and the strengths and weaknesses of the genotypes, after accommodating the nonrepeatable GE. The two types of biplots rank the genotypes in the same order of superiority; they complementarily provide a complete picture of the genotypes and allow confident genotype evaluation, selection, and recommendation. Core Ideas: Reliable genotype evaluation must be based on multi‐trial and multi‐trait information.Two types of biplots to integrate both multi‐trial and multi‐trait information are described.The G + GE biplot of genotype by yield × trait (GYT) index displays the mean and stability of the genotypes considering all key traits.The GYT biplot across trials displays the superiority and trait profiles of the genotypes.Together, the two biplots provide full understanding of the genotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oat (Avena sativa L.) production worldwide is constrained by crown rust (caused by Puccinia coronata f. sp. avenae), which can cause significant yield losses. The disease is often controlled by spraying fungicides or planting resistant cultivars. Developing host resistance, however, is a challenge due to the high genetic variability of the pathogen. Race‐specific resistance usually succumbs to new races in just a few years. As such, the USDA‐ARS Cereal Disease Laboratory developed mapping populations to identify adult plant resistance (APR) loci from Avena sativa donors. Resistant lines from the mapping populations were selected and crossed with buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica L.) nursery selection lines BT1020‐1‐1 and BT1021‐1‐1, which possess a different gene for crown rust resistance derived from Avena strigosa. From the crosses, CDL‐111 (Reg. no. GP‐122, PI 702639) and CDL‐167 (Reg. no. GP‐123, PI 702640), both containing three APR quantitative trait loci, were selected as germplasm for resistance breeding. High‐throughput markers for selection were developed and implemented in pyramiding the APR loci. Core Ideas: Oat crown rust is a devastating disease worldwide.Breeding for host resistance is economical and environmentally friendly.Race‐specific crown rust resistance is short lived in the field.Pyramiding APR loci may provide durable resistance to crown rust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]