PeerJ
type: channel
link: https://peerj.com/articles/
description: Articles published in PeerJ
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
publication name: PeerJ
issn: 2167-8359
items: Modelling of climate change impact on flow conditions in the lowland anastomosing river
items: Feasibility of a smartphone app to enhance physical activity in progressive MS: a pilot randomized controlled pilot trial over three months
items: Longitudinal relationships between changes in body composition and changes in selected metabolic risk factors (abdominal obesity and blood pressure) among South African adolescents
items: Marsupial and monotreme milk—a review of its nutrient and immune properties
items: Learning to predict pain: differences in people with persistent neck pain and pain-free controls
items: SPANXN2 functions a cell migration inhibitor in testicular germ cell tumor cells
items: Life in a harsh environment: the effects of age, sex, reproductive condition, and season on hair cortisol concentration in a wild non-human primate
items: Measurement of lower-limb asymmetry in professional rugby league: a technical note describing the use of inertial measurement units
items: Assessing bias in demographic estimates from joint live and dead encounter models
items: Lateralized alpha oscillations are irrelevant for the behavioral retro-cueing benefit in visual working memory

Modelling of climate change impact on flow conditions in the lowland anastomosing river
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: The progressive degradation of freshwater ecosystems worldwide requires action to be taken for their conservation. Nowadays, protection strategies need to step beyond the traditional approach of managing protected areas as they have to deal with the protection or recovery of natural flow regimes disrupted by the effects of future climate conditions. Climate change affects the hydrosphere at catchment scale altering hydrological processes which in turn impact hydrodynamics at the river reach scale. Therefore, conservation strategies should consider mathematical models, which allow for an improved understanding of ecosystem functions and their interactions across different spatial and temporal scales. This study focuses on an anastomosing river system in north-eastern Poland, where in recent decades a significant loss of the anabranches has been observed. The objective was to assess the impact of projected climate change on average flow conditions in the anastomosing section of the Narew River. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT software) for the Narew catchment was coupled with the HEC-RAS one-dimensional unsteady flow model. The study looked into projected changes for two future time horizons 2021–2050 and 2071–2100 under the Representative Concentration Pathway 4.5 using an ensemble of nine EURO-CORDEX model scenarios. Results show that low flow conditions in the anastomosing section of the Narew National Park will remain relatively stable in 2021–2050 compared to current conditions and will slightly increase in 2071–2100. Duration of low flows, although projected to decrease on an annual basis, will increase for August–October, when the loss on anastomoses was found to be the most intense. Hydraulic modeling indicated extremely low flow velocities in the anastomosing arm (<0.1 m/s) nowadays and under future projections which is preferable for in-stream vegetation development and their gradual sedimentation and closure.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Paweł Marcinkowski
creator: Dorota Mirosław-Świątek
subject: Climate Change Biology
subject: Natural Resource Management
subject: Ecohydrology
subject: Environmental Impacts
subject: Spatial and Geographic Information Science
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.9275
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2020 Marcinkowski and Mirosław-Świątek
abstract: The progressive degradation of freshwater ecosystems worldwide requires action to be taken for their conservation. Nowadays, protection strategies need to step beyond the traditional approach of managing protected areas as they have to deal with the protection or recovery of natural flow regimes disrupted by the effects of future climate conditions. Climate change affects the hydrosphere at catchment scale altering hydrological processes which in turn impact hydrodynamics at the river reach scale. Therefore, conservation strategies should consider mathematical models, which allow for an improved understanding of ecosystem functions and their interactions across different spatial and temporal scales. This study focuses on an anastomosing river system in north-eastern Poland, where in recent decades a significant loss of the anabranches has been observed. The objective was to assess the impact of projected climate change on average flow conditions in the anastomosing section of the Narew River. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT software) for the Narew catchment was coupled with the HEC-RAS one-dimensional unsteady flow model. The study looked into projected changes for two future time horizons 2021–2050 and 2071–2100 under the Representative Concentration Pathway 4.5 using an ensemble of nine EURO-CORDEX model scenarios. Results show that low flow conditions in the anastomosing section of the Narew National Park will remain relatively stable in 2021–2050 compared to current conditions and will slightly increase in 2071–2100. Duration of low flows, although projected to decrease on an annual basis, will increase for August–October, when the loss on anastomoses was found to be the most intense. Hydraulic modeling indicated extremely low flow velocities in the anastomosing arm (<0.1 m/s) nowadays and under future projections which is preferable for in-stream vegetation development and their gradual sedimentation and closure.
bibliographic citation: Marcinkowski et al. (2020) Modelling of climate change impact on flow conditions in the lowland anastomosing river. PeerJ 8:e9275 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.9275
date submitted: 2019-12-11
date accepted: 2020-05-11
issued: 2020-06-23
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Marcinkowski
  given name: Paweł
author list: Agent
  family name: Mirosław-Świątek
  given name: Dorota
doi: 10.7717/peerj.9275
volume: 8
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2020-06-23
copyright: © 2020 Marcinkowski and Mirosław-Świątek
attribution name: Marcinkowski and Mirosław-Świątek

Feasibility of a smartphone app to enhance physical activity in progressive MS: a pilot randomized controlled pilot trial over three months
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background People with chronic progressive multiple sclerosis (CPMS) have limited options in medical treatment. Enhancing physical activity (PA) might promote neuroregeneration in multiple sclerosis (MS) and positively influence disability, thus providing an alternative to medical treatment. Previous studies indicate that evidence-based patient information (EBPI) is essential for inducing behavioral change, e.g. enhancing PA. Objective To investigate feasibility of a smartphone app providing EBPI about the benefit of PA and a simple activity feedback to enhance PA in people with CPMS in a pilot randomized controlled trial over 3 months. Methods Thirty-eight people with CPMS (mean age 51 years, median Expanded Disability Status Scale 4.0) were 1:1 randomized into either a control group (n = 20) or an intervention group (n = 18). The intervention group received access to a multimedia EBPI app including activity feedback, texts, figures and videos. In the control group, participants received a leaflet with unspecific information about exercising in general. The EPBI itself was designed based on a systematic review. At baseline and after 3 months, all participants underwent clinical performance tests, filled in questionnaires and received an activity monitor (Actigraph®) for 7 days. The primary endpoint was the rate of responders defined as participants with a 20% increase of physical acitivity (time of moderate or vigiorous PA—MVPA) or 20% increase of the number of steps, both assessed with the activity monitor. As secondary endpoints, we compared accelerometry, performance and questionnaires adjusted for baseline measurments between the groups (ANCOVA). Moreover, we used questionnaires to compare knowledge about exercise (activity requiring physical effort, carried out to improve or improve health and fitness) in MS, usability of the app in general and motivation towards a more active lifestyle after 3 months in both groups. Results The groups showed significant diffe…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Navina N. Nasseri
creator: Eghbal Ghezelbash
creator: Yuyang Zhai
creator: Stefan Patra
creator: Karin Riemann-Lorenz
creator: Christoph Heesen
creator: Anne C. Rahn
creator: Jan-Patrick Stellmann
subject: Clinical Trials
subject: Neurology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.9303
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2020 Nasseri et al.
abstract: Background People with chronic progressive multiple sclerosis (CPMS) have limited options in medical treatment. Enhancing physical activity (PA) might promote neuroregeneration in multiple sclerosis (MS) and positively influence disability, thus providing an alternative to medical treatment. Previous studies indicate that evidence-based patient information (EBPI) is essential for inducing behavioral change, e.g. enhancing PA. Objective To investigate feasibility of a smartphone app providing EBPI about the benefit of PA and a simple activity feedback to enhance PA in people with CPMS in a pilot randomized controlled trial over 3 months. Methods Thirty-eight people with CPMS (mean age 51 years, median Expanded Disability Status Scale 4.0) were 1:1 randomized into either a control group (n = 20) or an intervention group (n = 18). The intervention group received access to a multimedia EBPI app including activity feedback, texts, figures and videos. In the control group, participants received a leaflet with unspecific information about exercising in general. The EPBI itself was designed based on a systematic review. At baseline and after 3 months, all participants underwent clinical performance tests, filled in questionnaires and received an activity monitor (Actigraph®) for 7 days. The primary endpoint was the rate of responders defined as participants with a 20% increase of physical acitivity (time of moderate or vigiorous PA—MVPA) or 20% increase of the number of steps, both assessed with the activity monitor. As secondary endpoints, we compared accelerometry, performance and questionnaires adjusted for baseline measurments between the groups (ANCOVA). Moreover, we used questionnaires to compare knowledge about exercise (activity requiring physical effort, carried out to improve or improve health and fitness) in MS, usability of the app in general and motivation towards a more active lifestyle after 3 months in both groups. Results The groups showed significant diffe…
bibliographic citation: Nasseri et al. (2020) Feasibility of a smartphone app to enhance physical activity in progressive MS: a pilot randomized controlled pilot trial over three months. PeerJ 8:e9303 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.9303
date submitted: 2019-10-21
date accepted: 2020-05-15
issued: 2020-06-23
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Nasseri
  given name: Navina N.
author list: Agent
  family name: Ghezelbash
  given name: Eghbal
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhai
  given name: Yuyang
author list: Agent
  family name: Patra
  given name: Stefan
author list: Agent
  family name: Riemann-Lorenz
  given name: Karin
author list: Agent
  family name: Heesen
  given name: Christoph
author list: Agent
  family name: Rahn
  given name: Anne C.
author list: Agent
  family name: Stellmann
  given name: Jan-Patrick
doi: 10.7717/peerj.9303
volume: 8
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2020-06-23
copyright: © 2020 Nasseri et al.
attribution name: Nasseri et al.

Longitudinal relationships between changes in body composition and changes in selected metabolic risk factors (abdominal obesity and blood pressure) among South African adolescents
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Incidence of childhood high blood pressure (BP) is increasing worldwide. This study examined the longitudinal relationship between changes in body composition (i.e. body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and percentage body fat) and selected metabolic risk factors (abdominal obesity and BP) among adolescents from the Tlokwe municipality in the North West Province of South Africa. Method One hundred and eight-six adolescents (81 boys and 105 girls) aged 14 to 16 years participated in the study. Body composition was measured following the International Society of the Advancement of Kinanthropometry standard procedures. BMI, abdominal obesity using WC measurement, and resting BP were determined. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) for repeated measures was calculated to determine changes in anthropometric measures and body composition as well as changes in BP. Additionally, Univariate analysis of variance with repeated measures and participants as a random sample was applied. Diastolic BP (DBP) and systolic BP (SBP) were used as dependent variables and sex, age, BMI, WC, and waist-to-height ratio as independent variables. Results Significant changes were found for stature, BMI, body mass, WC, SBP, and DBP. BMI for the total group was significant and positively related to abdominal obesity in 2012 (r = 0.55; p < 0.01) and in 2013 (r = 0.77; p < 0.01) and to SBP (r = 0.26; p < 0.05) in 2012 and (r = 0.17; p = 0.43) in 2013. BMI among the boys was significantly and positively related to abdominal obesity in 2012 (r = 0.83; p < 0.01) and 2013 (r = 0.91; p < 0.01). For the girls, BMI was significantly and positively related to abdominal obesity (r = 0.49; p < 0.01) and to SBP (r = 0.32; p = 0.05) in 2012. Boys with a higher WC in 2012 had significantly increased DBP (p < 0.05). Boys measured in 2012 with greater WC and BMI show a significant increase in SBP. Conclusions BMI was positively related to BP and abdominal obesity over time. Relatively high BMI and ab…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Vincent Masocha
creator: Makama Andries Monyeki
creator: Stanisław H. Czyż
subject: Pediatrics
subject: Public Health
subject: Metabolic Sciences
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.9331
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2020 Masocha et al.
abstract: Background Incidence of childhood high blood pressure (BP) is increasing worldwide. This study examined the longitudinal relationship between changes in body composition (i.e. body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and percentage body fat) and selected metabolic risk factors (abdominal obesity and BP) among adolescents from the Tlokwe municipality in the North West Province of South Africa. Method One hundred and eight-six adolescents (81 boys and 105 girls) aged 14 to 16 years participated in the study. Body composition was measured following the International Society of the Advancement of Kinanthropometry standard procedures. BMI, abdominal obesity using WC measurement, and resting BP were determined. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) for repeated measures was calculated to determine changes in anthropometric measures and body composition as well as changes in BP. Additionally, Univariate analysis of variance with repeated measures and participants as a random sample was applied. Diastolic BP (DBP) and systolic BP (SBP) were used as dependent variables and sex, age, BMI, WC, and waist-to-height ratio as independent variables. Results Significant changes were found for stature, BMI, body mass, WC, SBP, and DBP. BMI for the total group was significant and positively related to abdominal obesity in 2012 (r = 0.55; p < 0.01) and in 2013 (r = 0.77; p < 0.01) and to SBP (r = 0.26; p < 0.05) in 2012 and (r = 0.17; p = 0.43) in 2013. BMI among the boys was significantly and positively related to abdominal obesity in 2012 (r = 0.83; p < 0.01) and 2013 (r = 0.91; p < 0.01). For the girls, BMI was significantly and positively related to abdominal obesity (r = 0.49; p < 0.01) and to SBP (r = 0.32; p = 0.05) in 2012. Boys with a higher WC in 2012 had significantly increased DBP (p < 0.05). Boys measured in 2012 with greater WC and BMI show a significant increase in SBP. Conclusions BMI was positively related to BP and abdominal obesity over time. Relatively high BMI and ab…
bibliographic citation: Masocha et al. (2020) Longitudinal relationships between changes in body composition and changes in selected metabolic risk factors (abdominal obesity and blood pressure) among South African adolescents. PeerJ 8:e9331 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.9331
date submitted: 2020-01-28
date accepted: 2020-05-19
issued: 2020-06-23
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Masocha
  given name: Vincent
author list: Agent
  family name: Monyeki
  given name: Makama Andries
author list: Agent
  family name: Czyż
  given name: Stanisław H.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.9331
volume: 8
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2020-06-23
copyright: ©2020 Masocha et al.
attribution name: Masocha et al.

Marsupial and monotreme milk—a review of its nutrient and immune properties
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: All mammals are characterized by the ability of females to produce milk. Marsupial (metatherian) and monotreme (prototherian) young are born in a highly altricial state and rely on their mother’s milk for the first part of their life. Here we review the role and importance of milk in marsupial and monotreme development. Milk is the primary source of sustenance for young marsupials and monotremes and its composition varies at different stages of development. We applied nutritional geometry techniques to a limited number of species with values available to analyze changes in macronutrient composition of milk at different stages. Macronutrient energy composition of marsupial milk varies between species and changes concentration during the course of lactation. As well as nourishment, marsupial and monotreme milk supplies growth and immune factors. Neonates are unable to mount a specific immune response shortly after birth and therefore rely on immunoglobulins, immunological cells and other immunologically important molecules transferred through milk. Milk is also essential to the development of the maternal-young bond and is achieved through feedback systems and odor preferences in eutherian mammals. However, we have much to learn about the role of milk in marsupial and monotreme mother-young bonding. Further research is warranted in gaining a better understanding of the role of milk as a source of nutrition, developmental factors and immunity, in a broader range of marsupial species, and monotremes.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Hayley J. Stannard
creator: Robert D. Miller
creator: Julie M. Old
subject: Biochemistry
subject: Zoology
subject: Immunology
subject: Nutrition
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.9335
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2020
abstract: All mammals are characterized by the ability of females to produce milk. Marsupial (metatherian) and monotreme (prototherian) young are born in a highly altricial state and rely on their mother’s milk for the first part of their life. Here we review the role and importance of milk in marsupial and monotreme development. Milk is the primary source of sustenance for young marsupials and monotremes and its composition varies at different stages of development. We applied nutritional geometry techniques to a limited number of species with values available to analyze changes in macronutrient composition of milk at different stages. Macronutrient energy composition of marsupial milk varies between species and changes concentration during the course of lactation. As well as nourishment, marsupial and monotreme milk supplies growth and immune factors. Neonates are unable to mount a specific immune response shortly after birth and therefore rely on immunoglobulins, immunological cells and other immunologically important molecules transferred through milk. Milk is also essential to the development of the maternal-young bond and is achieved through feedback systems and odor preferences in eutherian mammals. However, we have much to learn about the role of milk in marsupial and monotreme mother-young bonding. Further research is warranted in gaining a better understanding of the role of milk as a source of nutrition, developmental factors and immunity, in a broader range of marsupial species, and monotremes.
bibliographic citation: Stannard et al. (2020) Marsupial and monotreme milk—a review of its nutrient and immune properties. PeerJ 8:e9335 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.9335
date submitted: 2020-03-30
date accepted: 2020-05-20
issued: 2020-06-23
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Stannard
  given name: Hayley J.
author list: Agent
  family name: Miller
  given name: Robert D.
author list: Agent
  family name: Old
  given name: Julie M.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.9335
volume: 8
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2020-06-23

Learning to predict pain: differences in people with persistent neck pain and pain-free controls
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Learning to predict threatening events enables an organism to engage in protective behavior and prevent harm. Failure to differentiate between cues that truly predict danger and those that do not, however, may lead to indiscriminate fear and avoidance behaviors, which in turn may contribute to disability in people with persistent pain. We aimed to test whether people with persistent neck pain exhibit contingency learning deficits in predicting pain relative to pain-free, gender-and age-matched controls. Method We developed a differential predictive learning task with a neck pain-relevant scenario. During the acquisition phase, images displaying two distinct neck positions were presented and participants were asked to predict whether these neck positions would lead to pain in a fictive patient with persistent neck pain (see fictive patient scenario details in Appendix A). After participants gave their pain-expectancy judgment in the hypothetical scenario, the verbal outcome (PAIN or NO PAIN) was shown on the screen. One image (CS+) was followed by the outcome “PAIN”, while another image (CS−) was followed by the outcome “NO PAIN”. During the generalization phase, novel but related images depicting neck positions along a continuum between the CS+ and CS− images (generalization stimuli; GSs) were introduced to assess the generalization of acquired predictive learning to the novel images; the GSs were always followed by the verbal outcome “NOTES UNREADABLE” to prevent extinction learning. Finally, an extinction phase was included in which all images were followed by “NO PAIN” assessing the persistence of pain-expectancy judgments following disconfirming information. Results Differential pain-expectancy learning was reduced in people with neck pain relative to controls, resulting from patients giving significantly lower pain-expectancy judgments for the CS+, and significantly higher pain-expectancy judgments for the CS−. People with neck pain also demonstrated…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Daniel S. Harvie
creator: Jeroen D. Weermeijer
creator: Nick A. Olthof
creator: Ann Meulders
subject: Anesthesiology and Pain Management
subject: Orthopedics
subject: Psychiatry and Psychology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.9345
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2020 Harvie et al.
abstract: Background Learning to predict threatening events enables an organism to engage in protective behavior and prevent harm. Failure to differentiate between cues that truly predict danger and those that do not, however, may lead to indiscriminate fear and avoidance behaviors, which in turn may contribute to disability in people with persistent pain. We aimed to test whether people with persistent neck pain exhibit contingency learning deficits in predicting pain relative to pain-free, gender-and age-matched controls. Method We developed a differential predictive learning task with a neck pain-relevant scenario. During the acquisition phase, images displaying two distinct neck positions were presented and participants were asked to predict whether these neck positions would lead to pain in a fictive patient with persistent neck pain (see fictive patient scenario details in Appendix A). After participants gave their pain-expectancy judgment in the hypothetical scenario, the verbal outcome (PAIN or NO PAIN) was shown on the screen. One image (CS+) was followed by the outcome “PAIN”, while another image (CS−) was followed by the outcome “NO PAIN”. During the generalization phase, novel but related images depicting neck positions along a continuum between the CS+ and CS− images (generalization stimuli; GSs) were introduced to assess the generalization of acquired predictive learning to the novel images; the GSs were always followed by the verbal outcome “NOTES UNREADABLE” to prevent extinction learning. Finally, an extinction phase was included in which all images were followed by “NO PAIN” assessing the persistence of pain-expectancy judgments following disconfirming information. Results Differential pain-expectancy learning was reduced in people with neck pain relative to controls, resulting from patients giving significantly lower pain-expectancy judgments for the CS+, and significantly higher pain-expectancy judgments for the CS−. People with neck pain also demonstrated…
bibliographic citation: Harvie et al. (2020) Learning to predict pain: differences in people with persistent neck pain and pain-free controls. PeerJ 8:e9345 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.9345
date submitted: 2019-12-05
date accepted: 2020-05-21
issued: 2020-06-23
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Harvie
  given name: Daniel S.
author list: Agent
  family name: Weermeijer
  given name: Jeroen D.
author list: Agent
  family name: Olthof
  given name: Nick A.
author list: Agent
  family name: Meulders
  given name: Ann
doi: 10.7717/peerj.9345
volume: 8
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2020-06-23
copyright: © 2020 Harvie et al.
attribution name: Harvie et al.

SPANXN2 functions a cell migration inhibitor in testicular germ cell tumor cells
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background SPANX family members are thought to play an important role in cancer progression. The SPANXN2 is a gene expressed mainly in normal testis, but its role in testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) has yet to be investigated. TGCT is one of the most common solid tumors in young men and is associated with poor prognosis; however, effective prognostic indicators remain elusive. Therefore, we investigated the role of SPANXN2 in TGCT development. Methods SPANXN2 expression levels were validated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analyses of 14 TGCT samples and five adjacent normal tissue samples. SPANXN2 was transiently overexpressed in TGCT cells to study the consequences for cell function. The effects of SPANXN2 on cell migration were evaluated in transwell and wound healing assays. The effects on cloning ability were evaluated in colony formation assays. MTT assays and cell cycle analysis were used to detect the effects of SPANXN2 on cell proliferation. The expression levels of EMT- and AKT-related proteins in cells overexpressing SPANXN2 were analyzed by Western blotting. Results Compared with adjacent normal tissues, the Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis database showed SPANXN2 expression was downregulated in TGCTs which was consistent with the qRT-PCR analysis. SPANXN2 overexpression reduced cell migration and colony formation capability and downregulated expression of EMT- and AKT-related proteins, Vimentin, Snail, AKT, and p-AKT. Conclusion Our results suggest that SPANXN2 regulates TGCT cell migration via EMT- and AKT-related proteins although its role in the occurrence and development of TGCT remains to be fully elucidated.
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format: text/html
creator: Fang Zhu
creator: Hao Bo
creator: Guangmin Liu
creator: Ruixue Li
creator: Zhizhong Liu
creator: Liqing Fan
subject: Cell Biology
subject: Genetics
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.9358
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2020 Zhu et al.
abstract: Background SPANX family members are thought to play an important role in cancer progression. The SPANXN2 is a gene expressed mainly in normal testis, but its role in testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) has yet to be investigated. TGCT is one of the most common solid tumors in young men and is associated with poor prognosis; however, effective prognostic indicators remain elusive. Therefore, we investigated the role of SPANXN2 in TGCT development. Methods SPANXN2 expression levels were validated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analyses of 14 TGCT samples and five adjacent normal tissue samples. SPANXN2 was transiently overexpressed in TGCT cells to study the consequences for cell function. The effects of SPANXN2 on cell migration were evaluated in transwell and wound healing assays. The effects on cloning ability were evaluated in colony formation assays. MTT assays and cell cycle analysis were used to detect the effects of SPANXN2 on cell proliferation. The expression levels of EMT- and AKT-related proteins in cells overexpressing SPANXN2 were analyzed by Western blotting. Results Compared with adjacent normal tissues, the Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis database showed SPANXN2 expression was downregulated in TGCTs which was consistent with the qRT-PCR analysis. SPANXN2 overexpression reduced cell migration and colony formation capability and downregulated expression of EMT- and AKT-related proteins, Vimentin, Snail, AKT, and p-AKT. Conclusion Our results suggest that SPANXN2 regulates TGCT cell migration via EMT- and AKT-related proteins although its role in the occurrence and development of TGCT remains to be fully elucidated.
bibliographic citation: Zhu et al. (2020) SPANXN2 functions a cell migration inhibitor in testicular germ cell tumor cells. PeerJ 8:e9358 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.9358
date submitted: 2020-02-10
date accepted: 2020-05-24
issued: 2020-06-23
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhu
  given name: Fang
author list: Agent
  family name: Bo
  given name: Hao
author list: Agent
  family name: Liu
  given name: Guangmin
author list: Agent
  family name: Li
  given name: Ruixue
author list: Agent
  family name: Liu
  given name: Zhizhong
author list: Agent
  family name: Fan
  given name: Liqing
doi: 10.7717/peerj.9358
volume: 8
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2020-06-23
copyright: ©2020 Zhu et al.
attribution name: Zhu et al.

Life in a harsh environment: the effects of age, sex, reproductive condition, and season on hair cortisol concentration in a wild non-human primate
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Hair cortisol concentration (HCC) provides a long-term retrospective measure of hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis activity, and is increasingly used to assess the life history, health and ecology of wild mammals. Given that sex, age, season and pregnancy influence HCC, and that it may indicate ongoing stress, we examined HCC in common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) naturally inhabiting a hot and dry semi-desert like habitat, Caatinga, in northeastern Brazil. We trapped, measured, weighed, marked and collected shaved hair from the back of the neck of 61 wild marmosets during the wet and dry seasons. Using enzyme immunoassay, we found that HCC was higher in the dry season compared with the wet season among all age/sex classes. Females had significantly higher HCC than males, juveniles had higher HCC than adults, and reproductively active adult females and non-pregnant/non lactating adult females did not differ in HCC. There were no interaction effects of sex, age, group, or season on HCC. The magnitude of the effect of this extremely hot and dry environment (average yearly rainfall was only 271 mm) on HCC in common marmosets is difficult to ascertain as these animals are also experiencing a variety of other stressors. However, the elevated HCC seen in common marmosets during the 5–8 month dry season, suggests these primates face an extended period of heat, water and possibly nutritional stress, which appears to result in a high rate of juvenile mortality.
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creator: Paul A. Garber
creator: Anna McKenney
creator: Evelyn Bartling-John
creator: Júlio César Bicca-Marques
creator: María Fernanda De la Fuente
creator: Filipa Abreu
creator: Nicola Schiel
creator: Antonio Souto
creator: Kimberley A. Phillips
subject: Animal Behavior
subject: Anthropology
subject: Zoology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.9365
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2020 Garber et al.
abstract: Hair cortisol concentration (HCC) provides a long-term retrospective measure of hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis activity, and is increasingly used to assess the life history, health and ecology of wild mammals. Given that sex, age, season and pregnancy influence HCC, and that it may indicate ongoing stress, we examined HCC in common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) naturally inhabiting a hot and dry semi-desert like habitat, Caatinga, in northeastern Brazil. We trapped, measured, weighed, marked and collected shaved hair from the back of the neck of 61 wild marmosets during the wet and dry seasons. Using enzyme immunoassay, we found that HCC was higher in the dry season compared with the wet season among all age/sex classes. Females had significantly higher HCC than males, juveniles had higher HCC than adults, and reproductively active adult females and non-pregnant/non lactating adult females did not differ in HCC. There were no interaction effects of sex, age, group, or season on HCC. The magnitude of the effect of this extremely hot and dry environment (average yearly rainfall was only 271 mm) on HCC in common marmosets is difficult to ascertain as these animals are also experiencing a variety of other stressors. However, the elevated HCC seen in common marmosets during the 5–8 month dry season, suggests these primates face an extended period of heat, water and possibly nutritional stress, which appears to result in a high rate of juvenile mortality.
bibliographic citation: Garber et al. (2020) Life in a harsh environment: the effects of age, sex, reproductive condition, and season on hair cortisol concentration in a wild non-human primate. PeerJ 8:e9365 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.9365
date submitted: 2020-03-17
date accepted: 2020-05-26
issued: 2020-06-23
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Garber
  given name: Paul A.
author list: Agent
  family name: McKenney
  given name: Anna
author list: Agent
  family name: Bartling-John
  given name: Evelyn
author list: Agent
  family name: Bicca-Marques
  given name: Júlio César
author list: Agent
  family name: De la Fuente
  given name: María Fernanda
author list: Agent
  family name: Abreu
  given name: Filipa
author list: Agent
  family name: Schiel
  given name: Nicola
author list: Agent
  family name: Souto
  given name: Antonio
author list: Agent
  family name: Phillips
  given name: Kimberley A.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.9365
volume: 8
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2020-06-23
copyright: © 2020 Garber et al.
attribution name: Garber et al.

Measurement of lower-limb asymmetry in professional rugby league: a technical note describing the use of inertial measurement units
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Quantifying lower-limb load and asymmetry during team sport match-play may be important for injury prevention and understanding performance. However, current analysis methods of lower-limb symmetry during match-play employ wearable microtechnology that may not be best suited to the task. A popular microtechnology is global positioning systems (GPS), which are torso worn. The torso location, and the summary workload measures calculated by GPS are not suited to the calculation of lower-limb load. Instead, research grade accelerometers placed directly on the lower-limb may provide better load information than GPS. This study proposes a new technique to quantify external mechanical load, and lower-limb asymmetry during on-field team sport play using inertial measurement units. Methods Four professional rugby league players (Age: 23.4 ± 3.1 years; Height: 1.89 ± 0.05 m; Mass: 107.0 ± 12.9 kg) wore two accelerometers, one attached to each foot by the boot laces, during match simulations. Custom Matlab (R2017b, The Mathworks Inc, Natick, MA) code was used to calculate total time, area under the curve (AUC), and percentage of time (%Time) spent in seven acceleration categories (negative to very high, <0 g to >16 g), as well as minimum and maximum acceleration during match simulations. Lower-limb AUC and %Time asymmetry was calculated using the Symmetry Angle Equation, which does not require normalization to a reference leg. Results The range of accelerations experienced across all participants on the left and right sides were 15.68–17.53 g, and 16.18–17.69 g, respectively. Clinically significant asymmetry in AUC and %Time was observed for all but one participant, and only in negative (<0 g) and very high accelerations (>16 g). Clinically significant AUC differences in very high accelerations ranged from 19.10%–26.71%. Clinically significant %Time differences in negative accelerations ranged from 12.65%–25.14%, and in very high accelerations from 18.59%–25.30%. Al…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Daniel J. Glassbrook
creator: Joel T. Fuller
creator: Jacqueline A. Alderson
creator: Tim L.A. Doyle
subject: Bioengineering
subject: Anatomy and Physiology
subject: Kinesiology
subject: Orthopedics
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.9366
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2020 Glassbrook et al.
abstract: Background Quantifying lower-limb load and asymmetry during team sport match-play may be important for injury prevention and understanding performance. However, current analysis methods of lower-limb symmetry during match-play employ wearable microtechnology that may not be best suited to the task. A popular microtechnology is global positioning systems (GPS), which are torso worn. The torso location, and the summary workload measures calculated by GPS are not suited to the calculation of lower-limb load. Instead, research grade accelerometers placed directly on the lower-limb may provide better load information than GPS. This study proposes a new technique to quantify external mechanical load, and lower-limb asymmetry during on-field team sport play using inertial measurement units. Methods Four professional rugby league players (Age: 23.4 ± 3.1 years; Height: 1.89 ± 0.05 m; Mass: 107.0 ± 12.9 kg) wore two accelerometers, one attached to each foot by the boot laces, during match simulations. Custom Matlab (R2017b, The Mathworks Inc, Natick, MA) code was used to calculate total time, area under the curve (AUC), and percentage of time (%Time) spent in seven acceleration categories (negative to very high, <0 g to >16 g), as well as minimum and maximum acceleration during match simulations. Lower-limb AUC and %Time asymmetry was calculated using the Symmetry Angle Equation, which does not require normalization to a reference leg. Results The range of accelerations experienced across all participants on the left and right sides were 15.68–17.53 g, and 16.18–17.69 g, respectively. Clinically significant asymmetry in AUC and %Time was observed for all but one participant, and only in negative (<0 g) and very high accelerations (>16 g). Clinically significant AUC differences in very high accelerations ranged from 19.10%–26.71%. Clinically significant %Time differences in negative accelerations ranged from 12.65%–25.14%, and in very high accelerations from 18.59%–25.30%. Al…
bibliographic citation: Glassbrook et al. (2020) Measurement of lower-limb asymmetry in professional rugby league: a technical note describing the use of inertial measurement units. PeerJ 8:e9366 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.9366
date submitted: 2020-04-08
date accepted: 2020-05-26
issued: 2020-06-23
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Glassbrook
  given name: Daniel J.
author list: Agent
  family name: Fuller
  given name: Joel T.
author list: Agent
  family name: Alderson
  given name: Jacqueline A.
author list: Agent
  family name: Doyle
  given name: Tim L.A.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.9366
volume: 8
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2020-06-23
copyright: ©2020 Glassbrook et al.
attribution name: Glassbrook et al.

Assessing bias in demographic estimates from joint live and dead encounter models
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Joint encounter (JE) models estimate demographic rates using live recapture and dead recovery data. The extent to which limited recapture or recovery data can hinder estimation in JE models is not completely understood. Yet limited data are common in ecological research. We designed a series of simulations using Bayesian multistate JE models that spanned a large range of potential recapture probabilities (0.01–0.90) and two reported mortality probabilities (0.10, 0.19). We calculated bias by comparing estimates against known probabilities of survival, fidelity and reported mortality. We explored whether sparse data (i.e., recapture probabilities <0.02) compromised inference about survival by comparing estimates from dead recovery (DR) and JE models using an 18-year data set from a migratory bird, the lesser snow goose (Anser caerulescens caerulescens). Our simulations showed that bias in probabilities of survival, fidelity and reported mortality was relatively low across a large range of recapture probabilities, except when recapture and reported mortality probabilities were both lowest. While bias in fidelity probability was similar across all recapture probabilities, the root mean square error declined substantially with increased recapture probabilities for reported mortality probabilities of 0.10 or 0.19, as expected. In our case study, annual survival probabilities for adult female snow geese were similar whether estimated with JE or DR models, but more precise from JE models than those from DR models. Thus, our simulated and empirical data suggest acceptably minimal bias in survival, fidelity or reported mortality probabilities estimated from JE models. Even a small amount of recapture information provided adequate structure for JE models, except when reported mortality probabilities were <0.10. Thus, practitioners with limited recapture data should not be discouraged from use of JE models. We recommend that ecologists incorporate other data types as frequentl…
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Mitch D. Weegman
creator: Scott Wilson
creator: Ray T. Alisauskas
creator: Dana K. Kellett
subject: Ecology
subject: Zoology
subject: Population Biology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.9382
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2020 Weegman et al.
abstract: Joint encounter (JE) models estimate demographic rates using live recapture and dead recovery data. The extent to which limited recapture or recovery data can hinder estimation in JE models is not completely understood. Yet limited data are common in ecological research. We designed a series of simulations using Bayesian multistate JE models that spanned a large range of potential recapture probabilities (0.01–0.90) and two reported mortality probabilities (0.10, 0.19). We calculated bias by comparing estimates against known probabilities of survival, fidelity and reported mortality. We explored whether sparse data (i.e., recapture probabilities <0.02) compromised inference about survival by comparing estimates from dead recovery (DR) and JE models using an 18-year data set from a migratory bird, the lesser snow goose (Anser caerulescens caerulescens). Our simulations showed that bias in probabilities of survival, fidelity and reported mortality was relatively low across a large range of recapture probabilities, except when recapture and reported mortality probabilities were both lowest. While bias in fidelity probability was similar across all recapture probabilities, the root mean square error declined substantially with increased recapture probabilities for reported mortality probabilities of 0.10 or 0.19, as expected. In our case study, annual survival probabilities for adult female snow geese were similar whether estimated with JE or DR models, but more precise from JE models than those from DR models. Thus, our simulated and empirical data suggest acceptably minimal bias in survival, fidelity or reported mortality probabilities estimated from JE models. Even a small amount of recapture information provided adequate structure for JE models, except when reported mortality probabilities were <0.10. Thus, practitioners with limited recapture data should not be discouraged from use of JE models. We recommend that ecologists incorporate other data types as frequentl…
bibliographic citation: Weegman et al. (2020) Assessing bias in demographic estimates from joint live and dead encounter models. PeerJ 8:e9382 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.9382
date submitted: 2020-02-13
date accepted: 2020-05-28
issued: 2020-06-23
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Weegman
  given name: Mitch D.
author list: Agent
  family name: Wilson
  given name: Scott
author list: Agent
  family name: Alisauskas
  given name: Ray T.
author list: Agent
  family name: Kellett
  given name: Dana K.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.9382
volume: 8
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2020-06-23
copyright: © 2020 Weegman et al.
attribution name: Weegman et al.

Lateralized alpha oscillations are irrelevant for the behavioral retro-cueing benefit in visual working memory
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: The limited capacity of visual working memory (vWM) necessitates the efficient allocation of available resources by prioritizing relevant over irrelevant items. Retro-cues, which inform about the future relevance of items after encoding has already finished, can improve the quality of memory representations of the relevant items. A candidate mechanism of this retro-cueing benefit is lateralization of neural oscillations in the alpha-band, but its precise role is still debated. The relative decrease of alpha power contralateral to the relevant items has been interpreted as supporting inhibition of irrelevant distractors or as supporting maintenance of relevant items. Here, we aimed at resolving this debate by testing how the magnitude of alpha-band lateralization affects behavioral performance: does stronger lateralization improve the precision of the relevant memory or does it reduce the biasing influence of the irrelevant distractor? We found that it does neither: while the data showed a clear retro-cue benefit and a biasing influence of non-target items as well as clear cue-induced alpha-band lateralization, the magnitude of this lateralization was not correlated with any performance parameter. This finding may indicate that alpha-band lateralization, which is typically observed in response to mnemonic cues, indicates an automatic shift of attention that only coincides with, but is not directly involved in mnemonic prioritization.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Wanja A. Mössing
creator: Niko A. Busch
subject: Neuroscience
subject: Psychiatry and Psychology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.9398
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2020 Mössing and Busch
abstract: The limited capacity of visual working memory (vWM) necessitates the efficient allocation of available resources by prioritizing relevant over irrelevant items. Retro-cues, which inform about the future relevance of items after encoding has already finished, can improve the quality of memory representations of the relevant items. A candidate mechanism of this retro-cueing benefit is lateralization of neural oscillations in the alpha-band, but its precise role is still debated. The relative decrease of alpha power contralateral to the relevant items has been interpreted as supporting inhibition of irrelevant distractors or as supporting maintenance of relevant items. Here, we aimed at resolving this debate by testing how the magnitude of alpha-band lateralization affects behavioral performance: does stronger lateralization improve the precision of the relevant memory or does it reduce the biasing influence of the irrelevant distractor? We found that it does neither: while the data showed a clear retro-cue benefit and a biasing influence of non-target items as well as clear cue-induced alpha-band lateralization, the magnitude of this lateralization was not correlated with any performance parameter. This finding may indicate that alpha-band lateralization, which is typically observed in response to mnemonic cues, indicates an automatic shift of attention that only coincides with, but is not directly involved in mnemonic prioritization.
bibliographic citation: Mössing et al. (2020) Lateralized alpha oscillations are irrelevant for the behavioral retro-cueing benefit in visual working memory. PeerJ 8:e9398 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.9398
date submitted: 2020-02-19
date accepted: 2020-05-30
issued: 2020-06-23
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Mössing
  given name: Wanja A.
author list: Agent
  family name: Busch
  given name: Niko A.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.9398
volume: 8
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2020-06-23
copyright: © 2020 Mössing and Busch
attribution name: Mössing and Busch

PeerJ
type: Periodical
uri: PeerJ
issn: 2167-8359